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

Josie has witnessed all the other women from the shipwreck mate, fall in love, have babies, and she wants what they have. Love and a family. Josie had a sad upbringing being tossed about from foster home to foster home. She’s longed to feel loved and cherished. She wants to resonate and finally gets her wish, but it’s to Haeden, the grumpy alien male that glares at her every chance he gets. She can’t stand him, and they’ve been sparring since the beginning of the series. So, she’s sooo not happy about that!

Haeden wasn’t one of the males clamoring for a human female mate. We knew he had a mate that died and sa-khui only mate once, so I wasn’t sure how he was able to resonate to Josie, but all is explained as Haeden reluctantly reveals his sad story. It also explains why Haeden was so growly and glare-y at Josie and I could completely understand.

I’ve been waiting for Josie’s story with Haeden since their interactions have spanned the series and the story did not disappoint! Josie had such a traumatic upbringing so I could totally understand why she wouldn’t want to mated to someone she thought didn’t like her. She fights the mating and it would’ve been better if they had some frank conversations. Still, it didn’t play out too long and I was happy Haeden got to see Josie as a smart, capable woman instead of the fragile human he thought her to be. Haeden was a complete sweetheart once he started talking.

I wonder about the island Josie spied while on her journey, with its greenery. Josie’s discovery on the crashed ship opens up possibilities in the coming books. Don’t want to spoil so I won’t say more, but that discovery had me eager for more!

I read the first three books a while back, but was happy to get back this spicy, sci-fi series and get the special edition print copies! I love the new covers and novellas included!

I found the enemies to lovers storyline extremely satisfying. The emotional revelations that the character shared with one another insured that their connection went far beyond the physical.

I devoured it and while Book 1 and Shorshie will always have my heart, this is my favorite. Thanks to @berkleyromance and @netgalley for the ARC.

✔️ Enemies to Lovers
✔️ He Fell First
✔️ Protective Over Her
✔️ Hurt/Comfort
✔️ Fated Mates
✔️ Road Trip
✔️ Teach Me

One of my favorite things in a He Fell First trope is the "I like her so much but I am terrible at showing it because I am awkward. I mean well, though!" sub- trope. This is Haeden to a T - he is very concerned about her safety and his past trauma of losing a mate has made him overbearing in her eyes. While there is no therapy on this ice planet, at least when they do have heart to hearts, he is better able to articulate his feelings.

Of course, the steam is off the charts with this read. There is a scene where they are both traveling back to the others which was both hot and silly.

Steam 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Banter 🗣️🗣️🗣️
Swoon 💕💕💕💕

“‘Resonance’ is supposed to be a dream – that’s when your soulmate is chosen for you. And everyone on the ice planet has hooked up with a big, hunky soulmate of their own… except me.”

This Ice Planet Barbarians novella is exactly what you want in Lady P0rn.

A well-written Grumpy Sunshine Romance, a little mystery, a LOT of steamy Sessy Time.

It is not literature, but who reads about Sexy Blue Aliens to expand their vocabulary?

6.5/10

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this dirty (in the best way) ARC.

BARBARIAN’S MATE is the sixth instalment in Ruby Dixon’s adult ICE PLANET BARBARIANS erotic, sci-fi, romance series focusing on a group of aliens known as the sa-khui, and their human female mates. This is sa-khui Haeden, and Josie’s story line. BARBARIAN’S MATE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: Ruby Dixon previously released BARBARIAN’S MATE as an independent author but the paper back rights to the series has since been picked up and re-published by Berkley Romance. The author/publisher has included a short story -ICE PLANET HONEYMOON: Haeden and Josie.

SOME BACKGROUND: Several months earlier a group of human females were abducted from Earth but mechanical trouble onboard the spaceship meant dropping the females on the nearest inhabitable planet, leaving the women behind where they would meet the nearly all male group of the sa-khui.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Haeden and Josie) BARBARIAN’S MATE follows the building romance and relationship between sa-khui Kaeden, and human female Jose. From the outset, upon their first meeting, Kaeden and Jose’s relationship has been tempestuous at best with both believing they hated one another . Kaeden wants a mate and a family, Josie wants to find love but the ‘resonance’ that rings when one’s soulmate is near rings for the least likely couple-Jose and Kaeden. Refusing to accept Kaeden as her mate, Josie goes in search for a ‘cure’, placing herself in danger at every turn. What ensues is the hunt for, and rescue of the our story line heroine, as Josie continues to struggle with the possibility of never finding love.

The relationship between Josie and Kaeden is one of fated mates brought on by the ‘resonance’ but Josie’s dislike of Kaeden is exacerbated by the perception that Kaeden’s dislikes Josie in return, a perception that is about to be disqualified when the truth is revealed. As Josie and Kaeden begin to re-evaluate their fate together, our couple must overcome the hardships of a planet that is dangerous and cruel. The $ex scenes are intimate and erotic.

The world building continues to focus on the search for a mate. The sa-khui know their mate is near when the ‘resonance’ rings in their chest, a ring that makes everyone aware of their perspective mates. The planet upon which the sa-khui and women live is hard, cold and unforgivable but the women must learn to accept they are ‘no longer in Kansas’, and their lives are about to change.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters, most of whom were introduced or had their stories told in previous instalments. The matings are producing offspring, expanding families, and finding love for the men who believed there was no hope of ever finding their own happily ever afters.

BARBARIAN’S MATE is a story of discovery and acceptance, family and friendships, relationships and love. The premise is emotional and heart breaking; the romance is fated yet struggles in the face of ignorance and stubbornness; the characters are desperate and determined-at times, Josie’s head strong and turbulent attitude is frustrating, and places the couple in perilous danger.



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2/5 stars

I DNFed the first book because of the purring (I don’t know why that of all things gave me the ick, since there were so many other things wrong with it. The inherent misogynistic tone, the horrific scenes in the beginning of the book… there’s so much wrong with it), but I had this sitting on my To Read shelf so I figured I’d see if one of the later, republished books were going to be better.

I was wrong. I did read it all, though, surprisingly, and it definitely gave me less of the ick than that of the first one. But none of the characters were likeable, the plot line was all over the place and didn’t really have any substance, and the writing was juvenile. The smut was also just… meh. I don’t think it was written well, and I don’t think this genre of romance is for me, so I’m probably going to stop trying now. I did give it a real good go, though!

2023 reread:
So this book is being re-released/updated by Berkley and I was awarded access to its ARC by NetGalley, Berkley and Ms. Dixon. An honest review was requested but not required.

I'm not PRECISELY sure what exactly is updated here besides the "honeymoon" extra at the end, but it was so fun to revisit my favorite grumpy jerk barbarian Haeden. He and Josie are just the absolute worst communicators and everything they each do/say seems to make things worse and just piss each other off MORE. Both of them have super-tragic pasts to overcome and lots of hangups to work past but it seems to make things even more gratifying, once they finally figure out a way to tackle their issues. And speaking from experience: no one makes a better partner than a reformed (or current) grump whose sole soft spot is for his/her partner and kiddos. Despite the occasional dark moment this was the perfect spicy and (relatively) light read to treat myself to. Loved this and will be queueing up for the next with bells on.

I don't know if I can be objective about this series, LOL: it is the EPITOME of pringles books for me. (e.g., once you pop, you can't stop, etc)

Thank you Berkley Romance and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

There's a reason this series has people in a chokehold. Can you blame women for rather preferring the Sa-Khui men over what they have experienced on Earth?

Barbarian's Mate follows Josie and Haeden. Josie wants nothing more than to find her resonance mate and have a family of her own, based on her upbringing in various foster families on Earth. She wants to be loved and has so much love to share. However, she's not thrilled when she has resonance with the Sa-Khui male, Haeden, who she thinks hates her. So naturally she hates him too. Enemies-to-lovers story begins and how they will navigate their frustration with each other.

Of course this book sets up for what what's to come next and (spoiler) more people being introduced!

The writing is pretty simple, but if you're looking for a quick read that's fun and sci-fi and vibes only, you'll enjoy this series. Am I already ready for the next book? Obviously.

Like with the previous books, of course there's spice.

We thought we knew what we were getting into with an Ice Planet Barbarians book: giant blue aliens with bodies kitted out for female pleasure; fated mates driven by a symbiont with the ultimate goal of repopulating the planet; and lots and lots of sex. We knew this was going to be enemies to lovers, not an entirely new concept for the series. What we didn't expect (and, really, aren't looking for)? A slow burn.

Even though Haeden (OK #sorrynotsorry but we didn't realize that boy name trends extended beyond the solar system but FINE) and Josie spend a lot of time resisting their mating bond, it should come as no surprise that they end up happily mated by the end of the book.

In case you were worried about the series ending, you should stop: there are new castaways found, so more blue dudes can spend more books convincing their human mates to just relax and enjoy their new lives.

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

DNF. I really liked the premise but the writing did not work for me at all. It wouldn't be fair to the book if I finished reading and gave it a low rating.

This series has a chokehold on me. I think I might need some blue paint, horns, a tail and hmmmm, nm hee hee. I have loved all the couples so far and every story has been different all with different learning opportunities about survival and living with each other as well as the history of the land and the  ___

Josie was adopted and abused in multiple homes she lived in which makes her wary of jumping into any relationship, especially one that is forced on her by the khui. That little heart worm thing that is keeping all of them alive on this planet and mating them with these big blue aliens. She also gets mated to the one surly guy that has always been a little mean to her.

Haeden has been worried about Josie's welfare and always says the wrong thing to her which sets her off. He just wants her to be safe. He has also never had a mate before so he doesn’t know how to please her and after a few failed attempts and embarrassments - is brave enough to be honest and that is when he reaches her heart.

I am only on book 6 of 21. But I will read them all.

Ok this series may look funny and be weird from the outside but come in its freezing but you will enjoy yourself on Not Hoth.

Also this had Barbarian’s Honeymoon novella at the end! 

Thank you berkleyromance for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

Simple quick read with lots of alien steam. This whole series is great, and I love the new cover. The storyline and the characters are simple, the pacing is great, makes for a fun quick read. Perfect for anyone who is looking to read a quick steamy story about a grumpy alien who's completely devoted to a mate who's not so sure about him at first. Excellent choice for a breather for after a big heavy read. I love this series and will be back again!

Barbarian’s Mate by Ruby Dixon is the sixth novel in the addictive Ice Planet Barbarians series. The novel follows the story of Haeden—a grumpy alien Josie—a human who is grappeling with her new home and finding out that her soulmate has been chosen for her. Barbarian’s Mate by Ruby Dixon is an enemies to lovers romance that offers readers all of the important aspects of a good romance from relationship angst to true love. Readers will happily follow the journey of Josie and Haeden’s love story from animosity to happily ever after.