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Flight Risk

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Oh no. No. Do not think that. He is not my boyfriend. He is a pigeon.

Birdie is an animal control tech.
Gray is the glitter-covered pigeon man who just exploded out of a birdcage in her van, claiming she is his mate.
She’s not buying it, and won’t let him stay any longer than one night.
Until a well-timed phone call from her sister sees Gray attending a family wedding as Birdie's fake boyfriend.
She calls it quid pro quo.
But it stops feeling fake way too fast, and the shape of freedom always changes.

A ridiculous pigeon shifter romance with accidental hurt feelings. Oops!
Please check trigger warnings before you read. As usual, I cannot help but knock your legs away.

234 pages, ebook

Published November 7, 2025

3 people are currently reading
20 people want to read

About the author

Dove Soleil

8 books42 followers
Dove Soleil writes cozy, low stakes, high heat monster romance, paranormal romance, romantasy, and sci-fi romance with occasional feelings, lots of levity, and big ol'... happily ever afters!
She really likes to write witty banter, red hot spice, and edge it with just enough angst and emotion.
Things you'll find in Dove's books: lots of consent, realistic bodies, silliness, queer rep, neurodivergent and mental health rep, lots of spice.
Things you won't find in Dove's books: washboard abs, really deep plot/worldbuilding, absolutely soul-crushing angst*.

*Okay, she can't promise that. Dove loves angst. But if you want angst, you're best to check out Evita Wren's work, as Dove Soleil is a pen name of contemporary romance author Evita Wren.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Profile Image for Madison.
471 reviews14 followers
October 25, 2025
Did I fall in love with a pigeon shifter named Gray? Yes I did. Do I regret it? Not a chance. This book was just so fun to read, I fell in love with both characters but I think Gray stole my heart. The sweetest most adorably awkward MMC I have ever read about 🥺

This book is spicy, sweet and so enjoyable.

Thank you to Dove for the ARC.
Profile Image for GracelinaReads .
54 reviews2 followers
November 16, 2025
Gray and Birdie

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Now when I first learned this was a pigeon shifter romance, I was side eyeing Dove from the distance.🤣 This is better than I could’ve imagined and I’m sorry I doubted it. I normally read the regular wolf and dragon shifters. This was definitely something I didn’t know I NEEDED!

Birdie took a little bit of warming up to. She was not my favorite person in the beginning, but by the end, I loved her. She was taking me through it and I just wanted her to get out of her own head. GRANTED, her responses were valid , but she took a little longer to come around.

This is my absolute favorite character from Dove’s books. Gray is incredibly sweet, protective, caring, thoughtful, and incredibly adorable. I was instantly smitten with him from the very first moment I met him. If anyone deserves the title “book boyfriend,” it’s him.

Dove gave us not one, not two, not even three steamy scenes. She gave us like 7-8🥵😭 Yes, I did count. This is my favorite story so far. I’m sorry Cal and Ari😩🤣
Profile Image for Alisha.
108 reviews4 followers
November 10, 2025
My initial thoughts going in were "A silly dedication instead of a heartfelt one? This is going to be good." and wouldn't you know, it was. Actually it was better than good, it was absolutely amazing and I'm sitting here just questioning everything. This was supposed to be a silly pigeon shifter romance. Was it silly? Yeah, a little bit. Was it a pigeon shifter romance? Yeah, it certainly was. Was it one of the most beautiful, romantic, heartfelt, sincere stories I've read? Yeah, yeah it really was. I don't know why I expect anything less than that from Dove but she always delivers. 😭 Am I surprised she could make me cry at a pigeon shifter romance? I guess not, damn.

Birdie is just an animal control tech that is trying to catch a stray in her off time. A pigeon she keeps seeing around jumps in the cage, ruining her plans for the evening. Heading back with the pigeon in tow suddenly he shifts into this giant naked man in her front seat and he claims she's he's mate. Gray has spent most of his life as a bird, he thinks, and he's not too familiar with human etiquette but one thing he is sure of is Birdie is his mate and he just wants the chance to prove that to her. "I wasn't courting you." "Let me make you want to." shut up😭😭😭

Gray is literally the sweetest baby ever and I love him so much. My heart hurt so bad for him all the way through but by god did he get the most beautiful resolution. He has never experienced any kind of physical connection or intimacy and Birdie has to teach him everything. "He's apparently my mate, and he's coming to my sister's wedding, and I took his virginity, and he's sleeping in my bed." No big deal, honestly. Even being the teacher she manages to experience things she never has before. Hello being made to feel small in the best way for the first time ever 😇 This precious little dove of his, oh my. I love the way their relationship blossomed and the way they grew into one another. "Teach me." "I wasn't courting you." "Birdie, I would die for you." "My boyfriend!" "I would give up the sky for Birdie." my heart simply cannot take these two. I love everything this author does, under both pen names (Evita Wren) but this one really might be my favorite. I seem to really be swooning hard for Hurt/Comfort and baybee did this one deliver in the best way 😭😭😭
Profile Image for kreader33.
76 reviews
December 7, 2025
A glittery pigeon? Yes please!
Everything is still better than flying.
Gray is so polite. He’s so sweet and innocent. He wants to learn. He’s honest and questioning. He owns up to his mistakes. I love how black and white his logic is. It takes the ambiguity out of things. I can just imagine his eyes phasing with his emotions. I like his open communication style too. Not afraid to ask why not for clarity. A few of his dialogue lines brought tears to my eyes.
All humans are caffeine monsters 🤣
Birdie handles everything step by step. I like how methodical and patient she is. The way she carries herself for her work, is the same as she carries herself in all aspects of her life. She takes her time to be sure. She’s honest.
I can’t help but giggle that Dove wrote a book that uses the nickname Little Dove.
Birdie and Gray are perfect together. They are a perfect nest. I’d love art of Birdie and Gray all dressed up together. They are just the cutest!
I love that the author never shies away from going out of the box to tell a story. I respect how serious consent is handled in all of her works as well. I appreciate how she addresses mental health as well.
I love the chapter titles! This book is perfect for shapeshifter fans of all types.
The author definitely had to do a lot of research and study on pigeons. I learned so much I didn’t ever to think to even ask about. Can we get pigeon shaped glitter for some merch in the future? It’s just perfect!
I’d love a prequel book to learn more about what happened to Gray in the past! I would love to read about Birdie’s family, specifically her sisters, more as well. I love our introduction into what I hope will be a new universe. The epilogue broke and shattered me.

Suggested reading order to date:
1. Flight Risk
2. Quiet Light

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Grace.
239 reviews2 followers
November 10, 2025
Perfectly sweet and cozy with hidden depth

“Flight Risk” by Dove Soleil is a cozy shifter romance featuring charming plus-sized main characters, lots of nests made of pillows and blankets, cuddles, companionship, and sweetness. I dropped everything and devoured it immediately! I loved it; I am obsessed with these bird shifters.
Dove Soleil is really coming into her own as an author; her prose is incredibly romantic, metaphorical, and meaningful. The idea of a pigeon shifter is silly, and there’s plenty of levity throughout the book, but don’t be fooled. Soleil adds her signature depth to the characters, their complex backstories, and extensive emotional growth. Birdie is a hardworking, underappreciated, independent woman who is used to protecting herself and her heart. Gray is a super sweet pigeon shifter; such a soft, strong, and cozy male lead. I loved how clearly the ‘fake dating’ trope is portrayed as one-sided throughout. Every time someone asks, ‘Are you together?’ Gray confidently affirms and sweetly claims Birdie (she whispers it's fake, right, and he responds, 'whatever you need to tell yourself'), while remaining gentle and patient with Birdie. I loved the entire idea of finding someone who completes your flock, puts you at ease, becomes your safety, and embodies the soft, gentle side of love. I am so excited for more Gray, Birdie, Hazel, & Reviel in “Quiet Light”
Profile Image for Kat.
215 reviews23 followers
October 28, 2025
I am willing to give everything a chance and this one really surprised me with how much I enjoyed it. I also cracked up at the dedication for this book, it really set the mood for the adventure that I was about to go on.

Gray is a unique character in that he is a pigeon shifter and not used to the human world. He is the epitome of sweet and gentle but also freak in the sheets, I love a gentle shy man who absolutely devours his woman, no pun intended. Birdie is a woman who is gentle in her soul but has a tough exterior, she doesnt just let anyone fully in, and she gives Gray a ride for his money at first.

Their story is so sweet and romantic once Birdie fully lets him in, I really enjoyed their banter and their communication throughout about their adventures and antics. I enjoyed this novel from start to finish and would heavily recommend it if you are new to the shifter space and want something to dip your toe in. I was lucky enough to receive an arc of this amazing novel and am leaving a review of my own thoughts and feelings.
Profile Image for Anouk.
74 reviews
October 28, 2025
My expectations were high because of all the teasers, and they were met… at first. The story's concept is awesome, so I was immediately hooked. Birdie and Gray made me smile from ear to ear and he is such a softie for her - it's just adorable. Around the 75 percent mark, however, it went in a wholly different direction to what I had expected. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. Honestly, I would've given this book four stars if it weren't for the last chapter. Surrogacy is a big no for me. Everyone is free to do with their body as they please. Period. Having said that, I strongly believe that surrogacy is morally questionable. This is especially the case when you consider how rich people exploit women from poorer backgrounds to carry their children, just so they can avoid the negative consequences of pregnancy. I know it's also used by women who can't bear children due to age or infertility, but adoption is always an option. This just really ruined the story for me, so in my mind I'll just ignore the existence of that last chapter.

3 ⭐️ ARC Review
Profile Image for balayageandbooks.
568 reviews17 followers
October 31, 2025
First and foremost... I could not put this book down.
These two characters had me instantly hooked!
The FMC, Birdie she's strong and independent... and even if she doesn't want to admit it...partial to pigeons.
The MMC Gray, I mean hands down one of the sweetest and absolutely swoon worthy book boyfriends EVER!
He's so genuinely kind and just wants to make his mate happy...his quirky little tendencies are adorable.. and this man bird even as he's learning human etiquette still manages to say some the deepest and most romantic things. He speaks from his soul...and it will have those little hearts in your eyes!
There's just something about the way this author writes this mate bond.... it has this natural chemistry that mixes with this primal need.
These two characters their chemistry is HAWT! The push and pull...the banter...the moment where they finally give in...it had me in all my feels!
And like always this author leaves us little breads crumbs ( you see what I did there?!) of what's next in this little series and I CANNOT WAIT!
Profile Image for ThatsSomeGoodSmut.
220 reviews2 followers
November 7, 2025
Thank you to the author for a copy of this book.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I absolutely fell for a pigeon shifter. Flight Risk is sweet, spicy, and complicated. Dove Soleil has a knack for turning the weird into wonderful, and this story had me laughing, blushing, and genuinely swooning.

Gray might be my new favorite MMC, a soft, glitter-covered, emotionally intelligent bird man who speaks in tenderness and acts like consent is second nature. Every interaction between him and Birdie had that perfect mix of awkward humor and genuine affection. Their banter is hilarious, their chemistry undeniable, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.

Flight Risk is a fun, fresh, and heartfelt shifter romance that manages to be both ridiculous and deeply romantic. If you like your spice with a side of laughter and a pigeon who’ll steal your heart, then this one’s worth the flight.
111 reviews4 followers
October 26, 2025
A pigeon shifter romance? Don’t mind if I do!

Once I got over the silliness of a pigeon shifter, I fell in love with Gray & Birdie.

Gray is the sweetest MMC I’ve come across in a very long time. He has no idea about human etiquette, & Birdie reluctantly agrees to help him, even with his first human e*ection.

Birdie has a lot of internal battles going on, but Gray is steady, patient & content to wait for her to change her mind. She gives in, but then her walls go back up. She can’t be his mate.

But when Gray accompanies her to her sisters wedding, & his past comes to find him, he literally tears himself apart to save Birdie, & she can’t help but fall for him - once & for all.

This is a very silly romance with a nesting cinnamon roll MMC, plus size MMC & FMC with forced proximity, 🪢 ing & high heat that you don’t want to miss out on.
Profile Image for Amanda.
397 reviews12 followers
November 7, 2025
Grey, my precious. & Birdie lord..

Flight Risk centers around an encounter with Grey (a shifter) and Birdie (a human) who isn't really looking for love or anything really. The phone call from her sister kind of puts Birdie in a position of needing Grey to be her date.

The story centers around Birdie showing Grey humans etiquette and honestly, it's just adorable! I did love the under lying themes of consent, signals, and being communicative during intimacy. I even enjoyed Grey's backstory and his happy ending when it came to being 'free'.

& yes, I know this story wasn't meant to be serious but I don't think Dove knows how to NOT incorporate emotion into her stories. PS it's what i love about them.

Thank you to the author for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

60 reviews2 followers
October 27, 2025
I never thought I’d be ticking off ‘falling for a pigeon shifter’ on my 2025 bingo card… but here we are. After meeting Grey, I can’t help but wonder—why the hell wasn’t it always meant to be? He’s hands down the most adorable MMC I’ve ever read—soft, genuine, with a touch of pleasure dom that just makes my heart race. This story? Absolutely breathtaking. Dove has done it again, pulling me right into the heart of the action, feeling every moment, every fight to keep Grey close. I was right there with them, burning with fierce protectiveness, desperate to see justice done and love triumph. It’s not just a book—it’s an emotional river that pulls you in, leaves you breathless, and makes you believe in undeniable, passionate connection.
Profile Image for Lacey Kintz.
107 reviews6 followers
October 28, 2025
Flight Risk is just how I like my books: spicy, sweet, with a heavy splash of trauma.
Dove Soleil writes some of my most favorite female characters. They're bold and honest and Birdie's no exception. I might not make the same choices they make but, with all that complex thought written on page, it's hard not to understand why they do what they do or have the boundaries they have.
Gray is the softest, most hurt, most perfect book boyfriend. I love him and his easy smiles. The sad way he hopes is so heartbreaking. The hurt is just so good.

I'm grateful for access to this novel as an ARC and am absolutely looking forward to what happens in a teased companion novel between two lovable side characters!
Profile Image for Heather Close.
123 reviews2 followers
November 4, 2025
You had me at pigeon shifter but I didn't expect to fall head over heels for said pigeon!

Birdie is an animal control tech who unknowingly captures Gray, a pigeon about to turn into a human in the front seat of her car. While Gray immediately knows that Birdie is his mate, Birdie does everything to keep him at arm's length. As the story unfolds, we learn about Gray's past while Birdie teaches him how to be human.

This was a very sweet story with lots of spice. Gray is the ultimate green flag consent king and it was so fun to watch Birdie fall harder and harder for him.

I received an advance copy for review. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Courtney Head.
86 reviews2 followers
November 7, 2025
I was lucky to receive this as an ARC and would like to thank the author for letting me read this early 🩷

The MMC is unlike any I’ve ever read about- he starts off as a pigeon… yes, you read that right! Gary is a pigeon shifter who is instantly in love with our FMC.

Our FMC is a human woman and her name just happens to be Birdie. She is just as attracted to Gray but she doesn’t allow herself to accept those feelings.

These characters are so memorable and amazing, their story is one I won’t be forgetting any time soon.

If you’re looking for romance that’s a bit different than the norm then I highly recommend this book!

Happy reading 📖
Profile Image for Tonika.
259 reviews4 followers
November 8, 2025
I really appreciate Dove’s style of writing and the risks that they take in their writing. Where else would you find a pigeon shifter?

Birdie and Grey are absolutely adorable together, so cute.

Birdie, Human FMC, an animal control tech, helping animals in the wrong places or in trouble.

One moment a carrier is on her front seat with a pigeon Birdie swears she has seen before. Then the next moment Poof/Bang a large naked man sits in her front seat, nearly causing a car accident.

Grey, Pigeon shifter, MMC, large when in human mode.

Tropes:
- Pigeon Shifter
- Plus size FMC
- Fated Mate
- Virgin MMC
- 5/5 Spice!
- knots
- Plus size MMC
-
Profile Image for Misty Ortiz.
69 reviews7 followers
November 2, 2025
Where to start? The MMC Gray is the most loveable ooey gooey “damaged” cinnamon roll pigeon shifter and the FMC Birdie, well she annoys me at first but I mean that’s what you get when it’s not instalove but it’s always painful waiting for a character to wake up and make the right choice but we get there eventually and the story is sweeter for it. The book has the knotty spice and sweet love story. Can’t wait for the next book for Hazel and Reviel. Thanks Dove for always giving us something to look forward to ;-)
Profile Image for Kanwal Nadeem.
27 reviews
November 2, 2025
What a great read!! I never in my wildest dreams imagined I would be reading a shifter pigeon romance, but here we are. I had no idea what I was getting myself into but this somehow had serious themes of romance, villainous concepts, and light hearted back and forth all neatly packaged into an easy to read parcel. I absolutely adore Gray, he is the most precious creature ever and I love how he is written. All in all a fantastic read! Thank you so much Dove Soleil for allowing me to have the ARC of this book, I had an incredible Sunday afternoon while devouring this in one sitting!
Profile Image for Toni Peden.
Author 2 books8 followers
November 14, 2025
I received this book as an ARC and am leaving my honest review.

A pigeon shifter is not something I ever thought I would enjoy reading about, but here we are. I can't say that I'm disappointed either. I laughed so much while reading this book. However, I did cry some too. Gray will definitely pull at your heart strings. He gives golden retriever energy but also has that touch-her-and-dxx part as well. I love that Birdie isn't the toned, athletic build. Can't wait to read more from this author.
Profile Image for Makenna.
59 reviews5 followers
November 21, 2025
Okay I absolutely loved this book!! Going into it I expected a silly story and spicy scenes, which you definitely get, but it’s so much more than that. I couldn’t help but fall for the characters, there’s so much depth to their stories and to their connection. The way they overcame their own setbacks and thrived by working together was beautiful. Gotta love a happy ending but this was better than I expected it to be. This is a book that I’ll recommend, read again, and buy the physical copy! Go read it!!
Profile Image for Andi Downs.
1,446 reviews14 followers
November 23, 2025
A thoroughly enjoyable shifter read, with the male being a Pigeon shifter! It was fun, visualizing a pigeon changing onto a full-size human male. But that is what Gray is and he happens to be in the care of Birdie who is an animal control tech. He's quick to claim her as his mate, but Birdie is hesitant until they are made to come close as he poses as her plus one for her sister's wedding. :)
Thank you, Dove, for having on your review team. Always look forward to more from you and always happy to read, enjoy and review. :)
Profile Image for Hayleigh Huntley.
14 reviews2 followers
October 27, 2025
First off, thank you for the opportunity to arc this book!

This book had my heart right from the first chapter. Watching the love develop between Gray and Birdie was absolutely heartwarming and sometimes made me sniffle.

The spice in this book is unrelenting and absolutely amazing! Despite the hilarity of a pigeon shifter, it doesn’t deter from the very real “human etiquette” that is taught during the story!

An absolute must read for anyone who loves ridiculous smut with heartwarming notes!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Tysha.
192 reviews5 followers
November 6, 2025
This pigeon-shifter story was ridiculously sweet and funny, I really enjoyed it. Gray was a rather clueless MMC, but obviously had such a kind heart. Birdie was such a patient partner and I loved seeing them get to know eachother.

The spice was great, and I loved the use of a safe word, gesture and check-in question. I'm a big fan of books that normalise consent as part of a relationship.

I received an ARC of this ebook from the author, and I'm voluntarily leaving this review.
Profile Image for Sam Blevins.
120 reviews2 followers
November 11, 2025
This was an absolutely eccentric read!
"He is not my boyfriend. He is a pigeon" This pretty much sums up the entire book. It has got a pigeon shifter who found his fated mate in a human. He makes her a nest in his human form and is just the sweetest cinnamon roll ever!
This book is for anybody looking for a big boy pigeon shifter. 🐦

The author sets up the next book for a Hawk shifter named Reviel and Birdie's sister and I cant wait to read it!
Profile Image for Winter Ross.
8 reviews
October 27, 2025
The warm gooeyness that is this story. It was a little more surface than I expected, but I enjoyed it. I would have liked to have seen a bit more world-building. Like why were they experimenting on the birds? Are shifters a thing in this universe because Birdie took that man shifting in her van way too well? Lol. It was a sweet and fun read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
11 reviews
November 1, 2025
Sooooooo apperently I can now add "Pleasure Pigeon" to my repertoire of "Somewhat questionable things Dove has gotten me into". 🤣 This book was SOOOOOOO cute. Gray is just🥺🥺 And Birdie truly is his perfect match. Everytime Dove releases a new book, its a comforting feeling of falling in love again and again. Her words are woven into the ethers of being, like a sweater for the nurons of my mind.
Profile Image for Morgan Taylor.
150 reviews8 followers
November 3, 2025
*ARC*

Dove Soleil knows how to write the sweetest MMCs. I really loved Gray, he's a pigeon shifter who just wants to learn how to be human from Birdie. I think their slow and natural flow to real love was beautiful to read.

The spice was fun and Gray was always eager to please and to learn...which makes for some adorable but super spicy interactions.
Profile Image for Erin Houghton.
65 reviews2 followers
October 26, 2025
OMG I fell in love with this book from the first page. Gray is the sweetest MMC and I loved him instantly. Birdie is hilarious and her inner monologue is super relatable! I’m pretty sure I constantly had a smile on my face while reading this delicious book. The spice is perfect.
Profile Image for Reading.With.Janet.
393 reviews7 followers
November 8, 2025
Looking for a shifter romance this is for you. We meet Birdie and Gray. Gray is a pigeon and not used to the human world. Birdie is a woman who gentel soul with a tough exterior. I like their banter you and I absolutely love Gray. You definitely don’t want to miss this.
Profile Image for Terri Leigh Cope.
28 reviews1 follower
October 28, 2025
Dove Soleil never fails! She does creature spice and plot flawlessly!! I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
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