Blaze: Inferno Force of the Drexian Warriors, Book 4 by Tana Stone

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I swore to myself that I’d never fall for an alien warrior. Now my life depends on trusting a Drexian I’d hoped to never see again.

I came on board the Drexian space station to attend my cousin’s wedding. That was it. Despite every other woman on Earth falling all over themselves for one of the tough aliens, I wasn’t interested. Not even a little bit. I had my own life on Earth to sort out, and a hot Drexian did not figure into my plans.

But when a guy who’s been pursuing me for ages shows up for Zoey’s wedding, I need a way to prove to him that I’m not available. Unfortunately, roping Dryx into being my fake boyfriend isn’t as cut and dry as I’d hoped. But once I’m thousands of miles away, the whole thing will be nothing but a bad memory. (Okay, a really hot memory, but that’s not the point.)

When my return to Earth is postponed, I’m not only stuck on the space station, but I’m also stuck pretending the Drexian warrior least likely to settle down is my true love. Can I convince everyone on board that I’m in love with him while telling myself that his touch doesn’t light my entire body on fire?

Blaze

Fake It Till You Make It

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚💜💙❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 😋🙂🤨🤣
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Duet Narration

🛡️ Audiobook Review: Blaze

Genre: Science Fiction Romance | Narrators: Aubrey Vincent, Conner Goff, Jodie Bentley
Series: Inferno Force of the Drexian Warriors

🦸🏼‍♀️ Heroine Spotlight: Layne

Earth-born and fiercely independent, Layne arrives at the intergalactic space station to celebrate her cousin Zoey’s bonding to a Drexian warrior. While Earth women are practically lining up to join the tribute bride program, Layne’s not buying the hype—especially with Damien in the mix. Zoey’s late fiancé’s best friend, Damien has a long history of ignoring boundaries and making Layne uncomfortable. She hoped space would be her escape, not a reunion with the guy who never got the hint.

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🧑🏻‍🚒 Hero Spotlight: Dryx

Inferno Force warrior. Groomsman. Galactic Casanova. Dryx is the last Drexian standing who hasn’t succumbed to the mate craze sweeping his squad. While his comrades are pairing off with human brides, Dryx is busy enjoying the buffet of interstellar beauties. Commitment? Hard pass. But when he meets Layne, something shifts—and it’s not just his pulse.

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🔥 Plot Pulse

Dryx’s attraction to Layne is instant—and inconvenient. Determined not to fall into the mate trap, he keeps his distance. Layne, meanwhile, thinks he’s a cocky jerk. But when Damien shows up and Layne needs a quick escape plan, she blurts out that Dryx is her Drexian boyfriend. Dryx plays along, and what starts as a fake romance begins to spark something real. Their banter, slow-burn chemistry, and reluctant alliance make for a deliciously tropey ride.

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💘 Things That Hit Home

• The Drexians’ confusion over human idioms? Comedy gold. “Walking down the path” instead of “aisle” and their horror at the idea of a “house of dogs” had me grinning.
• Tana Stone nails the sci-fi romance formula: sizzling chemistry, high-stakes action, and just enough emotional depth to keep you hooked.
• Fake dating is a tried-and-true trope, but when done well—like here—it’s irresistible. Watching Layne and Dryx stumble into real feelings is half the fun.

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😬 Room to Grow

• The space station’s tech is dazzling: inclinator elevators, holographic bridal suites that mimic tropical beaches or snowy lodges. But when the holograms let you actually ski or swim? That’s where my suspension of disbelief hit a speed bump. A little too real to feel real.

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🎧 Narration Vibes

Told through multiple POVs, the narration trio—Aubrey Vincent, Conner Goff, and Jodie Bentley—delivers a solid performance. Vincent’s voice is crisp, emotive, and engaging. Bentley adds flair to supporting roles, especially Serge the wedding planner. Goff, while competent, sounds older than the alien heartthrob he’s voicing. For towering Drexian warriors, I prefer a deeper, more commanding tone.

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📝 Final Thoughts

This installment blends humor, heat, and heart in a way that’s signature Tana Stone. Layne and Dryx’s dynamic is electric, and the space station setting adds a fun, futuristic twist. If you love fake romance with a sci-fi edge and a heroine who doesn’t fall for swagger alone, this one’s worth the listen.

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