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Bred By Sor'en: An Alien Romance
Humanity is desperate, scattered amongst the stars at the mercy of the planets that will have us, but mostly we have nothing. No hope, no prospects, nothing. Poverty, crime, disease, we’re the running joke among the highly advanced alien species that surround us. We’re desperate, all of us, but we’re not entirely without worth… without use. Humans are still good for cheap labor and entertainment, oh and breeding. Human women are great for breeding. That’s where the Solar Breeding Agency comes in. For a hefty fee and a dowry paid to our families, an alien in need of a surrogate can buy us.Hue- Growing up as a human in an alien dominated universe is the definition of getting the “short end of the stick” now add in being orphaned as an infant and shoved into an overcrowded home for abandoned alien children, my stick is pretty much a nub by twenty. I learned early on, survival means running, lying and oftentimes stealing just enough to keep the cold from the space port survivable. This galaxy isn’t made with humans in mind. So when I saw an ad for the Solar Breeding Agency it seemed like an easy enough mark.
Get the dowry, get off planet, disappear all before whatever unfortunate species buys me can get me on my back. I have no intention of being bred. No intention of uploading my end of the contract but of course my stick gets even shorter.
Intergalactic Law 7.3.1: The Sentient Bond Recognition Act says I’m his legally. Go figure because as most dangerous species known to the Alliance, Xyreliths shouldn’t even be on the space port.. And because nobody wants to die a painful and horrifying death to neurotoxins today, I’m handed over by the slimy Oozarians with little fanfare. Fine, screw the dowery, screw this Class 5D planet and screw the 7ft death touch alien who thinks he’s mated to me. I’ve been running for twenty years, it shouldn't be too hard to escape him too. Right?
Get the dowry, get off planet, disappear all before whatever unfortunate species buys me can get me on my back. I have no intention of being bred. No intention of uploading my end of the contract but of course my stick gets even shorter.
Intergalactic Law 7.3.1: The Sentient Bond Recognition Act says I’m his legally. Go figure because as most dangerous species known to the Alliance, Xyreliths shouldn’t even be on the space port.. And because nobody wants to die a painful and horrifying death to neurotoxins today, I’m handed over by the slimy Oozarians with little fanfare. Fine, screw the dowery, screw this Class 5D planet and screw the 7ft death touch alien who thinks he’s mated to me. I’ve been running for twenty years, it shouldn't be too hard to escape him too. Right?
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 6, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 9, 2026
Delicious and Spicy Alien Romance
I spent a lovely Sunday deeply enthralled by Penelope Mars’s newest installment in ‘The Solar Breeding Agency’ series. I loved “Bred by Sor’en”; it's a deliciously spicy, complex alien romance novel. The lead female, Hue, is a fully realized main character with complicated emotions, backstory, dynamic needs, and an interesting growth arc. I connected with Hue’s angry, plucky, never-say-die, mess-around-and-find-out, humanity-is-gonna-survive damnit vibes. As a dangerous Xyrelith, Sor’en is the epitome of ‘touch her & die’ energy, with the neurotoxins to support his devoted, obsessive possessiveness. I loved his companion, Melion, and only wished his presence had tripled the spice. Mars digs deep into the much-loved ‘fated mates’ trope to fill her characters with contradictory wants and needs and intense, edgy energy. With a death alien as the MMC, the book was oddly sweet and spooky. I hope we get to see Ravian find love in a future book!
I spent a lovely Sunday deeply enthralled by Penelope Mars’s newest installment in ‘The Solar Breeding Agency’ series. I loved “Bred by Sor’en”; it's a deliciously spicy, complex alien romance novel. The lead female, Hue, is a fully realized main character with complicated emotions, backstory, dynamic needs, and an interesting growth arc. I connected with Hue’s angry, plucky, never-say-die, mess-around-and-find-out, humanity-is-gonna-survive damnit vibes. As a dangerous Xyrelith, Sor’en is the epitome of ‘touch her & die’ energy, with the neurotoxins to support his devoted, obsessive possessiveness. I loved his companion, Melion, and only wished his presence had tripled the spice. Mars digs deep into the much-loved ‘fated mates’ trope to fill her characters with contradictory wants and needs and intense, edgy energy. With a death alien as the MMC, the book was oddly sweet and spooky. I hope we get to see Ravian find love in a future book!
August 9, 2026
Sor’en and Hue
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️
This series clearly has me in a chokehold!🫣 Sor’en just might be my favorite MMC in this series! I love the OTT possessiveness he has for Hue. He will literally tear the world apart for her. He is also the gentlest and sweetest male for Hue and Hue only. He cares for his people and is a protector through and through!
Hue is really just a girly trying to survive. She’s going through her own grief that makes it hard for her to willingly connect with Sor’en. But I get it, sometimes it hard to look past the grief even if on the other side there’s safety, love, and good memories.
One of my favorite parts in the book is when they do it in his monster form. I thought it was so beautiful since he’s known in the galaxy for a being a dangerous species and she wasn’t afraid of him.
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️
This series clearly has me in a chokehold!🫣 Sor’en just might be my favorite MMC in this series! I love the OTT possessiveness he has for Hue. He will literally tear the world apart for her. He is also the gentlest and sweetest male for Hue and Hue only. He cares for his people and is a protector through and through!
Hue is really just a girly trying to survive. She’s going through her own grief that makes it hard for her to willingly connect with Sor’en. But I get it, sometimes it hard to look past the grief even if on the other side there’s safety, love, and good memories.
One of my favorite parts in the book is when they do it in his monster form. I thought it was so beautiful since he’s known in the galaxy for a being a dangerous species and she wasn’t afraid of him.
August 5, 2026
God, I love this series of standalones. If you love truly horrible monstrous aliens, you need to check out this set.
Our MMC is kindaaa like a giant reaper but uh with “toxins” but here’s the fun part, he can create many different kinds of toxins.. some create wonderful effects 👀 he might be ridiculously overpowered but the way he’s an absolute simp for his mate? Be still my heart. There few things I love more than dangerous men being unbelievably soft for their soulmates 💗🥹
Our FMC is a bit emotionally constipated, but overall 10/10 badass.
M/F
Standalone
Death touch alien x touch starved human
Size difference
Toxins with benefits
Gettin it even in his beast form 👀🥵🥵
Our MMC is kindaaa like a giant reaper but uh with “toxins” but here’s the fun part, he can create many different kinds of toxins.. some create wonderful effects 👀 he might be ridiculously overpowered but the way he’s an absolute simp for his mate? Be still my heart. There few things I love more than dangerous men being unbelievably soft for their soulmates 💗🥹
Our FMC is a bit emotionally constipated, but overall 10/10 badass.
M/F
Standalone
Death touch alien x touch starved human
Size difference
Toxins with benefits
Gettin it even in his beast form 👀🥵🥵
Review of advance copy received from Author
A huge thank you to Penelope Mars for the eARC of this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If Penelope writes it, I'm going to eat it uppppp. I think Bred by Sor'en is my new top favorite (sorry Zyros) 👀 Seriously one of my favorite alien romance series!!
This book had me alllll in my feels. It was less humorous, focusing instead on heavy subjects such as death, grief, and the afterlife. It was written in such a beautiful way that it had me tearing up at times. To look at both life and death as a gift and not to be afraid, that there is always a precious balance.
Sor'en was touch her and die to the extreme and worshipped the ground Hue walked on. He was such a gentle creature exploited and forced to be something ugly to protect his kind. The guilt and trauma he carried over his past was incredibly sad. I do love the fact we see it come full circle in the end with the new friendship he created🖤
Hue was determined and strong, but also incredibly kind and understanding to her new "family." She fought to let go of a past promise and found herself struggling internally most times. The guilt she felt was so real and I appreciate her not completely giving in until the end. Grief does not simply vanish and I think this was such a great representation of that.
Let's talk spice, because TWO FORMS?! I WAS SAT. Paralysis play??🥵 The dirty talk...Hue, I'm truly jealous.
Melion? obsessed. The perfect companion!
PLEASE TELL ME RAVIAN IS NEXT🤞🏼
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If Penelope writes it, I'm going to eat it uppppp. I think Bred by Sor'en is my new top favorite (sorry Zyros) 👀 Seriously one of my favorite alien romance series!!
This book had me alllll in my feels. It was less humorous, focusing instead on heavy subjects such as death, grief, and the afterlife. It was written in such a beautiful way that it had me tearing up at times. To look at both life and death as a gift and not to be afraid, that there is always a precious balance.
Sor'en was touch her and die to the extreme and worshipped the ground Hue walked on. He was such a gentle creature exploited and forced to be something ugly to protect his kind. The guilt and trauma he carried over his past was incredibly sad. I do love the fact we see it come full circle in the end with the new friendship he created🖤
Hue was determined and strong, but also incredibly kind and understanding to her new "family." She fought to let go of a past promise and found herself struggling internally most times. The guilt she felt was so real and I appreciate her not completely giving in until the end. Grief does not simply vanish and I think this was such a great representation of that.
Let's talk spice, because TWO FORMS?! I WAS SAT. Paralysis play??🥵 The dirty talk...Hue, I'm truly jealous.
Melion? obsessed. The perfect companion!
PLEASE TELL ME RAVIAN IS NEXT🤞🏼
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for the advanced copy!
I have been such a huge follower since the beginning of this series. I truly believe that Penelope deserves more recognition for such a great world she has created.
I have been impatiently waiting for Soren story and when I saw that I received an arc I screamed!!
This book was definitely more serious than the first two and perhaps maybe even a little less spicy. Which is not a bad thing. This story had two complex characters that were dealing with a lot of trauma and just surviving in a prejudice world. What was most beautiful to me was the love between Sofaxi and Hue. Oh my god, when I read that scene I cried so hard.
The love between Soren and Hue was very rocky from the start and I think the only reason why I took a star off was the miscommunication trope. I really felt like if Hue explained or opened up: their connection and understanding from Soren part would’ve made their love story not drag a little bit. But I do understand that Hue has trust issues and it is not so simple as it may have seemed. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it so much. And I cannot wait for the next installment.
I have been such a huge follower since the beginning of this series. I truly believe that Penelope deserves more recognition for such a great world she has created.
I have been impatiently waiting for Soren story and when I saw that I received an arc I screamed!!
This book was definitely more serious than the first two and perhaps maybe even a little less spicy. Which is not a bad thing. This story had two complex characters that were dealing with a lot of trauma and just surviving in a prejudice world. What was most beautiful to me was the love between Sofaxi and Hue. Oh my god, when I read that scene I cried so hard.
The love between Soren and Hue was very rocky from the start and I think the only reason why I took a star off was the miscommunication trope. I really felt like if Hue explained or opened up: their connection and understanding from Soren part would’ve made their love story not drag a little bit. But I do understand that Hue has trust issues and it is not so simple as it may have seemed. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it so much. And I cannot wait for the next installment.
August 6, 2026
There was a lot of death talk in this book. It creeped me out. This is a fated mates theme.
Spoilers.
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The heroine's adopted mother died when she was very young. In her mom's alien culture they need to be buried on their chosen planet or they can never rest in peace. They wouldn't give her the body so all she has is one of her fangs. She is trying to get to that planet to bury the mom's fang.
He sees her and immediately knows she is his fated mate. She tries to escape him but the alien law says she belongs to him since he will die without her.
She wakes up on his planet after he kidnapped her.
His house is surrounded by beautiful flowers. He tells her it is a graveyard and each flower is tended by him. He is a botanist who cares for the fields. He has a spirit shadow creature who is his assistant. The heroine freaks out the first time she sees him.
He makes oils in his skin that are sedatives or calm her down or arouse her. I didn't like he used oils on her to kidnap her.
Spoilers.
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... ..
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The heroine's adopted mother died when she was very young. In her mom's alien culture they need to be buried on their chosen planet or they can never rest in peace. They wouldn't give her the body so all she has is one of her fangs. She is trying to get to that planet to bury the mom's fang.
He sees her and immediately knows she is his fated mate. She tries to escape him but the alien law says she belongs to him since he will die without her.
She wakes up on his planet after he kidnapped her.
His house is surrounded by beautiful flowers. He tells her it is a graveyard and each flower is tended by him. He is a botanist who cares for the fields. He has a spirit shadow creature who is his assistant. The heroine freaks out the first time she sees him.
He makes oils in his skin that are sedatives or calm her down or arouse her. I didn't like he used oils on her to kidnap her.
July 30, 2026
My heart is full and I just want to read more.
Penelope Mars has a way of writing that makes you want to live these love stories while still challenging you to think how you would handle the situation.
Bred by Sor’en has characters dealing with grief, guilt and trauma, and through the love of a mate, both Sor’en and Hue are able to move through these to a happy and accepting place.
Sor’en is so protective and possessive but the biggest cinnamon roll for Hue. Their love is slow building but does not distract from the intensity when they come together.
This book is fast pace and has layers of world building with dimensions. The writing flows and makes for a quick easy read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as I have with all the Solar Breeding Agency series books.
Thank you Penelope Mars for entrusting me with this ARC it did not disappoint.
Penelope Mars has a way of writing that makes you want to live these love stories while still challenging you to think how you would handle the situation.
Bred by Sor’en has characters dealing with grief, guilt and trauma, and through the love of a mate, both Sor’en and Hue are able to move through these to a happy and accepting place.
Sor’en is so protective and possessive but the biggest cinnamon roll for Hue. Their love is slow building but does not distract from the intensity when they come together.
This book is fast pace and has layers of world building with dimensions. The writing flows and makes for a quick easy read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as I have with all the Solar Breeding Agency series books.
Thank you Penelope Mars for entrusting me with this ARC it did not disappoint.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the Author for the ARC, the review is my own thoughts 🫶🏼
I knew what I was getting into to with Penelope Mars books, each book highlights certain hard topics book three is grief, guilt, death and afterlife while also giving us monsters who will do anything for their mates and spice.
Hue was a human who just wnated to fulfil a wish from a important figure in her life, the guilt and death chasing her since the incident. The way Hue didn't want the burden of choosing was very relatable - wanted Sor'en to choose for her, she didn't want to deal with the guilt with being the one to choose.
While Sor'en dealt with death everywhere. But like his fated mate he carried guilt for past as well. I enjoyed the way these two balanced each other in their own chaotic and unusual way🤣
Monster romance and he has two forms? AND his mate is the only one who can calm him? *chef's kiss*🤌🏼
I knew what I was getting into to with Penelope Mars books, each book highlights certain hard topics book three is grief, guilt, death and afterlife while also giving us monsters who will do anything for their mates and spice.
Hue was a human who just wnated to fulfil a wish from a important figure in her life, the guilt and death chasing her since the incident. The way Hue didn't want the burden of choosing was very relatable - wanted Sor'en to choose for her, she didn't want to deal with the guilt with being the one to choose.
While Sor'en dealt with death everywhere. But like his fated mate he carried guilt for past as well. I enjoyed the way these two balanced each other in their own chaotic and unusual way🤣
Monster romance and he has two forms? AND his mate is the only one who can calm him? *chef's kiss*🤌🏼
August 8, 2026
I got this book as an ARC and I'm so glad I did, I had been impatiently waiting for her next release. I LOVED the last 2 and this one did not disappoint either. These opinions are my own and I am so appreciative to have been given the opportunity.
If you like he falls first and fated mates, you will love this book. It's not super long, the perfect length for the story in my opinion.
Sor'en's back story is interesting, he is seen as "death" which makes the FMC Hue scared of him until over time she does realize he's not what he seems but in the best way. The way the planet is detailed is so well described, this is really what hooked me, it wasn't just a "planet" it was a way of life for the people there, even their dead.
If you like he falls first and fated mates, you will love this book. It's not super long, the perfect length for the story in my opinion.
Sor'en's back story is interesting, he is seen as "death" which makes the FMC Hue scared of him until over time she does realize he's not what he seems but in the best way. The way the planet is detailed is so well described, this is really what hooked me, it wasn't just a "planet" it was a way of life for the people there, even their dead.
August 7, 2026
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and holy hell am I glad!
This is by far my favourite in the series, I loved this book so much! I’ll be honest, I’m not usually big on more morbid storyline’s in my romance but Penelope does it so well! The FMC has such a truly accurate grief response and it’s portrayed so well but also doesn’t bring down the romance aspect of the book.
I truly think this book is one where the characters feel the most real to me.
And don’t get me started on the smut. Top tier as per usual from Penelope.
While I loved the other two books in this series, this one really makes me excited to see what else we will get from this series.
This is by far my favourite in the series, I loved this book so much! I’ll be honest, I’m not usually big on more morbid storyline’s in my romance but Penelope does it so well! The FMC has such a truly accurate grief response and it’s portrayed so well but also doesn’t bring down the romance aspect of the book.
I truly think this book is one where the characters feel the most real to me.
And don’t get me started on the smut. Top tier as per usual from Penelope.
While I loved the other two books in this series, this one really makes me excited to see what else we will get from this series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Bred by Sor’en is the latest addition to Penelope Mars’ Solar Breeding Agency series. It follows Hue the human being taken from a space station by Sor’en who claims is her mate. Sor’en is an alien who can secrete toxins from his pores and is generally known to have a “death touch”. Luckily for Hue, he can secrete more than just deadly toxins 😏. This is full of finding love as well as accepting that death is part of life and it’s best not to fight it, but accept it as a journey we all must travel.
Thank you Penelope Mars for allowing me to read an ARC for this. These opinions are my own.
Thank you Penelope Mars for allowing me to read an ARC for this. These opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am 55% into the book. I like Sor'en. I don't like Hue. It's hard to connect with the story when you don't care for a character. I wanted to like the spicy parts, but again, I'm not a fan of Hue. Her situation sucks, I get that. And she never agreed to be his mate. But to give in a few times and admit to caring for him, who seems to be genuinely wholesome, then go and either act cold toward him, run away, or talk about draining his funds and escaping is offputting. I'm going to continue reading and will update my review once I finish.
August 10, 2026
When they said reluctant mate, I didn’t think it was gonna be this reluctant. When he calls her horrible and hurtful, hes absolutely right and it makes me feel really bad for him. She’s like at -10 on the scale and I am not a fan of the FMC at all. Like girl I know you have some problems but damn you are just a terrible person to your mate in the beginning and insufferable. This is why I’m giving it 4 stars. Would have been higher if the FMC wasn’t such a selfish, emotionally stunted, hard headed liar.
Really really love the MMC though!! Honestly I’m jealous of the vibrating 🍆 and the toxins 😮💨 ugh somehow he was such a sweetheart and a goner for her for how much death he could cause
This was such a fun premise for a MMC and I really enjoyed how different the species was from what you typically see for aliens.
Really really love the MMC though!! Honestly I’m jealous of the vibrating 🍆 and the toxins 😮💨 ugh somehow he was such a sweetheart and a goner for her for how much death he could cause
This was such a fun premise for a MMC and I really enjoyed how different the species was from what you typically see for aliens.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2026
enthralling, emotional, and just a great story
I absolutely loved this one. The world was so vivid and the cultures so well thought through. The characters were top tier. I loved our imperfectly perfect MMC and FMC. Their love story was spectacular. There were so many times I got choked up just from the poignant character interactions. The romance was definitely there and the spice was well planned and enjoyable to read without overpowering the story. This book had a great balance and I can’t wait to see what else this galaxy had to hold!
I absolutely loved this one. The world was so vivid and the cultures so well thought through. The characters were top tier. I loved our imperfectly perfect MMC and FMC. Their love story was spectacular. There were so many times I got choked up just from the poignant character interactions. The romance was definitely there and the spice was well planned and enjoyable to read without overpowering the story. This book had a great balance and I can’t wait to see what else this galaxy had to hold!
August 8, 2026
Oof! This story had such heart breaking moments. Reading how Sor'en and Hue worked through their respective traumas and griefs, and how they eventually worked out their own relationship, was such a beautiful journey. I have hopes that Ravian will have his own book, he seems like such a tragically interesting character. But also getting this newer, deeper glimpse into the galactic politics after what happened in the second book has been very intrigued about what new universal plot threads will find their way into future installments.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5⭐️
This was my favorite in the series so far! For death touch aliens they were all so sweet, albeit weird in ways. Soren is such a caring MMC who still insists on what he wants. Hue and her commitment to what she believes she has to do. They make such a perfect pair.
"I am yours. It matters little what you choose to believe in. You will believe in me because for you, Hue, I am fucking inevitable.”
I received an early copy and this is my honest review.
This was my favorite in the series so far! For death touch aliens they were all so sweet, albeit weird in ways. Soren is such a caring MMC who still insists on what he wants. Hue and her commitment to what she believes she has to do. They make such a perfect pair.
"I am yours. It matters little what you choose to believe in. You will believe in me because for you, Hue, I am fucking inevitable.”
I received an early copy and this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Stayed up late to finish this one! Loved the worldbuilding and loved that Sor'en really felt like an alien. Hue was a well-motivated character. Even when she was frustrating, it was easy to understand where she was coming from. I'm a big fan of this series, so I'm always excited when a new one comes out!
Review of advance copy received from Author
*ARC Review*
Bred By Sor'en was such a good, touching read. Sor'en is sweetheart, and I'm really really hoping there is more of him and Hue. I love the amount of detail put into world, it really helps immerse you into the story.
If you're looking for a feel good love story with a spicy kick, I highly recommend this book!
Bred By Sor'en was such a good, touching read. Sor'en is sweetheart, and I'm really really hoping there is more of him and Hue. I love the amount of detail put into world, it really helps immerse you into the story.
If you're looking for a feel good love story with a spicy kick, I highly recommend this book!
August 7, 2026
This was more in the heavy side but it was done so well! I love Penelope's writing so much! This was a very interesting take with death and grief but don't do beautifully. I was blown away. This is definitely my favorite book in the series! It hits ask the right tropes. The characters are amazing together. The spice is juicy. What more can you ask for?
August 11, 2026
Super heartwarming!
I really don’t even know where to start! The book was so freaking good. I enjoyed the characters and how much they developed throughout their story. The book is very unique, and the world building was beautiful. I can’t wait to see what comes next in this series.
I really don’t even know where to start! The book was so freaking good. I enjoyed the characters and how much they developed throughout their story. The book is very unique, and the world building was beautiful. I can’t wait to see what comes next in this series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
🪻I received an ARC from the author so the thoughts are my own 🪻
Loved this so much! The Solar Breeding Agency is one my favorite series I've Arc read for and it does not disappoint! Short and sweet. Absolutely perfect! No notes!
Loved this so much! The Solar Breeding Agency is one my favorite series I've Arc read for and it does not disappoint! Short and sweet. Absolutely perfect! No notes!
August 8, 2026
Wow wow wow. Such a beautiful book.
This series is so great, I can't wait for more!
This series is so great, I can't wait for more!
Review of advance copy
This is a angsty heart wretching read. Not as funny as the others. Filled with lots of complex characters and a new world.
I just love Sor'en such a gentle giant who will destroy the world for her.
Hue is frustratingly stubborn and guarded.
She does eventually open up but it is a hard fought journey.
HEA as always.
I just love Sor'en such a gentle giant who will destroy the world for her.
Hue is frustratingly stubborn and guarded.
She does eventually open up but it is a hard fought journey.
HEA as always.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews