Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
From New York Times bestselling author Katy Regnery comes an all-new twist on a beloved fairytale!

In this "Rapunzel" retelling, Bella Capelli, a hair stylist who works on the 32nd floor of the New York Metro Tower Hotel, meets His Serene Highness Prince Nico De'Medici, in town for the wedding of his twin sister, Valentina. Though the two come from vastly different worlds, and Nico is promised to another, the handsome prince can't seem to stay away from sweet Bella. After a whirlwind week of romance, will they manage to find their happily-ever-after?

SHEAR HEAVEN is a 30,000 word standalone novella based on "Rapunzel." Intended for readers 18+ due to scenes of graphic intimacy.

110 pages, Paperback

Published December 3, 2017

113 people are currently reading
761 people want to read

About the author

Katy Regnery

117 books4,273 followers
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katy Regnery has a heart for smart romance featuring strong women and decent men. Almost exclusively self-published, Katy claims authorship of over 60 titles, including three RITA® finalists. Translated into French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, and Turkish, Katy has sold over 1.8 million books worldwide.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
188 (24%)
4 stars
226 (29%)
3 stars
238 (31%)
2 stars
85 (11%)
1 star
21 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
Profile Image for Deanna❤Pink Lady❤️.
820 reviews845 followers
August 17, 2017
4.5 Smiling Stars


Katy Regnery does modern day fairytales like no other. This is her 6th and what can I say, I LOVED IT. It's sweet, romantic, endearing and perfectly matched to Rapunzel. It's a novella but it felt like a full book instead. The author manages to pack a full rounded story in not a lot of pages. Would I have loved more, absolutely!!! But reading the lovely novella was both satisfying and rewarding. It managed to tell a sweet and romantic story of a girl, Bella, with beautiful long hair that was "held a prisoner in velvet chains" by her godmother and a sexy, handsome prince, Nico, that comes along and "helps to set her free".

Romance Lovers, Modern Day Fairytale Lovers, Romantics in General.... this beautiful novella is a must read. It will put a smile on your face and make you believe in Happily Ever Afters!!!

PS- Katy......how about another novella about Nico and Bella in the future? Sorry I had to ask, I want more!!! ❤️❤️❤️

~ Available Aug 22 ~ in the anthology Royally Mine
Have you pre-ordered yet? ONLY $0.99!!!!
~Amazon Universal: http://mybook.to/royallymine
~Amazon US: https://goo.gl/DD4zcb
~Kobo: https://goo.gl/xA9BHQ
~iBooks: https://goo.gl/j1CJNr
~B&N: https://goo.gl/LPyWgk

*advanced copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for AC Book Blog .
1,003 reviews136 followers
December 5, 2017
Shear Heaven by Katy Regnery ~ 5 Stars

“Love is a battlefield”

My God! I’m crying my eyes out. I am a sucker for fairytales and I love this book so much – the characters, their love story and the happily-ever-after. For such a short story, this novella is packed with all the feels. I cried, laughed, swooned and cried again. I have been a fan of Katy for a long time and I cannot even begin to tell you how much all her stories touched my heart in some way. It does not matter if the book is contemporary, fairytale inspired, or a paranormal - each story and their characters bring a special meaning or a message that stay with me long after the last page is turned. I am not surprised I once again fell in love with Nico and Bella in this beautiful piece.

Nico is an Italian prince, also a lawyer in Florence. Nico is visiting NY to celebrate his sister Valentina’s engagement. Bella is a hairstylist who is slaving away in her Godmother’s salon. Bella came to the rescue when Nico could not find any salon open to help style Valentina’s hair. I adore Bella. She is sweet, innocent and sheltered so she does not realize Nico is a real prince. When they first meet, Nico is immediately intrigued by Bella – a breath of fresh air compared to all the greedy ladies who are always vying for his attention. The problem is Nico is as good as engaged to a princess – he will not be married for love. Nico wants to stay away from Bella but there is something special about Bella that he cannot resist. Nico convinces Bella to spend a week with him - promising no kissing and no falling in love. After a week whirlwind romance, will Nico have a change of heart? Can a prince and a country girl find their happily-ever-after?

“She was discovering, minute by minute, that it wasn’t his love for her that would hurt her in the long run. No. It would be her love for him that could destroy her, that could leave a lasting and agonizing mark on her soul.”

I mean what can I say? This is a romance based on Rapunzel. Who does not love a good fairytale right? Nico and Bella are both trapped in a life that has been set forth by their family - “Chattel in velvet chains. Property. A slave. A pet. Cared for in luxury, but far from free.” Nico is about to marry for status and money and Bella is slaving away for the witch godmother with no prospects for a future. Bella wants to give Nico all of herself even if it is temporary but she is scared her heart will shatter after Nico leaves. But in the end Bella realizes that she would rather have a week full of love than a life time of nothing. Geeze! Like I said I cried on so many occasions … This story is full of heart and feels.

“I heard this in a movie once: I’d rather have thirty minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special. That’s how I feel about you. About us.”

I also love Nico’s sister “Serene Highness” – OMG! She is a sassy little thing who does not take no for an answer. She is feisty, spirited, but also sweet. She deserves happiness as well. I would LOVE a story on her.

Shear Heaven is gorgeous guys – beautifully written. Katy continues to amaze us all with her talent for storytelling – another stunning, heartfelt modern fairytale I won’t soon forget.

"I didn’t fall in love with your hair, cara mia. I fell in love with your heart.”

I know I am a little crazy with all quotes but come on! They are all so romantic. This novella is just flawless!

Profile Image for Mizz.
1,074 reviews395 followers
March 5, 2018
"You’re almost engaged."
"But I’m not yet. Elena and I aren’t even dating. We aren’t together at all. Not yet.” He rubbed slow circles in the soft skin of her palm. “Please. Don’t go.”
Profile Image for AvidReader.
1,474 reviews330 followers
January 20, 2018
3.5 stars

Katy Regnery is a marvelous writer. Her books are a roller coaster of emotions , love , passion and angst.
I love this novella which was inspired by Rapunzel’s story. I loved the little quirks she added through out the books. Like heroine’s name, her long hair, their first meeting, how they secretly arranged their future rendezvous etc.
Italy and its culture is also fantastically described in this book. She really did justice to Royal lifestyle their shenanigans.
What I didn’t like was ,hero was already promised to another woman. Even though nothing was official and the author tried her best to convince us of his helplessness in the situation , I wasn’t having it. It remained like a thorn throughout the book. still I liked the hero-heroine. And i wanted closure for his sister’s which didn’t happen in this book ( dont know if she got another book or not).
Recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lynsey A.
1,972 reviews
August 28, 2017
2.5 coulda been better stars

This book was included in a book with lots of individual novellas. It was 99 cents and I grabbed it because I really have enjoyed her fairy tale retelling stories. However, with this one, it wasn't my fave. The story was too short to really get into some available angst and there were things left dangling that really bothered me.



If this had been a full length novel, I think we may have gotten a resolution to some of the things in my spoiler.

I do enjoy her writing and if you want to read a couple of great fairytale retellings, I recommend Don't Speak and The Vixen and the Vet by this same author. Both are full length novels and are very satisfying reads.
Profile Image for DJ Sakata.
3,301 reviews1,781 followers
August 22, 2017
Favorite Quotes:

…there was something about Madame that made refusing unthinkable. And a little terrifying.


My Review:

I much prefer Katy Regnery’s modern-day versions fairytales to the original stories as Ms. Regnery’s are much more fun. To be honest, I really can’t remember much about Rapunzel other than she was locked away in a tower and had extremely long hair. Bella also had exceptionally long beautiful hair but had little time to do much else but clean and sleep in her slave driver/Godmother’s penthouse apartment as she was typically toiling away as an unpaid stylist/receptionist/janitor in her Godmother’s salon. Her prince came knocking on the salon door, begging for assistance after hours in panicked Italian, and her fairytale began. As with all Katy Regnery stories, Shear Heaven was an easy, enjoyable, entertaining, and deliciously spicy read with amusing observations and technicolor details. It was a quick and pleasant escape into a “someday my prince will come” fantasy.
Profile Image for Kim.
2,849 reviews177 followers
December 12, 2017
3.5 stars

Short, sweet, insta-lovey spin off of Rapunzel and an Italian Prince. I enjoyed it, but wish it was longer and had more time for character development. But with that being said it was originally part of an anthology.
Profile Image for The Book Bee.
574 reviews284 followers
August 4, 2017
REVIEW: 4.5 Stars
"Let's not ask for eternity when we have now."


I am at the point that whenever I see Katy has a new fairytale out, I clear my calendar. I have to. Next to her It's You series, this is my FAVORITE series from her and I LOVE every.single.one of the retellings she has done so far. I cannot explain the ease in which she tells a story. The love in which she describes a feeling. The perception in which she makes you fall in love. I love Katy's fairytales. Love. Them. I never roll my eyes at the innocence or the situations, but I read with wonder in my heart. There is such a purity behind her words, a depth mixed with reality, that I don't often encounter and I love it. She just transports me to another world full of innocence, happiness, and love.

This one? It's beautiful, it's simply....magical. I know 'magical' sounds cliché but it's true in this case!! This story was Rapunzel's story, and it was a young at heart, perfectly described version of LOVE, all while maintaining the backstory originally laid out, but completely modernized. Katy is one of those rare authors that can articulate so well in her writing. I think one of my favorite things about her writing is that she is so descriptive in such a way that I can't help but 'watch' it play out. She just makes you remember the giddiness of falling in love. The reason for true love. It's all right here....in her words. Seriously, she breaks it down just like that. I love that she manages to add some heat and swooniness to a fairytale, but it's fitting and so real. There is actual depth to her stories and I love that she can do all that with a fairytale. I promise you will smile!!

My thoughts: Nico is trying to come to terms with duty vs reality, want vs need, and love vs station, and when Bella catches his eye, it's a beautiful love to witness blooming. Bella struck a chord with him. She made him see colors in a dull world. She brought to life his very breath he needed to exist and I felt so caught up in their whirlwind romance that I was smiling the entire time I read it. I loved the urgency in their feelings, the stolen moments, the secret dates. The need to be around each other and just feel content. It was so sigh-worthy.

"Falling for someone isn't safe. It's...exhilarating and wonderful. And yes, I'd rather have it than not. But you must allow me these moments of sadness. Of knowing that what I have now is so perfect yet so finite."

If you haven't read any of her fairytales, you are truly missing out. If you liked fairytales when you were younger, you will most definitely like these ones as an adult. Katy adds reality and heat to her stories, while still maintaining the purity of the fairytale atmosphere; something that just makes me smile. I literally wanted to queue the birds, the fluttery hearts, and dance in twirls with my hands placed upon my heart. And all the Italian in this book? I giggle thinking about it, but I read every word with an accent. HAHAHA! I loved this one!!

While this is a novella, it clearly redefined the term because Katy told a complete story chock full of emotion and wonder. I never felt it was too short (well, I could have kept reading their story!), and I never felt the length took away from the depth of the story.

All in all, Katy's words feel beautiful and her stories feel otherworldly....as in a fantastical fairytale world. Innocence abounds, love is pure, and the heart is vulnerable. I don't like a lot of innocence in my books, but I love Katy's magical fairytales. I love how she transports me and makes me remember the magic of the truth in love.

"He tasted those lips, and it had only whetted his appetite further."

I do not promote anthologies because I personally do not like them, but this is available in the Royally Mine anthology. BUT it will be coming separately in December, which I fully recommend you purchase it then. I will also be gifting copies on release day on my Facebook Blog Page.
Profile Image for Rachel.
1,628 reviews27 followers
December 13, 2017
A Rupunzel retelling, I was hoping for more from Shear Heaven. I have loved all of the Modern Fairytale series, and will continue reading them, but this one fell short. I was hoping for a full length and had a hard time wrapping my mind around the pacing of the novella.
Profile Image for CeCe.
3,612 reviews109 followers
December 20, 2017
2.5 Stars
I paid $2.99 for this and I regret it. I knew it was a novella when I bought it, so I had no issue that it was short. However, it was too sweet, too bland. There was no substance. I have read books that were shorter where I felt more of a connection than I did to this book.

My opinion. You may love it. I barely finished it.
Profile Image for Stacie.
2,555 reviews274 followers
December 4, 2017
Super sweet. Liked it a lot!! Happy reading.
Profile Image for Tami Talbert.
455 reviews17 followers
August 15, 2017
I’m head over heels in love with Katy Regnery’s new fairytale romance, Shear Heaven. I mean, really? What’s not to love? With a handsome Italian prince as our hero and a beautiful, sweet and kind-hearted young woman as our heroine who fall madly in love with each other. Then you add Ms. Regnery’s astounding story-telling genius and BAM! You have a magical love story that makes your soul swoon and leaves your heart fluttering long after you’ve turned the final page.

After losing both of her parents in an accident in Italy, Bella is relocated to New York to live with her Godmother working for her at a renowned salon in a New York hotel. Bella never complains despite the unrelenting fierceness of her Godmother who forces her to work long hours both at the salon as well as taking care of the suite in which they live. Though Bella is never paid for all of her hard work, she naively accepts her fate believing that one day the shop will be hers to run.

Nico is a prince from Italy visiting New York with his twin sister awaiting the arrival of the woman his family has arranged for him to marry. Though he is not in love with her, in light of the precarious situation with his families’ finances back home, he is ready to fulfill his duty as Prince and marry the woman for the wealth her family.

Bella and Nico meet when she comes to the rescue helping with his sister’s coiffure, and the connection their soul’s share is immediate. Nico is intrigued with her sweet and fresh qualities which are in such contrast to all the other women he meets, as well as the innocence she exudes while not recognizing him as a prince but simply as a man. Bella is also quickly taken with Nico as she had never before felt the connection and deep awareness that he makes her feel.

Though Nico and Bella endure their lives of obligation and responsibility, the moments they share together as they begin to fall in love teases their hearts (and ours) with what life for them could truly be. Are they destined to remain within the confines of their own worlds, or will they finally be able to break free and spend the rest of their lives together in each other’s arms and hearts?

At the risk of repeating what others have said, Katy Regnery entitled this novella absolutely perfectly, as Shear Heaven is most certainly what it is. Once again she has given us wonderful and fascinating characters, including Nico's sassy sister, such that we can picture ourselves being good friends with all of them. Ms. Regnery's creative genius has also given us the villain that we positively love to hate even to the point that we might shake our iPad from time to time in shear frustration. Ms. Regnery’s magical storytelling abilities once again transported me to an entirely new universe where my mind and my heart remained even after the turning of the final page. Very, very well done Ms. Regnery.
Profile Image for Bianca.
529 reviews62 followers
August 20, 2017
I love fairytales as much as everyone else, but there’s something about this author’s writing that makes her stories magical. Her words mesmerize you. Lyrical. Fascinating. This fairytale loosely based on Rapunzel is one not to be missed.

Italian prince and lawyer, Nico meets Bella when he is frantically searching for someone to help his sister get ready for her upcoming (as in a few hours) engagement party. In his haste to get Bella’s help as a hairstylist, he cannot dismiss how drawn he feels to her. But he is promised to someone else. He ignores the connection knowing it will lead to nowhere. Until he makes a request of her time. No expectations. But how long can unequivocal love go unnoticed?

Nico and Bella have so much in common. Although a novella, the depth of this story is unreal. Their love transcending and full of hope and inspiration. Their circumstances are no match for their love and all it is meant to be. Beautiful, sexy, and absolutely moving, this story has it all.
The writing is simply unmatched in it’s artistry. Spellbinding in it’s execution. This book is a testament to the author’s talent in writing about love no matter the length of the story.

As someone that is not a fan of novellas, this one absolutely blew me away. Usually they’re too short. Not enough time in allowing me to connect to the characters. But that was not the case with Shear Heaven. I was unquestionably hooked from the very first page. Nico and Bella are like magnets. Their chemistry simply radiates off of the pages. I laughed, I cried, I loved every moment of this book. The beauty of this story lies in the manifestation of not only the poignant storyline but also the stunning characters. This story is love in the most absolute and unadulterated form.
Profile Image for Michele.
1,697 reviews
June 1, 2020
What can I say? Katy Regnery's books are always a home run for me! Shear Heaven was a novella that packed a punch! I loved that it was based on Rapunzel. It was definitely a "love at first sight" story...but it's a novella...so, it kind of has to be. That said, it was well done in that the story and characters were fully developed. I fell in love with Nico and Bella as a couple. Their romance should have been impossible. They had many things stacked against them...but fate was on their side. They find a way to make it work out...but it isn't easy.

Profile Image for Lori R..
1,410 reviews71 followers
June 1, 2020
Loved this!
This Rapunzel retelling done Katy Regnery style was short and sweet and charming. Just what I wanted and needed.

Bella and Nico’s chemistry was instant and it was strong. The week they spent together was romantic and full of swoony feels.

Even though it’s a quick read, it’s full of heartwarming goodness that left me smiling big and believing in fairytales.
Profile Image for Amy.
1,080 reviews16 followers
October 30, 2018
I wished we had gotten a little more closure with her "godmother". It seems like there could have beenmore with that.
Profile Image for Donna.
1,398 reviews33 followers
October 17, 2021
quick novella

This was a quick, sweet read. Prince charming comes in and sweeps Bella of her feet. A rags to riches type of read with mild heat.
Profile Image for Jenny - Book Sojourner.
1,493 reviews173 followers
August 22, 2017
'Shear Heaven' was such a treat! This is a sweet novella that packs a heartfelt punch. I loved this creative twist on the story of Rapunzel. Bella is this lovely girl, inside and out, "trapped" in a tower, and Nico is this dashing prince, trapped in his life as well. When these two meet, the chemistry cannot be denied. But in true fairy tale form, there might be true love, but there are also true obstacles stacked against them. I found their story touching (seriously, they were so sweet and lovely and perfect for each other), and frustrating (because, you know, in every fairy tale there has to be a villain, and this one was a real meanie), and the perfect ending (awww, I love them!). Rapunzel and her sweet Prince were a delightful, romantic treat.
Profile Image for Shelby (BookLoversHaveMoreFun).
1,349 reviews42 followers
August 5, 2017
If I didn't know beforehand that this was a novella, I NEVER would've guessed. Shear Heaven made me a complete MESS. Not only was it a modern retelling of Rapunzel, but also combined with Romeo and Juliet. The love between Nico and Bella was so POWERFUL it brought tears to my eyes. I don't re-read books, but I might have to re-read Shear Heaven until Katy graces us with her next Fairytale.
Profile Image for Mel.
803 reviews66 followers
August 20, 2017
4.5 "happily-every-after" stars!

Shear Heaven by Katy Regnery is a beautiful twist on the classic fairytale, Rapunzel. This original, sweet little novella is sure to warm your heart and place a smile to you face. Though short in length, it is not short on feels. Captivating and fast-paced, it was easy to get lost in this fairytale, dreaming of a happily ever after.

Since her parents passed away four years ago, Bella has been living with and working for her godmother, the owner of the world-famous Innsbruck Salon and Spa. Understaffed and over worked, it’s a less than ideal situation for Bella who dreams of better things.

One evening while closing the spa, a man shows up in need of a hair stylist for his twin sister's engagement party. After Bella hears the desperation in Nico's voice, she is unable to refuse his request and comes to their rescue unaware that Nico is an Italian prince.

The moment Bella and Nico meet, there's a spark. They have a connection that is simple and pure, yet the situation couldn't be more complicated. His family has hit hard times and their fortune is not as large as it once was. Marrying for love is out of the question when a royal union would fix all of Nico's problems.

I loved this novella. It’s a charming story with wonderful characters. Bella was beautiful inside and out. She had a huge heart and was genuinely sweet. She was innocent and naive but still had hopes and dreams. I loved that she did not shy away from her attraction to Nico even if she knew her heart would break in the end.
She was discovering, minute by minute, that it wasn’t his love for her that would hurt her in the long run. No. It would be her love for him that could destroy her, that could leave a lasting and agonizing mark on her soul.

Nico made me smile and I absolutely adored him. He is so sweet and totally swoony worthy. The way he treated Bella and the things he did for her warmed my heart. I loved that even though he had a soul crushing decision to make he still went all in for Bella knowing it would end in heartbreak.

Nico and Bella are a match made in heaven. Though they are from two different worlds, they fit together perfectly. It was easy being together and each one was exactly what they other wanted out of life. I loved that Bella's calmness and sincerity was what Nico needed, and Nico gave Bella the experiences she longed for. Their desires were so beautifully described that I felt their yearning deep down. They have a whirlwind romance full of passion where love conflicts with duty and yet, they made the most of their time together.
“Let’s not ask for eternity,” she said softly, “when we have now.”

I felt the devastation when they could not be together and I had tears glistening along with Bella and Nico. I was nervous as the ending neared praying for an answer to their heartbreak.
She would choose wonderful with him, and suffer unwonderful without him later.

Though I'm not always a fan of love at first sight, when it's done right, it's beautiful. I loved watching Bella and Nico fall in love and I fell right along with them. My heart fluttered and my breath hitched. The emotions were strong and realistic even if it was insta-love. As a short story it's understandable that things had to progress quickly and I loved the way they did.

Shear Heaven is romantic and sweet. It's a wonderful addition to Katy's ~a modern fairytale~ collection and will make you believe in fairytales.

*ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*


Profile Image for Selma.
487 reviews99 followers
August 23, 2017
5+ stars

Once again Katy Regnery has cast her magic spell on me by seducing my heart and mind with her beautiful and poignant writing. Shear Heaven was absolute perfection in my eyes. This novella was well-paced with an entertaining plot and very intriguing characters. This modern fairytale is inspired by Rapunzel and was truly a unique and epic love story about a sweet hair dresser from Switzerland and a handsome Italian prince who meet in New York and soon after fall deeply and irrevocably in love with each other.

Stories like this one are food for my soul. As a hopeless romantic I'm a sucker for a love story where the hero and heroine have to overcome some obstacles that seem unsurmountable in order to find happiness and stay together forever.

22 year old Bella Capelli is working at her godmother's salon in New York Metro Tower hotel where she meets one night his Seren Highness Prince Nico De'Medici who asks for her help. His twin sister Valentina is in town for her engagement party and in dire need of a hair stylist. Bella, who is a very kind-hearted young woman, agrees to save the day not knowing who she is dealing with. Nico can't get the beautiful woman out of his mind although he is supposed to marry another Royal. This bond should benefit his family politically and financially since they are nearly broke. Bella has always dreamed about seeing more of the world than only the Tower hotel where she is held like a personal slave by her mean and bitter godmother. When Nico starts to woo her against all common sense she agrees after a moment of hesitation on a week long romance knowing very well that she is going to hopelessly fall in love with him.

"I heard this in a movie once: *I'd rather have thirty minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special.* That's how I feel about you. About us."

I adored Bella and Nico! She was such a hard-working, honest and good person. Bella was pure in every sense of the word. For a man like Nico she was like a breeze of fresh air in a world full of pretenses and superficiality. Bella admired Nico for his loyalty towards his family and his sense of responsibility. She loved that despite his noble origin he was a caring and understanding person.

These two are going to make you swoon - especially when they talk in Italian, their mother tongue, to each other. You will get emotionally involved with their story from the beginning and pray for them to break free from the shackles the society and their families have bestowed on them.

I recommend this fantastic novella from the bottom of my heart. It's the perfect short read to immerse yourself into. If you are a fan of fairytale retellings than this is the right book for you! Grab it and enjoy this little gem. Thank you Katy for this unforgettable reading experience!
Profile Image for Sejla.
552 reviews63 followers
August 23, 2017
It's not a secret that I'm a huge Katy Regnery fan! Her words are life. I need them like the air I breathe. There is something exceptional about her writing that touches me on such a deep level that I can not only read her words, but truly feel them. I knew one thing before going into Shear Heaven: it's a modern retelling of the fairytale Rapunzel. Of course I was intrigued to see what Katy will do with this story. And oh boy did she nail it!!! I got goosebumps and sobbed several times through this book. At times I cried because it was sad and tragic, but other times I cried because of the sheer beauty of Katy's words. Nothing makes me more happy than books that make me escape into a magic world for a while. Katy's modern fairytales are the best example for that.

Bella Capelli is a beautiful twenty-two years old hair stylist who works on the 32nd floor of the New York Metro Tower Hotel at the Innsbruck Beauty & Spa that belongs to her godmother. This is where she meets his Serene Highness Prince Nico De'Medici, an Italian prince with blue eyes. Nico is in town for the wedding of his twin sister, Valentina. Though the two come from very different worlds, the handsome prince can't stay away from sweet Bella with the dark long hair. Her open and honest personality attracts him. She is like a breeze of fresh air in the shallow and materialistic world he was born and is still living in. They promise each other to not fall in love, considering that Nico is promised to another because of money. All they have is one week, so they decide to make the best of it. But the heart wants what it wants and they both break their promise. What will Nico choose? True love or obligation to his Royal family?

Bella was beautiful inside and out. Her name truly suits her! I loved how honest she was. She was a very hard working young woman with own dreams. Nico loved her humble and genuine persona and cherished her innocence. I hated how her evil godmother was using her and treated her like a slave.

Nico was a true Italian prince: charming, with perfect manners and absolutely gorgeous!!! Every time he spoke Italian to Bella my heart was melting and my belly was full of butterflies. That guy worshipped the ground she was walking on and never cared about her different background.

"I didn't fall in love with your hair, cara mia. I fell in love with your heart." (*swoon*)

I'm giving this brilliant novella 5+ stars with a sparkling princess tiara on top! This beauty is going straight on my top favorite reads shelf. If you haven't had the chance to read Shear Heaven, then please do it now! Great job Katy Regnery.
Profile Image for Bookgasms Book Blog.
2,863 reviews1,564 followers
August 13, 2017
I am a huge - HUGE fan of Katy Regnery's modern fairytales. A couple of them go down as some of my favorite books of all time. So I was beyond excited to get an early copy of Shear Heaven, a re-telling of the Rapunzel fairytale and, you guys? This might be the most fairytale-iest of all the fairytales.

It's a novella, so it's an easy, fast-paced read which also means that things move very quickly. This is something I sometimes struggle with in novellas and there were some moments early on where I had some trouble keeping up with the rapidly developing feelings between Nico and Bella. But the whole premise is so earnestly sweet and breathtakingly romantic that it ultimately didn't take my heart long to jump on board. Nico and Bella were literally the ultimate fairytale - sweet, swoony, and desperately in love, and there went my heart, right along for the ride.

There are no lemons in this incredible series. Shear Heaven can be read in one sitting, and frankly that's probably how you'll read it - whether you plan it that way or not - because Ms. Regnery's words are as captivating and enchanting as ever and this was another effortless hit for me! ~ Shelly, 4.5 Stars
Profile Image for Maida.
Author 15 books463 followers
September 15, 2017
Four sweet stars.

Once upon a time...And they lived happily ever after.

Shear Heaven doesn't make any pretensions of being anything else but a fairytale retelling. There's a charming prince for a hero, an innocent virgin as a heroine, and a wicked witch of a godmother. Patterned after Rapunzel, it works here as part of an anthology and as a standalone novella. It's light on angst, a good palate-cleanser to read between Katy's edgier and darker adaptations.
Profile Image for Carmen Aquino.
292 reviews28 followers
November 27, 2017
3.5 stars.

Come una fiaba Shear Heaven è una novella dolce e romantica.

Nico e Bella si incontrano nel momento più appropriato.
Nicolo De Medici avvocato e principe a Firenze è a New York per il fidanzamento di sua sorella Valentina e ha urgente bisogno di una parrucchiera. Caso vuole che nello stesso grattacielo ci sia il salone dove lavora Bella.
Bella Capelli non è solo una parrucchiera ma la tuttofare del salone e presto capisce che la sua vita è una trappola creata dalla Madrina che la tiene al guinzaglio e non le da libertà di scelta.

Dopo la morte dei suoi genitori si è trasferita a NY ma nonostante siano trascorsi 12 anni non sente casa questa nuova città.
I sentimenti di appartenenza e familiarità, invece, li sente quando è in compagnia di Nico, quando parlano in italiano di vini e dei luoghi che hanno visitato.
Sa, però, che questa settimana con l’affascinante principe sia unica e temporanea, il ragazzo promesso alla principessa della Grecia dovrà partire a pochi giorni dal loro primo incontro. Nico nonostante faccia un lavoro che ami e conduca una vita serena è in trappola come Bella e deve rispondere a degli obblighi regali.

“Let’s not ask for eternity... when we have now.”


La loro breve relazione è quello di cui avevano bisogno i due ragazzi per capire i loro veri desideri.

Le novelle sono letture brevi che ti caricano d’emozioni ma che molto spesso ti lasciano a bocca asciutta, infatti avrei voluto scoprire ancora altro di questi personaggi e vedere risolte meglio alcune situazioni.

Ringrazio Katy Regnery per avermi dato la possibilità di leggere questo libro e spero di esserle stata d’aiuto il più possibile.
Profile Image for UltraMeital.
1,283 reviews49 followers
December 18, 2017
4.5 Stars

Truly an endearing story. Every page, ever passage in this one feels like the fairytale that it is. I admit I don't think I've ever read or seen the story of Rapunzel but really it makes no difference, I FELT our little princes locked in a tower even if it was a grand hotel and even though she technically wasn't unable to step foot outside of it. She was still trapped. My heart broke for her, for the miserable life she had to live with the sad circumstances that led to it.

Bella Capelli have been working for her godmother for the past few years, ever since her parents died in a car accident. Her godmother and her mother used to be best friends in high school but the years apart and the distance from the small town in Switzerland the grew up in to New York city where her godmother have been building her salon empire shows us a woman who is determined to work Bella to the ground, using her as much as she can and practically enslaving her to her job and herself.

Bella meets Prince Nico De'Medici when he is in a desperate need for a hair dresser for his twin sister Valentina. It's closing time and Bella is cleaning up the place after hours so he's lucky to find her. There's a connection between the two right from the very first moment, The little time they share together, those stolen moments they manage to share shows the both of them true happiness. For Bella it's the first time she can feel a little free, enjoy the world around her and especially the charming Nico who is actually a REAL prince from Italy. For Nico it's experiencing the sort of realness he didn't think he could ever have. His family might be royalty but they are also broke... which leaves him and his sister with the unfortunate destiny of marrying a rich spouse to make up for their parents greedy life style (actually for Valentina it's even MORE complicated).

I enjoyed seeing Bella and Nico fall for one another little by little, though in a way it was quick and quicker. They were each other's refuge for sure. In the end I liked that both found their way to do what they truly wanted each on his own. It wasn't about Nico saving Bella or the other way around, it was both of them realizing what they want is important enough, THEY are important enough to live happily. There's always a price to pay, but sometimes it's just worth it.

This one was just a short novella. Took me too long mostly because I didn't have any time to read! I'm still struggling with my free time which is why I'm only writing my review now. Sorry for that.. I really enjoyed this one, amidst the storm my busy life have been, a fairytale is the best way to relax. I admit it was at times a little too kitschy but it also fit with everything this short novella have been - a true fairytale.

I LOVE Katy's Modern Fairytales. They are each so different yet they bring a realness to these fairytales I more than enjoy reading. Can't wait for the next ones!

More Reviews HERE
description
Profile Image for Tiffany Willams.
583 reviews31 followers
August 25, 2017
"Bella, since meeting you last night, you're all I can think about. And...I want to spend as much time as I can this week with you. While I'm still...free."
"Why? Why me?"
"Because your beautiful and fun, and you don't treat me like a prince. Because you give great advice and make me laugh, and when I'm with you, the weight of the world slips from my shoulders. I promise not to kiss you, or fall in love with you, or try to make you mine..."

BE STILL MY FAIRY TALE LOVING HEART!!!

Katy Regnery blows my mind with every single Modern Fairytale book she writes! She ties in the original stories we all love and twists them in a way that makes them more relatable. It makes you feel like you are living within a fairytale yourself<3

Reading Bella and Nico's story made my heart flutter so many times!
Bella is stuck under her horrible aunt's controlling ways, but with one look from Nico, she wishes for so much more.
Nico, with the help of his sister, bring Bella out of her high tower and into the world she only could see from her windows. She's finally living, and it's beautiful.

"I want as much time with you as I can have."
"Me too."
"But I might get sad."
"Me too."

This might be a novella, but I felt like it was a full length novel! Your mind is immersed into their world and you don't want to come out!

I swooned and sighed, and then swooned some more.
Not afraid to say I got a little emotional too. It just hit me right in the feels!!

Katy, you have done it once again!!
Thank you for writing these beautiful stories that capture our hearts fully! <3

"Did she have any idea how beautiful she was? How welcome she was in his lonely life?"
Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.