Reviewed by: Sue Eaton
TITLE: Tis the Season for Tentacles
SERIES: Tinsel and Tentacles 2.0
AUTHOR: Chloe Archer
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 221 pages
RELEASE DATE: December 13, 2024
BLURB:
Felix
Combing the desert for aliens might sound a little out there, but I don’t care. They’re among us and I’m going to prove it.
Yet even I didn’t expect to get sucked up by a tractor beam and whisked off to outer space!
Also, why the heck does the interior of this ship look like a Christmas store exploded inside it? And, swoon, why does the big golden alien scowling at me have so many… tentacles?
Najar
For a second time, we’ve been forced to bring a human aboard our ship. And once again, it’s due to my crew mates’ foolishness. Sigh.
Christmas is in the air–Galactic gods, save me—and we’re exploring planets with similarly unusual holidays. So, Felix is stuck with us for a while.
But why can’t I leave the inquisitive human alone? He’s too tempting for his own good.
Our time together is limited, so hoping for something serious is ridiculous… right?
REVIEW:
This is a festive, humorous sci-fi romance. The story follows Felix, an enthusiastic alien enthusiast who gets unexpectedly abducted by a spaceship while searching for extraterrestrial life. Inside the ship, he encounters Najar, who has a grumpy disposition and a dislike for Christmas and is surprised that the ship’s interior resembles a chaotic Christmas store.
Felix’s passion for extraterrestrial life leads him into this unexpected adventure. He is open-minded, adaptable, and has a sense of humour that helps him navigate bizarre situations, like being abducted by a spaceship. His delight at being proven right about aliens visiting Earth and enabling him to go on a space adventure, was contagious. He is also passionate about animals, being a vet on Earth, he can’t hide how excited he is to see alien species and their animals.
Najar is a golden alien with many tentacles. He is intriguing and mysterious, with a unique charm that captivates Felix, who has a thing for tentacles. Despite his alien nature, Najar shows kindness and a willingness to explore new experiences, especially with Felix by his side. Felix brings out the lighter, carefree side of Najar that he has rarely let anyone see.
It was entertaining to see them navigate all the barriers they faced from very different cultural norms and behaviours, which often led to misunderstandings and awkward moments. Initially they both struggle to understand each other, in terms of language and non-verbal cues. Over time, they learn to communicate more effectively and understand each other’s needs and intentions. Najar’s alien physiology, including his tentacles, presents a challenge for Felix, who wants to adjust to these differences.
Their journey involves exploring various planets with unusual holidays, which brings its own set of obstacles. It was heartwarming to see how supportive Najar is to Felix wanting to help the stray animals left on various planets and space stations.
By working through these barriers with patience, understanding, and humor, Felix and Najar strengthen their bond and find joy in their unique relationship. They make a quirky and endearing pair, blending humour, curiosity, and a touch of romance as they explore strange planets and their holidays. Their story is a heartwarming reminder that love can flourish in the most unexpected places and between the most unlikely pairs.
RATING: 
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