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Beastly Alien Boss #7

Pirating the Alien

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I’m falling for my space pirate boss, but rogue aliens are after him—and now me.

It was a simple job. Sneak aboard a pirate spaceship and steal a precious artifact from the brooding, too-hot captain, Matis. Before I know it, I’ll be on my way back to Earth with enough credits to cure my mom’s sickness.

Is it my fault I accidentally stab him? Instead of making me walk the interstellar plank, he makes me serve as his cabin boy. Good thing he doesn’t realize I’m not a boy.

His snarly outside hides a squishy center, but someone’s out to kill him, and who needs to get tangled up in that? Then we’re trapped on a rogue space station with alien pirates trying to kill us.

He discovers my secret.

He says we’ll escape—and then he’s claiming me as his fated mate.

Pirating the Alien is Book 7 of the Beastly Alien Boss Series. Each book is standalone and only loosely connected. They can be read in any order. Expect strong women and heroes who are battle-ready, who talk dirty, and who will do everything to be with their fated mates.

278 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 28, 2023

114 people are currently reading
119 people want to read

About the author

Ava Ross

163 books765 followers
AVA ROSS fell for men with unusual features when she first watched Star Wars, where alien creatures have gone mainstream. She lives in New England with her husband (who is sadly not an alien, though he is still cute in his own way), her kids, and assorted pets, including a yorkie pup and three cats.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Profile Image for Ꮗ€♫◗☿ ❤️ ilikebooksbest.com ❤️.
2,961 reviews2,680 followers
December 25, 2025
Stowaways, Secrets, and Space Shenanigans



The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💜💚❤️🩷
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📔📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌎
Character development: 😋😀😍🤓
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration

🎧 Audiobook Review: Pirating the Alien (Beastly Alien Boss, #7)

Author: Ava Ross
Genre: Science Fiction Romance / Alien Romance
Narrators: Patrick Zeller and Hollie Jackson

🦸🏼‍♀️ The Heroine: Tatum

Tatum is a young woman pushed to the edge by desperation and love. With her mother gravely ill and the cost of surgery far beyond her reach, she turns to the Intergalactic Employment Agency for a high‑paying—if suspiciously vague—job. Within minutes she’s whisked off to a space station and handed a mission that sounds like something out of a criminal holo‑drama: infiltrate a pirate hub, sneak aboard a ship charmingly (and misleadingly) named Snuggles, locate the captain’s stateroom, crack a safe, and steal a mysterious artifact. Once she has it, she’s to call for extraction via her wrist com.

It’s a dangerous assignment for anyone, let alone someone with no criminal background, but Tatum’s determination to save her mother pushes her into the stars.

🦸🏻‍♂️ The Hero: Matis

Matis is an undercover Interstellar Interpol agent posing as a pirate captain while tracking a powerful smuggling ring. His ship may look like a cobbled‑together junker, but beneath the mismatched plating is a sleek, top‑tier vessel he personally paid for. His only ally is a fellow agent disguised as the ship’s cook—and a fiercely loyal alien cat, also named Snuggles, with blue fur, a sharp personality, and an even sharper set of claws.

Matis is competent, controlled, and committed to his mission, but he’s also a man with a conscience, which complicates things the moment Tatum stumbles into his life.

📚 The Plot

To protect herself, Tatum disguises herself as a teenage boy—short hair, bound chest, oversized clothes—and manages to slip aboard Snuggles before launch. She hides in a supply closet until the ship is well underway, but her attempt to locate the captain’s stateroom goes sideways when she’s discovered by Matis.

Believing her to be a scrawny human boy, he doesn’t toss her out an airlock or hand her over to the crew. Instead, his softer instincts kick in, and he assigns her the role of cabin boy. From there, the story becomes a tangle of secrets, near‑misses, and growing tension as both characters navigate their hidden identities and conflicting missions.

🌟 Strengths

• A clever twist of fate: The smuggler Matis is hunting turns out to be the same alien who hired Tatum for her heist. Their missions collide in a way that adds tension, irony, and a satisfying sense of interconnected stakes.
• A richer sci‑fi world than usual: Many books in this subgenre stick to basic tech—food processors, cleansing units, wrist coms. This one expands the universe with beaming technology, laser pistols, and more advanced systems that make the setting feel more dynamic and lived‑in.
• The setting shines: I genuinely loved the spaceship and space‑station environments, and occasionally the worldbuilding felt as engaging as the emotional beats between the characters.

💔 Limitations

• The disguised‑as-a-boy trope: While the stowaway‑in-disguise setup is nostalgic and fun, it also leans heavily on a trope common in historical romance. The added complication of the hero feeling attraction toward someone he believes is male introduces internal conflict that didn’t fully work for me. It made him question himself in a way that felt uncomfortable rather than compelling.

🎙️ Narration

Told in dual POV with dual narration, the audiobook features Patrick Zeller and Hollie Jackson—both of whom deliver strong, immersive performances.

• Hollie Jackson brings expressive emotion and nuance to her chapters without ever tipping into melodrama.
• Patrick Zeller has a deep, natural voice that suits Matis perfectly, and his opposite‑gender voicing is smooth and unobtrusive.

Together, they elevate the story and make the listening experience consistently enjoyable.

💬 Final Assessment

This audiobook blends undercover intrigue, light sci‑fi adventure, and a classic mistaken‑identity romance trope. The expanded tech and interstellar setting give it a fun, adventurous feel, and the narrators do an excellent job bringing the characters to life.

While the gender‑disguise element introduces some character dynamics that didn’t fully land for me, the story still offers an entertaining ride with a few clever twists and a richly imagined world. Fans of space‑romance hybrids and undercover‑agent plots will likely find plenty to enjoy.

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Profile Image for Bluestockings Read.
199 reviews196 followers
August 9, 2024
This was cute. It wasn't as wild as Nailing the Alien but overall this was a fun audiobook, narrated by Patrick Zeller & Hollie Jackson.

I would've given this 4⭐, but the FMC pretended to be a 16 year old boy and it weirded me TF out.

Why? I'll tell you why. Because it led to the MMC saying shit like:

👈🤨

Of course, Cabin Boy is a 28 year old woman, but again, Matis thinks she is a 16 🫣 year 🫠 old 💀 boy 🚓.

gif from Pirates of the Caribbean. Jack Sparrow sticks his tongue out, making a 'yuck' expression. Will Turner stands next to him with a dubious expression.
Profile Image for Nevena.
920 reviews27 followers
February 26, 2023
🔥 “Once I’m in that water, you’re mine to do whatever I please with. All or nothing?”
~~~
I loved Tatum so much! She’s such a caring, compassionate, strong, brave and feisty woman. Even more, she’s an amazing and loving daughter, willing to do everything to help with her mother’s treatment, even taking a shady job to steal a mystical artifact from a pirate ship. Tatum might’ve learned to hide her heart to keep it from being hurt, but there’s so much fire in her. She only needed the right male to light it up.

And Matis is one absolutely magnificent male! He’s huge, snarly, deadly and dangerous. But there is so much more to him than meets the eye. Beneath his fearsome facade is a fiercely protective, honorable and good male with a huge and soft heart. I mean… his ship and his pet are called Snuggles! And I quite loved his possessive and dominant side, too! I couldn’t help but adore every single thing about this cocky pirate!

I absolutely loved everything that happened between Tatum and Matis! From the moment they met, their attraction was strong. Some would say, it was love at first… stab. But they were hesitant and conflicted about it for a multitude of reasons. Oh, talk about tension! Even more, both were keeping secrets and were not who they appeared to be. But their chemistry was fantastic and their banters and teasing were so much fun to read. They were a pretty awesome team, too. And when everything was revealed, all bets were off and the passionate moments they shared were intense and off-the-charts hot! Matis and Tatum were so perfect for each other and I couldn’t get enough of either of them!

In addition, the storyline was spectacular! I really liked Matis’ pilot - Firoh. And, of course, there’s Snuggles, too! Even more, with Tatum’s robbery gone wrong, the dangerous aliens threatening to destroy everything and the Vessar lizard mafia getting involved, I was glued to the pages till the very end.

Overall, Pirating the Alien is another phenomenal addition to the series! It’s filled with danger, adventure, suspense, action, violence, twists, humor, smoking-hot romance and magnificent characters.

I couldn’t put it down and absolutely loved every page of it!
196 reviews4 followers
March 4, 2023
This book is part of a series of interconnected standalones. You can read it independently, but if you read them in order, you'll enjoy seeing old couples come back.

Tatum is a young woman whose mother is dying from a curable disease but who can't afford the cure. To be able to pay for it, she accepts a job and learns that she needs to retrieve an artifact from a ship. Once there, she runs into an alien pirate and the owner of the ship, Matis, before being able to locate the artifact. She pretends to be a young boy, and he hires her as a cabin boy. Meanwhile, Maris is really an interstellar agent who is investigating a smuggling ring. Soon, danger finds them, and they will have to count on each other to survive.

I really liked this book! Matis is really charming, and his cat is adorably grumpy... Tatum is a likable heroine, and I liked how she let herself fall in love, I stead of resisting it. The relationship is beautiful, and they're soon everything for each other: I really need my own Matis! 😉
Overall, I recommend this book to anyone who loves alien romance!
696 reviews7 followers
February 27, 2023
Ava introduces us to Tatum and Matis in a very different but fun story. Tatum takes care of her mom who is very ill. Her medicine is expensive but it no longer is helping like it should. She needs the cure but Tatum can't afford it. Tatum takes on a job to sneak aboard a spaceship to steal an artifact. This will pay for the cure and keep them comfortable for quite some time. (Too bad the government won't make the cure free.) That's where we meet Matis the pirate captain. Tatum is human and he's a very big alien that looks like an orc. She runs into him and 'pokes' him in the side with her knife. He keeps her on as his cabin boy. How could he not see through her disguise. Well, he's got secrets too.
Our author drops her reader into a space port full of aliens, intrigue, danger, adventure, chases, and steam. And we cannot forget Snuggles, Matis' catlike pet. The plot twist just keep coming and will keep you reading until you're done. Relax and enjoy.
Profile Image for La'Jacinth.
1,918 reviews
March 28, 2023
Love In Space

What I love the most about Ava's books is how they overlap with other stories, not in the series, and introduce the next set of lovers. I also love how each couple does eally represents a trope but a true example of how hard and easy love and life are, no matter what job the characters have. I have found a piece of myself in each female heroine and, of course, my husband, or son, or good friend in each of the male characters.

Matis and Tatum are perfect for each other. Each needed someone to see them for who they were, not what they could do, and willing to sacrifice it all for the other.. I found it hilarious that Tatum thought her disguise would really fool anyone...especially an alien. I was honestly waiting for him to smell her...lol...and when that didn't happen, i was locked into the story... truly!!!

I am sooooo looking forward to the story of Firoh's story.
Profile Image for Sommer Lovett.
132 reviews4 followers
April 28, 2023
Pretty Good, Onto the Next Book

I have read all these books in this Series and will read the next about Firoh. You really don’t have to read them in order and you can actually read this one even if it is your 1st in this Series. I am reading them in order through KU, though. I’m not buying this one though. I like more steamy scenes in my books. Don’t get me wrong they do have a steamy scene but I expect more for the price and length of book. The Author does know how to write though and keeps you interested for most of the book. If you only like a couple of steamy scenes then this book is for you.

I wasn’t the biggest fan of the main female character in the beginning but I warmed up to her though. We were introduced to Matis from the last book and I really wanted to read his story. We are introduced to Firoh in this book and the next is about him and will read it as soon as I return this book. Happy Reading!❤️
1,353 reviews12 followers
March 2, 2023
I absolutely adored Matis. What a darling. He is slow to anger but that doesn't mean that he doesn't care nor that he won't stand up if he disagrees with something. He is also protective, capable and honourable not really what you'd expect of pirate. What he cannot quite get his head around is why he feels the way he feels around his cabin boy... So when is a cabin boy not a cabin boy? When he's a rather fiesty, head-strong, loving and completely determined girl! Tatum will do everything that she can to ensure that her mother's medical bills are paid, even if it means having to leave her mother behind to do so and taking on a very dubious task. What she doesn't bank on is Matis being, well Matis.
These are such a great couple and they complement each other well. I love these books by Ava, she is one of my all-time favourite authors.
Profile Image for Goddess of Chaos.
2,848 reviews12 followers
March 3, 2023
"...Snuggles. I still couldn’t believe a pirate named their spaceship something like that."

Tatum needs money. The reason is good, the cause worthy, the timing? She needs it now. Unfortunately that means beggars can't be too choosy when it comes to taking a job.

There are parts of his life Matis enjoys, it isn't perfect, but he does things he enjoys, does a bit of good in the Universe... until he meets Tatum it's enough.

This done in one kindle unlimited book has a fun sense of humor, a scene stealing pet, and features a woman who is determined to learn what she needs to learn, and do what she needs to do to make life better - even if it is hard, it something she never imagined doing.
Profile Image for wellreadcorgi .
72 reviews
March 2, 2023
I had such fun with Pirating the Alien. Matis is such a chill, loving and protective male. I loved how Tatum and Amtis started to work together after the whole 'cabin boy' disguise was revealed. There were so many fun adventures, and the last getaway was so much fun to read. I don't want to include spoilers, but that was a favorite part of the book.
Tatum is caring, loving, feisty a tad bratty. I liked that about her. She keeps Matis on his toes, which intrigued me about her.
Even though a lot is happening and bad guys are involved, the characters always have their HEA. I needed this sweet, fun, adventure novel today.
Profile Image for Lisa Bing.
6,191 reviews68 followers
March 2, 2023
This was another fun and exciting addition to the series and I really enjoyed how much story is packed in this book. Tatum, on a sneaky mission to steal an artifact from a pirate, is disguised as a boy... Matis, said pirate, is actually way more than he appears to be, too. He takes her on as a cabin boy, thinking she is a male, a pretty male, but hopefully he'll grow out of it...lol! Their unexpected chemistry was beyond fun but there's so much action, danger, adventure and steam to keep you madly flipping pages in this well written story :D
33 reviews3 followers
March 21, 2023
I loved this book! This has been my favorite in the series so far. Tatum is feisty, caring, and brave. She takes a job as a thief to get money for her mother’s treatment. Tatum has no idea what she signed up for. She meets Matis and ends up as his cabin boy. Matis is the captain of the pirate spaceship Tatum is trying to steal from. Matis is confident and fierce, but he’s a real softy. The chemistry between Tatum and Matis was off the charts. This book had me laughing until the very end! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Cynkris.
586 reviews
February 26, 2023
I love Matis. His heart is so beautiful and pure. I also love Tatum, they are so perfect together. In fact I loved everything about this book and The Beastly Boss series. Just like every other time the book I just finished is my favorite LOL. Ava Ross truly is a Master story teller. Her characters come alive and the stories keep you involved. Her world building is second to none. I highly recommend this book and this series!
Profile Image for Carmen.
2,074 reviews11 followers
March 2, 2023
I loved it and I love this author. Ava never disappoints. Travis has got to be the sexiest pseudo pirate in space! With Snuggles around his neck I knew right away he was a sweetheart. Tatum really lucked up that it was his ship the artifact was on. I loved her cleverness and the fact that she endangered herself for family. Great world building and lovable characters, humor and steamy scenes. It will be hard to read the next book knowing the series is ending.
1,350 reviews6 followers
March 3, 2023
I really enjoyed this one! Tatum needs money fast and ends up at the intergalactic job agency. She ends up with a job as a thief as she is required to steal something from a ship. Unfortunately she gets caught but luckily is caught by someone like Matis who ends up taking her under his wing as his cabin boy. I thought it was hilarious that he thought she was a he and creates some funny drama for these two. I think this was a fun, quick read and I can't wait to see what is next in this series.
777 reviews11 followers
February 24, 2023
Ava Ross does deliver a well written book. This series, Beastly Alien Boss is excellent and so is her latest release Pirating the Alien. Matis is a sweet hot alien spy who finds a stowaway, Tatum, on his ship. It’s nonstop action and hot romance woven into an exceptionally book. Download and enjoy❤️❤️
151 reviews2 followers
February 25, 2023
Pirating the Alien by Ava Ross is a yet another wonderful story in her Alien Boss Series. It is a HEA filled with action, adventure, romance, and steam! Ava’s stories are always a fun ride, filled with wonderful characters and the best side characters. I do believe this may be my favorite of the series.
Profile Image for Michele.
2,019 reviews6 followers
February 25, 2023
Ava Ross has done it again. Tatum, trying to do what she needs to do to save her mother, undertakes a job that she is ill equipped to complete. Matis is not who he appears to be. When these two come together the sparks fly, add in a hidden gender, a massive mission to save an alien race and lots of heat, did I mention there is lots of heat, you have a great story as only Ava can deliver.
Profile Image for Stacey Gomez.
1,121 reviews17 followers
March 4, 2023
Tatum needs help paying for her Mom's medical expenses and is looking for a job from the intergalletic job agency. Where she finds an alien asking her to steal something from a frright ship. It should be simple right? Just get on baord, not get caught and steal it. Ooh no...Tatum meets the captain of the ship Matis, a tall large Orge with golden skin. But Matis sees a youngling male? LOL When I read that I thought what? Anyways, instead of walking the space plank Matis makes Tatuem cabin boy. But Matis is somehow attracted to his young cabin boy. Ohh by this is getting interesting. What iwll happen now? Will Tatum get to help her mom after all.? Will Matis figure out Tatus isn't a boy with feminie features and realize she is a woman.
Profile Image for Gloria.
2,038 reviews12 followers
March 1, 2023
Tatum needs money to cure her Mother. So she accepts a job to steal an artifact. So she disguises herself as a cabin boy and sneaks aboard Matis' spacecraft. Matis is drawn to Tatum and can't understand why until she reveals herself. Tatum is also drawn to Matis. This is an action packed steamy fated mates romance. Highly enjoyable.
1,850 reviews3 followers
March 5, 2023
The Interstellar Stud! LOL

Pirating the Alien has everything you could want in a hot novel! It has a panty melting hero, a strong heroine, an adorable pet Charcoo, action, adventure, laughs, and bad guys. A solid read. Ava Ross has also introduced a new intriguing anomaly - the space island!
Profile Image for Jeannette.
1,393 reviews
December 29, 2023
Tatum and Matis

This is a very good, well written, SciFi, Alien/Human romance. The characters are interesting and lovable. Ava Rossi very good with the story’s world description. Tatum’s mother is sick and needs a very expensive cure. Tatum agrees to be a thief but runs into trouble immediately with Matis. Read and enjoy.
4,497 reviews24 followers
February 22, 2023
I enjoyed reading this book, it has an entertaining storyline and the characters are well written. I can't wait to read more from this author. I received this book as a Free ARC copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.
3,323 reviews30 followers
March 2, 2023
Stowaway with the pirate

Tatum desperate for enough money to buy medicine for her mother takes on a thieving job. She shows on the correct vessel but gets caught. Matis is an ogrelike alien and is the Captain of the pirate ship.
Profile Image for Esmeralda Silva Tenazinha.
1,050 reviews16 followers
March 2, 2023
Matis and Tatum
I absolutly love Ava Ross and She never dissapoints. Matis is a sou and strangely he finds in his shop a stoaway... What Will he do with this strange beautiful and enfurianting creture? Download to find out, you Will be very entretained!
1,637 reviews4 followers
March 4, 2023
Good read

Tatum is charged with stealing a statue so that she can get money for medicine for her mom. Matis thinks she is a boy stowaway. Danger surrounds them but so does love. Enjoy
Profile Image for Connie Harris.
1,532 reviews3 followers
March 6, 2023
This is a great series which I will be sorry to see end soon.

What an amazing story about fated mates Matis and Tatum! What an so awesome is that they join friends Kreel and Cora, Shaede and Charlie, Firoah and his twins in their new homes!
153 reviews1 follower
March 12, 2023
Loved it!

Eva Ross is a great author! I loved all these books. The characters are lovable. The heroines are strong yet vulnerable. The Alien males are all compassionate alphas. This one was exceptionally good! Highly recommend!
389 reviews
July 15, 2023
Pirates and cats

Aw...gotta love the image of a swashbuckling pirate complete with an eye patch, who has an amazing cat-like pet. I know I want one. Throw in a sparky cabin boy who turns out to be a cabin gggrrrllll. Together, they kicked ass.
Profile Image for Marianne.
7,203 reviews85 followers
February 21, 2023
A super fun alien romance. I absolutely loved it! Adventure, intrigue, and steam.. Addictive characters!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews

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