Stars Align

by K.C. De la Rosa

Clement's life has been predictable the last few years. Between his barista job and taking care of his sick mother, he doesn't have time to think about much else. But when his mother dies and leaves him a sizeable chunk of change, he does what any rational human would do and goes out into space, agreeing to move in with a stranger--a hot one, at that.

Qaed has had his fair share of difficulties, too. When his health robs him of his job, he starts to feel a little lost... until he finds himself with a new human roommate who wants to use him as inspiration for his romance novels. Jobless and frankly, a little bored, Qaed doesn't have much choice but to agree, taking Clement on fake dates and helping him get to know the galaxy.

It doesn't take long for fake feelings to develop into real ones--real feelings that neither man is ready for.

164 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 7, 2026

About the author

KC De la Rosa (he/they) is an author of sci-fi romance that is always queer and sometimes spicy. Sometimes he writes messy rom-com level romances, sometimes he writes high-octane sci-fi romances about bounty hunters. But you can always count on there being a happily ever after. They live in Georgia with their author spouse and two dogs, Chai and Milkshake.

Reviews

[Venus Dott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute story! Roommates to Lovers. I really found the almost instant connection between Clement and Qaed to be so sweet, even if they didn’t realize just how well they clicked in the beginning.
Clement is just a wonderfully written character. I love that I can can see myself as this character; someone struggling to reidentify themselves as the person they want to be, doing they things they want to do. He has this sweetness to him, behind the pain from his life on Earth, that just draws you in and makes you want to keep reading just to learn more about him.
Qaed practically falling for Clement at first sight is so relateable. Because, who wouldn’t fall for a sweet, handsome man making you coffee and spending time with you, helping you cook and just existing in your space in a way that feels warm and peaceful. His willingness to help Clem get inspired for his writing just added to his adorableness when it comes to his human love interest.
There is something so sweet about how these two fit so easily into each other’s lives, that makes me love their little bubble of domesticity that much more. There’s no unnecessary tension, or unbidden disagreements between them over things around their apartment. Qaed’s eager to help get Clement out of the house and experience things, while he’s also battling with his growing feelings for the other man. Both of them thinking that they’re not good enough, not the right fit for the other as a potential romantic partner. Before they finally have an emotional confession of feelings, not once, but twice, but to really solidify it.

Clement and Qaed have such a sweet story. I really fell in love with them and their adorable little bubble they call home.

5/5🌟 for the plot that brought a smile to my heart and had me kicking my feet
3.5/5🌶️ for the wonderfully written spicy scenes that felt just right
4.5/5🍬 for just how willing Qaed is to do anything for Clem to make him happy and help support his dreams

[Bella S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished reading an ARC of Stars Align.

Overall, it's a really sweet, extremely low stakes story. The kind of book that makes for a nice detox between heavier reads, or if you want something that you can burn through quickly on a slow day or flight.

The main characters are all likable, and while the attraction was instant, the actual relationship development felt well paced and believable.

Going into it, I didn't quite realize that it was the second book in a series, so I may have missed out on some world building, etc, but nothing so egregious that I needed to put it down and get caught up on the previous installment.

[ReadswithGroot · Rating 5 out of 5]

He’d forgotten what this felt like, to see something so beautiful he wanted to immortalize it in words.

Stars Align by KC De La Rosa is a sweet roommate to lover’s romance set on an alien planet between a human and a horned alien. It’s full of banter, sweet romantic moments and of course plenty of spicy moments too. At under 200 pages this is a great book to binge read and get that sweet and spicy romantic hit we all love.

I loved this book and I’m excited to read more from this author- By any chance is To Spite a Raven’s Heart getting an actual book because I am invested.





3 🔥
💜Fake dating
🧡Spicy research
💜Virgin mc
🧡Two dicks
💜Alien x human
🧡Cozy vibes
💜Trans Mc
🧡Sensitive horns
💜One bed


Thank you for the arc opportunity 💜

[Cloud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to KC de la Rosa, for providing me with an ARC of Stars Align.

This was a sweet, cosy queer romance that I overall enjoyed. The relationship between the alien love interest and the human trans man was handled thoughtfully, and I appreciated the emotional maturity of the characters and their open communication.

While the pacing felt a little slow for my personal taste, it suited the cosy, comforting tone of the story. The early fake-dating scenes were especially fun and added some very humorous moments. Overall Stars Align is a charming, feel-good read for those looking for a soft and emotionally open romance.

Plot rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Carson Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not my usual read but something about these characters really sucked me in. i enjoyed the easy roommate relationship between the two main characters and how they drifted closer to one another. At times I did get a little confused with all the different world building things but this is my first time reading an alien love story so that is more on me than the author.

I'll admit that it took me a bit to get into the reading but once I was at the end I was on the end of my seat! and let's just say, the spice? it was spicing!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC READER*
Awww Clement and Qaed are adorable. I love the roommates to lovers trope, it’s so cute. Both of these trauma babies found eachother and I couldn’t be happier.

Clement is getting off Earth for a fresh start that Qaed has already started on it. There is a little miscommunication issue but these guys are very good at making sure they don’t leave things unconfirmed or corrected. If you want a cute short Alien/Human mm romance this is a cute one to pick up for sure!

[Fussl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks so much to the author for sending me an ARC for this book!


this was SUCH a sweet and lovely romance that gave me all the cozy feels

Clement and Qaed are fucking adorable together and I always love a good "this 'dating' is definitely just for 'research'" trope lmao

i didn't even realise Candy has her own book too and I'm gonna need to read that too now because I LOVE her

would definitely read more from this book can we do Vendi next??

[V.R. Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stars Align is a sweet, charming treat of a read! Clement and Qaed are such wonderful relatable characters while still having the fun rom-com moments. And the low-stakes story is such a relaxing read!

All in all, Clement and Qaed are definitely in my top ten book characters.

[Gina Wohlgemuth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great read. Seeing how it went from research for Clement to them actually confessing their feelings to each other.

Love Clement and Qaed 🫶🏻

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, easy, cozy read