Moon Struck

Forbidden Mates #2

by Heather Guerre

A Sci-Fi Alien Romance

She's everything he ever wanted. And he can never have her.

After leaving the military, former battlefield medic and military surgeon Hadiza Moreau just wants a quiet, peaceful life where she can leave the war behind. Instead, she finds herself captive aboard an alien vessel, along with twenty other women who are going to be auctioned off as mates for the male-only alien species. The aliens are bigger, stronger, and more technologically advanced than their human captives have any hope of fighting against. And fighting is pointless when the aliens have a toxin in their saliva that leaves even the strongest fighter helpless with sexual desire. Just when Hadiza's resigned herself to a life of enslavement, hope appears in the form of one of the very creatures who are holding her captive.

Errol Sin-Haros is a Scaeven Enforcer. He's dedicated his life to protecting innocent creatures from the brutal nature of his own race. Raised to detest every cruel and conquering instinct within himself, he keeps himself tightly leashed. Until her. Undercover at one of the human trafficking auctions, Errol sees Hadiza on the auction block. When he risks his cover to free her, he finds that his self-control is not as ironclad as he once thought. Hadiza is everything he never believed he could have, and the longer he stays with her, the closer he comes to breaking his own principles, and claiming her forever.

Stranded together on a lawless planet, on the run from powerful enemies, Hadiza and Errol can't fight the impossible attraction growing between them--even if giving into it could destroy them both.

Genres: Romance, Aliens, Science Fiction, Science Fiction Romance, Fantasy, Forced Proximity, Erotica

ebook

Published July 31, 2019

About the author

Heather Guerre writes sexy-sweet fantasy, sci-fi, and contemporary romances. A hopeless romantic and an unapologetic nerd, Heather loves everything to do with romance, aliens, shifters, monsters, magic, and outer space.

Reviews

[Lana Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 stars

If you ever liked any alien romance, you would probably love this one too.

As much as the first book in the series, this one needed an editor as well, because of some small mistakes and inconsistencies here and there.

But the rest?! Oh, the rest was fabulous!!

I loved the chemistry between the characters, their careful approach toward each other. The heroine was strong and smart, the hero was honorable and passionate; together they made such a wonderful couple!

So despite the dragged out middle and a little bit dramatic end, I loved it.

I'm sooo reading everything else by this author!!

[Jayna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here are my issues with this one.

The whole plot felt kind of icky. She fell in love with him, but I guess he was just kind of compelled to love her and want her because the pheromones she gave off? At some points in the book, we are made to believe that maybe that isn't what influences him, but on the other hand, he can't control himself around her.

I don't like babies in my romance books, or pregnancy, and that was a big part of this book. Even though the heroine isn't pregnant throughout the book, the woman in a Scaeven relationship has to be pregnant for the mate bond to be valid/accepted. Not a fan of that

The hero also says that he won't do anything for the women who have been kidnapped and raped by the males because their bond has already been formed and there is a child involved. He sees nothing wrong with this

The heroine at one point performs a c section on a human woman who wants to die/does not want to be a mother because the child was a product of rape by her "mate"/rapist. The heroine performs the c section anyways and forces the woman to live and to give birth, but later helps her escape and covers it up by pretending she committed suicide

The hero and heroines first attempt at sex(basically naked and grinding before he passes out) was also super dubcon and not in a good way. The hero is high and "convinces" the heroine to go along with it, even though she is protesting and knows it isnt the right thing to do. Then he kisses her/convinces her to kiss him, which intoxicates her(because his saliva has the power to make her extremely horny lol) and they almost have sex but he passes out from the drugs and because he is sleepy


(Its 2 am, I'm sure there is more I'm missing but I'm tired)

3 stars because I enjoyed the book anyways and the sex scenes were hot 😇👽

Edit: ALSO if you know unmated males cant control themselves around unmated females. Why, WHY, send in an unmated male(the heroine) to save a bunch of trafficked human women???!?

And, adding to that, I feel like nothing came of the big rescue operation thing. He rescued her to get intel I guess and then it's literally never brought up again

[Serial Romance Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy this author’s books and I like her style. It’s a slow-burn and I really enjoyed how respectful the MC’s were of each other. Neither one thought the other was really into them, which was endearing. Though the premise of the book is dark, the story is really sweet and there is a lot of chemistry between the MC’s.

[Amy Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue to want more from this world, it’s so interesting - give me all the details.

I really liked the medical aspects of this story and these female characters have been great

[Neya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty much a perfect book for me. A badass doctor heroine, a hero who tries to protect her from himself by being grouchy and mean, lol. Errol is the perfect amount of grump without being overly cruel. He also doesn't see himself as worthy of Hadiza, which is another thing I'm a sucker for. I also loved getting more tidbits about Scaevan culture and customs. Loved this one!

[Maggie]

I love this author’s writing but this book was not for me. Still, I finished it without skimming, and there were many elements I enjoyed.

[Sabine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 puzzle stars
This one was better than the previous book.
We had time to see the relationship develop. The pace was much slower though, so it may not be for everybody.

[Mónîcā · Rating 3 out of 5]

Badass lady doctors >

[DemetraP · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book but there were some really dark parts to this story.

SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPIOLER

The heroine is kidnapped and sold at an alien auction. The women are immediately sent to rooms where their captors/buyers will rape them and impregnate them. Once the woman is pregnant, Scaeven (aliens) are bonded to them for life and can never had sex with any other woman.

The hero is undercover trying to gather information on the auctions. He refuses to rape the heroine and escapes to his ship but blows his secret identity. Now the aliens know he is a cop/Enforcer. They try to kill him.

They escape but hero is charged with kidnapping a human (powerful enemies don't want his information coming out and who he saw buying humans at the auction).

Under Scaeven/alien law, once your mate is pregnant you are pardoned because she is your mate forever. Hero luckily got the heroine pregnant (with her consent) to save himself from prison. The bad guys tried to fake the test and say she wasn't pregnant and kill her to cover up everything.

Hero rescues her and kills one of the bad guys. She is confirmed pregnant and hero is pardoned and returns to work as a cop/Enforcer.

We find out Lyra (heroine in book 1) has been helping human mates who want to return to earth to sneak away and be free. We also find out the red headed human sold at auction (the heroine's friend) went missing. We don't know what happened to her.

What we do know is that another Enforcer/cop was undercover. I assume he rescued the red haired human and saved her. But no mention of the red haired human is made in book 3 so we don't know.

[Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one more than the first- though it still could have used some more editing.

This couple seemed to have more chemistry and their bond was more emotional than sexual (which is the complete opposite from the first book).
Some scenes and plot points felt rushed, but overall, it was enjoyable to read! I have higher hopes going into the third book of the series.

[Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sci-Fi Romance
I love it when the science portion seems plausible-ish
I'm looking forward to more from this author

[Ashley EmEm · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, I rated the last book in the series as 4-star, but, after reading this, I've decided to go back and change that one to a 5.

This book is more of a 4. It's sexy, entertaining, and well-written. It just doesn't have the same lasting effects of a 5. The first book, however, has been in my head for days.

I'd really love for more people to read this series! We all know Heather Guerre is talented because of her Tooth and Claw series, but I'm starting to think that scifi might be her jam. Her easy, yet beautiful world building makes these books really come to life. The setting captures your imagination just as much as the characters capture your heart.

To put it more succinctly -- GO READ THESE BOOKS!

[S L. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting sci fi world building but I wasn’t into it :(((

[Courtney Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

fave book of the series. I loved the world building and the characters and their chemistry.

[Isador · Rating 2 out of 5]

You're going to call me Goldilocks here because while in this book there were attempts to fix the biggest issues with the previous one, the end result doesn't quite work. The biggest issue ultimately ends up being pacing.


Contrary to the previous book, the main couple ends up spending some time getting to know each other. In principle, this is an improvement, but during this portion of the book, the book pretty much grinds to a halt. And with the exception of having to resist one other, there is a lack of conflict or tension. Many of the events which move the plot forward happen "off-screen" and the majority of the time is spent on scenes that don't move the plot forward (eg. every prison encounter is described in redundant detail), leaving pivotal events to happen in rushed, glossed-over fragments.

For example, the villain of the story is after them because his grandson bought another woman at the same auction as where the main characters met and this woman escaped. The main male character can identify him, which is why the villain is after him. The little paragraph I just wrote is pretty similar to how it goes down in the book, totally off-screen and we are just told these events.

The character is supposedly a cop investigating a big trafficking ring (which is why he rescued her in the first place to help with that) and they proceed to literally do no cop stuff, or investigating or finding clues.

The previous book's main characters actually feel like they have more agency here than the current main characters. The main characters from the previous book team up with this book's main characters to help a woman who was trafficked. This is in principle what I wanted, them trying to improve this crapsack world, but the interesting part (helping her escape, what the long-term plan is etc) is again frustratingly glossed over because the previous main characters are running that operation not the current main characters. Instead we have another horrific birth scene in full detail (???)

Also the hero has a bunch of trauma because his mother felt coerced into her mating with his father and as a result treated him badly (obviously a bad thing to do to a child, but also a complex situation). He has no sympathy for the mothers in his society as a result of this and insists that the men who get their "wives" by human trafficking are still good fathers (???). The heroine disagrees of course and then she meets a similar case of a woman who was trapped and wants nothing to do with the child which was forced on her. The plot thread of the main character's views on his own society is, however, abandoned by that point and he never interacts with the victims of his society or gains a more complex understanding of his own mother or anything.

Uncomfortable sexual scenes abound due to the biologically uncontrollable lust aspect, and not handled particularly well in general. For more details see my review of the previous book in the series.


Overall, the parts which I found interesting were glossed over and I didn't feel like the characters had much agency.

[Rosemary]

I love this author and everything else she has written, to the max. This series just isn’t for me and that’s okay. I don’t like the venom or noble resistance.

[Giorgia Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

I'm just sad this series doesn't have more books and that its not more popular.

I'm a fan of alien style romances and really love the concept for this one as it straddles the line between dark but realistic & sweet but not syrupy sweet.

Both hero and heroine were likeable and their attraction to each other and eventual relationship was really sweet to read. I also liked that the book didn't sugarcoat the reality of that world and that while our heroine may have gotten a happy ending, that place is full of women who even though are not abused or treated badly, they are also not there as a choice and could never leave. Loved that the heroine decided to do something about it.

I really wish her friend would get a book too (the redhead, forgot her name) as well as Sofie...

[Leigh Kramer]

DNF at 80%

I DNFed the first book in this series but it was the author’s debut so I wanted to see if the second book worked better, since I’ve enjoyed her other book. Unfortunately, this series just is not for me. While I enjoyed how hard and long Errol and Hadiza tried to resist acting on their attraction, I really wish the matebond wasn’t dependent on whether or not she gets pregnant. It’s a gender essentialist premise, given that Scaeven are male-only aliens who reproduce with females of other species, including humans. But it really doubled down by continually emphasizing how “male” Errol is. The Scaeven are not great so it's not surprising there are so many terrible and/or forced marriages. Unfortunately, the story seems to have forgotten about the other trafficking victims—they haven’t even questioned Hadiza, which is the whole reason Errol was undercover in the first place. I might have kept going but now Hadiza is about to go off planet to perform a C-section. I put it aside a couple of days ago and just don’t feel like picking it back up again. No more pregnancy content for me.


Characters: Errol is a 102 year old Scaeven Enforcer. Hadiza is a 29 year old Kepleran (human) doctor and former military surgeon with a lip ring; she has brown skin and her ancestors were Afro-Arab-Carib refugees.

Content notes: PTSD, dissociative episodes, off page rape (secondary characters), suicidal ideation (FMC if she gets re-captured, secondary character), drug assault (aphrodisiac venom), self-harming behaviors (MMC bites lip until it bleeds, grips leg to cause nerve pain), human trafficking, alien abduction, ship attack, murder, enemy attack and gunfire, crash landing due to damaged ship, physical assault, imprisonment, infected wound, injuries from a fight club, hypothermia, collapsed lung/chest wound (impaled by tree), sentient experiments/creature harm, childhood emotional abuse by MMC’s mother (she hated him and his dad), past death of MMC’s parents (shuttle crash), past death of crew members, childhood poverty, breeding/intent of getting pregnant, family planning discussion, dubious consent (almost have sex while MMC is high and when she accidentally gets his venom), on page sex, sex frenzy, fluids, intoxication (off page drug use), gendered pejorative, gender essentialism, ableist language, reference to woman and baby who died in childbirth

[Lilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I really enjoyed reading this book it wasn't quite as good as the previous one for me. I actually liked Hadiza more in the small section of star crossed she was in than here. She didn't have a great deal of personality and her story was more things happening TO her than her shaping any of her own fate like Lyra. I also didn't feel the connection between the two MCs much at all. It went from Errol ignoring her as much as possible due to struggling with his urges, so them not really having much interaction at all, to mating her and the two suddenly being deep in love.

There are also some inconsistencies that really bugged me, the biggest one being the time frame. Although at the start it states the Hadiza isn't clear how long she's been in captivity, a little further on it mentions that she was 'a month surviving on nutrigel'. If it was only a month since she and lyra tried to escape, then a few weeks while she was with errol, it doesn't line up with Lyra living with Asier and having his kid by the time Hadiza goes to stay with her.

Aside from that, a great deal of attention was placed on the red-haired aislin, both at the beginning, and then further along when it refers to her having escaped her mate. I was convinced book three would be about her but it doesn't look like it is which is disappointing. I want to know what happened to her!

Despite these things I mentioned I did enjoy the story and would recommend it, I really love the author's writing and the vivid world she has invented. I think if I had read this before book 1 I probably would've had a better opinion of it, but I loved star crossed so much I think the situation of this one was too similar that you can't help but compare, and it falls short. I'm still giving it 4 stars because it is an excellent story and I'm going to be checking out more of this author's work!

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuation of the first book, MMC is species that basically resembles humans except their hair/skin color is different, they have fangs, and their bodily fluids are an aphrodisiac to humans. FMC is a doctor who was captured by the aliens and then sent to an auction block where an undercover Enforcer rescues her. He tries to keep his distance from her but obvs struggles physically and then emotionally.

They lie low for a while waiting on a ship part and MMC tries to push down his feelings by getting into fights and getting high. During one of these moments, the FMC consensually wants to get it on with him but then he passes out lol

They then have to go on the run and crash on another planet, where the MMC is impaled by a tree branch and has a collapsed lung. After stabilizing him (which includes putting a tube in his side to help with that collapsed lung)and accidentally ingesting some of his blood, the FMC gets horny and they finally do it. This part was wild for me and so dumb. Yes, he has fast healing but the guy was just IMPALED and has a TUBE STICKING OUT OF HIM and he’s like “ah, yes, now is the time I can’t hold back any longer.”

They are captured because, remember, they were being chased when they crashed and then banged. He’s arrested until it’s proven that the FMC is pregnant and matebonded to him, which involves the characters from the last book and killing some people.

Found myself skimming a lot of this. Didn’t really grab me and the sex was honestly so boring lmao

[Maysa · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 perfect stars ❤️

This story is so frikken good!
I love how brave Hadiza is while dealing with captivity and the slow build of trust between her and Errol.
I love Errol's sense of honour and protectiveness of Hadiza whilst navigating impossibly intense attraction and instincts.

There's such a rich and complex world that Heather Guerre has built and I love learning more about the world and cultures she introduced in Book 1. I love her writing style and get totally sucked in from start to end.

I loved seeing Asier and Lyra again and the glimpse into what I'm hoping will be a future shipping of Sofie and Renier.

The characters are deep, nuanced and consistent. The world is complex and well built. The relationship is not insta-love, it builds over time and has eventual trust and faith in one another, and a healthy dose of spice without it overwhelming the story.

The MMC is devoted and respectful and the FMC is strong and likeable.

You'll like this book of you enjoy the Mars needs women trope, with military MMC and FMC and forced proximity.

You may not enjoy it if you have triggers that include slavery, non consent/forced breeding (not main characters, not on page).

[mspotts · Rating 4 out of 5]

A much better love story than the first! There was no insta-lust this time; the relationship developed slowly.

I appreciated the fact that the H/h fought off the effects of the venom together until their feelings had progressed to a point where intimacy felt natural and not coerced.

The very worst thing about this world is the absolutely heartbreaking backdrop of human trafficking and assault all the other human women (who weren't lucky enough to get saved) experienced. And then knowing that their kidnappers/rapists won't even be punished for their crimes is galling - it's a truly messed up state-of-affairs that left a bitter taste in my mouth, even with the HEA.

Like how happy can you be knowing that all the other human mates/mothers around you were raped/sold/stolen away and forced to have children for their abusers? I personally don't think I could be happy among the Scaevens knowing how my people were treated. It is INESCAPABLY dark and also frustrating that we don't get a resolution to this issue in this book or in Book 3.

[Poppy || Monster Lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun primal alien romance

This book was plenty dark - beginning with Hadiza in captivity and Errol incognito. They were both attracted to one another but determined to not press the other for sex. Which means a lot of the book is spent with crappy communication, which had a detrimental impact on their understanding of one another. I wish they could have communicated a little more so we’d get to know them a bit better. I was a little unsure of Hadiza initially, but she grew on me quickly.

Spice: 4.5/5

Triggers: captivity, involuntary pregnancy (not FMC), near death experiences, dubcon (accidental substance), slavery, rape (off page), gore, violence

[Alexandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely better than it's predecessor. Moon Struck features Hadiza after the events of the last book. The characterization was much better here, also leaving room for the romance to develop at a tolerable pace. These characters were more engaging and nothing about this book felt rushed.

The story was also more engaging in this book. It had its ebb and flow, but was overall more interesting to me. It also didn't end as poorly as the last book. I highly recommend this one as a decent sci fi romance. 4 stars.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nope. I didn't like this any better than the first book in the series. If anything, I thought the pacing was worse and the chemistry less believable. It copied the least interesting things from the first book and despite spending half the book on an inhabited planet, we barely spent any time learning about it. I am honestly amazed that this is the same author who wrote the Tooth and Claw books as well as Preferential Treatment. Those books are so rich, compelling, and enjoyable, and these just... aren't.

[Evie Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I agree with other reviewers' sentiments that this book could have used an editor for a few minor grammatical errors....I'm still blown away.
Guerre, you did it again, I'm in love with an alien man. These characters are so well-rounded and beautiful. Honestly, Guerre is one of the few authors to completely sell me on a romance. The male lead was such a tender-hearted, selfless and utterly devoted lover to a strong heroine.
CHEFS KISS!!
I can't decide if I enjoyed this more than her third installment in the series, Heart Song, which is another must-read!!

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dual POV, 3rd person | alien, forbidden, mate

Enjoyed this next book in the series and while the premise was very similar to the first book it did not feel like the same exact plot which I appreciate. I was also so happy to see Lyra, Sofie and Asier reappear. The book also seemed to tease info about Aislin but maybe I am now holding out too much hope for her and Sofie to have happy endings in this universe 🤞

[Kotori · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic new and unusual

Delightfully innovative and deeply emotional romance.
loved the action and different settings, it's like the chance to immerse in alien world and culture.
minor quibble in the lack of follow thru as they purchased goods at market and then just abandoned them without mention - twice.
it was a niggle that interrupted my immersion in story but so minor.
overall adored the book and devastated the series isn't longer.

[K.G. White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little slow to start, but this one gives just as much drama and passion as the first one did and we even get to see Lyra and Sophie eventually. I like that the mate-bond was described and evaluated a little more this time, it is still not a fully fleshed-out/understood thing, but we know more about how it manifests.

[Amy P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed how this very much fit the premise of the series and had a lot of similarities to the first book while feeling new. Does a good job of bringing emotion and intimacy into an action and suspense with an erotic premise.

Minor spoiler* Enjoyed the scenes with them in hiding on a space station the most with the restraint and the caretaking. Great tension and good build up.