Published by Disney-Hyperion on 4 February 2026
Source: Purchased Physical Copy
Goodreads
Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.
Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.
Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.
But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class.
Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.
Thoughts: I thought this would be cute and enjoyable, but I didn’t expect to love it. Aelyx and Cara are fun. I loved both of their narrations, and I loved them as a couple. It was adorable watching them at first apprehensive, and then smitten. But Alienated is more than just a cute story. Even with their relationship, we get some heavy doses of reality because relationships aren’t easy, and intergalactic relationships bring a whole new level to the word compromise.
I also loved that the story isn’t just about the romance. There is something bigger going on-the people of Earth are scared and hateful. While, it made me sad, I think this is a realistic portrayal of how Earthens would act, if asked to accept foreign beings onto the planet. While there were many moments that made me very sad for Cara specifically, and the human race in general, I am glad Landers took the story as far as she did. I didn’t expect it to go that far, but it made the story better, and I appreciate that the big problems she presents aren’t neatly solved by the end of book 1.
Favorite Moment: Cara’s dad finding out Cara and Aelyx are an item is hilarious. View Spoiler »
WTF Moments: While this book is a cute romance, it is also about hate, so there are a lot of moments when you just feel bad for the human race. However, the biggest WTF moment is when someone dies at the end. I did not expect it, and it made me cry.
Overall: A sweet romance that surprised me with how intense it got at the end.
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Kate @ Midnight Book Girl says
I stayed away from this book because I’m old enough to have watched the mini-series V. In that, the aliens looked human, but in reality they were giant lizards who used humans as a food source. But they could mate with humans, resulting in a particularly memorable birth scene involving twins, one human, one alien lizard baby. *shivers*
Are we sure that Aelyx isn’t a giant lizard in disguise? 😉
fakesteph says
You make me laugh so hard, Kate! But no baby lizard babies… yet.
Andrea @ The Overstuffed Bookcase says
Yeah, I can totally see how Earthlings would be prejudiced towards aliens from another planet. It’s a sad part of our culture, but most of the world seems to be scared by new things that they don’t understand. I think this book totally sounds like something I’d love, so I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much! Great review, Steph!
Jen @ YA Romantics says
I’m with Kate — alien books aren’t usually my thing. Alien lizard babies — no way! But I’m trying to be more open minded — I’m trying the show StarCrossed and I do want to try this — a lot of bloggers have really enjoyed it.
Jen @ YA Romantics
Heather @ Buried in Books says
I haven’t read this one but I wondered if it was good. I read Gravity by Melissa West and while I enjoyed it very much, the 2nd book didn’t get good reviews so I didn’t continue.
Maybe I’ll read this one instead. I love that little spoiler!