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What Comes of Attending the Commoners Ball
Hester Flanders went to the ball for the food. She didn’t expect a prince to follow her home.
If there’s one rule Hester learned during her country upbringing, it’s never accept a gift; that’s how the Folk get you. Although she’s left her farm behind, she can’t leave her superstitions, even if no one else in the capital city seems to care. Hardworking but hungry, she’s looking for loopholes, and the king’s annual Commoners Ball seems like the perfect way to get a free meal that’s not technically a gift—and it would have been, too, except a pesky prince took a shine to her.
Inglebert Lucas Chesingwick isn’t just the crown prince; he’s also practical, responsible, and very annoyed to see his younger brother causing a scene by flirting with a peasant at the ball. He can separate them for one night, but his mischievous brother is determined to see the poor girl again. And again. And for some reason, Lucas keeps running into her, too. If only there was some way he could help her.
The princes might mean well, but Hester knows better than to accept favors from anyone, even royalty—even if it’s cheese—and even if saying no breaks her heart. After all, just because the Folk have never been seen in the city doesn’t mean they’re not around.
Cinderella meets Howl’s Moving Castle in this cozy fantasy romance from debut author Elisabeth Aimee Brown. Whirl away into a whimsical story of glittering gaslamps, frisky Folk, and huggable hogs.
If there’s one rule Hester learned during her country upbringing, it’s never accept a gift; that’s how the Folk get you. Although she’s left her farm behind, she can’t leave her superstitions, even if no one else in the capital city seems to care. Hardworking but hungry, she’s looking for loopholes, and the king’s annual Commoners Ball seems like the perfect way to get a free meal that’s not technically a gift—and it would have been, too, except a pesky prince took a shine to her.
Inglebert Lucas Chesingwick isn’t just the crown prince; he’s also practical, responsible, and very annoyed to see his younger brother causing a scene by flirting with a peasant at the ball. He can separate them for one night, but his mischievous brother is determined to see the poor girl again. And again. And for some reason, Lucas keeps running into her, too. If only there was some way he could help her.
The princes might mean well, but Hester knows better than to accept favors from anyone, even royalty—even if it’s cheese—and even if saying no breaks her heart. After all, just because the Folk have never been seen in the city doesn’t mean they’re not around.
Cinderella meets Howl’s Moving Castle in this cozy fantasy romance from debut author Elisabeth Aimee Brown. Whirl away into a whimsical story of glittering gaslamps, frisky Folk, and huggable hogs.
276 pages, Paperback
First published September 27, 2024
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14545 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 829 reviews
August 20, 2025
August 2025 Re-read:
Ahhh just as good and enjoyable as the first time. This book was just so beautiful and cute and precious throughout. I loved all the little nuggets the second time around.
Hester is precious, Lucas is adorable, and Hugh is a handful 🤭. I truly enjoyed this and can’t wait for the authors next work: Lady Agatha Speaks Her Mind!
January 2025 first read:
Gahhhhhh guys this book is utter and I mean utter perfection!!! *swoons* *smiles* *laughs*. Ahhhhhh we need more books like this. This book is a new favorite without even a question. Okay I don’t think I’ve written any review at all in the last few sentences just fangirling. Oh well anyways let’s try to get in a coherent review.
This book is so cute!!! It made my cheeks hurt from smiling. Made me hold my breath in the doctors office to keep from busting out laughing. Had me reading wayyyyyy too long (I almost was late for an appt 😬 😝). This book guys I can’t stress it enough. It felt like eating a block of cheese. Well not for me since I don’t like cheese but it made me want to want to eat a block of cheese (if that makes any sense). So maybe a slice of cake is better? Anyways yes go read this book it’s amazing I can’t say it enough and me writing what it’s about can’t do it justice.
If you need a laugh: go read this book. If you love food: go read this book. If you don’t love food or to laugh then you’re not human. Are you a faerie??? I think Hester would be suspicious 🤨 🤔 (iykyk).
Why are you stilling reading this review???? go read the book!!!
Ahhh just as good and enjoyable as the first time. This book was just so beautiful and cute and precious throughout. I loved all the little nuggets the second time around.
Hester is precious, Lucas is adorable, and Hugh is a handful 🤭. I truly enjoyed this and can’t wait for the authors next work: Lady Agatha Speaks Her Mind!
January 2025 first read:
Gahhhhhh guys this book is utter and I mean utter perfection!!! *swoons* *smiles* *laughs*. Ahhhhhh we need more books like this. This book is a new favorite without even a question. Okay I don’t think I’ve written any review at all in the last few sentences just fangirling. Oh well anyways let’s try to get in a coherent review.
This book is so cute!!! It made my cheeks hurt from smiling. Made me hold my breath in the doctors office to keep from busting out laughing. Had me reading wayyyyyy too long (I almost was late for an appt 😬 😝). This book guys I can’t stress it enough. It felt like eating a block of cheese. Well not for me since I don’t like cheese but it made me want to want to eat a block of cheese (if that makes any sense). So maybe a slice of cake is better? Anyways yes go read this book it’s amazing I can’t say it enough and me writing what it’s about can’t do it justice.
If you need a laugh: go read this book. If you love food: go read this book. If you don’t love food or to laugh then you’re not human. Are you a faerie??? I think Hester would be suspicious 🤨 🤔 (iykyk).
Why are you stilling reading this review???? go read the book!!!
March 21, 2025
This book is an absolute hoot! Also, it made me hungry, particularly for cheese. Repeatedly. I already eat a lot of cheese, but I definitely was craving it more often than usual while reading this. I hear this is a common side-effect of reading this book. Brown probably should get a subsidy from the American Dairy Association for it or something.
This is basically a screwball Cinderella story. Hester doesn't want to go to the Commoner's Ball to dance with one of the princes, she just wants to go so she can attend the banquet and get a really solid meal for once. She's loving life in her country's capitol city, aside from the way everything costs way more than it did back home on her family's pig farm, how many rude and unpleasant people are around, and the fact that her only job prospects tend to involve sewing for hours and hours and hours. But she's gradually saving up enough money to move her aging parents to the big city so they can stop working hard on their pig farm and start enjoying city life too.
But, of course, she ends up running into both Prince Hughbert and Prince Lucas at the ball. And being pursued by both of them, though she's really not interested in either one. At least, not at first. It's pretty obvious which one she does like, and who she will end up with, but the fun comes in getting there.
And it definitely is fun. This is a quirky book that made me laugh aloud repeatedly, sometimes in public.
This is basically a screwball Cinderella story. Hester doesn't want to go to the Commoner's Ball to dance with one of the princes, she just wants to go so she can attend the banquet and get a really solid meal for once. She's loving life in her country's capitol city, aside from the way everything costs way more than it did back home on her family's pig farm, how many rude and unpleasant people are around, and the fact that her only job prospects tend to involve sewing for hours and hours and hours. But she's gradually saving up enough money to move her aging parents to the big city so they can stop working hard on their pig farm and start enjoying city life too.
But, of course, she ends up running into both Prince Hughbert and Prince Lucas at the ball. And being pursued by both of them, though she's really not interested in either one. At least, not at first. It's pretty obvious which one she does like, and who she will end up with, but the fun comes in getting there.
And it definitely is fun. This is a quirky book that made me laugh aloud repeatedly, sometimes in public.
August 30, 2024
This is not your typical fae book, and I one thousand percent wish I could be friends with Hester. Her quirky personality immediately invited me in to stay for tea—as long as I made a trade for it so neither of us wound up indebted to the other, of course.
But this is a story about a curious girl, a commoner’s ball, a promise, a broody prince and his colorful younger brother, and a whole lot of cheese.
While What Comes of Attending the Commoner’s Ball charmed me in every way, Elisabeth doses readers with a lot of truth—about how our fears can paralyze us and keep us from letting people love us, about the way prejudice can creep into even the best of hearts, and about the wonder and dare I say, magic, that comes from letting the right people in.
Hester was my favorite—in case you couldn’t already tell. I really identified with her love of cheese and good food. Her cleverness shines through at all the right moments, and her story ties together so beautifully in the end.
Lucas reminds me a bit of Mr. Darcy. Dark and broody and too duty-bound to think outside of the box. Yet he’s tender and compassionate and never treats Hester like her beliefs are crazy, rather he seeks to understand them.
Hugh. Really there are no words. He’s obnoxiously endearing, and his antics kept me laughing. And Chemmy is the kind of friend we all want to have—supportive but challenging too.
This story is cute and fun, and I easily finished it in just a day. Though I got to read early because I received an arc from the author, I wasn’t required to post a review. All the mad ramblings here are purely by choice.
I can’t wait for you to get to read this story, and hopefully, fall in love with it too.
But this is a story about a curious girl, a commoner’s ball, a promise, a broody prince and his colorful younger brother, and a whole lot of cheese.
While What Comes of Attending the Commoner’s Ball charmed me in every way, Elisabeth doses readers with a lot of truth—about how our fears can paralyze us and keep us from letting people love us, about the way prejudice can creep into even the best of hearts, and about the wonder and dare I say, magic, that comes from letting the right people in.
Hester was my favorite—in case you couldn’t already tell. I really identified with her love of cheese and good food. Her cleverness shines through at all the right moments, and her story ties together so beautifully in the end.
Lucas reminds me a bit of Mr. Darcy. Dark and broody and too duty-bound to think outside of the box. Yet he’s tender and compassionate and never treats Hester like her beliefs are crazy, rather he seeks to understand them.
Hugh. Really there are no words. He’s obnoxiously endearing, and his antics kept me laughing. And Chemmy is the kind of friend we all want to have—supportive but challenging too.
This story is cute and fun, and I easily finished it in just a day. Though I got to read early because I received an arc from the author, I wasn’t required to post a review. All the mad ramblings here are purely by choice.
I can’t wait for you to get to read this story, and hopefully, fall in love with it too.
December 27, 2024
What a delightful book! Wonderful (and funny) characters, witty prose, and just a twist of fantasy.
March 13, 2025
OKAY SO THIS WAS PERFECTION.
I'm trying to catch back up with my huge indie fantasy TBR and WHAT COMES OF ATTENDING THE COMMONERS BALL was up the top of my list due to a couple of friends raving about it! So, my expectations were already pretty high. But this book handily exceeded them.
Let me count a few of the things I loved about this book...
- The prose! Very few debut novels are as polished and easy to read as this one.
- The fantasy elements! I will say that I saw the plot twist coming from approximately chapter 5 but this only increased my enjoyment. Hester has no idea what is going on! These princes are turning her life upside down! And then you find out why and it makes PERFECT SENSE because of the worldbuilding. Perfection 10/10.
- The themes! OK honestly sometimes I wanted to hit Hester with a throw pillow. Enforce your stated boundaries, girl! But on the other hand, I really enjoyed the stuff about how if you make everything in life a bargain, you will never be able to receive grace. It's the first time I've seen a book take this angle on the whole concept of fae bargains and I honestly don't know why it hasn't been done before because it was so fun.
- The tropes this book plays with! What if you went to the ball to escape your dreary life and a free-spirited prince decided he was going to marry you. Now you're stuck in your dreary life AND you're being persecuted by a prince with a grip on reality that can best be described as "shaky". Amazing. Like I am not a Cinderella truther but it was just FUN to ask "what if Cinderalla really did JUST want to escape for a night". And then still have a lovely, heartfelt romance too.
- Lucas!!! It is not very often that I read a romance featuring the sort of person I would be attracted to in real life, as most romantic male leads have social skills, emotional availability, and interesting hobbies. When Lucas proposes to Hester in the guise of presenting an economic development plan for her rural community, I shrieked in delight. Elisabeth Aimee Brown has pulled off the unique challenge of capturing the charm of a Dull Man, and for that I thank her.
This is a cosy, funny, perfectly satisfying no-spice fantasy rom-com with clear debts to both Cinderella and Georgette Heyer, without sticking too closely to either of them. If you love the fairytale inspiration, worldbuilding, wit and romance of WR Gingell's delightful MASQUE, then this one is going to be your precise cup of tea!
I'm trying to catch back up with my huge indie fantasy TBR and WHAT COMES OF ATTENDING THE COMMONERS BALL was up the top of my list due to a couple of friends raving about it! So, my expectations were already pretty high. But this book handily exceeded them.
Let me count a few of the things I loved about this book...
- The prose! Very few debut novels are as polished and easy to read as this one.
- The fantasy elements! I will say that I saw the plot twist coming from approximately chapter 5 but this only increased my enjoyment. Hester has no idea what is going on! These princes are turning her life upside down! And then you find out why and it makes PERFECT SENSE because of the worldbuilding. Perfection 10/10.
- The themes! OK honestly sometimes I wanted to hit Hester with a throw pillow. Enforce your stated boundaries, girl! But on the other hand, I really enjoyed the stuff about how if you make everything in life a bargain, you will never be able to receive grace. It's the first time I've seen a book take this angle on the whole concept of fae bargains and I honestly don't know why it hasn't been done before because it was so fun.
- The tropes this book plays with! What if you went to the ball to escape your dreary life and a free-spirited prince decided he was going to marry you. Now you're stuck in your dreary life AND you're being persecuted by a prince with a grip on reality that can best be described as "shaky". Amazing. Like I am not a Cinderella truther but it was just FUN to ask "what if Cinderalla really did JUST want to escape for a night". And then still have a lovely, heartfelt romance too.
- Lucas!!! It is not very often that I read a romance featuring the sort of person I would be attracted to in real life, as most romantic male leads have social skills, emotional availability, and interesting hobbies. When Lucas proposes to Hester in the guise of presenting an economic development plan for her rural community, I shrieked in delight. Elisabeth Aimee Brown has pulled off the unique challenge of capturing the charm of a Dull Man, and for that I thank her.
This is a cosy, funny, perfectly satisfying no-spice fantasy rom-com with clear debts to both Cinderella and Georgette Heyer, without sticking too closely to either of them. If you love the fairytale inspiration, worldbuilding, wit and romance of WR Gingell's delightful MASQUE, then this one is going to be your precise cup of tea!
July 8, 2025
OH MY GOODNESS! I LOVED THIS SO MUCH! I think Lucas is amazing!
It got a little annoying at one point when she wouldn't accept favors, but it all worked out in the end!
The end! It was amazing!
Definitely recommend!
The whole book had me wrapped in right away!
I now have another fun comfort read!
It got a little annoying at one point when she wouldn't accept favors, but it all worked out in the end!
The end! It was amazing!
Definitely recommend!
The whole book had me wrapped in right away!
I now have another fun comfort read!
November 28, 2024
I got to beta read this book and I loved it! Super cute, super fairy tale folklore esque. The characters were awesome. I LOVED Hester so much—she’s such a refreshing fantasy female lead, and the homeyness of the book was just *chefs kiss*. Love love love.
January 27, 2025
3.5 stars ✨ (rounded down for Goodreads)
I had heard a lot of hype about this book so I’ve been excited to read it for a while now. I would definitely call it quirky! But it was a fun and very different read for me.
I’m a softie for chapters with titles and the fact this book had them made me happy, haha. Going into this book I wasn’t sure what time period it was, but it was kind of like a regency fairytale with some faerie elements? I did find some of the superstitions she had a little much (and I found myself wanting to smack her out of it) so I was glad when certain things were realized. 😉 I wasn’t expecting that ending and wasn’t sure how I felt about it for a bit. I think I would have liked the ending to be a little more dragged out because it was a little too fast paced compared to the rest of the story.
I have to add that the names in this book were excellent: Hester, Chemmy, Ungus, Fitzhugh, Inglebert, Mungon. It fit the quirky vibes of the story quite well.
Hester is so silly in her superstition about the Folk (faeries?) and cheeky at times, but this book was an entertaining read for me and I enjoyed many parts of it overall. Oddly enough, some parts remind of the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic show/franchise that I really liked as a pre-teen, so there’s that thought too. 😉
Main Content-
Hester has been raised in an area with superstitions about the Folk (which seem to be tricky fairies) and because of the possibility of being trapped into getting a favor from one and therefore being Doomed to All Eternity, she avoids getting any favors or help from anyone (always doing something for the person back and thus it’s not a favor)—this is a major part of the book with many mentions of it, superstitions, the Folk, wards to keep them away, and their trickery; Hester keeps a ward charm of dried folkbane on her at all times to keep away the Folk; Some of the Folk can take the place of an infant (unsaid what happens to the child) and is called a “changeling” (but the mother always knows it’s not her baby); *Major Spoilers*; Hester visits a chapel and the vicar is there; A few mentions of vampires (Hester enjoys reading vampire penny dreadfuls and shares one with Lucas); A couple mentions of ghouls; A mention a horse being called a “demon-horse”; A mention of a statue of a half-goat half-human statue.
No major language, instead minor words/phrases like “blasted” and “cursed” (as an adjective) are used; Eye rolling & Sarcasm.
Pain (up to a few sentences); Mentions of a fire, pain, injuries, & blood; Mentions of threats (including of harm and killing a loved one); Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of wine, alcohol, drinking, & a tavern (Hugh drinks a few times and gets drunk); A few mentions of blood (from a butcher’s shop); A couple mentions of a couple having to bury many children.
Hand/palm kisses,
1 cheek kiss (unwanted),
A handful of kisses with little details,
1 kiss lasting a couple sentences;
Staring at lips; Wanting to touch & kiss (up to a couple sentences);
Touches, Embraces, Hand holding, Smelling, & Noticing (up to a few sentences); Blushes.
One of the princes, Hugh, is a notorious flirt and constantly switching from girl to girl while flirting with many (we see this on-page often and mentioned often as well); Hugh suggests for Lucas to have a little fling to loosen up; Hester blushes when she sees marble statues are unclothed; Hester’s boarding house lady tells her that she can’t have the prince’s favor in exchange for her “maidenhood” in her boarding house & Hester messes up by saying that she wouldn’t take the prince to bed there (which makes the woman upset viewing it as a slight to her boarding house); When Hester has a torn dress, her friend asks if a man hurt her; Hester comments about being unable to sleep because of a man—but not like that; A woman makes a jab at Hester on how she caught the interest of a prince.
Mentions of kisses, kissing, & catching a couple kissing enthusiastically;
A couple mentions of seducing; A mention of Hester getting a suggestion to work in a “lewd” area; A mention of men ogling women’s ankles; A mention of a woman’s full-bosomed dresses; A mention of Hugh being able to pinch Hester whenever if she worked at the palace.
I had heard a lot of hype about this book so I’ve been excited to read it for a while now. I would definitely call it quirky! But it was a fun and very different read for me.
I’m a softie for chapters with titles and the fact this book had them made me happy, haha. Going into this book I wasn’t sure what time period it was, but it was kind of like a regency fairytale with some faerie elements? I did find some of the superstitions she had a little much (and I found myself wanting to smack her out of it) so I was glad when certain things were realized. 😉 I wasn’t expecting that ending and wasn’t sure how I felt about it for a bit. I think I would have liked the ending to be a little more dragged out because it was a little too fast paced compared to the rest of the story.
I have to add that the names in this book were excellent: Hester, Chemmy, Ungus, Fitzhugh, Inglebert, Mungon. It fit the quirky vibes of the story quite well.
Hester is so silly in her superstition about the Folk (faeries?) and cheeky at times, but this book was an entertaining read for me and I enjoyed many parts of it overall. Oddly enough, some parts remind of the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic show/franchise that I really liked as a pre-teen, so there’s that thought too. 😉
Main Content-
Hester has been raised in an area with superstitions about the Folk (which seem to be tricky fairies) and because of the possibility of being trapped into getting a favor from one and therefore being Doomed to All Eternity, she avoids getting any favors or help from anyone (always doing something for the person back and thus it’s not a favor)—this is a major part of the book with many mentions of it, superstitions, the Folk, wards to keep them away, and their trickery; Hester keeps a ward charm of dried folkbane on her at all times to keep away the Folk; Some of the Folk can take the place of an infant (unsaid what happens to the child) and is called a “changeling” (but the mother always knows it’s not her baby); *Major Spoilers*; Hester visits a chapel and the vicar is there; A few mentions of vampires (Hester enjoys reading vampire penny dreadfuls and shares one with Lucas); A couple mentions of ghouls; A mention a horse being called a “demon-horse”; A mention of a statue of a half-goat half-human statue.
No major language, instead minor words/phrases like “blasted” and “cursed” (as an adjective) are used; Eye rolling & Sarcasm.
Pain (up to a few sentences); Mentions of a fire, pain, injuries, & blood; Mentions of threats (including of harm and killing a loved one); Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of wine, alcohol, drinking, & a tavern (Hugh drinks a few times and gets drunk); A few mentions of blood (from a butcher’s shop); A couple mentions of a couple having to bury many children.
Hand/palm kisses,
1 cheek kiss (unwanted),
A handful of kisses with little details,
1 kiss lasting a couple sentences;
Staring at lips; Wanting to touch & kiss (up to a couple sentences);
Touches, Embraces, Hand holding, Smelling, & Noticing (up to a few sentences); Blushes.
One of the princes, Hugh, is a notorious flirt and constantly switching from girl to girl while flirting with many (we see this on-page often and mentioned often as well); Hugh suggests for Lucas to have a little fling to loosen up; Hester blushes when she sees marble statues are unclothed; Hester’s boarding house lady tells her that she can’t have the prince’s favor in exchange for her “maidenhood” in her boarding house & Hester messes up by saying that she wouldn’t take the prince to bed there (which makes the woman upset viewing it as a slight to her boarding house); When Hester has a torn dress, her friend asks if a man hurt her; Hester comments about being unable to sleep because of a man—but not like that; A woman makes a jab at Hester on how she caught the interest of a prince.
Mentions of kisses, kissing, & catching a couple kissing enthusiastically;
A couple mentions of seducing; A mention of Hester getting a suggestion to work in a “lewd” area; A mention of men ogling women’s ankles; A mention of a woman’s full-bosomed dresses; A mention of Hugh being able to pinch Hester whenever if she worked at the palace.
July 22, 2025
Finishing by this book the weekend it won a Realm Award felt fitting and I absolutely loved it! I had some ideas on the plot twist, but I wasn’t QUITE right lol But all in all, highly recommend for someone looking for a cozy fantasy romance without all the agenda!
Read
December 5, 2024**I received a copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
I have been a fan of Elisabeth Brown’s for a long time, and I was so excited to receive a review copy of her latest publication! I’m a big fan of Elisabeth’s prose and her elegant writing style that hearkens back to an older (and better) time in fiction.
Cinderella meets Howl’s Moving Castle in this sweet fairy tale, featuring a truly unique heroine, filled with charming quirks and foibles. I thought it was particularly interesting to have a heroine who was superstitious and followed “old wives’ tales” instead of the standardized “realistic” leads (aka doubters) that proliferate fiction today. Such a refreshing change!
A pleasant and affable hero, a wholesome romance, and a cute story, and some surprising twists all come together to make a delightful treat that is as yummy and down-to-earth as, well . . . a piece of very fine cheese.
If you know, you know.
I have been a fan of Elisabeth Brown’s for a long time, and I was so excited to receive a review copy of her latest publication! I’m a big fan of Elisabeth’s prose and her elegant writing style that hearkens back to an older (and better) time in fiction.
Cinderella meets Howl’s Moving Castle in this sweet fairy tale, featuring a truly unique heroine, filled with charming quirks and foibles. I thought it was particularly interesting to have a heroine who was superstitious and followed “old wives’ tales” instead of the standardized “realistic” leads (aka doubters) that proliferate fiction today. Such a refreshing change!
A pleasant and affable hero, a wholesome romance, and a cute story, and some surprising twists all come together to make a delightful treat that is as yummy and down-to-earth as, well . . . a piece of very fine cheese.
If you know, you know.
October 17, 2024
I was gently chuckling my way through this charming screwball comedy Cinderella and mentally giving it 4 stars when I hit the last few chapters and WHAT ON EARTH JUST HAPPENED
GIVE ME A SECOND
*makes cup of tea, sits down, takes a deep breath*
Ok. I don’t quite know how to review this book. But I will say I recommend it and it is surprisingly…surprising. I was sensing the setup for one kind of revelation and got a different one! A better one!
Very much recommended for readers of the EMILY WILDE books and also WR Gingell’s TWO MONARCHIES and Beth Brower.
(There are some light innuendoes from supporting characters making assumptions about the morality of a poor young woman romantically pursued by a prince. They reminded me of the kind of innuendoes you’d get in a slightly suggestive 1930s black and white comedy. So I’d recommend it for teens up.)
GIVE ME A SECOND
*makes cup of tea, sits down, takes a deep breath*
Ok. I don’t quite know how to review this book. But I will say I recommend it and it is surprisingly…surprising. I was sensing the setup for one kind of revelation and got a different one! A better one!
Very much recommended for readers of the EMILY WILDE books and also WR Gingell’s TWO MONARCHIES and Beth Brower.
(There are some light innuendoes from supporting characters making assumptions about the morality of a poor young woman romantically pursued by a prince. They reminded me of the kind of innuendoes you’d get in a slightly suggestive 1930s black and white comedy. So I’d recommend it for teens up.)
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July 10, 2025I had the honour of beta-reading this book and I absolutely love it. I'm excited to read the finalized version of this whimsical fantasy romance. If the concept of Howl's Moving Castle meets Cinderella charms you as much as it does me, this book is for you!
July 31, 2025
I can see why this book won and was nominated for so many Realm Awards! It was delightful. I loved the sense of humor throughout and all the references to cheese. Also all the twists the last half of the book! Definitely recommend to anyone looking for a lighthearted fantasy read.
January 10, 2025
DNF at chapter 5. This is a 90’s sitcom with a lite historical fantasy skin. I may have enjoyed this when I was 13, but I’m sorry, I just can’t. 😬
To be fair, I knew to expect some quirkiness going into this, and there is something charming about the beginning, but when the ridiculous Prince Hugh shows up at Hester’s work and gets her dismissed from her job because it was such a lovely day and he wanted to take her for a drive… I was out.
"I talked to your employer," Hugh says, "and told her I didn't want you working for her anymore, so we can be leaving—"
It takes my mind a moment to understand, but as soon as I do, my eyes widen and I utter an embarrassing little yelp. "You what?"
"You really don't listen, Miss Smith! And we're wasting the sunlight! Come, come."
I dig my heels into the floor so he can't pull me from the room. "Hugh! Are you saying that you told Mistress Hardinge to fire me?"
He tugs on my arm, eyebrows raising at my screech. "Is that bad?" 🙄
All of the main characters feel more like silly caricatures that I can’t take seriously. The flighty Prince Hugh is the worst of the lot with his one-track-mind of defying his brother and making women feel uncomfortable in his quest for “love.” Hester, the heroine, is the “hardworking small-town maiden”, while also being painfully oblivious to social cues and having an obsession with cheese. And Prince Luke is the “serious, no-nonsense crown prince,” who claims to knows his duty when it comes to marriage, yet is on first name basis immediately with this poorly dressed girl at a ball and within a few minutes of meeting her, brings her to a room ALONE. I know this is fiction, but if you’re going to lean into historical England vibes you can’t disregard the most basic rules of propriety. Both of their reputations would have been ruined. Needless to say, the historical inaccuracies and shallow characters left me wanting more.
I am truly confused why some of my friends raved about this one. 🤔 But if you’re looking for something light, utterly silly, and clean (and don’t mind blatant historical inaccuracies), then you might really enjoy this. Sometimes it’s good when books don’t take themselves too seriously.
Also, the cover is lovely!
Content: kisses only
To be fair, I knew to expect some quirkiness going into this, and there is something charming about the beginning, but when the ridiculous Prince Hugh shows up at Hester’s work and gets her dismissed from her job because it was such a lovely day and he wanted to take her for a drive… I was out.
"I talked to your employer," Hugh says, "and told her I didn't want you working for her anymore, so we can be leaving—"
It takes my mind a moment to understand, but as soon as I do, my eyes widen and I utter an embarrassing little yelp. "You what?"
"You really don't listen, Miss Smith! And we're wasting the sunlight! Come, come."
I dig my heels into the floor so he can't pull me from the room. "Hugh! Are you saying that you told Mistress Hardinge to fire me?"
He tugs on my arm, eyebrows raising at my screech. "Is that bad?" 🙄
All of the main characters feel more like silly caricatures that I can’t take seriously. The flighty Prince Hugh is the worst of the lot with his one-track-mind of defying his brother and making women feel uncomfortable in his quest for “love.” Hester, the heroine, is the “hardworking small-town maiden”, while also being painfully oblivious to social cues and having an obsession with cheese. And Prince Luke is the “serious, no-nonsense crown prince,” who claims to knows his duty when it comes to marriage, yet is on first name basis immediately with this poorly dressed girl at a ball and within a few minutes of meeting her, brings her to a room ALONE. I know this is fiction, but if you’re going to lean into historical England vibes you can’t disregard the most basic rules of propriety. Both of their reputations would have been ruined. Needless to say, the historical inaccuracies and shallow characters left me wanting more.
I am truly confused why some of my friends raved about this one. 🤔 But if you’re looking for something light, utterly silly, and clean (and don’t mind blatant historical inaccuracies), then you might really enjoy this. Sometimes it’s good when books don’t take themselves too seriously.
Also, the cover is lovely!
Content: kisses only
January 1, 2025
I finished this an hour after midnight! 😭
Oh well, I made my goal anywayyy.
This was a really good book, though! The characters were quirky and the storyline kept me interested.
It was very easy to read and I literally couldn’t stop turning pages! 😂 And the romance was cute!
Oh well, I made my goal anywayyy.
This was a really good book, though! The characters were quirky and the storyline kept me interested.
It was very easy to read and I literally couldn’t stop turning pages! 😂 And the romance was cute!
August 11, 2025
4.25✨
Possible RTC.
Possible RTC.
Read
October 2, 2024Delightful! Hester attends the Commoner’s Ball and meets both royal princes, but things start going wrong for her right after, and surely she can’t take a favor—that would open her up to the wiles of the Folk! But as zany hijinks continue, Hester has to decide who and what is most important.
I had a grand old time with this book (even though I wanted to run Hugh through a blender, but there was a reason for that and I was RIGHT about it) and I found Hester’s internal struggle over not being indebted to anyone very powerful—IS it wise to refuse bargains and favors in case you’re tricked by the folk, or is that just pride talking? It was very witty and funny and a great debut novel.
I had a grand old time with this book (even though I wanted to run Hugh through a blender, but there was a reason for that and I was RIGHT about it) and I found Hester’s internal struggle over not being indebted to anyone very powerful—IS it wise to refuse bargains and favors in case you’re tricked by the folk, or is that just pride talking? It was very witty and funny and a great debut novel.
Read
August 6, 2025I'm not going to rate this book or give a true review of it. The reason being, I intentionally read a book I knew I wouldn't enjoy. And I was right. This style of book is one I've never enjoyed.
So that being said, I'm just going to do a brief content review.
CONTENT REVIEW
No bad content. Besides one of the characters pulling another character into a dark hallway and trying to kiss her. She was trying to stop him and then another character showed up and put an end to it.
All in all, if this is a style of books you like you'll probably enjoy this one.
I judged the book by its cover before reading it and the judgement turned out correct, like usual. Books can certainly be judged by their covers. 😂
So that being said, I'm just going to do a brief content review.
CONTENT REVIEW
No bad content. Besides one of the characters pulling another character into a dark hallway and trying to kiss her. She was trying to stop him and then another character showed up and put an end to it.
All in all, if this is a style of books you like you'll probably enjoy this one.
I judged the book by its cover before reading it and the judgement turned out correct, like usual. Books can certainly be judged by their covers. 😂
December 1, 2024
This story was a delight! Elisabeth’s humor will always be one of my favorites, and I think her characters are endearing…even the ones you don’t want to like.
Well done! :)
Well done! :)
September 4, 2025
Was this a cheesy book? Yes, of course. How could it not be when the main character is extremely fond of cheese?
(I may have consumed a bit of cheese myself while reading this.)
Simply put, this was a lot of fun! It made me giggle twice, which almost never happens. I loved Hester’s quirky voice, and for all the fluffiness and silliness of the story, it had some very clever twists!
(I may have consumed a bit of cheese myself while reading this.)
Simply put, this was a lot of fun! It made me giggle twice, which almost never happens. I loved Hester’s quirky voice, and for all the fluffiness and silliness of the story, it had some very clever twists!
March 31, 2025
Charming!
This was an unexpected treat. Lighthearted, enjoyable story. I thought Hester was just a fun, likable heroine. Endearing personality, always saying what is on her mind. Prince brothers Hugh and Luke were charming in their own ways and fun to see all three of their lives get wrapped up in each other. The story moved along well, kept me engaged and wanting to read more. I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading more from Ms. Brown.
Content Rated G
Romance: Clean, kissing
Language: None
Violence: None. Talk of the Folk (fae) and mischief they can cause
This was an unexpected treat. Lighthearted, enjoyable story. I thought Hester was just a fun, likable heroine. Endearing personality, always saying what is on her mind. Prince brothers Hugh and Luke were charming in their own ways and fun to see all three of their lives get wrapped up in each other. The story moved along well, kept me engaged and wanting to read more. I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading more from Ms. Brown.
Content Rated G
Romance: Clean, kissing
Language: None
Violence: None. Talk of the Folk (fae) and mischief they can cause
January 8, 2025
This was so very silly and I ate it up, tbh. (much like Hester ate up the cheese.) I've been looking forward to reading it since Elisabeth first announced it, and I really liked it! Huzzah!
Did I want to strangle Hugh several times?
... yes. and I think I'm justified in that.
But overall I had a lot of fun reading this. Lucas and Hester are both absolute sweethearts, and I wish them nothing but happiness (and cheese). It's a lovely little story of learning to accept help from those who love us, and I liked it a lot. 4 stars!
**I received a copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
Did I want to strangle Hugh several times?
... yes. and I think I'm justified in that.
But overall I had a lot of fun reading this. Lucas and Hester are both absolute sweethearts, and I wish them nothing but happiness (and cheese). It's a lovely little story of learning to accept help from those who love us, and I liked it a lot. 4 stars!
**I received a copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
September 20, 2024
What an absolute delight. From beginning to end I was smiling and giggling and just having the best time. I loved Hester, I loved Lucas, and I even loved Hugh!! Original and cozy and just an overall lovely read <3
August 15, 2025
You know a book is good when it keeps you up late reading instead of completing multiple final projects for the summer semester of school and preparing to start a new job.
As the author admits, this book is secretly just a cute, lighthearted piece of cheese propaganda. I liked the characters, and the fact that Hester wouldn't accept gifts from anyone made for some good character development both for her and for others. Near the end of the book, a few of her character traits got a little old because they were a bit harped upon, but overall I thought she was a good heroine. Lucas was a very good love interest. He wasn't particularly brilliant or interesting, but he was exactly what Hester needed to balance her out. Hugh was more interesting and I liked his mischievous bent at first, but I grew to dislike him. I think towards the end of the book some of his character got lost because his actions were used just to move the plot forward.
The plot was excellently constructed for the most part, but I felt part of the climax to be slightly deus-ex-machina. The way things were resolved was a bit anticlimactic because of this. I would have liked to see some sort of clever plot twist solve the main dilemma, rather than what did end up happening. However, the characters got their happily ever after, which I was very pleased with.
The writing style for this book was adorable, and it was very easy to read (hence my finishing it in 2 days). I enjoyed reading it and will definitely be on the lookout for this author's future books. I would recommend this to those looking for a cute, clean fantasy romance with plenty of mentions of cheese :)
As the author admits, this book is secretly just a cute, lighthearted piece of cheese propaganda. I liked the characters, and the fact that Hester wouldn't accept gifts from anyone made for some good character development both for her and for others. Near the end of the book, a few of her character traits got a little old because they were a bit harped upon, but overall I thought she was a good heroine. Lucas was a very good love interest. He wasn't particularly brilliant or interesting, but he was exactly what Hester needed to balance her out. Hugh was more interesting and I liked his mischievous bent at first, but I grew to dislike him. I think towards the end of the book some of his character got lost because his actions were used just to move the plot forward.
The plot was excellently constructed for the most part, but I felt part of the climax to be slightly deus-ex-machina. The way things were resolved was a bit anticlimactic because of this. I would have liked to see some sort of clever plot twist solve the main dilemma, rather than what did end up happening. However, the characters got their happily ever after, which I was very pleased with.
The writing style for this book was adorable, and it was very easy to read (hence my finishing it in 2 days). I enjoyed reading it and will definitely be on the lookout for this author's future books. I would recommend this to those looking for a cute, clean fantasy romance with plenty of mentions of cheese :)
August 17, 2025
So cute! This feel-good, cozy read was a lot of fun and had a few nice twists in it. I loved the setting and the friendships portrayed.
I recommend to those who like sweet romance, Jane Austen, and happy endings!
My rating: 4.5*
I recommend to those who like sweet romance, Jane Austen, and happy endings!
My rating: 4.5*
December 12, 2024
This was a delight — funny, charming, and marvelously clever by the end. I picked it up because I'd seen so many people raving about it, and you know what? They were right.
October 11, 2025
Let’s see – What’s in the book:
A ball…chases, escapes…bribes, another ball…a hideous orange ballgown…an ‘almost’ kiss…faeries…a love letter (with no actual mention of love)…a hog named Inglebert…heartaches (more like chest pains)…true love, another ball, and…lots of cheese.
This debut novel by Elisabeth Aimee Brown was hilariously funny and had me laughing throughout the pages at the antics and predicaments that Hester Flanders seemed to find herself in.
I loved the humor in the book and the twist in the plot with an ending that I 'sooo' did not see coming.
A ball…chases, escapes…bribes, another ball…a hideous orange ballgown…an ‘almost’ kiss…faeries…a love letter (with no actual mention of love)…a hog named Inglebert…heartaches (more like chest pains)…true love, another ball, and…lots of cheese.
This debut novel by Elisabeth Aimee Brown was hilariously funny and had me laughing throughout the pages at the antics and predicaments that Hester Flanders seemed to find herself in.
I loved the humor in the book and the twist in the plot with an ending that I 'sooo' did not see coming.
January 20, 2025
Feels so wrong to just now be writing a review of a book I have now finished reading four times (albeit in different iterations on its way to final draft).
How does one summarize their sister’s debut novel?
“It was so good I forgot that my sister wrote it” somehow doesn’t feel very flattering.
How about, “I already knew the ending, but I binge read the last 10 chapters every time anyway”?
You will snort into your tea at Hester’s curious speeches, you will be rooting for her every wild undertaking, and you will wish she stopped bringing up cheese because you just want a dang piece every time she does.
I sincerely believe that whether or not you like romance or fantasy, you will enjoy this book—a good story, well told, with the most cluelessly spunky and accidentally outspoken of heroines.
How does one summarize their sister’s debut novel?
“It was so good I forgot that my sister wrote it” somehow doesn’t feel very flattering.
How about, “I already knew the ending, but I binge read the last 10 chapters every time anyway”?
You will snort into your tea at Hester’s curious speeches, you will be rooting for her every wild undertaking, and you will wish she stopped bringing up cheese because you just want a dang piece every time she does.
I sincerely believe that whether or not you like romance or fantasy, you will enjoy this book—a good story, well told, with the most cluelessly spunky and accidentally outspoken of heroines.
October 30, 2024
“I’ve always thought that death is preferable to dependence; that to accept help is the sign of a weak fool, and to ask for help is worse still."
I love this book.
Firstly, because Hester is a great protagonist. She’s a dutiful daughter, a good friend (even with her rather warped philosophy), and downright hilarious. Also—and I wouldn’t have been able to finish the book if this weren’t the case—she’s not naive. Hester sees mischief coming from a mile away. Does she always succeed in avoiding said mischief? Well… no, but she tries, and really, what’s a peasant girl to do?
Besides Hester, I also enjoyed that the dual POV was about 80% Hester and 20% Lucas. (Please don’t verify that, I didn’t actually do the math and would perish if proved wrong.) This is purely personal preference, but I enjoy dual POV only insofar as it lets me admire the heroine from the hero’s perspective. I can actually find myself impatient when equal time is devoted to both narrators, maybe because I relate more to the heroine and want to get back to the star of the show: moi (or okay okay, not me but some fragment of myself that I see mirrored in her). This book struck a perfect balance, and I gobbled it right up.
Next, it simply must be said that the writing is very skillful. I’ve seen other reviews comment on how little this felt like a debut novel, and I agree! The pacing was excellent, and the breadcrumbs that led to the plot twist/reveal at the end were so fun to gather up. While the ending is predictable, it was absolutely a blast to read and find out which of my predictions were right! Call me Sherlock (I say, having merely picked up on hints the author was dropping less subtly with each chapter). Jokes aside, the puzzle in this story was masterfully planted and satisfying to piece together.
Lastly, and perhaps most of all, I love this book for reminding us that we can give and receive gifts with no strings attached. To allow others to help you is not weak, nor a concession, nor a failure. Humans are community creatures; we’re not made to brave everything alone, and like this story illustrates, insisting on independence can cause us and those who care about us to suffer needlessly. Love doesn’t demand recompense, whether love of a neighbor, a friend, or a partner. As Hester says: "Humans can give freely. We don't have to bargain all the time." Indeed, tallying debts is the mark of the inhuman.
In short, you should read this book. The romance is clean (despite the pointed accusations of some side characters), the plot highly amusing, and the fantasy creeps up on you. Also, it might leave you with a warm feeling and willingness to unconditionally give and receive gifts—of help, support, or even cheese.
I love this book.
Firstly, because Hester is a great protagonist. She’s a dutiful daughter, a good friend (even with her rather warped philosophy), and downright hilarious. Also—and I wouldn’t have been able to finish the book if this weren’t the case—she’s not naive. Hester sees mischief coming from a mile away. Does she always succeed in avoiding said mischief? Well… no, but she tries, and really, what’s a peasant girl to do?
Besides Hester, I also enjoyed that the dual POV was about 80% Hester and 20% Lucas. (Please don’t verify that, I didn’t actually do the math and would perish if proved wrong.) This is purely personal preference, but I enjoy dual POV only insofar as it lets me admire the heroine from the hero’s perspective. I can actually find myself impatient when equal time is devoted to both narrators, maybe because I relate more to the heroine and want to get back to the star of the show: moi (or okay okay, not me but some fragment of myself that I see mirrored in her). This book struck a perfect balance, and I gobbled it right up.
Next, it simply must be said that the writing is very skillful. I’ve seen other reviews comment on how little this felt like a debut novel, and I agree! The pacing was excellent, and the breadcrumbs that led to the plot twist/reveal at the end were so fun to gather up. While the ending is predictable, it was absolutely a blast to read and find out which of my predictions were right! Call me Sherlock (I say, having merely picked up on hints the author was dropping less subtly with each chapter). Jokes aside, the puzzle in this story was masterfully planted and satisfying to piece together.
Lastly, and perhaps most of all, I love this book for reminding us that we can give and receive gifts with no strings attached. To allow others to help you is not weak, nor a concession, nor a failure. Humans are community creatures; we’re not made to brave everything alone, and like this story illustrates, insisting on independence can cause us and those who care about us to suffer needlessly. Love doesn’t demand recompense, whether love of a neighbor, a friend, or a partner. As Hester says: "Humans can give freely. We don't have to bargain all the time." Indeed, tallying debts is the mark of the inhuman.
In short, you should read this book. The romance is clean (despite the pointed accusations of some side characters), the plot highly amusing, and the fantasy creeps up on you. Also, it might leave you with a warm feeling and willingness to unconditionally give and receive gifts—of help, support, or even cheese.
October 6, 2024
Absolutely cozy and charming
I have been on a reread kick lately because I needed comforting books that I could trust to be happy and cozy, but when a book bestie wanted to read this together, I was cautiously optimistic because I've enjoyed the teasers I'd seen for it.
And it went SO FAR BEYOND ALL MY HOPES. This book reminds me of one of my all-time favorite authors, Kate Stradling. It's hilarious(to the point I cackled out loud MULTIPLE times), the characters are so vibrant and real, and I had such a hard time putting it down(I may have accidentally forgot to pace myself for the buddy reading and instead inhaled it in two sittings).
So if you love balls and cheeky heroines and stoic princes(and the more flamboyant charismatic princes, as there's *two* princes in this book), read this. Read it right now. You absolutely won't regret it. I will absolutely be rereading it in the future.
I have been on a reread kick lately because I needed comforting books that I could trust to be happy and cozy, but when a book bestie wanted to read this together, I was cautiously optimistic because I've enjoyed the teasers I'd seen for it.
And it went SO FAR BEYOND ALL MY HOPES. This book reminds me of one of my all-time favorite authors, Kate Stradling. It's hilarious(to the point I cackled out loud MULTIPLE times), the characters are so vibrant and real, and I had such a hard time putting it down(I may have accidentally forgot to pace myself for the buddy reading and instead inhaled it in two sittings).
So if you love balls and cheeky heroines and stoic princes(and the more flamboyant charismatic princes, as there's *two* princes in this book), read this. Read it right now. You absolutely won't regret it. I will absolutely be rereading it in the future.
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