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Beach Ball Space Haul: A Cozy, Low-Stakes, Slice-of-Life Sci-fi Adventure
Getting there is half the trouble…
Hey there, partner. Rusty here. I've hauled everything from livestock to lava lamps, but I gotta admit, I never thought I'd have a spaceship full of pre-inflated beach balls. Usually when a client tells me their cargo is "a real gas," it's a figure of speech…
We're doing the job to help out the Driffinels, a family of fish-folk about as chatty as a library full of mimes. And we ain't the only ones. We're sharing the load with the chaos cowboys of Karlie's Cargo. Let me tell ya, runnin' a convoy with these two crews is like driving a monster truck through a monastery.
It's gonna be a long journey, and we've got Murphy riding shotgun. But there's nothing like a critical mechanical failure in deep space to bring folks together. Especially when linking up your ships is the only way to make sure everyone is still warm and breathing at the end of the road. If we can all survive this, maybe we can finally convince Murl to come join us for a beer.
No Stress Space Express is a series about finding your true family, told with the common-sense wisdom of Jerry Boyd's Bob and Nikki series (Bob's Saucer Repair), and the low-stakes world building of Travis Baldree's Legends & Lattes. Join Rusty and his crew for a heart-warming, laugh-out-loud adventure with no tension, and no drama. Just good clean fun, great friendships, and a little romance too.
Hey there, partner. Rusty here. I've hauled everything from livestock to lava lamps, but I gotta admit, I never thought I'd have a spaceship full of pre-inflated beach balls. Usually when a client tells me their cargo is "a real gas," it's a figure of speech…
We're doing the job to help out the Driffinels, a family of fish-folk about as chatty as a library full of mimes. And we ain't the only ones. We're sharing the load with the chaos cowboys of Karlie's Cargo. Let me tell ya, runnin' a convoy with these two crews is like driving a monster truck through a monastery.
It's gonna be a long journey, and we've got Murphy riding shotgun. But there's nothing like a critical mechanical failure in deep space to bring folks together. Especially when linking up your ships is the only way to make sure everyone is still warm and breathing at the end of the road. If we can all survive this, maybe we can finally convince Murl to come join us for a beer.
No Stress Space Express is a series about finding your true family, told with the common-sense wisdom of Jerry Boyd's Bob and Nikki series (Bob's Saucer Repair), and the low-stakes world building of Travis Baldree's Legends & Lattes. Join Rusty and his crew for a heart-warming, laugh-out-loud adventure with no tension, and no drama. Just good clean fun, great friendships, and a little romance too.
- GenresScience Fiction
357 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 30, 2026
About the author
Jack Bodett
18 books22 followersJack Bodett lives at the corner of duct tape and destiny. His humorous science-fiction tales are populated by folks who are equally good at building spaceships and building friendships. He believes that with a good sense of humor, a willingness to help others, and a well-stocked tool belt, anyone can bang together their own happy ending.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 2, 2026
Oh yes. (Seriously no spoilers!)
I've now read 10 of this series.... I'm less than a week! Yes, in my opinion, they really are THAT good!
If you're looking for epic space battles with beautiful monsters rescuing ravening princesses, I suggest you look elsewhere. However, if you're looking for well rounded, likeable characters inhabiting a world that is not just well conceived, but believable then this is your bag.
The stories are nicely written. The characters banter with each other and mesh well. Each story is a little limited, covering a fairly short period of time and really don't stand well on their own. That said. Start at the beginning and you're rewarded with a tale that is DEFINITELY worth your time!
This is something I've been looking for, for a loooong time! What I like to call "comfort reading". It bowls along nicely, some humour, great world-building with genuinely likeable characters. Not just the main characters, but side and incidental ones too!
I would also like to shout out the cover illustrator! The pictures really capture the warmth of the writers work! As you can probably guess, I'm loving this series. My only regret is I have to wait now for more!
I heartily recommend this entire series but..... MAKE SURE YOU START FROM THE BEGINNING!!!
I've now read 10 of this series.... I'm less than a week! Yes, in my opinion, they really are THAT good!
If you're looking for epic space battles with beautiful monsters rescuing ravening princesses, I suggest you look elsewhere. However, if you're looking for well rounded, likeable characters inhabiting a world that is not just well conceived, but believable then this is your bag.
The stories are nicely written. The characters banter with each other and mesh well. Each story is a little limited, covering a fairly short period of time and really don't stand well on their own. That said. Start at the beginning and you're rewarded with a tale that is DEFINITELY worth your time!
This is something I've been looking for, for a loooong time! What I like to call "comfort reading". It bowls along nicely, some humour, great world-building with genuinely likeable characters. Not just the main characters, but side and incidental ones too!
I would also like to shout out the cover illustrator! The pictures really capture the warmth of the writers work! As you can probably guess, I'm loving this series. My only regret is I have to wait now for more!
I heartily recommend this entire series but..... MAKE SURE YOU START FROM THE BEGINNING!!!
April 14, 2026
This is the tenth book in the series, and they have all been fun. Each book is like another chapter or maybe another episode in a TV series. For best results probably start with book one. Since I have read so many I have specific voices I hear the main characters as in my head. Rusty sounds like Larry the Cable guy as the "Tow Mater" from cars. Mike sounds like Jerry Reed the truck driver from Smoky and the Bandit. Piper sounds like Katie Segal as Lela in Futurama and Jenna sounds like Mellisa Rausch as Bernadette from Big Bang. Your results may vary.
April 5, 2026
more
I keep reading every one, as soon as it comes out. It seems like almost all new science fiction is just combat stories with spaceships. I need more of this non-violent science fiction. Silly like Jack Bodett, serious like Dr. Lowell, or both like EM Foner. However, they are the only three, low-stakes, non-violent, new science fiction I can find. Please tell me who else is writing it? 🖖🏻
I keep reading every one, as soon as it comes out. It seems like almost all new science fiction is just combat stories with spaceships. I need more of this non-violent science fiction. Silly like Jack Bodett, serious like Dr. Lowell, or both like EM Foner. However, they are the only three, low-stakes, non-violent, new science fiction I can find. Please tell me who else is writing it? 🖖🏻
April 3, 2026
A fun trip across the galaxy
As usual. Lots of folksy middle America humor with a twist for unique friendships
Goofball characters and the connections made through interesting adventures
As usual. Lots of folksy middle America humor with a twist for unique friendships
Goofball characters and the connections made through interesting adventures
April 4, 2026
This Book so Much Fun
This Author's books are so full of fun and funny situations that they are a pleasure to read. On this trip hauling the filled Beach balls the crew have interesting obstacles to get through.
This Author's books are so full of fun and funny situations that they are a pleasure to read. On this trip hauling the filled Beach balls the crew have interesting obstacles to get through.
April 14, 2026
Book 10 in the series
The three captains, Rusty, Karlie, and Murl and their crews start to haul the beach balls full of a special gas to the planet Rootone. No trip with these haulers is easy and problems again pop up and need to be solved. A great story.
The three captains, Rusty, Karlie, and Murl and their crews start to haul the beach balls full of a special gas to the planet Rootone. No trip with these haulers is easy and problems again pop up and need to be solved. A great story.
April 25, 2026
The story continues...
Another fun addition to a wonderful series. Reluctant neighbors, challenging problems, and hijinx along the way.
Just another day on the No Stress Express...
Another fun addition to a wonderful series. Reluctant neighbors, challenging problems, and hijinx along the way.
Just another day on the No Stress Express...
April 3, 2026
A ball of fun.....
Enjoyed throughout my read. Never a dull moment means reading straight through to the end. Airways a blast! Hop aboard!
Enjoyed throughout my read. Never a dull moment means reading straight through to the end. Airways a blast! Hop aboard!
April 16, 2026
Nice change of pace book from the military SF I just read. Many people are decent and helpful as this book reminds us. Enjoyable slice of SF life series.
April 21, 2026
The books in this series are always enjoyable.
May 28, 2026
Pleasant time
These books are always good for a comfort read when you need something to take you away from the madness that is the world today. Looking forward to the next one.
These books are always good for a comfort read when you need something to take you away from the madness that is the world today. Looking forward to the next one.
July 14, 2026
excellent
Very good read it makes a Change to have no violence and no bad language just an enjoyable read it is an excellent bok
Very good read it makes a Change to have no violence and no bad language just an enjoyable read it is an excellent bok
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews