What do you think?
Rate this book
Once Upon a Summer: Contemporary Retellings of Timeless Tales
Embrace the enchantment of summer with these contemporary twists on timeless tales.
A New Beginning — Who is she? Acacia Martin raised by an impostor mom serving a prison sentence for her sins, or Jasmine Callahan abducted at birth from a family she’s yet to meet? Luckily, she has Drake to help her untangle the mess that is her life. Will he ensnare her he art in the process?
An Ever After Summer — The employees of In a Bind are terrified of Jean-Luc Thibodeaux, so Bellamy Larson hops on a plane to France to deal with the beastly client. Yet once she arrives, she's convinced he merely needs a friend. Then her heart begins to want ever after, not just one summer.
Gwen and the Three Dates — Life isn't a romantic movie, but Gwen Lochs is determined to find her leading man. When she joins a cheesy dating site, Gwen agrees to just three dates. Can Ben Smith watch his best friend and soulmate find someone else? A romantic comedy about searching for that just-right love.
Unkissable — Reality diva Charlotte Lavigne's on-camera meltdown reminds former teen-TV prince Jaime Reyes exactly why he left Hollywood ten years ago. A chance encounter leads to a bargain that transforms them both. When it’s time to face her past, will their rediscovered love be strong enough to build a future together?
Let these four sweet contemporary Christian romances take you away this summer.
396 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2021
32 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Boyd
26 books266 followersI wrote a short story for newsletter subscribers called John’s Fortune. Be sure to grab your free copy! https://dl.bookfunnel.com/68umkcxpkc
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
April 24, 2021
I loved fairy tales as a child. Still do. I have been looking forward to this collection because I have read the last collections by these authors. I was not disappointed! This collection, I believe, is my favorite.
Andrea Boyd does a retelling of Rapunzel, which was one of my favorite fairy tales. I love how she turned this one around, about the girl whose whole life was sheltered by her mother. Totally cool.
Toni Shiloh does a great job with another of my favorites, Beauty and the Beast. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, too! It was done well indeed.
Teresa Tysinger tackles Goldilocks and the Three Bears with a captivating and delightful story. I loved it!
Jaycee Weaver does a redo of The Frog Prince in a bang up way.
I read this book in a day, it was so good! I can highly recommend this collection. My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review and received no compensation. The opinion in this review is entirely my own.
Andrea Boyd does a retelling of Rapunzel, which was one of my favorite fairy tales. I love how she turned this one around, about the girl whose whole life was sheltered by her mother. Totally cool.
Toni Shiloh does a great job with another of my favorites, Beauty and the Beast. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, too! It was done well indeed.
Teresa Tysinger tackles Goldilocks and the Three Bears with a captivating and delightful story. I loved it!
Jaycee Weaver does a redo of The Frog Prince in a bang up way.
I read this book in a day, it was so good! I can highly recommend this collection. My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review and received no compensation. The opinion in this review is entirely my own.
May 25, 2021
This is such a fun contemporary retelling of fairy tales! It's the perfect beach read and this collection will have you smiling widely and sighing happily-ever-afters when you're finished.
A New Beginning by Andrea Boyd explores what Cacie (Rapunzel) has to face after the truth of her childhood and upbringing comes out. Cacie's path to finding her true self is filled with emotional angst. Drake is an absolute darling of a hero with a remarkable faith and all the more memorable because of his unusual 'hero' profession as a hairdresser.
An Ever After Summer by Toni Shiloh is a sweet and enchanting retelling of Beauty and the Beast where Bell travels to France to renovate a chateau's library that belongs to scarred and broken Jean-Luc. I loved the setting and how the story seemed to recreate Disney's version of the fairy tale with modern twists.
Gwen and The Three Dates by Teresa Tysinger is a hilarious look at on-line dating but also a sweet friends-to-more story between two insecure best friends Ben and Gwen. There are fun pop culture and movie references in the story and a hero who is the antithesis of alpha male yet still woos his best friend with his undivided attention, unswerving devotion, and sacrificial love.
Unkissable by Jaycee Weaver is an interesting spin on The Frog Prince with Charlotte the spoiled and rich reality TV show star and Jaime her ex, who has escaped Hollywood for a more purpose-driven life in New Mexico. The first person point of view was a nice change and quite well done. Charlotte, with help from Jaime and his wonderful family, finds herself, salvation, forgiveness, and reconciliation in this heartfelt journey.
Fans of contemporary romance will thoroughly enjoy this book. I received a copy from the authors and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are solely my own.
A New Beginning by Andrea Boyd explores what Cacie (Rapunzel) has to face after the truth of her childhood and upbringing comes out. Cacie's path to finding her true self is filled with emotional angst. Drake is an absolute darling of a hero with a remarkable faith and all the more memorable because of his unusual 'hero' profession as a hairdresser.
An Ever After Summer by Toni Shiloh is a sweet and enchanting retelling of Beauty and the Beast where Bell travels to France to renovate a chateau's library that belongs to scarred and broken Jean-Luc. I loved the setting and how the story seemed to recreate Disney's version of the fairy tale with modern twists.
Gwen and The Three Dates by Teresa Tysinger is a hilarious look at on-line dating but also a sweet friends-to-more story between two insecure best friends Ben and Gwen. There are fun pop culture and movie references in the story and a hero who is the antithesis of alpha male yet still woos his best friend with his undivided attention, unswerving devotion, and sacrificial love.
Unkissable by Jaycee Weaver is an interesting spin on The Frog Prince with Charlotte the spoiled and rich reality TV show star and Jaime her ex, who has escaped Hollywood for a more purpose-driven life in New Mexico. The first person point of view was a nice change and quite well done. Charlotte, with help from Jaime and his wonderful family, finds herself, salvation, forgiveness, and reconciliation in this heartfelt journey.
Fans of contemporary romance will thoroughly enjoy this book. I received a copy from the authors and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are solely my own.
March 10, 2022
This was so good! There wasn't a story in the collection I didn't fall in love with. I might have loved it even more than the Once Upon a Christmas collection, and I didn't think that was possible! Individual reviews and ratings below. :)
A New Beginning by Andrea Boyd - 4 stars
Oh, this was just so, so sweet! I couldn't imagine being in Cacie's position, and it was totally understandable that she would have a hard time with all the changes. Watching Drake's gentleness and sweetness as he reached out to her was amazing and so beautiful! Also, seeing how he opened up about his own past struggles... <3<3<3 And seeing the way they both reached out and wanted to help those who needed it--so, so good! And while I understood how tough it was for her to reach out to her family, I totally understood their side of things too, and how hard it was for them. Also, that one scene with her dad--love, love, love! :D
Content--some noticing, touching, and kissing (not descriptive); mentions of kidnapping and its fallout; mentions of homelessness, troubled childhoods, and foster care
An Ever After Summer by Toni Shiloh - 4 stars
This was just too adorable! My favorite that I've read so far from Toni Shiloh. <3 The relentless and caring way that Bellamy reached out to Jean-Luc was so, so perfect. And the hurting but loving heart under Jean-Luc's rough and scarred exterior absolutely pulled on my heartstrings, even when he was being annoying. ;) I loved seeing him come out of his shell! And the "servants"--I have no words! <3<3<3<3<3 The renovation was really neat, although as a library person, I'd have loved a few more details about what exactly Bell's job entailed. :) Also, I never did quite understand what exactly Jean-Luc's problem was with the other staff members... But of course, I wasn't sorry with the way things worked out. :D
Content--some noticing, touching, and kissing (slightly descriptive); mentions of accidents, wounds, scars, and deaths
Gwen and the Three Dates by Teresa Tysinger - 5 stars
What. Just. Happened? Seriously, what??? Okay, I love the friends-to-lovers trope, y'all. It's a thing. Like, I've been known to search the spoilers at any hint of a love triangle just to make sure everything ends up with #teambestfriend. (Yes, I've really done that.) I've read so many of these plots that none of it was actually new to me--even the guy helping girl he's in love with prep for dates with another man bits--yes, I've seen it before. So how did this story wreck me so hard?!? Somehow this was more than #teambestfriend. I'm always #teambestfriend. I'm always half in love with the best friend before I even crack the cover. But Ben... Ben was something special. In fact, Ben may have ruined this trope for me forever, because I don't think any other best friend has ever pulled at my heart the way Ben did. I can't tell you why (because of course I can't), but I was not only melting all over the floor (figuratively) but also groaning aloud (almost literally, only because I was at work) and repeating, "oh, baby!" under my breath numerous times as the story went along. Just--yeah. I've loved book heroes before, but I don't think I've ever had exactly THIS reaction! Also, I so much loved the fact that his insecurities and imperfections were real and normal--it made so much more sense than the "why would she ever fall for little old me with my perfect hair and chiseled abs" that seems rather annoyingly present in so many books. Ben wasn't that by a long shot--he was PERFECT in every way he needed to be, but not flawless. And Gwen also wasn't flawless, although I adored it whenever Ben stressed to her just how beautiful she was. If I needed more to say, I could talk about the friends and relatives who added little pops of fun (or nudges along the path) when needed, or the constant movie references that colored most of Gwen's life. But basically all of that was just completely overshadowed by the absolute real, raw, honest beauty that was Ben. I just loved it. <3
Content--talk of people on a dating site just wanting hook-ups; a man asks a woman back to his room (she immediately and indignantly declines); some touching, noticing, and kissing (slightly descriptive); talk about a woman's thighs (from her point of view)
Unkissable by Jaycee Weaver - 4.5 stars
First off, I have to say, I LOVED the way this story connected back to A Splash of Love! I didn't put it together from the description, but I did pretty soon upon getting into Jaime's perspective, and I was sold. Okay, so I'll admit that I was a little unsure going in about the whole out-of-control-reality-star vibe (that is SO not my thing), but the more we got of Charlotte's past and their shared backstory, the more I felt for both of them. I have basically no interest in the world of reality shows, but for some reason the world of child/teen actors and all the drama and baggage that comes along with that is something that's been heavy on my heart for years, so this story engaged my heart almost instantly. I really appreciated the way that Jaime and his family reached out to Charlotte, the way that Charlotte found more to herself than the selfish snob she'd allowed herself to become, and the way that Christ was kept at the core of any lasting transformation. Loved the rest of the Reyes family just as much as ever, and the glimpses of Derek and Bree were awesome! And the homeless ministries were also awesome--it really makes me want to look for places to volunteer again. Also loved the way that the princess/frog theme cut back and forth between the two of them in different ways--so fun!
About the only issue I had was that there were one or two scenes when Jaime seemed to cross the line a bit between being a friend/holding his attraction in check and being a little bit more before Charlotte had actually taken the step that made it not a very unwise move. Though I did very much appreciate his pulling back in one scene because he knew her emotions weren't in a good place. But that was really my only small complaint.
Content--mentions of noticing, touching, and kissing (slightly descriptive); mentions of teen actors forced to kiss on a TV show and mentions of the show's content becoming more mature; a few references to underwear; mentions of a girl in a modest bathing suit and a guy trying not to look at her legs; mentions of cursing and a rude gesture
A New Beginning by Andrea Boyd - 4 stars
Oh, this was just so, so sweet! I couldn't imagine being in Cacie's position, and it was totally understandable that she would have a hard time with all the changes. Watching Drake's gentleness and sweetness as he reached out to her was amazing and so beautiful! Also, seeing how he opened up about his own past struggles... <3<3<3 And seeing the way they both reached out and wanted to help those who needed it--so, so good! And while I understood how tough it was for her to reach out to her family, I totally understood their side of things too, and how hard it was for them. Also, that one scene with her dad--love, love, love! :D
Content--some noticing, touching, and kissing (not descriptive); mentions of kidnapping and its fallout; mentions of homelessness, troubled childhoods, and foster care
An Ever After Summer by Toni Shiloh - 4 stars
This was just too adorable! My favorite that I've read so far from Toni Shiloh. <3 The relentless and caring way that Bellamy reached out to Jean-Luc was so, so perfect. And the hurting but loving heart under Jean-Luc's rough and scarred exterior absolutely pulled on my heartstrings, even when he was being annoying. ;) I loved seeing him come out of his shell! And the "servants"--I have no words! <3<3<3<3<3 The renovation was really neat, although as a library person, I'd have loved a few more details about what exactly Bell's job entailed. :) Also, I never did quite understand what exactly Jean-Luc's problem was with the other staff members... But of course, I wasn't sorry with the way things worked out. :D
Content--some noticing, touching, and kissing (slightly descriptive); mentions of accidents, wounds, scars, and deaths
Gwen and the Three Dates by Teresa Tysinger - 5 stars
What. Just. Happened? Seriously, what??? Okay, I love the friends-to-lovers trope, y'all. It's a thing. Like, I've been known to search the spoilers at any hint of a love triangle just to make sure everything ends up with #teambestfriend. (Yes, I've really done that.) I've read so many of these plots that none of it was actually new to me--even the guy helping girl he's in love with prep for dates with another man bits--yes, I've seen it before. So how did this story wreck me so hard?!? Somehow this was more than #teambestfriend. I'm always #teambestfriend. I'm always half in love with the best friend before I even crack the cover. But Ben... Ben was something special. In fact, Ben may have ruined this trope for me forever, because I don't think any other best friend has ever pulled at my heart the way Ben did. I can't tell you why (because of course I can't), but I was not only melting all over the floor (figuratively) but also groaning aloud (almost literally, only because I was at work) and repeating, "oh, baby!" under my breath numerous times as the story went along. Just--yeah. I've loved book heroes before, but I don't think I've ever had exactly THIS reaction! Also, I so much loved the fact that his insecurities and imperfections were real and normal--it made so much more sense than the "why would she ever fall for little old me with my perfect hair and chiseled abs" that seems rather annoyingly present in so many books. Ben wasn't that by a long shot--he was PERFECT in every way he needed to be, but not flawless. And Gwen also wasn't flawless, although I adored it whenever Ben stressed to her just how beautiful she was. If I needed more to say, I could talk about the friends and relatives who added little pops of fun (or nudges along the path) when needed, or the constant movie references that colored most of Gwen's life. But basically all of that was just completely overshadowed by the absolute real, raw, honest beauty that was Ben. I just loved it. <3
Content--talk of people on a dating site just wanting hook-ups; a man asks a woman back to his room (she immediately and indignantly declines); some touching, noticing, and kissing (slightly descriptive); talk about a woman's thighs (from her point of view)
Unkissable by Jaycee Weaver - 4.5 stars
First off, I have to say, I LOVED the way this story connected back to A Splash of Love! I didn't put it together from the description, but I did pretty soon upon getting into Jaime's perspective, and I was sold. Okay, so I'll admit that I was a little unsure going in about the whole out-of-control-reality-star vibe (that is SO not my thing), but the more we got of Charlotte's past and their shared backstory, the more I felt for both of them. I have basically no interest in the world of reality shows, but for some reason the world of child/teen actors and all the drama and baggage that comes along with that is something that's been heavy on my heart for years, so this story engaged my heart almost instantly. I really appreciated the way that Jaime and his family reached out to Charlotte, the way that Charlotte found more to herself than the selfish snob she'd allowed herself to become, and the way that Christ was kept at the core of any lasting transformation. Loved the rest of the Reyes family just as much as ever, and the glimpses of Derek and Bree were awesome! And the homeless ministries were also awesome--it really makes me want to look for places to volunteer again. Also loved the way that the princess/frog theme cut back and forth between the two of them in different ways--so fun!
About the only issue I had was that there were one or two scenes when Jaime seemed to cross the line a bit between being a friend/holding his attraction in check and being a little bit more before Charlotte had actually taken the step that made it not a very unwise move. Though I did very much appreciate his pulling back in one scene because he knew her emotions weren't in a good place. But that was really my only small complaint.
Content--mentions of noticing, touching, and kissing (slightly descriptive); mentions of teen actors forced to kiss on a TV show and mentions of the show's content becoming more mature; a few references to underwear; mentions of a girl in a modest bathing suit and a guy trying not to look at her legs; mentions of cursing and a rude gesture
June 5, 2021
Whether you’re the kind of person who loves spending all summer by the pool & at the beach or the kind of person (like me) who stays indoors as much as humanly possible when the temperatures get above 75, Once Upon a Summer is the perfect choice for you. These four classic fairy tales with a contemporary twist are sweet and fun and oh-so-swoony!
I wasn’t sure how a contemporary version of Rapunzel was going to play out without being too unbelievable, but Andrea Boyd knocked it out of the park with A New Beginning! The reason for Cacie’s never-been-touched-by-scissors hair, why she’s suddenly wanting to cut it, and how that desire & the fear that goes with it are symbols of her larger journey to self-discovery was completely plausible and engaging. Cacie’s quirky & endearing personality go well with Drake’s sweet heart, and I loved watching them fall in love. Drake was the perfect hero for Cacie, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them both.
Toni Shiloh’s An Ever After Summer is ooh-la-la fantastic! You don’t even have to be a Beauty & the Beast fan to appreciate this swoonilicious romance, but you’ll love it even more if you are because of all the little touches the author adds. Jean-Luc…. I could stop right there. Blissful sigh. Keep a fan handy for whenever he’s in the room – he exudes a wounded hero sexiness (am I allowed to use that word?) and the instant sparks between him and Bell are magnifique! Such a sweet story of restoration (in more ways than one) and a delicious romance with plenty of chemistry and fireworks.
I’ve never before felt like I identified with Goldilocks but I sure related to Gwen Lochs in Teresa Tysinger’s Gwen and the Three Dates! Gwen’s more plus size than petite (can i get an amen?!?), fun, warm and a little snarky. Plus, she’s more than slightly obsessed with romcoms. Hello, new bestie! Did I mention that her best friend Ben is in love with her (has been for years)? Ahhh be still my friends-to-more-loving heart! Take Gwen’s love of romcoms, a dose of hilarity, three blind dates, and nudges from those ever-present supporting characters; add in sparks aplenty and a fabulous first kiss, and you’ve got a story that had me grinning from start to finish.
Last but certainly not least is Unkissable, a Frog Prince retelling by Jaycee Weaver. I love how the author pulled in elements from this fairy tale in clever ways while also creating a story that is fresh and unique. Charlotte (Lottie) and Jaime are each other’s ‘one that got away’, and up until now they’ve lived worlds apart, even if only separated by a couple of states. When Lottie’s reality show life implodes around her, she crashes back into Jaime’s life in desperate need of a friend. Her redemptive character growth throughout this story was truly special to watch, and the gospel was presented clearly without being forced. On a more shallow note (lol), get ready for a doozy of a kiss that is definitely going into my next KissingBooks Hall of Fame 🙂
Bottom Line: Once upon a time, there was Once Upon a Summer, a fun and swoony collection of stories by four fabulous authors! Fave fairy tales retold with creativity and affection, with a host of loveable heroes & heroines, will capture your heart and help these timeless & beloved tales come alive in new ways. I loved the romances, the characters, the settings, and the unique style each author brought to the table, and I also appreciated the faith threads in each novella & the organic ways they added layers to the stories. This is a great way to meet a new-to-you author or spend time with some already-faves. And we all read happily ever after!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
I wasn’t sure how a contemporary version of Rapunzel was going to play out without being too unbelievable, but Andrea Boyd knocked it out of the park with A New Beginning! The reason for Cacie’s never-been-touched-by-scissors hair, why she’s suddenly wanting to cut it, and how that desire & the fear that goes with it are symbols of her larger journey to self-discovery was completely plausible and engaging. Cacie’s quirky & endearing personality go well with Drake’s sweet heart, and I loved watching them fall in love. Drake was the perfect hero for Cacie, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them both.
Toni Shiloh’s An Ever After Summer is ooh-la-la fantastic! You don’t even have to be a Beauty & the Beast fan to appreciate this swoonilicious romance, but you’ll love it even more if you are because of all the little touches the author adds. Jean-Luc…. I could stop right there. Blissful sigh. Keep a fan handy for whenever he’s in the room – he exudes a wounded hero sexiness (am I allowed to use that word?) and the instant sparks between him and Bell are magnifique! Such a sweet story of restoration (in more ways than one) and a delicious romance with plenty of chemistry and fireworks.
I’ve never before felt like I identified with Goldilocks but I sure related to Gwen Lochs in Teresa Tysinger’s Gwen and the Three Dates! Gwen’s more plus size than petite (can i get an amen?!?), fun, warm and a little snarky. Plus, she’s more than slightly obsessed with romcoms. Hello, new bestie! Did I mention that her best friend Ben is in love with her (has been for years)? Ahhh be still my friends-to-more-loving heart! Take Gwen’s love of romcoms, a dose of hilarity, three blind dates, and nudges from those ever-present supporting characters; add in sparks aplenty and a fabulous first kiss, and you’ve got a story that had me grinning from start to finish.
Last but certainly not least is Unkissable, a Frog Prince retelling by Jaycee Weaver. I love how the author pulled in elements from this fairy tale in clever ways while also creating a story that is fresh and unique. Charlotte (Lottie) and Jaime are each other’s ‘one that got away’, and up until now they’ve lived worlds apart, even if only separated by a couple of states. When Lottie’s reality show life implodes around her, she crashes back into Jaime’s life in desperate need of a friend. Her redemptive character growth throughout this story was truly special to watch, and the gospel was presented clearly without being forced. On a more shallow note (lol), get ready for a doozy of a kiss that is definitely going into my next KissingBooks Hall of Fame 🙂
Bottom Line: Once upon a time, there was Once Upon a Summer, a fun and swoony collection of stories by four fabulous authors! Fave fairy tales retold with creativity and affection, with a host of loveable heroes & heroines, will capture your heart and help these timeless & beloved tales come alive in new ways. I loved the romances, the characters, the settings, and the unique style each author brought to the table, and I also appreciated the faith threads in each novella & the organic ways they added layers to the stories. This is a great way to meet a new-to-you author or spend time with some already-faves. And we all read happily ever after!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
April 25, 2021
I've read one of the stories in this collection and I LOVED it. I can't wait to read all of them! I'm so happy these ladies are doing this again! Fun Fun!
UPDATE: HERE'S MY REVIEW:
This collection of stories was so enchanting.
It took some favorite fairy tales and gave them a modern twist.
This was just the perfect thing to read over a relaxing weekend.
Each book has a flair of its own, and each author is skilled in storytelling, and they will capture your heart and give you warm fuzzies.
The whole collection filled me with laughter, hope, sweet moments, and lots of romance!
I love reading books by all these authors and will always pick up anything they write, because I know I’ll be entertained and delighted.
I highly recommend you pick this collection up; it will bring a smile to your face and sweet dreams to your heart!
I was given this book by the publisher which did not influence my review in any way, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
UPDATE: HERE'S MY REVIEW:
This collection of stories was so enchanting.
It took some favorite fairy tales and gave them a modern twist.
This was just the perfect thing to read over a relaxing weekend.
Each book has a flair of its own, and each author is skilled in storytelling, and they will capture your heart and give you warm fuzzies.
The whole collection filled me with laughter, hope, sweet moments, and lots of romance!
I love reading books by all these authors and will always pick up anything they write, because I know I’ll be entertained and delighted.
I highly recommend you pick this collection up; it will bring a smile to your face and sweet dreams to your heart!
I was given this book by the publisher which did not influence my review in any way, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 11, 2021
I really enjoyed these stories! They were all so unique, but my favorite was Gwen and the Three Dates. I think these stories were really fun to read. I loved sampling stories from different authors. I’ll be adding them to my TBR list!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
May 29, 2021
This was such a fun collection of stories! The authors all did a great job of creating retellings of classic fairy tales, full of their own unique twists. The stories had faith messages naturally woven in as well, which I really appreciated.
A New Beginning by Andrea Boyd was a retelling of Rapunzel. I loved the patience and kindness that Drake showed toward Cacie. These two characters were just so sweet together! The author did a good job of showing all of the ways that Cacie had to adjust to her new reality.
An Ever After Summer by Toni Shiloh was a Beauty and the Beast adaptation, complete with the fabulous setting of a chateau in the French countryside. The chemistry between Jean-Luc and Bell was beautifully written, as was the fresh start in life and love that Jean-Luc was able to grab hold of once Bell entered his life.
Gwen and the Three Dates by Teresa Tysinger was a clever nod toward Goldilocks and the Three Bears. I loved seeing Ben’s devotion to Gwen in this story. The rom com movie references were especially fun as they are some of my very favorite movies. The way each scene unfolded as Ben began to finally “fight scared” for Gwen’s love was just perfect.
Unkissable by Jaycee Weaver, based on The Frog Prince, showed a beautiful transformation that was only possible through the grace of God. I loved the way this reality TV star ended up right where she needed to be in order to actually make a change in her life. The second chance that Jaime and Lottie got at love was beautiful!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
A New Beginning by Andrea Boyd was a retelling of Rapunzel. I loved the patience and kindness that Drake showed toward Cacie. These two characters were just so sweet together! The author did a good job of showing all of the ways that Cacie had to adjust to her new reality.
An Ever After Summer by Toni Shiloh was a Beauty and the Beast adaptation, complete with the fabulous setting of a chateau in the French countryside. The chemistry between Jean-Luc and Bell was beautifully written, as was the fresh start in life and love that Jean-Luc was able to grab hold of once Bell entered his life.
Gwen and the Three Dates by Teresa Tysinger was a clever nod toward Goldilocks and the Three Bears. I loved seeing Ben’s devotion to Gwen in this story. The rom com movie references were especially fun as they are some of my very favorite movies. The way each scene unfolded as Ben began to finally “fight scared” for Gwen’s love was just perfect.
Unkissable by Jaycee Weaver, based on The Frog Prince, showed a beautiful transformation that was only possible through the grace of God. I loved the way this reality TV star ended up right where she needed to be in order to actually make a change in her life. The second chance that Jaime and Lottie got at love was beautiful!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
May 25, 2021
This is an absolutely delightful collection of contemporary fairytale retellings that will give you all the feels! I love all four of these authors' writing and these novellas are all so great! I so enjoyed the twists on these classic stories, and it was super fun that they were all set during summer! I loved getting to travel virtually through the different stories, especially to France in Toni Shiloh's An Ever After Summer! Once Upon a Summer is a fantastic collection and I highly recommend it! This collection would make the perfect beach or pool read, be sure to add it to your summer TBR, this is one you don't wanna miss!
I received an ebook copy of this book from the publisher. My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
I received an ebook copy of this book from the publisher. My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
April 24, 2021
This was such a cute collection of contemporary fairy tales. Once Upon a Summer is a collection of novelas written by Andrea Boyd, Toni Shiloh, Teresa Tysinger, and Jaycee Weaver.
A New Beginning was such a sweet novella, I liked the characters and I found the storyline very interesting. A New Beginning is a retelling of Rapunzel and I really liked the way the author wrote it. Acacia Martin was trying to figure out who she was and I liked reading about her growth and how she learned to trust God. Drake was a sweetheart and I loved him.
An Ever After Summer was cute! Beauty and the Beast is such a good fairytale and I really like the way Shiloh wrote her retelling. Jean-Luc Thibodeaux and Bellamy Larson were the perfect match for each other. And I liked reading about their adventures, also the side characters helped make this novella. Shiloh is one of my favorite authors and her novella does not disappoint!
I had never read a Goldilocks and the Three Bears retelling so I was really interested to see how it would turn out. Gwen and the Three Dates was a fun story of friends to lovers. Gwen Lochs was looking for love, but she didn’t realize that the perfect guy was right in front of her. I thought that Ben was such a nice guy and I loved how much he cared for Gwen.
Unkissable was a retelling of the Frog Prince and it had so many interesting twists. Charlotte Lavigne kind of got on my nerves, but I liked reading about her redemption. Jaime Reyes was such an awesome hero and I really liked him and his family.
Once Upon a Summer had four lovely retellings! I liked the romance, the characters and the faith aspects. I don’t feel like anything was forced. My favorite would have to be either An Ever After Summer or A New Beginning, but I would definitely recommend the whole collection!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
A New Beginning was such a sweet novella, I liked the characters and I found the storyline very interesting. A New Beginning is a retelling of Rapunzel and I really liked the way the author wrote it. Acacia Martin was trying to figure out who she was and I liked reading about her growth and how she learned to trust God. Drake was a sweetheart and I loved him.
An Ever After Summer was cute! Beauty and the Beast is such a good fairytale and I really like the way Shiloh wrote her retelling. Jean-Luc Thibodeaux and Bellamy Larson were the perfect match for each other. And I liked reading about their adventures, also the side characters helped make this novella. Shiloh is one of my favorite authors and her novella does not disappoint!
I had never read a Goldilocks and the Three Bears retelling so I was really interested to see how it would turn out. Gwen and the Three Dates was a fun story of friends to lovers. Gwen Lochs was looking for love, but she didn’t realize that the perfect guy was right in front of her. I thought that Ben was such a nice guy and I loved how much he cared for Gwen.
Unkissable was a retelling of the Frog Prince and it had so many interesting twists. Charlotte Lavigne kind of got on my nerves, but I liked reading about her redemption. Jaime Reyes was such an awesome hero and I really liked him and his family.
Once Upon a Summer had four lovely retellings! I liked the romance, the characters and the faith aspects. I don’t feel like anything was forced. My favorite would have to be either An Ever After Summer or A New Beginning, but I would definitely recommend the whole collection!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
August 6, 2021
10/10
I absolutely loved this collection of four contemporary Christian romance stories.
I thought each story was really cute and light. Although the characters were facing some tough situations, the style of the writing was easy and fun.
I loved the connection to the fairytales and seeing how each one played out in a contemporary setting.
The characters were all dynamic and individual. It felt to me as if they had a real faith. I particularly liked to see a decent amount of Christian spiritual content as well as being clean.
I look forward to reading Once Upon a Christmas some time in the future.
I absolutely loved this collection of four contemporary Christian romance stories.
I thought each story was really cute and light. Although the characters were facing some tough situations, the style of the writing was easy and fun.
I loved the connection to the fairytales and seeing how each one played out in a contemporary setting.
The characters were all dynamic and individual. It felt to me as if they had a real faith. I particularly liked to see a decent amount of Christian spiritual content as well as being clean.
I look forward to reading Once Upon a Christmas some time in the future.
May 25, 2021
These four contemporary retellings of favorite fairy tales are quite imaginative and fun. The authors have collaborated in the past on similar projects and it’s always interesting to see which ones they will choose to weave their writing magic into.
Once Upon a Summer has two fairy tales that I was not as familiar with but I enjoyed them. They’re lighthearted with a breezy feel, perfect for a lazy afternoon on the beach or sitting on the porch.
I was provided an electronic copy from one of the authors for review purposes but I also purchased a copy. No compensation received.
Once Upon a Summer has two fairy tales that I was not as familiar with but I enjoyed them. They’re lighthearted with a breezy feel, perfect for a lazy afternoon on the beach or sitting on the porch.
I was provided an electronic copy from one of the authors for review purposes but I also purchased a copy. No compensation received.
April 23, 2021
This was so much fun. I am such a sucker for fairytale retellings. And by some of my favorite contemporary authors? Definitely on my To Read pile. This collection was SO good. I really enjoyed all four stories in this collection, and I'd be very hard pressed to choose a favorite. Probably the Rapunzel story, just for its uniqueness. Though Jaycee Weaver's connected well to a previous fairytale retelling, and that was fun too. Ok. I can't decide. They are all really good.
I received a copy of this book to facilitate a review. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise.
I received a copy of this book to facilitate a review. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise.
April 22, 2021
This is a fun summer read! But the stories tackle some deep subject matter in a way that puts the characters’ faith front and center and we get to see how they handle situations. The added bonus of the fairy tale elements just made the collection so unique. I have reviewed the individual stories below. This was a great collection and I look forward to more collaborations by the authors!
A New Beginning by Andrea Boyd
I thought this Rapunzel retelling was unique and cute. I loved the characters and their journey was so sweet. Seeing God work through the characters lives was my favorite part of the story.
An Ever After Summer by Toni Shiloh
I think this Beauty and the Beast retelling is almost better than the Disney version! A very unique take on the beast portion. I loved the secondary characters so much! The writing was so good and true to Toni Shiloh, there was such an emphasis on prayer and trying to live out your faith. These are all the reasons that I love Toni Shiloh and will read anything and everything that she writes!
Gwen and the Three Dates by Teresa Tysinger
This was such a sweet, cute rom-com! I really enjoyed Teresa Tysinger's other books, but I think this might be my favorite. I love a friends to more story. Everything about this story was cute with touches of hilarity. The Nicholas Sparks and rom-com references were really well done. The faith elements naturally fit in with the story line and the characters. I really enjoyed this one!
Unkissable by Jaycee Weaver
What a great story! I really loved seeing the characters grow in their choices and in their relationships. The plan of salvation was seamlessly woven through the story. This story had a lot of heart and compassion for others no matter their circumstances. Really loved this story!
A New Beginning by Andrea Boyd
I thought this Rapunzel retelling was unique and cute. I loved the characters and their journey was so sweet. Seeing God work through the characters lives was my favorite part of the story.
An Ever After Summer by Toni Shiloh
I think this Beauty and the Beast retelling is almost better than the Disney version! A very unique take on the beast portion. I loved the secondary characters so much! The writing was so good and true to Toni Shiloh, there was such an emphasis on prayer and trying to live out your faith. These are all the reasons that I love Toni Shiloh and will read anything and everything that she writes!
Gwen and the Three Dates by Teresa Tysinger
This was such a sweet, cute rom-com! I really enjoyed Teresa Tysinger's other books, but I think this might be my favorite. I love a friends to more story. Everything about this story was cute with touches of hilarity. The Nicholas Sparks and rom-com references were really well done. The faith elements naturally fit in with the story line and the characters. I really enjoyed this one!
Unkissable by Jaycee Weaver
What a great story! I really loved seeing the characters grow in their choices and in their relationships. The plan of salvation was seamlessly woven through the story. This story had a lot of heart and compassion for others no matter their circumstances. Really loved this story!
April 24, 2021
Four clever and cute stories based on Fairytales.
A New Beginning-Andrea Boyd
Cute take on Rapunzel with a very modern twist. The meet was very unusual. It included foster kids and a lesson on not judging on appearances. It dealt with hard subjects in a faith-filled way.
Ever After Summer-Toni Shiloh
Absolutely the best rendition of Beauty and the Beast! I loved Bell and Jean Luc. Add in France and a trip to Paris Disney and it was perfect! Even pompous Dominic was great. All with a faith underpinning. Manifique!
Gwen and the Three Dates- Teresa Tysinger
Mr. Too Hot, Mr. Too Cold and Mr. Just Right. Gwen Lochs doesn’t see what’s right in front of her. God works in mysterious ways. Lots of fun with references to Nicholas Sparks Movies and Tom Hanks. Just Right for movie buffs.
Unkissable-Jaycee Weaver
Reality diva Charlotte escapes to New Mexico and runs into her former co-star Jaime and her frog turns into a Prince. She finds Christ and looks outside herself. This was a real soul searching story.
*I received an ecopy of this book from one of the authors. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
A New Beginning-Andrea Boyd
Cute take on Rapunzel with a very modern twist. The meet was very unusual. It included foster kids and a lesson on not judging on appearances. It dealt with hard subjects in a faith-filled way.
Ever After Summer-Toni Shiloh
Absolutely the best rendition of Beauty and the Beast! I loved Bell and Jean Luc. Add in France and a trip to Paris Disney and it was perfect! Even pompous Dominic was great. All with a faith underpinning. Manifique!
Gwen and the Three Dates- Teresa Tysinger
Mr. Too Hot, Mr. Too Cold and Mr. Just Right. Gwen Lochs doesn’t see what’s right in front of her. God works in mysterious ways. Lots of fun with references to Nicholas Sparks Movies and Tom Hanks. Just Right for movie buffs.
Unkissable-Jaycee Weaver
Reality diva Charlotte escapes to New Mexico and runs into her former co-star Jaime and her frog turns into a Prince. She finds Christ and looks outside herself. This was a real soul searching story.
*I received an ecopy of this book from one of the authors. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
May 25, 2021
I enjoyed this collection of fairytale retellings. They each had likable characters, a sweet love story, and a new spin on an old classic. I liked that each story in the collection held a theme that reminded you of an attribute of God.
This collection is definitely one you should add to your summer reading list. I received a copy of Once Upon A Summer from the authors; a positive review was not required.
This collection is definitely one you should add to your summer reading list. I received a copy of Once Upon A Summer from the authors; a positive review was not required.
May 25, 2021
As a child I was so fascinated with fairy tales so getting to read one like this in adulthood with Biblical themes was heartwarming on all levels.
New Beginnings by Andrea Boyd.
My eyes widen in surprise at the first page of this beautiful novella. Definitely captivating. Its been a while I read a book by Andrea Boyd and I almost forgot what an amazing storyteller she is. This novella was warm, sweet, and made me warm inside. A modern day Rapunzel story filled with all the flair of a fairy tale, with a huge dose of Biblical lessons on forgiveness, restoration and reconciliation.
An Ever After Summer by Toni Shiloh.
There is always this excitement I feel everytime I pick a Toni Shiloh book because of the sweet goodness with lessons of faith i know I'd enjoy and be inspired by. Beauty and the Beast has always been my favourite fairy tale and Toni Shiloh's retelling is just magnificent.
Gwen And The Three Dates by Teresa Tysinger
A modern retelling of Godilocks and the Three Bears.
Oh my! There were a lot of happy moments for me while reading this novella. I laughed out loud at some point while reading. "Friends to more" and "It has always been you" book troup has always been a favourite of mine. And this novella came with all its sweet flair with faith.
Unmissable by Jaycee Weaver
The joy in my heart after reading this novella knows no bounds. The author wove a beautiful, tear-jerking story like she was born to do it. This modern retelling of the frog prince filled with biblical lessons of forgiveness, second chances and restoration was just so amazing. Truly my heart was so glad and all sweet inside after reading this.
This collection is totally, truthfully, and breathtaking amazing. Love always wins! God's love always wins! That's the conclusion of the matter for me.
Totally recommended!
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion
New Beginnings by Andrea Boyd.
My eyes widen in surprise at the first page of this beautiful novella. Definitely captivating. Its been a while I read a book by Andrea Boyd and I almost forgot what an amazing storyteller she is. This novella was warm, sweet, and made me warm inside. A modern day Rapunzel story filled with all the flair of a fairy tale, with a huge dose of Biblical lessons on forgiveness, restoration and reconciliation.
An Ever After Summer by Toni Shiloh.
There is always this excitement I feel everytime I pick a Toni Shiloh book because of the sweet goodness with lessons of faith i know I'd enjoy and be inspired by. Beauty and the Beast has always been my favourite fairy tale and Toni Shiloh's retelling is just magnificent.
Gwen And The Three Dates by Teresa Tysinger
A modern retelling of Godilocks and the Three Bears.
Oh my! There were a lot of happy moments for me while reading this novella. I laughed out loud at some point while reading. "Friends to more" and "It has always been you" book troup has always been a favourite of mine. And this novella came with all its sweet flair with faith.
Unmissable by Jaycee Weaver
The joy in my heart after reading this novella knows no bounds. The author wove a beautiful, tear-jerking story like she was born to do it. This modern retelling of the frog prince filled with biblical lessons of forgiveness, second chances and restoration was just so amazing. Truly my heart was so glad and all sweet inside after reading this.
This collection is totally, truthfully, and breathtaking amazing. Love always wins! God's love always wins! That's the conclusion of the matter for me.
Totally recommended!
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion
May 25, 2021
Once Upon a Summer is a fun collection of 4 contemporary fairy tale retellings. This is a perfect summer read as well as a beach read. I have read their previous collection, and the authors do a super job putting their own spin on these fairy tale retellings. I highly recommend reading this collection because it will make your heart happy.
I received an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 28, 2021
Oh what fun this set of novellas are! Twists on well known fairy tales, the authors have done a good job of keeping the familiar tone of each one, while placing the reader in a modern setting. I loved the imagination that was shown through the writing.
If you enjoy Christian contemporary romance, great summer reading, and anything by these authors, then Once Upon a Summer is perfect for you.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
If you enjoy Christian contemporary romance, great summer reading, and anything by these authors, then Once Upon a Summer is perfect for you.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
June 6, 2021
4 retellings in contemporary settings. What a great beach read! Although all were very good, my favorite was the Beauty and the Beast retelling (probably because it's one of my favorite fairy tales). BUT all 4 stories are excellent and I would reread this if only my TBR pile wasn't so high!
June 19, 2021
This is the most original and entertaining collection of retellings! Loved every single one!
March 14, 2022
3.5 stars
A sweet collection of fairytale retellings, including Rapunzel, Beauty and the Beast, Goldilocks, and the Princess and the Frog. The first two were easy to identify immediately, but the third one I didn’t connect the dots until halfway through and the last one I didn’t understand till I finished the story. But I’m not as brushed up on fairytales as some people are. ;)
The Rapunzel story was my favourite; the others had a heavier description of physical attraction/tension than I like and several pop culture references. But each story was a well written spin on these familiar tales!
A sweet collection of fairytale retellings, including Rapunzel, Beauty and the Beast, Goldilocks, and the Princess and the Frog. The first two were easy to identify immediately, but the third one I didn’t connect the dots until halfway through and the last one I didn’t understand till I finished the story. But I’m not as brushed up on fairytales as some people are. ;)
The Rapunzel story was my favourite; the others had a heavier description of physical attraction/tension than I like and several pop culture references. But each story was a well written spin on these familiar tales!
May 21, 2021
I loved this collection of stories! This is the perfect book to escape with. All of the stories are well written, hold your attention and leave you with a happy sigh.
June 3, 2021
Fairy tale retellings are some of my favorite stories! Because they are fairy tales, it is hard to twist them into a contemporary romance feel. It has to be done right for me to keep reading. It cannot be just a story thrown together, or so much like the fairy tale that it doesn’t have the contemporary feel. Let me tell you friends, these ladies know how to write fairy tale retellings in a fabulous way! Each story was unqiue, carried a beautiful faith theme, and made this reader smile big!
The thing I love about collections is you get to read multiple authors. Tysinger, Weaver, Shiloh and Boyd came together in such a cohesive way, the stories having a similar feel, and yet each standing out on its own. I loved Boyd’s version of Rapunzel. I think this was probably the grittiest story of them all as you have a girl dealing with the fact that she was stolen at childbirth. And while that may seem like a far fetched idea, Boyd totally made it work.
Shiloh stole my heart with her version of Beauty and the Beast. It’s my favorite Disney movie of all time, and so this is probably the story I was most excited for. What reader doesn’t fall for a French hero? I loved how she wove in french words throughout the story too. I took french in high school, and it kind of brought me back to those days. Plus they were easier french words, and so any reader would be able to follow along. Bravo Shiloh for bringing my favorite to the contemporary world in a genius way!
I think Tysinger’s was probably the most difficult to do – Goldilocks and the Three Bears. I mean how do you pull that off without it being lame!? Is one guy hotter than the other (lol)? But Tysinger effortlessly brought the story together. I loved the pop culture references! It made the story fun to read. Gwen is someone I could probably relate to – not being able to see what’s there right in front of her!
And Weaver. Weaver has this ability to take such broken characters and turn them around. Her spin on the Frog Prince was delightful. I think the faith theme in this story spoke to me the most, and it really touched my heart. And let’s be real – Jaime makes one awesome frog 😉
All in all, the fun group of stories is just what this girl needed to bring a smile to her face. I can’t wait for these ladies to bless us with another collection! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The thing I love about collections is you get to read multiple authors. Tysinger, Weaver, Shiloh and Boyd came together in such a cohesive way, the stories having a similar feel, and yet each standing out on its own. I loved Boyd’s version of Rapunzel. I think this was probably the grittiest story of them all as you have a girl dealing with the fact that she was stolen at childbirth. And while that may seem like a far fetched idea, Boyd totally made it work.
Shiloh stole my heart with her version of Beauty and the Beast. It’s my favorite Disney movie of all time, and so this is probably the story I was most excited for. What reader doesn’t fall for a French hero? I loved how she wove in french words throughout the story too. I took french in high school, and it kind of brought me back to those days. Plus they were easier french words, and so any reader would be able to follow along. Bravo Shiloh for bringing my favorite to the contemporary world in a genius way!
I think Tysinger’s was probably the most difficult to do – Goldilocks and the Three Bears. I mean how do you pull that off without it being lame!? Is one guy hotter than the other (lol)? But Tysinger effortlessly brought the story together. I loved the pop culture references! It made the story fun to read. Gwen is someone I could probably relate to – not being able to see what’s there right in front of her!
And Weaver. Weaver has this ability to take such broken characters and turn them around. Her spin on the Frog Prince was delightful. I think the faith theme in this story spoke to me the most, and it really touched my heart. And let’s be real – Jaime makes one awesome frog 😉
All in all, the fun group of stories is just what this girl needed to bring a smile to her face. I can’t wait for these ladies to bless us with another collection! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 31, 2021
I love how these fairytales came to life through the pens of these authors even those I wondered how it would play out, it worked out well in the end.
Each story in its own way unique and beautiful with such wonderful lessons that have you thinking about it in the end. From the retelling of Rapunzel by Andrea Boyd where we deal with issues of redemption and forgiveness or to the story of Beauty and the Beast which is my favourite fairytale, I love the way Toni Shiloh carried the story of restoration and oh the the journey to France and our swoony hero, it's a beautiful story of faith.
Gwen and The Three Dates is one I must confess I was skeptical about not because I didn't think it would be good but because no one really thinks about Goldilocks when it comes to fairytales. I loved the way Teresa Tysinger put the story. The friends to more, the why can't you see what's been in front of you. It was a wonderful story with lots of laugh out moments.
Finally Unkissable. Most times it's hard to figure out how the Frog Prince will be retold but Jaycee Weaver knocked it out of the park with this one. The faith elements in this one on second chances, forgiveness were a wonderful addition coupled with the fairytales moments woven in bits through the story.
This was a truly wonderful condition. Each story by these authors keeps getting better and I really enjoyed every minute of this story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the authors. All opinions expressed are solely mine.
Each story in its own way unique and beautiful with such wonderful lessons that have you thinking about it in the end. From the retelling of Rapunzel by Andrea Boyd where we deal with issues of redemption and forgiveness or to the story of Beauty and the Beast which is my favourite fairytale, I love the way Toni Shiloh carried the story of restoration and oh the the journey to France and our swoony hero, it's a beautiful story of faith.
Gwen and The Three Dates is one I must confess I was skeptical about not because I didn't think it would be good but because no one really thinks about Goldilocks when it comes to fairytales. I loved the way Teresa Tysinger put the story. The friends to more, the why can't you see what's been in front of you. It was a wonderful story with lots of laugh out moments.
Finally Unkissable. Most times it's hard to figure out how the Frog Prince will be retold but Jaycee Weaver knocked it out of the park with this one. The faith elements in this one on second chances, forgiveness were a wonderful addition coupled with the fairytales moments woven in bits through the story.
This was a truly wonderful condition. Each story by these authors keeps getting better and I really enjoyed every minute of this story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the authors. All opinions expressed are solely mine.
June 1, 2021
Ah! Fantastic retelling is some favorite fairy tales! I so enjoyed each authors book that I stayed up late to finish it, then had to let it sit with me before I could move on to the next one!
These ladies are fabulous authors!
These ladies are fabulous authors!
September 2, 2021
Once Upon a Summer is a beautiful collection of four novellas that bring a contemporary, summer flair to some of our favorite fairy tales. I personally love a good novella! Sometimes you don’t have the time to dedicate to a longer book but you are still looking to read something. Well look no further- despite these books being shorter, they are packed full of faith, romance and happily ever afters. These lovely authors have brought some of our favorite fairy tales into the 21st century. We have the romance that our younger selves fell in love with as we watched the movies or read about these fairy tales, yet now we also get to experience the journey and growth of the characters faith in themselves, in others, and most importantly, in God, interwoven throughout the stories. We are able to see more than just the fairy tale as we are invited into the reality of what life looks like for these beloved characters.
June 4, 2021
Fun, easy read novellas. A New Beginning was definitely my favorite. A wonderful modern twist on the Rapunzel. An Ever After Summer was a fun retelling of Beauty and the Beast; however, translating the occasional French threw me out of the story. Gwen and the Three Dates retold Goldilocks and the Three Bears. It went overboard on the cliches, but it admitted to that fact so it was fun rather than annoying. Unkissable was an amazing story once I got beyond the switch to 1st person. It was extremely loosely based on The Frog Prince to the point it didn't seem to belong in the collection. Overall a good collection of novellas.
June 2, 2021
This was an enchanting collection of fairytale stories. I read them while I was in the hospital and just loved them!
Each of the authors added their own flair to the story creating something completely unique. The characters were fun and quirky.
I think my favorite was Gwen and the Three Dates. But all of them were fun and enjoyable to read.
Disclaimer:
I received a copy of this book via the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Each of the authors added their own flair to the story creating something completely unique. The characters were fun and quirky.
I think my favorite was Gwen and the Three Dates. But all of them were fun and enjoyable to read.
Disclaimer:
I received a copy of this book via the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 1, 2021
This is a fun collection of contemporary retellings of fairytales. I loved how each tale was unique and that you could tell which tale was being retold quickly. I liked that they had a Christian element to them. I really enjoyed each of the stories and thought this was a great read for a summer’s day.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
June 28, 2021
These stories were another adorable combination. They are great summer reads that you really could read in any order. I would definitely recommend reading the “winter” stories by these authors first as the last story in both books connect and you will have a major spoiler if you read this one first instead. I stayed up way too late reading these 😁
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews