Full review here. 
 I want to kick myself. I picked up Alienated in April 2013, but I waited all the way until January 2014 to read it. Guys, this book is SO GOOD. I love how well Melissa balances sci-fi elements with plenty of contemporary high-school-ness and lots of swoony romance. 
 First of all, I'm really impressed with Cara and Aelyx as our leads. They're so similar in some ways yet so different in others, and that makes for some truly spectacular tension, both of the romantic kind and other. They're both intelligent, like, actually intelligent, not just a false description thrown in there for the sake of it, and they're both ridiculously stubborn. Watching them open up to this new experience and become friends-and then...more-was truly my favorite part of the novel. Cara and Aelyx have really great chemistry, both as somewhat-rivals and then as friends and then romantically, and Melissa showed it off to great effect with brilliant dialogue, which you'll see below where I wrote out some of my favorite lines. 
 I also appreciated the supporting characters such as Cara's parents and brother (what little we see of him, anyway, but I have hope he'll play a bigger role in Invaded), her douche-tastic boyfriend-turned-ex Eric, her best friend Tori (who is one of the most infuriating characters to me, but she's well-written) and Aelyx's friends and co-exchange students Syrine and Eron. I love that all the characters are very well developed and so realistic. Nobody is all bad or all good. Even the L'eihrs are characters I could see as real people in real life.Everyone isn't always on the same page, but they all have clear, believable motivations behind their actions (except for the protestors, who are just D-U-M DUM [that's misspelled on purpose, just fyi]). 
 As I said above, the story is incredibly balanced and the science is utterly believable. Even if it's made up, Melissa made me believe it. I love that it's not too science-y or too contemporary. She hits the sweet spot between science fiction, real life in high school, and an adolescent romance (even if it is between a human girl and a ridiculously attractive alien boy). I like the presence of the protestors and the anti-L'eihr movement. Sure, those people are prejudiced idiots, but honestly, they're just scared (and they kinda have a right to be, as you'll see in the book, because REASONS). Again, this is an element that lends credibility to the story. We as humans don't have a good track record being accepting and welcoming to people, as evidenced by the Civil Rights Movement and the current social hot topic of LGBT rights across the globe. Also, the plot of Alienated evolves incredibly well from one conflict to another, and it's really exciting to read! 
 Alienated is a realistic and creative sci-fi romance that had me hooked from the beginning. I love the characters, love the story, and love the romance. I didn't say too much about it, but whoa, Cara and Aelyx... Yeah. You just gotta read it. I highly recommend this new series that has shades of brilliance reminiscent of Beth Revis's Across the Universe and Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner's These Broken Stars. Currently, Melissa only has a deal for Alienated and the sequel Invaded but if things go well enough, there is potential for me. Trust me, you're gonna want more. I know I do! 
 Favorite lines: 
 "I don't see the problem. The fact that you purchased an inferior gift hardly seems like any failing on my part. It's common knowledge that shiny rocks are preferred among human females." (If I had been drinking anything while reading this line, I would have spit it all over the book, I laughed so hard.) 
 To hell with cutting carbs. Life was too short for that nonsense. (Preach.) 
 He clicked a search engine icon, then typed the words how to and paused, considering what to query. Before he'd decided between cheer someone up and mend a broken heart, the search engine suggested how to kiss, how to make out, how to make love, and how to boil an egg. Sexual reproduction and food-humans' two favorite subjects. (Lololololololol. Truest statement ever.) 
 And a serious one: "How can we understand what we've never experienced and adapt without making mistakes?" 
 There's another one, but it's slightly spoiler-y and more than just a couple lines. Hard to describe. Just look for someone munching on popcorn. Oh, and the swoony parts are sooooo good, but you'll also have to look them up yourself. ;) I can't give away ALL the good parts!