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The Heart of a Dragon Tamer
Jude has a complicated relationship with his unusual powers: he’s scared to use them and scared to be without them. No one knows what happened to his parents. No one remembers them. He’s left to grapple life as an orphan for most of his youth.
Everything changes when he’s reunited with this father. He discovers his family is one of the oldest wizarding families next to Merlin. As a Prince, he’s expected to abide the four Prince tenets which includes taking a vow of chastity and entering a marriage that’s been arranged by his father. Wizarding families tend to be old-fashioned and eccentric so it’s not surprising, but it makes dating tough.
Things get weird. His nemesis becomes a valuable ally or well, in the least, a hijinks co-conspirator—Jude’s not sure.
But his world truly spins on its axis when he meets Charlie, handsome and powerful dragon tamer. Jude falls hard for the iron-handed redhead despite him being an insufferable clodpole who thinks he can tell Jude what to do.
“You don’t have dragons, love. You tame them and hope they come back to you,” said the dragon tamer once and that about sums up their relationship, which blossoms and deepens over nine years. But getting married when you’re a Prince? That’s a whole other Merlinforsaken ordeal. If Jude and Charlie can’t meet the Prince requirements for marriage, the ancient Prince name will end with his father.
The Heart of A Dragon Tamer is a long-arse novel that has a dreamy, redheaded dragon tamer who finds his soulmate and gives him the care he needs. It’s a captivating novel about the families we’re born into, and those that we make for ourselves.
Everything changes when he’s reunited with this father. He discovers his family is one of the oldest wizarding families next to Merlin. As a Prince, he’s expected to abide the four Prince tenets which includes taking a vow of chastity and entering a marriage that’s been arranged by his father. Wizarding families tend to be old-fashioned and eccentric so it’s not surprising, but it makes dating tough.
Things get weird. His nemesis becomes a valuable ally or well, in the least, a hijinks co-conspirator—Jude’s not sure.
But his world truly spins on its axis when he meets Charlie, handsome and powerful dragon tamer. Jude falls hard for the iron-handed redhead despite him being an insufferable clodpole who thinks he can tell Jude what to do.
“You don’t have dragons, love. You tame them and hope they come back to you,” said the dragon tamer once and that about sums up their relationship, which blossoms and deepens over nine years. But getting married when you’re a Prince? That’s a whole other Merlinforsaken ordeal. If Jude and Charlie can’t meet the Prince requirements for marriage, the ancient Prince name will end with his father.
The Heart of A Dragon Tamer is a long-arse novel that has a dreamy, redheaded dragon tamer who finds his soulmate and gives him the care he needs. It’s a captivating novel about the families we’re born into, and those that we make for ourselves.
818 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 20, 2021
41 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
S. Legend
25 books388 followersSome of you know her as Mock, others as S. Legend, or Miss S. She welcomes all names but will often go by Mock, a name given to her by her readers.
Mock is an ambitious creative, weaving the most precious aspects of her soul into stories. She is an architect, building fascinating worlds, designed from inquiry, rooted in worldly wonderings. It’s an intuitive process where she is the scribe, the translator, the conduit.
It helped that storytelling was the language spoken at home. One simply didn’t say, “We have an ant infestation,” in Mock’s family it was, “I was on my way to the living room, when a peculiar ant crossed my path. I looked to my right, a suspicious line of them marched toward the pantry. In that moment I knew; my kitchen was under siege.” The natural flow of conversation always took this form.
And so.
When Mock wrote her first novel, she didn’t plan it chapter by chapter, there was no outline, no “plotting” to speak of. But she didn’t “pants” it either, she didn’t make it up as she went along. She knew how the story felt, where it curved in places and hollowed in others; she knew the destination it rushed toward. Instead of orchestrating, she let the world inspire her, and held space for the words to come, trusting the characters knew what they were doing. All she had to do was tell a story, as she always had done; like breathing.
This is her peace, her healing and solace: Gifts better shared.
Mock’s works are the comfort you seek when you need to come home. Her unique writing style will take you, wayfaring reader, to unexpected destinations.
She always says, “I’m not in the business of making up stories, I couldn’t if I tired. I’m lucky enough to get picked to share someone else’s story when I ask a question to the universe. Someone answers; I write it down.”
Mock is an ambitious creative, weaving the most precious aspects of her soul into stories. She is an architect, building fascinating worlds, designed from inquiry, rooted in worldly wonderings. It’s an intuitive process where she is the scribe, the translator, the conduit.
It helped that storytelling was the language spoken at home. One simply didn’t say, “We have an ant infestation,” in Mock’s family it was, “I was on my way to the living room, when a peculiar ant crossed my path. I looked to my right, a suspicious line of them marched toward the pantry. In that moment I knew; my kitchen was under siege.” The natural flow of conversation always took this form.
And so.
When Mock wrote her first novel, she didn’t plan it chapter by chapter, there was no outline, no “plotting” to speak of. But she didn’t “pants” it either, she didn’t make it up as she went along. She knew how the story felt, where it curved in places and hollowed in others; she knew the destination it rushed toward. Instead of orchestrating, she let the world inspire her, and held space for the words to come, trusting the characters knew what they were doing. All she had to do was tell a story, as she always had done; like breathing.
This is her peace, her healing and solace: Gifts better shared.
Mock’s works are the comfort you seek when you need to come home. Her unique writing style will take you, wayfaring reader, to unexpected destinations.
She always says, “I’m not in the business of making up stories, I couldn’t if I tired. I’m lucky enough to get picked to share someone else’s story when I ask a question to the universe. Someone answers; I write it down.”
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 27, 2022
What I usually write but with wizards and dragons! And Charlie is just divine. Available Now!
ETA: April 27th, 2022
I cannot stress to everyone enough: Read the introduction before proceeding. This book is about the thing I ALWAYS write about. It's actually one of my very favourites for this reason and there's not a single thing I would change about it. It brings me so much joy. I do know it won't be what's right for everyone, but by reading the introduction (which can be accessed by the "look inside" feature before you purchase) we can avoid a reader perhaps reading a book that really won't be for them. It is written in exactly the way it will bring the best feels of the nature I'm aiming for, including beginning the story where it begins.
This book is written for people like me so they would have some content to access. There is so little. I want to make sure it reaches those people and anyone else who might like to learn about us.
Thanks!
Love,
Mock
Above: Edits by Mock with photos from Shutterstock and some Photoshop magic!
Above: Some amazing edits done for me by @reader_abee with some art by @nadiapolyakova89
Finally you can see Jude!
ETA: April 27th, 2022
I cannot stress to everyone enough: Read the introduction before proceeding. This book is about the thing I ALWAYS write about. It's actually one of my very favourites for this reason and there's not a single thing I would change about it. It brings me so much joy. I do know it won't be what's right for everyone, but by reading the introduction (which can be accessed by the "look inside" feature before you purchase) we can avoid a reader perhaps reading a book that really won't be for them. It is written in exactly the way it will bring the best feels of the nature I'm aiming for, including beginning the story where it begins.
This book is written for people like me so they would have some content to access. There is so little. I want to make sure it reaches those people and anyone else who might like to learn about us.
Thanks!
Love,
Mock
Above: Edits by Mock with photos from Shutterstock and some Photoshop magic!
Above: Some amazing edits done for me by @reader_abee with some art by @nadiapolyakova89
Finally you can see Jude!
May 4, 2022
ARC Reader
Warning for vague spoilers
Most of us read to relax or escape from the craziness around us. S Legend and Heart of A Dragon Tamer will do just that. This book is a long read (YAY!) and I loved every page. Legend pulls you in from the start, setting a wonderful stage to this magical world. You go on a journey with Jude (from unloved orphan to beloved child), Charlie (who is part dragon, part spanking expert), Rycroft (look up spoiled brat and he'll be there), and the adorable Elton (seriously I wanna hug this guy). Jude and Charlie spark from the start, their interactions as sexy as they were emotional and humorous. This book had me laughing, crying and so sunk into the world, when I put the book down, it feels like I'm waking from a dream. And c'mon, Charlie is smokin! Whew. All around, I highly recommend this book and really anything from this writer.
Warning for vague spoilers
Most of us read to relax or escape from the craziness around us. S Legend and Heart of A Dragon Tamer will do just that. This book is a long read (YAY!) and I loved every page. Legend pulls you in from the start, setting a wonderful stage to this magical world. You go on a journey with Jude (from unloved orphan to beloved child), Charlie (who is part dragon, part spanking expert), Rycroft (look up spoiled brat and he'll be there), and the adorable Elton (seriously I wanna hug this guy). Jude and Charlie spark from the start, their interactions as sexy as they were emotional and humorous. This book had me laughing, crying and so sunk into the world, when I put the book down, it feels like I'm waking from a dream. And c'mon, Charlie is smokin! Whew. All around, I highly recommend this book and really anything from this writer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2021
A MUST READ!
I started reading this book and was instantly invested in the lives of these characters.
Possible SPOILERS:
Jude was abandoned and abused. When his father, Mads Payne, finally is able to connect with him again, he gives Jude the family he never had and always longed for. The only one who can help him control the powers within him. Then comes Charlie, dragon tamer, disciplinarian, wild and sexy. The descriptions of the author paint a picture better than I could ever explain.
One of my favorites being, “His long red hair flies and flickers resembling licking flames. He’s a lion on a hunt. A solid wall of mountainside. Danger. “
Jude desires the feeling and knowledge that someone cares for him and will see to it that he takes care of himself. Charlie gives him that and so much more. He helps to keep Jude’s power in control. This book is their story. I could read chapter after chapter of the everyday interactions between these two and never be bored.
The author adds characters and relationships and instead of confusing or blurring the storyline, it makes the reader just want to follow each storyline individually. It’s magic when they all come together. And I challenge the reader not to fall in love with all of them.
I can’t wait for more!
I started reading this book and was instantly invested in the lives of these characters.
Possible SPOILERS:
Jude was abandoned and abused. When his father, Mads Payne, finally is able to connect with him again, he gives Jude the family he never had and always longed for. The only one who can help him control the powers within him. Then comes Charlie, dragon tamer, disciplinarian, wild and sexy. The descriptions of the author paint a picture better than I could ever explain.
One of my favorites being, “His long red hair flies and flickers resembling licking flames. He’s a lion on a hunt. A solid wall of mountainside. Danger. “
Jude desires the feeling and knowledge that someone cares for him and will see to it that he takes care of himself. Charlie gives him that and so much more. He helps to keep Jude’s power in control. This book is their story. I could read chapter after chapter of the everyday interactions between these two and never be bored.
The author adds characters and relationships and instead of confusing or blurring the storyline, it makes the reader just want to follow each storyline individually. It’s magic when they all come together. And I challenge the reader not to fall in love with all of them.
I can’t wait for more!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2021
This book is a story and a half! There’s magic, dragons, romance, adventure, and lots of spanks 🤣 We follow Jude from childhood to him turning 25. Judy is an adorable character, and I can see why so many people love him. He’s gone through a lot and his life is never boring, and his story has many twists and turns. The supporting characters are amazing, Wells, Mads, Elton, Noah, and of course Charlie. Charlie may be an alpha dragon tamer, but he has a heart of gold when it comes to Jude ❤️ there’s so many beautiful relationships in this book! Another beautiful, magical tale by S. Legend!
December 26, 2021
Beautiful Story
I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. From the cover and title I thought it would be jam-packed with action, similar to Tristan's books, but it isn't. From the excerpt of the second book in this series, it seems maybe there will be action then. I don't know. But once I realized it wasn't action, action, and more action I took in what it actually was.
This story is a lovely one full of finding and creating family, memories, and embracing yourself and love. All of the characters in this book are so vibrant and amazing I'd read a book about each one individually. The way they all come together and mesh made me so happy. What I wouldn't give to have something similar to Jude and friends during the Flat Years.
Watching Jude and Wells find love was fantastic. Meeting Ellie was the same moment I feel in love with Ellie. And getting to appreciate Charlie and Noah (their relationship to the others and with each other) was perfection. It is amazing how Mock creates that family feel.
I can't wait for the next book in this series and the next book from Mock in general. Another excellent story!
I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. From the cover and title I thought it would be jam-packed with action, similar to Tristan's books, but it isn't. From the excerpt of the second book in this series, it seems maybe there will be action then. I don't know. But once I realized it wasn't action, action, and more action I took in what it actually was.
This story is a lovely one full of finding and creating family, memories, and embracing yourself and love. All of the characters in this book are so vibrant and amazing I'd read a book about each one individually. The way they all come together and mesh made me so happy. What I wouldn't give to have something similar to Jude and friends during the Flat Years.
Watching Jude and Wells find love was fantastic. Meeting Ellie was the same moment I feel in love with Ellie. And getting to appreciate Charlie and Noah (their relationship to the others and with each other) was perfection. It is amazing how Mock creates that family feel.
I can't wait for the next book in this series and the next book from Mock in general. Another excellent story!
March 16, 2022
Firstly, this is a BIG book... if that's your jam you'll love it...if not the author does have it broken down (within the chapters listing) into 3 books... so if you're a slow reader like me you definitely can break it up somewhat (which definitely worked for me). There's so much that happens in this book so my review may sound a little like ramblings.
So we have these two main characters, Jude and Charlie, that are wonderful and with sparks flying from the moment they meet. Oh and wow what a first kiss they had...hair pulling, up against the wall, it was hot as all get out and all the art work depicting it (plus lots of other scenes throughout) by Artsy Ape so amazing. Well don't take it wrong as this book is all about the slow burn, getting to know each other, marriage contracts, arranged marriages etc. I'm not really used to the slow burn it seems so I kept looking for the action to happen (so to speak)...but don't worry as with all Miss Mock's stories and characters you'll be pulled into the story regardless. Then when they do get to the smexy times they seriously make up for lost time!!
Gosh I feel like my review is gonna be so long...sorry for that!! What I wanted to say was that this didn't feel like it had two mc's to me as we've got Wells, Noah, and Elton (as a throuple) then all five together as a polyamorous relationship...family really is more like it.
So I did it again ...Wells comes on the scene and I'm like nah I'm not sure if I like him and then BAM ...I completely fell in love with him...he's definitely my favorite character! A complete brat, a little disrespectful, an instigator of sorts but gah the way he loves Jude and Elton (and of course Noah and Charlie) it just stole my heart! ... "I could love you because when I’m with you, I love myself . I can love myself because you allow me to be authentically me." Wells to Jude. Oh and their wedding scene at 82% sooo sweet and brought on the tears.
With 765+ pages there's lots of quotes and references to make ...lots more other characters to love like Mads, Lucian, all of Charlie's family, the dragons we can't forget them and so on...you'll just have to read it to absorb it all.
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review and this is it. I also not only highly recommend this book but this amazingly talented author. She has such a way of telling a grand story!! Definitely 5 stars!!
So we have these two main characters, Jude and Charlie, that are wonderful and with sparks flying from the moment they meet. Oh and wow what a first kiss they had...hair pulling, up against the wall, it was hot as all get out and all the art work depicting it (plus lots of other scenes throughout) by Artsy Ape so amazing. Well don't take it wrong as this book is all about the slow burn, getting to know each other, marriage contracts, arranged marriages etc. I'm not really used to the slow burn it seems so I kept looking for the action to happen (so to speak)...but don't worry as with all Miss Mock's stories and characters you'll be pulled into the story regardless. Then when they do get to the smexy times they seriously make up for lost time!!
Gosh I feel like my review is gonna be so long...sorry for that!! What I wanted to say was that this didn't feel like it had two mc's to me as we've got Wells, Noah, and Elton (as a throuple) then all five together as a polyamorous relationship...family really is more like it.
So I did it again ...Wells comes on the scene and I'm like nah I'm not sure if I like him and then BAM ...I completely fell in love with him...he's definitely my favorite character! A complete brat, a little disrespectful, an instigator of sorts but gah the way he loves Jude and Elton (and of course Noah and Charlie) it just stole my heart! ... "I could love you because when I’m with you, I love myself . I can love myself because you allow me to be authentically me." Wells to Jude. Oh and their wedding scene at 82% sooo sweet and brought on the tears.
With 765+ pages there's lots of quotes and references to make ...lots more other characters to love like Mads, Lucian, all of Charlie's family, the dragons we can't forget them and so on...you'll just have to read it to absorb it all.
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review and this is it. I also not only highly recommend this book but this amazingly talented author. She has such a way of telling a grand story!! Definitely 5 stars!!
December 26, 2021
ARC review: this is the largest book I've read by the lovely S. Legend and like with her other books, it hooked me from the start.
The story of Jude is an interesting one. Starting with a horrible childhood of abandonment and mistreatment, moving into his teen years where he discovers himself in both sexual and non-sexual ways, to him coming of age.
He meets Charlie while still in his teens and although they butt heads in the beginning, the attraction is there and it's so sweet how Jude can bring Charlie to his knees with just a look.
Charlie is an alpha male dragon tamer and let me tell you I wouldn't kick him out of my bed in the morning (wink) however there's a soft side to this alpha and it's a welcome change as most alphas in other books are always hard and brooding.
The only reason I'm giving this book 4.5 Stars is that there was a lot of information to take in and it did get overwhelming at times, especially when a conversation was taking place where no inner monologue was there to break it up.
And like every other book by S. Legend there's no lack of spankings or spice. Beautiful story of a healer and his dragon tamer.
The story of Jude is an interesting one. Starting with a horrible childhood of abandonment and mistreatment, moving into his teen years where he discovers himself in both sexual and non-sexual ways, to him coming of age.
He meets Charlie while still in his teens and although they butt heads in the beginning, the attraction is there and it's so sweet how Jude can bring Charlie to his knees with just a look.
Charlie is an alpha male dragon tamer and let me tell you I wouldn't kick him out of my bed in the morning (wink) however there's a soft side to this alpha and it's a welcome change as most alphas in other books are always hard and brooding.
The only reason I'm giving this book 4.5 Stars is that there was a lot of information to take in and it did get overwhelming at times, especially when a conversation was taking place where no inner monologue was there to break it up.
And like every other book by S. Legend there's no lack of spankings or spice. Beautiful story of a healer and his dragon tamer.
January 6, 2022
I was lucky enough to be gifted an ARC of this book, and started gobbling it up straight away!! And boy, is it a mammoth task!! It’s not one I shied away from though - my motto is always the longer the better!! This one did not disappoint!! And of course it’s a Mock Masterpiece - I knew there was no way I wouldn’t love it!!
There was something of everything in here that I’ve come to love and expect from S. Legend - found family (a personal favourite trope of mine!!), enough emotion to rip your heart out and make you cry (I kinda love it though!!), cowboys of course (Noah *heart eyes*); scrummy tops (who give you *that* feeling); mischievous brats (all of who make you laugh out loud with their antics!!) and last but not least - the spankings!! (did you expect any less?!)
This book was everything I love and more!! It was beautifully written, emotionally pulling in all directions and too good to put down!!
If magic, dragons and brats are your thing then you’ll love this!!
There was something of everything in here that I’ve come to love and expect from S. Legend - found family (a personal favourite trope of mine!!), enough emotion to rip your heart out and make you cry (I kinda love it though!!), cowboys of course (Noah *heart eyes*); scrummy tops (who give you *that* feeling); mischievous brats (all of who make you laugh out loud with their antics!!) and last but not least - the spankings!! (did you expect any less?!)
This book was everything I love and more!! It was beautifully written, emotionally pulling in all directions and too good to put down!!
If magic, dragons and brats are your thing then you’ll love this!!
December 31, 2021
First, I love S. Legend! They bring a fresh take on a genre that tends to get repetitive. Second, male/male stories are hot! And this one burns the house down. Third, spanking in the disciplinary sense is not a subject you generally see outside of fan fiction, so it is wonderful to see this in a main streamed book! Combine this with magic, characters that are relatable and HOT!, add in some dragons, some angst and great male friendships and you have a winner!
While I did greatly enjoy her other three books, this one is by far my favourite and will hold a special place in my heart! I highly recommend reading this book and immersing yourself in a world where magic happens, dragons are real and two men can love each other freely!
While I did greatly enjoy her other three books, this one is by far my favourite and will hold a special place in my heart! I highly recommend reading this book and immersing yourself in a world where magic happens, dragons are real and two men can love each other freely!
March 17, 2022
Holy Wow!
I love this story. I love all the couples and the spanking lol Brats are the best. This is my first time reading one of her novels and I have to say that I’m impressed. I highly recommend reading this book. It’ll put you in the feels.
I love this story. I love all the couples and the spanking lol Brats are the best. This is my first time reading one of her novels and I have to say that I’m impressed. I highly recommend reading this book. It’ll put you in the feels.
January 27, 2022
Loved this book!
I completely loved the story, the world created and the emotions I felt. I ended up invested in all of the characters and I'll be looking for the next book!
I completely loved the story, the world created and the emotions I felt. I ended up invested in all of the characters and I'll be looking for the next book!
October 12, 2022
So good!
Didn't want it to end! Was so good I could have read it forever. Can't wait to read the next, book. So happy there is a sequel.
Didn't want it to end! Was so good I could have read it forever. Can't wait to read the next, book. So happy there is a sequel.
January 9, 2022
I loved reading this it was a wonderful book with a wonderful family I’m glad it started from when he was young and we got to see a lot of milestones of their lives and can’t wait for more
April 27, 2022
I decided to delete my previous review and make a new one. When I wrote the previous one, I was angry. I acted like a troll, and it was uncalled for. I’ve read the Tristan series by this author (which I highly recommend. I’ve already preordered the third one), and I know they can do better than this.
First, the Pros:
The copy editing in this is good, which is very important to me. The dialog is engaging and well written. The characters are diverse, have unique personalities, and are well developed. The character's relationships are fun and fully formed. I especially love Jude’s relationship with Wells and Charlie. They have significant interactions and super fun banter, and I really enjoy all of Well’s scheming. Once you get into book two, the world-building is pretty good. It could use a little more development to make it more of an original work, but overall, it leaves me wanting more. The way the magic works is some of the most unique storytelling I’ve ever read: no wands, just this fantastic understanding, and manipulation of energy. I freaking adore the ploy relationships. They give me all the feels.
Everything got fun, fast-paced, and exciting once I got about 85% into the book. It was still a little preachy, but it relied more on “showing” the established characters and relationships. The pacing was great, the action was engaging, and I loved the ending. Bonus for the excerpt for the next book; it was excellent. So very well written and edited. That’s why I know this book could be just as great from the beginning.
## Spoiler Warning ##
The cons:
The first “book” is fanfiction, and it just needs to go.
Jude Parker is a sixteen-year-old wizard. When he was a baby, something terrible happened to his parents, and a mysterious witch and wizard showed up at his aunt and uncle’s house, where they left him to be raised by them. The only way to protect him from danger is to create a shield spell that only people related to him by blood can pass through. He goes to a boarding school for kids with magical abilities where his two best friends are Brianna, a bossy know-it-all, and Preston Westley, a troublemaker with red hair. Preston Westley comes from an ancient wizarding family. He has nine brothers, all with red hair, which his family is famous for. His parents are poor but kind, and they become like a family to Jude.
Jude’s nemesis at school is Wells Rycroft. A spoiled, mean, rich kid with blond hair and a bad attitude. He comes from an ancient wizarding family, and his father’s name is Lucien. The Potions Master is a man with long dark hair who wears long dark robes at school. Jude and Preston are always getting into trouble, and the Potions Master is the one who catches them and punishes them. At school, Jude is rich because his parents left him a bank vault full of gold. He is poor, abused, and neglected at his aunt and uncle's house, but he can’t leave because of the protection spell.
Three guesses as to which fandom this is. First two don’t count.
Here’s where it deviates from cannon.
During Jude’s childhood, he knows he’s a wizard, and he starts at wizarding school from the beginning, called first grade in the US; not sure if it’s the same in the UK. His aunt and uncle don’t have any kids, and they live on a working farm. Early on, his aunt dies, and his uncle blames Jude’s magic. He was well taken care of by his aunt, who loved him, but when she died, his uncle made him live in the barn, work on the farm from sun up to sundown, and starved him. He can’t leave the farm at all. Ever. Not to go to the store or take a walk to the neighbors, and only people related to him by blood can come on the property. Which doesn’t explain his uncle; his aunt was his mom’s sister.
He has to be escorted to and from school by a witch, who is his guardian and can authorize his use of magic, but she doesn’t work at the school. She can come and go through the shield at the farm whenever she wants. He is also visited at the farm by a fox who can come and go as he pleases. Jude complains to the fox and talks to him about his life. The fox is his only companion until one day, his guardian shows up and tells him to stop talking to the fox because he’s “upsetting everyone.” None of that matters because the fox and the woman never come back after that. After that, every year, the Potions Master, Mads Payne, drops Jude off and picks him up because Mads can also go through the barrier whenever he wants. None of these events tips off Jude.
Then one day, when he’s 16, Potions Master Payne shows up to take him away. Except the Potions Master is his father. His nemesis with long black hair and a long, black cape shows up and says, “I am your father.” Literally. Was that crossover intentional? Also, it turns out the Potions Master’s name isn’t Payne; you guessed it, it’s Prince. *sigh*
It turns out Jude had three parents. The fox was his shapeshifter dad, and the witch who was his first guardian was his mom. They are both dead now. During a war, Jude’s parents were forced to spy for the evil wizard Otto. Otto forced them to abandon their son and put a spell on the world so no one would remember Jude’s parents, and his parents couldn’t tell him who they were. Except now, the Evil Wizard Otto is dead, so the problem is solved, and his dad can come to get him.
I could have gotten on board with the original parts of the story, except it sets the rest of the book up in an incongruous way. It’s almost like they’re different stories entirely…
While I was reading the first book, I expected it to be part of the build-up to the rest of the story, but it ends up being way too much back story. It slows the plot and the action and makes the book unnecessarily long. By the time the story gets going, Jude’s other parents are dead, the evil wizard Otto is dead, and all of the on-page action with these characters or about these characters is irrelevant to the story. Jude easily could have grown up with his father, sans the evil wizard Otto, and it would have had no effect on his character or the rest of the plot. Once Mads takes custody of him, Jude just accepts it and moves on; it doesn’t shape his future actions.
Then there’s the chastity. It’s an ancient tradition in wizard families for young people to wear a chastity belt from the age of 13 until they are married at the age of majority, which is 25 in the wizarding world. They’re required to be “pure” when they’re married. The spell on the chastity device even keeps him from masturbating or having an orgasm. Jude’s father requires him to start wearing the thing immediately, and Jude does it with hardly a complaint. A 16-year-old male is told he won’t even be able to have an orgasm until he’s 25 and married…and he just does it. He does try to find other ways to get off. He dates other boys, and those relationships lead to several scenes that border on sexually explicit. While he’s a minor. I’m middle-aged. I don’t want to read about sexual situations involving teenagers; it’s creepy and gross. I had to skip a lot of the end of the first book because of it. And then, after Jude graduates from high school, becomes an adult, and goes to college, the story goes “non-sexual.” Because, of course, it does.
Book two and three;
These books are seven years of the daily life of Jude and company. He and his friends get in trouble, and they get spanked. Wash, rinse, repeat. And repeat. And repeat. By the time I got even 30% of the way into this book, these scenes had become dull and annoying. They don’t have the same interest or impact on the story because they are too common.
Jude has no choice but to marry at the age of 25. He can’t marry before or after that age. The only reason given for that is “it’s tradition” there’s no explanation as to why this is critical other than it will be the end of the Prince family line. Still, again, it’s never explained what consequences would force that situation. Jude meets and falls in love with Charlie Westley, Preston’s older brother. Charlie is a red-haired dragon tamer who rides a flying motorcycle. Charlie is also overprotective, overbearing, and a Dom. Once Jude falls in love with Charlie, his father does everything he can to help Charlie “qualify” to be Jude’s husband. In fact, his father never even looks for another potential husband for him. They never have one fight about it. The only way the marriage is “arranged” is that Jude’s father and Charlie decide the contract. Jude has no say in it at all whatsoever. This legally binding document will govern his marriage for the rest of his life, and Jude’s signature isn’t required. That is not a healthy power exchange. It would have helped the validity of the “healthy power exchange” theme in this book tremendously if the arranged marriage trope was cut out.
Can power exchange relationships be healthy? Yes, they can. These relationships eventually get there, but the first book and the “arranged marriage” theme undermine it. Jude goes from a strict, dominant father, meets Charlie when he is a minor, and gets involved with a strict, dominant boyfriend without ever having any power over his own life. In a healthy power exchange relationship, the sub has to have the power to give, but Jude’s father never gives up his power over him. It just gets transferred from Jude’s father to Jude’s husband. Jude never becomes an adult and chooses, from a position of power, to enter into the new power exchange relationship. He doesn’t own his choices while they are his choices to make. Genuine healthy power exchange is a choice that has to be made by an adult who has the agency to make that choice.
Not enough of this is “shown.” Jude’s love of spanking and power exchange is communicated to the reader through a lecturing narrative. The reader is told that power exchange relationships are healthy instead of being shown healthy power exchange relationships. The reader is told, over and over, that the spanking is non-sexual instead of just being shown the character's reactions are not sexual. There’s a lecturing narrative every time the subjects come up, and they come up a lot. It’s just irritating.
Jude is apparently extremely powerful, and there are many dangerous wizards after his powers. He’s named for Merlin, or Emrys. Although the name and why Jude hates it isn’t explained until the book is 90+% over. And it’s never clear how he gets past it. His father and Charlie are insanely overprotective because of the danger he is in. But these plot points are entirely overwhelmed by other scenes that slow the plot. Jude only uses his power at school or in his profession as a healer. His father teaches him better control, but only so he can do small things like light a candle. There are no on-page scenes of him using this crazy power until the end of the book. There are no battles with wizards trying to kill him or capture him. He’s never shown in an actual scene to be in danger. It’s just mentioned a couple of times and then forgotten. He goes to bars, to and from college, to and from work, and runs errands, but nothing ever happens when he does. This could have been a significant part of an exciting plot, but it’s not.
This story would be much better served by being shorter. Drop book one and do a couple of chapters of back story. Cut Brianna and Preston. They are entirely extraneous characters and have minimal impact on the book after Jude graduates from high school. Trim down the second book so the pacing is faster, and some scenes involving action aren’t just a lead-up to the spanking. In fact, cutting some of the slow scenes and adding scenes that show Jude gaining control of his powers and mastering them would help make his power exchange relationships more obviously his choice. If it’s shown that he can kick everyone’s a**, then he truly is submitting by choice.
Make the chastity more exciting by making it a shorter duration or make it something Charlie can assign to Jude or remove as he sees fit. Make Jude’s struggle to learn his magic and reconcile himself to his name a more active part of the story. Start with Jude as an adult. His story of self-discovery, falling in love with a dominant “Dragon Tamer,” and learning to own his love of spanking and power exchange relationships could be an amazing story. The poly relationships are well done and engaging. The build-up to the weddings and the freedom from chastity is a significant part of the book, but once it happens, most of the sexual exploration between the characters just gets a brief mention. It’s like being told, “if you’re really good, you’ll get ice cream for dessert” and then when it’s time for dessert, you get told you had ice cream without actually getting to eat it. It's very frustrating after wading through the long, long wait to get there. With some good (and probably painful) story editing, this book could have been great. It makes me frustrated.
First, the Pros:
The copy editing in this is good, which is very important to me. The dialog is engaging and well written. The characters are diverse, have unique personalities, and are well developed. The character's relationships are fun and fully formed. I especially love Jude’s relationship with Wells and Charlie. They have significant interactions and super fun banter, and I really enjoy all of Well’s scheming. Once you get into book two, the world-building is pretty good. It could use a little more development to make it more of an original work, but overall, it leaves me wanting more. The way the magic works is some of the most unique storytelling I’ve ever read: no wands, just this fantastic understanding, and manipulation of energy. I freaking adore the ploy relationships. They give me all the feels.
Everything got fun, fast-paced, and exciting once I got about 85% into the book. It was still a little preachy, but it relied more on “showing” the established characters and relationships. The pacing was great, the action was engaging, and I loved the ending. Bonus for the excerpt for the next book; it was excellent. So very well written and edited. That’s why I know this book could be just as great from the beginning.
## Spoiler Warning ##
The cons:
The first “book” is fanfiction, and it just needs to go.
Jude Parker is a sixteen-year-old wizard. When he was a baby, something terrible happened to his parents, and a mysterious witch and wizard showed up at his aunt and uncle’s house, where they left him to be raised by them. The only way to protect him from danger is to create a shield spell that only people related to him by blood can pass through. He goes to a boarding school for kids with magical abilities where his two best friends are Brianna, a bossy know-it-all, and Preston Westley, a troublemaker with red hair. Preston Westley comes from an ancient wizarding family. He has nine brothers, all with red hair, which his family is famous for. His parents are poor but kind, and they become like a family to Jude.
Jude’s nemesis at school is Wells Rycroft. A spoiled, mean, rich kid with blond hair and a bad attitude. He comes from an ancient wizarding family, and his father’s name is Lucien. The Potions Master is a man with long dark hair who wears long dark robes at school. Jude and Preston are always getting into trouble, and the Potions Master is the one who catches them and punishes them. At school, Jude is rich because his parents left him a bank vault full of gold. He is poor, abused, and neglected at his aunt and uncle's house, but he can’t leave because of the protection spell.
Three guesses as to which fandom this is. First two don’t count.
Here’s where it deviates from cannon.
During Jude’s childhood, he knows he’s a wizard, and he starts at wizarding school from the beginning, called first grade in the US; not sure if it’s the same in the UK. His aunt and uncle don’t have any kids, and they live on a working farm. Early on, his aunt dies, and his uncle blames Jude’s magic. He was well taken care of by his aunt, who loved him, but when she died, his uncle made him live in the barn, work on the farm from sun up to sundown, and starved him. He can’t leave the farm at all. Ever. Not to go to the store or take a walk to the neighbors, and only people related to him by blood can come on the property. Which doesn’t explain his uncle; his aunt was his mom’s sister.
He has to be escorted to and from school by a witch, who is his guardian and can authorize his use of magic, but she doesn’t work at the school. She can come and go through the shield at the farm whenever she wants. He is also visited at the farm by a fox who can come and go as he pleases. Jude complains to the fox and talks to him about his life. The fox is his only companion until one day, his guardian shows up and tells him to stop talking to the fox because he’s “upsetting everyone.” None of that matters because the fox and the woman never come back after that. After that, every year, the Potions Master, Mads Payne, drops Jude off and picks him up because Mads can also go through the barrier whenever he wants. None of these events tips off Jude.
Then one day, when he’s 16, Potions Master Payne shows up to take him away. Except the Potions Master is his father. His nemesis with long black hair and a long, black cape shows up and says, “I am your father.” Literally. Was that crossover intentional? Also, it turns out the Potions Master’s name isn’t Payne; you guessed it, it’s Prince. *sigh*
It turns out Jude had three parents. The fox was his shapeshifter dad, and the witch who was his first guardian was his mom. They are both dead now. During a war, Jude’s parents were forced to spy for the evil wizard Otto. Otto forced them to abandon their son and put a spell on the world so no one would remember Jude’s parents, and his parents couldn’t tell him who they were. Except now, the Evil Wizard Otto is dead, so the problem is solved, and his dad can come to get him.
I could have gotten on board with the original parts of the story, except it sets the rest of the book up in an incongruous way. It’s almost like they’re different stories entirely…
While I was reading the first book, I expected it to be part of the build-up to the rest of the story, but it ends up being way too much back story. It slows the plot and the action and makes the book unnecessarily long. By the time the story gets going, Jude’s other parents are dead, the evil wizard Otto is dead, and all of the on-page action with these characters or about these characters is irrelevant to the story. Jude easily could have grown up with his father, sans the evil wizard Otto, and it would have had no effect on his character or the rest of the plot. Once Mads takes custody of him, Jude just accepts it and moves on; it doesn’t shape his future actions.
Then there’s the chastity. It’s an ancient tradition in wizard families for young people to wear a chastity belt from the age of 13 until they are married at the age of majority, which is 25 in the wizarding world. They’re required to be “pure” when they’re married. The spell on the chastity device even keeps him from masturbating or having an orgasm. Jude’s father requires him to start wearing the thing immediately, and Jude does it with hardly a complaint. A 16-year-old male is told he won’t even be able to have an orgasm until he’s 25 and married…and he just does it. He does try to find other ways to get off. He dates other boys, and those relationships lead to several scenes that border on sexually explicit. While he’s a minor. I’m middle-aged. I don’t want to read about sexual situations involving teenagers; it’s creepy and gross. I had to skip a lot of the end of the first book because of it. And then, after Jude graduates from high school, becomes an adult, and goes to college, the story goes “non-sexual.” Because, of course, it does.
Book two and three;
These books are seven years of the daily life of Jude and company. He and his friends get in trouble, and they get spanked. Wash, rinse, repeat. And repeat. And repeat. By the time I got even 30% of the way into this book, these scenes had become dull and annoying. They don’t have the same interest or impact on the story because they are too common.
Jude has no choice but to marry at the age of 25. He can’t marry before or after that age. The only reason given for that is “it’s tradition” there’s no explanation as to why this is critical other than it will be the end of the Prince family line. Still, again, it’s never explained what consequences would force that situation. Jude meets and falls in love with Charlie Westley, Preston’s older brother. Charlie is a red-haired dragon tamer who rides a flying motorcycle. Charlie is also overprotective, overbearing, and a Dom. Once Jude falls in love with Charlie, his father does everything he can to help Charlie “qualify” to be Jude’s husband. In fact, his father never even looks for another potential husband for him. They never have one fight about it. The only way the marriage is “arranged” is that Jude’s father and Charlie decide the contract. Jude has no say in it at all whatsoever. This legally binding document will govern his marriage for the rest of his life, and Jude’s signature isn’t required. That is not a healthy power exchange. It would have helped the validity of the “healthy power exchange” theme in this book tremendously if the arranged marriage trope was cut out.
Can power exchange relationships be healthy? Yes, they can. These relationships eventually get there, but the first book and the “arranged marriage” theme undermine it. Jude goes from a strict, dominant father, meets Charlie when he is a minor, and gets involved with a strict, dominant boyfriend without ever having any power over his own life. In a healthy power exchange relationship, the sub has to have the power to give, but Jude’s father never gives up his power over him. It just gets transferred from Jude’s father to Jude’s husband. Jude never becomes an adult and chooses, from a position of power, to enter into the new power exchange relationship. He doesn’t own his choices while they are his choices to make. Genuine healthy power exchange is a choice that has to be made by an adult who has the agency to make that choice.
Not enough of this is “shown.” Jude’s love of spanking and power exchange is communicated to the reader through a lecturing narrative. The reader is told that power exchange relationships are healthy instead of being shown healthy power exchange relationships. The reader is told, over and over, that the spanking is non-sexual instead of just being shown the character's reactions are not sexual. There’s a lecturing narrative every time the subjects come up, and they come up a lot. It’s just irritating.
Jude is apparently extremely powerful, and there are many dangerous wizards after his powers. He’s named for Merlin, or Emrys. Although the name and why Jude hates it isn’t explained until the book is 90+% over. And it’s never clear how he gets past it. His father and Charlie are insanely overprotective because of the danger he is in. But these plot points are entirely overwhelmed by other scenes that slow the plot. Jude only uses his power at school or in his profession as a healer. His father teaches him better control, but only so he can do small things like light a candle. There are no on-page scenes of him using this crazy power until the end of the book. There are no battles with wizards trying to kill him or capture him. He’s never shown in an actual scene to be in danger. It’s just mentioned a couple of times and then forgotten. He goes to bars, to and from college, to and from work, and runs errands, but nothing ever happens when he does. This could have been a significant part of an exciting plot, but it’s not.
This story would be much better served by being shorter. Drop book one and do a couple of chapters of back story. Cut Brianna and Preston. They are entirely extraneous characters and have minimal impact on the book after Jude graduates from high school. Trim down the second book so the pacing is faster, and some scenes involving action aren’t just a lead-up to the spanking. In fact, cutting some of the slow scenes and adding scenes that show Jude gaining control of his powers and mastering them would help make his power exchange relationships more obviously his choice. If it’s shown that he can kick everyone’s a**, then he truly is submitting by choice.
Make the chastity more exciting by making it a shorter duration or make it something Charlie can assign to Jude or remove as he sees fit. Make Jude’s struggle to learn his magic and reconcile himself to his name a more active part of the story. Start with Jude as an adult. His story of self-discovery, falling in love with a dominant “Dragon Tamer,” and learning to own his love of spanking and power exchange relationships could be an amazing story. The poly relationships are well done and engaging. The build-up to the weddings and the freedom from chastity is a significant part of the book, but once it happens, most of the sexual exploration between the characters just gets a brief mention. It’s like being told, “if you’re really good, you’ll get ice cream for dessert” and then when it’s time for dessert, you get told you had ice cream without actually getting to eat it. It's very frustrating after wading through the long, long wait to get there. With some good (and probably painful) story editing, this book could have been great. It makes me frustrated.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2022
I recommend you get this book when you start reading you will not stop. I gave this book 5 stars its well deserved. Looking forward to his future books to read.
I have completed the book and enjoyed it very much. Looking forward to reading the second book to this series of Essence Of Emrys.
Keep up the great work.
I have completed the book and enjoyed it very much. Looking forward to reading the second book to this series of Essence Of Emrys.
Keep up the great work.
October 3, 2022
I'm so disappointed.
I was intrigued by Jude's origins; however, I figured out who his mom and dad were from their reactions and behavior with Jude. Once Jude's father (well, that he had had two fathers was a surprise) confirmed my suspicions, informed Jude both had died in the line of duty, and shared the rest of his origins and the reasons he'd been literally abandoned by all three biological parents, I had difficulty staying awake to finish reading. I made it to the forced male chastity belt and Jude's meeting Charlie for the first time. Oh, I weighed the odds first. I wasn't even a quarter into the book (maybe just past, but gah!) The chapters, and pages, they seemed endlessly infinite and promised more of the same droll commentary of a posh, old-moneyed heir who was raised as an orphan struggling to survive who suddenly discovers who he really is, and finall y understands why he possesses such powerful magic that has terrified him so much. Once he's secure in the knowledge that he's no longer alone, or an orphan no more, he is better able, at the very least, to deal with as well as accept the power that has passed to Jude through genetics.
It is so boring. The spankings weren't easy to accept, especially as Jude got older. If only one or two of this circle of magical families incorporated spanking as a means to control calm and satisfy inherent needs and means of maintaining normalcy in their lives, the storyline may have been believable. This writer made it a means to an end for acceptable, everyday behavior for an entire legacy of families, crossing into different nationalities, countries, even continents, bound by social status, old family money, and magic. However, even the magic couldn't keep my interest, nor could it alter my repugnance toward demeaning, humiliating treatment of smaller, petite, obviously less robust male partners in Jude's immediate small circle of very intimate friends. Yeah, Charlie and Noah were sexy-gorgeous-muscular Adonis-like male specimens. They were both exactly the same height, age, and got off on the exact methods of controlling and disciplining their fiances. Just. No.
One star. Did not finish entirely, skipping, skimming and jumping. Jude and Charlie don't have actual sex until the last section of texts book, though it is revealing, and quite erotic for a few short chapters. Yet, the spankings were part of some of the sexy times, which to me diminished the quality and impact of Jude and Charlie. Yuck.
I was intrigued by Jude's origins; however, I figured out who his mom and dad were from their reactions and behavior with Jude. Once Jude's father (well, that he had had two fathers was a surprise) confirmed my suspicions, informed Jude both had died in the line of duty, and shared the rest of his origins and the reasons he'd been literally abandoned by all three biological parents, I had difficulty staying awake to finish reading. I made it to the forced male chastity belt and Jude's meeting Charlie for the first time. Oh, I weighed the odds first. I wasn't even a quarter into the book (maybe just past, but gah!) The chapters, and pages, they seemed endlessly infinite and promised more of the same droll commentary of a posh, old-moneyed heir who was raised as an orphan struggling to survive who suddenly discovers who he really is, and finall y understands why he possesses such powerful magic that has terrified him so much. Once he's secure in the knowledge that he's no longer alone, or an orphan no more, he is better able, at the very least, to deal with as well as accept the power that has passed to Jude through genetics.
It is so boring. The spankings weren't easy to accept, especially as Jude got older. If only one or two of this circle of magical families incorporated spanking as a means to control calm and satisfy inherent needs and means of maintaining normalcy in their lives, the storyline may have been believable. This writer made it a means to an end for acceptable, everyday behavior for an entire legacy of families, crossing into different nationalities, countries, even continents, bound by social status, old family money, and magic. However, even the magic couldn't keep my interest, nor could it alter my repugnance toward demeaning, humiliating treatment of smaller, petite, obviously less robust male partners in Jude's immediate small circle of very intimate friends. Yeah, Charlie and Noah were sexy-gorgeous-muscular Adonis-like male specimens. They were both exactly the same height, age, and got off on the exact methods of controlling and disciplining their fiances. Just. No.
One star. Did not finish entirely, skipping, skimming and jumping. Jude and Charlie don't have actual sex until the last section of texts book, though it is revealing, and quite erotic for a few short chapters. Yet, the spankings were part of some of the sexy times, which to me diminished the quality and impact of Jude and Charlie. Yuck.
September 23, 2025
Not your typical fantasy romance.
With strong elements of Found Family, Polyamory, Age-Gap, Domestic Discipline (There's lots of consensual non-sexual spanking in a style unique to this author), Top/Brat dynamics, & long term Chastity/Purity, this book is more akin to a large slice of life than a standard plot driven novel.
The characters are the true heart of this tale; each with an endearing, if not often frustrating, personality.
There's quite a few character elements & names similar enough to a certain other fantasy series which "shall-not-be-named" which gives a bit of reworked fanfic vibes. This may or may not impact your enjoyment.
This book ends happily for now, with a major question left unresolved until the next book. There's a teaser for the follow-up novel at the end of the book, but there's no ETA on when Essence of Emrys will be available.
This book deals with elements that some may find uncomfortable and that's ok. To each their own.
At the end of the day, remember this is a work of fiction and should be treated as such.
Mind your squicks.
With strong elements of Found Family, Polyamory, Age-Gap, Domestic Discipline (There's lots of consensual non-sexual spanking in a style unique to this author), Top/Brat dynamics, & long term Chastity/Purity, this book is more akin to a large slice of life than a standard plot driven novel.
The characters are the true heart of this tale; each with an endearing, if not often frustrating, personality.
There's quite a few character elements & names similar enough to a certain other fantasy series which "shall-not-be-named" which gives a bit of reworked fanfic vibes. This may or may not impact your enjoyment.
This book ends happily for now, with a major question left unresolved until the next book. There's a teaser for the follow-up novel at the end of the book, but there's no ETA on when Essence of Emrys will be available.
This book deals with elements that some may find uncomfortable and that's ok. To each their own.
At the end of the day, remember this is a work of fiction and should be treated as such.
Mind your squicks.
January 6, 2023
3.5 stars
April 1, 2023
Re-read: I still liked this book the second time around, although maybe a little less. Perhaps because I just spent the last two weeks reading a different discipline series that approaches it more...seriously? This book leans more lighthearted and cheeky about spanking and DD and is sometimes rather cheesy, but I don't mind too much.
*************
I really really adored this book. And I always try to keep my reviews non-spoilerish, but I'm probably going to gush a lot, and I don't want to have to censor myself.
Let's start at the beginning. This is totally Harry Potter fanfiction & I am not sad about it. I've never read fanfiction before to be honest; it's not something I seek out. But I am in love with domestic discipline books & after reading another of Mock's DD books, I had to try this one. Because DD + dragons + wizards + a crazy long word count? Count me in. And when I realized it was HP fanfiction? It was like everything I didn't know I needed in life.
I'll try not to gush about all my fav HP characters and how they were adapted for this story. I'll just say that I loved how so many different relationships from HP were flipped on their heads here. Superb.
What ultimately makes Mock's books so enticing to me I think is her blend of DD + found family. I seriously adore how Jude went from thinking he was basically an orphan to eventually being apart of something so beautiful. He had his "mate" and Top in Charlie, but the other men (Wells, Noah, Ellie) are so very important to him as well. And then you have their families, and their work mates and the dragons. Layers upon layers of relationships that matter. That is my kryptonite, the found family.
If you love DD, you'll love this book. Spanking galore, and done so well. I love all the brats (though thinking of Lucien as a brat kind of threw me haha). The tops were so stern and sexy.
I could have done without the chastity belts, but at least they give a plausible reason for lack of steam. I would have loved the book to be spicier for sure, but that's just my personal preference. I loved the book without it, and respect the author's choice about it.
I also hated Charlie's obsession with finances. I was seriously ready to throttle him at points. It didn't feel fair to me that this was something Charlie just decided and Jude had to deal with instead of any real discussion between them. Even with the top/brat dynamic of this world, to me, I feel like certain conversations should always be allowed to happen, and it felt like pushing their dynamic in an unhealthy way not to offer a compromise.
But overall, this book really was perfection. The things that I disliked are tiny in comparison to everything I loved. It was such a long book, but I was never ready for it to be over. I want that sequel because I'm not ready to let go of these characters!
*************
I really really adored this book. And I always try to keep my reviews non-spoilerish, but I'm probably going to gush a lot, and I don't want to have to censor myself.
Let's start at the beginning. This is totally Harry Potter fanfiction & I am not sad about it. I've never read fanfiction before to be honest; it's not something I seek out. But I am in love with domestic discipline books & after reading another of Mock's DD books, I had to try this one. Because DD + dragons + wizards + a crazy long word count? Count me in. And when I realized it was HP fanfiction? It was like everything I didn't know I needed in life.
I'll try not to gush about all my fav HP characters and how they were adapted for this story. I'll just say that I loved how so many different relationships from HP were flipped on their heads here. Superb.
What ultimately makes Mock's books so enticing to me I think is her blend of DD + found family. I seriously adore how Jude went from thinking he was basically an orphan to eventually being apart of something so beautiful. He had his "mate" and Top in Charlie, but the other men (Wells, Noah, Ellie) are so very important to him as well. And then you have their families, and their work mates and the dragons. Layers upon layers of relationships that matter. That is my kryptonite, the found family.
If you love DD, you'll love this book. Spanking galore, and done so well. I love all the brats (though thinking of Lucien as a brat kind of threw me haha). The tops were so stern and sexy.
I could have done without the chastity belts, but at least they give a plausible reason for lack of steam. I would have loved the book to be spicier for sure, but that's just my personal preference. I loved the book without it, and respect the author's choice about it.
I also hated Charlie's obsession with finances. I was seriously ready to throttle him at points. It didn't feel fair to me that this was something Charlie just decided and Jude had to deal with instead of any real discussion between them. Even with the top/brat dynamic of this world, to me, I feel like certain conversations should always be allowed to happen, and it felt like pushing their dynamic in an unhealthy way not to offer a compromise.
But overall, this book really was perfection. The things that I disliked are tiny in comparison to everything I loved. It was such a long book, but I was never ready for it to be over. I want that sequel because I'm not ready to let go of these characters!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
dnf
March 21, 2024too much spanking for my taste. I didn't finish the book
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