Alien Spare
Author: Cara Bristol
Reviewer: Sophia Rose
Rating: B+
What I’m Talking About:
His brother and her sister made a royal match after being paired by an alien matching series – that he and she set up for said brother and sister. Now, it’s their turn, and let the hostilities begin because they got off on the wrong foot and stayed that way. Cara Bristol finishes up her latest Cosmic Mates duology with a second royal alien match for a playboy prince and a bad karma twin who always gets dumped by her dates.
Alien Spare picks up where Alien Heir left off. Prince Falkor is the guest speaker at a conference to take his brother’s place while on his honeymoon. He’s been making great efforts to improve his rep and take more responsibilities as a member of the royal family. He’s tired of the rep for being a playboy and have his family constantly disappointed in him. Then his one good deed toward his new sister in law’s twin lands him in the soup again.
Karma is at loose ends. She got her sister happily matched and now is trying to help her settle in on her new planet. But, what does she want to do with her own life? She needs time to think. So, she’s letting the queen make arrangements to see more of the planet, but a bad storm grounds her at the same hotel where Falkor is speaking. All the rooms are full so she is surprised, but relieved when he offers her the spare room in his suite. News gossips make a salacious story of it and she’s suddenly standing beside him in a marriage of convenience to rescue their reputations. Cosmic Mates’ one year marriage contract with escape clause is the answer.
They are antagonistic and argue constantly, but when stuck together for the duration, they agree to make an effort to get along. She discovers he has hidden depths and there is more to him than the rumors and gossip news, and he’s rather into the smiling, laughing, and interested in a woman who supports him. But, a jealous business partner and a gossip news journalist decide to stir things up for some good head-lining royal slip-ups.
Another ‘cozy’ sci-fi romance that was a quick-read and lightly entertaining, but has heart and endearing characters I could easily cheer on. The conflict blows up, but also doesn’t go on too long. For the sci-fi romance fans who like something light and uncomplicated.
My Rating: B+
Sophia Rose
About the Book:
He’s the royal spare with a reputation. She’s the cosmic wild card he never saw coming.
Prince Falkor Rullok-Myka has spent his entire life in second place—second to his brother, second to his planet, and probably second in his parents’ hearts. So, why not lean into it? He’s got charm, status, and a reputation as Kaldor’s “Prince of Scandal.” If he can’t be their favorite, at least he can be unforgettable.
But his latest misadventure—where, for once, he’s actually innocent—lands him in hot water. To repair the damage, the king issues an ultimatum: marry the human woman caught in the middle of the mess…or else.
Karma Kennedy isn’t charmed. She came to Kaldor for a fresh start and spiritual clarity—not to marry an arrogant alien prince with perfect hair and a smirk she wants to wipe off his face. She doesn’t care that he’s royalty. She doesn’t care that he’s gorgeous. What she does care about is escaping this forced marriage and getting her life back.
The plan? Stay married just long enough to save face then go their separate ways.
But fate isn’t letting go that easily.
As the days pass, Karma’s tarot cards start predicting a future she refuses to believe. And Falkor? He’s seeing a woman who might finally put him first.
In a marriage neither of them wanted, they might just find the love they’ve both been searching for…if they stop fighting destiny long enough to let it happen.
* * * *
Cosmic Mates sci-fi romances are released in “duets,” each two-book set is its own mini-series. Books one and two are a set, books three and four are a different mini-series, etc. Alien Spare is the second book of a duet. All the Cosmic Mates sci-fi romances can be read as standalones.
Release Date: September 22, 2025
Publisher: Cara Bristol
Series: Cosmic Mates #8
Genre: Sci-Fi Romance, novella
Format(s): paperback (208 pages), e-book
Book Source: Author