When it comes to sci-fi romance, I’m in it for two things: kissing and explosions.
That’s probably why Constance Fay’s Uncharted Hearts series has quickly become one of my all-time faves. This week I devoured the series’s 2025 release, Chaos, and I’m happy to report that the third-in-series does not disappoint.
Set against the havoc of a prison break gone awry, Chaos truly lives up to its name. It delivers explosive action, voicey comedy, and just enough spice. I enjoyed it so much it’s going on my list of fave reads of 2025.
The Story
We’ve been following various crew members of the Calamity as they find love while working to uncover the Pierce family’s nefarious plot to gain the top spot in the galactic political hierarchy.
In this instalment, it’s engineer Caro’s time to shine. In an effort to undo past wrongs, she goes on a solo mission to rescue Leviathan, a supersoldier controlled by the technology she unwittingly created for the Pierce family back when she was a naive but brilliant student recruited to Pierce labs.
Levi is being held prisoner in a research facility disguised behind the Pierce Family’s hilariously spa-like prison for the wealthy. When Caro and Levi escape from the lab into the prison, action-packed comedic violence ensues. Prisoners in slippers and moisturizing face masks run amok through the luxurious architecture of the facility, some trying to catch Caro and Levi while others attempt their own escapes, and all the while, the prison androids are using the opportunity for their own rebellion.
As Caro and Levi flee for their lives, romance blooms. But if they’re going to make it out alive, they’ll have to trust each other. And for Levi, that means forgiving the woman who designed the very chip that’s held him prisoner.
What I Liked
I love that these books don’t take themselves too seriously. My primary reason for reading is escapism, and that’s what the Uncharted Hearts series provides. The action scenes, the romance, the smarmy bad guys, the hilarious, voicey narration, they all go intentionally over-the-top, and I absolutely love it. Chaos really epitomizes the comedic essence of this series. I couldn’t stop laughing out loud.
If you want to indulge in a read that’s utterly FUN, this is your book.
Besides being tons of fun, the romance in this one is truly sweet. I love that Leviathan thinks of Caro as an angel even when she doesn’t see the good in herself. I love that Caro sees Levi as a person even when he’s being forced to behave like a monster. And I love that Caro is body-concious and geeky and a total awkward engineer type even in the romance scenes, and Levi is completely into her just as she is.
Overall Thoughts
Honestly, I don’t have many negatives or caveats to throw into the mix with this review. If you’re not into action-comedy or if you absolutely NEED a five pepper level of spice in your romance novels, this book might not be your thing.
But for me, Chaos hits the sweet spot with action galore, laugh-out-loud comedy, and just the right amount of spice. This is one of the reads I’ve enjoyed most so far this year. If you’re like me and kissing and explosions are on your list of reading essentials, I highly recommend you give Chaos a try.
Do you love the Uncharted Hearts series as much as I do? Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! And don’t forget to read my interview with the author for info on future plans for the series.
