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The Wise Daughter

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Love makes a person do foolish things.

Honora Lacy and her father have been utterly ruined, but when her father’s plan for recovery depends entirely on the mercy of the hard-hearted Duke of Ravenglass, Nora knows she must devise a more logical, realistic plan. But when she unwittingly stumbles into a mystery surrounding the duke and his safety, she agrees to help him uncover the enemies hiding within the walls of his castle. Why not? She has nothing to risk, or so she thinks until the mysterious duke starts to claim her heart. Can a man with so many secrets truly love her in return?

This sweet, kisses only, Regency romance is loosely based off of the Grimm Brother's lesser-known fairy tale, The Peasant's Wise Daughter.

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 17, 2025

5 people are currently reading
75 people want to read

About the author

Shelly E. Powell

8 books36 followers
As soon as Shelly Powell was old enough to write, she was crafting stories to share with family and friends. Her earliest works featured princesses and mermaids, which she willingly portrayed on the makeshift stages of home and school. Although her interests have expanded since then, she still finds writing to be a thrilling process and a unique way to connect with others. Shelly loves a happy ending but also believes in happy beginnings. She hopes to write many stories in the years to come. Shelly enjoys running, yoga, drawing, and spending time with her sweet husband and amazing kids. Stay tuned because she has more projects in the works…

You can connect with Shelly on Facebook or Instagram @shellypowellauthor.

Join her newsletter on her website or find her on Bookbub to get the latest book news--
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/shell...

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Kristalyne, love.lovely.books.
244 reviews46 followers
June 20, 2025
I love this book! Both main characters are amazing and I loved their unique and adorable meet cute! I was hooked from the start!

I absolutely love how the Duke falls first and he is so determined to win Nora’s heart! There is also a mystery in this story that Nora is so determined to solve! It added an exciting aspect to this sweet romance!

Nora is clever, brave, and kind hearted. Aaron is such a handsome, mysterious gentleman. These two were made for each other and their slow burn romance was a joy to read! It’s beautifully written with the most lovely characters I was rooting for! This story made me happy and I was completely invested in their journey to happiness!

Read for:
🤍Fairytale retelling of ‘The Peasant’s Wise Daughter’
🤍Gorgeous castle by the sea setting
🤍A mystery with danger!
🤍Twists and turns
🤍The sweetest slow burn
🤍Wishes
🤍Swoony romantic moments
🤍The banter
🤍The loveliest characters
🤍Fighting for their hea
🤍That ending!

If you’re looking for a sweet regency romance that’ll make you smile, have you gasping out loud, and make your heart happy, then you definitely need this amazing book in your life! It’s delightful in every way and I absolutely loved every second of it!!!!
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Thank you so much to the author the arc copy. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Shayla Riley.
641 reviews24 followers
June 18, 2025
The Wise Daughter
by: Shelly Powell
@shellypowellauthor

••I give 5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚-Book Release Date: June. 17, 2025!-📚

~Love makes a person do foolish things...

“If a man is rescued by a kind, beautiful young woman, he is going to take notice.”

-The Wise Daughter, is a charmingly sweet, kisses only, Regency romance. It is loosely based off of the Grimm Brother’s lesser-known fairy tale, The Peasant’s Wise Daughter, which is sort of a rags-to-riches romance with a steadfast love that I found to be quite endearing! Weaved with beautiful writing, vivid details, heartfelt moments, such swoon, and beauty amid heartache and loss! It’s easily a dear story that held my attention and captivated my whole heart! I thoroughly enjoyed watching kindness make such a difference in the lives of dear characters, but also themes of bravery, trust, protection, and love within the pages. I loved watching characters choose to put doubts aside, choose faith over fear, and do all within their means to solve a mystery, protect those they love for a chance at lasting happiness. This is a dear story worth reading! Such satisfaction comes after quite a turn of events along the way!🙌🏻📚❤️✨

“I choose you. You’re all I want.”

•Content: gambling, theft, stealing, mild danger/peril/violence, betrayal, arson, poison, gun pointed, no language, kisses only.

“My safety means nothing to me when yours is at stake. I’ll risk it every time.”

-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

“Whether you’re a duke or a blacksmith or a beggar, I only need you.”

#thewisedaughter

“I might have been attacked by thieves the night we met, but it was you who stole my heart.”

#shellypowellauthor

“If I am to have your heart, you must surrender it yourself, completely, unconditionally, and most willingly.”

#allaboutthebestreads

“My heart is already yours.“
Profile Image for Kim.
837 reviews1 follower
June 27, 2025
A sweet, clean, swoony Regency romance that reads like a fairytale and made me smile. Inspired by the Grimm Brothers tale The Peasant’s Wise Daughter, it has a fair maiden who can definitely take care of herself (and rescue the Duke), an ancient castle with hidden passageways, a secretive Duke who proposes marriage, a ring of thieves to be brought to justice, and a happily ever after ending. It was a perfect escape!

I received a free eARC from the author and all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Kim Power.
Author 5 books12 followers
July 13, 2025
The Wise Daughter is wise indeed

A clever mystery and a sweet romance. Just as I was feeling smug that I had identified the criminal, there was a twist in the tail that I had not seen coming. The lead characters are charming, the dialogue is very well done, but there is occasional editing error. This novel really engrossed me.
Profile Image for Sharon the Librarian.
1,042 reviews
July 2, 2025
This book made me smile. A strong, kind, and determined FMC and an elusive and rumor milled Duke meet in an interesting way. She does not know who he is or what she is getting herself into.

She went from riches to rags in a month’s time because of her father’s gambling, and he has a scheme to get her in the door at the Dukes castle. A connection would be mutually beneficial.

If you like a Cinderella story, marriage of convenience, a mystery set in Victorian times, found family, and a slow burn (and sometimes frustrating) relationship, you are in for a treat.

I received an ebook from the author for my review.


“You choose to keep secrets and let them fester until they poison you from the inside out.”

“There are many types of thieves. Doubt is one of the worst. It steals our faith and ruins our chance at happiness.”
37 reviews
August 19, 2025
I love this book so much! Aaron is the cutest (usually) and Nora’s devotion is the sweetest. A breathtaking book, I highly recommend it!
907 reviews11 followers
July 24, 2025
This clean historical romance had suggestions of The Peasant’s Wise Daughter, and an abundance of danger and adventure! Bth main characters had to learn to trust each other and to be wise, yet harmless. I loved watching the romance develop and the mysteries be solved!
Profile Image for Niki Farkas.
113 reviews3 followers
July 24, 2025
great story!

I really enjoyed this story! Well written and I love the main character, Nora and Aaron! This is the first book I have read by this author but it will not be sad{
Profile Image for Lida Marie.
165 reviews3 followers
October 18, 2025
📚✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨📚
Title: The Wise Daughter
Series: Standalone (loosely based on Grimm’s The Peasant’s Wise Daughter)
Author: Shelly E. Powell
Genre: Regency Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📝 My Thoughts:
What a charming, heartwarming read! I didn’t realize until the end that it was inspired by a lesser-known Grimm fairy tale, which made me appreciate it even more. It blends classic Regency elegance with a touch of fairy-tale wisdom that feels fresh and delightful.

What I Liked: The characters are wonderful! Honora Lacy (Nora) is smart, kind, and graceful in the face of life’s challenges. The Duke, Aaron, grows on you, and their slow-burn romance feels authentic and tender. I loved the witty banter, the subtle tension, and the emotional moments that make you smile. The plot balances romance, mystery, and heart, moving at a pace that keeps you turning pages without feeling rushed.

Writing & Readability: Elegant and easy to follow. There’s depth in the story with themes of loss, forgiveness, and resilience, making it more than just a pretty romance.

Series Info: Standalone. You don’t need to read anything before it.

Potential Triggers: Mentions of grief and deceit, nothing graphic.

Who I’d Recommend This To: Fans of slow-burn Regency romances, strong heroines, and fairy-tale-inspired historical fiction. If you love thoughtful romance with emotional depth and a sweet, satisfying ending, this one is for you.

🔖 Favorite Quote:
“Doubt is one of the worst. It steals our faith and ruins our chance at happiness.”

📌 Final Verdict:
A tender, clever, and heartwarming Regency romance that will leave you smiling. Perfect for anyone who loves smart heroines, slow-burn love, and a fairy-tale touch.💫

#RNreads #TheWiseDaughter #RegencyRomance #HistoricalRomance #BookReview #SlowBurnLove #ShellyEPowell #FairyTaleRetelling #ReadersOfInstagram #RomanceReaders #BookLovers #Bookstagram
Profile Image for Marilee .
1,474 reviews236 followers
June 21, 2025
So dreamy and romantic!!

Honora and her father are destitute and when her father asks the Duke of Ravenglass for help and he agrees in a most unexpected way, Honora wants to repay the Duke by discovering the thieves who have put the entire household in danger. But as she works to uncover the truth, Honora realizes too late that she has lost her heart to the one man she can never marry.

What you'll love:
Regency era
dual pov
rags to riches
seaside setting
unforgettably unique meet-cute
he falls first
determined heroine
mystery to solve
forced proximity
betrothal of convenience
slow burn romance
so much witty banter!!
danger and suspense
perfect hea

Oh.my.word. This story was absolutely dreamy and romantic and made my heart sigh with happiness!!

Aaron and Nora are such a perfect couple. From the hilarious and unforgettable meet cute to their happily ever after and every single sweet and tender moment in between, I loved them both! Aaron with his kindness and his air of mystery, and Nora with her intelligence and determination. There were definitely some unforeseen plot twists on the way to their HEA but the romance combined with the mystery and action made the story unputdownable!

I have been a fan of Shelley Powell since her debut took my breath away and this book is the perfect example of why. There is so much to love about this story but I don't want to give too much away - this is a book you need to experience and an absolute must-read for anyone who is a fan of sweet historical romance!

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.
Profile Image for Faith.n.clean.books .
81 reviews
August 1, 2025
The Wise Daughter was a wonderful book. I give it 5 stars 🌟 and highly recommended it! This regency romance had a great romance along with mystery and twists you didn't see coming. It had some triggers of violence and dealing with grief



*I received a free complimentary copy of this book and all opinions expressed are my own and freely given.
1,611 reviews
June 20, 2025
Good book!

I enjoyed reading this sweet book! It was easy to fall into the story, kept my attention, and I liked the characters.
34 reviews
June 29, 2025
Great return for Shelly Powell. Again a great story , well written characters and a premise and a mystery that have you turning page by page .
Cant wait to read the Next from her!
Profile Image for Deborah Bell.
245 reviews1 follower
July 7, 2025
I liked this story. I did find some inconsistencies that were missed during the editing process.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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