At Fairview-Teller High, light mixes with dark. Good with evil. And heroes with villains. But there’s a reason the students call it Fairy Tale High. They'll get their happily ever after, even if they have to fight for it.
When Sylvie’s foster brother finds out she’s being bullied, he calls all of his friends in for support. They decide to be her protectors, with the Lone Wolf, Luke Conri, taking the lead.
During the next run-in with the bully, Luke accidentally calls Sylvie his girlfriend. And thanks to social media, the whole school now knows.
Luke and Sylvie agree to pretend to date in order to keep Sylvie safe. Neither of them is looking for a real relationship, anyway.
Besides, Luke is Sylvie’s brother's best friend… she can’t date him for real, right?
But what happens when the truth about Sylvie and the bully finally comes out?
Will it ruin everything for Luke and Sylvie?
Tropes: ** fake dating ** brother’s best friend ** modern day fairy tale retelling
Trick Me Not is a fairy tale mashup of Snow White and the Wolf from Little Red Riding Hood, perfect for fans of Cookie O’Gorman, Jenny Han, and Jillian Dodd.
Danielle Keil grew up and spent the majority of her life in the Chicagoland area. A recent transplant, she is enjoying the Mississippi life, especially the pool in her backyard. Danielle is happily married for over 10 years, and has two young children, a daughter and a son, who are exact replicas of her and her husband.
Danielle's love language is gifts, her Ennegram is a 9w1, and she loves everything purple. The way to her heart is through coffee, chocolate and tacos (extra guac).
I was very excited to read this book because of Luke. His story gets perfectly set up in the first book, so it was nice returning to him in this one. It was also fun to see Adam and Una make appearances.
I think I liked all the characters. I went back and forth on Sylvie throughout the book, but I couldn't tell if it was because I didn't like her or because I couldn't relate with her. Sylvie goes through substantial growth in the book. She starts very timid and scared, but grows confident and self-assured. I liked how Luke encouraged her and supported her, but she didn't change because of him. And conversely, Luke also grows out of his reclusive shell. At first I was skeptical of him, because I personally think that any guy who does the "is a jerk to everyone except for one girl" thing is just a jerk in general, but Luke sheds that mentality throughout the book. He learns that the Lone Wolf thing isn't as great or necessary as movies make it seem.
Unlike the second book, the fairy tale elements are well-integrated and present throughout this book. My favorite interpretation of the stories was how the antagonist, Hunter, played the role of both the hunter from Snow White and the hunter from Little Red Riding Hood, except he subverts expectations by being the bad guy to our LRRH and the wolf (Luke) is the good guy. I also LOVED the seven guys as the seven dwarves. They're so wholesome and supportive of Sylvie. So cute.
I think where this book struggled was editing. The pacing was inconsistent. Highly dramatic moments would be interrupted by pages of a character's soliloquy, in which they explained step-by-step their thought process to the reader. It was very tell not show. There were also some weird things that I think may have been overlooked. For example, at one point Luke says, "Why I brought her up to Sylvie now, I wasn't sure. Something in my gut told me I could trust her explicitly" (Chapter 17). Surely that is supposed to say "implicitly" instead? Another weird quote, "Without talking, he made a fist with both hands, fingers out, at chest level" (Chapter 23). Unless I'm completely misinterpreting this sentence, that's not a fist. It was just things like this throughout the book that made me feel like it was rushed. I wouldn't say it was distracting, but it was noticeable.
Even though the ending wasn't super compelling, it was still a fun read and a nice way to end the series.
Loved this Snow White retelling in modern USA high school setting
I absolutely love this Fairytale High series and this book in particular. Sylvie & Luke’s story is a rollercoaster ride of finding trust and finding emotions - believable from the get-go.
Tossed from foster home to foster home, Sylvie finds herself in with the Atwells and under the wing of their two sons. Unfortunately, her past catches up to her and to resolve the situation her stepbrothers call in reinforcements. Luke, Except he volunteers. To fake date, out of all things. Yeah, that vounteering bit was a dead giveaway even if to Sylvie Luke seemed dangerous and intimidating. Aww…
I loved how Sylvie had 2 protective stepbrothers and their amazing 4 friends plus Luke - and that makes kinda like 7 dwarves to Sylvie’s raven-haired pale-faced, bruises-easily-white-skinned Snow White. I loved that the huntsman in this tale - Hunter - was the nasty villain and the Wolf from Red Riding Hood ended up being the protector. Loved Red, too, and the fact she was Luke’s next door neighbour and BFF, so a bit of a sideline twist on the Red Riding Hood there as well.
I couldn’t put this book down for all of its rollercoastery ride - Sylvie’s trust issues soothed by Luke’s patience and his emotional hangups dissolved by her vulnerability was such a tumultous but feelgood ride, ahhhh - and am clamouring for more in the series. Keep’em coming!
Recommended for lovers of YA twisted fairytale retellings in urban high school settings.
i love this series. all the books have been so good. this is the least strong but still really good. felt a little insta lovey. luke kinda just falls for her. i love the bodyguard/fake dating element. her past was serious enough but nothing crazy, i did like the conflict at the end but her liking him again was a little too quick for me. i love all the guy's protectiveness to her. like that first moment where they were like "our girl" it was super cute! overall i enjoyed this and giggled a bunch.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This took me so long to read and EVEN LONGER TO POST ABOUT for some odd reason. I say odd because this book consists of two of my favorite tropes of all time: fake dating and brother’s best friend. Anyway, this is (sadly) the final book in the Tangled Web Series by Danielle Keil, a series of fairytale mashups taking place in a modern setting.
Trick Me Not is a modern retelling about Snow White and the wolf from Little Red Riding Hood. It has the whole bodyguard, “touch her and die” type of situation where Luke Conri, a recurring character in the series, volunteers to protect his best friend’s foster sister, Sylvie Schwartz, from a bully with a reputation. That’s the whole gist of the book.
Throughout, you see the trials and tribulations of the two as they are thrown into a fake relationship. I honestly never thought that the whole overprotective boyfriend thing would fare well with a YA contemporary romance. At least, until I read this. I’m adding Luke Conri to the list of reasons why fictionaly men and boys are so much better than real-life men (I speak from personal experience) because I just KNOW that my 16-year-old self would have fallen madly in love with him.
The book also took me a long time to review because I do these moodboards and I wanted to get them JUST RIGHT. Personally, Charm Me Not will always be my favorite book in this series (I am a sucker for an interracial romance, especially when the girl is black like me) but Trick Me Not still holds a special place in my heart. I just wish it wasn’t the last book in the Tangled Web Series.
I wanted to hug and laugh with everyone in this story!
I have read other books by this author but not in this series. I am not sure if I am missing something from the other books, if it was just not in the story because it wasn't needed for how the story was laid out, or if it would have been too detailed for the story, or if I am just greedy and wanted more. Examples like the whole wolves thing or does Sylvie get the contract thing explained to her? I have to say I appreciate knowing about the restraining order, because a little part of me was like were or what are the parents doing and are they going to step up more (I think that was the greedy part of me) because that thought did not stay in my head for the whole book. Did Rosie get her own bear? Did Sylvie ever get to officially meet Gran? His Dad?
I did like both characters by themselves and together, but I did have moments where I wanted to shake them and beg them to say or do something.
I really liked him helping her with her confidence and the meditation scene, that moment was sweet, caring and swoony I mean who wouldn't want to take that moment with a guy like Luke and who wouldn't want to listen to him. Everyone needs a reminder every once in a while, to go to their happy place.
This book was sweet in the way that it gave her true friends and family that made her story sweeter to read and the tougher parts easier to get through.
Hunter is a bully and deserved so much more then he got.
So…I didn’t find out until the end of the book that this is book 3 in a series so I’m assuming that they are interconnected standalone stories because this story was good by itself. Maybe i would know a little more about certain characters if I read the previous two books but I don’t know which characters are in those books. Regardless, I enjoyed this one.
The book definitely gave me Once Upon a Time vibes in which characters were either named or inspired by a lot of popular fairy tale characters, but maybe none of the magical/fantastical elements.
It’s a sweet story about gaining self confidence, trusting people, learning to love, and all of the ups and downs that come with it. There are definitely parts where I wanted to shake the characters and say “just tell them you love them already” knowing full well that I would act the same way as a 30 year old 😅
I didn’t mind the dual perspectives between Luke and Sylvie because they didn’t replay the same scenes over again and with two characters that have trouble expressing emotions and tend to get caught up in their thoughts, it was nice to see both perspectives.
Though I don’t see me rereading this book, I do like the series and I think I’ll check out the rest when I want/need a break from high fantasy and darker books.
LUKE!! I’ve loved him since book one and i knew the second his book was in my hands I’d love it. When I found out it was my favorite trope that only solidified it! Luke is the DEFINITION of “if he wanted too he would!” Luke notices everything about Sylvie her likes and dislikes, what she’s really saying instead of what she says! . Sylvie while shy, and tries to stay hidden she’s such a relatable character being a huge book nerd, and not wanting to be center of attention.
Luke is a huge protector it’s always been who he is, and he takes it to heart when he feels like he didn’t do well enough. So when Luke and Sylvie fake date so he can protect her (not saying why bc spoilerssss) he takes it so seriously. I love that Luke is only a softy to be people he lets in, and those a very select few! There’s a lot more to the story I wish I could include in my review but to avoid spoilers I won’t. Just read this please so I can discuss!
I’ve said before retellings aren’t my jam but there’s something about how Danielle writes them that makes me a fan! Can we talk about the Easter Eggs??! There’s so many, I know without a doubt I missed a ton, but finally I found some as well. Without a doubt my favorite of the series, as I knew it would be!
I am blown away how effortlessly it is for Danielle Keil to deliver characters that just own your heart! Once again she writes a heart warming, swoony story that gives you all the feels!
Trick Me Not is a fake dating, brother’s best friend, fairytale retelling romance that is full of magic! I enjoyed every single second of this read. Luke had been my favorite since the first book of this series and my love for him just great immensely. I also enjoyed Sylvie a lot. I related to her a ton and think she is definitely my favorite. The relationships in this book are ones that will have you in your feels. So many great characters to this book and so many great moments! It is just one you have to experience for all the feels.
I definitely think this is a great book for all to read! I know I recommend it for all my friend and I think you should read it too! Danielle Keil is an author that once you read, you’re hooked!
One word; Luke. I want more Like and Slyvie. This book had me all up in my emotions. Trick Me Not is such an amazing book. It is a heartwarming story about friends and family and realizing thatyou can find happiness and l9ve even when it seems hopeless. Sylvie is a foster child who has been in and out of many homes. She has learned that she can pnly trust herself. Then she ends up living with the Atwell family. She has two foster brothers Drew and Dylan and becomes part of the group when the guys hang out at home. Sylvie has a bully and Drew finds out about it. Enter instant protection from 7 guys. Luke one of the guys makes it his goal to protect Sylie from the bully. Luke accidentally tells Hunter the bully that Sylie is his girlfriend. Luke and Sylvie enter a fake relationship or is it fake? Read this sweet book to find out. You won't be sorry. This is one of my absolute favorites by Danielle Keil. I wish I would have had a Luke when i was in high school.
This book was absolute perfection. It was heartwarming and had the best characters and representation. Not only was there a character with severe anxiety, but there was also a deaf character, both of whom absolutely stole my heart. Rosie was an absolute delight, the way Luke takes care of her and sylvie instantly accepted her had me tearing up a bit. Sylvie has had a hard time, with every new foster family she's curled in on herself, to the point she couldn't open up about anything. When drew and his friends found out she was being bullied, Luke instantly volunteered to take the lead protecting her, but that soon led to a "fake" dating situation. I loved both Luke and sylvie, their relationship blossomed into something so pure it will be sure to warm anyone's heart. This is definitely one of my favorites of this series.
I am so honored to have received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I started reading Trick Me Not this morning and read the entire story in one sitting because I was so hooked into the storyline and needed to know what happens next. Sylvie’s growth as a character from beginning to end was tremendous and I truly loved that she had so many wonderful people in her life to help her get there. She has been through so much in her life and I was cheering her on the entire time to be able to open herself up and trust in others again. Overall, I give this book a 5/5 and will be re-reading this time and time again.
Luke and the guys carried this book. I’ve liked Luke since the first book and I would have wanted him to have more interactions with Adam & Jessa, but the bromance with Drew and the others were fun to read at least. The guys were lovable.
Sylvie was so frustrating. Coming from Jessa and Una, it was a chore reading Sylvie’s POVs. I couldn’t get myself to like her especially when she did *that* to Luke when he did everything to protect her. My wolfie deserves so much more.
Also, this book is filled with grammatical errors. From capitalizations, wrong punctuations, wrong word usage, and more… This book is a quick, and easy read, but it needed major editing.
I have been WAITING for my fave Luke to get his own story and I'm so happy!! He and Sylvie are a brother's best friend, fake dating dream come true.
We LOVE when the quiet, grumpy dude is actually a total sweetheart, and this is Luke. If he wanted to he would, and Luke DOES. Protective, a good friend and brother, sweet... ugh, I love him. Sylvie has had a rough go of things and he's perfect for her. The wolf falls hard for his songbird, and they both get their happy ending!
This is definitely one of those books that you will smile while reading, but it’s SUPER cheesy so you kind of have to be in the mood for it as well. I’ve seen a couple other reviews say it’s like a kind of wattpad read, and I definitely agree. Not a bad thing, just a different kind of writing style. You can definitely tell this is written in the voice of teenagers. It’s very dramatic and I found myself screaming at the characters to just get together already. All part of the fake dating trope! L
Ahhhh this book is just so swoony. It gives me all the feels and more and I loved it!
This book is a fake dating, brother's best friend, fairytale retelling that just feels so effortlessly beautiful. I adored Luke and Sylvie so so much. The characters and all the dynamics in this book is just so wonderful to read. This book totally warmed my heart and made me BEYOND happy. I highly suggest reading this series because it is one you will always remember and hold close to your heart.
Sylvie & Luke devise a plan to pretend date. Why? Well, I won’t tell you because it will spoil the story, but they do, and it turns into something neither of them were expecting. There are several twists and turns and things get a little testy at times. And then everything they built during their fake relationship comes tumbling down at their feet. This was a fantastic YA read!! Scoot on over to the 1-Click and start reading Trick Me Not today.
This is one of those books that has you kicking your feet and grinning for the main girl 🥹
This is a YA romance about a girl who’s had her strength stamped out, and the boy who shows her how to stand up after it all. I’m immediately borrowing the other books in this series from kindle unlimited, because I just need MORE of these swoon-worthy moments that Danielle Keil writes.
This may not be a perfect book, but it was perfect for me 🥹
I liked the simplicity of the problems, which were also proportional to their age. There are too many books nowadays where H and /or h seem almost mafia-like. Where they are teenagers but the issues they face are disproportional. While that sometimes is the case in real world too, I was tired of it. The story was slow burn but at the same time quite intense. Still I found it difficult to understand Sylvie's appeal. But to each their own, I guess.
See review for Protect Me Not Yup, I enjoyed this one too. We traded a lot of the Disney references out for cameos from other beloved characters from the previous books, which I think was a smart move. Still with the typos, sometimes I had to completely rewrite a sentence in my head to make it make sense, but overall I think Danielle Keil has developed something really fun here. I would read more of these.
"Trick Me Not" by Danielle Keil is a YA that delivers an enchanting blend of "Little Red Riding Hood" and "Snow White" set in modern day high school. The lone wolf, Stone Cold Luke Conri, known for his standoffish demeanor, finds an unexpected soft spot in his heart when his best friend Drew's sister, Sylvie, becomes the target of bullying. In a twist of fate, Luke decides to be Sylvie's protector, and a fake relationship ensues to deter her relentless bully, Hunter.
The magic of this book lies in the genuine and heartwarming journey of Luke and Sylvie falling in love. Luke's transformation from a stone-cold to tender-hearted for Sylvie captivated me, especially since strong characters showing vulnerability for the ones they care about is one of my favorite tropes. The portrayal of blossoming love between the two sets this book apart from the rest in the Tangle Web book, in my opinion of course.
"Trick Me Not" stands out as my favorite in the Tangle Web books also because there is dedicated time for the two lovers to explore their feelings and dive deeper into the blooming of their relationship. For those who enjoy a delightful blend of fairy tale vibes and modern love, this book is a must-read. It's a heart-tugging experience that reignites the joy of falling in love, offering a perfect mix of emotions, depth, and characters that feel like friends from another life.
I cannot express how much I've loved reading this book! It didn't last very long in my hands to be honest but that's just a perfect demonstration to show how good a read it is!! Luke and Sylvie are adorable, and the tension in this story was fantastic. This started out as a quick "just a few chapters before bed" and turned into daylight peeking through my window, so yeah. 10/10 Recommend
This is my 1st book by her I was loving by Paige too I was kicking my feet With joy And Smiling the whole time I love this book You need to read it And I hope they we'll be more
I read this book in one sitting, couldnt put it away, I loved the book so much, Sylvies character development, the grow she goes through. Definitely recommend this book if youre looking for a HS romance, with a good storyline, backstory and a hea.
Its a sweet high school love story. The big secret driving the story is pretty weak. Pushing and pinching is the height of the "traumatic abuse". I guess it would be reasonable for a youth story, not really aimed toward adults though.
This book hooked me from the start. It was a true heartwarming story. Definately tugged at my emotions in all the right ways. Will 100% read more by this author!!!
Very sweet story. The H is wise beyond his young 18 years old. He handles the h with love and understanding. Told in both pov. A little bit of angst toward the end. A HEA. Very PG. Nothing beyond kissing scenes.
Enjoyable read not too deep. Not profound and probably won't stick with me in the way other books have buy enjoyable all the same. I did quite enjoy the existence of a strong male lead without controlling behaviour though as that is a balance that is often difficult to find.