I so, so wanted to love I Think I’m In Love With An Alien by Ann Aguirre. The premise had me hooked from the start. I was excited about the idea of a quirky, fun romance with a dash of sci-fi and, of course, a found family dynamic. And, let’s be real, who doesn’t love an alien romance? There were definitely aspects I enjoyed—especially the fantastic cast of characters and the plot itself—but, unfortunately, it just didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
First off, I have to mention the characters because they were really what kept me going through the story. The found family element was by far my favorite part of the book. The camaraderie between the characters felt genuine, and their quirks made them so lovable. I especially enjoyed how Jen and her friends supported each other after their return from Space Con. It felt like a community of misfits, each with their own strengths and vulnerabilities.
However, the relationship dynamics felt a little off for me. Here’s where things get tricky. I wasn’t aware going into the book that the female main character, Jen, is gray asexual. I completely support and appreciate the representation of asexuality in fiction, but I think it would have been helpful if this had been made clearer in the blurb. Had I known, I probably wouldn’t have picked this one up, as I tend to gravitate toward romance books with, well, romance scenes. The single mildly spicy moment in the book just wasn’t enough to satisfy my expectations. After reading so much Ruby Dixon (the absolute queen of alien smut), I was craving more than what was offered here. But that’s on me for not researching the book more thoroughly.
Now, don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a critique of the book’s treatment of asexuality. I think the representation was done well, and if you’re asexual, this could be a great read. Though Jen is gray asexual, Tam (Seeker), the male lead, isn’t, but he’s only interested sexually in someone with whom he has an emotional bond. This dynamic is intriguing, but it still felt like a different kind of romance than I was expecting. For me, buying a romance book and not getting the romance in the way I was anticipating felt like a bit of a letdown.
Another aspect of the book that didn’t sit right with me was the portrayal of Jen’s family. After returning from Space Con, her family was so horrendously hateful that I had trouble buying it. I get that family dynamics can be complicated, but the level of animosity from her family felt over the top. There’s a small glimpse of her relationship with her mom before going to Space Con, and while it was tense, it didn’t seem like the kind of relationship that would lead to the level of disdain her family had for her. It was just hard to believe given what little we saw of their interactions before.
And, spoiler alert, I absolutely ship Poppy and Ravik. I know that things don’t quite play out the way I was hoping, but I really felt that Poppy should have gone with them. It would’ve been a better ending for me personally, and I think it would have made me feel a lot more satisfied with the book as a whole.
Overall, I Think I’m In Love With An Alien wasn’t my cup of tea. While I loved the found family aspect and the unique characters, the lack of romance (in the way I was expecting) and some of the character dynamics just didn’t work for me. But I can see how this could be a great read for those looking for more representation of asexuality in romance or for readers who prefer a slower burn when it comes to relationships. If you’re into that, this book may be just what you’re looking for.
Any other alien romance books you'd suggest? I have binge-read ALL of Ruby Dixon's books and haven't found another one that is comparable but am desperate for my alien smut fix!
-The Scribbler
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