Fighting Gravity

The Surge #2

by Courtney Leigh

Quinn
I worked hard to be a pilot for the Nexus, the biggest human space station ever to exist. I was on my way to proving that my family was wrong about me... Until one of our freighters was blown up by the gek'tal.
We've been told over and over again that they're the bad guys and now there's no doubt. And what's worse is that now I'm on their ship and their captain, a big, green tower of muscle and cruelty, thinks I have useful information for him. I've told him what he wants to know is above my pay grade, but he doesn't believe me. So? I'm gonna have to kill him...

Rhone
I've interrogated her, taunted her, and tested her in more ways than one and she still won't talk. Instead, she spits in my face and shouts and fights me. She's so soft and injures easily and yet she does not shy from pain.
My crew wants me to just get rid of her. They think she's useless to us, but my people's greatest enemy, the valerians, have allied with the humans for some reason and we need to learn why.
And, ever since she looked at me for the first time with that hateful fire in her eyes, I've wanted to get her on her knees...

***This book is enemies-to-lovers and includes mild instances of torture and interrogation, dub-con, and near sexual assault instances (not by MMC) as well as mentions of abortion and physical abuse. Meant for readers 18+***

Genres: Science Fiction Romance

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 31, 2023

About the author

I was born on a teeny tiny island in the middle of the ocean to two amazing and adventurous parents. When we moved to the mainland, I was raised on an ostrich ranch in rural Arizona where learned about hard work and responsibility. I attribute my determination to my upbringing and loved the adventures of my younger years. Myself and my siblings schooled in the city, a one hour commute each way.
I majored in theatre then immediately moved on to college when I was 17 pursuing fashion and costume design. I graduated during the recession and couldn't find work, so depression got me until I found the cosplay community and opened up again with both a social life and a creative drive.
Through ALL of this, I was writing in my spare time. From the moment I could draw really sloppy letters on a page, I was creating stories and it became something I did to relieve stress and cope with life changes. At 17, I finished my first novel at 160,000 words (it since got lost in many crashed computers and moves) But since then I have been writing like a mad woman and finally published in 2019. I have no plans of stopping.

Reviews

[jennifer | offmyredcarpet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read with intriguing and complex world building. This is much darker than book one with an aggressive alien society. It does need a content warning as the MMC captures the FMC and roughs her up for information he believes her to possess. Don’t worry as she gives as good as she gets once she is able. True enemies to lovers. These aliens are the enemy from book one and we get a clearer picture of the dispute between the two species. The FMC has a lot of trauma in her past and it is somewhat a focus of her personality. I like that she wasn’t the type to reveal or share but I would have liked more emotional exploration between her and the MMC beyond “I shouldn’t feel this way about you”. The unhurried pacing of the MMC’s interest from hate to not is done very well as is his curiosity about the FMC. There’s a lot of primal type behaviors and anger banging. As in book one, this author is unafraid to explore different territory in alien romance and I’m having a great time escaping into her worlds.

[Becka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Norm!

Without giving too much away this was a fun, if slightly serious adventure through the stars.

Quinn is a rebellious fighter who doesn't like being told what to do. She has lived a hard life that has taught her nothing comes easy.

Rhone is a strong and dominant male who has fought tooth and nail to get where he is in life as a urok.

This story has some plot outside of the relationship but really there is no resolution or progress in that plot.

I enjoyed the book and would likely be interested in the next one in the series. I would have appreciated the build up in their relationship to progress a bit more smoothly as we never get to see them fully get to know each other. Book does deliver fully on enemies to lovers promise.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always on the lookout for a good enemies to lovers and always seem to just get "don't really like each other to lovers." This books was great because they were really enemies in the beginning and add the alien aspect and space battles and it's a really good, action packed, steamy book. These two were so fierce and so right for each other. I would love to know more about the world in general, especially the gek/valerian history. hope to see more in other books!

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enemies to Lovers

I enjoyed the hate between our main characters ( had quite a few chuckles throughout) and a refreshing outlook on war in general. I did hope to see more of (at least some) of the characters from the previous book, but maybe in the next instalment. Looking forward to reading the next book.

[Mona Storm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enemies to lovers!

I loved this story!!! This was a real enemies to lovers, stabbing and all!
The world building was fabulous and I love the tie ins to book 1!
I'm so curious how the war between the valerian and the gek will turn out now that we have a couple on both sides!!!

[Karen P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good

I didn’t go with high hopes into it but I’ve run out of alien romances by now. Maaan, was it good. Enemies to lovers. Unexpected approach. Big, green aliens. Love it

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

great read!

I really enjoyed this book and the ending. I love that Courtney always finds a way to leave the characters on a joyful note with one another. Highly recommend

[Milla · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent!

So many books fall in the good/bad trap. How. Epic to read a book that shows real life not black and white. Loved this book!

[Torah Channing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was completely enjoyable.
I loved the world building, the characters and the spice.
Dual POV with an exciting storyline.

[Dr susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is dark, which appeals to some readers. I had trouble liking both main characters. The worldbuilding is interesting, and the book is well-written.