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Midnight Sisters

Sarah E. Boucher (Goodreads Author)

4.14 · Rating details · 22 ratings · 13 reviews

Do not meddle with the master’s daughters.

The words rattle around Jonas’s head. What is the punishment again? Death? Dismemberment? Jonas, the newest addition to the gardening staff, can’t recall the exact penalty for breaking the rule. What does it matter anyway? He would never dream of meddling with the Earl of Bromhurst’s haughty daughters.

Until he comes face to face w ...more

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Paperback, 188 pages

Published December 30th 2016

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Average rating 4.14 ·

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· 22 ratings · 13 reviews

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Jan 17, 2017 Katie W rated it really liked it

Shelves: fairytale, romance-clean, historical-romance

I always feel so young at heart when I read a fairytale or a fairytale retelling. I love the magical romance, the adventure, and the moments of danger--these situations engage my imagination. I've always loved the story of the Twelve Dancing Princesses and really appreciated the differences and unique circumstances and events in this variation.

Ariela is the eldest sister and she and gardener, Jonas, form a forbidden friendship. The sisters each want independence from their overprotective father ...more

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Feb 09, 2017 Aimee (Getting Your Read On) rated it really liked it

Shelves: clean, ebook-for-review, fairy-tale-retelling, ya

It's always fun to read a fairy tale retelling. I have to admit that the Twelve Dancing Princesses is probably my least favorite fairy tale and it's been re-done SO many times, I was worried going into this that I might not like it. BUT.

I love how Sarah Boucher changed this into a real life story instead of a fairy tale with magic. The story is told through the eyes of Jonas, a groundskeeper, which is also different. The story fit so much better for me. Everything felt new and different and I li ...more

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Jan 13, 2017 Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2017, clean-read, fairy-tales, received-to-review, romance

I admit, I love when fairy-tales are remade into a new story. The basis of the fairy-tale remains the same, but the author adds her unique perspective and story to create something new.

This is a retake of "The Twelve Dancing Princesses". Jonas is the voice of the story and he is in love with the eldest daughter. Their love is forbidden because the staff is not allowed to speak to the ladies of the manor. When something is forbidden, the more attractive it becomes.

As for another forbidden part of ...more

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Mar 18, 2017 Tressa (Wishful Endings) rated it really liked it

Shelves: clean-reads, fairy-tale, ya, ya-fantasy-paranormal, 2017

MIDNIGHT SISTERS was a young adult historical romance based on the Grimm's The Twelve Dancing Princesses. It felt a little magical even though their was no magic involved. Overall, a sweet romance with a few exciting moments of danger and endearing characters.

I loved Jonas from the start, even if he is a lovesick fool. As the story is told from his perspective and his interaction with the sisters is limited, I didn't have a strong connection to his romantic interest, Ariela, although I liked her ...more

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Apr 12, 2017 Misty Pulsipher rated it really liked it

Sarah's midnight world is filled with beauty and fantasy. Jonas is a steady and relatable, and his inner dialogue keeps us in the moment. The sisters jump off the page in vivid character shades, and the plot is laced with mystery and intrigue. Fun expected twist toward the end!

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Aug 10, 2020 WS_BOOKCLUB rated it it was ok

Shelves: fantasy-adult

Once Upon a Time…there was a reimagining of The Twelve Dancing Princesses. I really liked that fairy tale when I was a child, so I thought I’d give this book a go. It looked to be a far cry from the other recent retelling of this tale, so I was curious about the direction the author would take.

The reader grabs her trusty bookmark and is ready for adventure. The story-line was relatively close to the original tale, with minor changes here and there. The main character is a gardener named Jonas. H Once Upon a Time…there was a reimagining of The Twelve Dancing Princesses. I really liked that fairy tale when I was a child, so I thought I’d give this book a go. It looked to be a far cry from the other recent retelling of this tale, so I was curious about the direction the author would take.

The reader grabs her trusty bookmark and is ready for adventure. The story-line was relatively close to the original tale, with minor changes here and there. The main character is a gardener named Jonas. He has the misfortune to fall in love with one of the king’s daughters, the one thing all the staff is warned against. As he gets to know the princess better, he starts to think he is the only one who can save all of the princesses from both their father and themselves.

There are dangers ahead. Unfortunately, I had a bit of an issue with the main character. Jonas seemed forever surprised that the princess had the ability to be both attractive and intelligent. A misogynist hero isn’t quite to my liking. He was also kind of a jerk to his fellow gardener who was in a similar situation. As for his fellow gardener: he vacillated between using any female who seemed to find him attractive and being a decent guy. He was the most likable character in the book, however. I suppose that sort of says something about the characters.

Magic abounds. While it took a while to get flowing, the story settled into a nice pacing. It was obvious that the author is a fan of the original fairy tale and she carried some of that wonder over to Midnight Sisters. The setting felt very real and was well thought out.

They lived happily ever after? To be entirely honest, this book fell a little flat. I place the blame on the characters. It’s hard to enjoy a book when the characters are so difficult to read about. I don’t mind having a character that’s a little rough around the edges, or even a character that’s a jerk, as long as they aren’t all like that. If you don’t mind wanting to smack each character multiple times throughout the book, Midnight Sisters might be enjoyable for you.

https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.hom... ...more

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Apr 01, 2017 Bonnie (A Backwards Story) added it

Shelves: 2017, fairy-tales

Having previously read and enjoyed Sarah E. Boucher's debut novel BECOMING BEAUTY, a retelling of one of my favorite fairy tales, Beauty and the Beast, I was excited to find out that she was publishing another book--another fairy tale--and that she was once again using one of my favorite tales. This time around, the novel is centered around The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Unlike many other versions of the tale that I've read, this one is based in reality. There is no magic at play. It makes for a
Having previously read and enjoyed Sarah E. Boucher's debut novel BECOMING BEAUTY, a retelling of one of my favorite fairy tales, Beauty and the Beast, I was excited to find out that she was publishing another book--another fairy tale--and that she was once again using one of my favorite tales. This time around, the novel is centered around The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Unlike many other versions of the tale that I've read, this one is based in reality. There is no magic at play. It makes for a unique twist on this story!

The novel is told from the POV of Jonas, a groundskeeper who has been working on the estate for over a decade, since he was a teen himself. Over the years, he has fallen in love with Ariela, even though one of the cardinal rules is to never talk to one of Lord Bromhurst's twelve daughters. In the last six months, however, something has changed. The girls start disappearing at night, and nobody knows why. Ranging from mid-teens to late-twenties, none of the girls ever married, and suitors dried up, but they've started circling the estate once again--and this time, Ariela will definitely find a husband. Jonas can't bear the heartbreak of losing her, but he also can't bear to bring her down to his level when she's used to a better life. But what he CAN do is solve the mystery of where the girls go every night...

I'll admit it: The age thing was a little weird to me. Mid-twenties and your dad is only now insisting you get married? I felt that for the time period, this didn't feel quite right, but I just ignored that part after awhile and let the story take me where it wanted. I thought it was really interesting to see such a "realistic" rendition of this story, one that didn't rely on magic. I don't think I've seen one set in our world before, so that was really intriguing. It was also interesting to have two enamored groundskeepers work together in order to spend time with their lady loves and figure out what they were up to, which kept things interesting!

At the moment, MIDNIGHT SISTERS is a stand-alone, however, there's something that happens at the end that isn't completely tied up. It makes me wonder if there will be a sequel focused on one of the younger sisters--perhaps twisted into a brand new fairy tale (reminiscent of the way Jessica Day George has three novels centered around the twelve sisters). I definitely wouldn't be adverse to this, especially because, with so many sisters, it's hard to get to know any of them very well! Plus, I've got to tell you, I'm especially curious to know more about the scientist daughter, Daniela, since I posted a character sketch of her on the tour last week. Boucher gave us a scene from the sisters' childhood to introduce us to the girls, and I wished Daniela and Janela had been in the book more, though it made me smile when someone commented on the close relationship between the two at one point! ...more

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Jan 12, 2017 Adrienne Quintana rated it really liked it

3.5 stars
While I enjoyed Boucher’s writing style, I had a bit of trouble connecting with the characters in this story. Part of the problem for me was the enormous cast. The story is told from the perspective of Jonas, one of the gardeners who works for Lord Bromhurst, the overbearing father of the 12 dancing girls. I wasn’t familiar with the original story, and only getting to see the girls through the limited, “keyhole” eyes of Jonas didn’t give me a clear picture of any of them.

The plot was we ...more

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Jan 08, 2017 Meagan Myhren-bennett rated it it was amazing

Shelves: adventure, drama, fairy-tale, family, fiction, friendship, mystery, romance

Midnight Sisters
By Sarah E. Boucher

More than a decade ago Jonas Selkirk met Lady Ariela Spencer the eldest daughter of Lord Bromhurst. Now assistant to the Head Gardener - Jonas is still in awe of Lady Ariela though any contact with any of the master's twelve daughters is strictly forbidden. But there is something about Lady Ariela and their few minutes of stolen conversations over the years that give added meaning to Jonas's life.

To Lord Bromhurst his daughters are a means to securing alliances ...more

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Jan 30, 2017 Shelley Wilson rated it really liked it

I’m unfamiliar with the original fairy tale that this novel is based on, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, so I can’t comment on the uniqueness of this re-telling. However, I can say that it is a thoroughly enjoyable book in its own right. I did keep expecting the sisters to disappear into a magical land but I think this was down to the book being placed under the myths and fairy tale category. I think it would be better suited in young adult romance.

I liked Jonas from his first appearance. He is a ...more

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Jan 24, 2017 Tarah rated it liked it

It seems like there are a couple fairy tales that get retold a number of times. Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and The Twelve Dancing Princesses. I love them though, so I keep reading them :) However, something that I really liked about this book was that in all the versions I've read of this story they are all magical or enchanted or something that would classify them (to my way of thinking) as a fantasy novel. Now, I love me some fantasy, but I really appreciated that this version of the st ...more

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Jan 16, 2017 Amanda H rated it it was amazing

I love fairy tale retellings, so I was thrilled to get a hold of this delightful story by the author of Becoming Beauty (another great tale, might I add!). While there is no magic in the stories, they are still such fun! I enjoyed getting to know the 12 mischievous sisters as they seek for some freedom and, at least for some, find true love along the way. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes fairy tales! (or, who just loves an all around sweet story). Two thumbs up!
I received this book fr ...more

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Mar 02, 2017 Melanie rated it really liked it

I really enjoyed this book! I'm so glad I picked it up :)

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About Sarah E. Boucher

Sarah E. Boucher

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When Sarah Boucher's not embroiled in either teaching kindergarten or penning a new fairytale, cute shoes and handbags, cheesy music, movies that cause her to snort while laughing, baking (especially if chocolate is involved), and more British television than anyone this side of the Atlantic has any business watching, keep her entertained.

A native Utahn, Sarah graduated from Snow College and Brigh ...more