I already love R Cooper and this is (I think) their first foray into sci-fi. Most of the romance takes place in the first 1/3 of the book the rest is more alien world sci-fi politics. One of the better covers, if a tad old school, the aliens are humanoid with some fascinating porcupine-like adaptations, some great world building and a lovely complex culture. If you liked Tanya Huff’s Valor series but wanted more gay sex and shorter books, try this two book series (first one stands alone fine). But otherwise the premise is super fun: three space-born humans are sucked through a worm hole, then separated, then meet aliens while trying to find each other.Īliens are big alpha warrior type humanoids, kind of Klingon-ish, lots of fighting and death of side characters but if you’re one for more military sci-fi this might work for you. The alien love interests have animal genetic alterations, dolphin and cat respectively, plus lots of sex. Missy Welsh’s Destination Lost books (specifically Healing Touch & Warrior Mine) It’s charming and absorbing and heartwarming and full of nuances of language and concepts of acceptance. The aliens are VERY alien despite cover image. It has several follow up books that are also excellent, but first one stands alone. Please forgive the book and give it a chance.Ĭlaimings, Tails, and Other Alien Artifacts by Lyn GalaĪ favorite comfort read of mine. I promise the words inside are so much better than many of these covers make them seem. One of my reasons for reading sci-fi is enjoying a really well developed alien culture, so I only chose ones that satisfy that particular criteria. I also left off books where the aliens aren’t really alien ~ as in they are just bigger than us and green, or what have you. Books like Ascension, while critically acclaimed, are too dark for me. We are back to that culture conflict thing that I love so much.Īs always I lean towards lighter stuff, which is why finding f/f was a challenge. Not that I don’t read that, it’s just I enjoy it when the alien-ness is an integral part of the plot and relationship. I’ve chosen human/alien pairings, like my book. Please remember one of my fav tropes is also culture conflict, and sci-fi is the perfect space for exploring that.

Queer sci-fi is a tiny niche in romance but it is one I happen to love. OK, how about recommending something to tide me over? Miss Gail, you cry, The 5th Gender was like my FAVORITE new thing.

Earth Fathers Are Weird by Lyn Gala