If there’s one thing I love in a book, it’s a ball gown high steaks charity gala. Add in space, heist., and top tier banter between between Ada and Rian. As I said in my review for book one, keep in mind these are novellas. Great if you want to read something quick, and I am thoroughly enjoying the series. Ada is feisty and Rian is equally in his own way. I’d recommend reading in order the entire series, even though the author does give you little details to help remind you what happened in book one. Looking forward to book 3!

YAY FOR PART TWO! This novella is a continuation of Revis's first novella, FULL SPEED TO A CRASH LANDING. You don't want to read this on its own. In How to Steal a Galaxy, we are BACK with Ada and Rian on another heist, where the item Ada is heisting is not what Rian or the reader thinks it is. From where the story ends I am assuming there will be another portion of the story in a trilogy of novellas or perhaps more, a la the first 4 Murderbot Diaries novellas that make 1 complete story. Looking forward to the conclusion!

I will say that these do feel short and I would hope that in print these would be packaged all together at some point (haha, an unlikely hope I know, but we can dream) because paying 23 dollars for a hardcover novella feels kind of insane.

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC.

How to Steal a Galaxy by Beth Revis
Chaotic Orbits - Book 2
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 3 December 2024

"How to Steal a Galaxy" by Beth Revis is an exciting continuation of the Chaotic Orbits series, picking up a few months after the events of "Full Speed to a Crash Landing." This novella blends elements of heist, romance, and science fiction, creating an engaging read for fans of the genre.

The story centres around Ada, a clever and sardonic protagonist, who finds herself at a charity gala with Rian, her former adversary. Their cat-and-mouse game at the auction for Earth's restoration adds tension and excitement to the plot. Ada's wit and unpredictability continue to shine, making her an incredibly entertaining character to follow.

Revis expertly builds on the chemistry between Ada and Rian, deepening their relationship while maintaining the fast-paced action. The closed setting of the gala provides an interesting backdrop for Ada's schemes and allows for intriguing interactions with other characters who represent various facets of humanity.

While the novella serves as an excellent bridge between the first book and the anticipated third instalment, some readers might find the pacing slightly slower compared to its predecessor. The plot twists, while enjoyable, may be predictable for some, although the author manages to keep readers guessing until the reveal.

One of the story's strengths lies in its character development. Ada remains true to herself, presenting a strong, unapologetic female protagonist that readers can root for. Her banter with Rian is particularly enjoyable, adding humour and lightness to the narrative.

"How to Steal a Galaxy" is perfect for readers who enjoy a blend of strong character dynamics, sweet romance, and high-stakes heists in a science fiction setting. Despite being part of a series, it stands well on its own, though familiarity with the first book enhances the experience.

In conclusion, this novella is a captivating read that will leave fans eagerly anticipating the next instalment in the Chaotic Orbits series. Its mix of action, humour, and romance, coupled with Beth Revis's engaging writing style, makes it a recommended read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, DAW, and the author, Beth Revis, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

Thank you NetGalley and DAW for giving me early access to this book! All opinions are my own.

When I realized I was at the end of the book, I literally screamed with frustration. I feel personally victimized…I cannot believe I now have to wait an unknown length of time until the third book.

How To Steal a Galaxy is a continuation of the Chaotic Orbits series, showing us where Ada is after Full Speed to a Crash Landing. Ada continues to dazzle the other characters and myself in this book with her wit and sardonic nature, making this story even more enjoyable than the last. More heists, more space, more sarcasm, the only thing this book was missing was more pages so I could know what was going on! I sincerely hope Beth and DAW do not keep us waiting long for the 3rd book, but until it arrives I will just console myself with preordering both books. 5⭐️

Not liking this book is probably more my fault than anything else. I have not read the previous novella, so I was a little lost reading this one. The author provided enough background and context that allowed me to follow the story, but I felt there were some parts I was unable to appreciate. Additionally, I find novella’s like this one frustrating. The story does not end at the end of this book. It does not feel finished, but at the same time the story didn’t end with a cliffhanger. I don’t know that I will read the third installment to see how it ends.

This novel is perfect for readers who enjoy a mix of romance, science fiction, and thrilling heist plots, with complex characters and a captivating storyline that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Title: How to Steal a Galaxy

Author: Beth Revis
Genre: Sci-fi, Romance, Adventure

Rating: ★★★★☆

A high-octane, sexy space heist that continues the adventure from the first novella in the trilogy. Ada has no plans to keep working for the rebels who stiffed her on payment for retrieving government plans. However, they lure her back with a new undercover mission at a charity gala where Rian, her former flame, will be in attendance.
Rian, suspecting Ada will be drawn to the rare items up for auction, volunteers at the gala to catch her in the act and pin a crime on her. Unbeknownst to him, Ada’s real mission is to convince him to join the rebels, and she's decided that kidnapping him is the most efficient way to do it.
Revis delivers another rip-roaring good time filled with tension, twists, and the sizzling chemistry between Ada and Rian.

This novella is a fun, fast-paced continuation of the adventures that made the first story such a blast and I loved it!

What I Loved:

Ada’s Reluctant Return: One of my favourite aspects of this novella is Ada herself. She's fiercely independent, incredibly resourceful, and delightfully flawed. Her initial reluctance to continue working with the rebels after they fail to pay her for retrieving the government’s plans for a nanobot climate cleaner is both relatable and hilarious. Her no-nonsense attitude and sharp wit make her a character you can't help but root for.

The Charity Gala Undercover Mission: The charity gala setting is an electrifying backdrop for the story’s action. Revis paints a vivid picture of the glitzy event, complete with rare items up for auction that tempt Ada’s thieving instincts. The atmosphere is dripping with elegance and danger, making it the perfect stage for a high-stakes heist. I loved how the opulence of the gala contrasts with the underlying tension of Ada's covert mission.

Rian’s Clever Trap: Rian is back and just as captivating as ever. His plan to catch Ada in the act by volunteering at the gala is brilliantly devious. The cat-and-mouse game between him and Ada is filled with sizzling chemistry and sharp banter. Their interactions crackle with unresolved tension, making every encounter a delightful blend of suspense and romance.

Unexpected Twists and Turns: The plot twists in How to Steal a Galaxy kept me on the edge of my seat. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, Revis threw in a curveball that changed the game entirely. Ada's decision to kidnap Rian as the most efficient way to recruit him for the rebels was a surprising and bold move that added an extra layer of excitement to the story.

A Sexy, Rip-Roaring Good Time: Revis expertly balances the action-packed heist with steamy romance and witty humour. The dynamic between Ada and Rian, the high-stakes missions, and the clever plot twists make this novella an absolute page-turner. The return of familiar characters and the continuation of their thrilling adventures made this read incredibly satisfying.

How to Steal a Galaxy is a delightful mix of adventure, romance, and suspense. Beth Revis has crafted an entertaining sequel.

If you’re looking for a fun, fast-paced read with a healthy dose of sexy intrigue, this novella is a must-read.


Thank you to The Publisher DAW ,The Author Beth Revis & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

Romantic, easy to read Sci-fi with a quippy Veronica Mars-esque heroine and a plot you'll be dying to unravel.

I’m always blown away by the world building in these. Revis is able to take complex backstory and write it in a way that is concise and informative in a way that feels natural. It never feels like info-dumping. The documents included in the end really give it a found-footage/mystery kind of feel.

This one was a little slower for me in comparison to the first, mostly due to a smaller cast of characters. It feels (understandably) like a set up for what’s coming. I was able to guess fairly early on what was happening and then had enough time to somehow talk myself out of it again before the reveal. The plot isn’t groundbreaking, but I had so much fun following along and trying to identify all the things that were building up to it.

There’s enough information at the start that I think someone who skipped part one would be able to follow along but they would be missing out on the full picture. I’d absolutely recommend this to readers who want fun, casual Sci-fi with some star-crossed lovers style romance.

Ada and Rian continue to "circle around each other" , but like all book number two in a series, this one suffers from a few lapses in pace, partly because the grand finale has to be built up, which unfortunately, but as I expected, remains obviously open-ended. No particular cliff-hanger, but certainly the main Arc remains unresolved, as do the secondary ones and, unfortunately, also the love story if there is to be one....

Ada e Rian continuano a girarsi intorno, ma come tutti i libri numero due di una serie, questo soffre di qualche calo di ritmo, anche perché bisogna costruire il gran finale, che purtroppo, ma come mi aspettavo, resta ovviamente aperto. Nessun particolare cliff-hanger, ma certo che l'Arc principale resta irrisolta, cosí come quelle secondarie e, purtroppo, anche la storia d'amore se ci sará....

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

Headlines:
Plots
Heists
I missed space

The story in this second installment picked up fairly soon after book one ended but I missed the space setting. This story was planet-side, completely set in one evening and pretty fast-paced.

Ada was a different persona yet again. She is the biggest double crosser that was ever written and she's not to be trusted. Yet she's such an interesting and likeable character. She's as grey as they come, with some integrity but we are yet to see if she really has Sol-Earth's best interests in mind or her pocket.

The chemistry between Ada and Rian is real and those splashes of connection on the page were great, but I need more! I loved where this novella ended up even if I didn't enjoy the majority of the journey as much as book one. I'm still eager to read the culmination.

Thank you to DAW for the eARC.

How to Steal a Galaxy has been able to keep most of the momentum that it had in Full Speed To a Crash Landing. (I highly recommend reading that one first; this shouldn't be read as a standalone). Ada finds herself in a heist at a gala, following solely her own secret agenda. And of course, Rian is also attending. I still wouldn't call this a romance, but I have grown to accept their odd relationship.

I like how the theme of capitalism has more developed in this novella. I feel like there has been more time taken to address the seriousness of the situation.

The only downside is that the plot twist and oddness did hit a little less than in Crash Landing, but that's mainly due to that I've already gotten used to it.

Thank you to NetGalley and to DAW for the ARC of How to Steal a Galaxy by Beth Revis.

I wish, I wish, I wish these were full-length novels - the first two novellas in this series are SO good, I just want more.

We pick up a few months after Ada and Rian's first encounter - Ada is enticed onto a new job with the same rebel group who had hired her to retrieve the plans that put her in Rian's pathway in the first place. Ada and Rian play a cat and mouse game with each other at a charity gala and auction to save the original planet Earth, but, as usual, Ada is a few steps ahead of the rebels, Rian, and the government with her own machinations at work.

This novella is action packed, even in a closed setting, and it serves as a great bridge between the first book and what will most likely be a very wild use of Ada's skillset in the third. We get to spend more time with her and Rian, building on their chemistry, and we get to spend more time with Ada as she encounters gala-goers who represent some of the worst parts of humanity, including an excellent Elon Musk-esque trillionaire villain.

It's hard to say more about any of the books in this set because they're so short and it's so hard not to give pieces away - all I can say is, if you've read the first, you definitely want to continue. For anyone who is looking for a space-opera-romance a la Jessie Mihalik, Jennifer Estep or Ilona Andrews - this is 100% for you, read it.

If you’re looking for a fun novella that’ll keep you smiling while reading, I highly recommend this series. I can’t wait for the next book! Thank you netgalley for my copy!

Wow, just wow. This novella really sunk its hooks into me as I could not put it down. The interplay and banter between Ada and Rian had me giggling. I really enjoyed the writing and I will be picking up this series as it is published. If you enjoy a strong female protagonist who is unabashedly true to herself, a sweet romance between two fleshed out characters and as a bonus a heist, then this is the book for you.

I am so, so excited to have gotten approved for an arc of this book. I know it doesn’t come out until December but with everything that happened in Full Speed to a Crash Landing, I could not possibly wait to read it. And once I started, I did not put it down until I finished.

While I was so intrigued as to what was going to happen, this book didn’t suck me in quite the same way that FSTACL did. That being said, I am obsessed with every interaction between Ada and Rian, and I already know that I will not be able to put book 3 down from the minute I pick it up.

Ada is SO funny. I had a huge grin for a big portion of this book, just from everything she says and thinks. Everything that’s happening in the book really is very serious, but she’s just so unbothered and witty, I adore her.

Because I really liked the crew of the Halifax in the first book, I was a bit bummed they weren’t in this book, but I do understand why! There were a couple side characters in this book who were well developed and good to get to know, but I really did love that the focus was on Ada and Rian more than any others.

Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book! I voluntarily read this book, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed the first book, but this sequel fell off a bit for me. I just felt the narrative wasn't as tight and went a bit off course at times. I still have a crush on Rian though and I'm waiting eagerly to see how the story resolves.

This was a sweet story. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I think fellow romcom raiders will also enjoy it. Pick it up on publication day

I immediately requested this book after finishing book one, and I was not disappointed. This series can be summed up in one word - fun.

I love following our sassy main character, Ada. In this installment she’s attending a gala in order to pull off a heist. We don’t know exactly what it is she’s trying to steal, but it sure is fun trying to figure out what Ada is up to this time. Of course, Rian is once again involved. I love these two together.

If you’re looking for a fun novella that’ll keep you smiling while reading, I highly recommend this series. I can’t wait for the next book!

As soon as I read the first book, I knew this series would captivate me, and this book did not disappoint. It's a short book, but light and action-packed. Each chapter ends in a way that makes you want to read the next and the next until you finish the book, and at the end, you just want more! I can't wait for the next one.

The tension between Ada and Rian is spectacular. They try hard to deny their feelings for each other, but in small moments, the mask slips, and it's clear they can't stay away from each other. Ada is incredibly intelligent and funny, and she couldn't be better. I'm eager to see how it will all end!!!