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The Fleet Admiral's Daughter
A Sapphic Space Adventure of Duty, Love, and Resilience
In the distant reaches of space, Captain Sarah Miller’s future was meant for the war-torn streets of Earth—not the cold corridors of Crown Space Station. But when her father, Fleet Admiral Douglas Miller, is forced to step down, duty demands she take his place, whether she wants it or not.
Joined by her twin brother Max, a brilliant engineer with a knack for trouble, Sarah struggles to navigate the high-stakes world of military leadership, interstellar politics, and the shadow of a father she can never seem to please. Haunted by crippling PTSD and the ghosts of her past, she fights for control in a life she never chose.
Amid the chaos, Sarah finds an unexpected light in Lieutenant Commander Annie Jones. Their forbidden sapphic romance is a spark of warmth in the vast emptiness of space—but with looming threats on all sides, can love survive in a galaxy that demands loyalty above all else?
Perfect for fans of LGBTQ romance books, lesbian military sci-fi, and high-stakes space opera!
If you love queer sci-fi romance, resilient heroines, and the clash of duty versus desire, dive into The Fleet Admiral’s Daughter today!
In the distant reaches of space, Captain Sarah Miller’s future was meant for the war-torn streets of Earth—not the cold corridors of Crown Space Station. But when her father, Fleet Admiral Douglas Miller, is forced to step down, duty demands she take his place, whether she wants it or not.
Joined by her twin brother Max, a brilliant engineer with a knack for trouble, Sarah struggles to navigate the high-stakes world of military leadership, interstellar politics, and the shadow of a father she can never seem to please. Haunted by crippling PTSD and the ghosts of her past, she fights for control in a life she never chose.
Amid the chaos, Sarah finds an unexpected light in Lieutenant Commander Annie Jones. Their forbidden sapphic romance is a spark of warmth in the vast emptiness of space—but with looming threats on all sides, can love survive in a galaxy that demands loyalty above all else?
Perfect for fans of LGBTQ romance books, lesbian military sci-fi, and high-stakes space opera!
If you love queer sci-fi romance, resilient heroines, and the clash of duty versus desire, dive into The Fleet Admiral’s Daughter today!
- GenresScience Fiction
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 4, 2025
16 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 25, 2025
This ending.. I’m in absolute bits.
Oh my god have I stumbled across a little gem! This book was a real surprise, and I am going to tune in for every single book that will follow.
Starting off slow, the author really takes their time introducing the whole concept of this futuristic world and intricate workings of the space station the story unfolds in. I really felt like I understood what was going on in the space legion and how things worked without ever being overwhelmed with information. Relationships are slowly introduced, explained and further expanded with care and I enjoyed that most people are already familiar with each other by the time the story starts, but their relationships grow deeper as the book progresses. The main character, Sarah, is already in a relationship with Annie, although it has to be kept a secret due to the ships no dating in the lower ranks rule, but the reader is able to see how their relationship develops into something more serious. I really liked these two together, they are both smart and interesting and they were sweet to each other! No notes.
I will say that this book is quite military and space heavy. It’s got a more serious tone, and I did like it but as someone who’s read a lot of sci-fi that had some more fantasy elements to it it did take me a little while to get used to it. This book has more interstellar vibes than for example Jedi rebel adventures.
A little over the halfway mark, the plot of this series really starts to pick up. Nefarious plots start coming to light and I can tell that we’re in for a ride with this series. Book one does a great job setting everything up, and I’m fairly confident that the next book will be even better. Fair warning though; this book does end with a cliffhanger that made me personally tear up.. Worth it, but beware!
Oh my god have I stumbled across a little gem! This book was a real surprise, and I am going to tune in for every single book that will follow.
Starting off slow, the author really takes their time introducing the whole concept of this futuristic world and intricate workings of the space station the story unfolds in. I really felt like I understood what was going on in the space legion and how things worked without ever being overwhelmed with information. Relationships are slowly introduced, explained and further expanded with care and I enjoyed that most people are already familiar with each other by the time the story starts, but their relationships grow deeper as the book progresses. The main character, Sarah, is already in a relationship with Annie, although it has to be kept a secret due to the ships no dating in the lower ranks rule, but the reader is able to see how their relationship develops into something more serious. I really liked these two together, they are both smart and interesting and they were sweet to each other! No notes.
I will say that this book is quite military and space heavy. It’s got a more serious tone, and I did like it but as someone who’s read a lot of sci-fi that had some more fantasy elements to it it did take me a little while to get used to it. This book has more interstellar vibes than for example Jedi rebel adventures.
A little over the halfway mark, the plot of this series really starts to pick up. Nefarious plots start coming to light and I can tell that we’re in for a ride with this series. Book one does a great job setting everything up, and I’m fairly confident that the next book will be even better. Fair warning though; this book does end with a cliffhanger that made me personally tear up.. Worth it, but beware!
January 9, 2025
3.5 rounded up :)
Sarah Miller is a marine, not a space soldier. Or so she thought until her father, the esteemed Fleet Admiral, is forced to step down, with Sarah first in line to take his place. Despite Sarah’s reluctance she agrees to play the role and along with her twin brother Max, boards the Crown Space Station.
While aboard she faces interpersonal setbacks, corrupt internal politics and PTSD unlike anything she encountered on Earth. Not to mention her crippling fear of deep space. However, despite everything, she manages to find romance with a Lieutenant Commander, Annie. Can her relationships and love keep her sane and safe in cold dark space? Or will her demons and enemies prove too much for even Sarah to take? All the space thrills and more in, The Fleet Admiral’s Daughter.
This book was a ride that’s for dang sure. I took a bit of a risk reading this one because I am terrified of space. However, the premise looked interesting and I am glad I gave it a chance because I enjoyed it. I was anticipating an alien foe or some space demon. Instead, I found an emotional story full of depth, growth and human connection.The plot was fairly easy to digest, minus some technical jargon. The characters were layered. And the writing style overall kept me engaged. If you like intense action and deep space stories then you are in the right place.
I appreciated that the plot took turns I didn’t expect, given the setting is space. For the first half of the book I was anticipating an external threat to pop up. Such as aliens, or other hostile entities outside the space station. However, as the story progressed it became obvious that the real threat to Sarah and her mission were the people inside the station. Without giving away any spoilers let’s just say that first impressions and gut feelings in this story are key to Sarah’s survival. There are no coincidences and every little thing that seems suspicious, probably is, which was so fun in the end when she started putting it all together.
Sarah is a great MC. I loved her emotional depth and growth over the course of the book. Her anger at her father and unhappiness at being forced to be on the space station is surprisingly relatable and I found myself empathizing with her. Plus her relationship with her twin is sweet and I love how realistic and imperfect their connection is. However, I was caught off guard that they called each other “brother” and “sister”, instead of their names. Sarah’s sweet sapphic romance was a highlight of the story for me though. I appreciated that they came into this book already having history so their connection was evident from the get-go and you were just hoping for them to get together.
Overall the writing style was great and kept me engaged. However, it did drag on in some bits and went maybe a tad too into the day to day for my taste. I think I’m slightly more of a thrill seeker in this genre. Though If you enjoy very in depth character stories with intense action scattered throughout I think you’ll really appreciate that aspect. The technical jargon did also lose me a bit but that is 100% just my opinion.
All in all, this deep space thriller is a read with surprising depth. From the perilous missions to the interpersonal betrayal you will not want to put this down. Not to mention you’ll consider putting in an application to the Space Force. If you like high stakes sci-fi and sweet sapphic romance, you are in the right place. Happy reading!
Thanks so much to J.A. Gaudio for sending me an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
For more sapphic reviews follow @the.lebian.library on Instagram, StoryGraph, Goodreads, and Tiktok
Sarah Miller is a marine, not a space soldier. Or so she thought until her father, the esteemed Fleet Admiral, is forced to step down, with Sarah first in line to take his place. Despite Sarah’s reluctance she agrees to play the role and along with her twin brother Max, boards the Crown Space Station.
While aboard she faces interpersonal setbacks, corrupt internal politics and PTSD unlike anything she encountered on Earth. Not to mention her crippling fear of deep space. However, despite everything, she manages to find romance with a Lieutenant Commander, Annie. Can her relationships and love keep her sane and safe in cold dark space? Or will her demons and enemies prove too much for even Sarah to take? All the space thrills and more in, The Fleet Admiral’s Daughter.
This book was a ride that’s for dang sure. I took a bit of a risk reading this one because I am terrified of space. However, the premise looked interesting and I am glad I gave it a chance because I enjoyed it. I was anticipating an alien foe or some space demon. Instead, I found an emotional story full of depth, growth and human connection.The plot was fairly easy to digest, minus some technical jargon. The characters were layered. And the writing style overall kept me engaged. If you like intense action and deep space stories then you are in the right place.
I appreciated that the plot took turns I didn’t expect, given the setting is space. For the first half of the book I was anticipating an external threat to pop up. Such as aliens, or other hostile entities outside the space station. However, as the story progressed it became obvious that the real threat to Sarah and her mission were the people inside the station. Without giving away any spoilers let’s just say that first impressions and gut feelings in this story are key to Sarah’s survival. There are no coincidences and every little thing that seems suspicious, probably is, which was so fun in the end when she started putting it all together.
Sarah is a great MC. I loved her emotional depth and growth over the course of the book. Her anger at her father and unhappiness at being forced to be on the space station is surprisingly relatable and I found myself empathizing with her. Plus her relationship with her twin is sweet and I love how realistic and imperfect their connection is. However, I was caught off guard that they called each other “brother” and “sister”, instead of their names. Sarah’s sweet sapphic romance was a highlight of the story for me though. I appreciated that they came into this book already having history so their connection was evident from the get-go and you were just hoping for them to get together.
Overall the writing style was great and kept me engaged. However, it did drag on in some bits and went maybe a tad too into the day to day for my taste. I think I’m slightly more of a thrill seeker in this genre. Though If you enjoy very in depth character stories with intense action scattered throughout I think you’ll really appreciate that aspect. The technical jargon did also lose me a bit but that is 100% just my opinion.
All in all, this deep space thriller is a read with surprising depth. From the perilous missions to the interpersonal betrayal you will not want to put this down. Not to mention you’ll consider putting in an application to the Space Force. If you like high stakes sci-fi and sweet sapphic romance, you are in the right place. Happy reading!
Thanks so much to J.A. Gaudio for sending me an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
For more sapphic reviews follow @the.lebian.library on Instagram, StoryGraph, Goodreads, and Tiktok
March 26, 2025
4.5 Stars
The Fleet Admirals daughter by JA Gaudio. Ok, wow. I just never expected myself to be so engrossed in a science fiction book! I could count in one hand the sci-fi books I actually like and now The Fleet Admiral’s Daughter has joined the ranks.
The setting, the world building was a 10/10 for me. Perfectly executed. It was needed of course. It may seem tedious to read a ship’s description but it really pays off once you’re in the thick of it.
The characters were well written as they were all distinct and memorable. The main character’s struggles stemming from her past, her current job and her relationships onboard was believable and the author balanced out all the conflicting factors with bursts of positivity which made following the story fun and interesting.
Taking in the details of the setting and the characters’ way of living in outer space, it is obvious that in depth research was poured into writing this novel. And it shows. The story flowed smoothly, no bloating, nothing awkward or untoward popped up while reading the book and it’s so refreshing to easily take in a sci-fi genre book.
I honestly couldn’t find any fault in the writing or story in general. I could easily see this as a movie or tv show. And of course a series with 4 to 5 books. I’d read every single one because it is quality writing. I highly recommend The Admiral’s Daughter by JA Gaudio. A sci-fi fan or not, it’s worth reading.
The Fleet Admirals daughter by JA Gaudio. Ok, wow. I just never expected myself to be so engrossed in a science fiction book! I could count in one hand the sci-fi books I actually like and now The Fleet Admiral’s Daughter has joined the ranks.
The setting, the world building was a 10/10 for me. Perfectly executed. It was needed of course. It may seem tedious to read a ship’s description but it really pays off once you’re in the thick of it.
The characters were well written as they were all distinct and memorable. The main character’s struggles stemming from her past, her current job and her relationships onboard was believable and the author balanced out all the conflicting factors with bursts of positivity which made following the story fun and interesting.
Taking in the details of the setting and the characters’ way of living in outer space, it is obvious that in depth research was poured into writing this novel. And it shows. The story flowed smoothly, no bloating, nothing awkward or untoward popped up while reading the book and it’s so refreshing to easily take in a sci-fi genre book.
I honestly couldn’t find any fault in the writing or story in general. I could easily see this as a movie or tv show. And of course a series with 4 to 5 books. I’d read every single one because it is quality writing. I highly recommend The Admiral’s Daughter by JA Gaudio. A sci-fi fan or not, it’s worth reading.
November 16, 2025
The blurb for The Fleet Admiral's Daughter by JA Gaudio gives a thorough overview of the plot and piqued my attention. However, it could not have prepared me for the gamut of emotions I felt when completely enveloped in this world. I have said that I am not much for sci-fi space stories, but some are just that good. Despite this novel being around 400 pages, it was clean, tight, and engaging from beginning to end. I couldn't put it down. The characters were likable (except for the villains) and believable. The descriptions of settings and scenes were vivid. I loved the complex character development and the growth that Sarah experienced. The science, military, and space exploration seemed sound and not overly complicated for someone like me. It was well-written, well-researched, and well-edited, so I had no difficulty following it. The pace was perfectly timed to the plot and the action, suspense scenes were edge-of-my-seat fantastic. The exploration of Sarah's PTSD was excellent and important. The relationships were multilayered. Sarah's relationships with her dad, her uncle, other officers, her subordinates, her brother, and Annie, were realistic and compelling. Sarah and Annie's partnership was couple goals.
Trigger warnings for PTSD, nightmares, panic attacks, death of a supporting character, recounting traumatic military experiences, and recounting the death of a family member.
This is book one in a series. Be aware that it ends on a cliffhanger, sort of. It could end right where it did, and I would be sad, but it would make sense to the plot. However, there is an indication that a longer story is to be told, and the author already has the second installation planned.
It sticks with you after the last page. I loved this book, and I am excited about the next one coming. I will be watching out for this author.
#spaceforce #spaceexploration #savetheearth #military #sapphic #scifi
I received this free ARC from StoryOrigin. This is my honest opinion.
PS THAT ENDING!
Trigger warnings for PTSD, nightmares, panic attacks, death of a supporting character, recounting traumatic military experiences, and recounting the death of a family member.
This is book one in a series. Be aware that it ends on a cliffhanger, sort of. It could end right where it did, and I would be sad, but it would make sense to the plot. However, there is an indication that a longer story is to be told, and the author already has the second installation planned.
It sticks with you after the last page. I loved this book, and I am excited about the next one coming. I will be watching out for this author.
#spaceforce #spaceexploration #savetheearth #military #sapphic #scifi
I received this free ARC from StoryOrigin. This is my honest opinion.
PS THAT ENDING!
January 24, 2025
I haven’t read that much science fiction, not because I don’t like it but because it’s not my usual go to genre. However, The Fleet Admiral’s Daughter was a fun and intense read about adventures in space and everything that the universe has to offer. This was a surprisingly easy read even though there is quite a lot of space jargon that flew over my head. It doesn’t take anything away from the plot and I love the characters and their development from start to finish.
The book follows Sarah Miller who has basically been sent to space on a mission against her will by her father who wants her to follow in his footsteps and become an Admiral. Sarah has no idea what she really wants to do but knows that she prefers her feet to be on solid ground and that she had a good place in the Marines. The only saving grace of being in space is that she is reunited with her twin brother Max and Annie who she has some history with.
Throughout the novel, there is a lot of information provided about Sarah’s daily routine which includes lots of training and sims, the ships’ mechanics and character politics. While some parts did feel a bit repetitive with the everyday stuff, it was never boring and there was always something different happening, whether it was a fight that’s broken out, a challenge or some heart to hearts. It was overall fascinating to discover all aspects of The Crown and its individual ships and Gaudio really puts a lot of intricate detail in which shows her in depth level of research.
There was also a bit of repetition with Sarah as she kept refusing a promotion as she struggled to come to terms with what she wanted her future to look like. She didn’t want to gain a promotion just based on her name and wanted to earn a title instead and her inner turmoil is clearly felt as she makes her choices. One repetition that I did really love was the continuous use of ‘not last’ throughout the novel. Every time Sarah thought she might be doing or seeing something for the last time, she had to remind herself that it wouldn’t be the last and I really loved this touch.
I would have liked to have seen more back story on what is happening back down on Earth which has caused them to resort to these space missions to find other resources on the different planets in space. But the mystery does add to the intensity of the novel as they need to find alternative measures before it is too late.
This is a very character driven novel and although the space plot offers a brilliant backdrop to the story, the characters are definitely what makes it. I love the sister and brother dynamic between Sarah and Max as you can tell they really care for each other and will always look out for each other. I also really loved the developing relationship between Sarah and Annie which grows stronger and stronger throughout as they figure out what they both want and need. Of course, there is also a shocking villainy twist which adds a lot of drama and action to the plot which I loved.
My jaw dropped at the cliff hanger at the end and I really cannot wait until I can read book 2! I recommend this novel to anyone who loves sci-fi adventure with complex characters at its heart.
The book follows Sarah Miller who has basically been sent to space on a mission against her will by her father who wants her to follow in his footsteps and become an Admiral. Sarah has no idea what she really wants to do but knows that she prefers her feet to be on solid ground and that she had a good place in the Marines. The only saving grace of being in space is that she is reunited with her twin brother Max and Annie who she has some history with.
Throughout the novel, there is a lot of information provided about Sarah’s daily routine which includes lots of training and sims, the ships’ mechanics and character politics. While some parts did feel a bit repetitive with the everyday stuff, it was never boring and there was always something different happening, whether it was a fight that’s broken out, a challenge or some heart to hearts. It was overall fascinating to discover all aspects of The Crown and its individual ships and Gaudio really puts a lot of intricate detail in which shows her in depth level of research.
There was also a bit of repetition with Sarah as she kept refusing a promotion as she struggled to come to terms with what she wanted her future to look like. She didn’t want to gain a promotion just based on her name and wanted to earn a title instead and her inner turmoil is clearly felt as she makes her choices. One repetition that I did really love was the continuous use of ‘not last’ throughout the novel. Every time Sarah thought she might be doing or seeing something for the last time, she had to remind herself that it wouldn’t be the last and I really loved this touch.
I would have liked to have seen more back story on what is happening back down on Earth which has caused them to resort to these space missions to find other resources on the different planets in space. But the mystery does add to the intensity of the novel as they need to find alternative measures before it is too late.
This is a very character driven novel and although the space plot offers a brilliant backdrop to the story, the characters are definitely what makes it. I love the sister and brother dynamic between Sarah and Max as you can tell they really care for each other and will always look out for each other. I also really loved the developing relationship between Sarah and Annie which grows stronger and stronger throughout as they figure out what they both want and need. Of course, there is also a shocking villainy twist which adds a lot of drama and action to the plot which I loved.
My jaw dropped at the cliff hanger at the end and I really cannot wait until I can read book 2! I recommend this novel to anyone who loves sci-fi adventure with complex characters at its heart.
February 4, 2025
The Fleet Admiral's Daughter came to me through an email about an ARC that was available that I might enjoy, and since it seemed right up my alley I figured I'd check it out. I have zero regrets. This impressive debut novel from J. A. Gaudio is a fabulous space romance with a bit of mystery and some great characters.
The story's focus is Sarah Miller, the daughter of the Fleet Admiral who was forced to step down. Sarah's been a Captain in the Marines, but she's pulled into service on the Crown Space Station, her father's pride and joy. She's reluctant in her service, hesitant to take on higher leadership despite familial expectations. She's determined to set her own path, fearful that others will see her role as nepotism and desperately wanting to feel like she's earned her place. All she wants is to go back to Earth and her Marines. Oh, and Annie. She wants her, too.
Annie Jones is a Lieutenant Commander also stationed on the Crown, and she and Sarah have a history. She's a great leader with career aspirations, steadfast and loyal. She's caring and supportive, wants what's best for the people around her (Sarah most of all), and she'll do just about anything for the people she loves.
Together Sarah and Annie, along with Sarah's twin brother Max, navigate the politics of service and the station. The earlier part of the story introduces us to the characters and the workings of the universe in a really easy to follow way, and then it opens up and expands into a plot that could threaten everything. I really enjoyed how everything developed and the pacing was great. There is a cliffhanger ending but I can't wait for the next installment, I'll definitely be checking it out!
I received a free ARC from StoryOrigin, but my review is unbiased and left voluntarily.
The story's focus is Sarah Miller, the daughter of the Fleet Admiral who was forced to step down. Sarah's been a Captain in the Marines, but she's pulled into service on the Crown Space Station, her father's pride and joy. She's reluctant in her service, hesitant to take on higher leadership despite familial expectations. She's determined to set her own path, fearful that others will see her role as nepotism and desperately wanting to feel like she's earned her place. All she wants is to go back to Earth and her Marines. Oh, and Annie. She wants her, too.
Annie Jones is a Lieutenant Commander also stationed on the Crown, and she and Sarah have a history. She's a great leader with career aspirations, steadfast and loyal. She's caring and supportive, wants what's best for the people around her (Sarah most of all), and she'll do just about anything for the people she loves.
Together Sarah and Annie, along with Sarah's twin brother Max, navigate the politics of service and the station. The earlier part of the story introduces us to the characters and the workings of the universe in a really easy to follow way, and then it opens up and expands into a plot that could threaten everything. I really enjoyed how everything developed and the pacing was great. There is a cliffhanger ending but I can't wait for the next installment, I'll definitely be checking it out!
I received a free ARC from StoryOrigin, but my review is unbiased and left voluntarily.
February 4, 2025
This is hands down, the best sci-fi novel I have read in years! I was so impressed with this book and then I found out this is J.A. Gaudio's debut fiction book?! First of all, a sci-fi space opera that's sapphic?! I wish this had been around when I was reading this type of novel as a teenager! And, while this is a sapphic love story, that's not the only thing this book is. It is truly sci-fi to the core.
The main character is Sarah Miller, former Marine, currently serving in the Space Legion, part of a mission to outside the solar system, trying to help find resources to save the people of Earth. She wants to be valued and acknowledged for who she is and what she has achieved due to her own merits, not because of who her father is. She's a fantastically strong woman who is a terrific leader, even though she might not want to be. She's flawed and human and working through her issues, just like we all are. It made her very relatable.
Some of the many things I love about this book:
Beautiful relationship between two women who have seemingly different goals but so much love and compassion for each other. It starts as forbidden romance due to the no fraternization policy in the military, not due to homophobia.
Compelling sci-fi story, trying to save an Earth that is out of natural resources. Plausible science and near future story. I love the design of the space station.
Extremely well-written, both the characters and the story. I love the relationships and the camaraderie between characters, who are a long way from home and need to rely on each other. There's a great sibling relationship between twins, Sarah and her brother Max. The author also conveys the trauma and PTSD soldiers go through during war very realistically.
I don't want to go into the story in too much detail but I will say I can't wait for part 2, coming out this May!
The main character is Sarah Miller, former Marine, currently serving in the Space Legion, part of a mission to outside the solar system, trying to help find resources to save the people of Earth. She wants to be valued and acknowledged for who she is and what she has achieved due to her own merits, not because of who her father is. She's a fantastically strong woman who is a terrific leader, even though she might not want to be. She's flawed and human and working through her issues, just like we all are. It made her very relatable.
Some of the many things I love about this book:
Beautiful relationship between two women who have seemingly different goals but so much love and compassion for each other. It starts as forbidden romance due to the no fraternization policy in the military, not due to homophobia.
Compelling sci-fi story, trying to save an Earth that is out of natural resources. Plausible science and near future story. I love the design of the space station.
Extremely well-written, both the characters and the story. I love the relationships and the camaraderie between characters, who are a long way from home and need to rely on each other. There's a great sibling relationship between twins, Sarah and her brother Max. The author also conveys the trauma and PTSD soldiers go through during war very realistically.
I don't want to go into the story in too much detail but I will say I can't wait for part 2, coming out this May!
February 5, 2025
Quite the adventure!
Sarah ends up being called up to do her duty on the Crown Space Station, when her father is forced to step down. She meets Annie, a Lieutenant Commander she is quite taken with suddenly and soon finds herself navigating the difficulties of leadership, love, and the threats always possible in space.
Such a great sci-fi novel, with a real sense of adventure and facing the unknowns of space. I really enjoyed that Sarah didn’t only have her missions and duties but also an emotional turmoil on different levels. It can’t have been easy to be pulled from what you knew, be under scrutiny to live up to your father’s reputation, having family you are responsible for who are also exposed to the dangers of the roles on the Space Station and also someone you’re becoming romantically involved with and trying not to let that influence professional decisions. She didn’t have the easiest time of things at all but I admired how despite her reluctance she was loyal and dedicated to doing what she had to rather than wanted to.
Sarah and Annie were a great pairing and had an amazing connection. They understood the importance of each other’s career responsibilities and what that meant for their relationship. I hoped nothing would come between them, but they seemed more accepting of the fact that something might that was just another thing I really admired them for. It takes a very strong person to do what they both were doing.
Really enjoyed the story and can’t wait to learn what the future holds for Sarah and Annie.
Sarah ends up being called up to do her duty on the Crown Space Station, when her father is forced to step down. She meets Annie, a Lieutenant Commander she is quite taken with suddenly and soon finds herself navigating the difficulties of leadership, love, and the threats always possible in space.
Such a great sci-fi novel, with a real sense of adventure and facing the unknowns of space. I really enjoyed that Sarah didn’t only have her missions and duties but also an emotional turmoil on different levels. It can’t have been easy to be pulled from what you knew, be under scrutiny to live up to your father’s reputation, having family you are responsible for who are also exposed to the dangers of the roles on the Space Station and also someone you’re becoming romantically involved with and trying not to let that influence professional decisions. She didn’t have the easiest time of things at all but I admired how despite her reluctance she was loyal and dedicated to doing what she had to rather than wanted to.
Sarah and Annie were a great pairing and had an amazing connection. They understood the importance of each other’s career responsibilities and what that meant for their relationship. I hoped nothing would come between them, but they seemed more accepting of the fact that something might that was just another thing I really admired them for. It takes a very strong person to do what they both were doing.
Really enjoyed the story and can’t wait to learn what the future holds for Sarah and Annie.
February 10, 2025
So good!
I thought the preview was good, so I had to read book 1. This book is even better than I expected! The wait for book 2 will be too long of course. Cannot wait for more of Annie, Sarah, & Max!
I thought the preview was good, so I had to read book 1. This book is even better than I expected! The wait for book 2 will be too long of course. Cannot wait for more of Annie, Sarah, & Max!
January 22, 2025
This is a story of Sarah who has forever been in the shadow of her father, the Space Legion Fleet Admiral. She has been grown and bred to take after her father but it’s just not what she wants. She wants to be a Marine. The best Marine. She wants to create her own path. But she ends up going to space with her twin brother, Max, and the girl she’s in love with but has to keep secret, Annie. Then, something amiss happens. Everyone knows Rolph is a little off, but how off? Is the old family rivalry going to come back and hurt them all? It’s a story of love, heartbreak, betrayal, and self discovery. Is love enough to keep Sarah in the Space Legion? Is family legacy enough to push her away? Will she finally find the answer she’s been looking for in herself? And with Rolph?
I don’t want to give too much away but I loved this book. Max is everything. But it really made me think of what I would do for my family if I was in the same situation as our “enemy.”
I don’t want to give too much away but I loved this book. Max is everything. But it really made me think of what I would do for my family if I was in the same situation as our “enemy.”
January 21, 2025
Wow! This Debut Novel Is A Spectacular Journey!
“The Fleet Admiral’s Daughter” by J.A. Gaudio is a slow-burn story that unfolds with deliberate pacing, but it rewards readers with a deeply engaging journey. While it took a little time to fully immerse myself in the plot, the characters and the intricately built universe kept me turning the pages.
The author does an excellent job of creating a world that feels both vast and intimate. Sarah Miller’s growth and her relationships with those around her are thoughtfully explored, and the themes of duty, loyalty, and personal struggle add depth to the narrative. You fall in love with (most of) the characters effortlessly. It’s clear that a lot of care went into crafting the story.
One of the highlights for me was the romance woven into the story. It added warmth, depth, and spiciness (; to the narrative, making the characters even more relatable and their relationships more meaningful.
If you’re looking for a book that gradually pulls you in and keeps your attention with a blend of character development and intriguing world-building, The Fleet Admiral’s Daughter is well worth the read. The ending is a wild ride and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
“The Fleet Admiral’s Daughter” by J.A. Gaudio is a slow-burn story that unfolds with deliberate pacing, but it rewards readers with a deeply engaging journey. While it took a little time to fully immerse myself in the plot, the characters and the intricately built universe kept me turning the pages.
The author does an excellent job of creating a world that feels both vast and intimate. Sarah Miller’s growth and her relationships with those around her are thoughtfully explored, and the themes of duty, loyalty, and personal struggle add depth to the narrative. You fall in love with (most of) the characters effortlessly. It’s clear that a lot of care went into crafting the story.
One of the highlights for me was the romance woven into the story. It added warmth, depth, and spiciness (; to the narrative, making the characters even more relatable and their relationships more meaningful.
If you’re looking for a book that gradually pulls you in and keeps your attention with a blend of character development and intriguing world-building, The Fleet Admiral’s Daughter is well worth the read. The ending is a wild ride and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
February 6, 2025
The strength of this was in the characters — mainly Sarah and Annie, but also Max and the variety of other members of the Space Legion involved. That’s especially important because the challenges in the story are rooted in some of those characters and their backgrounds, rather than external threats like pirates or aliens or whatever. There were some clever bits in the writing, such as the repeated “not the last” (followed, of course, by the ending…), perhaps offset a bit by people who hear strange noises in places they shouldn’t be and are patently incurious, lol.
There are perhaps two reasons it wasn’t five stars for me. The first half was pretty slow, which isn’t automatically a problem, but it wasn’t really clear what the main story was going to be — whether they would end up bumping into hostile aliens or whatever — so there wasn’t a hook to drag me forward (all that went better for me in the second half).
The second reason is, this seemed kind of set up as military sci-fi but the military (Space Legion) part seemed a bit implausible? That you’d take a unit who practices sims of racing on foot over the surface of a planet fighting off aliens with handguns and grenades, and promote them one by one to be the XO and then captain of a ship, where some of the ship captains report to an admiral who is a scientist with little or no military background? It seems like these roles have very little overlap of actual skills, and I don’t understand why there wouldn’t be at least three separate services (ground troops, ship operators, and scientists), or at a bare minimum, why you wouldn’t prevent cross-promoting a person from one of those three areas into a leadership position in another.
Anyway, as I said, the story wasn’t really about that, so focusing on the characters and their plots and struggles and relationships took best advantage of the strongest parts of the book, and it was a fun read, particularly the second half. I’m definitely intrigued to see where the story goes from here.
There are perhaps two reasons it wasn’t five stars for me. The first half was pretty slow, which isn’t automatically a problem, but it wasn’t really clear what the main story was going to be — whether they would end up bumping into hostile aliens or whatever — so there wasn’t a hook to drag me forward (all that went better for me in the second half).
The second reason is, this seemed kind of set up as military sci-fi but the military (Space Legion) part seemed a bit implausible? That you’d take a unit who practices sims of racing on foot over the surface of a planet fighting off aliens with handguns and grenades, and promote them one by one to be the XO and then captain of a ship, where some of the ship captains report to an admiral who is a scientist with little or no military background? It seems like these roles have very little overlap of actual skills, and I don’t understand why there wouldn’t be at least three separate services (ground troops, ship operators, and scientists), or at a bare minimum, why you wouldn’t prevent cross-promoting a person from one of those three areas into a leadership position in another.
Anyway, as I said, the story wasn’t really about that, so focusing on the characters and their plots and struggles and relationships took best advantage of the strongest parts of the book, and it was a fun read, particularly the second half. I’m definitely intrigued to see where the story goes from here.
December 14, 2025
3.75/5
I'm not sure if it's because I haven't read many book like this but I think it's quite an original setting. The world-building was done pretty well.
Sarah whose father was the fleet admiral didn't want to follow his footstep to be in space. She wanted to be on earth in the marine and did what she did best. When the book started, Sarah and Annie were already together. We got to see how they make their relationship work because it's still a secret. I love reading about how to support each other and work through their problems. Sarah's twin brother Max is also a great character and he added a lot of humour to the story. Although characters were introduced slowly, I find most of them confusing. A lot of them didn't get mentioned much later in the book and I thought there shouldn't be that many of them at all. There's no point to have them in the story but not contributing to the plot.
The writing is decent enough. I sometimes found the inner monologue (the italic ones) a tad tedious. I think those could just be normal paragraphs written differently.
I'm not sure if I want to read the second book in the series yet.
I'm not sure if it's because I haven't read many book like this but I think it's quite an original setting. The world-building was done pretty well.
Sarah whose father was the fleet admiral didn't want to follow his footstep to be in space. She wanted to be on earth in the marine and did what she did best. When the book started, Sarah and Annie were already together. We got to see how they make their relationship work because it's still a secret. I love reading about how to support each other and work through their problems. Sarah's twin brother Max is also a great character and he added a lot of humour to the story. Although characters were introduced slowly, I find most of them confusing. A lot of them didn't get mentioned much later in the book and I thought there shouldn't be that many of them at all. There's no point to have them in the story but not contributing to the plot.
The writing is decent enough. I sometimes found the inner monologue (the italic ones) a tad tedious. I think those could just be normal paragraphs written differently.
I'm not sure if I want to read the second book in the series yet.
March 1, 2025
What a debut! I love space based sci fi adventure and this was an adventure. We follow Sarah a marine who loves everything about earth where she is fully in her element with an action plan for anything it can throw at her. However out of love and duty she agrees to sign on for a limited service tour aboard a space research mission with her scientist twin brother in place of her father who was one of the creators of the ship.
The way that time passes through the course of this book is very clever we don't just board the ship find out there is a problem and then wham straight into a solution in a matter of days or even weeks. Instead we have a long careful build into the climax and well thought out answer which is consistent with the world and characters that have been thoughtfully shown to us over the time we have spent.
I am definitely looking forward to the sequel and can't wait to find out what happens next.
I read an arc of this book through hidden gems
The way that time passes through the course of this book is very clever we don't just board the ship find out there is a problem and then wham straight into a solution in a matter of days or even weeks. Instead we have a long careful build into the climax and well thought out answer which is consistent with the world and characters that have been thoughtfully shown to us over the time we have spent.
I am definitely looking forward to the sequel and can't wait to find out what happens next.
I read an arc of this book through hidden gems
May 12, 2025
This book has a lot going for it: a gritty space station setting, political tension, a legacy-based plot, and a protagonist who’s clearly been through it and is still standing. I appreciated the scope of the story, the emotional weight carried by Sarah’s character, and the way the world-building hinted at something bigger beneath the surface.
That said, the execution didn’t always land for me. Some of the pacing felt uneven, and there were moments where I wanted deeper development—especially around the main conflict and the supporting characters. It had promise, and I stayed curious enough to finish, but I wasn’t as hooked as I wanted to be.
If you're into character-driven military sci-fi with personal stakes and internal struggle, this might still work for you. For me, it was good—but not great.
That said, the execution didn’t always land for me. Some of the pacing felt uneven, and there were moments where I wanted deeper development—especially around the main conflict and the supporting characters. It had promise, and I stayed curious enough to finish, but I wasn’t as hooked as I wanted to be.
If you're into character-driven military sci-fi with personal stakes and internal struggle, this might still work for you. For me, it was good—but not great.
March 18, 2025
LC Sarah Miller is off to space... reluctantly. After her father, the Admiral, was grounded she's been groomed to replace him, while she would much rather just stay a Marine.
When they arrive at the space station, she's irritated at the special treatment. Worse, she's been banned from interacting with the troops, including her sometime girlfriend, Anne.
(One wonders why she didn't just straight up refuse the assignment. Or make a visible enough stink about it not to be sent. She's clearly hugely miserable.)
Also not impressed with her father and brother, who seems all for shoving her into the job.
She has also said she will NOT do a second tour out there, which no one is happy about.
Solid 3 out of 5. Not bad, but very mid.
When they arrive at the space station, she's irritated at the special treatment. Worse, she's been banned from interacting with the troops, including her sometime girlfriend, Anne.
(One wonders why she didn't just straight up refuse the assignment. Or make a visible enough stink about it not to be sent. She's clearly hugely miserable.)
Also not impressed with her father and brother, who seems all for shoving her into the job.
She has also said she will NOT do a second tour out there, which no one is happy about.
Solid 3 out of 5. Not bad, but very mid.
September 9, 2025
Reluctant to accept what she earned.
Sarah walked her own path to success, because she thought she had to to get out from under her father's shadow. She didn't want to go to space but she wasn't given a choice in the matter. She met Annie just before they all left, and it was meant to be between them. At first they hid their relationship, because of military protocol. Once they were in space though the higher ups used their relationship to get Sarah to agree to taking her rightful rank in the fleet. It ended rather sad, but there is the next book to look forward to and to hope for the best.
Sarah walked her own path to success, because she thought she had to to get out from under her father's shadow. She didn't want to go to space but she wasn't given a choice in the matter. She met Annie just before they all left, and it was meant to be between them. At first they hid their relationship, because of military protocol. Once they were in space though the higher ups used their relationship to get Sarah to agree to taking her rightful rank in the fleet. It ended rather sad, but there is the next book to look forward to and to hope for the best.
January 15, 2025
She was hoping her job would stay on earth but her father has left his job. She is forced to take her place on a ship which is not going to be easy for her. She suffers from PSTD and it is not going to be easy for her to navigate it all. Follow her and see how she gets on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I was quickly pulled into her story
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I was quickly pulled into her story
February 6, 2025
A great start to new series I love female protagonist and space military plus the sister brother dynamic storyline makes it stand out as something different than just another military space story
April 17, 2025
Great book..loved it!!
I really enjoyed this. It flowed well , the characters were endearing..
Job well done. Looking forward to book 2.
I really enjoyed this. It flowed well , the characters were endearing..
Job well done. Looking forward to book 2.
May 7, 2025
Great Scifi
This was great. I loved the world building, the characters, and the romance. Needs more Max though. Very excited for the next one.
This was great. I loved the world building, the characters, and the romance. Needs more Max though. Very excited for the next one.
June 30, 2025
This is a well thought out, space adventure with a heartwarming love story.
February 1, 2025
This is the best space,suspense,romance fiction I have read in years. I stayed up numerous night because I could not put the book down. The descriptive language made you feel like you were there in Sarah Miller's boots. The military and science did not feel like an afterthought,but we're totally fleshed out and fit appropriately in place and function. I really don't know how I am going to wait until the next book comes out I am so invested in these character and the overall mission on The Crown.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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