5⭐️

Unsurprisingly, I loved this book. I really like this series that the author has and I can’t wait for the next one. Her writing is incredible and she masterfully creates deep characters within such a short story.

Brilliantly fast paced, seductive and thoroughly enjoyable book. I loved reading this novella as the characters were so intriguing. I would love to see them again in future novellas as they were very enjoyable to read about. Very excited for the next fairytale retelling.

Another incredible read from Scarlett St Clair. I devoured it in a single day and it was an intense wild ride! The story was beautifully written and impossible to put down.

The world building sweeps you away

Scarlett can never do any wrong in my opinion!

I always love and I’m hooked with everything she writes!

I love her writing so much!!

Apples is probably one of my favorite installments in this series! Scarlett’s prose is swoony and everything you’d want in a classic fairytale retelling. She’s a romance writer who knows her craft! I’m highly anticipating the next books in this series and any other works she has in the making!

I liked this one better than the first in the series but still wasn’t my favourite. Will likely not continue with this series

This is the second book in Scarlett St. Clair's fairytale retelling series. Based on several Grimm fairytales, this book is full of unique twists and dark lore.

I highly enjoyed the different references that Scarlett wove into this book! I also appreciated the list and explanation at the end of the book of all the different tales that were used as inspiration. The world was very fantastical, and we encounter an array of magical creatures. Witches, elves, pixies, fae, I was so engaged with the stories behind each one. As whimsical as the story was, there are a lot of dark themes, so be sure to check trigger warnings!

Lore and Samara both have difficult stories, including their complicated past. It was great to watch them learn more about each other and fall deeper in love. Fox stole the show, though! I loved his sassiness and how blunt he was. It made for several laugh out loud moments throughout the book.

This series follows each of the seven fae princes/brothers, and I'm excited to go back and read Mountains Made of Glass, as well as read the second brother's story next!

Thank you Netgalley and Bloom Books for the chance to read this book!

I absolutely devoured the Hades x Persephone series written by Scarlett, so when I saw she was rewritting fairytales, I already knew they were going to be an auto-buy series for me. This one is less spicey than the Hades x Persephone books, but don't let that deter you.
This book is technically the 2nd in the series, but they read as a standalone as each is based on a different Grimm tale. Each book takes place in one of the seven kingdoms, ruled by one of the seven brothers. At only 240 pages, this is a pretty quick and enjoyable read.

Orphaned at a young age, Samara has grown up being abused by her 3 brothers over the many years, but just when she thinks she cannot stand it another day, a prince offers for her hand in marriage. On the way to her new kingdom, her carriage is ambushed and Samara is chased into the protection of Lore, the Prince of Nightshade, who offers her a deal, to help him from a golden apple to relinquish him from a curse.

Whilst Cinderella usually isn't my favourite fairytale, I absolutely loved this one; I think Scarlett is a genius in how she writes all the little references to different tales, and I can't wait to see how this series continues to develop.

All I could think of when I was reading this book was my mug that says “I still read fairytales, they’re just spicier now.” 🤭

After losing both her parents, Samara is forced to take care of her three cruel brothers. Just as she is about to reach her breaking point, a chance encounter with a handsome prince transforms her life entirely. He asks for her hand in marriage and she is about to be whisked away with the promise of a large dowry to her brothers. As she is in the carriage with the prince, they are ambushed and she is captured by the Fae Prince of Nightshade, Lore.

Lore intends to use Samara to break his curse—he has been overcome by a powerful love for Samara for the past 7 years. Once she wishes upon a magical apple, Lore believes she will break this curse.

This was my first fairytale retelling and it certainly won’t be my last. I found it interesting how the dark elements resembled the not-so-happy moments and cruelties exhibited in the fairytales of the past. Also there was some random humor sprinkled in that really helped lighten the mood. I’ve only read one book by Scarlett St. Clair and it was the first Touch of Darkness book. This novella felt so different, and I was extremely captivated with it! While this is the second of her fairytale retellings, it can be read as a standalone.

Apples is the second of Scarlett's dark-fairytale retellings (series of interconnected standalones) -- the romance is at once wholesome and angsty, and the themes of forced proximity, journeying/questing together (along with a very interesting companion!) and second-chance romance were so gripping! Book 1's romance was a rough enemies to lovers and book 2 was a softer, can-I-trust-you second chance romance, and both were so frickin good 😭 I can't waitt for more books in this series!

TWs - verbal and physical abuse of the FMC by her brothers (explicit and on-page), general violence and gore, loss of limb experienced by MMC (phantom pains described in detail on page)

Thank you to @coloredpagesbt for the opportunity to read this novella in advance of the paperback release!

This is only my second book by St. Clair, oh the spice never lets me down. This was definitely lighter on spice (even for me) which I enjoyed.

This is the second installment in St. Clair’s fairy telling series, fear not, you don’t need to read the first book to jump into this one. I didn’t. Each book within the series follows one of the seven brothers in each of their seven kingdoms.

At only 171 pages, it’s a quick read for anyone wanting to take a short detour and get into another world. Be warned that each of their stories deals with love at first sight so that may be a deal breaker for some.

This book was amazing. Lore and Samara are amazing. Samara's beginnings are traumatizing, but when she finally gets away, the adventure really starts. Lore is broody and handsome, Samara is innocent and strong. Fox is also probably my favorite side character ever. This is a love story for the ages.

4.5 for this read, truly loved the world building and the interwoven fairytale lore. I felt deeply for Samara's cycle of trauma and loved the extra touch that Lore also needed to be reaffirmed in ways that only she could provide and vice versa, it was so viserally human and emotional.

Apples Dipped in Gold by Scarlett St. Clair is the second book in 'The Fairytale Retelling' Series and is based on stories in Grimm Fairy Tales by the Grimm brothers. I have read her Hades X Persephone series that I knew I had to read her books as well. Hence picked up this when gotten a chance.

I think you can easily read all the books in this series as a standalone since each one of them is based on a different story from the Grimm Fairy Tales. This one is the story of Samara and Lore. Samara is an orphan maiden who is left under the watch of three very wicked brothers of hers. Where Lore is the wicked Prince of Nightshade.

I enjoyed every bit of this book. It was very easy-flowing and catchy at the same time. I cannot wait to read further books in this series. This one is the perfect winter book to read this season. The whole aspect of Elven Prince, Fae and the Fox (one of the brothers) who was always accompaning Samara was just adorable.

The spice level is very less and decent in this book so definitely read this one. It is not forcedfitted at all and feels very nice to see both these characters finally confess their love after struggles and trust issues.Scarlett St. Clair is a classic at writing very poetic and beautiful writing in her books.

I remember reading the first book on this series sometime last year and I actually read it in one sitting cause its just a short read. This one is no different but the magical experience is just the same. I read quite a few books from this author already and I am quite happy she continues to impress people with her imagination and writing approach

Scarlett St. Clair does it again!! I absolutely loved this book! It was such a fun addition to her fairytale retellings series. This was such a fun change of pace from book one! It was so different. But still so good! I absolutely love this author! She's an auto buy author for me! So much packed into this small package! If you like fairytale retellings definitely check this and Mountains Made of Glass out!!! <3

\\\\\ 3.5/5 \\\\\

I have mixed feelings about this one. On one hand, I really enjoyed the universe, the characters were really nice (that cutie Mr.Fox!) and I read it really fast, which means I was hooked. So that's good. But then, when I take time to think about what I actually read, I am left with so many unanswered questions that I am not sure if I'm just dumb or if these questions are justified...

The whole start of this book was really nice because it really sets up the vibe and leaves us questioning ourselves on what really happened there. I thought it would one day come back to it with more details so that I could understand better though. But I sit here, still wondering what exactly happened years ago, it's all very blurry to me, the whys and hows and all. Every time it was mentioned there wasn't any clear information to explain it all and make it make sense in my head.

I also couldn't really make sense of our FMC much of the time. Why did she protect her brothers and stay with them is still a mystery, and no matter what reasons were given, they made no sense to me. I keep wondering why was everyone falling in love with that character at first sight... literally all the princes and kings are at her feet... but she felt so bland and it was a bit hard to justify any of this. I have to admit that I much prefer strong FMCs so maybe that's why I wasn't her biggest fan, but I can't say she left a big impression on me even though I did not hate her.

Lore on the other hand was really fun and really swoony. I also really liked Lore's brother (already excited for his story!) And let's not forget about that fox character which was super nice! Not gonna lie though, I was really frustrated by the fact that we didn't even get any explanations on his story because he was a big part of this book.

Soooo, do you get where I'm coming from? Loved the vibe, loved our character's interactions, the story kept me intrigued from the very first page. But well... I'm still too intrigued after finishing to be satisfied, I need answers, that's all. Many things still felt fuzzy, left unresolved, and that ending was too abrupt for me, I needed more. That being said, love the world and I will definitely read more in it, it was entertaining and so easy to devour.

Thanks so much to ColoredPagesBookTour, BloomBooks and Scarlett St. Clair for my copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

Fairytale lovers and Romantasy readers, this one is for you!

Apples Dipped in Gold is the second book in Scarlett St. Clair’s Fairy Tale Retelling series. You don’t need to read the first book in the series before diving into this one. I didn’t, and I still enjoyed this story.

Each book within the series follows one of seven princes. Apples Dipped in Gold includes influences from a variety of fairytales from those collected by the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, Andrew Lang and more. St. Clair does an excellent job weaving these tales together into one story.

In the afterword, St. Clair shares that the overall theme of this novel is love at first sight. Be warned insta-love haters! I encourage readers to keep an open-mind. You may find yourself feeling a different type of way by the end of the story. 😉

Like many fairytales, this book does delve into some darker themes and scenarios. I felt this added some weight to the story and even grounded it a bit in reality.

Overall, I liked this one. I plan to read the previous book in the series as well now.

My rating: 4⭐️

4.25/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
2.5/5 🌶️🌶️

Coming back to this world was an absolute delight! I really like seeing Scarlett take these stories and make them new with her voice. For whatever reason I find them to be hilarious. There’s the whimsy and fun that you would expect from a fairy tale but also the darker elements of the originals are still present. The characters definitely take a bigger role in this one over the setting like in the first one of the series.

Samara has a sad beginning and her family was truly awful! I think she was really clever though. I liked her resourceful qualities as well as her naivety. It was a curious combination that actually served the story well.

Lore, oh Lore! Honestly, he won my heart. There were moments where I wanted to shake him as he figured things out but overall I enjoyed the was he saw Samara and how fearless he was in protecting her. We love a protective hero in this household! This man would fight with his last breath to keep her safe. If she would just sit still lol

The Fox! I loved him! I think I laughed most at his witty one liners but loved him most for how helpful he was! I truly would like to have one by my side too

I loved the poetic way that the story is told and even on the perils I was utterly fascinating. I like this series because it’s atmospheric and we don’t lose that classic fairytale feeling. It’s only expanded by St. Clair’s voice. I cannot wait for more from this world!

My god. I absolutely loved this read, I did not think it would get better than the first book and I was sorely mistaken. This book is full of angst, painful love, pining, and ultimately true love prevailing all. I fell in love with the protagonist from the beginning, identifying with her hardships, and longing for a different life. The love story between Lore and Samara is something devestatingly beautiful, slowly burning throughout their journey. Lore's description of his love for Samara akin to a cure is beautiful, and both of their character development was well earned. I found myself highlighting the heck out of countless beautiful quotes and well described scenes. The way this author writes stays true to legends incorperated, and kept aspects of the original works. Scarlett St. Clair has yet to dissapoint me, and I can garuntee I will find myself re-reading this one soon!

I am saving my social media post for my tour date (the release day of this book) but I wil upload it here!