Only Hard Problems

Galactic Bonds, Book 3

By: Jennifer Estep

Narrated by: Max Roll, Lauren Fortgang

“This is space opera at its finest.” (Ilona Andrew, number one New York Times best-selling author of Only Bad Options)

New York Times best-selling author Jennifer Estep continues her Galactic Bonds series with an action-packed new adventure that blends science-fiction technology and magical fantasy elements with a touch of historical romance. This rollicking space opera focuses on a fan-favorite secondary character who’s part hero, part villain, and all arrogance. Perfect for fans of Star Wars, Bridgerton, and Pride and Prejudice.

Problems, problems everywhere....

My name is Zane Zimmer. To most folks, I live a seemingly charmed life as a Regal lord and the heir apparent to the powerful, wealthy House Zimmer, and the gossipcasts breathlessly follow my every swaggering move across the Archipelago Galaxy. I’m also a powerful psion capable of telekinesis, telepathy, and telempathy, and my deadly skills and prowess with my stormsword have made me the golden boy of the Arrows, the Imperium’s elite fighting force.

But even golden boys have bad days, and the truth is I have more hard problems than I can solve.

The Techwave is building weapons to use against the Arrows in hopes of toppling the Imperium and taking over the galaxy. But even more worrisome is the fact that my old rival Kyrion Caldaren has a powerful new ally in Vesper Quill. Together, the two of them just might destroy everything I’ve sworn to protect.

I’m supposed to be relaxing with the other Regals during the Summer Solstice celebration, but when an enemy threatens the festivities, I’m forced to leap into action. As an Arrow, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my family and the other Regals, even though my actions will cause only more problems—and just might end up being the death of me...

Note: Only Hard Problems is a 47,000-word book from the point of view of Zane Zimmer. It takes place after Only Good Enemies, book two in the Galactic Bonds science-fiction fantasy series.

©2024 Jennifer Estep (P)2024 Audible, Inc.

Book 3

Overall I enjoyed the novella; however, it felt like a filler and unfinished. 🫤 This is Zane’s story and more about family politics with a small side of tentative romance and action. The narrator did a nice job!

An interesting perspective

I really liked the first two books of this series but was a little disappointed in this one. I liked the point of view the story was continued through this book, but it was much less substantial than the first two of the series. Nothing of note really happened here.

Fine novella

Really just book 2.5; not full credit worthy
This is a mini-caper starring Zane, pretend playboy and actual thorn in MC Esper and Kyrion’s side. The caper is set after the events of book two and recaps quite a bit of the story from Zane’s POV, providing a good refresher of the world, politics and psionic powers involved. It was a bit too blah-blah-royal-balls-and-power-plays. There was only one big action sequence to speak of. I also would have liked to have seen Astrid’s lady-spy character more filled out, maybe with more banter and chemistry between her and Zane because they’re clearly being prepped for future romance.

I think I’d have viewed this “book” more favorably if it had instead been sold as a novella. This is essentially a 5.5 hr caper, followed by an epilogue and two bonus chapters showing Zane’s POVs during key events in the previous books. Everything except the 10 minute epilogue is Zane’s POV and narrated by Max Roll.

Nice fill in the blanks book

Since this book is almost all Zane, his viewpoint, his interactions, his thought, his hair and camera poses, was a nice nice side track from the main storyline. Also allowed me to see if my assumptions and guesses about him or his actions where correct or way off. I didn't guess everything correctly but a lot was confirmed with this book about Zane and other characters in this book.

I know these side story noveletts are popular now, and a lot are a waste fo ink and paper they are written on. This book could be a novelette or the third book in series. So the author dod a good job.

Yes, I would like more of the main storyline, however this in hanged the main storyline, IMHO.

Great story!

Very entertaining and fast action with many special surprises I didn't see coming. you will enjoy this book.

Good Story but Too Short.

I was looking forward to the next book in this series and it was good…but much too short. Because Ms. Estep is a 1-Click author for me, I feel a large portion of my disappointment in this book is my own fault in not reading the details; e.g. it’s a novella. So I am really struggling with my ratings. If you love Ms. Estep, this is her normal great writing told by two great narrators. But remember going in that this is short step in aligning the ongoing storyline with something ahead and is told from Zane Zimmer’s perspective. If you are not a fan of novellas, like me, but a fan of Ms. Estep’s storytelling, I recommend listening to this before the next full book in the series when it comes out. That way you skip the short book disappointment but do not miss out on anything significant in the story.

When Does book 4 in the series out? ***fingers-crossed***

Enjoying this “side story” to the other two in the series.

I am enjoying the story-line and characters, including this story from another character’s viewpoint.

Zane's side of the story

3 stars - I liked it

Following the events of the previous book, Zane Zimmer is now leader of the Arrows and is tasked with finding and capturing Kyrion and his newly discovered sister, Vesper Quill. While Zane appears to the public as an arrogant and obtuse regal, he is actually a cunning and deadly Arrow who has emotions and is struggling with the revelations that Vesper is his sister.

It was great to finally get to know Zane better and see how he is dealing with the revelation that Vesper is his sister and now being in charge of hunting her. While I still think Zane is arrogant, I now know the man better and can see how much he actually cares about his family and wants to protect them. The revelation about Vesper shocked him and he is struggling over the fact that he never got to be a part of her life and that his grandmother had kept her away from his family. While I don't like some of Zane’s actions, I am very curious to see how he deals with hunting Vesper and Kyrion in the next book.

This book also gives us a glimpse of the chemistry between Zane and Asterin which was enjoyable, especially since they both are fighting it so hard. I am very interested in seeing how their relationship plays out, especially since Asterin seems to hate him most of the time.

Overall, while I still have some issues with Zane, I enjoyed this and like that we got a deeper look at this character. I really can’t wait to read the next book and see what will happen next for Vesper and Kyrion.

Intriguing plot and characters

It’s great to hear adult dialogue from capable and independent characters. No ditzy stereotypes here. I can’t say what I don’t like yet, because the plot twists make previous dastardly behavior understandable later.
The narrators are doing a great job of giving depth to the characters and an atmosphere of anticipation from book to book.

Seriously?

This was only 1/2 or even 1/3 of a book. I can’t believe they published it like this. So disappointed. Seems like an odd tangent that they said was a book. Not like the first 2. More like a novella.