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To See the Sun #1
To See the Sun
Survival is hard enough in the outer colonies—what chance does love have?
Life can be harsh and lonely in the outer colonies, but miner-turned-farmer Abraham Bauer is living his dream, cultivating crops that will one day turn the unforgiving world of Alkirak into paradise. He wants more, though. A companion—someone quiet like him. Someone to share his days, his bed, and his heart.
Gael Sonnen has never seen the sky, let alone the sun. He’s spent his whole life locked in the undercity beneath Zhemosen, running from one desperate situation to another. For a chance to get out, he’ll do just about anything—even travel to the far end of the galaxy as a mail-order husband. But no plan of Gael’s has ever gone smoothly, and his new start on Alkirak is no exception. Things go wrong from the moment he steps off the shuttle.
Although Gael arrives with unexpected complications, Abraham is prepared to make their relationship work—until Gael’s past catches up with them, threatening Abraham’s livelihood, the freedom Gael gave everything for, and the love neither man ever hoped to find.
Life can be harsh and lonely in the outer colonies, but miner-turned-farmer Abraham Bauer is living his dream, cultivating crops that will one day turn the unforgiving world of Alkirak into paradise. He wants more, though. A companion—someone quiet like him. Someone to share his days, his bed, and his heart.
Gael Sonnen has never seen the sky, let alone the sun. He’s spent his whole life locked in the undercity beneath Zhemosen, running from one desperate situation to another. For a chance to get out, he’ll do just about anything—even travel to the far end of the galaxy as a mail-order husband. But no plan of Gael’s has ever gone smoothly, and his new start on Alkirak is no exception. Things go wrong from the moment he steps off the shuttle.
Although Gael arrives with unexpected complications, Abraham is prepared to make their relationship work—until Gael’s past catches up with them, threatening Abraham’s livelihood, the freedom Gael gave everything for, and the love neither man ever hoped to find.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 11, 2018
35 people are currently reading
857 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Jensen
38 books238 followersIf aliens ever do land on Earth, Kelly will not be prepared, despite having read over a hundred stories of the apocalypse. Still, she will pack her precious books into a box and carry them with her as she strives to survive. It’s what bibliophiles do.
Kelly is the author of twelve novels–including the Chaos Station series, co-written with Jenn Burke–and several novellas and short stories. Some of what she writes is speculative in nature, but mostly it’s just about a guy losing his socks and/or burning dinner. Because life isn’t all conquering aliens and mountain peaks. Sometimes finding a happy ever after is all the adventure we need.
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/czGhYz
Kelly is the author of twelve novels–including the Chaos Station series, co-written with Jenn Burke–and several novellas and short stories. Some of what she writes is speculative in nature, but mostly it’s just about a guy losing his socks and/or burning dinner. Because life isn’t all conquering aliens and mountain peaks. Sometimes finding a happy ever after is all the adventure we need.
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/czGhYz
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
October 17, 2018
To See the Sun is not a warm story. Although the sun burns hot enough to kill, the planet where Bram has his farm is rocky and stormy. Humans live in crevasses below the surface, and dwellings are created from caves.
This sounds primitive, but that's what happens when humans destroy their own planet and have to seek other hospitable places in our vast universe.
This book is set in the distant future, where technology controls all, and humans live like rats underground. Gael escapes prison, possibly death, to become companion to a lonely man who wants someone to talk with, someone to touch. Gael traverses the universe to be with Bram.
The first few chapters, before the men meet, are frantic and a little confusing. The world building is astonishing, even though Jensen never once tells the reader anything. We experience it ourselves.
Bram and Gael navigate a new friendship. They are both shy and want more but don't know how to ask for it. Bram is used to being alone. He's a kind, gentle man but set in his ways.
Gael wants to please. He's a natural caretaker and doesn't want to take advantage of Bram's generosity. He tries to help as much as he can and really listens when Bram talks. Nightmares continue to plague him, but Gael feels hope for the first time in his life.
I loved these MCs! Their lack of communication was frustrating, but it also felt real. Trust in this world is a commodity worthy of kings.
There is a long slow burn and one steamy scene at the 70 percent mark. I didn't mind the wait at all, and the sex was absolutely perfect: dreamy and sensual. But I felt like with all the conflict toward the end (think betrayal, doubt, and sacrifice), another intimate scene was as necessary as breathing.
The secondary characters added interest and depth to the story. There is Aavi of course, a talkative, bubbly ray of light, and Maia, a strong woman who encourages Bram to find someone to love.
And then there's Orfeo, Maia's brother, the town's mayor, a seasoned miner, Bram's once fuckbuddy; Orfeo is a complex character. I don't want to say more about him, but perhaps the resemblance of his name to Shakespeare's Othello's is by design.
You don't have to be a sci-fi fan to enjoy this story. To See the Sun is about the human condition: freedom, belonging, love. It ends with a HEA, and even though I wanted a longer denouement, I had full faith Bram and Gael had found their family at last.
This sounds primitive, but that's what happens when humans destroy their own planet and have to seek other hospitable places in our vast universe.
This book is set in the distant future, where technology controls all, and humans live like rats underground. Gael escapes prison, possibly death, to become companion to a lonely man who wants someone to talk with, someone to touch. Gael traverses the universe to be with Bram.
The first few chapters, before the men meet, are frantic and a little confusing. The world building is astonishing, even though Jensen never once tells the reader anything. We experience it ourselves.
Bram and Gael navigate a new friendship. They are both shy and want more but don't know how to ask for it. Bram is used to being alone. He's a kind, gentle man but set in his ways.
Gael wants to please. He's a natural caretaker and doesn't want to take advantage of Bram's generosity. He tries to help as much as he can and really listens when Bram talks. Nightmares continue to plague him, but Gael feels hope for the first time in his life.
I loved these MCs! Their lack of communication was frustrating, but it also felt real. Trust in this world is a commodity worthy of kings.
There is a long slow burn and one steamy scene at the 70 percent mark. I didn't mind the wait at all, and the sex was absolutely perfect: dreamy and sensual. But I felt like with all the conflict toward the end (think betrayal, doubt, and sacrifice), another intimate scene was as necessary as breathing.
The secondary characters added interest and depth to the story. There is Aavi of course, a talkative, bubbly ray of light, and Maia, a strong woman who encourages Bram to find someone to love.
And then there's Orfeo, Maia's brother, the town's mayor, a seasoned miner, Bram's once fuckbuddy; Orfeo is a complex character. I don't want to say more about him, but perhaps the resemblance of his name to Shakespeare's Othello's is by design.
You don't have to be a sci-fi fan to enjoy this story. To See the Sun is about the human condition: freedom, belonging, love. It ends with a HEA, and even though I wanted a longer denouement, I had full faith Bram and Gael had found their family at last.
March 15, 2020
4 Sci-Fi Stars!
Truly the blurb says it all.
Bram’s paid his dues working for a company that mines other planets, and he’s painstakingly carved out a satisfying, albeit lonely, existence on a harsh planet that is quite unforgiving. Regardless, he’s basically retired, pretty settled in his routine, and ready to really think about his future to make things more complete. It’s no mere whim when his year long search for a possible companion has finally produced someone who has caught his interest.
That person is Gael. To put it mildly, his life has been nothing but hardship and pain, working off a debt he can never hope to repay. When Gael’s situation becomes absolutely hopeless, his one chance at survival is to escape to the edge of the galaxy, a scary unknown but with it, a fragile thread of hope that maybe he can stop looking over his shoulder.
What I loved about this was the setup, the setting, the well realized worldbuilding. Mail order husband in the far outreaches of space?? Yes please! There’s a tender simmering slow burn between Bram and Gael, and it doesn't hurt that the former is a reticent gentle giant who’s kind and patient, and the latter’s a damaged soul who’s ready to carve out a place to belong to.
Of course, nothing is easy and Gael’s past does catch up with him lightening quick. These two must navigate not only their expectations but also each other and the challenges inherent. Will the chance at happiness be enough to risk all when their burgeoning life together is threatened?
I’ve not read much from Jensen, but those stories I have have not failed me. She’s great with the emotions and longing, the insecurity and doubt that run high. Toss in some adventure and suspense with plenty of hurt comfort and this delivers a very well deserved and wholly satisfactory sweet sexy win!
Truly the blurb says it all.
Bram’s paid his dues working for a company that mines other planets, and he’s painstakingly carved out a satisfying, albeit lonely, existence on a harsh planet that is quite unforgiving. Regardless, he’s basically retired, pretty settled in his routine, and ready to really think about his future to make things more complete. It’s no mere whim when his year long search for a possible companion has finally produced someone who has caught his interest.
That person is Gael. To put it mildly, his life has been nothing but hardship and pain, working off a debt he can never hope to repay. When Gael’s situation becomes absolutely hopeless, his one chance at survival is to escape to the edge of the galaxy, a scary unknown but with it, a fragile thread of hope that maybe he can stop looking over his shoulder.
What I loved about this was the setup, the setting, the well realized worldbuilding. Mail order husband in the far outreaches of space?? Yes please! There’s a tender simmering slow burn between Bram and Gael, and it doesn't hurt that the former is a reticent gentle giant who’s kind and patient, and the latter’s a damaged soul who’s ready to carve out a place to belong to.
Of course, nothing is easy and Gael’s past does catch up with him lightening quick. These two must navigate not only their expectations but also each other and the challenges inherent. Will the chance at happiness be enough to risk all when their burgeoning life together is threatened?
I’ve not read much from Jensen, but those stories I have have not failed me. She’s great with the emotions and longing, the insecurity and doubt that run high. Toss in some adventure and suspense with plenty of hurt comfort and this delivers a very well deserved and wholly satisfactory sweet sexy win!
December 28, 2022
*4.5* This book won’t be for everyone,
but I loved it
. Jensen has a way of writing such beautiful and atmospheric stories. They aren’t perfect by any means, but they always make me FEEL.
✔️Mail-order husband (kinda)
✔️Found family
✔️Hurt/comfort
✔️Age gap
✔️Sci-fi
✔️M/M
✔️Slow burn
✔️Beautiful hea
The main story takes place on a planet that most people go out of their way to avoid. The rising sun will kill you in a matter of seconds and the outpost looks like it’s one strong windstorm away from collapsing.
Bram (47) has been alone for a long time. There aren’t many dating options for him out in the desert. He is an ex-miner, now a farmer of sorts. One day he logs onto Heart Companions, looking at holos of people searching for love connections. But he’s skeptical...
There were millions of men looking for companion contracts...pay a virtual stranger to travel halfway across the galaxy to live with him on the off chance they might fall in love and live happily every after?
Gael (29) has been raised in poverty. He’s never seen the sun, barely surviving living underground. He runs into some serious trouble and a friend recommends he leave the planet and suggests putting a profile up on Heart Companions.
The story takes off from there. I loved the uncomfortable beginning, the genuine emotions, the gentle friendship, and then the love. This is a slow burn. It's two men learning to trust one another when the world hasn’t given them much to trust in.
One of the sweetest little characters almost stole the story. She becomes pivotal to the growth of Gael and Bram, and their sweet family. I'm keeping it vague, as you should go in blind on this one.
TW: Off page physical and sexual abuse.
✔️Mail-order husband (kinda)
✔️Found family
✔️Hurt/comfort
✔️Age gap
✔️Sci-fi
✔️M/M
✔️Slow burn
✔️Beautiful hea
The main story takes place on a planet that most people go out of their way to avoid. The rising sun will kill you in a matter of seconds and the outpost looks like it’s one strong windstorm away from collapsing.
Bram (47) has been alone for a long time. There aren’t many dating options for him out in the desert. He is an ex-miner, now a farmer of sorts. One day he logs onto Heart Companions, looking at holos of people searching for love connections. But he’s skeptical...
There were millions of men looking for companion contracts...pay a virtual stranger to travel halfway across the galaxy to live with him on the off chance they might fall in love and live happily every after?
Gael (29) has been raised in poverty. He’s never seen the sun, barely surviving living underground. He runs into some serious trouble and a friend recommends he leave the planet and suggests putting a profile up on Heart Companions.
The story takes off from there. I loved the uncomfortable beginning, the genuine emotions, the gentle friendship, and then the love. This is a slow burn. It's two men learning to trust one another when the world hasn’t given them much to trust in.
One of the sweetest little characters almost stole the story. She becomes pivotal to the growth of Gael and Bram, and their sweet family. I'm keeping it vague, as you should go in blind on this one.
TW: Off page physical and sexual abuse.
August 15, 2018
4.5 stars
I really loved this author's Chaos Station series (which if you haven't read you should) so I was excited to try this new stand alone book of hers. The story starts off with a bit of action as Gael finds himself in a seriously bad situation and has to make a major change to gain control of his life. He's desperate when he answers Bram's ad and doesn't expect more than a bit of safety and a fresh start. What he finds is a kind man and a chance at a life he never dreamed he could have.
One of things I enjoyed the most about this book was the pacing of the story. There are a few dramatic events to keep the plot moving along but it's mostly a sweet and quiet story. Another strong point was fantastic character development. Both of the main characters are shy and lonely and all they really want is to have a quiet, happy life. Watching them work together to build this was so touching. They start with a tentative friendship but as they get to know each other they start to fall in love. It was a perfect slow burn romance with a nice bit of hurt/comfort.
Sometimes I get a bit overwhelmed with sci-fi stories because the world building is too much for my brain. It was perfect here. There was enough to let me imagine the unique planet of Alkirak but not so much I got overwhelmed with the details. The author creates a unique planet and paints such detailed imagery that the reader can feel both Bram's isolation on this remote planet and his love and pride for his home.
The ending was just perfect and made even my Grinch heart get filled with all of the feelz. I was so happy for these two and the family they build together.
We're about half way through the year and I'm already starting to think about which books are going to make my "Best Of" list and chances are high this book will make that list. This is one I strongly recommend.
I really loved this author's Chaos Station series (which if you haven't read you should) so I was excited to try this new stand alone book of hers. The story starts off with a bit of action as Gael finds himself in a seriously bad situation and has to make a major change to gain control of his life. He's desperate when he answers Bram's ad and doesn't expect more than a bit of safety and a fresh start. What he finds is a kind man and a chance at a life he never dreamed he could have.
One of things I enjoyed the most about this book was the pacing of the story. There are a few dramatic events to keep the plot moving along but it's mostly a sweet and quiet story. Another strong point was fantastic character development. Both of the main characters are shy and lonely and all they really want is to have a quiet, happy life. Watching them work together to build this was so touching. They start with a tentative friendship but as they get to know each other they start to fall in love. It was a perfect slow burn romance with a nice bit of hurt/comfort.
Sometimes I get a bit overwhelmed with sci-fi stories because the world building is too much for my brain. It was perfect here. There was enough to let me imagine the unique planet of Alkirak but not so much I got overwhelmed with the details. The author creates a unique planet and paints such detailed imagery that the reader can feel both Bram's isolation on this remote planet and his love and pride for his home.
The ending was just perfect and made even my Grinch heart get filled with all of the feelz. I was so happy for these two and the family they build together.
We're about half way through the year and I'm already starting to think about which books are going to make my "Best Of" list and chances are high this book will make that list. This is one I strongly recommend.
January 17, 2020
I'm not the hugest fan of science fiction, but I really enjoyed this story set on Alkirak, an inhospitable half-terraformed planet with deep crevasses and poison mists. Bram is a "former miner turned farmer who [writes] poetry in his spare time" and longs for "the possibility of a family. Children. He wanted to share his life with another man. Someone quiet like him. Someone who wanted the same things."
Gael lives a hard-scrabble existence on Zhemosen, a garden planet for the wealthy, but where the poor live in the undercity with "dark streets, bitter air, and water that tasted like sweat." Gael is running away from his life and his past and a one-year contract on Alkirak seems like an answer to his prayers. But Gael unknowingly has a stow-away with him, and soon Bram finds himself with his new "mail order" companion and a girl who introduces herself as Aavi, Gael's (non-existent) sister.
What follows is a sweet love story that gently unfolds as Gael learns to trust and depend on Bram and his steady and gentle soul. Aavi and Bram and Gael slowly become a family, and there is a delicious slow-burn between Bram and Gael as they bond together as friends and lovers. Their's is a romance that grows sweeter with time and Jensen's writing and pacing is so well done. The pacing of the entire tale feels just right, as there is an interesting amount of world-building balanced with a subplot of Gael and Aavi's pasts catching up with them and the ending is simply perfect. I loved the depth of character development, especially of Aavi and Maia, and the world-building is so well-done. 4 stars for "To See the Sun."
I received an ARC from Riptide Publishing, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Stop by my new blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
Gael lives a hard-scrabble existence on Zhemosen, a garden planet for the wealthy, but where the poor live in the undercity with "dark streets, bitter air, and water that tasted like sweat." Gael is running away from his life and his past and a one-year contract on Alkirak seems like an answer to his prayers. But Gael unknowingly has a stow-away with him, and soon Bram finds himself with his new "mail order" companion and a girl who introduces herself as Aavi, Gael's (non-existent) sister.
What follows is a sweet love story that gently unfolds as Gael learns to trust and depend on Bram and his steady and gentle soul. Aavi and Bram and Gael slowly become a family, and there is a delicious slow-burn between Bram and Gael as they bond together as friends and lovers. Their's is a romance that grows sweeter with time and Jensen's writing and pacing is so well done. The pacing of the entire tale feels just right, as there is an interesting amount of world-building balanced with a subplot of Gael and Aavi's pasts catching up with them and the ending is simply perfect. I loved the depth of character development, especially of Aavi and Maia, and the world-building is so well-done. 4 stars for "To See the Sun."
I never considered color before you, Whether gray, amber, purple, or blue. Dust was dust and sky was sky, I never thought to question why. Now here you are, with all you bring, Color and brightness, and a meaning to every thing. I didn’t really see the world before you came, Now all of it sings an echo of your name.
I received an ARC from Riptide Publishing, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Stop by my new blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
August 26, 2019
This book started with a slow and slightly confusing opening chapter but got better and better once Gael got off the original planet and hitched his destiny with Bram.
It wouldn't have felt out of place for this narrative to have been a plot in an episode of Star Trek or perhaps Stargate - there was a very cinematic feel to the book and I had very clear visuals of both characters and setting.
There's lots of slow and steady relationship growth too, nothing felt hurried or out of place, Gael and Bram were wonderfully realised characters who fit together well.
It's a relatively low steam romance but there are lots of genuine feelings and emotions on display.
The sci-fi was done well, the tensions arising from the planet's elemental weather systems were enough to keep my interest throughout. The side plot came a bit out of left field and I'm not sure whether or not it was truly needed tbh, but it was handled with skill in the execution.
Lovely epilogue too. I'd like to read more in this setting and I really liked most of the secondary characters.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
It wouldn't have felt out of place for this narrative to have been a plot in an episode of Star Trek or perhaps Stargate - there was a very cinematic feel to the book and I had very clear visuals of both characters and setting.
There's lots of slow and steady relationship growth too, nothing felt hurried or out of place, Gael and Bram were wonderfully realised characters who fit together well.
It's a relatively low steam romance but there are lots of genuine feelings and emotions on display.
The sci-fi was done well, the tensions arising from the planet's elemental weather systems were enough to keep my interest throughout. The side plot came a bit out of left field and I'm not sure whether or not it was truly needed tbh, but it was handled with skill in the execution.
Lovely epilogue too. I'd like to read more in this setting and I really liked most of the secondary characters.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
September 22, 2018
A mail-order-bride style space western?…yes, please!
An elegant mix of the western and sci-fi genres, To See the Sun tells a story that at its heart readers will be familiar with, but told in such beautiful and enticing ways that they will hardly care. I grew up on these kinds of stories, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I have always had a weak spot for the kinds of romances where two people find themselves tied to each other, and yet have to struggle with being stuck with a virtual stranger, in new and unsure places. And this story gives me all that, but throws in the unfamiliar, and beautifully bleak, landscape of Alkirak as a backdrop to the slow and at times painful love story of Bram and Gael. Nothing here is new, but it is painted in such detail as to make it feel almost touchable.
The bare-bones of the story is such: Gael, having gotten himself into a rather sticky situation on his home planet, decides it is best to flee, and flee quickly. Trouble is, fleeing is kinda expensive. Especially for someone who is one bad decision (that he mostly likely just made) from being forced into slavery. But it turns out that in the outer edges of the galaxy there are people who are lonely enough to pay for the chance of companionship. And Gael is just desperate enough to take the chance on one Abraham Bauer–a farmer on the lonely and hard world of Alkirak. But not everything is as it seems–or how either of them hopes–when Gael touches down on his new home. Desperate to make it work, though, both Bram and Gael must try to find a way to fit into each other’s lives…before their pasts, or the planet itself, makes the decision for them.
These kinds of sci-fi stories have to be my favorite. The ones that are not all about saving the universe, or declaring just how beyond hope humanity is, have a way of sticking with me long past reading. The more personal scope of this book has more impact because it is about simple things. Hard, at times painful, but easily understandable to almost everyone. Wanting to escape a hopeless situation, learning to trust the kindness of strangers, finding a family and fighting tooth and nail for it. All these are things that people get on a personal level. And the fact that they just happen to take place on some dangerous planet in a galaxy far far away is just spice to make the story stand out a bit.
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely adored the world building in this book. Both Gael’s home before meeting Bram, and Alkirak are incredibly well painted in this story. The landscapes…that first sunset…I loved it. It was so damn beautiful, even if it lived only in my mind. I have a huge fucking weakness for space, and this book did an excellent job of feeding that. And the fact that there was so much harshness to counteract that beauty is what made it just that little bit more real.
One of the bigger twists in this story is a bit of a spoiler, so I won’t go into detail about it, but I do love how it played out over the course of the story. It could have felt very forced, but it never did. It felt honest and as real as the rest of the story, and in the end that is all that I can ask.
I honestly have no complaints here. Some people might not like the slow-burn nature of the romance, but not only did I find it incredibly enthralling…but it felt true to the characters and the situation. The push and pull between Bram and Gael worked. As their connection and trust grew, so did the chemistry. I think I would have had a hard time buying anything else. And yeah, there was that bit at the end where I wanted to smack Bram, but it worked itself out.
Overall this was incredibly well written, and at times heart-breakingly beautiful. While I’ll fully cop to being a sucker for a good scifi, the romance here was nothing to sniff at. Add that all together and you are left with something that keeps you glued to the page and desperate to find the HEA buried in the cold and unforgiving heart of Alkirak.
4.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
An elegant mix of the western and sci-fi genres, To See the Sun tells a story that at its heart readers will be familiar with, but told in such beautiful and enticing ways that they will hardly care. I grew up on these kinds of stories, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I have always had a weak spot for the kinds of romances where two people find themselves tied to each other, and yet have to struggle with being stuck with a virtual stranger, in new and unsure places. And this story gives me all that, but throws in the unfamiliar, and beautifully bleak, landscape of Alkirak as a backdrop to the slow and at times painful love story of Bram and Gael. Nothing here is new, but it is painted in such detail as to make it feel almost touchable.
The bare-bones of the story is such: Gael, having gotten himself into a rather sticky situation on his home planet, decides it is best to flee, and flee quickly. Trouble is, fleeing is kinda expensive. Especially for someone who is one bad decision (that he mostly likely just made) from being forced into slavery. But it turns out that in the outer edges of the galaxy there are people who are lonely enough to pay for the chance of companionship. And Gael is just desperate enough to take the chance on one Abraham Bauer–a farmer on the lonely and hard world of Alkirak. But not everything is as it seems–or how either of them hopes–when Gael touches down on his new home. Desperate to make it work, though, both Bram and Gael must try to find a way to fit into each other’s lives…before their pasts, or the planet itself, makes the decision for them.
These kinds of sci-fi stories have to be my favorite. The ones that are not all about saving the universe, or declaring just how beyond hope humanity is, have a way of sticking with me long past reading. The more personal scope of this book has more impact because it is about simple things. Hard, at times painful, but easily understandable to almost everyone. Wanting to escape a hopeless situation, learning to trust the kindness of strangers, finding a family and fighting tooth and nail for it. All these are things that people get on a personal level. And the fact that they just happen to take place on some dangerous planet in a galaxy far far away is just spice to make the story stand out a bit.
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely adored the world building in this book. Both Gael’s home before meeting Bram, and Alkirak are incredibly well painted in this story. The landscapes…that first sunset…I loved it. It was so damn beautiful, even if it lived only in my mind. I have a huge fucking weakness for space, and this book did an excellent job of feeding that. And the fact that there was so much harshness to counteract that beauty is what made it just that little bit more real.
One of the bigger twists in this story is a bit of a spoiler, so I won’t go into detail about it, but I do love how it played out over the course of the story. It could have felt very forced, but it never did. It felt honest and as real as the rest of the story, and in the end that is all that I can ask.
I honestly have no complaints here. Some people might not like the slow-burn nature of the romance, but not only did I find it incredibly enthralling…but it felt true to the characters and the situation. The push and pull between Bram and Gael worked. As their connection and trust grew, so did the chemistry. I think I would have had a hard time buying anything else. And yeah, there was that bit at the end where I wanted to smack Bram, but it worked itself out.
Overall this was incredibly well written, and at times heart-breakingly beautiful. While I’ll fully cop to being a sucker for a good scifi, the romance here was nothing to sniff at. Add that all together and you are left with something that keeps you glued to the page and desperate to find the HEA buried in the cold and unforgiving heart of Alkirak.
4.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
April 19, 2020
2.5 stars
In the words of a wise friend, what a way to derail a promising setup.
The premise was all about a prearranged, mail-order relationship between two men on opposite sides of the galaxy, one a lonely farmer/colonist in an unforgiving and dangerous world (I loved the descriptions of Alkirak and Bram’s everyday life) looking for a companion, the other a desperate sort-of-fugitive running from a complicated situation.
I was looking forward to what was shaping up to be a forced proximity trope with a sci-fi setting (it’s worth repeating how much I loved the Alkirak setting, it was great world building). I was basically drooling at the idea of what would come next, to be honest.
I was really, really into this book until 21%, when a turn of events sent the story toward a direction that, while not bad per se, was a huge turn off for me. It was like somebody had put a delicious-looking food in front of me, the first bite tasted great, so did the second, then the third came and I was spitting cardboard. Since nobody can accuse me of not being stubborn, I kept going because, hey, the first two bites were great, maybe I’d find something great again! Right?!
Not really.
The setting was still great, and, coupled with my curiosity to see how a certain twist near the end would get solved, probably the only reason I finished the book.
The characters were not bad either, taken singularly, but the romance was lukewarm and disappointing. A reviewer called it “Little House in the Crevasse” and it really is the perfect description. It was underwhelming to say the least and Gael didn’t feel in character with how he’d been presented in the first 21% of the book.
It may be me and not the book and in retrospect I would’ve probably been better served DNFing at 21%, but it is what it is. And I stand by the fact that
In the words of a wise friend, what a way to derail a promising setup.
The premise was all about a prearranged, mail-order relationship between two men on opposite sides of the galaxy, one a lonely farmer/colonist in an unforgiving and dangerous world (I loved the descriptions of Alkirak and Bram’s everyday life) looking for a companion, the other a desperate sort-of-fugitive running from a complicated situation.
I was looking forward to what was shaping up to be a forced proximity trope with a sci-fi setting (it’s worth repeating how much I loved the Alkirak setting, it was great world building). I was basically drooling at the idea of what would come next, to be honest.
I was really, really into this book until 21%, when a turn of events sent the story toward a direction that, while not bad per se, was a huge turn off for me. It was like somebody had put a delicious-looking food in front of me, the first bite tasted great, so did the second, then the third came and I was spitting cardboard. Since nobody can accuse me of not being stubborn, I kept going because, hey, the first two bites were great, maybe I’d find something great again! Right?!
Not really.
The setting was still great, and, coupled with my curiosity to see how a certain twist near the end would get solved, probably the only reason I finished the book.
The characters were not bad either, taken singularly, but the romance was lukewarm and disappointing. A reviewer called it “Little House in the Crevasse” and it really is the perfect description. It was underwhelming to say the least and Gael didn’t feel in character with how he’d been presented in the first 21% of the book.
It may be me and not the book and in retrospect I would’ve probably been better served DNFing at 21%, but it is what it is. And I stand by the fact that
February 23, 2022
3.5 Stars
Jensen’s writing continues to impress. She really does have a good depth to her, both in terms of plot and character development, and also in the believability of the naturally progressing romance she sets up masterfully between her MCs, Bram and Gael, who come together here under the guise of a classic mail order groom set-up.
Most notably, this was a damn impressive and innovative science-fiction story, with world-building that was simple yet comprehensive. From page one, I was fully immersed in the universe Jensen had created here, with its harsh environments and gritty lifestyles lived by the complex and troubled characters — it was unlike anything I’d read before in the genre, so kudos to that.
My enjoyment would have been higher had I not had a few issues with the heavy presence of one particularly (personally) bothersome side character. I won’t say more, because in doing so I fear I’d be giving away too much of the story to potential readers, and we don’t want that!
For a better, more informative review, please read my best buddy R’s review, because that shit is the bomb!
Jensen’s writing continues to impress. She really does have a good depth to her, both in terms of plot and character development, and also in the believability of the naturally progressing romance she sets up masterfully between her MCs, Bram and Gael, who come together here under the guise of a classic mail order groom set-up.
Most notably, this was a damn impressive and innovative science-fiction story, with world-building that was simple yet comprehensive. From page one, I was fully immersed in the universe Jensen had created here, with its harsh environments and gritty lifestyles lived by the complex and troubled characters — it was unlike anything I’d read before in the genre, so kudos to that.
My enjoyment would have been higher had I not had a few issues with the heavy presence of one particularly (personally) bothersome side character. I won’t say more, because in doing so I fear I’d be giving away too much of the story to potential readers, and we don’t want that!
For a better, more informative review, please read my best buddy R’s review, because that shit is the bomb!
August 31, 2019
Audio – 3 stars
Story – 3.25 stars
This was a really good SciFi story. The world building was impressive. There were a couple of emotional and suspenseful scenes, so the writing was good too. What fell short for me was the romance. Both MCs were likeable and tugged at my heartstrings, but I wasn’t feeling them as a couple. The relationship develop was a bit humdrum. It didn’t help that the physical description of the MCs read more like an outline than a full picture.
Overall, it was an above average and worthwhile read.
Story – 3.25 stars
This was a really good SciFi story. The world building was impressive. There were a couple of emotional and suspenseful scenes, so the writing was good too. What fell short for me was the romance. Both MCs were likeable and tugged at my heartstrings, but I wasn’t feeling them as a couple. The relationship develop was a bit humdrum. It didn’t help that the physical description of the MCs read more like an outline than a full picture.
Overall, it was an above average and worthwhile read.
July 7, 2018
Atmospheric and tense, To See the Sun is a slow build romance that balances sweet and loving with the reality of a hard life on an unforgiving planet.
Bram is a former foreman for a mining company turned farmer. He has built a life on Alkirak but he's lonely. Although on the outside he's all pragmatism and sensibleness, inside he seeks to find someone to love, cherish, and care for. He places an ad for a sort of "mail order husband" and finds Gael -who brings a lot of surprises into Bram's quiet and measured life.
Gael has had a life of hardship - but he's not hard. He has managed to keep his sense of right and wrong in spite of a tremendous amount of pressure to become, essentially, a "bad" guy. Though he's not innocent or naive, his inner core tries to shine with beauty even while he lives in darkness.
This had a wonderful blend of romance without loosing sight of the fact it is set in a different world - and that world needs to make sense to the reader but not overshadow the romance itself. One of the things I enjoyed most about this book is the feeling of tension in regards to several aspects - the mining and planet itself which was dangerous, Gael's past and the ramifications, and the unknown element of Aavi. All three combined in a unique way to keep the story progressing but not with bated breath, more a sense of anticipation of what was coming. This was well contrasted with the simple everyday activities that we get to see being done - making food, cleaning, and doing chores. So this sense of "relatedness" to our own daily lives against the unknown of the dangers and how the scifi elements bring a freshness to what might be somewhat mundane. I think I expected something a bit more gritty - instead I got a lot more heart and a lot less hurting on page and the characters came alive to me - and I loved them. Bram's solidness and Gael's wonder. It felt new, unique, and left me completely satisfied in the end. Highly recommended!
An ARC was received via NetGalley for my honest review
Bram is a former foreman for a mining company turned farmer. He has built a life on Alkirak but he's lonely. Although on the outside he's all pragmatism and sensibleness, inside he seeks to find someone to love, cherish, and care for. He places an ad for a sort of "mail order husband" and finds Gael -who brings a lot of surprises into Bram's quiet and measured life.
Gael has had a life of hardship - but he's not hard. He has managed to keep his sense of right and wrong in spite of a tremendous amount of pressure to become, essentially, a "bad" guy. Though he's not innocent or naive, his inner core tries to shine with beauty even while he lives in darkness.
This had a wonderful blend of romance without loosing sight of the fact it is set in a different world - and that world needs to make sense to the reader but not overshadow the romance itself. One of the things I enjoyed most about this book is the feeling of tension in regards to several aspects - the mining and planet itself which was dangerous, Gael's past and the ramifications, and the unknown element of Aavi. All three combined in a unique way to keep the story progressing but not with bated breath, more a sense of anticipation of what was coming. This was well contrasted with the simple everyday activities that we get to see being done - making food, cleaning, and doing chores. So this sense of "relatedness" to our own daily lives against the unknown of the dangers and how the scifi elements bring a freshness to what might be somewhat mundane. I think I expected something a bit more gritty - instead I got a lot more heart and a lot less hurting on page and the characters came alive to me - and I loved them. Bram's solidness and Gael's wonder. It felt new, unique, and left me completely satisfied in the end. Highly recommended!
An ARC was received via NetGalley for my honest review
July 2, 2018
My first Kelly Jensen story and it's a very nice way to start. If you like contemporary romance but you're worried about the sci-fi label, maybe don't be. Yes, it is set in another galaxy, there's excellent world building too, and there are words like sun and dust as expressions, but mostly it's a slow burn, character driven love story about two lonely guys, one complete with a sad past, who have shy but beautiful words and a lot of love to give to one another - over time. It's totally charming, it pulls at the heart, with adorable leads... and more. A feel good read that comes complete with a HEA.
Much longer blog review. Treat as a spoiler review -
A few quotes -
The memory of Loic and how he’d died shredded Gael’s emotions. He’d hoped time and distance would ease his grief, but three months and half a galaxy had made no difference. It still hurt. Sun, it hurt.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, unsure if he spoke to Bram or Loic.
“Shh,” Bram said. “Bad luck doesn’t need an apology.”
“But—”
“I’m glad you ran to me.”
Bram hadn’t brought him out here just to warm his bed. Bram wanted to love him.
Ah, Bram. Please be patient with me. Keep to your stillness. I can be what you want, I know I can.
He could be what Bram needed—and not because he always strived to do a good job, no matter the work. This, he wanted. Really wanted. This, he almost believed, he might actually get to have.
“Bram,” Gael whispered.
“Let me love you,” Bram huffed over an erect nipple. “I’ve waited nearly three months to taste every centimeter of your skin.”
Much longer blog review. Treat as a spoiler review -
A few quotes -
The memory of Loic and how he’d died shredded Gael’s emotions. He’d hoped time and distance would ease his grief, but three months and half a galaxy had made no difference. It still hurt. Sun, it hurt.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, unsure if he spoke to Bram or Loic.
“Shh,” Bram said. “Bad luck doesn’t need an apology.”
“But—”
“I’m glad you ran to me.”
Bram hadn’t brought him out here just to warm his bed. Bram wanted to love him.
Ah, Bram. Please be patient with me. Keep to your stillness. I can be what you want, I know I can.
He could be what Bram needed—and not because he always strived to do a good job, no matter the work. This, he wanted. Really wanted. This, he almost believed, he might actually get to have.
“Bram,” Gael whispered.
“Let me love you,” Bram huffed over an erect nipple. “I’ve waited nearly three months to taste every centimeter of your skin.”
August 13, 2018
A weirdly puritan story, coulda been called Little House in the Crevasse.
Complete with prayer before dinner, long periods of chastity and a marriage to avoid living in sin with ones... mail order groom?
Who knows.
Not my thing.
Complete with prayer before dinner, long periods of chastity and a marriage to avoid living in sin with ones... mail order groom?
Who knows.
Not my thing.
August 17, 2018
Good world building, good sci/fi elements, good slow burn romance, good pacing, good conflicts. Uninteresting MC's. Both Gael and Bram suffered from being steady and boring. Even Aavi was too perfect which made her....boring. The most interesting character was the side character Price and we leave him behind on the original planet fairly quickly.
All around a good book but not super memorable despite the very interesting world the author built.
All around a good book but not super memorable despite the very interesting world the author built.
February 15, 2021
To See the Sun it's a sci-fi that doesn't feel like a sci-fi, because humans are involved and yes is another planet but again, it's with humans. 🤭❤
I read the blurb and I felt this could be a Ruby Dixon type of book, it wasn't. Gael was in a big mess in a planet that it's corrupt so he offered his services as a mail order groom, Bram its very lonely and wants a solid relationship so he answers Gael's ad and ships him to his home planet. They meet, things happen and of course, a happily ever after between two strangers is not an easy feat, specially when you carry a baggage so they have to get to know each other first to get there.
The description of this planet was really well done, it's a very dangerous place but still with all the plans human have, it can thrive with time. The characters development was good too, they took their tentative time and even though they had doubts, they came around to be with each other and to form a family with Aava, love that girl btw!
I really enjoyed this, even though sometimes I felt it had a depressing vibe, I think it's the planet itself that gave me that idea. But the story was lovely and I totally fell in love with the characters.
Lovely thing. 🥰❤
I read the blurb and I felt this could be a Ruby Dixon type of book, it wasn't. Gael was in a big mess in a planet that it's corrupt so he offered his services as a mail order groom, Bram its very lonely and wants a solid relationship so he answers Gael's ad and ships him to his home planet. They meet, things happen and of course, a happily ever after between two strangers is not an easy feat, specially when you carry a baggage so they have to get to know each other first to get there.
The description of this planet was really well done, it's a very dangerous place but still with all the plans human have, it can thrive with time. The characters development was good too, they took their tentative time and even though they had doubts, they came around to be with each other and to form a family with Aava, love that girl btw!
I really enjoyed this, even though sometimes I felt it had a depressing vibe, I think it's the planet itself that gave me that idea. But the story was lovely and I totally fell in love with the characters.
Lovely thing. 🥰❤
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September 28, 2018
3.5 stars!
A sci-fi romance with echoes of mail order brides of the past. The world building was strong with details like futuristic profanities thrown in to get the right mood going. Descriptions of alien planets, futuristic cities, space suits, mining details etc was all nicely done to boost the sci-fi element.
Normally I'm a sucker for slow burn romances like this one, but this was close to being too slow for me. It balanced right on the edge of becoming boring. I would have wished for more chemistry between the pair, to somehow feel them more closely. Perhaps there was a tad too much introspection going on rather than interaction and dialogue between the characters to cause me to feel that way.
The resolution to the story was suspenseful without losing sight of the romance, and I enjoyed the thrill of the story coming together. The last bit however, the epilogue, was a disappointment. Predictable and cheesy themed compared to the rest (even though the story needed one to avoid an overly abrupt ending).
A sci-fi romance with echoes of mail order brides of the past. The world building was strong with details like futuristic profanities thrown in to get the right mood going. Descriptions of alien planets, futuristic cities, space suits, mining details etc was all nicely done to boost the sci-fi element.
Normally I'm a sucker for slow burn romances like this one, but this was close to being too slow for me. It balanced right on the edge of becoming boring. I would have wished for more chemistry between the pair, to somehow feel them more closely. Perhaps there was a tad too much introspection going on rather than interaction and dialogue between the characters to cause me to feel that way.
The resolution to the story was suspenseful without losing sight of the romance, and I enjoyed the thrill of the story coming together. The last bit however, the epilogue, was a disappointment. Predictable and cheesy themed compared to the rest (even though the story needed one to avoid an overly abrupt ending).
April 17, 2019
4.5 stars / B+
Read for the April prompt in the 2019 TBR Challenge.
The last few times the “Something Different” prompt has come up in the TBR Challenge, I’ve found myself picking up a Science Fiction romance. I don’t know why I don’t read many of them – I like the genre in TV and film – and I’ve enjoyed the few I’ve read, so this prompt is always a good opportunity to read another one! I chose Kelly Jensen’s To See the Sun for a couple of reasons; firstly, I really enjoyed her recent This Time Forever series, a trilogy of novels in which a group of men in their late forties finally find their happy ever afters and was keen to read something else of hers, and secondly, my fellow AAR reviewer Maria Rose put the book in her Best of 2018 list, so that was a strong recommendation. Plus, it’s a variation on the mail-order-bride trope, and I haven’t read many of those, so that also worked for this particular prompt.
To See the Sun is set on the remote colony of Alkirak, a terraformed planet on which humans carve out their homes from the rock in the crevasses which provide shelter from the largely inhospitable surface. Ex-miner Abraham Bauer is stretched pretty thin keeping everything going on his small farm, but least he’s working for something that’s his rather than risking his neck day in, day out in the mines. It’s also a lonely life, and Bram longs to find someone to share his life and maybe even build a family with, but that seems almost impossible. Finding someone to have sex with isn’t difficult, but Bram wants more than that, he wants connection and affection, maybe even love – and that’s much harder to come by. When he hears about companies that arrange things called companion contracts, he doesn’t hold out much hope – after all, there are millions of people just like him out there, and who on earth would want to come and spend their life on a remote outpost with an unstable atmosphere for what little Bram has to offer? – but he signs up anyway… and on logging on to the site one evening is captivated by the video of a beautiful young man whose shy, considered manner and obvious sweetness strike a chord deep within Bram that is more than simple lust. He dares to hope that he might just have found what he’s been searching for.
Gael Sonnen ekes out an existence on Zhemozen, a beautiful planet at the opposite end of the galaxy that’s a paradise – if you’ve got money. But Gael and the millions like him who are poor, live hand-to-mouth in the crowded, squalid undercity, a place with “dark streets, bitter air, and water that tasted like sweat." When he falls foul of a powerful criminal family, Gael’s only option is to run – and the farther away the better. With no money, it seems his only option will be life as an indentured servant, until a friend suggests another possibility. Good-looking as he is, Gael will have no trouble getting a companion contract somewhere far away from Zhemosen; and a year’s contract as companion – or more - to a lonely farmer at the other end of the galaxy seems as good a way to escape as any.
Bram and Gael are decent, likeable characters, ordinary men who just want to make a quiet life with someone with the same wants, needs and outlook. Bram is in his late forties and used to being alone, which has probably made him a bit set in his ways; while Gael is younger (twenty-nine) and has had a tough life, didn’t know either of his parents, and struggled to bring up his younger brother, who was neuroatypical and for whose death Gael blames himself. He’s a good man and is determined that Bram won’t regret his decision to make the contract – although an unexpected event may have scuppered Gael’s chances before he can even get settled.
But he wants very much to help Bram and not to take advantage of his generosity. Gael is a natural caretaker, and I loved the small ways he starts to make a place for himself in Bram’s life, whether it’s cooking a meal, helping on the farm or just sitting quietly, listening to Bram talk or watching a video with him at the end of the day. Their relationship is incredibly touching and really well developed as they learn about each other, work alongside one another and start to fall in love.
There are a few dramatic events along the way to keep things moving, (although the last act ‘black moment’ kind of comes out of nowhere and is resolved very quickly), but ultimately, this is a character driven, sweet story about things we can all identify with; wanting to make a personal connection with someone, or escape a hopeless situation, or make a family and being prepared to fight hard to keep it.
Ms. Jensen’s worldbuilding is superb. She incorporates details about Alkirak and Zhemosen seamlessly into the narrative in such a way as to enable the reader to build clear pictures in the mind’s eye – of the dark, underground city on Zhemosen and of the austere, hostile surface of Alkirak, the acid mists, violent storms, and most of all, the dangerous but beautiful sun that so fascinates Gael and makes the clouds glow and colours the sky and the horizon. The dangers of daily life in such a place are brilliantly contrasted with everyday things like eating a meal or watching TV, and the slow-burn romance between Bram and Gael is beautifully done.
To See the Sun may be set on a distant planet at some unspecified time in the future, but at its heart, it's a story about two lonely people finding something in each other they've been missing and yearning for. It's sweet and gorgeously romantic and I enjoyed every bit of it.
Read for the April prompt in the 2019 TBR Challenge.
The last few times the “Something Different” prompt has come up in the TBR Challenge, I’ve found myself picking up a Science Fiction romance. I don’t know why I don’t read many of them – I like the genre in TV and film – and I’ve enjoyed the few I’ve read, so this prompt is always a good opportunity to read another one! I chose Kelly Jensen’s To See the Sun for a couple of reasons; firstly, I really enjoyed her recent This Time Forever series, a trilogy of novels in which a group of men in their late forties finally find their happy ever afters and was keen to read something else of hers, and secondly, my fellow AAR reviewer Maria Rose put the book in her Best of 2018 list, so that was a strong recommendation. Plus, it’s a variation on the mail-order-bride trope, and I haven’t read many of those, so that also worked for this particular prompt.
To See the Sun is set on the remote colony of Alkirak, a terraformed planet on which humans carve out their homes from the rock in the crevasses which provide shelter from the largely inhospitable surface. Ex-miner Abraham Bauer is stretched pretty thin keeping everything going on his small farm, but least he’s working for something that’s his rather than risking his neck day in, day out in the mines. It’s also a lonely life, and Bram longs to find someone to share his life and maybe even build a family with, but that seems almost impossible. Finding someone to have sex with isn’t difficult, but Bram wants more than that, he wants connection and affection, maybe even love – and that’s much harder to come by. When he hears about companies that arrange things called companion contracts, he doesn’t hold out much hope – after all, there are millions of people just like him out there, and who on earth would want to come and spend their life on a remote outpost with an unstable atmosphere for what little Bram has to offer? – but he signs up anyway… and on logging on to the site one evening is captivated by the video of a beautiful young man whose shy, considered manner and obvious sweetness strike a chord deep within Bram that is more than simple lust. He dares to hope that he might just have found what he’s been searching for.
Gael Sonnen ekes out an existence on Zhemozen, a beautiful planet at the opposite end of the galaxy that’s a paradise – if you’ve got money. But Gael and the millions like him who are poor, live hand-to-mouth in the crowded, squalid undercity, a place with “dark streets, bitter air, and water that tasted like sweat." When he falls foul of a powerful criminal family, Gael’s only option is to run – and the farther away the better. With no money, it seems his only option will be life as an indentured servant, until a friend suggests another possibility. Good-looking as he is, Gael will have no trouble getting a companion contract somewhere far away from Zhemosen; and a year’s contract as companion – or more - to a lonely farmer at the other end of the galaxy seems as good a way to escape as any.
Bram and Gael are decent, likeable characters, ordinary men who just want to make a quiet life with someone with the same wants, needs and outlook. Bram is in his late forties and used to being alone, which has probably made him a bit set in his ways; while Gael is younger (twenty-nine) and has had a tough life, didn’t know either of his parents, and struggled to bring up his younger brother, who was neuroatypical and for whose death Gael blames himself. He’s a good man and is determined that Bram won’t regret his decision to make the contract – although an unexpected event may have scuppered Gael’s chances before he can even get settled.
But he wants very much to help Bram and not to take advantage of his generosity. Gael is a natural caretaker, and I loved the small ways he starts to make a place for himself in Bram’s life, whether it’s cooking a meal, helping on the farm or just sitting quietly, listening to Bram talk or watching a video with him at the end of the day. Their relationship is incredibly touching and really well developed as they learn about each other, work alongside one another and start to fall in love.
There are a few dramatic events along the way to keep things moving, (although the last act ‘black moment’ kind of comes out of nowhere and is resolved very quickly), but ultimately, this is a character driven, sweet story about things we can all identify with; wanting to make a personal connection with someone, or escape a hopeless situation, or make a family and being prepared to fight hard to keep it.
Ms. Jensen’s worldbuilding is superb. She incorporates details about Alkirak and Zhemosen seamlessly into the narrative in such a way as to enable the reader to build clear pictures in the mind’s eye – of the dark, underground city on Zhemosen and of the austere, hostile surface of Alkirak, the acid mists, violent storms, and most of all, the dangerous but beautiful sun that so fascinates Gael and makes the clouds glow and colours the sky and the horizon. The dangers of daily life in such a place are brilliantly contrasted with everyday things like eating a meal or watching TV, and the slow-burn romance between Bram and Gael is beautifully done.
To See the Sun may be set on a distant planet at some unspecified time in the future, but at its heart, it's a story about two lonely people finding something in each other they've been missing and yearning for. It's sweet and gorgeously romantic and I enjoyed every bit of it.
August 24, 2024
Review from 2019
B+ for narration and content, 4.5 stars
I’ve become a big fan of Kelly Jensen’s over the past few months and was delighted to be able to snap up a copy of To See the Sun for review. By one of those odd flukes, I read the book a few weeks ago, before I had any idea it was coming out in audio, but that didn’t stop me from wanting to enjoy it again.
The story takes place at some unspecified time in the future when the human race and civilisation has finally moved beyond Earth and has spread through distant galaxies. At the edge of one of those galaxies is the garden planet Zhemosen, a reputed paradise of blue skies, bright sunshine and lush greenery… if you can afford it. The rich enjoy life in the fresh, open air, while those less fortunate live in the undercity, a place where “water tastes like sweat”, the air is bitter, and the streets are dark and dangerous. It’s here that Gael Sonnen just about manages to eke out an existence, but when he fails to carry out an assassination ordered by the powerful family he works for (and is practically enslaved to) he has no alternative but to run – and run as far as possible. But with no money, it looks as though his only option will be to sign up for a long indenture which he’ll likely never get out of – until a friend suggests an alternative. There are plenty of people living in the outer colonies at the far-flung edges of the galaxy who are looking for companions, be it for friends or lovers, and there are companies who specialise in arranging companion contracts. If Gael were to sign up with one of them, his youth and good-looks will surely garner him plenty of replies, and as many of the contracts are initially for only a year, it will at least buy him some breathing space.
On the opposite side of this particular galaxy is Alkirak, a partially terraformed planet owned by the Mudini Mining Corporation. The conditions are harsh; acid rains and violent storms are common, and the inhabitants live in the crevasses that traverse the planet’s surface. Former miner Abraham Bauer works hard to keep his small farm running, but at least it’s better than working himself to death for a paycheck. It’s a lonely life, and he longs for someone to share it with and maybe one day, build a family with. It seems an almost impossible dream; it’s not difficult to find someone to have sex with on Alkirak, but Bram wants more than that, he wants affection and connection – maybe even love – and those are much harder to come by. When he hears about companion contracts, he’s sceptical; after all, there are millions like him out there looking to make a connection, and who in their right mind would want to come to live on a remote outpost with an unstable atmosphere for what little Bram has to offer? Still, he signs up anyway, and logging onto the site one evening finds himself captivated by the video of a beautiful young man whose hesitant manner and obvious sweetness speak to something deep within Bram that is more than simple lust. He can’t quite believe it, but dares to hope that in Gael Sonnen, he may have found what he’s looking for.
Bram and Gael are decent, likeable, ordinary men who just want a quiet life and someone to share it with who shares their interests, aims and outlook. An unexpected event early in the story seems as though it might wreck their chances of forging the connection they both want to make so badly, but fortunately, they’re able to work around it and soon, Gael begins to make himself a place in Bram’s life. Bram has become rather used to being alone and at first finds it hard to adjust to having someone else in his home, but slowly comes to appreciate the quiet and unconditional companionship Gael offers, and I really loved the way Gael starts to make things easier for Bram in small, but important ways, such as cooking a meal or just sitting with him quietly at the end of the day watching a movie. Their romance builds steadily as they work alongside each other and begin to find out more about one another; it’s touching and really well-developed, even though there’s something niggling at the back of Bram’s mind that tells him Gael hasn’t quite told him everything.
There’s enough drama – but not too much – along the way to keep things moving, but this is essentially a story about two people who, while living in a completely different time and place, want the same things from life that many of us want – affection, companionship, family – and will fight hard to keep them.
The worldbuilding in the story is excellent, and Ms. Jensen incorporates details about Alkirak and Zhemosen, the way their societies work and how people live there, seamlessly into the narrative. Her descriptions of the locations her characters inhabit or visit are vivid and enable the listener to build a clear picture in the mind’s eye of the dark undercity on Zhemosen or the austere, hostile surface of Alkirak and the dangerous sun that colours the horizon and makes the clouds glow.
TJ Clark appears to be relatively new to the world of audiobook narration, and I’m pleased to say that he delivers a very enjoyable performance here. He has an attractive speaking voice, his pacing is just right and his enunciation is clear; he differentiates well between the leads, pitching Bram’s voice a little lower than Gael’s and slowing his delivery a little, which works well to depict the large, lonely somewhat shy man described in the text. Bram’s former colleague and mayor of Alkirak, Orfeo, speaks in a deep, gravelly tone, and Mr. Clark portrays the female characters well, making them sound different from the men without a great hike in pitch or added affectation. I was also pleased to hear the amount of expression he injects into his performance; never over the top, but expertly realising and conveying the depth of emotion that is required in certain scenes.
To See the Sun may be set in a distant future on a distant planet, but the best sci-fi allows us to examine facets of our own condition even as we explore unfamiliar locations, societies and characters. At its heart, this is a sweetly romantic story about two lonely people who find everything they ever wanted in each other, and is strongly recommended.
B+ for narration and content, 4.5 stars
I’ve become a big fan of Kelly Jensen’s over the past few months and was delighted to be able to snap up a copy of To See the Sun for review. By one of those odd flukes, I read the book a few weeks ago, before I had any idea it was coming out in audio, but that didn’t stop me from wanting to enjoy it again.
The story takes place at some unspecified time in the future when the human race and civilisation has finally moved beyond Earth and has spread through distant galaxies. At the edge of one of those galaxies is the garden planet Zhemosen, a reputed paradise of blue skies, bright sunshine and lush greenery… if you can afford it. The rich enjoy life in the fresh, open air, while those less fortunate live in the undercity, a place where “water tastes like sweat”, the air is bitter, and the streets are dark and dangerous. It’s here that Gael Sonnen just about manages to eke out an existence, but when he fails to carry out an assassination ordered by the powerful family he works for (and is practically enslaved to) he has no alternative but to run – and run as far as possible. But with no money, it looks as though his only option will be to sign up for a long indenture which he’ll likely never get out of – until a friend suggests an alternative. There are plenty of people living in the outer colonies at the far-flung edges of the galaxy who are looking for companions, be it for friends or lovers, and there are companies who specialise in arranging companion contracts. If Gael were to sign up with one of them, his youth and good-looks will surely garner him plenty of replies, and as many of the contracts are initially for only a year, it will at least buy him some breathing space.
On the opposite side of this particular galaxy is Alkirak, a partially terraformed planet owned by the Mudini Mining Corporation. The conditions are harsh; acid rains and violent storms are common, and the inhabitants live in the crevasses that traverse the planet’s surface. Former miner Abraham Bauer works hard to keep his small farm running, but at least it’s better than working himself to death for a paycheck. It’s a lonely life, and he longs for someone to share it with and maybe one day, build a family with. It seems an almost impossible dream; it’s not difficult to find someone to have sex with on Alkirak, but Bram wants more than that, he wants affection and connection – maybe even love – and those are much harder to come by. When he hears about companion contracts, he’s sceptical; after all, there are millions like him out there looking to make a connection, and who in their right mind would want to come to live on a remote outpost with an unstable atmosphere for what little Bram has to offer? Still, he signs up anyway, and logging onto the site one evening finds himself captivated by the video of a beautiful young man whose hesitant manner and obvious sweetness speak to something deep within Bram that is more than simple lust. He can’t quite believe it, but dares to hope that in Gael Sonnen, he may have found what he’s looking for.
Bram and Gael are decent, likeable, ordinary men who just want a quiet life and someone to share it with who shares their interests, aims and outlook. An unexpected event early in the story seems as though it might wreck their chances of forging the connection they both want to make so badly, but fortunately, they’re able to work around it and soon, Gael begins to make himself a place in Bram’s life. Bram has become rather used to being alone and at first finds it hard to adjust to having someone else in his home, but slowly comes to appreciate the quiet and unconditional companionship Gael offers, and I really loved the way Gael starts to make things easier for Bram in small, but important ways, such as cooking a meal or just sitting with him quietly at the end of the day watching a movie. Their romance builds steadily as they work alongside each other and begin to find out more about one another; it’s touching and really well-developed, even though there’s something niggling at the back of Bram’s mind that tells him Gael hasn’t quite told him everything.
There’s enough drama – but not too much – along the way to keep things moving, but this is essentially a story about two people who, while living in a completely different time and place, want the same things from life that many of us want – affection, companionship, family – and will fight hard to keep them.
The worldbuilding in the story is excellent, and Ms. Jensen incorporates details about Alkirak and Zhemosen, the way their societies work and how people live there, seamlessly into the narrative. Her descriptions of the locations her characters inhabit or visit are vivid and enable the listener to build a clear picture in the mind’s eye of the dark undercity on Zhemosen or the austere, hostile surface of Alkirak and the dangerous sun that colours the horizon and makes the clouds glow.
TJ Clark appears to be relatively new to the world of audiobook narration, and I’m pleased to say that he delivers a very enjoyable performance here. He has an attractive speaking voice, his pacing is just right and his enunciation is clear; he differentiates well between the leads, pitching Bram’s voice a little lower than Gael’s and slowing his delivery a little, which works well to depict the large, lonely somewhat shy man described in the text. Bram’s former colleague and mayor of Alkirak, Orfeo, speaks in a deep, gravelly tone, and Mr. Clark portrays the female characters well, making them sound different from the men without a great hike in pitch or added affectation. I was also pleased to hear the amount of expression he injects into his performance; never over the top, but expertly realising and conveying the depth of emotion that is required in certain scenes.
To See the Sun may be set in a distant future on a distant planet, but the best sci-fi allows us to examine facets of our own condition even as we explore unfamiliar locations, societies and characters. At its heart, this is a sweetly romantic story about two lonely people who find everything they ever wanted in each other, and is strongly recommended.
August 18, 2018
There is definitely enough here to pass a pleasant couple of hours. The MCs are attractive: Bram's loneliness, and Gael's damaged background ensure immediate sympathy for both. Jensen has form (Chaos Station) when it comes to creating new galatic worlds, so the conceit of a inter-stellar Mail Order Bride worked well. I liked, too, the slow-growing attraction between the MCs.
Where I thought the book was less successful was . Which rather missed the point of introducing it in the first place.
I'd also got some reservations about how Gael was presented. He's small, slight, curly-haired, loves cooking, sewing, has a strong sense of attachment to the child who lives with them, dislikes violence. I felt his character was just too close to being the traditional "little woman" most of the time. OK - that's not out of place for the trope, but does jar slightly in an m/m book. (Eli Easton's riff on this is better - Robby Riverton: Mail Order Bride.) While there were one or two exceptions to his 50s housewife persona, he didn't seem to achieve equality with Bram by the end of the book.
Not a bad read overall, but not one I think I'll go back to.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my unbiased review.
Where I thought the book was less successful was . Which rather missed the point of introducing it in the first place.
I'd also got some reservations about how Gael was presented. He's small, slight, curly-haired, loves cooking, sewing, has a strong sense of attachment to the child who lives with them, dislikes violence. I felt his character was just too close to being the traditional "little woman" most of the time. OK - that's not out of place for the trope, but does jar slightly in an m/m book. (Eli Easton's riff on this is better - Robby Riverton: Mail Order Bride.) While there were one or two exceptions to his 50s housewife persona, he didn't seem to achieve equality with Bram by the end of the book.
Not a bad read overall, but not one I think I'll go back to.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my unbiased review.
July 15, 2018
I received this ARC review for an honest review for Netgalley. 3 1/2 Stars, this was an enjoyable book there was much about the story that I enjoyed; the slow burn, the unique story I liked what the author was trying to do with the world building. For me I found it confusing, I could. It quite grasp the concept the author was trying to portray. Although I liked the MC’s I felt something was missing.
September 30, 2018
*sigh*. Is it just me!?
This is the second book in a row where I have just trusted my expectations of the author and not looked much further. That’s on me. To be fair.
Okay. So this one is a mail order bride frontier romance.
The MCs are very gendered. The bride is a perfect Susie housewife. By accident. Even though he grew up as feral underclass in a dystopic arcology. There is even a plotmoppet. They throw themselves into massively gendered roles with great enthusiasm. The sewing! The cooking! The house cleaning! So they don’t get thrown out of the house! And left to starve or die on hostile planet! With a sun that kills you and barely any breathable atmosphere. Tho womantic!
Friends whose taste I respect loved this book. So maybe you will too?
I tend to two star a book when I really dislike it, but am aware that it is not necessarily a bad book per se. As here, where I can’t bear this gendered stuff. That’s why I can barely stand to read m/f anymore.
Off to read a book about a fireman and a sheriff. Hopefully less Susie house wifing.
This is the second book in a row where I have just trusted my expectations of the author and not looked much further. That’s on me. To be fair.
Okay. So this one is a mail order bride frontier romance.
The MCs are very gendered. The bride is a perfect Susie housewife. By accident. Even though he grew up as feral underclass in a dystopic arcology. There is even a plotmoppet. They throw themselves into massively gendered roles with great enthusiasm. The sewing! The cooking! The house cleaning! So they don’t get thrown out of the house! And left to starve or die on hostile planet! With a sun that kills you and barely any breathable atmosphere. Tho womantic!
Friends whose taste I respect loved this book. So maybe you will too?
I tend to two star a book when I really dislike it, but am aware that it is not necessarily a bad book per se. As here, where I can’t bear this gendered stuff. That’s why I can barely stand to read m/f anymore.
Off to read a book about a fireman and a sheriff. Hopefully less Susie house wifing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2020
Oh burning sun, this was such a wonderful love story.
Truly wonderful.
Complete.
It took it's time, there was no rush to it which I really enjoyed.
The pacing is perfect.
This is definitely a low-steam romance, it's a love story and completely satisfying and believable.
The two main characters, I absolutely adored them.
Bram is quiet and shy.
A tentative man who takes his time with his thoughts and actions.
He's lived alone for a very long time. He used to be a miner and is now a farmer and a poet.
He lives in Alkarik which is a very remote area in the Muedini Corporation Space.
He joins Heart Companions which basically works like an app that connects two souls for companionship and meets Gael.
He has this idealistic concept of what it means to contract with someone. He thinks everything will be easy, contract, get to know each other, have sex, fall in love, get married, have babies.
Let's just say life doesn't quite play out like that.
Gael has a lot of baggage from his past, and he's running away from everything.
Gael is a survivor.
He's had a shit life and some really bad luck. That bad-luck doesn't stay on Zhemosen, which is in the Commonwealth space. It follows him across the galaxy.
These two find love in Alkarik.
'It was beautiful down there in the crevasse. Gael had always equated beauty with light and sunshine, yet Alkirak had defied him at every turn. Dark, cracked, barely habitable, poisonous, remote, but not lonely. Peaceful. Quietly optimistic.'
This really describes their relationship just as well as it describes Alkarik.
These two build a life together and overcome so many struggles throughout the storyline.
Their happy ever after is one of the most satisfying ones I've ever read, and I didnt miss the fact that there isnt alot of sex or UST. It made sense that it didn't exist because of Gail's past and his emotional scars. It made sense that they take their time.
The third MC, which I won't name because it's a spoiler. Really bridges the gap between them where silence might have been and brings all this sunshine and joy and conversation. This third character anchors them in a way that is basically family.
This was a beautiful story about family, healing, comfort, companionship, love and happy ever after.
Truly wonderful.
Complete.
It took it's time, there was no rush to it which I really enjoyed.
The pacing is perfect.
This is definitely a low-steam romance, it's a love story and completely satisfying and believable.
The two main characters, I absolutely adored them.
Bram is quiet and shy.
A tentative man who takes his time with his thoughts and actions.
He's lived alone for a very long time. He used to be a miner and is now a farmer and a poet.
He lives in Alkarik which is a very remote area in the Muedini Corporation Space.
He joins Heart Companions which basically works like an app that connects two souls for companionship and meets Gael.
He has this idealistic concept of what it means to contract with someone. He thinks everything will be easy, contract, get to know each other, have sex, fall in love, get married, have babies.
Let's just say life doesn't quite play out like that.
Gael has a lot of baggage from his past, and he's running away from everything.
Gael is a survivor.
He's had a shit life and some really bad luck. That bad-luck doesn't stay on Zhemosen, which is in the Commonwealth space. It follows him across the galaxy.
These two find love in Alkarik.
'It was beautiful down there in the crevasse. Gael had always equated beauty with light and sunshine, yet Alkirak had defied him at every turn. Dark, cracked, barely habitable, poisonous, remote, but not lonely. Peaceful. Quietly optimistic.'
This really describes their relationship just as well as it describes Alkarik.
These two build a life together and overcome so many struggles throughout the storyline.
Their happy ever after is one of the most satisfying ones I've ever read, and I didnt miss the fact that there isnt alot of sex or UST. It made sense that it didn't exist because of Gail's past and his emotional scars. It made sense that they take their time.
The third MC, which I won't name because it's a spoiler. Really bridges the gap between them where silence might have been and brings all this sunshine and joy and conversation. This third character anchors them in a way that is basically family.
This was a beautiful story about family, healing, comfort, companionship, love and happy ever after.
August 13, 2018
I love reading Kelly's sci-fi. It's always so full of people, which is what makes it special. There's no denying this story is absolutely science fiction, with the harsh and hazardous landscape of Alkirak or the always-dark undercity of Zhemosen. There's a real feel of danger and uncertainty to the environments, as one might expect of a barely tamed planet and a corrupted city. But what makes this book special--what makes all of Kelly's science fiction special--are the people she populates her galaxies with.
Bram is a quiet, unassuming farmer looking to carve out a life after mining on the planet he'd worked on for so many years. It's obvious that he just wants to find happiness, peace and purpose in his new role. He's solid and stable and wants to share that with someone, to make a life with them. But there aren't a lot of prospects for long-term companionship on Alkirak.
In contrast, Gael is running--for very valid, very real reasons. I felt so much for Gael--sympathy, empathy, hope, sadness. He needed Bram as his anchor, and they worked together perfectly.
I know science fiction romance is a difficult subgenre for some readers, but rest assured that this story is a romance first and foremost. At its heart, it's the tale of two men from opposite circumstances who decide they're going to do their damnedest to make their relationship, their partnership, work. Kelly's worldbuilding is amazing (as always) but the romance between Bram and Gael is the true star of the book.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys breathtakingly romantic tales and the arranged marriage or mail order bride/groom tropes.
Bram is a quiet, unassuming farmer looking to carve out a life after mining on the planet he'd worked on for so many years. It's obvious that he just wants to find happiness, peace and purpose in his new role. He's solid and stable and wants to share that with someone, to make a life with them. But there aren't a lot of prospects for long-term companionship on Alkirak.
In contrast, Gael is running--for very valid, very real reasons. I felt so much for Gael--sympathy, empathy, hope, sadness. He needed Bram as his anchor, and they worked together perfectly.
I know science fiction romance is a difficult subgenre for some readers, but rest assured that this story is a romance first and foremost. At its heart, it's the tale of two men from opposite circumstances who decide they're going to do their damnedest to make their relationship, their partnership, work. Kelly's worldbuilding is amazing (as always) but the romance between Bram and Gael is the true star of the book.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys breathtakingly romantic tales and the arranged marriage or mail order bride/groom tropes.
June 8, 2018
A well done sci-fi. Bram is a farmer/miner on a planet that is only workable in the deep crevices. The sun on the surface is to hot for any growth. So after doing this work and living alone for a while, Bram decides to get a companion. Along come Gael. Who is running from trouble. This story is a slow burn romance.
Bram and Gael and up with some minor troubles and work towards living with and loving each other. This story is kind of sappy!
The story and plot are well done and characters are pretty good.
Low sex, more sensual tease!
Enjoyed this book.
(Given a copy for an honest review) (Thanks) (#NetGalley)
Bram and Gael and up with some minor troubles and work towards living with and loving each other. This story is kind of sappy!
The story and plot are well done and characters are pretty good.
Low sex, more sensual tease!
Enjoyed this book.
(Given a copy for an honest review) (Thanks) (#NetGalley)
August 15, 2018
I enjoyed this science fiction. At first it was a bit confusing, then I began to appreciate the plot and the world building - that is really well done and stunning - and I had clear images how the settings would be. I imagined every colour, atmospheric agents, rocks and worlds.
The characters are nicely portrayed, even the secondary ones.
The story between the mcs is a sweet, very sweet, slow burn romance and we have a lovely HEA.
Recommended if you love sci-fi romance!
The characters are nicely portrayed, even the secondary ones.
The story between the mcs is a sweet, very sweet, slow burn romance and we have a lovely HEA.
Recommended if you love sci-fi romance!
May 13, 2020
I absolutely loved this book and while I have to admit there are a lot of books that I can say this about for many reasons. I mean let's face it, I'm probably not the hardest sell around when it comes to books. So chances are...if you give me characters that I can truly love or even hate with a passion, good dialogue, settings that are richly described, a story that holds my interest...well, chances are your books are going to be in the 'I loved it' category and if it's an audio book add in a well delivered narration and that makes you golden in my world.
Before I begin I'd also just like to ask that you please forgive any spelling mistakes I may make as this is the one downside of audio books you can't check your spelling on words specific to a story.
Much to my surprise and delight "To See the Sun" has fallen very solidly into the 'I love it' category for me. Kelly Jensen has given us a complex and interesting world first in the planet Zimosen, a planet where much of the population lives below the surface never able to see the sun, just to dream of it as they struggle to survive. We first meet Gael as he in caught in a situation that no matter how it ends...won't end well for him and could possibly be even more disastrous than he's able to anticipate and when things go sideways Gael does what any reasonably intelligent person would do...he runs and he runs for his life.
It's as these events transpire and we are following Gael on his flight through the lower levels of Zimosen that the author also creates the world Gael survives in. Things are frantic and terrifying for Gael as he struggles to stay ahead of the law and find a way out. It's during this struggle to survive that Gael is offered the chance to escape to another planet via what is essentially a mail-order-bride program and with little to no hesitation he takes the opportunity and this is how he meets Abraham (Bram) Bauer and finds himself on an journey to an outer colony on the planet Alkirak to become Bram's companion.
I loved Gael and Bram together. They so easily filled the spaces in each other that had been empty, although this was not done without some hesitation, effort and a bit of miscommunication on the part of both men and I honestly would have been surprised if there'd been none considering they started out literally thousands and then some miles apart. These men weren't different worlds, they were from worlds that were vastly different.
While there were a number of secondary characters that we saw glimpses of. There were really only 4 other characters who played prominent roles in this story and they were Price who turned out to be a better friend than Gael had realized, Aavi a sweet and precocious young girl with secrets that could be dangerous for everyone, Maia who a close friend of Bram's and ultimately Gael's as well and Maia's brother Orfeo, mayor of Alkirak and Bram's use to be friend with benefits. While I really enjoyed the depth and extra that other characters added to this story it was these four who helped to support the foundation of events that transpired and to keep things flowing at an enjoyable pace.
As for the steam and sex in this one it was slow burn that felt right and worked well with both the character of these two men and the circumstances of their meeting and coming together.
TJ Clark was the narrator for this story and while he's not quite a new to me author this was only my second audio book narrated by him and so far TJ's a definite win for me. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him as he took me on this amazing adventure with Gael, Bram and their friends.
Putting this one off like I did was definitely not one of my better ideas but finally getting down to it has proven to be a decision that I'm really glad I made. I'm planning a return trip to Zimosen and Alkirak in the near future because as with any good story...this one's worth enjoying again and possibly again. Definitely recommended.
*************************
An audio book of "To See the Sun" was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Before I begin I'd also just like to ask that you please forgive any spelling mistakes I may make as this is the one downside of audio books you can't check your spelling on words specific to a story.
Much to my surprise and delight "To See the Sun" has fallen very solidly into the 'I love it' category for me. Kelly Jensen has given us a complex and interesting world first in the planet Zimosen, a planet where much of the population lives below the surface never able to see the sun, just to dream of it as they struggle to survive. We first meet Gael as he in caught in a situation that no matter how it ends...won't end well for him and could possibly be even more disastrous than he's able to anticipate and when things go sideways Gael does what any reasonably intelligent person would do...he runs and he runs for his life.
It's as these events transpire and we are following Gael on his flight through the lower levels of Zimosen that the author also creates the world Gael survives in. Things are frantic and terrifying for Gael as he struggles to stay ahead of the law and find a way out. It's during this struggle to survive that Gael is offered the chance to escape to another planet via what is essentially a mail-order-bride program and with little to no hesitation he takes the opportunity and this is how he meets Abraham (Bram) Bauer and finds himself on an journey to an outer colony on the planet Alkirak to become Bram's companion.
I loved Gael and Bram together. They so easily filled the spaces in each other that had been empty, although this was not done without some hesitation, effort and a bit of miscommunication on the part of both men and I honestly would have been surprised if there'd been none considering they started out literally thousands and then some miles apart. These men weren't different worlds, they were from worlds that were vastly different.
While there were a number of secondary characters that we saw glimpses of. There were really only 4 other characters who played prominent roles in this story and they were Price who turned out to be a better friend than Gael had realized, Aavi a sweet and precocious young girl with secrets that could be dangerous for everyone, Maia who a close friend of Bram's and ultimately Gael's as well and Maia's brother Orfeo, mayor of Alkirak and Bram's use to be friend with benefits. While I really enjoyed the depth and extra that other characters added to this story it was these four who helped to support the foundation of events that transpired and to keep things flowing at an enjoyable pace.
As for the steam and sex in this one it was slow burn that felt right and worked well with both the character of these two men and the circumstances of their meeting and coming together.
TJ Clark was the narrator for this story and while he's not quite a new to me author this was only my second audio book narrated by him and so far TJ's a definite win for me. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him as he took me on this amazing adventure with Gael, Bram and their friends.
Putting this one off like I did was definitely not one of my better ideas but finally getting down to it has proven to be a decision that I'm really glad I made. I'm planning a return trip to Zimosen and Alkirak in the near future because as with any good story...this one's worth enjoying again and possibly again. Definitely recommended.
*************************
An audio book of "To See the Sun" was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 18, 2018
I hope to have a proper review for this one. An intergalactic mail order romance with vivid yet familiar world building and incredibly likable characters. Richly drawn with just the right amount of angst.
Ultimately hopeful and uplifting and worthy of 4.5 stars rounded up.
Ultimately hopeful and uplifting and worthy of 4.5 stars rounded up.
May 24, 2021
4.25 stars
I don't read sci-fi often, but I was pulled in by the mail-order bride type scenario! I enjoyed it ... the world was actually quite fascinating and the romance was nice and slow-building (just the way I like it).
I don't read sci-fi often, but I was pulled in by the mail-order bride type scenario! I enjoyed it ... the world was actually quite fascinating and the romance was nice and slow-building (just the way I like it).
August 26, 2018
4.5 Stars.
Slow, steady, verbose but necessary to paint the picture of the brutal yet beautiful worlds of these planets. Gael, Bram and Aavi were so real and poignant. I loved this book and yet I’m exhausted and glad it’s done.
Absolutely recommend.
Slow, steady, verbose but necessary to paint the picture of the brutal yet beautiful worlds of these planets. Gael, Bram and Aavi were so real and poignant. I loved this book and yet I’m exhausted and glad it’s done.
Absolutely recommend.
December 10, 2019
This is kind of a space western with mineral claims, farmsteads, mail order brides and rough territory justice. 4.5 stars for both book and narration.
Gael Sonnen was born on Zhemosen into a life bereft of any redeeming value and one full of trouble. At the end of a series of awful events, he flubs a felony job his employer tasked him with. This also involved a young child, Avi, who is street smart and she follows him after he tries to get away. Gael's only friend sets him up with a holo video on a "social" site in hopes someone offers him a contract as a way off the planet.
Abraham Bauer used to be a miner on Alkirak, after 30 years serving the company he becomes a farmer. A minors life is not for families and now that Bram is mostly settled, he craves a family. He sees Gael's holo video and is captivated by Gael's shy almost smile. He sends his own holo video and Gael is attracted to Bram's quite shyness as well. Gael agrees to Bram's contract and makes the 4 week trip thru hyper space.
Upon landing everything is different that what anyone expected. The planet is much more desolate than Gael thought it would be. The sun which is what he wanted to see and feel more than anything is so scorching one cannot experience it without major protection. Avi stowed away in a locker and put Gael as the owner. Bram and Gael know nothing of Avi and thus begins the relationship between them all. A relationship that starts as lies.
Even though the start of this instant family is worse than tenuous, because all three of them are actually good people, they gradually do become a family. All three MC's are fleshed out well. The world building of Alkirak is impressive. It is a planet that is in the very beginning of being terra formed and is very inhospitable to off planet flora and fauna alike.
The lies that start the relationships keep getting peeled away like an onion, but each layer is more painful than the last. So trust between them is tenuous. By the time the major storm occurs, trust between them is at its most tenuous. The storm is both planetary and human in nature.
Because this is a romance, you know it will work out in the end. The physical world Ms Jensen created and the complexity of the people would be great to make this into a series. She touches on many themes that could be further explored such as bullying, slavery and corporate greed.
Gael Sonnen was born on Zhemosen into a life bereft of any redeeming value and one full of trouble. At the end of a series of awful events, he flubs a felony job his employer tasked him with. This also involved a young child, Avi, who is street smart and she follows him after he tries to get away. Gael's only friend sets him up with a holo video on a "social" site in hopes someone offers him a contract as a way off the planet.
Abraham Bauer used to be a miner on Alkirak, after 30 years serving the company he becomes a farmer. A minors life is not for families and now that Bram is mostly settled, he craves a family. He sees Gael's holo video and is captivated by Gael's shy almost smile. He sends his own holo video and Gael is attracted to Bram's quite shyness as well. Gael agrees to Bram's contract and makes the 4 week trip thru hyper space.
Upon landing everything is different that what anyone expected. The planet is much more desolate than Gael thought it would be. The sun which is what he wanted to see and feel more than anything is so scorching one cannot experience it without major protection. Avi stowed away in a locker and put Gael as the owner. Bram and Gael know nothing of Avi and thus begins the relationship between them all. A relationship that starts as lies.
Even though the start of this instant family is worse than tenuous, because all three of them are actually good people, they gradually do become a family. All three MC's are fleshed out well. The world building of Alkirak is impressive. It is a planet that is in the very beginning of being terra formed and is very inhospitable to off planet flora and fauna alike.
The lies that start the relationships keep getting peeled away like an onion, but each layer is more painful than the last. So trust between them is tenuous. By the time the major storm occurs, trust between them is at its most tenuous. The storm is both planetary and human in nature.
Because this is a romance, you know it will work out in the end. The physical world Ms Jensen created and the complexity of the people would be great to make this into a series. She touches on many themes that could be further explored such as bullying, slavery and corporate greed.
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