Adrian Davis thought getting on a real-life, ‘beam me up, Scotty’, transport pad was adventure enough. Visiting her mother—and the Atlan beast her mom had chosen as a mate—on another planet? Setting foot in an Atlan prison? Completely crazy.
Like totally, bat-shit, what-the-hell-was-she-doing-with-her-life crazy.
She was supposed to spend a few days wandering around with her twin sister, seeing the sights, expanding her horizons. The trip was supposed to be a much needed break from the hectic schedule she was keeping in school. She was only nineteen. She had plans. Finish college. Medical school. Husband. House. Two-point-five perfect kids and a golden retriever named Buddy.
All that changed with one roar of pain. She heard him. A beast. He was out of control, locked behind an impenetrable wall, alone. Suffering the agony of mating fever.
Ready to die. Forsaken.
Adrian can’t let him go. She will have to fight a centuries old system, warlords on another world, and the beast himself to get what she wants.
The following ratings are out of 5: Romance: 💙🖤💚 Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥 Story/Plot: 📕📗 World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌍 Character development: 😔😃 Narration: 🎙🎙🎙 Narration Type: Dual Narration
I have a migraine so this is going to be short and sweet, not my normal review. This book was ok, but not one of my favorites from Grace Goodwin. I didn’t really like the character of Adrian, she was so young. She acted and sounded young. The storyline about Kovo and his being in prison on Atlan and ready to die was a good one.
The narration was done by Tor Thom and Shiloh James. Tor Thom is perfect for this series with his super deep voice. I wasn’t too fond of Shiloh James in this one, though I couldn’t tell if it was her voice or more just that the character seemed so childish at times. I think probably a combination of the two.
Short and passably hot. Though, It felt more like a foreshadowing for the badass Reiji's book, who is apparently the younger brother of our H, Kovo and supposedly, on a deadly mission posing dead to the entire world.
Adrian never expected to find her mate in an Atlan prison. One roar and she knew the beast is hers. Kovo and his beast have accepted his fate. The last thing he expected was his mate showing up hours before he’s put to death.
This was a good read but even better smut! Adrian and Kovo (+ the beast) have amazing, off the charts chemistry. I love how determined Adrian is and that she doesn’t give up or lose hope in her mate. Big respect to Kovo for protecting his brother.
There were quite a few grammar and punctuation issues in this book. The errors pull me out of the story. It seemed rushed… too many unanswered questions. Feels like the quality of work has gone downhill for this series. I did like the main characters, but as this story was very short, I felt like I barely got to know them. :-(
DNF… um ew. I’m not a fan of reading children having hot sex. And, to me, 19 doesn’t make you an adult. If the word “teen” is in the age (nineteen) you’re a freaking fetus. Ew, gross. Hard pass.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The Interstellar Brides series takes place at a time where aliens are real and there are several different planets and species. There is a galactic enemy known as the hive, which is a technological species that invades planets and either kills its inhabitants or transforms their captives into one of them. A coalition was formed between the planets who are at war with the hive. Each member of the coalition is required to supply soldiers and brides to the cause. Soldiers to fight the hive, and brides to repopulate the diminished that have fallen victim to the war. Earth has become a member of the coalition. The Colony Series takes place alongside the interstellar bride series, but focuses solely on the residents of the Colony. The colony houses veterans of war, tainted with Hive technology. They cannot or will not return to their home worlds because of their cyborg hive tech, so they live the remainder of their lives on the colony. Even though brides have been sent to the colony through the interstellar testing system, it hasn’t been enough. Especially for the Atlans and their temperamental beasts. That’s where this spinoff comes in. Through hard work and PR, the human females of the colony have inspired a network to create a reality show for Atlan aliens. Similar to the Bachelor, women are narrowed down until one remains, and the beast offers his cuffs to the winner (opposed to the final rose and a proposal). Unfortunately, anyone who knows how Atlans work, would know that this setup is doomed to fail. Atlans are humanoid. They are massive in size (the largest of the alien species), and they have a split personality of sorts that is referred to as their “beast.” Their beast lives inside them, very much with its own personality, and only comes out during danger or mating fever. When the beast comes out to play, they grow bigger - with elongated fangs, sharp facial features and bulging muscles - and their main personality takes a backseat behind the scenes. Their beast won’t accept just any mate. They are very particular about who they consider “mine.” Did I mention that the Atlans are my favorite of the alien species? 🫶🏻
Written in first person, Bargain with a Beast is book 6 in this series and follows the human bride Adrian Davis and her Atlan Warlord Kovo. We first met Adrian in book 4 of the beasts as one of the twin daughters of Vivian Davis before Warlord Maxus came into their lives. Turns out, Adrian and Stephanie's biological father was part Everian, which is how she knew that Kovo was her mate before she even saw him.
Kovo was an Atlan, lost to mating fever after waiting for a match for three years, who chose to be framed for the murder of his brother, since he was going to die anyway. It was a carefully planned set up by Dr. Helion in order to save his brother's life, who was deep under cover in the IC. In order to free Kovo without endangering the life of his brother, Kovo had to fake his death. I should also point out that Kovo and his beast had a rather unusual relationship with each other, made even weirder when Adrian could"sense" the beast inside Kovo. After Adrian saved Kovo and his beast from mating fever, the two lived happily ever after in hiding on Earth.
There have been way too many romance novels I’ve read that had me frustrated and yelling “Jesus Christ, when are they gonna fuck?! Get to the good shit already!” When we’re 50% in, and the main characters have barely kissed each other, leaves readers like me aggravated. Don’t get me wrong, I love me a well written buildup to sex, but most are anticlimactic. This is NOT one of those books. While Grace Goodwin has added more adventures as the series progressed, it is still, quite literally, word porn.
If you are reading this book, and all its associated spin-offs, in chronological order, I recommend reading this after book 5 of the Beast series and before book 23 of the IB series. As I’ve read through this series and all its spin offs, I can attest that the plot is incredibly addictive. I am way too invested in each book, in all its adventure and romance. This book was no exception. Highly recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The library had this one on audiobook so...yeah...kinda wishing I had checked first since this is apparently book 6. I had no idea what the main story was, and this one barely has a story.
I don't know how I feel about this. On the one hand, the guy narrating was PERFECT for this role. On the other hand, the FMC being only 19, being narrated by someone who sounds 19, and her making a million immature mistakes was irritating. I have no idea how old the MMC, Kovo is, but he is definitely older than Adrien (the FMC). She does a whole lot of whining, crying, and acting without thinking. He does a whole lot of growling, roaring, and saying "mine" and "pussy," a LOT.
This is insta-lust but not insta-love...or I guess it is? They never do anything besides talk and have sex. She hears him roar, knows he is her mate, immediately sleeps with him, and yeah, they are together. Not a lot of tension there. The story would have had some needed tension if they hadn't talked and had so much internal dialogue. Seriously, they have pages of it, even during the sex scenes. Really cuts the tension and draws out scenes that didn't need it. The main idea and plot were cool, but not done in a way that would do them justice.
I think that was the biggest disappointment for me, they didn't do anything. Kovo says over and over that it's his job to protect her, but he doesn't. He says it's his job to meet her needs, all he does is have sex with her. He says she is his entire life now, and they do nothing except have sex. Meanwhile, Adrian doesn't seem to know squat about his race or their way of living and never stops to ask him about it. If I found out I was an alien's mate, the first thing I would do is find out all I could about him and their ways. What do they eat? Do they have beliefs? What are the expectations of me as the mate? Since he's huge, are the births even going to work on a human body? So many questions.
I don't know, I wasn't really impressed. But it wasn't horrible enough to make me want to skip the series. I'll look into the first one and go from there. It's good for a smut fix and big alien dick, I guess, but that isn't even described at all. Seriously, I have no idea what makes him a "beast" besides getting bigger, and his voice deepening. Does he grow horns? Does his skin change color? Does he have a tail? Anything? I don't even know what Kovo looks like. But I know from Kovo saying over and over that Adrien has red hair. Sigh.
This book was amazing and everything I’ve read by this author is nothing but a adventure that everyone should should go on. Adrian and her sister Stephanie are visiting there mother Vivian and there stepdad Warlord Maxus on Atlan and while at an Atlan prison Adrian hears a roar of pain and rushes to the cell hold the person inside and knows by looking at him he is her mate. Kovo is a Atlan warrior sentenced to death for murder and treason but never did he think that he would find his mate. Adrian is so sure he is her mate that she con’s her sister stef to open the wall that separates them and to come back in 4 hrs to let her out. No sooner was she inside that Kovo pushes her away because he has a mission and must die but his breast pushes forward and claims his mate with Kovo telling him that she will be in pain when they die but his beast won’t listen and takes his mate right then and there and purr’s afterwards mine and puts mating cuff on them both. There is a loud noise outside the cell and her stepfather Maxus and the prison guards are ordering her out of the cell and when a Dr Hellion steps up and the breast roar at him and then he is captured in a net that takes him down. Her stepdad Maxus try’s everything to save Kovo’s life but it’s too late and Dr Hellion’s is responsible but that doesn’t stop Adrian breaking free and falls and injures her leg trying to save him but it’s to late and so she goes after the Dr Hellion and swears he will pay. There is so much more I want to put in this review but I don’t want to spoil it any more than I have already and there are plenty of emotions in this book such as anger, drama, suspense, action, betrayal rage, and yes I cried in some parts as well but don’t take my word for it get this book and enjoy it just as much as I did.
Adrian (along with her twin sister) might have thought things moved quickly between her mother and Maxus, but she miiiiiight have them beat. I mean, the lady heard her beast roaring, knew he was the one, and managed to finagle her way into his cell to be claimed by him. The teeny, tiny roadblocks they need to get around to have their HEA? Well, Kovo is imprisoned for one. He's scheduled to be executed within hours. And he absolutely has his reasons for trying to stay as far away from Adrian as he can.
Too bad his beast wasn't on board with any of that. Really, his beast does all the work. He gets Adrian's attention with his roar, gives her all the sexy times she can handle (well, considering their limited time, I guess), and gets himself well and truly mated in no time flat.
There's just that pesky matter of his upcoming execution they need to work around.
On Adrian's end, she knows Kovo is hers the moment she hears him. And nothing is going to get between her and her honey. Well, except a guard or two. And that 2 story drop. No, wait. That last one doesn't stop her. Kovo's situation is not pretty and things take a TURN on the two of them, but that's not going to stop her from doing whatever she has to do to be with her male.
A morally gray doctor who definitely has things percolating in the background, a bad situation, a male who has lost all hope, and a lady who doesn't mind breaking a few laws to save the male she loves. *thumbs up*
In "Bargain with a Beast" by Grace Goodwin, readers are taken on an exhilarating journey across the stars, where love knows no bounds and sacrifices are made in the name of compassion. Adrian Davis embarks on what she believes to be a simple visit to her mother on another planet, but her world is turned upside down when she encounters a suffering Atlan beast locked behind bars. Despite the dangers and obstacles in her path, Adrian is determined to save him, even if it means challenging centuries-old traditions and facing formidable adversaries.
Goodwin masterfully blends elements of science fiction, romance, and adventure to create a gripping tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Adrian's courage and resilience shine through as she navigates unfamiliar territory and confronts her own fears to rescue the beast in need. The emotional depth of the story is palpable, drawing readers into Adrian's quest to defy the odds and forge a connection with the enigmatic Atlan.
With its engaging plot, dynamic characters, and heart-pounding action, "Bargain with a Beast" is a captivating addition to the Interstellar Brides Program series. Goodwin's vivid imagination and skillful storytelling transport readers to a world where love is a powerful force that transcends boundaries. Prepare to be swept away on an unforgettable adventure filled with twists, turns, and unexpected revelations.
Adrian is on Atlan with her mother, stepfather and her sister. While on the way to the lab she heard the anguished cry of a warrior and she knows from the minute she heard him that he belongs to her. She can't explain why she just knows it's true. Their is no reluctance, she wants her mate and she wants him now. Kovo has mating fever and has willingly placed himself in this prison. He works for the coalition intelligence unit and has chosen his last mission to die an honorable death. That is until his beast hear, sees and scents his mate. All bets are off when Adrian sneaks into his cell and Kate claim to him. What their bonding kicks off seals their souls together in love forever, but also sets off a very dangerous chain reaction of events that puts many many lives in danger. This story was soooooooo damn fabulous! I couldn't put it down. The world building was fantastic the H&h had chemistry that was off the charts and the storyline had my heart racing from late one to the final word on the very last page. I just want more Ataln beast stories more more more!!!!!! Highly recommend not just this book but the whole series.💖💖🔥🔥💖💖🔥🔥💖💖🔥🔥💖💖🔥🔥💖💖🔥🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖💖🔥🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖💖🔥🔥💖💖🔥🔥💖💖🔥🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖
Another fantastic match between Beast and Human ***** Rating; 4 stars Steam: 3 flames Genre/Tropes: Alien/Sci-Fi Romance, Fated Mates ***** We have yet another fantastic story from Grace Goodwin. While touring an Atlan prison with her mom, Adrian overhears a beast's scream. She knows he is hers the moment she sees him. One issue is that he is a murderer who has been sentenced to death.
Oh, the beast/Kovo have resigned themselves to their fate and abandoned all hope. However, everything changes when the fiery and resolute Adrian decides to save the beast/Kovo.
They are fated mates, so of course their love was instant. I have no objections whatsoever. The steam is spicy, the characters are endearing, and the plot will warm your heart. It was a great read.
I have enjoyed all the beasts, and this book was no different. I definitely recommend and yes I will keep reading.
Wow! What an amazing emotional roller coaster of a story! This couple is certainly put through the ringer in their fight to be together. Even though I know Grace Goodwin’s books always have a happy ending, I still cried like a baby over the impossible situation Adrian and Kovo were dealing with. I also love seeing characters from previous books in this story (Warden Egara, Dr. Hellion, Vivian and Warlord Maxus, etc). The rich universe this series of books is set in makes for an entertaining story. The multiple layers of the characters and their interactions with other people from previous books is so much fun to see. So many great little Easter eggs, I can’t wait to see what the next book will bring into this fictional adventure. Needless to say, I am eagerly anticipating the day when I get to read Warden Egara and Dr. Hellion’s stories.
In this addition to the Interstellar Brides Program series, we meet Maxus’ (the hero in Big Bad Beast) stepdaughter Adrian. One of a set of twins, she is on Atlan to spend time with her mother and new stepfather, when she comes across her mate in an Atlan prison. Kovo was jailed for reasons other than mating fever, and it’s part of something he can’t tell anyone about. He never expected his mate to find *him*…
This quick read is a tearjerker (no matter what you know) so grab some tissues. It’s a quick, lightly spicy read, set on Atlan, and with an Atlan beast hero; actually, I think Kovo’s beast is the best part of him! Fans of the series will enjoy this one… and if we are all rooting for Helion to get his mate/comeuppance, it won’t be the first time!
Oh my gosh I could not stop reading this book. And secrets come to light for Adrian, who can’t believe she’s the one that has found her mate. Kovo was ready to die, he has done his job and this plan was set in motion. Right now he will be glad when it’s over. His beast disagrees. Yes they are both the same but his beast has his opinions especially when a beautiful human shows up by his jail cell and says she is his mate. Adrian has no fear, and with the help of her sister enters the cell and confronts the beast. This book had my emotions stretched so far. Secrets hide secrets, and family helps family…always. To be honest I wish this book was longer so I could see them have their freedom and start their lives together. It does have a happily ever after, but before you get there be ready for a steaming book, and have some Kleenex nearby. Excellent book
Ok if you read “Big, Bad Beast” you remember the ending with Adrian taking that walk. She finds her mate but is he tame? Kovo is sentenced to die. The black box is counting down the time. He is ready to end it all. When a small human comes walking on down his hall, his beast awakens. His mate. But time is running out and they need to find a way to get him out and find out what is truly going on. I love that Warden Egara is here to help. But boy there is something with her and Doctor Helion. I would love to know what. Perhaps the loss of her mates? Helion is not loved by anyone. Kovo and his Beast love Adrian. She saved him but was it too late. We learn about the reason why he was to be executed. I certainly am learning to hate Helion more. I hope we find someone for her sister Stefani. And Warden Egara needs a happy ending.
Hold up, this one was MILES better than the last book! It feels like completely different writing! I don’t know if the narrators were just so great (cuz they really were so good at adding a lot of spice and personality to the main characters), or if the author used a better, more engaging voice for these main characters, but I adored both Adrien and Kovo in this one 🥰. Adrien was just so funny and likable, and Kovo was HILARIOUS with how he would bicker with his beast, I was rolling on the floor with this scenes! 🤣 I really hope that more of her books feel like this one and would definitely be interested in reading more of her books like this! It looks like the next book is about Adrien’s sister and has the same narrators, so I’ll definitely try that one out sometime in the near future…
One of the things I love about Grace Goodwin’s books is how they all feel familiar yet fresh at the same time. Bargain With a Beast is best read after Big Bad Beast, as it follows Adrian, the daughter of Vivian (who’s mated to Warlord Max).
Adrian and her twin travel to Atlan to visit their mother and stepfather, but along the way, the discovery of her biological father’s Everian lineage explains why she was lead straight to Warlord Kovo. The catch? She finds him in prison, locked away for murder. Mating fever cases usually end up there, but Kovo’s past is much darker or is it? As the story unfolds, we learn more about his tragic background, and it keeps you on edge, making you wonder if this one will truly have a happy ending. (Spoiler: It does, but wow, there were moments I doubted it—and yes, I even teared up a little.)
This was an emotional ride with high stakes, romance, and redemption. A must-read for fans of the Interstellar Brides universe!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Warlord Maxus’ stepdaughter Adrian recognizes Kovo as her mate while visiting an Atlan prison. Kovo is on death row and with just over 10 hours until his execution.
Adrian pulls the twin card and has her sister Stephanie help her get inside Kovo’s cell. This determined Earth woman isn’t taking no for an answer from her mate.
Dr. Helion, Prillion commander of IC special operations had made a deal with Kovo to save his younger brother’s life. Broken deals have Adrian ready to go on the warpath when her mate is captured and taken to be executed.
This fast-paced read is intense and contains significant intrigue to go along with the Indra-lust/love of mating fever.
I read this via Audible. I think I am just not a fan of this author so I am reluctant to drop the rating below 3 as I feel it is more an issue with my personal tastes. I thought it was okay. I liked the moxy of the MFC but hated how she was very ineffectual. I liked the MMC but felt the "solution" was not really much of one. Overall, I thought the plot was full of reader manipulations for no reason, rather anti-climatic, and fairly shallow since like 75% of the plot was spice. Idk, the more I read from this author, the more I think they are just not for me bc I prefer plot w/romance rather than romance w/a thin veneer of plot. Not saying that is in any way wrong, it is just my preference. I loved the narrator tho.
Adrian and her twin have come to visit their mom and her new Altan mate and Max is working with a doctor because the hive put something in him that helps with the mating fever. While there Adrian feels something that makes her rush down a hall to a Altan warrior that for some unknown reason Adrian knows he’s her mate. But he has been sentence to death for a crime of murder and treason. Kovo can feel her to but it’s to later he is sentence to death so he refuses her. But she won’t live without him. But she just might have to. So enjoy the read and see if they get a HEA!!
Maxus's mate Vivian has twin adult daughters. They have gone to see The Colony with their mother. While walking through the interstellar prison, one of the daughters, Adrian knows her mate is behind the bars. Kovo is a convicted criminal with ten hours to live. Adrian believes he is innocent and will do anything to protect him. She will use all of her new influence to prove his innocence. Unfortunately, she ends up being a twit and the events unfold without her doing a thing. Kovo and his beast are the most interesting of the characters. Warning: Explicit sex scenes and F-bombs galore.
This is a steamy romance with two stubborn characters. Adrian is a human visiting her mother who is mated to an Atlan. On that visit, Adrian hears the roar of Kovo's beast and immediately knows that beast is hers. Kovo initially says no while his beast says she is his mate. Adrian tells him that he is her mate. The problem is he is supposed to be executed. Adrian has to save him. Her stubbornness wins over his and she does everything she can think of to save him. Great story with a happily ever after.
Cette fois l’intrigue est vraiment différente donc c’est cool. Et on va suivre la suite de l’histoire avec Adrian, la fille de Vivian dans « La grande méchante bête ».
Kovo est un personnage super interessant car là pour une fois on voit vraiment « la bête ». Adrian elle lâche rien, super déterminée et courageuse. Par c’est très smut et Kovo est super cru mais bon c’est le style de la saga.
C’est cool de voir la nouvelle famille avec Maxus.
Et aussi on a pas mal de retournement de situation, c’est sympa.
I really enjoyed this one!! I loved the differences this time and getting to see more of what Atlan is like, kinda, since that is the primary location the story is set it. I loved how feisty Adrian is. She knew Kovu was her mate and wasn’t going to just let that go. I loved how his Beast made itself known and built that relationship as well. This story has quite a few twists and turns as well with Kovu being ready to be executed and the reason behind all of it. I really enjoyed it and am excited to see what comes next.
No matter how many Atlan Beastbooks or any other, Prillion, contaminated or not Every single books has his own unique signature and are a pleasure to read Not to reach the end because that means it is over again until the next jewel is available Can't wait Goodwin is one of those authors whose books you buy first then find out the content knowing it will be good as usual
I just finished reading this story and I have not been able to put it down until the last page ,this is a truly unique love story for a warlord facing death to his mate finding him just in time to save him from being killed.they say love will find away and in story it dose. I look forward to reading more stories like this one I would like to say thank you for all your hard work and may fortune smile 😃on you always 😁loo
MS Goodwin has done it again given us another HOT HOT Beast Book!!! Adrian and Kovo are such an intriguing couple!! Twists turns Mating Fever an irascible Beast and then throw Dr. He lion into the mix , you know the good guy who we love to HATE!!! I would love to see him get his Bride lol!!!! Not giving any hints here except Y'ALL REALLY NEED TO GET THIS BOOK IT'S SO GOOOOD!!!