To Love A Beast by Karen Witemeyer

To Love A Beast by Karen Witemeyer

4 Stars

I love a good beauty and the beast retelling or reimagining and this was a great one! Karen always has a fun twist on her retellings, I loved her Texas Ever After series so this was much anticipated for me to read! It's funny my first review in 2025 was Cloaked in Beauty by Karen and now my first review in 2026 is this one by her! :) 

In the 1800s...we are in Texas. We follow the daughter of a bookbinder who faces the "beast" of the manor...

Everett lives as a recluse in Texas, hiding from his scars left on him by a mad woman who wanted to be with him but he reject her advances only to be left scathed on his face from her. He is over his manor outside of town and no one hardly goes out there....but when an injury to Callista's father jeopardizes the family's book binding business, she goes out to do the work for Everett on her own. Here, they form a relationship together and the rest is history...or is it?

I read this with my friend Melissa and we both loved the Beauty and the Beast elements here. We had so many characters that matched up with the classic fairytale, it was so sweet. Loved the family feel and how everyone was really connected. Sweet romance, kisses only, light faith thread, overall I recommend! 

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7719048451
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Z0Wb1i

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

 

Cloaked in Beauty by Karen Witemeyer

 

Book Review: Cloaked in Beauty by Karen Witemeyer 

Book 3 in the Texas Ever After series

We are in Piney Woods, Texas where Letty Hood has been hidden from her uncle who wants to claim her inheritance from her father before she turns 21. Philip Carmichael is a experienced Pinkerton agent that is hired to find Letty before something bad happens to her. This is a heartwarming story of resilience and trusting in the Lord's plan. I love that Karen was inspired by tales like Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty, as it makes a great fairytale retelling. 

Letty's character is strong and courageous, which I loved. After years of being in hiding from her uncle, she is thrown into a dangerous journey to claim her inheritance and freedom. Seeing her and Philip together was perfect, as he was a great companion with her. He sees her bravery for what it is up front and you see the mutual admiration they have for one another. I wanted a bit more in the romance personally, but overall enjoyed the book!

A clean historical romance with a fairytale spin - highly recommend! You can also read this as a standalone in the series, as this doesn't specifically have any ties to the previous books in the series. 

Thank you to Bethany House for providing a copy to honestly read and review.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6738002672

Baker: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/579793
Amazon: https://amzn.to/40m92Ne

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links. 

Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham

 

                

                                Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham 5 Stars 
                                   Reading Vlog: https://youtu.be/U7ns0QplUG0

Rachel Fordham can do no wrong! Absolutely beautiful. 5 stars. A new favorite historical romance with beauty and the beast vibes!

Set in the early 1900s, Sadie West's family is in dire financial need so she leaves to go work in the Hoag duster factory. She has nowhere to live so she stays in an abandoned building. This throws her right in the path of the town's mysterious bachelor - Otis Taylor. Otis hires Sadie - with the condition that she tells no one he has returned.

Sadie and Otis get to know each other and they start to care for one another as she shows him how much he truly matters, regardless of his scars that have left him feeling less than desirable. Otis has been a recluse for so long, embarrassed of his appearance and Sadie coming in truly opens him up and is the bright light he needs to bring him back to the public. He has kept so much in for so long and the way this ended was beautiful as he was able to deal with the past of his family and what he had endured. 

Sadie was a great character who truly showed how much she cared for others and her family. Sadie's encouragement for Otis to be his true self was the best to see throughout the story. There is a bit of grumpy/sunshine between them that I loved seeing. 

My favorite parts of this were the letters, music and interactions between Sadie and Otis. Every time they were together on page was perfection. I loved them so much I wanted even more of them together! :) I also loved the little bits of Beauty and the Beast elements we got in this! It was also nice to have light faith elements included.

Highly recommend for a great historical romance! Must finish reading the rest of Rachel's books now! Thank you to Rachel Fordham & the publisher for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6446219418
Amazon:  https://amzn.to/4dnYDF0
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/560302

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

If the Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer

 

If The Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer - 4.5 Stars 

*Updating review to include some thoughts on the ending*

What a great second book in the Texas Ever After series! A western spin on the classic Cinderella tale! This book can be read as a standalone but I recommend starting with book 1, Fairest of Heart.

In this story, Samantha Dearing is going to the ball that her father is hosting to find her a match! She isn't excited about this so she takes a break from the ball and finds a thief fleeing her home. The stranger, Asher Ellis, was looking for in Samantha's father's room for documentation regarding the rent payments since her father was evicting his mother and family from their property. While Asher is running away, he sees Samantha's brother Clint in distress in the water drowning and he saves his life. While no one saw him in this, he left his boot behind and Samantha decides to find the man that "the boot fits". Samantha and Asher cross paths later as she is tutoring his brother and as someone is after Samantha, Asher is devoted to protecting her at all costs and feelings emerge and the story goes on from here.......

Karen does it again with a great Christian Western Historical Romance with a fairy tale spin and I loved it! The romance in this was so sweet and I loved the faith elements throughout the story. The twist in this was not one I saw coming! The fairytale elements were very light but fun enough added in! Definitely its own unique story.

Editing my review to include thoughts about the twist in this story. I know things that get revealed toward the end in some letters/entries is considered a controversial thing here among reviewers but the more I think about it, the more I want to make sure I am clear on how I feel about it.

Every single one of us has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Neither of us is better than the other. What is depicted in this is an example of someone who made mistakes and repented. Grace and forgiveness were shown. This sin mention in this book is honestly no different than any other sin we have committed ourselves. We are no better than what this person has done in her story. I commend Karen for tackling this topic and showing us what true forgiveness and grace looks like. The character recognized it was wrong and asked for forgiveness. It's so important to show grace, compassion and forgiveness to others and this could have truly happened. I myself have made many mistakes that I am forgiven for in Jesus' name so I found this somewhat relatable for me as well. I just wanted to update this review because I strongly feel this book handled the content in a well manor and Karen was not trying to justify any actions in this.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5808710945
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vmmN1B

Baker Books:

Book 1 and 2 Bundle: 
https://bakerbookhouse.com/bundles/23

Just Book 2: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/542730

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Lady of Disguise by Melanie Dickerson

 

Lady of Disguise by Melanie Dickerson (Book 6 in The Dericott Tales, but can be read as a Standalone) - 4 Stars

Another great retelling in the Dericott Tales! This is a Jack and the Beanstalk retelling and I really enjoyed this one! Set in 1388 England and Scotland, Louisa dreams of finding the rumored "Giant's Treasure" in Scotland. After her father has died and Louisa and her sister go live with their greedy uncle, Louisa is determined to find the treasure. She wants to run away from her Uncle's home and take her sister with her to keep her safe and away from forced unwanted marriages. She runs and disguises herself as a boy, using the name "Jack", and encounters a young knight, Sir Charles, who accompanies her on her journey. Charles knows she did pretending to be a young boy but does not reveal this knowledge as he wants to help her along the way as much as possible. However, things come to a head along their trip and they find themselves starting to care for one another once everything is revealed. The story goes on from here as her Uncle is on the hunt for her and they continue their journey for the hidden treasure.

This is one of my more favorite ones in the series. I loved Louisa and how she would do anything to protect her sister. I love how determined Louisa was in her journey and is always wanting to help others along the way. Sir Charles was an honorable man and I love a good protector in a story and he sure was a great one!

My favorite part of this story though has to be the scenes with the giant - very good faith and prayer content in this section and very heartwarming. 

The romance was fast but sweet. Overall I recommend this one to anyone who loves a good Christian fairy tale retelling and romance and wants a sweet, light read.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5765450015
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bvfPYv
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/542225

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Cloak of Scarlet by Melanie Dickerson

 

Cloak of Scarlet - Melanie Dickerson - 3.5 rounded up to 4 Stars - Little Red Riding Hood Retelling (Book #5 in The Dericott Tales but can be read as a Standalone.)

I always enjoy my time reading these YA medieval fairytale retellings in this series. This one was a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. They have enough of the basics of the retelling to be a retelling but also enough of a twist to be their own stories - I always like that. They are always lighthearted and just what I need for the time. 

Set in the late 1300s in England, we follow Violet, who was adopted and loves to visit her grandmother in her red cloak. Violet's grandmother is robbed by the villain, Baron Dunham. Violet finds herself in the middle of an action packed story and will do anything to stop the Baron from mistreating her people and stealing from them. We see Sir Merek come in, who is a knight of the Baron, but when he meets Violet, he discovers what the Baron has been doing and just how evil he really is. Sir Merek and Violet work together to stop him, while getting to know one another along the way.

This was a lot of fun and I really liked our characters and the faith content sprinkled throughout was really nice to see. I don't think I truly connected with Violet and Sir Merek like I have some of the other characters throughout this series, but I thought they were good in this story. The family drama in this one was a nice twist.

Excited to see what comes next in this series! Thank you to the publisher for sending a complimentary copy to honestly read and review. All opinions are my own.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5770740062
Baker Book House:  https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/517203

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3P4myQ8

YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP6NLPxY6po

Fortress of Snow by Melanie Dickerson

 Fortress of Snow by Melanie Dickerson - 3.5 to 4 Stars - A Snow Queen Retelling (Book 4 in The Dericott Tales Series)

I am just really enjoying the books in these series :) The set up in typically about the same in each one with a different retelling vibe and I am learning that I really enjoy retellings from this series.

This one is a "Snow Queen" reimagining and follows Mazy. Her father dies and brother, Warin, abandons her - leaving Mazy forced to seek help from her older brother, Sir John in the estate of Strachleigh. When she gets there to see John, he isn't as eager to help her but she meets the kind and loyal Sir Berenger. Things happen that force Sir. Berenger and Mazy apart for 2 years. During those 2 years, she learns more about how to defend herself and becomes an excellent knife throwing expert and how to sell in the market goods to take care of herself in London. Circumstances brings Sir Berenger and her back together after 2 years but things happen when Berenger's new mission leaves him with a requirement to marry a recently widowed woman - Lady Bristow and take over her estate. Unfortunately...there are some troublesome rumors about Lady Bristow and the circumstances surrounding her previous husband's death...among other things. Mazy learns of these things and goes to stop Berenger from marrying her after learning all of Lady Bristow's secrets.....Will she get there in time?

Overall, even though the setup in these is about the same each time and the romance is generally super fast and instalove-y, I still have a good time reading these each time. They do show how they are YA many times but I still had fun reading it. The covers are AMAZING. The characters in this one were very cute and again, Melanie sure does know how to write a good villain.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5591162086
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3qKhZk0
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/459704

YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMN2J1UFNbw

Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

 

Fairest of Heart - Karen Witemeyer - 5 Stars - A BEAUTIFUL SNOW WHITE RETELLING!

Fairest of Heart is the first in the Texas Ever After series and the first book by Karen Witemeyer I have read and WOW it did NOT disappoint ya’ll! 5 stars and a new favorite author?! SO HAPPY! This book exudes all things southern with a western atmosphere, a fairytale historical romance retelling and excellent faith content. I loved it so much and can’t wait to read more of Karen’s books! This was SO delightful as we have a Snow-White retelling with a swoon-worthy hero! I was HERE for it!

In this book we follow Penelope Snow, the personal maid for famous actress, Narcissa LaBelle. Penelope is a beautiful woman with a gorgeous figure, but she hides it under loose-fitting dresses, so she doesn’t attract attention to herself. In the beginning of the story, Narcissa appears to be helping Penelope get out of a rough situation, but you soon realize, she is the Snow-White Evil Queen all over again! Narcissa constantly is looking in the mirror and obsessed with her own beauty. When she sees Penelope trying on one of her dresses to help Narcissa’s alterations, she gets so jealous that she sends her away to be left for dead. Little does she know, the swoon-worthy and handsome Titus Kingsley and the 7 “old drovers” (dwarves in Snow-White) at Diamond D Ranch help save her and they grow to love her as one of their own….but can she hide from Narcissa forever?

The characters in this really made the story for me. I LOVED our sweet little 7 drovers at Diamond D Ranch – they were these precious grandfather figures to Penelope. Titus and Penelope’s romance was SO SWEET too! What stood out to me the most was the wonderful faith content. I loved how Titus would look to the bible in God’s word for answers to his hard situation. We had SO many scriptures quoted and the characters truly turned to the Lord for guidance throughout the story as they were learning to trust him in every situation they went through.

This was also my first “western” book and I was surprised how much I enjoyed that atmosphere. Even if I don’t always understand some of the language during that time period, I thoroughly enjoyed the setting. I will be picking up more like this in the future for sure. I also think Karen told the story of Snow-White very well! I could easily see the correlation to the characters from the fairytale and I loved that! Overall, a wonderful start to a new series! Thank you to Bethany House, Baker Publishing and NetGalley for a copy to honestly read and review.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5422072992
Amazon: https://amzn.to/46j8Sah
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/492071

YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNfiPar0nxE
Reading Vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fOoVZmMy0g&t=42s

Veil of Winter by Melanie Dickerson

 

Veil of Winter - Melanie Dickerson - 4 Stars - A sleeping beauty retelling! (Book 3 in The Dericott Tales Series)

Really enjoyed this one! A sleeping beauty retelling - yesss! The beginning part was my favorite with the sleeping beauty vibes. This story is all about Elyce who doesnt want to marry the guy her father has set out for her to marry because it all ties back to his plan to work with another king to make her people work in the dreadful mines - when they aren't people who would make it working there. So she devises a plan to drink a potion to put her to sleep for a few days and then she would escape and travel to another king to try and convince them to help her people.....but she doesn't wake up and along comes Sir Gerard - who has a vision from God instructing him to help Elyce. He goes to help her and things go on from here as they are perused by her enemy's guards over mountainous terrain and deadly winter.

Like I said, I enjoyed this story, these books are always a fun time - this one leaned more on the YA side but still enjoyed it. I personally like that we know our characters are Christian and can see their thoughts to God asking for His help throughout the story, or asking is this His will, etc. My favorite character was Sir Gerard and love that he has a vision from God to go help Elyce.

The romance was cute but a bit too instalove-y for me and Elyce was a bit whiney at times but again, this is YA so I could forgive it a bit haha. Overall, if you like retellings I think you would enjoy it, but its definitely for a younger audience. Excited to read book 4!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4626574821
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pVw1iN
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/418291
YouTube Video Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mHWHokCowI&t=103s

Castle of Refuge by Melanie Dickerson

 

Castle of Refuge - Melanie Dickerson - 4.75 to 5 Stars - I LOVED this! I truly related to our main character. An ugly duckling retelling. (Book 2 in The Dericott Tales Series)

What a SURPRISE ya'll! LOVED this so much. This is an "Ugly Duckling" retelling - book #2 in The Dericott Tales series and I thoroughly enjoyed this one! 4.75-5 stars, rounding up to 5.

"Their scars were not things to hide and be ashamed of. Their scars kept them humble, which was pleasing to God, and kept their hearts soft. And it was a bond between them that she was confident would never break."

Set in the late 14th century in England, we follow 2 sisters, Audrey and Maris. They are daughters of a viscount and their father expects Audrey to get married - specifically to Lord Edwin Dericott - but things take a turn for the worse when her older sister, Maris, purposefully causes Audrey to get scars on her face by tripping her into the fire. Maris is sent away for many years but after 4 years, she returns and her father plans to marry off Audrey to a man she doesn't want to marry.... Audrey flees her father's house in fear of Maris and his plans in search of her own destiny. When she flees, she ends up finding herself sick and in need of help. She passes out near Lord Edwin Dericott's Castle and he takes her in to help her. The story takes off here.

I really enjoyed this ya'll. I could really relate to Audrey and her scars - as I have a scar on my face from an accident as a child and felt many of the feelings she felt / went through in this story. The quote I reference at the beginning of the review - AMEN - we are not ashamed of our scars, they keep us humble and heart soft - which the Lord loves. I could relate on a personal level and it just truly impacted me on her journey. Love the faith content here and our characters. Loved seeing Audrey teaching young kids and finding her purpose.

There were some things at the end with Maris I wish could have been expanded on, but I overall loved the story, romance, setting, growth, making life changing decisions, etc. Maris was such a broken character who had personal trauma and needed help with her mental health. She blamed her sister for everything in her own life that didn't turn out as she intended and hated her for it. She needed the love of the Lord in her life and I would love to see a short story or redemption arc for her in some way as all Audrey wanted to do was be kind to her sister no matter what she did to her. I will say Melanie Dickerson sure knows how to write a villain!

Edwin and Audrey were the perfect couple. My heart<3 Loved them.

Can't wait to continue on with this series!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4738696351
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OcUr0x
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/265265
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CNQJYuJxRg