Review: Treasure for Treasure (Being(s) in Love, #7) by R. Cooper

In the nineteenth century, the dragon Dìzhèn put the small coastal town of Everlasting under her protection. Her family was supposed to carry on the tradition, but all of Dìzhèn the Great’s heirs eventually left rather than live in the shadow of such a powerful dragon.

Only the youngest dragon of the current generation remains: Zarrin, the softhearted disgrace of his family. He might be weak, small, and afraid, but he is determined to show the humans they have not been forgotten… one human in particular. The problem is, Zarrin can barely get that human to talk to him.

It should be a dream come true to have a dragon trying to get his attention. But Joe refuses to bow to Zarrin like everyone else. Yes, Zarrin is sexy, oddly gentle for a dragon, and stares at Joe with a gaze so hot it makes him shiver. But hurt, mistrustful Joe can’t believe Zarrin’s promises that he’s here to stay. Joe doesn’t realize he is the treasure Zarrin has been looking for his whole life, a treasure he once let slip through his fingers out of fear. Now, to win Joe’s trust, Zarrin has to be brave and become as strong as Dìzhèn herself.

Most charming version of 'Mine!' I've ever read :)
R. Cooper doesn't make it easy, though, with the need to read between the lines and having to wait as information is dribbled out, but it is so worth it.  I like this 'Being(s)' world; the history, the rules, all the little details.  But it's the characters who make these books for me.  And this story had awesome characters.

I loved Zarrin, that shy dragon who, once he got his hands on his treasure, wasn't so shy anymore. He is such a great character- adorable and sweet, unsure of his place but so very determined to protect the town and his treasure.  And that determination revealed itself in a lovely dominant way, as an assured tormentor in bed and fierce guardian in town. More characters like this, please!

And Joe. He broke my heart with his defensiveness, that mix of anger and hurt, vulnerability and hope. Because of his wariness and uncertainty, he managed to hold his own against the confusing dragon, not making it easy for Zarrin, but once he trusted, once he believed, it was beautiful to witness.

Zarrin and Joe together gave us a sweet, but intense, romance overlaid with such passion...*fans self*
Their story made me laugh, made me melt, and yes, made me hug my ereader. Definitely one for my favorites shelf, to be read again and again.

Side notes:
Joe's mother was awesome, and Zarrin's reaction to her was priceless :)

Although part of the Being(s) in Love series, this can be read as a stand-alone.

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