What do you think?
Rate this book
The Ugly Faerie Chronicles #2
Arabella and the Cursed Prince
Arabella and the Cursed Prince is the second book in The Ugly Faerie Chronicles. Join an ugly faerie as she tries to break the curse that is on her by helping other fairy tale couples find true love. Her ways are not always conventional and even less wanted, but she will stop at nothing if it means she can break the curse on herself.When insults are cast at the ugly faerie, what can go wrong?It’s been almost seven years since Prince Levenworth met the ugly faerie who cursed him to be a hideous beast. He no longer has hope that he’ll be able to break the curse, but he knows he needs to try for his servants’ sake. When a desperate merchant shows up at the castle, the prince realizes this is his chance and gives the merchant an send one of his daughters to willingly work as a maid in the castle or become a beggar on the street. The prince realizes he is doomed to be a beast forever when the one girl he despises beyond anything shows up for the job.Arabella is less than thrilled to be forced to be a maid in the castle of her nemesis. But things turn out worse when she learns he's no longer the arrogant human prince but a tall beast that has a tendency to squeal when he's upset. Now, stuck in a cursed castle with cursed servants, Arabella must learn to live with the less than charming prince. But there’s a secret that no one seems able to talk about, and it’s not just her dresses (though there is definitely something wrong with those).Levenworth has to break the curse before his twenty-fifth birthday or his mind will be taken by the beast and his servants will disappear forever. But how is he going to do that when the one person in the castle who can break the curse loathes him and he can't say he feels much different about her?
- GenresFantasyRomanceRetellings
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2021
30 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 27, 2021
Verbal abuse is not romantic
The language is free of cursing. There are no sex scenes. There are guilt trips instead of a requirement that childhood abuse be admitted, confessed, forgiveness asked and repentance evident in actions before the relationship begins to be repaired. The hero verbally abuses the heroine throughout the book and in the supposed HEA. Her resistance to being bullied or allowing others to be played with in the hero’s mind games is supposedly equal to her own childhood torture by the hero. She accepts gaslighting about her dresses and his constant verbal abuse as though accepting an insult as an endearment is a psychologically healthy thing to do. He’s still a beast who manipulates others and hasn’t learned to respect the heroine in the end or be consistently kind to her in the HEA. When she sees them, her family is mean to her for no reason, which supposedly makes her bully more attractive even though he exploits her, pushes her, patronizes her, and verbally abuses her? Their love relationship isn’t believable because love always protects and does not dishonor others (1 Corinthians 13). I do not recommend this book.
The language is free of cursing. There are no sex scenes. There are guilt trips instead of a requirement that childhood abuse be admitted, confessed, forgiveness asked and repentance evident in actions before the relationship begins to be repaired. The hero verbally abuses the heroine throughout the book and in the supposed HEA. Her resistance to being bullied or allowing others to be played with in the hero’s mind games is supposedly equal to her own childhood torture by the hero. She accepts gaslighting about her dresses and his constant verbal abuse as though accepting an insult as an endearment is a psychologically healthy thing to do. He’s still a beast who manipulates others and hasn’t learned to respect the heroine in the end or be consistently kind to her in the HEA. When she sees them, her family is mean to her for no reason, which supposedly makes her bully more attractive even though he exploits her, pushes her, patronizes her, and verbally abuses her? Their love relationship isn’t believable because love always protects and does not dishonor others (1 Corinthians 13). I do not recommend this book.
August 21, 2022
Oh my goodness, this story is worth so much more than $3 for the ebook. I love Beauty and the Beast retellings and this one was so worth it. I was screaming my head off about tons of different parts.
I enjoyed her previous book as well but this one took another level of amazingness!! Arabella is a merchants daughter that was harassed constantly by Levenworth. His temperament was exactly like a beast, he thought everyone was below him.
I thought it was hilarious how Bella thought putting in a whole egg was how you bake. There was so many precious moments, I adored this story! I can’t wait to read the next story and find out more about the fairies that cursed these people and the one that’s trying to fix her curses.
I enjoyed her previous book as well but this one took another level of amazingness!! Arabella is a merchants daughter that was harassed constantly by Levenworth. His temperament was exactly like a beast, he thought everyone was below him.
I thought it was hilarious how Bella thought putting in a whole egg was how you bake. There was so many precious moments, I adored this story! I can’t wait to read the next story and find out more about the fairies that cursed these people and the one that’s trying to fix her curses.
December 1, 2021
This was... strange. Levenworth was a jerkface who bullied and abused Arabella all through their childhood for no reason, and there is never any consequence, there is never any acknowledging of his misdeeds, there is never any begging for forgiveness. Also, he's not a better person now, which would have been one thing. He is STILL a jerkface, and does not change over the course of the book. He does not grow. He does not learn. This is just... I don't even know why the story took this path, but this was not a good love story, and Arabella deserved better.
March 4, 2022
I enjoyed this story.
Content: clean
Content: clean
February 25, 2024
Arabella and the Cursed Prince by Chelsey Noelle is a captivating addition to The Ugly Faerie Chronicles series, offering a creative and engaging retelling of Beauty and the Beast.
In this imaginative tale, Prince Levenworth finds himself cursed to be a hideous beast for almost seven years, with little hope of breaking the curse. However, when a desperate merchant arrives at the castle, Levenworth sees an opportunity and demands that one of the merchant's daughters work as a maid in the castle to potentially break the curse. Much to his dismay, the one girl he despises, Arabella, ends up taking the job.
This second book in the series is a delightful read, filled with humour, twists, and engaging character development. Noelle does an excellent job of fleshing out the backstories of both Arabella and Levenworth, adding depth to their characters and making their journey all the more compelling. The incorporation of lesser-known aspects from the original tale, such as the nightly marriage proposal and the glimpses of the prince in Arabella's dreams, adds an intriguing layer to the story.
One of the highlights of the book is the exploration of the characters' thought processes and the realisation of their faults, particularly from the prince's perspective. This adds complexity to the narrative and allows readers to empathise with the characters' struggles and growth throughout the story.
Additionally, Noelle's decision to portray the beast as a pig, rather than the traditional wolf or lion-like creature, adds a unique twist to the classic tale. This deviation from the norm keeps the story fresh and offers readers a new perspective on the familiar narrative.
The epilogue of Arabella and the Cursed Prince leaves readers eager to delve further into the series, anticipating what adventures and challenges await in the next instalment. Overall, this book is a compelling and entertaining retelling that surpasses its predecessor, enchanting fans of fantasy and fairy tale retellings alike.
In this imaginative tale, Prince Levenworth finds himself cursed to be a hideous beast for almost seven years, with little hope of breaking the curse. However, when a desperate merchant arrives at the castle, Levenworth sees an opportunity and demands that one of the merchant's daughters work as a maid in the castle to potentially break the curse. Much to his dismay, the one girl he despises, Arabella, ends up taking the job.
This second book in the series is a delightful read, filled with humour, twists, and engaging character development. Noelle does an excellent job of fleshing out the backstories of both Arabella and Levenworth, adding depth to their characters and making their journey all the more compelling. The incorporation of lesser-known aspects from the original tale, such as the nightly marriage proposal and the glimpses of the prince in Arabella's dreams, adds an intriguing layer to the story.
One of the highlights of the book is the exploration of the characters' thought processes and the realisation of their faults, particularly from the prince's perspective. This adds complexity to the narrative and allows readers to empathise with the characters' struggles and growth throughout the story.
Additionally, Noelle's decision to portray the beast as a pig, rather than the traditional wolf or lion-like creature, adds a unique twist to the classic tale. This deviation from the norm keeps the story fresh and offers readers a new perspective on the familiar narrative.
The epilogue of Arabella and the Cursed Prince leaves readers eager to delve further into the series, anticipating what adventures and challenges await in the next instalment. Overall, this book is a compelling and entertaining retelling that surpasses its predecessor, enchanting fans of fantasy and fairy tale retellings alike.
September 24, 2025
I came back to change my answer to a 3 because I loved the series as a whole so much!
This book not my fav!
The beast didn’t change?
I’m confused he’s still calling her worm, they’re still fighting and he’s bossing her around even at the end…that’s not sweet.
I trudged through this book waiting for him to make a change, to see these moments of him being loving and kind to her but there wasn’t much.
WHY?
I loved the first book because it was different and there was a lot of character development.
In this book, Leavenworth was awful, mean, abusive, vindictive, selfish even as a child. To counter this there needed to be a HUGE shift in how he treated not just Bella but his staff but there wasn’t.
Bella deserved more and better!
Also there were so many unlikable characters…her family, most of the suitors, the staff at the castle at times I wondered…did they like her?
If the beast is going to be that awful there has to be some contrast.
Poor Bella shouldn’t be the only one.
I’m hoping the third book is more like the first.
Update- the next book is great keep reading!
This book not my fav!
The beast didn’t change?
I’m confused he’s still calling her worm, they’re still fighting and he’s bossing her around even at the end…that’s not sweet.
I trudged through this book waiting for him to make a change, to see these moments of him being loving and kind to her but there wasn’t much.
WHY?
I loved the first book because it was different and there was a lot of character development.
In this book, Leavenworth was awful, mean, abusive, vindictive, selfish even as a child. To counter this there needed to be a HUGE shift in how he treated not just Bella but his staff but there wasn’t.
Bella deserved more and better!
Also there were so many unlikable characters…her family, most of the suitors, the staff at the castle at times I wondered…did they like her?
If the beast is going to be that awful there has to be some contrast.
Poor Bella shouldn’t be the only one.
I’m hoping the third book is more like the first.
Update- the next book is great keep reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2021
Loved the first story in this series and I Really wanted to love the second, but by the half way point (possibly sooner) I was completely frustrated by both characters.
In all honesty I can’t say that either character really changed. He had seven years to realize that he was a complete and total jerk and finally realized it by chapter 18 or 19.
And Belle never really made an effort to see if he had changed. She just continued assuming the worst, over and over and over and over again and again and again. For those reasons I didn’t give it a higher rating.
On the plus side, the glimpses of the ugly fairy are really well incorporated and intriguing. Who is the too handsome man that is the reason that the fairy is cursed? I look forward to seeing this series progress, and watching this author grow!
In all honesty I can’t say that either character really changed. He had seven years to realize that he was a complete and total jerk and finally realized it by chapter 18 or 19.
And Belle never really made an effort to see if he had changed. She just continued assuming the worst, over and over and over and over again and again and again. For those reasons I didn’t give it a higher rating.
On the plus side, the glimpses of the ugly fairy are really well incorporated and intriguing. Who is the too handsome man that is the reason that the fairy is cursed? I look forward to seeing this series progress, and watching this author grow!
August 10, 2025
Arabella and the Beast by Chelsey Noelle
🔳 Losing hope
🔳 Secrets
🔳 A cursed castle
🔳 A maid
🔳 Sweet romance, kisses (no spice)
Genre: Fantasy
Beauty and the Beast retelling. Arabella is less than thrilled to be forced to be a maid in the castle of her nemesis...
My favorite part of this one was that it goes back to the original tale rather than retelling the Disney version. It was also unique in that Arabella and the Beast knew each other as children so they already have a relationship (a very poor one) before he becomes a beast. Not sure I was completely convinced of their "true love" though... I do plan on continuing the series!
Book 2 in the Ugly Faerie Chronicles (easily read as a standalone)
Opening line: “Crown Prince Levenworth is handsome and charming,” the nobles in the court said.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔳 Losing hope
🔳 Secrets
🔳 A cursed castle
🔳 A maid
🔳 Sweet romance, kisses (no spice)
Genre: Fantasy
Beauty and the Beast retelling. Arabella is less than thrilled to be forced to be a maid in the castle of her nemesis...
My favorite part of this one was that it goes back to the original tale rather than retelling the Disney version. It was also unique in that Arabella and the Beast knew each other as children so they already have a relationship (a very poor one) before he becomes a beast. Not sure I was completely convinced of their "true love" though... I do plan on continuing the series!
Book 2 in the Ugly Faerie Chronicles (easily read as a standalone)
Opening line: “Crown Prince Levenworth is handsome and charming,” the nobles in the court said.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read
June 6, 2025DNF 53% - Leavenworth is truly the worst, and the servants trying to get Bella to marry him knowing how Leavenworth tortured her as a girl. I mean it was more than verbal abuse, it was physical abuse at times too. At this point I know his change to a good person is not going to be believable to me, nor any romance between the two.
I’m thankful I read the next book in the series first, I enjoyed it much more than this one.
Bella was great at least up to 53% she wasn’t falling for the jerk so that helped. I wanted to stop before that happened.
Writing was very easy to follow and flowed well, I just did not care for the main male character or the romance that was doomed to happen.
Content: no swearing, verbal and some physical abuse, no spice
I’m thankful I read the next book in the series first, I enjoyed it much more than this one.
Bella was great at least up to 53% she wasn’t falling for the jerk so that helped. I wanted to stop before that happened.
Writing was very easy to follow and flowed well, I just did not care for the main male character or the romance that was doomed to happen.
Content: no swearing, verbal and some physical abuse, no spice
July 14, 2025
This was a unique Beauty and the Beast retelling. I liked that this story started out with some scenes from the characters' childhood. Those scenes really cemented how terrible the prince was to Arabella. I don't think I've seen two MCs who are bigger enemies than these two. It made me look forward to finding out what it would take to make the prince change. However, I felt like he didn't really end up having a good reason to suddenly start being nice. I will give some grace here because I imagine it can be hard to find a good reason for a character change so drastically. I did enjoy the setting. The castle seemed like a nice place, and the servants were fun. Overall, this was a light and relaxing read.
July 3, 2025
This is an interesting retelling of Beauty and the Beast that had a lot of the original fairytale still part of this story. I liked the way the fae world was incorporated into this version, and the way the beast learned to treat others kindly. One thing that bothered me was the way he still treated his fiancé after they fell in love. It seemed to be too controlling and made me feel uncomfortable. Otherwise it was a nice story.
June 12, 2024
What a fun retelling of the story of Beauty and the Beast. The characters are pretty mean to each other in the first place, but of course true love takes over and prevails at the end, as all fairy tales do!
January 14, 2026
No bad language. Sweet kisses only.
The writing was a little simple. Fine for a fairy tale retelling quick read
The writing was a little simple. Fine for a fairy tale retelling quick read
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews