Regina Reviews: The Alien Warrior's Valentine by Robin O'Connor

On a struggling alien vineyard, the only thing harder than surviving is letting someone get close.

Mariska

I have two years to make this work, and time is running out. The cozy small town is scary when the Aderians are all empaths who seem to know your innermost thoughts.

I came to Llykhe to escape, to find myself again. The vineyard granted to me by the Aderians is supposed to be my salvation, even if it’s rundown and the machines are failing. I have space, but not the privacy I came for.

Then there’s Jeltom. Grumpy and silent, he’s not your typical Aderian empath. When I ask him for help, he actually says no. With Valentine coming, I wonder if explaining a human holiday and asking him to share it is brave or foolish.

Jeltom

I hadn’t come home to fall for anyone. After being shot, I want simple: familiar air, quiet nights, and absolutely no responsibilities. Then Mariska crosses my path, human and shy like a skittish animal.

Giving her my help when she needs it is easy. It feels like the purpose I’ve been searching for all my life.

When she mentions a custom called Valentine, a strange human ritual, I don’t understand it, but I want to. Not for tradition’s sake, but for hers. This human might just be the one thing my people have forgotten how to find: my fated mate.

The Alien Warrior’s Valentine is a standalone Valentine-themed steamy sci-fi romance featuring a scarred alien warrior searching for home, and a traumatized human looking for peace. This is a story of love and redemption. It’s cozy, sweet, with a little action and a whole lot of romance.

Review:

Mariska is kidnapped, put in stasis, taken to another part of the universe and then rescued along with her human compatriots. When her best friend finds love, not wanting to be the third wheel, she decides to strike out on her own and asks to emigrate to a planet of empaths. She signs a two year contract and takes over a broken down homestead. The fact the Aderians can feel her every emotion (and sometimes she wonders if they can read her thoughts too) makes Mariska nervous. They're nice enough and most of them offer to help her, but Mariska mostly doesn't accept. 

Jeltom is unlike many Aderians; he's not empathic. After getting shot on an off-planet mission protecting scientists, all Jeltom wants is to be left alone to brood. He's returned home and is living in an old broken down cottage or maybe more like a shed behind his cousin's bar. He's perfectly fine having no responsibilities and a simple life. Then Mariska bursts onto the scene and changes everything.

When Mariska takes stock of the previous year, she realizes all she has to show for it is a sour wine and broken machinery that she's constantly trying to keep going. She knows that if she doesn't get her machines fixed, she's not going to be able to make her homestead profitable and she'll have to leave. That was the deal when she signed on to emigrate to Adera. So she decides to go into town and ask the one Aderian that doesn't make her uncomfortable, if he knows someone that can help; the owner of the bar The Laughing Nia, Avertom. He directs her to a man sitting in his bar named Jeltom. When instead of automatically offering to help before she even asks, when she does ask, he says no which really surprises her. But it also convinces her, he's the one she wants to help her. So, after a bit of haggling and chatting Jeltom more out of curiosity than anything says he'll help. It doesn't take long before a simmering attraction develops between the two, and Mariska even attempts to ask him if he wants to celebrate Valentine's Day with her. Of course he has no idea what she's asking and embarrassed she drops it. Fortunately for her, Jeltom wants to know more and contacts a friend of his who might be able to find out what Mariska wanted. Little do they know though, someone from Jeltom's past is about to burst onto the scene putting Mariska in grave danger. Will Jeltom get to her in time? Will he be able to put his Valentine's Day plan into motion?

I really enjoyed reading The Alien Warrior's Valentine. I love alien romance and Ms. O'Connor did a stellar job with this one. It has great world building, and wonderful emotional relationship buildilng, as well as plenty of spice! These two are perfect for each other, and it was fun to read about how they eventually come together. The mix of Alderian and human traditions really make it interesting as well. If you love alien romance, then you definitely want to add this one to your TBR pile!