Synopsis

Josie grew up bouncing from one foster home to another, and all she has ever wanted is someone who truly loves her and a family of her own. On the ice planet, every human woman who arrived with her has already resonated to her sa-khui mate, and when Josie's khui finally wakes up, the choice couldn't be worse: Haeden, the grumpiest, curtest hunter in the tribe, the one who seems annoyed by her very existence.

Josie refuses to give herself to someone who, as far as she can tell, can't stand her. But Haeden doesn't hate her, he's afraid of her. He resonated once, many years ago, and the tragedy that followed convinced him he would never have a mate again. Between the desperation of resonance, a solo escape across the ice, and a discovery that could change the future of the whole tribe, the two of them will have to let their guard down and realize that what they were both looking for was right where they least wanted to look.

The protagonists

My review

If you ask me about my favorite Ice Planet Barbarians books, Barbarian's Mate is on the podium, no question. Josie and Haeden's story has me completely in love, friends.

Josie is the last human in the tribe who hasn't resonated, and what she wants most is a family of her own. When her khui finally starts humming, it turns out to be for Haeden, the grumpiest hunter on the planet, the one who always looks at her like her breathing annoys him. But Ruby Dixon shows us the other side right away: Haeden doesn't hate her, he's terrified of her. He resonated once before and lost everything to an illness that swept through his people, and since then he decided never to take that risk again.

The magic of this book is in how we slowly get to know both of their wounds, Josie's incredibly hard childhood and the grief Haeden never finished healing from. When she runs off alone across the ice and he follows her in secret to keep her safe, they finally start to really see each other, and they get closer at their own pace, with Josie taking the lead when she feels ready. Going from almost enemies to mates like that, little by little, feels earned and just beautiful.

And of course, the spice is on fire and the HEA comes in full force. Five stars and one of those books I will always come back to.

Who is this for?

Where to buy it?

Keep reading the series

1

2

3

4

4.5

5

6

6.1

6.2

7

7.5

8

8.5

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

15.5

16

16.5

17

18