Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - Barbarian's Mate

Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

Barbarian's Mate by Ruby Dixon

48 reviews

robinwritesallthethings's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

What It’s About: Josie, the last woman left without a mate, finally resonates, but it’s Haeden, who she doesn’t want, and she’s determined not to give in just because she’s supposed to.

Spice Level: There’s a lot of stop and start in this one, which makes sense with this couple, as well as a lot of yearning. But when they finally get around to it, it’s epic!

Realism: This book really explores the idea of what you can do if you resonate to someone you personally don’t like, and definitely drives home the idea that resonance doesn’t change your emotions, though it might make you more aware of them in the end. It also highlights the importance of communication. Once these characters talked and understood each other better, they realized they were perfect for each other.

Trope Alert: Enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, miscommunication.

Trigger Warnings: Child sexual abuse and adult rape are mentioned at several points throughout the novel.

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charliexox's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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allingoodtime's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is the first book in this series I have read as an audiobook and it was great. I was really able to fall into this world without worrying about new words and pronunciations.

While I found Haeden to be overbearing in previous books, I knew his heart was always in the right place. Since he had lost his whole family to illness and barely survived himself, you just know there is a lot that motivates his grim looks and scowls. Josie could never seem to cut him a break, and still doesn’t once they resonate. Once Josie’s backstory is told, I understand her reactions to Haeden a bit more but it still took me a bit to settle into her character.

Although I wasn’t crazy about Josie at first, I still felt there was amazing chemistry between her and Haeden. They couldn’t help but be drawn to each other and it was almost heartbreaking the way they couldn’t get past the chips on their shoulders to see that. Every time it seemed they would finally give into their true feelings there would be a misstep to pull them back again. The way Josie and Haeden both thought they were unwanted broke my heart over and over. Yet in the end they are perfect for each other, the only ones who can understand those feelings and make sure they’re never felt again.

Of course, with Josie being the last of the humans and this book isn’t even halfway through the series, there is a discovery made and some intrigue at the end of the story that will keep things moving along.

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kb33's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

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fishreads's review

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adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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jadedreader13's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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rachelgreenreads's review

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was a totally cute, fun read. I had been putting it off because I thought Josie and Haeden being contrived “enemies” would be annoying as hell. But I was craving an IPB book, and expecting to be annoyed by their dynamic honestly made it better? I wasn’t let down when there wasn’t the immediate love/f@ck fest, and I do feel like it had a good payoff.

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jessicalarson125's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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smithrachaelynn's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

After rereading: 4.25⭐️ I enjoyed this so so much. While I wanted to just yell at them to kiss already, they both had very real things to overcome before being together. Their pasts are both very traumatic. It got more lighthearted as it went on. The language and cultural barrier was so funny at times. Haeden’s utter devotion to Josie was SO sweet. So many cute moments.

Original review: 3⭐️ This is like ultimate enemies to lovers. This couple has intrigued me throughout all of the other books so I was excited to read this one. Poor Haedon! His story was so sad. I loved reading this!

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c0urtn3yy's review

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This one was SO FUNNY. I absolutely love Haeden!! He's so grumpy & matter-of-fact but also super sensitive & sweet; him FRANKISSING her foot was hilarious & so was him carrying her all the way back to the tribe after their sky-claw run-in. I just didn't love Josie for most of it - which was surprising because I liked her in the last book.

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