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Fairy Tale Kingdoms #1
Puss without Boots
This is a previously-published edition - ASIN: B01HMX8XNS
Finding your happily ever after is complicated when your matchmaker is a cat...
Etta's happy with her simple life in the mill, but when her aunt passes and leaves her a very peculiar cat, everything goes awry. Now, determined to find her place in the world, Etta's learning to hunt, having audiences with a king, and falling for a man who's keeping something from her.
Beau's happy at sea until his father passes and leaves him with an odd last request. Now he's setting up shop in a small town, searching for ogres, and, inconveniently, falling for the miller's sister—who just happens to be taken with someone else.
It soon becomes clear that if Etta and Beau want to get anywhere, they'll need not only each other's help, but the cat's as well. But putting your trust in a feline is difficult, especially when you're not exactly sure what it is he has planned...
A romantic retelling based on the original beloved fairy tale, Puss in Boots.
Finding your happily ever after is complicated when your matchmaker is a cat...
Etta's happy with her simple life in the mill, but when her aunt passes and leaves her a very peculiar cat, everything goes awry. Now, determined to find her place in the world, Etta's learning to hunt, having audiences with a king, and falling for a man who's keeping something from her.
Beau's happy at sea until his father passes and leaves him with an odd last request. Now he's setting up shop in a small town, searching for ogres, and, inconveniently, falling for the miller's sister—who just happens to be taken with someone else.
It soon becomes clear that if Etta and Beau want to get anywhere, they'll need not only each other's help, but the cat's as well. But putting your trust in a feline is difficult, especially when you're not exactly sure what it is he has planned...
A romantic retelling based on the original beloved fairy tale, Puss in Boots.
295 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2016
329 people are currently reading
1204 people want to read
About the author
Shari L. Tapscott
68 books911 followersShari L. Tapscott writes young adult fantasy and humorous contemporary fiction. When she's not writing or reading, she enjoys gardening, making soap, and pretending she can sing.
She loves white chocolate mochas, furry animals, spending time with her family, and characters who refuse to behave.
Tapscott lives in western Colorado with her husband, son, daughter, and two very spoiled Saint Bernards.
Join Shari's newsletter, and be one of the first to learn about new projects, upcoming releases, sales, and specials.
She loves white chocolate mochas, furry animals, spending time with her family, and characters who refuse to behave.
Tapscott lives in western Colorado with her husband, son, daughter, and two very spoiled Saint Bernards.
Join Shari's newsletter, and be one of the first to learn about new projects, upcoming releases, sales, and specials.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
October 10, 2017
3.5 stars for this Kindle freebie. It's a cute, YA-level fantasy romance, and a retelling of the old Puss in Boots fairy tale, with a few twists to it.
The youngest child of the village miller, who inherits an odd cat, is a lovely young woman, Suzette, called Etta. She's astounded when her cat turns out to have the ability to speak ... especially when Puss starts ordering her around ("Learn to hunt!" "Take the game you catch to the king!").
Etta's head is turned by Kerrick, a handsome nobleman she meets in the village one day, to the dismay of Beau, another young man who's temporarily living in the village. He's very interested in Etta, but she firmly friendzones him while pursuing a relationship with Kerrick ... even though she knows that, as a destitute commoner, there's very little chance of the relationship with Kerrick going anywhere.
Despite the differences, the story sticks reasonably closely to the original fairy tale. It also manages to slide around the dreaded love triangle trope, though it skates a little close to the edge at times. Recommended if you're interested in a very light and rather amusing fairy tale retelling, with a fairly strong romance element. Not bad for a freebie and a self-published book!
The youngest child of the village miller, who inherits an odd cat, is a lovely young woman, Suzette, called Etta. She's astounded when her cat turns out to have the ability to speak ... especially when Puss starts ordering her around ("Learn to hunt!" "Take the game you catch to the king!").
Etta's head is turned by Kerrick, a handsome nobleman she meets in the village one day, to the dismay of Beau, another young man who's temporarily living in the village. He's very interested in Etta, but she firmly friendzones him while pursuing a relationship with Kerrick ... even though she knows that, as a destitute commoner, there's very little chance of the relationship with Kerrick going anywhere.
Despite the differences, the story sticks reasonably closely to the original fairy tale. It also manages to slide around the dreaded love triangle trope, though it skates a little close to the edge at times. Recommended if you're interested in a very light and rather amusing fairy tale retelling, with a fairly strong romance element. Not bad for a freebie and a self-published book!
January 17, 2022
3.5
I'm trying to work through all of Shari's books, she is such a gift storyteller and I've enjoyed her books so much I wanted to read them all!
This was a cute retelling of Puss in Boots, a story I wasn't at all familiar with so it was all new to me. This very much felt like a fairytale, the setting, characters and plot. If you like fairytales, you'll enjoy this. Our heroine, Suzette, was very likable and easy to relate to. There's a few love interests along the way, but she ends up with who I wanted her to, so I was happy about that. I think this would make a cute movie.
Content Rated G
I'm trying to work through all of Shari's books, she is such a gift storyteller and I've enjoyed her books so much I wanted to read them all!
This was a cute retelling of Puss in Boots, a story I wasn't at all familiar with so it was all new to me. This very much felt like a fairytale, the setting, characters and plot. If you like fairytales, you'll enjoy this. Our heroine, Suzette, was very likable and easy to relate to. There's a few love interests along the way, but she ends up with who I wanted her to, so I was happy about that. I think this would make a cute movie.
Content Rated G
March 25, 2024
{March 2024 Reread}
I know I say this every time, but this really is an awfully fluffy book. Still and yet, despite the elitism which tries its darndest to prevent me, I genuinely do enjoy it. Notwithstanding some insta-lovey tendencies, plot implausibility (yes, even for a fantasy novel), irksome (if mild) whiffs of “not like other girls” syndrome, and cheesiness, there’s a good-natured simplicity and self-awareness to the novel that I find very refreshing. It’s not trying to be something it’s not; it’s trying to be a fun, straightforward, light-hearted fairytale retelling, and I think it succeeds quite well. Idk, man, it’s just the perfect escapist spring pick-me-up, for me.
P.S. The story is clearly set in a fantasy version of France, and though Tapscott never specifies a timeframe, the main love interest is a chocolatier who notes that imported chocolate is just beginning to take the nobility by storm. This would place the tale between the end of the sixteenth and the beginning of the seventeenth centuries, historically – a detail which I was tickled to observe this time around since I just took a class on drinking cultures in early modern Europe this past January/February.
P.P.S. Please enjoy the below aesthetic that I made for kicks and giggles. :) This story’s setting and vibes make me happy, so I wanted to create a concrete visual for them.
{May 2021 Reread}
Utter, complete, total fluff -- but nice fluff. Fun fluff. Purposeful fluff.
{Original January 2020 Review}
This was a lot of fun. I love retellings that can invest me in a more obscure fairytale.
The writing was very simple, but somehow I could picture the pastoral setting quite nicely.
Not perfect, but refreshing. 😊
I know I say this every time, but this really is an awfully fluffy book. Still and yet, despite the elitism which tries its darndest to prevent me, I genuinely do enjoy it. Notwithstanding some insta-lovey tendencies, plot implausibility (yes, even for a fantasy novel), irksome (if mild) whiffs of “not like other girls” syndrome, and cheesiness, there’s a good-natured simplicity and self-awareness to the novel that I find very refreshing. It’s not trying to be something it’s not; it’s trying to be a fun, straightforward, light-hearted fairytale retelling, and I think it succeeds quite well. Idk, man, it’s just the perfect escapist spring pick-me-up, for me.
P.S. The story is clearly set in a fantasy version of France, and though Tapscott never specifies a timeframe, the main love interest is a chocolatier who notes that imported chocolate is just beginning to take the nobility by storm. This would place the tale between the end of the sixteenth and the beginning of the seventeenth centuries, historically – a detail which I was tickled to observe this time around since I just took a class on drinking cultures in early modern Europe this past January/February.
P.P.S. Please enjoy the below aesthetic that I made for kicks and giggles. :) This story’s setting and vibes make me happy, so I wanted to create a concrete visual for them.
{May 2021 Reread}
Utter, complete, total fluff -- but nice fluff. Fun fluff. Purposeful fluff.
{Original January 2020 Review}
This was a lot of fun. I love retellings that can invest me in a more obscure fairytale.
The writing was very simple, but somehow I could picture the pastoral setting quite nicely.
Not perfect, but refreshing. 😊
September 26, 2016
This is a really fun retelling of Puss in Boots. I thought the characters were well-developed and it moved along nicely. There is a love triangle but it ends okay. Overall, I recommend this clean and romantic story!
December 30, 2020
A very fun Puss (not) in Boots retelling. There's a dual POV, so you know pretty early on who the ultimate love interest ought to be, but Tapscott creates a fabulous dynamic .
While a good amount of stuff happens in this book, it's also in many ways a gently paced book, about relationships and character growth, and I really enjoyed that aspect as well. Given that the original fairytale only has one hero/ine, the creation of two changes how things play out at the end, and I rather wish the final "win" had involved both working together more closely. But! It's still very much a fine read, and I recommend it to all you fairytale lovers.
While a good amount of stuff happens in this book, it's also in many ways a gently paced book, about relationships and character growth, and I really enjoyed that aspect as well. Given that the original fairytale only has one hero/ine, the creation of two changes how things play out at the end, and I rather wish the final "win" had involved both working together more closely. But! It's still very much a fine read, and I recommend it to all you fairytale lovers.
October 18, 2016
This is another diversion from my review reading. I pre-ordered this book because I LOVED the Eldentimber series and this author is one of my favorites. I have read all her book and enjoyed them all. I'm such a fan. If you haven't read the Eldentimber series, you really must.
I can honestly say that I worried about reading this book. I've about had enough of fairy tale retellings and I was so afraid I wouldn't like it. But I did like it. Very much. I should never have doubted.
The characters drew me in so quickly. I loved how the story took shape and developed. The touch of fairy tale/fantasy was perfect. I will say that I didn't love this one as much as the Eldentimber series, but it's a close second.
I can honestly say that I worried about reading this book. I've about had enough of fairy tale retellings and I was so afraid I wouldn't like it. But I did like it. Very much. I should never have doubted.
The characters drew me in so quickly. I loved how the story took shape and developed. The touch of fairy tale/fantasy was perfect. I will say that I didn't love this one as much as the Eldentimber series, but it's a close second.
September 17, 2016
I knew I was going to be pretty safe pre-ordering this book- a fairy tale retelling plus an author I like is usually a good combination for success. I really enjoyed this story. It was clean, and cute, and fluffy in a very good way. Shari Tapscott does a great job creating convincing love stories, and with the addition of a talking cat it was pretty fun :)
June 14, 2018
This is 3,5 * for me. :))
This was a fling for me so I can get some easy read. I liked the story more than the actual one, I love how Tapscott twist story to make it sound more real she really did a good job with it. :D This was a good retelling that makes you love it more than the actual story. :)
This was a fling for me so I can get some easy read. I liked the story more than the actual one, I love how Tapscott twist story to make it sound more real she really did a good job with it. :D This was a good retelling that makes you love it more than the actual story. :)
October 7, 2016
4.5 stars!
I vaguely remember the story of Puss and Boots from when I was a child; I do remember that I liked it quiet a bit. I wasn't sure how I would like this retelling of the story, but Tapscott is a wonderful writer and I have thoroughly enjoyed her very imaginative novels thus far, so I gave it a go! I am so glad that I did. This was truly a delightful tale!
A wonderful cast of characters, including the cat, draw you in. I enjoyed the twist to the tale and the friendship and romance that progress through the book. Sweet, enchanting and pure fun!
I vaguely remember the story of Puss and Boots from when I was a child; I do remember that I liked it quiet a bit. I wasn't sure how I would like this retelling of the story, but Tapscott is a wonderful writer and I have thoroughly enjoyed her very imaginative novels thus far, so I gave it a go! I am so glad that I did. This was truly a delightful tale!
A wonderful cast of characters, including the cat, draw you in. I enjoyed the twist to the tale and the friendship and romance that progress through the book. Sweet, enchanting and pure fun!
October 31, 2018
10/26/18 - Re-read, I enjoyed it just as much the second time around. I'm a sucker for fairy tale retellings!
4.5 Stars
Really liked this retelling of Puss in Boots. Fun characters, fun plot. Some romance, some adventure, a prince, a Marquis, a not horrible love triangle.... Good stuff.
Moral Note: Some mild violence, clean romance, clean language.
4.5 Stars
Really liked this retelling of Puss in Boots. Fun characters, fun plot. Some romance, some adventure, a prince, a Marquis, a not horrible love triangle.... Good stuff.
Moral Note: Some mild violence, clean romance, clean language.
March 13, 2018
A talking cat
When Etta's aunt dies, she leave her grain mill and donkey to Etta's brothers. To Etta, she leaves her cat and a small amount of money with instructions to buy the cat some boots. Instead Etta buys herself a pair of boots. The story that follows is one of infatuation, adventure, ogres, love and a talking cat. A fun retelling of the Puss in Boots story.
When Etta's aunt dies, she leave her grain mill and donkey to Etta's brothers. To Etta, she leaves her cat and a small amount of money with instructions to buy the cat some boots. Instead Etta buys herself a pair of boots. The story that follows is one of infatuation, adventure, ogres, love and a talking cat. A fun retelling of the Puss in Boots story.
August 1, 2017
This was a fun bit of fluff and a quick read. The author nails the cat in all his moods. Her version of the original Puss in Boots is modern and creative. This book has typical two person POV, which is not my favorite, and as with all romance, it would benefit from plotting advice like Alex Limberg's Ride The Pen post which analyzes Macbeth. Sadly, well-written scenes were interspersed with "telling" passages, like the red lines between destinations on a map. I was uncomfortable with some of the grammatical errors which seemed to be authorial ignorance rather than voice, especially important in a YA novel. 'Sounds like I hated the book. I did not. I would read more by this author, and in fact, will. It is just the sort of fiction I'd grab on my way to the beach or after a particularly harsh rejection. A good fairy tale will suck me in every time and a bit of pixie dust covers a multitude of sins. If the book had been longer, it would have been bogged down by its flaws. As is, it rises above.
May 25, 2018
Worth my time
A lot of fairytale retellings fail because the author lacks the skill to expand the original story or the imagination to make it worthwhile. Clearly, Tapscott doesn't suffer from either of these afflictions. She's not only flipped the tale on its head in an engaging way, but she has also populated her story with complex characters that readers want to get to know.
Somehow, the book retained a fairytale feel whilst providing the satisfaction of a fully realised novel. Nothing in the story came across as being mere filler, meant to prolong the march towards the foregone conclusion.
Puss is the most catlike storybook cat that I've ever encountered.
Etta, as a young woman destined by circumstances to become a heroine whether she wants to or not, rings true. And equally important, she remains likeable.
As for the rest of the meaningful characters, well writing any more about them here would mean serving up spoilers.
A lot of fairytale retellings fail because the author lacks the skill to expand the original story or the imagination to make it worthwhile. Clearly, Tapscott doesn't suffer from either of these afflictions. She's not only flipped the tale on its head in an engaging way, but she has also populated her story with complex characters that readers want to get to know.
Somehow, the book retained a fairytale feel whilst providing the satisfaction of a fully realised novel. Nothing in the story came across as being mere filler, meant to prolong the march towards the foregone conclusion.
Puss is the most catlike storybook cat that I've ever encountered.
Etta, as a young woman destined by circumstances to become a heroine whether she wants to or not, rings true. And equally important, she remains likeable.
As for the rest of the meaningful characters, well writing any more about them here would mean serving up spoilers.
February 25, 2019
I can't recall reading another Puss in Boots retelling, and I must say, I really liked Puss! He was genuinely "cat," and very likable. Clever and self-centered, yet considerate when it suited him. He adjusted his plans to suit his girl, which was endearing.
I also really enjoyed the gender-switch, with Suzette (Etta) in the position of the miller's third daughter (niece) instead of son, who inherits the cat.
This is a light, fun fantasy read with plenty of sweet romance, a creepy villain, a cute if clueless alternate love interest, and a charming and likable hero. It stretches credulity pretty often, but what fairy tale doesn't? Heh.
Recommended to all lovers of fairy-tale retellings!
I also really enjoyed the gender-switch, with Suzette (Etta) in the position of the miller's third daughter (niece) instead of son, who inherits the cat.
This is a light, fun fantasy read with plenty of sweet romance, a creepy villain, a cute if clueless alternate love interest, and a charming and likable hero. It stretches credulity pretty often, but what fairy tale doesn't? Heh.
Recommended to all lovers of fairy-tale retellings!
October 8, 2017
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I liked that the author really tried to show the difference between love and infatuation through Etta's storyline. She also showed that sometimes love may take a while to grow and it cannot be forced. I definitely recommend this book to someone who is into fairy tale retellings.
December 1, 2017
The book was okay... It was more romance than I expected or wanted... so I wasn't a huge fan... But the cat, Puss, was hilarious!!
(Free book from Google Play, through BookBub)
(Free book from Google Play, through BookBub)
May 11, 2025
Content:
Profanity: None.
Violence: Mild. There's hunting in this, so animals get trapped and killed. There is mild blood depiction from falling, and cuts/scrapes.
Sexual: Mild. Kisses happen quite a few times, only one is descriptive: female hands in hair, male hands on back and pulling closer. words like "deepened the kiss" but that's it. There is a naked in the pond moment (from the retelling) where a girl has to hide behind a rock in a shallow pond, and a guy makes a comment about 'thinking about it' and 'what man wouldn't?' But that's all, and it's not explained further than that (and nobody peeks).
A 3.5 star
Puss in Boots retellings don't really scream 'read me!' for me personally. I've only read a half dozen or so at this point, but I will say this is a better one in the small sampling I've had so far. (The by far best one I've enjoyed was Sarah Beran's "Faye and the Feline Feat".
I read this quite haltingly, because I kept coming up on scenes that made me leery. The whiff of love triangle spooked me a lot, even though I was told before I even started that it wasn't one. Sometimes others' definitions of things most definitely do not fit mine. But, this was indeed not a love triangle. It was an 'infatuation that didn't last then find the guy that fits the bill that was there the entire time' story.
There were things I hated in this, and things that were uber sweet.
Kerrick's and Etta's Summer Fling was a (channeling Jim Carey's Grinch) "LOATHE ENTIRELY" moment. They both knew it wouldn't work, but they got all kissy and stupid anyways. I found that I was more annoyed at Kerrick than Etta the naive. There's no way that boy didn't know he was messing with a girl's heart by just being affectionate and knowing that was going to be it. SUPER ANNOYING.
But Beau makes up for it. I mean, seriously, who chooses a prince over a guy who makes chocolate?!
My appreciation for him grew as he had moments of attraction to Etta, but tells himself he doesn't really know her and to calm down. He internally mocks himself and it made me snicker.
We don't see much of their romance though, only the first flickers, then there's a time jump and they just, BAM, decide to be together. It'd been a good while for Beau, but Etta's fall was mostly in that time jump. Which wasn't satisfying.
As for the retelling itself, it followed the original pretty dang close, giving the young boy's story to Etta and Beau in turn. My beef though, is I was hoping for some kind of explanation for the talking cat. Everyone was shocked, but nobody even asked Puss why the heck he could talk? I wanted to know SO MUCH.
Also, I wanted to meet Beau's Mom. She sounded awesome.
Profanity: None.
Violence: Mild. There's hunting in this, so animals get trapped and killed. There is mild blood depiction from falling, and cuts/scrapes.
Sexual: Mild. Kisses happen quite a few times, only one is descriptive: female hands in hair, male hands on back and pulling closer. words like "deepened the kiss" but that's it. There is a naked in the pond moment (from the retelling) where a girl has to hide behind a rock in a shallow pond, and a guy makes a comment about 'thinking about it' and 'what man wouldn't?' But that's all, and it's not explained further than that (and nobody peeks).
A 3.5 star
Puss in Boots retellings don't really scream 'read me!' for me personally. I've only read a half dozen or so at this point, but I will say this is a better one in the small sampling I've had so far. (The by far best one I've enjoyed was Sarah Beran's "Faye and the Feline Feat".
I read this quite haltingly, because I kept coming up on scenes that made me leery. The whiff of love triangle spooked me a lot, even though I was told before I even started that it wasn't one. Sometimes others' definitions of things most definitely do not fit mine. But, this was indeed not a love triangle. It was an 'infatuation that didn't last then find the guy that fits the bill that was there the entire time' story.
There were things I hated in this, and things that were uber sweet.
Kerrick's and Etta's Summer Fling was a (channeling Jim Carey's Grinch) "LOATHE ENTIRELY" moment. They both knew it wouldn't work, but they got all kissy and stupid anyways. I found that I was more annoyed at Kerrick than Etta the naive. There's no way that boy didn't know he was messing with a girl's heart by just being affectionate and knowing that was going to be it. SUPER ANNOYING.
But Beau makes up for it. I mean, seriously, who chooses a prince over a guy who makes chocolate?!
My appreciation for him grew as he had moments of attraction to Etta, but tells himself he doesn't really know her and to calm down. He internally mocks himself and it made me snicker.
We don't see much of their romance though, only the first flickers, then there's a time jump and they just, BAM, decide to be together. It'd been a good while for Beau, but Etta's fall was mostly in that time jump. Which wasn't satisfying.
As for the retelling itself, it followed the original pretty dang close, giving the young boy's story to Etta and Beau in turn. My beef though, is I was hoping for some kind of explanation for the talking cat. Everyone was shocked, but nobody even asked Puss why the heck he could talk? I wanted to know SO MUCH.
Also, I wanted to meet Beau's Mom. She sounded awesome.
October 19, 2024
This was such a wonderful book! I very much enjoy Shari Tapscott’s fairy tales. I’ve never read a Puss in Boots retelling and found this one humorous and charming. There is a bit of a love triangle (something I normally dislike), but this one is very tastefully done. The book has a nice flow to it and kept me well engaged throughout. I’ll definitely be reading the next book in the series!
Content:
There’s no foul language, violence, or sex. The romance is clean with only a few kisses. There is magic. There’s no mention of faith or God.
Content:
There’s no foul language, violence, or sex. The romance is clean with only a few kisses. There is magic. There’s no mention of faith or God.
November 28, 2020
Clean romance - which I like. Magic and fairy tales. Puss without Boots.
December 26, 2024
This was such a fun Puss in Boots retelling! Shari's writing is always absolutely incredible, and this story was such an easy read. This is only the second Puss in Boots retelling I've ever read, but I've actually really enjoyed both. An interesting spin that kept enough elements of the fairy tale to feel familiar.
May 2, 2018
An intriguing book, and a fun take on one of my favorite fairy tales. The "love triangle" was done in a way that was not problematic, and (mild spoiler) .
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. Could not give it five stars because it lacked a certain amount of depth that I look for in fairy tale retellings, as well as because all of the characters seemed to be straight and white.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. Could not give it five stars because it lacked a certain amount of depth that I look for in fairy tale retellings, as well as because all of the characters seemed to be straight and white.
August 12, 2018
Cute original retelling of Puss in Boots ☺️ I enjoyed reading it a lot
August 21, 2017
I love fairy tale retellings and had never read one for Puss in boots so I wanted to give this a read. I'm not really familiar with the Puss in boots story, the only time I've ever really encountered the character is from watching the Shrek movies, so I had no idea what to expect. It was a decent read, I liked it, but it didn't quite reach my 4 star marks so I'd give it more like 3 and a half stars. It was a bit slow for me, it takes a while to really get going. The romance was okay, there is a bit of a love triangle, but it's done in a realistic way, the heroine has to really get to know both of these guys and sometimes one person's feelings for another person can really change over time so I thought that was done well. There are two main characters whose POVs we see from, we see a lot from Etta, the heroine, but not much from Beau and I really wanted to see more from him. Puss the cat was kind of a strange character, he acts like a cat in many ways, but I really wanted more out of him, he's never very forthcoming and acts like he barely cares what happens, honestly I didn't really like him that much. Overall this was a good read, it's clean and light so I think YA readers would enjoy it the most. I think I would read more by this author in the future.
December 9, 2019
I only got through 58% of this book. That was enough not to finish it. This book isn’t interesting at all. I thought it might be a cute little love story, but it’s not.
The story drags on, and it doesn’t have a definite purpose. None of the characters have much of a personality. As far the way the story is written, it’s very confusing. Every chapter is written in first person and rotates characters. You get involved in the mind of one of the characters, and the next chapter you are suddenly thrust into the mind of someone else. In the author’s defense, at the beginning of each chapter it told you which character’s mind you were in.
Also, while relatively clean, there was a part where the main female character had her clothes stolen. She was washing off in a pond. Her only rescuers were males, who had to turn around and close their eyes while she covered herself in a robe one of them had gotten for her. I thought that part was very unnecessary. There had to have been another way for the author to complete the story without throwing that scene in there.
I was not impressed by this book at all, and I was disappointed I had paid for this book and taken the time to read as much of it as I did. However, this is just my opinion. Someone else might really like this book.
The story drags on, and it doesn’t have a definite purpose. None of the characters have much of a personality. As far the way the story is written, it’s very confusing. Every chapter is written in first person and rotates characters. You get involved in the mind of one of the characters, and the next chapter you are suddenly thrust into the mind of someone else. In the author’s defense, at the beginning of each chapter it told you which character’s mind you were in.
Also, while relatively clean, there was a part where the main female character had her clothes stolen. She was washing off in a pond. Her only rescuers were males, who had to turn around and close their eyes while she covered herself in a robe one of them had gotten for her. I thought that part was very unnecessary. There had to have been another way for the author to complete the story without throwing that scene in there.
I was not impressed by this book at all, and I was disappointed I had paid for this book and taken the time to read as much of it as I did. However, this is just my opinion. Someone else might really like this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2018
This has a different title on Amazon - The Marquise and Her Cat: A Puss in Boots Retelling (Fairy Tale Kingdoms Book 1)
This is the classic story told in a totally different way. I hope the author does more like this. You didn't really know where things would end up. The miller's impoverished sister has the attention of a Baron, a Marquis and a Prince. Now what's a girl supposed to do?
There are also ogres, brownies, faeries, and dwarfs.
This is the classic story told in a totally different way. I hope the author does more like this. You didn't really know where things would end up. The miller's impoverished sister has the attention of a Baron, a Marquis and a Prince. Now what's a girl supposed to do?
There are also ogres, brownies, faeries, and dwarfs.
May 28, 2017
Suzette, also called Etta, is the youngest child of the miller. Now that her aunt has passed, she left the mill to the oldest child, the donkey to the middle child, and Suzette – well, she gets the cat and some money – to buy boots for the cat. Suzette is less than thrilled. She uses the money to buy herself some boots.
But a few weeks later when Etta takes her first day off, she discovers that this is no ordinary cat. Puss can talk. He doesn’t mind about the boots, but he had definite plans for Etta. Plans that involve teaching her to hunt and stop spending time with the new chocolatier, Beau.
I really liked this book. After a string of books that I was only lukewarm about, this one won me over with it’s charming story and characters. Etta is such a refreshing change from so many stupid characters! And Beau, I mean come on, he has a chocolate shop! Plus their relationship developed slowly enough that I really cared about them as a couple.
But a few weeks later when Etta takes her first day off, she discovers that this is no ordinary cat. Puss can talk. He doesn’t mind about the boots, but he had definite plans for Etta. Plans that involve teaching her to hunt and stop spending time with the new chocolatier, Beau.
I really liked this book. After a string of books that I was only lukewarm about, this one won me over with it’s charming story and characters. Etta is such a refreshing change from so many stupid characters! And Beau, I mean come on, he has a chocolate shop! Plus their relationship developed slowly enough that I really cared about them as a couple.
August 27, 2021
A fun story that pretty much follows the original fairytale (Puss and Boots) to a T.
Etta and Beau were good protagonists, and Puss acted like a cat, talking or otherwise, would behave. The whole plot with Etta and Kerrick and the mild love triangle wasn��t my favorite and made me dislike Kerrick as he led Etta on a LOT to just dump her in the end. I found Beau’s pettiness towards Kerrick funny and snickered more then once when he and Etta kept thinking of throwing Puss in the river or out the carriage window.
I wish the climax has been more exciting and the ending felt…rushed and flat to me, not to mention Beau’s proposal was just plopped in there almost like an afterthought which I found jarring.
It was a fun story that is faithful to the original fairytale, but I don’t think I’ll read it again.
Content: kissing (not detailed); a girl is trapped naked in a pond with a bunch of men around but nothing is shown
Etta and Beau were good protagonists, and Puss acted like a cat, talking or otherwise, would behave. The whole plot with Etta and Kerrick and the mild love triangle wasn��t my favorite and made me dislike Kerrick as he led Etta on a LOT to just dump her in the end. I found Beau’s pettiness towards Kerrick funny and snickered more then once when he and Etta kept thinking of throwing Puss in the river or out the carriage window.
I wish the climax has been more exciting and the ending felt…rushed and flat to me, not to mention Beau’s proposal was just plopped in there almost like an afterthought which I found jarring.
It was a fun story that is faithful to the original fairytale, but I don’t think I’ll read it again.
Content: kissing (not detailed); a girl is trapped naked in a pond with a bunch of men around but nothing is shown
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2018
Very cute, short read!
I loved it! It’s not a grand novel, more as a novella, but it doesn’t need to be. I cannot say with certainty how closely it fits with the original Puss in Boots story, as I have not yet read it. I have to admit I am concerned that I won’t like the original as much as all the different adaptations I have read, including this one. I think Puss in Boots retellings are my favorite of all the fairy tale retellings. It’s only about a four hour read and it’s just pleasant, sure it’s got a story arc and excitement, but none of the dreadful drama that seems to be built into most stories these days. I feel perfectly satisfied with the tale and I really like Etta as a character too. If you want a nice afternoon or evening read, you should give it a try.
I loved it! It’s not a grand novel, more as a novella, but it doesn’t need to be. I cannot say with certainty how closely it fits with the original Puss in Boots story, as I have not yet read it. I have to admit I am concerned that I won’t like the original as much as all the different adaptations I have read, including this one. I think Puss in Boots retellings are my favorite of all the fairy tale retellings. It’s only about a four hour read and it’s just pleasant, sure it’s got a story arc and excitement, but none of the dreadful drama that seems to be built into most stories these days. I feel perfectly satisfied with the tale and I really like Etta as a character too. If you want a nice afternoon or evening read, you should give it a try.
August 15, 2017
One of these days I’ll read the original tale. My introduction to Puss in Boots was through Shrek, and I admit I don’t know a lot about him. I do love the take on this tale though. It was a sweeter, clean YA romance and there was actually quite a bit of time in which to fall in love with the characters. I thought I would grow to hate Beau, but he wasn’t a bad guy as I thought he might be. He just wanted a chance to get his home back. And Etta? She just didn’t want to be married to a man twice her age who she didn’t love just to save her parent’s mill. She wanted a life of adventure and glory. It was a great story overall and I thoroughly enjoyed the characters.
July 19, 2017
It was good, but I think the story needed to focus more on Beau and less on the Prince. I can see how Etta became infatuated with the Kendrick in the first place, but I don't really understand how she fell for Beau. I think there could've been more development for their relationship. I didn't feel a burning love between them that I usually can feel in Shari Tapscott's books. I loved Puss and the part he plays though!
Summary:
Light-hearted
Romance development was okay, not great
The cat is awesome
Summary:
Light-hearted
Romance development was okay, not great
The cat is awesome
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