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Gems and Star Flowers: A gay sci-fi romance
Not yet published
Expected 8 Jun 26A lonely ex-lab subject on the run...
Half-human, half-Perlian Zerrick has been on the run for years, from his past, and from the scientist who held him prisoner for experimentation all his life. Even worse, he’s been wrongly branded an outlaw by the organization that held him captive. Staying in one place very long is dangerous with bounty hunters never far behind. His days are spent as a cargo transporter, but it’s a lonely existence.
A sweet failed mercenary trying to move on...
Fleur is running from his past, too. Abandoning his planet and his duty of mandatory mercenary service because he didn’t wish to fight, he now spends his time selling astrae flowers to passersby. It may be lonely, though at least he gets to see new and interesting people who come and go.
When Zerrick happens upon Fleur’s flower stand, there’s an immediate and undeniable connection between the two of them. They become fast friends, and the first bloom of romance begins between them. Despite the desperately needed solace they might find in each other, Zerrick can’t stay anywhere too long. Then, Fleur surprises him by deciding to come along with him on his travels.
An exploration of each other through space...
Together, they might finally find peace of mind and happiness they seek. But not before grappling with the skeletons they both have in their closets, which are more intertwined than they realize.
196 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 8, 2026
About the author
Amara Lynn
46 books59 followersAmara Lynn has always been a quiet daydreamer. Coming up with characters and worlds since childhood, Amara eventually found an outlet in writing. Amara loves anything to do with pirates, villains and superheroes, angels and demons.
They were born and raised in the Midwest USA, where they remain stuck with their spouse and two cats. They love to write about soft monsters and cryptids, grumpy enbies, and forever will be weak for the grumpy one is soft for the sunshine one trope. When not writing, they are usually watching anime, playing games, and obsessing over their out of control music playlists.
They were born and raised in the Midwest USA, where they remain stuck with their spouse and two cats. They love to write about soft monsters and cryptids, grumpy enbies, and forever will be weak for the grumpy one is soft for the sunshine one trope. When not writing, they are usually watching anime, playing games, and obsessing over their out of control music playlists.
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Review of advance copy received from Author
3.75 stars rounded up (Not an ARC, I'm a kickstarter backer :) All thoughts are my own)
Gems and Star Flowers is a sweet sci-fi romance with a lot packed into one novela. Fleur and Zerr have a lot to learn about themselves and each other.
I think the world was unique, and loved the different alien races. I would love to see more stories about Perlians or Lurens or even others. To see more about their worlds and lives. Maybe some of Lisun? Or even some of Keiran's mythos.
The romance was a little insta-lovey for my taste, but as the story went on, it really grew on me. Especially since they are clearly getting to know each other over time traveling between planets. They are just too cute together, and I fell in love with their relationship. There is a lot of intimacy but it's done well as they explore each other and talk through it. I would have liked to see more non-spicy intimate scenes. There are a few, but I think it would add to the coziness.
The pacing is a bit off, as there's so much put into one novella. There were several points where it felt like this book would end, and I was shocked to see that I had so much more to go. It's almost episodic - there are several stories packed into one book. I think they could easily have been expanded out into a series or at least a full novel, giving more info on the world and the characters and building. There are some scenes that feel like they are too short, and some extra space would have helped.
I do feel like the veneum plot thread was introduced, just generally accepted and even encouraged, then it gets handwaived away like it won't be a problem. I understand why it's introduced. I sort of understand why Fleur doesn't push the issue at first. I even understand that the root cause is being addressed. But that just doesn't magic the addiction away. It didn't really end up being a source of conflict, and it's not really dealt with either. I just wonder if it could have been left out or replaced with something else.
I listened to the audiobook for this one, and enjoyed the narrator's voice. Rose Svetich did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life! The narration was a bit jarring at times, with no spacing between the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next. But overall, Rose has a very calming voice, and I look forward to hearing more of their narration in the future.
I really did enjoy my time with Gems and Star Flowers and would love to see more set in this world. I think it would be a good read for folks who want a cute cozy romance with some darker themes lurking around the pages.
Gems and Star Flowers is a sweet sci-fi romance with a lot packed into one novela. Fleur and Zerr have a lot to learn about themselves and each other.
I think the world was unique, and loved the different alien races. I would love to see more stories about Perlians or Lurens or even others. To see more about their worlds and lives. Maybe some of Lisun? Or even some of Keiran's mythos.
The romance was a little insta-lovey for my taste, but as the story went on, it really grew on me. Especially since they are clearly getting to know each other over time traveling between planets. They are just too cute together, and I fell in love with their relationship. There is a lot of intimacy but it's done well as they explore each other and talk through it. I would have liked to see more non-spicy intimate scenes. There are a few, but I think it would add to the coziness.
The pacing is a bit off, as there's so much put into one novella. There were several points where it felt like this book would end, and I was shocked to see that I had so much more to go. It's almost episodic - there are several stories packed into one book. I think they could easily have been expanded out into a series or at least a full novel, giving more info on the world and the characters and building. There are some scenes that feel like they are too short, and some extra space would have helped.
I do feel like the veneum plot thread was introduced, just generally accepted and even encouraged, then it gets handwaived away like it won't be a problem. I understand why it's introduced. I sort of understand why Fleur doesn't push the issue at first. I even understand that the root cause is being addressed. But that just doesn't magic the addiction away. It didn't really end up being a source of conflict, and it's not really dealt with either. I just wonder if it could have been left out or replaced with something else.
I listened to the audiobook for this one, and enjoyed the narrator's voice. Rose Svetich did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life! The narration was a bit jarring at times, with no spacing between the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next. But overall, Rose has a very calming voice, and I look forward to hearing more of their narration in the future.
I really did enjoy my time with Gems and Star Flowers and would love to see more set in this world. I think it would be a good read for folks who want a cute cozy romance with some darker themes lurking around the pages.
Displaying 1 of 1 review