What do you think?
Rate this book
The Dragon and Her Thief
A possessive dragon. A sexy thief. A job gone wrong...or did it?
Kelsey Rose wasn’t crazy. She was determined. A family heirloom was stolen years ago, and she was the perfect person to recover it. No job was too big for her, but this one was going to be a challenge for her.
The only obstacle?
A dragon shifter.
Mythia Zinfina spent centuries protecting and growing her hoard. The powerful dragon shifter was patiently waiting for the day she would find her mate. Never did she expect the tiny slip of a woman breaking into her castle to be the one who was destined to be at her side for all eternity.
The second their eyes met, Mythia’s dragon determined she would never let Kelsey go.
If you love steamy, wlw paranormal romance tales with plenty of heat and action, then you will enjoy The Dragon and Her Thief. This story was intended for mature readers only.
Please This book was previously included in the Cocky Alpha Shifters anthology and has been released on its own.
Kelsey Rose wasn’t crazy. She was determined. A family heirloom was stolen years ago, and she was the perfect person to recover it. No job was too big for her, but this one was going to be a challenge for her.
The only obstacle?
A dragon shifter.
Mythia Zinfina spent centuries protecting and growing her hoard. The powerful dragon shifter was patiently waiting for the day she would find her mate. Never did she expect the tiny slip of a woman breaking into her castle to be the one who was destined to be at her side for all eternity.
The second their eyes met, Mythia’s dragon determined she would never let Kelsey go.
If you love steamy, wlw paranormal romance tales with plenty of heat and action, then you will enjoy The Dragon and Her Thief. This story was intended for mature readers only.
Please This book was previously included in the Cocky Alpha Shifters anthology and has been released on its own.
149 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2022
69 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
Ariel Marie
72 books1,544 followersCleveland-born and raised, Ariel Marie has been delighting readers for over a decade with her signature blend of pulse-pounding action, steamy romance, and paranormal thrills. From shifters and vampires to fae and witches, she spins worlds where supernatural forces collide with intense emotion—and readers can't get enough.
Many of Ariel’s devoted fans appreciate her ability to transport them into richly imagined worlds, returning again and again to the characters they love. She’s proud to be an indie author, cherishing the freedom to deliver stories on her terms—and it shows in the passion behind every page.
When she’s not writing, you’ll find Ariel curled up planning her next novel—often inspired by a lifelong love of storytelling.
Many of Ariel’s devoted fans appreciate her ability to transport them into richly imagined worlds, returning again and again to the characters they love. She’s proud to be an indie author, cherishing the freedom to deliver stories on her terms—and it shows in the passion behind every page.
When she’s not writing, you’ll find Ariel curled up planning her next novel—often inspired by a lifelong love of storytelling.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 10, 2023
She was in trouble.
Only, she had a feeling she was going to like it.
2.5 stars. No thoughts, head empty, et cetera, et cetera. I'm familiar enough with this author's work by now to know that when I read one of her books I'm getting insta love and smut. And I was in the mood for something quick, and this did indeed deliver that. An f/f paranormal romance about a rookie thief who sneaks into a dragon shifter's castle, determined to steal back a family heirloom that she believes the dragon acquired wrongfully. Except whoops, the dragon catches her and captures her and it turns out that they're fated mates! And they spend a solid 50% of the book banging it out. It was fun, and mostly hot? There are just certain words that I will never find sexy, and this author uses them a couple times. I also got the red pen itch several times; a thorough edit and a little tweaking of the writing to make it less bland could have done wonders for this. I'm also not a fan of shifter books where the animal side is written like a completely different entity than the human; it's just kinda cheesy. But that's subjective.
Listened to the audiobook as read by D.J. Rhyder and unfortunately didn't love it. I listened to this while moving about the house doing chores etc and nothing about it made me want to put it down, but it just wasn't a voice I enjoyed. Which happens sometimes! I ended up reading the ending/epilogue via ebook. This was still fun brain candy, a nice little fix for when I'm actually in the mood for insta love (which doesn't happen often).
February 18, 2025
I probably would have enjoyed the book more if I hadn’t listened to the audiobook. The narration was tough.
I will likely reread in the future without the audiobook.
I will likely reread in the future without the audiobook.
October 27, 2023
Author Ariel Marie doesn’t disappoint. Writing paranormal sapphic romance with awesome chemistry and spice with a plot to keep you interested. Kelsey meets her dragon mate in maybe not the best way, determined to steal (back, she thinks) a family heirloom. Mythia, the powerful, magical dragon, has a seer that sees Kelsey coming so she intends to punish her mate for wanting to steal and then keep her and become mates. Well let’s just say that Kelsey maybe enjoys her punishment, lol. She also gets to learn more about her heritage and herself and maybe find more than what she was looking for, in the best way.
October 29, 2023
DNF @ 20%
Just because someone is your 'mate' does not give you the right to sexually assault them.
Just because someone's body is reacting to stimuli does not mean they have given consent, it is still sexual assault.
Just because someone is your 'mate' does not give you the right to sexually assault them.
Just because someone's body is reacting to stimuli does not mean they have given consent, it is still sexual assault.
June 1, 2024
Pretty cute. I mean, there was some slightly dubious consent here but I’m just gonna blame that on this being so short. Either way, I’ll never say no to a badass dragon lady.
August 9, 2023
2,5/5
Um,I hardly believe that them fucking every time without having an actual conversation is them being soulmates
Everything happened so fast and there were some parts of the smut that made me cringe ,it was the terms used
Um,I hardly believe that them fucking every time without having an actual conversation is them being soulmates
Everything happened so fast and there were some parts of the smut that made me cringe ,it was the terms used
October 20, 2022
Kelsey with help from her friends to plan a diversion for the humans working for Mythia so she could steal back a medallion that she had been told was stolen from her family back for her family. A seer told Mythia that her mate was going to sneak into the castle but not what she was looking for so she made it easy for Kelsey to get inside. Mythia caught her in the room near the vault but not what Kelsey had been looking at. They both felt the mate bond pull to each other but when Kelsey touched the medallion her ancestor dragon was called to protect her. They were mated already but she told him that her family would love to talk to him about the family line and explain the things in her mother’s collection. Good book!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 10, 2024
What a wild ride. It was terrible. It was wonderful. It was fun.
September 15, 2023
I think the Narrator tone kind of kills it for me. The whole valley girl preppy voice thing really doesn't cut it for me... and the dragons voice feels more absurd than hot? A little too much gravely growl from a grandma. Theres some weird emphasis on the wrong words or wrong parts of words too.
But beyond that this is definitely a pwp with some hot aspects. If you are into possiveness and mate dynamics as well as a big fan of straps, then this is the dirty fic for you.
The time frame of the story doesn't really work here either. Its contemporary fantasy so like running cars and guns... but dragons are still protectors of a territory? It doesn't really feel like it fits together so well. Not very cohesive over all. I would have liked a little more plot and at least interactions between the primamry charcters but this still tracks as on brand from Ms Marie's works so im not all that phased.
But beyond that this is definitely a pwp with some hot aspects. If you are into possiveness and mate dynamics as well as a big fan of straps, then this is the dirty fic for you.
The time frame of the story doesn't really work here either. Its contemporary fantasy so like running cars and guns... but dragons are still protectors of a territory? It doesn't really feel like it fits together so well. Not very cohesive over all. I would have liked a little more plot and at least interactions between the primamry charcters but this still tracks as on brand from Ms Marie's works so im not all that phased.
December 18, 2023
This sounded like a fun sexy setup but the author went out of her way to defuse any narrative tension before the action started. Don't worry guys, the thief's not a REAL thief and the dragon didn't REALLY steal anything either and also they're fated mates for eternity, it'll all be fine! ... This is spelled out to the reader long before the two even meet, so that they can get straight to banging.
The 'thief' doesn't even get to do any fun sneaking around, she literally just walks through an open door.
Also, sentences tend to be extremely short and simple, and most paragraphs are one or two sentences at most. This is really not my style.
If you're just looking for hot f/f scenes with a sexy rich dragon woman this may do it for you. If you wanted some CONFLICT and sparks flying before passion takes over you will be sorely disappointed.
The 'thief' doesn't even get to do any fun sneaking around, she literally just walks through an open door.
Also, sentences tend to be extremely short and simple, and most paragraphs are one or two sentences at most. This is really not my style.
If you're just looking for hot f/f scenes with a sexy rich dragon woman this may do it for you. If you wanted some CONFLICT and sparks flying before passion takes over you will be sorely disappointed.
January 9, 2025
It was a decent read for a novella sized erotica story. I do love dragon ladies taking charge, even possessive, and being very good lovers to their partners. I wasn't quite a fan of some of the type of sexual acts they did. Just not my cup of tea. And I was hoping for a lot more fleshing out for the 'villain'/was expecting it to go a different route but it ended happily enough. I have many questions still about how the fantasy aspects of this world in a modern society that does have cars still have to deal with magic/dragons ruling over areas. We just were teased a bit and it left me wanting more. I will have to think of my own answers I suppose. I might read another story by this author sometime.
April 28, 2023
Lots of repeated phases
The story over all was good but there are several repeated descriptive words and phrases during heated scenes. Its just a weird pet peeve of mine. It was a quick read and some what predictable but I liked the fictional character mix of dragon shifters from beast and magical human.
The story over all was good but there are several repeated descriptive words and phrases during heated scenes. Its just a weird pet peeve of mine. It was a quick read and some what predictable but I liked the fictional character mix of dragon shifters from beast and magical human.
May 1, 2023
I know it is a spice romance novella but I'm so disappointed. The spice was there but the same dish several times gets boring. The characters are very forgettable. You could control f and replace the names with anything on ao3 without a problem. I feel like I'm being harsh but I have low standards and was bored.
April 30, 2024
Good short read
I loved the story line but the book would have been even better if more details within the story was present. More body to it. It was good but, too precise. I just wish there was more.
I loved the story line but the book would have been even better if more details within the story was present. More body to it. It was good but, too precise. I just wish there was more.
July 25, 2025
I'm a fan of this authors work, of shifters and of fated mates, but it takes a while to get into this particular book for me. One MC as a shifter is easy to figure out. The mystery of the second MC really makes the story special for me. The middle/core of this book was fun to uncover.
June 2, 2023
Umm, this is smut. WLW. I will say that I enjoyed every word in this book. The way the other was able to describe the ways that the dragon and her thief had sex was wonderful.
July 1, 2023
Shifters - great story
I have been binging shifters for the 4th of July- this is number three of Ariel Marie
She writes great sexy shifters. Enjoy
I have been binging shifters for the 4th of July- this is number three of Ariel Marie
She writes great sexy shifters. Enjoy
July 30, 2023
Dragon smut…what else can I say?
October 30, 2023
Forever a Favorite
Possessive, aggressive, and realistic. No fulfilling male fantasies here. This one’s for the girls. My wife and I both enjoyed this book.
Possessive, aggressive, and realistic. No fulfilling male fantasies here. This one’s for the girls. My wife and I both enjoyed this book.
January 4, 2024
Good erotica but not great as an actual adventure novel.
July 29, 2025
Erotic fated mates story on the shorter side.
April 8, 2023
It's a sweet-spicy short story, and I loved it even though it was mostly expected.
the idea was nice and also the telling
the idea was nice and also the telling
December 4, 2022
not what I was looking for
I am not familiar with this author work. I was looking for a fantasy story line and world building but end up reading more of an erotic book.
If you a looking for a short erotic lesbian book then this would definitely be the book for you.
I am not familiar with this author work. I was looking for a fantasy story line and world building but end up reading more of an erotic book.
If you a looking for a short erotic lesbian book then this would definitely be the book for you.
May 13, 2025
When I first read The Dragon and Her Thief, I didn’t rate it five stars—but after coming back to it a few times, my perspective has changed. This little book has quietly become one of my favorite comfort reads. It’s short, simple, and exactly the kind of story I reach for when I want a break from everything else.
The plot moves quickly, and while it doesn’t go super deep, it does deliver exactly what it promises: a sweet, sapphic story with shape-shifters, light tension, and just enough smut (in all the best ways) to make it fun. I love the concept of a dragon shifter paired with a thief, and the dynamic between the two leads is charming without trying too hard.
It’s not trying to be a literary epic—it’s an easy, cozy read that takes just a couple hours and lets me disappear into a fantasy world where queer women get to have strange, heated, magical adventures. That’s something I’ll never get tired of.
Recommended if you’re in the mood for something light, sapphic, and a little fantastical.
The plot moves quickly, and while it doesn’t go super deep, it does deliver exactly what it promises: a sweet, sapphic story with shape-shifters, light tension, and just enough smut (in all the best ways) to make it fun. I love the concept of a dragon shifter paired with a thief, and the dynamic between the two leads is charming without trying too hard.
It’s not trying to be a literary epic—it’s an easy, cozy read that takes just a couple hours and lets me disappear into a fantasy world where queer women get to have strange, heated, magical adventures. That’s something I’ll never get tired of.
Recommended if you’re in the mood for something light, sapphic, and a little fantastical.
November 15, 2022
Oh my gosh, this story was HAWT!!!
I’ve read a few of Ariel Marie’s FF shifter books before, but it did not prepare me for this! That first spicy scene set the tone for the whole book.
I know I sang the praises of the sexy parts, but the story itself is very good as well and had me drawn in; I read this story in two sittings. There were elements of magic I didn’t expect from a shifter story, but the author made them fit seamlessly and it enhanced the story. Awesome epilogue tied everything up into a nice bow as well.
HEA guaranteed!
I’ve read a few of Ariel Marie’s FF shifter books before, but it did not prepare me for this! That first spicy scene set the tone for the whole book.
I know I sang the praises of the sexy parts, but the story itself is very good as well and had me drawn in; I read this story in two sittings. There were elements of magic I didn’t expect from a shifter story, but the author made them fit seamlessly and it enhanced the story. Awesome epilogue tied everything up into a nice bow as well.
HEA guaranteed!
October 25, 2022
Kelsey decides to break into a castle of a dragon shifter to steal back a pendant she believes is a family heirloom. And so the fun begins.
This is a sweet shifter book with an ice queen dragon and a tougher than she looks mostly human.
I really enjoyed the humour, the world building and the storyline.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a sweet shifter book with an ice queen dragon and a tougher than she looks mostly human.
I really enjoyed the humour, the world building and the storyline.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews