Romancing the Clone by Ruby Dixon Book Review: A Deliciously Spicy Sci-Fi Enemies-to-Lovers Treat
- Joao Nsita
- Sep 3
- 9 min read
Is there any literary trope more deliciously satisfying than enemies-to-lovers? The crackling tension, the witty banter, the slow, agonizing burn as two people who loathe each other realize their animosity is masking a powerful, undeniable attraction—it’s a formula that, when done right, is pure catnip for romance readers. But what happens when you take that classic dynamic and launch it onto a dusty, alien planet populated by clones, corsairs, and a cast of quirky extraterrestrials? You get Romancing the Clone, the third installment in Ruby Dixon’s delightful sci-fi romance series, Sunrise Cantina.
Ruby Dixon, a titan in the world of alien romance, once again proves her mastery of the genre with this new release. The story centers on a clash of personalities so potent it could power a starship: a cheerfully chaotic baker with more hustle than skill, and her grumpy, perfectionist rival who seems to live for pointing out her every flaw. This standalone romance is a heartwarming, hilarious, and incredibly spicy tale that explores the idea that sometimes, the person who irritates you the most is the only one who truly sees you. It's a must-read for anyone craving a character-driven romantic comedy with a unique futuristic twist and a whole lot of heart.
For more fantastic books that will sweep you off your feet, be sure to check out the amazing titles in our Romance Book Recommendations.
Book Summary
Welcome to Risda III, a remote alien outpost where opportunities are ripe for the picking. No one knows this better than Simone, a sunny, ever-optimistic human with a flair for business and, unfortunately, a complete lack of baking talent. Seeing a gap in the market, she sets up a baked goods cart, charming her customers with a winning smile that distracts them from her perpetually soggy crusts and pancake-flat cookies. Her business is booming, much to the absolute fury of Ruth-Ann.
Ruth-Ann, a fellow human and a baker of formidable, if unappreciated, talent, is Simone’s polar opposite. She is a grumpy, no-nonsense perfectionist who is deeply offended by Simone’s culinary crimes. She makes it her daily mission to critique Simone’s wares, pointing out every flaw with a meticulous, infuriating precision. The two women are locked in a mutual state of despise, their daily confrontations a source of local gossip. Their relationship is a classic enemies-to-lovers setup, fueled by a delicious, simmering tension.
But the central conflict shifts dramatically when, one day, Simone and her cart vanish. The usual silence in her spot is deafening, and Ruth-Ann is shocked to discover that the biggest irritation in her life has suddenly become its biggest void. The annoyance she felt for Simone is unmasked as a deeper, more complicated emotion. She realizes she doesn't just care about the quality of Simone's baking; she cares about Simone. This forces the grumpy baker out of her comfort zone and on a reluctant quest to find her missing rival, setting the stage for a slow burn romance that is as unexpected as it is deeply satisfying.
Author's Style and Craft
Ruby Dixon has a signature writing style that has earned her a legion of devoted fans, and it is on full display in Romancing the Clone. Her prose is accessible, witty, and utterly engaging, with a focus on sharp, fast-paced dialogue that crackles with personality. The banter between Simone and Ruth-Ann is the heart and soul of the first half of the book, perfectly capturing the rhythm of their antagonistic relationship. Dixon’s greatest strength lies in her ability to craft deeply relatable, character-driven stories, even in the most fantastical of settings. While the backdrop is an alien planet, the emotional core of her characters—their insecurities, their desires, their vulnerabilities—is universally human.
The pacing of the novel is expertly handled. The first act is a delicious slow burn, allowing the animosity and underlying chemistry between the two protagonists to build. Dixon takes her time, letting the reader savor the tension before the inciting incident kicks the plot into a higher gear. The narrative is structured from dual points of view, giving us intimate access to both Simone’s cheerful determination and Ruth-Ann’s grumpy, secretly soft interior. This technique is crucial for an enemies-to-lovers story, as it allows the reader to see the cracks forming in their respective armors long before the characters do. It’s a style that feels both classic and fresh, much like the charming romance in The Dead Romantics.
Themes and Deeper Meaning
Beneath the witty banter and spicy romance, Romancing the Clone explores several resonant themes. The central thematic conflict is a classic one: perfectionism versus passion. Ruth-Ann represents the technically perfect artist who is so focused on getting things right that she has forgotten the joy of creation. Simone, on the other hand, is pure, unadulterated passion and hustle. She may not have the skill, but she has the heart, and ultimately, the book argues that it is this joy and connection with others that brings true success. It’s a wonderful metaphor for learning to let go of the fear of failure and embracing the messy, imperfect process of pursuing a dream.
The novel also touches on the theme of vulnerability as a strength. Both women have built walls around themselves: Simone with her relentless optimism and Ruth-Ann with her prickly, critical exterior. Their journey is about learning to let those walls down and show their true, vulnerable selves to each other. It’s only when they are honest about their fears and insecurities that they can truly connect. Furthermore, like all of Dixon's Risda III books, there is a strong undercurrent of the found family trope. The community at the Sunrise Cantina provides a backdrop of support and belonging, reinforcing the idea that home is not a place, but the people you choose to surround yourself with.
Strengths
The undeniable, standout strength of Romancing the Clone is the phenomenal chemistry between its two protagonists. The journey from mutual loathing to grudging respect to passionate love is paced to perfection. The initial animosity is genuinely funny, built on specific, work-related grievances that feel both petty and completely understandable. Dixon excels at writing the "oh" moment—that point in an enemies-to-lovers arc where a character suddenly sees their rival in a new light. For Ruth-Ann, this moment of dawning realization is both hilarious and deeply touching.
Another major strength is Dixon's effortless world-building. While this is the third book in the series, it functions perfectly as a standalone romance. She provides just enough detail about the alien setting of Risda III to make it feel lived-in and unique, without ever bogging the reader down in excessive exposition. The focus is always on the characters and their emotional journey. The dialogue, as mentioned, is a highlight, as illustrated in this early exchange:
"Did you even let this dough proof?" Ruth-Ann demanded, poking a sad, deflated roll on Simone's cart. Simone beamed, completely unfazed. "It's been proving how delicious it is all morning! Sold a dozen already."
Finally, the spice level is expertly handled. This is an open door romance, and when the two characters finally come together, the scenes are both incredibly steamy and deeply emotional, feeling like a natural and earned culmination of their journey. It's a romance that feels earned, a quality shared by other great love stories like the one reviewed in Funny Story by Emily Henry.
Areas for Improvement
While this is a deeply enjoyable romantic comedy, it’s not without its minor flaws. The plot outside of the central romance, particularly the circumstances surrounding Simone's disappearance, feels somewhat underdeveloped. It serves its purpose—to create a situation of forced proximity and to push Ruth-Ann into action—but the resolution to this external conflict can feel a bit rushed and convenient compared to the meticulous pacing of the relationship development.
Additionally, while the initial bickering is essential to establishing their dynamic, some readers might find the first few chapters a bit repetitive in their structure. The "Simone sells bad baked goods, Ruth-Ann complains" cycle is funny, but those looking for a faster-paced plot might feel the story takes a little while to truly get going. However, for fans of a true slow burn, this deliberate pacing in the first act will be a feature, not a bug, as it makes the eventual emotional payoff all the more satisfying. These are small critiques in what is otherwise a wonderfully executed and heartwarming romance.
Comparative Analysis
Romancing the Clone fits beautifully within the Ruby Dixon universe, sharing the same blend of humor, spice, and heartfelt emotion that made her Ice Planet Barbarians series a BookTok sensation. Fans of her other Risda III books will enjoy seeing familiar side characters and the continued world-building of the outpost.
In the broader sci-fi romance genre, the book shares a similar "cozy" and character-driven feel with the works of authors like Jessie Mihalik. However, where some sci-fi romance focuses heavily on action and political intrigue, Dixon's work always prioritizes the central relationship, making it a great entry point for contemporary romance readers.
The core enemies-to-lovers dynamic is a timeless trope, and fans of Sally Thorne's contemporary classic, The Hating Game, will find much to love here. Both books feature a workplace rivalry between a grumpy and a sunshine character, witty banter, and a deeply satisfying emotional payoff. Dixon simply takes that beloved formula and launches it into a fun and imaginative new galaxy. This ability to make classic tropes feel new is the mark of a great author, a quality we also praised in our review of The Demon Inside.
Target Audience
This book is a perfect pick for established fans of Ruby Dixon and readers of the sci-fi romance genre. However, its appeal is much broader. Anyone who loves a classic enemies-to-lovers or grumpy/sunshine romantic comedy will find themselves right at home, even if they've never read a book with an alien in it before. It is an ideal read for those who enjoy character-driven stories with plenty of humor and a significant amount of heat.
Content Warning: This is a spicy romance with explicit, on-page sexual content. It is an open door romance intended for mature audiences, 18+.
Personal Impact
Romancing the Clone was a pure, unadulterated delight. In a world that often feels heavy, this book was a joyful and hilarious escape. I found myself laughing out loud at the banter between Simone and Ruth-Ann and kicking my feet during their moments of romantic tension. It was a beautiful reminder that sometimes the most profound connections can be found in the most unexpected of places, a theme that is always a joy to discover.
Conclusion
Ruby Dixon has done it again. Romancing the Clone is a heartwarming, hilarious, and incredibly steamy romance that is pure comfort food for the soul. It’s a perfect blend of a classic romance trope with a fun, imaginative setting. This book is a triumphant celebration of passion, vulnerability, and the simple truth that a perfectly baked cookie, and true love, are always worth fighting for.
Get your copy of Romancing the Clone on Amazon today!
For more fantastic books that will sweep you off your feet, be sure to check out the amazing titles in our Romance Book Recommendations.
About the Author
Ruby Dixon is a prolific and beloved American author of science fiction, fantasy, and paranormal romance. She is best known for her wildly popular Ice Planet Barbarians series, which became a viral sensation on TikTok and introduced a new generation of readers to the joys of alien romance. She is an indie author who has published over fifty novels, celebrated for her imaginative world-building, her humor, and her focus on creating character-driven, emotionally satisfying, and spicy love stories. She has a dedicated fanbase who eagerly awaits each new release from her many interconnected series.
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FAQ Section
What are the main tropes in Romancing the Clone? The main tropes are enemies-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine, slow burn, and sci-fi romance.
Do I need to read the first two Sunrise Cantina books to understand this one? No, this book can be read as a complete standalone romance. While some side characters may be familiar to series readers, the central love story is self-contained.
Is this book spicy? What is the heat level? Yes, it is a spicy romance intended for mature audiences. It is an open door romance with explicit sexual content, typical of Ruby Dixon's style.
What is the "Sunrise Cantina" series about? The series is set on the alien planet Risda III and revolves around the characters who frequent the Sunrise Cantina, a local bar. Each book focuses on a different couple finding love in this unique sci-fi setting.
Is this book a F/F (female/female) romance? Yes, based on the character names and premise, this is a sapphic or F/F romance between the two female protagonists, Simone and Ruth-Ann.
What is Ruby Dixon’s most famous book series? Her most famous series is undoubtedly Ice Planet Barbarians, which features blue, horned aliens and the human women who crash-land on their planet.
Is there a lot of complicated sci-fi plot in this book? No, Ruby Dixon's books are "romance-first." The science fiction elements provide a fun and unique backdrop, but the primary focus is always on the development of the central relationship.
Where can I find more books like this? If you love the enemies-to-lovers trope, you might enjoy our review of The Unhoneymooners. For more great romances, check out our thoughts on The Love Hypothesis.
Who is this book recommended for? It's recommended for adult readers who enjoy romantic comedies, the enemies-to-lovers trope, and are open to a science fiction setting with spicy content.
When was Romancing the Clone published? The book was published on August 13, 2025.
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