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Fireblood Dragon #11
The Dragon's Favorite Strays
Cut off from his people and stranded on the wrong side of the Rift, a drakoni warrior named Murr collects strays. His home is filled with cats and kittens that need a caretaker.
His latest strays?
A human woman and her daughter who have wandered into his territory. Dakota is a woman used to being on her own. She doesn't trust or depend on anyone. She certainly doesn't trust a big naked dragon-man with a friendly smile and a kitten in his arms.
As Murr and Dakota get to know each other, their strange gathering of strays grows. Home is where your family is, and they're determined to make a new one amidst the ruins.
This STAND ALONE book features a dragon shifter hero, a world-weary single mom, found family, and all the stray animals I can squeeze onto the page. This story is low on plot and high on cozy vibes. Enjoy!
444 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 29, 2026
About the author
Ruby Dixon
164 books21.2k followersRuby Dixon is an author of Science Fiction Romance. She likes fated mates, baby-filled epilogues, and cinnamon roll heroes. She also likes to write biographies of herself in the third person, because it feels more important that way.
Ruby also loves coffee and dirty books and will probably be a cat lady at some point. :)
Ruby also loves coffee and dirty books and will probably be a cat lady at some point. :)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
July 3, 2026
Ruby Dixon wanted to write a cozy story about a dragon shifter cat dad in a dystopian world and here we are. I loved the sweet and cozy elements, this genuinely has the warmest scenes that make you go “aww”. Then you’ll laugh at dragon junk just blowing in the breeze or be at the edge of your seat hoping that the main characters aren’t about to be betrayed by someone who seems awesome. I thought there was a great balance in the harsh realities of what the humans had lived through and the caution that was necessary with the funnier parts of the story. The romance was well-developed at a pace that worked, even though the admiration and attraction started simmering early. The h, H, and their found family found a HEA that fit them beautifully too.
Like other serials to novels I've read by Ruby, there's some repetition and it could have been a lil shorter. But I was having so much fun with it, didn't bother me.
Written in first person, dual POV. No ow/om drama. The h had some experience she thought about briefly but it had been years. No mention of the H’s experience that I caught, however he was also in crazed dragon mode for a while and his memories ended up compromised.
Some tropes/themes:
☆ Post-apocolyptic/dystopian setting
☆ Human FMC x Dragon shifter MMC
☆ Language barrier
☆ Cultural differences
☆ Having to side-eye everyone’s intentions for survival
☆ Loneliness
☆ Single mom to an adopted teen
☆ Found family
☆ All the cute animals, literally the most cute animal sidekicks I think I’ve seen yet
☆ Slow burn to trust and to love
☆ Does get very steamy with multiple scenes
☆ Some fun anatomy and a mating bite
☆ He learns what a kiss is
☆ FMC has to teach him to cover up
☆ “Big Meat” nickname lol
☆ He adopts and feeds them
☆ Finding more than just a safe space
☆ Side characters expand as the story goes on
☆ Adorable HEA and an epilogue that satisfied completely
Like other serials to novels I've read by Ruby, there's some repetition and it could have been a lil shorter. But I was having so much fun with it, didn't bother me.
Written in first person, dual POV. No ow/om drama. The h had some experience she thought about briefly but it had been years. No mention of the H’s experience that I caught, however he was also in crazed dragon mode for a while and his memories ended up compromised.
Some tropes/themes:
☆ Post-apocolyptic/dystopian setting
☆ Human FMC x Dragon shifter MMC
☆ Language barrier
☆ Cultural differences
☆ Having to side-eye everyone’s intentions for survival
☆ Loneliness
☆ Single mom to an adopted teen
☆ Found family
☆ All the cute animals, literally the most cute animal sidekicks I think I’ve seen yet
☆ Slow burn to trust and to love
☆ Does get very steamy with multiple scenes
☆ Some fun anatomy and a mating bite
☆ He learns what a kiss is
☆ FMC has to teach him to cover up
☆ “Big Meat” nickname lol
☆ He adopts and feeds them
☆ Finding more than just a safe space
☆ Side characters expand as the story goes on
☆ Adorable HEA and an epilogue that satisfied completely
September 4, 2026
4.5 rounded up (Same as Elizabeth 😉)
Thanks to RL for putting this on my radar after i'd sorta given up on this author💗
This was adorable and exactly what I needed to get pulled out of the despair that maybe there were no more romance books out there for me 😢
I loved all the characters, even the grandmas! The atmosphere was perfect, cozy and full of animals but I got a little worried it was going to take a dark turn with the mention of Stella but thankfully it wasn't what I or Dakota feared 😂
My only tiny niggles is that I think if the farm came into play earlier on in the story and they were working on it, turning it into a home could've helped keep my interest instead of feeling like the story was dragging in some areas. I would've also liked more chapters from Murr's POV, to make it more balanced. And lastly, the constant mention of the big meat and overly sexual grandma got a little old for me.
Overall, I really enjoyed my time reading and especially loved how it felt like a complete story where we got to have some time with the characters settling into what their forever would look even before the epilogue. It's so refreshing to see the couple be able to get together, spend a good amount of time settled in their relationship but continuing to become closer and then get the epilogue of the expanding world around them. 🥰
Thanks to RL for putting this on my radar after i'd sorta given up on this author💗
This was adorable and exactly what I needed to get pulled out of the despair that maybe there were no more romance books out there for me 😢
I loved all the characters, even the grandmas! The atmosphere was perfect, cozy and full of animals but I got a little worried it was going to take a dark turn with the mention of Stella but thankfully it wasn't what I or Dakota feared 😂
My only tiny niggles is that I think if the farm came into play earlier on in the story and they were working on it, turning it into a home could've helped keep my interest instead of feeling like the story was dragging in some areas. I would've also liked more chapters from Murr's POV, to make it more balanced. And lastly, the constant mention of the big meat and overly sexual grandma got a little old for me.
Overall, I really enjoyed my time reading and especially loved how it felt like a complete story where we got to have some time with the characters settling into what their forever would look even before the epilogue. It's so refreshing to see the couple be able to get together, spend a good amount of time settled in their relationship but continuing to become closer and then get the epilogue of the expanding world around them. 🥰
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2026
4.5 stars.
That was sweet.
Maybe I'll do a better review later. Murr is a consent king.
That was sweet.
Maybe I'll do a better review later. Murr is a consent king.
July 4, 2026
While this is a sweet book, it dragged on and on.
September 24, 2026
4.2 stars.
Sooooo cute. Seriously. I absolutely loved Murr, and all of his animals.
Sooooo cute. Seriously. I absolutely loved Murr, and all of his animals.
July 14, 2026
2.5 - 2.75 stars.
i liked some things, and disliked others. my biggest dislike was probably the two older women who joined the group early on.
the way they spoke about and treated the hero was not okay. they never used the hero's name, only called him "big meat", referencing the size of his dick. and they talked about him a lot in terms of what he can do for them. "we have a dragon, so we can do x/y/z". i didn't like that they took him for granted like that, when they clearly didn't even respect him enough to use his name.
and the elderly women had joined the group after having deceived them about their intentions and then they were let off the hook for their deception SO fast.
like, yeah, a bad man had blackmailed them by threatening their dog, so they were "forced" to try to help him burgle innocent people.
im sorry, but crazy how the characters all just skated past the fact that they'd come into their lives with the intention to rob them blind..
so yeah, i really disliked those characters and i could've done without them.
also, like other reviewers have stated, this was supposed to be a cozy read, but the heroine was so anxious and worried for most of it, that it hindered that vibe quite a bit.
i loved the beginning of the book though. when it was just the hero, the heroine, the heroine's daughter, and a bunch of cats. that premise was straightforward, adorable as hell, and captivating.
i think the story just went a bit off the rails once so many other elements were introduced.
i liked some things, and disliked others. my biggest dislike was probably the two older women who joined the group early on.
the way they spoke about and treated the hero was not okay. they never used the hero's name, only called him "big meat", referencing the size of his dick. and they talked about him a lot in terms of what he can do for them. "we have a dragon, so we can do x/y/z". i didn't like that they took him for granted like that, when they clearly didn't even respect him enough to use his name.
and the elderly women had joined the group after having deceived them about their intentions and then they were let off the hook for their deception SO fast.
like, yeah, a bad man had blackmailed them by threatening their dog, so they were "forced" to try to help him burgle innocent people.
im sorry, but crazy how the characters all just skated past the fact that they'd come into their lives with the intention to rob them blind..
so yeah, i really disliked those characters and i could've done without them.
also, like other reviewers have stated, this was supposed to be a cozy read, but the heroine was so anxious and worried for most of it, that it hindered that vibe quite a bit.
i loved the beginning of the book though. when it was just the hero, the heroine, the heroine's daughter, and a bunch of cats. that premise was straightforward, adorable as hell, and captivating.
i think the story just went a bit off the rails once so many other elements were introduced.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2026
This was very sweet and not nearly as intense as prior fireblood dragons books. Dakota was a single mom with a 14 year old daughter who just wanted to find somewhere to put down roots in a post apocalyptic world. Murr was a lonely dragon with a legion of cats he cares for. Their first meeting was a bit fraught, but they all chilled out to some degree relatively quickly and then it was mostly building a family with too many animals. Murr was adorable and had a lot of self doubt after losing the ability to telepathically communicate with others. Dakota was anxious and always on high alert, but Murr gave her a person to let her guard down with.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: man assaulting/harassing women (not sexual), on page violence, unwanted innuendo from man, elder abuse, dog-napping (she’s fine), mentions of past trauma, mentions of past food insecurity, mentions of past harassment, mentions of sick animals, on page sickness of side character, post apocalyptic world and references to mass death and anarchy, mentions of systemic sexual abuse of women (not MCs), blood, hunting
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: man assaulting/harassing women (not sexual), on page violence, unwanted innuendo from man, elder abuse, dog-napping (she’s fine), mentions of past trauma, mentions of past food insecurity, mentions of past harassment, mentions of sick animals, on page sickness of side character, post apocalyptic world and references to mass death and anarchy, mentions of systemic sexual abuse of women (not MCs), blood, hunting
July 21, 2026
A feel good edition to Ruby's ten book fireblood dragon series. Who doesn't love a golden, dragon-to-man shifter, playing with kittens? This book was originally published as a serial that kept getting longer and longer. Each chapter is very short and the romance is slow burn.
The author still kept me engaged in the story, set ten years after the dragons originally came through a rift into earth and got trapped. They consequently went mad and destroyed everything. It helps to read the main series before this installment, but not really necessary. It's perfect as a light read and is available in kindle unlimited. Bear in mind that a dragon catches cows and deer for food, so there's some blood... 3.75 🔥🐱
The author still kept me engaged in the story, set ten years after the dragons originally came through a rift into earth and got trapped. They consequently went mad and destroyed everything. It helps to read the main series before this installment, but not really necessary. It's perfect as a light read and is available in kindle unlimited. Bear in mind that a dragon catches cows and deer for food, so there's some blood... 3.75 🔥🐱
August 13, 2026
I love all the fireblood dragons but Murr now has a special place in my heart! I hope Ruby Dixon keeps making them!!
July 3, 2026
3 ⭐️
This is not a bad rating. I did enjoy this book for the most part, I just think that it was cozy in all the ways I’m not the biggest fan of.
The first being that it was very insta-love forward. And while I know this is a common theme in Dixon’s work, it takes away from the reader’s experience of watching the characters fall in love.
Second, so many cats present but little to no descriptions of their personalities and quirks. Just a generalized sense of “coziness” from the cats being present.
Third, Murr was a little too easygoing. The brief conflict of his internal feelings of brokenness from not have his psychic abilities being the only strife.
I think I would have liked to see a story of the main characters life on the farm, and all the challenges they had there. Like how difficult it was to move the cats there. To being able to sit back and relax and enjoy their lives again after the world was destroyed.
All in all, I’m usually a huge fan of cozy romances. I just don’t think this particular story suited my tastes as much as I wanted it to. The coziness wasn’t that cozy to me. I felt like I was constantly matching the characters anxieties and not just enjoying them living their lives.
This is not a bad rating. I did enjoy this book for the most part, I just think that it was cozy in all the ways I’m not the biggest fan of.
The first being that it was very insta-love forward. And while I know this is a common theme in Dixon’s work, it takes away from the reader’s experience of watching the characters fall in love.
Second, so many cats present but little to no descriptions of their personalities and quirks. Just a generalized sense of “coziness” from the cats being present.
Third, Murr was a little too easygoing. The brief conflict of his internal feelings of brokenness from not have his psychic abilities being the only strife.
I think I would have liked to see a story of the main characters life on the farm, and all the challenges they had there. Like how difficult it was to move the cats there. To being able to sit back and relax and enjoy their lives again after the world was destroyed.
All in all, I’m usually a huge fan of cozy romances. I just don’t think this particular story suited my tastes as much as I wanted it to. The coziness wasn’t that cozy to me. I felt like I was constantly matching the characters anxieties and not just enjoying them living their lives.
July 1, 2026
loved it
This is book 11 in this series and it’s in the After, after the rift is closed. When Dakota and her daughter find a place in an old book store they don’t realize that a Drakoni, Murr, lives there with his per cats. When Murr meets them he takes them in as his pets too,except for Dakota who he wants more from. Well written sci fi paranormal shifter romance. Loved Murr and Dakota and all his pets. Loved visiting the After again too it’s a great story.
This is book 11 in this series and it’s in the After, after the rift is closed. When Dakota and her daughter find a place in an old book store they don’t realize that a Drakoni, Murr, lives there with his per cats. When Murr meets them he takes them in as his pets too,except for Dakota who he wants more from. Well written sci fi paranormal shifter romance. Loved Murr and Dakota and all his pets. Loved visiting the After again too it’s a great story.
July 20, 2026
3.5/5⭐️
a comfy read, albeit too uneventful. i kept anticipating something bad about to happen but nope 🫣 it's a peaceful and heartfelt story with found family trope. i'm a fan of this series and glad Dixon decided to add another to the collection.
a comfy read, albeit too uneventful. i kept anticipating something bad about to happen but nope 🫣 it's a peaceful and heartfelt story with found family trope. i'm a fan of this series and glad Dixon decided to add another to the collection.
July 29, 2026
Ruby Dixon returns to her Fireblood Dragon world with The Dragon’s Favourite Strays, a cute and highly entertaining read featuring a sizzling romance, the cutest found family and storyline that will have you giggling and smiling the entire way through.
Four years after the Fireblood Dragon series ends, Ruby Dixon gives us an insight into what life is like in the After now that the Rift has closed and reason has returned to the dragons plaguing mankind. Honestly, I was really excited to return to this world and given the fact that this novel seems to focus heavily on cats I was certainly extra excited and intrigued.
The story itself is addictive and easy reading, told through the back-and-forth perspectives from both male and female leads. Our heroine Dakota was very much the mother hen and super sweet while our love interest Murr is a fierce protector and provider who is quirky in his own way.
I thought it was so sweet watching Murr try to understand the human ways and language and both Dakota and Rabbit teaching him about the human world around him. Who doesn’t love a sexy dragon who just wants to provide for those he considers his; both feline and human.
I also loved Aggie and Dottie—these two older gals were full of sass and attitude. Some of their moments were the best in the story in terms of humour. Found family is one of my favourite tropes when done right and Ruby Dixon definitely does it right— hitting you with all the feels as Dakota and Murr make themselves a family in this dystopian world.
I also love the introduction of Thess and can only wonder if maybe we might get a story about her one day. Ruby Dixon hits the nail on the head as always and thrills with yet another brilliant read. This woman can do no wrong in my eyes and I will continue to read whatever she releases next!
Four years after the Fireblood Dragon series ends, Ruby Dixon gives us an insight into what life is like in the After now that the Rift has closed and reason has returned to the dragons plaguing mankind. Honestly, I was really excited to return to this world and given the fact that this novel seems to focus heavily on cats I was certainly extra excited and intrigued.
The story itself is addictive and easy reading, told through the back-and-forth perspectives from both male and female leads. Our heroine Dakota was very much the mother hen and super sweet while our love interest Murr is a fierce protector and provider who is quirky in his own way.
I thought it was so sweet watching Murr try to understand the human ways and language and both Dakota and Rabbit teaching him about the human world around him. Who doesn’t love a sexy dragon who just wants to provide for those he considers his; both feline and human.
I also loved Aggie and Dottie—these two older gals were full of sass and attitude. Some of their moments were the best in the story in terms of humour. Found family is one of my favourite tropes when done right and Ruby Dixon definitely does it right— hitting you with all the feels as Dakota and Murr make themselves a family in this dystopian world.
I also love the introduction of Thess and can only wonder if maybe we might get a story about her one day. Ruby Dixon hits the nail on the head as always and thrills with yet another brilliant read. This woman can do no wrong in my eyes and I will continue to read whatever she releases next!
July 2, 2026
3 stars
Hmmmmm….
I LOVE a found family. I love a growly cute dragon adopting strays. I love cats.
Basically I should have loved everything about this.
Unfortunately, I didn’t. The beginning was great and Murr was adorable. But tbh the two old ladies didn’t really fit - I felt like it was a bit obvious they were just there so Rabbit wouldn’t be alone in the middle of nowhere lol. Like very conveniently placed so that Murr and Dakota could have alone time.
And I don’t know… I wasn’t so interested in the fort. I also thought the Curtis guy was very random.
Rabbit was also a bit two-dimensional and it felt like Ruby forgot about her half-way through. Murr never really bonded with her!
It just didn’t feel like a cohesive story. Maybe that’s because of its origin as a serial? I don’t know.
But I was a bit disappointed :(
Hmmmmm….
I LOVE a found family. I love a growly cute dragon adopting strays. I love cats.
Basically I should have loved everything about this.
Unfortunately, I didn’t. The beginning was great and Murr was adorable. But tbh the two old ladies didn’t really fit - I felt like it was a bit obvious they were just there so Rabbit wouldn’t be alone in the middle of nowhere lol. Like very conveniently placed so that Murr and Dakota could have alone time.
And I don’t know… I wasn’t so interested in the fort. I also thought the Curtis guy was very random.
Rabbit was also a bit two-dimensional and it felt like Ruby forgot about her half-way through. Murr never really bonded with her!
It just didn’t feel like a cohesive story. Maybe that’s because of its origin as a serial? I don’t know.
But I was a bit disappointed :(
July 2, 2026
5 Stars
Was ever any male drakoni so loved by his clan? My heart is full.
This story was absolutely adorable. Like I think I as grinning almost the entire book. Especially whenever we were in Murr's POV.
I loved the concept of this book and in usual Ruby Dixon style, the execution was beautiful. I loved the cozy vibes but also the real world worries that Dakota dealt with. Anxious girlies unite! ✊🏻😂 I totally related to her need to micromanage and basically mother and care for everyone she cared for. Her distrust of the world and her fierce protectiveness for her daughter Rabbit.
I just loved their dynamic. They were so cute!
And Murr! Ohmigod that drakoni was the biggest squishiest teddy bear. He was so lonely and confused and thought he was broken and unworthy. I wanted to hug him so badly. I loved that he didn't instantly attach himself to Dakota. It felt like he too was a little distrustful and wary, not as much as Dakota, which rightfully so. But that he felt so inept because he could no longer mind speak with others, not even his kind, and thought himself broken because of it. It was a huge weight on his shoulders believing himself to be broken. And having to learn how to speak verbally which just does not come naturally to these big dragon men. And really him and Dakota had a bit more in common than I think either expected and that's just why it worked so well between them.
I loved how he calmed her anxiety in his own way, and tried to carry some of the load for her. He absolutely loved having a family, a clan as he said. He started with collecting his many cats and then his humans and eventually a dog. By the end they had a whole farm. Which was ideally the most beautiful future for Murr because he was such a softie. He just adored all animals.
I didn't really remember many of the characters from this series, it's been a while since I read it tbh. I did remember a few from the last books which just happened to be who show back up in this one though. But this book is now likely to begin a reread of this series now.
Also, Ruby if you're listening I dunno if you plan on more books for this series and I totally understand letting a series wrap up and simply rest rather than dragging it on. Even if you're stories are beautiful! But pls consider writing Samir and Thess's book! 🥹
You showed them but a few times but oh gosh I'm so invested now. Even cute little Rabbit and Jonah with their crushes, even though they're too young. Like I hate that you did that to me because I'm like now I need sunshiney little Thess to get her grumpy busy doctor and have a happy ending dammit 😩
Was ever any male drakoni so loved by his clan? My heart is full.
This story was absolutely adorable. Like I think I as grinning almost the entire book. Especially whenever we were in Murr's POV.
I loved the concept of this book and in usual Ruby Dixon style, the execution was beautiful. I loved the cozy vibes but also the real world worries that Dakota dealt with. Anxious girlies unite! ✊🏻😂 I totally related to her need to micromanage and basically mother and care for everyone she cared for. Her distrust of the world and her fierce protectiveness for her daughter Rabbit.
I just loved their dynamic. They were so cute!
And Murr! Ohmigod that drakoni was the biggest squishiest teddy bear. He was so lonely and confused and thought he was broken and unworthy. I wanted to hug him so badly. I loved that he didn't instantly attach himself to Dakota. It felt like he too was a little distrustful and wary, not as much as Dakota, which rightfully so. But that he felt so inept because he could no longer mind speak with others, not even his kind, and thought himself broken because of it. It was a huge weight on his shoulders believing himself to be broken. And having to learn how to speak verbally which just does not come naturally to these big dragon men. And really him and Dakota had a bit more in common than I think either expected and that's just why it worked so well between them.
I loved how he calmed her anxiety in his own way, and tried to carry some of the load for her. He absolutely loved having a family, a clan as he said. He started with collecting his many cats and then his humans and eventually a dog. By the end they had a whole farm. Which was ideally the most beautiful future for Murr because he was such a softie. He just adored all animals.
I didn't really remember many of the characters from this series, it's been a while since I read it tbh. I did remember a few from the last books which just happened to be who show back up in this one though. But this book is now likely to begin a reread of this series now.
Also, Ruby if you're listening I dunno if you plan on more books for this series and I totally understand letting a series wrap up and simply rest rather than dragging it on. Even if you're stories are beautiful! But pls consider writing Samir and Thess's book! 🥹
You showed them but a few times but oh gosh I'm so invested now. Even cute little Rabbit and Jonah with their crushes, even though they're too young. Like I hate that you did that to me because I'm like now I need sunshiney little Thess to get her grumpy busy doctor and have a happy ending dammit 😩
Read
September 29, 2026Cute cozy vibes, found family and lots of focus on animals. Suffered a bit from the serial released format but it delivered the good feels which is was what I was after.
August 14, 2026
The world is awful right now and I need cozy. I enjoyed this a lot.
July 13, 2026
P: 5/5
E: 5/5
A: 4/5
C: 5/5
H: 5/5
24/25 (4.8)
This was such a cute and comfy romance. Her setting is dark post apocalyptic urban fantasy, but the plot wasn't dark at all. The characters were quirky, funny and completely lovable. I especially loved Dakotah and her daughter rabbit. Rabbit is so sweet and I loved how she kind of helped Murr learn English, and court her mom. Aggie and Dottie were hilarious and made me miss my own eccentric grandmother. The book is spicy, as expected of a Ruby Dixon book. There is also just casual nudity from the dragons. So if that bothers you probably avoid.
If you want a sweet romance with some spicy and cute found family dynamics and lots of adorable animals, than definitely give it a read.
I hope she continues these serials in the dragon setting as more cozy offerings like her Risdaverse books are!
E: 5/5
A: 4/5
C: 5/5
H: 5/5
24/25 (4.8)
This was such a cute and comfy romance. Her setting is dark post apocalyptic urban fantasy, but the plot wasn't dark at all. The characters were quirky, funny and completely lovable. I especially loved Dakotah and her daughter rabbit. Rabbit is so sweet and I loved how she kind of helped Murr learn English, and court her mom. Aggie and Dottie were hilarious and made me miss my own eccentric grandmother. The book is spicy, as expected of a Ruby Dixon book. There is also just casual nudity from the dragons. So if that bothers you probably avoid.
If you want a sweet romance with some spicy and cute found family dynamics and lots of adorable animals, than definitely give it a read.
I hope she continues these serials in the dragon setting as more cozy offerings like her Risdaverse books are!
July 5, 2026
This is a fun post-apocalyptic dragon shifter romance. It is the 11th book in the interconnected stand-alone Fireblood Dragons series and was originally published as a serial on the author's website.
Set on Earth after a rift let in dragon shifters, FMC Dakota and her daughter, Rabbit, have been scavenging after leaving a fort in search of better opportunities. They find a bookstore to settle in, which also happens to be near dragon shifter MMC Murr, who has been taking care of the stray animals in his territory.
I started it when Dixon originally posted it on her website as a serial, but decided to wait and read it all at once, and I'm glad I did. I really enjoyed this book. The Fireblood Dragons series was a favorite of mine, and I was excited to get another book in this world. It is definitely a very sweet and cozy story with lots of found family vibes, and many of the early chapters focus on helping Murr learn to communicate, which was super cute. There was also some time spent at the main fort, so we got to catch up with some of the previous MMCs.
Overall, this was a fun read. I don't know if there will be more books in this series, but I hope Dixon picks it back up again with some of the side characters introduced in this book.
Spice 4/5
Plot: 4.5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
My Enjoyment: 4.5/5
Set on Earth after a rift let in dragon shifters, FMC Dakota and her daughter, Rabbit, have been scavenging after leaving a fort in search of better opportunities. They find a bookstore to settle in, which also happens to be near dragon shifter MMC Murr, who has been taking care of the stray animals in his territory.
I started it when Dixon originally posted it on her website as a serial, but decided to wait and read it all at once, and I'm glad I did. I really enjoyed this book. The Fireblood Dragons series was a favorite of mine, and I was excited to get another book in this world. It is definitely a very sweet and cozy story with lots of found family vibes, and many of the early chapters focus on helping Murr learn to communicate, which was super cute. There was also some time spent at the main fort, so we got to catch up with some of the previous MMCs.
Overall, this was a fun read. I don't know if there will be more books in this series, but I hope Dixon picks it back up again with some of the side characters introduced in this book.
Spice 4/5
Plot: 4.5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
My Enjoyment: 4.5/5
July 21, 2026
Romance:
July 5, 2026
4.25/5 stars. The book is mostly cozy vibes, but there are moments of tension and worry with being in a dystopian world. This felt like just another unique story in the world that had already been built which I loved. I feel like the story kept a perfect amount of a little tension which fit the dystopian setting, but still was enough to feel like the plot was moving forward.
Murr was so sweet and Dakota felt like such a good match for him. It was just so cute to see a drakoni love a bunch of cats and be so protective of them. Aggie was hilarious, and it felt like they all made a really cute little family together. The whole story felt so well done and wrapped up a happy ending for the whole little family.
Most of the coziness comes from them building their little family together, and this was everything I was hoping for as a next step in the series. I really hope we get to see a few more stories like this since the world setup is pretty intriguing even though the main storyline of the series has already been wrapped up. I didn’t feel the need to re-read any of the previous books, and this felt like a full standalone.
Murr was so sweet and Dakota felt like such a good match for him. It was just so cute to see a drakoni love a bunch of cats and be so protective of them. Aggie was hilarious, and it felt like they all made a really cute little family together. The whole story felt so well done and wrapped up a happy ending for the whole little family.
Most of the coziness comes from them building their little family together, and this was everything I was hoping for as a next step in the series. I really hope we get to see a few more stories like this since the world setup is pretty intriguing even though the main storyline of the series has already been wrapped up. I didn’t feel the need to re-read any of the previous books, and this felt like a full standalone.
July 10, 2026
I actually read about the first 3/4 of this when the author was releasing serial chapters on her website, then decided to wait until the full book was finished before picking it back up. I'm glad I did because I ended up binge reading HAHA
Murr was an absolute sweetheart. The man just wants a family 😭 Watching him slowly build one with Dakota, Rabbit, and the ever-growing collection of strays was so wholesome. Rabbit was also such a sweetheart. Dakota was alright, I felt like she was too overbearing towards the end, especially when it came to Dottie, but also in reality, I would be like that too lmao. Speaking of Dottie, her and ANGIE omg these 2 old ladies were so hilarious. I loved how Angie brought comedic relief when things were getting too serious. BIG MEAT. iykyk
This book has a very different feel compared to the Fireblood Dragon series despite being set in the same world. It's much lower stakes, leaning heavily into found fanily and a semi cosy post-apocalyptic vibe rather than action, and I love that change in direction. The book did drag the last 70% or so but I still enjoyed the story overall. Would love to see Ruby Dixon write more couples set in this world
Murr was an absolute sweetheart. The man just wants a family 😭 Watching him slowly build one with Dakota, Rabbit, and the ever-growing collection of strays was so wholesome. Rabbit was also such a sweetheart. Dakota was alright, I felt like she was too overbearing towards the end, especially when it came to Dottie, but also in reality, I would be like that too lmao. Speaking of Dottie, her and ANGIE omg these 2 old ladies were so hilarious. I loved how Angie brought comedic relief when things were getting too serious. BIG MEAT. iykyk
This book has a very different feel compared to the Fireblood Dragon series despite being set in the same world. It's much lower stakes, leaning heavily into found fanily and a semi cosy post-apocalyptic vibe rather than action, and I love that change in direction. The book did drag the last 70% or so but I still enjoyed the story overall. Would love to see Ruby Dixon write more couples set in this world
August 3, 2026
The Dragon's Favorite Strays
I love this series and hate seeing it end, but i understand good things can't go on forever. Murr is alone and thinking hes flawed, so he takes in stray cats and creates his own family. Dakota and her daughter are looking for the next safe place to lay their heads, and stumble onto Murr and his kittens. When he think Dakota is trying to steal one of his babies. He bolsters a little bit and scares her, but ultimately sees that they're skinny and malnourished, so he decides he has two more strays to take care of. Then along comes Dottie and Aggie and he's suddenly collecting humans like he did cats, and well a pregnant dog. Realizing that he's creating a family and he and Dakota are developing something special. They do end up at the fort eventually. Dottie gets sick and they have to get her checked out by a doctor. Samir who is being courted by a female dragon, Thess. So they do some trades with dogs and cats and getting Dottie well. Finding an abandoned cattle ranch along way where they end upin the end continuing to collect abandoned animals and trading meat and eggs. Ensuring that life starts rebuilding on Earth.
I love this series and hate seeing it end, but i understand good things can't go on forever. Murr is alone and thinking hes flawed, so he takes in stray cats and creates his own family. Dakota and her daughter are looking for the next safe place to lay their heads, and stumble onto Murr and his kittens. When he think Dakota is trying to steal one of his babies. He bolsters a little bit and scares her, but ultimately sees that they're skinny and malnourished, so he decides he has two more strays to take care of. Then along comes Dottie and Aggie and he's suddenly collecting humans like he did cats, and well a pregnant dog. Realizing that he's creating a family and he and Dakota are developing something special. They do end up at the fort eventually. Dottie gets sick and they have to get her checked out by a doctor. Samir who is being courted by a female dragon, Thess. So they do some trades with dogs and cats and getting Dottie well. Finding an abandoned cattle ranch along way where they end upin the end continuing to collect abandoned animals and trading meat and eggs. Ensuring that life starts rebuilding on Earth.
August 3, 2026
Ruby Dixon is my comfort read Author. Whenever I'm looking for a protective, green flag, MMC she delivers.
I was so happy to see she put another book out for the Dragon Shifters. Yay for me! A single mom romance is right up there on my list of favorite tropes. This hit all the right notes for me, with the exception of one thing.
I love the relationship between Dakota and Murr, and her the relationships between the other characters, Dotty, Aggie, Rabbit, etc. I love all the snuggly animals. I love that we settled in a bookshop for a majority of this story.
The vibes are there while still holding onto surviving in a post-apocalyptic world.
Also....I wouldn't mind a Thess and Samir book. Just saying!
I was so happy to see she put another book out for the Dragon Shifters. Yay for me! A single mom romance is right up there on my list of favorite tropes. This hit all the right notes for me, with the exception of one thing.
I love the relationship between Dakota and Murr, and her the relationships between the other characters, Dotty, Aggie, Rabbit, etc. I love all the snuggly animals. I love that we settled in a bookshop for a majority of this story.
The vibes are there while still holding onto surviving in a post-apocalyptic world.
Also....I wouldn't mind a Thess and Samir book. Just saying!
August 9, 2026
A feel good story
That’s all the author intends this to be , a good vibe story, and she succeeded. I enjoyed it for the most part, but I did start skimming every once in a while because it’s just more descriptions of the personalities and minutia of cats and old ladies haha. Don’t get me wrong, i’m one of those, I’ll let you guess which one:)
It was a sweet book, fun(again) to read how the dragon tries to deal with speaking people.( ohmagawd).
I do find it strange that the only concerns the FMC house about pregnancy is their uncertain future. I would be thinking.-can I get pregnant? Can I live through a pregnancy? It’s a dragon , it is huge, has claws and wings, is a human body capable of carrying a dragon baby safely? If I die, what will happen my daughter?
There are always small questions I have when reading these books about the”after”, but I go with artistic license and let it go for the enjoyment. I do enjoy dragon shifter stories very much and I enjoy Ruby Dixon stories very much:)
That’s all the author intends this to be , a good vibe story, and she succeeded. I enjoyed it for the most part, but I did start skimming every once in a while because it’s just more descriptions of the personalities and minutia of cats and old ladies haha. Don’t get me wrong, i’m one of those, I’ll let you guess which one:)
It was a sweet book, fun(again) to read how the dragon tries to deal with speaking people.( ohmagawd).
I do find it strange that the only concerns the FMC house about pregnancy is their uncertain future. I would be thinking.-can I get pregnant? Can I live through a pregnancy? It’s a dragon , it is huge, has claws and wings, is a human body capable of carrying a dragon baby safely? If I die, what will happen my daughter?
There are always small questions I have when reading these books about the”after”, but I go with artistic license and let it go for the enjoyment. I do enjoy dragon shifter stories very much and I enjoy Ruby Dixon stories very much:)
August 7, 2026
I enjoyed this book for the most part but still DNF'd around 65%. I liked the characters but the story was just too long for me. The characters were at a good place when I DNF'd and I really struggled to see what could possibly go wrong for them for the last third. Obviously it would have something to do with the nearby fort, or the random bad guy that made an appearance, but still, I just didn't care about those things enough to keep reading the book. Had this book been 250 pages instead of closer to 450 pages I would have enjoyed it much more. I think a 400+ page book is the new version of an author's 5 book series, and I'm just not here for it. Make the 5 book series a 3 book series *COUGH* Rebecca Yarros *COUGH* and make your individual books 200-300 pages. Less is more is a saying for a reason.
July 6, 2026
First of all, in her authors note she says it doesn’t really have any plot… I would disagree. I think it had more than she gives it credit for. With that being said, there was so many opportunities for conflict that I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the shoe to drop because it was so easy for it to happen and it just… didn’t…. Part of me feels like that was kinda nice… but also…. It had me on edge the whole time lol. But I digress.
I didn’t expect it to end so abruptly, and there were definitely things that could have been elaborated more like how her and her daughter actually ended up together. But also, after reading her notes I get why she didn’t. It was still enjoyable and I have missed the dragon world so it was a nice little surprise.
I didn’t expect it to end so abruptly, and there were definitely things that could have been elaborated more like how her and her daughter actually ended up together. But also, after reading her notes I get why she didn’t. It was still enjoyable and I have missed the dragon world so it was a nice little surprise.
August 12, 2026
I’m terrible at reading work-in-progress stories, which is why I didn't read this while Ruby Dixon was posting it on her website and decided to wait for the Kindle release instead.
I just finished it and it was amazing! The past few months I’ve been feeling super burnt out and overwhelmed by social media, life, and work. This book was just perfect for unwinding in the evenings after long days of work and chores. It honestly just relaxes you, warms your heart, and lets you forget about everything for a bit.
Murr was absolute perfection. I’ve read the other books in the series, but none of them hit like Murr’s, he’s just so sweet! My heart broke every single time he felt lonely or broken.
It was such a great read, perfect for escaping the uglier side of the world for a while.
I just finished it and it was amazing! The past few months I’ve been feeling super burnt out and overwhelmed by social media, life, and work. This book was just perfect for unwinding in the evenings after long days of work and chores. It honestly just relaxes you, warms your heart, and lets you forget about everything for a bit.
Murr was absolute perfection. I’ve read the other books in the series, but none of them hit like Murr’s, he’s just so sweet! My heart broke every single time he felt lonely or broken.
It was such a great read, perfect for escaping the uglier side of the world for a while.
October 10, 2026
Dakota and Murr
I was gutted by book 10, felt like was all over. What else could be done after book 10 but what an absolute treat.
The dragons and Humans finding their way at communication and living together.
Dakota and Murr’s story was so good, they found each other after the rift was closed, poor Murr felt so alone. Especially being in a world that wasn’t your home.
Dakota turning up with her daughter definitely helped but also they worked with him to learn their language etc.
a true bond between them was everything. Their journey was a good ending to this series esp after everything that has happened. Felt right to read how dragons and humans were adapting after the rift.
Beautiful ending ❤️
I was gutted by book 10, felt like was all over. What else could be done after book 10 but what an absolute treat.
The dragons and Humans finding their way at communication and living together.
Dakota and Murr’s story was so good, they found each other after the rift was closed, poor Murr felt so alone. Especially being in a world that wasn’t your home.
Dakota turning up with her daughter definitely helped but also they worked with him to learn their language etc.
a true bond between them was everything. Their journey was a good ending to this series esp after everything that has happened. Felt right to read how dragons and humans were adapting after the rift.
Beautiful ending ❤️
July 11, 2026
wow
On so many levels a wonder filled book. Pleased author decided to go back to this series and start an after the Rift closing one. Always wondered what it would be like.
Murr is a wonderful animal lover. It gives him a great character twist. Happy his mate is so anxious and they slowly build trust and their relationship.
Love epilogue. Definitely want more like this. So many Dragons must be feeling lost like he was. As well not understanding what they did why out of control.
Would love to see another group from the fort (maybe some orphans that a new visitor adopts. That was a Pharmaceutical chemist. That can make new medicines.
On so many levels a wonder filled book. Pleased author decided to go back to this series and start an after the Rift closing one. Always wondered what it would be like.
Murr is a wonderful animal lover. It gives him a great character twist. Happy his mate is so anxious and they slowly build trust and their relationship.
Love epilogue. Definitely want more like this. So many Dragons must be feeling lost like he was. As well not understanding what they did why out of control.
Would love to see another group from the fort (maybe some orphans that a new visitor adopts. That was a Pharmaceutical chemist. That can make new medicines.
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