Tentacular Tales series by Chloe Archer

Trigger Warnings: none

What is it?

This series is full of shenanigans and absurd humor. Some parts are just so out there, but it works and it’s a really fun read. There’s strong character development and engaging plot that kept me turning pages, then seeking out the extras and side stories.

Who’s it about?

River Sullivan is convinced his neighbor is an alien. When he and his uncle, Benji, venture out into the Las Vegas desert, they stumble on the Alliance headquarters and more aliens than they were expecting. Unfortunately for the Alliance, their Men in Black-style mind wiping doesn’t work on River, leading River to join the Alliance and get pulled into the investigation into a drug smuggling ring, assassins that want him dead, and an intergalactic war.

Kai Genaro is the tentacled Alliance agent who’s charged with wiping River’s mind, even though River is the author of his favorite web serial, The Tentacular Tales of Captain Starblade. River returns, like a pest you can’t get rid of, slowly growing on Kai until he doesn’t know what he’d do without his true love. For Kai’s race, courtship is a long and involved process. Mixed with human customs, Kai’s got a long way to go until he can have his happily ever after with River.

Why do I like it?

It’s a fun low-angst series. Some of the situations River and his friends get into are over the top ridiculous in the best way. It’s silly but sweet with lots of romance (and sexy times) between River and Kai and several side couples. There’s a whole menagerie of side characters, both human and alien, that add depth to the story. I also love the snippets we get of the Tentacular Tales of Captain Starblade at the beginning of most chapters. Like several of the characters, I would be a huge fan of that web serial. (Team Vardox!)

Favorite Book: When a Man Loves an Alien – So much romance! So cute!

Quotes:

“As you wish.”

I stare at him in shock. “Did you just Princess Bride me? You sexy motherfucker! Come here.”
— River and Kai from It’s Not Unusual to Be Loved by an Alien

Always important to be gender inclusive, even during a kidnapping.
— River’s Gender Studies knowledge from Can’t Help Falling in Love With an Alien

I steamroll over any potential objections he might have by talking nonstop and barely drawing breath until I get him out to one of our Alliance-issued SUVs and have him buckled in the front passenger seat.
— More River shenanigans from When a Man Loves an Alien

“I’m chock full of surprises.” I grin widely. “Like a pinata!”
— River, from All You Need is Alien Love