Movie / Story Retelling – Page 2 – Flippin' Pages Book Reviews

Sophia White and Her Seven Promises by Anastasia Hayward

Series: No Series Name Given

Release: March 16, 2026

Lady Sophia White is the only and most cherished child of the Earl of Winland. When her mother was dying, Sophia made a promise that she would only marry for true love. And keeping to that promise she ran away with a man that her father would never approve of, but one she believed loved her. Her dream of happily ever after is dashed when the young man was easily bought off by her father and she learned that her mother had passed away. Heartbroken, Sophia and her father mourn for a time, but eventually her father remarried, and Sophia’s stepmother pressed Sophia to marry. Sophia promises to try and find a husband, but her efforts are cut short when she is abducted and left for dead. When she wakes, she cannot remember who she is or how she came to be in Painwick. She was taken in by the local doctor and his family, and slowly she falls in love with all of them and makes promises that she has every intention of keeping. But when her past catches up with her and she is forced to return to her former life, will she be able to keep the promises she has made and the love she has found? And what of the villain who has tried to kill her? Clearly, Sophia’s future hasn’t been determined, and true love may yet prevail.

Dr. Faine Knight is the youngest son of the Marquess of Ashbury but turned his back on his family many years ago when he was forced to choose between them and the woman he loved. He chose love and married Mary, a healer in Painwick, together they had three children and led a life of contentment. But sadly, Mary died and with her Faine buried his heart, or at least that is what he believed until he found a badly beaten and unconscious woman in the forest. He brings her home and nurses her back to health. When she finally wakes with no memories, they name her Cecilia, he tries to keep her from his family. But Cecilia and his children ignore his dictates and begin to form a bond. Little by little, the walls he had built around his heart begin to crumble, but loving Cecilia terrifies him, and when her father shows up to claim her, he gives her up without a fight. But letting her go is not as easy as he thought it would be and when her life is once again in peril, he knows that he loves her and will do whatever is necessary to save her and keep her forever. But has he waited too long?

This was a well-written, very loose retelling of Snow White by a new to me author. I liked this story, but I will admit I found Faine to be difficult to like; he was quick to judge, moody and wishy-washy. I understood his pain and his reluctance to risk his heart, but it just dragged on for way too long in my opinion. Sophia was delightful and my heart broke for her time and time again. I think the thing that bothered me the most was (view spoiler) Overall, this was a good start to a new series with interesting characters, steamyish love scenes, a truly nasty villain, a HEA complete with an epilogue and the potential of more books. And while I did have some issues with this book, I did like the author’s writing style and would certainly read the next book in the series.

*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. *

While the Duke Was Sleeping by Samara Parish

Tracy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: England’s Sweethearts, #1

Release Date: February 25, 25

Miss Adelaide “Della” Rosebourne, wants nothing more in life than a home and a family, but since the death of her father, she has had neither and when her work as an author of travelogues was no longer profitable, she decided to go into service until she could afford a cottage of her own, which is how she came to be the lady’s maid to Lady Cordelia Highwater, daughter of the Duke of Thirwhestle and fiancée of the Duke of Hornsmouth. When Lady Cordelia bolts on her wedding day, she drags Della into an adventure that will change her life. Cordelia demands that Della help her escape London, which leads to Della taking a dip in the Thames and meeting a man named Rhett, who affects her like no man ever has. When they are not able to secure passage to France, Della and Cordelia decide to lay low in the country until the scandal of Cordelia’s wedding dies down. But that plan is shot when Peter Montgomery, the Duke of Strafford proposes to Cordelia and she pushes him, causing him to trip and fall, hitting his head and falling into a coma. Cordelia insists that Della pose as her and makes the duke retract his proposal, offering her enough money to make her dream of a home of her own come true if she is successful. It seems pretty cut and dry, but that was before she meets his family, including his brother Rhett and falls in love.

Lord Everett “Rhett” Montgomery, the younger brother and heir presumptive to the Duke of Strafford has been summoned home from the continent, where he has been trying to find his purpose in life and having a very good time doing it. His return to England is marked by a dip in the Thames and a kiss from a beautiful woman named Della. Imagine his shock when a week later he comes face to face with the woman who has haunted his dreams and learns she is his brother’s betrothed! Rhett is sure she is not who she claims to be, but he can’t prove it. And the more time he spends with her, the more he wants her for himself. Rhett wants to trust her, but he has been used before and doesn’t know if he can risk his heart again.

While you were sleeping is hands down one of my favorite romantic comedies, so I was really looking forward to this Victorian Era retelling and unfortunately, I have mixed feelings about it. Overall, it was a cute retelling, that doesn’t follow movie exactly, although, there are key similarities such as “you are leaning” and “I object”. I found it disappointing that the author didn’t stay true to the era, the verbiage is very modern, the era’s etiquette is virtually ignored, and she incorporates things that didn’t even exist in 1893, like a car that has a clutch and needs keys. And despite the incredible attraction and sexual tension between Della and Rhett, this book was a very slow burn romance almost to the point of being frustrating to the reader. I did enjoy Della’s attempts to wake the duke, and his sisters were a delightful addition to the story – I definitely hope to read Meg’s story at some point. So, while this book wasn’t everything I had hoped for, it did have some amusing moments and was a quick read with a happy ending. If you are an historical purist, this book will annoy you, but if you can ignore the inaccuracies, this could be a fun read.

*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. *

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