What do you think?
Rate this book
A Wishful Hope: An Aladdin Retelling
Can one find hope when a happy ending seems like nothing more than wishful thinking? If there’s one thing the streets have taught Dan, it’s that the future is only guaranteed for those with enough money and power to buy their happy ending. When a crooked magistrate condemns him to a lifetime of service to a ruthless treasure hunter, his own life suddenly seems hopeless…until he stumbles upon a treasure that could secure the very future he wishes for. Bound in service to a magical lamp, all Aida has known for the last thousand years is a lonely and frustrating existence, watching the world pass by from the confines of her lamp and fulfilling everyone’s wishes but her own. But her newest master is nothing like the greedy, power-seeking men that came before, and Aida quickly devises a plan to finally get the one thing that will give her the life she the prince. A bargain is struck, three wishes exchanged, and Aida and Dan are both sure they will finally get the futures they’ve dreamed of. But when the treasure hunter returns, intent on claiming Aida’s power for his own, will they be able to keep a hold on their freedom? Or is a Happily Ever After the one wish that can never be granted? “A Wishful Hope,” a retelling of Aladdin, is a standalone novella, complete with tropes like Forced Proximity, Rags to Riches, and He Falls First. It is part of the “Hope Ever After” series, a collection of twenty hopeful and uplifting fairy tale retellings. Each book is written by a different author so it can be enjoyed in any order. The proceeds from this series are donated to the OUR (Operation Underground Rescue) to rescue children from exploitation and trafficking.
211 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2024
8 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Beran
29 books186 followersSarah lives in sunny southern California with her husband, two small children, and dog Pippin. An elementary music teacher by day, when she is not writing or devouring books she spends her free time running, making music, or playing make believe.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
September 10, 2025
4.5 stars ✨ Clean Fiction - Fairytale Retelling (with light faith content)
Pretty sure I look like this emoji 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 after finishing this book. My little fangirling heart is so full right now. 😭
Dan (Aladdin) - This guy is in my top favorites by this author now—he was an absolute sweetheart and there needs to be more male leads like him. 🥹
Aida - She’s been put through the wringer for almost a thousand years as a Genie and seeing her open up to Dan and Jasper and be willing to hope again was just beautiful. 🥹🥹
Jasper - I loved that Aladdin’s sidekick was a little brother in this version rather than a thieving monkey. He added some humor in ways only a little brother can do. 😂
This is definitely my new favorite Aladdin retelling and I think it’s now fair to put Sarah Beran in my favorite authors list. This book was a bit more serious and had less humor overall compared to the other books I’ve read by her, but I knew that going into the book. The ending was perfect and while it was a shorter book (around 200 pages) and fast paced, it felt like a good length. Can I hope that one day Jasper will get his own story? 😉😁
Great for fans of Melanie Cellier’s fairytale retellings!
Main Content-
God is called Abba in this world and He has fairies (with no wings, but having magic)
He sends to help people; Prayers & Thanking Abba; Talks about the Abba & Him caring; 'H’s are capital when referring to the Abba; Aida thinks that an Abba that subjects His children to pain is worse than one who doesn’t care at all (Dan talks to her about this with an analogy about free will and that He always takes care of His children; *Spoiler* ); Mentions of Abba, Him looking out for us, & miracles; A couple mentions of prayers & thanking Abba.
Feeling magic (including it sometimes causing pain for Aida and leaving scars, up to a few sentences).
Aida is a Genie and has been in a lamp for almost a thousand years, granting three wishes to the different “masters” she has said during that time; Aida can manipulate the natural world, but the spiritual is off-limits as she cannot affect a person’s soul (nor can she kill someone or bring back the dead); Aida is able to snap her fingers and make different things happen or appear (such as lighting up a room, making a table of food appear, changing her clothing, creating mannequins of people to appear as a group is with her, & sending a herd of hornets to attack a man; *Spoiler* ); Aida travels via “Genie Ways” which are described similar to gates/portals to get to other places; Aida tells Dan (and it is shown on-page) how she was tricked/betrayed into being stuck in a lamp.
Dan’s mother was fairy-blessed; A man uses a bit of sparkling dust and certain words to open a magical cave (which a fairy guardian says the man was meddling with magic never meant for humans); Someone says that Aida seems “otherwordly”.
Mentions of fairy guardians (who are from another realm), being fairy-blessed, & a magical item; A couple mentions of bad luck.
A couple mentions of curses (said, not written); Eye rolling & Sarcasm; Dan lies once to protect Jasper.
Being threatened (also at knife-point), being grabbed, being physically and verbally abused, pain, & scars (up to a few sentences); Seeing someone held at knife-point, threatened, & bleeding (up to a couple sentences).
Aida has been betrayed, abandoned, discarded and ripped away from family and by those who discovered her lamp & expects that Dan will be like everyone else; Dan notices how many people have treated Aida more like an object than a person.
Many mentions of criminals, thieves, thefts, stealing, stolen items, & punishments (such as getting a hand cut off or a tongue cut off for lying); Mentions of slaves & slavery (which is illegal, but happens under the table due to a corrupt government official); A few mentions of murders/deaths & fighting; A few mentions of bathroom functions (Dan fusses at Jasper for saying about needing a privy in front of a lady); A couple mentions of executions & blood; A couple mentions of lies & lying; A couple mentions of bullies; A mention of children being beaten and starved at an orphanage.
3 hand kisses,
1 almost kiss (two sentences),
1 forehead kiss,
2 sentencees lasting a kiss,
Wanting to kiss (once, one sentence);
Touches (including a couple unwanted ones), Embraces, Butterflies/Flutters, Shivers, Nearness, Smelling, & Noticing (including muscles, up to a couple sentences); Blushes.
A man boldly looks Aida up and down & she shivers, feeling exposed despite her modest dress; Another man looks at Aida in a similar way and asks about sharing her (and when he is told no, he says “can’t blame a man for trying”, but Aida thinks she can and does); A prince offers to explore a corner of a maze with Aida suggestively if she wants (she does not); Aida says she does not want to be subjected to lewd comments; Aida has a magic mirror that she has used to see what happens outside of her lamp (she’s used it to watch a prince but never when he is sleeping or bathing).
Mentions of a flirt, a prince unable to settle down with one woman because of his flirting, & flirtation; A mention of reputation.
Pretty sure I look like this emoji 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 after finishing this book. My little fangirling heart is so full right now. 😭
Dan (Aladdin) - This guy is in my top favorites by this author now—he was an absolute sweetheart and there needs to be more male leads like him. 🥹
Aida - She’s been put through the wringer for almost a thousand years as a Genie and seeing her open up to Dan and Jasper and be willing to hope again was just beautiful. 🥹🥹
Jasper - I loved that Aladdin’s sidekick was a little brother in this version rather than a thieving monkey. He added some humor in ways only a little brother can do. 😂
This is definitely my new favorite Aladdin retelling and I think it’s now fair to put Sarah Beran in my favorite authors list. This book was a bit more serious and had less humor overall compared to the other books I’ve read by her, but I knew that going into the book. The ending was perfect and while it was a shorter book (around 200 pages) and fast paced, it felt like a good length. Can I hope that one day Jasper will get his own story? 😉😁
Great for fans of Melanie Cellier’s fairytale retellings!
Main Content-
God is called Abba in this world and He has fairies (with no wings, but having magic)
He sends to help people; Prayers & Thanking Abba; Talks about the Abba & Him caring; 'H’s are capital when referring to the Abba; Aida thinks that an Abba that subjects His children to pain is worse than one who doesn’t care at all (Dan talks to her about this with an analogy about free will and that He always takes care of His children; *Spoiler* ); Mentions of Abba, Him looking out for us, & miracles; A couple mentions of prayers & thanking Abba.
Feeling magic (including it sometimes causing pain for Aida and leaving scars, up to a few sentences).
Aida is a Genie and has been in a lamp for almost a thousand years, granting three wishes to the different “masters” she has said during that time; Aida can manipulate the natural world, but the spiritual is off-limits as she cannot affect a person’s soul (nor can she kill someone or bring back the dead); Aida is able to snap her fingers and make different things happen or appear (such as lighting up a room, making a table of food appear, changing her clothing, creating mannequins of people to appear as a group is with her, & sending a herd of hornets to attack a man; *Spoiler* ); Aida travels via “Genie Ways” which are described similar to gates/portals to get to other places; Aida tells Dan (and it is shown on-page) how she was tricked/betrayed into being stuck in a lamp.
Dan’s mother was fairy-blessed; A man uses a bit of sparkling dust and certain words to open a magical cave (which a fairy guardian says the man was meddling with magic never meant for humans); Someone says that Aida seems “otherwordly”.
Mentions of fairy guardians (who are from another realm), being fairy-blessed, & a magical item; A couple mentions of bad luck.
A couple mentions of curses (said, not written); Eye rolling & Sarcasm; Dan lies once to protect Jasper.
Being threatened (also at knife-point), being grabbed, being physically and verbally abused, pain, & scars (up to a few sentences); Seeing someone held at knife-point, threatened, & bleeding (up to a couple sentences).
Aida has been betrayed, abandoned, discarded and ripped away from family and by those who discovered her lamp & expects that Dan will be like everyone else; Dan notices how many people have treated Aida more like an object than a person.
Many mentions of criminals, thieves, thefts, stealing, stolen items, & punishments (such as getting a hand cut off or a tongue cut off for lying); Mentions of slaves & slavery (which is illegal, but happens under the table due to a corrupt government official); A few mentions of murders/deaths & fighting; A few mentions of bathroom functions (Dan fusses at Jasper for saying about needing a privy in front of a lady); A couple mentions of executions & blood; A couple mentions of lies & lying; A couple mentions of bullies; A mention of children being beaten and starved at an orphanage.
3 hand kisses,
1 almost kiss (two sentences),
1 forehead kiss,
2 sentencees lasting a kiss,
Wanting to kiss (once, one sentence);
Touches (including a couple unwanted ones), Embraces, Butterflies/Flutters, Shivers, Nearness, Smelling, & Noticing (including muscles, up to a couple sentences); Blushes.
A man boldly looks Aida up and down & she shivers, feeling exposed despite her modest dress; Another man looks at Aida in a similar way and asks about sharing her (and when he is told no, he says “can’t blame a man for trying”, but Aida thinks she can and does); A prince offers to explore a corner of a maze with Aida suggestively if she wants (she does not); Aida says she does not want to be subjected to lewd comments; Aida has a magic mirror that she has used to see what happens outside of her lamp (she’s used it to watch a prince but never when he is sleeping or bathing).
Mentions of a flirt, a prince unable to settle down with one woman because of his flirting, & flirtation; A mention of reputation.
December 9, 2024
Read my full review on my blog: https://penspagesandpulses.wordpress....
A Wishful Hope by Sarah Beran is the fifteenth book in the Hope Ever After series. It is also, in my opinion, the best thing Sarah has ever written! It is also one of the best Aladdin retellings I've ever read!!!
Dan is a protective big brother willing to do anything to keep his little brother out of trouble. (Yes, I'm simplifying things). He has a strong moral compass and wants to help everyone around him. He is so compassionate and can see the value in each individual person.
Aida has learned that she can't trust anyone. She has been betrayed by those who should have protected her, and she is determined to ensure she can never be used again. I love how determined she is to seek her independence and how she makes a goal and goes after it.
The king was my other favorite character. I love how honest and matter-of-fact nature. He was also such a great dad-figure to the characters! His frankness was so refreshing, and I loved him so much for it.
Sarah did not hold back when it came to making me laugh. The funniest scene was when Aida and Dan defeat the villain. It was brilliant, and I could not stop laughing!!! In addition, Sarah includes her signature puns, which just makes her books so fun to read.
This book was incredible!!! It is my favorite of Sarah's books. The themes are so inspiring. The characters are so well written. The book explores some heavier topics, but the humor Sarah always includes keeps the book light and fun to read!
I received an advance copy of this book from the author. My opinions are my own. A positive review was not required.
A Wishful Hope by Sarah Beran is the fifteenth book in the Hope Ever After series. It is also, in my opinion, the best thing Sarah has ever written! It is also one of the best Aladdin retellings I've ever read!!!
Dan is a protective big brother willing to do anything to keep his little brother out of trouble. (Yes, I'm simplifying things). He has a strong moral compass and wants to help everyone around him. He is so compassionate and can see the value in each individual person.
Aida has learned that she can't trust anyone. She has been betrayed by those who should have protected her, and she is determined to ensure she can never be used again. I love how determined she is to seek her independence and how she makes a goal and goes after it.
The king was my other favorite character. I love how honest and matter-of-fact nature. He was also such a great dad-figure to the characters! His frankness was so refreshing, and I loved him so much for it.
Sarah did not hold back when it came to making me laugh. The funniest scene was when Aida and Dan defeat the villain. It was brilliant, and I could not stop laughing!!! In addition, Sarah includes her signature puns, which just makes her books so fun to read.
This book was incredible!!! It is my favorite of Sarah's books. The themes are so inspiring. The characters are so well written. The book explores some heavier topics, but the humor Sarah always includes keeps the book light and fun to read!
I received an advance copy of this book from the author. My opinions are my own. A positive review was not required.
September 3, 2025
Content:
Profanity: None.
Violence: Mild. There is a threat of a hand/tongue being cut off, but it doesn't occur. There are insinuations that a Master is beating his servants, but nothing either 'on screen' or described in the past. Most of the violence is in the form of a threat that doesn't end up occurring.
Sexual: Mild. There is a chunk of the time when a woman is treated as 'arm candy' and nothing more. Men eye her 'appreciatively' up and down, it gives her the creeps. There are a few G-rated touches, and a few G-rated kisses on the lips. Hugs. That sort of thing.
Triggers: Betrayal by family is portrayed. Specifically:
Just shy of 4 stars really, but rounded up.
I was intrigued by the premise of the Genie in Aladdin being a girl, and Aladdin falls for her instead of the princess. The way that Sarah Beran weaves aspects of the story in and around her little twists is one of the reasons I love reading her books. She's so creative! I loved seeing the nods to different aspects of the Disney version including the music at times.
Dan (Aladdin) is our cinnamon roll character; the protector who takes care of everyone he has the power to protect. His little brother Jasper is sunshine and chaos all in one (I think he was a nod to Abu honestly), and seeing how Dan responds to each situation that gets tossed at him was sweet. He's humble, honest, and a bit too serious at times. Jasper helps lighten his load a lot, and he loves him even more for it.
When we meet out Genie, Aida, she is jaded and very despairing of humanity in general. She expects to be used and thrown away. So Dan totally knocks her off kilter. It takes her a long time to see his sincerity. Her character arc was solid, and seeing her slowly trust him and Jasper was sweet.
I enjoyed the themes of hope and loyalty, but most appreciated the theme of the worth of a single person. Dan was fantastic at always remembering that people are worth the effort, worth noticing, caring about, and helping. It was a touching theme to explore, especially for Aida, who had been so brutally used as if she wasn't a person.
While it was a sweet retelling, it wasn't my favorite from the author, it felt like it had more of a story to tell, and got rushed a bit? Maybe? It was predictable in every aspect, and I got a tad bored in some spots. And I had questions. I wanted That closure would've been nice to have. Jasper's too, I wanted to know his story. I kinda got a feeling he might show up in another book or story? And if Dan's I wanted that confrontation. It would've been interesting. And telling.
Still, fun light read.
Profanity: None.
Violence: Mild. There is a threat of a hand/tongue being cut off, but it doesn't occur. There are insinuations that a Master is beating his servants, but nothing either 'on screen' or described in the past. Most of the violence is in the form of a threat that doesn't end up occurring.
Sexual: Mild. There is a chunk of the time when a woman is treated as 'arm candy' and nothing more. Men eye her 'appreciatively' up and down, it gives her the creeps. There are a few G-rated touches, and a few G-rated kisses on the lips. Hugs. That sort of thing.
Triggers: Betrayal by family is portrayed. Specifically:
Just shy of 4 stars really, but rounded up.
I was intrigued by the premise of the Genie in Aladdin being a girl, and Aladdin falls for her instead of the princess. The way that Sarah Beran weaves aspects of the story in and around her little twists is one of the reasons I love reading her books. She's so creative! I loved seeing the nods to different aspects of the Disney version including the music at times.
Dan (Aladdin) is our cinnamon roll character; the protector who takes care of everyone he has the power to protect. His little brother Jasper is sunshine and chaos all in one (I think he was a nod to Abu honestly), and seeing how Dan responds to each situation that gets tossed at him was sweet. He's humble, honest, and a bit too serious at times. Jasper helps lighten his load a lot, and he loves him even more for it.
When we meet out Genie, Aida, she is jaded and very despairing of humanity in general. She expects to be used and thrown away. So Dan totally knocks her off kilter. It takes her a long time to see his sincerity. Her character arc was solid, and seeing her slowly trust him and Jasper was sweet.
I enjoyed the themes of hope and loyalty, but most appreciated the theme of the worth of a single person. Dan was fantastic at always remembering that people are worth the effort, worth noticing, caring about, and helping. It was a touching theme to explore, especially for Aida, who had been so brutally used as if she wasn't a person.
While it was a sweet retelling, it wasn't my favorite from the author, it felt like it had more of a story to tell, and got rushed a bit? Maybe? It was predictable in every aspect, and I got a tad bored in some spots. And I had questions. I wanted That closure would've been nice to have. Jasper's too, I wanted to know his story. I kinda got a feeling he might show up in another book or story? And if Dan's I wanted that confrontation. It would've been interesting. And telling.
Still, fun light read.
June 14, 2024
What a wonderful retelling of the classic Aladdin! A huge emphasis on hope in dark times, it was a beautiful story. All the descriptions were so vivid and colorful too!
June 11, 2024
This was a great twist on Aladdin... I loved everything about it especially the fact that it has a girl genie! She was so fun and snarky. Sarah Beran dives deep into why Aladdin would go in the cave and why was the genie manacled in the first place. It was pure magic!
June 13, 2024
Sarah kindly sent me an early copy of this book but sadly life got in the way and I wasn’t able to review it until today. A Wishful Hope is the sixth book I have read by Sarah Beran, who is – and always will be – one of my favourite authors. This book had the additional attraction of being written with the purpose of combatting human trafficking, and I love that these 20 authors have come together to support such an important cause!
A Wishful Hope has all the elements I have come to expect from a Sarah Beran book – puns galore, humour, a sweet love story and torrents of excitement and suspense. I hadn’t read a retelling of Aladdin before but I was ever so impressed with Sarah’s take on the story! She made it her own while still bringing in elements of the original such as the cave of wonders and I couldn’t have asked for a better take on this classic tale!
Dan – the MMC – is sweet and selfless. He always wants the best for everyone even at the cost of sacrificing his own happiness and I loved how he always strives to provide for Jasper, his sort of adopted younger brother. Jasper is the hilarious side character who stole the show completely! I loved his attitude towards life and his total trust in Dan! His funny quips were perfection and he alone would make reading this book worthwhile.
Aida, the genie, is naturally skeptical of humans, having learnt fom bitter experience that all humans have their own agenda. However Dan wants nothing from her other than friendship and every time he makes a wish he proves that to Aida a little more. She thinks she wants to marry the prince, but a few hours spent with him on numerous occasions proves to be more than enough – he’s vapid, selfish and obsessed with comfort. He’s also totally immature, and even his own father (the seriously awesome side character of the Sultan) could see he was all wrong for Aida.
Dan and Jasper fight against multiple injustices in this book - from the false accusation of theft in the beginning, to attempted murder and finally to having everything they’ve worked so hard for ripped away from them by corrupt politicians. Yet despite it all, they keep their integrity intact and refuse to become the criminals the world has painted them to be.
The worldbuilding in A Wishful Hope was, as always, fabulous and I especially enjoyed the descriptions of Dan’s and Aida’s explorations when one of his wishes grants her the freedom to travel. Their friendship and slow-burn romance is a thing of wonder and it was wonderful to see how Dan constantly put her needs above his own, even when he could have everything he ever wished for.
I often found myself seething on their behalf when I read about the behaviour of the corrupt merchants and politicians who wanted nothing more than to reduce Dan and Jasper to common street rats, but they got their come-uppance in the end and the ironic and entertaining way that this happened will forever be one of my favourite scenes in any book!
I could wax eloquent for pages about A Wishful Hope but you’ve probably already DNF’d this review, so I’ll close with this: If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of reading Sarah’s latest masterpiece I would advise you to buy it and enjoy it as soon as possible. She writes astoundingly well and you will love every word!
A Wishful Hope has all the elements I have come to expect from a Sarah Beran book – puns galore, humour, a sweet love story and torrents of excitement and suspense. I hadn’t read a retelling of Aladdin before but I was ever so impressed with Sarah’s take on the story! She made it her own while still bringing in elements of the original such as the cave of wonders and I couldn’t have asked for a better take on this classic tale!
Dan – the MMC – is sweet and selfless. He always wants the best for everyone even at the cost of sacrificing his own happiness and I loved how he always strives to provide for Jasper, his sort of adopted younger brother. Jasper is the hilarious side character who stole the show completely! I loved his attitude towards life and his total trust in Dan! His funny quips were perfection and he alone would make reading this book worthwhile.
Aida, the genie, is naturally skeptical of humans, having learnt fom bitter experience that all humans have their own agenda. However Dan wants nothing from her other than friendship and every time he makes a wish he proves that to Aida a little more. She thinks she wants to marry the prince, but a few hours spent with him on numerous occasions proves to be more than enough – he’s vapid, selfish and obsessed with comfort. He’s also totally immature, and even his own father (the seriously awesome side character of the Sultan) could see he was all wrong for Aida.
Dan and Jasper fight against multiple injustices in this book - from the false accusation of theft in the beginning, to attempted murder and finally to having everything they’ve worked so hard for ripped away from them by corrupt politicians. Yet despite it all, they keep their integrity intact and refuse to become the criminals the world has painted them to be.
The worldbuilding in A Wishful Hope was, as always, fabulous and I especially enjoyed the descriptions of Dan’s and Aida’s explorations when one of his wishes grants her the freedom to travel. Their friendship and slow-burn romance is a thing of wonder and it was wonderful to see how Dan constantly put her needs above his own, even when he could have everything he ever wished for.
I often found myself seething on their behalf when I read about the behaviour of the corrupt merchants and politicians who wanted nothing more than to reduce Dan and Jasper to common street rats, but they got their come-uppance in the end and the ironic and entertaining way that this happened will forever be one of my favourite scenes in any book!
I could wax eloquent for pages about A Wishful Hope but you’ve probably already DNF’d this review, so I’ll close with this: If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of reading Sarah’s latest masterpiece I would advise you to buy it and enjoy it as soon as possible. She writes astoundingly well and you will love every word!
May 12, 2024
A wonderful retelling of Aladdin and the Magical Lamp. A young boy is accused of stealing but he says he’s innocent and his friend believes him but says they’ll both work off the debt to satisfy the merchant. While retrieving a lamp for the merchant, he tries to kill them but they escape and find it is magical when a genie appears. She has been held imprisoned in the lamp for almost a thousand years granting wishes to human masters and yearning for her own freedom. When this boy Dan tells her he doesn’t want anything and wants her to fulfill her own desires to marry the prince so she won’t have to grant anyone wishes anymore! However, as time goes by she finds the prince isn’t the person she thought he would be and finds herself drawn back to Dan who was the one who released her from her lamp. When the merchant returns to complicate matters between them all by getting the
lamp away from Dan a showdown is looming between
these three people and the happiness two of them
want to share with each other!
This is an imaginative tale complete with fairy guardians, magic carpets, genies, magic, hope, trust,
love and healing to let you know that no matter how bad things have gotten and how life has treated you that things can turn around and get better if you will
just have hope and believe and work and pray towards that end!
I really enjoyed this story and wholeheartedly and
enthusiastically recommend this book to one and all as a book I know you’ll enjoy reading and recommending to your friends and family! Aida was looking for someone to give her hope after almost a
thousand years and along comes Dan! He is the type of person we all need in our lives!! I hope we all have a Dan in our corner to root us on in our daily lives!
I urge you to get this book and read a book that will speak to your soul and say, YES, those concepts are
great!
lamp away from Dan a showdown is looming between
these three people and the happiness two of them
want to share with each other!
This is an imaginative tale complete with fairy guardians, magic carpets, genies, magic, hope, trust,
love and healing to let you know that no matter how bad things have gotten and how life has treated you that things can turn around and get better if you will
just have hope and believe and work and pray towards that end!
I really enjoyed this story and wholeheartedly and
enthusiastically recommend this book to one and all as a book I know you’ll enjoy reading and recommending to your friends and family! Aida was looking for someone to give her hope after almost a
thousand years and along comes Dan! He is the type of person we all need in our lives!! I hope we all have a Dan in our corner to root us on in our daily lives!
I urge you to get this book and read a book that will speak to your soul and say, YES, those concepts are
great!
June 12, 2024
A Wishful Hope was an absolutely wonderful retelling of Aladdin and the Magical Lamp, though I have to admit I’m not sure if I ever read the original.
There were a lot of things I loved about this book. Starting with the characters. Dan (short for Aladdin) is selfless, honest, brave, kind and protective. He is patient with Aida (the Genie) who has a completely justified mistrust of all humans and first isn’t only snarky and sometimes even rude, but doesn’t try to make Dan’s life easier even though she could, being a Genie.
I loved how their relationship developed and how she tried to interpret every nice and selfless act of Dan as a hidden agenda (because this is what she was used to) until she couldn’t anymore and had to accept that Dan really only had her best interests at heart.
Their love story was special and so sweet. I usually don’t expect slow burn from a novella but this was done very well.
But what I loved most was definitely the brotherly relationship between Dan and Jasper. This 12 year old street kid might have stolen the show and it was just heartwarming to see how Jasper and Dan both tried to protect and make sacrifices for each other in their own ways.
A story with a Genie in a lamp from a Christian perspective was absolutely intriguing and I loved how Beran wrote prayer, faith and subjects as sacrifice, hope and trust into the story.
I’ve read not all but quite a few novellas of the Hope Ever After series and enjoyed all of them so far. I absolutely recommend this one and the series in general.
I already put a few books by Sarah Beran on my TBR since I enjoyed her writing and the messages woven into the story a lot!
* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.
There were a lot of things I loved about this book. Starting with the characters. Dan (short for Aladdin) is selfless, honest, brave, kind and protective. He is patient with Aida (the Genie) who has a completely justified mistrust of all humans and first isn’t only snarky and sometimes even rude, but doesn’t try to make Dan’s life easier even though she could, being a Genie.
I loved how their relationship developed and how she tried to interpret every nice and selfless act of Dan as a hidden agenda (because this is what she was used to) until she couldn’t anymore and had to accept that Dan really only had her best interests at heart.
Their love story was special and so sweet. I usually don’t expect slow burn from a novella but this was done very well.
But what I loved most was definitely the brotherly relationship between Dan and Jasper. This 12 year old street kid might have stolen the show and it was just heartwarming to see how Jasper and Dan both tried to protect and make sacrifices for each other in their own ways.
A story with a Genie in a lamp from a Christian perspective was absolutely intriguing and I loved how Beran wrote prayer, faith and subjects as sacrifice, hope and trust into the story.
I’ve read not all but quite a few novellas of the Hope Ever After series and enjoyed all of them so far. I absolutely recommend this one and the series in general.
I already put a few books by Sarah Beran on my TBR since I enjoyed her writing and the messages woven into the story a lot!
* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.
May 13, 2024
A Wishful Hope, By Sarah Beran, is #15 of the Hope Ever After Series. Having read them all I was excited to read this by Sarah Beran, one of my favorite authors. The story has a genie with good guys and bad guys. I loved how one of the good guys, Dan, would be willing to give his life to save his young friend, Jasper. His relationship to Jasper was endearing to read, and Jasper, well sometimes you just wanted to throttle him or hug him. Aida, the genie, must give three wishes to whoever owns the bottle. She wants freedom so badly she will use Dan & Jasper to try and marry Prince Kamaran, believing that being a princess will give her freedom from the bottle. I also loved how the Prince's father, although loving his son, understood his lack of maturity, and gave wonderful fatherly advice to Aida. Throughout the story you have the bad guys wanting to control the genie, but through it all, Dan and Jasper are there to save the day. Dan loves Aida but can she give up her hope and dream of freedom? Will she give up the idea of being a princess? This is a beautiful, free flowing and clean retelling of Aladdin and the Genie with a happily ever after. Although I did receive an ARC copy I have purchased many others of the Hope Ever After Series, and they are all so very good. I strongly urge the purchase of this book as you will receive many wonderful hours of reading plus supporting the Operation Underground Rescue that saves children from human trafficking.
May 24, 2024
Another magical fairytale inspired story in the Hope Ever After series! I am a relatively new fan of Ms. Beran, but have been loving all of the books I have read from her. This fantastical story is such a joy to read!
The magical world was so fun! The inspiration of Aladdin was so fun to see, within a unique story. From the start, the story was engaging, especially with Dan’s POV. It really drops you into the story immediately. Different sections of the story seemed to move at different paces, depending on if the focus was more on one of the character’s personal growth and understanding versus more large-scale growth of the story. I enjoyed having dual POV! It really gave a fuller picture of the story and allowed me to connect with both characters.
I loved Dan! He was so sweet and honorable. I loved his relationship with Jasper. He was such a good older brother and so caring. As an older sibling myself, I definitely related to him. He truly sought what was best for Jasper and to protect him when he could. I loved how he found his courage and strength to hold on to what he valued. His relationship with Aida was also so sweet. Aida definitely had struggles and past hurts to overcome. She had been forced to be strong and guarded.
This was an exciting fantasy romance! It has some light action adventure, betrayal, and imprisonment. It has a HEA 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.
The magical world was so fun! The inspiration of Aladdin was so fun to see, within a unique story. From the start, the story was engaging, especially with Dan’s POV. It really drops you into the story immediately. Different sections of the story seemed to move at different paces, depending on if the focus was more on one of the character’s personal growth and understanding versus more large-scale growth of the story. I enjoyed having dual POV! It really gave a fuller picture of the story and allowed me to connect with both characters.
I loved Dan! He was so sweet and honorable. I loved his relationship with Jasper. He was such a good older brother and so caring. As an older sibling myself, I definitely related to him. He truly sought what was best for Jasper and to protect him when he could. I loved how he found his courage and strength to hold on to what he valued. His relationship with Aida was also so sweet. Aida definitely had struggles and past hurts to overcome. She had been forced to be strong and guarded.
This was an exciting fantasy romance! It has some light action adventure, betrayal, and imprisonment. It has a HEA 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.
Read
July 8, 2024Dan’s life on the streets is nothing like he’d planned, and if a crooked magistrate has his way, it will get even worse. A deal to save his friend’s life sends Dan on a quest that leads to something that might just solve all his problems.
Aida has been trapped for hundreds of years inside a lamp, bound to grant the wishes of any who rub the lamp. But she’s determined to find a way out, and Dan is her best chance to escape. But her dreams of becoming a princess mean ignoring the growing feelings she has for the quiet peasant.
Can Dan and Aida set aside their wishes long enough to find love?
“Aida might have shown him the world, but she had somehow become everything in his.”
I think we all know by now just how much I adore Sarah Beran’s books and this one is no exception. Perfectly swoony and delightful, this story is full of real moments of trust and heartbreak and love, not to mention clever turns of phrase that go beyond Beran’s usual puns.
There were so many amazing nods to the original tales — the fruit! — as well as a certain scene that had me squealing in delight as Aida and Dan visited the realms from other books in the Hope Ever After series.
If you want a story of hope and finding not only love but one’s self, this is the story for you.
Sweet kisses
Minor injuries, threat of limb loss
No swears
Aida has been trapped for hundreds of years inside a lamp, bound to grant the wishes of any who rub the lamp. But she’s determined to find a way out, and Dan is her best chance to escape. But her dreams of becoming a princess mean ignoring the growing feelings she has for the quiet peasant.
Can Dan and Aida set aside their wishes long enough to find love?
“Aida might have shown him the world, but she had somehow become everything in his.”
I think we all know by now just how much I adore Sarah Beran’s books and this one is no exception. Perfectly swoony and delightful, this story is full of real moments of trust and heartbreak and love, not to mention clever turns of phrase that go beyond Beran’s usual puns.
There were so many amazing nods to the original tales — the fruit! — as well as a certain scene that had me squealing in delight as Aida and Dan visited the realms from other books in the Hope Ever After series.
If you want a story of hope and finding not only love but one’s self, this is the story for you.
Sweet kisses
Minor injuries, threat of limb loss
No swears
June 2, 2024
A Wishful Hope by Sarah Beran was a delightful retelling of Aladdin. I really enjoyed this novella! I love that Beran wrote a tale that had elements of the original tale and with a creative plot that stood apart from other retellings. There were also many Aladdin movie vibes throughout the story as well. This fast paced novella drew me from the very beginning with its storyline. Dan is a magnanimous pauper, trying to survive and take care of his friend, Jasper. Aida is a jaded genie who wants freedom. She has been betrayed and suffered through the greed of others, yet is still resilient. Dan is bent on helping Aida with her plans and show her not everyone wants to use her for her power. Over time, his compassion softens her heart. Jasper was a fun side character! He was entertaining! I love how the message of hope is weaved through the book. It was inspiring. One of my favorite parts of the Hope Ever After series is how all the authors have connected Laelynn in each of their stories. The ways each author inserts her to help bring needed hope is always fun and heartwarming! The romance is clean with only kissing. A Wishful Hope is one of the best Aladdin retellings I have read and I highly recommend!
I volunteered to read an ARC copy of the book and all thoughts are my own.
I volunteered to read an ARC copy of the book and all thoughts are my own.
June 7, 2024
3 things I LOVED about this book:
1.) The Twist. This was such a cool twist on Aladdin! I loved that certain aspects felt like what I expected from Aladdin, like the setting and cave filled with riches. But in other ways, it completely turned into its own story! Just the kind of familiar / creative juxtaposition I love in fairy tale retellings :)
2.) Jasper. Talk about a show-stealing side character! Jasper's energy, quick wit, and positive outlook made me smile every time he made an appearance. I loved his dedication to Dan (the Aladdin character) and the way he managed to be a pickpocket while maintaining his honesty and integrity. Mostly :)
3.) The Wishes. Everything about Dan was sweet and thoughtful, but his wishes showed his character most of all. Despite the fact that he could've used his wishes to improve his difficult circumstances, he was so careful not to use Aida (the genie) for his own gains and always gave her a choice. Swoon!
This book had so many fun twists, characters I fell in love with, and a beautiful message about the choice to use or value the people around us. It was my third book by Sarah Beran, and I'm looking forward to more!
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.*
1.) The Twist. This was such a cool twist on Aladdin! I loved that certain aspects felt like what I expected from Aladdin, like the setting and cave filled with riches. But in other ways, it completely turned into its own story! Just the kind of familiar / creative juxtaposition I love in fairy tale retellings :)
2.) Jasper. Talk about a show-stealing side character! Jasper's energy, quick wit, and positive outlook made me smile every time he made an appearance. I loved his dedication to Dan (the Aladdin character) and the way he managed to be a pickpocket while maintaining his honesty and integrity. Mostly :)
3.) The Wishes. Everything about Dan was sweet and thoughtful, but his wishes showed his character most of all. Despite the fact that he could've used his wishes to improve his difficult circumstances, he was so careful not to use Aida (the genie) for his own gains and always gave her a choice. Swoon!
This book had so many fun twists, characters I fell in love with, and a beautiful message about the choice to use or value the people around us. It was my third book by Sarah Beran, and I'm looking forward to more!
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.*
June 11, 2024
I’m a few books into the Hope Ever After series. So far they have been sweet and cozy. A Wishful Hope was sweet, funny, and optimistic. I honestly haven’t read many Aladdin retellings. The ones that I have read were gender bent, so I enjoyed seeing something a little bit more true to the old tale. I loved the subtle nods toward both the original tale and the Disney classic, while still being original.
Dan is a sweet and kind character. He’s not quite as much of a “street rat” as some of the tales make him out of to be. He’s hardworking and strives for more while caring for his brother. Speaking of his brother, Jasper is a fun and entertaining addition to the story. His outlook on life is so bright and cheery. I think we could all learn a thing from him. Aida is our genie, enslaved and giving up hope. She has been through so much and I loved seeing how kind Dan is to her. The combination of these characters created sweet banter, cute romantic interactions, and the hope for a better future. And of course, a sweet ending makes everything better!
Thank you to @sarahberan for an ARC of A Wishful Hope. I look forward to future books!
Dan is a sweet and kind character. He’s not quite as much of a “street rat” as some of the tales make him out of to be. He’s hardworking and strives for more while caring for his brother. Speaking of his brother, Jasper is a fun and entertaining addition to the story. His outlook on life is so bright and cheery. I think we could all learn a thing from him. Aida is our genie, enslaved and giving up hope. She has been through so much and I loved seeing how kind Dan is to her. The combination of these characters created sweet banter, cute romantic interactions, and the hope for a better future. And of course, a sweet ending makes everything better!
Thank you to @sarahberan for an ARC of A Wishful Hope. I look forward to future books!
June 15, 2024
ARC Review⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is part of a series called the Hope Ever After and this one is an Aladdin Retelling. I love a good fairytale retelling. The thing you should know about this series is that the proceeds from this series are donated to the OUR (Operation Underground Rescue) whose mission is to rescue children from exploitation and trafficking. What a worthy cause. There are 20 books in the series all written by different authors and all stand alone.
I love a good retelling and I loved this take on Aladdin, in this one the genie was a woman and that was fun. It was the genie and the MMC that have a love story. Here is what you can enjoy and expect:
❤️🔥 He falls first
🤝 Forced proximity
🧑🧑🧒 Found family
👑 Rags to riches
❤️ Unexpected love
Quote:
“With the torch held high in front of him, Dan approached the black, yawning door in the rock. Despite the warm, flickering light, he could barely see more than a few feet ahead. The darkness seemed to swallow and absorb the fire like a dry sponge in a bowl of water.
He glanced over his shoulder one last time at Jasper, then took the first step. Nothing but empty air met the bottom of his foot.”
This is part of a series called the Hope Ever After and this one is an Aladdin Retelling. I love a good fairytale retelling. The thing you should know about this series is that the proceeds from this series are donated to the OUR (Operation Underground Rescue) whose mission is to rescue children from exploitation and trafficking. What a worthy cause. There are 20 books in the series all written by different authors and all stand alone.
I love a good retelling and I loved this take on Aladdin, in this one the genie was a woman and that was fun. It was the genie and the MMC that have a love story. Here is what you can enjoy and expect:
❤️🔥 He falls first
🤝 Forced proximity
🧑🧑🧒 Found family
👑 Rags to riches
❤️ Unexpected love
Quote:
“With the torch held high in front of him, Dan approached the black, yawning door in the rock. Despite the warm, flickering light, he could barely see more than a few feet ahead. The darkness seemed to swallow and absorb the fire like a dry sponge in a bowl of water.
He glanced over his shoulder one last time at Jasper, then took the first step. Nothing but empty air met the bottom of his foot.”
June 14, 2024
I loved it. I think this might be my favorite Aladdin retelling so far! And it might even be my favorite Sarah Beran story so far 😁
I loved that it was a little different from the original, and it has multiple twists. At the same time, there are a lot of familiar elements from the original story.
Dan is really caring and protective. He's kind and trustworthy.
Aida is definitely a spirited genie 😄
She's strong and smart. And she hasn't lost all her trust in people despite being treated poorly in the past.
I loved reading about Dan and Aida's interactions. It felt warm, hopeful, and natural.
Jasper is a fantastic and funny side character.
He really added something mischievous and lighthearted to the story.
The worldbuilding was just magical and a joy to read.
While it's a shorter story, it feels complete and wonderful! There's lots of humor, magic, adventure, and romance.
------------------
I received an e-arc from the author, but this hasn't influenced my review. It's only based on my personal opinion.
I loved that it was a little different from the original, and it has multiple twists. At the same time, there are a lot of familiar elements from the original story.
Dan is really caring and protective. He's kind and trustworthy.
Aida is definitely a spirited genie 😄
She's strong and smart. And she hasn't lost all her trust in people despite being treated poorly in the past.
I loved reading about Dan and Aida's interactions. It felt warm, hopeful, and natural.
Jasper is a fantastic and funny side character.
He really added something mischievous and lighthearted to the story.
The worldbuilding was just magical and a joy to read.
While it's a shorter story, it feels complete and wonderful! There's lots of humor, magic, adventure, and romance.
------------------
I received an e-arc from the author, but this hasn't influenced my review. It's only based on my personal opinion.
January 14, 2025
Dan and Jasper get into some trouble and are sent into a cave to fetch a lamp for their "employer." Just like in the movie, they end
up locked in the cave with the lamp.
Aida, the beautiful genie, appears to grant Dan his three wishes.
Aida wants to marry Prince Kamaran so that she can be in control of her life, and with the help of Dan, she transforms into a princess.
With some jewels they found in the cave, Dan
and Jasper opened a tailor shop that Dan's parents used to run.
Aida spends all of her evenings at the shop talking to Dan, and they start to fall in love.
Aida goes from cold and suspicious to warm and trusting as her friendship with Dan grows. Their romance is so sweet and develops slowly from friends to love.
Jasper is such a bratty character. He is definitely the "abu" of the story.
Dan is such a nice and caring person. He helps the people of the slums for no charge so they can better themselves. His refusal to make wishes and use Aida is so kind-hearted.
This is an amazing retelling.
up locked in the cave with the lamp.
Aida, the beautiful genie, appears to grant Dan his three wishes.
Aida wants to marry Prince Kamaran so that she can be in control of her life, and with the help of Dan, she transforms into a princess.
With some jewels they found in the cave, Dan
and Jasper opened a tailor shop that Dan's parents used to run.
Aida spends all of her evenings at the shop talking to Dan, and they start to fall in love.
Aida goes from cold and suspicious to warm and trusting as her friendship with Dan grows. Their romance is so sweet and develops slowly from friends to love.
Jasper is such a bratty character. He is definitely the "abu" of the story.
Dan is such a nice and caring person. He helps the people of the slums for no charge so they can better themselves. His refusal to make wishes and use Aida is so kind-hearted.
This is an amazing retelling.
April 19, 2024
No one could wish for a better story!
I think this is the first Aladdin retelling I've ever read but I fear it will be my last because I can't imagine any other could ever top this! I LOVED IT. I loved Aida with her snark and skepticism, I loved Dan's purity and desire to let Aida know she is worth more than her magic. Then there was Jasper with his hilarious jokes and perfectly 12 year old self that is so relatable and funny.
When I heard that this was an Aladdin retelling with an Aladdin/ female genie, I was AUTOMATICALLY sold. How swoony is that?! Sarah Beran has a talent for pulling all of the warm fuzzies out of a story, even when one character (genie) has been in slavery for hundreds of years, which has made her bitter and mistrusting.
Bring along a street rat with a heart of gold and I was shipping them HARD.
READ this one! You won't be sorry!!! 10/10 recommend!!!
I think this is the first Aladdin retelling I've ever read but I fear it will be my last because I can't imagine any other could ever top this! I LOVED IT. I loved Aida with her snark and skepticism, I loved Dan's purity and desire to let Aida know she is worth more than her magic. Then there was Jasper with his hilarious jokes and perfectly 12 year old self that is so relatable and funny.
When I heard that this was an Aladdin retelling with an Aladdin/ female genie, I was AUTOMATICALLY sold. How swoony is that?! Sarah Beran has a talent for pulling all of the warm fuzzies out of a story, even when one character (genie) has been in slavery for hundreds of years, which has made her bitter and mistrusting.
Bring along a street rat with a heart of gold and I was shipping them HARD.
READ this one! You won't be sorry!!! 10/10 recommend!!!
June 11, 2024
Sarah Beran's "A Wishful Hope," a captivating retelling of "Aladdin," is a standout novella in the Hope Ever After series. This enchanting story skillfully weaves together classic fairy-tale elements with fresh twists, creating a delightful read filled with humour, romance, and adventure.
The narrative follows Dan, a streetwise youth condemned to serve a ruthless treasure hunter, and Aida, a genie bound to a magical lamp for a thousand years. Dan's life takes a dramatic turn when he discovers Aida's lamp, and together they embark on a quest for freedom and a better future. Aida, weary of fulfilling others' wishes, sees an opportunity in Dan to finally gain her own freedom, while Dan, with his heart of gold, aims to show Aida that she is worth more than her magic.
Beran's characters are vividly brought to life, with Aida's snarky skepticism and Dan's earnest purity creating a dynamic and engaging duo. Their interactions are filled with warmth and charm, making their developing relationship a highlight of the story. Jasper, Dan's young friend, adds a layer of humour and relatability with his hilarious antics and relatable twelve-year-old perspective.
This may be the first Aladdin retelling I've come across, but the premise was very intriguing, and it did not disappoint. The plot is well-paced and filled with thrilling moments, especially when the treasure hunter returns, threatening to claim Aida's power. The stakes are high, and the suspense keeps readers hooked until the very end. The inclusion of classic tropes like "Forced Proximity," "Rags to Riches," and "He Falls First" adds depth to the storyline, making it both familiar and exciting.
"A Wishful Hope" is not just a tale of magic and adventure but also a poignant exploration of trust, freedom, and the lengths one will go for love. Aida's journey from mistrust to hope, and Dan's unwavering support, make for a heartwarming read. The story also touches on themes of sacrifice and the true meaning of freedom, adding a layer of depth to this fairy-tale retelling.
I also enjoyed the references to the other stories in the series, which added an extra layer of depth and continuity. The proceeds from the Hope Ever After series are donated to Operation Underground Railroad, a cause that adds a significant layer of meaning to the enjoyment of the book. This noble initiative to rescue children from exploitation and trafficking makes purchasing and reading the series even more fulfilling.
Overall, "A Wishful Hope" is a beautifully written, free-flowing novella that captures the essence of "Aladdin" while offering a fresh, uplifting perspective. Sarah Beran's talent for storytelling shines through, making this book a must-read for fans of fairy-tale retellings and heartwarming romances. The story's humour, charm, and warmth make it a memorable addition to the Hope Ever After series.
The narrative follows Dan, a streetwise youth condemned to serve a ruthless treasure hunter, and Aida, a genie bound to a magical lamp for a thousand years. Dan's life takes a dramatic turn when he discovers Aida's lamp, and together they embark on a quest for freedom and a better future. Aida, weary of fulfilling others' wishes, sees an opportunity in Dan to finally gain her own freedom, while Dan, with his heart of gold, aims to show Aida that she is worth more than her magic.
Beran's characters are vividly brought to life, with Aida's snarky skepticism and Dan's earnest purity creating a dynamic and engaging duo. Their interactions are filled with warmth and charm, making their developing relationship a highlight of the story. Jasper, Dan's young friend, adds a layer of humour and relatability with his hilarious antics and relatable twelve-year-old perspective.
This may be the first Aladdin retelling I've come across, but the premise was very intriguing, and it did not disappoint. The plot is well-paced and filled with thrilling moments, especially when the treasure hunter returns, threatening to claim Aida's power. The stakes are high, and the suspense keeps readers hooked until the very end. The inclusion of classic tropes like "Forced Proximity," "Rags to Riches," and "He Falls First" adds depth to the storyline, making it both familiar and exciting.
"A Wishful Hope" is not just a tale of magic and adventure but also a poignant exploration of trust, freedom, and the lengths one will go for love. Aida's journey from mistrust to hope, and Dan's unwavering support, make for a heartwarming read. The story also touches on themes of sacrifice and the true meaning of freedom, adding a layer of depth to this fairy-tale retelling.
I also enjoyed the references to the other stories in the series, which added an extra layer of depth and continuity. The proceeds from the Hope Ever After series are donated to Operation Underground Railroad, a cause that adds a significant layer of meaning to the enjoyment of the book. This noble initiative to rescue children from exploitation and trafficking makes purchasing and reading the series even more fulfilling.
Overall, "A Wishful Hope" is a beautifully written, free-flowing novella that captures the essence of "Aladdin" while offering a fresh, uplifting perspective. Sarah Beran's talent for storytelling shines through, making this book a must-read for fans of fairy-tale retellings and heartwarming romances. The story's humour, charm, and warmth make it a memorable addition to the Hope Ever After series.
September 18, 2025
Powerful and Sweet
A Wishful Hope is a gripping, imaginative, and vulnerable story. Both Dan and Aida have experienced captivity and betrayal. The story remains both honest and hopeful and love allows for healing even for those who may always carry scars. It was really fun having Aida be the genie and the magic was so unique and fun to picture. Jasper made a fantastic and hilarious side kick who added levity at helpful moments. Dan is selfless and thoughtful while Aida is brilliant and brave and both are very likeable.
Though part of a series, each book is a standalone retelling and can be read on its own with no spoilers. The romance is clean and sweet and satisfying. A great read in a series with a great cause!
A Wishful Hope is a gripping, imaginative, and vulnerable story. Both Dan and Aida have experienced captivity and betrayal. The story remains both honest and hopeful and love allows for healing even for those who may always carry scars. It was really fun having Aida be the genie and the magic was so unique and fun to picture. Jasper made a fantastic and hilarious side kick who added levity at helpful moments. Dan is selfless and thoughtful while Aida is brilliant and brave and both are very likeable.
Though part of a series, each book is a standalone retelling and can be read on its own with no spoilers. The romance is clean and sweet and satisfying. A great read in a series with a great cause!
June 7, 2024
I reacieved this book as an ARC from the author. I loved everything about this book. The story follows Dan and his foster brother who are sold into slavery to an evil man. This evil man uses Dan to retrieve a secret treasure that will grant him everything. However, things don't go as planned and the story shifts to be more orientated from the perspective of the jinni.
The story was beautifully written and has a great lesson: kindness can rebuild trust after betrayal. Dan was extremely kind to the Jinni, Aida, even though he had every opportunity to take advantage of his wishes.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an Aladdin retelling.
The story was beautifully written and has a great lesson: kindness can rebuild trust after betrayal. Dan was extremely kind to the Jinni, Aida, even though he had every opportunity to take advantage of his wishes.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an Aladdin retelling.
May 31, 2024
What a sweet, charming book!
I love the honor and kindness of the main characters and how they live out the value that all other people are to be treated with respect and kindness and freedom. I love the journey of Aida as she encounters those who do not want to hurt her or use her. The theme of no one should be used or abused fits perfectly with the aim of the series to raise awareness for Operation Underground Railroad and sex trafficking. The villains are very clearly those in power who see people as resources and for their profit.
A very satisfying and hopeful story!
I love the honor and kindness of the main characters and how they live out the value that all other people are to be treated with respect and kindness and freedom. I love the journey of Aida as she encounters those who do not want to hurt her or use her. The theme of no one should be used or abused fits perfectly with the aim of the series to raise awareness for Operation Underground Railroad and sex trafficking. The villains are very clearly those in power who see people as resources and for their profit.
A very satisfying and hopeful story!
June 7, 2024
4.5 stars! Wow!This was such a fun twist on the Disney version I’ve seen so many times. This was the first retelling of Aladdin that I’ve read and I really liked it. Sarah Beran does not disappoint with her fairytale twists. You will not want to miss out on this one. I definitely was intrigued from the first chapter until the last. Also, loved the characters and the spin on the genie, very clever! Dan was truly so kind the whole book.
I received a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a review. These are my honest thoughts.
I received a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a review. These are my honest thoughts.
June 14, 2024
This is the first Aladdin retelling I've ever read and ever seen, and Sarah Beran didn't disappoint at all! This is my first time reading from Sarah and I absolutely loved it!! I admire how Sarah managed to include a lot of things and keep things not rushy in a novella and this book encouraged me to try out other novellas ❤️ The characters were beautiful and I loved how the author made the FMC the genie, which was totally unexpected for me as someone who didn't read the blurb before reading. I highly recommend everyone to give this book a try, the best Alladin retelling I've ever read.
July 16, 2024
A fun creative retelling of Aladdin. I would totally have been okay if had been a full novel! 🤣 I enjoyed the world and would have loved to learn more about genies. Aladdin or Dan is just a guy trying to provide for himself and a young boy. He got caught up with…not great people. Aida is a genie that has all her walls up. When Dan becomes Aida’s master they work together to find freedom. Their relationship was so cute, I loved it! Totally recommend!
💕Magic
💕Slow burn
💕Clean/sweet Romance
💕Genie MFC
💕Cinnamon Roll MMC
💕The Dress! 😍
💕Magic
💕Slow burn
💕Clean/sweet Romance
💕Genie MFC
💕Cinnamon Roll MMC
💕The Dress! 😍
February 16, 2025
This was a really enjoyable Retelling of Aladdin with great world building and I loved the characters. I loved the relationship between Dan (Aladdin) and his brother Jasper as well as seeing how the two of them interacted with Aida (the genie). The sultan was also a nice side character. The epilogue at the end was really cute and I am glad with how things worked out for everyone. I look forward to reading more books by Sarah Beran in the future as well as more books from this multi author series.
May 8, 2024
A Wishful Hope is one of the best Aladdin retelling I've come accross. There is humour, snark, sweet charming romance and detestable villains all wound into an uplifting tale full of charm and warmth. The Genie of this story is a female who has plans of her own and is bitter and mistrusting of humans while the Aladdin character is sweet and selfless.
I received an ARC and leave an honest review.
I received an ARC and leave an honest review.
May 14, 2024
There were so many things to love about this Aladdin retelling! I loved Dan and Jasper, and their brotherly relationship. It was a cool twist that the genie was a woman, Aida. She was cautious and had been treated poorly, but I loved seeing her slowly regain her trust in others. I loved the nods to the original story, and the Disney movie, and also the fresh plot. This story made me smile, and pass it right on to my teenage daughter to read next!
August 24, 2024
This one was a bit more serious than others I've read by the same author, a bit less punny, but still so sweet. Dan is such a sweet and tender hero always looking after Aida in every way he can. And of course the focus on the chained and abused genie (Aida) is a pretty serious topic. I definitely enjoyed it and can't wait to read even more of this series!
June 17, 2024
I really enjoyed reading this book! This book has wonderful characters and a wonderful plot! I really loved reading this retelling of Aladdin! I had a hard time putting this really wonderful book down!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews