Category: Movie / Story Retelling

The Pumpkin Bride by Fiona Buttercup

On By TracyIn Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Movie / Story Retelling, New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Romantasy, Standalone Title, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Pumpkin BrideThe Pumpkin Bride by Fiona Buttercup

Tracy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: September 1, 2026

Princess Marigold and Sir Bram Duncan fell madly in love as teenagers and much to Marigold’s dismay, Bram insisted on leaving to seek his fortune before asking her parents for permission to marry her. Two years after he left, two major things happen in Marigold’s life, first she discovered she possessed a magical ability, but needed to keep it secret as magic was forbidden in the kingdom of Thornwick, and then she got the awful news that Bram was dead and sank deep into mourning. But she was alone in her grief as her family had no idea of the depth of her feelings for Bram. For the next three years loses herself in her studies and learning her magic and finally agrees to a political marriage with Prince Crispin of Harvest Hollow. Her marriage will never be a love match, but Crispin has pledged support in her kingdom’s war against the mountain sprites, so to help her people, she agrees to wed. But when she learns that Crispin is in cahoots with the sprites and plans to kill her brothers and then send her away so he can take over the kingdom of Thornwick, she runs away just weeks before her wedding. She runs with the Prince’s men in hot pursuit, and she seeks refugee at a pumpkin farm owned by a very grumpy orc.

Sir Bram Ducan faithfully served Prince Crispin for two years before the Prince betrayed him and caused him to be cursed by the Autumn Sprite, even though Bram correctly answered the sprites riddle. He was changed into an orc and bound by magic to Grimroot Farm, a small pumpkin farm in Harvest Hollow, and cannot tell anyone of his true identity, lest they die immediately. Crispin then taunts him about Marigold and tells him that he will take care of her, though enraged, Bram can do nothing and settles into a solitary life as Jask Bone-Cracker at Grimroot Farm. His life is mundane until three years later when who should come banging at his door than his true love. He tries to send her away, but Marigold is relentless and he finally agrees to let her stay one night. But one night turns into a month and he falls in love with her all over again, but to save her life, he can never tell her who he really is. Will true love find a way for these star-crossed lovers to find their HEA? Or will their hearts break all over again?

I requested this book because the blurb was intriguing and the author’s name was giving huge Princess Bride and Shrek vibes. This definitely is written with those stories in mind, but it is clearly its own story, Marigold and Bram are wonderful characters, and their love story is the kind you find in fairytales but with spice! This book has a sassy cat, a noble knight, a grumpy orc, a feisty princess, lots of magic, charming secondary characters, some warm love scenes, secrets, revelations, comeuppance, true love and wonderful HEA type of ending. If you liked Princess Bride and/or Shrek, you will love this book! I read this book and listened to the audiobook, they were both fantastic, but the audiobook was my favorite as it has dual narration, and the narrators really brought the characters to life!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for a DRC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

 

Wench by Erynne Rivers

On By TracyIn Debut Novel, Fairytale Retelling, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Movie / Story Retelling, New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Romantasy, Standalone Title, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

WenchWench by Erynne Rivers

Tracy’s Rating: 2.5/3 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone (?)

Release Date: July 16, 2026

After her father arranges her marriage to the Sheriff of Nottingham, Marian is sent through Sherwood Forest on the way to her unwanted future. When her carriage is attacked and she is taken by the Merry Men, Marian is forced into the world of the fae she has always been taught to fear. As the Sheriff’s men search for her, the story builds around Marian’s conflict between returning to the life chosen for her by her family and choosing a different path among the fae.

This retelling blends Robin Hood elements with romantasy, fae politics, gendered power dynamics, and a romance that develops while Marian reassesses what she believes about humans, the fae, and herself. Her exposure to Sherwood Forest, the Merry Men, and “Lox” who is the fae version of Robin Hood (with antlers). Marian begins the story resistant and distrustful, while Lox is presented as protective, mysterious, and closely tied to the forest and its people. Marian slowly begins to change her stance on the fae thanks to Lox and his Merry Men and her experience with the magical community, which finally gives her a chance to form her own opinions and make her own choices.

Overall, I thought Wench had an interesting premise and had the potential to be a unique Robin Hood-inspired romantasy, but it did not fully work for me. I struggled with Marian at the beginning because her prejudice toward the fae made her difficult to connect with, and the romance felt too rushed for me to feel fully invested in it. I also didn’t like the present tense limited third person narrative, because it made the storytelling feel more distant and harder to sink into, especially in the first half. While the book was easy to read and had some engaging ideas, I wanted more depth from the characters, more development in the romance, and a stronger resolution to the conflict with the Sheriff. In short, I wanted to be wowed and I wasn’t.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *