Only Cold Depths by Jennifer Estep
Galactic Bonds #4
Science Fiction/Fantasy Romance
October 29, 2024- Self-Published

Review by Angela

The fourth book in the Galactic Bonds series picks up shortly after the second and third books in the series. Vesper and Kyrion are on the run from pretty much everyone- the Imperium, the Techwave, a pair of bounty hunters, and Zane, Vesper’s brother and now head of the Arrows. They plan on accepting an invitation to hide out on a non-Imperium planet, work on their truebond, and take some time to figure everything out.

As I was expecting, Vesper and Kyrion don’t really have a smooth time transitioning from enemies resisting their bond, to truebonded couple fighting their enemies. This series is part science fiction with intergalactic travel and part fantasy with magical abilities and gifts. You really must read it in order or else you will be lost. Only Cold Depths features new and old foes, solidifies bonds that have been building over the course of the last three books, and continues to move the relationship between Vesper and Kyrion toward a true HEA.

After the events of the first two books featuring this couple, I was anticipating some bumps in the road to them becoming truebonded power couple, but I didn’t prepare myself for how much their past drama and baggage would get in their way. There is a lot of them figuring out why they are having problems using their bond, all while handling multiple problems and fighting off multiple enemies. There is a big aha moment at the end, and a victory over their enemies, but as there are still multiple factions still intent on capturing them, I’m almost positive there will be several more books in the series.

As with any Jennifer Estep book, the descriptions of food and drink descriptions are *chef’s kiss*. The action scenes are well done, and I’m still hooked on the worldbuilding. I would love to see Zane and Asterin featured in a future book. I’m kind of hoping this two are destined for each other.

Final grade- B