Isle of Dragon Bones

by M.A. Frick

Ariel from The Little Mermaid meets retired Blackbeard, except she lost her memory, not her voice.
And there’s only one bed.
When a woman washes up on Ardenn’s isolated island with a slash across her neck, his first instinct is to finish the job someone else started.

His second is far more dangerous.

Save her.

Kelpie has no memory of who she is, where she came from, or why someone wanted her dead. But she knows one thing: she plans to survive, even if that means trusting the grumpy fisherman with too many secrets.

Ardenn wants her gone before she remembers what waits beneath the waves. If the truth surfaces, it could destroy him.

But the longer Kelpie stays, the harder she is to resist.

Caught between his growing attraction and his desperation to get her off his island, Ardenn must choose:

Kill her or keep her.

And Kelpie must decide whether returning to an unknown life is worth the risk, or if staying with a man who holds more mystery than her missing memories is the greater gamble.

Perfect for readers of L. J. Andrews’ The Ever King series and Assistant to the Villain, this spooky standalone rom-com romantasy is packed with forced proximity, forgotten pasts, treacherous secrets, and a love story with teeth.
There be no mermaids in this book…

But here, there be dragons.

Genres: Fantasy Romance, Romantasy

608 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication January 22, 2027

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a newer fan on MA Frick and this one did not disappoint! While "Isle of Dragon Bones"  exists in the same world as her Dragon Heart trilogy, this is a great standalone book. Reading the Dragon Heart trilogy gives you a greater insight into this world, but it is definitely not needed to understand the wonderful love story of Ardenn and Kelpie. This book contains no spoilers into the DH trilogy, so this is something you could read before, after, or in-between parts of that series. There are references, of course, but no spoilers. I loved the story of Kelpie and Ardenn. The chemistry is fantastic and a lower spice level makes it a great way to enter the romantasy genre or if you simply want more heart and less bodice ripping. As someone with an age gap in her own marriage, I can appreciate the dynamics of these characters. This book had me laughing because there were so many times I could see parts of my own relationship in these characters, though my life is a little less dramatic than Kelpie's. I loved this newest edition into the Draconian world, and I can't wait to see what is next up! (PS, you're going to want to adopt your own Captain Pusserwack!)

[Missi]

I received an advanced digital copy of this book for review.
I started reading yesterday at about 9:45 am, and I finished it today at about 3:15pm. I did not want to put it down!
I went into this not knowing anything of the world the author had created, though I believe there are other books within this world. Isle of Dragon Bones is said to be a stand alone tie-in.
I will try not to give any spoilers, so forgive my review for not doing justice to how well this novel was written and arranged.
The story is written in almost in 2 parts. The first half of the book is told from the perspectives of the primary characters, Kelpie and Ardenn. They each have their own motivations and complications, and watching them learn each other and themselves was a masterclass in building characters that draw you in and make you root for them (or yell at them) while keeping you on the hook for what comes next. There is mystery, subtlety, and a slowburn connection that is as endearing as it is enticing.
The second half of the book is told from the perspectives of the same characters after a major shift, and it brings more intrigue, and action, while really building out who these people are.
The resolution was amazing, as it wraps up the story without leaving the feeling of "Ok, thats done, time to move on."
I have to admit, I'm truly hoping there's more to come within this world, because I'd love to see what becomes of these two. And I'll definitely be reading other books by this author!!

[nicklein · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I found out about an age gap romantasy from the same author of The Dragon’s Heart Trilogy, also an age gap romantasy btw, I was gagged. I needed this book to come out more than I need anything else in my life. So imagine my delight when I have been given a chance to read this in advance. Praise be to you, Ms. Frick.

The beginning was so exciting but it had this phase where nothing really happens until I was like 30% through the book. From then, the story will just grab you by the throat and really doesn’t let go.

This was such an addictive and enjoyable read that I think will appeal to those who love grumpy x sunshine, age gap and forced proximity tropes with a sprinkle of fantasy.

I will walk away from this book changed and it will definitely live rent free in my head for a long, long time.

[Alisha Mauney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from the author. I found MA Frick by chance when stumbling across her Dragon’s Heart series that I devoured in a matter of days. When I saw she was posting ARC signups, I jumped at the chance to read this. Now on to the story:

Kelpie and Ardenn’s story is a true forced proximity, cannot stand each other read. I’m not talking about 5 chapters and then insta-love. They had to WORK for it.

The descriptive writing was phenomenal. Little things that might be over looked and came up later to be explained.

I liked that Kelpie isn’t soft. She’s sunshine until she isn’t and then her teeth come out. (Cannot wait for you to read this part). Ardenn is a true grump. I don’t think he cracked a smile for the first half of the book, and he never gets super gooey, but for her? He melts.

I cannot put in to words how much I loved this read.

[Katie Leerssen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy from the Author, M. A. Frick.

Isle of Dragon Bones is a stand-alone story, that ties in with her Dragons Heart trilogy. While set in the same world, you don't need to read Between Flames and Deceit, Between Love and Ruin, and Between God's and Dragons to fall in love with Kelpie and Ardenn, but you'll definitely enjoy it more if you have.

This book was another "can't put down" by M. A. Frick. It had me laughing out loud and crying with the characters. It's such a fun, captivating, and consuming adventure.

This story follows Kelpie, a girl who wakes up in a strangers bed with no memory, and Ardenn, the grumpy old fisherman who saves her from the sea.

If you enjoy a magical world with dynamic characters, great banter, and dragons, this book/world is for you. I can't wait to see what comes next.

[Lottie Conroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from the author. This was the first book of hers that I have read and I LOVED it! I read this book in a little over a day and could not put it down. The story was amazing. It's based in the same world as her Dragon Heart series but this book is a standalone and while there are references to that world there are no spoilers for that series and you don't feel like you are missing something by not reading them first (based on this book though you should read them). The characters were complex and well written. I loved Kelpie and Ardenn and the chemistry that they had. Plus there's dragons. I can't wait until January when it comes out so I can buy the physical book and read it again. Now to go get more of her books.

[Angela Dao · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author. I enjoyed the book and will have to say that Captain Pusserwack is my favorite. <3 I took off a star because I spent more time than I wanted being irritated at the FMC and MMC interactions at the beginning. It went on for way too long that way. However, I appreciated the build up of the tension between them and the ensuing payoff after the fact. After I got past the constant bickering between them the story started to ramp up and move along much better. I became much more invested in the characters after that. Overall, it was a fun read and I clearly need to delve into the author's other books.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew very little about this author or her other stories before coming across the ARC application for Isle of Dragon Bones. It's safe to say I'll be reading her other books too!
I LOVED this book. While there is magic in this story it's more of a feeling at the beginning. It has dragons but again it's more of a history of there being dragons at first. It's almost like a slow burn. Kelpie was fun, she has banter and sunshine. She was a welcome change to other FMC's. Ardenn was also different, he was definitely a grumpy man. But his story wasn't like a big heroic MMC, you leaned into it with hope of something more for him.
I definitely recommend reading this book

[Ashleigh'mouse Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avoiding spoilers for anyone, I can honestly say that the author's statement of "little mermaid meets retired blackbeard" is absolutely spot on! You can feel the influence of those stories within this book. It is well written and captured my attention right from the very start. The story is well paced, has some good suspense and makes you not want to put it down!
I flew through this book and would highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys romance with fantasy elements.
Now to wait for a physical copy so that I can enjoy it again without the strain of reading on my phone!

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating read! Hooked from the very start, I actually had to jump to the last few pages to read the ending night one of reading in order to get some sleep. Solid character development, well written, hints throughout did not give away plot points later so surprises happened in the time the author intended instead of being able to guess ahead of time.

I was honored to read an Advanced Reader Copy, and have already recommended the book to others when it’s released. Look forward to rereading it in the future.

[Hannah Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!! It did not disappoint! It’s is very steamy at some points 🥵🔥 but remains fade-to-black. At that point I guess they were technically married, but it does toe the line of intimacy before marriage, if that’s something you look out for in books. It was a great book though, stand alone, so you don’t have to read the others in the same world to understand but you’d probably get a little more connection from it if you have read the trilogy before hand.

[Bethany Hudnall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been in a reading slump since January but this book got me out of it. I read it over 2 days. I have to say it is my top read of 2026. A woman with no memory half dead washing up on a grumpy old fisherman's island that hooked me but the line towards the end of the book "You're my treasure now" that made my night. Oh the happy endings. I love them. I am so hoping there is more of this world to come.

[Chennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can tell that this book was so much fun to write, because I had a blast reading it. The banter between the characters are peak, and the story flows so naturally. The loath to lovers is so well written. I gobbled this book up. I think this is my favorite book by M.A Frick. If you want a great book that can be read as a standalone but in a expanding world, pick this book up. You won't regret it!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me laughing crying and heart broken all at the same time the twists and turns had my heart pounding and I loved every minute of it!!! 10/10 unputdownable definitely worth the physical book trophy 🏆

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

UHHHHMAZING that is all.

[Sarah Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing!!! Love this book.❤️❤️
I NEED more.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved it. So much I gotta go reading M.A. Frick's backlist now.

RTC

[Sara]

I just received my Ilse of Dragon Bones ARC, and I cannot wait to read it! I mean I do have to finish the other two books I am currently reading but I am itching to get started!

[Rylea Summers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Im not good at written reviews but I loved the book! The character growth was amazing!