Dragon, Actually: A Short, Cozy, Holiday Monster Rom Com

by Sara Ivy Hill

Love makes you do crazy things… like date the dragon who has a Christmas crush on you!I’m just a small-town girl doing my best to make it in the big city. Between double shifts at the giftwrap counter and pet-sitting my roommate’s moody cat, this holiday season isn’t exactly shaping up to be merry and bright.

But then a gorgeous green dragon walks into my life—or, more accurately, buys every gift in the shop just to talk to me! Myrran is sweet, awkward, and way too charming for his own good (or mine). He says I’m his greatest treasure, and the way he looks at me could melt even the iciest December day.

But being a dragon’s holi-date comes with its own complications, like teaching him how to kiss, managing his overly enthusiastic dragon family, and learning secrets I’m not sure I’m ready to handle. Is this whirlwind romance my happily-ever-after, or will Myrran’s flames burn too hot for a girl like me?

This Christmas, love is in the air…and my new boyfriend is a dragon, actually.

Dragon, Actually is a cozy, fated-mates holiday romance with a dragon hero and a human woman who lights his fire. It’s part of the How I Met My Monster series of hot, hilarious monster rom coms!

Genres: Romance, Monsters, Holiday

135 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 27, 2025

Reviews

[Poppy || Monster Lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for protective cozy stalking because of monster instincts so I loved that aspect of this book. Jewel was caring and upbeat most of the time, but very lonely. Myrran was sweet, protective, possessive, and unsure of himself. He had a soft tummy he was insecure about, but Jewel reminded him that he was hot. It was a cozy instalove Christmas romance.

Spice: 3/5

Triggers: stalking, body image issues (MMC), crass remark about FMC to MMC, loneliness

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

🐉🧍‍♀️ Dragon x Human Romance
🍥💚 Cinnamon Roll MMC
🏠🐾 Pack Living
🌙👃 Fated / Scented Mates
🎄❄️ Holiday Romance
🔥💞 Sweet & Spicy
🤍✨ Gentle, Supportive Love
⚡💘 Fast-Track Romance (When You Know, You Know)
🌶️🌶️🌶️⠀

𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 is such a sweet and spicy, cozy holiday read that wraps you up like a warm blanket…a perfect comfort read🐉✨

Myrran is absolutely adorable: soft-hearted, a bit body-conscious, and yes, he does a tiny bit of stalking… but it’s truly the greenest-flag stalking ever. More “concerned cinnamon roll” than anything else. He’s earnest, endearing, and impossible not to root for.

Jewel is just as lovely. She’s kind, hardworking, and quietly lonely. I loved how naturally she puts Myrran at ease and how their connection feels safe, supportive, and deeply mutual. These two really are perfect together, lifting one another up and finding comfort in being seen and chosen.

This is very much a fast-track romance - because when you know, you know. Their relationship blooms quickly and is just right for the cozy holiday vibes the story delivers.

Dragon Actually is a cozy, fiery, fun holiday read with heart, humor, and a merry dose of spice. If you’re looking for something comforting, romantic, and smile-inducing, this one absolutely delivers. 🔥🎄💖

Special thanks to the author for the gifted copy 🫶🏼

[Alessa Biblioteca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute and short read perfect for the holidays. Jewel lives on the other side of the country far from family and friends and is working overtime to make money for the holiday season. Myrran is a dragon who scented his mate and lurks around every corner wishing he could work up the courage to ask her out. Finally he does and the two quickly become more than acquaintances. There’s scenes of some pretty hot spice between these two and they come together rather quickly as mates, but it’s not all instalove. Jewel wonders if Myrran is as friendly with everyone as he is with her and Myrran hadn’t told Jewel about dragons only dating their forever life partners so there’s a little bit for these two to figure out. But it all comes together nicely (and spicy!) in the end.

[Tonika · Rating 5 out of 5]

an extremely cozy, paranormal, holiday book. Absolute Perfection!!!

I loved this book so much, it is a sweet & cozy holiday read, perfect for a quick read before bed

Myrren human FMC, working hard double shifts as a gift wrapper

Myrrem, dragon shifter MMC, Chef and st*lker.

Myrren is an absolutely adorable teddy bear/ golden retriever, he is thoughtful and so sweet.

Key points in no particular order:
- Dragon shifter
- human FMC
- Pack Living
- Stalk - *ing a little odd but mostly cute
- romance 4/5
- lacking self - confidence
- Fated/Scent mates
- Christmas
- loneliness
- spicy 3/5

[Jen Is Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

The initial encounters between Jewel and Myrran are so cute. Myrran is sweet, considerate, and endearingly awkward. His light stalking and buying gifts just to talk to her was adorable. His protective dragon instinct and his adorably human-like insecurities make him completely irresistible.

The connection between Jewel and Myrran is fantastic fun from the start. Their banter is witty and full of cheesy puns; their way of supporting each other was heartwarming.

A fun holiday read for anyone looking for a feel-good romance with a charming dragon MMC, a kind and wonderful FMC, steamy chemistry, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.

[Joan Ortiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

short and sweet.

Love a good low angst, stalker for good reasons fated mates love story.
Myrran knew Jewel was his the first time he smelled her and then prepared for months to make her his. Jewel was lonely and needing family and connection and she found it with a dragon who worships her. Loved that the drama wasn't drama and that they talked it out within 24hrs. Cute and wholesome and just long enough to be satisfying.

[Sarah Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this sweet-spicy Christmas monster romance!

Dragon Actually, gave me all of the holiday feels. It was a sweet blend of humor and spice. Both characters were very likable and although it is a short story, I still felt invested in their happily ever after. I would love more follow ups on their adventures together.

[Katie Welder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet dragon....

This is the perfect little read to get you in the holiday spirit. Who wouldn't want a guy that falls as soon as he meets you. And bonus comes in the form of equipment 🤭.

These two together were so damn sweet. All of the hallmark and no angst. Just filled my heart with so much joy.

[Ingrid Spera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insta-Love Cute

Filled with all the warm holiday feelings you'd hope for, this one was a nice (dirty) bite size snack. I'd like my own dragon now, please!

[Sara Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dragon Love

Nobody does dragons better than Sara Ivy Hill! And this Christmas story is actually PERFECT! So romantic and sweet with enough heat to warm you up! Loved it!!!!

[Joni (livebythemoon7) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick holiday monster romance? Yes please! I devoured this quick read in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Isa Newbury | reading_isa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
2.5 🌶

[Renee Shipley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short & sweet

Lots of spice but a cute tender story. Short enough to enjoy on a quiet afternoon. But with a bit more teeth than some shirt stories.

[Joy Kimelle Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

Just what you want in a Christmas story. It’s short, direct complete and a little sappy. She mentioned another I’ll try it too!

[Leslie Earnest · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Victória · Rating 3 out of 5]

Non virgin h
Non mentioned H
Kinda Hea

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ rounded up

Dragon, Actually was an absolute delightful holiday monster romance. The instalove is fast, but it works well especially because Myrran is the sweetest cinnamon roll of a dragon and feels perfectly matched for Jewel. Watching him shamelessly buy gift after gift just to have an excuse to talk to her was adorable from the start, and it only gets cuter from there.

The Christmas vibes are cozy and festive, the humor landed for me, and the open-door spice was spicing. I especially loved Myrran inviting Jewel to spend Christmas with his hive so she wouldn’t be alone. It was pure heart-melt material. The story moves quickly, as expected, but it never felt lacking in charm or chemistry.

If you’re in the mood for a cute, spicy, fated-mates holiday read with a dragon who is completely gone for his girl, this is a great pick. I'm definitely interested in more from this world.