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Not Your Mama's Alien Romance #1

American Werewolf in Space

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On board this spaceship I’m only certain of two things:
1. The movies lied to me.
2. I’m about to mark an alien and take him like the beast I am.


Look, I didn’t believe in aliens either — until I was abducted by them.

Waking up on board a spacecraft among several other naked, terrified women prisoners mostly ruled out my government lab fears. Thank God.

But just in case, I tore our captors limb from limb.

That’s when I discover our fellow prisoner — General At’ens.
This alien is different from the others, mostly because he’s about ten times stronger, ten times — ahem —bigger, and... no. He can’t be my mate.

The things I’m imagining us doing are something no shifter should be contemplating with an alien. But if I’m going to hell, I’d rather earn my place...thoroughly.

My desires are about to become the least of my problems however, because like it or not we’re now embroiled in a vicious war of the planets — and that includes Earth.

If I want a home to go back to, I need to focus.

Yep, I’m screwed.

311 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 7, 2022

296 people are currently reading
1093 people want to read

About the author

Alisha Sunderland

4 books174 followers

I started writing because I wanted to flip the script on some of my favorite tropes. I wanted tall, morally gray buff ladies who were the hero. I wanted the dragon shifter to be a girl who rescues the knight.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 212 reviews
Profile Image for Poppy || Monster Lover.
1,797 reviews497 followers
March 31, 2024
Somewhat psychotic possessive FMC is apparently my jam

This book was everything and I’m frankly having a hard time stopping to write this review because I need to know what happens!
The story was engaging, the writing amazingly snarky, and the characters intense and varied in personalities. Jack was a super tall werewolf (but really she’s called a Rijitera) with loose morals, murderous tendencies, and a possessive streak. She was not a heroine to wait around for someone else to save the day, but took matters into her own claws. Ohem was fierce, violent, trusting, and tender, which made him a good match for Jack. He could mellow out some of her crazy, but never tried to stop her from being who she was. The feminine rage was everything. Also, everyone needs a murderous bestie like Patty the Prostitute.

Spice: 4/5




Some spoilers in trigger warnings




Triggers: violence, gore, consumptions of sentient aliens, captivity, abuse by captors, torture, death, grief, starvation, crash, gruesome epidemic illness, drugging, heat stroke, domestic violence (off page), sex work (off page)
Profile Image for Irene Kiew.
621 reviews65 followers
October 9, 2022
This is the author's debut work and it is amazing. The pacing is skillfully done, and I loved all the characters. It's told in first-person from the FMC's POV, so the only thing I would change is to get some of the hero's POV too. Thank God, no long internal monologues nor self-indulgent whining from Jack (Jacqueline).

The author has taken the common "aliens abducting humans" trope and given it a twist. What if the aliens had accidentally abducted a shapeshifter whom they thought was human? What if this shapeshifter were to discover her mate was another abducted alien? What if for once, the heroine had to rescue the hero, at least initially, rather than he rescuing her?

It was a very intriguing premise. But the story is so much more than that. It's not just your usual alien lovers story -- there are a lot of layers to it and an even bigger story behind the abduction incident. There is political intrigue! Conspiracies! Betrayal! I'm in awe of the author's imagination

I liked that Ohem (MMC) was never put off by Jack's scary werewolf form (it's a werewolf, not merely a wolf). Even though Ohem is a military general and just as lethal as she is, plus able to more than take care of himself, he doesn't mind her protectiveness and her bloodthirsty need to kill all his enemies. He's awed and honoured by it. Yes!!! ::fist pumps::

I love how Jack bonds with the other female captives on the ship and they become fast friends. It added dimension to the story. I always like it when authors include family members, co-workers, or close friends as secondary characters in a story, because it gives the story a sense of 'fullness' and makes it more believable. In real life, we have relationships with other people, and don't just go through life alone or with our Significant Other.

What's interesting is that Jack is actually pretty self-sufficient. She's physically strong, heals fast, can take care of herself. But having Patty, Sam, and Callie in the story shows us that even a person who is strong needs support and help sometimes. Doing it alone is hard and why would we want to do it alone, if we didn't need to?

Since we don't have any chapters from Ohem's point of view, I felt like we didn't get to know him as well as we got to know Jack. I felt like I was a bit more distanced from him than I would have liked. I was interested that his species also apparently has the same concept of romantic love as humans do.

It was refreshing to have a strong man who is able to step back and let his woman do her thing. He doesn't feel a need to make Jack into something or someone he's not. He doesn't try to tell her what to do or to protect her when he knows she can take care of herself. But here is where I would have liked to have his POV, to know if he'd had any internal struggles with this. We don't know if the females in his race are also warriors like Jack is. He hasn't really told us much.

The book ends on a small cliffhanger, not brutal. I can't wait to read the next installment.
Profile Image for Wicked Fox ✨️.
449 reviews152 followers
May 6, 2023
I didn't know what to expect when I started this book and man, it really blew me away. I LOVE Jack. She's such a sassy and funny main character and not to mention, she's a buff werewolf lady who loves to kick ass 😭💜 American Werewolf in Space has such a fun and interesting take on alien abduction stories and I can't wait to find out what happens in book 2 after that ending!
Profile Image for Emms-hiatus(ish).
1,177 reviews65 followers
January 12, 2024
I enjoyed the story. I enjoy a badass fmc that saves the day.

It wasn’t really a romance, tho. That takes a back seat to an overarching story that is trying really hard to be urban fantasy in space. It’s not character driven enough to be a space opera,

I don’t enjoy books that just end with zero resolution to what’s going on. Like it’s one book that someone just cut in half at a random point and said now there’s two books!
Profile Image for Taylor Beukelman.
16 reviews1 follower
September 9, 2023
Minor spoilers ahead.

This book was quite the ride. Very bizarre happenings and a fun female crew make it a quick easy read that was at least entertaining. That’s really all the positive notes I have for this book.

The negative ones? I don’t know where to start. Poorly written and shallow. Almost like it is just an excuse to write monster porn and the actual story is just an afterthought. Extremely cliche. Too juvenile to be an adult book, too much graphic sex to be any sort of YA. Lots of typos and grammatical errors. Don’t plan on reading the second one, or really anything by this author again unless she really shows some effort. I felt like I was reading a fever dream.
Profile Image for Tinaliza.
71 reviews13 followers
April 9, 2023
This is by far my most favorite read this year. It was so fucken fun to read, the world building could use a little touching up and some typo's fixed but it doesnt take away from the amazing story line.

Jack is fucken badass. Period. I love her. Her internal dialog is just perfect and her character is both strong and vulnerable and loving and fiercely protective.

Ohem her alien lighted love interest is so like-able, a leader, and all the appendages 😏. I wish there were better descriptives to his look, since hes mostly described when Jack first see's him and not as much through out the story.

The friends both Jack and Ohem have, add so much depth to the story. Really plays out in a way that you see both connection and growth amongst them in real time.

Wasnt expecting this book to be this fucken good given its a first from this author and I was really just here for alien smut but not only did I get the sexy times there a shit ton of substance here & not the standard I found my mate, fill my holes and make me babies. Not that we dont love a good mate bond prego HEA, but thats not all this book is and I love the climactic build up. I enjoyed Jacks world and her people and cant wait to see where Sunderland takes this series.


Trigger warning: Violence, Gore, disembowelment, kidnapping, tails & tentacles & blood letting/biting, lite BDSM and it ends on a goddamn cliffhanger
Profile Image for Comet.
222 reviews1 follower
March 22, 2023
Rijitera (aka Werewolf) Jack is abducted by aliens! After breaking free and saving the other aductees, she finds an alluring captive alien onboard, Ohem, who just happens to be her mate?!

Considering the title, I thought this book would be a lot cornier than it was but I was pleasantly surprised! The lore was perfectly balanced with the humour and colorful characterization of Jack and her crew!

My main issue with this book is that it’s instalove. 🤢
There were only a few chapters between Jack meeting Ohem before the two were unofficially, alien married. The overarching plot had a lot of action, but the lack of interpersonal conflict made the story drag a bit.

Unfortunately, I had to force myself through the last 25% of the book (mostly skimming). Don’t know if I’ll be reading to next one in the series, but I did like the twist at the end so who knows?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
912 reviews5 followers
October 10, 2022
3.5 I enjoyed this book

No plot spoilers
No potential triggers
There are numerous errors (hence the 3.5stars) but nothing to get irritated about.
There are a couple of sex scenes lightly written.
There is some swearing.
The characterisation is okay, enough to allow the reader to form a connection and keep turning the pages.
The plotline is engaging, the alien descriptors are enough to make you laugh out loud but after rolling your eyes you will carry on reading because of the writing style.
It's certifiably crackers.
Irreverent, funny and touching.
It ends on a bit of a cliff hanger, but Jack and Ohem are sorted even if everyone else is in a bit of a pickle.
I will be purchasing the next book in the series.
I have no problem recommending the book to fans of the genre.
Profile Image for Rakshalaya.
57 reviews17 followers
October 20, 2022
Highly Recommended

Okay, I thought this books was a standalone. That cliffhanger! What a ride and all those plot twists.

I love all of the characters and interactions here. Love love love it. Especially the girls. I hope they get their own books, especially Patty. Love that girl.

This book deserves more reads. Looking forwars to the next book. I was strung high with emotions here with all of the unknowns. But that tidbit about Jack's DNA placed on the girls? I look forward to a feral Patty.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mila.
210 reviews21 followers
May 2, 2024
Marica, que vaina más buena. Me lo hubiera leído más rápido si no tuviera que mantener una vida social estable, responsabilidades y a mi misma viva.
Y con lo último quedé... Quedé en shock, cómo me van a dejar así ahhhhhh
July 19, 2023
EL MEJOR LIBRO QUE HE LEÍDO EN TODO EL AÑO Y NADIE PUEDE QUITARLE ESE PUESTO

No puedo asimilar lo que acabo de leer, esa redacción, la ficción, las bromas, la protagonista ella es un 10/10 la amo. Es totalmente el tipo de protagonistas que amo leer, mujeres extremadamente poderosas que hasta la palabra les queda corta, que ella puede defenderse sola pero toma en cuenta que está bien pedir ayuda y lo tiene miedo ante nada. Es una mujer que tiene los ovarios bien jodidamente bien puestos.
Profile Image for Sophia.
Author 5 books399 followers
Read
February 24, 2025
Paranormal Meets Sci-Fi in an uproariously fun adventure when the aliens steal some earth women and have no idea they���ve tossed their loop around a werewolf, too. Mayhem ensues as does spicy fated mate very alien romance.

My full review will post at Books of My Heart on 5.18.25.
Profile Image for Jai M {Cat Crazy Dragon }.
872 reviews49 followers
July 16, 2023
Surprising, entertaining, many possibilities.

To start with, I want to remind, that this is a debut novel. The accomplishment alone deserves some perseverance and respect.

The first couple of chapters are unfortunately riddled with typos and word issues. However, it improves steadily from there.

Be warned, this is NOT character driven, but rather plot and action.
I confess, I would have preferred some more character interaction and development, though it does have its moments spaced throughout. The characters who are briefly introduced are eminently likeable and interesting, hence the wish for more.

The dialogue is really well written (once past the typos and misprints).
The visual descriptions however, do still need some work. As commented on by others, the MMC is difficult to visualise based on the provided information.
The writing does at times struggle with either too much description when not required, vs, too little when needed.

Also, while the overall world building is excellent, the more personal and social aspects, have at times been overlooked, or simply swept past.
We learn little of alien social interaction, custom, or behavioural differences. Most follows, or is exactly the same as ours, despite the blatant physical variations.

The romance is Insta lust-love. This was not a love story. 😬
That could definitely use some work. No real angst, or story building required. Was a little too easy and convenient, but still had its moments of intense steam and romance.

Plus, our FMC, while she has an absolutely awesome personality, was a little too ‘Special Snowflake’, with the ability to overcome all without difficulty, or sweat. That also needed work.

Did have a couple of moments that stalled, but the rest made it worth the read to get past.

Lastly, ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger, though the eventual results are pretty obvious… Anyone complaining about not knowing what’s to come, really hasn’t done much reading in any of the genres 🥸😅. Or is carrying on simply for the sake of it. 🤨

All of these issues aside…the story is awesome!
While it may not be for strict fans of shifter fantasies, for those who enjoy a wider variety of genres, there is great potential here.

Great sci-fi telling, fun humour aspects, the beginnings of a solid found family, moments of well built action, and enough unexpected plot details and results to keep you reading with interest.

I have no doubt the author is capable of improving, and with such an open mindset, couldn’t imagine they wouldn’t want to.

I will absolutely be checking out more, and highly recommend!
If this was by an established author, would rate 3⭐️ for story and innovation alone.
As a debut author, easily 4⭐️!
Profile Image for The Lusty Literarians.
828 reviews45 followers
February 2, 2023
This story was heavy in the world building and plot while also being low in the character aspect. Which would be OK for a science fiction novel, not a sci fi romance. I'd say this is 99% plot and world building and 1% character. Which is fine if that is what you're reading it for. I however, was not. I had a very hard time picturing the MMC. So much so that I had to visit the author's instagram and twitter to see the character art. I didn't connect with any of the characters in this book and don't care to read about them in the next book.

Check out Bonded Books Podcast for our episode on this book!



Profile Image for Cindy Wiltz.
92 reviews
January 25, 2023
okay so….

World building is excellent. I really felt like I could see the worlds and ships Jack was on. However, character building was an absolute mess. Every character is a question mark. Faceless, shapeless and it turns the story wooden. The aliens characters became a mash up of extra eyes, arms and legs that made no sense. Ohem in my head is comparable a faceless Shrek instead of a tall dark and beautiful sex god and Jack is guy version of construction-worker Fiona which is just not sexy. I was all for the sexy strong tomboy she-ro but this was a bit atrocious. Not to mention that the story runs full-speed towards an unnecessary cliffhanger. It’s sorta of disappointing. I’m not sure if I’m going to pickup the second book in this series because this one was truly disappointing.
Profile Image for Mary.
517 reviews46 followers
August 31, 2023
Meh. She’s a huge 6'5" muscle-bound amazon woman who’s more bloodthirsty and violent than her mate. It was hard to get into and relate to. I love a strong FMC, but she was over the top. And she rolled with things too well. Abducted by aliens? Okay, lemme rip them apart and eat their entrails. Mated to a big alien with a tail and tentacles? Cool, how soon can we get with the sex? Interplanetary war? Awesome, sign me up as a general and point me at the front lines. Too enthusiastic; too easy. And her human friends who were abducted with her role with the changes just as well.

I read book two, mostly out of curiosity and boredom. She’s even more bloodthirsty in that one. The story is incomplete with book 3 not out yet (as of Aug. 2023). I doubt I’ll continue it. The story had promise, but it’s not really working for me.

Profile Image for Petra Hart.
776 reviews23 followers
September 21, 2024
What a wild ride!

I expected something fluffier because of the funny punny title, but what I got was badass space opera and a new favorite series.

Who’s in the mood for a badass space opera with some interspecies romance baked in? American Werewolf in Space starts as a standard space abduction story then all hell breaks loose. So what if Jack is a little psychotic and has a tendency to eat her kills? (Hey, he tasted like catfish.) The whole book is a wild ride and a lot of dark dark fun. Content warning for violence (dirty war), rough intimacy (he has tentacles), and beloved character death.
Profile Image for Diana Wolf.
192 reviews51 followers
July 29, 2024
trust your friends

This was a wild ride. But Jack and Ohem and their chosen family made it all worth it. Loved it. I'm glad I came back to this to finish it when the mood finally struck.
Profile Image for Juliana Philippa.
1,029 reviews989 followers
May 7, 2023
He called me a warrior. His warrior. How freaking cute was that? Best pet name ever.
4 stars

What an unusual alien romance. This time, the heroine is also an alien—though she doesn’t know it, she just thinks she’s a werewolf, but turns out they’re an ancient advanced alien race who escaped genocide and landed on Earth and forgot their history to time.

I agree with another reviewer who said they weren’t totally sure what Ohem looked like, because he’s just described that first time when she first sees him and I didn’t totally understand what he looked like.

The setup is that Jack is kidnapped by aliens, along with about 20 other human women, but thanks to her super strength and violent ways, she’s able to free herself and the other women and massacre (and I do mean massacre) the alien crew on board. She finds Ohem is also locked up and he looks like a terrifying monster, but from the second she sees and smells him, she finds herself drawn to him and realizes he’s her mate. He ends up being an honorable general who tries to help the women and promises to return them to Earth.

It turns out Ohem has enemies of his own and although they’ve taken back the ship from their kidnappers, sabotage by the one remaining alien strands them on a desert-like planet and they’re just biding their time until Ohem’s crew comes to get them or his enemies find them first …

The book is full of adventure and sexy times and really enjoyable overall, though I will warn it ends on a cliffhanger!!!! Not a romantic one—Jack and Ohem get together at like 25% and are a couple from then on; there’s actually very little conflict between them and I missed some of the drawn out “will they or won’t they” and “how will they, because of course they will.”

Great supporting characters to fill out the story and an interesting backstory going on that Ohem has to contend with, plus what we find out right before the cliffhanger. Look forward to reading book 2!!
Profile Image for Chrissy  Loves Books.
827 reviews11 followers
August 17, 2025
Strong FMC


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Werewolf, aliens, and spaceships—honestly, what’s not to love? This book gave me everything I wanted: action, adventure, and just the right splash of sci-fi to scratch that itch. Best part? The female characters were strong, decisive, and absolutely kicked butt—no weak, indecisive heroines here.

There’s also a brewing war simmering in the background, but it’s handled in a way that adds tension without ever dragging the story into overly dark territory. Overall, it’s a fun, engaging read that kept me hooked. Four stars from me—I’ll definitely be picking up the next one!



Profile Image for Honest Mabel.
1,252 reviews40 followers
October 13, 2023
my life is forever changed.

I can’t say much without giving too much away and I will just say I HATE when fantasy and science fiction overlap. I like them separate. I know I am a separatist and a purist in that regard. But this one I just finally got around to going okay lemme give it a chance and all I can say is:::


AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH *inhales* AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH


Please note: Amazon says this view violates their guidelines. It doesn’t. Their workers just lack reading comprehension skills.
Profile Image for Wealie.
433 reviews48 followers
April 8, 2024
5 stars - Amazing first novel, great main female character who is unapologetically strong, morally grey and absolutely hilarious, with a wonderfully strong and supportive main male love interest and interesting group of side characters. This book definitely lives up to the bookcover hype and is a refreshingly modern romance that turns all the usual tropes on it's head! Best book I've read in a long while - can't wait to read the sequels!!!.
19 reviews1 follower
January 24, 2023
Jack is such a kick ass, awesome fmc. I love her so much. And the other girls too! Patty had me laughing out loud so many times. Jack's utter disappointment in the first ship had me almost in tears, I was laughing so hard. That would be me, 100%. The green buttons 🤣 The plot is also super intriguing, I cannot wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Sunshine .
903 reviews
Read
July 8, 2023
DNF 30% - The MFC wasn’t for me. And many of the reactions of people experiencing really crazy shit seemed unlikely. I wanted to like it. I liked the ideas, but all in all it wasn’t working. Plus insta-mate stuff isn’t my thing either.
Profile Image for Valerie  B.
253 reviews7 followers
October 20, 2023
This book was so fun! I love Jack. I love Patty!
The world building was great. Loved the characters and the premise. Only gave it four stars because it ended on a cliff hanger and that annoyed me. 😂
Profile Image for Lauren.
1,089 reviews119 followers
February 2, 2023
Werewolf in space

Interesting. There are parts I like, and some I don't. The H in this read is hilarious, and seriously savage. I loved her killing style and the fact she was hungry while doing it. (Inside crackling) I think the hardest issues I had was how unalien the aliens were. And I'm not just talking about the inductors. No I mean our H and even her mate. He was talking and acting almost human. I loved his description! I imagined him total intimidating and delicious! I was a bit upset that he didn't seem as blood thirsty as our H. As he read progressed, I felt a bit let down by him. He definitely had the sexy times down with zero alpha issues in that department. But I really wanted a delicious monster to match our H's Velocity and monstrous side. With that all said and done, The book had a lot twist in turns. And a cliffhanger I didn't see coming.
Profile Image for brooke_and_books.
299 reviews
January 20, 2023
Phenomenal

Absolutely loved this book! So many unexpected things that I did not see coming. I loved the balance of the book, the world building, the plot, the side characters, and of course the spice! Jack(the females mc) is such a bada$$. I loved her character. Can’t wait for more from this author
Displaying 1 - 30 of 212 reviews

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