She is a wild noblewoman desperate to restore her war ravaged land. He is an assassin sent to dispose of her and create havoc.
Elinor is one of the few remaining nobles in the lost kingdom of Andalia. Her ability to shapeshift often places her in the path of danger but she is determined to filter out the threat and restore her lands. Nursing a broken heart after the unrequited love she once felt for her future king, Mikkel, she assists in amassing the troops to prepare for war. She’s far too busy for matters of the heart anyway.
Kade works undercover as a soldier in the Reformed Andalian Army. He is assigned to watch Elinor despite his disdain toward all things noble. The secret mission to kill her becomes all the more complicated as they drift closer to one another. His ability to keep her at a distance is threatened when he realizes, he isn’t the only threat and there are more lives than just theirs at stake.
When Kade and Elinor lose themselves on opposite sides, will their connection be enough to break them free? Can they let go of their past or will it always bind them?
I enjoyed this quick fairy tale retelling of Thumbelina. It was a a unique take of the fairy tale. The story had elements from the original tale and enough twists and turns to set it apart. This is a clean enemies to lovers story. I loved diving deeper in learning more about Kade in this book and seeing his change and growth. I could not put this book down, I had to read how Kade and Elle relationship unfolded. It was a great conclusion to the series!
I received an ARC copy from the author and all thoughts are my own.
"The Pearl that Binds Me: A Thumbelina Retelling" by Scarlett Luna Strange unfolds an enchanting narrative that weaves together the stories of Elinor, a determined noblewoman, and Kade, an assassin with a secret mission. Elinor, grappling with the aftermath of war in the lost kingdom of Andalia, is resolute in her quest to restore her lands, despite her ability to shapeshift making her a constant target. Nursing a broken heart, she remains focused on war preparations, leaving little room for matters of the heart.
Kade, working undercover in the Reformed Andalian Army, is assigned to watch Elinor, a task complicated by his disdain for nobility. As their paths intertwine, the secret mission to kill her becomes more intricate, threatening to unravel as they grow closer. The banter between Elinor and Kade adds a delightful touch to the story, and the sweet resolution is a satisfying conclusion.
The book, part of the Tales From Sandy Shore series, takes a unique approach to the Thumbelina fairy tale, introducing twists and turns that set it apart. The story, a clean enemies-to-lovers romance, offers a glimpse into the world of Distoria and Andalia, featuring characters from the previous tales. While enjoying this quick retelling, readers witness Kade's growth and transformation, making it a compelling addition to the series.
For those unfamiliar with the original Thumbelina story, Scarlett Luna Strange adeptly captures the essence of the struggle of being controlled through Elinor's character. The clever use of Elinor as a combination of Tinkerbell and Thumbelina is very enjoyable and adds to the narrative continuing on from the previous book. "The Pearl that Binds Me" stands as a strong conclusion to the Sandy Shore Tales, providing an engaging and satisfying journey through this imaginative world. Fans of the series would undoubtedly enjoy revisiting this captivating realm.
Loved this book from Tales From Sandy Shore! Especially after the twist at the end of The Anchor That Weighs Me! Learning Kades story and how he and Elle navigate thier relationship is so good. I couldn't stop reading it! This clean retelling of Thumbelina is very interesting and continues to build the world's of Distoria and Andalia. You see characters from the previous tales do I would highly reccomend reading the other two before this one. Really enjoyed this retelling! I received an ARC from the author but my review is honest and my own.
This was a great book, although I found it a little too short and the problem was resolved so easily. However, I still really enjoyed it. The plot was great and I could definitely feel for the characters and the problems they faced, but I think that the book could have been longer and expanded on Viggo and Kade's and Elle's feelings.
I loved the banter between these two! And what a sweet resolution too. It gave me Wesley & Buttercup vibes, to an extent. I really like the shape-shifting aspects as well.