Reviewed by: Sue Eaton

TITLE: Witches Grumpy Dragon

SERIES: Brinswick: Tales from Gauhala

AUTHOR: Michele Notaro

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 386 pages

RELEASE DATE: September 26, 2024

BLURB:

I have never in my life met anyone as infuriating as that dragon. So then why do I keep wanting to spend time with him?

Step One: Find a gorgeous guy. Check.

Step Two: Talk to said gorgeous guy. Check.

Step Three: Try not to strangle him. Uh… do I really have to check this one? Because I really want to wrap my fingers around his—ugh.

Garrick Von Stein is the most frustrating person I’ve ever met, and yet, as soon as he calls me for help, I jump right in. Every single time. Why? I have no idea. I mean, I really do like to look at the dragon shifter king, but that doesn’t explain this strange pull, this need, I feel to be near him.

He doesn’t even like me—believe me, I’d know—but for some reason he trusts me. And the weirdest thing of all? I trust him too.

Now if only we could find a way to work together to keep him and everyone else safe.

REVIEW:

I really enjoyed all the previous books in the Brinswick series and was thrilled to return to the Brinswick universe but in a completely different place.  It was great to see that the previously much-loved characters pop up in this book, still as protective as ever.  I love seeing Seb’s and Ailin’s children and their friends all grown up and off living their own lives out in the world.  The strong bonds of friendship between Tanyl and Remi were wonderful and it was great to see them so protective of each other.

The relationship between Tanyl and Garrick, the Dragon King is quite complex and evolves significantly throughout the story. Initially, Tanyl finds Garrick to be grumpy and infuriating, which leads to a lot of tension and conflict between them. However, as they spend more time together, they begin to understand each other better.  They start to see beyond their initial impressions.  Tanyl begins to understand the burdens and responsibilities Garrick carries as the Dragon King, while Garrick starts to appreciate Tanyl’s strength and determination. Their relationship evolves from mutual annoyance to a deep bond as they face various challenges together, both magical and personal.

Their journey is marked by moments of vulnerability and trust-building, leading to a strong emotional connection. They come to rely on each other, not just as allies, but as partners who complement each other’s strengths and weakness

Tanyl and Garrick’s pasts play a significant role in shaping their relationship.  As a witch, Tanyl has faced prejudice and isolation, which makes him wary of others and hesitant to trust. His experiences have made him resilient and independent, but also somewhat guarded. This initial wariness affects how he interacts with Garrick, leading to misunderstandings and conflict.  It was amusing to see how oblivious Tanyl was, to who Garrick was to him and Garrick’s decision to keep him in the dark due to his misguided attempt to keep Tanyl safe.

Garrick, as the Dragon King, carries the weight of his responsibilities and the expectations of his people. His past is marked by the pressures of leadership and the need to maintain a strong front. This has made him appear grumpy and unapproachable, but it also means he deeply values loyalty and strength in others.

Their past experiences create initial barriers in their relationship, but as they begin to understand each other’s histories, they find common ground. Tanyl’s resilience and Garrick’s sense of duty become points of mutual respect. Their shared experiences of overcoming adversity help them to connect on a deeper level, transforming their relationship from one of conflict to one of partnership and affection.

There were a lot of twists and turns in this book with a lot of unpleasant history for both of them to unpack and eventually share.  I enjoyed this book enormously and can’t wait for the next one in the series.

RATING:

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