Dragon's Lair by Chantal Fernando

Published by Simon and Schuster on April 21st 2015
Genres: Action & Adventure, Contemporary, Fiction, General, Romance
Pages: 304
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Goodreads


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The first in a new sexy romance series from bestselling author Chantal Fernando about the bad boys of the Wind Dragons Motorcycle Club and the women who fall in love with them.When I found my boyfriend cheating on me, I did something stupid. Or should I say, someone? Because of that mistake, I’m now stuck in a world I don’t belong in. I’m a law student. They’re criminals. He’s the vice president of a motorcycle club. I’m a good girl with a strict upbringing. He’s my ex-boyfriend’s brother. And I’m screwed.

Faye is the good girl who has her future planned out. Graduate law school, marry the boy with similar career aspirations, live the dream of a house in the suburbs complete with white picket fence and 2.2 children. Dexter Black does not fit into that plan at all. But after a night of sin with the devastatingly sexy bad boy alpha male, Faye faces a baby sized bump in the road. Not willing to let Faye raise his child without him, Dex brings Faye into his family – the Wind Dragon’s Motorcycle Club – with the aim to protect what is his. But living in a house full of hard-riding bikers and their buckle bunnies is the least of Faye and Dex’s problems. Can the good girl law student come to terms with her baby daddy’s criminal activities before it’s too late?

There is so much to like about Dragon’s Lair. The characters are brilliant. Faye and Dex felt like real people with somewhat realistic problems and authentic conflicts. The supporting cast of Wind Dragons and their entourage are a highlight – they are entertaining and fun with their own lives going on. There was no point where characters like Arrow, Tracker etc. felt like their only purpose was to further Faye and Dex’s story. They have their own problems and stories and I can not wait for the rest of this series to be released so I can read more about them! The banter between Faye and the brothers was one of my favourite things about this novel with the sizzling romance between her and Dex being another. Ms. Fernando delivers some decadent intimate scenes in this novel which won’t be forgotten in a hurry.

Dragon’s Lair does contain a few common romance novel tropes (bad boy/good girl, boy next door, unplanned pregnancy etc.) yet they are handled in a way which felt delightfully fresh and an interesting take on ideas I’ve read before. I loved how Ms. Fernando managed the pregnancy angle of the novel. The reveal wasn’t dragged out and Faye was surprisingly pragmatic about it all. The pacing of this book is fantastic with the excitement blending in flawlessly with the more heartfelt moments.

One thing I had a slight issue with was criminal activity of the Wind Dragon’s. They are a gun toting, bitchin’ MC riding club with the immoral and illegal activities which go along with the leathers. For them to have the appeal of bad boy alpha males there has to be a certain level non-law abidingness. But I thought Faye was too accepting of their wicked ways considering her lawyer aspirations and the way certain events unfolded in front of her. I think this is case of love blinding her to certain club aspects…

Overall, Dragon’s Lair is an endearing read with loveable yet dangerous characters. People who enjoyed Sons of Anarchy for the bad boy romance will find much to enjoy about this novel. Fast paced with action, romance and drama woven together beautifully, Dragon’s Lair is a fun read for fans of alpha men with a dangerous edge and female characters who won’t bow down to them without a fight.

 

Thanks to Simon and Schuster for the review copy.