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Fairy Tale Retellings #2
The Cat Returns to Adderly
Orphaned, Luke Miller is left alone and homeless with only his cat for company. But Wentworth is more than an average feline, and when Luke makes a set of leather boots to keep his paws safe, it might help them both find the path to where they belong.
Previously published in Fables Retold under the same title.
Previously published in Fables Retold under the same title.
173 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 26, 2021
37 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
January 21, 2022
This book started out with an interesting premise but petered out as it went along.
A few of the scenes were really strange. I couldn't tell if Wentworth the cat truly transformed into Alastair the man or if Luke was just dreaming.
I also didn't see the point of continuing with the "evil brother" plot (Luke's two older brothers are monsters who kick him out of the house after their parents pass away, even though Luke just barely graduated from high school, but then one of them comes back to harass Luke).
And how did the brothers even figure out that the book Luke took was valuable (it was a "magical" book, but the brothers had no way of knowing that)?
Then there was all this talk about Luke's best friend, but she's totally off page and we never get to meet her.
There was no world building, no character development. We're just thrown into this world where witches exist. I don't know what I was expecting, but this wasn't it.
A few of the scenes were really strange. I couldn't tell if Wentworth the cat truly transformed into Alastair the man or if Luke was just dreaming.
I also didn't see the point of continuing with the "evil brother" plot (Luke's two older brothers are monsters who kick him out of the house after their parents pass away, even though Luke just barely graduated from high school, but then one of them comes back to harass Luke).
And how did the brothers even figure out that the book Luke took was valuable (it was a "magical" book, but the brothers had no way of knowing that)?
Then there was all this talk about Luke's best friend, but she's totally off page and we never get to meet her.
There was no world building, no character development. We're just thrown into this world where witches exist. I don't know what I was expecting, but this wasn't it.
December 27, 2021
Entertaining and adorably charming.
While I enjoyed The Cat Returns to Adderly, the story felt underdeveloped in a couple ways. Luke’s brother, James was cartoonishly evil without any explanation or reasoning for his villainy. His presence felt nonsensically forced to create conflict. Also, the final resolution was abrupt, simple and convenient, a little too deus ex machina for my tastes.
Still, this is a sweet little reimagined Puss in Boots tale.
3.25 stars
While I enjoyed The Cat Returns to Adderly, the story felt underdeveloped in a couple ways. Luke’s brother, James was cartoonishly evil without any explanation or reasoning for his villainy. His presence felt nonsensically forced to create conflict. Also, the final resolution was abrupt, simple and convenient, a little too deus ex machina for my tastes.
Still, this is a sweet little reimagined Puss in Boots tale.
3.25 stars
October 8, 2022
This is the most curious puss in boots adaptation I've read. I enjoyed it, though the way the magic happened was a bit confusing at times. I'm a bit perplexed at it, thinking it in retrospect. But it wasn't a properly made spell, so I guess some oddities are allowed
February 22, 2022
DNF ~80%
I really was trying to finish this one, but it was such a mess I couldn't do it. I was so intrigued by the concept as I love a good fairy tale retelling and I'd never seen one with Puss in Boots before, but this was really all over the place. The style and tropes really felt like a historical/old-timey type setting, but it was also set in the modern world, but not *quite* our world as people seemed to maybe know about witches? It was really confusing and I just don't think the mash-up was really effective. The plot was a bit bizarre and incoherent, with some pretty glaring and confusing plot holes and/or leaps of logic that had me scratching my head. I didn't really feel the connection between the characters and the smut did nothing for me. Sadly this one wasn't a winner.
I really was trying to finish this one, but it was such a mess I couldn't do it. I was so intrigued by the concept as I love a good fairy tale retelling and I'd never seen one with Puss in Boots before, but this was really all over the place. The style and tropes really felt like a historical/old-timey type setting, but it was also set in the modern world, but not *quite* our world as people seemed to maybe know about witches? It was really confusing and I just don't think the mash-up was really effective. The plot was a bit bizarre and incoherent, with some pretty glaring and confusing plot holes and/or leaps of logic that had me scratching my head. I didn't really feel the connection between the characters and the smut did nothing for me. Sadly this one wasn't a winner.
October 18, 2021
Cute, although the characterization is super shallow. That's not uncommon to the originals of fairy tales, but re-tellings are usually better with a little more than just "bad person is bad. look, watch them be bad. Good person is good. look, watch them be good." Was still amusing, and a nod to Puss-In-Boots is a more interesting choice than the millionth cinder/beauty/snow tale.
January 16, 2022
This was really great until we got our second mc in the flesh. We never got a scene or two with them as they are where we see the culmination of their relationship. And there are some pretty big world-building plot holes where magical type stuff is talked about like everyone knows about it and nobody blinks an eye.
All in all, the first half is great. The second half, not so much. But this is worth the read.
All in all, the first half is great. The second half, not so much. But this is worth the read.
October 25, 2021
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
An MM fairytale with a human named Luke, and a cat named Wentworth. This is told in dual (sort of) POV. And yes, it’s told from a cat’s perspective.😸
In the beginning we find Luke - who just graduated high school a few months before - having his world upended. His parents have died in a car accident, and his older brothers told him he needs to move out of the house. He has nowhere to go, only a little bit of cash, and mostly all he can think about is having enough Tuna for his cat. As Luke is walking along trying to find a place for them to rest for the night, Wentworth jumps off him and guides Luke to an old empty Victorian house.
Since the house has clearly been empty for a long time, Luke hopefully thinks that they can stay there. At least until the witch that once lived there returns. He’s hoping he can clean a bit and make the house shine again, and the residents won’t be too mad for him breaking in. As Luke spends more time in the house he starts having dreams of the witch that previously lived there. In the dreams the witch is looking after him and making it feel like Luke really should be there.
The house (and Luke’s goodness) also helps Wentworth to find where he belongs. Slowly, but surely we see Wentworth come into his natural state.
”Luke didn’t know, he realized with a jolt. The poor man didn’t realize that he had permission from the witch he was worried about, because again, Wentworth was stuck as a cat, and couldn’t simply say that he’d be happy if Luke ate every vegetable in the garden and read all of his books. Forever.”
So a story is told of a man and his cat - that’s not really a cat - and how they fell in love, and found a place to call home.
An MM fairytale with a human named Luke, and a cat named Wentworth. This is told in dual (sort of) POV. And yes, it’s told from a cat’s perspective.😸
In the beginning we find Luke - who just graduated high school a few months before - having his world upended. His parents have died in a car accident, and his older brothers told him he needs to move out of the house. He has nowhere to go, only a little bit of cash, and mostly all he can think about is having enough Tuna for his cat. As Luke is walking along trying to find a place for them to rest for the night, Wentworth jumps off him and guides Luke to an old empty Victorian house.
Since the house has clearly been empty for a long time, Luke hopefully thinks that they can stay there. At least until the witch that once lived there returns. He’s hoping he can clean a bit and make the house shine again, and the residents won’t be too mad for him breaking in. As Luke spends more time in the house he starts having dreams of the witch that previously lived there. In the dreams the witch is looking after him and making it feel like Luke really should be there.
The house (and Luke’s goodness) also helps Wentworth to find where he belongs. Slowly, but surely we see Wentworth come into his natural state.
”Luke didn’t know, he realized with a jolt. The poor man didn’t realize that he had permission from the witch he was worried about, because again, Wentworth was stuck as a cat, and couldn’t simply say that he’d be happy if Luke ate every vegetable in the garden and read all of his books. Forever.”
So a story is told of a man and his cat - that’s not really a cat - and how they fell in love, and found a place to call home.
October 17, 2021
I really enjoyed this fairy tale. Luke is a young man kicked out of his house and left penniless and homeless after his parent's death. All he has are his adopted cat Wentworth and a book given to him by his grandfather. Luckily, he finds shelter in an abandoned witch's house. The story is delightful. It is told in Luke's, Wentworth's and Alastair's (the witch) point of view, in alternating chapters. I loved reading the interactions between Luke and Wentworth and Luke and Alastair. I recommend this book for a fun, heartwarming read.
February 1, 2022
This is a retelling of Puss-in-Boots. Apparently I never really knew the true meaning behind this story. This author is quickly becoming an auto buy for me. She can tell a good story. This book had me from the beginning. Watching this story unfold had me staying up pretty late. I am finding that I mostly can't go wrong with the works of this author.
November 11, 2021
An unusual book. It was based on the story of Puss in Boots, which I have no knowledge of so it was an adventure. I love stories which have snarky cats who are cats and not shifters and although Dub wasn't snarky I did love him and was a bit upset when he became Alastair in the end.
July 31, 2022
Well, that was an adorable little book. It wasn’t perfect, but if you’re looking for a cute, witchy tale with a cinnamon roll protagonist and his magic cat this is it. Low angst, warm fuzzy feelings, and a happy ending…I almost wish I’d waited till spooky season to read this!
January 16, 2022
I have thoroughly enjoyed everything I have read by Sam Burns. This book was no exception. I was pulled in by the cat’s POV early on and intrigued as the story continued to unfold. Luke is one of this characters you find yourself, as a reader, super protective of from the very beginning. I loved the way the story unfolded and want more adventures of Luke and Alastair!
October 13, 2021
Sam Burns is an author more on my miss list than my hit list. I really like the Fantastic Fluke series, and the Wolves of Kismet series is good fun but all the other stories I've read from her fall a little flat. This one, while compulsively readable--I literally read this entire thing at four in the morning while I was unable to sleep--was very odd in the romance department. One of our mains spends pretty much the entire book as a cat, which I don't think is a spoiler. We expect the cat to secretly be a man, right? Good. Except the man spends all his time as a cat remembering he's a man while a human version of him exists on some metaphysical plane Luke can access while asleep. This would've been fine if this story had an extra fifty pages tacked on or something. As it is, very few conversations take place on this plane, and we pretty much jump straight to sex, so I'm even less convinced of the romance than I was in pretty much every book of Rowan Harbor Cycle. (Seriously, I don't understand any of those romances.) So... cute but needed a little better pacing so I didn't feel like Luke fell in love with a cat. I mean, I love my cats but I wouldn't want to date them.
Anyway, four stars for compulsive readability, one star for romance.
Anyway, four stars for compulsive readability, one star for romance.
November 19, 2021
Imaginative, well written, and full of great characters
Urban fantasy binge reading continues, this time with a author well established as a terrific writer of fantastical, magical tales and series.
I must have missed Sam Burns’ fantasy fairytale story first time around. So I was happy to make its acquaintance by chance now, lured in by its great cover and evocative title. Why did du Maurier’s Rebecca spring to mind? Nevertheless, it pulled me right in.
Told from the pov of Wainwright, a cat and companion to Luke, youngest of three Miller brothers. Parents recently deceased and the older brothers have decided to deprive Luke of his rightful inheritance and chase him from his home, with only the cat and his grandfather’s book in his possession.
Luke’s shaky, uncertain perspective comes in later as the young man struggles to survive on the streets without resources, unwilling to part from Wainwright.
Unaware that Wainwright is trying to provide for them both and just might be more than either of them suspect.
The Cat Returns To Adderly turns into one of those stories that engages your imagination as well as your heart. Sam Burns builds such fascinating characters here! And not just the main characters of Luke and Alastair. But that circle of witches that attend to the Market just cries out for an expanded version or more stories. How powerful a presence were they!
Plus I needed more knowledge of Luke’s grandfather and that book! And poor Elz. And and and……
It’s a parade of intriguing characters here. And all I wanted to know was more more more. Of what came next. Of what happened in the past… just everything.
Because there’s more elements here that needed a wider universe and plain bigger novel (s).
This? It’s great. But the promise for over the top magnificent? It’s everywhere.
Read it and see if you agree.
Yes I’m definitely c recommending this.
Urban fantasy binge reading continues, this time with a author well established as a terrific writer of fantastical, magical tales and series.
I must have missed Sam Burns’ fantasy fairytale story first time around. So I was happy to make its acquaintance by chance now, lured in by its great cover and evocative title. Why did du Maurier’s Rebecca spring to mind? Nevertheless, it pulled me right in.
Told from the pov of Wainwright, a cat and companion to Luke, youngest of three Miller brothers. Parents recently deceased and the older brothers have decided to deprive Luke of his rightful inheritance and chase him from his home, with only the cat and his grandfather’s book in his possession.
Luke’s shaky, uncertain perspective comes in later as the young man struggles to survive on the streets without resources, unwilling to part from Wainwright.
Unaware that Wainwright is trying to provide for them both and just might be more than either of them suspect.
The Cat Returns To Adderly turns into one of those stories that engages your imagination as well as your heart. Sam Burns builds such fascinating characters here! And not just the main characters of Luke and Alastair. But that circle of witches that attend to the Market just cries out for an expanded version or more stories. How powerful a presence were they!
Plus I needed more knowledge of Luke’s grandfather and that book! And poor Elz. And and and……
It’s a parade of intriguing characters here. And all I wanted to know was more more more. Of what came next. Of what happened in the past… just everything.
Because there’s more elements here that needed a wider universe and plain bigger novel (s).
This? It’s great. But the promise for over the top magnificent? It’s everywhere.
Read it and see if you agree.
Yes I’m definitely c recommending this.
June 1, 2025
First and foremost, this tale is as close to the original Puss in Boots as Dreamworks' Puss is to the original Puss in Boots. This story starts with the same premise: a boy gets kicked out from the only home he's ever known by his own brothers upon their parents' death, with only a cat.
After that, we find many, many differences.
First, this is a contemporary story, set an unspecified time after 1991, although witches are common enough that there are laws about them. Second, this cat is not called Puss; he is called Wentworth and he is not able to communicate in human speech. Thus, the cat does not make bargains with any kings or ogres. Third, the boy has a brain, contributing to his own upward mobility, unlike the original boy who just obeys his cat, and he tries so hard to be good and polite. I like the boy a lot.
It's an awesome story. Feels a bit like fated mates, even though technically, it's not. I also would like more stories in this world. I have so many questions as to how much witchery and witches are interwoven into the law and culture.
After that, we find many, many differences.
First, this is a contemporary story, set an unspecified time after 1991, although witches are common enough that there are laws about them. Second, this cat is not called Puss; he is called Wentworth and he is not able to communicate in human speech. Thus, the cat does not make bargains with any kings or ogres. Third, the boy has a brain, contributing to his own upward mobility, unlike the original boy who just obeys his cat, and he tries so hard to be good and polite. I like the boy a lot.
It's an awesome story. Feels a bit like fated mates, even though technically, it's not. I also would like more stories in this world. I have so many questions as to how much witchery and witches are interwoven into the law and culture.
May 8, 2023
OMG, so freaking cute!
I loved this! So sweet and cute! This author is new to me and I’m definitely going to have to look them up so I can read more if their work! I agree with others that I’d love to hear more about Luke’s grandfather and his parents, as well as Alastair’s sister, but for the length of the book, I think it’d be hard to go into much more detail without hurting the story or character building. That being said, the pacing was lovely and I loved learning about the characters as Alastair and Wentworth both work their way through the mystery of what happened to get them in this situation. Read this via KU but I’m definitely buying this! Really cute, fun story.
I loved this! So sweet and cute! This author is new to me and I’m definitely going to have to look them up so I can read more if their work! I agree with others that I’d love to hear more about Luke’s grandfather and his parents, as well as Alastair’s sister, but for the length of the book, I think it’d be hard to go into much more detail without hurting the story or character building. That being said, the pacing was lovely and I loved learning about the characters as Alastair and Wentworth both work their way through the mystery of what happened to get them in this situation. Read this via KU but I’m definitely buying this! Really cute, fun story.
October 12, 2025
"The Cat Returns to Adderly" received FOUR stars.
Absolutely adored this one!
The novel gained *stars* for these items:
* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."
* gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."
* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."
* gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"
The novel failed to gain stars for this item:
NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."
Absolutely adored this one!
The novel gained *stars* for these items:
* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."
* gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."
* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."
* gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"
The novel failed to gain stars for this item:
NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."
November 11, 2021
How rare this was! I could have read this story to my grandkids... well, except for the smexy times! *grin*
I will be honest, I am not a cat lover, but who wouldn't love Dub/Wentworth? And, for full transparency, I have never read or seen Puss in Boots... but, I am sure that like most fairy tales, there are bad guys and good guys! Which this story had a wide selection of both!
This was just a cute, pass-the-time read that would be enjoyed by almost anyone!
I will be honest, I am not a cat lover, but who wouldn't love Dub/Wentworth? And, for full transparency, I have never read or seen Puss in Boots... but, I am sure that like most fairy tales, there are bad guys and good guys! Which this story had a wide selection of both!
This was just a cute, pass-the-time read that would be enjoyed by almost anyone!
December 11, 2021
I LOVED this book. So much so, I stayed up to 5am to finish it in one night. It was adorable, and sweet, and magical in all the best ways. It had its tense moments where, although you knew everything had to turn out OK in the end, not knowing how and when we'd get there was stressful. In a good, gripping, OMG-I-need-to-finish-this-book-tonight sort of way. Like I said, I loved it, beginning to end.
And extra <3's to the farmers market.
And extra <3's to the farmers market.
January 29, 2022
The Cat Returns to Adderly is a treat
This is one of the best retellings of 'Puss in Boots' that I've had the pleasure to read. It was an interesting perspective and a very different plot development to the usual. It was creative and enjoyable in the characters and the world building, although in this instance the world building was very low-key, but it worked here. I can definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys both fairy tales and unusual romances.
This is one of the best retellings of 'Puss in Boots' that I've had the pleasure to read. It was an interesting perspective and a very different plot development to the usual. It was creative and enjoyable in the characters and the world building, although in this instance the world building was very low-key, but it worked here. I can definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys both fairy tales and unusual romances.
June 19, 2024
'The Cat Returns to Adderly'
(Fairy Tale Retellings #2)
by Sam Burns
A quirky re-telling of the fairytale 'Puss 'n Boots', which was pretty fun to read!
There were a few disconnects for me, sort of gaps in information... times where questions like 'How did the brother know the book was magical and worth money?' sorts of things.
That said, it was an interesting and creative storyline and times that I laughed out loud at the cat's antics.
(Fairy Tale Retellings #2)
by Sam Burns
A quirky re-telling of the fairytale 'Puss 'n Boots', which was pretty fun to read!
There were a few disconnects for me, sort of gaps in information... times where questions like 'How did the brother know the book was magical and worth money?' sorts of things.
That said, it was an interesting and creative storyline and times that I laughed out loud at the cat's antics.
July 7, 2025
Loved!!!
Loved this story! Lately, I've been reading halfway through books and either dropping or skimming the rest due to waning interest, but I HAD to read all of this one. I absolutely loved Luke. Talk about a fighter. He had so much crap thrown at him yet never gave up nor gave in. Granted, he had the perfect sidekick to keep him going. Either way, it was truly enjoyable. Thank you, author!
Loved this story! Lately, I've been reading halfway through books and either dropping or skimming the rest due to waning interest, but I HAD to read all of this one. I absolutely loved Luke. Talk about a fighter. He had so much crap thrown at him yet never gave up nor gave in. Granted, he had the perfect sidekick to keep him going. Either way, it was truly enjoyable. Thank you, author!
December 16, 2021
OMG! So good
Okay so this book was absolutely amazing! It was creative and adorable and little sexy and I just couldn't put it down! I refuse to say more because I don't want to give away the story but if you don't read this you will really be missing out on a superbly wonderful book.
Okay so this book was absolutely amazing! It was creative and adorable and little sexy and I just couldn't put it down! I refuse to say more because I don't want to give away the story but if you don't read this you will really be missing out on a superbly wonderful book.
March 17, 2022
This is a sweet and somewhat-inventive retelling of Puss in Boots. I slightly prefer Angel Martinez' take Boots, but this was still an entertaining diversion.
October 10, 2023
4.75 stars
Loved it! It made perfect sense why Alastair isn't thinking clearly -- it must've been rather a shock when it initially happened... Luke is an utter cinnamon roll and worth protecting. Yes, in some ways it's a little simple, but it's also a fairy tale so I thought it was nearly perfect! Btw, Alastair in my head looks a lot like Eliot from The Magicians. Mmmmm.
Loved it! It made perfect sense why Alastair isn't thinking clearly -- it must've been rather a shock when it initially happened... Luke is an utter cinnamon roll and worth protecting. Yes, in some ways it's a little simple, but it's also a fairy tale so I thought it was nearly perfect! Btw, Alastair in my head looks a lot like Eliot from The Magicians. Mmmmm.
December 20, 2023
Short but sweet
3.5 stars
Very cute fairytale. I'm always one to prefer a longer story which is why I knocked off a half star, it allows for so much more world building and character development. But this was a totally sweet fluffy read so I can't complain much. I'll definitely be adding it to my re-read in the future list when I need a quick pick me up. Very enjoyable.
3.5 stars
Very cute fairytale. I'm always one to prefer a longer story which is why I knocked off a half star, it allows for so much more world building and character development. But this was a totally sweet fluffy read so I can't complain much. I'll definitely be adding it to my re-read in the future list when I need a quick pick me up. Very enjoyable.
October 25, 2021
I borrowed this on KU just by the title alone. It didn't hit me at the time that the fairy tale it was retelling was Puss in Boots. Which was one of my favorite stories as a kid. Loved this story so much that I ended up buying it. Such a sweet, sweet tale!
October 27, 2021
I am not one for fairy tales but I loved this book. The premise that the story has is unique for me--never read a fairy tale like this. Loved Luke and Wentworth--I think I may have to buy this to re-read it. Recommend reading this.
December 10, 2021
Loved it!
I don’t usually care for fairy tale retelling. It’s been overdone I think. But this was such a cute story. I loved Wentworth’s pov. It was just what I was looking to read! Not too dark or angsty, but not sugary sweet. A great balance.
I don’t usually care for fairy tale retelling. It’s been overdone I think. But this was such a cute story. I loved Wentworth’s pov. It was just what I was looking to read! Not too dark or angsty, but not sugary sweet. A great balance.
December 25, 2021
★ Read when it was part of the Fables Retold Anthology (Retelling: Puss In Boots) ★
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews