What's not to love about dragons and cowboys?! The Dragon Ranch of Dawn Ridge was cute and cozy, and such a fun read

4.25 stars

Overall this book was very cute with a unique spin on a classic cowboy romance.

Yellowstone meets fantasy when rancher Aevrin saves Cassia from dying in the mountains. Except instead of horses they ride dragons, and instead of standard cattle, they raise armored bulls. Magic is used liberally and naturally in this world, but things are also still primitive in the way you see in an old western. I loved how inspired this world was and would love to delve into it again. It felt more like magical realism than straight up fantasy romance.

I liked the characters and how at the end of the day this is a story of found family, but also how much you should be grateful to the family you have as well. Aevrin and Cassia's love story was fast in the sense of time, but it felt like a slow realistic timeliness of falling in love and caring for someone even if you think you shouldn't.

Lastly, I loved how thoughtful everyone was. A great cozy fantasy read.

OVERALL RATING: 3.25🌟

SPICE: Hot Honey 🌶️🌶️

Format: 📱Kindle

Thanks to Juliette Caruso, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Plot 3.5🌟
Overall, I thought the plot of this was quite good. I love cozy fantasy, it is one of my all time favorite genres! The concept of this plot was right up my alley, a professional cook finds herself in a messy kitchen with a family who makes terrible meals. I knew this would set-up for a fantastic cozy vibe and romance! I loved the mystery of Cassia and where she came from, how she got hurt, and the state of her brother. Adding another layer with the ranching and dragon riding… I mean come on, how could you not love the sound of that?? The cowboy fantasy blend was done really well in my opinion, I thought it was so clever how she correlated dragons to horses, but still gave it that fantasy flare! Also, fire breathing cows? Who wear armor?? Adorable.

The plot did fall apart a bit for me because it was just missing things I needed in order for the story to remain entertaining. I wanted to know more about what Rylan was getting himself into and I wished the drama of that was amped up a bit more. It was quite boring and extremely low stakes. I think it would have been fun to have more town suspicion and the sheriff more involved. I also found the kitchen stuff to not be enough. I loved the beginning when she was cleaning out the kitchen and finding the mice that disguised themselves! But after that, we lost some steam. The interactions were boring and the longing was just not tense enough for me. There was definitely room on the pages to amp up the romance plot more!

Characters 2.75🌟
I enjoyed the characters of this story. Cassia being the main character was a lot of fun. She is just such a joy and definitely the sunshine of the story. I also appreciated that she was described as a bigger woman, always love that representation! Aevrin is the MMC and he is the grumpy one here, haha. He is a cowboy and kind of the main man of the house aside from his dad. The side characters are pretty entertaining, Gramma and Mavek especially.

Physical descriptions of the characters were missing for me. I really had no clue what Cassia was supposed to look like beyond her generous curves (which were described at length). Aevrin’s appearance was completely missing! It was just so hard for me to picture these characters, even knowing what their ages were! Fortunately she had some character art on her Instagram. I also found the characters two dimensional, I think some backstory work would be beneficial. It wasn’t hard to connect with the characters, but for me, character stories are big for me and it was definitely missing something.

Writing & Pacing 3.5🌟
I think the writing here is quite good! Super easy to read and follow along. I though the dialogue was great and fun. And the spice also was written well!

I had a minor issue with the interchanging of “dragon” and “drake.” I can be a fantasy snob and on top of that, it confused the crap out of me. I thought there were dragons and drakes at first. Dragon = four legs with wings, drake = four legs no wings. Now, I think it would be funny to call a dragon a drake when a dragon is being silly or stubborn, like calling a donkey an ass.

Audio Experience N/A

Romance 2.5🌟
The romance was okay here. Ultimately, it was not my favorite part because it would have done well to be a slow burn with lots of tension. I think that was the attempt, but it lacked tension for the most part. I did think they were a cute couple by the end!

Plot to smut ratio 4🌟
With this being cozy romantasy, I have a personal opinion that you should limit the spice and tone it down, which matches the coziness best! I felt like the first scene was too long and too descriptive. While the second scene was the perfect length and described appropriately! I don’t want to harp on the spice too much because out of all the things I rate here, spice is SOOOO subjective.

Spice Quality 4🌟
Like I said, I felt like the first scene was a little too descriptive for the nature of the novel. But outside of that, I thought it was well written! I mostly just don’t want spice to be weird or cringy. The second scene was toned way down and honestly the type of spice I prefer in general!

Overall Entertainment or Emotional Reactions 3🌟
Overall, I did enjoy this book and thought it was a good read! I did find parts of this to be slow and it got a little boring versus cozy for me. I would recommend it if you’re looking for a cowboy romance and fantasy blend, it does hit all those notes well!

The concept for this book was so interesting! I think it did fall a little flat in the execution of the plot, both in the romance and in the subplot. In terms of the romance I wish that this book had taken place over a longer period of time in order to really believe how much they care for one another. I do think the two main characters do like each other but it all felt a little bit insta-lovey for me by the end. The mmc also felt too perfect in my opinion, typically because in romances likes this the two main characters both have personal issues they need to overcome in order to get into the relationship but he doesn't. By the time they got together I was ready for the book to be over, but the subplot coming back in at the very end I was a little bit over it especially since, in my opinion, they did not have a lot of visible impact through the story. If the outlaws were actually seen on the page instead of talked about it would have had more impact on the overall story. I thought that the world building was pretty good overall and was really cool how the ranch operates in the story than in the real world. While I didn't love this book I would be interested in seeing this continue into a series since the world and other siblings did peak my interest.

I was hooked at dragons, but had never really read a western. The author did a great job using vocabulary and scenic descriptions to transport the reader into the wild west, but with cattle that set everything on fire and cowboys who ride dragons! I read this book in two days and could not set it down. I would call it a cozy fantasy- just enough tension to keep the story moving but slow enough to get to sit down with the family and enjoy a Griffin steak and some grello! give this book a try, you will not be dissapointed! I hope we will get to meet up with this family again in the future and hear more about their story!

In the interest of full disclosure, I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an unbiased review.

The Dragon Ranch of Dawn Ridge by Juliette Caruso is an almost perfect cozy romantasy. The setting remind me a little bit of the wacky world of Meg Bannon’s The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy. Dawn Ridge is home to spontaneously combusting armored cows, sexy dragon riding cowherds, and a cast of characters that really feel like family. The premise is that Cassia, a professional chef left for dead in the wilderness, is rescued by Aevrin, who’s basically a walking green flag in leather. He gives her space to heal, flirts respectfully (if a little too naively), and lets her set the pace

This book is not trying to be epic fantasy or political intrigue or even particularly high-stakes adventure. Instead, it offers a warm, gently magical romance with big feelings, fire-breathing livestock, and the kind of found family dynamics that make you feel like you’ve been invited to dinner at the cozy ranch house down the way. The Dragon Ranch of Dawn Ridge is the fantasy equivalent of sipping spiked cider by a crackling fire while a very hot man in flannel chops wood outside. (Except, in this case, the man is probably wearing leather and also riding a dragon.)

Things I loved: Aevrin. Good lord, cinnamon rolls wish they were as gooey inside as this dragon rancher. He is an absolute sweetheart without being boring. I also love the setting, one part fairyland, one part frontier, one part Wild West, it was so unique and unusual. I can confidently say I have never read a book like this before. And of course, the romance, which was so tender and warmhearted.

Things I didn’t: Well, the romance. Not all of it though! But it did seem a tad too insta-lovey for something marketed as a slow burn, and I hate insta-love. Also, Cassia’s whole insecurity ish. I’m all for characters with emotional baggage, but the whole “I have to push him away for his own good” trope is not my favorite, especially when it is so nonsensical, and especially especially when it’s paired with characters who otherwise seem very capable of communication. Cassia was too hot and cold for me to truly enjoy, which was the only low point in an otherwise wonderful read. I also feel like the description of Aevrin and a grumpy rancher was oversold. Shy and awkward and maybe a little gruff, sure. But not grumpy or grouchy or anything of the like, which was a shame because I love me a grump.

I give it 4.5 stars rounded up to 5, because this books is truly a cozy romantasy gem. It’s not going to blow your mind with plot twists or reinvent the romantasy genre, but that’s not its goal. This is the kind of fantasy you curl up with when you want heart over high stakes. If you’re looking for gritty adventure, look elsewhere. But if you want gentle magic, soft romance, and a cowboy who rides dragons? You’ve come to the right ranch.

Perfect for fans of: Found family, slow burns, dragons cozy fantasy, magical homesteading, Meg Banner, dragon-riding himbos, and cinnamon rolls in chaps.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This story was cosy, it had dragons, and it was so sweet it’d rot your teeth!

I think it was a little too sweet for me, he was so besotted with her from the off… she’s it for him but he barely knows a single thing about her. And she’s so reserved with him that it even had me wondering whether she actually felt as strongly as he did never mind him!

It all just falls into place at the end as it does with these kind of stories, I don’t want to spoil anything though. So if you’re here for cosy predictability, very low stakes then this is the book for you. It’s a good pallet cleanser I’d say.

🐉 The Dragon Ranch of Dawn Ridge by Juliet Caruso — Review

Genre: Fantasy Romance / Small-Town Cowboy (with Dragons!)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5 rounded up)

Imagine a small-town cowboy romance… now add dragons. Yep, that’s the vibe of The Dragon Ranch of Dawn Ridge—a sweet, slightly magical romance set on a dragon ranch (because normal cows are clearly passé).

Cassia, the heroine, is discovered gravely ill near Aevrin’s family ranch. She’s obviously hiding a dangerous secret, but Aevrin and his wonderfully warm, dragon-wrangling family take her in. She repays them the best way she knows how—through her cooking—and gradually becomes part of the family. This is very much a found family story, with Cassia slowly healing from a painful, isolated past thanks to the kindness (and dragons) around her.


Cassia and Aevrin’s chemistry is soft and endearing—definitely more of a slow simmer than a fiery inferno, but I liked that about it. Their connection feels genuine, and the domestic moments—especially in the kitchen and around the ranch—were lovely to read. And there's a little spice thrown in.

That said, I found the final third of the book didn’t hold me as tightly. Oddly enough, it’s when the plot picks up—secrets revealed, danger unfurls—but the romantic tension had already been mostly resolved, so the momentum fizzled a little for me.

Still, this was an imaginative and heartfelt read. The premise is charming, the dragons are a fun twist, and the emotional beats (especially around healing and trust) land nicely. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

For me, this is the epitome of a cozy romance. Adorable main couple? Check. Boisterous family that doesn’t steal the show, but instead supports the main couple? Check. A strong sense of place and time combined with good world building? Check. A plot that allows the main characters to talk, flirt, have emotions and fall in love? Check.

But it also has the things that make any story good. Logical plot progression, a world that feels real and solid under the character’s feet. A sense of whimsy and joy — basilisk eggs in the morning, cowboys who ride dragons instead of horses and use crossbows instead of guns; magical fruits and veggies as well as peas and carrots. A heroine with a good heart, skills and strengths, and even weaknesses that make her feel like a real person, and a love interest with a personality who may not have the finest manners or the biggest billfold, but is kind, considerate, moral and loving.

This is just an adorable, sweet book. If you like western themed romances (without slavery, the suffering of indigenous peoples, or colonization), fantasy romances, or just want a light and fluffy romance, this one is decidedly worth a read. And I have hopes there will be more in the future set in this wonderful world.

Thank you so very much to Net Galley and the Publisher for the ARC.

You know I love a good cowboy romance, but the mix with fantasy worked SO well. Dragons instead of horses? That was already enough for me to start reading. I liked the cozy feeling of the ranch, and how everything felt a bit slower and peaceful compared to usual fantasy books. Still, it had magic, danger, and a romance that kept things interesting. Cassia and Aevrin were both sweet and kind to each other, and I enjoyed watching how their bond grew with time. It was slow, but not boring. The family of Aevrin was really one of the best parts. They brought humor and warm feelings, and made Cassia feel part of something again. That found family part was really touching, and made the whole story feel more emotional and real. I wanted to know more about the magic and how everything worked. But overall, it still pulled me back in quickly. I would totally read more from this series, especially if it follows other members of the family. Thank you so much to the author and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving a honest review

4.5 stars
this was such a fun read! it's like a cowboy version of romantasy and i just know that any more books in this world/setup are gonna be good. the world building was done well and i liked the characters

**Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.**

3.75 stars

Going into this book based on the blurb, I expected a bit more of the fantasy (considering it had dragons) but it was mainly a country romance based in a fantasy world - not that I'm complaining of course.

The story was quite fast paced, which I liked, and the characters were all pretty likeable as well as consistent in the writing. The plot was low stakes and I liked seeing the romance develop between Aevrin and Cassia, and also seeing Cassia gradually start trusting more. And of course, I will always love a found family trope.

Overall, quite an enjoyable read.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

3.5 stars.

This was an enjoyable, easy to read book, but it wasn't amazing. It's an interesting world, with dragon ranchers; the dragons are like horses or cattle dogs, not the animal being ranched which I really liked. It's a small town and an isolated ranch for the main settings, and a frontier Wild West-esque time setting. There are hints at the greater world but not enough to really have a proper picture of what the main character, Cassia, has come from. We get a lot of confusion and fish-out-of-water from her as she settles in at the Ranch in this far-flung frontier of the Empire. Thankfully this never really felt like a way to info dump the reader.
The characters were mostly pretty fun. For the most part Cassia was very consistently written. She slowly developed as she settled and grew more comfortable at the ranch. She has trauma and I'm glad this wasn't magically fixed just by finding the Riveker family. Each of the family members had a distinct personality, and it was easy to remember who was who (which is pretty important with a big cast).
My main issue was that it didn't delve into the development of the romance enough for me. It was VERY insta-love, with a lot of internal dialogue from both main characters about how attractive the other person is and how they shouldn't be thinking that (this got old pretty quick, but I was glad it was mutual). The sex scenes also felt like a bit much in this story. I actually think a more fade-to-black deal would have worked better.
The other half of my issue was, I believe, because the author was also trying to shoehorn in some drama. The drama was the reason for Cassia being left for dead and I won't spoil the details. But this book was trying to be a cosy fantasy, so the stakes weren't there, and for the drama to be properly effective, for me to care about it, it needed to have STAKES. I would have preferred if Caruso picked either the romance OR the drama. Pick one, develop it deeper, and chuck the other. This book would have been much improved without that particular drama.
The ending felt very rushed, and the climax of the drama felt disappointing (due to lack of stakes and how fast it started and was then over).
Overall, I liked the world, and I liked the characters. I would definitely read more books set in this world and about the family/ranch. I want more dragons.

The Dragon Ranch of Dawn Ridge is a gentle, low-stakes romantasy that blends the charm of a frontier western with a soft layer of magic—and, of course, dragons. With its cozy atmosphere and likable leads, it’s a light read for those who enjoy a softer touch in their fantasy romance.

Cassia, a professional cook on the run, ends up at the ranch of Aevrin, a dragon-riding cowboy with a gruff exterior and a heart of gold. The worldbuilding is quietly satisfying—dragons are used in ranching due to the rocky terrain and fire resistance, and healing magic is worked into the story with thoughtful little touches. Despite this, the plot could easily have been lifted from a historical western romance.

The pacing is very slow, especially in the first half. There’s a lot of domestic detail—cooking, cleaning, and small-talk—which gives it a slice-of-life feel but leaves the story with little forward momentum. The chemistry between Cassia and Aevrin is slow-building (a first kiss around the halfway mark), and their emotional reserve makes the sudden shift to open-door intimacy shortly after feel a bit abrupt.

If you’re looking for a cozy fantasy-western with dragons, gentle pining, and a minimal-steam love story that blooms late, this may be just the thing. But readers wanting a stronger plot or more early romantic tension might find it a bit too subdued. 
It’s a warm, sweet dragon-western with likable characters and solid worldbuilding—but a little more spark and narrative drive would have taken it further.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the perfect blend of romance for any reader who loves a cowboy/rancher romance and a fantasy romance with dragons and other mythical creatures.

Juliette has created something special by bringing these two genres together, and I'm so here for it!

There were times the characters wound me up - miscommunication frustrates me in real life and so it winds me up when I read it, I find myself wanted to reach into the book and giving both MCs a good shake on the shoulders - for Cassia I wanted to shout 'YOU CAN TRUST HIM, JUST TELL HIM WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU!', and to Aevrin I wanted to shout 'GO FOR IT, SHE'S INTO YOU TOO AND YOU BEING ALOOF IS CONFUSING HER!' :D

The 'threat' of Cassia's history was wrapped up nicely and neatly, I was so relieved this didn't become something dark and sinister, it stayed in line with the cozy pace and prevented any real concern for Cassia suffering again.

Thank you so much for the ARC, I enjoyed this ride and can't wait to find my bonded dragon and travel to Dawn Ridge! XD

*****Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of The Dragon Ranch of Dawn Ridge by Juliette Caruso in exchange for an honest review.

This was one of the sweetest books I’ve read in a long time. I absolutely loved how simply and gently Aevrin and Cassia’s love story unfolded. The idea of ranch life centered around dragons instead of horses was brilliant. I just wish we had seen even more dragons! I also would have loved more scenes with Kazeic. I’m really hoping to read the stories of the other characters too. I’d love to return to Dawn Ridge.

If you're in the mood for a cowboy romance with a fantasy twist, this one is for you! It’s a delightful mix of cozy and adventurous, with a romance that’s as sweet as it is swoon-worthy. Cassia and Aevrin’s relationship had such a gentle, heartfelt dynamic (one that felt genuinely earned). Aevrin is the kind of MMC I can’t get enough of: patient, kind, and truly devoted. There’s a bit of spice, plenty of charm, and an interesting fantasy component!

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and Juliette Caruso for the opportunity to read this book and provide my honest review!

A cozy cowboy romantasy book was something I didn’t realize I needed until reading this! The plot was plotting, the romance was romancing, and the sprinkles of spice were just right. We have sassy dragons, found family, and cowboys! Everything about this book was chefs kiss. It exceeded my expectations and I’ll be thinking about Dawn Ridge and the characters until further notice.

I see your cowboy romance and I’ll raise you a
COWBOY DRAGON RIDER ROMANCE 💖🤠 Loved loved loved!

Cassia is running from a past she wants to avoid and Averin is a cowherd on his family’s ranch who just wants to do the best for his family. When their paths cross suddenly and Cassia finds herself working for her stay on the ranch the two can hardly keep away from each other.

Throw together:
Cowboys
Dragons
Forced Proximity
Found Family
and you have the recipe for a really fun, short and sweet romance.

I loved the magic and world building in this book with it being placed in an early western setting. I enjoyed the concept of dragon bonding and would love to see that idea taken further (perhaps in future books?). There is so much potential and so many hints of an extended world to come. PLUS the Riveker Ranch has been set up similarly to other series in the genre with multiple siblings living and working on the ranch. Meaning there is totally an opportunity to expand the world with books featuring rest of the Riveker crew.

In all it was a fairly short, but fun read with just enough spice. And i will absolutely be keeping an eye for more to come in this series 🤞🏻

4.25 ⭐
What a cozy read! This is just what I needed to break up the more, slightly stressful, books I've been reading recently 😅 Why are there not more dragon-riding cowboy romances?! And these cows/bulls that are fire-breathing/heat generating for both fast carriage transport and extra dangerous bull riding scenarios?! Love it!

I loved that it had just the right amount of world-building so that it didn't feel like an epic fantasy but I could still feel the world in which the story took place. When I read the synopsis I thought the MMC was going to be grumpy, and the FMC sunshine, but honestly, he was such a cinnamon roll, which was PERFECT. Being shy doesn't make one grumpy. His dragon was grumpy though, in case you really wanted that vibe.

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this ARC!