Cara Sweeny has been hand picked to sponsor the first L'eihr exchange student. Not only does the opportunity come with a scholarship that's enough to pay for her entire college education, at her dream school to boot, but she'll have first hand knowledge that any journalist would kill for. Her blog following is going to skyrocket overnight. Cara, however, isn't sure what to think of the serious Aelyx. He's dreamy, for sure, but he seems to have the emotional depth of a kiddy pool. As HALO, an anti-Leihr organization, also begins to see a skyrocketing growth of followers, Cara might just find the support she needs in the least likely person. 
 Alienated is a pretty darn awesome book. The description had me intrigued right from the get go. Although, I won't lie, I was a little worried about cheesy alien. All of that worry was for nothing. Landers does an amazing job with her debut novel, which started off as a first draft written for NaNoWriMo. (Much love as a fellow Wrimo!!). The book alternates between Cara's point of view and Aelyx's. Duel narration can be a complete bust, but Landers nailed it. Cara and Aelyx have awesome minds to be riding around in. And ALERT!! There is also no instalove in this book!! 
 And might I say that there are points that definitely get the heart going. 
 This book had me laughing out loud and grinning like a fool the majority of the time. Aelyx is just unintentionally adorable and Cara is sassy and just down right awesome. This book isn't all about the laughs though. It also has a much more serious side exploring the topics of prejudice and stereotypes and the hate it can breed. I am definitely waiting with baited breath for the next installment. It is definitely one worth picking up! 
 Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. Publication February 2014.