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Untangled

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Danger has a way of turning enemies into something else.

Surviving a planet that wants you dead is hard. Surviving with someone you love to hate? Even harder. Especially when it means learning to trust each other.

Sabaak is a planet where the sand stretches on forever and every second is a reminder of your terrible life choices. Not the ideal location for the adventure Bri has always dreamed of. But she’s not one to let a lack of resources, a disturbing cult, and unruly pack animals stand in the way of a good time. Plus, the best adventures are the ones where everything goes wrong. Right?

It’s also a place Tai swore he’d never step foot on again. Now he’s forced to deal with his past, something he’d rather keep buried. On a planet he hates, on a rescue mission he never wanted, he’ll do whatever it takes to get them home.

The fight for survival brought them closer, but is it enough to keep them together?

Untangled is an action rom-com with a sci-fi twist and the second book of an interconnected standalone series that all started with Uprooted. This time around, the stakes are higher, the banter is just as fierce as the battles, and the scorching desert sun isn’t the only source of heat.

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 19, 2026

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Kennedy Rhodes

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
Profile Image for Fantasy Fables.
169 reviews5 followers
May 17, 2026
This was a great book! Untangled is the second book of this series of interconnected standalones. Uprooted (Book 1) introduces you to the main characters of this book, but Untangled can definitely be read as a true standalone.

There were a lot of things to love in this one. We got - frenemies to lovers, fated mates, one tent, one bathtub, a sci-fi romcom, mistaken identity, hurt/comfort, dual POV, and so much more!

Our FMC Bri is feisty, headstrong, smart, and looking for an adventure. She may have bit of more than she can chew with this particular adventure she finds herself on, though.

Our MMC Tai goes to pick Bri up from the space station she’s at after she was evacuated from j’Tilak. Bri and Tai have been at each other’s throats since Book 1. Bri is not happy to see him, and she tries to escape his help. That leads to her crash landing on the planet Sabaak, a planet full of sand and heat.

Tai goes after her, and he winds up crash landed on Sabaak as well. But this isn’t his first time on the planet, and he swore to never return after the disaster of his first trip here left him without an arm.

Bri finds herself “rescued” by a cult who mistakes her for their goddess. All is fine at first, until things get weird fast.

Bri and Tai have to find a way to work together in order to fight for their lives and make their way back home to j’Tilak.

The banter between these two was top notch, and the spice was even better. 😏 Both Bri and Tai had fantastic character growth and development as well.

Untangled was overall a cozy story, but we saw some more high stakes action in this one than we saw in Uprooted. I really enjoyed those moments because they forced Bri and Tai to truly learn how to work together.

Thank you so much to Kennedy Rhodes and Rattle the Stars PR for the gifted copy of this ARC! 🚀✨
Profile Image for Tifani - bloomandbodybooks .
12 reviews3 followers
May 7, 2026
✨ARC review✨ 4.5 stars

I ended up loving this book far more than I expected. Untangled is a refreshingly unique blend of fantasy, sci-fi, and romcom….lighthearted and fun on the surface yet layered with emotional depth. It’s the kind of easy, addictive read you pick up for a quick escape and suddenly realize you’ve binge read the entire thing.

The story follows the adventures of Tai and Bri. Bri crash lands on a desert planet after making a rash, impulsive decision while fighting with Tai. Tai goes to rescue Bri out of obligation and his own complicated reasons. Bri is stubborn, strong-willed, and determined to prove herself even if it is dangerous and she’s in over her head trying to escape her internal battles. Tai focuses on duty to distract from his unresolved baggage. The two are forced together in the harsh and unforgiving desert, and must learn to rely on one another to survive. What starts as tension and resistance slowly turns into understanding as they begin to see beyond each other’s walls. While they’re fighting to survive physically, they’re also fighting themselves internally. Their story is also about growth, self-discovery, and facing the truths they’ve been avoiding. Their character development is heartwarming, relatable, and rewarding.

I loved the balance between humor, emotion, and adventure. I found myself quickly emotionally invested and attached to the characters; rooting for them, not just to make it home but to become better versions of themselves.

Thank you so much ­­­ @rattlethestarspr and @kennedyrhodesbooks for this ARC opportunity! I look forward to future books!

Enemies to Lovers | One Tent | Mistaken Identity | One Bathtub | Sci-Fi Rom Com | Fated Mates | Hurt/Comfort
Profile Image for Nicole Marie.
226 reviews3 followers
May 20, 2026
Untangled was such a fun mix of sci-fi adventure, survival chaos, banter-filled romance, and emotional tension. The story balances high-stakes danger with humor and chemistry incredibly well, making it easy to get pulled into both the action and the growing relationship between Bri and Tai.
Bri was immediately lovable because of how determined she is to treat disaster like an adventure even when everything around her is actively trying to kill her. Her humor and optimism balance Tai’s more guarded, serious personality perfectly, and their constant back-and-forth made the enemies-to-lovers tension feel natural from the start. Tai carries so much emotional baggage tied to Sabaak, and watching Bri slowly break through those walls added a surprising amount of emotional depth underneath all the chaos and action.
The survival elements and sci-fi setting kept the pacing moving quickly, while the forced proximity and one-tent moments gave the romance plenty of tension. I also loved how the story balanced lighter rom-com energy with genuine emotional vulnerability and hurt/comfort moments that made the relationship feel earned.
The chemistry between Bri and Tai builds steadily throughout the story, but it’s really the trust developing between them that stood out most for me. The “touch them and die” energy, emotional tension, and gradual shift from irritation to devotion made the romance incredibly satisfying.
Overall, this was adventurous, funny, emotional, and addictive with excellent banter, strong relationship development, and the perfect balance of sci-fi survival and romance.
Profile Image for The Calm Chapter Mandi Wiencek.
92 reviews6 followers
May 19, 2026
✌︎ 𝕌𝕟𝕥𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕝𝕖𝕕 ✌︎
((𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕚𝕝𝕖𝕣-𝔽𝕣𝕖𝕖 𝔸ℝℂ ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨))

𝕋𝕚𝕥𝕝𝕖- 𝕌𝕟𝕥𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕝𝕖𝕕
𝔸𝕦𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕣- 𝕂𝕖𝕟𝕟𝕖𝕕𝕪 ℝ𝕙𝕠𝕕𝕖𝕤
𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕣𝕖- ℝ𝕠𝕞-ℂ𝕠𝕞 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕒 𝕊𝕔𝕚-𝔽𝕚 𝕋𝕨𝕚𝕤𝕥
𝕊𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕤- 𝕀𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕟𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖 (𝕌𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕕)

𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖 ℂ𝕚𝕥𝕪-
♒︎ 𝕎𝕚𝕥𝕥𝕪 𝔹𝕒𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕣
♒︎ 𝕄𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖𝕟 𝕀𝕕𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕥𝕪
♒︎ 𝔽𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕤
♒︎ 𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕔𝕖𝕕 ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕩𝕚𝕞𝕚𝕥𝕪
♒︎ 𝔼𝕟𝕖𝕞𝕚𝕖𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕤
♒︎ ℍ𝕦𝕣𝕥/ ℂ𝕠𝕞𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕥

𝕀 𝕗𝕚𝕟𝕚𝕤𝕙𝕖𝕕 𝕌𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕒 𝕗𝕖𝕨 𝕞𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕙𝕤 𝕒𝕘𝕠 𝕥𝕠 𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕡 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕊𝕥𝕣𝕖𝕖𝕥 𝕋𝕖𝕒𝕞! 𝕀 𝕗𝕚𝕟𝕚𝕤𝕙𝕖𝕕 𝕚𝕥 𝕙𝕠𝕡𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕠 𝕘𝕖𝕥 𝕒 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕔𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕 𝔹𝕣𝕚 (𝔽𝕄ℂ) 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕋𝕒𝕚 (𝕄𝕄ℂ). 𝔹𝕣𝕚 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕪 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕤𝕥 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕕𝕚𝕔 𝕣𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕖𝕗 𝕒𝕥 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕪 𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕟. 𝕋𝕒𝕚 𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕡𝕖𝕥𝕦𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕔𝕙𝕚𝕝𝕕 𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕚𝕟 𝔹𝕣𝕚 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥,𝕚𝕟 𝕡𝕒𝕣𝕥, 𝕤𝕖𝕥𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕞 𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕙𝕚𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕚𝕠𝕦𝕤, 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕡𝕝𝕖𝕩 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕤𝕖 𝕒𝕕𝕧𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕖. 𝕀𝕥'𝕤 𝕣𝕠𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕔 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕕𝕪 𝕘𝕠𝕝𝕕 𝕨𝕣𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕖𝕕 𝕚𝕟 𝕓𝕝𝕦𝕖 𝕤𝕔𝕚-𝕗𝕚 𝕞𝕒𝕘𝕚𝕔 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕒 𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕥 𝕠𝕗 𝕒𝕝𝕚𝕖𝕟 𝕤𝕡𝕚𝕔𝕖. 𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕨𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕛𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕟𝕖𝕪 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕞!

𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚘 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚎 𝚘𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚝𝚎𝚊𝚖 𝙺𝚎𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚍𝚢! 𝙷𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚢 𝙿𝚞𝚋 𝙳𝚊𝚢!

𝕋𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕜 𝕪𝕠𝕦 ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕝𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤 ℙℝ 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕤𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕞𝕖 ♡
Profile Image for HeyGirl_Whatcha_Reading.
86 reviews
May 16, 2026
Thank you Kennedy Rhodes and Rattle the Stars PR for the Advanced Reader Copy of Untangled. A sci-fi rom com stand alone that is interconnected to Uprooted.

Bri and Tai love to antagonize each other and have great chemistry and banter. After their run ins from Uprooted they had some serious frenemy energy going on. But you know what they say about a fine line between love and hate…

Being stranded on a terribly hot, sandy, and dangerous planet with a cult who mistakes Bri for their prophesied goddess made for a unique and very entertaining story. I loved Bri’s sass and really enjoyed how their relationship evolved.

If you like alien and human romance, banter, an alien cult, mistaken identity, one tent, fated mates, and some spiiiice, this one’s for you.
Profile Image for Kristi Hamm.
42 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 18, 2026
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Tropes: Forced proximity, fated mates, dual POV, grumpy/sunshine, one tent, opposites attract, hurt/comfort, frenemies to lovers, mistaken identity, animal companion

Quotes:
"It was a tragedy, but not a tragic ending."
"Do not worry yourself with 'shoulds.' Embrace the path that Sabaak sent you on. After all, it led you to her."
"There isn't a lot that surprises me anymore. But you are completely unexpected."
"I'm shaped by what happened, not defined by it. The space inside me that was occupied by shame feels smaller, slowly being replaced by the compassion I've been freely given."
"You know in he old stories when the hero says that he would destroy the world for love? Well, any idiot can destroy a world for love, but I want to build a better one, with you."

Review:
Thank you very much to author Kennedy Rhodes and Rattle the Stars PR for a chance to read this book prior to its release. This is my honest review and opinion. "Untangled" picks up right where "Uprooted" left off as Elowen's friend Brisa crash lands her lifepod on a desert-like mystery planet. MMC Tai (Aro's friend that we also met in the prior book) is luckily already in pursuit and manages to find the wreckage, and eventually her-but not before she is found by a small cult of aliens who insist that Bri is a Goddess. Queue the iconic "slave Leia" outfit (this made my Star Wars loving heart so happy to see this nod!). As Tai stumbles upon Bri and her "rescuers" he does not receive the same warm welcome that she did, and together they learn that this group is not as harmless or innocent as they seem. They decide it's better to work together in order to get off of this isolated planet from sand hell instead of their usual bickering and things really heat up in the best way.

This book had a little more plot drive than the previous one but there was still loads of character depth and development driving things forward. Bri's ability to handle whatever life throws at her is incredible (I would have been a hot mess of panic in her situation), but her ability to see Tai for who he really is, flaws and all is even more so. She is accepting, gracious, honest, blunt, and pushes him to comes to terms with his past and see that he is MORE than the mistakes of his youth. Tai is also just as emotionally guarded as she is and doesn't give love freely, the emotional vulnerability and intelligence displayed by both of them was really captivating to read as things unfolded.

Daisy. Loved her. I need one.

This book knocked it out of the park (again!) and Kennedy is definitely getting added to my "must read" list for anything she writes. 10/10 would recommend.
Profile Image for Lexa Riffe.
154 reviews13 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 23, 2026
Untangled is a sci-fi rom-com. This is the second book of an interconnected standalone series. When I read Untangled, I specifically read this first to see if this book is truly a stand alone that can be read without prior knowledge from the fist book. I am happy to report, this is truly a book you can read as a stand alone. I will say that reading this book first will give you some spoilers for book one. So don't say I didn't warn ya'.

Bri is feisty, smart, determined and ready for an adventure. However, this is not the adventure she was looking for. After being evacuated from j'Tilak she becomes stranded on the planet Sabaak. Her escape pod crash landed and she has no way to reach out for help.

What Bri isnt expecting is for Tai to follow after her. Not just follow her but crash land on the planet that he swore he wouldn't return to. While Tai is trying to tack down Bri, hes also trying to come to terms with being back on Sabaak.

Bri is out of her element. She wishes that she could more like her brothers, able to survive with a pen and some tape. However, she's not going to give up or give in. However, there is only so much chaos one can take.

Sand monsters. A cult. A lack of resources. Sand...so...much...sand...and the sun that does not want to give her a rest. To top it off, Tai. How is she supposed to survive with the 7ft tall, distractingly handsome, wildly infuriating, blue alien who is being super broody.

Tai and Bri are fighting for their lives and trying to get home. They need to work together and most of all trust each other.

The banter is top notch! Its never one sided and never feels actually disrespectful from one character to another or like they are being vicious or belittling. Our main characters both get about even POV time. The plot is very driven at the start by Bri however becomes more dual driven about halfway through.

The growth that both Bri and Tai have in such a short time along with also trying to survive and get home is outstanding. None of the character development felt rushed or misplaced. Nothing felt like it was forced or against who the characters were.

I knocked out this book in two days. I was drawn in from the very beginning. Theres action, mystery, and romance. The pacing was well done, there was so much packed into this book but at no point did it feel like things were happening for no reason, or at a pace that didn't make sense.

I overall really did enjoy Untangled. This was my first read from Kennedy Rhodes and my first alien romance. I can officially say ill be reading more of both.

Thank you Kennedy Rhodes and Rattle The Stars PR for the ARC!
Profile Image for Kat Curlee.
65 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 18, 2026
Yassss!!! Thank you so much Kennedy Rhodes and RTSPR for this eARC!! I absolutely LOVED this story so much and all of the thoughts in this review are my own!

I had so much fun reading this book and exploring a whole new planet with different characters! Let me tell you to have a story about my 2 besties from Uprooted Bri and Tai was the best! And this is absolutely a sci-fi romcom, like I actually LOL’d too many times 😂

This story picks up right where book 1 left off with Bri’s story! The last thing we knew from her was she was trying to avoid the evacuation from j’Tilak and Tai found her hiding out in a closet and forced her to safety, then when everything was clad he tried to bring her back, but our miss independent Bri was having none of it! She definitely did not need his help so instead she took the pod all on her own to return to j’Tilak, but instead accidentally crash landed on a completely different planet which is basically a desert. 🏜️ oopsies 💁🏻‍♀️.

Now poor Tai has to go after her and “save” her lol but he also crash lands where she is and what do you know, she is nowhere in sight. Of course she didn’t stay with her safety pod, she had to go and try to figure out a way out on her own, duh 😅

This story has so many hilarious moments, especially when Bri is found by a cultist group of crazy aliens who turn to worship her as a goddess, but there is also a very equal amount of growth on both Bri and Tais parts! They have the BEST banter, and chemistry, but they also learn to open up and start to heal with each other. They both have a significant amount of pain from their childhoods that has turned them in to who they are, although vastly different they still find ways to connect and show each other empathy. I guess a little forced proximity and some trauma bonding was all they really needed to work out all that hot chemistry they have.

I definitely recommend this book, especially if you haven’t tried out this genre before and think it sounds like a good time, because it really is! These books were just what I needed to help me out my reading slump and will be my entire personality for the foreseeable future!

This story includes:
🦣Animal Companions
🖤Forced Proximity
⛺️One Tent
🏜️Deserted Planet
🥀Fated Mates
🥰Guaranteed HEA
❤️‍🩹Healing
🛸SciFi RomCom
😮‍💨Slow Burn/Tension
💫Unlocked Powers
📣Banter for Days

This is also a standalone within a series so you do not have to read the first one to read this one, but it may help to understand some of the characters a little better 🖤

10/10Recommend, 6/5⭐️s, 2.5🌶️
Profile Image for Sloot For Monster-Smoot.
32 reviews
Review of advance copy
May 15, 2026
Picking up where Uprooted left off, we find ourselves with Tai pursuing Bri as she evades him by launching off into a Lifepod that, unfortunately, ends up crash-landing on a desolate, sandy, hot planet. She's perilously close to dying of dehydration when she's discovered by a strange robed figures that, well, definitely seem like a cult. They're obsessed with her, worshipping her as their Goddess and Bri has no problem leaning into it. But soon enough, she senses something a little sinister beneath the surface (literally, they live underground). When Tai stumbles into their abode, he's quickly locked up. Eventually, both he and Bri free themselves from the cult's clutches, and off they go into the desert in the hopes of stumbling upon any other sign of civilization (and communication system). As they traverse the dunes, bickering turns to flirting, and flirting turns into, well... other things.

Untangled is an alien x human romance, featuring a hot tall blue alien named Tai. If you're new to alien x human romance or you just like your aliens to be human-like, this is your book (and so is the first book in the series, called Uprooted).

I LOVED the characters, the story, the banter, the weird little cult-y aliens were even kinda funny until they were not (awkwardddd). Also, Bri just rolls with the punches. My girl. I was harsh on you for walking away from your Lifepod after it crashed on the planet thus making rescue even more unlikely BUT you are so brave.

The world brought to life by Kennedy Rhodes is a world full of sun, heat, and sand that finds its way into everything. A dynamic landscape of shifting dunes, sandstorms, and calm starry nights. But for Tai, this place is filled with ghosts. And for Bri, the planet and its quirks provide her with the necessary distractions to avoid some much needed self-reflection. That is, until, she find herself having to trek through the desert with Tai for days on end to secure a way off the planet. Against this dry and unforgiving landscape, very few things can grow and be nurtured. Yet, there is certainly seems to be something budding between Tai and Bri...

Tropes:
- romcom
- competent fmc
- frenemies-to-lovers
- reluctant allies
- alien x human
- hurt/comfort
- one bed/one tent/one bath/one "horse"
Profile Image for Krisseh.
120 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy
April 17, 2026
I was not prepared to get completely engulfed by this book! I don't usually reach for sci-fi but if this is what the genre has been hiding from me... Consider me fully converted!

Untangled blends action, humor, emotional depth and desert planet chaos, into a story that's impossible to put down!!

Thank you to the Author and the Rattle the Stars for this absolute GEM!💎

The setup I everything I love: stranded on a hostile planet, forced prox with someone you love to hate, a disturbing cult, questionable pack animals and a sun that feels personally offended by your existence! It's survival but make it rom-com!

The banter? Top Tier! Kennedy Rhodes writes banter like it's a competitive sport!! Bri and Tai's chemistry is steamy🔥, fun and layered! (Second only to Aro and Elowen from Uprooted)

Tai His character arc absolutely got me! His growth feels messy in the most human way. Always running from his past, convinced he needs forgiveness from everyone except himself. Watching him slowly confront that was incredibly satisfying.

Brisa She is pure chaotic optimism! Witty, stubborn, hopeful despite her trauma, she bring so much light to a world literally made of sand and bad decisions!

World Building This world is fun and intriguing! I loved the lore that we did get but I am absolutely GREEDY when I say I need more j'Tilak culture, mannerisms, customs... all of it!! The human side explanations were great but the alien culture is so interesting that I hope future books dive deeper.

The touches that I absolutely loved and made the story 10x more fun:
"intergalactic mafia" - Iconic!
"blast my way out" - Elite catchphrase
"Any idiot can destroy a world for love, but I want to build a better one, with you" - Favorite quote

Untangled is a fast, funny, heart punchy action rom-com with a sci-fi twist that works even if you're not a sci-fi reader. The stakes are high , the humor lands , the romance simmers and the character growth hits exactly where it should!

If you want desert survival, emotional growth and banter that can cut glass this is it!!
Profile Image for Taylor.
44 reviews
May 14, 2026
I really enjoyed Uprooted, but I think I liked Untangled even more! I absolutely adored Tai and Bri in this one. They absolutely exceeded my expectations for their story and I'm so glad I gave this series a chance!

Untangled follows Bri and Tai after the events of Uprooted. They become stranded separately on a desert planet after having to evacuate the space station Tai was picking Bri up from to bring her back to j'Tilak. While Tai is trying to locate Bri, he finds her in the hands of a religious cult and ends up their prisoner himself. The two must work together to not only escape the cult, but to find their way off the planet and back home before it's too late.

Bri was absolutely hilarious with her sarcasm and responses to all of the situations she found herself in. I loved how she was determined to figure out everything by herself, but she also knew when to suck it up and accept help from Tai, though she made sure to let him know she wasn't happy about it. Tai was the perfect pair for her and made sure to give as good as he got. He never backed down from Bri's attitude and always challenged her. It was so sweet seeing them break down their walls and learn to lean on each other, while slowly giving in to the feelings they were adamant about keeping hidden. And the ending was absolutely perfect and brought their relationship full circle!

This was such an easy read and I was invested from start to finish. The pacing was great and everything felt fresh, despite there being a lot of wandering in the desert. I enjoyed the storyline and never felt bored while reading. It perfectly captured what you would think of when you hear sci-fi rom com!

This series was definitely outside of my normal genres, but I am so glad that I gave them a chance. I absolutely devoured these books and fell in love with these characters. I don't know if there will be any more books in this world, but I will definitely read them if there are!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you so much to the author and Rattle the Stars PR for this ARC!
Profile Image for Cindy.
92 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
May 9, 2026
ARC Review 🛸

First of all, thank you to Kenmedy Rhodes, Rattlethestars pr for the opportunity to be in this arc team 💙

Although Untangled is the second book in this cosmic series, I’m happy to say it worked great as a standalone. And honestly? The moment I saw “blue alien romance,” little me who was obsessed with aliens immediately said YES 👽

To start just putting this out there… from now on I’m requesting to be addressed as “Celestial Loveliness” when you read the book, you will know why😝

This sci-fi romance follows Bri, our human beauty, and Tai, a handsome, sparky blue alien who is tasked with bringing Bri back to their home based planet after an incident. The only problem? Bri wants absolutely nothing to do with him and refuses to share space with Tai due to all the unresolved tension and unspoken feelings between them 👀

So naturally… she takes her own escape pod.

But Tai has a mission to complete, so he follows after her, and both end up stranded on an arid desert planet where resources are scarce and survival becomes their main priority. While there, Tai is also forced to confront painful mistakes from his past, making their journey emotional as well as dangerous.

Their adventure is packed with unexpected moments from Bri being rescued by a tribe called the Brethren who believe she is their goddess 😭 to Tai nearly being killed by dangerous creatures, all while the two are forced to finally confront the feelings they’ve been avoiding for so long.

The chemistry between Bri and Tai was so good, and yes… the spice definitely delivered!

This was such an easy and entertaining read. Every time I checked my progress I was somehow already halfway through because the story flows so smoothly. The writing and world-building made everything feel immersive and vivid without ever feeling overwhelming.

So now I have one important question…
When is the next trip to Tj’Tilak? Because my bags are packed 🚀✨
Profile Image for Tamara Warburton.
32 reviews1 follower
May 20, 2026
This is the second book in the interconnected standalone series (following Uprooted), and it completely delivers on the promise of messy, high-stakes romance in a sci-fi setting.

From the start, the pacing makes this an easy binge read. The short, punchy chapters keep everything moving quickly, so it’s the kind of book you accidentally finish in one sitting because “just one more chapter” turns into ten.

The story leans heavily into classic, addictive tropes in the best way:

* Aliens and humans colliding in a way that actually feels dangerous and emotional
* Interspace travel that adds constant tension and scale
* Forced proximity (and yes, one tent situation that absolutely lives up to expectations)
* Dual POV between Bri and Tai, which keeps both perspectives sharp and engaging
* Enemies to lovers with real friction before anything softens
* Fated mates energy that slowly tightens the emotional stakes
* Mistaken identity chaos that drives a lot of the plot forward

Bri is a standout protagonist who is headstrong, restless, and constantly reaching for something bigger than her circumstances.

She feels like someone built for trouble in the best possible way, always one decision away from chaos or growth. Tai balances her well, and the dynamic between them is where the book really shines.

The banter is sharp, the chemistry is constant, and the emotional development doesn’t get lost under the sci-fi elements.

There’s also a strong sense of character progression that makes both leads feel like they actually change over the course of the story, rather than just circling the same tension.

There’s a fun supporting dynamic between Bri and Elowen as well that adds warmth and personality to the heavier moments.

Overall, this is a fast, addictive space-romance with strong character voices, solid tension, and just the right amount of chaos. If you liked Uprooted, this sequel definitely raises the stakes without losing what made the first book compelling.
Profile Image for Ann .
291 reviews25 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 18, 2026
Book review! If you’re looking for an action, sci-fi, rom com, this is the book for you! The fated mates story of the season yall.

Untangled is the super cute and steamy sci-fi romance story between human Bri and alien Kai. Told in dual first person POV, this frenemies to lovers story is equal parts spicy and hilarious. It’s an incredibly engaging read as both narrators have very strong personalities that clearly complement one another, even if they aren’t ready to admit it.

As Bri and Kai are stuck on the planet Sabaak, they encounter a lot of fun obstacles (a cult that worships Bri! One tent!mistaken identity! One giant bathtube!) and have to navigate the history between them as well as the future to save the inhabitants of the planet and themselves.

Pick this one up if you like Kimberly Lemmings books! Here are some other things I really enjoyed about this book:
- FANTASTIC banter between the two many characters. Repartee for days.
- Basically a second chance/ enemies to lovers romance which is an amazing combo of things.
- Likeable characters- I rooted for both Bri and Kai the whole time.

This book comes out tomorrow and everyone should read it! Thank you Rattle The Stars PR and Kennedy Rhodes for the eARC.

This is book two in a standalone series and I can’t wait to read the first book, Uprooted also, which is already available right now! Untangled will be available on May 19th on Kindle Unlimited and Amazon. Follow @kennedyrhodesbooks and @rattlethestarspr for updates on upcoming releases and important announcements 📣

Frenemies to Lovers | One Tent | Mistaken Identity | One Bathtub | Sci-Fi Rom Com | Fated Mates | Hurt/Comfort | Book Review 

#KennedyRhodesARCTeam #RattleTheStarsPR #IndieAuthor #RomCom #SciFi
Profile Image for xAsheMariex.
56 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 16, 2026
I can not get over just how cute this was. I thought the first one was good, this one was even better.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Untangled is an action rom-com with a sci-fi twist and the second book of an interconnected standalone series that all started with Uprooted. This time around, the stakes are higher, the banter is just as fierce as the battles, and the scorching desert sun isn’t the only source of heat.

Untangled follows Bri and Tai, side characters from book one, and I’m so glad I didn’t have to wait for them. They are my absolute favorite.

Bri is sassy, strong, determined and hard headed. Tai is the exact same person. They are quite literally made for each other. Both having pasts that dilute the feelings they have for each other. Their chemistry is undeniable. Over the course of this book, they’re broken down and split open and all that ls left is healing and pure love.

I loved their banter, their jokes, their hesitations. Most of all i absolutely LOVED the stars wars references. Bri being a goddess in the brethren cult having to wear essentially Princess Leia’s outfit from when she was a Slave for Jabba?? Hello? Eye forking conic. The creepy cult guys reminded me of the weird little Jawa’s with their scratchy robes and weird faces. 5 stars solely for the Star Wars resemblance and the iconic love/hate banter like Leia and Han. It really feels like them but more?

TROPES:
✨Frienemies to Lovers
🌙One Tent
✨Mistaken Identity
🌙Touch Him and Die
✨Giant Bathtub
🌙Fated Mates
✨hurt/comfort
🌙Star Wars references

TRIGGERS:
Off page threats to animals, unwanted sexual advances (not MMC)

Profile Image for cbrooksreadbooks.
32 reviews
May 18, 2026
🛸 ARC Review 🛸 Being part of the ARC team for @kennedyrhodesbooks has been an incredible experience. She’s created such vivid characters that jump off the page. This book releases Tuesday May 19th!

Here’s my thoughts…

Bri and Tai couldn’t be more sick of each other. When Aro needs a wingman in Uprooted (book one of this interconnected duology), Tai unfortunately gets tapped to play the part. Entertain the best friend while his best friend gets the girl. Happy ending ensues 💕

Sure, that wouldn’t be too challenging, if Bri didn’t already hate him. As tensions escalate, so do the stakes. Tai and Bri find themselves crash landed on a desert planet and bungled away by a creepy cult called the “brethren”. What starts as a harmless reprieve from the desert heat ends up being a life a death situation.

As the duo makes their way across the desert searching for a way off the damn planet, their walls begin to crack. Their endless arguments and teasing and banter shifts into something new, something dangerous. At least according to Bri who feels she doesn’t deserve the affection and attention of this sexy blue alien. Tai has secrets of his own and can’t even imagine a universe where Bri could be his.

This story is equal parts spicy and sweet with a huge serving of adventure and chaos. The fight for survival brought Bri and Tai closer, but is it enough to keep them together?

Frenemies to Lovers | One Tent | Mistaken Identity | One Bathtub | Sci-Fi Rom Com | Fated Mates | Hurt/Comfort | Book Review
Profile Image for ☆ Allanah • Cosmic's Library ☆.
292 reviews4 followers
May 20, 2026
✨️ARC REVIEW✨️

“You know in the old stories. When the hero says that he would destroy the world for love? Well, any idiot can destroy a world for love, but I want to build a better one, with you.”

Thankyou to Kennedy Rhodes and Rattle The Stars PR for this ARC opportunity!

This was every bit as fun and charming as Uprooted if not more! A stellar sci-fi survival adventure that has just as much danger as it does moments that warm your heart! Breathtaking cosmic chaos and laugh out loud moments, the story pulls you right into it's orbit from the first page. And the hot blue aliens? Still astronomically hot!!!

I was so keen for Bri's book after reading Uprooted and she really shined in the spotlight of her own story and stole the show for me with her Sassiness and Stubborn Strength. Hands down my favourite character of this world Kennedy has created!

Let's talk romance, the “touch them and die” vibe of Bri and Tai's relationship is balanced beautifully with emotional tension and ALOT of banter. The development from irritation to devotion was just too adorable. Two lone travelers realizing they were always meant to find each other among the stars.

The world building is super intriguing, if you're like me you will get so sucked into the lore and it left me wanting to know more about j'Tilak culture. It was all just so interesting and has me in complete awe, like its fiction but feels legit, Kennedy honestly put so much thought into the traditions, life and history and I really hope we can see more of it in future books!
Profile Image for Rebecca Jean Shepherd.
26 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy
April 21, 2026
📖 Just finished Untangled and wow… these two STRESSED me out! This second book follows Bri and Tai, if you read Uprooted you’ll be familiar with them. Bri ends up crashing down on Sabaak, a desert world filled with danger at every turn. It’s not exactly the adventure she imagined. She’s stuck working with Tai, someone she has a complicated past with. For Tai, Sabaak is the last place he ever wanted to return to. It’s tied to memories he’s tried hard to bury, but now he must face them. As their relationship develops, past traumas, misunderstandings, and personal struggles begin to surface, threatening to pull them apart…

What made Untangled so good for me? The drama, the mess, the “why are you like this”moments!!! The characters are flawed in the most realistic and relatable way, and making questionable decisions left and right. It’s got that addictive push and pull energy where you know things could be easier if they just communicated. Messy, emotional, slightly chaotic… exactly my kind of read.

The vibes - chaotic, tense, and lowkey addictive. If you like forced proximity, sharp banter, and two people who absolutely should not fall for each other (but obviously will), this is your book!

Profile Image for Angie.
1,439 reviews237 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 7, 2026
I love it when she leads. She could lead me off a fucking cliff and I would follow. Willingly. Enthusiastically. Smiling the whole damn way down.

3.75 stars

This sequel started out with a bang as Bri and Tai are stranded together and forced to work together in order to survive and get back to their homes. I was excited to see the dynamic develop between Bri and Tai after the attraction and tension was first introduced between them. Bri annoyed me in her self-sabotaging as she veered too close to being a TSTL heroine, but Tai's surprising gentle and protective nature was so cute. The attraction between them was obvious, but both had their own reservations about moving forward with a relationship and struggled to forgive their pasts. I wish there had been a bit more danger as the plot seemed to move quickly past it, but overall this was a heart-warming sequel🖤

Tropes: fated mates, frenemies-to-lovers, grumpy x grumpier, hate-to-love-you, forced proximity, stranded together, no-strings attached, opposites attract, he falls first, protector hero, 'you deserve better than me' vibes, slow burn, STEAMY🔥

Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️ / 5

*ARC provided by the author, and I voluntarily reviewed it*
Profile Image for MJ | fortheloveofbooks01.
73 reviews4 followers
May 17, 2026
”I don’t know how it’s possible, but this grumpy-ass alien has wormed his way into my heart.”


Untangled is hilarious, sexy, and contains a level of emotional depth that is hard to master in a rom-com, especially in the sci-fi genre. And yet - Lo and behold - Kennedy absolutely nailed the perfect balance of funny and heartwarming with this story.

I love Bri like one of the brethren 😂 (fellow readers will get this reference lol). She may be a mere human, but she is badass with a fiery attitude and a knack for witty comebacks that makes her impossible not to love. Her drive to help others and ability to accept all beings exactly as they are adds a level of vulnerability to her character that made her feel very real.

Tai is the type of reformed bad boy that I grew up pining for on TV and in books (millennials - you know the type!) - except huge, blue, and from another planet. His disgruntled attitude and steadfast protective nature are the perfect complement to Bri’s wild and sassy nature, and experiencing these characters together left no room for dull moments.

The spicy scenes were beautifully done; well placed in the story, and used to further the overall intimacy between the Bri and Tai. They slowly fell for one another body and soul, and this was easily felt through every interaction.

Everything about this book was a hit for me. If you love witty banter, cozy romance, aliens, hilarious plot twists, and laughing in general - this book is for you. I highly recommend this to all sci-fi rom-com lovers out there, and basically anyone who needs more joy in their life. Thank you so much for sharing an ARC with me Kennedy! You’ve just gained a loyal brethren to your following 🫶
Profile Image for Lauren Giles.
165 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy
May 17, 2026
Boy.. I thought I enjoyed Uprooted with Aro and Elowen's story but I absolutely ADORED Untangled with Bri and Tai and getting to watch their story unfold.

We start off with Tai going back for Bri and attempting to bring her home, however with their station being attacked, Bri is thrown in a lifepod by Tai. Oh Bri....she couldn't help herself and had to force Tai out and flew off and ended up crash landing in the desert on a planet that Tai swore that he would never return to.

Brave Bri runs into the Brethren who are absolutely convinced she is their goddess, however Tai knows that something else sinister lies within this cult. He races in to save her from these little freaky guys. Bri just takes it in stride. I absolutely love her attitude and wit. She was so unbelievably sarcastic to not only the Brethren but Tai as well of course. During the course of Tai's "rescue" mission, we start to see their walls come down and they finally decided to start to lean on one another.

The romance and banter (ugh, Rhodes knows how to write banter) were so well written that I just found myself having so much fun while reading this. I binged this in one day and I already want to go back to j'Tilak!!
Profile Image for jules.
9 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 19, 2026
if you had told me that 2026 would be the year i’d enter my alien era, i don’t think i would have believed you. but i guess stranger things have happened. 🛸

‘untangled’ is the second book in the interconnected standalone series that starts with ‘uprooted’. while i haven’t read uprooted yet (i do have it loaded & ready to go on my kindle!!) i have no doubt that it’ll be just as entertaining.

bri and tai are such good sports; they make being stranded on a planet made up of a scorching desert look so easy that anyone could do it. i can’t say my outlook would be quite as optimistic if i was trekking through a desert trying to evade a pack of weirdos with sand it my boots constantly.

the banter is perfect and of course there are animal sidekicks to sweeten the deal. this was the perfect palette cleanser. i’m honestly so excited to see what kind of shenanigans aro and elowen get up to in ‘uprooted’.

‘untangled’ will be available on amazon and KU tomorrow 5/19 🤩 (‘uprooted’ is already available to borrow or for purchase!)

thank you to rattle the stars PR and the author kennedy rhodes for the chance to read and review ahead of release day!

#untangled #kennedyrhodes #rattlethestarspr #scifiromcom #arcreader
Profile Image for Des.
17 reviews
May 19, 2026
Thank you Kennedy Rhodes and Rattle the Stars PR for an e-ARC of this book.

We have a stubborn, spark plug human FMC that decides she doesn’t need saving, and takes off in a life-pod fleeing the tall, handsome blue alien that was sent to retrieve her. However things don’t go as planned and Bri’s (FMC) pod crashes on a desert planet, with no way to communicate for help. Little does she know that Tai (MMC) has also crashed landed her, after following her when she escaped him. Initially they’re separated, but Tai is determined to find her and get her back home safely.

We follow along as Bri and Tai encounter not so friendly, aliens, face harsh desert conditions, and try to survive this planet that keeps trying to kill them. The pair start off on not so great terms with each other, but learn to lean into each other in order to try and escape.

The banter between the two is funny. The way you see them develop, and open up to each other is heartwarming. We find out more of these two’s past as the story unfolds, and both are surprised to find out that the other has lived a different life than they imagined.

This standalone alone in Kennedy’s series is a must read for anyone that’s looking for a rom com with a dash of action and spice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lu's Bookshelf.
62 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 12, 2026
Thank you to the lovely author and Rattle the Stars PR for this e-ARC!

This book starts right where Uprooted ended, with people evacuating j'Tilak to later come back after danger passed. Bri's and Tai's pods crash in Sabaak, a dangerous planet where sand, heat and beings trying to kill them are the norm. They will have to find a way to find each other and go back home, a true miracle considering that these two can only fight when they are together.

I adored Uprooted. It was fun, sweet and a great introduction to a cozy sci-fi series, but Untangled? I loved it!! The author surpassed my expectations for this book and even her previous book. Her descriptions of the dunes, the sand and the heat in Sabaak were so well done, I felt like I was there with Bri and Tai. Besides the beautiful writing, I admired how well done Bri's and Tai's journeys were. While stranded on Sabaak, they have to confront their pasts, who they used to be and where they come from. Their growth by the end of the book is emotional and super noticeable. This also matches well with how hilarious the whole book felt. It ended up the perfect combination of emotional, fun, romantic and sexy.
Profile Image for Loreina Klevenski.
179 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 18, 2026
My first alien smut and honestly… I had a blast 😂👽🔥

Untangled by Kennedy Rhodes was such a fun sci-fi rom com read. Bri and Tai had me cracking up with their banter from the very beginning. Bri is a super sassy earthling who absolutely loves giving Tai a hard time… until he starts giving her a “hard” time too. GET IT?! Bahaha 😭

The tension, the survival chaos, the forced proximity, the one tent situation… it all worked for me. I loved watching these two go from constantly bickering to slowly learning to trust each other while trying not to die on a desert planet full of danger, weird creatures, and terrible decisions.

Tai definitely gave off the grumpy, emotionally guarded vibe while Bri brought the chaos and humor, which made them such a fun pairing. Their chemistry was HOT, but the story still had a lot of heart too.

If you like action-packed romances with humor, tension, adventure, and some spicy alien romance mixed in, definitely add this one to your TBR.

Thank you to the author and Rattle the Stars PR for the ARC!!

Frenemies to Lovers | One Tent | Mistaken Identity | One Bathtub | Sci-Fi Rom Com | Fated Mates | Hurt/Comfort | Book Review
7 reviews
May 19, 2026
I was excited to get an arc copy of this book so here is my honest review. Thank you to Kennedy and the RTSPR team for this opportunity.

I enjoyed this book just as much as the first one. This is book two in the series and a continuation of Tai and Bri's story from book 1, but could be read as a standalone with no problems. This book gives us a closer look at what their relationships was like and what happens in the first book behind the scenes. The book starts off when Bri and Tai crash land on a new planet and they are trying to stay alive and return back home. They encounter many challenges and new types of creatures while doing so.

Tai and Bri’s dynamic was definitely my favorite part — their constant teasing made them so fun to read about, but you could still tell how much they cared for each other underneath it all. I also loved getting more background on both characters after book one because it made me even more attached to them.

There was only a few small parts where I wished there had been a little more depth, but overall Untangled was a really enjoyable read that I flew through.
Profile Image for Sara-Jane Keenan.
231 reviews3 followers
May 19, 2026
Untangled is the second book in an interconnected standalone series. You don’t need to read Uprooted first but this story does take place right after the events of book 1. I always like reading all of the books in an interconnected series, as I like getting to know all the different characters and catching up with them.

This book follows Bri and Tai as they crash land on the less then pleasant planet Sabaak, after being forced to evacuate the space station in an emergency. Told in dual point of view, this is an enemies to lovers, alien romance.

I love the space setting in this book and the case of mistaken identity was funny and not expected at all. I enjoy the author’s humour throughout. The story is well paced and easy to read.

If you’re a fan of enemies to lovers romances, then this does tick all of the boxes. The tension between Bri and Tai is sky high, with lots of chemistry. The constant bickering and Bri’s attitude did grate on me a little though. I think she reminded me too much of my partner 😂

Overall, this was a fun sci-fi rom-com and I recommend you give it a read.
I rate it 3.5⭐️
Profile Image for Jessica.
41 reviews1 follower
April 10, 2026
Bri and Tai love getting under each other’s skin but after crash landing on the planet of Sabaak, they must work together to find their way back to j’Tilak.
I laughed out loud most of the story. Bri’s character is so good. She’s hilarious, sassy, tough, bright, and has a giant heart. She believes every being should be equal and tries hard to get that point across to the alien cult who deems her their goddess.
On Sabaak, Tai is faced with a past that he’s eager to leave behind, and thanks to Bri, he learns to forgive himself for his childhood mistakes.
This one was very spicy and I ATE that up. Bri and Tai together had my jaw on the floor and I’m not mad about it. I definitely would have loved to add more of the bionic arm into the mix 👀😂🌶️ but overall it was pretty hot 🥵
The character development was great! They showed each other sides of themselves the other never could have imagined and the world building made me absolutely miserable as they trekked through Sabaak’s sandy terrain.
Profile Image for Andrea.
156 reviews3 followers
May 4, 2026
I’m officially obsessed. Untangled completely delivered and then some.

The banter between Bri and Tai? Elite. I already loved their dynamic in Uprooted, but getting more of them here was everything I wanted. The frenemies-to-lovers tension was so good, and watching them slowly drop their guards with each other made every moment hit harder.

The humor in this book really stood out too - the brethren scenes had me laughing out loud while also feeling weirdly relatable. That push and pull of wanting nothing to do with the cult but also wanting better for the people in it was handled so well.

I flew through this in 24 hours (no regrets), and the dual POVs made it even more addictive. Getting inside both of their heads just made the chemistry and emotional moments land perfectly.

If you love sci-fi rom coms with sharp banter, emotional depth, and characters you can’t get enough of - this is 100% for you.

Thank you to the author for providing this book for review consideration via Rattle the Stars PR. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Jen Is Reading.
329 reviews12 followers
Review of advance copy
May 10, 2026
I went into this one expecting a light, fun sci-fi rom-com, but Untangled had me emotionally invested, a little bit stressed, and completely addicted. The plot is immersive and fun, but it’s the humor and heart that really make the story shine!

Bri is feisty, chaotic, and stubborn—especially when it comes to Tai. Tai is a blue, broody protector who carries guilt and trauma for his past on Sabaak. They get under each other’s skin in the best way possible, but it never feels disrespectful. It’s a competitive sport for them.

Their chemistry sizzles with high heat and high emotion, and the way they grow from frenemies to real partners feels earned and genuine. They make mistakes but acknowledge them as well. Their physical connection and attraction is intense and very spicy, but it’s the quiet and tender moments where they let each other in and start to trust each other that really made me fall in love with them as a couple.

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