Can't Wait Wednesday: The Scarlet Star (Songs of the Adriels #1) by Jennifer Kropf

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring The Scarlet Star (Songs of the Adriels #1) by Jennifer Kropf releasing June 18. 

About the Book

He’s a beast trapped in a palace, and she’s a beauty tangled in his web…

Nineteen-year-old Ryn Electus is captured and brought to the palace for a twelve-week trial period along with three of the fairest maidens in the kingdom to try and ‘steal the heart’ of a young, tormented King with a deadly secret. Unfortunately, the King appears to have no interest in the maidens and keeps getting himself into trouble.

But the King isn’t the only one with a dangerous secret. Ryn has been living in hiding all these years, until she’s dragged from her home and put on a public stage where she finds herself in the crosshairs of the Intelligentsia; a council of sages who serve the seven Celestial Divinities and conspire to destroy people like her. If the sages discover who Ryn really is, she’ll be dead by morning.

Things get even more complicated when Ryn learns what Xerxes is fighting against, the internal wars he’s waging on his own, and why he keeps getting himself into trouble.

However, shortly after Ryn arrives at the palace, an old priestess opens Ryn’s eyes to see the workings of false gods at war who are influencing the kingdom of Per-Siana at every turn, dragging the people into destruction and causing chaos. Ryn is forced to question everything she thought she knew about the gods, until she unexpectedly gains the favour of an ancient god who’s been “silent” for decades; the God Original, the first God, enemy of the Celestial Divinities, who beckons Ryn to shake up the very foundations of the domain.

Thus begins a battle fought in the shadows alongside a war of gowns and politics waged in the spotlight.

Ryn must do everything she can to hide that she’s a descendant of King Xerxes’s enemies, and she and Xerxes were born as rivals, destined to hate and destroy each other.

She has only weeks to decide which side she’s on.

Inspired by the fairytale Beauty and the Beast and the Biblical story of Queen Esther, this mashup of high stakes, forbidden romance, and dangerous secrets isn’t the fairytale you know.

This book is ideal for fans of The Selection Series by Kiara Cass and A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer and includes gorgeous character illustrations by Kyannah Durocher.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Cover Reveal: Sons of Day and Night by Mariposa Aristeo

I'm so excited to join in the cover reveal for Sons of Day and Night by Mariposa Aristeo releasing from Enclave Publishing in November 2025! This YA retelling of The Prince and the Pauper is book one in the Chronicles of Twinsbane and is available to preorder in hardcover today. Isn't it stunning?! 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Not even death can tell them apart.

In the wild and lush kingdom of Twinsbane, everyone has a look-alike, and each twin is cursed to die when their double breathes their last. When an ancient plague arises, the kingdom’s only hope is to sever these deadly ties. Yet King Daccias refuses to relinquish the cure, a legendary potion called the Separator.

Waruu, an orphan determined to break these ties, discovers he’s the king’s doppelgänger. He’s certain that if he can switch places, he can save the kingdom. But if anyone learns his true identity, he’ll lose everything—including the people he’s desperately trying to protect.

King Daccias wants nothing more than for his subjects to cease threatening to behead him if he doesn’t hand over the Separator. Intent on catching those opposing him, he finds himself ensnared in his own trap. If he doesn’t break loose, the kingdom will rest in the hands of an insolent boy who knows nothing about the truth behind the events unfolding around him.

To save their kingdom, both Waruu and Daccias must face their greatest enemy—each other.

Sons of Day and Night is available for preorder right now! If you preorder from the Enclave Publishing store, you can get 20% off!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4jPqyRp

Enclave Publishing Store:  https://www.enclavepublishingstore.com/sons-of-day-and-night-hb

Review: All the Wild Hearts (Stardust Hearts #1): A Red Riding Hood Retelling by J.M. Hackman

About the Book

Who’s afraid of the big bad businessman?
Everyone.

On the snowy planet of Amaris, Avarill Engle makes deliveries for her grandmother and the residents of Skift, while avoiding unwanted advances from the gray tycoon Wolfgang Vujic. When the crooked CEO buys the mortgage to her grandmother’s neo-res, the only way to keep their home is to go to work—for him.

With every passing day, Avarill grows more desperate and afraid. Blaiz Weylin, her new friend and expert codestitcher, creates a plan to destroy Vujic, and Avarill eagerly joins the sting operation. But Blaiz’s past entwines with Vujic in ways he can’t confess, even as his feelings for Avarill deepen. When his secret comes to light, Avarill must make a choice: trust in the man who could break her heart or fight to free herself from Vujic’s iron grasp. With one wrong move, her freedom will become a distant memory. Time is running out, and the wolf is closing in.

For fans of The Lunar Chronicles and the Ravenspire series, this fantasy retelling of Red Riding Hood is a stand-alone and blends charming romance, futuristic tech, and high-stakes adventure into a mythical tale of survival and redemption. Don’t miss out on this must-read novella—buy now!

Amazon / Goodreads / Author Website

MY THOUGHTS

What a clever sci-fi retelling of Little Red Riding Hood! I loved it! I was pulled right into the story. The worldbuilding was great. Vivid and detailed but never overwhelming.

Ava was endearing and easy to like. I thought her special ability was really interesting. I loved seeing the special and loving bond she had with her grandma. I also really liked her pet, Mo.

I didn’t know what to think of Blaiz at first, but he was very intriguing. I enjoyed getting to know him, his motives, and his background.

I really, really, really didn’t like Vujic. What a horrible man! I was so hoping he’d get his comeuppance!

I’m glad this is the start of a new series! I’m very eager for more stories set in this world! I can’t wait!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: To Love a Beast (Once Upon a Time in Texas) by Karen Witemeyer

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring To Love a Beast (Once Upon a Time in Texas) by Karen Witemeyer June 10.

About the Book

Beauty & the Beast in 1800's Texas.

Once known among New York's elite as the American Adonis, Everett Griffin now lives as a recluse in the wilds of Texas. The treachery of a former admirer left his face and his spirit riddled with scars, so he hides himself away, his only companions a trio of trusted servants and an oversized dog. Locals whisper of the beastly man who lives in the gloomy manor outside of town and his tendency to attack anyone who dares approach. Everett relishes his fearsome reputation and uses it as a shield to guard his privacy. Until a young woman as stubborn as she is beautiful infiltrates his sanctum and lays siege to his defenses.

When an injury to her father jeopardizes the family's book binding business, Callista Rosenfeld determines to fulfill the contract herself, and no insufferable client or woman-eating dog will deter her. Finding unlikely allies among Mr. Griffin's staff, Callista secures her position and sets to work transforming the manor's remarkable library. Her employer transforms as well, his ill-tempered growls subsiding to reveal a considerate, intellectual nature. Affection blooms as Callista and Everett discover hidden depths in each other, but the evil schemes of a vengeful hunter threaten to leave their love and their lives in tatters.

What upcoming release are you eagerly anticipating?

Review: Once Upon A Rose: (The Galamere Chronicles #2) by Gabrielle Landi

About the Book
A cursed lord, a feisty librarian, and their disguised pet dragon.

Being the first librarian in their small town is everything Beatrice Montgomery has ever dreamed of–except no one in town knows what to make of her, or the library. But spending her days surrounded by books is an occupation beyond her wildest dreams, and she'll do whatever it takes to make the library a success.

Lord Alexander Dunham's time is running out. Providing for his estate and the people dependent on him before his curse ruins his life is his first priority--and that means he needs a wife, immediately. Proposing a marriage of convenience to the feisty librarian seems like the perfect plan: he gets a wife, she gets funds for her library, and the sorcerer trying to steal his estate gets nothing.

Even with his lips sealed about the curse, a transforming dragon watching his every move, and a wife who's winning over everyone on their estate, their marriage of convenience should have solved all of Alexander's problems. Unfortunately, he's falling for his wife, and it's causing a new problem: he's no longer willing to die. Can Alexander and Beatrice outwit the most powerful sorcerer in the Northlands, or will Beatrice lose the man she's growing to love?

Once Upon A Rose is a Beauty and the Beast fairytale retelling and the second book in the Galamere Chronicles. Each standalone book is a retelling of a beloved story or fairy tale, with the swoon-worthy sweet romance of a Hallmark movie, the wholesome and heartwarming feeling of cozy fantasy, and the comfort of a found family of friends, with a sprinkling of danger and a dash of magic.

Tropes:
❤️ Marriage of Convenience
❤️ Beauty and the Beast Retelling
❤️ Forced Proximity
❤️ Grumpy/Sunshine

Amazon / Goodreads / Author Website

MY THOUGHTS

This was such a cute Beauty and the Beast retelling! I loved all the nods to the original story but appreciated the differences too. The first line grabbed my attention, and I was hooked from there on out.

This book was full of wonderful characters. Alexander and Beatrice were so easy to like and root for. They were such a great pair and were so good together. I liked that the story was told from both Alexander’s and Beatrice’s POVs. I also really liked Guinevere, Dietrich, and especially Rose. She was such an awesome “kitty.”

The curse added a bit of danger and urgency to the story, which had me flipping through the pages as fast as I could to see how it would all turn out.

I did think that some of the wording sounded awkward at times. Just some unnecessary repeating of words and phrases, which kind of pulled me out of the story at times. But other than that, I really enjoyed this sweet read and look forward to the next book in the series!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FOUR STARS

Cover Reveal: All the Wild Hearts by J.M. Hackman

I'm so excited to be part of the cover reveal for All the Wild Hearts the first book in the Stardust Hearts series by J.M. Hackman! It's releasing April 29 and is a futuristic sci-fi fantasy retelling of Little Red Riding Hood! 

About the Book

Who’s afraid of the big bad businessman? Everyone.

On the snowy planet of Amaris, Avarill Engle makes deliveries for her grandmother and the residents of Skift, while avoiding unwanted advances from the gray tycoon Wolfgang Vujic. When the crooked CEO buys the mortgage to her grandmother’s neo-res, the only way to keep their home is to go to work—for him.

With every passing day, Avarill feels more desperate and afraid. Blaiz Weylin, her new friend and expert codestitcher, creates a plan to destroy Vujic, and Avarill eagerly joins the sting operation. But Blaiz’s past entwines with Vujic in ways he can’t confess, even as his feelings for Avarill deepen. When his secret comes to light, Avarill must make a choice: trust in the man who could break her heart or fight to free herself from Vujic’s iron grasp. With one wrong move, her freedom will become a distant memory. Time is running out, and the wolf is closing in.

There are no preorder links at this time but be on the lookout for this book at the end of April! 

Review: Thorns of Winter by Moriah Chavis

About the Book
William Rhodes has always known harsh winters. Every year, the beast holds someone captive in the forest castle, and the village chooses a warrior to save her. The girl survives, but the warrior always dies. This year, Will volunteered to be the warrior. But the night before he's supposed to defeat the beast, his betrothed traps him, refusing to let the curse take the boy she loves. But winter sinks its claws deeper. Another victim is stolen from her bed: Will's sister.

Now, both the girls he loves most are held captive by the curse.

He travels deep into the forest to face the monster. But the beast inside is nothing like he imagined.

Amazon / Goodreads / Author Website

MY THOUGHTS

This was a beautiful story. It might be a quick read, but it leaves a lasting impression. I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.

This story captivated me from the first sentence and took me on a fast-paced and atmospheric journey showcasing the power of sacrificial love.

This author has a very engaging writing style, and I’m eager to read more from her. If you're looking for a quick and impactful retelling, grab a copy of this book. I highly recommend it.

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

4.5 STARS

Review: To Defy a Dream by Mary Mecham

About the Book

What if Sleeping Beauty pricked her finger on purpose?

Princess Aurelia’s kingdom is plagued by the Eternal Slumber, a disease progressively ensnaring the minds of her subjects. After Aurelia wishes for the means to revive her brother, her sinister fairy godmother presents an ominous solution: Aurelia must stab herself with a poisoned spindle.

Accepting this fate plunges Aurelia into a nightmare where victims of the Eternal Slumber are being held hostage by a dark djinni. However, Aurelia’s brother isn’t the only familiar face she finds herself reunited with; Everett, the love of her life who mysteriously disappeared years ago, is there as well. As the djinni’s power grows, Aurelia must decide who to save before the djinni escapes and enters the waking world.

Failing on her quest could trap her in the dream world forever. Will she forgo her chance at a happily ever after and protect her brother, or will she choose to rescue herself and the man she loves?

No matter who she chooses, someone will be doomed to remain in the nightmare that never ends.

To Defy a Dream is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. It is one of twelve novellas in The Shattered Tales, a collection of twelve fractured retellings of your favorite fairy tales. They can be enjoyed in any order, so fall in love with the swoony sweet romances, magical adventures, and tale-shattering twists one happily-ever-after at a time!

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I’ve been wanting to read something by this author for awhile, and I’m so happy that I finally did. This was a fun and twisted retelling of Sleeping Beauty. It poses the question of, What if she pricked her finger on purpose? Color me intrigued! What would make her do that? I was glued to the pages! It’s a quick read, but it’s jam-packed full of goodness.

The worldbuilding was excellent. Everything was fleshed out, and the volcanic realm really came to life. Both frightening and fascinating, I was captivated and found myself having a difficult time putting the book down!

While I admired Aurelia’s desire to find a cure for the Eternal Slumber, she was a bit impulsive and headstrong. There were some moments where I had a hard time liking her, but by the end, she really grew on me.

If you’re looking for a unique retelling, grab a copy of this book. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading more from this author.

FOUR STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: To Defy a Dream by Mary Mecham

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring To Defy a Dream by Mary Mecham. I've been wanting to read something by this author for awhile and I'm glad that I finally did. This was a fun and unique twist to Sleeping Beauty. 

About the Book

What if Sleeping Beauty pricked her finger on purpose?

Princess Aurelia’s kingdom is plagued by the Eternal Slumber, a disease progressively ensnaring the minds of her subjects. After Aurelia wishes for the means to revive her brother, her sinister fairy godmother presents an ominous solution: Aurelia must stab herself with a poisoned spindle.

Accepting this fate plunges Aurelia into a nightmare where victims of the Eternal Slumber are being held hostage by a dark djinni. However, Aurelia’s brother isn’t the only familiar face she finds herself reunited with; Everett, the love of her life who mysteriously disappeared years ago, is there as well. As the djinni’s power grows, Aurelia must decide who to save before the djinni escapes and enters the waking world.

Failing on her quest could trap her in the dream world forever. Will she forgo her chance at a happily ever after and protect her brother, or will she choose to rescue herself and the man she loves?

No matter who she chooses, someone will be doomed to remain in the nightmare that never ends.

To Defy a Dream is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. It is one of twelve novellas in The Shattered Tales, a collection of twelve fractured retellings of your favorite fairy tales. They can be enjoyed in any order, so fall in love with the swoony sweet romances, magical adventures, and tale-shattering twists one happily-ever-after at a time!

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

Danger. That was the clear message that the bewitched spindle's cold, unforgiving metal gave me as it rolled between my fingers, the sharpened silver tip drawing my eyes repeatedly.

Friday 56

Everett had never looked so panicked, not in all of my recollections.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Once Upon An Apple by Gabrielle Landi

About the Book
A lord’s son, a milkmaid, and seven mischievous goats.

After running from her past, Sophia built a new life for herself in the Northlands, taking a job as a milkmaid for the local nobility and creating her own family with the friends she meets at the Cozy Cat Café. She spends her days spoiling the goats and finally feels safe, but something is still missing. She wants more than just safety–she wants love and a real family of her own.

Lord Caspian Rendon has returned home to–in his Father’s words, get serious–and contemplate his life’s path. As a third son, he doesn’t have much other than his title–and while the past two years of training in the Royal Guard have set him up for a potential career, they haven’t done much in the way of finding him a wealthy wife, which had always seemed the more appealing option of the two.

When he runs into the beautiful, sweet, and always kind Sophia taking care of his little sister’s goats, he begins to realize there’s more to life than marrying into wealth. As the baby goats, a mischievous little sister, and Fall Festival planning keep bringing Caspian and Sophia together, he starts to fall for the goat girl. But when Sophia's mysterious past finally catches up with her, Caspian must make a hard choice ... Can he risk it all for love, or will he never see her again?

Once Upon An Apple is a Snow White fairytale retelling and the first book in the Galamere Chronicles. Each standalone book is a retelling of a beloved story or fairy tale, with the swoon-worthy sweet romance of a Hallmark movie, the wholesome and heartwarming feeling of cozy fantasy, and the comfort of a found family of friends, with a sprinkling of danger and a dash of magic.

Amazon / Goodreads / Author's Website

MY THOUGHTS

This was such a cute cozy fantasy and sweet retelling of Snow White. I loved all the nods to the original story. It’s a little slower-paced in the beginning, but things really started to pick up during the second half.

I liked Sophia. She had such a kind soul. I enjoyed seeing the special bond between her and the seven mischievous goats. They were adorable and reminded me of one of my own goats, Millie. She’s such a troublemaker, but you can’t help but love her.

Caspian was an upstanding and honorable guy who I enjoyed getting to know. His aversion to getting dirty was funny yet relatable. There was an instant spark between him and Sophia that had me rooting for them.

This story was a breath of fresh air that left a big smile on my face. I recommend it to fans of sweet and swoony fairytale retellings. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FOUR STARS

Review: The Wonderland Trials (The Curious Realities #1) by Sara Ella

About the Book

Solve the clues. Face your fears. Survive the Trials.

All Alice Liddell wants is to escape her Normal life in Oxford and find the parents who abandoned her ten years ago. But she gets more than she bargained for when her older sister Charlotte is arrested for having the infamous Wonder Gene—the key to unlocking the curious Wonderland Reality.

Soon, Alice receives a rather cryptic invitation to play for Team Heart in this year’s annual—and often deadly—Wonderland Trials. Now she has less than twenty-four hours to find her way into Wonderland where nothing is impossible . . . or what it seems.

The stakes are raised when she discovers players go missing during the Trials each year. Will she and her team solve the clues and find the missing players? Or will betrayal and distrust win, leaving Alice alone in a world of her own? Follow the White Rabbit into this topsy-turvy fantasy where players become prey, a sip of the wrong tea might as well be poison, and a queen’s ways do not always lead one where they ought to go.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I absolutely loved this story! If you know me, you know I love a good retelling, and this was one of the most imaginative ones I've ever read. It's not only the best Alice in Wonderland retelling, but one of my favorite retellings in general.

I was very intrigued to learn about this dystopian Wonderland and thought the worldbuilding was spectacular. The whole concept behind the Wonder gene, and the fallout it caused, was really fascinating.

Alice was a great leading lady. I loved watching her wonderment (pardon the pun) as she discovered Wonderland. Chess was probably my favorite character. He was so complex, and while I wasn't sure I could 100 percent trust him, I wanted to. Speaking of trust, everybody seemed to have some sort of hidden agenda or secret, so I never knew who to trust.

I can't recommend this book highly enough. It was so much fun. I loved all the clever nods to the original story, but I thought it was unique in its own right too. It did leave off on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I'm very eager to grab a copy of the sequel.

FIVE STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: The Wonderland Trials (The Curious Realities #1) by Sara Ella

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday.

This week I'm featuring The Wonderland Trials (The Curious Realities #1) by Sara Ella. This is such a fantastic Alice in Wonderland retelling. The sequel comes out later this month and I'm so excited for it.

About the Book

Solve the clues. Face your fears. Survive the Trials.

All Alice Liddell wants is to escape her Normal life in Oxford and find the parents who abandoned her ten years ago. But she gets more than she bargained for when her older sister Charlotte is arrested for having the infamous Wonder Gene—the key to unlocking the curious Wonderland Reality.

Soon, Alice receives a rather cryptic invitation to play for Team Heart in this year’s annual—and often deadly—Wonderland Trials. Now she has less than twenty-four hours to find her way into Wonderland where nothing is impossible . . . or what it seems.

The stakes are raised when she discovers players go missing during the Trials each year. Will she and her team solve the clues and find the missing players? Or will betrayal and distrust win, leaving Alice alone in a world of her own? Follow the White Rabbit into this topsy-turvy fantasy where players become prey, a sip of the wrong tea might as well be poison, and a queen’s ways do not always lead one where they ought to go.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

Only someone as mad as a hatter - as the saying goes - would risk her life to win a game.

Friday 56

Taking a risk is one thing. But playing a game without rules?

You might as well cheat to win.

Absolutely, one hundred percent out of the question. I refuse. Not happening.

What have you been reading lately?

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Looking-Glass Illusion (The Curious Realities #2) by Sara Ella

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring The Looking-Glass Illusion (The Curious Realities #2) by Sara Ella releasing September 19. I'm hoping to read the first book soon. This series sounds awesome! 

About the Book

Step through the looking glass. Slay the Jabberwock. Seek the King.

Alice is not prepared to face what awaits beyond the Tulgey Wood. When she and the rest of Team Heart enter the fourth and final Wonderland Trial, it’s up to her to lead them to victory. But this Trial is more than a game. If Alice and the others fail to defeat the Jabberwock and reveal the truth about Wonderland, more than points and fame will be lost.

Chess Shire never believed he’d make it this far. Now he’s stuck navigating a Trial he’s seen but doesn’t remember, all while searching for the brother he left behind. Not everything is as black and white as the game that shares his name. And if Alice discovers his deepest regret? Chess might just lose her too.

Apart, Chess and Alice scour the eight squares of the Heart Trial in search of memories, truth, and an Ivory King who seems more illusion than reality. Will they learn to lead together to face their greatest fears? Or will they remain pawns in a queen’s game, never truly seeing the Wonderland they’ve come to believe in?

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Thief Liar Lady by D. L. Soria

About the Book

“Happily Ever After” is a total scam, but at least this time the princess is the one controlling the grift—until her true love arrives and threatens to ruin the whole scheme. Intrigue, magic, and wit abound in this Cinderella fairytale reimagining, perfect for fans of Heather Walter and Naomi Novik.

I’m not who you think I am.

My transformation from a poor, orphaned scullery maid into the enchantingly mysterious lady who snagged the heart of the prince did not happen—as the rumors insisted—in a magical metamorphosis of pumpkins and glass slippers. On the first evening of the ball, I didn’t meekly help my “evil” stepmother and stepsisters primp and preen or watch forlornly out the window as their carriage rolled off toward the palace. I had other preparations to make.

My stepsisters and I had been trained for this—to be the cleverest in the room, to be quick with our hands and quicker with our lies. We were taught how to get everything we want in this world, everything men always kept for themselves: power, wealth, and prestige. And with a touchingly tragic past and the help of some highly illegal spells, I would become a princess, secure our fortunes, and we would all live happily ever after.

But there’s always more to the story. With my magic running out, war looming, and a handsome hostage prince—the wrong prince—distracting me from my true purpose with his magnetic charm and forbidden flirtations, I'm in danger of losing control of the delicate balance I’ve created…and that could prove fatal.

There’s so much more riding on this than a crown.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

Y'all know I love a good fairytale retelling, so I was very intrigued when I first saw this one. It turned out to be a fun and unique twist on Cinderella. I did have a few issues with it, but I ended up enjoying it.

This had a slow start. In fact, there were a couple of times I thought about DNFing it because it just wasn't holding my interest in the beginning. But I'm glad I kept reading because things started to pick up when Rance showed up. He turned out to be my favorite part of the book. He was so interesting and mysterious. I wanted to learn more about him. There ended up being a lot of palace intrigue, which really piqued my interest and kept me entertained. I will say that it took a while (well over half the book) before I started liking Ash. She wasn't a sympathetic character at all, but I enjoyed watching her growth. There was more cursing than I expected, and it felt out of place to me. Also, I could've done without the open-door bedroom scenes.

All in all, this was a mixed bag of a read. But despite the issues I had with it, I had fun reading it.

NOTE: This is NOT a clean read.

I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

THREE STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Thief Liar Lady by D. L. Soria

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday.

This week I'm featuring Thief Liar Lady by D. L. Soria. This is a very unique Cinderella retelling. Not what I expected at all, but despite a few criticisms, I ended up enjoying it. I should have my review up on Monday.

About the Book

“Happily Ever After” is a total scam, but at least this time the princess is the one controlling the grift—until her true love arrives and threatens to ruin the whole scheme. Intrigue, magic, and wit abound in this Cinderella fairytale reimagining, perfect for fans of Heather Walter and Naomi Novik.

I’m not who you think I am.

My transformation from a poor, orphaned scullery maid into the enchantingly mysterious lady who snagged the heart of the prince did not happen—as the rumors insisted—in a magical metamorphosis of pumpkins and glass slippers. On the first evening of the ball, I didn’t meekly help my “evil” stepmother and stepsisters primp and preen or watch forlornly out the window as their carriage rolled off toward the palace. I had other preparations to make.

My stepsisters and I had been trained for this—to be the cleverest in the room, to be quick with our hands and quicker with our lies. We were taught how to get everything we want in this world, everything men always kept for themselves: power, wealth, and prestige. And with a touchingly tragic past and the help of some highly illegal spells, I would become a princess, secure our fortunes, and we would all live happily ever after.

But there’s always more to the story. With my magic running out, war looming, and a handsome hostage prince—the wrong prince—distracting me from my true purpose with his magnetic charm and forbidden flirtations, I'm in danger of losing control of the delicate balance I’ve created…and that could prove fatal.

There’s so much more riding on this than a crown.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

I never thought the tale of my daring escape from servitude into the glittering world of the royal palace could be boring, but after the hundredth telling it had begun to lose its shine.

Friday 56

The dinner party the next night was a grand affair, even if I was too embroiled in my own concerns to enjoy it.

What have you been reading lately?

Can't Wait Wednesday: Lost in Wonderland (Beyond Wonderland Book 2) by Tabitha Bouldin

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Lost in Wonderland (Beyond Wonderland Book 2) by Tabitha Bouldin releasing March 14. A steampunk Alice in Wonderland retelling? Yes, please! I enjoyed the first book and have been eagerly awaiting this sequel!

About the Book

If you make a deal with evil, be prepared for the consequences.

When a metal dragon kidnaps Alice, Hatter gathers the troops and charges off to rescue her. If only things were so uncomplicated. In the Ivory Kingdom, they find upheaval of the worst kind and all heading to civil war spearheaded by a man known as the Bandersnatch.

Turmoil and the terror of fighting against a giant wolf, the Bandersnatch is bad enough, but when the Ivory Queen’s secrets are exposed, Hatter and Alice face off in a battle of wills and points of view. How can Alice trust a woman who deceived them? Why can’t Hatter see the bigger picture? If they don’t reconcile their differences, more could be at risk than the Ivory Kingdom.

More questions than answers bombard them in their quest for truth and freedom for all. Who is stealing children? What dark secret overshadows the Ivory Kingdom? Can they avoid the Bandersnatch’s clutches? And most important of all, who can they trust?

Join forces with Alice, Hatter, old friends and new, and be prepared to discover that trust and risk are often two sides of the same coin in this next Beyond Wonderland novel.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Can't Wait Wednesday: Forest of Scarlet (Court of Midsummer Mayhem #1) by Tara Grayce

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Forest of Scarlet (Court of Midsummer Mayhem #1) by Tara Grayce releasing January 27, 2023.

About the Book

The fae snatch humans as playthings to torment.
The Primrose steals them back.

Vowing that no other family would endure the same fear and pain she felt when her older sister was snatched by the fae, Brigid puts on an empty-headed façade while she rescues humans in the shadowy guise of the Primrose, hero to humans, bane to the fae. Her only regret is that she can’t tell the truth to Munch, the young man in the human realm who she’s trying very hard not to fall in love with.

Munch has a horrible nickname, an even more terrible full name, and the shadow of his heroic sister and five older brothers to overcome. It’s rough being the little brother of the notorious Robin Hood and her merry band. The highlights of his life are the brief visits by Brigid, the messenger girl for the dashing fae hero the Primrose.

When an entire village of humans is snatched by the fae in a single night, Munch jumps at the chance to go to the Fae Realm, pass a message to Brigid and through her to the Primrose, and finally get his chance to be a hero just like all his older siblings.

But the Fae Realm is a dangerous place, especially for a human unbound to a fae or court like Munch. One wrong decision could spell disaster for Munch, Brigid, and the Primrose.

Will this stolen bride’s sister and Robin Hood’s brother reveal the truth of their hearts before the Fae Realm snatches hope away from them forever?

Loosely inspired by The Scarlet Pimpernel, Forest of Scarlet is book one in a new fantasy romance / fantasy romantic comedy series of standalones featuring magic libraries, a whimsical and deadly fae realm, and crazy fae hijinks by bestselling author Tara Grayce!

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: A Texas Christmas Carol by Karen Witemeyer

About the Book

From the talented pen of bestselling author Karen Witemeyer comes a charming Christmas novella inspired by the holiday classic A Christmas Carol.

After the Panic of 1873 ruined his father and impoverished his family, Evan Beazer set a single life goal for himself--security. He would never allow joviality and dreams to send him to the poorhouse. Now a successful businessman, Evan runs a dozen inns throughout Texas from the privacy of his home, keeping locals away with the perpetual scowl and gruff manner that have become his natural disposition.

Felicity Wiggins is in charge of distributing church Christmas baskets to the less fortunate, and she is determined help as many families as possible. In an attempt to gather more donations than past years, she must convince the wealthiest man in town to participate and sets forth on a campaign to pester him into cooperation.

As Felicity tries to bring Evan out of seclusion--and he does everything in his power to avoid her--can she convince him that true riches lie not in bank accounts but in bringing joy to others?

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This was such a great retelling of A Christmas Carol. If you know me, you know how much I love retellings, and this has got to be one of my favorites. The nods to the original tale were so clever and fun.

Felicity was sunshine and joy personified. I loved her perpetually optimistic outlook and dogged determination. Evan was the very definition of a Scrooge, but, right from the start, there was something so endearing about him. I couldn't help but like him despite the grumpiness. And I loved whenever Lester, Prez, and Tom showed up. They made me laugh but were also filled with such great wisdom.

There was a really powerful message of faith that I loved so much. There were so many truths, so many great reminders! If you're looking for a quick read that will put you in the Christmas spirit, I highly recommend this story. It's fantastic!

FIVE STARS

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: A Texas Christmas Carol by Karen Witemeyer

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday.

This week I'm featuring A Texas Christmas Carol by Karen Witemeyer. I finally got around to reading a Christmas book this year! And it was a good one! It's gotta be one of my favorite retellings of A Christmas Carol. So fun!

About the Book

From the talented pen of bestselling author Karen Witemeyer comes a charming Christmas novella inspired by the holiday classic A Christmas Carol.

After the Panic of 1873 ruined his father and impoverished his family, Evan Beazer set a single life goal for himself--security. He would never allow joviality and dreams to send him to the poorhouse. Now a successful businessman, Evan runs a dozen inns throughout Texas from the privacy of his home, keeping locals away with the perpetual scowl and gruff manner that have become his natural disposition.

Felicity Wiggins is in charge of distributing church Christmas baskets to the less fortunate, and she is determined help as many families as possible. In an attempt to gather more donations than past years, she must convince the wealthiest man in town to participate and sets forth on a campaign to pester him into cooperation.

As Felicity tries to bring Evan out of seclusion--and he does everything in his power to avoid her--can she convince him that true riches lie not in bank accounts but in bringing joy to others?

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

December 1895

London, Texas

"It's a fool's errand, I tell you."

Friday 56

“I feel plenty of frustration. Anxiety. Hurt. But I also feel joy, gratitude, and hope. The trick, I’ve learned, is to decide which feeling to hold on to. It’s impossible to feel two opposite emotions at the same time. At least, I’ve never managed it. I can’t feel both anxiety and peace in the same moment. I have to choose one.” 

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Madness in Wonderland by Tabitha Bouldin

About the Book

Wonderland is in trouble.

Under the rule of the Red Queen, Wonderland is under constant threat. In fear for her throne, children are taken into the queen’s army and only the strongest survive.

Alice is nothing but a pirate, but with the help of Hatter, they hatch a plan to sneak into the Red Queen’s palace to free Hatter’s sister. After all, Alice has always wanted to fly an airship.

Dr. Frank N. Stein has created an army of automatons to serve their queen. Of particular note: a prototype soldier. Part man. Part machine. The best of both worlds.

Doc’s monster is a threat to everything they know, but Alice sees something in the man that begs she look beyond what he’s done and search out the heart of the beast for the better of the realm.

He’s their only hope of survival, but how can a monster learn to love when all he’s known is hate?

Amazon / Goodreads

(Available in Kindle Unlimited at time of posting)

MY THOUGHTS

This was my kind of book! A steampunk Alice in Wonderland retelling with a Frankenstein twist? Yes, please! I was drawn right into this story and was completely captivated.

I really enjoyed the three different POVs following Alice, Hatter, and Alpha. Although I do have to say Alpha's was probably my favorite. He was such an intriguing character. I liked Alice too. She was a great heroine. Brave, fierce, steadfast, and loyal. She was easy to root for. I wanted to love Hatter, but I never fully warmed up to him. He was an interesting guy, but a bit too impulsive and stubborn for my liking.

I LOVED Chess. He had such a strong faith, and I liked the way that he shared it with others. It just felt so natural. He was a little rough around the edges, but there was definitely more to him than first met the eye. I wish he'd been featured a little more prominently, but I enjoyed every second he showed up on the page.

This action-packed retelling is sure to appeal to fans of Morgan L. Busse and Sara Ella. I'm hoping for many more books in this series because I'd love to visit this world again and again.

FOUR STARS