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The Winter Prince
A beastly prince. A cursed land. One last hope.
Breaking his bargain with another fae has earned Revi, Prince of the Winter Court, a terrible curse: he lives as a beast and must watch his people suffer under a withering blight. The only cure? A heart freely given.
When a human patrol steals one of Revi’s magical roses, a sliver of opportunity strikes. He agrees to spare their lives in return for a woman who must live in his castle for a year and a day. But could such a beauty learn to love a beast like him?
Although Kienna was warned of conniving fae before her arrival at the Winter Court, the Winter Prince, while beastly, is not the monster she expected. Her dreams plague her—or more specifically, the enigmatic silvery man who walks them does. She’s determined to find him in the waking world and free him from his imprisonment. Her dream prince begs her not to trust her eyes. But… can she trust her heart?
The Winter Prince , a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, is book 12 of Once Upon A Prince , a multi-author series of clean fairy tale retellings. Each standalone story features a swoony prince fighting for his happily ever after.
Breaking his bargain with another fae has earned Revi, Prince of the Winter Court, a terrible curse: he lives as a beast and must watch his people suffer under a withering blight. The only cure? A heart freely given.
When a human patrol steals one of Revi’s magical roses, a sliver of opportunity strikes. He agrees to spare their lives in return for a woman who must live in his castle for a year and a day. But could such a beauty learn to love a beast like him?
Although Kienna was warned of conniving fae before her arrival at the Winter Court, the Winter Prince, while beastly, is not the monster she expected. Her dreams plague her—or more specifically, the enigmatic silvery man who walks them does. She’s determined to find him in the waking world and free him from his imprisonment. Her dream prince begs her not to trust her eyes. But… can she trust her heart?
The Winter Prince , a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, is book 12 of Once Upon A Prince , a multi-author series of clean fairy tale retellings. Each standalone story features a swoony prince fighting for his happily ever after.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 15, 2023
176 people are currently reading
884 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
sampled-and-declined
February 8, 2024Not another Fae retelling of Beauty & Beast! Good Lordy, how many of them are there and why do they always follow and repeat the same formula into oblivion? Hard pass!
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September 14, 2023review to come closer to publication day!
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January 25, 2024A vibrant and magical fae reimagining of Beauty and the Beast with fun magic and world worldbuilding, a surprisingly irritating yet understandable side antagonist, a sweet FMC, and an appropriately angsty yet true-hearted MMC.
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December 15, 2024****DNFed at 12%****
Sooo, being a Beauty and the Beast retelling this one already had points against it, but the whole reason I dropped it was because I just didn’t care. I found the writing style a bit dry, the prince character was already being a prideful jerk I was rolling my eyes at, and then there are two guy POVs which instantly made me suspicious because love triangle?
While I don’t THINK there’s a love triangle (could be wrong on that though, I didn’t get far enough in), I did some research through reviews and it has a family member betrayal/villain in it (this has to be done well for me to be okay with it and from what people were saying I don’t think it would have been for me), plus people were saying the romance wasn’t well developed and kind of just happens. So since I was already just okay with it I decided to drop it.
‼️Content (up to 12%)‼️
Other: fae; magic; magical races; a character is cursed to be a shape shifting beast
Sooo, being a Beauty and the Beast retelling this one already had points against it, but the whole reason I dropped it was because I just didn’t care. I found the writing style a bit dry, the prince character was already being a prideful jerk I was rolling my eyes at, and then there are two guy POVs which instantly made me suspicious because love triangle?
While I don’t THINK there’s a love triangle (could be wrong on that though, I didn’t get far enough in), I did some research through reviews and it has a family member betrayal/villain in it (this has to be done well for me to be okay with it and from what people were saying I don’t think it would have been for me), plus people were saying the romance wasn’t well developed and kind of just happens. So since I was already just okay with it I decided to drop it.
‼️Content (up to 12%)‼️
Other: fae; magic; magical races; a character is cursed to be a shape shifting beast
December 19, 2024
A Beauty & the Beast retelling that felt fresh yet familiar!
This book has several this going for it:
❄️ that gorgeous cover!
❄️ a sweet FMC with a kind heart & a backbone
❄️ a grumpy, true hearted MMC who shapeshifts (the rabbit scene was my fav 🥺)
❄️ a misguided albeit sympathetic antagonist
❄️ the fae Winter Court (with all the winter wonderland vibes!)
❄️ dream-travelling
❄️ fighting monsters
❄️ sweet romance
The characters had me invested, even the antagonist, and I loved the aspect of Revi being able to “dream walk” into Kienna’s dreams. Their conversations over tea in her dream cottage were some of my favourites of the book—and the ICE SKATING! 🥹
This book has several this going for it:
❄️ that gorgeous cover!
❄️ a sweet FMC with a kind heart & a backbone
❄️ a grumpy, true hearted MMC who shapeshifts (the rabbit scene was my fav 🥺)
❄️ a misguided albeit sympathetic antagonist
❄️ the fae Winter Court (with all the winter wonderland vibes!)
❄️ dream-travelling
❄️ fighting monsters
❄️ sweet romance
The characters had me invested, even the antagonist, and I loved the aspect of Revi being able to “dream walk” into Kienna’s dreams. Their conversations over tea in her dream cottage were some of my favourites of the book—and the ICE SKATING! 🥹
September 24, 2023
The Winter Prince by Constance Lopez is the fourth ARC I have read from the upcoming Once Upon a Prince series. Constance was the frontrunner for the series, so I expected her book to capture the essence of what Once Upon a Prince was meant to represent. It was not my favorite of the ones I've read so far, but it did have some unique elements. The Winter Prince is a relatively standard retelling of "Beauty and the Beast" with the main difference being that the Gaston archetype is the prince's cousin instead of a person that the Beauty character knew from her hometown. I was hoping for a gender-bent retelling of the fairy tale since I wasn't too impressed with the ones I've read so far. Still, the timeless classic of "Beauty and the Beast" is always a pleasant read with much to offer to gothic romance and fantasy fans.
Revi is a fae prince of the Winter Court whose kingdom suffered under a curse that was enacted by their enemies. Though Revi already possessed the ability to shapeshift, the curse prevented him from returning to his human form, forcing him to remain a beast until it was broken. One of the weaker elements of this book was the convoluted nature of the curse. The prologue was very confusing and difficult to get through. It wasn't clear why Revi was cursed or how he was meant to break it, and I probably never would have understood it if I hadn't already been familiar with the original fairy tale. Fortunately, the book gets more interesting after Kienna appears at the castle in an attempt to protect her father. Even though Beauty tends to be the more relatable character in "Beauty and the Beast" in most retellings, I think her importance to this story detracts from the unique focus that the Once Upon a Prince series is supposed to have on the princes.
This book takes place from three different perspectives--Revi, Kienna, and Enlo. Enlo is the outlier that made it work as an original retelling of "Beauty and the Beast." He is Revi's cousin and plays a similar role to Gaston, but it is handled in a unique and creative way. Over the course of Kienna's stay in Revi's castle, Revi uses his fae magic to visit Kienna in her dreams, which was the only way he could appear to her in human form. Due to his embarrassment about the curse, he does not tell Kienna who he is when he appears as her "dream prince," leaving her to figure it out on her own. When she meets Enlo, Revi's cousin who bears a strong resemblance to him, she naturally assumes that he was the one who visited her in her dreams. Due to Enlo's womanizing nature and determination to break the curse, he encourages Kienna's mistake in an attempt to make her fall in love with him. Her ability to discern between the two princes is the true test of her love for Revi.
The setting of the Winter Court is similar to another book in this series that I read, The Golden Prince, but the two books do not seem to be connected due to the fact that everyone from the Winter Court in that book was an evil monster. Here, Winter is good, but it is dying, and it is up to Revi to save his people. The rose that Kienna's father steals to enact the events of the fairy tale is a frostrose, as a regular rose would not have been able to survive in Winter. The book follows the tropes of paranormal romance, which is one of my favorite genres, not only because Revi is trapped in the body of a beast, but also because he is fae and Kienna is human. The pride that Kienna takes in her humanity is a lovely theme that is empowering to readers. It also explains why Enlo thought she would be easy to manipulate. Therefore, Revi's respect for her Kienna's character is all the more meaningful when he comes from a race that typically believes itself superior to humans. The book does a great job of incorporating all the romance that one would expect from a "Beauty and the Beast" retelling.
In this enchanting retelling of "Beauty and the Beast," Constance Lopez weaves a tale filled with unique twists and captivating characters. The Winter Prince, though not my personal favorite in the Once Upon a Prince series, offers a pleasant read for fans of gothic romance and fantasy. While the prologue may be confusing, the story gains momentum as Kienna enters Revi's life. The introduction of Enlo adds a refreshing and creative element to the fairy tale. The story's multiple perspectives provide depth and contribute to the originality of this retelling. The setting of the Winter Court, although different from previous books in the series, brings a unique charm to the story. The theme of the Winter Court's struggle for survival and Revi's mission to save his people adds urgency and purpose to the narrative while his relationship with Kienna provides a delightful paranormal romance. Kienna's strength and Revi's respect for her character challenge conventions and make their connection all the more meaningful. The Winter Prince is a satisfying addition to the Once Upon a Prince series, blending romance, fantasy, and a touch of mystery. It offers readers a timeless tale with its own distinct flavor, perfect for those who enjoy exploring the depths of gothic romance and the allure of fantastical realms.
Revi is a fae prince of the Winter Court whose kingdom suffered under a curse that was enacted by their enemies. Though Revi already possessed the ability to shapeshift, the curse prevented him from returning to his human form, forcing him to remain a beast until it was broken. One of the weaker elements of this book was the convoluted nature of the curse. The prologue was very confusing and difficult to get through. It wasn't clear why Revi was cursed or how he was meant to break it, and I probably never would have understood it if I hadn't already been familiar with the original fairy tale. Fortunately, the book gets more interesting after Kienna appears at the castle in an attempt to protect her father. Even though Beauty tends to be the more relatable character in "Beauty and the Beast" in most retellings, I think her importance to this story detracts from the unique focus that the Once Upon a Prince series is supposed to have on the princes.
This book takes place from three different perspectives--Revi, Kienna, and Enlo. Enlo is the outlier that made it work as an original retelling of "Beauty and the Beast." He is Revi's cousin and plays a similar role to Gaston, but it is handled in a unique and creative way. Over the course of Kienna's stay in Revi's castle, Revi uses his fae magic to visit Kienna in her dreams, which was the only way he could appear to her in human form. Due to his embarrassment about the curse, he does not tell Kienna who he is when he appears as her "dream prince," leaving her to figure it out on her own. When she meets Enlo, Revi's cousin who bears a strong resemblance to him, she naturally assumes that he was the one who visited her in her dreams. Due to Enlo's womanizing nature and determination to break the curse, he encourages Kienna's mistake in an attempt to make her fall in love with him. Her ability to discern between the two princes is the true test of her love for Revi.
The setting of the Winter Court is similar to another book in this series that I read, The Golden Prince, but the two books do not seem to be connected due to the fact that everyone from the Winter Court in that book was an evil monster. Here, Winter is good, but it is dying, and it is up to Revi to save his people. The rose that Kienna's father steals to enact the events of the fairy tale is a frostrose, as a regular rose would not have been able to survive in Winter. The book follows the tropes of paranormal romance, which is one of my favorite genres, not only because Revi is trapped in the body of a beast, but also because he is fae and Kienna is human. The pride that Kienna takes in her humanity is a lovely theme that is empowering to readers. It also explains why Enlo thought she would be easy to manipulate. Therefore, Revi's respect for her Kienna's character is all the more meaningful when he comes from a race that typically believes itself superior to humans. The book does a great job of incorporating all the romance that one would expect from a "Beauty and the Beast" retelling.
In this enchanting retelling of "Beauty and the Beast," Constance Lopez weaves a tale filled with unique twists and captivating characters. The Winter Prince, though not my personal favorite in the Once Upon a Prince series, offers a pleasant read for fans of gothic romance and fantasy. While the prologue may be confusing, the story gains momentum as Kienna enters Revi's life. The introduction of Enlo adds a refreshing and creative element to the fairy tale. The story's multiple perspectives provide depth and contribute to the originality of this retelling. The setting of the Winter Court, although different from previous books in the series, brings a unique charm to the story. The theme of the Winter Court's struggle for survival and Revi's mission to save his people adds urgency and purpose to the narrative while his relationship with Kienna provides a delightful paranormal romance. Kienna's strength and Revi's respect for her character challenge conventions and make their connection all the more meaningful. The Winter Prince is a satisfying addition to the Once Upon a Prince series, blending romance, fantasy, and a touch of mystery. It offers readers a timeless tale with its own distinct flavor, perfect for those who enjoy exploring the depths of gothic romance and the allure of fantastical realms.
August 11, 2024
This was a lovely, cozy Beauty and the Beast retelling that I sailed through. The plot moves nicely, the pacing excellent for this short book. While not the most complex or woven plot it's actually quite perfect and delightful for it's simplicity. It's the kind of palette cleanser we all need! Truly delightful! I'm looking forward to seeing where Enlo's story goes! Also I really want to know more about the Summer Queen and summer court.
September 16, 2023
I am in awe of this author. Her writing is so immersive and captivating. This Beauty and the Beast retelling is one of the best I've ever read! And considering its similarities to A Court of Thorns and roses I feel Lopez has achieved everything Maas failed to do for me.
The characters are excellent! I loved Revi. He made for a fantastic beast prince of the Fae Winter Court. Getting insights into his personality and why he does what he does was so believable and made me totally root for him. The added element of his cousin and the ultimate betrayal that comes with their relationship was so powerful. Lopez builds up the tension so well and truly shows that the best intentions for the wrong reasons can be devastating.
Kienna is truly an incredible female lead. Although there were fare fewer chapters in her point of view than I expected from how these types of romantic fantasy retellings are usually done, they were all spot on. She's a wonderful character and I enjoyed the fact that the arc wasn't really hers. That part of the story is all with Revi, but nonetheless, Kienna had a lot to do because she has to work her way through all the secrets and a few lies as well.
I absolutely love how Lopez manages to weave in the classic character of Gaston in such an unexpected way that works brilliantly with the story and makes the character so much more powerful because he isn't evil, he's trying to force a point. There is such a powerful lesson there, but I'm not going to give away any more than I already have. Just read it!
I've now read 4 of the books in this collection and I have been blown away by each of them. This series, even if it's featuring works by different authors, is clearly a labour of love and I just know all the books are going to be equally good. Definitely a must have for anyone who loves fairytale retellings. And The Winter Prince in particular should be read by anyone who loves Beauty and the Beast. Whether you did or did not enjoy ACOTAR, this retelling overshoots it by a lot in every way and deserves to be on every fantasy-lover's bookshelf.
The characters are excellent! I loved Revi. He made for a fantastic beast prince of the Fae Winter Court. Getting insights into his personality and why he does what he does was so believable and made me totally root for him. The added element of his cousin and the ultimate betrayal that comes with their relationship was so powerful. Lopez builds up the tension so well and truly shows that the best intentions for the wrong reasons can be devastating.
Kienna is truly an incredible female lead. Although there were fare fewer chapters in her point of view than I expected from how these types of romantic fantasy retellings are usually done, they were all spot on. She's a wonderful character and I enjoyed the fact that the arc wasn't really hers. That part of the story is all with Revi, but nonetheless, Kienna had a lot to do because she has to work her way through all the secrets and a few lies as well.
I absolutely love how Lopez manages to weave in the classic character of Gaston in such an unexpected way that works brilliantly with the story and makes the character so much more powerful because he isn't evil, he's trying to force a point. There is such a powerful lesson there, but I'm not going to give away any more than I already have. Just read it!
I've now read 4 of the books in this collection and I have been blown away by each of them. This series, even if it's featuring works by different authors, is clearly a labour of love and I just know all the books are going to be equally good. Definitely a must have for anyone who loves fairytale retellings. And The Winter Prince in particular should be read by anyone who loves Beauty and the Beast. Whether you did or did not enjoy ACOTAR, this retelling overshoots it by a lot in every way and deserves to be on every fantasy-lover's bookshelf.
September 24, 2023
"You must not trust your eyes for they are easily deceived."
I adore a good Beauty and the Beast retelling and The Winter Prince perfectly captures why. TWP is centered around Revi, Kienna, and Enlo.
Revi, a fae prince acting as king, has been forced to only remain in beast form following a broken vow. With his kingdom slowly dying, he does his best to protect his people with the help of his cousin, Enlo. Kienna enters their lives when her father takes a rose from a special rosebush and the cost is a maiden to reside at the castle for a year.
This is a beautiful Beauty and the Beast retelling! Revi and Kienna's relationship was great! I love how they develop into friends and then something more! I also adore the Gatson twist! It's one of my favorite ways that I've seen it handled in a retelling.
This was my first book by Constance Lopez and it definitely won't be the last! Many thanks to the OUAP team and the author for the eARC!
I adore a good Beauty and the Beast retelling and The Winter Prince perfectly captures why. TWP is centered around Revi, Kienna, and Enlo.
Revi, a fae prince acting as king, has been forced to only remain in beast form following a broken vow. With his kingdom slowly dying, he does his best to protect his people with the help of his cousin, Enlo. Kienna enters their lives when her father takes a rose from a special rosebush and the cost is a maiden to reside at the castle for a year.
This is a beautiful Beauty and the Beast retelling! Revi and Kienna's relationship was great! I love how they develop into friends and then something more! I also adore the Gatson twist! It's one of my favorite ways that I've seen it handled in a retelling.
This was my first book by Constance Lopez and it definitely won't be the last! Many thanks to the OUAP team and the author for the eARC!
October 24, 2023
A Belle&Beast retelling where Beast is the Prince of the fae Winter Court
Revi & Kienna’s story pulled me right it from the first plucked frostrose and kept me on my toes until the final page.
I loved that the Beast changed his form day-to-day. I liked that instead of the unhoused fairy it was a fae bargain gone awry. The premise of the story is still the same: to uncurse the Beast a human girl needs to fall in love with him. The added twist is a prideful fae prince scoffing at being indebted and dependent on a weak human. I loved the hiccup with name-giving upon introductions - always a treat with fae and explaining perfectly why in the fairytale we only ever read of the Beast being referred to as Beast, not by his first name. Loved the idea of falling in love in dreams. Absolutely squealed at the ace-wielding meddling Enlo. With a fae cousin as the prince’s side-kick, for a while I hoped it would be a Cyrano type of retelling, but nope. Darker. Edge of the seat until the last page - loved it!
Recommended for lovers of YA/NA retold fairytales, esp Beauty&Beast with fae.
Revi & Kienna’s story pulled me right it from the first plucked frostrose and kept me on my toes until the final page.
I loved that the Beast changed his form day-to-day. I liked that instead of the unhoused fairy it was a fae bargain gone awry. The premise of the story is still the same: to uncurse the Beast a human girl needs to fall in love with him. The added twist is a prideful fae prince scoffing at being indebted and dependent on a weak human. I loved the hiccup with name-giving upon introductions - always a treat with fae and explaining perfectly why in the fairytale we only ever read of the Beast being referred to as Beast, not by his first name. Loved the idea of falling in love in dreams. Absolutely squealed at the ace-wielding meddling Enlo. With a fae cousin as the prince’s side-kick, for a while I hoped it would be a Cyrano type of retelling, but nope. Darker. Edge of the seat until the last page - loved it!
Recommended for lovers of YA/NA retold fairytales, esp Beauty&Beast with fae.
December 20, 2023
Revi, Prince of the Winter Court, broke a bargain to another fae, and since then he's lived under a curse: he's trapped in beast form and his wintery county gets warmer and warmer. When Kienna arrives in exchange for her father’s life, a small hope of breaking the curse is lit.
This is the last book in the Once Upon a Prince series, where all books are stand-alones and written by different authors. Every book is a retelling of a classic fairy tale, and Constance Lopez has written her own version of The Beauty and the Beast. We recognise the story, but the author has of course put her own twist in there, and I enjoy the surprises we get!
The story is told in third person, with three POV's: Ravi, Kienna and Enlo. Enlo is Ravi's cousin and friend, but when he thinks Ravi isn't doing enough to break the curse, he takes matters into his own hands. The cousins are very similar in appearance, but where Enlo is outgoing, charming and self-assured, Ravi is more introverted and quiet - and well aware that he’s a beast. He's so convinced that noone can love him in animal form that he’s not even trying. He hopes to break the curse on his own, but has had no luck so far, and Enlo feels he has to step in. In other words: we're in for some drama!
I love retellings, and The Beauty and the Beast is definitely one of my favorites! Probably because it's more about what’s on the inside of a person, rather than what we look like. The outside is what we first see and make an opinion about, but it's the inside that eventually decides what we think about the person, right?
* I received an ARC from the author and I'm giving my honest review. *
This is the last book in the Once Upon a Prince series, where all books are stand-alones and written by different authors. Every book is a retelling of a classic fairy tale, and Constance Lopez has written her own version of The Beauty and the Beast. We recognise the story, but the author has of course put her own twist in there, and I enjoy the surprises we get!
The story is told in third person, with three POV's: Ravi, Kienna and Enlo. Enlo is Ravi's cousin and friend, but when he thinks Ravi isn't doing enough to break the curse, he takes matters into his own hands. The cousins are very similar in appearance, but where Enlo is outgoing, charming and self-assured, Ravi is more introverted and quiet - and well aware that he’s a beast. He's so convinced that noone can love him in animal form that he’s not even trying. He hopes to break the curse on his own, but has had no luck so far, and Enlo feels he has to step in. In other words: we're in for some drama!
I love retellings, and The Beauty and the Beast is definitely one of my favorites! Probably because it's more about what’s on the inside of a person, rather than what we look like. The outside is what we first see and make an opinion about, but it's the inside that eventually decides what we think about the person, right?
* I received an ARC from the author and I'm giving my honest review. *
March 21, 2025
There was nothing wrong with this book in the slightest. I’m just in a slight bit of a reading slump now.
November 26, 2023
This is a phenomenal Fae-centered Beauty and the Beast retelling, and it has skyrocketed to my favourite version of all time!
I was invested from the very beginning, utterly blown away by the compelling characters who sucker punched their way straight into my heart and haven't left. I absolutely adored how Lopez managed to weave in a Gaston-like character who is simultaneously nothing like Disney's version and at the same time such a brilliant echo of him. There's also a really well-written betrayal that I didn't see coming followed soon after by the most unexpected twist.
If you're looking for the perfect blend of great plot and fantastic characters with excellent world building, don't just give this book a try, check out the whole multi-author series because I've read almost all the books in this 12-volume series and I've loved all but one of them. They really are excellent novels and refreshing fairytale retellings! The Winter Prince is my personal favourite, a highly compelling read I simply couldn't put down!
I was invested from the very beginning, utterly blown away by the compelling characters who sucker punched their way straight into my heart and haven't left. I absolutely adored how Lopez managed to weave in a Gaston-like character who is simultaneously nothing like Disney's version and at the same time such a brilliant echo of him. There's also a really well-written betrayal that I didn't see coming followed soon after by the most unexpected twist.
If you're looking for the perfect blend of great plot and fantastic characters with excellent world building, don't just give this book a try, check out the whole multi-author series because I've read almost all the books in this 12-volume series and I've loved all but one of them. They really are excellent novels and refreshing fairytale retellings! The Winter Prince is my personal favourite, a highly compelling read I simply couldn't put down!
February 3, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5, rounded up)
GENRE
-fantasy/ fairy tale retelling
CONTENT
-🤬: none
-❤️: just kisses
-⚠️: vicious fighting amongst beasts, attempted murder
I liked this book! This was my first by the author and also the first in this series that I've read. I will be reading more, both from this author and the series!
After her father picks one of the Revi's special roses, Kienna is given to him for a year and a day. She is unaware of the curse on the Winter Court but realizes something is very wrong there. Revi, the prince of the Winter Court, has been cursed to remain in animal form which for him is usually a frostcat.
Revi and his cousin Enlo are hoping to save their Court by Kienna falling in love with Revi. Because Enlo is so charming, Revi forbids him from seeking out Kienna, as it seems that it would be counterproductive to Revi's wooing attempts.
But frustrations mount and subterfuge occurs...thankfully, we do get the typical Beauty and the Beast ending.
Kienna was my favorite character. She was so brave in the face of some pretty terrifying things, and she kept trying to connect with and understand Revi, even when his efforts were lackluster.
Favorite Quote:
-You are more than what you look like. You are who you choose to be.
GENRE
-fantasy/ fairy tale retelling
CONTENT
-🤬: none
-❤️: just kisses
-⚠️: vicious fighting amongst beasts, attempted murder
I liked this book! This was my first by the author and also the first in this series that I've read. I will be reading more, both from this author and the series!
After her father picks one of the Revi's special roses, Kienna is given to him for a year and a day. She is unaware of the curse on the Winter Court but realizes something is very wrong there. Revi, the prince of the Winter Court, has been cursed to remain in animal form which for him is usually a frostcat.
Revi and his cousin Enlo are hoping to save their Court by Kienna falling in love with Revi. Because Enlo is so charming, Revi forbids him from seeking out Kienna, as it seems that it would be counterproductive to Revi's wooing attempts.
But frustrations mount and subterfuge occurs...thankfully, we do get the typical Beauty and the Beast ending.
Kienna was my favorite character. She was so brave in the face of some pretty terrifying things, and she kept trying to connect with and understand Revi, even when his efforts were lackluster.
Favorite Quote:
-You are more than what you look like. You are who you choose to be.
October 6, 2023
I loved this story.
My favourite fairytale is a close tie between Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella, but I find myself more often satisfied with the BatB retellings.
The blending of fae courts with the fairytale in this book was awesome. While it remained very faithful to the original, it had its own originality which gripped me from beginning to end.
Revi was a very satisfying beast and Kienna was the Beauty I usually love.
There were also many hints at possibly other stories, so I was disappointed when I saw Constance Lopez only had two books published aside from this one! 😂
CONTENT
The reason I removed a star is because in the very last chapter, there is some innuendo. It’s only one page at the end of the book though. Other than that, the rest was super clean.
My favourite fairytale is a close tie between Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella, but I find myself more often satisfied with the BatB retellings.
The blending of fae courts with the fairytale in this book was awesome. While it remained very faithful to the original, it had its own originality which gripped me from beginning to end.
Revi was a very satisfying beast and Kienna was the Beauty I usually love.
There were also many hints at possibly other stories, so I was disappointed when I saw Constance Lopez only had two books published aside from this one! 😂
CONTENT
The reason I removed a star is because in the very last chapter, there is some innuendo. It’s only one page at the end of the book though. Other than that, the rest was super clean.
June 3, 2024
a fun light hearted fantasy. i thought the story was cute and as a beauty and the beast retelling it was so nostalgic since that was my favorite disney movie as a child.
the book moved very quickly and it felt like there could have been more, especially a more gradual falling in love for the beast and kienna. it moved so quickly that it felt a little like instalove.
but overall i enjoyed it as a nice light read.
the book moved very quickly and it felt like there could have been more, especially a more gradual falling in love for the beast and kienna. it moved so quickly that it felt a little like instalove.
but overall i enjoyed it as a nice light read.
December 20, 2023
Lovely retelling
A shape-shifting fae, a dubious cousin, and a beautiful human. Dreamwalking. Invading monsters. Frost roses. So much is packed into this vibrant and compelling story. The character, Enlo, was a great addition who kept me guessing what his role would be. I enjoyed how the beast had to struggle against his animal instincts. And the rabbit! That was a great scene. While the novella format is too short to tie up all loose ends, I didn't really mind. Highly entertaining, sweet, clean fun.
A shape-shifting fae, a dubious cousin, and a beautiful human. Dreamwalking. Invading monsters. Frost roses. So much is packed into this vibrant and compelling story. The character, Enlo, was a great addition who kept me guessing what his role would be. I enjoyed how the beast had to struggle against his animal instincts. And the rabbit! That was a great scene. While the novella format is too short to tie up all loose ends, I didn't really mind. Highly entertaining, sweet, clean fun.
January 21, 2024
I enjoyed this story.
Content: Clean
Content: Clean
August 17, 2024
3.6⭐️ not bad. i didn’t love it, but it was good
July 30, 2025
Fantastic! Clean
August 9, 2025
4 Stars
Enlo was a dick. I really liked this book—a good retelling. But I gotta say, the Beauty is kind of dumb.
Enlo was a dick. I really liked this book—a good retelling. But I gotta say, the Beauty is kind of dumb.
August 12, 2024
Content:
Language: None.
Violence: high mild. There is a lot of fighting these beast-monster things that I honestly can't recall the name of, but there is a small amount of blood depicted because of these fights.
Sexual: Mild. There is kissing, and hand on waist, hugs, etc. Some of it is unwanted, but never forced. There is a comment at the end about
Trigger: There is an element of betrayal
The first thing I want to note is, I rarely see a Beauty and the Beast retelling use the dream sequence thing from the original, and usually it's a vague reference. This did it believably and well, it fit in the world presented with the fae. It made the fairy tale nerd in me happy.
One of the first things I always worry about with a B&tB retelling is the whole Stockholm syndrome thing that is hard to dodge (which is kinda funny because until I knew what Stockholm's was, I didn't really think about it too much). This one did a fair job of not going into creepy territory, but there's still the 'I'm a prisoner' thing. I think what made it work was the fact that she had a timeline. She knew she wasn't trapped there forever, unlike a lot of retellings.
The 'Beast' was one of my favorite types of characters. The silent protector who struggles to socialize, but has a heart of gold. I did get annoyed at his 'I'm not telling her anything, not even my name thing' at first, but then when you get his personality, it makes sense. Thank you for dodging my "for the plot" frustration Ms. author.
I was fascinated by Enlo. I really appreciated that it could've been way darker, but the author didn't go there. Thank you for not Criminal Mind-ing this part. (yes I made that a verb).
All in all, solid story. Romance could've been better, but it was sweet and believable. One of the better of the Once Upon a Prince books I've read thus far (I've got 5 left). Made me more interested in reading her other books that I...cough cough...ahem...have had on my kindle for quite some time waiting for the mood to hit.
Language: None.
Violence: high mild. There is a lot of fighting these beast-monster things that I honestly can't recall the name of, but there is a small amount of blood depicted because of these fights.
Sexual: Mild. There is kissing, and hand on waist, hugs, etc. Some of it is unwanted, but never forced. There is a comment at the end about
Trigger: There is an element of betrayal
The first thing I want to note is, I rarely see a Beauty and the Beast retelling use the dream sequence thing from the original, and usually it's a vague reference. This did it believably and well, it fit in the world presented with the fae. It made the fairy tale nerd in me happy.
One of the first things I always worry about with a B&tB retelling is the whole Stockholm syndrome thing that is hard to dodge (which is kinda funny because until I knew what Stockholm's was, I didn't really think about it too much). This one did a fair job of not going into creepy territory, but there's still the 'I'm a prisoner' thing. I think what made it work was the fact that she had a timeline. She knew she wasn't trapped there forever, unlike a lot of retellings.
The 'Beast' was one of my favorite types of characters. The silent protector who struggles to socialize, but has a heart of gold. I did get annoyed at his 'I'm not telling her anything, not even my name thing' at first, but then when you get his personality, it makes sense. Thank you for dodging my "for the plot" frustration Ms. author.
I was fascinated by Enlo. I really appreciated that it could've been way darker, but the author didn't go there. Thank you for not Criminal Mind-ing this part. (yes I made that a verb).
All in all, solid story. Romance could've been better, but it was sweet and believable. One of the better of the Once Upon a Prince books I've read thus far (I've got 5 left). Made me more interested in reading her other books that I...cough cough...ahem...have had on my kindle for quite some time waiting for the mood to hit.
May 21, 2024
95% DNF
You know what? I would like to be thank this author for ruining all chances of genuine angst in this book. Both of the main love interests were incredibly stupid. Revi for some apparent reason just refused to tell her the truth because of “his pride” (according to the author) and I think that this writer needs to look up the definition of pride and its affects on human psychology because this is not how it works. When you put something convoluted into someone’s mindset, you have to explain it a bit more than just saying that he’s doing every single thing he can to make her fall in love with him, but then he just completely shifts into another person and just forget about it. Pride does not do that. It’s just not how it works. I honestly can’t even blame the girl, but she is giving me a headache because for some apparent reason, she can trust this idiot (partially) why the hell is she making choices on appearances?!? I thought she was smart…
And the insufferable cousin was the worst part. If you’re gonna make someone evil, can you not make them one of the most annoying “holier than thou” creatures in the world?? That’s not something you have to do. This plotline completely ruined all the angst there could’ve been. This author tried to create an environment where the beast doesn’t believe he deserves to be loved, but every single time she tries to put in angst or anything of the sort she just interrupts it with this stupid overdone plot.
This is absolutely two stars because everything was set up and everything was there if she didn’t keep using pride to excuse asshole behavior that has no relation to it and removed the usurper plot line. It kept interrupting the romance, and honestly, she barely spent that much time with him. We definitely didn’t have enough of Kienna’s perspective because we were going back-and-forth between the asshole and the protagonist.
You know what? I would like to be thank this author for ruining all chances of genuine angst in this book. Both of the main love interests were incredibly stupid. Revi for some apparent reason just refused to tell her the truth because of “his pride” (according to the author) and I think that this writer needs to look up the definition of pride and its affects on human psychology because this is not how it works. When you put something convoluted into someone’s mindset, you have to explain it a bit more than just saying that he’s doing every single thing he can to make her fall in love with him, but then he just completely shifts into another person and just forget about it. Pride does not do that. It’s just not how it works. I honestly can’t even blame the girl, but she is giving me a headache because for some apparent reason, she can trust this idiot (partially) why the hell is she making choices on appearances?!? I thought she was smart…
And the insufferable cousin was the worst part. If you’re gonna make someone evil, can you not make them one of the most annoying “holier than thou” creatures in the world?? That’s not something you have to do. This plotline completely ruined all the angst there could’ve been. This author tried to create an environment where the beast doesn’t believe he deserves to be loved, but every single time she tries to put in angst or anything of the sort she just interrupts it with this stupid overdone plot.
This is absolutely two stars because everything was set up and everything was there if she didn’t keep using pride to excuse asshole behavior that has no relation to it and removed the usurper plot line. It kept interrupting the romance, and honestly, she barely spent that much time with him. We definitely didn’t have enough of Kienna’s perspective because we were going back-and-forth between the asshole and the protagonist.
September 15, 2023
I was blessed and given this story as an ARC. Here is my honest review:
The Winter Prince by: Constance Lopez
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A cursed fae prince must put aside his pride and risk his own heart in order to save his Court in this retelling of Beauty and the Beast.
__________________
A super creative twist on this Beauty and the Beast retelling!! The author really put lots of thought into this book! I loved the story and all of the characters, well…. I thought I liked all of the characters until the point where one of them kind of went 🫢 I can not say!
This was told by three different points of view, so three main characters. No this really wasn’t quite a love triangle I would say it was more like enemies to happily ever after. I hope that’s not too much of a spoiler!
This story has some really different things I have never seen in a BatB retelling! Shapeshifting, dreamwalking, and soulwalking, which made the story so intriguing! And of course a broody Prince!
The beautiful descriptions of the gardens, the forest, the winter court were such an added bonus! The author really painted the scenes with such lovely words it was so easy to picture the scenes in my imagination!
Overall a fantastic book!! I enjoyed it so much! I do think it could have been a little longer with more time spent on Kienna before she had to go to the winter court. But that’s probably just me wanting to stay in that world a bit more! I love this book! I love this author! And lastly, I am wondering if we may see these characters again sometime!!?? 💜
This story is part of a multi author series called Once Upon a Prince
The Winter Prince by: Constance Lopez
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A cursed fae prince must put aside his pride and risk his own heart in order to save his Court in this retelling of Beauty and the Beast.
__________________
A super creative twist on this Beauty and the Beast retelling!! The author really put lots of thought into this book! I loved the story and all of the characters, well…. I thought I liked all of the characters until the point where one of them kind of went 🫢 I can not say!
This was told by three different points of view, so three main characters. No this really wasn’t quite a love triangle I would say it was more like enemies to happily ever after. I hope that’s not too much of a spoiler!
This story has some really different things I have never seen in a BatB retelling! Shapeshifting, dreamwalking, and soulwalking, which made the story so intriguing! And of course a broody Prince!
The beautiful descriptions of the gardens, the forest, the winter court were such an added bonus! The author really painted the scenes with such lovely words it was so easy to picture the scenes in my imagination!
Overall a fantastic book!! I enjoyed it so much! I do think it could have been a little longer with more time spent on Kienna before she had to go to the winter court. But that’s probably just me wanting to stay in that world a bit more! I love this book! I love this author! And lastly, I am wondering if we may see these characters again sometime!!?? 💜
This story is part of a multi author series called Once Upon a Prince
September 22, 2023
Prince Revi is cursed because he broke his oath to marry the Summer Queen’s daughter. Kienna’s father picked one of his magical frostroses and now has to send his daughter to live with the Beast for a year and a day. There are some nice twists to the usual story. Revi’s cousin Enlo is an interesting character, and the breaking of the curse is a good plot twist.
Kienna makes a good Beauty. I was irritated that Revi specified that her father had to bring a beautiful woman, but that does fit with his bratty stage.
I very much enjoyed this book.
I received an ARC from the author which in no way influenced this review.
Kienna makes a good Beauty. I was irritated that Revi specified that her father had to bring a beautiful woman, but that does fit with his bratty stage.
I very much enjoyed this book.
I received an ARC from the author which in no way influenced this review.
April 9, 2024
I have been waiting for this one to release, since the series was announced because it is my favorite fairytale of all time, and it is written by one of my favorite authors!
I really like how the first part of the story maintains the core of the original beauty and the beast with some slight tweaks, such as why the beast is cursed, the forms of beast he is stuck in, and how beauty’s dad was not alone when he plucked the rose
I especially appreciate the Beast’s pride, which was why he was cursed in the first place, stays with him throughout most of the book. I also love that his pride is not as selfish narcissistic one, but rather an inverted pride, thinking that he is not good enough to be loved by Beauty or his people while also believing he can break the curse without anyone’s help.
Beauty is clever! Even though we don’t get many chapters from her POV, it is clearly communicated how observant and clever she is, which is a quality I really like in retellings of this tale. Though she almost lost some of my admiration for her when she couldn’t figure out who her dream prince was.
Enlo. Oh man. I loved him. Then I hated him…then I hated him some more. then I loved him again.
Enlo is a weird mixture of Gaston, Cogsworth and Lumiere all wrapped up in one
The twist of how the curse is broken is amazing and even though I had a sneaking suspicion about what it might be, the way it came about, was still farther from what my guess was
I really like how the first part of the story maintains the core of the original beauty and the beast with some slight tweaks, such as why the beast is cursed, the forms of beast he is stuck in, and how beauty’s dad was not alone when he plucked the rose
I especially appreciate the Beast’s pride, which was why he was cursed in the first place, stays with him throughout most of the book. I also love that his pride is not as selfish narcissistic one, but rather an inverted pride, thinking that he is not good enough to be loved by Beauty or his people while also believing he can break the curse without anyone’s help.
Beauty is clever! Even though we don’t get many chapters from her POV, it is clearly communicated how observant and clever she is, which is a quality I really like in retellings of this tale. Though she almost lost some of my admiration for her when she couldn’t figure out who her dream prince was.
Enlo. Oh man. I loved him. Then I hated him…then I hated him some more. then I loved him again.
Enlo is a weird mixture of Gaston, Cogsworth and Lumiere all wrapped up in one
The twist of how the curse is broken is amazing and even though I had a sneaking suspicion about what it might be, the way it came about, was still farther from what my guess was
September 22, 2023
The Winter Prince by Constance Lopez is a well done beauty and the beast retelling. Release date is expected on December 15th. After breaking a bargain with another Fae, Revi, prince of the winter court, faces a terrible curse that is also causing harm to his people and kingdom through a withering blight. The only cure.. a heart freely given. Enter Kienna. After a magical rose was taken she must live in his castle for a year and a day. Can they learn to love each other despite the obstacles in the way?..
September 24, 2023
A delightful twist on beauty and the beast. This story focused strongly on loyalty with a sprinkle of true love, which was refreshing from other retellings I’ve read. I loved how this was tied into the author’s other books in the Kasmian Chronicles as well. If you haven’t read them, you need to!
December 15, 2023
A beauty and the beast retelling to cuddle up with and melt with the goodness.
A beautifully written retelling of a classic tale but with a nice fae twist on it.
Beware the wording of the fae, for they may not lie but they may not be telling the truth when they do speak. Like our prince says ‘don’t trust your eyes. Trust me. I’ll protect you.’ 🥰
I love the grumpy male lead and the bright sunshine female lead.
This does have a love triangle going on but not from the character you’d assume. The betrayal cut deep in this one.
A m/f romantic fantasy fairytale retelling with magic, fae, curses, shapeshifters, monsters and falling in love despite appearances.
I loved the idea of meeting in the dream cottage.
A very quick read with a happily ever after but an epilogue that makes me hope there is hope for more of this world. I definitely need Enlo’s story.
New elements mixed in with the staple roses and library. (My favorite of every retelling)
Multiple povs told in third person
Characters-
Kienna - human girl
Revi - cursed shifter prince, multiple beast forms
Enlo - Revi’s cousin
Boden - Kienna’s father
Zoya - maid assigned to Kienna
Steam - clean read with kissing
A beautifully written retelling of a classic tale but with a nice fae twist on it.
Beware the wording of the fae, for they may not lie but they may not be telling the truth when they do speak. Like our prince says ‘don’t trust your eyes. Trust me. I’ll protect you.’ 🥰
I love the grumpy male lead and the bright sunshine female lead.
This does have a love triangle going on but not from the character you’d assume. The betrayal cut deep in this one.
A m/f romantic fantasy fairytale retelling with magic, fae, curses, shapeshifters, monsters and falling in love despite appearances.
I loved the idea of meeting in the dream cottage.
A very quick read with a happily ever after but an epilogue that makes me hope there is hope for more of this world. I definitely need Enlo’s story.
New elements mixed in with the staple roses and library. (My favorite of every retelling)
Multiple povs told in third person
Characters-
Kienna - human girl
Revi - cursed shifter prince, multiple beast forms
Enlo - Revi’s cousin
Boden - Kienna’s father
Zoya - maid assigned to Kienna
Steam - clean read with kissing
Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews