After Reading: HOPE'S FOLLY by Linnea Sinclair

Admiral Philip Guthrie is in an unprecedented position: on the wrong end of the law, leading a ragtag band of rebels against the oppressive Imperial forces. Or would be if he can get his command ship-the derelict cruiser called Hope's Folly-functioning. Not much can rattle Philip's legendary cool-but the woman who helps him foil an assassination attempt on Kirro Station will. She's the daughter of his best friend and first commander-a man who died while under Philip's command and whose death is on Philip's conscience.

Rya Bennton has been in love with Philip Guthrie since she was a girl. But can her childhood fantasies survive an encounter with the hardened man, and newly minted rebel leader, once she learns the truth about her father's death? Or will her passion for revenge put not only their hearts but their lives at risk? It's an impossible mission: A man who feels he can't love. A woman who believes she's unlovable. And an enemy who will stop at nothing to crush them both. (Goodreads)
Okay, not to be a total jerk, but that cover is UGH. As in, I wanted to cover it while reading on the plane. But, the book itself was awesome! So, that did make up for the eye-roll-worthy cover ;) Sinclair does a great job bringing this world to full and detailed life, and her characters are fully capable of leaping off the pages. And while, yes, this was technically a romance novel, it was so much more. I loved the interplay of the mounting tension outside the ship with the coming war, and that within it between the characters. It was very well done. There were a few times when I just wanted to say to either Guthrie or Rya something along the lines of "just TALK TO THEM" instead of assuming all sorts of things that created trouble in their budding relationship. Still, that's a pretty normal trope in romance, and really, all novels, so it didn't bother me too much. Overall, a very fun read and all kinds of interesting. I really need to read more sci-fi like this!
Have you read anything by this author?
Also, fair warning, my blog might be a bit quiet over the next few weeks as I go backpacking here: Bonus if you know where this is! :)