Bound to the Beast: Interstellar Brides® Program: The Beasts, Book 9

by Grace Goodwin

He’s a warlord on the edge. She’s a teacher on the run. Their worlds are about to collide—in the most explosive way possible.Warlord Iven has one foot in the grave, days away from a ceremonial execution to save his honor—and the galaxy—from his untamed beast. But when a desperate plea lands a mission in his lap, everything changes. A royal child is in hiding. Assassins are on Earth. And his last chance at redemption lies in a sleepy little town in Washington... in the form of a fiercely protective, infuriatingly sexy fourth-grade teacher named Krystal.

Krystal James has already lost everything. Her sister. Her old life. Her peace. Now, she lives under a false identity, guarding her nephew—the last heir to an alien fortune—with nothing but grit, lies, and a very protective alien cat. Falling for a towering kindergarten teacher with a lethal growl and a gaze that says mine? Not part of the plan.

But fate doesn’t care about plans. It only cares about destiny.

When Iven’s beast roars to life, Krystal must trust the alien protector with her body and heart—or risk losing everything to the killers closing in.

Because once an Atlan warlord claims his mate, there’s no turning back. And this beast has found his match.

Genres: Aliens, Romance

154 pages, Paperback

Published October 14, 2025

About the author

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For other authors of this name, see:

Grace Goodwin - Erotic, Paranormal, Sci-Fi, Romance

Grace Duffield Goodwin - Suffrage

Reviews

[Glenda Rhodus · Rating 1 out of 5]

First time ever giving a 1 star rating-disappointing

Where is the rest of the story? No development at all. This is less than 100 pages long. Story ends at the 87% mark of the book and remainder is 2 chapters from Heartless. I have all of the interstellar books and this is the 1st time I have been unhappy with my purchase.

[Valerie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have all of the Interstellar Bride books and this is my first disappointment. I felt like the story just ended. No real closure of events. Very short. Maybe Grace was rushed and needed to push a book out. I'd rather wait for a well written book with meat in the middle and an ending with closure.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was foolish. Warlord Iven needed to control his beast but being tasked to find a human woman and her nephew before the Elite Hunters do is crazy. Lady Radu and Warden Egara need his help. Krysta aka Christine wasn’t about to let anyone get close to her and her nephew, Broderick. She wanted him to have a normal human life.

Normal is never that simple with a Warlord or an Elite Hunter. This story was reminding me of Kindergarten Cop. I could just picture Arnold as Iven trying to control these kids. Iven did a great job. He actually taught them something that they needed to know, defense. The chatting part in the beginning was cracking me up. Once these two meet, the chemistry is instant. And Brody isn’t so innocent. He was trained well by his parents and even that cat. OMG, the cat was funny. I had a feeling about Lady Radu. I hope we find out what happens. This one was fun.

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

[Mary Wixom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good.

I really love Grace Goodwin's Interstellar Brides series. I think the variety of characters is endlessly entertaining. I wish some of the recent stories were longer. I think these characters deserve the time to fully develop, as well as the overall story. I love cameos from other books when we get them. I love when we get repeat stories from the same group of people, like with Battleship Karter, and the colony. I like the Beasts on earth story arc, but I feel like the series as a whole would do better if individual Atlan side characters would later get their own books got more development in other books before their own. Atlans are such great characters, I would like to get to know them better.
I liked this book. I especially loved the nod to Kindergarten Cop. I loved the cat. I lived the characters. I wish it had been a little longer, but it was good.

[Sue]

Wonderful read, great characters

Running and hiding from dawn to dusk to keep her nephew safe, they have already already had attacks on his life and his aunt knows that it impossible to survive unless they become individuals that have been unknown previously and she has arranged new identities that seem to have helped.

About to start work as a teacher she is surprised by Mr Oven another new starter teaching her nephews class, Brody is in awe of the giant unlike others that are scared of him because he is so intimidating. When his beast smelt her he knew he had found his mate, he was surprised to discover that she was who he was looking for along with young Brody.

This was a great read, once started impossible to put down.

[Judy Barmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bound To The Beast #9 10/10/2025

Iven is on his last step of beast fever soon he will have to go home to be executed when a new mission comes up to protect a women and her nephew from devious relatives. They have tracked her to a small town in Washington. But they are not sure witch boy is the one they have to protect. And the lady that is to help with the mission is called away now Iven has to act like a kindergarten teacher but he is a Atlan Warlord around seven feet tall and built big. What he teaches the kids is self defense and it comes in handy. He is now involved with the aunt that is raising Brody his mate. So enjoy the read and see how they get their HEA!!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love your books

I absolutely love this one, but i would have liked to know her sister and her mate before they were killed in their own book. It was still very good. I want to know if they go to the colony and her meeting the ladies there and if she has any children. It seems like they will though lol because they were quite steamy and weren't on birth control, lol. Can't wait to find out more about them as stories come out.

[Christal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Warlord Iven's story. He was talked into protecting Krystal and Brody while his beast was in a rage from not finding his mate. Brody is the son of an Everian Hunter whose mother and father were murdered. Iven must teach a kindergarten class as a cover. When Iven's beast sees Krystal, he instantly knew that she was his mate so he must protect her and Brody. Although short, the story ended well with the epilogue although the book needs editing.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iven is at the end of his rope as his beast is almost out of control but when he’s asked to protect a young six year old boy he can’t refuse. Things get trickier when he finds his mate. This is a fun action romance and it’s great to read about Iven. There are some interesting twists that I didn’t see coming! Another great book by Grace Goodwin.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun

This is book 9 in the Interstellar Brides Program: The Beasts series. This is a paranormal romance between an Atlan warlord and a human. Krystal is raising her dead sister‘s 1/2 alien child while trying to hide from people who are trying to kill him. Warlord Iven accepts a mission to find them and protect the child. Shenanigans ensued. I enjoyed this fun quick read.

[Louise purfield-coak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found Mate

Although the story was shorter than usual I really enjoyed it. An Atlan Beast at the end of his rope with mating fever takes a job to protect a child from assassins, and in the process finds his Human mate. I gave it 5 stars because it was well written and I really like the series of The Interstellar Brides.

[Theresa Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Familiar plot

For the most part, this story was a similar plot to the 1990 comedy with Arnold Schwarzenegger "Kindergarten Cop". It seemed as though the author cut the story short and rushed a few areas. So all in all, it felt very inconclusive, and unfinished. Not one of her better stories. The n miss, but a pleasant read nonetheless.

[Mrs B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Atlan stories and I love this author, but the book sort of ends without fully covering the story. Not up to the usual in-depth heartbreaker kickass tales I'm used to. Though, I have to say that Iven's first lesson with the kids was so funny.
There are bonus epilogues on the author pages but the book really could have done with a lot more story.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

quick

Story of the beast and human unexpectedly meet and mate.
Ignored the glaring illogical bits. Will not spill since it is part of plot surprise.
Would like book of Brody when he is adult in prime back on his home planet.

[Mary Dreisbach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too Short

The story wasn’t complete and it felt like short story. Maybe if you started the story before the killing of parents, show the struggle of escaping from the planet to earth; the story would have been better.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

A crazy love story with lots of drama, a cat, and a royal!! A must read book that will keep you glued from start to finish!! Quick easy read with many steamy scenes!! Grab your copy and enjoy the journey to their HEA!!

[Lois Karasek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, but too short.

This Atlan, Iven, is a great character, as is Krystal, his mate. The premise of the story is good. Different. I just couldn't give it 5 stars because it was too short. Not enough depth. Too simple. Alexander the Great was a nice addition, though.

[Maya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too short. Felt sooooo rushed that it felt like we were missing something crucial. Too convenient a plot. It just feels like these stories are getting shorter and shorter. Are we running out of ideas? Maybe it’s time to finish this series?

[Susan Lantzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT Again!!

As with other books of this series excellent writing. A fantastic read, Grace Goodwin never disappoints. From the first paragraph, the characters, and all that follows.

[Wanda Mayhue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic Grace Goodwin book. I love her beast books. They are among my favorites of all her books. I loved the characters so very well written they could step off the page. The action and romance were amazing. I can't wait for the next. book

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the beast stories, and this one is no exception. Already looking forward to the next book. For now, I will have to be content with reread.

[Cyn Mistress Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this story. Wow what a kitty cat to have.

[Jayda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This just ended so abruptly that I was left wondering where the rest of the story was. I liked what there was, but it felt unfinished.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bound to the beast

As always a fab story, i do so love the Atlans and the beasts. This one was short and easy to read, i liked it.

[Michele Barajas · Rating 4 out of 5]

love all her books…

I love this whole series but this book seemed like it wasn’t finished…so it was ok. Probably won’t re-read this one as much as I do some of the others.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

good but short

Glad that Iven found his mate, but the story was entirely too short and not well fleshed out. Too many holes in the story.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked Iven and Krystal but I'm disappointed they only got half a story. At no point was this promoted as a novella and all the missing details were there for a full sized book:

- Krystal's submissive side and her/Brody's adjustment to being thrown together.
- More funny and/or tension moments during the three days after Iven met Krystal and he continued to teach
- More action with the assassins, not just a brief mention of a previous incident and an average confrontation in the school
- What happened to Daciana? And Simon? And the trial on Everis?
- Did they decide to stay on earth? Bonus mailing list content? Maybe a hint of a future book with a grown up Brody?

Still firmly a Grace Goodwin fan but hoping for more with next release.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually love Grace's books but this one is half finished... stops abruptly and I was left wondering what happens next.