A sweet and charming story that blends traditional and modern fairytales together to create a masterful new story. A new re-telling of the 12 dancing Princesses.

Comparable with the Princess Bride. It has a good dash of fantasy and romance, more so a different take on romance. Classic fairytale vibes with entertaining antics and humour. There are great and imaginative cameo appearances from other fairy tale characters.

This is a very short but refreshing read. I would call it a palette-cleanser, something after a heavy read. The writing is delightful and magical.

A classic plot which entails a magical quest, witch's curse, cute romance, whole lot of comedic gold, and that happily ever after does not mean its without its struggles.

Firstly, thank you for allowing me to read this beautiful story — and for the ARC. This however will not affect my review.

It was extremely well written and I loved the whole story telling aspect involved in it. The world was beautiful and I absolutely loved the characters. It was very refreshing and I really enjoyed it. I needed a little more world building to invision where I was when I was reading — but it is still a beautiful read and story.

I absolutely love a spin on classic fairy tales. This one was so much fun! I had already listened to the audio book but it was nice to be able to read it in eformat. Some of it was predictible but for what it was, I enjoyed it.

Thank you so much to Sourcebooks for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I love Roshani's writing, and this was a truly unique one! What happens AFTER the fairytale? And what happens when they stumble into a few other fairytales themselves?

I became a huge fan of the 12 dancing princesses fairytale after House of Salt and Sorrows, so I was really excited to dive into this one! And while it was a bit strange and took some time ot get used to the novella format, it was a really great, quick read!

I know this was originally an Audible original, but if you're like me you probably support other audiobook formats, so I actually didn't know that this was being printed for the first time! Definitely a great, quick read with a wonderful slow-burn romance.

Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Roshani Chokshi strikes again. This was such a cute little novella and retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses! It’s a perfect short story if you’re looking for a whimsical, enchanting, fairytale romance mixed with humor and wit. After seeing Roshani nail it again and again with her YA fantasy romances, I had no doubt I would enjoy Once More Upon a Time. I really want to go listen to the audiobook version of this story, which is how this story was originally published, because you can tell how amazing of a bedtime story it would be. Imelda and Ambrose stole my heart and I could easily read about them forever! I’d be so interested to read what happens to them after the events of their journey and what their dynamic was like a year ago when they first met.

Overall, I’d definitely recommend this story if you’re a fan of fairytale romances, badass heroines, and sweet relationships between the main characters!

I was literally filled with so much joy when I read this book. I genuinely wish it never ended even though it was perfectly executed from beginning to end! I just love Roshani's style of writing and her storytelling is immaculate. She has equal parts of romance and fantasy and magic and world building and humor all wrapped up in a perfect present that's sure to sweep you off your feet!

The two characters had undeniable chemistry and both of them were well rounded and strong even though this was a short novella! Roshani really knows how to fully embody the characters in the shortest amount of time! The banter was just top tier and I could imagine every scene playing out so wonderfully!

One tidbit I especially loved was in the very first chapter with the poisoned tomato! I remember at some interview or event, Roshani had mentioned researching a lot and one of the stories she had told was about how people used to think tomatoes were poisoned and it just made me so excited when I got to see that little tidbit in the book!

Honestly, this book was so quick and full of love and hope and pure and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who wants that!

Once More Upon a Time is such a fun, quirky and fluffy fairytale novella! It is fast paced and filled with adventure from the beginning that keeps you engrossed until the very end. The banter between Imelda and Ambrose was spot on and had be chuckling at times. This book will definitely have you smiling and almost feels a bit like Neil Gaiman's Stardust with the worldbuilding and fantastical characters. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a fluffy, feel good fairytale retelling!

This was such a dun and cute story. I'm really happy this exists. I've been in a reading slump of sorts and this rejuvenated me. I like the message of this story. My only complaint is I wanted it to be longer. I love Chokshi's writing and the worlds she creates. This was just enough to wet your appetite for more romance. And if anyone knows me knows romance isn't something I reach for.

This one was cute...I guess?

Honestly, I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book.

As a fan of fantasy and fairy tales, I jumped on reading this, but as soon as I started reading it I felt like it wasn't for me. This isn't your typical story that involves fairy tale elements, or mocks fairy tales, or reimagines them... It's silly, a bit quirky and funny, but...I don't think I get the point of it.

It isn't terribly engaging or innovative, and it's pretty short, so you don't really get to properly engage with the story and the characters.

I didn't enjoy the writing, it was sort of bizarre the way modern language was used... I think it was aiming for funny but it was more on the cringe side. I think what most bothers me is that it wasn't too weird, or too funny, or too magical, it was just... plain.

I can't imagine recommending this to my friends...I don't know why I would pitch this as a must-read to someone...

❝ Once upon a time, there was a king and queen—and a horse cloak who lived in the stables nearby—in a land called Love’s Keep. Once, the king and queen had loved each other, but then they forgot, and then they remembered again. Much more than a year and a day has passed, but that does not stop them from remembering how to fall in love. ❞


I'm probably in the minority when I say that I did not enjoy this story. I loved the premise, I loved the storytelling and I enjoyed how it subtly mocked the fairytales that we know, but I didn't like how it played out. If I'm being honest, I almost DNF'd this on quite a few occasions. The story dragged for me and I really wasn't head-over-heels in love with the leads.



1 Star!

Once More Upon a Time is a cute, light-hearted romance centered around the two main characters, Imelda, a princess looking for adventure, and Ambrose, a prince who just wants the recognition that his brothers so easily receive. I really enjoyed the chemistry between the two main characters and the overall plot was what I expected it to be from the description. This is a novella, so the story does progress at a relatively fast pace, but I thought that the author handled the pacing well. I thought the novella was cute, but it was a bit formulaic for me as I wasn't really surprised by anything that happened. I wish the plot had had a bit more impact or an element of surprise, but overall, it was a decently good read.

2⭐️

I don’t know what to say.

Honestly, I was so excited to read this book and thought that I was gonna like it, but I did not.

I did not like the writing. The pace and the characters which honestly doesn’t have presence at all.

I was bored throughout the book but pushed it through because I thought there would be a twist or whatsoever and I’ll enjoy it but still no.


•

Thank you NetGally for letting me review this book in advance

This was so cute, while also having some interesting exploration of trauma. A wonderful magical world, it had everything I wanted from a short story. If you want to have your heart warmed, read it!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC, all thoughts are my own.

Delightfully charming, this novella felt like one perfect bedtime story. Once More Upon a Time was exceptionally written; it was so easy to get lost in these pages. Plus, I never expected any author to ever make a CLOAK be my favourite character in their book, but here we are. The cloak is the absolute best.

If you’re looking for a lovely fairy tale to brighten your spirits and leave you feeling happy, I recommend you pick this up.

Once More Upon A Time is a charming novella featuring Imelda and Ambrose, two lovers cursed by a witch to fall out of love with each other. A year and a day after their curse is cast, the witch reappears and poses a quest to them. Can Imelda and Ambrose remember why they fell in love along the way? On their journey, they meet a hilarious cast of characters featuring a honey badger, cannibals, and an icy witch queen.

With threads from Twelve Dancing Princesses, this novella is a fairy tale all its own. Once More Upon A Time is so much fun and such a delightful journey! Ambrose is very well-meaning and tired of being the middle child, eager to finally have something for himself. Imelda is a powerful and strong princess, unwilling to give up her freedom. I loved her personality! Readers will be able to find something to relate to in both. Chokshi knows all the classic fairy tale tropes and how to poke fun at them. Traveling scenes are eschewed, a talking horse cloak is a loyal companion, and we finally hear things from the witch’s point of view. I loved how tongue in cheek it was, clearly showing a deep love for fairy tales and twists.

Roshani Chokshi writes incredibly sensory details and descriptions, painting a vivid picture in every scene. There is a good mix of funny and sweet scenes. I only wish it were longer, because I want to see more from these characters! I recommend Once More Upon A Time for when you are looking for a short, sweet, and hilarious fairy tale. It’s such a delightful treat! Once More Upon A Time releases on October 5, 2021. Thank you so much to Roshani Chokshi, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For the publisher: My review will be posted on the publication date and I will publish it on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble etc.

Once More Upon a Time was a cute, light hearted novella! At first I was expecting a longer story, so I was surprised by how quickly the plot progressed.

Ambrose and Imelda were funny, lovable characters, and I enjoyed following their adventures together! I also appreciated the narrator’s sarcasm and wit! It was refreshing for a fairy tale✨

I'm a huge fan of Roshani Chokshi's work, and this book did not disappoint. Once More Upon A Time is a magical retelling of several of my favourite fairytales, and I cannot describe how happy it made me!

It's important to remember that this is a novella, so it isn't as fleshed out as the rest of Roshani Chokshi's books, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. This book reminded me of happier days, of the days when I was an imaginative child who lost herself in magical worlds of princesses, witches, and talking animals. A feeling that I never thought I'd get again, so when I finished this book, I felt a sense of comfort like no other. Though it was written in that style, it is still catered for a YA audience, which begs the question - who says that young adults don't need to read fairytales anymore? This book is proof that a good fairytale does wonders to lift the spirits, no matter the age of the reader.

The theme that stood out to me the most was that love is not always lost. You can always learn to love again, and if it's meant to be, it will be yours. Healing is an important process, and once you go through that journey, your heart will be open once more. I absolutely love how Once More Upon A Time portrayed this! A much needed reminder in today's world.

Of course, Roshani Chokshi never fails to give brown girls the representation they deserve, and as a fairytale-loving brown woman who grew up reading about white heroines, seeing a fierce brown princess-turned-queen was immensely heartwarming. It doesn't have explicitly South Asian rep like her other books, but a brown-skinned raven-haired lead is more than I ever got growing up. This is the sort of book you'd return to when you need a quick pick-me-up. Definitely would recommend!

5 out of 5 stars!

A prince and a princess are married for a day and one night before a witch takes their love away in exchange for saving the princess’s life... now a year and a day later the witch returns and offers them a chance to go on a quest and she will give them their freedom from their loveless marriage... and yet with all quests comes finding new things, and rediscovering old things... such as a love that is true. This was a super sweet and short read! It combines the classic “twelve dancing princess” fairytale in it and is told from both the POVs of the prince and princess. I thought this was such a delightful read and honestly, so sweet.

*Thanks Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I was provided with an eARC of this book in exchange for a fair review.

This was a delightful, fun, funny, and slightly irreverent short story. I went into it not realizing it was so short, so I was a little confused at the fast pacing and lack of deep plot, but it made sense once I took a look at the length and intention. It did a wonderful job of taking a well known fairytale (The Twelve Dancing Princesses) and giving us a spinoff that added to the original lore while still feeling unique and new. I dont know why, but reading this makes me want to go reread Ella Enchanted (but not the movie. Never the movie). All in all, Roshani Chokshi yet again gives us a fabulous story that I will be sure to revisit.

I looked at the synopsis, searched for other books by the author and was convinced by the beautiful cover. The truth? I was very surprised to realize that the book was short (my Kindle marked about an hour and a half to finish it, I read it in three days).

Despite its length, Once More Upon a Time tells a story that needs no more words. It's heartwarming, full of teachings and nods to fairy tales that I love. For starters, we have the twelve dancing princesses.
I was also very pleased with the narration. Except for the point of view of our narrator (who I won't say who she is because #spoilers) which is in first person, the book is in third person and focuses one chapter on Imelda and then we switch to the prince (whose name I don't remember, heh).


Overall, it was a book I really enjoyed and ideal for a quiet weekend.

ESP
Revisé la sinopsis, busqué otros libros de la autora y me dejé convencer por la bonita portada. ¿La verdad? Quedé muy sorprendida al darme cuenta de que el libro era corto (mi Kindle marcaba una hora y media aproximadamente para terminarlo, lo leí en tres días).

Pese a su extensión, Once More Upon a Time cuenta una historia que no necesita más palabras. Es reconfortante, lleno de enseñanzas y guiños a cuentos de hadas que me encantan. Para empezar, tenemos a las doce princesas bailarinas.

También me agradó mucho la narración. Salvo el punto de vista de nuestra narradora (que no diré quién es porque #spoilers) que es en primera persona, el libro está en tercera persona y se enfoca un capítulo en el sentir de Imelda y después cambiamos al príncipe (cuyo nombre no recuerdo, je).

En general, fue un libro que disfruté mucho e ideal para un fin de semana tranquilo.