Stripe for the Picking

by Milly Taiden

Wren Calder had three avoid emotional entanglements, fix the tech, and never trust a man who growls.

So naturally, she ended up on an alien planet, partnered with a tiger shifter who thought fated mates were a myth—until she rewired his defense systems and made his pulse crash like a corrupted server.

Commander Rylan Kaedor didn’t want a partner, much less a mate. But the moment Wren touched his firewall, both literally and emotionally, he knew two she was his, and he was completely screwed.

Now they’re navigating rogue hackers, rigged combat simulations, planetary politics, and a mate bond that won’t stop throbbing. She’s brilliant, mouthy, and refuses to call him “sir.” He’s growly, dangerous, and keeps offering to carry her home—on his shoulder.

Together, they might just win the Protocol Trials.
Or burn down the galaxy trying.

He didn’t need a mate.
Until she rewrote every rule he lived by.

Read on for alpha commanders, sarcastic Earth geniuses, sabotage schemes, and a tiger shifter who would rather bite than beg. HEA Guaranteed!

Genres: Romance, Paranormal Romance

222 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 14, 2025

About the author

Milly Taiden (also writes as April Angel) was born in the prettiest part of the Caribbean (to her) known as the Dominican Republic. Currently, she resides in New York City with her husband, bossy young son and their little dog Speedy.

When she’s not working full-time, texting with her best friend Heidi in England, chastising her son for pulling the dog’s ears, shopping with her sister Jewel or watching scary movies with her husband, she can be found writing on her laptop.

She’s addicted to shoes, chocolate, Dunkin Donuts coffee and JIMMY THOMAS covers!!!

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wren is bored with her IT tasks of fixing other people's computer disasters. Though she likes the fact that she is protecting people, often from themselves, she is more than ready for some real adventure. When Gerri Wilder approaches her in her favorite coffee shop and offers her the chance to go to another planet and help a tiger shifter thwart cyber attacks against the planet's defense systems, her first thought is about what clothes she would need to take (well, actually her very first thought was that Gerri was a crazy person, albeit a well-dressed one). Putting her business on an 'out of office' hold, she jumps in with both feet.

Rylan is at the end of his rope dealing with the continuous cyber attacks on Nova Aurora's defense systems. Security patches he just made the day before have already been penetrated, and the attacker seems to be able to out-manuever him at every turn. When Gerri shows up a human female she swears can fix his problems, he knows the matchmaker refers to more than his cybersecurity issues but he knows he can't turn down the help. The brilliant help, as it turns out. From his mate, as his tiger points out. Is it possible she really is everything he needs? Can he afford to divide his attention with the important Protocol Trials coming up?

Milly once again gives us a couple that makes us ready to find our own portal to another planet in the hopes of discovering our own alien shifter hunk. Sigh. I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simply wonderful read, captivating scenario and wonderful characters that are riveting reading
Wren Calder likes to keep herself to herself as much as possible and she never trusts a man who likes to growl and prefers to ensure that no one knows anything about her if possible.
When she is partnered up with a tiger shifter who believes they are fated mates and now she is also on an alien planet where she has been rewiring the defense system and caused the server to crash.
Commander Ryland has always preferred to walk under his own steam and yet from the moment he touched his firewall he knew that she was his and he knows that she is going to keep him on his toes.
She is a brilliant hacker and she has so much attitude it keeps him on his toes, he may be growly and bad tempered but he knows when he has found his fated mate and intends to keep her by his side from now on and make use of her fine talents and attributes.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the wonderful writing.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book brings us back to Nova Aurora, where its security systems are under attack by brilliant hackers who seem to always know just where and when to launch their cyber assaults. With under 48 hours before their systems are totally compromised, Rylan finally accepts the help offered to him by Gerri Wilder.

Enter Wren, the bored yet brilliant answer to his problems. A literal genius and cybersecurity expert, her fresh eyes provide the perfect match to Rylan’s military precision. Her quick mind deduced the pattern to the threats and who was behind them… the “why” being more elusive than the “how.”

This story had the right amount of romance and mystery , making it a great addition to this series

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stripe for the Picking - Milly Taiden
Wren & Rylan

She is smart but not social. When Gerrie Wilder hears some of her conversation, she knows she has just the shifter that needs her as much as she needs him. How often do you read a book where he and she resist their attraction? Do these? She is on his planet, where she has been asked to help with their IT system as they are having trouble, and Wren is a genius taking care of computer issues. Can she rescue them before their anonymous enemy wins?

Great story, unique, with plenty of romance, heat, and a villain who's been active for much longer than they realize. Read it and enjoy.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Geri Wilder books. This one the cute couple is Wren & Rylan. Wren is a computer programmer and Rylan is security commander. Together they complete each other. Together they face adventure, drama and romance. Wren never felt complete on earth but on Aurora she does. Rylan a tiger shifter sees the other half of himself in Wren. One of the council members is out sabotage all of Rylan hard work and use Wren to do it. Can they stop him in time or loose it all? You’ll need to read the book to find out what happens. I received this free copy for my review.

[Hilary Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant Series

Stripe for the Picking (Paranormal Dating Agency Book 92) by Milly Taiden. Wren has a very high IQ and owns a cyber-security consulting business. When Gerri Wilder offers her a job on Nova Aurora helping save the planet from cyber attacks Wren decides to go. On Nova Aurora she meets Rylan, commander of security and her mate. At once she is thrown into stopping cyber attacks by looking at the problem from a different angle. Together they fight off the attacks that threaten the whole of Nova Aurora.

[Dr. KC Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not Typical

Whoever the ghost writer was on this book was loved the word “precision”. This was not a typical Milly Taiden book. The writing style was very different. Normally, her books have me bursting out loud with genuine laughter and crying along with the characters and spitting mad and ready to fight too. This one did not evoke much emotion at all because the buildup was not present to connect characters with the reader. It was okay but did not seem like the author’s normal writing style.

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a fantastic time reading this story. The plot is paced well, the story is well-written, and the characters are enjoyable to read about. Meeting new characters is always fun, mix in the Gerri fix, and it's a perfect story. Well done to the author on another great book. I look forward to reading whatever comes next.

[Wanda Grier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

I am a Milly Maiden fan. After retirement I finally got to do the one thing I couldn't find the time to do, read what I wanted every single day! I I've read every book📚 from this series. This book was OK not one of my favorites.

[Sophia Kates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stripe for the Picking Review

Stripe for the Picking was a great read. I really enjoyed the storyline and interaction of the characters. Milly Taiden never disappoints with any of her books.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

exciting

This was a rather exciting book. Gerri is always great.
Ryland and Wren are a power couple for sure.
I liked how he wasn’t so sure of himself at first, but still figured it out in time for them to be ready to save the day.

[Susan A Mishko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never get bored reading these

These stories may have a similar structure, human girl meets shifter, fated mates, evil villains and a hea, but each one is different. Love this series.

[Catriona Bain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome.

A book for all the paranormal romance lovers out there, with an added love of cybersecurity.
I received this book as an ARC, but this is my honest review.