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Heirs of Ever After #1
The Rose Gold Summer
Once upon a time...there was a girl whose father inhabited the body of a beast for a time and whose mother couldn't seem to keep her nose out of a book.
Mirabel can't imagine summer without the solstice ball her family throws every year—the music, the roses, everything looking picture perfect, like it came out of one of her mother's books.
But when a young man at the ball snubs an enchantress in disguise and chooses Mirabel to dance with instead, the summer begins to look a lot less wonderful. Casting a spell over the family, the enchantress turns them all to stone; all but Mirabel, who is given a task that could save them.
Desperate to succeed before the rose vines completely cover her parents' statues and turns them to gold forever, Mirabel sets out on the enchantress' quest. But why did the boy have to be sent along? She never even wanted to dance with him in the first place.
(Each book in this series is a stand-alone novel and they can be read in any order.)
Mirabel can't imagine summer without the solstice ball her family throws every year—the music, the roses, everything looking picture perfect, like it came out of one of her mother's books.
But when a young man at the ball snubs an enchantress in disguise and chooses Mirabel to dance with instead, the summer begins to look a lot less wonderful. Casting a spell over the family, the enchantress turns them all to stone; all but Mirabel, who is given a task that could save them.
Desperate to succeed before the rose vines completely cover her parents' statues and turns them to gold forever, Mirabel sets out on the enchantress' quest. But why did the boy have to be sent along? She never even wanted to dance with him in the first place.
(Each book in this series is a stand-alone novel and they can be read in any order.)
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2023
2 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 27, 2024
Another book to which I was drawn by a pretty cover. This happens often and usually doesn’t disappoint. I wouldn’t say this was an exception. While the writing could’ve been stronger, it was generally very cute.
👑 Fairy tale vibes - this was well done.
✨ Forbidden romance - ‘our bl00dline is too good for the likes of her’.
👑 Royalty.
✨ Dark magic, curses.
👑 Fae.
✨Good witch / bad witch vibes. Very Galinda & Elphaba-style bickering.
👑 Adventure.
✨Riddles.
Overall:
Okay. There were scenes that would’ve been super cute and felt more submerge-y if they weren’t dragged out /over explained. I feel this author is a good storyteller, but still has some growing to do on the writing craft side. She definitely nailed the fairytale vibes! Would I be open to reading more from this author, based on this experience? Maybe … but with a different narrator or in a different format.
3 stars - it’s okay.
Audio:
Overall sound quality was decent. Just ever-so-slightly hazy / mostly clear.
The narrator though, I was SHOCKED to discover is narrated by an actual person and not AI. WOwww, wow. This sounds more like a bot than Siri and Alexa does. Normally author-narrated books are the BEST because, who better to perform a book than its own creator?! This was … truly awful though and the monotonous droning / dictating made it really hard to pay attention to the book, I had to really work at it.
There was also something odd going on with the accent(s)? I’m not talking alternating accents for different characters—no, this was … it would change up mid-sentence. Multiple times. I get that audio production is expensive and the need to maybe self-narrate and/or produce but … this was very poor execution.
👑 Fairy tale vibes - this was well done.
✨ Forbidden romance - ‘our bl00dline is too good for the likes of her’.
👑 Royalty.
✨ Dark magic, curses.
👑 Fae.
✨Good witch / bad witch vibes. Very Galinda & Elphaba-style bickering.
👑 Adventure.
✨Riddles.
Overall:
Okay. There were scenes that would’ve been super cute and felt more submerge-y if they weren’t dragged out /over explained. I feel this author is a good storyteller, but still has some growing to do on the writing craft side. She definitely nailed the fairytale vibes! Would I be open to reading more from this author, based on this experience? Maybe … but with a different narrator or in a different format.
3 stars - it’s okay.
Audio:
Overall sound quality was decent. Just ever-so-slightly hazy / mostly clear.
The narrator though, I was SHOCKED to discover is narrated by an actual person and not AI. WOwww, wow. This sounds more like a bot than Siri and Alexa does. Normally author-narrated books are the BEST because, who better to perform a book than its own creator?! This was … truly awful though and the monotonous droning / dictating made it really hard to pay attention to the book, I had to really work at it.
There was also something odd going on with the accent(s)? I’m not talking alternating accents for different characters—no, this was … it would change up mid-sentence. Multiple times. I get that audio production is expensive and the need to maybe self-narrate and/or produce but … this was very poor execution.
December 4, 2023
Adventure filled fairy tale continuation
The Rose Gold Summer is a wonderful story about the daughter of Beauty and the Beast.
It has beautiful world building! I loved the locations, the lore, and the different fantasy races and creatures we get to meet. Especially the Grimlings. I hope to see more of them in a future book.
I loved the focus on the adventure over the romance that usually dominates the genre. Don't get me wrong, there is a touch of romance, but it definitely takes a backseat to the quest, and it's very subtle and clean.
I found myself alternating between whether I liked Mirabel or not. From the beginning, I liked her practicality, ability to think ahead, and her desire for a deep connection vs. a more superficial relationship. I started to find her more unlikable when she wasn't willing to share the blame or even work with the prince. She self sabotages a bit, which, while frustrating, I do find relatable. These are all things she manages to grow past and work through by the end, and she really starts to shine. It was definitely worth sticking with her through to the end to see her come out more on the likable side.
I really liked Alexander, I didn't have the same back and forth in my opinion of him like I did with Mirabel. I found his character flaws to be much more understandable, and they didn't detract from his character. I guess I would say they felt more understandable and less frustrating to me personally.
Overall, I would say 4.5 stars. Definitely would recommend!
The Rose Gold Summer is a wonderful story about the daughter of Beauty and the Beast.
It has beautiful world building! I loved the locations, the lore, and the different fantasy races and creatures we get to meet. Especially the Grimlings. I hope to see more of them in a future book.
I loved the focus on the adventure over the romance that usually dominates the genre. Don't get me wrong, there is a touch of romance, but it definitely takes a backseat to the quest, and it's very subtle and clean.
I found myself alternating between whether I liked Mirabel or not. From the beginning, I liked her practicality, ability to think ahead, and her desire for a deep connection vs. a more superficial relationship. I started to find her more unlikable when she wasn't willing to share the blame or even work with the prince. She self sabotages a bit, which, while frustrating, I do find relatable. These are all things she manages to grow past and work through by the end, and she really starts to shine. It was definitely worth sticking with her through to the end to see her come out more on the likable side.
I really liked Alexander, I didn't have the same back and forth in my opinion of him like I did with Mirabel. I found his character flaws to be much more understandable, and they didn't detract from his character. I guess I would say they felt more understandable and less frustrating to me personally.
Overall, I would say 4.5 stars. Definitely would recommend!
July 18, 2024
This was a fun original fairy tale to listen to. I enjoyed following the adventure with Mirabel and Alexander and watching them go from kind of annoyed-at-each-other acquaintances to friends, and I appreciated that while I could potentially see the possibility of romance in their future, it's not guaranteed or even the ultimate goal of the story. It was interesting to read a fairy tale where the end relationship status was friendship.
Though the stakes were high, the tone stayed pretty light throughout. I enjoyed the world-building and the information about the fairy politics, and appreciated that it didn't get too heavy on those things, either.
I appreciated that I was sort of right about the "Stone of Endless Worth" but there was a twist I didn't see coming, as well, so I felt smart, but I was also surprised. Always a good thing in a read.
Overall, highly enjoyable. If you love old fairy tales but want a new story with that kind of feel, then you will love this one.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the audiobook but my words and opinions and thoughts are my own.
Though the stakes were high, the tone stayed pretty light throughout. I enjoyed the world-building and the information about the fairy politics, and appreciated that it didn't get too heavy on those things, either.
I appreciated that I was sort of right about the "Stone of Endless Worth" but there was a twist I didn't see coming, as well, so I felt smart, but I was also surprised. Always a good thing in a read.
Overall, highly enjoyable. If you love old fairy tales but want a new story with that kind of feel, then you will love this one.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the audiobook but my words and opinions and thoughts are my own.
December 1, 2023
4.5 Stars
New-to-me-author Trista Shaye tells a wonderful 'second-generation' fairy tale about Beauty and the Beast. They are not the primary characters - but their daughter takes center stage for much of the story. The emphasis in this tale is more on the adventure and character development - which I thought an excellent priority.
But that's not to say there weren't any swoon-worthy moments. There were a few of them, and they were kept clean which I very much appreciated. The fact that the ‘romance’ part was not the priority of this fairy tale (and yes, it has fairies and dragons!) was a nice break from other fae tales that tend to push the boundaries of what is 'clean' or low-heat. This one was very clean and low on the heat scale. But sweetly romantic all the same.
Happy sighs.
I look forward to reading the next "Heirs of Ever After" story!
I received an ARC; this is my honest review.
New-to-me-author Trista Shaye tells a wonderful 'second-generation' fairy tale about Beauty and the Beast. They are not the primary characters - but their daughter takes center stage for much of the story. The emphasis in this tale is more on the adventure and character development - which I thought an excellent priority.
But that's not to say there weren't any swoon-worthy moments. There were a few of them, and they were kept clean which I very much appreciated. The fact that the ‘romance’ part was not the priority of this fairy tale (and yes, it has fairies and dragons!) was a nice break from other fae tales that tend to push the boundaries of what is 'clean' or low-heat. This one was very clean and low on the heat scale. But sweetly romantic all the same.
Happy sighs.
I look forward to reading the next "Heirs of Ever After" story!
I received an ARC; this is my honest review.
July 3, 2024
I thought the story was refreshing. It has elements of Beauty and the Beast, even gave me hints of other fairytales but was a story all its own and I loved that.
My biggest issue is that it has so many fairytale feelings to it that I want the true happily ever after for characters where they end up together, not the ending where romance has been hinted at but felt more like a “keep in touch.” Just was not as satisfying of an ending for me.
Definitely something great for someone who wants a new coming of age story with fun adventures, magic, curses, and friendship though!
My biggest issue is that it has so many fairytale feelings to it that I want the true happily ever after for characters where they end up together, not the ending where romance has been hinted at but felt more like a “keep in touch.” Just was not as satisfying of an ending for me.
Definitely something great for someone who wants a new coming of age story with fun adventures, magic, curses, and friendship though!
July 19, 2024
A beauty and beast retelling that’s perfect for YA readers. I enjoyed the quest that Mirabel and Alexander must take. Throughout their journey there were some fun creatures they encountered along with fae, grimlings, and a dragon! The author actually narrated the book and I feel like she did her best using a wide array of tones and inflections for the characters in this book.
This book is perfect for readers who enjoy a clean YA read with very subtle hints of romance and a fun journey quest.
A very special thanks to the author for the gifted copy.
This book is perfect for readers who enjoy a clean YA read with very subtle hints of romance and a fun journey quest.
A very special thanks to the author for the gifted copy.
July 27, 2024
I love Beauty and the Beast retellings so I thought I would love this one. It's the story of their daughter. There was a quest, adventure and a touch of romance. The ending wasn't what I was expecting because it was more of an open ending for the couple but it was still an enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews