Home, Home on the Strange

Planet WLN269 Needs Women

by May Furhst

Riding horses is easy. Riding ET? Sounds like an out-of-this-world good time!

Having bucked her way through every local bronco, Sally Rider is ready for a change. She's looking for a better 8 second ride, so when her best friend jokingly makes Sally a profile with H.E.L.P, the new online alien dating app, Sally doesn't stop her friend's fingers from hitting the 'submit' button.

Meanwhile, on the distant planet light years away, Xenoth's brother is dying and the one person who could save him, his peoples' last remaining Queen, has gone crazy. Desperate for survival, Xenoth needs another Queen, a female who can handle his peoples' unique mating rituals. What he finds is the slimmest of hopes in a sassy, flummoxing, red-haired human female.

When offered the opportunity to shake off her obligations and start fresh, Sally's ready to ride off into the sunset and become a U-F-HO if it means helping the beautiful creature on the other end of their thoughtful late-night messages.
But when she arrives and begins tending to his peoples’ naughtier needs, Xenoth is surprised to find himself jealous of her affections!

Can these two Lone Stars reconcile their growing feelings, save Xenoth's people, and take their relationship from U-F-OH-NO to U-F-HELLO?

FIND OUT IN HOME, HOME ON THE STRANGE!

*****

Why you’ll love this spicy alien romance
The 8 feet tall and comes with multiple prehensile 'attachments'.
The 8 feet tall...in personality! A Texas Rodeo Queen with sass, brass, and the boots to match!
The Dating App, Translation Shenanigans, Why Choose, Reverse Harem, and Mars Needs Women (HEA).
The Multiple explicit open-door scenes including 'alien mating fluid', unique alien appendages, and tentacle play.

*****

WELCOME TO PLANET WLN269
The men are plentiful, the women are scarce, and the opossums are still screaming!
Planet WLN269 Needs Women is a new shared world series that imagines what it would be like if human women 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.

153 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 2, 2026

About the author

Ensconced in a house full of witchcraft & spooky stuff, May Fürhst sits with her black cat on one side (biting her because he wants food) and her monsterlicious TBR pile on the other (probably threatening to fall on her).

This lovely lady cryptid enjoys creating romance and adventure stories of the spicy monster variety. Here, you will find strong female characters, positive LGBTQ+ representation, healthy BDSM, healthy polyamoury, explicit consent within the context of the story, and green flag romances. (She also thinks she's funny sometimes, so there's that.)

Read on to find your next favourite furry, tentacled, or scaly obsession!

Reviews

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one just had such a fun vibe!


I love that yes of COURSE there's romance (there's spice before they even meet up in person 👀) but I love how it also focuses on other relationships. I loved the focus on the MMC's close relationship with his brother, as well as the FMC's relationship with her close friends. I really loved all the characters in this one and would 100% read a spinoff or sequel about any one of them!


Got a good high energy country bull-riding FMC here! If you like your country vibes you will 100% be finding them in this one.


Super unique alien species! Haven't read one quite like this before! They're partially.....manufactured? Not wholly biological? Can share body parts with other people and create links between them? SUPER intriguing


There's definitely something else I want to say about this species but I'm not sure if it qualifies as a spoiler.....


Unique alien species, a monster-f***ing FMC, deep relationships, and just a lot of good high energy fun!

[NeedMoreBookSpace · Rating 5 out of 5]

The countryisms had me rolling in this. And the final line about fruit by the foot flavor 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. This one was different in that we don't spend as much time with our couple together on planet WLN269, most of the interactions happen in the chat. But I loved the Annie Oakley meets Sally Ride meets Dolly Parton vibes the FMC was giving off.

[Nita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was far more entertaining than I was expecting. Lots of laughs and more surprisingly there was a lot of heart in the as well.

[Mia Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

I fell in love with this book immediately and it was ridiculously fun. There’s a quirky sense of humour and the world building, culture, plot developments and complex relationships were all a pure delight. I giggled my way through and devoured in one sitting. The spice was a uniquely good time and was a blast to explore (you’ll see 😉)

“…and truth be told, her orgasms had been so good from the fantasies, Sally was only mad she hadn’t realized she was into being a U-F-Ho sooner!”

💜 Cowgirl x Alien | 💜 Special Peen | 💜 Prehensile Tentacles | 💜 Lots of spice | 💜 Sassy FMC | 💜 HEA | 153 Pages | Releases 2nd February 2026

Thanks May Furst & Planet WLN269 team for the ARC.

[Zahra (Bookish_Platypus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know that I'm typically into the honky tonk and hootin and hollerin country vibes but I found it to be a lot of fun in this book!

I feel like this story had a lot of individual back stories and set ups for our main characters and I found myself really enjoying that. It did keep the couple apart for a majority of the book but they were essentially having a super long distance online dating situation.

Sally and Xenoth were ADORABLE together. I felt like the Earth males just couldn't handle Sally and she needed an alien male to keep up with her. Xenoth on the other hand didn't truly have his sexual awakening until Sally and that was just so sweet to see.

This novella is totally laugh-out-loud hilarious and a good, spicy time.


Thank you to the author for the ARC!
#TeamSquibble

[My_Books_In_Nooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Team Squibble ARC Review

This story had me giggling and was so much fun reading.
The 🌶️ escapades even before she leaves for the alien planet had some few funny scenes.
When the FMC and A(lien)MC came together it was also fun and explorative.
Yeah, this was a fun read!

4/5⭐️

[Queerbookdad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Xenoth and Sally have one of my favourite stories on planet WLN269 I loved the detail of the flavour of the mating fluid and I also loved the idea of a bisexual rodeo cowgirl and an alien who’s species is basically gender fluid. I can’t wait for more of their story!

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spicy Alien RomCom!!!

“Home, Home on The Strange” by May Furhst is a feisty and fun new novella in the 'Planet WLN269 Needs Women' series. Strong and sassy Sally Rider is craving more; someone to love and a new adventure. Xenoth is on a desperate mission to save his brother and their people; all they need to survive is... women. I loved this unconventional alien romcom, especially as the characters kept messaging each other and growing in their super-long-distance relationship. Furhst peppers the book with plenty of spice, hilarious chapter titles, and some blush-worthy puns! Sally has incredible friends, and I hope to see more of them in future Furhst books. I'm also hoping for a bonus epilogue for the ‘Rodeo Wedding in Space’!

[Nicolle · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.5 ⭐️) This was such a fun start to the series after the prequel! We’re now meeting the women going to space for love and the aliens who made them swoon. Sally is such a fun and sassy character, I loved her every second of the book. She’s also a badass, alien-butt kicking rodeo queen! The only reason it wasn’t five stars for me was simply because I wanted more!! I know it’s a novella but I just wanted to see more of her and Xenoth once they were on the same planet. Luckily for me there’s definitely a sequel coming! Especially because I really wanted Sally’s friend Tracy to find extraterrestrial love and that seems to be coming too!! 🌶️🌶️🫑
•
I received an eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review 🪐

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting story. I really hope we get more info on the Zarthaxians one day. This is one of those times where I really wish this story was longer. Very interesting read tho. I really enjoyed that Sally and Xenoth grew close as friends with no expectations other than hopefully helping his species out of their unique problems before they realized that they both liked each other more.

[Robyn G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sally signed up for the alien dating program after watching all her friends pair up.
Xenoth needed a female to help save his brother and he needed a queen to help save his people and Sally fits the bill for both!
Sally and Xenoth was so cute together, Sally took charge very quickly and Xenoth was just happy to be In her orbit.
This was another great addition to the Planet WLN269 series!
And that ending! How exciting!! It's going to be a blast!

[Bordelinedino · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is pure fun.
Everything about it just makes you smile.

Sally and her friends are great and have a fantastic relationship.
The country western vibes are strong with this one.

Her entrance onto planet WLN269 was hilarious and definitely one to remember.

Xen is so sweet when he finally gets Sally in his arms (Kropeks?) both?

Everyone is going to be thinking of Xen when they have fruit by the foot now though.

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.75)

Thank you May and the team for these ARCs!

This was absolutely WONDERFUL. Sally was a cracking FMC and I think her country accent really made her even better. Good ol' Texan Horse Girl <3 Pleaaaaase give me more of Sally and Xenoth or i might CRY.

[Celaria.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

All aboard Planet WLN269, This was a fantastic quirky quick read. I laughed and had so much fun with this story, I wish it was longer! Sally is my kind of girl, she is strong, spunky and a badass. This story had a lot of build up until they finally met but boy when they got together it was so worth it. If you're a fan of alien romances, cowgirl x alian, special peen and a sassy fun FMC you will definitely have a good time.

The only thing that will make this book better for me is if you follow through with the “To Be Continued…” and I read it all over again while munching on a fruit by the foot! Please make that dream come true.

I received this ARC in a shared world with multiple authors. Thank you for the opportunity to escape into your story!

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

3.5/5 🌶️

The readers are immediately dropped into the fun world of a tight-knit Texan rodeo friend group, with endearing personalities. We meet Sally, a woman who knows what she wants, is sick of Earth men and ready to be a U-F-Ho by signing up for the H.E.L.P. Alien Dating App. Xenoth is an alien Z’arthtaxian man, desperate to save his people and his brother from dying after their Queen goes crazy. They have a…unique mating problem that he hopes Sally can help him with.

Loved the explanation of terminology, human and alien characters, critters and varmints at the end; it really helped my pea-sized brain better picture things in this world. And the terminology wasn’t even hard, but my brain isn’t braining too well as of late. TLDR: their prehensile tentacles are called kropek; that is basically a mane on top of the Z’arthtaxian’s head. These kropek can even be exchanged between trusted family and friends, used to hold memories and also for communication. The aliens’ unique peens are called mating tubes. There’s more helpful descriptions, but that’s some of the main things. I will say, I didn’t love the casualness of the brotherly mating fluids lmao, but ignoring that, I had a great time. 🤣

These characters were really fun and I hope that we see an expansion and continuation of their stories by the author. I’m assuming an expansion of the story would include RH aspects mentioned in the original book description, but I didn’t miss it this time. I loved seeing Sally and Xenoth do their thing. I also loved how there is crossover of other authors’ characters in this shared world. Overall such a strong start to my chaotic journey through Planet WLN269 novellas!

-Standalone novella, around 150 pages, in a shared world with other books in the series.
-Alien dating app
-Human FMC x Alien MMC
-Spunky and bad@ss Texan rodeo queen FMC
-Quick to spicy scenes b/w other characters
-More character time and plot development with the characters separate than them actually together on Planet WLN269
-Hilarious chapter titles
-Unique peen
-HEA

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Ok, I’ll be honest - I didn’t always understand the spicy alien scenes, but I still thought they were hot. There are many parts, and a lot of them are tentacle-ish, which I love. There’s a ton do self-pleasure for both our main characters. I also love this.

Sally is an amazing FMC. A rodeo rider, tough as nails and full of love and curiosity about the world. And her found family is amazing and hysterical and I want them to be my found family.

Xenoth is so noble and sexy and I love how he takes care of everyone in the village, trying to save their lives. Making sure the children are cared for and the males approaching their “change” can do it safely.

Do I long for a future story after Xenoth has become female? Absolutely.

Do I long for the adventures of the rodeo crew on Planwt WLN269? 💯

[Joanne Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book — it was funny, warm, and genuinely delightful from start to finish. An easy 5/5 stars for me.

The characters were the real highlight. They were quirky, sharp, and genuinely funny, with side characters who felt just as interesting and memorable as the main cast. I really loved the found family elements, which added so much heart and made the relationships feel earned and emotionally satisfying.

The world-building really stood out, especially the refreshing juxtaposition between the rustic rodeo scenes and the sleek, high-tech sci-fi elements, which kept the setting feeling vibrant and fun.


Home, Home On The Strange worked perfectly for me because I love character-driven sci-fi with humour, strong relationships, and a sense of community at its core.

This is for readers who enjoy funny, character-rich sci-fi with found family vibes, engaging world-building, and well-placed (but not overwhelming) spice — especially if you’re already enjoying the Planet WLN269 Needs Women series.

[Kelsey Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun read! The rodeo aspect of it made it really hilarious. Lou, Tracy, Sally, and Chet had the funniest friendship. Xenoth honestly had me swooning from his introduction message to Sally even though I don’t know if that’s what was intended. I loved their communications back and forth and how compatible they were. Sally does something so amazing right after she lands on WLN269 and it had me cracking up because she’s honestly just so freakin’ cool and I loved it. The spice in this was fun and tentacle-y, and who doesn’t love that in an alien romance? The ending for this with the to be continued has me so excited to see what’s next for the rodeo crew. Amazing read!

[Babes Books and Brews · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first full story to kick off the WLN269 series where a sole alien mining planet holds the last of their civilization after war and reaches out to Earth in search of companionship. AND THIS IS ABSOLUTELY MY VIBE. Sally has a good life but simply wants something else, something more, and Xenoth is there to give it to her in his growly, possessive way. I loved the backstory of Xenoth’s species, explaining their desperate need for companions, as much as I loved Sally’s twang and boisterous personality and friends. Plus, who doesn’t love a girl that holds off a biker gang of turkey-looking aliens after landing planet-side? Can’t wait for the rest of the stores!

[Kitm0nster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok so this was a wild ride! Sally and Xenoth really connected quickly, and I appreciated the open communication between them!

It's a lot of build-up and when it finally explodes, it's entirely worth it! I loved the side cast of characters in the rodeo and how they reacted to Sally getting ready to blast off.

Yes if: You're in the mood for something funny, unhinged, and has aliens

No if: You can't stand a Texan accent

🕷️ Cowgirl x Settlement leader
🏇 Mr. Socks
🕷️ Smokin weed
🏇 Help save his species
🕷️ Soundproofing
🏇 Proposal

[Elixabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Plot/Spice/Tears)
📚 5/5 - 🌶 3/5 - 💧2/0

M'gawd, this book is so over the top with the country accent. Being southern myself I love it! I really enjoyed reading this! The rodeo crew was fun little crew of friends! Sally and Xenoth's story is a cute and spicy little rom-com, I feel she' s going to bring a lot of fun to his village.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all I was not ready for this novella in the Planet WLN269 series. It is funny AF. And spicy which is one of my personal favorite combos. I’m not going to say much more because I don’t want to spoil anything, but be prepared to giggle snort your way through this one!

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

[Britt Smolinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

If you are looking for a wild ride alien romance, then this is the book for you!

💕Cowgirl x Alien
💪🏼 She Takes The Lead
🍆 Mating Tubes & Prehensile Tentacles
🤠 Rodeo Shenanigans

Thank you May & Planet WNL269 for an earc!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh this was SO fun!! I absolutely loved the country accents and banter these friends had. I also think the budding relationship between Sally and Xenoth was so sweet and spicy! I loved the idea of this story continuing on with her friends in the future and hope to read it soon!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing is imPOSSUMble 😂

Omg I haven’t laughed so hard in so long! Whoever recommended this series to me, may your pillow always be cold and your next 5 reads be 5 stars!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall this book read quickly, but it was severely lacking in romance and by the end I was a bit frustrated.

The main male character Xenoth seems to be an alien that has quite a few differences from humans, which I appreciated since there are so many alien romance books where the alien seems to just be a strong human plus horns or wings. However I struggled to understand his physiology and appearance, he had prehensile tubes coming out of his head that changed color with his emotions, these can transmit information like USB cords and also pick up items in his surroundings? Additionally there was a very interesting social structure referenced multiple times, it seems that the males of this species do the childbearing and rearing but their hormonal balances are regulated by females? And what did that have to do with the queen? And why were the other females trapped with the queen? Why are there so many fluids being produced? I had so many questions on basically everything to do with Xenoth.

Overall I just wanted significantly more romance and connection throughout this book. Sally herself as a character was fun, I understood how she was lonely and why she signed up for the dating app, but some of her friends came across as a bit too goofy, and I think I would have appreciated a slightly more serious tone to this book? The two main characters don't actually manage to connect and begin to exchange communications until almost 40% of the way into this novella and when they finally meet in person at about 70%, there is simply a sex scene and then the novella is over, leaving me wanting for way more. Ultimately I was very frustrated by the length of the book and the significant lack of context for understanding what was going on with Xenoth, and most of all I was frustrated with the lack of romance, I didn't feel like these characters knew anything about each other and I didn't care if they got together or not because I hadn't seen any true effort of feelings develop!

Also the possums now being on this planet as feral cats is kind of a dumb joke, it feels sort of like the authors had an inside joke that then got crowbarred into the stories? It seems like most of the reviews I'm seeing are five-star gushing praise and were for ARCs, thankfully I did see a few that wanted more romance like myself.

[M.E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept? So fun! The details? So bizarre! The characters? So lovable!

This probably would’ve been at least a 4/5 ⭐️ for me, except that so much important stuff got skipped over. It skipped over the literal PREMISE of the series, a dating app to connect humans with aliens, where the humans then go to the alien planet WLN269 to be with their match. The book gave us a great set up, with why both characters wanted to use this match-making service. And then it just time jumped over the characters actually getting to know each other. And then time jumped over the trip off the planet. And never even let us see what the planet looks like or how the human fits in. Just one sex scene and then it’s done. We don’t even get a resolution on the fate of the aliens or if the reason they need human women is resolved! (Which is not, btw, connected to the rest of the books in the series)

I think I will probably check out other books by this author because the book was genuinely very fun and I was invested in the characters. But it really needed a developmental editor to hammer out all the things missing. Just 4-5 more scenes wouldve satisfied every question I had.

[DJJarvisReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that May Furhst did a really good job with this Cowgirl x Alien romance. It was different than anything I have read so far and I really enjoyed it. It was super cute and wholesome. I really liked both Sally and Xenoth’s characters and their dynamic with each other. I hope to see them show up in some of the other books of this series. I also thought it was really cool that it had several Alien pop culture references, especially Alien v. Predator and ET. I also really like how May Furhst wrote the group of friend’s friendship. They were very non-judgmental of Sally and supported her decision to try out the H.E.L.P program. Even though it started out as a little joke. May Furhst did a really good job writing all of the characters and this story.

I definitely recommend Home, Home on the Strange by May Furhst, along with all of the other stories in the Planet WLN 269 shared world series. Especially if you love a good alien romance!

[April Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wilder than any 8 second ride for sure. The story was quite gripping. Just a touch to rushed for me. I understand it's a shorter novella however it was more giving a sample platter feel. The story line moved really quickly. While the details were there, there were more that I felt was missing. The spice was about 2 or so. They didn't really do anything til the end of the book and was rather fast paced. There was something involving alien vs predator in an intimate sort of way. That was a hard pass for me. I will say this while it isn't necessarily that smutty and spicy there are some things that just cause an eyebrow raise. I did receive this book as an arc but I'm not obligated to leave this review. I do recommend you give it a go. I absolutely loved the rodeo aspect of it and thought that was very well done. Plenty of other amazing details.

[Maria F · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Planet WLN269 novella really plucked at my heartstrings. There is so much emotion and depth in the relationship that Xenoth has with his brother I was definitely feeling for them. Sally is also just a touch different from some of our other leading ladies so far, with the loving network of friends that she leaves behind on earth. Sally is definitely a wonderful powerhouse of a woman that I would LOVE to read more about! I also find myself very invested in the others within Xenoth’s community and their future wellbeing!

There were a few unanswered questions at the end of this book, and I definitely did not feel like we are at the end of Sally and Xenoth’s story (they have barely just begun?). I definitely would like more and am wondering if there is going to be more to this story someday?