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potalian's review
2.75
Graphic: Confinement, Sexual content, and Vomit
Moderate: Death and Kidnapping
Minor: Rape and Pregnancy
digimoe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Vomit
Moderate: Misogyny and Xenophobia
Minor: Sexual assault and Pregnancy
cozyreader9752's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Kidnapping, and Pregnancy
weelasswithabook's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
⭐️ Monster romance
⭐️ Forced proximity
⭐️ Opposites attract
🌈 Hero coded as having OCD
🌶 Oviposition
Normally I hate expecting one thing and receiving another. In this case, it's quite the opposite.
I was looking for your standard monster romance just as a little bit of escapism, and ended up with something way more wholesome.
Like, imagine if Sheldon Cooper was a monster. Yeah, that.
Our germaphobic hero was an absolute delight, while not explicitly stated, he does appear to have the stereotypical traits of someone who has OCD. I can't describe myself whether the implied representation is accurate or not as I don't have the experience, I'm just observing as an outsider.
Aurora was just this happy go lucky human, who even though it's implied some horrible stuff when down when they were abducted, she still maintains this sunshine vibe.
Together they make up an odd pair, opposites in every way possible, but it just works.
My only gripe with this book, hence why it's a 4 and not a 4.5 is having experience of anxiety associated MH issues and the heroines attempt at "fixing" it by telling him to grow up/get it together/etc. It made me feel quite frustrated at times.
I also felt the ending was quite rushed, but that's just my own personal feelings on how I like an HEA wrapped up. Not a slight against the author or the book.
This would be perfect if you're looking for a short and sweet, fairly fluffy monster romance with a little sprinkling of spice, a cinnamon roll hero, and a grumpy/sunshine vibe.
Graphic: Confinement and Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness and Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual assault, Violence, and Vomit
lalalauren's review
2.0
Moderate: Pregnancy
greystory's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Still 10/10. Still love Simmi SO MUCH and love Aurora and so happy for both of them. I've recommended these books so many times and I will continue to do so, but now I can recommend the audiobook versions because Nick Cracknell was an excellent audio narrator for Contaminated and Contagion.
I saw that he's narrated Amanda Milo's Stolen by an Alien series as well although I'm not sure I want to dive into a reread or the audiobook versions of those ones. I like his narration well enough that I dug through his other stuff and added a couple other things I haven't read yet though. In 2024, one of my reading goals is going to be diversifying my reading format a bit more by reading more physical books and trying out more audiobooks so doing a re-read of these top favorites was a fantastic way to dive into it.
I also wish I could get a poster of the paperback cover where Aurora is holding Simmi because it's so frickin cute and perfect.
Original Review September 2022:
I would describe this book as kind of fluffy, which might seem a bit odd given the nature of our chitin covered, germophobic alien. :)
This was a light, easy read with a lot of humor and some good vibes. I really loved Simmi's personality and could relate to both Simmi and Aurora's different perspectives on trying their best to survive in an unexpected, uncertain situation. The growth of their relationship felt natural and I really enjoyed the little ways they came to balance each other. It was really cute and I hope to find more stories just like it!
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Xenophobia and Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual assault, Torture, Vomit, and Pregnancy
Sexual assault is not explicit and is rather referred to/implied.