ARC Review: Chaotic Orbits #2

This is the second book in a novella trilogy so there might be spoilers for the first book. Please read my review of Full Speed to a Crash Landing if you want to know more about the series.

How to Steal a Galaxy by Beth Revis

Publication Date: December 3, 2024

Summary from NetGalley:

Sparks fly when Ada and Rian just-so-happen to find themselves at the same charity gala—but there’s something rotten behind the sparkling gowns and dazzling wealth on display

This heist turned rom-com from New York Times bestselling author Beth Revis is perfect for fans of sexy, romantic science fiction and readers of Martha Wells and Becky Chambers

Ada had no intention whatsoever to continue working for the rebel group that hired her to retrieve the government’s plans for a nanobot climate cleaner if they weren’t willing to pay her for it, but then they offer a different perk: an undercover mission to a charity gala where Rian will be in attendance. Rian, meanwhile, has volunteered his services for the gala believing that the rare items up for auction will attract Ada’s eye. Hoping to catch her in the act and pin her with a punishable crime, Rian has no idea what Ada’s really after.

In a high-stakes game of theft and deception, Ada plays to win…and Rian will do anything to stop her.

ARC provided by DAW Books via Netgalley for an honest review.

Confession:

This second novella in the Chaotic Orbits series was just as good as the first one. I love the cat and mouse game that Ada is playing with Rian and the romantic tension is the best. Plus the world building just keeps getting better and now we even have a villain that is truly one to hate.

Ada is just as cunning and unapologetic as the first story. She keeps you guessing throughout the whole story as to what she is really up to. I loved her dialogue, especially with Strom Fetor, the owner of the company that is going to ‘save’ Sol Earth. But the banter between her and Rian is still fun. I love how confident Ada is, and how her motives are a bit on the gray side. But still a great heroine for this story.

I love Rian as well. He is also playing a bit of a game with Ada. He follows her around the Gala because he is certain that she is going to steal something or do something illegal, and of course he wants to catch her. But he plays right into her plans and he never could have guessed what she was really up to.

There is a lot packed into this very short novella, but the short length works for this one. We learn alot more about Ada and what motivates her, and even though we only get Rian’s point of view at the end through some reports, we do learn a bit more about him as well. The romance continues to grow, which is something considering how little they know about each other. They haven’t spent much time together, but the attraction is certainly there on both sides and Ada is not afraid to use Rian’s emotions against him.

A very well done second book in this series. I enjoyed every moment of it and I’m really looking forward to the final book this spring. If you haven’t yet read this series, you really should. Especially if you like heists, a slow burn romance, and a futuristic setting, this is a series you don’t want to miss.