In the science fiction adventure Smuggler's Love by T.D. Wilson, book three in the Reese Daniels Smuggler series, it is November 2140. Reese Daniels, a smuggler and pilot, and girlfriend Irina are attacked by a Mitsu-Renault Corsair near Deimos due to a navigation error. They perform a high-risk maneuver to avoid a missile, resulting in an uncontrollable spin before evading the attacker by entering a dust storm. After the Corsair crashes, they discover crates and a file labeled "Death’s Hand," which is obviously dangerous cargo. At Mars Station, they retrieve personal belongings and face threats from Sergeant Greywalker. Reese then learns from Grimm about Hector Vega and Vexler, who are pursuing Irina. Reese and Grimm try to help Irina escape but are ambushed by Vexler’s men.

Smuggler's Love by T.D. Wilson is a wonderful space opera in novella form that blends a high-stakes adventure with fantastically baked-in character dynamics. Set in a fully realized future where space travel and mercenary conflicts are everyday realities, Wilson excels in throwing spanners into the works that pop up organically, which is the ultimate hallmark of a skilled science fiction writer. The writing style itself is brisk but immersive, and Wilson drenches each scene with energy and a sense of urgency. Reese Daniels and Irina face an onslaught of trouble, the standout to me as a physics nerd being an inscrutable conspiracy involving radioactive cargo and a powerful cartel. While the book is part of an ongoing series, it reads perfectly well as a standalone, with a satisfying ending that promises more to come from this thoughtful and thrilling bit of escapism. Very highly recommended.

Smuggler's Love by T.D. Wilson is the third book in the Reese Daniels Smuggler Series. Reese recently helped a law enforcement agency, EDF Security, bring down Gideon Almora, head of the Almora Cartel. During this mission, he developed a romantic relationship with Gideon's niece, Irina. She even helped Reese take down her uncle. The couple had been enjoying their lives together. Then on a space delivery mission, a skilled assassin attacked them. Somehow Reese and Irina survived. But this was just the start of their troubles. The likely suspect is someone from the Almora Cartel. However, several other persons have reasons and means to target them. If they are going to be safe, they need to be able to detect friends from foes.

I had fun reading Smuggler's Love by T.D. Wilson. The plot involves interesting space adventures and thrilling action scenes. However, in my opinion, the main focus is whether Reese and Irina's relationship will last. The story is well-paced. Wilson does a great job of foreshadowing plot twists. Reese and Irina are well-developed protagonists. Their likes, dislikes, and quirks are recognizable and employed to advance the story. All the dialogue sounded realistic and relevant. There were even some funny conversations. This work also touches on several thought-provoking themes such as betrayal, family, and romantic love. I was reminded that only those whom we trust can betray us, but being wary of everyone is tiring. I highly recommend Smuggler's Love to avid readers of sci-fi, adventure, and action novels.