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Catherine in Boots: A Puss in Boots meets Twelfth Night Variation
After she finds her adoptive father dead in the forest, Catherine is determined to save his daughter from the greedy clutches of the town's corrupt watchman. With the reclusive Marquis’s power at his disposal, however, she’ll need to form some influential alliances of her own if she wants any hope of besting him—even if it means weaving a web of lies so thick even she has trouble navigating it. There is no line Cat won't cross if it means keeping what remains of her family safe.
When Dante’s best friend ceases communication after returning home to check on his father, the Marquis of Carabas, the anxiety-riddled count leaves the safety of his neatly organized home and ventures into the countryside to find him. What he discovers, however, is a Marquis shut up in his castle, a town on the brink of ruin, and a fiery young woman who threatens to not only steal his heart but turn his carefully-laid-out world upside down.
All of which pales in comparison to the monstrous secret looming within the depths of a castle that may just doom them all.
What you can
Just One BarrelHidden IdentitiesHeadstrong FMCTongue-tied MMCFairytale MonstersSpice Free RomancePiningPositive Female FriendshipsMasqueradesNot-So Meet CutesWhump
When Dante’s best friend ceases communication after returning home to check on his father, the Marquis of Carabas, the anxiety-riddled count leaves the safety of his neatly organized home and ventures into the countryside to find him. What he discovers, however, is a Marquis shut up in his castle, a town on the brink of ruin, and a fiery young woman who threatens to not only steal his heart but turn his carefully-laid-out world upside down.
All of which pales in comparison to the monstrous secret looming within the depths of a castle that may just doom them all.
What you can
Just One BarrelHidden IdentitiesHeadstrong FMCTongue-tied MMCFairytale MonstersSpice Free RomancePiningPositive Female FriendshipsMasqueradesNot-So Meet CutesWhump
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 7, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Can't wait to share this one with you all!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I like to thank the author for a free read as part of the ARC pre-release team.
The title had me. Mainly, girl cross-playing as a male had me. I always get a kick out of stories where a girl tries to show off she can do anything. In this, because there are no male heirs, their farm will be given to someone else. The two sisters decide to con two rich gentlemen to get them to help them out as well. But, problems arise when the eldest sister starts having feelings.
There was a fun blend of mystery, romance and action where one of the plot points didn't overshadow the other. I have not read the author's other work, so walking into this one fresh and allowing me to form an unbiased opinion.
The only reason I ranked it down a star is that maybe it could have been a bit longer, but that's me being a tad picky. Still, if you are into the same tropes I mentioned then you'll enjoy this like I did!
The title had me. Mainly, girl cross-playing as a male had me. I always get a kick out of stories where a girl tries to show off she can do anything. In this, because there are no male heirs, their farm will be given to someone else. The two sisters decide to con two rich gentlemen to get them to help them out as well. But, problems arise when the eldest sister starts having feelings.
There was a fun blend of mystery, romance and action where one of the plot points didn't overshadow the other. I have not read the author's other work, so walking into this one fresh and allowing me to form an unbiased opinion.
The only reason I ranked it down a star is that maybe it could have been a bit longer, but that's me being a tad picky. Still, if you are into the same tropes I mentioned then you'll enjoy this like I did!
March 19, 2026
This story is utterly charming and cozy with a large scoop of adventure!
Catherine is a fiery woman who will do everything in her power to keep her beloved friend to fall into a marriage that will doom her forever. Taking on the town villain using her brains and brawn. Cat hatches a plan that will gain her an audience with the person of power that would be able to help.
She runs into two strangers who leave an impression, but one that is not flattering no matter how fine the strangers are dressed. When she puts her plan in place, she fails to keep her heart out of it. Reminding her that she is not alone and it is ok to accept help, even if it is from the last person you imagined.
Dante is a shy MC that has a hard time speaking to the fairer sex. But when his path cross with the fiery beauty, he is in awe of her spunk and bravery. Agreeing to help her overthrow the town bully, he finds himself embarking on an adventure that will discover a dark underbelly within the quiet town. Risking everything to keep everyone safe, no matter the personal cost.
I loved this story! It is one that you want to grab a warm drink, blanket and settle in. It will have you giggling and swooning. This story is well paced, intriguing with a dark mystery woven through out that will have you wanting to know how it all ends!
Perfect cozy goodness that will leave you smiling until the very end. Happy Reading! {E-ARC}
Catherine is a fiery woman who will do everything in her power to keep her beloved friend to fall into a marriage that will doom her forever. Taking on the town villain using her brains and brawn. Cat hatches a plan that will gain her an audience with the person of power that would be able to help.
She runs into two strangers who leave an impression, but one that is not flattering no matter how fine the strangers are dressed. When she puts her plan in place, she fails to keep her heart out of it. Reminding her that she is not alone and it is ok to accept help, even if it is from the last person you imagined.
Dante is a shy MC that has a hard time speaking to the fairer sex. But when his path cross with the fiery beauty, he is in awe of her spunk and bravery. Agreeing to help her overthrow the town bully, he finds himself embarking on an adventure that will discover a dark underbelly within the quiet town. Risking everything to keep everyone safe, no matter the personal cost.
I loved this story! It is one that you want to grab a warm drink, blanket and settle in. It will have you giggling and swooning. This story is well paced, intriguing with a dark mystery woven through out that will have you wanting to know how it all ends!
Perfect cozy goodness that will leave you smiling until the very end. Happy Reading! {E-ARC}
May 1, 2026
I’ve deleted and started this review over three times now. The first sounded too lame, the second too spoiler-y, the third too cheesy… The fourth time’s a charm, right? Ha ha, probably not, but I’ll give it a go:
I loved this little fairytale, a LOT, you should read it!
No really, not kidding, GO!
I loved this little fairytale, a LOT, you should read it!
No really, not kidding, GO!
June 12, 2026
This was a treat to read! The story is intricate without being overly complicated. I was hooked within the first 20 pages.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely devoured this romantasy fairy tale book. Inspired by Puss in Boots and Twelfth Night, it was easy to fall instantly in love with Catherine, Dante, and the rest of the characters. The pacing moved along perfectly with plenty of action, adventure, hidden identities and swoony moments.
This is one of my favorite couple types - the quiet, shy, awkward MMC and the fiery, outspoken, stubborn FMC. Dante and Catherine are absolutely a delight right from their not meet cute where she yells at him and he has hearts in his eyes, wondering if it's too early to ask her to marry him (okay, to be fair, he doesn’t decide he's going to marry her until their second meeting…) and she meanwhile is stomping home to complain about the arrogant nobles she just met.
Secret Identities is always one of my favorite tropes and we get plenty of great moments here, like the obligatory MMC thinks FMC is a guy and starts stripping down to go swimming. I mean, can you have a book where the MMC thinks she is a guy and *not* have the MMC strip down??
Not to be forgotten, the side characters of Catherine’s sister Isabella and Dante’s best friend Lorenzo are also great and provide some extra comic relief. Overall I found the book to be a great mix of humor, romance, and adventure.
Spice Level - no spice/kisses only
This is one of my favorite couple types - the quiet, shy, awkward MMC and the fiery, outspoken, stubborn FMC. Dante and Catherine are absolutely a delight right from their not meet cute where she yells at him and he has hearts in his eyes, wondering if it's too early to ask her to marry him (okay, to be fair, he doesn’t decide he's going to marry her until their second meeting…) and she meanwhile is stomping home to complain about the arrogant nobles she just met.
Secret Identities is always one of my favorite tropes and we get plenty of great moments here, like the obligatory MMC thinks FMC is a guy and starts stripping down to go swimming. I mean, can you have a book where the MMC thinks she is a guy and *not* have the MMC strip down??
Not to be forgotten, the side characters of Catherine’s sister Isabella and Dante’s best friend Lorenzo are also great and provide some extra comic relief. Overall I found the book to be a great mix of humor, romance, and adventure.
Spice Level - no spice/kisses only
April 7, 2026
Catherine in Boots by Erin Stavs is thoroughly enjoyable and perhaps the perfect beach read. It’s a well-crafted story that knows exactly what it’s doing and delivers on it with confidence.
The book pulls you in right away with an action-heavy opening and a central mystery that keeps unfolding in interesting ways. The pacing is quick and engaging, making it easy to keep turning pages without feeling rushed.
The characters are vividly drawn—I felt like I could actually hear them speaking. There’s also a fun dynamic in the relationships, with gender reversals and love triangles and even a masquerade that gave me Twelfth Night vibes—playful, a little tangled, and full of shifting tensions.
The action sequences are lively and well done, and the story builds toward a conclusion that feels satisfying, even if you think you can see where it’s going.
This is my favorite Erin Stavs book so far, and I've read several! An entertaining read from start to finish.
The book pulls you in right away with an action-heavy opening and a central mystery that keeps unfolding in interesting ways. The pacing is quick and engaging, making it easy to keep turning pages without feeling rushed.
The characters are vividly drawn—I felt like I could actually hear them speaking. There’s also a fun dynamic in the relationships, with gender reversals and love triangles and even a masquerade that gave me Twelfth Night vibes—playful, a little tangled, and full of shifting tensions.
The action sequences are lively and well done, and the story builds toward a conclusion that feels satisfying, even if you think you can see where it’s going.
This is my favorite Erin Stavs book so far, and I've read several! An entertaining read from start to finish.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. I'm a huge fan of E.P. Stavs's books, and I was thrilled to receive an advanced copy of this latest one! Catherine in Boots centers on Catherine, a heroine who is a fantastic reimagining of Puss in Boots. She takes action, she's insanely intelligent, and she displays bravery. When she runs into Dante Agostino, the "romance" part of this fairy tale retelling takes off. Dante is very shy though, and he reminded me a bit of Raj on the Big Bang Theory in that respect! That said, the slow-burn romance doesn't quite have Big Bang levels of awkwardness. The pacing throughout is solid, moving the story forward at a satisfying clip without ever feeling rushed. Highly recommend!
June 22, 2026
A Promising Idea That Fell Flat
I really wanted to enjoy Catherine in Boots, but unfortunately it just didn’t work for me. The premise sounded intriguing and had a lot of potential, which made it even more disappointing when the story didn’t quite deliver.
I found the pacing very slow, and it was difficult to stay engaged throughout. The narrative felt disjointed at times, making it hard to fully connect with the characters or follow the flow of the story. Because of this, I struggled to immerse myself and found myself losing interest more often than not.
While the concept behind the book is interesting, the execution didn’t live up to the expectations set by the description. Sadly, this one just wasn’t for me.
I really wanted to enjoy Catherine in Boots, but unfortunately it just didn’t work for me. The premise sounded intriguing and had a lot of potential, which made it even more disappointing when the story didn’t quite deliver.
I found the pacing very slow, and it was difficult to stay engaged throughout. The narrative felt disjointed at times, making it hard to fully connect with the characters or follow the flow of the story. Because of this, I struggled to immerse myself and found myself losing interest more often than not.
While the concept behind the book is interesting, the execution didn’t live up to the expectations set by the description. Sadly, this one just wasn’t for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
E. P. Stavs is one of my go-to authors, and this is definitely a go-to book. It's a no-spice romantasy packed with tension and swoon, banter and hilarity. Dante is a tongue-tied, blushing delight of an mmc. Cat is a fiery, protective, sassy fmc you'll love from her first page. You'll love each of them, and the unforgettable side characters Ren and Isa--from their first appearance. Stavs has an amazing talent for voice in her writing, so the characters live and breathe on the page--and stay on your mind long after you've finished reading! I highly, highly recommend this fast-paced, swoon-tastic romp of a read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Slight disclaimer: includes gay references and language, but I’m not your mama. Be intentional with what you read.
I really enjoyed this story! Catherine was hilarious and I loved the scenes of her skipping back and forth into roles she created. She is the man indeed. Dante was such a sweet mmc. I loved the two together with feisty and sweet. Her being angry at him while he is just flummoxed by her beauty was hilarious. Erin tore my heart up with the angst she put in but she wrote it so well. I loved the conclusion of this. I was getting anxious with only a few pages left but it was such a satisfying conclusion.
I really enjoyed this story! Catherine was hilarious and I loved the scenes of her skipping back and forth into roles she created. She is the man indeed. Dante was such a sweet mmc. I loved the two together with feisty and sweet. Her being angry at him while he is just flummoxed by her beauty was hilarious. Erin tore my heart up with the angst she put in but she wrote it so well. I loved the conclusion of this. I was getting anxious with only a few pages left but it was such a satisfying conclusion.
April 7, 2026
This can be a hard fairytale to adapt, but mixing a little of Twelfth Night shenanigans into it was perfect. Catherine is determined to repay the millner who took her in by saving his daughter from whatever has been haunting the village. However, when a duke and a count show up looking for their friend, she finds herself in the middle of a wild masquerade.
The craziness these characters get into is fun. It may be shorter, but it's got plenty to offer. There was more language than I was expected, but overall, it was a well-crafted story.
The craziness these characters get into is fun. It may be shorter, but it's got plenty to offer. There was more language than I was expected, but overall, it was a well-crafted story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is fantasy and mystery with a bit of coziness. The characters were easy to love and root for. Catherine is a wonderfully fierce heroine who would do anything to protect her friend Isabelle. Dante is a bashful, yet lovable, man who fights hard for the people he cares about. The entire cast of characters made this story so enjoyable with moments of laughter even while you read on the edge of your seat.
I was given an ARC from the author for an honest review.
I was given an ARC from the author for an honest review.
April 8, 2026
A great mashing of fairytales!
Catherine is the adopted daughter of the miller. When he is killed, its up to her to protect his daughter. With the marquis holed up in his castle, its hard to get control of the town watchmen.
Then two nobles arrive to find their friend. Catherine concots a plan to get their help. Something is up at the castle. There is more than wolves stalking the woods. And its up to a nervous count to help her out.
A super fun mashing of fairytales. Loved it!
Catherine is the adopted daughter of the miller. When he is killed, its up to her to protect his daughter. With the marquis holed up in his castle, its hard to get control of the town watchmen.
Then two nobles arrive to find their friend. Catherine concots a plan to get their help. Something is up at the castle. There is more than wolves stalking the woods. And its up to a nervous count to help her out.
A super fun mashing of fairytales. Loved it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is such a charming fairy tale mash-up! Full of banter, fun characters, sweet romance and Shakespearean-style hijinks, this book absolutely nailed the Puss in Boots x Twelfth Night crossover. If you're look for a light, fast-paced romance with a whimsical fairy-tale vibe, this one is absolutely for you!
May 6, 2026
This was such a fun romp!
Loved, loved, LOVED the humor!! Cat and Isa along with Lorenzo and Dante are so much fun!! Love all the hijinks and craziness and not to mention the plot twists!! So good! So funny! A great time of a book!
Loved, loved, LOVED the humor!! Cat and Isa along with Lorenzo and Dante are so much fun!! Love all the hijinks and craziness and not to mention the plot twists!! So good! So funny! A great time of a book!
Review of advance copy
So much fun! A mystery wrapped in simmering romance between our feisty heroine Cat and a girl-shy hunk.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such a fun read!!
I loved Dante so much! It was super cute to have a male MC who is nervous and blushing but also super heroic! He was definitely my favorite character had had me giggling at different parts! Catherine, however, was awesome too! The perfect match for him!
I devoured this book so fast and loved how fast-paced it was!!
I loved Dante so much! It was super cute to have a male MC who is nervous and blushing but also super heroic! He was definitely my favorite character had had me giggling at different parts! Catherine, however, was awesome too! The perfect match for him!
I devoured this book so fast and loved how fast-paced it was!!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews