The Absence of Beauty Does Not Equate the Absence of Worth
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Purchased
TYPE OF NOVEL: Regency Romance, Novella
SERIES: Forever After Retellings #4 (each book is stand alone by a different author)
THE PREMISE:
Preston Blake and Caroline Avery grew up as childhood friends and should be becoming lovers now that Caroline is officially out in society. But when Preston went into a burning building to help save his tenants everything changed. With unsightly scars and a broken spirit, Preston no longer feels he can offer Caroline the life she deserves, so he has no intention of keeping his promises or forming a courtship….no matter how much he loves her…
MY THOUGHTS:
Having read and adored Megan Walker’s exquisite Lakeshire Park, I was determined to find and read anything else she published. I was delighted to dicsover this Regency novella that was part of a fairy tale series. I love that Megan Walker was inspired by such an uncommon and overlooked fairy tale – The Ugly Duckling.
I was immediately invested in our principal characters in this friends-to-lovers romance. Preston is honorable and selfless, and Caroline is wonderfully loyal and compassionate I love that we learn even more about their admirable qualities as the story progressed. Such as the strength of Caroline’s love – she knows Preston has internal scars as well as external, and she patiently and sensitively tries to help him heal from them. And Preston willingness to put others before know matter what his own wishes and desires. I loved this couple’s interactions together, and I loved how you could feel their emotions and deep love for each other. If anything, I wish I could have witnessed some more of their past and the moments of first realizing their feelings for each other just to develop their relationship even more.
In addition to Preston and Caroline, the other key player in this story is Romeo – a young duck that was mysteriously attacked and that Caroline is nursing back to health. Poor Romeo! What kind of predator is attacking him? Caroline is determined to find out! I enjoyed this little subplot mystery surrounding Romeo, and I was completely endeared to him. In addition to being cute, Romeo aptly provides a metaphor for the integral theme of this tale – every creature is worthy of love no matter their appearance. Ms Walker subtly and skillfully weaves in other important messages about internal healing, developing a healthy mindset, and disregarding the cruelty and bad behavior of others throughout this novella as well.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
🦆 What a creative and clever homage to The Ugly Duckling!
🤕 An inspiring tale of dealing with pain and disappointment and learning how to heal and look forward.
📚 I am eager to seek out the other books in the Forever After Retellings series, especially since I recognize some of the other authors involved!
I like the ugly duckling theme in this story. In fact I like both of them. I will make a note of this book, thank you Meredith.
Thanks Meredith for telling us about this “fairy tale” series. I’ll pay attention to these books.
I read “Lakeshire Park” last spring and I enjoyed a lot the relationship between the main couple so I see, by your review, that this novella based in “The ugly duckling” (“El patito feo” in spanish) will be a beautiful story.
Have fun in the weekend 🙂
Beautiful commentary on “The Ugly Duckling”. Sounds like a great story.
Lovely review, Meredith! What a unique fairy tale to inspire a story but very appropriate. I have Ms. Walker’s other book on my wishlist that you also highly recommend. I went looking, and she has a new book out “Miss Newbury’s List” that looks intriguing as well!
It was a lovely review and inspires me to want to read this novella. Thanks, JR