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 … 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.
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When the story begins, we are not sure Gael is a good guy. One would argue he is just trying to survive in a very hostile underground city named Zhemosen, where people without money and power do what they need to. Unfortunately, he is not bad enough for the crowd he has fallen in with. He’s not really a bad guy, but his decisions are questionable. And he needs off the planet, like right now.
Bram has a terrace farm in the settlement on Alkirak, a barely habitable mining planet. As a former miner, he’s just trying to increase his fortune by looking for minerals so he can expand his farm and start a family. He was a bit older than we might have expected and comes from a large family commune on another planet.
What is enjoyable about the world-building is the subtlety; you won’t be bogged down in detail, but there is enough to picture it all. Also with the characters, you will feel Gael’s joy at seeing the sun and Bram’s nervousness when they meet for the first time.
It’s all plodding along quite nicely until there is one heck of a plot twist. I don’t even know how to talk about that, but it makes sense for this story and the way it unfolds and helps to humanize Gael. As we are drawn more into the story, we get to empathize more with Gael and understand his past circumstances.
This seems like an opposites attract story with Bram a slow, methodical thinker and Gael a seat of your pants type. In this case though, Bram really didn’t think though all the possiblities and consequences of his decision to bring Gael, or any companion, into his life. Also, maybe Gael isn’t really that person when in a different environment. They settle into a daily routine at the farm and grow closer together, but the past is coming and Gael will have to tell the truth at some point about why he flew across the galaxy to start a new life. Trust can’t form when there are secrets. Trust is also earned, so we take that journey with them. Having both POV is integral to this story.
The relationship wouldn’t work without the quiet, secure presence of Bram, gently courting Gael, waiting patiently until Gael is ready. When they finally make love, you feel like this is it! But the author has one more surprise for you, and it isn’t what you think it is.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the alien world with it’s hidden beauty and dangerous atmosphere and terrain. I loved that these people found each other at the right time. There is one part near the end that I feel was glossed over, but I can’t tell you what without spoilers. The ending itself is highly romantic.
* audio book review *
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.
Excellent writer and storyteller
I’m trying to sort out in my head if I really can classify To See the Sun as a SFR. It takes place in space but there isn’t a whole lot of technology to go with it. You know, really it doesn’t matter because I freaking loved it!
Gael has been running from one desperate situation to another. His current one has gotten him way over in his head and all he wants to do is escape. With help of a friend he finds a way to escape his life by becoming mail-order husband. On the unforgiving world of Alkirak, Bram’s life is harsh and lonely. All he wants is a friend, a companion to share his days (and nights) with so he posts an ad. When Gael answers the ad little did he know what was in for him at far end of the galaxy Whoa!
I was a little off-balance when I started reading the book. It was not quite what I expected to read. Wait, what? I wasn’t expecting that initial impression of Gael. That first chapter left me wondering what did I sign up for. Luckily, I pushed on and found first impression can be very deceiving because I just adored Gael. Life has not been kind to him, and while I’m thinking becoming a mail-order husband is crazy, I certainly understand his motives. Well, NOW I do. Equally, I can understand Bram’s motives. Back end of the galaxy, without much chance of finding someone to share your life with, get yourself mail-order husband. What could possible go wrong with that?!
So, what sold me on this story? Well, frankly everything. The author has done a spectacular job building everything. From world building to Gael and Bram’s relationship and their separate backgrounds, there is a nice steady pace. No rushing into anything, which makes for easy absorption. I just couldn’t help falling in love with Bram, Gael…and Aavi. Now there’s a surprise no one anticipated. Gigglesnorts! It’s not to say there aren’t any very tense or emotional moments because there are those. It’s just nice to have a book have a steady build-up that allows me to enjoy it as I take it all in.
To See the Sun is my first book by author Kelly Jensen and I have to say, I have really enjoyed what I have read. looking at her other titles, my interests has been piqued. This book as well as Ms. Jensen are going on my rec list for ‘so you’re looking for something to read…try this’
I received this book from The JeepDiva with the express purpose of an honest review. The opinions, contents, and rating of this review are solely mine
Stars – 4