Love Code

Ann Aguirre

Book 2 of Galactic Love

Helix is a self-aware AI whose consciousness gets transferred into an organic body on the alien planet Tiralan, leaving him confused about what it means to feel and desire. Tiralan scientist Qalu, who would rather be in her lab than dating, recruits him to pose as her fake mate so her overprotective mothers will stop pushing her toward relationships. As they keep up the ruse, the two work through questions of consent, identity, and belonging while their pretend bond turns into something real. It's a lighter, found-family-flavored entry in the author's alien romance series.