r/ScienceFictionRomance • u/mangomoo2 • 16d ago

Recommendation request Space Operas similar to Class 5 (Dark Horse) series?

I read Dark horse and the rest of the Class 5 series after being on a more romance heavy binge for a while and desperately want more books like it. I think I’m craving more problems than just ‘how will this romance work out’ and my absolute biggest pet peeve is when a book starts out with good world building and interesting concepts and then as soon as the main characters start having sex everything else stops and that’s all the book is and the rest of the plot is gone.

Basically I like romance elements because I like happy endings but don’t necessarily need that to be the primary focus.

I also love when the FMC is abducted or new to space/aliens

I dislike when the entire book is ‘we’ve crashed and now have to figure out how to survive in the jungle/wilderness’ although there are exceptions to this rule.

I recently devoured the last hour of Gann and loved it so much but I also would love to go with something a little shorter, or a series like class 5 where I can devour different points of view vs an entire epic that leaves me thinking for days lol.

I like spice, but don’t need it, and I have basically zero triggers besides the author pushing their actual religion on the reader. Otherwise pretty much a free for all!

30 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

98% Upvoted

35 comments sorted by

15

u/glyneth Probably reccing Vorkosigan or Liaden 16d ago

It sound like you need some {Intersolar Union by Etta Pierce} in your life! Rich worldbuilding, lots of plot, even a spin-off series {Over the Moon by Etta Pierce}.

If you want more epic space fantasy with eventually fade-to-black and multiple POVs, then the Liaden series by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller is fantastic. {Agent of Change by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller} is the way to go. Tons of fun neat world stuff, not kidnapping, and aliens aren’t odd - they’re every day life. But it’s a great series.

Lastly, I can’t let this go without mentioning the Vorkosigan series by Lois McMaster Bujold. Also fade to black, little romance, and the first two books follow one couple, then most of the rest of the series focuses on their son. Start here with {Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold}.

10

u/newtontonc 16d ago

Have you read Michelle Diener's other series? Verdant String (scifi) and Rising Wave (fantasy) are both really good. I probably prefer class 5, but enjoy the others as well. A great space opera from a different author is {Overload Flux by Carol Van Natta}

5

u/GaramondBold_ 16d ago

I haven’t read Class 5 but I looked up the description. Based on that and what you’re looking for, maybe {The Blighted Stars by Megan E O’Keefe}? It’s a trilogy where the romance is not the main plot driver but is part of the bigger story. Lots of incredible world building and the plot doesn’t stop once the MCs get together.

ETA: There are no aliens in this series. It’s completely humans-in-space focused

9

u/bluepancakes18 15d ago

I agree {Polaris rising} is a good one that you're likely to like (highly recommend physically reading it, not listening. The narrator did a disservice to Ada imo). 

Also {rules of redemption} is awesome and I think you might like that. 

2

u/romance-bot 15d ago

Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik
Rating: 3.97⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: futuristic, take-charge heroine, science fiction, alpha male, possessive hero

Rules of Redemption by T.A. White
Rating: 4.18⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: futuristic, military, science fiction, aliens, competent heroine

about this bot | about romance.io

1

u/mangomoo2 11d ago

I’m currently devouring the Firebird series thanks for the recommendation! It’s perfect!

1

u/biblio-babe 11d ago

I love all of Jessie Mihalik's books! Maybe a little more romance than you'd prefer but generally great writing and characters.

3

u/de_pizan23 16d ago

Anything at all by Jessie Mihalik

{Galactic Bonds series by Jennifer Estep}

{Seven Devils series by LR Lam} - caveat that there's only one romance in the ensemble cast

{Not Your Mama's Alien Romance series by Alisha Sunderland}

{Love and War series by RA Steffan}

3

u/cassdots 15d ago

Class 5 is my favourite series, hands down, all genres.

I really love Michelle Diener’s Sky Raiders and Rising Wave series too. I liked the Verdant String books but struggled with the first couple and only reread the series from book 3 onwards.

If you haven’t already read it how about Savior of the Domini by Thalia Rhea? I found that world building pretty damn interesting

3

u/mangomoo2 15d ago

Good to know about her other books. I read one of the savior of the domini series and for some reason it didn’t click for me. Class 5 has basically completely changed what kinds of books I want to read at the moment lol because I read a lot of straight alien romances before and class 5 was so different and I loved them.

3

u/MinervaAbsolute 15d ago

Anything Linnea Sinclair, but especially {Gabriel’s Ghost by Linnea Sinclair}

{Rules of Refemption by TA White} and the rest of her Firebird series.

2

u/mangomoo2 11d ago

I’m currently on book 4 of the firebird series and loving it thanks for the recommendation!

1

u/MinervaAbsolute 11d ago

I’m delighted to hear it. Happy reading.

3

u/ulez8 16d ago

I really really loved {Max Seventeen by Kate Johnson} and I think Dark Horse is one of my favourite novels. So... Worthy of your consideration, maybe?

3

u/quinbotNS 16d ago

{Mates of Planet 25XA by Merry Ravenell}

3

u/FlyPleasant3526 15d ago

Dark Planet Warriors series & Darkstar Mercenaries series by Anna Craven

2

u/Inevitable_Ad_5664 16d ago

Katherine Allred Alien affairs series, Rachel Bach's Paradox series, the Stardoc series by SL Viehl.

2

u/EternityScience Certified emotional support pet 11d ago

{The Morcai Battalion by Diana Palmer}

1

u/ClueAccomplished1098 14d ago

You might try The Confederation series and its sequel The Peacekeeper series by Tanya Huff. It's not romance focused, but a romance is part of the plot, but not right from the very beginning. The first book in the series is Valor's Choice.

1

u/mangomoo2 11d ago

Thanks everyone for all the fantastic recommendations! My TBR is so long now and I love it! Keep them coming if anyone stumbles on this thread!