Book Review: Scales and Sensibility by Stephanie Burgis

Scales and Sensibility
Author: Stephanie Burgis
Series: Regency Dragons (Book 1)
Publication: Five Fathoms Press (October 4, 2021)

Description: Sensible, practical Elinor Tregarth really did plan to be the model poor relation when she moved into her aunt and uncle's house. She certainly never meant to kidnap her awful cousin Penelope's pet dragon. She never expected to fall in love with the shameless - but surprisingly sweet - fortune hunter who came to court Penelope, either. And she never dreamed that she would have to enter into an outrageous magical charade to save her younger sisters' futures.

However, even the most brilliant scholars of 1817 England still haven't ferreted out all the lurking secrets of rediscovered dragonkind...and even the most sensible of heroines can still make a reckless wish or two when she's pushed. Now Elinor will have to find out just how rash and resourceful she can be when she sets aside all common sense. Maybe, just maybe, she'll even be impractical enough to win her own true love and a happily ever after...with the unpredictable and dangerous "help" of the magical creature who has adopted her.

A frothy Regency rom-com full of pet dragons and magical misadventures, Scales and Sensibility is a full-length novel and the first in a new series of standalone romantic comedies.

My Thoughts: Elinor Tregarth is a poor relation. Doomed to live with her aunt, uncle, and incredibly spoiled cousin Penelope after her parents lost their money in a scam and died in a carriage accident, she finds herself running away from home with her cousin's abused dragon Sir Jessamyn Carnovoran Artos who has a nasty habit of pooping when he is stressed no matter whose shoulder he is perching on. 

She doesn't get far from home when she is run off the road by a coach and rescued by Benedict Hawkins and his dragon-obsessed friend Cornelius Aubrey. Benedict's father got caught up in the same scheme as Elinor's parents and now Benedict needs to find an heiress to marry. Unfortunately the heiress he's chosen is Elinor's cousin Penelope. 

Unbeknownst to scholars, some dragons are able to perform magic and Sir Jessamyn is one of them An off hand wish to be someone else - someone important - turns Elinor into the image of Mrs. DeLacy who is a well-known society icon and Elinor's aunt's childhood friend. 

So Elinor finds herself back at the home of her uncle after promising to lend Penelope social clout during her upcoming debut. She's also trying to further Benedict's suit though she knows it won't make him happy and even though she is falling for him herself.

This was a fun Regency romp complete with dragons. I loved the characters and the wonderful romance plot. I liked that Elinor's good heart and intelligence finds a way to make everything come out right and provide her and Benedict with a happy ending. 

Favorite Quote:

Unlike her sister Rose, Elinor had never believed that Fate would ever sweep in to rescue her. Anything that looked like a stroke of luck from the blue was far more likely to be an appallingly bad idea.

I received this book because I am a supporter of the author's Patreon.. You can buy your copy here.