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Rakes and Ruin
Retold
Unwanted. Three boys grew up in an orphanage, abandoned and despised by those who should have taken care of them. They were starved, hit, and abandoned for years.
But they are men now. Gentlemen, so to speak. A little broken, a little damaged and a little destroyed by life, but they hide it behind toughness, money, amazingly folded cravats and, in some cases, illegal activities. Their main strength is each other: they are best friends, partners in crime, a found family.
And then comes the one battle that every gentleman, no matter how brooding, haughty or handsome, must face alone. These are the stories of how they each fight, and lose, the battle against love.
Hooked: Wendy and Lord Darlington
When Wendy Hooke was a little girl, she saved a boy from starvation. The boy, Peter, taught her how to fly. Now the boy is a man, a gorgeous man, and he has forgotten all about her. She watches him take London’s ballrooms by storm, pursued by every designing mama, but Peter doesn’t even glance at her. Because it’s not ‘Peter’ now, it’s Lord Darlington.
Peter hasn’t forgotten the girl who saved his life, but his secrets hold him back. The webs of his secret gang that fights crime on the streets of London are closing in on the greatest criminal of all time, the Viscount Hooke. And Wendy…well, she is his daughter.
Caged: Zella and Pirate Charmont
Zella isn’t crazy. She knows that, but no one else does. And, she has to admit, maybe she does look crazy, locked up here in the madhouse, with hair so long and wild it can practically become a rope.
And it does. One day, she lets her hair down from the tiny window, and someone rudely grabs it like a rope. Like a rope thrown to a drowning man.
“I’m not crazy, you know,” she tells the rugged-looking young man who climbs up, panting as if he is running for his life.
“Sweetheart,” he replies, “I don’t care. If they catch me, I’ll get hanged.”
“Oh. Why?”
“Because, m’ dear. I’m a pirate.”
Seduced: Poppy and Lord Hades
Lord Hades owns a gaming hell that sprawls underneath the city of London. It is no secret: the secret club is notorious all over Europe. Peers and millionaires travel from Vienna and Paris to enjoy the Turkish baths or play cards with the great political leaders of other countries.
Money and power exchange hands nightly underneath the sparkling ballrooms and gentlemen’s clubs, and no one knows. Until Hades discovers a boy sent to spy on him. But the boy is not a boy.
And she will pay.
Retold includes three dark and sparkling Regency stories inspired by myths, folklore and fairytales, as well as the glittering world of Jane Austen and the roguish gentlemen of Georgette Heyer.
They might look like quick, fun reads, but don’t be fooled: these stories are going to break your heart in a million pieces.
But they are men now. Gentlemen, so to speak. A little broken, a little damaged and a little destroyed by life, but they hide it behind toughness, money, amazingly folded cravats and, in some cases, illegal activities. Their main strength is each other: they are best friends, partners in crime, a found family.
And then comes the one battle that every gentleman, no matter how brooding, haughty or handsome, must face alone. These are the stories of how they each fight, and lose, the battle against love.
Hooked: Wendy and Lord Darlington
When Wendy Hooke was a little girl, she saved a boy from starvation. The boy, Peter, taught her how to fly. Now the boy is a man, a gorgeous man, and he has forgotten all about her. She watches him take London’s ballrooms by storm, pursued by every designing mama, but Peter doesn’t even glance at her. Because it’s not ‘Peter’ now, it’s Lord Darlington.
Peter hasn’t forgotten the girl who saved his life, but his secrets hold him back. The webs of his secret gang that fights crime on the streets of London are closing in on the greatest criminal of all time, the Viscount Hooke. And Wendy…well, she is his daughter.
Caged: Zella and Pirate Charmont
Zella isn’t crazy. She knows that, but no one else does. And, she has to admit, maybe she does look crazy, locked up here in the madhouse, with hair so long and wild it can practically become a rope.
And it does. One day, she lets her hair down from the tiny window, and someone rudely grabs it like a rope. Like a rope thrown to a drowning man.
“I’m not crazy, you know,” she tells the rugged-looking young man who climbs up, panting as if he is running for his life.
“Sweetheart,” he replies, “I don’t care. If they catch me, I’ll get hanged.”
“Oh. Why?”
“Because, m’ dear. I’m a pirate.”
Seduced: Poppy and Lord Hades
Lord Hades owns a gaming hell that sprawls underneath the city of London. It is no secret: the secret club is notorious all over Europe. Peers and millionaires travel from Vienna and Paris to enjoy the Turkish baths or play cards with the great political leaders of other countries.
Money and power exchange hands nightly underneath the sparkling ballrooms and gentlemen’s clubs, and no one knows. Until Hades discovers a boy sent to spy on him. But the boy is not a boy.
And she will pay.
Retold includes three dark and sparkling Regency stories inspired by myths, folklore and fairytales, as well as the glittering world of Jane Austen and the roguish gentlemen of Georgette Heyer.
They might look like quick, fun reads, but don’t be fooled: these stories are going to break your heart in a million pieces.
570 pages, ebook
First published March 31, 2022
37 people are currently reading
1345 people want to read
About the author
M.C. Frank
38 books550 followers Welcome to the world of M.C. FRANK's books, where characters aren't going to have an easy time of it: They will find themselves in icy-cold dystopian worlds where kissing is forbidden (among other things), or in green forests ruled by evil Sheriffs. If they're in Jane Austen's England, they have to be running away from a traumatic childhood, or if they are in our contemporary world, they're scared they'll die before they have finished high school. That sort of thing.
Don't worry, though, she knows we all need a little hope and joy in our lives, so there's a good dose of those as well in everything she writes.
M.C. Frank (writer, reader, designer, physicist and teacher, to name a few) has been living in a world of stories ever since she can remember (that's before she knew how to write). She started writing them down when she could no longer stand the characters in her head screaming at her to give them life, and while those first scribblings weren't exactly good (nor were they books, although she insisted on calling them that), they were enough for her to discover her passion in life.
She got her university degree in physics a few years ago (yes, she's like Sheldon, only a bit crazier!) and is now free to pursue her love of reading and writing, as well her free-lance job as editor-in-chief. She lives with her 'dude' in a home filled with candles, laptops and notebooks, where she rearranges her overflowing bookshelves every time she feels stressed.
Which is often, since (as you might have noticed) she doesn't pick the easiest subjects for her novels.
Learn more about her and her New Adult, Young Adult, scifi, Greek mythology and historical novels at mcfrankauthor.com
Website: mcfrankauthor.com
Twitter: @mcfrank_author
Instagram: @mcfrank_author
Tumblr: @litlereddoll
Facebook Page: M.C. Frank
Goodreads: M.C. Frank
Youtube: M.C. Frank
Don't worry, though, she knows we all need a little hope and joy in our lives, so there's a good dose of those as well in everything she writes.
M.C. Frank (writer, reader, designer, physicist and teacher, to name a few) has been living in a world of stories ever since she can remember (that's before she knew how to write). She started writing them down when she could no longer stand the characters in her head screaming at her to give them life, and while those first scribblings weren't exactly good (nor were they books, although she insisted on calling them that), they were enough for her to discover her passion in life.
She got her university degree in physics a few years ago (yes, she's like Sheldon, only a bit crazier!) and is now free to pursue her love of reading and writing, as well her free-lance job as editor-in-chief. She lives with her 'dude' in a home filled with candles, laptops and notebooks, where she rearranges her overflowing bookshelves every time she feels stressed.
Which is often, since (as you might have noticed) she doesn't pick the easiest subjects for her novels.
Learn more about her and her New Adult, Young Adult, scifi, Greek mythology and historical novels at mcfrankauthor.com
Website: mcfrankauthor.com
Twitter: @mcfrank_author
Instagram: @mcfrank_author
Tumblr: @litlereddoll
Facebook Page: M.C. Frank
Goodreads: M.C. Frank
Youtube: M.C. Frank
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 21, 2024
This book contains three tales, two shorter and one longer.
The first one, "Hooked", was even a nice re-telling of Peter Pan, at least the idea and the plot.
The two others were worse considering the events, and plot. (For the most part, I only skimmed these two, especially the third one.)
The concept of selling them as three dark and sparkling Regency stories inspired by myths, folklore and fairytales, as well as the glittering world of Jane Austen and the roguish gentlemen of Georgette Heyer is absurd. Perhaps M.C. Frank is a fan of Austen and Heyer, but I didn't see it. Mostly because she has a preference for using tension beyond reason. I think she makes up a promising story (main events and characters) and then she puts tons of dark brooding, conflicted emotions, etc. Too many tons.
I am saying farewell to the M.C. Frank. I like her ideas for stories, but all that tension, etc. is too much.
[2 stars only because of the ideas]
The first one, "Hooked", was even a nice re-telling of Peter Pan, at least the idea and the plot.
The two others were worse considering the events, and plot. (For the most part, I only skimmed these two, especially the third one.)
The concept of selling them as three dark and sparkling Regency stories inspired by myths, folklore and fairytales, as well as the glittering world of Jane Austen and the roguish gentlemen of Georgette Heyer is absurd. Perhaps M.C. Frank is a fan of Austen and Heyer, but I didn't see it. Mostly because she has a preference for using tension beyond reason. I think she makes up a promising story (main events and characters) and then she puts tons of dark brooding, conflicted emotions, etc. Too many tons.
I am saying farewell to the M.C. Frank. I like her ideas for stories, but all that tension, etc. is too much.
[2 stars only because of the ideas]
May 11, 2022
'Wendy, antes de ti, a nadie se le había ocurrido que mi vida valdría algo. Digna de ser salvada. Era sobre todo algo no deseado, algo para tirar. Y tú... la salvaste'.
•Mi opinión puede contener Spoilers
•Esta destinada a ser un descargo personal no para que alguien más lea pero si lo haces y te ofende, me disculpo porque sé lo que es que te guste un libro y otros lo critiquen
Retold de M.C. Frank
Argumento:
No deseado.
Tres niños crecieron en un orfanato, abandonados y despreciados por quienes deberían haberlos cuidado. Fueron matados de hambre, golpeados y abandonados durante años.
Pero ahora son hombres. Lords, por así decirlo. Un poco rotos, un poco dañados y un poco destrozados por la vida, pero lo esconden detrás de dureza, dinero, corbatas increíblemente dobladas y, en algunos casos, actividades ilegales. Su principal fortaleza es el uno para el otro: son los mejores amigos, socios en el crimen, una familia encontrada.
Y luego viene la única batalla que todo caballero, sin importar cuán melancólico, altivo o guapo, debe enfrentar solo. Estas son las historias de cómo cada uno lucha y pierde la batalla contra el amor.
⚓HOOKED: Wendy y Lord Darlington. Retelling de Peter Pan.
Cuando Wendy Hooke era una niña, salvó a un niño de morir de hambre. El niño, Peter, le enseñó a volar. Ahora el chico es un hombre, un hombre hermoso, y se ha olvidado por completo de ella. Ella lo ve tomar por asalto los salones de baile de Londres, perseguido por todas las intrigantes matronas, pero Peter ni siquiera la mira. Porque ahora no es 'Peter', es Lord Darlington.
Peter no ha olvidado a la chica que le salvó la vida, pero sus secretos lo retienen. Las redes de su pandilla secreta que lucha contra el crimen en las calles de Londres se están acercando al criminal más grande de todos los tiempos, el Vizconde Hooke. Y Wendy... bueno, ella es su hija.
☠️CAGED: Zella y el pirata Charmont. Retelling de Rapunzel.
Zella no está loca. Ella lo sabe, pero nadie más lo sabe. Y, tiene que admitirlo, tal vez sí parezca loca, encerrada aquí en el manicomio, con el pelo tan largo y salvaje que prácticamente puede convertirse en una soga.
Y lo hace Un día, se suelta el pelo por la pequeña ventana y alguien lo agarra con rudeza como si fuera una cuerda. Como una cuerda lanzada a un hombre que se ahoga.
“No estoy loca, ¿sabes?”, le dice al joven de aspecto rudo que trepa, jadeando como si estuviera corriendo por su vida.
“Cariño”, responde, “no me importa. Si me atrapan, me ahorcarán”.
"Vaya. ¿Por qué?"
“Porque, querida. Soy un pirata".
🖤SEDUCED: Poppy y Lord Hades. Retelling mito de Hades y Perséfone.
Lord Hades posee un infierno de juego que se extiende debajo de la ciudad de Londres como el inframundo. No es ningún secreto: el Hell Club es conocido en toda Europa. Pares y millonarios viajan desde Viena y París para disfrutar de los baños turcos o jugar a las cartas con los grandes líderes políticos de otros países.
El dinero y el poder intercambian manos todas las noches debajo de los brillantes salones de baile y los clubes de caballeros, y nadie lo sabe. Hasta que Hades descubre a un chico enviado para espiarlo. Pero el niño no es un niño.
Y ella pagará.
Mi humilde opinión:
Lo que me gusta de esta autora es su creatividad y habilidad para transformar un cuento popular y convertirlo en una versión interesante e Intrigante con giros inesperados de aventura, acción, drama y romance ligero juvenil.
Sin embargo, al igual que me pasó con los primeros libros que leí de ella, se volvieron difíciles de leer por su cantidad de intensa angustia y temas difíciles hasta que los protagonistas obtienen su HEA.
En Retold hay tres historias románticas oscuras inspiradas en mitos y cuentos de hadas, ambientados en la regencia de Londres: Peter Pan, Rapunzel y Hades/Persephone.
Son historias rápidas de leer que están conectadas entre sí, protagonizadas por tres amigos, hijos de lores y tres mujeres que tuvieron una infancia de abandono y fueron dañados tanto física como emocionalmente en sus vidas. Las tres parejas encuentran lo que no pensaron encontrar nunca, un amor sanador. Pero este camino será realmente duro.
En general estos retellings fueron entretenidos, me engancharon, el último fue el más difícil de leer pero el epilogo valió la pena.
Me encantaba el mundo, la ambientación en la regencia de Londres estuvo muy bien. Los personajes me importaban, estaban dañados y pasan por tanto que lo único que quería era verlos juntos y felices. Me gustaba la amistad de los héroes y como crecieron y salieron adelante por sí mismos. Las heroínas estaban igual de rotas pero eran fuertes y decididas. Las historias de amor eran conmovedoras e intensas a más no poder, iba más por el lado ligero, no hay mucho calor aquí más que los besos, igualmente me hubiera gustado más romance.
Esta autora sabe cómo destrozar corazones antes del felices para siempre. No creo que vuelva a leer algo más de ella, no es mí taza de té sufrir tanto mientras leo, mí dulce corazón no puede aguantarlo.
March 23, 2022
Oh, my, what an emotional rollercoaster of a compilation from the queen of tortured souls drama and HEAs, M.C.Frank! There are three retellings in one book, too, and I loved them all! Though I have to admit that Seduced, a Hades&Persephone retelling, although about the most broken MCs was also my absolute favourite book of the three.
If you ever wanted to know what became of the lost boys, read your heart out:
1. First comes Hooked, a rare Peter Pan retelling where things are turned completely on their head. Set in Regency London, much in the action traditions of Sherlock the movie and very much echoing on the dickensian Oliver Twist horrors, this book redefined the lost boys and Wendy’s and Pan’s love story for me. Absolutely loved it and could not put it down!
2. Second comes Caged, an angsty Rapunzel retelling - a true rollercoaster and a coming of age story (for both Zella and Valentine, btw), but with a traditional regency HEA. If you’ve ever wondered how come the guy could come and go from the tower and leave the girl behind in the original fairytale, this story provides an excellent insight.
3. Last, but not least is the story of Prince Alexei whom everyone calles Hades behind his back and his unwilling ascent to normal self-perception and LIFE through having to help Persephone or Poppy who has been broken worse than he was. I was so invested in their love story from the start that they became real people, with real struggls and h, how I rooted each step for them to win against their natures and against the world. Ahhh… I will re-read it again sometime.
I loved that the books within the set had characters crossing over from one story to another and each of Frank’s lost boys got their own book (except Dante, but I keep hoping). Also, all books are tied to Frank’s own Frosted story characters and the Greek War of Independence of 1821.
Recommended for lovers of dark fairytale retellings, Peter Pan and HEAs. I’d say new adult or adult audience rather than YA, although some of the characters are teens, but this is due to the trigger warning that the books might be difficult to read for survivors of physical and mental abuse.
If you ever wanted to know what became of the lost boys, read your heart out:
1. First comes Hooked, a rare Peter Pan retelling where things are turned completely on their head. Set in Regency London, much in the action traditions of Sherlock the movie and very much echoing on the dickensian Oliver Twist horrors, this book redefined the lost boys and Wendy’s and Pan’s love story for me. Absolutely loved it and could not put it down!
2. Second comes Caged, an angsty Rapunzel retelling - a true rollercoaster and a coming of age story (for both Zella and Valentine, btw), but with a traditional regency HEA. If you’ve ever wondered how come the guy could come and go from the tower and leave the girl behind in the original fairytale, this story provides an excellent insight.
3. Last, but not least is the story of Prince Alexei whom everyone calles Hades behind his back and his unwilling ascent to normal self-perception and LIFE through having to help Persephone or Poppy who has been broken worse than he was. I was so invested in their love story from the start that they became real people, with real struggls and h, how I rooted each step for them to win against their natures and against the world. Ahhh… I will re-read it again sometime.
I loved that the books within the set had characters crossing over from one story to another and each of Frank’s lost boys got their own book (except Dante, but I keep hoping). Also, all books are tied to Frank’s own Frosted story characters and the Greek War of Independence of 1821.
Recommended for lovers of dark fairytale retellings, Peter Pan and HEAs. I’d say new adult or adult audience rather than YA, although some of the characters are teens, but this is due to the trigger warning that the books might be difficult to read for survivors of physical and mental abuse.
March 28, 2022
This set has 3 connecting stories that are inspired by Peter Pan, Rapunzel, and Hades and Persephone; Hooke, Caged, and Seduced.
I really enjoyed the sort of macabre vibe to each story; interesting characters with that touch of odd that make for a good read. They do tend to be overly dramatic and lacking in the brains department at times, but they all have been physically and emotionally damaged, so a bit of dramatics is expected. Each story deals was some very tough, dark things. Each story was entertaining; a bit slow moving, but I liked each of them. There’s a touching, heartfelt romance in each of them too.
Hooke starts with Peter and Wendy’s story. Peter and his lost boys are orphaned/unwanted and sent to a despicable school/orphanage type of place that starves and abuses them, but the boys find help and a pinch of solace when they meet Wendy. Peter is the boys leader that does everything he can to help them survive; they become their own makeshift type of family. Wendy is also in a place of abuse; she is the daughter of a harsh father. Peter and Wendy develop a deep bond, but Peter’s quest for vengeance against the person involved in stealing children for slavery does cause some difficulties for all involved.
In Caged, we get the story of Valentine and Zella. Valentine is one of the members of the makeshift family built by Peter when they were at that “school” when they were younger. They are now adults, who are trying to deal with the life they’ve been dealt and all the mental scars they have. Valentine is a pirate now and on the run, he ends up climbing a tower and finds a woman chained and starved in a small room. Instant connection between Valentine and Zella, but past issues cause problems for these two. Valentine made some really idiotic choices; bring the lady some food already! But, I did enjoy this wild story!
Seduced is Poppy and Alexei’s (another member of Peter’s makeshift family) story. Alexei runs a club of debauchery under London; drinking, drugs, gambling, and prostitution some of the vices that are the norm there. Alexei is often called Hades and his club The Underworld. Alexei was deeply affected by what happened to him when he was younger, so he puts on a facade. Poppy lives under her strict brother’s thumb. Her brother is sadistic; he makes Poppy kneel on seeds and rice for hours upon hours, and starves her; Poppy puts up with this because she is very much brainwashed to believe she needs to pay for her “sins”. Poppy and Alexei’s paths end up crossing, and they both find themselves seeing things differently. A touching connection between Poppy and Alexei. Wonderful epilogue!
I really enjoyed the sort of macabre vibe to each story; interesting characters with that touch of odd that make for a good read. They do tend to be overly dramatic and lacking in the brains department at times, but they all have been physically and emotionally damaged, so a bit of dramatics is expected. Each story deals was some very tough, dark things. Each story was entertaining; a bit slow moving, but I liked each of them. There’s a touching, heartfelt romance in each of them too.
Hooke starts with Peter and Wendy’s story. Peter and his lost boys are orphaned/unwanted and sent to a despicable school/orphanage type of place that starves and abuses them, but the boys find help and a pinch of solace when they meet Wendy. Peter is the boys leader that does everything he can to help them survive; they become their own makeshift type of family. Wendy is also in a place of abuse; she is the daughter of a harsh father. Peter and Wendy develop a deep bond, but Peter’s quest for vengeance against the person involved in stealing children for slavery does cause some difficulties for all involved.
In Caged, we get the story of Valentine and Zella. Valentine is one of the members of the makeshift family built by Peter when they were at that “school” when they were younger. They are now adults, who are trying to deal with the life they’ve been dealt and all the mental scars they have. Valentine is a pirate now and on the run, he ends up climbing a tower and finds a woman chained and starved in a small room. Instant connection between Valentine and Zella, but past issues cause problems for these two. Valentine made some really idiotic choices; bring the lady some food already! But, I did enjoy this wild story!
Seduced is Poppy and Alexei’s (another member of Peter’s makeshift family) story. Alexei runs a club of debauchery under London; drinking, drugs, gambling, and prostitution some of the vices that are the norm there. Alexei is often called Hades and his club The Underworld. Alexei was deeply affected by what happened to him when he was younger, so he puts on a facade. Poppy lives under her strict brother’s thumb. Her brother is sadistic; he makes Poppy kneel on seeds and rice for hours upon hours, and starves her; Poppy puts up with this because she is very much brainwashed to believe she needs to pay for her “sins”. Poppy and Alexei’s paths end up crossing, and they both find themselves seeing things differently. A touching connection between Poppy and Alexei. Wonderful epilogue!
July 6, 2024
This book is a collection of 3 short stories.
Hooked - A retelling of Peter Pan ☆☆☆
Caged - A retelling of Rapunzel ☆☆☆☆☆
Seduced - A Hades and Persephone Story ☆☆☆
Hooked
While I liked the premise and the spin on the characters, the way this story was written just didn't work for me. I think the length of it had a lot to do with that. A good amount of time was spent focusing on Peter and Wendy's history, but I almost wish that we had Peter's pov as well as Wendy's. So much of the actual guts of this story was completely skipped over and just kind of mentioned in pieces, and I really wish that the readers could have been a part of it. If this was a full-length novel, and we actually followed Peter on his search for Dante and the Captain, I think this really could have been something. But too much of this story was left out, and it really left me feeling hollow and deflated.
Caged
I loved this. Tangled is my all-time favorite Disney movie, and so I went into this one with high expectations. MC Frank absolutely delivered. While I felt that Hooked was too short and should have been written as a full-length novel, I think this one was perfectly done. I obsessed over Valentine and Zella. The locked room romance was to die for and was wonderfully done. Zellas story was absolutely heartbreaking, and I was completely enamored with her character. Valentine was swoon worthy from start to finish and was impossible not to fall in love with. For a short story, this absolutely delivered with a bang.
Seduced
I loved this story from the start. I loved watching Poppy take control of herself after all of the abuse from her brother, and I genuinely like Hades as a character. But the longer the story went on, the less I liked it. It started to get very repetitive, and (maybe this is an asshole thing to say), but everyone whined and cried. A LOT. I know there was a lot of abuse in this book, with all the characters, but by the end of the third story, I was kind of tired of everyone crying about how awful their lives were constantly. This one was no different. After the entire story and Poppy learning how terrible her brother was, she still went back to him. And that was the moment that I was mentally absolutely done with this one. The banter between Poppy and Hades was wonderful when it was there. But there just wasn't enough of it for me.
Also, there's a lot of God talk in this series… I just kinda skim over all that.
Hooked - A retelling of Peter Pan ☆☆☆
Caged - A retelling of Rapunzel ☆☆☆☆☆
Seduced - A Hades and Persephone Story ☆☆☆
Hooked
While I liked the premise and the spin on the characters, the way this story was written just didn't work for me. I think the length of it had a lot to do with that. A good amount of time was spent focusing on Peter and Wendy's history, but I almost wish that we had Peter's pov as well as Wendy's. So much of the actual guts of this story was completely skipped over and just kind of mentioned in pieces, and I really wish that the readers could have been a part of it. If this was a full-length novel, and we actually followed Peter on his search for Dante and the Captain, I think this really could have been something. But too much of this story was left out, and it really left me feeling hollow and deflated.
Caged
I loved this. Tangled is my all-time favorite Disney movie, and so I went into this one with high expectations. MC Frank absolutely delivered. While I felt that Hooked was too short and should have been written as a full-length novel, I think this one was perfectly done. I obsessed over Valentine and Zella. The locked room romance was to die for and was wonderfully done. Zellas story was absolutely heartbreaking, and I was completely enamored with her character. Valentine was swoon worthy from start to finish and was impossible not to fall in love with. For a short story, this absolutely delivered with a bang.
Seduced
I loved this story from the start. I loved watching Poppy take control of herself after all of the abuse from her brother, and I genuinely like Hades as a character. But the longer the story went on, the less I liked it. It started to get very repetitive, and (maybe this is an asshole thing to say), but everyone whined and cried. A LOT. I know there was a lot of abuse in this book, with all the characters, but by the end of the third story, I was kind of tired of everyone crying about how awful their lives were constantly. This one was no different. After the entire story and Poppy learning how terrible her brother was, she still went back to him. And that was the moment that I was mentally absolutely done with this one. The banter between Poppy and Hades was wonderful when it was there. But there just wasn't enough of it for me.
Also, there's a lot of God talk in this series… I just kinda skim over all that.
April 1, 2022
This is a cool collection of stories that have taken classic stories we know & love and told them in a completely new, unexpected way. I loved that the heroines of the story had internal strength, were intelligent and were capable. Each main character is flawed and broken. I do wish that they were less self-loathing, though.
Hooked: The first story is a Peter Pan retelling. I will say, it’s completely different than I thought it would be. The characters’ stories all still intertwine, but are nothing like the original. There were parts that you anticipate because you know the original story, but you have no clue which ones or how they will show up. The author writes in such a way that you care about the characters. I felt for them. Peter was a bit weepier than I expected, but I had a hard time putting the story down. I needed to know how the story ended.
Caged: I love how characters from the 1st story carried over into this story. This is a Rapunzel story. It dragged a bit. I felt like it could have gotten there faster. It wasn’t until the 10th chapter that I really got into the story. The end of the story was really good, though!
Seduced: A retelling of Hades & Persephone. I’m not AS familiar with this story, so I didn’t have as specific of expectations as I had with the 1st two. I wished this one also got to the “happy” faster. These two characters seemed the most broken of them all and I ached for them to be “fixed.”
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and a completely new story of the characters I have known and loved since childhood. I love that their stories all intertwined and we got to see our Peter Pan characters all grown up and dealing with everything that they had to as adults, including coming to terms with their past. And, of course, I always love a happy ending. The only thing I would have liked more of is the romance aspect of the stories.
Hooked: The first story is a Peter Pan retelling. I will say, it’s completely different than I thought it would be. The characters’ stories all still intertwine, but are nothing like the original. There were parts that you anticipate because you know the original story, but you have no clue which ones or how they will show up. The author writes in such a way that you care about the characters. I felt for them. Peter was a bit weepier than I expected, but I had a hard time putting the story down. I needed to know how the story ended.
Caged: I love how characters from the 1st story carried over into this story. This is a Rapunzel story. It dragged a bit. I felt like it could have gotten there faster. It wasn’t until the 10th chapter that I really got into the story. The end of the story was really good, though!
Seduced: A retelling of Hades & Persephone. I’m not AS familiar with this story, so I didn’t have as specific of expectations as I had with the 1st two. I wished this one also got to the “happy” faster. These two characters seemed the most broken of them all and I ached for them to be “fixed.”
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and a completely new story of the characters I have known and loved since childhood. I love that their stories all intertwined and we got to see our Peter Pan characters all grown up and dealing with everything that they had to as adults, including coming to terms with their past. And, of course, I always love a happy ending. The only thing I would have liked more of is the romance aspect of the stories.
April 11, 2022
Well-known stories retold in a compelling way
In Retold, the author promises “these stories are going to break your heart into a million pieces”, and, boy, does she deliver! In Hooked, Caged, and Seduced, MC Frank created stories inspired by fairytales and myths and turned them onto their heads in a unique and memorable way.
Set in Regency London, a group of boys forge a lifelong friendship in the cauldron of childhood trauma that includes abuse and neglect. Together, they overcome adversity and emerge as damaged adults who deserve love, and so much more. Each one of them encounters a woman who is their equal in strength and resilience.
As a reader, you will fall in love with these unforgetable characters as they are put through a wringer of emotions; you’ll root for them and want to shake a fist at the author and say, “Enough, already! Give them a break!” as they face yet another obstacle.
This was the first book by this author that I read. And while I’m not familiar with the Regency Period, I loved the world-building, attention to detail, and deep-dive into the emotions of each couple. While some situations the characters face were over the top, I enjoyed the rollercoaster ride from start to finish. My favourite was Valentine and Zella’s story, and while Alexei and Poppy face the hardest climb, I was persuaded to go along for the ride.
This book is a page-turner, and highly recommended if you’re in the mood for romance that deals with weightier issues.
In Retold, the author promises “these stories are going to break your heart into a million pieces”, and, boy, does she deliver! In Hooked, Caged, and Seduced, MC Frank created stories inspired by fairytales and myths and turned them onto their heads in a unique and memorable way.
Set in Regency London, a group of boys forge a lifelong friendship in the cauldron of childhood trauma that includes abuse and neglect. Together, they overcome adversity and emerge as damaged adults who deserve love, and so much more. Each one of them encounters a woman who is their equal in strength and resilience.
As a reader, you will fall in love with these unforgetable characters as they are put through a wringer of emotions; you’ll root for them and want to shake a fist at the author and say, “Enough, already! Give them a break!” as they face yet another obstacle.
This was the first book by this author that I read. And while I’m not familiar with the Regency Period, I loved the world-building, attention to detail, and deep-dive into the emotions of each couple. While some situations the characters face were over the top, I enjoyed the rollercoaster ride from start to finish. My favourite was Valentine and Zella’s story, and while Alexei and Poppy face the hardest climb, I was persuaded to go along for the ride.
This book is a page-turner, and highly recommended if you’re in the mood for romance that deals with weightier issues.
April 5, 2022
These fairytale regency retellings are of such rare beauty I have difficulty finding words that do them justice. They broke my heart a million times over - but something about the writing style simply kept me hooked and hyped. M.C. Frank truly is the queen of tortured and broken spirits still finding beauty and love in the messes of their lives. Her characters are always relatable and well-developed, they grow, curse, hurt, laugh and love. Sometimes even all at the same time. It is always an emotional roller coaster - but I think this is what makes me want to come back to Frank's stories again and again.
One of the aspects I loved the most was how the three separate short stories were interconnected and also related to each other. I absolutely adore storytelling where references to other characters from other stories by the same author are made. On top of characters from the other short stories appearing we even met some characters from previous books again and got a glimpse into their lives. Wonderful!
The regency twist of the stories was very well done and I found it marvellously fitting. Then again, M.C. Frank has a way of writing Regency novels that I can only describe as magical. All of the dark elements and undertones simply completed the overall brilliant retellings! More of this please!!!
One of the aspects I loved the most was how the three separate short stories were interconnected and also related to each other. I absolutely adore storytelling where references to other characters from other stories by the same author are made. On top of characters from the other short stories appearing we even met some characters from previous books again and got a glimpse into their lives. Wonderful!
The regency twist of the stories was very well done and I found it marvellously fitting. Then again, M.C. Frank has a way of writing Regency novels that I can only describe as magical. All of the dark elements and undertones simply completed the overall brilliant retellings! More of this please!!!
August 17, 2024
If you’re into both Regency romance and classic fairytales, Retold: A Regency Fairytale Retellings Box Set is going to be right up your alley. This set takes all the charm and elegance of Regency England and sprinkles in some fairytale magic, making for a super enjoyable read.
Each story in this box set is a fresh spin on a well-known fairytale, but with a twist—everything is set in the Regency era. It’s like stepping into a mashup of Jane Austen and your favorite childhood stories.
The characters are great—strong, clever heroines and swoon-worthy heroes, plus plots that keep you hooked with a mix of romance, drama, and a touch of magic. The writing is spot-on, too. It’s got that period vibe without feeling stuffy, and the dialogue is sharp and witty, just like you’d hope for in a Regency story.
What I loved most is how all the stories feel like they belong together. You can tell the author really knows and loves both the Regency era and the fairytales they’re retelling. It’s a perfect combo that makes the whole set a breeze to read.
So if you’re looking for something fun and romantic that lets you escape into a world where fairytales meet Regency England, give Retold a try. It’s a total treat!
Each story in this box set is a fresh spin on a well-known fairytale, but with a twist—everything is set in the Regency era. It’s like stepping into a mashup of Jane Austen and your favorite childhood stories.
The characters are great—strong, clever heroines and swoon-worthy heroes, plus plots that keep you hooked with a mix of romance, drama, and a touch of magic. The writing is spot-on, too. It’s got that period vibe without feeling stuffy, and the dialogue is sharp and witty, just like you’d hope for in a Regency story.
What I loved most is how all the stories feel like they belong together. You can tell the author really knows and loves both the Regency era and the fairytales they’re retelling. It’s a perfect combo that makes the whole set a breeze to read.
So if you’re looking for something fun and romantic that lets you escape into a world where fairytales meet Regency England, give Retold a try. It’s a total treat!
April 17, 2022
Unexpected twists, dark retellings
I enjoyed other M. C. Frank stories with unexpected twists and was really looking forward to reading this collection. These 3 retellings were unexpected alright but also dark. What I didn't expect was the way H's and h's were brought up and treated as children. Everyone of them had abusive childhoods in one way or another. Something that children should never have to go through.
That aside, I got sucked into all 3 stories and enjoyed a totally different take on the original classic tales. They were entertaining even as they left me feeling unsettled.
Having said that, I thought two of the heros were rather metrosexual. In some ways they acted more like boys than the grown men they are supposed to be. Then again, the author writes YA fiction so maybe it's just my reading tastes.
Love her signature Greek mythology references and the unexpected twists! Plus the expected HEAs, of course. I was gifted a copy of this book and all the opinions are mine.
I enjoyed other M. C. Frank stories with unexpected twists and was really looking forward to reading this collection. These 3 retellings were unexpected alright but also dark. What I didn't expect was the way H's and h's were brought up and treated as children. Everyone of them had abusive childhoods in one way or another. Something that children should never have to go through.
That aside, I got sucked into all 3 stories and enjoyed a totally different take on the original classic tales. They were entertaining even as they left me feeling unsettled.
Having said that, I thought two of the heros were rather metrosexual. In some ways they acted more like boys than the grown men they are supposed to be. Then again, the author writes YA fiction so maybe it's just my reading tastes.
Love her signature Greek mythology references and the unexpected twists! Plus the expected HEAs, of course. I was gifted a copy of this book and all the opinions are mine.
March 22, 2022
There’s darkness inside us all.
I’ve read some retellings of two tales mashed-up together, but this is three separate ones tied together by characters. Reminds me of the Thieves’ World series from back in the day.
These tales were relatively consistent with the originals, but with oh what a twist! These are dark characters for dark times. Sad to say, the reality of that era was just as bad if not worse. Dickens has nothing on this book.
The author delves into the depths of despair and beyond with her characters; they share childhood trauma, their fears & vulnerabilities, and pain. Their shattered souls are tormented beyond belief; this gets reflected in attitudes and life choices. There is a lot of dialogue (both internal and external) so that the reader can better understand the characters and their relationships. We feel their excruciatingly torturous struggles…and the healing strength of true friendship.
I’ve read some retellings of two tales mashed-up together, but this is three separate ones tied together by characters. Reminds me of the Thieves’ World series from back in the day.
These tales were relatively consistent with the originals, but with oh what a twist! These are dark characters for dark times. Sad to say, the reality of that era was just as bad if not worse. Dickens has nothing on this book.
The author delves into the depths of despair and beyond with her characters; they share childhood trauma, their fears & vulnerabilities, and pain. Their shattered souls are tormented beyond belief; this gets reflected in attitudes and life choices. There is a lot of dialogue (both internal and external) so that the reader can better understand the characters and their relationships. We feel their excruciatingly torturous struggles…and the healing strength of true friendship.
April 7, 2022
There is just something to M.C. Frank's fairytale retellings that easily grab your interest. Retold, the third book in the Regency Retold series is inspired by Peter Pan fairytale, Hades and Persephone, and Rapunzel. This story had a darker tone with three retellings all in one, which I really enjoyed. The characters were odd and unique and dramatic, which I thought was not only entertaining to read about, but made them stand out to me. Frank gave us coming of age story with angst, broken characters that need love, and tortured souls all wrapped up in this glorious story. It was interesting to see how even though each one of the retellings were completely on their own, that there were also cross-overs among them as well adding a connection.
May 31, 2022
If it's not quite obvious how much i love her books.. then let me scream!! I LOVE THIS MASTERPIECE!!! mc frank is one of those who's sweet as well as someone who perfectly knows how to grasp their readers. They break your heart, they mend it but there's beauty within every little aspect. The characters are human, broken, loved, hurt, and very much relatable.
The book's divided into three emotional parts ~
~ hooked
~ caged
~ seduced
♡ these 3 stories were super dark, and tbh what else was i expecting? This was an unusual turn for those classic stories and i am here for it. I assure that this will be of your tastes and you gotta check this out!!!!
...
Thanks to the author for the review copy!
The book's divided into three emotional parts ~
~ hooked
~ caged
~ seduced
♡ these 3 stories were super dark, and tbh what else was i expecting? This was an unusual turn for those classic stories and i am here for it. I assure that this will be of your tastes and you gotta check this out!!!!
...
Thanks to the author for the review copy!
March 31, 2022
Wonderful dark reimaginings that drag you under and don’t let go until the last page.
Wendy and Peter are a beautifully tragic pair destined for a powerful and everlasting love. Some twists and turns, some heartache and lots of pain, and thankfully a HEA, but this is no Peter Pan!
Zella and Valentine’s story is full of torture, lies, betrayal and imprisonment. With a few dark jokes and a deep love born in shared darkness.
Alexie and Poppy are both beyond broken and it takes much longer for them to find their way. Hidden worlds, religious abuse, self torture, pain and death…everything is going on in this story, luckily there’s a happy ending!
Wendy and Peter are a beautifully tragic pair destined for a powerful and everlasting love. Some twists and turns, some heartache and lots of pain, and thankfully a HEA, but this is no Peter Pan!
Zella and Valentine’s story is full of torture, lies, betrayal and imprisonment. With a few dark jokes and a deep love born in shared darkness.
Alexie and Poppy are both beyond broken and it takes much longer for them to find their way. Hidden worlds, religious abuse, self torture, pain and death…everything is going on in this story, luckily there’s a happy ending!
April 5, 2022
M. C. Frank has created a masterpiece in fairytale retellings. She took these light-hearted fairytales and turned them into real-life, intense romances that show the underworld of Europe. The stories are tragic but still have hope. Frank shows the nitty gritty of the world and the terrible things they go through. Each of these stories are based on different fairytales but they are all linked together in a common world. While this is a collection- none of these stories are fluff. The tales are told quickly but still lend powerful feelings to the reader. These stories are told in ways they never have been before.
June 5, 2022
An interesting twist on Peter Pan, told as if it were real children in the early 19th century. It is then continued with Wendy and Peter meeting again as adults in aristocratic society. This is followed by two more traditional fairly tales, again twisted and told as happening during the regency era. This time the 'lost boys' are the main male characters interacting with a woman in the same position as Rapunzel in one and Persephone in the underworld in the other. The problem with this is that you lose the ability to 'suspend your disbelief' as you can during the original stories. However, the ideas are good and well written but the stories are a bit long for their content.
April 1, 2022
OMG this was so so good! A well written collection of three dark and sparkling romantic stories inspired by myths, folklore and fairytales and I could not put this down! Each retelling was gripping and exciting, each held you tight and did not let go and each has twists that were not part of the original stories and they are oh so good! Peter Pan, Rapunzel and Hades and Persephone are fantastic stories in their own right but these retellings are incredible, dark and show a totally different side to Disney side of things and I loved them.
June 17, 2022
Very enjoyable
An entertaining mix of genres, placing the stories of Peter Pan, Rapunzel, and Hades and Persephone into the framework of a rambling Regency novel. The book is quite grim at times and almost too pious at others, but overall it is told in a charming tone reminiscent of British novels for children, lightening the mood. The main characters are Peter and some of his Lost Boys, and the book tells how each found happiness, fulfillment, and love, in loosely connected stories. I liked it.
An entertaining mix of genres, placing the stories of Peter Pan, Rapunzel, and Hades and Persephone into the framework of a rambling Regency novel. The book is quite grim at times and almost too pious at others, but overall it is told in a charming tone reminiscent of British novels for children, lightening the mood. The main characters are Peter and some of his Lost Boys, and the book tells how each found happiness, fulfillment, and love, in loosely connected stories. I liked it.
March 31, 2022
There are three stories all part of the same world. You have a Peter Pan retelling, Rapunzel retelling, and Hades/Persephone retelling. They are all done so well. You have just enough of the classic fairytale/myth incorporated. You get angst, you get kisses and love, you get adventure.
These retelling offer new and interesting twists so if you want a retelling that stay close to the original, then look elsewhere.
Recommend to fairytale retelling lovers as well as dark romance (not spicy)
These retelling offer new and interesting twists so if you want a retelling that stay close to the original, then look elsewhere.
Recommend to fairytale retelling lovers as well as dark romance (not spicy)
April 2, 2022
Hooked, Caged and Seduced are fairytale retellings written in regency romance style. Peter Pan, Rapunzel and Hades and Persephone retellings have never looked as good as what MC Frank had done in this book.
Each story interconnects and the overall picture shows a makeshift family as its members try navigating through the world. The book contains some darker themes, but the author writes them beautifully and presents them in a way thay doesn't make them feel dark.
Each story interconnects and the overall picture shows a makeshift family as its members try navigating through the world. The book contains some darker themes, but the author writes them beautifully and presents them in a way thay doesn't make them feel dark.
July 26, 2023
This book is a collection of three novella length stories, and they are very dark. And not dark in a sexy way, but dark in a grim, unpleasant way. The main characters are all very broken as a result of suffering terrible abuse and cruelty as children and/or teenagers. They manage to heal and find love and triumph over their past, but I did not enjoy reading their stories. In fact, this was a DNF for me. I skimmed through and decided not to read in detail, because it was just too grim.
April 1, 2022
Thrilling, slightly terrifying retelling of faery tales
Three tales retold brilliantly. Childhood is the land where nobody dies. But Peter, Valentine and Alexei never had a childhood until they started taking their fate in their own hands.
Those faery tales with a twist will keep you fascinated and absolutely enthralled from start to finish.
Three tales retold brilliantly. Childhood is the land where nobody dies. But Peter, Valentine and Alexei never had a childhood until they started taking their fate in their own hands.
Those faery tales with a twist will keep you fascinated and absolutely enthralled from start to finish.
April 2, 2022
Retold includes three dark and sparkling romantic stories inspired by myths, folklore and fairytales, as well as by the glittering world and the roguish gentlemen of Regency London.
They might look like quick, fun reads, but don’t be fooled: these stories are going to break your heart into a million pieces.
They might look like quick, fun reads, but don’t be fooled: these stories are going to break your heart into a million pieces.
April 17, 2022
Regency themes mixed with beautiful retellings of classic stories
Such a great set of interwoven tales by this author, starting with the classic retelling of Peter Pan and then following on with his 'Lost Boys'.
I wept, I raged, I laughed, and I smiled. An enchanting if somewhat dark series of stories that explained what happened after neverland.
Such a great set of interwoven tales by this author, starting with the classic retelling of Peter Pan and then following on with his 'Lost Boys'.
I wept, I raged, I laughed, and I smiled. An enchanting if somewhat dark series of stories that explained what happened after neverland.
April 20, 2022
Loooooved this collection of stories! I just knew before I even picked this book up that it was going to be a winner for me. This book in particular takes three of my favorite tales (Peter pan, Rapunzel, and Hades/Persephone) and weaves them into something so magical and unique. If you’re looking for an HEA that is unlike anything you’ve read before definitely pick up this series!
May 16, 2022
I don't usually like stories that are retold, but this collection was entertaining. There is romance, adventure, great characters and good stories overall. I wasn't particularly impressed with the inappropriate language used. It added nothing to the story and I probably won't be looking for any more books by this author.
November 30, 2024
The concept was good on all three books, but in many cases the characters were overly dramatic which was a little off putting. There was a lot of crying and fainting, especially in Caged, which at times made me want to give the characters a good shake. Overall it was a decent series but not exceptional. A+++ on cover art, beautiful designs.
July 31, 2022
This is the perfect series when you are in a mood for woefull romance in a regency London setting.
This book put me through so many emotions but that was a great rollercoasters of emotions.
Give this book and all of her other books a chance.
This book put me through so many emotions but that was a great rollercoasters of emotions.
Give this book and all of her other books a chance.
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April 9, 2022I won this book in a contest on goodreads.com, and I read the first 3 chapters and couldn't get into it. I skipped to the end and I didn't care for it. I just couldn't get into it.
April 10, 2022
Fascinating, dark, and compelling.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews