I love Risda III and when I couldn't finish a book to save my life, I decided to try this first in a new series on this delightful planet. The book starts with Ruthie (h) drugged up and being dragged through a space port, but finding safety with a crew (who were first introduced in a different Ruby Dixon series, but no fears, there's a brief intro at the start of the book). Along with being rescued, Ruthie also learns that she's a clone and it's pretty shocking to everyone. Kazex (H) is the security officer for the ship she lands on and immediately took her under his wing, was adorably protective, and instantly devoted. He's all in from first sight AND TELLS HER. Meanwhile, even some time later, Ruthie's still struggling with PTSD and her identity while Kaz is her best friend waiting patiently for whenever she might want more. No worries, even with the mental health struggles, there's lots of humor and sweetness.
Written in first person, dual POV. No ow drama (a human on Risda does flirt with H but he only sees h) and no om drama. Both are inexperienced (h has some memories related to being a clone but nothing of hers and H was on suppressant drugs for a long time, he only "wakes up" for h).
I liked this and esp loved Kaz. I did notice a couple of inconsistencies and I had a hard time with feeling like Ruthie was genuinely on the same level of adoration as him. I felt like he loved her a lot more than she loved him. It was also a little confusing because Kaz was so clear in his affection and Ruthie would question it to death and make it seem as though he wasn't easy to read. I realize this was her intrusive thoughts happening, it was hard though. Ruthie's anxiety also presents as overwhelmed with any type of decision and though she feels deeply about him, she's terrified of change so gives him mixed signals, which Kaz often misinterprets as him messing up or not being needed. It hurt my heart to see these two flounder so much. But their bond was genuinely sweet and when they were clicking, they were so lovely together.
The progression of steaminess also didn't quite hit the way I wished it did to start. The scenes were good, but Ruthie has to be the instigator because Kaz is giving her space, except this dynamic doesn't work well. She also wants to watch Kaz and then because of her anxiety presenting, her actions afterwards wouldn't mesh well with what had just occurred imo. They do still have some hot scenes and Ruthie gets a piercing that requires intimacy and overloads Kaz's horniness levels multiple times lol.
The third act conflict made sense for Ruthie challenging herself, but how she went about it was not my favorite. I loved that she had the success to bolster herself though and to FINALLY be on the same page as Kaz. Kaz's reaction was exactly as I expected and it was precious. The ending is HFN of them a solid couple being cute and making plans with others from the ship for opening this cantina for humans on Risda. Even when I don't love one of these stories, I still enjoy them and they make for a happy read for me. I'm glad Ruby Dixon's expanding this world, this series is going to have some fun with these clones y'all.