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Garrison Earth #3
Mated
You know your Gaia link is broken when your match is 93.
While every Vetusian around me is expecting the arrival of the first hybrids, my mate is living out her final days in a nursing home.
With true love unattainable, I concentrate on busting the crime ring responsible for the supply of human females forced into prostitution at the Odheim brothels.
As a CAT officer, it’s my job to keep Earth women from being abducted. Until the department for interspecies relations offers me a breeding contract with one of them.
When Rosita wants to make coin carrying out a hybrid child, I’m happy to help. But things change when I find out what she needs those Imperial Credits for. Now she needs my protection, and so will that child I intend to plant in her womb.
Mated is the third book in this alien invasion romance series, following a couple strong enough to defy fate. If you enjoy strong women, devoted aliens, fated mates, and hard-earned happily ever after’s with no cliffhangers, you’ll love Garrison Earth.
Author Note: The entire Garrison Earth series touches on subjects such as captivity, drug abuse, forced prostitution, loss of loved ones, human trafficking, rough handling, and violence. Any reader uncomfortable with the harsh realities of an alien invasion should please consider before purchase.
While every Vetusian around me is expecting the arrival of the first hybrids, my mate is living out her final days in a nursing home.
With true love unattainable, I concentrate on busting the crime ring responsible for the supply of human females forced into prostitution at the Odheim brothels.
As a CAT officer, it’s my job to keep Earth women from being abducted. Until the department for interspecies relations offers me a breeding contract with one of them.
When Rosita wants to make coin carrying out a hybrid child, I’m happy to help. But things change when I find out what she needs those Imperial Credits for. Now she needs my protection, and so will that child I intend to plant in her womb.
Mated is the third book in this alien invasion romance series, following a couple strong enough to defy fate. If you enjoy strong women, devoted aliens, fated mates, and hard-earned happily ever after’s with no cliffhangers, you’ll love Garrison Earth.
Author Note: The entire Garrison Earth series touches on subjects such as captivity, drug abuse, forced prostitution, loss of loved ones, human trafficking, rough handling, and violence. Any reader uncomfortable with the harsh realities of an alien invasion should please consider before purchase.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
August 16, 2020
5 Stars!!
This is quickly becoming one of the best series I've picked up this year. I read this in one sitting, it was that good! The world building is so unique and refreshing! The characters are layered and feel real. I was with them every step of the way, gripping my iPad, not skimming a single word.
The heroine really made this story for me. While I loved the possessive stubborn hero, the heroine was PERFECTION. I would be friends with her. Her take charge attitude, her no bullshit personality.... god she was perfect for my romance tastes. Her strength and her vulnerabilities just felt so REAL. Thats why I love this author so much. Her female characters are so fucking amazing I shed a tear that at least some authors can get it right.
Looking forward to seeing what this author has coming up next!
Triggers:
-No cheating, no other people after meeting, no OW/OM drama
-H is a virgin but he did use pleasure bots before he met the h.
-Heroine had a fiancee prior to Hero
-Both H & h have fated mates. The H's fated mate is 93 years old and he only has platonic feelings (obviously) but he still has a strong sense of loyalty to her. He feels guilty for loving the h. The heroine's fated mate was killed in a raid and she never meets him. It did not at any point feel like a 'second best' scenario.
-Miscarriage
-Seperation because of breakup from miscarriage
This is quickly becoming one of the best series I've picked up this year. I read this in one sitting, it was that good! The world building is so unique and refreshing! The characters are layered and feel real. I was with them every step of the way, gripping my iPad, not skimming a single word.
The heroine really made this story for me. While I loved the possessive stubborn hero, the heroine was PERFECTION. I would be friends with her. Her take charge attitude, her no bullshit personality.... god she was perfect for my romance tastes. Her strength and her vulnerabilities just felt so REAL. Thats why I love this author so much. Her female characters are so fucking amazing I shed a tear that at least some authors can get it right.
Looking forward to seeing what this author has coming up next!
Triggers:
-No cheating, no other people after meeting, no OW/OM drama
-H is a virgin but he did use pleasure bots before he met the h.
-Heroine had a fiancee prior to Hero
-Both H & h have fated mates. The H's fated mate is 93 years old and he only has platonic feelings (obviously) but he still has a strong sense of loyalty to her. He feels guilty for loving the h. The heroine's fated mate was killed in a raid and she never meets him. It did not at any point feel like a 'second best' scenario.
-Miscarriage
-Seperation because of breakup from miscarriage
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2020
Every one is the creator of its own happiness!
Exciting, emotional and moving - the story around the Garrision Earth is continued excellently, vividly and in detail and touches so many levels - amazing!
Rosie's pragmatic, solution-oriented approach and her view on the things in her life find a very good projection and target surface in Balgiz's personality. Grand starting points in the characteristics of the two main characters and perfect for a fantastic development, especially for Balgiz. Friction creates heat.
And this sh*** guy has it all. Caught up in the values of his upbringing and society, he has made "noble" choices that don't make him happy and satisfied himself. His inner frustration is unreflectively transferred to his behaviour and life. Bad luck for his environment and the living beings. But then he meets Rosie and the interactions of the two bring us a firework of defiant reactions and dry to black humor. Action and reaction collide - verbally, mentally and physically - pure fun for me!
Halfway through the book we get a breather, a sugar-sweet HFN, with some loose ends and problems ignored away, which will surely reappear. But no matter, until then we have earned a short, cuddly gut feeling before it crackles and pops violently on different levels - pure emotions, in so many facets. Desperation, drama, hope, understanding, insight and silver lining that are none. Credible, no matter what and in which context, absolutely captivating. Fortunately I read with a Kindle, a real book would not have survived the turning of the pages without torn pages.
Of course, I expect the bad guys of the story to get their punishment, they did, but in the way it' s designed differently, but also in this presentation completely fitting. There is a HEA and the sweet tooth is satisfied and there is always more than just cuddling.
Nevertheless, only simple consumption and easy going is not with this author, the reader is consistently challenged and must be willing to join in.
The overall structure of the world of Garrison Earth is fascinating and the connecting story behind the individual books, couples and love stories is great, complex and multi-layered, interwoven with new perspectives in so many areas and with a depth - well done.
My favourite moments always come when seasoned men (alien or terrestrial) with life, work and crisis experience are confronted with the understanding of women and their "natural" behaviour. The situations escalate - slightly sarcastic or cynical - and the virgin Vetusians reach their absolute limits.
This is ice cream with caramel and cream on top.
The result: I love the whole work and enjoy every single book and I want more!
Skilfully written, wonderfully composed and always different than expected. The special thing about it is that critical topics come to the fore, which everyone can evaluate and develop for themselves. Top. Not everything has to be solved immediately and at once, some things need time to develop. Besides good entertainment I appreciate it very much if I can take suggestions and views from a story into my life. It's like with the dog and his bone, I also like to chew on it in my thoughts a little longer.
Exciting, emotional and moving - the story around the Garrision Earth is continued excellently, vividly and in detail and touches so many levels - amazing!
Rosie's pragmatic, solution-oriented approach and her view on the things in her life find a very good projection and target surface in Balgiz's personality. Grand starting points in the characteristics of the two main characters and perfect for a fantastic development, especially for Balgiz. Friction creates heat.
And this sh*** guy has it all. Caught up in the values of his upbringing and society, he has made "noble" choices that don't make him happy and satisfied himself. His inner frustration is unreflectively transferred to his behaviour and life. Bad luck for his environment and the living beings. But then he meets Rosie and the interactions of the two bring us a firework of defiant reactions and dry to black humor. Action and reaction collide - verbally, mentally and physically - pure fun for me!
Halfway through the book we get a breather, a sugar-sweet HFN, with some loose ends and problems ignored away, which will surely reappear. But no matter, until then we have earned a short, cuddly gut feeling before it crackles and pops violently on different levels - pure emotions, in so many facets. Desperation, drama, hope, understanding, insight and silver lining that are none. Credible, no matter what and in which context, absolutely captivating. Fortunately I read with a Kindle, a real book would not have survived the turning of the pages without torn pages.
Of course, I expect the bad guys of the story to get their punishment, they did, but in the way it' s designed differently, but also in this presentation completely fitting. There is a HEA and the sweet tooth is satisfied and there is always more than just cuddling.
Nevertheless, only simple consumption and easy going is not with this author, the reader is consistently challenged and must be willing to join in.
The overall structure of the world of Garrison Earth is fascinating and the connecting story behind the individual books, couples and love stories is great, complex and multi-layered, interwoven with new perspectives in so many areas and with a depth - well done.
My favourite moments always come when seasoned men (alien or terrestrial) with life, work and crisis experience are confronted with the understanding of women and their "natural" behaviour. The situations escalate - slightly sarcastic or cynical - and the virgin Vetusians reach their absolute limits.
This is ice cream with caramel and cream on top.
The result: I love the whole work and enjoy every single book and I want more!
Skilfully written, wonderfully composed and always different than expected. The special thing about it is that critical topics come to the fore, which everyone can evaluate and develop for themselves. Top. Not everything has to be solved immediately and at once, some things need time to develop. Besides good entertainment I appreciate it very much if I can take suggestions and views from a story into my life. It's like with the dog and his bone, I also like to chew on it in my thoughts a little longer.
May 14, 2020
Interesting twist on the fated mate not working.
The alien Hero is matched to a human woman who is in her 90's and who is unwell so a relationship is impossible.
The heroine is matched to the alien who died in the restaurant in the first book.
When they meet the Hero is not likeabe at all, once he opens his mouth.
Interesting misunderstandings on cultural differences.
No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.
HEA.
Sneak peak into next book.
The alien Hero is matched to a human woman who is in her 90's and who is unwell so a relationship is impossible.
The heroine is matched to the alien who died in the restaurant in the first book.
When they meet the Hero is not likeabe at all, once he opens his mouth.
Interesting misunderstandings on cultural differences.
No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.
HEA.
Sneak peak into next book.
July 29, 2025
4.75 stars
I absolutely loved this story, which was about two people who *weren’t* fated to be together. Balgiz’s match was 93 years old, and Rosie’s match died in combat before they even met. They were paired up through a breeding contract, and things were not smooth sailing lol.
The way Balgiz went from an inconsiderate jerk to such a swoony mate and partner made my heart sing, and there were parts of the story where I was so afraid for them because I was so invested! The journey these two went through was seriously emotional and heart-wrenching (warning - it deals with heavy topics and grief). Quarter star deducted for the abruptness of the ending, but this really hit me in the feels.
I’m kind of shocked at how much I’ve loved Book 2 and 3, considering I DNF’d the first one!
I absolutely loved this story, which was about two people who *weren’t* fated to be together. Balgiz’s match was 93 years old, and Rosie’s match died in combat before they even met. They were paired up through a breeding contract, and things were not smooth sailing lol.
The way Balgiz went from an inconsiderate jerk to such a swoony mate and partner made my heart sing, and there were parts of the story where I was so afraid for them because I was so invested! The journey these two went through was seriously emotional and heart-wrenching (warning - it deals with heavy topics and grief). Quarter star deducted for the abruptness of the ending, but this really hit me in the feels.
I’m kind of shocked at how much I’ve loved Book 2 and 3, considering I DNF’d the first one!
May 14, 2020
“Just because something isn’t fated to work out doesn’t mean it’s fated to fail...”
OMG, I’m still high after reading this. I’m hungover and not ready to let go of their story. V.K. Ludwig has nailed it again. The first two books are amazing, this one is extra amazing. Rosie and Balgiz’s story clenched and twisted my heart. It’s a genuine pure love against the fuck up system. I like their story alot to the point of, I would re read this and that paragraph to savour the emotion it’s emitting at the moment. I’m well connected to both characters.
Rosie is beautiful, strong and a brilliant woman. Fate had stolen her chance of love a few times but she didn’t give up. And Balgiz is an ass bitter man in few first chapters. He amused me really. I like how he turned from being a jerk to a loving and very committed man. I like how his character developed. I just like everything about the couple. They are perfect.
V.K.Ludwig is always good at justifying her characters and delivering a well thought storyline. No stone left unturned. The storyline, oh that’s a page turner. Keep me up to 4:30am, forced myself to sleep just to wake up at 7am to continue reading. Yes got addicted. It even invaded my dreams.
I highly highly recommend this series. My only regret is that it ended. I want more 😭
OMG, I’m still high after reading this. I’m hungover and not ready to let go of their story. V.K. Ludwig has nailed it again. The first two books are amazing, this one is extra amazing. Rosie and Balgiz’s story clenched and twisted my heart. It’s a genuine pure love against the fuck up system. I like their story alot to the point of, I would re read this and that paragraph to savour the emotion it’s emitting at the moment. I’m well connected to both characters.
Rosie is beautiful, strong and a brilliant woman. Fate had stolen her chance of love a few times but she didn’t give up. And Balgiz is an ass bitter man in few first chapters. He amused me really. I like how he turned from being a jerk to a loving and very committed man. I like how his character developed. I just like everything about the couple. They are perfect.
V.K.Ludwig is always good at justifying her characters and delivering a well thought storyline. No stone left unturned. The storyline, oh that’s a page turner. Keep me up to 4:30am, forced myself to sleep just to wake up at 7am to continue reading. Yes got addicted. It even invaded my dreams.
I highly highly recommend this series. My only regret is that it ended. I want more 😭
February 12, 2021
Nice continuation
Matched wasn’t my favorite of the series, but it’s still a great read. The author has you hating and loving Balgiz from one moment to the next, but even alphaholes have feelings. It’s in the scenes from Balgiz’s perspective that I empathized with him and wanted to tell Rosie to look past his actions and try to understand the meaning behind them.
Of course, when I read from Rosie’s perspective, I wanted to tell her to kick him to the curb!
The ability to make a reader simultaneously hate and love a character is a mark of a good author, and this is definitely an example of that. While I wish that Balgiz hadn’t been so much of an alphahole, his actions are what makes the story.
Matched wasn’t my favorite of the series, but it’s still a great read. The author has you hating and loving Balgiz from one moment to the next, but even alphaholes have feelings. It’s in the scenes from Balgiz’s perspective that I empathized with him and wanted to tell Rosie to look past his actions and try to understand the meaning behind them.
Of course, when I read from Rosie’s perspective, I wanted to tell her to kick him to the curb!
The ability to make a reader simultaneously hate and love a character is a mark of a good author, and this is definitely an example of that. While I wish that Balgiz hadn’t been so much of an alphahole, his actions are what makes the story.
October 17, 2022
So far, this is my least favourite book in the series. One of my all time biggest pet peeves in romance stories is when the main characters are their own worst enemies and are 100% responsible for all their drama/misery by making assumptions, or not talking to each other, or convincing themselves it will never work out for no good reasons at all. This book is full of that, and it annoyed the hell out of me.
By the end of the book I hated Rosie and was still so angry over the turn the book had taken about 80% of the way in. I like the series overall, but this has been my least favourite book.
By the end of the book I hated Rosie and was still so angry over the turn the book had taken about 80% of the way in. I like the series overall, but this has been my least favourite book.
March 12, 2021
This takes the whole insta love story and flips it on its head AND I absolutely loved every minute of it! Rosie had me crying so hard and she was so incredibly relatable as a character. A complete love build with a huge, ugly crash and then a slow climb back up. Its not EXACTLY wrapped up in a bow at the end either which is great. A real fantastically flawed loved story with all the grit and funny, heart ache and heart hope you could possibly want. BANANAS
September 24, 2022
The hero is stupid and I don't respect him.
December 13, 2025
❌ DNF at 20%
The concept initially caught my attention: the MMC’s fated mate is 90 years old, the FMC’s mate is dead, there’s a breeding contract… honestly, I was intrigued right away.
Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me.
The biggest issue was the tone of the characters, which felt immature and over-the-top. The FMC is written as “sassy” and opinionated, but it often came across as mocking others in order to seem edgy or different and that’s not a personality type I enjoy rooting for.
For example, the alien men are all virgins because they wait for their fated mates and only use robots until then. The FMC repeatedly mocks them to their faces, calling them “virgins” in a clearly derogatory way.
Another moment that really took me out of the story: the FMC and her sister are in an office, loudly and explicitly discussing their sex lives while, once again, making fun of virgins. When coworkers next door politely ask them to keep their voices down, the FMC responds with, “Maybe don’t listen to our conversation, virgin.” I just couldn’t imagine rooting for a protagonist with that kind of attitude.
The MMC didn’t work for me either. His internal thoughts and behavior felt just as immature. His obsession with remaining faithful to his fated mate made him openly cruel not only to the FMC, but to everyone around him. At one point, he routinely reduced pregnant coworkers to tears because he believed pregnant women were “too emotional” and therefore useless at work. That was a hard no for me.
Final thoughts
At the end of the day, the writing style and character dynamics simply don’t align with my taste, so I won’t be continuing this book or picking up others by this author. That said, readers who enjoy exaggerated, very bold characterizations might have a different experience.
The concept initially caught my attention: the MMC’s fated mate is 90 years old, the FMC’s mate is dead, there’s a breeding contract… honestly, I was intrigued right away.
Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me.
The biggest issue was the tone of the characters, which felt immature and over-the-top. The FMC is written as “sassy” and opinionated, but it often came across as mocking others in order to seem edgy or different and that’s not a personality type I enjoy rooting for.
For example, the alien men are all virgins because they wait for their fated mates and only use robots until then. The FMC repeatedly mocks them to their faces, calling them “virgins” in a clearly derogatory way.
Another moment that really took me out of the story: the FMC and her sister are in an office, loudly and explicitly discussing their sex lives while, once again, making fun of virgins. When coworkers next door politely ask them to keep their voices down, the FMC responds with, “Maybe don’t listen to our conversation, virgin.” I just couldn’t imagine rooting for a protagonist with that kind of attitude.
The MMC didn’t work for me either. His internal thoughts and behavior felt just as immature. His obsession with remaining faithful to his fated mate made him openly cruel not only to the FMC, but to everyone around him. At one point, he routinely reduced pregnant coworkers to tears because he believed pregnant women were “too emotional” and therefore useless at work. That was a hard no for me.
Final thoughts
At the end of the day, the writing style and character dynamics simply don’t align with my taste, so I won’t be continuing this book or picking up others by this author. That said, readers who enjoy exaggerated, very bold characterizations might have a different experience.
December 30, 2024
This couple was a roller-coaster, and not one I enjoyed. Balgiz is our MMC for this one and he is just...really undesirable. I understand that for the first half of the book, that's the point, but he just continues to make mistakes and does things that really don't make me root for him throughout the book.
Rosie and his relationship was a train wreck from start to finish and their dirty talk in the bedroom occasionally left me with secondhand embarrassment.
I feel I would have liked this one more if it focused more on the underlying plot line of catching criminals who are currently using the system to find victims and exploit them for profit. Unfortunately I just couldn't connect with the two main characters in this one, which is a bummer, considering I typically love all V.K. Ludwig's books.
Rosie and his relationship was a train wreck from start to finish and their dirty talk in the bedroom occasionally left me with secondhand embarrassment.
I feel I would have liked this one more if it focused more on the underlying plot line of catching criminals who are currently using the system to find victims and exploit them for profit. Unfortunately I just couldn't connect with the two main characters in this one, which is a bummer, considering I typically love all V.K. Ludwig's books.
June 19, 2022
Read : June 19, 2022
Rating : 3,5 Stars
I liked that even though they weren't "officially" matched, they still were a great match and I especially loved that it takes place in a story line of mostly fayed mates and I guess I just really like how much thought there was put into it.
The fact that their relationship is also a viable one even without the dna connection, the importance of choosing your own fate was a nice touch that I haven't seen in any other fated mates stories /universes and that is a shame since this was lovely.
The one thing I did not like was how (seemingly) easily the investigation wrapped up, there were more strange clues than just this and I was intrigued by the mystery of it but would be pretty disappointed if it turned out this was it.
Rating : 3,5 Stars
I liked that even though they weren't "officially" matched, they still were a great match and I especially loved that it takes place in a story line of mostly fayed mates and I guess I just really like how much thought there was put into it.
The fact that their relationship is also a viable one even without the dna connection, the importance of choosing your own fate was a nice touch that I haven't seen in any other fated mates stories /universes and that is a shame since this was lovely.
The one thing I did not like was how (seemingly) easily the investigation wrapped up, there were more strange clues than just this and I was intrigued by the mystery of it but would be pretty disappointed if it turned out this was it.
February 24, 2024
Proof that men are dumb regardless of what planet they're from.
Actually, this one was pretty fun (in that dark, angsty kind of way.) I really liked the premise and the flow of Rosie and Balgiz's relationship. I liked the tension and the chemistry build-up.
I kind of lost interest in the rest of the plot around the 60% mark (and I think that's just on me.) I may come back and finish this series later but now is no longer the time.
Actually, this one was pretty fun (in that dark, angsty kind of way.) I really liked the premise and the flow of Rosie and Balgiz's relationship. I liked the tension and the chemistry build-up.
I kind of lost interest in the rest of the plot around the 60% mark (and I think that's just on me.) I may come back and finish this series later but now is no longer the time.
May 24, 2024
I actually liked this one a lot but it annoyed me how there were such big issues that won’t be solved probably in this whole series
December 16, 2022
Balgiz and Rosie have a lot to get through to actually get mated. He is the individual talked about in early stories who is mated to a 93 year old woman, who, it turns out, has Alzheimer’s. Rosie is the person who was mated to the man who died in the restaurant in the first book.
So, basically, both are screwed when it comes to mates in a fatalistic society that believes only mated pairs can be together and only mated pairs have any benefits or rights to the other person in emergencies or in the event of the other person’s death. There is no paperwork that can change it. It is immutable.
Considering this backdrop, Rosie wrote a software program for unmatched people in the same situation as Balgiz and herself, in the hope that they will some day find someone they can be happy with. She believes that no one should have to be miserable their whole life. Her software is one of the driving factors of this story.
As we found at the end of the last book, Balgiz is in charge of the warrior group trying to bring down the smuggling operation Balgiz and Rosie meet when they contract to have a child together. They definitely get off to a very rocky start.
This book follows all of their issues with each other, which is a lot, and Balgiz’s continued attempts to take down the smuggling ring. The Warden Torin shows up towards the end of the book when things take a turn for the worse, and again when he’s needed later. It always helps to have the head guy on your side.
I’ve enjoyed this series to date. The books need to be read in order. The stories and characters are interconnected. One thing that bothered me was that the book would benefit from better proofreading. I often found myself thrown out of the story due to simple errors that could have been corrected by proofreading.
At the end, Balgiz and Rosie get their happily ever after, and that’s what counts.
So, basically, both are screwed when it comes to mates in a fatalistic society that believes only mated pairs can be together and only mated pairs have any benefits or rights to the other person in emergencies or in the event of the other person’s death. There is no paperwork that can change it. It is immutable.
Considering this backdrop, Rosie wrote a software program for unmatched people in the same situation as Balgiz and herself, in the hope that they will some day find someone they can be happy with. She believes that no one should have to be miserable their whole life. Her software is one of the driving factors of this story.
As we found at the end of the last book, Balgiz is in charge of the warrior group trying to bring down the smuggling operation Balgiz and Rosie meet when they contract to have a child together. They definitely get off to a very rocky start.
This book follows all of their issues with each other, which is a lot, and Balgiz’s continued attempts to take down the smuggling ring. The Warden Torin shows up towards the end of the book when things take a turn for the worse, and again when he’s needed later. It always helps to have the head guy on your side.
I’ve enjoyed this series to date. The books need to be read in order. The stories and characters are interconnected. One thing that bothered me was that the book would benefit from better proofreading. I often found myself thrown out of the story due to simple errors that could have been corrected by proofreading.
At the end, Balgiz and Rosie get their happily ever after, and that’s what counts.
October 20, 2023
I think this was my favorite of the series. Balgiz was such an idiot! Which made his growth throughout the book that much better. I really liked that in the beginning this huge hunky alien could not get Rosie off to save his life. Great change from most alien romances. He just had soo far to go to become a like-able guy but by the end I was rooting for him. And Rosie was a badass who handled the situation she put herself in like an adult. The fact that these two weren’t fated through the Gaia link made it all that much better.
It was a sex for convenience turned enemies to lovers and I loved it.
It was a sex for convenience turned enemies to lovers and I loved it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2022
Awe man I honestly love it when you have a really jerk of a guy turn into a complete and utter softy 😍🥰 this story was so perfect!
We got to explore Rosie and Balgiz’s relationship in this one where the main issue was their links. Rosie’s had died before she met him and Balgiz was 93 years old! In Thai world that VK created fated mates were everything so to write a book where instead they were mates by choice was so heartbreaking and beautiful.
There were many times in this book I contemplated it finishing because I was not happy with the sad direction it was going. My heart aches for these two and the world they were forced to live in! The thing that really got me is that in real life we are all Mates of choice so then going through the normal process and everything and saying that amounts to nothing was so utterly gut wrenching!
I’ve been married for 7 years and I choose my husband every damn day! I don’t know if he was my fated mate but he was the one I chose, my best friend! That’s what makes this story so relatable and so sad at times because they have to fight to show they have the right to choose!
Like I’ve said before. V.K really knows how to tug on your heartstrings and that hollow space between my ribs aches when I read this books. Aches for these characters and the happy easy like I wish they could have. But it wouldn’t be much of a story without some struggle and that’s what made this story beautiful.
We got to explore Rosie and Balgiz’s relationship in this one where the main issue was their links. Rosie’s had died before she met him and Balgiz was 93 years old! In Thai world that VK created fated mates were everything so to write a book where instead they were mates by choice was so heartbreaking and beautiful.
There were many times in this book I contemplated it finishing because I was not happy with the sad direction it was going. My heart aches for these two and the world they were forced to live in! The thing that really got me is that in real life we are all Mates of choice so then going through the normal process and everything and saying that amounts to nothing was so utterly gut wrenching!
I’ve been married for 7 years and I choose my husband every damn day! I don’t know if he was my fated mate but he was the one I chose, my best friend! That’s what makes this story so relatable and so sad at times because they have to fight to show they have the right to choose!
Like I’ve said before. V.K really knows how to tug on your heartstrings and that hollow space between my ribs aches when I read this books. Aches for these characters and the happy easy like I wish they could have. But it wouldn’t be much of a story without some struggle and that’s what made this story beautiful.
May 14, 2020
Wow! I already thought this was an amazing series, but this book is even better than the first two. The author writes about delicate issues with such sensitivity. She doesn't shy away from tough topics.
In this book we learn more about those who don't have a fated mate. The main characters are Rosie and Balgiz. Rosie's mate died during the Invasion and Balgiz's mate is 93 and in a nursing home. They meet when they sign a breeding contract as the Vetusians encourage everyone to have many children. At first Balgiz is an a**h*le. He desperately wants a family, but doesn't think he will ever have one. He and Rosie work things out and they have a HEA.
Balgiz is also the commander of the task force that is working to find Scholar Fehan, the mastermind that is abducting females to sell them. Balgiz coerces Rosie into helping him as she had met with Vetusians who could sell her a new link to someone else. When she is caught, she prefers to take the option to help rather than being imprisoned. There are some fascinating new developments that we learn about the Vetusians.
I will warn you, have some tissues handy, there are some very emotional issues. I cried a lot at the end. The author gives us three chapters of book four at the end. I'm sure I'll need tissues for this one too. I received a copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
In this book we learn more about those who don't have a fated mate. The main characters are Rosie and Balgiz. Rosie's mate died during the Invasion and Balgiz's mate is 93 and in a nursing home. They meet when they sign a breeding contract as the Vetusians encourage everyone to have many children. At first Balgiz is an a**h*le. He desperately wants a family, but doesn't think he will ever have one. He and Rosie work things out and they have a HEA.
Balgiz is also the commander of the task force that is working to find Scholar Fehan, the mastermind that is abducting females to sell them. Balgiz coerces Rosie into helping him as she had met with Vetusians who could sell her a new link to someone else. When she is caught, she prefers to take the option to help rather than being imprisoned. There are some fascinating new developments that we learn about the Vetusians.
I will warn you, have some tissues handy, there are some very emotional issues. I cried a lot at the end. The author gives us three chapters of book four at the end. I'm sure I'll need tissues for this one too. I received a copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 4, 2024
Ugh! I get it. The characters are supposed to be flawed. But why do these MMCs have to be so unlikable! I’m so invested in the world/ storyline but it just isn’t hitting with these characters. I’m also so nervous to read the next book. That looks like terrible heartbreak. Ugh. Someone give me a rec for this kind of world but better characters lol.
Read
August 20, 2020DNF 67% did not like the main characters. Not for me
April 19, 2023
They forgot to put aliens in my sci fi book.
June 3, 2026
Mixed feelings about this book. Balgiz (which for some reason my brain wants to read as 🏀 jizz - and I have to constantly remind myself it is likely Balg-iz) is a jerk at the beginning, although he happily comes around to show a much sweeter, vulnerable side and falls for Rosie. Rosie is a strong, smart woman who knows she wants security, love, and to be someone’s everything. However, it bothered me that she seemed to take her frustration with the overall governing system out on just Balgiz.
Ugh. I hate a third act break up when it is entirely unnecessary and could be easily avoided with a bit of conversation or reasonable thought. I get the reason this is such a well used trope but I really felt the plot could have been just as impactful without the actual break up. Since I have less compassion for where Rosie is coming from (see above spoiler) I feel Rosie is more in the wrong here than Balgiz and is unreasonable. It is an Empire policy issue that’s she’s really angry at, so shutting a hurt Balgiz out after is ridiculous. The story could have been as effective by having them avoid the break up and work to fix the bigger policy issue.
All these whiny complaints of mine aside it was another really good read in this interesting world of Garrison Earth.
Ugh. I hate a third act break up when it is entirely unnecessary and could be easily avoided with a bit of conversation or reasonable thought. I get the reason this is such a well used trope but I really felt the plot could have been just as impactful without the actual break up. Since I have less compassion for where Rosie is coming from (see above spoiler) I feel Rosie is more in the wrong here than Balgiz and is unreasonable. It is an Empire policy issue that’s she’s really angry at, so shutting a hurt Balgiz out after is ridiculous. The story could have been as effective by having them avoid the break up and work to fix the bigger policy issue.
All these whiny complaints of mine aside it was another really good read in this interesting world of Garrison Earth.
July 15, 2021
Mated, finally
Balgiz and Rosie have a lot to get through to actually get mated. He is the individual talked about in early stories who is mated to a 93 year old woman, who, it turns out, has Alzheimer’s. Rosie is the person who was mated to the man who died in the restaurant in the first book.
So, basically, both are screwed when it comes to mates in a fatalistic society that believes only mated pairs can be together and only mated pairs have any benefits or rights to the other person in emergencies or in the event of the other person’s death. There is no paperwork that can change it. It is immutable.
Considering this backdrop, Rosie wrote a software program for unmatched people in the same situation as Balgiz and herself, in the hope that they will some day find someone they can be happy with. She believes that no one should have to be miserable their whole life. Her software is one of the driving factors of this story.
As we found at the end of the last book, Balgiz is in charge of the warrior group trying to bring down the smuggling operation Balgiz and Rosie meet when they contract to have a child together. They definitely get off to a very rocky start.
This book follows all of their issues with each other, which is a lot, and Balgiz’s continued attempts to take down the smuggling ring. The Warden Torin shows up towards the end of the book when things take a turn for the worse, and again when he’s needed later. It always helps to have the head guy on your side.
I’ve enjoyed this series to date. The books need to be read in order. The stories and characters are interconnected. One thing that bothered me was that the book would benefit from better proofreading. I often found myself thrown out of the story due to simple errors that could have been corrected by proofreading.
At the end, Balgiz and Rosie get their happily ever after, and that’s what counts.
Balgiz and Rosie have a lot to get through to actually get mated. He is the individual talked about in early stories who is mated to a 93 year old woman, who, it turns out, has Alzheimer’s. Rosie is the person who was mated to the man who died in the restaurant in the first book.
So, basically, both are screwed when it comes to mates in a fatalistic society that believes only mated pairs can be together and only mated pairs have any benefits or rights to the other person in emergencies or in the event of the other person’s death. There is no paperwork that can change it. It is immutable.
Considering this backdrop, Rosie wrote a software program for unmatched people in the same situation as Balgiz and herself, in the hope that they will some day find someone they can be happy with. She believes that no one should have to be miserable their whole life. Her software is one of the driving factors of this story.
As we found at the end of the last book, Balgiz is in charge of the warrior group trying to bring down the smuggling operation Balgiz and Rosie meet when they contract to have a child together. They definitely get off to a very rocky start.
This book follows all of their issues with each other, which is a lot, and Balgiz’s continued attempts to take down the smuggling ring. The Warden Torin shows up towards the end of the book when things take a turn for the worse, and again when he’s needed later. It always helps to have the head guy on your side.
I’ve enjoyed this series to date. The books need to be read in order. The stories and characters are interconnected. One thing that bothered me was that the book would benefit from better proofreading. I often found myself thrown out of the story due to simple errors that could have been corrected by proofreading.
At the end, Balgiz and Rosie get their happily ever after, and that’s what counts.
June 25, 2024
Rosie + Balgiz
WOWWW this was amazing!!!! I forgot how much I loved this series.
As I have mentioned in previous book reviews for this series, this is a darker take on the alien romance genre. It still gets lovey dovey and has the tropes and fated mates things that we love.... BUT they have to work a bit to get their HEA.
This is a storyline I have longed for in reading my alien/fated mates books, and I have yet to get until now. Fated Mates are revered and saw at the top tier (and only tier) for couples on this new Garrison Earth. So what happens when your fated mate is 93 years old? Or died when invaliding Earth? You don't get two fated mates... so now what?
This book explores the different avenues that are available for the unlucky few that are unable to be with their fated mate for whatever reason. There are breeding contracts, there are secret black market happenings to get a "fake link", and lying of course.
This books hit hard and hit good. Tears were shed, happy and sad. This was a hard fought HEA and very satisfying. BUT not for everyone, as there are tough subjects in this book.
This world is not perfect, farrrrr from it actually as many are not happy with the way things are run in this new alien-invaided earth. But we the reader get to see the struggles and get the see the fight for the change happening on page. We get to see the flawed couples as individuals grow and change and learn from each other, producing a tight bond regardless of a fated bond.
I'm just flabbergasted. This is a HIGHLY underrated series. If you want light and fluffy, this isn't your gal. She's gritty, and real, and drags you through the trenches. But very fulfilling with the action, world building, and character development for an alien romance series.
WOWWW this was amazing!!!! I forgot how much I loved this series.
As I have mentioned in previous book reviews for this series, this is a darker take on the alien romance genre. It still gets lovey dovey and has the tropes and fated mates things that we love.... BUT they have to work a bit to get their HEA.
This is a storyline I have longed for in reading my alien/fated mates books, and I have yet to get until now. Fated Mates are revered and saw at the top tier (and only tier) for couples on this new Garrison Earth. So what happens when your fated mate is 93 years old? Or died when invaliding Earth? You don't get two fated mates... so now what?
This book explores the different avenues that are available for the unlucky few that are unable to be with their fated mate for whatever reason. There are breeding contracts, there are secret black market happenings to get a "fake link", and lying of course.
This books hit hard and hit good. Tears were shed, happy and sad. This was a hard fought HEA and very satisfying. BUT not for everyone, as there are tough subjects in this book.
This world is not perfect, farrrrr from it actually as many are not happy with the way things are run in this new alien-invaided earth. But we the reader get to see the struggles and get the see the fight for the change happening on page. We get to see the flawed couples as individuals grow and change and learn from each other, producing a tight bond regardless of a fated bond.
I'm just flabbergasted. This is a HIGHLY underrated series. If you want light and fluffy, this isn't your gal. She's gritty, and real, and drags you through the trenches. But very fulfilling with the action, world building, and character development for an alien romance series.
June 24, 2026
I think the motto of this book could be :
Or maybe that one, that works too :
Right from the start, this book wasn't what I expected it to be. The fated mate epic fail is a very interesting theme that I didn't expect but was very curious about. At first, I didn't like Rosie much but she grew on me.
I really liked that we wouldn't have a grumpy/sunshine trope. It was grumpy meets grumpy. Fate did them dirty and they are not happy about it and not ready to pretend they are. Their loved ones / colleagues try to smooth edges that can't be smoothed. FMC and MMC try to find purpose where they can and carry on even though they are both heartbroken.
Heartbroken but not dead. They still have urges and they pretend that it is only about sex and breeding. Of course it's not.
At some point, I realised the main character of this book is good old Betsy, 93, not sane of mind anymore. She gives the best advice and doesn't spare Vetusian feelings. She lived life unapologetically happy. Her husband was never her fated one but they made it work. They had a life. A family. A legacy. And there is no room for a fated mate in a heart already full with the love they built with her choosen mate over decades.
The second part of the book was... well-written. I did almost shed a tear because I could relate. I do hope one day I can write just as good as that. The sorrow, the violence, the romance, the spice. It worked.
Just because it isn’t fated to work out doesn’t mean it’s fated to fail.
Or maybe that one, that works too :
Fuck fate.
Right from the start, this book wasn't what I expected it to be. The fated mate epic fail is a very interesting theme that I didn't expect but was very curious about. At first, I didn't like Rosie much but she grew on me.
I really liked that we wouldn't have a grumpy/sunshine trope. It was grumpy meets grumpy. Fate did them dirty and they are not happy about it and not ready to pretend they are. Their loved ones / colleagues try to smooth edges that can't be smoothed. FMC and MMC try to find purpose where they can and carry on even though they are both heartbroken.
If that husky voice didn’t have me ovulate right there in that booth, then the looks of this Vetusian sure would.
Heartbroken but not dead. They still have urges and they pretend that it is only about sex and breeding. Of course it's not.
At some point, I realised the main character of this book is good old Betsy, 93, not sane of mind anymore. She gives the best advice and doesn't spare Vetusian feelings. She lived life unapologetically happy. Her husband was never her fated one but they made it work. They had a life. A family. A legacy. And there is no room for a fated mate in a heart already full with the love they built with her choosen mate over decades.
The second part of the book was... well-written. I did almost shed a tear because I could relate. I do hope one day I can write just as good as that. The sorrow, the violence, the romance, the spice. It worked.
May 29, 2020
💘Love to Hate😠 those Vetusians👽
ADULT Alpha Alien Male Romance💕 and Adventure with Conflicting Personalities😠.
Much of 🌎Earth's GDP now revolves around the Vetusian males and their endless quest for mates and family. There is a whole industry dedicated to matching DNA from Vetusian males and human women.
Occasionally the Gaia link makes a huge mistake when matching fated mates. Captain Balgiz🐺🍆⛲💪🔪🔫 is a victim of such a mistake when he is matched to a 93 year old human woman in a nursing home.
He decides on a breeding contract to purchase the services of a human woman to bear him the child he wants. Balgiz🐺🍆⛲💪🔪🔫 is so preoccupied with his job of killing and capturing terrorists and slavers, that he has absolutely no manners or sense of human protocol around Rosie💃💋, the young woman he is paying to mate with.
Rosie💃💋 thinks Balgiz🐺🍆⛲💪🔪🔫is the most handsome and buff Vetusian Warrior🐺💪🔪🔫 she has ever seen, but also the rudest and biggest jerk!
Rosie's matched mate, Thalos🐺💪🔪🔫, was killed in a terrorist attack before they could even meet. She always wonders about what could have been, but never was.
When Balgiz🐺🍆⛲🔫🔪💪 is teased by his fellow warriors about Rosie💃💋, he finally realizes he had been doing EVERYTHING with Rosie💃💋 all wrong. No wonder she hates😠 him!
ARC Provided by Booksprout 🌱
I also got this ebook with KU.
The book has two very strong characters who seem to clash about everything. Can they ever find common ground?
The book is extremely well written, witty, even funny at times, but the constant fighting between Rosie💃💋 and Balgiz 🐺🍆⛲💪🔪🔫 may not appeal to some readers.
ADULT Alpha Alien Male Romance💕 and Adventure with Conflicting Personalities😠.
Much of 🌎Earth's GDP now revolves around the Vetusian males and their endless quest for mates and family. There is a whole industry dedicated to matching DNA from Vetusian males and human women.
Occasionally the Gaia link makes a huge mistake when matching fated mates. Captain Balgiz🐺🍆⛲💪🔪🔫 is a victim of such a mistake when he is matched to a 93 year old human woman in a nursing home.
He decides on a breeding contract to purchase the services of a human woman to bear him the child he wants. Balgiz🐺🍆⛲💪🔪🔫 is so preoccupied with his job of killing and capturing terrorists and slavers, that he has absolutely no manners or sense of human protocol around Rosie💃💋, the young woman he is paying to mate with.
Rosie💃💋 thinks Balgiz🐺🍆⛲💪🔪🔫is the most handsome and buff Vetusian Warrior🐺💪🔪🔫 she has ever seen, but also the rudest and biggest jerk!
Rosie's matched mate, Thalos🐺💪🔪🔫, was killed in a terrorist attack before they could even meet. She always wonders about what could have been, but never was.
When Balgiz🐺🍆⛲🔫🔪💪 is teased by his fellow warriors about Rosie💃💋, he finally realizes he had been doing EVERYTHING with Rosie💃💋 all wrong. No wonder she hates😠 him!
ARC Provided by Booksprout 🌱
I also got this ebook with KU.
The book has two very strong characters who seem to clash about everything. Can they ever find common ground?
The book is extremely well written, witty, even funny at times, but the constant fighting between Rosie💃💋 and Balgiz 🐺🍆⛲💪🔪🔫 may not appeal to some readers.
January 23, 2022
a little heart breaking
I wasn’t excited to read this book in the series. The second one disappointed me and the idea that the MC was fated to a 93 year old didn’t appeal to me. I don’t like skipping books in series so I went ahead and read it. First of all, let me tell you, I liked it more than I ever imagined I would. This story shows the reader who has been following this series that a fated mate isn’t all its cracked up to be. The main characters struggle through this book trying to deny the connection that they unleash while spending “close” time together 😏 for a mutual purpose. The first few chapters of the book were tough for me. Th mmc was a complete jerk and I didn’t like him. He does a quick turnaround when he finally comes to his senses about Rosie. I actually thought it was too quick! The struggles they go through were tough and there are some potential triggers for readers (revolving around the pregnancy) . So
Just a warning if there are any readers that something like that might apply to. Honestly, it was sad even for a jaded person such as myself. These stories do seam to dig a little of your feelings out. I commend the author for that. The only gripe that I have is that it’s a hfn kind of ending. Some readers may disagree. I realize that there are overreaching storylines to this series but I would have liked to seen something different than the ending we readers got. This one had unresolved issues for me. (Don’t want to give any spoilers)
I would definitely recommend it to anyone especially if your on the fence about the story plot. Do yourself a favor and read it!
I wasn’t excited to read this book in the series. The second one disappointed me and the idea that the MC was fated to a 93 year old didn’t appeal to me. I don’t like skipping books in series so I went ahead and read it. First of all, let me tell you, I liked it more than I ever imagined I would. This story shows the reader who has been following this series that a fated mate isn’t all its cracked up to be. The main characters struggle through this book trying to deny the connection that they unleash while spending “close” time together 😏 for a mutual purpose. The first few chapters of the book were tough for me. Th mmc was a complete jerk and I didn’t like him. He does a quick turnaround when he finally comes to his senses about Rosie. I actually thought it was too quick! The struggles they go through were tough and there are some potential triggers for readers (revolving around the pregnancy) . So
Just a warning if there are any readers that something like that might apply to. Honestly, it was sad even for a jaded person such as myself. These stories do seam to dig a little of your feelings out. I commend the author for that. The only gripe that I have is that it’s a hfn kind of ending. Some readers may disagree. I realize that there are overreaching storylines to this series but I would have liked to seen something different than the ending we readers got. This one had unresolved issues for me. (Don’t want to give any spoilers)
I would definitely recommend it to anyone especially if your on the fence about the story plot. Do yourself a favor and read it!
June 17, 2024
This author doesn't shy away from the darker and grittier aspects of an alien invasion, and while I appreciate that so much, I also have to take breaks between her books because they get a little heavy for me. It didn't take me long to get back into the series once I started, though. Balgiz is a dick at first, but there are a lot of cultural misunderstandings and he is dealing with Some Shit (). Rosie is also dealing with Some Shit () and is great.
There is some humor at the beginning, but the book does take a bit of a serious turn, and I found myself wiping away a few tears at some points. I loved Balgiz and Rosie together, and even though I have to mentally prepare myself for the next book in the series (which I have a feeling is going to shred me), I'm looking forward to reading it, too.
The author's beats are ON POINT and are full of so much longing and pining and love and I adored it.
The only thing I'd change is I NEED a happy fluffy epilogue for this couple.
There is some humor at the beginning, but the book does take a bit of a serious turn, and I found myself wiping away a few tears at some points. I loved Balgiz and Rosie together, and even though I have to mentally prepare myself for the next book in the series (which I have a feeling is going to shred me), I'm looking forward to reading it, too.
The author's beats are ON POINT and are full of so much longing and pining and love and I adored it.
The only thing I'd change is I NEED a happy fluffy epilogue for this couple.
January 12, 2024
TW:
Not complaining, but I did not anticipate how dark this series would be. I have not really read dark romance, but I am sure this would be pretty light on that spectrum still but there is a heaviness to it. I came in expecting a slight upturn from the last book where we had murder, attempted rape, drug abuse, and sex trafficking. This one focused on 2 people who cannot be with their fated mate and when they accept that TRAGIC and in the midst of all of that they are attempting to take down a human trafficking ring. Not gonna lie, I expected and wanted a little more politics, especially because this did cameo Torin. I was hoping there would be more resolution to some of the topics presented by working with him and/or Eden. It felt a little unfinished, like I was happy for Rosie and Balgiz but unhappy with everything else at the end.
Overall, I thought it was well-written and I am still enjoying the series.
Not complaining, but I did not anticipate how dark this series would be. I have not really read dark romance, but I am sure this would be pretty light on that spectrum still but there is a heaviness to it. I came in expecting a slight upturn from the last book where we had murder, attempted rape, drug abuse, and sex trafficking. This one focused on 2 people who cannot be with their fated mate and when they accept that TRAGIC and in the midst of all of that they are attempting to take down a human trafficking ring. Not gonna lie, I expected and wanted a little more politics, especially because this did cameo Torin. I was hoping there would be more resolution to some of the topics presented by working with him and/or Eden. It felt a little unfinished, like I was happy for Rosie and Balgiz but unhappy with everything else at the end.
Overall, I thought it was well-written and I am still enjoying the series.
February 3, 2026
So, this book made me uncomfortable in a bad way. I'm surprised not many people have brought it up beyond that one person who reviewed it as "brutal and colonial". Because it is, and it supports it, too. We're not SUPPOSED to think the Vetusians are the bad guys, not really. Even the "good guys" (the anti-traffickers) are still participating in what practically functions as sex trafficking. Hey guys, but being paid large amounts of money to have contracted sex with someone you functionally hate is sex trafficking, especially in a scenario where the Vetusians have jettisoned people into poverty, curfews, and whatever else. Y'all are free to look past all this and just enjoy the big dicks, even if I found it cringe as hell that every Vetusian is hung and ripped. It's a fantasy, whatever. You know what you're signing up for and all that.
But dear god, the way sex trafficking is shown in this novel just rubs me the wrong way. It's all "women kidnapped off the streets" and then ignores realistic displays of sex trafficking, like idk, being poor and using your body to survive under a colonial regime. Be for real. I love books with these themes, but not when they're portrayed as a flippant way to get the main characters together. Not to mention that WE'RE SUPPOSED TO VIEW THE CURFEW ENFORCING COLONIAL SPACE COPS AS THE GOOD GUYS.
But dear god, the way sex trafficking is shown in this novel just rubs me the wrong way. It's all "women kidnapped off the streets" and then ignores realistic displays of sex trafficking, like idk, being poor and using your body to survive under a colonial regime. Be for real. I love books with these themes, but not when they're portrayed as a flippant way to get the main characters together. Not to mention that WE'RE SUPPOSED TO VIEW THE CURFEW ENFORCING COLONIAL SPACE COPS AS THE GOOD GUYS.
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