Betraying Korth: A Villainous Goose Girl Retelling

Legends of Neverland #3

by Mary Mecham

Traitorous spies don’t deserve happily ever afters. Dahlia has always known her life would end at the bottom of a hangman’s noose. But treason seemed a small price to pay if it meant a chance to free her people from the iron grip of their oppressive sultan. Dahlia can’t fail the rebellion now. Dahlia’s time playing the role of obedient handmaiden to Odette, the sultan’s entitled daughter, comes to an end when Odette is sent to marry her betrothed and Dahlia strikes without mercy. After a swift mutiny en route to Haven Harbor, she forces the sultan’s daughter to trade places and upon arrival, masquerades in her mistress’s place. If she can ensure Haven Harbor’s loyalty to her rebellion, the sultan’s tyrannical reign could end. But the princess’s fiancé, Korth, isn’t the man she expected, and her original plan of using and disposing of the prince becomes ever more sickening as she begins to fall for him. Continuing the façade will force Dahlia to betray Korth, but to reveal the truth spells her own treasonous demise.Is a life of lies better than no life at all? Betraying Korth is the third book in the Legends of Neverland series but can also be read as a stand-alone novel.

Genres: Fantasy, Retellings, Fairy Tales, Fairy Tale Retellings, Romance, Fiction, Clean Romance

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 13, 2024

About the author

Mary Mecham writes high stakes, high swoon, no spice romantasy and fairy tale retellings packed full of adventure and romances. Her greatest joy is writing snarky banter and morally grey characters.

She is a born and raised Texan with a love of theater and books overshadowed only by her passion for disability advocacy. Her favorite food is chips and queso, her favorite holiday is April Fool's Day, and her favorite trope is enemies to lovers.

When she isn't writing, Mary enjoys spending time with her family and trying out new experiences, from fire breathing and axe throwing to trapeze flying and power paragliding.

She currently lives in Texas with her husband and three children.

You can get a FREE e-copy of her Rumpelstiltskin retelling, A Curse of Gold and Beauty, when you sign up for her newsletter at MaryMecham.com

Reviews

[Reese Songbird · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t think it was possible, but this is my favorite book by this author, even above Becoming Hook (and that’s saying something!)
All I can say is that it was truly the book I needed right now. It filled me with happiness, made me smile, gave me hope, let me feel something besides the depression I’ve been battling. Truly a gift.
I don’t know what all to say about this book, but if you haven’t read any of this author’s work, please do.
The story telling is amazing, the characters are compelling, and the romance is all swoon with no spice. Truly a masterpiece.

[Madelyn- The Squeaky Clean Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart wrenchingly beautiful and enchanting

Rip my heart out why don't you with the morality questions, the swoony forbidden romance, and the intrigue woven in this story.

Dahlia. From the first page your heart is just wrenching because of the struggles she faces. Then you find out she's really a sweetheart and I mean 😍

Of course Korth falls for her. Oh yeah and then Prince Korth turns out to be the biggest morally black and white cinnamon roll ever.

The romance 🔥🔥🔥 although fair warning it's the most torturously beautiful romance. Like WOW.

I seriously loved the moral challenges the characters face and their emotional growth. Mary always does a great job of putting you into the characters feeling and experiencing their struggles right along with them.

Oh yeah, and then there was CURDY.

Let's just say that guy is 😤😡.

I love having people I can hate in books.

Another page turner I literally couldn't put down by Mary Mecham.

💋Kisses only
⚠️Physical abuse from evil dudes, Peter Pan, war, moral questions

Thank you to the author for the advanced reader copy. Trust me, my obsession and this review are all my own. 🤣

[Kacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of Betraying Korth. Everything I've written below is my very own opinion <3

Oh man. When Betraying Korth showed up in my inbox, it made my entire week. After loving the previous two books in the series, I was so ready for this! And boy, did it live up to my expectations!

Let me start off by saying how much I love fairytale retellings. I haven't read many goose girl retellings...the only other I've read is Goose Girl by Shannon Hale (highly recommend) so I was excited for this one! And I LOVED the unique take on it and how it was told from the "villain's" pov.🪿🪿🪿🪿

The characters... Dahlia is just fantastic. I loved how driven and confident she is. She saw a problem and worked her butt off to correct it, even if that meant she put her own happiness off. Korth....he's just a big, nervous teddy bear 😆 I appreciated his character growth from seeing the world through a black and white lens to seeing the world in its more complicated reality. I love how loyal and attentive he is towards Dahlia. He truly deserves the best ❤️ Definitely need to put a plug in for Tess. She's adorable!! Such a great little sister. Trying hard to learn how to be a good ruler 🥲 Curdy.....that dude is like curdled milk. I hated him from the start. He's a walking red flag!! 🙅🏼‍♀️ As for Odette...I almost felt bad for some of the things that happened to her but by the end...oh man. She deserved every single thing that happened to her. That little psycho 💀💀💀

Some other random things I loved:
- how much Korth loves bridges and learning about them!
- bridge kisses!!
- the geese (why weren't they a bigger part of the story?? I need more geese 😂)
- korth's awkwardness....his list of questions 🫣 so tender
- dumbwaiter secret passages!! Where can I find one of those?
- that one thing that happened to Godfrey at the end 🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭

The ONLY thing that I wished was included in Betraying Korth was more cameo time from the previous books' characters. But that's okay. Maybe I'll just have to reread those two :P

Overall, I loved Betraying Korth! Mary Mecham has done it again...she wrote a story that sucked me in from page one and pulled on my heart strings (which, by the way-- side note fun fact, we really do have strings in our hearts called chordae tendineae. Learned that in anatomy last year). Anywho, READ THIS BOOK! Mary Mecham hasn't let me down yet!! Fantastic read.

[Michaela | Reading in the Heartland · Rating 5 out of 5]

After seeing Prince Korth so much in the last book, I was super excited to start his book. I’ve never read a Goose Girl retelling before, so that was doubly anticipatory. And, this book was phenomenal. It blew me out of the water. So much tension over all of the secrets and politics. In this romantic fantasy our hero is a Prince and he’s had an arranged marriage in the works for years. After vanquishing the siren threat last book, his bride can finally travel over the seas. Princess Odette is the odious “employer” of servant girl - and spy - Dahlia. When Dahlia overthrows her mistress - through the help of fellow rebels - enroute to Korth’s kingdom, she steps into her shoes and pretends to be the princess herself. As they get to know each other through forced proximity, she’s ever aware of the betrayal she will be committing. Finding out that not all royals behave as Odette and her father was startling to Dahlia and things become more muddled than ever. This read kept me on my toes and I couldn’t stop reading it. This has been a thrilling series thus far and I’m excited to continue it. This is a just kisses romance.

[Sarah Beran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my heart. It was swooning, then crushed to pieces, then put back together in the best of ways.

I love the whole villainous take that forms the basis for this series. While the first two books are a little more on the physical, stabby side of conflict, Betraying Korth takes things internal. Though Dahlia’s weapons are words and carefully crafted plots, they just as sharp and effective as a blade, and watching her story unfold kept me on the edge of my seat.

Korth is my favorite, though. This rule-loving, honorable, cinnamon roll of a prince had my heart from the very first bridge. He is the perfect foil to Dahlia’s unapologetic confidence and flirtatious advances, and though there were times I wanted to throw something at a certain chaperone, their romance progressed exactly as it should have. (There’s a certain scene in a dumbwaiter that still lives rent-free in my head…)

Mecham has taken all of the familiar elements of the Goose Girl and woven them together into a villainous retelling that is full of intrigue, swoony romance, and adventure. Highly recommended!!

[Anna (Crochetsavetheday) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a hilarious and wonderful story. They were fake lovers to fake friends to real enemies etc and I was here for it. I really enjoy stories where girls are feisty and stand up for what is right. The mentions Korth had in the previous book had me thinking he was going to be more sweet than he seems to be and I was right. His personality isn’t as out there as his cousin but he’s wonderful in his own way. The love story was darling and the betrayals had me gasping. Certain characters were excellent at being annoying. I look forward to reading the entire series and seeing what comes of Pan.

[Morgan Giesbrecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow… that was intense!

The Goose Girl is a fairly new to me fairytale, but this twist was a heart-pounding adventure.

There’s lots of flirting and almost kissing (& threatening to shove the chaperone in the lake, iykyk 😂), but Korth and Dahila are well-matched and cute together.
Also, I adore Tess.

It’s a fast paced romantasy that explores the black, white, and grey of life and ponders the question: how far would you go to be a voice for the oppressed?

[Abigail Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

BRING ME ALL THE VILLAINS!!

I cannot tell you how much I love Mecham's twists on fairy tales! In a genre full of pure hearted damsels and charming princes, this series flips it all on its head and I LOVE IT!

Enter Dahlia, the villain of the story that will do anything to save her kingdom, even if it means stealing the life of her own princess.
I loved everything about Dahlia's character. She was a true villain, yet her motives made her understandable and easy to sympathize with. As she grows I only love her more and the internal turmoil she felt was RUTHLESS! (In the best way!!)

Korth is precious. Must protect and build all the bridges for ❤️ Seriously though, I think he's my new favorite Male MC in this series 😍

I definitely recommend reading the first two books in this series before picking up this one, mostly because it's so much fun seeing cameos from previous stories!!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved it so much!!

[Susanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit slow and straightforward, still romantic

3.5 stars

Knowing the original plot of The Goose Girl, and considering all of Dahlia's choices along the way, things worked out better than I expected and much better than the characters deserved!

The gradual building of the relationship between the two MCs was sweet, and felt realistic, but it was tainted by the lies the reader knows one side is telling/living, and despite that threat of discovery looming over her, there wasn't much tension. Aside from the "I'm too old for this" manservant chaperone lol

The cast of Betraying Korth felt smaller than the previous two books in the collection. I would have liked to see Dahlia spend time with the rest of Korth's family, and for Korth to interact with Dahlia's people in some way.

I found myself hoping the author would do something really dramatic and bold; not so much twist the plot as take a different route - one that had been set up from the beginning. But I never really doubted that the couple would end up a couple.

Overall the story felt slow and sedate, even with the rebellion plotline, and the ending was rather rushed and abrupt.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn’t my favorite book in the series, but I still enjoyed it. I was pretty disappointed in the lack of romance between Korth and Dahlia. Aside from some boring flirtations and bland banter between them, it wasn’t as romantic as I had hoped. It was especially boring to read about Dahlia’s obsession with dumbwaiters and Korth’s obsession with bridges (??) Tess could have been much more interesting and endearing also, but sadly, she wasn’t.
I was not expecting Odette to murder her father when Dahlia returned to Ebora. I was nearly moved to tears when Dahlia’s father proclaimed that freedom was something he was willing to “fight to the death” for. He reminded me so much of Captain America in that moment.
It was even more touching to read how all the citizens of Ebora then joined him and the rebellion against Odette. Every war has only ever been won by courageous soldiers who refuse to give up their rights to freedom.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 ⭐️

Every time I pick up one of Mecham's book, I don't want to put it down...and this one was no different. I binged this between last night (past 3 AM 😅) and this afternoon, and it was so good!

I loved Korth's character the most. Like, seriously, he was the best. Awkward, kind, protective, willing to learn, and a perfect gentleman...who could ask for more?

I guessed one twist in this book, but there was another I definitely did not see coming. I couldn't wait to see how it ended...and now I'm hoping we'll see Korth and Dahlia again at some point in the series...and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with some other characters in the next book as well. 😉

Content: kisses only, hands on shoulders and waist, unwanted advances from a secondary character, a few mild innuendos (a few insinuations about "sharing a bed", but nothing actually happens), some mild violence, rebellion uprising, murder, lyi

[Martha Braebuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredible! I loved all the raw emotion and character development. Korth was so sweet and adorable and it was so fun to see Dahlia teasing him. I also loved how Mary Mecham twisted the Goose Girl so that the villain actually had a reason for what she did. Mary Mecham put a perfect blend of politics, love, betrayal, and honour into this book and the plot was incredibly well-thought out and the book was very well-written. It's honestly my favourite book in her Legends of Neverland series. Great job Mary Mecham!

[V. Kay Perks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I just applaud the autism representation? It was done so well. I loved seeing it and feeling seen in it as the impulsive FMC clashed with the MMC strict demeanor. The story was also very fun to read and I appreciated the emotional turmoil the characters displayed as the events unfolded. A really great read. Loved every second.

[AndieRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no words. None. I’m still recovering from scenes that you will have to read for yourself. 😁 I have not read the first two books in this series yet, but I promise I’m on my way to download both, and probably order physical copies of the entire series as soon as my bank account will allow. I probably shouldn’t say this, but I absolutely love the way Mary Mecham creates morally gray debates between characters. Assassin of Fire and Sacrifice will probably always be my favorite Mecham read, but this one comes so close!
Loved the villain twist to an already twisted fairytale.
Note: for those who were wondering, there are no talking horse heads, like I said, it’s a twisted fairytale. 👀 I am ecstatic that Mary turned the fairytale on its head and granted us lowly readers the opportunity to read a masterpiece. ☺️

[Camila I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars ✨ (because Goodreads won't let me give it 10 out of 5...)

I think my rating speaks for itself, but just in case, let me put it into words: This book is absolutely amazing. I can barely find the words to describe how this book made me feel. I have not read any of the other books in the series, but after this, I'll definitely have to find a way to get my hands on the first two, as well as the fourth.
Betraying Korth raises such complicated matters and it found a way to get me to root for the side of the story that would normally be considered the "villains". It shows that life is not always black and white and that navigating the shades of gray is difficult. This is the story of a girl who was willing to give up everything to save her people, even if it meant that she wouldn't get her own personal happily ever after, and I was rooting for her every step of the way. I'm the type of reader who likes to speak to the characters and question their choices and grow annoyed because they didn't listen to me and then they got in trouble, but not in this book. I'll speak about this further in the character section, but I related to Dahlia so much. I could never honestly tell her "You're doing the wrong thing". Instead I was crying inside and saying "I understand your pain. I see the sacrifice that you have to make. I see both sides of the story, but, in the end, I would do exactly what you're doing. No matter how much it hurt". This book hurt. It confronted me with standards in society. With so many shades of gray. And with questions... so many questions. How far would I be willing to go to save those who cannot save themselves?

Plot summary:
Traitorous spies don’t deserve happily ever afters. Dahlia has always known her life would end at the bottom of a hangman’s noose. But treason seemed a small price to pay if it meant a chance to free her people from the iron grip of their oppressive sultan. Dahlia can’t fail the rebellion now. Dahlia’s time playing the role of obedient handmaiden to Odette, the sultan’s entitled daughter, comes to an end when Odette is sent to marry her betrothed and Dahlia strikes without mercy. After a swift mutiny en route to Haven Harbor, she forces the sultan’s daughter to trade places and upon arrival, masquerades in her mistress’s place. If she can ensure Haven Harbor’s loyalty to her rebellion, the sultan’s tyrannical reign could end. But the princess’s fiancé, Korth, isn’t the man she expected, and her original plan of using and disposing of the prince becomes ever more sickening as she begins to fall for him. Continuing the façade will force Dahlia to betray Korth, but to reveal the truth spells her own treasonous demise. Is a life of lies better than no life at all? Betraying Korth is the third book in the Legends of Neverland series but can also be read as a stand-alone novel.

About the plot:
This plot was so well done! Even though I missed two whole books of world building (We've all been there!) I still understood everything that was going on. I believe there were some character cameos whose presence I did not fully appreciate and some events mentioned that took place in previous books but I was never lost or had to wonder what was going on. A plot like this is difficult to carry out, since the whole nature of the book is a Villainous retelling. It's too easy to take things too far or to under-develop the main characters and thus set the readers against the book itself, but Mary Mecham managed that wonderfully. The setting was well done, within the first few chapters I was already invested in the world she created and realized the precarious conditions the citizens of Ebora lived in. While there was a lot going on in the book it never felt rushed and everything happened within it's own time, rather than all at once with gaps in between. Betraying Korth was exciting, funny, dangerous, adventurous, romantic, and heartbreaking in all the right places. Solid plot and stellar execution!

Characters: (⚠️ Spoilers ahead ⚠️)

Dahlia – Dahlia was amazing. I loved her so much. I was first made aware of this book in a Once Upon 2024 fairy tale event (by Brittany Fichter, totally recommend it!) where I completed a small quiz to see which character in Betraying Korth I was most like... guess who I got? After reading the book, I realized Dahlia and I were more alike than I'd ever thought. Now, I'm not planning a rebellion to overthrow a tyrannical government (... for now 😁), but I related to her on so many levels. Like me, she's fiercely loyal to her cause and her people and she was willing to go to whatever lengths necessary to save them from wrongful oppression. Dahlia herself said that she didn't have much of a sense of morality, although I don't think that's completely true. Her moral compass was a bit skewed, yes, but in the end she just wanted to do the right thing, even if her methods were a tad unorthodox. It all depends on your point of view. From Haven Harbor's point of view, Dahlia was definitely a villain. From the Eboran (Eborian? Eboranian? I don't know...) commoner's point of view, Dahlia was a hero. As for me, I think she definitely falls more under antihero (She has a hero's motivations, but goes about it in a villainous way). She was strong and had to manage very difficult issues completely alone.
I have so much more to say about her, but Dahlia is a morally gray character, which makes her extremely complex. Although I wish I could, I'm not going to be able to delve completely into what makes her tick. Suffice it to say that she was a girl born into difficult circumstances and forced to make impossible choices. She did the best she could and I loved her for it.

Korth – The book didn't dive into Korth as much as it did into Dahlia, because we only got her point of view. I don't know him all that well, although that might be my own fault, as I believe he appeared in previous books. I do think that he had a nice arc throughout the book. It was subtle, but we could see how Dahlia's actions and questions managed to pierce his bubble and make him wonder if the world was not as black and white as he originally thought it was. When I first met Korth, he was a very nice, nervous prince, for whom the law was sacred. It was clear that both he and Tess were a bit sheltered, and this came through quite clearly in his first interactions with Dahlia. He starkly contrasted with Dahlia's character because she knew that sometime rules are made for the benefit of those in power, rather than the people's benefit, something that Korth found difficult to understand. We were able to see his growth, however, when he was willing to get involved in another country's civil war for the sake of justice and when he lied in order to save Dahlia's life. His character was certainly unique and I enjoyed watching him crawl out of his shell, although I did wince to think about the pain this shy gentleman of a prince would feel once the truth came to light.

Tess – Tess was such a sweet character! I really hope that we get to see her story in the future. While she wasn't super prominent in the story, she made any scene in which she appeared shine. She was very sheltered and innocent, to an even higher degree than Korth. I think her reasons for sparing Peter Pan are definitely worth thinking about, although at times I did wonder if he was taking advantage of her. Her point of view was unique and differed from all others because it was untainted by some of the harsher realities of life, although her trial with Pan slightly altered that. Tess is a firm believer in second chances and although some of her questions were a bit naive in light of the complex events going on, I think there may be more to her simple philosophy than that which first meets the eye.

Odette – Odette seemed like such a simple character at the start. Every story's bratty, spoiled princess. I don't want to give too much away, but her twist ending definitely surprised me. It didn't make me like her, but it definitely made me respect her.

Curdy – Curdy, Curdy, Curdy. What can I say? (Warning: read the following rant at your own risk!) I told you so! Ever since he said he joined the rebellion for Dahlia, I knew that he was a liability! This may sound very badly out of context, but I told them they should have eliminated him long ago! Or at the very least, sent him on the ship along with the men who were returning to Ebora. I always knew he would betray them, although I did lower my guard in that final climatic scene. After what happened there I honestly wished him a torturous, gruesome death. Pushing him off a bridge would have been merciful! Unfortunately (for me, fortunately for him), it didn't happen. Why did they trust him? Weren't they able to read him?! Because he wasn't particularly adept at hiding his emotions! *laughs bitterly*. If the characters had only listened to me, lives could have been spared! Hearts could have been spared! They never do listen to us, do they? *Sigh*. (Okay, you can come out, the rant's over now).

Peter Pan – This final character slot may be a bit unexpected, but I do have thoughts about him. I find it important to state once again that I have not read Becoming Hook, the book where I believe Peter Pan's the villain, so all I know about him and his crimes is that which is mentioned in Betraying Korth. I'm pretty sure I'm not supposed to, but I kinda liked his character. Don't get me wrong, he came across as a total psychopath, but I could totally respect him. I mean, in the words of Dahlia: "His plan was so brutally elegant. Why hadn't we thought of that?". I won't condone his actions, but I can't help but respect such a ruthlessly strategic mind. So sue me. I hope he appears in the fourth book, because I'd like to see what becomes of him, if anything. He seemed as evil as ever, but he remained in the prison when he could've gotten out long ago so... I guess we'll see.

(⚠️ End of Spoilers ⚠️)

All of the characters were astounding. None of them were flat, they all held surprises, and I was able to connect with them on one level or the other. They all had motivations that made sense and they made me question lots of things. It will be a very long time before I stop thinking about them and reflecting on their choices, etc.

Romance: (⚠️ Some Spoilers ⚠️)
- Clean/No spice

- Kisses only
- Blushing
- Noticing (muscles, build)
- Nearness
- Mentions of a woman's reputation
- Mentions of a marriage happening faster if the bride's reputation were brought into question.
- Wanting to get rid of a chaperone
- Some suggestive comments

(⚠️ End of Spoilers ⚠️)

While it was a kisses only book, I did feel like it was a bit too much for me at times. There was quite a bit of physical attraction and noticing (muscles, etc.) and it was too much for my taste, as well as some slightly suggestive comments. Clean/No spice.

⚠️Content Warnings ⚠️:

- Lies
- Men left to choose between starving or becoming pirates
- Identity theft
- Treason
- A battle occurs (Not actually described)
- Deaths of two characters (not very detailed)
- Slavery
- Starvation (not on page)
- Whipping (not detailed)
- Children taken from parents
- Near death experiences
- Raging sea storms
- Manipulation


Note: These are the warnings that I currently remember, but this is not an exhaustive list. The appropriate age levels ultimately depend on the reader's maturity. Recommended for readers aged 13+ but this number is subjective.

Quotes:

"I scoffed. Everyone claimed they wanted honesty, but they really didn't. They wanted to be comfortable living their lives, blissfully unaware of any problems that didn't affect them."

"Uneducated, hungry people were easy to control. As long as someone could dangle the promise of a full belly for their children, parents would sacrifice anything and obey any order to provide."

"I snickered as we ran. 'Welcome to the world of women. Anything you say can and will be used against you at a later date'."

"If you want a measure of a man, don't look at how he treats his equals or superiors. How he treats his inferiors is a far more accurate assessment."

''Without taking his eyes off me, Korth shoved Godfrey over the railing into the lake. His manservant's legs shot into the air as he toppled backward, his descent accompanied by a long howl, followed by a colossal splash. I leaned my head over the railing, watching as Godfrey floundered in the water below. 'That did feel good,' Korth told me with a mischievous grin. 'Welcome to life as a rebel,' I told him. 'It does have its perks.' 'It certainly does,' he answered, then kissed me."


Conclusion:

I loved this book so much! It made me ask questions I'd never had reason to ponder before and it made observations that quickly proved undeniable. This book took place in the gray area located between the pure, innocent princesses and the narcissistic, evil-for-no-reason villains. The characters were entirely human and made their share of mistakes, the plot kept moving forward at all times, and the world building was exquisite. I loved the ending and how the book never felt rushed at any point. The philosophical poet in me reveled in what I can only call the questions present in all of us but that not many ever get a chance to answer. I encourage you to read the book for yourselves and answer the questions that will undoubtedly arise. How far would you be willing to go to save those who cannot save themselves?



I grabbed this book for free during a fairy-tale retelling event, but this has in no way influenced my opinions on this book.
- Camila I.

[Samantha Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author for my honest review, and "Betraying Korth" by Mary Mecham did not disappoint! This book is a perfect blend of action, sweet romance, and intrigue that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

Korth and Dahlia are complete opposites—he's an honorable prince, while she's a servant girl turned rebel. Their story is a whirlwind of emotions and unexpected twists that make this book impossible to put down. The dynamic between them is captivating, and the way their worlds collide is nothing short of thrilling.

"Betraying Korth" can be enjoyed as a standalone, but if you've been following the series, you'll love catching up with some familiar faces. Mary Mecham's ability to weave complex characters and intense storylines together is truly impressive. This is a must-read for anyone who loves a good mix of romance, action, and suspense! This book is great for teens and adults who enjoy YA.

[Phi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even know where to start with this one, honestly. The whole story was an absolute emotional rollercoaster! This book had me rooting for both sides, the bad guys AND the good guys! But not the true villains, of course. The characters were all so deep and absolutely incredibly done! And the romantic tension in this one was absolutely off the walls (ESPECIALLY for a clean book!). I really liked seeing Pan in this one again, and seeing how his presence affected the characters of this story. There were so many twists that I actually worried about how it could possibly end up with an actual happy ending, ALL THE WAY UP TO THE EPILOGUE! Just absolutely brilliant writing, amazing story, and fantastic characters. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book already!

[Mary Ann Bulloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this one! I love the goose girl story and this was fun because it was from the pretend princess's perspective. I also loved seeing neurodivergence represented in Korth. It was fun to read this book in the little snatches of time I had this last week.

[Kayt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

This book was everything I wanted and more! The conflict between right and wrong and the question of what is really right hit hard and I was on Dahlia’s side from the get-go. I loved the way she staged the mutiny on the ship without anyone getting hurt and watching Odette scrub the deck was insanely satisfying cause that girl is Eeeeeevil!

I also loved how Dahlia chose to keep her own personality as the princess instead of trying to channel Odette. She’s sweet, fun loving and mischievous and she teaches Korth in the cutest ways that right and wrong isn’t black and white.

The swoon levels in this book are through the roof but as always, the spice doesn’t rise above a stolen kiss or two. I absolutely adored the scene in the library. And in the dumbwaiter. And at the festival – okay I loved EVERYTHING about this book! Seriously, no complaints! It was perfection and that is not a hyperbole!

Korth is just the sweetest man on the planet. He is adorably nerdy and awkward (the slip of paper in the carriage, lol) and is so desperate to follow the rules and do what is right – but what if what is right is actually wrong? Can he really stand by and watch a people suffer now that he knows there’s a problem or will he help Dahlia even after the truth of her betrayal comes out?

Tess was amazing! She was just the loveliest, most purehearted little sister ever and her inner turmoil about sentencing Pan made my heart break for her! I definitely agreed with her decision to let Pan live – sentencing him to death would have crippled her with guilt. And I loved watching them become friends, even though Dahlia disapproved.

The Peter Pan cameo that hinted at his future redemption was awesome – his quips!! His awesome obnoxiousness! His complete lack of remorse for the evil deeds he did in Becoming Hook and his matter of fact way of talking about murder and kidnapping the way a normal person would speak about something arbitrary like lunch. The way he helped Dahlia escape from the dungeon but didn’t take the opportunity to help himself. Totally unexpected. And oh man do I love that wicked dude! I need me more Pan! (And I am extremely grateful to the author for giving him a larger part in this book after a disappointingly brief cameo in Hunting Sirens!) This cameo was PERFECT! I laughed so hard at the way Peter reacted to Korth and Dahlia’s conversation through the cell bars as if he was watching a soap opera with popcorn in hand! He is wicked through and through and yet I just cannot help loving him! (What does that say about me I wonder?)

It was gratifying to watch Dahlia doing the wrong things for the right reasons and to witness her falling for Korth even though she’d promised herself she wouldn’t. I loved the way she stood up for Korth with (the incredibly annoying, egotistical and traitorous) Curdie, and the other rebels. And I loved the way her own mindset changed and she wanted to follow the rules yet knew that if she did then her whole country would fail. Her inner conflict tore my heart to pieces but it was so rewarding to see Korth become more of a rebel at heart and Dahlia embrace honesty once the truth came out.

Overall this book was magnificent: The twists at the end. The suspense. The torture. The heartbreak. The humour! The swoooooon! The wonderful mix of characters! The hilarious ending!

Mary takes us on a rollercoaster journey every time we choose to read one of her books. She destroys us in the best way possible (and feels no remorse about it, lol) Every time I finish a Mary book I think “Well that was the best one yet. She’s reached the pinnacle of perfection. There’s no way the next book will be better than this!” And then she proves me wrong! EVERY time! I cannot wait for the 4th book in this series because I can’t imagine how she can possibly improve upon the perfection that was Betraying Korth but somehow she will, and when she does I want a front row seat to see it!

I know this review was long (I don’t seem to be able to write short reviews, so if you’ve read this far kudos to you) but if you haven’t read Betraying Korth or the rest of the Legends of Neverland series I would suggest you do so. Right now. In order. Trust me, you will be grateful you did.

One last warning though to all you new Mary readers out there: Do not read her books if you don’t want to get addicted to her writing because I am telling you – one taste of Mary and you will be hooked!

[Stephanie Mccall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never read The Goose Girl going into Betraying Korth, so I familiarized myself with the tale beforehand, even though I knew Mary Mecham would have a different take on it. Well, despite knowing both the "original" version and whatever Mary would have up her sleeve, I can safely say Betraying Korth blew me away. Of the Neverland trilogy, with the fourth book coming summer 2025, this is my favorite one yet.

Dahlia captured my heart and mind from page one onward. Hers is a villain origin story, so I sort of expected to dislike her at first. Yet knowing how she and her people suffered, and knowing the kind of person Dahlia is with, not in spite of, her choices, made me root and worry for her that much more. Dahlia's moral compass may not always point due north, but she is a tenacious, brilliant, and sometimes ruthlessly logical young woman. She'll do anything for the greater good, even if her concept of "greater good" has become twisted or tarnished. She wants, dare I say needs, to do the right thing and be a person worthy of love and respect. In other words, depending on the day, she lives in my mirror. Even knowing Dahlia's path could only lead in one direction, my pages flew because I had to know, not would she find a happy ending, but how she would come to an ending that she and others, like Korth, could live with.

Ah, that brings me to Korth, who is easily my favorite Neverland hero. If Dahlia sometimes lives in my mirror, Korth is me in a male body. First off, there's not disability representation in Betraying Korth as such, but I am autistic, and I read Korth as a spectrum-dweller, too. Like him, I have narrow, passionate interests I love talking about but hesitate to open up about until I trust someone. Like him, I wrestle with black and white thinking and adherence to the rules or how things "should" be done, not because I have no mercy but because I want myself and others to be safe. I've never had a kingdom on my shoulders, but wow. I related to this guy's struggles and desires all over the place. More for him than Dahlia, I needed a satisfactory ending, because I knew Korth not only deserved, but needed, to be the prince and leader he most wanted to be.

Put these two characters together and you do have a sizzling romance, spice or not. They have amazing chemistry, which actually surprised me considering much of their time together is hampered because of Dahlia's lies. Like the Genie in Aladdin, I spent much of the book coaching Dahlia, "Tell Him. The. TRUTH!" But the great thing about the way Mary told that part of the story was, the conflict doesn't hinge only on a lie. It hinges on who Korth and Dahlia are as people, who they are becoming, and what they want their kingdoms to become. It hinges on an alliance that can't exist if one of them betrays what they believe they have to do, but also can't exist if either one sticks directly to "the plan."

This creates not only a romance, but a royal intrigue plot full of twists, turns, and character arcs I wasn't expecting, especially from certain characters. Tess, for instance, is probably my favorite secondary character in the whole series so far. Granted, I don't know what the royal court was thinking, putting a kid her age in the position where she ended up. But with that said, Mary gets that right, too. Tess handles the situation with the maturity expected of a young princess, but "young" is the key word there. She shows naivete, but not foolishness. It's simply that Tess is still innocent enough to believe in the kind of radical mercy her brother and her kingdom both need, and that completely works.

I can't go into that detail much more without spoiling a major twist in the plot, but do know that a major character from another book returns in this installment. When they do, they have some unexpected but workable and key influence over the fate of Dahlia and ultimately the kingdom. The ending that results isn't a traditional "happy" one, but it doesn't need to be. In fact, that's another thing I loved so much about this particular Neverland book. In Betraying Korth more than the others, Mary Mecham used the underlying fairytale and respected it. But in Betraying Korth more than the other books, she tapped into the associated tropes and turned them almost completely inside out.

What results is a fun book, but one that will make you think. Betraying Korth will take you back to a time in your life where questions of heroics and villainy were "simpler," but will then challenge you to ask: were they that simple, or just easy? I could go on, but I'll stop here. In closing, I'll just thank Mary again for writing such a great series so far and inspiring my own writing. As always with my favorite books, I'll also encourage you to read this one if you haven't already, and for this one, to share it with those in the target audience who may not have discovered it yet.

[Evie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not a fan of this book. I loved Becoming Hook and Hunting Sirens was ok but I was disappointed after reading so many good reviews on Betraying Korth. This just wasn���t for me.



*****SPOILERS AHEAD*****


This book was way too repetitive. Every time it went to Dahlia’s thoughts it was always “I don’t want to hurt him but I need to do this for my people.” Ok, we get it! It didn’t need to be said so many times. I think this book should’ve been done from both of their points of view. It probably would’ve helped more with the dialogue and maybe it would’ve avoided having to repeat the same thing over and over and over again but in a different sentence.

There wasn’t really a plot twist like in her other books.
The romance was not it. They take walks around the castle and talk about bridges and suddenly they’re in love? It just seems like at the pace they were going it would take foreverrr for them to fall in love.

Where was the rebellion? Everything in this book revolved around the rebellion and it was leading up to it and the last few chapters were so anticlimactic. The place is on fire and the most intense thing was Odette killing her dad and then it’s basically over.

From the beginning of the book you could see what would happen with Curdy. It was so predictable! And then the king asks him “are they coming?” And suddenly Curdy stabs Garrick and runs off calling for the guards. So was he actually working for the king the entire time? Idk it seems like that wasn’t thought through. Although, I did agree with him that Dahlia could’ve been a bit better towards him and Garrick and the rest of the rebellion members before those guys left back to Ebora. She never went to check on Garrick and Curdy, just left them to work with the geese while babysitting Odette. I get her whole role was to earn Korth’s trust and make him love her but she could’ve easily been like “I’ve known that family for a long time and I just want to say hi really quick while Korth is in his meetings.” I don’t think she’d be questioned for that because they came with her from Ebora!

Korth’s character was idk. I get he’s supposed to be on the spectrum and maybe I’m just stupid and ignorant on the subject but he went from barely talking and following the rules strictly to suddenly being the complete opposite of that. He was a respectful gentleman the entire time though. I actually do really like Korth but how he was portrayed throws me off a bit. I think he was very different in Hunting Sirens than he was in this book. But to be fair, it’s not like he was in most of the previous book. Maybe I just don’t understand but his character development was just off to me. Maybe having his point of view throughout the book would’ve helped this too.

The ending felt so rushed and sloppy. In the epilogue she gets sentenced to 5 years of tending the geese and having to be engaged during the 5 years. Why 5 years? That’s a long time! It couldn’t have been 2 or 3 years? 3 years is how long Roy and Pam were engaged in The Office and we all know how that turned out. Dahlia and Korth have to be engaged 5 years? That seems unreasonable. Does she never get to go back to Ebora to see her family until she serves out her sentence or can they go see her? And not once did anyone ask how Dahlia and Garrick escaped from their prison cells.

Idk this book just wasn’t my cup of tea. I feel like Becoming Hook has been her only one that’s well written. The last few chapters of Hunting Sirens didn’t impress me either. I loved that book up until Bayne and Treva sign during the Kraken battle. I think the author has to stop rushing her endings even if the books need to be a few extra chapters.

[Melinda Cater · Rating 5 out of 5]

This! THIS! Awesome! Wonderful! Completely Swoony! Sweet! But oh so clean story is the Villainous Goose Girl Retelling we all NEED in our lives!

Dahlia has been waiting and learning and spending every moment of everyday making sure she is prepared to aid the Rebellion as soon as word is given. As Princess Odette’s personal handmaiden she knows she has been born, raised, and placed in the opportune position to help take down the Royal Family of Ebora and rescue the people from their oppression. So when she gets the word that she must switch places with Odette, seduce her betrothed—Prince Korth of Haven Harbor—and persuade him to send military force to aid the Rebellion she knows she is willing and able to do any and everything that is required of her. What she didn’t anticipate was the handsome and shy Prince that is uniquely courteous of his citizens, staunchly loyal, and determined to be a good king and a loving and attentive husband.

Can Dahlia accomplish her task and get troops to the Rebellion or will the sweet Prince that was never suppose to be hers steal her heart instead?

You just have to read this delightfully stabby and yet completely swoony story for yourself to discover all its secrets!!!

I LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! THIS BOOK!

I absolutely ADORED both Dahlia and Korth in this story! Dahlia was strong and resilient and determined to make Korth fall in love with her…the real her…and not just her pretend version of the real Princess Odette. She wanted to save everyone even if it meant sacrificing herself in the process. And Korth, well Korth, he was a bit uptight and straight laced before our little Heroine set her eyes on him. He learned to be fun, and free, and take chances on the things that are important even if you have to break a few rules along the way. Quite honestly Korth reminded me so much of my own husband and I couldn’t help but chuckle at all his rule abiding ways! Dahlia was the perfect altruistic villain to ruffle Korth’s feathers and get him to loosen up just a little.

Let me tell you…THE SWOON IS ABSOLUTELY TOP NOTCH! Mecham did an impeccable job balancing the growing attraction of Dahlia and Korth with the deceptions and sacrifices that Dahlia knows she must commit. Their bonding over their similar and yet unique and unexpected interests is just so much fun to experience. Everything about the romance is nothing short of perfection.

Then there is the plot and mission of the Rebellion. From the very first sentence I was wholeheartedly inspired and convinced by these rebels. They were determined and willing to sacrifice anything and everything to take down the King and his daughter and save the kingdom from basically slavery and destitution. Their cause was just so compelling and the characters so altruistic. The plot and its intricacies were just so well designed and then executed.

Although…I must admit…one of my very favorite aspects of this story was the reintroduction of Peter Pan. Now I don’t want to give to much of this away and ruin any of the surprises but I really really enjoyed the will he? Won’t he? What is he really going to do? Mysteriousness and I found myself drawn towards his character. Yep…he was a lot of fun…and I hope he continues to make appearances in the next books!

So yep…GO READ ALL OF THE LEGENDS OF NEVERLAND SERIES! They are the perfect twisted fairytales where the heroes are truly villains and the villains are heroes and nothing and everything is as it seems. I very highly recommend this entire series!!!

[Jaida · Rating 5 out of 5]

𐙚⋆⋆˚ᡣ𐭩⋆⋆˚ᡣ𐭩⋆⋆˚ᡣ𐭩⋆⋆˚ᡣ𐭩⋆⋆˚ᡣ𐭩⋆⋆˚ᡣ𐭩⋆⋆˚ᡣ𐭩⋆⋆˚ᡣ𐭩𐙚

🦢~Genres~🦢
Fantasy/Retelling/Romance/Clean/He falls first/Hidden identity

I was supposed to make Korth fall in love with me; I wasn’t supposed to fall in love with him.

🪉~Characters~🪉
(Korth) MMC He was so smart and such a  good big brother, He feel first and man did he fall hard. I Really liked him.

(Dahlia) FMC She had an obsession with dumbwaiters but other then that I really liked her.

(Tess) KORTH'S 12 YEAR OLD SISTER she was so cute I loved her.

(Odette) PRINCESS OF EBORA I hated this girl.

(Peter pan) He was really annoying but he had his moments when I liked him kind of but then I remembered what he did to Tinkerbell and James and so yeah I still didn't like him.

(Gerta) DAHLIA'S HANDMAIDEN I liked her.

(Nona) KORTH'S GRANDMA She was so freaking annoying always telling korth that Dahlia wasn't good enough for him. I didn't like her.

(Raquel) KING OF EBORA I didn't like him he was a tyrant.

(Treva) KORTH'S COUSIN I still liked her.

(Gage) KORTH'S COUSIN I liked him still.

(Godfrey) KORTH'S MANSERVANT/CHAPERONE he was so freaking annoying.

(Tinkerbell) Still loved her! James and Tinkerbell are only there for like one scene though.

(James) Still loved him they are the best!

(Curdy) REBELLION MEMBER He has a crush on Dahlia and he actually said “I could help you practice kissing so you are prepared to meet this Prince Korth,” I hated him

(Garrik) REBELLION MEMBER he was ok.

Traitorous spies don’t deserve happily ever afters

🏝️~Quotes~🏝️
“Dahlia,” he said softly, his voice seducing me far more effectively than any love potion ever could.

How had I never noticed the goodness and honesty in Korth? Of course he had been physically attractive, but he embodied everything I wished I could be—just and loyal, trustworthy and sincere… I wished that for a moment, I could purge myself of my lies and deceit and experience what it was like to be loved with no ulterior motive in play.

“It’s okay to flirt back, you know. We are going to be married soon. Some flirting is expected.”“It should be called flustering,” he sighed. “I never know how to respond.” I laughed quietly. “It’s cute to see you flustered.” He rolled his eyes. “Is that why you do it so much?”

It sometimes feels like…it feels like you don’t need me.” I held onto his lapels and tugged him forward, so he was forced into a leaning position. “Then make me want you.”

“Are you a dangerous man to be alone with?” Korth’s ears darkened to maroon, and he began spluttering again. He really was cute when he was flustered.

🌅~What I liked~🌅
The cover, The writing style, That James and Tinkerbell are back!, The dream scene, The walks, The masquerade festival, The epilogue, the last paragraph,

I realized that more than anything, I wanted to be with Korth.

🌊~What I disliked~🌊
That I have to wait for the next book in the series to be released.

“Hear all, speak none, remember always,” we chanted. “In shadows we thrive; with unity we rise.”

🏺~Content/Trigger warnings~🏺
Homelessness, Slavery, whipping, Beating, murder, Starvation, Seasickness, vomiting, fires, stabbing, kidnapping recounted, Betrayal, Child abuse, blood,

Is a life of lies better than no life at all?

🌹~Language~🌹
None

[Magdalena 'Madzia' Metzger · Rating 5 out of 5]

🗡Betraying Korth by @marymechamauthor is Absolutely AMAZING & I highly recommend it!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

🥀 Dahlia, having grown up in the shadow of an oppressive tyrannical King is a vital player in a rebellion that has taken generations to bring to fruition. But what she never expected was to fall in love with Korth, the Prince she has to betray in order to bring about the freedom her people are relying on her to bring about.

🗡️ Dahlia is constantly tormented by her conscience as she gets to know Korth & sees that he's not like other royals..Korth is a sweet, timid, chivalrous, honourable & oh so loveable cinnamon roll! I love how often he blushes at Dahlia's advances & how deeply he falls for her..It's compelling watching Dahlia become more & more torn as to who's side she's on..The more she stays impersonating Odette, her love for the rebellion gains an equal competitor with her deepening love for Korth!

🥀 I don't want to give any spoilers because there are several unexpected twists & turns! Make sure you clear your schedule when you pick up this book because you won't want to do anything else until you finish it! Mary is a master storyteller & every time I think I've read her best work she outdoes herself!

🗡️ Though her moral compass may be a bit skewed, I love Dahlia's heart for her people and her devotion to the pursuit of life & liberty for them..This is a poignant read especially because of the tumultuous times we're living in, under the tyrannical reign of our own communistic government that overtaxes & oppresses it's people, that we're praying will soon be overthrown & replaced with a just ruler..This book makes you grateful that we live in a country governed by a democracy, though heavily flawed, there's still a glimmer of hope that change for the better is always a possibility as long as there's still people fighting for what's right & for the rights of those who are less fortunate.

🥀 This story is a masterpiece of hidden identity, rebellion, good vs evil & true love! It's a fast-paced adventure that will keep you in suspense until the very last chapter, you might think you know where the story is heading & then Mary knocks you off your feet again!

❤️ If you loved the movie Ever After then you NEED to read this book because it brings ALL of the vibes!!! Instead of our heroine dressing above her station to save her family member servant, Odette takes it to the next level to save her entire kingdom! And all of the swoony, heartwarming moments will sweep you off your feet!😍❤️

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reader’s Notes:

– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone (though there are characters from both of the previous books & give hints to some past events)

– this is told from Dahlia’s point of view

– Dahlia’s kingdom is ruled by a ruthless king & his daughter who abuse their power over their people; this includes forcing people (& children) into servitude & enforcing punishment for any slight misstep from orders given

– it is mentioned that there is a rebellion happening; during some of it, there is some violence, injuries, & death/killing

– it is mentioned that a character’s elderly grandparent has memory issues

Review:

I loved that we got this Goose Girl retelling from the point of view of the ‘villain’ of the original story but in the end she ends up being the (morally gray) hero! I loved Dahlia’s dedication & determination to save her people, even when she fell for Korth. I loved that she ended up mixing information from both Odette & her own lives as she got to know Korth, making their relationship more real & with less lies than there could have been. I also loved that Dahlia chose to be more like herself even before realizing that had she been demanding like Odette she likely wouldn’t have succeeded. I loved the way Dahlia’s relationship with Korth grew from fake & stiff to real & more comfortable as this progressed between them and I was so happy for their ending!

I’m very curious what Peter Pan was up to in the events of this story & I hope that we find out in future books!

Summary:

Dahlia has grown up under the oppressive regime of Ebora and has bided her time for an opportunity to overthrow it to save her people. As the princess’s handmaiden, Dahlia is in the perfect place to not only be aware of new chances but to also enact them with little suspicion to her upcoming treason. So when it is announced that the princess will travel to Haven Harbor to wed their prince, Dahlia is ready. All she has to do is capture the true princess, take her place, and convince Prince Korth to send troops to unknowingly overthrow the current king. But as Dahlia gets to know Korth and his sister, she finds that not all royals are the same and she might be capable of falling for Korth for real. Can she still go through with the rebels’ plans and save her people, or will she feel the need to tell Korth the truth and ruin everything they’ve been working towards?

[Lj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book three in the Legends of Neverland series sees Dahlia, a ladies' maid from the island of Ebora involved in a decades long rebellion against the cruel king of her homeland. In order to trick the foriegn troops of Haven Harbour to help them depose the king, the rebels hatch a plan to have Dahlia take the place of the princess Odette when she travels to Haven Harbour to fulfil a contract of alliance by marrying prince Korth. Dahlia is determined to do whatever is necessary to free her people, but of course not everything goes to plan. The story is filled with intregue, sweet, gentle romance, grappling with morality (i.e. is it OK to do something bad to acheive something good?), a couple of touches of action and lots of heart. It is brought to life by some really memorable and well portrayed characters. Korth and the setting of Haven Harbour were both introduced in book two and there are cameo appearances by characters from earlier books to look out for, but it generally works well as a stand alone for those who haven't read books one and two yet.

My one critisim is only a small thing, but I do wonder why some characters received the names they were given. I thought Korth was a fairly dorky name for a future leading man when he was first introduced in book two, but the name has kind of grown on me since. Odette? Right from the first that name made you wonder if this princess would be seen again in a later book based on Swan Lake. My certainty level about this wavered up and down throughout the book, but I won't spoil things by saying how likely I think it is at the end of the book. But. . . King Raquel? I'm sorry but everytime he was mentioned by name I just got a mental image of Raquel Welsh in drag with a cartoonish fake mustache. Yeah, so my mind is a weird place, but Raquel is a variation of Rachel and as such has been around (at least) since biblical times and as far as I know it has always been a girls name (unlike names like Gillian or Vivian that are usually thought of as feminine today but have been used for both genders in the past) and my brain simply refused to picture a male Raquel.

So overall it was a delightful, highly enjoyable, and original retelling of the (reasonably) well known fairy tale.

I received an ARC and freely offer an honest review.

[Courtney Ranger · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Betraying Korth, Mary Mecham weaves an exciting, fast paced retelling that will keep readers up all hours of the night!!!

I've read several Goose Girl retellings, but this one definitely stood out! Of course, a retelling with the villain as the protagonist is not super common, but Mecham's signature humor and adventurous plots made this book truly one-of-a-kind in all of the best ways!

I loved getting to see how Dahlia thinks. Since she's the "villain" her moral compass doesn't always point due north, but I love seeing how she always tries to fight for what she believes in. Dahlia is quite tenacious and eager to help her people. It was interesting watching her fight her growing feelings for Korth through their relationship's ups and downs.

Korth... was a total sweetheart. I wish we got to see a bit more of his character. I felt like I wanted to get to know him a bit better than I did by reading this book. His love of bridges was totally adorable. It was so sweet how much he loved his little sister and always tried to do what was right.

There is a brief scene with Peter Pan. I've not read Becoming Hook in its entirety yet, so I don't know Peter's full history, but that scene left me hoping we'd get a book with Peter as the protagonist. Like it would make the series so... meta; it would be awesome!!!! Plus, Peter is an amazing character, and I want to give him ALL THE HUGS. Judge me all you want.

As I said earlier, this book was as humorous as the rest of Mary's books. If you need a light read that will make you smile, this book is definitely a great pick for you!

I wish we could've gotten to see a bit... more of the ending. *tries desperately not to give away any more spoilers* I thought it should've taken up a bit more time. Of course, there was a happy ending, but I guess I just wanted to hold onto the story for a little bit longer.

Overall, I quite enjoyed this book! I loved the complex characters, the humor, the themes, the plot...... If you're looking for a fun read that's a fun twist on a familiar fairy tale, I'd definitely recommend giving this book a try!

I received an advance copy of this book. My opinions are my own. A positive review was not required.

[Rebecca Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be my favourite yet in this series! Or I don't know, maybe it's tied with Hunting Sirens: A Gender-Flipped Little Mermaid, I can't decide. Seriously though, Mary really knows how to write cute and swoony royal romances about arranged marriages to princes you're gonna betray! I didn't realise it was something I specifically liked so much but I adored Assassin of Fire and Sacrifice and I adored this one too! I also accidentally binged this in a day which was not at all my intention but I just couldn't stop reading!
Dahlia, our FMC, is amazing. She's brave, she's strong, she's kind and funny. I loved her and everything she stood for. Korth was sweet and shy and totally adorable and not at all what Dahlia was expecting. I felt so sorry for both of them with all the lies Dahlia had to tell and the secrets she had to keep. I usually love a good dual POV but I thought this worked really well with everything coming from Dahlia's POV since she was definitely the most important. The ending was crazy and totally not what I expected (except the very end of course) but it worked out really well and I loved it.
I was unfamiliar with the Goose Girl story prior to reading this but maybe a third in I remembered it's a retelling and that I meant to read it first so I looked up the plot and it was really cool what Mary did with it! You don't need to know it to enjoy this story of course but I think it's cool notice the similarities and differences.
Last little note just to say that since this is a Mary book it's of course spice-free with just the odd swoony kiss and it was a nice change for me after my last few books were quite spice-filled, I loved it! Already excited for the next one (or whichever of Mary's books is next out!).

[Riella Cristobal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every one of Ms. Mecham’s book is so heart-wrenching for me! I can’t put it down, but at the same time I have to put it down because of the stress and the emotions! She writes such exciting adventures. I was so excited to return to the Legends of Neverland world and to read Kortht’s book!
Dahlia was such an interesting character. She had such strong convictions and such compassion to the extent that she was willing to sacrifice and deceive for her people. I admired her dedication and thoughtfulness. She had a quick mind and could be quite playful, especially with Korth. As the story progressed, she struggled with her convictions and how she was forced to respond to the tyranny of her home. I really felt with her as she struggled with her deception. It was hard to read her inner turmoil.
Korth was so honorable! I adored his thoughtfulness and care for those under his authority. He really was doing his best to lead his people well and to do right by Dahlia, even if he did not have the whole picture. He could be a bit stuck in what he thought was right, but throughout the book begin to have to face more difficult and nuanced decisions. I loved his relationship with Tess too! It was so sweet.
The story was so engaging and I could not tell how things would work out! There were many surprises along the way and I had to even give myself breaks at different points! It is an exciting fantasy romance inspired by the The Goose Girl. Betraying Korth is part of the Legends of Neverland series, but can be read as a standalone, though I do recommend the earlier books! There is some fantasy type action and only kissing.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.

[Megan Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. Heart.❤️‍🩹 I knew this book would be good, but wasn’t expecting my heart to get ripped out and to begin to question and analyze morality. How far would you go for a just cause? Whew. This was an intense, fingernail biting, heart pounding read. I was not ready, but I can’t wait for more of this series!

First the characters: chef’s kiss 😘🤌 We have Dahlia, the rebel FMC who will do what is needed to save her people. While impersonating the self-centered princess, she has to use the princess’s long distance fiancé to try to garner support for their revolution. Korth is the uptight rule follower who sees everything black and white. I loved seeing how they both changed and grew thanks to the influence of the other. They are the definition of bringing out the best in each other. Will they be able to get past their differences and Dahlia’s deception? Read to find out! Also, I hope Curdy steps on a Lego or a tiny poky brick equivalent…a bunch of them.

Plot: 👏 We have spies, deception, swoony moments, heart break, revolution, a festival, all the adventure and romance plus an annoying chaperone. I love all the tie ins to the previous books in the series. Keep your 👀 out for a certain flying villain to make another appearance.

World building: This world just gets bigger, and more exciting with each new book in this series. It is a beautiful magical and dangerous place. I LOVE IT. Everything is tied together so perfectly.

Overall, if you’ve never read the Legends of Neverland series, what are you doing? Read it now! Add to the tip top of your endless TBR right now. You won’t be disappointed.

No spice. All the swoon and adventure.
No language.
A little violence but nothing gory or explicit.