Sign Here for Horns (Vandalar Concubines Book 1) by V.K. Ludwig

3 Stars

The writing and editing was clean in the ARC version of the manuscript, with pretty sentences and hilarious inner monologue on the part of the heroine. The world building was pretty good, though I did not get a really vivid picture of the colony world's landscape. The characterization of the the hero and heroine was very good, with both of them being sympathetic and complex individuals with strengths and weaknesses. The characterization of the heroine's best friend, however, was weird and did not fit with the light hearted tone of the rest of the novel. *Spoiler* There is a scene in which the heroine's best friend horrifically tortures a Vandalar male for trying to run away from her that is treated in a really light hearted way that is...really not great to read. *End Spoiler* The development of the romantic relationship was sweet and heartfelt, while at the same time really making the reader think. The plot and pacing were tight and enjoyable. The angst was medium low and the stakes pretty high, which tends to be one on my preferred narrative structures for a romance novel. This novel used the Woman Shortage trope. The humor, characterization, and development of the romantic relationship rated four stars. The world building, plot and pacing also rated four stars. I deleted one star from the novel's overall score because the heroine's best friend was really cruel, sadistic and rapey and the heroine seemed to have no problem with her friend's behavior. It really did not fit in a rom-com sci-fi romance. This novel had a Happy Ever After ending instead of a cliffhanger, so that was a big plus. I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy rom-com sci-fi romance and are not triggered by slavery. I hope the best friend is somehow redeemed in the next novel, because I really enjoyed this one, mostly. I will buy myself a keeper copy of this novel.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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