A Heart of Gold and Glass

Secret Fairy Tales #1

by Jocelynn Drake

It all started with a lie…
Hugo needs to get married.

His family’s prospects have been dwindling since the death of his father, and he has to make a good match to save his mother and two younger brothers.

He just doesn’t expect his mother to sink all his hopes with a single lie.

My son can spin straw into gold!

Now, the queen might execute him over such nonsense.

However, Prince Everand has better, sweeter plans for him.

Can Hugo really win the heart of a prince? Not to mention survive kidnappings, dungeons, wolves, and the plotting of a possibly mad king out for revenge?

Hugo will need more than magic to protect his prince and keep his head.

But nothing can make him give up his chance at happily ever after.


A Heart of Gold and Glass is a retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale with a few magical twists and turns that will leave you swooning over Hugo and his precious prince Everand.

Genres: Fantasy, M M Romance, Romance, Royalty, Retellings, Magic, Forced Proximity

317 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 13, 2026

About the author

New York Times Bestselling author Jocelynn Drake loves a good story, whether she is reading it or writing one of her own. Over the years, her stories have allowed her to explore space, talk to dragons, dodge bullets with assassins, hang with vampires, and fall in love again and again.

This former Kentucky girl has moved up, down, and across the U.S. with her husband. Recently, they’ve settled near the Rockies.

When she is not hammering away at her keyboard or curled up with a book, she can be
walking her dog Ace, or playing video games. She loves Bruce Wayne, Ezio Auditore, travel, tattoos, explosions, and fast cars.

She is the author of the urban fantasy books: The Dark Days series and the Asylum Tales. For gay romance, she has completed The Exit Strategy and Shadow Elite series, and is now working on a spin-off of her MM paranormal series, Lords of Discord. She has also co-authored with Rinda Elliot the following series: Unbreakable Bonds, Ward Security, Pineapple Grove, the Weavers Circle. In addition, she has co-authored with AJ Sherwood the following series: Scales 'N' Spell and Wings 'N' Wands. She can be found at JocelynnDrake.com.

Reviews

[Aysha · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

A Heart of Gold and Glass is the first book in the Secret Fairy Tales series and does end in HEA for the couple.

I’ve been on a fairytale retelling fix at the moment and this was a perfect addition.

I immediately related to the pressure that was on Hugo’s shoulders. The book is told from his POV. Hugo definitely went through a lot but showed such grace, honesty kindness and responsibility throughout. He was a sweetheart; the title of the book describes him well.

Prince Everand was charming, protective and hot with bad boy vibes.

I loved Hugo’s family, I was initially very annoyed with his mother but I actually ended up liking and respecting her. There is a certain King who I feel the same way about (I’m hoping he gets a book as well!). When I think about it there were so many great side characters.

I really enjoyed the plot, it was interesting and had action but still felt cozy.

Overall, I was surprised by how much I loved this book and the characters. I’m so excited for the rest of the series!

🪡🌾 Rumpelstiltskin retelling
🏰 MM Cozy Romantasy
🧁 Prince x baker’s son
👑 Protective Prince
😂 “Helpful” family
🗝 Forced proximity
⚔️ Magic, secrets and adventure

Plot: 📚📚📚📚📚
Character rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
World building: 🌎🌎🌎🌎
Sexiness: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Feels: 🖤🖤🖤🖤
Writing style: 🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊

[Demian Grimm · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

This was so much more exciting than I expected it to be! 🤩

A Heart of Gold and Glass by Jocelynn Drake is a Rumpelstiltskin (inspired?) fairy tale retelling that’s a romantasy with a cozy sense of adventure. As the first book in the Secret Fairy Tales series, it introduces quite a magical world and a cast of characters you very easily get attached to.

The whole story is told from a single POV, Hugo’s POV, and he is such a sweetheart. Hugo is under a lot of pressure, but whatever is happening to him, he is consistently kind and thoughtful throughout the book. ❤️ I loved his relationship with his brothers, which is full of humour and genuine affection. And both Dorian and Augustine are already such enjoyable, well-developed characters, that I can’t wait to read their stories.

Interestingly, Prince Everand brings a different kind of energy (not really opposite). He’s charming, protective, and has a slightly reckless, flirtatious edge. He’s definitely giving off some bad-boy vibes.😉 And while their romance is on the “instalove” side of things, it actually fits the fairy tale feel/tone. So let yourself lean into that, since their connection is really easy to enjoy, especially in the way they support and protect each other. 🥰

As for the plot, I really loved how Jocelynn mixed light adventure and a cozy feel, but with magic, secrets, and just a touch of drama. 😉
Some things felt a bit OTT for me (like the queens and King Victor’s motivations), but it kinda works...if you take it as part of the fairy tale style. 😁
I always enjoy Jocelynn’s worldbuilding, and this book is no exception, though I do wish the magic system had been explored a bit more, as it’s a really intriguing part of the story. Hopefully, we explore it more in future books.
I already mentioned Hugo’s brothers, but there are other side characters that are equally memorable, even if some of them are a bit frustrating at times (I’m looking at you, Jessamine Baker…and one or two others 😒).

Overall, this was a fun, easy read, and I enjoyed every second of it. It’s a great start to the series, and I’m really curious to see what comes next.

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my unbiased review.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. It's a very interesting take on rumpelstilskin, with all the little details but also whole new parts that made it feel fresh and new and exciting.

[Fay MMBookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars from a great retelling story. I loved their humour and bantering. My Full Blog Review Link

[Lillian Francis · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the most part I really enjoyed this m/m fairy tale retelling.


Hugo and his brother's were great and I really loved the first half of the story where they were more prominent. I guessed the identity of the masked saviour on his first appearance but couldn't understand the Queen's behaviour at any point in the story. FFS Hugo considered throwing himself out of the tower after her initial request!

At around 40% the relationship devolved into instalove, which seemed to have no basis in the previous encounters.

There's kidnapping, a war to prevent, and family rifts to heal.

I'm still looking forward to Dorian's book.

[Em (Diversify Your Shelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Stars. *I got an arc*

CW: threat of execution; kidnapping; lying parent; insta-love; graphic sex between men

The Plot: Hugo Baker is not having a great time: the death of his father has left the family financially insecure; he saved a man from getting hit by a carriage and it ruined his suit; *and* his mother told someone he can spin straw into gold (he can't). Worse, the person he saved from the runaway carriage is Prince Everand (and he seems a bit rude). Hugo & Everand's paths collide (or crash) in a mix of longing, political intrigue, and a dash of kidnapping. Are Hugo and Everand destined to be together, or will their lies and differing social statuses drive them apart?

My Thoughts: "A Heart of Gold & Glass" is an incredibly fun take on Rumpelstiltskin! I love how Jocelynn Drake took the premise of the fairy tale and spun it (pun very much intended) into something new! The relationship between Hugo & Everand is a bit 'insta-love' but I did enjoy seeing their relationship progress. My one serious quip (and this is my quip for a concerning number of MM books) is that the women in the books were more stereotypes than real people. Hugo's mom Jessamine is *incredibly* frustrating to read about and she and Queen Lilianna seem to only exist as plot points within the story. Jocelynn has a deleted scene about Jessamine that I wish had been included in the text itself as it makes her seem more of a person (and the good mother Hugo assures us she is). That being said, I can't wait for the next book and I desperate hope I know who Augustine ends up with...

[Emily Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugo and Everand's romance was a delightful fairytale-esque adventure. With magic, dashing princes, and meddling family members, this book was full of surprises to keep me invested. As the son of a baker, Hugo was a commoner who never expected to (or was interested to) cross paths with a prince. It was entertaining to watch as he found himself in the royal palace not once but multiple times, for reasons so far-fetched you just have to read it to understand why. Those visits served as the catalyst for Hugo and Prince Everand to meet, and while their first impression could have been better, their subsequent encounters were what made me truly excited about their potential. Hugo wasn't afraid to speak his mind around Everand, and their forest adventures sparked chemistry to life that was worth celebrating. I thought the main conflict in this book would be how Everand and Hugo convinced the royal family to allow them to court, but there were much bigger things in store for two neighboring kingdoms with a shared, painful past. In the interest of staying spoiler-free, I won't talk much about King Victor, but I am eager to see if he'll be making an appearance in future books as one of the main love interests. Suffice it to say, Hugo and Everand's love was tested in ways I hadn't been expecting, and each time they demonstrated through their words and actions that their priority was seeing the other safe and unharmed. I was delighted by how seamlessly Jocelynn Drake tied up all the immediate loose ends of Everand and Hugo's storylines, and their happily ever after left me feeling perfectly warm and fuzzy inside.

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is released early if you purchase it directly from the author's store. I did that, so this is NOT an ARC version whatsoever!

The story started out quite promising. I adored the Baker brothers - Hugo, Dorian, and Augustine - though their mother grated on my nerves almost immediately. I really dislike that trope where mothers only care about marrying their children off to raise their family status. URGH!!

Hugo's first meeting with Everand was a disaster (in Hugo's part) and the second one wasn't better but it improved! I also liked the slight twist involving the magic Everand possesses.

But somewhere along the way, things became a bit too lovey-dovey for my taste. Everand calling Hugo “my treasure” over and over again had my eyes rolling pretty hard. On top of that, we didn’t really get much exploration of either Hugo’s or Everand’s magic, which felt like a missed opportunity.

The reasoning behind the Queen's order also struck me as rather illogical (she wanted to keep Everand safe by telling Hugo to change the straw to gold? How that make sense?), and the sort-of flirting vibe from King Victor toward Hugo - apparently just to make Everand jealous - felt a bit odd.

In the end, this one landed firmly in my "so-so" category.

That said, I'm still hopeful for Dorian’s book. Anyone who loves books as much as he does - and on top of that, has magic to properly restore them - deserves a truly wonderful romance.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this retelling of Rumplestilskin

4.5 stars…This is an interesting idea. An mm retelling of old fairy tales. This one centers on a prince and a commoner. Hugo Baker has an overly ambitious mother who will do anything to see her eldest son married off to someone wealthy who will improve the family’s financial situation, including lie about her son’s ability to spin straw into gold. This results in Hugo being summoned before the queen who has him locked in a tower with a spinning wheel and bales of hay. He is told that if he succeeds he gets to lunch with the prince. If he fails he loses his life. As he is contemplating desperate measures a strange masked man appears and solves his problem for him. Hugo thinks this is the end of things but he is so so wrong. And the prince? Everand acts like an arrogant jerk at the luncheon so despite Hugo having been smitten with him before now he just thinks he’s a jerk. Until they meet up unexpectedly again and Hugo sees a different side of him. But the course of true love does not run smoothly.

The new additions to the story are intriguing. We get to know Hugo’s brothers who I assume will be future MCs, see Hugo’s outlook on life influence others and save lives, and ultimately solve the mystery of the masked man. It was an entertaining read which I did in one sitting because I was engrossed. (Which is why I’m writing this review at nearly 6:00 am having stayed up all night to finish!) I am looking forward to the next book.

[Merissa (Archaeolibrarian) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A HEART OF GOLD AND GLASS is the start of a fantastic new series called Secret Fairy Tales, and we begin with a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin.

In a kingdom where magic is an everyday occurrence, some magic is more highbrow than others. Hugo can create anything with glass, which is wonderful, but not so highly placed. His mother is desperate for him to marry well, so tells people he can spin straw into gold. This gets him locked up, where a strange man saves him. Prince Everand is the heir to the throne, and fed up with his mother's matchmaking. Together, these two have adventures, find love, stop a war, and reunite families. All in a day's work.

I loved these two. Hugo is humble without being too self-deprecating. Ev is charming and funny, especially when he is head over heels for Hugo. I thoroughly enjoyed all the scenes with Hugo's brothers, and I even liked his mother. She reminded me of Mrs Bennett.

I thought this was a brilliant start to the series. It is sweet and sexy, with great world-building, and plenty of characters I want to see more of. It is Dorian's turn next, and I can't wait. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me.

** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 13, 2026

[ivanareadsalot · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank GRR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

This was super fluffy fairytale sweetness, with a touch of spice and a bunch of melodramatic silliness, like if Hallmark made a fairytale-vibe adaptation for TV. A Heart of Gold and Glass was a very lighthearted, charming story, with double darling MCs who pretty much fell for each other at the same time.

Everything about this romp was OTT, with adventurous escapades(+/-)escapes, a wild amount of hostage situations, and imprisonment as an icebreaker for moody royals. It was a whole thing.

And the animosity between kingdoms was like a soft Targaryen-Stark take that made me roll my eyes fondly, as this powderpuff love story was the furthest thing from ASOIAF's brutality. Also, I thought that Hugo's mum, and Prince Everand's mum, and the vengeful King Victor from a nearby kingdom, were all different shades of "um wht?" and made my face a bit twisty. But Hugo's brothers were puppy adorable and I loved their energy a lot! They were both lively, loyal to Hugo, and interesting as people, and I just really enjoyed their bright, endearing sweetness. I could not get enough of them!

I'm very excited to see who Dorian ends up with, because he's a magical book babe and eeeeee how perfect is THAT! I could read that kind of magic forever, and I just hope his romance will be an exciting heart throbbing one because he deserves a swoony love match!

[KendallshipsMM · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love a fairytale retelling, and this one had such a fun premise.

A Heart of Gold and Glass is a loose Rumpelstiltskin retelling set in a world where people have magical gifts tied to everyday crafts. Hugo’s gift with glass and his brother’s gift with bookbinding were such a cool concept, and I really enjoyed how magic was integrated into the world.

Hugo is a baker’s son trying to secure a better future for his family when his mother makes a very bold claim that he can spin straw into gold. That lie throws him straight into the royal court, where things could go very badly very quickly.

Prince Everand, however, has other ideas.

Their romance is very soft and very fairytale. Everand falls almost immediately and is completely devoted to Hugo from that point forward. It is sweet, comforting, and easy to read.

For me, it was maybe a little too easy.

I kept expecting more tension, more angst, or some kind of emotional conflict to really challenge their relationship, but everything felt very smooth and convenient. Even the external conflict did not add as much weight as I hoped.

The spice is present, but it feels secondary and not as developed as the emotional side of the relationship.

That said, I did enjoy the book. It is cozy, magical, and very sweet. If you are in the mood for a low angst, fairytale style romance, this is a solid pick.

Rating: 3.75 stars

[Elizabeth D · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5 This is a highly entertaining fairytale retelling. It’s a bit instalove, which I suppose actually fits the fairytale vibe quite well; I wanted a bit more time with Hugo and Everand building feelings, but it works well if you take it in the spirit in which it was meant.

I enjoyed the connection they did forge and the ridiculous-at-times scrapes they got into. (I thought Everand behaved a bit immaturely sometimes, but I think he’s in his 20s, so I guess he’s not that old, lol.) They both protected one another fiercely, and I liked the growth Hugo exhibited as he realized what he was capable of. (There’s a gentle exploration of class difference and perceived value, but this is definitely still a royal romance.) Hugo’s mother annoyed me most of the time, but I couldn’t fault Hugo for the way he always strove to protect his family and those he cared about.

I was really intrigued with Hugo’s glass magic and all the things he can do with it. I would have enjoyed learning even more, but it added a lot of whimsy and charm to the world. I wasn’t expecting how the wider plot came together at the end, and I really liked it. (Hugo is fierce! I hope a certain royal is featured in book 3.)

I’m really looking forward to Dorian’s book and visiting this world again.

I received an ARC from GRR. This is my honest review.

[Nancy Lockett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a remaking of the fairy tale, Rumpelstiltskin but with magic. Hugo needs to marry and marry well but his search for a husband is not going well. He has also recently saved a handsome fellow from being run over by a carriage but is splashed with mud all over doing so. At a party, Hugo's mother lies that Hugo's magic is spinning straw into gold. The queen hears of this and Hugo is summoned to spin straw into gold or be executed. He is saved by a raggedly dressed man in a mask who spins the straw into gold for him. Hugo's reward is lunch with Prince Everard who turns out to be the man he saved. Hugo is not impressed by the prince. However, they meet again and Everard is much more charming. They are ambushed by bandits and work together to escape and become closer. Soon they are falling in love. But how can a commoner marry a prince? Hugo and Prince Everard are kidnapped by soldiers from a neighboring country , Wulia. King Victor feels that Prince Everard's grandfather stole his grandmother away and left his father to grow up without a mother. Hugo and Everard work to convince King Victor that his grandmother did love him and his father so the feuding between their countries can end. This was a sweet and funny romance with plenty of magic.

[Deb Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jocelynn has written a charming twist on the familiar Rumpelstiltskin tale, blending classic elements with a fresh, romantic spin.

The story leans into the chaos created by one ill-judged boast and runs with it, throwing Hugo into a situation far bigger and more dangerous than he ever expected. What follows is a mix of intrigue, adventure, and slow-building romance that keeps things engaging throughout. The stakes feel real enough to add tension, but the overall tone remains light and hopeful.

Hugo makes for an easy protagonist to root for, especially as he tries to navigate expectations, responsibility, and his own desires. His dynamic with Prince Everand is sweet without being overly sentimental, and their growing connection adds a warm centre to all the external drama.

There’s also a nice fairytale atmosphere woven through the story, with just enough magic and peril to keep it feeling lively. It doesn’t try to reinvent the genre entirely, but instead focuses on delivering a satisfying, romantic reimagining.

A cosy, adventurous retelling with plenty of heart and a satisfying happily-ever-after.
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the oldest son, Hugo knows he needs to get married to save his family. If he makes a good match then that will help them as well. His mother, though, in an effort to help him claims Hugo can spin straw into gold. Called to the palace, Hugo is to spin straw into gold and if not, he faces execution. Prince Everand has other ideas. Soon the two are involved in an old grudge, kidnapping, dungeons, wolves and many other surprising activities. Hugo will have to work hard to get his happily ever after.

Fairy tales are a treasure trove of ideas. In the hands of a talented writer, we get A Heart of Gold and Glass. Hugo turns out to be a breath of fresh air for all these entitled nobles. He is adorably naïve and has such different ways of expressing himself. Everand turns out to have a few secrets hidden and guaranteed to come out when least expected. The two together make for great reading. In fact, this story should delight readers everywhere. Pick this one up and be prepared to be enchanted
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good

My review

🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘

This is soooooo good! I loved it! Hugo’s mother drove me nuts, seriously, and I didn’t approve how Hugo and his brothers justified her stupidity, but I’m glad Hugo’s rid of her in a way, and he gets his HEA. I understand where she came from, but being well off for a while made her too complacent and it just didn’t feel true, so I didn’t like her. I loved the intrigue, the machinations, the “suspense” (even though the whole thing with the masked man becomes pretty obvious early on, it’s still really cool). I loved the spin (pun intended!) on this old story, truly turned into gold. Fun read, lots of action, plenty of time for the MCs to fall quickly in love, and the King and Queen are so cute! Meddlers, but really cute, only wanting what’s best for their son. And swoon worthy moment galore, like this: “There’s no one else in this room. Just empty suits and fluttering fans. My eyes find only you.” It was more interesting than what I thought it would be just going by the blurb, and I am looking forward to reading the next one.

[Demetra Roussakis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome start to a new series. Hugo’s father passed away a few years ago and they are struggling. His mother set it up that Hugo would be married first to a rich man so he can take care of his brothers and mother. When on an errand, his eyes meet the most handsome of men. When he realizes that a carriage was going to run him down, he jumps in and pulls him to safety. For his efforts, poor Hugo got splashed from the muddy street. When they end up at a ball, Hugo’s mother tells an outlandish tale of Hugo being able to spin straw into gold. The story starts from there when Hugo and his mother are invited to the castle due to this lie. I loved how Hugo stood up and was protective of his mother and eventually the prince. There was quite a few adventures along the way with kidnapping and spending time in a dungeon. This does end in a happy ever after for them and I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.

[Errantknight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some things are not forgivable, a concept to which Hugo has never been introduced. I guessed the ending while all that was happening at the beginning but convinced myself that I must be wrong because how could we possibly let that go, but nope, I was right and this country desperately needs a guillotine. Honestly, Dorian is the only fully rational, intelligent person in this book, and I feel bad that he's being set up to marry a selfish, irrational man child completely lacking in common sense--although Hugo deserves better too--willingness to forgive anyone and anything aside. While I've enjoyed a number of Jocelynn Drake's series, this really pissed me off. Emotional torture, imprisonment and threat of death are a terrible set up for romance and future relations with potential inlaws. Started interestingly then went headfirst into desperately far fetched when there was a revolution plot RIGHT THERE.

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this! After the GriMM multi-author series last year, which mostly were, well, grim, I worried that I'd been put off fairytale retellings for good. Add in that Rumpelstiltskin was never my favourite fairytale, I always felt he was much maligned, and I wasn't exactly raring at the bit to start this.

Happily, the fairytale elements didn't come in too early, it started of reading more like a Regency romance, where Hugo and his brothers simply must marry well or risk destitution (aka having to work for a living.) Fortunately they're not actually that averse to going into trade, but the whole thing is delightfully ridiculous.

I really enjoyed the other MC and how absolutely gone he was for Hugo, he was very dramatic about it. There was some external plot shenanigans going on and it was very silly and utterly charming, and I really enjoyed the fairytale vibe to the piece. I hope to read the others in the series as well.

[RavieReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC Review*

An absolutely stunning and sweet play on the Rumpelstiltskin storyour!!!

We follow Hugo, a commoner that needs to find a husband as soon as he can so his family can keep living comfortably. In a world full of magic, he can make beautiful glass forms, which may be beautiful, but not extravagant enough to bring money to the house. One day when his mother drags him to a lavish ball hoping to find him a suitor, she tells an outrageous lie that his magic can instead spin straw into gold. How does one lie lead to him gaining a audience with a queen and a lunch with the crown prince? You have to read it to find out!!!

This is the second novel I've read that is based on the story of Rumpelstiltskin, and I just loved the character Hugo and his bravery and charm. It may be a bit cliche how he won the hearts of everyone, but I ate it right up and I look forward to reading the sequel!

[Kez Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly I just loved everything about this. It was an imaginative Rumpelstiltskin retelling, and I loved all the fairytale nods of fighting bandits in the woods, meddling mothers, wolf attacks, dancing with the prince at a ball, and the gold and glass magic.
It was like the best combination of all my favourite fairytales into one cosy magical bundle.
Hugo is such a sweet and honourable character, and I loved how he protected his family and the prince, and his logical ways of saving the day. He was heroic, daring and honest, and I loved his witty remarks.
Prince Everand was a delight too, and seeing the transition from reluctant grump to possessive adoration was charming.
This was an entertaining and magical adventure, full of swoony moments, spicy chemistry, and an unexpected love story.
Looking forward to more of this series and what Hugo's brothers get up to!

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is told solely from Hugo's POV, although the author offers two bonus chapters from Everand's POV, which add depth to his character.

The MCs are instantly attracted to each other, but life, family, and many, many secrets cause quite a bit of mayhem in their lives. I really liked Hugo's staunch determination to protect others, no matter how annoying, whether they are family or not. He seems to be able to charm those around him with his positive outlook and subtle sense of humor. Even when in danger, he treats everyone with the same guileless honesty and respect.

Although the story is based on the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale, you really don't need to be familiar with it to enjoy this retelling. Overall, another fun read from this author.

I only noted a few proofreading issues in the ARC.

[E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

“A Heart of Gold and Glass” by Jocelynn Drake is the first book in the ‘Secret Fairy Tales’ series, and features Hugo, who prepares to sacrifice himself for his family, and Prince Everand, who is intrigued by the commoner who is scrupulously honest. The two males are caught in a complicated struggle, but still are drawn to discover if they have a true connection.

This adult gay romantasy is a delicious introduction to a new series and delivers a nice twist on the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale. Although I was tempted to smack Hugo’s mom and not too thrilled with Ev’s either, they did enrich the story. The two main characters are showcased in a delightful story, and I can’t wait to find out what new mashups are percolating in this talented author’s brain.

A copy of this title was provided for review

[Michelle N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Secret Fairy Tales series. I love a well-done fairy tale retelling and Drake’s re-imagining of Rumplestiltskin does not disappoint. While there are story elements of the original tale there are many more fantastic elements added to this story.
Hugo has to marry in order to save his family. When his mother lies and says he has a talent for spinning straw into gold, he gets taken to the royal court and caught up in circumstances beyond his control. He cannot spin straw into gold but now he has caught the attention of Prince Everand. Can Hugo have a relationship with a Prince that started with a lie?
This is a fun fairy tale with romance, action, and great characters. I loved the story development between Hugo and Everand. I am looking forward to more books in the series.

[Fiona Tewson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book from the author, so it came earlier than from other suppliers and I was really eager to read it. However, I struggled with the first few chapters. Not sure why, I may just have been in the wrong mindset. That said, once I got into the story, I devoured it!

Hugo was a love, so kind and considerate and always thinking of others. Everand came across as a snob and a bore and I couldn't see how he was going to woo Hugo. I'm not sure why Everand decided to call Hugo his 'little treasure', unless that was to be explained at the end (Hugo worked that one out!). Their declaration of love was a bit fast for me, but it did fit the story. The King, well - I hope we see more of him!

I'd love to read more about Hugo's 2 brothers as well as other characters. I do hope that Mrs Baker and the Queen get better parts in the next books!

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4.5 stars

I found this story utterly charming. A retelling of Rumpelstiltskin, Drake takes the old fairytale and turns it on its head. There are plenty of elements that make this story recognizable, but it’s so much more than the original. It’s full of good banter, fun world building, and memorable characters.

All in all, this was a great start to the new Secret Fairytales series. Drake has built a fun world and set up more stories for the future. I can’t wait to dive into more. If you’re looking for a fun twist on a retelling, then definitely pick this one up.

Read Kris’s review in its entirety here.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

What started as a Patreon serial has turned into a fantastic book. It took me a moment to get into the story, but once I did, I was hooked. There's tension, I worried about what could happen to the characters, but I also laughed until there were tears rolling down my cheeks. Drake has built a great fantasy world where most everybody has a little magic, although not always useful. There's a nod towards the old Rumplestiltskin fairy tale, but there are elements from other tales too. Hugo was a great character, steady with an immovable moral compass and the perfect foil for Prince Everand's more chaotic personality. I adored them together. A brilliant start to a new series and I can't wait for book 2

[Juniper · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Rumpelstiltskin retelling as romance is a genuinely fun premise, and this one leans into it with evident enjoyment — Hugo and Prince Everand make for likable leads, and the plot strikes a pleasing balance between adventure and warm, cozy vibes. Fair warning: the instalovey energy is a feature, not a bug, and while I mean that mostly in a good way, this one does occasionally tip into over-the-top territory. As an added bonus, the world building is genuinely interesting — the spin on how magic works in the kingdom in particular — and the supporting cast has real depth and nuance too. If you’re looking for something fun and fairytale-flavored, this book has plenty to offer.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book

[Emilyrose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable retelling of a classic fairy tale and brought a lot of sweetness to the story. I liked Hugo and how kind and caring he was; Everand brought a definite protective edge and, while he matched his sweetness, he also gave more of a sense of crossing lines when necessary. I liked the relationship Hugo had with his brothers and the character development there (his mother did annoy me though). There were moments where things were dramatic and a bit over the top but the whole package did work together and I was pleased with their HEA ending. I wish we'd got snippets of things from Everand's POV as well but I did enjoy it with Hugo. Overall, a good mm romance that I'd recommend if you like this genre.

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.