Book Review: "Ella And The Enchanted Bookshop" by Brittany Fichter

 Happy Monday!

This is NOT my monthly post, but rather an extra one because I was given an ARC to read and review. I've posted a review on Goodreads, but I thought I'd talk about the book here, too. The book has NOT released, yet. It's releasing Thursday, September 24, 2026--but it is available on Amazon for preorder.

Brittany Fichter is an author I discovered...I'm not sure when. I can't remember. I've read several of her books and enjoyed them a lot. She has very low/no spice (kisses and attraction/love emotions mostly) in her books, but there is all the feels and enough romantic moments to keep this hopelessly romantic author/reader happy. So, when through her Newsletter I found out there was a way to get on the ARC team for her upcoming release, I threw my hat in the ring (so to speak) and she picked me as one of the ones to receive an ARC! I was very happy about that. (Still am).

So, I received this ARC in exchange for me reviewing it. The following opinions are just that. My own opinions.

Ella And The Enchanted Bookshop is a cozy modern-day retelling of the fairytale, Cinderella. It has some magical aspects to it, so it maintains a hint and flavor of a fairytale. Brittany does a great job of weaving both modern/contemporary aspects with fairytale details. The story is set in Colorado (which is cool, since I have some friends in Colorado!) and it definitely lives up to its "Cozy" descriptor (which is mentioned on Amazon).

I'm a fan of Brittany Fichter's Classical Kingdoms books; and while this novel is not exactly like those, it's worth reading and enjoying. I enjoyed Ella's sense of justice, without her losing the sweetness and forgiving nature I appreciated in her predecessor. (Some people think Cinderella was too "weak" or "damsel in distress" but I disagree with the idea that Cinderella is "weak". For someone who in the time period that the fairytale is set she didn't have many options she made the best of what she had, which I believe takes strength of character and fortitude).

Ella's problems with not being able to dislodge herself from her stepmother's clutches is because of her desire to look after her horse, Nevada, as well as the other horses that belong to the ranch her parents started, and the horses that are boarded there. She works hard every single day and does, in her own way, look for avenues that might lead her to freedom (only to have the stepmother thwart her in the most horrible ways the stepmother can think of).

The "Prince" is an upstanding guy named Asher who is in the military. His father purchases the vacant ski resort (which he also renovates) and he hosts a Harvest Ball in October. I liked Asher a lot, by the way. He's not anywhere as clueless as the prince in the original fairytale (a huge plus) and he's super sweet. Definitely deserves the nickname "Prince Charming".

Ella's two stepsisters are both younger than her. The youngest seemed extremely shallow, but she redeems herself later in the story, so in that respect definitely nicer and a step up from the original. The older one is around 18 and you don't see her as much, but she lives up to her predecessors in that she seems not to care about Ella at all.

Casey, the stepmother, is a real piece of work (I was mad at her, which is a sign of a good antagonist) and I was thrilled to see Brittany weave her intricate magic on how the stepmother stepped her stilettoes into running the ranch. It was a clever take on the whole "marrying the widowed father" trope. Unlike her predecessor, Casey is actually pretty good at caring for horses when she deigns to do so.

I loved how Brittany Fichter handled the whole Fairy Godmother character. It was a totally fun take and I liked the character a lot. There was a sneak peek at the end of the novel for the next one and I'm looking forward to reading that one, too.

While on Goodreads I did not give this novel 5-stars--I gave it 4-stars. I'm not sure it was completely on the same level as Brittany's Classical Kingdoms (my gold standard for measuring her books). I still gave it 4-stars and think it's worth reading and enjoying. I even think it's worth purchasing for those who want to purchase it. (And this review is totally my own personal taste and doesn't reflect on how well Brittany Fichter can weave a tale. She's a very talented author and I did end up enjoying this story).

As I said in my Goodreads review, I see it as a story that readers can grab a cozy blanket, a comfy chair/couch/bed, their favorite hot drink, and enjoy. I did enjoy it, especially once I got further along (beginnings are often a struggle for me with many novels, so don't take that as a problem, but rather my own personal issue).

I do look forward to the next book in the series (and will likely want to read all the ones in this series Brittany Fichter releases--I do not know how many that will be, though). So yes, I do recommend it.

Happy Reading!

May Possibilities & Writing..

 Happy Wednesday!

Yes, I changed the title graphic banner on here. It's to match what I have on my social media pages. Please bear with me as I try to adjust the settings/layout. I'm not the most knowledgeable about these things, but I have someone I can ask to help me.

Currently I'm querying Shifter Secrets, my YA Fantasy Romance featuring wolf-shifters. I haven't written a story featuring any kind of shifters in a long time, but that's okay. My long-time critique partner (who has read just about every manuscript I've written in the last 16 years) and my long-time beta reader (who has been with me about as long and read almost all my manuscripts written in the last 16 years) said Shifter Secrets is some of my best work. It's got more personal aspects for me, but I won't tell what...I'll let the reader guess! It's a bit more on the serious side that Sugar & Frost, but it still has some humor in it (gotta love the male main character, Vest Plenilune's, cousin, Xavier--he's hilarious in my opinion and the female main character, Mauri Kipp, is sweet, but has a secret she's dealing with that isn't an easy thing).

Sugar & Frost is currently on hold. This does not mean it is permanently shelved--I have every intention of getting it out to readers somehow, I just haven't decided what path to take to make that happen. I know what I want to do, but I may have to adjust my wants to something I can do at this time. I still love the story (it's my long-time beta reader's favorite--even thought beta reader said Shifter Secrets is some of my best work) and it's one of my favorite things I've written. I love the story, the characters, the magical/cozy aspects, including some humor. It features fairies, elves as tall as humans (male main character Chase Frost), magic, a feud, a delusional would-be rival to the female main character, Kallie Sugar, it's all so fun. Not to mention Kallie's family lives above the family owned-and-operated bakery. If you like cinnamon rolls, cookies, pies, etc...and a fun coffee shop that's right across the street from the bakery, you'll have fun with this.

I like to think my work would sit comfortably (with more magical elements than the following examples) beside Kasie West's P.S. I Like You, Maybe This Time, and Places We've Never Been or perhaps near Jenny Han's To All The Boys I Loved Before, but on the more sweet end of romance (and again, with magical type elements). Lots of yearning (go read Becky Dean's Love Unmasked for context....or with Eliza Prokopovits' Regency Magic Faerie Tales series (that does have magical elements)--although, mine are set in current time period rather than the past)...or something fun like Eva Austin's My Favorite Color Is series.

Fairytales (or Faerie Tales, whichever spelling you prefer) definitely influence my writing. I've loved many of them (which explains me gravitating towards Eliza Prokopovits' series and Shonna Slayton's Beauty's Rose, etc.)

In any case, that's some of what I've been doing this month--as well as writing another manuscript and working on research for yet another manuscript that will have a historical aspect to it (brush off those Buddy Holly, Paul Anka, etc albums!) My unfinished manuscript file folder seems to grow. LOL

I hope you all have been having a wonderful May. Can you believe it's already the last week of this month? The year seems to fly by (at least, for me, it does!)

God bless! Have a wonderfully whimsical Wednesday and a joyful June!

A Philosophical Interlude Mid-October...

 Hi Everyone!

October is moving along and we're halfway through the month already. I say it often, but I can't help it. It seems like time goes a lot faster the older I get than it did when I was younger. Reminds me of a Clint Black song, "Slow As Christmas", but I think it illustrates other passages of time, too.

Anyway, this post isn't going to be an update post, but rather something I was thinking about recently. I might do an update post before the end of the month--I don't know, yet. But I do try to post a blog post at least once a month, so here we go.

I'm feeling a little philosophical (I guess that's the effect of having watched a video that was giving more explanation and nuance to a scene in a musical that I hadn't noticed/realized--not too surprising since I can be oblivious--before; and yes, I like em dashes!) So, I want to propose ideas that may or may not resonate with people, but stuff I've thought about:

Some people have criticized Cinderella, Snow White, and the classical stories. They say that the heroines had no agency (or not enough agency) or that they're seen as flimsy, wispy creatures just waiting around for the prince to rescue them.

Well, I beg to differ.

Let's start with Cinderella, shall we? (since I've thought the most about this character--that is, Cinderella herself--regarding my theory). I don't see her as weak, or without agency, or whatever else people put forward as a negative attribute of hers. In the estimated time period that her story takes place (going way back to Grimm Brothers, but let's face it, theirs is not the story we're all most familiar with, or one I even prefer because the concept of chopping up one's feet like the stepsisters do is just shudder-inducing to me, so we won't focus on that, but the general concept of the story). A young girl in a time period where girls had very few options if their fathers/protectors died or were unable to provide for them, we see Cinderella left at the mercy of a stepmother who hates her either because she's jealous and/or she doesn't want anyone getting in the way of her ambitions for her daughters. We see the stepsisters following their mother's lead and confining Cinderella to the role of servant (or rather, I'd say slave) to sleep in the ashes. But according to the most well-known versions of the story, Cinderella doesn't turn bitter, spiteful, or vengeful. Instead, she maintains her gentle spirit, kindness, and hope that somehow her fortunes can/will change. I don't see her and the prince as necessarily just "insta-love" but as recognizing in the other something they lack--for Cinderella the prince represents/is a kind and charming person who will respect and care for her as her stepfamily has failed to do, someone she can be an equal partner with in life, someone who cherishes her. The prince sees Cinderella as someone he hopes he would have--not just a fawning creature, but an ideal for him to aspire to--something to inspire him to greatness. So, Cinderella rises above the mire and temptations that would've led her to revenge and ill-will--if she followed those temptations--to be inspiration to another and have someone whom she can love, respect, and honor as well. They're equals no matter the status quo.

Snow White is a story that could have multiple meanings or ideas--ranging from innocence to waking into adulthood, etc. However, despite the surface appearance of a "passive" heroine, let's take a deeper look into her circumstances and time period. Snow While has no where to go when her father passes and the Evil Queen takes over. Where could she go? Perhaps townsfolk would take her in--but they likely wouldn't because they would be afraid to defy the queen. Or maybe they don't know what's going on in the castle, and Snow White in her tenderness and innocence doesn't want to burden her people with her troubles. And instead of turning on the woman, Snow White gently accepts her lot despite how horrible her stepmother is to her. She maintains her grace, dignity, and hope. And bravery. For in the midst of almost being killed, she manages to get through the forest, and find a place. While this place houses rough miners (dwarves), who could present a problem, they see in Snow White a girl who needs protecting--enlivening their sense of purpose beyond just their day job. She inspires them to be more than just what their life has given them (mining) to be there for someone most in need. Her being poisoned could be seen as an opportunity for a man to forget his own selfishness to rescue someone and dedicate his life to someone in need. Or, in the case of the Disney version where in some ways the palace in the clouds looks a lot like them going to Heaven--in that instance, the prince could be her Guardian Angel bringing her to her final reward for her patience and kindness in spite of her circumstances. A reward for her integrity, if you will.

These are just two fairytales, but I could probably find a brighter/happier meaning in most of them. Perhaps some might find it wishful thinking or believe I'm naive or whatever, but that's okay. I'd rather look at them as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Growing up, I always thought the concept of the prince rescuing the princess as beautiful and sweet. A man realizing that someone special in his life needs him. She gives him purpose and strength to be the protector and defender of those under his protection/purview--making him see he's more than just a prince, or a man, he is someone who has a duty a real purpose--an admirable goal of being the best version of himself. He must rise above his own selfish desires, for something more beautiful and far more valuable than his mere station in life. It's a call to action--the "willing the best good of another" (a definition of love that I strive to follow). Many guys I've known in my life have longed for (even if they didn't say so or know this consciously) this type of a purpose--to be more than just "some guy", but to have meaning in their lives. For many of them, to have a special woman whom they could aspire to be a hero to.

Anyway, it's just something to consider/think about. You, dear readers, are free to reject my suppositions/theories; however, I prefer to look at fairytales through these lenses. I like to believe it's something wonderful and beautiful--or, for those who believe in God, striving towards what is above.

I hope your October is going well so far. God bless you! Have a Fabulously Fun Friday!