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56 reviews for:
Once Upon a Forbidden Desire: Fairy Tales and Other Stories
Zoey Ellis, November Dawn, C.M. Nascosta, Colleen Cowley, Grace Draven, Vela Roth, Jennie Lynn Roberts, S.L. Prater, Trish Heinrich, Erin Vere, A.J. Lancaster, Lisette Marshall, Jeffe Kennedy, Erin Grey, Elsie Winters, H.R. Moore, Jaycee Jarvis, Maria Vale, Kristin Gleeson, L. Penelope, Mimi B. Rose, Kathryn Ann Kingsley, Dani Morrison
3.94 AVERAGE
56 reviews for:
Once Upon a Forbidden Desire: Fairy Tales and Other Stories
Zoey Ellis, November Dawn, C.M. Nascosta, Colleen Cowley, Grace Draven, Vela Roth, Jennie Lynn Roberts, S.L. Prater, Trish Heinrich, Erin Vere, A.J. Lancaster, Lisette Marshall, Jeffe Kennedy, Erin Grey, Elsie Winters, H.R. Moore, Jaycee Jarvis, Maria Vale, Kristin Gleeson, L. Penelope, Mimi B. Rose, Kathryn Ann Kingsley, Dani Morrison
3.94 AVERAGE
2.5 stars
I really enjoyed two of the stories in this collection, but for the most part, I wasn't a fan of them. I think for me that the length of the stories was the biggest detriment. It just wasn't enough time to build the characters and relationships when some of the authors focused so much on steam.
I really enjoyed two of the stories in this collection, but for the most part, I wasn't a fan of them. I think for me that the length of the stories was the biggest detriment. It just wasn't enough time to build the characters and relationships when some of the authors focused so much on steam.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The editors of these anthologies really need to do a better job as some of these stories were unreadable.
12 fairytale retellings with varying degrees of spice and a plethora of characters and settings.
Something for everyone, whether you like it quick and dirty or slow and safe; fated mates of friends to lovers; monsters or knights in shining armour (and why not both?). Absolutely pick it up!
They're all on the short side, so you don't have to worry about the length of the book, and I think they're a great way to discover new authors.
Something for everyone, whether you like it quick and dirty or slow and safe; fated mates of friends to lovers; monsters or knights in shining armour (and why not both?). Absolutely pick it up!
They're all on the short side, so you don't have to worry about the length of the book, and I think they're a great way to discover new authors.
Heart Fall by Lisette Marshall
"Patience," he murmured, kneeling beside her. "Let me show you."
“How could she not give in to that command in his voice?”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Patience," he murmured, kneeling beside her. "Let me show you."
“How could she not give in to that command in his voice?”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I've been looking forward to this anthology ever since I discovered it.
First and foremost, I appreciated the movement in this anthology, which piqued my interest.
So, the big question: did I enjoy it?
I'd say I had a good time, though some things were not to my liking. I've read two of these authors before and thought they were good, but not this time, and the same goes for the other stories in this collection. They didn't hold my attention.
Unfortunately, I don't have a favorite here as much as I would have liked to, but overall, this one was fine.
First and foremost, I appreciated the movement in this anthology, which piqued my interest.
So, the big question: did I enjoy it?
I'd say I had a good time, though some things were not to my liking. I've read two of these authors before and thought they were good, but not this time, and the same goes for the other stories in this collection. They didn't hold my attention.
Unfortunately, I don't have a favorite here as much as I would have liked to, but overall, this one was fine.
Like all anthologies, this one was a mixed bag. But I came into it only knowing a few of the authors, and there's a few others I'll be looking up now.
Although the overall collection probably averaged out at a three for me, my highlights were:
- How to Marry a Winged King by AJ Lancaster: this had a slow start, but absolutely charmed me by the end. As always, I loved and appreciated the distinctive Kiwi undertones in AJ Lancaster's writing, she always makes me end up feeling a little bit homesick (in a good way).
-Heartfall by Lisette Marshall: a fun and unexpected twist on Rapunzel
- Into the Bargain, by Colleen Cowley: I really enjoy Cowley's Clandestine Magic world and it was lovely to return to it with some new characters
- Idyllwild, by Maria Vale: A unique take on an old concept that has allegories into today
- Her Majesty's Wolf, by L. Penelope: This dystopian, gender-flipped Red Riding Hood opened up a really interesting world that I'd very happily read more in.
- Back to the Woods, by Jennie Lynn Roberts: a grown-up, long-parted Hansel and Gretel find their way back to each other; I loved how this fairy-tale was used to look at the pain of relationships lost and how they can be regained.
- The Sadder but Wiser Girl, by CM Nacosta: this was my first foray into CM Nacosta, who has been taking certain parts of the clock app by storm for the last wee while, but is generally in the "too spicy for me" category. She's still in the "too spicy for me" category but I'm a sucker for Beauty and the Beast and this was a lovely retelling.
I also really appreciated the trigger notes that began each entry in this collection, which allowed me to skip one story where I knew the contents really wouldn't be for me.
My problem with most of the entries that I found weaker was just the underdevelopment that is all too easy to fall foul of in the short story format. Though, there was one (Call of the Dark Piper by Zoey Ellis) that to my reading felt icky from a consent perspective in a way I just couldn't get over - even though it was very well written.
Also it has to be said that the collection suffers from a frankly rubbish forward, that despite being contributed by authors that might technically be better known than most of those in the collection, was flippant and doesn't do it justice.
Although the overall collection probably averaged out at a three for me, my highlights were:
- How to Marry a Winged King by AJ Lancaster: this had a slow start, but absolutely charmed me by the end. As always, I loved and appreciated the distinctive Kiwi undertones in AJ Lancaster's writing, she always makes me end up feeling a little bit homesick (in a good way).
-Heartfall by Lisette Marshall: a fun and unexpected twist on Rapunzel
- Into the Bargain, by Colleen Cowley: I really enjoy Cowley's Clandestine Magic world and it was lovely to return to it with some new characters
- Idyllwild, by Maria Vale: A unique take on an old concept that has allegories into today
- Her Majesty's Wolf, by L. Penelope: This dystopian, gender-flipped Red Riding Hood opened up a really interesting world that I'd very happily read more in.
- Back to the Woods, by Jennie Lynn Roberts: a grown-up, long-parted Hansel and Gretel find their way back to each other; I loved how this fairy-tale was used to look at the pain of relationships lost and how they can be regained.
- The Sadder but Wiser Girl, by CM Nacosta: this was my first foray into CM Nacosta, who has been taking certain parts of the clock app by storm for the last wee while, but is generally in the "too spicy for me" category. She's still in the "too spicy for me" category but I'm a sucker for Beauty and the Beast and this was a lovely retelling.
I also really appreciated the trigger notes that began each entry in this collection, which allowed me to skip one story where I knew the contents really wouldn't be for me.
My problem with most of the entries that I found weaker was just the underdevelopment that is all too easy to fall foul of in the short story format. Though, there was one (Call of the Dark Piper by Zoey Ellis) that to my reading felt icky from a consent perspective in a way I just couldn't get over - even though it was very well written.
Also it has to be said that the collection suffers from a frankly rubbish forward, that despite being contributed by authors that might technically be better known than most of those in the collection, was flippant and doesn't do it justice.
This was a fun anthology to read! If you love fairytales, and fairytale retellings, then you'll enjoy this series of varying fairytale retellings. This ranges from Rapunzel, Red Hiding Hood, Beauty and the Beast to Hansel and Gretel and other maybe not as well known fairytales. And then the romance and spice...it ranges from just one flame to 5 flames and more! And not to menti0n every trope you can think of!
I highly recommend it if you love fairytale retellings with varying ranges of spice! I received a free digital copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I highly recommend it if you love fairytale retellings with varying ranges of spice! I received a free digital copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a wonderful collection of stories that we are all familiar with, that have been re-imagined into a more 'adult' fantasy stories. The character profiles, motivations, desires have been modernised with more familiar and romantic slant.
The short stories have each been rated in 'heat levels', which is a good indicator of how the passion flows in the stories. Still, it may be a little unwise to read some of these stories on the train/ bus, going to work.
So if you into reading about fantastical creatures longing for desire, like magical beings that want to show you what true love is, this is a fantastic collection of stories that is worth reading.
The short stories have each been rated in 'heat levels', which is a good indicator of how the passion flows in the stories. Still, it may be a little unwise to read some of these stories on the train/ bus, going to work.
So if you into reading about fantastical creatures longing for desire, like magical beings that want to show you what true love is, this is a fantastic collection of stories that is worth reading.