My tribesmates don’t understand her. The other humans think she’s weak. But no one knows my mate like I do. They don’t see her gentle heart or her brave spirit. I know why she struggles. I know how strong she is. And I know I’ll do anything to make her smile. But can I convince her that she can be happy in this strange new world with me?This story explores the long-awaited romance of Ariana and … romance of Ariana and Zolaya. Even though it is a ‘flashback’ to the beginning of the Ice Planet Barbarians series, it can be read out of order. Enjoy!
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3 stars – I liked it
In the seventeenth book of the series, Ruby Dixon takes us back to the couple Ariana and Zolaya. Ariana struggles daily with her anxiety and panic attacks, which cause her to believe everyone hates her. She struggles to find her place in this new world but Zolaya is the only one who seems to understand and help.
I adored these two! I loved how this book started in the present then jumped back in time to the beginning of their relationship and resonance. While Zolaya hasn’t been around someone who has had anxiety before he immediately takes steps to help Ariana. He never blames her for her mental illness and frequently stops her from apologizing or blaming herself for it. He knows it isn’t her fault and does everything he can to help her, and I adored him for it. Zolaya was just an extremely sweet man who was perfect for Ariana.
Ariana was a weepy character but it was understandable. Her anxiety overwhelms her so quickly her body doesn’t know how to release the emotions besides weep. I actually didn’t mind all the crying because I understood it completely. Also I thought their son, Analay, was adorable.
Overall, this was a great alien romance that did a wonderful job at discussing the struggles of anxiety.
Trigger Warnings: anxiety, panic attacks.
Finally we get another one of the original girls. Ariana is the the weepy girl from the beginning and we finally get her story. Wow, she goes through some really hard times. She battles anxiety and oh boy does it get rough for her. However, Zolaya sees her and recognizes that she is struggling. Everything is different for sure. So you know that when you think of things, do you go pass the initial thought and delve deeper. Well that is was Ariana does and it spirals, then she cries. Once it starts it doesn’t stop. But when she is around Zolaya, he seems to temper that and help her through it. Its like he is the drug she needs. He sees her and helps her through her troubles. He senses when she needs him. They are perfectly matched and to see how they came together was amazing. Such a great story to add to this series.
Hi, my name is Whitney and I’m addicted to Ruby Dixon’s writing.
For me, there is nothing like Ruby’s writing. I can always count on her to whisk me away from my troubles and into her creative world. This is book eighteen, people! And I am still loving this series!
Ariana has what Ruby refers to as a “shitty mind.” Her anxiety has reached new heights since being abducted and without her meds. She is worried about everything. The others are getting quite annoyed with her outbursts and uncontrollable crying. But there is one alien who is determined to ease her mind – sweet Zolaya.
Since Ruby was a little late introducing us to Ariana’s story, we actually thrown between the past and the present. We get to see a lot about the kits and I have to say that I love it. They are getting so big and developing their own personalities. That fact, along with how Ruby handled Ariana’s anxiety, was my favorite part of this book.
It was mentioned in the author’s note that the next book will be about Marlene! How flippin’ sweet was Marlene and Zennek?! I really can’t wait to read their story.
4 STARS!
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Great book! That said, I have anxiety and I’m not a crier so yes, Arianna was annoying to me too. Simply because I don’t relate really. I have a crap brain too, but I recognize the thoughts and realize they are trivial worries. It’s my body’s flight or flight response that is my issue, not my mind exactly. So as it was hard for me to relate, I didn’t enjoy this one as much.
I listened to the audiobook version of the story and absolutely loved it. Ariana and Zolaya’s story was one that was different in the sense that Ariana’s constant crying is explained more in this story as due to her anxiety. Zolaya was her perfect mate because he had so much patience and his sweetness towards Ariana was touching. The ending was a steamy, sweet and happy one. I look forward to more books from this author because when it comes to paranormal reads she does not disappoint.
Ariana and Zolaya have stolen my heart!! This book put a huge smile on my face. I love Arianna and Zolaya so much!! This couple is so wonderful. I have been so interested in their story since the beginning and I’m so happy we got it. I finished this in one day I could not put it down. Ariana has anxiety and I connected with her so much. She is stressed and scared of this new world and situation she is put into. She has to find a way to cope on this new planet and to fit it. Ariana is so brave and even though she gets to lean on Zolaya she still tires her hardest to be independent so no one will judge her. Zolaya is the sweetest Sa-Khui Alive. I swear he is absolutely wonderful. He tries to comfort her and be her friend even before they resonated. He could she that she was struggling and he wanted to help her. After they Resonated that need to protect her just became stronger. He tries to understand her and do whatever it takes to make her comfortable. They take their time to get to understand each other and it is so perfect. They are a PERFECT fit!!!!! Getting to see their beginning and them in the present timeline was so amazing!! I love these two and their story so much!! Ruby wrote about anxiety perfectly! This book is incredible!!
I love Ruby Dixon’s Ice-planet series. Her characters are diverse, lovable, and utterly addictive.
This is an adult read.
As I was reading this book I kept thinking how stupid Arians was being, because that’s how I feel when my thoughts run wild. The author described anxiety perfectly. Mind avalanche is not something I would have thought to call it, but these are alien. Anyone who suffers through this should have a Zolaya-like person to help ground them.
Barbarian’s Beloved takes us back to the beginning when Ariana and Zolaya met and resonated. I loved how Ruby Dixon tackled anxiety in this book. I really hope that it makes people stop and think. People who were like, uggh why is that girl always in tears. I hope that seeing the journey and struggle through her and her mate’s eyes will make people realize how important it is to stop and think someone may be dealing with something I don’t know about, instead of just being judgey. I loved watching how these two worked together. How love blossomed from friendship and trust. Annnnnd… I can’t wait to learn more about their son! The things he knows….
I love all the Ice Planet and Ice Home books, including this one. I chose this one to review because its heroine struggles with anxiety. While this is not something I personally have to contend with, I have people dear to me that do.
I appreciate Ms. Dixon’s thoughtful portrayal of Ariana and the beautiful relationship she has with her supportive mate.
We should all be such barbarians!
At last, the Ice Planet’s very own Weeping Woman gets to tell her story! Through 17 books, Ariana has sobbed and wrung her hands and generally driven most of her fellow humans to distraction. There’s no situation she can’t re-frame in terms of disaster, no silver lining she can’t obliterate with clouds of doom and gloom. Hey- she doesn’t like it either! Ariana, like many humans, suffers from anxiety disorder, the root of which is a glitch in brain chemistry. On Earth, she had medication and therapy. On the Ice Planet? She has a khui, a parasite which adapts her body to cold, and chooses her life-mate, the hunter Zolaya. Gotta hand it to the “cootie” – Zolaya is calm, empathetic, and so smitten with his tailless, hornless human that he just naturally does what no-one ever has. He ‘gets’ her, talks her through her panic attacks, and helps her cope. Wise-hearted Zolaya shows Ariana how truly brave she is, and teaches all of us that empathy, compassion, and and herb tea are truly effective means of supporting those with anxiety disorders, no matter what planet they live on. Leave it to Ruby Dixon to tuck that wisdom into a sexy and tender love story so that we can all learn the lesson: Love Heals.
Another fantastic instalment from ruby dixon.
Telling the story of Ariana and zolaya. Ariana was in the first group of girls that we met when the series began and was dubbed ‘the cryer’. I loved that we got to know her better alongside Marlene, but it was Zo who stole this story for me. Such a great charachter