Dragons Don't Do Happy Holidays

Christmas at The Lonely Tavern #1

by Harmony Raines

Brooding dragon shifter Flint wants a new start. So, when he arrives in Wishing Moon Bay the plan is simple. Get in. Get out. And avoid the merriness as much as possible.

However, with a dark past, and nothing to his name, getting any supplies for his journey is all but impossible - so much for the season of giving. But, as they say, when one door closes, another opens. He just didn’t expect them to open by themselves. And before he knows it, Flint finds himself tending tables in the strangest tavern in town – The Lonely Tavern. This isn’t the future he envisioned… even when she walks in.

Liselle wants a new start. So, when she arrives in her hometown of Wishing Moon Bay the plan is simple. Forget about her cheating ex-husband. Build a new life for her children. And make as much merriness as possible. With nothing to her name, except for the support of her family and friends, Liselle knows that almost anything is possible. Because, as they say, when one door closes, another opens. And this door leads to the strangest tavern in town - The Lonely Tavern. Luckily, potions aren’t the only thing this witch can brew. This isn’t the future she envisioned, but she knows she’ll do whatever she must for her family… even when he walks in.

But can opposites truly attract? As Flint wrestles with the demons of his past, and Liselle questions if she can ever trust a man again, they might just discover that sometimes, dragons and witches make the most magical of pairs.

‘A Christmas at the Lonely Tavern’ Series features festive, standalone, small - town, cozy fantasy romances where the stories revolve around a new, quirky and magical addition to Wishing Moon Bay – A strange tavern run by a witch, who just seems to know when someone needs a little nudge towards finding their Happy Ever After.
-Grumpy/Sunshine
-Dragon Shifter
-New Beginnings
-Midlife Romance
-Fated Mates
-Second Chance-Found Family
-Witchy/Magic
-Quirky Characters
-Fish Out of Water
-Cozy Feels-Small Town Setting-Fantasy Romance

Genres: Christmas, Fantasy, Romance, Dragons, Paranormal Romance, Holiday, Paranormal

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 23, 2023

About the author

Harmony Raines loves to write romance filled with magic and love. Her men are usually not so alpha, but they know how to treat their fated mates, or alien lovers well.

Email: harmony@harmonyraines.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harmonyraine...

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From the author:
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Just my way of saying thank you for giving my books a try.

Reviews

[A Grimm Review · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️
I really wanted to love this I thought the premise was so cute and who doesn’t love a dragon shifter? Unfortunately the writing and execution just didn’t do it for me. I had to force myself to finish reading, this was a book club pick so I didn’t want to DNF but honestly I would have otherwise. The writing didn’t lend itself to creating any real emotional connection to the characters so I just didn’t feel invested in their journey. Setting descriptions were overly descriptive but at the same time lacking character or voice. There were a lot of characters introduced for a novella with not enough time to develop them so everyone just felt a bit flat including our MMC and FMC. Most especially our MMC it felt like there was a very heavy history for Flint, his family and the dragon isle but it was just glossed over really and the explanations just didn’t do enough to justify his personality in my opinion.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adorable romance set during Christmas time.

Harmony Raines is an author I always come back to when I have a chance to read. Her books are so fluffy with just enough tension to have a plot, but with a focus on romance and family building that is sometimes something I adore.

As a not middle-aged woman with kids, this book definitely wasn’t written for me but I found Liselle and her sweet kids, Casper and Hazel to be oh so charming. I’m normally too keen on the recent divorcee rebounding into the love of her life trope, but this does it fairly well. Flint is looking for a new start… to travel away from the place he knew and the people is related to. He was such a hot mess at times, but I love how Raines portrays the banter between a shifter and their animal. Obviously, he is a dragon, and that made for some high-flying moments.

Overall, I love popping into Harmony Raines’ worlds. When I first read about Wishing Moon Bay it kind of felt boring but has grown on me. Familiarity is the goal during the holidays.

🌟🌟🌟🌟.5 stars out 5. Please do try this one if you enjoy Harmony Raines’ other books!

[Elizabeth]

DNF at 42%.

This was pretty fun but the author poked a hole in the plot balloon by solving too much with magic.

Oh, the tavern doesn't have alcohol? Wait, there's a magical fridge where you can get any brew. And there's a magical cocktail shaker that will make any mix.

Oh, she needs to set up a brewery? Her mom's coven is right on that. No need to struggle to figure things out.

What's the point!? So, the author has to throw in this sneaky back alley deal in the middle of this because there's no tension!? I was already irritated by the negative motivation but this makes it worse. Plus, her mom's "you shouldn't pursue another relationship, especially not with a dragon shifter" makes me think this wouldn't be a good relationship!

Ugh, author, why you gotta spoil a good story!?

[Kat Sanford · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you hand me a book called Dragons Don’t Do Happy Holidays and tell me it’s about a Christmas-hating dragon shifter working at an enchanted bar in a secret magical town who falls in love with a craft-beer-brewing witch who comes back home with her two kids after her cheating husband leaves her, I have certain expectations about what I’m about to read. Namely, that it’s going to be pretty whackadoo.

Believe me, I was not trying to judge this book by the bar of great literature .Just like Hallmark original movies aren’t trying to win Oscars, I swear I did not start this book with my nose in the air, prepared to be a grouch. But I wanted ridiculous, off-the-wall, completely wild shenanigans given the setup I had … and instead I was just bored.

I should not have been bored! This is a book about an anti-Christmas dragon shifter. It should have leaned into the sheer silliness of that idea and actually had fun with it, but instead this book wasn’t much fun at all. It didn’t engage me, and everything felt rote and pre-planned rather than whimsical and lighthearted. And because the book wasn’t off-the-wall silly, I found myself poking at it and wondering why it didn’t make more sense. If the author is going to treat her work like an actual grown-up book, then I’m going to treat it like one, too—and I kept running into basic logic problems.

Such as: Why did Liselle (our heroine, aforementioned divorced witch mom) even leave Wishing Moon Bay in the first place? She likes it there, she likes her family, she likes magic, she’s glad to return, she has no fond feelings left for her ex-husband, and apparently no real regrets about leaving behind the life she built outside the town. She apparently was never even attracted to her ex, other than “he was boring and that appealed to me”—which is the most baffling explanation I’ve ever read, and I’ve come across it twice now in different books. (Even Ghost Walk was more fun than this turkey, though.) Her excuse of “wanting a normal life” rings completely hollow when 1) normal is what you experience, so if you grow up in a magical town, magic would be normal to you and 2) why do you even want “a normal life” in the first place when you’re happy with your situation the way it is?

Flint, the dragon shifter hero, has something of a split-personality deal going on between his human half and his dragon half, and honestly I found it kind of lame. Separating the dragon from his core character felt like a cop-out in a deeply uninteresting way—he’s more like a guy with a dragon and not a dragon himself. It’s not like he loses his senses when he shifts, and the shift is weirdly described, too, like his dragon half straight-up takes over his body rather than he just becomes a dragon. There’s of course a tragic backstory with an abusive father who ruined Christmas for him as a boy (hence the current-day Grinchiness) and a weirdly detailed and convoluted side plot around … I’m honestly not sure. Something about Flint’s dad not giving him any treasure (because dragons love treasure lol) and dragons trying to leave Dragon Isle for [ReasonNotFound] and another dragon shifter being mad at Flint’s dad for being a dick so he decides to take it out on Flint for [ReasonStillNotFound] … it was just a mess, and very little of it was ever explained or ended up mattering to the story. And again, this is a Christmas romance dragon shifter book. Hard, detailed worldbuilding is really not necessary here.

Had Dragons Don’t Do Happy Holidays been either a silly, campy romp or an actual, well-thought-out fantasy romance, I probably would have enjoyed it more. But by trying to split the difference, it ended up being 272 pages of not much there. The last thing I expected this book to do was bore me.

[Carly ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dragons Don’t Do Happy Holidays is a sweet, cozy holiday romantasy that transports readers to the charming and magical small town of Wishing Moon Bay brimming with festive cheer. If you’ve ever imagined what a Hallmark movie would look like set in a fantasy world, this book might just be the perfect fit. From the start, it’s easy to see that this story was crafted with a warm, inviting atmosphere that radiates holiday spirit.  

One of the most endearing elements of the book is the focus on family. Liselle, the FMC, and her children share a bond that feels authentic and relatable, while her parents bring additional layers of love and support to the story. This emphasis on strong familial connections is heartwarming and helps to ground the more whimsical elements of the plot.  The whimsical nature of the book is another standout feature. The story doesn’t take itself too seriously, and it’s clear that Raines had fun weaving a tale filled with playful moments and magical charm. The mysterious tavern, in particular, steals the show. It acts almost like a matchmaker, subtly nudging the characters toward their fated romantic outcomes, and adds an intriguing layer to the story. It’s a touch of magic that adds a unique twist and keeps readers engaged in the unfolding romance.

That said, while this book succeeds in being charming and entertaining, it doesn’t quite reach the heights of a masterpiece. The plot is predictable at times, and some of the character development could feel a bit underexplored. However, it doesn’t pretend to be anything more than what it is—a fun, light-hearted holiday read that delivers exactly what it promises. And for that, it succeeds beautifully. It’s the perfect book to pick up when you’re in need of a cozy escape or want a story that warms the heart.  Overall I rated this a 3.5/5 ⭐

[Taylor Jefferson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liselle and her two children return to her magical hometown of Wishing Moon Bay after her husband leaves her for another woman. Flint is just passing through after burying his mother and fleeing his hometown filled with bad memories. Two characters with interesting circumstances that are unfortunately ordinary and flat. Despite some genuine obstacles when Flint and Liselle discover they are fated mates their relationship lacked any tension. Everything moves too quickly to have any real impact. This is a miss.

[Carola · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5*

[Mariella Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, I will lead with this: the "cozy fantasy" tags for this book and its cover are slightly misleading as to the genre. This is actually a Hallmark-style fantasy romance taking place in a fictional version of the modern world where witches, magical creatures, and mayhem actually exist. (Okay, yes, mayhem exists in this world too, but we'll leave that alone for now.)

That said, once I got past that feeling of "wait this isn't what I was expecting," there was actually a lot to enjoy about this book. There's a lot of sweet holiday vibes and many times I found myself thinking "I could actually SEE this being a Hallmark movie." So if that's a style of story you like, you're in the right place.

Dragons Don't Do Holidays is the story of Flint, a grumpy softhearted dragon shifter, and Liselle, a recently divorced mom returning to her hometown with two kids in tow and the dream of starting her own brewery. The characters are fun, their arcs feel natural and human-like (albeit fast due to the Hallmark-like nature of the story), and the side characters are HILARIOUS. I loved that Liselle's children act like children of their own age and not ten times older or younger. You can tell that the story was written by someone who has kids in their family or spends time around kids.

But I have to say that Morwenna and the Lonely Tavern are my FAVORITE part of this book. Morwenna owns the Lonely Tavern, a tavern that comes and goes and shows up only for the people who need it. A starting place for lost souls if you will. (Which is part of what gives me definite Hallmark movie vibes.) But, because it's a fantasy world there's all kinds of fun patrons in and out, there are magic snow globes, sentient furniture and decorations (a hilarious feather duster with an attitude), and a refrigerator that may or may not be an actual magic portal (?).

The pieces of the plot taking place in the Lonely Tavern or as Liselle begins setting up her brewery also gave me a lot of similar vibes to "Legends and Lattes" but with spirits and beer rather than coffee and sweets.

One thing I will say for this book is that I felt like the author leaned a little too heavily on certain tropes. Tropes that fit the genre of Christmas romance with Hallmark vibes, yes. But I kept looking around and waiting for the author to change some angles or use a different sort of trope and she kept coming back to the same one. It did make the story feel more stress free, but it also made the story feel a little underwhelming because there were a lot of great things set up with the villain of the story and with Flint's backstory/history. And I felt that a lot of those things went unexplored, sadly.

One of the main things that really didn't work for me with this though is that I didn't feel like the character of the villain was well set up. He did come off very intimidating during our first few interactions with him and I was really looking forward to seeing things possibly take a dark turn in that regard. However, what the author ended up doing with him was trying to make him a more sympathetic character that we would root for. And because we didn't know him well and never fully fleshed out the villain or Flint's backstories, it felt forced when they suddenly just "made up" and went on their separate ways without really confronting anything? Especially when the villain spent so much of the book really being physically and emotionally aggressive toward Flint and then toward his new family. There was a lot of untapped potential to go places with that relationship and arc that didn't feel like the author explored them because they didn't want to get super deep into Flint's past. Which, as someone who likes a little bit of a dark edge to things and some stakes and consequences with her stories...made this ending a little bit of a let down.

Otherwise, though, there were a lot of fun elements in this book. They're not incredible reads and probably not something I'll be returning to over the years. But it was a nice relaxing read that I needed after the violent let down that was my last read.

CW: There is an on-page sex scene in this book. It is something that's easily skippable and doing so will not cause you to miss anything important. There's another in the vastly unimportant epilogue that I skipped entirely. XD

[Megan Cutter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it well enough even though the insta-love was a bit contrived, and there wwre some really serious plot holes that are never explained, although they might be in later books? But then the last couple chapters just seemed to fizzled.

Lizelle is coming home with her children Casper & Hazel after her husband left her and took all the money they had made off her special beers. They come to stay in Wishing Moon Bay with her mother Katerina. Lizelle is a witch who has been living in the human world so coming home feels good.

Flint is a dragon shifter from a dragon island that is never really explained. He has finally escaped after his beloved mother's death. This is one of the plot holes. The island, what Flint did on the island, why he doesn't have any money or treasure, none it is explained. All he wants is to fly into Wishing Moon Bay, get supplies and a map to the Summer Isle where his mother always wanted to go.

But, of course, he finds his mate in Liselle. Honestly, this could have been a short story or novella. There just wasn't enough to make it interesting as a full length novel, especially with a boring ending.

[Schellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dragon Brew

As always, I adore the lighthearted, fun & entertaining paranormal stories from Ms. Raines. Her books are exciting, quirky & slightly angsty. After a lifetime of ridicule from his father, Flint is finally leaving Cairnor. Both parents now gone, he just wants to get away & fulfill his mothers last wishes. A short stop in Wishing Moon Bay shouldn't be an issue. However, he didn't plan on running into his fated mate while there. Liselle is back in WMB after her divorce with her two children in tow. She is back home for a fresh start & definitely doesn't need a man anymore.One man leaving her & the kids for another woman is enough. But wow, the dragon shifter she has spotted across the commons has caught her attention. Can two people with a great deal of baggage really find happiness with each other? What exactly does The Lonely Tavern have to do with it? What is the deal with the other dragon shifter making waves & causing problems? This was a fun, sweet, sexy & slightly steamy story that will make you feel the warm fuzzy holiday spirit in no time! Enjoy!

[Jamoz23 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall this felt time rushed to me.
Everything happens in just a few short days and magic is used to solve all manner of life’s problems.
Things get done in a time span that just wouldn’t happen outside Wishing Moon Bay.
I’ve also read these out of order.
I read the Lonely Tavern books first, which is why I was confused about Flint just arriving and starting working in the lonely tavern for Morwenna in this one.
Apart from that annoying and confusing fact.
I loved Liselle’s children Hazel and Casper, though we don’t get a lot of time with them. Liselle’s other family members were okay.
Flint was okay, if a bit depressing at times.
Though he’s obviously suffered greatly as a child and young man due to his dishonourable father, though we don’t get concise information.
Read through kindle unlimited.

[Ann Bingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grumpy Dragon meets his mate

Flint has had a hard life, his father was an angry mean man. But with both of his parents now deceased he decided he needed a change of scenery. He finds himself in a new town with little to his name. But fate has plans for him. Shortly after arriving in town he stumbles into the Lonely Tavern, and becomes the new bartender. Things are looking up.

Liselle has found herself moving back home with her two kids. Her ex husband left her feeling like she had been kicked in the teeth. But being back in her home town feels right. She meets this dragon shifter and feels a zing go up her arm. Not sure she's ready for a new relationship but she has heard of fated mates before. Can she handle this dragon shifter? Can she trust him?

[Jane Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

💜💜💜💜💜

From what I can tell, there are two fun yet exciting series, six books total so far, that co-mingle with the old friends and new. The lonely Tavern and Christmas at the Lonely Tavern added to the original Wishing Moon Bay series. My suggestion is to read the two Christmas books second. It is not strictly necessary, but it has the origins of the Christmas books characters read that way.
I love how Harmony does her spin-off books this way. It's like meeting old friends while making new ones! The only issue is that now I HAVE to finish all six before I move on to other books! 🤣💜
Loved it!

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liselle just lost everything from a cheating ex. She is now a single mom starting over on her way to Wishing Moon Bay. She is also paranormal, but we are not sure what exactly yet. The story is set during the holiday season, with this happening near Christmas. Ah, so she is a witch returning home. The family love is present and so sweet as this mom navigates her new life. 

Flint is a dragon shifter and has recently lost his beloved mother and his ties to his family land.  He is a grumpy man, and he and his dragon are seemingly on their way to far-off adventures. They are only going to Wishing Moon Bay to stock up on supplies. He doesn't want a fated mate.

This story has some nostalgia, even with the magical world around them. But Flint is still surly and grumpy. He waffles between his fated mate and his plans for the future. I love how Liselle is embracing her new life. 

The holidays come to life in this small town, and the winter vibes are also excellent. I love how it is incorporated with a paranormal romance and fated mates, so you get the best of the seasonal vibes and the paranormal you love in one story. 

Flint is very angsty, never believing in himself, constantly second-guessing every action and reaction, and self-conscious of every decision. Liselle is slightly more believable, but it makes for an interesting pairing. The story could do without the hot and cold feelings, but we'll see how this ends. The found family and love part are significant. 

The story's ending is cute and the opposite of the title, but overall, it was an okay read, not great, but sweet. 

[DoctorCopper · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 82%. I just could not read any further. I struggled through it that far but I just could not get invested in either the FMC or the MMC. By this point, the MMC's upbringing had still only been briefly glossed over and then the FMC, despite her telling herself she would be cautious...she was not.
Then the whole involvement of the other dragon shifter, even by this point it was simply a means to try and lend some drama to this story and that was itself unsuccessful, despite the attempts by this other dragon to have the FMC believe the worst of the MMC, I just did not care at that point.
That's when I knew I would not be finishing this book.

[Judy Barmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dragons Don’t Do Happy Holidays #1 01/11/2024

Flint has just burned his mother his last person he loved so he’s leaving the island of dragons but first he needs to stop in Wishing Moon Bay to get supply’s to fly to the summer isle. But something is pulling him in Wishing Moon Bay. Liselle is coming home to Wishing Moon Bay after a bad marriage her and her to kids need a new beginning and they will get it back home where she can let her magic flow. But she never expected to find her true mate. So enjoy another good read and see how Flint and Liselle find their happiness!!

[Faith Manuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Needed This

This book had me smiling so much. I was having a terrible day and I spent a lot of it reading this book from cover to cover. The only reason it has four stars is because I feel like it could have been much longer. I’m so curious about Flint’s life and if the children have thoughts about their father, etc. So many questions. But yeah this was what I needed— a sprinkle of happiness to my day.

[Lenore · Rating 3 out of 5]

magic, brewing and Hallmark plus more

This was cute. It felt like practical magic but a bigger supernatural world.
FMC is 40 yrs old, divorced, two kids. MMC is/was a momma's boy with some dark past daddy issues.
I wanted to love it but it fell flat. There is a lot of backstory to make Varns story hit and I'm missing it. The distance than sex than worry was too fast to feel strongly about.

[Kirsten Ensman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute holiday story

Kids always make the holidays special. The kids in this story add to the story to make it extra special for Flint. The lonely tavern is extra special and lots of fun. Definitely would be fun to experience unless it didn't let you in! Thanks Harmony for a fun holiday story!

[Chrissy Santillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. Liselle is a recently single mom, secretly a witch, has been living in the real world but decides to move her two children back to her magically hidden from the real world, supernatural hometown to live with her mom. The kids have no idea and get to find out all these magical and amazing things. I liked that she brewed spirits and drinks. Flint is a dragon shifter who intends to only stop in Liselles hometown to get supplies and move on but ends up working at a tavern. They’re fated mates. I liked the dedication flint had to her and her kids at the same time. I loved his love and admiration for his mama. Super sweet. I loved Liselle’s protective mother. The world was really fun to step into. I can’t wait to read more of wishing moon bay!

[damnhotmama22 Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! I expected a Happy Holiday Story and that's Exactly what Harmony Raine's Delivered! I had a hard time putting it down but my grandchildren needed tended(played with) to. Having a Dragon shifter and a Witch brought together by Fate can be Magical or should I say needs magic to bring them together!

[Kendall Mehaffey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked everything except the love story. It was waaaaay too fast, about 2 hours of knowing each other and they instantly fell in love and thought it okay to not wrap it up. It also annoyed me how badass Liselle was, then all of a sudden she became a teen girl with an absurd amount of self doubt. Absolutely loved the kids though

[Ali · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hallmark-esque dragon shifter romance. They said they loved each other one day after meeting. Had a fight/breakup the next day, and were engaged by Christmas lmao. It did bother me that he was living in a cave when they had sex, implying he hadn't showered for atleast a few days.

[Hilary Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant Series

Dragons Don’t Do Happy Holidays (Christmas at The Lonely Tavern Book 1) by Harmony Raines. Liselle returns to Wishing Moon Bay after her marriage ends. Flint is at the start of a journey to The Summer Isle but first he needs money. They meet at The Lonely Tavern and although they are mates they both have baggage to get rid off.

[Janet Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy Holidays...Eventually

A lovely spin-off of The Lonely Tavern books about a small family returning to Wishing Moon Bay after her husband their father left them for another woman and the heart-sore dragon shifter whose mother has passed away. Will it be a Happy Christmas? It may take a lot of help but Morwenna and The Lonely Tavern are up to the task. Enjoy!

[Joy Kimelle Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t been back to Wishing moon bay in a while

I liked going back to an established world for a Christmas story. I liked seeing old favorite characters. What I liked most was the Tavern and the crazy things it can do. I’ll be looking forward to more Tavern stories.

[Christine Schiltz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sappy

Poorly written, the story was exactly what you thought it would be with some gratuitous sex thrown for whatever reason. I finished it Skipping pages because I felt I had to before Christmas.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

HEA

Flint is just passing through until he senses his mate.Liselle is a witch returning home after her husband took off with all their money.She and her children deserved a Dragon mate who wouldn't leave them.

[Mauaqui · Rating 3 out of 5]

How the Grinch Flint was given back Christmas

Flint was only passing through Wishing Moon Bay on his way to the Summer Isles. He caught sight of Liselle and was astonished he found his mate.

[Cecelia Fahie-barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adventure awaits

I loved all the twists and turns. Excited the ex husband never showed up. Each character added a layer to the fun. Allllllllll the witches were a great addition to the story!