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For Want Of A Dragon
Pride & Prejudice- but with dragons.
In a village on the edge of the mortal lands, dragons need grooming, riders need taming, and love has a mind of its own.
Twenty-six-year-old Livvy Stoud is happy with her talking cat, cozy cottage, and job as the local dragon groomer in the mountain village of Eshan. But when the annual dragon jousting tournament arrives in the valley, her world is turned upside down.
Despite her love for dragons, she despises their professional riders, seeing them as prideful, privileged, and reckless. However, with a family back home counting on her, a best friend eager to find love, and a grumpy stranger she can’t seem to escape, Livvy realizes she must confront her prejudices and open her heart—all for the want of a dragon.
In a village on the edge of the mortal lands, dragons need grooming, riders need taming, and love has a mind of its own.
Twenty-six-year-old Livvy Stoud is happy with her talking cat, cozy cottage, and job as the local dragon groomer in the mountain village of Eshan. But when the annual dragon jousting tournament arrives in the valley, her world is turned upside down.
Despite her love for dragons, she despises their professional riders, seeing them as prideful, privileged, and reckless. However, with a family back home counting on her, a best friend eager to find love, and a grumpy stranger she can’t seem to escape, Livvy realizes she must confront her prejudices and open her heart—all for the want of a dragon.
275 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2025
6 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Day
10 books60 followersWendy Day loves to write stories with snarky banter and strong female characters. She is the author of the popular Sally and Pearl Adventure series, named after her own grandmother and great-grandmother. She lives in Michigan with her husband, four kids, two dogs, and one very entitled cat. She is a mediocre painter and terrible cook. When not writing, she’s likely to be found daydreaming in a rowboat or curled up in a cozy chair with a glass of wine and a good book.
Find out more about Wendy’s unique outlook on life at the website: www.readwendyday.com
Find out more about Wendy’s unique outlook on life at the website: www.readwendyday.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 13, 2025
2.0 ★— As a diehard Pride and Prejudice fan who’s read different variations, retellings, and reimaginings of this book for years now, the prospect of a P&P story set in a fantasy world with dragons (!!!!) was too good to pass up!
Unfortunately, no one was more disappointed than I was by how much this story didn’t work for me. To start with, the writing is extremely simple. The style is the definition of telling instead of showing, and that continues from beginning to end, with the story employing a flat, formulaic way of writing that made it hard to stay interested in the story as the book went on.
The main character, Livvy, didn’t help that matter. As the Elizabeth Bennet stand-in, I expected her to be at least a little spunky, clever, or vivacious. Instead, she’s just bland, and I couldn’t make out any real traits beyond her being generally nice and polite to people.
It also doesn’t help that Livvy lives far apart from her family, with the rest of the Bennets, who brought so much humor and heart to the original, basically missing here and only appearing by way of occasional letters written to Livvy, which drains the story of the lively family dynamics that were so instrumental in making Pride and Prejudice so fun!
Moving on to the world-building, which didn’t impress me either. The author describes different races and fantasy beings, but the world never feels lived in or layered. It reads like a setting sketched in rather than a place that breathes, and this problem lives on in the supporting cast as well.
The Jane, Darcy, and Bingley equivalents are all underdeveloped. Marinn, the Jane counterpart, is nice like Lavinia but, again, quite bland, and her romance with Thaddeus (the Bingley equivalent) happens after about two conversations. She spends most of her page time talking about love, which gets repetitive fast, and while Jane wasn’t the most compelling character in the original story either, she still had heart and character, which is absolutely absent here.
This reimagining also really falters in the romance department. In the original, Elizabeth and Darcy’s relationship unfolds through small interactions, misunderstandings, and multiple run-ins. Here, that gradual build is completely missing. They meet once, and the next thing we’re told is that Lavinia has “taken a liking” to him. There’s no tension, no spark, and no sense of development in their dynamic.
The dialogue doesn’t help either. None of the characters sound distinct, so their conversations all blur together, and scenes jump abruptly from one moment to the next without any natural flow. One minute Livvy says she dislikes Asher (the Darcy equivalent), and the next she’s reminiscing about stories of him as a child. It felt disjointed all the way through, and this showed in the pacing overall, which felt rushed and uneven. Scenes fly by too quickly, and nothing is expanded on enough to matter. Even the fantasy elements that should have been exciting feel thrown in! Livvy is a dragon groomer, yet the dragons are so uninterestingly expanded upon and put into the narrative. There are dragon riders, but dragon riding itself is barely described or important. It’s like the dragons were added just for decoration.
In the end, the whole story feels oddly lifeless. The world doesn’t feel real, the romance doesn’t build naturally, and the characters never come alive. It’s such a shame, because the idea of Pride and Prejudice with dragons had so much potential.
________________
Thank you to NetGalley and Open Sky Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Unfortunately, no one was more disappointed than I was by how much this story didn’t work for me. To start with, the writing is extremely simple. The style is the definition of telling instead of showing, and that continues from beginning to end, with the story employing a flat, formulaic way of writing that made it hard to stay interested in the story as the book went on.
The main character, Livvy, didn’t help that matter. As the Elizabeth Bennet stand-in, I expected her to be at least a little spunky, clever, or vivacious. Instead, she’s just bland, and I couldn’t make out any real traits beyond her being generally nice and polite to people.
It also doesn’t help that Livvy lives far apart from her family, with the rest of the Bennets, who brought so much humor and heart to the original, basically missing here and only appearing by way of occasional letters written to Livvy, which drains the story of the lively family dynamics that were so instrumental in making Pride and Prejudice so fun!
Moving on to the world-building, which didn’t impress me either. The author describes different races and fantasy beings, but the world never feels lived in or layered. It reads like a setting sketched in rather than a place that breathes, and this problem lives on in the supporting cast as well.
The Jane, Darcy, and Bingley equivalents are all underdeveloped. Marinn, the Jane counterpart, is nice like Lavinia but, again, quite bland, and her romance with Thaddeus (the Bingley equivalent) happens after about two conversations. She spends most of her page time talking about love, which gets repetitive fast, and while Jane wasn’t the most compelling character in the original story either, she still had heart and character, which is absolutely absent here.
This reimagining also really falters in the romance department. In the original, Elizabeth and Darcy’s relationship unfolds through small interactions, misunderstandings, and multiple run-ins. Here, that gradual build is completely missing. They meet once, and the next thing we’re told is that Lavinia has “taken a liking” to him. There’s no tension, no spark, and no sense of development in their dynamic.
The dialogue doesn’t help either. None of the characters sound distinct, so their conversations all blur together, and scenes jump abruptly from one moment to the next without any natural flow. One minute Livvy says she dislikes Asher (the Darcy equivalent), and the next she’s reminiscing about stories of him as a child. It felt disjointed all the way through, and this showed in the pacing overall, which felt rushed and uneven. Scenes fly by too quickly, and nothing is expanded on enough to matter. Even the fantasy elements that should have been exciting feel thrown in! Livvy is a dragon groomer, yet the dragons are so uninterestingly expanded upon and put into the narrative. There are dragon riders, but dragon riding itself is barely described or important. It’s like the dragons were added just for decoration.
In the end, the whole story feels oddly lifeless. The world doesn’t feel real, the romance doesn’t build naturally, and the characters never come alive. It’s such a shame, because the idea of Pride and Prejudice with dragons had so much potential.
________________
Thank you to NetGalley and Open Sky Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 13, 2025
Well, I personally really enjoyed this cute little ARC read!
For someone who loves a fantasy read and especially the involvement of dragons, this book appealed to me instantly! I mean, who wouldn't adore dragon jousting, a talking pet caracal, pride and predjudice etiquette, some royal fae, and other magical creatures? I, for one, had a grand ole time.
I love the idea of the FMC being a dragon groomer and that a tournament was held in a quaint little village, where riders were expected to joust one another for points and a championship (Very Knights Tale-Esque but with dragons!).
Sadly, I didn't feel there was much time dedicated to the FMC and the MMC's love development, but I was rooting for Asher from the very beginning all the same. Julian just didn't sit right with me from the get-go, and I would have enjoyed him being on the receiving end of a well aimed lance, poked somewhere indecent 🤭
I definitely could've inhaled a longer book or even a sequel to the story to follow Livvy and Asher's relationship going forward - O feel there was so much potential there. It just ended too abruptly for me. Nevertheless, it didn't take away from how much I enjoyed the story that was given.
For someone who loves a fantasy read and especially the involvement of dragons, this book appealed to me instantly! I mean, who wouldn't adore dragon jousting, a talking pet caracal, pride and predjudice etiquette, some royal fae, and other magical creatures? I, for one, had a grand ole time.
I love the idea of the FMC being a dragon groomer and that a tournament was held in a quaint little village, where riders were expected to joust one another for points and a championship (Very Knights Tale-Esque but with dragons!).
Sadly, I didn't feel there was much time dedicated to the FMC and the MMC's love development, but I was rooting for Asher from the very beginning all the same. Julian just didn't sit right with me from the get-go, and I would have enjoyed him being on the receiving end of a well aimed lance, poked somewhere indecent 🤭
I definitely could've inhaled a longer book or even a sequel to the story to follow Livvy and Asher's relationship going forward - O feel there was so much potential there. It just ended too abruptly for me. Nevertheless, it didn't take away from how much I enjoyed the story that was given.
November 16, 2025
For Want of a Dragon is a Pride and Prejudice with a fairytale gloss on top and a handful of dragon lore woven in. On paper, that combination should have been right up my alley, but in practice, it felt more like an outline of a good idea than a well-developed adult fantasy.
The writing style was extremely simple, and at times so direct that it explained things I didn’t need explained. The straightforwardness, paired with repetition, made the book feel much more YA coded than its marketing suggested. I don’t mind a younger tone when it is intentional, but here it left the world and characters feeling thin and shallow.
As a retelling, this book borrowed the familiar framework of Pride and Prejudice, but without the depth, banter, or emotional storytelling that makes the original a classic. The characters came across as bland and shallow, making the romance arc feel more like insta-love than a relationship growing from tension and chemistry. The world-building was similarly light, way more decorative than immersive.
My favorite part, by a very wide margin, was the dragon taxonomy. The notes on the different dragon types and how best to approach them had a spark of creativity that reminded me of much more ambitious works, like Fourth Wing. If the rest of the book had that level of imagination and detail, this entire story would have settled much differently for me.
As it stands, this was just an okay read for me. Not unpleasant, but not something that left much of an impression. Readers who enjoy straightforward writing, cozy fairytale simplicity, and a very soft-edged fantasy world may have a better time with this than I did.
Thank you to NetGalley and Open Sky Publishing for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my review.
The writing style was extremely simple, and at times so direct that it explained things I didn’t need explained. The straightforwardness, paired with repetition, made the book feel much more YA coded than its marketing suggested. I don’t mind a younger tone when it is intentional, but here it left the world and characters feeling thin and shallow.
As a retelling, this book borrowed the familiar framework of Pride and Prejudice, but without the depth, banter, or emotional storytelling that makes the original a classic. The characters came across as bland and shallow, making the romance arc feel more like insta-love than a relationship growing from tension and chemistry. The world-building was similarly light, way more decorative than immersive.
My favorite part, by a very wide margin, was the dragon taxonomy. The notes on the different dragon types and how best to approach them had a spark of creativity that reminded me of much more ambitious works, like Fourth Wing. If the rest of the book had that level of imagination and detail, this entire story would have settled much differently for me.
As it stands, this was just an okay read for me. Not unpleasant, but not something that left much of an impression. Readers who enjoy straightforward writing, cozy fairytale simplicity, and a very soft-edged fantasy world may have a better time with this than I did.
Thank you to NetGalley and Open Sky Publishing for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my review.
September 13, 2025
I was excited to read a Pride and Prejudice adaptation for the semiquincentennial (250th) anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, but For Want of a Dragon is a very loose retelling, if that. The bits and pieces added aren't enough to really tell the P and P story and didn't align with the existing story. The 2005 movie verbatim quotes were also excessive (and I watch that movie multiple times a year!)
The FMC felt a bit generic to me, which was disappointing given she was supposed to be The Lizzy Bennet. The MMC was not able to endear himself to me with the little interaction time he got, and this is crucial to the Lizzy- Darcy magic. I also wanted more from the ending because I don't think the FMC really got what she wanted. I did love the talking cat, of course, and appreciated his name.
The writing was a little too simple and formulaic. One small piece that I hope is changed in the final book is that the FMC describes her best friend (the Jane of the story) as a "half-breed" for being half fae, half human, and the negative connotations really didn't align with what the FMC seemed to be conveying. The world building was also pretty lacking. I don't necessarily expect that much world building for a short, cozy fantasy, but there was the start of a would being fleshed out that in the end felt vague. This was a very quick read that I finished in almost one sitting, and if you're looking for a fantasy dragon romance, this might be fun!
Thank you, Open Sky Publishing, for the arc!
The FMC felt a bit generic to me, which was disappointing given she was supposed to be The Lizzy Bennet. The MMC was not able to endear himself to me with the little interaction time he got, and this is crucial to the Lizzy- Darcy magic. I also wanted more from the ending because I don't think the FMC really got what she wanted. I did love the talking cat, of course, and appreciated his name.
The writing was a little too simple and formulaic. One small piece that I hope is changed in the final book is that the FMC describes her best friend (the Jane of the story) as a "half-breed" for being half fae, half human, and the negative connotations really didn't align with what the FMC seemed to be conveying. The world building was also pretty lacking. I don't necessarily expect that much world building for a short, cozy fantasy, but there was the start of a would being fleshed out that in the end felt vague. This was a very quick read that I finished in almost one sitting, and if you're looking for a fantasy dragon romance, this might be fun!
Thank you, Open Sky Publishing, for the arc!
September 24, 2025
4⭐️
For Want of A Dragon is a sweet, cozy standalone with lots of Jane Austen vibes and lots of dragons! Instead of the action pack following the hero dragon rider, our FMC is more of an everyday person with a job as a dragon groomer. When her village hosts the annual dragon tournament, Livvy gets hired as the tournament's groomer, allowing her to send money home to her sick father. At the tournament, she meets 2 riders, Asher and Jillian.
" Berries" , this was a cute story. I loved Livvy and Mirann's friendship. I also enjoyed learning about the different types of dragons. Livvy is more like a doctor sometimes to the dragons than a simple groomer, so there's tid bits of dragon medical knowledge. Plus, we get a talking cat!
While I loved the awkward moments between the main characters that turned into a romance, I felt like it needed a little development. It needed a little more interaction - a couple of conversations or letters.
All in all, it's a great feel-good stand-alone.
Thanks for choosing me to be an ARC Reader.
For Want of A Dragon is a sweet, cozy standalone with lots of Jane Austen vibes and lots of dragons! Instead of the action pack following the hero dragon rider, our FMC is more of an everyday person with a job as a dragon groomer. When her village hosts the annual dragon tournament, Livvy gets hired as the tournament's groomer, allowing her to send money home to her sick father. At the tournament, she meets 2 riders, Asher and Jillian.
" Berries" , this was a cute story. I loved Livvy and Mirann's friendship. I also enjoyed learning about the different types of dragons. Livvy is more like a doctor sometimes to the dragons than a simple groomer, so there's tid bits of dragon medical knowledge. Plus, we get a talking cat!
While I loved the awkward moments between the main characters that turned into a romance, I felt like it needed a little development. It needed a little more interaction - a couple of conversations or letters.
All in all, it's a great feel-good stand-alone.
Thanks for choosing me to be an ARC Reader.
September 14, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the e-arc!
For Want of a Dragon was a very quick, pleasant read! Most of the twists and turns were predictable, but the exact specifics of them were not and nothing about this book indicated any level of mystery was intended, so that didn't bother me at all. The author has a wonderful way of creating unique, entertaining, and intriguing characters to fill the world with; I simply wish there was more! Some pieces felt slightly repetitive, though not in a way that detracted from the enjoyable read. The world itself was delightful, cozy, and quirky, and I would love to see more set in this same universe, particularly if there was character crossover!
For Want of a Dragon was a very quick, pleasant read! Most of the twists and turns were predictable, but the exact specifics of them were not and nothing about this book indicated any level of mystery was intended, so that didn't bother me at all. The author has a wonderful way of creating unique, entertaining, and intriguing characters to fill the world with; I simply wish there was more! Some pieces felt slightly repetitive, though not in a way that detracted from the enjoyable read. The world itself was delightful, cozy, and quirky, and I would love to see more set in this same universe, particularly if there was character crossover!
October 19, 2025
Gut rating: ⭐⭐ stars
CAWPILE rating: 1.86
Spice: Kisses
Quote: “Livinia, I have come here today because I can stand it no longer. Despite your lack of magic, mortal background, and rough associations, I am drawn to you. You fill my thoughts.” - Asher Covington
Synopsis: With dreams of being a dragon rider, Livinia "Livvy" Stoud moves to the magical realm of Eshan, only to find such a privilege is reserved for the High Fae. Forced by her circumstances to work as a dragon groomer, Livvy finds herself thrust into the dangerous world of dragon jousting alongside the infuriating High Fae Asher Covington - a man who may give her the chance to realise her dreams if only she can look past her own pride and his prejudices.
Review: While one or two names and plot points are reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice, this book is not the fantasy retelling promised. The story lacks the clever plot, the overbearing family, and the witty relationships that make Pride and Prejudice so beloved. The writing plodded along, the world and reasoning felt empty, and the story was weighed down by unnecessary excursions and characters who didn't improve the story or carry it along.
I received an Advance Review Copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
CAWPILE rating: 1.86
Spice: Kisses
Quote: “Livinia, I have come here today because I can stand it no longer. Despite your lack of magic, mortal background, and rough associations, I am drawn to you. You fill my thoughts.” - Asher Covington
Synopsis: With dreams of being a dragon rider, Livinia "Livvy" Stoud moves to the magical realm of Eshan, only to find such a privilege is reserved for the High Fae. Forced by her circumstances to work as a dragon groomer, Livvy finds herself thrust into the dangerous world of dragon jousting alongside the infuriating High Fae Asher Covington - a man who may give her the chance to realise her dreams if only she can look past her own pride and his prejudices.
Review: While one or two names and plot points are reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice, this book is not the fantasy retelling promised. The story lacks the clever plot, the overbearing family, and the witty relationships that make Pride and Prejudice so beloved. The writing plodded along, the world and reasoning felt empty, and the story was weighed down by unnecessary excursions and characters who didn't improve the story or carry it along.
I received an Advance Review Copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 3, 2025
I loved this book! It was cute and cozy. You could feel the intended pride and prejudice vibes throughout the book. Though because of its short length the romance did feel a bit underdeveloped for me, but I understand that it is wanted in accordance with the time and vibes of the novel. The world seems interesting with all sorts of creatures but also a little underdeveloped. Overall I still enjoyed it and did shed a few tears over Asher’s help for Livvys father. loved Mr. Bennet🥹 Such a cute addition.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you NetGalley for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
November 11, 2025
For Want Of A Dragon markets itself as 'Pride and Prejudice with dragons' and that is certainly the case. It perhaps follows P&J a touch too closely, including following almost every plot beat and straight-up lifting several lines. I wish it was slightly more 'inspired by' than 'unofficial facelift' of P&J being directly pasted onto a dragon jousting tournament. That being said, I did enjoy the novel, it's a fun romp and I read it in one day.
It was a slow start, with a lot of telling instead of showing, but it picked up from chapter seven onwards when the tournament participants finally arrive in town and we start spending more time in the present than in repeating everyone's histories and goals, and explaining the world. (I think an edit of the first six chapters in particular to do more showing instead of telling would go a long way to improving some of the existing reviews of this novel, or preventing people from putting it down.)
I enjoyed Livvy's profession of dragon grooming, which reminds me a lot of 'The Dragon Dentist', and the various dragon breeds and ailments a dragon could suffer. I wish the rest of the world had been fleshed out as much as the dragons - random facts are told, but they don't always make sense in a way that makes the world feel real and lived in. For example, Livvy's hometown is only a five day journey from the magical town she moves to - this is barely any distance at all for fantasy novels, yet apparently most people die attempting to make the 'arduous trek', without ever explaining what makes such a short trip so deadly or why steps haven't been taken to find a safer route. At one point we are told a specific breed of dragon likes to be offered human food when meeting for the first time, but later in the novel a different species of dragon is presented with the offering instead. Small inconsistencies that add up over time to muddle the worldbuilding instead of clarify it.
Mister Bennet, the talking caracal is amazing--but there's no explanation for it other than "so the cat who adopted me talks, I was surprised but apparently it happens" and no other similar talking-animals mentioned as existing in the world to make it seem more natural and grounded. I enjoyed his character and wish he'd had a larger role in the novel.
The romance was okay, but it felt a bit too copy-and-pasted from P&J, which apart from just being unoriginal also doesn't fit the circumstances of this novel that have greatly changed. Unlike the original where women don't have jobs so there isn't much that Elizabeth can do to immediately earn Darcy's respect, Livvy is proving herself by taking care of Asher's dragon from their second meeting onwards, showing her competence in a dangerous field as well as earning the respect and trust of his dragon. There's really no cause for him to be treating her like she's a useless parasite or gold-digger. The aunt out of nowhere right at the end for the sole purpose of disapproving of Livvy had no purpose other than following the original P&J plot - Livvy had already recognised her feelings with Asher's near-death experience and fighting off a poisonous wolf from his unconscious body. I think the romance would feel stronger if it had been allowed to adjust to this specific fantasy world and its original events, rather than marching to the exact beats of the source material even when it doesn't fit.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Rating: 3 stars - A fun read that would have been improved by letting itself deviate more from the 'inspiration' material.
It was a slow start, with a lot of telling instead of showing, but it picked up from chapter seven onwards when the tournament participants finally arrive in town and we start spending more time in the present than in repeating everyone's histories and goals, and explaining the world. (I think an edit of the first six chapters in particular to do more showing instead of telling would go a long way to improving some of the existing reviews of this novel, or preventing people from putting it down.)
I enjoyed Livvy's profession of dragon grooming, which reminds me a lot of 'The Dragon Dentist', and the various dragon breeds and ailments a dragon could suffer. I wish the rest of the world had been fleshed out as much as the dragons - random facts are told, but they don't always make sense in a way that makes the world feel real and lived in. For example, Livvy's hometown is only a five day journey from the magical town she moves to - this is barely any distance at all for fantasy novels, yet apparently most people die attempting to make the 'arduous trek', without ever explaining what makes such a short trip so deadly or why steps haven't been taken to find a safer route. At one point we are told a specific breed of dragon likes to be offered human food when meeting for the first time, but later in the novel a different species of dragon is presented with the offering instead. Small inconsistencies that add up over time to muddle the worldbuilding instead of clarify it.
Mister Bennet, the talking caracal is amazing--but there's no explanation for it other than "so the cat who adopted me talks, I was surprised but apparently it happens" and no other similar talking-animals mentioned as existing in the world to make it seem more natural and grounded. I enjoyed his character and wish he'd had a larger role in the novel.
The romance was okay, but it felt a bit too copy-and-pasted from P&J, which apart from just being unoriginal also doesn't fit the circumstances of this novel that have greatly changed. Unlike the original where women don't have jobs so there isn't much that Elizabeth can do to immediately earn Darcy's respect, Livvy is proving herself by taking care of Asher's dragon from their second meeting onwards, showing her competence in a dangerous field as well as earning the respect and trust of his dragon. There's really no cause for him to be treating her like she's a useless parasite or gold-digger. The aunt out of nowhere right at the end for the sole purpose of disapproving of Livvy had no purpose other than following the original P&J plot - Livvy had already recognised her feelings with Asher's near-death experience and fighting off a poisonous wolf from his unconscious body. I think the romance would feel stronger if it had been allowed to adjust to this specific fantasy world and its original events, rather than marching to the exact beats of the source material even when it doesn't fit.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Rating: 3 stars - A fun read that would have been improved by letting itself deviate more from the 'inspiration' material.
September 17, 2025
"For Want of a Dragon": "Pride and Prejudice" meets "The Dragon Keeper" by Robin Hobb. Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite books! Add dragons and a talking caracal, and you’ve got me hooked. Wendy Dayby’s "For Want of a Dragon" is a sweet, cozy fantasy retelling of Pride and Prejudice, following a dragon groomer who dreams of flying with dragons
Told in first-person POV and present tense, the book follows twenty-six-year-old Livvy Stoud, a human dragon groomer in the mountain village of Eshan, a community of mixed races—mortals, Fae, gnomes, and other magical creatures. Her childhood dream was to ride dragons, but only Fae are allowed to bond with them. A ward placed on its borders keeps the magic manageable for its human denizens. Livvy lives in a cozy cottage with a talking pet caracal named Mr. Bennet—how cool is that?—and her best friend is Marinn, who is a half-Fae, half-human.
Livvy’s luck takes a turn for the better when her village hosts the annual dragon jousting tournament. She agrees to groom the dragons despite her dislike of the contest and its professional riders, as she needs the fees to pay for her ailing father’s treatment. Along the way, she meets several riders, including the amiable Thaddeus Cedar and his aloof friend Asher. Livvy’s prejudices toward the riders clash with the pride of the Fae, creating several entertaining moments, with a dash of romance.
The atmosphere is charming, with small-village life, quirky Merchants’ Guild meetings, the excitement of the Drakonas Tournament, and even the playful use of 'berries' as a curse word. I especially loved Mr. Bennet, who brought so much humor and personality to the story. I just wish there were more scenes with him
The plot closely mirrors the original tale, with just a few twists. The premise is original—I loved the idea of a dragon groomer and a talking caracal. I also enjoyed the friendship between Livvy and Marinn, and the way they supported and cared for each other. There is some slow-burn romance, which I loved, but there were too few interactions between the love interests, making their romance develop too quickly. Some quotes and scenes, such as the letter written by Asher and Livvy's meeting with his aunt, followed the original too closely at times, making them predictable.
The writing was a bit simple and didn’t flow always smoothly, perhaps due to the present-tense narration. The pacing felt uneven at times, and some sections were repetitive. World-building wasn't developed enough—why can only Fae bond with dragons?—and the Fae lore wasn’t particularly original. There were also a few plot inconsistencies, such as Asher’s father being mentioned as deceased in one instance and alive in another. On the positive side, I loved the concept of the book, and the different characteristics of the dragons and their variety.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. Fine-tuning the writing and plot would make it stronger. I loved the ending, though an epilogue would have been appreciated. Still, the story is sweet and enjoyable, so I rate it 3.5 stars out of 5, rounded up to 4. If you’re looking for a sweet, feel-good read with dragons, cozy village charm, and a touch of slow-burn romance, For Want of a Dragon will fit the bill.
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review on my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2025...
Told in first-person POV and present tense, the book follows twenty-six-year-old Livvy Stoud, a human dragon groomer in the mountain village of Eshan, a community of mixed races—mortals, Fae, gnomes, and other magical creatures. Her childhood dream was to ride dragons, but only Fae are allowed to bond with them. A ward placed on its borders keeps the magic manageable for its human denizens. Livvy lives in a cozy cottage with a talking pet caracal named Mr. Bennet—how cool is that?—and her best friend is Marinn, who is a half-Fae, half-human.
Livvy’s luck takes a turn for the better when her village hosts the annual dragon jousting tournament. She agrees to groom the dragons despite her dislike of the contest and its professional riders, as she needs the fees to pay for her ailing father’s treatment. Along the way, she meets several riders, including the amiable Thaddeus Cedar and his aloof friend Asher. Livvy’s prejudices toward the riders clash with the pride of the Fae, creating several entertaining moments, with a dash of romance.
The atmosphere is charming, with small-village life, quirky Merchants’ Guild meetings, the excitement of the Drakonas Tournament, and even the playful use of 'berries' as a curse word. I especially loved Mr. Bennet, who brought so much humor and personality to the story. I just wish there were more scenes with him
The plot closely mirrors the original tale, with just a few twists. The premise is original—I loved the idea of a dragon groomer and a talking caracal. I also enjoyed the friendship between Livvy and Marinn, and the way they supported and cared for each other. There is some slow-burn romance, which I loved, but there were too few interactions between the love interests, making their romance develop too quickly. Some quotes and scenes, such as the letter written by Asher and Livvy's meeting with his aunt, followed the original too closely at times, making them predictable.
The writing was a bit simple and didn’t flow always smoothly, perhaps due to the present-tense narration. The pacing felt uneven at times, and some sections were repetitive. World-building wasn't developed enough—why can only Fae bond with dragons?—and the Fae lore wasn’t particularly original. There were also a few plot inconsistencies, such as Asher’s father being mentioned as deceased in one instance and alive in another. On the positive side, I loved the concept of the book, and the different characteristics of the dragons and their variety.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. Fine-tuning the writing and plot would make it stronger. I loved the ending, though an epilogue would have been appreciated. Still, the story is sweet and enjoyable, so I rate it 3.5 stars out of 5, rounded up to 4. If you’re looking for a sweet, feel-good read with dragons, cozy village charm, and a touch of slow-burn romance, For Want of a Dragon will fit the bill.
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review on my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2025...
September 13, 2025
For Want Of A Dragon offers a warm swirl of small‑town fantasy charm, talking cats, dragon grooming, and a love interest who’s prickly in all the right ways. Livvy Stoud is a likable heroine: she’s independent, grounded, and has a genuine affection for dragons; her work as the local dragon groomer in Eshan gives the premise a cute novelty. The setup, with dragon jousting tournaments, a talking cat, and a grumpy stranger disrupting her quiet life, has plenty of whimsical fantasy potential.
One of the book’s strengths is its tone. Wendy Day balances light humor, dragon lore, and romantic tension well. Moments with the dragons feel affectionate and fun; when Livvy’s prejudices toward professional riders clash with the reality of their danger (or grace), it adds a bit of internal conflict. The cozy cottage / mountain village setting is cozy and appealing, especially if you enjoy fantasy that leans gentler, with less high-octane epic stakes.
However, the book has a few limitations that stop it from being more than pleasant. First, the conflict sometimes feels a bit thin. The tension arising from Livvy’s disdain for riders and the “grumpy stranger” trope is fun—but not always deeply developed. The antagonist or external pressures could be stronger or more layered. Some stakes felt predictable, and certain character arcs that had potential felt rushed or resolved without sufficient buildup.
Also, pacing unevenness is noticeable. The early chapters move nicely, introducing setting and characters, but middle sections drag in places—dragon grooming descriptions and minor side quests pull focus without always adding new depth to plot or character. On the flip side, romantic tensions sometimes escalate in ways that feel a little too quick given the groundwork. The “grumpy stranger” is charming, but the emotional evolution (from annoyance to attraction / trust) gets compressed in parts.
Finally, while the whimsical elements—talking cat, cottage life, very visible dragons—are mostly delightful, they sometimes conflict tonally with the moments of danger or seriousness. Transitions between humor, fantasy world‑rules, and higher stakes can feel a little jarring. Some readers might wish for clearer magic rules or more consistency in how the fantasy elements affect everyday life in Eshan.
Verdict: For Want Of A Dragon is a cuddly fantasy romance with charm, humor, and dragons to spare. It’s not perfect—it sometimes plays it safe, the conflicts lack depth, and the pacing wobbles—but it’s a fun escape, especially if you like light fantasy with dragons, gentle romance, and a heroine who’s stubborn in a good way. Three stars: an enjoyable read, worthwhile for relaxing evenings, but not quite one I’ll re‑read often.
One of the book’s strengths is its tone. Wendy Day balances light humor, dragon lore, and romantic tension well. Moments with the dragons feel affectionate and fun; when Livvy’s prejudices toward professional riders clash with the reality of their danger (or grace), it adds a bit of internal conflict. The cozy cottage / mountain village setting is cozy and appealing, especially if you enjoy fantasy that leans gentler, with less high-octane epic stakes.
However, the book has a few limitations that stop it from being more than pleasant. First, the conflict sometimes feels a bit thin. The tension arising from Livvy’s disdain for riders and the “grumpy stranger” trope is fun—but not always deeply developed. The antagonist or external pressures could be stronger or more layered. Some stakes felt predictable, and certain character arcs that had potential felt rushed or resolved without sufficient buildup.
Also, pacing unevenness is noticeable. The early chapters move nicely, introducing setting and characters, but middle sections drag in places—dragon grooming descriptions and minor side quests pull focus without always adding new depth to plot or character. On the flip side, romantic tensions sometimes escalate in ways that feel a little too quick given the groundwork. The “grumpy stranger” is charming, but the emotional evolution (from annoyance to attraction / trust) gets compressed in parts.
Finally, while the whimsical elements—talking cat, cottage life, very visible dragons—are mostly delightful, they sometimes conflict tonally with the moments of danger or seriousness. Transitions between humor, fantasy world‑rules, and higher stakes can feel a little jarring. Some readers might wish for clearer magic rules or more consistency in how the fantasy elements affect everyday life in Eshan.
Verdict: For Want Of A Dragon is a cuddly fantasy romance with charm, humor, and dragons to spare. It’s not perfect—it sometimes plays it safe, the conflicts lack depth, and the pacing wobbles—but it’s a fun escape, especially if you like light fantasy with dragons, gentle romance, and a heroine who’s stubborn in a good way. Three stars: an enjoyable read, worthwhile for relaxing evenings, but not quite one I’ll re‑read often.
September 26, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Open Sky Publishing for the ARC of this read in exchange for an honest, spoiler free review!
How I rate my books –
1 star – Not so good!
2 stars – Needs work.
3 stars – It does what it said on the tin and I'll recommend it to people in it's niche, but it's either not for me or I have some opinions.
4 stars – Liked it!
5 stars – Favourite material, I loved this and I want you to love it too!
For Want of a Dragon delivers exactly what it promises – a gentle, sweet romance centring on dragon lore with all the familiar beats of Austen's beloved story. The dragon details are genuinely charming. The author has clearly spent time thinking about how dragons would be groomed, and I peeked a couple of real world grooming details being borrowed for these descriptions. It was delightful, I was delighted. Those moments felt authentic.
Cosy fiction in general, I find, has this issue where it can't seem to decide when tension is too much or too little. As a result, characters in cosy fiction tend to overstate the urgency of extremely easy to solve problems. It's an understandable struggle for books in this genre - no author is going to want to betray the promise of a cosy time by upping the stakes too high, but conversely it can mean these books are prone to playing it far too safe. This is one such book. This is a forgivable offence - aside from a few pacing woes it still delivers.
What I found slightly less forgivable was the telling rather than showing. Wendy Day has created this lovely fantasy world with dragons integrated into daily life, complete with professional hierarchies and social customs, but instead of letting us discover these delights organically, she reports them to us like a news anchor. I felt like I was receiving a news report from a reporter aware they'll have to drive home in the rain, upping their personal investment by just a smidge.
I want to be clear - the reason this was disappointing is because the world itself really is curious, as is the premise and the role the protagonist is playing. The author does a good job with these aspects, there's just a bit of a delivery issue.
Does this make the reading and purchasing recommendations book list for my library? Yes, it does! But only just. This is comfort read for people who want cosy fantasy that won't challenge them, who enjoy Austen retellings that hit all the familiar notes, and who are looking for a palate cleanser between heavier reads. It's a quick read, so perfect to pick up between your heavier hitters!
How I rate my books –
1 star – Not so good!
2 stars – Needs work.
3 stars – It does what it said on the tin and I'll recommend it to people in it's niche, but it's either not for me or I have some opinions.
4 stars – Liked it!
5 stars – Favourite material, I loved this and I want you to love it too!
For Want of a Dragon delivers exactly what it promises – a gentle, sweet romance centring on dragon lore with all the familiar beats of Austen's beloved story. The dragon details are genuinely charming. The author has clearly spent time thinking about how dragons would be groomed, and I peeked a couple of real world grooming details being borrowed for these descriptions. It was delightful, I was delighted. Those moments felt authentic.
Cosy fiction in general, I find, has this issue where it can't seem to decide when tension is too much or too little. As a result, characters in cosy fiction tend to overstate the urgency of extremely easy to solve problems. It's an understandable struggle for books in this genre - no author is going to want to betray the promise of a cosy time by upping the stakes too high, but conversely it can mean these books are prone to playing it far too safe. This is one such book. This is a forgivable offence - aside from a few pacing woes it still delivers.
What I found slightly less forgivable was the telling rather than showing. Wendy Day has created this lovely fantasy world with dragons integrated into daily life, complete with professional hierarchies and social customs, but instead of letting us discover these delights organically, she reports them to us like a news anchor. I felt like I was receiving a news report from a reporter aware they'll have to drive home in the rain, upping their personal investment by just a smidge.
I want to be clear - the reason this was disappointing is because the world itself really is curious, as is the premise and the role the protagonist is playing. The author does a good job with these aspects, there's just a bit of a delivery issue.
Does this make the reading and purchasing recommendations book list for my library? Yes, it does! But only just. This is comfort read for people who want cosy fantasy that won't challenge them, who enjoy Austen retellings that hit all the familiar notes, and who are looking for a palate cleanser between heavier reads. It's a quick read, so perfect to pick up between your heavier hitters!
December 23, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
I love Pride and Prejudice in almost all its forms—whether it’s the original novel, traditional adaptations, or more unconventional versions involving zombies or dragons. So naturally, For Want of a Dragon immediately caught my attention. A YA Pride and Prejudice retelling with dragons? That’s a fun premise, and overall, it delivers a light, romantic read that’s easy to enjoy.
That said, while the concept is excellent, the execution doesn’t quite live up to its full potential. This isn’t the strongest Pride and Prejudice variant I’ve read, but if you’re simply looking for something cozy, whimsical, and romantic, For Want of a Dragon will likely scratch that itch.
One of the highlights for me was the magical angle. I’ve always loved dragons, fae, and enchanted worlds, and I appreciated how the story leaned into that fantasy aesthetic. Turning Mr. Bennet into a talking cat was also genuinely funny—and honestly, it felt strangely fitting for his character.
Where the book struggled for me was in its writing style. The prose often felt like an awkward blend of Austen-inspired language and very casual, modern phrasing. That juxtaposition didn’t always work, and I think the story would have benefited from committing fully to one style or the other. The tonal inconsistency made it harder to stay immersed.
The characterization also felt off at times. The main character is far more openly romantic than Elizabeth Bennet ever was, which felt like an odd choice for a Pride and Prejudice–inspired story. Additionally, the worldbuilding felt scattered and underdeveloped, and some scenes were so close to well-known film adaptations that they pulled me out of the story rather than offering something fresh.
While I enjoyed the book overall, I was disappointed by its lack of emotional depth and nuance. I wanted more weight behind the relationships and more cohesion in the fantasy elements. I’ll also admit that reading this during the holidays made it harder for me to engage fully, though that was more circumstantial than the book’s fault.
Ultimately, I wouldn’t recommend For Want of a Dragon to die-hard fans of the original Pride and Prejudice or to readers who love more faithful, emotionally rich variants like Jessie Lewis’s (and if you enjoy P&P retellings, I highly recommend Mistaken by Jessie Lewis). However, if you’re in the mood for a fun, low-stakes romantic fantasy with dragons and a familiar framework, this book may still be worth checking out.
I love Pride and Prejudice in almost all its forms—whether it’s the original novel, traditional adaptations, or more unconventional versions involving zombies or dragons. So naturally, For Want of a Dragon immediately caught my attention. A YA Pride and Prejudice retelling with dragons? That’s a fun premise, and overall, it delivers a light, romantic read that’s easy to enjoy.
That said, while the concept is excellent, the execution doesn’t quite live up to its full potential. This isn’t the strongest Pride and Prejudice variant I’ve read, but if you’re simply looking for something cozy, whimsical, and romantic, For Want of a Dragon will likely scratch that itch.
One of the highlights for me was the magical angle. I’ve always loved dragons, fae, and enchanted worlds, and I appreciated how the story leaned into that fantasy aesthetic. Turning Mr. Bennet into a talking cat was also genuinely funny—and honestly, it felt strangely fitting for his character.
Where the book struggled for me was in its writing style. The prose often felt like an awkward blend of Austen-inspired language and very casual, modern phrasing. That juxtaposition didn’t always work, and I think the story would have benefited from committing fully to one style or the other. The tonal inconsistency made it harder to stay immersed.
The characterization also felt off at times. The main character is far more openly romantic than Elizabeth Bennet ever was, which felt like an odd choice for a Pride and Prejudice–inspired story. Additionally, the worldbuilding felt scattered and underdeveloped, and some scenes were so close to well-known film adaptations that they pulled me out of the story rather than offering something fresh.
While I enjoyed the book overall, I was disappointed by its lack of emotional depth and nuance. I wanted more weight behind the relationships and more cohesion in the fantasy elements. I’ll also admit that reading this during the holidays made it harder for me to engage fully, though that was more circumstantial than the book’s fault.
Ultimately, I wouldn’t recommend For Want of a Dragon to die-hard fans of the original Pride and Prejudice or to readers who love more faithful, emotionally rich variants like Jessie Lewis’s (and if you enjoy P&P retellings, I highly recommend Mistaken by Jessie Lewis). However, if you’re in the mood for a fun, low-stakes romantic fantasy with dragons and a familiar framework, this book may still be worth checking out.
September 22, 2025
The premise is fantastic, a dragon groomer in a world full of magical creatures, where everyday work intersects with the fantastical. There’s clearly potential in centering the story around someone who isn’t a chosen one or a crown prince but instead works a more grounded, everyday job. It’s the kind of idea that could make fantasy feel fresh.
Unfortunately, the execution doesn’t quite land. The prose is overly simplistic, often bogged down by repetitive “I did this, I did that” sentence structures. World-building details often raised more questions than they answered—reptiles with molars (??), gold that both dampens magic and yet is casually traded (???), and even an aside about expressing anal glands (wtf?) that I could have happily lived without.
The story also tends to tell rather than show, which left me disconnected from Livvy's motivations. She claims she wants to be a dragon rider, that it's her dream (although she didn't know that humans need escorts to ride dragons) yet also calls the practice barbaric. She’s constrained by society, but also… not really. It all left me unsure of who she was or why I should root for her.
Between the flat prose, inconsistent world-building, and unclear character motivations, I found myself unable to connect with the story and ultimately DNF’d it early on. Still, I appreciate the ambition. The idea of exploring magical tradespeople and dragon lore is intriguing, even if the execution didn’t come together for me.
Two stars: one for the premise, one for the effort.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, the execution doesn’t quite land. The prose is overly simplistic, often bogged down by repetitive “I did this, I did that” sentence structures. World-building details often raised more questions than they answered—reptiles with molars (??), gold that both dampens magic and yet is casually traded (???), and even an aside about expressing anal glands (wtf?) that I could have happily lived without.
The story also tends to tell rather than show, which left me disconnected from Livvy's motivations. She claims she wants to be a dragon rider, that it's her dream (although she didn't know that humans need escorts to ride dragons) yet also calls the practice barbaric. She’s constrained by society, but also… not really. It all left me unsure of who she was or why I should root for her.
Between the flat prose, inconsistent world-building, and unclear character motivations, I found myself unable to connect with the story and ultimately DNF’d it early on. Still, I appreciate the ambition. The idea of exploring magical tradespeople and dragon lore is intriguing, even if the execution didn’t come together for me.
Two stars: one for the premise, one for the effort.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 27, 2025
Thank you netgalley for this ARC. All thoughts and feelings are my own.
All her life Livvy has wanted to be around dragons, so despite her mother's wishes for her to settle down and marry, she goes into the fae lands in order to learn to groom dragons. Years later, her small town gets selected as the location for a dragon tournament. She gets the job as official dragon groomer to the riders, including Asher Covington.. the stoic, and broody rider.
With her friend's happiness most likely assured, Livvy has the unfortunate amount of time to contemplate her feelings towards Asher.
Will they fall in love? Or will his stoicism push her into the arms of friendly but charming Julian?
This is a pride and Prejudice variation but with dragons and fae.
As much as I liked the story, P&P being one of my favorite classics of all time, I can't help feel a bit disappointed in it.
I liked the plot, but the interactions and characters I felt lacked any sort of depth or emotion. There were some plot holes, things mentioned and never explained again.
There wasn't any tension between Livvy and Asher that I could feel through the page.
It lacked the small nuances that the original text had that made it as good as it was.
Even though some speeches were actually replicated within these pages, it somehow was without any sort of feeling at all.
I'm saddened by this, however, I thought the dragons were cool and Livvy's talking Cat Mr. Bennet was cute too. 😍
All her life Livvy has wanted to be around dragons, so despite her mother's wishes for her to settle down and marry, she goes into the fae lands in order to learn to groom dragons. Years later, her small town gets selected as the location for a dragon tournament. She gets the job as official dragon groomer to the riders, including Asher Covington.. the stoic, and broody rider.
With her friend's happiness most likely assured, Livvy has the unfortunate amount of time to contemplate her feelings towards Asher.
Will they fall in love? Or will his stoicism push her into the arms of friendly but charming Julian?
This is a pride and Prejudice variation but with dragons and fae.
As much as I liked the story, P&P being one of my favorite classics of all time, I can't help feel a bit disappointed in it.
I liked the plot, but the interactions and characters I felt lacked any sort of depth or emotion. There were some plot holes, things mentioned and never explained again.
There wasn't any tension between Livvy and Asher that I could feel through the page.
It lacked the small nuances that the original text had that made it as good as it was.
Even though some speeches were actually replicated within these pages, it somehow was without any sort of feeling at all.
I'm saddened by this, however, I thought the dragons were cool and Livvy's talking Cat Mr. Bennet was cute too. 😍
November 15, 2025
To start, minus one point for the blurb and the book not matching. If I pick up a book that says “this is a Pride and Prejudice” retelling, I will enter into the book with certain expectations; namely that this book will hold characters and plot points from P&P, or close enough that I can see the resemblance. This book is not that; it’s just blindly following plot beats with no understanding of how character interactions shape the story leaving so much of this book feeling flat, forced, and foolish.
Dragons are smart enough to sign a treaty, but still end up as pets and mounts for fae? Why does a dragon need a rider when she can turn into a humanoid form? How does someone not liking crowded places make them a snob? (Am … am I a snob?) Lines of dialogue are lifted verbatim, but without any of the tension or angst or — frankly — understanding of why they work.
This book is like getting a glass of lukewarm water when I asked for tea. They’re both wet, they’re both in a glass, but only one has flavor and the other is room temperature.
The writing is stiff, the characters inconsistent. The world building makes no sense, the plot is contrived and forced, and it’s an overall an unpleasant experience. It’s contrived, it’s clumsy, and it makes me wonder what the book would have been like on its own without trying to jam Pride and Prejudice in there. I’m sorry, I don’t recommend this at all.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
October 9, 2025
Thanks to Open Sky Publishing for letting me have an ARC. This was the perfect book at the perfect time for me. A Pride and Prejudice retelling but with a fantasy twist and because of that you know exactly what happens but it was still so fun to accompany the characters and worry over what was going to happen to them.
I felt there was enough world building that you could understand the context Livvy exists in but there is still a lot that could be explored and I hope Wendy Day has more books planned for this world.
There were a couple of scenes that felt a bit abrupt in execution but served the forward motion of the plot. I would have liked a bit more elaboration around the prejudice between Fae and humans - unstated but obvious from reading other Fae fantasy still it would have been interesting to know how that plays out in this world.
Loved Livvy being a dragon groomer and the dragon jousting tournament- made a great setting for the romance. I loved the backstory and outcome for the Wickham character but I wished the aunt was more involved before her major scene.
Overall this was a lovely book with cozy vibes but great relationships, action and world building. Looking forward to more from this author.
I felt there was enough world building that you could understand the context Livvy exists in but there is still a lot that could be explored and I hope Wendy Day has more books planned for this world.
There were a couple of scenes that felt a bit abrupt in execution but served the forward motion of the plot. I would have liked a bit more elaboration around the prejudice between Fae and humans - unstated but obvious from reading other Fae fantasy still it would have been interesting to know how that plays out in this world.
Loved Livvy being a dragon groomer and the dragon jousting tournament- made a great setting for the romance. I loved the backstory and outcome for the Wickham character but I wished the aunt was more involved before her major scene.
Overall this was a lovely book with cozy vibes but great relationships, action and world building. Looking forward to more from this author.
September 12, 2025
The two main elements of this book were definitely appealing, but there's something about how they meshed that didn't quite hit.
The Pride and Prejudice retelling was a cute idea since it's such a beloved book, but I found it got in the way of the other element of the FMC being a dragon groomer who always wished to have a bond with a dragon of her own. I think the idea of the dragon groomer is interesting enough, especially since dragons are more aligned with fae and our FMC is human, that it didn't need the added layer of the Jane Austen retelling. I wanted to learn more about the point of the tournament, why fae men are the only ones who can be dragon riders, and why humans are so rare in this part of the world. Perhaps I would have liked the Austen angle more if there was a very compelling chemistry between Lizzy and the Darcy MMC but his aloofness and snobbery was a bit too extreme to see him as a viable romantic prospect.
This is still a nice read, but it was a bit disappointing that the dream the FMC has isn't quite fulfilled and feels more like a consolation prize. I am very intrigued by this world, though, and I hope the author will turn this into a series.
The Pride and Prejudice retelling was a cute idea since it's such a beloved book, but I found it got in the way of the other element of the FMC being a dragon groomer who always wished to have a bond with a dragon of her own. I think the idea of the dragon groomer is interesting enough, especially since dragons are more aligned with fae and our FMC is human, that it didn't need the added layer of the Jane Austen retelling. I wanted to learn more about the point of the tournament, why fae men are the only ones who can be dragon riders, and why humans are so rare in this part of the world. Perhaps I would have liked the Austen angle more if there was a very compelling chemistry between Lizzy and the Darcy MMC but his aloofness and snobbery was a bit too extreme to see him as a viable romantic prospect.
This is still a nice read, but it was a bit disappointing that the dream the FMC has isn't quite fulfilled and feels more like a consolation prize. I am very intrigued by this world, though, and I hope the author will turn this into a series.
September 13, 2025
This is a majority fantasy with a romantic side plot. It's almost a romantasy, but I felt the excellent worldbuilding was substantial enough to say it's majority fantasy. I really liked the idea of dragon jousting and dragon grooming. I loved the talking cat/caracal. Who wouldn't wish for a cat that could talk to you and say vaguely affectionate yet imperious things? The only aspect of this book that I liked less is that the romantic plot portion, maybe 5-10% is derived from the romantic plot of Pride and Prejudice to the point where I could predict when the two would have problems, why, and what they would say to each other. I wished that such an imaginative author had made everything new. But if I had never read Pride and Prejudice I would have been satisfied with the romance. It was only because I knew what was coming that I was slightly disappointed. Because that's such a small portion of the book, and because I enjoyed the rest, I would still recommend purchasing this book if you are looking for an adventure with a dragon groomer of dragon jousters. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the free ARC.
September 26, 2025
unfortunately I did not enjoy this book. the fantasy world building and the pride & prejudice tones did not blend well together. Characters with modern attitudes and behaviors were alongside regency era characters and the dialogue felt clunky and confusing. the first part of the book hardly touches the pride & prejudice theme but then at about 30% in it felt like it was just following the story beat for beat. it didn't give anything unique until the last few chapters and the culmination of the tournament. the dragons and dragon tournament truly took such a backseat to the author finding a way to make pride and prejudice fit in this story. i should not be walking out of a dragon book wondering where all the cool dragon stuff was. this book had a huge case of telling not showing and even when it told me a world building aspect directly it was still confusing and didn't feel relevant. this would maybe be enjoyable for middle grade readers but it just felt tedious and repetitive to me.
thank you to netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review!
thank you to netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review!
September 12, 2025
Thank you Wendy Day, Open Sky Publishing and NetGalley for a copy of *For Want Of A Dragon* in exchange for my honest review🐉🩶
Publication date: October 14, 2025
This book is a cozy romance full of dragons and magical creatures. It's a quick and cozy read with Pride and Prejudice inspiration. Not too much depth or complex world building, making it an easy read.
Livvy is human, living in a charming small village in the magical land. She left her family in the human land on the other side of the border to follow her dream of being close to dragons. She lives in a cozy cottage with a talking cat-like creature, works as a dragon groomer and has sweet friends in the village. A dragon jousting tournament brings many dragons and their riders to her village, including Asher, Fae royalty and famous dragon rider. Livvy immediately dislikes him while also being drawn to him. There's excitement, romantic gestures and a very happy end. Overall, this an easy and cozy fantasy romance read.
Publication date: October 14, 2025
This book is a cozy romance full of dragons and magical creatures. It's a quick and cozy read with Pride and Prejudice inspiration. Not too much depth or complex world building, making it an easy read.
Livvy is human, living in a charming small village in the magical land. She left her family in the human land on the other side of the border to follow her dream of being close to dragons. She lives in a cozy cottage with a talking cat-like creature, works as a dragon groomer and has sweet friends in the village. A dragon jousting tournament brings many dragons and their riders to her village, including Asher, Fae royalty and famous dragon rider. Livvy immediately dislikes him while also being drawn to him. There's excitement, romantic gestures and a very happy end. Overall, this an easy and cozy fantasy romance read.
October 2, 2025
I really enjoyed this cute little book. A Pride and Prejudice retelling but with dragons? This book was made for me.
This was such a quick and easy read. It was cozy and entertaining, and I had such a pleasant time.
Livvy is a dragon groomer who gets hired to be the groomer for the upcoming dragon jousting tournament. The money allows her to be able to send money back home to help aid her sick dad.
I adored Livvy and Marinn's friendship. I adored all the different dragons, especially the fmc Asher's dragon.
I loved the easy pacing, the whimsical elements such as the cute cottage, the dragons, the talking cat, the setting, the tournament, the coziness, and I would not be mad if this author decided to write a sequel. 🤭👀
While I do think the romance could have been expanded on more, I had a great time getting acquainted with Asher and watching where him and Livvy were going.
Thank you, Netgalley, and Open Sky Publishing for this arc! It was a pleasure.
This was such a quick and easy read. It was cozy and entertaining, and I had such a pleasant time.
Livvy is a dragon groomer who gets hired to be the groomer for the upcoming dragon jousting tournament. The money allows her to be able to send money back home to help aid her sick dad.
I adored Livvy and Marinn's friendship. I adored all the different dragons, especially the fmc Asher's dragon.
I loved the easy pacing, the whimsical elements such as the cute cottage, the dragons, the talking cat, the setting, the tournament, the coziness, and I would not be mad if this author decided to write a sequel. 🤭👀
While I do think the romance could have been expanded on more, I had a great time getting acquainted with Asher and watching where him and Livvy were going.
Thank you, Netgalley, and Open Sky Publishing for this arc! It was a pleasure.
October 19, 2025
Thank you for the ARC!
I'm always slightly disappointed when there's a dragon romance book and there's no fucking the dragons tbh, especially because these ones have humanlike form.
It has been well over a decade since I read or watched Pride and Prejudice so I can't say how close this is to the original text, but it was a cute read! I think if you frame it more like an old school historical that just happens to have fae and dragons rather than a fantasy romance book you'll have a good time. It's not a very deep book, there's very little character development, and we don't stay too long on any one plot point so it doesn't feel fully "fleshed out" but for under 300 pages I wasn't mad at it.
I'm always slightly disappointed when there's a dragon romance book and there's no fucking the dragons tbh, especially because these ones have humanlike form.
It has been well over a decade since I read or watched Pride and Prejudice so I can't say how close this is to the original text, but it was a cute read! I think if you frame it more like an old school historical that just happens to have fae and dragons rather than a fantasy romance book you'll have a good time. It's not a very deep book, there's very little character development, and we don't stay too long on any one plot point so it doesn't feel fully "fleshed out" but for under 300 pages I wasn't mad at it.
October 12, 2025
This was a cosy read.
Asher is standoffish, Livvy is caring and independent.
I really enjoyed Livvy's job, and her relationships with her father and best friend.
I liked the world and felt like there was so much to explore there - a village at the edge of the mortal lands where creatures of all types exist together, and there are dragons!
That being said, I really did not like chapter 50. The Pride and Prejudice (2005 movie) quotes were too on the nose for me. It may have been like that for other parts of the book (I haven't watched the movie or read the book in over 15 years) but this one stuck out and the whole chapter didn't feel needed.
(ARC provided by NetGalley)
Asher is standoffish, Livvy is caring and independent.
I really enjoyed Livvy's job, and her relationships with her father and best friend.
I liked the world and felt like there was so much to explore there - a village at the edge of the mortal lands where creatures of all types exist together, and there are dragons!
That being said, I really did not like chapter 50. The Pride and Prejudice (2005 movie) quotes were too on the nose for me. It may have been like that for other parts of the book (I haven't watched the movie or read the book in over 15 years) but this one stuck out and the whole chapter didn't feel needed.
(ARC provided by NetGalley)
September 11, 2025
A Great Dragon Story!
An engaging and interesting read with a hint of mystery and deception with a slow build to love storyline.
I enjoyed how this author described the different Dragons, and I loved Livvy’s role in the tournament.
I did find Asher a little stand-offish and slow to show the wonderful person he really is!
Although a bit slow in places the hero and heroine of this storyline do get their HEA and it is worth a read!
Thanks to NetGalley, Open Sky Publishing and Wendy Day for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
An engaging and interesting read with a hint of mystery and deception with a slow build to love storyline.
I enjoyed how this author described the different Dragons, and I loved Livvy’s role in the tournament.
I did find Asher a little stand-offish and slow to show the wonderful person he really is!
Although a bit slow in places the hero and heroine of this storyline do get their HEA and it is worth a read!
Thanks to NetGalley, Open Sky Publishing and Wendy Day for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
October 2, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the arc copy.
The premise of the story is what drew me to apply for this read. Dragons x Jane Austen sounds fun.
It took a bit to get into this story, the FMC kind of annoyed at times.
I enjoyed learning a little about the Dragon types.
I feel that the world building needed to be deeper explored which would give a more compelling read, fae and human lores as well etc
Overall a cute cozy romance read that has you wanting a happily ever after for all the characters.
An epilogue would have been appreciated or maybe a sequel?
The premise of the story is what drew me to apply for this read. Dragons x Jane Austen sounds fun.
It took a bit to get into this story, the FMC kind of annoyed at times.
I enjoyed learning a little about the Dragon types.
I feel that the world building needed to be deeper explored which would give a more compelling read, fae and human lores as well etc
Overall a cute cozy romance read that has you wanting a happily ever after for all the characters.
An epilogue would have been appreciated or maybe a sequel?
September 13, 2025
This was a very fun, fantasy reimagining of pride and prejudice (as could be inferred by the little P&P nuggets sprinkled throughout the book's summary).
It was a tad rushed - like the 2005 P&P movie instead of the superior BBC miniseries - but enjoyable all the same! I loved the characters and the light world building. Mr Bennet makes me very glad my own cats cant talk, he was kinder than mine would be i think.
It was a tad rushed - like the 2005 P&P movie instead of the superior BBC miniseries - but enjoyable all the same! I loved the characters and the light world building. Mr Bennet makes me very glad my own cats cant talk, he was kinder than mine would be i think.
October 17, 2025
This is a good book for people who love YA romantasy with instant love and dragons. I personally read more adult and drak fantasies, but I still enjoyed reading this cute little story! I really enjoy the world settings with all the different kind of dragons and their quirks. I also loved the feminist tone of the FMC.
The writing is good, but I found that there were some repetitions at times. Overall, it is a good book, I think I was just not the best audience for it.
The writing is good, but I found that there were some repetitions at times. Overall, it is a good book, I think I was just not the best audience for it.
November 7, 2025
This book was a fun read, but not one that kept me overly engaged while I was reading it! I think the premise of the book was so perfect, and jumping into it based on that left me feeling a little underwhelmed about it.
There wasn't anything wrong with it per say, I just don't know if this was my cup of tea kind of read! Which is okay, someone else might really love it, it just wasn't for me!
It was super cute, and I think has so much potential!
Thank you NetGalley for an eARC!
There wasn't anything wrong with it per say, I just don't know if this was my cup of tea kind of read! Which is okay, someone else might really love it, it just wasn't for me!
It was super cute, and I think has so much potential!
Thank you NetGalley for an eARC!
September 15, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Open Sky Publishing, and Wendy Day for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This was okay. A cozy fall read. The similarities between this and Pride and Prejudice was just too much. The story needs a little refining. It moved at a weird pace. I did love the inclusion of the dragons. Overall this was just okay.
This was okay. A cozy fall read. The similarities between this and Pride and Prejudice was just too much. The story needs a little refining. It moved at a weird pace. I did love the inclusion of the dragons. Overall this was just okay.
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