A cozy fantasy romance set in a magical little town.
Characters
- Saphira, the sweet, outgoing cafe owner with big dreams
- Aiden, eldest child of a dragon-riding family who probably prefers plants over people
- Sparky, the mischievous baby dragon Aiden's late brother left him
- Lavinia, Saphira's bestie assistant/friend who is working towards veterinary school
- Theo, a baker and Lavinia's best friend (whom Lavinia definitely does not have a crush on...)
What I Liked
All the characters (well, most of them) were quite sweet and lovable, and I love how they're unapologetically themselves. I also enjoyed reading about all the little dragons and their behaviors (both good and naughty xD), especially Sparky!
The descriptions of different places and experiences were well-written, and I could feel like I was walking alongside the characters during each scene. In addition, the mention of food, especially Theo's South Asian fusion desserts, made my mouth water.
What I Wished For
The pace felt a little slow, but it made sense considering the vibe of the story.
I do wish the world was a bit more developed, or at least that we got to see more of it, especially in terms of the broader magical community and other creatures. The rider-dragon bond (vs. the trainer-dragon relationship) is also a bit unclear, especially when it comes to a dragon bonding with multiple riders. While Sparky and his training is a plotline, the focus is definitely on the budding romance between Aiden and Saphira. I'd certainly love to read more about dragon riding and culture, as well as the other magical creatures in the world.