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Borderland Princes Fairytale Retellings #1
The Shoeless Prince: A Puss in Boots Retelling
*See all of the books in the Once Upon a Prince Series HERE.*
A shoeless son of a miller. A high-fashion tabby. An adventure far more than they bargained for.
Leo is not a normal cat.
Archie Miller might be a dreamer, but he’s seen the complex mousetraps the stray barn cat builds, and he knows he’s right. When his late father wills him the “magic cat” as his only inheritance, Archie is ready to prove it, making a deal with the supposed faerie to gain his fortune.
But the ornery brown tabby has plans of his own. And when Archie ends up entangled with a shapeshifting ogre and a reckless royal beauty, it seems he has unleashed more magical mayhem than he can handle.
Can the shoeless son of a miller romance a princess, become the hero his kingdom needs, and fit into a very fancy pair of hunting boots? Or will all his dreams become a toe-pinching nightmare?
The Shoeless Prince, a retelling of Puss in Boots, is part of Once Upon a Prince, a multi-author series of clean fairy tale retellings. Each standalone novel features a swoony prince and his flaws, growth, and happily ever after.
A shoeless son of a miller. A high-fashion tabby. An adventure far more than they bargained for.
Leo is not a normal cat.
Archie Miller might be a dreamer, but he’s seen the complex mousetraps the stray barn cat builds, and he knows he’s right. When his late father wills him the “magic cat” as his only inheritance, Archie is ready to prove it, making a deal with the supposed faerie to gain his fortune.
But the ornery brown tabby has plans of his own. And when Archie ends up entangled with a shapeshifting ogre and a reckless royal beauty, it seems he has unleashed more magical mayhem than he can handle.
Can the shoeless son of a miller romance a princess, become the hero his kingdom needs, and fit into a very fancy pair of hunting boots? Or will all his dreams become a toe-pinching nightmare?
The Shoeless Prince, a retelling of Puss in Boots, is part of Once Upon a Prince, a multi-author series of clean fairy tale retellings. Each standalone novel features a swoony prince and his flaws, growth, and happily ever after.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2025
76 people are currently reading
479 people want to read
About the author
Jacque Stevens
40 books223 followersJacque Stevens wrote her first novel as a stress relief activity during nursing school. Now, as a USA-Today Bestselling Author, she has taken a step back from nursing so she can spend all her time writing stories filled with elves, fairies, and all things awesome. She also is a freelance editor.
Jacque lives in Arizona. New friends, enemies, and wandering visitors from cyberspace can contact Jacque here: sjacquebooks.com or sjacquebooks(at)gmail.com.
Sign up for the newsletter to get a free short story and other extras.
Jacque lives in Arizona. New friends, enemies, and wandering visitors from cyberspace can contact Jacque here: sjacquebooks.com or sjacquebooks(at)gmail.com.
Sign up for the newsletter to get a free short story and other extras.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
not-going-to-finish
February 15, 2025I love the concept but couldn't get past the first few chapters. Overall ratings seem high so maybe I will try again someday.
January 7, 2025
This was sweet though not without its frustrating moments. My favorite part by far was Archie’s story and journey of coming into his own self while falling in love with Ainsley, oh my gosh they were ADORABLE!! I loved seeing them together sooo much and watching Archie grow was just overall satisfying.
The main problem I had was with Leo. I just…feel like he didn’t grow or change at all which was disappointing. He was exactly the same from beginning to end with only maybe one or two bumps of change that obviously weren’t that noticeable to me since I can’t recall them and that was that. It didn’t help that I didn’t like him very much either, lol.
A good, fast paced read with a good main character and a cute romance that kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen next. I’d recommend this one, especially if you like Puss in Boots retellings that stick close to the original fairy tale.
‼️Content‼️
Violence: fighting creatures with weapons (not detailed); injuries and blood (not detailed)
Sexual: a man is discovered shirtless and in shorts in a river; kissing (not detailed)
Other: magic; fae; a past and present plague; a fae turns a human into a cat and traps them in the faerie realm; death and grief; a shapeshifter
The main problem I had was with Leo. I just…feel like he didn’t grow or change at all which was disappointing. He was exactly the same from beginning to end with only maybe one or two bumps of change that obviously weren’t that noticeable to me since I can’t recall them and that was that. It didn’t help that I didn’t like him very much either, lol.
A good, fast paced read with a good main character and a cute romance that kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen next. I’d recommend this one, especially if you like Puss in Boots retellings that stick close to the original fairy tale.
‼️Content‼️
Violence: fighting creatures with weapons (not detailed); injuries and blood (not detailed)
Sexual: a man is discovered shirtless and in shorts in a river; kissing (not detailed)
Other: magic; fae; a past and present plague; a fae turns a human into a cat and traps them in the faerie realm; death and grief; a shapeshifter
Read
December 13, 2023An overall lighthearted cute tale with sweet romance(s), some humorous moments, gentle and warm character growth arcs, an unexpected and fun (and very loose with a happy ending) retelling-within-a-retelling of Cyrano, and some turns toward the end with characters' outcomes I hadn't quite expected. I honestly don't know much about Puss in Boots beyond the adaptation in the Shrek world, but this was a fun twist on the cocky, clever, stylish feline character. I very much appreciated the emphasis in the romance(s) of the couple being equals. Content note: A significant part of the plot revolves around a plague with lots of mentions of quarantines and deaths.
September 5, 2023
A fun, unique retelling where a miller's son and a cat both struggle in love, but through all sorts of adventures and mishaps (often hilarious ones), they find their happy ever afters. A brilliant retelling of Pus in Boots.
October 28, 2023
4.5! I did not know much about the original story, but this was so cute. Sweet, keeping you pulled in, while the cat is always intervening! Cinnamon role vibes with your sassy MC as well! Great mix of personalities!
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
August 7, 2024
I'm close to my goal of completing the Once Upon a Prince series, and I can't believe it took me this long to get to The Shoeless Prince by Jacque Stevens! This has quickly become my favorite book in the series, encompassing everything I was expecting out of the premise. It is a retelling of a classic story with a princess that is told primarily from a male perspective and filled to the brim with magic and romance. It takes many familiar elements of "Puss in Boots" and blends them seamlessly with new lore creating a fresh take on a popular story with twists and turns around every corner. "Puss in Boots" was already a great contender for this series because it is one of few famous stories that has a male lead but still contains a love story and other elements that appeal to princess lovers.
Archie is a humble miller's son who never expected much out of life. When his father passed away, he wasn't surprised to learn that most of his family inheritance went to his older brothers, leaving him with a peculiar cat. Archie is observant enough to know that Leo is no ordinary cat and submits to his schemes in the hope that some good fortune might come from them. He gets more than he bargains for when he crosses paths with the down-to-earth Princess Ainsley, who is a perfect match for him, but he deems himself unworthy of her due to his social class. The more he gets to know Ainsley, the more he wishes he had been born royal or she had been born a peasant so it would be acceptable for them to be together. Ainsley, on the other hand, doesn't care where Archie came from and is determined to help him look good to her father so she can choose him as a suitor.
This book is a little different from the other novels in the Once Upon a Prince series. Although it is still told from a dual perspective, it switches viewpoints between Archie and Leo instead of Archie and the princess. This gives the reader some much-needed insight to Leo's personality. Unlike the original fairy tale, this version of Puss does not speak. That doesn't stop him from having a mind of his own and a great deal of inner struggle. Like many books I've read recently, this book takes place in a fae world with all the pitfalls that come with it. A few chapters in, it is revealed that there is far more to Leo than meets the eye, and he has a deeper connection to Archie and Ainsley than even he realizes at first. He also has his own love interest, giving the book not one, but two star-crossed couples.
This was not the first "Puss in Boots" adaptation I've read, but it was the most creative. It is not a one-to-one retelling of the story but instead a fantastical reimagining that is respectful of its roots. It removes many of the questionable elements of the fairy tale, including the cat lying to the king and princess about Archie's identity and adds some magical twists. I was both surprised and pleased to learn Leo's identity and loved how seamlessly it blended with the rest of the story. The last two chapters were completely original and brought everything together in a way that no other retelling has. Archie and Leo are extremely memorable characters. I love how this book adapts a classic fairy tale without relying heavily on the actions and views of the princess.
The Shoeless Prince by Jacque Stevens is an original take on "Puss in Boots" that exceeded my expectations in every way. With its fresh take on a classic tale, memorable characters, and seamless blending of new lore, this book has become my favorite in the Once Upon a Prince series. The unique perspective of Archie and Leo's viewpoints adds depth to the story, and the fae setting brings an extra layer of magic to the narrative. I appreciated the creative twists and removal of questionable elements from the original fairy tale, making this adaptation a standout above the rest. If you only read one book from the Once Upon a Prince series, this is the one to choose.
Archie is a humble miller's son who never expected much out of life. When his father passed away, he wasn't surprised to learn that most of his family inheritance went to his older brothers, leaving him with a peculiar cat. Archie is observant enough to know that Leo is no ordinary cat and submits to his schemes in the hope that some good fortune might come from them. He gets more than he bargains for when he crosses paths with the down-to-earth Princess Ainsley, who is a perfect match for him, but he deems himself unworthy of her due to his social class. The more he gets to know Ainsley, the more he wishes he had been born royal or she had been born a peasant so it would be acceptable for them to be together. Ainsley, on the other hand, doesn't care where Archie came from and is determined to help him look good to her father so she can choose him as a suitor.
This book is a little different from the other novels in the Once Upon a Prince series. Although it is still told from a dual perspective, it switches viewpoints between Archie and Leo instead of Archie and the princess. This gives the reader some much-needed insight to Leo's personality. Unlike the original fairy tale, this version of Puss does not speak. That doesn't stop him from having a mind of his own and a great deal of inner struggle. Like many books I've read recently, this book takes place in a fae world with all the pitfalls that come with it. A few chapters in, it is revealed that there is far more to Leo than meets the eye, and he has a deeper connection to Archie and Ainsley than even he realizes at first. He also has his own love interest, giving the book not one, but two star-crossed couples.
This was not the first "Puss in Boots" adaptation I've read, but it was the most creative. It is not a one-to-one retelling of the story but instead a fantastical reimagining that is respectful of its roots. It removes many of the questionable elements of the fairy tale, including the cat lying to the king and princess about Archie's identity and adds some magical twists. I was both surprised and pleased to learn Leo's identity and loved how seamlessly it blended with the rest of the story. The last two chapters were completely original and brought everything together in a way that no other retelling has. Archie and Leo are extremely memorable characters. I love how this book adapts a classic fairy tale without relying heavily on the actions and views of the princess.
The Shoeless Prince by Jacque Stevens is an original take on "Puss in Boots" that exceeded my expectations in every way. With its fresh take on a classic tale, memorable characters, and seamless blending of new lore, this book has become my favorite in the Once Upon a Prince series. The unique perspective of Archie and Leo's viewpoints adds depth to the story, and the fae setting brings an extra layer of magic to the narrative. I appreciated the creative twists and removal of questionable elements from the original fairy tale, making this adaptation a standout above the rest. If you only read one book from the Once Upon a Prince series, this is the one to choose.
July 1, 2024
Leo! I generally like felines only from a far distance, but I must admit this particular cantankerous cat won me over. The poor thing needed so many hugs.
I appreciated how the attraction between Archie and his love interest was not based solely off physical attributes. Stevens also does well creating a sense of time and space--you can easily picture yourself in the book's various settings. I will say I think the author could easily create a spin-off series using the same human-turned-animal-and-back trope using the Frog Prince, Beauty and the Beast, etc based on how cleverly she wrote A Shoeless Prince
Content Warning:
Fights, death by illness, nondescript injuries, curses, captivity, dark experimentation. A character mentions a culture believes the dead can be contacted, which I was not thrilled about, and a character is compared to a goddess.
Overall, this is a clever retelling of Puss in Boots and one I believe readers of magical fairy tale retellings will enjoy.
I appreciated how the attraction between Archie and his love interest was not based solely off physical attributes. Stevens also does well creating a sense of time and space--you can easily picture yourself in the book's various settings. I will say I think the author could easily create a spin-off series using the same human-turned-animal-and-back trope using the Frog Prince, Beauty and the Beast, etc based on how cleverly she wrote A Shoeless Prince
Content Warning:
Fights, death by illness, nondescript injuries, curses, captivity, dark experimentation. A character mentions a culture believes the dead can be contacted, which I was not thrilled about, and a character is compared to a goddess.
Overall, this is a clever retelling of Puss in Boots and one I believe readers of magical fairy tale retellings will enjoy.
Read
March 23, 2025I picked this one up when it was part of the ONCE UPON A PRINCE fairytale retelling series! (Yes, I'm still nibbling my way through the series). This is the first Puss in Boots retelling I've read, and it was a lot of fun seeing how Stevens chose to retell the story. Making the cat non-verbal was a fun choice - as was including elements of Tam Lin and Cyrano de Bergerac!
Although Stevens writes in a deceptively simple prose style, I was chuffed to find that this story has a lot of substance to it, and some wonderful arcs. Fairytales are full of stories about peasants and royalty falling in love, but this is one of the first retellings I've found to go into what happens when the royal half of the pair is determined to shape the peasant half into something that maybe they aren't supposed to be - or when the peasant half has to learn to grow into responsible maturity rather than just letting life pass them by. I really appreciated all the depth, and the respect for both characters, with which this relationship was written.
Although Stevens writes in a deceptively simple prose style, I was chuffed to find that this story has a lot of substance to it, and some wonderful arcs. Fairytales are full of stories about peasants and royalty falling in love, but this is one of the first retellings I've found to go into what happens when the royal half of the pair is determined to shape the peasant half into something that maybe they aren't supposed to be - or when the peasant half has to learn to grow into responsible maturity rather than just letting life pass them by. I really appreciated all the depth, and the respect for both characters, with which this relationship was written.
November 25, 2023
A baker, a tailor, a princess. And a cat.
Archie’s only inheritance is a cat. One he’s convinced is magic, but still a cat. When he refuses to take the baker apprenticeship his brothers set up for him, he turns to the cat for help in finding a job that would make him worthy of the kind and rebellious Princess Ainsley.
Leo knows he’s not a normal cat. He knows he had a life before this, but what that was, he can’t remember. Tabitha is the only one who never asks anything of him, and she’s the one he turns to for solace.
But a shapeshifting ogre is threatening the kingdom and the fae realm is restless. Can these four find a way to work together to get what they want and save the kingdom in the process?
“She had seen beyond all the masks he tried to wear and saw something of his own soul to cherish.”
Archie and Ainsley have serious Kristoff and Anna vibes and I love it! Archie’s bumbling was so endearing and Ainsley just kept taking everything in stride. Leo was a fun character to follow.
The magical elements built well on themselves, with more and more dangers showing up. The twist of the true bad guy was a lot of fun.
A great retelling of Puss in Boots.
5 Stars
No swearing
A few swoony kisses
A few minor injuries. Imprisonment, and hints of childhood trauma.
(Thank you to the author for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review.)
Archie’s only inheritance is a cat. One he’s convinced is magic, but still a cat. When he refuses to take the baker apprenticeship his brothers set up for him, he turns to the cat for help in finding a job that would make him worthy of the kind and rebellious Princess Ainsley.
Leo knows he’s not a normal cat. He knows he had a life before this, but what that was, he can’t remember. Tabitha is the only one who never asks anything of him, and she’s the one he turns to for solace.
But a shapeshifting ogre is threatening the kingdom and the fae realm is restless. Can these four find a way to work together to get what they want and save the kingdom in the process?
“She had seen beyond all the masks he tried to wear and saw something of his own soul to cherish.”
Archie and Ainsley have serious Kristoff and Anna vibes and I love it! Archie’s bumbling was so endearing and Ainsley just kept taking everything in stride. Leo was a fun character to follow.
The magical elements built well on themselves, with more and more dangers showing up. The twist of the true bad guy was a lot of fun.
A great retelling of Puss in Boots.
5 Stars
No swearing
A few swoony kisses
A few minor injuries. Imprisonment, and hints of childhood trauma.
(Thank you to the author for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review.)
September 21, 2024
Top of my long list of Puss in Boots retellings
It has been a while since I have read a retelling of Puss in Boots, but I respect this one a lot for making sense and making the main characters likeable and honest. The added nod to and mix of other stories made it even better.
It has been a while since I have read a retelling of Puss in Boots, but I respect this one a lot for making sense and making the main characters likeable and honest. The added nod to and mix of other stories made it even better.
November 6, 2023
Fantastic fairytale retelling!! Loved this sweet story.. Sassy, clever, romantic.. Lovely, addictive characters!
December 15, 2023
Leo's not a normal cat. Archie Miller might be a dreamer, but he’s seen the complex mousetraps the stray barn cat builds. When his late father wills him the “magic cat” as his only inheritance, he makes a deal with the supposed faerie to gain his fortune. But the ornery brown tabby has plans of his own, Archie finds himself entangled with a shapeshifting ogre and a reckless royal beauty. He finds himself with more magical mayhem than he can handle. Can the shoeless son of a miller romance a princess, become the hero his kingdom needs, and fit into a very fancy pair of hunting boots?
This was such a fun story! Puss in Boots is not the most common retelling, so it made me excited to read this. I really enjoyed the magical elements in this. I really enjoyed seeing Leo's POV. I loved watching his story slowly unfold. There was more to him than meets the eye! Archie was a gentle soul. I appreciated his sweetness and his willingness to work and seek his fortune. He had a lot of growth across the book and I loved how he found his place. It was sweet to see him with the princess. I liked how they supported each other. Archie was never overbearing. He had to find confidence in himself.
The story was exciting and I loved how the fairytale inspired it! I enjoyed the adventure elements and the additional fairytale's inspiration! It was a fun surprise! I was engaged in the story and anxious to see what would happen! This is a lovely fairytale inspired adventure with elements of romance. It has some action and faerie magic, which leans a bit dangerous and harsh. There is only kissing.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
This was such a fun story! Puss in Boots is not the most common retelling, so it made me excited to read this. I really enjoyed the magical elements in this. I really enjoyed seeing Leo's POV. I loved watching his story slowly unfold. There was more to him than meets the eye! Archie was a gentle soul. I appreciated his sweetness and his willingness to work and seek his fortune. He had a lot of growth across the book and I loved how he found his place. It was sweet to see him with the princess. I liked how they supported each other. Archie was never overbearing. He had to find confidence in himself.
The story was exciting and I loved how the fairytale inspired it! I enjoyed the adventure elements and the additional fairytale's inspiration! It was a fun surprise! I was engaged in the story and anxious to see what would happen! This is a lovely fairytale inspired adventure with elements of romance. It has some action and faerie magic, which leans a bit dangerous and harsh. There is only kissing.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
February 20, 2024
༻❥☆🐱☆❥༺
📖🄱🄾🄾🄺•🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆📖
───────•👑♡︎👑•───────
📚🌿𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊•𝐃𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐒🌿📚
✨𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚂𝙷𝙾𝙴𝙻𝙴𝚂𝚂 𝙿𝚁𝙸𝙽𝙲𝙴 𝙱𝚈 𝙹𝙰𝙲𝚀𝚄𝙴 𝚂𝚃𝙴𝚅𝙴𝙽𝚂
✨𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺 𝟾 𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙾𝙽𝙲𝙴 𝚄𝙿𝙾𝙽 𝙰 𝙿𝚁𝙸𝙽𝙲𝙴 𝚂𝙴𝚁𝙸𝙴𝚂 (𝚂𝚃𝙰𝙽𝙳𝙰𝙻𝙾𝙽𝙴 𝙽𝙾𝚅𝙴𝙻𝙻𝙰 𝚂𝙴𝚁𝙸𝙴𝚂)
✨𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐄: 𝙵𝙰𝙸𝚁𝚈𝚃𝙰𝙻𝙴 𝚁𝙴𝚃𝙴𝙻𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙶
✨𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: 𝙽𝙾𝚅. 𝟷𝟽𝚃𝙷, 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟹
╰┈❥𝙰𝚅𝙰𝙸𝙻𝙰𝙱𝙻𝙴 𝙾𝙽 𝙺𝚄!✨
✨𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ || 𝟻
✨𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋: 🌶️ || 𝟻
───────•👑♡︎👑•───────
✨✨𝑀𝑦 𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠✨✨
Thank you so much to Jacque Stevens for my gifted eARC of 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄!
I wasn’t sure how I felt about a Puss in Boots retelling, but this was such a pleasant surprise & I enjoyed it so much! It was a sweet & cozy read & I just loved everything about it. I loved the double POV between Archie & the star of the book, sassy “Puss” Leo!
Leo is trying to unravel the mystery of who he is & why he’s a cat, & Archie is the miller’s son, & is just trying to figure life out after his father dies & he’s left with Leo. Archie is definitely the epitome of a cinnamon roll MMC and I rooted for him right away. These two go on adventures & find romance & it’s the sweetest retelling I’ve read with the best feel-good vibes! I loved that we got two romances! Leo & Tabitha and Archie & Ainsley were both such good pairings & I loved watching them all grow together in this book. I loved everyone’s growth!
This was an exciting book with good plot elements & sweet romance, & I think what I loved most about it was how different it was from anything I’ve read. I loved the twists & turns it took & it was so enjoyable reading this book from Leo the cat’s perspective. I really loved how everything ended up unfolding, & the plot was perfectly paced & written really well!
I definitely recommend this one for any lovers of sweet, cozy, & humorous romance, and for any cat lovers out there!
👑✨𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄...✨👑
❥Puss in Boots Retelling
❥Cinnamon Roll MMC
❥Opposite-Sides-of-the-Track Romance
❥Rags to Riches
❥Cats Puns and an Animal Sidekick
༻❥☆🐱☆❥༺
📖🄱🄾🄾🄺•🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆📖
───────•👑♡︎👑•───────
📚🌿𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊•𝐃𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐒🌿📚
✨𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚂𝙷𝙾𝙴𝙻𝙴𝚂𝚂 𝙿𝚁𝙸𝙽𝙲𝙴 𝙱𝚈 𝙹𝙰𝙲𝚀𝚄𝙴 𝚂𝚃𝙴𝚅𝙴𝙽𝚂
✨𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺 𝟾 𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙾𝙽𝙲𝙴 𝚄𝙿𝙾𝙽 𝙰 𝙿𝚁𝙸𝙽𝙲𝙴 𝚂𝙴𝚁𝙸𝙴𝚂 (𝚂𝚃𝙰𝙽𝙳𝙰𝙻𝙾𝙽𝙴 𝙽𝙾𝚅𝙴𝙻𝙻𝙰 𝚂𝙴𝚁𝙸𝙴𝚂)
✨𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐄: 𝙵𝙰𝙸𝚁𝚈𝚃𝙰𝙻𝙴 𝚁𝙴𝚃𝙴𝙻𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙶
✨𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: 𝙽𝙾𝚅. 𝟷𝟽𝚃𝙷, 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟹
╰┈❥𝙰𝚅𝙰𝙸𝙻𝙰𝙱𝙻𝙴 𝙾𝙽 𝙺𝚄!✨
✨𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ || 𝟻
✨𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋: 🌶️ || 𝟻
───────•👑♡︎👑•───────
✨✨𝑀𝑦 𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠✨✨
Thank you so much to Jacque Stevens for my gifted eARC of 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄!
I wasn’t sure how I felt about a Puss in Boots retelling, but this was such a pleasant surprise & I enjoyed it so much! It was a sweet & cozy read & I just loved everything about it. I loved the double POV between Archie & the star of the book, sassy “Puss” Leo!
Leo is trying to unravel the mystery of who he is & why he’s a cat, & Archie is the miller’s son, & is just trying to figure life out after his father dies & he’s left with Leo. Archie is definitely the epitome of a cinnamon roll MMC and I rooted for him right away. These two go on adventures & find romance & it’s the sweetest retelling I’ve read with the best feel-good vibes! I loved that we got two romances! Leo & Tabitha and Archie & Ainsley were both such good pairings & I loved watching them all grow together in this book. I loved everyone’s growth!
This was an exciting book with good plot elements & sweet romance, & I think what I loved most about it was how different it was from anything I’ve read. I loved the twists & turns it took & it was so enjoyable reading this book from Leo the cat’s perspective. I really loved how everything ended up unfolding, & the plot was perfectly paced & written really well!
I definitely recommend this one for any lovers of sweet, cozy, & humorous romance, and for any cat lovers out there!
👑✨𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄...✨👑
❥Puss in Boots Retelling
❥Cinnamon Roll MMC
❥Opposite-Sides-of-the-Track Romance
❥Rags to Riches
❥Cats Puns and an Animal Sidekick
༻❥☆🐱☆❥༺
December 6, 2023
Surprisingly good
When the story started, I was wavering on liking it. However, it soon picked up and became engrossing. The start was actually important to set the stage for adventure, laughs, love, fun and so much more. Unique retelling that was excellent.
When the story started, I was wavering on liking it. However, it soon picked up and became engrossing. The start was actually important to set the stage for adventure, laughs, love, fun and so much more. Unique retelling that was excellent.
March 27, 2024
A Beautiful
In this beautifully written adventure, the Miller's son strikes a deal with a magic cat, thinking of making his fortune, but the cat has grander ideas. With plenty of twists and turns, but also tender moments, this fun adventure delves into the lives of characters shaped by magic and love. Puss in Boots is one of my favorite fairy tales and it's good to see it rewritten so beautifully in this novel.
In this beautifully written adventure, the Miller's son strikes a deal with a magic cat, thinking of making his fortune, but the cat has grander ideas. With plenty of twists and turns, but also tender moments, this fun adventure delves into the lives of characters shaped by magic and love. Puss in Boots is one of my favorite fairy tales and it's good to see it rewritten so beautifully in this novel.
November 16, 2023
I was not sure how I would feel about a puss in boots retelling, but wow! I was so impressed with this book! When Archie’s dad, the miller, passes away and leaves him a magical cat, he doesn’t quite know how to feel. He is determined to make a life for himself, and enlists Leo the cat’s help.
Okay, so you all know that I love a little feminism in the books I read, so when I read the part where Archie thinks of the princess as “a pretty piece of poetry or an oil canvas mounted on the wall…” I was a bit put off. HOWEVER, Jacque Stevens is an absolute genius and used this objectification to develop Archie’s character. At the beginning of the story, Archie definitely views Ainsley as more of an object than a person, more so because her station is so far removed from his reality than out of malice. But, as the story progresses and the two become closer, he sees that he was wrong for thinking of her in that way. He understands that thinking of her as “the princess” is no less harmful than people thinking of him as “the miller’s son.” I was blown away by this character arc!
Furthermore, Archie just made this story shine (although I loved Leo and the others as well)! His honesty is heartwarming and it was endearing to watch him gradually open up to Ainsley. I appreciated the juxtaposition of his objectification of her with his perception of her objectifying him. We not only get to see him slowly change his views of Ainsley as a person but also realize that she was not objectifying him so much as giving him space to be himself.
Additionally, Archie’s motivation is so strong throughout the entirety of the story. He desperately wants someone to see him for who he really is. As a reader, my heart broke for him whenever he couldn’t be his authentic self. Related to that, I appreciated that he had something to work toward in the story. Since his father left him with nothing, he had to find a way to make a life for himself. He is kind of thrown into becoming a huntsman, and even though he is not really doing the work at first, he is determined to make something of himself. He strives for honesty, both in his words and actions, which made his character so wholesome.
Finally, Stevens also flipped the script on us readers with Archie’s agency. It is mentioned multiple times throughout the novel that Archie does not have a lot of agency; he is thrown into many circumstances throughout the novel, and other characters often get the last word on what he can or can’t do. While a lack of character agency is typically not compelling for readers, Stevens did a phenomenal job of making the lack of agency part of the story. It wasn’t an accidental misstep, it was intentional, and that made a world of difference. Likewise, Archie’s character was developed more every time he showed a little autonomy, so even small actions felt immense.
As a whole, my review doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of how wonderful The Shoeless Prince was. Archie and Leo were like Linguine and Remy, and they stole my heart from the very beginning. There were so many more things to love about this story, so go buy yourself a copy when it’s released on Friday!
I received an ARC of this book, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
Okay, so you all know that I love a little feminism in the books I read, so when I read the part where Archie thinks of the princess as “a pretty piece of poetry or an oil canvas mounted on the wall…” I was a bit put off. HOWEVER, Jacque Stevens is an absolute genius and used this objectification to develop Archie’s character. At the beginning of the story, Archie definitely views Ainsley as more of an object than a person, more so because her station is so far removed from his reality than out of malice. But, as the story progresses and the two become closer, he sees that he was wrong for thinking of her in that way. He understands that thinking of her as “the princess” is no less harmful than people thinking of him as “the miller’s son.” I was blown away by this character arc!
Furthermore, Archie just made this story shine (although I loved Leo and the others as well)! His honesty is heartwarming and it was endearing to watch him gradually open up to Ainsley. I appreciated the juxtaposition of his objectification of her with his perception of her objectifying him. We not only get to see him slowly change his views of Ainsley as a person but also realize that she was not objectifying him so much as giving him space to be himself.
Additionally, Archie’s motivation is so strong throughout the entirety of the story. He desperately wants someone to see him for who he really is. As a reader, my heart broke for him whenever he couldn’t be his authentic self. Related to that, I appreciated that he had something to work toward in the story. Since his father left him with nothing, he had to find a way to make a life for himself. He is kind of thrown into becoming a huntsman, and even though he is not really doing the work at first, he is determined to make something of himself. He strives for honesty, both in his words and actions, which made his character so wholesome.
Finally, Stevens also flipped the script on us readers with Archie’s agency. It is mentioned multiple times throughout the novel that Archie does not have a lot of agency; he is thrown into many circumstances throughout the novel, and other characters often get the last word on what he can or can’t do. While a lack of character agency is typically not compelling for readers, Stevens did a phenomenal job of making the lack of agency part of the story. It wasn’t an accidental misstep, it was intentional, and that made a world of difference. Likewise, Archie’s character was developed more every time he showed a little autonomy, so even small actions felt immense.
As a whole, my review doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of how wonderful The Shoeless Prince was. Archie and Leo were like Linguine and Remy, and they stole my heart from the very beginning. There were so many more things to love about this story, so go buy yourself a copy when it’s released on Friday!
I received an ARC of this book, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
November 10, 2023
I thought I was going to give this a five star review, and then I got to the last chapter. The ending left a bad taste, and—as the endings of books tend to—overshadows all the things I liked about the rest of it.
I was hooked from the start, and enjoyed the two male POVs. Archie's doubts about whether he's more than his physical capabilities are something I connected with, and the fact that he still helped others in any way he could made him an endearing hero.
Leo was a fun foil to Archie's straight-forward, honest ways, and I enjoyed how the author melded the original tale with her fun twist. I can't say it was unexpected, but it was cleverly done. Leo also was a perfect caricature of a cat's arrogance.
Archie's storyline was wrapped up well and in a satisfying manner. Leo's was not. For having a POV, he didn't experience much growth, and his ending decision was rather self-centered. His storyline felt like it was a bit rushed at the end.
I truly enjoyed the story up until the end, and my enjoyment of the first 95% of the book increased my disappointment.
I was hooked from the start, and enjoyed the two male POVs. Archie's doubts about whether he's more than his physical capabilities are something I connected with, and the fact that he still helped others in any way he could made him an endearing hero.
Leo was a fun foil to Archie's straight-forward, honest ways, and I enjoyed how the author melded the original tale with her fun twist. I can't say it was unexpected, but it was cleverly done. Leo also was a perfect caricature of a cat's arrogance.
Archie's storyline was wrapped up well and in a satisfying manner. Leo's was not. For having a POV, he didn't experience much growth, and his ending decision was rather self-centered. His storyline felt like it was a bit rushed at the end.
I truly enjoyed the story up until the end, and my enjoyment of the first 95% of the book increased my disappointment.
December 1, 2023
Best puss and boots retelling ever!
This retelling blew me away! From the moment I opened the book and saw the chapter titles that all have the word cat in them I knew this would be a clever retelling.
I loved this dual perspective book! But guess what it's the perspective of the Miller's son and the cat. TOTALLY AWESOME!
Not to mention the fact that the author weaves two separate story lines into this.
The romance 👌👌👌👌
The action and adventure was awesome. So was the mystery that kept me glued to this book wondering how everything was going to play out. Absolutely fantastic!!
💋Romance: kisses only
⚠️Trigger warnings: loss of parents
Thank you to the author for the advanced reader copy
This retelling blew me away! From the moment I opened the book and saw the chapter titles that all have the word cat in them I knew this would be a clever retelling.
I loved this dual perspective book! But guess what it's the perspective of the Miller's son and the cat. TOTALLY AWESOME!
Not to mention the fact that the author weaves two separate story lines into this.
The romance 👌👌👌👌
The action and adventure was awesome. So was the mystery that kept me glued to this book wondering how everything was going to play out. Absolutely fantastic!!
💋Romance: kisses only
⚠️Trigger warnings: loss of parents
Thank you to the author for the advanced reader copy
February 24, 2024
4.5 stars!
This was my first book by Jacque Stevens and boy, it was great!
Puss in Boots is by no means my favourite tale, but Stevens gave an original and absolutely unique version of it in her stunning retelling. I especially love how all characters were shown having flaws in the beginning and those were worked on as the story progressed.
It was a clean read, with only kisses and mentions of kisses.
The only downside I found, was that I wish we’d been given a longer conclusion to Leo’s story but… who knows? There might be other instalments to follow…?
In any case, I will certainly be looking into Stevens’s other books! 😁
This was my first book by Jacque Stevens and boy, it was great!
Puss in Boots is by no means my favourite tale, but Stevens gave an original and absolutely unique version of it in her stunning retelling. I especially love how all characters were shown having flaws in the beginning and those were worked on as the story progressed.
It was a clean read, with only kisses and mentions of kisses.
The only downside I found, was that I wish we’d been given a longer conclusion to Leo’s story but… who knows? There might be other instalments to follow…?
In any case, I will certainly be looking into Stevens’s other books! 😁
August 16, 2023
I loved this adorable, clever fairytale retelling, that weaves Puss in Boots with so many other well known tales (no spoilers!). Archie was a total cinnamon roll, and I loved Ainsley spunky independence and grit, while Leo was hilariously sassy and a brilliant prince/puss. The plot kept me guessing and pulled me along at a perfect pace, and the ending was completely satisfying. A perfect fairytale romance!
April 8, 2024
Purrfect Retelling
I wasn't sure what to expect from a Puss in Boots retelling, but I absolutely loved Leo's (Puss) pov. I was much more invested in his story than Archie's (the miller boy), and I wish we got to see a bit more from him through flashbacks.
The story was well written, told from both Leo's and Archive's points of view. The world and magic and fae were interesting. The fairy tale elements were nicely woven into the story.
There is a plague that swept the kingdom, so that may bother some readers.
Spoilers
I liked that this Once Upon a Prince installment actually focused on the male characters. However, I really wanted more of Leo's (and Tabitha's) story. The book only gave us glimpses of the past as Leo discovered it.
I really liked how Leo saw Tabitha and came to realize how much he relied on and cared for her. She's his comfort and peace; she's beautiful and makes the world around her beautiful (literally, she's a seamstress and he likes fashion); she's strong, determined, and self-reliant; she's caring and loves cats. Tabitha was interesting. She had some kind of traumatic past that caused her to leave home and may have impacted her ability to converse and have relationships with other humans. Some seemed to think her mad or at least eccentric, and Leo questions whether she suspects he's different from other cats. Having more insight into Tabitha's thoughts/feelings would have helped their ending, which felt a bit rushed.
Speaking of the end, the time jump in the last few chapters threw me. (Also, there's often a chapter header indicating a jump, but not in the kindle version.) The 3 year jump shifted the tone. The characters were more serious as they search for Leo, and Leo himself was in a magic haze. During this period he was a human pet to the fae queen, who kissed/touched him, sometimes forgot he needed food, and laughed as he danced on bleeding feet - and he just existed in this haze, accepting it all, until he saw Tabitha again. This is a far cry from the Leo before, and it's a more somber turn than I expected. Such a drastic change deserved more time to build the happily ever after, though what we got was simple and sweet. (UPDATE: See good news in the comments!)
As for Archie and Ainsley, they were ok. Archie was a bit too weak and whiny in the beginning for me to really like him, but he does get better. His dynamic with Leo and the princess reminded me of Ratatouille. Princess Ainsley herself was kind of pushy and spoiled, if well meaning. This is acknowledged, but then she still seemed to just get her way. For example, she let Archie speak more, but then did what she wanted anyway (going to Carabus). She wasn't overly annoying, just a standard 'special' princess. She never grew on me.
I wasn't sure what to expect from a Puss in Boots retelling, but I absolutely loved Leo's (Puss) pov. I was much more invested in his story than Archie's (the miller boy), and I wish we got to see a bit more from him through flashbacks.
The story was well written, told from both Leo's and Archive's points of view. The world and magic and fae were interesting. The fairy tale elements were nicely woven into the story.
There is a plague that swept the kingdom, so that may bother some readers.
Spoilers
I liked that this Once Upon a Prince installment actually focused on the male characters. However, I really wanted more of Leo's (and Tabitha's) story. The book only gave us glimpses of the past as Leo discovered it.
I really liked how Leo saw Tabitha and came to realize how much he relied on and cared for her. She's his comfort and peace; she's beautiful and makes the world around her beautiful (literally, she's a seamstress and he likes fashion); she's strong, determined, and self-reliant; she's caring and loves cats. Tabitha was interesting. She had some kind of traumatic past that caused her to leave home and may have impacted her ability to converse and have relationships with other humans. Some seemed to think her mad or at least eccentric, and Leo questions whether she suspects he's different from other cats. Having more insight into Tabitha's thoughts/feelings would have helped their ending, which felt a bit rushed.
Speaking of the end, the time jump in the last few chapters threw me. (Also, there's often a chapter header indicating a jump, but not in the kindle version.) The 3 year jump shifted the tone. The characters were more serious as they search for Leo, and Leo himself was in a magic haze. During this period he was a human pet to the fae queen, who kissed/touched him, sometimes forgot he needed food, and laughed as he danced on bleeding feet - and he just existed in this haze, accepting it all, until he saw Tabitha again. This is a far cry from the Leo before, and it's a more somber turn than I expected. Such a drastic change deserved more time to build the happily ever after, though what we got was simple and sweet. (UPDATE: See good news in the comments!)
As for Archie and Ainsley, they were ok. Archie was a bit too weak and whiny in the beginning for me to really like him, but he does get better. His dynamic with Leo and the princess reminded me of Ratatouille. Princess Ainsley herself was kind of pushy and spoiled, if well meaning. This is acknowledged, but then she still seemed to just get her way. For example, she let Archie speak more, but then did what she wanted anyway (going to Carabus). She wasn't overly annoying, just a standard 'special' princess. She never grew on me.
February 1, 2024
Reader’s Notes:
– this is part of a series, but meant to be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Leo & Archie’s points of view
– Archie’s father just passed away; his mother passed away 4 years prior due to the plague
Review:
I really enjoyed this retelling of Puss in Boots! I loved that there was a reason ‘Puss’ was more intelligent and able to come up with all these plans beyond some of the ideas I’ve seen so far (though they were also good!). I loved being able to guess along the way about him and why he was trying to get inside the castle walls so desperately despite his limited memories. I loved the sweet romance that developed between Archie and the princess. He was so shy and sweet in his attentions and grew in being able to speak for himself and to stand up for the truth, even when it meant exposing himself as having told a lie. I loved that the princess was unexpected, though she started as the sweet girl that Archie observed with the children at the orphanage. I was so glad to hear that Jacque Stevens plans on writing more books in this world (that are also based off fairy tales!) as I want to know more about the different things mentioned that we only touched upon in these characters’ experiences. (The series – Borderland Brides Fairytale Retellings – will start with The Swan Bride for anyone else interested in more!)
Summary:
Leo knows he’s no ordinary cat, but isn’t quite sure what he is if he’s not. The only things he has are a few jumbled memories and a strong desire to get through the castle walls. But even a tabby has no hope of getting there on his own. But with the right tools, he might be able to accomplish his goals…
Archie knows there’s something different about the cat that frequents the mill. Between the way Puss sets traps and is methodical in his reactions to things said in his presence, there is nothing ordinary about him. But no one ever has truly believed Archie’s claims. So when his father passes and gives him nothing but the ‘magical cat’ as his inheritance, Archie is ready to prove everyone wrong. He just needs to make a deal that’s appealing to the cat.
Though the path Puss takes Archie on is riddled with questionable choices and seemingly misplaced trust, Archie is finding a whole new world opened up to him. And dreams that he never expected to be possible for the son of a miller to ever come true…
– this is part of a series, but meant to be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Leo & Archie’s points of view
– Archie’s father just passed away; his mother passed away 4 years prior due to the plague
Review:
I really enjoyed this retelling of Puss in Boots! I loved that there was a reason ‘Puss’ was more intelligent and able to come up with all these plans beyond some of the ideas I’ve seen so far (though they were also good!). I loved being able to guess along the way about him and why he was trying to get inside the castle walls so desperately despite his limited memories. I loved the sweet romance that developed between Archie and the princess. He was so shy and sweet in his attentions and grew in being able to speak for himself and to stand up for the truth, even when it meant exposing himself as having told a lie. I loved that the princess was unexpected, though she started as the sweet girl that Archie observed with the children at the orphanage. I was so glad to hear that Jacque Stevens plans on writing more books in this world (that are also based off fairy tales!) as I want to know more about the different things mentioned that we only touched upon in these characters’ experiences. (The series – Borderland Brides Fairytale Retellings – will start with The Swan Bride for anyone else interested in more!)
Summary:
Leo knows he’s no ordinary cat, but isn’t quite sure what he is if he’s not. The only things he has are a few jumbled memories and a strong desire to get through the castle walls. But even a tabby has no hope of getting there on his own. But with the right tools, he might be able to accomplish his goals…
Archie knows there’s something different about the cat that frequents the mill. Between the way Puss sets traps and is methodical in his reactions to things said in his presence, there is nothing ordinary about him. But no one ever has truly believed Archie’s claims. So when his father passes and gives him nothing but the ‘magical cat’ as his inheritance, Archie is ready to prove everyone wrong. He just needs to make a deal that’s appealing to the cat.
Though the path Puss takes Archie on is riddled with questionable choices and seemingly misplaced trust, Archie is finding a whole new world opened up to him. And dreams that he never expected to be possible for the son of a miller to ever come true…
October 21, 2024
I’ve never been the biggest fan of Puss in Boots but this imaginative retelling reeled me in quickly and refused to let go until the very end. It even manages to tuck in touches of TamLin.
In The Shoeless Prince we have a Miller’s Son, Archie- the third son of a small grain mill who discovers upon the death of his father that his inheritance is a local stray cat his father claims is “magical”.
Debatable, given the cat didn’t even belong to the Miller but did like building elaborate traps to catch the local mice.
No one knows where the cat even came from, but he does enjoy spending time with the local seamstress, Tabitha. Archie, our unlikely hero who chooses to believe the cat truly has magic, has no interest in the various apprenticeships his brothers try suggesting, deciding instead to claim his grandfather’s old bow and quiver of arrows in order to become a Huntsman… with interesting results.
Our heroine, the princess Ainsley, spends time holding Story Time at the nearby orphanage- a place Archie donates extra flour and bakes bread for the children. They meet and a bond is formed. Is it friendship? Could it lead to more? And could anyone even find love during a time of plague?
Just who is Puss, or Tom, or Leo? Our feisty feline seems to have several names and who knows which one is truly his- or if it is something else entirely? Why has he decided to try and help Archie at all?
You’ll have to read to find out.
It’s an entertaining ride with a satisfying ending. Written for YA and up, the worst you’ll get is Ainsley admiring Archie’s bare chest in a scene and them sharing “actor’s kisses” with one another by covering lips with a thumb rather than go directly lip to lip (adorable).
This sweet reinterpretation is one will be joining my fairy tale collection.
In The Shoeless Prince we have a Miller’s Son, Archie- the third son of a small grain mill who discovers upon the death of his father that his inheritance is a local stray cat his father claims is “magical”.
Debatable, given the cat didn’t even belong to the Miller but did like building elaborate traps to catch the local mice.
No one knows where the cat even came from, but he does enjoy spending time with the local seamstress, Tabitha. Archie, our unlikely hero who chooses to believe the cat truly has magic, has no interest in the various apprenticeships his brothers try suggesting, deciding instead to claim his grandfather’s old bow and quiver of arrows in order to become a Huntsman… with interesting results.
Our heroine, the princess Ainsley, spends time holding Story Time at the nearby orphanage- a place Archie donates extra flour and bakes bread for the children. They meet and a bond is formed. Is it friendship? Could it lead to more? And could anyone even find love during a time of plague?
Just who is Puss, or Tom, or Leo? Our feisty feline seems to have several names and who knows which one is truly his- or if it is something else entirely? Why has he decided to try and help Archie at all?
You’ll have to read to find out.
It’s an entertaining ride with a satisfying ending. Written for YA and up, the worst you’ll get is Ainsley admiring Archie’s bare chest in a scene and them sharing “actor’s kisses” with one another by covering lips with a thumb rather than go directly lip to lip (adorable).
This sweet reinterpretation is one will be joining my fairy tale collection.
October 30, 2023
A Puss in Boots retelling.
Archie being the third son didn’t expect much of anything when his father died. He wasn’t disappointed because his father only left him a stray barn cat who was around every so often. This cat,
however, is no ordinary cat for he can think for himself and create igneous mousetraps besides ridding the kingdom of plague infested rats!
Archie is a dreamer and he is besotted by the young
Princess Ainsley who is next in line for the throne after her brother’s mysterious disappearance! One day he swallows his fears and helps the princess and the two become friends but he dreams of more.
The cat meanwhile helps Archie and also spends time with an apprentice seamstress who likes cats.
With the rat plague just about over suddenly rabid dogs attack the people. It’s during this that Archie comes to realize just who this cat really is. They team up again to vanquish the plague and expose who is behind it!
If you ever find yourself in the presence of Fae run as fast away as you can for it turns out Ainsley’s brother made a bargain with a Fae and even after 4 years when the person was taken care of, the Fae never released him. It took another three years before the girl who loved him was able to rescue him.
This is a delightful story you’ll enjoy because of the happy ending but again stay away from Fae!
I heartily recommend this book and the others in this series. I love fairy tales and enjoyed being caught up in the magical spell they weave!
Come back and enjoy this genre again! I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed you did!
Archie being the third son didn’t expect much of anything when his father died. He wasn’t disappointed because his father only left him a stray barn cat who was around every so often. This cat,
however, is no ordinary cat for he can think for himself and create igneous mousetraps besides ridding the kingdom of plague infested rats!
Archie is a dreamer and he is besotted by the young
Princess Ainsley who is next in line for the throne after her brother’s mysterious disappearance! One day he swallows his fears and helps the princess and the two become friends but he dreams of more.
The cat meanwhile helps Archie and also spends time with an apprentice seamstress who likes cats.
With the rat plague just about over suddenly rabid dogs attack the people. It’s during this that Archie comes to realize just who this cat really is. They team up again to vanquish the plague and expose who is behind it!
If you ever find yourself in the presence of Fae run as fast away as you can for it turns out Ainsley’s brother made a bargain with a Fae and even after 4 years when the person was taken care of, the Fae never released him. It took another three years before the girl who loved him was able to rescue him.
This is a delightful story you’ll enjoy because of the happy ending but again stay away from Fae!
I heartily recommend this book and the others in this series. I love fairy tales and enjoyed being caught up in the magical spell they weave!
Come back and enjoy this genre again! I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed you did!
January 11, 2024
This was a really nice read. My only previous exposure to Puss in Boots is the DreamWorks movie that I saw when I was a kid and remember almost nothing about even if it had been a fairly accurate retelling, so I was really starting from scratch here which was kinda fun.
I loved all of the characters and the relationships between characters. It was really easy to believe with the way he behaved and thought that Leo was a human stuck in a cat's body, so that was really well done. Also the antics between Archie and Leo were just fantastic. They were hilarious, but it was also really cool to see how they learned and grew by working together.
And Archie was just the biggest, softest cinnamon roll and I adored him. It was nice watching him come out of his shell and realizing how much he was capable of and how much more he was than how his family had always told him he was. It was really heart-warming and that journey of personal growth was almost better than the romance, even though I also loved Ainsley.
The plot itself was a little predictable for the most part, but not really in a bad way. I felt like the characters were interesting enough that. especially in a short book like this, the plot didn't really need to be complicated. It was still definitely good enough to make me want to keep reading.
I loved all of the characters and the relationships between characters. It was really easy to believe with the way he behaved and thought that Leo was a human stuck in a cat's body, so that was really well done. Also the antics between Archie and Leo were just fantastic. They were hilarious, but it was also really cool to see how they learned and grew by working together.
And Archie was just the biggest, softest cinnamon roll and I adored him. It was nice watching him come out of his shell and realizing how much he was capable of and how much more he was than how his family had always told him he was. It was really heart-warming and that journey of personal growth was almost better than the romance, even though I also loved Ainsley.
The plot itself was a little predictable for the most part, but not really in a bad way. I felt like the characters were interesting enough that. especially in a short book like this, the plot didn't really need to be complicated. It was still definitely good enough to make me want to keep reading.
November 10, 2023
This was perfect for its genre and I highly enjoyed it.
A true YA...romcom I'd almost say, in the form of a fairytale.
There were a few moments during the story that i wish had been paced a bit more slowly, with more details. But I still feel it deserves its full 5 stars just because of my enjoyment level. I really love how much this felt like reading a fairytale. I love the depth and the fact that we have two MMC's who are absolute and total opposites, but have nice friendly banter anyway. Really, really enjoyed this.
Coarse language: none
Violence & gore: mild fantasy violence and killing of plague ridden animals, no gore.
Sexual content: this one only has sweet, mild romance. No spice, no bedroom scenes.
* I received a free copy from the author. This has not influenced by rating or review in any way.
A true YA...romcom I'd almost say, in the form of a fairytale.
There were a few moments during the story that i wish had been paced a bit more slowly, with more details. But I still feel it deserves its full 5 stars just because of my enjoyment level. I really love how much this felt like reading a fairytale. I love the depth and the fact that we have two MMC's who are absolute and total opposites, but have nice friendly banter anyway. Really, really enjoyed this.
Coarse language: none
Violence & gore: mild fantasy violence and killing of plague ridden animals, no gore.
Sexual content: this one only has sweet, mild romance. No spice, no bedroom scenes.
* I received a free copy from the author. This has not influenced by rating or review in any way.
October 30, 2023
My name is jean-Marie, Pauline is my grandmother. But I’m the one who got the book I received an advance ARC
Suppose a sweet story, but it also had emotional moments in it where I thought me and Wiseman avoix Main characters, but they came back The ending pretty much made me go “awww and I just wanted to hug everybody in the book. Wow.Leo anyway so he probably Kwame.. send a very satisfactory ending and I can’t wait for it to come on so I can get a paperback version
Suppose a sweet story, but it also had emotional moments in it where I thought me and Wiseman avoix Main characters, but they came back The ending pretty much made me go “awww and I just wanted to hug everybody in the book. Wow.Leo anyway so he probably Kwame.. send a very satisfactory ending and I can’t wait for it to come on so I can get a paperback version
December 15, 2024
Riveting Puss in Boots retelling
Leo was no ordinary cat. Archie might have only been the millers 3rd son but he could see this even if others couldn't. I loved how Leo could communicate his plans without words, and how we got to see glimpses into his 'before' memories. In many ways, Leo was the true hero of this book rather than Archie, even though Archie became the Marquis and got to
marry the princess.
Leo was no ordinary cat. Archie might have only been the millers 3rd son but he could see this even if others couldn't. I loved how Leo could communicate his plans without words, and how we got to see glimpses into his 'before' memories. In many ways, Leo was the true hero of this book rather than Archie, even though Archie became the Marquis and got to
marry the princess.
February 15, 2024
Unique and charming retelling of Puss in Boots
I love the double pov in this story and opposite perspectives of Leo and Archie. The cat character is very interesting and very cat-like. This is going on my list of favorite Puss in Boots retellings. Very reminiscent of A.G. Marshall's The Cat and His Servant, but with more personality. Definitely recommend.
I love the double pov in this story and opposite perspectives of Leo and Archie. The cat character is very interesting and very cat-like. This is going on my list of favorite Puss in Boots retellings. Very reminiscent of A.G. Marshall's The Cat and His Servant, but with more personality. Definitely recommend.
July 18, 2024
I think the cat got my tongue with this one!
I did not expect to make it to the end of this book I tears, which just tells you how good the story is! This lovely adventure of a cursed prince, a wiley cat, a miller’s son, and a fierce princess will steal your heart away! With smooth writing and humor all throughout, you get to watch characters learn and grow and love and overcome together. It was beautifully done!
I did not expect to make it to the end of this book I tears, which just tells you how good the story is! This lovely adventure of a cursed prince, a wiley cat, a miller’s son, and a fierce princess will steal your heart away! With smooth writing and humor all throughout, you get to watch characters learn and grow and love and overcome together. It was beautifully done!
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