Once Upon A Cat: A Cozy Fantasy Frog Prince Retelling

The Galamere Chronicles #4

by Gabrielle Landi

A café owner, her former love, and the curse between them.

Thea Greene has no time for nonsense—especially not from her overly charming landlord who delivers flowers “for the building” and thinks a smile can fix anything. She’s too busy running her business, finding an apprentice, and reminding herself that falling for Nat again is only asking for him to break her heart once more.

Nathaniel Alder wants nothing more than to fix his relationship with Thea, which is difficult when she won’t talk to him. When a wand-wielding maniac turns him into a cat—whiskers, tail, and all—in front of the Cozy Cat Cafe, it’s a blessing and a curse. Being with Thea as a cat isn’t what he planned, but it's more time and attention than she gave him before.

Can Nat break the curse he’s under and convince Thea that he’s worthy of her trust, or will their second chance at love turn out the same as the first?

Once Upon A Cat is a Frog Prince fairytale retelling and the fourth book in the Galamere Chronicles. Each standalone book is a retelling of a beloved story or fairy tale, with the swoon-worthy sweet romance of a Hallmark movie, the wholesome and heartwarming feeling of cozy fantasy, and the comfort of a found family of friends, with a sprinkling of danger and a dash of magic.

Genres: Fantasy, Retellings, Romance, Fiction, Fairy Tale Retellings, Cats, Fairy Tales

205 pages, Paperback

Published January 6, 2026

About the author

Gabrielle Landi lives in Southern Indiana with her husband and children and has a soft spot for every stray cat that ends up on her front porch. When she’s not writing, she spends her time chasing children, wishing there was more coffee, and eating chocolate like it’s her job. If she had to write her own love story in tropes, it would include second chance romance and a secret relationship, and would be entirely unbelievable.

Reviews

[Bcs (Sarah. B) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the Arc copy!

Once Upon a Cat by Gabrielle Landi

Personal Rating: 4 Stars

Content Rating: 4 Stars (So far both my rating and the content rating has been pretty much matching.)
Romance 2 (lots of kissing but nothing described, + snuggling etc.)
Violence 2 ( no blood or violence, there is a sorcerer though, an he is bad...)
Faith -1 (sourcere, herbwitch)
Profanity/Language 2 (None or just mentioned)
Youth Appropriate 1


Thoughts:
Perhaps it's silly, but my absolute favorite kind of story where people fall in love is the ones where they are already friends ... and while Thea and Nathaniel aren't friends exactly they used to be so they still have that kind of care.
The problem of Roan is ... conveniently dealt with ...
The way Nat is with the kids... I like it!
I did drop a star in my personal rating as I felt... the ending was slightly rushed, and also, I'm always not entirely comfortable when there are sorcerers and such. But. I still really enjoyed this book, and would definitely recommend it. Perhaps to older teens, more than younger teems but still.
Awesome job, Gabrielle Landi! And I look forward to reading the next book.
The audiobook of which I listened to a few chapters was also a very well done. The narrator is very talented at well... narrating


Bible Verse
Proverbs 18:10 KJV
[10] The name of the LORD is a strong tower: The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.


Part of a Series:
Book 4 in the Galamere Chronicles

Synopsis:
A café owner, her former love, and the curse between them.

Thea Greene has no time for nonsense—especially not from her overly charming landlord who delivers flowers “for the building” and thinks a smile can fix anything. She’s too busy running her business, finding an apprentice, and reminding herself that falling for Nat again is only asking for him to break her heart once more.

Nathaniel Alder wants nothing more than to fix his relationship with Thea, which is difficult when she won’t talk to him. When a wand-wielding maniac turns him into a cat—whiskers, tail, and all—in front of the Cozy Cat Cafe, it’s a blessing and a curse. Being with Thea as a cat isn’t what he planned, but it's more time and attention than she gave him before.

Can Nat break the curse he’s under and convince Thea that he’s worthy of her trust, or will their second chance at love turn out the same as the first?

Once Upon A Cat is a Frog Prince fairytale retelling and the fourth book in the Galamere Chronicles. Each standalone book is a retelling of a beloved story or fairy tale, with the swoon-worthy sweet romance of a Hallmark movie, the wholesome and heartwarming feeling of cozy fantasy, and the comfort of a found family of friends, with a sprinkling of danger and a dash of magic.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 ⭐️

Aw, this story was so cute and cozy (and very clean - some non-detailed kisses only)! If you are a cat lover, you will enjoy this retelling of The Frog Prince...but with a cat instead of a frog. The story was a second chance romance, with a super secret main couple...Nathaniel was especially such a sweet MMC. What I like about this series is that all of the books (this is the third I've read now) are all very easy, quick reads that don't take much brain power, but are simple and delightful. 🥰

I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did a fantastic job. It was engaging, and was such a lovely story to listen to while while working on some crafts and putting some laundry away, and it was super easy to pay full attention (for me at least!) while I was doing these things. Out of the books in this series that I have read, one of them was an ebook, and the other two were audiobooks...and I honestly enjoy them even better as audiobooks.

I feel like this book was setting up some more stories, so I can't wait to see more from Gabrielle Landi! 😊

I received an ALC copy of this audiobook. All opinions in this review are my own and voluntary.

[Thoroughly Clean Indies · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review of book 3

Genre: Cozy fantasy, fairy tale retelling [of The Frog Prince]
Tropes:
Setting: Historical with a modern feel
Writing style: Dual POV (alternating chapters) plus a 3rd in epilogue, 3rd person, past tense
Tone: Even
Character- or plot-driven: Character-driven

Romance: Yes
Clean level:
• 1 mouth kiss minimally described to “distract” woman from flicking water at him
• Another reference to distraction of the same sort, another minimally described
• 6 mouth kisses barely described, 1 over 3 sentences and 1 that “had several mothers scrambling to cover their children’s eyes”; 5 with no description
• “Stealing kisses nearly every time they passed each other” while working
• 3 near-kisses minimally described, 1 including trailing his fingers down her neck; 1 interrupted kiss
• 1 instance of man massaging woman’s shoulders over 2-3 paragraphs-worth; “blissfully painful,” rubbing circles on back
• 1 instance of catching a couple in a barely-described embrace
• 1 nose kiss, no lingering
• 1 instance of man pressing nose into sensitive part of woman’s neck, making her giggle
• 1 forehead kiss, 3 sentences; 4 more with no description
• 1 hand kiss, zero description
• “Ten years of kisses to make up for”
• “Miss kissing you”
• Non-detailed remembrance of what someone's kiss felt like
• Passing remembrance of “stolen kisses”
• Sporadic non-detailed thoughts of kissing
*See caveat below

Sensitive aspects:
• Man jokingly expresses jealousy over the cat on the woman’s lap; brief head pat and playful mention of chin scratching
• Hinting at male protagonist’s father having been abusive, at least emotionally
• Loss in the past, not deeply explored

Favorite aspects of the book:
• Seeing Thea and Nathaniel finally reconciled
• Callbacks to their time together in her hometown

Thoughts on main characters:
• Thea is hardworking and confident in a self-assured way, and with good reason. She recognizes her strengths and uses them to their maximum. She’s so committed to servicing her customers that even when she’s much too sick to be working (not to mention clearly contagious!), she has to be forced to stay in bed. In some ways, she seems the steady center of the town.
• Nathaniel’s love for Thea is reflected in his attention to detail: according to Thea, he is the only one to ever learn how she likes her tea. He is unwavering in his love for her even when he doesn’t understand exactly why she’s refusing to give their relationship a second chance, and he takes meticulous care of her when she’s sick, even running the bakery for the day. This trait also shows up with how he runs the orphanage, spending as much time as possible there to be an anchor for the children and to provide extra protection for them and the women who care for them.

This is another one that’s more inspired by a fairy tale than a full retelling. Nathaniel is cursed to be a cat on and off, instead of a frog all the time.

This installment is a long time in coming, so getting to read the books back to back shortened the wait for me. I was wondering what could possibly have happened between Thea and Nat, and the explanation was fitting for what I would expect based on their relationship in Once Upon a Cake. I appreciated that the resolution came early enough to focus more on the reunion.

Roan somehow intercepted letters that Nathaniel and Thea sent each other when Nat was away. The reason for the lost contact highlights the importance of giving people the benefit of the doubt, especially those you love or who seem to have acted out of character. In such cases, there is often missing information or confusion that changes the picture to some degree. This instance also underscores the importance of communication, even when it’s awkward or when anger and hurt create resistance — a theme reinforced throughout the narrative. If Thea had confronted Nat when she moved to town, the situation could have been cleared up much sooner, even without knowing what had happened to the letters; Thea herself acknowledges this.

Roan’s past behavior towards both Nat and Thea is also explained, though whether satisfactorily or not is up to the reader. His full redemption story is part of a multiauthor series, and we meet his sweetheart here.

The epilogue is from Guinevere’s point of view and introduces a bit of intrigue to whet your appetite for the coming books. It seems some threads may be coming together...

I’m not sure about the kiss that breaks the curse. She’s kissed him many times as a human, and nothing. Is it because he wasn’t in his cursed form? Because she kissed him even as a cat, like in versions of the original tale? People kiss cats, though, so why would it be significant?

____________________________________

“[B]ut I wouldn’t want to get attached to you and then have you leave like everyone else always does.”

Who’s everyone? Who besides Nathaniel?

Although…perhaps they should wait until later anyway, because what if he came and he was no longer interested in a future with her? She didn’t want to have to face her customers with a broken heart once again. Her heart sank at the thought. It hardly seemed likely, but at the same time—what if? Her mind was racing with the possibilities as she made muffins and kneaded dough and waited for the sun to rise.

Oh for heaven sake! He’s made it perfectly clear time and again, from the beginning. There’s no need for the obligatory self-doubt; it’s not even rationally irrational at this point.

“I’m just as much to blame as you are, if not more, because my brother is the one who got between us.”

How is their being brothers significant in this instance? Nat didn’t know Roan might do that. They were equally wronged.

____________________________________

*There’s a bonus epilogue linked at the end that has two kisses, one with the barest description and one with none.

Favorite Quotations:
• I hope the reason you are not writing is not because your father’s next apprentice has stolen your heart away from me. If that is the case, be aware, because I shall be coming back as soon as I am able to steal it right back, no matter how many times I have to trip you.
• Thea sat back, fighting the urge to smile. Eugenia was always hearing rumors. All she did was hear rumors. The library may have been full of words, but only half of them were written. The other half were Eugenia’s.
• “I won’t say anything,” Eugenia said with a sigh, patting the back of Thea’s hand. “I am capable of occasionally not saying anything, you know.” “Are you?” Thea teased. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you keep a secret since I came.” “You have no idea how many are trapped in this old noggin,” Eugenia said, tapping her finger against the side of her head. “There are many things that I don’t share with the town. Of course, there are many things that I do,” she added with an impish grin. “So perhaps it’s best to not believe me.”
• She watched pensively as Eugenia left, heading back to the library where she should have been all along. Maybe it was time to take her place where she should have been all along, too—with Nathaniel.
• “Really?” he asked incredulously. “I didn’t think you would agree to it.” “I don’t know, not having to pay rent anymore sounds like a pretty good plan to me.” “Oh, so you’re only marrying me for my building?” [...] “Only because it was the only building available in town.”
• “I’ve wanted to marry you since you stole my heart all those years ago.” “At least I didn’t steal your cake,” he pointed out. “Well, you tried your best to ruin a couple of them,” she said. “But I didn’t,” he said proudly. “And here we are. Your mother would be thrilled.”


(I received a free ARC of this book from the author and am gratefully—voluntarily—leaving a review.)

[Georgie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4 ⭐️

This was my first adventure through the world of the Galamere Chronicles, and I look forward to reading others in the series. It was such a sweet and cozy book. I really enjoyed that this was a cute, low stakes, clean romance, and overall a quick read. I took my time, and still was able to read through the novel in a day.

The story is a fun twist on the tale of The Frog Prince, the twist being that our cursed male character becomes a cat rather than a frog. I think this was such a cute twist, and also somehow makes the story more realistic! I’d definitely be more inclined to befriend a cute cat than a slimy frog! 😂

Some things I loved about the book is that the male main character is kind, never condescending, and is supportive. I also enjoyed the reversed grumpy x sunshine trope with the female main character being the slightly grumpy one, and the male main character being the hopeful and optimistic one, as it offered a cute dynamic.

As this is my first experience with the series I wanted to see more world building to see how the magic plays out, but as it is so low stakes and just a fun, cozy read, it didn’t detract from the experience. I look forward to seeing if there is further magic in the other books and if it expands the world a bit. Important to note that this novel is a follow up to “Once Upon a Cake” which should be read prior to add to the reading experience.

I don’t think the characters ages are explicitly mentioned, though they are described as adults. I would still say this would be best suited for YA, as it is a light fairytale and is completely clean with only descriptions of kissing. But anyone looking for a fun fairytale retelling would enjoy. ☺️

Tropes:
💚 Second Chance Romance
💚 Grumpy x Sunshine
💚Fairytale Retelling

Content:
💚Clean/ No Spice (Kissing Descriptions Only)
💚Death Mentioned
💚Magic (Not Dark/Intense)
💚YA Appropriate

I was provided this novel as an ARC ebook by the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[LeeEllen Belcher (Caw) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This no-spice fantasy was another lovely story in this series! I liked finally discovering what happened to the letters that Thea and Nat wrote to each other all those years ago, and the redemption that came from discovering the truth was truly touching. I enjoyed watching Nat trying to woo Thea relentlessly, and how she pretended not to care at first.  The way the story played out was fun and whimsical, and I was intrigued with the mystery that was weaved in. Additionally, the narrator was excellent! She brought each character to life and I especially loved her voice for Ginger. I highly recommend this heartwarming, cozy book for any reader!

Nat will never give up on winning Thea's heart back, even if he's cursed to turn into a cat occasionally. Together, they seek help from those they can trust, navigating a world where magic shouldn't exist. As Nat tries to work through the emotions of sometimes being a cat, still loving Thea, and trying to patch up the relationship with his brother, he's unsure what to do about any of it. Will true love conquer all in the end, and can they find balance in their new life?

I received a free copy (both Advanced Listening Copy  and Advanced Reader Copy) with no expectation of a review. All opinions are my own.

[Haniah Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4 stars

Age: 14+ (this is a book centered around adults, so it may not be interesting to younger readers. I’d rate it New Adult, which is the bridge between YA and general adult)

I cannot believe I read this in its entirety on release day. I thank Hoopla for its lovely contribution.

This was a very cute tale. A tad confusing as I tried to sort everyone out, but by the end I could remember most of it.

The main characters were very sweet and didn’t waste time on miscommunication, which I appreciated.

I’m very excited for the next one and for the previous one (yes, I read this first).

Content warnings: kissing, passing mentions of possible abuse (not “onscreen” in the slightest), and magic

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once Upon a Cat is sweet and lighthearted tale that embodies cozy days and second chances. Honestly, it was so cute! Landi’s novels have a certain comforting feel that is good for rainy days and exhaustion. The setting is lovely and it’s been great seeing more of it as more books are released. Also, if you love cats then this is perfect for you!

I love Nat and Thea, through and through. There are misunderstandings but they push through them. The letters were my favorite! I’ve come to realize that I adore love letters in novels. They convey so much. The letters in Once Upon a Cat were no different.

I’m very interested to learn more about the villain in future books. He’s still a bit of a mystery. I’m also excited to read about the next couple. I just know that they’re going to be so sweet!

Thank you to Gabrielle Landi for an ARC of Once Upon a Cat! All opinions are my own.

No-Spice Rating: 1.5
Language: Clean
Faith-Elements: Light Christian themes

[K E · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review:
I would rate this a 3.5, but I rounded up instead of down because I just love this author and series, and I don't think the book detracts from the series at all.

I only have one complaint, and it's really just a me problem. The cat thing is weird. I think it's worse than a frog because you're more likely to be close to a cat and keep it in your house, near you, and the cat is the love interest? It just creeps me out to think of someone (even though they're cursed) to just be hidden as an animal, who cannot speak, and is a pet of the person they are in love with. Obviously, though, I know this is all to do with the fairytale the author is retelling, so I don't blame this on her.

(Also, Ginger thinking Nathaniel was an actual cat, full-time, with a cat brain, and making advances on him was not something I needed to think about.)

Honestly, I thought the cat thing would be a lot worse than it actually is. I think what really makes a difference is that Thea already loved Nat, and he switched between cat and human.

Other than me being weirded out by the cat thing, the book was great, and I loved seeing a bit of foreshadowing for Once Upon A Bear! (I think that's what the book is supposed to be called)

[Kimthebookishbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh. The perfect first read for 2026, especially while on maternity leave! I highly recommend first reading Tales of Cake and Comfort so you know their past, I feel like that background helped me better enjoy this story. However, Landi delivers another masterfully written cozy story while perfectly entwining a fairy tale that you can see the elements without feeling like it's the same story you've read before. Her narrator also did a wonderful job, as always! I love this whole world Landi has created and her narrator does great at helping me feel immersed in the world while reading too.

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars (I could probably round down on GR if compared to the other books in the series, but still enjoyed it so I will round up instead) ⭐️ Clean Fiction - Fairytale Retelling

This was cute! Not a new favorite of the series for me, but it was good to see Thea and Nat together again after prior reading the prequel novellas.

It does look like the author’s next book, “Beastly Dreams”, which is a part of a multi-authored series is connected to this series as well because it’s about Roan, Nat’s brother. I almost wished I could have read that one before this book, but maybe it has spoilers in it for Nat’s story…? I had mixed feelings of Roan’s redemption and reasoning, but by the end, I was glad it all worked out for the brothers and look forward to reading his story when it releases.



Main Content-

Neither Thea or Nat believe that magic is real (just a part of childhood stories) until Nat is cursed; Nathaniel is cursed (on-page) and turns into a cat.

A side character is a “herbwitch” and says she has the ability in “taking herbs and plants and other natural ingredients and combining them with a little something extra to make a potion that will help with...other things.” (such as curses); She can hurt herself making potions due to using a different type of energy to make them; This character is also able to smell magic/curses on others & we see it on-page in her POV at the very end.

Many mentions of magic, curses, sorcerers, dragons, & fairies; A mention of fate; A mention of something happening in “this lifetime”.

A side character says “good Lord willin’”; A couple mentions of a priest; A mention of praying.




No language stronger than “freaking” being said once; Eye rolling & Sarcasm.

Nathaniel jokes about letting a coyote get him.

Mentions of deaths & grief (including for parents); Mentions of a tavern/bar, drinking, & ale; Mentions of brawls/fights; Mentions of rumors & gossip; Mentions of hatred; A few mentions of lies & lying; A few mentions of throwing up; A couple mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of cat pee.



Nathaniel’s father was a harsh man & because of it, Nat didn’t have a good relationship with his father or brother (*Spoilers* but his brother apologizes in this book and wants them to try to move forward; Roan says that he was protecting Nathaniel and their mother from their father because he was “not an easy man” and particularly tried to keep him away from them when he had too much to drink *End of Spoilers*).



1 hand kiss,
6 forehead kisses,
1 nose kiss,
2 almost kisses (up to 2-4 sentences),
9 kisses lasting a sentence,
3 kisses lasting a couple sentences,
1 kiss lasting few sentences.

Remembering kisses (up to a couple sentences); Wanting to kiss & embrace (up to a couple sentences); Catching a couple in an embrace and kissing; Seeing a couple kiss at a wedding that had “several mothers scrambling to cover their children’s eyes”.

Touches, Embraces, Hand holding, Butterflies (up to a few sentences); Blushes; Noticing & Staring (up to a couple sentences);

When turned into a cat, Nathaniel stays downstairs instead of going upstairs with Thea and Ginger (despite wanting to, he knows it wouldn’t be proper); Later, Thea says that Nat-the-cat will be staying downstairs and he thinks that he wouldn’t do anything differently; Nathaniel has his clothing still on when he transform back into a human.

Many mentions of kisses, kissing, & almost kisses; Mentions of flirting & flirts; A few mentions of catching couples in “improper” situations (implied to be kissing or getting ready to kiss); A couple mentions of flings; A mention of a man bringing a woman into his home (not implied with marriage or not, just a note because it’s kind of vague and could be taken either way).

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this from the author. I was not required to give a good review; all opinions are my own

One Amazing, Beautiful Word: Cats.

This book had cats in in it!
The MMC was cursed to turn into a cat randomly every day!
The FMC owns a cat!
What's there not to love, LOL.

So, basically, there are a lot of cats going on here; also, I loved the book.

Seriously, this book was awesome. I have yet to read Once Upon a Cake, which tells the story of Nat and Thea when they first meet, but now it's definitely on my TBR!

I really enjoyed the scenes where Nat randomly turned into a cat, and als,o did I mention how much I loved Ginger? I would say she deserves her own book despite being an actual cat but I believe she actually does! (The cat has her own book, my TBR is overflowing.)

Thea was a great FMC, although I feel like we get more of Nat than we do from Thea as a character.

I also really loved Roan in this book!
He apologized for being an awful person!
He actually started to become nice !
Meaning: A good person!
Roan! Trying! To! Be! A! Good! Person!
Cackles.
Ahem. Anyway, I really enjoyed the bonding Roan and Nat went through as they worked on improving their relationship as brothers.

Abigail seemed nice, although we didn't get much of her in this book.
After all, she convinced Roan to be a better person! That's definitely something worth appluading!

In conclusion, this book was really great, and I'd really recommened it for anyone looking for a fun, cozy read with lowstakes and heartwarming scenes.
Plus, lots and lots of cats.

Content

Romance: No spice; kisses only.
Language: No bad language that I can recall.
Violence: No violence.
Other: Characters are cursed; mentions of magic; no mention of faith or God.

[~ • { Elizabeth } • ~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

☕️🐱Book Review: Once Upon A Cat by Gabrielle Landi
⭐ 5/5 Stars — a cozy, whimsical second-chance romance with light magic, fairy-tale roots, and an extremely charming cursed cat
☕ Thea Greene runs her café with competence, grit, and carefully guarded boundaries. Living and working in a building owned by her ex is already pushing her limits—she doesn’t need Nathaniel Alder showing up with charm, optimism, and flowers, as if smiles can erase old hurt. Thea has learned the hard way that hope can be dangerous.
🐱 Nathaniel Alder is pure sunshine. A walking green flag with a tender heart and lingering regret. He never stopped loving Thea, even if he failed her when it mattered most. When a magical confrontation outside the Cozy Cat Café leaves him cursed into feline form, Nat gains something he’s been missing for years: time with Thea. Even if it’s as a cat curled up in her space, watching her walls soften.
✨ Once Upon A Cat feels like The Frog Prince reimagined through a cozy fantasy lens—sweet, funny, and gently magical. The fantasy elements are light but playful, adding humorous chaos while keeping the focus firmly on healing old wounds and finding the courage to try again.
🌸 I loved seeing the cameos from other Galamere characters were delightful, and the hints of future stories had me very intrigued.
🌙 Perfect for readers who love:
🤍 Second-chance romance
🐱 Cursed love interests & magical mishaps
🩵 Sunshine hero × gruff, guarded heroine
☕ Cozy cafés & small-town vibes
📖 Fairy-tale retellings with gentle fantasy
⚠️ Content Notes:
• Alcohol mentioned : tavern setting
🩷 Final Thoughts:
Once Upon A Cat is warm, playful, and deeply comforting. Gabrielle Landi blends fairy-tale inspiration with cozy fantasy romance in a way that feels accessible, sweet, and full of heart. This is a story about love rediscovered, trust rebuilt, and the quiet magic of getting another chance—sometimes with whiskers involved. A perfect pick if you’re looking for a feel-good fantasy romance that leaves you smiling.
— Elizabeth

[Adia Somi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once Upon A Cat is filled with all things fun, sweet, and cozy. Take the story of The Frog Prince, add a couple of mischevious cats, drop them in a cozy small (and dare I say magical?) town, and you'll likely get something like this sweet second chance romance.
I've honestly been looking forward to reading anbout Nat and Thea's second chance ever since I read its prequel story in Tales of Cake and Comfort. Once Upon A Cat follows the same pattern of all the books in The Galamere Chronicles, combining elements of a classic fairytale with a tale of sweet romance.
Nat is a dear green flag of a sunshine character. Thea is often more gruff and serious but I loved how you see more of the side she hides in this book, both in her POV and when she opens up to Nat. Getting through mistakes and misunderstandings of their past to their very own happily ever after was sweet. But I really enjoyed the fun complexitity Nat turning into a cat added to the mix inbetween. I got a good giggle from the menthod of his transformations. The fantasy elememts in the story are light but really add some humorous chaos. The cameos from other characters in the series were fun and the hints from books yet to come had me very intrigued. Once Upon A Cat is a great book if you're looking for a sweet fantasty romance to make you smile.

Some of my favorite quotes! 🥰

he would prefer being a cat with her than being a human without her.
-Once Upon A Cat, by Gabrielle Landi

She wasn’t going to fall back in love with a man who randomly turned into a cat. Though Thea did like cats… so maybe that would be a point in his favor.
-Once Upon A Cat, by Gabrielle Landi



Further details on content
romance: physical Intimacy level 2
Magic: magic is outlawed/thought to be mythical in the world but there are sorcerers and one side character (a MC later in the series) is mentioned as being a herbwitch
Violence: light confrontation
Alcohol: one character owns a tavern

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be still my heart. Cats!

Nat getting cursed to become a cat at sporadic, unpredictable intervals made me laugh so much. His interactions with Ginger were purrfect. I have been hoping for Nat and Thea’s happily ever after since reading the Tales of Cake and Comfort omnibus (my love for which has been revived now that their story is complete), and I’m so glad they finally got it. Their story was everything I’d hoped for and more.

Thea and Nat have both been hurt by the past. When the main characters realize how they both unintentionally hurt each other, there's guilt, tears, and remorse, but they are determined to forgive, heal, and move on. Nat’s patient care and protectiveness towards Thea merged well with Thea’s nurturing nature. I love that they both matured and grew during their time apart, which made their growing back together all the sweeter. Even better, their breakup wasn’t due to toxicity or red flags, which made their second-chance romance healthy and something I could celebrate. Once all misunderstandings are cleared up, their chemistry from Once Upon a Cake is undeniable. Hugs and sweet kisses abound. The overall feeling I get from reading this book is a cozy one, full of healing, forgiveness, and family. This book is perfectly clean in language and content. Highly recommend. There's banter and inside jokes, and really everything that makes the tone and mood distinctly Landi's: a perfect blend of seriousness with wholesomeness.

*I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Cozy Sabie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"While he wouldn't have chosen to spend his days with her as a cat, he would prefer being a cat with her than being a human without her."

GENRE: Cozy Fantasy
RATING: 4.25/5
FORMAT: eBook Arc
Tropes: A Frog Prince Fairytale Retelling

Overall Impression: We FINALLY get to read Thea and Nathaniel's Story and it was SO worth the wait!

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Review:
What a lovely cozy fantasy! We have heard about Thea and Nathaniel's story throughout the interconnected books in the Galamere Chronicles and it was worth reading their story at long last!

I think this story is a good development of what we know about Thea, as the cafe owner and centres her and Nathaniel well. It builds up on what we know about them from the previous novella and their mentions throughout. I thought the way we got to see why they stopped talking to each other and getting to know more about Nathaniel's brother and WHY he did what he did was fun!

This is a cozy fantasy filled with humour and fun time as Nathaniel turns into a cat and the interaction with Ginger was so fun and had me laughing! I cant wait to read more about what happens when they go on their honeymoon.

Thank you to the author for the Arc copy!

[Victoria (hotcocoaandbooks) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
Maybe I should have read the novellas that are included in this series, since, while I had been reading this book, I saw that the couple in this story are talked about in the novellas as being the main characters in those. I guess I'll have to backtrack now (I have read all the "normal" books in the series up until now).

Something fell flat for me while I was reading this story. The Frog Princess was always one of my favorite faerytales growing up (I was little, long before the animated Disney movie came out, which I also didn't care for). Frogs are my favorite animal. BUT, this tale is not about a frog at all, but a cat instead, while supposedly being a retelling of The Frog Princess. Right there, you lost me. Give me my frogs! Cats are sweet though too.

Thea runs her cafe quite well but could use some help. She has always had feelings for Nathaniel/Nat, but there has been distance between them in the past decade or so. A lot happened in between. Nat owns the building that she rents to run her cafe, so he comes in from time to time with flowers while collecting rent. When he has a spell cast on him by a customer, he turns into a cat. Sometimes he changes back into his human form. He and Thea try to figure out how to break the spell. Their relationship seemed very cute, but this story wasn't as good as the other ones. I feel let down.

content: there is mention of an "herbwitch" at one point, trying to figure out tonics to reverse a spell.

[Anais (atrailofpages) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very sweet and clean romance. Nat and Thea met each other and fell in love years ago, and fell out of it, and this book is their second chance at a romance with a cursed twist.

I love cats. I’m obsessed with them. So of course I’m going to read a book about someone being cursed to become a cat. Sounds like a dream come true 😆

Like I said, this is a very sweet romance. Nat and Thea are everything. They’re so adorable together.

I love the friendships in here and characters we’ve met in prior books we see again in here.

I also, of course, love the cats, or Ginger the cat and her brief hope at romance with Nat the cat 😆 That was too cute.

Overall a very cute story. I do think it dragged a bit with some repetition, even though it was a short book, it just seemed like scenes were repeating themselves and I think it’s because resolution happened very quickly at the start and it did focus on relationships, but again, scenes and words and conversations were repeated a few times. Not a big deal, I still thoroughly enjoyed the cute story.

Thank you to the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to @landiwrites for this ARC!
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My rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ (4.75 stars rounded up to 5)
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I absolutely fell in love with Nathaniel and Thea when I read their novella Once Upon A Cake (which you can read right now in Tales of Cake and Comfort) and have been eagerly awaiting their book ever since. This might be my favorite book of this series thus far, and that's saying something because I have loved them all. Nathaniel and Thea are adorable together and you can feel their deep love for each other even through the hurt of their past. The way that Nat would do anything for Thea, to prove that he still loves her and wants her back or even just to help her because he knows that she gives so much of herself and often forgets to take care of herself. You can feel the yearning from both of them. Like every other book in this series, this one had me squealing and giggling and kicking my feet. And I do mean giggling, it was genuinely so funny. Also, Nathaniel with the orphans was the cutest thing ever. I adored this Frog Prince retelling. If you haven't gotten into this series of adorable, cozy fairytale retellings - now is the time!

[Jacquelyn 💐 {This Rapunzel Reads} [Jesus Christ, my Living Hope] · Rating 5 out of 5]

🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈

I received this ebook arc from the author. This was absolutely adorable and I loved it! I devoured it in one sitting right before bed. This is my first time reading Gabrielle Landi and it most certainly will not be the last! This was such a fun twist on the Frog Prince with a cat! 😂 If you love cats, this book is for you! Thea was a sweetheart and I adored her character! It was so neat to read about the baking and the bakery. Nat was great! I haven’t read too many books with a red hair MMC so I loved that about him! They were just perfect for each other once they finally admitted it and forgave each other. I loved all the illustrations throughout the book…they had such life and color! Two minor things to note: there is one use of the word freaking and then a mention of a witch, but she isn’t one. I can’t wait to get a physical copy! I definitely recommend this book and can’t wait to go back and read the earlier ones in the series! I also can’t wait to read the next book in this series! If you love fairytale retellings, sweet romance and banter, cats and happily ever after, this book is for you!

🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈

[Simone Gremillion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once Upon a Cat by Gabrielle Landi is a Princess and the Frog fairy tale retelling with a second chance romance and some magic thrown in. This is book 4 in the Galamere Chronicles. I would recommend reading this for anyone who loves fairy tales.

Thea Greene runs a cafe run out of a building her ex owns. Nathaniel is so happy to see Thea again but can’t understand why she puts him off and doesn’t want more to do with him than paying her rent. Doesn’t he get that her writing all those letters for so long and him not responding would be a good reason to not want anything to do with him?

When he tries to protect her from a man trying to come into the cafe, the man turns him into a cat. How will they break the curse and maybe, finally be together as they both secretly hope?

This land is filled with magic but only those that have been affected by it know it exists. I would say that this can be read by younger readers as it is a sweet story of found again love. Each book can be read as a stand alone.

#arcread #secondchanceromance #fairytaleretelling #fairytaleromance #sweetromance

[Kaitlin M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A creative second-chance romance retelling of the frog prince!

Thea and Nathaniel fell in love when they were young and working in her parents’ bakery. When family troubles called Nathaniel back home he said he’d come back to her as soon as possible, but he never did.

After losing her parents, Thea moves to a small town to start all over when she discovers that the man she loved all those years ago lives in that same town.

When Nathaniel is cursed to spontaneously turn into a cat, his attempts to win Thea back become even more difficult. As he navigates the magical transformations and seeks to heal his relationship with Thea, she discovers his curse and they begin working together in order to break the curse.

Getting to read from the perspective of Nathaniel as a cat was quite amusing. Definitely check out this book if you enjoy fairytale retellings and second-chance love stories!

It was nice to get to watch these two heal and come back together after years of hurt.

Thank you to Gabrielle for including me on her ARC team! I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Leticia · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.

Ever since I read Tales of Cake and Comfort and was first introduced to Thea and Nat's romance, I've been eagerly awaiting the sequel and their second chance. Throughout the other books in the series, we see all of Thea's friends fall in love, while she holds a grudge against Nat for the way he left and didn't communicate, and Nat struggles to show how much he still loves Thea and how sorry he is. So, my first piece of advice is to read the novellas, as the story picks up right where they left off. I also liked that there are elements of magic, which tie in with the unsolved mysteries from the other books, so even though it's a standalone, it would be interesting to read the other characters' books, such as “Once Upon a Rose,” for example.
The romance between Nat and Thea is beautiful, and Nat suffering like a cat is hysterical, especially with Ginger around.
I also liked the way Nat and his brother dealt with their problems and how we will be able to see more about Roan in his own book (I'm looking forward to this one).
The author's writing has improved with each release, and the Galamere universe continues to expand, and I'm still excited to read more. I can conclude by saying that my expectations were exceeded.

I thank the author for the ARC.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was absolutely adorable. These books are perfect for a comfort read or palete cleanser between heavier reads.

I was so excited to pick up Nat and Thea's story. I enjoyed once upon a cake and I couldn't wait for these characters to get their happily ever after.

The cat scenes were absolutely adorable. I loved that Nat was able to interact with Ginger and we got to see more of the Cafe cat's sassy personality.

Parts of this story had me giggling... but it also had its emotional moments. The letters that Nat and The wrote to each other were very emotional at times.

This series is perfect for cozy fans wanting to jump into Fantasy or historical fans wanting to dip their toe into fantasy romance.

While the books are mainly romance, they have a touch of magic that makes them fantastical. It also has all of the small-town charm and quirky side characters that cozy readers adore.

These books are perfect for a cozy day in and I know I will continue to enjoy them as comfort reads. 💙

I received arc/alc from the author. All thoughts are my own.

[Jennie Jae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading the ebook and listening to the audiobook of this super adorable story. It’s my favorite I’ve read by the author (so far) and if you know me, it’s the perfect story for me. Fairy tale retelling✅, Cozy cottagecore vibes✅, Humor✅, Cats!✅, and a sweet romance✅.

The characters all had depth, interesting and unique personalities, and backstories that intrigued me.

I really appreciated the portrayal of a love that held on despite obstacles and fear, and the level of dedication from the MMC was so beautiful it warmed my heart. The romance built up throughout the story, and I couldn’t help but cheer it on!

This book is a sweet, kisses-only romance with humor, heart, and a furry twist on the tale of The Frog Prince. I’m looking forward to continuing the series as they are released!

The ebook contained beautiful illustrations of scenes throughout, that I loved seeing.

The audiobook was fantastically performed and well produced.

I received an ARC and ALC from the author. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.

[OliJaneReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good!! I loved the family healing trope throughout Once Upon a Cat. I also enjoyed that the book focused on men finding women who were good for them and helped them grow.

One worry that I had at the beginning is that I’d get 90% of the way through the book and Nat would still not have revealed that he turns into a cat. We all know the miscommunication trope can be aggravating, but the author does not make us suffer that long. I just wanted to throw that out there if you were worried like I was (😂).

I still have to go back and read the first two books in the series, so I missed out on knowing Thea more. The ideal situation would be to read them in order, but I still fell in love with Thea so it’s not necessary to enjoy the book. Nat was amazing, and I adored the fact that he waited 10 years for her.

The Eugenia and Tom scene was probably the most hilarious part of the book, especially on audio. I laughed so hard. (Once you read, you’ll fully appreciate this comment).

The romance and healing was wholesome, and I can’t wait to read more within the series!

-

I received an ALC of this book, and all opinions are my own!

[Audrey Pearce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute and entertaining fast read that I completely enjoyed!!!!

I loved that the two main characters (Thea and Nat) are not teenagers, but adults that have gone through some life, which was refreshing. Also, the relationship was not toxic (like so many books these days), was actually healthy, and there was no smut, which I knew before reading it.
I am just so thankful to the author, Gabrielle Landi, for writing this book with mature, adult characters that doesn’t involve adult content. I am a Christian and it was refreshing to read something like this book that also has some magic/fantasy elements. Thank you!
As much as I loved this book, I did give it 4 stars. The only reason I gave it 4 stars was because I just wished the book was longer so we could get to know the characters more. Other than that, no complaints. The book was written well and enjoyable, and the characters were relatable.

I was given an ARC copy for free in exchange for a honest review.

[Eviey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Gabrielle for the opportunity to read this as an ARC! This is my honest review:

I was beyond excited to step back into this world and finally see our beloved cozy cat cafe owner get her chance at love. From the very first page, it felt like coming home.

Getting to read more of Thea and Nathaniel was everything I’d been hoping for. After only getting a glimpse of their story before, I was really craving to see how their relationship would continue to unfold. Life pulled them apart, leaving both of them hurt and guarded, and now fate brings them back together again.

Watching their emotional walls slowly come down through small moments, growth, and genuine acts of love was incredibly satisfying. I loved seeing how their connection rebuilt itself naturally and tenderly.

This story gave me strong Princess and the Frog fairy tale vibes, the story is sweet, comforting, and charming. The stakes are low, the atmosphere is cozy, and it’s the perfect read to curl up if you want something cozy to reads! ❤️ Everything just felt warm and right.💛💗

[Marcia - itsabookthing2021 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this novel, I think it's my favourite so far in this collection.
Gabrielle Landi's writing style is so cosy and she certainly knows how to pull you into her story worlds, like a big cosy warm hug. I love reading these novels because I know that I'm gonna get a cosy sweet romance and I'm gonna be left with all the feels. Once Upon a Cat certainly gave me all the feels! I love Thea and Nat, they've had it rough but they are so perfect for each other, I love their interactions they're so life like. I loved the cat curse aspect of this novel Nathaniel makes a very cute cat - going off the description and his actions. I must admit when they started looking for a cure I was secretly hoping it wouldn't work, I don't know I just love the fact he turns into a cat. It makes the whole story more sweet. Everything about this novel I loved and as always I can't wait to read more from Gabrielle Landi.

[✨ may ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once Upon a Cat is a Frog Prince retelling, except this time, he’s well… a cat. And that twist alone makes the story instantly charming. The writing is playful, cozy, and very light, making the whole book feel like a comfort read from start to finish.

The book (the whole series tbh) reminds me of Once Upon a Time TV series, but cozier and sweeter. You know, that soft, feel-good version of a shared fairytale universe. There’s a modern touch blended with classic magic that feels familiar without ever getting boring. This book is the “awww” of reading, or at least of my January reads. Lol

I started with the ebook and didn’t expect to enjoy the audiobook too. It was such a fun, easy listen while working. If you’re looking for something quick, comfy, magical, and genuinely pleasant to spend time with, this one delivers, 💯

—
Thanks to Author Gabrielle Landi for the eARC! Once Upon a Cat officially releases Jan 23! 🫶🏻🫶🏻

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so sweet.

Thea and Nathaniel went through so much they deserved this ending. I loved their story and was so happy to read the end of it.

I felt for them because they thought the other just decided to forget about them when in fact they didn’t. I’m just glad they were able to talk and found out the truth about all those years.

I loved the interactions with all the characters especially Ginger and Nathaniel. Poor Ginger she had to be so confused.

That epilogue has me thinking and I can’t wait to see what happens next with some of the other characters.

You could read this book without reading Tales of Cake and Comfort (aka Once Upon a Cafe and Once Upon a Cake this is just the omnibus) but to understand the backstory and the characters you really should read it first.

Overall I loved this book just like the rest of the series! I can’t wait to find out what happens next with this fun group of characters. I read this book as an arc.