In The Peasant’s Dream, the last book in the Hagenheim series, Fredrick, a farmer, and Adela, a duke’s daughter, both long for more. Fredrick is a talented woodcarver whose farm-life doesn’t offer much opportunity to fulfill his dreams. Adela’s sequestered life revolves around finding a suitable marriage. However, one chance encounter changes both of their lives.

On the day that Adele sneaks out of the castle dressed in her maid’s clothes, she meets Fredrick selling his wares. As Fredrick and Adele fall in love, secrets, lies, and even more unsavory actions make them question all that they know about each other. Frederick learns that Adele is a duke’s daughter, and he is crushed by her lies. However, when an attempted kidnapping wrongfully implicates Frederick, and he is thrown in the dungeons, Frederick must now prove his innocence. Will the relationship between these two people from very different social circles survive? Is their love strong enough to weather the difficult problems they face?

Adele and Fredrick are likable characters from very different backgrounds who suffer from similar problems. They both long to be free from the constraints inflicted upon them by family and society. As the youngest daughter of a wealthy Duke, Adele is not allowed to leave the confines of her home without guards. Fredrick is so bogged down with farm work and protecting his mother and sisters from his drunk father that he rarely has time for his own pursuits. This desire to be free and to follow one’s own heart is what initially propels the plot.

Fredrick and Adele are also both undiscovered artists with an amazing amount of talent. I think this connection bonds them in a unique and interesting way, and I love how their relationship develops from their shared interest in art. It is very natural and progresses sweetly. That is until their mistruths and secrets are exposed. Then, they have to decide if their relationship is worth fighting for.

This is a well-paced and interesting if a bit predictable story with strong Christian undertones. Though this is the eleventh book in the series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone. That being said, readers of the series will love that a ton of the characters from the previous books make an appearance in this one!

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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

The Peasant's dream is exactly what I expected it to be. A simple, old fashioned Cinderella story. I liked the reversal of gender from most Cinderella stories and it was overall a good book.

It's a simple, easy, romantic read and if that's your kind of thing I'd definitely recommend it. It's nothing groundbreaking, but it deviates from other simular stories just enough to keep you interested.

What a way to end a series. I have immensely enjoyed the Hagenheim series as a whole and I was both excited and sad for the chance to read The Peasant's Dream, which is the last book in this series. Overall I enjoyed the characters and the storyline. While we got a Cinderella retelling in The Captive Maiden, this time we get something unique. The Peasant's Dream is a "reverse" Cinderella. Instead of a prince falling in love with a peasant woman, we have a wealthy duke's daughter falling in love with a peasant wood carver. This story felt a little more rushed than some of the others, but it did not take away from my overall enjoyment. Frederick was such a sweetheart to star as the leading male role.

I'd say this was probably among my favorites in the series simply because I enjoyed the way it wrapped everything up. Sure, I could have happily kept reading, but I felt like there was a nice bow at the end to tie it all up. With the exception of the older le Wyse generations (the ones you read about in The Merchant's Daughter and The Silent Songbird), you get to see all the major characters from the other books. In such a nerdy sense, it felt like a big family reunion, which I guess technically it was.

This was a lengthy series, but reading it back to back it took me just about a month to read 11 books so it doesn't feel draw out at all. Each book could be read as a standalone since the plot line starts and resolved in one book, but it's so much better to start from the beginning and read it through. There's cross over of characters and past plot lines are sometimes mentioned so it helps to give a fuller understanding.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I am leaving an honest and voluntary review.

A good story for those of you who like romance. I was kind of thinking while reading it that it was like the guy was a little like Cinderella, and now I see on the description on this page that it calls the story a "reversed Cinderella". 😊 I guess I was right! If you've read the other stories in the Hagenheim series, and loved them, you'll definitely need to read this!! This is about the youngest daughter in the family, Adela.
It's a bit predictable, but what romance isn't? Haha.😁
I received an advance e-book from Netgalley and the publisher, which I really appreciate! The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

As the youngest daughter of the Duke of Hagenheim, Adela is never allowed to venture outside the castle walls alone. Disguising herself as a serving girl, she sneaks out to the marketplace where she encounters Frederick, the longsuffering stepson of a loutish farmer who aspires to one day be a woodcarver. Continuing to conceal her identity, she wonders whether it would ever be possible for her to marry a commoner--or ought she to forget about Frederick and accept the suit of a visiting nobleman?

Commissioned to carve the doors for the town cathedral, Frederick finds that his dreams are coming true. But when the girl from the market turns out to be the princess from the castle, Frederick is devastated to think she has only been toying with his affections. A kidnapping plot goes terribly wrong, and Frederick, wrongfully implicated, finds himself thrust into the dungeons. Can Frederick prove that his intentions are true, rescue his mother and sisters from his evil stepfather, and uncover the secrets of his past?

This reverse Cinderella story has the hero coming from a lowly background while the heroine is of noble birth. The opening chapters were somewhat clunky in the character introductions and exposition, but once the story got underway, the plot was engaging. The pseudo-Medieval world carries on the milieu of Melanie Dickerson's other fairy tale retellings. Listed as a YA book, this title will probably appeal more to young teens than older ones. 

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

Melanie Dickerson has crafted a wonderful family saga with the Hagenheim family. It was really neat to see different versions of popular fairy tales and seeing them come to life with the individuals from this one family. The Peasant's Dream is Ardela's story. She is a painter who wants to marry for love, but her family wants her to marry a kind hearted person, but he needs to have money. Not that her family is really pushing, but with the choices they offer her, it says different. I love the idea of the hero, Frederick, being the poor person who falls in love with wealthy. It was a nice difference. The plot is interesting, and I enjoyed every moment I spent back in Hagenheim. At the end, there was a family reunion. Familiar characters returned, even if only by name. I believe fans of Dickerson's series will enjoy this novel too. I sure did.

I received a complimentary copy of The Peasant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Sorry this review took a while to come through, life has been a bit crazy at the moment - I will be writing a similar review (without the suggestions) on goodreads soon.

First of all I would like to say that the book is an enjoyable read, as are all Melanie Dickerson books. The pace and characters, as always, make the book a pleasure to read and I am thankful for getting an opportunity to read and review it in advance.

There was a couple of discrepancies I picked up on. Note that these do not effect my review.

At the beginning Frederick is described with brown eyes when he first meets Adela, but soon after (I think at the market) during their second meeting he has blue eyes.

Before going to the market Frederick describes his sisters as stepsisters, the only time he does. But at this stage he shouldn’t have known about his parentage.

The Peasants Dream is an overall enjoyable read, however I do feel as though Melanie Dickerson’s last few novels in the Hagnenheim series are becoming a bit repetitive, Although, understandably there is only so much you can do within the same setting.

What I would like to see in the final version to make the book even better;

Tone down Adela thinking she’s spoiled. It’s mentioned a few times, but I think the message gets across clearly after one or two. Perhaps it’d be good to see Adela reflect on a particular past experience instead of her just saying ‘I know I can be spoiled’. It’d be nice to see her try and do something ‘household-like’ and her then say that could could never choose Frederick.

I feel the duke and Fredericks mother getting together is a bit rushed. I feel as though it could improved if they appeared to like each other when they first reunite, but only act on it after Frederick returns to Adela.

If the jail guard Heinryk didn’t see god speak to him a in dream so soon after the mother. It’d be great if he Reflected on what Frederick said and thought it’d be what god would do/want instead.

Having said all of that, it is just my opinion on how I would like to see the story play out a little more realistic and layered.

One thing I love about Dickersons writing is her characters and I especially like Fredericks calm and gentle nature. I also enjoyed the plot twist between Barthold and his advisor. I was left wondering whether Barthold himself was a villain.

Thank you for this opportunity and I look forward to reading it again in future. As mentioned earlier, I will write a review expanding on the points just mentioned on Goodreads.

The Peasant's Dream was a good book, but somewhat predictable. I also understand/don't like how a character is brought up to be a peasant, but in actuality they are not. It almost makes it feel like they are not worthy until that has come to light. I did like the reverse cinderella and the character of Frederick, he has a good moral compass. Clean romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a ARC in exchange for a fair review. These opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book i had no idea that it was apart of a companion series ( you don’t need to read the other books in the series to reed this book). I loved the religious aspects in this novel, it was refreshing and something I haven’t read before. I definitely recommend this book, its one of those books that would get you out of a reading slump and that’s what tis book did for me. I look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.

P.S Did I tell you that this series is all about fairytale retellings.

I had high hopes for The Peasant’s Dream by Melanie Dickerson and it did not disappoint. Having read the ten previous books in the Hagenheim series and loving almost all of them, I’ve been waiting rather impatiently for book 11 to come out. I was thrilled when I was able to get a complimentary copy from Netgalley! I give this book 5 stars!

The Hagenheim series, for the most part, follows the Duke of Hagenheim’s family, and because of that, I was already very familiar with the main character of this book, Adela. She is the youngest daughter of the Duke, and all of her siblings except her adopted younger brother Toby have been married off. She wants to travel the world as an artist, but this is a very unlikely ambition for a Duke’s daughter. Because of this and because she is looking for inspiration for her artwork, she decides to run off into town disguised as a servant. While she is there, she meets the other main character, Frederick. Frederick is a poor farmer who is a very talented woodcarver. He understands Adela’s desire to be an artist because he wants to be a woodcarver. He does not know who she is though.

The plot was very complicated and well thought out. I wasn't sure how it was going to be resolved until it was. My only complaint about the entire book is that I felt like there was one minor detail that wasn't resolved at all.
While this book wasn't my favorite in this series, I still really enjoyed it and it definitely deserves all 5 stars. I really hope this isn't the last Hagenheim book!

The first thing that drew me to the book was the reverse Cinderella type story. Poor farmer boy meets the youngest daughter of the Duke. But after reading just the first few chapters, I lost interest. They talk kind of old fashioned. I just feel the book would be better as a TV movie.

The peasants dreams ⭐️
If her brother can get married and have a wonderful life why cant she?
She is the dukes daughter but when a handsome foreigner from a neighboring farm catches her eyes her fate starts to turn up. But hes just a peasant, they couldn’t possibly be together.
Its a reverse cinderella with love, commitment, faith and friendship.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson via netgalley for sending me a copy of The Peasants Dream by Melanie Dickerson. Available on July 7th 2020
All opinions are my own.

The summary caught my attention but when I went to read the book, the storyline just didn’t hold my attention. I wanted to love it but it just didn’t work out.

#netgalley #thepeasantsdream
Melanie Dickerson has a way of weaving quite the story. This one did not disappoint. Highly recommend!

I always love how the "retelling" aspects of Melanie Dickerson's books just creep up on me as I'm reading before I remember which story is being "retold". In a kind of reverse Cinderella story, a commoner falls for the daughter of the duke who is masquerading as a commoner. And of course, she falls for him too. I was relieved this time that she kept her faith in him in spite of the evidence that he was likely corrupt. The ending was a bit too well tied up, although I am a succor for a happy ending. Sweet story, another winner from Melanie Dickerson. 3 1/2 stars.

#ThePeasantsDream #NetGalley

Melanie Dickerson is back with another smash hit every reader will definitely become addicted to from the first page.

Adela is the youngest daughter of the Duke of Hagenheim and feels like a bird in a gilded cage. Deep inside, Adela yearns for adventure, freedom, and love like the rest of her siblings but that doesn't seem possible with an overprotective father and the fact that she can't leave the castle walls....unless she sneaks out and takes matters into her own hands.

Frederick has a gift for carving beautiful images out of wood. Too bad he spends most of his time tending his father's land and defending his mother from her cruel husband. When Frederick gets the chance to move his family away from his drunken father and use his talent to make a good living, he jumps at tje chance and happens on a certain young maiden who he just can't seem to get out of his head.

This is an enthrawlling reverse Cinderella story that grabbed my attention from the beginning and took me on an adventure I won't soon forget. I give this book my highest recommendation.

This book is appropriate for ages 13+ for mild violence and thematic elements.

This story captured my heart as I followed expectantly, not one, but two plots twisted together into one amazing story. Every detail about this book was exquisitely done. It warmed my heart over and over again, and made me happy that in the end, each person found their place of joy.

I cannot praise Melanie Dickerson's stories enough, and picking a favorite would be hard. But this one rates up in my top three favorites.

Once I started reading this book I couldn’t put it down. It was a fairly easy book to read so it would be great for teens. Apparently it’s like book 11 in a series- this is the first of her books I’ve read and I had no problem reading and enjoying the book.- so it can be read as even if you haven’t read the others.
I loved the characters and I loved the spiritual aspects (not overly preachy). The author wrapped everything up nicely in the end and gave me the happily ever after that I always want in a book.

The Pheasants Dream is a reverse Cinderella Story and is the story of Duke Wilhelm's youngest daughter, Adela. The story starts out with her longing to do something more in her life, have some adventures just as all of her siblings did but it seems impossible since she isn't allowed to go outside the castle walls. One day she sneaks away just to have a little taste of what it's like in town at the market. Then she meets Frederick... and he changes everything. They fall in love but seems like everything is trying to keep them apart. Will they ever have there happily ever after? You'll have to read to find out. :)

I was soo excited about this book! The cover is gorgeous, the plot intriguing, and I've loved all of Ms. Melanie Dickerson's other books. I was so thrilled and grateful to receive a copy from the publisher!
Now while this wasn't my favorite of her books, it still was good and it kept my attention. I did feel like it moved a bit slowly at first but once things started happening, it was fast-paced and awesome just like all of her books are.
I loved all of the faith content. I was really inspired by how Frederick and his mother kept their faith even in the hardest situations. They really had to go through a lot!
Adela was a sweet character and although I didn't connect with her as much, I still love her because she is part of a fictional family I love so much. #fangirl 😅
I would recommend this for older teens, however, because there is a little more romance and mild violence though nothing goes into much detail.
The ending was perfect. Finishing this book was definitely bittersweet. Ahhh! I love this family so much. I can't realize that there won't be anymore to this series! I'm attached to their family and stories. I'll just have to reread them every once in a while. But I'm still kind of sad...
Anyways, I give this book 3.5 stars. I still really enjoyed it, it's just not my absolute favorite. But that being said, I do recommend it for a sweet romance with some action and if you're a fangirl of this family and series like me, you have to read it! 😉

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

This is so much better than a Cinderella story, but I guess I can see the comparison. Frederick a simple farmers son meets Adela, the Dukes youngest daughter, with a glance at first and then a conversation while Adela is sneaking away from the Castle to the market. Sparks, chemistry and friendship flow easily between the two and the find ways to meet t every possible opportunity. But their lives and their growing relationship is not going to be a smooth easy ride.
A different take on a regency romance, meeting many interesting characters and personalities along the way. A cute easy ready that had me turning the pages to see what was next for the two main characters and their families. My first time reading a book by Melanie Dickerson and I will look for other things that she has written to read.
I would rate this 4.5 stars if I could. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.