Enchanted

Willowbrook #1

by Ken Sanchez

In the enchanting town of Willowbrook, a young man named Benjamin discovers a remarkable power—the ability to bring stories to life. When he encounters a reclusive Beast named Adrian, cursed to shift between a fearsome ice dragon and a human form that freezes everything he touches, their destinies entwine. This imaginative retelling of "Beauty and the Beast" unfolds in a world where words and imagination wield tremendous power. As Benjamin and Adrian navigate a treacherous journey filled with love, friendship, and the transformative power of stories, they must break Adrian's curse to save Willowbrook from an eternal winter. With the town's magical essence slowly fading, time is running out. Discover a captivating tale of redemption, acceptance, and the enduring magic of true love. Uncover the secrets hidden within the enchanted library and witness how love can rewrite even the darkest of stories. Join Benjamin and Adrian in "Enchanted" and experience the magic within your reach.

"Enchanted" is a captivating gay retelling of a timeless legend of Beauty and The Beast. Unlock the Magic Within, and Let Love Rewrite the Story.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Retellings, Gay, M M Romance

334 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 12, 2023

Reviews

[Venus · Rating 5 out of 5]

noice

I kept going back-and-forth on rating this between four stars and five. I finally settled on five because it’s just such an enjoyable read. There are definitely things that could be improved upon, but you lose side of all that as you get lost in the story. Gay romances are a lot of my favorites and this one was super hot. I’m excited to read more and I’m already checking out the other books from the author I see listed in the back of this one.

[Kenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing retelling

“Enchanted" is a spellbinding journey that seamlessly weaves together magic, love, and the transformative power of stories. The enchanting town of Willowbrook serves as the backdrop for a tale that goes beyond the familiar Beauty and The Beast narrative, offering a fresh and captivating perspective.

The characters, particularly Benjamin and Adrian, are beautifully crafted, each with their own layers of complexity and vulnerability. Benjamin's unique ability to bring stories to life adds an intriguing dimension to the narrative, creating a sense of wonder and magic that permeates every page.

The pacing of the story is masterfully done, with each chapter unfolding like a carefully crafted piece of a puzzle. As the destinies of Benjamin and Adrian entwine, the reader is taken on a treacherous yet heartwarming journey filled with love, friendship, and the quest for redemption.

One of the strengths of "Enchanted" lies in its ability to explore themes of acceptance and true love in a way that feels both timeless and relevant. The curse that binds Adrian, shifting between a fearsome ice dragon and a human form that freezes, adds a layer of urgency to the narrative, keeping the reader engaged and invested in the characters' fates.

The enchanted library becomes a metaphorical centerpiece, holding secrets and unlocking the magic within the story. The exploration of the magical essence fading from Willowbrook adds a sense of urgency, creating stakes that heighten the overall tension.

What sets "Enchanted" apart is its portrayal of a gay retelling of a classic legend. The love between Benjamin and Adrian is tenderly portrayed, breaking barriers and reshaping the traditional narrative with authenticity and heart.

This standalone novel is a testament to the author's storytelling prowess, creating a world that is immersive and characters that linger in the reader's heart long after the final page. "Enchanted" is not just a retelling; it's a celebration of love's transformative power, reminding us that, no matter the challenges, love has the ability to rewrite even the darkest of stories. This book is a true gem in the realm of fantasy romance, deserving every bit of its five-star rating.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a good plot, but there were some serious writing issues. First, there was some repetition of information from time to time, especially about Adrian and his curse. Second, sometimes the writing style was confusing, which I think was due to the author trying to make the language seem elegant but actually made it seem pompous instead. Third, I felt like Benjamin's character at the beginning of the book was childish, especially when interacting with his adopted dads, and in the middle of the book, he is just friendly and lighthearted, but then by the end of the book, he was acting as formally and stilted as Adrian did. I felt like their personalities changed, like Benjamin became colder as Adrian became warmer.

I said earlier that the plot was good, but there were a few things that happened that really didn't make sense. Why did Adrian buy an entirely new estate for Benjamin when he already had one? I'm also really hoping that they don't need Adrian's ice powers and dragon form again, but I'm suspicious about them being necessary now that they're gone.

Edited to add that in the second book, the author clarified that Adrian was still able to use his ice powers and use his dragon form. So, I guess removing the curse just meant that those things were firmly under his control rather than leaking through, but as that should have been made obvious in this book, I didn't remove my original comment about it.

[Valerie E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very flowery

For me, this would probably be 3.5 stars, but I'll round it up. I really want to like it more, but there's a few things that just threw me off. The language was really flowery, which made it feel like it was set in the past. Yet there are cars and cell phones in some scenes and carriages and others. At some points, the character speak with modern language, but then they go into more formal talk.

A few other things just threw me off in the story. After they won the battle, which took place in the fall or winter because they said they had to win it before christmas, suddenly they had an outdoor barbecue. Where before the ground was frozen and covered in feet of snow. It just felt like there were some inconsistencies. There was also one place where a whole paragraph was repeated, I guess the editor just missed that. I'm not sure if I'll move on to the next book. But I might try it and see if it's written in the same tone.

[Mark Livingston · Rating 4 out of 5]

magic, suspense, and romance

The plot of the book is filled with twists and turns, keeping the reader engaged and eager to uncover the mysteries of Willowbrook. The author skillfully weaves together elements of magic, suspense, and romance, creating a balanced and compelling narrative. The pacing is well-paced, with moments of tension and moments of quiet introspection, allowing the reader to fully immerse themselves in the story

[mary jensen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried.... I just could not get into this book. There were so many major problems happening, then they would be solved in the next chapter. It felt like I had nothing to look forward to ,to even keep reading.

[Virginia Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

magical

Our characters both has trust issues that when they meet you can feel the ice breaking a darkness is coming to there small town they build a unique band of heroes so many questions left waiting for next book

[Dreamcatcher]

DNF @ 56%

[Jessica Dawn Birks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this

This was a lovely romance read with enough twists and turns to keep me wanting more. I absoloutleu will be looking for more like this

[Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF very quickly. The writing is physically painful to read.

[Betsy]

🚩 AI "virtual voice" audiobook
🚩 AI-gen cover

[Kailei Malauskas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Read

This isn’t a book I would normally read but my friend recommended it to me and since opening it, I wasn’t able to put it down! The romance wasn’t too off putting for my taste. I really enjoyed it.