The Teacup Dragon Sanctuary

Starling Island #1

by Jessica Thorne

A BRAND NEW cosy romantasy read with cute dragons, enemies to lovers and a magical island from Jessica Thorne.🐉💖Perfect for fans of The Baby Dragon Cafe and Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries ✨☕️✨ Every lost soul can find a home on Starling Island… ✨

When apothecary Portia Starling clashes with the Academy, she knows exactly how it will end. With her family’s notorious reputation, someone has to take the blame ­– and it’s going to be her. So, reluctantly, she retreats to Starling Island – a place she hasn't considered home in years – to await news of her future.

Noah Turner has always dreamed of travelling north to study the great dragons of Elanholm. However, as a vet with no magic, funding his research feels impossible. But when an opportunity arises to help at Iris Starling’s dragon sanctuary, he can’t afford to turn it down. If he can prove himself there, he might finally reach his dream.

Portia and Noah immediately dislike one another. Noah assumes Portia is an entitled Academy poser, collecting dragons as a trend, while Portia finds him bossy and overbearing. But with the lives of the poor, sickly rescue dragons on the line, can they see past their differences?

The first in a page-turning new fantasy series, full of heart, humour and healing. Perfect for fans of A. T. Qureshi, T J Klune and Sarah Beth Durst.

'This is cosy fantasy at its absolute best for me. It made me smile, gave me characters I genuinely cared about, and—most importantly—gave me DRAGONS. I went into this expecting to enjoy it. I came out completely obsessed.' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

'This book was everything. It was sweet, cozy, and a bit romantic.' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

'What a beautiful, unique and delightful story!' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

'The Teacup Dragon Sanctuary was adorable, magical, heartwarming, and exactly what I wanted from a cozy fantasy.' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

'Adorable tiny dragons, a sexy vet and an easy-to-hate villain. Throw in a magical island and what more could you wish for?' Kate Johnson

'Cute tiny dragons, magic, a cosy romance and a mystery waiting to be uncovered... I read it in a single weekend!' Ella Cook

'Filled with charming magic, family bonds, and swoony romance, this is a story about finding connection where you least expect it. And I couldn't get enough! A delightfully enchanting fantasy.' Elizabeth Hrib

'A heartwarming and whimsical tale of romance, wonder and the cutest little dragons you could ever wish for.' David Green

'Cute dragons, a feisty apothecary, and a heroic vet, all wrapped up in a slow-burn romance that will leave you believing in magic… Jessica Thorne has written a beautiful, cozy fantasy, with enchanting characters you won’t want to say goodbye to.' Tracy Corbett

'A magical island, a gorgeous vet, and beautiful teacup dragons! Full of enchantment and wonder, it's a real cosy fantasy treat.' Sharon Booth

Genres: Fantasy, Cozy, Romance, Dragons, Cozy Fantasy, Adult, Magic

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 14, 2026

About the author

Ruth Frances Long / Jessica Thornewrites romance and fantasy from the heart which often strays into weird and wonderful liminal places. She works in a specialized library of rare & occasionally crazy books.
As Jessica Thorne she writes adult fantasy women’s fiction, which wanders from Space Opera to time travel to epic fantasy, including The Lost Queen trilogy (A Touch of Shadows, A Kiss of Flame and A Crown of Darkness), The Water Witch, The Bookbinder’s Daughter, The Lost Girl’s of Foxfield Hall, The Queen’s Wing, The Hollow King duology (Mageborn and Nightborn). The Stone’s Heart was nominated for the Romantic Novelists’ Association Romantic Fantasy novel of the year in 2020. Her Irish gothic romance Wildewood came out in January 2026 and her new series with Boldwood begins in Autumn 2026 with The Teacup Dragon Sanctuary, followed by The Magical Emporium by the Sea in Spring 2027.

As Ruth Frances Long she writes fantasy, often about scary fairies. In 2015 she won the European Science Fiction Society Spirit of Dedication Award for Best Author of Children’s Science Fiction and Fantasy for A Crack in Everything. Her latest series Feral Gods, an adult fantasy trilogy from Hodderscape featuring “an alternate-Renaissance fantasy world and inspired by the early days of printing in Europe” begins with The Book of Gold, continues with The Lore of Silver (November 2025) and finishes with The God of Bronze (November 2026).

The Book of Gold was longlisted for the 2025 BSFA award and was selected for the Locus Recommended Reading List for 2024.

Ruth was nominated for the European Science Fiction Society (ESFS) 2026 Hall of Fame Awards as Best Author but alas, didn't win.

Reviews

[Julie MacKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was so cute with the teacup dragons! I would love to see this book be made into a movie, there could be some great visuals.

Anyway, the main characters are Portia and Noah, who have a bit of a love-hate relationship at times. They end up working together at the teacup dragon sanctuary to find a cure for an issue that the dragons are having with their scales. There is also the issue of Portia being suspended from the Academy and she is concerned about being kicked out. There are a few other sub-plots and a battle of good and evil too.

The writing style was really engaging, it really clicked with me and I enjoyed reading it. The plot interested me, and the descriptions of the teacup dragons and their behaviours was just lovely. I also loved Portia’s family and their strong relationships with each other. I definitely want to read the next book in the series.

It’s not a light-hearted book, but I would consider it to be in the cozy fantasy genre. I think people who enjoy a bit of cuteness as well as some serious plot lines would enjoy this book. I definitely recommend reading it if it sounds like your kind of book.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing an advance reader copy of this book with me. All opinions are my own.

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy, entertaining, magical and cute little dragons. This sweet read made me escape into another world for awhile. It was a little too sweet at times but on the whole a lovely story. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

[Maddy Ames · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Okay this was ADORABLE 🥰
I love any book with a magical vet in, but Teacup Dragons??? You’ve got me. The little creatures are what made this book special and I loved reading about them.
The Teacup Dragon Sanctuary truly is the cosiest of cosy fantasy locations. If I could work anywhere, it would be here. Thinking about the snuggery, the greenhouse, and that beautiful castle makes me all cosy and warm inside.

Then you add in a little mystery? Say no more! The mystery of what was happening on the island was what kept me reading and I am so keen to read the next one to learn more.

Having said that, I felt the book lagged in the middle a bit. The beginning and end were so strong, and the middle kinda fell flat in my opinion.
The other note I had was that I didn’t really care that much about the romance… sorry 😔 Beyond the dragons I don’t think we had enough time for Portia and Noah to really explore a connection. I think the book would have been just as good if there hadn’t been a romance aspect.

I did really like this book though, an adorable, heartwarming adventure 🫶✨

[Jaimes_Mystical_Library · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

This was a cute cozy fantasy book. I liked following the characters in this story and liked the overall storyline. I appreciated the author’s writing style in this book and loved the teacup dragons. Overall this was a cute, cozy read.

Thank you to the NetGalley for the gifted copy.

[Emma Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute and entertaining read. Anything with dragons in and I'm sold. From the very first page I was hooked and I kept reading until the end as I was eager to know what happened. I loved the author's writing style and the pacing was just right. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💖 Boldwood Books, Netgalley and Jessica Thorne for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Emma Hatton · Rating 5 out of 5]

As far as cute, whimsical and cozy fantasy goes, this book absolutely delivered for me!! I loved every second of it.

It was such an easy read and I was completely invested in the story and its characters. I know I’ve seen a few people mention having issues with the plot and pacing, but I honestly didn’t notice any of that while I was reading. I was having far too much fun 😂

I think what I loved most was the whole idea of the dragon sanctuary and the little family surrounding it. It had all of those cozy, whimsical elements I wanted, but there was still enough happening that I never felt bored. And obviously, tiny dragons. I mean, come on.

This was exactly the type of book I needed this weekend. I read it over two nights after putting the kids to bed and I genuinely think I had a smile on my face the entire time. I just had such a good time reading it.

And now I’m annoyed that book two isn’t already out 😂 I’m not done with this world yet. I want to go straight back to the sanctuary and learn more about the dragons and the family they’ve created.

I just loved it so much

[Keri Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Portia’s family lives on Starling Island, where they care for and study teacup dragons. Portia is completing her studies at the Academy when she gets into an altercation with an influential woman who is abusing her teacup dragon. Portia confiscates the little thing and fleas home to the island. While on the journey she clashes with a man, Noah, who turns out to also be traveling to the island to work as a vet for her aunt, taking care of the dragons.

Once on the island, Portia and Noah discover their connection, through the dragons. Though they argue and begin a confrontational working relationship, their love for the teacup dragons brings them together. Portia and her brother are working on a remedy that will help the dragons thrive, but others will try to thwart them.

It’s a fun book for those that enjoy fantasy, and has been nominated for European Science Fiction Society’s 2026 Hall of Fame Award as best author. The second book will be released in 2027.

[Emmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Libro.fm for this gifted audio! The narrator did wonderful portraying this story and keeping me engaged throughout! This book is the definition of cute cosy fantasy with a splash of suspense! I really enjoyed this quick cosy listen. This story is definitely a great book to get you in the cosy fantasy feels. A great read for a fall evening.

[poet · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

This started out so boringly tropey that I was very down on it. Just not interesting to me, but by the end it had redeemed itself somewhat with some very fun world building ideas and moments. I dunno if it's a full recommend but it's fine.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC received from NetGalley and Boldwood Books in exchange for honest review.

⚡REVIEW⚡
The Teacup Dragon Sanctuary is a delightful, gentle story that warmed my heart - and turned out to be the perfect palate cleanser after a tougher read. I do not say that to take anything away from this book - it just slotted in perfectly and put a smile on my face.

I'm fairly certain that Portia Starling is a Taurean. She is stubborn, fiery, and very passionate about the things that matter to her. So when she spots a Teacup Dragon being horribly mistreated, she rears up, and ends up suspended from the Academy and her dream job, with a new bond to a dragon, Jade. Whilst on the ferry back to Starling Island, home of the Teacup Dragon Sanctuary run by her Great-Aunt Iris, a man accuses her of poor treatment of Jade, and there is another clash. When she gets to the island and realises Noah is the new vet at the sanctuary, she knows she has to put it behind her, and work with him. When a disaster strikes, Portia sees more magic than she's ever been privy to before, and it deepens her bond with all the dragons on the island. But it also triggers romantic feelings for Noah. Portia's tendency to flare up (in her defence, she does it for the right reasons!) sees more trouble and strife, when it comes to her relationship with Noah but also when the socialite attempts to enact revenge, before an unexpected reveal sees the day saved. Portia has a keen sense of justice, and her life has been a series of wrongs, so it is little wonder she gets so passionate in her chase to be proven correct. She is also always first to expect the worst - again, understandably so considering her life until that point.

We don't get a great deal from Noah's POV, but what we do get is usually an exposure for a key plot point. Noah is keen to save money whilst working for Iris as a vet, to enable him to search Elanholm, origin of the huge dragons that have since disappeared without a trace, leaving only their teacup sized cousins. He has no magical ability, so he struggles with the magic of the Starlings, not able to see or understand what is happening. He provides a good balance for Portia's impulsivity, wanting stronger evidence based tests in opposition to Portia's reliance on the feel of her magic. There is a shock later in the story, when a shock alliance is discovered, but Noah's loyalties see him in as much trouble as Portia. His love for dragons is rewarded in ways he doesn't expect after making a decision on his future. When it comes to her, he's head over heels, but their tendency to make assumptions and their matching fire when it comes to welfare of dragons mean their path does not run smoothly.

I absolutely loved the personalities that Jessica Thorne managed to cram into the Teacup Dragons, particularly Jade. It made the strength of their bonds with the Starling family, and Noah very clear, whilst demonstrating the difference when it came to Portia. It highlighted the depth of her connection to the magic on Starling Island, and their feelings for her - despite her insistences that she wanted nothing to do with the Teacup Dragon Sanctuary upon her arrival. Their love for her, and her love for them, is grown due to her connection with that magic, and their delightful character traits emphasise this beautifully.

The villain of this book is not a nefarious outsider, or an evil genius, but instead, a vapid socialite who has the ear of the Queen. Her villainy is all based around power imbalance in society, and her insistence on destroying the Starling family, who are already in a precarious position thanks to disaster after disaster. I'm not sure yet if this is a thread that will be picked up throughout the series (I do hope so, as I think there is a wider conspiracy to uncover!). She does some incredibly awful things towards the end of the book, and I just don't think she's capable of working alone. I look forward to reading on!

The Teacup Dragon Sanctuary is a gentle novel, full of whimsy and warmth. It rolls from peak to gentle peak, before a crescendo towards the end that sees secrets spilled, dreadful actions, and a reveal that changes everything for the series as it continues. I am excited to see what comes next for Seb, the protagonist of the follow up to this book - another character wronged by the aristocracy he should be a part of. I'm hoping Milo, Portia's research partner and once in some sort of situationship with Seb, features in this one, as there is a lot of unfinished business there! This is the perfect book to pick up after a stressful day, or after a heavy book, to reset and leave you beaming. Excellent work!

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book!

[Mary Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a rule, I don’t leave reviews for books I DNF. Not every book is for me, so I shelve it as DNF and move on. But this book ground my gears so much, I have to comment.

Because I loved the first 70% of the book! Writing style: lovely, funny, descriptive! Setting: cozy, dreamy, well thought out! Characters: cute to the max, intriguing, snappy dialogue. Plot: compelling, made me keep reading.

Then…no nice way to say it: sex, graphic sex, 3-pepper. And not well-written, just thrown off and made into a joke! (The x’s are mine) “ ‘What about this?’ she asked, and xxxxx so that she could xxxx him as xxxxxx her as possible. It was a moment of triumph, if she had to say it herself.”

I thought maybe I could excuse it by thinking that things got a little wild after the FMC discovers the magic elixir. If that had been in the text, I might have been okay with a 1 or 2 pepper fade to black. But that isn’t how I read it. Granted, there is consent. Then it’s hay-ho! And the author has made it clear these characters are committed to going back to their other lives after their time on the island, so nowhere did marriage even come up. (Nor did contraception or protection, by the way.)

Now I’ve read my share of romantasy and don’t consider myself a pearl-clutcher, so hear me out. What bothers me is how the book is being marketed. Look at the cover, people! Cartoon castle and cutesy dragon, boy and girl in boat like Little Mermaid or Tangled. Maybe I missed a red flag somewhere, and if so, that’s on me. But honestly if I has a 12 year old boy or girl bring this to me in a bookstore and ask if it’s okay to read, I would have looked at the candy-colored cartoon cover, the back cover, flipped through a few pages, seen no content warning and said, “Sure.”

Is this how we want those readers to learn about physical relationships? That after ONE KISS, and a quick consent, friends or co-workers move right along to penetrative sex, and here’s how to do that.

So I’ve had a good think about this book, and a good rant, and if you don’t agree, that’s another reader’s perspective. But I think sometimes a reader needs to think deeper about the books they buy, what that’s telling the authors and especially the publishers about what sells, and seeing the implications of marketing cute dragon fantasy books to young readers that have some serious spice.

I did buy this book and will be asking Amazon for a refund. By the way, I did notice that many reviews were based on an ARC. I’m not saying…I’m just saying…

[Abbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this ebook ARC from the publisher via Netgalley. *If I could do partial stars here, I would rate this at 3 1/2 stars.

This is a new cozy fantasy series feature tiny teacup dragons! I love a good cozy fantasy, but I confess I had some mixed feelings about this one.

The positives:

The teacup dragons were so much fun, and I loved Jade's connection to Portia. There's a lot of lore and dragon backstory to be explored, and I think it's really neat. I liked the solution to some of the dragon health issues, and learning about the sanctuary and teacup dragons was a lot of fun. I enjoyed the magic system, what we learned of it so far,

The romance between Portia and Noah was very sweet. The spicy scene was rather random in a "everybody likes a bit of spice these days, right?" way, but it was ok. I preferred those times when they were working together and connecting, but it also would have been really sweet to see them spend non-working time just getting to know one another.

The students, Felicity and Maxim, stole the show in the brief scenes they were in - they need their own book. And Gilden definitely needs more scene time. He was fantastic.

The negatives:

Portia's family was rather selfish and mean. I think the author meant to portray a teasing, "always speaks their mind but lovingly" family, but it didn't come across that way as a reader. They were dismissive of her 12 years of hard work, ignored her grief over what she'd lost, and overrode all of her objections and struggles because how dare she leave their super special magical island to do her own thing. Or at least that's how it came across. With most of her siblings, their first reactions are to yell at her, and that's really not ok.

Which leads to the second negative - I actually think the book was too short. I think it would have been drastically improved by additional scenes that expanded the family connections, the romance, and the mystery/politics.

All that said, I would like to read more in this world, and it looks like we might be getting Seb's story next? He was my favorite secondary character (and one of the nicer family members), so I'm hoping his story is a good one.

[Orla · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

Okay so if I had to pick a cozy fantasy place to live, I think Starling Island might be the new top of the list. This book was sooooo incredibly cute, and I absolutely adored the setting and the magical world that was woven.

Obviously our standout star character had to be Jade, she took my entire heart and I now want a Teacup dragon of my own, in fact, I want a whole flight of them. I might actually just want to be great aunt Iris and live in the castle on Starling Island in the orangery, I think that might be the best life to live.

The whole plot following Portia looking after Jade and the other dragons truly was so good, I enjoyed it so much seeing her learning more about the magic and harnessing it while also creating such a beautiful bond with Jade, and there was more action than I expected in this book, and it definitely kept me invested. Noah was a good character too, and it was nice seeing his views change as well as the book went on.

Now, it’s rare that I say this, but I think this book could have done with being a bit longer because the relationships between characters felt rushed or not as real as they could have been. I found myself actually just hoping Portia and Noah stayed as friends because it was very wishy-washy with a “I dislike you. No wait I like you. No I dislike you.” Over and over again to the point I didn’t believe they actually could truly like each other, and maybe if this book was longer their relationship could have been shown to progress more organically than it did. I also felt we could have found out more about Portia’s siblings and the family dynamic, because at points Portia spoke of them in her internal monologue like she had had a massive falling out with them but then they meet in person and it was actually all okay, so I was just sometimes a little confused. And it’s not like I would have complained about being in this world for another hundred pages to see these developments better, because I was obsessed with this world.

It looks like there’s gonna be a book two so I absolutely will be continuing this series when it comes out.

Thank you to Net Galley for the arc! All views are my own.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

🐉☕️ The Teacup Dragon Sanctuary by Jessica Thorne ☕️🐉

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you SO much to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for sending me this one! 💕 And thank you for sending it to me directly — I was SO excited to read it!

I love a cute dragon book, and cozy fantasy with a dragon sanctuary?! UGH. PERFECTION.

The Teacup Dragon Sanctuary was exactly the kind of cozy, magical read I needed. I loved getting transported to Starling Island and meeting all the adorable little rescue dragons. Honestly, the dragons alone had me completely sold.

Portia and Noah were also SO much fun. These two do NOT get along when they first meet, and I loved watching all that irritation slowly turn into something more. 😂 The enemies-to-lovers tension was cute, and I really enjoyed seeing them put their differences aside to help the dragons.

The sanctuary itself was definitely one of my favorite parts. There’s something so comforting about a place dedicated to rescuing sickly and unwanted dragons and giving them somewhere safe to belong. 🥹 It gave the story such a warm found-family feeling.

I also really liked that both Portia and Noah have their own dreams and struggles. Portia is dealing with her family's reputation and everything that comes with being connected to the Academy, while Noah is trying to prove himself and get closer to his dream of studying dragons. Watching their paths come together made the story even more enjoyable.

There were a few slower moments for me, but honestly, this is a cozy fantasy, so I didn't mind taking my time with it. I was there for the dragons, the magical island, the romance, and ALL the cozy vibes. 😂

Overall, The Teacup Dragon Sanctuary was adorable, magical, heartwarming, and exactly what I wanted from a cozy fantasy. I absolutely loved the rescue dragons and the feeling of finding a home with people who understand you.

Cute dragons + cozy fantasy + magical sanctuary + enemies-to-lovers + found family? YES. GIVE ME ALL OF IT. 🐉☕️💕

I NEED MORE TEACUP DRAGONS IN MY LIFE.

[Red The Book Nerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a self-proclaimed dragon super fan, I was absolutely thrilled to pick up this cozy fantasy! 🐉✨

What it’s about:
Portia is our FMC, determined to enhance her apothecary skills at the prestigious Academy—an establishment that has historically snubbed her family. After a chaotic run-in with Virginia, an abusive Teacup Dragon breeder with elite connections, Portia is placed on temporary leave. She retreats home to Starling Island, where her great-aunt Iris runs a Teacup Dragon Sanctuary. Together with Noah, the infuriating yet handsome sanctuary vet, Portia stumbles upon a universal restorative potion that could redeem her family name. But with Virginia’s ongoing schemes and heavy self-doubt, the path forward is anything but easy.

Why I loved it:
Relatable FMC: Portia is incredibly driven and relatable. She wants to get ahead but constantly faces unfair obstacles beyond her control.
Enemies-to-Lovers: The romance with Noah was fantastic! I loved watching him set aside his pride to truly recognize Portia's immense skill and heart.
The Family Dynamics: Portia’s family added so much warmth to the story. I honestly wish we got even more of them! There is a lot left up in the air regarding her brother Seb and his relationship with Milo, so I really hope that gets explored in a sequel.
The Ending: No spoilers, but a surprise reveal at the end completely made the book for me as a dragon lover! 🤫

If you are looking for a cozy, heartwarming read packed with adorable dragon companions, I’d definitely recommend this one. ☕️🩹

Huge thank you to @netgalley and @boldwoodbooks for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review! 🙌

[Courtney Stearns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plot and Vibe Summary
Exiled from her Academy due to family politics, Portia Starling returns home to Starling Island and teams up with Noah, a magicless veterinarian caring for tiny rescue dragons. The vibe is a deeply comforting, low stakes cozy fantasy centered on healing, community, and slow burn romance.

What Worked
The magical creatures stole the show for me. The descriptions of the sick little teacup dragons being nursed back to health were absolutely precious and heartwarming. I also loved the dynamic between Portia and Noah. Their initial clashing felt very organic, and watching them slowly learn to trust each other while managing the sanctuary felt earned. The magical apothecary element combined with veterinary science added a really unique layer to the world building.

Final Thoughts
This is an absolute must read for fans of cozy fantasy who just want to escape into a world of tiny dragons and sweet romance. It is a beautiful start to a new series, and I cannot wait to return to Starling Island in the next installment.

Book Breakdown
Tropes: Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, grump meets sunshine, small town fantasy, workplace romance
Spice Level: Sweet romance with minimal spice, mostly behind closed doors
Trigger Warnings: Past family neglect, illness of animals, grief

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGally for sending an ARC or advanced reader copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Shannie Boyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When you protect the least of us, you invite the respect of all."

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read an ARC copy of this book!

I absolutely adored this book. It was the perfect cozy, whimsical read and gave me all the warm, magical feelings I was hoping for.

I loved Portia and her journey, especially watching her realize that she doesn't have to fix all the problems her ancestors created. She gets to choose her own path and, most importantly, learn that being exactly who she is, is okay. That message really resonated with me. Watching Portia's bond with Jade grow, and all of the teacup dragons were such a treat. They brought so much charm and personality to the story, and I would happily spend my days surrounded by tiny dragons.

I also loved Noah and his journey of learning that sometimes even the best-laid plans change. I appreciated his strong morals and how deeply he cared for the people he loved.

This book was cozy, magical, heartfelt, and just plain delightful. I loved my time at the sanctuary and with these characters.

Now I just need book two, please!

If you love cozy fantasy, found family, romance, and adorable magical creatures, definitely add this one to your TBR.

[Cari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not going to lie - I had pretty high hopes for this book. I'm a sucker for a book that has dragons, but make it a cozy book? I'm all over it. That said, I enjoyed this book, but not quite as much as I thought I would. I gave it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

I loved how Jade and Portia bonded - I thought it was really sweet and heartwarming. Also, who doesn't want to bond with a dragon of any size? If I'm being honest, that's probably where the things I loved really ended. The romance between Portia and Noah seemed to escalate quickly, which was interesting considering they don't really have a lot of meaningful interactions. Let's not get started on the sex scene - that was completely out of left field, and the story could have done without.

It also felt like the book jumped around a lot; there were a lot of characters introduced who were integral to the story, and I wish the whole system of magic had been more fleshed out along with the history of Portia's family and how they got to where they were.

All in all, the story was mostly easy to read, and I overall enjoyed myself.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Kim L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Teacup Dragon Sanctuary was such a cute and cozy fantasy read. The combination of a magical island, a dragon sanctuary, a little mystery, and romance made this a really easy book to settle into.

I really enjoyed Portia’s story and watching her return to Starling Island and reconnect with her family while figuring out what she actually wants for herself. Her relationship with Jade was definitely one of my favorite parts. Jade was such a fun little character, and the teacup dragons added so much charm to the story. 🐉

I also liked the worldbuilding, especially the mix of magic, potions, dragon lore, and the different perspectives of people with and without magic. There was enough mystery and adventure to keep the story moving while still maintaining that cozy atmosphere.

The romance between Portia and Noah was probably the part I connected with the least, but I still enjoyed watching their relationship develop as they spent more time together.

Overall, this was a sweet, whimsical read with a fun magical world, lovable dragons, and plenty of cozy vibes. I’m definitely interested in seeing where the series goes next. 4.5⭐

Thank you to Jessica Thorne, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for the ARC!
Pub. date: Sep. 14th 2026
#TheTeacupDragonSanctuary #NetGalley

[VickydpBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love the warm, soulful fantasy of A.T. Qureshi, T.J. Klune and Sarah Beth Durst, you’re going to adore Starling Island ✨

Portia Starling knows how this goes – clash with the Academy, and with her family’s rocky reputation, she’s the obvious one to take the fall. So she heads back to the island she hasn’t called home in years, waiting to hear what punishment they’ll hand down.

Noah Turner has spent forever dreaming of studying Elanholm’s magnificent dragons, but as a magic-free vet, getting the chance feels impossible. So when a spot opens up at Iris Starling’s dragon sanctuary, he jumps at it – it could be his one shot to make his dream real.

Naturally, they rub each other up the wrong way straight away. Noah writes Portia off as some privileged Academy type treating dragons like a hobby; Portia thinks he’s stubborn, overbearing and way too quick to judge. But these are fragile, sick rescue dragons relying on both of them – and they’ll have to let go of their first impressions if they want to keep them safe.

Full of heart, gentle humour and so much healing, this is such a promising start to a brand new series.

[Gemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t for me. 😔

I really liked the concept behind this book, and I thought the idea of teacup dragons was absolutely adorable! 🐉☕ The thought of rescuing these little dragons and giving them a safe haven on an island was such a lovely premise, and it was definitely one of the things that drew me to the story in the first place.

However, despite the promising concept, I felt like the book fell a little short for me. I struggled to connect with the characters, and I never quite found myself invested in their journeys or what happened to them. The world itself also wasn’t quite what I was looking for, and unfortunately, I just couldn’t get fully immersed in it.

I always find it a little disappointing when a book has an idea that sounds so good on paper but doesn't quite deliver the reading experience I was hoping for. I really wanted to love this one, especially with those adorable little dragons, but sometimes a book just doesn't click with you, and that's okay!

Sadly, **this one wasn't for me**, and I won't be continuing with the series. I'll still be fond of the idea of tiny teacup dragons needing rescuing, though! 🐉❤️

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful, unique and delightful story! When I first saw a post about this book I knew it was a perfect book for me and I was right ♡
I was hooked from the beginning and if you know my reviews, cute animal companions are one of my absolute favourites and there was a whole bunch of them! Little dragons who fit around a teacup - I mean come on, that's a dream! If they were real, I would lay the world out for them and would do anything for them! I would be their pet and servant to command.
The romance story started with a situation that didn't ignite the right kind of sparks from her. But the cute story that unfolds between them is great. I loved that their relationship grew through arguments, sweet moments, caring and bad situations.
All the secrets and mysteries are intriguing and I have to read every book of this interconnected standalone series to learn them all!
If you are looking for a cosy and captivating read with tiny dragons and a beautiful love story and a great family, you found it!

[Babs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Libro.fm for the gifted copy!

This was a cozy fantasy full of adorably tiny dragons. Portia Starling retreats to her home on Starling Island after unexpectedly creating trouble at the Academy. Back on the island, she spends time with vet, Noah Turner who has spent time researching dragons. While their personalities initially clash, they soon join forces to help save the teacup dragons.

I loved the little teacup dragons and dragons in this story. Jade was my favorite dragon, and her connection to Portia was so interesting! There was a touch of mystery included. Watching Portia and Noah grow closer as they worked to figure out why the dragons were sick and how they could heal them was so sweet. They definitely took some time to connect with one another and allowed their romance to grow over time. I do wish that background info had been shared about Portia's family and the history of the island and that the magic system had been explained a bit more. Even without those elements being fully developed, I really enjoyed this world and would love to explore it more!

[Bookz4Hollz1225 · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Portia & Noah 🐉✨

From the very first chapter, I was pulled into this charming yet magical world of teacup dragons, hidden secrets, and unexpected danger. Portia is determined, caring, and willing to fight for the creatures she loves—even when it puts her own future at risk. When she returns home to her island, the last thing she expects is to be working alongside Noah… someone she immediately clashes with. 😅

Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic was so much fun! The tension, bickering, and gradual connection between them made me want to keep turning the pages. Add in an enchanting dragon sanctuary, mysterious magic, and twists I did not see coming, and this book became such an entertaining read. 🐲💫

I loved the balance of cozy fantasy vibes with higher-stakes moments, heartfelt family connections, and just enough romance. If you enjoy magical creatures, island settings, forced proximity, and enemies-to-lovers romance, you’ll definitely want to pick this one up!

I cannot wait for the next book! 💜

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Entisar Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!
A charming series opener set on a family run dragon sanctuary full of teacup sized dragons, whimsical and full of heart. Portia is easy to root for, especially in her fierce advocacy for the sanctuary's sickly dragons and her determination to hold her prickly, dismissive family together. Her slow thaw with Noah, the dragon loving vet convinced she's just another Academy poser, builds nicely from bickering into something sweeter as they team up to save the dragons in their care. The dragon lore and worldbuilding are genuine standouts, inventive and magical, and side characters like Felicity, Maxim, and Gilden steal every scene they're in. The pacing moves quickly, which leaves the family history, romance, and wider mystery wanting a bit more, but the cozy atmosphere and romance carry make it flow. A wholesome, feel good start to a series with plenty of charm and an adorable cast of dragons.

[Bailie Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cosy read perfect for autumn, with the book giving me such a warm feeling throughout the story.
I loved the special bond between Portia and Jade and the ways in which their connection grew throughout the book. The teacup dragons was such an interesting addition to the story, with Jade being my favourite dragon.
Portia’s journey though finding herself was very enjoyable to read and the ways in which she discovers that she can be herself was very relatable.
Noah’s deeply caring personality was a great addition to this story, with his and Portia’s strong morals surrounding the treatment of the teacup dragons being greatly appreciated.
Overall, this was an enjoyable cosy fantasy romance that had the perfect amount of adorable dragons.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc, I really enjoyed my time at the sanctuary and I can’t wait to continue this story.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC for review, thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.

This is the definition of a cosy fantasy - I mean, who doesn't want to be surrounded by tiny dragons? I want my own now.

I loved both Portia and Noah, the journies they went on individually were really heartfelt but together, they are an absolute dream. Although it escalated quickly, the romance between them was a nice touch and definitely contributed to that cosy feel.

Also had a soft spot for Seb, I wish there were more to his story but can only hope there's more to come for him in the next book.

It's giving small town series vibes, but the fact that it's a fantasy gives it such a different feel so it isn't just the same as all the rest - I hope that continues throughout the series (however many books there may be) because I'm enjoying it so far.

If you're a dragon lover, of any size, you'll definitely enjoy this book!

[Rhoda Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! The teacup dragons are ADORABLE, but they are also well intergrated into the fantasy world, so they're not just a cutesy addition. The world is well realised and believable. I especially liked the contrast between the rule obsessed and stifling academy and the more laissez faire atmosphere of Starling Island.
Portia is wonderfully prickly. It's nice to see a 'difficult woman' as a heroine (she's not 'difficult' she's just very good at what she does and impatient with idiots who can't keep up). Noah is very sweet and exactly what she needs. I also liked the secondary characters.
The baddie was believable too - rather than being an all powerful big bad, she's the kind of petty, small minded bully that you could easily encounter in real life!
I enjoyed this cosy fantasy so much. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.

I read an ARC of this book. This is my honest review.

[Jennybeast · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

This is entertaining, and I kept wanting to know what would happen next, so on the whole enjoyable. It's very High Drama most of the time, with a lot of over-the-top self flagellation and worries about reputation, and the Legend of the Starling Family, but I only got to the eyeroll stage a couple of times. There are a myriad of betrayals and abuses of power that I found upsetting, including the abuse of small creatures -- (trigger warning) but also a testament to how invested I was in the characters and their story, and at least one of them turned out far better than anticipated. I appreciated that Portia ends up with better friends than she realizes, and that her prickly family are there for her from word one. I also liked that several people make mistakes and recover from them and that is part of the story arc. It's an interesting world, and there are clearly more mysteries to unfold.

Advanced Listening Copy provided by Libro.fm

[Nikola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this ARC.

First of all, this cover is absolutely gorgeous and I love the cute mini dragons. Second, I am going to need a teacup dragon and a job at the sanctuary. This book was everything. It was sweet, cozy, and a bit romantic. I love Portia and Noah and how they care for the teacup dragons. Portia especially has a special relationship with Jade and Jade is an adorable, fiesty, and strong little teacup dragon. I loved every scene that included Jade and I wanted more and more of her to show up even though she shows up quiet a bit. I also liked how the sanctuary treats the teacup dragons humanly and personally wish that they continue to be the sanctuary that they are. Overall, this was a cute and cozy read, and if you like dragons and are looking for something a bit different, you need to read this book ASAP.