What happens when the beast is a petulant manchild and the beauty is a runaway spy? Mutual loathing, distrust, and brutal battles of wit…
Stella is an indentured spy to the duke, a cruel man who uses her past as leverage to keep her in his employment. So, when she sees an opportunity to finally get away for good, she takes it. But instead of finding freedom, she finds an arrogant beast of a man and his cursed manor.
Alistair is a product of his environment, a swaying branch that always follows the richest winds. But being held captive by a curse for the past four years has somewhat dampened his zeal for money and prestige. Now all he wants is to be free of the curse and seek revenge on the one who abandoned him to it. He has no time or patience for unwanted houseguests, he has vengeance to plot.
But Stella has no patience for Alistair either. All she wants is her freedom, which won’t be so easily obtained when she discovers that the curse is keeping her locked in the manor with Alistair. The two have no choice but to either join forces to free themselves.
But that shouldn’t be a problem for two trusting, honest people. Too bad they’re neither of those things.
Run, Little Wolf is the first book in The Poets of Once Upon a Time series. This is a series of standalone fairytale retellings that can be read in any order. These books, like all of Rachel E. Scott’s books, are clean reads that have no gratuitous violence, sex, or vulgar language.
(To make it clear, even though the title says 'wolf', this book does not have any animal shifters or Red Riding Hood themes. The title is purely a reflection of the character and her journey.)
Stella is used to being captive and that others order her around. When she finally manages to escape it's not freedom she finds. Instead she finds Alistair, who lives under a curse at a manor. Now Stella is also trapped at the manor, together with an arrogant and selfish man!
A retelling of Beauty and the Beast, where the author put her own twist on the curse, such as Alistair sees every woman as unattractive, no matter how beautiful they are.
We get both Stella's and Alistair's point of view, and it's clear from the start that they come from very different backgrounds. Stella's has made her strong, but she has a hard time trusting people, and she thinks everyone is out to use her in some way. Alistair is selfish and doesn't run the extra mile for anyone. He's really not very likeable to begin with, and it's quite fun to follow the main characters interactions and banter, because neither of them like the other. Alistair's development might seem a bit dramatic, but I would say it was always there, beneath the surface.
The chapters are short, and with the dual POV's it's very easy to feel "just one more chapter". I was really entertained by this retelling!
* I received an ARC from the author and I'm giving my honest review. *
Unique and intriguing clean fantasy that had deeper themes of love and forgiveness!!! The magical elements imo were minimal and I really love Rachel’s writing/dialogue!! Great for beginners going into fantasy! Stella is strong and easily loved; Alistair’s character development was amazing!
Thank you Rachel for providing me an arc to honestly read and review 🩵
First of all, thank you, Rachel, for a free copy of Run, Little Wolf to beta read. It’s such an honor to be your friend and to read your work!
This book blew me away. Rachel always knows how to immediately draw me into her stories and create characters that I can easily fangirl over even after I finish the book. I loved the character dynamics in Run, Little Wolf. Both Stella and Alistair hold secrets and maintain dark pasts, but the grace and forgiveness of each other and themselves throughout the chapters warmed me. Although being flawed, both characters recognize their shortcomings but work through their trauma together.
Rachel also builds amazing worlds within her stories and Run, Little Wolf captivated me with its medieval fantasy nature. I loved all the found family elements that bound the story together with themes of grace and warmth. Also, who doesn’t love a Beauty and the Beast retelling that includes a feisty orange tabby cat?
Rachel also masters dialogue and conversations within Run, Little Wolf to make me feel as if I’m in the character’s mind. I found myself blushing, giggling, and internally cheering for the characters because of Rachel’s mastery of dialogue!
Finally, I want to state that I love that Rachel always keeps her books spice-free and acknowledges boundaries within her stories. Not only does this make me love her books more, but I respect her as an author!
Rach, thanks for being a phenomenal writer and my bestie 🩵🩵
I absolutely loved this one! This is such a fun, unique retelling of Beauty & the Beast and I really enjoyed Stella & Alistair’s love story🤎 I loved how they were actively working together to break the curse & that it wasn’t obvious what the item was. Fun, thrilling read👏🏻
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
– this is told mainly from Stella & Alistair’s points of view, though the prologue is told from a different character’s point of view
– there is some (past) fantasy violence (including torture/abuse/injuries -some resulting in scars- , killing via blades & poison, & forced imprisonment/servitude)
Review:
I had so much fun reading this! Stella reminded me a bit of Elle from Beauty and the Beast by K. M. Shea with their sneaky/spy-like actions and their shared tendency to use their perceived looks to their advantage. I loved Alistair’s nicknames for Stella and how they constantly where exchanged for one another based on how she responded in the conversation. I loved the twists put on this Beauty and the Beast retelling’s curse. It was a bit unexpected as I don’t think I’ve seen some of the curse’s parts in any other retelling! I loved the theme of making hard decisions that aren’t necessarily ‘right’ and quite possibly not even considered ‘good’, but that hope poked through that they could change despite what they felt they had to do at the time/in the situation & the guilt they carried.
I’m very excited to read more books from this series when they come!
Summary:
Stella is looking for a way out of her forced servitude. But in the midst of her recent escape attempt, Stella finds herself trapped in yet another cage. She never should have run away from her captors and to this cursed manor. If she’d steered clear of the it, Stella wouldn’t be in her current situation. Now she’s the newest visitor who can’t leave the grounds, no matter how much the manor’s owner wishes her gone. She’ll do everything she can to get out, but not for his benefit. This is something Stella wants for herself. And Alistair is not about to get in her way. She’s going to make sure he knows it at every turn of their forced time together…
Alistair has been cursed for the past four years with only a few servants and a string of women who’ve managed to get trapped along with them over the years. Though he can’t remember nor cared to remember most of their past ‘visitors’, he can tell that Stella isn’t about to let herself be forgotten like the others. Stella is like a massive puzzle where every little bit Alistair manages to uncover about her just has him further intrigued. For once, Alistair finds himself with a renewed sense of purpose and desire to break the curse. And he has Stella to thank for it…
📚 The vibes: - Beauty and the Beast retelling - Dual pov - Taylor Swift coded - Morally grey characters - Closed door
📚 My thoughts: “you need someone to look you in the eye, knowing who you’ve been and what you’ve done, and choose to stay.”
📚 When Stella, an indentured spy to a cruel Duke, has an opportunity to escape his clutches, she runs. The problem is she runs straight into the cursed manor belonging to Alistair. Unable to leave, Stella begins searching for ways to not only break the curse on the manor but also a way for her to finally find freedom from the duke who owns her.
📚 I loved so much about this one. I really liked the connection that Alistair and Stella made. I was interested with the backstories of both and the magic system in this world. The villain and the connections there were also great.
📚 This is definitely a Beauty and the Beast retelling but I think it’s a lot more than that. I really liked the creativity that Rachel spun into this story. The redemption arcs were nice to see. The grace and forgiveness was sweet. And I felt the chemistry in this slow burn for sure.
📚 The side characters were lovely. I loved the entire staff that we got to know.
🎶 Also- every chapter weaves in a Taylor Swift song title into the plot. It was interesting to see and I thought that was so creative to manage that. As a Swiftie, I noticed and thought it was cute. If you aren’t a Swift fan, I don’t think you’ll notice/be bothered.
📚 I did get confused a little bit with artifacts and the curses and the way all of that was connected, and I also didn’t agree with all the choices made- but as far as the vibes on this book- totally spot on for me. If you’re looking for a VIBES read where you can be ok not asking too many questions - I think this was exactly that. This was just a great time. The setting feels old timey, but uses modern language. Overall, I really enjoyed the writing style and will definitely read more from Rachel.
This is my first from Ms. Scott and it was such an intriguing read! Run, Little Wolf is the first in the Poets of Once Upon a Time romantasy series and inspired by Beauty and the Beast. I love fairytale inspired stories and this one is such a creative twist. We are brought into a magical world, of Poets and artifacts. It is so interesting to read about and I am excited to explore more in future books. The characters were so interesting! Stella was such a cool character. She had to survive and felt the weight of her choices. I admired her strength, especially in the face of so many struggles. Even with her POV, we learn more about her story throughout the book. She was a survivor, yet she found hope. Alistar was another interesting character. He also was a survivor, but his defenses were a bit different than Stella. He was absorbed in his own troubles and pain. Stella broke into his life and he discovered more about himself and what he could be. It was exciting to see his development. It was a cool slow-burn type story that slowly unfolded. It was lovely to see both of the characters grow and learn to trust. They had a lot to overcome. I loved the castle staff and their interactions as well! They were so fun and engaging. This is a romantasy with only kissing, but there are mentions of past abuse, past deaths, and imprisonment.
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.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. This is book 1 in the standalone The Poets of Once Upon a Time Series. The book's blurb is straightforward, though be sure to read the author's note for more about the content warning. Run, Little Wolf is told through Stella and Allistar's pov and is a captivating Beauty and the Beast retelling.
Stella and Allistar both had pasts that they weren't proud of and I loved seeing their journey as they healed and selected new paths. Because of the life she had been living, Stella's heart was closed off and she didn't allow herself to trust others. My heart went out to her but I loved seeing her slowly accept that there were people she could rely on and that she didn't have to let her past define her. Meanwhile, Allistar had lived a life of indifference and was haunted by some of the consequences of his actions. Like Stella, he had to learn to forgive himself. Since neither of them wanted to be in each other's company but were forced to, their romance was a slow burn full of snarky banter. While I loved that, I enjoyed the moments of vulnerability that they shared as well. I liked the way that they became allies and worked together to break the curse. I loved how elements of the original tale were incorporated and the author created an interesting world that I want to return to and I am waiting for the books to come.
“Run Little Wolf" by Rachel Scott is a captivating and heartwarming retelling of Beauty and the Beast that will keep you enthralled from start to finish. The twist on the classic tale was so intriguing!! The story follows Stella, a young woman who is on the run from a ruthless Duke, and Alistair, a brooding and mysterious figure who is trapped by a curse that confines him to his home and forces him to avoid the sunlight. When Stella becomes bound to Alistair's home, along with his loyal servants, they must work together to find a way to break the curse and free themselves.
One of the standout aspects of this book is the character development. Both Stella and Alistair undergo significant growth throughout the story, learning valuable lessons about forgiveness, love, and trust. Their journeys are poignant and relatable, making their ultimate union all the more satisfying.
If you're a fan of fantastical romances with complex characters, "Run Little Wolf" is definitely worth checking out. With its engaging plot and compelling characters, this book is sure to delight readers who enjoy stories with a mix of magic, adventure, and romance.
Once again, Rachel E. Scott has written a story with impactful themes and a beautiful romance that has me giggling my butt off 😝😂
Beauty and the Beast is my favourite fairytale and Disney movie (movies, technically, but we all know the original movie is best 😉), and it’s also one of my favourite tropes in fiction! So obviously, this book was meant for me from the beginning 😌
I have to say that Alister really annoyed me at first, but it only took a few chapters for him to grow on me. As for Stella, I loved her from the very first chapter!
The curse was so interesting, along with the whole magic system. It wasn’t too hard to understand, although there are still a few things that are unclear to me… I look forward to learning more about it in future books!
To close off, let me just say that the story was so gripping that it actually made me late for work… So if you’re planning on reading it, try to do so on a day when you have little to no responsibilities 🤪
Note: I received an advanced reader copy from the author, and I was not required to leave a positive review. All views expressed are my own.
This book is was an absolutely amazing read. 5/5 starts for sure! I was so lucky to be able to read it before it came out, and ! was sucked in from the very beginning! This is a beautiful Beauty and the Beast retelling like I've never seen before. The characters are absolutely amazing and I love all the sass and snark they threw back and forth. Taughed, cried, and squealed so many times I can't even count. Thank you Rachel Scott for such an amazing read and a great story to live in for what felt like way too short of a time.
- 5/5 stars - clean romance - beautiful character - shows that anyone and everyone is deserving of love and that you are never beyond redemption - sassy and snarky comments between characters (especially the love interests) which I absolutely love - Beauty and the Beast retelling like I’ve never seen before
And additional bonus, it 100% pulled me out of a readying slump because of how fast it pulled me into the story and how well it kept me there!!
…which was not at all what I meant to do. I started with the intention of, “I will read the first chapter and then set it aside for later.” Instead, I looked up 2.5 hours later and it was over.
While this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, all of the familiar elements that you expect are incorporated in unexpected ways. I loved finding all the twists on the original, and even though I knew it would have a HEA, there were moments where K wasn’t quite sure how it would come about.
This book has just the right amount of danger, mystery, soft moments, and banter to keep you enthralled and entertained from page one to the end. I can’t wait for more in this series!
I honestly wasn’t sure if I was going to like this book when I picked it up to read it. I’ve experienced fairytale retellings that have been very good and others that I’ve not finished. This retelling was so well done! Rachel E Scott did a great job using the basis of Beauty and the Beast, but also made it her own. I couldn’t put it down! I loved the banter between Alistair and Stella.
Scott has hinted at writing more books in this series and I really hope she does. I’ll be the first to get it!
For those like me who scan reviews checking to see if books are clean or not…this book was a clean read/closed door with minimal swearing.
I received an advanced reviewing copy and my review is voluntary.
"You have survived by cutting through the fluff. Alistair has survived by shrouding himself in fluff. You're two sides of the same coin, my dear."
The above quote just about sums up the perfection that is Stella and Alistair's romance: seriously, it was spot on, so real, so emotional, and I was rooting for them both the whole way! The Beauty and the Beast retelling was very creative, and definitely a fresh take than most I've read before. What really made this book stand out to me, though, was the sense of place. It's one of those books you read and feel like you've taken a vacation to somewhere else for a bit (in this case, a deliciously creepy enchanted mansion.)
This was a fun book. The characters weren't annoying, the banter wasn't cringe, and the love wasn't instant! I appreciated how the characters had a fun tone without sounding immature, and how they both grew through trauma without descending in preachiness. Stella was that edgy-assassin-type, but unlike other renditions I've seen of that archetype, Stella actually is hardened and mature. Poor Alistair just needs a hug. My only real gripe with this book is (and if you read my reviews you've seen this before) is that the characters get married at the end of the book (AFTER ONLY KNOWING EACH OTHER FOR THREE MONTHS) T-T
I’ve loved everything I’ve read by Rachel E. Scott, but this is hands down my favorite so far.
This Beauty & the Beast retelling is a no spice, high swoon tale of enemies to lovers, each with their own secrets and dark pasts. I fell in love with Stella’s grit and Alistair’s attitude, their snarky banter, and watching their tentative trust blossom.
This is a standalone story with a happy ending, but it is not just a happy, fluffy story. These characters fight and learn and doubt and grow so beautifully.
This retelling is very reminiscent of KM Shea's version of Beauty and the Beast; I think that Elle and Stella have a lot in common although Alistair seems to have more in common with Lucien than with Severin. What made this retelling more interesting for me is that I could not tell which of Stella and Alistair was the beauty and which was the beast, since both seemed to be both. Maybe beastliness, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.
I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Run, Little Wolf was a captivating retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Rachel E Scott weaved a tale that drew me in and I had to see how the story unfolded. Stella and Alistair were not your average Beauty and the Beast characters. They both made choices that left deep scars and haunted them. As they worked together, they both accepted each other for who they were, and were able to move forward. I really loved that they grew together. The witty banter between the two was another favorite part of mine. I loved the sarcasm that slowly turned into words of endearment. The romance never went past kissing. The Poets were intriguing and mysterious. I am eagerly waiting for the next book in this series and learning more about the Poets. This book was fantastic and highly recommend this book!
I volunteered to read an ARC copy of the book and all thoughts are my own.
I love Lost and Sawer is my favorite character, so finding a book that combines him (and Kate) with my favorite fairytale was fun. I always appreciate sassy and snarky characters, and this book has lovely banter mixed with sweet bonding moments.
I was so blessed to having been given an ARC of this book to review💕
Alistair & Stella’s banter was some of my ABSOLUTE favorite, the plot was engaging, the characters were endearing, and the authors voice really shown through in every word of this story🥹
I have always love fairytale retellings, and this one moved to the top of my list of favorites, Rachel’s writing is so captivating you can clearly see how much she loves and was meant to be a storyteller, i cannot wait for more of this world to continue!! If you’re looking for a fairytale retelling that will make you laugh cry and swoon look no further!!💖
Clear your schedule because you'll want to read this in one sitting! This is a unique Beauty and the Beast retelling with characters that come from really hard pasts (difficult circumstances that forced difficult decisions) but who still had me cheering them on and their redemption arcs. My heart went out to Alistair and Stella and all the hurt they're carrying, but I think that's what had me rooting for them and living for every interaction between these two! This was a fun and easy read, from the humor and banter to their chemistry and all the nicknames. And considering there's a curse that they are pretty much blindly guessing at how to break, I think the pace and plot were perfect. The world-building is intriguing and I'm excited that there are more books to follow. Seriously, this one has it all: a love-to-hate villain, redemption arcs, hope, swoony chemistry and romance, forced proximity, magical artifacts, great side characters (love Narcissus, 😆), and found family (Mildred was the best along with Brutus.) I truly think this is the author's best yet, so go ahead, grab your copy, and give it a chance! ~ 5 stars!
Content (with mild spoilers): Romance: just kisses (more focused on emotion than physical description). One flirty quip/comment between a married couple Violence: verbal and physical abuse from a master to their indentured servant (derogatory terms, imprisonment, master's way to punish servant's fleeing attempts was to make a cut along the underside of their forearm), mentions of murder.
Stella. Talk about out of the frying pan 🍳 into the 🔥 from one cage to another 🥺 Stella’s character was fantastic. She stood up for herself, was determined, and the SASS 🤣 Despite all of the reason to not believe in love or trust 💔 she figured out a way to over her fears 🥹
Alistair. His character was so complex and wonderful 🥹 He was arrogant, anxious, pompous, but also cared about everyone, even if he didn’t show it 🥹 He was filled with regret 😔 but you could see the want to be a better man in his eyes ❤️🩹 I loved the cute little awkward moments 🥰 where he wanted to help, but didn’t know how. His character arch was *chefs kiss* 💋
The plot was a fresh take on Beauty and the Beast 🥀 the animal nicknames were adorable (once I got used to them 🦁 🐍 🐯 🐺) and the banter was ON POINT 🔥 I loved watching these two people fall in love 🥰 with each other and learning how to trust ❤️🩹 and be vulnerable 💗
Speaking of which the 👏🏻 communication 👏🏻 in this book was fantastic 🤩 They kept secrets, but it never felt like there was any miscommunication. It just felt like they were needing to build up trust 💗 so happy release day to this wonderful story 📕 go check it out!
⚠️CW: abuse, enslavement, vague innuendo (some obvious ones at the end, nothing that made me uncomfortable though, DM for more info 💗)⚠️