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Sweetly (Fairytale Retellings #2)

by Jackson Pearce (Goodreads Author)

3.87 of 5 stars 3.87 · rating details · 2,686 ratings · 598 reviews

As a child, Gretchen's twin sister was taken by a witch in the woods. Ever since, Gretchen and her brother, Ansel, have felt the long branches of the witch's forest threatening to make them disappear, too.

Years later, when their stepmother casts Gretchen and Ansel out, they find themselves in sleepy Live Oak, South Carolina. They're invited to stay with Sophia Kelly, a bea...more

Hardcover, 310 pages

Published August 23rd 2011 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

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Dec 11, 2011 karen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: continuations-n-retellings, why-yes-i-ya, my-biggest-fear

i thought that these "fairy tale retellings" would all be retellings of different fairy tales with no overlap, but then some fenris from sisters red snuck in, along with the brother of silas reynolds. get outta here - this is supposed to be hansel and gretel! (or "ansel" and "gretchen" in this case) there are no wolves here! but there are. so i'm warning you. this is going to be more of a series of books in which there is free passage between the fairy tales, despite their origin, than a series...more i thought that these "fairy tale retellings" would all be retellings of different fairy tales with no overlap, but then some fenris from sisters red snuck in, along with the brother of silas reynolds. get outta here - this is supposed to be hansel and gretel! (or "ansel" and "gretchen" in this case) there are no wolves here! but there are. so i'm warning you. this is going to be more of a series of books in which there is free passage between the fairy tales, despite their origin, than a series of stand-alone modernizations/retellings.

and that's okay, it was just unexpected.

this one gets the three stars only because it was good, but not as good as sisters red, so they can't get the same rating..

why do i always find it necessary to explain my ratings? as though someone is out there making a spreadsheet of all of this, and needs to understand the nuances of my preferences. stop studying me, scientists!

book: when ansel and gretchen were little, gretchen's twin sister got snatched in the woods by what young gretchen interprets as a witch. many years later, having lost both of their parents and still touched by survivor's guilt and fear, the siblings leave home together and eventually find themselves in a spooky small town when their car breaks down, where they befriend a young chocolatier living in a tiny cottage smelling of vanilla and filled with seeeecrets. ansel falls in love, gretchen falls in "replacement for lost sister" love, and only then do they start hearing about the mysterious disappearances of young girls, and the accusations against their new friend sophia.

i liked this one just fine, but i don't think it had the same intensity as the first. it was more of a slow-pooling mystery novel with a truly fantastic climactic scene, and didn't have as striking characters as sisters red. (well, one character anyway - i am still not sold on rosie). all the talk of hazelnut truffles and candied lemon peels had me wishing for my very own sophie in a candy-cottage nearby, even with all her sinister baggage. is worth it for candy.

i am very interested to see where she takes this series, and to see whether all the recurring themes and characters will eventually come together and how that will even work. she has a good thing going here, and i am hoping it doesn't get away from her.(less)

48 likes · like · see review

Aug 26, 2011 Greta is Erikasbuddy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Greta is Erikasbuddy by: Darkfallen

Shelves: because-darkfallen-says-so, book-publisher-sent-me-to-review

The story of Hansel and Gretel has always ticked me off. Two fat German kids roaming through the forest snacking on bread and leaving a trail so they can find their way back home to stuff their little piggy faces with more food but little do they know that Mommy and Daddy don't want them cuz they can't afford to feed them.

Or at least... that's the one I always tell ;)

And then they find this candy house and start chow dowing on it and licking all the doorknobs and royally ticking off this witchy...more

21 likes · like · see review

Aug 18, 2011 Darkfallen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, read-n-reviewed

First I want to start off by saying that fairytale retellings isn't something that has grabbed me in the past. In fact when Little Brown Books sent this to me for review it was actually intended for Greta, not me. But then Greta said "Why don't ya read it first then send it to me? You might like it?" It's not that I have anything against the classic tales, but I've never had a desire to read one. Actually I have only ever read one before this, and that one is on the hush hush.

So I thought to mys...more First I want to start off by saying that fairytale retellings isn't something that has grabbed me in the past. In fact when Little Brown Books sent this to me for review it was actually intended for Greta, not me. But then Greta said "Why don't ya read it first then send it to me? You might like it?" It's not that I have anything against the classic tales, but I've never had a desire to read one. Actually I have only ever read one before this, and that one is on the hush hush.

So I thought to myself Why not? After all it's here already!

OMG I AM SO GLAD I DID!!! This was truly amazing. There just isn't any other way to describe it. Hauntingly fantastically gripping...yea that might work!

I don't want to say to much because I will ruin it, and no one wants that. So here I go.

Ansel and Gretchen are all grown up now, but no matter how bad they wish they could that day in the woods. The day that the witch chased them. The day they no longer were the happy threesome, but now the two that lost their sister. No one believed there was a witch in the woods. A witch with yellow eyes. A witch that waited to strike and then took children. Vanished. That's what their little sister had become. As if that wasn't enough their mother couldn't look at Gretchen anymore. All she saw was the twin that vanished. Until eventually the grief took her too. Not long after dad followed suit. Leaving Ansel & Gretchen with a step-mother that couldn't be bothered with them. Ansel was forced to be the rock for Gretchen. Always saving her from her nightmares. Trying to save her from losing half herself.

Now Ansel is 19, Gretchen 18, their step-mother kicked them out...and Gretchen is still afraid of the woods. So here they are driving across the country to South Carolina. Swapping out the dense forests of their childhood home for the sandy beaches and ocean views, when their care breaks down outside a small town called Live Oak, South Carolina.

That's when it all starts. With no money for a tow or repairs Ansel agrees to help Sophia with odd jobs around her candy shop. But Sophia has secrets. Secrets Ansel can't see through because he is blinded by her beauty. But Gretchen isn't has charmed by the candy maker. And she gets even more cautious when she finds out that girls have gone missing. Vanished, they say...just like her twin sister. After Gretchen tries to put her fears aside, and ventures into the words behind the candy store one night, she finds what she has spent her life scared of. The witch is back. But it's not at all what she thought all these years. It's worse...and only one person can help her. Samuel the "town lunatic", but will he agree to help her?

Relationships build, the twist keep twisting, and it all come down to Gretchen in the end. Will she be able to put an end to this before more girls vanish, or will the trees in the forest forever be a place of terror?

I don't care what you have to do to get your hands on this book. I'm not opposed to suggesting petty theft even. But do whatever it takes to read this. It will pull at your heart, and leave you shaking in your boots long after you turn the last page!(less)

8 likes · like · see review

Aug 22, 2011 Misty rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: series, juvenile-ya, retelling, folklore-myth-fable-fairy-tall-tale, dark, own, excited-for, read-in-2011, review-copy-accepted

Sweetly is a companion novel to Sisters Red (which I have, but haven't read), so even though the two aren't dependent on each other, I'm sure there are things that happen in Sisters Red that would have expanded my understanding of things in Sweetly. That being said, it reads fine as a stand alone, so if you've been holding back from reading it because you feel you need to read Sisters Red first, don't worry, you don't have to.

Now, on to the story at hand. Sweetly is a really interesting take o...more

5 likes · like · see review

Oct 12, 2011 Maree ♫ Light's Shadow ♪ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ansel and Gretchen . . . yes, the names do sound familiar. Perhaps a bit like Hansel and Gretel, from the traditional Brothers Grimm tale? In this story tale retelling, Pearce does a fantastic job of giving new life to the traditional story. Aside from the basics, it is completely reworked, injected with the life of the 21st century and many of its guilty pleasures.

I don't want to give too much away, (view spoiler) but this fairy tale is far more terrifying than the...more

4 likes · like · see review

Oct 08, 2011 Jord¥n rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: cover-love, horror, werewolf, young-adult, witches, paranormal, fantasy

WARNING: weight gain might take place while your reading this "sweet" candy filled book ;) I know cause I couldn't help eating some chocolate while I read :D

Holy cow!! This book is AMAZING..no? This book is SUPER? No?? This book IS THE BEST DAMN BOOk I HAVE READ IN A LONG TIME!!! How you ask? 1: one word: werewolves! I shouldn't even have to have any more reasons..but I do oh yes do I do ;) 2: its by THE jackson pearce!! 3: this book kept me wanting more it held my attention until the very end....more WARNING: weight gain might take place while your reading this "sweet" candy filled book ;) I know cause I couldn't help eating some chocolate while I read :D

Holy cow!! This book is AMAZING..no? This book is SUPER? No?? This book IS THE BEST DAMN BOOk I HAVE READ IN A LONG TIME!!! How you ask? 1: one word: werewolves! I shouldn't even have to have any more reasons..but I do oh yes do I do ;) 2: its by THE jackson pearce!! 3: this book kept me wanting more it held my attention until the very end. 4: the cover! Purple! Its got a cool dark gothic tone to it. This has gotta be one of my favorite covers. I'm so crazy about it I keep bugging my poor fiancé if we can get this painted on our bedroom wall :D of course he said no...:( damn apartment complex! *shakes fist* and finally #5: I stayed up till 430am, yes AM, finishing this fantastic book. The ending...man..that ending took me by surprise. I love books where it keeps me guessing till the very end. I didn't even know what to expect, I had some theories but I was wrong of course. I love how there are so many twists and turns in this book. It kept me on the edge of my seat(couch). The ending literally slapped me in the face, I didn't expect any of it. For those who have seen the first saw movie, do you remember the very ending when the scary music came on and jigsaw got up from the floor and walked out of the room saying "game over". That's how the ending of this book is.
I totally expected sophia to turn out differently though, those who have read this know what I'm talking about. Yes I was disappointed about how she played her role in it, but I can see where its gonna link together with the next book. I'm actually not to thrilled about reading the next one hate to say it...mermaids?? Not a favorite of mine, but ill go for it. I personally love this book better than the first book, sisters red, and no you don't have to read the first book to get this one, but I recommend it. You can see how both books are linked together, I loved how the author did that without making it so you actually HAVE to read the first book.
If you love werewolves, fairy tales, candy(who doesn't??), a mystery and just a pinch of romance; you will definitely love this book. I'm not gonna write the summary for this one, you can all just scroll on up and read the summary on this site, its the best one iv read.
Just remember, this isn't the same fairy tale your parents read to you. (less)

4 likes · like · see review

Jun 26, 2011 Sophie Riggsby rated it 4 of 5 stars

*published on Mundie Moms on June 26, 2011*

Jackson Pearce's companion book to last year's Sisters Red plays with the familiarity of "Hansel and Gretel" while using Jackson's own world of the dark and disturbing Fenris. A stop in a small town and an introduction to the local chocolatier, Sophia, leads Gretchen on a journey of not just self-disovery but also of resolution. The mystery surrounding the disappearance of Gretchen's own twin sister is somehow connected to the identical strange disappea...more

3 likes · like · see review

Oct 01, 2011 Michaela rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was an improvement from Sisters Red and heck of a lot better then As You Wish.

But its not without its flaw.

For one the book started of slow and continued to be slow for 150 page, not that it was boring, it just did not hold my attention.
And I was not that fond of Samuel, Ansel, and Sophia.

For Samuel, even though you were supposes to think he's an ass in the being, I still don't like him that much even at the end.

Ansel...I don't know, I don't hate or love him, it just seemed that...more

2 likes · like · see review

May 28, 2011 Mary (BookHounds) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, around-the-world-arc-tours, arc, young-adult

***slight spoilers***

In this new retelling of Hansel and Gretel (my first two dachshunds!), Jackson Pearce keeps the witch, adds some werewolves and a bit of creepiness that will really make you want to devour this. Ansel and his sister Gretchen have been thrown out by their stepmother when Gretchen turns 18 and they leave to drive as far as their car will take them. The car breaks down in Live Oak, SC where they find a job with the local candy maker, Sophia. It is rumored that she infuses her c...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jun 30, 2012 Infinite Playlist rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mine, connected, genre-fairytales, family-siblings, death-murder-loss, creatures-werwolves, genre-ya, genre-thriller-crime-mystery, genre-paranormal, mood-scary-creepy, mood-romantic, food-cooking-candy, favorites, favourites-2012

Liebes Sweetly,
wir trafen uns an einem sonnigen Wochenende Ende Februar und verbrachten zwei wundervolle Tage auf unserer saubequemen, neuen Couch und auch ein bisschen Zeit am Vormittag im Bett während A. noch schlief und träumte.

Du hast mit deinen beiden roten Schwestern einiges gemeinsam, aber ich finde dich auch allein ganz fantastisch. Genau wie deine Schwestern beginnst du mit einem gruseligen Prolog, einige eurer Figuren teilen sich den Familiennamen und auch sonst hab ich in dir einiges...more Liebes Sweetly,
wir trafen uns an einem sonnigen Wochenende Ende Februar und verbrachten zwei wundervolle Tage auf unserer saubequemen, neuen Couch und auch ein bisschen Zeit am Vormittag im Bett während A. noch schlief und träumte.

Du hast mit deinen beiden roten Schwestern einiges gemeinsam, aber ich finde dich auch allein ganz fantastisch. Genau wie deine Schwestern beginnst du mit einem gruseligen Prolog, einige eurer Figuren teilen sich den Familiennamen und auch sonst hab ich in dir einiges gefunden, dass ich in Sisters Red schon mal gesehen habe.
Euch alle verbindet vor allem das Geschwistersein. Während Rosie und Scarlet sich nur wie Zwillinge fühlen, hast du sogar einen echten zu bieten, nämlich Gretchen. Die hat außerdem noch einen großen Bruder namens Ansel. Du hast mir immer wieder erzählt wie nahe Gretchen und Ansel sich stehen, wie eng sie das Verschwinden ihrer Schwester zusammengeschweißt hat. Leider hab ich dir das nicht ganz abgenommen. Du hast mir kaum Momente zwischen Ansel und Gretchen gezeigt, mir immer nur vorgeschwafelt wie nahe die beiden sich angeblich stehen. Ansel hast du mir generell nicht näher vorstellen wollen, ich vermute du wolltest ihn lieber für dich behalten. Zum Glück hast du ja Gretchen und Sophia mit mir geteilt. Während Sophia die meiste Zeit ein spannendes, gefühlszerrissenes Rätsel bleibt, konnte ich Gretchens Gedanken immer direkt mitverfolgen. Danke dafür, ich mag die beiden wirklich gern, weil sie so vielseitig und unperfekt sind.

Jackson Pearce hat es mit dir wirklich gut gemeint und all ihr Können erneut gesteigert. Deine schwüle, düstere Atmosphäre hat mich eingefangen wie Honig eine Fliege. Die Hitze und der süßliche Geruch der Schokolaterie haben mich genau wie Gretchen eingelullt. Du beschreibst alles so treffend und verfällst auch in romantischen Szenen niemals dem Kitsch. Ich könnte keinen einzelnen Satz aus dir zitieren, es ist der Gesamteindruck und die Atmosphäre, die du mit all deinen Worten erzeugst, egal ob romantisch, lecker-verführerisch, mysteriös, einfühlsam, actionreich oder richtig gruselig.

Obwohl Hänsel und Gretel dein großes Vorbild sind, hast du mich nie mit altbekannten Handlungssträngen geknebelt. Stattdessen begnügst du dich mit kunstvollen Parallelen. Über die Szene, in der Sophia Ansel hilft seinen Ring vom Finger zu zerren, musste ich sehr schmunzeln. Oder die Situation, in der Ansel im Schuppen eingesperrt wird. Nicht zu vergesen natürlich das Motiv des Unheil verkündenden Süßigkeitenhauses im düsteren Wald.

Trotz deiner unheimlichen, mysteriösen Stimmung hat Gretchen dein Hexen-Rätsel relativ schnell aufgelöst. Leider hat mich die Enthüllung enttäuscht, ich hatte auf ein originelleres Grauen gehofft. Zum Glück haben die Hexen-Szenen dadurch nichts von ihrer Schaurigkeit eingebüßt.

Die volle Punktzahl hättest du von mir bekommen, wenn ich am Ende nicht das Gefühl gehabt hätte, dass du mir noch was verschweigst. (view spoiler)

In Liebe,
Infinite Playlist

PS. Ich hoffe, ich habe deinetwegen nicht zugenommen. Es ist ja unverschämt wieviel hingebungsvolle Schokoladenkreationen du mir verabreicht hast!(less)

3 likes · like · see review

Jan 16, 2012 Caroline rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, urban-fantasy, read-in-2012

I had a much harder time getting invested in this than I have Jackson Pearce's previous books, and I was disappointed how this was turned into a companion novel to Sisters Red rather than truly standing on its own as a Hansel and Gretal retelling. While the twist was an interesting one, it just didn't feel exactly true to the story, although I guess it does work if Pearce is trying to do some world-building and expansion for different fairy tales to be inter-connected.

The protagonists this round...more

3 likes · like · see review

Sep 13, 2011 Bethzaida rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arcs

http://www.bookittyblog.com/

This great book is inspired by the classic tale of Hanzel and Gretel. Sweetly will leave you glued to your seat and biting your nails from fear. This is perfect dark and stormy night reading material. I assure you that you’ll devour Sweetly in one sitting.

Sweetly is the second book in the Sisters Red series. The first book was inspired by Little Red Riding Hood. I recommend you read Sisters Red first but is not necessary. Sweetly is a standalone book not a sequel.

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 26, 2011 Kristi-The Book Faery rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: atwt, fairy-tale-retelling, series-to-watch-for, written-reviews, ya-pnr-2011, ya-pub-date-aug-11, ya-reviewed, ya-arc-for-2011

THE FAERYS VIEW

Sweetly is a fantastic retelling of a classic fairytale by Jackson Pearce. Ms. Pearce has again skillfully woven a fairytale that we all know into her very own ‘sweet concoction’. The retelling of the classic Hansel and Gretel story is dark and bittersweet, like the Godiva Hot Cocoa I’m inhaling down right now. It is deliciously spooky, sweetly romantic and darkly paranormal.

I won’t rehash the book as there are so many reviews and the synopsis does a fantastic job of letting peopl...more

2 likes · like · see review

Oct 05, 2011 Lisa rated it 3 of 5 stars

3 and a half stars

First off, I LOVE the cover, although I'm not crazy fond of the blue background. Maybe it's just a UK thing but the picture looks like a purple face on a black background, while my copy is a purple face with a blue background. Oh well. It's still super creepy and awesome.

I wanted to read this because I love fairy tales and I'm always curious to read re-tellings of popular fairy tales. This one was a re-imagining(thats a word, right?) of Hansel and Gretal.

There are many differen...more 3 and a half stars

First off, I LOVE the cover, although I'm not crazy fond of the blue background. Maybe it's just a UK thing but the picture looks like a purple face on a black background, while my copy is a purple face with a blue background. Oh well. It's still super creepy and awesome.

I wanted to read this because I love fairy tales and I'm always curious to read re-tellings of popular fairy tales. This one was a re-imagining(thats a word, right?) of Hansel and Gretal.

There are many differences between the fairy tale and this book. MANY. It starts off simple with the boy and girl being named Ansel and Gretchen. Slight tweak of the names. Then it goes completely off the story in a way. Only the slightest elements are left.

The story begins by Ansel, Gretchen and their sister Abigail going into the woods and something happens which results in Abigail disappearing. Gretchen thinks a witch took her.

The story continues years on when they are around 18 years old. They have left home and on their way to a new life somewhere, their car breaks down. They end up meeting a girl who is a chocolatier. Her name is Sophia Kelly. She has some odd jobs around her house that need to be done and it leads to Ansel and Gretchen staying at her house for the night, then two nights, and then indefinitely.

Basically, this story is mysterious and suspenseful and you are left wondering exactly what's going on until the end. My favorite parts of the book were the beginning and the end. I was a little bored in the middle. I wished the author had made the characters more endearing. I didn't care about the characters that much. I'm always disappointed when I don't feel connected to the characters in any way.

It was a nice little book to read in October. I picked it up because it looked/sounded creepy and promising. I also liked that it was based on Hansel and Gretal. I was a little disappointed by the direction it took. It was okay but it could've been better. I know it was trying to be a different take on the fairy tale but I was hoping for a better story. I love the cover and the name of the book. (less)

1 like · like · see review

Jun 16, 2011 Kate rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arcs, 2011, age-ya, werewolf-books, fairytales

I received this ARC from the publisher.

When they were children, Gretchen lost her twin sister out in the forest. She remembers a witch with yellow eyes taking her, although her older brother Ansel didn't. Now that they are 18 & 19, Ansel and Gretchen leave their sad home and drive across the country until their car breaks down in Live Oak, South Carolina.

The small town is unfriendly to outsiders and plenty strange enough besides. Without any money, Ansel takes work doing small jobs for a lo...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 12, 2011 Melissa (Book Nerd Reviews) rated it 5 of 5 stars

I stayed up until 1am last night JUST so I could finish Sweetly. It certainly surpassed the hype for me, I really loved this read.

It's surprised me in many ways, same as Sisters Red. Since these are a part of the Fairytale Retelling series, honestly I went into Sweetly with the story of Hansel & Gretel in my mind, and I was waiting... waiting.. waiting for the moment the witch would strike. I think Jackson Pearce knew that her readers were anticipating it, because her writing style completel...more

1 like · like · see review

Aug 12, 2011 Ashelynn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: recommend

SWEETLY was my first Jackson Pearce book. I’ve been meaning to read SISTERS RED, just haven’t got to buying or reading it yet. (I know! I am lame.) So when I had the chance to review SWEETLY, I jumped at it.

Spoiler alert: I loved it. (Not a real spoiler alert.)

The main character’s voice, Gretchen, cuts through the pages cleanly and I noticed halfway through the book that she had her own voice. Ever read a book then hear the author talk and notice how the character and the author sound ALIKE? Or...more

1 like · like · see review

Dec 28, 2010 Karin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010-reads, werewolves, youngadult

In SISTERS RED Jackson Pearce put a new twist on the story of the Little Red Riding Hood. This time she is taking on Hansel and Gretel. I was extremely excited when I saw this ARC at a booth at the NCTE Conference and quickly grabbed it up when I got the chance. Now, I will start out by saying that SISTERS RED is my favorite book from 2010 so SWEETLY had a lot to live up to.

Gretchen and Ansel are on their own. Kicked out of their house by their stepmother after the death of their father has lef...more

2 likes · like · see review

Oct 29, 2011 Bella (Cheezyfeet Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-releases

I really enjoyed this book. I absolutely loved Sisters Red when I read it last year, so I was really excited to get reading this one. It most definitely didn't disappoint!
This book is a retelling of Hansel and Gretel. It's similar to the fairy tale, but not in a way that it's easy to predict what will happen towards the end, which can sometimes happen with retellings. I knew vaguely what was going to happen, but I had no idea how it would happen.
I really enjoyed the plot of the book. I loved ho...more I really enjoyed this book. I absolutely loved Sisters Red when I read it last year, so I was really excited to get reading this one. It most definitely didn't disappoint!
This book is a retelling of Hansel and Gretel. It's similar to the fairy tale, but not in a way that it's easy to predict what will happen towards the end, which can sometimes happen with retellings. I knew vaguely what was going to happen, but I had no idea how it would happen.
I really enjoyed the plot of the book. I loved how it was set up that Gretchen and her brother believed almost religiously that the thing that took their sister was a witch, and that they thought that there was no way it could have been anything else. It was really interesting to find out what it actually was and I was pleasantly surprised to find and recognise some links between this book and Sisters Red. Because this is more of a companion novel than a series, I wasn't expecting any links at all, so that was great.
I also really like the characters. I thought they were very three dimensional and Jackson really managed to hide their 'other' sides really well. I particularly loved Sophia. She seemed so sweet and caring and just in need of a friend, but throughout the book, you began to realise and notice her darker side more and more. Her relationship with Ansel was also really cute - I loved how devoted they were to each other, and how they were always there for each other, especially when times were really hard for them. They were just so adorable!
I liked Gretchen too. I admire her for her strength - how on earth she managed to try to save all the girls while at the same time being terrified AND shooting the witches, I have no idea. She was brave and determined, and I really enjoyed reading from her point of view. I loved her relationship with Samuel too, (all the romance in this book was really sweet... ;p ) it was awesome how at first they didn't really like each other, and then gradually they grew to like, and even love each other.
Another aspect of the book that I really liked was the history of the town. The town that the book takes place in, Live Oak, is slowly dying, but it was full of history. There's a scene where Gretchen goes and looks around a museum in the town just to take her mind off the crazy things that were going on in her life, and I loved how Jackson incorporated a story of just an old pair of boots worn by a significant figure of the town into the plot, and she effortlessly managed to make it feel like that scene wasn't just a filler, that it actually had some significance and importance to the plot, which I don't think it did (I mean, I'm glad it's there, but it would have made sense without it, you know? ;) )
Overall, I really enjoyed Sweetly. The plot was action packed and full of suspense, and once I'd properly gotten into the story, I was really hooked. The only thing I will say is that the beginning was quite slow for me - some bits of it felt a little unrealistic, but apart from that I really enjoyed it. I'd recommend it to all fans of young adult paranormal, especially if you like stories that involve lots of chocolate and secret gun-shooting lessons ;)

*I'd like to say a huge thanks to Hachette for sending me a copy of this in exchange for an honest review. In no way has this affected my opinion of the book.

Originally posted at www.cheezyfeetbooks.blogspot.com(less)

1 like · like · see review

Sep 18, 2011 Lori (Pure Imagination) rated it 4 of 5 stars

All is not what it seems in Live Oak, SC. Sweetly starts off with a bang right away. It's filled with the magic and mystery you expect from a fairytale retelling, but Jackson Pearce also manages to fill it was fascinating characters and great back story.

Gretchen, the main character was very well done. She is still grieving the lose of her twin sister all these years later. She has had a very hard life, but she's a very likable character. Ansel is too, even though he didn't play as big a role as...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 08, 2011 Abigail Beckwith rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: teen, supernatural

Okay, I am embarrassed to say that I completely didn't remember that this was Hansel and Gretel until I started writing this review. I've been reading a borrowed copy on my lunch breaks for the last few weeks, and guess I forgot what the back of the book says. However, it all now makes sense! Regardless of the fact that I missed the complete obvious (their names are Gretchen and Ansel), I enjoyed this book. There's mystery (where do these missing girls go?), and a tangible sense of danger (our m...more

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Oct 31, 2011 Tammie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, urban-fantasy-paranormal

This is the third book I've read by Jackson Pearce and I have to say that I love reading her books. I love her writing style. Her stories just suck you right in. I could taste the chocolates in the candy shop as I read this book and got quite the craving! This is a companion book to Sisters Red, which is based on Red Riding Hood. This one is not a continuation of that story, but is based on Hansel and Gretel. However, this book does tie into the world of Sister's Red, and I think Ms. Pearce did...more

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Sep 19, 2011 Cynthia Cene rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was so excited to read this because growing up one of my favorite childhood fairy tales was the story of Hansel and Gretel. I defiantly do not regret reading this. It's fast pace, spooky, gory, and surprisingly has a touch of a love story.
There are a few twists and turns and surprises. Jackson Pearce has a wonderful mind and a great imagination. Between this and her book Sisters Red she has made me a faithful reader and I can't wait to see what else she brings us next.
But the biggest thing I l...more

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Dec 28, 2010 Carol rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-lit

I'm a real sucker for retold fairly tales and this one was a decent contribution to the genre. I didn't quite believe the monsters--there was no explanation as to where they came from and why they do what they do. The mysterious Sophia, whom Gretchen and her brother Ansel stay with, has a chocolate shop in the woods and quite frankly, I was distracted by how much candy she was making and who on earth was going to buy it that I had a hard time believing her either. Lots of loose ends in this stor...more

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May 17, 2013 WJ rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

Sweetly sounded like it had an interesting premise, especially because I haven't read a re-telling about Hansel and Gretel before. However, the summary of the book is quite deceptive, in that it seems to concentrate on the dynamics between Ansel and Gretchen but this isn't actually the focus of the book. Furthermore, this isn't really about the re-telling of Hansel and Gretel (although it sure seems like it).

(view spoiler)...more

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Apr 22, 2013 Lainy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

4.5 stars

I wasn't sure what to expect with Sweetly, being a retelling of Hansel and Gretel. I'm glad that there wasn't actually a witch that fattened little children up for cooking and eating ^^ Though what does happen in the book isn't a million miles away from that, obviously. What does feature in the book is the fenris from Sisters Red.

I liked Sweetly a lot more than Sisters Red. I just loved the characters, especially Gretchen with her skittle coloured hair, and Sophia was a great antagonist...more

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Apr 03, 2013 Amber rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, young-adult, fairytale, chocolate, werewolves

This is a retelling of the classic Hansel and Gretel story. Its an interesting take on an old story and found it to be a pleasant late night read. Its not a long book, I think i finished this in just a day. while, the main characters were well written, i didn't like the fact that the author threw the main love interest in there and didn't really round out any of the other characters. The connection between Gretchen and the love interest guy (i honestly can't remember his name at the moment) just...more

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Dec 02, 2012 Shelf Talkers Anonymous rated it 5 of 5 stars

A dark and delightful return to the world of Sisters Red, Sweetly takes us into the backwoods of the southeast, where witches and werewolves roam the woods, and secrets are as plentiful as the candy.

In Sisters Red we discovered the newly imagined world of Little Red Riding Hood. The Big Bad Wolf is just one of a whole race of werewolves called Fenris, and our heroines (Rosie and Scarlett) are these monsters' hunters. A wonderful story of first love, friendship, and sisters, Sisters Red proved th...more A dark and delightful return to the world of Sisters Red, Sweetly takes us into the backwoods of the southeast, where witches and werewolves roam the woods, and secrets are as plentiful as the candy.

In Sisters Red we discovered the newly imagined world of Little Red Riding Hood. The Big Bad Wolf is just one of a whole race of werewolves called Fenris, and our heroines (Rosie and Scarlett) are these monsters' hunters. A wonderful story of first love, friendship, and sisters, Sisters Red proved that Jackson Pearce has a true knack for getting to the heart of a fairy tale and weaving it into a new story.

In Sweetly we follow the story of Ansel and Gretchen (Hansel and Gretel) as they leave their stepmother's home to make a new start for themselves. When they were children they went exploring in the woods hoping to find the witch, but instead came out without Gretchen's twin sister. They don't know what took her, or what really happened, but Gretchen can never forget the bright yellow eyes of the witch as it chased them through the trees. When their car breaks down a few hundred miles from the eastcoast, they find themselves in a small town where secrets are a way of life. They meet Sophia, a young and beautiful girl who owns the local chocolate shop, and she will end up having more secrets than anyone else.

What made Sweetly a joy to read was its narrator and main character: Gretchen. Haunted by her missing twin, Sweetly is truly her story--as much as it is about Ansel and Sophia and the town as well. Amidst all the magic, werewolves, and mystery, at its heart Sweetly is about a girl learning to face her past and take control of her future. Gretchen was a strong and engaging heroine, and her struggle to overcome her fears was thrilling to read.

Gretchen's romance was beautifully done as well. Instead of all this mushy end-of-the-world love that you get in many young adult books, Gretchen falls in love slowly and then all at once, and while she certainly looks into her love's eyes all star-crossed and blissful, it never feels over the top.

Despite the magic and werewolves, the world of Sweetly was surprisingly well-grounded in reality. The concerns of the town as their young girls disappear touches on the horror of disappearances all over; and the budding romances and friendships that grow and change between the characters touch at the places we all share inside of us.

A very well-done sequel, Sweetly enhances and grows the world that Jackson began in Sisters Red, setting up for more great stories to come.(less)

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Oct 26, 2012 Catrin rated it 3 of 5 stars

One thing about Sweetly is that, for one creatively retold story, it is completely predictable.

Of course, while some may disagree, I guess I found the hints unsubtle. They were more jarring, stood out awkwardly, than slips and hints that you don’t actually notice until you read the conclusion and come back to look for it (Choker by Elizabeth Woods is one such book. Not for the fairy-tale heart.) The plot, being entirely predictable and the characters rather overtly stereoptypical. There’s the br...more One thing about Sweetly is that, for one creatively retold story, it is completely predictable.

Of course, while some may disagree, I guess I found the hints unsubtle. They were more jarring, stood out awkwardly, than slips and hints that you don’t actually notice until you read the conclusion and come back to look for it (Choker by Elizabeth Woods is one such book. Not for the fairy-tale heart.) The plot, being entirely predictable and the characters rather overtly stereoptypical. There’s the brother, who of course will fall in love and be protective of Gretchen.

None of the relationships were much convincing in Sweetly. On one hand, there’s Samuel (handsome, tortured Samuel, of course, he is angry at the world) and Gretchen’s brother Ansel. Ansel could have been better illustrated in the story rather than just being a very, very secondary character put only for the sake of being a fairytale retelling.

The character of Sophia Kelly, on the contrary, was very believably real and down-to-earth. She was a charming but tortured character that you can never seem to fathom, yet for the life of me I can’t imagine how the random bits would add up to, somehow some complete plot down to twins and transformation, the sea and seashells. You see, Sweetly could have been creative. It was trying too hard to be creative, in fact, that the essence of the story was lost in the midst of trying to keep the reader guessing of what was going to happen next it lost so much of the mystique that could have been pressed further, developed more on all of the characters. Who said that Sophia Kelly could be the only one bearing these secrets? Why was she the only dark side of the entire town? The story had a lot of potential, but it was squashed down to Sophia Kelly and trying to be mysterious. If it had been less pressing on the hints and more subtle, it could have been a fantastic book.

The hints, as I have stated, now, were okay. They weren’t much of anything except for obvious hints the book that when pieced together (and right at the end, exploding in your face), does not make much of any sense at all. Just because there has never been much information on the mystical creature has never been properly illustrated doesn’t mean that as an afterthought, it can be added to a list of information. I like creativity that is original, but I like it even better when it’s derived from some sort of mystical evidence or statement. It makes the creature so much more distinctive.

Not in this case. I think that the additional information could have been helpful it the element had been weaved right from the start instead of being a final revelation, because the last-minute information does not settle well, and the supposed tragic endings weren’t much of an effect when they are hated and liked and an ambiguous character who, despite having “two sides”, just seem to be mildly bipolar because the information weren’t developed well into the plot.

And the solution to horrible beasts? Simplistic.

Okay, okay, Catherine is on a rant again now. Don’t worry, I liked this book, and most people will. Just pointing out a few of the errors.(less)

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Sep 07, 2012 Elizabeth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Twelve years ago, Gretchen, Ansel, and their sister were playing in the woods when their sister went missing. She was right next to them and then she was gone. Now, Gretchen and Ansel are on the road, kicked out by their stepmother. They randomly find themselves in Live Oak, South Carolina with a broken down car and practically no money. After being shunned by quite a few of the townspeople, they are directed to someone who is equally shunned, Sophia Kelly. She runs a candy shop and it's rumored...more Twelve years ago, Gretchen, Ansel, and their sister were playing in the woods when their sister went missing. She was right next to them and then she was gone. Now, Gretchen and Ansel are on the road, kicked out by their stepmother. They randomly find themselves in Live Oak, South Carolina with a broken down car and practically no money. After being shunned by quite a few of the townspeople, they are directed to someone who is equally shunned, Sophia Kelly. She runs a candy shop and it's rumored that girls disappear after her festivals every year, never to be seen again. Gretchen and Ansel don't believe the rumors and are shocked by how welcoming and nice Sophia is. They settle into a routine and revel in having a home and a family. Gretchen is convinced that whatever is taking the girls at the festival is the same witch that took her sister. She's ready to stand and fight to avenge her sister and save any more girls from being victimized. Is Sophia somehow involved in the disappearances? Will Gretchen ever find out what happened to her sister?

Sweetly is a companion novel to Sisters Red, one of my favorite fairy tale retellings ever. They have none of the same characters, but as the book goes on, it becomes clear that there are definitely common elements. This is a modern retelling of Hansel and Gretel. Each character (except for the parents) are present, but fleshed out and modernized so they seem more like real people than flat fairy tale characters. Gretchen is much like Gretel because she always feels like that little girl that was left without a sister. The passage of time didn't do much to alleviate her pain or helplessness. This story is really one of her coming of age and growing from that helpless little girl into a strong woman willing to face her fears. This also parallels the original fairy tale as Hansel and Gretel leave their home as children, overcome a trial guided by nature, and return successful and rich to their family. I loved reading about Gretchen's journey. Sophia isn't what one would expect as the child eating witch from Hansel and Gretel. She's super sweet and welcoming, plus she makes the most delicious chocolates. I seriously had huge cravings for chocolate when reading Sweetly. But, underneath that sweetness, there is a bitter center that is stays hidden through most of the novel. These updated characters kept my interest and drew parallels to the original Grimm tale.

While I loved the characters and the writing, the plot dragged a little for me. Between the revelation about what happened to Gretchen's sister and the big finale, there was definitely a drag in the plot. It left me wondering when something big would happen without building any suspense. I also felt that the elements common with Sisters Red took away from the Hansel and Gretel story a little bit. In Sisters Red, I never forgot it was a Red Riding Hood story and the characters and plot played with the ideas and concepts throughout. Near the middle of Sweetly, I forgot it was even about Hansel and Gretel. It didn't have that strong bond with the original tale that I expected.

Despite some issues, I really enjoyed Sweetly. This retelling tapped into deep emotions of loss and sadness and brought the frightening and violent aspects that worked so well in Sisters Red. I am definitely going to read Fathomless, the next companion novel about The Little Mermaid. Jackson Pearce is a wonderful author and think she can reveal how dark the story really is.(less)

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Fairy Tales, Kind...: Sweetly	2	7	Sep 24, 2012 12:43pm
Fairy Tale Adaptations	21	42	Sep 20, 2012 06:55pm
1st person Present tense VS. Past Tense	5	16	Jul 09, 2012 03:58pm
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About Jackson Pearce

I do not read Goodreads mail! If you want to get in touch with me, please go here: CONTACT ME!

Jackson Pearce currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with a slightly cross-eyed cat and a lot of secondhand furniture. She recently graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in English and a minor in Philosophy and currently works for a software company even though she auditioned for the circu...more

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“I should be mad. I should hate her. I should judge her. But there is some madness in love.” — 13 people liked it

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Sweetly (Fairytale Retellings #2)

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