In a Dark, Dark Wood

The Forest Tales #4

by Cece Louise

In a dark, dark wood, there was a dark, dark man . . .

Calia believes in ghosts. How could she not when she is haunted by a past encounter that sent her into hiding? She concocts a plan so crazy, it just might save her— if it doesn’t lead to her downfall. All she has to do is impersonate a missing princess and fulfill that princess’s betrothal to the Prince of Ebonwood.

Prince Brone believes in nothing—certainly not the curse rumored to plague the royal wives of Ebonwood. After the untimely death of his first wife, all he wishes is to be left alone. Once more facing a marriage not of his choosing, he vows not to make the same mistakes that cost him so dearly last time.

Calia soon discovers that fooling the prince will be much harder than she thought. As her complicated feelings for him begin to grow, so does her fear of Ebonwood—a kingdom shrouded in darkness, secrets, and even murder.

Will a warning from beyond the grave save Calia from the fate of the previous Ebonwood wives, or will it spell her ultimate ruin?

Inspired by the classic poem “In a Dark, Dark Wood,” this clean, standalone romantic suspense is perfect for anyone who loves fairy tales with a Gothic twist.  

Author's Note: Recommended for ages 14 and up (due to some mature themes).

Genres: Fantasy, Fairy Tales, Fairy Tale Retellings, Romance, Fantasy Romance, Historical Fantasy, Retellings

312 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2022

About the author

Cece Louise writes clean novels filled with adventure, romance, and spirit for teens and adults.

Cece is an avid reader who has been making up stories in her head as long as she can remember. Despite all that daydreaming, she graduated summa cum laude with a BBA from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee in 2012.

When she's not working on her latest story, Cece spends her time having adventures with her husband and two kids, hiking and biking in her home state of WI, and unfortunately, cleaning her house (which she is convinced is secretly inhabited by mischievous, mess-multiplying pixies).

Get "Saving Vengeance" eBook FREE at CeceLouise.com!

Reviews

[Rainz ❤️rainnbooks❤️(on a break) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gargoyle filled castle… curses and rumors swirling in the air… secret passageways and voices thru walls… Ebonwood is as gothic as gothic gets.

Cece Louise’s In A Dark, Dark Wood is book #4 in the Forest Tales series and is perfectly good as a stand alone. I had no trouble following Calia and Brone’s utterly captivating marriage of convenience story changing to love.

The writing by the author Cece Louise is commendable, effortlessly transporting the reader to Ebonwood, its dreary presence, and the forbidding forests conveying the chill Calia has to endure there. The romance is delightfully clean. The story has POVs of both Calia and Brone and the change in their respective stances is evident as the story progresses. Both Calia and Brone are forced into a marriage due to differing circumstances and I loved how Calia’s outlook towards Brone switches from one of brooding and aloof, an uncaring man interested in his gadgets and his seclusion, to the feeling of safety by his mere presence and then the blossoming of love when faced with danger to his life.

The mystery surrounding the curse was intriguing and the rains darkening the atmosphere enhances the doom and gloom vibe of the novel. The secondary characters like Ryker were fantastic and I loved the easy friendship showcased between Ryker and Brone. Madam Constance’s character is an homage to Rebecca’s Mrs. Danvers and it was exciting to read how the author has used different fairy tales in the story which does remind us of all the classics but still manages to provide a wholly unique take on this absorbing read.

I haven’t read any other books by the author but I was totally engrossed with In A Dark, Dark Wood and have half a mind to binge-read all the other books in the series. Lovely!

Many thanks to Book Sirens and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.

This review is published in my blog Rain'n'Books, ##Goodreads, ##Amazon India, ##Book Bub, ##Medium.com, ##Facebook, ##Twitter.

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

In a Dark, Dark Wood, the fourth book in The Forest Tales series, is inspired by the children’s poem of the same name. I love this series and this addition to it. The characters are compelling, the story is interesting, and the romance is lovely. I also really like the Gothic vibes throughout the story, and the ominous, dark, and foreboding tone. Mysterious characters, a dark and gloomy setting, secrets, lies, and more shroud the story with this immensely Gothic feel.

Ebonwood, where most of the story takes place, is eerie and haunted. From the ominous statues outside to the dreary castle in which they live to the secrets that lurk around every corner, this creepy setting sets the tone for the story. The curse of the Ebonwood wives haunts the castle, and secrets of the death of Prince Brone’s first wife only adds to the dark and dangerous feel. I love that the setting and characters are shrouded in mystery, and one character even has Mrs. Danvers vibes for all of you Daphne du Maurier fans out there. There are definite nods to the du Maurier’s Rebecca, as well as classic fairy tales.

The story is told from both Calia and Brone’s perspectives, and they have a fantastic, slow-building enemies-to-lovers romance. For those of you who read the other books in the series, Calia and Brone are mentioned in Mazarine, as the protagonist is betrothed to Brone, and that is who Calia is pretending to be. I like that the story switches points of view. It adds so much to the character development and balances the story nicely. You really get to understand their fears, hopes, and motivations, and you see just how deeply they start to care for each other.

I liked both Calia and Brone from the start and was pulled into both of their stories. They both have such compelling arcs – she is trying to protect her siblings while fleeing from her past, and he is treated miserably, has an equally painful past, and secludes himself. To make matters more complicated, Calia and Brone enter into a marriage of convenience that’s riddled with problems. Trust issues, curses, lies, political ramifications, and mysterious threats plague this couple from the very beginning. Yet, they have this undeniable pull, a connection that they feel and slowly build upon throughout the mystery and danger. Both are so lost and alone, and I love that they find each other. All of this makes for an intriguing, suspenseful, and romantic read with many twists, turns, and unexpected surprises!

I love The Forest Tales series and am always excited to read Cece Louise’s books. The stories, characters, and romances are fantastic, and the fairy tale vibes and fantasy elements pay homage to the classics while still feeling wholly original and compelling. The author also connects the stories in a way that you can easily them as a series or as standalones. I can’t recommend this one enough to readers who enjoy clean YA fantasy, and I am so thankful to the author for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

[Chad Barrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book and this series is sooo good that it’s very easy to recommend it to everyone who loves fantasy and romance in their reading libraries!

Please sign up to Cece’s newsletter so you can get the novella that is the precedent to the first book in this series. Then get all four books and start with book one because you’ll have an insight into a couple of the main characters you’ll meet again in book one!

In this book the princess who is to marry the prince of a neighboring kingdom has disappeared and her parents are frantic to find out what happened to her.
(If you want to find out read book three Mazarine). Even though the stories are stand alones they are connected so that’s why you need to get the whole series. In this case a girl comes forward to tell the king and queen she’ll go through with the proposed marriage to keep the peace between the two kingdoms. However, upon her arrival her betrothed, the prince, unmasks her plot but agrees to go through with the marriage anyway. It’s an enemy to
lovers story at the onset but feelings do change as they get to know each other. There are betrayals though and one will totally shock you at the end so be prepared to be very surprised when it is revealed!

This is a book and series I am sure you’ll tell friends and family that they must read! Be prepared to stay up late because the story is so well written and the plot is so compelling that you just won’t want to stop!
That’s why you need to get all four books and not just this one because you are going to love these characters Cece has brought to life through her writings! They are some of my fondest friends and I am glad they are just a click away to be brought back again so I can reread them again and again!

[Mara YA Mood Reader]

$.99 on Kindle today 4/27/23!

[Cat Bowser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Wow, this was a fun delve into fairy tales with a beautiful, dark coat of paint. Rather than one fairy tale in particular, this story feels like the author took the overall feel of the Grimm tales as a whole and wove a new world out of it.

You will find similar feels, symbols and the like to stories you know but with a new twist and a healthy dose of macabre and dark. Yet it feels needed and matched with the essence of the story.

The characters are great because they resemble the kind of characters you grow to love in stories but have their own independence and spirit to them. So, familiar yet different.

That’s probably the best way to describe this book. It’s similar to fairy tales in the best of ways but also different in the best of ways, creating a unique world worthy of exploring.

I look forward to more.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

* I received an ARC copy of this book. Here is my honest review:

In her fourth stand-alone novel, Cece Louise keeps with her Forest Tales Series' fairy tale theme, but wraps it in a Gothic atmosphere and sprinkles in a little mystery. I love how the author draws inspiration from the beloved children's poem, "In a Dark, Dark Wood." She cleverly references the poem a couple of times throughout her story.

As always, Louise gives her readers what they want with a slow burn romance full of surprises and entertaining banter. I ADORE Brone. He is not your typical, regal Prince Charming. His yearning for solitude and his desire for creating gadgets makes him mysterious, yet endearing at the same time. Calia is quite enjoyable as well, and readers will sympathize with her as she embarks on her mission of impersonating a missing princess.

I Give this book a solid 5 out of 5 stars. I look forward to reading it again on a stormy night and wondering if that is the wind howling outside my door...or a wandering ghost :)

[Jodi Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In A Dark, Dark Wood was the first book in The Forest Tales Series by Cece Louise that I have read, so I wasn't sure what to expect. What I found was a beautiful Gothic romance filled with a missing princess, an impersonated princess, a fake marriage, a curse, murders, hauntings, and mystery all set against the backdrop of a dark forest and an old castle. Cece created a world full of shadows and whispers that kept me guessing who the villains were until the very end.
Calia is a selfless, brave, and forgiving heroine. She agrees to impersonate a missing princess in order to save her sisters and her brother. She isn't worried about herself, only her siblings. Prince Brone was a physically and emotionally scarred character, who had not known real love or friendship in his life. He keeps everyone in his life at a distance, never letting anyone know him or love him until he married Calia. I loved how Calia's relationship with Prince Brone developed from mutual indifference to friendship to love. As a reader, I found the dual view point of this book so interesting. If I had only read Prince Brone's point of view, I wouldn't have fully grasped who he was as a character. I definitely wouldn't have seen the swoony hero he turned out to be through Calia's description of him.
This book left me content and happy at the end. It is a wonderful read. This book is in a series, but it can be read as a stand alone book.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to go wrong with fairytale retellings. After all, you already have all the elements you need, you already know that the plot is gonna be good and that people are gonna love it. It's harder to base an entire book on a poem, especially if the poem doesn't have a plot. I was therefore quite curious about this story. The cover captured my attention on BookSirens and after reading the synopsis I knew I wanted to read it.

When I saw that the book was dedicated to Rebecca, the famous novel turned into a movie by Hitchcock, I only grew more excited, but it also meant that I of course kinda new in what direction the story might evolve. However, stories like these aren't so much about the ending. We all kind of know how the story will end, with a happily ever after. Stories like this are all about the road, about how the characters will get there and which obstacles they have to fight.

The atmosphere in this book was absolutely amazing. I think the atmosphere is Rebecca's strongest suit and the book managed to create the same kind of constant tension, where everyone keeps on wondering if what's happening is supernatural or has a logical explanation. I also loved that Louise used so many elements of the original Rebecca tale, but did remix those elements into an entirely brand new and fresh story.

I however especially loved the characters. Mostly because they never came across as stupid or dumb. They actually communicated, they did the right things at the right moments, they did think before they acted. They also clearly had already been through quite a lot, both carrying their scars, either visible or invisible, with them. And it wasn't that hard to understand why these two characters eventually fell in love with each other.

I will certainly check out the other books in the series!

[Charity Bradford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a refreshing and deeply satisfying read. It read like a great mash-up of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and Beauty and the Beast. There is a rich cast of characters in a well-defined world that is easy to get lost in. I felt for Calia from the very beginning, and I quickly became enamored with the broody and sad Prince Brone. Their journey to trust and love was beautifully laid out. The other thing I really liked was the mystery. I was highly suspicious of everyone, and by the end I was happy that I hadn’t figured it out. It’s nice to be surprised when the secrets unravel.

The only downside I can think of is that I’m not satisfied with where the real Princess Marilee was the whole time. Perhaps that’s another book that I need to go find?

I give In a Dark, Dark Wood a solid 5 because I did read it in one sitting. All day on a snow day. It was well-written, well-edited, and I was able to get lost in another world without author intrusion. It also gets a Clean spice rating.

1-5 scale and what it means:
1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad
2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing
3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive
3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love
4: Solid mind candy / worth reading
4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read
5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure

Movie Ratings in relation to my review:
Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no intimacy on or off "screen"
PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, intimacy is all closed door
PG-13--some language (swear words not related to intimacy), more talk about intimacy, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but intimacy is closed door.
PG-14—somewhere between PG-13 and R. Not erotica, but at least a paragraph of on-screen intimacy
R--swearing (F-bomb, on “screen” intimacy, sometimes feels like the whole story is about the intimacy and not the relationship or some other plot, but not always

[Therese Heckenkamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful gothic romance with a fairytale flair, In a Dark, Dark Wood might be my favorite Cece Louise book yet—and as excellent as all her novels are, that’s saying something!

I was quickly captivated by this high-stakes story laced with mystery, suspense, and clean romance. The main characters’ chemistry lights up the page. Calia is brave, determined, and resourceful; Prince Brone is scarred by the past, walled off in his gloomy castle, and so in need of love it will make your heart ache. Both are hurting in their own way, and their journey to healing is fraught with darkness and danger. I loved the moody setting, intricate characters, and engaging dialogue.

A beautifully atmospheric story reminiscent of Victoria Holt or Daphne du Maurier, this exciting, twisty story causes delightful shivers and keeps you guessing. Once you curl up with this book, you won’t want to put it down!

I received a free ARC of this novel and this is my honest, voluntary review.

[AsheFaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Content Warning: Blood, slightly graphic descriptions of death/killing/murder, animal attack/death, verbally abusive parent with an illness, descriptions of sexual assault/attempted rape

In A Dark, Dark Wood is definitely a dark, dark book. To start I thought this was a beauty and the beast retelling (I remember seeing that somewhere) but it's not. I'll still be counting it towards my goal anyways. I definitely wasn't expecting some of the themes that were brought up in the book. I do wish the author had a content warning page, so I knew this book wasn't for me. It's also my fault for not reading enough reviews beforehand.

The princess deception felt kind of rushed. Like they expect Calia to automatically act like a princess because she looks like her, but she's grown up as a commoner all her life. There's no training time or anything so it was pretty obvious that Brone would figure it out. While I understand Brone being upset about the deception, he also treats her like absolute garbage. He decides to go through with the marriage to appease his father. Yet when he tries to help Calia, he just undermines her for everything she tries, specifically when he "helps" her learn how to read. Somehow, they end up falling in love at some point. Honestly both characters needed therapy before starting a relationship.

I would've DNFed this book, but I was compelled to continue reading due to the mystery aspect that lingered in the background. What happened to the previous princess? Is the castle haunted or cursed? Is someone possibly trying to kill the new princess? I just wanted the answers. The ending was pretty good. My only issue is that one of the villains was someone that the characters barely interacted with for most of the book. It kind of felt like a rushed detail. I liked the other villain but wish there was a little more foreshadowing to lead to that conclusion.

I have the other books in the series, but I will have to see if I can read them after the content that this book had. I will definitely do more thorough research for them.

[Gemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

'An Ebonwood wife
Will lose her life
Before she shall grow old.
Her king will mourn
Not one child be born
Of a wife dead and cold.'

This book is a standalone book within a series and I read it having never read the other books in the series.

Calia, a millers daughter travels to the neighbouring kingdom Ebonwood under the guise of being the Princess of Kirstadt. She seeks to marry Prince Brone and secure an alliance between the kingdoms, but also to escape her past.

Fake marriage, fake Princess, death, murder, creepy forests, gargoyles, what more could you ask for?

This book reminded me of Beauty and the Beast and every classical fairytale 🥰 If youre looking for an easy to read slow-burn romance this is for you! I think its also a good book to get you out of a reading slump if you don't mind simplicity and clichés (that said there is one twist at the end I didnt see coming!)

I'm not usually a romance reader and I also didn't happen to realise it was romance-heavy before going into it. I did consider DNF-ing it but I think the fantastical elements and the romanticism of fairytales kept me engaged and before long I was devouring the pages, completely involved in the love story that unfolds.

I loved both Calia and Brone in this story, their personalities dont solely revolve around love towards one another. They both have different characteristics which make them loved by the reader and they also have individual backgrounds and stories which the reader slowly uncovers over the course of the book. Having the POVs from each of them allowed the characters to grow and change in our minds.

Louise successfully painted Ebonwood as a dark and dreary place through the weather, the people, and the curse, which all contributed to a believably creepy and mysterious atmosphere.

Thanks to Booksirens and the author for a copy of this ARC.

[Ani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I'm soooooo glad that I'm finally done with this series!

Calia, a commoner, in order to save herself and provide for her sisters, concoct a scheme of replacing Princess Marilee of Kirdsdott in her marriage to Prince Brone of Ebonwood. The plan was good. But my girl just can't act. If there was an equivalent of Oscars for the worst actor, I guess she'd be the winner. Much misplaced anger, irritation. She gets angry when the prince caught her in her lie, instead of feeling shame or I don't know, embarrassed? The amount of cringe I got here was incredible.

Anyway, there's also Prince Brone. He is reclusive, alone and lonely and kinda a grump. Under the tyranny of his father and after his failed first marriage, he is cynical enough to bind himself to a fake marriage of convenience to thwart his father from meddling into his life further. There was nothing wrong with his character per se. It just felt too much like a stereotypical average hero personality.

The mystery part was great, though. I enjoyed this aspect of the novel the most, especially during the last third. The ultimate culprit totally caught me off-guard. This is the only reason I'm giving it 3 ⭐

I've also noticed that the author lacks the ability to pinpoint the specific emotions the characters SHOULD feel. Instead she often makes the characters feel emotions that'd only serve her storyline. It often comes out as jarring. So as a reader, it doesn't make sense to me often but to continue on, I'd have to have the mentality of 'okay, I guess...?'

Anyway, a good enough recommendation, I guess. I'm just happy that this series is finally over.

[Sara Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't devour this book fast enough. Written in true Gothic style, I actually thought to myself that I should put it down rather than sneak in another chapter before falling asleep. Filled with shadows, secrets, and ghosts, the setting was truly haunting. Calia and Brone find themselves constantly on the watch for the curse that is dooming the Ebonwood wives, a mad king, and rumors of murder.

All of the characters were wonderfully written, and I absolutely fell in love with both Calia and Brone. Cece Louise also did a beautiful job tying in the previous book, which covered the same period of time. And I didn't guess the villains at all, believing the stories we were originally told of the characters. Again, traits of good Gothic tale, which left me jumping at shadows again and again. I cannot praise this author enough for her incredibly creative take on the fairy tale genre, but this book was a cut above the rest. Truly mesmerizing. And I can't wait to see what she has for us next.

I received an ARC from the author and have reviewed it willingly.

[Sarah's Always Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received an ARC for an honest review.

I have loved CeCe Louise's series since "The Dark Forest" came out and "In the Dark, Dark Wood" might be my new favorite in the series, there is something lovingly haunting about it. I really enjoyed the darker, more gothic turns this storyline took from her other 3 novels. I found Brone and Calia compelling characters especially since the secondary characters in the book didn't get a ton of chapter time, with so much focus on them it added to the gothic- loneliness vibes. Both Brone and Calia had demons in their past and I truly enjoyed their friendship/ relationship as we learned about them. Brone in particular was so well written. He is not the typical fairytale prince who is a dashing sword fighter, but a handsome cripple with brains and a deep empathy for others that doesn't extend to himself. Overall the book had a wonderful slow burn romance and a plot that built up nicely with a twist at the end that I didn't see coming, but extremely satisfying. This will be a book I reach for to read repeatedly- THAT is how much I liked it.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked that these books are stand alone fairytale romances. I'd missed a book in the middle, and it all worked out!

Calia has two younger sisters to care for, and can't find work. With the princess missing and her resemblance to her, Calia hatches a plan. She will take the princesses place in the marriage bargain, they'll still receive their marriage settlement and can look for their daughter, and her sisters can be cared for. What could go wrong?

Prince Brone of Ebonwood is an inventor, and happens to be very observant. He knows there is something off about his potential bride, but what should he do about it?

This story has a marriage of convenience, a curse on the wives of Ebonwood, ghosts, eerie statues and noises, and a happily ever after. I loved the spooky feel, the plot twists, and the sweet romance. I loved seeing Brone and Calia open up to one another.

This book is recommended for an older audience.
Content: clean PG-13 (a few kisses, no language, some violence, attempted rape, and attempted murder)

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a fun quick read. And by that I mean I finished in a day, but the actual atmosphere of the book is quite gothic. Swirling mists and an abundance of rain. The story was well told. It has some adventure, mystery, redemption arc, intrigue, and disguises. I love marriage of convience and the slow burn it causes.
I’d recommend this to anyone who likes clean YA fantasy. It’s the fourth book of the series, but can be read first.

[Sandralena Hanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Forest Tale by Cece Louise that I couldn't put down. It's a gothic Beauty and the Beast retelling.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet/clean fairytale romance retelling. It has some light gothic elements. Brings to mind Beauty and the Beast and Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

With In a Dark, Dark Wood, Cece Louise has created a dark, foreboding kingdom that still makes room for hope and love. Circumstances kept me from reading it through in a just a few sittings, but I snuck in chapters as frequently as I could, reluctant to set the story aside.

There's a lot going on - impersonation, fake marriage, mysterious death, and more - yet it doesn't feel like too much. It all works in pairing Calia, who only wants to give her younger sisters security, and Brone, the much-maligned son of a cruel and doddering king.

I've enjoyed every story in The Forest Tales, but this is my favorite yet. Enjoyable for adults and suitable for teens too.

[A. Mantonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting original story with elements reminiscent of, Jane eyre, Bluebeard, beauty and the beast, princess and the pea, goose girl, and red riding hood.

This story is more of an original with curses and an oppressive feeling that is still safe to read in the dark because it’s more mysterious than demonic.

[Karen (BaronessBookTrove) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.In a Dark, Dark Wood by Cece Louise is a young peasant girl trying to keep her family safe from any harm and was sent to Ebonwood to keep her sisters safe.
Will Calia keep up the pretense of being Princess Marilee?
Calia
Calia takes us on her journey of transforming from a peasant girl to the missing Princess Marilee of the last book. At times Calia has a bit of a hard time keeping up the pretense that she isn't the princess that was betrothed to Brone, especially when questioned about her home. Calia is a special girl at the young age of nineteen who has to take care of her three younger siblings as best as she can. She could think of the best thing to make sure that they had work and a roof over their heads. But she had to go to Ebonwood to ensure her country had enough money. Calia is a sweetheart and one that I would love to have helped in Ebonwood if I was there.
Brone
Brone is the crowned prince of Ebonwood, and he has two sides of himself. The first side is one that he shows to everyone. This first side is about keeping up a pretense that he doesn't care what others think of him. The second side, though, is one that just wants to be loved despite the way he looks. Brone has had a tough childhood and adulthood at the hands of his father. His first wife was no better, and I think he was afraid that this marriage to Princess Marilee would be as harsh. I like Brone a lot as a character because he grew more and more as the story progressed. Brone just needed the gentle hand of someone that also needed him as Calia did.
Five Stars
In a Dark, Dark Wood by Cece Louise reminded me of Rebecca for a bit in some chapters, and I thought that was cool. I loved the references to the poem that inspired this story as well. Ms. Louise has done another excellent job crafting a remarkable story that had me enthralled from the beginning. I couldn't put the book down for anything..well, except for sleep. I loved the characters a lot, and I felt terrible for King Sullivan at the end. My rating for In a Dark, Dark Wood by Cece Louise is five stars. I am giving it a big recommendation to anyone that loves a gothic historical romance.


The Forest Tales Series

 
You can get the series through #KindleUnlimited, too, except Saving Vengeance.



Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of In a Dark, Dark Wood by Cece Louise.

Until the next time,



Happy Reading!

This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove

[Midnight · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a Dark, Dark Wood by Cece Louise.
With her parents dead and her brother in prison, Calia can't provide for her little family on her own, having similar features with the missing princess, Calia proposed a plan, to impersonate the princess and fulfill the betrothal to the prince of Ebonwood, in return for the safety of her sisters. It is harder than Calia expected to fool the prince, Brone has his suspicions the moment she step foot on Ebonwood. Will he warm up to his new wife-to-be? Or is he still not over his first wife's unexpected death? Is the curse of the royal wives of Ebonwood real? Is so, is Calia the next victim of the curse? Will Calia be discovered? How long can she pretend to be someone else? And if she falls for the prince, how could she make herself go?
***
My Opinion: I was on the edge of my seat!
I truly enjoyed this book. From the very first page of the story, it captured my interest and I could not put it down! I finished the book in only two days and I loved it! The plot isn't exaggerating and it is not boring either. I love how balanced the book is, the fantasy did not outweighed the romance, nor does the romance outweighed the fantasy. The story is easy to follow and it makes me get attached to it quickly. The light thriller woven into the story made me turn the pages nonstop. I find the plot twist interesting and I simply fall in love with the book more. I love how Cece knows how much heat is needed while at the same time makes me long for them to kiss already. Some books I've read has the slow burn too slow or too fast, but this one has just the right amount of heat and left me eager for more. Cece wrote the book wonderfully balanced and nothing is out of place. By the end of the book, I was very fond of Ebonwood and all the characters that Cece brought to life.
~
Prince Brone came out as cold and unfeeling when he first appeared. I didn't particularly like him at first, but I don't hate him either. And as the story goes on, I began to love Brone more and more. Maybe at first he was so mysterious and I can't figure him out since he was so cryptic. Brone is such a gentleman and so understanding of everything. His protectiveness towards Calia makes me squeal. I find it so adorable that Brone has feelings for Calia and he doesn't want to acknowledge it but at the same time figuring out how to ask Calia to stay with him.
~
I was in awe of Calia from the first chapter. How selfless she is and her willingness to sacrifice anything for her family. From the start, Calia is caring and compassionate to everyone she meets, and throughout the story, she is brave and strong. I adore her so much, her eagerness to learn and her thoughtfulness left me wanting to be like her, another icon for me.
~
I love this book because: It is written beautifully, the light thriller, the characters, the plot and plot twist, and how splendidly balanced it is.
***

This is my first book from the author and it's not going to be the last <3

^A sweet clean fantasy romance^

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up. This is the last book in The Forest Tales series, and I was sad to see it end. I would love more stories from this fairytale world. At the end of Mazarine, we find out that the King and Queen of Kirdsorrt sent a young maiden to Ebonwood impersonating Princess Marilee, so the kingdoms would not start warring. In this book we read about Prince Brone, the prince of Ebonwood and Calia, the young woman who was sent to Ebonwood to impersonate Marilee and marry him in order to fulfill the betrothal contract. Brone's father is dying, so in order to maintain peace, he marries Calia, even though he knows she is a fraud. They do not live as man and wife, but they begin to care about one another as Brone teaches her to read, and takes her into town to meet his one and only friend. There is also a curse on Ebonwood, a curse that all royal wives will die without leaving an heir behind, and it seems that it might be true as Deirdre, Brone's first wife died under mysterious circumstances. Can Brone and Calia find love? Will he be a beloved and caring ruler when the time comes?

Although this was not my favourite of the series, I really enjoyed this book. After the ending of Mazarine, I jumped right into this book, wanting to know what happened. As with all the books in this series, the female characters are strong, smart, caring women. Calia did what she had to do to protect her sisters and was willing to sacrifice everything if she had to. I loved getting to know her, as she was a wonderful person who brought out the best in everyone she meets. Brone is dark and brooding, but has good cause. His mother died in childbirth and his father never let him forget. He was always put down and denigrated. Nothing was ever good enough, so he just hid himself away. There was no love between him and his first wife and he was not ready to take a chance on love again. He was a very smart man, who wanted to help the people in Ebonwood, but let his father's overseer do it instead. As we get to know him, I wanted him and Calia to fall in love and realize how right they were for each other. Tragedy, danger and treason abound, before Brone stands up to his father and becomes the man he needs to be. I love how this story brings closure to some others, but there are still some kingdoms to write about Cece, what are the chances we'll get another story?

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am having a hard time deciding which of the The Forest Tales I liked more, this one or Mazarine. In a Dark, Dark Wood picks up where Mazarine left off, but if you haven't read that book or haven't read it in a long time you can still understand and follow this story. Calia is a young woman is put in an unthinkable situation where her only way out seems to be impersonating the missing princess and fleeing to the palace of Ebonwood. Her duty to her family and her protective instincts were likeable and I found myself enjoying her story and character. Too often it seems the young female MC's come off as whiny, incompetent or just plain unlikable. I find myself enjoying Cece Louise's stories because she does a fantastic job of creating strong female roles with great personalities and character developments.

Prince Brone is a prince in his mid-twenties who lost his first wife in a mysterious way. The death of her brings darkness and rumors to the palace of Ebonwood and only another arranged marriage seems to be the way to ensure it's survival. What I loved about Brone is that he is not the characteristically handsome prince but has visible scars and uses a cane due to an accident in childhood. It almost gives a Beauty and the Beast type of feel to it but Brone has some hidden hobbies and character surprises that make him very likeable to the reader. Although I didn't really see Brone and Calia as enemies if does have the enemies to lovers type of trope and watching their relationship grow over time was engaging.

I will admit I did NOT see the ending coming and was shocked not once but twice! I was so sad for this story to end as I was really attached to these characters and the land of Ebonwood. I hope to see more of these characters and that The Forest Tales series continues to grow.

Thanks to Story Origin for a review copy.

[Elizabeth Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I must confess, I’ve never read any books by Cece Louise and somehow ended up on her newsletters. I saw this story and read the description when I was half asleep and signed up for the ARC. Anyway, I didn’t know what to expect going into the story.

I was touched by the dedication to her mom, and kept reading. It’s truly a different type of story, reminding me of Beauty and the Beast and sort of Goose Girl in the way she’s pretending to be a princess. I never thought of it till the end but Little Red Riding Hood is also made into this story. I never read any other books in the series, and thankfully it seems independent enough you can read in whatever order you’d like.

This story is about a girl who has become an adult far too early in her life. Having three siblings besides herself, she trades with the king and queen for her siblings to be taken in for employment. In return, she has to make the betrothal happen for the kingdom to prevent a war.

The prince, Brone, is very closed off from Calia. His mother passed from childbirth, his previous wife was killed in an accident. As such, there’s a story about the Ebonwood wives dieing young before they become old. With unfortunate things happening around the castle, the curse felt very much at play.

There’s a lot of mystery and unanswered questions, though they become answered fully in the end. It was a captivating page turner. The title refers to in a dark, dark wood and it is quite a dark story. I’d recommend this book to anyone who likes a good story. It was a little bit thriller ish, some romance, and there’s the mystery portion. I’m so glad I happened upon making the best decision in my half asleep state lol.

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a conversation with two colleagues on the last day of school. All three of us were discussing the types of books we like to read and our choices for the summer. None of us like gushy romance. What I read in Cece Louise’s book, In A Dark, Dark Wood is the exact type of book I will recommend to them. Calia is trying to save her sisters. She goes to the castle hoping to secure employment for herself and her sisters. Instead she concocts a plan that will secure her sister’s well-being, free her brother from a prisoner ship and solve an issue for the King and Queen. Since she resembles their missing daughter, she will go to Ebonwood to marry the prince in their daughter’s place. This is important since their kingdom is on the edge of ruin.
Calia is not exactly welcomed by the Prince. At first he come off as very cynical. As I read further into his story I realized the effect abusive words and betrayal had on him. It is Calia, a survivor who has the ability to change all of that. She is willing to sacrifice everything, including herself for her siblings. How far will she go to help this prince she is slowly falling in love with?
This book had it all for me. A touch of romance that builds slowly and is not shoved in your face. A mystery that must be solve. Since I had not read this author before I was surprised by how well written the mystery is. I was completely blindsided. I loved the darkness of this book. To me there is a difference between downright evil feeling darkness in a book and mysterious, murderous darkness. This had that dark gothic feel that I love. Can’t wait to share this with my two friends. I love this author enough I have purchased the first three books in this series to read.

[Cat Hipps · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had some amazing twists and turns in it. I thought I had the book figured out a couple of times and then found out I didn't know what I was talking about. It was very interesting.

In a Dark, Dark Wood we are introduced to two kingdoms. One is in financial ruin and the other has plenty of coin but is in need of an heir. As you can imagine, they decide to make an alliance through marriage. The only problem is the princess of the financially distraught kingdom is missing. In walks Calia who seems like a picture-perfect substitute. Calia only asks for the safe keeping of her siblings in return for pretending to be the princess and saving their kingdom. Calia knows that this is risky, and she will probably never see her siblings again and possibly lose her life in the charade. Brone is the prince she will be marrying. His kingdom has a curse upon them that will not allow them to have an heir born. Brone has already lost one wife to an accident and hopes that it was merely a coincidence. Brone almost immediately discovers that Calia is an imposter but decides to marry her anyway. He believes that she may be able to help his dad pass happily into the afterlife as he is ill and obsessed with ending the curse.

This story has so many twists and turns it's hard to tell more about the book without ruining the ending. I really enjoyed the book and I would highly recommend it. If you enjoy fairy tales, gothic romance, and retellings then I think you will enjoy this book as well.

** I received this book as an ARC from the author. This is an honest review, and all thoughts and opinions are my own. **

[Melinda T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well conceived dark gothic-like fantasy

This was a very enjoyable read. The writing pace was smooth. I appreciate the story being written from the viewpoints of both main characters, Calia and Brone.

Calia is not a strong person, but she is trying her best to help her family and prevent undo suffering for the common people of her homeland and Ebonwood.

Prince Brone has lived his whole life listening to his father tell him he is a disappointment, a cowad, weak, and incapable of being a worthy heir to the throne. Brone's first marriage ended with the death of his wife under suspicious circumstances that were partially blamed on a curse. The prince does not want to marry again, but his father is demanding their line continues.

Calia (as Princess Marilee) and Brone's marriage begins as one of convenience, and the see little of each other and remain civil but nothing more. Events happen that push them into each other's company, and they find more commonality between them which turns into frienship. Calia's real identity is exposed, and she is haunted by a ghost from her past.

There was a twist at the end that was completely unexpected.

This really was a good srory. It is the first book I have read by this author, and I will be reading the other books in this series.

[Jennifer Whalen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Pretending you were my wife was one of the hardest things I ever had to do.” … “To have to wake up every morning and remind myself that I cannot fall in love with you. And then to fall asleep every night knowing it’s useless because I already have.”

A marriage of convenience retelling of Beauty & the Beast - the story has been on my list for a long time. I’m so glad I finally made time for it!

Beautifully done and so engaging right from the beginning, I could not put down this book. It was filled with the kind of meaningful glances between the main characters that make you blush.

There was a bit of mystery surrounding events that lead her to him and the death of his first wife. It was fun (and shocking) to see how that unfolded.

Prince Brone and Cali stole my heart, I loved their dynamic together. She saw the real person under his beastly exterior; he was protective of her from the beginning. Plus, he could be so swoony when he wanted to be. Like when his first hint of caring for her came in the form of gifting her a handmade clock.

This was a top read for me so far this year, I absolutely loved it! And definitely one of those books I would pay money to re-read for the first times before I knew how the mystery unfolded!