This was not my favorite in the series. I loved our Hero well enough, but Tiffany was what got on my nerves and knocked the interest out of me. Which brings me to what didn't work for me: Tiffany . She wasn't as well-written as the other gals in the series, and I absolutely hated how inconsistent she was throughout the book. She came off as extremely weak in some parts, and totally adventurous or strong in others. Otherwise the move she made in quickly deciding once the resonated that they should just have at it, which went against her original fight, just ticked me off. Otherwise, well written and decent character growth, but not one I want to revisit anytime soon.

I recently picked up Ruby Dixon's Ice Planet Barbarian's series when I saw the new covers.

I literally bought four at once because they were so pretty.

I was definitely not let down by the contents of the book either. And this is coming from someone who avoids Alien movies/romance at almost all costs. These books are solid and worth the read as they go by quite fast when you can't seem to put them down.

Barbarian's Prize is Tiffany (Tee-Fah-Nee, lol) and Saluhk's (Sah-Luke) story and I think it's been my favorite thus far. It provides you with a great backstory on why Tiffany hasn't been chosen as a mate yet and also why Salukh has been pursuing her without that bond in place.

If you have a couple of hours, pick up one of Ruby's books.

This is such a fun read!

Tiffany is processing what the aliens did to her when she and her friends were abducted, and the unwanted attention of the males in her tribe is not helping. The only male she trusts is Salukh, who views her for who she is and not simply a potential mate.

Salukh knows that Tiffany is his mate, and he's willing to wait until their resonance happens. The problem? There's no physical reason why Tiffany hasn't resonated with anyone, and with her and Josie as the last two human females who haven't resonated, the males are getting restless...

I loved Tiffany. She is kind and treats others well even when she's in pain, which is why Salukh was so good for her. He saw what no one else did, and looked out for Tiffany even when she was willing to grin and bear it. A friends-to-lovers romance, they went together so naturally, and I was on the edge of my seat to see what happens next, how they could be together when we don't know why they didn't resonate already.

This is an easy five-star romance, a quick read, and yet another excellent addition to the Ice Planet Barbarian series!

Sweet overall, but needs a decent round of editing for consistency and grammar. Most glaring is the very obvious change in the backstory of Tiffany's parents between the main story and the bonus epilogue. Just...completely changes? Was no one paying attention when this was republished?

This series can be a fun bit of escapism, but the poor execution is becoming a turn off.

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

Run, don’t walk to read this series. If you love romance, but don’t think sci-fi romance is for you, think again. There’s a reason you hear of readers binging literally a dozen of books in this series in a row. You simply can’t put them down!

I really liked this one! After this series got so extremely popular on Booktok, i was a bit wary of it, but I'm so glad I picked it up. Its pure fun. Its smutty, cute, and the ensemble cast is tons of fun. Seriously, I can't wait for Josie's story! Tiffany and Salukh were an adorable couple, and I loved how they slowly worked through Tiffany's trauma, it was sweet. I'm super excited to continue this series!

The fifth entry in the Ice Planet Barbarians series finally tackles the topic introduced in the first book: what happens to the women who suffered SA at the hands of the abducting aliens? Tiffany was one of their favorite "playthings," and even after a year on Not-Hoth, she's still suffering from the trauma. She has frequent nightmares and doesn't know how to deal with them. We really can't blame her - she's trapped on an inhospitable planet with no access to therapy. Plus, after a year, nearly all of the other humans have found their "resonance mates," meaning that the unmated sa-khui dudes are all hanging around Tiffany in the hope that they'll start purring. She, on the other hand, lives each day with dread of the exact same situation.

Salukh is the only unmated sa-khui dude who doesn't push her for more than she wants to give. We feel a little ambivalent about Salukh's role here: on the one hand, he's obviously respecting Tiffany's wishes by not pushing her for a romantic relationship. On the other hand, she's doing what all the "nice guys" in the "friend zone" do: he's acting like they're just friends in the hope that one day their khuis will resonate and she'll have no chance but to become his mate. That aside, we did really like that this book gave Tiffany a little more agency over her mating than previous books gave the FMCs.

For such fluffy, popcorny books, the IPB entries give you a lot to think about. If you've been liking the series, consider the content warnings and proceed at your own risk!

CWs: SA - Tiffany thinks about it A LOT, and even the consensual scenes with Salukh emphasize her trauma.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the Berkley special edition of the novel.

I don't like these because its good, groundbreaking or the peak of modern writing. They're the right escapism and palate cleansing nonsense for me in todays world

One of my favorites in the series!

Tiffany's story was the okay, let's slow down a bit before we head back into the immediate rush of smutty mating with blue aliens. And as much as I read this series for OMG LETS BANG BIG BLUE BOYS, I am the first to admit that if I'm going to read a 20 book series, we do need moments within the series to slow it down and reconnect with the characters outside of just mating.

BUT don't get me wrong... we still get the spice we so love from IPB. Just a little more slow and hard won. And why? because Tiffany has a lot of trauma around sexual assault and rape. I WAS NOT expecting that (weird because I MEAN THE WHOLE SERIES LITERALLY STARTED WITH THIS BUT OKAY KAYLEE).

Anyhoo, loved this one and really am missing this series now that I'm going back and doing my reviews for it and kind of want to jump back into this world.
TW/CW: rape, sexual assault, sexual trauma and PTSD

Just like Dixon's others books, I again enjoyed this one too. I don't how she does it but she killed it again in Barbarian's Prize. This book follows Tiffany who's been raped by the aliens that kidnapped her and doesn't think she will be able to love again like the other girls. I really enjoyed the storyline in this one compared to the others. This one focused on healing and finding self love again when they weren't able to. The author did an amazing job with the story and I enjoyed the conflicts in this book. I believe that this book was the first time that it had another pov other then the MCs which I thought was very interesting. It gives more of an insight on what is to come next. This book is in dual povs along with one other character who had about 3 chapters.

The main characters in this book are Tiffany and Salukh. Tiffany is such a strong person and I enjoyed how much she developed in this book. She thought she would never have a mate or be able to let someone else touch her again but she grew so much. Salukh knows that Tiffany is hers but wants to make her comfortable in any way she feels safe. I enjoyed how caring he was towards her and respected her wishes. There are also many side characters just like the other books because it's a small world. The romance trope I would say is friends to lovers and of course fated mates with the spicy scenes.

The ending was well done with two cute special scenes and an epilogue of Josie's pov. I'm very excited to read the next one because I know it's going to be a good enemies to lovers / grumpy x sunshine book. I of course had no problems with this book and enjoyed the story so much. I do recommend this series because honestly they are amazing and such a comfort read in a way as these aliens bow down to their mates.

👽 Book Review 👽

Thanks to Berkley Romance and Netgalley for early access to Barbarian's Prize by Ruby Dixon in exchange for my honest thoughts.

✔️ Friends to Lovers
✔️ Snowed In
✔️ Fated Mates

I enjoyed Ice Planet Barbarians (book 1) but I admit I haven't yet read books 2-4 (tbr and in my home collection). That said, I don't think it's necessary to read in order: this works well as a standalone.

I am usually an enemies to lovers gal, but I adore a friends first read especially when one friend has to help the other heal from trauma (ie Elle Kennedy's The Deal). Check trigger warnings as there are some rough flashback scenes.

I loved Salukh and how careful he was with Tiffany and conbefore his own needs. This is the main magic of these books - MMC's who are givers... in every sense 😏

I loved the "conflict" that came from the contest that Josie devised - I love when the human women bring some of their world into the alien's lives!

I'm excited for the new edition to be published on Feb 28, 2023 so I can add a physical copy to my collection! 4⭐️

Steam 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Banter 🗣️🗣️🗣️
Swoon 💕💕💕

This series gets better and better! These special editions are the perfect way to go and add some extra magic to the story. I love these so much, they're perfect for those looking for a low-stakes romance or someone wanting to dip their toes into alien/monster romance. I'll keep reading these so please continue to release these special editions because the cover alone is worth picking it up!

After reading every book in this series so far... I feel like I shouldn't be as embarrassed to read them as I am! These books are straight erotica in the most bizarre, alien setting, and yet, I can't put them down!

I love getting to know each new character, whether it's a girl or alien. Each plot line is very similar and yet manages to be distinct from the last.

All I know is that I fully intend on reading every last one of these books.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

LOVE THIS EDITION!!! I love Ruby Dixon and the entire IPB series/Rubyverse and I am so excited that Tiffany gets her own new cover!!! She deserves it!!!

An amazing addition to the first IPB women, highly recommend. Please check content warnings as this deals with some darker traumas and overcoming them.

3.5 stars

CW: rape (past), trauma, grief, nightmares, fighting, death of parents (past)

I enjoyed Tiffany and Salukh’s story, but it was a more emotional read than previous books for me. Tiffany is one of the women who was raped on the alien ship and this is a major part of the book’s plot. Yes, Barbarian’s Prize is about her and Salukh falling in love, but it’s also about Tiffany dealing with and healing from her trauma. Salukh was such a sweetheart and I loved how patient he was with Tiffany. He was all in from the start and there was nothing that would change his mind. He was so innocently sweet, while also being so alpha and possessive. I do wish Tiffany wouldn’t have been so hesitant to voice her wishes and desires to the group. It was frustrating when she skirted the truth, stringing the hunters along with the “competition” and also not claiming Salukh when she had the chance. Thankfully Salukh was extremely patient and understanding.

The special edition includes a list of the different characters from IPB as well as a honeymoon novella for Tiffany and Salukh. The novella is super sexy and I loved that Salukh gifted Tiffany her own courting gift (thank you Aehako LOL) We all knew Josie and Haeden would eventually resonate, so I’m excited to see how these enemies turn to lovers next!

*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

What a gorgeous novel full of loveable characters and a storyline that I couldn't put down. This one is a must read!

4 ⭐ A wonderful healing journey ♥️

Yes, the Ice Plant Barbarian series is fun and sexy! But what I love most about these books is that many of the FMCs have something to work through, ranging from physical insecurity to sexual trauma. The best kinds of stories are the ones that pull at your heart, and Ruby Dixon did that once again in Barbarian's Prize.

This story is 100% centered on Tiffany working through the trauma (rape) she endured on the alien ship. This trauma isn't something the other women, besides Josie, can really understand or help her cope with - leaving Tiffany feeling scared and at a distance. It doesn't help that she also has the unwanted attention of pretty much every single male sa-khui. I 100% sympathized with Tiffany and thought her reactions were valid. But amist her fears, Tiffany is strong, kind, and determined. She's an MC I truly admire because she had every right to be angry and remain afraid because of her past, but throughout this story, we see her working to move past it with a little help from her sweet friend, Salukh.

Salukh. I AODRE him. Getting to see Tiffany and everything she's going through from his POV made my heart melt. This man KNEW she was his mate from the beginning, and even if his khui didn't resonate to her, it didn't matter. She was his. 😭 Now that's love. And the fact Salukh knew to move slowly and be patient with Tiffany by becoming her friend first to show her she could trust him...my heart cannot handle it. I am usually not a friends-to-lovers kind of gal, but oh boy, did this story prove me wrong! If only all friends-to-lovers stories were like this.

As always, the smut was perfection! I just love the chemistry between Tiffany and Saluk. And the bonus Honeymoon content in Berkley's special edition is FIRE!!!! When another courting gift was introduced, I nearly lost my mind! That was the funniest thing during Barbarian Lover, so to have one exchanged and used between a different couple was surprising, funny, and extremely hot!

Considering the trauma Tiffany endured, I think it was consistently addressed throughout the story - sometimes even during spicy scenes, which really made these moments a lot more powerful and special.

Barbarians Prize might be my favorite one of the series so far! I really enjoyed the couple in this one and their storyline. Can’t wait to continue the series!

Tiffany is such a force and so inspiring. She struggles a lot after being assaulted but really fights for herself and what she wants.

Salukh though. 😍 That big blue alien is so dang sweet and caring. I adored the language barrier - Salukh’s interpretations of English is so funny, I was cracking up.

And holy moly, these two are steamy. 🥵🔥

*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review with my honest opinion.*

The Ice Planet Barbarians series is one of my favorites and this 5th book in the series was so much fun! Tiffany is one of the last remaining human women without a mate and is currently the most sought after by the alien males. But she wants nothing to do with the attention she’s receiving and is still suffering from trauma (sexual assault and rape) in her past. I loved how her friend Josie helped her out with a sort of “bachelorette” style competition to keep the males busy and away from Tiffany. And Salukh, omg was he soooo sweet and just the most swoon-worthy virgin hero. He knows Tiffany is his mate, even if they haven’t resonated yet, and he’s determined to be around her every day in the hopes that she realizes it too. When Tiffany let’s him know about her past, he realizes he will do everything in his power to make her happy and comfortable with him. I loved how these 2 fall for one another before they even resonate. And omg the ending, I need Josie’s book right now…holy moly! 🔥