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Regal Retellings #2
Once Upon a Smile: Maria's Story: A Sweet Retelling of the Fairy Tale "The Princess Who Never Smiled"
She’s tired of regrets. She’s ready for a fresh start. And if disguising herself as a knight is the only way forward, well—so be it.
Maria longs to leave her past behind, but that’s hard to do when her life feels stalled and aimless. Add a string of unwelcome suitors, and she’s desperate for a way out.
So when her brother decides to travel to a nearby kingdom to win the heart of a wealthy princess, Maria aches to join him. There’s just one the journey is dangerous, and her family would never let her go.
Her solution? Strike a secret deal to join the expedition—even if it means she must disguise herself as one of her brother’s knights.
It seems like a simple enough plan—until the untimely moment her deception is discovered.
Inspired by the classic fairy tale The Princess Who Never Smiled, this sweet and swoony double romance follows Maria’s journey to find her own happily ever after as she discovers the transformative power of laughter and love.
Come for the disguise and danger—stay for the redemption of a girl learning to open her heart, in a story for readers who love watching a character earn her second chance.
Maria longs to leave her past behind, but that’s hard to do when her life feels stalled and aimless. Add a string of unwelcome suitors, and she’s desperate for a way out.
So when her brother decides to travel to a nearby kingdom to win the heart of a wealthy princess, Maria aches to join him. There’s just one the journey is dangerous, and her family would never let her go.
Her solution? Strike a secret deal to join the expedition—even if it means she must disguise herself as one of her brother’s knights.
It seems like a simple enough plan—until the untimely moment her deception is discovered.
Inspired by the classic fairy tale The Princess Who Never Smiled, this sweet and swoony double romance follows Maria’s journey to find her own happily ever after as she discovers the transformative power of laughter and love.
Come for the disguise and danger—stay for the redemption of a girl learning to open her heart, in a story for readers who love watching a character earn her second chance.
- GenresFantasy
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 18, 2025
18 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
September 16, 2025
3 stars ⭐️ Clean Fiction - Fairytale Retelling (non-magical)
I’ll admit I wasn’t overly excited about this book because Maria was…not great in the prior book, “Princess Without a Palace”. She was insufferable, really. But I added this book to my fall TBR due to the orange cover and decided to pick it up for a lighter read.
I did find this book to be slow for the first half of the book but that could have been because of my mood or Maria being her (slightly annoying) self or a combination of both. It could have also been that I wasn’t sure who the love interest was until then as well, so once that became clear, I enjoyed the book more—especially with Maria becoming less self-centered. I can’t say I really bought into their romance because I couldn’t see how he could love her and say he has loved her for a while (before the positive character development), though. We only get her POV, so I think that was a major reason why I felt this way.
I do want to note that while the tag for this retelling is “the princess who never smiled”, Maria is a side character for that story and this not the Princess who never smiled. That wasn’t a big deal to me, but just wanted to mention it in case it was for another reader.
While it’s definitely not my favorite by this author (“Mystery at the Midnight Ball” wins that award!), it was still good and very clean—plus non-magical is always a bonus in my book! 😉
Main Content-
A man talks about books he has read that have stories about “fish with human faces that can sing”, “sea wolves”, “sea serpents”, and “portals to other worlds” (which no one believes him and Maria tells him to read less).
Mentions of prayers & praying (but not towards Whom); Mentions of luck & lucky items; A mention of Maria idolizing her older brother; A mention of letting “fate” take care of everything.
No major language; A couple mentions of curses (said, not written); Eye rolling & Sarcasm; Maria lies to her family members & pretends to be sick (so she can escape and go on the trip); Later, Maria feels guilt for other deception.
Fighting/Fights, Being hit/attacked, Stabbing someone/Seeing others stabbed or injured, Seeing someone held at knife-point, Pain, & Watching fights (up to multiple sentences).
Mentions of deaths & grief (including of parents & Maria for her father); Mentions of thieves/bandits, stealing, & stolen items; Mentions of fights, fighting, fighting to the death, weapons, injuries, pain, & blood/bleeding (up to a few sentences); Mentions of Maria’s actions in the prior book that put another in danger/harm’s way; Mentions of lies, lying, & deception; A mention of a threat to cut out someone’s tongue.
1 hand kiss,
1 forehead kiss,
2 kisses lasting a couple sentences.
Touches, Embraces, Dancing, Hand holding, Warmth, Nearness, Blushes, Noticing, & Staring (up to a few sentences).
Maria dresses as a boy to be able to go on the trip (as she knows she wouldn’t be allowed to go on it officially).
Mentions of kisses & seeing couples kiss (mostly on the hand); Mentions of flirting, blushes, & jealousy; A mention of a man leering at Maria; A mention of Maria’s curves; A mention of a chaperone.
I’ll admit I wasn’t overly excited about this book because Maria was…not great in the prior book, “Princess Without a Palace”. She was insufferable, really. But I added this book to my fall TBR due to the orange cover and decided to pick it up for a lighter read.
I did find this book to be slow for the first half of the book but that could have been because of my mood or Maria being her (slightly annoying) self or a combination of both. It could have also been that I wasn’t sure who the love interest was until then as well, so once that became clear, I enjoyed the book more—especially with Maria becoming less self-centered. I can’t say I really bought into their romance because I couldn’t see how he could love her and say he has loved her for a while (before the positive character development), though. We only get her POV, so I think that was a major reason why I felt this way.
I do want to note that while the tag for this retelling is “the princess who never smiled”, Maria is a side character for that story and this not the Princess who never smiled. That wasn’t a big deal to me, but just wanted to mention it in case it was for another reader.
While it’s definitely not my favorite by this author (“Mystery at the Midnight Ball” wins that award!), it was still good and very clean—plus non-magical is always a bonus in my book! 😉
Main Content-
A man talks about books he has read that have stories about “fish with human faces that can sing”, “sea wolves”, “sea serpents”, and “portals to other worlds” (which no one believes him and Maria tells him to read less).
Mentions of prayers & praying (but not towards Whom); Mentions of luck & lucky items; A mention of Maria idolizing her older brother; A mention of letting “fate” take care of everything.
No major language; A couple mentions of curses (said, not written); Eye rolling & Sarcasm; Maria lies to her family members & pretends to be sick (so she can escape and go on the trip); Later, Maria feels guilt for other deception.
Fighting/Fights, Being hit/attacked, Stabbing someone/Seeing others stabbed or injured, Seeing someone held at knife-point, Pain, & Watching fights (up to multiple sentences).
Mentions of deaths & grief (including of parents & Maria for her father); Mentions of thieves/bandits, stealing, & stolen items; Mentions of fights, fighting, fighting to the death, weapons, injuries, pain, & blood/bleeding (up to a few sentences); Mentions of Maria’s actions in the prior book that put another in danger/harm’s way; Mentions of lies, lying, & deception; A mention of a threat to cut out someone’s tongue.
1 hand kiss,
1 forehead kiss,
2 kisses lasting a couple sentences.
Touches, Embraces, Dancing, Hand holding, Warmth, Nearness, Blushes, Noticing, & Staring (up to a few sentences).
Maria dresses as a boy to be able to go on the trip (as she knows she wouldn’t be allowed to go on it officially).
Mentions of kisses & seeing couples kiss (mostly on the hand); Mentions of flirting, blushes, & jealousy; A mention of a man leering at Maria; A mention of Maria’s curves; A mention of a chaperone.
November 2, 2025
This story offers an intriguing premise with Maria’s bold decision to disguise herself as a knight to escape her stagnant life and join her brother’s dangerous quest. The idea of breaking free from societal expectations is compelling, and the tension around her secret identity adds some suspense. However, the plot sometimes feels predictable, and the character development could be deeper to make Maria’s journey more engaging. Overall, it’s an okay read—worth a try if you enjoy stories about daring disguises and quests, but it didn’t quite fully capture my attention.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 8, 2025
Once Upon a Timr: Maria's Story by Kristen Niedfeldt. I enjoy fairytale retelling, but, The Princess Who Never Smiled is a new tale for me. I think that there is a lot going on in TBE story. Prince Emmet and Princess Maria are looking for love. There is disguising and forbidden love. I thought that this story was so enjoyable. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
July 6, 2025
A delightful medieval adventure with a touch of romance.
"Once Upon a Time - Maria's Story" begins in the fictional medieval
kingdom of Brenhausen, a prosperous land. The main character is
Maria, fourth child and only daughter of the recently deceased
king. The three older brothers, Roderick, now King of Brenhausen,
Anton, and Emmitt, are significant supporting characters. Three
younger brothers are only briefly mentioned.
The royals are all summoned to the king's palace on the occasion that
Prince Anton has been offered a marital choice of four princesses
from other lands. He chooses Princess Janeen of Salhaven because,
although she has a sad face in her picture, she is the only child of
an ailing king. Between Brenhausen and Salhaven is the country of
Wagland, a dangerous place full of thieves. Several knights are
chosen to accompany Prince Anton on this journey. The reader should
pay special attention to Sir Conrad. I had not predicted it after
reading the first few chapters. But he became an important supporting
character later in the story.
There are two other suitors, Prince Hammond of Wagland and Duke
Frederick of Ryundun. All three will travel to Silhaven seeking
marriage to Princess Janeen. All three will have to compete to give
Princess Janeen the gift she will find most attractive. Prince
Anton struggles to select a suitable gift. Prince Emmitt persuades
Maria to donate some of her own precious jewelry to supplement a
perhaps inadequate offering by Prince Anton.
Princess Maria is being pressed to choose a husband. Wishing to
escape a situation she does not want, her next older brother Emmitt
helps to disguise her as a man and as his ward Sir Markus. She will
accompany Prince Anton and his small band. I already felt the
suspense. When would the rest of the party discover the deception
and what will happen to Maria when they do?
On their ride through Wagland, Prince Hammond and a large band of
his soldiers intercept Prince Anton's much smaller party with a
menacing attitude. During the night thieves steal nearly all of
Prince Anton's gifts, even most of the horses. As a reader, I
suspected that thieves were in Prince Hammond's pay.
Prince Anton, Prince Emmitt, Princess Maria, and their knights
arrive at the royal palace. As the three suitors conduct their
competition for Princess Janeen, the princess herself is reclusive.
Romances begin to develop between her ladies-in-waiting and the
knights from Brenhausen, and even Prince Emmitt himself.
I'd better stop here lest I start giving spoilers. Some readers
report becoming so entranced with a story that they stay awake
half the night to finish it and find out how it ends. I'm not that
way. Usually I read one or two chapters, then wait a while to
digest what I read, and take one to two weeks to read the complete
story. For "Once Upon a Time - Maria's Story," the last 60 pages
were so exciting that I finished in a single reading. If you like
medieval settings with lots of personal drama but no really gross
scenes, I recommend this story to you.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this
review voluntarily.
"Once Upon a Time - Maria's Story" begins in the fictional medieval
kingdom of Brenhausen, a prosperous land. The main character is
Maria, fourth child and only daughter of the recently deceased
king. The three older brothers, Roderick, now King of Brenhausen,
Anton, and Emmitt, are significant supporting characters. Three
younger brothers are only briefly mentioned.
The royals are all summoned to the king's palace on the occasion that
Prince Anton has been offered a marital choice of four princesses
from other lands. He chooses Princess Janeen of Salhaven because,
although she has a sad face in her picture, she is the only child of
an ailing king. Between Brenhausen and Salhaven is the country of
Wagland, a dangerous place full of thieves. Several knights are
chosen to accompany Prince Anton on this journey. The reader should
pay special attention to Sir Conrad. I had not predicted it after
reading the first few chapters. But he became an important supporting
character later in the story.
There are two other suitors, Prince Hammond of Wagland and Duke
Frederick of Ryundun. All three will travel to Silhaven seeking
marriage to Princess Janeen. All three will have to compete to give
Princess Janeen the gift she will find most attractive. Prince
Anton struggles to select a suitable gift. Prince Emmitt persuades
Maria to donate some of her own precious jewelry to supplement a
perhaps inadequate offering by Prince Anton.
Princess Maria is being pressed to choose a husband. Wishing to
escape a situation she does not want, her next older brother Emmitt
helps to disguise her as a man and as his ward Sir Markus. She will
accompany Prince Anton and his small band. I already felt the
suspense. When would the rest of the party discover the deception
and what will happen to Maria when they do?
On their ride through Wagland, Prince Hammond and a large band of
his soldiers intercept Prince Anton's much smaller party with a
menacing attitude. During the night thieves steal nearly all of
Prince Anton's gifts, even most of the horses. As a reader, I
suspected that thieves were in Prince Hammond's pay.
Prince Anton, Prince Emmitt, Princess Maria, and their knights
arrive at the royal palace. As the three suitors conduct their
competition for Princess Janeen, the princess herself is reclusive.
Romances begin to develop between her ladies-in-waiting and the
knights from Brenhausen, and even Prince Emmitt himself.
I'd better stop here lest I start giving spoilers. Some readers
report becoming so entranced with a story that they stay awake
half the night to finish it and find out how it ends. I'm not that
way. Usually I read one or two chapters, then wait a while to
digest what I read, and take one to two weeks to read the complete
story. For "Once Upon a Time - Maria's Story," the last 60 pages
were so exciting that I finished in a single reading. If you like
medieval settings with lots of personal drama but no really gross
scenes, I recommend this story to you.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this
review voluntarily.
June 13, 2025
In a refreshing and charming twist on a classic narrative, Kristen Niedfeldt’s Once Upon a Smile: Maria's Story is a delightful discovery for anyone searching for a truly sweet fairytale retelling. Drawing inspiration from "The Princess Who Never Smiled," this novel offers a heartfelt journey of adventure, romance, and self-discovery that is sure to leave readers with a smile of their own.
At the heart of the story is Princess Maria, a young woman tired of past regrets and feeling stifled by the predictability of castle life. Surrounded by brothers and hounded by a string of unwelcome suitors, she longs for a fresh start and an escape from her aimless existence. When her brother embarks on a quest to win the heart of a wealthy but somber princess in a neighboring kingdom, Maria sees her chance for the adventure she craves. Her solution is as bold as it is dangerous: she strikes a secret deal to join the expedition by disguising herself as one of her brother's knights.
Niedfeldt masterfully weaves a tale of suspense and romance as Maria navigates the perils of the road and the constant threat of her deception being discovered. What begins as a quest for freedom evolves into a "swoony double romance," as Maria’s own journey toward love and healing runs parallel to her brother's. The story beautifully explores the transformative power of laughter and the courage it takes to open one’s heart and earn a second chance at happiness.
For readers looking for a standalone experience, Once Upon a Smile works beautifully, but it also serves as a sequel, inviting you to explore more of this enchanting world. Overall, this book is a captivating blend of disguise, danger, and heartfelt emotion—a perfect read for anyone who loves watching a character fight for, and find, her own happily ever after.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
At the heart of the story is Princess Maria, a young woman tired of past regrets and feeling stifled by the predictability of castle life. Surrounded by brothers and hounded by a string of unwelcome suitors, she longs for a fresh start and an escape from her aimless existence. When her brother embarks on a quest to win the heart of a wealthy but somber princess in a neighboring kingdom, Maria sees her chance for the adventure she craves. Her solution is as bold as it is dangerous: she strikes a secret deal to join the expedition by disguising herself as one of her brother's knights.
Niedfeldt masterfully weaves a tale of suspense and romance as Maria navigates the perils of the road and the constant threat of her deception being discovered. What begins as a quest for freedom evolves into a "swoony double romance," as Maria’s own journey toward love and healing runs parallel to her brother's. The story beautifully explores the transformative power of laughter and the courage it takes to open one’s heart and earn a second chance at happiness.
For readers looking for a standalone experience, Once Upon a Smile works beautifully, but it also serves as a sequel, inviting you to explore more of this enchanting world. Overall, this book is a captivating blend of disguise, danger, and heartfelt emotion—a perfect read for anyone who loves watching a character fight for, and find, her own happily ever after.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 3, 2025
Review
One upon a time
I would rate the story4.5 out of 5 as the story was the splendid work of the author Kristein Neidfelds.The writer draws the attention for the women who once fall in love and relationship was sufferings in her life how she overcomes the burden of separation facing troubles in her life when the knight finally left him .she doesn’t have any alternative ,she stopped talking to everyone ,to heal the pain and misery of her life .she however decided to move on but the memory never fades away and retailing in her mind
In the story Maria also suffering with the same problem when his boyfriend left him without any reason never came back and she was dealing with the struggles,hardships of the life .she felt herself alone in life although she have widow mother ,and three brothers who loved his sister adores him and wanted to bring smile which Maria lost .Once again she decided to move on and will lead a new life welcoming any other knight in her life embracing herself ,singing, dancing ,dressed herself nicely and wanted to go for the journey with her brothers .The brother Emmit was in search of a princess for marriage and settled in his life .so Maria also wanted to join her brothers in this journey which was very far and difficult to travel whole day but the family didn’t allowed her daughter to travelled in this journey so Maria makes a secret plan and finally executed the plan and went for journey with her brothers. While travelling she felt very happy smiling,dancing,rejoicing in his own way she makes everyone happy and smiling throughout the journey forget all his pain of life and had done lots of fun and enjoyment .Once again the girl’s smile regained back and makes her life cheerful with Marias new thought of moving on in her life brings about calmness and refreshment in her life which she lost before.
One upon a time
I would rate the story4.5 out of 5 as the story was the splendid work of the author Kristein Neidfelds.The writer draws the attention for the women who once fall in love and relationship was sufferings in her life how she overcomes the burden of separation facing troubles in her life when the knight finally left him .she doesn’t have any alternative ,she stopped talking to everyone ,to heal the pain and misery of her life .she however decided to move on but the memory never fades away and retailing in her mind
In the story Maria also suffering with the same problem when his boyfriend left him without any reason never came back and she was dealing with the struggles,hardships of the life .she felt herself alone in life although she have widow mother ,and three brothers who loved his sister adores him and wanted to bring smile which Maria lost .Once again she decided to move on and will lead a new life welcoming any other knight in her life embracing herself ,singing, dancing ,dressed herself nicely and wanted to go for the journey with her brothers .The brother Emmit was in search of a princess for marriage and settled in his life .so Maria also wanted to join her brothers in this journey which was very far and difficult to travel whole day but the family didn’t allowed her daughter to travelled in this journey so Maria makes a secret plan and finally executed the plan and went for journey with her brothers. While travelling she felt very happy smiling,dancing,rejoicing in his own way she makes everyone happy and smiling throughout the journey forget all his pain of life and had done lots of fun and enjoyment .Once again the girl’s smile regained back and makes her life cheerful with Marias new thought of moving on in her life brings about calmness and refreshment in her life which she lost before.
October 30, 2025
This story follows Maria, the youngest and only daughter amongst several brothers who decides to join two of her older brothers in a quest to Salhaven where her one older brother, Anton, hopes to meet the princess he will marry. Along the way, many exciting events occur that Maria experiences, that cause her to learn and grow as a person and even find love.
This is a cute and feisty story 😆 Maria was something else. Not sure how anyone has patience for her. Although this is connected to a series, it is a standalone and I didn’t feel as if I needed to read the first story. After reading this, though, I want to so I can meet everyone in the first book and see what they were like compared to this story.
For example, I would love to see what Maria was like in the first book. In this one, Maria definitely started off as a spoiled brat, but as the story progressed, she slowly learned and realized how terrible she could be at times, and started to really think about her actions and what she said to others. She also started to focus more on others and less on herself. I appreciate how well her growth was as the story went on, and I ended up liking her a lot.
The romance is cute. A bit of a slow burn since it’s not completely obvious that there is something there, and then there are moments and you know something will blossom.
I also love that there was another romance between one of Maria’s brothers and another female character. It made for a sweet double romance, and I was here for it!
Definitely a cute story despite the annoyance I had at times with Maria, but if you can get me to like a character I basically despised at the start, then something was done right and done well. Give this one a read!
Thank you to BookSirens and the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a cute and feisty story 😆 Maria was something else. Not sure how anyone has patience for her. Although this is connected to a series, it is a standalone and I didn’t feel as if I needed to read the first story. After reading this, though, I want to so I can meet everyone in the first book and see what they were like compared to this story.
For example, I would love to see what Maria was like in the first book. In this one, Maria definitely started off as a spoiled brat, but as the story progressed, she slowly learned and realized how terrible she could be at times, and started to really think about her actions and what she said to others. She also started to focus more on others and less on herself. I appreciate how well her growth was as the story went on, and I ended up liking her a lot.
The romance is cute. A bit of a slow burn since it’s not completely obvious that there is something there, and then there are moments and you know something will blossom.
I also love that there was another romance between one of Maria’s brothers and another female character. It made for a sweet double romance, and I was here for it!
Definitely a cute story despite the annoyance I had at times with Maria, but if you can get me to like a character I basically despised at the start, then something was done right and done well. Give this one a read!
Thank you to BookSirens and the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 31, 2025
I read the first book in this series, Princess without A Palace years ago and loved it. King Thrushbeard is my favorite and I was excited to see that Maria from PWOaP who was the "villain" was finally given her redemption story!
This fairytale is loosely based on the Russian fairytale, the Princess who never smiled, which I wasn't familiar with at all. Apparently it is about a second younger brother who tries to win the hand of the princess by making her smile. It's fun to revisit Roderick and Maria's siblings, but for those who didn't read book 1 this could absolutely be a stand alone.
Maria is our redemption heroine who longs to break free of the restrictions of the palace. In a last ditch and selfish effort she dresses up as a solider and joins two of her brothers on a journey to a neighboring kingdom to help court a princess. Along the way they get robbed, Maria's identity gets revealed and they might have made a few enemies from other neighboring kingdoms. I love Maria and have since PWOaP. She is strong, resilient and pretty good with a blade plus watching her relationship with her brothers shows such a softer side for her. It's interesting to watch her struggle with becoming less selfish and maturing- Niedfeldt did such a great job of writing her redemption arc.
Her main love interest is what I would call a cinnamon roll, touch her and die hero (that I don't want to name so no spoilers here). I loved reading their love story develop- there was angsty and so much tension. 5 Stars and probably my favorite in the series! I know it's been years since PWOaP but the wait was worth it.
This fairytale is loosely based on the Russian fairytale, the Princess who never smiled, which I wasn't familiar with at all. Apparently it is about a second younger brother who tries to win the hand of the princess by making her smile. It's fun to revisit Roderick and Maria's siblings, but for those who didn't read book 1 this could absolutely be a stand alone.
Maria is our redemption heroine who longs to break free of the restrictions of the palace. In a last ditch and selfish effort she dresses up as a solider and joins two of her brothers on a journey to a neighboring kingdom to help court a princess. Along the way they get robbed, Maria's identity gets revealed and they might have made a few enemies from other neighboring kingdoms. I love Maria and have since PWOaP. She is strong, resilient and pretty good with a blade plus watching her relationship with her brothers shows such a softer side for her. It's interesting to watch her struggle with becoming less selfish and maturing- Niedfeldt did such a great job of writing her redemption arc.
Her main love interest is what I would call a cinnamon roll, touch her and die hero (that I don't want to name so no spoilers here). I loved reading their love story develop- there was angsty and so much tension. 5 Stars and probably my favorite in the series! I know it's been years since PWOaP but the wait was worth it.
July 22, 2025
I have read a lot of great books recently, but none that made me smile as much as this book did.
Are you a fan of princess stories with happy endings? Do you enjoy love stories without spice? If so, add this to your TBR right now. Once Upon a Smile is written in a classic fairytale format. This was delightful from beginning to end and satisfied my childhood princess loving little girl in my soul.
Maria is a loveable protaganist that is headstrong, determined, and sometimes a little too regal. If I was a princess, Maria would be my inspiration and my best friend. Her adventure into new kingdoms dressed a soldier stole my heart. I love a girl who knows how to use a sword and is a little too independent.
The love stories in this read kept me engaged and entertained. The many different knights, princes, dukes, and kings in this story all added to the story without overshadowing Maria. They let her shine!
I will be reading more books by Kristen Niedfeldt if this is what I have to look forward to. I was given this book as an ARC read and I am so grateful for the chance to read it. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Are you a fan of princess stories with happy endings? Do you enjoy love stories without spice? If so, add this to your TBR right now. Once Upon a Smile is written in a classic fairytale format. This was delightful from beginning to end and satisfied my childhood princess loving little girl in my soul.
Maria is a loveable protaganist that is headstrong, determined, and sometimes a little too regal. If I was a princess, Maria would be my inspiration and my best friend. Her adventure into new kingdoms dressed a soldier stole my heart. I love a girl who knows how to use a sword and is a little too independent.
The love stories in this read kept me engaged and entertained. The many different knights, princes, dukes, and kings in this story all added to the story without overshadowing Maria. They let her shine!
I will be reading more books by Kristen Niedfeldt if this is what I have to look forward to. I was given this book as an ARC read and I am so grateful for the chance to read it. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
July 28, 2025
I was completely unfamiliar with the story "The Princess Who Never Smiled", but I did enjoy this sweet fairytale book that is apparently a re-telling of that story. I hadn't read the first book in this series, but the main characters from that book were secondary characters in this one and I didn't really feel like I needed to be caught up on much from the previous story. Overall, the story kept me reading, I enjoyed the banter between characters, and the fantasy world was interesting.
I think the main reason I gave this 4 instead of 5 stars was because of how the character growth of Maria, the third-person POV character in this book, was portrayed. She was quite rude and selfish for most of the book, and then suddenly one event seemed to flip a switch and she was kind and caring. After being annoyed with her actions for most of the book and waiting for some improvement in her character, it felt unrealistic and ...anticlimatic?... that she was just suddenly nice and thoughtful. Not character growth so much as sudden character change.
I received an e-ARC from BookSirens for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I think the main reason I gave this 4 instead of 5 stars was because of how the character growth of Maria, the third-person POV character in this book, was portrayed. She was quite rude and selfish for most of the book, and then suddenly one event seemed to flip a switch and she was kind and caring. After being annoyed with her actions for most of the book and waiting for some improvement in her character, it felt unrealistic and ...anticlimatic?... that she was just suddenly nice and thoughtful. Not character growth so much as sudden character change.
I received an e-ARC from BookSirens for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 26, 2025
I usually steer away from books that are not the first in a series, even when it is stated that reading the previous books is not necessary. But I took a chance on this one and am very glad I did. There is nothing in it that suggests it is a sequel, and if it weren’t stated, I truly wouldn’t know it was, it works marvelously well as a standalone.
It reads almost like a fairytale - part historical, part fantasy, and all of it romantic. The aspect I liked most are the relationships between the siblings. It was lovely to see how such a large family, filled with all those different characters and dispositions, can function and interact with each other so well. And how kindly they treat individuals that are considered “beneath” them.
The only thing that slightly bothered me was the language. It felt rigid, to me at least. Though I suspect it was done intentionally to transport you to the time and place of the book, I still felt it made the main characters seem pretentious.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It reads almost like a fairytale - part historical, part fantasy, and all of it romantic. The aspect I liked most are the relationships between the siblings. It was lovely to see how such a large family, filled with all those different characters and dispositions, can function and interact with each other so well. And how kindly they treat individuals that are considered “beneath” them.
The only thing that slightly bothered me was the language. It felt rigid, to me at least. Though I suspect it was done intentionally to transport you to the time and place of the book, I still felt it made the main characters seem pretentious.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 4, 2025
If you are looking for a a sweet fairytale retelling then this is the book for you. This can be read as a standalone but is also a sequel to a previous book which I will have to look into in the near future. Overall I was very impressed with this because I was looking for some fairytale retellings but I really wasn't having any luck at finding any so I was really happy for the opportunity to read this one.
Our main heroine is Princess Maria who has always grown up with brothers. Even though she loves her family she longs for a life for adventure because living in a castle can be a little bit to stifling. When her brother decides to go to a nearby Kingdom to win the heart of a princess Maria jumps at the opportunity. disguising herself as a man she will travel through the lands however, danger lurks around them and if her true identity is revealed it could result in some serious consequences.
I received an arc copy from booksirens and all opinions are of my own..
Our main heroine is Princess Maria who has always grown up with brothers. Even though she loves her family she longs for a life for adventure because living in a castle can be a little bit to stifling. When her brother decides to go to a nearby Kingdom to win the heart of a princess Maria jumps at the opportunity. disguising herself as a man she will travel through the lands however, danger lurks around them and if her true identity is revealed it could result in some serious consequences.
I received an arc copy from booksirens and all opinions are of my own..
July 23, 2025
As someone who loves the lesser known fairy tales, such as the princess who never smiled, this cute retelling was a highly enjoyable read. The romance is more of a 1950s romcom with adventure, disguises, and courtly love vs passion and yearning, and it’s a breathe of fresh air.
The story follows a princess, and two of her older princely brothers as one of them travels to a nearby kingdom to win the hand of a melancholy princess. On the way, they have unfortunate encounters with brigands and dastardly prince rivals which force them to arrive at their destination without pomp and two of the siblings disguised. This allows for the plot to highlight the royals flaws and strengths while simultaneously providing mistaken identities during romantic pursuits. A fairytale retelling with a twist that is not only enjoyable but a comforting read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story follows a princess, and two of her older princely brothers as one of them travels to a nearby kingdom to win the hand of a melancholy princess. On the way, they have unfortunate encounters with brigands and dastardly prince rivals which force them to arrive at their destination without pomp and two of the siblings disguised. This allows for the plot to highlight the royals flaws and strengths while simultaneously providing mistaken identities during romantic pursuits. A fairytale retelling with a twist that is not only enjoyable but a comforting read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 5, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this exciting reworking of a fairy tale. I loved the characters and really enjoyed the adventure as it unfolded. There were a few times that I wanted to jump n the story and shake the characters! I would have liked to tell them to look around themselves and not be so arrogant and self-centered! However, they did learn and grow and that growth was what made the story. I liked the setting of the story and the realistic tone the environment brought. I felt I was right there cooking on the campfire, tramping through the forest and sleeping on the hard ground. I especially enjoyed that this was a well written clean romance that i could share with my grandchildren as well as my peers. I look forward to reading more by this author! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 23, 2025
Sweet, fun retelling of lesser known fairytale!
First off—isn’t this book cover just beautiful? I love a good cover—especially when it perfectly captures the story inside it!
The vibe of this book is something like the story of Mulan, but in a medieval European setting. There are knights, adventure, ladies in disguise, plot twists, sword fights and romance.
Some of the tropes in this book aren’t my personal favorite, but I can’t fault the book for that! Impulsive and a bit immature protagonist (MFC), stoic and protective love interest, large family dynamics, somewhat predictable plot, but still enjoyable!
Age recommendation: teen/adult. Zero language, no explicit content, brief non-descriptive kissing. Some battle related violence (no gore).
Huge thanks to BookSirens for the complimentary eARC of the book! All opinions expressed are my own.
First off—isn’t this book cover just beautiful? I love a good cover—especially when it perfectly captures the story inside it!
The vibe of this book is something like the story of Mulan, but in a medieval European setting. There are knights, adventure, ladies in disguise, plot twists, sword fights and romance.
Some of the tropes in this book aren’t my personal favorite, but I can’t fault the book for that! Impulsive and a bit immature protagonist (MFC), stoic and protective love interest, large family dynamics, somewhat predictable plot, but still enjoyable!
Age recommendation: teen/adult. Zero language, no explicit content, brief non-descriptive kissing. Some battle related violence (no gore).
Huge thanks to BookSirens for the complimentary eARC of the book! All opinions expressed are my own.
July 3, 2025
Loved the story. Princess Maria doesn't want to stay behind when her brothers Prince Anton and Emmitt are travelling to Salhaven for Anton to court Princess Janeen. She wishes to leave the castle and disquises herself with Emmitts help as a knight. They will encounter danger on their way and Emmitt and Maria decide to portray themselves as a knight and sister in Salhaven. Sir Conrad who accompanies them promises to keep an eye on Maria. The journey will have Maria learning to be more gracious, finding Sir Conrad quite attractive, and the brothers will discover that family is everything. I enjoyed reading this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 10, 2025
📌Received an ARC of the book.
I was unsure, like i always am about ARCs. But surprise, surprise, I was HOOKED. I really liked it. Really reminded me of Mulan but with a totally different story.
Maria, here, was such a strong character. And i really liked the fact that she wasn't the main POINT of the story. BUT her "Oh I'm the greatest of all" narcissistic behavior annoyed me a little too much and the way she changed was satisfying.
And i definitely wanted Sir Conrad's backstory. I felt like it was a little too short. His patience truly inspired me like...dude...wow.
And THAT TWIST!!
I need to go and pay my respects to the author. (positive connotation)
Overall 3.75/5.
I was unsure, like i always am about ARCs. But surprise, surprise, I was HOOKED. I really liked it. Really reminded me of Mulan but with a totally different story.
Maria, here, was such a strong character. And i really liked the fact that she wasn't the main POINT of the story. BUT her "Oh I'm the greatest of all" narcissistic behavior annoyed me a little too much and the way she changed was satisfying.
And i definitely wanted Sir Conrad's backstory. I felt like it was a little too short. His patience truly inspired me like...dude...wow.
And THAT TWIST!!
I need to go and pay my respects to the author. (positive connotation)
Overall 3.75/5.
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July 30, 2025
🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅
This is a retelling of the Princess who Never Smiled. I’m not familiar with this story and this is the first one that I have read like this. It was SO good! I shut the book with a smile on my face! Maria changed so much and I came to adore her! Conrad was different than what I originally expected for her, but I loved the two of them! I adored Maria and Emmitt’s sibling bond! I wish more books had that! Emmitt was such a wonderful character and I loved the double love stories! I did not see the plot twist coming! I loved the whole story and I’m so glad everything wrapped up in a happily ever after! I can’t wait to read the next book and I’ll be sad to be done with the series! 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I definitely recommend!
🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅
This is a retelling of the Princess who Never Smiled. I’m not familiar with this story and this is the first one that I have read like this. It was SO good! I shut the book with a smile on my face! Maria changed so much and I came to adore her! Conrad was different than what I originally expected for her, but I loved the two of them! I adored Maria and Emmitt’s sibling bond! I wish more books had that! Emmitt was such a wonderful character and I loved the double love stories! I did not see the plot twist coming! I loved the whole story and I’m so glad everything wrapped up in a happily ever after! I can’t wait to read the next book and I’ll be sad to be done with the series! 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I definitely recommend!
🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅
July 3, 2025
If you haven't read the first book in this series you will be missing out on some great background on these characters. However, this might be my favorite so far in this series. This is the second book and now Maria and one of her many brothers, is going to get their Happily Ever After. Maria's growth throughout this story was wonderful and timely. She needed to grow up and Niedfeldt does an amazing job showing her growth over time. There is romance, adventure, danger, secret identities, and two HEA. My favorite part is the growth the main characters go through and this was the best of those so far.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 31, 2025
Once Upon a Smile was a truly enjoyable read that I found easy to get lost in for a couple of days. While the character development felt a bit rushed—making it harder to form strong attachments—the story was engaging, and the romantic arcs were fun to follow. I especially appreciated how easy it was to root for the characters, which kept me invested until the end. I did not find that Maria was portrayed as regretful or desperate for change, but rather as someone tired of routine and ready for adventure, which made her leap into the unknown feel authentic. Overall, I enjoyed this book and appreciate the author for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 20, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
To be honest, I was pretty bored until bout chapter 12, I hadn't read the previous book as this one said it could be read as a standalone, but I felt like I was missing too much of the characters stories from not reading the first book, but I was thankfully able to continue and finish it with different feelings.
At first I thought of Maria as just a spoiled princess, but I came to like her by the end. She seem to grow a lot over the week she was with her brothers on the trip they took.
I was so rooting for her and sir Conrad!
The characters were likable and the story was sweet happily ever after 💕
To be honest, I was pretty bored until bout chapter 12, I hadn't read the previous book as this one said it could be read as a standalone, but I felt like I was missing too much of the characters stories from not reading the first book, but I was thankfully able to continue and finish it with different feelings.
At first I thought of Maria as just a spoiled princess, but I came to like her by the end. She seem to grow a lot over the week she was with her brothers on the trip they took.
I was so rooting for her and sir Conrad!
The characters were likable and the story was sweet happily ever after 💕
November 2, 2025
I always find it hard to get into the beginning of books with a FMC with a redemption arc. However, I did like that there were so many potential love interests at the beginning (between all the knights, Prince Hammond, and those she could possibly meet at their destination) so it wasn't so predictable. Satisfactory journey and conclusion, but I do wish Maria would have given her sapphires away in the end with out expectation of a benefit to herself. I was glad that I was unfamiliar with the fairy tale that inspired this story so I could put the clues together to work out the plot twist instead of knowing it was coming. I enjoy stories based on lesser known fairy tales like this one.
June 11, 2025
I really enjoyed this story. Even though the main character, Maria, was not particularly likeable at the beginning of the story, it was fun watching her change into a better person. It was fun having two love stories. It had some fighting and injuries, but the violence was very minimal, especially compared to other stories set in that time period. It had a good amount of drama and some surprises. It was a fun story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 5, 2025
This was a fun and charming read!
I love fairytale retelling and it was nice to read one based on a less popular fable. There were some really great scenes, in particular some adventure scenes in the middle of the book, and it a satisfying wrap up. It’s part of a series but you can read it as a stand alone and still enjoy the story and the characters.
My only complaint is that the male love interest wasn’t my favorite, he was a little underdeveloped in my opinion.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I love fairytale retelling and it was nice to read one based on a less popular fable. There were some really great scenes, in particular some adventure scenes in the middle of the book, and it a satisfying wrap up. It’s part of a series but you can read it as a stand alone and still enjoy the story and the characters.
My only complaint is that the male love interest wasn’t my favorite, he was a little underdeveloped in my opinion.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 18, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Cute, predictable, and a fairytale I hadn’t heard of before. The FMC was a bit annoying but I’m glad she changed for the better. I really liked Emmitt and Sir Conrad’s characters.
Like a lot of these shorter books, characters aren’t given a lot of depth to them which is fine, but also hard to find any connection to.
I give it 3.5 stars for the “new” fairytale and not just another rehashed Cinderella or Snow White kind of fairytale. If you like these retellings, I recommend this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Cute, predictable, and a fairytale I hadn’t heard of before. The FMC was a bit annoying but I’m glad she changed for the better. I really liked Emmitt and Sir Conrad’s characters.
Like a lot of these shorter books, characters aren’t given a lot of depth to them which is fine, but also hard to find any connection to.
I give it 3.5 stars for the “new” fairytale and not just another rehashed Cinderella or Snow White kind of fairytale. If you like these retellings, I recommend this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 24, 2025
Once Upon a Smile is a delightful read. The highlight for me was Maria’s character development—it felt genuine and truly worth the journey. The romance was tender and heartwarming, giving the story a lovely feel-good touch. Personally, I wished there were more moments between Maria and Sir Conrad, but that’s only because their bond was so charming.
I’d recommend this novel to anyone looking for a light, pleasant read that leaves you smiling by the last page.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I’d recommend this novel to anyone looking for a light, pleasant read that leaves you smiling by the last page.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
November 5, 2025
Once Upon a Smile: Maria’s Story by Kristen Niedfeldt is a tender and uplifting retelling of The Princess Who Never Smiled, set in the charming kingdom of Brenhausen, where family loyalty, faith, and love intertwine.
Princess Maria is not your typical fairytale heroine — she’s spirited, impatient, and deeply human. Surrounded by her six brothers and a castle full of expectations, she feels caged by royal life. When her brothers set off on a mission and she dares to join them in disguise, the story transforms from quiet palace drama into an adventure full of discovery, humor, and heart.
What really stands out here is the warmth of the family dynamics — the teasing, affection, and loyalty between Maria and her brothers, especially Emmitt, whose gentle strength beautifully contrasts Maria’s fire. The world of Brenhausen feels alive with its cobblestone streets, castle chambers, and touches of old-world nobility.
The romantic thread is soft and subtle — more about emotional connection and mutual respect than grand gestures — which fits perfectly with the book’s wholesome tone.
The first few chapters do take their time, with slower pacing and heavy introductions, but once Maria takes matters into her own hands, the story truly shines. It’s filled with faith, courage, and the gentle humor that makes fairy-tale retellings so comforting.
A lovely, feel-good read for anyone who enjoys clean historical romance, close-knit families, and heroines who learn that true joy often begins with a single act of courage — and, yes, a smile. 💖
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Princess Maria is not your typical fairytale heroine — she’s spirited, impatient, and deeply human. Surrounded by her six brothers and a castle full of expectations, she feels caged by royal life. When her brothers set off on a mission and she dares to join them in disguise, the story transforms from quiet palace drama into an adventure full of discovery, humor, and heart.
What really stands out here is the warmth of the family dynamics — the teasing, affection, and loyalty between Maria and her brothers, especially Emmitt, whose gentle strength beautifully contrasts Maria’s fire. The world of Brenhausen feels alive with its cobblestone streets, castle chambers, and touches of old-world nobility.
The romantic thread is soft and subtle — more about emotional connection and mutual respect than grand gestures — which fits perfectly with the book’s wholesome tone.
The first few chapters do take their time, with slower pacing and heavy introductions, but once Maria takes matters into her own hands, the story truly shines. It’s filled with faith, courage, and the gentle humor that makes fairy-tale retellings so comforting.
A lovely, feel-good read for anyone who enjoys clean historical romance, close-knit families, and heroines who learn that true joy often begins with a single act of courage — and, yes, a smile. 💖
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 11, 2025
It's always fun with retellings of fairytales that there are not so many retellings of. I was very excited to read an ARC of this book. It was a very sweet story with clean romance and interesting character development. The concept and plot was good and intriguing. This book can be read as a stand alone, but for more of a backstory of the main character it can be recommended to read "regal retellings book 1".
June 15, 2025
I really liked this one. Set in a somewhat medieval land and time, the story is remarkably true to life. The characters are engagingly flawed but working on improving, and the plot has as many twists as a Twizzler and is just as tasty. I predicted how it would turn out to my daughter who was reading next to me, and boy, was I ever wrong. In a good way though. I liked the surprise.
Now I am going to go looking for something else by this author.
Now I am going to go looking for something else by this author.
June 28, 2025
4.5/5 star
I honestly was pleasantly surprised with the story. The author wrote well, it was shy of a 5 star review only because I needed more. I wanted a little more dialogue, a little more descriptions, so a little more.
I’m excited to pick up the first story and the ones that follow. I loved the family dynamic. They aren’t perfect but they love each other.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I honestly was pleasantly surprised with the story. The author wrote well, it was shy of a 5 star review only because I needed more. I wanted a little more dialogue, a little more descriptions, so a little more.
I’m excited to pick up the first story and the ones that follow. I loved the family dynamic. They aren’t perfect but they love each other.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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