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Alien #6.5
Alien Holiday
It’s Christmastime on Elysia. The weather is as wintery as one can expect in a rain forest and our annual secret Santa game is in full swing. Yet for me, something’s missing. My heart aches whenever I think of mi familia back home. Still, I’m determined to make this Christmas a special one and when I meet a Grinchy, green alien living high on a mountain above our village I’ve suddenly got a project.
For years this guy has been living in solitude—That ends now. No one should be alone, especially at Christmas. Family is the dearest thing to my heart and I’m going to make this Grinch a part of mine whether he likes it or not. But the one thing I didn’t plan on, was falling in love in the process.
For years this guy has been living in solitude—That ends now. No one should be alone, especially at Christmas. Family is the dearest thing to my heart and I’m going to make this Grinch a part of mine whether he likes it or not. But the one thing I didn’t plan on, was falling in love in the process.
125 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 16, 2020
41 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Tracy Lauren
31 books354 followersTracy Lauren is a loving wife to her gorgeous but weird husband Greg, and a dedicated mother to her two wonderful children. She has her M.S. in Clinical/Counseling Psychology and during her time as a therapist she provided counseling services specializing in grief and trauma as well as attachment focused parenting. She is now taking time off from her career to focus on her family and explore life as an indie author.
Tracy’s interests have always been in the human experience, and in her writing she aims to capture just that. If you love the thrill of adventure to go with your science fiction romance, then Tracy’s books are for you.
Tracy’s interests have always been in the human experience, and in her writing she aims to capture just that. If you love the thrill of adventure to go with your science fiction romance, then Tracy’s books are for you.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 30, 2022
Another grouchy Christmas read bites the dust! This one was a grinch alien retelling. He was green and lived alone on a mountain. He was the last of his kind and watched as the humans and their alien rescuers took over his planet. Not a lot of info is given on why the hero was the last of his kind, no virus or war or anything, it seems others like him just went away. His parents died but no reason is given. The world building in this read was very lacking but I’m attributing it to being a novella in a larger series that I have not read, so I imagine the world building was done in previous books. This book can still be enjoyed if you aren’t concerned with knowing why humans were on the planet or why Resa was the last green, winged being of his kind. It bugged me a bit but other things bugged me more so 🤷🏼♀️.
I liked Resa, the grinchy alien, I thought he was endearing and wanted to learn more about him. His observations of the alien humans doing yoga were quite funny. He was very grumpy but sweet. My big issue with this book was the moralizing. I’m finding this a lot with Christmas reads, they can’t just be stories, they have to have a message or teach a lesson, and if you know me at all you will know I hate being taught lessons in my fiction. The problem with many of these lessons is that the author is in no way equipped to judge what a good lesson is. This author basically took the stance that family and togetherness is what Christmas is about, which is true, but she didn’t consider that her setting was on a planet and with species who were not Christian and did not celebrate Christmas. Some alien reads do this well, they account for other aliens’ culture and traditions and make sure to reinforce that Christmas is a human tradition and focus on North American practices or whichever country the human or author is from. This book didn’t do that. This book was basically the FMC, Lo, preaching and pushing her Christmas traditions onto the poor green alien. Telling him his way of life was wrong. She frequently calls his feelings ‘dumb’ and at one point she beats him with branches of flowers, swearing at him the entire time because he won’t return to her village with her.
I was hoping at that point that the lessons in this story would be hers to learn. That pressuring, guilting and finally being angry and violent with someone for not believing what you believe or agreeing with your way of life was wrong. But that is not how this went down. Nope, it’s Resa who ends up seeking Lo out and apologizing to her. At the end he agrees to her way of life and abandons his own.
So I’m not going to get into the pro-colonization messages this conveys, how the humans come and save this savage from his lonely existence on the mountain. But I will end this by saying, this was not a good retelling of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. In the original Grinch story, the real grinch actively messed with the Whos in Whoville. He tries to ruin and steal their Christmas away from them, hence the title ‘Steals Christmas’. In this book Resa just minded his own business on his mountain and Lo pushed herself on to him over and over. She sought him out and bullied him in his own cave. He asked her to leave him alone frequently and she disregarded this and trampled all over his wishes, traditions and boundaries.
Then after all this, the epilogue shows Resa and Lo years later being all happy and cozy celebrating Christmas with their family. Not one of his traditions or beliefs was incorporated into their family at the end. It was all Lo’s traditions.
So though I liked Resa, overall this book was a judgey and terrible grinch retelling. The author got the message of the original story completely wrong.
I liked Resa, the grinchy alien, I thought he was endearing and wanted to learn more about him. His observations of the alien humans doing yoga were quite funny. He was very grumpy but sweet. My big issue with this book was the moralizing. I’m finding this a lot with Christmas reads, they can’t just be stories, they have to have a message or teach a lesson, and if you know me at all you will know I hate being taught lessons in my fiction. The problem with many of these lessons is that the author is in no way equipped to judge what a good lesson is. This author basically took the stance that family and togetherness is what Christmas is about, which is true, but she didn’t consider that her setting was on a planet and with species who were not Christian and did not celebrate Christmas. Some alien reads do this well, they account for other aliens’ culture and traditions and make sure to reinforce that Christmas is a human tradition and focus on North American practices or whichever country the human or author is from. This book didn’t do that. This book was basically the FMC, Lo, preaching and pushing her Christmas traditions onto the poor green alien. Telling him his way of life was wrong. She frequently calls his feelings ‘dumb’ and at one point she beats him with branches of flowers, swearing at him the entire time because he won’t return to her village with her.
I was hoping at that point that the lessons in this story would be hers to learn. That pressuring, guilting and finally being angry and violent with someone for not believing what you believe or agreeing with your way of life was wrong. But that is not how this went down. Nope, it’s Resa who ends up seeking Lo out and apologizing to her. At the end he agrees to her way of life and abandons his own.
So I’m not going to get into the pro-colonization messages this conveys, how the humans come and save this savage from his lonely existence on the mountain. But I will end this by saying, this was not a good retelling of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. In the original Grinch story, the real grinch actively messed with the Whos in Whoville. He tries to ruin and steal their Christmas away from them, hence the title ‘Steals Christmas’. In this book Resa just minded his own business on his mountain and Lo pushed herself on to him over and over. She sought him out and bullied him in his own cave. He asked her to leave him alone frequently and she disregarded this and trampled all over his wishes, traditions and boundaries.
Then after all this, the epilogue shows Resa and Lo years later being all happy and cozy celebrating Christmas with their family. Not one of his traditions or beliefs was incorporated into their family at the end. It was all Lo’s traditions.
So though I liked Resa, overall this book was a judgey and terrible grinch retelling. The author got the message of the original story completely wrong.
July 31, 2025
Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers
Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔 (This is a shorter story)
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: Yes
Perspective: first person from both hero and heroine (alternating chapters)
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: It takes a bit - chapter 5 of 23, about 13%
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, a few years in the future
Format: listened to an audiobook from the library (Hoopla)
Why I chose this book: I started this series awhile ago and really enjoyed some of it and wanted to complete it.
Mains: Lo and Resa – This is a M/F relationship between an alien hero and human heroine
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
I think you should….the planet will make more sense and the groups of aliens and humans. Though this romance does stand alone. I think a rebel reader would be fine, especially if they read some of the book’s synopsises before diving in. But it’s been a few years for me since I started this series and I found myself wishing I had a bit of a refresher before reading. If you just dive in, you won’t really know this planet or the group of humans and how they ended up there.
Basic plot:
Lo discovers an alien living alone while searching for flowers and tries to bring him into the group to celebrate Christmas.
Give this a try if you want:
- science fiction romance
- holiday time with Grinch themes
- shorter novel
- language barrier
- I took this heroine to be an ADHD rep (as an ADHD person I fully related to her – but it’s not specifically stated so this is my assumption)
- a bit of sunshine (heroine) and grump (hero)
- medium steam – 2 full scenes within a shorter page count
Ages:
- didn’t catch either
First line:
As always we are going to end our time together with shavasana to rejuvenate our bodies and relax our minds.
My thoughts:
So, I liked parts of this – the humor was really funny and cute in some parts and had me smirking. Some aspects were really cute, and the intimacy was a nice emotional build I appreciated.
But there was a lot that niggled at me about this one too. I didn’t like that we didn’t get any background or depth with the hero. He is part of the mystery of this ‘abandoned’ civilization that the series has been building and he doesn’t even know what happened to his parents? I was really hoping for more details on this.
I didn’t like the mentions of religion and praying and divine intervention. Especially in this setting – an alien setting without building a church or anything really being a part of the plot...it just screamed colonization and trying to ‘civilize the savage’ vibes with how the hero wasn’t given much depth or beliefs. So I was left wanting on a lot of things in this story, but I like some parts.
Language barrier is one of my fave tropes so I really adored that in this novel.
Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 10
Average rating from me: 3.9 stars
Favorite book: Probably Alien Instinct
Cock/Hero Stats:
Content warnings: (This should be taken as a minimum because I could have missed some!)
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdowns mean, where to find me, and book clubs
Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔 (This is a shorter story)
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: Yes
Perspective: first person from both hero and heroine (alternating chapters)
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: It takes a bit - chapter 5 of 23, about 13%
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, a few years in the future
Format: listened to an audiobook from the library (Hoopla)
Why I chose this book: I started this series awhile ago and really enjoyed some of it and wanted to complete it.
Mains: Lo and Resa – This is a M/F relationship between an alien hero and human heroine
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
I think you should….the planet will make more sense and the groups of aliens and humans. Though this romance does stand alone. I think a rebel reader would be fine, especially if they read some of the book’s synopsises before diving in. But it’s been a few years for me since I started this series and I found myself wishing I had a bit of a refresher before reading. If you just dive in, you won’t really know this planet or the group of humans and how they ended up there.
Basic plot:
Lo discovers an alien living alone while searching for flowers and tries to bring him into the group to celebrate Christmas.
Give this a try if you want:
- science fiction romance
- holiday time with Grinch themes
- shorter novel
- language barrier
- I took this heroine to be an ADHD rep (as an ADHD person I fully related to her – but it’s not specifically stated so this is my assumption)
- a bit of sunshine (heroine) and grump (hero)
- medium steam – 2 full scenes within a shorter page count
Ages:
- didn’t catch either
First line:
As always we are going to end our time together with shavasana to rejuvenate our bodies and relax our minds.
My thoughts:
So, I liked parts of this – the humor was really funny and cute in some parts and had me smirking. Some aspects were really cute, and the intimacy was a nice emotional build I appreciated.
But there was a lot that niggled at me about this one too. I didn’t like that we didn’t get any background or depth with the hero. He is part of the mystery of this ‘abandoned’ civilization that the series has been building and he doesn’t even know what happened to his parents? I was really hoping for more details on this.
I didn’t like the mentions of religion and praying and divine intervention. Especially in this setting – an alien setting without building a church or anything really being a part of the plot...it just screamed colonization and trying to ‘civilize the savage’ vibes with how the hero wasn’t given much depth or beliefs. So I was left wanting on a lot of things in this story, but I like some parts.
Language barrier is one of my fave tropes so I really adored that in this novel.
Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 10
Average rating from me: 3.9 stars
Favorite book: Probably Alien Instinct
Cock/Hero Stats:
Content warnings: (This should be taken as a minimum because I could have missed some!)
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdowns mean, where to find me, and book clubs
June 6, 2023
3.5 - fun play on the Grinch
Holiday romances aren’t really my thing, but I’m dedicated to finishing this series. Lo and Resa were a cute couple and this story was very much so instalove. I liked that both MCs had lost their families and grew together.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: brief discussion of trafficking, grief
Holiday romances aren’t really my thing, but I’m dedicated to finishing this series. Lo and Resa were a cute couple and this story was very much so instalove. I liked that both MCs had lost their families and grew together.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: brief discussion of trafficking, grief
Want to read
December 14, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/14/2022)! 🎁
March 3, 2021
The latest addition to the Alien Series. I have to say, I am not as investing in this series as I used to be. I really loved the first book in the series but the later books just aren't doing it for me.
This is a quick read that centers around Christmas with a little of The Grinch thrown in. I will say, I liked the Grinch. I enjoyed the addition of his character but what I really wanted was some backstory. We never get it. Where are his people? How old is he? How long will he live? Why is he alone on the mountain? How has he managed to keep out of sight for over a year? There are so many unanswered questions! I would have rather had his backstory than hear Lo talk constantly about her family. I know it was a main focus of the story, family, what makes the holidays special ect. But if that is what the author wanted me to focus on, she shouldn't have introduced an brand new character with such an interesting backstory. He could change everything about how they live on the planet (or at least their outlook) but it's not even talked about!
And the ending. There was an epilogue many years in the future. That's not been in any of the books before. Does that mean the series is over? What about the Red King? We've been left with that thread dangling for several books.
Don't get me wrong. As a romance, I enjoyed the book. As a holiday romance? Even better. Education on Mexican cuisine? Pretty good. But as a book that continues the overall series plot? A big letdown. Learning about a new alien/character? A letdown.
This is a quick read that centers around Christmas with a little of The Grinch thrown in. I will say, I liked the Grinch. I enjoyed the addition of his character but what I really wanted was some backstory. We never get it. Where are his people? How old is he? How long will he live? Why is he alone on the mountain? How has he managed to keep out of sight for over a year? There are so many unanswered questions! I would have rather had his backstory than hear Lo talk constantly about her family. I know it was a main focus of the story, family, what makes the holidays special ect. But if that is what the author wanted me to focus on, she shouldn't have introduced an brand new character with such an interesting backstory. He could change everything about how they live on the planet (or at least their outlook) but it's not even talked about!
And the ending. There was an epilogue many years in the future. That's not been in any of the books before. Does that mean the series is over? What about the Red King? We've been left with that thread dangling for several books.
Don't get me wrong. As a romance, I enjoyed the book. As a holiday romance? Even better. Education on Mexican cuisine? Pretty good. But as a book that continues the overall series plot? A big letdown. Learning about a new alien/character? A letdown.
December 30, 2020
I kinda adore when humans try to bring some holiday cheer (or just the concept of the holidays) to their alien friends. Or, as is the case here, a reluctant, scowly, TERRIBLY LONELY alien neighbor who's been hiding out on a mountain.
Lo is... well, she's struggling with the alien version of Christmas coming. She misses her family and their traditions and she's trying to stay upbeat because what else can she do? She and her fellow abductees are on a planet far from home trying to make the best of things.
Then she spots Resa hiding out, brooding on the mountain and suddenly she has a project. Make Mr. Grumpy-Pants a little less alone over their alien almost-Christmas.
Resa is...how to put this? He's not thrilled to have Lo invading his space. He grumps and growls and tries to send her back down the mountain, but when she's not there, he misses her. Which leads to more grumpiness. Fortunately for him, Lo isn't one to back down at a few growls and pokes with a stick. In fact, those things kind of make her more determined to get to know the big guy better.
Holiday cheer set on an alien world, a lonely grump of an alien who thinks he just wants to be left alone, and a whole lot of cooking. Glorious, glorious cooking. Good stuff all around.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Lo is... well, she's struggling with the alien version of Christmas coming. She misses her family and their traditions and she's trying to stay upbeat because what else can she do? She and her fellow abductees are on a planet far from home trying to make the best of things.
Then she spots Resa hiding out, brooding on the mountain and suddenly she has a project. Make Mr. Grumpy-Pants a little less alone over their alien almost-Christmas.
Resa is...how to put this? He's not thrilled to have Lo invading his space. He grumps and growls and tries to send her back down the mountain, but when she's not there, he misses her. Which leads to more grumpiness. Fortunately for him, Lo isn't one to back down at a few growls and pokes with a stick. In fact, those things kind of make her more determined to get to know the big guy better.
Holiday cheer set on an alien world, a lonely grump of an alien who thinks he just wants to be left alone, and a whole lot of cooking. Glorious, glorious cooking. Good stuff all around.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
January 14, 2021
This is a short and charming story about aliens and the Christmas holidays. Lo is missing her family on Earth even more now that it is Christmas. She was abducted from Earth and saved by aliens. While doing yoga with her new family of women, she catches sight of someone on the mountain. Well she is stubborn and vows to check it out. She meets an alien named Resa who is the last of his family and who resides in his cave. Lo thinks he is cute and a Grinch but she does not give up on him to bring him down the mountain to her new family of women and other aliens. Cooking is how she works her magic. She falls for him hard and almost gives up on Resa then he surprises her - the best surprise!
December 25, 2020
An enjoyable sci-fi holiday romance.
This romance was sweet and heartwarming. The emphasis on family and found family was a perfect fit for a short, sweet holiday romance. I thoroughly enjoyed the characterization of the hero and heroine in this novel. The world building was deft without distracting from the romance, and the plot hung together well. A well done short sci-fi holiday romance, in other words. A great way to spend an afternoon.
This romance was sweet and heartwarming. The emphasis on family and found family was a perfect fit for a short, sweet holiday romance. I thoroughly enjoyed the characterization of the hero and heroine in this novel. The world building was deft without distracting from the romance, and the plot hung together well. A well done short sci-fi holiday romance, in other words. A great way to spend an afternoon.
August 15, 2021
Book eight in the Alien series a well written story that kept me turning pages, it’s Christmastime on Elysia. Human Lorena/Lo and the other ladies do yoga each day and she sees Resa watching. Resa considers this his land and the others are trespassers. When they first meet they can not communicate and his actions cause her to call him the Grinch. I enjoyed seeing them work toward their happy ending. I would recommend.
January 5, 2024
A thoughtful look into being the other
I’m not talking about the alien male. I’m referring to the one Latina female with all the white women. The author is WF but she took the time and effort to get input from Hispanic people. BF but there are 3 Latin families that are now intertwined with us. This story reminds me of our first Latina and how shy and reserved she was that first Christmas. And now she rules the roast.
I’m not talking about the alien male. I’m referring to the one Latina female with all the white women. The author is WF but she took the time and effort to get input from Hispanic people. BF but there are 3 Latin families that are now intertwined with us. This story reminds me of our first Latina and how shy and reserved she was that first Christmas. And now she rules the roast.
November 28, 2023
Good Christmas read
Lo is homesick for her family back on earth. Then she sees a person up the mountain. Resa is the last of the original inhabitants of the planet and is not liking the new ones. Lo is determined to find Resa and invite him to village. Great addition to the series! Enjoy
Lo is homesick for her family back on earth. Then she sees a person up the mountain. Resa is the last of the original inhabitants of the planet and is not liking the new ones. Lo is determined to find Resa and invite him to village. Great addition to the series! Enjoy
January 5, 2022
An incredible love story!
This story started slower than the others and I almost stopped reading. I'm so glad I didn't. You needed that time to set the story and I am so glad you did. What an awesome experience for Resa and Lo.
This story started slower than the others and I almost stopped reading. I'm so glad I didn't. You needed that time to set the story and I am so glad you did. What an awesome experience for Resa and Lo.
December 19, 2022
So Sweet
That was so sweet! I loved it. The author is new to me but she has skills. I was enchanted and entertained from start to finish. I’m glad Lo was so tenacious and that she and Resa got their HEA.
That was so sweet! I loved it. The author is new to me but she has skills. I was enchanted and entertained from start to finish. I’m glad Lo was so tenacious and that she and Resa got their HEA.
December 19, 2022
Explain CHRISTMAS to the nice Alien!
ALIEN HOLIDAY by Tracy Lauren explores first encounters and deep convictions shared across cultures with a charming romantic twist. A delightful escape for all concerned! Characters AND readers!
ALIEN HOLIDAY by Tracy Lauren explores first encounters and deep convictions shared across cultures with a charming romantic twist. A delightful escape for all concerned! Characters AND readers!
February 26, 2025
Short and sweet with a grumpy recluse of a virgin male.
Too light on the sex for my taste.
Virgin rating
Innocence of virgin hero: 4/5
Innocence in losing it: 2.5/5
Build up to losing it: 3/5
Hotness of losing it: 2/5
Busted touching himself: no
POV of losing it: female
Too light on the sex for my taste.
Virgin rating
Innocence of virgin hero: 4/5
Innocence in losing it: 2.5/5
Build up to losing it: 3/5
Hotness of losing it: 2/5
Busted touching himself: no
POV of losing it: female
December 25, 2020
Very cute
This was a very cute take on the grinch and celebrating holidays after loss. I liked the characters and the epilogue was adorable!
This was a very cute take on the grinch and celebrating holidays after loss. I liked the characters and the epilogue was adorable!
January 7, 2021
Short, sweet romcom
Loved this sweet and funny story. A spin on the Grinch. I look forward to more stories and enjoyed rounding out the holidays with this Christmas story.
Loved this sweet and funny story. A spin on the Grinch. I look forward to more stories and enjoyed rounding out the holidays with this Christmas story.
January 24, 2021
Love
I love this series. It has so many ways it can go , so many others stories to tell. Can't wait for the next one !
I love this series. It has so many ways it can go , so many others stories to tell. Can't wait for the next one !
May 3, 2024
So sweet
What a touching story, I think I put it down once it was that good. The acceptance and joy made was touching.
What a touching story, I think I put it down once it was that good. The acceptance and joy made was touching.
December 17, 2024
This was a cute story. I will have to read the series.
May 13, 2025
wholesome.
December 25, 2020
This book was quite awesome I liked it and thats all I have to say is I liked it
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews