Beyond the Next Star

Love Beyond, Book 1

By: Melody Johnson

Narrated by: Michelle Sobeski

An intolerable order. A desperate charade. A deadly secret...

Before Commander Torek Renaar can return to active duty, he’s ordered to purchase an animal companion to help relieve his PTSD symptoms. But having been a caretaker for and lost a loved one, keeping even one little human alive is a challenge he feels doomed to fail. It doesn’t help that his animal companion is the newest, most exotic breed on the market, demanding constant attention, daily grooming, and delicate handling. If she doesn’t die first in his incompetent care, she’ll be the death of him.

After witnessing the murder of her domestication specialist, Delaney McCormick allows her new owner to treat her like the pet he believes her to be. If anyone suspects she’s more intelligent than a golden retriever, her murder would be next. She endures the humiliation of being washed, the tediousness of being trained to “sit” and “come”, and the intrigue of hearing private conversations. But in Torek’s care, she finds something unexpected on this Antarctic planet, something she never had in all her years on Earth while house-hopping between foster families: a home.

As companionship grows to love, must Delaney continue the charade, acting like an animal and hiding from the murderer waiting for her misstep? Or can she trust Torek with her secrets, even if the truth threatens everything he holds dear—and both their lives?

©2020 Melody Johnson (P)2022 Incendi Press, LLC

Surprising, in a good way

I wasn't sure about the premise, but I ended up really enjoying this. I've read nearly all of the major alien romance books, but I hadn't really seen this title mentioned on any lists on Goodreads or similar. That's a bit of a shame since this is as good as or better than a lot of titles I see being talked about.

The only thing I didn't really like was the narration, but that might be a personal thing. The narrator is very animated and dramatic, and there are a fair bit of sound effects used. I would have preferred a style that's a bit more toned down, but it didn't keep me from finishing it.

Kidnapped

The story opens with Delaney in a frightening situation. Through the story we learn more about the events that led to that moment. There is also mystery and intrigue set in this new world. I really like how Torek treated her with kindness even before he fully understood what was happening. The audio version kept me engaged through the whole story. #CMCon25

Wow

I loved the detail in the description of the world of Lorien. Commander Torek Renaar has to purchase an animal companion to help with his PTSD symptoms. The companion he acquires is so much more than he is aware.
Delaney uses her intelligence to keep secret that she witnessed the murder of her domestication specialist. She endures being treated like a pet.
This story develops from companionship to something more as she hides from the murderer.
I loved this journey and how this relationship develops. The environment was described so well and you could feel the emotional connection of these characters. Well done!

Unique

I’ve never come across a fantasy romance where the heroine is, at first, treated like a pet. Some of the things she had to go through made me feel a little uncomfortable and makes me look at my pets a little differently. I keep going back-and-forth whether I like the story or not. One of the problems is the erotic scene last a little longer than I like. Also, there is a little skepticism on my part about whether this jives with potential reality. But overall I feel like I can recommend it.