Review - Treasure for Treasure by R. Cooper

Joe grew up in the small town of Everlasting on the northern California coast. A disastrous high school romance with a closeted jock made him leave town for college as soon as he finished high school. Longing for the sea, the redwoods, and something else he couldn’t identify made Joe return to Everlasting, where he works in the local coffee shop. Everlasting’s claim to fame is that it was protected by a fierce dragon. That dragon is long dead, and her descendants have left town. Except one. Zarrin lives in the big house that his ancestor built, in the middle of a forest preserve that is protected by her powerful magic. To everyone’s surprise, Zarrin starts visiting the town every day, and especially the coffee shop, where he seems fixated on Joe.

This book is part of a series, but you can read it as a stand-alone without having read the other books. “Treasure for Treasure” is a slow burn fantasy romance set in modern-day California. In this fantasy, beings such as dragons and faeries are real, as is their magic. The entire story takes place in Everlasting, which is the kind of small town where everyone knows your business. The narration alternates between Joe and Zarrin’s point of view.

Joe is a sensitive young man and a talented artist. He was crushed when a high school affair with a closeted football player ended badly. Not only wouldn’t the young man acknowledge Joe publicly, he also clearly looked down on Joe for being poor and of Latino-native heritage. It made Joe harden his heart, especially against entitled rich people. His attitude makes Joe try to dislike Zarrin, since dragons are supposed to be the richest and most entitled beings there are.

Zarrin is a curious character. He usually appears diminutive and is gentle by nature, but he can be big and ferocious when something, or someone, of his is threatened. “Small but fierce” would definitely be a good way to sum Zarrin up. Zarrin has a big secret that he keeps from everyone. It’s hinted at so subtly through most of the story that I thought maybe I was imagining the clues, but then Zarrin reveals something about himself to Joe near the end.

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“Treasure for Treasure” is available from Smashwords or Amazon (commissionable link).