Lilies of Loss

Grimm Academy #4

by Laura Greenwood

Marigold has always had it all, beauty, wealth, and the tiara to go with it.

But after finding herself enchanted by an unlikely foe while out in the grounds of Grimm Academy, her fairy tale starts coming true. Can she stop it before it's too late?

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Lilies Of Loss is a fantasy academy retelling of the Frog Prince. It's part of the Once Upon An Academy series, and is set at Grimm Academy. It includes an m/f romance (non-RH, non-bully)

Genres: Retellings, Fantasy, Young Adult, Fairy Tales, Romance, Fairy Tale Retellings

ebook

First published June 18, 2020

About the author

Laura is a USA Today Bestselling Author of fantasy romance and urban fantasy. She lives in the UK, where most of her books are set, with her partner. When she's not writing, Laura can be found exploring worldwide cusine with her partner, drinking tea, and reading fantasy books. Laura specialises in quick reads, featuring healthy relationships and consent-positive moments, regardless of whether she's writing light-hearted romance, mythology-inspired modern fantasy, cozy fantasy or anything in between.

Discover one of Laura Greenwood's most popular series:
- The Apprentice of Anubis (mythology inspired modern/urban fantasy)
- Forgotten Gods (mythology inspired fantasy romance)
- Jinx Paranormal Dating Agency (mythology inspired paranormal rom-com)
- House of Blood and Roses (vampire romantasy)
- Amethyst's Wand Shop Mysteries (urban fantasy murder mystery)
- Scales of Justice (mythology inspired modern/urban fantasy)
- Purple Oak Oasis (cozy fantasy romance)
- Falhaven Castle (cozy fantasy romance)

You can find a full book list and more information on her website, or in her Facebook Reader Group.

Happy Reading!

Reviews

[Laura Greenwood]

Grimm Academy:
1. Tower Of Thorns: books2read.com/towerofthorns
2. Spindles And Spells: books2read.com/spindlesandspells
3. Pumpkins And Proms: books2read.com/pumpkinsandproms
4. Lilies of Loss: books2read.com/liliesofloss
5. Huntsmen And Hoods: books2read.com/huntsmenandhoods
6. Glints Of Gold: books2read.com/glintsofgold
7. Mirrors And Magic: books2read.com/mirrorsandmagic
8. Lamps and Lies: books2read.com/lampsandlies
9. Feathers Of Fate: books2read.com/feathersoffate
10. The Almost Queen: books2read.com/thealmostqueen
11. The Rightful King: books2read.com/therightfulking
12. Frosts And Fears: books2read.com/frostsandfears
13. Song Of Seas: books2read.com/songofseas
14. Roses Of Regret: books2read.com/rosesofregret
15. Princess Of Petals: books2read.com/princessofpetals
16. Princess Of Feathers: books2read.com/princessoffeathers
17. Princess Of Peas: books2read.com/princessofpeas
18. The Winter Ball: books2read.com/thewinterball
19. Dance Of Daggers: books2read.com/danceofdaggers
20. Coming soon!

- Teller Of Tales: https://books.authorlauragreenwood.co...

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not so bad? But not very gripping either. I was expecting a bit more, and this novella is definitely on the shorter side.

I think it's the formula these stories have that's bugging me now. They're all very similar, with only the princess and her prophecy changed. It works the first time, maybe even the second, but after that it gets repetitive.

I miss seeing the classes, poor Marigold didn't even do anything except hang out with a frog.

I don't think I'll be continuing this or Grimm Academy. If I was going to I should've done it when I read the first book, perhaps then I would've felt differently about them.

2.5 stars, the .5 awarded because of my love of frogs.

[T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given this book for free in exchange for an honest review, but I actually [re-ordered it from Amazon before this. I have said this before in other reviews, I always give honest reviews whether people appreciate them or not.

Marigold is a Princess going to school at Grimm Academy. She happens to be good friends with Rapunzel, Briar, Ella and a select few others who we have already met in the Grimm Academy Series. As we already know, many of the students, male and female, have ‘Prophecies’ and the Academy is there to assist them somehow in helping break them. Marigold knows she has a prophecy but she has no idea what it is.

The Headmistress finally calls Marigold into her office and gives her the prophecy while assuring her that all the staff at the school could assist her in breaking it. Marigold just nods, scans the prophecy and exits. She can barely read it! No, it isn’t because she can’t read, it’s because it almost seems to be written by a doctor since the handwriting is so difficult to read! She then doesn’t bother to ask her friends, or even at the time she received the prophecy, she didn’t even comment that she couldn’t make out what it said. In the meantime, she’s exploring the grounds a bit and runs into a Huntsman named Theo. Handsome, dashing, sweet and kind. They definitely have a connection.

As a minor character in the other series, we only saw glimpses of her, but this is HER story so we get to know her much better. Sort of. For the most part, once she’s given her prophecy, she gives up on it and decides all she has to do is not kiss a frog (frog was one of the only things she could make out). For the most part, even before the spell takes hold, she’s kind of an unusual girl, at least to me. Once the magic takes hold she is most definitely a strange girl. She befriends a frog that she thinks is Theo and spends incredible amounts of time trying to help him break his curse. She doesn’t mention any of this to her friends while she’s getting more and more sucked into the magic of her own prophecy/curse. As I have said in my other reviews, I have many of Ms. Greenwood’s books since I enjoy her writing. However, I have found that if I don’t have any familiarity with the fairy tale the story is based on, I don’t particularly get into the story. That is the case with this story. It’s still well written, but I just couldn’t get into Marigold’s story.

[Gypsy Madden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novella-size stand-alone retelling of the Frog Prince. Marigold is the princess of a wealthy kingdom. Her parents decide to send her to Grimm Academy, where the school tries to help the students break their curses, when the time of her curse nears, and to hopefully find a husband. But when she receives the message with her prophecy, while at the academy, the message is faded and illegible. She can only make out something to do with a ball, presumably the gold ball that she was given by her father, and a frog and a kiss. While at a pond in the forest on the outskirts of the Academy grounds, she meets a handsome huntsman. When she goes back the following day, she’s greeted by a mysterious frog who is under a curse and demands to kiss her.

I did like that this just took the idea of the frog prince story and changed it, allowing the princess the freedom to make her own decisions about how she would handle the curse. I also liked that since it didn’t try to force the story down the usual path, it made it unpredictable. What I didn’t much care for was that instead of framing it around the original Grimm tale, it took the underlying story from the Disney movie, even for the name of one of the main characters. I’m really getting tired of everyone using the over commercialized Disney movies rather than actually reading up on the original stories. That said, she just assumes that she’ll turn into a frog as well if she kisses the frog. I’m really unclear where she got that idea from. It just seemed like a real leap of logic, since the prophecy didn’t say anything like that, and that it felt like her logic just jumped to the Disney movie (and the only reason that Tiana turned into a frog was because she wasn’t a princess, so the logic on this wouldn’t have worked anyway). If she had just emphasized that kissing a frog would have been slimy and disgusting and over-ridden her like of the cute guy that he had presumably been, I would have bought it more. All of the girls at this school are highly superficial (though you have to love all of the name dropping of other famous fairy tales who star in other Once Upon an Academy books), none of them seem to bother to get to know each other beyond just as a friendly face and someone to be girly with. It’s like she didn’t know any of them well enough to discuss her curse with when she first got it and couldn’t read it. And the Academy itself is rather boring. The classes are just basic finishing school classes and politics with a whole lot of balls to get the students to match-make. If a school is going to be at the heart of a series of books, I expect the author to make the school something someone would actually want to attend. So, how did her parents know the curse was nearing? I was under the impression that they had just received the prophecy, but then it came out that they had it since she was a child. So, what happened to Ferdinand in the end? It was like that got entirely dropped.

[Renée · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the side story of Marigold in Lilies of Loss by Laura Greenwood, which is a fairytale retelling of the Frog Prince. There’s a few unexpected twists with the story, and overall it’s a lovely read as Marigold’s prophecy unfolds.

I recommend reading Pumpkins and Proms before starting this story, as there’s some side timeline events.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the nice things about the books by Laura Greenwood is that they are not too long. I can easily read them as an extra book after work or on busy days where I won't have much time or energy to read the 300 pages I like to read. On top of that, they are usually light hearted, cute and have a nice and heartwarming happy ending.

This book is no different. I have to admit that I might found it a little too short, especially because the Frog Prince is one of my favorite tales, since I finished this book within an hour. But that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it. On the contrary. This book was exactly what I wanted and needed and most of all hoped for.

What I love is that all the elements of the Frog Prince are there. Marigold has a golden ball, we have a talking frog who's trying to trick a beautiful princess into kissing him. And we have a charming prince charming. And just like in all the other Greenwood books, all those elements are used in a slightly different way as we're used to. What I enjoyed a lot in this tale was that Marigold was spoiled, but not spoiled. If you get what I mean. And she got to play an active role in her own tale. It wasn't just simply all happening to her.

And although Greenwood set this series at a magical academy and changed the entire scenery, she did manage to keep that fairytale feel. There is some insta-love, but there are also meaningful conversations turning that insta-love into something more. There are significant magical items with hidden meanings and there is most of all a nice and happy ending waiting at the very end of the book.

I have a few more fairytales to catch up with, but I really can't wait to read the next book in one of the series set at Grimm Academy.

[Donise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since starting Ms. Greenwood's Grimm Academy series, I have become hooked on her versions of these childhood classics and in so reading, I had to get this book because Marigold is such a part of Rapunzel, Briar and especially Ella's stories. Marigold is the retelling of the Frog Prince. Marigold's father decides that it is time for her to attend the Grimm Academy and before sending her away he gifts her with a gold ball and tells her that when she holds it to think of her family. After being at the academy for a while, the headmistress gives Marigold a letter that her father supposedly sent her telling her of her prophecy only Marigold can only read a word here or there do to how badly the writing is. She soon puts it away and forgets about it. One day she meets one of the Huntsmen at a lake that she stumbles upon, and they agree to meet there again. However, the next time she goes she doesn't see him, but she hears him. Soon Marigold is being drawn to the lake and her friends begin to worry when Marigold is unable to tell them where and why she keeps disappearing. After being rescued by Ella and Florian, Marigold realizes that her prophecy has begun and she fears that there is no way for her to avoid her foretold fate, but her friends may have a way to change her end.

[Natanimon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got to admit that I was not a big fan of Marigold at the beginning, and when she went at the woods looking for a certain place that she knew could trigger her prophecy, she didn't care about it. But then, with her character development we learned the reason she went outside and I could sympathize with her.

One of the strongest aspects of the book is the pacing and rhythm of the story. The lack of details about Marigold's prophecy also adds to the mystery, leaving readers just as in the dark as the protagonist.

Even though Theo only appears a few times in the story, he is a memorable character. His story is woven in seamlessly, and his interactions with Marigold add depth to her character.

The retelling of this classic tale is done so well that readers will be left wanting more. The language is easy to read, making it possible to devour several books of the Green Academy series in a single day.

Overall, Lilies of Loss is a fantastic read. The character development, pacing, and language are all on point, and the story will leave readers wanting more. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good retelling.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Aimee Bower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marigold decides to go to the lake even though she knows she should stay away due to her prophecy. She is relaxing on a rock when one of the huntsmen come out. He asks to sit with her, she agrees. She finds out his name is Theo. Marigold can't stop thinking of him, even when she is dancing with another at a ball. She decides to go back to see if she can see him.
Marigold is speaking to him, but he doesn't show himself and he doesn't seem the same as he was. When she is back at her room, she finds out she is missing her golden ball. She goes back and there is a frog there, he is speaking to her. He tells her he is Theo and he needs her help breaking his curse. She has alarm bells going off but agrees to help
Things will get a little of Marigold's control. Thanks to the help of others, Marigold will be able to think clearly and deal with her prophecy. She learns more about Theo as well.

This was a good story, it is a very easy read. You will enjoy getting lost in the story of Marigold. There are a few key details that I didn't not write about so not spoil anything.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Originally a side story to the Grimm’s Academy series, Lilies of Loss tells Princess Marigold’s story through the framework of the Frog Prince. Marigold is sent to Grimm’s after learning she has a prophecy. Unfortunately, all she has to go on is a mostly illegible message that warns against frogs. Despite that she is drawn to a small lake on the grounds where she meets the Huntsman, Theo. Returning in the hopes of seeing Theo again, she instead finds a frog claiming to be him under a curse. Knowing that her prophecy has started, she and her friends try to find a way to break the curse. Since she is being manipulated by magic, she needs a spelled object to escape. In the end, she is able to save herself.

I found this story to be more lightweight than the others in the series. Marigold and Theo are given very little depth and their relationship feels more like instalove. Marigold doesn’t rely on her friends until almost too late. As her prophecy plays out concurrently with Ella’s in Pumpkins and Proms, I would recommend reading that first to get a better sense of what Marigold is dealing with. The friendship between the main characters has been a strength throughout the series. I was disappointed that Marigold didn’t rely on them more.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marjorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another short, enjoyable twist on a familiar fairy tale in this delightful series. Most Frog Prince retellings involve some sort of redemption arc, this one took a very different path. In many ways it is a coming of age story for Marigold as she learns who she truly is, learns to trust herself, and finds her voice. She feels more independent and outside the circle of friends than other girls we have met so far. Where other girls learn to trust their friends, Marigold learns to find strength in herself.

If you read Of Pumpkins and Proms and were wondering what was going on with Marigold during all those interludes, this book will answer your questions. That said, while the events run parallel to that book, and it is a shared universe involving a circle of friends this book can also be fully enjoyed as a standalone.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this retelling of “The Frog Prince” with the author’s signature twist, Marigold has always had everything she could want, beauty, wealth, and the tiara to go with it. She attends Grimm Academy with others the reader may know and recognize. Many of them have unpleasant prophecies that may need breaking, and the academy and other students are there to help. Unfortunately, Marigold doesn’t know what her prophecy warns of, so it’s difficult to prepare to defend against it, but she did see the one word of warning about a lost gold ball and a cursed frog!

Wandering around, she meets a huntsman named Theo who is very attractive and she can’t stop thinking about him. When a frog speaks to her in her room, it claims to be Theo. Is the prophecy starting to unfold? Will she be able to stop it before things go too far?

[sherri jones-teachout · Rating 5 out of 5]

She’s being hoodwinked. Marigold has been sent to Grimm Academy because of a prophecy about her. Months after being there she finds out what her prophecy is but all she knows is that it has something to do with a missing ball and a frog. One day while walking in the woods, she sits on a rock near the water and meets Theo a Huntsman. They talk and when she goes back the next day he’s there but doesn’t show himself and is voice is slightly different. After several days he finally reveals himself as a frog under an enchantment and he wants her to kiss him. She declines because she doesn’t quite trust the frog like she did when he was a man. But will she ever kiss him and break his curse, or has he been lying to her the whole time? I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Rhonda Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marigold is the Princess of the richest land in the kingdom and quite the show-piece for her father, the King. So much so, her father has commissioned a new dress to be made for her regularly and its emulated by the ladies of the Court. Truthfully, she just wishes people would like her for her rather than her status. The King and Queen explain to her that her 'Prophecy' has been made known to them. Therefore, they are sending her to Grimm Academy and while there she can make connections and associations with people from other kingdoms. (aka find a husband) Once the details of the prophecy have been made to them, they assured Marigold they would send word to the academy. This was a cute story with a twist. It wasn't anything dramatic or intriguing but it did hold my interest. Since it's a quick, easy read it gave a few hours of escape and entertainment.

[Mary Lou Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

LILIES OF LOSS is the second book in the Once Upon an Academy series. Though each will stand on its own, I highly recommend reading them in the order of release because there is some continuation of friendships involved.

As always, I love a Laura Greenwood fairytale re-imagined.

The Frog Prince, the Huntsman, and Marigold. The gold ball, the magic, and the fantasy. All of the elements you expect are still there, but made new. Best of all, there is still a happy ending waiting at the end of a short and sweet story.

Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via BookSprout, my opinions are my own and are given freely.


Title: LILIES OF LOSS
Series: Once Upon an Academy #2
Category /Genre: Paranormal Romance
Recommended for: 18+
Grammar/editing: received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Received from: Laura Greenwood

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5 stars)


Lilies of Loss is a gentle, emotional story with a touch of fantasy woven through it. Laura Greenwood has a talent for creating short but heartfelt reads, and this book captures themes of grief, healing, and new beginnings in a way that feels both tender and hopeful.


I liked the way the characters were written—their emotions came through clearly, and the magical elements added just enough sparkle to keep the story from feeling too heavy. At the same time, the novella-length left me wishing for a bit more depth and time with the characters. It touched on some meaningful themes, but I wanted them explored further.


Overall, Lilies of Loss is a sweet, comforting read that balances sorrow and hope in a simple but effective way. A nice choice if you’re in the mood for something short, magical, and heart-tugging.

[Goddess of Chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Here at Grimm, a prophecy matters more than a title."

Marigold's prophecy started unfolding during Ella's story (Pumpkins and Proms) but here we get her story from start to finish.

Part of what makes Marigold an interesting character is her position as a Princess from a wealthy Kingdom. She arrives at Grimm Academy all too aware appearances and substance don't always match. Some people want to be friends with your title or your money, and couldn't care less about you as a person. Marigold may find people omitting Princess from her name when they address her odd and uncomfortable at first, but in time she discovers the advantages of not being set apart from her friends and peers.

I was gifted with a copy of Lilies of Loss and chose to share my thoughts.

[Courtney Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to give this one 4 stars instead of 5 for two reasons. 1: when I read Tower of Thorns, the blurb at the end said this was book 2 in the series. After listening to the audiobook though, it seems that it’s book 4 like it’s listed on Goodreads. But at the end of the audiobook, it clearly says it’s book 2. There’s a lot of hints about other characters and their prophecies taking place before this one, which leads me to believe this is actually book 4.
2: where was the real Theo for the whole week that Marigold was taking trips to the lake? That’s never answered.
I loved this book even though there were some questions left unanswered. The writing is simple. The story is sweet with a guaranteed HEA.

[Carlynne Toomey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great retelling of the Frog Prince. It is book 2 in the Grimm Academy series where everyone seems to be trying to avoid their prophecies. Marigold is a charming protagonist and you can't help but like her. Greenwood puts her own spin on these retellings which makes them much more enjoyable in my opinion. Her characters are always well developed and complex, not two dimensional like the original characters in the fairy tales. I highly recommend this book and series if you enjoy fairytale retellings.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marigold’s story and a retelling of The Frog Prince
I’m less familiar with this particular fairytale so I really enjoyed this story on its own merits. It’s a quick, fun read with a bit of drama, romance and magic. Of course with all good fairytales it also has a hea. I loved how Marigold was shy at first but grew into more than just what appeared to be a spoiled princess. She’s kind and brave and strong. I really like the setting of Grimm Academy which allows for the characters freedom to develop more in depth than what their fairytale twins usually have.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A frog or huntsman?
If you read the first book in this series you may remember Marigold well this is her story. It is a fantasy re-telling of the fairytale the frog prince and it is very well done too. The author included all the elements of the Frog Prince tale and it was brilliantly written with likable characters, wonderful interaction between the cast and a sweet romance with that happy ending you expect in a fairytale. This will not take you long to read but you will enjoy every minute. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some frogs are definitely not worth kissing

Marigold faces her prophecy and little seems to be known about the details of it. She learns to be quite content at Grimm Academy generally, but a certain sadness hangs over her after an encounter with a talking frog

Will a kiss bring her a fate worse than death?

A loyal huntsman may be trying to curse or save het. Can she trust her heart to know which?

Loyalty and friendship can see her through - with her future hanging by a kiss

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[TaniaRina · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Princesses don’t paddle’
And they also don’t waste. Marigold’s seamstresses re-make the expensive dresses that father purchases, all in the name of eco-responsibility. What an important message to pass along!

I really like how the author “portrays” the Golden Ball. Marigold’s gift from her father represents the weight of responsibility and duty. Both parents seem to provide this princess with at least a modicum of sense and propriety without going overboard.


Next for me is ‘Huntsmen and Hoods’.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 4 out of 5]

After seeing so much of Marigold’s story in the previous book, I was really looking forward to seeing how it would turn out here. Now, I’ve read the original fairy tale and I’ve seen the animated version, but this story takes it in a new direction I’d never even thought of. I liked the connection between Marigold and Theo, and their solution to her prophesy was definitely a new twist on the tale. I really enjoy this series and I’m already looking forward to seeing what’s coming next.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout.

[Tahnia Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marigold is told by her father the King that she is to go to Grimm Academy due to a prophecy about her. Marigold is shocked to hear of the prophecy and wonders why it is so late in the telling. At Grimm, Marigold makes four female friends and is happy. And then she meets Theo, a Huntsman. This story is a great retelling of The Frog Prince and includes plenty of romance, ending in a HEA. Very highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Idalia Helaena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Marigold is the heroine of “Lilies of Loss,” the fourth book in Laura Greenwood’s Grimm Academy series.

Marigold has always lived a charmed life, and she never thought she’d have anything to fear - at least, until her prophecy begins.

Marigold’s story is a retelling of The Frog Prince, and I loved the twist on this particular tale that Laura Greenwood chose to include.

Marigold’s character development was noticeable, and I loved that she was able to hold her own in the end. I would definitely recommend this book!

[Anne Dwyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marigold is sent to the Grimm Academy because there is a prophecy about her =- but it isnt clear just what it is. Her parents hope that she will be safe there, and be able to beat the prophecy.
So what does it have to do with a gorgeous Huntsman called Theo, a Golden ball given to her by her father, and a forg called Ferdinand?
Will Theo be able to keep Marigold safe from his brother? Loved it!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Trina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another quick read in this series. I found I came to the end too quickly. There is so much more that could have been told, but I know this series are all quick reads. As usual the book flowed well and the grammar and spelling were correct which is a pleasure after many of the books I read. Loved Marigolds prophecy and how it works out for her bring on the next one.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christinaraven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so far and this story was just as good as expected. I love the twist of the classic fairy tales with the heroines all attending a magical school and knowing each other. This story is about Marigold and how her prophecy ends up coming true in away not quite expected. The story was sweet yet fun and clean to read. Just made me laugh and kept me reading to see how it would end and how Marigold would overcome her challenges.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lilies of Loss is a retelling of The Frog Prince with a Grimm Academy twist. The Grimm Academy is where fairy tale characters go to avoid their fate. When Marigold is called into the headmistress's office to find out about her prophecy she doesn't pay attention and doesn't read her prophecy. This is a short read but it is packed with drama, mystery, suspense, twists, interesting characters and a great ending. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.