There are many things that I like to do when I am sick. I like to drink Ginger Ale and snack on Saltines. I like to cuddle with my dog and complain to my man about how badly I feel in the most dramatic fashion.

Out of the kindness of my heart, and out of consideration for those around me, I like to read, in my bed, alone. Not just any book will do. It has to be romance novels.

Why Romance Novels?

I enjoy reading all kinds of books. The act of reading brings me joy and has since I was a child. No matter the genre: non-fiction, sci-fi, poetry, historical fiction, graphic novels, I enjoy them all. But there is a big difference between all of those books and romance novels. In most genres, there is no guarantee of a happy ending. Sure, we have expectations that the heroine/hero will at least survive, and some authors purposely disrupt those expectations (looking at you George R.R. Martin). But no genre does the happy ending better than the romance novel.

No matter what happens in the book, you know that the two main characters will end up together in the end. They will live happily ever after. It gives me that warm feeling. Like when you are curled up inside under a layer of warm blankets, sipping a cup of hot tea, while you watch the snow fall from your window. That’s the feeling romance novels give. The ultimate comfort read, which is exactly what I want when I am sick.

The Book

A co-worker recommended a series, which has quickly become my new cold/ allergy/ flu season companion, Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon.

Now if you patrol The Tiktok, you may have heard of this series, but if not, let me tell you. It is very much the vibes of Katy Perry’s Alien. If they ever turn this into a movie, I will expect that song to be a part of the soundtrack.

There are, as of today’s post, 19 novels and 13 novellas.

Here is a general, spoiler-free synopsis…

Young women, all unattached, all 22 years old, are abducted by aliens. Their ship crashes, and the human women are forced to adapt to the frozen tundra to survive.

And all of the women do just that. They all make the best of a terrible situation and just dive right into using the environment around them.

Whether it’s making their own clothes (out of leathers and handmade needles) or hunting animals (and skinning them for the aforementioned leathers), these women kick some serious butt. The thought of living in a cave with no running water or plumbing is not appealing. I am a city girl. I have never been camping and have no intention of ever doing so. The fact that these women just roll up their sleeves and get to work is pretty damn cool.

The aliens have a completely different culture with its own foods, clothing, celebration and mating rituals. No one tries to force their Earth culture onto the aliens. There is an appreciation for the tribe that has taken them all in and is helping to teach them how to thrive in their new world.

And there are female friendships! Too many female friendships and female interactions are framed in a negative light. The “not like other girls” trope negatively impacts female relationships. Women supporting women is always a good thing, and these books have that.

It is almost enough to make you want to travel to Not-Hoth, as the women call the planet. I think I would rather be eaten by one of the in-world pterodactyl like creatures than live on a frozen planet where -1 degrees fahrenheit is considered warm.

There is one good thing about this planet though: sexy aliens. You heard me. This planet’s highest grossing domestic product is tall, blue aliens. Did I mention that many of them are single?

Just in case that stellar description did not sell you on the series, fasten your butts, because it also has.

• Mates. The one person in the world who is meant to love you no matter if you snore or forget to floss.
• Attempted animal husbandry.
• Learning how to make leather.
• And… Steam. All of the steam. (Like don’t let people read this over your shoulder level of steam.

The series is just a lot of fun. It feels like a large helping of your favorite comfort food… served in bed… by a sexy alien.

Want to check it out? It’s on Kindle Unlimited or available for purchase. See the link below!