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Smart@ss Cyborg: A Sci Fi Western Marriage of Convenience Romance
Old West? Check.
Aliens? Check.
Mermen…? Check.
If you’re looking for all that and a donkey sidekick, this is the book for you.
Meet William Frederick Cody, a recently liberated merman-turned-cyborg who sets off in the semi-arid (okay, desert) climate of Traxia seeking the trusty horse he’s ordered.
Instead, he’s saddled with a mischievous donkey.
The donkey unseats him at the first opportunity, forcing this merman to travel on foot through the desert under the burning alien sun.
They stumble upon Becky, a human woman who’s in the middle of having all her dreams shattered before her eyes.
William and Paco ride (...figuratively speaking) to her rescue, where William admires her very fine horse.
Once she’s safe, William makes to leave her homestead when Becky shocks him by making him a wild offer. If he protects her and her unborn child, she’ll cook his meals, clean the shanty he’ll own, and do his laundry.
She also alludes to some acts she will perform… but he’s not certain what she means. What he does know is that he’ll get to own Becky’s horse.
All he has to do is marry her.
*** This is a 47K story with a Happily Ever After ending and zero cheating and a really adorable donkey.
Aliens? Check.
Mermen…? Check.
If you’re looking for all that and a donkey sidekick, this is the book for you.
Meet William Frederick Cody, a recently liberated merman-turned-cyborg who sets off in the semi-arid (okay, desert) climate of Traxia seeking the trusty horse he’s ordered.
Instead, he’s saddled with a mischievous donkey.
The donkey unseats him at the first opportunity, forcing this merman to travel on foot through the desert under the burning alien sun.
They stumble upon Becky, a human woman who’s in the middle of having all her dreams shattered before her eyes.
William and Paco ride (...figuratively speaking) to her rescue, where William admires her very fine horse.
Once she’s safe, William makes to leave her homestead when Becky shocks him by making him a wild offer. If he protects her and her unborn child, she’ll cook his meals, clean the shanty he’ll own, and do his laundry.
She also alludes to some acts she will perform… but he’s not certain what she means. What he does know is that he’ll get to own Becky’s horse.
All he has to do is marry her.
*** This is a 47K story with a Happily Ever After ending and zero cheating and a really adorable donkey.
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Published May 27, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
September 24, 2024
I love Amanda Milo and get so excited when she releases a new book. Plus, I have been eating up these sci-fi, alien westerns where the heroes aren't super familiar with humans (seriously, if anyone reading this knows of more that I haven't read, please drop 'em below). Like some of her past books, this is told only from the H's POV. I liked that, but I also needed the h's POV in this one because of the circumstances surrounding why their relationship starts. While I laughed a lot and aww'd a bunch because of the adjustments they went through, this wasn't one of my favorites of hers.
The H is a merman who was given the opportunity to have cybernetic legs and "go where the people go". He's come to this planet to experience a new life, but he terrifies most humans and he's immediately saddled with a donkey instead of a horse. I loved that he can see the chemical processing in brains, that was so cool and a neat way to give him insight into feelings, even if he had no clue why people were reacting the ways they were. The H then stumbles upon a couple being attacked by a bad guy, where the husband dies and the pregnant wife, our h, is going to be left in a bad situation. She proposes effectively a marriage of convenience.
Written in first person, single POV of H. No ow drama, I guess tiny bit of om drama in the sense that the h is grieving her deceased husband. H was not experienced because his species had evolved past that and h is pregnant.
I got lost on the timeline of how time passing, but I don't believe it was very long and I wish they had discussed her grief over losing her husband more or that we had more clear information on how she felt. Because the h isn't immediately warm and fuzzy towards the H, while he is trying to be a good husband. He's not interested in sexy times at first and then that gets sparked, which was hot but then immediately complicated with other emotions. I loved when the H spoke up for himself and what HE needed and also to request better feedback on what SHE needed. There's quite a bit of things not going exactly right, but still injected with humor and some sweetness.
The donkey is a whole other main character basically and he's hilarious and adorable. A couple of other side characters also make an appearance, who must have their own book, and once triggered instincts calm down, give a little extra support to our main couple. It was a little confusing about how a certain situation was handled because it's sort of offhandedly mentioned and then that's it. Also, the birthing scene was chaotic in a way I haven't read before, but our H claiming his tadpole was precious.
The epilogue is a few months later and some more adorableness and everyone's happy. I enjoyed the story and how quickly it read. I just wish that the heaviness of the early situation felt more addressed and maybe a longer timeline with more moments of them clicking without emotional pitfalls lurking.
The H is a merman who was given the opportunity to have cybernetic legs and "go where the people go". He's come to this planet to experience a new life, but he terrifies most humans and he's immediately saddled with a donkey instead of a horse. I loved that he can see the chemical processing in brains, that was so cool and a neat way to give him insight into feelings, even if he had no clue why people were reacting the ways they were. The H then stumbles upon a couple being attacked by a bad guy, where the husband dies and the pregnant wife, our h, is going to be left in a bad situation. She proposes effectively a marriage of convenience.
Written in first person, single POV of H. No ow drama, I guess tiny bit of om drama in the sense that the h is grieving her deceased husband. H was not experienced because his species had evolved past that and h is pregnant.
I got lost on the timeline of how time passing, but I don't believe it was very long and I wish they had discussed her grief over losing her husband more or that we had more clear information on how she felt. Because the h isn't immediately warm and fuzzy towards the H, while he is trying to be a good husband. He's not interested in sexy times at first and then that gets sparked, which was hot but then immediately complicated with other emotions. I loved when the H spoke up for himself and what HE needed and also to request better feedback on what SHE needed. There's quite a bit of things not going exactly right, but still injected with humor and some sweetness.
The donkey is a whole other main character basically and he's hilarious and adorable. A couple of other side characters also make an appearance, who must have their own book, and once triggered instincts calm down, give a little extra support to our main couple. It was a little confusing about how a certain situation was handled because it's sort of offhandedly mentioned and then that's it. Also, the birthing scene was chaotic in a way I haven't read before, but our H claiming his tadpole was precious.
The epilogue is a few months later and some more adorableness and everyone's happy. I enjoyed the story and how quickly it read. I just wish that the heaviness of the early situation felt more addressed and maybe a longer timeline with more moments of them clicking without emotional pitfalls lurking.
September 26, 2024
3 ⭐️
I really enjoy Milo’s writing, but sometimes the plot development just isn’t for me.
I don’t like it when characters are still in love with their past significant other. And that was a plot point in this story. Also, I’m not sure if this was a plot hole or what, but was the fmc abused by her former husband? If so why did she grieve him the way she did, and why wasn’t this talked about?
It just felt like this book really needed the fmc pov because there were so many unanswered questions.
I really enjoy Milo’s writing, but sometimes the plot development just isn’t for me.
I don’t like it when characters are still in love with their past significant other. And that was a plot point in this story. Also, I’m not sure if this was a plot hole or what, but was the fmc abused by her former husband? If so why did she grieve him the way she did, and why wasn’t this talked about?
It just felt like this book really needed the fmc pov because there were so many unanswered questions.
June 14, 2025
This book was super fun but didn’t quite meet expectations.
🫏 There were no TW at the start of the book but their entire basis of marriage was set upon her husband getting unalived and her marrying a stranger to avoid SA from other men. I think this could have been handled better
🫏 Genuinely hilarious misunderstandings between human and alien culture. I thought this was done well and there were several scenes that had me giggling.
🫏 Super adorable and mischievous donkey
🫏 I didn’t really vibe with either character. They were pretty one-dimensional.
I would still recommend it if you’re ok with point one and are looking for something short and funny.
🫏 There were no TW at the start of the book but their entire basis of marriage was set upon her husband getting unalived and her marrying a stranger to avoid SA from other men. I think this could have been handled better
🫏 Genuinely hilarious misunderstandings between human and alien culture. I thought this was done well and there were several scenes that had me giggling.
🫏 Super adorable and mischievous donkey
🫏 I didn’t really vibe with either character. They were pretty one-dimensional.
I would still recommend it if you’re ok with point one and are looking for something short and funny.
September 29, 2024
I was delighted to find out that there was a new Amanda Milo story!
Short and lighthearted alien "western" romance. And now I want a donkey. *not like THAT*
Short and lighthearted alien "western" romance. And now I want a donkey. *not like THAT*
January 20, 2025
It had its funny moments. I just got bored halfway through the middle.
October 12, 2024
This a cute story! Will and Becky’s journey is a delightful whirlwind of laughs, heartfelt moments, and all the sentimental goodness you could hope for. Seriously, you’ll be giggling one minute and "aww"-ing the next.
And then there’s Paco. Oh, Paco. He’s absolutely adorable and easily one of the funniest little characters I’ve come across in a long time. If rom-coms had animal sidekicks, he'd win the MVP award, hands down.
The overall storyline? Pure gold. It has everything you need for a quick, feel-good read: belly laughs, touching moments, and enough sass to keep a grin plastered on your face. Will and Becky are charming and so well-written, you’ll feel like they’re your best friends by the end.
Honestly, I could go on forever listing all the amazing parts of this story, but let's just say: if you're looking for a hilarious, heartwarming, and totally binge-worthy read, this book delivers.
And then there’s Paco. Oh, Paco. He’s absolutely adorable and easily one of the funniest little characters I’ve come across in a long time. If rom-coms had animal sidekicks, he'd win the MVP award, hands down.
The overall storyline? Pure gold. It has everything you need for a quick, feel-good read: belly laughs, touching moments, and enough sass to keep a grin plastered on your face. Will and Becky are charming and so well-written, you’ll feel like they’re your best friends by the end.
Honestly, I could go on forever listing all the amazing parts of this story, but let's just say: if you're looking for a hilarious, heartwarming, and totally binge-worthy read, this book delivers.
August 13, 2025
you really had me with the little mermaid references and the alien description of mundane aspects in the first half, not gonna lie. but you kind of lost me at the rushed second half. also felt like how tf being cybernetic in general would’ve helped some cause that’s an interesting topic
October 8, 2024
Un romance SciFi estilo viejo oeste muy divertido.
•Mi opinión puede contener Spoilers.
•Esta destinada a ser un descargo personal no para que alguien más lea pero si lo haces y te ofende, me disculpo porque sé lo que es que te guste un libro y otros lo critiquen.
Smart@ss Cyborg de Amanda Milo Serie Plus a Cute Donkey Sidekick libro 1
Argumento:
¿Viejo Oeste? Listo.
¿Extraterrestres? Listo.
¿Tritones…? Listo.
Si buscas todo eso y un burro como compañero, este es el libro para ti.
Conoce a William Frederick Cody, un tritón recientemente liberado convertido en cyborg que se dirige al clima semiárido (bueno, desértico) de Traxia en busca del fiel caballo que le han encargado.
En lugar de eso, le toca cargar con un burro travieso.
El burro lo derriba a la primera oportunidad, obligando a este tritón a viajar a pie por el desierto bajo el ardiente sol alienígena.
Se topan con Becky, una mujer humana cuyos sueños se están haciendo añicos ante sus ojos.
William y Paco cabalgan (en sentido figurado) a rescatarla, donde William admira su magnífico caballo.
Una vez que ella está a salvo, William intenta abandonar su propiedad cuando Becky lo sorprende al hacerle una oferta descabellada. Si él la protege a ella y a su hijo por nacer, ella cocinará sus comidas, limpiará la choza que él poseerá y lavará su ropa.
También alude a algunos actos que realizará... pero él no está seguro de lo que quiere decir. Lo que sí sabe es que podrá ser dueño del caballo de Becky.
Todo lo que tiene que hacer es casarse con ella.
Mi humilde opinión:
Un romance SciFi estilo viejo oeste y matrimonio por conveniencia Tritón/Cyborg y humana.
El protagonista Will, un Tritón mitad cyborg, era realmente un rollo de canela. Me rompía el corazón cuando la gente huía de él por miedo, por ser diferente. También me reí mucho por cómo veía las cosas él desde su lado Cyborg, las decía sin filtro y era interesante ver cómo estudiaba todos los sentimientos por Becky. Tenía ese lado inocente de robot pero de una manera hilarante. Nunca me reí tanto cuando leí "pissing organ" y "breeding sac"!
Si bien Becky al final le abre su corazón a Will, al principio ella no me caía bien. Siempre desconfiando de él cuando no tenía razón y nombrando al marido muerto creaba algunos momentos incómodos. También se quejaba por todo cuando Will hacía cosas lindas por ella. Ella reconoce después que lo alejaba por lealtad a su difundo esposo.
Y Paco? Ese burro fue todo un show probando la paciencia de Will. Y también el encuentro con la otra pareja C’vest y Stella le dieron un momento cómico con la llegada de los bebés.
Disfrute la historia de Will y Becky, dulce, sexy y muy divertida.
October 20, 2024
It's fine. The donkey is basically half the story.
And I need this MMC to stop using the term "pissing organ." Like, I didn't think I could be immediately turned off by a word but him talking about what he's doing with his "pissing organ" during sex might do it.
All action for the climax of the story happens off screen with other characters we meet for a few chapters.
And I need this MMC to stop using the term "pissing organ." Like, I didn't think I could be immediately turned off by a word but him talking about what he's doing with his "pissing organ" during sex might do it.
All action for the climax of the story happens off screen with other characters we meet for a few chapters.
October 12, 2024
Alien cultural misunderstandings and an adorably mischievous donkey
February 17, 2025
2* for MMC and 1* for Paco the Donkey
haaaaaaaaattted the FMC
haaaaaaaaattted the FMC
October 8, 2024
A 10 star , for sure !!! ✨✨✨✨✨✨
What an absolute treasure !!
Will, is a " merman " , who has come into a bunch of money and decides to go on an adventure of a lifetime above the seas. After many surgeries and augmentations , he is finally ready. While he was healing, he watched many vids of how humans live . Everything from how to dress to what to say. He is Ready !!!!
Becky and her husband are homesteaders on Traxia, A rural frontier community , just like the old west Earth .
Just like.
Her and her husband have been attacked when Will happens on the scene.
And the story gets crazy from here !!!
What will th Will's helpful observations, and conversations, and lost- in - translation quips and quirks, Becky and I were nearly in tears . Me from laughing !! Sometimes , her too !!
All in all this was a very funny book , that I will think about for a long time!!b
There are also a few surprises along the way.
And did I mention the donkey !??!??
Paco, the donkey totally reminded me of Donkey on Shrek !! Very cute , not cuddly , and hilarious !!!!
What an absolute treasure !!
Will, is a " merman " , who has come into a bunch of money and decides to go on an adventure of a lifetime above the seas. After many surgeries and augmentations , he is finally ready. While he was healing, he watched many vids of how humans live . Everything from how to dress to what to say. He is Ready !!!!
Becky and her husband are homesteaders on Traxia, A rural frontier community , just like the old west Earth .
Just like.
Her and her husband have been attacked when Will happens on the scene.
And the story gets crazy from here !!!
What will th Will's helpful observations, and conversations, and lost- in - translation quips and quirks, Becky and I were nearly in tears . Me from laughing !! Sometimes , her too !!
All in all this was a very funny book , that I will think about for a long time!!b
There are also a few surprises along the way.
And did I mention the donkey !??!??
Paco, the donkey totally reminded me of Donkey on Shrek !! Very cute , not cuddly , and hilarious !!!!
November 26, 2024
As a huge fan of Milo's "Contaminated", I was so hype for a cyborg love story! To say I'm disappointed would be a massive understatement.
First, we definitely deserved a trigger warning and none were provided. The entire premise of this book is because the FMC doesn't want to get potentially raped and forced to marry her rapist. Excuse me?!
EXCERPT: “Legally, if a man f-forces a woman, he has to pay a fine and marry her—or he hangs. The law was put in place to deter attacks on women. But it’s a bad law and it's screwing us over instead. The men here will rape a woman in order to force her to marry him. Because like I said, if he marries her, all her assets become his. Any man can show up here and do that to me, and then I’ll be stuck with him and he’ll own everything I’ve got."
So that's how the FMC meets the MMC, over her dead husband's fresh corpse bleeding out in their home. She proposes to MMC because he looks like a safer bet than a potential rapist finding her in the future. Solid foundation for a relationship!
The MMC is "sciencey" and also ignorant about everyday human cultural nuances that he didn't learn from watching porn and spaghetti western films. So he's supposed to be this cinnamon roll but WILL NOT STOP calling his junk his "pissing organ and breeding sac". 🤮 (11x to be exact)
EXCERPT: "I wrap my arm around her swollen middle, hold her close, and I shove my pissing organ into what I instinctively know is my target."
Absolutely not.
And Paco, the donkey. He isn't remotely cute! Literally the first 20% of the book is Paco following the MMC on a dusty road and nipping his hat off, pulling shit out of his pockets, scampering away, etc. For being such a long book, somehow NOTHING INTERESTING HAPPENS.
Do yourself a favor and skip this one. It isn't cute and it sure as shit isn't funny.
First, we definitely deserved a trigger warning and none were provided. The entire premise of this book is because the FMC doesn't want to get potentially raped and forced to marry her rapist. Excuse me?!
EXCERPT: “Legally, if a man f-forces a woman, he has to pay a fine and marry her—or he hangs. The law was put in place to deter attacks on women. But it’s a bad law and it's screwing us over instead. The men here will rape a woman in order to force her to marry him. Because like I said, if he marries her, all her assets become his. Any man can show up here and do that to me, and then I’ll be stuck with him and he’ll own everything I’ve got."
So that's how the FMC meets the MMC, over her dead husband's fresh corpse bleeding out in their home. She proposes to MMC because he looks like a safer bet than a potential rapist finding her in the future. Solid foundation for a relationship!
The MMC is "sciencey" and also ignorant about everyday human cultural nuances that he didn't learn from watching porn and spaghetti western films. So he's supposed to be this cinnamon roll but WILL NOT STOP calling his junk his "pissing organ and breeding sac". 🤮 (11x to be exact)
EXCERPT: "I wrap my arm around her swollen middle, hold her close, and I shove my pissing organ into what I instinctively know is my target."
Absolutely not.
And Paco, the donkey. He isn't remotely cute! Literally the first 20% of the book is Paco following the MMC on a dusty road and nipping his hat off, pulling shit out of his pockets, scampering away, etc. For being such a long book, somehow NOTHING INTERESTING HAPPENS.
Do yourself a favor and skip this one. It isn't cute and it sure as shit isn't funny.
October 17, 2024
DNF at 70%. Don't say I didn't try. I kind of just got bored and didn't care after awhile. I'm not interested in wasting my time on these characters any longer.
May 18, 2025
Cute read but odd that the MCs weren’t who defeated the villain.
April 7, 2025
Oh.My.Goodness. I have SUCH a soft spot for socially awkward aliens who try REALLY hard to make things work and who are just a little left of center in their attempts. I mean, William calling Becky's unborn baby a tadpole just hits me in the best way. And Becky's almost offended by it, but not really and I don't know why I love stuff like this so much BUT I DO.
So. William is a recent cyborg transplant to Traxia. Heck, he's a recent cyborg, too, since he used to have a tail and now has shiny new legs. He's adorably clueless with all his attempts to be a "typical" cowboy. And his cluelessness leads to him purchasing a mischievous donkey (who REALLY wants to show the lady horses what he can do for them) and ending up married to a pregnant, grieving widow. Honestly, he only marries her because he wants her beautiful horse, but soon he likes her for WAY more than her horse.
Of course, he has a difficult time expressing that he likes her and she doesn't see his attempts at wooing for what they are. Plus, she's still dealing with grief and maybe a little guilt over liking this big, awkward cyborg so soon after her husband died.
Yeah, Becky's got a few things to work through. But once William makes things clear, she can admit to herself (and to him) that he's a good male with a good heart and maybe she likes him more than she expected to.
More than a few messed up rules regarding women (seriously, so messed up), a bad man who wants to take things that aren't his, a little aggressive shows when two cyborg mermen occupy the same space (HA), a happy little tadpole, a gloriously awkward cyborg who gives everything his all, and a lady who has to deal with a little baggage before she can see what a good male she married. *thumbs up*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
So. William is a recent cyborg transplant to Traxia. Heck, he's a recent cyborg, too, since he used to have a tail and now has shiny new legs. He's adorably clueless with all his attempts to be a "typical" cowboy. And his cluelessness leads to him purchasing a mischievous donkey (who REALLY wants to show the lady horses what he can do for them) and ending up married to a pregnant, grieving widow. Honestly, he only marries her because he wants her beautiful horse, but soon he likes her for WAY more than her horse.
Of course, he has a difficult time expressing that he likes her and she doesn't see his attempts at wooing for what they are. Plus, she's still dealing with grief and maybe a little guilt over liking this big, awkward cyborg so soon after her husband died.
Yeah, Becky's got a few things to work through. But once William makes things clear, she can admit to herself (and to him) that he's a good male with a good heart and maybe she likes him more than she expected to.
More than a few messed up rules regarding women (seriously, so messed up), a bad man who wants to take things that aren't his, a little aggressive shows when two cyborg mermen occupy the same space (HA), a happy little tadpole, a gloriously awkward cyborg who gives everything his all, and a lady who has to deal with a little baggage before she can see what a good male she married. *thumbs up*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
October 10, 2024
So our ML is an alien planet's version of a merman. However, with his society's technology, he's swapped his tail for a set of cyborg legs and has decided to live with the humans. But that new world is nothing like he thought it would be. Everyone is afraid of him, no one will have a conversation with him, and the food tastes weird. He gets scammed out of the horse he was supposed to recieve and instead gets an annoying donkey. (Seriously, I know Paco is supposed to be cute, but he's annoying AF). On his journey to the town he's planned on staying, he encounters a woman being attacked and her husband dead on the floor. He saves her from the abusers, but finds himself in another situation.
Here's where I start to dislike this story. According to the lore, if a man rapes a woman, he can marry her and it's all good. But that just means men have been rapping women just to gain their land and possessions. That's what is in progress right now. To save her home, the heroine asks the ML to marry her. He's confused, but has a huge heart, so he agrees. Then she proceeds to treat him like absolute garbage.
He's trying so hard to make this complete stranger happy, but she's constantly belittling him. I'm proud when he eventually stands up for himself. But then the FL is like "but if I'm nice to you, then I'm betraying my dead husband." Like, YOU asked HIM to marry you. He didn't do anything wrong but save you and you're emotionally and verbally abusing him!!!! I hated her so much. This book only get two stars and those are both because the ML is perfect. The rest of the cast and story is garbage.
Here's where I start to dislike this story. According to the lore, if a man rapes a woman, he can marry her and it's all good. But that just means men have been rapping women just to gain their land and possessions. That's what is in progress right now. To save her home, the heroine asks the ML to marry her. He's confused, but has a huge heart, so he agrees. Then she proceeds to treat him like absolute garbage.
He's trying so hard to make this complete stranger happy, but she's constantly belittling him. I'm proud when he eventually stands up for himself. But then the FL is like "but if I'm nice to you, then I'm betraying my dead husband." Like, YOU asked HIM to marry you. He didn't do anything wrong but save you and you're emotionally and verbally abusing him!!!! I hated her so much. This book only get two stars and those are both because the ML is perfect. The rest of the cast and story is garbage.
September 24, 2024
This book is for all those people out there who read Blind Fall and thought it needed a bit more plot and pain. She even reimagined the stubborn, bratty Narwari named Meesahrah, as a donkey named Paco.
This takes place in a colony very similar to the American Old West where there are homesteads and farms. Women have no agency at all. If her husband dies, all the property belongs to her next husband. And all one would need to do to become her next husband is kill hubby #1 then SA her. Then, as “punishment”, he is forced by law to marry her. Pretty bleak.
But this is how I like my books. Start at rock bottom, then claw our way up to a HEA. And boy do we start at rock bottom with this one.
Just like she did in Contaminated, Ms. Milo wrote this completely from the alien’s POV. It was a treat watching him grow from a clueless ass to a good husband who was completely smitten with his wife.
There were some very lovely scenes where the two of them learned to communicate with each other honestly. His misconception that he couldn't do anything right by her just broke my heart.
Overall, this was just a bit too short to fully flesh out the nefarious subplot and the friendship with Stella and her cyborg merman. This would have been a 5⭐ read for me with another 100 pages or so.
This takes place in a colony very similar to the American Old West where there are homesteads and farms. Women have no agency at all. If her husband dies, all the property belongs to her next husband. And all one would need to do to become her next husband is kill hubby #1 then SA her. Then, as “punishment”, he is forced by law to marry her. Pretty bleak.
But this is how I like my books. Start at rock bottom, then claw our way up to a HEA. And boy do we start at rock bottom with this one.
Just like she did in Contaminated, Ms. Milo wrote this completely from the alien’s POV. It was a treat watching him grow from a clueless ass to a good husband who was completely smitten with his wife.
There were some very lovely scenes where the two of them learned to communicate with each other honestly. His misconception that he couldn't do anything right by her just broke my heart.
Overall, this was just a bit too short to fully flesh out the nefarious subplot and the friendship with Stella and her cyborg merman. This would have been a 5⭐ read for me with another 100 pages or so.
September 27, 2024
I love surprises!
I love Amanda Milo books because they have a way of writing stories I didn't know I needed. I saw the title of the book first and decided to read it on KU because of it. Then I saw the author and bumped it to must read now rather than wait.
William's thought process through this whole book was so good. I laughed so hard with the Little Mermaid reference. Oh, just a heads up this is in the males POV. Again, I didn't know I needed but loved. I like the way Ms. Milo wrote this with regards to Becky's character. She had to make decisions on what was best for her and the tadpole. I enjoyed the interactions of both and how they learned to grow with each other. I like how Paco also tested them. He was like thier stubborn fairy donkey lol.
I'm off to find Stella's book because I have to know their story now. I really hope there will be more sci fi westerns. Also thank you Amanda Milo for producing another great book!
I love Amanda Milo books because they have a way of writing stories I didn't know I needed. I saw the title of the book first and decided to read it on KU because of it. Then I saw the author and bumped it to must read now rather than wait.
William's thought process through this whole book was so good. I laughed so hard with the Little Mermaid reference. Oh, just a heads up this is in the males POV. Again, I didn't know I needed but loved. I like the way Ms. Milo wrote this with regards to Becky's character. She had to make decisions on what was best for her and the tadpole. I enjoyed the interactions of both and how they learned to grow with each other. I like how Paco also tested them. He was like thier stubborn fairy donkey lol.
I'm off to find Stella's book because I have to know their story now. I really hope there will be more sci fi westerns. Also thank you Amanda Milo for producing another great book!
November 19, 2024
Took me back to my childhood.
I haven’t thought of our donkey Izzy in at least 15 years. She would play baseball with my siblings and I (and friends and cousins) by running the bases (and nudging us out of her way so she could get there first), would climb up onto our back porch at dawn every morning and bray to wake us up like a rooster because she wanted to hang out, and every time someone pulled up our driveway, she would park herself dead center and stare down the oncoming vehicles until they stopped. No amount of coaxing or pulling her harness would budge her unless we spent no less than 3 minutes appropriately greeting her, or by giving her a carrot. She lost all her scruples for carrots. I love that this story featured the donkey. It’s so gratifying to know that there were others out there having the same experiences with their lovable beasts of burden. Ahem…and the rest of the story was great too! :D
I haven’t thought of our donkey Izzy in at least 15 years. She would play baseball with my siblings and I (and friends and cousins) by running the bases (and nudging us out of her way so she could get there first), would climb up onto our back porch at dawn every morning and bray to wake us up like a rooster because she wanted to hang out, and every time someone pulled up our driveway, she would park herself dead center and stare down the oncoming vehicles until they stopped. No amount of coaxing or pulling her harness would budge her unless we spent no less than 3 minutes appropriately greeting her, or by giving her a carrot. She lost all her scruples for carrots. I love that this story featured the donkey. It’s so gratifying to know that there were others out there having the same experiences with their lovable beasts of burden. Ahem…and the rest of the story was great too! :D
December 10, 2024
Amanda Milo did it again.
This book is so much fun. This is a single POV book narrative by mermaid turn cyborg MMC. He used to live underwater and love eating his fish but longed for a wild adventure on earth therefore he traded something to turn his tail into legs. He did not fully grasp the full understanding of any human practice or emotion. I found his naivety very amusing.
He accidentally saved FMC from a homicide robbery and got himself a wife in the process. Their newly formed husband and wife-relationship was not all sunshine and rainbow because he blurred everything out from his adorable single-brain cell and sometimes hurt his wife for reasons unbeknownst to him. His communication skills are very open though, especially when he asks for her permission and compliments. There may be plot holes and unanswered questions, but who cares?
Don't forget the smartass donkey, he himself worth a 5-star.
This is a comfort read I would love to revisit from time to time. Highly recommend. 4.5 stars
This book is so much fun. This is a single POV book narrative by mermaid turn cyborg MMC. He used to live underwater and love eating his fish but longed for a wild adventure on earth therefore he traded something to turn his tail into legs. He did not fully grasp the full understanding of any human practice or emotion. I found his naivety very amusing.
He accidentally saved FMC from a homicide robbery and got himself a wife in the process. Their newly formed husband and wife-relationship was not all sunshine and rainbow because he blurred everything out from his adorable single-brain cell and sometimes hurt his wife for reasons unbeknownst to him. His communication skills are very open though, especially when he asks for her permission and compliments. There may be plot holes and unanswered questions, but who cares?
Don't forget the smartass donkey, he himself worth a 5-star.
This is a comfort read I would love to revisit from time to time. Highly recommend. 4.5 stars
September 28, 2024
Smart@ss Cyborg is a funny, sci-fi western that's heartbreaking and warm. William is an alien merman who gave up his fins for cyborg legs. He doesn't totally understand the world he's moved to - but he's watched plenty of videos about life there. Surely the movies were all realistic and educational?
Becky is in the midst of trauma when William and his stubborn donkey Paco show up. William doesn't look like a knight in shining armor but he turns out to be a blessing to Becky who has been left widowed and heavily pregnant on a huge ranch.
William isn't totally familiar with humans or their idioms. He has no idea what to do with a mischievous and annoying donkey. His newly humar-like form also comes with quirks he didn't experience when in his merman form.
Paco is a much needed humorous break from the weighty plot of a widow having to marry a stranger to keep an even worse predator from forcibly marrying her for her wealth. But it's sweet and lovely and has a happy ending.
Becky is in the midst of trauma when William and his stubborn donkey Paco show up. William doesn't look like a knight in shining armor but he turns out to be a blessing to Becky who has been left widowed and heavily pregnant on a huge ranch.
William isn't totally familiar with humans or their idioms. He has no idea what to do with a mischievous and annoying donkey. His newly humar-like form also comes with quirks he didn't experience when in his merman form.
Paco is a much needed humorous break from the weighty plot of a widow having to marry a stranger to keep an even worse predator from forcibly marrying her for her wealth. But it's sweet and lovely and has a happy ending.
September 23, 2024
So good but for one small detail…
This book was such a joy to read. I love Amanda’s ability to make highly intelligent and yet extremely emotionally stupid aliens.
The one problem I had was an issue of timing.
The whole Alvert-C’Vest-Stella-Baron timeline just makes zero sense no matter how I tried to twist my head around it.
It’s not a deal breaker, but it was near thing. Being confused threw me out of the story pretty hard.
But! It was worth sticking through it. This was, overall, a delightful little story.
This book was such a joy to read. I love Amanda’s ability to make highly intelligent and yet extremely emotionally stupid aliens.
The one problem I had was an issue of timing.
The whole Alvert-C’Vest-Stella-Baron timeline just makes zero sense no matter how I tried to twist my head around it.
It’s not a deal breaker, but it was near thing. Being confused threw me out of the story pretty hard.
But! It was worth sticking through it. This was, overall, a delightful little story.
October 15, 2024
So fun!!
This is the first romance book I’ve read written completely in the MMC’s POV and it was so good! His misunderstanding of human nature and reliance on old Western films creates hilarious situations. But it is also so sweet and heartwarming to read how he begins to develop affection and attraction for the FMC and how he strives to overcome their intercultural miscommunications and differences to form a strong bond! It’s mostly fluff but also some background tension to help fuel the plot and drive the characters closer together. Absolutely love! I want to read more from this world!!
This is the first romance book I’ve read written completely in the MMC’s POV and it was so good! His misunderstanding of human nature and reliance on old Western films creates hilarious situations. But it is also so sweet and heartwarming to read how he begins to develop affection and attraction for the FMC and how he strives to overcome their intercultural miscommunications and differences to form a strong bond! It’s mostly fluff but also some background tension to help fuel the plot and drive the characters closer together. Absolutely love! I want to read more from this world!!
October 18, 2024
Such fun!!!
What a fun little diversion! Just long enough to get away from reality for the day. The characters, as with all Amanda Milo's characters are interesting, engaging, and quirky. I love reading her facts on the inspiration of her stories at t
he end of her books. They have led me down so many fascinating research rabbit holes. It is always such a pleasure to discover a new Amanda Milo book in my recommended reading lists on my kindle! Please write more, Amanda! By the way, this book and the one before it really remind me of the Martian cyborg series by Honey Phillips. Would LOVE a collaboration story, or even better, a whole series!!!
What a fun little diversion! Just long enough to get away from reality for the day. The characters, as with all Amanda Milo's characters are interesting, engaging, and quirky. I love reading her facts on the inspiration of her stories at t
he end of her books. They have led me down so many fascinating research rabbit holes. It is always such a pleasure to discover a new Amanda Milo book in my recommended reading lists on my kindle! Please write more, Amanda! By the way, this book and the one before it really remind me of the Martian cyborg series by Honey Phillips. Would LOVE a collaboration story, or even better, a whole series!!!
October 24, 2024
3.5 can I hum it stars
This was cute, fun and low stake with a slightly clueless/naive hero typical of Amanda Milo.
Just like the other books I read from this author the story is told entirely from the MMC POV. Because he's new in this world and doesn't always have the "code" for proper interaction with humans (and donkeys) there are a lot of funny situations. But there are some hard themes in the story that are only brushed over and I wished were explored more.
I know sometimes you shouldn't try too hard but my brain had a lot of trouble reconciling cyborgs and space travel with old west and horses as transportation medium.
This was cute, fun and low stake with a slightly clueless/naive hero typical of Amanda Milo.
Just like the other books I read from this author the story is told entirely from the MMC POV. Because he's new in this world and doesn't always have the "code" for proper interaction with humans (and donkeys) there are a lot of funny situations. But there are some hard themes in the story that are only brushed over and I wished were explored more.
I know sometimes you shouldn't try too hard but my brain had a lot of trouble reconciling cyborgs and space travel with old west and horses as transportation medium.
November 15, 2024
Cute story, I enjoyed the main Character Will in his analysis of his situations. Paco was a great comedy source.
Reminiscent of homesteading in Texas which I can’t say is appealing to me- at all…
I liked how he called the baby a Tadpole :)
It bothered me for quite a while that they agreed to marry and then boom, married. But no ceremony or legal paperwork. So until they actually hitched I thought some of the dialogue was confusing.
In the blurb I got the impression that the husband that died was mean to her and she was glad he was gone so I was surprised at her love for Joel.
And that whole thing at the end, make friends and then have babies together that day? That was different.
Reminiscent of homesteading in Texas which I can’t say is appealing to me- at all…
I liked how he called the baby a Tadpole :)
It bothered me for quite a while that they agreed to marry and then boom, married. But no ceremony or legal paperwork. So until they actually hitched I thought some of the dialogue was confusing.
In the blurb I got the impression that the husband that died was mean to her and she was glad he was gone so I was surprised at her love for Joel.
And that whole thing at the end, make friends and then have babies together that day? That was different.
September 18, 2024
What a darling snack
Dearest Amanda, when I first saw a new story out I screamed and instantly downloaded it.
... Then I saw the page length and groaned "what the F am I supposed to do with this. It won't last the day!!"
I read it anyways.... Because you wrote it and I'm a glutton for punishment.
So now to you I say: thank you for this adorable tasty short story. Like Goldilocks' porridge I found it delightfully sweet and paced juuust right. And of course who wouldn't love Paco.
Dearest Amanda, when I first saw a new story out I screamed and instantly downloaded it.
... Then I saw the page length and groaned "what the F am I supposed to do with this. It won't last the day!!"
I read it anyways.... Because you wrote it and I'm a glutton for punishment.
So now to you I say: thank you for this adorable tasty short story. Like Goldilocks' porridge I found it delightfully sweet and paced juuust right. And of course who wouldn't love Paco.
October 18, 2024
I mean, how can you NOT want to read about an alien merman cyborg with a hilarious donkey sidekick? I’ve only read a few Ruby Dixon books and am not usually interested in cowboy romance, but this story was a delight! I do kinda wish I’d read “The Cyborg Merman” first, because it would have enriched my appreciation for those characters when they appeared. But it didn’t hinder my enjoyment of this sweet, spicy and low-angst story. I only wish some of the chapters could have been from the heroine’s perspective.
October 23, 2024
Boring and One Sided Views
Honestly I cannot remember the last time I read a book so boring. The whole story seems like a fake science lesson on anatomy and physiology within a make believe species that was incredibly boring and overdone. Describing everything was a method to fill pages to expand number of pages. All of the story was quite a bore to endure. I hope to remember author's name so to not select any of her writings again. Thank you Kindle Unlimited to save me price of book.
Honestly I cannot remember the last time I read a book so boring. The whole story seems like a fake science lesson on anatomy and physiology within a make believe species that was incredibly boring and overdone. Describing everything was a method to fill pages to expand number of pages. All of the story was quite a bore to endure. I hope to remember author's name so to not select any of her writings again. Thank you Kindle Unlimited to save me price of book.
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