Having read and loved The Gilded Wolves, I had high expectations from Once More Upon a Time. So, when my request was approved by Netgalley, I was very excited to get started with this book. I have never picked up a galley faster, but it was disappointing. There is no other way of putting it down.

I love a good fairy tale and this story is definitely one. I love how it mentioned multiple fairytales and still was it’s own story woven in. I enjoyed the dual povs and the narrator, that added a nice outside prospective as well. There were a few lines about love and life that are what make fairytales so beautiful as well. I would definitely recommend this book to other fairytale lovers.

Thank you so much for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

After reading The Gilded Wolves, I was so excited to pick up anything else Roshani writes, and this story was charming from the beginning to end. I loved the spin this novella took on some of my favourite fairytales, and it was a beautiful palette cleanser after reading nothing but epic fantasy books. The follows our main characters Imelda and Ambrose, who try to figure out if they truly want to spend happily ever after together, and like any good fairytale there is a beautiful world to escape in and beautiful magic all around. If you love second chance romance or any fantasy romance books I definitely recommend!

QUIRKY FAIRY TALE WITH A TWIST

If you're looking for fun, easy fairy tale retelling to get into on a cold autumn evening look no further! It won't take you to the moon and back, but it'll certainly keep you entertained and warm.

👍 What I Liked 👍

Narrator: The one thing that really sets this story apart from many other fairy tale retellings is the narrator of the story. It's witty, it's quirky and it's hilarious. And to top it off, the narrator is an outside - someone outside the story. That made it even funnier.

Fairy tales: There is a gaggle of different fairy tales in this story, which is something I really love. I liked seeing how the different stories intertwined and interacted with each other.

👎 What I Disliked 👎

Predictable: As it usually is with fairy tales and novellas, this was sadly a bit predictive. There were some surprises along the way, but on the whole, I had it figured out.

Once More Upon A Time brings the flirt, the fun, and all the fairytale romance as we find out what happens AFTER happily ever after when love is lost and needs to be found again with Roshani’s signature storytelling of magical prose and cheeky banter.

This novella was short and perfectly sweet! It had just the right amount of quirk and spice and was full of endearing heart. I will always love Roshani’s dreamy fairytales and her fun voice. Her characters were so vibrant and full of spirit, even when they had lost their way.

Overall, it gave me A Crown of Wishes meets traditional Disney fairytale vibes, and I was HERE FOR IT.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

*3.5*

I've never read anything by Roshani Chokshi and I think this little novella was a lovely place to start. Once More Upon a Time is the story of Imelda and Ambrose, a prince and a princess who married and became the queen and king of Love's Keep. Sadly, due to some unfortunate circumstances, the two forgot about their love and now a witch put them on a perilous journey to find something she wants... and maybe even more.

I really liked the main voices in this story, especially the small interventions from the witch. It was so nice to see all of the usual fairytale tropes but with a bit of a twist. The witch and her sarcastic commentary were my favourite things in this novel. She was so sassy and I loved the way she decided to narrate the events.

I believed in the love between Imelda and Amborse, and even in such a short work of fiction I believe that Chokshi did a really good job in portraying these lovely characters. Also, I loved the idea that they found in each other what they never found anywhere else in their lives.

If you like fairytales with a bit of a more modern and funnier approach, I think you could really enjoy this one. It was maybe a bit simple and fast at times, but I still believe it to be a lovely tale.

Never knew I needed this story until I finished it.

This was such a sweet light fairytale reading. But still with a mission to complete.

Both characters have their own vulnerability and that made them stray from their hopefully, ever after. The story itself was very fairytailey. The forest with mysterious inn in the middle of nowhere to a curse creature. I wish the book to be a little longer because I want to read them more after.

“If it’s such a freedom, then why did you take it from us all those months ago?” That’s what I’m asking myself too reading it. Kinda confused with the witch honestly.

This is my first Roshani Chokshi and definitely not the last.


- Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the e-ARC -

This sweet novella is about second chance love for one of the twelve dancing princesses and her husband. They face a curse, a magical potion, cannibals, and family members who think they know best during their journey. The characters grow on you so that you want more of them, possibly the details of their original love story or as side characters in a book about their brothers and sisters. Wonderful introduction to the author for new readers.

Once More Upon a Time, was such a fun, quick read novella. I definetly got Maleficent/Sleeping Beauty meets Twelve Dancing Princesses vibes. Imelda and Ambrose go through quite a lot but they are are both so sweet and charming that you really cannot help but keep rooting for them. The writing style was refreshing and perfectly sets up the world building, which was perfect for such short novella
This is a “second chance” romance, so while it was definitetly a bit predictable at times, it was also full of humor and magic that kept me entertained and wanting to keep reading.

Thank you so much to @sourcebookscasa and @netgalley for my copy! 💕

This had potential to be a good read, but really didn't develop into the story it could have. It was a shorter story with a good premise, but it never really fleshed out and the characters felt out of place. It was a decent that never really flowed like it should have. I wanted to like the characters but they were just on the surface with no real connection. The worldbuilding was just ok with not a lot of help there, just not a favorite read for me. Not one I would recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

A fairy tale novella about one of the 12 Dancing Sister's, Imelda, and her marriage to Ambrose when it was cursed by a witch. This was a cover request for me, and I've loved a lot of Roshani Chokshi's other works so I figured I would give this a go. It's a pretty quick read, and I know there's an audiobook version out as well if that's more your medium for reading.

I wasn't overly thrilled by this book, there was a lot packed into this book but it's still pretty short so there can't be too much explained. There is a lot of magical happenings that aren't explained, but that's the way of fairytales right? Imelda and Ambrose go on a big adventure and end up learning lessons along the way.

Would I pick this back up again in the future? No - I likely wouldn't. Did I enjoy my time reading it? Yes - I would say it's a palate cleanser book with the bits of romance, adventure, magic, and fantasy combined. There are also two POVs which I always appreciate when there is a romance included in a book. But if you're looking for world-building, a well explained magic system, and a full plot? Not the book for you.

**Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review**

I love Roshani’s writing! This was such a magical, sweet and fun read. She gives us a retelling of The Brother’s Grimm merged with The 12 dancing Princesses in a creatively romantic way. Devious witches, magical roads and a talking Cloak and more.

Ambrose and Imelda were extremely likable and their arguments and banter were hilarious. Watching them trust each other and fall in love was pleasing and felt like a breath of fresh hair.

I wanted the story to be longer, but if you’re looking for something quick, romantic or with a light, non complicated plot then this is definitely a book for you!

I've always been a huge fan of Roshani Chokshi's storytelling and writing and she continues to amaze me with Once More Upon A Time.

A wondrous retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, I simply could not put this book down. I was enthralled by the aspect of a year and a day and the choice Ambrose made to save Imelda that "doomed"their love. This is a novella that makes a wonderful bedtime story for kids (and adults bc of a few references if you catch my drift.) I'm practically itching to listen to the audio book for this very reason.

100/10 would recommend.

3.5/5. As always, Roshani Chokshi's writing is gorgeous and compelling. I only wish there had been more plot!

Of course, this is a novella so we're given fairly little exposition, but I found myself wanting more of Imelda and Ambrose's history. However, I found what we do see between them very entertaining. This was an extremely quick read, composed of a fun adventure between two individuals who have for some reason fallen out of love. The fairy tale references were fun and charming, and I really enjoyed Chokshi's portrayal of Imelda's strength and Ambrose's snark.

Perfectly delightful for an afternoon of reading/listening, but nothing groundbreaking that I would feel compelled to frequently revisit or mull over.

Will they follow their heart’s deepest desire? Or will they choose to let love radiate as best as they can for each other?

It’s an enchanting story that allows the reader to get a quick escapism in the fairytale world. It reminds me so much of a classic fairytale like Grimm Brother’s The Twelve Dancing Princesses. The book is entertaining because the quest along the way is such a delightful reading experience. The two main characters are well-rounded - a badass heroine and a pompous hero. They surely give satisfaction for readers to follow their adventure all the way.

Overall, it’s a cute and simple story of second chances that will make us believe in happily-ever-after. For YA fans who are keen of fairytales and adventures, please do pick up this book if you wish to sit back, relax and looking for a quick read.

Thank you to @netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this opportunity to read an ARC in exchange of unbiased review.

If you’re in the mood for a grown-up, feminist, fairytale, you will love this quick read.

Ambrose, Imelda, and the horse have a wacky adventure, complete a quest, and find the meaning of happiness.

This book was a nice quick read. The book was written very beautifully, perfect to get out of a reading slump.

This novella made for a really entertaining, quick read. Roshani Chokshi's writing is always beautiful, but it's perfectly suited to fairytales. The way this story was told was so witty and fun, and really played with fairytale conventions.

I love a good retelling and this is a good retelling. The story of the dancing princesses and the story of the king with three sons. A witch narrator. A horse-hoar cloak that talks. Please do yourself a favor and read this one.

Firstly, I would like to thanks NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 3.5 stars

'Once More Upon a Time" by Roshani Chokshi was my first ever book from the author. I would say the writing is very easy to read and I found it was fun to read this fairy tale-esque story. With a twist on the Twelve Dancing Princess story, we got our Princess, whom loves dancing and went to dance with her other sisters till they worn off their slippers but she crave for freedom. Then, the second prince from another kingdom, Ambrose was in crisis of trying to know what his purpose is. They fall in love and was set to be married the day after the youngest Princess married but they were cursed to fall out of love in order to save Imelda from dying. They build their own kingdom in the Love Keep's palace but were unable to stand each other. However, a witch promised to fulfill their wishes if they could get her a potion from another witch. They agreed and embark on the journey but misadventures and the journey seems to shine a different light to each of them. What will happened next?

This is a short novella that is fun and a breeze to read. We followed both of the main characters where they went from enemies (or ex-lovers?) to them discovering again each other. Its fun to see their interactions and see their fears of the world. Both of them wanted something different, one wished for freedom, the others just want to find a place for himself. So do they sacrifice one thing to get another? The story does reminds me a lot of the fairytale retelling. We got to see from both Imelda and Ambrose's perspective so we get too see what they are thinking about. Then, there is also the 3rd POV as we see what's going on, Its short and I do wish we can get a lot more development but for a novella, this was quite good.