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Arcav Alien Invasion #1
The Arcav King's Mate
Give up my life as a cop to rule over aliens? No way.
My life changed forever when my name was announced as mate to the Arcav King. Within just a few seconds, I was no longer a cop. Now, I'm expected to hand myself in and travel back to Arcavia with an alien I've never met.
I don't think so.
Instead, I'm working with the resistance, fleeing with the help of other humans and fighting for my autonomy.
If there's one thing I know, it's this: I'll never give up my freedom for a seven-foot, horned alien. Even if his heated looks make my toes curl... and his low voice gives me goosebumps.
The Arcav King says his sanity is on the line. And he can't understand how I can overlook the pleasure that awaits in my arms. Too bad, buddy. That doesn't justify stealing my freedom forever.
Unfortunately, another species of aliens have become interested in Earth and its human inhabitants. Now, the Arcav may be the only ones who can keep my planet in one piece.
Can I stay on the run forever? Or will Varian convince me to take my place... at his side?
The Arcav King's Mate is a full-length novel with zero instalove and no cliffhanger. Harlow is independent, feisty, and fighting for ownership of her life.
★Author's note: This was previously published as two books: The Arcav King's Mate and the Arcav King's Obsession. Both books have now been combined into this edition.★
If you like hot aliens, kick-ass heroines, and steamy romance, you'll love The Arcav King's Mate, the first book in Hope Hart's sci-fi romance series.
Read it now.
My life changed forever when my name was announced as mate to the Arcav King. Within just a few seconds, I was no longer a cop. Now, I'm expected to hand myself in and travel back to Arcavia with an alien I've never met.
I don't think so.
Instead, I'm working with the resistance, fleeing with the help of other humans and fighting for my autonomy.
If there's one thing I know, it's this: I'll never give up my freedom for a seven-foot, horned alien. Even if his heated looks make my toes curl... and his low voice gives me goosebumps.
The Arcav King says his sanity is on the line. And he can't understand how I can overlook the pleasure that awaits in my arms. Too bad, buddy. That doesn't justify stealing my freedom forever.
Unfortunately, another species of aliens have become interested in Earth and its human inhabitants. Now, the Arcav may be the only ones who can keep my planet in one piece.
Can I stay on the run forever? Or will Varian convince me to take my place... at his side?
The Arcav King's Mate is a full-length novel with zero instalove and no cliffhanger. Harlow is independent, feisty, and fighting for ownership of her life.
★Author's note: This was previously published as two books: The Arcav King's Mate and the Arcav King's Obsession. Both books have now been combined into this edition.★
If you like hot aliens, kick-ass heroines, and steamy romance, you'll love The Arcav King's Mate, the first book in Hope Hart's sci-fi romance series.
Read it now.
396 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2019
864 people are currently reading
678 people want to read
About the author
Hope Hart
33 books474 followersHope Hart has always told stories, and eventually, the characters in her head wouldn't leave her alone until she wrote them down.
She loves strong, kickass heroines and hot, brooding alpha males. Hope believes that everyone deserves a happy ending, although the best happy endings are fought for.
She loves strong, kickass heroines and hot, brooding alpha males. Hope believes that everyone deserves a happy ending, although the best happy endings are fought for.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
June 19, 2020
This was really enjoyable it’s the first book I’ve read by this author a sci-fi romance which is essentially quite slow-burn.
I believe this was Initially split into two books but has since been combined which probably works much better.
The Arcav an alien race of practically immortal seven-foot Adonis’s with horns and claws have come to earth to claim mates due to woman no longer being born on their planet.
Harlow a police officer finds herself matched as the Arcav king's mate and given five hours to present herself instead she takes flight with the help of the human resistance leading her new mate on quite the merry chase.
Varian originally does come across as a bit arrogant and self-entitled believing that Harlow should be thankful to have him as a mate even knowing nothing of him or his inner character.
It soon becomes apparent from his side of the bond that it is so much more than that.
Essentially she is someone he has been waiting for all his life and he can’t comprehend that she wouldn’t feel the same way he does both blessed and honoured by there connection.
He actually feels quite hurt and dismayed that she would go to such lengths to escape him.
Delving deeper into what made Varian tick I found I actually liked him a lot his overall protectiveness even when Harlow pushed him to his absolute limits was incredibly heartwarming.
I could also feel his dismay at not being able to ease her into her new life and role.
It was apparent it bothered Varian but there was just so much more at stake here than what was showing on the surface.
Also, the reality of his new mate is so much more intense than what he was initially prepared for blindsiding him slightly.
Harlow well I could see initially why she ran.
She was scared and it was a knee jerk reaction but as she wasn’t going to be able to outrun her fate forever I just wanted her to give Varian a chance.
He was just so earnest and caring and I felt that it was time to pull up her big girl panties and deal as it could have been a hell of a lot worse and he was really quite the catch.
At times she almost came across as totally ungrateful and narrow-minded in the face of Varian’s patience and regard.
I did love that Harlow was able to eventually pull herself together her tenacity and self-sufficiency was actually a great asset.
Despite her initial resistance she was born to be a leader and Varian couldn’t have been matched with a better mate even if he refuses to recognise her talents in this regard and instead chooses to try to cosset her and wrap her in cotton wool which instead has the opposite effect and only pushed her further away.
When Harlow is pushed her natural tendencies unfortunately seem to be to run away and shut down.
These two were such incredibly complex individuals especially Harlow and I was rooting for them whole-heartedly just wanting them to get on the same page.
So this was action-packed throughout and a real page-turner.
It did sometimes get a little tiresome with the constant angst and push and pull throughout and I was definitely more than ready when Harlow finally admitted the truth in regards to her feelings.
Harlow is one of those characters that you understand and can see why she is behaving so.
But at the same time, you want to sit her down and have a long talk with her about her car crash and self-destructive behaviour.
I am most certainly on board for reading the next book in this series.
This one gets a thumbs up from my camp.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of The Arcav King’s mate.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
September 16, 2020
It isn’t that the book is bad, it just isn’t for me. I can’t get my head around how it played out. I still greatly dislike Varian and I’m not sure it could ever be fixed. The weird thing is I read the spin-off with the Braxians and I liked them so I thought this would be more of the same, but it really wasn’t.
Actually, it was the fact that Varian never really redeemed himself for taking her. Never really apologized and recognized that he did something awful. I get the whys, but the how could really use some work. And bringing her traitorous brother and ornery cat does not make up for completely negating her free will. Instead of courting her before this ginormous mess and endearing himself to her beforehand, he tried to make up for it later. He asked for forgiveness instead of permission, and in this story, it rubbed me all kinds of wrong.
Actually, it was the fact that Varian never really redeemed himself for taking her. Never really apologized and recognized that he did something awful. I get the whys, but the how could really use some work. And bringing her traitorous brother and ornery cat does not make up for completely negating her free will. Instead of courting her before this ginormous mess and endearing himself to her beforehand, he tried to make up for it later. He asked for forgiveness instead of permission, and in this story, it rubbed me all kinds of wrong.
July 24, 2021
I could not finish this book I only made it about 50% through. The premise was a great refreshing change at first and the beginning was a really interesting take on how a human would actually respond in this situation but the instant the heroine actually physically meets the “hero” the book dives quickly.
It feels as if the author believes that if a female orgasms during rape then it makes it a love scene. It was extremely jarring and hard to read. The male in the story was an awful person who has no redeeming qualities.
I finally got so sick of the author trying to make the heroine feel like trash for not being happy she was kidnapped and repeatedly raped that I had to put it down.
It feels as if the author believes that if a female orgasms during rape then it makes it a love scene. It was extremely jarring and hard to read. The male in the story was an awful person who has no redeeming qualities.
I finally got so sick of the author trying to make the heroine feel like trash for not being happy she was kidnapped and repeatedly raped that I had to put it down.
May 11, 2022
Misleading book blurb
This book is not a romance as advertised, it’s a wish-fulfillment rape fantasy with elements of amateur BDSM. I loathe the whole rape fantasy trope.
Likes:
The author does manage to support a somewhat in-depth conversational theme between the main hero and heroine about grief, misogyny, and self-agency.
The Hero does make progress away from being a kidnapping, rapist, emotionally abusive, gaslighting pervert.
I do not consider the couple to have successfully achieved an HEA for many reasons.
Dislikes:
When Oprah was a child she was molested by a family member and said that he confused her because he made her feel really good. The human body responds to intimate stimulation because nerves respond predictably, which is why an abuser can take advantage of a victim in that way and it’s still a crime because it’s sexual abuse or rape. Sexual arousal does not bypass consent. However, the Hero of this book gaslights the heroine into believing that her sexual arousal means that she has consented to have sex with him despite her explicitly stated refusal. Then he forces himself on her because her body said yes even if her mind did not. This is gaslighting and rape. It get worse, because the hero’s brother encoded a genetic roofie in human DNA that spontaneously overwhelms people with sexual arousal when they are near a biologically compatible alien. The hero uses this quirk to rape her repeatedly into exhaustion and submission when she makes decisions that are inconvenient for him. This means that the hero is a rapist and an emotionally abusive bully throughout the entire book, despite minor changes.
The heroine’s Brother is addicted to drugs. Opioids mimic relational rewards in the pleasure center of the brain, which is why developing a new relationship feels incredible. Once the relationship matures, then The process changes and instead of feeling pleasure when you’re around the person you feel pain when you’re not around them. This is why it is so hard for drug addict to stop taking drugs, because it’s painful. This is also why grieving the loss of relationships takes such a long time and the pain of a significant loss levels out only after about 5 years and never truly goes away. The book is correct that the grieving process cycles. Having the hero insert himself into the heroines grieving process repeatedly to make her abbreviate it while taking away the last bit of her bodily autonomy forcing her to eat, wash, or dress on his schedule is unhelpful and abusive.
Setting her up with a therapist who is not professional enough to acknowledge that Harlow has no real option to say no due to the genetic roofie and that means the hero’s constant demands to rape her and demand her physical or emotional submission after coerced arousal sex is cruel. It isn’t romantic, it’s creepy.
The hero never says I love you throughout the book but he tries to buy her affection with gifts and tries to coerce her affection through intimidation about pretending he’s acting in a loving way when he purchased as a gift for her that she has said she does not want. He is just showing her yet another way he’s financially and psychologically in charge and she has no choices because he can invade her emotions and decide what priority she should place on her own interest level in a product. The author pretends that him having thoughts about being physically affectionate and chemically bonding to the heroine is a substitute for acting in a loving manner or verbally acknowledging that he’s in love. It’s not a romance.
The hero must keep his sanity and ability to control himself so he kidnaps her and rapes her in order to keep his self-control. Then he denies her the right to have her own self-control, agency, or bodily autonomy.
He never admits that he’s a raging hypocrite.
About three seconds before the hero violently engages in elements of BDSM, the heroine tosses off a blithe thought about wanting to explore BDSM with former partners that she trusted. The current couple have no conversation about it. The hero is not trained and massively overpowers her. He has no idea to be careful with her joints or watch her breathing. He does not discuss her boundaries with her before this incident or ever. That’s not spicy, that’s dangerous. He’s entirely likely to kill her or seriously damage her by accident.
The heroine eventually accepts the gaslighting & victim blames herself because the hero after he forced her through hundreds of intimate encounters that form chemical bonds meaning that she “feels” close to him despite the ongoing abuse & emotional manipulation. It’s more important to her to “feel” like she’s happy about the relationship & her future than to face the truth & build the relationship on a solid foundation. She needs to acknowledge reality & make him admit that gaslighting, raping, kidnapping, and emotional abuse is not OK. The failure to have that conversation successfully is what lost this book the majority of it’s stars.
This book is not a romance as advertised, it’s a wish-fulfillment rape fantasy with elements of amateur BDSM. I loathe the whole rape fantasy trope.
Likes:
The author does manage to support a somewhat in-depth conversational theme between the main hero and heroine about grief, misogyny, and self-agency.
The Hero does make progress away from being a kidnapping, rapist, emotionally abusive, gaslighting pervert.
I do not consider the couple to have successfully achieved an HEA for many reasons.
Dislikes:
When Oprah was a child she was molested by a family member and said that he confused her because he made her feel really good. The human body responds to intimate stimulation because nerves respond predictably, which is why an abuser can take advantage of a victim in that way and it’s still a crime because it’s sexual abuse or rape. Sexual arousal does not bypass consent. However, the Hero of this book gaslights the heroine into believing that her sexual arousal means that she has consented to have sex with him despite her explicitly stated refusal. Then he forces himself on her because her body said yes even if her mind did not. This is gaslighting and rape. It get worse, because the hero’s brother encoded a genetic roofie in human DNA that spontaneously overwhelms people with sexual arousal when they are near a biologically compatible alien. The hero uses this quirk to rape her repeatedly into exhaustion and submission when she makes decisions that are inconvenient for him. This means that the hero is a rapist and an emotionally abusive bully throughout the entire book, despite minor changes.
The heroine’s Brother is addicted to drugs. Opioids mimic relational rewards in the pleasure center of the brain, which is why developing a new relationship feels incredible. Once the relationship matures, then The process changes and instead of feeling pleasure when you’re around the person you feel pain when you’re not around them. This is why it is so hard for drug addict to stop taking drugs, because it’s painful. This is also why grieving the loss of relationships takes such a long time and the pain of a significant loss levels out only after about 5 years and never truly goes away. The book is correct that the grieving process cycles. Having the hero insert himself into the heroines grieving process repeatedly to make her abbreviate it while taking away the last bit of her bodily autonomy forcing her to eat, wash, or dress on his schedule is unhelpful and abusive.
Setting her up with a therapist who is not professional enough to acknowledge that Harlow has no real option to say no due to the genetic roofie and that means the hero’s constant demands to rape her and demand her physical or emotional submission after coerced arousal sex is cruel. It isn’t romantic, it’s creepy.
The hero never says I love you throughout the book but he tries to buy her affection with gifts and tries to coerce her affection through intimidation about pretending he’s acting in a loving way when he purchased as a gift for her that she has said she does not want. He is just showing her yet another way he’s financially and psychologically in charge and she has no choices because he can invade her emotions and decide what priority she should place on her own interest level in a product. The author pretends that him having thoughts about being physically affectionate and chemically bonding to the heroine is a substitute for acting in a loving manner or verbally acknowledging that he’s in love. It’s not a romance.
The hero must keep his sanity and ability to control himself so he kidnaps her and rapes her in order to keep his self-control. Then he denies her the right to have her own self-control, agency, or bodily autonomy.
He never admits that he’s a raging hypocrite.
About three seconds before the hero violently engages in elements of BDSM, the heroine tosses off a blithe thought about wanting to explore BDSM with former partners that she trusted. The current couple have no conversation about it. The hero is not trained and massively overpowers her. He has no idea to be careful with her joints or watch her breathing. He does not discuss her boundaries with her before this incident or ever. That’s not spicy, that’s dangerous. He’s entirely likely to kill her or seriously damage her by accident.
The heroine eventually accepts the gaslighting & victim blames herself because the hero after he forced her through hundreds of intimate encounters that form chemical bonds meaning that she “feels” close to him despite the ongoing abuse & emotional manipulation. It’s more important to her to “feel” like she’s happy about the relationship & her future than to face the truth & build the relationship on a solid foundation. She needs to acknowledge reality & make him admit that gaslighting, raping, kidnapping, and emotional abuse is not OK. The failure to have that conversation successfully is what lost this book the majority of it’s stars.
July 12, 2021
Hated. The king is an ass.
The moment I stopped reading this book was when he forced her to take a bath with him. Then grabs her and forces her to sit on his lap. This story is just full of nonconsensual moments. My favorite part was when Harlow drugged him and got away even if for a few hours.
I wont be finishing this book.
He just keeps telling her you are my mate and you will leave with me. How about sitting and explaining the dangers that are coming to her planet and maybe she wi understand.
The moment I stopped reading this book was when he forced her to take a bath with him. Then grabs her and forces her to sit on his lap. This story is just full of nonconsensual moments. My favorite part was when Harlow drugged him and got away even if for a few hours.
I wont be finishing this book.
He just keeps telling her you are my mate and you will leave with me. How about sitting and explaining the dangers that are coming to her planet and maybe she wi understand.
August 14, 2023
The beginning of this book was so good and then the author chips away at the incredible plot she set up.
This book is a paternalistic, infantalizing, gaslighting, manipulative, emotionally abusive, victim blaming instructional manual with consent violations but it’s fine because their blood matches them as mates.
Let me be clear: the FMC does not have the option of saying no as the MMC holds all the cards. And the author uses the mate bond to force compliance from the FMC to bypass consent. Consent thru manipulation and coercion is not consent.
The FMC’s arousal is a side effect of the mate bond but her mind still does not want this. At best, this is dubious consent territory and needs a content warning.
The MMCs brother is responsible for introducing DNA to humans centuries before to force humans to become receptive to their species over time. The FMC castigates the brother for essentially roofie-ing the entirety of female humankind but nothing comes of it save for him looking sheepish and muttering a pitiless “sorry”. And therein is the reaction that happens repeatedly throughout the narrative: FMC addresses bad behavior and little to no responsibility or accountability is taken on the part of the MMC or his minions. It’s a subtle way for the author to justify the FMC’s loss of autonomy. She is angry but ‘oh well nothing can be done about it so find a way to accept it so the MMC can be happy’.
Even the human “therapist”, and I use that word lightly, pulls the same manipulation. The FMC is not allowed to grieve the loss of her autonomy or the loss of earth. The MMC requires her to do the emotional equivalent of men telling women to “smile” because he’s uncomfortable that she’s sad—something that is HIS fault. He dictates when she eats, sleeps, her schedule, her required visits to the human therapist to “fix her”. Mind you, she asks him when he sees a therapist and he responds with “I don’t need to”. So the FMC requires fixing because she’s sad she lost her existence but the emotionally abusive, controlling MMC who doesn’t understand consent doesn’t need therapy. Mmm-kay.
The MMC implies humans inferiority at every opportunity and belittles the FMC for the life she had before. He thinks she should thank him for her new title and life. He is forever perplexed that his mate is angry/sad/doesn’t want him which is a tactic to endear him to the reader thus alleviating his bad behavior.
The only reason I finished this book is because I was hoping the author would redeem the MMC in some way. She never does. Instead she favors putting the blame for the state of their relationship solely on the FMC’s shoulders and it’s up to her to save it because she finally “realizes” she “loves” him. Mmm-kay.
Female authors making women responsible for the bad behavior of men is a tactic of patriarchy and is misogyny that has been internalized.
This book is a paternalistic, infantalizing, gaslighting, manipulative, emotionally abusive, victim blaming instructional manual with consent violations but it’s fine because their blood matches them as mates.
Let me be clear: the FMC does not have the option of saying no as the MMC holds all the cards. And the author uses the mate bond to force compliance from the FMC to bypass consent. Consent thru manipulation and coercion is not consent.
The FMC’s arousal is a side effect of the mate bond but her mind still does not want this. At best, this is dubious consent territory and needs a content warning.
The MMCs brother is responsible for introducing DNA to humans centuries before to force humans to become receptive to their species over time. The FMC castigates the brother for essentially roofie-ing the entirety of female humankind but nothing comes of it save for him looking sheepish and muttering a pitiless “sorry”. And therein is the reaction that happens repeatedly throughout the narrative: FMC addresses bad behavior and little to no responsibility or accountability is taken on the part of the MMC or his minions. It’s a subtle way for the author to justify the FMC’s loss of autonomy. She is angry but ‘oh well nothing can be done about it so find a way to accept it so the MMC can be happy’.
Even the human “therapist”, and I use that word lightly, pulls the same manipulation. The FMC is not allowed to grieve the loss of her autonomy or the loss of earth. The MMC requires her to do the emotional equivalent of men telling women to “smile” because he’s uncomfortable that she’s sad—something that is HIS fault. He dictates when she eats, sleeps, her schedule, her required visits to the human therapist to “fix her”. Mind you, she asks him when he sees a therapist and he responds with “I don’t need to”. So the FMC requires fixing because she’s sad she lost her existence but the emotionally abusive, controlling MMC who doesn’t understand consent doesn’t need therapy. Mmm-kay.
The MMC implies humans inferiority at every opportunity and belittles the FMC for the life she had before. He thinks she should thank him for her new title and life. He is forever perplexed that his mate is angry/sad/doesn’t want him which is a tactic to endear him to the reader thus alleviating his bad behavior.
The only reason I finished this book is because I was hoping the author would redeem the MMC in some way. She never does. Instead she favors putting the blame for the state of their relationship solely on the FMC’s shoulders and it’s up to her to save it because she finally “realizes” she “loves” him. Mmm-kay.
Female authors making women responsible for the bad behavior of men is a tactic of patriarchy and is misogyny that has been internalized.
June 11, 2023
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a very good series from Hope Hart. It is well written, plenty of action and adventure, and a sassy heroine who gives her King a run for his money.
This is a very good series from Hope Hart. It is well written, plenty of action and adventure, and a sassy heroine who gives her King a run for his money.
June 16, 2020
I was poking around Booksprout seeing if anything interesting came up and saw this book. The blurb was pretty good, so I grabbed it. Wow!!! So, glad I did. No alien insta-love here just a great alien invasion story. The invasion is because the aliens need mates and their female population is at zero growth. At first we see that the aliens are just hard a$$e$ taking any female that has been matched - it doesn't matter if she is married, has a boyfriend, or has kids (she has 5 hours to surrender herself to the Arcav). As Harlow has her life planned out and loves her life, she resists and becomes a runner with the help of HAA (humans against Arcav).
Both of the main characters are very well written and given depth. Even the secondary characters are written with such care and fully fleshed that the whole story ran like a movie in my head. I don't want to give away the story but I will say that it is not an easy road that Harlow and Varian travel and Harlow struggles with her role constantly. A rich and detailed story that drew me in and before I even finished it I had downloaded book #2 (Jeret's story - which is just as good - I read it before writing this review). I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
Both of the main characters are very well written and given depth. Even the secondary characters are written with such care and fully fleshed that the whole story ran like a movie in my head. I don't want to give away the story but I will say that it is not an easy road that Harlow and Varian travel and Harlow struggles with her role constantly. A rich and detailed story that drew me in and before I even finished it I had downloaded book #2 (Jeret's story - which is just as good - I read it before writing this review). I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
October 17, 2022
This read was so much more than an Alien story. The lottery and the chase was pretty intense. The story touched on so many emotions that I kept forgetting I was reading an Alien story. I found myself clinging to every word. I’d back up to re-read and re-listen over and over again.
When I figured the Stockholm Syndrome would be taking over it made me angry. I knew there would be a happily ever after and that made me angry. And, Varian I hated him and loved him and that made me even angrier. By the end I was also a victim because I fell in love with the big horned anti-hero too.
(Am I the only Alien Abduction fan that wishes these authors would STOP putting Horns on the Big Hunky Aliens?)
I’ve enjoyed Alien Abduction books before, but mostly because they made me laugh. This love story gave me all kinds of emotional feels. I wasn’t expecting that from a Syfy Alien story.
So, there were no grins or giggles for me with this Alien Tale just intense reactions to the events. But, I loved every word of it.
Excellent Writing – Excellent Story – Excellent Read
When I figured the Stockholm Syndrome would be taking over it made me angry. I knew there would be a happily ever after and that made me angry. And, Varian I hated him and loved him and that made me even angrier. By the end I was also a victim because I fell in love with the big horned anti-hero too.
(Am I the only Alien Abduction fan that wishes these authors would STOP putting Horns on the Big Hunky Aliens?)
I’ve enjoyed Alien Abduction books before, but mostly because they made me laugh. This love story gave me all kinds of emotional feels. I wasn’t expecting that from a Syfy Alien story.
So, there were no grins or giggles for me with this Alien Tale just intense reactions to the events. But, I loved every word of it.
Excellent Writing – Excellent Story – Excellent Read
June 22, 2020
LOVED this book! Not because it's an ARC but because I haven't read a good alien book like this since Ruby Dixon. Seriously, this author is new to me, but will keep an eye on her. Alpha male, check. Kick ass heroine, check. So good!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 20, 2020
The beginning was personally very interesting and engaging. Harlow (the female MC) was a strong heroine whilst trying to run away from being caught.
However, as soon as she is actually caught, she capitulated a tad too fast for my comfort...
However, as soon as she is actually caught, she capitulated a tad too fast for my comfort...
February 3, 2022
"Hello mate." Oh man, that part was just, phew!! *dramatically fans self* this is definitely one of my favorite alien books! Zero insta-love, Varian is just woo! Hot. And Harlow is badass
July 27, 2023
4⭐️ This is a solid alien romance (interconnected) standalone!
If you enjoy and are familiar with this niche subgenre, this is a good one—if you aren’t, please jog on 😂
A staple of this subgenre is the dub con adjacent plot of mates and mating (i.e. strong biological urges 👀) and the miscommunications/misalignment of expectations when mating bonds happen between two entirely different aliens. So if you pick up one of these books, you should expect that vibe. Having said that, I think the author manages to insert a strong FMC into this familiar story and explores consent, human rights and moral ambiguity in interesting ways. I can feel the (progressive) ethics of the author underpinning this as the FMC wrestles with her choices and responses, so I personally found it really enjoyable—it walks the line so intentionally and made me really trust how the author handles these easily and often mishandled plots.
The spice was spicing, exactly what I was looking for 😂 Read via audio, and I’ll be happily continuing with the series as an enjoyable alien smut adventure palette cleanser between my usual high fantasy romance reads!
If you enjoy and are familiar with this niche subgenre, this is a good one—if you aren’t, please jog on 😂
A staple of this subgenre is the dub con adjacent plot of mates and mating (i.e. strong biological urges 👀) and the miscommunications/misalignment of expectations when mating bonds happen between two entirely different aliens. So if you pick up one of these books, you should expect that vibe. Having said that, I think the author manages to insert a strong FMC into this familiar story and explores consent, human rights and moral ambiguity in interesting ways. I can feel the (progressive) ethics of the author underpinning this as the FMC wrestles with her choices and responses, so I personally found it really enjoyable—it walks the line so intentionally and made me really trust how the author handles these easily and often mishandled plots.
The spice was spicing, exactly what I was looking for 😂 Read via audio, and I’ll be happily continuing with the series as an enjoyable alien smut adventure palette cleanser between my usual high fantasy romance reads!
November 7, 2020
I’m giving this book a 1 star rating because I’m sick to death of reading books where I hate the main female character. OMG I was just hoping so bad that Harlow would have done us all a favor and shot herself when she threatened to do it earlier in the book. This book was so frickin’ painful to get through. Why is it so hard for authors to create female leads?
I completely understood Harlow’s feelings in the beginning and even why she ran. Did it suck? Sure. But at some point you have to get over it and play the hand you’re dealt. As for Varian, I don’t know why he stuck it out and kept trying with Harlow. After a while I didn’t give a shit about that raging bitch, I was hoping he would keep her chained up in a dungeon somewhere so he’d keep his sanity and go on to live his best life with someone else.
The odd thing is, I know this author is capable of creating strong female characters, who can be flawed and emotional but remain likeable. I came across her “Warriors of Agron” series and read that first, even though it is a sequel of sorts to this series. I loved every one of the female characters in those books. All of them had it much, much worse than Harlow, yet they were still sympathetic and likeable. They were women that I would want to be friends with. Harlow is one of those women that give women a bad name. She was bitchy, argumentative, manipulative . . . All the worst characteristics of a human being. The women in the Agron series were KIDNAPPED from earth by the Grivath, sold at a slave auction, treated like cattle, physically abused, crash landed on a primitive planet but they managed to keep moving forward. They lost just as much as Harlow, but in a much more degrading way. Harlow was a feted queen with an adoring mate who tried everything to make her happy, given the circumstances, yet she was nothing more than a whiny, self absorbed bitch. Sorry, not sorry that I absolutely hated her. And it ruined the book for me.
I’ll give the next book in this series a try because as I said earlier, this author is capable of better. So we’ll see what happens. As for this story? I’d recommend that you just skim through it to understand the overarching storyline that will be threaded in the rest of the books in this series.
I completely understood Harlow’s feelings in the beginning and even why she ran. Did it suck? Sure. But at some point you have to get over it and play the hand you’re dealt. As for Varian, I don’t know why he stuck it out and kept trying with Harlow. After a while I didn’t give a shit about that raging bitch, I was hoping he would keep her chained up in a dungeon somewhere so he’d keep his sanity and go on to live his best life with someone else.
The odd thing is, I know this author is capable of creating strong female characters, who can be flawed and emotional but remain likeable. I came across her “Warriors of Agron” series and read that first, even though it is a sequel of sorts to this series. I loved every one of the female characters in those books. All of them had it much, much worse than Harlow, yet they were still sympathetic and likeable. They were women that I would want to be friends with. Harlow is one of those women that give women a bad name. She was bitchy, argumentative, manipulative . . . All the worst characteristics of a human being. The women in the Agron series were KIDNAPPED from earth by the Grivath, sold at a slave auction, treated like cattle, physically abused, crash landed on a primitive planet but they managed to keep moving forward. They lost just as much as Harlow, but in a much more degrading way. Harlow was a feted queen with an adoring mate who tried everything to make her happy, given the circumstances, yet she was nothing more than a whiny, self absorbed bitch. Sorry, not sorry that I absolutely hated her. And it ruined the book for me.
I’ll give the next book in this series a try because as I said earlier, this author is capable of better. So we’ll see what happens. As for this story? I’d recommend that you just skim through it to understand the overarching storyline that will be threaded in the rest of the books in this series.
June 20, 2020
I received this book as part of an ARC review. I liked Harlow and her determination to make her own decisions. Harlow runs with help but Varian does manage to catch her and take her to Arcav. On the way they start to get to know each other and start to care for each other. The ship is attacked and Harlow saves herself when the alien attackers get the upper hand. Varian learns to compromise with Harlow. Harlow manages to help his brother, Korva, and show Varian how to help others who lost their mates. Another attempt by the traitor to kill King Varian almost splits up Varian and Harlow until Harlow receives a kick in the pants from her therapist. Harlow plans to get Varian to listen to her with the help of Korva, Mathi and Meghan. Varian is forced to listen and then they work thing out with finally admitting they love each other. I look forward to more in this series.
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June 19, 2020This is the 1st book that I have read written by Hope Hart but it certainly won't be the last. I can't wait for more in this series! Ms. Hart takes the time to develop the characters as well as the story line to keep you interested till the end. You can almost feel what the characters are going through. Harlow and Varian's story is one of adapting to the circumstances that you are in as well as learning to accept them. In the process you might just find love. This book has everything the you could want in a book; action, adventure, comedy, drama and of course hot romance. You don't want to miss this one!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 21, 2020
If you like alien romances, you are going to love this book. Harlow a cop on earth is chosen as a mate for Varian, the Arcav king. She does not go quietly and is this awesome feisty, crafty, smart, amazingly strong woman that takes no nonsense from anyone including the king. Varian being her mate tries to protect her and keep her in a bubble, but Harlow does not want that nor will she do as she is told. She resorts to making deals with the king to protect and save other humans And get her own way while he gets her to behave, do what he needs and wants. The characters are well developed and thought out and I am excited to read the rest of the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 19, 2020
Started out great and then...
Harlow on the run trying to outsmart the world was great, and then she’s caught and what happened to the story. I love how she escapes him, showing practical intelligence, but then... it’s not like she’s switched tactics or gets smarter and decides to play along to help the human race and end ups in love. It’s like she goes from hating him to sleeping with him with no character growth. The subplots are great. I want to know all about everything else but the main characters. Varían did nothing for me. I had no empathy for him. He’s cold and clueless and not a very good ruler.
Harlow on the run trying to outsmart the world was great, and then she’s caught and what happened to the story. I love how she escapes him, showing practical intelligence, but then... it’s not like she’s switched tactics or gets smarter and decides to play along to help the human race and end ups in love. It’s like she goes from hating him to sleeping with him with no character growth. The subplots are great. I want to know all about everything else but the main characters. Varían did nothing for me. I had no empathy for him. He’s cold and clueless and not a very good ruler.
July 2, 2020
Very very good
I had this book a few weeks before I read it. I kept putting it off because I was unsure about the author, who's new to me, and I just for some reason thought it would just be okay and not good. I almost turned it back in several times. I'm so glad I didn't. It was such a good book. I loved the characters. The dialogue was so natural. The secondary characters weren't overpowering, but they they were utilized more and better than in most books I've read. I'm excited to read the next in the series.
I had this book a few weeks before I read it. I kept putting it off because I was unsure about the author, who's new to me, and I just for some reason thought it would just be okay and not good. I almost turned it back in several times. I'm so glad I didn't. It was such a good book. I loved the characters. The dialogue was so natural. The secondary characters weren't overpowering, but they they were utilized more and better than in most books I've read. I'm excited to read the next in the series.
July 28, 2020
Leaving aside the fact that this is a fiction read would you be okay with leaving your life behind? I don't think so.
Harlow and Varian were flawed characters who I wanted to bop upside the head, but their interactions soften them up to each other, by no means is an easy ride but they get a happy ending.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout - Hidden Arcs and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Harlow and Varian were flawed characters who I wanted to bop upside the head, but their interactions soften them up to each other, by no means is an easy ride but they get a happy ending.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout - Hidden Arcs and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 28, 2020
As a feminist some of the story points frustrated and angered me
However the authors writing ability made me want to see where the story would go
I was expecting a bit more of fight a bit more “telling off” at certain points and the ending left me with a bad taste
The book is still a good read but be warned it won’t be as fulfilling as a woman who knows their history
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
However the authors writing ability made me want to see where the story would go
I was expecting a bit more of fight a bit more “telling off” at certain points and the ending left me with a bad taste
The book is still a good read but be warned it won’t be as fulfilling as a woman who knows their history
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 23, 2022
This one was interesting, I liked the concept of why the Arcav came to Earth, but I also like why Harlow fought so hard. Both points of view were valid, they just needed to listen to each other. Varian did good with listening to what Harlow had to say and compromised with her. That's not to say that they didn't have issues, there were so many, but they seemed to work through them, even if Harlow went to extremes, especially at the end. I look forward to see where this series goes next.
May 9, 2021
It was decent. Felt too long.I like a long book but this didn’t seem to need it. Instead, the book is prolonged just to have endless filler that doesn’t propel the story forward. I like more meaningful progression. The love story is average. The steam is lacking and so is the chemistry. But I do appreciate that the heroine wasn’t a knit wit. Don’t think I’ll read more of this series.
June 9, 2020
This book is a promise of a great series. I actually started this series with the Arcav Commander's Human, and I can definitely say the series delivers.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 16, 2023
After already having read the alien Warrior series, I feel like this series could be similar but potentially a bit more interesting, due to multiple places of action.I liked Harlow and Varian as characters and enjoyed their relationship quite a lot. Can't wait to read the next part.
September 13, 2020
Overbearing hero(
January 20, 2026
1/5 ⭐️
DNF’d at 53%
Just because the heroine orgasmed during sex does NOT mean it can’t be considered rape.
This happened REPEATEDLY, and there were more instances of non-consensual acts that made me thoroughly disgusted.
The ‘hero’ has absolutely NO regard for her consent, and the inner thoughts of him wanting to ‘cherish her’ compared to his actions was EXTREMELY off-putting and jarring.
I got really angry at the author’s supposed ‘justification’ to make her heroine feel ashamed for having her privacy violated, being kidnapped/detained, and eventually raped.
These aliens are NOT caring, sexy, or protective.
They are abusers and rapists.
And on that note, I will NEVER recommend this book, this series, or this author to anyone.
DNF’d at 53%
Just because the heroine orgasmed during sex does NOT mean it can’t be considered rape.
This happened REPEATEDLY, and there were more instances of non-consensual acts that made me thoroughly disgusted.
The ‘hero’ has absolutely NO regard for her consent, and the inner thoughts of him wanting to ‘cherish her’ compared to his actions was EXTREMELY off-putting and jarring.
I got really angry at the author’s supposed ‘justification’ to make her heroine feel ashamed for having her privacy violated, being kidnapped/detained, and eventually raped.
These aliens are NOT caring, sexy, or protective.
They are abusers and rapists.
And on that note, I will NEVER recommend this book, this series, or this author to anyone.
January 17, 2024
If the hero had ever heard of consent, this would have been a 5 start read. The rest of the story is solid. I just wasn't into how it felt like she had NO agency, even when it came to sex. She was just like, "I hate this guy, but he's hot, so I'm gonna Fk." It didn't land for me.
He just kind of gets his way, all the way through and never learns anything. He has no idea why she's not into it and doesn't really care to learn. He sends HER to therapy as if it's all her fault that she's not THRILLED at being taken from her life.
HOWEVER. The rest of the series is worth continuing on. It gets much better.
He just kind of gets his way, all the way through and never learns anything. He has no idea why she's not into it and doesn't really care to learn. He sends HER to therapy as if it's all her fault that she's not THRILLED at being taken from her life.
HOWEVER. The rest of the series is worth continuing on. It gets much better.
April 21, 2024
The storyline is good. But I get more and more annoyed by the heroine of the story. Her bitchiness towards everyone and her unwillingness for change is frustrating. It shows that she is weak in a way that she doesn't see change as an opportunity and demands understanding from the male lead but she gives a small step forward and rudeness as auto-response. It also shows how immature she is to expect the male lead to apologize and grovel to her for every little thing that irks her. Relationship means understanding both ways. Again, she seem more biased to humans than the Arcavs
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