*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this title. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were in no way influenced by receiving this copy.

In reality this was like a 4.5 star read for me. I really enjoyed this overall but just like one or two things kept this from being a 5 star read for me.

Things I liked:
-Seeing a family with a child, caring for them, how they feed and change baby, all that stuff was really cute. We've see it from other characters pov looking in on the families, and we've seen it in the novellas, but getting a whole book dedicated to mom/ someone who has already gone through resonance was really nice
- The metlaks. I think they're going to become an even bigger part of the story with time and I'm really looking forward to that. So far they seem to just be misunderstood. And since learning even more about them in Lilah's book, with their semi communication skills using their own sign language, and now seeing the scared mother risking her life just to get her and her baby food. I love these little guys and I hope they get their redemption arc soon.
- Getting to explore the new home more! We only got a tiny bit right at the end but finding out so much new stuff about this new place is fun and I'm looking forward to seeing what else this place has to offer, and how they improve it with time.

Things I didn't like:
- That we didn't get to see them discover the new houses/ pick their house with the rest of the group. Yes it was nice they got the alone time together but missing out on the discovery with the rest of the big group was sort of disappointing.
- The miscommunication towards the end with Pashov wanting to be Stacy's mate and Stacy wanting Pashov as her mate but instead both being miserable... I hate that. Like you love each other just talk to each other!

Amazon and B&N reviews will go up when released
Imgur link goes to Instagram graphic scheduled for Jan 22
Blog post goes live Jan 28th
Will be covered in upcoming Youtube review

**TL;DR**: Another installment in the ICP series - this is the one that’ll probably make you cry.
**Source**: NetGalley and I have pre-ordered my own copy!

**Plot**: This takes place almost immediately after the end of the last book follow Stacy and her mate who has amnesia. It’s very melancholy for a good portion of the book.
**Characters**: As usual we focus on the love pairing, but a few side characters did shine through.
**Setting**: Not Hoth seems horribly cold and I never want to live there
**Romance**: I 100% loved this pair. They were so cute together and their story of falling back in love was amazing.

**Thoughts**:

Barbarian’s Heart continues the ICP series immediately after the earthquake of the previous book and we see the story of Pashov and Stacey. Pashov takes a heavy blow to the head during the earthquake and ends up loosing all his memories of the humans, and most importantly Stacey and their son.

Here is the thing, this one messed me up! I knew exactly what I was going in for but the melancholy, marriage in trouble, like some of these things hit close to home. I would put the book down and just go cuddle my husband because wow. Ruby can write funny and Ruby can write ‘make you so sad you need a cuddle’. Stacey struggles, even as Pashov tries to court her again and tries to remember and make their life over. She wants the old Pashov and she has a hard time coming to terms with what happens. But as this is a happy ending I think you can figure out what happens.

I did really like the ending here, I like the teasing we’ve been getting about more of this world and I’m always excited to finish another ICP and wait for the next new reprint.

4 out of 5 egg breakfasts

Barbarian’s Heart by Ruby Dixon is the ninth installment in the Ice Planet Barbarians series, and it proves that the author still has plenty of emotional depth and drama to explore among this group of stranded humans and their alien mates. This time, the spotlight is on Stacy and Pashov, whose once blissful life is thrown into turmoil after a devastating accident. With Pashov losing all memory of his mate and young son, the story delves into the complexities of rebuilding a bond when one partner is essentially starting over.

As always, Dixon excels at immersing readers in the unique, icy world of Not-Hoth, and the emotional stakes are high as Stacy grapples with heartbreak and determination. The concept of rediscovering love with someone who’s forgotten you is ripe with tension and vulnerability, which the book explores well in parts. The chemistry between Stacy and Pashov remains compelling, especially as they navigate the awkwardness and yearning of their altered dynamic.

However, Stacy’s characterization felt underwhelming at times. While it’s understandable that each heroine in a long-running series should stand out, Stacy’s defining traits—her cooking skills and fixation on rekindling their physical intimacy—didn’t add much depth. It was frustrating to see her reduced to pining over Pashov’s affection rather than developing her individuality.

Despite these flaws, Barbarian’s Heart delivers on the series' signature blend of romance, heartache, and world-building. Longtime fans will likely enjoy revisiting the Ice Planet and rooting for Stacy and Pashov as they work to rediscover their love. While it’s not the strongest entry in the series, it still offers moments of warmth and connection that keep readers invested in these characters and their icy adventures.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I am absolutely obsessed with these repubs of the IPB series! Each one has been so amazing and has allowed the story to be more fun and incredible. It was a joy to return to Not-Hoth and all the women and their aliens. It was genuinely so fun and I can't wait to get my greedy hands on the next one!! I loved this slow falling-in-love again story with Stacy and Pashov, so sweet!

The next edition of the Ice Planet Barbarians gives us all the spicy alien romance we know and love, this time following one of the early couples we didn't get to know, as they struggle to reconnect amidst tragedy. This latest story expands the world of Not-Hoth we began to explore in the previous book, and offers new territory for our couples to explore in the future!

Wondering how the Ice Planet can remain so, with the level of steam coming from this spice...asking for a friend...

One thing about me, is that I love a second chance romance. And Ruby did it right with this one. Each IPB book is such a fun rollercoaster, but this one actually made me so sad. The longing is felt deep in the pit of your stomach and I never thought these would make me cry but here we are. Thoroughly enjoyed this.

Dang - the spoiler was listed WAY too quickly after the word "spoiler." Be careful with the intro if you don't want the story spoiled. I read the bonus novella first and would recommend that reading order. It provides a good setup for the story and reminds us of the higher stakes for the community on the ice planet following the earthquake. I would not recommend reading this title as a standalone.

Pashov & Stacy's amnesia/marriage in trouble story freshens up the Ice Planet Barbarians series. "Barbarian's Heart" has a more serious and subdued tone than earlier titles in the series. There is not a lot of action, so the sweet love story is the highlight.

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

I really liked this one! Stacy is dealing with the fallout of the cave-in by being a single mom. Her mate, Pashov, has no memories of her or their kit. Or of any of the humans. As they travel to find a new home, she struggles with the journey and the loss of how things used to be.

Pashov was injured when the cave collapsed around their tribe. He has no memories from the last few years, so he does not remember his mate, their kit, or anything about the humans. He isn't the same man as before, but he's trying to be, for his mate.

As Pashov struggles to remember and Stacy struggles with her memories, they must find a common ground and be able to move on and join their tribe in their new home that Hassen and Maddie discovered.

This one broke my heart. Stacy made me want to throttle her at times and Pashov was just so sweet. A second chance romance done right but man Stacy got on my nerves.

If you thought The Vow would be ten times better if it took place on an icy alien planet, and Channing Tatum was 7 feet tall with horns and a saucy little tail, you're going to love Stacey and Pashov.

The tropes here are centered firmly on amnesia, making it a fun little jaunt into a second chance romance as Stacey and Pashov work to reconnect — Pashov, as a stranger, and Stacey, as someone grieving the partner they thought they had and coping with the new, painful reality of having to rebuild the foundation of their relationship brick by brick.

While I don't typically love second chance romance, and found this one a little bit more grating than usual due to Stacey's character, this was still an enjoyable read for me. The subject matter here is tricky, and tackling a frightened character coping with unexpected grief and shock is never going to be anybody's favorite character, but it still felt realistic enough to want to see it through.

I love the ice planet series wholeheartedly — it's my comfort series, and any opportunity to reread these books is one i'll take every time. So if you, too, are looking for something low stakes, quick, fun, with enough cool worldbuilding and an emotional throughline that will tug on your heartstrings, pick these books up! While Stacey and Pashov's story isn't my most favorite of the full series, it's still one that packs enough of a punch to sate any need ranging from hot aliens to cathartic cry.

Thank you so much to Berkley for the opportunity to read an early copy of the new published version! I can't wait to have this pastel cover in all its glory on my 'break alien smut glass in case of comfort emergency' shelf.

I really enjoyed the Ice Planet Barbarians Special Editions series so far. It had that story that I enjoyed then enjoyed the bonus novella. The characters were everything that I was looking for and the world was everything that I wanted. I enjoyed how good Ruby Dixon writes these types of book and am excited for more.

I've said it once and I'll say it a million times, Ruby Dixon doesn't miss!!!!

I read the Ice Planet Barbarian's series for the first time a couple years ago and devoured them all in a few months (and there are like 30 books people!!) Now I'm going back and each time they are republished with these ADORABLE covers I'm rereading and I am so not disappointed.

This story was one of my favorites from the beginning as it was so much different than the other couples we had seen so far. They already had their happily ever after... or so they thought! I think this book went deeper than the instalove this series is known for and I love it for that- testing to see if that instalove sticks after trauma and time.

Okay and apart from this just being amazing, it's got Ruby's signature alien spicy scenes we all can't get enough of! Amazing, wonderful, fantastic.

Barbarian’s Heart features Stacey (human) and Pashov (alien). Their story starts immediately after an earthquake, which is is covered in a novella/short story collection. Pashov was injured in the earthquake and he wakes with no memory of Stacey, their resonance or their child.

This book is really delightful. The marriage in trouble trope is done so cleverly, I really enjoyed it. Stacey is so in love with Pashov and wants him to be healthy and whole again, but is also hesitant about pushing him into a relationship that he doesn’t remember. Pashov, for his part, is just so into Stacey, even without memories.

I truly love this series, it’s always enjoyable. This one does need the explanation of the earthquake to understand the beginning of the story, which didn’t bother me since I’ve read the whole series, but I imagine could be frustrating for someone who picks this one up solo.

Overall, cozy and heart warming. Stacey and Pashov belong together forever, with or without memories.

I have always loved Ruby Dixon's Ice Planet Barbarian series, and I am so happy they are finally getting their roses. This series I would consider a cozy science fiction romance; there isn't much drama or action, and the romance tends to be the main focus. Stacy and Pashov are one of my favorite couples, and I think Stacy shows amazing growth as the story goes on. This is a fun, sweet (and spicy) read that I will recommend to my fellow romance readers!

While I absolutely love this series overall, this one was a bit of a letdown to me. It wasn't bad, it just didn't draw me in nearly as much as others have. The MMC and FMC were both a bit flat. I wish we could've had more development and engagement between the two of them. I didn't feel like we got to the heart of their relationship, like we have the others. Overall though, it was a cute addition to the series.

This book is really good! Stacey and Pashov's story is very heartwarming. They both go through a lot and have to find a new way forward together. My heart is just so happy that they are both trying to make it work despite everything. I always look forward to these short and sweet romance stories. They are a great quick read with an engaging story that easily pulls you in. If you like alien romance then this book is for you. I highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for allowing me to read this book ahead of release in exchange for my honest opinion.

Oh did this make my little monster heart so happy. I absolutely loved this book and it honestly is probably my favorite out of the Ice Planet Barbarian series so far.

Stacey and Pashov are a story that holds a special place in my heart with one of my favorite tropes: amnesia. He loses his memory of his mate and child and has to relearn how to be who he needs them to be. He always wanted a mate, just like every other male in their tribe, and now he has no idea who she is. I loved Stacey's strength in trying to figure out how to survive without him and being okay with him never remembering her or their son. This is a beautiful, sci-fi second chance romance that shows true love knows no bounds.

This is such a fun read.
It's so emotional and engaging to read. I loved watching our two find each other again after hardships.