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A Curse of Gold and Beauty
What if Rumpelstiltskin and the miller’s daughter fell for each other?
Meg is cursed, bewitched with breath taking beauty at the cost of absolute obedience to her father. Rhys, her best friend, is also cursed. He is able to spin straw into gold, but each pump of the treadle exacts a terrible price. Two souls were never so perfect for each other, but fate seems determined to pull them apart.
When the King holds Meg hostage and demands gold, she must decide… Is she willing to let Rhys suffer if it saves her own life or will she accept the King's punishment and let Rhys go free?
A YA clean romance, fairytale retelling.
Meg is cursed, bewitched with breath taking beauty at the cost of absolute obedience to her father. Rhys, her best friend, is also cursed. He is able to spin straw into gold, but each pump of the treadle exacts a terrible price. Two souls were never so perfect for each other, but fate seems determined to pull them apart.
When the King holds Meg hostage and demands gold, she must decide… Is she willing to let Rhys suffer if it saves her own life or will she accept the King's punishment and let Rhys go free?
A YA clean romance, fairytale retelling.
107 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2025
15 people are currently reading
729 people want to read
About the author
Mary Mecham
20 books809 followersMary Mecham writes high stakes, high swoon, no spice romantasy and fairy tale retellings packed full of adventure and romances. Her greatest joy is writing snarky banter and morally grey characters.
She is a born and raised Texan with a love of theater and books overshadowed only by her passion for disability advocacy. Her favorite food is chips and queso, her favorite holiday is April Fool's Day, and her favorite trope is enemies to lovers.
When she isn't writing, Mary enjoys spending time with her family and trying out new experiences, from fire breathing and axe throwing to trapeze flying and power paragliding.
She currently lives in Texas with her husband and three children.
You can get a FREE e-copy of her Rumpelstiltskin retelling, A Curse of Gold and Beauty, when you sign up for her newsletter at MaryMecham.com
She is a born and raised Texan with a love of theater and books overshadowed only by her passion for disability advocacy. Her favorite food is chips and queso, her favorite holiday is April Fool's Day, and her favorite trope is enemies to lovers.
When she isn't writing, Mary enjoys spending time with her family and trying out new experiences, from fire breathing and axe throwing to trapeze flying and power paragliding.
She currently lives in Texas with her husband and three children.
You can get a FREE e-copy of her Rumpelstiltskin retelling, A Curse of Gold and Beauty, when you sign up for her newsletter at MaryMecham.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
December 1, 2024
This was a cute retelling and I loved Rhys! He's was my favorite!
Characters:
Meg was a sweetie who just wanted to be loved as more than a pretty face.
Rhys was a darling! I loved how selfless and sweet he was!
Meg's father was actually nice and that was a breath of fresh air. Lol...
The captain was a fun edition!
I hated the king. Lol...pretty sure I was supposed to though...
Themes:
Selfless love.
Romance:
A few kisses, not super detailed.
Language:
N/A
Magic:
The characters are both blessed/cursed. Never any spells written so typical fairytale magic.
Violence/Gore:
Mentions of a characters hands covered in blood. Character gets punched. That's all.
Overall:
This was a cool and sweet retelling. I docked a star because of the mention of a god called Laris...which Meg prays to at one point and Rhys tells a story about Laris...I don't like false gods unless they are used to actually be false and then are countered by biblical truth so that unsettled me a touch.
But other than that this story was really good.
Characters:
Meg was a sweetie who just wanted to be loved as more than a pretty face.
Rhys was a darling! I loved how selfless and sweet he was!
Meg's father was actually nice and that was a breath of fresh air. Lol...
The captain was a fun edition!
I hated the king. Lol...pretty sure I was supposed to though...
Themes:
Selfless love.
Romance:
A few kisses, not super detailed.
Language:
N/A
Magic:
The characters are both blessed/cursed. Never any spells written so typical fairytale magic.
Violence/Gore:
Mentions of a characters hands covered in blood. Character gets punched. That's all.
Overall:
This was a cool and sweet retelling. I docked a star because of the mention of a god called Laris...which Meg prays to at one point and Rhys tells a story about Laris...I don't like false gods unless they are used to actually be false and then are countered by biblical truth so that unsettled me a touch.
But other than that this story was really good.
June 6, 2023
Ahhh I loved this so much!!! Rhys is such a sacrificial, endearing hero with a heart of gold (the way he bore his pain so selflessly and cheerfully... *just sobs*), and Meg was my favorite take on the Rumpelstiltskin character so far, spirited, loving, and generous! Add in a genuinely well-meaning father and a jolly captain, and this made a wonderfully satisfying Rumpelstiltskin retelling, which I actually ended up reading in one sitting. So heartwarming, sweet, and wholesome!
February 17, 2025
I cried throughout every sentence of the last fifty pages. Perfect.
May 7, 2024
I absolutely love love love this retelling. It's a quick read which is awesome and also just goes to show the talent of the author because she packed in so much emotion in such a short book.
Rhys. Oh. My. I love Rhys. His outlook on life, the way he just absolutely loves Meg is all the heart eyes.
The adventure these two go on seriously had me on the edge of my seat. The suspense and the fast pace kept me turning the pages so fast that I had to go back because I missed a detail.
The resolution was beautiful.
I really loved the creative way the story was told and with the magic. Very unique take and I ADORED it.
Can I get more of Rhys and Meg please? Another book? They just are so adorable and ugh my heart loves them so much!!
💋Sweet kisses only
⚠️Loss of mother, Rhys has an evil stepmother
Rhys. Oh. My. I love Rhys. His outlook on life, the way he just absolutely loves Meg is all the heart eyes.
The adventure these two go on seriously had me on the edge of my seat. The suspense and the fast pace kept me turning the pages so fast that I had to go back because I missed a detail.
The resolution was beautiful.
I really loved the creative way the story was told and with the magic. Very unique take and I ADORED it.
Can I get more of Rhys and Meg please? Another book? They just are so adorable and ugh my heart loves them so much!!
💋Sweet kisses only
⚠️Loss of mother, Rhys has an evil stepmother
May 1, 2025
°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。 °。°。°。°。°
🌾~Genres~🌾
Fantasy/Retelling/Romance/clean fiction
Just like a crocodile,
✨~Characters~✨
(Meg) MC She is cursed to obey her father who wants to marry her off to someone rich and old, but she is in love with her poor best friend so she can't let that happen.
I really liked her.
(Rhys) MMC He has a gift he can spin straw into gold the only downside is he has to spin for anyone who offers him something they think worth a lot. I also really liked him
(Mildred) Rhys's evil adoptive mother who makes him spin for her until his hands bleed. I did not like here
(Papa) Meg's father he doesn't see Meg for who she truly is and just wants to marry her to some rich older man. I didn't really like him.
(The king) I didn't like him at all.
(Benedict) I liked him for most of the book.
☀️~Quotes~☀️
The only good part of Rhys’s terrible curse was that it regularly gave me justification to hold his hand while I applied the tonic in slow, sweeping strokes.
He saw me, not just my outward appearance.
I would never need a knight in shining armor—I had Rhys.
How could he call someone dear heart and threaten to kill them in the same breath? This man was insane!
He was bald as an egg. Not a single strand grew up top. Perhaps his head had been confused as to where hair belonged, and instead of sending it to the top of his unusually shiny and polished head, it redirected it to burst out through every pore on his face.
🔔~What I liked~🔔
The cover, The writing style, The characters, The plot, The scenery, The humor, Rhys and Meg's banter, how wholesome it was.
“Being able to walk pain free is a blessing. Being able to walk without showing the pain is a skill.”
⭐~Content/Trigger warnings~⭐
Parental neglect, Blood,
🔆~Language~🔆
None
🌾~Genres~🌾
Fantasy/Retelling/Romance/clean fiction
Just like a crocodile,
✨~Characters~✨
(Meg) MC She is cursed to obey her father who wants to marry her off to someone rich and old, but she is in love with her poor best friend so she can't let that happen.
I really liked her.
(Rhys) MMC He has a gift he can spin straw into gold the only downside is he has to spin for anyone who offers him something they think worth a lot. I also really liked him
(Mildred) Rhys's evil adoptive mother who makes him spin for her until his hands bleed. I did not like here
(Papa) Meg's father he doesn't see Meg for who she truly is and just wants to marry her to some rich older man. I didn't really like him.
(The king) I didn't like him at all.
(Benedict) I liked him for most of the book.
☀️~Quotes~☀️
The only good part of Rhys’s terrible curse was that it regularly gave me justification to hold his hand while I applied the tonic in slow, sweeping strokes.
He saw me, not just my outward appearance.
I would never need a knight in shining armor—I had Rhys.
How could he call someone dear heart and threaten to kill them in the same breath? This man was insane!
He was bald as an egg. Not a single strand grew up top. Perhaps his head had been confused as to where hair belonged, and instead of sending it to the top of his unusually shiny and polished head, it redirected it to burst out through every pore on his face.
🔔~What I liked~🔔
The cover, The writing style, The characters, The plot, The scenery, The humor, Rhys and Meg's banter, how wholesome it was.
“Being able to walk pain free is a blessing. Being able to walk without showing the pain is a skill.”
⭐~Content/Trigger warnings~⭐
Parental neglect, Blood,
🔆~Language~🔆
None
May 16, 2023
So sad 😭 but also heartwarming and wholesome ❤️ Meg and Rhys are just perfect 😊
November 6, 2023
Wholesome love story
After finishing and really enjoying Laurel of Locksley I immediately wanted to check out more of Mecham's work. This book was a free copy I received after signing up for the author's newsletters (https://marymecham.com/newsletter)
The Cover: Absolutely gorgeous!
The Writing: Captivating! I had the hardest time putting this down. I love the author's style and how easy she makes it to become invested. I enjoyed the nice steady pace.
The Characters: Rhys and Meg were the BEST!! They absolutely made the story for me. Despicable villains (as it should be). Even Meg's dad, as frustrating as he could be, wasn't a bad guy.
The Plot: As far as fairytale retellings, this one is one of my new favs. Maybe a little predictable in some ways but I so enjoyed it. I was sad to see the story come to an end so soon.
The Themes/Messages: As cliche as this is...true love conquers all. Or something like...don't give up on your happily ever after.... yeah I know...moving on!
The Romance: So wholesome! I loved LOVED Meg and Rhys as a couple. While everyone loved Meg for her beauty, Rhys truly loved her for her, and it shined in his every action. I shipped these two early on in the story and was rooting for them the whole way.
Content Warnings: a physical fight, several mentions of pain and injuries, men eyeing Meg in an implied way.
Overall: 5 stars! If you like Ella Enchanted and Rumpelstiltskin retellings, definitely check this out! Mecham is an author to follow. I'll be reading more of her work.
After finishing and really enjoying Laurel of Locksley I immediately wanted to check out more of Mecham's work. This book was a free copy I received after signing up for the author's newsletters (https://marymecham.com/newsletter)
The Cover: Absolutely gorgeous!
The Writing: Captivating! I had the hardest time putting this down. I love the author's style and how easy she makes it to become invested. I enjoyed the nice steady pace.
The Characters: Rhys and Meg were the BEST!! They absolutely made the story for me. Despicable villains (as it should be). Even Meg's dad, as frustrating as he could be, wasn't a bad guy.
The Plot: As far as fairytale retellings, this one is one of my new favs. Maybe a little predictable in some ways but I so enjoyed it. I was sad to see the story come to an end so soon.
The Themes/Messages: As cliche as this is...true love conquers all. Or something like...don't give up on your happily ever after.... yeah I know...moving on!
The Romance: So wholesome! I loved LOVED Meg and Rhys as a couple. While everyone loved Meg for her beauty, Rhys truly loved her for her, and it shined in his every action. I shipped these two early on in the story and was rooting for them the whole way.
Content Warnings: a physical fight, several mentions of pain and injuries, men eyeing Meg in an implied way.
Overall: 5 stars! If you like Ella Enchanted and Rumpelstiltskin retellings, definitely check this out! Mecham is an author to follow. I'll be reading more of her work.
October 21, 2025
Okay that. Was. So. Good!!!! I fell in love with this story instantly and had to keep listening until the end (I listened to the audiobook while I was painting a wall in my room. The narrator did an amazing job, by the way!). I loved how A Curse of Gold and Beauty retold the “Rumpelstiltskin” fairy tale, and that the Rumpelstiltskin character was in love with the miller’s daughter. It was a cool, new take to the fairy tale—at least from the retellings I’ve read anyway. The romance between Meg and Rhys was so sweet. And the joke about Meg trading her first born child with Rhys (if you know, you know 😉) had me laughing out loud. I 100% recommend, and I will most definitely be reading more by Mecham!!
June 23, 2025
A fun retelling of Rumplestiltskin, with a very cute main couple and happily ever after. It had some similarities to Ella Enchanted, which is one of my favorite books ever, so of course I liked this one too. Because of the short length, I listened to the audiobook (which you can find on Mary Mecham's YouTube channel) in one afternoon while doing some housework, and it was delightful! Mecham has quickly become one of my new favorite authors. 😊
April 28, 2023
If there's one thing I need a lot more of in the world it's books including disability representation without the disability being a plotpoint (aka: a problem that needs to be fixed). So when I found this book on a list with fairytale retellings including disabled leads I had to have it. And it was also a perfect fit for the prompt "a metal in the title". A win-win-win.
We all know the fairytale of Rumplestiltskin and I'm glad that in this book the author incorporated the original tale but gave the book a completely different beginning (which lasted for over half the book) and an entirely different ending (the last chapter and the epiloque). Especially the beginning filled my heart with so much warmth and love!
And that's mostly because the couple in this book is really made for each other. It's clear they've grown up together and have gotten to know each other quite well way before the book starts. And yet we do feel their connection, we do feel what made them fall in love with each other, we do understand why they want each other and no one else.
I also loved the almost simplicity of this story. The characters weren't asking much, weren't trying to be much. They had noble, but simple, dreams and they didn't mind if at times making those dreams come true would be hard. Partly because of the hero's disability. I loved how the disability is never forgotten and does influence what he can and can't do. And yet it's never this big issue.
I want more stories like this, please!
We all know the fairytale of Rumplestiltskin and I'm glad that in this book the author incorporated the original tale but gave the book a completely different beginning (which lasted for over half the book) and an entirely different ending (the last chapter and the epiloque). Especially the beginning filled my heart with so much warmth and love!
And that's mostly because the couple in this book is really made for each other. It's clear they've grown up together and have gotten to know each other quite well way before the book starts. And yet we do feel their connection, we do feel what made them fall in love with each other, we do understand why they want each other and no one else.
I also loved the almost simplicity of this story. The characters weren't asking much, weren't trying to be much. They had noble, but simple, dreams and they didn't mind if at times making those dreams come true would be hard. Partly because of the hero's disability. I loved how the disability is never forgotten and does influence what he can and can't do. And yet it's never this big issue.
I want more stories like this, please!
February 28, 2025
*4.25*
This was such a nice read! This is my third Mary Mecham book, and I must say she is becoming a favorite author.
This story deals with many topics and lots of emotions. My heart went out for Meg and Rhys (who was an absolute gem). Meg had such a silent strength and will that bloomed throughout the story. That quality is something I love in books and want to see more. Rhys had so many amazing qualities I admire in male leads. He gave of himself even when it was hard. He was there for Meg all the time and fought for her.
Rumplestiltskin is such an interesting story, and I enjoyed the way it was flipped. Some of the plot frustrated me because it was supposed to, and other parts made me happy because it was supposed to. That goes to say that Mecham is excellent at conveying what you're supposed to feel when you're supposed to feel it.
Content: minor violence (mentions of blood, slapping), romance (minor mentions of leers and old men that Meg doesn't like), thoughts of running away/elopement, characters spend time together at night (not in bed, just together), kissing (just below semidetailed)
This was such a nice read! This is my third Mary Mecham book, and I must say she is becoming a favorite author.
This story deals with many topics and lots of emotions. My heart went out for Meg and Rhys (who was an absolute gem). Meg had such a silent strength and will that bloomed throughout the story. That quality is something I love in books and want to see more. Rhys had so many amazing qualities I admire in male leads. He gave of himself even when it was hard. He was there for Meg all the time and fought for her.
Rumplestiltskin is such an interesting story, and I enjoyed the way it was flipped. Some of the plot frustrated me because it was supposed to, and other parts made me happy because it was supposed to. That goes to say that Mecham is excellent at conveying what you're supposed to feel when you're supposed to feel it.
Content: minor violence (mentions of blood, slapping), romance (minor mentions of leers and old men that Meg doesn't like), thoughts of running away/elopement, characters spend time together at night (not in bed, just together), kissing (just below semidetailed)
May 3, 2025
Rhys and Meg are too precious! I loved Mecham’s spin on the tale of Rumpelstiltskin, particularly with the inclusion of chronic pain/illness. I’m a sucker for childhood friends to lovers and it was sweetly done here with a signature stab of Mecham’s unexpected twists!
August 1, 2024
This was a fun, short read with some unique and cute twists to one of my favorite fairytales!
June 29, 2025
Mary Mecham truly has a way with making you feel what the characters are feeling and writes a wonderful retelling of the classic fairytale of Rumplestiltskin!
June 11, 2025
The ending was a little sudden but overall, I really enjoyed it.
May 14, 2025
I found this author on Instagram, and she was kind enough to offer the eBook version for free if you sign up for her newsletter. I am always excited to read fairy tale retellings, and the fact that they are no-spice romance stories is even better. This Rumpelstiltskin retelling is about Meg, a beautiful miller’s daughter, and Rhys, an orphan who can spin straw into gold. Both are cursed as well as blessed, though they both only see their gifts as curses. This version of Rumpelstiltskin differs from others I read because the Rumpelstiltskin character (Rhys in this case) is not a little person or the villain. Rather than making a little person impish and crafty like in other versions, this story is less ableist as it shines a light on chronic pain sufferers. Rhys’s hands are cut by straw and gold, causing pain, and he also has what seems to be rheumatoid arthritis. He shows enormous strength of will, not showing how much pain he is in every day. I would recommend this book to high school and above-aged people. There is no spice, as I said before, so some middle school-aged kids might enjoy it as well.
June 9, 2023
Such a cute Rumplestiltskin retelling! I binged it in a single evening. Clever and inventive, with one of the sweetest love stories I've ever read. The hero, Rhys, felt so real and I think I fell for him right away. Usually I find romance heroes to be flat, dry and too perfect, but Rhys was a fully well rounded character that leapt off the page. I really enjoyed the happy ending, especially Meg's reconciliation with her father. This is my first Mary Mecham book, but I'm looking forward to many more!
March 1, 2023
This was my first introduction to Mary Mecham's fairy tale retellings, and I loved it! It was a romantic retelling of Rumpelstiltskin with some inspiration from Ella Enchanted. In this version, Rumpel is a good guy who is cursed to spin gold whenever someone gives him something valuable in exchange. Meanwhile, Meg is cursed to be obedient to her father (like Ella). It has all the drama and excitement of the original fairy tale and all the heart of a good love story.
November 14, 2025
“Tanned, brooding, and overly muscled is no longer fashionable. Thin, spindly, and pale is all the rage now.”
— Meg Miller.
💚 Damsel in distress cursed with beauty.
💚 MMC with arthritis.
💚 First person single POV.
💚 Friends to lovers.
💚 Clean fantasy (no curse words, no smut, just a few sweet kisses).
Why is this just a novella? WHY. IS. THIS. JUST. A. NOVELLA??? 😭 I’m crying, bruh. The romance is romancing, or whatever they say. A Curse of Gold and Beauty is such a beautiful, tender love story!! 😩 Mary Mecham did it again with all the tropes I can’t resist: disability rep, a likable heroine, and a sweetheart hero who I want to wrap my arms around, and bake cookies for 🥹 I swear I’ll learn to bake just for them???
Oh gosh, the way Mecham handled Rhys’s illness with care made my poor heart ache 💔 It was my first time reading a book with an MMC who suffers from arthritis. In a world where tall, brooding, muscle bound heroes are trending, here we have a skinny, blond haired Rhys with crooked fingers, and I’d take him any day over any shadow daddy 😭
The last 30 pages, where Rhys sacrifices himself, had me stressed out and struggling to hold back tears 🤧 Sure, the ending felt a bit too smooth and sudden, but that’s forgivable given the novella’s length. Still, and I NEED to repeat this, it was a beautiful love story!!! Meg and Rhys are not royalty. Not heroes trying to save the world. They’re just two lovers wanting to save each other, longing for simple things like everyone else. And in the end, they prove that’s more than enough.
Huge thanks to Mary Mecham for the free digital copy. Got it through her newsletter, and I’m so grateful! 💚
— Meg Miller.
💚 Damsel in distress cursed with beauty.
💚 MMC with arthritis.
💚 First person single POV.
💚 Friends to lovers.
💚 Clean fantasy (no curse words, no smut, just a few sweet kisses).
Why is this just a novella? WHY. IS. THIS. JUST. A. NOVELLA??? 😭 I’m crying, bruh. The romance is romancing, or whatever they say. A Curse of Gold and Beauty is such a beautiful, tender love story!! 😩 Mary Mecham did it again with all the tropes I can’t resist: disability rep, a likable heroine, and a sweetheart hero who I want to wrap my arms around, and bake cookies for 🥹 I swear I’ll learn to bake just for them???
Oh gosh, the way Mecham handled Rhys’s illness with care made my poor heart ache 💔 It was my first time reading a book with an MMC who suffers from arthritis. In a world where tall, brooding, muscle bound heroes are trending, here we have a skinny, blond haired Rhys with crooked fingers, and I’d take him any day over any shadow daddy 😭
The last 30 pages, where Rhys sacrifices himself, had me stressed out and struggling to hold back tears 🤧 Sure, the ending felt a bit too smooth and sudden, but that’s forgivable given the novella’s length. Still, and I NEED to repeat this, it was a beautiful love story!!! Meg and Rhys are not royalty. Not heroes trying to save the world. They’re just two lovers wanting to save each other, longing for simple things like everyone else. And in the end, they prove that’s more than enough.
Huge thanks to Mary Mecham for the free digital copy. Got it through her newsletter, and I’m so grateful! 💚
March 23, 2025
4🌟
I got this book as a free download and I loved it! I haven’t read very many Rumplestiltskin retellings but this was definitely my favourite.
This is a novella that follows a girl named Meg who is cursed to do everything her father says, in return for being beautiful and Rhys, who is her best friend and also cursed. They are in love but then Meg becomes a prisoner for the king. I would say more but I don’t want to spoil anything.
This is a 142 page book so there wasn’t a lot of depth but I still think it was written very well. The characters weren’t difficult to remember and I liked all of them (except for the villains). I almost wish this book was longer because there were a few characters I would have liked to have a bit more involvement in the story. As for the main characters, Meg and Rhys were both so courageous and brave and I admire both of them.
The romance was so sweet and even though it felt a little bit insta lovey because of the length of this book, I enjoyed every bit of content we got. They loved each other so deeply and made me believe in true love.
Overall, a very good book. For ages 13 and up.
I got this book as a free download and I loved it! I haven’t read very many Rumplestiltskin retellings but this was definitely my favourite.
This is a novella that follows a girl named Meg who is cursed to do everything her father says, in return for being beautiful and Rhys, who is her best friend and also cursed. They are in love but then Meg becomes a prisoner for the king. I would say more but I don’t want to spoil anything.
This is a 142 page book so there wasn’t a lot of depth but I still think it was written very well. The characters weren’t difficult to remember and I liked all of them (except for the villains). I almost wish this book was longer because there were a few characters I would have liked to have a bit more involvement in the story. As for the main characters, Meg and Rhys were both so courageous and brave and I admire both of them.
The romance was so sweet and even though it felt a little bit insta lovey because of the length of this book, I enjoyed every bit of content we got. They loved each other so deeply and made me believe in true love.
Overall, a very good book. For ages 13 and up.
June 8, 2023
Fantastic Rumpelstiltskin retelling. The friends to lovers romance was swoony and sweet, and the sacrificial love just broke my heart. It was a wonderful spin on the classic.
October 9, 2023
Beatiful story!
June 14, 2024
4.8 stars! <3 ;)
July 2, 2025
I absolutely adored this book by Mary Mecham. It was such a different Rumplestiltskin retelling and it was very enjoyable! I loved Meg’s character, how she was the daughter of a miller and just really kind. And it was refreshing that Rhys was a scrawny, pale fellow, and not some muscular man. The take on the blessing paired with a curse was also really cool! So glad those two got there happily ever after.
February 11, 2026
A really fast read. I did enjoy it and love reinvention of the Rumpelstiltskin story. A sweet story. Interesting characters. I would love to read more. From, Mary Mecham!
April 23, 2025
I've read this one before! It's short and sweet. It's a deffinitiley below what I should be reading, but if you want something fast it's worth it! I 100% could have read it in a day, but I was really busy the day I started it and didn't read any of it over the weekend. Overall a cute little story.
August 12, 2024
Solid 2.0 stars
This book was given to me for free, not as an ARC, but it was still free. So thank you for the free book.
I don’t usually give two-star reviews, but this is an exception. This novella’s prose had more “telling” than “showing,” and the dialogue was so dull and predictable. I skipped many paragraphs because scanning through them didn’t tell me anything useful, and listening to the main protagonist complain about her beautiful face and body was unnecessary. Show me how terrible her beauty can be, but don’t repeatedly tell me. The prose, on the whole, turned me away from a story that had potential. Not to mention the flat characters (I actually hoped the guard captain did gossip about the gold because then he would at least be two-dimensional), and the antagonists getting a happy ending of sorts.
Yes, this book was given to me for free, and I understand it’s a short novella that is supposed to be quick and fun. But if this novella is trying to convince me to read the rest of this author’s work, it didn’t convince me. It wasn’t the worst book I’ve read because it didn’t take a lot of my time and didn’t presume too much, but I still wouldn’t pursue more of the author’s works.
This book was given to me for free, not as an ARC, but it was still free. So thank you for the free book.
I don’t usually give two-star reviews, but this is an exception. This novella’s prose had more “telling” than “showing,” and the dialogue was so dull and predictable. I skipped many paragraphs because scanning through them didn’t tell me anything useful, and listening to the main protagonist complain about her beautiful face and body was unnecessary. Show me how terrible her beauty can be, but don’t repeatedly tell me. The prose, on the whole, turned me away from a story that had potential. Not to mention the flat characters (I actually hoped the guard captain did gossip about the gold because then he would at least be two-dimensional), and the antagonists getting a happy ending of sorts.
Yes, this book was given to me for free, and I understand it’s a short novella that is supposed to be quick and fun. But if this novella is trying to convince me to read the rest of this author’s work, it didn’t convince me. It wasn’t the worst book I’ve read because it didn’t take a lot of my time and didn’t presume too much, but I still wouldn’t pursue more of the author’s works.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2023
This book is GOLDEN!
This sweet little novella has it all—a swoony, friends-to-lovers relationship and all the twisty aches and pining that come with it, themes of true love and sacrifice, an unlikely hero, and a villain you will love to hate.
Mecham has a talent for spinning stories with relationships that are fully of realistic dialogue, and for identifying and bringing to life all those feelings and sensations that the characters feel when falling in love. Even at a novella length, the relationship between Rhys and Meg never feels forced, and it’s so sweet to see how they interact with one another.
And—possibly my favorite part about this book—the hero. Rhys is not your typical strong, dashing, save-the-day type of hero, at least in the physical sense. But rather than presenting Rhys’s chronic pain and health issues as a weakness or flaw, Mecham has done an amazing job of showcasing how much stronger his character was because of them.
Go read this book! You will not be disappointed.
This sweet little novella has it all—a swoony, friends-to-lovers relationship and all the twisty aches and pining that come with it, themes of true love and sacrifice, an unlikely hero, and a villain you will love to hate.
Mecham has a talent for spinning stories with relationships that are fully of realistic dialogue, and for identifying and bringing to life all those feelings and sensations that the characters feel when falling in love. Even at a novella length, the relationship between Rhys and Meg never feels forced, and it’s so sweet to see how they interact with one another.
And—possibly my favorite part about this book—the hero. Rhys is not your typical strong, dashing, save-the-day type of hero, at least in the physical sense. But rather than presenting Rhys’s chronic pain and health issues as a weakness or flaw, Mecham has done an amazing job of showcasing how much stronger his character was because of them.
Go read this book! You will not be disappointed.
November 4, 2023
What a sweet endearing book!!!!!! I was a bit hesitant to read it but i have come to realize that i ADORE mary Mecham’s style. She does an amazing job of giving you a romance filled with real emotions, laughter, teasing, and love. It feels so REAL and attainable. I love how she re-energized a story i felt like i already knew. I can definitely relate to loving someone with chronic pain- the author does phenomenal job with Meg and Rhys’ depiction of the struggles, inevitably, and selfless sacrifice that come with loving someone with chronic pain. I loved it so much. I also appreciate the airtight plots she presents in “the curse of gold and beauty” and “becoming hook” which i recently read.
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June 1, 2025
My first audiobook! I listened to it through Mary Mecham’s YouTube. It was a very good audiobook and kept my attention the whole time. This was a very interesting twist on the fairytale Rumpelstiltskin, but I liked it! Meg was a sweet character who wanted to be loved for who she was and not what she looked like. Rhys was a selfless and brave man who loved Meg and was determined to do whatever he could to protect. His love for her was so sweet! The epilogue was so cute! There was a part of goddess and gods which was a bit odd, but other than that, this was really good! This is my first by Mary Mecham and certainly won’t be my last!
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