Becoming Dragon by Eve Langlais

Category: Paranormal Romance
Publication date: 01/03/2017
Kindle Unlimited: No
Cliffhanger: No

I’m guessing this book will not be for everyone because it’s very different than about 90% of what’s out there right now in paranormal romance land. But for me? It was AWESOME.

via GIPHY

Plot overview: Brandon, a gator shifter who has escaped from an evil genetic lab who forced him into unwanted experiments and servitude, is doing his best to avoid society and find his sister who is still a prisoner of the lab when he meets Aimi, a feisty dragon shifter intent on claiming him as her own. Hijinks ensue.
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Here’s what readers will have to be able to accept before they’ll enjoy this one: 

1. Brandon is a little broken from his time in captivity. He doesn’t feel worthy of Aimi, the heroine, and he has trouble believing that he’s more than a science-experiment-gone-wrong. His issues make him...not the typical alpha male hero you find in so many shifter romances these days. He’s angsty, but no so much that I was annoyed. 
2. Aimi, however, is VERY MUCH an alpha shifter. She’s smart and confident and strong and sassy. Basically, she’s everything I adore in a romance heroine. But if you’re not OK with romance heroines who are bigger badasses than their heroes, well, this one probably isn’t for you. You’ll see in some of the book’s other reviews that readers can find Aimi to be abrasive and cocky and arrogant. I won’t lie: she is. But her personality is a reflection of her strength and self confidence and how she was raised in a matriarchal society, so it makes total sense that her character would be unique.  I found her refreshing, quite frankly. But if you’re looking for paranormal romance heroines who are meek damsels in perpetual distress, you WILL NOT enjoy Aimi.  
3. It’s a slow burn romance. There’s lots of coitus interruptus going on in this one. I don’t mind that kind of thing, but if you’re looking for erotica, look elsewhere. 

Now, if you can overlook what I’ve mentioned above, you’re also in for: 

1. Laugh-out-loud scenarios and side characters
2. Super interesting and unique world building
3. Fun, witty banter in every chapter
4. Lots of action-y scenes. I could easily see this being made into an action movie—and I do love me some action movies. 

So, long-story-short, I highly recommend this one to fans of snarky, sassy, badass heroines and the often befuddled heroes who love them. 

Does this book contribute to or help crush the romance stigma?
This one kicks the crap out of the stigma! 

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