Taken in by the Aliens: A Planet WLN269 Needs Women Story

Planet WLN269 Needs Women

by Sabrina Cross

Briar needs a way out of her life. The Human-Extraterrestrial Liaison Program may be her only hope. For twenty years, Briar has done what she’s told and helped care for her siblings. But her father has gone too far this time by arranging her marriage. She knows she doesn’t have many options for escape without a formal education, work history, or money. So when the newly-discovered aliens start looking for mates, Briar signs up. Her only hope for reclaiming her future may be found among the stars.

Sury is the leader of his village and it’s up to him to set an example. His people are nervous about the humans and many are skeptical about their suitability, but they’re desperate. They need the human women to help bring balance to Planet WLN269. He may have not planned on mating, but the human is the future for his planet and he’s determined to make it work.

Briar and Sury both have selfish reasons for signing up for the program but they might just be what the other needs.


Planet WLN269 Needs Women is a new shared world series that imagines what it would be like if human woman decided to leave behind one male loneliness epidemic to solve another on a planet in the Andromeda Galaxy. All stories feature low-stakes alien-human romance stories, lots of steam, and a guaranteed Happily Ever After

Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 6, 2026

Reviews

[Mia Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ate this up 👏👏 Bite sized, poly triad romance with monsters reminiscent of the duo from a certain animated monster film BUT with a spicy glow up. Yes please 😍

Briar’s home life is oppressive and her future seems bleak. Her family and way of life is all she’s ever known but she dreams of having simple choices. She escapes to WLN269 hoping for companionship but discovers there is so much more waiting for her in the form of Sury and Mirk.

Sury is a big grey furry alien who is kind natured and erm his monster is appropriately proportioned. And Mirk is a quirky thoughtful spherical alien with a large mouth 😏. They are both caring consensual cinnamon rolls yet also possessive and the dynamic just works.

I love when characters undergo a spaceship full of growth and feel seen and valued. I also like spice in equal measure 🔥 and this novella did both well. I just wish there was a little bit more once they got together. I wasn’t ready for their story to end so fingers crossed for some cameos in other books. The shared world building was a nice touch especially the adorable cats and species 856 💜 (iykyk)

Spicy Alien Romance | Polyamory | inexperienced heroine | Arranged Marriage-ish | Standalone in interconnected series | HEA

Releasing in February 2026. Thank you to Sabrina Cross and the team for the eARC. My thoughts are my own.

[Shreya · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Sabrina Cross and Booksirens!)

TROPES
🧡MMF
🧡Marriage of Convenience
🧡Inexperienced FMC
🧡Sword (ish) Crossing
🧡Novella
🧡Alien Romance
🧡Retelling
--💟💟--

After MUCH ADO ABOUT RUTTING I knew I needed to continue the Planet WLN269 series, and when I found out that Sabrina Cross had another listing in the same universe, who was I to ignore it 😂

TAKEN IN BY THE ALIENS follows Briar, the eldest in a strictly religious family, who looks to escape from her constrained life and meets Sury via correspondence. She agrees to be his political mate in order to escape an arranged marriage to the deliriously misogynistic John Patrick, but finds herself yearning for not only Sury's affection, but also the affection of his friend/assistant Mirk.

If you love Disney/Pixar Retellings with spice, aliens, and an FMC who learns to become more in tune with her wants and sexuality, then this book - this is IT!

I loved Briar and immediately related to her. Her perseverance and dedication to her family overwhelmed her personal desires, and when she reached her breaking point, she was still sending money to her siblings and worrying about them. Briar had to learn to understand that it was perfectly okay for her to have desires and I loved how Sury and Mirk helped her explore passions that she wasn't aware of. I think I also related to Briar because she was searching for acceptance and she was understanding of situations that should have made her angry (rightfully so!) Briar's character development was one that I really enjoyed!

What I also loved about Briar was how she wasn't afraid to cry. Even though she grew up in a strict household, she still expressed her emotions and vulnerability, and I loved that about her! It also made Sury and Mirk re-evaluate what they thought they knew about humans, and seeing them be confused yet try to make her happy was just so sweet! I love an FMC who cries and isn't afraid about hiding those vulnerable parts.

I wish we'd gotten more scenes with Sury and Mirk when they were together with Briar, because I felt like their altogether chemistry was lacking. I felt like the blurb was a little misleading because Briar actually spends more time with Mirk than she does with Sury, and I would have liked to see more of a bonding moment between Sury and Briar.

In general, I felt like MIRK was more of the MMC than Sury was, and with Sury's physique, the age-gap between him and Briar, and his general 'mountain of fluffiness', I felt like there could have been more moments of chemistry between him and Briar.

This wasn't exactly an insta-love, but the story did move at a very fast pace! I got an inkling of what was transpiring between Sury and Mirk, and while I loved the resolution, I felt like Briar's role in the relationship was...nonexistent in a way? Like I wish we'd gotten more of a reason for Sury and Mirk to want Briar, apart from Mirk's energy bonding and Briar's contractual agreement with Sury. It just felt like without Briar, nothing in the story would have really changed since Sury and Mirk were already in some kind of relationship before Briar, and only stopped because Sury wanted to mate with Brair to set an example for his people

The spice was good, and I think Cross balanced Sury and Mirk's roles amazingly, but I kind of wish, yet again, we'd gotten one-on-one time with both Sury and Mirk, just to hone in on their individual chemistry with Briar. I thought the ending came WAY too soon! I needed to see another bonding scene, with or without intimacy, with Sury, Mirk, and Briar! It ended waaaay too soon.

Also, Prince stole the show XD We need more of that adorable yak; I thought Briar was going to get a possum like Rosie did 😂I'm curious if we'll get a story for Isabella, Briar's sister, or even Daphne (if we don't already have Daphne's story)

Wait, I'm just realizing...is Briar meant to be a play on Boo's name in the movie?? 🤯

Overall, I'm binging the rest of this series! Hands down, I need more. Sabrina Cross has become one of my favorites!

Looking for more of my reviews? Want to contact me? Check out my blog! Shreya Reads, Reviews, and Writes

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really lovely and heartfelt alien romance with surprisingly emotional depth. The story follows a young woman who escapes an oppressive upbringing with fundamentalist Christian parents and an arranged marriage to a clearly abusive man. Looking for freedom and safety, she signs up for an alien mating service—only to be matched with two alien males instead of one.
What makes this book especially touching is how gently it handles trauma and healing. The aliens have very different mating customs, which initially confuses and worries her. She assumes their hesitation means rejection, when in reality they’re simply concerned about her well-being—something she’s never truly experienced before. Watching her slowly realize that care, consent, and patience can exist in a relationship is incredibly rewarding.
The three-month trial period allows their bond to grow naturally, and by the end it’s clear that all three have genuinely fallen for each other. The romance is warm, respectful, and deeply rooted in the idea of found family. The aliens themselves are wonderfully written—kind, thoughtful, and just as invested in building a shared life as she is.
The ending also hints at future possibilities involving the heroine’s sister, which adds an exciting layer of anticipation without taking away from the satisfying conclusion of this story.
Overall, this is a cute, cozy, and emotionally affirming alien romance about escaping harm, finding love on your own terms, and building a family where everyone truly belongs.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sarah-Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to start by thanking Sabrina Cross and the Planet WLN269 Arc team for allowing me the chance to read this ARC. All of the thoughts and opinions shared are my own!

I have never cried in a monster/alien romance before but this book brought it out in me! Briar deserves the world, and seeing her come into her own and realise that in this story was amazing. She escapes earth for a better life and with that promise comes two beautifully sexy aliens.

If you like a certain childhood film with two monsters and wondered what it would be like to get freaky with them- I know this wasn't just me... Then this book is absolutely for you. Sury and Mirk are so kind and caring, willing to do what they have to for the sake of their planet even if it comes at detriment to themselves. Though maybe it doesn't have to be at a detriment if they can just explain their feelings.

The spice was there but it wasn't the overwhelming element of the book, it was also about the development and growth of the characters themselves! The spice was incredible though and was absolutely elite. No notes. Give me my own Sury and Mirk please.

This was a short book, and I do wish it had been longer because I would have loved to see the coming together of the characters dragged out. However, it was phenomenally done for such a short format! I can't wait to hopefully glimpse these cuties in the other books because I love them.

[Twisted in Darkness · Rating 4 out of 5]

👽👽👽👽

I absolutely loved this book!! This was only my second time reading this type of extraterrestrial spicy romance story and I am hooked. The story is a beautiful, spicy retelling and has a message of hope, resilience, acceptance, found love and new family.

Briar’s life has been decided for her since birth. She belongs to a very religious family who believe that woman are only used for procreation and as a servant. Wanting more for herself she decided to answer the call from planet WLN269 which desperately needs women. Briar accepts the invitation from Sury to join him in his community, which he is the head of. Mirk is Surys best friend and assistant, and the two of them
Have a unique relationship.
Now if Sury and his best friend and Mirk look a little familar…. Think Pixar that you are not alone. The spice between these characters are going to make me look at that movie much different now…. In a good way 😜.

I received a ARC copy of this book from the author Sabrina Cross and I am freely giving my review.

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Taken In by the Aliens by Sabrina Cross, and I really loved it. This story is spicy, but also surprisingly sweet and tender, with a lot of care given to Briar’s emotional journey.

Even though this is a novella and moves quickly because of its shorter length, the story never felt rushed where it mattered most. Briar’s trauma is handled thoughtfully and gently, and I appreciated how the book took its time with her healing rather than glossing over it. The balance between heat and emotional depth was done really well.

The spice level was perfect, though I would have loved to see a little more development of the intimacy between the characters. Briar’s growth was one of my favourite parts of the story—watching her build confidence and come into her own by the end was genuinely satisfying and made the ending feel earned.

Overall, this was a fast but emotionally rich read—spicy, comforting, and heartfelt. I’d happily recommend it, especially for readers who enjoy alien romance with tenderness and character growth.

[My_Books_In_Nooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Team Squibble ARC review ‘ Taken in by the Aliens’.
My first book in the “A Planet needs Women” series.
What a cozy, quick,feel good start it is!
So this other planet needs women to survive, and Earth is full of them, and lots eager to try it up with aliens.
I’m glad we start off soft and cuddly? Because my brain still needs to get in line with earth women🌶️- ing aliens🫣
The chemistry between Sury, Mirk and Briar was really nice and sweet, Briar slowly coming out of her shelter.
🌶️ was awesomely written, couldn’t help my mind sometimes wandering down the known MU characters, and how they would be spicing 🫣
But I thoroughly enjoyed this short read.
This is for those who need a little break from the outside
world and smile. Cause look up and wonder, COULD there ever be something like this somewhere in the universe?
I dont know, but Im glad Im able to read all about the various ones in this series🤩😃😃

5/5⭐️

[Puppets & Paperbacks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as an ARC

Please make sure you check the TW on this story.

Also, make sure you understand this is a spicy alien/monster romance and understand what that means.

Mirk is the orange ball alien with four arms and I love them! They are an energy alien, so they read energies and thus don’t really like touching others.

However, they’ve found a connection with Sury, who’s the big white teddy bear type alien.

I just love them together. Sury has genitals while Mirk doesn’t appear too. However, that does not stop them from adding a third to the mix.

Briar is the human woman who has actually fled to Planet WLN269 in the hopes of having a life and being free. She learns a lot about herself and her sexuality in the first three months of her stay on WLN269. I am so glad she had Mirk and Sury there to guide her, support her, and take care of her

[ThatsSomeGoodSmut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to BookSirens and the author for a copy of this book.

I absolutely devoured this one.

Briar’s situation on Earth is bleak and controlled, and her choice to sign up for the Human-Extraterrestrial Liaison Program feels like a last, and very necessary, grab for autonomy.

Sury and Mirk were such an unexpectedly perfect pairing for her. Sury is steady, serious, and carrying the pressure of leadership, while Mirk is quirky, observant, and deeply thoughtful. The polyam dynamic works because it is rooted in consent, care, and communication, even when misunderstandings crop up. The romance moves fast, the spice is explicit, and the monster elements are weird in a fun, charming way. This was cozy, strange, tender, and spicy in equal measure, and it fit the WLN269 world beautifully.

[Sydnee Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun spin on Mon5ters Inc duo. Didn’t think of those two as a couple though. Being a kids movie fan kinda makes my no factor go. But when I changed up their names in my head more lol it’s a cute story. Wish it was longer.
Briar comes from a church shut in background. She needs an out and the best was is to sign up to become an alien mate. Sury is the big furry male she matches with. When she arrives she finds he comes with a domicile mate. Mirk is the small round four armed friend.
They are all questioning how to get things moving when it all just explodes with insane speed and heat. Two for one is what she gets. In the best way too.

[Morally_Gray_Nola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taken in By the Aliens is a witty, well written, sexy, spicy, mostly cozy, story about an innocent, sheltered, previously abused human and two super sweet, alien best friends that want nothing more than to make her happy. Miscommunications, well meaning misfires, a great big secret, a huge surprise, and an enlightening revelation make this a book well worth reading.

Sabrina Cross has delivered a clever, entertaining, well written novella with enough heart, hope, and heat to have me begging for book 2!

*** Recommended ***

💥18+
💥Explicit Sex
💥m/f/agender

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Racheal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun, cute and quirky read! I loved how this book had very light Monster Inc vibes, but not so strong that it was like a retelling. Instead, it was moreso like pulling inspiration from the monsters and making them aliens. Briar's whole backstory was both sad and strict, which made me sooo happy when she escaped it through H.E.L.P.
I loved the relationship dynamics between Briar, Mirk and Sury. This book was honestly refreshing from how unique it was from your typical alien romance. Overall, it was between 4.5-5 stars for me.

I want to thank all of the authors for the chance to read this early through the WLN269 Arc Team! My thoughts and opinions are my own in this review!

[Katie Welder · Rating 5 out of 5]

The running theme of these books are I wish they were longer!! I want more of Briar's backstory. I want more about Mirk and Sury's history. Also more spice please? This felt like a tease for what it could be

That being said....this was the throuple involving a little green monster and large fuzzy one that I didn't know I needed. Reminiscent of their complete loss at what to do with a human. It was too cute. And Poor Briar came from such a rough home life that this was her only escape. Luckily she found these two. And boy did she find something great....they sure do make a great team 😉

Now I just need Briar's friend Jules to sign up for the program....

[Queerbookdad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Briar, Mirk and Sury are a dream polycule, I am obsessed with this story and simply put need more! I hate a pregnancy trope but I want them to have a baby so bad! It would be adorable and I want to see them as parents (maybe some fan art will have to suffice for now)

There’s some crazy religious trauma stuff going on and it’s so sad to me that it’s a real thing that happens to so many young women brought up in what is essentially a cult. Thankfully Briar gets away from the abuse and neglect and really gets the life she deserves

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tasty snack of a novella! Briar is escaping an arranged/forced marriage with someone in her religious sect (hello religious trauma) by signing up for a marriage of convenience with an alien on another planet. Why choose a man or a bear when aliens are an option, amirite? The way Sury and Mirk are so careful with Briar even when they get things slightly skewed (I dare you not to snort laugh at the bedroom decor) is so sweet. Absolutely adored this!

**I received an eARC as part of the ARC team for Planet WLN269 but am voluntarily leaving an honest review. **

[Jendy Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how weird and twisted and fun this author is. Clearly these monsters are made in the image of Sully and Mike from a certain Pixar movie. And the plot is definitely reminiscent of some of my favorite alien books. Briar thankfully gets away from her misogynistic family and gets a chance at something real and equal. I would have definitely made the same choice as Briar did to go far away from that mess. Sury would be the perfect warm companion on a cold planet. And Mirk has the empathy and understanding that fits in perfectly. All together, it makes for a great story!

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's absolutely brilliant. I loved Sabrina's sentient novels, so I was excited to try something slightly different from her, and this ticked all my boxes. Abused female finds her way into an alien dating program and gets her happily ever after with two monsters who have me total monsters Inc vibes. Both are absolute sweet hearts and go out of their way to settle her in. The miscommunication with species stuff is endearing and funny. Incredible read, I really need to look into the rest of this series.

[Jennifer D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohmygawd this was sooooo fun!!!!

Soooo sweet, kinda kinky with the?alternative? Type of aliens (not hunky humanoid males), but with these two, er three? It totally works!!! There’s a tiny touch of sad with how Briar’s original home life is… But Sury and Mirk totally make up for it with their adorableness and… ahem… eagerness to please😍😍😍

I love love loved it!!!!!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a fascinating concept for an alien romance novel, it had that element that I was wanting from the description and enjoyed the way Sabrina Cross was able to weave the characters and world in this book. The plot was everything that I was looking for and had that feel that I expected. Sabrina Cross has a strong writing style and the characters were so well written that left me wanting to read more.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nat BookNerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so different than Sabrina’s other WLN269 book. It was deeper and talked about the fmc trauma with their church. I related heavily but it could be triggering for some so keep that in mind. BUT it was amazing. The other main characters were so sweet and kind to our sweet Briar. And they have such a nostalgic feel don’t they? 🤭 but that spice is spicy! Lol

And Sabrina please give me more of Daphne with the pink hair. 😉

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Briar has been raised in a strict religious family. Briar spends most of her time helping raise numerous siblings. When her father arranges a marriage with a man she can't stand she decides to leave. She signs up with an agency matching humans with aliens. Briar hopes that she's made the right choice. Steamy

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun quick read! The FMC I felt was relatable, feeling like you have so much going on and so much to do that it is weird and confusing when you find someone who wants to take care of YOU. It is a sweet quick read that has a spicy scene with Male, Female, They. Great for a palette cleanser!

[NeedMoreBookSpace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again my monster smut authors have perfectly ruined a wholesome Disney movie( respectfully and in the nicest way) for me. I did not think smutty adult monsters inc reimagining would be on my 2026 bingo card, and then crossed off so quickly. Yet here we are lol. But I appreciated the care these aliens took to make sure their female felt safe and protected after leaving such a problematic situation on earth. And I def want some of their screaming earth cat motivational posters lol

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man this book reminds me how grateful I am my family was never crazy religious. Briar experiences some of the worst of the super religious via her parents and community but finds a way to escape and find something better for her!

[Jane Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short and quirky story. I sympathised with the FMC who needed to escape a difficult situation and I was glad that she found a way out that resulted in an unexpected happy ending.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Desiree Skaggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly short, very spicy read with a hea what could be better!

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super quick read with a HEA. Interesting take on the aliens-who-need-women-to-breed idea. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lora Guest · Rating 5 out of 5]

💕🥹

[Zehra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Author

It was a quick, fun, spicy read and the little details like the “cat” posters hung in Briar’s room were absolutely cute 🤭

[DMA · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun sexy alien romance which was a bit different from others i have read and I enjoyed every minute. Highly recommended