The Dragon’s Fake Mate

Bad Dragon's Bride #4

by Harlow Blaze

Marrying her brutal dragon-shifter nemesis is the only way to save her friend.

Starla

Starla’s witchcraft hides a terrible secret.

She’s a rare human able to have shifter children. Her magical disguise is the only thing keeping her from becoming a dragon baby factory.

Over her dead body. She has a job. Too many people need her for a stupid destiny to upend her life.

There’s one problem. Her fated mate.

Mars, the dragon shifter’s mercenary, is her own personal demon. Hotter than sin and a stone-cold psychopath, his obsession with her threatens to ruin everything. His presence pushes her magic to its limits. If he gets too close, he’ll figure out their connection.

But when Starla’s friend goes missing, keeping Mars away isn’t an option anymore. There’s only one way to pull off an undercover rescue mission.

A fake honeymoon with the husband from hell.

Mars

The witch is hiding something.

Mars doesn’t know what, but he feels it in his bones. It draws him to her no matter how much he fights, driving him to the brink of madness. He can’t eat, can’t sleep—he even risks losing his position in his clan.

Forcing Starla to marry him is an unorthodox solution, but he’s always been a problem solver. It’s damn hard to escape an interrogation while holding hands and sharing a bed.

But the more wedding rituals he drags Starla through, the harder it is to remember that she’s the cause of all his problems. Her sweet scent and feisty temper make him dream of getting his fake wife real pregnant.

Mars won’t let his strange new emotions interfere. The honeymoon isn’t ending until he gets what he wants more than anything.

The truth. And revenge.

The Dragon’s Fake Mate is the fourth novel in the Bad Dragon’s Bride series. It can be read as a standalone—featuring its own couple, steam, and a happily ever after. However, the start of Mars and Starla’s relationship features in the previous book, The Dragon Soldier’s Mate, and reading that first will give you more context.

Genres: Paranormal, Dragons, Romance, Fantasy, Witches, Shapeshifters, Magic

249 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 8, 2023

Reviews

[MissClo]

This book had everything I needed in a romance book. Everything!

🔥 fake marriage
🔥 forced proximity
🔥 one bed
🔥 emotionally constipated hero
🔥 road trip
🔥 breeding kink
🔥 angry sex

Loved, loved, loved it!

I can’t wait for Ruby!

Also, Marcie is the most annoying/scary baby ever and I can’t wait to see more of her! One word for her: “fuggin’” hahahah

[Sonya]

If any two people deserved an HEA it was Mars and Starla. These two have been like oil and water from the beginning. Starla keep her hard exterior because she needed to be strong for the women who came to her for help

Mars has always been rough around the edges. He thought Starla cursed him. He thought his obsession with her which lead to him stalking her was caused by her putting a curse on him. Poor thing didn't realize the so called "hate" he felt for her was actually love.

Working together on a mission forced Mars and Starla to depend on one another and become vulnerable enough to let the other in.

Starla and Mars had some personal demons to face and overcome before they could truly be together. This was an enemies to lovers story of facing your demons, allowing yourself to be vulnerable and opening yourself up to the possibility of love.

[Lirio]

Non-stop adventure and a Heart-stopping storyline that leaves you guessing most of the book! At times your convinced it’s going in one direction and then “BOOM” out of nowhere you flung in the opposite direction! To say this storyline in entertaining almost seems like I’m saying it’s ‘Ok’… adjectives like thrilling, enticing, intense.. still don’t do this story justice. I also read the previous book and was not a Mars fan but loved the other characters so had to read this one….SO FREAKING GLAD I DID!!!!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Mariaan Belinfante]

What a ride. I totally loved it even though I never read the previous books, it was totally awesome as a stand alone. The build up to the end was orgasmic. Who'd think a person ok dragon devoid of emotion could change. A broken soul though feared aka the witch Starla could overcome her fears and hatred of dragons. A combination I would not have thought compatible.
I received an advanced review copy and leave this review voluntary. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book

[Candece]

I enjoyed it. It did lose a star, because I felt like Starla wasn’t as strong as the previous books made her out to be, but couple wise it was great. I’m curious where this story is going to go and end. And I’m still waiting to see Atlas again.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Soophel]

I have mixed feelings about this one. The first 75% was amazing. We meet a strong FMC who doesn't take any shit while having to rely mostly on reputation and illusions to protect herself. At the same time we get to know Mars, a dragon shifter not in touch with feelings. Like at all. The only time he has any feelings is when he is close to Starla.

The two are thrown together on a mission to save Ruby and an impromptu roadtrip gives us the opportunity to see their relationship and interactions. I personally loved the two together. his cluelessness about feelings and emotion and her sarcastic responses were funny to read and felt genuine.

So why 3 stars? The last part of the book started to really drag. Starla and Mars were stuck in a different place and even though it should have felt like they were in danger and shit was hitting the fan it just fell flat. where before I was sucked into the story and wanted to find out more, at this point of the story I just wanted to move on from the situation. After they eventually got out I expected the mission to end with a bang, but the way it was resolved just felt anticlimactic. This might have something to do with the fact that Ruby gets her own story in the next book.

I really thought this one would be my first 5 star read of 2023 when I read the first part of the book, but it wasn't meant to be.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Katy]

Starla
He was there again, across the street watching her. She didn’t have to see him; she could feel his presence there. This wasn’t good, the spell must be weakening. She was a human, a witch whose greatest powers were embedded in her Club, were she served shifters and other supernatural beings, while watching over the girls who worked for her. It protected her, allowed her to control her magic, made her stronger. She knew he would come, but she’d known at some point she wouldn’t be able to control the cursed spark. To keep it contained, not allowing it to come to life. For the last year, since he had been visiting the Cllub, the cursed spark had started to fail. Now every few days she had to re-enforce her spell to control it. She refused to become a breeding machine for a dragon!

Mars
He couldn’t stop himself from standing outside her club each night, to watch her. Drawn to her as if by some thread that he believed was a curse. A curse she had placed on him. He had to find out soon why she had cursed him, he had done nothing to her. This couldn’t go on. As a dragon enforcer, for one of the biggest eyries in the country, he was the best. He had lost all sense of feelings and emotions long ago as a child. But he could feel hatred for her, every time he got close to her, his chest would tighten with pain. It had to be hatred. Baz the King of Seattle, a powerful dragon, would settle for nothing less than perfection. These nightly visits had to stop. Then he heard to warning call. Something was wrong. He had no choice but to report back to Baz something bad had happened.

For eons, few female dragons had been born and the dragon populations were dwindling. Dragons could only mate with other dragons, with few exceptions. Humans with a dragon spark had only recently begun to surface, but until the spark awoke even the dragons couldn’t identify the human women. Baz had a sister, Ruby, who had just turned 21 and hated basically being a prisoner under her brother’s control. But if someone from one of the other eyries stole her to mate, centers of power could change. Mars was supposed to be on guard watching her, but he had left two of his best men to guard her. How had she been taken.

Starla was a powerful witch as long as she was in her club. Beyond that her powers were much weaker. Traveling through several territories that were controlled by other dragons, without permission to enter their domain, could mean war. Baz wanted to go after his sister and her abductor but if the media followed him, it would put Ruby in danger. Mars would have to go after Ruby, but he would have to appear as a human. They needed Starla’s illusion magic to shield him, making Mars appear as a human. However, being so far from her Club she couldn’t do it without help. Then, a voice gruffly intoned “I will allow it, my mate. For a price.” She would have to stay with Mars, travel all the way to Death Valley. How could she keep the spark from coming to life in such close proximity? Did she have a choice? Could she control the night mares that gave her the magic she needed to help him find Ruby and battle any trouble on the way? Controlling the night mares meant controlling your fear. If she didn’t they could destroy her.

Dragons have been my dearest companions since I was five. A story filled with dragons, witches, shifters and other beasties grabbed my attention right away. The way in which the story was written is full of imagery, I could easily see the story through Harlow Blaze’s words. It was a race against time to find Ruby before the King who had her abducted managed to woo and bed her. But it wasn’t a journey without mounds of trouble that could still create more problems for Seattle’s King. I loved Mars right away. He was a powerful being, his word defined him, so he was always on guard to never fail. He believed he was dead inside, but his actions were far more telling about who he is. His care of Starla, in spite of the fact that he believed she’d cursed him. His slightly warped sense of humor and he admission that he saw himself as broken because he couldn’t feel anything. Each had a past they were running away from that had made them a bit of a lost soul. Starla wanted control of her life since she’d had none growing up. Under her crusty exterior she was compassionate, she would put her life on the line for those that needed her help. And gave what little love she thought she had to her closet friends, of which not all were human. There is humor, friendship, love, and stupidity. One line seemed to hint that Mars wasn’t as emotionless as he believed “….she liked his dragon better when it didn’t act like a f*&$ing Shakespeare.” I highly recommend this story and Harlow Blaze’s writing. I love the characters and the storyline. I hated to see the last page, even if there is more in the series to come with other characters. There is no cliffhanger and the ending was just about perfect.

I was graciously, offered this ARC for my honest opinion of the story I read.

[Tima]

Starla, the female human witch lead, knows that she’s one of the dragon-marked women who are capable of having dragon babies. But she’s not open to that and she’s been using her magic to hide.

Mars, the male dragon shifter lead, is certain Starla has put a curse on him. There’s no other explanation for why he’d think of her constantly and feel the urge to stalk her…

When they have to pretend to be a married couple to retrieve the kidnapped sister of their city’s eyrie leader, both find themselves overwhelmed by their feelings. Now they need to work past their personal baggage to save a female and maybe create a relationship for themselves…

This story is dual POV, well written and edited, and a fantastic ending to a story arc. I LOVED both Starla and Mars, understanding their histories and why they made the choices they did. I appreciated Starla’s kindness and compassion for the world around her, as well as empathising with her fear of the future. I enjoyed Mars’ dawning awareness of emotions (yes, he is actually a psychopath ant the start) and his concern for respecting Starla’s. I enjoyed (repeatedly) their intimate interactions and the character and relationship development. I chuckled at the banter and enjoyed the integration of secondary characters and the found family theme. I’m looking forward to where the author takes this world - it’s well constructed and I’m enjoying every part of it.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.

[Melissa]

I don't know about this one. It has everything that I would like, but is somehow missing the mark for me. Dragon shifters: check; fated mates: check; strong witch female main character: check. With everything going for it I'm left feeling very just okay about it. And I really wanted to love it. Mars and Starla were fine main characters although their names are little cheesy. They have good chemistry and their interactions are fun, the spicy scenes are good and the build up to get there is filled with sexual tension.

The plot was fine, basically our MCs are on a rescue mission where they have to pretend to be newlyweds; the logic for the newlywed premise was super weak to me. While on the rescue mission there's plenty of stops along the way for all that sexual tension and eventual sexy times to happen. We see more of the dragon shifter world outside of Seattle, but it could use more explanation behind it. Which is saying something because normally I could care less about detailed world building.

This is book four of series, but BookSirens said it could be read as a standalone, however I felt like I was missing out on some plot points and some world building rules. The shifter world was interesting but not very well explained (unless it was all explained in book 1 that I missed). Overall this book was just fine, not great but not terrible either.

Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Julie]

This novel, like the 1-3 before, was completely absorbing. It drew me in from the very beginning and kept my attention throughout. Mars and Starla (the MCs) were excellent playing off eachother. They both initially present as cold and aloof, but under the hard exterior there is great pain and suffering. Each has developed a coping style. Mars faces the monsters head-on, without fears inhibitions, while Starla creates a safe-haven for herself and others like her to build a second chance.

As they progress toward Dessert Valley, and rescuing Ruby, our MCs banter goes from bickering to more civil interactions, and Mars is no longer the only one suprised by the "feelings" he has in the others presence. It will take a small miracle (okay...big one) for Starla to let down her walls for Mars - A DRAGON of all things - to really get to know HER.

There are so many unknowns yet to resolve, how could everything possibly work out for the Seattle eerie when all the cards are played? This is the one book of the series that left me feeling slightly off-kilter. (Things were addressed, I'm just not sure how I feel about everything...ya know? 🤷‍♀️) I reviewed an ARC copy of this, and the rest of the series, and had a wonderful time getting to know the members of the Seattle eerie (and mates).

[Merissa (Archaeolibrarian)]

THE DRAGON'S FAKE MATE is the fourth book in the Bad Dragon's Bride series and features Starla, the bad-ass witch who looks after her girls, and Mars, her emotionless, psychopathic stalker. We've met both of these characters before and it's hard to say which one is scarier!

I loved how both of them had a story to tell, with both of them having a rough go of it and both coming out the other side. Okay, so they're both damaged too, but when they realise that together they make a whole, it was brilliant.

For me, this book is easily the best of the series. I have thoroughly enjoyed the previous books but this one blew them out of the water. The pacing is perfect and the story flows without any wasted words. The way the trust these two find in each other was shown was sheer perfection.

I'm really REALLY hoping Diesel gets his HEA though. He's one dragon who has stolen my heart!

All in all, the jewel in the crown (so far, for me) in this series and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

[Lois Karasek]

I had a somewhat difficult time getting into the first half of the book. I don't know if was simply that I was not used to reading this genre or it was how it was written (the story flow), but once I got about half way through, I was really into it. This is a slow burn that gives new meaning to smoulder.

Starla is a witch that suffers from a traumatic childhood. Thanks to her strained relationship with her mother, who she recalls as being a really mean bitch, Starla is determined to be just the opposite. She gathers to her those who have been mistreated in life, provides for and protects them. They are "her girls." She is also being stalked. She knows her stalker only too well; Mars, a swoonworthy dragon shifter that she is determined to hate.

They say there is a fine line between love and hate. Starla and Mars' relationship is an excellent example of this old saying. Both claim they hate the other, yet they are inexorably drawn to each other, like it or not. They are bound to each other's company when the dragon king's sister is kidnapped on Mars' watch, and they have to travel to Death Valley to retrieve her. There are a lot of dangers to surmount along the way, and they will have to combine their magical resources to succeed. There's a big twist at the end not related to Mars and Starla, but aside from that, will they finally admit their true feelings?

While the story may have started out slow, it expanded into a very enjoyable tale, and I really grew to like the main characters. I think you will, too.

[Karina]

I’d been looking forward to Mars and Starla’s story so much and I wasn’t disappointed! I’m not usually one for enemies to lovers but somehow these two just had me hooked and I was rooting so hard for their happy ever after.

Glimpses of Mars from the previous books in the series presented him as a scary AF, takes no prisoners character. So he definitely needed a hard as nails female partner in crime.

Starla is an awesome angel of vengeance to her girls, the young women she saves from terrible situations and gives them a safe space and a way to get back on their feet. They are well suited in their darkness.

Interestingly, I think it was because Starla was already an established character that this book had a slightly different feel to the previous books in the series. Starla has a story to tell and it equals Mars’, if not beats it. In the previous books in the series the dragon was always the central character and his story of finding love was the main theme, whereas here I felt it was balanced between them, or even leaning more towards Starla. And I have to say I really enjoyed it!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Grinning Cat]

Hero and heroine: Mars and Starla

POV: 3rd person dual

Triggers: explicit sensual scenes, violence

Heat level: boiling

Standalone?: This is book 4 in the Bad Dragon’s Bride series but can be read as a standalone

Cliffhanger?: N

HEA: Y

This is the best book so far in the series. I always enjoy Harlow Blaze’s world building and character development. In this book, it was a delight to watch Mars learn about feelings and Starla learn to defeat her fears. And seeing him support her- totally hot. They are a believable couple who have been building up to being together for some time. The sensual tension is off the charts and bedroom scenes are hot. The book is action packed from beginning to end and was totally absorbing. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves paranormal/shifter romance. Who doesn’t love dragons?

I received an advance review copy for free and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

[Scarlett Walters]

I’d like to start with a thanks to the author for sharing the ARC of this book with me.
This has got to be the first dragon book that I thoroughly enjoyed! I loved Starla, with her glimpses of vulnerability and her constant struggle to overcome the vulnerability and help people.
Mars was a bit of an acquired taste, but then this is the first book in the series that I’ve read. His attempts at interpreting his emotions were cleverly done, but after a while it became a bit repetitive.
Not having read the earlier books in the series, which probably have a bit of backstory on why Mars thinks he’s been cursed, the start was a bit confusing as it jumps right into the curse and stalking etc. But as the story progressed, I was able to piece together what might have happened.
Loved the writing style of the author! The humour is amazing and there are so many LOL moments, it was super fun to read!

[Angie]

"It's like I've lived my whole life in the calm before the storm. Not even clouds overhead, just flat, gray nothingness. Mating with you feels like seeing the sky for the first time."

4.5 stars!

When I found out that Harlow Blaze was coming out with a new novel early this year, I knew that I wanted it to be my first book of 2023, and she did not disappoint! I've come to really crave her stories as she has such an effortless yet poignant writing style and is able to create fractured yet fearless characters who must fight for their HEA. Mars and Starla are not exempt from this as they spend ample time fighting themselves as well as each other, despite fate's push to see them together.

Nobody else could make his pulse pound in his jugular, or force his jaw to clench so tight that his teeth ground together. Longing and loathing and lust. Heaven and Hell. He wanted to break her into pieces and make her feel even a fraction of his addiction. Wanted to touch every part of her so she'd never forget his hands on her body.

Both Mars and Starla were such complex characters, each with traumatic pasts that helped form the frosty demeanors they wore in the present. Mars played the role of the heartless mercenary dragon shifter, capable of any job thrown at him. After his King's sister is kidnapped, he is forced across state lines with the one witch who makes him feel...and who has tortured him for over a year. Starla is the badass witch who is feared by shifters and cares for the lost. However, her ice queen persona is a mask she wears to protect herself and those she helps, but as she spends more and more time with Mars, her mask starts to slip and she wonders what it would be like to let destiny sweep her up. I LOVED watching Mars slowly discover his emotions, while Starla realizes that she may have been wrong to deny him. Mars was such a freaking sweetheart (while also being a badass), and I am so stoked to see what Harlow has in store for us next!

Tropes: fated mates, rejected mates, he falls first, fake relationship, road trip, protector/mercenary hero, strong heroine, shifter/witch pairing, 'soft only for you' hero, tortured heroine, domineering hero, found family, STEAMY🔥

*ARC provided by the author via Booksprout, and I voluntarily reviewed it*

[babblingaboutbooks🧡]

I really enjoyed this book but I hadn’t realise it was part of a series so I probably would have benefitted more by reading those first… although book sirens said it was a stand alone but I’m not so certain it is…

I love the FMC, she’s strong and smart and independent. And I love the MMCs strength and his cluelessness about emotions and the way he tries so hard for Starla

I really liked this book, the character building was great and the story was interesting. The only thing I didn’t like was her lying to Mars and hiding her mark, it a bit too similar to the miscommunication trope for me and that’s my least favourite trope.

If that’s your preferred trope you’ll really enjoy this!

Honestly I think I’m gonna go back to the beginning and then do a reread…

I am leaving this review voluntarily and was gifted an arc copy.

[Nikenya Rodney]

Wow!!! This paranormal romance was kind of different for me but I loved every moment of it. There was intrigue, suspense, angst and passion. This story was fantastic. Mars is drawn to Starla. He doesn’t know why he can’t stay away fro her. He thinks that she has used her magic to curse him. Starla knows that she and Mars are mates but she blocks the connection with her magic. She is afraid of what her life will be like as a dragon’s mate. Her fears stem from her tumultuous childhood. She and Mars get to know each other while they search for the missing dragon princess. They realize that they have so much in common. Just when things seems to be working out for them they face unforeseen challenges. They manage to overcome their issues and live HEA. 4.3 stars

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[MammaDi3Gatti]

I liked this fourth book in the series better than the first few, mostly because we finally get a strong heroine who isn't painfully young or inexperienced. I'd had high hopes for Starla, and for the most part, she didn't disappoint. That said, parts of the book were a little bit hard to follow because they existed in a dream world rather than everyday life. Metaphor reads okay, but I don't appreciate it as much as I do a more straightforward story.

The Mars/Starla story has been teased for several books now. Mars is portrayed as an emotionless psychopath who is convinced that the feelings in his chest when he's around Starla are a result of her--a witch--cursing him. It's pretty cute following his confusion as he tries to sort out which emotions are responsible for the different feelings in his chest.

The basic plot line that brings Starla and Mars together finally is a quest that takes them from Seattle to the California desert to try to locate a dragon princess who was kidnapped from their eyrie. In the end, the kidnapping plays very little part of the storyline. It's more about Mars and Starla learning the truths about each other and eventually giving into their attraction and mating bond. As I said earlier, the metaphorical dream world that much of their soul searching exists in is little bit off putting, but it also works rather well for this particular couple. They're both so dark and yet so sweet and adorable, it's hard to resist them.

I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, which seems to be Ruby's with another dragon king who makes a cameo appearance in Starla and Mars' novel.

I received an ARC of this book from the author and BookSirens. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!

[Mary Kirkland]

Starla is a powerful witch who owns a club and gives women a place to work and stay when they need help. But most don't realize that her club is where she's most powerful. She knows Mars watches her from the darkness and she knows why but she keeps him at arms length because she doesn't want to get involved with a dragon shifter.

Mars is a powerful dragon shifter who has been pretty much stalking Starla because even though he isn't able to feel emotions like others, he feels something for her. He thinks she put a curse on him and that's why he's obsessed with her but that's not it and she's hiding a secret.

These two get thrown together when Ruby, a dragon shifting princess is kidnapped and her brother the king needs their help to get her back. Mars is tasked with rescuing Ruby and Starla, being a powerful witch is there to help him. But their forced proximity is wreaking havoc with walls that Starla has put up to keep her feelings about Mars from showing and the secret she's been hiding is about to burst free, literally.

I've been reading this book from the start and I've been waiting for their book because I wanted to know what was stopping Starla from falling for Mars. This was such a good book and I'm so happy that we finally have their book and more info on Starla because she was such a mystery.

I can't recommend this series enough, especially if you like dragons shifters, great world building and paranormal romance.

Disclosure: I was given an e-ARC copy of this book via BookSprout but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kathleen]

Oh my! This last installment is as captivating and yet different. It's from an enemies to lovers perspective but there's so much more to it. The author did a great job of preparing us for this one through the previous instalments. While you can read it as a standalone, it makes much more sense if you've read it in the order they come.

Both main characters have hard personalities and are badasses on their own but once they fully come together, you can feel their depth and power despite the darkness that both inhabits them.

I appreciate that the author balanced the story and gave us time and context for closure. Also, throughout the series, has been paths of discovery and healing for all the characters and I absolutely love that.

[Heather]

Loved this!!

I am totally loving these Bad Dragon's books! This book specifically is Starla and Mars' story. Starla is the witch who is also the Dragon kings wife's best friend. She calls Mars her stalker since he's been hanging around for a year... well stalking her. Mars is trying to figure out how Starla cursed him since he's developed some feelings and he's known for not having any.

Baz's sister, a rare female born dragon, has been kidnapped so Starla and Mars are sent to retrieve her. Along the way, they can't hide their attraction for each other but Starla knows that Mars won't want her if he finds out her secret. And that secret is a doozie!!!

Loved it and can't wait for Ruby's story!

I received an ARC for my honest review!

[Shelley G]

Wow best book yet. This was an amazing story of two badly damaged ppl who find love redemption true strength complete wholeness and more when they finally have the courage to accept their mate bond. This story is absolutely packed full of emotions self discovery darkness meeting light strength character and so much more. I couldn't put it down I was mesmerized by the very well written plot the dynamic nature of the characters and all the action that was happening. This book is beyond fantastic and is the ultimate end to this part of the series. Fabulous job this is a must read but read them in order first it's so much better when u get to know all the characters.
I received an arc copy from book sirens and this is my honest voluntary review.

[Brad]

Mars and Starla are not new to those who have been reading the series. The tension between them has been obvious since the first book.

Now, it's their turn. Mars thinks Starla (a witch) has cursed him and Starla is hiding a secret. When Ruby (whom Mars is supposed to be protecting) is kidnapped, Mars and Starla head off as an unwilling duo to retrieve Ruby.

Being forced together starts to unravel the barriers they have both put in place. There are some interesting twists that keep the plot moving and the action interesting.

The character development is good and the world view remains consistent with the rest of the series.

The ending has a bit of a surprise and, of course, a set up for future books int he series.

[Kayla]

worth the read

This book was quite different from the first 3 books. The eyrie was only in the book here and there. Most of it was spent with Mars and Starla on the road. Mars doesn’t feel emotions. He’s calculating, mean, and cold. It allows him to do his job without pesky emotions clouding his judgement. However, it also means he can’t FEEL anything. At least, he can’t until he meets Starla. Starla is a witch who acts cold to keep people at arms length. She has a soft spot for women who need help, but she never asks for help herself. She’s actually kind, softhearted, and scared inside. Her and Mars’s journey was rough, but they earned their HEA with blood, sweat, and tears. I enjoyed this book.

[SI Vann]

The story about Mars and Starla’s romance connects witches, dragons and a plethora of magic to open the reader up to a world where even the powerful magical beings deal with the same vile problems humans do.

The perceived change for both MCs from cold, harsh dragon and witch into love-sotten, caring beings was bedded in a turbulent story about the trouble dragons face reproducing due to the dire lack of female dragons. In the end, love might conquer all. I really enjoyed the book and look forward to more in the series about fated mates shifter romances.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Avid]

I love new twists on arranged fake matings. In this case, helping rescue a friend seems to be a no-brainer... until it isn't.
Like the other books in the series, the chemistry, secondary characters, and world building are solid. I loved the unintended yet humorous banter between the Mars and Starla.
What happens when meeting your fated mate comes with some complications - like interfering with your life plan? This was an excellent story.

I highly recommend this no-cliffhanger standalone in the series to this who like a bit of spice, humor, and adventures their reads.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maddy Kirby Baker]

I think Harlow Blaze is a spectacular. Her characters just seem to have some amazingly dimensional personalities that are able to really bring her stories to life. Baz and Ava will have my heart forever but wowza, Mars and Starla are a close second for sure. The tension and emotions between this couple is off the charts and I truly do love me a moody goth couple.
One of my very few critiques is that I felt the story was maybe too fast paced for the character arcs and I was a little upset that Starla didn’t get closure with her awful family, but you know, win some lose some.

I cannot wait to read more from this author 🖤

[Breanna Nicole]

The book started slow but picked up within the first 4 chapters. In the book, you follow Mars and Starla on their mission to save Ruby who was kidnapped by rival dragons.

For me, it was 3 stars. It didn't go into much depth about certain things that I felt needed it. I felt like I was missing a lot. I got the book from book sirens and it said it could be read as a standalone, which I don't believe you can.

The characters were great, I loved Starla and Mars. It had all my favorite tropes in it. It was a nice quick read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Stephanie Crosslin]

Starla and Mars... I had an inkling that she was hiding the mark.
After Ruby is kidnapped by that weird shadow dragon, Mars and Starla embark on a journey to find her and keep her safe.

Throughout this, they both end up working through their own childhood trauma and come together.

Seriously, I love them both so much. I loved reading the journey of these two souls.

I did get an ARC copy of this book, and I'm not getting any compensation for leaving a review. I am leaving an honest review on my own because I love it.