When a handsome stranger arrives trying to solve a fifteen-year-old mystery, even the most over-protected heroine knows how to let down her hair.
Zelle Carpenter loves her parents. She really, really does. It’s just that they’re soooooo obsessed with keeping her safe that she feels like she’s been locked in a tower half the time. There’s no chance to go out and have fun, without resorting to a little trickery with her best friend, and there’s no chance to meet boys. The only boys she knows are the always-on-their-best-behavior cowboys at church, and who wants to practice kissing with them?
Duke Dmitri Volkov is stuck in this backwater American town for one reason only; to solve the fifteen-year-old mystery about a lost princess that his father shared on his deathbed. But he’s not going to pass up the opportunity to kiss a pretty girl, especially if that pretty girl has the most beguiling green eyes and taste for adventure. Despite his best efforts, he’s quickly falling for this quaint town and its welcoming citizens. The only thing left is to solve his father’s mystery, so that he can start his Happily Ever After. But Dmitri doesn’t realize that finding the lost princess from his past will strip away any chance of future happiness in Everland.
Heat Level: 1/5 (suitable for most audiences). Note: This story is the sequel to The Stepmother. Both can be read independently, but a reader might enjoy Rapunzelle more if s/he has read the other first.
Loved it. I love this book and I love the series. I'm not usually into westerns but the fairytale retelling and romance aspect of these books make it a fun way of telling a western in my opinion. I especially loved this one because I previously read The Stepmother. Which is the story of Zelle's parents. So you already know and love to of the character before the story even begins.
These stories are short, so they get to the point fast, and yes they are filled with insta-love. So if that's something you can't stand, then these books are not for you. If you are looking for a romance that is just a fast quick read and a little familiar, then you will love these.
I really wanted to like this. Rapunzel has always been my favorite fairy tale. I just couldn't get past the childish, immaturity of the h or the story as a whole.
Meh. Not nearly as good as the other books I've read in this series. A LOT of typos! Made for a distracted read in an already not so great story. Also, I felt like the scene of the boot removal was directly from the movie Pretty Woman...idk, maybe just me.
I've been reading books in the Everland series, and this is the second that I've given a poor a review to, for mostly the same reasons. This is a retelling of Rapunzel, and for a while it's hard to make the connection with the fairytale. First off, most objectionable for me is that one of the first scenes is about the heroine, who is 17, dressing herself up, or should I say down, as a saloon girl and going to the saloon to get her first kiss. The hero mistakes her for a prostitute, and we get to hear his thoughts (though not graphic) of what he'd like to do. Never does it say he thought her to be older, and he thinks she is a willing, desiring participant in the sale. I can't like a hero who uses prositutes, especially teenage ones. And I can't stand the romanticizing of prostitution in any way, since it's victimizing women. Anyway, beyond that, I also could not buy the story of how the heroine felt she had such a hard lot being protected by her parents. It was a hard sell for me. It does end well, but my disappointment in those aspects of the story lead me to give this review.
Zelle Carpenter has two overprotective parents, both doctors but they keep her at home, having very limited contact with the outside world with the exception of one friend that they allow to visit. While her parents are both out on medical emergencies she escapes the house and runs to the local bar where she meets Dmitri a mysterious stranger that is a Duke. He is on a mission to find the royal Princess that was kidnapped as an infant from her mother who was visiting NY. A long and complicated yet very fun story of how a very uptight Duke and a very impulsive 18 year old girl find love, and find out how she came to be living in a very small Montana town. Miracles happen every day and this story is about love and miracles. I won't give out further information! This just made me smile!
Like I expected, it was a quick read. I am on the fence about fairy tale retellings because sometimes, they are good, and at times, it’s only the cover that draws me in.
It was interesting enough, although I don’t like how shallow the descriptions were, for example: the slimmer one, the seated one, etc. that sometimes, made me feel a lack of imagination. There was also a part when the best friends were processing what happened and Zelle’s feelings, it was kind of messy and mushy.
Yes, there was an element of magic, which I feel was kind of out of place. It’s just there for the protagonist’s convenience. The second time it appeared, I see no apparent reason for it to.
This story doesn’t make me want to read the other books in the collection/series.
Once I start reading a book in this series, I just can't put it down. The characters are so genuine and the writing flows so naturally that I get completely caught up in the story. I love reading from the perspectives of both the hero and heroine. Though we learn a lot from both, there is still an innate intensity that drives the story and intrigues the reader. Zelle's zest for life and Dmitri's charm are just two of the many traits that make them some of my favorite characters. I loved everything about this unique retelling of Rapunzelle!
Juvenile and silly. It fit the formula for a western romance but had the references of a fairytale romance. It hinted at some kind of enchanting combination but then just sort of went with the western with a crazy lady on a ladder who seemed to know more than the average town resident. Happy ending, so, yay. Violence, no sex, swearing mostly done in other languages
Perfect! A must have in print for my physical library. I love collecting fairytale adaptations and I love how this is creative and clean enough to share with teenagers. And referencing the other amazing characters makes me excited to read their stories and watch them find their happily ever after.
I absolutely loved this book and especially the Godmothers. 🤣🤣🤣 That was my first career aspiration when I was 3 years old and we listened to the original Disney Cinderella record with the picture book, to be a Fairy Godmother. The story and the characters were great and told through the most creative plot. Enjoy 👍👍👍💜
3.5 stars. Zelle and Dmitri. Zelle hair grows more that 3 feet each year and Dmitri is a Russian duke/prince. Zelle is looking for adventure. Dmitri is looking for a lost princess. (This is book 5 of 10 of this authors Everland series). A quick and easy read. This is also book 6 of the boxed set A Duke's Desire: Nine Full Length novels.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is a more modern take on the fairy tale but it takes place in the Wild West. It is still recognizable as there is mention of how fast her hair grows, about being trapped in a tower and how she is a Princess. And of course, there is a Prince.
This is the second book of Everland that I've read. Its very quirky I must admit and I can see that people would like it, especially since it is suitable for all ages. I'm giving it 3 stars because it is a nice quick read and pleasantly written.
Best story to follow her mom and dad's 'Stepmother' which was the book before this one in the series. Zelle and Demetri fall in love but there is a lot of history to be absorbed. Babs
I love stepping back into the fairy tales as a way of leaving behind the political nonsense in America right now. It’s an adventure that relieves the stress from the hypocrisy in DC
Ladies did you ever imagine you were a princess waiting for your handsome princess a child? Motherhood you ever call your infants princess or prince? Understandable of mystery, and tragedy. I found it to be like a daydream come true. I enjoyed every page of it.
Fun, clean, laugh out loud romance about community and families in Everland, Wyoming. I really enjoyed reading this story and the stories in this series of books.
DNF. Heroine was TOO immature. Was it supposed to be a fairy tale town? Sometimes I would think "Once Upon a Time" and others I would think "Gunsmoke". I gave up.
I’m just not interested in reading more after the first chapter - a teenager dressing up like a prostitute and and older man enjoying her. Gross. Also, cheesy with too many fairy tale references.
I have read books with a fairy tale theme before, but this one was over the top. It felt forced and was not a smooth read. I would not read this series again.