I’ve read a few NineStar Press books by this point, and they’re honestly doing great work with some fantastic authors, including Becoming Human by Holly Gray. As a press, they have a good track record, and have quickly become one of my favourites.

Jack is a security guard for a local aquarium, until she comes across Marin and is encouraged to leave her life behind (at least temporarily) and escort Marin. The pair will travel the country, ensuring they keep moving for a month before attending an important summit. Though reluctant, Jack answers the call, and soon realises Marin is, without a doubt, exceptional.

Let’s talk dynamics, folks. The relationship between Jack and Marin is at the core of this novel; Jack has been through a lot, and when we meet her at the start she seems like someone who doesn’t really participate in life. She avoids more social situations, preferring to spend time with the animals in the aquarium. She’s been hurt, but Marin’s arrival in her life, as it so often does in these books, marks a turning point. Where Jack is grumpy and tough, Marin is sunshine and rainbows.

In Gray’s hands, the dynamic works really well. Marin is loved by everyone, and in return loves everyone back. She is constantly trying to help people, trusting all she comes into contact with. Jack’s job is to protect her, not just from the strange people determined to track her down, but to an extent from herself, too. Yet through the newly human Marin, a woman still learning about the world, Jack gets to see more of the beauty in it too, and learns how a second chance really can save a life.

It's a lovely book, with a contrast between Jack and Marin and the two hunters who are after them. Jack and Marin are constantly on the move, allowing them to see more of America than Jack ever has before. For her, it’s a journey in every sense of the word. I loved the way Gray alternated between POVs for the two women, and we get a real difference in how they’re written.

There’s an underlying realism to the book, too, and I definitely suggest paying attention to the Content Warnings (something NineStar always provide), but although the book isn’t about the bigotry the women face, it is in there, in a depressingly natural way – the two women have slurs hurled at them, and Jack is no-contact with her family due to their homophobia. But none of this defines Jack, and despite witnessing horrible things from humanity, Marin never gives up hope that the people she meets have the potential to be better.

This is honestly such a lovely Paranormal Romance, and is without a doubt a recommendation from me.

I received a copy of the book from Netgalley to review. Thank you for the opportunity.
An interesting read but it felt quite bland and flat at times.
An OK read.

Fantasy books aren’t normally my thing, but I’m determined to continue branching out and this piqued my interest. It’s a very sweet book with lots of fantasy elements threaded through human interactions, good and bad.

Jack is called into acton protecting Marin, an animal in human form on a month long road trip to deliver Marin safely to a meeting of leaders. Marin is described as the most important leader in the world, and essentially the story tells both their journey in literal terms as they try to stay safe, and their journey in getting to know each other in the strangest of circumstances.

I loved all the interactions with things humans consider to be normality and Marin learning about them. This brought both some sweet and humorous moments. The book has its violent moments, but because they are enmeshed in the fantasy world they didn’t read as particularly harrowing to me, but it is something to be aware of.

There isn’t much romance in the book, it’s very slow burn. It’s more day to day interactions, sweet conversations and how they protect each other from the world.

I liked how all of the secondary characters were written. They were well placed, either to complement the road trip protection aspect, enhance us getting to know Marin and where she is from, or to appreciate Jack’s past.

I found the ending to be a little underwhelming, but I can understand why it was done like this. I still had many questions and would just have liked an extra chapter or two to finish things off.

I can’t really comment as to how this compares to other fantasy books, but I really appreciated the writing and enjoyed the narrative. I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys queer fantasy stories.

I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I've become jaded from fantasy, but after some reluctance in the first couple of chapters, I loved this.
Marin is such a sweetheart. I know that's the point, but her character was done so well. She could have been one dimensional, as is often the case when characters are also symbols. I was pleasantly surprised when Marin's goodness never wore me out. I liked the observation that Jack made early on: her fascination with her surroundings was more like a tourist than a child. Marin was quite funny at times, both intentionally and unintentionally. Her personality also left room for several thought provoking moments.
The ending wasn't particularly new or exciting, but I didn't mind. It may be cliché but in this book, it really was about the journey, and the journey was adequately exciting. Both the adventure and the relationship were nicely paced.
Four and a half stars.

I received an ARC from Netgalley. I am leaving my honest review.

I have to admit that I wasn't crazy about this book when I began reading. It took me a while but I gradually became engrossed. In particular, the main characters of Jack and Marin kept my interest.

The writing was good although the plot was simple. There were no surprises or big reveals. It is a good hearted book that ends on a satisfying note.