They just unfurl towards each other as they work through this extremely stressful situation. There’s a good bit of adventure here as Beryl and Zylar navigate the competition, plus some intrigue with Zylar’s terrible brother (ish? family relationships are different on this planet), but what makes this book so amazing is the relationship between Zylar and Beryl. Let’s just say, he’s feeling a little desperate. He takes them anyway, because he is about to enter the mating games, and if he and his partner don’t make it through this time, he’ll be turned into a service drone. But at least she’s got her dog with her.Īnyways, Zylar thought he was picking up his intergalactic mail-order bride, but there was a ship malfunction, which is how he ended up with Beryl and Snaps the dog.

Sure, Beryl is upset when Zylar abducts her. Heroines in these alien romances must all be really lonely on earth because they accept their changed circumstances-which involve never, ever, going back home-with remarkable aplomb. Overall: This book is WEIRD AF and I am so glad I read it. And then they compete in a dystopian mating competition. Plot: Zylar kidnaps Beryl, kind of by accident. Heat Factor: There is sex, but not the way we usually imagine it.Ĭharacter Chemistry: Zylar is the kindest, gentlest, giant cockroach alien ever. He calls Beryl “Terrible One” and it’s adorable.

Strange love ann aguirre