Books like 'The Spare Man'
Readers who enjoyed The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
futuristic funny science fiction mystery suspense sweet-hero friends to lovers disabilities and marks abduction third-person-pov
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A Treasure for the Alien Warrior by Honey Phillips
Can an alien commander allow himself to choose love over duty? Jessica’s orderly life changed forever when she became the guardian of her orphaned niece and nephew. She is still trying to learn how to be a parent when they are taken by aliens.After a desperate attempt to escape their captors ends on a deserted planet, she faces an entirely new set of challenges...Categorized as:
abduction strong heroine m-f science fiction aliens alpha male insta-love time travel -
![Miles, Mutants, and Microbes (Vorkosigan Saga (Publication Order) #4, 5.2 & 13) by Lois McMaster Bujold]()
Miles, Mutants, and Microbes (Vorkosigan Saga (Publication Order) #4, 5.2 & 13) by Lois McMaster Bujold
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsContent: Falling free Labyrinth Diplomatic immunity Miles Vorkosigan/Naismith : his life and times.Two complete novels and a short novel in one large volume:Falling Free—The Nebula Award-winning novel. Leo Graf was just your typical efficient engineer: mind your own business and do the job... -
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![Captain Vorpatril's Alliance by Lois McMaster Bujold]()
Captain Vorpatril's Alliance by Lois McMaster Bujold
Captain Ivan Vorpatril is happy with his relatively uneventful bachelor's life of a staff officer to a Barrayaran admiral. Ivan, cousin to Imperial troubleshooter Miles Vorkosigan, is not far down the hereditary list for the emperorship. Thankfully, new heirs have directed that headache elsewhere, leaving Ivan to enjoy his life on Komarr, far from the Byzantine court politics of his home system...Categorized as:
suspense m-f science fiction humor military futuristic behind-doors marriage of convenience -
![Cordelia's Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold]()
Cordelia's Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold
In her first trial by fire, Cordelia Naismith captained a throwaway ship of the Betan Expeditionary Force on a mission to destroy an enemy armada...Categorized as:
third-person-pov independent heroine strong heroine m-f science fiction military war futuristic -
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![Susix by Amelia Rademaker]()
Susix by Amelia Rademaker
Being abducted by aliens is terrifying. Everything after that? Pretty boring.Cece Levine didn’t believe in aliens. That is, right up until she was abducted. Life in space is not what she expected. She lives in a cage. She's left alone all the time. And the boredom is driving her insane.When a thief who is more snake than man, mistakes her for an exotic pet, Cece decides to just roll with it...Categorized as:
suspense abduction sunny hero sweet-hero science fiction aliens reverse harem menage -
![Born with a Silver Moon: Galaxa Warriors by Milly Taiden]()
Born with a Silver Moon: Galaxa Warriors by Milly Taiden
Rated: 4.59 of 5 stars · 16 ratings** COMPLETELY STANDALONE ** Discover a brand new race of Alpha males ready to find their mates in a dangerous warrior planet. Sassy women traveling with Gerri Wilder are in for the journey of a lifetime and a mate that will love them through the galaxy. Are you ready? Grab the next Galaxan romance between a sexy warrior and his fiery mate...Categorized as:
m-f independent heroine shapeshifters humor science fiction futuristic aliens non-human-hero -
![R'jaal's Resonance by Ruby Dixon]()
R'jaal's Resonance by Ruby Dixon
R'jaal has waited many turns of the seasons for his khui to resonate, only to be disappointed time and time again. But when he is taken captive by strange beings hiding in the very tunnels of the fruit caves, he wakes up to find himself in a strange underground cage.Also in the cage? A very pretty unfamiliar human female. She says her name is Rosalind. She makes his khui sing...Categorized as:
m-f abduction sweet-hero suspense friends to lovers tortured heroine sunny hero science fiction -
![Kiss My Asteroid: Galaxa Warriors by Milly Taiden]()
Kiss My Asteroid: Galaxa Warriors by Milly Taiden
** COMPLETELY STANDALONE **Discover a brand new race of Alpha males ready to find their mates in a dangerous warrior planet. Sassy women traveling with Gerri Wilder are in for the journey of a lifetime and a mate that will love them through the galaxy. Are you ready?Ivy Grimaldi can’t stand change. Ever. But change is something she’s had to deal with a lot lately...Categorized as:
sassy heroine abduction mystery suspense strong heroine m-f shapeshifters science fiction -
![Concealed in Death by J.D. Robb]()
Concealed in Death by J.D. Robb
The incomparable J. D. Robb presents the latest moving and suspenseful novel in the #1 New York Times –bestselling Eve Dallas series. In a decrepit and long-empty New York building, a man begins the demolition process by swinging a sledgehammer into a wall. When the dust clears, he finds two skeletons wrapped in plastic behind it... -
![Born in Death by J.D. Robb]()
Born in Death by J.D. Robb
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 60 ratingsEve Dallas has a grisly double homicide to solve when two young lovers—both employees of the same prestigious accounting firm—are brutally killed on the same night. It doesn't leave Eve a lot of leftover time to put together a baby shower for her buddy Mavis, but that's supposedly what friends are for. Now Mavis needs another favor...Categorized as:
heroine sleuth suspense strong heroine mystery tortured heroine m-f futuristic super rich hero -
![Memory in Death by J.D. Robb]()
Memory in Death by J.D. Robb
Eve Dallas is one tough cop. It should take more than a seemingly ordinary middle-aged lady to make her fall apart. But when that lady is Trudy Lombard, all bets are off. Just seeing Trudy at the station plunges Eve back to the days when she was a vulnerable, traumatized young girl—and trapped in foster care with the twisted woman who now sits smiling in front of her... -
![Wed To The Alien Prince by January Bell]()
Wed To The Alien Prince by January Bell
The huge alien prince claims I’m his wife—I’ve never been a good little princess, and I’m not about to start now.Stuck in a hot jungle with an even hotter alien is not how I imagined my diplomatic mission going. To make things worse, every conversation is an exercise in survivor charades... -
![Strangers in Death by J.D. Robb]()
Strangers in Death by J.D. Robb
The new novel in the #1 New York Times-bestselling series. Technology may be different in 2060 New York, yet the city is still a place of many cultures and great divides. But as ever, some murders receive more attention than others—especially those in which the victim is a prominent businessman, found in his Park Avenue apartment, tied to the bed—and strangled—with cords of black velvet... -
![Possessed by the Alien Hero by Krista Luna]()
Possessed by the Alien Hero by Krista Luna
I live without emotion. Yet one touch from my fated mate shatters all my restraint.SOFIAI did it! I helped cure the virus our enemy used to kill so many humans and Varool. Then I created a new one that will turn the tables on the bugs and win us the war. If we can release it into the heart of the attacking Swarm.Enter Yash. Tall. Aloof. Alien. Gorgeous. He’s even royalty of some sort...Categorized as:
strong heroine m-f aliens science fiction humor futuristic fated-mates cheerful heroine -
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![Draekon Conqueror by Lee Savino, Lili Zander]()
Draekon Conqueror by Lee Savino, Lili Zander
I’ve lived an eternity. I’ve killed thousands. Destroyed worlds. I thought I’d seen everything. I didn’t think there was anything left in the galaxy that could surprise me. Then I met her. Lani Dennison. A human woman. My mate. My mission was simple. Find Lani Dennison. Zorahan scientists tortured her. I killed them, of course. Okaki pirates abducted her...Categorized as:
m-f abduction third-person-pov sassy heroine sunny hero science fiction shapeshifters aliens -
![Brothers in Arms by Lois McMaster Bujold]()
Brothers in Arms by Lois McMaster Bujold
Miles is having enough trouble keeping his two identities separate -- the charismatic Admiral Naismith of the Denarii Mercenary Fleet and a Vor lord of the Barrayan aristocracy -- when assassination attempts begin...Categorized as:
m-f disabilities and marks abduction strong heroine science fiction military war humor -
![Wed To The Alien Gladiator by January Bell]()
Wed To The Alien Gladiator by January Bell
Things were improving between us… that is, until he got the bright idea to kidnap me.I never thought I’d be tricked into an arranged marriage with an alien warlord. Still, it’s been easy enough to keep my former gladiator husband at arm’s length. But once my translator starts working, the hulking himbo decides he’s tired of waiting and freaking kidnaps me... -
![Winterfair Gifts by Lois McMaster Bujold]()
Winterfair Gifts by Lois McMaster Bujold
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 42 ratingsMiles Vorkosigan and his fiancée Ekaterin are enjoying the Winterfair festivities and wedding gifts on their home planet Barrayar, but Miles’ enemies are at work. Sergeant Taura, a genetically engineered young woman Miles befriended, helps uncover the sinister plot. A double dose of romance enlivens this delightful novella in the New York Times bestselling Vorkosigan saga... -
![Cetaganda by Lois McMaster Bujold]()
Cetaganda by Lois McMaster Bujold
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 47 ratingsThe fifth installment of the Hugo-award winning adventures of Miles Vorkosigan.In this novel Miles Vorkosigan and his cousin Ivan travel to Cetaganda, the long-standing enemy of Barrayar, to represent their Barrayar at the funeral of the mother of the Cetagandan emperor... -
![Dark Class by Michelle Diener]()
Dark Class by Michelle Diener
Waking up alone . . . Ellie Masters comes out of a coma to find herself the only inhabitant of an eerily empty moon station. She’s not on Earth any more, she’s not even in the right solar system. So when someone reaches out to her, tells her he’s her friend, she’s happy to believe it. The alternative is to be stuck alone with an enemy.The hunt of his career . .Categorized as:
strong heroine abduction suspense science fiction aliens sweet heroine slow burn alpha male -
![Diplomatic Immunity by Lois McMaster Bujold]()
Diplomatic Immunity by Lois McMaster Bujold
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 45 ratingsReturning from their honeymoon on Earth, Miles and Ekaterin stop at one of the asteroid-based habitats informally known as Quaddiespace (see FALLING FREE), where Miles is sent to defuse an incident between a Barryaran military command and the local police... -
![His Human Assistant by Michele Mills]()
His Human Assistant by Michele Mills
I’m a corporate whistleblower running for my life, so I take the first job I can find off planet. Now I’m a lowly assistant for some rich devil named Hannibal Hellstone? And when I say “devil,” I mean DEVIL. As in this guy’s skin is dark red, he has shiny black horns, sharp fangs, silver-tipped claws and a barbed tail. This Hyrrokin is scary AF and his eight-year-old son looks just like him... -
![CryoBurn by Lois McMaster Bujold]()
CryoBurn by Lois McMaster Bujold
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 43 ratingsKibou-daini is a planet obsessed with cheating death. Barrayaran Imperial Auditor Miles Vorkosigan can hardly disapprove—he’s been cheating death his whole life, on the theory that turnabout is fair play... -
![Argan by Celia Kyle]()
Argan by Celia Kyle
Argan’s honor as a Preor warrior made him defend her. Liquid Knot’s heart demanded she save him. Liquid Knot—hacker extraordinaire—has made mistakes in her life, but none so big as getting an alien warrior sentenced to death. His head is on the chopping block and the Preor leader is determined to follow the letter of the law... -
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![Choosing Theo by Victoria Aveline]()
Choosing Theo by Victoria Aveline
Being kidnapped by aliens is only the start of Jade's problems. Thankfully, her rescuers, an alien race known as the Clecanians, are willing to protect her, but she has to stay on their planet for one year and respect the rules of their culture--including choosing a husband. Jade refuses at first but decides to play along until she can find a way back to Earth... -
![Strange Love by Ann Aguirre]()
Strange Love by Ann Aguirre
He's awkward. He's adorable. He's alien as hell. Zylar of Kith Balak is a four-time loser in the annual Choosing. If he fails to find a nest guardian this time, he'll lose his chance to have a mate for all time. Desperation drives him to try a matching service but due to a freak solar flare and a severely malfunctioning ship AI, things go way off course... -
![Calamity by Constance Fay]()
Calamity by Constance Fay
Bramble's inaugural debut is equal parts steamy interstellar romance and sci-fi adventure, perfect for fans of Firefly and Ilona Andrews.She’s got a ramshackle spaceship, a misfit crew, and a big problem with its sexy newest member…Temperance Reed, banished from the wealthy and dangerous Fifteen Families, just wants to keep her crew together after their feckless captain ran off with the intern...Categorized as:
sassy heroine strong heroine m-f abduction from hate to love humor science fiction futuristic -
![Valor's Trial by Tanya Huff]()
Valor's Trial by Tanya Huff
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsThe fourth book in Tanya Huff's action-packed military sci-fi adventure Confederation seriesAfter surviving the perils of the Crucible, the Marine Corps planet where a routine training assignment had taken a deadly twist—Gunnery Sergeant Torin Kerr returned to Ventris Station just in time to link up with her old platoon and head out to a new war zone, an area of space where the enemy known as... -
![Oh No, I Shot A Spaceship And Kissed An Alien Cyberchef by Kate Sinner]()
Oh No, I Shot A Spaceship And Kissed An Alien Cyberchef by Kate Sinner
Nothing says 'five-star hospitality' quite like accidentally blasting an alien ship out of the sky.Welcome to my life at the Alien Hotel. My days are a delightful cocktail of wrestling with the demonic NutriSynth, dodging kitchen fires, and trying not to murder our cyborg chef, Nelan. Did I mention he's irritatingly handsome? Because that's totally irrelevant and not at all distracting...Categorized as:
m-f abduction science fiction humor length-novella aliens found-family from hate to love -
![Xenon by Regine Abel]()
Xenon by Regine Abel
What is dead is never truly gone.When she embarks on a rescue mission in an abandoned lab, the last thing Kate Lewis expects is for a long dead Xian Warrior to rise from his ashes. Then he claims she’s his soulmate. Although she doesn’t doubt his sincerity, Kate cannot help but question the truth of his words... -
![V'Alen by A.G. Wilde]()
V'Alen by A.G. Wilde
" I should have warned you of how illogical it is to fall in love with a Kyron."An emissary to the Restitution, V’Alen does not interfere in the war between the humans and High Tasqals.But when the Tasqal’s minions attack the base and the voice of one female reaches his auditory sensors, he answers her call for assistance.[Scan: Female. Designated “Alaina”... -
![Reaper by Regine Abel]()
Reaper by Regine Abel
She survived against the odds…Janelle’s life is defined by a crumbling, underground research base. Imprisoned for twenty years after the base was bombed, she and the few Creckel survivors are running out of time as the last of their resources are depleted. With no hope for rescue, Janelle and her companions wait for the dreaded Reaper to finish what the bombs missed... -
![The Security Guy by V.C. Lancaster]()
The Security Guy by V.C. Lancaster
Anna has been sent to the San Diego branch of the Department of Extra-Terrestrial Immigration from her London PR company to negotiate a contract. Her job is to help improve the public image of the local Teissian refugee community after it has come under attack from a local politician. On her first day there, she is invited to the office Christmas party...Categorized as:
strong heroine sassy heroine m-f humor science fiction aliens futuristic men in uniform -
![Wrath by Regine Abel]()
Wrath by Regine Abel
She conquered death. Can she conquer life?Kwan’s dreams of joining the Vanguard finally comes true. Unfortunately, a recent tragedy dampens the joy of this experience. She hopes that reuniting with her long-time friend Linette and embarking on epic rescue missions will help bury painful memories... -
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![Possessed by the Alien Prince by Krista Luna]()
Possessed by the Alien Prince by Krista Luna
I dare not trust my fated mate. Yet I cannot resist. I must claim her. TANDY: I’m an elite soldier, willing to make tough decisions, but I sure didn’t shoot down the varoolian king’s shuttle. Only, the fierce alien warriors don’t believe me. To preserve peace between our species, I’ll do anything—even marry one of them. When I offer myself up, I’m stunned that the gorgeous prince claims me...Categorized as:
suspense strong heroine m-f aliens from hate to love royalty military marriage of convenience -
![Wanting The Monster by Rena Marks]()
Wanting The Monster by Rena Marks
Never judge a man by his looks, even when he has tentacles.Relion has so much more going for him. Protective. Playful. Caring. He’s become my best friend and it doesn’t even matter that we’re male and female. Or that we’re two entirely different species...Categorized as:
strong heroine m-f friends to lovers aliens science fiction dystopian futuristic arranged marriage -
![The Bound Worlds by Megan E. O'Keefe]()
The Bound Worlds by Megan E. O'Keefe
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsWorlds will collide and fates will be rewritten in the thrilling conclusion to the Devoured Worlds space opera trilogy by award-winning author Megan E. O’Keefe. Naira and Tarquin have found a new home on Seventh Cradle. But the peace they’ve built is short-lived as mysterious assailants ambush the settlement and Naira is haunted by visions of a monstrous future...Categorized as:
mystery m-f post-apocalyptic queer horror dystopian science fiction from hate to love -
![Romancing the Alpha: An Action-Adventure Romance Boxed Set by Zoe York, Ruby Lionsdrake]()
Romancing the Alpha: An Action-Adventure Romance Boxed Set by Zoe York, Ruby Lionsdrake
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA multi-author anthology of action-packed adventure novellas. Let the adrenaline flow! ***ZOE YORK, RUBY LIONSDRAKE, ZARA KEANE, ANNA HACKETT, EMBER CASEY, ANNA LOWE, SADIE HALLER, LYN BRITTAN, LYDIA ROWAN, A.J... -
![Alpha Star by Elsa Jade]()
Alpha Star by Elsa Jade
He will be lord of his own solar system, but he can’t claim the homeworld until he takes a bride. He needs the right mate to win his mating rings, but choosing one female from among the neighboring systems while slighting the others could start an interstellar incident—and this ex-mercenary starship captain has finally had enough of war...Categorized as:
m-f suspense tortured heroine third-person-pov science fiction futuristic aliens length-short -
![The Tracker's Dilemma by Ruby Lionsdrake]()
The Tracker's Dilemma by Ruby Lionsdrake
Sergeant Heath “Tick” Hawthorn, the best tracker in Mandrake Company and the captain’s right-hand man, has been admiring microbiologist Lauren Keys from afar for months. Unfortunately, she’s dedicated to her science and doesn’t seem to have any interest in relationships. He’s not even sure she knows his name... -
![Glitter in the Stars by Julia Huni]()
Glitter in the Stars by Julia Huni
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsCleaning the galaxy, one cruise ship at a time.When maintenance technician Triana Moore gets temporarily transferred to a passenger liner, she doesn't expect luxury and relaxation. Bot-minding is the same on a station or a ship. But with twelve-hour workdays and five roommates in her cabin, Triana thinks she should have read the employment contract more carefully... -
![Fiasco by Constance Fay]()
Fiasco by Constance Fay
Cynbelline Khaw is a woman of many names. She’s Generosity, a cultist who never quite fit in. She’s Bella, the daughter who failed to save her cousin’s life. And then there’s Cyn, the notorious bounty hunter who spaced a ship of slavers. She’s exhausted, lonely, and on her very last legs—but then a new client offers her a job she can’t refuse: a bounty on the kidnapper who killed her cousin... -
![Draekon Warrior by Lee Savino, Lili Zander]()
Draekon Warrior by Lee Savino, Lili Zander
Captured in space. Imprisoned. Sold to the highest bidder. But my biggest problem is this bossy, aggravating, impossible, alien who’s supposed to rescue me. The bossy alien I kissed. That might have been a mistake. Kadir is dangerous. I’ve seen him fight, and his body is littered with scars. He’s a soldier. A warrior... -
![Romancing Rem'eb by Ruby Dixon]()
Romancing Rem'eb by Ruby Dixon
I feel like an outsider wherever I go. Croatoan, the Icehome Beach...neither place is home to me. So when a group heads off to the fruit caves to investigate thievery, I go with them. Any excuse to get away from the beach, where I've made a fool of myself in front of my ex and his new mate.Things go from bad to worse as I'm kidnapped by strangers...Categorized as:
m-f abduction tortured heroine sweet-hero strong heroine friends to lovers sassy heroine sunny hero -
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![Bridget's Bane by Ruby Dixon]()
Bridget's Bane by Ruby Dixon
A’tam is the worst. Sure, he’s the prettiest man on the beach, but he’s a terrible listener. I’ve told him a dozen times that we’re not compatible - in SO many ways - and he refuses to take no for an answer. He had his chance with me, and he blew it. But A'tam thinks we should be mates. He thinks he can just woo me enough to change my mind... -
![Turn Left for Stars by V.K. Ludwig]()
Turn Left for Stars by V.K. Ludwig
A SciFi Alien RomCom. It’s hard to find the right alien concubine… Finding three of them? Impossible! Watching the future saikhs practice their penetration angles at the saikhmenti alone doesn’t cut it to make a decision. What about other things like… I don’t know. Personality? What I need is insider information. That saikh-in-training who keeps failing his assessments? He’s offering it up freely...Categorized as:
friends to lovers independent heroine sassy heroine sunny hero m-f sweet-hero science fiction humor -
![Her Alien Warrior by Presley Hall]()
Her Alien Warrior by Presley Hall
Gemma and Kzuri's story. Full blurb coming soon!Her Alien Warrior is a full-length standalone sci-fi romance featuring blue-skinned alien warriors, a sweet but determined heroine, and a quiet, fiercely devoted hero.If you like sexy aliens, steamy romance, and thrilling adventure, you’ll love this series...Categorized as:
abduction disabilities and marks strong heroine science fiction humor aliens futuristic alpha male -
![I Married A Lizardman by Regine Abel]()
I Married A Lizardman by Regine Abel
Scaly, grumpy, but oh so cuddly...As a third daughter on the farming colony of Meterion, Susan’s future prospects aren’t too promising. A pretty face, top-notch skills, and hard work mean nothing if your dowry doesn’t include fertile lands... -
![B785 by Eve Langlais]()
B785 by Eve Langlais
When cyborg intelligence meets sensual robotics circuit boards sizzle. Einstein was probably the only cyborg in existence with no interest in the opposite sex, until he discovered B785. With her sensual nature and quirky sense of humor, she draws this cybernetic geek out of his scientific shell and teaches him the one thing he’s never understood – passion...Categorized as:
suspense tortured heroine sassy heroine m-f strong heroine science fiction aliens futuristic -
![Alien Reject by Ursa Dax]()
Alien Reject by Ursa Dax
"She is a difficult creature, my tiny Kat. But I have never met with a creature I could not tame..."KATI can't believe so many of my human friends have fallen in love with aliens. Sure, the Sea Sand warlords are strong and tall and some might even say good-looking. But I still think it's absolutely nuts to jump into a relationship with one of them...
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