Sautiition's Hope

Among the Cosmos, Book 1

By: Melissa Smith

Narrated by: Keri Rabe

Waking from a six-year stasis, Captain Kari Hanley - along with her Lieutenant Jeff Mooney - is ready to complete her mission; to find a possible inhabitable planet deeper in our solar system.

When they find themselves suddenly space-napped into a new mission, Captain Hanley will have to fight to make this mission a success. However, when things immediately start to take strange turns, not only do they struggle to help their new friends; but love and friendship, along with life-changing decisions and danger begin to pop up around every corner.

Will she succeed in saving her kidnapper’s race? Will she let love invade her soul, causing her to set her mission aside?

Or will she manage to complete her mission and make it back home?

Does she even want to?

Follow Kari in her journey among the cosmos.

Note: Sautiition's Hope is a slow burn alien romance with lots of adventure and struggle. There are difficult topics of conversation involving abuse, among other things, as well as tough and suggestive situations, violence, and sexual scenes that make this audiobook suitable for audiences 18+.

©2021 Melissa Smith (P)2022 Melissa Smith

An Adorable (albeit silly) Sci-Fi Romantic Tale

While some explanations and descriptions of the aliens in this story seem more "fairy tale" than "scientificly inspired," I have rather enjoyed listening to the plot unfold.
Indeed, despite my objections to some assumptions involved vis-a-vis the nature of the extraterrestrial species therein, I could not help but appreciate the benign - even cute - personas who are developed throughout the storyline.
As such, the essence of this audiobook may not agree with the expectations of "hardcore science-fiction" fan's who may prefer more realistic scenarios about the likely inhabitants of the cosmos.

Sweet Story!

This is a nice, uplifting story about found family, helping others and finding your place and purpose in the universe. Just like Mel Smith's other books, Sautiition's Hope provides a great dose of sweetness and wholesomeness in the midst of our decidedly unwholesome real world. If you've been reading too much dark romance or life is getting you down, this is a wonderful palate cleanser. Also, Vahru is a literal dream. 🤩 Can't wait to read the next book and find out how Kari and her friends save the rest of the Sautiitions!

only the beginning

This story is only the beginning to what will be an interesting and struggle ridden destiny for our MC. Kari has so much to accomplish, so many hurdles to overcome, and this is barely the beginning.
This story is a bit lighter, a more emotional struggle than anything, but the story gets better with future books.
The narrator gave us a soothing listening experience that I enjoy.

Usual stuff

From the other reviews, I got the sense that this was a feel good story and exactly what I needed right now. But it turned out to be pretty common place and trite. Normally I would not have finished the book except it did lightly touch on current issues such as the environment, prejudices, capital punishment and activism. But, in the long run I just found it mostly boring.

No imagination

I really wanted to like this one. I feel like the author didn't put much thought into creating a world. She gave the alien love interest purple skin, horns, and a tail, but that was the extent of world building. The alien settlement was modeled a bit from old Native American settlements and the MMC had a truck. Plus the aliens spoke English. Other than the octopus-like aliens introduced at the beginning and the purple people, this can barely be called scifi.

I really did not like the romance. It was definitely rushed, but what can I expect from such a short book. It didn't feel like love really, not even infatuation, and barely lust. Once the mate bond is revealed, the FMC kinda accepts it without issue or enthusiasm. Doesn't seem to care either way. And the first thing she does is give him a blowjob?!

There's a whole thing about her being chosen as the next leader by some kind of sacred spirits. She's named the next chieftain, but because she still has a mission to accomplish, they'll allow her second-in-command to rule while she explores the universe, because he apparently knows how she'd run things. Sooo, it doesn't seem like she's actually the chieftain in that case. I found it weird.

And there's no clear ending either. Just kinda abruptly ends.