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chyina's review
4.0
This is honestly one of the cutest stories that I have read in quite a while. Magic mixes with modern technology in the world Ridley gives us. Along with some science fiction. A mercenary with a large bounty on his head and a fabled treasure in a castle guarded by ice that no one has ever returned from. Well guess what, our protagonist is just the main to try it.
Lance goes to the castle because he needs money quick and is too stubborn to sell some of the priceless artwork he has in his home. So he braves the cold and foreboding temperatures until he reaches Castle Cavanaugh only to find he is trapped inside with Princess Marigold, who has been under the curse for over 600 years.
The comedy in this novel is golden, it isn't trite or awkward. In fact, the author tells the story in a laid-back and easy-going manner. We immediately like both the main characters and hope that they can break the curse before Lance is doomed at midnight.
Lance goes to the castle because he needs money quick and is too stubborn to sell some of the priceless artwork he has in his home. So he braves the cold and foreboding temperatures until he reaches Castle Cavanaugh only to find he is trapped inside with Princess Marigold, who has been under the curse for over 600 years.
The comedy in this novel is golden, it isn't trite or awkward. In fact, the author tells the story in a laid-back and easy-going manner. We immediately like both the main characters and hope that they can break the curse before Lance is doomed at midnight.
brandylyons's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
So much fun, and pretty darn ridiculous, I absolutely loved it!
rcpope's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
karentje's review
5.0
What a wonderful romantic story! A perfect fairytale with amazing three-dimensional main characters, a curse that puts their hearts through the wringer and a sweetly satisfying HEA. On the surface both characters appear quite stereotypical, the handsome adventurer and the seemingly helpless princess, but nothing could be further from the truth! Lance and Marigold are both complex and original characters and they fall for each other in the most heartwarming way.
I loved how this story was set-up with the time-travel aspect and the bread crumbs we get before discovering the exact, and horrible, nature of the curse of the Golden Bloom. Erica Ridley’s talent shines through again in her light and elegant writing style that perfectly evokes the utter magic of first love, while also tugging on the reader’s heartstrings when both Lance and Marigold are faced with some heartbreaking choices. To love is to let go.
I so enjoyed this story. Recommend!
I loved how this story was set-up with the time-travel aspect and the bread crumbs we get before discovering the exact, and horrible, nature of the curse of the Golden Bloom. Erica Ridley’s talent shines through again in her light and elegant writing style that perfectly evokes the utter magic of first love, while also tugging on the reader’s heartstrings when both Lance and Marigold are faced with some heartbreaking choices. To love is to let go.
I so enjoyed this story. Recommend!
literally_laura's review
3.0
First book of 2020! This was a fun, easy read to start off the year. With under 200 pages, there wasn't much room for character development and insta-love definitely happened. It was entertaining and refreshing and perfect for a day at home on the couch.
ksmarsden's review
3.0
Lance is in over his head in debt, and his only hope is to raid a castle for treasure. The only problem is, once he goes in, he will never come out.
I received a free copy as part of the Magic & Mayhem boxset, from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a light, fantasy romance, following Lance. He's an adventurer and a chancer, and has a price on his head. After buying the ship of his dreams, he's in a lot of debt, but he plans to clear it by heading to a castle that might harbour a magical item the imbues eternal youth.
Once there, he finds the castle is almost empty, except for a strange princess.
After a curse was placed on her, Princess Marigold has been trapped in the castle for hundreds of years. She has tried everything to escape, and knows that nothing will work. When Lance breaks into the castle, she knows that she will only have a few hours with this handsome adventurer, before he is also taken from her.
This was light and fun. The romance between Lance and Marigold was really quite sweet, and I was rooting for them both to escape the cursed castle.
This was a reasonably short read, and made for a pleasantly light and fluffy distraction.
The fantasy aspect was... unsatisfactory.
We start with Lance, who is obsessed with his new ship and is having trouble with wanted posters etc, and it all feels very typical pre-technology-standard-fantasy-realm. Then it's smushed into a version of the modern world, with phones, apps and Candy Crush.
This is cute, but there was never any solid foundation or world building. It felt like the author went with whatever suited the story at the time.
It was the same when Lance got into the castle, and there's a bit of a culture difference between him and the princess. The difference was ignored when it didn't suit, and there were sections that were so completely anachronistic that I had to ignore them to continue.
I received a free copy as part of the Magic & Mayhem boxset, from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a light, fantasy romance, following Lance. He's an adventurer and a chancer, and has a price on his head. After buying the ship of his dreams, he's in a lot of debt, but he plans to clear it by heading to a castle that might harbour a magical item the imbues eternal youth.
Once there, he finds the castle is almost empty, except for a strange princess.
After a curse was placed on her, Princess Marigold has been trapped in the castle for hundreds of years. She has tried everything to escape, and knows that nothing will work. When Lance breaks into the castle, she knows that she will only have a few hours with this handsome adventurer, before he is also taken from her.
This was light and fun. The romance between Lance and Marigold was really quite sweet, and I was rooting for them both to escape the cursed castle.
This was a reasonably short read, and made for a pleasantly light and fluffy distraction.
The fantasy aspect was... unsatisfactory.
We start with Lance, who is obsessed with his new ship and is having trouble with wanted posters etc, and it all feels very typical pre-technology-standard-fantasy-realm. Then it's smushed into a version of the modern world, with phones, apps and Candy Crush.
This is cute, but there was never any solid foundation or world building. It felt like the author went with whatever suited the story at the time.
It was the same when Lance got into the castle, and there's a bit of a culture difference between him and the princess. The difference was ignored when it didn't suit, and there were sections that were so completely anachronistic that I had to ignore them to continue.
laffingkat's review
5.0
This short romantic fantasy is charming and cheerful. The main characters are flawed but lovable and fun to spend time with. It is always a pleasure to read about a strong, smart heroine with agency, and after spending 600 years trapped in her castle, Princess Marigold certainly delivers. Lance initially seems a bit shady, but he turns out to be kind and generous and everything you might want from a romantic hero.
I loved the setting in a future time when magic has returned, so characters use both cell phones and magical weapons. I enjoyed the humor in this book, which I think will particularly appeal to gamers. The author affectionately makes fun of many fantasy tropes. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys light fantasy or romantic comedy.
This is the first book in Erica Ridley’s Magic & Mayhem series, but each book is about a different couple and stands alone. This is an updated version of a story previously published as "Let It Snow." Note that the book contains some mild swearing and explicit scenes of premarital sex.
I was provided an ARC through NetGalley that I volunteered to review. The ARC I received was well written, appropriately edited, and neatly formatted.
I loved the setting in a future time when magic has returned, so characters use both cell phones and magical weapons. I enjoyed the humor in this book, which I think will particularly appeal to gamers. The author affectionately makes fun of many fantasy tropes. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys light fantasy or romantic comedy.
This is the first book in Erica Ridley’s Magic & Mayhem series, but each book is about a different couple and stands alone. This is an updated version of a story previously published as "Let It Snow." Note that the book contains some mild swearing and explicit scenes of premarital sex.
I was provided an ARC through NetGalley that I volunteered to review. The ARC I received was well written, appropriately edited, and neatly formatted.
julesg's review
4.0
Funny historical romantic comedy!
Lance needs money. Fast. His idea, break into the castle on top of the mountain and steal its treasure.
Marigold has been trapped inside the castle for 600 years. In a cruel version of Groundhog Day her 19th birthday repeats over and over.
As soon as Lance enters the castle he's doomed. He can't get out, unless he can lift the curse that keeps him and Marigold trapped inside the walls of ice.
Lance needs money. Fast. His idea, break into the castle on top of the mountain and steal its treasure.
Marigold has been trapped inside the castle for 600 years. In a cruel version of Groundhog Day her 19th birthday repeats over and over.
As soon as Lance enters the castle he's doomed. He can't get out, unless he can lift the curse that keeps him and Marigold trapped inside the walls of ice.