Reviews for Hearts Akilter
5 Stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella-length tech-heavy sci-fi rom-com. There's a great beginning; it feels like it could easily have been expanded into a full-length with a few more plot-twists. The romance felt a little compressed for me, but I liked the main characters and the quirky style so much I didn't mind. Henry, the one convinced he's having a heart-attack, is quite possibly my favorite robot ever. I would love to read more SF by McLean. – By H. Hewetton June 23, 2017
5 Stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ by Rainy Day Reviews
I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
I have read several of Ms. McLean's books, all of which are fantasy and romance. I do not read romance, and yet, I jumped at the opportunity to read Hearts Akilter. She does not write the usual romance (think Harlequin), hers are fun, lighthearted, and just a little, well, off kilter.
This story takes place on Kifel Space Station, and the main characters are Henry, a medical robot having a heart attack (I know, robots don't have hearts, but still…), Marlee, his human friend and confidante who is a maintenance tech, and Deacon Black an expert bomb builder and defuser.
Henry can do things he shouldn't be able to do, like remove his chest plates. He does this so Marlee can see what's wrong since he doesn't have a heart, or nerves, so why is he sure he's having a heart attack? As Spock would say, "it isn't logical." Imagine her surprise when she discovers he's not having a heart attack but a bomb has been placed in him, where his heart would be if he had one, and one of the wires isn't properly connected, and it's shorting out now and then. She knows nothing about bombs, but puts in a temporary fix while trying to figure out who put the bomb there, and why, and how to get rid of it before Henry explodes.
Enter Deacon Black, on Kifel to teach a class to the bomb squad—and avoid an assassin. Marlee hijacks him to help with Henry, and they neutralize the bomb, and tell Henry to go about his business until they can figure out who put it there—and why. Both suspects are high ranking individuals with impeccable records.
Is it possible to have a romance with a man, a woman, and a robot? Well, yes. Yes it is, and Ms. McLean carries it off beautifully, with the right amount of suspense, and a lot of humor. A most enjoyable read.
No robots were damaged in the writing of this review.
5 Stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Catherine McLean’s Hearts Akilter artfully combines the light and the serious in a story of love, evil and artificial intelligence in a futuristic high-tech society. McLean’s story addresses big issues but never ceases to entertain the reader. The book is a one-sitting read even if you are not a fan of sci-fi. - Marc Stewart / Cathy Martel
5 Stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Ms. McLean's book is a good quick story with a love interest as well. Adding the almost sentient robot as humor is enjoyable. A very good read. - C. Mahoney
5 Stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Because I am not a sci-fi fan I was cautious about reading this book. Within minutes I was hooked. It is not so 'out there' that I would get lost in strange names, locations, and terminology. Catherine E. McLean brought the story to life with strong, diverse characters, emotions, and mystery. I really liked the quirkiness of Henry. I look forward to reading more from this author. -- Becky F
5 Stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I couldn't stop reading Hearts Akilter. It was exciting and romantic. I love the writer's style of writing. I loved reading Hearts Akilter!! -- Lou Gross
5 Stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Wonderful Cinderella ending -- What a wonderfully written short story that takes a self doubting woman to a dream come true ending. Brovo Mrs. McLean! -- Pattie
5 Stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
★ ★A fast paced, charming romance, and a delightful read. -- Bex
4 Stars ★ ★ ★ ★ - Well written story
Excellent, well written story with good plot and interesting characters. I especially like the robot. Hearts Akilter is a short book that is quickly read. So much so that it left me slightly disappointed and wanting more. I hope Ms. McLean considers expanding the story and developing the characters further. -- N. J. Hammeron
● NET GALLEY REVIEWS:
● 5 Stars
The novella took me by surprise. I expected a light sci-fi romance, with the emphasis on romance. But in fact, the author has used her vivid imagination to create much ore than that.
— B. Littmann, Net Galley Reviewer
● 5 Stars
Looking for a cute, short science fiction read with a generous lashing of romance? Look no further. Hearts Akilter is a fun novelette featuring an endearing robot, a spunky mechanics, and a hot bomb expert. The result - explosive fun —Stephanie Sassee, Net Galley Reviewer, 8/19/2015
● 4 Stars
The storyline was quite amazing and I have nothing bad to say about this book at all! —Heather Padgett, Net Galley Reviewer,
PRE-PUBLICATION REVIEWS FROM ARC ADVANCED READER COPIES
5 Stars!
Catherine McLean's HEARTS AKILTER has friendship, assassins, sci-fi tech, sleeping in closets, a robot evolving into an AI, and a gentle Jane Austen romance in space. Though I'd planned to read the story section by section, I read it in one sitting. HEARTS AKILTER puts a reader on the edge of their seat and makes them smile. The story's a delight! -- Janet Wells
# # #
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella-length tech-heavy sci-fi rom-com. There's a great beginning; it feels like it could easily have been expanded into a full-length with a few more plot-twists. The romance felt a little compressed for me, but I liked the main characters and the quirky style so much I didn't mind. Henry, the one convinced he's having a heart-attack, is quite possibly my favorite robot ever. I would love to read more SF by McLean. – By H. Hewetton June 23, 2017
5 Stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ by Rainy Day Reviews
I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
I have read several of Ms. McLean's books, all of which are fantasy and romance. I do not read romance, and yet, I jumped at the opportunity to read Hearts Akilter. She does not write the usual romance (think Harlequin), hers are fun, lighthearted, and just a little, well, off kilter.
This story takes place on Kifel Space Station, and the main characters are Henry, a medical robot having a heart attack (I know, robots don't have hearts, but still…), Marlee, his human friend and confidante who is a maintenance tech, and Deacon Black an expert bomb builder and defuser.
Henry can do things he shouldn't be able to do, like remove his chest plates. He does this so Marlee can see what's wrong since he doesn't have a heart, or nerves, so why is he sure he's having a heart attack? As Spock would say, "it isn't logical." Imagine her surprise when she discovers he's not having a heart attack but a bomb has been placed in him, where his heart would be if he had one, and one of the wires isn't properly connected, and it's shorting out now and then. She knows nothing about bombs, but puts in a temporary fix while trying to figure out who put the bomb there, and why, and how to get rid of it before Henry explodes.
Enter Deacon Black, on Kifel to teach a class to the bomb squad—and avoid an assassin. Marlee hijacks him to help with Henry, and they neutralize the bomb, and tell Henry to go about his business until they can figure out who put it there—and why. Both suspects are high ranking individuals with impeccable records.
Is it possible to have a romance with a man, a woman, and a robot? Well, yes. Yes it is, and Ms. McLean carries it off beautifully, with the right amount of suspense, and a lot of humor. A most enjoyable read.
No robots were damaged in the writing of this review.
5 Stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Catherine McLean’s Hearts Akilter artfully combines the light and the serious in a story of love, evil and artificial intelligence in a futuristic high-tech society. McLean’s story addresses big issues but never ceases to entertain the reader. The book is a one-sitting read even if you are not a fan of sci-fi. - Marc Stewart / Cathy Martel
5 Stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Ms. McLean's book is a good quick story with a love interest as well. Adding the almost sentient robot as humor is enjoyable. A very good read. - C. Mahoney
5 Stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Because I am not a sci-fi fan I was cautious about reading this book. Within minutes I was hooked. It is not so 'out there' that I would get lost in strange names, locations, and terminology. Catherine E. McLean brought the story to life with strong, diverse characters, emotions, and mystery. I really liked the quirkiness of Henry. I look forward to reading more from this author. -- Becky F
5 Stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I couldn't stop reading Hearts Akilter. It was exciting and romantic. I love the writer's style of writing. I loved reading Hearts Akilter!! -- Lou Gross
5 Stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Wonderful Cinderella ending -- What a wonderfully written short story that takes a self doubting woman to a dream come true ending. Brovo Mrs. McLean! -- Pattie
5 Stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
★ ★A fast paced, charming romance, and a delightful read. -- Bex
4 Stars ★ ★ ★ ★ - Well written story
Excellent, well written story with good plot and interesting characters. I especially like the robot. Hearts Akilter is a short book that is quickly read. So much so that it left me slightly disappointed and wanting more. I hope Ms. McLean considers expanding the story and developing the characters further. -- N. J. Hammeron
● NET GALLEY REVIEWS:
● 5 Stars
The novella took me by surprise. I expected a light sci-fi romance, with the emphasis on romance. But in fact, the author has used her vivid imagination to create much ore than that.
— B. Littmann, Net Galley Reviewer
● 5 Stars
Looking for a cute, short science fiction read with a generous lashing of romance? Look no further. Hearts Akilter is a fun novelette featuring an endearing robot, a spunky mechanics, and a hot bomb expert. The result - explosive fun —Stephanie Sassee, Net Galley Reviewer, 8/19/2015
● 4 Stars
The storyline was quite amazing and I have nothing bad to say about this book at all! —Heather Padgett, Net Galley Reviewer,
PRE-PUBLICATION REVIEWS FROM ARC ADVANCED READER COPIES
5 Stars!
Catherine McLean's HEARTS AKILTER has friendship, assassins, sci-fi tech, sleeping in closets, a robot evolving into an AI, and a gentle Jane Austen romance in space. Though I'd planned to read the story section by section, I read it in one sitting. HEARTS AKILTER puts a reader on the edge of their seat and makes them smile. The story's a delight! -- Janet Wells
# # #
