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Paranormal Au Pair Agency #1
The Dragon's Reluctant Manny
He signed an NDA but he didn't sign up for this.
When my funding falls through, I take a live-in manny position that comes with a paycheck I can't ignore and three kids I'd been warned were “spirited.”
The kids are sweet, but they are hot to the touch, they make strange comments about fire, and the scorch marks around the house don't add up. My new boss is the most intoxicating man I've ever met, which would be fine if he kept his distance.
I lose track of where the job ends and something else begins between bedtime stories with three kids climbing all over me and a kiss from my boss in a dark hallway. Every day I stay, I fall harder for him and his kids, and I'm starting to wonder if I'll still want the truth when I finally get it.
The Dragon's Reluctant Manny is an M/M mpreg shifter romance featuring fated mates, a single dad alpha dragon trying to keep his secret, three little dragons with fire in their fingertips, a grad student who notices everything except the obvious, a baby on the way, and a household full of love hiding behind scorch marks and locked doors. If you love a slow-burn romance with a kind-hearted human, an overprotective dragon, and kids who accidentally set the world on fire, this book is for you.
When my funding falls through, I take a live-in manny position that comes with a paycheck I can't ignore and three kids I'd been warned were “spirited.”
The kids are sweet, but they are hot to the touch, they make strange comments about fire, and the scorch marks around the house don't add up. My new boss is the most intoxicating man I've ever met, which would be fine if he kept his distance.
I lose track of where the job ends and something else begins between bedtime stories with three kids climbing all over me and a kiss from my boss in a dark hallway. Every day I stay, I fall harder for him and his kids, and I'm starting to wonder if I'll still want the truth when I finally get it.
The Dragon's Reluctant Manny is an M/M mpreg shifter romance featuring fated mates, a single dad alpha dragon trying to keep his secret, three little dragons with fire in their fingertips, a grad student who notices everything except the obvious, a baby on the way, and a household full of love hiding behind scorch marks and locked doors. If you love a slow-burn romance with a kind-hearted human, an overprotective dragon, and kids who accidentally set the world on fire, this book is for you.
108 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 17, 2026
About the author
Colbie Dunbar
222 books138 followersColbie’s characters are sexy, hot, adorable - and often filthy - alphas and omegas. They include feudal lords with dark secrets, outrageous aristocrats with scandals buried deep in their past and poverty-stricken gentleman who have gambled away their inheritance.
Lurking in the background are notorious kings, princesses, and courtiers whose opinions change with each whisper in their ear.
And as for Colbie herself? She dictates her steamy stories with a glass of champagne in one hand. Because why not?
Lurking in the background are notorious kings, princesses, and courtiers whose opinions change with each whisper in their ear.
And as for Colbie herself? She dictates her steamy stories with a glass of champagne in one hand. Because why not?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
May 21, 2026
He needed a job. He found a family hiding fire and grief.
Ledger takes a live-in manny job because his funding is gone and pride won’t pay tuition. The estate runs too warm, the children are too sharp and strange, and his new boss, Theron, looks at him like distance is the only thing keeping them safe.
Theron is a widowed father trying to protect three little dragons, a dangerous secret, and a heart he’s kept under control for years. Ledger should be temporary, just another employee in a house full of locked doors, but care turns into want, and want starts asking for more than restraint.
Between bedtime stories, scorch marks, stolen glances, and a kiss that changes everything, Ledger starts falling for a man who hasn’t told him the whole truth. When secrets finally surface, love isn’t the easy part. Trust is.
Ledger grows from a guarded, overwhelmed man taking a job out of necessity into someone brave enough to claim love, family, and a future he never saw coming. Theron moves from grief-bound control and secrecy into honest vulnerability, learning that protection can’t exist without trust. Their relationship shifts from forbidden boss and manny tension into a high-heat, emotionally serious bond built through caretaking, repair, commitment, and space for both old grief and new love.
A high heat, emotionally intense MM dragon shifter romance featuring fated mates, forbidden boss and manny tension, mpreg, single dad devotion, found family, grief-aware love, and a secret world hidden behind scorch marks and closed doors. It explores trust, vulnerability, caretaking, identity, desire, loss, belonging, and the risk of letting someone new into a life still shaped by the past. It’s about a guarded human who finds home where he least expects it, a grieving dragon who learns honesty is part of love, and a bond that becomes family without erasing what came before.
The Elevator Pitch: A desperate grad student takes a live-in manny job at a secluded estate where the children run too hot, the walls carry scorch marks, and their widowed father guards more than grief. As attraction builds under the pressure of secrecy, care becomes intimacy and every closed door starts to feel like a warning. What begins as survival turns into a dangerous kind of belonging, where love asks for trust before the truth can be survived.
Heat Level: 🔥🔥 Hot
Ledger takes a live-in manny job because his funding is gone and pride won’t pay tuition. The estate runs too warm, the children are too sharp and strange, and his new boss, Theron, looks at him like distance is the only thing keeping them safe.
Theron is a widowed father trying to protect three little dragons, a dangerous secret, and a heart he’s kept under control for years. Ledger should be temporary, just another employee in a house full of locked doors, but care turns into want, and want starts asking for more than restraint.
Between bedtime stories, scorch marks, stolen glances, and a kiss that changes everything, Ledger starts falling for a man who hasn’t told him the whole truth. When secrets finally surface, love isn’t the easy part. Trust is.
Ledger grows from a guarded, overwhelmed man taking a job out of necessity into someone brave enough to claim love, family, and a future he never saw coming. Theron moves from grief-bound control and secrecy into honest vulnerability, learning that protection can’t exist without trust. Their relationship shifts from forbidden boss and manny tension into a high-heat, emotionally serious bond built through caretaking, repair, commitment, and space for both old grief and new love.
A high heat, emotionally intense MM dragon shifter romance featuring fated mates, forbidden boss and manny tension, mpreg, single dad devotion, found family, grief-aware love, and a secret world hidden behind scorch marks and closed doors. It explores trust, vulnerability, caretaking, identity, desire, loss, belonging, and the risk of letting someone new into a life still shaped by the past. It’s about a guarded human who finds home where he least expects it, a grieving dragon who learns honesty is part of love, and a bond that becomes family without erasing what came before.
The Elevator Pitch: A desperate grad student takes a live-in manny job at a secluded estate where the children run too hot, the walls carry scorch marks, and their widowed father guards more than grief. As attraction builds under the pressure of secrecy, care becomes intimacy and every closed door starts to feel like a warning. What begins as survival turns into a dangerous kind of belonging, where love asks for trust before the truth can be survived.
Heat Level: 🔥🔥 Hot
September 1, 2026
Once, just ONCE, I'd like to read about an omegaverse pregnancy that happened because the birth control failed, instead of this "oh oops, but anyway" nonsense.
May 19, 2026
The Dragon’s Reluctant Manny is the first book in the, ‘Paranormal Au Pair Agency.’ It stars Ledger, a human omega, and Theron, an Alpha dragon shifter. This is told in first person from Ledger and Theron’s povs.
This is an instant lust story. Theron instantly recognizes Ledger as his mate. Ledger is drawn to Theron. Ledger is the third manny to work for Theron’s family. The premise is that the three children are so wild that the mannies ran away. There’s only one instance in the story where the kids do something which reveals they are dragon shifters. The rest of the time there aren’t any scenes which make the kids so wild that they’d chase a manny away. Most scenes are about Ledger making meals, or trying to work on his dissertation, or trying not to think about Theron. The kids being brats was over-exaggerated since they weren’t written that way. They were written as normal kids, and liking Ledger.
Scenes are brief and jump quickly in time. Of course, most of the time the kids are involved. The romance is more like Theron worrying that the kids will reveal that they are dragons, and Ledger can’t stop lusting after Theron.
This is a heavy inner monologue story, with both Ledger and Theron telling readers how they feel, what is happening, and what they think. Because of the telling monologue, I couldn’t feel for the characters as much as I wanted since the monologues didn’t draw me in.
There are a couple scenes that had me very confused. The first time they had sex in a bed, they were going to use Theron’s room because his bedroom is on the second floor same as the children’s. Ledger’s is on the third floor. Ledger suggests going to his bedroom since it’s further away from the kids. They go to Ledger’s bedroom, but in the morning, Ledger wakes up in Theron’s bed on the second floor. How did he get there? Did Theron carry Ledger to his bedroom in the middle of the night when Ledger was asleep? Nothing is mentioned that he did. Also, Ledger looked around for his clothes but didn’t find them. He put on Theron’s clothes and went downstairs. Why didn’t he just go upstairs to his room and get his own clothes? I’m guessing it was to create the kitchen scene. In any case, both of those scenes had me confused.
I liked both Ledger and Theron as characters, although I thought Ledger would be more shocked when he learned the family were dragon shifters. I did like the author’s idea that Ledger didn’t give birth to an egg, but a child. That was a nice surprise from the usual dragon shifter births in other shifter books.
As usual, I liked the plot, but I wish more was done with it, it had less monologue, and the kids were wilder like the story suggested. This had much less drama than I expected. I give The Dragon’s Reluctant Manny, 3 Stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is an instant lust story. Theron instantly recognizes Ledger as his mate. Ledger is drawn to Theron. Ledger is the third manny to work for Theron’s family. The premise is that the three children are so wild that the mannies ran away. There’s only one instance in the story where the kids do something which reveals they are dragon shifters. The rest of the time there aren’t any scenes which make the kids so wild that they’d chase a manny away. Most scenes are about Ledger making meals, or trying to work on his dissertation, or trying not to think about Theron. The kids being brats was over-exaggerated since they weren’t written that way. They were written as normal kids, and liking Ledger.
Scenes are brief and jump quickly in time. Of course, most of the time the kids are involved. The romance is more like Theron worrying that the kids will reveal that they are dragons, and Ledger can’t stop lusting after Theron.
This is a heavy inner monologue story, with both Ledger and Theron telling readers how they feel, what is happening, and what they think. Because of the telling monologue, I couldn’t feel for the characters as much as I wanted since the monologues didn’t draw me in.
There are a couple scenes that had me very confused. The first time they had sex in a bed, they were going to use Theron’s room because his bedroom is on the second floor same as the children’s. Ledger’s is on the third floor. Ledger suggests going to his bedroom since it’s further away from the kids. They go to Ledger’s bedroom, but in the morning, Ledger wakes up in Theron’s bed on the second floor. How did he get there? Did Theron carry Ledger to his bedroom in the middle of the night when Ledger was asleep? Nothing is mentioned that he did. Also, Ledger looked around for his clothes but didn’t find them. He put on Theron’s clothes and went downstairs. Why didn’t he just go upstairs to his room and get his own clothes? I’m guessing it was to create the kitchen scene. In any case, both of those scenes had me confused.
I liked both Ledger and Theron as characters, although I thought Ledger would be more shocked when he learned the family were dragon shifters. I did like the author’s idea that Ledger didn’t give birth to an egg, but a child. That was a nice surprise from the usual dragon shifter births in other shifter books.
As usual, I liked the plot, but I wish more was done with it, it had less monologue, and the kids were wilder like the story suggested. This had much less drama than I expected. I give The Dragon’s Reluctant Manny, 3 Stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 22, 2026
Desperate for funds to complete his studies, Ledger takes on the role of manny for a widowed father and his children. He's a bit nervous about taking on the role, as his last position as an au pair was a bit of nightmare. Once he meets Theron and his kids, he is a bit relieved as the children are not the terrors he anticipated due to the family losing several nannies before him.
Dragon shifter and widower Theron immediately senses that Ledger is his mate. As a human, Ledger doesn't quite feel their potential connection, however. As he spends time with the family, Ledger realizes that he's falling for his little charges as well as their dad, even though Theron is his boss. Theron, for his part, is trying to walk a fine line to keep the secret of shifters as well as figure out how to build a more than employer/employee relationship with his fated mate.
The two main characters dance around their growing feelings for each other, but their fated bond will overcome any apprehensions they may have. There are a few fun moments with the kids trying to hide their dragon nature and Ledger trying to figure out what all of the weirdness around him is. While Theron is a widower, the overall tone of the story is light and romantic. The budding romance, the healing of Theron's family after the loss of his first husband and a cute little dragon baby make for a lovely M/M omegaverse romance.
Four stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Dragon shifter and widower Theron immediately senses that Ledger is his mate. As a human, Ledger doesn't quite feel their potential connection, however. As he spends time with the family, Ledger realizes that he's falling for his little charges as well as their dad, even though Theron is his boss. Theron, for his part, is trying to walk a fine line to keep the secret of shifters as well as figure out how to build a more than employer/employee relationship with his fated mate.
The two main characters dance around their growing feelings for each other, but their fated bond will overcome any apprehensions they may have. There are a few fun moments with the kids trying to hide their dragon nature and Ledger trying to figure out what all of the weirdness around him is. While Theron is a widower, the overall tone of the story is light and romantic. The budding romance, the healing of Theron's family after the loss of his first husband and a cute little dragon baby make for a lovely M/M omegaverse romance.
Four stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 11, 2026
This was a Great Story to Read! This is the first book in the Paranormal Au Pair Agency Series. This Story is about Dragon Shifters. Ledger is a PhD candidate and receives notice from financial aide that his funds have run out, he needs to find some money fast for food, rent, and school, a friend reluctantly suggested the Agency . Ledger goes to the Au Pair Agency looking for work. After signing a NDA that was 4 pages long with species specific restrictions, Ledger was given the name and address of Theron Gibson, he has three children Rory age 8, Fraser age 6 and Skye age 5. Ledger is a human omega. Theron is a Widowed Alpha Dragon , he has been raising his kids for several years with the help of Manny's. They have gone through several Manny's, they have all been shifters this is the first human Manny. The kids wear leather bracelets all the time to keep their fire in check. When Ledger has a day off Theron would take the kids outside so they could practice their fire skills. Ledger keeps a list of the odd things he sees like scorch marks, bonfires, hot hands, something flying over the house, so much meat, and the hot temperature in the house. What happens when Ledger finds out that they are Dragon Shifters???? Will Ledger stay or will he leave???? Will Theron finally confess that Ledger is his fated mate???.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 21, 2026
I can always count on any shifter story from Colbie to be a good one, and this one fits right it. I loved the way Ledger took to the children so quickly, and how quickly they accepted him. He also took finding out that Theron and the children were dragons very well, embracing his new family with few reservations. The expected new baby was soon on the way, and I could only imagine the chaos in a house with four active young dragons learning to control their fire. I would guess many more scorch marks in the future.
The one thing that differed from most dragon shifter mpreg stories I have read was having a “normal” birth, rather than making a nest and laying an egg. Since I consider dragons to be more in the reptile family, the idea of baby dragons coming out of their shell as dragons, then quickly changing into “ human babies” seems more right to me, changing from one half of their nature to the other from the beginning. But this worked for me, too, so all was good.
I enjoy these short, easy reads as a break between longer, heavier stories on my TBR list, and appreciate Colbie’s fertile imagination with shifter stories. The dragon children in this one made me smile as the pictures formed in my mind. It was a fun way to spend an afternoon.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The one thing that differed from most dragon shifter mpreg stories I have read was having a “normal” birth, rather than making a nest and laying an egg. Since I consider dragons to be more in the reptile family, the idea of baby dragons coming out of their shell as dragons, then quickly changing into “ human babies” seems more right to me, changing from one half of their nature to the other from the beginning. But this worked for me, too, so all was good.
I enjoy these short, easy reads as a break between longer, heavier stories on my TBR list, and appreciate Colbie’s fertile imagination with shifter stories. The dragon children in this one made me smile as the pictures formed in my mind. It was a fun way to spend an afternoon.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 20, 2026
4.25 stars
This is book one in the author’s new Paranormal Au Pair Agency series and features a human manny, in need of a job and a place to live while finishing his college thesis, caring for a dragon widower and his three little dragon kiddos.
One whiff of Ledger, the very human manny, on his first day and Theron was a goner. Although he’d been mated years before and his mate had passed, they hadn’t been fated so it wasn’t too surprising that both he and his dragon knew immediately what Ledger was to them. Personally, I think that sounds amazing…knowing immediately that what you felt was a forever thing, I guess that’s why fated mates romances are some of my very favorites, they’re just so sweet!! Being angst and drama free, it was the cherry on top of this sweet concoction that caused me to zip straight through and wound up finishing in just over an hour and a half. If drama free is your preferred genre as well, check it out, I’m pretty sure Theron and Ledger are gonna steal your heart just as they did mine. 4.25 stars (really a 4.5 but not quite a rounded up 5).
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is book one in the author’s new Paranormal Au Pair Agency series and features a human manny, in need of a job and a place to live while finishing his college thesis, caring for a dragon widower and his three little dragon kiddos.
One whiff of Ledger, the very human manny, on his first day and Theron was a goner. Although he’d been mated years before and his mate had passed, they hadn’t been fated so it wasn’t too surprising that both he and his dragon knew immediately what Ledger was to them. Personally, I think that sounds amazing…knowing immediately that what you felt was a forever thing, I guess that’s why fated mates romances are some of my very favorites, they’re just so sweet!! Being angst and drama free, it was the cherry on top of this sweet concoction that caused me to zip straight through and wound up finishing in just over an hour and a half. If drama free is your preferred genre as well, check it out, I’m pretty sure Theron and Ledger are gonna steal your heart just as they did mine. 4.25 stars (really a 4.5 but not quite a rounded up 5).
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 20, 2026
This is the first book in the Paranormal Au Pair Agency series and it is off to a great start. This is the story of Ledger and Theron. Ledger is a human omega who has just lost funding for his schooling. In order to keep working on his dissertation, he needs a job that provides housing as well. Working for the Au Pair agency seems like a perfect solution. Theron is an alpha dragon shifter and widow. He needs help to raise his three dragon shifter children. He has tried other shifters but it didn't work out. So he agrees to try a human Au Pair. Little does he know that when Ledger shows up, his fated mated walks in as well. This is their story. The book is very well written and easy to read. I enjoyed all the interactions between the children and both Ledger and Theron. The way Ledger discovered that he was in a house full of dragon shifters was fun. And Ledger finding out that his best friend was something extra as well. I thought it fit right into the story. I really enjoyed this book. It is sweet and fun to read. I am looking forward to more books in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 20, 2026
The Dragon’s Reluctant Manny was such a sweet and cozy paranormal romance. I went in expecting cute dragon shifter chaos, and it absolutely delivered, especially with the three little dragon kids accidentally setting things on fire while completely stealing every scene they were in.
I really enjoyed the slow-burn connection between Ledger and Theron. Ledger’s confusion over all the strange things happening in the house was both funny and entertaining, and watching him slowly piece everything together kept me hooked. Theron was protective and guarded at first, but it was obvious how much he cared for both his children and Ledger.
The dual POV worked really well because it gave a deeper look into both characters and made the emotional side of the story feel stronger. The romance felt warm and genuine, and the family dynamic was honestly my favorite part of the book.
Overall, this was a fun, comforting read with adorable kids, dragon shifter chaos, and plenty of heart. Looking forward to more in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoyed the slow-burn connection between Ledger and Theron. Ledger’s confusion over all the strange things happening in the house was both funny and entertaining, and watching him slowly piece everything together kept me hooked. Theron was protective and guarded at first, but it was obvious how much he cared for both his children and Ledger.
The dual POV worked really well because it gave a deeper look into both characters and made the emotional side of the story feel stronger. The romance felt warm and genuine, and the family dynamic was honestly my favorite part of the book.
Overall, this was a fun, comforting read with adorable kids, dragon shifter chaos, and plenty of heart. Looking forward to more in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 21, 2026
"The Dragon’s Reluctant Manny" is book one in Colbie Dunbar's, Paranormal Au Pair Agency. Ms. Dunbar is one of my favorite omegaverse authors. You would think that after writing about a bazillion alpha/omegas (alone and with her partners like Lorelei Hart) the stories would become a bit stale. A bit "She did that in the last book". Once again, Ms. Dunbar has put a fresh spin on the a/o format. (Uninformed human omega meets shifter alpha, insta love, reveal, baby, HEA.)
It absolutely blows me away!
The twist on the manny/boss trope was very, very good. Loved the baby dragons. They were supposed to be brats, but were adorable with Ledger. There was just a tad bit more pining than in other Dunbar books. But the scenery gnawing was kept to a minimum.
The spice was.... sedate(?) considering the genre. Nice, but not ten page, lets use up our word count. The story does not get lost in the steam.
I surely hope that the rest of the Paranormal Au Pair Agency series lives up to this start. It was a fun, quick read, lite and floofy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It absolutely blows me away!
The twist on the manny/boss trope was very, very good. Loved the baby dragons. They were supposed to be brats, but were adorable with Ledger. There was just a tad bit more pining than in other Dunbar books. But the scenery gnawing was kept to a minimum.
The spice was.... sedate(?) considering the genre. Nice, but not ten page, lets use up our word count. The story does not get lost in the steam.
I surely hope that the rest of the Paranormal Au Pair Agency series lives up to this start. It was a fun, quick read, lite and floofy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 20, 2026
The Dragon's Reluctant Manny was such a sweet and heartwarming read. I absolutely loved this MM dragon shifter romance.
Theron is a single dragon shifter dad doing his best to raise his three small children, and Ledger is the human manny he brings in to help. From the very beginning, their connection feels warm and genuine, and watching their relationship slowly grow into something deeper was incredibly satisfying.
This story is filled with second chances, true mates, and all the comforting found-family vibes that make paranormal romance so enjoyable. The children added so much charm and heart to the story without ever overwhelming the romance.
What I loved most was how soft and emotional this book felt. Even with dragons and shifters, at its core it’s really about healing, trust, and finding the person who truly feels like home.
If you’re looking for a cozy, romantic paranormal read with lovable characters and a satisfying HEA, I highly recommend this one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Theron is a single dragon shifter dad doing his best to raise his three small children, and Ledger is the human manny he brings in to help. From the very beginning, their connection feels warm and genuine, and watching their relationship slowly grow into something deeper was incredibly satisfying.
This story is filled with second chances, true mates, and all the comforting found-family vibes that make paranormal romance so enjoyable. The children added so much charm and heart to the story without ever overwhelming the romance.
What I loved most was how soft and emotional this book felt. Even with dragons and shifters, at its core it’s really about healing, trust, and finding the person who truly feels like home.
If you’re looking for a cozy, romantic paranormal read with lovable characters and a satisfying HEA, I highly recommend this one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 20, 2026
Book 1 of Paranormal Au Pair Agency. And a wonderful start it is! Look forward to more from this world.
'The Dragon's Reluctant Manny is an M/M mpreg shifter romance featuring fated mates, a single dad alpha dragon trying to keep his secret, three little dragons with fire in their fingertips, a grad student who notices everything except the obvious, a baby on the way, and a household full of love hiding behind scorch marks and locked doors. If you love a slow-burn romance with a kind-hearted human, an overprotective dragon, and kids who accidentally set the world on fire, this book is for you.'
A truly wonderful and heartwarming story!
The characters drove the storyline and they were so very appealing and likeable and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and exciting and well paced. World building was excellent and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend!
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy the read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
'The Dragon's Reluctant Manny is an M/M mpreg shifter romance featuring fated mates, a single dad alpha dragon trying to keep his secret, three little dragons with fire in their fingertips, a grad student who notices everything except the obvious, a baby on the way, and a household full of love hiding behind scorch marks and locked doors. If you love a slow-burn romance with a kind-hearted human, an overprotective dragon, and kids who accidentally set the world on fire, this book is for you.'
A truly wonderful and heartwarming story!
The characters drove the storyline and they were so very appealing and likeable and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and exciting and well paced. World building was excellent and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend!
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy the read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 21, 2026
The Dragon’s Reluctant Manny by Colby Dunbar is a cute take on the dragon/human pairing. It includes a pregnancy (not a spoiler as MPREG is in the full title), curious dragon children learning how to be a dragon from their father, and secrecy from human society. Of course the kids play at being match-maker, since both parties, Ledger the human manny, and Theron the dragon shifter, are oblivious toward each other. I think my favorite line from the book was Theron’s “We are not reptiles,” and he goes on to say he knows some snake shifters (who are reptiles). While neither knows much if anything about the other species, both Theron and Ledger are very likable. No grumpy/sunshine here. More like sunshine (Ledger) and devoted father (Theron). Since this is a low-angst book there are no evil exes from either’s background, which was refreshing in these times. This book falls into the category of an amuse bouche. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 5, 2026
Ledger takes a live‑in manny job to save his funding and quickly realizes the three “spirited” kids run hot, leave scorch marks, and aren’t exactly normal. Their father, Theron, is just as impossible to ignore, blurring lines with every quiet, intimate moment. As Ledger falls for all of them, he starts sensing the truth he’s missed: this family is hiding something fiery — and life‑changing.
I enjoyed this story, especially the three children who were absolutely hilarious at times and so affectionate as they quickly grew to love Ledger. Their chaotic sweetness lit up the whole book. I found Theron a little harder to connect with, but the contrast between his guarded nature and Ledger’s warmth made their dynamic interesting. The emotions and feelings throughout were clear, easy to understand, and woven naturally into the family moments, the slow‑burn connection, and the growing sense of belonging. A charming, emotional read with plenty of heart — and plenty of accidental fire. This was an MM story with mature content and MPREG.
I enjoyed this story, especially the three children who were absolutely hilarious at times and so affectionate as they quickly grew to love Ledger. Their chaotic sweetness lit up the whole book. I found Theron a little harder to connect with, but the contrast between his guarded nature and Ledger’s warmth made their dynamic interesting. The emotions and feelings throughout were clear, easy to understand, and woven naturally into the family moments, the slow‑burn connection, and the growing sense of belonging. A charming, emotional read with plenty of heart — and plenty of accidental fire. This was an MM story with mature content and MPREG.
Review of advance copy
Ledger has no choice when his funding stops to search for a job. He gets a job as a nanny for Theron and his three kids. The ones before him all didn't stay long, but Ledger and the kids get along fine. There are only some strange things happening and happened.
I like it that the book is told by both Ledger and Theron, so I can read about both sides. That makes this story even more interesting.
Of course it is waiting till something happening so Ledger discovers the truth. He has to get use to it, but who can say no to three adorable little dragonsan their hot dad? Even if they can't control their fire all the time?
This is a cute and good read if you like this kind of books. In that case this is certainly a book for you. I can't wait to read more books in this series, especially if they are as good as this one.
I like it that the book is told by both Ledger and Theron, so I can read about both sides. That makes this story even more interesting.
Of course it is waiting till something happening so Ledger discovers the truth. He has to get use to it, but who can say no to three adorable little dragonsan their hot dad? Even if they can't control their fire all the time?
This is a cute and good read if you like this kind of books. In that case this is certainly a book for you. I can't wait to read more books in this series, especially if they are as good as this one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"We’d never discussed what would happen if he died when the kids were young."
This is book 1 in a new series by Colbie Dunbar called Paranormal Au Pair Agency. What a cute start to a new series. I've been waiting and watching for this book to show up on Booksprout and when it did I grabbed it immediately. Colbie's books are one of those immediate reads for me.
After losing his financial-aid human Ledger must find a job immediately so he can pay his tuition and finish his dissertation. Even though Ledger is human, his friend knowingly hooked him up with a paranormal au pair agency. This kind of trope is right up my alley and I wasn't disappointed in the least.
Human/dragon, fated mates, 3 dragon children charges, death of a chosen mate in the past, an unsuspecting human, keeping big secrets never works out, mpreg
This is book 1 in a new series by Colbie Dunbar called Paranormal Au Pair Agency. What a cute start to a new series. I've been waiting and watching for this book to show up on Booksprout and when it did I grabbed it immediately. Colbie's books are one of those immediate reads for me.
After losing his financial-aid human Ledger must find a job immediately so he can pay his tuition and finish his dissertation. Even though Ledger is human, his friend knowingly hooked him up with a paranormal au pair agency. This kind of trope is right up my alley and I wasn't disappointed in the least.
Human/dragon, fated mates, 3 dragon children charges, death of a chosen mate in the past, an unsuspecting human, keeping big secrets never works out, mpreg
May 18, 2026
The Dragon's Reluctant Manny, book 1 in the Paranormal Au Pair Agency Series by Colbie Dunbar is cute, short and sweet with the perfect amount of spice. My only complaint is that it wasn't longer!. You will fall in love with Ledger and Theron as well as his family. One phone call changed Ledgers whole life. He needed funds to finish school and he had a friend who worked as a manny for an exclusive agency. After a successful interview and signing a lengthy NDA he meets his perspective family. A human entering a house of Dragon shifters what could go wrong? When an accident forces Theron to come clean about what they are and who Ledger is to him. Will He stay or will he leave? You have to read it to find out!
I received this Advanced Review Copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I received this Advanced Review Copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily
June 25, 2026
Such a cute little story! I loved how quickly Ledger fell in love with the kiddos and how much they loved him. I died over Theron working not to push Ledger before he was ready even though he knew from the first moment he saw him that they were fated mates.
Rory, Fraser, and Skye were cuties and I adored everything about these kids! I loved Ledger with them, and also how great a single dad Theron had been this whole time. I loved the little family they all made together and the new baby to add to the mix. I loved how easily Ledger’s parents accepted the kiddos as their own grandkids.
I hope the next book is about Jess, because I’m intrigued by him! I liked how he took care of the kiddos whenever Ledger and Theron needed. This was a great dragon shifter story and I died over the scene when Ledger finally found out what was going on.
Rory, Fraser, and Skye were cuties and I adored everything about these kids! I loved Ledger with them, and also how great a single dad Theron had been this whole time. I loved the little family they all made together and the new baby to add to the mix. I loved how easily Ledger’s parents accepted the kiddos as their own grandkids.
I hope the next book is about Jess, because I’m intrigued by him! I liked how he took care of the kiddos whenever Ledger and Theron needed. This was a great dragon shifter story and I died over the scene when Ledger finally found out what was going on.
Review of advance copy
This is an adorable and lovely book. I think my favorite thing about it is that it wasn’t a “will they/won’t they” for a century, and then when they did there was no secretivity with deep angst and dire consequence. Instead, Colbie Dunbar gives us a sweet and savory low angst read with adorable and funny kids, a dragon widower who is trying not to freak out his fated mate, and a caregiver who falls in love with the kids and keeps his promises. I think my favorite part was The Big Reveal but I can't say any more than that at the risk of spoilers.
This book was just all around well done! Or perhaps I should say done well, because I don't think any of the Gibsons take their steak well done!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was just all around well done! Or perhaps I should say done well, because I don't think any of the Gibsons take their steak well done!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 18, 2026
This is a story about Ledger and Theron. Ledger is a human omega and Theron is an alpha dragon shifter. Ledger was hired to look after Theron‘s three children Rory, Fraser and Skye. I loved how quickly the children fell in love with him and Theron recognise that he was his fated mate. it was a really cute story and a lot of acceptance from Ledger about the dragon status of his new family. He is very surprised when he finds out he is pregnant and goes on to have a baby girl and they all live happily ever after. Of course there’s a lot more involved in the story, but you will have to read it yourself you won’t be disappointed.
I was given an advanced copy of this book to read and I am reviewing with my honest and fair opinion.
I was given an advanced copy of this book to read and I am reviewing with my honest and fair opinion.
May 19, 2026
I adored this book from start to finish. It’s the perfect blend of cozy, chaotic, and heart‑melting. The kids completely stole my heart — their fiery little personalities and accidental scorch marks made every scene with them feel alive and irresistibly cute.
The slow‑burn connection between the sweet, observant human manny and the overprotective dragon dad was beautifully done. Their chemistry builds so naturally that by the time the truth comes out, you’re already rooting for them as a family.
I loved the mix of tenderness, humour, and found‑family warmth. The world feels magical without ever losing its emotional grounding, and the HEA is exactly the kind of soft, satisfying ending I crave in shifter mpreg romance.
The slow‑burn connection between the sweet, observant human manny and the overprotective dragon dad was beautifully done. Their chemistry builds so naturally that by the time the truth comes out, you’re already rooting for them as a family.
I loved the mix of tenderness, humour, and found‑family warmth. The world feels magical without ever losing its emotional grounding, and the HEA is exactly the kind of soft, satisfying ending I crave in shifter mpreg romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2026
Ledger received a email from the financial aid office that his funding fell through. He needed to finish his dissertation for his PHD. He didn't want to borrow the money from his parents so he got the information from a friend to apply to become a Manny. Theron is a single father after losing his mate Vince in a car accident. He's already been through several Manny's when the service that he hires them through reached out about a human. He was reluctant to hire a human considering that him and his children were Dragon shifters. But when Ledger shows up on his doorstep and he gets a whiff he knows that is his fated mate. This was a super sweet a little bit sad but ultimately pleasurable read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ledger and Theron story was cute with a couple of shenanigans, love, a second chance at happiness, and some pleasant surprises along the way.
The way Ledger finds about shifters is quite interesting and I appreciated the patience, care and reassurance that was offered, as well as the friend that helped along the way.
I liked their chemistry, dynamics, and how they evolved as they acknowledge their feelings and embrace their growing family.
I adored the kids and their bundle of joy, as well as the way they connected with Ledger.
It was an enjoyable read, and I’m looking forward to the next adventure.
The way Ledger finds about shifters is quite interesting and I appreciated the patience, care and reassurance that was offered, as well as the friend that helped along the way.
I liked their chemistry, dynamics, and how they evolved as they acknowledge their feelings and embrace their growing family.
I adored the kids and their bundle of joy, as well as the way they connected with Ledger.
It was an enjoyable read, and I’m looking forward to the next adventure.
Review of advance copy
The Dragon's Reluctant Manny is the first book in the Paranormal Au Pair Agency series. This is the story of Ledger a human omega who becomes a manny and Theron an alpha dragon shifter who is a widower with three children. This was just the sweetest low angst, insta love, fated mates story. I loved the characters and world building that went into this book. Both Ledger and Theron try to fight the feelings they have but we all know how that goes. The kids are easy to love because they are so cute. The story doesn't feel rushed, it felt real. I can't wait for the next book in the series. I would definitely recommend this book.
received a free review copy
received a free review copy
Review of advance copy received from Author
Absolutely loved this. A cute manny story. Ledger is in need of money after losing funding so he decides to get a job as a manny. Theron is a single father that needs help with 3 kids. The only problem is that every manny/nanny keeps quitting. The twist is that Ledger has no knowledge of shifters so the kids are forced to hide there true selves. I think this was one of the aspects I didn't like but also loved. While a person shouldn't hide their true selves it made the book suspenseful. Just the anticipation of Ledger finding the truth. Theron on the other hand was a great father. I was happy he got a second chance at love after losing his first mate. The kids where adorable and so understanding on the new house rules and accepting Ledger. Definitely will reread this when I need a happy and cleanser from sad or dark books.
May 19, 2026
There be Dragons!
This is a good start to a new series. I have read enough fated mate stories to know Fate puts the perfect person in front of you. This could not be more true of these two. Ledger is the best person to care for three unique children. Theron has tried since the death of his first love, but he definitely needs help with three thriving dragon children. All three of the babies are super sweet. Their story is sweet because of so much interaction with the children. I have not read many books where children are mentioned and play a big role in the story. Luckily these little guys and gal did, which made the family feels more believable.
This is a good start to a new series. I have read enough fated mate stories to know Fate puts the perfect person in front of you. This could not be more true of these two. Ledger is the best person to care for three unique children. Theron has tried since the death of his first love, but he definitely needs help with three thriving dragon children. All three of the babies are super sweet. Their story is sweet because of so much interaction with the children. I have not read many books where children are mentioned and play a big role in the story. Luckily these little guys and gal did, which made the family feels more believable.
May 20, 2026
*I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review*
I finished the book in a few hours. It was sweet and funny. I love how adorable the kids are and how they were sweet with the MC and tried to not spok him with their "secret." The MC is openminded and good with the kids. It's funny seeing him see signs of a dragon shifter all over the house and being flexible with it, never thinking it could be dragons.
Would have liked to see the MCs interact more with others besides just the family. It seemed too isolating.
*I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review*
I finished the book in a few hours. It was sweet and funny. I love how adorable the kids are and how they were sweet with the MC and tried to not spok him with their "secret." The MC is openminded and good with the kids. It's funny seeing him see signs of a dragon shifter all over the house and being flexible with it, never thinking it could be dragons.
Would have liked to see the MCs interact more with others besides just the family. It seemed too isolating.
*I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review*
May 21, 2026
Don't want the story to end! Theron, is greaving the death of his mate and struggling to be a good Dad to his three kids. Ledger, loses funding for his school and is in debt, so desperate measures and his good friend direct him to apply for a nanny positon. He is a PhD candidate and is meticulous, observant and patient. He notices oddities around the house and takes notes. Colbie, creates and amazing family and a delightful manny that you want to succeed. Excellent start to a new series, delightful children you want to watch grow up and a really fun surprise you can't wait to reveal. Great story, good flow, nice cover art, well done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 19, 2026
What a charming, feel-good, read in one sitting book! I fell in love with All the characters. The children's personalities are bright and engaging. And Theron and Ledger are so well matched. Fated mates are a dragon thing. Convincing Ledger that he is more than a Manny may take some time. Then there's the whole telling him about dragons. Yeah. This is a sweet story with lots of hot scenes and guaranteed HEA. You are gonna love it! What are you waiting for...get it Now!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 19, 2026
Who Turned Up The Heat?? LOL! I loved this story as it took a different angle on dragons. Ledger knows there something going on with the family he's to be a manny for since he notices how hot their house is. Also he has to work in shorts and tees. Theron feels Ledger is meant to be his and his children feels the same. Ledger and Theron's relationship started slow but eventually heated up (pun intended) and their kids are adorable. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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