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Gilrox the Mercenary's Rules for Retirement
I’m Gilrox Ban-Ver-Mos, rank V guild mercenary, recently retired. New resident of a small, boring planet nobody cares about, which is exactly how I planned it. I have a fishing rod, an animal friend who likes to eat fish eyes, and a quiet, solitary life that doesn’t involve blowing anything up or killing anyone.
My retirement plan did not account for a nearby village and its attractive female council leader who ordered me to leave ( I didn’t). Or the large, loud, extended family of villagers I did not ask for, but apparently acquired anyway. Or the fact that not everything I’d left behind had finished with me.
This is a humorous sci-fi romance about fresh starts, second-act, slow-burn romance, animal friends, and found family.
Is it cozy? Yes. • Does it have an HEA? Yes. • Is it a standalone? At the moment, yes. • Is the author smitten with the grumpy, hot, mature ex-mercenary hero she just wrote? Pfft. Of course, not. He's fiction. Mind your business.
My retirement plan did not account for a nearby village and its attractive female council leader who ordered me to leave ( I didn’t). Or the large, loud, extended family of villagers I did not ask for, but apparently acquired anyway. Or the fact that not everything I’d left behind had finished with me.
This is a humorous sci-fi romance about fresh starts, second-act, slow-burn romance, animal friends, and found family.
Is it cozy? Yes. • Does it have an HEA? Yes. • Is it a standalone? At the moment, yes. • Is the author smitten with the grumpy, hot, mature ex-mercenary hero she just wrote? Pfft. Of course, not. He's fiction. Mind your business.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 3, 2026
A Very Charming Book
Such a sweet story! As a wife of a career military person and mother to another, both of whom had seen combat, this story hit home for me. After the ravages of war most combat (or in this case mercenary) personnel only want and need a soft place to land when the rigors of that life finally take their toll. Gilrox, the mercenary war fighter, was the same. An almost lifelong mercenary fighter he finally has had enough of the life and seeks a peaceful retirement on a marginally technological agrarian backwater planet. He intends to live out the rest of his life enjoying his hobby of fishing far away from any interstellar fray. But, as most plans go, they often are derailed by other circumstances and people. I don’t do spoilers so I recommend reading this charming book to find out what those circumstances and people are who derail Gilrox’s “well laid plans” for a quiet retirement. Definitely worth the read.
Such a sweet story! As a wife of a career military person and mother to another, both of whom had seen combat, this story hit home for me. After the ravages of war most combat (or in this case mercenary) personnel only want and need a soft place to land when the rigors of that life finally take their toll. Gilrox, the mercenary war fighter, was the same. An almost lifelong mercenary fighter he finally has had enough of the life and seeks a peaceful retirement on a marginally technological agrarian backwater planet. He intends to live out the rest of his life enjoying his hobby of fishing far away from any interstellar fray. But, as most plans go, they often are derailed by other circumstances and people. I don’t do spoilers so I recommend reading this charming book to find out what those circumstances and people are who derail Gilrox’s “well laid plans” for a quiet retirement. Definitely worth the read.
August 15, 2026
Wonderful Surprise
The title made me stop to look into the story description. I'm so glad I did. It's a wonderful story very well written. I think I was smiling throughout most of the story. I understand being tired of the life you've lived and just wanting some peace. It made me happy to read it. There was action, adventure, a grumpy mercenary with a soft heart, a child who made me want to hug her and an interesting little creature who found love, compassion and a home and a community I would love to be a part of. I didn't want the story to end and I would really really love for there to be a part two. Read it. You'll be glad you did.
The title made me stop to look into the story description. I'm so glad I did. It's a wonderful story very well written. I think I was smiling throughout most of the story. I understand being tired of the life you've lived and just wanting some peace. It made me happy to read it. There was action, adventure, a grumpy mercenary with a soft heart, a child who made me want to hug her and an interesting little creature who found love, compassion and a home and a community I would love to be a part of. I didn't want the story to end and I would really really love for there to be a part two. Read it. You'll be glad you did.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love this book! Gilrox The Mercenary's Rules For Retirement is kind of light, kind of funny, kind of sweet. It's really nice to have a hero and heroine who is near my age. I love Gilrox courting Maive. I loved the acton and adventure. I really loved Silli! Ella Blake is a wonderful author who writes warm, "real" characters. She writes stories that pull me in and make me care about what's happens. I fully recommend this!
July 26, 2026
Gilrox was such an interesting character, and he’s actually the first retiree I've read about. He led a really cool life, and I can’t help but wonder if my own retirement will be just as exciting when it happens. It seems like his retirement made him happier and gave him more purpose than his mercenary days did, and it’s obvious he really loved this new chapter. I really enjoyed learning about him, and I hope we haven’t seen the last of him and the village people he loves..
July 27, 2026
Gilrox the Mercenary's Rules for Retirement by Ella Blake is a sweet, slow burn romance between Gilrox, a retired mercenary wanting only to peacefully fish away from others, and Maive, the leader of a local village. At first neither wants anything to do with the other, but over time they discover live and the need to protect themselves from a cartel wanting to take over their production of a helpful native resource. Lovely story.
August 8, 2026
Retirement becomes something more
First time reading this author and I was very pleasantly surprised. The characters were well developed and delightful to get to know. The story moved well and kept the reader engaged. Everyone deserves a place to set down roots and find a place to call home even a scarred burned out Mercenary just looking for a place to fish. Quick enjoyable read. I will be reading more of this authors work.
First time reading this author and I was very pleasantly surprised. The characters were well developed and delightful to get to know. The story moved well and kept the reader engaged. Everyone deserves a place to set down roots and find a place to call home even a scarred burned out Mercenary just looking for a place to fish. Quick enjoyable read. I will be reading more of this authors work.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Amazing sci-fi romance! I absolutely loved this story, and fell head-over-heels in love with Gilrox and all the endearing characters in this village. It's adorably sweet, warm, and heartfelt..
July 29, 2026
This was such a cute cozy read I loved it so much
July 30, 2026
This was a truly beautifully written story. I loved these characters so much. I hope the author continues this as a series.
July 31, 2026
Relaxing and just fishing
What else would a retired mercenary want to do after surviving so much conflicts? I enjoyed the gentle flow of this story. It was relaxing and hopeful.
What else would a retired mercenary want to do after surviving so much conflicts? I enjoyed the gentle flow of this story. It was relaxing and hopeful.
August 3, 2026
Amazing!
I have read a lot of books by Ms. Blake, but this is by far the best. We'll Done! If I could give it 10 stars I would.
I have read a lot of books by Ms. Blake, but this is by far the best. We'll Done! If I could give it 10 stars I would.
August 9, 2026
Surprisingly adorable!
August 16, 2026
Such a sweet, charming and well-written story.
August 20, 2026
It was cozy. He was middle aged and his love interest is a widowed grandmother and leader of the village.
August 20, 2026
Omg so good and wholesome 10/10 slay
August 21, 2026
Super sweet
August 13, 2026
This is another great read from this author. Its funny and heartwarming. I read it cover to cover in one sitting. Always the sign of a good book in my humble opinoin. The only downside, now I have to wait to see if she writes another...fingers crossed.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews