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Barbarian’s Heart by Ruby Dixon | Book Review

Apr. 19, 2026

There are books you love… and then there are the ones that completely own your heart. Returning to one of my favorite series—especially in a special edition—felt like coming home, and this story reminded me exactly why I fell in love with this world in the first place.

Barbarian’s Heart by Ruby Dixon | Book Reviewfive-stars
Barbarian's Heart by Ruby Dixon
Series: Ice Planet Barbarians #9
Genres: Paranormal Romance

I’ve never spent a day without my mate since arriving on the ice planet. I’m happy and in love, and we have a beautiful child together. All that changed when the world shook.

My mate nearly died.

He wakes up from his coma…and he can’t remember me. Or our son. Every memory of the past two years is gone. And that changes everything between us. How can I love someone that doesn’t remember me?

How can I not, when I know he’s still my mate underneath it all?

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In this series: Ice Planet Barbarians
Other books from this Author Ice Planet Barbarians, Bound to the Shadow Prince, Bull Moon Rising

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.


my review


This special edition absolutely wrecked me in the best way. Knowing where the story left off, I went into this one already emotional—and it delivered every bit of that intensity and more.

Pashov’s journey in this book is heartbreaking and beautiful all at once. Watching him navigate everything he’s been through—loss, confusion, and trying to reconnect with a life he doesn’t remember—was incredibly moving. What stood out to me most was his determination. Even when everything felt unfamiliar, he still tried. He showed up. He fought to be the mate and father he felt he should be, even when he didn’t have the memories to guide him. That alone made me love him even more.

And the moments between him and Pacy? Completely melted my heart. There’s just something so powerful about seeing that bond build and grow, especially under such difficult circumstances. Those scenes were easily some of my favorites.

Stacy’s journey is filled with pain and emotional weight, and while I didn’t always agree with her choices, I could understand where she was coming from. The situation she’s placed in is devastating, and her reactions felt very real. That said, I found myself wanting more from her at times—more openness, more willingness to meet Pashov halfway. But when she finally lets her guard down, the connection between them shines through so clearly, reminding you just how strong their love really is.

Beyond the romance, the struggles of the tribe added so much depth to the story. The aftermath of the earthquake, the loss of their home, and the fight to survive with limited resources created a strong emotional backdrop. You really feel what they’re going through—the fear, the uncertainty, and the determination to rebuild together.

This was a slow burn, but it worked beautifully with the story being told. The emotional payoff was worth every moment, and seeing this family find their way back to each other—and toward a new beginning—was incredibly satisfying.

This series continues to be one of my all-time favorites, and this book is a perfect example of why. Emotional, heartfelt, and full of love in all its forms—I adored every minute of it.


meet the author


five-stars

About Ruby Dixon

Ruby Dixon is an author of Science Fiction Romance. She likes fated mates, baby-filled epilogues, and cinnamon roll heroes. She also likes to write biographies of herself in the third person, because it feels more important that way.

Ruby also loves coffee and dirty books and will probably be a cat lady at some point. 🙂

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Category: Bookish Life Tags: Favorite Author, Favorite Series, NetGalley, Special Edition

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Hi, I’m Rita and I write all about books. I learned at a very early age just how much I love to read and getting lost in the worlds that books provide.

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��Single Mom
��New in Town
��Neighbors
��Hurt/Comfort
��Grumpy Maple Farmer
��Protective
As a single mom rebuilding my life from scratch, I don’t need help. And I definitely don’t need the
attention of a six-foot-three maple farmer with a beard and a hero complex who looks at me like I’m a
problem he didn’t sign up for.
My landlord is broad-shouldered, permanently unimpressed, and entirely too comfortable telling me
when I’m wrong. I think he’s grumpy, rigid, and overprotective. He thinks I’m chaos in Crocs.
Falling for Josh Lawrence was never part of the plan.
But then he starts showing up.
For my son when he’s overwhelmed.
For my daughters when they need someone steady.
And for me when my hands won’t stop shaking.
I didn’t come to Vermont looking for a protector. I don’t need rescuing. But somewhere between harvest
festivals, pumpkin canoe races, and quiet mornings in the sugar shack, the man I swore was just an
annoyance becomes my safe place.
And when my dangerous past resurfaces and threatens the new life I’ve built, the grumpy maple farmer
next door becomes my fiercest protector, ready to stand by my side while I fight for my family.
 
Because it turns out maple farmers are a lot like their trees: quiet, stubborn, and surprisingly sweet
when the pressure builds.
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Why you need to #ONECLICK this book…
��Single Mom
��New in Town
��Neighbors
��Hurt/Comfort
��Grumpy Maple Farmer
��Protective
As a single mom rebuilding my life from scratch, I don’t need help. And I definitely don’t need the
attention of a six-foot-three maple farmer with a beard and a hero complex who looks at me like I’m a
problem he didn’t sign up for.
My landlord is broad-shouldered, permanently unimpressed, and entirely too comfortable telling me
when I’m wrong. I think he’s grumpy, rigid, and overprotective. He thinks I’m chaos in Crocs.
Falling for Josh Lawrence was never part of the plan.
But then he starts showing up.
For my son when he’s overwhelmed.
For my daughters when they need someone steady.
And for me when my hands won’t stop shaking.
I didn’t come to Vermont looking for a protector. I don’t need rescuing. But somewhere between harvest
festivals, pumpkin canoe races, and quiet mornings in the sugar shack, the man I swore was just an
annoyance becomes my safe place.
And when my dangerous past resurfaces and threatens the new life I’ve built, the grumpy maple farmer
next door becomes my fiercest protector, ready to stand by my side while I fight for my family.
 
Because it turns out maple farmers are a lot like their trees: quiet, stubborn, and surprisingly sweet
when the pressure builds.
#newbookalert #daphneelliot #smalltownromance @theauthor.agency
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"I've got to get Julian's booster." I turned toward the van, sticking a hand in my purse and rummaging for my keys. "No need. I got one." Lips pursed, I turned back to him. "Here." He opened the back door, and sure enough, there was a booster.  I strode to the door and examined it. "That's the same." "Yes. The same one you have. I saw it while I was at Costmart and grabbed it, figured it would be easier." Blinking, I turned to him, my brain not quite understanding. "Got snacks too." Julian wandered to Josh's side. "Is Wayne coming?" Ducking, he shook his head. "He's keeping Jasper and Vincent company while we're gone. Since we need my truck to haul the pumpkin back, there isn't enough room.  Julian's whole body sagged with disappointment. "But he'll help us build our boat, don't worry." The truck was equipped with snacks, water, blankets, and a few extra hoodies. Well-worn hoodies that looked so cozy I wished I could slip one on now, then take it home with me. "Why do you have so many snacks?" Maggie asked. "Cause kids eat a lot," he replied, eyeing her in the mirror.  Ellie shrugged. "Accurate." We hadn't even driven outside town limits before they were digging in. "Mom," Julian shouted far louder than necessary. "He has cucumbers. Cut in circles, not sticks." I turned in my seat, and sure enough, Josh had procured cucumbers, Julian's favorite, and had cut them with precision. "He got my crackers too." Heart thudding, I eyed the man beside me. "How did you know which foods were Julian's safe foods?" His focus was on the road, his fingers tapping the steering wheel. "I noticed and took a photo of the box with my phone. Didn't want to mess it up for him." 

#daphneelliot #smalltownromance @theauthor.agency
CAN YOU KEEP HER SUPERNATURAL SECRET? Moon of Secr CAN YOU KEEP HER SUPERNATURAL SECRET?
Moon of Secrets by Brenda Trim and Tia Didmon is now live!!
 
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To stop the darkness, I must walk among the enemy
 
Going undercover in a rival wolf pack wasn't part of the plan, but it's the only way to uncover their true motives. With a false identity and a carefully spun lie, I slip into their hidden community, only to learn the truth is far more dangerous than I imagined.
 
These wolves aren't evil. They're being used. Manipulated by an ancient entity that feeds on shifter energy, one bent on harnessing enough power to permanently darken the moon. If it succeeds, every wolf shifter will gain unstoppable strength, at the cost of our humanity.
 
As suspicion sharpens around me, I lean on Eve's spells to mask my identity and Salima's guidance to reach my allies on the outside. Time is running out, the lunar ritual draws near, and I'm walking a razor's edge between exposure and survival.
 
Because saving the city isn't enough this time. I have to save them, even if they tear me apart for the truth.
 
Find out what lurks in the shadows of Ravenholde by reading Moon of Secrets, the Paranormal Women's Fiction series readers are comparing to Shannon Mayer, K.F. Breene, and Victoria Dannan.

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