This was such a fun read! This series has quickly become a favorite of mine. This one in particular is a combination of Red Riding Hood meets Sleeping Beauty, and I loved how the author used those two stories as the base for this unique tale.

The main character, Lette, was adventurous and independent. She could stand on her own when things were turning sour, and I liked her spirit. The love interest, Phillip, didn't deter her from being 100 percent who she was meant to be. The worked well together. I liked how their story played out and the care and consideration the author added to what a respectful gentleman would do if he happens to fall in love with a girl who had spent most of her life in hiding. He didn't rush to make her his but took the relationship slow and steady.

I was curious to see how a blend of two different fairy tales would work, and the author totally pulled it off! For me it was because she took elements from each story and worked them into the new setting, and didn't try to closely retell either story. That way it is fun when you notice a subtle nod to the fairy tales or see how a plot line relates to one or both stories. Letty has been isolated with her grandmother and "pet" wolf, but it has strengthened her and prepared her for the fight to reunite with her mother. Philip admires her from their first meeting, and his regard grows as they get to know one another in tension-filled circumstances. I enjoyed the pace of the suspenseful story as they journey towards Letty's future but also the danger that threatens her, with various roadblocks that must be overcome with their combined skills and faith.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

This was a wonderful fairytale retelling! Cloaked in Beauty is loosely based off of Sleeping Beauty and Little Red Riding Hood, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Letty Hood has been in hiding since her father died, leaving her as his heir. Her greedy and unscrupulous uncle will stop at nothing to get rid of Letty, including murder, so he can take control of the family business.

After spending fifteen years in hiding, Letty needs to return home to her mother for her twenty-first birthday, and claim her birthright.

Pinkerton agent Philip Carmichael is hired to escort Letty home, but her uncle has spies and killers on Letty’s trail, and getting Letty home safely will not be easy.

This was such a fun read! The writing and pacing was excellent, and the story was engaging and full of adventure, romance, and a bit of suspense.

I loved Letty’s character. She’s kind, strong, wise, and fearless, and she handles everything with such a positive outlook.

I also loved Philip and how respectfully he treated Letty, and how protective he was of her. The romance between them was sweet, and I loved watching them develop a friendship and that grew into more.

There’s a light faith element to it that was beautifully done, and the ending was very satisfying. If you enjoy fairytale retellings, this is a great choice!

I received a copy from Bethany House and Austenprose via NetGalley, but a positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

Cloaked in Beauty
by Karen Witemeyer
Book 3 of Texas Ever After
Pub DateDec 17 2024
Bethany House |Bethany House Publishers
Christian| Historical Fiction| Romance



Bethany House Publisher and Netgalley provided me with a copy of Cloaked in Beauty for review:


There is no one to trust in the shadows of a piney woods...



Letty Hood has spent the last fifteen years hiding with her grandmother in the backwoods of east Texas to avoid the deadly schemes of an uncle who wants her dead. As her twenty-first birthday approaches, she must accept the escort of a stranger and return to Houston in secret so she can claim a birthright that will make her one of Texas' wealthiest women. Her inheritance will be hers if she lives long enough.



Philip Carmichael a Pinkerton agent has one duty: bring the Radcliffe heiress home alive. A woman of rare strength with a kind soul and keen wit surprises Philip, expecting a spoiled girl. Through their journey together, Letty's resilience wins him over, breaking through his hardened cynicism. .Her survival threat grows with every mile, and Philip fears that keeping her out of harm's way may be as impossible as keeping her out of his heart.


I give Cloaked in Beauty five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

So, once upon a time, Miss Lefty Hood, her red cloak and her wolf Rusty lived with her grandmother in a cabin in the woods…. Just the wonderful stuff a fairytale retelling is made of.

Philip, a Pinkerton man, is charged with her ensuring her safe passage back to her hometown. Now, we have the makings for a happily ever after type story.

The characters are richly multilayered in depth. The plot develops nicely with unexpected twists and turns. Their cross country trip is one of true adventure.

I recommend this book to those fairy tale lovers who like intrigue, light suspense and a clean type of romance.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley.

Cloaked in Beauty is probably my favorite in the Texas Ever After series but they have all been good! You will recognize bits of Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty in this book set in Texas in the 1800s. I admired "Letty Hood" who has been hidden away for fifteen years to protect her from her uncle who wants her inheritance! I also admired her grandmother who left her home and her own children in order to hide heiress, Scarlett Radcliffe. They have both lived an isolated life except for an old friend of the grandmother. When Letty turns 21 shortly, she will inherit her father's legacy so her mother has hired Pinkerton agent, Philip Carmichael, to find them and bring them home. Letty and Philip, as well as her pet wolf, face many dangers returning to her mother and after returning to Houston. I recommend Cloaked in Beauty to others. Author Karen Witemeyer has done an excellent job, as usual. I received a e-book through Net Galley. This is my honest opinion.

I always love Karen Witemeyer’s book and Cloaked in Beauty was no exception! She combined “Little Red Riding Hood” with “Sleeping Beauty” so well. It’s set during the late 1800s in Texas which also makes this fairytale retelling even more fun.🥰

I loved Letty’s optimistic spirit and kind heart. She had a quiet strength that was beautiful.
I loved how respectfully and sweetly Philip treated Letty! He was such a wonderful, protective hero.💗

The romance was SO sweet! I loved watching them develop a friendship and watch it grow into more! I loved their mutual respect for one another and how kindly they treated one another.🥰

I love books where the characters have to go on a journey together, especially in historical fiction when they are traveling by horse. Since they were having to travel undercover in this book, it also added the element of suspense to the story. Not only do I enjoy reading about the journey but I love watching the main characters get to know each other and fall in love as they travel.

It was wonderful to see Letty reunite with her mother after so many years apart.❤️

The faith was also woven in so beautifully!

In conclusion, I loved this cozy story! It had the sweetest romance and wonderful characters. If you love historical fiction fairytale retellings, this was a great one!

*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a complimentary copy! All opinions are my own.

I thought this would be a good fit for me, given the premise and the Christian author. Cloaked in Beauty is indeed a hybrid of Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty. The Christian faith of the main characters is integral to their lives. However, I wasn't able to connect with the story. It opened well and had a lovely ending, but the vast majority of Letty and Philip's journey did not interest me. I hesitate to be overly negative, as I can only imagine how difficult it must be to write a novel, and I am a mere reader. As such, I do still plan to read Witemeyer's previous Texas Ever After titles, Fairest of Heart and If the Boot Fits. The premise of the fairytale rewrite remains appealing to me, and I'd like to give Witemeyer another try.

This book combines my favorite fairytale, Sleeping Beauty, with another classic Red Riding Hood. I absolutely love retellings and the author does an amazing job with making this story unique and enjoyable. This is my first book from Witemeyer and I’m excited to read more.

The story begins with urgency of protection and love. A mother protecting a daughter from danger and sending her into the unknown. I loved Letty’s mother devotion to her. Grandmother Flora (a nod to my favorite fairy from Sleeping Beauty) too was wonderful.

Years later, as Letty’s 21st birthday approaches, her mother, Leah, needs Letty to come out of hiding and hires Philip to bring her home. Philip wowed me with his courage and his commitment to Letty’s safety and wellbeing and I loved their adventure and the people they met along the way. The development of their relationship was so well done. Their journey to bring Letty home was full of danger but also kindness and help in different ways. And any book with a faithful dog as a companion (wolf in this case) will pull me in.

The climax was page turning and exciting. I couldn’t wait to see how this book would end. I appreciated Philip and what he wanted for Letty’s most was her happiness. The ending was absolutely perfect for this great book.

I received a paperback copy from the publisher and a NetGalley link. All views are my own.

This book is a fun and enjoyable love story set in Texas beginning in 1881 . I chose it to read because I do like "journey stories". An heiress to a shipping fortune on route back to her childhood home is guarded by a Pinkerton Agent. The young lady's villainous uncle is committed to thwarting her arrival and makes plans to bring about her demise, The Pinkerton Agent is fully occupied keeping her safe. Along the way, major accidents and harrowing adventures threaten to keep them from their destination. The two main characters Letty Hood (aka Scarlett Radcliffe) and Philip Carmichael discover a deep admiration and abiding love for each other. The author portrays them both as capable and wise. Throughout the story they most often act unselfishly and care deeply about social justice. At first glance the wealthy heiress and traveling security guard may not seem like they could make a future together work, but the author resolves this perfectly. Reader's will be happy with the conclusion. I also like the elements that gave a nod to fairy tales, There were many instances when what you might expect was turned upside down. For example: While Letty Hood needed protection, she was no damsel in distress. Her country upbringing while in hiding with her grandmother allowed her to acquire a range of skills that helped to keep her safe until she could reach her twenty-first birthday, return home, and claim her inheritance. The other element turned on its head was the wolf's role in the story. No big bad wolf here... just a loyal companion named "Rusty" who is a main character in his own right. A fun story to read, The duo of Letty and Philip aren't going to Grandma's instead they leave her and make the journey away from her home, only to be reunited with her later in Houston. A true "fracture fairy tale". I read an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review #CloakedinBeauty, #NetGalley

With an uncle who’ll stop at nothing to seize her inheritance—not even murder—Letty Hood has been hidden away for the last fifteen years. But now it’s time to go home and claim all that is hers. With the help of Pinkerton agent Philip Carmichael, Letty faces down the dangers of the Texas wilderness . . . only to find more danger waiting for her at home.

Sleeping Beauty meets Little Red Riding Hood in this fast-paced adventure filled with fairytale-sweet romance and the hope of happily ever after. Perfect for a cozy afternoon read!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Are you read for another Texas fairy tale retelling? Cloaked in Beauty blends Little Red Riding Hood with Sleeping Beauty for a romantic adventure with a little danger thrown in for good measure.

Pinkerton agent Philip Carmichael has been given an unusual task. Scarlett Radcliffe has been hidden away since she was a child, cared for by her grandmother and her faithful pet wolf. Though her father's death was ruled an accident, Scarlett's mother believes her uncle was behind the tragedy and that he will go further and harm Scarlett in order to claim as much of the family wealth for himself as he can. Now that Scarlett's twenty-first birthday is approaching, the time has come to find Scarlett and bring her home to claim her inheritance and legally move it out of her uncle's grasp.

While Philip is up for the hunt, he's unprepared for the depth of his feelings that blossom for Scarlett, now known as Letty, once she's in his care. He cannot take advantage of such a sheltered and generous young woman, but how could he do less than fall in love with her?

If you enjoy romantic fairy tale retellings, you'll love this one. I personally felt the love story was a little too prominent, and Letty as an isolated character didn't ring true for me. Uncle Drake was also entirely one-dimensional as a villain.

However, readers who enjoy getting swept away and suspending disbelief might be thrilled by the very things that bothered me, so I hope you'll check out the book for yourself. It's imaginative and you'll enjoy recognizing pieces of the fairy tales as they come across the page.

I received my copy of the book from NetGalley. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Cloaked in Beauty is the third in the Texas Ever After series – featuring standalone retellings of classic fairy stories. As ever with Karen Witemeyer, the plot, or in this case, plots are cleverly thought out. This time, Witemeyer combines Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty, mixing them together with a healthy dose of Texan charm.

Noble Pinkerton agent Philip Carmichael is hired to escort Letty Hood home. Letty has been in hiding since her father died, living her as his heir. Unfortunately, her unscrupulous uncle will stop at nothing to get rid of Letty so he can take control of their family business. After more than a decade away, Letty must return home to her mother for her twenty-first birthday, claim her inheritance and then write a will removing her uncle from any chance of inheriting should she die.

But her uncle has spies and killers on Letty’s trail. Philip knows Letty is above his station, but as he puts his life on the line, his heart follows.

I really liked the journeys both main characters went on. Letty’s courage, Philip’s bravery and Witemeyer’s creativity combine in a powerful way in this story. Despite this being two well known stories woven together, there were plenty of places where I was surprised at the events unfolding. If you like fairytales, or really creative romances, then this story is definitely recommended.

I received a copy of Cloaked in Beauty from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions are all my own.

Grab copy or read an excerpt here (US) or here (UK)

I've been reading a lot of fairytale retellings lately and they have been so fun! Cloaked in Beauty is loosely based off of Sleeping Beauty and Little Red Riding Hood. It is the third book in a series, and even though I haven't read any of the other books in the series I still thoroughly enjoyed this one! The forced proximity between Letty and Philip as they ran away from her Uncle added depth to the story, especially as they traveled to go claim her birthright. Full of adventure, romance, and a bit of suspense, this book is fantastic!

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the advance copy of this book. A review was not required.

Another hit by Ms. Witemeyer! These Fairytale Retellings Series called the “Texas Ever After” are just the best! And “Cloaked in Beauty”, which is the third installment -and hopefully not the last- is my favorite of all three! While I read it, I thought it was a Retelling of Little Red Riding Hood: the girl with the red cloak, the wolf, the grandmother. But after a while, I realized it has some of Sleeping Beauty in it too! Hidden in the woods for protection, an heiress lives a simple life. And the prince finds her. But only this prince is a Pinkerton Agent, and doesn’t find her by chance, he is precisely sent to find her. Scarlett Radcliffe -Letty- has been sent to live in an unknown place in the woods, far from her mother, but raised by her grandmother, since she was five. When Leah Radcliffe realized, after the death of her husband -a mysterious carriage accident-, that her brother-in-law Draco wanted his niece dead, she made the heartbreaking decision of sending her daughter away, to a place not even she will be aware of. Letty’s uncle wants to get possession of her inheritance: her shares in the Radcliffe Shipping Company and the fortune his brother left her, which she will inherit on her 21st birthday. Fifteen years later, Leah fears for her daughter’s life, who will be turning 21 in a little over a month, so she recruits a Pinkerton Agent, known for his integrity and honest hard work, Philip Carmichael, to discover her hiding place and bring her safely home. This book has different tropes and themes that I loved: forced proximity, adventurous road trip together, protective hero, spunky-sweet and naive heroine, cruel and evil villain who will stop at nothing to get what he wants, dangerous moments in need of rescuing, suspense, wolf-best friend and protector, wise and loving grandma, sacrificial mother, and a faith inspiring message. And it was all blended in a fast-paced plot, with great dialogues, some witty banter, and some unique twists and turns. It was so compelling to read, I couldn’t put it down. The characters were the best part: I fell in love with both Letty and Philip. Letty was so genuine, innocent, and at the same time, she was strong and brave, and a bit sassy. She had a compassionate selfless heart always wanting to help others, and she loved her grandmother fiercely. Philip was a swooning hero: I loved his courage, his integrity, his protective nature, his struggle to honor Letty and his helpless fight in trying not to fall in love with her. Both were endearingly stubborn. The romance was slow-burn but oh so sweet. Loved the innocent flirting. And the scene of the first kiss was so romantic, sigh! As well as Philip’s reaction to her affectionate gratefulness, this made me grin and warmed my heart. The faith inspired message comes out naturally, not preachy nor intense. A faith lived with simplicity and trust, even if challenged at times. All in all, a delightful read! The ending, even if predictable (it’s HEA Fairytale, right?) had its surprises, and I loved the epilogue! Highly recommended to lovers of Fairytale retellings, or Lighthearted Historical Romance readers. A must read! This book, even if part of a series is a perfect standalone. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher vía NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Author Karen Witemeyer's newest book is another fairytale retelling in a Western setting: part Little Red Riding Hood, part Sleeping Beauty, and I absolutely loved it! It has an unselfish mother, an evil uncle, and a young girl deprived of her mother's love for over fifteen years. I was touched by Leah Radcliffe's determination to protect her daughter, even if it meant not knowing where she was during those long years. Finally, Leah enlists the help of the Pinkerton Detective Agency to find Scarlett, but will their efforts be too late?

Scarlett Radcliffe, aka Letty Hood, is strong, brave, and very beautiful, so it's no wonder that one of the Pinkerton agents is instantly beguiled. Philip Carmichael is a special breed of man, and it doesn't take long for Letty to become equally smitten! If you've read any of Witemeyer's books before, you know that she understands and appreciates romance. The sexual tension between Philip and Letty is clean but smoldering and their emotional bond took my breath away.

If you're looking for an action-packed adventure with unforgettable characters and a wolf named Rusty, grab a copy of Cloaked in Beauty. This historical Christian romance is a wonderful addition to the Texas Ever After series!

I received a complimentary copy from the author, publisher, & NetGalley. There was no obligation for a positive review.

Letty has been hidden from her uncle for fifteen years. He wants her fortune and will do anything to get it. Even to the point of killing Letty. Pinkerton agent Philip has been hired to find her. As he travels to find Letty, he comes to the conclusion all is not as it seems. Letty agrees to accompany Graham to see her mother and claim her inheritance. Along the way they encounter many difficulties. This is a good story and I had trouble putting it down.

I was given this book by Bethany House Publishing via Net/Galley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

Karen Witemeyer is one of my all-time favorite historical Christian fiction writers. So with this in mind and knowing I was in for a treat, I jumped at the chance to read Cloaked in Beauty.
If you are a fan of Little Red Riding Hood, I think you will get a kick out of Witemeyer’s take on this Fairy Tale. The nods to the original tale and the author’s twists on the story was a whole lot of fun to read! I think I have to say my favorite character is Rusty, Letty Hood’s red wolf. His personality certainly added a great mix to the story & his devotion to Letty was admirable. Of course, the human characters are just as great! Philip & Letty grew quite close as danger surrounded them while traveling many days to get back to her mother’s after being in hiding for fifteen years. I enjoyed watching them work together and greatly anticipated the moment they fell in love. Of course, there’s many obstacles along the way to keep the reader turning pages and anticipating that fairy tale ending of living happily-ever-after!
What a great story to get lost in and characters to cheer for! The strong faith thread ties this all up in a neat bow for me. I’m definitely putting the other two novels in the Texas Ever After series on my must-read pile…they are not to be missed in my book (pun intended)!

*I received a complimentary copy through Bethany House via NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews. I was not obligated to leave a favorable review; all opinions are my own. *

4.5 stars
This was an exciting retelling! Cloaked in Beauty is the third book in Karen Witemeyer’s Texas Ever After series. I couldn’t wait to see how this fairytale would turn out and it was a lot of fun. I love how there were hints of the story of Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty in it.
Letty was a lovely main character. I loved her kindness and her strength. She was forced into hiding but she still remained brave and trusted God. It was sweet to read about her interactions with Philip and how she came to fall for him. They were so cute together. I liked Philip. He tried so hard to be honorable as he sought to protect Letty. I liked getting to know him better and see what made him tick. He didn’t expect to fall for Letty but she broke down his walls.
It was interesting to read about them as they traveled to see Letty’s mom. I didn’t know what was going to happen and I didn’t want to put the book down. I really like the nods to the fairytales while still creating a new story. I also loved Rusty, Letty’s pet wolf. He was such a wonderful addition to the story and his relationship with Philip was so funny. The romance was sweet and it fit the characters. It was more of a slow burn, as Letty and Philp got to know each other and then fell in love.
I enjoyed this book and I would totally recommend it. The characters felt real and I love how faith was sprinkled throughout the book. It was the perfect mix of adventure and romance. Cloaked in Beauty is a clean Christian historical romance.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

Cloaked in Beauty is a reimagined version of Little Red Hiding Hood and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Letty Hood was sent away as a child to live in hiding with her grandmother after her uncle tried to kill her. Now that she's about to turn 21, her mother has hired Pinkerton agent Philip Carmichael to bring her home. I loved all of the little nods to the original story, which never veered into cliche. This was a quick read that kept me invested. Karen Witemeyer remains a favorite Texas author of mine.