To See the Sun

By: Kelly Jensen

Narrated by: TJ Clark

Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

Survival is hard enough in the outer colonies - what chance does love have?

Life can be harsh and lonely in the outer colonies, but miner-turned-farmer Abraham Bauer is living his dream, cultivating crops that will one day turn the unforgiving world of Alkirak into paradise. He wants more, though. A companion - someone quiet like him. Someone to share his days, his bed, and his heart.

Gael Sonnen has never seen the sky, let alone the sun. He’s spent his whole life locked in the undercity beneath Zhemosen, running from one desperate situation to another. For a chance to get out, he’ll do just about anything - even travel to the far end of the galaxy as a mail-order husband. But no plan of Gael’s has ever gone smoothly, and his new start on Alkirak is no exception. Things go wrong from the moment he steps off the shuttle.

Although Gael arrives with unexpected complications, Abraham is prepared to make their relationship work - until Gael’s past catches up with them, threatening Abraham’s livelihood, the freedom Gael gave everything for, and the love neither man ever hoped to find.

©2018 Kelly Jensen (P)2019 Riptide Publishing

Sci-Fi Romance

Spoilers deliberately avoided. There is no way to rave about some of the characters or twists and turns without ruining surprises.

Jane Austen said, “My characters shall have, after a little trouble, all that they desire.” One gentle phrase to sum up the essence of romance stories. While there are wonderful science fiction elements to this story, the fundamental promise to the reader is around love. The trouble that will be faced throughout the book is not left to mystery. In the first chapter, we meet Gael and quickly learn the essence of the very real, very difficult series of problems he is going to face.

In truth, that is just as well. This is no mystery, this is a love story. To cheer on our guys as they learn about each other and work through their issues, we need to love them. Here, Kelly Jensen never fails to deliver. We cheer on the guys as love overcomes trouble and grows into something beautiful.

The story has everything you might want: advanced technology, new concepts of the frontier on other planets, and secondary - but - important - characters that also have a chance to develop into three-dimensional people. The intriguing science fiction element of this story is not to be ignored. And while this may stand out among her collected works, Kelly Jensen delivers us another engaging romance worthy of bearing her name.

Loved the story and the wonderful narration

loved it from the start!
The world building was wonderful, I could imagine it effortlessly.
The main characters were likeable, their struggles were believable and they felt genuine.
As the lively side characters.
Through the book there was this cozy, warm feeling portrayed by the characters and the scenery (although their world was harsh).

Also I loved TJ Clark's voice and narration!! He is SO talented.
I recommend.

loved it!

This story was a wonderful mix of futuristic space odyssey and old wild west charm. very sweet with characters I cared about. will definitely recommend to a friend.

Now a sci fi romance fan

I will be honest. I have never really been a big sci-fi fan. But when I saw that this was sci-fi romance I thought I would give it a try. I am so glad I did. This was a new experience for me. I loved it. I couldn't get enough. I found myself listening every chance I got because I was so involved with the story. And the narrator did a great job. His narrating made the story come alive and his different voices for the different characters really fit. This is the story of Gael & Bram. Gael has had a hard life. Life is rough in the under city. Always doing what he can to survive. He is forced to do a job he can't stomach. Now he is on the run and he posts online as a mail order husband and signs a contract with a lonely farmer named Abraham (Bram for short). As soon as he arrives to Bram things don't go as expected. But in the chaos they form a bond and true love might be obtainable. That is if they can survive Gael's past finding him. This was a great story that kept me guessing. I loved Gael and Bram from the start and was rooting for their love and safety the whole time.

Fresh Take on Romance

This is not typically what I imagine when I hear the phrase "romance novel". The sci-fi back drop to this story feels really fresh and exciting and is used perfectly to create some unique obstacles to the main love story. And it is certainly that. A real love story with a ton of heart. TJ Clark's narration completely brings these characters to life and draws you into their journey. You'll fall in love too.

WOW!

Where do I even begin? This story was so well written and TJ's narration drew me right into the story. When it started coming to the end of the audiobook I wasn't ready for it to be over. What a great book and performance!

Great Book

TJ Clark offered a wonderful performance for this story. I loved the world and characters. It was a sweet slow burn in a really cool sci-fi setting. Thoroughly recommend checking it out. It's definitely going to be one I come back to again.

enjoyable slow-burn sci-fi romance!

i really enjoyed this story! it hit on a lot of things i love: slow-burn romance, sci-fi, a bit of action, engaging characters, solid world-building, and a m-m dynamic that felt equal. the author did a really great job with building the feelings between Gael and Bram. there are no alphaholes, no insta-love, no big miscommunications. i do wish there was a bit more bedroom action but it doesn't take away from the story. the narrator did a fabulous job. perfect pacing and expressiveness. definitely worth the listen!

gay cowboys in space

got this book as part of a promotion from the narrator.


was it good? maybe for someone else but it wasn't really my kind of story. my biggest complaint is that this isn't a Sci-Fi story is a western with sci-fi elements and I don't like westerns, the story was competently written for a western themed Romance, if predictable and unoriginal at times, jilted ex-lovers, Claim Jumpers , I'm surprised there wasn't a snake in someone's boot.

as far as the narration goes it was spot-on, the narrator has a very distinct voice for every character and they are well differentiated. well spoken and well enunciated dialogue is consistent throughout the book with a good degree of emotion conveyed through the characters.

all that being said my only complaint is that this book is that this is clearly a western-style story that has been adapted with a few sci-fi bits tacked on as set dressing.

Cute SF Romance with some Spice

This book definitely delivered on the warm, fuzzy romance bit. It also has enough action and suspense to keep you interested throughout, and the science fiction backdrop and frontier world give some futuristic Western vibes. It's not the deepest story I've read, but if you want a fluffy romance novel with a bit of neat world building and a steamy scene or two, this hits the spot nicely.

Super

Kelly Jensen was a master chef with combining multiple themes. Was original weary of the sci-fi theme, but all the relevant information was given when they were needed without overwhelming you. Bram and Gael were amazing character to get to know. TJ Clark is new to me, but will definitely be one to follow. He did a super job with the narration by bringing the character to life and keeping you engaged.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.