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MateMatch Outcasts #5
Dragon Mate
Callan Balter’s dragon is dying.
Ever since he lost his family and his ancestral home, Ragtown has been a sanctuary to the noble Scottish dragon. But without his clan, his own territory, and his mate, his dragon cannot survive. The town’s arch matchmaker believes she has a solution to at least one of these problems—the only issue? He needs to rescue his mate before he can claim her.
Librarian, April Ellis, is being kept prisoner in a tower by a bunch of feral dragons who are forcing her to uncover their ancient pedigrees. Time is running out for her, but Callan, her sexy Scottish dragon match, gives her hope of being saved—and finding the mate her lonely heart craves.
One look at April, and Callan’s protective instinct goes into overdrive. He vows to do whatever it takes to save her, but he’s drastically outnumbered, and the dragons are all too aware of his useless wings and dwindling strength. April’s captors aren’t going to let her go without a fight. But they hadn’t reckoned on the power of a fated match between a smart, resourceful human and a secret dragon prince.
Will April’s belief in Callan’s mighty heart be enough to save them both?
Promised: romance, heat and sexy shifters. HEA and no cheating, of course!
Ever since he lost his family and his ancestral home, Ragtown has been a sanctuary to the noble Scottish dragon. But without his clan, his own territory, and his mate, his dragon cannot survive. The town’s arch matchmaker believes she has a solution to at least one of these problems—the only issue? He needs to rescue his mate before he can claim her.
Librarian, April Ellis, is being kept prisoner in a tower by a bunch of feral dragons who are forcing her to uncover their ancient pedigrees. Time is running out for her, but Callan, her sexy Scottish dragon match, gives her hope of being saved—and finding the mate her lonely heart craves.
One look at April, and Callan’s protective instinct goes into overdrive. He vows to do whatever it takes to save her, but he’s drastically outnumbered, and the dragons are all too aware of his useless wings and dwindling strength. April’s captors aren’t going to let her go without a fight. But they hadn’t reckoned on the power of a fated match between a smart, resourceful human and a secret dragon prince.
Will April’s belief in Callan’s mighty heart be enough to save them both?
Promised: romance, heat and sexy shifters. HEA and no cheating, of course!
166 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2020
775 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Ariana Hawkes
104 books502 followersUSA Today bestselling author Ariana Hawkes writes spicy romantic stories with lovable characters, plenty of suspense, and a whole lot of laughs. She told her first story at the age of four, and has been writing ever since, for both work and pleasure. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two huskies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
December 28, 2021
4.5 stars!
This novella was packed with so much fantastic storytelling, and I loved every word! Callan was such a broken soul, but April's steadfast nature was the perfect balance his dragon needed. There was plenty of romance, action, and danger to keep me interested, and I can't wait for more from Ariana ♡
This novella was packed with so much fantastic storytelling, and I loved every word! Callan was such a broken soul, but April's steadfast nature was the perfect balance his dragon needed. There was plenty of romance, action, and danger to keep me interested, and I can't wait for more from Ariana ♡
February 11, 2020
I have to say I absolutely love these MateMatch Outcast Books. Ragtown is such a gritty place but it needs love too. These broken Shifters are so much better after receiving Florence’s help. Callen needed to be loved and he needed a clan. His mate provided both.
July 2, 2023
I felt for April at the start of this one. The mate match seemed like it would be her only way out. I was glad when Callan finally showed up, realized what he was up against and knew that even in his state he could beat them, especially with April's help. The two of them were a good team. Back home things were a bit rocky, but they quickly settled into something real once they realized what was needed.
August 6, 2020
This is an OK shifter romance, but it was too short to have as much character development as I like. I wanted more backstory on both Callan and April. This one gets 3 stars from me.
Callan was a bit hard to like at first. He thought he was dying, but was too proud to talk about it, so he ended up being standoffish and rude to his friends. He did get better after he decided to rescue April, but he was still too proud to share his problems for a while.
I liked April, and thought it was great that she figured out how to help Callan save his dragon and himself. I was glad when they found their HEA.
I thought the ending to this story was a bit of a surprise, but I won't give spoilers.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
Callan was a bit hard to like at first. He thought he was dying, but was too proud to talk about it, so he ended up being standoffish and rude to his friends. He did get better after he decided to rescue April, but he was still too proud to share his problems for a while.
I liked April, and thought it was great that she figured out how to help Callan save his dragon and himself. I was glad when they found their HEA.
I thought the ending to this story was a bit of a surprise, but I won't give spoilers.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
February 19, 2020
The books in this series just keep getting better and better. I absolutely love the Ragtown gang, complete with all the trouble they seem to get themselves into. You have to love Ms. Florence and her mate matching talents when it comes to all of the oddball shifters that flock to Ragtown for one reason or another.
Ms. Hawkes certainly knows how to tell a tale, full of excitement, painful experiences and of course, lots of love. In this episode, Callan, a broken dragon of regal heritage, is deemed the winner of the mate match. But is he too broken to take up the challenge of not only finding her, but rescuing her? April prays for her knight in shining armor to reach and rescue her every day. She's been kept in what feels like the tower of doom for over six months now. Will he ever come? So much excitement and energy.
An awesome read. I am looking forward to the next in this great series.
I was gifted a copy of this book and am voluntarily giving my honest opinion.
Ms. Hawkes certainly knows how to tell a tale, full of excitement, painful experiences and of course, lots of love. In this episode, Callan, a broken dragon of regal heritage, is deemed the winner of the mate match. But is he too broken to take up the challenge of not only finding her, but rescuing her? April prays for her knight in shining armor to reach and rescue her every day. She's been kept in what feels like the tower of doom for over six months now. Will he ever come? So much excitement and energy.
An awesome read. I am looking forward to the next in this great series.
I was gifted a copy of this book and am voluntarily giving my honest opinion.
March 2, 2020
I’ve read the entire series and enjoyed them as the stories they are but this book was disappointing. It lacked depth, it’s generally very patchy with things just feeling very random and misplaced.
The plot in itself could have been a great read if it had been done well but it read more like one of those games you play in an English language class where everyone writes a paragraph including those that are clearly going to fail the class.
A lot of things were added in last minute that were never mentioned earlier in the book leaving me with more questions and irritation.
Honestly the whole thing was clearly rushed perhaps that’s because there was time crunch etc but as a reader I’d prefer to wait for a well written and thought out book than something slapped together.
The plot in itself could have been a great read if it had been done well but it read more like one of those games you play in an English language class where everyone writes a paragraph including those that are clearly going to fail the class.
A lot of things were added in last minute that were never mentioned earlier in the book leaving me with more questions and irritation.
Honestly the whole thing was clearly rushed perhaps that’s because there was time crunch etc but as a reader I’d prefer to wait for a well written and thought out book than something slapped together.
February 11, 2020
Title: Dragon Mate
Series: MateMatch Outcasts #5
Release Date: #AlreadyReleased
Author:Ariana Hawkes
Reviewer: Ingrid Stephanie Jordan
Serial: Standalone, No Cliffhanger
Genre:#PRN #DragonShifters
5Stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
••••••••••••••
💢WOW I am almost speechless, all I can say about this #5 book. Action Packed doesn’t even come close, the Hero and Heroine both fight for there life from up above the clouds cover to the white foam of the sea Callan will save and protect April his mate to the bitter end. That is if he can fly!
☄️ This review is my own opinion, this author is one that I love to read her books.
Series: MateMatch Outcasts #5
Release Date: #AlreadyReleased
Author:Ariana Hawkes
Reviewer: Ingrid Stephanie Jordan
Serial: Standalone, No Cliffhanger
Genre:#PRN #DragonShifters
5Stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
••••••••••••••
💢WOW I am almost speechless, all I can say about this #5 book. Action Packed doesn’t even come close, the Hero and Heroine both fight for there life from up above the clouds cover to the white foam of the sea Callan will save and protect April his mate to the bitter end. That is if he can fly!
☄️ This review is my own opinion, this author is one that I love to read her books.
February 12, 2020
Omg what a story I love Callan and April.
This was my favorite so far I loved Callan and April. Callan is a dragon who's lost everything even his dragon is dying. April is a prisoner to the dragons who are looking for their alpha. When Florence tells Callan she's found his mate at first he doesn't believe then he's shocked to learn she's a prisoners of the dragons. These two will have to work together to get out of this. Callan is going to have to learn to believe in his mate or he will lose everything he holds dear.
This was my favorite so far I loved Callan and April. Callan is a dragon who's lost everything even his dragon is dying. April is a prisoner to the dragons who are looking for their alpha. When Florence tells Callan she's found his mate at first he doesn't believe then he's shocked to learn she's a prisoners of the dragons. These two will have to work together to get out of this. Callan is going to have to learn to believe in his mate or he will lose everything he holds dear.
February 12, 2020
Never give up on your Dragon
From cover to cover this story is packed with action, dragons, damsels in distress and plenty of twists and turns. Callen is a grumpy dragon shifter that's given up on his Dragon and April is a spunky fearless librarian. These two burn bright right through the pages! Just when you think all is well the plot twists and thickens to take you on another ride. This story was a lot of fun and keeps you hooked from beginning to the end. If you want a shifter story full of dragons, adventure and romance then do not miss out on this one!!
From cover to cover this story is packed with action, dragons, damsels in distress and plenty of twists and turns. Callen is a grumpy dragon shifter that's given up on his Dragon and April is a spunky fearless librarian. These two burn bright right through the pages! Just when you think all is well the plot twists and thickens to take you on another ride. This story was a lot of fun and keeps you hooked from beginning to the end. If you want a shifter story full of dragons, adventure and romance then do not miss out on this one!!
February 16, 2020
Another intense story
Callan has lost his clan, his home and his will to live. April, his mate, has been kidnapped by a clan of dragons searching for their Alpha. How can Callan save her when his Dragon is damaged? There is a lot of emotion in this story. It is fast paced, has an edgy tone and a character oriented storyline with some action and some steamy scenes. The characters are vibrant and engaging. If you like your shifter romances with less sweetness and more angst, then this series is for you. Read them in order and enjoy!
Callan has lost his clan, his home and his will to live. April, his mate, has been kidnapped by a clan of dragons searching for their Alpha. How can Callan save her when his Dragon is damaged? There is a lot of emotion in this story. It is fast paced, has an edgy tone and a character oriented storyline with some action and some steamy scenes. The characters are vibrant and engaging. If you like your shifter romances with less sweetness and more angst, then this series is for you. Read them in order and enjoy!
June 12, 2020
Wow
I think this was the best book in this series. This story had more action. April has been kidnapped by a group of rogue dragons. Florence, Ragtown's resident matchmaker has located Callen's mate. Guess what, you got it, it's April. He has to rescue her. Wonderful story Callen is struggling with his dragon, after the battle that took his family and his clan he has become weaker, and weaker. This should be a happy time for him, he has a mate but will she except him. He is a pitiful, sad, broken dragon.
I think this was the best book in this series. This story had more action. April has been kidnapped by a group of rogue dragons. Florence, Ragtown's resident matchmaker has located Callen's mate. Guess what, you got it, it's April. He has to rescue her. Wonderful story Callen is struggling with his dragon, after the battle that took his family and his clan he has become weaker, and weaker. This should be a happy time for him, he has a mate but will she except him. He is a pitiful, sad, broken dragon.
August 23, 2020
Ok at best - just nothing great. Callan goes from not ever wanting a mate to all in on a human mate with no explanations. April was a boring human librarian who was really no match for a powerful dragon shifter; her "help" for Callan was laughable throughout the supposed drama of the story. I just didn't buy the match or story at all. Story not worth $.99 much less $2.99; for free it might be ok if anyone really wants to read the entire series. Although as the series progresses you get less & less interaction with any Ragtown residents from past books.
May 21, 2023
This is a sweet and steamy romance with lots of action and danger. April was kidnapped by some dragons with the goal of her finding the Alpha of their clan and the clan itself. Callen was chosen by the local matchmaker as April's mate. Callen's dragon is weak and steadily declining until he meets April. Now they have to get away from the feral dragons. Callen's dragon is getting stronger. After they get away from the feral dragons, they go to Ragtown but the feral dragons find them. In the end, they get their happily ever after and Callan has a new clan to restore order.
December 3, 2024
A great book, yet another brilliant story.
Well, book 5 was like an adult fairytale & it's even got a castle tower in it. The story was brilliant & goes into detail about the past life of one of the main characters just so you can understand he doesn't feel complete with his shifter side. I would definitely recommend MateMatch Outcasts & can't wait to read book 6. Happy reading everyone 😀 xx
Well, book 5 was like an adult fairytale & it's even got a castle tower in it. The story was brilliant & goes into detail about the past life of one of the main characters just so you can understand he doesn't feel complete with his shifter side. I would definitely recommend MateMatch Outcasts & can't wait to read book 6. Happy reading everyone 😀 xx
February 11, 2020
I really liked this book. It made me laugh through most of it. The story was funny as it poked fun at Dragons and their stereotypes while giving a good story for Callan, a dragon shifter from Ragtown, his mate. I have to say I loved April. Not only does April need to be rescued, but so too does Callan in the end. I well written amusing story.
February 11, 2020
Ahh yes, Ariana Hawkes had me at fated romance and a dragon prince. Luckily she then kept me thanks to a story in Dragon Mate: Dragon Shifter Romance (MateMatch Outcasts Book 5 that was really quite wonderful, lead by two perfectly crafted characters in April and Callan and a story as exciting as it is romantic - and it’s very, very romantic. Also very, very recommended.
February 12, 2020
Enjoyable entertaining read plenty of laugh out loud moment action and steamy romance to keep you hook from beginning to end. Looking forward to seeing what else is in store for this series. I voluntarily read and review this ARC no monetary compensation was received and the opinions I have expressed are my own.
March 4, 2020
Broken Wings
A beautifully written story. I'm enjoying this series. Our hero has problems he's been hurt in a fight that cost him his family and almost his life. He can't shift like he should and he needs to save his mate. Plenty of action and very little sexual content. Reads fairly quickly.
A beautifully written story. I'm enjoying this series. Our hero has problems he's been hurt in a fight that cost him his family and almost his life. He can't shift like he should and he needs to save his mate. Plenty of action and very little sexual content. Reads fairly quickly.
March 9, 2020
I Loved it!!! 💋💋💋💕💕💕💕💞💞💖💖
So romantic, so heroic, loved April she was so brave!!!! Love the ending too but you can not stop there. What about Timon and the panther shifter book??? They need to have their own book! Please write the I books and promise to read them too💘💘💘💋💋💋💕💕💕💞💞💞💖💖💖👍👍👍😍😍😍😍😍😘😘😘😘😘
So romantic, so heroic, loved April she was so brave!!!! Love the ending too but you can not stop there. What about Timon and the panther shifter book??? They need to have their own book! Please write the I books and promise to read them too💘💘💘💋💋💋💕💕💕💞💞💞💖💖💖👍👍👍😍😍😍😍😍😘😘😘😘😘
March 31, 2020
Callan finds his dragon again
I have so enjoyed this series. Ragtown is out there full of misfits and broken shifters and humans. some guy and others are trying. Callan's mate is kidnapped and he must rescue her from a clan of dragons who are in need of an alpha to stabilize them. April (Callan's mate)
I have so enjoyed this series. Ragtown is out there full of misfits and broken shifters and humans. some guy and others are trying. Callan's mate is kidnapped and he must rescue her from a clan of dragons who are in need of an alpha to stabilize them. April (Callan's mate)
November 12, 2020
This one was my least favorite of the series so far. Not that it was bad but I just didn't connect with the characters as much as others.
Callan is a dragon shifter who for the most part has lost the ability to shift. April is his mate who is a librarian trapped by a dragon clan.
I just really wished more had been developed between these two.
Callan is a dragon shifter who for the most part has lost the ability to shift. April is his mate who is a librarian trapped by a dragon clan.
I just really wished more had been developed between these two.
March 29, 2022
the librarian and the dragon
Cute shifter story with a librarian who has been kidnapped by a group of dragons who need her to search for an alpha who needs a clan to lead.
At the same time Cullen has been told the Ragtown matchmaker has found his mate and he needs to rescue her from those dragons.
Cute shifter story with a librarian who has been kidnapped by a group of dragons who need her to search for an alpha who needs a clan to lead.
At the same time Cullen has been told the Ragtown matchmaker has found his mate and he needs to rescue her from those dragons.
February 22, 2024
A sweet mate for Callan
This is book five in the mate match series. They are all sweet stories of broken people fighting and finding love through hardships. This book features Callan, the Scottish dragon, who has lost his entire clan and is struggling to survive. Florence, the best matchmaker in Ragtown, has located his mate April and she needs rescuing. Read On!
This is book five in the mate match series. They are all sweet stories of broken people fighting and finding love through hardships. This book features Callan, the Scottish dragon, who has lost his entire clan and is struggling to survive. Florence, the best matchmaker in Ragtown, has located his mate April and she needs rescuing. Read On!
November 15, 2024
Love conquers all!!
April was being held prisoner by a clan of dragons to find their Alpha and heritage. It wasn’t going well.
Callan was a broken dragon, emotionally and physically. He was getting even worse.
And then Florence happens…lol….matching the two together.
To find out what happens next….read the book!! 📕
April was being held prisoner by a clan of dragons to find their Alpha and heritage. It wasn’t going well.
Callan was a broken dragon, emotionally and physically. He was getting even worse.
And then Florence happens…lol….matching the two together.
To find out what happens next….read the book!! 📕
February 10, 2025
2.5⭐️ I really liked these MC’s, and the general storyline was really interesting, but the writing still needs a lot of improvement. There was only one spicy scene at around 80%, and it was worse than in the previous books. The drama in this book made more sense than in previous books, but it was drawn out too long and that left no room for any relationship development.
February 12, 2020
Loved the story. Love this series. Personal preference, it needs a little more love scenes but still loved it.
Great read for anyone 16+ not any obscene language and only 1 love making scene. Definitely for more mature teens
Great read for anyone 16+ not any obscene language and only 1 love making scene. Definitely for more mature teens
February 12, 2020
Fantastic
One of the best if not the best of your MateMatch stories. Loved Callens story and that he found a mate and a clan. I'm so looking forward to your next in the series. I hope it's Timons story. The why shifter needs a very special mate.
One of the best if not the best of your MateMatch stories. Loved Callens story and that he found a mate and a clan. I'm so looking forward to your next in the series. I hope it's Timons story. The why shifter needs a very special mate.
February 16, 2020
Captivating and intense!
A novel packed with excitement and action! This dragon had everything against him. His mate the prisoner of a group of dragons in need of an alpha, his dragon sick, deception by the dragons, love, hope and forgiveness! Fantastic!
A novel packed with excitement and action! This dragon had everything against him. His mate the prisoner of a group of dragons in need of an alpha, his dragon sick, deception by the dragons, love, hope and forgiveness! Fantastic!
February 22, 2020
April & Callan
Thoroughly enjoyed reading April & Callan's story very much. I love reading a happy ever after story it makes me feel better after a very hard day. Thank you for writing this story.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading April & Callan's story very much. I love reading a happy ever after story it makes me feel better after a very hard day. Thank you for writing this story.
March 3, 2020
Enjoyable read
Another fine read in this installment of the series. Hope and determination fuel the storyline. You can't help but love the main characters and know that they have earned their happily-ever-after!
Another fine read in this installment of the series. Hope and determination fuel the storyline. You can't help but love the main characters and know that they have earned their happily-ever-after!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews