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Coven Crest Academy #1
A Witch and Her Dragon
His duty is to protect the princess, but his dragon’s desire to claim her is becoming impossible to ignore—and she’s about to uncover all the fiery secrets he’s been hiding.
Alina Ravenscroft has a plan: graduate from Coven Crest Academy, master her magic, and join the king’s powerful coven of witches. The only problem? The king is her grandfather, and he insists she can’t attend without a knight by her side. A bodyguard. A babysitter.
Raelan Ashvale is one of the king’s elite knights—and a dragon shifter, though only the king knows the truth. Raelan is assigned as Princess Alina’s personal guard. But there’s a Alina is Raelan’s fated mate, and for the past three years, he’s been doing everything he can to ignore the overwhelming pull between them, the searing need to claim her and make her his own. He can’t afford to give in to his desire for her—especially when revealing the secret of his dragon could risk everything for Raelan and his family.
As Alina and Raelan are forced to spend more time together, the growing tension between them becomes impossible to ignore. Raelan has a duty to the king, to his family, and to his secret. But when danger draws closer and threats to Alina’s safety become all too real, Raelan will have to confront the dangerous truths about his dragon—and the powerful connection he shares with the princess.
A Witch and Her Dragon is the first book in a quartet of standalones set against the magical backdrop of Coven Crest Academy. If you like cozy books with tortured heroes and a dash of spice, this book is for you! Appropriate for readers 18+.
Cozy spicy fantasy romanceMagical academyForced proximityEnemies to loversWitch x Dragon shifterHe falls firstRoyalty romance
Alina Ravenscroft has a plan: graduate from Coven Crest Academy, master her magic, and join the king’s powerful coven of witches. The only problem? The king is her grandfather, and he insists she can’t attend without a knight by her side. A bodyguard. A babysitter.
Raelan Ashvale is one of the king’s elite knights—and a dragon shifter, though only the king knows the truth. Raelan is assigned as Princess Alina’s personal guard. But there’s a Alina is Raelan’s fated mate, and for the past three years, he’s been doing everything he can to ignore the overwhelming pull between them, the searing need to claim her and make her his own. He can’t afford to give in to his desire for her—especially when revealing the secret of his dragon could risk everything for Raelan and his family.
As Alina and Raelan are forced to spend more time together, the growing tension between them becomes impossible to ignore. Raelan has a duty to the king, to his family, and to his secret. But when danger draws closer and threats to Alina’s safety become all too real, Raelan will have to confront the dangerous truths about his dragon—and the powerful connection he shares with the princess.
A Witch and Her Dragon is the first book in a quartet of standalones set against the magical backdrop of Coven Crest Academy. If you like cozy books with tortured heroes and a dash of spice, this book is for you! Appropriate for readers 18+.
Cozy spicy fantasy romanceMagical academyForced proximityEnemies to loversWitch x Dragon shifterHe falls firstRoyalty romance
366 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 3, 2025
427 people are currently reading
1281 people want to read
About the author
Emberly Wyndham
15 books120 followersHi, I’m Emberly! I write spicy romance and love getting lost in my own fictional worlds.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 271 reviews
May 27, 2025
A Witch and Her Dragon (Coven Crest Academy #1) by Emberly Wyndham
Book Blurb:
His duty is to protect the princess, but his dragon’s desire to claim her is becoming impossible to ignore—and she’s about to uncover all the fiery secrets he’s been hiding.
Rating: ****
Feels: Anticipation, Sweetness, Heat, Fun.
Style: Fantasy, Romantasy, Magic Academia, Magic, Cozy Fantasy, Shifters
First published : June 3, 2025 : Kindle
This was some nice spicy anticipation, he falls first, longing, watching her from afar, romantasy. The magic academy setting was alot of fun as Raelan got to explore her magic and what she wanted to do for her her vocation and everything it meant for her to be a princess. Her roommates were so much fun, I've always loved the found family aspect of books and having fun friends along for the ride always makes things more fun. These girls are alot of fun !!! Having her super hot body guard who is secretly totally obsessed with her shadowing her every move was so much hot tension. The dynamic between the two was alot of fun and things progressed and the story unfolded. I also loved that this was a HEA.
Favorite Quote: "Thank you, Raelan. Truly." And now she's using my name. Again. I really wish she'd stop doing that. Its more powerful than any spell she could cast over me.
This book has:
Body Guard and Ward
Touch her and die
Found Family
He falls first
Hidden Identity
Politics
Magic Academy
Book Blurb:
His duty is to protect the princess, but his dragon’s desire to claim her is becoming impossible to ignore—and she’s about to uncover all the fiery secrets he’s been hiding.
Rating: ****
Feels: Anticipation, Sweetness, Heat, Fun.
Style: Fantasy, Romantasy, Magic Academia, Magic, Cozy Fantasy, Shifters
First published : June 3, 2025 : Kindle
This was some nice spicy anticipation, he falls first, longing, watching her from afar, romantasy. The magic academy setting was alot of fun as Raelan got to explore her magic and what she wanted to do for her her vocation and everything it meant for her to be a princess. Her roommates were so much fun, I've always loved the found family aspect of books and having fun friends along for the ride always makes things more fun. These girls are alot of fun !!! Having her super hot body guard who is secretly totally obsessed with her shadowing her every move was so much hot tension. The dynamic between the two was alot of fun and things progressed and the story unfolded. I also loved that this was a HEA.
Favorite Quote: "Thank you, Raelan. Truly." And now she's using my name. Again. I really wish she'd stop doing that. Its more powerful than any spell she could cast over me.
This book has:
Body Guard and Ward
Touch her and die
Found Family
He falls first
Hidden Identity
Politics
Magic Academy
June 6, 2025
Cozy. Great for an evening after a long day of teaching.
🐉 witch x dragon shifter
🐉 princess x guard
🐉 he falls first
🐉 dual POV / first person narration
🐉 forced proximity
🐉 magic academy
🐉 romantasy
🐉 witch x dragon shifter
🐉 princess x guard
🐉 he falls first
🐉 dual POV / first person narration
🐉 forced proximity
🐉 magic academy
🐉 romantasy
October 6, 2025
**ℜ𝔢𝔳𝔦𝔢𝔴** 𝔄 𝔚𝔦𝔱𝔠𝔥 𝔞𝔫𝔡 ℌ𝔢𝔯 𝔇𝔯𝔞𝔤𝔬𝔫 𝔟𝔶 𝔈𝔪𝔟𝔢𝔯𝔩𝔶 𝔚𝔶𝔫𝔡𝔥𝔞𝔪 (ℭ𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔫 ℭ𝔯𝔢𝔰𝔱 𝔄𝔠𝔞𝔡𝔢𝔪𝔶 #1)
Release Date: June 3, 2025
4⭐️4🌶
This book was everything you could want in a Dark Acadamia book. With four inseparable roommates/witches and a forbidden romance, what more could you want? While Alina goes from class to class with her 3 best friends, Raelan, her body guard, trails behind her every step until it drives her slightly mad.
Princess Alina Ravenscroft has wanted to go to the Coven Crest Academy to hone her witchcraft ever since she was old enough to understand that there was a school for witches. At the age of 18, she applies for the Academy and is immediately accepted. She thought she was applying without her grandfather aka King Jorgick Ravenscroft knowledge; however, it turns out he knew the whole time and had his lead witch advisor help pick her roommates. Everything couldn't be more perfect, until the King announces that she shan't go to the Academy without a bodyguard.
Raelan Ashvale is one of King Jorick's most trusted guards and a dragon shifter. Ever since he was 11 years old the King has taken him under his wing and provided him with the means to bind his shifter magic until he was able to control it and not harm anyone. For this gift and for his trusted position within the guard, Raelan has given the King his unwavering loyalty and the King has also provided his mother and sisters with a safe and proper place to stay.
However, upon Princess Alina's 15 birthday, Raelan learned that she was his fated mate. He's been able to stay away from her and resist his dragon's urges to make her his. But now that he's been assigned as her personal guard while at school, he doubts he'll be able to control his dragon for long.
I can't wait for read more of Alina, Lyra, Maeve, and Poppy and all of their adventures!
Themes/Tropes:
🍁Fated Mates
🍁Cozy Fantasy
🍁Cottage Core
🍁Magic School aka HP Vibes
🍁Body guard romance
🍁Forbidden Romance
🍁Sister witches/best friends
🍁Dragon Shifter Romance
🍁Paranormal Romance
🍁Getting in trouble at school
TW:
✨Sexual Content
✨Paranormal Romance
✨Shifter Romance
✨Kidnapping
Release Date: June 3, 2025
4⭐️4🌶
This book was everything you could want in a Dark Acadamia book. With four inseparable roommates/witches and a forbidden romance, what more could you want? While Alina goes from class to class with her 3 best friends, Raelan, her body guard, trails behind her every step until it drives her slightly mad.
Princess Alina Ravenscroft has wanted to go to the Coven Crest Academy to hone her witchcraft ever since she was old enough to understand that there was a school for witches. At the age of 18, she applies for the Academy and is immediately accepted. She thought she was applying without her grandfather aka King Jorgick Ravenscroft knowledge; however, it turns out he knew the whole time and had his lead witch advisor help pick her roommates. Everything couldn't be more perfect, until the King announces that she shan't go to the Academy without a bodyguard.
Raelan Ashvale is one of King Jorick's most trusted guards and a dragon shifter. Ever since he was 11 years old the King has taken him under his wing and provided him with the means to bind his shifter magic until he was able to control it and not harm anyone. For this gift and for his trusted position within the guard, Raelan has given the King his unwavering loyalty and the King has also provided his mother and sisters with a safe and proper place to stay.
However, upon Princess Alina's 15 birthday, Raelan learned that she was his fated mate. He's been able to stay away from her and resist his dragon's urges to make her his. But now that he's been assigned as her personal guard while at school, he doubts he'll be able to control his dragon for long.
I can't wait for read more of Alina, Lyra, Maeve, and Poppy and all of their adventures!
Themes/Tropes:
🍁Fated Mates
🍁Cozy Fantasy
🍁Cottage Core
🍁Magic School aka HP Vibes
🍁Body guard romance
🍁Forbidden Romance
🍁Sister witches/best friends
🍁Dragon Shifter Romance
🍁Paranormal Romance
🍁Getting in trouble at school
TW:
✨Sexual Content
✨Paranormal Romance
✨Shifter Romance
✨Kidnapping
May 24, 2025
This was a solid 4.5 star read. I think the main characters were well thought out and had rounded character arcs. I love the tension and the forbidden romance aspect of this book. And at the end, a nice comfy cozy HEA. My only complaint is that almost all of the characters have the same names as other famous fantasy book characters which pulled me out of the world a bit.
Props to NetGalley for the eARC of this book.
Props to NetGalley for the eARC of this book.
October 27, 2025
3.75⭐️
“She is the only thing I truly needed. I’ve needed her all along. To calm me. To control me. To own me”
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆
🐉 fated mated
❄️witch FMC x dragon MMC
🐉 bodyguard x princess
❄️magic academy
🐉 he falls first and harder
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆
This was a quick read perfect if you wanna a pallet cleanser or just want to enjoy a short quick read . I loved the main characters and the magic system was easy to understand
The MMC was so obsessed with her and yearned to be with her for 3 years! He was such a cutie around her and his family.
The FMC was sweet and kind. I loved her stubbornness and the way she got what she wanted. Her friends and the MMC’s family were a great addition; I liked them.
“She is the only thing I truly needed. I’ve needed her all along. To calm me. To control me. To own me”
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆
🐉 fated mated
❄️witch FMC x dragon MMC
🐉 bodyguard x princess
❄️magic academy
🐉 he falls first and harder
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆
This was a quick read perfect if you wanna a pallet cleanser or just want to enjoy a short quick read . I loved the main characters and the magic system was easy to understand
The MMC was so obsessed with her and yearned to be with her for 3 years! He was such a cutie around her and his family.
The FMC was sweet and kind. I loved her stubbornness and the way she got what she wanted. Her friends and the MMC’s family were a great addition; I liked them.
June 2, 2025
4.5 🌟
"....it’s my job to protect her, even if that means keeping young men and their twisted thoughts away from her.
'What about my twisted thoughts?'
It’s not lost on me that I’m the most dangerous thing here." (Ch 8)
Princess Alina gets accepted into the coveted Coven Crest Academy. It's her dream to learn to control her magic and to become a powerful frost witch.
The king, Alina's grandfather, assigns a palace guard, Raelan, to be the princess' bodyguard. But Raelan has secrets that he must keep hidden and contained; he is a dragon shifter, AND Alina is his fated mate. It's torture to be around her. His beast is a terror, fighting to be released whenever she is around.
Resigning to her grandfather's conditions to attend the academy, Alina reluctantly accepts her new and most confusing brooding shadow.
It is an agonizing struggle for Raelan. He wants nothing, but to put her at a distance, yet she is clueless. She barely acknowledges him, but when she does, it's to direct her anger toward him or to look at him, it's as if she thinks something is truly wrong with him.
"“I’m just saying, he watches you like he wants to eat you,” Lyra says. She twists a curl around her finger. “I’m pretty jealous, to be honest."” (Ch 11)
Can he survive grappling daily between his dragon’s desires to claim his mate and his need to get away from her lure and intoxicating scent? Can he keep her safe?
"When she looks up at me, her brow is furrowed, her eyes burning with blue fire. And it does something to me. It makes me want to crush my mouth to hers, to run my tongue along her lips until they’re no longer twisted into such an angry scowl." (Ch 10)
Will she ever warm up to him?
A protector who doesn't want to protect, a protectee who wants freedom from her royal constraints. There is resistance and denial, a whole lot of it. There is jealousy, unbidden and unwanted in both parties. A dragon that wants to break free from its chains. Lots of internal conflict, but when that morphs into something more, when the frost thaws, when they give in... there is only heat and danger.
This one, I wouldn't call it cozy, exactly. It"s full of tension, much less sweet and cute, more the need for cold showers because of all the denial and evading. Plus, the added bonus of an unexpected different kind of threat and a sinister plot.
Though part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.
eARC courtesy of The Cozy Coven, Emberly Wyndham, and BookSprout
"....it’s my job to protect her, even if that means keeping young men and their twisted thoughts away from her.
'What about my twisted thoughts?'
It’s not lost on me that I’m the most dangerous thing here." (Ch 8)
Princess Alina gets accepted into the coveted Coven Crest Academy. It's her dream to learn to control her magic and to become a powerful frost witch.
The king, Alina's grandfather, assigns a palace guard, Raelan, to be the princess' bodyguard. But Raelan has secrets that he must keep hidden and contained; he is a dragon shifter, AND Alina is his fated mate. It's torture to be around her. His beast is a terror, fighting to be released whenever she is around.
Resigning to her grandfather's conditions to attend the academy, Alina reluctantly accepts her new and most confusing brooding shadow.
It is an agonizing struggle for Raelan. He wants nothing, but to put her at a distance, yet she is clueless. She barely acknowledges him, but when she does, it's to direct her anger toward him or to look at him, it's as if she thinks something is truly wrong with him.
"“I’m just saying, he watches you like he wants to eat you,” Lyra says. She twists a curl around her finger. “I’m pretty jealous, to be honest."” (Ch 11)
Can he survive grappling daily between his dragon’s desires to claim his mate and his need to get away from her lure and intoxicating scent? Can he keep her safe?
"When she looks up at me, her brow is furrowed, her eyes burning with blue fire. And it does something to me. It makes me want to crush my mouth to hers, to run my tongue along her lips until they’re no longer twisted into such an angry scowl." (Ch 10)
Will she ever warm up to him?
A protector who doesn't want to protect, a protectee who wants freedom from her royal constraints. There is resistance and denial, a whole lot of it. There is jealousy, unbidden and unwanted in both parties. A dragon that wants to break free from its chains. Lots of internal conflict, but when that morphs into something more, when the frost thaws, when they give in... there is only heat and danger.
This one, I wouldn't call it cozy, exactly. It"s full of tension, much less sweet and cute, more the need for cold showers because of all the denial and evading. Plus, the added bonus of an unexpected different kind of threat and a sinister plot.
Though part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.
eARC courtesy of The Cozy Coven, Emberly Wyndham, and BookSprout
May 26, 2025
Thank you for the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review!
2,5⭐️
I was initially drawn to A Witch and Her Dragon by its intriguing premise—a slow-burn romance between a dragon shifter and a witch promised a compelling blend of fantasy and emotion. The setup had great potential, and I appreciated that the writing style was straightforward, making it an easy and quick read.
However, while the book leaned heavily into the romantic elements, I found myself wishing for a stronger emphasis on the fantasy worldbuilding and the academic aspects hinted at in the blurb. These elements felt underdeveloped, leaving the plot somewhat thin and lacking in depth.
My biggest issue, though, lies with the romance itself. The mate bond forming when the female main character was just 15 years old was deeply uncomfortable to read. While the physical relationship doesn’t begin until she is 18, the dynamic still felt inappropriate and unsettling, especially given that this is a fantasy world where the author had the freedom to craft a less problematic age gap. The scenes surrounding her first sexual experience were particularly difficult to get through and tainted my overall enjoyment of the book.
While the story had promise, the execution—particularly regarding the romantic storyline—ultimately made this a miss for me.
2,5⭐️
I was initially drawn to A Witch and Her Dragon by its intriguing premise—a slow-burn romance between a dragon shifter and a witch promised a compelling blend of fantasy and emotion. The setup had great potential, and I appreciated that the writing style was straightforward, making it an easy and quick read.
However, while the book leaned heavily into the romantic elements, I found myself wishing for a stronger emphasis on the fantasy worldbuilding and the academic aspects hinted at in the blurb. These elements felt underdeveloped, leaving the plot somewhat thin and lacking in depth.
My biggest issue, though, lies with the romance itself. The mate bond forming when the female main character was just 15 years old was deeply uncomfortable to read. While the physical relationship doesn’t begin until she is 18, the dynamic still felt inappropriate and unsettling, especially given that this is a fantasy world where the author had the freedom to craft a less problematic age gap. The scenes surrounding her first sexual experience were particularly difficult to get through and tainted my overall enjoyment of the book.
While the story had promise, the execution—particularly regarding the romantic storyline—ultimately made this a miss for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2025
This was an entertaining read and the story had me turning pages…. This one tended more towards romance with fantasy not fantasy with romance and my preference falls in the latter so it felt a bit more relationship heavy than I preferred. And I wanted more dragon for sure!
I may read the others in this series.
Thanks to the publisher for the chance to read early
I may read the others in this series.
Thanks to the publisher for the chance to read early
June 19, 2025
4’5/5⭐️ First of all, thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an arc of “A witch and her dragon”. Omg, i absolutely loved this book!! Books related to dragons are always my weakness, and this book didn’t disappoint! The only reason I don’t give this book 5 stars is because it was a bit too spicy for my liking and because I wish the story between Alina and Raelan was longer…But nonetheless, I couldn’t put this book down, highly recommend if you want a romance book between a witch and her dragon!
January 1, 2026
Some books are like ‘go with the flow’ this one was like that. So easy to follow and I loved it.
I adore bodyguard/ Knight x Princess trope. Add in some dark gothic vibe, amazing friends group, with academic setting and yearning, you got a winner.
Raelan knew since a couple of years that Alina is his soulmate. But due to many reasons he decides to keep it secret. I really like him. He was honourable and deliciously broody. Princess Alina was my favourite! She was sweet and bold and not afraid to go after what she wants.
I enjoyed the writing style too.
I didn’t give it more stars because it was implied that Raelan wasn’t celibate after knowing Alina was his soulmate. In his defence he believed there was no future for them but I didn’t like it nevertheless.
Read if you like;
-Bodyguard x princess.
-Witch x Dragon.
-Forced proximity, Yearning.
-KU, safe and recommended.
I received an advance review copy and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
I adore bodyguard/ Knight x Princess trope. Add in some dark gothic vibe, amazing friends group, with academic setting and yearning, you got a winner.
Raelan knew since a couple of years that Alina is his soulmate. But due to many reasons he decides to keep it secret. I really like him. He was honourable and deliciously broody. Princess Alina was my favourite! She was sweet and bold and not afraid to go after what she wants.
I enjoyed the writing style too.
I didn’t give it more stars because it was implied that Raelan wasn’t celibate after knowing Alina was his soulmate. In his defence he believed there was no future for them but I didn’t like it nevertheless.
Read if you like;
-Bodyguard x princess.
-Witch x Dragon.
-Forced proximity, Yearning.
-KU, safe and recommended.
I received an advance review copy and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
July 16, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 spice
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Ok, where do I start? First off, I really like the writing style — how it was written was smooth and easy to read. It really surprised me when I started how easily I just slipped into the book, and I loved getting to see the two POVs in the story. Sometimes when I’m reading a book and there are too many POV switches, it can get confusing and frustrating, but nope, that did not happen here. There were only two POVs, and it was so amazing getting a clear view and understanding of who you were reading about. It was just so easy to read that honestly, I zoomed through the book within a few short hours. I normally know how much I’ll like a book by how fast I read it, and I ate this book up like I was starving.
Now, the storyline in the book is easy to follow and not overly complicated like some books where you have to reread parts and take notes. Not this one! It was beautifully clear and had me totally invested in what was going on, feeling emotional and even sad for the characters. If a book makes me feel things, I know it’s good. The world is great — not over-detailed to the point where it’s complicated and makes you dizzy trying to follow, but still so nicely done that my brain could visualize it and get swept up in the story.
If I had to pick something that really made this book outstanding, it has to be how the author wrote family. I have read many books where the family part is either barely touched on or just a few words between characters, but this author really outdid themselves and gave me such warmth and a big smile with the interactions and how loved ones dealt with things. I was left feeling overwhelmingly happy. ❤️👨👩👧👦
Overall, I could not have asked for a better book. I loved everything about it, and in truth, I normally try to find things I don’t like, but it was really hard. There was detailed spice, but it did not overtake or overshadow the storyline. There was a mix of different elements going on that added to the story without bogging it down. If I had to be really nitpicky and find one thing I didn’t like, it might be the time jumping, but even that was so well done and clear that I knew what was happening, so I can’t even complain about that. So, I totally have to give this book 5 well-earned ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!! 🎉🎉
Anyone who likes a smooth, easy read that has enough going on to keep you gripped and smiling like a fool at 3am, and kicking your feet while blushing over breakfast — this is for you! 😍📖☕️
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 spice
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Ok, where do I start? First off, I really like the writing style — how it was written was smooth and easy to read. It really surprised me when I started how easily I just slipped into the book, and I loved getting to see the two POVs in the story. Sometimes when I’m reading a book and there are too many POV switches, it can get confusing and frustrating, but nope, that did not happen here. There were only two POVs, and it was so amazing getting a clear view and understanding of who you were reading about. It was just so easy to read that honestly, I zoomed through the book within a few short hours. I normally know how much I’ll like a book by how fast I read it, and I ate this book up like I was starving.
Now, the storyline in the book is easy to follow and not overly complicated like some books where you have to reread parts and take notes. Not this one! It was beautifully clear and had me totally invested in what was going on, feeling emotional and even sad for the characters. If a book makes me feel things, I know it’s good. The world is great — not over-detailed to the point where it’s complicated and makes you dizzy trying to follow, but still so nicely done that my brain could visualize it and get swept up in the story.
If I had to pick something that really made this book outstanding, it has to be how the author wrote family. I have read many books where the family part is either barely touched on or just a few words between characters, but this author really outdid themselves and gave me such warmth and a big smile with the interactions and how loved ones dealt with things. I was left feeling overwhelmingly happy. ❤️👨👩👧👦
Overall, I could not have asked for a better book. I loved everything about it, and in truth, I normally try to find things I don’t like, but it was really hard. There was detailed spice, but it did not overtake or overshadow the storyline. There was a mix of different elements going on that added to the story without bogging it down. If I had to be really nitpicky and find one thing I didn’t like, it might be the time jumping, but even that was so well done and clear that I knew what was happening, so I can’t even complain about that. So, I totally have to give this book 5 well-earned ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!! 🎉🎉
Anyone who likes a smooth, easy read that has enough going on to keep you gripped and smiling like a fool at 3am, and kicking your feet while blushing over breakfast — this is for you! 😍📖☕️
June 2, 2025
Such a super adorable, cozy sweet lil book, with a lil dose of spice and a fun plot. Burned right through it in one day. I enjoyed the characters and looooved the cozy details. I felt as though I was at the academy myself. Looking forward to the next installments and to learn more about the other characters!
Thank you NetGalley for this eARC.
Thank you NetGalley for this eARC.
June 20, 2025
I have to say that I wasn't expecting much from this book but I'm still disappointed. Overall, this is a fairly fast-paced romance, albeit one that takes place over several months. I was looking for a story with dragons and although there is one here, it's as if he wasn't there, as his presence is so unimpressive.
If there's one thing I didn't like, it's that the female protagonist is barely 18 years old (17 I believe) but there are lots of sex scenes between the two characters, and from the first chapter with Raelan's pov, he's sexualising her.
The dialogue isn't outstanding, and neither are the characters. Alina's friends are there without really being there, as are their pets. Yet as soon as I saw that each character was given a familiar, I was excited to see them interact, except that they are mentioned but serve no purpose in the story.
The magical universe was barely developed. What do you mean, the way you tell witches from humans is by the colour of their hair? It could have been developed further, even if the idea isn't bad in itself (like the familiars, once again). I feel like the book was just used to write sex scenes between two characters barely out of their teens, under the guise of beloved tropes like fated mates and forced proximity.
Thank you to Emberly Wyndham and BookSirens for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
If there's one thing I didn't like, it's that the female protagonist is barely 18 years old (17 I believe) but there are lots of sex scenes between the two characters, and from the first chapter with Raelan's pov, he's sexualising her.
The dialogue isn't outstanding, and neither are the characters. Alina's friends are there without really being there, as are their pets. Yet as soon as I saw that each character was given a familiar, I was excited to see them interact, except that they are mentioned but serve no purpose in the story.
The magical universe was barely developed. What do you mean, the way you tell witches from humans is by the colour of their hair? It could have been developed further, even if the idea isn't bad in itself (like the familiars, once again). I feel like the book was just used to write sex scenes between two characters barely out of their teens, under the guise of beloved tropes like fated mates and forced proximity.
Thank you to Emberly Wyndham and BookSirens for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
June 2, 2025
A Witch and Her Dragon is a cute cozy fantasy romance, featuring a princess heading to a magic academy to develop her magic skills and her assigned personal guard who happens to be a dragon shifter… and her mate!
If you love cozy fantasy with romance and a bit of spice, this may be the book for you!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing the eARC for this book!
If you love cozy fantasy with romance and a bit of spice, this may be the book for you!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing the eARC for this book!
July 6, 2025
⭐3.5-star review:
I received A Witch and Her Dragon as an ARC from NetGalley, and overall, it was a fun and cozy read that had a lot of charm—even if it didn’t fully knock me off my feet. The magical academy setting, dragon shifter bodyguard, and fated mates trope hit a lot of the right notes for me. I really liked the idea of Alina trying to forge her path despite being the king’s granddaughter, and her drive to prove herself beyond her lineage made her easy to root for.
Raelan is your classic broody protector with a secret (hello, dragon shifter!), and the dynamic between him and Alina definitely leans into the slow-burn fated-mates tension. Their chemistry builds nicely, though there were moments where the pacing lagged and I found myself wishing for a bit more urgency or plot movement. Still, the tension was sweet and satisfying, especially if you enjoy the “I want her but I can’t have her” kind of inner turmoil.
The story felt more cozy than action-heavy, which was a nice surprise, but I do think the worldbuilding could’ve been a little deeper in places. That said, the writing is accessible and the vibes are warm, magical, and romantic—which is exactly what I was looking for at the time.
If you’re into magical schools, dragon shifters, and soft, slow-burn fantasy romance with a touch of spice, A Witch and Her Dragon is a lovely start to what looks like a promising series. I’m curious to see where the rest of the Coven Crest world goes!
I received A Witch and Her Dragon as an ARC from NetGalley, and overall, it was a fun and cozy read that had a lot of charm—even if it didn’t fully knock me off my feet. The magical academy setting, dragon shifter bodyguard, and fated mates trope hit a lot of the right notes for me. I really liked the idea of Alina trying to forge her path despite being the king’s granddaughter, and her drive to prove herself beyond her lineage made her easy to root for.
Raelan is your classic broody protector with a secret (hello, dragon shifter!), and the dynamic between him and Alina definitely leans into the slow-burn fated-mates tension. Their chemistry builds nicely, though there were moments where the pacing lagged and I found myself wishing for a bit more urgency or plot movement. Still, the tension was sweet and satisfying, especially if you enjoy the “I want her but I can’t have her” kind of inner turmoil.
The story felt more cozy than action-heavy, which was a nice surprise, but I do think the worldbuilding could’ve been a little deeper in places. That said, the writing is accessible and the vibes are warm, magical, and romantic—which is exactly what I was looking for at the time.
If you’re into magical schools, dragon shifters, and soft, slow-burn fantasy romance with a touch of spice, A Witch and Her Dragon is a lovely start to what looks like a promising series. I’m curious to see where the rest of the Coven Crest world goes!
June 8, 2025
3.75★
It was so entertaining and fast paced. Loved the academia settings!
The cover is stunning! (is my fav color so I kight be impartial haha).
I would have loved more academia in-depth and probably will get more next book!
I loved the scenario and friends but somehow I ended up with so many questions.
Who was yhe one that asked to kidnap Raelan?
Why Alina's father is mentioned but we get just a glimpse of him?
Also, what about Raelan's father?
What happened to Tristan?
It ends like a HEA but there is a second book on the series, will it be about Alina and Raelan, or maybe some characters that we already know about or new?
The end was a little chaotic and seemed like rushed that is why I ended up with 3.75★ instead of 4.25★ as it seemed it will be but will I read the 2nd book? of course!
Will I recommend it? yes. It was the perfect book for me after a really heavy fantasy book I read before this one.
I got the amazing opportunity to get my hands in the advance reader copy thanks to NetGalley for an honest review.
It was so entertaining and fast paced. Loved the academia settings!
The cover is stunning! (is my fav color so I kight be impartial haha).
I would have loved more academia in-depth and probably will get more next book!
I loved the scenario and friends but somehow I ended up with so many questions.
Who was yhe one that asked to kidnap Raelan?
Why Alina's father is mentioned but we get just a glimpse of him?
Also, what about Raelan's father?
What happened to Tristan?
It ends like a HEA but there is a second book on the series, will it be about Alina and Raelan, or maybe some characters that we already know about or new?
The end was a little chaotic and seemed like rushed that is why I ended up with 3.75★ instead of 4.25★ as it seemed it will be but will I read the 2nd book? of course!
Will I recommend it? yes. It was the perfect book for me after a really heavy fantasy book I read before this one.
I got the amazing opportunity to get my hands in the advance reader copy thanks to NetGalley for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2025
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Witch and Her Dragon
Author: Emberly Wyndham
I am not missing when it comes to cozy fantasy reads this year. Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing for my copy! Princess Alina finally gets the chance to attend Coven Crest Academy to practice her magic. The king agrees, but only if she brings a knight with her as a bodyguard. Raelan is assigned the task, but he holds a massive secret… he’s a dragon shifter, and Alina is his fated mate. Each day brings a new challenge as he struggles to resist the bond pulling him toward her. This book had everything I love in a fantasy romance. We get bodyguard tension, magic academy vibes, elemental powers, familiars, and more. What really made this one shine as a cozy fantasy was the perfect mix of plot and warm, fuzzy moments. The characters were fantastic, and I cannot wait for book two!
A Witch and Her Dragon
Author: Emberly Wyndham
I am not missing when it comes to cozy fantasy reads this year. Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing for my copy! Princess Alina finally gets the chance to attend Coven Crest Academy to practice her magic. The king agrees, but only if she brings a knight with her as a bodyguard. Raelan is assigned the task, but he holds a massive secret… he’s a dragon shifter, and Alina is his fated mate. Each day brings a new challenge as he struggles to resist the bond pulling him toward her. This book had everything I love in a fantasy romance. We get bodyguard tension, magic academy vibes, elemental powers, familiars, and more. What really made this one shine as a cozy fantasy was the perfect mix of plot and warm, fuzzy moments. The characters were fantastic, and I cannot wait for book two!
May 26, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advance review copy!
I had a really good time with A Witch and Her Dragon. The FMC and MMC were both likeable and interesting. Most side characters felt three dimensional as well. I would have liked to see more interaction between the FMC and her animal familiar as that the only relationship that felt a bit lacking to me. Decent world building that I'm hoping is expanded as the series continues. Overall, a fun quick read!
This was my first book from Emberly Wyndham but I'll be checking our her other works for sure.
I had a really good time with A Witch and Her Dragon. The FMC and MMC were both likeable and interesting. Most side characters felt three dimensional as well. I would have liked to see more interaction between the FMC and her animal familiar as that the only relationship that felt a bit lacking to me. Decent world building that I'm hoping is expanded as the series continues. Overall, a fun quick read!
This was my first book from Emberly Wyndham but I'll be checking our her other works for sure.
June 4, 2025
i am so pleased that i got an arc for this book! it was so cosy and i loved the dynamic of it! the emotions is so real and the bond between Alina and Raelan was so fun to read about! AND YUKI?? U HAVE TALKING ANIMALS? i loved that little bonus of this! i even loved the feeling of the harry potter vibes of this with the academy and the magic! i definitely need more books with dragons and this book did not disappoint!
May 26, 2025
4.25 ⭐
So grateful for the ARC of this story!
it was a delightful romance story 😍. I had a really great time with it.
So grateful for the ARC of this story!
it was a delightful romance story 😍. I had a really great time with it.
May 29, 2025
Original review at Gabic Reads. eARC received from Book Sirens in exchange for an honest review.
This is a nice fast-paced cozy romantasy that is fairly low stakes. It was a quick read that was fun to read in between all the heavy books I've been reading lately. Alina and Raelan are cute together. I love the spirit companions too and wish we had seen more of Yuki. I love a sassy fox!
I do wish Alina and Raelan's relationship had been developed more. There was a lot of yearning (which I love) but not a lot of talking and getting to know each other. And Alina would keep asking her friends why Raelan was so hesitant and everytime she got the same logical answer that she never took to heart and confronted.
I think this is a fun read for anybody looking for a low stakes spicy romantasy.
This is a nice fast-paced cozy romantasy that is fairly low stakes. It was a quick read that was fun to read in between all the heavy books I've been reading lately. Alina and Raelan are cute together. I love the spirit companions too and wish we had seen more of Yuki. I love a sassy fox!
I do wish Alina and Raelan's relationship had been developed more. There was a lot of yearning (which I love) but not a lot of talking and getting to know each other. And Alina would keep asking her friends why Raelan was so hesitant and everytime she got the same logical answer that she never took to heart and confronted.
I think this is a fun read for anybody looking for a low stakes spicy romantasy.
October 8, 2025
it's okay to keep pushing for someone to get physical with you even if he says "no" 5,000 times and has VERY GOOD REASONS that you ignore because you're fucking selfish. then have the fucking audacity to be like "he was just using me" when he's forced to leave because you're an asshole. That's our female protagonist. 1/5, only redeemable because there was a fox.
June 1, 2025
"A Witch and Her Dragon" is a dual point of view, first person, romantasy following Princess Alina as she attends her college years at magic school. Her grandfather's only stipulation is that she bring a guard with her, Raelan, a dragon shifter who has kept a dangerous secret for years...that princess Alina is actually his dragon mate.
I can see this book being popular on kindle unlimited or in a romantasy box subscription. It follows very generic tropes, such as fated mates, forbidden lovers, etc. While it was a fast paced read, ultimately it was pretty unoriginal and predictable. The dragon shifter can't be with his one true mate due to her being a princess, chaos ensues, you can guess the ending. The world building was very surface level and again, generic. How can you tell the witches from the normal humans? They have fun colored hair (sky blue, lavender, dark purple) and a magical animal companion. Unfortunately although animal companions are such a cool trope, they were thrown in here just because, barely got an explanation, and didn't play a part in the plot at all. There was also the stereotypical bad guy you could see coming from a mile away, and no real explanation to why they had it out for our 2 main characters (what a plothole!). Another thing that was a little strange was that these characters acted like teenagers (the princess was 18 but acted much younger) and the book read like YA but had quite a few spicy scenes (I'd categorize this at New Adult (NA)). But it was really off-putting to read a book that has the fast pacing and younger acting characters like a YA novel but with many spicy scenes(if you're looking for spiciness rating, it's about the same as fourth wing). Also the amount of times this author uses the phrase "home in on"... I thought I was going to put the book down just for that! She uses this phrase no less than 20 times.
So ultimately this book was not a favorite of mine, but it wasn't bad, just super similar to a million other romantasies. I was able to read it in 2 days and would be good if you're looking for something light and fluffy.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I can see this book being popular on kindle unlimited or in a romantasy box subscription. It follows very generic tropes, such as fated mates, forbidden lovers, etc. While it was a fast paced read, ultimately it was pretty unoriginal and predictable. The dragon shifter can't be with his one true mate due to her being a princess, chaos ensues, you can guess the ending. The world building was very surface level and again, generic. How can you tell the witches from the normal humans? They have fun colored hair (sky blue, lavender, dark purple) and a magical animal companion. Unfortunately although animal companions are such a cool trope, they were thrown in here just because, barely got an explanation, and didn't play a part in the plot at all. There was also the stereotypical bad guy you could see coming from a mile away, and no real explanation to why they had it out for our 2 main characters (what a plothole!). Another thing that was a little strange was that these characters acted like teenagers (the princess was 18 but acted much younger) and the book read like YA but had quite a few spicy scenes (I'd categorize this at New Adult (NA)). But it was really off-putting to read a book that has the fast pacing and younger acting characters like a YA novel but with many spicy scenes(if you're looking for spiciness rating, it's about the same as fourth wing). Also the amount of times this author uses the phrase "home in on"... I thought I was going to put the book down just for that! She uses this phrase no less than 20 times.
So ultimately this book was not a favorite of mine, but it wasn't bad, just super similar to a million other romantasies. I was able to read it in 2 days and would be good if you're looking for something light and fluffy.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 30, 2025
We've all thought about it: What if the princess doesn't fall in love with the prince, but with the dragon? When I saw this book, the title and the synopsis I just had to read it. I requested a review copy through Netgalley and luckily the author granted me a request copy and last week it was finally time to dive in!
This was exactly what I had hoped and expected. From the very first chapter I was sucked in and I kept enjoying the book until the end. That's firstly because the author has a very pleasant and easy to read writing style. It never feels simple, but it's not complicated or flowery either. The chapters are also relatively short, which makes it easy to read just one more chapter.
I personally love that, despite the mate bond being present, the author takes the time for the characters to build a connection. There is certainly some insta-love involved, when it comes to the dragon, but it takes quite some time before they act upon their feelings. I especially liked all those small moments where they were jealous or longing for something, but not entirely sure if they were even allowed to be jealous or longing for it.
I also enjoyed the setting. I can imagine that we'll get a lot more stories set in this universe! And I really hope so! I quite liked the school, I liked the descriptions of the classes and the way the teachers talked about magic. I also liked the friendship between the girls. They are all clearly very different personalities and yet it makes so much sense that they become instant friends! I can't wait to get to know the other girls better. I hope they will each get their own novel!
This was exactly what I had hoped and expected. From the very first chapter I was sucked in and I kept enjoying the book until the end. That's firstly because the author has a very pleasant and easy to read writing style. It never feels simple, but it's not complicated or flowery either. The chapters are also relatively short, which makes it easy to read just one more chapter.
I personally love that, despite the mate bond being present, the author takes the time for the characters to build a connection. There is certainly some insta-love involved, when it comes to the dragon, but it takes quite some time before they act upon their feelings. I especially liked all those small moments where they were jealous or longing for something, but not entirely sure if they were even allowed to be jealous or longing for it.
I also enjoyed the setting. I can imagine that we'll get a lot more stories set in this universe! And I really hope so! I quite liked the school, I liked the descriptions of the classes and the way the teachers talked about magic. I also liked the friendship between the girls. They are all clearly very different personalities and yet it makes so much sense that they become instant friends! I can't wait to get to know the other girls better. I hope they will each get their own novel!
July 31, 2025
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
A witch and her dragon is a cozy, spicy romance with a tiny dash of fantasy.
Alina is a head strong frost witch, and princess who gets into Coven Crest Academy where she hopes to learn to control her magic. Sir Raelan Ashvale is to be her personal guard while she's attending. He's a secret dragon shifter in a land that has hunted down and destroyed most of the dragons, and his dragon is fighting to claim Alina as his fated mate.
The forced proximity of the academy, the head strong princess suffocating under the close watch of her personal guard, and all the attention Alina receives from various students, especially males, brings things to a head, but Raelan has too much to lose. Especially if claiming the Princess will anger the King - his sisters and mother rely on him and the King's generosity.
But while Raelan fights his dragon, danger draws near. Alina is a princess after all, and he's supposed to be keeping her safe, and will stop at nothing to do so.
---------------------------------------
The book is very well written, flows well and has very indepth characters. I liked learning about Alina's roommates, world, the classes at the Academy, and Raelan's family, but this is a very focused spicy romance with a very basic and predictable plot, as is the nature of the cozy romance genre. A nice cozy read with some spice.
---------------------------------------
SPOILERS:
Unanswered Questions which may show up in later books:
- who were the Veiled Hand working for?
- do we ever see Raelan's dad?
- did Raelan ever return the Minotaur's clothes? 😅
I can't wait to read the rest of the Coven Crest Academy!
A witch and her dragon is a cozy, spicy romance with a tiny dash of fantasy.
Alina is a head strong frost witch, and princess who gets into Coven Crest Academy where she hopes to learn to control her magic. Sir Raelan Ashvale is to be her personal guard while she's attending. He's a secret dragon shifter in a land that has hunted down and destroyed most of the dragons, and his dragon is fighting to claim Alina as his fated mate.
The forced proximity of the academy, the head strong princess suffocating under the close watch of her personal guard, and all the attention Alina receives from various students, especially males, brings things to a head, but Raelan has too much to lose. Especially if claiming the Princess will anger the King - his sisters and mother rely on him and the King's generosity.
But while Raelan fights his dragon, danger draws near. Alina is a princess after all, and he's supposed to be keeping her safe, and will stop at nothing to do so.
---------------------------------------
The book is very well written, flows well and has very indepth characters. I liked learning about Alina's roommates, world, the classes at the Academy, and Raelan's family, but this is a very focused spicy romance with a very basic and predictable plot, as is the nature of the cozy romance genre. A nice cozy read with some spice.
---------------------------------------
SPOILERS:
Unanswered Questions which may show up in later books:
- who were the Veiled Hand working for?
- do we ever see Raelan's dad?
- did Raelan ever return the Minotaur's clothes? 😅
I can't wait to read the rest of the Coven Crest Academy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2025
I received this book for free through Booksprout for review purposes.
This book is exactly what it says on the cover: it’s a cozy, spicy, fantasy romance. This is a sweet, low-stakes story with cute main characters surrounded by a group of likeable side characters and their furry familiars, set in a school for witchcraft and wizardry in the fantasy kingdom of Wysteria. This book leans more toward the “romance in a fantasy setting” rather than “fantasy book with a romance plot,” but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that, and it feels like the book was marketed appropriately.
This book is really enjoyable, and I flew through this in a single day. I was absorbed in the relationship between Alina and Raelan, wanting to see how they would wind up acknowledging their feelings for each other, and how they’d be able to be together. I also loved the relationships between Raelan and his family -- it was adorable to see him with his little sisters.
I do have a lingering question about Raelan’s father and why things happened with him and Raelan’s mother the way they did, which I wish had been elaborated on, especially since it factored into why Raelan acted as he did towards Alina. (I don’t want to be too specific and spoil stuff.)
I’m curious about the next book in the series. I know these are an interconnected series of standalones, and I can’t help but wonder if Alina and Raelan feature as side characters when we return to Coven Crest Academy in “A Witch and Her Minotaur” come October.
This book is exactly what it says on the cover: it’s a cozy, spicy, fantasy romance. This is a sweet, low-stakes story with cute main characters surrounded by a group of likeable side characters and their furry familiars, set in a school for witchcraft and wizardry in the fantasy kingdom of Wysteria. This book leans more toward the “romance in a fantasy setting” rather than “fantasy book with a romance plot,” but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that, and it feels like the book was marketed appropriately.
This book is really enjoyable, and I flew through this in a single day. I was absorbed in the relationship between Alina and Raelan, wanting to see how they would wind up acknowledging their feelings for each other, and how they’d be able to be together. I also loved the relationships between Raelan and his family -- it was adorable to see him with his little sisters.
I do have a lingering question about Raelan’s father and why things happened with him and Raelan’s mother the way they did, which I wish had been elaborated on, especially since it factored into why Raelan acted as he did towards Alina. (I don’t want to be too specific and spoil stuff.)
I’m curious about the next book in the series. I know these are an interconnected series of standalones, and I can’t help but wonder if Alina and Raelan feature as side characters when we return to Coven Crest Academy in “A Witch and Her Minotaur” come October.
May 20, 2025
Where do I begin with ‘A Witch and Her Dragon’? I have so much I want to say, but it doesn’t want to organize—which is very frustrating, because this book was nothing short of ah-MAZING.
The MCs were subtly flawed, believable, perfect in their insecurities, and gorgeous. Alina was subconsciously, obsessively drawn to Raelan. While Raelan, knowing for the last 3 years she was his fated mate, was simply obsessed—but knew he couldn’t act on it.
They find their happily ever after, of course. But, man that road was rough. Well earned. Well done. I look forward to the next book! Fingers crossed for one of her sorority sisters …
*** Recommended ***
HEA/Cliffhanger:
* HEA
Series:
* Book 1 of Coven Crest Academy
Epilogue:
* Yes
MMC:
* Raelan
FMC:
* Alina
Tropes:
* Cozy spicy fantasy romance
* Magical academy
* Forced proximity
* Enemies to lovers
* Witch x Dragon shifter
* He falls first
* Royalty romance
Triggers:
* 18+
* Sex
* Violence
* Death
* Kidnapping
* Drugging
* Immuring
* Language
Burn Speed:
* Medium - ish
Spice Level:
* 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The MCs were subtly flawed, believable, perfect in their insecurities, and gorgeous. Alina was subconsciously, obsessively drawn to Raelan. While Raelan, knowing for the last 3 years she was his fated mate, was simply obsessed—but knew he couldn’t act on it.
They find their happily ever after, of course. But, man that road was rough. Well earned. Well done. I look forward to the next book! Fingers crossed for one of her sorority sisters …
*** Recommended ***
HEA/Cliffhanger:
* HEA
Series:
* Book 1 of Coven Crest Academy
Epilogue:
* Yes
MMC:
* Raelan
FMC:
* Alina
Tropes:
* Cozy spicy fantasy romance
* Magical academy
* Forced proximity
* Enemies to lovers
* Witch x Dragon shifter
* He falls first
* Royalty romance
Triggers:
* 18+
* Sex
* Violence
* Death
* Kidnapping
* Drugging
* Immuring
* Language
Burn Speed:
* Medium - ish
Spice Level:
* 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 31, 2025
A Witch and Her Dragon is a fantasy romance story, and as its name suggests, it's about Alina, a princess and witch, and Raelan, a knight but above all a shapeshifter, a dragon. Through the twists of fate, they end up united beyond a working relationship. Honestly, I didn't know what to expect from this novel. At first, the synopsis caught my attention and I thought, "Why not give it a chance?" Then I discovered it was spicy and I was afraid of what I would find. But it was a pleasant surprise. When I started reading the story from the beginning, it captivated me, to the point that it took me 24 hours to finish it! A light but fun novel, ideal for when you find yourself with a reading block (yes, my last reading left me so upset that I needed something that wouldn't make me cry).
I must emphasize that I loved that the characters did communicate at all, that Alina literally learned Raelan's secret halfway through the book, because here we love it when the characters communicate and tell each other they love each other (even though they can't be together).
But if there was one thing I missed, it was the explanation of who and why they loved Raelan. Then I saw that this is the first book, so I suppose that will be revealed in the sequel. I'm eagerly awaiting the continuation of the book. 100% recommended.
Thanks to Emberly Wyndham, the publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.
I must emphasize that I loved that the characters did communicate at all, that Alina literally learned Raelan's secret halfway through the book, because here we love it when the characters communicate and tell each other they love each other (even though they can't be together).
But if there was one thing I missed, it was the explanation of who and why they loved Raelan. Then I saw that this is the first book, so I suppose that will be revealed in the sequel. I'm eagerly awaiting the continuation of the book. 100% recommended.
Thanks to Emberly Wyndham, the publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2025
Thank you to the publishers for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review!
This was such a pleasant and smooth read; “Cozy spice” was definitely an accurate description. It had me hooked from the beginning, and I loved the dual POV of the two main characters, it made a refreshing change! Definitely more of a Romance in a Fantasy setting, than vise versa. I’d have loved a bit more world building, especially around the magic system and school classes. I also really wanted to know the reasoning behind the stories’ climax!. Also, Alina being the age of 15 when Raelan first realised he was mated to her felt off, especially as it’s not overly obvious of his own age, which I felt could’ve been avoided by a slightly later age-setting of the characters.
However, overall an enjoyable cozy read that I demolished in a day! I loved the spirit familiars; and the other female characters that added some much needed depth. Looking forward to the next one!
This was such a pleasant and smooth read; “Cozy spice” was definitely an accurate description. It had me hooked from the beginning, and I loved the dual POV of the two main characters, it made a refreshing change! Definitely more of a Romance in a Fantasy setting, than vise versa. I’d have loved a bit more world building, especially around the magic system and school classes. I also really wanted to know the reasoning behind the stories’ climax!. Also, Alina being the age of 15 when Raelan first realised he was mated to her felt off, especially as it’s not overly obvious of his own age, which I felt could’ve been avoided by a slightly later age-setting of the characters.
However, overall an enjoyable cozy read that I demolished in a day! I loved the spirit familiars; and the other female characters that added some much needed depth. Looking forward to the next one!
June 2, 2025
“A Witch and Her Dragon” by Emberly Wyndham takes readers on a magical journey full of cozy fantasy vibes, charming characters, and a slow-burning romance at its core. The story follows Princess and witch Alina Ravenscroft, who receives an acceptance to the prestigious Coven Crest Academy—a dream come true. However, her royal grandfather insists she be accompanied by a personal guard, Raelan Ashvale, who harbors a secret of his own: he’s a rare dragon shifter and Alina’s fated mate.
One of the standout elements of this novel is its enchanting setting. The magical academy nestled within a castle, the warm and welcoming town with its cozy bakery, charming tailor shop, and even a magical sports field—all paint a vivid and immersive world that feels both whimsical and comforting. The world-building is rich with potential, especially for future installments.
The cast of characters is endearing, with friendly human classmates and delightful animal companions that add warmth and humor. The writing style is light and accessible, making the book a quick and enjoyable read. There’s also a touch of spice that adds just enough tension without overpowering the story.
That said, I personally found myself wishing for a bit more depth in certain areas. While Alina and Raelan are likable, their personalities occasionally felt limited, with a strong focus on their internal struggles—Alina dealing with the burden of her royal identity and societal prejudice, and Raelan resisting the pull of their bond. Their relationship is undeniably sweet, but the journey toward it often involved repeated miscommunication that made them feel younger than their age suggested.
Although the overarching plot isn’t overly complex, this book functions well as a cozy romantic fantasy. It may not have hit all the notes I was hoping for, but I can see it being a comforting and delightful read for fans of light academia-style fantasy, magical creatures, and fated mates tropes.
Many thanks to the author Emberly Wyndam and NetGalley for providing me with an advance review copy of this book. I’m grateful for the opportunity to read it early. This does not influence my opinion in any way—all thoughts expressed are entirely my own.
One of the standout elements of this novel is its enchanting setting. The magical academy nestled within a castle, the warm and welcoming town with its cozy bakery, charming tailor shop, and even a magical sports field—all paint a vivid and immersive world that feels both whimsical and comforting. The world-building is rich with potential, especially for future installments.
The cast of characters is endearing, with friendly human classmates and delightful animal companions that add warmth and humor. The writing style is light and accessible, making the book a quick and enjoyable read. There’s also a touch of spice that adds just enough tension without overpowering the story.
That said, I personally found myself wishing for a bit more depth in certain areas. While Alina and Raelan are likable, their personalities occasionally felt limited, with a strong focus on their internal struggles—Alina dealing with the burden of her royal identity and societal prejudice, and Raelan resisting the pull of their bond. Their relationship is undeniably sweet, but the journey toward it often involved repeated miscommunication that made them feel younger than their age suggested.
Although the overarching plot isn’t overly complex, this book functions well as a cozy romantic fantasy. It may not have hit all the notes I was hoping for, but I can see it being a comforting and delightful read for fans of light academia-style fantasy, magical creatures, and fated mates tropes.
Many thanks to the author Emberly Wyndam and NetGalley for providing me with an advance review copy of this book. I’m grateful for the opportunity to read it early. This does not influence my opinion in any way—all thoughts expressed are entirely my own.
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