Who Would Like This Book:
This book is a sweet spot for anyone who loves a mix of romance, healing, and sci-fi with a generous helping of steamy tension. If you're a fan of 'grumpy/sunshine' or 'beauty and the beast' tropes, this is a must-try, especially with its forced proximity setup and a grumpy, wounded alien veteran hero. The heroine, Sophie, is relatable and strong, and her bond with a protective alien pet adds an adorable touch. You'll love it if you want a romance that's both emotionally satisfying and heavy on mutual support and praise. Perfect for readers looking for found family vibes, slow-burn connection, and steamy praise kink.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you’re not into explicit romance or are looking for intricate world-building, you might find this one lacking. Some readers were turned off by the heavy focus on steamy scenes in the second half, repetitive relationship beats, or the use of miscommunication to drive the angst. The alien elements are also front and center, which may not appeal if you prefer your romance a bit more earthbound or less trope-heavy. There are also trigger warnings for past trauma and sexual assault (handled off-page), which could be tough for some.
About:
'When She Belongs' in the 'Risdaverse' series by Ruby Dixon tells the story of Sophie, a former sex slave seeking a place to call home, and Jerrok, a solitary scrap dealer and mechanic living on an abandoned outpost. When Sophie is left with Jerrok and his protective alien pet Sleipnir by the va Sithai brothers, a slow-burn romance develops between the two characters as they navigate their shared traumas and find solace in each other's company. The book is praised for its light and entertaining writing style, focusing on character development and the evolution of the relationship between Sophie and Jerrok.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of sexual assault, trauma, and PTSD, which are integral to the characters' backstories and development.
Has Romance?
Romance is a central theme of the narrative, with significant development and focus on the relationship between the main characters.
From The Publisher:
He's the biggest jerk in the galaxy.
I can live with being stuck on the far end of space. I can live with having to spend weeks on an abandoned station in an asteroid belt. Sure, I don't belong, but I've got my book and my eight-legged attack cat with me. I should be fine.
I'm not fine.
My alien host, Jerrok, is a jerk. He's surly and unpleasant. He hasn't bathed in years. He's part cyborg - and all those parts seem to be falling to pieces. He's the one in charge of this remote station, which means we're forced to interact. It's an absolutely miserable situation for both of us…
…until I realize that all his anger and bluster is covering the fact that he's thoughtful and understanding. He's protective, too, keeping me safe when the bad guys approach. When I get hurt, he's the one tenderly caring for my wounds.
Jerrok is also intensely, utterly lonely, just like me.
As time passes, I start to wonder…maybe where I belong isn't a place…but a person.
Ratings (49)
Incredible (7) | |
Loved It (20) | |
Liked It (17) | |
It Was OK (2) | |
Hated It (3) |
Reader Stats (92):
Read It (51) | |
Currently Reading (3) | |
Want To Read (16) | |
Did Not Finish (2) | |
Not Interested (20) |
3 comment(s)
Liked this one a lot. Praise is soooo good and even though I don’t normally read alien sci-fi I actually really liked this one.
So I think this was my first sci-fi read ever. I do love sci-fi movies/shows, so it did not surprise me that I didn't mind this.
This was cute. We have a grumpy alien mmc and a human former slave fmc. Our grumpy alien is so cute, trying his best to take care of his human. Very low angst, and a bit more slow romance.
Might actually pick up some of the other books to see, this one was perhaps a bit long, but at the same time it was fine. Picking it up in the middle was also not an issue, I assume maybe you would know more about the different species if you read from the start, but I didn't feel like I missed out.
fun, ruby knows what she’s doing and how to stay in her lane
What can you read after
When She Belongs?
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