A Retelling of The Princess and the Pea (The Four Kingdoms Book 1)

Excellent read! Alyssa is a wonderful, brave, humble, kind, driven, intelligent, and beautiful character. You are immediately drawn into the story and emotionally invested in the characters and before you know it, you have devoured the book and are anticipating the next.

There were a couple of times through the book that I wondered how there was to be a happy ending. But there was one. I am so glad. I truly loved the characters and how grown up they became through the story. There was sweet and clean romance, intrigue and danger that had me holding my breath and of course some misunderstandings that could potentially ruin everything. I loved it and I look forward to more from this Ms. Cellist.
I received this book free from one of the book subscription emails.

Excellent read! As a young adult, I found this book refreshing and breath-takingly whimsical! I loved how it was clean!!! Few books nowadays have a clean yet beautiful structure, and Ms. Cellist has achieved these distinguished qualities with flying colors! At the same time, she has instilled a well-set moral compass within her main character, Alyssa, one of which is even more rare to find in modern-day books. If anyone has any qualms over trying this book or believes it might be dark (the cover is a wee bit on the dark side), know that this book is bright yet realistic. The sappy moments aren't tar-thick heavy, they float on the tongue like a delicious pastry, being light and delicately sweet all the same. There is enough action to keep one perched on the edge of suspense and the values that Alyssa holds true to are inspiring and great for self-reflection. I hold this book in the same light as I would another one of my favorite series: King Arthur and Her Knights by K M Shea. Both writers are incredibly gifted in writing clean, amazing historical fiction. It is with great heart that I confidently recommend the Princess Companion! Hope this helps someone! ;)

This is a fun retelling of Princess and the Pea. I enjoyed going on Alyssa’s journey as she starts out as a girl lost in the woods, becomes a companion (kind of like a babysitter) to the princesses of the kingdom, and eventually, a princess herself.

What I liked: This is an incredibly unique idea. I love retellings – give me any kind and I’ll soak them up – and I really don’t see a lot of Princess & The Pea retellings, if any at all. I loved the premise and the set up. The summary really drew me in and I was all like “grabby hands” (even though it took a while for met to actually get to this review, sorry!).

The characters are well-rounded and believable. There are two young twins, Lily and Sophia, who make life a little stressful for Alyssa, plus their older brother, the prince, who also likes to agitate Alyssa throughout most of the story. Lots of highs and lows for the lead character as she figures out her place in the royal castle and in the hearts of her royal family, especially when there are several situations where both her identity and morals are put into question.

The one thing I wasn’t fond of: Although there’s a lot going on and it all makes sense, sometimes there’s a bit of information overload with the setup, causing the plot to slow down to a crawl. It’s like the story is setup so that there are several “acts” in which each act is a new story for the character. Part one, she gets the job; part two, she’s figuring out her way; part three, she’s dealing with romantic competition and characters who want to build her up and/or tear her down. Which is fine and dandy except a lot of things are almost too descriptive in the flow and this made it drag a bit for me. I found my mind wandering a lot during these parts and I was able to set the book down, rather than reading on like I love doing.

But otherwise, a very enjoyable read, especially if you love books by C.J. Redwine, Marissa Meyer, and Melodie Dickerson.

Fairy tale retellings are some of my favourite books and fairy tales themselves are one of my favourite genres. I love everything about them, their universality, their ability to become any story possible while still being recognised at a level as being a fairy tale, and I love that there are one hundred ways to tell the exact same story and have it come out one hundred different ways.

Cellier's story is exactly this. It is The Princess and the Pea story we all recognise, but told in a way that it becomes a whole new story on its own. There is still so much of a fairytale in this story: woodcutter's daughter, godmothers, princes and kingdoms, but Cellier manages to create something more intricate and complex than the original tale. It is sweet, creative, incredibly clever, and even sneaks in a other fairy tale references and shows us what happens at the end of a happily ever after.

Alyssa's role as a Princess Companion brings about all sorts of adventure and danger, and seeing her develop and change, along with all the other characters, is quite rewarding. When the romance emerges it is beautifully told; Cellier doesn't spring it on us, she weaves it through, misdirection and ignorance throughout. I can't go on enough about how well this is written.

The original Princess and the Pea fairy tale is not an overly popular retelling compared to Cinderella or Beauty and the Beast, but Cellier has expanded on this incredibly short fairy tale phenomenally, giving depth and fullness to every character and creating a solid and emotionally stable story all within the beginning and end of the traditional fairy tale.

Reading this novel gives you the warm fuzzy feeling that a well told story produces, and this simple fairy tale has been filled with so much, so many details and complexities, tiny moments that add so much meaning but seem so innocent. It's fantastic. Cellier truly has written an enchanting, enthralling, and brilliant novel that still feels like you are reading a classic fairy tale.

A longer version of this review was published on my blog [...]

I loved this book! It was so good! I had never heard of this series before but I’ve read other series like them. I love retellings. This was not a disappointment. I’m not a spoiler kind of person when it comes to book reviews and I hate when reviewers recap the entire plot when all I really want to know is what they liked and disliked about it and warn me of any questionable content like language violence and sex scenes. I’m pleased to say there is none of this in this book. Violence yes but not gore or inappropriate violence. Just your typical fairy tale violence sword fights arguments betrayal death by mysterious means. Anyways so my opinion is I loved it. Loved the characters. Loved the plot loved the settings. I felt like they could have developed the prince a bit more. I was happy for the romance of the story but I would have really liked a connection with the prince so you could fall in love with him right along with Alyssa. But the book gets 5 stars. I even found my self thinking about if times back then could have really been like some of the things in the book. The story and customs just seemed so realistic and lifelike. I liked how two fairy tales were meshed together. I didn’t realize this till almost the end. I had a hunch but even though it is a retelling of the princess and the pea it is also a continuance of another popular tale. I don’t like spoilers so I’m not going to say which. But it was very creative and intriguing how it all came together. I would totally recommend it to anyone who’s into fantasy and fairytales. Happy reading!

I absolutely loves this series. The author takes the base themes of fairytales and creates a whole new story from it. The world she has created is a world of fairytales and magic where everyone seems to know how the "rules" of magic work. At first, I was a little underwhelmed because of the attitude of "this is a magical place and we all know how it works. blah blah" sort of feeling it gave. However, I quickly changed my mind as a new world full of plot twists and turns took over. Then I finally realized that it's a different world, with different rules, and who am I to judge. This is a great series for both young readers and older ones.

Alyssa is a woodcutter's daughter and isn't expecting to marry a prince or have magic involved in her fate, but little does she know. As she travels to the city to find her place, she gets separated from her party and happens upon the royal family in one of their residences. While she is just hoping for a safe and dry place to sleep before setting out to rejoin her party, she meets two active princesses, a surly prince, and finds a job for herself. Taking on the role as caretaker to the two princesses is a tough role as it is, but when she happens to overhear a plot to harm the royal family and becomes a suspect herself her world becomes more chaotic. Trying to keep her new friends safe and prove her worth and loyalty at the same time will set her up on an adventure that could save or ruin her kingdom.

As with the first book in most series, the reading on this can be a little slow at times, but the overall story is beautiful and after reading the second book I quickly became enamored with the world and the characters. These are stories you can read for your own pleasure and also great books for children.

The Princess Companion is a unique take on a fairy tale that doesn't have many other adaptations, aside from the obscure 2002 animated Princess and the Pea film. It is a less magical story than the movie adaptation and a less suspenseful one than Margaret Peterson Haddix or Jessica Day George's trilogies, but it still has its charms. The novel is about a woodcutter's daughter named Alyssa who seeks refuge at a castle on a stormy night. Due to a misunderstanding, she spends the night in the "Princess Room," where she notices something uncomfortable under the mattress but is too polite to say anything about it. Despite all this, the king and queen are impressed with her and offer her a job as the royal "princess companion," taking care of their two twin daughters, Lily and Sophie. Alyssa just happens to be very skilled at reading people and telling stories, which she uses to her advantage. The rambunctious young princesses take to her instantly, and she uses her made-up fairy tales to teach them proper behavior.

As these stories usually tend to go, the queen and king also have an older son named Max who is instantly taken with Alyssa. Alyssa's skills at reading people seem to fall conveniently short when it comes to her own romantic pursuers. I have to admit this bugged me a little because Alyssa's strong instincts made her unique as a character, but her inability to see that Max returned her affections makes her no different than any other princess in this sort of situation and contradicts a key aspect of her personality. Max's obvious interest in Alyssa creates a big stir at court, causing feelings of jealousy and intrigue amount the many ladies and servants. Regardless, their secret feelings toward each other are put aside for political purposes, as the queen is determined to form a royal alliance between Max and a princess of her choosing.

The queen's mental state also plays a large role in the story. She is a fallen Cinderella, who lost all faith in herself after taking a huge leap in status when she married the man who is now king. That was something I really enjoyed about The Princess Companion. Despite the many adaptations there have been of the "Cinderella" fairy tale, none of them ever focus on what her life is like after she marries the prince and transitions from rags to riches. Even though The Princess Companion is told from Alyssa's perspective, Queen Eleanor often seems like a much more interesting and complex character, whose thoughts and actions are often shrouded in mystery. I think I would really enjoy a book told from her perspective.

The concept of the pea is downplayed a great deal in this "Princess and the Pea" adaptation to the point where we never even see the magical item through Alyssa's eyes. There are only two mattresses, as opposed to twenty, and the pea itself is only mentioned briefly at the end of the book. Therefore, the rather predictable payoff is far less rewarding than it could be. It is established early on that Alyssa bruises easily and has a low tolerance for pain, which explains why she is able to feel a pea under two mattresses, but it is only assumed that it was the pea that made her uncomfortable in the end so much time has passed from her initial stay in the Princess Room by that point. Its magical properties are a passing notion given in a rushed explanation to a happy ending. Given that this is a fairy tale adaptation, I would have preferred to see more magical feats from Alyssa's perspective.

I found the book mostly enjoyable despite its lack of fantasy and intrigue. It was fun reading about the playful antics of Sophie and Lily and how they enjoyed treating Alyssa like a doll and forcing her to wear extravagant gowns that she would not have otherwise never deemed herself worthy of. There was some excitement during the climax, but the ultimate outcome was pretty obvious. Parts of it dragged on a bit too much, but they were redeemed by Alyssa's unique personality, Sophie and Lily's bubbliness, and the constant tease of a potential romance with Max. Overall, this was not the best modern fairy tale adaptation I have ever read, but it was still enjoyable as far as princess novels go. It made me curious enough to check out some of the other books in the series.

4.5 Stars

This was January's book for my book club. I accidentally read a later book in the series *oops* first, so I was really curious to see how the author had started things out. Though I prefer the twins later story, I still really enjoyed this.

Alyssa makes a great main character and it was easy to like her. The part of the Princess and the Pea story that is in here is pretty much stuck into the first couple of chapters. A new twist as I'm used to the bit with the pea coming in much later in the book. This worked though. It allowed me to see that really it wasn't the pea or the test that was important. It wasn't the deciding factor in anything and more of a something the reader can take as seeing a magical sign that she is a "true" princess.

Prince Max I never quite warmed up to. He's very cold and aloof at the start with Alyssa and I never felt that was explained, or at least not to my satisfaction. By the end I felt the characters did love and trust each other. Max respected Alyssa's opinions and I thought their library conversations did a great job of not only showing that they were learning about their country, but also that they could hold deep discussion on the matter and respect the other's views. Because of the respect and love, I was happy to see them together because I sensed it was a good match. So even though Max wasn't my favorite, I did think he earned Alyssa's love.

The plot was slow to start, but that allowed me to get to know the family and Alyssa. I'm intrigued by the idea of more books showing some of the visiting princesses story. Though the antagonist really felt so nasty that I'm not sure how really that can be explained away and her made into a likable main character.

I'll be happy to keep reading this series!

There was something about this creative and quirky retelling that kept me reading...although in a bit of frustration. The flip-flopping narrative and the inaccurate language, behavior and scenarios were like nails on a chalkboard at times. I understand that not everyone writes like Jane Austen, and not every royal court behaves with utmost formality, but reading one of the young princesses utter, "Duh!" was the final straw.

This is a fun and entertaining read if you don't mind the author playing fast and loose with period-appropriate details. I'm a little embarrassed to admit I didn't see the Kindle note that classified this as a "teen" read until I had finished the story. That explains a lot!

Book 1 in Melanie Cellier's Four Kingdom's Series! Princess and the Pea is so underrated, but this retelling totally took the cake! The story nodded to the fairytale, but grew a life all it's own--an intricate and thrilling life! The plot drew me in and held suspense and tension in many points. I also really liked the way the book was formatted. Not only was it well-written, but it was well-formatted too, and in such a way as to draw the reader in even further to the plot. I particularly enjoyed the few chapters from alternate povs. (I hear there's a version from Max's pov?! Where and how can I get it?!) I fell for the characters! And I am thoroughly intrigued by Ella's story. I certainly hope that's to come soon! I liked both the MCs and the SCs, which is always a nice touch. The secondary's felt alluring and I hope to see more of them. Many of the characters held a reality to them that I enjoyed. And, of course, I'm totally hooked into this world! The setting and world-building continue to thrill me. I am increasingly intrigued by the political system Cellier has designed and by the laws of the land. I hope to see more of that elaborated upon too. On to book 2!!

Mild violence, very mild romance, no language. Definitely recommend and consider appropriate for even the younger kids.

The story begins with a woodcutter's daughter, Alyssa, seeking shelter and finding a castle. The Winter Castle is the home of a royal family...for four months out of the year. She becomes the companion to the young twin princesses, also befriending their older brother, Max. Alyssa quickly becomes beloved of this royal people.

There is a definite Princess and the Pea vibe for the first part of the book, but then that feeling all but disappears. While still entertaining, another story emerges and at times, moves a little slowly. Alyssa is caught up in a hazardous situation with a dangerous conspiracy underfoot. Alyssa is a very competant and likable character. She fits right in very quickly, but given the assumed time period, the relationships with the royals feels a little too casual. I did enjoy the way she entertained and handled her spunky charges.

Things wrap back up with the Princess and the Pea, but I was hopeful that it would have threaded throughout the story. This is a good read for those who love fairy tale re-tellings, risky adventure, a dash of clean romance, and a strong female lead.

Content: very mild romance; mild violence. Clean!

*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*

I’ve never been a huge fan of “The Princess and the Pea”. I can’t believe that a true princess’ worth was based on how she slept upon a pile of mattresses with a single pea under them. Really? Princess or not, if someone’s exhausted enough, they’ll sleep like the dead anywhere. That aside, I loved how nice Alyssa was to everyone around her and how she didn’t want to insult royalty by complaining about a spring in a mattress. A lot of her dilemma might have been solved more easily if she had, but still, it was sweet of her. I also liked that she and the prince didn’t fall for each other right away. It was a gradual occurrence that happened the more time they spent with one another discussing the books they read and their theories and ideas about various things in their lives. Once his parents joined their discussions, pea or no pea, I was surprised his mother didn’t cart them off to be wed then. It was obvious from their interactions with one another just how perfect they were for each other despite their stature in society. Overall, this was a good, lighthearted read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The queen wants to be sure that her son the prince marries the right woman. She fears her husband chose wrong when he chose her. She asks her fairy godmother to help, and receives a pea to place under the mattress. A true princess will feel the pea, and she will know for sure that she has chosen the right match for her son. There will be no mistake. Meanwhile, Alyssa arrives at the castle lost in a terrible storm. Soon she finds she has gained a safe haven and a job. But she can't even dream that she's found a prince, despite their growing friendship.

The Princess and the Pea is told from a more personal point of view in this retelling. Switching between prince and princess, the story unfolds slowly with ample time to develop characters and a sense of their relationships. Still, it feels a bit modern despite the adherance to midevil customs and culture.

It's been a while since I cracked open a volume of fairy tale books - a good thing as it's easier to fall into the reimagined stories and wonder what happens next. Pretty much everything I recalled about the original tale for the one was already in the title.

For the most part, this is a first person account of the woodcutter's daughter finding a temporary home as a nanny (err... Princess Companion, this was before nannies) in a royal family with suspiciously familiar family members. Of course, the Prince (call me Max) and she (call me Alyssa) fall in love at first sight and there is a hard won happily ever after.

The heroine is strong and self assured, the hero brave, and the supporting characters well done. Though one spinoff tale was clearly described therein, I was looking for clues as to which other characters will be spinning off into their own tales. (Not a Rumpelstiltskin reference, or at least not an intentional one.)

A solid fable, I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

I enjoyed a few hours of relaxation reading this. The story and romance was fun and lighthearted. However, the way it was written made it difficult to stay immersed. The first chapter is in third person and then the rest of the book is in first. Point of view changes can occur rapidly making it hard to keep track who's mind you're in. Characters aren't well defined and aspects of their personalities change from chapter to chapter. Things that were emphasized as important suddenly don't matter. The relationship between characters is forced and superficial. At times you are meant to feel empathy but because you haven't developed any deep connections with the characters, it's hard to muster any feelings. The ending was unbelievable and held little logic. The last dozen pages were all just so convenient. There is a desperate attempt to keep you intrigued but you mostly just feel annoyed and dissatisfied when the ending unfolds. It was like walking along a rope bridge riddled with holes and missing boards that someone attempted to fix by rolling out a velvet carpet. No matter how prettily it is wrapped, I wouldn't willfully cross a rotting bridge.

I will set this author aside for now, but I enjoy her imagination and creativity so I will revisit her work. I am hoping she will find style of her own. I look forward to it.

I take chances on books a lot of the time. Most of the time the gamble doesn't pay off. Other times you find a gem of a book, or, if you hit the jackpot, a wonderful series.
The Princess Companion is wonderfully written. The characters are fun and entertaining, and feel real even in this fantasy setting. I loved how the author wasn't afraid to tackle hard and dark facts about life.
I think grafting parts of the Cinderella story into the Princess and the Pea was perfect. It tackles the not quite believable aspects of love, infatuation, and communication/preparedness that always left me feeling there were gaps missing from the variations of Cinderella stories.

This is a great YA book, a great fantasy book, and a wonderful read. Please give it a shot.

A very enjoyable fairy tale -- I didn't put my e-reader down from page one to the end. The only thing that bothered me was the informality that existed between royalty and commoners, and for this reason I deducted half of a star. "Please, call me by my first name," said no queen, ever. I didn't mind the burgeoning relationships--just the familiarity in address. It ruined the suspension of disbelief and is ultimately what made me quit reading her novels. If that's not something that would bother you, then by all means pick up this title and enjoy - it's a lovely story. 3-and-1/2 stars.

When I downloaded this book, I expected one of two things. Either it would be ridiculously childish and more fit for my six year old niece to read than myself, or it would be extremely mature and I wouldn't be able to share the story with any of my young nieces. I was pleasantly proven wrong on both fronts.

I have the Kindle app on my iPhone and so it is with me everywhere. I would read at night in bed, in the morning when I got to work early, in the car while my husband pumped the gas, and on every one of my breaks.

Now that I've finished it, I intend to read the rest of the series and then re-read them with my nieces.

If you like fairytales, this retelling of the Princess and the Pea will be a fun read. Alyssa is just a woodcutter's daughter. When she loses her way in a storm, she is mistaken for a princess and given the bedroom with a pea under the mattress. Needless to say, she does not spend a comfortable night but, out of courtesy, does not mention this to the Queen. She becomes the royal family's Princess Companion. Her adventures at the palaces and the inevitable conclusion to the story are fun to follow

From the very beginning, chunks of the story are missing. Like the editor wasn't paying attention to his or her job, and they took out extra lines. Sentences have no endings and new paragraphs begin without knowing how much of the narrative was lost to the per poor job of the editorial staff.

E-books can be a challenge to read for the grammatically inclined, with plenty of typos, poor sentence structure, and misused words. I'm willing to overlook those errors if the story is entertaining, but missing chunks of the narrative is unforgivable

3.75. Yes, sure it’s a bit soft and sweet and not racy or sexy, but the heart put into sharing the retelling matters and it gets anyone through the more drawn or or slower parts. It’s sweet and a great fairy tale, one I would let younger readers enjoy. There’s some room for growth in the authors writing of characters and chemistry but for where it matters this book makes the characters and their story sing sweetly. If you’re into more complex or high action reads, this isn’t for you, but for a rainy winter night, it’s perfect. Looking forward to read more by this author, when the mood for a sweet and steady fix comes along!

"The Princess Companion" is a retelling of the old Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale about the princess and the pea.

In Melanie Cellier's retelling, the princess isn't a princess, and she doesn't complain about sleeping on the pea. These two facts start a totally new journey into fairy tale land, which I enjoyed much more than the original tale.

I loved the story.

Usually, I'm not a fan of first person point of views, but this book still deserves five stars. It's well-written, and there wasn't a dull moment.

This is a great story. The heroine is all things good- beautiful, smart, kind, humble. Just what you want in a fairy tale. The hero is smart, brave, handsome. Again, classic fairy tale stuff. But the story has a number of delightful twists, some engaging side characters, and a more thoughtful rendition of the tale. All very clean, totally appropriate for a young audience to boot. A great story v

I totally loved this book!! I could not put it down!! I love how every time you turn the page something new, scarily, or surprising happens!!! This book tells about a beautiful girl who gets lost in the woods. She finds the royal winter lodge and is taken in for the night. When she sleeps on the Princess Bed by mistake she thinks nothing of the uncomfortable lump in the bed. The twin princesses fall in love with the girl and she is given a job. Max the Prince becomes good friends with the princess. I don't want to give away the book but I bet you can predict the Prince and the girl fall in love. But wait there's more!! An evil princess , a pea, and true love.

This retelling of The Princess of the Pea kept my interest. A wide range of characters and personalities kept the story moving. The identity of the queen and the backstory provided added a clever facet to the story. I also appreciated that the story was romantic while staying clean. I definitely plan to read the other books in the series.

I found this book to be a delightful flight of fantasy. lt is sorta like an expose of the "real story" behind the fairy tale and very imaginative. Full of good and evil, mostly good, and the characters seem very real even while you know they are not.

I used to read fairy tales to our daughters at bedtime and I would have read this and other books by this author if they had been available at the time. I am now a grandfather in my 70s and find books like this a refreshing departure from the daily news stories.

After reading Princess Lily and Sophie's stories first I was so excited to come back and read this first story. I really enjoyed it, however I do think the author's writing has improved since this book. While the retelling was clever and I fell in love with the characters the actual writing could do with an editor's touch. There is quite a lot of background dump and I was thrown off with some of the phrases the characters used which felt a bit too modern at times. All that being said I would read this story again in a heartbeat! It's sweet and fun. Who doesn't love a good love story!!

Although this story was not as good as I had hoped, I liked it better then I expected. Alyssa and Max are definitely a cute couple, unfortunately we did not see much of them and that is a real shame. Alyssa was a sweet believable character who moved the plot along and was strong without having to become a man. Overall, this book is a good read if you're able to connect with Alyssa and I'd recommend to anyone who likes a good reimagined fairytale.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The only part I sort of struggled with was the changing POVs from section to section (the book is written in the 1st person). I love reading retellings of classic fairy tales, but I don't think I've read one of the princess & the pea before (Once Upon a Mattress does not count). The writing style reminded me of Gail Carson Levine (Ella Enchanted). I especially enjoyed the fact it was a "clean" story. It was suitable for readers of all ages.

Truly fantastic book! Loved every bit of it, the writing is spectacular. The author's voice shone through with a playful/slightly sarcastic tone. Could not refrain from grinning like an idiot while reading. Such a sweet love story with some truly gripping conflict. Could not put it down!

I loved how this story is not only a retelling of the Princess and The Pea but it addresses what came after Cinderella's happily ever after. The character are well developed and unique, the story is a tale all it's own despite its resemblance to the classic fairy tale and it held my interest from beginning to end.

This was quite an interesting book! It was unique and I love the twists on well-known fairytales that were used. I really enjoyed switching between the perspectives of different characters, it added a great depth and was very natural, not at all forced or choppy. All in all, sweet and fun twist on a fairytale. I would rate it PG and clean.

I finished this book in a scant 3 days and earned reproach from my husband for my increased bookworm behavior as I wrapped myself up in this one. I truly enjoyed the development of the characters. The author did a wonderful job with the writing style to allow my imagination to take me on the journey with Alyssa. And it was edited and checked wonderfully, for which I am thankful. Nothing is more jarring to avid readers than glaring errors, and I couldn't find one in my reading.

The retelling of the princess and the pea. Just wonderful! I really enjoyed reading this book, a fairy tale for adults (or YA to be exact). The author Melanie Cellier was very imaginative with how she retold this story and it was a fun, adventurous romantic read. I can't help but feel that this book would make a wonderful movie. I am looking forward to reading more books from this author.

This book is great as a stand alone, but I definitely plan to dive right into the rest of the series.
I love this author's new twist on classic fairytale and can't wait to read the next in the series.

That's it. I love fairy tales in all forms. This is a well written, fun reworking of the original tale and, for me, with the same elements of beauty, intrigue, and satisfying ending. I have to say, though, Ella disappointed me, at least until the end.

I kept waiting for this book to disappoint, as have the many attempts at reimagining beloved fairytales I've come across but I'm delighted to say my worry was very much unfounded! I am so happy to have found this book and will shortly be in the process of devouring the next in the series ???

I am not a young adult and was surprised to find this was a YA book. Despite having a headache while recovering from the flu I read this book all the way through non stop. So yes I found it an engaging read. The wash room transitioning into a "bathrroom" was a bit out of time frame but overall I could imagine the story in a classical fairytale setting. If you want something light and fun, read this book.

I thought I wasn't going to end up liking this book in the beginning. The writing is a bit too simple and the heroine's name is Alyssa... Alyssa? What kind of historical-sounding name is that? It was so distracting every time I read it.
However, despite the stupid name choice, the book had enough intrigue, good romantic tension, and real seeming characters that I ended up liking this story more than I thought.
But seriously, no one was named Alyssa in old-timey Europe.

So many thoughts rolling around in my head! Delightful and hilarious. I enjoyed this book immensely. We jump straight into the story while keeping the readers eyes moving. I couldn't believe it! I was finished reading the book in a flash. I found myself laughing out loud most of the time. I can't wait to read more books from this fantastic author.
*My book review will be on goodreads.*

This book was a pleasant surprise. I normally don't read reimagined fairy tail type books but I took a chance with it and am not disappointed. Well written and diverse characters. Will read more from this author.

This is a delightful first novel from this fresh new Australian writer. Well written & edited, with excellent pacing throughout. Strong (and smart) female lead. I will be looking forward to her next release.

I read this book and completely enjoyed it. At first I thought it was perhaps a little too young and predictable for me, however the more I read the more interesting it became and then I couldn’t put it down. I appreciate the fact that this is an innocent true type of a fairy tale book (does not have any suggestive or racy scenes). I love that as there are too many books I put down in disgust (don’t want to read that type of book). I look forward to reading more from this author.

I found this to be a bit more juvenile than I was expecting, but it was not particularly displeasing. Some parts felt rushed and unlikely, but I enjoyed the overall retelling and a few of the different perspectives thrown in.

Loved the story line. It was a different take on the fairy tale that we all know. Well written and the characters where developed well. After I finished this book I promptly ordered the next one in the series. I will add this author to my list.

While maybe not the first time fairy tales have been reimagined, this book does it well. The characters are believable, the world comfortingly familiar in terms of what you’d expect and overall a fun time. It was a page turner and I found myself eager to read each time I put it down. Would recommend

And old story imaginatively re-invented. Loved it. I enjoyed the tie in to Cinderella as well. Sadly there were a few loose ends: why did she become ill? Why not her cousin and what happened in the city? It appeared that many of them were at the wedding, however if there was illness in the city that would not have been possible.

I enjoyed this novel! It had a clever and an evolving plot line. I didn't have to worry about insensitive moments between the characters. All of the characters, major and minor, had good character development. Read this!

I have been reading retellings of fairy tales for some time now, and I have to say this is one of my favorites. It was a book I had a hard time putting down. Although there were some confusions for me: was the land called Arcadia or Arcadie (i am assuming the first), and why did queen Ella call the king Harry when his name was Henry?
Overall however, the story kept me on my toes and interested in finding out what was going to happen to Alyssa. I was so enthralled that I was disappointed that the story had ended, and that there was not another by this author to read.

This book is a retelling of 'The Princess and the Pea' but it was a very cute book. This book is told in a brand new way. I enjoyed it probably more than the original book. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

I loved the innocence of the story. If you are interested in reading romance without all the nastiness of many of today's books, this is for you. Characters are well rounded and you become engaged in the story line very easily.

I got this book for my 15-year-old daughter, but as she wasn't ready to read it I dived in first. I couldn't put it down! I'm ready for the sequel. You know how at the end of a good book you wish you could read more about characters you like? The author has a bonus chapter on her website telling part of the story from the prince's point of view!

The story's heroine, Alyssa, reminds me of the wonderful and outspoken Cimorene in Patricia C. Wrede's The Enchanted Forest series. Dealing with Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book One

I could not put this book down! A friend came across it by accident when looking at the free e-books that prime offers on the Kindle app. It was so much fun to read. I couldn't believe it was free! I'm excited to read the other books in this series.

I really wanted to like this author...and I tried. The story was interesting enough that I finished and enjoyed the characters but the writing is so poor that I was often taken out of the story. It's a lot of telling the reader not showing and that gets redundant and boring. But it is a unique story and I found it enjoyable; it just needed a better editor.

This was an excellent read. I enjoyed it very much. There is a tone to the book that makes it very believable and relatable but also has the magic from a fairytale. Melanie was able to convey the characters’ emotions in a way that I felt everything they did as if I was right there too.

This book is a retelling of 'The Princess and the Pea' but it was a very cute book. This book is told in a brand new way. I enjoyed it probably more than the original book. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

I loved the innocence of the story. If you are interested in reading romance without all the nastiness of many of today's books, this is for you. Characters are well rounded and you become engaged in the story line very easily.

I got this book for my 15-year-old daughter, but as she wasn't ready to read it I dived in first. I couldn't put it down! I'm ready for the sequel. You know how at the end of a good book you wish you could read more about characters you like? The author has a bonus chapter on her website telling part of the story from the prince's point of view!

The story's heroine, Alyssa, reminds me of the wonderful and outspoken Cimorene in Patricia C. Wrede's The Enchanted Forest series. Dealing with Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book One

I could not put this book down! A friend came across it by accident when looking at the free e-books that prime offers on the Kindle app. It was so much fun to read. I couldn't believe it was free! I'm excited to read the other books in this series.

I really wanted to like this author...and I tried. The story was interesting enough that I finished and enjoyed the characters but the writing is so poor that I was often taken out of the story. It's a lot of telling the reader not showing and that gets redundant and boring. But it is a unique story and I found it enjoyable; it just needed a better editor.

This was an excellent read. I enjoyed it very much. There is a tone to the book that makes it very believable and relatable but also has the magic from a fairytale. Melanie was able to convey the characters’ emotions in a way that I felt everything they did as if I was right there too.

Well written and engaging. Melanie's writing draws the reader in and keeps you reading until the end. Surprising Plot twists. You can't figure out how the heroine will resolve the problems until they are solved.

I love a good fairytale story and I love the way the author retold the story of the Princess and the Pea. The min character was relatable and as such was easier to delve into the story more. I cannot wait to read more of the author’s work! Beautifully done!

Sincerely a good rendition of the older fairy tales with a bit of a magical governess twist. It's got the stamp of a "sweet do all hallmark"that is easy to hold dear. If you want to enjoy a good old fairy tale give this one a shot.

This was a wonderful retelling of The Princess and the Pea. I loved the characters and look forward to reading more of this author in the future. I did notice a few misspellings but it did not detract from the story.

This book was alright, but a bit of a clunky read. It didn't have any really great laughs, or compelling romance, or any truly tense danger.

That said, the real problem was a conversation between the heroine and 2 young royals. The royals were trying to convince the heroine that she must be an actual princess because, “You have golden hair and blue eyes. Like a princess,” explained Sophie. **WHA--?!?**

Hold on: since when are all princesses light-haired? Is the author assuming that all her readers are white? Or that no dark-haired/eyed princesses have ever existed? Or is her fantasy world set firmly in an isolated Nordic land?

There's no answer, because the author doesn't seem aware that people of color can either be characters in her book, or readers (or reviewers) of her book. And that's a real sad shame.

I started liking the book from the dedication. Melanie definitely loves words and it shows in her work. Since I am a word lover too, the dedication was an incentive to see if her love for words translated into beautiful writing and it certainly did. Although I am old enough to be Melanie's granny, I have never stopped loving fairy tales and her rendition of the Princess and the Pea was masterful. The story was -up to a point- predictable but it was also quite interesting with unexpected of twists and turns that made it a page turner. The characters were not flat and the heroine was more than satisfactory. Melanie, I wish you a long and fruitful career and a fulfilling life with room enough to give us your beautiful words in more stories.

A more grownup telling of The Princess and the Pea with a few other fairy tale details and characters thrown in for fun. Fairytale Romance with a strong, smart heroine who proves that even a wood cutter's daughter can be a princess, given the right circumstances. A good story.

Engaging and could not put it down. Great characters. A muleheaded prince and hardworking and imaginative "princess" combined with palace intrigue and familial issues. A few cute morals thrown in for a bonus effect.

It's been a while since I cracked open a volume of fairy tale books - a good thing as it's easier to fall into the reimagined stories and wonder what happens next. Pretty much everything I recalled about the original tale for the one was already in the title.

For the most part, this is a first person account of the woodcutter's daughter finding a temporary home as a nanny (err... Princess Companion, this was before nannies) in a royal family with suspiciously familiar family members. Of course, the Prince (call me Max) and she (call me Alyssa) fall in love at first sight and there is a hard won happily ever after.

The heroine is strong and self assured, the hero brave, and the supporting characters well done. Though one spinoff tale was clearly described therein, I was looking for clues as to which other characters will be spinning off into their own tales. (Not a Rumpelstiltskin reference, or at least not an intentional one.)

A solid fable, I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

After reading Princess Lily and Sophie's stories first I was so excited to come back and read this first story. I really enjoyed it, however I do think the author's writing has improved since this book. While the retelling was clever and I fell in love with the characters the actual writing could do with an editor's touch. There is quite a lot of background dump and I was thrown off with some of the phrases the characters used which felt a bit too modern at times. All that being said I would read this story again in a heartbeat! It's sweet and fun. Who doesn't love a good love story!!

This book is great as a stand alone, but I definitely plan to dive right into the rest of the series.
I love this author's new twist on classic fairytale and can't wait to read the next in the series.

It is the best book in the series. It is smart, funny, and keeps you at the edge of your seat. It is intelligently written. I liked the development of characters and appreciated the depth of the story... not your usual superficial young adult romance novel.

I absolutely loves this series. The author takes the base themes of fairytales and creates a whole new story from it. The world she has created is a world of fairytales and magic where everyone seems to know how the "rules" of magic work. At first, I was a little underwhelmed because of the attitude of "this is a magical place and we all know how it works. blah blah" sort of feeling it gave. However, I quickly changed my mind as a new world full of plot twists and turns took over. Then I finally realized that it's a different world, with different rules, and who am I to judge. This is a great series for both young readers and older ones.

Alyssa is a woodcutter's daughter and isn't expecting to marry a prince or have magic involved in her fate, but little does she know. As she travels to the city to find her place, she gets separated from her party and happens upon the royal family in one of their residences. While she is just hoping for a safe and dry place to sleep before setting out to rejoin her party, she meets two active princesses, a surly prince, and finds a job for herself. Taking on the role as caretaker to the two princesses is a tough role as it is, but when she happens to overhear a plot to harm the royal family and becomes a suspect herself her world becomes more chaotic. Trying to keep her new friends safe and prove her worth and loyalty at the same time will set her up on an adventure that could save or ruin her kingdom.

As with the first book in most series, the reading on this can be a little slow at times, but the overall story is beautiful and after reading the second book I quickly became enamored with the world and the characters. These are stories you can read for your own pleasure and also great books for children.

This book was alright, but a bit of a clunky read. It didn't have any really great laughs, or compelling romance, or any truly tense danger.

That said, the real problem was a conversation between the heroine and 2 young royals. The royals were trying to convince the heroine that she must be an actual princess because, “You have golden hair and blue eyes. Like a princess,” explained Sophie. **WHA--?!?**

Hold on: since when are all princesses light-haired? Is the author assuming that all her readers are white? Or that no dark-haired/eyed princesses have ever existed? Or is her fantasy world set firmly in an isolated Nordic land?

There's no answer, because the author doesn't seem aware that people of color can either be characters in her book, or readers (or reviewers) of her book. And that's a real sad shame.