The Celestial Stranger

Monstrous Reality #1

by Hazel Jonas

She believed the planet Eanov was nothing but a delusion of the cult she escaped—until the aliens came for her...

NADIYA
I learned a thing or two about adaptability from growing up in—and escaping—the alien-worshipping Humble Paragon cult. But finding myself in bed next to an eight-foot-tall purple monster is bizarre even by my standards.

Nothing makes sense, and this standoffish four-eyed alien and his tentacles aren’t doing a damn thing to clear it up.

Venmule claims to want nothing to do with me, but I catch glimpses behind his mask of propriety—and I want to see so much more...

VENMULE
Humans showing up on my planet is nothing new. Humans showing up in my dreams? That’s a first.

But that’s exactly what a stubborn, fiery little human has been doing—and it’s flipping my whole universe upside down.

There’s no future for us—the laws of my planet forbid it—but knowing the rules doesn’t make it any easier to follow them. And if I don’t figure out how to ignore what I feel for her, I’ll send us both hurtling toward destruction...

The Celestial Stranger is a slow-burn monster romance and ends on a cliffhanger (book 1 of 3). This book contains dark scenes and elements. Please see the author's website for more detailed content warnings.

213 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 2, 2022

About the author

Hazel Jonas lives in rural New England with her husband and a gaggle of cats. She loves to write about the creatures we’ve been told not to lust for. In late 2022, Hazel switched to writing spicy slow-burn romance.

With a background in bench chemistry and chemical manufacturing, Hazel writes part-time while working contract jobs.

She takes part in a wide variety of hobbies. Each of which depends on what direction her neurodivergent brain decides to drag her in.

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap did this suck me in.

This book only has one steamy scene towards the 80% mark but it's amazing. The low on-page steam in book 1 makes sense for the MMC. He's a pious, brooding (asshole), **virgin** with a tortured past.

The author's website says books 2 & 3 both have increases in the number of spicy scenes. I'm a fan of slow burns with high spice, so I'm hopeful!

An unpredictable cliffhanger that might be one of my all-time favorites. I'm dying to know how the FMC and MMC reunite!

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our heroine knows that aliens are not real, right up until the moment she rescues one from a trap. Now she is caught up in something that is much bigger than the two of them and definitely stranger. Perhaps she should rethink her choices.

This is book one of the series, so a fine place to start.

This is a science fiction romance story with a lot of different elements to it. There are aliens and monsters and magic all blended together into this story. The story is well written, but not always easy to follow because of all those elements. Still, I really liked the characters and am intrigued to see where things lead. Note that this book does end on a cliffhanger. Overall, a fun start to the series, although it is definitely not for everyone.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs for review purposes

[Anne Dwyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nadiya had escaped from the cult she was raised in - believing that their theories about Eanov and the aliens were all lies. When she is invited back to view her foster mother's ascension, she is nearly detained by the cult members - but rescued by Venmule.
A human woman and a blue alien with tentacles? I loved the characters, and the twists and turns of this story - and cant wait to read the next book to see how their story continues!.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I was fascinated by the concept and couldn't wait to see where it would go. Nadiya escaped an alien worshipping cult. But when she is told her mother had died, she travels back for her funeral. Along the way she finds an alien caught in a bear trap and realizes they're real after all. When the cult tries to force her to stay, the alien helps her to escape. I was completely hooked on this story. A fun, interesting read and the first book I've read by this author. Ends on a cliffhanger, and I am continuing the trilogy. 5 stars.

[LeMiliere · Rating 4 out of 5]

This first book is a fast-paced, standalone that does end on a cliffhanger as it's the first in the trilogy. We are introduced to the main characters Nadiya and Venmule as they start their journey. It was easy to become involved in this slow-burn drama... Having escaped the cult she was born into Nadiya must now return for her foster mom's ascension, but finds herself almost taken by the cult. Fortunately, Venmule saves her... to find out what follows you will need to read this first book for yourself.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review. This story was interesting its about Nadia who escaped from the cult the humble paragon finds herself 11 yrs later on her way back, but finds a alien she that she helps only there is more to him. Its very cute story .

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this story a little difficult to follow at times. I liked that it original from other stories I have read. It does end in a cliffhanger.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alex Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first Hazel Jonas, and I wasn't disappointed. Delightfully hot and sinful. Great characters, and a well written storyline. Would recommend. Cannot wait for the next book.

[Honest Mabel · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

first it’s cults then aliens then actual witchcraft and wizardry. I don’t really get the mismash of genres here but it’s just not my jam

[Choline · Rating 1 out of 5]

No…. Just no

[Jeanéva Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

well written.
While I couldn't find fault with the storytelling, the story itself wasn't quite to my taste. The romance is a very slow burn. It no sooner starts to get interesting when Nadiya and Venmule end up in another reality.