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Ever After #1
A Happily Ever After of Her Own
Melinda Lightfoot, a preschool teacher with an unusual ability to flit in and out of fairy tales, never thought she would get into trouble...
...until the Fairy Tale Police arrest her while she is in Beauty and the Beast. They offer her a deal: Find Beauty, who left the story when Melinda trespassed into it, or be charged with the ultimate crime -- Fairy Tale Killer. If that's not bad enough the Beast tags along in search of his true love, and Melinda starts falling for the fairy tale prince. She must choose between doing the right thing and having her own happily ever after.
Warning: This title contains the following: Fairy Godmother, the Wicked Witch, dysfunctional fairy tale families, ax-wielding executioners and a happily ever after (or two).
...until the Fairy Tale Police arrest her while she is in Beauty and the Beast. They offer her a deal: Find Beauty, who left the story when Melinda trespassed into it, or be charged with the ultimate crime -- Fairy Tale Killer. If that's not bad enough the Beast tags along in search of his true love, and Melinda starts falling for the fairy tale prince. She must choose between doing the right thing and having her own happily ever after.
Warning: This title contains the following: Fairy Godmother, the Wicked Witch, dysfunctional fairy tale families, ax-wielding executioners and a happily ever after (or two).
87 pages, ebook
First published October 5, 2009
16 people are currently reading
695 people want to read
About the author
Nadia Lee
76 books2,818 followersBilingual former management consultant Nadia Lee has lived in four different countries and enjoyed many adventures and excellent food around the globe. In the last eight years, she has kissed stingrays, got bitten by a shark, and petted tigers.
She shares an apartment overlooking a river and palm trees in Japan with her husband, winter white hamsters and an ever-widening pile of books. When she's not writing, she can be found digging through old Asian historical texts or planning another trip.
Visit Nadia on her website or her blog. You can also say hello on Facebook or Twitter.
She shares an apartment overlooking a river and palm trees in Japan with her husband, winter white hamsters and an ever-widening pile of books. When she's not writing, she can be found digging through old Asian historical texts or planning another trip.
Visit Nadia on her website or her blog. You can also say hello on Facebook or Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
June 20, 2015
3 stars
I liked the creative idea behind this novella and was curious what the author would do with it i.e., the heroine, Melinda, is able to somehow enter into the fairy tale worlds that she reads about.
Unfortunately, her latest excursion (while reading 'Beauty and the Beast') lands her in fairy tale court where she is accused of kidnapping Beauty, disrupting the Beast's happy ending and jeopardizing the fairy tale realm.
She is given the awful label of 'fairy tale killer'.
These circumstances eventually lead Melinda and Edward (the Beast) on a mission in our world to rescue Beauty and thwart the Evil Witch who is behind all these difficulties.
The beginning of the story was fun on a number of levels and made me chuckle at points. As was mentioned in another review, this story had a bit of an 'Alice in Wonderland' vibe (especially with those porcupine police!).
I liked the interactions between Melinda and Edward as well as watching him try to make sense of the heroine's modern world. At the same time, despite some sweet moments between them, their love story felt sudden and not developed enough for me to fully buy into it, even as I accepted it in the context of this story.
As well, I felt that the villain of the piece was not dealt with in a way that was satisfying or as she truly deserved. I realize that she was written with a comedic touch and that it probably wasn't meant to be more serious, but that didn't quite work for me.
I understand that this was a
Despite these aspects, I enjoyed this twist on 'Beauty and the Beast' with its various nods to other fairy tales. Wouldn't it be neat if we could enter into these stories that so many of us have grown up with - as long as we didn't end up in court or in jail, of course?
Or inside the Grimm's versions, for that matter...
(That would be bad. Very bad.)
***
'A Happily Ever After of Her Own' is part of Once Upon A Fairy Tale: A Collection of 11 Fairy Tale Inspired Romances which was published February 8, 2015 and was offered for a limited time. It is no longer available for sale.
(Please note: I read the e-book version as I acquired a copy before the anthology came out.)
Further details regarding this collection can be found here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
*** The review link above lists the stories with their story blurbs and other information.
I liked the creative idea behind this novella and was curious what the author would do with it i.e., the heroine, Melinda, is able to somehow enter into the fairy tale worlds that she reads about.
Unfortunately, her latest excursion (while reading 'Beauty and the Beast') lands her in fairy tale court where she is accused of kidnapping Beauty, disrupting the Beast's happy ending and jeopardizing the fairy tale realm.
She is given the awful label of 'fairy tale killer'.
These circumstances eventually lead Melinda and Edward (the Beast) on a mission in our world to rescue Beauty and thwart the Evil Witch who is behind all these difficulties.
The beginning of the story was fun on a number of levels and made me chuckle at points. As was mentioned in another review, this story had a bit of an 'Alice in Wonderland' vibe (especially with those porcupine police!).
I liked the interactions between Melinda and Edward as well as watching him try to make sense of the heroine's modern world. At the same time, despite some sweet moments between them, their love story felt sudden and not developed enough for me to fully buy into it, even as I accepted it in the context of this story.
As well, I felt that the villain of the piece was not dealt with in a way that was satisfying or as she truly deserved. I realize that she was written with a comedic touch and that it probably wasn't meant to be more serious, but that didn't quite work for me.
I understand that this was a
Despite these aspects, I enjoyed this twist on 'Beauty and the Beast' with its various nods to other fairy tales. Wouldn't it be neat if we could enter into these stories that so many of us have grown up with - as long as we didn't end up in court or in jail, of course?
Or inside the Grimm's versions, for that matter...
(That would be bad. Very bad.)
***
'A Happily Ever After of Her Own' is part of Once Upon A Fairy Tale: A Collection of 11 Fairy Tale Inspired Romances which was published February 8, 2015 and was offered for a limited time. It is no longer available for sale.
(Please note: I read the e-book version as I acquired a copy before the anthology came out.)
Further details regarding this collection can be found here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
*** The review link above lists the stories with their story blurbs and other information.
December 20, 2014
Cute and fun. There is not a lot to say, since it was so short. The only negative thing was that I never saw how Melinda and the Beast fell in love. Cos like a day passed and suddenly love, and I was all what? But then it was a fairytale so I will give them that ;)
And who would not fall for the beast!? He has a library! Ok we did not see the library *sulks* But still.
It mostly takes place in our world as Beast and Melinda tries to find beauty. And everyone lives happily ever after, almost everyone. The end.
And who would not fall for the beast!? He has a library! Ok we did not see the library *sulks* But still.
It mostly takes place in our world as Beast and Melinda tries to find beauty. And everyone lives happily ever after, almost everyone. The end.
February 26, 2016
It had started out rather promising, but felt so rushed. It had zero development for the emotions and worse the Evil Witch was campy.
July 8, 2011
Imagine yourself reading one of your favourite novels and then plouff you are suddenly in it! And changing the course of the story! That is exactly what happens to Melinda Lightfoot, an American, girl-next-door preschool teacher, who is suddenly on the bench before a tribunal accused of trespassing in a fairy tale!
She was punctual and loved her students; missing class without calling in so the school could find a suitable substitute was simply unimaginable. Then again, even if she could have called, what would she have told them?
"I’m in Fairy Tale Jail for trespassing, kidnapping Beauty from Beauty and the Beast and ruining a perfectly good happy ending."
And from there the story unfolds...
I have to say that Nadia Lee gripped me right from the beginning, the imaginative start to this novella sucked me in and I read on wanting to discover more about the classic fairy tale characters and learn what would happen with Melinda and the mandatory fairy tale HEA.
Here we get the real deal, what readers don't know about fairy tales: that Fairy Godmother has two sons: Edward (the cursed prince of Beauty and the Beast) and Charming (yeah, you guessed it right, the irresistibly handsome prince). The evil Wicked Witch is Fairy Godmother's baby sister and it was Edward's own aunt who cursed him because he deigned to call her Auntiee Beet! Really, you never knew this was what actually happened, did you?
A Happily Ever After of Her Own is a little gem of a story: it is incredibly original, witty and tongue in cheek funny, entertaining and of course romantic. I loved how it broke all the conventional rules and became such a modern retelling yet stayed true to the spirit and message of fairy tales. It showed a mocking glass to old and beloved characters but did it in a witty and adorable way.
The hero aka cursed prince right after he saved Melinda:
“Are you all right?”
“Yes, thanks to you. You saved my life."
He grunted. “It’s in my contract.”
Really! Can you imagine any prince acting this way? Grunting and uttering these words? Nadia Lee's dialogues are voluble, the repartee entertaining and witty.
"I want a lawyer."
"That is not the right response,” the judge sais sternly. "You plead either guilty or not guilty."
"I have rights."
"You do not. This is under Fairy Tale Jurisdiction."
"What is this, this circus?" she gestured at the guards. "Why hasn’t my sister upgraded to something more dignified? Like trolls?"
"We couldn’t agree on pension benefits," Fairy Godmother said from her seat on the judge’s right. A spotlight shone over her. "After Snow White unionized those dwarves, the trolls followed suit and, well..."
Maybe it is just my legal background, but these terminus technicus and legal mambo jumbo just made me erupt in chuckles! Really! Fairy Tale Jurisdiction and the dwarves establishing a work union? To die of laughter! :-D
What made the story even better and whole was that Melinda was not merely a character there to support and make the fairy tale right, A Happily Ever After of Her Own was just as much her story as it was about the fairy tales. She is such an ordinary character that you immediately feel for her and sympathize with her.
"Police porcupines surrounded her. Their nervous energy was giving her a headache, and she raised a hand to her temple. They immediately leapt back, quills bristling and shields raised. She rolled her eyes. What could a preschool teacher do besides give them a timeout?"
She is just like you and me, and who wouldn't dream of appearing in a fairy tale? :-D
The hero, the cursed prince Edward, aka The Beast starts off as the arrogant prince but Nadia Lee gave him life by fleshing him out and making him a three dimensional real character instead of the cardboard stereotypical prince. His perception of "... and they lived happily ever after" (i.e. that all Happily Ever Afters are hard work) brings reality into the magical, overly rose fairy-dusted unrealistic tales and shows that even princesses and princes have to work at their HEAs:
"Happily ever after does not mean they don't experience exasperation with each other, or are somehow exempt from life's hardships and misery. Living happily ever after is hard work, but you do it because you want to stay in love with the other person. Because your life without this one other, very special person would be something not full, but only half-alive."
I won't spoil the suspense, just say that the romance is tingle inducing and heartwarming. And Nadia Lee spins her own take on the old Beauty and the Beast tale masterfully, bringing you original twists and turns, always leaving the usual pattern and never making the story predictable :-)
Verdict: A Happily Ever After of Her Own is a delightful and entertaining, original and laugh out loud funny, modern fairy tale retelling. If I had to sum it up for those who haven't read it yet I would say it is a contemporary romance meets fairy tale meets Shrek kind of story! You get the cheeky and witty humour of Shrek with all the sweetness and magic of old fairy tales.
A definite keeper, one that everyone should read and will enjoy no matter if they are romance or fairy tale lovers, they will equally love A Happily Ever After of Her Own!
Plot: 10/10
Characters: 9/10
Ending: 8/10
Writing: 10/10
Cover: 10/10
She was punctual and loved her students; missing class without calling in so the school could find a suitable substitute was simply unimaginable. Then again, even if she could have called, what would she have told them?
"I’m in Fairy Tale Jail for trespassing, kidnapping Beauty from Beauty and the Beast and ruining a perfectly good happy ending."
And from there the story unfolds...
I have to say that Nadia Lee gripped me right from the beginning, the imaginative start to this novella sucked me in and I read on wanting to discover more about the classic fairy tale characters and learn what would happen with Melinda and the mandatory fairy tale HEA.
Here we get the real deal, what readers don't know about fairy tales: that Fairy Godmother has two sons: Edward (the cursed prince of Beauty and the Beast) and Charming (yeah, you guessed it right, the irresistibly handsome prince). The evil Wicked Witch is Fairy Godmother's baby sister and it was Edward's own aunt who cursed him because he deigned to call her Auntiee Beet! Really, you never knew this was what actually happened, did you?
A Happily Ever After of Her Own is a little gem of a story: it is incredibly original, witty and tongue in cheek funny, entertaining and of course romantic. I loved how it broke all the conventional rules and became such a modern retelling yet stayed true to the spirit and message of fairy tales. It showed a mocking glass to old and beloved characters but did it in a witty and adorable way.
The hero aka cursed prince right after he saved Melinda:
“Are you all right?”
“Yes, thanks to you. You saved my life."
He grunted. “It’s in my contract.”
Really! Can you imagine any prince acting this way? Grunting and uttering these words? Nadia Lee's dialogues are voluble, the repartee entertaining and witty.
"I want a lawyer."
"That is not the right response,” the judge sais sternly. "You plead either guilty or not guilty."
"I have rights."
"You do not. This is under Fairy Tale Jurisdiction."
"What is this, this circus?" she gestured at the guards. "Why hasn’t my sister upgraded to something more dignified? Like trolls?"
"We couldn’t agree on pension benefits," Fairy Godmother said from her seat on the judge’s right. A spotlight shone over her. "After Snow White unionized those dwarves, the trolls followed suit and, well..."
Maybe it is just my legal background, but these terminus technicus and legal mambo jumbo just made me erupt in chuckles! Really! Fairy Tale Jurisdiction and the dwarves establishing a work union? To die of laughter! :-D
What made the story even better and whole was that Melinda was not merely a character there to support and make the fairy tale right, A Happily Ever After of Her Own was just as much her story as it was about the fairy tales. She is such an ordinary character that you immediately feel for her and sympathize with her.
"Police porcupines surrounded her. Their nervous energy was giving her a headache, and she raised a hand to her temple. They immediately leapt back, quills bristling and shields raised. She rolled her eyes. What could a preschool teacher do besides give them a timeout?"
She is just like you and me, and who wouldn't dream of appearing in a fairy tale? :-D
The hero, the cursed prince Edward, aka The Beast starts off as the arrogant prince but Nadia Lee gave him life by fleshing him out and making him a three dimensional real character instead of the cardboard stereotypical prince. His perception of "... and they lived happily ever after" (i.e. that all Happily Ever Afters are hard work) brings reality into the magical, overly rose fairy-dusted unrealistic tales and shows that even princesses and princes have to work at their HEAs:
"Happily ever after does not mean they don't experience exasperation with each other, or are somehow exempt from life's hardships and misery. Living happily ever after is hard work, but you do it because you want to stay in love with the other person. Because your life without this one other, very special person would be something not full, but only half-alive."
I won't spoil the suspense, just say that the romance is tingle inducing and heartwarming. And Nadia Lee spins her own take on the old Beauty and the Beast tale masterfully, bringing you original twists and turns, always leaving the usual pattern and never making the story predictable :-)
Verdict: A Happily Ever After of Her Own is a delightful and entertaining, original and laugh out loud funny, modern fairy tale retelling. If I had to sum it up for those who haven't read it yet I would say it is a contemporary romance meets fairy tale meets Shrek kind of story! You get the cheeky and witty humour of Shrek with all the sweetness and magic of old fairy tales.
A definite keeper, one that everyone should read and will enjoy no matter if they are romance or fairy tale lovers, they will equally love A Happily Ever After of Her Own!
Plot: 10/10
Characters: 9/10
Ending: 8/10
Writing: 10/10
Cover: 10/10
May 29, 2025
It was a cute and simple short story. HEA all the way and predictable but still cute.
Read
April 22, 2011If you’re looking for a light, funny novella, look no further than A Happily Ever After of Her Own by Nadia Lee. Lee takes the term “fractured fairy tale” to new heights, creating a story in the same vein as the Shrek movies. Upon reading this e-book, who wouldn’t covet Melinda’s ability to pop in and out of various fairy tales? I know I’d love to take a first-hand look at my favorite tales. Then again, Melinda’s unique ability is what gets her into trouble in the first place.
Caught trespassing in Beauty and the Beast, Melinda is sent to Fairy Tale Court, where she must plead her innocence. Upon entering the tale, however, something goes horribly wrong and Beauty winds up missing. Beast appears in Court claiming that because of her, he’ll never get his Happily Ever After. Melinda’s crime is upgraded; she’s now considered a Fairy Tale Killer. It turns out that whenever Melinda stepped into a tale, she created a bridge from our world to that one. The Evil Witch finds out about this and uses the opportunity to snatch up Beauty and take her into our world. Melinda and Beast must set out to find Beauty and bring the Evil Queen back where she belongs before she takes over our world and dooms everyone to a tragic ending.
I really liked the way Lee builds up the way fairy tale characters are related to one another. In a way, characters from various books are really one big happy family. This had me laughing in surprise several times. I also loved the way Lee brought a new way of thinking to the term Happily Ever After. This quote sticks with me even now, a couple of weeks after reading this novella:
“‘Happily ever after does not mean they don't experience exasperation with each other, or are somehow exempt from life's hardships and misery. Living happily ever after is hard work, but you do it because you want to stay in love with the other person. Because your life without this one other, very special person would be something not full, but only half-alive.’"
(pg. 64, nook edition)
One reason people condemn fairy tales is because in real life, there is no “And they lived happily ever after.” I love this quote from Beast because it shows that just because we need to keep working at our relationship, it doesn’t mean that there’s no Happily Ever After. There’s more to his argument than just the above quote, and I feel it’s absolutely brilliant. It truly made me sit back and think.
Being a fairy tale story, Melinda is also on track for a happily ever after of her own, just as the novella’s title implies. Granted, the whole story occurs in about 24 hours, so the romance feels a bit rushed at times, but that might just be me nitpicking. I was also nitpicking when it came to the fact that Beast’s name is Edward. At first, I was surprised by the way the romance shapes up because I wasn’t expecting it to come in the form it did. Lee does it in such a way, however, that it makes sense. There’s a startling revelation about fairy tales that I won’t spoil for you here. Overall, A Happily Ever After of Her Own is a fast, entertaining read that will give you food for thought, especially if you’re a fairy tale lover!
Caught trespassing in Beauty and the Beast, Melinda is sent to Fairy Tale Court, where she must plead her innocence. Upon entering the tale, however, something goes horribly wrong and Beauty winds up missing. Beast appears in Court claiming that because of her, he’ll never get his Happily Ever After. Melinda’s crime is upgraded; she’s now considered a Fairy Tale Killer. It turns out that whenever Melinda stepped into a tale, she created a bridge from our world to that one. The Evil Witch finds out about this and uses the opportunity to snatch up Beauty and take her into our world. Melinda and Beast must set out to find Beauty and bring the Evil Queen back where she belongs before she takes over our world and dooms everyone to a tragic ending.
I really liked the way Lee builds up the way fairy tale characters are related to one another. In a way, characters from various books are really one big happy family. This had me laughing in surprise several times. I also loved the way Lee brought a new way of thinking to the term Happily Ever After. This quote sticks with me even now, a couple of weeks after reading this novella:
“‘Happily ever after does not mean they don't experience exasperation with each other, or are somehow exempt from life's hardships and misery. Living happily ever after is hard work, but you do it because you want to stay in love with the other person. Because your life without this one other, very special person would be something not full, but only half-alive.’"
(pg. 64, nook edition)
One reason people condemn fairy tales is because in real life, there is no “And they lived happily ever after.” I love this quote from Beast because it shows that just because we need to keep working at our relationship, it doesn’t mean that there’s no Happily Ever After. There’s more to his argument than just the above quote, and I feel it’s absolutely brilliant. It truly made me sit back and think.
Being a fairy tale story, Melinda is also on track for a happily ever after of her own, just as the novella’s title implies. Granted, the whole story occurs in about 24 hours, so the romance feels a bit rushed at times, but that might just be me nitpicking. I was also nitpicking when it came to the fact that Beast’s name is Edward. At first, I was surprised by the way the romance shapes up because I wasn’t expecting it to come in the form it did. Lee does it in such a way, however, that it makes sense. There’s a startling revelation about fairy tales that I won’t spoil for you here. Overall, A Happily Ever After of Her Own is a fast, entertaining read that will give you food for thought, especially if you’re a fairy tale lover!
December 27, 2015
I got this book to read on my Kindle quite awhile ago (back when I had just purchased my Kindle and was acquiring ebooks at a breakneck pace). This book was a cute read and okay overall. It’s a very quick story.
Melinda has been able to dream herself into fairy tales for as long as she can remember. However this time is different. She finds herself stuck in Beauty in the Beast and ends up being captured and accused of kidnapping Beauty. Eventually the Fairy Godmother shows up and helps the Court to realize that Melinda wasn’t involved at all, instead the Evil Witch was the one who kidnapped Beauty. As a result Melinda gets charged with hunting down the Evil Witch and returning both the Witch and Beauty back to the Land of Fairy Tales. Unfortunately the Beast is determined to come along and help....and he looks much less beastly in his human form…
This was a very short and straight-forward book (more of a novella really). The plot is very predictable. Melinda and the Beast have fairly good chemistry together; but there just isn’t enough page space to do their relationship justice.
I thought the idea of Melinda being able to dream herself into fairy tales was cute. I also liked that the theme of the book was that happily ever after is something that needs to be worked at by both members of the relationship...not something that just happens.
Aside from the above everything else was just okay. The writing is okay but pretty simple in style, the story is predictable; the result is a story that is a cute and quick read but not great.
Overall a cute and quick read that wasn’t great but wasn’t bad. Really I don’t have a ton to say about it. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it, but if you are looking for a quick paranormal romance/fairy tale retelling it’s okay.
January 14, 2010
Melinda Lightfoot, a preschool teacher with an unusual ability to flit in and out of fairy tales, never thought she would get into trouble… …until the Fairy Tale Police arrest her while she is in Beauty and the Beast. They offer her a deal: Find Beauty, who left the story when Melinda trespassed into it, or be charged with the ultimate crime — Fairy Tale Killer. If that’s not bad enough the Beast tags along in search of his true love, and Melinda starts falling for the fairy tale prince. She must choose between doing the right thing and having her own happily ever after.
I was glad I waited until all 9 chapters were out to read the whole thing, because I couldn't get enough of Melinda's story. It's a delightful story & it's for those of us who have always wondered what happened after the words "happily ever after" were written in the fairy tales we read. The problem I normally have with novellas that are this short is that I have a really hard time getting into the storyline & characters because they are just over too fast. Not so with this one. I loved Melinda's spirit, and the Beast is so swoon-worthy. I might be a little bit biased because I've gotten to know Nadia over the last month or so through twitter, but I think I would have loved the story even if I didn't know her. While this book doesn't have a Christmas theme, the storyline of doing what's right, and thinking of others first, definitely fits in with what Christmas is all about. The chapters are fairly short, and it's a perfect read for during the week.
I was glad I waited until all 9 chapters were out to read the whole thing, because I couldn't get enough of Melinda's story. It's a delightful story & it's for those of us who have always wondered what happened after the words "happily ever after" were written in the fairy tales we read. The problem I normally have with novellas that are this short is that I have a really hard time getting into the storyline & characters because they are just over too fast. Not so with this one. I loved Melinda's spirit, and the Beast is so swoon-worthy. I might be a little bit biased because I've gotten to know Nadia over the last month or so through twitter, but I think I would have loved the story even if I didn't know her. While this book doesn't have a Christmas theme, the storyline of doing what's right, and thinking of others first, definitely fits in with what Christmas is all about. The chapters are fairly short, and it's a perfect read for during the week.
July 23, 2011
This is such a lovely little novella! It's a very quick read (the PDF copy I received was only 60 pages), but reads just like a modern-day fairytale filled with quirks and witty lines.
Keeping in mind that this reads like a fairytale, expect it to move at the pace of a fairytale as well. Melinda falls in love very quickly (but really, compare that to any other fairytale and it's about the average length of time to fall in love). Normally this would be a complaint of mine with the book, but I have no problem enjoying fairytales where the hero and heroine fall for each other quickly and so I don't hold it against this novella either.
My favourite part of the book is how they try to break down the ideal of a "happily ever after". It questions exactly what "ever after" means and how does one achieve their ever after "happily"? I believe this would be the basic moral of the story, and it's refreshing to see this idea, which is often taken for granted, challenged here yet still put in a positive light.
I've read reviews comparing this to Shrek, and they do have a similar feel. I really think Lee's world would be a fun fairytale world to explore in other books as well, but this is a grea tlittle taste for now.
Keeping in mind that this reads like a fairytale, expect it to move at the pace of a fairytale as well. Melinda falls in love very quickly (but really, compare that to any other fairytale and it's about the average length of time to fall in love). Normally this would be a complaint of mine with the book, but I have no problem enjoying fairytales where the hero and heroine fall for each other quickly and so I don't hold it against this novella either.
My favourite part of the book is how they try to break down the ideal of a "happily ever after". It questions exactly what "ever after" means and how does one achieve their ever after "happily"? I believe this would be the basic moral of the story, and it's refreshing to see this idea, which is often taken for granted, challenged here yet still put in a positive light.
I've read reviews comparing this to Shrek, and they do have a similar feel. I really think Lee's world would be a fun fairytale world to explore in other books as well, but this is a grea tlittle taste for now.
January 15, 2018
***available in the Once Upon A Fairy Tale collection***
Melinda Lightfoot has the ability of travelling between our and the fairy tale realm. But one day she is caught trespassing in The Beauty and the Beast fairy tale and charged with kidnapping Beauty as the heroine disappears.
In order to overthrow her conviction as a Fairy Tale Killer, Melinda must return to the real world and find Beauty. She has three days to do it, and to make things even more complicated, Beast (in his studly princely form) decides to tag along.
This one was a hoot to read with Edward (beast) experiencing cultural shock as he accompanied Melinda to the real world.
I liked both protagonists, though I wish the romance would've been developed a little bit better, but I guess the author was pressed for time.
The final resolution also felt a bit rushed, but "they all lived happily ever after".
Melinda Lightfoot has the ability of travelling between our and the fairy tale realm. But one day she is caught trespassing in The Beauty and the Beast fairy tale and charged with kidnapping Beauty as the heroine disappears.
In order to overthrow her conviction as a Fairy Tale Killer, Melinda must return to the real world and find Beauty. She has three days to do it, and to make things even more complicated, Beast (in his studly princely form) decides to tag along.
This one was a hoot to read with Edward (beast) experiencing cultural shock as he accompanied Melinda to the real world.
I liked both protagonists, though I wish the romance would've been developed a little bit better, but I guess the author was pressed for time.
The final resolution also felt a bit rushed, but "they all lived happily ever after".
April 22, 2020
An okay book.
This seemed like a really fun premise, but I felt it was just an okay execution of the story. Wish it had been longer so there was more time for the love and the characters to grow. It was a quick read and still enjoyable.
This seemed like a really fun premise, but I felt it was just an okay execution of the story. Wish it had been longer so there was more time for the love and the characters to grow. It was a quick read and still enjoyable.
March 6, 2014
Cute little story..
This book was free and the little blurb sounded interesting, so why not?
Melinda's power was so cool. I mean, lots of people have imagined theirselves in fairytales... My personal favourite was "The Little Mermaid".
Another thing that was cool was the way that Edward interpretted the idea of "happily ever after". Lee makes us think about what that actually means. When we think of happily ever after we don't think about what it actually is. To some people it is a far off place or idea that they don't think they'll ever get to. Nadia Lee makes us think about what our "happily ever after" and what we want it to look like.
The thing that was the most nifty thing about this story was the fact that everyone was related to each other. That was really cool.
So glad I took the time to read this book! :)
This book was free and the little blurb sounded interesting, so why not?
Melinda's power was so cool. I mean, lots of people have imagined theirselves in fairytales... My personal favourite was "The Little Mermaid".
Another thing that was cool was the way that Edward interpretted the idea of "happily ever after". Lee makes us think about what that actually means. When we think of happily ever after we don't think about what it actually is. To some people it is a far off place or idea that they don't think they'll ever get to. Nadia Lee makes us think about what our "happily ever after" and what we want it to look like.
The thing that was the most nifty thing about this story was the fact that everyone was related to each other. That was really cool.
So glad I took the time to read this book! :)
August 17, 2015
I received this book from Netgalley as part of a multi-work collection (Once Upon A Fairy Tale: A Collection of 11 Fairy Tale Inspired Romances) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
More of a 1.5
This had an interesting, albeit cutesy (but we're talking fairytales here) premise. Where it lacks is in execution. There's a beginning....and then there's an end. Yes, there are some things that happen in the middle, but they don't really count as a middle showing the progression from Beginning to End.
Just inexplicable insta-love to glue the two halves together.
More of a 1.5
This had an interesting, albeit cutesy (but we're talking fairytales here) premise. Where it lacks is in execution. There's a beginning....and then there's an end. Yes, there are some things that happen in the middle, but they don't really count as a middle showing the progression from Beginning to End.
Just inexplicable insta-love to glue the two halves together.
November 19, 2013
'Twas an enjoyable read, but must admit not a story that I'd have normally have read. I liked the retelling of "Beauty and the Beast" that the author, Nadia Lee did. I always wondered what it would be like to enter into a Fairy Tale and now, through the heroine, Melinda; I have some idea.
I rather liked Beast's explanation of the Happily Ever After ending. That has always been my problem with Fairy Tales. Life doesn't have a HEA. Usually. You have to work at those, and I like that both Beast and Melinda are aware of that.
I recommend this book to anyone wanting a short read, with a trace of childhood in it. It's not your Momma's Fairy Tale, but it's one worth reading.
I rather liked Beast's explanation of the Happily Ever After ending. That has always been my problem with Fairy Tales. Life doesn't have a HEA. Usually. You have to work at those, and I like that both Beast and Melinda are aware of that.
I recommend this book to anyone wanting a short read, with a trace of childhood in it. It's not your Momma's Fairy Tale, but it's one worth reading.
September 1, 2013
"4.5 out of 5 stars!! This sweetly, romantic, lighthearted novella is one that will keep you entertained while you find out another side to the Beast! I really liked the enchantingly humorous banter that Melinda and Edward partake in, as it made me like them even more."
Read more of this review and two teasers here: http://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2013/09/feasted-on-ever-after-series-book-1.html
Read more of this review and two teasers here: http://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2013/09/feasted-on-ever-after-series-book-1.html
December 9, 2012
This was a well-written, thoroughly enjoyable new take on the fairytale genre. The premise was unique and the dialogue was enjoyable. The characters were not idealized but were fleshed out and enjoyable.
My only complaint is that it could have been longer-not a bad complaint at all, but I would have loved to have a bit more with those characters.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves fairytales and I can't wait to see more from this author!
My only complaint is that it could have been longer-not a bad complaint at all, but I would have loved to have a bit more with those characters.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves fairytales and I can't wait to see more from this author!
August 21, 2013
This was a cute story. Melinda in able to transport herself into Fairy Tales. Unfortunately, she is discover by the Wicked Witch, who kidnaps Beauty and escapes with her to the real world. Now, Melinda has to capture the witch and return with her and Beauty to the fairy tale world, or she will be tried for various crimes. Beast is sent with her to watch her. How much trouble can a fairy tale Prince get into in the real world?
December 21, 2010
What a pleasant surprise!
A sweet romance set in a contemporary setting and a short, easy read that took me a single night. Ms. Lee entertained me with her take on fairy tales and their happily-ever-afters. Beauty and the Beast has always been one of my favorite stories as a child so that's what drew me to Ms. Lee's book as an adult. I recommend this read.
A sweet romance set in a contemporary setting and a short, easy read that took me a single night. Ms. Lee entertained me with her take on fairy tales and their happily-ever-afters. Beauty and the Beast has always been one of my favorite stories as a child so that's what drew me to Ms. Lee's book as an adult. I recommend this read.
April 5, 2015
I got this in the Once Upon A Fairy Tale box set. It's a quick read, but really cute. I'm a sucker for fairy tales and how authors love to spin it with their own quirks. I wish it was longer to allow for further development between the Beast & Melinda. I look forward to reading others in this series.
December 31, 2013
This was super cute. I really didn't know what to expect of this story but It was really cute and touch on that side of me that has always wanted to be swept off my feet by a handsome prince. Great pick me up book!
Read
August 10, 2022I do enjoy a good fairy tale and I love anything related to Beauty and the Beast. Luckily for me this had both.
It was a quick, enjoyable read. Overall it was cute. It just wasn't enough to convince me to continue reading this author.
It was a quick, enjoyable read. Overall it was cute. It just wasn't enough to convince me to continue reading this author.
August 26, 2014
A twist on beauty and the beast
everyone loves beauty and the beast. however the beauty of this story is that it follows a modern twist with a flare of magic. book and dimension jumping. a Prince who finds true love. what more could you ask for in a beauty and the beast story?
everyone loves beauty and the beast. however the beauty of this story is that it follows a modern twist with a flare of magic. book and dimension jumping. a Prince who finds true love. what more could you ask for in a beauty and the beast story?
January 3, 2015
This is a short little story about a woman who can go into fairytaleland while she sleeps, she meets some goofy characters, gets charged with some crimes, and still manages to get a happily every after of her own. A fun read.
January 23, 2010
A fun read!
June 4, 2010
LOVE LOVE LOVED this book. It was a light and happy romp that will appeal to any fairy tale lover.
May 31, 2011
This is a funny smart modern-day fractured fairytale. I read it when Nadia Lee first published it, and enjoyed it very much.
October 19, 2011
Review coming.
November 19, 2020
I liked the twist on fairy tales and Beauty and the Beast (which is my favorite of them all). I just wish it was longer!
Want to read
May 29, 2013It sounds cute. I hope the preschool details are accurate but not counting on it as few authors get it right.
July 21, 2013
I liked how the book was a modern twist on the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast.
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