Review: Barbarian Lover by Ruby Dixon

Barbarian Lover by Ruby Dixon

My Rating: 4 out of 5

"The third novel in the Ice Planet Barbarians series, an international publishing

phenomenon—now in a special print edition with bonus materials and an exclusive epilogue!

Kira plans on remaining single on this alien planet—she doesn’t want a mate anyway. At least, that’s what she tells herself. But when Aehako comes along, everything changes. . . .

As one of the humans stranded on the ice planet, I should be happy that I have a new home. Human women are treasured here, and one alien in particular has made it clear that he’s interested in me. It’s hard to push away the sexy, flirtatious Aehako when I long to grab him by his horns and insist he take me to his furs.

But I’ve got a terrible secret—a few of them, actually. I’m convinced that Aehako can never love me if he knows the full truth. More worryingly, the aliens who abducted me are back, and thanks to the translator in my ear, they can find me. My presence here endangers everyone . . . but can I give up my new life and the man I desire more than anything? And will he even want me if he knows my secrets?"

My thoughts:

Another quick and enjoyable read thanks to Dixon’s playful and quirky humor. Some situations in this series are so absurd and awkward that they are laugh-out-loud, refreshingly funny. I skipped book two just to dive into Kira’s story because I thought the girl with the transmitter in her ear would have an interesting plot. My only small issue was that one major challenge Kira faced was resolved a little too conveniently for my taste, feeling a bit more like fantasy with “magic” than sci-fi. Still, I know I’ll be reading more of the author’s work in the future.

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Waiting on Wednesday (39)

For this Waiting on Wednesday, I picked Deep End by Ali Hazelwood.

Release Date: February 4, 2025

Book Summary:

“Scarlett Vandermeer is swimming upstream. A Junior at Stanford and a student-athlete who specializes in platform diving, Scarlett prefers to keep her head down, concentrating on getting into med school and on recovering from the injury that almost ended her career. She has no time for relationships—at least, that’s what she tells herself.

 
Swim captain, world champion, all-around aquatics golden boy, Lukas Blomqvist thrives on discipline. It’s how he wins gold medals and breaks records: complete focus, with every stroke. On the surface, Lukas and Scarlett have nothing in common. Until a well-guarded secret slips out, and everything changes.
 
So they start an arrangement. And as the pressure leading to the Olympics heats up, so does their relationship. It was supposed to be just a temporary, mutually satisfying fling. But when staying away from Lukas becomes impossible, Scarlett realizes that her heart might be treading into dangerous water...”

My Thoughts: 

I was genuinely surprised to learn that Ali Hazelwood, known for her nerdy STEM romances, is releasing a college-era sports romance. While a paranormal romance and a video game-centered romance seemed like natural progressions of her geeky themes, a sports romance feels like a new direction for her. Having enjoyed sports romances like The Wall of Winnipeg, I’m curious to see where Hazelwood takes her writing next. It’s clear she’s not afraid to branch out and won’t be typecast as only writing nerdy characters.

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Books on My Winter 2022-2023 To-Read List

 

Books on My Winter 2022-2023 To-Read List

Ah, winter. Nothing like getting cozy with your fav beverage and reading hygge style.

Here's the list of books I hope to read before the daffodils bloom. (No order.)

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Top Ten Tuesday: Book Titles That Would Make Great Song Titles

 

 Book Titles That Would Make Great Song Titles

Love this topic, btw! One of the best IMO, rock on my book people!

Unite Me by Tahereh Mafi - I think, pretty much, the entire Shatter Me series titles would make good song titles (Shatter Me, Ignite Me, Destroy Me). I could see "Unite Me" as a rock love ballad by someone like Imagine Dragons. The sort of song you could play at a wedding or wedding reception like Aerosmith's "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing."

An Offer From A Gentleman by Julia Quinn - I think this one could be rock or country. It reminds me of lyrics from The Killers "When You Were Young," but I could also see some pop-country chick like Taylor Swift singing about the ideal country gentleman.

Hark! A Vagrant by Kate Beaton - This title is just so much fun to say. Since reading this collection of comics, I've done my best to work the title into my everyday vocabulary. It'd make a fun punk rock or rap song.

To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han - Back in my pop-music-hay-day I'd say this could be a song by Pink or No Doubt. But I could equally see it as a soulful ballad by Adele.

Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli - The sequel to the song “Call Me Maybe,” perhaps? I haven’t read this one yet, so don’t spoil it for me! I get a sassy Megan Trainor vibe, too.

We Keep The Dead Close by Becky Cooper - This one is straight out of the Goodreads Choice Awards best nonfiction nominees. I don't normally read about murder mysteries, but the title and cover of this one made me do a double take and read the synopsis. The title could make for an interesting ska or metal song.

All Along You Were Blooming by Morgan Harper Nichols - I’m thinking this title could be an inspirational folk indie song. The kind with boho clothes and fields of flowers.

You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle - Ouch, sounds like a break-up song, even though the synopsis sounds like it ends in HEA.

You Had Me At Hola Alexia Daria - Cute title could make a cute Latin-pop crossover. I'm thinking to the tune of Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie."

There's Something About Christmas by Debbie Macomber - Ready for holiday tunes, yet? Anyone? I typically do not crank up Christmas music until December.

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