This book was such a surprise for me! I don't think I expected to enjoy it as much as I did because of the YA branding. But I think all that did was serve to make this more of a "clean" romance.
It had some many great aspects: dragon shifters, fake dating trope, a badass witch, and a fabulous slow-burn romance.
This was a new-to-me author who appears to be strong in this genre.

The beginning was questionable for me--only because I wasn't sure I'd like the love interest, Prince Tagaris. But the author did a great job of unveiling is character throughout in a way that was natural.
This was a fabulous romantasy!

I really liked this book, it was written beautifully! Loved the character/world build up throughout and also the relationship between the two main characters. The ending made me want to read the next book so badly!!

Okay Dragons! Yes! With this I am totally in!

This story is so well-written. I have never like a dragon story these days but this one made me love again. This is such an interesting romantasy because it was very engaging. I love the MCs relationship development. Omg. The plot and pacing was good. The ending was a satisfying one and yes, I will be waiting for the next one!

Hoping for the next one to have it written as I am writing this review. Thank youuuuu for letting me read this.

➸ 4 stars

“Poisonous snakes are sometimes beautiful, that doesn’t make them any less deadly.”

Five years ago the King was killed by a mysterious decease no healer could heal, not even Gwen’s mentor, banishing them both from the kingdom. That is, until the prince shows up at her doorstep asking for help, his niece, heir to the throne has been struck with the exact same decease.

Determined to heal the princess, Gwen must do what no other healer could accomplish, time is running out and she must figure out what the condition is and find a cure.

𓍢ִ໋ ˖ 𝐘𝐀 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
𓍢ִ໋ ˖ 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐰𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬
𓍢ִ໋ ˖ 𝐟𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩
𓍢ִ໋ ˖ 𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐨𝐯
𓍢ִ໋ ˖ 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲, 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜

This was my first Ava Richardson book and definitely not my last! I had so much fun reading this and absolutely loved the book! The characters were very likeable and I was constantly rooting for them! The mystery had me hooked from the start and I couldn’t put the book down because I wanted to figure out who was behind everything! I did figure out who it was around halfway through but I still wanted to figure out the why! There is still some things left unfinished and I can’t wait to see how this series continues!! (the small cliffhanger at the end?! I need the second book now!)

this was a strong start to the Throne of Dragons series, it had that element that I was hoping for from Ava Richardson. It had a great overall feel to this and worked in the fantasy element. The characters were everything that I was hoping for and enjoyed everything that I was hoping for. I wanted to read more in this series and from Ava Richardson.

Our main character, Gwen, is a healer in her own right, although she still practices with her mentor, Abertha, in their small town after being exiled from the dragon court for failing to save the king five years before. When Prince Tagaris shows up to their shop demanding help healing a vital member of the royal family who has fallen ill, both are reluctant to oblige but can't refuse the prince. Gwen sets out to help the royal family, knowing she won't survive this time if she fails them.

When Gwen and Tagaris return to the dragon court, Tagaris reveals that Gwen's task is healing the sickly princess, but no one can discover the royal family's weakness. After being spotted on the palace grounds, Gwen and Tagaris decide to pose as a couple to deflect rumors about the royal family's strength. Through their journey to heal the ailing princess and heir to the throne, they realize they have more in common than they first thought. The more they learn about the princess's sickness, the deeper they fall into a web of mysteries and deception that needs unraveling, and the more they find themselves helplessly drawn to each other.

I loved the dual POV and hearing the thoughts and feelings of both of our main characters throughout. The author does a great job of flow and keeping things interesting without overwhelming the reader with too much information. I enjoyed seeing our main characters grow throughout and appreciate that we have a resolution to the story instead of a cliffhanger. Even without a cliffhanger, the author does a great job of teasing the next book by introducing a new mystery and a chance to dive deeper into the history of our main characters.

This was such a great solid read. The world building was fantastic and the plot was at a good steady pace. I really did not expect the ending of this one, when you think it’s one person behind the evil and it turns out to be another, perfect!
I really enjoyed reading the dual pov’s in this book and I love that it gave me more insight into the characters thoughts.
The romance was a nice slow burn in this one and I loved that you find out that they had unknowing bonded through their interactions.
The characters were well written and I found that they had a good depth to them.
I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving this ARC, and this doesn’t influence my review. This was a wonderful read, great plot, and I couldn’t guess who was the culprit! The romance was good, but it could’ve been more
Tropes: fantasy romance, dragon shifters, hate to love, enemies to lovers, fake courting, court intrigue. I personally fantasy books where the FMC is a healer. I will definitely be reading the second book.

If you are a fan of dragons, magic, romance, and so much more than be sure to check out Bonding Fire by Ava Richardson. What an incredible world the author has created. This book took me way less time to read than I had thought it would, it was seriously so hard to put down as every page drew me in.
I think this book would be a great fit for any fantasy lover. I know it will be going into my favorites list.

Although all different, Ava Richardson’s books have a similar feel, and like here they are all fun reads. This is a fantasy story you can relax with. Familiar fantasy themes, surrounding a smooth satisfying centre. The only minor downside for me was the ‘Oh, I hadn’t thought of that’ stumbling search for a cure. But that didn’t spoil the whole. Thank you to Relay Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

An enjoyable and easy clean YA romantasy read. The plot and pacing were good, and the main characters were likeable (IMO), but I generally prefer some more depth to the characters, as well as more world building in a fantasy book. Although, it sounds like there is a potential for greater world building in the next book of the series. I liked the development of the relationship between the two main characters and how that impacts Gwen and Tagaris's individual magical abilities.

The book doesn't end on a cliff hanger, but does make you interested to see what Gwen and Tagaris discover in the next book.

I rate Bonding Fire 3.5/5 stars, rounded up. I recommend this book for anyone looking for a quick, light, clean romance with a little magic involved. Looking forward to the next installment in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read the ARC. I was not required to write this review, which reflects my honest opinion.

Great little read. The story was good and the little romance between the the characters was very cute.

This was a great book. It kept me on my toes the whole time. It was very fun trying to figure out who the bad guy was. The romance was very good! And the cliffhanger and the end was top tier.

This was a page turner for sure! I loved the initial slow burn between the MMC and FMC the world building and pacing was fantastic. I have read plenty of fantasy books with shifters and was surprised by the variety of shifters that existed within this realm including the main villain when they are finally revealed. Although, I was surprised that there wasn't more of an uproar when it became clear that Eupraxia killed the King especially from Gwen given that Abertha lost her hand almost her life for a selfish queen. I felt like Gwen should have been angry even vengeful to know that someone she views as a mother figure was tricked and banished for Eupraxia's selfish ways.

I don't even recall reading a scene where Gwen tells Abertha it was the queen all along. I also don't like how forgiving Tagaris is and was hoping he'd just kill her and take the throne even if its not what he wants clearly Eupraxia is not fit to rule but I'm assuming their will be a book 2 and that something will happen given she killed the ambassador. Also I wish Commena was listed as younger maybe 9 or 10 instead of 12 turning 13 because her mind and behavior was way to childlike. At 12- 13 your about to start high-school the following year and her behavior was that of a 9 or 10 year old. This is coming from someone that is around 12-13 yr olds daily.

I liked the idea of them being mated and how they had done every step of an ancient ritual that forced the bond without them knowing but hopefully book 2 shows more of them bonding when it isn't over saving someone that's dying. The ending ends on a big cliffhanger and has me excited to read the next book.

Gwen is a human Healer, who lives with her 'adoptive' mother figure, whom she was an apprentice for. After their exile from the courts due to a failed healing, they live out their days in a small pocket of the universe working in their infirmary. That is until Tagaris, the dragon shifter prince shows up at their door seeking their assistance. With no way to decline the prince without losing their heads, Gwen agrees to accompany Tagaris back to the chance, to meet her mysterious patient.

This book is great if you're looking for a cosy, chilled read. It's definitely great for teens and young (young adults).

It's told in dual POV, I'd say mainly Gwens POV, with some Tagaris.
3rd person POV
Very clean romance (again great for teens & very young adults, or if you prefer clean romances)
Plot focused more than romance focused
good character development

For me personally this book didn't hold my attention and was too slow pacing wise, but if you like wholesome characters, love a bit of mystery and are looking for a simple, easy read, with a bit of romance and some fantasy thrown in, then give it a go.

This kept me on my toes trying to figure out who the bad guy was😅 but also, some of the twists and turns in this book. Oof. And nice cliffhanger ending.

Mystery and romance go head to head in this enemies-to-lovers, dragin shifter novel. Gwen is a witch healer, exiled from court for failing to save the dragon shifter king. Tagaris is the dragon shifter prince who maimed her mom, but now he’s requesting Gwen’s assistance. There is several twists and it’s got great action packed moments. There is a fake relationship and the romance is a sweet one. The romance is secondary to plot which I enjoyed. It left off on a cliffhanger so I can’t wait to read the next book

BONDING FIRE is the first of a new Series from Ava Richardson. If it's possible for Epic Fantasy to be comfortable and cozy, this is it. Yes, there is some gore, but in context and goes to show the violence of the ruling culture. Rife with Shifters, the characters are well-approached and rendered appealing.

BONDING FIRE.
Ava Richardson.
THE THRONE OF DRAGONS, Book 1.
Release: February 28, 2024.

Great book. Gwen and Abertha were exiled from the royal court for failing to save the king's life, resulting in Abertha losing her healing ability. Tagaris unexpectedly sought Abertha's help to heal his niece, but Gwen was sent instead to protect her. They later discovered Comnena was poisoned like the king. Tagaris and Gwen unintentionally formed a bond and together embarked on a quest for truth. Falsely accused, they escaped with assistance. Gwen learned a wizard shifter cursed her and killed him in self-defense. Eventually, Gwen and Tagaris chose to leave the court. This captivating tale is a remarkable read.