To Entangle a Heart: An Entwined Prince and the Pauper Retelling

Four Kingdoms Fairy Tale Novellas #2

by Melanie Cellier

How hard can it be to avoid a prince?

Princess Rose loves her kingdom and her family which is why she’s always been a dutiful and obedient princess. But sometimes she wonders if it’s possible to be too dutiful—where does the princess end and Rose the person begin?

Her family want her to make a marriage alliance with the handsome Crown Prince Leo of Lanover, but asking her heart to fall in love on command is too much. She’s willing to visit Lanover, but she’s determined to avoid Prince Leo whatever it takes—even if it means swapping places with the commoner girl sharing her carriage.

But masquerading as a commoner isn’t as freeing as Rose expected, and Prince Leo turns out to be a difficult person to avoid. Rose needs to protect both Arcadia and Lanover from a dangerous thief, so she doesn’t want distractions, but commanding a heart not to fall in love might be even more challenging than commanding it to do the opposite.

To Entangle a Heart is a novella of approximately 35,000 words.

If you enjoy clean romance, adventure, and intrigue, then try the Four Kingdoms Fairy Tale Novellas now! To Entangle a Heart can be read on its own or as a companion with To Ensnare a Prince—which tells the parallel story of the commoner who takes on the role of a princess.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult, Fairy Tales, Science Fiction Fantasy

182 pages, Paperback

Published January 22, 2026

About the author

Melanie Cellier grew up on a staple diet of books, books and more books. And although she got older, she never stopped loving children’s and young adult novels.
 She always wanted to write one herself, but it took three careers and three different continents before she actually managed it. 


She now feels incredibly fortunate to spend her time writing from her home in Adelaide, Australia where she keeps an eye out for koalas in her backyard. Her staple diet hasn’t changed much, although she’s added choc mint Rooibos tea and Chicken Crimpies to the list.


She writes young adult fantasy including her Spoken Mage series, and her Four Kingdoms and Beyond the Four Kingdoms series which are made up of linked stand-alone stories that retell classic fairy tales.

Reviews

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars ⭐️ Clean Fiction - Fairytale Retelling

This is what I’ve been wanting!

This is what I’ve been craving!
Yes, yes, yes!
I am a very happy reader over here. 😌


“To Ensnare a Prince” was…okay, not my favorite and didn’t have all the references to the prior characters. Natalie was a pain (which made it entertaining to see Rose’s view of her). It was an appetizer, so to say. “To Entangle a Heart” was the main dish and the epilogue was the dessert! I loved hearing about some of my favorite characters from the prior books in the series, but especially Alyssa and Max (Rose’s parents). Also having the interlude in Leo’s POV after a very important scene was brilliant and I nearly stood up clapping. *chef’s kiss* I’ll admit to trying not to tear-up at the epilogue (Rose asks her mother, “are you trying to make me cry?” and no, dear Rose, I’m the one tearing up over here because I’m so happy reading this book).

The romance was super cute, the couple was perfect for each other, honestly no notes besides I wished it could have been a full-length book. I wish we could have seen Henry/Harry once more at the end, but overall it was a great ending to the (presumably) last book of the series. Though I almost feel like we have another open-ending possibility with a different brother…. 👀



Main Content-

A few mentions of the High King and his decrees about kingdoms being ruled by love; A mention of an enchanted object.



Being held at knife-point (barely-above-not-detailed); A mention of a curse (by Leo; said, not written); Mentions of attacks & attempted murder; Mentions of physical abuse, injuries, & bullying from those above others in hierarchy; Mentions of thieves, stealing, stolen items, threats, & blackmail; Mentions of deception & lying; Mentions of rumors & gossip; A few mentions of a banishment; A few mentions of jealousy.



A hand kiss, two barely-above-not-detailed kisses, and semi-detailed kiss; Remembering a kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Dancing, Hand holding, Tingles, & Nearness (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Blushes; Noticing & Staring (barely-above-not-detailed); A few mentions of a kiss & kissing.

[Jacquelyn 💐 {This Rapunzel Reads} [Jesus Christ, my Living Hope] · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so cute and I loved it! I liked Rose so much better than Natalie! She was so sweet, kind and brave! Her and Leo were the sweetest couple! They were just adorable! I wasn’t ready for it to end. I want Melanie Cellier to write more books in this world! She seriously writes the best fairytale retellings! This novella connected a lot of dots from the first novella which was great! It happens at the same time as the first one except it’s from Rose’s point of view. I loved seeing Max and Alyssa again! I’ve missed them! I definitely recommend this novella and all the fairytale retellings that Melanie Cellier writes.

[Fifi’s Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t believe it’s (probably?) the end! Book one started with young Alyssa and Prince Max’s love story. Now, eighteen books later (not even counting the novellas), plus these 2 new novella installments on top of that, we end with Alyssa now being a whole almost grandmother? Where does the time go 😩 It really is full circle where it started with Alyssa, and ends with her daughter. I remember when Princess Rose was only 1 year old, at Lily and Sophie’s wedding!

I hate to sound greedy after well over twenty installments in this series over the course of only ten years, but I’m not ready to say goodbye. Even if it’s just a spinoff, with whole new characters in lands beyond. Maybe past the desert there’s more lands, or past Eliam and Eldon there’s surely more undiscovered lands with a whole new magic system and whole new set of princesses and princes and kingdoms? It could be in the same world with completely different characters, but maybe with a couple children of our OG faves popping in to the new lands on their adventures. JUST SAYING.

Not to mention Celine and Lily and Sophie I mean COME ON. The adventures that group’s kids would get into. Especially Celine’s kids 😂 Could you imagine something like, one of her twins falling for Princess Snow’s daughter? A confident, popular, charming and obnoxious Prince with a shy, sweet and nervous Princess would be the cutest dynamic ever PLZ. With Celine’s twins there’s definitely a story there! Plus Daisy’s new life in the desert kingdoms and what it’s like, and just what life after happily ever after is like for my faves beyond the four kingdoms.

This can’t be the end of the four kingdoms! I refuse to accept it, even with 20+ books later! Can we keep the four kingdoms universe books going forever please?

[Ellie Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Content Rating: 5/5
Theme Rating: 5/5
Age Rating: 11+

Y'all...this book was so. good!!!!! My inner fangirl could not handle it. Given that it was literally about the children of two of my favorite couples, I don't know why I'm surprised, but it was amazing. I loved Rose and Leo, and I also really liked the plotline of them working together. And their relationship. I really loved their relationship and seeing how they complimented each other and worked together.

Spoilers ahead! And then that ending, with Max and Alyssa about to watch their daughter get married? Augh, my heart! I didn't know a fairy tale romance could bring me so close to tears! But these next generation stories are heart-wrenchers. If the Four Kingdoms series never ends, I will not be complaining. Maybe we could have some stories about Lily and Sophie's kids next, with cameos from their cousins, of course...

And I'm coming back to edit this because I'm still processing the epilogue and what do you mean Max and Alyssa are about to be GRANDPARENTS?!?! I don't know if my heart can handle that...

Overall, this novella was an excellent next installment in the Four Kingdoms saga. An exceptional romance, a perfect next-generation story, and so many good characters and character relationships. If you are a Four Kingdoms fan, you will love this book.

[Ranger · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was sweet, but it was difficult to make it through because I felt kind of uninterested after finishing the first novella, even though the plots were different. I think the novellas needed more details and would have worked better written as two, dual perspectives novels; like Gwen and Charlotte’s stories.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: To Entangle A Heart
Series: Four Kingdoms Fairy Tale #2
Author: Melanie Cellier
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Esther Wane
Publisher: Dreamscape Select/Luminant Publications
Genre: Young Adult
Pub Date was January 23, 2026
My Rating: 4.5 Stars

Princess Rose loves her kingdom and her family which is why she’s always been a dutiful and obedient princess. But sometimes she wonders if it’s possible to be too dutiful—where does the princess end and Rose the person begin?

Rose’s family wants her to make a marriage alliance with the handsome Crown Prince Leo of Lanover.
Rose knows she does not want to marry someone based on ‘a ‘good alliance’. However she is willing to visit Lanover. While traveling she finds she is sharing a carriage with a non-royal a girl named Natalie who thinks the situation sounds sooo romantic. Rose convinces her to swap places and tells her she will accompany her and coach her as needed.
When they meet Prince Leo he is polite to Natalie now Rose but is more attentive to Rose now Natalie.

I was drawn to this Fairy Tale as I was in the mood for a HEA. However it was much better than I expected.
I liked the subplot of the servants with Rose seeing that the situation needed correct and forgets that she is pretending NOT to be a royal and go to Prince Leo. He is like her and wants the situation is be corrected.

Yes the ending is predictable and I loved it!!

Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Select- Luminant Publications
for this enjoyable Audiobook.
Publishing Release Date was January 23, 2026.

[BookForAHeart · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌟✨ To Entangle A Heart by Melanie Cellier is an absolute gem of a read, full of charm, wit, and heartwarming moments! Princess Rose’s story is so beautifully told, I couldn’t help but root for her as she navigates the tricky waters of duty and desire. 👑💖

I’ve loved all of Melanie Cellier’s books, and this one is no exception, her storytelling is simply enchanting, blending elegance with a dash of humor and a whole lot of heart. Rose’s journey to find her own path beyond royal expectations is relatable and inspiring, and the romance with Prince Leo is so sweet and well-developed. 💌🌹

The audiobook was a true delight! The narrator was absolutely amazing, bringing warmth and personality to each character, making the story feel even more immersive and special. Their voice truly captured the nuances of Rose’s inner struggles and her growing feelings, making it a pleasure to listen to from start to finish. 🎧✨

I’ll definitely be reading more of Melanie Cellier’s beautiful novels, her storytelling style is just so charming and elegant, and I can’t get enough of her captivating worlds and lovable characters. If you love stories about royal romance, self-discovery, and finding love where you least expect it, this book is a must! Highly recommend for anyone who loves a sweet love story that touches the heart. 💫📚

[Amanda Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short novella type so there’s not too much I can say about this book however because it was a short novella the plot wasn’t overly complicated and neither was understanding the world in which the characters exist, it was a ‘hidden identity’ trope which is always fun trope so our main fmc is a royal but pretends that she isnt so she can go undercover and I loved that she and the mmc both had similar personalities and character and the romance between them was great
The characters were okay as I didn’t feel very connected to them all equally which can be expected in any book as it’s not guaranteed you will love and their friendships were giving found family, I really enjoyed the quick pace of the story I would’ve loved maybe a little more in depth detail of their land set out but apart from that it was pretty easy to follow along
I enjoyed the book overall and the plot and book as a whole was fast paced, it was definitely giving its written for a younger audience but it’s actually something I enjoyed about it and was a perfect palette cleaner after reading a dark romance🫣
It was a fun to listen to while doing chores specially doing the dishes🤣

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I liked this one better than the last one. I didn’t love it, but I did like it better. I went in with the idea that I would be skimming it. In fact I didn’t even add it to my Goodreads list until I realized I was reading more of it than I’d initially thought I would read. I still found the premise (of the two young women switching places with one another) more annoying than not…if I took it seriously. If I just look at it as a gimmick to make the story unique or clever, it’s fun enough. But, if I’m supposed to buy into these characters as serious, mature, trying-to-do-their-responsible best by their kingdoms…it’s a rather immature, irresponsible thing they do. And I stand by my earlier assertion that what Leo does is no better. It’s rude. But I already knew what would be happening in this book. I was mostly curious, if Natalie got most of the plot to do with the nefarious thief, what was left for Rose to tackle. And I rather enjoyed the bit about the servants that was completely a Lanover problem. The part that related to the theft from Natalie’s story worked as a way to ensure each couple got some action while allowing their respective stories to stand alone.

[Kessa Turnbull · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE FIRST PART

Although I'm a tad disappointed that even Rose had a moment of stupidity. I admired her handling of the cultural issues among the servants SO much. Going from that to her having ANY doubt that Leo would stop loving her because she was a princess, and then the whole helplessly bungling into a thief scene was just ridiculous. All I wanted was a single additional bloody conversation from the last book! Ending with her running off was just absolutely insane. I mean, they weren't even the protagonists, and it was already obvious he loved her last book! You know what would have made this duo a thousand times better? Instead of writing them both separately, I'd LOVE to see Melanie Cellier challenge herself and write a single full length book from all four perspectives. Her books just keep getting more complex, and I think she's closer than ever to making that leap.

[Katherine Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duty Meets Heart

After reading To Ensnare a Prince, I was so excited to read Rose’s perspective and this book exceeded my hopes for her. Rose and Leo are both dutiful and empathetic, but they both want to choose who they love. Rose decides to take matters into her own hands so she can discover who she is apart from being a princess and she discovers some insightful lessons along the way. I greatly enjoyed watching them work together to help people.

To Entangle a Heart is the second part of a duology that could definitely be enjoyed on its own, but will also make more sense when read together. This duology is also set in a world with 4 series in it and includes some cameos. The romance is clean, the violence is very minimal PG, and there is no swearing which just leaves the question, can Rose and Leo find themselves, find who they were meant to be with, work with spies, and stop forces that threaten their kingdoms? Find out in this delightful novella.

[Nic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entangle a Heart

I loved how this was book was still its own and there was only a little overlap from the previous book. I loved the addition of Leo’s point of view.

It was fun to see how both of them ran away from what they thought they didn’t want to getting exactly what they needed.

I really liked the subplot of the servants in this book. It really showed how much these two care about their roles and how supportive they are going to be of each other!

I am not ready for this world to be over. I’m going to live in delusion and hope that we will get many more books in the Four Kingdoms universe.

No spice (just kisses)
No explicit language
PG rated violence/gore
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️loved it! Don’t want this to be over!

[Montse Perez · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧

This was such a sweet, cozy fairy tale listen. The clean romance and gentle intrigue gave it classic storybook vibes, and the narration beautifully captured Rose’s dutiful yet conflicted heart. I loved the soft tension and wholesome tone throughout.

I just wish the novella length had allowed for a bit more emotional depth and slightly higher stakes, as everything wrapped up a little too neatly for me. Still, it was a charming and comforting listen overall.

♡ princess in disguise
♡ arranged marriage
♡ mistaken identity
♡ slow burn
♡ duty vs desire

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the gifted audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

[Gabry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is definitely my guilty pleasure. I actually got my sister hooked on it as well, sure it may be a little too sweet, but the action helps balance it out. While it was kind of hard to think we’re on the third generation of royals now, I mean last I remember little Rose she was like five, it was fun to see a new adventure and connection form.
Some might find these stories a bit formulaic, but they really are just magical fun for an escape every now and then. Especially with Ms.Wane’s reading, it’s always enjoyable with her narrations.

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it, but I'm really tired of hearing about Spy Master Aurora. I feel like it's getting to the point of being ridiculous. It's fun to hear about characters from past books, but it loses its charm when we hear about them 700 times in every book. It's getting on the completely obnoxious side. Just let her go already! She was a great character and she had her day, but there have been so many books and characters since it that she doesn't need to still be included in EVERY book. Other than that, it was a great book!

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess romance in an fun tale

This is the flip side of another Four Kingdoms novella that focused on Natalie. This one focuses on Princess Rose’s time while visiting the Kingdom with Natalie. Her story shows she wants to prove that she can help her kingdom but she’s hiding her identity from the prince so she’s not force to marry him. So of course, they start working together and you know what happens! Cute story.

[Laura Prindable · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short but sweet book. Princess Rose is sent to visit Lanover to hopefully get a marriage proposal from Prince Leo, at least this is what he parents want. But she wants someone to live her for herself, and not her title. She decided to switch roles with a friend.

4 stars

Many thanks to Net Galley and Dreamscape Select for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sennin Kellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

I usually struggle to enjoy books that are side by side stories from a different perspective but there was plenty of new details, minimal overlap in exact quotes from the other book, and great characters to enjoy. Such a fun version of the Prince and the Pauper and a well executed way to tell the story.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited about this audiobook, and it was so good! It is a short novella, apparently in a series (which I will now go back and read). Rose is a princess who disguises herself as a commoner. And Leo is a prince who is supposed to be marrying Rose. He is also very hard to avoid. This is a sweet and clean romance!

[Sanjana]

This is a book that's a tandem read to 'To Ensnare a Prince' following Princess Rose.
Natalie and Rose decide to swap places, each having their own agenda, this is Princess Rose's story and how she is discovering herself as Posey and aiding her kingdom along the way. Try as she might she must determine whether or not to trust Crown Prince, the very person she swore she would never Marry.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this second book in this series of novellas. They definitely need to be read in order! Seeing all the action from Rose's view and with the added joy of dual POV, it's a complete win! I wasn't even bored in the parts i already knew.  Rose and Natalie are different enough that the fresh perspective is welcome

[LaShunda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesomeness

Such a fun story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The duology was a good choice, though I do hope there will be more. It seems as if there were hints, so I am hopeful. Posey is my favorite. A good read.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved seeing the other perspective

I loved this set of combined novellas. It was great to see what all “Posey” and Leo had been up to while “Lila” and Luca had their adventures. This was a quick, lighthearted, lovely read.

[Lorin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved reading this wonderful book! I loved the characters and the plot! I had a hard time putting this really wonderful book down! I absolutely loved this retelling of East of Prince and the Pauper! I really loved all of the books in this really wonderful series!

[Paula Dawes · Rating 5 out of 5]

a new version

As a kid i listened to The Prince and The Pauper often on my record player (think audio book) so I was intrigued to see how it might turn out with a princess and prince. This is a good retelling and even had some surprises and romance.

[Aja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun to hear Rose's side of the story, though the first bit started out feeling slow as it was going through the same conversation as the beginning of the other books (but with Rose's thoughts). But then it picks up.

[Sara Downs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

It was nice to see the four kingdoms world come full circle. And to learn more about Rose. I always enjoy reading stories in this world.

[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. I don't think it could have sustained a whole book but I would have read more!

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kisses only

This is part two of the duo and concludes the story.

[Becca R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book i’ve read this year 😬
Only reason is I wish it was longer.