Matched: Garrison Earth 2 by V. K. Ludwig

4 Stars

The writing and editing were both excellent, from what I could see in the ARC version of this manuscript. This author knows how to write really pretty sentences. The world building in this novel was more minimal than it was in the first novel in the series, and I personally would have enjoyed a little bit more physical description of this world. I know a lot of romance readers prefer an author not spend any more time on world building than is essential for the plot, however. The characterization in this novel was incredible, which seems to be a hallmark of this author. The heroine really came alive, and her recovery from trauma seemed so respectfully and realistically written. The hero and his struggle with the shame and discrimination he faced due to his previous addiction was so thoughtfully done. It was wonderful to see a former addict who had gone clean but still occasionally struggled with temptation as the hero of a sci-fi romance novel. Yay representation! The development of the romantic relationship between these two was naturally and organically done, with me the reader really appreciating the fact that the heroine was not ready for a new romantic relationship for quite a while after her assault, and the hero realizing that and giving her all the space she needed until she was really ready to go there. This novel's pacing was a little slower than in the first novel in the series, but the plot was super well done and interesting, with the slowly unraveling mystery of how the heroine got Matched to two different men being revealed at just the right time. There was a fair amount of well deserved angst in this novel, but I thoroughly enjoyed it because it was rooted in these characters' trauma and caused by or contributed to by the high stakes plot elements driving this story forward. This is how to write angst so that readers who don't typically enjoy it will totally buy in! This novel uses the Fated Mates trope and the Mars Needs Women trope, but it also uses the Woman Recovering from Abuse trope. I personally enjoy that trope because it gives me hope in the context of a romance novel. The characterization, plot, pacing, and development of the romantic relationship all rates five stars. I detracted one star from the overall score because I would have liked more vibrant world building, but I am a reader who really enjoys world building. This novel ends on a Happy Ever After Ending instead of a cliffhanger, so that is a big plus to this series so far. I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy romance novels with suspense or political intrigue, even if you don't usually read sci-fi romance. I think this series has strong cross-genre appeal. I am planning on getting myself a keeper copy of this novel for sure!

I received an ARC of this novel and am voluntarily reviewing it.

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