What do you think?
Rate this book
Fairy Tale Realm #3
Kat's Bloom
An Adult Fairy Tale Retelling, based on the beloved tale of Puss In Boots!
A Palace Healer cast out of court after a mysterious death. A broken man determined to defeat the monster from his past. When their fates collide, they must work together to solve the mystery before more lives are lost.
Who would have thought their greatest ally would be a talking cat?
Katriel
When my mother, the King’s Healer, dies suddenly, I am cast out of the palace without explanation. Devastated, and deep in grief, I find a new place to heal people—in the poorest part of town. I dedicate myself to my craft, hoping one day my innate healing magic will bloom, and I can be as great a Healer as my beloved mother.
Along with my best friend Barnaby, a cursed cat who can talk, I settle into my new life. But something about my mother’s death was strange, and I begin to suspect she was murdered. Then, Arlen Rust shows up to evict me from the cottage where I practice healing. I have nowhere else to go, and the people here need me, so I fight back.
I learn the brooding, handsome rogue has his own secrets. He also has particular knowledge of a muddy, soul-sucking creature that has been attacking the citizens. To save lives, we begin to help each other, and our chilly hostility slowly turns to friendship, igniting a fire between us as our attraction grows.
Once my enemy, Arlen has become my protector. After I’m almost kidnapped, we hatch a plan to get me into the palace so I can investigate my mother’s death and find out who wants me gone. It’s a risky venture for both of us, but so is falling in love.
Arlen
I’m the wayward son, the bad seed. My family shunned me after my mother died, and I’ve a been drifter since then.
When I inherit a run-down cottage, my plan is to sell it as soon as possible and go anywhere else. But the woman occupying it is some kind of local healer, and she has the whole community rallying behind her. I agree to a temporary situation, never intending to become more than her landlord.
Now Katriel Symon has me doing things I never thought I’d do—like confessing my deepest secrets, taking part in a ruse, and tolerating that blasted cat of hers. I’m falling for her, when I should have been long gone.
I’ll face anything to keep her safe—palace guards, the wrath of the king, even the monster who shattered my life so many years ago. But the biggest risk of all may be losing my heart.
Fairy Tale Realm Series- All stories in this series are set in the enchanting world of the Fairy Tale Realm, where each kingdom has its own type of magic, and the Fairy Tales you remember are retold in an unusual way. Oh, and the romances are epic!
This book is for readers 18 and over.
A Palace Healer cast out of court after a mysterious death. A broken man determined to defeat the monster from his past. When their fates collide, they must work together to solve the mystery before more lives are lost.
Who would have thought their greatest ally would be a talking cat?
Katriel
When my mother, the King’s Healer, dies suddenly, I am cast out of the palace without explanation. Devastated, and deep in grief, I find a new place to heal people—in the poorest part of town. I dedicate myself to my craft, hoping one day my innate healing magic will bloom, and I can be as great a Healer as my beloved mother.
Along with my best friend Barnaby, a cursed cat who can talk, I settle into my new life. But something about my mother’s death was strange, and I begin to suspect she was murdered. Then, Arlen Rust shows up to evict me from the cottage where I practice healing. I have nowhere else to go, and the people here need me, so I fight back.
I learn the brooding, handsome rogue has his own secrets. He also has particular knowledge of a muddy, soul-sucking creature that has been attacking the citizens. To save lives, we begin to help each other, and our chilly hostility slowly turns to friendship, igniting a fire between us as our attraction grows.
Once my enemy, Arlen has become my protector. After I’m almost kidnapped, we hatch a plan to get me into the palace so I can investigate my mother’s death and find out who wants me gone. It’s a risky venture for both of us, but so is falling in love.
Arlen
I’m the wayward son, the bad seed. My family shunned me after my mother died, and I’ve a been drifter since then.
When I inherit a run-down cottage, my plan is to sell it as soon as possible and go anywhere else. But the woman occupying it is some kind of local healer, and she has the whole community rallying behind her. I agree to a temporary situation, never intending to become more than her landlord.
Now Katriel Symon has me doing things I never thought I’d do—like confessing my deepest secrets, taking part in a ruse, and tolerating that blasted cat of hers. I’m falling for her, when I should have been long gone.
I’ll face anything to keep her safe—palace guards, the wrath of the king, even the monster who shattered my life so many years ago. But the biggest risk of all may be losing my heart.
Fairy Tale Realm Series- All stories in this series are set in the enchanting world of the Fairy Tale Realm, where each kingdom has its own type of magic, and the Fairy Tales you remember are retold in an unusual way. Oh, and the romances are epic!
This book is for readers 18 and over.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 18, 2024
2 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 7, 2024
An amazing fantasy/fairytale romance! I really liked it a lot! Steam and mystery, magic and danger.. Addictive characters..
July 28, 2024
✰✰✰✰.5/5 -YES YES! I adore this book so much!
🌶/5
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Tropes ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
☁︎Enemies-to-Lovers☁︎
☁︎Puss In Boots/Binx from Hocus Pocus☁︎
☁︎Opposites Attract☁︎
☁︎Touch-Her-And-Die☁︎
☁︎Found Family☁︎
‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ Thoughts ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙
☁︎ I am a sucker for enemies to lovers with angst and an animal companion. This story is exceptionally well done with the complexity of the plot and the multiple side plots happening along the way. This book is one of the few with no loose ends and the conclusion left me satiated.
☁︎It is LOOSELY based on Puss in Boots, one of my favorites. Barnaby reminds me more of Binx while Arlen is more like Puss. Honestly, this book felt too short, I kept wanting more and felt like there could have been depth to the last adversary they faced. But that is just my personal opinion.
☁︎Anyway, I highly recommend this book and now I must add the rest of this series to my TBR.
˖⁺‧₊˚☁️˚₊‧⁺˖Recommended for (ppl who)…˖⁺‧₊˚☁️˚₊‧⁺˖
☁︎love furry companions☁︎
☁︎Angst love language enjoyers☁︎
☁︎Prefers fluffy romance more☁︎
☁︎Enjoy a complex plotline☁︎
✩₊˚.⋆☾ Quote(s) ☾⋆⁺₊✧
☁︎❝We hadn't known each other long, but I'd be dammed if I'd let anyone harm her.❞☁︎
☁︎❝I've tried to ignore you, Damn the gods, Katriel, but you're in my blood.❞☁︎
☁︎❝Keep touching me like that, and I may erupt in flames.'- 'Then I'll burn with you.❞☁︎
🌶/5
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Tropes ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
☁︎Enemies-to-Lovers☁︎
☁︎Puss In Boots/Binx from Hocus Pocus☁︎
☁︎Opposites Attract☁︎
☁︎Touch-Her-And-Die☁︎
☁︎Found Family☁︎
‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ Thoughts ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙
☁︎ I am a sucker for enemies to lovers with angst and an animal companion. This story is exceptionally well done with the complexity of the plot and the multiple side plots happening along the way. This book is one of the few with no loose ends and the conclusion left me satiated.
☁︎It is LOOSELY based on Puss in Boots, one of my favorites. Barnaby reminds me more of Binx while Arlen is more like Puss. Honestly, this book felt too short, I kept wanting more and felt like there could have been depth to the last adversary they faced. But that is just my personal opinion.
☁︎Anyway, I highly recommend this book and now I must add the rest of this series to my TBR.
˖⁺‧₊˚☁️˚₊‧⁺˖Recommended for (ppl who)…˖⁺‧₊˚☁️˚₊‧⁺˖
☁︎love furry companions☁︎
☁︎Angst love language enjoyers☁︎
☁︎Prefers fluffy romance more☁︎
☁︎Enjoy a complex plotline☁︎
✩₊˚.⋆☾ Quote(s) ☾⋆⁺₊✧
☁︎❝We hadn't known each other long, but I'd be dammed if I'd let anyone harm her.❞☁︎
☁︎❝I've tried to ignore you, Damn the gods, Katriel, but you're in my blood.❞☁︎
☁︎❝Keep touching me like that, and I may erupt in flames.'- 'Then I'll burn with you.❞☁︎
June 18, 2024
I really really enjoyed this Puss N Boots retelling by Leslie Crowne 🩷 Leslie wrote two very different characters, with two different backgrounds, and meshed them together perfectly!! The chemistry between the main characters, Arlen and Kat, is beautiful. The friendship between Kat and Barnaby is amazing ♥️ Everyone should have friendships like those two!! Barnaby is EVERYTHING 😍 I also love how we get to revisit places mentioned in Ella’s Rise and Mirabelle’s Beast (Books 1&2). It ties the entire realm together nicely ♥️ This is a unique story with betrayal, love, secrets, friendships and a very climatic ending!! I highly recommend this amazing story!!
Arlen has been at sea for years, running from a childhood trauma. He finally decides it’s time to return home. Kat, one of the palace healers, has nowhere to go due to a secret and a betrayal. She is kicked out of the only home she’s known since she was a child. A family friend lets her stay at his cabin. Along the way, Kat meets Barnaby, a talking cat only she can hear. Once they make their way to the cabin, Kat realizes her healer services are needed, because she is staying in a place where they have poor resources and little money. For Kat, healing is her passion, so she trades resources for her services instead of money. Everything is going ok, until Arlen comes to claim the cabin. Kat, Arlen and little Barnaby learn to coexist. Kat is anxious to speak with the King, to clear her name, Arlen and Barnaby want to help!! Can Kat clear her name?? Will Arlen find what he’s looking for?? Kat’s healing abilities are not as strong as her mother’s, but she is pure of heart, will she ever find her healing “bloom??”…….
Arlen has been at sea for years, running from a childhood trauma. He finally decides it’s time to return home. Kat, one of the palace healers, has nowhere to go due to a secret and a betrayal. She is kicked out of the only home she’s known since she was a child. A family friend lets her stay at his cabin. Along the way, Kat meets Barnaby, a talking cat only she can hear. Once they make their way to the cabin, Kat realizes her healer services are needed, because she is staying in a place where they have poor resources and little money. For Kat, healing is her passion, so she trades resources for her services instead of money. Everything is going ok, until Arlen comes to claim the cabin. Kat, Arlen and little Barnaby learn to coexist. Kat is anxious to speak with the King, to clear her name, Arlen and Barnaby want to help!! Can Kat clear her name?? Will Arlen find what he’s looking for?? Kat’s healing abilities are not as strong as her mother’s, but she is pure of heart, will she ever find her healing “bloom??”…….
June 27, 2024
✨ Puss in boots vibes
✨ Touch her and 💀-ish
✨ Spice 🫑
✨ Two souls that connect on tragedy
✨ Talking cat
This book throws me off a bit because of the writing and the medieval vibes is in the language and behavior of the characters. I can tell you that I prefer modern language and behavior even in fantasy books …
Fast paced, it took a bit long for our two MCs to meet though , plot heavy and the romance is all respectful and blushing, with blurry sexy scenes and I was missing some things to be really vested in it.. the behavior was too proper.. I must admit I missed the caveman behavior .
Barnaby , The talking cat was funny, more like a secondary character lightening the mood.
The plot was surprisingly darker than expected and could trigger some readers .. (on-page death of a child for example.. being one of my triggers I tried to take it as detached as possible..)
I saw the plot twist coming but it allowed a proper HEA our characters deserved.
It took me way too long to finish for the length of the book , it’s just wasn’t for me ..
✨ Touch her and 💀-ish
✨ Spice 🫑
✨ Two souls that connect on tragedy
✨ Talking cat
This book throws me off a bit because of the writing and the medieval vibes is in the language and behavior of the characters. I can tell you that I prefer modern language and behavior even in fantasy books …
Fast paced, it took a bit long for our two MCs to meet though , plot heavy and the romance is all respectful and blushing, with blurry sexy scenes and I was missing some things to be really vested in it.. the behavior was too proper.. I must admit I missed the caveman behavior .
Barnaby , The talking cat was funny, more like a secondary character lightening the mood.
The plot was surprisingly darker than expected and could trigger some readers .. (on-page death of a child for example.. being one of my triggers I tried to take it as detached as possible..)
I saw the plot twist coming but it allowed a proper HEA our characters deserved.
It took me way too long to finish for the length of the book , it’s just wasn’t for me ..
July 7, 2024
Leslie Crowne’s “Kat’s Bloom” was a unique and delightful fairytale retelling that I’m sure will be a hit with many fantasy romance fans!
I was originally drawn to this book because it was a Puss in Boots retelling. I feel like it’s such a fun, whimsical fairytale, and I was really excited to see how Leslie Crowne would make it her own.
This book had it all - swoony romance, action and adventure, shocking plot twists, and highly entertaining and snarky comments from Barnaby the talking cat.
Arlen and Katriel’s enemies to lovers romance was so well done. They definitely didn’t make a good first impression on each other, but in time, their sizzling chemistry combusted, and their bond became unbreakable.
I really loved this book, and I would definitely recommend it and any of Leslie Crowne’s other books to fans of swoony and spicy fairytale retellings.
She’s quickly becoming one of my go to fantasy romance authors, and I look forward to seeing what else she writes in the future!
I was originally drawn to this book because it was a Puss in Boots retelling. I feel like it’s such a fun, whimsical fairytale, and I was really excited to see how Leslie Crowne would make it her own.
This book had it all - swoony romance, action and adventure, shocking plot twists, and highly entertaining and snarky comments from Barnaby the talking cat.
Arlen and Katriel’s enemies to lovers romance was so well done. They definitely didn’t make a good first impression on each other, but in time, their sizzling chemistry combusted, and their bond became unbreakable.
I really loved this book, and I would definitely recommend it and any of Leslie Crowne’s other books to fans of swoony and spicy fairytale retellings.
She’s quickly becoming one of my go to fantasy romance authors, and I look forward to seeing what else she writes in the future!
June 22, 2024
This was an interesting take on the fairy tale Puss N Boots. Kat is learning to be a healer. Her mother is teaching her. They both live in the palace. Kat hasn’t come into her healing magic yet. She might never get it. She can still heal without it. Following a banquet her mother falls ill and passes on. Kat finds a talking cat who becomes her companion. Kat is kicked out of the castle. She doesn’t know why she is going to find out. It’s also suspicious what happened to her mother. With the help of a friend she has a place to live and to heal people. One day a man comes storming into her house. He tells her it’s his and she’s to leave. Now she has to convince Arlen to let her stay. Her and Arlen become friends. They help each other. They are going to find out what happened to Kats mother. Will they be successful?
June 24, 2024
This was a charming retelling of "Puss in Boots." Katriel's transformation from an outcast in the palace to a healer in the poorest part of town, accompanied by the charming and witty Barnaby, was heartwarming and captivating. The slow-burn romance between Katriel and Arlen, with their shared secrets and unexpected partnership, added depth to the story. I was captivated by the mystery surrounding Katriel's mother's death and the thrilling adventure as they unraveled palace intrigue. The setting in the Fairy Tale Realm, with its unique magic and diverse characters, was enchanting. Overall, Leslie Crowne crafted a magical tale filled with friendship, love, and whimsy that kept me eagerly turning the pages.
June 18, 2024
This is the third book in the Fairy Tale Realm series. It’s an adult Puss in Boots retelling with a twist. Strong characters that show growth throughout the story made for a great read. Amazing world building that is detailed and imaginative and so well done that you're drawn into a fantastic world unlike any other. Strong, interesting, and fascinating characters that are well developed and diverse. The storyline is fast-paced and very well written, filled with magic, Fae, danger, death, politics, intrigue, and subterfuge. The plot thickens, the suspense builds, and the passion erupts! I can’t wait to read the rest of this series
June 19, 2024
Kat’s Bloom by Leslie Crowne is an adult retelling of sort of Puss in Booths and as I love retellings, I was eager to read this book. Now that I have read this book, I can say that I loved reading it!
The writing style is flowing and fast paced and the two main characters are just great. The world-building is amazing and very detailed, which I loved. The book is filled with magic, friendship, danger, political intrigue, which made that I had a hard time putting the book down.
Kat’s Bloom is a great fairy tale, I enjoyed reading it, and I can’t wait to read the other books in this series.
The writing style is flowing and fast paced and the two main characters are just great. The world-building is amazing and very detailed, which I loved. The book is filled with magic, friendship, danger, political intrigue, which made that I had a hard time putting the book down.
Kat’s Bloom is a great fairy tale, I enjoyed reading it, and I can’t wait to read the other books in this series.
June 29, 2024
Intriguing Story
A puss in boots retelling. This book was well written, I love that it can stand alone, while also having other books set in the same world. There is overlap in the “background” details, proving the authors ability to keep consistency in her world building. It’s amazing to me how she’s able to spin the tales in such a way that you never truly know before she reveals it to you!
A puss in boots retelling. This book was well written, I love that it can stand alone, while also having other books set in the same world. There is overlap in the “background” details, proving the authors ability to keep consistency in her world building. It’s amazing to me how she’s able to spin the tales in such a way that you never truly know before she reveals it to you!
June 18, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this fairy tale retelling. Although the cat (Barnaby) is not a main character, he is still very much a hero in the book. The two main characters initially butted heads, but romance slowly flowers for them as they work together through many struggles. This is a very light and sweet story, and I loved it.
June 21, 2024
Barnaby is darling!!
This was such an enchanting read. I was hooked from the start.
The story is well written with a great plot. Who doesn't love a fairytale retelling.
I loved the characters Katriel and Arlen and how their slow burn relationship develops.
Barnaby is my favourite! Who doesn't love a cursed cat that can talk. Total Hocus Pocus vibes!
This was such an enchanting read. I was hooked from the start.
The story is well written with a great plot. Who doesn't love a fairytale retelling.
I loved the characters Katriel and Arlen and how their slow burn relationship develops.
Barnaby is my favourite! Who doesn't love a cursed cat that can talk. Total Hocus Pocus vibes!
June 18, 2024
I received this book as an ARC from the author.
Interesting story with fun plot lines. I did have a hard time getting into it so wasn't one I could devour in one sitting but it was an enjoyable read.
Interesting story with fun plot lines. I did have a hard time getting into it so wasn't one I could devour in one sitting but it was an enjoyable read.
June 22, 2024
I enjoyed this book. It was more than I expected. It normally is not the type of book I would read but it opened my eyes to a new type of story. It was well written and had a great plot. I enjoyed it it very much.
November 28, 2025
This is my favorite installation of the Fairy Tale Realm series so far. Kat and Arlen were fun main characters and their chemistry was very steamy. The overall plotlines were thoughtfully laid out and had satisfying resolutions. And I love Barnaby! All in all, a wonderful read.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews