Ruby Dixon can do no wrong and there is something about Josie and her quiet strength that made me fall in love with her instantly. Plus, their banter was everything!

What can I say that hasn't already been said about this series? I just love it. It's my not-so guilty pleasure!

Take me away, aliens!

I love this series so much. I was not all that excited for this couples book but it was so sweet. I can't wait to read more!

An enemies to lovers romance, but let's make it alien vs human! That's the theme of the latest Ice Planet Barbarian's romance with alien Haeden, a grumpy taciturn character and Josie, the human who would like to be settled down with a couple of kids like her friends but there aren't too many males left and the last one she'd want to resonate with is Haeden. So naturally, these two are meant to be together. There were a lot of misunderstandings between them, but when they are forced to work together to survive, they slowly come to accept the resonance between them and actually like, and then love each other. Just goes to show that even alien romances need to put in the work! I am enjoying the expanding worldbuilding and characters in this series and look forward to more.

If you’re in the mood for a book that takes charge and never lets go of your undivided attention, then, this is that book. This book will make your toes curl cover to cover and have you thinking about it for days. Ms. Dixon is a true talent, for sure!

TW: active sex on the page, references to infertility, pregnancy, IUD usage, biologism

Rating 3 out of 5 stars

Books in the Ice Planet Barbarians series have become one of my go-to romance reads, when I want sweet, swoony romance and some steamy moments all wrapped up. This is a story for those who don’t mind breeding, because the whole purpose of their resonance is to mate and produce kits, or babies. I know exactly what I am getting when I sit down to read one of these.

However, I will say that Barbarian’s Mate was probably my list favorite so far. I understand that this series is focused on reproduction, but I do take issue with the need to fix people, overwhelming the women, so that they can find love. And no, I’m not referencing going to therapy or rehab, but this idea that “flaws” or biological imperfections deem you unworthy of finding a mate -1. I will talk about this a bit more below with a spoiler warning. Additionally, I was not Josie’s biggest fan.

Essentially, the first part of this book was irksome and I did not seek enjoyment while reading, and enjoying these books, reading for leisure are why I indulge them. Josie was very crass with Haeden and sure a little disdain to love, I get the vibes, but repeatedly throwing someone’s past relationship abandonment trauma in their face while constantly seeking validation is…a choice. Anywho, the second half of the book was better, as Josie accepted her relationship and feelings with Haeden and finally started treating him like a human– err an alien worth dignity and respect. Haeden was more likable than I had previously anticipated from the snippets of him we had received in other books. He was attentive, caring, and hearing about his backstory enabled me to empathize and view him in a different light.
I see new plot pieces coming into play which I’m excited about. While Dixon has been able to give each couple their own unique voice, I am looking for the world to expand and new challenges to arise.

Spoiler Warning.

Josie was unable to resonate because she had an IUD. Which meant she couldn’t get pregnant, therefore her khui found her lacking as she could not produce a kit, so she couldn’t resonate. I would’ve appreciated her and Haeden being able to admit their feelings and find love, if they didn’t officially resonate. That seems more genuine to me, but this series propels biologism, so I do not foresee any changes being made to the series on that front. I could be wrong though.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

I enjoyed it so much. I am glad this was published because it got rid of my reading slump. Haeden and Josie's love story is fun and entertaining since this is an enemies to lovers romance, A LOT OF SEXUAL TENSION. What I love more, there is no animosity between them. They clicked.

After constantly hearing references to this series, it was nice to see what all the fuss was about. Not my cup of tea, but it was good to see that it was good enough of a read.

This was okay- I have been less interested in these books the longer I read them. I found these characters to be pretty bland, and the world building seems to be entirely based on what the author needs to make the story work, rather than working within in-universe logic.

Another fun addition to the Ice Planet Barbarian world. This was Josie and Haeden's story. I knew they were going to end up together and it was a such a sweet, sexy journey for them. This series and this author are crack for me and I just cannot get enough!

3.5 but I chose to round down rather than up.

I was very curious about this title because Alien romance was something I didn't even know existed, and wow was this a surprise.

There is an overall storyline, which is developed decently. The erotica is also pretty decent, but there was something missing for me.

I was very impressed with the author's consistency in making sure that the Aliens had their own culture and interpretation of things.

I thought I was over this series, but I'm back! The Ice Planet Barbarians series is a fantastic palette cleanser, and with "Barbarian's Mate," the series feels fresh again.

Fabulous grumpy/sunshine dynamic - Haeden is a dream. Josie is a bit tougher to understand but offers some depth to the story. As with others in the series, some tough topics are introduced.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

How are these so entertaining every time!! Loved Haeden to death he’s actually the sweetest ever and that made this the perfect enemies to lovers

this series is always such a fun palate cleanser to come back to

i don’t know y’all, there’s just something about these blue aliens that’ll do it every time

I don't know what's in these books but I just devour them - I think i've read like four in the last two days. I loved this one - Josie and Haeden are probably my fave IPB couple.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this Advanced Readers Copy of Barbarian's Mate by Ruby Dixon!

Barbarian's Mate is the 6th book in the Ice Planet Barbarian series. This sci-fi romance was Haeden and Josie's story and it was an emotional and steamy tale.
Haeden's back story was a difficult one and your heart will go out to him. Unfortunately I found it hard to like Josie. I found her to be selfish and insensitive and I couldn't understand her hatred for Haeden.
Told in dual POV, this slow burn Enemies-to-Lovers tale was adventurous and steamy and while this one was not a favorite, I will continue the series. I would recommend it to lovers of sci-fi romance.

I do enjoy this series. These books are fun and sexy paranormal romances which have strong women, sensitive men, and planet full of danger and mystery. Josie and Haeden are the classic enemies to lover trope and it is lovely to see them both overcome past traumas and find each other.
A bonus is just how pretty these new editions are!

<i>ARC Provided by NetGalley<i>

Josie has always had hope despite the abuse and horrors of her life. Even crash landing on an alien planet she looks at the bright side, she can get a mate who will adore her and have a loving family for the first time.

But then her mate turns out to be Haeden and her hopes are dashed for love since he has been nothing but short-tempered and surly since she arrived.

Haeden lost his mate and never thought he could have another. Terrified of losing another one, his overprotectiveness and fear has made Josie thinks he hates her when he has been drawn to her since she arrived.

While yes, the whole alien/human is def going to present miscommunication, Haeden needs to learn to convey his feelings (typical man). Haeden does become better and learns how strong Josie is.

Because Josie refuses to give up hope and decides to search for happiness if it won't be with her mate. As she trecks out for a new adventure, Haeden and her come together again and become the couple you see in later books (see, nauseatingly in love popping out babies).

Of course resisting resonance means things get spicy (and creative).

Once again, communication is essential and Josie and Haeden are off when they finally do so (especially Haeden).

The bonus chapter at the end was so fun and so spicy! Ruby gave fans what they were asking for...

I love all of Ruby's aliens and this book brought me back to one of her most iconic stories (I mean, the sling). If you've already read you'll love the story again, and be thrilled by the new bonus chapter!

Feat: enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, alien romance

4 stars
2 spice