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More Than Enough
Most believe the vanished Prince Fier to be dead, but some say they can see him as he skulks, more beast than man, past the darkened windows of his abandoned country manor.
Petra, the manor's gardener, is interested more in trees and flowers than rumors. In his three years as the building's sole caretaker, he has not once encountered the missing prince. Surely Fier is dead and gone.
But Fier isn't dead, and neither is he a monster. He's trapped in the gilded cage of his country home, alone and afraid.
There is a beast, but it's not Fier.
Petra, the manor's gardener, is interested more in trees and flowers than rumors. In his three years as the building's sole caretaker, he has not once encountered the missing prince. Surely Fier is dead and gone.
But Fier isn't dead, and neither is he a monster. He's trapped in the gilded cage of his country home, alone and afraid.
There is a beast, but it's not Fier.
245 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2017
10 people are currently reading
591 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
July 31, 2018
Oh. My. God. This book.
I bought the paperback version of this book and put it on my shelf because I loved it that much. But, originally, because I couldn’t wait any longer, I caved and bought the Kindle version and started reading it as soon as it was in my Mac’s library.
When I read it and after the book was over (it took me about 6 hours to read in total, give or take) I found myself crying, a lot, and like the main characters in this retelling, I let out a breath I didn’t even know I was holding. I myself am asexual and this book was an incredibly emotional read for me because for the first time ever I finally felt seen. I am Fier. I have been Fier. I am still Fier. Fier is me. To finally see what I was going through and who I am being put so eloquently into words was something indescribable–it felt like a mixture of relief, a little bit of pain and sadness from remembering a recent experience dealing with my sexuality, validation, and longing for someone as loving, kind, and understanding as Petra. I do not know if the author of this book will see this review but if they do, thank you Elizabeth Wambheim for writing this, thank you for the visibility, thank you for the representation, it means way more to me than you know. I will not only recommend this book to everyone I know, I will treasure it forever.
If you are ace and even if you aren’t ace, I highly encourage you and urge you to read this book. It is beautifully written: the language Elizabeth Wambheim employs throughout the tale is incredibly expressive and all in all the book is a work of linguistic art. You will not regret it if you pick it up.
I bought the paperback version of this book and put it on my shelf because I loved it that much. But, originally, because I couldn’t wait any longer, I caved and bought the Kindle version and started reading it as soon as it was in my Mac’s library.
When I read it and after the book was over (it took me about 6 hours to read in total, give or take) I found myself crying, a lot, and like the main characters in this retelling, I let out a breath I didn’t even know I was holding. I myself am asexual and this book was an incredibly emotional read for me because for the first time ever I finally felt seen. I am Fier. I have been Fier. I am still Fier. Fier is me. To finally see what I was going through and who I am being put so eloquently into words was something indescribable–it felt like a mixture of relief, a little bit of pain and sadness from remembering a recent experience dealing with my sexuality, validation, and longing for someone as loving, kind, and understanding as Petra. I do not know if the author of this book will see this review but if they do, thank you Elizabeth Wambheim for writing this, thank you for the visibility, thank you for the representation, it means way more to me than you know. I will not only recommend this book to everyone I know, I will treasure it forever.
If you are ace and even if you aren’t ace, I highly encourage you and urge you to read this book. It is beautifully written: the language Elizabeth Wambheim employs throughout the tale is incredibly expressive and all in all the book is a work of linguistic art. You will not regret it if you pick it up.
October 17, 2022
I loved the QPR in this!! What a lovely retelling of Beauty and the Beast. My favorite part was that the beauty character has a port-wine stain on his face. Fuck conventional beauty standards!!
Want to read
February 14, 20202/14/20 Currently FREE via Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075ZHC9L2/...
February 15, 2018
Wow, this was really good, considering that I picked it up and a whim and didn't know anything about the content except that it was a Beauty and the Beast retelling. I didn't plan to fall so hard for this cute book, but here I am and happier for it. If I were really nitpicking, I'd give it a 4.5 for miscellaneous formatting stuff etc., but I rate things on how much I enjoyed reading them, dammit, and a few little things here and there didn't take away from how much I enjoyed More Than Enough. I liked it so much that I think I might just need to invest in a paperback version that I'll happily foist on loan to people.
Also note that this book has some dark content per sexual assault of the unwanted touching variety, but IMHO it handles it really, really, well.
The Good
- Oh wow, this book is just so casual about LGBT+/queer rep, especially asexual characters and I love it. There's no homophobia or coming out anxiety per se; it's just about love and people living their lives happily together. Though I should probably mention (in case the language around it is potentially triggery to people) that major characters in this book had to deal with acephobia, but that was largely in the past and not in the time when the story takes place. Aka it's usually either mentioned in dialogue that intended to discuss the past or flashbacks integrated into the story.
- Sir Eckhart. Just Sir Eckhart. I loved her from the beginning. I mean:
- Petra is such a sweetheart that I couldn't help but falling for and I was so proud of his character development by the end.
- I also thought Fier was very endearing and all sorts of relatable and I enjoyed following his character arc all the way through to the end, no matter how many tissues it cost me.
- Did I mention that this book is like a love note to plants, especially flowers? I really loved that part of it and it's evident that a lot of worldbuilding research went into that.
- Also this book may make you cry. But, like, in a wholesome, healing way. Happy tears. *flails hands*
- I really liked the lyrical/descriptive way this book was written. Examples, with numbers relative to the 234-page Kindle edition:
(pg 69)
(pg 98)
(pg 150)
Per the nitpicking stuff (but didn't ultimately cost it a star in my eyes)
- There's quite a few fragments/bending of grammar rules of this variety, largely for style, but it was never really enough to throw me out of reading it for very long. After I got used to the style, I barely noticed it because I enjoyed the content so much. However, other people might take more issue with it than I do.
- Even though this book limited itself to a single town, I kinda wished we'd learned more about Fier's family and their kingdom, especially because Eckhart and Fier were more than a wee bit critical of them in the beginning
- I had the Kindle edition, so I can't attest to the printed version, but every once in a while there seems to be odd spacing glitches in the middle of paragraphs or between chapters or (more rarely) between words.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this and would recommend it to anyone who wants a fairly quick, cute, romantic fairy tale retelling, especially if they wanna read about LGBT+ characters.
Also note that this book has some dark content per sexual assault of the unwanted touching variety, but IMHO it handles it really, really, well.
The Good
- Oh wow, this book is just so casual about LGBT+/queer rep, especially asexual characters and I love it. There's no homophobia or coming out anxiety per se; it's just about love and people living their lives happily together. Though I should probably mention (in case the language around it is potentially triggery to people) that major characters in this book had to deal with acephobia, but that was largely in the past and not in the time when the story takes place. Aka it's usually either mentioned in dialogue that intended to discuss the past or flashbacks integrated into the story.
- Sir Eckhart. Just Sir Eckhart. I loved her from the beginning. I mean:
Some would add, with needless cruelty, that the prince went unmourned, but those who claimed so had never, Petra knew, met Sir Eckhart.
- Petra is such a sweetheart that I couldn't help but falling for and I was so proud of his character development by the end.
- I also thought Fier was very endearing and all sorts of relatable and I enjoyed following his character arc all the way through to the end, no matter how many tissues it cost me.
- Did I mention that this book is like a love note to plants, especially flowers? I really loved that part of it and it's evident that a lot of worldbuilding research went into that.
- Also this book may make you cry. But, like, in a wholesome, healing way. Happy tears. *flails hands*
- I really liked the lyrical/descriptive way this book was written. Examples, with numbers relative to the 234-page Kindle edition:
(pg 69)
Some people had eyes that chased you, pinned you, flattened you; these, though were eyes you tripped into.
(pg 98)
You could tame fire, keep it docile in hearth or candle, but there was no taming lightning. The wild, ragged forks of it; the blinding cracks in the sky—that was the stuff of dragons.
(pg 150)
People at night were like stars: bright but distant, self-contained.
Per the nitpicking stuff (but didn't ultimately cost it a star in my eyes)
- There's quite a few fragments/bending of grammar rules of this variety, largely for style, but it was never really enough to throw me out of reading it for very long. After I got used to the style, I barely noticed it because I enjoyed the content so much. However, other people might take more issue with it than I do.
- Even though this book limited itself to a single town, I kinda wished we'd learned more about Fier's family and their kingdom, especially because Eckhart and Fier were more than a wee bit critical of them in the beginning
- I had the Kindle edition, so I can't attest to the printed version, but every once in a while there seems to be odd spacing glitches in the middle of paragraphs or between chapters or (more rarely) between words.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this and would recommend it to anyone who wants a fairly quick, cute, romantic fairy tale retelling, especially if they wanna read about LGBT+ characters.
July 28, 2021
very cute beauty and the beast retelling with an ace romance between a prince and a gardener. short and sweet
December 28, 2022
Not me reading this twice in one year. I never do that but this is just that good!!
October 25, 2022
(3.5/4 stars) beautiful! however, i feel like the full potential of the world building was not met yet…
February 12, 2018
Ahh this book is just really sweet and happy; it reads like a queer, ace fairy tale and I love that~
November 14, 2021
4.75⭐ (rounded off)
Oh my...my heart is still beating so fast that I need to catch my breath before writing a review. I must say though, this is the BEST re-telling of the Beauty and the Beast I have ever read (and I've read a LOT).
Oh my...my heart is still beating so fast that I need to catch my breath before writing a review. I must say though, this is the BEST re-telling of the Beauty and the Beast I have ever read (and I've read a LOT).
February 8, 2024
This is finally another one on my list of twitter recommendations of 2023 (that's now been continued to this year), and this was beautiful romance!!!
It was interesting how they've picked up the "Beauty and the Beast" myth here, I really like how the curse comes to be, how it relates to Fier as a person and what was expected of him, to see how expectations can so badly affect someone... the one bit I didn't like as much in this point was sometimes treating the beast as a separate entity...
Besides the fairytale behind it, the relationship between Fier and Petra is so beautifully written, the book does a really good developing them, on building the care for each other, the honesty and the opening between them, and I really love them being able to speak up out loud about what they want from a relationship, and I love seeing this ace rep, of them being able to establish boundaries, and say how happy they can be what they want!!!
This was just a really beautiful romance, with a whimsical/fantasy feel to it, but really rooted in a good development for the main couple!!!
It was interesting how they've picked up the "Beauty and the Beast" myth here, I really like how the curse comes to be, how it relates to Fier as a person and what was expected of him, to see how expectations can so badly affect someone... the one bit I didn't like as much in this point was sometimes treating the beast as a separate entity...
Besides the fairytale behind it, the relationship between Fier and Petra is so beautifully written, the book does a really good developing them, on building the care for each other, the honesty and the opening between them, and I really love them being able to speak up out loud about what they want from a relationship, and I love seeing this ace rep, of them being able to establish boundaries, and say how happy they can be what they want!!!
This was just a really beautiful romance, with a whimsical/fantasy feel to it, but really rooted in a good development for the main couple!!!
August 29, 2021
I have a thing for familiar tales being retold with a twist. I think I found this book on a list of best queer retellings of fairy tales (or something like that). This take on Beauty and Beast does nice world building in a way that centers the main characters well - Fier the prince who everyone believes is a beast, Petra the gardener who is regarded with suspicion by the town for both his appearance and abilities, and Sir Eckhart, the loyal captain who has stayed in town even after Fier, her charge is cursed and unreachable. The key beats of the Beauty and Beast story are there, with some nice twists. One observation is that the focus is so sharply on Fier, Petra and Sir Eckhart that all other characters are rendered in sort of background, less than quick stroke ways. There is clearly an important story about the prince's mother that is left completely hazy, and could have added some important dimensions. All in all, though, enjoyable read.
June 20, 2022
Once upon a time, they said, as if they had not yet been born when the happenings transpired.
Once upon a time, they said, as if to turn the already-inexplicable truth into something even more mysterious.
I first heard of this book in a list of queer retellings, and it jumped up on my TBR. I loved the prose of some passages but wished it was consistent all through. There were a couple of occurrences of the much-hated "let out the breath he had been holding".
Was death such that you could grieve for what you had left behind? If so, then yes, Petra would miss him—miss him dearly. He would miss so much: the sun against his skin, the background hum of bees and cicadas, the taste of water when he'd gone too long without a drink. He would miss picking fruit in the summer and finding the first green hints of spring in the last of the melting snow. He would miss waking on winter mornings to find foxes curled under the blankets with him for warmth and company.
I liked the depiction of how hiding who you are takes a toll on you. How it causes irritability, hurting you and the people around you.
A heartwarming tale of trauma, acceptance, consent and trust.
April 7, 2022
I can't put into words how beautifully woven their relationship was, and how thankful I am to see such an amazing example of an asexual love. It was admittedly a little slow to start, but once Fier and Petra began to learn about eachother, it all came together and bloomed as glorious as Fier's flower! Excellent read!
February 11, 2023
Another wonderful story from the author! This story focused more on the two main characters finding hope for the future and accepting themselves rather than the issues in their past. It was a very cute beauty and the beast re-telling with an ace romance at the heart. And the world could do with a few more Petras.
July 9, 2024
I appreciate an asexual retelling of Beauty & the Beast but I found the story rather dull. I wish there had been something to spark my interest a but more.
February 13, 2025
Book Eleven of 2025: there were a couple of lines here that really spoke to me, about feeling like other people have grown up without you, and you are just still the same
March 20, 2025
En esta historia he encontrado la representación asexual que siempre había ansiado leer. Y madre mía 🥺♥️🩹
October 9, 2021
4 / 5 Stars
I'll start this review a little different this time around. Meaning, I'm listing what I didn't like. It's not much, so we'll be done in a sec. It's also a personal, subjectiv thing, that could probably be just a me thingy, so take that as you will:
I would have prefered more clarification.
What do I mean by that? The prose is beautiful, the words are amazing, the charactes *chefs kiss* and the themes and symbols are jut yes. Buuuut - and here's the thing - I can't help but feel like there is a little too much room for speculation. Especially when it comes to matters of the beast. What is the beast? Who is the beast? Is there even a beast? What the duck did that old woman even want? Would she have curesed the Prince no matter what?
I could give answers to that, but most of them would be guesses and not facts. I kinda expected this when I picked the book up, because I've already gotten the same feeling from the authors other book. Other people didn't seem to mind, so it's possible that you'll walk out of this feeling completly satisfied. I on the other hand, would have loved a little more information.
That's that. I've got no other complaints. Everything else was amazing.
So, you see, I read the prologe and was shocked, in the most amazing way possible, because I cought myself thinking:
"Sweet baby jesus, is this .... no way... is this autistic rep I spy with my little eye?!? :O"
I don't think you understand how smart, clever and creative that is. Because now, it's not the Princes fault. Not even a little, not even a tiny bit. His motives for not taking that old, creepy, witchy-vibes lady in, are completly understandable. HELL even I would have probably said, Hell nah good woman.
I adore the OG Beauty & the Beast. It's my favourit fairytale of all time. But that aspect of the curse had always felt lacking to me. In this one, the enemy and antagonist is perfectly clear: It's the witch. Which makes the actions of the towns-folk understandable too. Which - in result - makes you root for our two Mc's even more.
I don't think I have the words to describe how much I loved that prologe. That prologe might have ruined me for all and any other Beauty & the Beast retellings. Just saying.
After that, we meet the other MC, Petra and he was also kinda giving me autistic vibes, which I thought was interesting. Why? Because both of them were on the specturm and yet they were kinda really different. Love to see it.
The book continues to be very slow burn, friends to lover, characters first from there on out. Almost going in the contemporary direction, which I didn't mind at all. If you - for whatever reason - expected there to be some big bad showoff with the beast or something, you'll be dissapointed though. In the later half said beast does get important and I was scared for both of our MC's, but that doesn't change the overall tone of the book. This isn't an action filled blockbuster. This is an emotional, heartmelting, uplifting story about two, asexual, autistic people, that help each other overcome their demons.
I'm also really happy about the ace rep in this one. Because it concentrated on an ace experience that gets way too under-represented in fiction. The ONLY other book I read, that did what this one did was 'We Awaken'. I loved that book back in the day, and I loved this one too. I know it's probably because both of these authors are ace-spec themselves, but I can't help but feel so seen and understood.
OK, I think I'm gonna stop at this point, because I've started getting emotional. So final words:
This is a beautiful & touching book. I loved it.
I'll start this review a little different this time around. Meaning, I'm listing what I didn't like. It's not much, so we'll be done in a sec. It's also a personal, subjectiv thing, that could probably be just a me thingy, so take that as you will:
I would have prefered more clarification.
What do I mean by that? The prose is beautiful, the words are amazing, the charactes *chefs kiss* and the themes and symbols are jut yes. Buuuut - and here's the thing - I can't help but feel like there is a little too much room for speculation. Especially when it comes to matters of the beast. What is the beast? Who is the beast? Is there even a beast? What the duck did that old woman even want? Would she have curesed the Prince no matter what?
I could give answers to that, but most of them would be guesses and not facts. I kinda expected this when I picked the book up, because I've already gotten the same feeling from the authors other book. Other people didn't seem to mind, so it's possible that you'll walk out of this feeling completly satisfied. I on the other hand, would have loved a little more information.
That's that. I've got no other complaints. Everything else was amazing.
So, you see, I read the prologe and was shocked, in the most amazing way possible, because I cought myself thinking:
"Sweet baby jesus, is this .... no way... is this autistic rep I spy with my little eye?!? :O"
I don't think you understand how smart, clever and creative that is. Because now, it's not the Princes fault. Not even a little, not even a tiny bit. His motives for not taking that old, creepy, witchy-vibes lady in, are completly understandable. HELL even I would have probably said, Hell nah good woman.
I adore the OG Beauty & the Beast. It's my favourit fairytale of all time. But that aspect of the curse had always felt lacking to me. In this one, the enemy and antagonist is perfectly clear: It's the witch. Which makes the actions of the towns-folk understandable too. Which - in result - makes you root for our two Mc's even more.
I don't think I have the words to describe how much I loved that prologe. That prologe might have ruined me for all and any other Beauty & the Beast retellings. Just saying.
After that, we meet the other MC, Petra and he was also kinda giving me autistic vibes, which I thought was interesting. Why? Because both of them were on the specturm and yet they were kinda really different. Love to see it.
The book continues to be very slow burn, friends to lover, characters first from there on out. Almost going in the contemporary direction, which I didn't mind at all. If you - for whatever reason - expected there to be some big bad showoff with the beast or something, you'll be dissapointed though. In the later half said beast does get important and I was scared for both of our MC's, but that doesn't change the overall tone of the book. This isn't an action filled blockbuster. This is an emotional, heartmelting, uplifting story about two, asexual, autistic people, that help each other overcome their demons.
I'm also really happy about the ace rep in this one. Because it concentrated on an ace experience that gets way too under-represented in fiction. The ONLY other book I read, that did what this one did was 'We Awaken'. I loved that book back in the day, and I loved this one too. I know it's probably because both of these authors are ace-spec themselves, but I can't help but feel so seen and understood.
OK, I think I'm gonna stop at this point, because I've started getting emotional. So final words:
This is a beautiful & touching book. I loved it.
February 20, 2021
An unusual reworking of Beauty & The Beast. The promise of ace representation is actually what pulled me in and, despite my misgivings about the pacing and lack of tension, kept me reading until the end. It was the ending's positive message sweetly told that bumped it up for me.
We have the usual Prince character, here named Fier, who lives in his mansion with the loyal Sir Eckhart until one fateful evening. Three years later, the prince is missing and the place is considered haunted by some terrible beast. No one is able to enter. No one but the gardener Petra, who's facial markings make the villagers uncomfortable around him. He's tasked with finding a ring left inside the mansion by a girl wanting to impress Prince Fier. Instead of a beast, Petra finds only shadows, and instead of a ring, her finds a beautiful flower hidden away in the darkness...
I really loved the premise, making what's beautiful and what's beastly in the eye of the beholder. The relationship between the prince and the gardener is soft and slow to grow, believably so. What I wished there was more of was foreshadowing and world building. I felt like I didn't get Petra, or what happened outside of the mansion Just a bit more detail, maybe some more background of their pasts or interactions with other characters would have explained things better for me.
I wasn't 100% sure it was my kind of read, but it's good if you like the idea of two introspective characters gently going about their supernatural tinged business, and love being about love and nothing else.
We have the usual Prince character, here named Fier, who lives in his mansion with the loyal Sir Eckhart until one fateful evening. Three years later, the prince is missing and the place is considered haunted by some terrible beast. No one is able to enter. No one but the gardener Petra, who's facial markings make the villagers uncomfortable around him. He's tasked with finding a ring left inside the mansion by a girl wanting to impress Prince Fier. Instead of a beast, Petra finds only shadows, and instead of a ring, her finds a beautiful flower hidden away in the darkness...
I really loved the premise, making what's beautiful and what's beastly in the eye of the beholder. The relationship between the prince and the gardener is soft and slow to grow, believably so. What I wished there was more of was foreshadowing and world building. I felt like I didn't get Petra, or what happened outside of the mansion Just a bit more detail, maybe some more background of their pasts or interactions with other characters would have explained things better for me.
I wasn't 100% sure it was my kind of read, but it's good if you like the idea of two introspective characters gently going about their supernatural tinged business, and love being about love and nothing else.
June 6, 2023
I wanted to love this.
Beauty and the Beast retelling? Nice!
Ace rep? Hell yeah!
Alas, sadly, I did not like the writing style at all. 😔
I guess it's a "It's not you, it's me." problem.
Beauty and the Beast retelling? Nice!
Ace rep? Hell yeah!
Alas, sadly, I did not like the writing style at all. 😔
I guess it's a "It's not you, it's me." problem.
June 26, 2024
Wowowow. What a wholesome story. That was so refreshing and heartwarming and delightful. Such an interesting take on Beauty and the Beast. This is why it’s my favourite fairytale!!
October 16, 2021
I’d probably give this book, 3.5 stars.. Which I guess should mean I give it 4 stars but... Only the ending just upped it slightly for me while the rest... Was just a little dull?
First off, I did enjoy this. Its cute and fluffy and I like the way it shows asexuality. (which is one of the reasons I wanted to read this), its a Beauty and the Beast retelling, (another reason I wanted to read this), and a m/m romance (topped off the reasons I wanted to read this lol)
I guess I just expected more... excitement? And I don’t mean in a sexual way. But in a action of something is happening kind of way.
Most of the book is made up of Fier and Petra getting to know each other. Which is not a bad thing! Some of the best moments were of course between the pair, it’s... I expected more to happen. With the villagers, with the beast etc.
Saying all that, I did like the story, its very feel good and cute and fluffy. And if you just want a story with barely any drama and just two people meeting and falling in love.. This will be perfect.
One thing I did really like was the depiction of asexuality. I may get a little personal here, but only because, if other asexual’s come across this like I did, because of the asexual element, or one of the elements, this may help.
Both boys in this novel are asexual. Though their experiences with it, and reactions from others were different.
Spoilers by the way.
While the people around Petra listened to him, though with some need for him to put his foot down, Fier unfortunately had people not listen or not understand.
I really related to Fier in this respect. People saying it will change as you get older, you just need to meet the right person etc. People making you think something is wrong with your feeling the way you do or just unhappiness that you can’t get people to understand.
(I at one point got so insecure about what others had been saying to me, that I kissed my partner on the cheek. To many this wouldn’t be a big deal at all. To me? I was shaking. And all I did was make me and my partner feel uncomfortable. We talked about it after, and were more open, and I stopped listening to others and just started to listen to myself and my partner more. Its normal to make mistakes. But its also important to admit them and talk about them with the person you care about. Like Petra and Fier, we enjoyed innocent touches. Hugs, hand holding. Those are fine. And its also fine to not want more. You do not have to do more if you don’t want too. Even with someone you love. And yes there will always be people that don’t understand that, and it doesn’t matter. What’s important is how you feel. What you are okay with)
I really related to Fier especially in this. But what I will say is that this is just one aspect of asexuality. There are many many others. Asexuals can have sex, they can get aroused, there are many aspects to it and this book just shows one, so don’t be dismayed if it doesn’t fit entirely with how you experience asexuality. (if you do that is)
All in all its a really sweet story, of kindness, understanding and love between two people who listen and understand each other.
And what else does anyone need at the end of the day? ❤️️
First off, I did enjoy this. Its cute and fluffy and I like the way it shows asexuality. (which is one of the reasons I wanted to read this), its a Beauty and the Beast retelling, (another reason I wanted to read this), and a m/m romance (topped off the reasons I wanted to read this lol)
I guess I just expected more... excitement? And I don’t mean in a sexual way. But in a action of something is happening kind of way.
Most of the book is made up of Fier and Petra getting to know each other. Which is not a bad thing! Some of the best moments were of course between the pair, it’s... I expected more to happen. With the villagers, with the beast etc.
Saying all that, I did like the story, its very feel good and cute and fluffy. And if you just want a story with barely any drama and just two people meeting and falling in love.. This will be perfect.
One thing I did really like was the depiction of asexuality. I may get a little personal here, but only because, if other asexual’s come across this like I did, because of the asexual element, or one of the elements, this may help.
Both boys in this novel are asexual. Though their experiences with it, and reactions from others were different.
Spoilers by the way.
While the people around Petra listened to him, though with some need for him to put his foot down, Fier unfortunately had people not listen or not understand.
I really related to Fier in this respect. People saying it will change as you get older, you just need to meet the right person etc. People making you think something is wrong with your feeling the way you do or just unhappiness that you can’t get people to understand.
(I at one point got so insecure about what others had been saying to me, that I kissed my partner on the cheek. To many this wouldn’t be a big deal at all. To me? I was shaking. And all I did was make me and my partner feel uncomfortable. We talked about it after, and were more open, and I stopped listening to others and just started to listen to myself and my partner more. Its normal to make mistakes. But its also important to admit them and talk about them with the person you care about. Like Petra and Fier, we enjoyed innocent touches. Hugs, hand holding. Those are fine. And its also fine to not want more. You do not have to do more if you don’t want too. Even with someone you love. And yes there will always be people that don’t understand that, and it doesn’t matter. What’s important is how you feel. What you are okay with)
I really related to Fier especially in this. But what I will say is that this is just one aspect of asexuality. There are many many others. Asexuals can have sex, they can get aroused, there are many aspects to it and this book just shows one, so don’t be dismayed if it doesn’t fit entirely with how you experience asexuality. (if you do that is)
All in all its a really sweet story, of kindness, understanding and love between two people who listen and understand each other.
And what else does anyone need at the end of the day? ❤️️
August 11, 2022
This was such a lovely, warm read! It's so difficult to find stories with ace protagonists, and this one delivered beautifully. As a sex-neutral ace I did not entirely see myself in Fier and Petra's asexuality, for example myself and many aces I know would not mind chaste kisses, but it's important to remember all aces are different. That said I couldn't understand better the feeling of loneliness and not belonging, so I could feel for Fier, and relate to some of his experience with his asexuality in a world that just....doesn't get it, and sadly too often doesn't want to learn. It was so healing and comforting to read about these two ace boys finding trust and safety and comfort in each other. I wish I found a relationship like that too. The story and reimagination of Beauty and the Beast was perfectly executed, the characters were compelling and loveable (i would do anything for them), and the ending was perfect and satisfying as well. Definitely recommended to ace people who will love a sweet ace romance of course, but also to allosexual people who might want to understand us and our experiences better.
May 4, 2024
This book was written by a friend and colleague of mine, so naturally, I had to read it. But I will also be fair with my review.
I liked this book a bit more than the other book by Wambheim (and told them as much! hahaha) I got caught up reading it many times and didn't want to stop. The story was well written, sweet, and an interesting twist on Beauty and the Beast. Nothing really felt fully explained and for some reason, I'm okay with that. I appreciated the mystery and intrigue while reading, so I don't mind really not knowing about the details. The characters were sweet, kind, and supportive. I also liked the subtle self-acceptance within the pages as well.
I look forward to more of Wambheim's books. I enjoy their writing style and characterizations. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a short but sweet touching tale about friendship, love, and acceptance. The book will hold your interest and make you go "awwww"
I liked this book a bit more than the other book by Wambheim (and told them as much! hahaha) I got caught up reading it many times and didn't want to stop. The story was well written, sweet, and an interesting twist on Beauty and the Beast. Nothing really felt fully explained and for some reason, I'm okay with that. I appreciated the mystery and intrigue while reading, so I don't mind really not knowing about the details. The characters were sweet, kind, and supportive. I also liked the subtle self-acceptance within the pages as well.
I look forward to more of Wambheim's books. I enjoy their writing style and characterizations. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a short but sweet touching tale about friendship, love, and acceptance. The book will hold your interest and make you go "awwww"
January 8, 2024
4.5 stars
I absolutely adored this book. Asexual representation? Yes, accurately written, but also immersed in a beautiful story about being kind, respectful, patient, and loving, not just with a romantic partner, but with the world at large.
It's sweet, the pacing's good, the romance is adorable. I'd have liked more world-building, but that doesn't quite matter when you read the story because the descriptions are so, so incredible. I could picture things in my brain so clearly! I loved the writing style, and could have read 500 more pages of the characters and the world the author created.
I absolutely adored this book. Asexual representation? Yes, accurately written, but also immersed in a beautiful story about being kind, respectful, patient, and loving, not just with a romantic partner, but with the world at large.
It's sweet, the pacing's good, the romance is adorable. I'd have liked more world-building, but that doesn't quite matter when you read the story because the descriptions are so, so incredible. I could picture things in my brain so clearly! I loved the writing style, and could have read 500 more pages of the characters and the world the author created.
November 6, 2021
Beautiful
This book is simply gorgeous. The writing is so lush; the descriptions of all the growing things made me almost smell the fragrances and feel the cool earth and the warm sunlight. And the characters! I'm truly terrible at writing reviews, so I almost never do, but this story gave me all the feels, so I felt compelled to write at least *something*...so: please read it, you will be greatly rewarded!
This book is simply gorgeous. The writing is so lush; the descriptions of all the growing things made me almost smell the fragrances and feel the cool earth and the warm sunlight. And the characters! I'm truly terrible at writing reviews, so I almost never do, but this story gave me all the feels, so I felt compelled to write at least *something*...so: please read it, you will be greatly rewarded!
November 27, 2022
Lovely! This story is so soft and dream like. The magic being tied to the earth and plants was beautiful. It's a romantic fairy tale with two Ace protagonists, and I think how the author handled the characters was deftly done. I really grew to love these two characters, Petra and Fier, they had been through so much and yet kindness was the one thing they needed most from each other. I'm sad to see this story end, but it left my heart warm.
November 9, 2021
This was one of the most uplifting, emotional books I've read in a long time.
If you're not into contemporary fantasy, this one won't be for you, but if you don't mind character studys & slow burn, this is the book for you. Especially if you're a sex-repulsed asexual and / or autistic.
It's beautiful and deserves love. What a good read.
If you're not into contemporary fantasy, this one won't be for you, but if you don't mind character studys & slow burn, this is the book for you. Especially if you're a sex-repulsed asexual and / or autistic.
It's beautiful and deserves love. What a good read.
October 25, 2022
'Here was love given freely, without expectation or condition.'
If you reeeeally like sweet romances (like Lore & Lust), you might like this! It's an ace m/m beauty and the beast retelling, which was a cozy and whimsical read for me. But in the same breath, sweet romances just don't land for me.
July 25, 2024
Unexpected great asexual representation! I wish it was longer, which is not something I usually say about many books. It's a hidden gem. I'm not a usual fan of fairytale retellings, but I needed to read one for a book bingo challenge I'm participating in. I'm glad I stumbled across this one. I'll likely reread it again in the future.
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