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A Dream Not Imagined
A Maid, a Prince, and a Duke. A Gardener, a Stepmother, and a secret...
Ellie Abbington, a beautiful yet unassuming young woman, quietly longs for her life to change. Too privileged to associate with the servants—too underprivileged to associate with her own family; she dreams a dream of a prince and a happily ever after.
But it could be that her own stepsisters, conniving Dezmarie and easily-influenced Adelaide, are dreaming the same dream...of the same prince.
In the end, are dreams even all they're made out to be? Especially with deep and long-hidden secrets about to be unearthed?
A Dream Not Imagined is a non-magical fairytale novella based loosely on the classic tale of Cinderella.
Ellie Abbington, a beautiful yet unassuming young woman, quietly longs for her life to change. Too privileged to associate with the servants—too underprivileged to associate with her own family; she dreams a dream of a prince and a happily ever after.
But it could be that her own stepsisters, conniving Dezmarie and easily-influenced Adelaide, are dreaming the same dream...of the same prince.
In the end, are dreams even all they're made out to be? Especially with deep and long-hidden secrets about to be unearthed?
A Dream Not Imagined is a non-magical fairytale novella based loosely on the classic tale of Cinderella.
106 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 28, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
November 23, 2015
So I finished one of my final read-throughs before publication, and decided it was time for me to rate A Dream Not Imagined! Yes, five stars, because, as I once heard said, if an author doesn't like her own book, then who will?? :D
All of my stories (that I actually finish) endear themselves to me, and A Dream Not Imagined is no exception. The characters are special... The story is special... All in all, it's just my sweet, fairytale-ish novella! ^__^
If you like a sweet romance, a "historical" feeling world with a sprinkle of fantasy/fairytale, a faith theme, a dash of mystery... then this book might be the book for you! :)
I would say as young as twelve is an appropriate audience (my twelve and fourteen year old sisters really liked it), but a little older might enjoy it even more. *Shrug* The romance is all clean, and there's no violence, so whatever, I suppose!
Anyway, yay!! My first book (novella)!!! I hope historical/fairytale/romance readers will enjoy this little story! I wrote it for Anne Elisabeth Stengl's fairytale contest, and when it didn't get picked, I thought, "Why not publish it myself?" A lot of other people did!
My other stories might have more action, danger, and adventure... but A Dream Not Imagined nevertheless holds a special place in my heart, <3
OH, and all reviews are so, so appreciated!!! Reviews and ratings on Amazon, especially, help an indie-author get their stories out there! :) So, if you've read A Dream Not Imagined and enjoyed it, I would love to hear your thoughts!!
All of my stories (that I actually finish) endear themselves to me, and A Dream Not Imagined is no exception. The characters are special... The story is special... All in all, it's just my sweet, fairytale-ish novella! ^__^
If you like a sweet romance, a "historical" feeling world with a sprinkle of fantasy/fairytale, a faith theme, a dash of mystery... then this book might be the book for you! :)
I would say as young as twelve is an appropriate audience (my twelve and fourteen year old sisters really liked it), but a little older might enjoy it even more. *Shrug* The romance is all clean, and there's no violence, so whatever, I suppose!
Anyway, yay!! My first book (novella)!!! I hope historical/fairytale/romance readers will enjoy this little story! I wrote it for Anne Elisabeth Stengl's fairytale contest, and when it didn't get picked, I thought, "Why not publish it myself?" A lot of other people did!
My other stories might have more action, danger, and adventure... but A Dream Not Imagined nevertheless holds a special place in my heart, <3
OH, and all reviews are so, so appreciated!!! Reviews and ratings on Amazon, especially, help an indie-author get their stories out there! :) So, if you've read A Dream Not Imagined and enjoyed it, I would love to hear your thoughts!!
July 6, 2017
✨⭐5 stars⭐✨
Okay so I enjoyed this quick, little read sooo much! I appreciated the Biblical lessons woven in it as well...how we should wait on God's plan for our lives and not be upset if it doesn't turn out the way we were expecting it to. God wants what is best for us...He knows more than we do and I think that this was a good reminder for me whenever I don't understand exactly what God's plan is for my life, I need to wait on His timing and not just do whatever I think is best...
Now onto more about the book, I was pleasantly surprised that this wasn't just another predictable fairy-tale retelling (And sure, at first it did seem like it could go in that direction), but I actually love what Shantelle did with the story so much more than the original! ^_^ It was a very sweet romance to me...I can see how it bothered some people with how quick the romance started, but it honestly didn't bother me :)
So yes, I would recommend this to lovers of fairy-tale retellings or sweet historical romances ^_^ With how short it was, I can see this being a book I read over and over again if I feel in the mood for it :) So I am glad I decided to give this book a try!
Okay so I enjoyed this quick, little read sooo much! I appreciated the Biblical lessons woven in it as well...how we should wait on God's plan for our lives and not be upset if it doesn't turn out the way we were expecting it to. God wants what is best for us...He knows more than we do and I think that this was a good reminder for me whenever I don't understand exactly what God's plan is for my life, I need to wait on His timing and not just do whatever I think is best...
Now onto more about the book, I was pleasantly surprised that this wasn't just another predictable fairy-tale retelling (And sure, at first it did seem like it could go in that direction), but I actually love what Shantelle did with the story so much more than the original! ^_^ It was a very sweet romance to me...I can see how it bothered some people with how quick the romance started, but it honestly didn't bother me :)
So yes, I would recommend this to lovers of fairy-tale retellings or sweet historical romances ^_^ With how short it was, I can see this being a book I read over and over again if I feel in the mood for it :) So I am glad I decided to give this book a try!
March 10, 2016
Agh I love this book! What a fun and unique take on Cinderella! It was such a sweet story, with very powerful lessons. I especially love the lesson that God has a dream for each one of us that we have not imagined. That is so true, yet so hard to remember. I am still waiting for my true love, waiting for God to bring him someday. This story was an amazing reminder that God's plan for my life is way better than any dream I have. Thank you, Shantelle, for this lovely story. :) Your writing is gorgeous and I can't wait to read more from you!! :)
June 7, 2016
A cute retelling of Cinderella! I loved the themes of trusting God and His plans for our lives. The romance developed a little too quickly, in my opinion, but overall, I really enjoyed this fun and clean story! Not to mention, some great twists that made for a unique angle to a well-known story. :)
December 10, 2015
A DREAM NOT IMAGINED BY SHANTELLE MARY HANNU
THE GOOD,
So, okay I absolutely loved this story! It wasn’t quite like the normal, run-of-the-mill Cinderella story which I loved ever so much. I feel like dressing in a flowing, blue dress and talk in an accent over a cup of tea. (Because I just imagined Ellie talking in a British accent. *shrugs*)
I was half way through this book and happily floating along. But then a plot twist came and threw me beneath the surface. It only let me up for a breath of air till the next twist came. I was shocked for them both and seriously gasped when I read it. It was quite unexpected! I wish I could tell you what it was, but unfortunately I can’t. ;) Yes, you probably already guessed I loved the plot twists! XD
One thing that I really like was the way the stepmother and stepsisters were written. The stepmother was of course a rather harsh one, but it was evident that there was more than what met the eye. The stepsisters weren’t portrayed as the evil, ugly, slave masters type stepsisters as in the original story and retellings. Yes, they were demanding, and didn’t really want her seen with them, and were rude sometimes, but they had a softer side as well. If there is one thing I hate in stories is when the bad guys\girls are completely evil and have no soft spots whatsoever.
THE BAD,
The writing was kind of confusing at parts, and I would have liked to have seen just a bit more dialogue in the story.
AND THE FANGIRL.
Okay, can we all take a moment to consider that absolutely amazing, beautiful, lovely ending! I loved it so much! It was such a “Wow” moment, and it was totally awesome. I did not expect it at all. Also, those plot twists! *does weird hand motions* I loved it so much!
THE GOOD,
So, okay I absolutely loved this story! It wasn’t quite like the normal, run-of-the-mill Cinderella story which I loved ever so much. I feel like dressing in a flowing, blue dress and talk in an accent over a cup of tea. (Because I just imagined Ellie talking in a British accent. *shrugs*)
I was half way through this book and happily floating along. But then a plot twist came and threw me beneath the surface. It only let me up for a breath of air till the next twist came. I was shocked for them both and seriously gasped when I read it. It was quite unexpected! I wish I could tell you what it was, but unfortunately I can’t. ;) Yes, you probably already guessed I loved the plot twists! XD
One thing that I really like was the way the stepmother and stepsisters were written. The stepmother was of course a rather harsh one, but it was evident that there was more than what met the eye. The stepsisters weren’t portrayed as the evil, ugly, slave masters type stepsisters as in the original story and retellings. Yes, they were demanding, and didn’t really want her seen with them, and were rude sometimes, but they had a softer side as well. If there is one thing I hate in stories is when the bad guys\girls are completely evil and have no soft spots whatsoever.
THE BAD,
The writing was kind of confusing at parts, and I would have liked to have seen just a bit more dialogue in the story.
AND THE FANGIRL.
Okay, can we all take a moment to consider that absolutely amazing, beautiful, lovely ending! I loved it so much! It was such a “Wow” moment, and it was totally awesome. I did not expect it at all. Also, those plot twists! *does weird hand motions* I loved it so much!
December 16, 2015
I thought this was such a sweet, innocent story. For a Cinderella retelling, there were a couple of surprising plot twists which I thoroughly enjoyed. In a way, it kept me guessing, but at the same time, I could still figure out what would LIKELY happen. There was a sense of mystery with Lady Abbington's actions--and I did figure out what that mystery was a little bit before it was spilled. ;)
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't overly romantic. In fact, I don't even think they kissed--"the man" (which you'll have to read to discover who HE is ;)), just kissed her forehead, from what I remembered.
I greatly appreciated the concept portrayed in this book--which this quote does so well in summing up:
“There comes a time,” Lottie went on gently, “when we need to stop and let God write our love stories. In that moment, something will happen; you’ll stop ruining your life.” She chuckled softly, then went on with steady eyes, “And a dream will come true. A dream you’ve not imagined.”
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't overly romantic. In fact, I don't even think they kissed--"the man" (which you'll have to read to discover who HE is ;)), just kissed her forehead, from what I remembered.
I greatly appreciated the concept portrayed in this book--which this quote does so well in summing up:
“There comes a time,” Lottie went on gently, “when we need to stop and let God write our love stories. In that moment, something will happen; you’ll stop ruining your life.” She chuckled softly, then went on with steady eyes, “And a dream will come true. A dream you’ve not imagined.”
May 4, 2015
A very sweet Cinderella story. :)
March 16, 2016
{{This is a Goodreads Only Review! Meaning, this review will not be posted on 'Books for Christian Girls'. }}
About this book:
“A Maid, a Prince, and a Duke. A Gardener, a Stepmother, and a secret...
Ellie Abbington, a beautiful yet unassuming young woman, quietly longs for her life to change. Too privileged to associate with the servants—too underprivileged to associate with her own family; she dreams a dream of a prince and a happily ever after.
But it could be that her own stepsisters, conniving Dezmarie and easily-influenced Adelaide, are dreaming the same dream...of the same prince.
In the end, are dreams even all they're made out to be? Especially with deep and long-hidden secrets about to be unearthed?
A Dream Not Imagined is a non-magical fairytale novella based loosely on the classic tale of Cinderella.”
Series: As of now, no.
Spiritual Content- Many Prayers; Talks about God, Prince Jesus, letting God write our love stories & dreams; ‘H’s are capital are capital when referring to God.
Negative Content- Ellie’s name is spit out like a foul word; Dezmarie & Adelaide snip at each other and almost slap each other; A few mentions of ale & wine; A bit of blood (barley-above-not-detailed); Almost slapping someone and a mention of violence; Mentions of a fire and bodies (barely-above-not-detailed).
Sexual Content- A hand kiss and a forehead kiss; A bit of Noticing; Blushes; Rowen tells Ellie she has little feet (which is scandalous to say); A mention of flirtatious glances; Love, falling in love & the emotions.
-Ellie Abbington, age 17
P.O.V. of Ellie
102(-ish) pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Two Stars
New Teens- Three Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Four Stars
Oh my goodness! This was so sweet! Short, but, oh, so sweet! The author captured the magical feel of Cinderella perfectly—and without magic. The writing style felt just like the fairytale and I was whisked away to this world by the details the author wrote. I could picture the glass slippers and her dress, I could feel the embarrassment poor Ellie had. A very well done job. :) I was afraid this would be really close to the original Cinderella story and was happily surprised at all the twists and turns. I’m very impressed by this author and I look forward to read future books by her.
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
About this book:
“A Maid, a Prince, and a Duke. A Gardener, a Stepmother, and a secret...
Ellie Abbington, a beautiful yet unassuming young woman, quietly longs for her life to change. Too privileged to associate with the servants—too underprivileged to associate with her own family; she dreams a dream of a prince and a happily ever after.
But it could be that her own stepsisters, conniving Dezmarie and easily-influenced Adelaide, are dreaming the same dream...of the same prince.
In the end, are dreams even all they're made out to be? Especially with deep and long-hidden secrets about to be unearthed?
A Dream Not Imagined is a non-magical fairytale novella based loosely on the classic tale of Cinderella.”
Series: As of now, no.
Spiritual Content- Many Prayers; Talks about God, Prince Jesus, letting God write our love stories & dreams; ‘H’s are capital are capital when referring to God.
Negative Content- Ellie’s name is spit out like a foul word; Dezmarie & Adelaide snip at each other and almost slap each other; A few mentions of ale & wine; A bit of blood (barley-above-not-detailed); Almost slapping someone and a mention of violence; Mentions of a fire and bodies (barely-above-not-detailed).
Sexual Content- A hand kiss and a forehead kiss; A bit of Noticing; Blushes; Rowen tells Ellie she has little feet (which is scandalous to say); A mention of flirtatious glances; Love, falling in love & the emotions.
-Ellie Abbington, age 17
P.O.V. of Ellie
102(-ish) pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Two Stars
New Teens- Three Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Four Stars
Oh my goodness! This was so sweet! Short, but, oh, so sweet! The author captured the magical feel of Cinderella perfectly—and without magic. The writing style felt just like the fairytale and I was whisked away to this world by the details the author wrote. I could picture the glass slippers and her dress, I could feel the embarrassment poor Ellie had. A very well done job. :) I was afraid this would be really close to the original Cinderella story and was happily surprised at all the twists and turns. I’m very impressed by this author and I look forward to read future books by her.
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
October 6, 2016
A Dream not Imagined......Truly one of the best Cinderella retelling I've read. My sister wrote this book, so I got to be one of the two first people to read it, but I read it again and loved it again. :) I also got to be sort of a beta reader. :) It is just amazing!!! The story is about Ellie Abbington, a maid in the Abbington house-hold. Who's dream is for a better life, but she ends up getting some things she would never imagine. A Dream Not Imagined, is a non-magical fairy tale retelling of Cinderella. The book has a delightful twist to it and is different than your usual Cinderella story, yet follows the main theme. I really loved it through and through, and I recommend this book to all fairy tale lovers of all ages. Everyone should read it. Well keep the writing up sis, for you are a truly talented writer.
August 1, 2017
4.5 stars
A DREAM NOT IMAGINED was a very sweet, fresh new take on Cinderella. Ellie is not so different from the numerous quiet, timid versions of her character, and yet the plot with its glorious twists and turns retells the story in a simply beautiful new manner, with the message that God always has a plan for us!
A DREAM NOT IMAGINED was a very sweet, fresh new take on Cinderella. Ellie is not so different from the numerous quiet, timid versions of her character, and yet the plot with its glorious twists and turns retells the story in a simply beautiful new manner, with the message that God always has a plan for us!
June 12, 2017
I loved this novella!!!! Review to come!
January 16, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. It was a short story, but was full of meaning. It’s a perfect light and fun read, while still having a great message embedded in it.
Ellie Abbington’s life is different from any other. She lives under a wealthy father and stepmother along with two stepsisters, serving them as their maid. Cast out from the regular servants because of her higher upbringing while also ignored by the rest of society because of her position as a maid, she is alone. So she dreams of falling in love with a prince and living happily ever after. Will this dream of hers come true? Or is there one that is even better than what she had ever imagined?
I loved the different characters, especially Ellie and Rowen. Rowen was so sweet and fun and such a gentleman all at the same time. Ellie was sweet and felt pretty realistic throughout the story. Oh, and her realization after that twist was really neat. It is something that we could all do to remember.
So…as I said earlier, I loved this book. It was a really start for a new author. At first, this may seem like an everyday Cinderella story. But about halfway through, everything goes array. It was a great plot twist. Even though I was expecting a twist, I still couldn’t very guess what it was or how it was going to be solved which made it so much more interesting. I do wish that it had been a bit longer between the plot twist and end, but it probably would’ve felt a bit out of place since it kept the same steady pace throughout the whole book.
I would recommend this to people of all ages, though it is more for younger kids. It is really fun and sweet with a great message.
You can check out this review on my blog too, at: https://aheartredeemed.wordpress.com/... Thanks!
Ellie Abbington’s life is different from any other. She lives under a wealthy father and stepmother along with two stepsisters, serving them as their maid. Cast out from the regular servants because of her higher upbringing while also ignored by the rest of society because of her position as a maid, she is alone. So she dreams of falling in love with a prince and living happily ever after. Will this dream of hers come true? Or is there one that is even better than what she had ever imagined?
I loved the different characters, especially Ellie and Rowen. Rowen was so sweet and fun and such a gentleman all at the same time. Ellie was sweet and felt pretty realistic throughout the story. Oh, and her realization after that twist was really neat. It is something that we could all do to remember.
So…as I said earlier, I loved this book. It was a really start for a new author. At first, this may seem like an everyday Cinderella story. But about halfway through, everything goes array. It was a great plot twist. Even though I was expecting a twist, I still couldn’t very guess what it was or how it was going to be solved which made it so much more interesting. I do wish that it had been a bit longer between the plot twist and end, but it probably would’ve felt a bit out of place since it kept the same steady pace throughout the whole book.
I would recommend this to people of all ages, though it is more for younger kids. It is really fun and sweet with a great message.
You can check out this review on my blog too, at: https://aheartredeemed.wordpress.com/... Thanks!
June 26, 2015
I’ve read a number of Cinderella adaptions so it’s rare for me to run across one that actually surprises me. This one did. At the start, Ellie seems like your normal Cinderella, complete with nasty stepmother and stepsisters. There’s the glimpses of the prince, the upcoming ball, the servitude, and then…
Then things get interesting. Cinderella arrives at the ball in a different manner than you’d expect. The ball doesn’t exactly go as expected either. I gasped out loud in one part, the twist leaving me floored because I thought I’d known exactly where this novella was going.
Turns out I was wrong. That’s the beauty of this novella. It draws you in with the seemingly normal Cinderella tale, then turns it on its head.
Once the main twists were completed, I did guess the twist at the end, and how the book would be resolved. But that was okay. The second major twist isn’t so much a twist but a secret that the reader and author share with giggles and whispers while waiting for the reveal at the end. It’s the kind of twist that leaves the reader gratified that they’d figured it out.
I also really loved the take on the evil stepmother. She’s still evil. Still a baddie. Yet, she does have a reason for it (not a reason most sane people would actually implement). She isn’t just mindlessly torturing Cinderella for no apparent reason. She has a purpose to Cinderella’s servitude.
Overall, it’s a sweet Cinderella story about waiting for God’s timing in your life.
July 24, 2016
I absolutely love fairytale retellings, so I jumped on the chance to read this one!
A Dream Not Imagined is a lovely retelling that at first feels very like the classic Cinderella... and yet! Those twists! My goodness, I did not see them coming! At first I was so worried and could not see how it could work out all right. But then it surprised me by turning out better than I could have imagined! I was so impressed that it could turn that around and I ended up extremely happy with it. I just loved this book. :)
The whole story has an intriguing mystery lurking around the edges, weaving throughout. It was so fun to try to piece together the hints and clues, and then stunning when all the pieces fell into place and the whole picture was made clear--that conclusion! I've always said that fairytales and mysteries are my favorite genres for shorter stories--they just seem to fit--and here this is both!
It's a novella, so it's a very quick read, but far from making it feel rushed, it felt like just the right size. It was amazing how full of depth and detail it was for its length. The writing has a sweet fairytale-like quality, while at the same time feeling fresh. Miss Hannu is an author to keep an eye on! It's beautifully written and I could see everything so vividly--I love the "feel" of the setting.
I loved Ellie--she was quite relateable and all I wanted was for everything to turn out well for her, the poor dear! My heart broke with hers, and sang when hers sang... In fact, all of the characters were portrayed with a startling depth and clarity--I felt like they were all quite real, which again was impressive with the brief length of the book. And there is one young man in particular who captured my heart... ;) He was awesome.
I loved the beautiful romance, which was my favorite part of the story. There is some heartache, but ultimately it was adorable and sigh-worthy. It was sweet and appropriate, so no fears there, and it wasn't the whole of the plot either, so even if you're not the biggest fan of romantic plots, I think you'll still find the rest of the story worth reading.
It's a non-magical retelling, but it was cute to see how the roles sometimes played by the Fairy Godmother and/or mice in some versions were carried out in this.
There were also some lovely moments about faith and about God writing our stories that were particularly beautiful.
I loved the dancing, and the final scene before the epilogue was awesome. And now I want to eat some apple-tarts... The whole conclusion and ending was perfection itself. <3
A Dream Not Imagined is a beautiful story with lovable characters, a thrilling air of mystery, a thread of faith, a sweet romance, and some surprising twists. If you like an enjoyable quick read, or a good retold fairytale (and who doesn't!), do consider giving this lovely one a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed! :)
(NOTE: I received a copy of this book from the author in return for my honest review. It was not required to be positive. These opinions are entirely my own.)
Review originally posted on The Road of a Writer.
A Dream Not Imagined is a lovely retelling that at first feels very like the classic Cinderella... and yet! Those twists! My goodness, I did not see them coming! At first I was so worried and could not see how it could work out all right. But then it surprised me by turning out better than I could have imagined! I was so impressed that it could turn that around and I ended up extremely happy with it. I just loved this book. :)
The whole story has an intriguing mystery lurking around the edges, weaving throughout. It was so fun to try to piece together the hints and clues, and then stunning when all the pieces fell into place and the whole picture was made clear--that conclusion! I've always said that fairytales and mysteries are my favorite genres for shorter stories--they just seem to fit--and here this is both!
It's a novella, so it's a very quick read, but far from making it feel rushed, it felt like just the right size. It was amazing how full of depth and detail it was for its length. The writing has a sweet fairytale-like quality, while at the same time feeling fresh. Miss Hannu is an author to keep an eye on! It's beautifully written and I could see everything so vividly--I love the "feel" of the setting.
I loved Ellie--she was quite relateable and all I wanted was for everything to turn out well for her, the poor dear! My heart broke with hers, and sang when hers sang... In fact, all of the characters were portrayed with a startling depth and clarity--I felt like they were all quite real, which again was impressive with the brief length of the book. And there is one young man in particular who captured my heart... ;) He was awesome.
I loved the beautiful romance, which was my favorite part of the story. There is some heartache, but ultimately it was adorable and sigh-worthy. It was sweet and appropriate, so no fears there, and it wasn't the whole of the plot either, so even if you're not the biggest fan of romantic plots, I think you'll still find the rest of the story worth reading.
It's a non-magical retelling, but it was cute to see how the roles sometimes played by the Fairy Godmother and/or mice in some versions were carried out in this.
There were also some lovely moments about faith and about God writing our stories that were particularly beautiful.
I loved the dancing, and the final scene before the epilogue was awesome. And now I want to eat some apple-tarts... The whole conclusion and ending was perfection itself. <3
A Dream Not Imagined is a beautiful story with lovable characters, a thrilling air of mystery, a thread of faith, a sweet romance, and some surprising twists. If you like an enjoyable quick read, or a good retold fairytale (and who doesn't!), do consider giving this lovely one a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed! :)
(NOTE: I received a copy of this book from the author in return for my honest review. It was not required to be positive. These opinions are entirely my own.)
Review originally posted on The Road of a Writer.
July 20, 2015
I've read a lot of Cinderella retellings this year. I hadn't been expecting to be able to read this one, but after helping with some formatting, I volunteered to read it as a review copy. I had heard nothing but good about it, so I had somewhat high expectations. At first, I thought maybe they had been misplaced. It seemed just like any other typical Cinderella story. And then. Things go terribly wrong at the ball. Ellie Abbington's dreams are shattered. But she is told that God is in control, and His way will be a dream not imagined. That's not all. Twists galore follow, but I don't want to give any spoilers. It wasn't exactly what I was expecting, and it thrilled the lifelong love of poor little rich girl, rags to riches, and hard luck stories, as well as the new-found love of sweet, meaningful romance, while having a wonderful, Christian message absent from so many of the stories on this list.
My complete list of Cinderellas is coming soon on www.morganhuneke.blogspot.com.
My complete list of Cinderellas is coming soon on www.morganhuneke.blogspot.com.
August 5, 2015
This book is amazing! One of the best Cinderella retellings I have read yet--and the only one I've read from a Christian stand point.
The author did an fantastic job of bringing the reader to a different place and time with all sorts of characters--the dashing prince, faithful servant, annoying stepsisters, great friends, and of course, the lowly maid with high hopes.
Even if you think you know the story behind this fairytale, you won't be prepared for the unexpected twist. A definite recommend for every fairytale lover.
The author did an fantastic job of bringing the reader to a different place and time with all sorts of characters--the dashing prince, faithful servant, annoying stepsisters, great friends, and of course, the lowly maid with high hopes.
Even if you think you know the story behind this fairytale, you won't be prepared for the unexpected twist. A definite recommend for every fairytale lover.
December 16, 2015
Shantelle Mary Hannu takes the classic fairy-tale of Cinderella and spins it into a lovable romantic tale.
I have read reviews on this book prior to reading it hinting at some of the twists in the book. And finally actually reading them was exiting! The first twist was completely unexpected and shocking! I believe the twist in itself makes this version of Cinderella completely original and unique.
I really liked the fact that this novella was a non-magical fairy-tale. I enjoyed watching this non-magical version unfold while still keeping most all of the original elements still in the story line.
The romance was so sweet, and I literally squeaked and danced in excitement at the happenings on page 57. I’m a sucker for that kind of stuff.
This book was on the fluffy chic-lit side but along with that it had some great truths I think any girl pursuing godly relationships can benefit from. I agree that if you allow God to be the author of your love story it’s sure to be a good one.
If you love sweet romances (let’s be honest what girl doesn’t?)Than I highly recommend this novella for you.
I have read reviews on this book prior to reading it hinting at some of the twists in the book. And finally actually reading them was exiting! The first twist was completely unexpected and shocking! I believe the twist in itself makes this version of Cinderella completely original and unique.
I really liked the fact that this novella was a non-magical fairy-tale. I enjoyed watching this non-magical version unfold while still keeping most all of the original elements still in the story line.
The romance was so sweet, and I literally squeaked and danced in excitement at the happenings on page 57. I’m a sucker for that kind of stuff.
This book was on the fluffy chic-lit side but along with that it had some great truths I think any girl pursuing godly relationships can benefit from. I agree that if you allow God to be the author of your love story it’s sure to be a good one.
If you love sweet romances (let’s be honest what girl doesn’t?)Than I highly recommend this novella for you.
May 29, 2015
I’m always excited to get a hold of fairy tale re-tellings and I was especially eager for this one after all the positive buzz I’d seen surrounding it. And I was not disappointed! As the synopsis says, Ellie is caught in awkward middle ground when it comes to her family and her station in life. Despite any trials she has faced, she maintains a positive outlook on life and falls back on her faith to get her through the hard times. When a chance encounter in the village leads to an invitation to a royal ball, she thinks her problems have been solved only to have her dream for the night play out rather differently than expected. I’ll say no more because I’m treading spoilery ground here.
My thoughts? This was a really sweet and touching story. There was no magic but I loved the nods to the original story. Shantelle takes the story in a different direction than expected and spins a mystery over the whole affair. There was a wonderful cast of characters all with their own plans and plots. I thought I had it almost figured out towards the end and it was a joy to see everything come together with some of the pieces I missed in a spectacular ending! Everything was described so well and it really had its own sort of magic as Ellie faced each new turn armed only with her trust in God.
Highly recommended for those who enjoy fairy-tale re-tellings and stories of faith and overcoming adversity. I thoroughly enjoyed this short story and am looking forward to reading future works by Ms. Hannu!
I received a free copy of the book from the author in exchange for my review.
My thoughts? This was a really sweet and touching story. There was no magic but I loved the nods to the original story. Shantelle takes the story in a different direction than expected and spins a mystery over the whole affair. There was a wonderful cast of characters all with their own plans and plots. I thought I had it almost figured out towards the end and it was a joy to see everything come together with some of the pieces I missed in a spectacular ending! Everything was described so well and it really had its own sort of magic as Ellie faced each new turn armed only with her trust in God.
Highly recommended for those who enjoy fairy-tale re-tellings and stories of faith and overcoming adversity. I thoroughly enjoyed this short story and am looking forward to reading future works by Ms. Hannu!
I received a free copy of the book from the author in exchange for my review.
May 30, 2015
Aww, so sweet!
Oh my, another darling Cinderella retelling!! This one was so so sweet, and I absolutely loved the message in it of God writing our love – and life – story! It was fantastic, truly. The whole story was put together so nicely, and so beautifully, creating an absolutely lovely little novella.
For it being a novella, it was so nicely done, and well-constructed, and not missing a single beat – a full story in a matter of five chapters. I am impressed. :)
The characters are – may I say again – darling. Ellie is everything a Cinderella character should be, and represents it so well, so gentle and so sweet. But really what I was most blown away by was the godly message! That was just so lovely! I know I keep using these words, but they truly describe this sweet story, so I will continue to repeat myself. ;)
I would highly recommend this story to all – I would love to have my future daughters read this! It is innocent, guiding, and remarkable.
Thank you so much, Shantelle, for sending me the complimentary ecopy of your debut book! Congratulations on a spectacular release, and I am so glad to be apart of your blog tour. :)
Oh my, another darling Cinderella retelling!! This one was so so sweet, and I absolutely loved the message in it of God writing our love – and life – story! It was fantastic, truly. The whole story was put together so nicely, and so beautifully, creating an absolutely lovely little novella.
For it being a novella, it was so nicely done, and well-constructed, and not missing a single beat – a full story in a matter of five chapters. I am impressed. :)
The characters are – may I say again – darling. Ellie is everything a Cinderella character should be, and represents it so well, so gentle and so sweet. But really what I was most blown away by was the godly message! That was just so lovely! I know I keep using these words, but they truly describe this sweet story, so I will continue to repeat myself. ;)
I would highly recommend this story to all – I would love to have my future daughters read this! It is innocent, guiding, and remarkable.
Thank you so much, Shantelle, for sending me the complimentary ecopy of your debut book! Congratulations on a spectacular release, and I am so glad to be apart of your blog tour. :)
February 28, 2016
I was very excited to read this book! Two of my friends had read it and they told me it was really, really good but they both said there was a very unexpected twist. So, when I got the book, I was excepting something. . .but I was still shocked by the twist the story took!
All in all it was am amazing book. You have the dashing prince, the wicked stepmother, and the stepsisters, yet I loved how it was non-magical and told from a christian view. I also loved the message in the book of letting Christ write your love story. Love the book, the setting, the plot, the theme, and, of course, the characters! It's quickly become one of my favorites!
All in all it was am amazing book. You have the dashing prince, the wicked stepmother, and the stepsisters, yet I loved how it was non-magical and told from a christian view. I also loved the message in the book of letting Christ write your love story. Love the book, the setting, the plot, the theme, and, of course, the characters! It's quickly become one of my favorites!
October 12, 2016
Oh! I loved this book!! Shantelle did an awesome job!
It had a different twist from the original Cinderella, and it was way different from all the retellings I've read on this fairy tale. And not to mention, it was Christian!!
I did predict the final twist, but that didn't make it any less enjoyable! However, I DID NOT see the first twist. It. Was. Amazing. Great job Shantelle!!
And Rowen. *sigh* My brother must be tired of me saying this about every guy in every book (okay, maybe a LITTLE bit exaggerated...), but I wish Rowen were real, and as mean as it is to say this, that Ellie was not. See where I'm going? :D
But anyways, this is an awesome book and you all should read it!!
It had a different twist from the original Cinderella, and it was way different from all the retellings I've read on this fairy tale. And not to mention, it was Christian!!
I did predict the final twist, but that didn't make it any less enjoyable! However, I DID NOT see the first twist. It. Was. Amazing. Great job Shantelle!!
And Rowen. *sigh* My brother must be tired of me saying this about every guy in every book (okay, maybe a LITTLE bit exaggerated...), but I wish Rowen were real, and as mean as it is to say this, that Ellie was not. See where I'm going? :D
But anyways, this is an awesome book and you all should read it!!
July 2, 2017
“A Dream Not Imagined” is a Cinderella retelling. This was the first fairy-tale retelling that I read. I’m not a big fan of fairy-tales, but this was a fun book. There were definitely some twists towards the end that I was not expecting!
May 31, 2015
This story is a non-magic (but absolutely delightful!) fairytale loosely based on the story of Cinderella. Key word: loosely based. Honestly, if we knew exactly what was going to happen, where would be the fun in that?
Ellie Abbington is our protagonist in this story. She has two snobby stepsisters, a strict stepmother, and an unloving father. Despite being abused by her family in her life as a maid, unaccepted by those of her flesh and blood, and not seeming to fit in amongst the other servants, Ellie maintains her sweet personality and is never one to argue back at the unfair demands of those around her. Ellie dreams of her future with Prince Charles, who notices her in a crowd of many. Could this be her dream to be noticed and loved coming true?
A Dream Not Imagined is a novella strongly rooted in faith and true love. It’s not a fluff story, although you could read it that way if you wanted to (and get more out of it than you expect!). The story is lovely, and I truly have no objections to it whatsoever.
But there’s a twist.
Perhaps even the best dreams are the ones we haven’t even imagined yet. Our love stories are the most beautiful when we allow God to write and orchestrate them. This is the central theme of the book, and it makes the love story even better. *sighs with happiness*
When I read it, I was soooooo not prepared for everything the story would entail. But it was so much fun! The ending made me cry so happily. (Side note: I was laying in my bed at the time that I was reading it and I felt tears slide all the way across my face and onto my pillow. Books that make me cry have to be REALLY good, so examine the evidence for yourself.)
Ellie Abbington is our protagonist in this story. She has two snobby stepsisters, a strict stepmother, and an unloving father. Despite being abused by her family in her life as a maid, unaccepted by those of her flesh and blood, and not seeming to fit in amongst the other servants, Ellie maintains her sweet personality and is never one to argue back at the unfair demands of those around her. Ellie dreams of her future with Prince Charles, who notices her in a crowd of many. Could this be her dream to be noticed and loved coming true?
A Dream Not Imagined is a novella strongly rooted in faith and true love. It’s not a fluff story, although you could read it that way if you wanted to (and get more out of it than you expect!). The story is lovely, and I truly have no objections to it whatsoever.
But there’s a twist.
Perhaps even the best dreams are the ones we haven’t even imagined yet. Our love stories are the most beautiful when we allow God to write and orchestrate them. This is the central theme of the book, and it makes the love story even better. *sighs with happiness*
When I read it, I was soooooo not prepared for everything the story would entail. But it was so much fun! The ending made me cry so happily. (Side note: I was laying in my bed at the time that I was reading it and I felt tears slide all the way across my face and onto my pillow. Books that make me cry have to be REALLY good, so examine the evidence for yourself.)
May 16, 2016
This book is so good. Such a sweet message. God's plans are always better than ours.
The writing was great. The characters were amazing. I love long books but now I see that short books can be equally good.
I do admit to being slightly puzzled by the prologue. I could not see how it related to the rest until the end. Once I got there though that didn't matter.
The writing was great. The characters were amazing. I love long books but now I see that short books can be equally good.
I do admit to being slightly puzzled by the prologue. I could not see how it related to the rest until the end. Once I got there though that didn't matter.
July 3, 2017
I read A Dream Not Imagined the other day and....I LOVED IT!!! Wow! I don't know how to describe. :) it was so sweet and so romantic, but in a good Godly way. It came in the mail one day, I started it that night and read until like...midnight. Woke up the next morning, snatched it up and finished it! It was so good. I've recommended it to friends. And I will DEFINITELY be reading this many more times in the years to come. :)
There was several plot twist that I was NOT expecting, but they were all amazing!
Great book! I loved it and will be looking for more books by this talented author. ^^
There was several plot twist that I was NOT expecting, but they were all amazing!
Great book! I loved it and will be looking for more books by this talented author. ^^
April 25, 2015
I love retellings, but they can be a challenge to write and bring something unexpected to the reader. Fortunately this novella does just that, Shantelle manages to weave a tale, using threads that keep true to the story we all know and love, but she also puts a fresh spin on the classic Cinderella. Making it relevant, and unique. Leaving you with strong female lead to root for, and enough new twists to keep you guessing.
November 30, 2015
I really liked it, but there were portions that were a bit rushed, especially at the end.
February 6, 2016
A Dream Not Imagined is a lovely retelling of Cinderella, without magic, but with a message far more significant: Let God write your love story, and your life story. The "Cinderella" of the story is fair and kind Ellie Abbington. She poses as a maid to her family, which consists of her slightly abusive father and her stepmother and two stepsisters, who are unkind and often order her about.
But will she always be a maid? Perhaps the prince will fall in love with her, and take her away from this life of service. And what is the life changing secret that has been kept from Ellie for years?
What a wonderful story! And the vital lesson should be heard by every girl. I'm rather proud that I have a real author- sister! :)
The character Ellie was wonderfully done. Not perfect, but still with a sweet and kind heart. She is pretty easy to relate to. (:
Then there is the cool and smooth, yet unkind stepmother, the mean and flighty stepsisters, and so on. The love story was a light, sweet one, and just so wonderful. (:
A Dream Not Imagined is a new way to see how a beautiful Cinderella story can turn out being.
I recommend this book to fairy -tale retelling lovers, and someone who likes a sweet love story. the ages vary, as for the fact it doesn't have anything inappropriate for children.
But will she always be a maid? Perhaps the prince will fall in love with her, and take her away from this life of service. And what is the life changing secret that has been kept from Ellie for years?
What a wonderful story! And the vital lesson should be heard by every girl. I'm rather proud that I have a real author- sister! :)
The character Ellie was wonderfully done. Not perfect, but still with a sweet and kind heart. She is pretty easy to relate to. (:
Then there is the cool and smooth, yet unkind stepmother, the mean and flighty stepsisters, and so on. The love story was a light, sweet one, and just so wonderful. (:
A Dream Not Imagined is a new way to see how a beautiful Cinderella story can turn out being.
I recommend this book to fairy -tale retelling lovers, and someone who likes a sweet love story. the ages vary, as for the fact it doesn't have anything inappropriate for children.
May 2, 2016
What a sweet story! I'm so glad I decided to pick this up. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love Fairy Tale retellings. I love seeing how each author puts their own spin on a classic story, Shantelle Mary Hannu did a fantastic job with this. I loved the themes about trusting God with your future and letting him write your story. I can honestly say that I was so encouraged after reading A Dream Not Imagined. The writing was lovely and the characters were great, I really loved our main character Ellie, as well as a certain gentleman *happy sigh* So yes I recommend this book, do your self a favor and go pick it up. You'll be happy you did. I gave this book 5/5 stars.
January 22, 2019
This is definitely one of the most creative and different Cinderella retellings I've ever read! For about the first half, everything happened so predictably that I wondered whether there would be any twists at all...and then, my word! So many twists! Some of them I guessed to some degree, but even then, they kept twisting around on themselves so I was never sure what was coming next.
I liked the spiritual thread/message in the story and really loved one character in particular (can't tell you who because of spoilers). Bonus points for the incredibly complex and creative rethinking of such a well-known story!
3.5 stars
Content--mentions of a married woman being obsessed with a former suitor; talk about unhealthy relationships
I liked the spiritual thread/message in the story and really loved one character in particular (can't tell you who because of spoilers). Bonus points for the incredibly complex and creative rethinking of such a well-known story!
3.5 stars
Content--mentions of a married woman being obsessed with a former suitor; talk about unhealthy relationships
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