Book Review: The Dragon's Dedication by Marie Johnston

The Dragon's Dedication
Author: Marie Johnston
Series: Peridot Dragon Shifter Brothers (Book 2)
Publication: LE Publishing (January 19, 2023)

Description: Cricket

I was born and raised in Las Vegas, so I thought I’d be the last girl to say “yes” in an impulsive Vegas wedding. But I met Maverick at a wedding reception, the one where my ex was marrying my boss. I was vulnerable, Maverick was the hottest guy I’d ever seen, and he was nice. Even more, he was interested. I’m sure I won’t regret marrying a stranger who can make my toes curl by just looking at me.

Maverick

I saw Cricket, and I wanted her. I knew exactly what she was going through at her ex’s wedding since my own ex immediately mated someone else. There’s only one issue. Two, really, thanks to Cricket’s overprotective brother. My new wife doesn’t know I’m not human. I’m a dragon shifter who has to live with his clan—far away from Las Vegas. And Cricket will either have to accept me, or pay the price, while keeping her brother blissfully unaware. I’m sure I won’t regret marrying a lovely human I met and had to have.

My Thoughts: This paranormal romance is the middle book in a trilogy. Cricket is trying to quietly leave the wedding of her ex and her boss when she literally runs into Maverick Peridot. Maverick is in Las Vegas to get over the surprise mating of his ex immediately after dumping him. 

Cricket was born and bred in Las Vegas. After her parents' deaths when she was eleven, she was raised by her older brother who is now a driven pediatrician who is still very close with her.

After a whirlwind courtship, Cricker finds herself married to Maverick. He hasn't yet mentioned that he is a dragon shifter who has to return to his small town in Minnesota where the rest of his clan and his two siblings live. 

She needs to accept his secret and officially become his mate or one of them will have to die. She agrees to go home with him even though she knows she will miss her brother. And, once she sees him shift, she will keep his secret since his shifting is just one more intriguing part of the man she has fallen in love with. But there is someone in the town who doesn't want their mating to go on. This being has her own vision of the future and a mated and happy Maverick isn't part of it. 

Matters come to a head and Maverick's sister has to battle this other person to the death. Unfortunately, this is the moment that Cricket's brother arrives in town to check up on his sister's happiness. Now he is in the position of having to mate or die. 

This was a light and entertaining romance. I liked both main characters and am interested in reading the other two books in the trilogy to find out Maverick's brother and sister's stories. 

I added this one to my TBR pile December 31. 2024, when it was Free via BookBub. You can buy your copy here.