Tribute is the first book I’ve read by LM Rose and it was a bit of a mixed bag. I did end up finishing it because the romance and chemistry was good, but there wasn’t really much else going on besides that.

The book starts off well and the premise seems interesting but once the marriage happens it really just focuses on the relationship between the two mc’s and doesn’t deliver on the opportunities for world building or political intrigue etc. I would definitely read another one of this author’s books but I can’t say I would read this one again.

Excellent book, love it! Looking forward to more from this author! Apologies for the lateness of my review

As a romance story, this is perfectly fine and gives all the good feels. But the setting had so much potential and was thoroughly ignored all through the book, even after the MC gets poisoned and almost dies as a result.
It's missing all the elements that could have made it great (political intrigue, SFF world-building, opposite attracts with aliens, exploration of terraforming and its colonialist impact) and does the bare minimum to prop up a scifi-ish backdrop for an okay love story.

So if I were to rate it as a romance, I'd say it has a great buildup and a sweet conclusion, although it is too lengthy. It could have done without the post-coital miscommunication conflict in the last stretch to the ending. But I enjoyed the fact both protagonists had nothing but good intentions at heart, that the author avoided the angst you'd expect from such a premise and that it didn't go too hard on the miscommunication tropes.

This book is the perfect read for people wanting a low-stakes, cozy sapphic romance and I'm very glad I had the opportunity to read it!

A very intriguing premise. Overall a good read. Rose did a good job creating these characters and world they are in.
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Thank you Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

I took a chance on this book, and I’m so glad I did. I'm normally not a science fiction lesfic fan, but I really enjoyed this book. The premise was intriguing. The author’s description of the characters was wonderful. I enjoy when the author describes the physical aspects of the characters. I like to see them in my mind’s eye. The book was well written and worth the effort. I look forward to reading more from this author. Well done.

Have you been desperate for another queer arranged marriage in space since you read Winter’s Orbit? Tribute by L.M. Rose might be just what you’re looking for. In the distant future, humanity shares a planet with the mysterious and advanced alien race the Tipruii. When war breaks out it fast becomes clear that humanity cannot compete with the Tipruii’s military power and the only way to make peace is through a treaty marriage. Fiona is the daughter of the human colony’s leader and the closest thing to human royalty. She’s had her great love, better her than any of her sisters. What she doesn’t expect is an attraction to the princess, or the political opposition to that marriage. Will she lose everything before they can even secure the treaty, or could Fiona possibly gain more than peace for the human settlement?

Tribute is a sexy romance with a little bit of sci-fi and very light political intrigue. The characters, even the secondary ones, are well rounded with unique personalities. Both of the characters have goals and desires outside of the relationship that aren’t simply forgotten for the sake of romance. This is a medium paced, character driven book, and the overall themes of the book are healing and family. It was a fun read and I recommend it to romance lovers.

My only complaints are the miscommunication trope that honestly felt kind of out of character, and the medical bit. The second might be very specific to me as a medic, but it did sort of knock me out of suspension of disbelief for a chapter or so.

I will have a video up on my Tiktok later today.

This was a very good story that I couldn't put down. I enjoyed the two main characters and how they handled they situation about the arrange marriage. Fiona and Simaala both lost someone in their past but also come to turn they can love again. The author did a great job of the world building and the rest of the characters. It was a great read.

This is the first book I’ve read by LM Rose, and it didn’t disappoint. In a sci-fi, arranged marriage plot line, the story focuses on Fiona and Simaala, who come from communities on opposite sides of a war. The tension on both of their sides was well written, and both of them seemed well-versed in the reason for the arranged marriage and emotionally mature in how they carried themselves.

For a novel whose plot focuses, especially in the beginning, on communities at war, there was little on-page violence, which I found refreshing in the current climate.

A good book, it had interesting characters and an engaging plotline that I enjoyed reading. I will be looking for more from this writer!

Really good Science Fiction Romance. I liked the main characters. Each character had her own reasons for going into their arranged marriage, to stop a war between their races. I felt that this story was more about the romantic relationship between the mains and each getting to know and learn about each other. This is a slow burn romance, a kind of enemies to lovers romance that was very fun to read. I would definitely recommend this book and I look forward to what's next from these authors.

This was a very wonderful story. I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5 though for a couple of reasons.

The lead-up to where the conflict between the humans and Tipurii was exceptionally well written. The tension between Fi and Simaala is strong and draws you into the story. Simaala hiding her identity from Fiona allows them to build the relationship before the Tribute Wedding, supported by angry Species' first movements on either side.

Once they are married and move to the Tipurri side of the world everything seems to slow down to just tension building between their feelings for each other. It makes most of the lead-up with the dissension for the protester/assassin storyline almost irrelevant to the rest of the story. It was somewhat disappointing that it wasn't tied further with their love story.

Overall great story but had some plot gaps for me.

Thanks NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC copy.

This book is a sapphic arranged marriage alien romance and it is a well written story that focuses more on the characters struggles with duty and falling in love then the usual just straight to the romance no backstory a lot of alien romances have. It was well paced except for the ‘drama’ of the story when the Fiona ends up on the alien side of the wall, it felt rushed, glossed over and then just kind of was moved past like it didn’t even happen or need to be in the story.

I loved the elements of the back story that took place before you even meet the arranged bride Princess Simaala. It really helped me feel for and be invested in what Fiona was going through. I loved watching their friendship then affection grow for each other.

Okay, so I was really in the mood for a sapphic human/alien trope. So, when I found this book, I felt like I was hitting a jackpot.

Tribute was a wonderful sapphic sci-fi romance. I have to admit, when I first read the blurb, I thought it would be a forced proximity/enemies-to-lovers trope with lots of drama and dark fantasy... well, I guess I still enjoy it even without those dramas! I love the writing style; the story was at a good pace. L.M. Rose created lovable characters that both have their depth. I think I have a little crush on Simaala.

I was truly surprised, and quite pleased, with the lack of violent action in this book. I expected, having read the blurb, more of a political action thriller style of book and instead it's really just a slow burn romance that really melts your heart. All of the characters are lovely, and I'm dying to know more about this world. What a joy to just sit and read in a comfy chair over the weekend!!!

On this new world planet humans live on one half and aliens called Tipruii live on the other. A physical disturbance has occurred at the border promoting a war. The humans are not as prepared as the Tipruii nonetheless they offer the humans a treaty to stop the war.
The treaty includes a tribute bride to the alien princess. Fiona has volunteered as her sisters are already taken. She has no idea what she is getting into.
She doesn’t realize that she has already met the princess who is pretending to be someone else. They are both smitten but for different reasons can’t give into their desires.
This is an enchanting story and the build up to their sexual encounters are hot and steamy.

You’ll enjoy this one.

An arranged marriage to stop a war. This turned out to be on the whole a rather gentle love story. Two very different people forced together and getting to know each other. Finding they are not totally indifferent to one another after all. They have their moments of disharmony but it's how they deal with these that brings them closer.