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Fairy Tale Romance #3
Someone's Been Sleeping in My Bed
ONCE A UPON A TIME ... THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER ...
WHO'S BEEN EATING FROM MY BOWL?
IS SHE A BEAUTY IN BOTH HEART AND SOUL?
WHO'S BEEN SITTING IN MY CHAIR?
IS SHE PRETTY OF FACE AND FAIR OF HAIR?
WHO'S BEEN SLEEPING IN MY BED?
IS SHE THE DAMSEL I WILL WED?
The golden-haired woman had barely escaped from a stagecoach robbery before she got lost in the Wyoming mountains. Hungry, harried, and out of hope, she stumbled on a rude cabin, the home of three brothers, great bears of men who nearly frightened her out of her wits. But Maddalyn Kelly was no Goldilocks; she was a feisty beauty who could fend for herself. Still, how could she ever have guessed that the Barrett boys would bare their souls to her --- or that one of them would share with her an ecstasy so exquisite it was almost unbearable?
WHO'S BEEN EATING FROM MY BOWL?
IS SHE A BEAUTY IN BOTH HEART AND SOUL?
WHO'S BEEN SITTING IN MY CHAIR?
IS SHE PRETTY OF FACE AND FAIR OF HAIR?
WHO'S BEEN SLEEPING IN MY BED?
IS SHE THE DAMSEL I WILL WED?
The golden-haired woman had barely escaped from a stagecoach robbery before she got lost in the Wyoming mountains. Hungry, harried, and out of hope, she stumbled on a rude cabin, the home of three brothers, great bears of men who nearly frightened her out of her wits. But Maddalyn Kelly was no Goldilocks; she was a feisty beauty who could fend for herself. Still, how could she ever have guessed that the Barrett boys would bare their souls to her --- or that one of them would share with her an ecstasy so exquisite it was almost unbearable?
398 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1996
About the author
Linda Winstead Jones
185 books378 followersLinda Winstead Jones is the bestselling author of more than eighty romance novels and novellas across several sub-genres. She’s easily distracted (Look! A squirrel!) and writes the stories that speak to her in the moment. Paranormal. Romantic Suspense. Twisted Fairy Tales. Cowboys. Her books are for readers who want to escape from reality for a while, who don’t mind the occasional trip into another world for a laugh, a chill, the occasional heartwarming tear. Where will we go next?
More information can be found at lindawinsteadjones.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter, and at www.facebook.com/LindaWinsteadJones or www.facebook.com/LindaHowardLindaJones.
More information can be found at lindawinsteadjones.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter, and at www.facebook.com/LindaWinsteadJones or www.facebook.com/LindaHowardLindaJones.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
June 18, 2018
OMG I LOVE I LOVE I LOVE THIS BOOK!This has to be like the most awesome retelling of goldilocks.....the difference being the 3 bears are 3 brothers who were once detectives and are now retired and have a logging business.Madalynn took up a post as a teacher in a town called Sheridan.
However disaster strikes before she makes it there safely and she comes upon the 3 Barret brothers.With the increasing stakes against her,the weather and so on,she stays with the brothers,and cooks for them in return for food and lodging.But there is only so long one girl can stay with 3 men,before one of them falls for her.But as is most cases.....the guy doesnt realize it to the last moment.WIll their love triumph?Or will he lose her?
However disaster strikes before she makes it there safely and she comes upon the 3 Barret brothers.With the increasing stakes against her,the weather and so on,she stays with the brothers,and cooks for them in return for food and lodging.But there is only so long one girl can stay with 3 men,before one of them falls for her.But as is most cases.....the guy doesnt realize it to the last moment.WIll their love triumph?Or will he lose her?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2018
A good book
This was an interesting read. I enjoyed the setting and the characters as well as the story. I did feel like the characters should have been a little more clear at times but overall a good read.
This was an interesting read. I enjoyed the setting and the characters as well as the story. I did feel like the characters should have been a little more clear at times but overall a good read.
April 29, 2019
Zero Hero
A take off on Goldilocks (aka Madylin) and the three bears. The heroine was a total Mary Sue. The hero Eric was one of the the bears. If he had been a dwarf he would have been named grumpy. Imho goldilocks should have shot the bear and made a rug out of him. Then went out and looked for a prince. She deserved a better hero. He deserved to be stepped on.
A take off on Goldilocks (aka Madylin) and the three bears. The heroine was a total Mary Sue. The hero Eric was one of the the bears. If he had been a dwarf he would have been named grumpy. Imho goldilocks should have shot the bear and made a rug out of him. Then went out and looked for a prince. She deserved a better hero. He deserved to be stepped on.
February 12, 2022
Eric Barrett
Maddalyn Lorraine Kelly
While traveling too Sheridan WY for a teaching position Maddalyn’s stage coach is set upon by robbers. While the robbers are stealing her possessions Maddalyn runs and climbs the mountain side the stage was stopped at to get away. When she reaches the top she sees a cabin. She is hidden in the woods watching the cabin when she sees 3 men leave. After they are gone she goes inside to find some food and checks out the cabin then leaves. She again she comes back after the men leave and finds some more food and ends up falling asleep in one of the beds. Eric realizes something is odd in the cabin and realizes someone has been in there. So he sets a trap to catch the person by leaving out some biscuits. The next day when they arrive back at the cabin he discovers Maddalyn asleep. She bolts and he follows her and keeps her warm in a cave then takes her back to the cabin. I really liked Maddalyn she takes care of the men in exchange for shelter and food until the snow melts. She figures out 2 of the brothers would like to be married and she sets about helping them. Eric was badly burned by Jane, who was a Lady, and he doesn’t want to love or get married. Eric is a hard working good man. He tries his hardest not to care for Maddalyn but he does anyway. Kyle and Conrad are good secondary characters, protecting Maddalyn, learning from her to find wives and trying hard to keep Eric in line. This was a very good book and I would read more by this author.
Maddalyn Lorraine Kelly
While traveling too Sheridan WY for a teaching position Maddalyn’s stage coach is set upon by robbers. While the robbers are stealing her possessions Maddalyn runs and climbs the mountain side the stage was stopped at to get away. When she reaches the top she sees a cabin. She is hidden in the woods watching the cabin when she sees 3 men leave. After they are gone she goes inside to find some food and checks out the cabin then leaves. She again she comes back after the men leave and finds some more food and ends up falling asleep in one of the beds. Eric realizes something is odd in the cabin and realizes someone has been in there. So he sets a trap to catch the person by leaving out some biscuits. The next day when they arrive back at the cabin he discovers Maddalyn asleep. She bolts and he follows her and keeps her warm in a cave then takes her back to the cabin. I really liked Maddalyn she takes care of the men in exchange for shelter and food until the snow melts. She figures out 2 of the brothers would like to be married and she sets about helping them. Eric was badly burned by Jane, who was a Lady, and he doesn’t want to love or get married. Eric is a hard working good man. He tries his hardest not to care for Maddalyn but he does anyway. Kyle and Conrad are good secondary characters, protecting Maddalyn, learning from her to find wives and trying hard to keep Eric in line. This was a very good book and I would read more by this author.
May 13, 2018
What a sweet, classic romance.
Maddalyn is a gal from Georgia who is headed west on the stagecoach to take a job teaching in Sheridan. Along the way, her stagecoach is robbed and she manages to get away and climb a mountain. She finds a cabin at the top inhabited by the Barrett brothers who are somewhat rough and tumble. She sneaks into their cabin and takes some food and spends a night in a cave. After her 2nd day of this, she is discovered by Eric. She feels an instant attraction to him but he is not as quick about it. She ends up staying up there with them and works her way into the hearts of all of the brothers.
She eventually finds brides for Karl and Conrad but continues to hope that Eric will one day feel the same way for her.
Add in some romance, another bout with the stagecoach and some other interesting characters and this was a fun read.
Maddalyn is a gal from Georgia who is headed west on the stagecoach to take a job teaching in Sheridan. Along the way, her stagecoach is robbed and she manages to get away and climb a mountain. She finds a cabin at the top inhabited by the Barrett brothers who are somewhat rough and tumble. She sneaks into their cabin and takes some food and spends a night in a cave. After her 2nd day of this, she is discovered by Eric. She feels an instant attraction to him but he is not as quick about it. She ends up staying up there with them and works her way into the hearts of all of the brothers.
She eventually finds brides for Karl and Conrad but continues to hope that Eric will one day feel the same way for her.
Add in some romance, another bout with the stagecoach and some other interesting characters and this was a fun read.
September 18, 2020
Somebody was obviously sneaking into the cabin when the three brothers were out. That somebody was a young woman. When one of the brothers chased her down and brought her back to the cabin, she agreed to cook and clean for the three until the winter thaw would allow them to go down the mountain safely. One of the brothers kept attracting Maddalyn's attention, while the other two were keeping an eye on the two. Would Maddalyn stay on the mountain or begin a new life? Anyone who enjoys a good romance will enjoy this one!
June 5, 2025
For an absolutely mindless read, this was fine. It is a take on Goldilocks, but the characters have no depth and the MMC, Eric, is a jerk. Also, characters in this book fall in love from a single meeting/look. Like I get that it does happen in RL, but for ALL the characters seems a bit much even for a historical.
I am also not a fan of HR with a Western setting, but I thought I would try this since the story seemed a bit bonkers. Still not a fan of Western settings and this was not as bonkers as it could have been.
I am also not a fan of HR with a Western setting, but I thought I would try this since the story seemed a bit bonkers. Still not a fan of Western settings and this was not as bonkers as it could have been.
August 6, 2020
I liked that it was set in the wild west since that's pretty unique for a fairy tale, but it was jarring how quickly all the characters fell in love considering that the book was long enough to give them plenty of time to build up to it. A lot of it felt like filler or just plain smut. I think I would have liked it more if it were shorter and paced better. The characters were great and interesting to follow.
March 19, 2026
I loved this retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears tale.
It started off great and I actually couldn't put the book down for the first 3/4ths of the book.
But it seemed that the ending dragged out longer than it needed to, with all of the 'does he love me?' and 'does she love me?' anguish. If they had have communicated just even a little about their feelings, it would have wrapped up much better I think.
Not a super suspenseful adventure story, just a cute fluffy romance.
It started off great and I actually couldn't put the book down for the first 3/4ths of the book.
But it seemed that the ending dragged out longer than it needed to, with all of the 'does he love me?' and 'does she love me?' anguish. If they had have communicated just even a little about their feelings, it would have wrapped up much better I think.
Not a super suspenseful adventure story, just a cute fluffy romance.
April 13, 2018
Fun take on Goldilocks and the 3 bears
A fun take on Goldilocks and the 3 Bears except the bears were 3 big (hairy) men. She falls in love with one of the brothers, but he denies his feelings for her over and over until the last page which was expected. A cute read, but has some sex scenes.
A fun take on Goldilocks and the 3 Bears except the bears were 3 big (hairy) men. She falls in love with one of the brothers, but he denies his feelings for her over and over until the last page which was expected. A cute read, but has some sex scenes.
April 21, 2018
Maddalyn is the Goldilocks character in this retelling of the three bears. Eric is the one for her after eating his oatmeal, breaking his chair and sleeping in his bed. She goes on to find a bride for each of the other brothers. Karl and Daisy along with Conrad and red haired Kathleen complete the matches.
August 2, 2021
Cute & light
Delightfully taken from the original 3 Bears, you get your happy ending, along with predictable tug of war between two stubborn hearts. I’d also bet the author is a fan of the movie musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
A very light read, perfect for the dog days of summer.
Delightfully taken from the original 3 Bears, you get your happy ending, along with predictable tug of war between two stubborn hearts. I’d also bet the author is a fan of the movie musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
A very light read, perfect for the dog days of summer.
January 11, 2022
This was a delightful read. It was a very original plot. It was very romantic. Many good things to say but the one flaw was depreciating. I think two potential lovers and later lovers just not admitting their feelings was drawn out much too long. It is conceivable but not very likely. That was the major focal point and there needed to be more.
April 13, 2018
Cute
A slow burn love story that really pulls all of your strings. Seriously, this novel makes you wait and wait even when you know that the hero and the heroine are perfect together.
A slow burn love story that really pulls all of your strings. Seriously, this novel makes you wait and wait even when you know that the hero and the heroine are perfect together.
April 14, 2018
Goldie locks !!!!
This was a very enjoyable story! Very nice ending to a very nice story. Maddlyn was indeed a great matchmaker, even for herself and Eric. I would recommend this story to anyone who loves a great love story.
This was a very enjoyable story! Very nice ending to a very nice story. Maddlyn was indeed a great matchmaker, even for herself and Eric. I would recommend this story to anyone who loves a great love story.
November 6, 2018
Great idea, great story.
Who hasn’t at one time or another imagined themselves as Goldilocks and what to do if faced with three bears.
I loved the way the book followed the premise of the fairy tale, but yet was uniquely it’s own story!
Who hasn’t at one time or another imagined themselves as Goldilocks and what to do if faced with three bears.
I loved the way the book followed the premise of the fairy tale, but yet was uniquely it’s own story!
March 3, 2020
Loved this book so much. I love a good insta-love, soul mate story. It was full of all the exquisite angst of wanting so badly for Eric and Maddalyn to confess their feelings for each other. This is one of those books you hug to your chest afterwards. So lovely.
August 2, 2021
Delightfully taken from the original 3 Bears, you get your happy ending, along with predictable tug of war between two stubborn hearts. I’d also bet the author is a fan of the movie musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
A very light read, perfect for the dog days of summer.
A very light read, perfect for the dog days of summer.
April 12, 2018
Wow
This was a real big surprise to me. I love this author but hadn’t read any of this series, wow what a gem if a book. Historical and whimsie. Recommend.
This was a real big surprise to me. I love this author but hadn’t read any of this series, wow what a gem if a book. Historical and whimsie. Recommend.
April 15, 2018
DNF. Hated the heroine
April 16, 2018
Very heart warming
The characters lacked true definition and the complete squaring away of everything was way too fairytale. But, it's a quick read with some nice moments.
The characters lacked true definition and the complete squaring away of everything was way too fairytale. But, it's a quick read with some nice moments.
April 17, 2018
Fantastic
I loved the story.It It had drama & romance. It held your interest until the end. You never what Eric was going to do.
I loved the story.It It had drama & romance. It held your interest until the end. You never what Eric was going to do.
May 7, 2018
Very light fun retelling of Goldilocks and the three bears. FUn to read
May 10, 2018
Nice Read
The book is a nice easy read for leisure. The author keeps you interested from chapter to chapter. Thank you.
The book is a nice easy read for leisure. The author keeps you interested from chapter to chapter. Thank you.
May 27, 2018
Cute story
Cute story with a fairy tale ending. A little reveling in some parts but the scenery was described beautifully. I enjoyed it.
Cute story with a fairy tale ending. A little reveling in some parts but the scenery was described beautifully. I enjoyed it.
June 26, 2018
This story was just charming with a western twist. I enjoyed it immensely.
July 8, 2018
It is a fairy tale romance
I just love fairy tales,
I have rated it a five rated it for stars because it is a good book. It kept me reading and It kept me interested
I just love fairy tales,
I have rated it a five rated it for stars because it is a good book. It kept me reading and It kept me interested
July 30, 2025
Rated this book a 5-. Liked this fun story/clever retelling of Goldilocks. Gets a "-" because H is disagreeable/doesn't believe in love until the end yet at the same time desires her,wants her in his bed. I also really liked One Day, My Prince another of author's Fairy Tale Romances. Of the Rock Creek series I liked Sullivan (book 1) and Cash (book 6).
April 20, 2016
Man, these Linda Jones books are like freaking crack! So easy to get hooked on and just as damaging to the brain. But, damn, it's a fun ride while it lasts!
Once again, Jones uses the immensely frustrating "this is what I believe she wants, so she must want it, even though I've never actually spoken to her about it" stumbling block in this romantic retelling of the Goldilocks tale, now set in 1884 Wyoming Territory. He's too proud, she's too proud, gah! If the two would actually talk to one another instead of shooting steamy glances and longing looks at each other, things would've been settled much quicker. But, then again, had that happened, there would've been no book. However, Jones knows her stuff and makes the characters, even the secondary ones, personable enough to keep the reader invested. Obviously, since I finished the book in two days, something I haven't done since, well, since the last Linda Jones book.
Once again, Jones uses the immensely frustrating "this is what I believe she wants, so she must want it, even though I've never actually spoken to her about it" stumbling block in this romantic retelling of the Goldilocks tale, now set in 1884 Wyoming Territory. He's too proud, she's too proud, gah! If the two would actually talk to one another instead of shooting steamy glances and longing looks at each other, things would've been settled much quicker. But, then again, had that happened, there would've been no book. However, Jones knows her stuff and makes the characters, even the secondary ones, personable enough to keep the reader invested. Obviously, since I finished the book in two days, something I haven't done since, well, since the last Linda Jones book.
August 12, 2016
This story could have been told in half it's length. I want to say that the development was captivating but Eric blew hot/cold so much, I wanted her to end up with Karl or the other brother or even Gavin. Nothing much happens really until the last 50 pages of the book and when it does, it feels like LJ tried cramming suspense, action, the HEA into it. Blink and you'll miss something. She really should have drawn some of the suspense out from the first time they went to town which which which happens somewhere in the middle. Still it was a pleasant read. Just prob will not be on my Re-read list though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews