Pride

Sinners Fairytale Retellings #5

by Kris Butler

At night, I’m free.
Free from the restraints I feel growing tighter each day.
Free from the pressure placed on me.
Free from the disappointment of never being enough.

At night I dance and the movement sets me free, and I become whoever I want under the bright lights. My extravagant costumes and hairstyles started as a way to disguise myself, but soon, my look becomes my calling card, providing me escape from the real me—Zel Tress.

My life in shambles, my pride’s the only thing keeping me alive, clothed, and moderately fed. Asking for help isn’t in my nature, but I soon find a safe haven and place to belong at The Tower. Three men offer me something I was desperately needing and I find acceptance in their love.

Trouble catches up to me as it always does and I find myself questioning everything. My calling card has run out, and they’ve come to collect.

This will be the fifth book in the Sinners Fairytale Retellings series. Each installment can be read on its own, and each retelling is intended for mature audiences since it may contain triggers. Every author contributing to this series guarantees a HEA.

Genres: Retellings, Contemporary, Why Choose, Dark Romance, Dark, Smut, Fairy Tale Retellings

ebook

First published July 15, 2021

About the author

Kris Butler writes under a pen name to have some separation from her everyday life. Writing has become her second love, providing a safe place to normalize mental health through her characters. Kris enjoys writing emotional books with flawed characters, sassy heroines, and all the book boyfriends she loves to drool over. You can find her at home most nights reading with her husband and furbaby, trying to maintain her nerdy sock collection, or playing tabletop games with her friends. Kris loves to talk with readers about her books, even if it’s just them yelling at her for that cliffhanger. If you enjoyed her book, please consider leaving a review. You can find her in her reader group or on social media.

Follow Kris's journey as an author on Instagram (@authorkrisbutler) and Facebook, and join her reader group (Kris Butler's Misfit Penguins) for exclusive content.

If you enjoyed her book, please consider leaving a review.

Reviews

[Cassandra Featherstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely my favorite installment of the Sinners Fairytales series so far!

Kris did an amazing job of balancing the fairytale versus sin ratio, and Zel is an extremely well-balanced character with depth.

I enjoyed the twist on the tale, and the perspective of reclaiming her body as her own, including her sexuality, rather than being shameful.

The guys were fun and supportive, but had their own foibles, and the steam was excellent.

The journey Zel goes on to save herself, with the support of her guys, is intense, and satisfying.

[Kay PM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zel. What a ride she's been on. This book hooked me in from the first page, and what a first page. 🍆👅
Very steamy, intriguing retelling of Rapunzel. The shocking reality of child sexual abuse, and the power of corruption was a great addition. The raw truth, heartbreaking.
Yet, no matter how serious the tone for Zel's life, Pride is sexy, sweet, and had me 🔥 over her 3 hot as hell men.
Well done.

[Marla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this retelling of Rapunzel by the author. From the start its gritty!! You know right away it’s edgy. It’s going to be a bit twisted. You may not like what Rapunzel has to do, but I think it’s ok those conflicting feelings make the story sooo good. Not because of what she shouldn’t be doing, but because she deserves her freedom.

Once a ballet dancer always a dancer. She shined so bright and the only thing she had when she took off was her Pride. I liked how the author exposes two sides of Pride. One being bad one being good. The villains are monsters for what they have done to her and many girls. The guys!! Nixon is sexy, bearded, and the glue that is going to hold it together for all of them. He put it all into motion. I love that he is so masculine and so good. Wesley is a powerful man with a similar background to Zel, he is a beautiful man wrapped up in a suit. Nolan is her heartbeat. He gives her that young love experience that was tragically ripped away from her.


Zel starts to let her hair down, and decides for herself to let them in. With them she doesn’t need her disguises. I love the little pieces of the fairytale mixed into this book. The frying pan, Gothel, the Tower, her art being dance and her intricate and beautiful costumes and wigs.

If you like a quick paced, why choose romance, in a form of a fairytale!! Well then let your hair down and let go with this sexy twisted read!

(The sex is HOT)

Quotes
“Princess, allow me to show you just how wrong you are. The only fantasy here is the bed I will be fucking your brains out in.”

“Why do you watch me, Wesley?” “Because when you dance, I feel like I’m dancing too.”

“Can I keep you?”

“Don’t worry, baby girl,” soothed in the voice that did things to me. “I have something very special planned for you.” His eyes lifted, and he communicated to the other two to move. Nix landed on one side and Nolan on the other.

[Raquel | mommagracereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pride continues the Sinners Fairytales universe, and it's a heartachingly beautiful retelling of Rapunzel. There are some deep, dark themes to this book, so please - reader discretion advised.

Kris Butler gives us Zel's story. We get a little glimpse of her in Sloth by AJ Blackburn. Zel is Rapunzel, but hides her true identity from everyone. The reason is slowly revealed throughout the story.

The aspect I loved the most about this story was the names. I adore Tangled, so I was laughing in glee at the references to the movie. No, it wasn't over the top referencing, but just enough (in my opinion).

Zel struggled with a multitude of things, mainly pride in herself. Butler wove her story around human issues - PTSD, confidence or lack thereof, boastful pride, etc. - and did it in a way that shows the power in helping others. I loved the vulnerability Zel and the guys showed each other. I think Nix stole my heart first, but then Nolan stole the show with his geeky boyish charm... but then Wesley. Swooning here with his personality. No wonder Zel fell for all three!

I appreciated the twist in who the villain is with this retelling, it really makes it Butler's own. She caused the waterworks a few times, and you know a book is good when it pulls multiple emotions!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. The way Rapunzel grew and learned to accept that there are people out there who want to help was very well written. Her men were amazing; they each offered something she desperately needed. The gamer geek in me loved the use of video games in the book, while the ballerina understood her passion for dance and it’s healing qualities. The masquerade dance scene was so emotional, not just because of the explanation of events but the passion in her dance. I highly recommend it, especially if you love dark stores and dance.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pride By Kris Butler is the fifth book to be released in the Sinners Fairytale Retelling series. Pride is a retelling of the fairytale of Rapunzel, who was kidnapped as a baby and later found and returned to her parents. This book is dark, twisted, steamy, and so much more. In this book, Rapunzel goes by Zel to keep her identity hidden so she can hide from her parents and twisted men from her past. She always dances to try and help heal her trauma and pain from the past. Throughout the book she meets three new men who start to care for her and want to be a part of her life and help protect her. The promised HEA in this book definitely met my expectations and more.

[Shayna Turpin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kris Butler is brilliant! This book gave me all of the feels! It's dark and twisted with funny laugh out load moments and sweet moments all wrapped up into an amazing retelling story of Rapunzel! I didn't want it to end, I could read 10 more books about Zel and her men! The steamy scenes were STEAMYYY! This story shows a woman overcome and rise above every bad thing! I didn't know what to expect going into this book or how Rapunzel's story would be retold, but this, this blew my expectations out of the water! This book truly is a work of art! The world, the characters, all of it is spectacular! I'm obsessed!

[Bonnie J Nynas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pride is a wonderful retelling of Rapunzel! As a girl I loved this fairytale, now I get to read a steamy version that is dark and twisted with amazing characters! Kris did an amazing job with this. I was sucked in immediately as I followed the story as it unfolded, and I absolutely loved the HEA❤

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this retelling of Rapunzel. Zel was kid apped as a baby and found when she was 13 and was a media headline. Zel is hiding from the world and chooses numerous disguises. She works as a stripper and does things she need to to survive. There is a bouncer there named Nix who hands her a business card for the Tower and it changes her life. There she meets Nix again along with Nolan and Wesley. These men love and will do anything for her to help her heal from her abusive past.

[Harper Shay · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing & wonderful retelling of Rapunzel! The adult steamy version is dark and twisted with amazing characters! Kris did a great job with this. I loved it from the very beginning and what a great ending!

[Brenda Messenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kris Butler I absolutely loved your amazing retelling of the Rapunzel story. We are once again plunged into the own of Sinhaven and all the secrets that are kept. This story focuses on Zel and her guys Nix, Wesley and Nolan. We learn appearances are not always what they seem and the people we are meant to trust are the most wicked of all. I absolutely loved watching Zel coming to brace who she truly is and loving herself. Knowing that in order to move on with her life she must face all the torment from her past and she does with a vengeance. I loved watching her relationships with the guys grow and their backstory's as well. Kris another amazing job.

[Dominique · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book. I don't even have words for how much I enjoyed it. Every little detail that clicked as related to Rapunzel made me squeal. The steam was so dang good. Zel is an awesome FMC that had incredible growth as she found herself. Each of the guys seriously made me swoon. I could read it all over again right this second and I only just finished!

[thenerdybookworm_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pride is part of the Sinners Fairytales and a dark modern retelling of Rapunzel. I really loved this story. It’s actually my first Kris Butler read but it definitely won’t be my last.

I loved Zel and her men, but Nolan has a special place in my heart. Each man gave her something different and together made each other whole. I loved the bits and pieces of the actual fairytale that the author wove into the story. The last dance scene was so emotionally beautiful.

Just absolutely fantastic!

[Shawna Jimenez more.books.forever · Rating 5 out of 5]

"𝙸 𝚏𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚒𝚗 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘𝚞𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚍 𝚖𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚜."

I would have to say out of all the Sinners Fairytales this one is my favorite so far! This story was packed full with characters and in-depth look into their lives. This story starts with a bang and it raw and gritty and had me captured from the very beginning all the way until the end!

Zel and her guys were amazing this Rapunzel retelling was fantastic. I loved seeing our FMC so comfortable with her sexual needs and desires and taking control of her body and not letting others control it or her. Then we have her 3 guys! All of them so different and yet so similar in their own ways they are really are looking for that special thing that has been missing in their lives and just didn’t know it until Zel walks in and takes them all by surprise!

Zel’s journey to reclaim her life with the support of her guys was great. There were some great twists and turns and watch Zel open up and trust these men with her secrets knowing that they wouldn’t use them against her but instead stand by her side and support her. Even though these men would burn the world to the ground for her they know that’s not what she needs she just needs them to trust her and back her up. It was beautiful..

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great book! I loved reading this new take on the story of Rapunzel! Zel was such a strong female character, and Nix, Wes, and Nolan were perfect for her! I can't wait to continue reading this fairytale series!

[Deb Barringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pride, A Rapunzel Retelling, is a fantastic addition to the Sinner's Fairytales. It can easily be read as a standalone, or as part of the collection. Kris Butler is a new author for me, and I must say I am impressed! Pride follows Zel's life as she struggles to break free from her past, and fights for her future. Beaten down to the point of almost breaking, Zel realizes all she has left is her pride and that is the only thing no one can take from you. Building on that, Zel works hard to create a new reality where she comes out on top.

The storyline is fast-paced and very well written. The characters are well developed and engaging. Mix, Nolan and Wesley are all so different yet fit together in a way that works best for everyone.

Overall, this is an amazing RH read, and a great addition to the Sinner's Fairytales!

[emmasbookgasms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing retelling!

From the very first lines to the last, this book was amazing. Kris's take on Rapunzel was refreshing and oh so steamy. The way Pride was woven in was genius and I loved spotting the little nods to other fairytales. I highly recommend this book.

[Marisa Niemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed all of the stories in this collection so far, and this is no exception. The story was really well thought out and was an excellent twist on the classic Rapunzel story and the newer Disney version. I really enjoyed all of the more subtle nods to the original story that you would not catch if you weren't thinking about it. I liked how all of Zel's guys had vastly different personalities and her relationships with each of them developed at different speeds. This story is very well written and I really enjoyed it, I am very excited to see what comes next in this series.

[Jillian Locke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this dark retelling of Rapunzel. It consumes you from the very beginning, needing to know what is happening. Zel is the MFC and she is very brave and tough and I love her spunk and sass. The men that she finds herself surrounded by are all different but are perfect for what she needs to balance her to find her true Pride. The world building was amazing and you can not help but fall in love with the characters. A definite must read!! The best retelling of a classic that I have ever read.

[Ashley Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This retelling of Rapunzel was the perfect balance of sin and the classic fairytale. Zel gave me the feels as her story progressed, not to mention the hunky guys being the perfect personalities to fit hers. I enjoyed reading this book from the very first page.

[Laura Donaldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it, I loved it, I loved it.
The story was wrapped around me in record time and when I started, I couldn't put it down. The world within the Tower is one you want to experience from the first description til 'the end' with a final performance you don't want to miss.

[Bianca M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Zel is a FMC who really grows throughout the book. The story captures your attention and I loved the ending. Really good world-building and different scene settings. Original with nods to the OG fairytale and the other tellings.

[Lindsay Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pride is a modern retelling of Rapunzel and I loved the way it was done. Kris Butler make it all make sense working around the confines of the original story. And to make it even better, it’s a “Why Choose?” story and these men… damn… They way they each feed a part of Zel’s soul is beautiful. I’d LOVE to hear more of their story.

[Nique · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read. I was actually a bit hesitant in the beginning because I usually only read sweet and fluffy romances and this was on the more heavier side and had some triggers. Still I enjoyed it a lot and I loved the female lead.

[Malischa Nijenhuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely retelling and it has potential but I still miss a few things tho. And I can't put my finger on it

[Livinintechnicolor (Alpha Addict) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing and Sexy Rapunzel Retelling.
This book totally flipped the script. And the villains aren’t who you think they would be which was genius. Poor Zel goes through hell but she’s a true survivor.
Nix is the sexy protector. Nolan is her ray of sunshine. And Wes has similar demons to overcome and connected with her through dance. Loved all the characters and their chemistry was amazing. I really enjoyed seeing the characters from the other sinners books make their cameos.
Check the trigger warnings before reading.

4/5 ⭐️
3.5/5 🌶 Fast Burn

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to the Sinners Fairytale series. I swear, these books just keep getting better and even more creative. I like that this one showed a few more connections to the previous books. I also enjoyed trying to figure out what the author creatively did with different characters and settings from Rapunzel.

The author did a really good and creative job with bringing in all of the different characters and using them and their names in different ways, ways you weren’t expecting and some of the reveals were pretty funny. I think this was probably one of the more creative ways to showcase the different characters.

Like the previous books, this is a darker retelling. But it is also ends in a happily ever after. This wasn’t super dark, some of the themes and past stories were but it was still an easy read. It was nice knowing that all would work out in the end.

I can’t wait to see how the next author weaves their story and sin.

[Little Blue Butterfly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Reader Copy for an honest and voluntary review

****Trigger Warning: Please read the triggers, that the author advises, before proceeding with this book 🖤

WOW 🤭 This retelling of Rapunzel is phenomenal 💙 Kris Butler wrote ONE HELL OF A STORY!!!! I enjoyed it very much ♥️ I really loved going on Zel’s journey with her. She is trying to pick up the pieces of her traumatic past. Hiding behind her disguises, dancing is her only salvation. Zel was once a ballet dancer, but now does what she has to do to survive. Zel is so strong, but broken at the same time, her pride is what drives her. Sometimes that can be a curse, and sometimes that can be a gift!! Along the way, Zel starts dancing at The Tower. She also meets her 3 guys, Nixon, Wesley and Nolan 😍 They also come from different, and somewhat troubled backgrounds, but they each play a different role in Zel’s healing process. Sometimes it gets very HOT AND STEAMY 🔥🔥🔥🔥 I loved this story so much!! These characters were phenomenal, the world Kris created is fantastic and just the storyline as a whole is amazing ♥️
I VERY HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK 💙

[Becki · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you aren't familiar with this author, then get familiar, because Kris Butler NEVER disappoints. Pride is a gritty story comprised of the theme of Rapunzel, as well as the sin of pride, and it is incredible. The story she wove really draws you in and makes you feel like you are right there with the characters in every single scene. Her imagery and depth was on point and will leave you desperate for more. It is a reverse harem story, meaning the FMC does not need to choose between her love interests, and there are some darker themes that may be triggering for some readers, so be warned, but if you enjoy sexy men who will make you feel hot and bothered with just one word, then this is definitely the book for you. It also incorporates amazing imagery with dancing and costumes, and will leave you wishing you were at the Tower too :) It is a multi POV story as well, but that really only helped draw you in and made you feel even closer to all the main characters.

[TipseyBookReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zel is awesome. She has had some tough stuff happen to her, but she is resilient and fierce. I loved seeing her open up to the guys and build the relationships with them. Nix, Nolan, and Wesley have their own damage, but they are perfect for Zel. Nolan is the sweet, nerdy, fun guy; Nix is the protective, fierce type with a sweet center; Wesley is the boss, but with similar interests to Zel . This is a stand-alone but we also get a quick short story of Zel and the guys at the end. If you’re looking for a steamy, engaging read - this is it :)