Here’s the lowdown, quick and dirty: Vengeance is a C model cyborg. His two favorite functions are fighting and breeding. He excels at both. He hates humans - his oppressors. Astrid is a human woman, the sole survivor of her warrior clan. She hates cyborgs. It was cyborgs who massacred her clan. So, when Astrid is found to be Vengeance’s genetically compatible mate, he goes off to capture her even though he doesn’t believe the genetic mate thing is real. The two have instantaneous and simultaneous desires: kill each other and boink each other. I’m not gonna spoil the story, but author Cynthia Sax writes a cleverly tongue-in-cheek tale of competitive, combative, and highly combustible romance between two haters. I’m a major fan.

What an awesome opening scene! We are taken immediately into the reasons for Vengeance’s deep hatred for humans. It’s not at all surprising! Astrid’s reasons for hating cyborgs are equally compelling. After a tumultuous beginning, Vengeance and Astrid struggle with unexpected feelings. Each admires the other for their prowess, determination, and ultimately for putting loved ones first. There are scenes that brought me to tears, when Astrid was emotionally devastated. “She was Astrid ****in’ Ragnhild, the Buoir Berserker. Their ***es were hers.” What did Vengeance need to do to repair her? The author skillfully carries us through each bit of anger, doubt, insecurity, understanding, admiration, and love that these two experience on their emotional journey. And what a trip that is!