4.7 stars.
First off let me just warn you to check trigger warnings before reading this book.
Nothing happens on page, but a lot of past abuse is thought about, talked about, and Lauren spends a year in an alien zoo enclosure that was basically like solitary confinement in a fish bowl, with less privileges.
Even still, I would say this book is pretty light.
It’s got moments of humor and cute alien animals.
It’s most definitely got a sunshine/grump trope, but Lauren isn’t bubbly and cute, she’s just nice and caring and sweet in comparison to Riv’s standoffish demeanor.
This is the very definition of a slow burn.
Riv has an extremely difficult time trusting anyone, especially females, because of his past experiences.
It takes him a long time, and a lot of Lauren’s hard work, to make him finally see that she’s not out to hurt him or take advantage.

When he does see that though…it’s all kinds of hot.
The sex, though we don’t get much of it and it doesn’t finally happen until almost the very end, is totally worth the wait.
He’s got an alien, *ahem*,