Classic love stories such as Cinderella and Snow White have been adored for generations, leaving audiences wistfully longing for their own happily ever after. Little girls tend to daydream about meeting their own Prince Charming or attending extravagant royal balls, but plenty of grown-ups still fantasize about handsome princes and fairy-tale endings (just think about the global excitement over the royal weddings!). Instead of re-watching Disney princess movies or secretly envying Kate Middleton, indulge your inner child by enjoying one of these unique fairytale romance novels:
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
This breathtaking novel full of magic, fierce battles, and enchanting folklore by New York Times bestselling author, Naomi Novik, was named one of the best books of the year according to NPR. The protagonist, Agnieszka, lives in a seemingly lovely and quaint village, but the nearby Wood threatens the peace with its dark magic and malevolent forces. The dark powers can only be held back by one cold, mysterious wizard known as the Dragon. However, his service doesn’t come without a high price: he demands Agnieszka to serve him for the next 10 years in exchange for her village’s safety.
The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine
This New York Times bestseller follows princess Lorelai as she escapes her own kingdom as a fugitive. An evil queen gifted with dark magic murdered Lorelai’s father and took over the throne, and now the queen has hired someone to hunt down Lorelai and kill her. The handsome huntsman, Kol, tracks down Lorelai, but he can’t bring himself to harm the beautiful girl. The two begin to fall in love with each other, so they plan how they could defeat the queen. However, if the queen finds out she’s been tricked, Kol and Lorelai could lose everything.
Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
The first book of the Sevenwaters Trilogy introduces us to the lovely Sorcha, the only daughter of a nobleman. Her contagious joy and optimism binds her family together following the death of her mother, but when her father remarries, Sorcha’s happiness comes to an end. Sorcha’s new stepmother bewitches her father and puts a horrible curse on her six elder brothers. Only Sorcha can save them, but she must first complete a long, perilous quest – without speaking. On her journey, Sorcha is captured by enemies, makes surprising alliances, and learns new lessons about the unmatched powers of love.