A grizzled mercenary with machine gun arms unexpectedly falls in love with a bio-engineered assassin, leading them to team up against a powerful shadow organization in a near-future world dominated by automation. The story explores themes of trauma, mental illness, and the ethical implications of advanced technology, blending action-packed cyberpunk elements with a heartfelt romantic comedy.

Reader Review Summary

"Automatic Reload" is a wildly entertaining genre-blending novel that takes elements of cyberpunk, romance, and action/adventure and combines them into a riveting, high-octane thrill ride. Set in a near-future world where automation and advanced technologies like cybernetic prosthetics are the norm, the story follows Mat, a former soldier turned mercenary who has replaced his limbs with lethal weaponized bionics. Despite his fearsome cyborg enhancements, Mat is haunted by PTSD from his past and is driven by a desperate need to minimize collateral damage in his missions.

When a routine security job goes sideways, Mat unexpectedly finds himself rescuing Silvia, a genetically engineered supersoldier with incredible physical abilities but also debilitating panic attacks. Against all odds, the gruff Mat and anxious Silvia form a tenuous partnership and eventual romance as they go on the run from the shadowy megacorporation that created Silvia. What follows is a breathless, action-packed adventure filled with intense firefights, explosive car chases, and narrow escapes as the duo tries to evade their technologically advanced pursuers.

But beneath its popcorn movie thrills, Automatic Reload has surprising depth. Steinmetz doesn't treat Mat and Silvia's mental health issues as mere plot devices, but writes about PTSD, OCD, and panic disorders with remarkable sensitivity and authenticity. Their individual traumas make their blossoming relationship feel earnest and relatable despite the outlandish circumstances. The book also manages to weave in compelling social commentary about the potential downsides of automation, corporatocracy, and the dehumanizing effects of advanced technologies.

While the pacing is unrelentingly kinetic and the plot takes some audacious twists and turns, the real stars are the characters. Mat is a compelling antihero - a skilled warrior struggling with his inner demons and rigid moral code. And Silvia, beneath her superhuman abilities, is a tragically victimized young woman yearning for autonomy and human connection. Their banter and reluctant affection for one another provides the heart amidst the bombast.

With its seamless blending of genres, imaginative world-building, adrenaline-fueled action sequences, and surprising tenderness, Automatic Reload is a wildly entertaining read. Steinmetz has crafted a smart, thought-provoking merged romance and cyberpunk tale that, despite its weighty themes, remains a sheer fun popcorn adventure from beginning to end. It's a tour-de-force of high concept sci-fi that defies expectations in the best way possible.