Handcuffing the Alien

Beastly Alien Boss, Book 6

By: Ava Ross

Narrated by: Patrick Zeller, Hollie Jackson

My alien hero not only wants to rescue me—he wants to claim me too.

Wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to hard labor on an alien prison planet, I think my life is over. Until my rescue comes in the form of my older brother's best friend, Shaede—a blue-skinned alien who broke my heart years ago. But he gets caught too, and before you know it, we're handcuffed together and locked in a cell with only one bunk.

Shaede is determined to save us, no matter the cost. In the meantime, he plans to convince me that he made a big mistake turning me down. He wants to claim me as his mate...

Handcuffing the Alien is book six in the Beastly Alien Boss series. Each book is loosely connected and features an Earth woman hired for an off-world job who meets a gruff alien who can't resist falling for his fated mate.

©2023 Ava Ross (P)2023 Podium Audio

Prison Break with a Side of Feelings

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 🩷💚❤️💙
Spice/Steam: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌏🌍
Character development: 😋🙂😁🥰
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Dual Narration

Characters and Plot

Charlie is a former interstellar law enforcement officer who loses her job and signs on as security for an interstellar matchmating event. She expects a simple assignment with a bit of travel and excitement. Instead, she stumbles into a drug bust, gets kidnapped, and is wrongly convicted of a crime she did not commit. Fresh off a breakup and tired of men who never measure up to her idea of strength and integrity, she still carries the sting of her teenage heartbreak over an alien named Shaede.

The Vessers, a lizardlike alien mafia, infiltrate the event and abduct Charlie. They transport her to their prison planet, where she disguises herself as a teenage boy by binding her chest and wearing a wig. While trapped there, she gathers intel on the Vessers and their suspicious operations. She knows something is deeply wrong on this planet and she is determined to uncover the truth and escape with evidence that will expose them.

Shaede, an interstellar agent and Charlie’s brother’s best friend, infiltrates the Vesser prison to rescue her. He has no idea that Charlie does not want saving. She has not forgotten the last time she saw him when she was eighteen and he rejected her, insisting she was too young. In the years since, Shaede has realized his mistake and now wants Charlie as his mate. Their reunion is anything but smooth. When they are caught, they end up handcuffed together in a cell with only one bunk, forced to confront their past and their unresolved feelings.

Highlights

• Charlie is a capable, resourceful heroine who refuses to rely on anyone else and already has a plan to escape before Shaede even arrives.
• The prison world setting is full of danger and tension, creating a high stakes backdrop that keeps the story engaging.
• The supporting cast adds charm and texture, from the drug‑addicted reptilian Vessers to Rosie, the rodentlike creature who becomes Charlie’s unexpected companion.
• The second chance romance works well, especially with Charlie’s long-standing crush and the emotional scar left by Shaede’s earlier rejection.
• Forced proximity is used effectively. The handcuffs add humor, frustration, and intimacy that enrich the plot.

Limitations

• The middle section slows down during the mining sequences and the day-to-day planning, which slightly reduces the momentum.
• The romance leans toward slow burn because of Charlie’s hurt, Shaede’s guilt, and their reluctance to admit their feelings.
• The series title Beastly Alien Boss feels mismatched since Shaede is not Charlie’s boss in any capacity.

Narration

The story is presented in dual points of view with narration by Patrick Zeller and Hollie Jackson. Although neither narrator is among my personal favorites, both deliver strong performances. Patrick’s deep voice suits a seven-foot alien hero, and Hollie Jackson brings emotional clarity and expressive nuance to Charlie’s chapters. Together, they create an immersive listening experience.

Final Opinion

Handcuffing the Alien is a fun, adventurous sci fi romance with a strong heroine, a determined hero, and a prison setting that keeps the tension high. The pacing slows in the middle, but the character dynamics, forced proximity, and second chance elements make the journey worthwhile. Fans of alien romance with action, grit, and emotional payoff will find this installment satisfying and entertaining.