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The Kingdom Chronicles #1
Pathways
Eileen has never been interested in love. Ever since her father's abandonment, she's vowed to never experience such pain again. But the enchanted forest has different ideas. When the continuously shifting pathways lead her to a mysterious stranger, Eileen finds her promise to fiercely guard her heart increasingly difficult to keep.
One night when she becomes lost in a storm, the enchanted forest's pathways lead her to the castle, home to the kingdom's Dark Prince, where Eileen finds herself entangled in what many consider an opportunity but which Eileen believes to be a curse: competing for the Dark Prince’s hand through a series of tests that judge one’s royal worth. Eileen is neither royal nor interested in becoming a princess. But the mysterious stranger she met in the woods has his own reasons for helping her succeed, although the cost of his assistance may be too high: that of Eileen's heart, the one thing she's vowed never to give.
Inspired by “The Princess and the Pea” and "Rumpelstiltskin"
One night when she becomes lost in a storm, the enchanted forest's pathways lead her to the castle, home to the kingdom's Dark Prince, where Eileen finds herself entangled in what many consider an opportunity but which Eileen believes to be a curse: competing for the Dark Prince’s hand through a series of tests that judge one’s royal worth. Eileen is neither royal nor interested in becoming a princess. But the mysterious stranger she met in the woods has his own reasons for helping her succeed, although the cost of his assistance may be too high: that of Eileen's heart, the one thing she's vowed never to give.
Inspired by “The Princess and the Pea” and "Rumpelstiltskin"
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2019
1136 people are currently reading
3982 people want to read
About the author
Camille Peters
34 books559 followersCamille Peters was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah where she grew up surrounded by books. As a child, she spent every spare moment reading and writing her own stories on every scrap of paper she could find. Becoming an author was always more than a childhood dream; it was a certainty.
Her love of writing grew alongside her as she took local writing classes in her teens, spent a year studying Creative Writing at the English University of Northampton, and graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in English and History. She’s now blessed to be a full-time author.
When she’s not writing she’s thinking about writing, and when’s she’s not thinking about writing she’s…alright, she’s always thinking about writing, but she can also be found reading, at the piano, playing board games with her family and friends, or taking long, bare-foot walks as she lives inside her imagination and brainstorms more tales.
Her love of writing grew alongside her as she took local writing classes in her teens, spent a year studying Creative Writing at the English University of Northampton, and graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in English and History. She’s now blessed to be a full-time author.
When she’s not writing she’s thinking about writing, and when’s she’s not thinking about writing she’s…alright, she’s always thinking about writing, but she can also be found reading, at the piano, playing board games with her family and friends, or taking long, bare-foot walks as she lives inside her imagination and brainstorms more tales.
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January 20, 2023My debut novel—the first in a series of fairy tale retellings—is very special to me. We’ve been on quite the journey together, one that, despite some obstacles, was overall fun and full of wonder as I watched the characters come to life and share their story with me. I hope those who read my book are able to experience the romance and fairy tale magic I did while writing it. :)
Update 21 October 2019:
After much thought, I decided to revise this book—not a rewrite, but to take the opportunity to make some improvements. Writing is a journey, one that I’ve grown on as I’ve gained more experience. Through writing and publishing books, I’ve not only better learned my craft, but have come to better understand the stories I want to write. There were several things about my debut novel I’d do differently, so I made some changes that make me much happier with it.
What have I changed?
* The original scene where my hero and heroine meet came across not in the way I’d intended, so that has been rewritten.
* Upon my reread, I realized just how quickly I resolved the plot, and just how unsatisfying it was. So the climax has now been extended—both to make the final obstacle my couple has to face in order to be together not as easily resolved, as well as to provide my heroine with an opportunity to fight for what she wants. The new version better reflects my heroine’s growth as a character and I’m much happier with it.
* I’ve woven in more of my heroine’s growth as well as the story’s theme so that I was able to better convey both throughout the book.
* I’ve gone through and cleaned up some of the writing—polishing some sentences, tightening inner dialogue, and omitting some of my excessive romantic beats.
I’ll undoubtedly continue to grow and change as a writer the more books I write, and I’m so excited to see the books I’ll write in the future. Thank you for taking this journey with me.
Update 21 October 2019:
After much thought, I decided to revise this book—not a rewrite, but to take the opportunity to make some improvements. Writing is a journey, one that I’ve grown on as I’ve gained more experience. Through writing and publishing books, I’ve not only better learned my craft, but have come to better understand the stories I want to write. There were several things about my debut novel I’d do differently, so I made some changes that make me much happier with it.
What have I changed?
* The original scene where my hero and heroine meet came across not in the way I’d intended, so that has been rewritten.
* Upon my reread, I realized just how quickly I resolved the plot, and just how unsatisfying it was. So the climax has now been extended—both to make the final obstacle my couple has to face in order to be together not as easily resolved, as well as to provide my heroine with an opportunity to fight for what she wants. The new version better reflects my heroine’s growth as a character and I’m much happier with it.
* I’ve woven in more of my heroine’s growth as well as the story’s theme so that I was able to better convey both throughout the book.
* I’ve gone through and cleaned up some of the writing—polishing some sentences, tightening inner dialogue, and omitting some of my excessive romantic beats.
I’ll undoubtedly continue to grow and change as a writer the more books I write, and I’m so excited to see the books I’ll write in the future. Thank you for taking this journey with me.
January 9, 2025
3 stars ✨ Clean Fiction - Fairytale Retelling
It felt a little like Alice in Wonderland at the beginning! Maybe I’m not super familiar with the tale, but I didn’t quite see the Rumplestitkin (listen, I tried to spell it and autocorrect is being no help) influence. I did see elements of The Princess and the Pea & enjoyed those parts the most. About the halfway point of this book is when those parts entered in and I was much more invested into the story then.
Eileen and Ava (from “The Color Theory” trilogy by Ashley Bustamante) can relate to each other about meeting a handsome—and suspicious—man in a forest. Unlike Elm in that series, Aiden in this book is definitely a morally gray MMC. It should be noted that I definitely prefer golden retriever MMC, so I regarded Aiden with more suspicion than even Eileen did. I can’t say I loved them together, particularly because they need to work on some of their…flaws, for lack of a better word, I thought separately before being in a relationship. But it was the relationship and the other person that broke down walls and taught lessons to the both of them, so I suppose it all worked out well for them. It is a fiction book after all.
Towards the end, there’s a certain reason why Eileen gets mad at Aiden and while I don’t care for the third act-breakup scene, it made perfect sense to me and highlighted that he still has a lot of growing to do. Like, a lot a lot. He was pretty selfish in a lot of ways. I can definitely see why some reviewers called him toxic and I didn’t like him at all at first either. He’s demanding and thinks he’s entitled to knowing about Eileen which made me want her to kick him (but she was too busy fighting attraction so there went my plans).
Definitely more romance than Melanie Cellier’s fairytale books, so I would suggest this books for ages 15/16+, personally. Still very clean, but our main character does meet a suspicious—and handsome—man in the forest and continues to meet him and eventually a romance starts. Which of this was a horror novel or a thriller, the ending would have been very different. 😅 Still not the best advice or suggestion for teen girls, in my eyes despite a happy ending, though.
I loved how she was as dense as a pound cake about his identity. And by loved, I mean pained.
I will say that I didn’t care for how Eileen lied to her mom a handful of times or kept things from her and said she wouldn’t go back to the Forest but did anyway. I know she’s nineteen and an adult, but it felt disrespectful to me and it all worked out for Eileen so there was no consequences (even the guilt of lying or breaking a promise to her mom eventually drifted away from her mind the longer she was around Aiden). It made Aiden feel like a terrible influence on her but I suppose that’s part of the morally gray MMC. Rosie, her best friend, had moments of that rebellious attitude because of her mother locking away her enchanted baking cookbook and picks the lock to get to the book.
So all that said, if you don’t read into the characters, their flaws, and the rough relationship details, it’s an enjoyable and fluffy book. But if you don’t like those elements, if may negatively taint the story for you. It did for me and I had to drop my rating a full star. I will be continuing the series, though, as Prince Liam was hilarious and I am greatly looking forward to reading his story.
Main Content-
The Forest that Eileen loves to explore is an enchanted forest where the paths move and shift like they are alive and she has explored the Forest (and talked to it) for a long time; Eileen and Rosie have been reading a legend about a princess who became part of the forest after her death which gave “it life and a mind of its own” (others say the life is from the Forest leading victims astray and their blood); Eileen feels the Forest urging her and tugging her into it; The Forest can change seasons and Eileen sees it happen; Eileen notes that “It was only by trusting the Forest’s ever-changing paths, despite not knowing where they were leading me, that I’d experienced such a remarkable journey.”.
Eileen’s best friend, Rosie, has an enchanted bakery and talks about/mentions magical baking and spells/potions (including love spells which she would Sue on her own crushes) and a book that has recipes about it all (which her mother has locked away, much to her dismay); Rosie picks the lock (which Eileen says is deceitful, but Rosie says is effective) and makes Eileen truth cakes to take to Aiden (Eileen notices ingredients like unicorn tears, pixie dust, and dragon’s breath); Eileen notices the deceit in making these truth cakes, but Rosie says that a girl has to “use all the resources” at her disposal; Eileen does give him the cakes and eats one herself, feeling the magic wash over her.
Mentions of magic, spells, & some others being cursed; A couple mentions of praying (but not to Whom the prayers are towards).
No major language is said, only phrases like “thank heavens”; Eye rolling & Sarcasm; A few mentions of curses (said, not written including by Eileen and Aiden); Eileen lies pretty frequently (especially about her feelings) & also to her mother (to appease her); At one lie, Eileen apologizes to her mother but knows she’ll still return to the Forest again against her mother’s wishes; Eileen’s mother asks her to promise that she won’t return to the Forest, but Eileen keeps her silence and does not promise it, instead saying that she’s not a child and has to make her own choices; Eileen eavesdrops on a conversation.
Pain, Injuries, & Blood/Bleeding (up to a few sentences).
Eileen is determined not to fall in love or love after her father left one day and despite promising to come back, he never returned (this is a major part of the plot because she doesn’t want to be hurt again by loving someone; Her mother also is incredibly hurt, but believes something happened to him because he would have came back (adding that the joy of love is worth any pain); Eileen is talked to by her best friend and her mother about it pretty often; Eileen thinks that maybe she did something wrong and that’s why he left; Many mentions of all of this as well throughout the book and both her and her mother’s grief (up to a few sentences); *Spoiler* .
Mentions of a mother who died in childbirth & the son not forgiving his younger sibling because she caused her death (Aiden, who is rude to his sister); Mentions of poisons, someone being poisoned and killed, & a rumor of someone being poisoned; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of gossip & rumors; A few mentions of possible executions; A few mentions of eavesdropping; A couple mentions of the sudden death of a sibling; A couple mentions of possible murder (what Eileen is afraid of happening when she first meets Aiden); A couple mentions of champagne at a party.
9 hand/fingers kisses,
2 hair/head kisses,
6 brow/forehead kisses,
1 nose kiss,
1 kiss on her throat,
4 cheek kisses,
4 almost kisses (one lasting a handful of sentences),
7 kisses lasting a sentence,
3 kisses lasting a couple sentences,
3 kisses lasting a few sentences (one including jaw kisses),
1 kiss lasting a handful of sentences,
Remembering kisses (up to a few sentences); After many kisses, Eileen tells Aiden that they need to slow down and he apologizes for rushing her.
Lots of Touches, Hand holding, Embraces/Cuddling, Nuzzling, Dancing, Warmth/Heat, Flutters, Noticing, Nearness, & Smelling (up to a few sentences); Aiden runs his fingers through Eileen’s hair twice and she is affected by it (the first time, he apologizes for not asking first).
Eileen meets a strange man in the forest and while she tries to escape/leave, the Forest listens to him rather than her and keeps her there; The handsome man grabs her wrist, tries to touch her (she slaps his hand away), and gets in her personal space and she fights attraction to him; When Eileen mentions being concerned about her mother and being away from her, Aiden makes negative comments about it (implying she’s an adult and Eileen later snaps out to her mom saying that she’s not a child and has to make her own choices, which hurts her mother’s feelings and she agrees then walks away).
Rosie tells Eileen about using truth cakes on her crushes over the years to see if any of the boys felt anything for her (adding that no harm was done except breaking her heart multiple times); Under the truth cakes, *Spoiler* ; Eileen doesn’t know how she resisted him for so long after their first kiss.
Mentions of kisses, almost kisses, & kissing (including stolen kisses and love’s true kiss); Mentions of romance stories (that Rosie makes Eileen read, also said to have “mushy” content); Mentions of crushes & attraction; A few mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of exes; A mention of her being soaked from the rain and it showing her “tempting curves” (bonus chapter online).
It felt a little like Alice in Wonderland at the beginning! Maybe I’m not super familiar with the tale, but I didn’t quite see the Rumplestitkin (listen, I tried to spell it and autocorrect is being no help) influence. I did see elements of The Princess and the Pea & enjoyed those parts the most. About the halfway point of this book is when those parts entered in and I was much more invested into the story then.
Eileen and Ava (from “The Color Theory” trilogy by Ashley Bustamante) can relate to each other about meeting a handsome—and suspicious—man in a forest. Unlike Elm in that series, Aiden in this book is definitely a morally gray MMC. It should be noted that I definitely prefer golden retriever MMC, so I regarded Aiden with more suspicion than even Eileen did. I can’t say I loved them together, particularly because they need to work on some of their…flaws, for lack of a better word, I thought separately before being in a relationship. But it was the relationship and the other person that broke down walls and taught lessons to the both of them, so I suppose it all worked out well for them. It is a fiction book after all.
Towards the end, there’s a certain reason why Eileen gets mad at Aiden and while I don’t care for the third act-breakup scene, it made perfect sense to me and highlighted that he still has a lot of growing to do. Like, a lot a lot. He was pretty selfish in a lot of ways. I can definitely see why some reviewers called him toxic and I didn’t like him at all at first either. He’s demanding and thinks he’s entitled to knowing about Eileen which made me want her to kick him (but she was too busy fighting attraction so there went my plans).
Definitely more romance than Melanie Cellier’s fairytale books, so I would suggest this books for ages 15/16+, personally. Still very clean, but our main character does meet a suspicious—and handsome—man in the forest and continues to meet him and eventually a romance starts. Which of this was a horror novel or a thriller, the ending would have been very different. 😅 Still not the best advice or suggestion for teen girls, in my eyes despite a happy ending, though.
I loved how she was as dense as a pound cake about his identity. And by loved, I mean pained.
I will say that I didn’t care for how Eileen lied to her mom a handful of times or kept things from her and said she wouldn’t go back to the Forest but did anyway. I know she’s nineteen and an adult, but it felt disrespectful to me and it all worked out for Eileen so there was no consequences (even the guilt of lying or breaking a promise to her mom eventually drifted away from her mind the longer she was around Aiden). It made Aiden feel like a terrible influence on her but I suppose that’s part of the morally gray MMC. Rosie, her best friend, had moments of that rebellious attitude because of her mother locking away her enchanted baking cookbook and picks the lock to get to the book.
So all that said, if you don’t read into the characters, their flaws, and the rough relationship details, it’s an enjoyable and fluffy book. But if you don’t like those elements, if may negatively taint the story for you. It did for me and I had to drop my rating a full star. I will be continuing the series, though, as Prince Liam was hilarious and I am greatly looking forward to reading his story.
Main Content-
The Forest that Eileen loves to explore is an enchanted forest where the paths move and shift like they are alive and she has explored the Forest (and talked to it) for a long time; Eileen and Rosie have been reading a legend about a princess who became part of the forest after her death which gave “it life and a mind of its own” (others say the life is from the Forest leading victims astray and their blood); Eileen feels the Forest urging her and tugging her into it; The Forest can change seasons and Eileen sees it happen; Eileen notes that “It was only by trusting the Forest’s ever-changing paths, despite not knowing where they were leading me, that I’d experienced such a remarkable journey.”.
Eileen’s best friend, Rosie, has an enchanted bakery and talks about/mentions magical baking and spells/potions (including love spells which she would Sue on her own crushes) and a book that has recipes about it all (which her mother has locked away, much to her dismay); Rosie picks the lock (which Eileen says is deceitful, but Rosie says is effective) and makes Eileen truth cakes to take to Aiden (Eileen notices ingredients like unicorn tears, pixie dust, and dragon’s breath); Eileen notices the deceit in making these truth cakes, but Rosie says that a girl has to “use all the resources” at her disposal; Eileen does give him the cakes and eats one herself, feeling the magic wash over her.
Mentions of magic, spells, & some others being cursed; A couple mentions of praying (but not to Whom the prayers are towards).
No major language is said, only phrases like “thank heavens”; Eye rolling & Sarcasm; A few mentions of curses (said, not written including by Eileen and Aiden); Eileen lies pretty frequently (especially about her feelings) & also to her mother (to appease her); At one lie, Eileen apologizes to her mother but knows she’ll still return to the Forest again against her mother’s wishes; Eileen’s mother asks her to promise that she won’t return to the Forest, but Eileen keeps her silence and does not promise it, instead saying that she’s not a child and has to make her own choices; Eileen eavesdrops on a conversation.
Pain, Injuries, & Blood/Bleeding (up to a few sentences).
Eileen is determined not to fall in love or love after her father left one day and despite promising to come back, he never returned (this is a major part of the plot because she doesn’t want to be hurt again by loving someone; Her mother also is incredibly hurt, but believes something happened to him because he would have came back (adding that the joy of love is worth any pain); Eileen is talked to by her best friend and her mother about it pretty often; Eileen thinks that maybe she did something wrong and that’s why he left; Many mentions of all of this as well throughout the book and both her and her mother’s grief (up to a few sentences); *Spoiler* .
Mentions of a mother who died in childbirth & the son not forgiving his younger sibling because she caused her death (Aiden, who is rude to his sister); Mentions of poisons, someone being poisoned and killed, & a rumor of someone being poisoned; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of gossip & rumors; A few mentions of possible executions; A few mentions of eavesdropping; A couple mentions of the sudden death of a sibling; A couple mentions of possible murder (what Eileen is afraid of happening when she first meets Aiden); A couple mentions of champagne at a party.
9 hand/fingers kisses,
2 hair/head kisses,
6 brow/forehead kisses,
1 nose kiss,
1 kiss on her throat,
4 cheek kisses,
4 almost kisses (one lasting a handful of sentences),
7 kisses lasting a sentence,
3 kisses lasting a couple sentences,
3 kisses lasting a few sentences (one including jaw kisses),
1 kiss lasting a handful of sentences,
Remembering kisses (up to a few sentences); After many kisses, Eileen tells Aiden that they need to slow down and he apologizes for rushing her.
Lots of Touches, Hand holding, Embraces/Cuddling, Nuzzling, Dancing, Warmth/Heat, Flutters, Noticing, Nearness, & Smelling (up to a few sentences); Aiden runs his fingers through Eileen’s hair twice and she is affected by it (the first time, he apologizes for not asking first).
Eileen meets a strange man in the forest and while she tries to escape/leave, the Forest listens to him rather than her and keeps her there; The handsome man grabs her wrist, tries to touch her (she slaps his hand away), and gets in her personal space and she fights attraction to him; When Eileen mentions being concerned about her mother and being away from her, Aiden makes negative comments about it (implying she’s an adult and Eileen later snaps out to her mom saying that she’s not a child and has to make her own choices, which hurts her mother’s feelings and she agrees then walks away).
Rosie tells Eileen about using truth cakes on her crushes over the years to see if any of the boys felt anything for her (adding that no harm was done except breaking her heart multiple times); Under the truth cakes, *Spoiler* ; Eileen doesn’t know how she resisted him for so long after their first kiss.
Mentions of kisses, almost kisses, & kissing (including stolen kisses and love’s true kiss); Mentions of romance stories (that Rosie makes Eileen read, also said to have “mushy” content); Mentions of crushes & attraction; A few mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of exes; A mention of her being soaked from the rain and it showing her “tempting curves” (bonus chapter online).
April 4, 2019
I read about 80% of this book and just couldn't read anymore. I put this down a couple times, but thought maybe it was just me. It was not. This book has a lot of promise and I think that is why I kept reading, I really wanted to like it and if it wasn't for the characters I would have. I liked the idea of the forest and the peasant girl losing her father and the prince who comes and falls in love with her. There is a fairy tell retelling of the princess and the pea thrown in and I was so wanting to love this. As a 40 year old woman I just could not stand the mess of characters in this. I guess as I get older I just can't get over a mother who tries to manipulate and control her daughter because of her fear, but when she finds out a mans involved she forgets all her fears and lets her daughter go? Very inconsistent. The main character is a giant mess I couldn't read her mess of a brain for long. Hot and cold and a bit of bipolar made up her character. The writing was juvenile, the movement of the characters and the dialog was just awful. There is promise here but the author needs to study human behavior and get some writing classes under her belt and try again.
I feel awful being this harsh but it must be said! Someone needs to be more honest in this genre.......
I feel awful being this harsh but it must be said! Someone needs to be more honest in this genre.......
February 8, 2019
As I child, I would devour anything that had the word, “Fairytale,” attached to it. Maybe it was the little girl in me, or maybe it was my desire for good to conquer evil and true love to exist. For girls who were just like me to grow up and have their own fairytale and happy ending. It was all so magical and enchanting that I was drawn to it instantly. I wasn’t blind to the fact that hardships exist and life isn’t all fairies and roses but it was the hope for what was to come and that eventually all could be happily ever after.
Flash forward thirty plus years and I’m most definitely not that little girl anymore. But, in my heart I still hold to the beauty of hope and the magical, enchanting and captivating thoughts of good conquering evil and true love existing. I’ve had a few experiences in my lifetime that I’ve learned that it is work and constant perseverance that helps us through the thorny paths and struggles of our real-life fairy tales. There’s “evil” out there pushing against us at many different turns, the “bad guy” or “witch” or whoever are trying to push us off our path and conquer. But I’ve learned that there is hope. It’s beautiful. It may not always finish a scene in our own personal stories the way we want it to but it’s there, guiding us on.
I loved this new fairytale retelling. I loved watching the growth of the characters. If there isn’t growth, it doesn’t seem real to me. Eileen had her world shattered. She learned to guard and protect her heart at all costs. The Forest beckoned to her and gave her solace. Returning there often she travels the pathways it opens up for her. Guiding her where it will and showing her that there is beauty all around her, if she’ll just look.
The opening of this book shows a lot of depth to Eileen’s character, especially her past. It shows her finding peace, even with walling up her heart as a protection from her past. I loved the Forest. I thought it was very clever how the author portrayed the Forest and her beautiful descriptions of the destinations that the pathways lead Eileen to. The writing and descriptions are almost lyrical to me.
Eileen’s friend Rosie had me laughing, shaking my head, planting my face in my hands, laughing…you get the picture. Her antics were great to get Eileen out of her comfort zone. I loved her enchanted bakery and treats. I could definitely use some of those truth loaves. “They’re delicious because truth is the sweetest thing.” Loved that line. I don’t think my family would like me baking up any of those though. They’re very honest with me, but there are moments when I want to know all the thoughts they’re thinking. It would be a very interesting time at my house if those loaves were real.
The Forest definitely loves Eileen, but it has a sneaky side. It forces Eileen and Aiden to continue to cross paths. And boy, oh boy, am I so glad it did. I can’t say anything more about these two. I’m afraid that if I did, I might just ruin something. Y’all, I loved these two! Ok, I’ll admit that at first I wasn’t sure what I was going to think about them. They were grumbling at each other and arguing, but it made perfect sense for the situation. You’ll understand when you read it. The more interactions with each other, the more I couldn’t wait for the next scene with them. Oh, and that tricky Forest, watch out for it. *smirks*
The beginning sets up some of the characters for this book and other books to come in this series. We learn about the land some. I enjoyed the beginning but I absolutely loved the second half of the book. Oh, I was highlighting like crazy. Things that made me laugh, great quotes that made me think and sweet and swoony scenes between Eileen and Aiden. There’s a pretty big predicament that Eileen finds herself tangled up in and it was very entertaining to watch as everything unfolded (or tangled more).
If you’re a fairytale lover at heart, like me, don’t wait to read this one. I can’t wait to share this with my teenage daughters. They’re going to love it! My oldest daughter is a very vocal reader (don’t know where she gets it from-hee hee). She laughs out loud, yells at the characters, giggles, sighs, swoons. I just know when she reads this book, there will be lots of noises coming from her reading nook. I can’t recommend this one enough. The author has several more books planned in this series and after meeting the characters that she’s planning to write about while I was reading this book, I am grinning anticipating their stories. Prince Liam, oh yeah, his story is going to be a hoot!
Let me just end by saying that this book left me with a major perma-grin. I’m even grinning now as I finish typing this review thinking back about everything I loved from this book. *Happy sigh* I can’t forget to mention how gorgeous the book cover is. I may have had a jaw drop moment when I first saw it. I love all the details and it captures the title of the book so well as well as the fairytale feeling.
Content: Clean. Some sweet kisses but nothing further. Clean language.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
Flash forward thirty plus years and I’m most definitely not that little girl anymore. But, in my heart I still hold to the beauty of hope and the magical, enchanting and captivating thoughts of good conquering evil and true love existing. I’ve had a few experiences in my lifetime that I’ve learned that it is work and constant perseverance that helps us through the thorny paths and struggles of our real-life fairy tales. There’s “evil” out there pushing against us at many different turns, the “bad guy” or “witch” or whoever are trying to push us off our path and conquer. But I’ve learned that there is hope. It’s beautiful. It may not always finish a scene in our own personal stories the way we want it to but it’s there, guiding us on.
I loved this new fairytale retelling. I loved watching the growth of the characters. If there isn’t growth, it doesn’t seem real to me. Eileen had her world shattered. She learned to guard and protect her heart at all costs. The Forest beckoned to her and gave her solace. Returning there often she travels the pathways it opens up for her. Guiding her where it will and showing her that there is beauty all around her, if she’ll just look.
The opening of this book shows a lot of depth to Eileen’s character, especially her past. It shows her finding peace, even with walling up her heart as a protection from her past. I loved the Forest. I thought it was very clever how the author portrayed the Forest and her beautiful descriptions of the destinations that the pathways lead Eileen to. The writing and descriptions are almost lyrical to me.
Eileen’s friend Rosie had me laughing, shaking my head, planting my face in my hands, laughing…you get the picture. Her antics were great to get Eileen out of her comfort zone. I loved her enchanted bakery and treats. I could definitely use some of those truth loaves. “They’re delicious because truth is the sweetest thing.” Loved that line. I don’t think my family would like me baking up any of those though. They’re very honest with me, but there are moments when I want to know all the thoughts they’re thinking. It would be a very interesting time at my house if those loaves were real.
The Forest definitely loves Eileen, but it has a sneaky side. It forces Eileen and Aiden to continue to cross paths. And boy, oh boy, am I so glad it did. I can’t say anything more about these two. I’m afraid that if I did, I might just ruin something. Y’all, I loved these two! Ok, I’ll admit that at first I wasn’t sure what I was going to think about them. They were grumbling at each other and arguing, but it made perfect sense for the situation. You’ll understand when you read it. The more interactions with each other, the more I couldn’t wait for the next scene with them. Oh, and that tricky Forest, watch out for it. *smirks*
The beginning sets up some of the characters for this book and other books to come in this series. We learn about the land some. I enjoyed the beginning but I absolutely loved the second half of the book. Oh, I was highlighting like crazy. Things that made me laugh, great quotes that made me think and sweet and swoony scenes between Eileen and Aiden. There’s a pretty big predicament that Eileen finds herself tangled up in and it was very entertaining to watch as everything unfolded (or tangled more).
If you’re a fairytale lover at heart, like me, don’t wait to read this one. I can’t wait to share this with my teenage daughters. They’re going to love it! My oldest daughter is a very vocal reader (don’t know where she gets it from-hee hee). She laughs out loud, yells at the characters, giggles, sighs, swoons. I just know when she reads this book, there will be lots of noises coming from her reading nook. I can’t recommend this one enough. The author has several more books planned in this series and after meeting the characters that she’s planning to write about while I was reading this book, I am grinning anticipating their stories. Prince Liam, oh yeah, his story is going to be a hoot!
Let me just end by saying that this book left me with a major perma-grin. I’m even grinning now as I finish typing this review thinking back about everything I loved from this book. *Happy sigh* I can’t forget to mention how gorgeous the book cover is. I may have had a jaw drop moment when I first saw it. I love all the details and it captures the title of the book so well as well as the fairytale feeling.
Content: Clean. Some sweet kisses but nothing further. Clean language.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
February 11, 2019
First off, this is one of the most beautiful covers that I've seen and it reflects the contents of this book perfectly. Secondly, I loved this story! Loosely based on The Princess and the Pea and Rumpelstiltskin, this charming tale captivated me from the first page.
Eileen and her love for the forest and its ever changing pathways was so intriguing, especially when she met a mysterious stranger. Can you imagine the paths changing each time you entered? Forests are so peaceful, yet there's always a looming hint of magic and menace, especially in the dark shadows. The draw to Aiden, who turns out to be the unfamiliar man, was hard for Eileen to resist and when she finds herself at a castle, competing as a "princess" to be the Dark Prince's bride, the tale takes an interesting twist in a deliberate case of mistaken identity.
I loved the competition and the way it allowed for Eileen to grow and let go of her past grievances. The way her friendship/relationship develops with Aiden is so sweet, tender, and bewildering, and their bond is undeniable. Sometimes those invisible threads of connection is all it takes for me to swoon and cheer a couple on.
This first offering by this author is stellar and I can't wait to read more of this fairy tale series.
Content: mild romance; mild violence
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
Eileen and her love for the forest and its ever changing pathways was so intriguing, especially when she met a mysterious stranger. Can you imagine the paths changing each time you entered? Forests are so peaceful, yet there's always a looming hint of magic and menace, especially in the dark shadows. The draw to Aiden, who turns out to be the unfamiliar man, was hard for Eileen to resist and when she finds herself at a castle, competing as a "princess" to be the Dark Prince's bride, the tale takes an interesting twist in a deliberate case of mistaken identity.
I loved the competition and the way it allowed for Eileen to grow and let go of her past grievances. The way her friendship/relationship develops with Aiden is so sweet, tender, and bewildering, and their bond is undeniable. Sometimes those invisible threads of connection is all it takes for me to swoon and cheer a couple on.
This first offering by this author is stellar and I can't wait to read more of this fairy tale series.
Content: mild romance; mild violence
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
April 24, 2019
I have always been a fan of fairytale retellings in a medieval setting and this has been another addition to my favourites. Loosely based on 'The Princess and the Pea' and 'Rumpelstiltskin', Camille Peters has created an altogether wonderful story that will leave you enraptured.
Perfectly drawn characters (I adore them all) and a beautiful setting in the shape of an enchanting forest and a castle create a beautiful plot to soothe your heart. The forest cannot be counted as a character but it sure has a personality of its own. If it were all real, I would have packed my bags already to escape the scorching sun outside. Eileen and Aidan are so lucky to have a forest as their friend.
The array of royals and the contests are equally hilarious. Well, we will be able to guess the mystery by then, but that is not going to affect the smooth flow of the book a bit. So take this cute novel to awaken the little girl (or boy, I don't want to be partial) inside you. It will take you back to those days when you believed in magic and miracles.
Perfectly drawn characters (I adore them all) and a beautiful setting in the shape of an enchanting forest and a castle create a beautiful plot to soothe your heart. The forest cannot be counted as a character but it sure has a personality of its own. If it were all real, I would have packed my bags already to escape the scorching sun outside. Eileen and Aidan are so lucky to have a forest as their friend.
The array of royals and the contests are equally hilarious. Well, we will be able to guess the mystery by then, but that is not going to affect the smooth flow of the book a bit. So take this cute novel to awaken the little girl (or boy, I don't want to be partial) inside you. It will take you back to those days when you believed in magic and miracles.
May 7, 2019
Forests have always been magical in my imagination. This book brings the magic and majesty of forests to life for me.
Eileen lives next to a magical forest that takes her to beautiful and exciting places. The forest loves her and protects her. The forest brings her to what it knows will bring her joy, when it took her to Aiden she felt betrayed, not knowing that the forest really was looking out for her and helping her.
Eileen's heart was shattered when her father left on a trip and never returned. She didn't want to let anyone in because she was afraid that they would eventually leave her and break her heart again. As the forest leads her to Aiden again and again, the wall she built begins to chip, opening up the possibility for a "happily ever after".
I really liked this book. It has the fairy-tale storyline that has always appealed to me. I loved the characters. Her friend Rosie was fun and playful, adding joy and hope to Eileen's life. Then there were the Prince and Princesses who became her friends at the castle. All through her journey in the book she had a wonderful support system who helped her through her trials.
Aiden, what to say about Aiden? He has secrets, but underneath all of the mystery surrounding him, he is a good person. I really liked where Camille Peters took this story. I loved the HEA, and I look forward to reading books of hers in the future.
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Eileen lives next to a magical forest that takes her to beautiful and exciting places. The forest loves her and protects her. The forest brings her to what it knows will bring her joy, when it took her to Aiden she felt betrayed, not knowing that the forest really was looking out for her and helping her.
Eileen's heart was shattered when her father left on a trip and never returned. She didn't want to let anyone in because she was afraid that they would eventually leave her and break her heart again. As the forest leads her to Aiden again and again, the wall she built begins to chip, opening up the possibility for a "happily ever after".
I really liked this book. It has the fairy-tale storyline that has always appealed to me. I loved the characters. Her friend Rosie was fun and playful, adding joy and hope to Eileen's life. Then there were the Prince and Princesses who became her friends at the castle. All through her journey in the book she had a wonderful support system who helped her through her trials.
Aiden, what to say about Aiden? He has secrets, but underneath all of the mystery surrounding him, he is a good person. I really liked where Camille Peters took this story. I loved the HEA, and I look forward to reading books of hers in the future.
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
May 13, 2019
This is a reinvention of The Princess and the Pea/Rumpelstiltskin apparently but in all honesty I really didn't see much of a retelling and almost no similarities. I only saw one Rumpelstiltskin reference and one real The Princess and the Pea similarity. Basically here we have one of those really teenage angst full, forbidden love type stories that really drug out the angst and goo goo eyes part and ends in a slammed door fact dump to tie up loose ends.
"I'm so sorry, Eileen. I'm so selfish. I never once considered the potential consequences for you."
So yea here it is folks this entire story summed up with one sentence lol. Its unfortunate but Eileen our FMC comes across as a total pushover and completely naive. The "chemistry" between Eileen and Aiden was childlike, super rushed, and not well thought out I think. It really didn't have any qualities of like "real" love because things kept happening that evidenced the above sentence..
I think it started out with a great premise with an enchanted forest that basically brings characters together to complete fairy tales but then ended up way off base somehow and had nothing to do with the forest really. There was basically no world building but was simple enough to follow along without it but left the story missing that richness that comes with a well built supernatural world. The character's initial meeting really soured their relationship in my eyes. Arrogant and stuck up I can usually get over but assault is a little harder to swallow, and honestly I don't feel like the characters grew enough at all to actually make the "romance" work. Most of the characters were basically thrown away there at the end and really only served to move the plot forward in spots or as antagonists but nothing really bad just petty stuff.
All in all it was a little superficial and drug out. I think it would have been much more enjoyable if maybe the FMC had been a little stronger character wise and if the story had a stronger arc plot wise. The ending came to an abrupt conclusion and tied everything all up in bows all within like a couple paragraphs which was a little jarring and made the journey seem even more superficial. Don't think this series is going to be my jam.
"I'm so sorry, Eileen. I'm so selfish. I never once considered the potential consequences for you."
So yea here it is folks this entire story summed up with one sentence lol. Its unfortunate but Eileen our FMC comes across as a total pushover and completely naive. The "chemistry" between Eileen and Aiden was childlike, super rushed, and not well thought out I think. It really didn't have any qualities of like "real" love because things kept happening that evidenced the above sentence..
I think it started out with a great premise with an enchanted forest that basically brings characters together to complete fairy tales but then ended up way off base somehow and had nothing to do with the forest really. There was basically no world building but was simple enough to follow along without it but left the story missing that richness that comes with a well built supernatural world. The character's initial meeting really soured their relationship in my eyes. Arrogant and stuck up I can usually get over but assault is a little harder to swallow, and honestly I don't feel like the characters grew enough at all to actually make the "romance" work. Most of the characters were basically thrown away there at the end and really only served to move the plot forward in spots or as antagonists but nothing really bad just petty stuff.
All in all it was a little superficial and drug out. I think it would have been much more enjoyable if maybe the FMC had been a little stronger character wise and if the story had a stronger arc plot wise. The ending came to an abrupt conclusion and tied everything all up in bows all within like a couple paragraphs which was a little jarring and made the journey seem even more superficial. Don't think this series is going to be my jam.
February 27, 2019
I enjoy a good fantasy now and then, and I'm always up for a fairy tale retelling. I enjoyed the world building in this one, especially the enchanted forest which had its own personality. Eileen is a peasant living with her mother (never did figure out how they supported themselves) who spends all her time wandering, drawing, gossiping with her starry-eyed friend, and angsting over her father's disappearance. I thought her attitude and assumptions about his fate were immature, but this is a YA novel after all. Her meet up in the forest with Aiden was awkward and I was surprised at how quickly they went from fear to antagonistic mistrust to lovers for no apparent reason. I prefer the getting to know each other and falling in love parts to last longer! The whim of the forest is the impetus for sending Eileen into the castle to further the plot, and she's caught up in the princess test with the assistance of Aiden. His selfish reasons for withholding the truth from Eileen were flimsy and obviously backfired, but true love conquers all. I have to admit that the story was just unique enough to keep me reading, and the characters were likeable (even when I was frustrated with them), and it also had a nice secondary cast. Overall, I had my issues, but it was still a pleasant read!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
October 7, 2020
This was a cute read. It had its own unique fairy tale vibe and I loved the description of the enchanted forest and how it played into the storyline. Their relationship did progress a little abruptly in the beginning and there were moments when I didn't love the main characters, but overall it was a fun read and something different.
Content: Clean.
Content: Clean.
February 28, 2019
Wow, I love this pretty cover! It is a perfect representation of what is inside this book. 😍
I thought this was a sweet story. I loved the whole idea and feel of the forest being a living entity- guiding, helping, responding. The forest gave Eileen a home- a place of refuge and security after she lost her father and I could really feel her attachment and love for it. The enchanted forest gave the story a magical and romantic feel.
The characters felt very young with some immaturity showing through. This is a YA book and I would say probably on the younger end of that spectrum. I often felt frustrated with the characters and their reasoning but when I put back into perspective that this is a "young" young adult book, it didn't feel so off. Both main characters show growth and that felt really good as a reader. There is a good cast of secondary characters which had me hoping that maybe their story would be coming next. Overall I really enjoyed this debut novel from Camille Peters and I'm looking forward to more!
This is a book that I would easily recommend to a young teenager and feel good about it.
Content: clean, kissing
- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
I thought this was a sweet story. I loved the whole idea and feel of the forest being a living entity- guiding, helping, responding. The forest gave Eileen a home- a place of refuge and security after she lost her father and I could really feel her attachment and love for it. The enchanted forest gave the story a magical and romantic feel.
The characters felt very young with some immaturity showing through. This is a YA book and I would say probably on the younger end of that spectrum. I often felt frustrated with the characters and their reasoning but when I put back into perspective that this is a "young" young adult book, it didn't feel so off. Both main characters show growth and that felt really good as a reader. There is a good cast of secondary characters which had me hoping that maybe their story would be coming next. Overall I really enjoyed this debut novel from Camille Peters and I'm looking forward to more!
This is a book that I would easily recommend to a young teenager and feel good about it.
Content: clean, kissing
- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
December 13, 2023
3.75⭐️
A man I drawn to the nearby forest and it worries his wife and daughter, and one day when he heads for the forest, promising the forest will always lead him home to them, he vanishes.
Fast forward, his daughter now finds herself drawn to the forest like him, and one day while in the forest, she meets a young man who intrigues her….what will happen to her distraught mother when she, too, disappears in the forest?
This felt very much like a fairytale retelling in the lines of Melanie Cellier or Melanie Dickerson.
It started out a bit rough as She prioritizes her relationship with a strange man she just met over the one with her own mom….AND when Aiden pursues, and attempts to kiss her while he’s engaged to someone else 🤨….but over all, I liked the story and how it ended.
A man I drawn to the nearby forest and it worries his wife and daughter, and one day when he heads for the forest, promising the forest will always lead him home to them, he vanishes.
Fast forward, his daughter now finds herself drawn to the forest like him, and one day while in the forest, she meets a young man who intrigues her….what will happen to her distraught mother when she, too, disappears in the forest?
This felt very much like a fairytale retelling in the lines of Melanie Cellier or Melanie Dickerson.
It started out a bit rough as She prioritizes her relationship with a strange man she just met over the one with her own mom….AND when Aiden pursues, and attempts to kiss her while he’s engaged to someone else 🤨….but over all, I liked the story and how it ended.
September 22, 2023
4 stars ✨
Clean YA Fairytale Retelling
“Perhaps it does, perhaps it doesn’t. That’s the funny thing about paths; you can’t see where they lead unless you walk them.”
Abandoned by her father at a young age, Eileen has decided never to fall in love. She never wants to put herself in the position of being in that much pain ever again. The enchanted forest near her house, a place she goes to seek solace, has different plans for her though. Each time she enters the forest, the pathways switch, causing her to never take the same path twice. One day it leads her to a mysterious stranger, where her vow to never love becomes increasingly unavoidable.
I really enjoyed Pathways. It was my first book by this author and I feel she did an excellent job of keeping me interested in the story. She supposedly used bits and pieces from the stories Rumpelstiltskin and The Princess and the Pea- I guess there were a few instances that seemed familiar, but for the most part- this read like an original story to me. I would recommend if looking for an easy clean fairytale retelling you could read in one sitting. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
Clean YA Fairytale Retelling
“Perhaps it does, perhaps it doesn’t. That’s the funny thing about paths; you can’t see where they lead unless you walk them.”
Abandoned by her father at a young age, Eileen has decided never to fall in love. She never wants to put herself in the position of being in that much pain ever again. The enchanted forest near her house, a place she goes to seek solace, has different plans for her though. Each time she enters the forest, the pathways switch, causing her to never take the same path twice. One day it leads her to a mysterious stranger, where her vow to never love becomes increasingly unavoidable.
I really enjoyed Pathways. It was my first book by this author and I feel she did an excellent job of keeping me interested in the story. She supposedly used bits and pieces from the stories Rumpelstiltskin and The Princess and the Pea- I guess there were a few instances that seemed familiar, but for the most part- this read like an original story to me. I would recommend if looking for an easy clean fairytale retelling you could read in one sitting. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
January 18, 2019
This was SUCH a cute book! The characters were very well developed in the way that I could honestly relate with all of them. The supporting characters were just as endearing and helpful as the main characters and I enjoyed the dialogue and way things were described. Each decision was understood by the audience why it was made and the characters were overall just well rounded!
The descriptions of surroundings were impeccable, I could just see the environment and feel the feelings that were invoked by them.
The plot was really well thought out, the ideas were super creative, and I love the general fairy tale feel that has somehow been infused into the story; the aspect of how the story is based on the princess and the pea is a fun addition, and you definitely sees how it ties in and enhances the story!
I couldn't put it down, I just fell in love with the characters and I can't WAIT for the next one!
The descriptions of surroundings were impeccable, I could just see the environment and feel the feelings that were invoked by them.
The plot was really well thought out, the ideas were super creative, and I love the general fairy tale feel that has somehow been infused into the story; the aspect of how the story is based on the princess and the pea is a fun addition, and you definitely sees how it ties in and enhances the story!
I couldn't put it down, I just fell in love with the characters and I can't WAIT for the next one!
February 28, 2020
This is a really interesting fairy tale retelling. It is a loose mash up between the Rumpelstiltskin and the Princess and the Pea fairy tales. They work surprisingly well together, for all they seem like those fairy tales wouldn't work together.
I loved the magical forest in this book and I hope we get to see the forest again in the rest of the series. It was probably my favorite part of the whole book. I adore forests, especially magical ones (aren't all forests just a little bit magical?) so this one definitely hit a sweet spot there.
I also really loved the side characters and can't wait to get their stories in more books. They were hilarious and there are a lot of future stories set up in this book.
The main characters were compelling. Aiden drove me bonkers for a while. He seemed to swing between nice and kind of controlling, and it is a personal pet peeve of mine when the main guy doesn't tell the obvious to the main girl for "reasons." But that's a personal preference of mine.
This was a really good start to this series and I can't wait to read the rest of them!
I loved the magical forest in this book and I hope we get to see the forest again in the rest of the series. It was probably my favorite part of the whole book. I adore forests, especially magical ones (aren't all forests just a little bit magical?) so this one definitely hit a sweet spot there.
I also really loved the side characters and can't wait to get their stories in more books. They were hilarious and there are a lot of future stories set up in this book.
The main characters were compelling. Aiden drove me bonkers for a while. He seemed to swing between nice and kind of controlling, and it is a personal pet peeve of mine when the main guy doesn't tell the obvious to the main girl for "reasons." But that's a personal preference of mine.
This was a really good start to this series and I can't wait to read the rest of them!
February 22, 2019
Beautiful Fairytale Romance
I LOVED this fairytale romance!! The setting was so enchanting and beautiful, and the storyline was wonderfully unexpected. I really enjoy fairytale retellings and this was a fantastic one!
The forest was a favorite of mine in this tale- it was alive and had so much to do with the direction of the story. I thought the title and the theme of pathways was artfully woven through the story.
The two main characters were so likeable and relatable. I loved that both had their own prejudices and faults, and they learned to see past each of their shortcomings. So many of their obstacles seemed insurmountable, and I liked seeing the growth and selflessness that came about as the story unfolded.
I can’t wait to see what the author writes next (I believe a book about Rosie!) but there were many supporting characters I’d be happy to see a book about!
I LOVED this fairytale romance!! The setting was so enchanting and beautiful, and the storyline was wonderfully unexpected. I really enjoy fairytale retellings and this was a fantastic one!
The forest was a favorite of mine in this tale- it was alive and had so much to do with the direction of the story. I thought the title and the theme of pathways was artfully woven through the story.
The two main characters were so likeable and relatable. I loved that both had their own prejudices and faults, and they learned to see past each of their shortcomings. So many of their obstacles seemed insurmountable, and I liked seeing the growth and selflessness that came about as the story unfolded.
I can’t wait to see what the author writes next (I believe a book about Rosie!) but there were many supporting characters I’d be happy to see a book about!
November 13, 2019
Wonderful book! I was leery of trying it as it seems everything is a retold fairy tale lately but this one is unique and maybe inspired by a fairy tale, but really breathes a life of its own. Eileen is not your typical MC, she is a strong independent woman who lets everyone know it, especially Aiden. I really like how their first encounter goes completely wrong and they have to start from a negative place, go up an insurmountable mountain to a mutual understood friendship. I really like how Eileen doesn't want to be a princess but tries anyway, doesn't want to be picked, is concerned for her mother. Great qualities to have.
March 15, 2019
I tried really, really hard to enjoy this book. Peters' plot has some original and beautiful elements, but the execution is just bad. Painfully bad. The structure of this book is there, but every detail that makes the story fluid is inconsistent. Here are my two main exaples:
The monologue and dialogue are striving to be that kind of vaguely European, old-timey whimsical; but it feels like the author only remembers that writing style 10% of the time. It goes from, "I may be appeased if you tell me of your own adventures within the Forest." To, "I bit my lip to suppress a sigh. Perhaps having Rosie read out loud wasn’t such a good idea." It's a little hard to tell out of context, but it's definitely jarring.
There's also no subtlety to the characters. Eileen is a girl determined not to love because of previous abandonment, which is a perfectly fine characteristic. However, you're reminded- very obviously- that Eileen has iron control of her emotions every. Other. Paragraph. Things like, "Crying would create cracks in my protective walls and allow me to reexperience the emotions I no longer wanted to feel. It was less painful this way." Again, this is a perfect statement, but it's repeated ALL THE TIME. If the reader is informed that Eileen strives to be unfeeling, we can infer for most scenes she's unemotional for this reason. I don't need the author to put a megaphone against my ear and scream, "SHE DOESN'T TRUST EMOTIONS, YOU SEE?!?"
I think what I liked most in this book was the settings. Camille Peters is pretty good at world building, and gives the perfect amount of detail for me to feel like I'm IN that forest. Unfortunately, the other problems would come along and disrupt my connection to the world. Like I said before, this book could be really good. I think if it's re-written after some more practice, it really will be.
The monologue and dialogue are striving to be that kind of vaguely European, old-timey whimsical; but it feels like the author only remembers that writing style 10% of the time. It goes from, "I may be appeased if you tell me of your own adventures within the Forest." To, "I bit my lip to suppress a sigh. Perhaps having Rosie read out loud wasn’t such a good idea." It's a little hard to tell out of context, but it's definitely jarring.
There's also no subtlety to the characters. Eileen is a girl determined not to love because of previous abandonment, which is a perfectly fine characteristic. However, you're reminded- very obviously- that Eileen has iron control of her emotions every. Other. Paragraph. Things like, "Crying would create cracks in my protective walls and allow me to reexperience the emotions I no longer wanted to feel. It was less painful this way." Again, this is a perfect statement, but it's repeated ALL THE TIME. If the reader is informed that Eileen strives to be unfeeling, we can infer for most scenes she's unemotional for this reason. I don't need the author to put a megaphone against my ear and scream, "SHE DOESN'T TRUST EMOTIONS, YOU SEE?!?"
I think what I liked most in this book was the settings. Camille Peters is pretty good at world building, and gives the perfect amount of detail for me to feel like I'm IN that forest. Unfortunately, the other problems would come along and disrupt my connection to the world. Like I said before, this book could be really good. I think if it's re-written after some more practice, it really will be.
January 30, 2021
Uggghhhh!!
Que historia tan mala y aburrida como no tenéis idea...con una traducción muy deficiente.. y además con unos protagonistas terribles: ella super tonta, no me gustó y su personalidad cada vez me fastidiaba más.... y Aidan, el protagonista, nada que ver, no le vi ningún atractivo, nada que lo hiciera resaltar, no me gustó como se comportó, siempre con mentiras, ocultando cosas, nada loable.... y la razón fue de lo más estúpida, nunca vi motivos para mentir y hacer lo que hizo con Eileen y a ella por lo visto nunca le importó la madre porque ahí mismo se olvidó de lo preocupada que iba a estar con su desaparición..... toda la trama fue muy estúpida y laaaarga pa' mi gusto.... no creo que vaya a seguir leyendo a esta autora o por lo menos esta saga
Que historia tan mala y aburrida como no tenéis idea...con una traducción muy deficiente.. y además con unos protagonistas terribles: ella super tonta, no me gustó y su personalidad cada vez me fastidiaba más.... y Aidan, el protagonista, nada que ver, no le vi ningún atractivo, nada que lo hiciera resaltar, no me gustó como se comportó, siempre con mentiras, ocultando cosas, nada loable.... y la razón fue de lo más estúpida, nunca vi motivos para mentir y hacer lo que hizo con Eileen y a ella por lo visto nunca le importó la madre porque ahí mismo se olvidó de lo preocupada que iba a estar con su desaparición..... toda la trama fue muy estúpida y laaaarga pa' mi gusto.... no creo que vaya a seguir leyendo a esta autora o por lo menos esta saga
March 30, 2019
I found myself completely captured by this book. While I guessed who the Dark Prince was instantly it didn't bother me and I really enjoyed it, and would read it again. Can't wait to read more from this author.
Moral Note: Clean
Moral Note: Clean
October 11, 2022
3.7 🐉
Something I didn't like was when she gave to him a truth spell without him knowing, after he so blindly trusted her. Not just that, but the spell would fade in a couple days. That was so inconsiderate of her, because she already knew there was a weird situation with his family, and she didn't consider what would happen if he was going around telling everyone the truth.
Also something I got tired of quickly was how repetitive some dialogs were. Like she just wouldn't drop certain things to the point that I was thinking "BRO SHUT UP GET OVER IT". Another occasion was that the Male lead asked WAY to many times and at every occasion if her feelings had changed. Like bro she already told you no wtf is you on about?
And speaking of, i found her so annoying more times than not. I feel like the author was trying to portray her as a feisty doesn't-take-shit-from-anyone type of girl, but only made her reckless and explosive.
The way the king folded so easily after stating that he couldn't marry her bc of her being common born is astonishing. The Male Lead simply said some sweet words and suddenly he was all for love bc "The way she looks at you…it reminds me of the way your dear mother looked at me" BRO OH MY GOD WHAT? It was literally your point that love in a marriage was not the most important thing, but competence. Obviously I'm glad they ended up together but like damn bruv it's tuff innit
On another note the romance was cute 👍😊
Something I didn't like was when she gave to him a truth spell without him knowing, after he so blindly trusted her. Not just that, but the spell would fade in a couple days. That was so inconsiderate of her, because she already knew there was a weird situation with his family, and she didn't consider what would happen if he was going around telling everyone the truth.
Also something I got tired of quickly was how repetitive some dialogs were. Like she just wouldn't drop certain things to the point that I was thinking "BRO SHUT UP GET OVER IT". Another occasion was that the Male lead asked WAY to many times and at every occasion if her feelings had changed. Like bro she already told you no wtf is you on about?
And speaking of, i found her so annoying more times than not. I feel like the author was trying to portray her as a feisty doesn't-take-shit-from-anyone type of girl, but only made her reckless and explosive.
The way the king folded so easily after stating that he couldn't marry her bc of her being common born is astonishing. The Male Lead simply said some sweet words and suddenly he was all for love bc "The way she looks at you…it reminds me of the way your dear mother looked at me" BRO OH MY GOD WHAT? It was literally your point that love in a marriage was not the most important thing, but competence. Obviously I'm glad they ended up together but like damn bruv it's tuff innit
On another note the romance was cute 👍😊
May 12, 2019
So I have a lot of trouble reviewing this book because I think it could have been a 5 star read if some of the more teenage angsty bits had been removed.
Let's start with the amazing part: the Forest of my dreams.
Our main character lives on the edge of an Enchanted Forest. One that she is friends with, that can communicate vague feelings to her in the shake of its branches and the rustle of its leaves. How cool is that?? The Forest also develops and moves its paths as it pleases and guides the girl to many fantastical settings inside. We see a beautiful pond with cherry blossoms floating in, that when a stone is skipped across its surface, plays music. We see a waterfall that as the water falls, it changes the different colors of the rainbow, and we meet a part of the Forest where the trees decide which season they want to be in the moment and we watch them transform from spring to autumn. I wanted to live inside the forest, I wanted to learn its every pathway and how it came to be. It was amazing!
Not so great: remember how I said teenage angsty angst?
So our main character has walls around her heart because her father apparently abandoned his family when she was 10 and it has given her serious trust issues. She is determined to never love a man. Which, as someone who actually has abandonment issues and walls around her heart, come on! It was not written as an actual issue our character must learn to live with, but as an obstacle to get her One True Love.
And speaking of, we meet the first guy mentioned in this book (other than evil-abandon-his-family-Dad) in the Forest where he comes off as malevolent and suspicious. We then see him decide he MUST HAVE A LOCK OF HER HAIR and without asking a smidgen of permission, tries to use his dagger to cut her hair. Then acts surprised and defensive when she is upset when he accidentally cuts her neck. Guess what ladies, we have met our hero. Someone we are supposed to swoon over. A man who thinks assaulting a girl the first time they meet is a good idea. And honestly, he doesn't get better. The entire book we see him make choices that affect both of them without bothering to ask her permission and barely apologizing after.
But its ok! Because our main character's best friend hears about this first interaction and DOES think it is swoon worthy and immediately declares this MUST be the ONE TRUE LOVE that the main character (hasn't) been waiting for! And that he will show her to love again! *GAG*
Also, if the main character shudders at his touch one more time, I might scream. Also, girl stop getting mad at him and then feel your anger softening just cause he does something cute or has a nice smile. HE IS DOING THINGS THAT AFFECT YOUR LIFE IN DRASTIC WAYS WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION. THIS IS NOT OK!
And then there's the ending. The big CLIMATIC REVEAL (guessed it the second the character was introduced) and we think we are going to have the characters have to overcome something together to prove their conviction to each other and their worthiness! .... Nope. 3 sentences later and its over. That's it. Donezo.
Just like my review. If you like shuddering girls who have bad taste in men but good taste in tree friends, you might enjoy this book. Dear author, I actually enjoy your writing. Will you please just publish a book focused entirely on the Forest?
K, Thanx
Let's start with the amazing part: the Forest of my dreams.
Our main character lives on the edge of an Enchanted Forest. One that she is friends with, that can communicate vague feelings to her in the shake of its branches and the rustle of its leaves. How cool is that?? The Forest also develops and moves its paths as it pleases and guides the girl to many fantastical settings inside. We see a beautiful pond with cherry blossoms floating in, that when a stone is skipped across its surface, plays music. We see a waterfall that as the water falls, it changes the different colors of the rainbow, and we meet a part of the Forest where the trees decide which season they want to be in the moment and we watch them transform from spring to autumn. I wanted to live inside the forest, I wanted to learn its every pathway and how it came to be. It was amazing!
Not so great: remember how I said teenage angsty angst?
So our main character has walls around her heart because her father apparently abandoned his family when she was 10 and it has given her serious trust issues. She is determined to never love a man. Which, as someone who actually has abandonment issues and walls around her heart, come on! It was not written as an actual issue our character must learn to live with, but as an obstacle to get her One True Love.
And speaking of, we meet the first guy mentioned in this book (other than evil-abandon-his-family-Dad) in the Forest where he comes off as malevolent and suspicious. We then see him decide he MUST HAVE A LOCK OF HER HAIR and without asking a smidgen of permission, tries to use his dagger to cut her hair. Then acts surprised and defensive when she is upset when he accidentally cuts her neck. Guess what ladies, we have met our hero. Someone we are supposed to swoon over. A man who thinks assaulting a girl the first time they meet is a good idea. And honestly, he doesn't get better. The entire book we see him make choices that affect both of them without bothering to ask her permission and barely apologizing after.
But its ok! Because our main character's best friend hears about this first interaction and DOES think it is swoon worthy and immediately declares this MUST be the ONE TRUE LOVE that the main character (hasn't) been waiting for! And that he will show her to love again! *GAG*
Also, if the main character shudders at his touch one more time, I might scream. Also, girl stop getting mad at him and then feel your anger softening just cause he does something cute or has a nice smile. HE IS DOING THINGS THAT AFFECT YOUR LIFE IN DRASTIC WAYS WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION. THIS IS NOT OK!
And then there's the ending. The big CLIMATIC REVEAL (guessed it the second the character was introduced) and we think we are going to have the characters have to overcome something together to prove their conviction to each other and their worthiness! .... Nope. 3 sentences later and its over. That's it. Donezo.
Just like my review. If you like shuddering girls who have bad taste in men but good taste in tree friends, you might enjoy this book. Dear author, I actually enjoy your writing. Will you please just publish a book focused entirely on the Forest?
K, Thanx
August 15, 2023
I was expecting a bit more from this story. The concept of an enchanted forest leading the FMC to a mysterious stranger through the use of changing pathways is an intriguing concept. However, when the FMC Eileen meets this handsome stranger, he is more off-putting than anything. The author's intent was to make him a bit dark and mysterious, but he really came across as super rude, entitled, and demanding. He was extremely insistent in knowing her name and acted more like a stalker in their first meeting; being verbally harassed alone in the woods isn't my idea of the beginnings of a love story. And somehow, Eileen kept feeling drawn back to seeing him again? This first meeting colored my view of the MMC Aiden, and thus I wasn't in favor or impressed with their love story. Aiden's selfishness, particularly in not keeping his promise of sending a letter from Eileen informing her poor mother of her whereabouts, was frustrating. Eileen mentioned his "darkness" several times but kept ignoring his more toxic traits, stating you can't help who you love.
The book dragged a bit in the beginning, with Aiden and Eileen exploring the Enchanted forest for 30% of the book. The more plot-driven part of the book was the princess tests. Aiden helps Eileen prepare for those by cramming info in the night before a test - not especially believable. How Eileen performed in these tests was somewhat amusing though.
Aiden is betrothed to another in the beginning of his meetings with Eileen. For Eileen's part, she does resist his advances, stating that it is immoral and dishonorable to pursue a relationship with her, but she did have strong impulses to keep meeting him despite her strong attraction. The engagement is broken off later on but Eileen doesn't know that til much later and I think some boundaries were toed during that time.
I finished this book because I kept hoping to like it more by the end, but this book wasn't for me. The best aspects of this book are the enchanted forest and the trials. I understand this is a debut novel, so I'm hoping her later books are better.
Christian faith rating: 0/3 clean fiction
The book dragged a bit in the beginning, with Aiden and Eileen exploring the Enchanted forest for 30% of the book. The more plot-driven part of the book was the princess tests. Aiden helps Eileen prepare for those by cramming info in the night before a test - not especially believable. How Eileen performed in these tests was somewhat amusing though.
Aiden is betrothed to another in the beginning of his meetings with Eileen. For Eileen's part, she does resist his advances, stating that it is immoral and dishonorable to pursue a relationship with her, but she did have strong impulses to keep meeting him despite her strong attraction. The engagement is broken off later on but Eileen doesn't know that til much later and I think some boundaries were toed during that time.
I finished this book because I kept hoping to like it more by the end, but this book wasn't for me. The best aspects of this book are the enchanted forest and the trials. I understand this is a debut novel, so I'm hoping her later books are better.
Christian faith rating: 0/3 clean fiction
July 9, 2022
(2.5 stars) - Very much a fairytale
The book has an appealing premise & the technical wherewithal to potentially be a great story. It doesn't quite pull it off, however.
Eileen is frequently snappish & crabby. Aiden is supposed to be intrigued by her because he's wondering why she's in his forest & she doesn't treat him nicely. Yeah, that idea is so abused - it's true that people sucking up to you would get old fast, but someone not sucking up vs being off-putting or treating you crappy are NOT the same thing.
Aiden does several things that in real life should send up red flags to a gal. I get that it's fiction, but don't like stories that can confuse our daughters about what real love looks like vs manipulative abuse (look up 'how to tell if he's a sociopath', for example)
In fairness, the author does tell us that Eileen & Aiden share a number of pleasantly happy outings in their forest, however, she shows us the suspicious, conflict-level scenes while only briefly mentioning the happy ones, so the emphasis for the reader is on the negative interactions. In fact, my daughter didn't even notice the mention of their happy encounters there.
So by the time things progress to the castle, it's still not really clear why Aiden is so very smitten or why Eileen's tempted beyond rational sense.
My biggest disappointment, however, was that I had expected the princess trials to end up flipping the king & court's expectations of what a future queen should look like superficially vs the ideal kind of person she should be - where Eileen would appear to fail the former in the process of putting being a good person first (Rhea actually does that when she sips from her fingerbowl to help cover Eileen's faux pas)
Afterward, Aiden enumerates the good he says Eileen demonstrated from each trial, but she really didn't do much out of the ordinary with the exception of calling on an expert for advice when she needed information - which was the one clever thing.
Finally, the truth cakes episode felt too contrived & just wrong; my daughter was even more unhappy that Eileen never confessed to it than I was. She was also perturbed by Rosie's taking advantage of Eileen while she was under the influence & questioned what kind of a friend, let alone supposed to be best friend, would do that
All in all, I wouldn't say it's a bad story - rather it was disappointing because it missed out on being as good as it could have been
*Romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic
The book has an appealing premise & the technical wherewithal to potentially be a great story. It doesn't quite pull it off, however.
Eileen is frequently snappish & crabby. Aiden is supposed to be intrigued by her because he's wondering why she's in his forest & she doesn't treat him nicely. Yeah, that idea is so abused - it's true that people sucking up to you would get old fast, but someone not sucking up vs being off-putting or treating you crappy are NOT the same thing.
Aiden does several things that in real life should send up red flags to a gal. I get that it's fiction, but don't like stories that can confuse our daughters about what real love looks like vs manipulative abuse (look up 'how to tell if he's a sociopath', for example)
In fairness, the author does tell us that Eileen & Aiden share a number of pleasantly happy outings in their forest, however, she shows us the suspicious, conflict-level scenes while only briefly mentioning the happy ones, so the emphasis for the reader is on the negative interactions. In fact, my daughter didn't even notice the mention of their happy encounters there.
So by the time things progress to the castle, it's still not really clear why Aiden is so very smitten or why Eileen's tempted beyond rational sense.
My biggest disappointment, however, was that I had expected the princess trials to end up flipping the king & court's expectations of what a future queen should look like superficially vs the ideal kind of person she should be - where Eileen would appear to fail the former in the process of putting being a good person first (Rhea actually does that when she sips from her fingerbowl to help cover Eileen's faux pas)
Afterward, Aiden enumerates the good he says Eileen demonstrated from each trial, but she really didn't do much out of the ordinary with the exception of calling on an expert for advice when she needed information - which was the one clever thing.
Finally, the truth cakes episode felt too contrived & just wrong; my daughter was even more unhappy that Eileen never confessed to it than I was. She was also perturbed by Rosie's taking advantage of Eileen while she was under the influence & questioned what kind of a friend, let alone supposed to be best friend, would do that
All in all, I wouldn't say it's a bad story - rather it was disappointing because it missed out on being as good as it could have been
*Romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic
February 23, 2019
Oooooh. I've found another 5 star gem!!! Love when I stumble across treasures like this! I saw the cover and was immediately enamoured (please can I live there??). Then I read the blurb and was intrigued. I wondered if the book would live up to my big expectations - and to my delight it did! Wow. Such a unique tale, with a deliciously mysterious vibe, which twists and turns unexpectedly like the pathways of the enchanted Forest. I love how it's based loosely on TWO fairytales (Rumplestiltskin and the Princess and the Pea) but is very much its own story. The hero is so swoony - witty, conflicted, and mysterious. Eileen herself we get to know more and more as she grows and blossoms through the story. The side characters are well fleshed out (I adore Rosie, and Liam is just hilarious!!) and I'm excited to find out which fairy tales they'll be in! Bring on the rest of the series - I'm in! :D
January 17, 2019
I ADORE the creativity in this book! The forest is so magical and has so many enchanting moments throughout the story. I loved being transported into a fairy tale theme as I read; it was a perfect escape into a sweet and charming era! I absolutely loved the direction the story went and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the adventure Eileen stumbled upon.
There are so many fun characters in the story, each with unique personalities! This is such a darling story about loyalty, romance, friendship and all with a fairytale feeling!
I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
There are so many fun characters in the story, each with unique personalities! This is such a darling story about loyalty, romance, friendship and all with a fairytale feeling!
I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 18, 2019
This is a delightful story of romance and adventure, centered in/near a magical forest that guides its travelers to discover not only its own enchantments, but also to find true love along the way. It is also a story of growth and overcoming one's weaknesses, and of going forward despite one's fears. Both of those things are inspirational to me, and I found myself relating to the characters and hoping for their success. An enjoyable journey to give hope to your heart!
I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 20, 2019
I really enjoyed this story. The characters are fun and delightful and they were well developed. I liked that it was only loosely based on an existing fairy tale and branch out in interesting ways to create romance and drama. I get really bored with the same re-telling over and over and this was fresh and new.
One of my favorite aspects of this story is that you can see where the story goes before the characters, which makes it fun to watch as the future unfolds for them.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
One of my favorite aspects of this story is that you can see where the story goes before the characters, which makes it fun to watch as the future unfolds for them.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2019
Talk about being sucked into a story. I was almost immediately drawn into this fairy tale world. The magic was perfect. The romance was engaging. I am so happy I read this one. The characters were perfectly flawed and I could relate to them so well. The mystery was beautifully woven into the story and I found myself wondering about things that were eventually answered for me. What a rich fairy tale world, I can't wait to go back, there are other heroes and Heroines I want to get to know more fully. What a wonderful first novel. I will definitely read this one again.
May 10, 2019
This is a book that I just not get into, but I tried and found that I did not like Aiden far too full of himself. And I could see the characters having trouble saying how they felt and what they were thinking. I felt the entire book was strained.
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