Mobility Mom Book Shelf: No Stress Space Express by Jack Bodett(Audio Review)

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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Book Description

Howdy, friend. I'm Rusty, and so is my big-rig's engine. When the old girl finally gave up the ghost in the middle of nowhere, I wasn't expecting to get a tow from an alien mothership. But the next thing I knew, me and my buddy Mike were halfway across the galaxy in an oversized hubcap full of the weirdest space creatures you ever did see.

Turns out aliens are mighty friendly folks, but they can't fix their tech to save their lives. Didn't take long for us to put our know-how to good use, fix a bunch of gizmos, and make a load of friends, but I was still eagerly countin' the days 'til they'd drop us back in sweet home Alabama. That is until I met Piper Skyflare—a pretty little green-skinned lieutenant in the Martian Sky Force, with knockout curves and a right hook to match.

With Piper to hold my hand and Mike to hold my beer, I'm making the most of this cosmic road trip. It's a wild ride, but one thing's for sure—a sense of humor and a roll of duct tape can get you through darn near anything. That and coffee. Lots of coffee.

No Stress Space Express is a story about finding your true family, told with the common-sense wisdom of Jerry Boyd's Bob and Nikki series (Bob's Saucer Repair), and the low-stakes world building of Travis Baldree's Legends & Lattes. Join Rusty and his crew for a heart-warming, laugh-out-loud adventure with no tension and no drama. Just good clean fun, great friendships, and a little romance too.

About Jack Bodett

Jack Bodett lives at the corner of duct tape and destiny. His humorous science-fiction tales are populated by folks who are equally good at building spaceships and building friendships. He believes that with a good sense of humor, a willingness to help others, and a well-stocked tool belt, anyone can bang together their own happy ending.

My Thoughts

No Stress Space Express by Jack Bodett is a refreshingly fun and entertaining concept for a science fiction novel, and it truly earns its place as one of the best books I’ve read this year. Living up to its subtitle as a cozy, low-stakes, slice-of-life adventure, the story follows Rusty Ray Dixon and Mike Harlan, two unflappable truckers from Alabama.

The journey begins when their broken-down big rig is accidentally sucked into the sky by an alien spacecraft. Rather than panicking, these two "good-old-boys" simply roll with the situation, bringing a sense of calm and common-sense wisdom to the far reaches of the galaxy.

The beauty of this story lies in its "no stress" approach to world-building. While a reader might initially wonder how alien technology could possibly be repaired with Earth-based mechanical theories and a roll of duct tape, the charm of the narrative quickly sweeps those concerns away.

Rusty and Mike find that their "kitbashing" skills make them invaluable on a massive mothership full of aliens who are strangely incapable of fixing their own tech. Alongside their Martian companions—the spirited Piper Skyflare and Jenna Moondrift—the duo thrives in their new extraterrestrial home, turning a cosmic kidnapping into an enjoyable road trip fueled by friendship and plenty of coffee.

What truly sets this book apart is the depth of its characters. Despite the fantastical setting, Rusty, Mike, and the crew feel surprisingly real. They possess backstories and personalities that make you feel like you could sit down at a bar and swap stories with them over a few brews.

Jack Bodett masterfully captures the "found family" vibe seen in works like Travis Baldree’s Legends & Lattes. He ensures that even without high-octane drama, the day-to-day survival and small victories of the crew remain deeply engaging. Just when the slice-of-life pace settles in, the author tosses in a bit of adventure to keep the momentum going perfectly.

The audiobook experience is equally phenomenal, with Neill Thorne and Rebecca Winder providing a stellar narration. They perfectly capture the easygoing, southern charm of the protagonists, making the humor land and the emotional connections feel earned.

My only minor critique is the lack of traditional chapters, but the quality of the storytelling and the sheer fun of the ride make this a five-star experience regardless. If you are looking for a heart-warming, laugh-out-loud adventure that prioritizes great friendships and low-key romance over galactic warfare, this is a series you won't want to miss.