Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Dragon's Deception

Rate this book
How could a fake engagement between royals go wrong? When one of them is secretly a were-dragon.
When corrupt magic killed Princess Liane’s best friend, she swore she’d get revenge. Now she fights to stamp out the smugglers bringing poisonous magic into the capitol. Dedicated to her cause, she’s sworn never to marry until they’re eradicated. But her mother, the Empress, is desperate to see her settled. When Liane discovers a new lead that will eliminate the criminals for good, she’s prepared to risk it all for vengeance. But her mother’s meddling keeps getting in the way. To distract her, Liane needs a fake fiancé…

Running from a past he can’t bear to face, Erich hides his were-dragon curse by avoiding humans. If his secret is revealed, he’ll be executed. After multiple failed attempts to break his curse, Erich risks entering the capital to seek a miracle healer. Instead, he meets an elf who presents him with an enticing offer: steal the Empress’ enchanted blade for a cure. Erich has one month before his next transformation... but to get close to the royal family, he’ll need a disguise…

After a chance meeting, Liane and Erich's lives become intertwined. Tangled up in secrets and lies, they agree to a pretend engagement. However, as the lines between pretense and reality blur, Liane’s conviction to never marry wavers. And if Erich’s truth comes out, it won’t be just their hearts and Liane’s trust on the line, but his life. While their motives are in conflict, they need one another more than they realize. And soon they’ll discover their meeting wasn’t mere coincidence, but rather a destiny written in the stars....

357 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 22, 2022

34 people are currently reading
340 people want to read

About the author

Nicolette Andrews

41 books663 followers
Nicolette Andrews is a born and raised San Diegan with a passion for fantasy, especially if it has a romance and some mystery and intrigue mixed it doesn't go amiss either. Apart from writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, preferably somewhere outside enjoying the San Diego sunshine.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
32 (29%)
4 stars
55 (50%)
3 stars
15 (13%)
2 stars
5 (4%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
Profile Image for Sandra G.
69 reviews2 followers
August 9, 2022
Who needs sleep when there is a book that HAS to be finished? Not me! The world that Nicolette Andrews created in Dragon's Deception is beautiful and dangerous. Liane is courageous princess, even through her pain and weaknesses, determined to uncover a drug ring that is killing her people. Erich is fighting to find a way to break his curse and rid himself of his dragon. There is mystery, corruption, magic and a prophecy as well as a fake dating and one bed trope! This was a fantastic read and I look forward to more!
Profile Image for Laura.
149 reviews9 followers
April 30, 2025
Thank you to Sunny Babe PR for providing me with an ARC of the eBook.

I was so surprised by how easy this book was to read and loved that we just jumped straight into the story. I really liked both Liane and Erich as characters and felt like the dual POV worked really well for this story and moved characters in the perfect spots.

I would’ve liked maybe just a little bit more world building but that didn’t put me off and I really enjoyed learning more about the world as the characters did.

I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for a sequel to see what happens next.
Profile Image for Bekah.
271 reviews7 followers
April 29, 2025
First I want to thank Nicolette and Sunnybabe PR for giving me the opportunity for this ARC read all of these thoughts are my own.

I loved this book! It was such so much more complex than I was originally thinking. I loved the lore and how magic was kind of frowned upon. It really made an interesting story on how everything was going to come together for these characters (or mess everything up 😅).

Erich was grumpy, broody, and extremely reluctant to do anything concerning Laine. He went along with everything because his dragon was smitten and it was fantastic. The eventual “f*ck it” moment between characters was great.

Liane only ever wanted to protect her family and avenge her previous lover/friend and she would do that no matter the cost, even roping a grumpy dragon shifter (who is in hiding) into a fake proposal.

This was fast paced and full of twists and turns, the who dunit mystery was great. I can’t wait to check out book 2.
Profile Image for Marisa.
180 reviews26 followers
August 21, 2022
"It's becoming a habit to run into you like this."

Stars: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️
Tension: ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

This was such a good read! I enjoyed the world-building and the connections I felt with Erich and Liane
With Multiple POVs, we are able to experience what they are going through in their eyes on what is perceived. I loved how protective Erich was even though he didn't want to be.
Liane suffers from an illness that no one seems to know why.
It was nice to see a family care for each other as much as the Royal family cared for each other. (Besides for Heinrich, he's a turd 😁)
I really adored Ludwig- I really felt for him.

The ending had me! I need more and will for sure be reading book 2 😁


If you love:
- Multiple POVs
-Enemies to Lovers
-Strong FCs
-Morally Gray Hero
-Dragons, Elves, and Magic
-Slow Burn
-Quests to break a Curse

You must read Dragons Deception
Profile Image for Amanda | escapetoerilea.
335 reviews28 followers
April 27, 2025
Dragon's Deception by Nicolette Andrews

Thank you to Sunny Babe PR for entrusting me with a copy.

Dual POV, slow burn, fake courtship, hidden power, mysterious characters, fated mates, dragon shifter (but seen as a curse), betrayal, court politics

Liane's purpose in life currently is to eradicate the drug that took her love from her. She is a princess, but she sneaks out with her guard hunting down suppliers of this dangerous substance, but she is finding now that the danger goes deeper than they originally knew. Erich is a prince on the run trying to cure his curse - turning into an untamable dragon once a month. A fake lead puts him on a collision course with Liane who shows up just in time to think he is buying the drug. But as they run into each other they find they each need something from the other so they agree to act as if he is courting her.

The stakes keep increasing the father the book goes along as more about Liane's mysterious illness is revealed. Erich trying to reach his goals while protecting Liane with the constant shift looming also adds to the tension. The chapter art was clever with the moon providing a visual countdown as well! I adore Liane's immediate family and how caring they are with each other. Liane's character was also inspiring with how she continued to push for what was right even when she was having to do it alone. The ending definitely made me want he next one!

Profile Image for Ashlie Marie.
157 reviews12 followers
May 12, 2025
How could a fake royal engagement go wrong?" Easy – one of them is secretly a were-dragon! Princess Liane, focused on avenging her friend and fighting dark magic, needs a fake fiancé to appease her meddling mother. Enter Erich, a brooding were-dragon seeking a cure, who agrees to the charade.

Their pretend romance, born of secrets and lies, surprisingly sparks. Liane's fierce independence softens around the enigmatic Erich, while he navigates royal life with a scaly secret. The plot blends the fake engagement antics with the mysteries of the poisonous magic and Erich's curse, creating a fun, fast-paced read.

While the "destiny" trope felt a bit predictable, the sheer delight of a were-dragon in royal disguise earns this a solid four stars. It's witty, charming, and surprisingly sweet, proving even fire-breathers deserve a shot at (fake, then maybe real?) love. Recommended for those who like their romance with a touch of fantasy and a lot of heart!
Profile Image for Carrington.
356 reviews
April 6, 2025
Thanks to Sunny Babe PR for the arc! Beautiful story! Fast-paced & wonderful characters. Will definitely continue the series.
Profile Image for Cynthia.
57 reviews1 follower
August 13, 2022
A fantasy with an amazingly set world, unlikely alliances, a little magic, add a dragon and a inn room with one bed? YES, I’m here for it! I’m admittedly a lover of every well put together novels in the fantasy genre but Nicolette Andrews blew me out of the water with this one.

Liane, Enrich and Fritz are all seeking a path of their own as they lives ultimately bring them together. Dual point of views between Liane and Enrich compliment each other so well and give us glimpses of situations playing out for both characters. It’s done so well, I never was unsure whose view I was reading and the story just flowed. I literally ate my mind movie up as fast as my brain could process.

I highly recommend this book!

**I received an advanced reader copy from the Author in return for my honest review. Review is also on Instagram, Amazon and Barnes & Nobles.
Profile Image for Brooke.
9 reviews
August 13, 2022
This book was fantastic! This is the first book I’ve ever read by Nicolette Andrews and I will definitely be checking out more of her work. This fantasy novel follows liane who’s trying to get justice for her kingdom. It also follows Erich who’s trying to find a cure for his dragon curse. It was such a great story, I can’t wait to see what the next book holds! Definitely recommend for lovers of high fantasy, who doesn’t love a book with dragons in it?
Profile Image for Encanto  Atelier.
104 reviews2 followers
August 11, 2022
Ughhhh I hate cliffhangers!!
This is a nicely detailed story that is most definitely going to be a roller coaster.
I’m loving the relationship growth between the 2 main characters.
And the shock of her personal guard was a great twist.
I love how the royal family actually love each other, especially seeing them together with the brother.
I joined the kickstarter project so I could get the thornwood fae physical book series. And am happy I got the ebook of this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Charity Chimni.
Author 2 books9 followers
August 6, 2022
OMG! I loved Dragon's Deception. It was Nicolette's best book yet. The characters are amazon, I love the banter, mystery, and chemistry. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
Profile Image for The Aussie Librarian.
70 reviews5 followers
April 14, 2025
Both main characters, Liana and Erich, were well written and likeable so I was cheering for them both. I felt like the world building was perfect and original in that it didn't remind me of any other story I had read before. The storyline kept me intrigued and sneaking another chapter or two any chance I got. I'm really looking forward to the next instalment of this series!
Profile Image for Jules.
495 reviews8 followers
November 8, 2025
TW: death, murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, depiction of drug use and addiction (active cartel ring), psychological manipulation, spousal abuse (psychological), cheating

In this intriguing tale, a not-so-cute meet between two royals in a seedy tavern leads to a fake relationship that becomes increasingly undeniable. With court drama, joyful sibling relationships, and sparkles of magic, Dragon's Deception is an enjoyable read.

The ending is a bit quick, and multiple plot points are optimistically resolved off-page. With more follow-through on those, I probably would have rated it higher.

Note: This is not a standalone book.
Profile Image for Katie.
58 reviews2 followers
December 25, 2022
I adored this book. I loved the world and characters building. As someone who suffers chronic pain and fibro it was nice having a main character who wasn’t perfect (especially health wise). It was a little slow at times, but I feel it helped add to the story. I received this book as an arc.
Profile Image for Rebecca Hill.
749 reviews10 followers
December 24, 2025
Dragon's Deception is the first book in Andrews' Moonlight Dragon trilogy. This romantasy features Princess Liane Starweber of Neolyra and Prince Erich Ostrom of Sundland.

Erich left Sundland several years prior and has been traveling. He keeps trying to find someone who can help him with his curse; he is a dragon shifter. When he gets off a ship in Artria, he intends to locate someone believed to be able to help. Instead he finds himself in a situation where he is being offered a highly addictive substance, stardust, and soon thereafter apprehended and arrested.

Liane lost a prior love, Elias, to the hazards of stardust. She is now on a mission to eradicate the product, and those responsible for its distribution. She first meets Erich when stumbling upon what she believes to be the sale of stardust.

It has been some time since Erich claimed his connection to the crown of Sundland but does so in order to get out of jail before he turns into a dragon and would surely be killed without a moment's thought. Soon thereafter he meets Fritz, an elf who needs his help to steal the Golden Blade. He tells Erich that with the blade he will be able to cure him of his curse.

In acknowledging that he is indeed royalty, Erich gains access to the palace, and ends up repeatedly crossing paths with Liane. There is a mutual attraction however neither is interested in pursuing a relationship. Both are focused on their respective missions. When rumours start to circulate that Erich is courting Liane, the two agree to a fake situationship which offers Erich increased access to the palace and better odds of locating the blade, while Liane doesn't have to continue to meet eligible bachelors her mother keeps pushing her way. While neither intend for anything to come of it, they find themselves drawn to one another and later learn that their meeting may have been destiny.

I loved Liane's strength and determination. While others perceive her as weak, she is anything but. She is brave and loyal, passionate and smart. She knows what is important, and won't let others stop her. I appreciated Erich's concern for his perceived curse. He values human life and is trying to prevent the dragon from taking over and slaughtering innocent people. He has a good heart and the best of intentions. He continues to show up for Liane, even when she keeps pushing him away.

While it took me some time to feel connected to the story and the characters, once I did I was eager to see how things played out. I appreciated the twists and turns, and the author gradually revealing hints. The mystery endured throughout, at least for this reader. I'm now keen to pick up the second book, Dragon's Temptation, and learn what comes next for this duo.
Profile Image for Charlotte.
73 reviews
April 21, 2025
“The end is the beginning and the beginning is the end.”

I want to thank Sunny Babe PR and Nicolette Andrews for the opportunity to read this ARC — I really enjoyed it! 🙌🏻

📖 Synopsis:

Dragon’s Deception is the first book in the Moonlight Dragon trilogy. It revolves around a princess named Liane Starweber who seeks revenge for the murder of the best friend by creating a fake engagement as a distraction. Who she pretends to get engaged with is none other than Prince Erich, heir to the Sundland Throne and secretly a were-dragon. As the two characters get involved in each other’s lives, many secrets, lies and betrayals begin to unfold.

💭 My thoughts:

I really enjoyed Andrews’ writing and the way she immerses you into the world of Dragon’s Deception. I was hooked from the first page and wanted to know more about the characters as soon as I was introduced to them, especially Liane and Erich 🤩.

I absolutely LOVED the slow burn and gradual development of Liane and Erich’s relationship too and really hope they’re endgame! 😍 My heart literally melted watching Erich observe Liane during the opera performance and her worrying about him when he had to leave 🥺🥹😭. He definitely fell first, but she fell much harder!

The history about the All Mother and the Divine Twins (Cyra and the nameless goddess) was so interesting to me and beautifully integrated into the narrative. I can’t wait to dive back in and read more of it in book 2! 🤩

One thing that makes Dragon’s Deception different to the ones I’ve read previously is that it’s got a mini guide and glossary at the back for you to refer to if you ever get confused about who some of the characters are or where the action takes place. This was so useful for me, especially since I can be forgetful with names and have to remind myself who the smaller side characters were 😅.

Need more convincing to read Dragon’s Deception? It’s got:
✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Fake engagement
✨ Slow burn
✨ One bed trope
✨ He falls first
✨ Betrayal
✨ A whole lot of action
✨ And lots more!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lindsey Adams.
1,175 reviews24 followers
May 7, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️

What an epic journey that has just begun! Nicolette Andrews’ Dragon’s Deception took me on a journey that I thoroughly enjoyed and has me excited for book two. Both MCs are fighting battles, unsure of how to overcome said battles, and both characters bring so much to the storyline. I will definitely say (in no negative way) do not judge this book by its cover. Definitely not my favorite, but the story in between this cover is well worth the read!

I loved Liane and her willingness to fight for people who she loves. As she is tracking down a substance that took a love from her, she discovers more than she bargained for. As a princess, she feels a drive to not only avenge her lost love, but ensure her people are safe as well. On top of her pain, her mother is pushing marriage onto her. A situation leads her to meet someone who can stand in as her fiance to get her mother off her case. What she doesn’t know is there so much more to this man than she can begin to fathom.

Erich is trying to break a curse that causes him to turn into a dragon once a month. He is beyond desperate to break it and is willing to go to any length to do so. When he meets Liane and she proposes a fake engagement, he agrees. It provides him the means to keep searching for a cure, but he finds himself wanting to protect Liane more and more as their journey progresses.

Both of these MCs are determined, resilient, and strong willed. Their willingness to go to any lengths to resolve their obstacles is inspiring. And even though Liane’s mom is pushing marriage, her entire family is so caring and loving to each other. Overall a wonderful, action packed read that I couldn’t put down. I will be impatiently waiting for book two to find out what happens next and where our MCs go from that ending.

As always, review any author notes before reading.

What to Expect:
👑Stabby Heroine
🐉Enemies to Lovers
👑Fake Engagement
🐉Star Crossed Lovers
👑He Falls First and Hard
🐉One Bed
👑Were-Dragon Shifter
Profile Image for Mariette De kock.
140 reviews13 followers
May 3, 2025
Dragon's Deception by Nicolette Andrews is a romantasy. This is book 1 in the Moonlight Dragon series. This book features tropes like Fake engagement, Enemies to lovers, Slow burn, He falls first, Fated Mates and Dragon Shifter Hero.

Dragon's Deception is a high fantasy novel. We follow Erick and Princess Laine. Liane’s best friend was killed by corrupt magic. She is doing everything in her power to stop poisonous magic being brought into the capitol. Her mother wants her to marry but she wants to find vengeance first. The solution is a fake engagement.

Erich is trying to break his dragon curse. The only problem is he has being hiding his curse by avoiding humans. In one last attempt to break his cures, Erick is going to the capital to seek a miracle healer. If his secret is discovered he will be excecated. While in the capitol Erick meets an elf. The elf will help him break his curse but he first needs to steel the Empress' enchanted blade. He needs a disguise to get close to the royal family.

I loved the story with the world building and the characters. It was easy to understand and to follow. Eric is the morally gray character. He is trying to safe himself and not let anyone else use him or get anyone hurt. He is a good guy in a bad situation. Laine is a princess trying to find revenge for her first love. She is spying and sneaking with her guard Ludwig. I love Ludwig but the shouting I was doing at this book!! Laine is also a strong character and will do anything to protect the people she loves. They make such a great couple. Lets hope no secret can keep them apart.

I can’t wait to read the next book to see how this is all going to play out. This give Six Of Crows and Kiss of deception vibes. If you want smut free (one small 2 liner) , dragons sifters, magic and secrets. This book is for you.

Thank you Sunny Babe PR and Nicolette Andrews for sending me this book in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for everything golden mims.
289 reviews8 followers
April 10, 2025
📖 Book Review 📖

𝕋𝕚𝕥𝕝𝕖: Dragon’s Deception
𝔸𝕦𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕣: Nicolette Andrews
𝕄𝕖𝕕𝕚𝕦𝕞 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕚𝕟: ereader ( @kobobooks)

𝕊𝕪𝕟𝕠𝕡𝕤𝕚𝕤: Princess Liane is determined to destroy the smugglers poisoning her city with deadly magic—even if it means avoiding marriage forever. But when her meddling mother, the Empress, pushes for a suitor, Liane seizes the perfect distraction: a fake fiancé. Erich has spent years hiding his were-dragon curse, knowing discovery means execution. Desperate for a cure, he strikes a deal to steal the Empress’s enchanted blade. To get close, he needs a cover—and Liane’s proposition is too good to refuse. As deception turns to something real, secrets threaten to tear them apart. If Erich’s truth is exposed, he won’t just lose Liane’s trust—he’ll lose his life. Can love survive when betrayal is inevitable?

𝕄𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤: This book completely exceeded my expectations! I love a good dragon shifter story, but Dragon’s Deception is easily one of the best I’ve read. Liane and Erich are such well-written, compelling characters—I adored them both. Ludwig and Fritz also stole my heart, making the entire cast impossible not to love. The magic system is refreshingly unique, the worldbuilding is immersive, and the pacing is spot-on. There’s plenty of action, romance, and tension, keeping me hooked from start to finish. The chemistry between Liane and Erich is electric, and the way their fates intertwine makes for an unforgettable read. I loved every second of this book and cannot wait for Dragon’s Temptation! If you’re into fantasy romance with a mix of intrigue, magic, and high-stakes adventure, this is a must-read.

Huge thanks to @sunnybabepr and @nicolette.andrews.books for the ARC! I’m so grateful for the chance to experience this story early.
Profile Image for Lana.
2,803 reviews60 followers
November 10, 2025
I just love enemies to lovers novels, and ones where betrayals abound, and were the characters are more than they seem at face value. This is such a story and it is about Princess Liane, who suffers from fevers and has been protected throughout her short life, but who is very headstrong and will do anything to protect those she cares for. When Elias her best friend dies from an overdose she vows she will not stop before every drug dealer is killed, so she ventures into the most dangerous parts of her city in order to find the drug dens. Whilst Erich is also a prince running from his past and travelling incognito, he has a secret he does not dare let others find out. He is one of the corrupted, a man who if caught would be killed outright, and his hidden half is a dragon who he keeps chained inside of him, but who during the full moon turns and takes over. He meets up with an elf healer who promises him a cure, however they have to pair up in order to steal the enchanted sword from the Empress in order to do so. Erich needs to enter the palace and Liane needs to keep her mother's chosen suitors away from her, so they form a pact, a pretend engagement, however both of them are unprepared for the feelings they start having for one another. Seems also that their meeting was not one of chance, but one which had been prophecied long before, seems they were destined for one another. Can Erich let Liane know what he really was? Would she flee from him if she found out? This is an amazing first book in the trilogy, the characters are charismatic, and the plot is full of magic, with a dragon, elves, and the church of Sol who also seem to be hiding alot, pretending to cull all magic yet making use of it themselves. I am dying to go on reading this compelling trilogy.
Profile Image for Alyssa.
41 reviews4 followers
November 29, 2025
1🌶️

I really started out liking this book! The beginning pulled me in, but somewhere in the middle I found myself drifting off, rereading sections, and feeling like there was just a lot going on at once.

Princess Liane is secretly trying to uncover who’s behind the poisonous magic smuggling, magic that’s addictive and kîlled her best friend. She’s also chronically ill, and the book touches on her symptoms often. Meanwhile, Erich is a were-dragon hiding his curse because he’ll be execüted if anyone finds out. He teams up with an elf who promises to break his curse in exchange for stealing the empress’s enchanted blade… who just so happens to be Liane’s mother.

Liane and Erich decide to fake an engagement so he can get close to the blade (Liane doesn't know this) and she can get her mother off her back while focusing on her own agenda. On top of all of that, there’s a murder mystery and a plot to overthrow the empire, so Liane has to shift gears and figure out who’s behind that too.

The romance has its moments, but their big night together felt a little fast and unemotional to me. And when Erich leaves the next morning without much explanation, it didn’t sit well, even if he thought he was doing the noble thing.

Still, I’ll definitely be reading book two! I want more about the elves, I’m curious whether Erich will embrace his dragon or keep trying to break the curse, and I’m especially interested to see how Liane’s new discovery of her “gifts” plays out.

Thank you so much to the author for sending me this eARC!
Profile Image for The Shelf Collective.
198 reviews11 followers
April 28, 2025
🐉✨ A Breathtaking Fantasy Full of Heart and Secrets ✨🐉

Dragon’s Deception by Nicolette Andrews completely swept me away! From the first chapter, I was hooked by the lush world-building, the clever twists, and the slow-burn intrigue that kept the pages flying.

Andrews crafts a magical world that feels alive — full of hidden dragons, court politics, and just the right touch of danger. The main character is a breath of fresh air: smart, layered, and fiercely determined, with secrets of her own that unravel beautifully as the story unfolds. I loved watching her navigate loyalty, deception, and unexpected alliances in a world that demands strength at every turn.

The romance is just chef’s kiss — tender, slow-building, and full of tension that had me swooning. Every relationship, whether romantic or otherwise, feels genuine and earned. Plus, the side characters add richness to the story without ever stealing focus from the heart of the journey.

Andrews’ writing is captivating, full of vivid imagery and emotional depth, and her pacing keeps you eager for the next revelation. I adored the blend of magic, mystery, and heartfelt moments—and I’m already itching for more from this series!

If you're craving a fantasy that's rich in atmosphere, brimming with secrets, and centered around a heroine you can’t help but root for, Dragon’s Deception belongs at the very top of your TBR.

Thank you NerdFam and Nicolette for the eARC.
Profile Image for Lisa Conant.
629 reviews40 followers
April 5, 2025
This had a wonderfully easy way of immersing me in the world! With elements of humor too, it strikes a balance of adventure and fantasy that will be sure to leave you craving book two, because I sure am after the ending!

Erich was easy to fall for, a man in self exile due to his curse but hopelessly falling for the high spirited princess he's in a fake relationship with. However this arrangement is actually not terribly in focus for the story but rather the dismantling of a magical and addictive drug, stardust.

Erich is on a time limit till his next dragon transformation but need a blade that is within the value to break his curse. But feelings start to get in the way of his plan.

There is a fairly complex amount of political intrigue which added weight to the narrative. Not much spice since this is book one and the couple is just beginning their love. The one spice scene I felt rushed though, wish it was more hesitant or slower paced considering the build-up. Wanted to savor it more, have their connecting be stronger, sweeter till book pay off.

The magic system is neat but it, and the blade, and her connection to it did confuse me a bit.

Nevertheless, I need to know what happens to sweet Erich and see how they each come into their powers, old and new ...as well as handle their complicated feelings toward the other!
Profile Image for EllasEnchantedReads.
144 reviews3 followers
April 28, 2025
Dragon’s Deception is a thrilling high stakes fantasy romance filled with immersive storytelling, wonderful world building and political intrigue that is built around a world of dragons, elves and magical curses. This is book one in the Moonlight Dragon trilogy and features tropes like enemies to lovers, fake courtship, he falls first, fated mates, one bed and a dragon shifter curse.

Princess Liane is a strong FMC who secretly hunts magic drug dealers within her kingdom, motivated by both revenge and avoiding her mother’s wishes for her to finally settle down and get married. Prince Erich is a morally gray MMC cursed to turn into a dragon and desperately seeks a cure, even if that means stealing another kingdom’s magical sword to break it. Tangled up in secrets, these two form a fake engagement. I absolutely loved the romance, banter and chemistry between Liane and Erich. I also loved the sibling dynamic between Liane and her protective younger brother Mathias, and I hope we get to see more of them in this trilogy!

If you are looking for your next enemies to lovers with fake dating and a slow burn romance, this book is for you! I loved all the mystery, danger and adventure in Dragon’s Deception and definitely recommend giving it a read!

Thank you Sunny Babe PR for a copy of this ARC book!
Profile Image for Busy Book Lark.
67 reviews5 followers
April 8, 2025
This book had me hooked from start to finish! The pacing is fast, and the story never lost momentum for me. Nicolette does a fantastic job crafting a world that is detailed, but not overwhelming. I loved the world-building, the underground tunnel system was especially intriguing. I can’t wait to learn more about the magic system.

The fake dating trope is done well, honestly I don’t know if their pull toward each other was ever really fake. I can’t wait to see how their bond will continue to develop in the subsequent books of the series. There was a brief, spicy scene that, although it felt rushed, fit well into the story.

The way the author subtly weaved together the separate paths of Liane, Erich, and even Fritz was great. Each character is on their own personal journey, fighting their own battles, and yet, as the story progresses, their individual struggles converge, bringing them together.

The ending was action packed. Full of revelations, and thrilling moments that had me eagerly flipping pages. The stage is perfectly set for the next installment. I'm definitely invested in where this story is headed, and I can't wait to see how everything unfolds.

Definitely recommend!

Thank you @Sunnybabepr for sending me a copy of this book!
Profile Image for Haali M.
251 reviews3 followers
May 8, 2025
I didn’t quite get to this one by release day, but I’m glad I finished it! This is definitely different from a lot of other fantasy romance books I’ve read recently. The complexity of the magic, kind of combining multiple types within the story line, was super fun. Having the shifter element was an added bonus too. I’d love to see more extensive world building personally, but I know most people would not want that, so this would be a great read for someone who wanted moderate world building with more of a focus on the characters themselves!

Erich was broody, sullen at times, and delicious. It’s always interesting to me to see how authors choose to approach shifters, whether that’s a single being without extra dialogue or (like in this case) two sides of the same coin but being semi-separate beings! I really enjoyed his character and his dragon definitely reminded me of my golden retriever. Just a happy dude when he’s following his favorite lady around! lol Liane’s character was more realistic given her age and social standing than I thought she’d be initially. I enjoyed her portrayal a lot!

I’m excited to see what comes next from this author!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️

Thank you to SunnyBabePR for the gifted review copy!
Profile Image for Breanna | TalkBooksWithBree |.
179 reviews6 followers
May 6, 2025
Thank you, @sunnybabepr and @nicolette_andrews for this ARC!

Dragon’s Deception earns a solid 4 stars for its engaging plot and interesting world-building. This is such an exciting fantasy story that will have you intrigued right away!

The story combines elements of political intrigue, magic, and personal quests, keeping readers engaged. The mystery surrounding the stardust and the elf adds layers of complexity that had me eager to see what would happen next! Princess Liane and Erich make for compelling main characters that are well-developed, complex and share a lot of chemistry. I really enjoyed getting to know them both individually and as love interests. I loved the descriptions of the world of Artria, the political landscape, and the magic system are imaginative and contribute to an immersive reading experience.

This is a compelling fantasy novel with a unique premise and engaging characters. I recommend it to readers who enjoy stories with royal intrigue, magic, and personal quests.

If you like:
🐉 Dragon Shifter MMC
🏰 Fake Courtship
👑 Stabby Heroine
🗡️ He Falls First
🐉 Monsters and Myths
🏰 Royal Intrigue
…Then this is a book for you!!
Profile Image for Melanie.
76 reviews2 followers
December 30, 2025
I found it easy to get into this book, it flows nicely and the storyline is enjoyable.

It slowed down in pace towards the middle, but thankfully picks back up soon after.

It is a nice lite fantasy romance, not huge in world building. With cute banter and romantic elements. Low spice, there is one scene that is open door but not very descriptive.

Okay, now getting into the story!

I like that Liane is a relatable character with chronic pain and if you have hormone issues you can relate to her always being sweaty and hot 😅. She snarky and short tempered which does get her into trouble, but hey, me too! lol

Erich is a bit lacking in the MMC role, but he’s not terribly flat. He just needed to realize he liked her a lot sooner. So this book definitely has slow burn down.

The storyline really starts pulling together with corrupt magic and how it is spread throughout the kingdom. I’m really interested to see more about the elves and their side of the story and how everything is going to play out in the next book.

This is the first book in the series and I think it laid out everything nicely for the rest of the series.
Profile Image for Lumie.
650 reviews2 followers
April 13, 2025
Thank you to Sunny Babe PR for the ARC.

Plot 4/5
Characters 4.25/5
Ending 4/5
Interest 4.5/5

Overall 4.25/5

-I was pleasantly surprised. To be honest I was expecting quite a wattpad type of writing and story but I actually enjoyed myself more than I throughly so that was great. The storyline wasn’t the most original or anything but there was enough intrigue for me to enjoy myself. The storyline was very relationship based but with the added intrigue of the war looming over the kingdom was interesting.

-The characters were nice. I liked Liane. She was fun. Erich was interesting but I felt like some parts were missing in his story and when it intertwined with Liane’s. him being a were dragon felt very overlooked throughout the entirety of the story until it was necessary to bring out towards the ending.

-The ending leaves something to be desired. I would like to continue this series na do ethos scene see it to the end of the trilogy. There was lots that happened which made me question what I was reading but there were other moments which didn’t feel very necessary or clear enough.
Profile Image for Steph.
61 reviews
April 30, 2025
A well written story, with plenty of twists and turns, Dragon’s Deception is a fantasy read that has something for everyone. Hidden ancient magic, a dragon shifter, court politics, slow burn romance, and a slippery weasley villain you love to hate, it has all of my favourite elements and I absolutely loved every page.

The dual POV switches between FMC Liane, a sassy princess with epic middle child attitude who has sworn to eradicate their city from a corrupt drug gang, and Erich, a charming reluctant prince desperately trying to escape his were-dragon curse. As they enter into a fake engagement to appease Liane’s mother, the Empress, and with more at play than meets the eye, Liane and Erich’s worlds are more entwined than they know.

With their story left unfinished and the magical elements of this world only peeping through the final pages, there are plenty of possibilities for the next book. I can’t wait to see where this series takes me and can’t wait to read the next installment.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.