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Beautiful Beasts #2
Deven and the Dragon
The beast doesn’t ever really get a fairytale ending…does he?
Deven’s mission is clear. All he has to do is convince the dragon to give up one of his magical scales. Lies, deception, seduction—nothing is off-limits. It should be easy. But it isn’t. Especially not when said dragon is so alluring in human form. It’s not long before Deven starts to want something way more valuable than a scale from his beautiful beast. But how do you convince a dragon to give you his heart when your entire relationship was built on deceit?
Fiora is cursed. Love can kill him. Literally kill him. So keeping his mind (and hands) off the devilishly handsome Deven shouldn’t be a challenge. But it is. Deven’s entirely too warm, too attractive, too…everything to resist. And spending time with the lovable human makes Fiora question what’s more frightening—the curse, or the possibility of a life without Deven by his side.
If they want a shot at happily ever after, Deven and Fiora will need to break the potentially deadly curse and overcome all the secrets that stand between them. Easy, right?
They wish...
This book is an explicit M/M romance with an absurd cloak worn during the summer, a dragon who hoards—well, it isn’t gold, and some extremely angry parents who can breathe fire.
Deven’s mission is clear. All he has to do is convince the dragon to give up one of his magical scales. Lies, deception, seduction—nothing is off-limits. It should be easy. But it isn’t. Especially not when said dragon is so alluring in human form. It’s not long before Deven starts to want something way more valuable than a scale from his beautiful beast. But how do you convince a dragon to give you his heart when your entire relationship was built on deceit?
Fiora is cursed. Love can kill him. Literally kill him. So keeping his mind (and hands) off the devilishly handsome Deven shouldn’t be a challenge. But it is. Deven’s entirely too warm, too attractive, too…everything to resist. And spending time with the lovable human makes Fiora question what’s more frightening—the curse, or the possibility of a life without Deven by his side.
If they want a shot at happily ever after, Deven and Fiora will need to break the potentially deadly curse and overcome all the secrets that stand between them. Easy, right?
They wish...
This book is an explicit M/M romance with an absurd cloak worn during the summer, a dragon who hoards—well, it isn’t gold, and some extremely angry parents who can breathe fire.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 26, 2020
248 people are currently reading
1129 people want to read
About the author
Eliot Grayson
43 books1,389 followersEliot's a lifelong Southern California girl, right down to the flip-flops and backyard garden. When she's not writing her next book, you can find her reading, drinking tea, or (more likely) catering to the demands of her kids and ancient, cranky cat.
Steamy books with delicious tension, heart-wrenching pining, and a hefty dose of action and adventure have always been her jam as a reader. Guess what she writes?
You can catch up with her on Facebook in her reader group, Eliot Grayson's Escape from Reality, or sign up for her newsletter at eliotgrayson.com.
Steamy books with delicious tension, heart-wrenching pining, and a hefty dose of action and adventure have always been her jam as a reader. Guess what she writes?
You can catch up with her on Facebook in her reader group, Eliot Grayson's Escape from Reality, or sign up for her newsletter at eliotgrayson.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews
August 27, 2021
4,5 stars
Did anyone hear some old hag cackling last night?
If you did, it was most likely me.
What a lot of fun!
No, I repeat: WHAT A LOT OF FUN!
Fiora and his antics had me laughing out loud again and again, earning odd looks from my better half. He tries so hard to be the scary, vicious and mainly IMPRESSIVE dragon (Fiora, not my husband 😉😂) when he is the biggest sweetheart in the land. It is downright comical and totally sweet at the same time.
It doesn’t help that his human form is - *cough* dare I say it (for he would eye me with utter outrage) - on a miniscule scale. Being of very small stature myself he felt like my long-lost soul brother, and I could so associate with his issues!
#TeamFiora any time!
Deven is such a charmer and seducer, but he is the most likeable rogue with a heart of gold. His romantic gestures are just adorable, and the two of them together cannot be described as anything else but super cute. And funny. I challenge you not to ooohhh and ahhhh and giggle like I did!
Throw in a nasty curse, some well written pining and UST, and betrayal in the stars, this was a fabulous and highly entertaining, 'fairy-talish' read.
One to reread and smile again, for sure!
Did anyone hear some old hag cackling last night?
If you did, it was most likely me.
What a lot of fun!
No, I repeat: WHAT A LOT OF FUN!
Fiora and his antics had me laughing out loud again and again, earning odd looks from my better half. He tries so hard to be the scary, vicious and mainly IMPRESSIVE dragon (Fiora, not my husband 😉😂) when he is the biggest sweetheart in the land. It is downright comical and totally sweet at the same time.
It doesn’t help that his human form is - *cough* dare I say it (for he would eye me with utter outrage) - on a miniscule scale. Being of very small stature myself he felt like my long-lost soul brother, and I could so associate with his issues!
#TeamFiora any time!
Deven is such a charmer and seducer, but he is the most likeable rogue with a heart of gold. His romantic gestures are just adorable, and the two of them together cannot be described as anything else but super cute. And funny. I challenge you not to ooohhh and ahhhh and giggle like I did!
Throw in a nasty curse, some well written pining and UST, and betrayal in the stars, this was a fabulous and highly entertaining, 'fairy-talish' read.
One to reread and smile again, for sure!
March 13, 2024
The story of probably the cutest dragon ever.
Fiora is probably one of the most unique characters I have had the pleasure of meeting.
Unfortunately, I had a hard time getting into him and into the book. What makes him so unique caused me a lot of confusion at the beginning. Because the first encounter he has with Deven in human form was not a real joy for me to read.
Fiora is such an insecure person and somehow fractured in his language and representation.
Still, I love him madly, it just took a while for it to sink in. I'm sure if I read the book again at some point, I'll probably be hooked from the start.
Fiora the dragon:
He wasn’t showing off, of course. That would be absurd. If he happened to make a striking, even mesmerizing sight — well, that was just one of the side benefits of being a dragon. He could hardly help it. 🐉😳🐉
Fiora:
How long had it been since he had muscular arms wrapped around him, the heat and strength of a man’s body sheltering and surrounding him? Years. It had been nearly five years, and those years felt like as many boulders, crushing him down into the ground. 🐉🥺🐉
and he falls in love with Deven:
A man who loved books. A tall, handsome, charming man who loved books, even. A tall, handsome, charming man who could use those big hands to carefully handle something else…what a sight, the sort of vision that would fill any book-loving (and handsome-man loving) dragon’s heart with yearning. 😍
The worst thing about this book? After I finally got into it and fell in love with it, it was almost over. That's not acceptable. Dear authors, I know short books probably sell better, but I need MORE! grmpf, I could probably read 1000 pages about Fiora and still not be satisfied.
I mean, hello ... that's not enough ... it's so beautiful and then it's just over. 😭😭😭
He looked up and met Deven’s eyes — and that was it. The rest of the room, and everyone else there, faded away. What more did Deven need besides his tiny, fierce, perfect dragon, defending them both against rampaging relatives? He mouthed, I love you, and Fiora smiled so brightly it outshone the sun streaming in through the dining-room windows. 💞🫠💞
Fiora is probably one of the most unique characters I have had the pleasure of meeting.
Unfortunately, I had a hard time getting into him and into the book. What makes him so unique caused me a lot of confusion at the beginning. Because the first encounter he has with Deven in human form was not a real joy for me to read.
Fiora is such an insecure person and somehow fractured in his language and representation.
Still, I love him madly, it just took a while for it to sink in. I'm sure if I read the book again at some point, I'll probably be hooked from the start.
Fiora the dragon:
He wasn’t showing off, of course. That would be absurd. If he happened to make a striking, even mesmerizing sight — well, that was just one of the side benefits of being a dragon. He could hardly help it. 🐉😳🐉
Fiora:
How long had it been since he had muscular arms wrapped around him, the heat and strength of a man’s body sheltering and surrounding him? Years. It had been nearly five years, and those years felt like as many boulders, crushing him down into the ground. 🐉🥺🐉
and he falls in love with Deven:
A man who loved books. A tall, handsome, charming man who loved books, even. A tall, handsome, charming man who could use those big hands to carefully handle something else…what a sight, the sort of vision that would fill any book-loving (and handsome-man loving) dragon’s heart with yearning. 😍
The worst thing about this book? After I finally got into it and fell in love with it, it was almost over. That's not acceptable. Dear authors, I know short books probably sell better, but I need MORE! grmpf, I could probably read 1000 pages about Fiora and still not be satisfied.
I mean, hello ... that's not enough ... it's so beautiful and then it's just over. 😭😭😭
He looked up and met Deven’s eyes — and that was it. The rest of the room, and everyone else there, faded away. What more did Deven need besides his tiny, fierce, perfect dragon, defending them both against rampaging relatives? He mouthed, I love you, and Fiora smiled so brightly it outshone the sun streaming in through the dining-room windows. 💞🫠💞
June 27, 2020
Oh finally!
Finally a book that hits the spot truly and utterly.
Deven and the dragon is this perfect combination of fantasy, sweet romance, humor/snark all enveloped in magical words and excellent storytelling. I shall go on and gush but I must say the blurb is quite concise and gives a good understanding of the story premise.
That excellent cover portrays Lord Fiora, our dragon. And boy is he one lovable dragon. In his human form his skin his tinted blue, his blue black hair falls past his shoulders and he is small in stature. He's incredibly sensitive over his appearance and melodramatic in his language. Cursed by a witch his life has taken a melancholy turn, unable to share his body with another at the risk of death. Life is not ideal for the sweet natured tiny dragon.
Deven has been sent by the town council on a quest to retrieve a scale from the dragon. He's known in town as the seducer. He's charming and mischievous in nature. Though Deven finds himself torn to fulfill his promise to the townsfolk or to do right by Fiora. A slow friendship grows between them. Unexpected feelings bloom. Attraction is palpable.
I can't describe how incredibly cute this story is. How much it made me laugh and awe and gush.
I love a romance story where I can feel fondly towards both characters from the get go. Despite Deven's ulterior motive he is still entirely redeemable and has a conscience.
Not to forget all the beautiful sentences contained in this book. Riveting descriptions of the dragon flying over the river, the castle gardens and so on...
You'll salivate over this book if you're a fan of Alice Winter's fantasy work, it resonated with me in a similar way.
Highly recommend if you're looking for sweet natured characters, humor/snark/banter, low angst, feel good, fantasy novel.
I will end this with my favorite insight into Fiora as a baby dragon:
"Fiora’s parents were the sorts to spout fire over anyone who suggested that baby Fiora had been anything but the most adorable little teeny tiny dragon ever hatched, actually. His mother liked to reminisce about how he’d sucked on his tail when he was cutting his teeth — oh, God, he must never, ever allow Deven to meet his mother".
Finally a book that hits the spot truly and utterly.
Deven and the dragon is this perfect combination of fantasy, sweet romance, humor/snark all enveloped in magical words and excellent storytelling. I shall go on and gush but I must say the blurb is quite concise and gives a good understanding of the story premise.
That excellent cover portrays Lord Fiora, our dragon. And boy is he one lovable dragon. In his human form his skin his tinted blue, his blue black hair falls past his shoulders and he is small in stature. He's incredibly sensitive over his appearance and melodramatic in his language. Cursed by a witch his life has taken a melancholy turn, unable to share his body with another at the risk of death. Life is not ideal for the sweet natured tiny dragon.
Deven has been sent by the town council on a quest to retrieve a scale from the dragon. He's known in town as the seducer. He's charming and mischievous in nature. Though Deven finds himself torn to fulfill his promise to the townsfolk or to do right by Fiora. A slow friendship grows between them. Unexpected feelings bloom. Attraction is palpable.
I can't describe how incredibly cute this story is. How much it made me laugh and awe and gush.
I love a romance story where I can feel fondly towards both characters from the get go. Despite Deven's ulterior motive he is still entirely redeemable and has a conscience.
Not to forget all the beautiful sentences contained in this book. Riveting descriptions of the dragon flying over the river, the castle gardens and so on...
You'll salivate over this book if you're a fan of Alice Winter's fantasy work, it resonated with me in a similar way.
Highly recommend if you're looking for sweet natured characters, humor/snark/banter, low angst, feel good, fantasy novel.
I will end this with my favorite insight into Fiora as a baby dragon:
"Fiora’s parents were the sorts to spout fire over anyone who suggested that baby Fiora had been anything but the most adorable little teeny tiny dragon ever hatched, actually. His mother liked to reminisce about how he’d sucked on his tail when he was cutting his teeth — oh, God, he must never, ever allow Deven to meet his mother".
July 21, 2020
This just ticked all my boxes. A mix of fantasy and paranormal romance, it had all the elements I love.
Both Deven and Fiora were delightful characters, bursting with personalities and the perfect match.
I appreciated that Deven was essentially a bit of a tart, I loved that Fiora wasn't big and powerful in human form.
They were super sweet together as they formed a tentative friendship and I really liked the twist with how things resolved with the curse.
I laughed a lot reading this book too and that always makes me happy when I get a tale that just makes me smile.
Both Deven and Fiora were delightful characters, bursting with personalities and the perfect match.
I appreciated that Deven was essentially a bit of a tart, I loved that Fiora wasn't big and powerful in human form.
They were super sweet together as they formed a tentative friendship and I really liked the twist with how things resolved with the curse.
I laughed a lot reading this book too and that always makes me happy when I get a tale that just makes me smile.
December 8, 2025
3,5 stars.
My first book by this author, but it won't be my last.
Finally i found a beautiful and touching fantasy romance with a dragon shifter! It wasn't perfect, the first part felt a bit weak, but the book got stronger with every interaction between Deven and Fiora.
Fiora the dragon is such an interesting MC. Fierce and independent, but lacking self esteem and so very touch starved and lonely.
Deven seems carefree at first, always happy and looking for a good time. He's fiercely loyal, to his family and later also Fiora, and he has a big heart. In other words, he's perfect for Fiora.
Even the deception and lies were written in a genuine and believable way (I know it sounds contradictory but that's how I felt, and I tend to hate deception and lies as plot-driving themes).
My first book by this author, but it won't be my last.
Finally i found a beautiful and touching fantasy romance with a dragon shifter! It wasn't perfect, the first part felt a bit weak, but the book got stronger with every interaction between Deven and Fiora.
Fiora the dragon is such an interesting MC. Fierce and independent, but lacking self esteem and so very touch starved and lonely.
Deven seems carefree at first, always happy and looking for a good time. He's fiercely loyal, to his family and later also Fiora, and he has a big heart. In other words, he's perfect for Fiora.
Even the deception and lies were written in a genuine and believable way (I know it sounds contradictory but that's how I felt, and I tend to hate deception and lies as plot-driving themes).
September 8, 2020
Oh, this was a delightful surprise.
I'm not sure what exactly I was expecting from this, but it sure wasn't what I got, which was just more than I was expecting. I loved this.
In a world where there are dragons and witches and the like, a small town of just humans get a new arrival in a form of a dragon - who has a human form as well as a dragon form - in a castle no longer occupied by anyone a little ways away from the village.
The dragon is Lord Fiora, who is seemingly a recluse for reasons unknown. The villagers have only seen him a few times and only his dragon form.
But when the town council wants Deven, the local town Casanova, as it were, wants him to seduce Fiora in order to get one of his dragon scales to save a dying boy from the village, Deven, who is truly a good guy, agrees in order to save the kid.
They dress it up under the guise of an old, generally no longer done, dragon tradition of giving a sacrifice, usually a "pure and innocent" (i.e. virgin) person, to a dragon. Fiora agrees to it, but he and his right hand man, his most trusted servant, Andrei, are very cautious about Deven once he comes, even though Fiora is smitten practically right away. And Deven is too, even if he doesn't quite know it yet.
Fiora is absolutely adorable. In his human form he's rather short, but he's adorable when he gets all puffed up or angry, like in the beginning when he tries to say he was "born in darkness" because he wants to be seen as scary and badass to Deven, who doesn't seem intimidated by him at all. It's adorable more than anything else.
And Fiora was cursed, cursed by a witch who thought Fiora knew that the man he slept with was married to her - he didn't - but that doesn't change the curse. But Fiora doesn't tell Deven, and finds himself falling for him anyway.
Deven's "plan" to seduce Fiora soon gets pretty much dropped to the wayside as Deven has genuine interest and feelings for Fiora, but he still has a job to do, right? Doesn't stop Deven from feeling extremely guilty about it.
These two were adorable together, and their love shown of the page. The only slight niggle for me would be the very rushed sex scenes, which were disappointing, although the romance was so good that I didn't mind too much. It still would have been even better with more drawn out sex scenes, in my opinion.
But that small niggle aside, I loved this. It was the right amount of fun, sweet, romantic and adorable and the main couple shined.
A definite thumbs up from me. Highly recommend!
I'm not sure what exactly I was expecting from this, but it sure wasn't what I got, which was just more than I was expecting. I loved this.
In a world where there are dragons and witches and the like, a small town of just humans get a new arrival in a form of a dragon - who has a human form as well as a dragon form - in a castle no longer occupied by anyone a little ways away from the village.
The dragon is Lord Fiora, who is seemingly a recluse for reasons unknown. The villagers have only seen him a few times and only his dragon form.
But when the town council wants Deven, the local town Casanova, as it were, wants him to seduce Fiora in order to get one of his dragon scales to save a dying boy from the village, Deven, who is truly a good guy, agrees in order to save the kid.
They dress it up under the guise of an old, generally no longer done, dragon tradition of giving a sacrifice, usually a "pure and innocent" (i.e. virgin) person, to a dragon. Fiora agrees to it, but he and his right hand man, his most trusted servant, Andrei, are very cautious about Deven once he comes, even though Fiora is smitten practically right away. And Deven is too, even if he doesn't quite know it yet.
Fiora is absolutely adorable. In his human form he's rather short, but he's adorable when he gets all puffed up or angry, like in the beginning when he tries to say he was "born in darkness" because he wants to be seen as scary and badass to Deven, who doesn't seem intimidated by him at all. It's adorable more than anything else.
And Fiora was cursed, cursed by a witch who thought Fiora knew that the man he slept with was married to her - he didn't - but that doesn't change the curse. But Fiora doesn't tell Deven, and finds himself falling for him anyway.
Deven's "plan" to seduce Fiora soon gets pretty much dropped to the wayside as Deven has genuine interest and feelings for Fiora, but he still has a job to do, right? Doesn't stop Deven from feeling extremely guilty about it.
These two were adorable together, and their love shown of the page. The only slight niggle for me would be the very rushed sex scenes, which were disappointing, although the romance was so good that I didn't mind too much. It still would have been even better with more drawn out sex scenes, in my opinion.
But that small niggle aside, I loved this. It was the right amount of fun, sweet, romantic and adorable and the main couple shined.
A definite thumbs up from me. Highly recommend!
December 18, 2020
4.5 stars.
I went in expecting a lighthearted fantasy read, but instead I got so much more. I read this in one — well, two — sittings. It was just the book I needed after the disappointment of my last choice. Too bad it wasn’t a bit longer, though!
Deven and the Dragon was like a spin off from some of the classic fairytales. Lonely, castle-dwelling dragons! Curses broken by one true reciprocated love! *swooning* And DRAGONS, did I mention dragons? The plot could have used a liiittle more development, but the romance was very nicely done, so I didn’t mind much.
I loved the fact that Deven was such an unlikely, slutty hero. And Fiora was adorable, a little ball of cuteness that made me go awww a LOT, despite being a fearsome dragon 'born of darkness.'
Great chemistry between the MCs and a perfect HEA. This would be a lovely comfort read.
I went in expecting a lighthearted fantasy read, but instead I got so much more. I read this in one — well, two — sittings. It was just the book I needed after the disappointment of my last choice. Too bad it wasn’t a bit longer, though!
Deven and the Dragon was like a spin off from some of the classic fairytales. Lonely, castle-dwelling dragons! Curses broken by one true reciprocated love! *swooning* And DRAGONS, did I mention dragons? The plot could have used a liiittle more development, but the romance was very nicely done, so I didn’t mind much.
I loved the fact that Deven was such an unlikely, slutty hero. And Fiora was adorable, a little ball of cuteness that made me go awww a LOT, despite being a fearsome dragon 'born of darkness.'
Great chemistry between the MCs and a perfect HEA. This would be a lovely comfort read.
July 6, 2020
I loved this. I have an all or nothing relationship with this author, in the sense that if I like the book, I like all of it, and if i don't, I hate all of it, there's no middle ground. Thank God this was a love situation.
This is a fairytale, there's no other way to put it, maybe an adult fairytale, but equally magical, mesmerizing and mystical.
Fiora is a dragon with a curse and Deven is a human in a mission, they met, fell in love and of course eliminated said curse. That's all that happened? Fuck no, this story had a great storyline, an amazing pace an a lot of funny and beautiful things happening, but that's something for the reader to find out, i don't wanna spoil it! *squeaks like a little girl in a candy store*
Anyway, I loved Fiora with his brooding and Deven with his witts. This is a lovely story of true love! Loved it! ❤
This is a fairytale, there's no other way to put it, maybe an adult fairytale, but equally magical, mesmerizing and mystical.
Fiora is a dragon with a curse and Deven is a human in a mission, they met, fell in love and of course eliminated said curse. That's all that happened? Fuck no, this story had a great storyline, an amazing pace an a lot of funny and beautiful things happening, but that's something for the reader to find out, i don't wanna spoil it! *squeaks like a little girl in a candy store*
Anyway, I loved Fiora with his brooding and Deven with his witts. This is a lovely story of true love! Loved it! ❤
January 20, 2025
I pretty much loved everything about this book. It was at times absolutely hilarious, while at others a little heartbreaking. The characters were absolutely amazing, a petite, dramatic, self-conscious dragon and the large, outgoing, town playboy don’t seem like they’d make the best match, but they were amazing together. There were times I definitely wanted to swat both of Fiora and Deven and make them reveal their secrets, but it all worked out, and couldn’t have made for a better HEA. If you’ve ever wondered what Beauty and The Beast would be like if the beast were a small blue skinned dragon, and the beauty was a strapping flirty man, look no further. This book was pretty close to perfection.
July 19, 2020
This was such a fun read!
Deven is upapologetically generous with his body, if not his affections. He's a free spirit, living for the day, with no real thoughts about the future.
Poor Fiora spends his days alone, unable to take a lover due to a curse. I loved seeing these two circle around each other, get to know each other, and ultimately realize what we, the readers, already knew--they're perfect together.
As for side characters, Andrei and Fiora's verbal sparring was a treat, Deven's aunt and uncle were entertaining, and even Fiora's parents, who we see just briefly, are well fleshed out.
The "rabbit incident" was hilarious, and the scene with the lavender rose broke my heart for poor Fiora. And those hideous statues!
Eliot Grayson is a new to me author, and I loved the writing style, the wit, the fantasic dialog. I will be searching for more of their work. I would have loved to have listened to this in audio.
Deven is upapologetically generous with his body, if not his affections. He's a free spirit, living for the day, with no real thoughts about the future.
Poor Fiora spends his days alone, unable to take a lover due to a curse. I loved seeing these two circle around each other, get to know each other, and ultimately realize what we, the readers, already knew--they're perfect together.
As for side characters, Andrei and Fiora's verbal sparring was a treat, Deven's aunt and uncle were entertaining, and even Fiora's parents, who we see just briefly, are well fleshed out.
The "rabbit incident" was hilarious, and the scene with the lavender rose broke my heart for poor Fiora. And those hideous statues!
Eliot Grayson is a new to me author, and I loved the writing style, the wit, the fantasic dialog. I will be searching for more of their work. I would have loved to have listened to this in audio.
May 19, 2023
Original review November 2020
This sweet story was such a delight. This is my first Eliot Grayson and I’ll definitely be checking out more.
I read this on KU but would be happy to buy it outright.
Story: 4 stars
Enjoyment: 5+ stars
Reread May 2023
I did end up buying this one at some point between 2020 and now, 2023. It may have lost just a tiny bit of it’s shine upon reread and maybe I’d give it a 4 star rating at this point, but I still love it and am really happy it’s a permanent part of my library.
This sweet story was such a delight. This is my first Eliot Grayson and I’ll definitely be checking out more.
I read this on KU but would be happy to buy it outright.
Story: 4 stars
Enjoyment: 5+ stars
Reread May 2023
I did end up buying this one at some point between 2020 and now, 2023. It may have lost just a tiny bit of it’s shine upon reread and maybe I’d give it a 4 star rating at this point, but I still love it and am really happy it’s a permanent part of my library.
June 27, 2020
This is a quirky story with plenty of humour, complete with the use of the words bother and buggering rabbits. Which, you know, I don't usually associate with my paranormal dragon reading.
Random GIF for this sometimes random book. It fits with part of the story, those buggering rabbits, and it's where my mind went - which, by the way, is also random. Besides, I just love Father Ted…
In my experience it's hard to find quality gay romance paranormal stories, definitely those that feature a dragon, but Deven and the Dragon fits the bill.
Overall this is a very, very sweet book which ticks some of my must-have paranormal boxes and at its heart beats a gentle soul.
Audio and visual review at-
Random GIF for this sometimes random book. It fits with part of the story, those buggering rabbits, and it's where my mind went - which, by the way, is also random. Besides, I just love Father Ted…
In my experience it's hard to find quality gay romance paranormal stories, definitely those that feature a dragon, but Deven and the Dragon fits the bill.
Overall this is a very, very sweet book which ticks some of my must-have paranormal boxes and at its heart beats a gentle soul.
Audio and visual review at-
June 23, 2020
4.5 Stars
This is a very humorous fantasy tale. The author has written an incredible unconventional dragon, because, if in other books dragons are big, roaring and daring, Fiora was everything but. As a matter of fact, he was small, awkward, reserved and self-conscious of his rather petite stature...and I absolutely adored him.
I'm trying so hard not to give too much away. I'm just going to say that Fiora and Deven together were incredibly cute. Both had secrets, both had reasons to not allow their relationship go beyond friendship. Yet, slowly, those pesky feelings of butterflies in their bellies and utter infatuation got the better of them, and love sneaked up on them anyway...even at the risk of heartbreak or worst, death.
Is falling in love worth it? Read and find out. Because this book is delightful, full of laughter, teasing, just the right amount of tears and drama, a surprising hoard and a swoon worthy romance... I loved it!
This is a very humorous fantasy tale. The author has written an incredible unconventional dragon, because, if in other books dragons are big, roaring and daring, Fiora was everything but. As a matter of fact, he was small, awkward, reserved and self-conscious of his rather petite stature...and I absolutely adored him.
I'm trying so hard not to give too much away. I'm just going to say that Fiora and Deven together were incredibly cute. Both had secrets, both had reasons to not allow their relationship go beyond friendship. Yet, slowly, those pesky feelings of butterflies in their bellies and utter infatuation got the better of them, and love sneaked up on them anyway...even at the risk of heartbreak or worst, death.
Is falling in love worth it? Read and find out. Because this book is delightful, full of laughter, teasing, just the right amount of tears and drama, a surprising hoard and a swoon worthy romance... I loved it!
February 10, 2023
I haven't read a 5 star book in I don't even know how long. I have been slipping into the gray void of a serious book depression for months, with no hope of reprieve in sight. Thankfully, Eliot Grayson decided to write this little gem and pull me from the pit of despair. I have always loved books written in a medieval timeline, especially fantasy-type ones, and I also love books about dragons which don't have any mpreg (save me from the mpreg; I can't stand it). This book also had my secret kryptonite: an insecure and needy MC who finds the person willing to give them everything they need. I loved this book, loved that it was sweet and light on angst and had magic and dragons and everything else I've been needing in a book since my last truly 5 star read in MARCH! *gasp* Thank you, Eliot Grayson, I really needed that!
September 11, 2020
4 marvellous stars!
This was an absolutely fun read! Devoured it in one sitting which has been a rare occurrence lately. Book slump. Gah...
But this! This definitely lifted me out of the tragic book slump I’ve been in. Fiora is definitely one slightly insecure dragon 😆 Cracked me up! 🤣
I love how this was a very different take on the Beauty and the Beast story. Kudos to the author for certainly giving it a few new twists 👍👍👍🙌🙌🙌
This was an absolutely fun read! Devoured it in one sitting which has been a rare occurrence lately. Book slump. Gah...
But this! This definitely lifted me out of the tragic book slump I’ve been in. Fiora is definitely one slightly insecure dragon 😆 Cracked me up! 🤣
I love how this was a very different take on the Beauty and the Beast story. Kudos to the author for certainly giving it a few new twists 👍👍👍🙌🙌🙌
June 29, 2020
Funny
Deven and the Dragon is a fun , easy to read and light hearted story .
A quirky and humorous take on couple old fairy tales.
Re-read: No
Recommend: Yes
#Amazon #KindleFire #KU #GRR #ReadOn2020
Deven and the Dragon is a fun , easy to read and light hearted story .
A quirky and humorous take on couple old fairy tales.
Re-read: No
Recommend: Yes
#Amazon #KindleFire #KU #GRR #ReadOn2020
June 29, 2020
A fun read which made me smile and yes because that hoard is so me and finding little pieces of me in my books just makes me happy.
July 28, 2020
It seems I have to accept dragon diversity. So there are dragons who are a big beast in their draconic form but small and more beautiful then handsome when they're human. Im okay with that. Surely they also can be vain and snotty and at times equally insecure and sweet. I still are able to arrange that with the expectation I got after reading the blurb i.e. that I get a book with banter and snark, maybe even a nice fairytale with some sarcasm … well, let's say expectations are sometimes a thing that keeps me from enjoying an authors effort.
On the one side we get gorgeous, care-free Deven, your friendly next-door tomcat and smiling seducer with a big heart and probably an equally big cock. He's sent under double-false pretense up to the castle where a dragon took his home.
On the other side we have Fiora, said aristocratic dragon with soft lips and pale blue skin who's suffering of a deadly curse and subsequently extensive celibacy. A combination made for snarky fun, isn't it? Would be if they were equal sparring partner and balanced opposites but they are not. Deven is a young man, down to earth and completely aware of his abilities while Fiora is a petulant man-child, most of the times only playing the lord of the manor. He's only lucky that Deven is as much gentleman as he's slut and that they somehow fall in love.
So it's a nice, light-hearted summer read sometimes even fun but not what I expected or wanted to read.
On the one side we get gorgeous, care-free Deven, your friendly next-door tomcat and smiling seducer with a big heart and probably an equally big cock. He's sent under double-false pretense up to the castle where a dragon took his home.
On the other side we have Fiora, said aristocratic dragon with soft lips and pale blue skin who's suffering of a deadly curse and subsequently extensive celibacy. A combination made for snarky fun, isn't it? Would be if they were equal sparring partner and balanced opposites but they are not. Deven is a young man, down to earth and completely aware of his abilities while Fiora is a petulant man-child, most of the times only playing the lord of the manor. He's only lucky that Deven is as much gentleman as he's slut and that they somehow fall in love.
So it's a nice, light-hearted summer read sometimes even fun but not what I expected or wanted to read.
July 23, 2020
Beauty and the Beast, with Dragons!
I absolutely loved this book. It’s short and sweet, with just enough uncertainty over the looming curse to keep you interested. It does bear some resemblance to Beauty and the Beast, though the storyline is different enough that I was still sucked into the plot. However, the characters are truly where the author shines. I loved the little dragon lord. I loved that the human was actually the tall dashing one, and the dragon was haughty, with a height complex. I also loved the scenes where Deven tries to teach him how the commoners live. If I could critique anything, it’s that the courtship portion of the book felt a bit too short. I wanted more angsty fluff! Still, a solid offering. I’ll be picking up more from this author.
I absolutely loved this book. It’s short and sweet, with just enough uncertainty over the looming curse to keep you interested. It does bear some resemblance to Beauty and the Beast, though the storyline is different enough that I was still sucked into the plot. However, the characters are truly where the author shines. I loved the little dragon lord. I loved that the human was actually the tall dashing one, and the dragon was haughty, with a height complex. I also loved the scenes where Deven tries to teach him how the commoners live. If I could critique anything, it’s that the courtship portion of the book felt a bit too short. I wanted more angsty fluff! Still, a solid offering. I’ll be picking up more from this author.
August 26, 2021
I enjoyed this one quite a lot. Good characters, good contrasts and constraints, good bad guys. My one complaint is that a few of the reasonings for what our MC's did and didn't say weren't explained where they needed to be, or not supported well enough to convince me. As a result, I knew too soon how things would be solved. Luckily, the author delivers the emotional and logistical weight of each scene very well, and that was good enough.
February 4, 2024
So funny. So sweet. My favorite fairy tale type retelling to date, with books, beauty and the beast curses, a castle over a village with corruption, an adorably "free" main character, a moping dragon doomed "to the darkness" - perfection of a romance and filled with humor.
July 1, 2020
Lonely dragons and not so innocent sacrifices
This was an amazing read! With the slight bones of Beauty and the Beast- the town hottie, a dragon, a given 'sacrifice', and some beautiful roses- this story ran with it and created so much more!
Fiora has been very lonely for most of his life. Apparently he is odd for a dragon, and never found anywhere he fit with them. He is also to inhuman to fit with humans. The one time Fiora thinks he does fit in he ends up sleeping with a man that turns out to be married to a witch, and cursed. His curse keeps him even more alone and separate than before. Fleeing to a town far from his people and the witch that set the curse on him, Fiora is resigned to a melancholy existence. When the town insists in sending him a 'sacrifice'- an archaic and ridiculous custom no longer upheld- he accepts out of fear of rocking the boat. The beautiful and charming man sent threatens everything as Fiora wants nothing more than to accept his company but can't out of fear of the curse.
Deven is the town playboy and he embraces it. Never looking for anything more than a hookup, he has been through a series of mutually satisfying encounters, which has pissed off many in the town. When his skills for seduction are determined as useful to win over the dragon and receive a boon it becomes clear there is more to Deven than the town believes. A hard worker for his aunt and uncle, Deven is swayed to help the town because they ask him to help an ailing child. Deven may seek pleasure and joy, but he is a kind soul who also loves to help, and his willingness to do so at what may be his own peril shows a core that he doesn't always let shine.
With the curse between them the encounters between Deven and Fiora are mixed. At the beginning it is a highly humourous time, with dramatic overtures by Fiora and plenty of confusion from Deven. The surprising mutual interests mixed in with Fiora's inquisitiveness and Deven's open charm make slow overtures for the two to get to know each other. It is an amusing and sweet relationship to watch build up, based on friendship and a desire to connect. The story takes a few expected turns but it does it in such a way that it is impossible not to want to read on to find out what will happen to these two and those around them that care for them. An amazingly captivating story that takes old bones to build a fresh and excitingly new story!
This was an amazing read! With the slight bones of Beauty and the Beast- the town hottie, a dragon, a given 'sacrifice', and some beautiful roses- this story ran with it and created so much more!
Fiora has been very lonely for most of his life. Apparently he is odd for a dragon, and never found anywhere he fit with them. He is also to inhuman to fit with humans. The one time Fiora thinks he does fit in he ends up sleeping with a man that turns out to be married to a witch, and cursed. His curse keeps him even more alone and separate than before. Fleeing to a town far from his people and the witch that set the curse on him, Fiora is resigned to a melancholy existence. When the town insists in sending him a 'sacrifice'- an archaic and ridiculous custom no longer upheld- he accepts out of fear of rocking the boat. The beautiful and charming man sent threatens everything as Fiora wants nothing more than to accept his company but can't out of fear of the curse.
Deven is the town playboy and he embraces it. Never looking for anything more than a hookup, he has been through a series of mutually satisfying encounters, which has pissed off many in the town. When his skills for seduction are determined as useful to win over the dragon and receive a boon it becomes clear there is more to Deven than the town believes. A hard worker for his aunt and uncle, Deven is swayed to help the town because they ask him to help an ailing child. Deven may seek pleasure and joy, but he is a kind soul who also loves to help, and his willingness to do so at what may be his own peril shows a core that he doesn't always let shine.
With the curse between them the encounters between Deven and Fiora are mixed. At the beginning it is a highly humourous time, with dramatic overtures by Fiora and plenty of confusion from Deven. The surprising mutual interests mixed in with Fiora's inquisitiveness and Deven's open charm make slow overtures for the two to get to know each other. It is an amusing and sweet relationship to watch build up, based on friendship and a desire to connect. The story takes a few expected turns but it does it in such a way that it is impossible not to want to read on to find out what will happen to these two and those around them that care for them. An amazingly captivating story that takes old bones to build a fresh and excitingly new story!
February 21, 2021
4.5 stars.
This was adorable! I loved Fiora as the cutest dragon whose attempts at being a curmudgeon charmed me immediately. Deven is an unabashed hedonist who thankfully not only doesn't feel any guilt about that, but who is not overly judged for it either. Together they are just wonderful. I love that the secondary characters in both their lives are supportive in a realistic way, getting upset with them because they are worried about them and love them, not because they are jerks. Fiora's hoard is absolutely the best hoard ever on top of the rest of the wonderful in this book.
I really can't think of anything wrong with this book, it was the perfect mix of everything for me, I just wish I could read a little more about these two!
I won this and I will continue to read more from the author.
This was adorable! I loved Fiora as the cutest dragon whose attempts at being a curmudgeon charmed me immediately. Deven is an unabashed hedonist who thankfully not only doesn't feel any guilt about that, but who is not overly judged for it either. Together they are just wonderful. I love that the secondary characters in both their lives are supportive in a realistic way, getting upset with them because they are worried about them and love them, not because they are jerks. Fiora's hoard is absolutely the best hoard ever on top of the rest of the wonderful in this book.
I really can't think of anything wrong with this book, it was the perfect mix of everything for me, I just wish I could read a little more about these two!
I won this and I will continue to read more from the author.
August 22, 2021
Fiora, the dragon lord is cursed. He set residence in a small town castle. Deven is an inn barman and consider as the town playboy. The town council decide to offer a “pure” sacrifice to the dragon, but in reality, need a scale of the beast for a miracle remedy. As the scale need to be given out of free will, they need a seducer, someone to “charms the pants off” of the dragon, and Deven is the perfect man for the job.
Fiora believe the sacrifice is offering will be a maiden and is surprised to see an attractive man instead.
The characters in this books were amazing and had fun personalities: Fiora the over dramatic & terribly sensitive dragon, Deven that has no fear, nor respect and is relax about everything and Andrei, the over protective bodyguard.
The romance was also very cute and I love the plot with the curse. I really enjoyed this book.
Fiora believe the sacrifice is offering will be a maiden and is surprised to see an attractive man instead.
The characters in this books were amazing and had fun personalities: Fiora the over dramatic & terribly sensitive dragon, Deven that has no fear, nor respect and is relax about everything and Andrei, the over protective bodyguard.
The romance was also very cute and I love the plot with the curse. I really enjoyed this book.
July 5, 2020
So, this didn't work out. I read properly up to about 50%. But I was bored, slightly annoyed and found the plausibility of the plot and events to be shaky. So I decided to skim the rest of the book. Took me half an hour to get through the second-half, and I wasn't really impressed. I didn't connect with the characters either. It wasn't even entertaining after the first few chapters, which was the reason I picked the book in the first please. I'd needed something lighthearted and fun after
The Way of Kings
, and that's what this book claimed to be. Alas, it wasn't. The only good things were, again, the first few chapters. And it did an okay job of being a Beauty and the Beast retelling.
July 3, 2020
Moonlight & Roses
If I were a dragon, I’d model myself after Fiora. He has excellent tastes and his hoard, love at first sight. I adored his quirky and kind personality. I’m a little scared to admit it but he and his family made me laugh, often. Deven is quite the charmer but one with a heart of gold, be it a bit tarnished at times. He taught Fiora how to have fun and his gifts, swoons. “I want everything.” I love everything about these two and if I could one wish it would be to see Fiora fly with Deven at my side.
If I were a dragon, I’d model myself after Fiora. He has excellent tastes and his hoard, love at first sight. I adored his quirky and kind personality. I’m a little scared to admit it but he and his family made me laugh, often. Deven is quite the charmer but one with a heart of gold, be it a bit tarnished at times. He taught Fiora how to have fun and his gifts, swoons. “I want everything.” I love everything about these two and if I could one wish it would be to see Fiora fly with Deven at my side.
July 4, 2020
I love medieval books with all those amazing knights and royalty and it gets even better when dragons get added to the mix. I love a strong dragon who’s got some growly tendencies. I also always love seeing what authors will have a dragon hoard and this one did a very good job with that! These characters were so cute together and gave me all the feels. I wanted to give them both hugs and loved getting to see their love story unfold. These two were just such cuties together and complemented each other very well. There’s a bit of a beauty and the beast feel to this story but in the best way.
June 27, 2020
Great read and fantastic characters. Deven and Fiora are sweet sexy and was a fun read. I loved all the side characters too and how the weaved into the main plot. Dev and Fi are different in so many ways and each chapter draws you in more. My only complaint is that I want MORE and wish this Universe was a series to drive more into. Can't wait for the next. I voluntarily reviewed an 'Advance Author’s Copy' of this book.
June 26, 2020
Loved it, this was a wonderfully enjoyable book by Eliot Grayson. From the first page I was drawn in, the characters are so interesting and quirky that you just couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next, made reading this shifter romance so much fun.
July 2, 2020
What a wonderful read!
This was such a delightful twist on the beauty and the beast storyline. Deven wasn’t your typical beauty. Fiora nailed the beast mentality perfectly. And the library and Fiora’s hoard... amazing. I loved every minute of this book and couldn’t put it down.
This was such a delightful twist on the beauty and the beast storyline. Deven wasn’t your typical beauty. Fiora nailed the beast mentality perfectly. And the library and Fiora’s hoard... amazing. I loved every minute of this book and couldn’t put it down.
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