Once Upon a Forbidden Desire: Fairy Tales and Other Stories

by Erin Grey (Editor), Zoey Ellis, Kathryn Ann Kingsley

When it comes to true love, rules are meant to be broken …

Dark forests and locked doors, poisoned apples and forbidden lovers ... Bold heroines and swoon-worthy heroes break all the rules in this enchanting anthology of the fairy tales you thought you knew.

Once Upon A Forbidden Desire features 20 enticing fairy tale retellings by a diverse selection of fantasy romance authors. From sweet true love’s kisses to sizzling passion, from the streets of Seattle to enchanted forests, and from poor scullery maids to a winged Prince Charming ...

If you enjoy spellbinding romance, enthralling new worlds, and stories with a taste of the forbidden, these happily ever afters will leave you spellbound. Give in to the temptation and grab your copy of Once Upon A Forbidden Desire now.

With a foreword by Grace Draven and Jeffe Kennedy, this limited edition anthology celebrates the variety of the fantasy romance genre. It contains stories ranging from sweet to steamy and is recommended for an adult audience.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Anthologies, Fantasy Romance, Short Stories, Magic, Retellings

744 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 13, 2022

Reviews

[Julie - One Book More · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once Upon a Forbidden desire is a great collection of fairy tale retellings. From Cinderella to Rapunzel to Beauty and the Beast, the collection includes 20 stories from 20 different authors, and the romances are of varying heat levels from sweet to steamy. There are so many great stories, and I loved reading pieces not only from some of my favorites but also by some new-to-me authors. My favorites in the collection are Blood Dance, Heartfall, and Into the Bargain.

Blood Dance by Vela Roth is Twelve Dancing Princesses retelling set in the Hesperine world. The story follows a widowed woman in her 30’s who has tried for years to protect and care for her sisters. All the time, she’s been in love with a Hesperine who feels the same way. This is a swoon-worthy read as the pair finally admits and gives into their long-held feelings for each other. Heartfall by Lisette Marshall is a unique take on the Rapunzel story, and it’s pretty steamy! Into the Bargain by Colleen Cowley is set in the Clandestine Magic world, and it’s a wonderful Rumpelstiltskin retelling. If you like the grumpy-sunshine trope, you’ll love this story, and the Clandestine Magic world is so unique and intriguing.

All of the retellings are immersive, quick reads, and the romances are wonderful. I would definitely recommend the book if you like fairy tale retellings, romantasy, or shorter stories with a variety of spice levels. I received an advanced copy, and all thoughts are my own.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read Zoey Ellis' novella Call Of The Dark Piper and mann it was short but lovely and hot 🔥
might go back and try to read the other novellas too

[Sahana Ramnath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing set of fantasy romances, with so many cool fairytales and a wide range of tropes and themes! I'm not kidding when I say I loved each and every one of them! ❤️ Tyy Lisette Marshall for giving me an ARC!

I've read and reviewed all the stories, so scroll down to see each novella's tropes, themes, original fairytale and my short reviews! I haven't included TWs in my reviews, because all the stories have blurbs and TWs mentioned in the book itself - some stories are darker than the others, so please check for TWs before you read 🤍

(1) How To Marry a Winged King, by AJ Lancaster - Cinderella retelling with the additional layer of Cinders being a human in her adoptive fae family AND Cinders being literally cursed to stay inside her house, lots of shy conversations about love and respect and future plans, a totally swoony hea

(2) The Prince and The Fairy Godmother, by HR Moore - Snow White retelling, forbidden love, lots of swoony love declarations, MCs fighting to keep their love afloat in the face of adversity

(3) Heartfall, by Lisette Marshall - Rapunzel retelling with all the essential Rapunzel elements, insta attraction leading to love, MMC giving the FMC cute af gifts (❤️), set in the same world as Court of Blood and Bindings (but much earlier)

(4) Blood Dance, by Vela Roth - Twelve Dancing Princesses retelling, fated mates/long term friends to lovers (with loads of pining), vampire MMC/widowed human FMC, set in the Blood Grace world (plus a Rudhira sighting!)

(5) Breathing Techniques for Water Nymphs, by Erin Vere - Ondine retelling, slow burn friends/work partners to lovers, FMC who's scared of abandonment, and an ending so sweet I actually teared up

(6) Into the Bargain, by Colleen Cowley - Rumpelstiltskin retelling, medium burn, friends/co-conspirators to lovers, MCs helping each other out of their respective troubles, swoony af dance scenes (❤️), set in the same world as the Clandestine Magic world (although I haven't read that yet though, so I'm not 100% sure :))

(7) Call of The Dark Piper, by Zoey Ellis - Pied Piper retelling, fated mates who were separated, sli dark romance ish scenes, FMC who battles misogyny and discrimination, uncovering a sinister plot of missing fae children

(8) A Dragon and A Hard Place, by Mimi B. Rose - Sleeping Beauty retelling (with treasure-hoarding dragons and detectives!), families and found families, MCs teaming up to save people from evil (aaand falling for each other in the process)

(9) The Merman's Kiss, by Elsie Winters - genderbent Little Mermaid retelling (I especially liked the way the author portrayed MMC's voicelessness on land, and Ursula), childhood friends to lovers, a completely wholesome and adorable and heartwarming love story, with the sweetest epilogue

(10) Seducing the King, by Trish Heinrich - Cinderella retelling (but the MMC is the king not the prince), age gap romance, forbidden romance (since FMC's pack has been outcasted), fated wolf mates, some omegaverse elements

(11) Three Knights, by S.L.Prater - Baba Yaga retelling, fated mates, FMC removing curse on MMC through brawls, tenderness and a little bit of forbidden seduction, lots funny banter and cute scenes

(12) The Big Bad Wolf, by Kathryn Ann Kingsley - Little Red Riding Hood retelling (with very cool adaptations to the modern world, AND to the steamy scenes xD), monster romances, fated mates

(13) Wish Upon A Frog, by Jaycee Jarvis - genderbent retelling of The Frog Prince, wholesome af, he holds her as a frog and she feels so warm and loved (😭😭😭), they make a bargain to turn her back into a human, beta hero who's non-confrontational but doesn't hesitate to use his cane when someone threatens her (the frog)

(14) By the Skin of a Bear, by November Dawn - Bearskin (French version) retelling, forbidden love (witch and shifter, MMC was FMC's best friend's fiancé but she left him), monster-y MMC who everyone's scared of but FMC doesn't give a shit (😂), a lovely HEA

(15) The Troll's Daughter, by Dani Morrison - The Troll's Daughter retelling, MCs escaping slavery/captivity by helping each other (and they fall for each other), a fun HEA which promises all sorts of happiness and danger and adventure for their future

(16) Idyllwild, by Maria Vale - Cerunnos (Lord of the Wild Things) retelling, cool world building with demons/sins bound to demonkeepers (aka MC), MC who takes revenge on the man who destroyed her childhood home and villainized demonkeepers like her, vengeful/angry MC trope and she's helped by her ship to take revenge

(17) Dream Girl, by Kristin Gleeson - Snow White retelling, long time "dream" friends to lovers, MC who struggles with stardom/fame (hence this story is a bit on the heavier side), an innovative take on Snow White's poisoned apple (😱)

(18) Her Majesty's Wolf, by L. Penelope - genderbent Red Riding Hood retelling, the wolf and the human fall in love whilst on a quest, a super wholesome hea where the MCs both fulfil their dreams

(19) Back to The Woods, by Jennie Lynn Roberts - Hansel and Gretel retelling (a seamless extension of the original fairytale's elements), step siblings romance trope (they did not grow up together, and their parents got married after they both got crushes on each other, in case you're wondering), a very wholesome hea with lots of love and acceptance (❤️)

(20) The Sadder but Wiser Girl, by C.M. Nascota - Beauty and the Beast retelling, arranged (marriage) companionship, monster romance, MCs are each other's happiness/comfort after a lifetime of being alone and lonely :')

[Bex (Beckie Bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of short stories all based on much-loved fairytales but with a more adult twist. They range from the extremely sweet up to the scorching hot so there is definitely something here for everyone whatever your personal taste or heat requirements. I’ve read a few of these authors before but there were also some brand new ones to peruse as well. Some I did like better than others but I still enjoyed everyone included and they are just perfect for when I just fancied something quick to sink my teeth into.

What I especially liked was the heat label before each story so I had a good idea of what to expect that was definitely a bonus. A very imaginative compilation of fairy tale retellings that I appreciated. I voluntary reviewed a copy of One Upon A Forbidden Desire.



Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/63435390

[Betül · Rating 4 out of 5]

**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**


- Idyllwild by Maria Vale (4 stars)
Maria Vale is the only author from this anthology whose books I have read before. So I was really looking forward to what story she would write. Idyllwild is a retelling of Cernunnos, Lord of the Wild Things. This was the first time I ever heard of this Gaelic god of beasts and wild places (I had to google him). Even though the story was short Maria was able to grab my attention with her original plot and intriguing characters. The whole concept of female demonkeepers was very unique and I would've loved for this story to be a full-length novel. Nevertheless, I really thought the author did an incredible job with this story and I felt a great connection with the characters.

- By the Skin of a Bear by November Dawn (4 stars)
A retelling of Bearskin (French Version) Witch Cori helps her best friend escape a political mating with Rheon, a beast of an alpha shifter. From the first moment Cori meets Rheon she is incredibly attracted to him and wants to claim him herself. However, Rheon is hellbent on claiming a spot in the shifter council and the easiest way to do so is to marry a princess. But eventually, he realizes that Cori is the right person for him. I really loved Cori's determination and Rheon's broody personality. He was a bit hard-headed but fortunately realized that Cori was the right mate for him.

- Seducing the King by Trish Heinrich (4 stars)
I am a huge fan of shifter romances, and Seducing the King was such a steamy and incredibly hot story. The age gap was a bonus and I loved seeing the characters not being able to resist each other. Trish did a great job with this book and I was sad when it ended. This was a retelling of Cinderella.

I have also read:
- Heartfall by Lisette Marshall (3 stars)
- Blood Dance by Vela Roth (3 stars)

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fairy tales have always fascinated me, ever since I watched Beauty and the Beast as a toddler. It's so magical and whimsical, and it's a great escape from reality when you need that in life. This anthology had so many wonderful stories, and I loved how it included fairy tales I hadn't heard of before. Not one story in this group failed to make me smile, and there were a few that will stick with me long after this book has been put back on the shelf.

Since there are too many stories to highlight all of them in one review, I will focus on my favorites! Each story was starred as I read through the book, and the following stories received five stars from me.

How to Marry A Winged King - AJ Lancaster
A beautiful fae retelling of the classic Cinderella fairy tale, this was the first story in the anthology and immediately had me hooked. It said so much in a short period of time, and I was invested in the characters. The romance was so lovely, with the hero (the king) wooing the reluctant heroine (a human changeling), despite what society might think of such a match. The ending made me wish the story was even longer.

Blood Dance - Vela Roth
One of the fairy tales I feel is very underrated, this book retold the classic Twelve Dancing Princesses tale. Set in a world of humans and vampire-like immortals called Hesperines, this story focused on a widowed woman (in her 30s) and a Hesperine who has been courting her for years. When they realize their feelings can no longer be ignored, be prepared to swoon. Hesperines are known for being romantics.

Into the Bargain - Colleen Cowley
A unique retelling of Rumpelstiltskin, I was immediately intrigued to see where this story would go. I was never a big fan of this fairy tale, but the author has made a fan out of me. The slow burn between this couple had me on the edge of my seat, and I was so excited to see how the seemingly grumpy hero slowly became more attached to the heroine. He didn't want to let her go, and then she realized she didn't want him to. *sigh*

Call of the Dark Piper - Zoey Ellis
Rated as "Scorching" on the anthology's heat scale, this story did not disappoint! A retelling of the Pied Piper of Hamelin tale, it features a mayor heroine trying to save her town from a rat infestation and a strange, dark hero who makes a bargain with her. I don't want to give too much away, but let's just say the mayor isn't all she seems...and these two have a history. Be ready for a lot of emotion amidst all the steam.

The Merman's Kiss - Elsie Winters
Perhaps the story I was most excited about, this was a gender-swapped Little Mermaid retelling that made me desperate for more long after the story concluded. The two MCs knew each other as children and grew up together, without their families being aware or else they would have been separated. When the heroine learns she is to be married against her will, their relationship evolves quickly...and quite satisfyingly, might I add.

Seducing the King - Trish Heinrich
Another Cinderella retelling, this was a surprising 5-star read for me! The reason being it is age gap...AND it's between the heroine and the father of the man she was originally intending to marry. Scandalous! Not only that, but both are wolf shifters and her pack members are outsiders, banished after a past treachery. She is determined to marry the alpha's son to save them, but the alpha has other plans. Very steamy plans.

The Sadder but Wiser Girl - C.M. Nacosta
No one should be surprised by this one, because it's a Beauty and the Beast retelling, my kryptonite. And written by this author, it's no surprise it hit all the right buttons. The heroine is a librarian, essentially "sold" into marriage with the hero, who is a reclusive supernatural creature. She is excited to see his library collection, but soon she is intrigued by more than just his books. It's slow burn, but once they admit their feelings, well...his tail wants in on the action too.

If you love fairy tales retold in unique and steamy ways, I highly recommend this anthology! There is something in there for everyone, at all steam levels, and I guarantee you'll find some new authors to explore. I know I have several.

**I received a free copy from the authors, and this is my honest review.**

[Wicked Fox ✨️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once Upon a Forbidden Desire is one of my favourite anthologies 💜 I love fairytale retellings and couldn't wait to dive into it when I got my hands on an early copy!

I've read several stories by some of my favourite authors and got to read the stories by authors that are new to me. I love how immersive this collection is and I adore each of them. You'll love it

[aarya · Rating 3 out of 5]

2023 Spring Bingo (#SpringIntoLoveBingo🌷): Enchanted

Enjoying 7 stories (novelettes?) in a 20-author anthology is honestly incredible. Worth the buy. The Lancaster was the best one, and I think the editors must agree with me because they placed it first in the collection. Highlights include (in order of appearance):

- How to Marry a Winged King by AJ Lancaster (Cinderella)
- Heartfall by Lisette Marshall (Rapunzel)
- Call of the Dark Piper by Zoey Ellis (Pied Piper of Hamelin)
- The Merman’s Kiss by Elsie Winters (Little Mermaid)
- Three Knights by S.L. Prater (Baba Yaga)
- The Big Bad Wolf by Kathryn Ann Kingsley (Little Red Riding Hood)
- Wish Upon a Frog by Jaycee Jarvis (Frog Prince)

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasy romance readers, just cough up 99 cents and check out Once Upon a Forbidden Desire. This is a lovely collection! Each author’s story begins with a title, the name of the fairy tale that serves as the inspiration and heat rating of 1 to 4 candles. 1 candle is low heat and 4 candles is scorching. Also, some authors included trigger warnings if their story warranted it.

It’s nice to have two great authors (Grace Daven and Jeffe Kennedy) contribute the forward. But the shine of this collection comes from the tale telling! There are so many great stories in this fantasy romance collection! There were authors I had read previously, some I have always wanted to read and some were new to me. Readers of the genre are sure to find several tales that appeal to them. I liked most of them. A couple of the stories did not give the villains their just desserts, which made me like them less. There was one story I could not get into and did not finish. But what did not appeal to me, will be a favorite of some other reader.

For me, there were a handful I gave 5 stars to. These stories all included engaging storytelling, mature characters, a happy ending for the heroine and hero, and where necessary, a chastised villain. For the sake of your time and my space, I will limit my review to my top 5.

Idyllwild (Cernunnos, Lord of the Wild Things) by Maria Vale. My favorite story in the collection. This one is not so much based on a fairy tale as it is on celtic lore. The unusual world is a cool combination of a modern city with old world ideals, along with unique flora and an obsession with the local cuisine. The Demonkeeper concept, that a person can get rid of their inner demons, is an interesting concent. Are we better with or without them? Or are we all just our own demonkeepers?

About Idyllwild – Idara is a Demonkeeper. Inside her are bound Lust, Obsession, Fear, and other uncontrollable demons that might distract the staid and hardworking citizens of Summerhouses. Then one demon is bound to her that is not like the others. One that is very wild and very, very angry.

How to Marry a Winged King (Cinderella) by AJ Lancaster. The first story in the anthology sets a very high bar for the rest of the book. Cinderalla is a story we’ve all know since we were very young and we have experienced in many versions over the years. I adored this fresh take on the story of the downtrodden servant who becomes all that she should be. The spin in this story is the king’s role in recognizing that woman.

About How to Marry a Winged King – When the fae king announces he’ll choose a bride at the Thrice-Held Ball, Cinders is forbidden to attend. As a lowly human, she’s never been good enough for her noble fae family. Certainly not good enough to appear with them in public. But that was before she received an enchanted mask that alters her appearance.

Into the Bargain (Rumplestiltskin) by Colleen Cowley. As I was reading this story, I recognized the world of the Clandestine Magic series. It serves as a charming supplemental story about that world. This is the tale of a strong heroine who goes after what she wants. Even if what she wants changes. After all, it’s all about going with the flow.

About Into the Bargain – Pen never thought she’d need to convince her town’s wizard to marry her, but he’s her least awful option. When his droll assistant offers a questionable bargain to help her secure the man, she knows she should turn it down. But what choice does she have?

Blood Dance (The Twelve Dancing Princess) by Vela Roth. The fairy tale basis for this story is less well known than many other tales. I remember reading it, but not all the details. Which actually enhanced the story. I wasn’t second guessing what would happen. In it, the heroine, finally gets the happy ending she has ensured for everyone around her. While her father plots to keep her from that happiness, others are determined to make it happen. It’s great to have people who care for you!

About Blood Dance– Phoebe, a widow in her thirties, feels like a princess every time fanged, immortal Alethas spirits her out of her father’s castle for dances under the full moon. After years of making sacrifices for her eleven sisters, she’s tempted to let him fulfill all her secret desires. But loving a Hesperine like him could get a proper lady like her killed.

The Big Bad Wolf (Little Red Riding Hood) by Kathryn Ann Kingsley. This one appealed to me because of the heroine, a business owner who is in complete control. Well, until the hot hero comes to town.

About The Big Bad Wolf – Annie likes her quiet life running Grandma’s House, the only bar in town. Not much exciting happens this deep in Minnesota, and she kind of prefers it that way. But all that changes when the dark, brooding stranger shows up with a smile that looks like it could kill. Wolf is after one thing and one thing only— the hunt. And Annie is looking good enough to eat right up.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. My review is my honest opinion.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like all anthologies, this one was a mixed bag. But I came into it only knowing a few of the authors, and there's a few others I'll be looking up now.

Although the overall collection probably averaged out at a three for me, my highlights were:

- How to Marry a Winged King by AJ Lancaster: this had a slow start, but absolutely charmed me by the end. As always, I loved and appreciated the distinctive Kiwi undertones in AJ Lancaster's writing, she always makes me end up feeling a little bit homesick (in a good way).
-Heartfall by Lisette Marshall: a fun and unexpected twist on Rapunzel
- Into the Bargain, by Colleen Cowley: I really enjoy Cowley's Clandestine Magic world and it was lovely to return to it with some new characters
- Idyllwild, by Maria Vale: A unique take on an old concept that has allegories into today
- Her Majesty's Wolf, by L. Penelope: This dystopian, gender-flipped Red Riding Hood opened up a really interesting world that I'd very happily read more in.
- Back to the Woods, by Jennie Lynn Roberts: a grown-up, long-parted Hansel and Gretel find their way back to each other; I loved how this fairy-tale was used to look at the pain of relationships lost and how they can be regained.
- The Sadder but Wiser Girl, by CM Nacosta: this was my first foray into CM Nacosta, who has been taking certain parts of the clock app by storm for the last wee while, but is generally in the "too spicy for me" category. She's still in the "too spicy for me" category but I'm a sucker for Beauty and the Beast and this was a lovely retelling.

I also really appreciated the trigger notes that began each entry in this collection, which allowed me to skip one story where I knew the contents really wouldn't be for me.

My problem with most of the entries that I found weaker was just the underdevelopment that is all too easy to fall foul of in the short story format. Though, there was one (Call of the Dark Piper by Zoey Ellis) that to my reading felt icky from a consent perspective in a way I just couldn't get over - even though it was very well written.

Also it has to be said that the collection suffers from a frankly rubbish forward, that despite being contributed by authors that might technically be better known than most of those in the collection, was flippant and doesn't do it justice.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sadder But Wiser Girl by C.M. Nascosta

I LOVED this BaTB retelling. This was the first manticore story I’ve ever read and I’m shocked it didn’t fog up the library windows with how hot it was. Marionette was hilarious and Guile was such an intense and sexy character - I loved them both.

I know this was just a novella but I want MORE. The worldbuilding was so interesting and I hope to see more of these characters in future.

[The Reading Hammock | Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't love a fairy tale retelling? Especially when those fairy tales got a glow up from the family-friendly Disney versions we remember from our childhoods.

This 20 story anthology hits so many classics (Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Rapunzel, Hansel & Gretel) and a few I was less familiar with (12 Dancing Princesses, Ondine, and a few others). Spice levels range from sweet to 🔥🔥 and I appreciated that those ratings were included at the front of every story, so you knew what to expect.

I loved how so many of the stories took place within an author's established story universe, like Elsie Winters' Boundlands and Lisette Marshall's Fae Isles. And like any anthology, it's a great way to test the waters of a new-to-you author to explore their story universe before committing to a whole book or series.

The stories are short, 10k words a pop, so easy to read as a grown-up bedtime story! I loved reading them as part of my "getting ready for bed" routine, and often found myself carrying my kindle room to room with my eyes glued, just to get a few more pages in.

[Esme Carmichael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once Upon A Forbidden Desire is a wonderful collection of romance stories inspired by our favourite fairytales. From Cinderella and The Little Mermaid , to The Piper of Hamelin and Baba Yaga , each story brings unique spins to classic tales. With steam levels varying from mild to scorching 🥵, and from sweet liaisons to full-on monster smut, this really is an anthology that will suit everyone. Each story also includes a short blurb and a concise content warning, which I applaud 👏

My favourite tales:
💫 How to Marry a Winged King
💫 Blood Dance
💫 Three Knights
💫 Call of the Dark Piper

This anthology truly is a must-read for all romantic fantasy fans.

Thank you to the authors for providing an ARC copy. All opinions are my own.

[Marcella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love anthologies, and this one has some of my favorite fairytale in an unexpected spin!

There were spice levels in form of candles (1-4 levels) and trigger warning before every chapters, so if some of them are not your cup of tea, just skip to another story. I enjoyed most of them, just need to skip a couple stories that TW and heat are not comfortable for me. But all the stories I read are very good and enjoyable!

My personal favorites are Heartfall by Lisette Marshall (Rapunzel), The Merman's Kiss by Elsie Winters (Little Mermaid), Three Knights by S. L. Prater (Baba Yaga), Wish Upon a Frog by Jaycee Jarvis (Frog Prince), By the Skin of a Bear by November Dawn (Bearskin-french ver), and Her Majesty’s Wolf by L. Penelope (Red Riding Hood).

[Zen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I really enjoyed two of the stories in this collection, but for the most part, I wasn't a fan of them. I think for me that the length of the stories was the biggest detriment. It just wasn't enough time to build the characters and relationships when some of the authors focused so much on steam.

[☽｡⋆ Shells (jlreads_) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been looking forward to this anthology ever since I discovered it.

First and foremost, I appreciated the movement in this anthology, which piqued my interest.

So, the big question: did I enjoy it?

I'd say I had a good time, though some things were not to my liking. I've read two of these authors before and thought they were good, but not this time, and the same goes for the other stories in this collection. They didn't hold my attention.

Unfortunately, I don't have a favorite here as much as I would have liked to, but overall, this one was fine. 

[Merissa (Archaeolibrarian) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anthologies can be hit-and-miss for me. Sometimes, you'll get a great collection. Other times, it will be a list of mediocre stories. ONCE UPON A FORBIDDEN DESIRE definitely belongs in the first category. If you love fairy tales, then you will adore this collection. There is a heat level here for everyone, with stories ranging from The Pied Piper of Hamelin to Hansel and Gretel, told with their own twist by each of the authors.

With an abundance of new-to-me authors, as well as old favourites, I now have a list of various stories and series that I want to read, based on their stories in this anthology. There was not a single one that let the side down.

This was a fantastic collection of fairy tale retellings, each with its own heat rating at the beginning. I loved every story and thoroughly appreciated the range of various fairy tales to enjoy. Highly recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 19, 2022

[Olga Godim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually bought this book for one story - A.J. Lancaster's How to Marry a Winged King. I like this author's other books and this short story was no exception. First, it was one of the few low-heat stories in the anthology otherwise full of smut. I was grateful for it: I don't like hot and steamy. Second, it was a wonderful story, a Cinder-Ella retelling, quiet, charming, and very well written.
Another low-heat story I enjoyed was Into the Bargain by Colleen Cowley. Interesting protagonists, high tension throughout, and one sizzling kiss. A delightful story on all counts.
I tried a few other stories as well, but only one of them worked - marginally - Wish Upon A Frog by Jaycee Jarvis. Sadly, it was nowhere near the quality of Lancaster's or Cowley's story. There is a good idea here, and it could be developed into a marvelous tale, if the author paid more attention to the characters' emotions and the logic of the plot and less to the bed sport.

[hea booktubes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read The Merman’s Kiss by Elsie Winters who is one of my favorite authors. This was a really short novelette about a merman and an elven girl. Just loved it, so incredibly sweet.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an e-ARC from author Maria Vale in exchange for an honest review. Review can also be found on *Milky Way of Books*

I have developed a carving for anthologies this year. For some strange reason, I get to enjoy reading multiple stories that also include my favorite authors but also get me to discover new ones, making me squeal from joy and my wallet moan in despair.

So when Maria Vale approached me with this chance I jumped into it (whom I had the joy to meet at Apollycon and she is the sweetest person EVER). So the anthology as you guessed contains fairytales with a twist some are familiar like Rapunzel and Cinderella and others, like the one Maria Vale wrote are myths.

Hers is inspired by Cernunnos, the Celtic horned keeper of wild places, but placed in the fictional land of Summerhouses where the Keepers exist, humans who tattoo demons on their skin, and everyone live in a capitalistic tourist city with an old forest that is threatened. Idara is such a demonkeeper and when she takes in yet another demon, adding to the many others she already carries, she will soon discover that the being inside her is not something to be contained.

The other one I enjoyed was C. M. Nascosta who wrote a spicy yet very emotional version of Beauty and the Beast. And if you follow her Instagram you'll understand why some will like her version lol.

Overall yes this will satisfy all those who like some good fairytales with all the spicy stuff :P

[Rajini · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the anthology you want to pick up with a cup of hot tea and just devour. That's exactly what I did. I sat down and just dug right in.

It did not disappoint.

First off, all of these authors write golden stories. They're always well written, developed, drag you in. This was exactly what you'd expect from them. The heat levels(and the candlesticks that told you how hot it'd be) was well down and accurate. Coming from me to say it was accurate? I was blown away. I enjoyed that each book followed a different heat level and if I wasn't feeling that level of heat, I could skip that book and come back to it later.

Candlesticks ya'll. Absolutely brilliant.

Now to review each story? There is more than 10 stories and that'd be an extremely long review. So I most likely will review them individually later on. I will say, I can't choose a favorite story. I honestly recommend them all. Trish Heinrich, Zoey Ellis, Elsie Winters, C.M. Nascosta, all had books that I specifically searched for but these were the authors I normally read and have reviewed for before. I'm biased.

All in all, buy it. It's worth it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯

[Brittany Cicirello · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect anthology for faro fans

This is exactly why I love anthologies. Every story was a gem and I couldn't get enough! The premise of each story adapting a different fairytale was genius. From gender-swaps to new magical powers, each author made the fairy tale feel new again. If only the stories could be longer. A lot longer ;)

If you love fairytale retellings, this is a perfect anthology for you!

[James McRay]

There's some good stuff in here, and some meh stuff in here. I've added books from two authors to my TBR list, Elsie Winters and Jaycee Jarvis.

[adrie rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

i’ll be honest, i only got this for cm nascosta’s story. a+

[Misty · Rating 4 out of 5]

“When it comes to true love, rules are meant to be broken.”

This book of short stories comes out September 13th. I was provided this arc and this is my honest review!

What a wonderful read! I loved getting to see the fairytales I fell in love with retold in a more romantic, spicy manner. I didn’t know many of the authors and am happy to say I plan on looking into them. I adored every story and was disappointed to see each one end. I wanted the story to keep going!

If you enjoy fairytales and a mixture of fluffy sweet and hot and spicy romance, this book is for you!

[The Aqua Pisces · Rating 5 out of 5]

Call of the dark Piper by: Zoey Ellis
Great short story of the royal dark Fae coming to claim his lost stollen mate!

[EJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Once Upon a Forbidden Desire anthology is a enchanting collection of 20 diverse tales by authors I’ve already been fond of and other authors I’m excited to discover.

This anthology is helpfully provides a content guide and “Heat Levels” system. Both are meant to help readers navigate to a reading experience best suited for them. There is a variety to choose from.

That variety is something I also loved. Fairy tales are so foundational to modern story-building, it shouldn’t ever be hard to get really creative about how we retell them. This anthology delivers on just that. Fans of historical, contemporary, and fantasy settings should all feel satisfied with this collection. I may have liked some representation from science fiction, but that is this reviewers personal preference.

I cannot say enough that I think anthologies like these are good bargains for readers. Not only do you get a lot of entertainment for your money, you get to discover new writers that didn’t just pop up from the great Zon algorithm. Anthologies in the indie author world rarely suck around long. It is likely worth the couple bucks to secure your copy, monster lovers.

My personal top ten picks are below in order that they appear in the anthology:

⭐️How to Marry a Winged King by AJ Lancaster

⭐️Into the Bargain by Colleen Cowley

⭐️Call of the Dark Piper by Zoey Ellis

⭐️Three Knights by S. L. Prater

⭐️The Big Bad Wolf by Kathryn Ann Kingsley

⭐️Wish Upon a Frog by Jaycee Jarvis

⭐️By the Skin of a Bear by November Dawn

⭐️The Troll’s Daughter by Dani Morrison

⭐️Idyllwild by Maria Vale

⭐️The Sadder But Wiser Girl by C.M. Nascosta

***ARC provided and voluntarily reviewed***

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

couldn’t put it down

So good I found lots of new to me authors and some of my favorites. I really enjoyed the new takes on old stories some I liked more than others I loved the twist on the little mermaid.

[Evelyn Fae · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Aren’t you supposed to be wooing potential brides?” “I am.” I glanced away from the intensity of his gaze. “What if I say no? Shouldn’t you know what your options are?” I still couldn’t truly believe he was serious about this. – How to Marry a Winged King by Aj Lancaster

“Clearly,” he said, shoving it aside, “it would be dangerous to refuse you anything, my little treasure.” “Very dangerous.” She bit her lip—another gesture that really had no right looking so damn attractive. – Heartfall by Lisette Marshall

She took a step forward. “I’m not a young bride anymore …” “I don’t want a girl like Amata. I want a woman like you who understands how bitter life can be … who knows how to find the sweetness in it with me.” – Blood Dance by Vela Roth

“Godes, you two are worse than the lovers in that awful play everyone’s always raving about. Next, I’ll find you lying in a tomb somewhere with daggers in your hearts.” - Breathing Techniques for Water Nymphs by Erin Vere

“My own mate forbidden from me! I tried to accept it—that I would never know what it was like to have the one who is compatible to me in every way, the one whose smile would complete my day and satisfy me beyond measure. But it is a void I’ve felt deeply all my life. Not everyone has the privilege to be matched, and for some reason my mate threw our future away.” – Call of the dark Piper by Zoey Ellis

Annie was running for her life. Naked. With a shotgun. – The Big Bad Wolf by Kathryn Ann Kingsley

“We do not treat books that way!” she shouted, batting at his shoulders in fury, “under any circumstances!” – The sadder but wiser girl by C. M. Nascosta

These are just a small percent of quotes I liked the most in this book!
This Anthology understood the assignment! I love fairy tales and their versions where so creative and a fresh breath of quality air or hot spice scorching trough your veins, I was so sad when I reached the last page. I hope there will be another one!

[MyRomanceHasNoLimits · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may have started straight with hot and scorching novellas 😏😇🥵 may...

Found a Ranpunzel on a tower with no men (poor thing!) 😏 and Baba Yaga on a How's Moving forest hut (with tail play and primal play)! I may have died and gone to heaven 😇
We have vampires, monsters 🥵

The foreword... oh I loved it so much!!

Was lucky to read the ARC and this is my very honest review 😇