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The Dragons of North Oak #1
The Dragons' Lost Mate
Keeping my head down was the goal. I wanted to heal and stay safe. Was that too much to ask? Maybe it was, considering that six years ago I woke up in a ditch, barely alive, with no memory of where I came from.
Still, I worked hard and became a damn good healer, traveling around the country helping hordes.
When my best friend called, begging me to help heal a sick child, naturally, I went.
Only, now I have four alphas - dragon shifters - claiming I'm their mate that went missing.
The problem is, I've never met them before in my life.
CAN I TRUST THEM?
SHOULD I TRUST THEM
DO I WANT TO?
248 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 20, 2026
About the author
Melissa Huxley
24 books588 followersI'm a pure chaos demon living in Midlands England with my cinnamon roll of a fiancee and a small mountain of squishmallow cows.
You'll often find me writing or reading smut, doing some sort of DIY craft or chasing the neighborhood cats down for snuggles.
You'll often find me writing or reading smut, doing some sort of DIY craft or chasing the neighborhood cats down for snuggles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews
June 20, 2026
The second an author makes a female character trauma about the Male lead, I will hate this book.
It took Bastian 97% into the book to realize hey maybe she isn't a conniving bitch .
Orson and Bastian picked another doctors side over her, the fact that Orson did it really pissed me off because all that development threw out the window.
Also she was almost murdered and they keep talking about her leaving them?? These two also call her a bitch
She deserves better than these pathetic male leads
If you like when male leads stand by and watch a character talk trash or threaten their mate, you're going to love this. They weren't protective, Bastian defended her once. You can't have Orson being possessive when he can't even defend her.
The worst part is no apology
I thought we could make a fmc trauma about her but nope, it's poor little dragons was all alone. They didn't seem to give af about what happened to her. You cant convince me they love or even care for her, half of her mates picked a doctor over her opinion.
Misogynistic as fuck
I can guarantee that these 2 useless
Orson and Bastian won't apologize, won't grovel or do anything
Disappointed as f
It took Bastian 97% into the book to realize hey maybe she isn't a conniving bitch .
Orson and Bastian picked another doctors side over her, the fact that Orson did it really pissed me off because all that development threw out the window.
Also she was almost murdered and they keep talking about her leaving them?? These two also call her a bitch
She deserves better than these pathetic male leads
If you like when male leads stand by and watch a character talk trash or threaten their mate, you're going to love this. They weren't protective, Bastian defended her once. You can't have Orson being possessive when he can't even defend her.
The worst part is no apology
I thought we could make a fmc trauma about her but nope, it's poor little dragons was all alone. They didn't seem to give af about what happened to her. You cant convince me they love or even care for her, half of her mates picked a doctor over her opinion.
Misogynistic as fuck
I can guarantee that these 2 useless
Orson and Bastian won't apologize, won't grovel or do anything
Disappointed as f
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2026
I think my niche is going to be reading Kindle Unlimited books other people don't have to. Spoilers.
Alright, biggest complaint of this book? Nothing happens. We get this story of her being attacked and having no memories and that's it. No progress on it, no memory recovery, no flashbacks to their lives, nothing. We dont get anything on this plot except that it in fact exists.
We do however get this weird don't trust medicine and traditional care plot line for the entire book. It was like listening to an antivaxxer over and over and over. Yeah there is a natural element to shifters but after the entire book centered on natural herbs and remedies curing all things medicine can't it was too much. I know more about the main characters opinion on topical steroids and fertility medicine than I do about her past, her personality or her connections with her other MMC.
Speaking of MMC. We don't know them at all. They were all incredibly flat. Leader, angry guy, puppy, and math. That's all I have for you. Nothing else. We barely get their pov and when we do nothing gets added they just exist.
So overall not for me and I won't be waiting for the next one.
Alright, biggest complaint of this book? Nothing happens. We get this story of her being attacked and having no memories and that's it. No progress on it, no memory recovery, no flashbacks to their lives, nothing. We dont get anything on this plot except that it in fact exists.
We do however get this weird don't trust medicine and traditional care plot line for the entire book. It was like listening to an antivaxxer over and over and over. Yeah there is a natural element to shifters but after the entire book centered on natural herbs and remedies curing all things medicine can't it was too much. I know more about the main characters opinion on topical steroids and fertility medicine than I do about her past, her personality or her connections with her other MMC.
Speaking of MMC. We don't know them at all. They were all incredibly flat. Leader, angry guy, puppy, and math. That's all I have for you. Nothing else. We barely get their pov and when we do nothing gets added they just exist.
So overall not for me and I won't be waiting for the next one.
June 29, 2026
Interesting plot that grabbed my attention when I was thinking about picking up this series!
I think there are quite a few missed opportunities with the writing. The author is building what could be a beautiful fantasy world but there isn't enough detail to really know.
Also, like many of the reviews here, I agree that there is too much centering of the MMCs. She has gone through something extremely tragic and traumatizing, and they don't seem to care that much. Their focus is on their feelings and their stories, which is so incredibly selfish and such a turn-off for fated mates. Even one of the characters had called her a bitch very suddenly and it was really jarring. Like there was so much hesitancy but just not enough justification to make a good argument for THEIR actions.
I think there are quite a few missed opportunities with the writing. The author is building what could be a beautiful fantasy world but there isn't enough detail to really know.
Also, like many of the reviews here, I agree that there is too much centering of the MMCs. She has gone through something extremely tragic and traumatizing, and they don't seem to care that much. Their focus is on their feelings and their stories, which is so incredibly selfish and such a turn-off for fated mates. Even one of the characters had called her a bitch very suddenly and it was really jarring. Like there was so much hesitancy but just not enough justification to make a good argument for THEIR actions.
June 23, 2026
The minute I saw this book released I knew I needed to pick it up!! Dragons, why choose, fated mates are all an immediate yes in my eyes. 😍
Needless to say, I couldn’t put this book down once I picked it up!! Absolutely phenomenal storyline and writing!! I loved that the story is more than just about the characters. There’s the found family and the horde!!
I will say that I did not expect this to be part of a series 😭 so I’ll be anxiously waiting for the next book now but so worth it!!! I cannot recommend this book enough if you love a good why choose supernatural romance. 💜
Needless to say, I couldn’t put this book down once I picked it up!! Absolutely phenomenal storyline and writing!! I loved that the story is more than just about the characters. There’s the found family and the horde!!
I will say that I did not expect this to be part of a series 😭 so I’ll be anxiously waiting for the next book now but so worth it!!! I cannot recommend this book enough if you love a good why choose supernatural romance. 💜
June 23, 2026
I was so excited to see that Melissa Huxley was diving into dragon shifters! Her omegaverse are a favorite of mine, and this just took her writing to the next level. I loved it so much! The tension and drama... the pining! I have so many questions and theories and I cannot wait to see how everything unfolds in book two!
June 21, 2026
Melissa Huxley’s venture into the dragon shifter world is absolute gold, and I am completely obsessed. I was hooked by the mystery surrounding the heroine’s lost memories, the emotional....well everything, and the irresistible pull of four dragon shifter alphas who claim she’s their missing mate.
The story strikes a perfect balance between intrigue, romance, and suspense. Every answer uncovers even more questions, and I found myself devouring chapters late into the night, desperate to learn the truth alongside the heroine. The chemistry, tension, and emotional depth between the characters kept me fully invested from beginning to end.
And then there’s that ending.
That cliffhanger was absolutely diabolical. Melissa Huxley left me hanging in the most deliciously torturous way possible, and now I'm on pins and needles waiting for Book 2. I need answers, and I need them immediately!
If this is what Melissa Huxley can do with dragon shifters, I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next. This series has all the makings of a new obsession, and I’ll be first in line for the next installment.
The story strikes a perfect balance between intrigue, romance, and suspense. Every answer uncovers even more questions, and I found myself devouring chapters late into the night, desperate to learn the truth alongside the heroine. The chemistry, tension, and emotional depth between the characters kept me fully invested from beginning to end.
And then there’s that ending.
That cliffhanger was absolutely diabolical. Melissa Huxley left me hanging in the most deliciously torturous way possible, and now I'm on pins and needles waiting for Book 2. I need answers, and I need them immediately!
If this is what Melissa Huxley can do with dragon shifters, I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next. This series has all the makings of a new obsession, and I’ll be first in line for the next installment.
June 7, 2026
OH. MY. DRAGONS. 🐉🔥
If you love slow-burn romance, dragon shifters, fated mates, reverse harem, angst, mystery, and men who are absolutely obsessed with their mate, then RUN to this book.
Our FMC is brutally attacked and loses all her memories. Fast forward 6 years and she's rebuilt her life as a talented healer, travelling between different hoards and helping anyone who needs her. She's happy, thriving, and completely unaware that her entire life is about to be turned upside down.
She agrees to help her best friend's hoard and BAM 💥 enters four alpha dragon shifters who take one look at her and are basically like, "That's our mate."
EXCUSE ME?!?!
These men have spent SIX YEARS grieving the mate they lost, and now she's standing right in front of them with absolutely no clue who they are. The tension? INSANE. The yearning? OFF THE CHARTS. The possessiveness? Inject it directly into my veins.
I was kicking my feet, screaming, and devouring every single page. The mystery of what happened to her had me completely hooked, and every little reveal just made me need more.
And don't even get me started on that ending because WHAT WAS THAT?!?! That cliffhanger should be illegal. I finished the book and immediately needed the next one because there is NO WAY you can leave me hanging like that.
I'm unwell. I need answers. I need book two. I need those dragons back in my life RIGHT NOW.
If you love slow-burn romance, dragon shifters, fated mates, reverse harem, angst, mystery, and men who are absolutely obsessed with their mate, then RUN to this book.
Our FMC is brutally attacked and loses all her memories. Fast forward 6 years and she's rebuilt her life as a talented healer, travelling between different hoards and helping anyone who needs her. She's happy, thriving, and completely unaware that her entire life is about to be turned upside down.
She agrees to help her best friend's hoard and BAM 💥 enters four alpha dragon shifters who take one look at her and are basically like, "That's our mate."
EXCUSE ME?!?!
These men have spent SIX YEARS grieving the mate they lost, and now she's standing right in front of them with absolutely no clue who they are. The tension? INSANE. The yearning? OFF THE CHARTS. The possessiveness? Inject it directly into my veins.
I was kicking my feet, screaming, and devouring every single page. The mystery of what happened to her had me completely hooked, and every little reveal just made me need more.
And don't even get me started on that ending because WHAT WAS THAT?!?! That cliffhanger should be illegal. I finished the book and immediately needed the next one because there is NO WAY you can leave me hanging like that.
I'm unwell. I need answers. I need book two. I need those dragons back in my life RIGHT NOW.
June 22, 2026
Dragons' lost mate
PNR, dragon shifter, fated mates, amnesia. Book one in unfinished series. Rowan, A young human, has no memory earlier than six years ago. She only knows she was badly injured by dragon fire and healed by a dragon shifter healer. During her long months of painful healing she developed a desire and knowledge for healing dragon shifters. She becomes a well respected traveling healer among the dragon hordes. Her best friend, Griffin, requests her help at his home horde and she crashes into her past life. The story of her slow reconnection with her forgotten mates formulates book one. The mystery of how she was injured and lost her memory must continue into the next books. Cliffhanger. Smoothly written and entertaining.
PNR, dragon shifter, fated mates, amnesia. Book one in unfinished series. Rowan, A young human, has no memory earlier than six years ago. She only knows she was badly injured by dragon fire and healed by a dragon shifter healer. During her long months of painful healing she developed a desire and knowledge for healing dragon shifters. She becomes a well respected traveling healer among the dragon hordes. Her best friend, Griffin, requests her help at his home horde and she crashes into her past life. The story of her slow reconnection with her forgotten mates formulates book one. The mystery of how she was injured and lost her memory must continue into the next books. Cliffhanger. Smoothly written and entertaining.
August 12, 2026
3.2🌟
🌶️🌶️
➕
- A paranormal, dragon shifter, why choose (MFMMM) romance.
- After a traumatic assault, Rowan has no memories of her life before. But when she goes to a new horde to heal a child, four alphas claim that she is their lost mate.
- Tropes:
🔥 Dragon shifters x human healer
🔥 Fated mates
🔥 Amnesia
🔥 Slow burn
- I have so many questions! Most importantly, who's the real villain?!
➖
- The general messaging surrounding medicine made my eyes twitch. I got through it by adding "for dragons" at the end of everything she says about it.
- Intriguing premise but I found the pacing in the second half slowed as the plot somehow became nonexistent yet predictable.
- Cliffhanger. Though the trilogy will be completed by the end of this month!
🌶️🌶️
➕
- A paranormal, dragon shifter, why choose (MFMMM) romance.
- After a traumatic assault, Rowan has no memories of her life before. But when she goes to a new horde to heal a child, four alphas claim that she is their lost mate.
- Tropes:
🔥 Dragon shifters x human healer
🔥 Fated mates
🔥 Amnesia
🔥 Slow burn
- I have so many questions! Most importantly, who's the real villain?!
➖
- The general messaging surrounding medicine made my eyes twitch. I got through it by adding "for dragons" at the end of everything she says about it.
- Intriguing premise but I found the pacing in the second half slowed as the plot somehow became nonexistent yet predictable.
- Cliffhanger. Though the trilogy will be completed by the end of this month!
June 26, 2026
Okay I love a shifter romances and I love dragon shifters also love fated mates
This was such an interesting book! Our FMC only remembers 6 years of her life. She remembers waking up with an almost fatal wound and what caused it but no clue who it was.
We then learn when she visits a friend horde that the alphas are actually her fated mates! Who she doesn’t remember but they remember her!
It al gets even more extreme from there as shady stuff starts to became apparent and then the plot twist!!
There’s definitely something more happening and I can’t wait to find out!!!
This was such an interesting book! Our FMC only remembers 6 years of her life. She remembers waking up with an almost fatal wound and what caused it but no clue who it was.
We then learn when she visits a friend horde that the alphas are actually her fated mates! Who she doesn’t remember but they remember her!
It al gets even more extreme from there as shady stuff starts to became apparent and then the plot twist!!
There’s definitely something more happening and I can’t wait to find out!!!
July 9, 2026
3.5 rounded to 4 🐉🌿
I actually loved this! It focuses a little bit more on a plot, rather than the relationships (although those are definitely there). Felt like depth was lacking in most of the characters though. Regardless, this was short, sweet and fun. I don’t usually like amnesia in books but I didn’t mind it this time!
(Note: I didn’t realize the second book wasn’t out yet??? So glad it releases this month because I NEED it!)
I actually loved this! It focuses a little bit more on a plot, rather than the relationships (although those are definitely there). Felt like depth was lacking in most of the characters though. Regardless, this was short, sweet and fun. I don’t usually like amnesia in books but I didn’t mind it this time!
(Note: I didn’t realize the second book wasn’t out yet??? So glad it releases this month because I NEED it!)
June 21, 2026
2.5 rounded up to 3. For the most part this was decent. Very typical characters but I am intrigued about who tried to kill Rowan and why. The healer versus doctor plotline was just so heavy handed it detracted from my reading enjoyment. Yes we get it Rowan natural medicine is better for dragons and you studied for years under a renowned dragon healer. After the 5th or 6th time that is brought up it gets a little irritating. The doctor was also just cartoonishly evil and somehow pulled the wool over the eyes of the entire dragon horde and that felt.....kind of weird.
Still Melissa Huxley writes some of the only omegaverse reverse harem books that I actually enjoy and they are all on Kindle Unlimited so I will definitely be reading the next book when it comes out.
Still Melissa Huxley writes some of the only omegaverse reverse harem books that I actually enjoy and they are all on Kindle Unlimited so I will definitely be reading the next book when it comes out.
June 12, 2026
This book ATE. The pacing was excellent. Dragon shifter RH. I finished it in one sitting. No notes 👏🏻
August 3, 2026
Hooked
This book had me hooked straight from the start. Such a good plot line 4 dragons mated to a human healer. I can't wait to start the next book so hooked.
This book had me hooked straight from the start. Such a good plot line 4 dragons mated to a human healer. I can't wait to start the next book so hooked.
August 5, 2026
ate this shit up! this sequel better not piss me off.
June 20, 2026
I absolutely love this book.
I loved every second of it! It was an amazing rollercoaster.
I love this pack; each character is unique and the mix is perfect and the realisation of what they had to endure is heartbreaking.
Rowan is such an inspiring and powerful character. I love her!
This book was impossible to put down. Now, I need part two!
I loved every second of it! It was an amazing rollercoaster.
I love this pack; each character is unique and the mix is perfect and the realisation of what they had to endure is heartbreaking.
Rowan is such an inspiring and powerful character. I love her!
This book was impossible to put down. Now, I need part two!
July 15, 2026
Ends on a HUGE cliffhanger with no indication otherwise that this is NOT a standalone book.
July 26, 2026
Everyone’s dumb. No one has common sense. I kept getting my hopes up because it’s a cute plot and cute characters, but the fact everyone is dumber than a bag of rocks outweighs any of the good.
I will be downloading book 2.
I will be downloading book 2.
July 19, 2026
I need to be stopped.
🤭🤭🤭
⭐️2.5/6
🤭🤭🤭
⭐️2.5/6
August 13, 2026
3.5 stars. I wouldn't say this book is a must read, but if you're looking for a low-stakes book to kill some time with, there's nothing wrong with this one.
June 23, 2026
3.5 - ⭐⭐⭐ 💫
The Dragons' Lost Mate is the first instalment in the adult why choose dragon shifter paranormal romance series, The Dragons of North Oak. Written in multi first person POV the story follows human healer, Rowan, who has spent the last six years refusing to stay in one spot. After waking up in a ditch with no memory of her past she took up the mantle of traveling to different dragon packs to offer healing services. When she offers aid to a child at the request of her best friend she wasn't expecting that the four alphas of the clan would call her a name she has never heard of...and claim she is their mate. With her past murky and something suspicious happening to the clan Rowan must decide: will she trust these virtual strangers as a connection pulls her closer or will she run to the safety she always found on the road?
This was such an easy book to throw yourself into but it leaves a lot of things unanswered.
Rowan is a kick butt healer who thrives in the world of dragons despite being human. She speaks her mind and isn't afraid to challenge people in the name of protecting her patients. She has a lot of confusion around her past and how she feels around her mates and I feel for the confusion.
The four mates - Orson, Bastian, Nix and Grey - offer a good variety to the mate bond that helps the story along. Orson is the biggest and is most reactive but it leads to some great grovelling. Bastian is the most stubborn and takes a while to warm up because he is so mistrusting of why Rowan vanished all those years ago. Nix is the golden retriever energy who helps settle the different personalities and I loved him a lot. Grey is the calmer energy but can be easily lost in the mix.
In terms of spice I would give this a 4 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers. There are approximately two spice scenes with the first appearing at the 47% mark. I would describe this book as medium heat that will get progressively hotter as Rowan finds her groove with each male. Spice is initially MF and the MFM. Spice was detailed and explicit. I felt the spice was fun as it shows the spark between the characters and how much they want to play with each other.
The story itself focuses primarily on Rowan's conflict with the clan's medical doctor more than anything else. There is the question of what happened to Rowan and why she cannot remember but really it just felt like it kept spinning, especially when characters like Bastian weaponized it as a way to justify the anger against Rowan. I thought the medical plot was good but I did struggle with how much it denounced western medicine as problematic - I get it was the idea that human medicine doesn't work for dragons but I just felt weird about the optics. I liked seeing her help the community get better but the investigation really doesn't amount to anything until much later. I also would have liked more teasers for the overarching story but felt we made no progress. We do get fun banter, an amazing best friend and confidant for Rowan, and a community that really thrives together. I liked seeing the clan coming alive after being hollowed out for years with their alphas being lost. The ending is a doozy of a cliffhanger and I am curious to keep going.
Overall, this series has a lot of promise...but I better get answers!
This was read on Kindle Unlimited!.
The Dragons' Lost Mate is the first instalment in the adult why choose dragon shifter paranormal romance series, The Dragons of North Oak. Written in multi first person POV the story follows human healer, Rowan, who has spent the last six years refusing to stay in one spot. After waking up in a ditch with no memory of her past she took up the mantle of traveling to different dragon packs to offer healing services. When she offers aid to a child at the request of her best friend she wasn't expecting that the four alphas of the clan would call her a name she has never heard of...and claim she is their mate. With her past murky and something suspicious happening to the clan Rowan must decide: will she trust these virtual strangers as a connection pulls her closer or will she run to the safety she always found on the road?
This was such an easy book to throw yourself into but it leaves a lot of things unanswered.
Rowan is a kick butt healer who thrives in the world of dragons despite being human. She speaks her mind and isn't afraid to challenge people in the name of protecting her patients. She has a lot of confusion around her past and how she feels around her mates and I feel for the confusion.
The four mates - Orson, Bastian, Nix and Grey - offer a good variety to the mate bond that helps the story along. Orson is the biggest and is most reactive but it leads to some great grovelling. Bastian is the most stubborn and takes a while to warm up because he is so mistrusting of why Rowan vanished all those years ago. Nix is the golden retriever energy who helps settle the different personalities and I loved him a lot. Grey is the calmer energy but can be easily lost in the mix.
In terms of spice I would give this a 4 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers. There are approximately two spice scenes with the first appearing at the 47% mark. I would describe this book as medium heat that will get progressively hotter as Rowan finds her groove with each male. Spice is initially MF and the MFM. Spice was detailed and explicit. I felt the spice was fun as it shows the spark between the characters and how much they want to play with each other.
The story itself focuses primarily on Rowan's conflict with the clan's medical doctor more than anything else. There is the question of what happened to Rowan and why she cannot remember but really it just felt like it kept spinning, especially when characters like Bastian weaponized it as a way to justify the anger against Rowan. I thought the medical plot was good but I did struggle with how much it denounced western medicine as problematic - I get it was the idea that human medicine doesn't work for dragons but I just felt weird about the optics. I liked seeing her help the community get better but the investigation really doesn't amount to anything until much later. I also would have liked more teasers for the overarching story but felt we made no progress. We do get fun banter, an amazing best friend and confidant for Rowan, and a community that really thrives together. I liked seeing the clan coming alive after being hollowed out for years with their alphas being lost. The ending is a doozy of a cliffhanger and I am curious to keep going.
Overall, this series has a lot of promise...but I better get answers!
This was read on Kindle Unlimited!.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow! A strong start to a promising series!
The story starts when Rowan, a human healer who woke up after a vicious dragon attack with no memory of her prior life, finds herself faced with the four leaders of a dragon horde who claim she’s their long-lost mate, Emmeline.
This first installment of the series sets the stage for Rowan and her estranged mates to work through their trust issues and build new relationships. This is NOT a love-at-first sight situation for Rowan and she tries to keep her emotional distance, but the pull she feels toward them makes it increasingly difficult as the story progresses.
Rowan's mates are still in love with a version of herself that she’s never known, and both Rowan and her dragons need to work through what that means for them before they can try to rekindle what they once had. Nix, Orsen, Grey, and Bastian have very distinct personalities and approaches to wooing Rowan, with varying degrees of success. (I’m looking at you, Bastian.)
Rowan’s love life isn’t the only — or even the biggest — issue that she’s dealing with. While most of the horde is welcoming and happy to have her, the horde’s crotchety old doctor, Jenkins, does everything he can to make things difficult for Rowan. The more she discovers about his medical practices, the more serious the situation becomes. The tension that builds over the course of the book kept me interested and anxious to see how it would all come to a head.
The side characters were a pleasant surprise. I really love Griffin; it’s not too often you see a M/F best friend pairing that doesn’t lead to romance, but I can see them staying friends and I’m not even mad about it. They have a fun dynamic with solid found family vibes and it feels like enough all on its own. Ma and Nina both embrace Rowan with no mean girl drama, which is always refreshing! I liked that Rowan builds platonic relationships and not everything is focused solely on her romantic pairings. As much as Ma, Griffin, and Nina are easy to love, Jenkins is easy to hate. His views and bigotry put Rowan in a difficult situation, and she's forced to balance professionalism with the understandable urge to put her foot up his ass.
With the horde relying on her, the four dragon alphas aren’t Rowan’s only consideration when it comes to the choices she makes, and it adds some additional depth to her character and the plot as a whole.
I’m so excited to get my hands on the next book! The mystery of what happened in Rowan’s past and how it’s possibly connected to the current situation she’s facing has me hooked and eager for answers.
If you enjoy shifter romances with fated mates, 'touch her and die', medium/slow burns, found family, and strong, competent FMCs, this is a book you should definitely pick up!
The story starts when Rowan, a human healer who woke up after a vicious dragon attack with no memory of her prior life, finds herself faced with the four leaders of a dragon horde who claim she’s their long-lost mate, Emmeline.
This first installment of the series sets the stage for Rowan and her estranged mates to work through their trust issues and build new relationships. This is NOT a love-at-first sight situation for Rowan and she tries to keep her emotional distance, but the pull she feels toward them makes it increasingly difficult as the story progresses.
Rowan's mates are still in love with a version of herself that she’s never known, and both Rowan and her dragons need to work through what that means for them before they can try to rekindle what they once had. Nix, Orsen, Grey, and Bastian have very distinct personalities and approaches to wooing Rowan, with varying degrees of success. (I’m looking at you, Bastian.)
Rowan’s love life isn’t the only — or even the biggest — issue that she’s dealing with. While most of the horde is welcoming and happy to have her, the horde’s crotchety old doctor, Jenkins, does everything he can to make things difficult for Rowan. The more she discovers about his medical practices, the more serious the situation becomes. The tension that builds over the course of the book kept me interested and anxious to see how it would all come to a head.
The side characters were a pleasant surprise. I really love Griffin; it’s not too often you see a M/F best friend pairing that doesn’t lead to romance, but I can see them staying friends and I’m not even mad about it. They have a fun dynamic with solid found family vibes and it feels like enough all on its own. Ma and Nina both embrace Rowan with no mean girl drama, which is always refreshing! I liked that Rowan builds platonic relationships and not everything is focused solely on her romantic pairings. As much as Ma, Griffin, and Nina are easy to love, Jenkins is easy to hate. His views and bigotry put Rowan in a difficult situation, and she's forced to balance professionalism with the understandable urge to put her foot up his ass.
With the horde relying on her, the four dragon alphas aren’t Rowan’s only consideration when it comes to the choices she makes, and it adds some additional depth to her character and the plot as a whole.
I’m so excited to get my hands on the next book! The mystery of what happened in Rowan’s past and how it’s possibly connected to the current situation she’s facing has me hooked and eager for answers.
If you enjoy shifter romances with fated mates, 'touch her and die', medium/slow burns, found family, and strong, competent FMCs, this is a book you should definitely pick up!
June 21, 2026
Melissa has done it again with another incredible read.
So we have our fmc Rowan. Love everything about her. She is brave, smart, talented, kind, caring and straight to the point which I appreciate.
Our mmc's are Nix, Greylen, Orson and Bastian. These dragons are the Alpha's and they look after their horde.
Orson is a bit of a grump, but only because he has lost his mate and the light in his life. He is actually really kind and nurturing but you wouldn't think so after his introduction to Rowan.
Greylen is very reserved, respectful and quietly very charming. He looks after the horde's finances.
Nix, love him so much. He is just sunshine in a bottle and he ties first for my favourite along with Greylen. I love his energy.
Bastian. Man, he needs to wake up and realise that she is literally amazing. I saw potential in him but he needs to grovel hard.
The plot was so addictive. Poor Rowan had a terrible accident 6 years previously and a very beautiful healer nursed her back to health which inspired her to go on her own journey of becoming a healer. When her bestie, Griffin, asks for her help, off she goes to help. What she didn't expect was to find a horde of dragons declining in health but the cause is unkown and to top it off, said alpha's of the horde claiming that Rowan is their lost mate that disappeared 6 years ago. Strap in, this one is a rollercoaster. This does end on a cliffhanger so you've been warned.
Super excited for book 2. I have so many questions and theories...
Thank you Melissa and your amazing team for the opportunity to read this story. I am forever grateful 🙏
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 🌶🌶
🩺 why choose
🩺 multiple pov
🩺 amnesia
🩺 found family
🩺 obsessive mmc's
🩺 fmc healer
🩺 fated mates
🩺 dragon shifters x human
🩺 second chance
🩺 a little spice
So we have our fmc Rowan. Love everything about her. She is brave, smart, talented, kind, caring and straight to the point which I appreciate.
Our mmc's are Nix, Greylen, Orson and Bastian. These dragons are the Alpha's and they look after their horde.
Orson is a bit of a grump, but only because he has lost his mate and the light in his life. He is actually really kind and nurturing but you wouldn't think so after his introduction to Rowan.
Greylen is very reserved, respectful and quietly very charming. He looks after the horde's finances.
Nix, love him so much. He is just sunshine in a bottle and he ties first for my favourite along with Greylen. I love his energy.
Bastian. Man, he needs to wake up and realise that she is literally amazing. I saw potential in him but he needs to grovel hard.
The plot was so addictive. Poor Rowan had a terrible accident 6 years previously and a very beautiful healer nursed her back to health which inspired her to go on her own journey of becoming a healer. When her bestie, Griffin, asks for her help, off she goes to help. What she didn't expect was to find a horde of dragons declining in health but the cause is unkown and to top it off, said alpha's of the horde claiming that Rowan is their lost mate that disappeared 6 years ago. Strap in, this one is a rollercoaster. This does end on a cliffhanger so you've been warned.
Super excited for book 2. I have so many questions and theories...
Thank you Melissa and your amazing team for the opportunity to read this story. I am forever grateful 🙏
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 🌶🌶
🩺 why choose
🩺 multiple pov
🩺 amnesia
🩺 found family
🩺 obsessive mmc's
🩺 fmc healer
🩺 fated mates
🩺 dragon shifters x human
🩺 second chance
🩺 a little spice
July 8, 2026
It ends with a cliff hanger?! Noooooooo!! I have to wait for book 2?! Oh the pain of waiting …
Rowan is the FMC and a tough smart woman. She is a well respected healer who comes to her friend’s horde to help a sick boy. The horde has a resident doctor but the boy is not improving, the birth rate has been in decline and many dragons aren’t keen on being seen by Dr Jenkins - who is a misogynistic arsehole.
Rowan moves around all the time, worried about staying anywhere too long following a vicious attack that nearly killed her. She has no memory of her life prior to six years ago, when she was found and rescued by a legendary healer. She had horrific dragon fire burns on her body causing significant scarring.
Griffin is her friend, they’ve known each other for five years. They are great mates and one of the few dragons Rowan trusts.
Ma is the true boss of the horde, she keeps the place fed and ticking over. She is awesome.
The horde has 4 alphas: Nix (Phoenix), Orsen, Greylen and Bastion. They were left heart broken after losing their mate and have struggled to take care of the horde, they are there but disengaged due to their grief.
I *was* hanging for some awesome hanky panky scenes, but it was slow burn and minimal while relationships are formed and trust is earned. Fingers crossed it gets HAWT in book 2!
Excerpts from The Dragons’ Lost Mate written by Melissa Huxley:
I swear, Rowan, when we find out who hurt you, I’m going to tear the fucker limb from limb for so much as touching you.”
There was no way in hell I was going to bow down to Bastian’s demands because he’d been grumpy and growly and just expected me to obey him. Maybe Emmeline would have done that, but Rowan sure as fuck wouldn't.
Nix. Who else? That boy is acting like the proudest peacock to ever have a feather.”
Rowan is the FMC and a tough smart woman. She is a well respected healer who comes to her friend’s horde to help a sick boy. The horde has a resident doctor but the boy is not improving, the birth rate has been in decline and many dragons aren’t keen on being seen by Dr Jenkins - who is a misogynistic arsehole.
Rowan moves around all the time, worried about staying anywhere too long following a vicious attack that nearly killed her. She has no memory of her life prior to six years ago, when she was found and rescued by a legendary healer. She had horrific dragon fire burns on her body causing significant scarring.
Griffin is her friend, they’ve known each other for five years. They are great mates and one of the few dragons Rowan trusts.
Ma is the true boss of the horde, she keeps the place fed and ticking over. She is awesome.
The horde has 4 alphas: Nix (Phoenix), Orsen, Greylen and Bastion. They were left heart broken after losing their mate and have struggled to take care of the horde, they are there but disengaged due to their grief.
I *was* hanging for some awesome hanky panky scenes, but it was slow burn and minimal while relationships are formed and trust is earned. Fingers crossed it gets HAWT in book 2!
Excerpts from The Dragons’ Lost Mate written by Melissa Huxley:
I swear, Rowan, when we find out who hurt you, I’m going to tear the fucker limb from limb for so much as touching you.”
There was no way in hell I was going to bow down to Bastian’s demands because he’d been grumpy and growly and just expected me to obey him. Maybe Emmeline would have done that, but Rowan sure as fuck wouldn't.
Nix. Who else? That boy is acting like the proudest peacock to ever have a feather.”
June 22, 2026
I am a sucker for fated mates! I loved the added amnesia trope, it’s something I haven’t read before. I absolutely loved how this book had the right amount of background/history, story/plot development, and then build up for the rest of the series. The storyline was easy to follow, and it flowed so well between all 5 main character’s POV’s. Each chapter complemented the next and you never knew what was about to happen. I enjoyed the different dynamics of each character and how their relationships developed. Each character had their unique attributes and characteristics, enhancing their relatability and authenticity.
I really enjoyed seeing Rowan’s (FMC) character development throughout the book. She has sass, is stubborn as an ox, feisty, and extremely caring. She deals with her amnesia in stride and once she allows herself to feel comfortable, she lets down her walls towards Bastien (MMC), Nix (MMC), Orsen (MMC), and Greylen (MMC).
Nix is your typical golden retriever, ball of energy fated mate. He follows Rowan around and the banter between the two is so cute. I think he’s my favorite out of the 4 MMC’s. Orsen and Bastien are very type A personalities, needing to be in control of everything. Orsen and Rowan’s relationship develops into a more intimate, caring relationship. Bastien is very skeptical of Rowan and has his doubts, keeping her at arms length. And Greylen is your silent, notices everything, caring fated mate. After Nix, Greylen is my second favorite. Greylen is very attentive towards Rowan and ensures that she is cared for.
If you are into:
💜Shifter Romance
💜“Who hurt you”
💜Second Chance
💜Fated Mates
💜Why Choose
💜Amnesia
💜Dragons
💜Four Alpha Dragons and One Human
Then this is for you! Grab your copy now on KU!
I really enjoyed seeing Rowan’s (FMC) character development throughout the book. She has sass, is stubborn as an ox, feisty, and extremely caring. She deals with her amnesia in stride and once she allows herself to feel comfortable, she lets down her walls towards Bastien (MMC), Nix (MMC), Orsen (MMC), and Greylen (MMC).
Nix is your typical golden retriever, ball of energy fated mate. He follows Rowan around and the banter between the two is so cute. I think he’s my favorite out of the 4 MMC’s. Orsen and Bastien are very type A personalities, needing to be in control of everything. Orsen and Rowan’s relationship develops into a more intimate, caring relationship. Bastien is very skeptical of Rowan and has his doubts, keeping her at arms length. And Greylen is your silent, notices everything, caring fated mate. After Nix, Greylen is my second favorite. Greylen is very attentive towards Rowan and ensures that she is cared for.
If you are into:
💜Shifter Romance
💜“Who hurt you”
💜Second Chance
💜Fated Mates
💜Why Choose
💜Amnesia
💜Dragons
💜Four Alpha Dragons and One Human
Then this is for you! Grab your copy now on KU!
June 24, 2026
**Tropes:** fated mates, dragon shifters, rejected mate vibes, angst, secrets, tension, and that “just tell each other the truth already” energy 😭
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Okayyyy this one had me hooked. *The Dragon’s Lost Mate* gave me all the angst, tension, and emotional chaos I wanted, and I ate it up. If you love fated mate drama with dragon shifters, secrets, and a couple that keeps putting your emotions through it, this was such a fun read.
I was invested pretty much right away because there’s so much tension between the characters, and I kept needing to know what was going to happen next. The push and pull was SO good, and I loved that mix of longing, hurt, chemistry, and drama. It definitely had that “they’re clearly meant to be but everything is making it harder” vibe, which is one of my favorite things in paranormal romance.
I also really liked that there was more going on than just the romance. The mystery and drama kept the story moving, and every time I thought I had a handle on where things were going, something else would happen that pulled me in even more. It was one of those books where I kept saying “okay one more chapter” and suddenly I was way farther in than I meant to be.
**Just know before you go in — this DOES end on a cliffhanger.** And I mean a cliffhanger that absolutely makes you want the next book immediately lol. I still really enjoyed it and thought it was worth it, but I know some people like a warning first.
Overall, this was such an addictive read for me. Lots of angst, lots of tension, dragon shifter drama, and enough emotional mess to keep me fully invested. I’m definitely gonna need the next book because I need answers after that ending 😩
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Okayyyy this one had me hooked. *The Dragon’s Lost Mate* gave me all the angst, tension, and emotional chaos I wanted, and I ate it up. If you love fated mate drama with dragon shifters, secrets, and a couple that keeps putting your emotions through it, this was such a fun read.
I was invested pretty much right away because there’s so much tension between the characters, and I kept needing to know what was going to happen next. The push and pull was SO good, and I loved that mix of longing, hurt, chemistry, and drama. It definitely had that “they’re clearly meant to be but everything is making it harder” vibe, which is one of my favorite things in paranormal romance.
I also really liked that there was more going on than just the romance. The mystery and drama kept the story moving, and every time I thought I had a handle on where things were going, something else would happen that pulled me in even more. It was one of those books where I kept saying “okay one more chapter” and suddenly I was way farther in than I meant to be.
**Just know before you go in — this DOES end on a cliffhanger.** And I mean a cliffhanger that absolutely makes you want the next book immediately lol. I still really enjoyed it and thought it was worth it, but I know some people like a warning first.
Overall, this was such an addictive read for me. Lots of angst, lots of tension, dragon shifter drama, and enough emotional mess to keep me fully invested. I’m definitely gonna need the next book because I need answers after that ending 😩
June 22, 2026
🐉🐉🐉🐉
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I went into this book expecting dragons and romance, but what kept me reading was the mystery. The story follows a healer with amnesia who only remembers the last six years of her life. When she travels to help a sick child, she discovers that four dragon alphas are her mates, yet she has no memory of them.
What worked best for me was the balance between romance and plot. There are several unanswered questions woven throughout the story, and I found myself genuinely curious about what happened in Rowan’s past and what was really going on behind the scenes. The mystery kept me turning pages.
The mates also felt distinct from one another, which isn’t always the case in why choose romance. I quickly found myself favoring some over others. Nix was an immediate favorite, while others took much longer to win me over. One character’s redemption arc worked surprisingly well for me, while another still has a lot of work to do.
I also appreciated Rowan. Despite her uncertainty and memory loss, she’s capable, compassionate, and strong in ways she doesn’t always recognize herself.
The ending leaves several important questions unanswered, but in a way that made me excited for the next book rather than frustrated. I immediately preordered the sequel because I need to know what happens next.
If you enjoy dragon shifters, mystery, found family, healing, and why choose romance with an actual plot beyond the romance, this is worth checking out.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🐉💚 Now excuse me while I wait impatiently for Book 2 and hope certain dragons remember that groveling is a skill that can be improved with practice. 😆
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I went into this book expecting dragons and romance, but what kept me reading was the mystery. The story follows a healer with amnesia who only remembers the last six years of her life. When she travels to help a sick child, she discovers that four dragon alphas are her mates, yet she has no memory of them.
What worked best for me was the balance between romance and plot. There are several unanswered questions woven throughout the story, and I found myself genuinely curious about what happened in Rowan’s past and what was really going on behind the scenes. The mystery kept me turning pages.
The mates also felt distinct from one another, which isn’t always the case in why choose romance. I quickly found myself favoring some over others. Nix was an immediate favorite, while others took much longer to win me over. One character’s redemption arc worked surprisingly well for me, while another still has a lot of work to do.
I also appreciated Rowan. Despite her uncertainty and memory loss, she’s capable, compassionate, and strong in ways she doesn’t always recognize herself.
The ending leaves several important questions unanswered, but in a way that made me excited for the next book rather than frustrated. I immediately preordered the sequel because I need to know what happens next.
If you enjoy dragon shifters, mystery, found family, healing, and why choose romance with an actual plot beyond the romance, this is worth checking out.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🐉💚 Now excuse me while I wait impatiently for Book 2 and hope certain dragons remember that groveling is a skill that can be improved with practice. 😆
June 25, 2026
Melissa Huxley did it again, and I think The Dragon’s Lost Mate might actually be my favorite of hers so far!
Rowan is such a great FMC. She’s strong, practical, and not here for anyone’s nonsense. She wakes up six years ago with no memories and a nasty dragon fire burn, and since then she’s been traveling from den to den as a healer. When she’s called to help her best friend’s den, she expects a normal visit… but of course, nothing is normal. The dragons are getting sick, things feel off, and suddenly the Alpha clan is claiming she’s their mate.
What I really liked is that Rowan doesn’t waste time spiraling or constantly denying everything. She asks questions, stands her ground, and focuses on doing her job. Honestly, it was refreshing not having the usual drawn-out resistance.
The Alphas were interesting—each one has their own personality—but Greylen definitely stood out as my favorite. I feel like we’re just scratching the surface with this group, so I’m really looking forward to seeing more in the next book.
Side characters like Ma and Griffin also added a lot and honestly stole a few scenes. That’s always a good sign for me.
I did wish for a bit more world-building, but since this is clearly setting up a bigger story, I’m guessing we’ll get more of that later. And that ending… yeah. Be ready. It’s a cliffhanger and it's a doozy!
If you like strong FMCs, fated mates, dragon shifters, and a bit of mystery mixed in, this one is definitely worth picking up.
✨Thank you to Melissa Huxley and her team for the ARC to read and review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cliffhanger? yes
3rd act break-up? no
🌶️🌶️/5
Rowan is such a great FMC. She’s strong, practical, and not here for anyone’s nonsense. She wakes up six years ago with no memories and a nasty dragon fire burn, and since then she’s been traveling from den to den as a healer. When she’s called to help her best friend’s den, she expects a normal visit… but of course, nothing is normal. The dragons are getting sick, things feel off, and suddenly the Alpha clan is claiming she’s their mate.
What I really liked is that Rowan doesn’t waste time spiraling or constantly denying everything. She asks questions, stands her ground, and focuses on doing her job. Honestly, it was refreshing not having the usual drawn-out resistance.
The Alphas were interesting—each one has their own personality—but Greylen definitely stood out as my favorite. I feel like we’re just scratching the surface with this group, so I’m really looking forward to seeing more in the next book.
Side characters like Ma and Griffin also added a lot and honestly stole a few scenes. That’s always a good sign for me.
I did wish for a bit more world-building, but since this is clearly setting up a bigger story, I’m guessing we’ll get more of that later. And that ending… yeah. Be ready. It’s a cliffhanger and it's a doozy!
If you like strong FMCs, fated mates, dragon shifters, and a bit of mystery mixed in, this one is definitely worth picking up.
✨Thank you to Melissa Huxley and her team for the ARC to read and review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cliffhanger? yes
3rd act break-up? no
🌶️🌶️/5
June 21, 2026
I’m OBSESSED with this Dragon World!
I have read pretty much every Melissa Huxley book ever, and I love them all. When I heard she was branching into Dragon why-choose, I was SO EXCITED because I love this genre and knew I would love her version of it even more!
Rowan is a human working as a dragon healer after being trained by a well-known healer who saved her life when she was nearly killed by a dragon. While she survived this attack 6 years ago, it left her with no memory beyond her accident.
Rowan uses her skills to travel to different dragon hordes and heal, making friends but never staying in one place for long. But when her good friend asks her to come to their horde to heal a little boy, she finds more than she ever imagined.
Not only is Rowan dealing with a sick horde and combative but useless dragon doctor, but she also stumbles upon the alpha clan that all claim that she is their lost mate. Never one to take things standing up, Rowan is skeptical at best as she navigates her feelings, the demand for her skills, and figuring out what happened to her six years ago.
This dragon why-choose is full of 4 steamy and somewhat broody alpha dragons and an independent and sassy FMC. There is a touch of mystery and a lot of sweet trying to win over and make up for missed time. This one is a bit of a slower burn (def still some spicy 🌶️ scenes) but is really Rowan letting herself fall for her boys all over again.
It does end on a MAJOR cliffhanger, so be prepared. I hope we won’t be waiting for too long, my poor heart can’t take it!
I have read pretty much every Melissa Huxley book ever, and I love them all. When I heard she was branching into Dragon why-choose, I was SO EXCITED because I love this genre and knew I would love her version of it even more!
Rowan is a human working as a dragon healer after being trained by a well-known healer who saved her life when she was nearly killed by a dragon. While she survived this attack 6 years ago, it left her with no memory beyond her accident.
Rowan uses her skills to travel to different dragon hordes and heal, making friends but never staying in one place for long. But when her good friend asks her to come to their horde to heal a little boy, she finds more than she ever imagined.
Not only is Rowan dealing with a sick horde and combative but useless dragon doctor, but she also stumbles upon the alpha clan that all claim that she is their lost mate. Never one to take things standing up, Rowan is skeptical at best as she navigates her feelings, the demand for her skills, and figuring out what happened to her six years ago.
This dragon why-choose is full of 4 steamy and somewhat broody alpha dragons and an independent and sassy FMC. There is a touch of mystery and a lot of sweet trying to win over and make up for missed time. This one is a bit of a slower burn (def still some spicy 🌶️ scenes) but is really Rowan letting herself fall for her boys all over again.
It does end on a MAJOR cliffhanger, so be prepared. I hope we won’t be waiting for too long, my poor heart can’t take it!
June 21, 2026
Accidentally finding your past
Rowan nearly died years ago but was found by a healer who managed to save her life. She has zero memories prior to this event. She learned everything about dragon shifters and healing from the woman who saved her life. Now she is this no mad healer. So when her friend and former patient calls asking for her help she is happy to show up.
I adored her friend. He is strong, protective, and worried about his people. He never expected what brining Rowan in would unveil.
The men in this story all have very different personalities which I always love. Thankfully one of the men is pure golden retriever because without him she wouldn't have looked twice at them. One if the men is pretty awful to her until almost the end though.
The medical drama in this is very holistic vs medicinal but where the actual medications cause actually harm the dragon. This horde is sick and not producing any offspring. Good thing Rowan knows what she is doing. Unfortunately the current healer isn't going to hand anything over to her.
Then there was a cliffhanger I was absolutely not prepared for. Melissa always gives us standalone stories so I was shocked. Now I need book two .
I do not typically read much that is this slow of a burn but I did enjoy this one. There is enough yearning and tension to keep me reading. Plus there's the whole lost mate with no memory issue that adds to the slow burn.
Overall u really enjoyed the story and it was fun reading something completely new by this author.
Rowan nearly died years ago but was found by a healer who managed to save her life. She has zero memories prior to this event. She learned everything about dragon shifters and healing from the woman who saved her life. Now she is this no mad healer. So when her friend and former patient calls asking for her help she is happy to show up.
I adored her friend. He is strong, protective, and worried about his people. He never expected what brining Rowan in would unveil.
The men in this story all have very different personalities which I always love. Thankfully one of the men is pure golden retriever because without him she wouldn't have looked twice at them. One if the men is pretty awful to her until almost the end though.
The medical drama in this is very holistic vs medicinal but where the actual medications cause actually harm the dragon. This horde is sick and not producing any offspring. Good thing Rowan knows what she is doing. Unfortunately the current healer isn't going to hand anything over to her.
Then there was a cliffhanger I was absolutely not prepared for. Melissa always gives us standalone stories so I was shocked. Now I need book two .
I do not typically read much that is this slow of a burn but I did enjoy this one. There is enough yearning and tension to keep me reading. Plus there's the whole lost mate with no memory issue that adds to the slow burn.
Overall u really enjoyed the story and it was fun reading something completely new by this author.
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