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Enchantment Retold #3
Curses, Diamonds, & Toads: A Fairy Tale Retelling
Because of a terrible curse, Astrid Lucia will never speak to another soul for as long as she lives. Poor and despised, she spends her days alone in the woods or peddling her unusual wares in the village, until she meets a potter named Bernard. He quickly becomes her best customer, but Bernard is interested in far more than Astrid Lucia’s wares. The two form an unlikely friendship based on mutual need.
But when Bernard asks Astrid Lucia to marry him, everything changes. Saying yes would mean one uttered word could ruin her marriage and future forever. Saying no would mean losing Bernard and her only hope of home and happiness. Astrid Lucia is no fool. She’s determined to stay speechless for the rest of her days and live happily ever after with the potter, but curses have a way of unraveling the best of intentions.
Curses, Diamonds, & Toads is a retelling of the classic fairy tale “Diamonds and Toads,” and like the other titles in the Enchantment Retold series, it features cozy fantasy, sweet romance, and an HEA without explicit content. Cottagecore meets sweet romantasy, Curses, Diamonds, & Toads is a stand-alone novella.
But when Bernard asks Astrid Lucia to marry him, everything changes. Saying yes would mean one uttered word could ruin her marriage and future forever. Saying no would mean losing Bernard and her only hope of home and happiness. Astrid Lucia is no fool. She’s determined to stay speechless for the rest of her days and live happily ever after with the potter, but curses have a way of unraveling the best of intentions.
Curses, Diamonds, & Toads is a retelling of the classic fairy tale “Diamonds and Toads,” and like the other titles in the Enchantment Retold series, it features cozy fantasy, sweet romance, and an HEA without explicit content. Cottagecore meets sweet romantasy, Curses, Diamonds, & Toads is a stand-alone novella.
85 pages, Paperback
Published December 5, 2024
About the author
Amy Trent
7 books29 followersI'm Amy Trent, and I write cozy fantasy, sweet romance, fairy tale retellings, and various concoctions of the aforementioned. Banter is my favorite thing to read and write. But characters who are so well written they become friends are also my favorite. And cookies. Cookies are always my favorite too.
If you are a fan of any of the above, let's talk! Let's talk books! Let's talk fairy tales! Let's talk about what makes for the best, swooniest banter!
Embrace your cozy and subscribe to my monthly newsletter. Subscribers receive my novella, Curses, Diamonds, & Toads, for FREE. https://amytrent.com/newsletter/
If you are a fan of any of the above, let's talk! Let's talk books! Let's talk fairy tales! Let's talk about what makes for the best, swooniest banter!
Embrace your cozy and subscribe to my monthly newsletter. Subscribers receive my novella, Curses, Diamonds, & Toads, for FREE. https://amytrent.com/newsletter/
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 5, 2025
Content:
Profanity: Mild. Only one use of an iteration of D***.
Violence: Mild. There is mention of being chased out of villages, and bruises/cuts. Nothing big.
sexual: Slightly higher mild. There is a lot of kissing on head, neck, shoulder, and lips. There are a handful of mentions of 'being wanted' that are in a sexual way. There is an underlying tone of physical desire portrayed between a newly married couple. One mention of a character being surprised they weren't taken upstairs after a heated make-out session. Nothing overt.
Trigger: Manipulative greedy parent figure portrayed with abusive tendencies. Specifically:
There were things I loved about this, and things that got my goat.
First, The sweet loyalty of Bernard the Potter was heart-melting. The way he treats Lucia and sticks with her had me smiling softly in total satisfaction. Especially at the end when His sister and brother-in-law doing the same made me love his family.
What I didn't like was the way I, as a reader, didn't know if Bernard was in love with Lucia and vice-versa before they married. It seemed pretty driven by loneliness, need, and physical desire. They didn't even say the "L" word until they'd been married for months. The heated kissing and Lucia often saying how nice it was to be "wanted" felt cheap for a good chunk of the book because of the question mark hanging in the air of...do they actually love each other or not? It would've helped tremendously for me to have gotten some kind of subtext in their actions that love was the underlying reason for everything.
So, while I love how it all wrapped up, it was hard to keep reading because of the tone I was getting of borderline lust rather than love, as well as dependency for safety. Also, the fact that Lucia kept a giant life-altering secret made it a tad awful to read at moments for my emotions. Bernard was a bit too understanding too quick. I wish I'd seen some of the story from his point of view. It would've helped the romance if I knew what he was thinking.
Profanity: Mild. Only one use of an iteration of D***.
Violence: Mild. There is mention of being chased out of villages, and bruises/cuts. Nothing big.
sexual: Slightly higher mild. There is a lot of kissing on head, neck, shoulder, and lips. There are a handful of mentions of 'being wanted' that are in a sexual way. There is an underlying tone of physical desire portrayed between a newly married couple. One mention of a character being surprised they weren't taken upstairs after a heated make-out session. Nothing overt.
Trigger: Manipulative greedy parent figure portrayed with abusive tendencies. Specifically:
There were things I loved about this, and things that got my goat.
First, The sweet loyalty of Bernard the Potter was heart-melting. The way he treats Lucia and sticks with her had me smiling softly in total satisfaction. Especially at the end when His sister and brother-in-law doing the same made me love his family.
What I didn't like was the way I, as a reader, didn't know if Bernard was in love with Lucia and vice-versa before they married. It seemed pretty driven by loneliness, need, and physical desire. They didn't even say the "L" word until they'd been married for months. The heated kissing and Lucia often saying how nice it was to be "wanted" felt cheap for a good chunk of the book because of the question mark hanging in the air of...do they actually love each other or not? It would've helped tremendously for me to have gotten some kind of subtext in their actions that love was the underlying reason for everything.
So, while I love how it all wrapped up, it was hard to keep reading because of the tone I was getting of borderline lust rather than love, as well as dependency for safety. Also, the fact that Lucia kept a giant life-altering secret made it a tad awful to read at moments for my emotions. Bernard was a bit too understanding too quick. I wish I'd seen some of the story from his point of view. It would've helped the romance if I knew what he was thinking.
March 19, 2025
Fans of fairy tale retellings will rejoice at the publication of Amy Trent’s new novella, Curses, Diamonds, & Toads. Trent reworks the fairy tales in the Kind and Unkind Girls cycle (popularly known as “Diamonds and Toads”), giving readers a new rendition that speaks to the pain of language and the beauty of true love.
The novella begins with the protagonist, Astrid Lucia, trying to sell her strange wares of toads, lizards, and snakes. Cursed by a fairy to vomit the animals every time she speaks, Astrid Lucia has forced herself to be silent in public to avoid being thought a monster. She must communicate with gestures and expressions, and she can barely survive, even though her products are valuable in chasing vermin away from homes and gardens. When a clay-covered potter named Bernard begins buying her snakes and lizards to recreate the animals in his pottery, Astrid Lucia is given a new chance at life and love.
Astrid’s sister, Violet, is cursed as well, though in keeping with the fairy tale tradition, it is diamonds, gems, and flowers that emerge from her lips whenever she speaks. Although at first glance, this access to endless wealth seems a blessing, Violet is forced to perform by her greedy mother, and her life is just as dismal as her sister’s. In order to finally break the curse that haunts both sisters, Astrid Lucia must face her fears of speaking out in an attempt to save her sister from persecution and find her own happily-ever-after.
Trent’s novella is a brilliant reworking of the traditional “Diamonds and Toads” fairy tale. Trent teaches readers to look beneath the surface of blessings and curses. Her settings are rich with solstice markets, fairies, and witches, and the slow-burn romance between Astrid Lucia and Bernard showcases the strength of true devotion and the beauty of practical romance. No one in the novella is perfect, and Astrid Lucia must learn that sharing the truth matters because “marriage is not a union of bits and pieces, but of whole selves.” Amy Trent’s reworking of a lesser-known fairy tale will delight those who enjoy stories about the love people carry for their families, their partners, and themselves.
The novella begins with the protagonist, Astrid Lucia, trying to sell her strange wares of toads, lizards, and snakes. Cursed by a fairy to vomit the animals every time she speaks, Astrid Lucia has forced herself to be silent in public to avoid being thought a monster. She must communicate with gestures and expressions, and she can barely survive, even though her products are valuable in chasing vermin away from homes and gardens. When a clay-covered potter named Bernard begins buying her snakes and lizards to recreate the animals in his pottery, Astrid Lucia is given a new chance at life and love.
Astrid’s sister, Violet, is cursed as well, though in keeping with the fairy tale tradition, it is diamonds, gems, and flowers that emerge from her lips whenever she speaks. Although at first glance, this access to endless wealth seems a blessing, Violet is forced to perform by her greedy mother, and her life is just as dismal as her sister’s. In order to finally break the curse that haunts both sisters, Astrid Lucia must face her fears of speaking out in an attempt to save her sister from persecution and find her own happily-ever-after.
Trent’s novella is a brilliant reworking of the traditional “Diamonds and Toads” fairy tale. Trent teaches readers to look beneath the surface of blessings and curses. Her settings are rich with solstice markets, fairies, and witches, and the slow-burn romance between Astrid Lucia and Bernard showcases the strength of true devotion and the beauty of practical romance. No one in the novella is perfect, and Astrid Lucia must learn that sharing the truth matters because “marriage is not a union of bits and pieces, but of whole selves.” Amy Trent’s reworking of a lesser-known fairy tale will delight those who enjoy stories about the love people carry for their families, their partners, and themselves.
December 20, 2024
I got this much faster than I expected from Amazon. A Merry Christmas to myself that came early. I won't complain there!
Oh my goodness! I LOVED this story! Now this is true love. When we see our partner's messy sides and still stick by them and love them. When they see the parts of us we think are hideous, in spite of that, they still cherish us. They lift us up in our vulnerable moments and help us to see ourselves the way they do.
Astrid Lucia is so kind and giving. She is resilient, strong, and courageous. She sees things as they really are and doesn't ask for much. Bernard is the sweetest, messiest cinnamon roll. I just wanted to hug the man! He is creative, insightful, and understanding. I loved them both so much!
Grab this book, a soft fluffy blanket, your favorite beverage, and snuggle up in a comfy chair because this book is a quick read, and it's that good.
Oh my goodness! I LOVED this story! Now this is true love. When we see our partner's messy sides and still stick by them and love them. When they see the parts of us we think are hideous, in spite of that, they still cherish us. They lift us up in our vulnerable moments and help us to see ourselves the way they do.
Astrid Lucia is so kind and giving. She is resilient, strong, and courageous. She sees things as they really are and doesn't ask for much. Bernard is the sweetest, messiest cinnamon roll. I just wanted to hug the man! He is creative, insightful, and understanding. I loved them both so much!
Grab this book, a soft fluffy blanket, your favorite beverage, and snuggle up in a comfy chair because this book is a quick read, and it's that good.
January 17, 2025
Astrid Lucia is cursed, but her silence is her own choice. It’s a hard and lonely life, but keeping silent is the best way to cope with her curse, especially when there’s no one she can trust with the truth.
“Diamonds and Toads” is one of those fairy tales that, when you really think about it, is very disturbing (even for the sister who receives a “blessing” instead of a curse). In Curses, Diamonds, and Toads, author Amy Trent digs into the muddy depths of this classic story, exploring motivations and consequences, and wondering what life is really like for two sisters who receive very different treatments from a powerfully magical being. With engaging characters and a sweet, swoony romance, Trent’s novella is a heartwarming testament to the blessings of love.
“Diamonds and Toads” is one of those fairy tales that, when you really think about it, is very disturbing (even for the sister who receives a “blessing” instead of a curse). In Curses, Diamonds, and Toads, author Amy Trent digs into the muddy depths of this classic story, exploring motivations and consequences, and wondering what life is really like for two sisters who receive very different treatments from a powerfully magical being. With engaging characters and a sweet, swoony romance, Trent’s novella is a heartwarming testament to the blessings of love.
April 7, 2025
Oh my!!!!
I could not be happier than I am right now. Curses, Diamond & Toads is a delightful fairytale retelling. I was not familiar with this fairytale. It was fun to read about it and see where the story went. This novella is the perfect read for those looking for a short HEA. Only 86 pages makes it percent for a short night. The story leaves you with all the feels. This is clean with passionate kisses before they run to the priest to get married. No language or agenda. Just a sweet story of love and commitment. This will not be my last Amy Trent book. I have found a new author to binge read.
I could not be happier than I am right now. Curses, Diamond & Toads is a delightful fairytale retelling. I was not familiar with this fairytale. It was fun to read about it and see where the story went. This novella is the perfect read for those looking for a short HEA. Only 86 pages makes it percent for a short night. The story leaves you with all the feels. This is clean with passionate kisses before they run to the priest to get married. No language or agenda. Just a sweet story of love and commitment. This will not be my last Amy Trent book. I have found a new author to binge read.
September 16, 2025
This was an intriguing fairy tale! Being cursed to not speak a word without something happening is a great premise for a story. Bernard the potter and Astrid couldn't be more different from each other. He gets so wrapped up in his pottery that he doesn't come out to eat or clean up the messes he makes. Astrid can't imagine leaving the house such a mess. She and he become good friends without her every saying a word. When it starts to become something more, will she have the courage to speak? Hm I won't say what happens. There's an evil to fight against and there's true love to find.
April 12, 2025
What a fun novella! Do you remember the fairy tale about the two sisters who were cursed by a fairy? One to have diamonds and flowers fall out of her mouth when she spoke, and the other to have all manner of toads and snakes fall out of hers?
This story is how everyone gets their happily ever after. It’s delightful, with an absolute cinnamon roll of a MMC. He was a pure delight, from start to finish.
This story is how everyone gets their happily ever after. It’s delightful, with an absolute cinnamon roll of a MMC. He was a pure delight, from start to finish.
November 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
GENRE
-fairy tale retelling
CONTENT
-🤬: 1 d
-❤️: kisses
-⚠️: emotionally and physically abusive parent
I’d never heard of this fairy tale before, so it was completely new to me! Written from her single POV, we see Astrid Lucia’s journey to love, to helping her sister, and to healing her curse.
It’s a novella, so it’s a quick, interesting read.
Favorite Quote:
"Love makes us brave, encourages us to take risks. A life without risks, Astrid Lucia, is not a life worth living.”
GENRE
-fairy tale retelling
CONTENT
-🤬: 1 d
-❤️: kisses
-⚠️: emotionally and physically abusive parent
I’d never heard of this fairy tale before, so it was completely new to me! Written from her single POV, we see Astrid Lucia’s journey to love, to helping her sister, and to healing her curse.
It’s a novella, so it’s a quick, interesting read.
Favorite Quote:
"Love makes us brave, encourages us to take risks. A life without risks, Astrid Lucia, is not a life worth living.”
February 7, 2025
This is the most original and emotionally realistic retelling of the Diamonds and Toads fairy tale that I have read. Thanks to the author, this potentially tragic tale turned into a sweet romance. Definitely worth enjoying!
I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 13, 2026
I really loved reading this wonderful book! I loved the characters and the plot! I had a hard time putting this really wonderful book down! I absolutely loved this retelling of Curses,Diamonds,& Toads! I will be reading the next book in this series!
July 10, 2025
A very happy ending
This fairy tale retelling is lovely and I really enjoyed it. I especially liked how the sisters rescued each other. The witch wad a really lovely character.
This fairy tale retelling is lovely and I really enjoyed it. I especially liked how the sisters rescued each other. The witch wad a really lovely character.
August 7, 2025
Sometimes love finds us when we least expect it. And sometimes we have to be brave to protect those we love. Astrid Lucia managed both and I loved every moment of it.
September 15, 2025
A much more pleasant and enjoyable ending and reimagining of the Perrault fairy tale.
July 8, 2026
I didn’t feel connected to the characters. Really interesting premise though!
August 14, 2026
Such a sweet, clean romantasy. No inappropriate content.
Mature themes: disability (mute and neurodiversity), familial abuse, ostracism
POV: first
Tense: past
Mature themes: disability (mute and neurodiversity), familial abuse, ostracism
POV: first
Tense: past
October 4, 2026
Lovely short story, right up my alley for a cozy fantasy.
December 22, 2024
I love fairy tale remakes and I love them even more when they are based on obscure fairy tales. Amy Trent’s novella Curses, Diamonds, and Toads is based on the fairy tale Diamonds and Toads. I was sure that I had never heard of this fairy tale and was excited to dive in!
Amy had written a completely captivating and compelling novella. I’m truly amazed at how much goodness she packed into such a small book! This book was a hard one to put down and I finished it in just two days.
The leading lady, Astrid Lucia, had my heart from the beginning. I was intrigued by her story and quickly started formulating all of the possibilities of what had happened to her. I love that she is an imperfect character. She’s got a temper that flies a few times and is proud of her independence. I loved getting to see her walls come down and watch her slowly begin to trust the potter.
THE POTTER you guys! He is fantastic. Bernard is our main man and he is not your stereotypical hero. He is a creative and messy man whose life is quite literally chaos. He is also a gentle giant and has an amazing heart of gold. He isn’t afraid of the messy (literally and figuratively) and comes to love Lucia despite her troubled and heartaches.
I absolutely loved this novella and will be revisiting it often!
Amy had written a completely captivating and compelling novella. I’m truly amazed at how much goodness she packed into such a small book! This book was a hard one to put down and I finished it in just two days.
The leading lady, Astrid Lucia, had my heart from the beginning. I was intrigued by her story and quickly started formulating all of the possibilities of what had happened to her. I love that she is an imperfect character. She’s got a temper that flies a few times and is proud of her independence. I loved getting to see her walls come down and watch her slowly begin to trust the potter.
THE POTTER you guys! He is fantastic. Bernard is our main man and he is not your stereotypical hero. He is a creative and messy man whose life is quite literally chaos. He is also a gentle giant and has an amazing heart of gold. He isn’t afraid of the messy (literally and figuratively) and comes to love Lucia despite her troubled and heartaches.
I absolutely loved this novella and will be revisiting it often!
May 2, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4 Stars for the rating of this novella or short story.
I have to say I didn’t expect myself to thoroughly enjoy this short read but I did !
It was such a cute and short story showing how the FMC basically given up on herself with getting rid of the curse and how she is just trying to survive .She then meets this potter who is enthusiastic with what she sells (mind you I’m not giving you much details so I don’t spoil the whole story), then the story goes on…
You should probably go read it know if you’re wondering what will happen next ;)
What to keep in mind :
- It is a clean Romance book (only kissing)
- A fairytale story
- AHE (a happy ending)
- Gives off cozy vibes (at least to myself)
4 Stars for the rating of this novella or short story.
I have to say I didn’t expect myself to thoroughly enjoy this short read but I did !
It was such a cute and short story showing how the FMC basically given up on herself with getting rid of the curse and how she is just trying to survive .She then meets this potter who is enthusiastic with what she sells (mind you I’m not giving you much details so I don’t spoil the whole story), then the story goes on…
You should probably go read it know if you’re wondering what will happen next ;)
What to keep in mind :
- It is a clean Romance book (only kissing)
- A fairytale story
- AHE (a happy ending)
- Gives off cozy vibes (at least to myself)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews