What a fun and fresh fairy tale from an amazing voice in YA. Imelda and Ambrose have a story that can be passed down from generation to generation.

This was an extremely charming fairytale.
I wish it were a full novel because the charm, sweetness, and silliness were so enjoyable, and I love how the narrator said what we all were thinking; travel scenes can be boring, so that we can skip them.

A magical land with a twist to two separate tales that interconnect and a Prince and Princess who have to relearn to love one another or who can go their separate ways and find the lives they wish to. As this is my first novel from Roshani Chokshi, I am thrilled I ordered the gilded wolves; the writing and storytelling skills were lovely, so I am excited.

Two things drew me in to this book: 1. Roshani Chokshi, 2. Fairytale.
And let me tell ya, it delivered everything I wanted.

Roshani has the ability to construct the most beautiful story that hits every point I need. Her characters are easy to meet, the settings are easy to envision, and the dialogue feels so natural.

A quick fabulous tour in fairy tale universe : Grimm Brothers’ famous Twelve Dancing Princesses combined with Little Briar Rose ( dark version of Sleeping Beauty) and Dragon’s Tail, Two Brothers with Maleficent vibes!

This is a story about cursed and unforgettable love of an unfaithful prince who loses everything he has in his life and a princess who only prays to gain her own freedom without being trapped in a place or being condemned by any other man!

Imelda was one of the twelve princesses who was roused up from her sleep at each night, found her slippers scuffed at the each morning as if she’d danced all night. You may already know the fairytale about princesses or you may read the modern version: “ House of Salt and Sorrow” ( highly recommended if you didn’t read it yet) Those girls found a passage to the fairyland where they danced till they passed out! One of her sisters already found her prince who was also a gardener’s assistant tipped by witch about how to solve the curse.

But this story is not about that sister. This is Imelda’s story. Imelda who found love and lost it against the curse.

Her love of her life was prince Ambrose. He was one of the three sons of the king, who loses the battles for being kind, good hearted. He aims to do the right thing for the benefit of the kingdom including saving a dragon’s life in expanse of losing the throne.

And now he’s about to lose his kingdom at Love’s Keep. For staying as a king of the place: he must be in love with his queen. But for saving Imelda’s life who is poisoned, he makes a deal with the witch in expanse of forgetting his love for her forever!

Now they’re two strangers who can’t bare to be in the same place. Imelda doesn’t want to go back home because she wants to be free from her overprotective father and his strict methods to trap her in the place.

Ambrose lurks around the woods, sulking, lost, unhappy. Their one year and one day long time is about to end. They’re so close to be ousted from their kingdom.

But the very same witch who cursed them makes an offer they can be both benefited. Imelda and Ambrose will work together to steal a potion from ruthless witch queen and if they succeed, they can move on with their lives: Ambrose can have his own kingdom and Imelda can finally earn her freedom.

But what if this long, adventurous journey is the way to remember what they meant for each other!

I’m stopping right here! The smart, sarcastic cloak of Ambrose is my favorite character at this book!

I liked the combination of different fairytales and conclusion of the story but I wish it could be a little longer.

I’m giving four careful what you wish for, tribute to Grimm Brothers, fairytales, fables stars!

Special thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

This book was such a quick read and a great palette cleanser after reading several heavier books. I loved it! It was just so cute, and made me laugh out loud more than once. I really had nothing about this book I didn’t like - if anything I wished it was a bit longer.

What happens to those leftover royal siblings of fable who don’t win the contest to live happily ever after? Chokshi’s book is a delightful fairy tale crossover offering an unchosen prince and princess one more chance at true love -- and then swiftly making things messy.

So, silly me, I requested this thinking it was a full length adult romance novel and not a novella (though it is adult, I guess). That said, I have nothing against novellas at all and was happy to have something short to sneak in between reads.

This was a pretty standard unconventional fairytale in the sense that how they come together is standard but, unlike how most go, they are then broken up -- while still being together. They go on a journey, with a few side quests, and along the way discover more about each other than they ever did before.

I think what I loved most about this, though, was their backstories. I would've read a whole book about their lives before this or, even, a full length that included said backstories and expanded on their adventures from this one.

It was cute, sometimes funny, a little silly, and sweet. If this had been longer, and more adult in the vein of the romance, I think I would've really loved it. That said, I would not discourage you from picking this up.

short, sweet, romantic, magical.

what a wonderful story this is. I like a standard tale that starts with “once upon a time” but this? splendid. extraordinary.

this story is short but has everything a good story needs: lush descriptions, imaginative writing, rich world-building, a romance to swoon for. bonus point: the moral of the story. chokshi proves how she masters writing lyrical prose.

once more upon a time is an enchanting tale about love and forgetting it and then remembering it again. and it is brilliant. one of my fave reads this year. reading this felt like coming home and being wrapped in a blanket in front of the fireplace. already preordered the physical copy!

This was a fun and sweet short story about a second chance at falling in love. I enjoyed this read a lot more than I was expecting. The main characters were adorable and I loved the witty banter and the sparks between them. My only problem is that I wish it were longer.

In a nutshell this was sweet, fun and very short.

When Imelda and Ambrose first met, it was love at first sight. And they had one day and night of being married before that love was taken away in exchange for saving Imelda from death by poison. Fast forward a year, and the loveless couple failed to let their kingdom—powered literally by love—to thrive. Before they can go on their separate ways, though, no longer wanting anything to do with the other, the witch who stole their love appearances with a proposal. If the couple get her the potion she needs, she'll give them both exactly what they want most. And so begins a quest that finds them facing off against cannibals, conniving badgers, and long-lost family members.

Imelda is one of the twelve dancing princesses. You know, the ones who would go to sleep, only to find they had danced straight through their shoes thanks to the fey. As such she has a thing against shoes. She has a million pairs, but she'll be damned if they ever go on her feet and trap her again. She is a woman who wants the freedom and independence to do what she wants, and having a husband will only chain her to a man.

Ambrose is the middle child of three princes. Each brother had been sent to slay a dragon, and Ambrose gave his a job instead. He is a constant disappointment to his father, and someone who has learned to measure life in what can be given and what can be taken away. Love is something he does not want because in his eyes it is not something to keep, but rather something that can be taken from him as punishment. So why bother?

I really liked this! It was very tongue in cheek as far as humour goes. Actually, it reminded me a lot of Shrek with the fairytale style funny. Lewd comments taken out of context, over the top situations that can only be laughed at, and an overall air of ridiculousness. Take for instance the horse cloak. It's a cloak made from a dead horse, but it doesn't know that. It still thinks itself a noble steed and should be hung in the stables, not fraternizing with nobles at balls, thank you very much.

My only complaint is that I just wanted more. So much more. I know it's a novella but there really wasn't much to dig into. What makes Roshani such a fabulous author is the magical worlds she builds, and there wasn't time to sink teeth into anything here. The conflicts were all over very quick and easy so there was no angst. Even the romance rekindling was quite simple. We all want a happy ending and no one hates that moment of inevitable strife between the two characters, but I needed something more.

Once More Upon a Time by Roshani Chokshi is a charming and enchanting story about Imelda and Ambrose who fall in love and are married only to be thwarted by a witch who takes their love away. They are forced to remain married and living in a castle for a year and a day. Upon the last day, a witch appears with an offer: complete a task for her and she will give them what they desire. Imelda and Ambrose accept the task, and they set off the adventure of collecting a potion for the witch. Are they capable of rediscovering the love they had for each other before the witch took it away? Do they get what they desire from the witch?

I loved the narrator voice of this story - witty, charming, and reminded me of a classic fairy tale. The characters are lovable, and you root for them. I highly recommend this story.

I was iffy on going into this because I wasn't a fan of one of her other worls but it was a cute story about what happened after the forever after and with all the cliches it made it that much more adorable

The book starts off in what I like to think is Roshani Chokshi's "fun quirky style". A book that makes me smile/laugh with its start is one that has started off on the right foot in my opinion.

We get a Once upon a time start from a very quirky/snarky narrator and are introduced to our main characters - Imelda and Ambrose - two characters from popular fairy-tales who do not get a happily ever-after by the looks of things. The story starts a year and a day after their fateful marriage and the price that was paid to save Imelda's life with both of them being turned out of their home for it. And so the adventure begins...

The writing style is something I absolutely enjoyed in this book. The narrator's tone of voice makes you feel as though they are looking directly at you and talking. Which I found really interesting and made me feel involved and invested. The story is also told from the perspective of the main characters and switches between the two giving an insight to both their thoughts. Something I really enjoyed.

The setting of the book - in fairy tale land - really draws you in. Especially if you grew up on fairy tales and happily ever afters and have now been disillusioned thanks to life. It's nice to see a fairy tale that is "real" if that word can be used, one that looks past the 'happily ever after' to more relatable feelings and problems.

The plot is simple. It's a quick read, it's fun, makes you laugh and warms your heart and I like the idea of falling out of love with someone but finding love all over again when you remember to look. Overall would recommend this book if you need a simple but fun and meaningful read!

I ended up loving this quick fairytale retelling, i loved the mishmash of fairytales and the quirks for the changes that were done! We get perspectives from both Ambrose and Imelda, and i love the duel perspective! I also love the twist on the 'curse' of losing their love for each other, and the character growth from both of them. Honestly if you love fairytale retellings then i would highly recommend this book!

Review posted on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4160660368?book_show_action=false

This was an audible only book for the longest time, so I was excited that it was being released as a book!

There where a lot of fairy tale elements woven together, as well as lots of hijinks and humor. The story focused on Imelda and Ambrose, I liked that we got a story that was more centered around the loss of love and finding it again. You don't see this a lot in fairy tale fantasy books, and I enjoyed the different take on the genera. I think the only thing I wised is that this would have been longer, I think it would have fleshed out the story a bit more. I think it would have given the story more context and understanding of the characters relationship if the story included the year and a day they where together rather than being told snippets of it. Other than that the story was enjoyable the romance was good and its a good story to read if you want something light to read. I would recommend it.

P.s. the horse cloak is the best character.

Many thanks to Netgalley for my review copy.

This is quintessentially fairytale. I mean it IS called “Once More Upon a Time”

There is an evil witch who cast a curse that divides the happiness of two people once married and in love. We get a noble “steed” (if that’s what we can call him), Talking animals, poisoned fruit, and a whole cast of characters pulled from classic fairytale tropes.

It’s short and sweet so you can finish this one within a day or two. It has an odd little narrator at the beginning of each chapter — which I could have done without — but I still found it fairly entertaining for what it was meant to be. It had me laughing a few times and there were some good romantic scenes that were well done and closed door.

Overall a fun fantasy novella. I really loved A Crown of Wishes and so I would like to try more of this authors more recent full length books.
3.5 stars

Once More Upon a Time is marketed as a second chance, young adult romance about two magically cursed royal folks (husband and wife) on a quest. This is untrue, only in that it is much, much more than this.

Reading a book by a particular author for the first time can be a bit of a nervous event, never knowing what to expect. I got everything and more with this book. The story starts off at a reasonable pace from start to finish, I never felt as if the pacing dragged. The relationship and romantic development between the two characters goes at a pace that never feels rushed or too stagnant. Without giving too much away, this book lacks the faux pax of losing out of all the banter, snark and personality of characters as a book goes on. It perfectly balances character development alongside continuity.

The actual atmosphere was enchanting, It had a level of world building also gave me Shrek vibes in its level of satire , but never cheesy or self deprecative. Anthropomorphic animals, enchanted objects , magic that seems to fit naturally into the universe never detracts no matter how silly.

Sensitive topics such as PTSD, ab*se, familial issues did reach a very emotional level for me and may be sensitive to some younger audiences, but was tastefully done and never too graphic. The spicy aspect of this book seemed perfectly appropriate for the books rating and age system and could be good for high schools ranging up to adults of any age.

If you are unsure on this author, take it from a skeptical reader and give this book a try. In under a few hours of reading I laughed, cried, and I felt attached to characters and expanded my repertoire. This is a fantastic study in character development, exposition, healthy depiction of relationship conflict in a fantasy setting, romance, whimsy. My only regret is there aren't more stars to give it.

Charming, but not in the way of some woodland creature. A fox? No. A beaver? No. A honey badger? Yes, not like THAT at all.

2.5?

Thank you to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for providing me access to an advance copy to review!

Once More Upon a Time is a quick read that combines elements of many different fairytales to tell a story of a prince and princess falling in love for a second time. I liked the messaging about getting to know people before you judge them, and the nature of good relationships, but I think this suffered from a bit of an identity crisis. It is very short (only around 144 pages), so things are brought up and resolved very quickly, and you just have to take it in good faith that the characters are growing and changing. The humour came across as very cringe at some points, and as someone who doesn't usually enjoy books that set out to be funny, this didn't quite come back around to the 'so bad it's good' end of the spectrum. I think this would be better off as a novella or something published on the author's website for fun rather than a full-blown novel, as there just isn't much to it at all. I was also thrown off by the tone - at points it was quite childish, other times there was a lot of sexual innuendo, and there was also an Italian-American beaver (sorry, badger)?

TLDR: for people who really love self-aware fairytale-remixes, or who absolutely adore Chokshi's writing, but otherwise just not substantive enough to be anything more than 'okay' in my opinion.

A delightful little book! From the beginning I could tell it would be a fun, quirky tale and it did not disappoint.