I absolutely love this series of the family who all find true love based on the fairy tales of the world. This was no different. The story follows a peasant girl and one of the youngest children. My absolute favorite part is seeing the other stories characters come back but it's been about 30 years it seems for some and they have gray hair. It makes it feel so cohesive.
If you haven't read any of these it is fine they are all independent but they also can be read in a series of each child.

A classic Melanie Dickerson fairytale. This book captivated my attention from the beautiful cover art and did not let go until the final page. I loved it...and you will too. Five stars.

Melanie Dickerson, the undisputed master of fairytale retellings, never disappoints. I love visiting the Dukedom of Hagenheim with all of the various people making up the Duke's family. The stories are a realistic version of tales that have been around for ages. I love how she brings faith into these tales. The Peasant's Dream is Adela's story, the youngest daughter of the Duke. She leaves the castle in search of adventure and meets a handsome young wood carver. I love how both Adele and Frederick keep their faith in God through adversity. This is a tale of God's faithfulness. So grab a mug of tea and settle in for a fantastic read!
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

I loved this book. Normally I'm not a romance reader but there's something about Melanie Dickerson that always makes me happy. Her characters, her world building, and even the cheesy story line has me loving every second of almost every book she writes.

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

When I applied for this book I didn't know that it was part of a series. Fortunately it can be read as a standalone. I will probably read the other books as I come across them because I really enjoyed this story. The writing is simple and easy to read, but well thought out and elegant at the same time. The story picked up right away which was nice. Two things that really stood out to me were the setting in Germany (which I haven't seen in a lot of young adult period romances), and the focus on faith and God a lot of the characters had. Adela and Frederick were both so likable. I especially loved how kind and caring Frederick was. His gentle spirit and good morals made you root for him the whole time.At the beginning and the middle of the book I don't think I would have considered this a Cinderella retelling, but by the end I saw more Cinderella vibes showing through the story. The one thing that confused me is in the beginning Frederick refers to his sisters as step sisters, but they aren't. Within the next few pages he is back to calling him his sisters, so I know that was just a mistake. It just caught my attention. I also think the story with the Eselin brothers should have been expanded on, I feel like after a certain point they just stopped talking about them even though their story line wasn't really over. Overall, I would recommend this book to any one who likes period stories set in the time of princes and princesses, or any one that likes a contemporary romance but might be looking for something different. I wouldn't let the fact that this has been marketed as a fairytale retelling put you off of the book because I don't feel that it was a huge part of the story, and it was very unique.

They had me with "Reverse Cinderella," but this Melanie Dickerson book delivers on literally every level. It's romantic, compelling, engrossing, and beautiful. I am so sad that this series is ending, but what a high note to end on!

3.5 out of 5 stars

***ARC received from Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley in exchange for honest review, opinions are all my own. Thank you!***

I love a good fairy tale and I equally if not more love a story that take's a well known fairy tale and turns it upside down. A Peasant's Dream labels itself a reverse of Cinderella, a poor farmer boy that dreams of something bigger and falls in love with the daughter of a local Duke. I do want to admit that I don't tend to read Christian literature, the influence of religion and the Church felt fine for this book. It never felt like the book was trying to preach, just that religion had a strong impact on the characters, which would be fine in a historical work of fiction.

Frederick is a farmer that dreams of something bigger, he wants to leave the life of his families farm behind and become a woodcarver, something he is incredibly talented at. Adela is the youngest daughter of a Duke that love's nothing more than to paint, she loves the beauty of color and the landscape. The two meet by chance initially and while they share only a few words its a fairy tale, they are destined to meet again. I liked Adela and Frederick both, Adela never felt like she was that stereotype rebellious spoiled rich girl. Her interactions with her family and castle staff were pleasant and friendly yet she is very aware of her status and what it affords her. She never felt like she was running from her role. Frederick is so sweet if a bit naive, he never seems to question why Adela is able to procure things that would have been above her station. He just takes the blessing and good fortune as they come along to him. He also rolls with the punches, knowing that if he uses his wits and treats people kindly he can go farther than the cruelty that always seems to be dogging his life.

While this book is also the 11th in a long series I never felt like I lost anything having not read the previous books. While it makes reference to prior events they are referenced in ways that don't detract from the story itself. You don't need to know every back story of Adela's siblings, they are background characters that don't detract from the main story.

That doesn't mean that this book doesn't have its issues with secondary story lines. While Adele and Frederick's relationship is the main story line a little over the half way point the book decides that a few secondary characters all need to have their own story lines that develop and resolve in a few short chapters. This makes for a muddled second half of the book that would have been better spent dedicated to Adele and Frederick since this book is their love story.

Overall an easy read with enjoyable characters.

A good addition to the Hagenheim series full of adventure, plus a tender first love romance. Adela, the youngest daughter in the Duke's family, gets her turn in this coming of age tale with a bit of a twist on a Cinderella plot.

Adela seems to cause problems with her curious nature without realising it until too late. She has a big decision to make affecting her future and grows up quickly in the process. Frederick is a great, upstanding guy, looking out for his poor mom and striving to reach his own dream. I loved the references to Joseph from the Bible, and the way Frederick's life echoes it: doing the right thing, being wrongly accused, feeling abandoned, but yet clinging to hope and faith. He was my favorite character and I was pulling for him through it all.

A quick, easy read for older teens and up, with a few mature subjects touched upon-- alcoholism, domestic violence, and teen pregnancy. A wonderful series wrap up! Hoping there still might be more though with younger brother Toby.

A lovely ending to the epic Hagenheim series!

It is so evident how much love Melanie Dickerson puts into her writing. Her characters come to life and the reader learns lessons and goes on their journey right along with them. The redemptive love plot of this story was beautiful, and Frederick’s mother’s story felt very personal and is an especially empowering aspect of the book.

Some parts felt a bit repetitive, and it seemed the story should have focused more on Adela and Frederick towards the end, but every individual story is wrapped up well. Readers will love getting to see familiar faces from throughout the series. This book has less action than others in the series, and is similar to The Orphan’s Wish in this way. That is not to say the book isn’t exciting—it very much is! I can’t wait to get my hardcover copy in July and give this wonderful story a well-deserved reread.

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

Having read every other book of Melanie Dickerson’s Hagenheim Series, I was so excited to receive my complimentary copy of “The Peasant’s Dream. I couldn’t wait to read the story of sweet little Adela. Although I am sad to see this series come to an end, I have enjoyed following the paths of each and every character. Thank you and Kudos to Mrs. Dickerson!

Adela is the youngest daughter of Wilhelm and Rose, Duke and Duchess of Hagenheim. She feels her life has been nothing but sheltered, and wishes to see the world, and have her own adventure, just as her siblings all have. Yet, she knows her parents will never let her leave Hagenheim, or her sheltered castle existence. When she manages to sneak out of the castle by taking her maids clothing, she meets a young woodcarver named Fredrick and can’t help but feel a spark for this caring, thoughtful, sweet man.

Fredrick is a young woodcarver from outside Hagenheim with dark scars. His father, a drunk, abuses him, his mother, and his sisters frequently. Seeking to escape the family farm and his hateful father, Fredrick moves his mother and sisters to Hagenheim. While at the market trying to sell his wooden carvings, he meets Lady Adela in disguise. He is instantly drawn to the young beauty and starts falling in love with her.

Unfortunately, as hidden secrets soon arise from both Adela and Fredrick, and someone seeks to keep them permanently apart, will love conquer all, or will Fredrick and Adela be destined to give up their dreams of a happy life together?

I really enjoyed this book. Although a bit lacking in some of the action and excitement I’ve seen in the last two books, this book fit Adela to perfection. I wish there had been a bit more action, and a bit more explanation to the “reverse Cinderella” theory, but otherwise this is an excellent Christian romance. I can’t wait to see what the next series Mrs. Dickerson will have for her dedicated readers!

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

Very cute retelling. It had some really great moments which kept the pace of the characters and plot moving. Was enjoyable.

A lovely Cinderella retelling where Cinder is a boy and the prince is the daughter of the duke. Melanie Dickerson weaves her previous stories of the lives of characters through all her books and it's fascinating to see a story unfold. Highly recommend and will be adding this to my classroom library.

The Peasant's Dream is the latest tale from Melanie Dickerson. You will meet Adela on the opening pages of this book. She is the youngest daughter of Duke Wilhelm of Hagenheim. Adela has lived in the lap of luxury her entire life; however, in an effort to discover what direction she wants her life to go, she decides to sneak out of the castle to see how the ordinary people live!



On her first trip to this new world, Adela meets Frederick, a young peasant, who is also trying to find his place in the world. Frederick has been working as a farmer on his family's land, but he wants to see if his skill at carving can be used to make a living. The connection between these two young people is instant, because Adela is also an artist. God has given Adela the talent of creating beautiful paintings. Adela wants to keep her identity a secret in an effort to protect herself. Hold on to see how this decision will bring on a lot of trouble!



Before you know it, Frederick will find trouble of his own. He is accused of being involved in an attempt to kidnap Adela. When he ends up in prison, Frederick has no idea how he ever be set free. You will be surprised to see a long held secret come to life and bring this tale to a surprising conclusion!

It's been a while since I read this series, but each book is a standalone and easy to read by itself.

Adela is the youngest daughter of the Duke of Hagenheim and she feels likes she doesn't have enough freedom, which prompts her to go to market with a guard and wearing her maid's clothes. There she meets Frederick, a farmer who's a talented wood carver.

I liked how the friendship between Adela and Frederick started so innocently and easily. They gravitated toward each other, and their friendship grew from there. But she doesn't tell him she's the duke's daughter.

There's a lot going on in this story, what with Frederick's family, his mother's secret, and the machinations of the neighbor brothers and Lord Barthold's man, and Adela's secret—lots going on.

The ending felt like it wrapped up too easily and fast.

A good twist on the classic Cinderella story.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Unfortunately, I've realized too late that I'm not the intended audience for The Peasant's Dream. While made for fans of this long-running series I'm not familiar with, a different audience would better appreciate the references to the previous books. As well as the wholesome spiritual content, this Cinderella retelling is obviously a part of a larger tapestry that I couldn't understand as a stand-alone.

I'm abstaining from leaving an actual review on any website because it wouldn't be fair. It was my fault that I didn't do the necessary research on the novel.

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

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This author is one of my favorites for story retelling and she didn't disappoint in this nicel. The characters were well rounded and enough of the original story was alerted to make this novel interesting.

The Duke of Hagenheim's last daughter longed to walk among the common folk without being treated as special, and she dreamed of adventure and the chance to create beautiful paintings so that women could be recognized for their talented accomplishments the same as men. One day, she disguised herself and ventured from the castle alone to visit the village where the common folk lived. She struck up a friendship with an aspiring woodcarver who shared her dreams, and before long, they grew very close, but he didn't know her true identity. She realized that this relationship would never work because of her social position. It seems that neither of them will ever realize their dreams.

This book is the final story in the set of 11 Fairy Tale Romance series, and is supposed to be a reverse of the Cinderella story. I didn't really see it that way. It is a fitting end to the series, and I do recommend that the books be read in order. There is an underlying theme of domestic abuse, which somewhat takes it out of the "fairy tale" realm. There is mild violence and clean romance for the young adult reader.

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

In the last Hagenheim story, Frederick and Adela meet by accident and what follows is a long period of difficulty for both of them.\
One thing that is always fantastic in Dickerson's books is her prose. It has been consistent throughout the entire series and this book did not fail to meet expectations.
I fully expected this series to go out with a bang but alas, it did not. I know that I am always hit and miss for Ms. Dickerson's books, but this one was a miss, although there were some parts that I enjoyed. The story was a good idea but the characters were what people expect of lovestruck teenagers.
Also, this was quite the love-at-first-sight story. Adela and Frederick know each other for only a short time before they decide that they love each other, against the wishes of Adela's parents.

Rating: 3.5/5

Crude Language: N/A

Romance: quite a bit of kissing

Spiritual: both characters have strong faith

Violence: Frederick's father is a drunk who regularly beat him and his mother

*I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.

Melanie Dickerson consistently writes sweet fairy tales. This one was no different. It reminded me of Aladdin at the beginning - the rich girl, Adela, sneaking out to the market in disguise. The hero of the story, Frederick is a poor farmer who wants nothing more than to make and sell his woodcarvings. Loved by his mother, abused by his father, and ridiculed by his two sisters, he works the farm by day and carves by night, only sneaking away to the market when his father is sleeping off his alcohol. Of course, he would meet Adela at the market, as well as catch the eye of the bishop who needs his skill for a project. And of course, a villain would be out to get him because, well, I don't want to spoil the story. But I assure you, there is a reason.

The story was cute, predictable, a little too happily-ever-after for everyone (seriously, everyone). But some fairy tales are like that. And it had a nice storyline with a few surprises that totally worked for the story. The main characters were lovely if a little too flawless. And I loved Adela's mom. But then, I've always loved her since the first book in the series. I eagerly look forward to reading whatever Melanie Dickerson writes next.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and reviewed it because I wanted to.

I will always read and love these books, because I love the cute romances, loose fairytale retellings, and that the characters strive to be and do good. But I do acknowledge that each book seems to get simpler in plot and writing. The first few books are the best. I still enjoyed this one.

The Peasant’s Dream is a nice gender bending retelling of Cinderella. I loved the swapped positions, with the girl being the one in the high position and the boy being the poor farmer. And instead of an evil stepmother there’s an evil father. And I loved how the fairy godmother subtlety came into play.

The ending was really sweet and heartwarming and made my enjoyment of the book go up. I’d recommend this book to people who don’t mind some religion in their books, and who like unique fairytale retellings.