June Buddy Read: Touched by an Alien by Gini Koch

[Jeann (Happy Indulgence)]

Some of us have expressed an interest in reading in June. Anyone is welcome to join us!

EDIT: This will be starting Monday 11th of June!

[Christine]

Cool. I've been meaning to read this for ages. I'm pretty flexible, but the second week of June is probably better for me.

[Leah]

I'm in! Either week works for me.

[Sarah]

I don't care either way :)

[Lis]

I'd like to read this one too and either week works for me.

[Jeann (Happy Indulgence)]

Cool, second week of June might be the best for this one :) Ok starting Mon 11th June!

[Julianne]

That works for me too.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Hope you all love it!!!!

[Sarah]

June 11th works for me too!

[Jeann (Happy Indulgence)]

This one is coming up next week, yippee! Been looking forward to this one.

With starting so many new series, I'll definitely be kept busy finding out what happens with the sequels!

[Jeann (Happy Indulgence)]

You guys ready to start tomorrow? Can't wait!

[Sarah]

You mean Monday, right?

Unless it's already Sunday for you?

But yes! I'm excited!

[Jeann (Happy Indulgence)]

Oh yep, it's already Sunday here in Australia so I guess I'm always a day ahead!

[Christine]

I'm ready. I'm really looking forward to this. I've only heard a few people talk about this series, but everything I've heard has been good.

[Leah]

I'm ready, I have it out from the library and sitting in my to be read stack!!

[Sarah]

Jeann wrote: "Oh yep, it's already Sunday here in Australia so I guess I'm always a day ahead!"

Oh, ok! That explains it, I wasn't sure!

[Jeann (Happy Indulgence)]

No problems, I'm excited to start it too!

[Jeann (Happy Indulgence)]

Ok I'm on page 46 at the moment, I'm finding it quite amusing. (view spoiler)[The aliens are quite amusing, especially Martini aka. Mr Horndog. His inappropriate comments and Kitty's reaction to them are gold. (hide spoiler)]

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Yep!!!!

[Sarah]

I'm at page 148, Ch. 23, and I am loving this book so far. This is the second book I've read featuring aliens, the first being Gena Showalter's Awaken Me Darkly. The banter between all of the characters is hilarious. Especially between Martini and Kitty. I find Kitty's Mom to be hilarious too. (view spoiler)[Especially the fact that she is a "secret" agent/consultant!! (hide spoiler)] I couldn't put the book down so I find that as a point in favor of the author. She is doing a great job of world building and characterization.

[Jeann (Happy Indulgence)]

I'm at Page 153 and I would have to agree with you Sarah. They are all greatly entertaining, I do like martini and Kitty's banter in particular. And Kitty's mum, wow what a woman! It's all very light hearted but still balances it with heaps of action and a moving plot, I'm having a lot of fun reading it.

(view spoiler)[And the fact how everyone from their planet are incredibly good looking, smart, and have secret powers is hilarious! Haha Kitty must have felt incredibly inadequate walking into that organisation of super gorgeous and smart models.

It's so funny how she just discovered that her mum and dad slept together the first time they met, and realised that the "sluttiness" must run in the family. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

I totally agree with you Jeann, plus (view spoiler)[I think it's hilarious that the women from A-C don't even want the men! They want Bill Gates or Steven Hawking (sp?) because they are super smart! I think Kitty felt better after that! (hide spoiler)]

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

You'all are making me want to read it again, which would be my 3rd or 4th time. LOL.

[Christine]

I'm on page 75, chapter 11. I'm really enjoying it, too. But this is definitely one of those books that you have to be in the right frame of mind to fully appreciate. I think depending on your mood Martini could actually be kind of annoying with the constant comments. But, luckily I've been in the right mood (for the most part) and enjoy the banter between him and Kitty.

Also, I think you have to not think to hard. I mean, all these years and they can't come up with a better location for their gates than the men's room? But again, if you just go with it for the humor it delivers, it's okay.

However, I am suspicious (view spoiler)[about why the A-Cs are really here to help us. I have trouble buying that it's just out of the kindness of there hearts. (hide spoiler)]

I really like Kitty. I like how smart and with it she is and that she just calls it like she sees it. I just met her mom and she seems pretty cool, too. Like mother like daughter.

[Christine]

I just read ch 11, where Kitty meets up with her mom, and I must have laughed out loud about four times. I loved the line at the end when Martini says he wants to have a lot of kids and her mom says "Ask her how often she had to buy new fish before you make a final decision."

[Sarah]

I found that part to be hilarious as well!!

[Jeann (Happy Indulgence)]

Chapter 49, I'm on the home stretch. I'm happy to report that the book is as good as it was when it started!

Spoilers - around page 200
(view spoiler)[I got worried when it got a little religious and went on about the Pope and how they were religious outcasts from their homeland and all of that, but I'm glad that was only present to explain why the aliens were here and they haven't really been into it again since then. (hide spoiler)]

Spoilers - do not read until you reach Chapter 37
(view spoiler)[ I seriously did not feel that scene with Christopher at all. I mean you've got sensitive, emphatic, super handsome and overly keen Martini on one hand, what was that whole thing with Chris? It was clearly obvious that he had a thing for Kitty and she responded how any girl would in the situation being kissed by a hot guy, but what about poor Martini?

Then now she's considering him as an actual love interest, just because he kisses well. Not sure if I buy it. (hide spoiler)]

Lots of action later on. Not sure why they felt it necessary to mention the whole Kitty was a Marketing Manager stuff, it's received almost no mention in the whole book except to explain why she had a Montblanc pen at the start, and that she "bullshits for a living" (I find that a little offensive TBH lol)

[Christine]

Wow! You guys are fast! I'm only around page 170. I just got to the part where Kitty and her Dad figure out the translation of the alien text is wrong.

I'm a little surprised that as smart as Kitty is in everything else, she doesn't have a clue where Christopher is concerned. Does this mean there's a love triangle?


And I cracked up when she explained to her dad that they're like the Jews from space and he asked "Do you think they stay kosher" and her mom said "we don't even stay kosher!" What a funny family!

[Julianne]

I'm only on page 47, I just started last night after working late. But I'm loving it so far, and love the banter as everyone else ssays. I'm looking forward to reading more about Kitty's mom cause it sounds like she's gonna be a bit of a badass.

I agree with Christine, you have to be in the right frame of mind, I can see where nit-picky people would pick at things but I'm absolutely adoring it. I didn't want to put it down to go to sleep last night and I can't wait to get home tonight to get back to it.

[Jeann (Happy Indulgence)]

Just finished the book last night, what a great book! It's a wonder it isn't widely known!

Here's my review here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

(view spoiler)[I wish the finale was a bit more "explosive" after the whole book lead to the battle with Yates.

I also got a bit confused about the whole impure bloodline thing. Somewhere Kitty deducts that the Grandfather (Yates) had raped Terry, is that right? So does that mean Chris and Jeff are inbred, which is why their powers are so strong? They kind of quickly brushed upon this and I just wasn't sure.

Also with the first battle, they said that Yates was standing at the window watching Kitty battle the big monster, but then they ended up being the same person/monster/alien, did I get confused somewhere?

I really liked how Kitty mourned the death of someone she barely knew, she's definitely a heroine with a big heart. It sort of brought upon the reality of what she was getting into.

Loved Kitty's parents, what an interesting family! Definitely going to read the next book, maybe even now until Bingo starts. (hide spoiler)]

Also have you guys seen this edition? LOL

[Leah]

LOL Aliens in Armani, nice Jeann.

I'm at page 283, but I'm betting I will finish this book tonight. I'm agreeing with everyone's comments!

Chapter 37 - (view spoiler)[ Jeann, I completely agree about the Christopher thing. I could see a girl suddenly rethinking her romantic choices when a new guy throws his hat in the ring. What bothered me was the fact that it was Christopher, who (up until this point) Kitty had basically hated! Her sudden change in attitude thanks to the kiss did make her seem a tad bit shallow, at least that was the impression I got. This was disappointing because up until this point I really liked how Kitty was acting. I especially like that she felt slutty after sleeping with a guy after only knowing him for one day - this happens all the time in uf and pnr and usually the woman doesn't even notice or care!!<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Jeann (Happy Indulgence)]

I agree with you Leah - (view spoiler)[Having the whole thing between Christopher and Jeff just made me feel like I was watching Vampire diaries all over again, lol!

From what I could make of it, basically Chris was an ass to Kitty this whole time because according to their religion, A-Cs can't reproduce with humans so it is going against their religion. But then he just throws in the towel anyway and then his whole demeanour changes after he hooks up with Kitty.

I do agree with her feeling slutty sentiments, and it was absolutely hilarious when her mum said she did the same before! Hahaha. (hide spoiler)]

Glad everyone else is enjoying it. I really want to delve into the next one straight away but not sure whether to have a future buddy read for Book 2. Bingo is also starting this Saturday, so it may affect reading time too.

[Christine]

In chapter 27: I'm thinking Martini (view spoiler)[was awfully quick to use Kitty as bait. Meanwhile Christopher was the one who had a problem with it. Interesting, no? (hide spoiler)]

[Christine]

I'll wait until I finish to read your review.

I do love that while they are all gorgeous, the men are insecure about their intellect. What a nice change of pace. And the women get to be the smart, nerdy, (although beautiful) scientists.

[Jeann (Happy Indulgence)]

And the beautiful women totally love the geeky men of this world, love it!

[Christine]

I have to confess that a few times I have trouble keeping up with Kitty's thought process. I'm impressed with how intelligent and intuitive she is. It's a nice change from the too stupid to live characters you see sometimes.

I did read chapter 37. I think the thing with Christopher is the most formulaic thing about the book so far. Of corse, I still got caught up in the moment...

[Leah]

Christine wrote: "I have to confess that a few times I have trouble keeping up with Kitty's thought process. I'm impressed with how intelligent and intuitive she is. It's a nice change from the too stupid to live ..."

I felt the same way about Kitty's smarts. When she was reasoning out Jeff
and Christopher's status in the alien organization, and that Chris' dad was just a figurehead, she was referring to things that happened and said during earlier scenes, and it was all so intuitive, but I hadn't picked up on it at all! Made me feel a little slow ;-)

[Christine]

At least it usually makes sense once she explains things. I'm still not totally clear on the connection between the aliens that crashed on earth and the parasites. I'm confused between which parts of the story were fact and which we religious interpretations or if they are one and the same in this book.


I just read chapter 58 and I'm not sure how I feel about that elevator scene. I get where Martini was coming from, but my emotions are really mixed right now. And she still keeps referring to him as Martini instead of Jeff. Meanwhile Christopher is always referred to be his first name. Maybe that's necessary to distinguish him from his father, but I can't help but wonder if it's more significant.

I really liked how passionately Kitty reacted to the fighter pilots and their response. I think I got a little teary there for a moment.

Only 30 pages to go....

[Jeann (Happy Indulgence)]

I'm not really clear about the aliens/parasites either. I kind of tuned out during that explanation about the religions and their similarities.

TBH I kind of skimmed that elevator scene because I wanted to find out what happened next. Didn't really feel it too much, especially since I wasn't agreeing with Chris.

@Leah - I think her smarts are kind of what make her such an appealing heroine to follow, it's part of her charm hehe.

[Christine]

Finished it! Loved it! A few small things kept me from giving a full five stars but I have high hopes for the next one. If Kitty is permanently hooked up with Martini, I hope Christopher gets a girl too. I like him and his patented glares.

I'd be up for a buddy read of the next one, but I'm not sure when I'd fit it in. Maybe at the end of this month or sometime next month.

[Jeann (Happy Indulgence)]

Definitely up for the buddy read too, I kind of hesitated on the 5 stars and wondering whether it would hover around 4.5 but the enjoyment factor alone was worth it.

I'm wondering if I should put the buddy read up for July, and then any of us could join in when/if it is called for Bingo?

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Glad you all enjoyed it :DDD

[Leah]

Jeann wrote: "Definitely up for the buddy read too, I kind of hesitated on the 5 stars and wondering whether it would hover around 4.5 but the enjoyment factor alone was worth it.

I'm wondering if I should put ..."

Sounds good to me, fitting it into bingo would be nice. I four starred it, but only because of the minor issues I had with the love story. I wasn't really feeling the love triangle, I think I would have preferred if it had even just Jeff chasing her throughout the book.

[Christine]

I'm with you on the love triangle. It seems pretty clear she's with Martini, so why even go there with Christopher? Plus, the whole thing with her kind of looking like his mother was just plain creepy to me. Martini and Kitty were plenty entertaining on their own. But I can't wait to see more of the jet pilots.

[Leah]

Ahhhh yes, the mother thing was so creepy. I didn't understand how that was supposed to make the reader feel anything other than creeped out!

I liked the Jet pilots too!

[Christine]

Aaaand....that final take down at the end was almost too easy. (view spoiler)[Really, he agrees to go for a stroll with them through the Center? Let's her roam freely so she can find a weapon? But at the same time, I glad they took him down. But now I wonder, who will be the next big baddy? (hide spoiler)] I'm curious to see where we go next.

[Jeann (Happy Indulgence)]

Hey guys, I just set up a buddy read thread for the sequel: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/9...

It doesn't have an exact start date, just when we're able to fit it in we can discuss between Bingo and other buddy reads.