The final installment The Peasant's Dream, is the eleventh book in the much loved Hagenheim series reverse Cinderella story,

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for sending me a print copy The Peasant's Dream
by Melanie Dickerson.

A sweet romance that is a wholesome story of sacrifice and friendship. In this satisfying conclusion to the Hagenheim series. A captivating coming of age tale with a bit of a twist on a Cinderella plot.

The Peasant’s Dream is set during the Middle Ages in Germany. The authors writing is a delightful more contemporary. This warm enduring tale is currently ranked No. 1 on Amazon’s Teen & Young Adult Clean & Wholesome Romance category.

Frederick a hard-working, kind-hearted young man who wants nothing more than to provide a better life for his mother and sisters. Who suffers under the hands of tyrant father. He is a talented woodcarver, when the opportunity to sell some of his carvings at the market, a priest notices Frederick ability and talent, and convinces the bishop to hire Frederick to carve the new doors for the cathedral.

Adela is the youngest daughter of the Duke of Hagenheim
Dreams of pursuing her creative talent of painting. She disguises herself as a servant and goes off to explore the marketplace where she meets Frederick. This allows her to be unprotected and not be recognized as the Duke's daughter.

A chance meeting at the marketplace the two young adults find common ground.
Adela is drawn to commoner Frederick, and returns her feelings.
But alas, what happens when Frederick finds out the truth who Adela actually is?
In a series of events will the two ever be together, or is someone trying to thwart the young couples happiness.

This immersive reverse Cinderella story has the hero coming from a lowly background while the heroine is of noble birth. Which I found quite refreshing to say the least.


Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Although this is book 11 in the series, you can read all the books as standalones! I’ve only read this one and the previous one, The piper’s pursuit. As far as I know there is no connection between the characters, but they do take place in the same neighbourhood! They are also all fairytale retellings!
This particular story was a reversed Cinderella retelling! You could really see the Cinderella aspects in the story, but it was also not a direct retelling. It really was a story on its own!
We read the story from both perspectives, and I really liked both characters! Also most of the side characters were very well done! Although some of the relations felt a bit unrealistic for the time, but also the modernisation did fit the story well!
This is just a really nice quick romance story. But don’t go into this story expecting many romantic scenes, this book is really about their relation slowly developing. And also what all the other characters thought about this relation, and how this relation development impacted their other relations! And because of their relation development, they got stronger and were able to ‘fight’ some darker aspects in their life!
I really like Dickerson’s writing! If I want another quick romantic story I will definitely check out some of the earlier books from this series!

The summer following my sophomore year of college, I needed a break. I needed to get lost in the written word and have some personal time. Have you ever felt that? My saving grace was finding the Hagenheim Fairytale series. I rarely slept, I simply read each book from start to finish. This series holds a special place in my heart. After several years now, I still find great pleasure when a new book from the series is released. I am excited to announce that the eleventh and final book in the series is released today!

Retellings of some of your favorite fairytale stories, the Hagenheim series follows two families. One in England and the other in Germany. Although I have enjoyed each and every book, Silent Songbird holds a special place in my heart. I am hoping to reread soon and write a review for it soon!


I appreciated Melanie Dickerson’s willingness to write such real and difficult situations such as an abusive father, pregnancy out of marriage, discrepancies between social classes, the destructiveness of ill-used alcohol, and the importance of choosing the right spouse. As the series is written for young adults, these topics are very important to discuss. Many are experiencing one of these issues and Melanie Dickerson handled it so well. Although written as a fairytale, not everyone’s story progresses perfectly. I appreciated the Christian undertones and stories as Frederick and Adela sought after the heart of God.

I have to be honest and say this was not my favorite in the series. It seemed a little repetitive of the others. However, it was still a joy read and a good book to end the series. I am sad that the series has come to end, but I look forward to many great rereading in the future!

Although written for young adults, the Hagenheim series is a great read for all ages. I personally always enjoy a good fairytale retelling and happily ever afters. If you have daughters, I would suggest reading the series with them. Many great discussions and topics can be derived from the pages of the series!

I was given a free copy of the book, but the opinions in this review are completely my own.

The Red Review: ❤️❤️❤️
***3 Hearts: Compelling Characters, Well-Written, Interesting Storyline (.5), Unable to Stop (.5)

This wasn’t really for me, it just felt a bit run of the mill, it’s not a bad story and it was pleasant enough, I just wanted a lot more from the story than it gave.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

When I heard this was a reverse Cinderella story, I hesitated to pick it up. After all, this series already had a loose Cinderella retelling. But this is also the finale in this beloved series, and I have enjoyed these stories so very much. And I found the story has enough uniqueness to set it fresh and apart from the other books.

Another beautiful cover paired with the story of the last and youngest of Wilhelm's daughters and a poor farm boy who aspires for more. I was drawn in to an interesting, sweet story and setting.

Sheltered all her life, Adela begins to exercise boldness against this protection from her parents--a very young woman who wants to spread her wings and convinces herself that she is doing no wrong in disguising herself and telling a little lie: that she is just a servant and not the daughter of the duke. But besides risking danger from those who would see her in harm, actions have consequences. And meeting Frederick has her realizing her deceit may not only hurt herself, but someone she is coming to care for in a way new and exciting for her.

Adela is very young and has a lot of maturing to do--in both mindset and behavior. But she is sweet and innocent and I loved watching her grow and learn...in life and in romance; to understand her own heart and the direction her future might take. Frederick is as kind and chivalrous as any hero can be, despite a harsh past at the hands of a cruel and drunken, lazy father. He is admirable in protecting his mother and his sisters--and that protective nature flows over to Adela and his growing love for her.

What a beautiful, gentle love story! I rate their story up alongside my favorite of the series--that of Adela's parents in "The Healer's Apprentice"

I also loved some of the side characters' stories...especially the other potential love interest. Let me just say: I found it refreshing and different!

A wonderful conclusion with all the feels. Now, excuse me while I go cry that this series is over.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Take one well-known fairy tale, reverse the gender roles, add a sprinkling of Bible stories, and the writing ability of the ever-so-talented Melanie Dickerson to create The Peasant's Dream which is book 11 in the Hagenheim sereis..

The book summary for this new release indicates it is "a reverse Cinderella" story. While reading the story, I did not recall this bit of information and did find myself wondering "Which fairy tale is this?" In fact, I found the Bible parallel more apparent until near the end of the story when the fairy tale aspect became unmistakable. Dickerson's books, as they are published by HarperCollins Thomas Nelson Publishing, always have some Christian themes. Most often this includes the characters praying, receiving advise from their priest, and in a general a "clean," unobjectionable book. However, Bible stories are mentioned more frequently in The Peasant's Dream due to the main characters job. The mentions are appropriate due to the medieval setting of the books and not heavy-handed. Previous familiarity with the Bible stories or characters mentioned is helpful in understanding the story but readers who are not familiar with them will be able to follow the plot.

One of the things I enjoy about Dickerson's books is that while they are written for YA and are completely clean and appropriate for even early teens, they are written in a manner that holds the interest of even adult readers and she includes just enough sexual tension between the couple. The Peasant's Dream does not disappoint in that regard. A slight change is the non-descriptive reference to the main character's parentage and the emphasis that a person's character and future is not dependent on the circumstances of their birth.

Overall, I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA books. If you have been following the Hagenheim story, you will definitely want to read The Peasant's Dream. If you have not yet read any of the previous books, you can definitely start with The Peasant's Dream but will want to go back and read the previous books.

The Peasant's Dream
by Melanie Dickerson
Back of the Book: “In this reverse Cinderella story, a poor farmer’s son, who dreams of using his talent as a woodcarver to make a better life for himself, falls in love with a duke’s daughter and must fight for a chance to win her heart.
Adela is the youngest daughter of Duke Wilhelm of Hagenheim and is never allowed outside of the castle walls. She loves her family, but she sneaks away one day to the market in the town center. There she meets a handsome young man and wonders what it might be like to fall in love with a poor farmer with a kind heart instead of marrying the man her family is suggesting for her.
Frederick earns the income for his family and defends his mother from his father’s drunken rages. He also uses his talent and creativity to carve figures, animals, and scenes into wood, and he's asked to carve these scenes into cathedral doors when his talent is noticed. Frederick is inspired by the sweet and beautiful Adela, but he has no knowledge of her true identity. When he gets swept up into a plan to kidnap the duke’s daughter, both are shaken by what they learn about the other.
With the heartbroken Adela resigned to an arranged marriage with her noble suitor, Frederick must decide what he’s willing to risk for love.”
Impressions: This was a sweet and clean young-adult romance.
Liked: I think this was a fun and different take on the traditional Cinderella story.
Disliked: The story seemed a bit dramatic but alas it is a fairytale retold so I suppose that gives it some extra allowance of drama.
Learned: Being honest and true consistently builds your reputation and character. You never know when this will play in your favor. More so, God is faithful in caring for us and providing.
Quotes:
“Once she was married, she’d be trapped in the dullness of daily life.” – I feel like this is a common thought for young people, referring to marriage. I don’t feel trapped… all the time. 😉
“You should choose a man with good character; someone you can trust to love you and always do what is best for his wife and children.”
“She realized it was easier this time. Was that always how it was when one did something wrong? Easier each time they did it?” – Sin is so deceiving. It might seem like it is getting easier but coming clean is going to be a lot harder. Putting sin into your life also puts a wedge in your relationships with others. The more you lie to yourself that everything is ok the further you get from having good relationships around you.
“God, it rained on Noah for forty days and forty nights. How long will you let it rain on me?” – Oh, how I feel this pain. This statement really hit home for me. Have you ever struggled for such a long time that you think it will never end? I was never stuck in jail but I have and do suffer from anxiety and depression. I love how the Bible is full of so many real people struggling though. God used these ordinary people like you and me to show us that he provides. He loves us and even when things seem hopeless and out of our control it is balm to my soul to know He is my hope and He is in control. He sees me and knows me."

Frederick, a poor farmer’s son, longs to spend his life carving wood and pursing the artistic talents God has given him. But his cruel father can no longer support his mother and sisters, and Frederick bears the burden of providing for his family alone.

On a rare market day when his father sleeps late, his mother urges him to take his woodcarvings to Hagenheim. While there, two incredible things happen. Someone purchases one of his carvings and asks him to meet with the bishop the following week, and a beautiful fellow artist shows up to admire his work.

He makes plans to meet her the following week, and thoughts of her and a future in woodcarving carry him through another week under his father’s thumb.

Adela, the youngest child of the Duke and Duchess of Hagenheim, longs to escape her sheltered life to travel. She wants to spend time developing the artistic talent God has given her. None of her siblings seem to understand her desire to paint. While she admires her siblings and wants to find adventure and true love—she doesn’t want to experience great danger in her quest for love.

Her parents have invited a duke’s son to visit in hopes she’ll fall in love with a suitable young man. When she sneaks into town dressed as her maid, she encounters a fellow artist whose kindness and understanding speak to her heart.

When Frederick saves her from an attempted kidnapping, he ends up in the Hagenheim dungeon because the kidnappers falsely accuse him.

This reverse Cinderella story will delight Dickerson fans (and make fans out of new readers). Although written with young adults in mind, the storyline and action are appropriate for younger readers (10 and older). Dickerson knows how to weave an engaging fairy tale while tackling problems today’s readers face—career choice, honoring parents, and escaping abuse.

Characters rely on scripture and prayer for personal strength, and the novels never sound preachy or heavy-handed. If you have daughters, nieces, granddaughters, or mentees, The Peasant’s Dream would make a great gift (as well as the rest of Dickerson’s fairy tale retellings).

It was fine. Not the best, but fine. There are better takes on Cinderella to look out for. This title fell flat, unfortunately.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

I am a fan of Melanie Dickerson, but it's been a little while since I read one of her books. Once again, the author, successfully retold a fairy tale with a Christian perspective. I think reversing the Cinderella fairy tale served Dickerson well, as this one seemed to give new breath and life to the Hagenheim series, which I had lost interest in previously. This novel was good enough to make me want to go back and pick up the stories I missed.

When a simple peasant steals Adela’s heart, is there a way they can make their relationship work? Can the daughter of a duke and a wood-carver find happiness together when they are from vastly different worlds?

Full of romance, danger, and a conniving advisor, The Peasant’s Dream is a fairytale reimagined that had me turning page after page as I was gripped by the story. The characters are well developed, and I enjoyed peeling back layer after layer as I got to know them better.

I want to go back and read previous books in the series now. I really enjoyed this book!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The eleventh book in this series finds the youngest daughter, Adela's turn for marriage. I like that the Duke is not pressuring her to marry but allowing her time. Adela wanting to see life outside the castle is understandable. The story was very loosely based on Cinderella but was just okay. Quick read for readers who want a nonsensical story for fun.

A duke's daughter, Adela fights for the chance to fall in love with a worthy man of her own choosing.



The eleventh and final installment in the Hagenheim Saga, follows Adela the youngest daughter of the the Duke of Hagenheim, she is artistically gifted, with an eye for color and beauty. She meets a kindred spirit in the marketplatz, a talented woodcarver, Frederick. Though engaged in a courtship with a neighboring member of the nobility, she can't help but be drawn to Frederick, who understands the way that she sees the world.



I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet, wholesome story of sacrifice and friendship. I liked how Adela has learned from observing her family members, yet isn't afraid to make her own way, and she's alright if that doesn't mean strapping on a sword or bow. She is thoughtful and kind, and I liked how her parents take time to listen to her and respect her judgements, while still being protective of her.



Frederick is a noble son, caring for his family, and working hard on his family's farm. He does his best to protect his mother and sisters from their father's drunken behaviour. I loved his strong moral compass, and his heart for putting others first. He is probably one of my favorite heroes in this series, because though humble of birth and situation, that didn't matter, he still fought for what was right.



This was an engaging read, and I loved the strong themes of family and faith, along with well developed side characters and storylines, secrets and character development. I really appreciated this story, with a thoughtful heroine who stands up for herself but also doesn't need to take up a weapon. Well written and a fitting conclusion to this memorable series--though I'm against Toby popping up somewhere in the future!



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"The Peasant's Dream" by Melanie Dickerson is the eleventh and final book in the “Hagenheim” series. It is a sweet, gentle, reverse “Cinderella” story, telling the story of Adela, the youngest daughter of Duke Wilhelm. It can be read as a standalone.

I love the diversity of Melanie’s characters and their personalities. In this series, there is a hero and heroine to suit everyone. There are kick-butt heroines and valiant knights. In this installment, the hero and heroine are both gentle, kind and artistic. Adela loves to paint, and Frederick loves to carve wood. I love how they bond over their passion for art and creating things with their hands. Frederick, especially, is very masculine, but also kind and gentle. I love how he looks out for others; one example being how he is kind to his prison guard and even prays for him. Adela grapples with the reality that she may have a hard time going from the privileged life of a Duke’s daughter, to the poor wife of a woodcarver and farmer. I find it very refreshing to see a character not jumping headlong into a new life without really considering the ramifications. I admit, some parts of this story were a little slow for me. But the end picked up and it was one of my favorite Dickerson endings! I loved not only seeing the conclusion of Adela and Frederick’s love story, but the love story of Frederick’s mother pan out. And the family reunion and updates on characters from the other books in the series were so satisfying to read. I am sad to see the end of this wonderful series! I cannot wait to see what Ms. Dickerson writes next!

Content: I give this book a PG rating. Some examples of the content are: a man drinks a lot of alcohol and is verbally and physically abusive; a woman is pregnant out of wedlock; some of the more “uncomfortable” Bible stories are mentioned; it’s said that men curse, but the words aren’t actually written.

Rating: I give this book 4 stars.

I want to thank Melanie Dickerson, Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

The master of fairy tale retellings has done it again! The Peasant’s Dream is a reverse telling of Cinderella and focuses on Adela, the Duke of Hagenheim’s youngest daughter. I have followed this delightful series from the very first book and found bittersweet joy in reading the last one. The writing has remained consistent, although this storyline felt a little more rushed than others. The chemistry between Adela and Frederick was described, rather than felt, but sweet, nonetheless. Two side notes: while part of a series, can still be enjoyed as a standalone and although labeled as YA, can be enjoyed by all ages.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own and freely given.

So, so good! Probably one of my favorite Melanie Dickerson books! I enjoyed the sweet friendship between Frederick and Adela. It was a tender, innocent relationship. This author just has such a wonderful way of creating a romantic fairy tale, while keeping it clean and appropriate. And I love the inclusion of prayer, scripture, and morals. Can't wait for the next Melanie Dickerson novel!

This is the 11th and final book in the Hagenheim series. I have truly enjoyed this series. I love the way Melanie Dickerson weaves her fairytale stories. This story is about the youngest daughter, Adela and a peasant farmer/woodcarver, named Frederick. It is a sweet romance set in medieval times. The characters are well defined, and the story moves at a good pace. I did not think it had as much depth as some of the other stories, but it is still a good read. I don’t believe you need to read this in any particular order. There are references to other book characters, but nothing that is crucial to the story. There are quite a few Bible stories briefly talked about, which I enjoyed, but some may not. Over all I thought it was a good clean read. Some mild kissing, mild torture descriptions and no swearing, which I really appreciate!
I would like to thank Melanie Dickerson, the publisher Thomas Nelson, and NetGalley, for this review copy and this is my honest review.

3.5 Stars

The Peasant’s Dream is the 11th book in Melanie Dickerson’s Fairy Tale Romance/Hagenheim series. So, if you’ve already read any of the prior books, you’ve already got a sense of how this one plays out. If not, you won’t be at a disadvantage. While all the books play out in the same world and have overlapping characters, they can stand alone.

The Peasant’s Dream takes place in Middle Ages Germany. The writing, however, has a more contemporary feel to it, especially the very American Christian undertones. There’s a reason it’s currently ranked No. 1 on Amazon’s Teen & Young Adult Clean & Wholesome Romance category. However, if you look past the less historical elements and take the book at face value, it’s not an issue.

I’ve read a number of Dickerson’s books, and The Peasant’s Dream is in keeping with her conversational and warm writing style. The story’s outcome is fairly predictable, but there are a number of nice twists that add depth to the story.

The Peasant’s Dream is a fast read — I finished it in one afternoon — that offers a bit of escapism.

(3/5⭐️) “A dandelion suddenly looked like a puff of smoke with a burned charcoal center. A forest looked like a group of soldiers in the dark, marching straight and tall. A cluster of wildflowers on a distant hill became a mass of color and texture that she contemplated how to duplicate with a brush and paint.”

Frederick is a the son of a peasant farmer while Adela is the youngest daughter of a duke. Frederick is determined to make a better life for himself through his craft as a woodcarver, carving the doors to Hagenheim’s chapel. Adela just wants to be normal. She’s a painter with a desire for creativity. She’s tired of being trailed by her father’s guards, and long to find her own adventure. When she begins to sneak into the marketplace under the guise of a peasant, she develops feelings for Frederick. He seems to be the only one who understands her artistic inclinations. But falling in love isn’t simple for them. Frederick is a peasant while Adela is expected to marry within her station. When outside forces interfere with their budding relationship, they must fight against all odds if their love is to endure.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I picked it up because of the pretty cover and premise, and because I was looking for a simple romance. That’s exactly what this was: a simple romance. There were no layers beyond that. Overall, there were things I liked and things I didn’t like. I enjoyed Frederick and Adela’s romance, and the forces that came in between them. It was the suspense that drove the plot forward and kept me reading. The romance was sweet and innocent. I can see there being a whole market for this kind of book, especially a religious/Christian based market because of the abundance of bible references.

What I didn’t like was the lack of overall character growth. Lack of layers. Lack of world building. Lack of complexity. The story is entirely plot driven; it’s not one that sticks with you for long or leaves you thinking about it after finishing it. Neither Adela or Frederick went through any kind of internal conflict driven personal growth/change/development. Aside from the love they gained for each other, neither came away fundamentally different at the end of the story. The only conflict were the forces keeping them apart.

The world building was simple. While this was marketed to be a “Cinderella in reverse” story, I felt that was a big stretch. Yes, the roles are reversed where Frederick is the peasant and Adela, the duke’s daughter. But that’s where the similarities stop until the last few chapters. At the very end, Frederick must race to get to the ball in time before Adela agrees to marry someone else. This is the only “Cinderella-esk” aspect. The bishop plays the fairy godmother role of getting him prepared in time, dressed far above his means. Still, there was a definite stretch for marketing in such a bold statement.

The writing was really basic. I hate saying this, but it was. I can usually find a few pretty lines to quote in a book review. This one I struggled to find one snippet of text to put into this review. Melanie Dickerson must have written this in a very mechanical churn-and-burn approach. She resorted to repetitive sensation descriptions for budding love. If I had a penny for every time a character had a racing heart or fluttering stomach, I’d have a jar of change. I would have appreciated more creativity here. There were also a few strings left untied. For example, Frederick mentions multiple times that he wishes he could see Adela’s art and talent. Not once did Adela show him her artistic abilities, any of the work she created. She didn’t show the reader, either. She talks about how much she loves art and painting, but we don’t get a single scene where she’s “creating” anything. So we’re being told, but not shown any of the abilities that make her unique as a character. That was a disappointment because this was the thing we, as readers, need to connect with her.

The Bible stories referenced, with the frequent mentions of God, felt overdone. I’m a religious person, so I didn’t mind it too much. However, I felt that if mentioned this often, the stories should have tied into the main story better, either as a metaphors or analogy to something happening in the book. I was a turned-off and I could see it being such for other readers too. But I think women of the religious community looking for a wholesome romance might appreciate it. I’m thinking of my mom specifically here...

Overall, I enjoyed the read. It was simple, and I was entertained enough to keep going. This was my first Melanie Dickerson book, so I didn’t exactly have any expectations going in. Rather, I went in with an open mind. There were a few redeeming qualities to the book, such as the creative plot in bringing Adela and Frederick together. That was ultimately the only thing that kept me going. If you like simple, comfortable romance based reads, you will probably enjoy this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishers for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a really sweet story. There is innocence and love -- and joy that overcomes evil. Since this is book # 11 in the Hagenheim series, there is already a very substantial world built and most of the story's time is spent solely focused on our main characters. The glimpses we get into Hagenheim are delightful though. I rarely read stories from this time so it's an absolute treat to pick up period-specific details.

Speaking of the characters: while sweet, they were a little too one-dimensional for my taste, especially considering the amount of time we spend with them (as mentioned above). I didn't feel a personal connection with either of the main characters, so I wasn't as invested in their story as I normally would have been. On one side we have an innocent young woman who dislikes her reputation as "spoiled" and aspires to be an artist. On the other side we have an innocent, selfless, impoverished young man who aspires to become a wood carver. There is more to their personalities, but not much. They are beautiful characters though; just a bit untapped/unfinished.

My other personal struggle with this story is that it felt so ... depressing. Which is odd, because the overarching theme is quite the opposite. But I continually grew weary while reading it, and after a while I realized it was because there was such a substantial focus on the darkness, tension, and negativity surrounding the characters and their respective situations. There are a couple curve balls thrown at Frederick in particular that were emotionally tiring. The story’s tone significantly improves in the last 20% but it was quite an emotional ride to get to that point.

While this story adds to the Hagenheim world, and while the series is richer for its existence, I don't anticipate revisiting this one anytime soon. It is a good story, but not Dickerson's strongest.

Thank you, author and publisher, for the opportunity to read this story! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.