I first became acquainted with Ann Aguirre, writing as Ava Gray. I enjoyed the “Skin” series so much, I set out to find more of her books, which led me to this series. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about “Romantic Science Fiction” , but it did not disappoint!

In a time far off into the future, Sirantha Jax is the lone survivor of a fatal crash on Matins IV, that also claimed the life of her pilot, and lover, Kai. Jax possesses a rare J-gene, that allows her, along with the assistance of her pilot to use beacons to jump ships through Grimspace, jumping also wears on her life expectancy. She, as a member of the Corp, has been jumping ships for years, and has been somewhat of a celebrity. She’s cocky, arrogant, and selfish, and now finds herself held by the Corp, and being blamed for the crash on Matins IV…..until the tall, dark, and mysterious man waltzes into her cell to bust her out. But there are conditions for this freedom. Jax has already lived longer than other Jumpers without burning out, and the people that are responsible for breaking her out, have plans for her.

As the journey begins, Jax is licking some major wounds over the crash and the loss of Kai. March (tall, dark and mysterious) is the pilot of the crew, and now Jax becomes the Jumper. March has psychic abilities, and because Jax has a special characteristic, they are able to communicate that way. It was a lot of fun watching Jax figure out that March is Psi. She often times thinks he hates her and wants her dead, but this could be farther from the truth. We get to visit several other planets, with different species, even have a “baby Z”. We visit the sexy Hon-Durren’s kingdom, Hon and his people are pirates of sorts, they also want Jax. The Corp has sent Graysuits after Jax to bring her back, and have hired a Ithorian bounty hunter to track her down. Secrets of the crash on Matins IV start to unfold as this book spirals toward the end.

The relationships that are formed and, events that occur during Jax’s journey start to humble her. Once a situation she was forced into, becomes a life she wants to be a part of. She and March are so flawed, and perfect together.

Ann Aguirre has done a great job with the world building, and the characters. I love the bantering between Jax and the snraky, wisecracking Dina. Love Doc, March, and Vel. Whether I was loving or disliking a character, they were all so well written. Aguirre also did a fabulous job telling this story in the first person POV. There are a couple of smexy scenes with March and Jax, but the building of the relationship between the two of them gets a bit intense. I will definitely be reading the rest of this series!!!