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Fairy Tale Heat #7
Tasting Gretel
We were lost in the woods on our way to the city, my brother Hansel and I, when we came upon the cottage. A faery cottage, with a handsome and mysterious occupant. He calls himself the Magus, and he makes magnificent chocolates and confections for the Wicked Revels, the wild woodland dance of the fair folk.
The moment I lay eyes on him, I sense he is everything I’ve ever dreamed of. And I’ve dreamed of a lot. No one knows what strange desires dance in my mind—until now. Hansel doesn’t want me to stay. I defy his wishes. He’s my brother, not my master.
But the Magus can only offer me desire—never satisfaction. My desire feeds his magic, and his magic makes his confections delicious. He can never touch me, although he certainly has a lot of ways around that. He is forbidden from attending the Revels. And he bears a curse that ends on All Hallow’s Eve, but he can’t tell me its nature. Whoever this man is, whatever his name is, I will find out, because I have never met anyone who understands me the way he does, and I know he is meant to be mine.
Tasting Gretel is a standalone fairy tale retelling of Hansel and Gretel, for those who like an unabashedly adorable happily ever after with serious steaminess! Although it is definitely standalone, it doesn't hurt to read These Wicked Revels before this one.
FAIRY TALE HEAT
Book One: Beauty and the Goblin King
Book Two: These Wicked Revels (A retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses)
Book Three: Rapunzel and the Dark Prince
Book Four: The Beggar Princess (A retelling of King Thrushbeard)
Book Five: The Goblin Cinderella
Book Six: The Mermaid Bride
Book Seven: Tasting Gretel
The moment I lay eyes on him, I sense he is everything I’ve ever dreamed of. And I’ve dreamed of a lot. No one knows what strange desires dance in my mind—until now. Hansel doesn’t want me to stay. I defy his wishes. He’s my brother, not my master.
But the Magus can only offer me desire—never satisfaction. My desire feeds his magic, and his magic makes his confections delicious. He can never touch me, although he certainly has a lot of ways around that. He is forbidden from attending the Revels. And he bears a curse that ends on All Hallow’s Eve, but he can’t tell me its nature. Whoever this man is, whatever his name is, I will find out, because I have never met anyone who understands me the way he does, and I know he is meant to be mine.
Tasting Gretel is a standalone fairy tale retelling of Hansel and Gretel, for those who like an unabashedly adorable happily ever after with serious steaminess! Although it is definitely standalone, it doesn't hurt to read These Wicked Revels before this one.
FAIRY TALE HEAT
Book One: Beauty and the Goblin King
Book Two: These Wicked Revels (A retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses)
Book Three: Rapunzel and the Dark Prince
Book Four: The Beggar Princess (A retelling of King Thrushbeard)
Book Five: The Goblin Cinderella
Book Six: The Mermaid Bride
Book Seven: Tasting Gretel
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2017
192 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
About the author
Lidiya Foxglove
61 books441 followersLidiya Foxglove grew up on a steady diet of fairy tales, folklore and fantasy and also reads way too much manga. Fantasy romance is her favorite thing in the world, but she likes it steamy. She also loves cats and tea--it's cliche for a reason!
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 4, 2019
2.5 Stars
I like the unique spin on Hansel and Gretal... but i disliked the characters they were a bit wishy washy and the reactions to each other were a bit robotic... the smut was... OK, previous books have had better connections making the story a little more understandable and beleivable, most of these fairy tale heat books are brilliant... others fall a little short... this is maybe my least fave addition to the series but glad i read it.
I like the unique spin on Hansel and Gretal... but i disliked the characters they were a bit wishy washy and the reactions to each other were a bit robotic... the smut was... OK, previous books have had better connections making the story a little more understandable and beleivable, most of these fairy tale heat books are brilliant... others fall a little short... this is maybe my least fave addition to the series but glad i read it.
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May 16, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/16/2019)! 🎁
November 2, 2019
I'm feeling generous with this one. It might be my favorite of the series so far simply because the dessert descriptions were wonderful and the references to Wicked Revels and Prisoner of Silk were entertaining (I almost want to go back and reread Prisoner of Dreams so I can recontextualize that crossover scene... but I'm not sure if I care enough). Honestly, it's just kind of fascinating to see how we went from fairly vanilla fantasy sex in book 1 to kinky fuckery in these later books. Gotta keep things fresh, I suppose.
July 2, 2018
Reaching the 7th story in the series, I was surprised to find how much depended on having read These Wicked Revels. The rest of the stories in the series, I felt, could be read as stand-alones, though I would never stop at that, of course. This book really needed that prior connection to flesh out the Magus as a character, both sympathetic and flawed.
And I can't say a whole lot more about him, without doing a bunch of spoiler hiding.
This was another clever re-working by Foxglove. The source of Gretel's condemnation and shaming is unexpected, to say the least, illustrating that regardless of personal proclivities, everyone shares the flaws of humanity: being short-sighted, judgmental, and over-protective. Foxglove does an excellent balancing act with this aspect of the story.
This is the darkest (sexually speaking) of the stories -- didn't expect quite the level of bondage that was prevalent. Regardless, it served the plot and the characters, and made the story and main characters understandable and appealing.
There is a sense of philosophy about sex in this story that I think was absent in the other stories. The sex was there in those stories, no doubt, but not the musing on it as an artistic outlet. That made the tenor of the story quite different, as well.
As for spoilers, let's just say that if you've read the second book in the series, you already have quite a large spoiler for this one. However, "the journey there" is something emphasized over and over by the main characters (as well as the pleasure of anticipation), so perhaps that was Foxglove's focal point with this story being so dependent on the other. Indeed, if one must wax philosophical, perhaps that is the continuing lure of folklore, as well-worn as the stories are. We know where we're going, but taking the journey and being drawn into the many twists and turns along the path is where the adventure and pleasure lie. It certainly has been for me, with this series of books.
Damn good writing, Foxglove!
And I can't say a whole lot more about him, without doing a bunch of spoiler hiding.
This was another clever re-working by Foxglove. The source of Gretel's condemnation and shaming is unexpected, to say the least, illustrating that regardless of personal proclivities, everyone shares the flaws of humanity: being short-sighted, judgmental, and over-protective. Foxglove does an excellent balancing act with this aspect of the story.
This is the darkest (sexually speaking) of the stories -- didn't expect quite the level of bondage that was prevalent. Regardless, it served the plot and the characters, and made the story and main characters understandable and appealing.
There is a sense of philosophy about sex in this story that I think was absent in the other stories. The sex was there in those stories, no doubt, but not the musing on it as an artistic outlet. That made the tenor of the story quite different, as well.
As for spoilers, let's just say that if you've read the second book in the series, you already have quite a large spoiler for this one. However, "the journey there" is something emphasized over and over by the main characters (as well as the pleasure of anticipation), so perhaps that was Foxglove's focal point with this story being so dependent on the other. Indeed, if one must wax philosophical, perhaps that is the continuing lure of folklore, as well-worn as the stories are. We know where we're going, but taking the journey and being drawn into the many twists and turns along the path is where the adventure and pleasure lie. It certainly has been for me, with this series of books.
Damn good writing, Foxglove!
December 14, 2018
Fun and sexy reimagined fairytales in an interconnected universe.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
July 29, 2024
Ughhhh Not My Cup Of Tea
The King of the Revels is back from the dead and cursed. That’s an interesting plot point, but I hated the way it played out with Gretel. It wasn’t sweet or playful or a damsel in distress from a cruel family. And the contrast of what was happening to Gretel against the backdrop of creating delectable confections was tasteless and beyond lascivious. The ending was the only saving grace for this tale.
Note: The only reason I finished reading this was because I had to purchase it.
The King of the Revels is back from the dead and cursed. That’s an interesting plot point, but I hated the way it played out with Gretel. It wasn’t sweet or playful or a damsel in distress from a cruel family. And the contrast of what was happening to Gretel against the backdrop of creating delectable confections was tasteless and beyond lascivious. The ending was the only saving grace for this tale.
Note: The only reason I finished reading this was because I had to purchase it.
January 19, 2020
Lovely, hot fairytales
Every one of her stories are enchanting, sweet, and just the right amount of naughty. I've read all her hot fairytales and while short, they are wonderful. They read like fairytales, in a simple way, but with a sexy twist for adults. They're just fun to read!
Every one of her stories are enchanting, sweet, and just the right amount of naughty. I've read all her hot fairytales and while short, they are wonderful. They read like fairytales, in a simple way, but with a sexy twist for adults. They're just fun to read!
June 20, 2018
Happily ever after
I love fairytales and happy ever ending don't you. I loved reading this book so much. I couldn't stop reading it. I had to find out exactly what happened at the end. Such a lovely spin to a fairy tale.
I love fairytales and happy ever ending don't you. I loved reading this book so much. I couldn't stop reading it. I had to find out exactly what happened at the end. Such a lovely spin to a fairy tale.
October 26, 2018
So Great
I loved this one from the very beginning. It kept me hooked without getting too smutty or outlandish. I really enjoyed it and I can't wait for more. I hope there are more. There should be more.
I loved this one from the very beginning. It kept me hooked without getting too smutty or outlandish. I really enjoyed it and I can't wait for more. I hope there are more. There should be more.
April 5, 2018
Once a villan, the former king of the revels finds love, acceptance, and a real use for his powers in this retelling of Hansel & Gretel.
May 29, 2018
Loved it
Her sexy versions of fairy tales are hot and steamy. All my favorite story’s with a naughty twist . Love the book
Her sexy versions of fairy tales are hot and steamy. All my favorite story’s with a naughty twist . Love the book
November 1, 2018
Awesome!!
This book was awesome! Everything that Lidiya Foxglove writes is perfection! I loved this book! It was the greatest rendition of Hansel and Gretel I've ever read!
This book was awesome! Everything that Lidiya Foxglove writes is perfection! I loved this book! It was the greatest rendition of Hansel and Gretel I've ever read!
February 24, 2019
Sexy, adventurous and romantic
June 15, 2020
Good Read
Interesting from the beginning to end. I choose a four rating because it was worth it. I would recommend book to friends
Interesting from the beginning to end. I choose a four rating because it was worth it. I would recommend book to friends
November 13, 2025
Definitely not my favorite by Lidiya Foxglove. It wasn't bad but felt very different. Part of that might be because I don't read a lot of fae books, but it didn't feel like a chore to read, either.
January 3, 2026
Wow! This one got me all hot and bothered! As sexy as it was it was also very romantic and exciting. I loved it!
August 15, 2022
I love Lidiya Foxglove so it was no surprise to me that I devoured this book as well. Her characters are amazing and always have a way of making you remember them. Gretel shows us that there is no shaming in wanting what you want and being who you truly are. I love the way that Lidiya writes and will continue to read her works.
October 13, 2025
Tasting Gretel (Fairy Tale Heat #7) by Lidiya Foxglove – A very different Hansel and Gretel! When Gretel decides to stay with the crazy baker in the forest, she may want to push him in the oven for torturing her by the end! It’s a crazy romp in the series! Happy Reading!
Read
January 7, 2018Going with my 5 stars or no stars, this unfortunately is a no stars. Not that it was bad, it just wasn't 5 stars.
To be honest, this is the first book I have come across this year where I wanted to rate it because it really was a good book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I liked the main characters. I liked the story. I was surprised to see someone from a past book show their face in this book. Especially because they were the BAD guy in the other book. Not the case here. But so good.
I really enjoy Foxglove's writing. She has a way with words that keep you interested and her sex scenes are written really well. I usually skip through sex scenes because I am a prude but also half the time it feels like writers have quotas that they have to reach so the scene can become very... forced. That isn't the case here at all. But the scenes are very steamy, so fair warning!
I cannot wait for the next book from Foxglove. This book is prob my second fav behind Beauty and the Goblin King (That was the BEST)
To be honest, this is the first book I have come across this year where I wanted to rate it because it really was a good book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I liked the main characters. I liked the story. I was surprised to see someone from a past book show their face in this book. Especially because they were the BAD guy in the other book. Not the case here. But so good.
I really enjoy Foxglove's writing. She has a way with words that keep you interested and her sex scenes are written really well. I usually skip through sex scenes because I am a prude but also half the time it feels like writers have quotas that they have to reach so the scene can become very... forced. That isn't the case here at all. But the scenes are very steamy, so fair warning!
I cannot wait for the next book from Foxglove. This book is prob my second fav behind Beauty and the Goblin King (That was the BEST)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews