BRIDGET’S BANE is the thirteenth book in Ruby Dixon’s “Icehome” sci-fi fantasy romance series. For fans of the series, like me, this story has been a long time coming. For several books, blue warrior, and obvious alien pretty boy, A’tam has been doggedly pursuing human woman Bridget. And for what seems like just as long, except for an initial one night stand, Bridget has been running from A’tam, smack-talking him (which he doesn’t understand), and generally dismissing him. It’s been a little mystifying for readers as to what Bridget’s beef with A’tam is and her reasons for rejecting him – even though she’s dropped a few hints here and there. In BRIDGET’S BANE, readers finally get the full story on what went wrong with these two characters and how they eventually make things right.

Because of the cultural differences between Bridget and A’tam, and because Bridget keeps many of her true feelings on lockdown, I’m glad that this story is told from alternating perspectives. From Adam’s perspective, he comes onto a foreign shore, meets his dream girl, they get together, and then she drops him for no apparent reason. Ruby Dixon finally explains why Bridget is a poor communicator when it comes to things that strike close to her heart. The other aliens and humans on “Not-Hoth” try to offer advice and encouragement to help their relationship. The surface issue is that A’tam is very generously – and too much so – endowed for Bridget. However, the real issue is that Bridget has a little bit of baggage from earlier in her life. She has a few insecurities and doesn’t know how to communicate what the problem is to A’tam. It takes lots of advice and well-meant conversation with his friends, but A’tam really tries in this book to give Bridget what she needs once he understands the scope of the issue. To be fair, where A’tam comes from – there weren’t a lot of ladies for him to experience trial and error with when it comes to romantic relationships. In previous books I found Bridget kind of annoying, but in BRIDGET’S BANE I understand her better.

BRIDGET’S BANE is about common relationship pitfalls in a very uncommon environment. Like other books in this series, BRIDGET’S BANE has some steamy scenes, but the characters and the relationship development takes center stage. These characters are so well-written, that they’re like old friends. I can’t wait for Ruby Dixon’s next “Icehome” book!