Jeanette (semi-hiatus)'s Reviews > Freeing Luka

A spoiler-free review of Freeing Luka. Not suitable for readers under 18.


4.5 ☆

"Over the last few days, I’ve grown to like you more than I thought possible, but my soul knew it loved you even when I was drowning in the void of my mind. I’m humbled you feel I’m worthy of your love."

Freeing Luka is a sciene fiction romance novel and the second book in the Clecanian series, written by Victoria Aveline.



What is the book about?
Freeing Luka is about a Clecanian scientist, Luka, who uncovers a sinister plot to abduct compatible species for breeding experiments, only to be captured before he can expose the truth. Alice, a human kidnapped by reptilian creatures, finds herself in a cell with Luka.

Despite the language barrier, they form a deep bond. When a chance to escape arises, Alice takes it, freeing herself, Luka, and other human prisoners. But once free, they must navigate their relationship on an alien planet and seek justice for the horrors they've endured, while facing an uncertain future.


My thoughts on the book
I was a little bit skeptical to read this book because I saw that the rating was much lower than the other books in the series on Goodreads, but that didn’t stop me to start reading this book because the synopsis sounded exciting, and that cover looks hot as fuck. Did I enjoy it? Surprisingly yes! What also surprised me the most was how fast-paced it was! A slow reader like me usually finishes a book in about two weeks or more, but this book only took me 4 days to finish. Which is insane!

Luka is a nerdy scientist but a hopeless romantic when he’s with his mate, Alice! Sweet, sexy, patient, protective, possessive, playful, and even clumsy too! 😆



What I really liked about Luka was that he tried to make Alice to like him by gifting plants to her everyday, showing his love and affection to her, taking her to picnics, and introducing her to wildlife. He was adorable! The way he called Alice "love", and purred when he was with with her: stop it! ~ 😭
Shout out to Jade for being his guide when he thought that showing his weakness to Alice wouldn’t be attractive and had to appear strong and uncaring to her instead, and asked Jade to help him! 😤👏🙌

I didn’t find Alice annoying at all, expect that she compared Luka to her ex-boyfriends who had hurted her in the past. I even gave her a side-eyed look on that one because really girl? I was glad that her female friends were there for her. Especially Vanessa, when she pointed out that they weren’t on Earth but Clecania, Luka wasn’t a human but an alien who went to husbandry school to please his mate, and wanted Alice to give him a chance!



Other than that, she is a kind, caring, compassionate, intelligent and brave veteranian which made Luka fall even harder for her.

I liked the other characters such as Vanessa, Izzo, Daisy, Rhaego, Auzed, Verakko, Theo and Jade! Rhaego is a softie as ever. Miss Aveline! I hope that Rhaego will get his own mate soon, and that Izzo and Daisy will get their own book too! 😭🙏

I really enjoyed reading the interaction between Alice and Luka even though a miscommunication occurs between them. And yes, this book does have miscommunication trope in it, which I believe it is also one of the reasons why it got lower rates. As someone who is not a fan of miscommunication trope, I find this kind of miscommunication, in this book, acceptable to be honest because of the language barrier and different cultures. Other than that, it was cute and wholesome.

The sexual tension and spice between Alice and Luka though




The world building was amazing! We will also get to know more about the Clecanian culture, especially why the evil organization kidnapped females from Earth to Clecania. And: I also want to live in the Pearl Temple! 😭🪷

An last but not least: writing style. Victoria Aveline’s writing style was easy and understandable to read.


Overall
It was a great book and fun to read, and please: give this book a try!

I’ve already purchased Saving Verakko and Tempted Auzed a few days ago, and I cannot wait to start reading Saving Verakko and get to know more of Verakko very soon! I have a feeling that this series will be one of my favorite series soon because I might like the rest of the books in the series too! 💜

Originally I did give it a 4 ☆, but I’ve decided to change to 4.5 ☆ instead because I re-read some of my favorite parts and giggled a lot. 🤭


What does this book includes?
💜 Fated mates
💜 Forced proximity
💜 He falls first and harder
💜 Touch-her-and-you-die
💜 Miscommuication
💜 Husbandary school (only in Clecania 🪐🛸🌕✨)
💜 HEA
💜 Alpha males
💜 Tension & spice 🍆


Trigger warning(s)?
Kidnapping/abducting, torture, drugging, stalking, amnesia, and gore.


My ratings in the Clecanian series so far:
Choosing Theo - 4.5 ★★★★★
Freeing Luka - 4.5 ★★★★★