Thierry Leroux has been admitted to the Intergalactic Star Pilot Academy and his dreams are all about to come true. But the academy is expensive, and as a Sythe orphan, it's unlikely he will be able to come up with the tuition. His brother, Corbin, works as an escort and gives Thierry the suggestion of auctioning off his virginity to pay for his schooling. It's not something Thierry is very interested in at first, but as deadlines draw near, he gives Corbin the go ahead to set it up. Corbin's boss, Monroe, is more than willing to help arrange the transaction, and they are both pleased when they get a bidder who will more than cover what Thierry needs. The buyer, known only as "Dragonfly" and insistent on wearing a mask when they meet, goes out of his way to make Thierry's first time special, and Thierry is agreeable when the "Dragonfly" asks for them to meet again. After a few such meetings, Thierry realizes he might be developing feelings for his would-be suitor, though he has no idea who is hiding behind the mask. Will finding out ruin the magic and destroy everything?

This was my first Caitlin Ricci title, but I was not disappointed. The character of Thierry is so well-written. Seeing him go from where he is at the beginning of the book, to making his decision, to following through with it, and to living with everything that happens after is an interesting journey. There's subtlety to it, but the dynamic is clear. I certainly look forward to picking up more from this author. ( )

‘To the Highest Bidder’ is a fascinating story set in the year 2231, and I liked it for many reasons. On the surface, it seems to be a simple case of a man deciding to sell his virginity to raise enough money to pay for his education and training as a pilot. It’s not the first time this has happened in history, and apparently, it is still happening in this version of the future. Digging a little deeper, the novel is also about appearances, deception, and how the main character/narrator, Thierry, deals with an unexpected twist around the identity of his benefactor. What made the story even better for me was the setting in outer space, the fact that both main characters are aliens and some excellent character growth. But I think, above all, I liked the sweet love story that only gradually unfolds as the story develops. All in all, this is a multi-layered novel with more than one surprise.

Thierry is driven by his ambition to become a pilot, and he even manages to pass the test for entry into the academy. But as a relatively poor Sythe orphan, he has little chance of finding the money – until his brother, Corbin, who works as a high-class companion, finds a solution. Thierry has difficulty dealing with the idea of becoming intimate with a total stranger, but ambition wins out, and he goes ahead. The man who hands in the winning bid in the auction is surprisingly gentle – but he also guards his identity by wearing a mask and not speaking at all.

Over the next few months Thierry and the mystery man stay in touch, get to know each other, and Thierry begins to fall for the man he calls ”Dragonfly”. Thierry believes he has fallen in love, but when he finds out who “Dragonfly” really is, he is shocked, disgusted, and wants to run. What follows is the intense and suspenseful process of Thierry dealing with his expectations, ambition, and dawning realization of what is really important in life and to him personally.

If you like stories about aliens with a couple of extra abilities but very human-like emotions, if you want to find out more about two men who are very different in their outlook on life yet uniquely suited to fit as a couple, and if you’re looking for a read that is as sweet and romantic as it is full of mystery and suspenseful, then you will probably like this novel.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )