Rating: ★★★★1/2☆
Title: Strange Love
Series: Galatic Love #1
Author: Ann Aguirre
Page count: 306
Genre: Alien romance
Age rating: 18+
Spice: Open door with creative alien anatomy
Published: January 15, 2020
Tropes: Marriage of convenience, friends to lovers, animal companion (he talks!)
Trigger warnings: Space drugs, third party abuse

“He’d save her life first and sort the rest out later.”
― Ann Aguirre, Strange Love

Quick Glimpse

I was smiling ear to ear the whole time I read Strange Love. How could you not with a talking dog and a cinnamon roll alien? There’s minimal darkness which makes for a great palate cleanser.

However, there’s death of third party characters. They are basically background characters so bye-bye I guess. There’s also a scene of Zylar taking a fat rip on his bong. #VapeNaysh It’s part of the plan to take down the villain. But man, if taking a massive rip was how I had to contribute to taking out the big bad, I would be a natural hero.

Also, the plot is easy to follow and doesn’t take too much concentration. The plot reminds me of an Ice Planet Barbarians book except with higher stakes.

Characters and Plot

“If you had to be abducted by aliens, it was good to wind up with one who respected your boundaries and preferences.”
― Ann Aguirre, Strange Love

The Story

Firstly, on Zylar’s planet, due to previous overpopulation, couples have to compete for the right to get married and bow-chicka-wow-wow. He’s failed the trial four times due to not being chosen. Nice guys finish last, huh?

However, he is not a r/NiceGuy or owns a fedora. He gets back on his bike with training wheels and pedals his way to entering for the fifth and final time. If Zylar fails again, he’s sent to the alien equivalent of the mines.

Now, Zylar has the upper hand this time as he’s rizzed up a hot alien on space tinder. He isn’t anything special for his race. The insectoid alien’s color is doo-doo brown, while his pompous, successful brother is colorful and beautiful.

Naturally, his brother is high up on the social ladder and has side pieces for days. Zylar’s brother is a natural hater and always sabotages Zylar whenever he can. Man, throw this dog a bone. It’s shocking this man isn’t a Redditor. He’s just a good guy. *baby eyes*

Anyway, he goes to pick up the alien he’s been chatting with on space Tinder to compete with him. He’s a silly goofy guy and accidentally heads to earth and “saves” Beryl and her puppy, Snaps. Whoopsies!

At first, Zylar thinks Beryl is ugly with the stark differences between the insectoid alien and human. Zylar did technically kidnap a primitive species from his point of view. But he’s a respectful little dude and chugs that respect Beryl juice. and is overjoyed that she wants to enter in the trial with him in the other alien’s place.

“It was a deeply inhuman embrace, but something about the contact soothed her regardless, because it came from a friend.”
― Ann Aguirre, Strange Love

The FMC: Adaptable and Fierce.

Beryl is a sweetheart, but fierce and competent. I loved her as the FMC and would love to read more characters like her. After being accidentally abducted by Zylar, Beryl and Snaps are ready for the adventure and really flourish.

The MMC: The Sweet Cinnamon Roll of an Alien

Firstly, Zylar doesn’t think he’s anything special and has taken being rejected four times during the trials to heart. There’s a lot riding on him and Beryl passing, his status, his AI companion, and being removed from Beryl forever to work as a drone. There’s a lot at stake.

However, he always gives Beryl a choice. She is never forced to enter the trials or do anything above her comfort zone. Beryl changes him for the better, too. As someone who kept his head down and noncontradictory, he finds himself sticking up for Beryl like it’s natural. It was such a cool experience to see Zylar gain confidence throughout the book.

Relationship and chemistry

As for their relationship, it progressed at the perfect pace and was realistic for an alien couple. Zylar falls for Beryl first for her loyalty and kindness towards him. But then, Beryl falls harder. Their chemistry was one of the best I’ve ever read between a couple.

Climax and Ending (spoiler free)

First of all, the small twist of how Zylar wound up on earth was kind of pointless. Truly, the story wouldn’t have changed if it wasn’t included. I understand that it was leading up to the second book with the AI, but it was unnecessary in my opinion.

The climax of Strange Love was the weakest part of this alien romance. However, the book in all made up for the lackluster climax.

Then, we get a HEA, albeit the characters are somewhat misfortunate. I think a second book would have really strengthened the first, but these books in this alien romance trilogy are stand alone. It’s in the same universe and follows different characters.

Closing Thoughts

In all, I cannot express how much I loved reading Strange Love. If you like alien romance and want a book with little to no darkness, you CANNOT skip this! My skin is clear and my depression is cured. I rate this four and a half stars easily. Strange Love is definitely a palate cleanser.

Strange Love, a highly recommended alien romance book