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Finding His Hen: A Falling Fowl Novella
Drake
Loneliness is a great motivator.
I'm normally not one to go against the status quo. I work hard and bring money to my community and I’m extremely proud to do it. But years of only having steady companionship during mating season is getting old and though no one else seems to understand my desire for a partner to keep as my own I don’t care. This duck is ready to find his one and only. Can I push back my instincts and find my person to love?
Penelope
Can I let go of my father’s legacy?
My life has been on a well structured path since I was young. Taking over my fathers company. It’s all I have worked for my entire life, so when he suddenly dies and the board shoves me out I’m angry and looking for my loophole back in. A routine inspection brings me to a small town and there I meet a gorgeous man who makes me wish for more and question everything I believe to be true about my future. Could I find happiness away from everything I have ever known?
Loneliness is a great motivator.
I'm normally not one to go against the status quo. I work hard and bring money to my community and I’m extremely proud to do it. But years of only having steady companionship during mating season is getting old and though no one else seems to understand my desire for a partner to keep as my own I don’t care. This duck is ready to find his one and only. Can I push back my instincts and find my person to love?
Penelope
Can I let go of my father’s legacy?
My life has been on a well structured path since I was young. Taking over my fathers company. It’s all I have worked for my entire life, so when he suddenly dies and the board shoves me out I’m angry and looking for my loophole back in. A routine inspection brings me to a small town and there I meet a gorgeous man who makes me wish for more and question everything I believe to be true about my future. Could I find happiness away from everything I have ever known?
108 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2025
16 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Aria Maze
4 books27 followersAria Maze lives in Florida with their husband and their two rambunctious kitties. She spends her days avoiding the sunlight, drinking way too many energy drinks, and writing sweet but spicy monster romance. Though she has plans to dabble in a variety of genres, non-human romance has their heart. Author of Finding His Hen, a duck shifter romance, you truly don’t know what she has coming next. Honestly, neither does she.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
February 8, 2026
Drake was such a sweet anxious subby boy with a dadbod. He wanted love so bad and found it with Penelope. Penelope was a sexy pan businessman dealing with loss and a misogynistic corporate board. She rolled with the punches pretty well and found an unexpected path to happiness. It was a very sweet novella.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: misogyny, death of parent, overbearing parent, toxic sibling relationship (interactions are off-page)
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: misogyny, death of parent, overbearing parent, toxic sibling relationship (interactions are off-page)
November 25, 2025
Love shifters love stories never tought to look for a duck shifters romance but I loved it. Very fitting to read it now when Donald Duck as been a big thing in my town.
June 8, 2025
A quacking good time! This was such a sweet read. I am so beyond proud of Aria for this stunning debut! Drake and Penelope were perfect together and that shifter 🤌🏼🔥 DELICIOUS! Submissive men make me moist. Absolutely loved this story and can’t wait for the next one!
December 9, 2025
Huge thanks to Aria Maze for the ARC of Finding His Hen! What a fantastic debut! I can’t wait to see where the series goes next.
This spicy little duck shifter novella was everything I didn’t know I needed! Drake is such a soft, sweet, cinnamon roll of a shifter who just wants more than seasonal companionship and I was rooting for him from the first page. Penelope is strong, driven, and refreshingly open with her wants, and their chemistry was off-the-charts from the moment they met.
The story strikes a perfect balance between tender and spicy, with a real emotional connection that makes the heat hit even harder. I love seeing real people in books, so the anxiety and plus-size rep were so appreciated and felt like a natural part of the story.
A dad bod, a duck shifter, and yes... the corkscrew peen, this book fully committed to the shifter concept in the most unexpectedly delightful way. I’m now officially feral for more in this series!
This spicy little duck shifter novella was everything I didn’t know I needed! Drake is such a soft, sweet, cinnamon roll of a shifter who just wants more than seasonal companionship and I was rooting for him from the first page. Penelope is strong, driven, and refreshingly open with her wants, and their chemistry was off-the-charts from the moment they met.
The story strikes a perfect balance between tender and spicy, with a real emotional connection that makes the heat hit even harder. I love seeing real people in books, so the anxiety and plus-size rep were so appreciated and felt like a natural part of the story.
A dad bod, a duck shifter, and yes... the corkscrew peen, this book fully committed to the shifter concept in the most unexpectedly delightful way. I’m now officially feral for more in this series!
June 9, 2025
This novella was exactly what I wanted—fun, spicy, and full of heart.
Drake is such a sweet, anxious guy just trying to find someone to really share his life with, and I felt for him right away. He’s a duck shifter rocking a dad bod and a corkscrew peen—and yes, somehow that’s exactly my type now. I’m emotionally attached and not even mad about it.
Penelope is a total powerhouse. So confident and in control—she knows what she wants and doesn’t hold back. I loved watching her start to question the life she thought she was supposed to have and lean into something that actually makes her happy.
Their dynamic? So good. She’s dominant, he’s submissive, and their chemistry is FIRE! There’s real trust between them, and the spicy moments don’t just deliver—they mean something. The emotional connection is just as strong as the physical one, which I always appreciate.
It was also really nice to see anxiety rep handled well, and both leads being plus-sized without it being a big “thing”—just part of who they are.
This one’s short, spicy, and packed with feeling. Definitely excited it’s the start of a series because I’m already in.
Drake is such a sweet, anxious guy just trying to find someone to really share his life with, and I felt for him right away. He’s a duck shifter rocking a dad bod and a corkscrew peen—and yes, somehow that’s exactly my type now. I’m emotionally attached and not even mad about it.
Penelope is a total powerhouse. So confident and in control—she knows what she wants and doesn’t hold back. I loved watching her start to question the life she thought she was supposed to have and lean into something that actually makes her happy.
Their dynamic? So good. She’s dominant, he’s submissive, and their chemistry is FIRE! There’s real trust between them, and the spicy moments don’t just deliver—they mean something. The emotional connection is just as strong as the physical one, which I always appreciate.
It was also really nice to see anxiety rep handled well, and both leads being plus-sized without it being a big “thing”—just part of who they are.
This one’s short, spicy, and packed with feeling. Definitely excited it’s the start of a series because I’m already in.
August 31, 2025
4.25 stars. This short story is dual POV, well written, and a sweet and steamy, submissive male duck shifter (Drake)/dominant female human (Penelope), Instalove, contemporary fantasy romance. I enjoyed the steamy intimate scenes, especially the power exchange. I enjoyed Drake’s bashfulness interspersed with moments of confidence and assertiveness and insightfulness. I enjoyed Penelope’s strength and determination to act. I sympathised with her unrealised feeling around her father’s death and appreciated the way Drake supported her in self-discovery, as she helped him with calmness. I enjoyed Penelope’s response to Drake’s duck characteristics and the deepening relationship. I adored the ending and the setup for the next story.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
June 9, 2025
As soon as I read the dedication, I knew this book was for me! I instantly related to Penelope, her super serious work ethic and that she's just an amazing main characters. Drake is the dream book boyfriend, devoted to his community and looking for his one true love, his forever hen 💛
Aria's writing pulled me in immediately and I couldn't put this book down. I loved the Dual pov that let's the Reader get to know the characters more intimately. Not to mention we get to watch each of them falling in love with the other. 💛💛
Oh, and the spice is... delicious! Let me just say, you'll have a new appreciation for a corkscrew. *wink*
It's hard to believe this is a debut novel, it's so well done! Congratulations Aria! And I can't wait to read and love every book you release in the future!
Aria's writing pulled me in immediately and I couldn't put this book down. I loved the Dual pov that let's the Reader get to know the characters more intimately. Not to mention we get to watch each of them falling in love with the other. 💛💛
Oh, and the spice is... delicious! Let me just say, you'll have a new appreciation for a corkscrew. *wink*
It's hard to believe this is a debut novel, it's so well done! Congratulations Aria! And I can't wait to read and love every book you release in the future!
April 15, 2026
you know what? hell yeah
June 24, 2025
Cute and fun quick novella!
As a novella it moves pretty fast but you still get a good chance to see into the characters which was great. The little jumper suit Penelope makes is adorbs and honestly so great. Bonus points for the amazing chapter header that made me giggle.
***this was an ARC
As a novella it moves pretty fast but you still get a good chance to see into the characters which was great. The little jumper suit Penelope makes is adorbs and honestly so great. Bonus points for the amazing chapter header that made me giggle.
***this was an ARC
August 2, 2025
OH MY GOSH THIS NOVELLA WAS TOO CUTE! Ducks are one of my favorite animals & it was really adorable seeing a duck shifter story. Loved the anxiety representation! Super sweet story💕
October 7, 2025
Gleeful Goblin Review: Our MMC is aptly named Drake (technically the term for an adult, male duck!) is man/duck shifter looking for love. Unlike many shifter romances, Drake isn't the dominant party in this story which I always find it's fun to turn a trope on its ear like that. Instead of a six pack, he's a little bit on the fluffier side rocking a dad bod and a pants dwelling corkscrew instead of a knot. He's sweet, earnest, and a bit anxious which is a combination I didn't know I'd love so much until this book, but wow do I ever love it now. He works hard and is a stand up guy in his community but he's not exactly a Wolf of Wall Street power player type. Drake has done fine during m@ting season which is usually just "ducky" but Drake is looking for his forever gal.
Penelope is Drake's opposite in many ways. She's self assured, terrifically business savvy, and isn't shy about knowing and going after *exactly* what she wants. She's also plus sized like Drake is, which I adore in general but especially in this case because we get to see her be an absolute powerhouse in and out of a board room. Penelope knows what she wants...or she thought she did. What if what will make her happy was something she could have never seen coming and definitely wasn't in her 5 year plan.
But sometimes the best things in life aren't what we planned for and that holds true here. I had such a great time with this book I will totally be looking for more from this author. 5/5 Stars
Penelope is Drake's opposite in many ways. She's self assured, terrifically business savvy, and isn't shy about knowing and going after *exactly* what she wants. She's also plus sized like Drake is, which I adore in general but especially in this case because we get to see her be an absolute powerhouse in and out of a board room. Penelope knows what she wants...or she thought she did. What if what will make her happy was something she could have never seen coming and definitely wasn't in her 5 year plan.
But sometimes the best things in life aren't what we planned for and that holds true here. I had such a great time with this book I will totally be looking for more from this author. 5/5 Stars
June 9, 2025
Okay, bird puns and a beautiful love story? Sign me up! Honestly if I didn't already know this was a debut book, I wouldn't believe it if someone told me. It is so well written and masterfully done. Drake is so amazing and I love how he goes against the status quo of duck shifters in his community. Penelope is amazing and strong, she's not afraid of a fight and she knows shes a bad bitch. Honestly, Aria, this is the first fun book I've read in a while and I would love to see what else you come up with in this series.
June 9, 2025
Drake and Penelope was absolutely amazing together! They literally fit each other so well!
Drake was so sweet I wanted to eat him up!
Drake is feeling lonely and doesn't want just a warm body to share mating season with he wants to find the one but doesn't have much hope until Penelope walks in.
Penelope was the perfect person for Drake, she fit him so well and they had the perfect dynamic.
I can't wait to read more from this world!
Drake was so sweet I wanted to eat him up!
Drake is feeling lonely and doesn't want just a warm body to share mating season with he wants to find the one but doesn't have much hope until Penelope walks in.
Penelope was the perfect person for Drake, she fit him so well and they had the perfect dynamic.
I can't wait to read more from this world!
October 5, 2025
This was such a cute and funny story,I've read alot of shifter novels and this was so perfect combination of spive and plot. For just 84 pages it had me hooked.
October 3, 2025
novella
Perfect pallet cleanser story. A cute insta love novella, it is sweet and charming while including plenty of “fun” times.
Perfect pallet cleanser story. A cute insta love novella, it is sweet and charming while including plenty of “fun” times.
September 22, 2025
Quackin' good time
I quite enjoyed this quick read. A duck shifter is different from anything I've read before and I was not disappointed. Cute story, Penelope and Drake have chemistry and despite being a short read I didn't feel like it lacked detail. Interested to check out future novellas.
I quite enjoyed this quick read. A duck shifter is different from anything I've read before and I was not disappointed. Cute story, Penelope and Drake have chemistry and despite being a short read I didn't feel like it lacked detail. Interested to check out future novellas.
September 13, 2025
Drake (duck shifter) wants to fight the status quo of his breed. He wants a forever partner, not just for mating season. Penelope comes to inspect the business where Drake works. At first look these two are so opposite, but they fit like puzzle pieces. Think you can't become invested and lose yourself in their interactions and journey?? You would be very wrong. Explore this steamy D/s relationship. You'll thank me later! I couldn't help but go down the rabbit hole with this one. Don't judge! I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.
September 10, 2025
I enjoyed this novella. Although it was light on plot i found the main characters well drawn and I felt invested in them having a happy ending. It is the first time I have come across a duck shifter but he was so cute. I am interested to find out the stories of the supporting characters introduced towards the end so look forward to more from this author.
June 13, 2025
What an amazing debut from Aria!!! I absolutely adore Finding His Hen! Drake is just like the perfect ducky ever and Penelope is so gorgeous & courageous, I would die for her. The beginning of their love story was so sweet with the perfect amount of spice! I’m so glad they found eachother. I cannot wait to read Aria’s next book!!
June 11, 2025
Drake has always been different than his peers. He's not content with jumping from hen to hen each mating season. When the breathtaking Penelope turns up at his workplace and shortly after in a bar, he takes the hen by the feathers and tries to win her over.
So. Many. Duck puns. So. Much. Fun!! I loved this novella so much!! It's short, it's sweet, it's hot as hell. I loved the dynamic between Penelope and Drake soooo much!! The way she grounds him and surprises him a few minutes later? Adorable!! If you're looking for an entertaining summer read featuring a bad*ss business woman and a sweet cinnamon roll duck shifter, you should put "Finding his Hen" on your TBR!! I'm looking forward to explore more of this world, Aria created 🥰
So. Many. Duck puns. So. Much. Fun!! I loved this novella so much!! It's short, it's sweet, it's hot as hell. I loved the dynamic between Penelope and Drake soooo much!! The way she grounds him and surprises him a few minutes later? Adorable!! If you're looking for an entertaining summer read featuring a bad*ss business woman and a sweet cinnamon roll duck shifter, you should put "Finding his Hen" on your TBR!! I'm looking forward to explore more of this world, Aria created 🥰
June 10, 2025
This was such a cute, fun and spicy read, an awesome start to a small-town shifter romance series. great debut!
Drake and Penelope’s story is so sweet. Their chemistry and connection is incredible, and they complement each other so well. I absolutely loved how open and forward Penelope is with him, and you can feel Drake’s shyness melting away when he's with her. The spicy moments are chef’s kiss. Drake thought being a shifter would be a problem, but Penelope just said “SCORE!” She got herself a sweet duck shifter, special peen and all.
Aria, thank you so much for the ARC, it was an honor to read your debut novella.
I can’t wait to see where your stories take us next!
Drake and Penelope’s story is so sweet. Their chemistry and connection is incredible, and they complement each other so well. I absolutely loved how open and forward Penelope is with him, and you can feel Drake’s shyness melting away when he's with her. The spicy moments are chef’s kiss. Drake thought being a shifter would be a problem, but Penelope just said “SCORE!” She got herself a sweet duck shifter, special peen and all.
Aria, thank you so much for the ARC, it was an honor to read your debut novella.
I can’t wait to see where your stories take us next!
June 10, 2025
Drake isn’t like other duck shifters, he wants companionship and a mate of his own all the time, not just during mating season. This was such a fun shifter romance! I loved Drake from the very first page and couldn’t get enough of him and Penelope. I’m finding I love a submissive MMC. I can’t wait to read more by Aria!
July 1, 2025
That’s it I need more duck shifter books in my life!🦆
I’m in love with the dynamic between Drake and Penelope. Their understanding of one another and not be judgmental within the first look.
P.s. I am obsessed with Penelope’s duck onesie that I want one in real life🥹
I’m in love with the dynamic between Drake and Penelope. Their understanding of one another and not be judgmental within the first look.
P.s. I am obsessed with Penelope’s duck onesie that I want one in real life🥹
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2025
🔥 Drake is a spicy splash of swoon, feathers, and feels! 🔥
This duck shifter isn’t just looking to mate and migrate—he’s hunting for forever. And when lonely, loyal Drake meets high-powered Penelope on a corporate inspection gone sideways, the sparks fly. She’s all boardroom grit and ambition, but one look at this broad-shouldered, deep-voiced dreamboat and her carefully constructed future starts to quack—er, crack.
The tension? Magnetic.
The spice? Beak-clutching.
The anatomical accuracy? Let’s just say… waddling might be involved after.
Penelope’s slow unraveling and Drake’s tender dominance hit that perfect sweet spot between emotional intimacy and primal pull. And when instincts and destiny collide, it’s not just a ducking good time—it’s soul-deep satisfaction.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Feathers. Heat. Forever. You’ll never look at pond life the same again.
This duck shifter isn’t just looking to mate and migrate—he’s hunting for forever. And when lonely, loyal Drake meets high-powered Penelope on a corporate inspection gone sideways, the sparks fly. She’s all boardroom grit and ambition, but one look at this broad-shouldered, deep-voiced dreamboat and her carefully constructed future starts to quack—er, crack.
The tension? Magnetic.
The spice? Beak-clutching.
The anatomical accuracy? Let’s just say… waddling might be involved after.
Penelope’s slow unraveling and Drake’s tender dominance hit that perfect sweet spot between emotional intimacy and primal pull. And when instincts and destiny collide, it’s not just a ducking good time—it’s soul-deep satisfaction.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Feathers. Heat. Forever. You’ll never look at pond life the same again.
September 29, 2025
This was such a fun and punny read by a new-to-me author. Drake is interested in having a gal of his own, not moving from hen to hen during mating season. Penelope seems to be fated to meet him as they keep bumping into each other. Well, he gets more than he bargained for when he decides to go for it ;P This really was a sweet and spicy read with her being the more dominant. I also love that body image wasn't a 'thing' for their romance with both of them being on the plus size. Altogether, this was entertaining, hot and full of heart. Good fun!
February 16, 2026
***I am more on Pageboung.co now. Its a more chatty social book app/site I am preferring**
I really enjoyed this!
For a novella it gave me a good amount of character development and served me some things that surprised even a self proclaimed experienced monster romance connoisseur like myself.
Drakes a duck shifter! (Get it…drakes are male ducks 😆) And a big sweet boi who can also switch it up in the heat of the moment.
Penelope was a confident hot pansexual woman who was into big business thanks to her dad. She was able to pivot and trust her instincts when it came to both business and Drake.
This was seriously so much fun. A little silly with all the duck puns but had a good heart and really great chemistry and the sex was both fascinating and hot. That duck was something else!
I’m intrigued about this world and will be reading more.
I really enjoyed this!
For a novella it gave me a good amount of character development and served me some things that surprised even a self proclaimed experienced monster romance connoisseur like myself.
Drakes a duck shifter! (Get it…drakes are male ducks 😆) And a big sweet boi who can also switch it up in the heat of the moment.
Penelope was a confident hot pansexual woman who was into big business thanks to her dad. She was able to pivot and trust her instincts when it came to both business and Drake.
This was seriously so much fun. A little silly with all the duck puns but had a good heart and really great chemistry and the sex was both fascinating and hot. That duck was something else!
I’m intrigued about this world and will be reading more.
June 20, 2025
I did edit this book, but this is my honest review!
I love Penelope. She's my favorite (sorry Drake) but Drake is great too. He's subby and she's dom. They are both queer. They have such a good meet-cute. They go on a date that never ends and the pacing in my opinion is great for a novella. The epilogue is chef's kiss!!
Finding His Hen is a duck shifter novella where they both find exactly what they need with each other.
I love Penelope. She's my favorite (sorry Drake) but Drake is great too. He's subby and she's dom. They are both queer. They have such a good meet-cute. They go on a date that never ends and the pacing in my opinion is great for a novella. The epilogue is chef's kiss!!
Finding His Hen is a duck shifter novella where they both find exactly what they need with each other.
July 10, 2025
I received this as an ARC, and it was absolutely delightful. I loved Penelope and Drake. Drake is a soft male lead, but that doesn't mean he doesn't take charge. But Penelope really sold my heart!
Its a shifter book, so I know that won't be everyone's thing. Yes, he has a spiral ween. Yes, he's a little shy about it. Yes, it was written really well with lovely spice. An instant attraction, and quick little read, the perfect novella for an evening read.
Its a shifter book, so I know that won't be everyone's thing. Yes, he has a spiral ween. Yes, he's a little shy about it. Yes, it was written really well with lovely spice. An instant attraction, and quick little read, the perfect novella for an evening read.
December 17, 2025
Quick Spicy Read
I read this book in one sitting! Drake is an adorable dad-bod duck shifter with anxiety. Of course his love interest is a CEO’s confident daughter, a business heiress with problems up the ladder. Penelope takes such good care of him. I also thought it was hilarious how she responded to his panic attack by taking the opportunity to raid his fridge for wine. Relatable.
I read this book in one sitting! Drake is an adorable dad-bod duck shifter with anxiety. Of course his love interest is a CEO’s confident daughter, a business heiress with problems up the ladder. Penelope takes such good care of him. I also thought it was hilarious how she responded to his panic attack by taking the opportunity to raid his fridge for wine. Relatable.
June 8, 2025
I LOVE a sub mmc. Not to mention a plus size mmc. Absolutely adore. The FMC is fierce, voluptuous, and smart. This is a workplace romance, but NOT. If you’re looking for a unique shifter romance, this is the one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews