A review by pantsreadsbooks
Once Upon a Maiden Lane by Elizabeth Hoyt

emotional funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I have never been so glad for a novella in all my life. We absolutely could NOT leave Maiden Lane on that last book, we needed this Mary Whitsun story to save us. I loved that it took so many elements from stories we know— Anastasia, Pygmalion, Annie, Prince and the Pauper, I know I’m missing something— and in the end turns things on their head. Novellas are notorious for the insta-love factor, but it didn’t make me mad here, maybe cause it was so He Falls First. And the cameos were solid, even when it was just a list of who was at the wedding, it made me happy. Glad to end on a high note, even if I’m sad for it to be over!