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The Galamere Chronicles #3
Once Upon a Pumpkin
A missing duchess, a stable boy, and a magical ball.Years ago, Dietrich failed to prevent the disappearance of the Duke’s daughter, and the guilt has eaten at him ever since. His persistent searching has finally paid off, but now that he's found the missing girl, he doesn't know what to do. The obvious answer is to tell her father, but her plea to let her stay hidden leaves him torn between his duty to the Duke and the need to protect the girl he can't stop thinking about.
Trading in her apron for a ball gown is a terrifying prospect for Ella, but if it gives her the chance to leave her step family and find a family that truly loves her, she'll try. As Dietrich teaches her how to be a duchess, her feelings for him develop into something that hardly seems appropriate for a duchess and her father's stable master, leaving her wondering if rejoining the nobility is what she truly wants.
Can love transcend the limits they’ve imposed, or will Dietrich and Ella allow duty to reign supreme?
Once Upon A Pumpkin is a Cinderella fairytale retelling and the third book in the Galamere Chronicles. Each standalone book is a retelling of a beloved story or fairy tale, with the swoon-worthy sweet romance of a Hallmark movie, the wholesome and heartwarming feeling of cozy fantasy, and the comfort of a found family of friends, with a sprinkling of danger and a dash of magic. Perfect for fans of Sarah Beran and Allison Tebo.
Trading in her apron for a ball gown is a terrifying prospect for Ella, but if it gives her the chance to leave her step family and find a family that truly loves her, she'll try. As Dietrich teaches her how to be a duchess, her feelings for him develop into something that hardly seems appropriate for a duchess and her father's stable master, leaving her wondering if rejoining the nobility is what she truly wants.
Can love transcend the limits they’ve imposed, or will Dietrich and Ella allow duty to reign supreme?
Once Upon A Pumpkin is a Cinderella fairytale retelling and the third book in the Galamere Chronicles. Each standalone book is a retelling of a beloved story or fairy tale, with the swoon-worthy sweet romance of a Hallmark movie, the wholesome and heartwarming feeling of cozy fantasy, and the comfort of a found family of friends, with a sprinkling of danger and a dash of magic. Perfect for fans of Sarah Beran and Allison Tebo.
205 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2025
15 people are currently reading
862 people want to read
About the author
Gabrielle Landi
23 books165 followersGabrielle Landi lives in Southern Indiana with her husband and children and has a soft spot for every stray cat that ends up on her front porch. When she’s not writing, she spends her time chasing children, wishing there was more coffee, and eating chocolate like it’s her job. If she had to write her own love story in tropes, it would include second chance romance and a secret relationship, and would be entirely unbelievable.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
September 10, 2025
4 stars ⭐️ Clean Fiction - Fairytale Retelling (non-magical*)
After reading a pretty intense fantasy book, so wanted something lighter and sweeter so this book was chosen and it was an excellent pick!
Because of the length, we don’t have to wait long at all for Dietrich to release about Ella or for him to talk to Ella about his thoughts, which was honestly very nice for this reader! It moves at a fast pace and I will say that there were a couple of parts that the reader has to assume a character has been told something because we don’t see her be told it but yet she knows the information later. On the other hand, there was some repetition of events and comments as well.
At first, Ella and Dietrich do bicker a bit more than I usually care for reading between a couple, but it made sense because they are both trying to protect their hearts from being hurt. I would have enjoyed seeing them fall in love as they definitely fell for each other super quick, but they brought out each other’s happy personality and smiles, so I did like them together regardless.
I really liked the different elements of Cinderella in this retelling and how it wasn’t the normal style or formula at all. I’ve seen this book also marked as great for fans of the Anastasia movie and I can totally see that as well! It was the perfect blend between the two stories.
Overall this book was very sweet and very cute. I would have liked to make Ella and Dietrich communicate at times, but it was a pleasant read all in all.
I would suggest reading this series in order because while you could read this one as a stand-alone story, it would make the most sense if read in order due to hearing and seeing past couples in this third book.
*As a note, this book didn’t have any magic or magical parts besides a couple mentions of curses (which was referring to the second book in the series, Once Upon a Rose). So far this third book and the first book in this series have had no magic content.
Main Content-
A character wishes for another to have the truth about her past as “the truth will set you free”.
A few mentions of blessings & being blessed by the Creator; A mention of a Bible; A mention of someone being lucky; A mention of knowing “a thing or two” about curses (said by Beatrice in regards to events in the prior book).
No major language; Dietrich does swear under his breath once; A bit of eye rolling & sarcasm.
Some implications that Ella’s step-family can be physically abusive (a mention of her having a bruise); One scene of Ella’s step-mother being verbally abusive (saying her parents were lucky to get rid of Ella); *Spoiler* .
Dietrich feels guilt over the duke’s daughter disappearing when they were small because he was the last one to have seen her.
Mentions of deaths & grief (including a man for his wife and daughter & a wife for her late husband); Mentions of an assumed kidnapping & abandoned child; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; A few mentions of hatred; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of jail/arrests.
1 hand kiss,
1 almost kiss lasting a few sentences,
1 kiss lasting a couple sentences,
2 kisses lasting a few sentences,
Remembering a kiss (up to a couple sentences);
Staring at lips & Wanting to kiss (up to a few sentences).
Touches, Dancing, Embraces, Hand holding, Warmth, Flutters, Nearness, & Blushes (up to a few sentences); Noticing (up to a couple sentences); A bit of jealousy.
Seeing married couples kiss.
Mentions of kisses, kissing, & walking in on a couple kissing; A mention of the possibility of a man taking liberties with a woman.
After reading a pretty intense fantasy book, so wanted something lighter and sweeter so this book was chosen and it was an excellent pick!
Because of the length, we don’t have to wait long at all for Dietrich to release about Ella or for him to talk to Ella about his thoughts, which was honestly very nice for this reader! It moves at a fast pace and I will say that there were a couple of parts that the reader has to assume a character has been told something because we don’t see her be told it but yet she knows the information later. On the other hand, there was some repetition of events and comments as well.
At first, Ella and Dietrich do bicker a bit more than I usually care for reading between a couple, but it made sense because they are both trying to protect their hearts from being hurt. I would have enjoyed seeing them fall in love as they definitely fell for each other super quick, but they brought out each other’s happy personality and smiles, so I did like them together regardless.
I really liked the different elements of Cinderella in this retelling and how it wasn’t the normal style or formula at all. I’ve seen this book also marked as great for fans of the Anastasia movie and I can totally see that as well! It was the perfect blend between the two stories.
Overall this book was very sweet and very cute. I would have liked to make Ella and Dietrich communicate at times, but it was a pleasant read all in all.
I would suggest reading this series in order because while you could read this one as a stand-alone story, it would make the most sense if read in order due to hearing and seeing past couples in this third book.
*As a note, this book didn’t have any magic or magical parts besides a couple mentions of curses (which was referring to the second book in the series, Once Upon a Rose). So far this third book and the first book in this series have had no magic content.
Main Content-
A character wishes for another to have the truth about her past as “the truth will set you free”.
A few mentions of blessings & being blessed by the Creator; A mention of a Bible; A mention of someone being lucky; A mention of knowing “a thing or two” about curses (said by Beatrice in regards to events in the prior book).
No major language; Dietrich does swear under his breath once; A bit of eye rolling & sarcasm.
Some implications that Ella’s step-family can be physically abusive (a mention of her having a bruise); One scene of Ella’s step-mother being verbally abusive (saying her parents were lucky to get rid of Ella); *Spoiler* .
Dietrich feels guilt over the duke’s daughter disappearing when they were small because he was the last one to have seen her.
Mentions of deaths & grief (including a man for his wife and daughter & a wife for her late husband); Mentions of an assumed kidnapping & abandoned child; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; A few mentions of hatred; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of jail/arrests.
1 hand kiss,
1 almost kiss lasting a few sentences,
1 kiss lasting a couple sentences,
2 kisses lasting a few sentences,
Remembering a kiss (up to a couple sentences);
Staring at lips & Wanting to kiss (up to a few sentences).
Touches, Dancing, Embraces, Hand holding, Warmth, Flutters, Nearness, & Blushes (up to a few sentences); Noticing (up to a couple sentences); A bit of jealousy.
Seeing married couples kiss.
Mentions of kisses, kissing, & walking in on a couple kissing; A mention of the possibility of a man taking liberties with a woman.
September 8, 2025
Loved this delightful retelling of Cinderella/Anastasia; it is sweet, clean, and filled with heartwarming moments that make you believe in kindness, and happily-ever-afters all over again. I also loved the drawings of the characters.
September 13, 2025
I was an ARC reader for this book.
-Super cute, super sweet romance!
-cozy, fast-paced read
-fun twist on the Cinderella story
-perfect book to get into fairytale retellings especially younger audiences-tweens and teens
-No spice
My only complaint is I wish there were more elements from the original Cinderella story. It was a very loose retelling.
-Super cute, super sweet romance!
-cozy, fast-paced read
-fun twist on the Cinderella story
-perfect book to get into fairytale retellings especially younger audiences-tweens and teens
-No spice
My only complaint is I wish there were more elements from the original Cinderella story. It was a very loose retelling.
June 25, 2025
I backed Once Upon a Pumpkin on kickstarter so I was able to read the story early.
If you love the animated Anastasia movie from the 90s this book is perfect for you! I loved the elements of Cinderella that were blended into the story as well. 🥰
If you love the animated Anastasia movie from the 90s this book is perfect for you! I loved the elements of Cinderella that were blended into the story as well. 🥰
October 13, 2025
Okay, this book was SOOO fun! From the whimsical moments to the yearning romance, I adored it. I was smiling while reading and it definitely had me blushing, too. I love how Landi creates such a fun fantasy world with a Disney Princess ambience. This story was especially enjoyable because of the tension and dramatic stakes. I also loved the dynamic main characters and I related to Ella a lot. She had a quiet nature with lots of spunk! Although some moments felt a bit too swoony for my taste (that’s totally a me thing!), I know romance readers will enjoy this one! I certainly did and I’m thrilled to continue with the series.
Note: I’d highly recommend this book to parents or YA readers looking for a lighthearted, non-spicy romance! There’s no language or gratuitous violence.
Happy reading,
Bethany the Bookworm Girl
Note: I’d highly recommend this book to parents or YA readers looking for a lighthearted, non-spicy romance! There’s no language or gratuitous violence.
Happy reading,
Bethany the Bookworm Girl
November 3, 2025
⭐️ 3.75 stars, rounded up to 4. ⭐️
This was a cute, cozy fairytale retelling of Cinderella with elements of Anastasia as well, which worked really well together. The characters, plot, and romance were all very sweet. It was very fast paced, definitely binge-readable. I want to go back and read the other books in this series now.
It did feel like some plot points were a little too convenient at times, and the romance progressed into love very quickly. But overall this book was very enjoyable and clean, and I would recommend it for anyone 13+. 😊
Content: non-descriptive kisses only romance, kidnapping, no magic, no language
Thank you to Gabrielle Landi for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions are my own and voluntary.
This was a cute, cozy fairytale retelling of Cinderella with elements of Anastasia as well, which worked really well together. The characters, plot, and romance were all very sweet. It was very fast paced, definitely binge-readable. I want to go back and read the other books in this series now.
It did feel like some plot points were a little too convenient at times, and the romance progressed into love very quickly. But overall this book was very enjoyable and clean, and I would recommend it for anyone 13+. 😊
Content: non-descriptive kisses only romance, kidnapping, no magic, no language
Thank you to Gabrielle Landi for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions are my own and voluntary.
September 18, 2025
I received this book as an ARC, and this is my free and unbiased review!
First of all, this concept. Absolutely BRILLIANT. Cinderella combined with Anastasia? Chef's kiss!
This is the first book I've read by Gabrielle Landi, but it was so sweet and cozy! I loved the cafe and all the side characters—one of my favorite kinds of series are the ones where each novel is standalone, but the characters all appear in each other's books. It's so fun, like seeing a friend again! And this most certainly applies, even if I didn't specifically read the other books first. That's a point in Once Upon A Pumpkin's favor—you can read it without needed to read the others first!
The main characters were so sweet! I love watching them figure out their romance. Dietrich was such a teasing little gremlin, but he really had a great heart under it. And of course Ella was incredibly sweet. I also loved the duke and his daughters, and his new wife is an absolute legend. Frankly, I could list off characters for paragraphs—the side characters were all immensely well done, and felt like they had strong personalities outside of the story!
Overall, this is a very sweet book!
First of all, this concept. Absolutely BRILLIANT. Cinderella combined with Anastasia? Chef's kiss!
This is the first book I've read by Gabrielle Landi, but it was so sweet and cozy! I loved the cafe and all the side characters—one of my favorite kinds of series are the ones where each novel is standalone, but the characters all appear in each other's books. It's so fun, like seeing a friend again! And this most certainly applies, even if I didn't specifically read the other books first. That's a point in Once Upon A Pumpkin's favor—you can read it without needed to read the others first!
The main characters were so sweet! I love watching them figure out their romance. Dietrich was such a teasing little gremlin, but he really had a great heart under it. And of course Ella was incredibly sweet. I also loved the duke and his daughters, and his new wife is an absolute legend. Frankly, I could list off characters for paragraphs—the side characters were all immensely well done, and felt like they had strong personalities outside of the story!
Overall, this is a very sweet book!
January 27, 2026
"duchesses don't marry stable boys"
Rating: 4.5 stars
Age Rating: 13+
I thought this book was perfectly lovely. Honestly (this is wild to say about a Cinderella retelling [which I'm not particularly fond of], but maybe not because it's also Anastasia), I think this is my favorite of the series so far. The only reason it received less than 5 stars was because I felt that the ending could have been faster. I think we spent just a few pages too long in Dietrich's head.
But seriously, this book was really good. It's definitely worth a read.
Content Warnings: none
Rating: 4.5 stars
Age Rating: 13+
I thought this book was perfectly lovely. Honestly (this is wild to say about a Cinderella retelling [which I'm not particularly fond of], but maybe not because it's also Anastasia), I think this is my favorite of the series so far. The only reason it received less than 5 stars was because I felt that the ending could have been faster. I think we spent just a few pages too long in Dietrich's head.
But seriously, this book was really good. It's definitely worth a read.
Content Warnings: none
January 3, 2026
This was so cute and cozy. I listened to the audiobook, and it was really good. I loved Ella and Dietrich and the chemistry between them.
January 11, 2026
This was such a fun book that I was really looking forward to reading and I was so happy it met my expectations! I loved the way it blended elements from Cinderella with Anastasia so well. I have read several of the previous book in this series (although Once Upon An Apple is still on my TBR List) so it was fun to see Dietrich's story and how him and Ella get together. While I have read previous books in the series each book centers on a different couple so can be read as standalones, you just get more appreciation for characters from previous books when you have read their stories. I am really looking forward to reading the next book and seeing Thea & Nathaniel finally get their HEA!
The Galamere Chronicles Series
Tales of Cake And Comfort: A Cozy Fantasy Omnibus: Thea & Nathaniel
Once Upon An Apple: A Cozy Fantasy Snow White Retelling: Sophia & Lord Caspian Rendon
Once Upon A Rose: Beatrice & Lord Alexander Dunham
Once Upon A Pumpkin: A Cozy Fantasy Cinderella Retelling: Dietrich & Ella
Once Upon A Cat: A Cozy Fantasy Frog Prince Retelling: Thea & Nathaniel
Once Upon A Bear: A Cozy Fantasy Goldilocks Retelling: ?
Also Connected:
Beastly Dreams (Displaced Fairytales Series): Roan and Abigail
I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Galamere Chronicles Series
Tales of Cake And Comfort: A Cozy Fantasy Omnibus: Thea & Nathaniel
Once Upon An Apple: A Cozy Fantasy Snow White Retelling: Sophia & Lord Caspian Rendon
Once Upon A Rose: Beatrice & Lord Alexander Dunham
Once Upon A Pumpkin: A Cozy Fantasy Cinderella Retelling: Dietrich & Ella
Once Upon A Cat: A Cozy Fantasy Frog Prince Retelling: Thea & Nathaniel
Once Upon A Bear: A Cozy Fantasy Goldilocks Retelling: ?
Also Connected:
Beastly Dreams (Displaced Fairytales Series): Roan and Abigail
I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 10, 2025
4.75⭐️
Rtc!!!
Rtc!!!
September 7, 2025
ARC Reader Review! Such a cute and different retelling for Cinderella. So happy to see Dietrich get his happy ending, even though he drove me nuts with his woe is me thinking throughout the book. Ella was very sweet and I love how her new step family made up for the old step family. My favorite part was Beatrice the match maker. Wished there was a fantasy twist in this book. Very cute, cozy, and sweet read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2026
"It was one of her earliest memories - a boy giving her the pumpkin he had carved just for her. A boy who looked a little like Dietrich might have all those years ago."
GENRE: Cozy Fantasy
RATING: 3.25/5
FORMAT: eBook Arc
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Review:
Let's start with things I enjoyed in the book: I'm glad we get to see Dietrich have his own book and read about him finding love at last. I quite enjoyed seeing our characters from the other books and seeing where they are now as well
This is also why love interconnected series for this reason, or well one of the reasons! It was lovely to see the relationship develop between Ella and Dietrich, while watching Ella reunite with her long lost family, all in all.
While I've enjoyed the overall series, this book did not work for me as well as the others did. It was fine overall but I had a lot of issue with the pacing. This felt a lot choppier in comparison to the rest of the books in the series and there were things that didnt make sense in terms of character development or how the characters behaved as a whole. I did continue the series and really enjoyed the next book as well in time of writing this review.
Thank you to the author for the Arc copy in exchange for my honest review
September 26, 2025
Super cute and cozy Cinderella retelling. I loved the sweet friendship turned romance with comforting, longing, and protecting. This is a fast paced story with a lot of sweet moments along the way.
🧡 Cinderella Retelling
🧡 Anastasia and Dimitri vibes
🧡 Protective Cinnamon Roll MMC
🧡 Sweet and Kind FMC
🧡 Found Family
🧡 YA with young adult characters
🧁 no spice | closed door with sweet barely there kiss moments
🧡 Cinderella Retelling
🧡 Anastasia and Dimitri vibes
🧡 Protective Cinnamon Roll MMC
🧡 Sweet and Kind FMC
🧡 Found Family
🧡 YA with young adult characters
🧁 no spice | closed door with sweet barely there kiss moments
September 23, 2025
I really liked this retelling. It was sweet, cute and emotional, without being too harsh (the stepmother and sisters).
Though for a part it did feel that nothing was happening and both the MCs were too stubborn.
Overall still a great read.
Though for a part it did feel that nothing was happening and both the MCs were too stubborn.
Overall still a great read.
June 6, 2025
I really enjoy this series. It’s just sweet and cozy. An easy, relaxing read, with the expected happy ever after.
January 12, 2026
My review of book 2
Genre: Cozy, Anastasia/fairy tale retelling [of Cinderella]/mashup
*Not really a fantasy, even though it’s labelled as such
Tropes: Found family, she’s the missing girl, boss’s daughter, protective hero, dislike-to-love (pretty insta), class difference, nobility lessons
Setting: Historical with a modern feel
Writing style: Dual POV (alternating chapters) plus a 3rd in epilogue, 3rd person, past tense
Tone: Moderately angsty
Character- or plot-driven: Plot-driven
Romance: Yes
Clean level:
• 2 mouth kisses minimally described, 1 barely described
• 1 near-kiss preceeded by thoughts of kissing, 6 sentences
• 1 hand kiss in greeting that embarrases both of them (treated as though strange, even though that would actually have fit the presumed time period)
• 2 forehead kisses, no details
• 1 instance seeing married couple kiss (zero description) and saying “I did not need to see that”
• 1 instance of someone mentioning time he walked in on married couple kissing, causing someone else to think she’d never witnessed that; 5 sentences
• 2 urges/desire to kiss
• 1 thought of kissing
• 1 reference to being able to kiss someone for the rest of their lives
• 1 instance of looking at lips
• 1 mention of woman’s “body sliding down” a man’s when he helps her down from a horse
• 1 instance running thumb across cheek, fingers curling into hair; no lingering
*See caveats below
Sensitive aspect: 1 instance of someone supposing her “father” and “stepmother” must have kissed “in their bedchamber”
Thoughts on main characters: Dietrich is good-natured, laid-back, and joky. Ella comes across as obnoxious originally, but I think most of that is from fear of being controlled, which makes sense considering life with her stepmother before the revelation. I enjoyed her much more as she began to get past that and more of her sweet side came out.
This is essentially a non-threatening Anastasia retelling with a few bits of Cinderella woven in, which I think was done well. If you’re reading it specifically for the Cinderella aspect, you might be disappointed, because it’s not the focus. I would label it a Cinderella-inspired Anastasia retelling.
Of the novels, this is the most angst- and conflict-filled of the series. Still cozy, as no one in the current narrative is ever in danger, but meatier, I’d say. It was nice getting to know Beatrice better, and finally meeting Dietrich’s mother.
Ella seems unnecessarily angry at the beginning, accusing Dietrich of lying because he didn’t tell her he was her neighbor’s son. If his identity were important, that might be fair, but what significance could being the neighbor’s son have? Due to a combination of this and what she experiences as his overprotectiveness, they butt heads a lot. I never love that, but thankfully it didn’t last too long relative to the length of the book. Ella struggles to understand and appreciate Dietrich’s motivation — and the logic behind it — when she rankles at the idea of being watched like a hawk all the time and not being able to simply be. The rest of the conflict rests with Dietrich's insecurities, keeping the two apart for longer than Ella would have chosen.
The story briefly touches on the bitter-sweet reality that sometimes the good and the bad are intetwined so that you can’t have one without the other. If Ella hadn’t been kidnapped and her mother hadn’t died, the duke would not have the new wife and two additional daughters he was later blessed with.
____________________________________
He was clearly not comparing her to a horse! He was explaining that he’s more accustomed to talking about horses than people, so he keeps slipping into old habits. His “they don’t care, so I didn’t think you would,” seems to be a flustered response, based on the key phrase being “used to.”
Um, he’s always been nice to you, you’re the one who’s always starting a fight.
____________________________________
*There’s a bonus epilogue that includes a kiss brief kiss and tame talk of kissing. It hints at two possible future couples, though it’s hard to tell if they would be chosen and what route their book would take.
Favorite Quotations:
• “I’m not interested,” he warned as his mother clicked her tongue and herded him toward the farm gate. “You don’t know that you’re not interested,” she warned him, “not until you’ve met her.”
• her words as frosty as the piles of snow still hiding in the shadows behind the barns.
• “If it’s true, I’m sure I’ll need some time to think about it,” [Ella] said, “but at the moment it all seems like a rather far-fetched dream. I expect you to wake me up any moment now.” Perhaps she should worry about it a little more, but there was no point in worrying until after she found out if it was true or not. “You expect me to be there when you wake up?” [Dietrich] asked. “Of course," she replied. “You’re the one joining me in this nightmare.” “Nightmare?” he asked. “I’ve spent a whole afternoon with you. I’m pretty sure that counts,” she teased.
• “Now go and win back your lady.” “Not winning her, because she’s not mine[.]”
• “And he did the right thing in taking care of you, whether you think it was important or not.” “I didn’t ask to be protected,” Ella pointed out. “With the right man, you don’t have to ask. The right man does it on their own, because [he cares] for you.”
• “If you think he doesn’t care for you, you may be losing vision.”
• He looked like an unbroken horse caught in a pen. If he could break free and run, he would.
(I received a free audio review copy of this book from the author and am gratefully—voluntarily—leaving a review.)
Genre: Cozy, Anastasia/fairy tale retelling [of Cinderella]/mashup
*Not really a fantasy, even though it’s labelled as such
Tropes: Found family, she’s the missing girl, boss’s daughter, protective hero, dislike-to-love (pretty insta), class difference, nobility lessons
Setting: Historical with a modern feel
Writing style: Dual POV (alternating chapters) plus a 3rd in epilogue, 3rd person, past tense
Tone: Moderately angsty
Character- or plot-driven: Plot-driven
Romance: Yes
Clean level:
• 2 mouth kisses minimally described, 1 barely described
• 1 near-kiss preceeded by thoughts of kissing, 6 sentences
• 1 hand kiss in greeting that embarrases both of them (treated as though strange, even though that would actually have fit the presumed time period)
• 2 forehead kisses, no details
• 1 instance seeing married couple kiss (zero description) and saying “I did not need to see that”
• 1 instance of someone mentioning time he walked in on married couple kissing, causing someone else to think she’d never witnessed that; 5 sentences
• 2 urges/desire to kiss
• 1 thought of kissing
• 1 reference to being able to kiss someone for the rest of their lives
• 1 instance of looking at lips
• 1 mention of woman’s “body sliding down” a man’s when he helps her down from a horse
• 1 instance running thumb across cheek, fingers curling into hair; no lingering
*See caveats below
Sensitive aspect: 1 instance of someone supposing her “father” and “stepmother” must have kissed “in their bedchamber”
Thoughts on main characters: Dietrich is good-natured, laid-back, and joky. Ella comes across as obnoxious originally, but I think most of that is from fear of being controlled, which makes sense considering life with her stepmother before the revelation. I enjoyed her much more as she began to get past that and more of her sweet side came out.
This is essentially a non-threatening Anastasia retelling with a few bits of Cinderella woven in, which I think was done well. If you’re reading it specifically for the Cinderella aspect, you might be disappointed, because it’s not the focus. I would label it a Cinderella-inspired Anastasia retelling.
Of the novels, this is the most angst- and conflict-filled of the series. Still cozy, as no one in the current narrative is ever in danger, but meatier, I’d say. It was nice getting to know Beatrice better, and finally meeting Dietrich’s mother.
Ella seems unnecessarily angry at the beginning, accusing Dietrich of lying because he didn’t tell her he was her neighbor’s son. If his identity were important, that might be fair, but what significance could being the neighbor’s son have? Due to a combination of this and what she experiences as his overprotectiveness, they butt heads a lot. I never love that, but thankfully it didn’t last too long relative to the length of the book. Ella struggles to understand and appreciate Dietrich’s motivation — and the logic behind it — when she rankles at the idea of being watched like a hawk all the time and not being able to simply be. The rest of the conflict rests with Dietrich's insecurities, keeping the two apart for longer than Ella would have chosen.
The story briefly touches on the bitter-sweet reality that sometimes the good and the bad are intetwined so that you can’t have one without the other. If Ella hadn’t been kidnapped and her mother hadn’t died, the duke would not have the new wife and two additional daughters he was later blessed with.
____________________________________
“How often do I have to ask you to stop talking about me like I’m not here?” Deitrich ran his hand through his hair, looking appropriately remorseful. “I’m sorry,” he said. It’s just, I’m used to talking about the horses and they don’t care.” Lady Dunham and Ella stared at him. “What?” he asked. “You did not just compare her to a horse!” Lady Dunham said, her words forceful, and Dietrich grimaced. “That was...badly done,” he said sheepishly. “Yes, yes, it was,” Lady Dunham said, shoving him in the shoulder. “Apologize!” “I am very sorry, Ella,” he began. “I am out of practice when it comes to speaking to a beautiful woman.”
He was clearly not comparing her to a horse! He was explaining that he’s more accustomed to talking about horses than people, so he keeps slipping into old habits. His “they don’t care, so I didn’t think you would,” seems to be a flustered response, based on the key phrase being “used to.”
[Ella] could hardly look at [Dietrich]. Why did he have to be so nice all of a sudden?
Um, he’s always been nice to you, you’re the one who’s always starting a fight.
____________________________________
*There’s a bonus epilogue that includes a kiss brief kiss and tame talk of kissing. It hints at two possible future couples, though it’s hard to tell if they would be chosen and what route their book would take.
Favorite Quotations:
• “I’m not interested,” he warned as his mother clicked her tongue and herded him toward the farm gate. “You don’t know that you’re not interested,” she warned him, “not until you’ve met her.”
• her words as frosty as the piles of snow still hiding in the shadows behind the barns.
• “If it’s true, I’m sure I’ll need some time to think about it,” [Ella] said, “but at the moment it all seems like a rather far-fetched dream. I expect you to wake me up any moment now.” Perhaps she should worry about it a little more, but there was no point in worrying until after she found out if it was true or not. “You expect me to be there when you wake up?” [Dietrich] asked. “Of course," she replied. “You’re the one joining me in this nightmare.” “Nightmare?” he asked. “I’ve spent a whole afternoon with you. I’m pretty sure that counts,” she teased.
• “Now go and win back your lady.” “Not winning her, because she’s not mine[.]”
• “And he did the right thing in taking care of you, whether you think it was important or not.” “I didn’t ask to be protected,” Ella pointed out. “With the right man, you don’t have to ask. The right man does it on their own, because [he cares] for you.”
• “If you think he doesn’t care for you, you may be losing vision.”
• He looked like an unbroken horse caught in a pen. If he could break free and run, he would.
(I received a free audio review copy of this book from the author and am gratefully—voluntarily—leaving a review.)
January 4, 2026
I am very lucky to be a part of Gabriel Landi’s ARC team. Once Upon a Pumpkin is a great combined retelling log Cinderella and Anastasia. While it was a great new installment to the series sadly I could only give it four out of five stars because I wasn’t as invested with the main couple Dietrich and Ella. While I overall enjoyed their story they didn’t quite hit the mark for me. However this book is still very good and worth reading if you enjoy cozy fantasy or are a fan of fairy tales. Ella’s relationship with her family is very heartwarming and it was great to see more of Beatrice who is a supportive friend to both protagonists. I can’t wait for Thea and Nat’s story next so they can finally get there forever after. Now would be a good time for fans to read their prequel Tales of Cake and Comfort.
Update 2026.
I was lucky to receive an ARC of the audiobook for Once Upon a Pumpkin. It is just as wonderful as the previous audiobooks featuring the same fantastic narrator Jess Moran. For the those who prefer listening to audiobooks over reading I would recommend listening to it. It’s very good!
Update 2026.
I was lucky to receive an ARC of the audiobook for Once Upon a Pumpkin. It is just as wonderful as the previous audiobooks featuring the same fantastic narrator Jess Moran. For the those who prefer listening to audiobooks over reading I would recommend listening to it. It’s very good!
January 14, 2026
This was a fun next installment in the series! If you love the movie Anastasia, you’ll love this take on a Cinderella tale.
It was nice to finally see Dietrich meet his match. He and Ella are equally stubborn and know how to verbally spar. While I think Dietrich was too stubborn for his own good, I loved seeing how he was always there for Ella. He sees her, supports her, and is always ready to come to her side. And seeing Ella find her place with her family and friends made this story so heartwarming.
Very cozy and funny, and I can’t wait for more!
Thank you for letting me receive an advanced reader copy! This is my honest review.
It was nice to finally see Dietrich meet his match. He and Ella are equally stubborn and know how to verbally spar. While I think Dietrich was too stubborn for his own good, I loved seeing how he was always there for Ella. He sees her, supports her, and is always ready to come to her side. And seeing Ella find her place with her family and friends made this story so heartwarming.
Very cozy and funny, and I can’t wait for more!
Thank you for letting me receive an advanced reader copy! This is my honest review.
December 26, 2025
This was such a sweet book! Probably my favorite Cinderella retelling ever! I absolutely love how sweet and kind most of the characters were (trying not to spoil anything so I have to be a bit vague haha). How things ended up felt like it healed my soul it was just so perfect! I absolutely adored this entire book, and will definitely be rereading it!
Update: I did a reread via audio, and the audiobook was absolutely wonderful! The narrator did the story justice, and it was a positively delightful read!
Update: I did a reread via audio, and the audiobook was absolutely wonderful! The narrator did the story justice, and it was a positively delightful read!
December 31, 2025
eBook review:
Thank you to the author for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
This was another beautiful book written by Gabrielle Landi. I loved the Cinderella elements and even, in my opinion, hints of the movie Tangled in the story. Previous beloved characters from the other books all made appearances, furthering developing their own stories. The ending of this book was wonderful to read. This series keeps getting better and better!
Audiobook review:
This was a wonderful audiobook. Again, loved the narrator and her work!
Thank you to the author for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
This was another beautiful book written by Gabrielle Landi. I loved the Cinderella elements and even, in my opinion, hints of the movie Tangled in the story. Previous beloved characters from the other books all made appearances, furthering developing their own stories. The ending of this book was wonderful to read. This series keeps getting better and better!
Audiobook review:
This was a wonderful audiobook. Again, loved the narrator and her work!
September 24, 2025
Thank you to the author for providing me with a complimentary advanced ebook copy. I was not required to leave a positive review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars)
This was probably my most anticipated read of the year. I mean… it’s the third book in my favorite fairytale retelling series, and it’s a Cinderella retelling with Anastasia elements. Plus… it’s enemies-to-more. Honestly, if you need anything more than that, then we are obviously quite different. From the moment I read the blurb, I knew this one would be a new favorite, and it did not disappoint!
Ella was amazing. Usually the Cinderella characters we see are very subservient, but this Cinderella had a bit of spitfire in her, and I appreciated that. Her banter and sarcastic wit… it was incredible, and just made me so happy every time she said something. I found myself grinning so hard at so many parts.
Dietrich was a sweetheart, and I loved how much he wanted to help Ella find her place and restore the missing duchess to her family. It was just the sweetest thing, but he went about it in a hilarious way, and some of the things he said were so awkward and made me so happy to read. Honestly, I would love to at some point buy a physical copy of this book to highlight all of the hilarious things he said.
And their banter together!!!
Honestly, I would read a whole series about the two of them and all of the hilarious banter-filled adventures I know they’ll go on. They both were very sweet people, but together, they just made me want to fangirl so loudly. Honestly, they’re new favorites as far as I’m concerned.
Seeing Bea again was amazing, although I do really hope that we see a little more of Sophia in book four (super excited for that one, too, by the way!). Anyway, the way the author incorporates all of these books together just makes me so happy, and I honestly hope she continues to write more fairytale retellings in the future… especially Rapunzel, because I thought so much about how cute that one would be as I read this one. Just saying…
One of the things I really appreciate about this series, though, is that Gabrielle Landi doesn’t add in unnecessary plot just for the sake of having a longer book. This one was a fast read, because that’s just the pace at which the story needed to be told. It really reminds me of how so many of the classic Disney animated movies are actually really short, because they just don’t need to waste time on things that don’t matter. This book was definitely a great argument for making sure that the book size fits the story, and not vice-versa.
As with the rest of this series, this book was super clean. There wasn’t any magic or fantasy elements in this story, and I would say it was fine for teen readers. I would really say that anyone who loves fairytales and is looking for an enchanting read would enjoy this one. The writing style has a charming simplicity that adds to the ambience created in this magical little world.
In short, please give this one a try. It was amazing, and is definitely a new favorite for me. Honestly, I’ve reached a point where I think I will love any fairytale retelling written by this author. Really, give this series a try if you’re interested, because I really don’t think you’ll be disappointed. I definitely wasn’t, and I look forward to more books in this series!!!
EMOJI REVIEW!
🥿 cinderella retelling
👑 missing duchess
🙄 lots of annoyed (and adorable) banter
💖 sweet and clean romance
🤣 laugh-out-loud moments
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars)
This was probably my most anticipated read of the year. I mean… it’s the third book in my favorite fairytale retelling series, and it’s a Cinderella retelling with Anastasia elements. Plus… it’s enemies-to-more. Honestly, if you need anything more than that, then we are obviously quite different. From the moment I read the blurb, I knew this one would be a new favorite, and it did not disappoint!
Ella was amazing. Usually the Cinderella characters we see are very subservient, but this Cinderella had a bit of spitfire in her, and I appreciated that. Her banter and sarcastic wit… it was incredible, and just made me so happy every time she said something. I found myself grinning so hard at so many parts.
Dietrich was a sweetheart, and I loved how much he wanted to help Ella find her place and restore the missing duchess to her family. It was just the sweetest thing, but he went about it in a hilarious way, and some of the things he said were so awkward and made me so happy to read. Honestly, I would love to at some point buy a physical copy of this book to highlight all of the hilarious things he said.
And their banter together!!!
Honestly, I would read a whole series about the two of them and all of the hilarious banter-filled adventures I know they’ll go on. They both were very sweet people, but together, they just made me want to fangirl so loudly. Honestly, they’re new favorites as far as I’m concerned.
Seeing Bea again was amazing, although I do really hope that we see a little more of Sophia in book four (super excited for that one, too, by the way!). Anyway, the way the author incorporates all of these books together just makes me so happy, and I honestly hope she continues to write more fairytale retellings in the future… especially Rapunzel, because I thought so much about how cute that one would be as I read this one. Just saying…
One of the things I really appreciate about this series, though, is that Gabrielle Landi doesn’t add in unnecessary plot just for the sake of having a longer book. This one was a fast read, because that’s just the pace at which the story needed to be told. It really reminds me of how so many of the classic Disney animated movies are actually really short, because they just don’t need to waste time on things that don’t matter. This book was definitely a great argument for making sure that the book size fits the story, and not vice-versa.
As with the rest of this series, this book was super clean. There wasn’t any magic or fantasy elements in this story, and I would say it was fine for teen readers. I would really say that anyone who loves fairytales and is looking for an enchanting read would enjoy this one. The writing style has a charming simplicity that adds to the ambience created in this magical little world.
In short, please give this one a try. It was amazing, and is definitely a new favorite for me. Honestly, I’ve reached a point where I think I will love any fairytale retelling written by this author. Really, give this series a try if you’re interested, because I really don’t think you’ll be disappointed. I definitely wasn’t, and I look forward to more books in this series!!!
EMOJI REVIEW!
🥿 cinderella retelling
👑 missing duchess
🙄 lots of annoyed (and adorable) banter
💖 sweet and clean romance
🤣 laugh-out-loud moments
September 20, 2025
Question: Do I need to read books one and two first?
Short Answer: No
Long Answer: While it may help you familiarize yourself with names of side characters, it is not necessary to read books one and two.
Once Upon a Pumpkin definitely fits into the category of “cozy.” And while technically fantasy, it is very light on magic. (There is none to speak of in this book, though curses are mentioned once and I think there may be a mention of a dragon, but you’ll have to read Once Upon a Rose to see more of her.)
The book may have also inspired me to paint my nails a lovely deep orange, though it isn’t technically fall yet. Pumpkins on the cover, pumpkins inside, and the talk of cold air certainly helped me channel fall vibes, though they aren’t strong and are more notable to me right now just because we are rapidly approaching fall here in the Midwestern US.
Plot: Cute
Words: Sometimes repetitive, though there was a lot I found amusing and some things I just downright loved
Positive: I absolutely adore how Landi rewrote this fairy tale. She uses such interesting little twists that really give the story new life. It was definitely Cinderella, while at the same time being its own unique story, and I loved that.
Not so positive: Primarily, there is a lot of focus on listening to your heart, which I personally think is nonsense. Yes, this is a fictional story, but some things like I don’t prefer to read because they are not good to put in my mind as even possibly applicable to real life.
Secondly, there are some loose plot threads (sometimes pretty minor, so they may not be noticeable/bother you). It is also possible they may be addressed in future books, though they seem pretty related to this one so I can’t say for certain.
While I did receive an advanced copy of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own, and I was not required to write a review.
Short Answer: No
Long Answer: While it may help you familiarize yourself with names of side characters, it is not necessary to read books one and two.
Once Upon a Pumpkin definitely fits into the category of “cozy.” And while technically fantasy, it is very light on magic. (There is none to speak of in this book, though curses are mentioned once and I think there may be a mention of a dragon, but you’ll have to read Once Upon a Rose to see more of her.)
The book may have also inspired me to paint my nails a lovely deep orange, though it isn’t technically fall yet. Pumpkins on the cover, pumpkins inside, and the talk of cold air certainly helped me channel fall vibes, though they aren’t strong and are more notable to me right now just because we are rapidly approaching fall here in the Midwestern US.
Plot: Cute
Words: Sometimes repetitive, though there was a lot I found amusing and some things I just downright loved
Positive: I absolutely adore how Landi rewrote this fairy tale. She uses such interesting little twists that really give the story new life. It was definitely Cinderella, while at the same time being its own unique story, and I loved that.
Not so positive: Primarily, there is a lot of focus on listening to your heart, which I personally think is nonsense. Yes, this is a fictional story, but some things like I don’t prefer to read because they are not good to put in my mind as even possibly applicable to real life.
Secondly, there are some loose plot threads (sometimes pretty minor, so they may not be noticeable/bother you). It is also possible they may be addressed in future books, though they seem pretty related to this one so I can’t say for certain.
While I did receive an advanced copy of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own, and I was not required to write a review.
September 25, 2025
This review may contain spoilers
Wow.
This book was amazing. Once Upon a Pumpkin by Gabrielle Landi was my first book by the author and will most assuredly not be the last. Simply put, I loved it!
Once Upon a Pumpkin is a heartwarming tale of trust, love and family. When I read this, I was looking for a cozy, fun read that I could enjoy that still held depth, and I found it!
The Main Characters
So, I'm gonna say it. I had some issues in the beginning with the MMC, Dietrich. He was kinda rude to Ella, in my opinion, but quickly got better, so basically: if you find Dietrich annoying in the first couple of chapters, it's fine! He gets way better later on and evolves into a great MMC and love interest!
Our FMC, Ella, on the other hand, well, I loved her from the start. Who wouldn't? She manages to be one of the few (and I mean few ) MCs in my books that isn't an absolute firecracker and I still love. Ella, although being extremly, kind and forgiving, was not unbelievably so, like the original Cinderella. Which made the whole story way more believable. Who doesn't love a Cinderella story where Ella staight up walked away from her stepfamily ! I mean, finally! About time, haha.
Would I Recommend
Well duh! This book was amazing, and after reading my review, I hope your willing to try this book out.
Content
Language: No bad language that I can recall.
Violence: No violence.
Romance: The romance was very sweet and clean, appropriate for all ages.
I received an ARC copy of this book; all thoughts are my own.
Wow.
This book was amazing. Once Upon a Pumpkin by Gabrielle Landi was my first book by the author and will most assuredly not be the last. Simply put, I loved it!
Once Upon a Pumpkin is a heartwarming tale of trust, love and family. When I read this, I was looking for a cozy, fun read that I could enjoy that still held depth, and I found it!
The Main Characters
So, I'm gonna say it. I had some issues in the beginning with the MMC, Dietrich. He was kinda rude to Ella, in my opinion, but quickly got better, so basically: if you find Dietrich annoying in the first couple of chapters, it's fine! He gets way better later on and evolves into a great MMC and love interest!
Our FMC, Ella, on the other hand, well, I loved her from the start. Who wouldn't? She manages to be one of the few (and I mean few ) MCs in my books that isn't an absolute firecracker and I still love. Ella, although being extremly, kind and forgiving, was not unbelievably so, like the original Cinderella. Which made the whole story way more believable. Who doesn't love a Cinderella story where Ella staight up walked away from her stepfamily ! I mean, finally! About time, haha.
Would I Recommend
Well duh! This book was amazing, and after reading my review, I hope your willing to try this book out.
Content
Language: No bad language that I can recall.
Violence: No violence.
Romance: The romance was very sweet and clean, appropriate for all ages.
I received an ARC copy of this book; all thoughts are my own.
January 1, 2026
Cozy Low-Angst Cinderella Retelling
I've read many Cinderella retellings, and Once Upon a Pumpkin stands out as one of the most wholesome and relaxing Cinderella stories that I've read in a long time. There are several deviations from the original tale while still having all the necessary elements. In fact, there's not one but TWO stepfamilies! I enjoyed this low-stakes version. The main story is Dietrich and Ella falling in love, and Ella learning how to navigate her new reality among the nobility. While the idea of a missing heiress is similar to Sophia in Once Upon an Apple, key differences make it distinct. I especially enjoyed getting this story because Dietrich's past and the missing daughter of the Duke been hinted at throughout the previous books in this series.
Ella has been through a lot, yet unlike many versions, this Cinderella is no doormat. When Ella learns the truth early in the book, she doesn't stick around to allow her stepfamily to continue using her. I appreciate that she knows her worth and surrounds herself with people who actually care about her. Dietrich cares deeply for Ella, and he is the perfect match for her. Altogether, I love everything about this story, including the clever use of the pumpkin! Clean in language and content, I highly recommend this book, particularly for readers looking for a low-angst, sweet, and cozy fairy tale retelling.
I've read many Cinderella retellings, and Once Upon a Pumpkin stands out as one of the most wholesome and relaxing Cinderella stories that I've read in a long time. There are several deviations from the original tale while still having all the necessary elements. In fact, there's not one but TWO stepfamilies! I enjoyed this low-stakes version. The main story is Dietrich and Ella falling in love, and Ella learning how to navigate her new reality among the nobility. While the idea of a missing heiress is similar to Sophia in Once Upon an Apple, key differences make it distinct. I especially enjoyed getting this story because Dietrich's past and the missing daughter of the Duke been hinted at throughout the previous books in this series.
Ella has been through a lot, yet unlike many versions, this Cinderella is no doormat. When Ella learns the truth early in the book, she doesn't stick around to allow her stepfamily to continue using her. I appreciate that she knows her worth and surrounds herself with people who actually care about her. Dietrich cares deeply for Ella, and he is the perfect match for her. Altogether, I love everything about this story, including the clever use of the pumpkin! Clean in language and content, I highly recommend this book, particularly for readers looking for a low-angst, sweet, and cozy fairy tale retelling.
September 9, 2025
🐴My Thoughts🐴👸🏼
This was such a sweet and cozy fairytale retelling! If you can’t tell by the title of the book this is a Cinderella retelling. I loved the Anastasia twist she put on this! I feel like some retellings follow close to the actual fairytale but I think in this one she took the basics of what you know about the fairytale and then just made it her own and I loved that so much! This was also a very quick read! I found my self flying through the book as it sucked me in from the very first page! I think if you loved the Disney Princess movies growing up these books are perfect for you! I felt the same happiness reading this book as I did watching the Disney movies growing up!
I absolutely adored Ella and Dietrich the way they really cared for each other from a young age and then reconnecting as adults after Ella being missing for so long and nobody knowing what happened to her. I loved the inclusion on the pumpkin being a wooden carving that Ella carries in her pocket and rubs taking comfort in it when in times of stress or when she is feeling anxious. This was just so beautifully done! I would highly recommend checking out this book and her other two books in the series if you love fairytale retellings!
👸🏼🐴Thank you Gabrielle Landi for providing me a copy to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was such a sweet and cozy fairytale retelling! If you can’t tell by the title of the book this is a Cinderella retelling. I loved the Anastasia twist she put on this! I feel like some retellings follow close to the actual fairytale but I think in this one she took the basics of what you know about the fairytale and then just made it her own and I loved that so much! This was also a very quick read! I found my self flying through the book as it sucked me in from the very first page! I think if you loved the Disney Princess movies growing up these books are perfect for you! I felt the same happiness reading this book as I did watching the Disney movies growing up!
I absolutely adored Ella and Dietrich the way they really cared for each other from a young age and then reconnecting as adults after Ella being missing for so long and nobody knowing what happened to her. I loved the inclusion on the pumpkin being a wooden carving that Ella carries in her pocket and rubs taking comfort in it when in times of stress or when she is feeling anxious. This was just so beautifully done! I would highly recommend checking out this book and her other two books in the series if you love fairytale retellings!
👸🏼🐴Thank you Gabrielle Landi for providing me a copy to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 24, 2025
What a sweet story! I love this cozy low-stress series and the combination of Cinderella and Anastasia inspiration was so fun!
Dietrich was a sweetheart, even though he hid it sometimes behind gruffness. He had a strong sense of responsibility, especially around the missing duchess. I loved his dedication to his work and his relationship with his mom! She obviously loved him, even as she teased him and sought to care for him.
Ella was quite the character! Even though she had difficulty with her stepfamily, she still had a strong sense of herself and who she wanted to surround herself with. She and Dietrich did not always agree, especially as they tried to discover her heritage. Ella wanted to find her place. Even with the possibility of her noble heritage, she wanted to learn about being a duchess.
Ella and Dietrich were a lot of fun together! They quickly became comfortable with one another and even though they sometimes clashed, there was trust in each other and appreciation for one another. I loved seeing them get to know one another. They both had to trust each other. Beatrice was also a fun addition! I loved how she and Ella were able to build a friendship.
This fairytale inspired cozy romance is low stress and has only kissing. It does include mention of Cinderella-type treatment from Ella’s stepfamily.
I received an ARC.
Dietrich was a sweetheart, even though he hid it sometimes behind gruffness. He had a strong sense of responsibility, especially around the missing duchess. I loved his dedication to his work and his relationship with his mom! She obviously loved him, even as she teased him and sought to care for him.
Ella was quite the character! Even though she had difficulty with her stepfamily, she still had a strong sense of herself and who she wanted to surround herself with. She and Dietrich did not always agree, especially as they tried to discover her heritage. Ella wanted to find her place. Even with the possibility of her noble heritage, she wanted to learn about being a duchess.
Ella and Dietrich were a lot of fun together! They quickly became comfortable with one another and even though they sometimes clashed, there was trust in each other and appreciation for one another. I loved seeing them get to know one another. They both had to trust each other. Beatrice was also a fun addition! I loved how she and Ella were able to build a friendship.
This fairytale inspired cozy romance is low stress and has only kissing. It does include mention of Cinderella-type treatment from Ella’s stepfamily.
I received an ARC.
September 29, 2025
i’ve really loved this series in the past but this book seemed very rushed. the plot had no time to develop and seemed strange- anastasia and cinderella seem easy enough to combine, but Landi wanted so hard to fit Ella into only “the damsel” and Dietrich into “the hero” that the mashup of tales really didn’t work. also- this is more personal, i always love a clean, cozy romance, but this book felt explicitly christian to me in a way the others didn’t- i mean there’s dragon magic in this world and its cozy setting doesn’t leave much space for worldbuilding (which i like). but this book felt like christian elements were just tacked on as an afterthought for the author to say “oh, by the way, i’m christian, these characters are christian, and i believe in traditional family values.” normally this would be fine, but i feel like in this climate, choosing to add these elements that add nothing to the story makes for a hostile read where it should have been a cozy escape from the real world. obviously this is a very personal critique so if you yourself have these beliefs please enjoy the book! i just felt blindsided by reality in those moments, really sucking me out of the cozy village setting.
January 7, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ (rounded up to 4)
This was a very cute and clean Cinderella/Anastasia retelling that is perfect for older children and teens.
I liked it overall, and enjoyed the unique blended story, the sweetness and vulnerability of the MMC, and the supportiveness/friendships of the additional characters.
I struggled a little bit with the lack of subtlety in portraying the mystery behind the story. Many of the answers to questions were revealed almost immediately, with no chance for the reader to ponder and wonder and put the clues together themselves.
This is part of a series, however it was my first book by the author that I’ve read. While it was fine as a standalone, I could tell some of the other characters had been featured in earlier books in the series, and I probably would have benefited from reading those first, to have a deeper knowledge of those relationships and connections. So I personally recommend reading the series in order.
I listened to this as an audiobook and did enjoy the talents of the narrator. It was well produced, and an easy listen.
I received an ALC copy of the audiobook from the author. Thank you! All opinions expressed here are my own and given willingly.
This was a very cute and clean Cinderella/Anastasia retelling that is perfect for older children and teens.
I liked it overall, and enjoyed the unique blended story, the sweetness and vulnerability of the MMC, and the supportiveness/friendships of the additional characters.
I struggled a little bit with the lack of subtlety in portraying the mystery behind the story. Many of the answers to questions were revealed almost immediately, with no chance for the reader to ponder and wonder and put the clues together themselves.
This is part of a series, however it was my first book by the author that I’ve read. While it was fine as a standalone, I could tell some of the other characters had been featured in earlier books in the series, and I probably would have benefited from reading those first, to have a deeper knowledge of those relationships and connections. So I personally recommend reading the series in order.
I listened to this as an audiobook and did enjoy the talents of the narrator. It was well produced, and an easy listen.
I received an ALC copy of the audiobook from the author. Thank you! All opinions expressed here are my own and given willingly.
October 23, 2025
Once Upon a Pumpkin takes the familiar, beloved framework of the Cinderella story and weaves it into a comforting, cozy fantasy romance. As the third installment in The Galamere Chronicles series (though it reads as a standalone), it delivers a predictable yet deeply satisfying tale perfect for readers who love sweet romance and gentle magic.
The heroine, Ella, has been living a harsh life under a cruel step-family. Her fate changes when Dietrich, the Duke’s stable master, tracks her down, believing she is the Duchess’s long-lost daughter, who disappeared years ago. Dietrich feels immense guilt for not preventing the disappearance and is torn between his duty to report his discovery to the Duke and his immediate need to protect Ella, who begs him to let her stay hidden.
The core of the story is the delightful “Duchess lessons” trope. Dietrich attempts to teach Ella the manners of a noblewoman, preparing her for the inevitable ball and reintroduction into society. This forced proximity fuels a beautiful, quiet tension, as their feelings grow deeper than the master-servant dynamic allows. The central conflict asks whether their love can transcend the rigid class structures of Galamere. The author masterfully maintains a Hallmark movie-level of swoon-worthy sweetness, making this a comforting and wholesome read.
Once Upon a Pumpkin is a charming, low-angst fantasy romance that feels like a warm hug. It is perfect for young adult readers (14+) and adults seeking a clean, uplifting story where good intentions prevail and duty always bends toward love. It’s a delightful read that successfully captures the magic of fairytales and the comfort of happily-ever-afters.
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Read More: Kitty Purrs & Prose Blog
The heroine, Ella, has been living a harsh life under a cruel step-family. Her fate changes when Dietrich, the Duke’s stable master, tracks her down, believing she is the Duchess’s long-lost daughter, who disappeared years ago. Dietrich feels immense guilt for not preventing the disappearance and is torn between his duty to report his discovery to the Duke and his immediate need to protect Ella, who begs him to let her stay hidden.
The core of the story is the delightful “Duchess lessons” trope. Dietrich attempts to teach Ella the manners of a noblewoman, preparing her for the inevitable ball and reintroduction into society. This forced proximity fuels a beautiful, quiet tension, as their feelings grow deeper than the master-servant dynamic allows. The central conflict asks whether their love can transcend the rigid class structures of Galamere. The author masterfully maintains a Hallmark movie-level of swoon-worthy sweetness, making this a comforting and wholesome read.
Once Upon a Pumpkin is a charming, low-angst fantasy romance that feels like a warm hug. It is perfect for young adult readers (14+) and adults seeking a clean, uplifting story where good intentions prevail and duty always bends toward love. It’s a delightful read that successfully captures the magic of fairytales and the comfort of happily-ever-afters.
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Read More: Kitty Purrs & Prose Blog
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