Artek

Seven Brides for Seven Alien Brothers #1

by Honey Phillips

Worn down by war and conflict, Commander Artek and his brothers - the soldiers under his command - have chosen to start a new life on a backwater planet. As hard work and peaceful surroundings start to heal old wounds, he realizes that something - or rather someone - is missing from his new life.

None of the human females in the small town on the other side of the mountains appeal to him except for the shopkeeper’s daughter. She’s smart, sensible - and disturbingly attractive despite her shapeless clothes and brusque manner.

Although Nelly is rapidly turning into the town spinster, she’d rather be alone than married to one of the local bumpkins. But when one of the mysterious aliens who have taken up residence in the mountains behind the town proposes a union, she sees the chance for a new future. He’s big and gruff - but he treats her as if she’s precious.

But a whirlwind courtship and a hasty marriage are only the beginning. Can two people who know nothing about each other possibly find happiness together?

Each book in the Seven Brides series features a different couple and may be read as a standalone, but the books do link together. This sweet and steamy series is intended for mature readers.

Genres: Romance, Science Fiction, Aliens, Science Fiction Romance, Fantasy, Novella, Marriage Of Convenience

152 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 11, 2022

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pure delight. As a fan of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, I loved what Honey Philips did to adapt this as an alien romance. I cannot wait for the next book.

Serious found family vibes and just pure sweetness. No weird drama. Just two lovely people getting to know and love each other.

This follows pretty closely with the musical… with some fun tweaks and we’ll see more in the next books, I’m sure.

This was a treat to read.

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars - I wasn't expecting to love this so much, but I did! A great set up for a series and one of the closest things I have read that matches what I want from a sci fi romance

[Niki {Still a Widow but reading more} · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and cute. I always loved big gruff aliens that are polite teddy bears.

[rae ✿ · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf😶

It was bold of me to think there would be a good plot; even the smut is boring

[Amanda books_ergo_sum · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m sad that I had such a meh time with this one.

Love a big-donged blue alien. I mean, who doesn’t? Also, loved the American frontier-ish colony in space premise—I only need the barest hint of plausibility to justify horses and saloons on an alien planet with big blue neighbours, because that’s just so fun.

But, I wanted to feel more feelings. The pining didn’t land. The ILY thoughts had me Huh-ing. And I wanted way way more scenes with both MCs together. Instead, the vast majority of this book was conversations with the other alien brothers. It felt like the story was prioritizing setup for the rest of the series rather than developing this romance.

Also, the spice was super underwhelming. A bunch of fade to black scenes and then when we got something on-page, this heroine’s hair trigger orgasms annoyed me. A lady-orgasm after one thrust and zero foreplay?? No ma’am. An: “As soon as his mouth closed over the swollen bud, she climaxed” …what does it even mean??

A fun premise, a heartwarming group of brothers, but lame-o sexy times and not enough romance plot. It was pretty putdownable, so I’m going with two stars.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I selected this title on Kindle Unlimited. Remember the musical "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" starring Howard Keel and Jane Powell? Well, imagine if the brothers had been seven aliens from different planets.

We have found a new life here. We have worked hard and are building a future.” He looked directly at the other male. “I want to share that future with someone, with someone other than the six of you. I want a mate—a wife, as the humans say—and a child. Someone for whom to build this legacy

So Artek and his brother, Callum head to the town to find him a bride. It is the shopkeeper's daughter, Nelly. Nelly feels an instant attraction to Artek and after a quick wedding and a passionate "sweet moon", Artek brings her to the family ranch.

Nelly, these are my brothers. Benjar, Gilmat, Drakkar, and Endark. Frantor isn’t here.

Nelly soon realizes that Artek wasn't honest about the situation at his ranch.
You want a cook and a housekeeper. When you said this place needed a feminine touch, I thought you meant you wanted to make it more attractive and comfortable. I didn’t realize you meant it needed rebuilding.

So there are hurdles that the newly married couple has to smooth out. I enjoyed the pairing of Artek and Nelly. There were some passionate scenes as well as some great slice-of-life moments. I guess this makes me an alien romance fan.

I was heading toward a book slump and this helped me out of it. Off to read the other six books in the series!


Goodreads review published 23/04/23

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe that I inhaled this book. I'm not a big reader of alien smut, but I loved it. I'm definitely going to continue with the series as I found myself interested in the rest of the "brothers" and their brides.

[Ivy Deluca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick(ish) Review

True story: I am a sucker for musicals and I loved Seven Brides for Seven Brothers growing up. This manages to follow the general story arc of the movie for the series with a lot less singing (boo) but also a lot less misogyny and for that I am grateful.

This is a gentle little character driven story with a solemn MMC and a pragmatic FMC and their initial marriage of convenience turns real is a sweet treat I needed. Their conflicts are internal, and the chemistry is good. But it’s more of a setup story for the series so it’s not as dramatic As I think future stories will be. Basically, it could have used a bit more drama but I’m not mad at it. I’m really looking forward to the next one.

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, alien romance take on Seven Brides for Seven Brothers that largely improves upon the questionable elements in the original. I liked the characters, the romance, and the vibe. One issue I did have was a scene where the heroine starts a sexual encounter while the hero is still asleep which is a big ick for me and brought down the rating. But I would try more books in the series.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

A romance novel(la?) mashup of a Western and sci-fi, based on Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. This had a cute premise and some fun creativity, but I would have enjoyed a more fleshed out relationship and longer storyline. It feels more like an extended prologue, probably because of the source material. Big SBFSB fans might catch more Easter eggs than I did.

Overall, it was an easy read for a day of travel, but I’m not sure if I will read more of the series.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet alien romance. Just a wee touch of Snow White with Nelly and her seven alien guys to guide into being somewhat civilized. I love Honey Phillips's stories. They always put a smile on my face. On to the next brother. Happy reading!

[amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

read May 9, 2023 - May 9, 2023: 3 stars

[Kimmylongtime · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sooo this is a cute little romance book. Not a lot of drama which is great. Sexy scenes that would make a hooker blush. Enough oral to get you just a bit jealous and some genuinely nice characters.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a fun, sweet mashup of sci-fi and Western historical. The relationship between the hero and heroine was sweet and spicy and I loved the world building. I always love sci-fi romance with a Wild Wild West flair. This book would make a great beach read with a sweet Happy Ever After ending and delicious sequel bait in the form of the “brothers”. The only problem I had with this book was the cartoon style cover. I have started seeing more cartoon style covers on sci-fi and fantasy romance and I am not happy about it. I love illustrated covers, they are usually my favorite because ART, but I hate adult romance novels with cartoon covers. Aside from infantilizing an adult genre, they are not very attractive from an artistic standpoint, in my opinion. However, aside from that fly in my ointment, the book itself was delightful. A recommended read.

I received a free copy of this book, and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[|Stephanie| · Rating 3 out of 5]

This alien cowboy romance was quick, sweet with some spice. I liked all the other brothers and look forward to reading about them finding love. This was a tad insta-love for my taste but still enjoyable. 3.5 Stars!

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️ a cute, short, alien romance with western vibes


"He did not deserve her, but he would make her happy. He would not fail her as he had failed so many others."


WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ small town/western alien romance
✨ strong, kind, older (30s) human heroine
✨ possessive, ex-military commander hero
✨ married couple
✨ no third act breakup
✨ found family
✨ open door romance (light smut)
✨ one thurst climax
✨ somnophelia
✨ pregnancy trope
✨ tw: war ptsd


My Thoughts:

This was a quick read - very simple and low stakes. I had a fun time, but it wasn’t anything special.

I enjoyed the found family trope with Artek and the rest of his 'brothers'. I'm mostly curious to learn about Frantor's story since I love a sweet, damaged hero.

It's an open door romance, but the scenes are very short and not too descriptive. The one thing that's just ridiculous is that the heroine cums after one thrust. But hey it's an alien romance so I guess his dick is just that good.

I'm not sure I care enough to read the next in the series, but it was a nice story after being so disappointed with my last few reads.

[Elle ♡ [semi-hiatus] · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5-2.75 stars

This was a quick, easy little alien romance which happens to star a big blue humanoid alien with horns 🧐. It was pretty cute, but had its issues. For instance there are 7 alien “brothers” (military comrades) and were introduced to them by how they look and then their names, but their names were never paired with how they look so I’m not 100% sure on what kind of alien each is…annoying. I also didn’t love that Artek was like I didn’t bring you here to cook and clean but…he literally did and she gets mad, but then still cooks and cleans 😅 sis.

Anyway it was still mostly entertaining, but a bit too short for anything interesting to really happen with them. I was hoping for a bit more and it just kind petered out by the end which was basically just set up the other brother’s romances. I also wish we had met Frantor, but I guess that will happen in another book and I honestly wouldn’t be opposed to continuing with this series when I want a no thinking super easy read ft. aliens ✌️👽

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Lady Tea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 / 5

Oh my gosh, this is just...so sweet!

Yes, definitely reminiscent of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, no question about it, but I also find it refreshing how the author is combining a rustic, old-timey feel of things with the genre of alien sci-fi romances. Most of the romances in this genre focus on futuristic settings, either where things are super high-tech or they're so primitive that different laws of survival apply. It's rare that you have an essentially 19th century Western setting combined with an alien romance, but I'm all here for it and I quite love it!

There are so many details that are obviously inspired by the movie, but I'll leave readers to find those out yourselves--and encourage you to watch the movie musical, it's just darling!

Will definitely be reading ALL the books of this series and I'm looking forward to all of them! (Also happy that the sixth one will be coming out quite soon, as I would like to read the stories altogether and see how each of the brothers' romance progresses!)

[Simply Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover initially drew my attention, but seeing as Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was a childhood favorite musical I knew I'd at least give the first book a shot. This is a very cute, very quick alien romance interpretation of the "eldest" brother's story. I had no real issues with the story or characters to be quite honest (other than being a little confused as to which descriptor and species fit which brother at first). Some of the brothers are definitely more intriguing than the others, so I'll be looking forward to their stories. Overall, just a fun little book to read.

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished and it's 1:40am ..... I loved it. Enough said. The couple were sweet. The aliens are hot! What's not to love?


Tricia

[Emilia Redington · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ☆

[Suzanne (Under the Covers Book blog) · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a charming novella! It mixes together alien sci fi romance and western romance.

Our hero and his band of brothers, their bond not of blood but of choice, are former military and disillusioned by a pointless war. Now the war is over they have bought a ranch on a backwater planet to lead a peaceful new life as ranchers. The ranch has helped them all to heal physically and mentally from their military service.

Artek is their leader and feels responsible for each of his brothers. And, he decides, it’s time for him to marry, they need a female touch. And, who better than Nelly? The shopkeepers daughter, a woman overlooked by many on the small town. But someone who he hasn’t been able to stop thinking about for the last few years. So he proposes a marriage…she’ll come and live with him as his wife and she’ll get out from under the thumb of her father. Love has nothing to do it with it..

I mean…nothing in this novella will come as a surprise. Instead this is a lovely little story which has a delightful romance between Nelly and Artek. But also has that warm family feeling as we see all of Artek’s brothers come to live Nelly as well.

If you want something cute, short and with delicious alien cowboys, then give this book a chance.

[RLbooks (in and out) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I liked the easiness of this read. Like most of this author’s books, it’s sweet and steamy with likable main characters and fun alien features. I just wanted a bit more with the h and H starting out. I enjoyed their development once they were home together and bonding with his brothers, the start just moved a bit too quickly for me. Cute epilogue several months later but these two will show up in other books. I also somehow never watched the musical this series is based on, despite loving musicals 🤷‍♀️. Written in third person, dual POV. No ow/om drama, neither are virgins, and no bc discussed/used.

[Peggy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was young, I saw the movie ‘Seven brides for seven brothers’. I loved that movie and watched it a few times. So my curiosity was immediately piqued when I came across this series ‘Seven brides for seven alien brothers’. When I recently saw that this book was free, I jumped at the chance to buy it and I’m glad I did because I really enjoyed it. This novella length story was both sweet and steamy.

Artek, Benjar, Callum, Drakkar, Endrak, Frantor and Gilmat, the seven alien men weren’t related by blood (they were all of a different race) but they considered each other brothers since they fought together as soldiers in a war that left them scarred both inside and out. When the war ended, they each had their own reasons for not returning home. Instead they followed their commander Artek when he decided to start a new life on the planet Cresca. The quiet life on the farm and in nature gave them peace and a place to heal from the damage the war had done to them. But slowly the men also began to long for something more, for a woman, a mate.

The first one of the alien guys who found a woman was Artek. From the first moment Artek saw Nelly, a human woman in the shop in town, he was intrigued and for two years, he watched her. Now the time had come to make a move and see if the attraction was mutual. To his delight Nelly agreed to marry him and live with him on the ranch together with his six brothers.

The story was told in both POV’s. I liked both main characters very much. Although Artek came from a rich family, he wasn’t arrogant or spoiled. His years as commander and the loss of many men during war, had left him with a huge feeling of responsibility for everyone and everything. Artek was a good guy, he cared for his brothers and Nelly. He wanted the best for everyone. He wasn’t used to sharing his troubles and responsibility with anyone, something that his new wife Nelly really wanted. That created some problems but nothing serious. Nelly was a practical, intelligent, mature, caring and brave woman. She certainly knew how to handle all these big, alien men. She wasn’t afraid of them. I really liked that. The story was sweet with some sex scenes. There weren’t scenes about the war, so that made it a light story. Nelly and Artek were a great couple. It was also fun to see how the brothers interacted with each other, they teased each other, fought but above all were loyal and supported each other. They were all good guys.

I’m looking forward to the other stories in this series.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was only alright for me. The plot felt super fast passed so there wasn't a lot of depth to the story. Zero to sixty. They know each other before the story begins but it seems like they had a strictly business relationship. (Shop clerk and shopper.) I don't think there was any flirting or even casual talk outside the transactions. Then in the next breath they are married and having the best sex of their lives...
It's great if you need a light pallet cleanser. I was just hoping for a little more.

[Kitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect adaptation of the film with an alien smut crossover. Seriously loved and will be reading as much of Honey Phillips' work as I can get my hands on!

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ plot/character development
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️Alien brother names
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Nostalgia
🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶 It’s basically erotica
🤨 🤨 🤨 🤨 🤨 Alien genitalia
🤓Me reading all of them

[Nhitlebooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

[Katherine Macy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I realize this was just a novella, but the story lacked substance, in my opinion. The couple was cute, and they had some sweet moments, but that's about all I really have to say about it. 🤷‍♀️