BBNYA 2025 Finalist Spotlight: Miss Bennet's Dragon by M. Verant

A Regency world where wit meets fire-literally.

Today I am thrilled to spotlight Miss Bennet's Dragon by M. Verant, one of the finalists in the 2025 Book Bloggers' Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA). This annual competition celebrates outstanding indie fiction and helps connect readers with remarkable stories they might not otherwise discover.

Miss Bennet's Dragon placed 10th in the 2025 competition, earning recognition from a global panel of book bloggers who read, evaluate, and champion the best in independently published literature.

If you enjoy discovering indie authors and standout stories outside the traditional publishing spotlight, this is exactly the kind of book worth adding to your reading list.

Part of my ongoing mission here at GinaRaeMitchell.com to champion indie authors and stories worth discovering.

About Miss Bennet's Dragon

Miss Bennet's Dragon
By M. Verant
Series: Jane Austen Fantasy #1
Published by Acerbic Press on May 2021
Genres: Romantic Fantasy
Formats: eBook, Hardcover, Paperback
Pages: 456

FOREWORD INDIES WINNER • ROYAL DRAGONFLY AWARD WINNER
“A fantastic fantasy retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice” (The Lily Café)

War threatens England, but Elizabeth Bennet’s battles are closer to home. She’s managing the family estate for her ailing father. Insufferable gentlemen keep bursting in to propose marriage. And most dangerous of all, she’s hiding a forbidden skill. Elizabeth can speak to draca, the small, fire-breathing dragons kept by gentry as frivolous status symbols.

When Napoleon’s spies attempt to steal draca, the distant war threatens even cozy Hertfordshire. Elizabeth seeks the aid of Mr. Darcy, the proud man whose proposal she once scorned. Amid the breathtaking halls of Pemberley, she discovers the truth: she is not the first woman to speak with draca. But with her secret revealed, the dark history of Pemberley tears her and Mr. Darcy apart.

One hope remains: her dangerous affinity to draca. But does she dare to trust legends and lost songs? And when a terrible betrayal threatens the man she loves, does she have a choice?

Miss Bennet’s Dragon is the first book in the award-winning Jane Austen Fantasy trilogy. For fans of Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, and of course Jane Austen.

Reader resources:

Curious to learn more or see what other readers think? Explore the book here:

View Miss Bennet's Dragon on Goodreads

View Miss Bennet's Dragon on StoryGraph

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Why This Book Stands Out

This story takes a familiar Regency setting and layers it with an unexpected element-dragons-not as distant fantasy creatures, but as part of everyday society. The result is a world that feels both recognizable and quietly reimagined, where social expectations and hidden abilities exist side by side.

At the center is Elizabeth Bennet, navigating family responsibility, persistent suitors, and a dangerous secret: she can speak to draca. This rare ability adds tension beneath the surface of an otherwise refined world, especially as political unrest and espionage begin to reach even the most sheltered corners of England.

As the story unfolds, the blend of historical detail, magical elements, and shifting relationships-particularly with Mr. Darcy-creates a layered narrative where personal choices and larger forces intersect. The inclusion of hidden histories, long-held secrets, and the question of trust gives the story a depth that extends beyond its premise.

For readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy with a historical backdrop, this reimagining offers a fresh perspective on a beloved world while introducing new stakes shaped by magic, loyalty, and the unknown.

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Where to Buy

If this finalist sounds like your kind of read, you can explore purchase options below.

View Miss Bennet's Dragon on Amazon

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Meet the Author

Explore more from the author:
Website | Amazon | Goodreads

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About BBNYA

The Book Bloggers' Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA) is a yearly competition where book bloggers from around the world read and score books written by indie authors. From hundreds of submissions, a small group of finalists is selected, culminating in one overall winner.

The award celebrates the creativity and diversity of independent publishing while helping readers discover incredible books beyond the traditional publishing spotlight.

BBNYA Website | @BBNYA_Official | @The_WriteReads

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More 2025 BBNYA Finalists

Explore more of my BBNYA 2025 finalist spotlights here:
Floating Solo by Shelley Wilson
Speak the Ocean by Rebecca Enzor

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Closing Notes

Thank you to The Write Reads, BBNYA, and M. Verant for allowing me to spotlight this finalist today.

Please consider congratulating the author in the comments or sharing this post with a fellow reader who enjoys discovering great indie books.

Happy reading - and thank you for supporting indie authors and stories worth discovering.