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Of Dresses and Dragons
A spicy, enemies-to-lovers romantasy, full of dragons, mystery, and magic.
Twenty years ago, the royal family saved the people by collecting all of the magic in the kingdom to win a war. Rhea Coronos’s mother traded her magic so she and her children could have a special place in the castle. As a lady-in-waiting, Rhea’s purpose is to serve Princess Briar. Finally, she’s getting the chance to marry a Count to have a life beyond the castle. All she has to do is find a dragon for the Princess. Her life will finally be what she's always wanted. But when she meets the irreverent dragon trainer Garrett Thorne, her world begins to crumble. Something in her has awakened and is drawn to him. Like magic. And is it magic that is making her mother — and much of the kingdom — so ill? Rhea is beginning to discover that things in the kingdom are not what they seem. Maybe they never have been.
*not suitable for readers under 18
Twenty years ago, the royal family saved the people by collecting all of the magic in the kingdom to win a war. Rhea Coronos’s mother traded her magic so she and her children could have a special place in the castle. As a lady-in-waiting, Rhea’s purpose is to serve Princess Briar. Finally, she’s getting the chance to marry a Count to have a life beyond the castle. All she has to do is find a dragon for the Princess. Her life will finally be what she's always wanted. But when she meets the irreverent dragon trainer Garrett Thorne, her world begins to crumble. Something in her has awakened and is drawn to him. Like magic. And is it magic that is making her mother — and much of the kingdom — so ill? Rhea is beginning to discover that things in the kingdom are not what they seem. Maybe they never have been.
*not suitable for readers under 18
377 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 13, 2023
14 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
A. Jane Dove
9 books22 followersA Jane Dove is the author of spicy fantasy and dystopian novels featuring FMCs searching for themselves, slow burn romances, and dresses with pockets.
An American expat based in New Zealand, she spends her time pondering questions about feminism, elitism, and the state of the world...if there were dragons and book boyfriends in it.
An American expat based in New Zealand, she spends her time pondering questions about feminism, elitism, and the state of the world...if there were dragons and book boyfriends in it.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 5, 2025
This was a welcome surprise after being on my tbr for about a year.
This was my first read from A. Jane Dove and I was pleasantly surprised with her writing, I loved how there was just enough to pull you in without it being too much and the names of places and beasts that though spelt differently I believe are a nod to māori culture which I found fitting and enjoyed knowing she is also a fellow kiwi.
Not only did it meet the expectations you gather from the title there is a whole host of other things to enjoy.
💜 Magic
💜 Dragons
💜 Political intrigue
💜 Secrets
💜 Enemies to potential lovers in later books?????
💜 Betrayal
That cliffhanger though has me needing to start these second one.....hopefully it doesn't sit on the shelf too long.
This was my first read from A. Jane Dove and I was pleasantly surprised with her writing, I loved how there was just enough to pull you in without it being too much and the names of places and beasts that though spelt differently I believe are a nod to māori culture which I found fitting and enjoyed knowing she is also a fellow kiwi.
Not only did it meet the expectations you gather from the title there is a whole host of other things to enjoy.
💜 Magic
💜 Dragons
💜 Political intrigue
💜 Secrets
💜 Enemies to potential lovers in later books?????
💜 Betrayal
That cliffhanger though has me needing to start these second one.....hopefully it doesn't sit on the shelf too long.
June 5, 2025
In a kingdom where magic was surrendered to end a brutal war, Rhea Coronos has grown up in the shadow of sacrifice. Her mother gave up her magic in exchange for safety and status within the castle, and now Rhea serves as a lady-in-waiting to Princess Briar. With a future marriage to a Count on the horizon, Rhea finally sees a way to escape her duties and build a life of her own. But first, she must complete one task: find a dragon for the Princess. That quest leads her to Garrett Thorne, a rebellious dragon trainer who challenges everything she thought she knew
As Rhea and Garrett clash, and sparks fly, she begins to feel an undeniable pull toward him, one that feels almost magical. At the same time, strange illnesses begin to spread through the kingdom, including her own mother, and Rhea starts to suspect the truth behind the royal family’s so-called sacrifice. With dragons, secrets, and forbidden magic rising, Rhea must uncover the lies buried at the heart of the kingdom before everything she knows is lost
I was so lucky to meet the author at Ages of Pages! She had a sign saying “If you like Fourth Wing and Throne of Glass, you’ll like this book.” And honestly who wouldn’t make a beeline straight for that?
Visually, the cover is absolutely stunning. It’s eye-catching and beautifully designed, and it instantly pulled me in before I even read the blurb
I really enjoyed this book. It has everything I love in a fantasy, slow burn enemies to lovers, dragons, magic, betrayal, mystery, royalty, romance, spice, and raucous taverns. The writing was well done and easy to follow. I found myself fully immersed in the world, and I appreciated that the story flowed in a way that made sense without being overly predictable. I even had to Google a few words I didn’t know, which I’m actually grateful for, it’s not every day a book helps expand your vocabulary in such a fun way!
The dragons were definitely a highlight for me. I loved the way they were written and really hope we get even more dragon content in the next books. The illness subplot was another element I found intriguing it added a unique and mysterious layer to the world and kept me invested in the outcome
There were a few plot twists that genuinely caught me off guard, which I always appreciate in a fantasy. The overall premise was so compelling that I found myself flying through the pages, eager to learn what would happen next
This is definitely a true slow burn, which made me so happy. It was done so well, and the buildup made the romance feel more satisfying and earned. I also really liked the smaller subplots sprinkled throughout they added depth to the world and gave us insight into different areas of it that I really enjoyed exploring
The dual POV was a great choice. It gave the story extra layers and left me with just enough questions to be absolutely desperate for the second book. I can’t wait to dive back into this world and see where things go next!
As Rhea and Garrett clash, and sparks fly, she begins to feel an undeniable pull toward him, one that feels almost magical. At the same time, strange illnesses begin to spread through the kingdom, including her own mother, and Rhea starts to suspect the truth behind the royal family’s so-called sacrifice. With dragons, secrets, and forbidden magic rising, Rhea must uncover the lies buried at the heart of the kingdom before everything she knows is lost
I was so lucky to meet the author at Ages of Pages! She had a sign saying “If you like Fourth Wing and Throne of Glass, you’ll like this book.” And honestly who wouldn’t make a beeline straight for that?
Visually, the cover is absolutely stunning. It’s eye-catching and beautifully designed, and it instantly pulled me in before I even read the blurb
I really enjoyed this book. It has everything I love in a fantasy, slow burn enemies to lovers, dragons, magic, betrayal, mystery, royalty, romance, spice, and raucous taverns. The writing was well done and easy to follow. I found myself fully immersed in the world, and I appreciated that the story flowed in a way that made sense without being overly predictable. I even had to Google a few words I didn’t know, which I’m actually grateful for, it’s not every day a book helps expand your vocabulary in such a fun way!
The dragons were definitely a highlight for me. I loved the way they were written and really hope we get even more dragon content in the next books. The illness subplot was another element I found intriguing it added a unique and mysterious layer to the world and kept me invested in the outcome
There were a few plot twists that genuinely caught me off guard, which I always appreciate in a fantasy. The overall premise was so compelling that I found myself flying through the pages, eager to learn what would happen next
This is definitely a true slow burn, which made me so happy. It was done so well, and the buildup made the romance feel more satisfying and earned. I also really liked the smaller subplots sprinkled throughout they added depth to the world and gave us insight into different areas of it that I really enjoyed exploring
The dual POV was a great choice. It gave the story extra layers and left me with just enough questions to be absolutely desperate for the second book. I can’t wait to dive back into this world and see where things go next!
December 16, 2023
I want to start off by thanking the author for a copy of this book for an honest review.
This books was incredible. Slow burn enemies to lovers, dragons, royal pains in the ass (haha), exciting magic, spice and more.
I loved going on the journey with Rhea and Thorne. Learning new things about them as the book progressed that kept shocking me.
The ending was chef’s kiss 👌 it left me needing to read the next book immediately (which this incredible author also gifted me for an honest review). I can’t wait to keep reading and find out what happens next.
This books was incredible. Slow burn enemies to lovers, dragons, royal pains in the ass (haha), exciting magic, spice and more.
I loved going on the journey with Rhea and Thorne. Learning new things about them as the book progressed that kept shocking me.
The ending was chef’s kiss 👌 it left me needing to read the next book immediately (which this incredible author also gifted me for an honest review). I can’t wait to keep reading and find out what happens next.
November 28, 2023
Thank you to A Jane Dove for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This is an incredibly slow burn fantasy romance read. I would have loved to get a little more out of the romantic relationship of who the enemies to lovers are but overall this was a great read. A complex political hierarchy based on stolen magic, with heartbreaking twists and well - dragons!
The cliffhanger has me very excited to start book two and see how Rhea handles the cards she’s been dealt, and see if and how she can overcome the corner she’s currently very backed into at the end of book one.
This is an incredibly slow burn fantasy romance read. I would have loved to get a little more out of the romantic relationship of who the enemies to lovers are but overall this was a great read. A complex political hierarchy based on stolen magic, with heartbreaking twists and well - dragons!
The cliffhanger has me very excited to start book two and see how Rhea handles the cards she’s been dealt, and see if and how she can overcome the corner she’s currently very backed into at the end of book one.
December 3, 2024
3.5 stars.
June 19, 2023
I was kindly given an ARC copy of this, and it is indeed a slow burn. It certainly wasn't going where I thought it was going to go with the overarching plot, and it definitely played with expectations on some of the usual cliches in the romantasy genre that includes things like court intrigue and things being not as they seem.
Even though it was a slow burn, I would have liked to see a bit more chemistry between the two who I think are meant to be the main couple - and I say I think only because there were definitely moments where I wondered if maybe I had it wrong and the two main POV characters wasn't in fact endgame for shipping, and other than their magic, I didn't quite find the love in their loathe-to-love dynamic. I got mostly loathe out of it, and something in the MC's mother journal made me think for a minute, "Maybe it is just the magic pulling them together and nothing else, and what they have isn't supposed to be real?" Again, I get that it's a slow burn, but I still feel like if this is a romantasy, and the text is meant to signal right off the bat what the couple endgame is, as opposed to a fantasy with romance in it--at least I think that's what the text was trying to do--there should be just a bit more believable draw between those characters, even in slow burn loathe to love. If this were a fantasy with romance in it, where romance wasn't as much the focus as the fantasy was, it'd probably make a little more sense to me, and I get what the idea was with the loathe to love trope. And while there were definitely soft moments between the two of them, like with the dragon ride and the main heroine's sketching, I don't feel like there's enough there yet for the two of them to have any potential real chemistry, even later on when I'm assuming their being a couple is meant to be more obvious. They definitely care about each other, but I don't buy yet that they're meant to get together, if that is the endgame here. Again, I get that it's meant to be a slow burn, but I guess I felt more slow and less burn. But this also comes from a place of personal preference and initial expectation, so that's just me, and where it didn't work for me may work for someone else.
There were also one or two character decisions that didn't make sense to me, where I was like, "Wait you were gonna go with that, now you're changing your mind back to that, and that's the one you just agreed might cause you more problems--why? Why change back to that one?"
Otherwise, there was definitely this need for me to keep reading to the next chapter to see if the pieces of the bigger puzzle would start to fit together, foreshadowing that not everything is actually a-okay in the heroine's life was sewn in well early on, and a couple of the deaths were rather horrifying in the way they were written, and definitely left me surprised and shaken. Not to mention a very disturbing implication of the dynamic of the royal family, not to give too much away.
Even though it was a slow burn, I would have liked to see a bit more chemistry between the two who I think are meant to be the main couple - and I say I think only because there were definitely moments where I wondered if maybe I had it wrong and the two main POV characters wasn't in fact endgame for shipping, and other than their magic, I didn't quite find the love in their loathe-to-love dynamic. I got mostly loathe out of it, and something in the MC's mother journal made me think for a minute, "Maybe it is just the magic pulling them together and nothing else, and what they have isn't supposed to be real?" Again, I get that it's a slow burn, but I still feel like if this is a romantasy, and the text is meant to signal right off the bat what the couple endgame is, as opposed to a fantasy with romance in it--at least I think that's what the text was trying to do--there should be just a bit more believable draw between those characters, even in slow burn loathe to love. If this were a fantasy with romance in it, where romance wasn't as much the focus as the fantasy was, it'd probably make a little more sense to me, and I get what the idea was with the loathe to love trope. And while there were definitely soft moments between the two of them, like with the dragon ride and the main heroine's sketching, I don't feel like there's enough there yet for the two of them to have any potential real chemistry, even later on when I'm assuming their being a couple is meant to be more obvious. They definitely care about each other, but I don't buy yet that they're meant to get together, if that is the endgame here. Again, I get that it's meant to be a slow burn, but I guess I felt more slow and less burn. But this also comes from a place of personal preference and initial expectation, so that's just me, and where it didn't work for me may work for someone else.
There were also one or two character decisions that didn't make sense to me, where I was like, "Wait you were gonna go with that, now you're changing your mind back to that, and that's the one you just agreed might cause you more problems--why? Why change back to that one?"
Otherwise, there was definitely this need for me to keep reading to the next chapter to see if the pieces of the bigger puzzle would start to fit together, foreshadowing that not everything is actually a-okay in the heroine's life was sewn in well early on, and a couple of the deaths were rather horrifying in the way they were written, and definitely left me surprised and shaken. Not to mention a very disturbing implication of the dynamic of the royal family, not to give too much away.
June 11, 2023
A romantasy series with dragons, magic, enemies to lovers, betrayal and SO MUCH MORE!
Imagine a world where people with magic gave up their magic to help win a war. Now, years later, the royal family are really the only people who have magic. We met Rhea, a lady-in-waiting to the eldest princess, who wants more out of life. Seeing marriage as her only option, she agrees to pick out the princess's dragon in hopes the princess will arrange a beneficial marriage where Rhea can make a name for herself and help others. Everything changes the moment she meets the dragon trainer.
This was a great first book in a romantasy series. And I just know book 2 is going to be even better. More magic, more dragons, more deception...and hopefully more angst and spice. I do look forward to learning more about this world and what happens to Rhea.
Special thank you to the author for sending me an ARC - I loved it and I need book 2 now. :)
Imagine a world where people with magic gave up their magic to help win a war. Now, years later, the royal family are really the only people who have magic. We met Rhea, a lady-in-waiting to the eldest princess, who wants more out of life. Seeing marriage as her only option, she agrees to pick out the princess's dragon in hopes the princess will arrange a beneficial marriage where Rhea can make a name for herself and help others. Everything changes the moment she meets the dragon trainer.
This was a great first book in a romantasy series. And I just know book 2 is going to be even better. More magic, more dragons, more deception...and hopefully more angst and spice. I do look forward to learning more about this world and what happens to Rhea.
Special thank you to the author for sending me an ARC - I loved it and I need book 2 now. :)
October 31, 2023
If you love a tale woven with:
💜magic
💜dragons
💜betrayal
💜mystery
💜romance
💜spice
💜royalty
💜world building
💜raucous taverns
💜intimate relationship norms turned on their head
Then Of Dresses and Dragons is for you.
Rhea is tasked with finding the perfect dragon for Princess Briar and in doing so she is promised a marriage to a gentleman that holds a title, thereby raising her status and giving her some iota of authority and power.
Rhea’s plans are thwarted by a mysterious illness that is plaguing the kingdom’s villagers. In her hunt to discover the cause, she encounters dragon trainer, Garrett Thorne. Brooding and dark, Thorne has his own secret personal agenda.
A heated journey of misplaced loyalties, vengeance and dark magic.
I loved the dragons, (I want one myself), the tug of war between Thorne and Rhea, her friendships, the touches of Aotearoa and the foreboding shadow of mystery. While the story doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, it doesn’t fully conclude so I’m looking forward to reading the second volume in the chronicles of Tarakona.
✨gifted
💜magic
💜dragons
💜betrayal
💜mystery
💜romance
💜spice
💜royalty
💜world building
💜raucous taverns
💜intimate relationship norms turned on their head
Then Of Dresses and Dragons is for you.
Rhea is tasked with finding the perfect dragon for Princess Briar and in doing so she is promised a marriage to a gentleman that holds a title, thereby raising her status and giving her some iota of authority and power.
Rhea’s plans are thwarted by a mysterious illness that is plaguing the kingdom’s villagers. In her hunt to discover the cause, she encounters dragon trainer, Garrett Thorne. Brooding and dark, Thorne has his own secret personal agenda.
A heated journey of misplaced loyalties, vengeance and dark magic.
I loved the dragons, (I want one myself), the tug of war between Thorne and Rhea, her friendships, the touches of Aotearoa and the foreboding shadow of mystery. While the story doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, it doesn’t fully conclude so I’m looking forward to reading the second volume in the chronicles of Tarakona.
✨gifted
March 18, 2025
🔥 4.5 STARS – OF DRESSES AND DRAGONS 🐉✨
Okay, THIS was a ride. Of Dresses and Dragons by A Jane Dove completely pulled me into its rich world of magic, dragons, and royal intrigue. From the first page, I was hooked—Rhea is such a compelling FMC, torn between duty, ambition, and an undeniable pull toward the mysterious dragon trainer. And let’s be real, Thorne? He’s got potential but needs to step up.
The worldbuilding? Chef’s kiss. I loved the Māori-inspired elements woven into the dragon lore, and the fantasy elements felt so immersive. It’s more fantasy-heavy than romance in this first book, but the tension? It’s there, simmering. And that ending?! I NEED book two immediately.
Things I adored:
🔥 A slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers dynamic that promises so much more.
🐉 DRAGONS (though Rhea deserves one—justice for Rhea!).
💔 Twists, betrayals, and a creeping illness that adds a darker edge.
👑 A sweet princess who stole my heart.
The only reason it’s not a full 5 stars? The POV switches mid-chapter were a bit jarring on Kindle. Otherwise, this book was everything I wanted in a romantasy debut, and I cannot wait to see what happens next.
Okay, THIS was a ride. Of Dresses and Dragons by A Jane Dove completely pulled me into its rich world of magic, dragons, and royal intrigue. From the first page, I was hooked—Rhea is such a compelling FMC, torn between duty, ambition, and an undeniable pull toward the mysterious dragon trainer. And let’s be real, Thorne? He’s got potential but needs to step up.
The worldbuilding? Chef’s kiss. I loved the Māori-inspired elements woven into the dragon lore, and the fantasy elements felt so immersive. It’s more fantasy-heavy than romance in this first book, but the tension? It’s there, simmering. And that ending?! I NEED book two immediately.
Things I adored:
🔥 A slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers dynamic that promises so much more.
🐉 DRAGONS (though Rhea deserves one—justice for Rhea!).
💔 Twists, betrayals, and a creeping illness that adds a darker edge.
👑 A sweet princess who stole my heart.
The only reason it’s not a full 5 stars? The POV switches mid-chapter were a bit jarring on Kindle. Otherwise, this book was everything I wanted in a romantasy debut, and I cannot wait to see what happens next.
November 26, 2023
I was offered this book in exchange of an honest review.
First the reason why this book got 4 stars and not 5. Very frequently the POV changes in the middle of a chapter with no warning. I'd rather each chapter be secluded to 1 POV or at the very least a heading or something to signal the change.
On to the rest, it took me a minute to get into the book, but once I did, I did not want to put it down.
Personality I would have left out the epilogue at the end and left the book with a cliffhanger from chapter 46 but I can understand why the writer chose to add the epilogue as it does contain important information when going into book 2.
All together Of Dresses and Dragons was a fun and interesting read with a great plot line. Was it my favorite book? No. Would I read it again? Yes.
First the reason why this book got 4 stars and not 5. Very frequently the POV changes in the middle of a chapter with no warning. I'd rather each chapter be secluded to 1 POV or at the very least a heading or something to signal the change.
On to the rest, it took me a minute to get into the book, but once I did, I did not want to put it down.
Personality I would have left out the epilogue at the end and left the book with a cliffhanger from chapter 46 but I can understand why the writer chose to add the epilogue as it does contain important information when going into book 2.
All together Of Dresses and Dragons was a fun and interesting read with a great plot line. Was it my favorite book? No. Would I read it again? Yes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2024
I genuinely LOVED this first instalment.
The writing had me intrigued and loving some characters while i vehemently despised some in the beginning (they reached some redemption in one area though).
Good level of fantasy/spice/plot.
Finished on a bit of a hanger that makes you want to read in to be able to know where this goes, because right now - thats unknown.
Sad FMC didn’t get a dragon - yet maybe? I hope its a yet.
Also excited to see if she can overcome the challenge shes presented with in the end.
My heart hurts for the young princess in the story and she is just the sweetest thing! 😊♥️
Our man Thorne needs to also grow a hit more of a backbone! He’s in the doghouse for now and frankly i hope he is suffering.
Bring on part 2!
The writing had me intrigued and loving some characters while i vehemently despised some in the beginning (they reached some redemption in one area though).
Good level of fantasy/spice/plot.
Finished on a bit of a hanger that makes you want to read in to be able to know where this goes, because right now - thats unknown.
Sad FMC didn’t get a dragon - yet maybe? I hope its a yet.
Also excited to see if she can overcome the challenge shes presented with in the end.
My heart hurts for the young princess in the story and she is just the sweetest thing! 😊♥️
Our man Thorne needs to also grow a hit more of a backbone! He’s in the doghouse for now and frankly i hope he is suffering.
Bring on part 2!
June 6, 2023
This was a slow burn, enemies to lovers fantasy story, that was able to draw me into a world of magic, kings and queens, and dragons, don't forget the dragons.
The world building, through descriptive writing, transported me there, I want to choose a dragon!.
Rhea and Thornes' relationship is a tug-of-war will they wont they, and the spice just enough to fit the storyline and enhancing the characters. But Thorne defiently needs a kick in the .....
My only issue was that it ended... I need more. The world of Tarakona can certainly be extended through characters, sub plots, and righting the wrongs of a select few.
The world building, through descriptive writing, transported me there, I want to choose a dragon!.
Rhea and Thornes' relationship is a tug-of-war will they wont they, and the spice just enough to fit the storyline and enhancing the characters. But Thorne defiently needs a kick in the .....
My only issue was that it ended... I need more. The world of Tarakona can certainly be extended through characters, sub plots, and righting the wrongs of a select few.
July 1, 2023
I was kindly givien an Arc copy and the book did not disappoint!
Of dresses and dragons is a slow burn romantasy that instantly transported me into the world of Tarakona with its great magic system, dragons and a mysterious royal family!
It's set to be a slow burn and while it definitely was that, I would've loved to get a little bit more tension between the MC's. I really enjoyed A. Jane's writing style and the pacing of the story was good!
The ending/cliffhanger however felt a little rushed and i would've loved to get a bit more detail.
Overall I really loved the book and I can't wait for the next one in the series! Highly recommend it for every fantasy lover!
Of dresses and dragons is a slow burn romantasy that instantly transported me into the world of Tarakona with its great magic system, dragons and a mysterious royal family!
It's set to be a slow burn and while it definitely was that, I would've loved to get a little bit more tension between the MC's. I really enjoyed A. Jane's writing style and the pacing of the story was good!
The ending/cliffhanger however felt a little rushed and i would've loved to get a bit more detail.
Overall I really loved the book and I can't wait for the next one in the series! Highly recommend it for every fantasy lover!
August 22, 2025
This book... What did I just read...
I took me a bit to get through this book but I am chalking that up to being in a fantasy slump (I find world building really hard for my brain when I read fantasy alot)
But this book is great. It keeps you guessing as to what is going to happen next. And that ending. What the heck is happening!! I couldn't stop and then when it ended I just had to sit and stare at the wall.
I love Rhea she is so driven to be who she wants to be but is confined in preconstructed walls. And Thorne, his snark is refreshing.
I loved seeing all the NZ inspired things throughout. The Moa surprised me 🤣
I can't wait to find out what happens next.
I took me a bit to get through this book but I am chalking that up to being in a fantasy slump (I find world building really hard for my brain when I read fantasy alot)
But this book is great. It keeps you guessing as to what is going to happen next. And that ending. What the heck is happening!! I couldn't stop and then when it ended I just had to sit and stare at the wall.
I love Rhea she is so driven to be who she wants to be but is confined in preconstructed walls. And Thorne, his snark is refreshing.
I loved seeing all the NZ inspired things throughout. The Moa surprised me 🤣
I can't wait to find out what happens next.
June 25, 2023
-It didn't take long to get hooked! The anticipation of who Rhea will choose as her suitor is what kept me reading. Along with figuring out more and more about the illness that was spreading like wildfire.
-The descriptive words for the landscape and the feelings the characters had were fantastic 👌👌.
-Added bonus of a little bit of spice added in, wish there was more 😉.
-I felt all the feelings reading throughout the book. Love, hate, sadness and shock (even though I felt something was coming that would shock me).
- And I hope there is a second book with that dang cliffhanger.
-The descriptive words for the landscape and the feelings the characters had were fantastic 👌👌.
-Added bonus of a little bit of spice added in, wish there was more 😉.
-I felt all the feelings reading throughout the book. Love, hate, sadness and shock (even though I felt something was coming that would shock me).
- And I hope there is a second book with that dang cliffhanger.
June 8, 2023
I was so close to giving this book 5 stars. I will give this book 4,5 stars and the only reason it's not 5 is I did'nt like the cliffhanger. I got a feeling of not reading a whole book.
That being said, the story is realy great! I can't wait to se how to to love interest will find together again.
A lady in waiting meets a broody dragon trainer. The court and royals are becoming sick but the don't know why or from what. War is coming.
That being said, the story is realy great! I can't wait to se how to to love interest will find together again.
A lady in waiting meets a broody dragon trainer. The court and royals are becoming sick but the don't know why or from what. War is coming.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2023
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Of Dresses and Dragons was a great read with complex characters. The romance was much slower burn than expected, and came across as a minor plot point compared to the espionage and intrigue of the overall story arc.
I was hoping for a little more romance and spice, it's true, but the ending came with a cliffhanger that's left me wanting for more. I will definitely be picking up the second book when it comes out!
Of Dresses and Dragons was a great read with complex characters. The romance was much slower burn than expected, and came across as a minor plot point compared to the espionage and intrigue of the overall story arc.
I was hoping for a little more romance and spice, it's true, but the ending came with a cliffhanger that's left me wanting for more. I will definitely be picking up the second book when it comes out!
February 8, 2024
Probably should be a 3.5 star rating but I can't quite decide how I feel about it. It was pretty predictable in the tropes and Rhea was not my favorite main character but she's got room for improvement in the way they've set up the sequel. Most of the book felt like nothing happened and then the entire conclusion was revealed to occur off page which felt like an odd choice to me. I also want to stop women in fantasy novels from having sexual violence threatened against them, it's not cute.
September 6, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! I had already read the 'Cities of Cloud and Earth' trilogy by A. Jane Dove and I had high hopes for this series too; she did not disappoint.
Great characters, beautiful writing and a vibrant world I could really picture as I read.
I didn't guess the direction the story was going to take either, and I love that the characters and the story are not predictable.
I look forward to finding out what happens next.
Great characters, beautiful writing and a vibrant world I could really picture as I read.
I didn't guess the direction the story was going to take either, and I love that the characters and the story are not predictable.
I look forward to finding out what happens next.
November 20, 2023
I just finished this book and when I say by the end I was glued to the page I mean I was glued to the page.
It took a little bit to get hooked and I struggled some with the pov and writing style.
The twist at the end was not what I was expecting. This book get like throne of glass series and fourth wing had a baby. If you haven’t read it yet than I suggest you do
It took a little bit to get hooked and I struggled some with the pov and writing style.
The twist at the end was not what I was expecting. This book get like throne of glass series and fourth wing had a baby. If you haven’t read it yet than I suggest you do
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March 22, 2025DNF at 68%.
I wanted to love this book but it just didn’t quite hit the mark. I enjoyed the Māori/PI aspects of the world but couldn’t connect with any of the characters. I hated that the two MC’s, who I assume are end game, kept hooking up with other people. I know it was classed as a slowburn but there’s barely anything between Rhea and Thorne and I just couldn’t keep reading.
I wanted to love this book but it just didn’t quite hit the mark. I enjoyed the Māori/PI aspects of the world but couldn’t connect with any of the characters. I hated that the two MC’s, who I assume are end game, kept hooking up with other people. I know it was classed as a slowburn but there’s barely anything between Rhea and Thorne and I just couldn’t keep reading.
July 31, 2025
Of Dresses and Dragons is a beautifully written, magical adventure that seamlessly weaves fantasy with rich cultural elements. The incorporation of Māori language adds depth and authenticity, making the story feel both grounded and unique. This book is a joy to read from start to finish making you want more. A heartwarming and powerful tale that celebrates identity, courage, and connection
November 25, 2023
Was a very interesting story. I don’t know that I would have classified it as an enemies to lovers romantasy as like the enemies didn’t really become lovers lol but it was very good story a good plot and I’m excited to see what the next book brings.
October 6, 2024
Fantasy Romance at it's finest
A beautiful story filled with intrigue, betrayal, a slow burn romance and dragons. What now can you ask for?!
The first book in the series, it sets up nicely for the series - I have so many questions!
A beautiful story filled with intrigue, betrayal, a slow burn romance and dragons. What now can you ask for?!
The first book in the series, it sets up nicely for the series - I have so many questions!
June 3, 2023
I loved this book! The story was well thought out and had this tread throughout the book. The characters were also alive and very much kicking. I just wish I knew when the next book will be out
November 29, 2023
What a great read! From the beautiful descriptions to the intense relationships between the characters, everything was written beautifully. I didn't expect the twist at the end and it makes me so excited to read the next one!
June 22, 2023
This has been my happy place this week. The characters are all well rounded and complex, humans and dragons alike!! The romance is delightful, perfect slow burn but enough spice to make your eyes water (annotators, stock up on your pink tabs!!) The world building is beautiful and the plot itself was menacingly subtle, rumbling below the surface ready for a sucker punch!
Dragons? yup!
Really really cool dragons? Yup!
Slow burn romance? Yup!
Enemies to lovers? Yup!
Cool magic system? Absolutely!
Great world building? Yeah, it's stunning?
Spice?? A very healthy dose!
Dragons? yup!
Really really cool dragons? Yup!
Slow burn romance? Yup!
Enemies to lovers? Yup!
Cool magic system? Absolutely!
Great world building? Yeah, it's stunning?
Spice?? A very healthy dose!
November 25, 2023
A great fantasy book for those just getting into the genre.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Rhea, Thorne, the dragons, some death and destruction!
Not a quick read by any means, but easy to follow, and easy to keep up with!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Rhea, Thorne, the dragons, some death and destruction!
Not a quick read by any means, but easy to follow, and easy to keep up with!
May 22, 2025
I loved the worldbuilding of this. It was a really cool fantasy world with some Māori elements, like the dragon varieties having Māori names and there being Moa. I think this was more heavy on the fantasy than the romance, at least for this first book in the series, because it's a pretty slow slowburn, but the properly romantic elements mainly being with characters we know the fmc won't end up with (there's plenty of interaction with the love interest, but its often not romantic).
This has a pretty in-depth storyline beyond the romance, so I really recommend this book if you want a romantasy with lots of storybuilding!
This has a pretty in-depth storyline beyond the romance, so I really recommend this book if you want a romantasy with lots of storybuilding!
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