This is a review about the second book in a Young Adult Sci-Fi Trilogy. There are no major spoilers, but it still has some hints about book one.
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When distance means nothing for an alien but for a human it means everything then trouble is not far away. That is the basis for the second book in the "My Alien Boyfriend" Trilogy by Magan Vernon.
As if it is not already enough that Alex boyfriend is an alien she is already engaged to because of a treaty to save the earth, no, now there are also those annoying insecurities about her college choice and better-looking ex-girlfriends in Ace's past. Moreover, everyone around her seems to know about her doubts and encourages her to objectively consider everything but who wants to be objective when in love. Furthermore, Ace is always so sure of himself and their relationship, which does not help at all. Maybe humans and aliens are really too different. Can Alex really make such a big decision without losing her own aims in the process.
The focus this time lies on the importance of being in a serious relationship. So for Alex, it is the first time and she obviously is sometimes a bit clueless on how to react to certain situations while Ace believe in them stays always strong. Even so, Alex clearly grew up a bit. She was not the naive girl who is blindly in love and going against everyone. This time, she thinks her actions through and is also exploring her limits of devotion to Ace.
The main themes are trust and to compromise. How far should trust go and how much to give up for someone else? Alex wonders whether she is giving up her dreams for Ace and what Ace is actually doing 'and with whom', when he is not with her.
But maybe the strongest point of this novel is the message: stay true to yourself. Friends and family of Alex are trying to influence her decisions. A bit doubt and well-meaning advice is okay but they go way too far and do not leave her time to think. In the end, Alex is only irritated, confused and lost. Regardless, she tries to be mentally strong because she refuses to think she could have been wrong in everything.
The setting is at Alex home and high school after her summer internship at Circe. So, there are not so many aliens this time, save some surprises. Also, the time moves in the same pace like in the first novel, no leaps but also not day for day, this makes again for a realistic story flow.
Once more, Ms. Vernon is adding her own sense of humour to the story that makes for some quick retorts by Alex.
The end was very romantic and I am really excited now, how Ms. Vernon will solve all the problems like the aging and what about the royal status of Ace. Is Alex going to be Queen then in the near future? I am happily awaiting the final conclusion to this series.