HUNT THE STARS by Jessie Mihalik

5 stars

I just loved this book, and though it’s a shameless mash-up of a “Girl meets Prince” romance and space opera, it worked for me on all levels. You’ll have as much fun with this novel as I did, so go ahead and grab it!

For the slow burn Girl Meets Boy plot, we have bad-ass fearless Octavia Zarola, who’s ex-military turned bounty hunter and is surrounded by her deeply loyal crew who served on her military squad and whose lives she saved. She’s got PTSD flashbacks to the brutal war between the alien race of Valovins and humanity. She’s also got animosity towards the human military leadership who she believes betrayed her unit. Then there’s Torran Fletcher who served as a Volaff General in the war, and who leads his devoted crew with stoicism and mental prowess. But did I mention how handsome he is and how irresistible sparks start flying between the two? Of course a lack of trust keeps getting in the way.

For the space opera thriller: Torran offers Octavia a fortune to bounty hunt for something’s that been stolen from him by humans on the Valovian home planet. Tavi needs the money, for critical fixes to her ship, but is taken back to discover that Torran and his crew insist on accompanying her on the mission to see it carried out as well as to ensure safe passage for the humans in Valovian space. And Torran’s been holding back some critical pieces of information, that end up putting all of them in jeopardy.

As sparks fly, both romantically as well as in the tension of the humans and Valovians getting comfortable with each other, a larger plot emerges that threatens the delicate peace between the races.

Just how long will we have to wait for the sequel?!  I’m already imagining popping a fresh batch of popcorn and settling in for a delicious ride as the plot continues.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for an advanced reader’s copy of this book. All the candid views expressed here are my own.

Stacy DeBroff

Stacy DeBroff, founder and CEO of Mom Central.com and social and digital consultancy, Influence Central, is a social media strategist, attorney, and best-selling parenting author. A sought-after expert for national media, she trend-spots regularly with national brands and speaks frequently to national and international audiences on a wide range of subjects, including influencer marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, and consumer trends. A passionate cook, gardener, reader, and tennis player, she adores this new chapter of post-college-age parenting.