Cultivating the Alien by Ava Ross

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My new job gives me the chance to put my past behind me. Only one problem: I’m falling for my bad boy boss…

After my ex dumps my possessions on the sidewalk, cleans out our bank account, and steals my landscaping business, I’m once again submitting job applications. It’s that or no roof over my head. With the Intergalactic Employment Agency’s help, I land a position as a gardener for the owners of an off-world alien castle.

Other than needing to tackle a rogue vine infesting the front shrubs, it’s an easy job. Best of all, I work alongside Dekrin, a dirty-mouthed fellow gardener who enjoys rolling in mud and wearing low-slung pants. His gardening skills are impressive, but I’m even more impressed by his attempts to plow my personal field.

I’m falling for him, so who cares if I ever return to Earth? But after what happened with my ex, trusting my heart to Dekrin won’t be easy. Do I dare take a chance with a bad boy alien who I suspect is cultivating a big secret?

Cultivating the Alien is book four in the Beastly Alien Boss series. Each book features an Earth woman hired for an off-world job who meets a gruff alien who can’t resist falling for his fated mate.

Cultivating the Alien

Weeding Out Secrets in the Palace Gardens

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💜💚❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌎
Character development: 😋😀😍☺️
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration

🎧 Audiobook Review: Cultivating the Alien (Beastly Alien Boss, #4)

Author: Ava Ross
Genre: Science Fiction Romance
Narrators: Patrick Zeller and Hollie Jackson

📚 Plot & Characters

Elys’s world crumbles when her boyfriend not only breaks up with her but also robs her of the landscaping business they built together—revealing that everything had been in his name all along. Despite fighting back legally, she’s left with little more than a settlement and a broken heart. Determined to start fresh, she turns to the intergalactic employment agency and accepts a landscaping position for the royal family on a distant planet.

Enter Dekrin, the reluctant crown prince. Though duty demands he prepare to rule, his true passion lies in nurturing the palace gardens. With his parents and sister away, he shoulders the weight of the kingdom while battling an invasive, aggressive weed that threatens the palace grounds. His advisor tutors him in leadership, but Dekrin’s heart remains rooted in the soil.

When Elys arrives, Dekrin becomes her guide. Their shared love of gardening blossoms into companionship, with Elys unaware that the “head gardener” she’s falling for is actually the prince himself. Their bond grows organically—meals shared, laughter exchanged, and hands dirtied side by side—until secrets and royal expectations loom over their budding romance.

🌟 Highlights

• The characters feel vivid and layered, especially during the tender “getting to know you” phase. Watching Elys and Dekrin connect over everyday routines—meals, work, quiet conversations—makes their relationship feel authentic.
• The chemistry is undeniable, with steamy moments that balance the sweetness of their bond.
• Dekrin’s internal conflict adds depth: his hesitation to reveal his identity, his fear of parental disapproval, and the looming pressure to marry a royal from another kingdom all create tension that keeps the listener invested.

⤵️ Low Points

• The subplot involving Elys’s ex adds drama, but at times it feels like a distraction from the richer palace storyline.

🎙️ Narration

Told in dual POV with dual narration, the audiobook shines thanks to Patrick Zeller and Hollie Jackson. Zeller’s deep, slightly formal delivery perfectly suits alien male characters, grounding Dekrin’s princely voice. Jackson, meanwhile, brings warmth and natural emotion to Elys, making her feel alive and relatable. Together, they elevate the sci-fi romance, striking a balance between otherworldly and intimate.

💬 Final Thoughts

This audiobook blends romance, royal intrigue, and intergalactic gardening into a surprisingly heartfelt story. Elys’s resilience and Dekrin’s vulnerability make them a pair worth rooting for, while the narration ensures every emotional beat lands. It’s a tale of second chances, hidden identities, and love that grows—quite literally—out of the soil of shared passion.

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