Reviews with content warning for Abandonment - Barbarian's Mate

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.

Content Warnings

pastryghost's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

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

2.0

It was fine, disappointing after I liked Tiffany's book so much. The plot was compelling, but I was frustrated at the end when it was passed over for the climactic romance scene. But that could be a plus for some readers!

I think this book would please fans of the, um, breeding plot, and readers who enjoy this series mostly for the spice and the resonance trope. There is some very important world-building (and series advancement) that is ultimately overshadowed by the spicy romance.

I was expecting Josie and Haeden to try to resist their resonance, or keep it a secret, for longer than they did. The book pretty much immediately dives into the "everyone knows we resonated" pressure as soon as it happens. I wanted a bit more of hiding-our-resonance-because-i-hate-you-but-we-still-wanna-kiss antics. Similar to the other books, the plot allows the leads to have prolonged alone time to emotionally connect and reckon with their feelings. And lots of smutty scenes.

I liked Tiffany's narration in the last book, so unfortunately it felt a bit of a letdown to go back to a narration that feels very similar to the other books in the series. The girls use a lot of the same slang. And once again, there are dozens of examples of the "Rhetorical question? Obvious answer." writing style. This kind of unnecessary question style? Well, it's my biggest pet peeve of Dixon's writing. And honestly? She could just use a comma instead.

Overall, not for me. I'm interested in

the two sisters who were freed from the stasis pods, the main characters of

the next two books, but I should probably peter off this series now. Urgh.

Content Warnings

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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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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katiekeske's review

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I was nervous starting this book about these two because there had been such buildup in the previous books. I do not like it when characters are mean to each other and have miscommunication, which these two had a lot of. I am giving it a four because there is character growth and more adventure with some more world-building in this one (instead of just being stuck in a cave resonating the whole book).

Once I got to read Haeden's POV and get his background and feelings, I was totally smitten with him. His story is so sad, and his actions make sense once you understand him. I wished he had shared more of his feelings out loud. Of course, that's part of the angsty drama.

I personally had a hard time connecting to Josie. I like that she's supposed to be a sunshine character, but her strong and constant desire to have a baby, especially after all the trauma she's gone through, just doesn't make sense to me. It was a little jarring to go from Tiffany's book, which I thought handled her trauma really well, to Josie's book where she doesn't seem affected by her past at all. She briefly mentions things, but then just gets over it...? (Good for her, I guess. Are there people out there like that? I don't know any myself...) I know every woman is different, so there are women out there who will feel a connection with her. I'm just not one of them. I wished she treated Haeden better sooner.

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l_piller's review

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

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ashleybeereads's review

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adventurous emotional lighthearted medium-paced

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

2.5

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