Bound by the Alien Buckaroo

Cowboy Colony Mail-Order Brides #9

by Ursa Dax

Will our favourite alien buckaroo Xennet end up with someone normal to balance him out...
Or bound to somebody even weirder than he is?
Find out in book nine of the Cowboy Colony Mail-Order Brides series!

Genres: Romance, Science Fiction, Science Fiction Romance, Fantasy, Aliens, Fiction, Adult

286 pages, Paperback

Published September 29, 2026

Reviews

[Hannah Lee]

BABES this series is keeping me alive and I just got the arc 😭 this is literally my Bible

[* A Reader Obsessed *]

4 Stars

[liz]

Get yourself a chaotic, vegetable colored alien that has a growing collection of knives, and practices being a chair for you to sit upon.

“Breathing was for the weak. Not for chair husbands.”

To nobody’s surprise, I LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEED THIS. The juxtaposition between how chaotic Xennet is to how soft he gets for Angel is so lovely to watch. Xennet is definitely in my top 5 alien cowboys.

I really loved how this did not have any main character miscommunication whatsoever. He talked her through all of her emotions.

This series will always be a 5 star vibe for me. Always. Every single time I swoon, I laugh and I tear up. I feel sooooo happy and giddy reading them and can’t put them down. I love always getting to hear from the crew of the characters we love as the world continues to expand and grow. My only note is that the constant cunnalingus/clitoris/pajamas misnaming every character does is starting to get a little bit redundant but otherwise I’m so obsessed.

It’s so endearing to me they read the little human manuals and want to do everything they possibly can to make these women happy. We love our penal colony murderer aliens 😭♥️

Thanks to Ursa Dax for the eARC in exchange for my review. These stories always make my whole day.

[˙⋆☆ Pameee ☆⋆˙]

Chicas, me urge que ya salga este libro plisss. Necesito leer más de mis aliens vaqueros favoritos 😭

QUE YA SEA 30 DE SEPTIEMBRE 🗣️🗣️🗣️


.

[Liv - Livslibrarylabyrinth]

Ursa has once again managed to craft an immensely wholesome story with the perfect balance between heartfelt moments and piss jokes.

Fantastic dynamic, strong character development with thought out backstories and genuinely funny misunderstandings wrapped into the perfect love story.

Thank you so much to Ursa Dax for a copy of this ARC.

[Erin (erinsreadingroom)]

"Breathing was for the weak. Not for chair husbands.”

Honestly this series and these characters will never get old for me as shown when I immediately drop whatever I’m reading when the next book lands on my kindle.

Xennet was the ultimate goofy, knife-obsessed menace with a heart of gold that I knew I would immediately adore upon introduction. Angel was his perfect match in ways that I could never have imagined, and she clearly never stood a chance with her fortified emotional walls crumbling from the moment she and Xennet meet. I additionally loved the concept of her physical enchantments as this in itself broadened the ‘possibilities’ of this universe.

Angel and Xennet are such a hilarious, chaotic pair that I just know are going to continue to be the loudest couple on the side of future books. I was grinning so hard to see them bumbling with uncertainty as their relationship continued to develop, and was unsurprisingly left swooning at how sweet their romantic declarations were in the end. Both characters have been desperately seeking for that unspoken missing piece within their existence… and it was truly so beautiful getting to experience how effortlessly they fit together.

I’m so excited that we get Daddy Dorn next! He’s who I’ve had my eye on since the introduction of Warden Hallum’s band of (dorky and lovable) himbo misfits, and I cannot wait to see who this sweet and reserved man ends up with.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰.

[Kat]

3.5. See this is why I can’t give these books up. I knew this series still had the juice, even if I haven’t liked a couple in a row. This might be my new favorite

[Sandra Sanches]

A black-listed bounty hunter in hiding, a bizarre alien buckaroo, and some rather frantic forced proximity...

I can't get enough of this alien cowboys and Xennet was no exception.
The adorable dope finds his bride in the most unusual way.
Angel is a bounty hunter and when things go south ,she needs a place to lay low and a penal planet with a no visitors allowed policy is perfect.
These two are a perfect match for each other,she even likes his knifes!
I laughed out loud all along the story, the way he butchers english words is hilarious, I mean...clitocopter,?Clitorottweiler.? Absolutely hilarious.
Well written with a rich world building and an imaginative plot and characters that steal your heart from the 1st word, the alien buckaroo is a Must read!

[Ana Lucía]

Necesito que salga uno de estos al mes, por lo menos. Gracias y por favor

[Lana]

September 1, 2026

4.5 rounded up

Another banger for this series.

Xennet was lovingly unhinged and I laughed so much during this book. And I think certainly met his match in Angel. They were so well paired and I loved all of their interactions and fierce love of one another.

It was so cute for them to discover how alike they are and their uncertainty with how the other one felt about them. It was just too good. This is definitely one of my favs. I loved leaning into the weird and they were both QUITE weird (said with love) it was so fun and heartwarming at the same time. Like the fact she actually memorized the names of all his knives. I'm sure for Xennet who is often told to tone it down and chill out it felt good to be seen and understood and I just loved that for him.

Seeing Warden Hallum (who i definitely don't like as much as Warden Tenn) have a soft side for Xennet and be almost a father type figure was really sweet to see.

I am so excited for shy little Dorn's story and then the extension into crooked creek! I can never get enough of these books and you best bet I'll be reading every single one.

Quotes:


-I’d vowed to Tasha that I would be a chair for my future wife. Now, I had this new information from Shiloh. Knee. Face. It did not matter. I would be a chair, by the Empire, and I would be the best blasted chair she’d ever had.-



-Breathing was for the weak. Not for chair husbands.- you tell em xennet!🤣


-I halted once more, this time because there was a blade pressed to the base of my throat. My own knife! I tried not to be hurt by Big Boy’s betrayal as my skin stung beneath the sharp edge.- not Big Boy😭🤣



-“I am a convicted murderer!” His chest puffed up. “I can let you chase me around, if you would like!”- 😬maybe a bit less enthusiasm when youre saying thay buddy


-“You are dealing with me.” His voice was suddenly soft, compellingly raw. I steeled myself against it. “Just me. Still me.” He tapped his fist against his broad chest. “Still Xennet.”- 😭😭😭he's just so sweet



-“I have not met anybody quite like you, either!” I responded with a grin. “Though, I have only been to Zabria and Zabria Prinar One. And I have only met three other human women so far. But…” I swallowed, my throat feeling oddly tight. “So far, you are my favourite one.”- 😭😍🥰😭



1.) Married To The Alien Cowboy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

2.) Wrangled By The Alien Rancher ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

3.) Resisting The Alien Rider ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

4.) Wanted By The Alien Warden ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

5.) Married to the Alien Mountain Man ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

6.) Rescued By The Alien Bull Rider ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

7.) Smitten By The Alien Saloon Owner ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

8.) Longing for the Alien Lawman ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

9.) Bound By The Alien Buckaroo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5




Safety&Info:
1st person dual Pov
Spice:🔥🔥
Romance meter: 💚🧡💚🧡/5
Magic meter:✨️✨️✨️✨️/5

◇Ow drama: none but the fmc is jealous by the prospect of him having a wife. Mmc does think on several occasions he needs to keep his eyes and hands to himself to save himself for his wife. Or even wonders what to do with a wife if he were to continue hiding Angel. There is never ow and he chose to forgo a wife so he could keep tending to Angel.
◇Om drama: absoluetly none
◇No cheating/sharing/love triangle
◇ 3rd act breakup: nope
◇Seperation: none
◇Both virgins she explains she has never felt desire or attraction before and only felt it for Xennet
◇Ages: both 26
◇Protection: the fmc has had her uterus removed
◇HEA- they're now married and living on his ranch

[Valerie B]

I have been waiting for Xennet’s book since he was first mentioned and it did not disappoint! Like every book in this series Bound by the Alien Buckaroo was so easy to devour. Xennet was such a sweet, unhinged MMC ready to do anything for his woman. And Angel was the perfect match! I loved her background and getting a slightly more gritty FMC dropped into this world.
While this book was really fun it was also sweet and tender. I love this series so much.

[Sierraaa]

Xennet🥺💕

[Jennifer]

Potentially offensive items: interspecies/human-alien sex, nudity, adult situations, premarital sex, (mentioned) pedophilia, (mentioned sex trafficking), (mentioned) homosexuality, sexually explicit, (mentioned) prostitution, offensive language/ profuse swearing, performance drug use, violence, (brief) graphic violence, (mentioned) violence against women and children, (mentioned) murder, mature themes, religious viewpoint, lying, (mentioned) dysfunctional family

I have been checking all month for this one to come out, but after downing it in a single sitting, I found it gave me indigestion.

This one lost a lot of the awkward innocence in the other books, which is a shame because Xennet is the perfect character for it. The malapropisms in this book felt more forced. Then, it's as if someone told Dax she needed to make sure she included an LGBTQ+ storyline because 9 books without one is unacceptable--even if it doesn't make any sense. The main female, Angel is a self-described "asexual" virgin at 26. I don't think the author understands what "asexual" means, although Angel seems to have truly followed that path until stumbling across Xennet. Regardless, a 26-year old female virgin who has never been interested in anyone is not going to feel comfortable immediately stripping her shirt off completely (and later walking around naked in a sheet without pants or shirt) in front of anyone--especially a man, unconscious or not. The he's out/ she's out flips in the opening battle sequence with the genka felt extremely contrived, too.

In all the other books, the women were attracted to the men, but I didn't get the I must "strip and screw him immediately" vibe like I did here. Again, this did not seem characteristic of an inexperienced woman like Angel.

Then, we have Xennet. Every other convict in this series is both innocent and honest. Xennet, who is supposedly most attached to his warden (and rightfully so), is willing to lie and hide this woman from the other convicts and from the warden. That didn't sit well with me. The end resolution for dealing with the false allegations against Angel was also horribly contrived to the point it didn't make any sense. First, their whole society is based on truth. Xennet truthfully tells Hallum what happened and Hallum truthfully turns him in. Why do they need a machine in the military or elsewhere that forces people to tell the truth? Especially since the machine can't be used for court purposes. Even more illogical is why one of these machines would be on the prison planet in Hallum's possession at the hospital built for human women? If the machine can't be used for court purposes, how in the world does her being put on it allow the Zabrians to collect the bounty without turning her over to anyone? It's okay to have unexpected endings if the rest of the story, the setting, and the characters build up to the conclusion. It is not okay to pull something out of the air and be like, "Well, this is how it ends because I needed to end the book and couldn't think of anything else." I was expecting Angel to tell the Warden, and the Warden to have a friend (perhaps the Warden Wilbuck in the next province) find evidence to prove her innocence.

Of course, in a book where you have a planet of convicted men needing brides and an alien authority that has such strict rules for not showing emotions, always telling the truth, and where accidental or justified homicides are classified as murder, opening the "bride" program to LGBQT+ would be too ridiculous, and hopefully Dax realizes that. However, our society (or perhaps publishing companies) require authors to include these characters even when they make absolutely no sense to the story. Here, Angel's sister has married an alien princess. This story has absolutely nothing to do with Xennet and Angel, but we are treated to an interruption in their relationship to learn about Angel's sister. Since there isn't really much relationship building to begin with, this is exceptionally intrusive.

Finally, the chat sessions that appear throughout this series were condensed into one at the end that seemed to be tacked on as an afterthought. In it, instead of being her usual self, Darcy uncomfortably makes sexual comments about Xennet (despite being married to Fallon, one of the sweetest characters in the books in my opinion). It felt like cheating on a previous character, even if Darcy says she is joking at the end. Even weirder, Angel is "added" to the group chat, but she doesn't really interact with any of the other women in it. This was yet another problem created by leaving the discovery of Angel and Xennet's relationship to the end of the book.

I was happy that the Christian theme did not completely slam God in the end--I was worried throughout that it was going to slide that way, since that (along with making sure you add an LGBTQ+ character or three) has become such a cliché in modern books. Sadly, that was the only thing I found good in the whole story. The relationship was rushed and sex-focused instead of love-focused; the malapropisms were forced more than flowing; the characters did not seem to fit in with the rest of the series or with the descriptions given. I hope Dorn's story is better.

[Cutitus]

A mixed bag. I loved some things and hated others. Angel (even if her name was regretful) was an absolute badass. Bounty hunter woman is always a plus for me. In addition, she had her uterus removed and didn’t want children! Both rare in romance so I was happy to see that. (Then of course she backtracks and says she wouldn’t mind fostering, because of course women must have some maternal instinct *sigh*.) I really liked Xennet. He was so devoted and caring towards her. Above all he was very respectful.

Now, I disliked a lot of things. This was my first in the series and likely my last. I came for the badass woman. But man, was this book chock full of annoyances for me. It was going for comedy I think? But it came across as very absurdist for me. The word mashing of clitoris with other random words got old the first time. It happens dozens of times in the book. I think the author was going for funny but it came across as obnoxious. Another con, the entire plot happens over the course of around ten days. So very instalove. She “accidentally” (I used quotations because it was obvious what was going to happen) pours her urine on him and my cleanliness self is still slightly traumatized from that. I wasn’t sure if this was going to become a golden shower kink thing. Not my cup of tea. Finally, there’s an entire chapter of a group chat thread. I absolutely abhor books that do text messaging/threads. Just reads as poor writing and very cheesy to me. Makes me think of AO3 (Archive of Our Own). (I like some fanfics, but fanfics are fanfics, not books)

So yeah, a fun little book, but it’s extremely unlikely I read any other in the series. So many of the author’s writing “quirks” in this are just annoyances to me. People who like comedy and aren’t writing snobs like me will enjoy.

Edit: changed from 3 stars to 2. Upon further review it was just not well written overall. My opinion is obviously biased though since I hated so many of the writing decisions.

[Veralie]

I read this SO FAST!! I absolutely loved this sweet, sweet golden retriever alien male! 🥹💚

Angel was the perfect blunt balance to Xennet’s chaotic energy. Xennet was so caring and learning how to be the best husband in the best way he could.
“I’d vowed to Tasha that I would be a chair for my future wife. Knee. Face. It did not matter. I would be a chair, by the Empire, and I would be the best blasted chair she’d ever had.” 🤣

This story made me cry and laugh. I enjoyed learning both of the MC’s backstories. I was a bit nervous about how Angel’s backstory would wrap up, but loved the ending. Ursa did an amazing job of showing the development of the MC’s relationship. Both characters showed growth, especially Angel, who has never asked for help from anyone.

I highly recommend this book and this series. It’s such a great comfort series for me. Just what I needed!💚

Thank you to Ursa Dax for allowing me an eARC!! 🎉💚

[Caitlin]

I got a fever and the only prescription is MORE ALIEN COWBOYS 🤠 Ursa Dax has done it yet again. These books always bring a smile to my face and I'm so glad she was kind enough to let me weasel my way onto her ARC team.

Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Spice: 2/5 🌶️🌶️

Just like the rest of the books in this series, I absolutely devoured this in just a few hours. I'll admit I was a bit worried with how chaotic Xennet is, but this is up there as one of my top favorites in this series.

I absolutely ADORED him falling in love with Angel and his willingness to go to any lengths to take care of her and protect her, even if it means lying to his friends and Warden Hallum. Angel and Xennet were the perfect match for each other and she was very enjoyable FMC.

Thank you to Ursa Dax for an eARC of this book 💕 I can't even begin to express how happy these books make me.

[Readinginthepeaks]

This series never fails to bring me so much joy and Xennet was no exception. He was so earnest and eager! His ongoing desire to be the best possible husband to his human bride specifically by giving her a superior "sitting" experience.

I loved the FMC too, a bounty hunter in need of hiding. She was a competent badass yet endlessly compassionate. Seeing the attraction growing as she became comfortable and emotionally attached was beautiful

[love.magic.books]

Omg, I have laughed so many times today, reading this book! Xennet and Angel were the perfect pair - knives and all. Xennet is so fucking literal, as all these alien men are, and him naming all his MANY knives was hilarious. He did in fact, achieve peak chair husband status 😁 IKEA called and wanted its best chair back lol

[Clea (mom2annareads)]

Ursa does it again! I laughed and cried and smiled through this entire book! Xennet is as amazing as I knew he would be when we first met him and Angel is perfect for him! Their connection is so clear and as is grows through the book it is magic!

The amount of times I laughed out loud is numerous. Sweet beautiful book!!!

Thank you for the arc :)

[Racheal]

Yet another great addition to the series! Ursa brought all of the sweet and tender moments we love, along with buckets of pee, life saving pickles and allll the sharp stabby knives you could dream of. I loved seeing Xennett and Angel fall for each other when they were least expecting it. As per usual, I laughed so much through this book, but also teared up at how wholesome they were at times. I loved how they both had each other's best interests at heart. And the group chat at the end? Perfection, as always!👌🏻 I can't wait to read Dorn's book next and am suuuper pumped for the Alien Cowboys of Crooked Creek!

I want to thank Ursa Dax for this ARC and the opportunity to read it early! My thoughts and opinions are my own in this review.

[Uyen]

I loved the beginning so much!!!! The building of Angel and her character was so fun!

I just....didn't quite like their romance. 😅😅

[Izzie]

Henceforth and forevermore I shall refer to the clitoris as the clitorambo thank you very much

[Babett]

4.5⭐️

This is one of my comfort series for sure, I’ve been so excited to get my hands on a new one! I loved how badass Angel was in her career and her body mods, and also how sweet and honest Xennet was. Occasionally he felt a bit young, but it makes sense that he’s socially a bit limited by how he grew up. His relationship with Warden Tallum and the guys was also heartwarming, I’m glad he got his happy ending. Can’t wait to have 20 more of these alien cowboys and their brides!

[Jess]

Ursa Dax puts crack in these books I swear it!! This may be the best one yet - Angel and Xennet are unexpectedly the perfect match and I loved everything about this book!

[Grace Anne]

give me more humans in space with cyborg-ish tech on them NEOW

[Keuri]

Y yo me tengo que esperar hasta marzo? Me cago en la puta

Es como que no recordaba del todo lo mucho que me gustaba a mí esta cosa, necesito siete más.

[Rebecca Davenport]

See I knew I would like Xennets book

[Kimbot the Destroyer]

The alien cowboys are still adorable.

[Maddie]

I’ve been waiting for Xennet’s story since he was first introduced and it did not disappoint!

[IllyrianShadowsinger]

She decided she didn't like her period. So she just stopped.


What. The. FUCK?!
I usually love Ursa Dax: she's a fast, funny read on the way to and from places, and you can usually finish a wholesome romance on the hour-long train trip.
But this one was just such an insane disappointment, I wondered if Dax actually wrote this, or if it was just a figment of an incredibly weird, terrible dream, because WTF?
Angel and Xennet both felt really weird from the get-go. Angel's story is pretty flat. She became a bounty hunter for her sister (who is never once featured), and now she likes it, but then she gets accused of being a mass murderer (which is never tied up) and ends up on this planet.
Okay. Now what?
Nothing about Angel's story is actually relevant to anything, including the WHOLE PREMISE for why she ended up on this planet! The person who accused Angel is never discovered, and no one cares at the end.
I LITERALLY STUCK AROUND FOR THIS MOTHERF*CKER.
And Xennet was also SO. FREAKING.
bOrInG.
In the previous books, Silas, or Garret, both had motivations for why they were the way they are. They have reasons. Personalities. Hopes and dreams.
For Garret, he just wants to get through life being everyone's protector, never realizing he could have someone who wanted to protect him too.
Silas is a grumpy baby, but he needs someone, anyone in the world, to show him he's worthy of love.
But Xennet was just...huh.
He already knew he was worthy of love. He doesn't really care about protecting anyone. He doesn't have ANY trauma, and he really likes knives.
He's basically just really, really weird.
He really likes Angel because she likes his knives, has sharp nails, and is just "not like other girls."
BLERUGH.
Angel was just such a problem for me: she loved talking about the 'modifications' she made to herself to be better, and sure, I get stronger bones and more endurance.
But just. REMOVING YOUR UTERUS? BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T LIKE YOUR PERIOD?!
Istg she's fueling every male incel on the internet right now. "Erm, ashkually, if girls hate their periods so much, why don't they just stop? Honhonhon, I'm such a good guy."
ARGHH
Also, I just really hated how Xennet treated the girls who were coming to meet him. So, Tasha, leader of the bride program on the planet, bringing women to meet the men, found two women for Xennet and his friend Dorn.
Xennet says he wants nothing to do with them, AS THEY'RE ON THEIR WAY THERE, because he's "found his person."
I'd have him paying out of his nose for broken contract, I'll tell you what--
Angel even went so far as to start ranting about the bride program to Xennet and how stupid it was, because 'what if they aren't good enough for Xennet? Why do they get him and she doesn't? What if some bimbo with big boobs and big eyes makes Xennet fall in love with her? Ugh, pretty girls suck, amiright?'
....At least I know who's that one girl online saying women shouldn't have rights because most of them are too stupid for it, but nOt HeR bEcAuSe she's SPECIAL, OKAY?!
Overall, the plot was flat, the characters sucked, and I'm just really disappointed. Dax used to be an instant read for me, but this has to be her worst book yet, and I have no interest in getting sucked down her rabbit hole of pumping out books with no regard for quality just to get the sales.

Also, side note/pet peeve:

I really HATE her text message threads in the books. Every new FMC will get added into a group chat with the other FMC's, and it'll be the cringiest thing ever. Half of the texts don't match the characters' personalities from other books; it's just there to fill page time, and it was SO BAD.
It read like a group of forty-year-old soccer moms trying to sound young and fun when they're going home in two hours to a bottle of wine and a daughter in her "I HATE YOU, MOM" phase. Some text threads are okay: the ones in S.J. Tilly books never fail to make me laugh, or Emilia Rossi books. Rina Kents are AMAZING, and even Zoe Blake, when she occasionally does it, makes me laugh.
Because it's integrated as PART OF THE BOOK. It's a text thread between dads when they realize their daughters are going on DATES (the horror), or friends when they realize another friend just snuck out for a one-night stand because HOW DARE THEY NOT TELL US?!
But text messages for the sake of it, with no impetus, just trying to tie all the books together clumsily, feel awkward to me and, as a Gen Z'er who practically grew up texting, make me want to swipe past those pages on my Kindle so I don't spontaneously combust from the sheer cringe.
It's basically a bunch of women in their late thirties talking about how much they like their husbands' d*cks and their c*ck-tails (you really don't want to know), with the very creative name the author is probably so proud of: "Cocktail Hour."
sigh. why.
Just...why.
The minute Dax figures out how texting works, I'll start reading those chapters, but until then, SWIPE.