The Ballast's Bride (Salt Planet Giants) Paperback – March 29, 2023

Stars: 5, with tusksFMC: MimmaMMC(s): Hinrivik (Hinri)Tropes: (taken from author list) alien planet, arranged marriage, bodyguard, fated mates, forbidden relationship, human men are terrible, mars needs women, size-difference, touch her and die> Reviewer add: size difference of epic proportionsPerspective: DualPlot or character driven: BothSpicy scenes breakdown:> Present? Yes> Detailed? Yes> Multiple, with only one character? Yes> Multiple, with both/multiple characters? Yes> Personal favorite? Where Mimma keeps her senses.> Anything else to note? Join Sara Ivy Hill’s facebook group to see what the covers on Hinri’s tusks actually look likeBurn speed: Slow.Can this be read as a stand-alone: Yes.Re-Readability: Yes.Content/Trigger Warnings/Enticements: Yes. See content guide in book for details.I received an advanced reader copy of this book, and this is my honest review.“If we’re measuring by heart-size, I love you more.”Mimma’s “parents”, i.e. the Nightborn that bought her from her mother, arrange a marriage for her. Little does she know the truth about the marriage, or that someone close to her has always loved her.I’ve tried all day to write something that’s coherent and like good and is not just me emoting back and forth about this story, but that’s not how this is going to go down. If you have not read the Mountain’s Mate first, I urge you to go pick up that one, and read it, and prepare yourself for this freaky, freaky ride, cause if you aren’t down for what happens in that story, you’re probably not going to be down for this one. There’s a whole story here, and a whole world, and foreshadowing, and impending problems on a global scale, and all I really want is for the Skarr and their mates to survive. Well, that and for Mimma’s father figure, Emyl to get yeeted into the sun.Here is how you make a Skarr giant: cinnamon roll to the mate, touch her and die to any threat, and an absolute freak sitting down, standing up, kneeling, in public, in private, they don’t even need to be between sheets. I had some <i>inks</i> I was sure of before this book, and now they’ve been concreted, and there were some I didn’t even know I had, and yet, here I am. Here they are. Do I want more? Yes. On audio and with a physical, apocalypse copy as well please, thank you.

This book was just as enjoyable as the first. Both characters were well written and the development of the plot as well as their relationship were also well done. The only criticism I have is that there is a kinda slow lull 30%-60% of the way through. I did have to struggle to get through what I felt was a slow section but once it picked up I was back to thoroughly enjoying every word. I will definitely be reading the next one and the side novella.

I dare say this book was better than the first! A slow burn friends to lovers, which I adored. They both had crushes on the other and it was so cute to figure out they had feelings for each other. Of course it was also heart wrenching at times due to mimmas situation. I really enjoyed this book and I’m looking foreword to more!

This book wasn't as great as the first one and I'm kinda disappointed 😕. The story started off with great main characters, but then it was like the author just kinda gave up 😲. Thanks again Sara, I hope that I get the chance to read other stories you write 🤓.

I scarfed up this book faster than the first book in the series. Definitely loved. Two thumbs up!! 👍 👍 looking forward to the next book 📖

I'm in love with this series. The size difference it's astronomical and oh so exciting. I love how they find ways to ahem, you know what. And to have gentle giants willing to do anything for their mates, ugh, these girls are living the dream. In this crazy world, if you're looking for an escape, at least a little bit of distraction with a bonus of gentle giants, adventurous women, and smut, then I recommend you read this series. The books are not too long, they're just enough. Love a romance with plot and good smut.

You weren't kidding about the size difference! I really enjoyed this story. I'm gonna go read the next one in the series.

Hinri and Mimma literally go on a journey from one land to the other in order to find each other.Another good read from this series. Hinri refuses to let go of Mimma which is super sweet. But we get to see the relationship change over the course of the book. I would have liked to see a bit more of the crush phase instead of it just being mentioned. In the end they find their way home

Henri is a grey boulder like alien, a giant Skarr. He is a guard/bodyguard where Mimma lives, in secret, with her adopted parents. Mimma is promised to a king in another kingdom. She has been trained to do as she is told, her duty but she is unable to hide her fear from Henri so he decides to go with her to her betrothed whom she has never met. A brutal story of unrequited love, naivety, duty, courage, differences, betrayal, determination, prejudice and fear.