S'kal by Honey Phillips [Review]

S'kal (How the Aliens Were Won #4) by Honey Phillips
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: March 18, 2024

How the Aliens Were Won
1. Borgaz
2. Temel
3. Naffon
4. S'kal - Paperback | Kindle
5. Celenk
6. Kalpar
7. H'zim
8. Tomlin

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Seven Brides for Seven Alien Brothers
1. Artek

Honey Phillips
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

A troubled alien, a runaway human, and a haunted past…

Evie is in trouble. She’s out of money, out of luck, and out of time. Desperate to get out of Port Cantor, she stows away on a trading caravan heading for the remote settlements in the hinterlands of Cresca. When she’s found by the biggest and most intimidating alien she’s ever seen, she’s terrified. However she quickly discovers the unexpected kindness behind that fearsome façade.

Guilt ties S’kal to Port Cantor, but his restlessness has driven him into becoming the wagon master for a trading caravan. Although the trips keep him occupied, they don’t bring him peace. Then he uncovers a fragile, frightened stowaway. Caring for the pretty, innocent female awakens his protective instincts, but it also helps soothe his troubled soul.

But S’kal can’t escape the past so easily and Evie has her own demons to confront. Will their journey lead to happiness, or will it be the end of the road for their new relationship?

Thoughts on S'kal: These aliens...well, I can't even say they grew on me because I liked them from the beginning (even the surly ones), but the more I read about them, the more I like them. Basically, there's a lot of like going on here. A LOT.

This time up, we have S'kal, the wagon master who has a tendency to help those in need. In fact, it's kind of becoming his thing. I mean, there was Mary, Tomlin, and now Evie. He's also determined to stick by his brother while he serves his time in the Port Cantor prison. (Knowing these aliens, I have to believe that he really didn't do it, but he's in a bad place [mentally] and things aren't looking rosy for the big guy. S'kal showing up whenever he's in town could very well be the only thing keeping H'zim from losing all hope. But that's another story for another book, methinks.)

Whoops, got a little sidetracked there. Let's just say that S'kal is good at stepping in when people need him. As it turns out, Evie needs him in just the right way. He makes her feel safe (and after 3 years on the streets, scavenging to survive, that's important), but he also makes her FEEL THINGS. While S'kal might think he's too old and jaded for someone as sweet and innocent as Evie, she VERY MUCH DISAGREES. And THINGS HAPPEN. So many things.

A few unsavory characters, a possible plot against the alien former-soldiers-turned-farmers, steamy kisses, a long journey wherein two people get to know one another VERY well, a dedicated assistant, a male who is starting to think about settling down, and a lady who absolutely trusts the big green wagon master the moment she meets him. Well, after her initial fright. Good times!