what a sweet story of reconciliation and healing after such a difficult loss! Asha demonstrates a tender grief that’s experienced by any mother who has lost a child. during this period of grief, she pushes her mate away, isolating herself and yearning for another chance to become a mother once more. through the holidays on Not Hoth and the gentle urging of her new friends and own mate bond, she eventually finds love again with her mate! so heartwarming! more somber than I’d typically expect from Ruby, but a beautiful novella nonetheless.

Barbarian’s Hope offers a refreshing change of perspective in the Ice Planet Barbarians series, finally giving Asha—one of the more complex and misunderstood characters—her moment in the spotlight. After nine books primarily centered on the human women who crash-landed on the planet, it’s satisfying to delve into the story of a native tribeswoman who has been on the fringes of the series so far.

The story explores Asha’s fraught relationship with Hemalo, her former mate, as they navigate the pain and heartbreak of their shared past. Resonance grants them a second chance at love, but both characters must overcome deep emotional scars to find their way back to each other. The inclusion of Claire’s point of view adds an interesting layer, providing a rare glimpse into how the human women perceive Asha and their attempts to bridge the gap between them.

While shorter than the main books, Barbarian’s Hope delivers a deeply emotional and satisfying story. Asha’s journey from grief and isolation to healing and love is poignant, and her happily-ever-after feels well-earned. This installment proves that even secondary characters can carry compelling narratives, making it a standout addition to the series. Fans of the Ice Planet Barbarians will appreciate this heartfelt tale of a second-chance romance.

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

I really enjoyed this one. Asha was pretty tough to like early in the series, but this book really brought her into perspective. Asha is dealing with some very heavy feelings and that was well portrayed in her behavior. I appreciate having an 'unlikable' heroine. Her friendship with Claire was adorable and I'm glad we got some other perspective through the book. It was also great getting some closure on Claire and Bek. A great addition to the series! Just check the trigger warnings if you have a sensitivity to child loss (takes place before the book happens.)

This the first one with a blue female heroine in the series! I really enjoyed this installment, because it gives us a different perspective on everything that has been going on for a while now, and we love to see it. I won't stop talking about this series, so you will have to deal with it!

I wasn't sure about reading Asha's book at first but I really liked how her story was told! I really liked Hemalo during the other books so having his love story was great! I love how fun these books are and it's really fun that we get a book for all of these different pairings.

Barbarian’s Hope features Asha, alien and Hemalo, alien. This is a second chance romance and the first in the series that features two aliens together. Asha and Hemalo resonated before, but traders struck and they’ve been estranged ever since.

Second chance romances have been growing in me lately. The emotion of having a person in your corner and then losing them due to circumstances and poor decisions is gut wrenching. And this didn’t disappoint with the emotions. I felt so sad for both Asha and Hemalo and just wanted the to talk.

This edition also includes a short story featuring Meghan. It’s very cute, but is out of order in the sequence of the story, which wasn’t my fave.

Overall, delightful, just as I find all of Ruby Dixon’s stories!

Barbarian’s Hope offers a deeper, more emotional dive into Asha and Hemalo’s complicated relationship. Their journey is of grief, heartbreak, and the struggle to heal after tragedy. I appreciated the raw vulnerability woven into their story—Asha’s pain and anger felt palpable, and Hemalo’s quiet strength and unwavering love balanced that beautifully.
That said, the pacing felt uneven. Some parts of the story dragged, while others rushed through moments I wanted to linger on. It was also hard at times to connect with Asha’s perspective, as her bitterness overshadowed the emotional growth I hoped to see earlier in the book.
What stood out to me was the theme of forgiveness—not just between two people but also learning to forgive oneself. While it wasn’t my favourite installment in the Ice Planet Barbarians series, it added depth to the world and characters I’ve come to know. This one has poignant moments for fans of second-chance love stories, even if it didn’t fully resonate with me.

Ruby Dixon is a comfort author for me and each book in this series has a special place in my heart. I wasn't really looking forward to this one, only because the FMC wasn't shown in the best light throughout the series thus far. BUT, in true Ruby fashion she pulls out an a great character redemption. These two went through so much and are getting their second chance. It's spicy, it's swoony, it's extra yummy. If you love the series don't miss this one!

I love this series so much and this was another sizzling scorcher of a story! Felt more slow burn than others but still enjoyed it, great tension, plot and characters, if you're a fan of this series you're gonna love it!

the romance and angst are top tier but the girlhood???? TEAR JERKING!!!!

Asha and Hemalo’s story!! I love that Asha went from being this background, jealous, petty character to someone I deeply sympathized with and also really liked!

Hemalo knowing why Asha is the way she is, no matter what she’s doing, whether it be her lashing out or being mean, but never judging her- to be loved is to be known and he knows her so well. The way he refers to her as his “sweet mate” although others would be shocked to hear her be called sweet, makes me EMOTIONAL!! He loves her so much and the evolution of their relationship has been so beautiful to read.

Also, love the povs from the other couples and getting to “check in” with how happy they are!!!

I love this series and all of the couples! And this book specifically now has a special place in my heart!!

I'm not quite sure what the secret sauce is that makes me eat up every IPB book. Maybe it's the secret desire to mate with a massive blue alien man, I'm not sure. Regardless, I will continue to read and enjoy the hell out of these books.

While still really enjoyable, this one was probably my least favorite. Just felt a little slower and had a third POV from an already established human villager. Made it feel like two stories in one, but not in a way that I thought served the story.

TW: child loss, infant loss, adoption, fostering, precarious pregnancy

Barbarian's Hope was a good read. This one is Asha and Hemalo's story and it's different from the other books in this series. This is their second chance for everything they've lost to gain everything they deserve. This story had less steamy scenes and less action than the other books in this series, but this story also seems more heartfelt. The ending was sweet, but it ended abruptly. I honestly wish there was a little more. I love paranormal reads, and I've enjoyed this series, so I look forward to not only reading the next book in this series but all of the books.

A nice mix of romance and tension. Two who are mates but have decided to part. Much background and characters development Good addition to authors book list

You always hear so much about this character and I’m so glad that we get to learn so much more about her in this book. Asha is a hard character to like, and honestly- I want a love from a man like Hemalo. I recommend reading the trigger warnings because this is a very sensitive book, but Ruby Dixon does such a great job with balancing such good banter, smut, character development – you thoroughly enjoy this addition to the ice planet barbarians series !

I loooooove this book and this series and I'm so happy Berkley gave me the opportunity to read it!

Ruby Dixon sets up this world so expertly and it was really cool visiting a couple that's already been together have to find themselves all over again.

One of my favorites in the series and really has great momentum for future books!

The latest Ice Planet Barbarians novel follows 3 characters, Claire, Asha and Hemalo, as their lives begin in the new settlement after the destruction of the elder caves. Asha's friendship with Claire will help her bond with the rest of the tribe while resonance strikes again with Hemalo. Can Asha and Hemalo look beyond their anger and grief to try to build a family again?

Although the plot is moving forward as a whole, after 10 books, I'm getting to a point where I can't remember who most of the characters are (and we're not even half way thorough if I look at fantastic fiction). Asha does stand out as a character - she's angry, grieving, socially isolated and has been making a nuisance of herself since book 2. She's been a much better measuring stick for the sak'hui people that the heroes have been because she has lived the history of her people and has an understanding of the circumstances of life on not-Hoth. We will see where all of this goes as the plot continues.

I don't know, I just keep reading these blue aliens and their mates having a lot of sex and having a lot of babies, I don't know what that says about me.

Ruby never disappoints. What I love about her and her books is that each character is so unique and even flawed. However, it never takes away from the bond building between the couples. Asha is not a likable character. She is brash and angry, she has treated everyone in the tribe and especially her mate like crap. However, she has grown and changed especially after the loss of her daughter. We finally get to see the deeper hurts she carries and with help from Claire and her newfound purpose she is able to work on communication with her mate and have a do over at the chance for family and love with her mate.

This was a really great addition to the ice planet barbarian series! I really love the world-building that Ruby has in all her books and they really draw me in and make me want more. Worth the read!!