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TriSystems: Rangers #1
Inouye
Old wounds can leave the deepest scars.
Lance Corporal Ren Inouye has spent a decade forgetting his homeworld and the girl who cut out his school-age heart. With the help of his umbra wolf partner, he's almost succeeded. When he's ordered back home, the last thing he wants is for her to drop back into his life and tear open those scars he thought long-healed.
Lucia has spent five years doing refugee work, trying to make up for her family's name and her own spoiled childhood. When her aid shuttle gets shot down, she's forced to rely on the one person she thought she'd never see again.Thrown together, it's impossible to ignore that their old passions still run hot. If they want a future, they'll need to put the past on hold and work together, because someone's trying to heat up a cold war on their homeworld, and the fastest way to do that is to make sure they're both dead.
- GenresScience Fiction Romance
82 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 18, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 21, 2019
A while ago I heard about this book and bought a copy. Lately I've been in a bit of sci-fi romance book and decided to read this one. I am glad I did as I really enjoyed this book. It just grabbed my attention and I had fun reading it. There was something about the writing and story that pulled me in and I had bought book 2 before I even finished this one as I already knew I wanted to continue the series.
It's not a long read around 80 pages, but I think the shorter length really works here. The pacing is really well done, with enough happening and things not feeling rushed. And it's great to be able to finish the whole story in little time, without feeling that I am missing anything. The author sure pulls of the shorter length really well.
Inouye is told from dual point of views from Ren Inouye and Lucia's perspective. They used to be lovers for a short time while in school and haven't seen each other for years after Lucia shunned him because her popular friends encouraged her to do so. Now Inouye is taking some leave when his commander redirect him to a ship that disappeared and he stumbles upon Lucia.
The story moves quite quickly, but in a way that works. In a few sentences the author gives us a feel for both characters and then gets the story moving immediately. I liked how there was some romance with a second chance vibe, some action and suspense regarding what happened to Lucia's ship and a great shadow wolf species thrown in as well. There also is a surprising twist toward the end which was well done.
I liked Inouye and Lucia and while their romance developed quite quickly, that did work here as they already had known each other in the past. There is a bit of things they have to deal with before they grow closer again with what happened in the past and later on some communication issues they have to overcome and figure out a way to move forward. I also liked the role Inari, Inouye's wolf played in getting them together.
I liked how it was clear Lucia had changed and regretted listening to her friends and shunning Inouye. It made sense why she had acted that way in the past, but I also was happy to see how she had changed and regretted what she did. Inouye said he didn't think about it anymore, but it's clear she hurt him. I liked how they had the chance to set that right now and connect again. The story ends in a great happy for now moment that felt right for these characters.
The wolf was probably one of my favorite parts of the book. I liked the idea of these wolves who bond with humans and then serve at their side. They share an emphatic bond, which was great to read about. There are also some side characters that get introduced here, some of which will get their own book.
We only get the basics of the world building necessary to follow the story, but it worked. It was very to the point and there was enough to get a bit of a feel of the world. And I am hoping it gets expanded on in future books. The whole concept of the rangers and their wolves was very interesting to read about. There also is a little bit about the politics on this planet, but not sure if that will be a plot line that continues through the series is one that's only relevant here.
To summarize: this book was a lot of fun to read. Something about the story and writing caught my attention and I enjoyed this book and bought book 2 before I even finished this one. It's a shorter read around 80 pages, but the length feels right for the story. Things move quickly, but it never feels rushed and I liked the story length for this book. There is some romance and a bit of an action/ suspense plot line involving who shot down Lucia's ship. I liked both Lucia and Inouye and while their romance developed a bit quickly and I would've liked a bit more depth, it worked for this story. I also liked the whole idea of the shadow wolves and the empathic bond they form with their humans. If you're looking for quick science fiction romance read with a bit of action and suspense, I would definitely recommend this one. It was a great start to this series and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
It's not a long read around 80 pages, but I think the shorter length really works here. The pacing is really well done, with enough happening and things not feeling rushed. And it's great to be able to finish the whole story in little time, without feeling that I am missing anything. The author sure pulls of the shorter length really well.
Inouye is told from dual point of views from Ren Inouye and Lucia's perspective. They used to be lovers for a short time while in school and haven't seen each other for years after Lucia shunned him because her popular friends encouraged her to do so. Now Inouye is taking some leave when his commander redirect him to a ship that disappeared and he stumbles upon Lucia.
The story moves quite quickly, but in a way that works. In a few sentences the author gives us a feel for both characters and then gets the story moving immediately. I liked how there was some romance with a second chance vibe, some action and suspense regarding what happened to Lucia's ship and a great shadow wolf species thrown in as well. There also is a surprising twist toward the end which was well done.
I liked Inouye and Lucia and while their romance developed quite quickly, that did work here as they already had known each other in the past. There is a bit of things they have to deal with before they grow closer again with what happened in the past and later on some communication issues they have to overcome and figure out a way to move forward. I also liked the role Inari, Inouye's wolf played in getting them together.
I liked how it was clear Lucia had changed and regretted listening to her friends and shunning Inouye. It made sense why she had acted that way in the past, but I also was happy to see how she had changed and regretted what she did. Inouye said he didn't think about it anymore, but it's clear she hurt him. I liked how they had the chance to set that right now and connect again. The story ends in a great happy for now moment that felt right for these characters.
The wolf was probably one of my favorite parts of the book. I liked the idea of these wolves who bond with humans and then serve at their side. They share an emphatic bond, which was great to read about. There are also some side characters that get introduced here, some of which will get their own book.
We only get the basics of the world building necessary to follow the story, but it worked. It was very to the point and there was enough to get a bit of a feel of the world. And I am hoping it gets expanded on in future books. The whole concept of the rangers and their wolves was very interesting to read about. There also is a little bit about the politics on this planet, but not sure if that will be a plot line that continues through the series is one that's only relevant here.
To summarize: this book was a lot of fun to read. Something about the story and writing caught my attention and I enjoyed this book and bought book 2 before I even finished this one. It's a shorter read around 80 pages, but the length feels right for the story. Things move quickly, but it never feels rushed and I liked the story length for this book. There is some romance and a bit of an action/ suspense plot line involving who shot down Lucia's ship. I liked both Lucia and Inouye and while their romance developed a bit quickly and I would've liked a bit more depth, it worked for this story. I also liked the whole idea of the shadow wolves and the empathic bond they form with their humans. If you're looking for quick science fiction romance read with a bit of action and suspense, I would definitely recommend this one. It was a great start to this series and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
January 23, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. Never read anything by J.C. Hay. Will be looking for more. There is a lot of suspense here but story flows very nicely. Lance Corporal Ren Inouye spent a decade forgetting his home and girl who broke his heart. He has an umbra wolf partner and his team to do missions. His old girlfriend, Lucia, has spent the last 5 years doing refugee work trying to make up for her family name and her own spoiled childhood. She is on a shuttle that gets shot down and right in the path of her ex Ren Inouye. Sparks fly, literally...and suspense. Recommend.
January 4, 2025
UPDATE: I was pleased to discover that I enjoyed my reread of INOUYE as much as I remembered. It is a novella (13 Chps) which I only wish lasted a bit longer (because I connected with the characters!) I still recommend to readers who enjoy quick reading Space Opera novels with a hint of “sexy times” rather than a lot! :D
ORIGINAL POST:
Inouye, #1 is a delightful JC Hay Second Chances trope, sci-fi romance, space opera genre novel with a HEA. Inouye is written in a light and fun manner which I appreciate (think SG-1). The MMC in Inouye is a Lance Corporal, Ranger Ren Inouye. Coming off a failed mission, Ren is reassigned and sent ahead to provide emergency assistance to a crashed aid relief freighter on a nearby planet. The surviving passenger on the air freighter, FMC/Lucia Sarmiento, is a woman from Ren’s past. Can Ren and Lucia work out their past problems? Or will this simply be an assistance mission for Inouye to complete and then move on? TriSystems Rangers train with wolf partners (similar to K-9s); and they communicate empathetically together. What does Inari feel toward Lucia?
Inouye is the first book in the series titled TriSytems:Rangers. Books Grenville/#2, Chen/#3, and Penzak/#4 complete the series - to date. Inouye read quickly. I’ve purchased bk#2 and hope and expect that each title will continue to build upon the friendships within the Ranger team and we will see more of their assigned missions in the stars. If you enjoy light, fast moving, action adventure sci-fi romance, give JC Hay a shot. He’s a fairly new-to-me author yet I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read so far (Inouye, Heart and minds, Pets in Space #4).
Reader Cautions - Minimal.
Violence - yes, but minimal. PG or PG-13. This is sci-fi with Bad Guys and weapons (2 brief scenes).
Language - yes. Rare profanity (10 or so).
Sexual situations - yes, but intimacy between the 2 MCs fades to “cut” rather quickly. IMO, not “graphic” in details. I recommend Inouye to anyone (17? and older) except those who prefer entirely Clean books.
ORIGINAL POST:
Inouye, #1 is a delightful JC Hay Second Chances trope, sci-fi romance, space opera genre novel with a HEA. Inouye is written in a light and fun manner which I appreciate (think SG-1). The MMC in Inouye is a Lance Corporal, Ranger Ren Inouye. Coming off a failed mission, Ren is reassigned and sent ahead to provide emergency assistance to a crashed aid relief freighter on a nearby planet. The surviving passenger on the air freighter, FMC/Lucia Sarmiento, is a woman from Ren’s past. Can Ren and Lucia work out their past problems? Or will this simply be an assistance mission for Inouye to complete and then move on? TriSystems Rangers train with wolf partners (similar to K-9s); and they communicate empathetically together. What does Inari feel toward Lucia?
Inouye is the first book in the series titled TriSytems:Rangers. Books Grenville/#2, Chen/#3, and Penzak/#4 complete the series - to date. Inouye read quickly. I’ve purchased bk#2 and hope and expect that each title will continue to build upon the friendships within the Ranger team and we will see more of their assigned missions in the stars. If you enjoy light, fast moving, action adventure sci-fi romance, give JC Hay a shot. He’s a fairly new-to-me author yet I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read so far (Inouye, Heart and minds, Pets in Space #4).
Reader Cautions - Minimal.
Violence - yes, but minimal. PG or PG-13. This is sci-fi with Bad Guys and weapons (2 brief scenes).
Language - yes. Rare profanity (10 or so).
Sexual situations - yes, but intimacy between the 2 MCs fades to “cut” rather quickly. IMO, not “graphic” in details. I recommend Inouye to anyone (17? and older) except those who prefer entirely Clean books.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews