Doom Averted

Gladiators of the Vagabond #7

by Robin O'Connor

Trapped on a space wreck, alone. My only hope is a grumpy, sexy voice on the other side of the line.

Arianna

It’s my worst nightmare, stuck all alone in outer space. Did I mention alone? I’m not hero material, I’m the school dropout, the misfit. Now I have to save myself.

When I manage to send out an SOS, the grumpy alien voice that answers sets my blood on fire. Why do I always fall for the broody, silent type?

Now I need to convince him to rescue me, without scaring him off. I hope he can reach me before I run out of food. But the ship that finds me first… It isn’t his.

Da’vi

I don’t trust the human woman asking for my help, yet I can’t get her out of my head. She gets under my skin like nothing ever has before.

I have to rescue her, and to get to her in time, I do the thing I swore I’d never do again. While my former commanding officer is chasing me to build him a super engine, I make one just to rescue Arianna with her cheerful smile.

She is nothing like me, she’d hate me if she really knew me. I want her anyway. I will protect her from my enemies and from the slavers. If I can get to her in time...

Doom Averted is a full-length standalone sci-fi romanc e featuring hot alien gladiators, a grumpy alien recluse , a cheerful, shunshine h eroine , and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Note: each book in the series can be read as a standalone, but for maximum enjoyment, it’s recommended that the series be read in order.

Genres: Romance, Science Fiction, Science Fiction Romance, Aliens

201 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2024

About the author

Robin O’Connor is an author who loves to write about strong, alien heroes and quirky heroines. She lives with her husband and son along with a couple hundred books (hers, definitely hers) and probably just as many computer parts (her husband’s). Her house therefore probably resembles something like a mad-scientist’s lab on any given day.

She’s always working on at least a half dozen projects at the same time but is never without time to answer questions, write up funny extras or hang out in her group online to speak with her readers.

Join her mailing list ➜ https://robinoconnor.ink/

Join her on Facebook ➜ https://www.facebook.com/RobinOConnor...

Visit her website ➜ https://robinoconnor.ink/

Follow her on Instagram➜ instagram.com/robinoconnorofficial/

Reviews

[Chrissy Loves Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author wrote and compelling and intriguing story that included rescue, romance, and intrigue. All in all the storyline came along nicely and it had the right amount of steam to keep me interested. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alejandra Guerrero · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was lowkey anticipating Da’vi’s story. And I was kinda disappointed. The end felt rushed, both in the general plot and for the relationship. They spent two freaking weeks avoiding each other, and all of a sudden they declared their love. She knew he was busy, but not once did she think of coming to check on him. And she has the gall to be angry at the other women for not taking care of him. Also, she decides she’s gonna let him make the next move, and that’ll be OK, IF SHE FREAKING TOLD HIM!I really didn’t like Arianna. The conflict with the army is solved in a second, with not much effort, and it was anticlimactic, TBH. There are less commas, though.

[Harleem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this entire series by Robin O’Connor. It’s about a group of alien gladiator slaves who’ve risen up, fought for their freedom, taken over the Vagabond starship, and one at a time they’ve fallen in love with human women.

This particular book, Doom Averted, is about Arianna and Da’vi (aka Doom, his gladiator name). Arianna is a human woman who wakes up, alone, in the wreckage of a ship with no memory or concept of how she would’ve gotten there. Trying not to let her mind spiral out of control with negative thoughts, she repeats positive mantras to herself and sings “You are my sunshine” to the empty space around her. Somehow, she manages to send out a call for help that gets answered by Da’vi. He’s the engineer on the gladiator’s spaceship. Normally withdrawn, ridden by guilt due to the devastating result of past decisions, he’s not exactly enthusiastic about travelling a couple of months, out of their way, into a dead zone (and possibly a trap) to rescue some woman who may or may not be a damsel in distress. But there’s something about her that captivates him… And she’s only got a month’s amount of food supplies. Add to this tricky situation, that Da’vi’s former military captain wants him back, who’s willing to chase him down across the galaxy, and forcefully bring Da’vi back under his command because he’s a brilliant engineer who’s devised a way to travel faster than FTL (faster than light).

Once again, I had a difficult time putting this book down. It wasn’t particularly exciting or full of wild, adventurous scenes, but the characters never fail to pull me in. Arianna is a typical human woman, who struggles to keep her thoughts under control and fights to stay positive despite being in a difficult situation. Da’vi is a good man, well alien man, who struggles with guilt for having caused harm to others by his actions when he was in the army and doesn’t want to cause harm to his now gladiator brothers. It was quite easy to get lost in the story and the connection the characters built together.

It's easy to wish that the story was longer, or had more details, because I simply don’t want it to end. So, as always, I am left eagerly awaiting the next instalment in the series.

I received an advance review copy from the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arianna, the female human lead, woke in a strange glass lidded coffin-like box, finding herself alone in a dusty spaceship. She didn’t know where she was, how she got there, or why she was in an empty ship. Desperate for rescue, she guesses what is the communication console and contact button and reaches out, with contact being received by Da’Vi, the male alien lead, who has the receiving communication unit because he stole it from a criminal overlord in a previous story.

Understanding the risk Arianna is facing, he desperately reconstructs a super engine that caused deaths last time he made one, knowing he has no other options and supported by his crew mates/found family.

Rescuing Arianna, they now need to escape Da’Vi’s previous employer, who wants him to make one of those engines for them. They also want to try to rescue other human females who were in pods on Arianna’s ship, before they’re sold…

This story is dual POV, well written, and a complex, fast paced romance. I enjoyed both lead characters’ development, with both having to overcome historical mental baggage. I enjoyed Arianna’s work towards finding a place for herself and how much she enjoyed Da’Vi’s lack of charm. I enjoyed Da’Vi’s confusion over why she’d choose him and his determination to make it worth her while. I enjoyed their intimate interactions and the balance they found in each other. I appreciated the value of chosen family, especially in contrast to Arianna’s biological one, and the secondary character integration. I also appreciated the lead in to the next story in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doom Averted by Robin O’Connor
Gladiators of the Vagabond #7

Da’vi was saved by the gladiators early in the series when he was damaged and probably set to be destroyed by his gladiator owners. This story finds him settled in on the Vagabond, working on the engines, working out to maintain his strength, and keeping an eye on his furry friend when a call for help from deep space comes in by a voice that draws him in…a human female voice…an intriguing one.

What I liked:
* Da’vi: alien, intelligent, a bit of a loner, mechanic with mad engineering skills, ripe for a relationship though he may not know it
* Arianna “Ari”: human, alone on a space ship after emerging from a stasis pod, upbeat and positive, has trust and esteem issues, rather taken with Da’vi
* The slow growth of the relationship between Da’vi and Ari
* Getting to see how the other gladiators are doing – those with and without mates
* That Da’vi puts people first rather than his new invention
* The furry creatures and how they get along together – wonder if they are a ‘couple’ too
* That the bad guy was thwarted
* The lead into the next book that will star Eoin and Tori

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to: Drameil and Allignon
* Having to wait to see what will happen next

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

[Karen Nastasio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 7 and what a great book it was and it held me captivated throughout and all the characters were amazing which brought to life the storyline. Arianna is a human that wakes up on a spaceship in a glass like coffin and not knowing how she got there and she is alone except for other coffins around her so she makes her way to what she thinks is the bridge to find someone or call for help and after pushing buttons and asking for help when a grumpy and sexy voice answers her call and they start talking and she tells him everything and what she sees and he promises to help save her. Davi is the chief engineer on the spaceship Vagabond after he was saved by other gladiators that escaped before him and now the communicator he stole from his old captor starts going off and a human females voice is asking for help and at first he thinks it’s a trap but the longer they talk he knows she needs help and the strange pull he has to protect this female and because others could already be on there way to collect the females stranded on board. And now with help of his crew mates they go after to save the humans. How does it all turn out and do they save the females in time and does Davi finally find his fated mate in Arianna or not. This is a must read series that I know you will enjoy and love just as I have.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arianna wakes from stasis alone aboard a derelict spaceship not knowing how she’d gotten there or for how long she’d been there. Feels like aliens were involved to her and with the ship still powered but without artificial gravity making her way to the control room is difficult and dangerous.
Finally figuring out what’s the communication panel she manages to reach out with a signal that finds Chief Engineer Da’Vi Ertague aboard the vessel Vagabond.
Once convinced Arianna isn’t part of a trap to capture the Vagabond and its crew Da’Vi soon becomes determined to rescue her.
One cannot help but feel compassion for these two likable characters, Arianna sweet but riddled with self-doubt and Da’Vi grumpy but with a warm heart as both will soon feel an emotional pull towards the other while they converse through intergalactic channels in the weeks that follow.
Their journey of self-discovery and romance is a good one that is written well with intrigue, mystery, and an adventure I found to be an excellent read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[kymagirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arianna (h) awakens alone in a spaceship with no idea where she is, minimal supplies, or how to operate the craft. She manages to send out a message asking for help which is picked-up by Da’vi (H), an escaped gladiator and chief engineer on the Vagabond, but he’s unsure if she truly needs help or if it’s a trap. Arianna and Da’vi get to know one another through their communications and he realizes she needs his help if she’s going to survive. There's lots of action and adventure throughout as the Vagabond crew races to save Arianna and to keep Da’vi safe from his own past. Hot and steamy sunny human, grumpy alien romance. Given the recurring characters and overarching arc, the books in the series are best read in series order to fully understand the characters, relationships, and collective backgrounds.

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun grumpy/sunshine romance ;) Arianna awoke on a space ship and figured out she'd been kidnapped from Earth...a long time ago, based on the skeletons she encountered. She managed to ping out a communication that got picked up by Da'vi on the Vagabond. He was unsure if she was a trap or if she legitimately needed his help. The more they talked, the more connection they both felt and soon he had the Vagabond and it's crew racing to reach her before she ran out of supplies. Danger, drama, action, angst and suspense swirl around these two as they tried to find their way to an HEA. There was great steam to go with their chemistry and I really enjoyed how their romance unfolded. Now, I can't wait for the next book to see if they can rescue the gals from the other pods ;D

[Sentinelle23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤💚🛸 TOTALLY CAPTIVATING.

Arianna forced the lid of the pod to open it.
She was nauseous, she had to get out of there...

She was finally out of the box and floating in the air! There was no more gravity.

Stunned, she realized that she was in a completely deserted spaceship...

-------------------

I was very pleasantly surprised by this captivating science fiction romance, read in one sitting. The author has a sensitive writing, very pleasant to read.

I found the scenario mysterious and successful. The two main characters of Arianna and Da'vi are very moving.
And that's without counting Babbitt, the playful and grumpy pet...

I recommend this captivating sci-fi romance. It made me want to read more stories from the series.

[Shana W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just can't get enough of this series! I find that as soon as I finish one book, I need to read the next one. I'm enjoying each gladiator's adventure as he finds his mate. The world building is fabulous, with interesting and well described aliens, as well as a universe full of unique planets and space stations. Da'vi is a Kertinal, an alien with cool horns, a versatile tail and glowing lines on his skin. He is gruff on the outside but a marshmallow on the inside. The adventure starts when Da'vi hears a call for help from Arianna, who proves to him that opposites really do attract. The ensuing story is easy to read, action packed and highly entertaining.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Mc Chanster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely love this series! I am always ridiculously excited every time a new one comes out!

Robin O’ Connor has built a fantastic world full of mystery, adventure, and of course, romance. I adore all the members of the Vagabond crew and I really appreciate how the author consistently provides background and histories for each of them – this makes them that much more memorable and easier to love! The steamy scenes were hot, but not lewd, and they always leave me wanting more!

Thank you StoryOrigin and Robin O’ Connor for my copy! I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful addition to an awesome series. I've been hooked to Gladiators of the Vagabond since book one- in love with the characters and intrigued by the world they inhabit. Great world building. I was captivated by the story from the start and Arianna's plight had me hooked. I really liked Da'vi. When he gets an emergency call from Arianna alone and stranded in space, he's suspicious it's a trap and can't risk the lives of his brethren and their mates. When he comes to realizes she's genuine, he must save her. This was a fun adventure with action, suspense, and danger, wonderful characters, and found family. 5 stars.

[Ilenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book keeps a masterful balance on romance and intrigue. Arianna is a human that wakes up scared and alone in space with zero recollection of how she got there. Da‘vi , a character that came up a little in the other books of the Vagabond series is seen in a much more interesting light. He’s not a cold and brooding mechanic. He becomes a savior for Arianna and shows genuine affection to his lovely pet. The romance is timed well and when the two meet in person the plot thickens and the stakes get higher. We are almost made to believe the heroes won’t make it in the end but we’re on the edge of our seats the whole time. A great read! Worth the suspenseful cliffhangers in each chapter.

[Georgie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, I think I may be one of my favourites of the series so far and that's saying a lot as I love all of the series. I loved the dynamic between Arianna and Da'vi and how throughout the story they helped each other and brought out the best. I honestly think this is one of my favourite couples so far, I loved the sunshine and moody dynamic it was soo cute, I also really liked the way they worked together both casually and sexually as the sex scenes in this book were absolutely amazing!
I 100% recommend this boom and I'm definitely gonna be reading it again as I absolutely love it!

[Jill K. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Race against time

I was glad to finally get more of Doom/Da'vi. He was so quiet in most of the books, sort of doubting his place among the brothers. In this story, he never doubts his place with them, just with Arianna. I liked the back and forth between these two, and how they seemed like opposites when they weren't really. It was nice to see a couple characters from the previous book, as I had wanted to know how they were doing. Both of these characters GREW, which I can't say for all of the Gladiators and their mates.

[Alissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still great. Maybe a 3.5 star one, but I love a gruff marshmallow. I think this one was a bit more disjointed than the others. The rescue mission was half (ish?) of it, then they were being chased down so that he could be conscripted back into his race's military. Of which, they knew where he was the whole time he was in slavery but didn't rescue him. So the second half is him trying not to get conscripted as they're being chased down by this jerk of an admiral. But the spy from last book helped out, so that's good.

[Sandra Sanches · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved all the books in this series and Doom averted doesn't disapoint a bit.Da'vi and Arianna are the perfect match,both with past issues but with big hearts that will open for love.One more amazing romance with adventure, characters with deph,complex and captivating storyline and the magic touch of Robin O'Connor. Definitly a MUST READ!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anne-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The two main characters were emotionally attached to each other before they even met. Da’vi was Arianna’s life line. Both are afraid of forming relationships as they think of themselves as unworthy. While she seems very social, he barely talks to anyone. Just when they eventually make a great team, danger threatens to tear them apart. This story will continue to unfold with a new couple in the next book.

[Christyn P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t wait for Da’vi’s story and it was absolutely worth it. Arianna was exactly what he needed to bring him out of his shell as his fated mate. Da’vi was what Arianna needed to help her get over her insecurities. Their love story was really cute and passion was super steamy. Good plot as always kept the pages turning. Evil is everywhere. I cannot wait for the next one, Eoin.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Manda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arianna wakes to find herself in a dead spacecraft all alone. She manages to contact a gruff sounding male who agrees to come and rescue her.

Arianna is a sunshine individual to Da'vi's strong, silent, growly persona. They both have issues to work through, space pirates to avoid and a deranged former commanding officer to outrun.

A wonderful, steamy, action packed page turner.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable

I only know of one word that describes this book and that is adorable! I couldn’t get enough of these two characters. One was an all out grump and the other a ray of sunshine to brighten his world. The way these two grew close over conversations on the com and each fulfilled a need the other had was so magical. Full of action and steam this is another enjoyable read to add to the series.

[Killeena Savola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Da’vi is a grumpy Kertinillian as he holds secrets that keep him closed off. He is hit with a need to save a woman he knows nothing about. Arianna is a woman who always runs and never settles. Her past plays a loop of all her failures giving her doubts. Waking up alone in space is not something she was looking forward to. Danger is lurking for Arianna and Da’vi some things must come to the front for them to get ahead.

[Jeannette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arianna an Da’vi

This is a very good, well written, SciFi, Alien/Human romance. This is the 7th book of the series and each is unique and great reading. The characters are interesting and lovable. Arianna wakes on a damaged, derelict space ship in a malfunctioning pod. She keeps her head and manages to call for help. Da’vi is working on some equipment recently found and receives her call. He is suspicious but likes the sound of her voice. Read how he manages to rescue her.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sci-fi romantic adventure is just fabulous! I really loved it! So happy to see Da'vi with his forever.. Wonderful zing of electricity between them! Love seeing how his deeper emotions and personality are revealed.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[FRANCES COOPER · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this series from the beginning and it only gets better! Have you ever had a brownie that was so good that when it was gone you craved it again for weeks? That is how this series is. Devouring this series is a decadent event for the senses of your mind. Romance, adventure and intrigue all in one! The only drawback is the insatiable need for the next book! I await eagerly!

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful, fabulous, fast-paced, sci-fi, romantic adventure, that I really loved reading. It’s Da’vi and Arianna’s story. The storyline was interesting and kept me glued from the first moment. The characters had a wonderful steamy chemistry together, and I enjoyed watching them.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

How would you feel if you woke up lost in space and not know how you got there. This was a very interesting story that kept me reading till the end. Loved Da’vi and Arianna’s story. Very good, I would recommend this book to all.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You are my sunshine!!!

Doom Averted is book 7 in the Gladiators of the Vagabond series.

Da’vi is an unforgettable gladiator brother who is the silent, grumpy, cranky, grouchy engineer aboard the Vagabond who also has, of course, a cantankerous pet too! Who would put up with that except maybe…

Arianna is a super sweet, friendly and melodic human female who’s stranded, floating, and alone in a space debris field. Her only contact… Da’vi, but he may not be able to rescue her in time!

There is so much to unpack in Doom Averted… more bad guys, more adventure and suspense, more alien lovin’ and much more teasing with not one but two interesting mysteries that I can’t wait to discover… Steel Reforged is next!

[Lillah Cruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a riveting read. I absolutely adore a grumpy/sunshine book toss in some aliens and mmmm yummy thank you. Pick this up you won’t regret it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.