What do you think?
Rate this book
Once Upon a Romance #1
The Man Once Called Rumpelstiltskin: A Fairytale Retelling
In a bid for vengeance, Thomas Schmidt abandoned the dream of a peaceful existence and assumed a double life. By day, he was the respected and trusted royal bookkeeper. In his free time, he was the infamous bandit, Rumpelstiltskin. But one more heist and his revenge on the king responsible for murdering his family would be complete. Everything was going according to plan and he had it all under control. That is until he met Greta Fischer.
Greta longed for adventure, but being the daughter of a poor miller, she assumed her dreams were out of reach. After escaping a terrifying encounter with a dangerous criminal, her silence is purchased with a gold coin, and she decided adventure is overrated. Unfortunately, when her greedy father discovers her treasure, he jumps to the obvious conclusion: his daughter can spin gold.
Greta soon finds herself locked up in a cell full of straw and Thomas is honor-bound to rescue a stranger from a situation he helped create. Both must risk their safety to deceive the king, but little do they know they are also risking their hearts.
A wholesome romance full of humor.
Greta longed for adventure, but being the daughter of a poor miller, she assumed her dreams were out of reach. After escaping a terrifying encounter with a dangerous criminal, her silence is purchased with a gold coin, and she decided adventure is overrated. Unfortunately, when her greedy father discovers her treasure, he jumps to the obvious conclusion: his daughter can spin gold.
Greta soon finds herself locked up in a cell full of straw and Thomas is honor-bound to rescue a stranger from a situation he helped create. Both must risk their safety to deceive the king, but little do they know they are also risking their hearts.
A wholesome romance full of humor.
213 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2020
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
August 5, 2020
The Man Once Called Rumpelstiltskin by C. T. Worth
Story: 4.5 stars
Enjoyable re-telling of the fairy tale! Clean and YA appropriate.
I enjoyed the interactions between Greta and Thomas-there are some great scenes and some clever dialogue. Their adventures together are amusing. Greta has more brains than Thomas gives her credit for.
The elements from the original fairy tale are easy to identify and are woven in quite cleverly.
I look forward to the next book in the series!
*poor, **ok, ***good, ****very good, *****something special
Story: 4.5 stars
Enjoyable re-telling of the fairy tale! Clean and YA appropriate.
I enjoyed the interactions between Greta and Thomas-there are some great scenes and some clever dialogue. Their adventures together are amusing. Greta has more brains than Thomas gives her credit for.
The elements from the original fairy tale are easy to identify and are woven in quite cleverly.
I look forward to the next book in the series!
*poor, **ok, ***good, ****very good, *****something special
August 6, 2020
I got this book when COVID was first shutting everything down, as a advance copy from this author, and my review is completely unsolicited. I love this writer and always find her work to be fun and entertaining! This book is no exception, in this fabulous retelling of Rumplestiltskin. It has some dark undertones, but ends with a great HEA ending! Can't wait for the next in the series, but all books are standalone tales.
Want to Read
November 22, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (11/22/2020)! 🎁
July 28, 2020
In the end, he is a man with hope.
I have been reading a number of fairytale re-tellings and I am amazed at the different ways the authors have gone about it. In the fairytale, Rumpelstiltskin is not a pleasant man but in this one, Thomas is a man out for revenge on the person who killed his family and he has his secrets. Greta’s father has to be one of the dumbest people alive to believe that she could spin gold. Expect drama and action in this well-done piece and oh, you will love the twists too. I enjoyed reading this story and I am happy to recommend it. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
I have been reading a number of fairytale re-tellings and I am amazed at the different ways the authors have gone about it. In the fairytale, Rumpelstiltskin is not a pleasant man but in this one, Thomas is a man out for revenge on the person who killed his family and he has his secrets. Greta’s father has to be one of the dumbest people alive to believe that she could spin gold. Expect drama and action in this well-done piece and oh, you will love the twists too. I enjoyed reading this story and I am happy to recommend it. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
July 31, 2020
This is a well written book that is full of twists and turns. It's a clean romance with just the right amount of drama. This is a new-to-me author and I look forward to reading more of her books. I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
September 19, 2020
Excellent read. Truly loved this.
I was trying to figure out all the twists and turns, ending up with tail kinkers LOL
I enjoyed that it was a romance of emotional response not physical response, THAT is often even harder to write. To convey all that the author want to, and all that the readers is looking for, by emotions.
Some sweet kissing that made you go awwww. And how the two protagonists lear so much about themselves and each other, growing in myriad ways over a two week period.
The heroine starts out a bit frail and fluff headed, and given to strong emotional responses. By the end she has learned that she can stand on her, hold that, and get what she wants.
The hero is so lost in revenge (although he is quite diabolical) that he often can't see what's right in front of him. He has a self loathing brought on by past childhood trauma, and lives only to avenge his family....until he doesn't lol
Perfect HEA ending that seques into the next book (soon to be out -I'm writing this 9/2020)
I was trying to figure out all the twists and turns, ending up with tail kinkers LOL
I enjoyed that it was a romance of emotional response not physical response, THAT is often even harder to write. To convey all that the author want to, and all that the readers is looking for, by emotions.
Some sweet kissing that made you go awwww. And how the two protagonists lear so much about themselves and each other, growing in myriad ways over a two week period.
The heroine starts out a bit frail and fluff headed, and given to strong emotional responses. By the end she has learned that she can stand on her, hold that, and get what she wants.
The hero is so lost in revenge (although he is quite diabolical) that he often can't see what's right in front of him. He has a self loathing brought on by past childhood trauma, and lives only to avenge his family....until he doesn't lol
Perfect HEA ending that seques into the next book (soon to be out -I'm writing this 9/2020)
August 11, 2020
Well written by an author I truly like; imaginative too ... however; I can't say that I truly "liked" this re-telling of the tale. Each chapter jumped from one perspective to another & it seemed a bit "jumbled" to me -- Greta's point of view, Rumplstiltskin/Thomas's -- sometimes it was hard for me to follow those jumps. Greta changes from a naive "scaredy cat" character to a willing co-conspirater within about 2 weeks, didn't ring truthfully to me. Not sure I will continue with this "fairy tale" series
December 19, 2020
The book started out with action along with a good amount of humor. Greta and Thomas were funny together at times, but made a perfect match. They both had been hurt by someone and they both needed someone to care. I have never read a Rumplestiltskin retelling before, but this was an interesting take. I 💜LOVED how smart Thomas was in helping Greta with the spinning straw into gold problem she had. I also 💜LOVED how Greta managed to put him in his place at times, because he was cocky about how smart he was. Their is this one part that I 💜LOVED and showed how smart Greta was when she helped him with the transportation of gold. I would of liked it to have, though, more inspiring quotes, but I know not all books can have them. There was some language, but nothing I haven't seen whenever I have read a Christian book. I mean damnation and Hell are both in the Bible, so it didn't bother me. All in all this was a clean romance book that made you want to find out how they will resolve the problems they were having. I DEFIENTLY recommend this book.
**** Disclaimer I recieved a free copy of this book to review from the author. All opinions and thoughts are my own and I was not obligated to like or dislike this book.I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising
**** Disclaimer I recieved a free copy of this book to review from the author. All opinions and thoughts are my own and I was not obligated to like or dislike this book.I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising
November 30, 2020
Rumpelstiltskin is way cooler then you remember.
The old Rumpelstiltskin was a dark character and got riches at the expense of others and this story is so very different from that type of character. Here he is very intelligent and tries to do no harm while robbing from the King and giving the treasures back to the common man. He had a plan of revenge to the King who killed his family years ago. While trying to get a young woman to not mention him or to forget about their encounter in the woods, he gave her a shiny new GOLD coin but that same gold coin caused the young lady, Greta, big problems because he father was a fool who bragged to the king that his beautiful daughter could spin straw into gold. Loved this new version of the old story and I think you will love it too. Happy reading.
The old Rumpelstiltskin was a dark character and got riches at the expense of others and this story is so very different from that type of character. Here he is very intelligent and tries to do no harm while robbing from the King and giving the treasures back to the common man. He had a plan of revenge to the King who killed his family years ago. While trying to get a young woman to not mention him or to forget about their encounter in the woods, he gave her a shiny new GOLD coin but that same gold coin caused the young lady, Greta, big problems because he father was a fool who bragged to the king that his beautiful daughter could spin straw into gold. Loved this new version of the old story and I think you will love it too. Happy reading.
December 4, 2020
Absolutely loved it 💞
This is a new to me author, and I'm oh so glad to have found her! I almost hesitated to read this book as I wasn't sure it would be my type of story. Wow, was I surprised! I loved it ❤️
The only thing I question is the type of speech. It sounds very modern, whereas the environment of the story seems to take place in the Dark Ages. But, I didn't let all that bother me too much.
I loved Greta's spunk and Thomas/Rumpelstiltskin was very endearing and a hopeless romantic, even so he wanted to deny that fact.
Looking forward to the next in the series!
This is a new to me author, and I'm oh so glad to have found her! I almost hesitated to read this book as I wasn't sure it would be my type of story. Wow, was I surprised! I loved it ❤️
The only thing I question is the type of speech. It sounds very modern, whereas the environment of the story seems to take place in the Dark Ages. But, I didn't let all that bother me too much.
I loved Greta's spunk and Thomas/Rumpelstiltskin was very endearing and a hopeless romantic, even so he wanted to deny that fact.
Looking forward to the next in the series!
November 30, 2020
Very imaginative retelling of the story of Rumpelstiltskin.
Rumpelstiltskin the robber, rescues a young peasant girl who's father has bartered her away to a mean nasty king telling the king she could spin straw into gold. To save her life he has to forgo his own plans. Do they live happily ever after?
Rumpelstiltskin the robber, rescues a young peasant girl who's father has bartered her away to a mean nasty king telling the king she could spin straw into gold. To save her life he has to forgo his own plans. Do they live happily ever after?
December 25, 2020
Good book
A different but good book, just different enough to make it interesting. The characters don't spend half the book trying not to love each other like they do in most love stories.I like that, I get tired of the characters coming up with what are some really stupid things just to keep the story going.
A different but good book, just different enough to make it interesting. The characters don't spend half the book trying not to love each other like they do in most love stories.I like that, I get tired of the characters coming up with what are some really stupid things just to keep the story going.
July 29, 2020
The first book in the Once Upon a Romance series a well written short fairytale, by an new Author to me. I enjoyed reading Thomas Schmidt/Rumpelstiltskin and Greta Fischer's love story, also about the greed of man. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 7, 2020
I was lucky to find the beginning of this story for free - which meant I went out and BOUGHT the whole thing!!
Thoroughly enjoyable fairytale re-telling; the interactions bewteen Greta and Thomas were lovely; and it was really entertaining - from a new-to-me author.
Thoroughly enjoyable fairytale re-telling; the interactions bewteen Greta and Thomas were lovely; and it was really entertaining - from a new-to-me author.
January 3, 2021
A good reworking of a classic fairytale
A good reworking of a classic fairytale. I liked the characters and the way that the author used them to tell the story in a new way. Good clean romance and excellent storytelling. Looking forward to reading others in the series!
A good reworking of a classic fairytale. I liked the characters and the way that the author used them to tell the story in a new way. Good clean romance and excellent storytelling. Looking forward to reading others in the series!
January 31, 2021
I got this as a freebie on Kindle, and it was a delightful quick read. I fun retelling of the classic Rumpelstiltskin. I really enjoyed the sassiness of Greta. This would be a great introduction to classic fairytales as a read-aloud for younger children or for middle school readers.
April 16, 2022
This is a retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin tale. I found that this is not as dark as the fairy tale, as the challenge is given to the main character to guess the name of Rumpelstiltskin, or he would take her child. Cute, quick read.
September 10, 2020
I think that C.T. Worth has found her calling with fairytale re-tellings. I am impressed with the twists and turns this novel wove into an old story that many of us loved as a youth. I look forward to her next installment!
November 24, 2020
Cute
A nice, short retelling. A little rushed, but a fun diversion that stays light and doesn't take itself too seriously.
A nice, short retelling. A little rushed, but a fun diversion that stays light and doesn't take itself too seriously.
December 13, 2020
Sweet
This is a kind of sweet retelling of an old tale. It's a bit silly, and a nit daft, but also made me smile. It felt really short, and was very easy to read.
This is a kind of sweet retelling of an old tale. It's a bit silly, and a nit daft, but also made me smile. It felt really short, and was very easy to read.
December 16, 2020
Interesting spin
A great story. Definitely a new twist to the story but so good. i loved the characters. The story is appropriate for all ages
A great story. Definitely a new twist to the story but so good. i loved the characters. The story is appropriate for all ages
December 21, 2020
Kindle unlimited
The first 2 are ku, the rest are not, so I read 1, which was ok, then 2 ditto, then preview of 3 but not ku so no more
The first 2 are ku, the rest are not, so I read 1, which was ok, then 2 ditto, then preview of 3 but not ku so no more
December 30, 2020
I thought it a very well-thought out retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. A feather-light touch of romance (which I appreciated) makes it appropriate for middle school and up. Reading the story from "both" perspectives was a nice touch, too. I'd love to read the next one in the series!
March 9, 2021
I wish GoodReads would let you choose the cover you actually read.
This was a quick read but the adaption of the story was so good!
This was a quick read but the adaption of the story was so good!
May 9, 2021
A charming retelling of the fairy tale. A completely different character, then we know from the original story. I enjoyed it.
October 17, 2021
A clever twist on a classic fairytale. It was wonderfully written and I loved it. Look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Read
August 1, 2022This one was a DNF for me. The writing was just not doing it for me.
December 1, 2023
The book is alright for a little romance light reading.
December 6, 2020
I really loved reading this wonderful book! I loved the characters and the plot! I had a hard time putting this wonderful book down! I absolutely loved this retelling of Rumpelsiltsin! I will be reading the next book in this wonderful series!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews