Tropes and Tenderness

by M.A. Innes

Klynn
Humans. Klynn knows that humans come in a variety of shapes, colors, and personalities. What he isn’t expecting is to find a human mate. A stern mate who glares and doesn’t talk about diner nonsense or mate business in public. He’s perfect. The only problem? How to tell the human that he’s Klynn’s mate.

Agent Murphy
Aliens. Agent Murphy knows aliens—dragons especially—come in all shapes, colors, and personalities. What he isn’t expecting is to find one rational, perfect man in a sea of ridiculousness and inappropriate questions. Klynn is private, serious, and not into talking about diner nonsense. The only problem? How to figure out what kind of diner nonsense his boy is actually into.

When a passionate reader finds the main character of his dreams, two unconventional men will write a story that bridges the stars.


Author’s This is the second book in the spinoff series from the original Blue Ridge Magic books. This takes place after the events in the original series and should be read in order for it to make sense. This series contains spoilers for the original series. (That’s probably obvious, but I’m a worrier.)

Genres: Shapeshifters, Paranormal Romance

309 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 23, 2026

About the author

M.A. Innes writes kinky and curious things like age play, puppy play, sweet guys in lingerie, cute boys in search of a Daddy and more.

When M.A. Innes wants to write a little more mainstream, she writes under the name: Shaw Montgomery

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Reviews

[Christy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely not my favorite. There were some of the same issues with figuring out who was who in dialogue conversations, but overall this just didn’t work for me. It was like one moment they’re simply an alien and an agent and then they’re hugging and talking about limits. It was very befuddling. And, I’ve read the whole initial series and really enjoyed them, plus book one in this spin off so it was disappointing.

[Julie Underhill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes and Tenderness by M. A. Innes is the second book in her Blue Ridge Charm series. I suggest that you read the other book in the series as well as the Blue Ridge Magic series to understand the characters and setting and how they came to be. This is a cute story between a dragon shifter Boy who has protected a portal into another world and the Daddy Agent charged with taking people and other dragons through it and how they fall in love. Klynn is a dragon shifter and has protected the portal that goes to the dragon’s world for a long time. Agent Murphy knows about the shifters on earth and works for the government who is sending him through that portal with a select group of humans, dragons, and mages to answer the questions that new world may have about earth. He is grumpy and doesn’t suffer fools very well, especially when they ask silly questions which he seems to find happening with the dragons and some of their obsessions. Klynn has met him and knows he is his agent but more importantly his mate, even though Murphy doesn’t know it yet. He is also into reading anything he can and has discovered that he is a Boy and that Murphy, as his mate would need someone to control, manage, and care for so he goes about setting up situations where that can happen. When they go through the portal together Murphy asks him to help him not look stupid in front of the Council and to help control some of the interesting characters that are going with them. Klynn is happy to do this, especially since he has learned English fairly well through his interactions and reading so he is sure he can be of service. Once they are there Klynn disappears for 2 days and Murphy realizes how much he misses him and when they get back together, he has had enough and Klynn uses his magic to take him to his room. They started discussing limits, domination, and punishments which really gets Klynn’s attention and agree on kissing but get interrupted. Klynn then shows him about the magic spells for privacy and tries to teach Murphy who only has a toddler’s knowledge of making magic but he is willing to learn. They continue to learn more about each other and their wants and needs with Klynn starting to regress into his little side and wants more kissing, cuddling, and touching which eventually leads to some sparkly hot love scenes. As they go slowly Klynn uses some sneaky and giggly tactics that make Murphy want to exert his Daddy tendencies. They have meetings with the parts of the Council who needs answers about mates and relationships as well as the history of the shifters on earth. They also play with the few toys Klynn has and Murphy tries to use magic to play with them too but isn’t very successful, although it was fun because he played the Boy and Klynn was the Daddy. They gave each other kisses, cuddles, and presents and Murphy learned what Klynn’s hoard was so he added to it as well as giving him more presents. There were also spankings, rewards, and more as they explored their relationship and Murphy soon told him that he knew they were mates and in a scene where Klynn showed him his dragon they strengthened their bond and could talk to each other in their heads. They meet the oldest dragon there and find out that some of his children had gone through the portal and started their own families which made him very happy. They finally make love and say I love you. I enjoyed this story. Klynn was supposedly a grumpy dragon but he was a lot of fun as a Boy. He keeps referring to what Boys do from the books he reads and tries to be sneaky in getting what he wants but Murphy sees through him. Murphy is also a grump but he likes being a Daddy and enjoys all the activities he and Klynn do together as they become closer and fall in love. The other dragons, humans, and mages that appear in the story also add some funny scenes and often get in the way but that makes the story more humorous. I recommend this book, especially if you like cute stories about a dragon shifter who is a boy, and the agent who is his Daddy and mate, and how they go through a portal to another world and find love together.

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Klynn, a serious dragon shifter, is stunned to realize his fated mate is a human — the equally stern and private Agent Murphy. Murphy, used to chaotic aliens, is drawn to Klynn’s calm intensity. Both feel the pull between them but struggle to understand how to bridge their very different worlds. As they slowly figure each other out, their unlikely connection becomes a story neither expected but both want to write together.

I enjoyed this story where Klynn and Agent Murphy were such a wonderfully matched pair — two stern, serious men who fit together far better than either expects. Their dynamic is charming in its own understated way, and when they click, they really click. It’s clear they’re perfect for each other, right down to their shared dislike of “diner nonsense.” That said, there were moments where the story seemed to drift a little, and I occasionally found myself unsure of what the characters were trying to communicate or where the scene was heading. It didn’t take away from the sweetness of their connection, but it did leave me a bit confused at times. Overall, a quirky, heartfelt romance between two men who balance each other beautifully — even if the path gets a little muddled along the way. This was an MM story with mature content and a BDSM-like DDLB dynamic.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The moral of the story is that you can learn all about human behaviour from MM romance :)
Klynn, such a cutie! He uses romances as his guide to understanding humans and it's certainly useful for dealing with Agent Murphy!
Agent Murphy has had it with his boss, the old men at the diner and just about anyone who isn't Klynn.
The process by which Klynn determines what he is to his mate is sweet and funny, Daddy Murphy is patient, calm and caring when dealing with his boy, not so much with tiresome aliens and humans alike.
Definitely recommend reading the prior series to understand the ridiculousness of the Blue Ridge inhabitants, lol, especially the diner folks, the current human sheriff Talon, his mate Kenzie and their friends.

I loved meeting Klynn and Murphy - they slowly make their way through their daddy/boy relationship with little cultural bumps, but also with lots of caring and bonding.

So happy for this spin-off!

[Emilyrose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a story full of sweetness between dragon shifter Klynn and his mate, Agent 'Daddy' Murphy. They had good chemistry together and I liked how they just seemed to fit; Murphy was often grumpy and I could really feel his pain at being bombarded with so many questions but Klynn was always there to put things into perspective for him and see what was really important. I completely appreciated Klynn's love of reading and it helped bring him to life as a character. There was a big emphasis on communication between the pair (and for others) which I got but occasionally there were parts where things became a little confusing for the reader where I couldn't see what was intended. Nothing major, just bits that took a moment for me to orient myself in. Overall, it's a sweet read with a cute couple and I was glad they got their HEA together.

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Mandy Beyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This time the Daddy is also a Special Agent (emphasis on the special) with plenty of his own interesting back story of growing up the child of ambassadors and learning about magic young. He's so grumpy! And fun, once he meets his alien dragon mate (although, he avoids the m-word for a long time). Klynn has always felt different, but meeting the people on the Earth side of the portal gives him the reasons and meeting his mate let's him finally feel free to be himself. I loved getting the alien version of what happened, as well as a partial explanation as to why the Blue Ridge crew is so unusual and why the aliens show so little emotion. Once again, I was entertained from start to finish.

(Thank you to the author for the #gifted #earc)

[Rachwithheadinabook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series and I highly recommend reading the first book and the previous series to understand the background and characters. This is a very sweet story about a book mad dragon boy and his Daddy agent and how they bridge the obvious differences in their cultures, being from different worlds, literally. Murphy is the government agent that came to the portal gets asked some of the most ridiculous questions and he relied upon Klynn to help him with things like privacy and how to use the magic. I enjoyed reading this book. It is a good addition to the series, I loved how Klynn used earth books and what he read to discover things and used what was said to explain things.

[Sarah P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes and Tenderness is such a good book! Each and every one of these books is filled with hilarious nonsense, and this particular one does not fail to deliver!
I really like how both of these characters are so serious when they are in public, but when they are alone, they are all cuteness and giggles. The private time that the characters spend together is so delightfully unique, and the fact that they are attempting to deal with improper questions from new characters that are nosy is so wonderfully ridiculous. This novel has a minimal level of angst, and it is so lovely, joyful, and humorous.

[Karyn Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Tropes and Tenderness and how warm and reassuring it felt from start to finish. M.A. Innes leans into all the tropes we love—but does it with so much care, softness, and emotional honesty that it never feels forced or overdone. The connection between the characters builds in a calm, reassuring way, full of trust, affection, and those small moments that make Daddy/little dynamics feel safe and heartfelt.
I really loved how tender this story is. It’s not about big drama, but about feeling seen, cared for, and supported exactly as you are. The comfort, the gentle guidance, and the quiet intimacy made this one especially cozy to read.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Agent Murphy was assigned to go through the portal with the alien dragons but he felt a special affinity to Klynn. Klynn was quite literate with a Kindle and realized he wanted to be in a Little/Daddy situation with Agent Murphy. Klynn is in his Little space for most of the book and relies on his Kindle stories with Littles for his behavior. It's a sweet story filled with cuteness and sprinkles as their relationship develops, bonding with a slow burn but lots of cuddles and kisses. You should read the preceding books and series before this. I received a copy of this and this is my voluntary opinion.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Klynn and Agent Murphy’s book is so good! I love all the wonderful ridiculousness that comes with these books and this one does not disappoint. I love the way both characters are very serious in public, but are very much not when in private. The private time the characters spend together is so wonderfully special, and their trying to deal with inappropriate questions from nosy new characters is so wonderfully silly. This book is low angst, super sweet, fun, and funny. I cannot recommend it enough!

I received an advanced copy of this book from the author.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series keeps getting more and more wild. Be sure you have read the first series and the first book in the spin off before reading this one. While you could still enjoy Klynn and Murphy's story without the books before you will get so much more out of the world building with them. Klynn and Murphy contine the cuteness of this world (and the crazy) even if they seem not a wild. It was really sweet seeing the differences between how they act when they are in company and when they are alone. Plus Klynn's protectiveness is just adorable.

[Denise GremoryKohta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one I have been waiting for. I have loved the universe the author created and was really excited to see another side of it. The creativity blows me away. Then we also get Agent Murphy and Klynn. Their story was so good. I thought the slow burn was the perfect fit for them. Once you get to know them you see they are way more exciting than they seem we first met them. There are some other characters I can’t wait to learn more about. So exciting watching this world grow.

[Myranda Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

I fall more in love with this series with every book written. Klynn and Agent Murphy are perfect for each other in their grumpy chaos. Our new old dragon we were introduced to gives so many possibilities while our new scientist gives so many laughs. I cannot wait to see what comes next for this world!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story. The world building is phenomenal and the characters are amazing. I just love how they all so unique and quirky. These two were absolutely perfect for each other and I really enjoyed how they took their time instead of just jumping in. I can’t wait to read more from this world.

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series.
It's filled with hilarious hijinks, sweet cuties, and great Daddies.
Kylnn is a sassy scientist and Special Agent Flynn is his dragon Daddy.
Their slow burn romance fit them perfectly.
I loved their dual personalities of serious in public and complete goofball together privately.

[Romancegirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always down for a paranormal romance, especially one that features aliens. The chemistry in this book had me hooked ! I love how Klynn and Murphy fit so well together. I love when communication is open between them and I was here for it! I look forward to reading more in this series!

[Caitlyn Everest · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore how sweet and tender their story is.
Klynn is as sassy as you'd expect him to be from the last book for sure! I love watching them interact and come into their bond.

[Samantha Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story filled with sparkles as per usual. Klynn and Agent Murphy are great characters that fit together in their grumpy personalities. But to each other they are loving and sweet. Great read!

[Rainbow Reads and Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

boring

This series was great the first few books, but the last few and this new spin off are a bore and a chore to read.

[Himom90 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

I enjoyed this book. It’s a sweet, low angst, and fun addition to the Blue Ridge Charm series. I’m looking forward to more stories in this universe

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the new story

I loved these 2 characters interactions. I also enjoyed that they were the type to be private about their relationship and the others reaction to that.