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The Forest Tales #1
Desperate Forest
A princess on the run. An outlaw plagued by secrets. Will they lose everything to the dark forest?
For nineteen years, Princess Roselynn's life has been safe and comfortable. Until her father is murdered, and she discovers a plot to end her life. Hoping to find safety in the arms of her betrothed, she flees to the perilous Eternity Forest—only to be captured by a brash outlaw named Jay.
With no choice but to join forces with his group, Roselynn soon discovers everyone there has their own purpose—and secrets. Torn between her disdain for Jay and growing attraction to him, she strives to solve the mystery behind his tough exterior and shadowy past, especially when he tells her she can’t trust the man she promised her hand to.
As the lines between enemy and ally blur, Roselynn must question what she knows and where her heart lies. Can she discover the truth and save her kingdom before it's too late?
For nineteen years, Princess Roselynn's life has been safe and comfortable. Until her father is murdered, and she discovers a plot to end her life. Hoping to find safety in the arms of her betrothed, she flees to the perilous Eternity Forest—only to be captured by a brash outlaw named Jay.
With no choice but to join forces with his group, Roselynn soon discovers everyone there has their own purpose—and secrets. Torn between her disdain for Jay and growing attraction to him, she strives to solve the mystery behind his tough exterior and shadowy past, especially when he tells her she can’t trust the man she promised her hand to.
As the lines between enemy and ally blur, Roselynn must question what she knows and where her heart lies. Can she discover the truth and save her kingdom before it's too late?
A sweet fairytale and enemies-to-lovers romance perfect for fans of The Princess Bride and Once Upon a Time!
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 2, 2019
About the author
Cece Louise
10 books163 followersCece Louise writes clean novels filled with adventure, romance, and spirit for teens and adults.
Cece is an avid reader who has been making up stories in her head as long as she can remember. Despite all that daydreaming, she graduated summa cum laude with a BBA from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee in 2012.
When she's not working on her latest story, Cece spends her time having adventures with her husband and two kids, hiking and biking in her home state of WI, and unfortunately, cleaning her house (which she is convinced is secretly inhabited by mischievous, mess-multiplying pixies).
Get "Saving Vengeance" eBook FREE at CeceLouise.com!
Cece is an avid reader who has been making up stories in her head as long as she can remember. Despite all that daydreaming, she graduated summa cum laude with a BBA from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee in 2012.
When she's not working on her latest story, Cece spends her time having adventures with her husband and two kids, hiking and biking in her home state of WI, and unfortunately, cleaning her house (which she is convinced is secretly inhabited by mischievous, mess-multiplying pixies).
Get "Saving Vengeance" eBook FREE at CeceLouise.com!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
May 20, 2019
What a romantic adventure! Cece Louise shines in her novel debut, Desperate Forest. Though this story is set during Medieval times, it is by no means old-fashioned or outdated. It has a good splash of humor and sass (think the Princess Bride) and a whole bunch of heart. Louise creates her colorful characters and lively dialogue quite effortlessly that one will find themselves easily lost in the world, or forest if you will, that she has fashioned. I will certainly be on the lookout for future novels and novellas by this author.
August 25, 2019
This was an easy read, a beach-read sort of book. There wasn't anything bad to it, but there also wasn't anything great or anything that stood out, probably for one big reason - the pacing is off.
Everything in this book happens very quickly. Suspense isn't allowed to build, characters don't have time to be more than simple sketches, a couple of crucial plot points are overheard and then promptly reacted to/dealt with in that same chapter. It's absolutely plot-based as if the author had an outline of events that they wanted to happen and therefore they did, with just a little padding here and there.
Again, it's not bad. But it is pretty shallow and the bones of it are decent enough that it's a shame they didn't really get fleshed out.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book for free, and I'm choosing to leave a review.
Everything in this book happens very quickly. Suspense isn't allowed to build, characters don't have time to be more than simple sketches, a couple of crucial plot points are overheard and then promptly reacted to/dealt with in that same chapter. It's absolutely plot-based as if the author had an outline of events that they wanted to happen and therefore they did, with just a little padding here and there.
Again, it's not bad. But it is pretty shallow and the bones of it are decent enough that it's a shame they didn't really get fleshed out.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book for free, and I'm choosing to leave a review.
June 3, 2022
Princess Roselynn's father has died and because of her age, her Uncle Abrax is now the king of Tover until she is of age. When she overhears her father and head knight discussing how to kill her, she realizes that she needs to flee to the kingdom of Marcsnovia, and her fiancé, Prince Darius for safely. She is wandering through the Eternity Forest when she almost dies after being bit by a poisonous creature and ends up joining a party that is trying to get to the neighboring kingdom of Galesmore. Jay and Gavin are leading the group and keeping them all safe. Although Jay looks familiar to her, she is not sure why. As she realizes that the only way to stay safe is to travel with this group, she also learns everyone has a story and often secrets as well. The plan is that once the group reaches Galesmore, Gavin will take Roselynn to Marcsnovia.
Desperate Forest is a relatively quick, character based story. I really liked the character of Jay. I wanted to know what his secret was, and it is revealed when the time was right. There was an instant attraction between Jay and Roselynn and I enjoyed their banter as well as seeing their relationship change as the story progressed. Roselynn was a realistic character. There were times I wanted to smack her as she wouldn't listen to anyone, yet she is strong, resilient and tenacious. She was raised a princess, so I understand some of her attitude. I liked watching her change and trust others. All the secondary characters have stories as well, but they are not as developed. I would have liked the book to be a bit longer with more development of the characters and setting. Although all these various kingdoms are mentioned, I really knew nothing about them. I did like the fact that there is a map at the beginning of the book so I could see where all these activities occurred. This is an adventure, a romance, and story of friendship, family and the quest for power. I enjoyed this story for a fun escape read one afternoon and evening.
Desperate Forest is a relatively quick, character based story. I really liked the character of Jay. I wanted to know what his secret was, and it is revealed when the time was right. There was an instant attraction between Jay and Roselynn and I enjoyed their banter as well as seeing their relationship change as the story progressed. Roselynn was a realistic character. There were times I wanted to smack her as she wouldn't listen to anyone, yet she is strong, resilient and tenacious. She was raised a princess, so I understand some of her attitude. I liked watching her change and trust others. All the secondary characters have stories as well, but they are not as developed. I would have liked the book to be a bit longer with more development of the characters and setting. Although all these various kingdoms are mentioned, I really knew nothing about them. I did like the fact that there is a map at the beginning of the book so I could see where all these activities occurred. This is an adventure, a romance, and story of friendship, family and the quest for power. I enjoyed this story for a fun escape read one afternoon and evening.
May 31, 2019
What a great read! I loved the characters and the story. Roselynn is young, a bit naive... but she is made of strong backbone that we get to see as the story goes. I love that she is not inflated into an unrealistic heroine, but someone that is real, likable, and relatable. I love the hero too and the HEA. The story is well written and draws us in immediately. I could relate to Roselynn--you can´t just sit around and wait for some Prince Charming to save you. This rings true even today. Save yourself... and maybe even him! Perfect for a beach read this summer! Have a glass and enjoy! I look forward to the next book from this author.
July 4, 2019
I received an ARC from the author and literally could not put it down! Such a wonderful debut novel from Cece Louise! It was an adventurous fairytale with characters you will love and root for. I can't wait to read more from this author!
January 3, 2021
First read of 2021!
Predictable at times, but still enjoyable. I read it in about two hours, start to finish, so I’d recommend it if you’re in the mood for a light fantasy read.
Content: None/Mild.
Predictable at times, but still enjoyable. I read it in about two hours, start to finish, so I’d recommend it if you’re in the mood for a light fantasy read.
Content: None/Mild.
Want to read
June 7, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/7/2020)! 🎁
July 6, 2019
This is a sweet love story about a kind and strong princess who faces many obstacles and challenges as she flees for her life from the uncle who murdered her father and stole his throne. Based on the strength and likability of the MC, I'm giving this four stars. Set in a medieval fantasy world, there were just a few too many anachronisms that pulled me out of the setting to give it an unreserved five stars. But it's a fun story with lots of suspense, danger, and some humor too. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series when it's published!
March 9, 2020
Desperate Forest makes for a well-written, clean historical YA romance. A princess on the run, kingdoms in jeopardy, a menacing forest, and a bit of mystery make this novel a quick, easy read. Add the uncertainty of whom our refugee Princess Roselynn can trust, a little romance, and it's a recipe for a fun escape.
July 4, 2019
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Will Princess Roselynn's fiance save her?
Desperate Forest by Cece Louise had me enjoying this royalty book which I loved and reminding me why I like those type of books. Ms. Louise has a good imagination and a way with words that I, also felt like I was apart of the story.
Princess Roselynn
Princess Roselynn is the main character of the book and our narrator as we follow her through her journey of escaping her uncle and getting to Darius, her fiance so that she can get her uncle off the thrown. She tries to survive in the forest by herself, and it works for a bit until she comes across a group of criminals that become her allies. Roselynn is a fascinating character who is book smart and likes going on adventures. She is also pretty entertaining and slightly naive about Darius. However, she did only see him a few months during the summertime. Roselynn did grow throughout the book, which is great to see, as well.
The Bad Guys
I can't say much about the Bad Guy. As we have her uncle and another person that we have no clue about until she gets the group of criminals in the forest. It is pretty entertaining to see how Roselynn finds out about not only her uncle but also the other lousy person. I can't exactly say who it is since it's a significant plot point.
Five Stars
Desperate Forest by Cece Louise is a fantastic book that has a lot of potential for more stories within its universe. It has more than two kingdoms, and everything about this makes me a fan of Ms. Louise. I can't wait for the second book to come out. Desperate Forest by Cece Louise is getting a five-star rating because it is so great and overwhelming good that I had a hard time putting it down. I am also recommending it to everyone that is a Young Adult, Historical Romance, and Fantasy reader out there.
Desperate Forest by Cece Louise had me enjoying this royalty book which I loved and reminding me why I like those type of books. Ms. Louise has a good imagination and a way with words that I, also felt like I was apart of the story.
Princess Roselynn
Princess Roselynn is the main character of the book and our narrator as we follow her through her journey of escaping her uncle and getting to Darius, her fiance so that she can get her uncle off the thrown. She tries to survive in the forest by herself, and it works for a bit until she comes across a group of criminals that become her allies. Roselynn is a fascinating character who is book smart and likes going on adventures. She is also pretty entertaining and slightly naive about Darius. However, she did only see him a few months during the summertime. Roselynn did grow throughout the book, which is great to see, as well.
The Bad Guys
I can't say much about the Bad Guy. As we have her uncle and another person that we have no clue about until she gets the group of criminals in the forest. It is pretty entertaining to see how Roselynn finds out about not only her uncle but also the other lousy person. I can't exactly say who it is since it's a significant plot point.
Five Stars
Desperate Forest by Cece Louise is a fantastic book that has a lot of potential for more stories within its universe. It has more than two kingdoms, and everything about this makes me a fan of Ms. Louise. I can't wait for the second book to come out. Desperate Forest by Cece Louise is getting a five-star rating because it is so great and overwhelming good that I had a hard time putting it down. I am also recommending it to everyone that is a Young Adult, Historical Romance, and Fantasy reader out there.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyiKe...
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Desperate Forest by Cece Louise.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
September 27, 2023
Such a fun story and and easy to jump in right away. I was able to listen to the audio and the narrator does a FANTASTIC job! A runaway princess finds friends and enemies in the forest. The narrator keep us completely engaged and I’m a huge fan of the medieval time period. Looking forward to reading more in this series!
July 8, 2022
A quick and light fantasy read! I feel like this is a nice intro to the series. While the writing can feel rather basic and a bit predicable than I would have liked, still is a fun fantasy adventure with a sprinkle of romance.
Content: Clean. Perhaps PG for non-graphic violence and a kiss.
Content: Clean. Perhaps PG for non-graphic violence and a kiss.
June 12, 2019
This was a wonderful, fantastic story. I just kept reading it. I didn't want to put it down. I will be reading more of this author's books.
December 26, 2022
Good clean romance and adventure!
January 23, 2021
An absolute page turner!!!
I could not put this book down once I started reading! The author did a great job making this book exciting and unpredictable. I will definitely be recommending this book to my friends. Cece Louise has a beautiful gift with words and storytelling. She made me feel like I was right in the story and her characters were very relatable. I am looking forward to reading more of her books!
I could not put this book down once I started reading! The author did a great job making this book exciting and unpredictable. I will definitely be recommending this book to my friends. Cece Louise has a beautiful gift with words and storytelling. She made me feel like I was right in the story and her characters were very relatable. I am looking forward to reading more of her books!
July 21, 2020
Disclaimer: I bought this book! Support your authors!
Book: The Desperate Forest
Author: Cece Louise
Book Series: The Forest Tales Book 1
Rating: 2/5
Recommended For...: fantasy, high fantasy, ya
Publication Date: July 2, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, DNF-ed
Publisher: Jabberwocky Tales
Pages: 240
Synopsis: Princess Roselynn has never longed for adventure. For nineteen years, her life has been safe and comfortable. Until her father is murdered, and she discovers a plot to end her life. Hoping to find safety in the arms of her fiancé, she flees to the perilous Eternity Forest.
When Roselynn meets brash Jay, she begrudgingly joins forces with a group of outlaws. Unsure of her new companions, she’s especially puzzled by Jay’s tough exterior and conflicting actions. Soon, she discovers everyone has their own purpose—and secrets.
Can Roselynn save her kingdom and be reunited with the man she loves, or will she lose everything to the dark forest?
Review: I had to DNF this book at 23%. The book is really fast paced, but I don’t see a lot of development of the scenes or characters so far. The book kind of just skipped the introduction phase of a series and it left me a bit confused.
Verdict: Not for me but maybe for you!
Book: The Desperate Forest
Author: Cece Louise
Book Series: The Forest Tales Book 1
Rating: 2/5
Recommended For...: fantasy, high fantasy, ya
Publication Date: July 2, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, DNF-ed
Publisher: Jabberwocky Tales
Pages: 240
Synopsis: Princess Roselynn has never longed for adventure. For nineteen years, her life has been safe and comfortable. Until her father is murdered, and she discovers a plot to end her life. Hoping to find safety in the arms of her fiancé, she flees to the perilous Eternity Forest.
When Roselynn meets brash Jay, she begrudgingly joins forces with a group of outlaws. Unsure of her new companions, she’s especially puzzled by Jay’s tough exterior and conflicting actions. Soon, she discovers everyone has their own purpose—and secrets.
Can Roselynn save her kingdom and be reunited with the man she loves, or will she lose everything to the dark forest?
Review: I had to DNF this book at 23%. The book is really fast paced, but I don’t see a lot of development of the scenes or characters so far. The book kind of just skipped the introduction phase of a series and it left me a bit confused.
Verdict: Not for me but maybe for you!
September 10, 2019
Straight out of the gate this fairy tale comes to life. An evil king, fallen from grace knights, a sorceress healer and unexpected friendships complete with a prince and a princess of neighboring lands. Who could ask for more? I could not get enough of its pages or put it down. It did not even matter that the ending was already obvious, the trip to get there was so pleasurable that I did not want to miss one second of this book. It was fantastic!
-To The Author- I am still applauding! Very nice.
-To The Author- I am still applauding! Very nice.
July 2, 2019
Join a princess on the run through a forest rife with danger and deceit. I had the honor of reading an advance review copy of this book, and I was very impressed! It brought me back to my fairy-tale loving days, but these characters have real dimension and wonderful, witty, natural dialogue. Desperate Forest is a clean, yet swoon-worthy medieval romance adventure for teens through adults. This new author is one to watch!
February 11, 2023
A good book. The adventure was pretty easy, in that the characters didn't have much difficulty overcoming obstacles. A quick light read that is fun and interesting. The characters were pretty likable, there's not huge character development or anything but for this type of book it was okay.
Check out my blog Tayside Book Blog
Check out my blog Tayside Book Blog
February 10, 2020
Fun, clean read. If you're looking for an adventurous romance with a strong princess, look no further!
May 10, 2023
I enjoyed this book.
Content: clean- mild violence
Content: clean- mild violence
November 26, 2022
This picks up from the prequel (which I liked) then changes to a different protagonist/POV (which I also liked). Starting #3 in a few minutes and hope to continue.
February 20, 2020
http://onebookmore.com/2020/02/20/rev...
Princess Roselynn is desperate. Her life is in danger, and she must flee her home. She flees into the dangerous Eternity Forest in the hopes of reaching her fiancee, the King of a neighboring kingdom. She is certain that he will keep her safe. She just has to make it through the forest alive. Roselynn is rescued by a mysterious traveler (who I love!!!) and reluctantly continues her journey with him and his group. They are a dynamic group, and each has their own way to contribute – cooking, hunting, healing. Roselynn must figure out where she fits in and who her allies are.
This is a new and empowering experience for Roselynn. Though she is fleeing for her life, she is also free from the constraints of the castle. She has an opportunity to figure out what she really wants and who she really wants to be with. I think this is why she connects to Jay and the group. They were all trapped by societal situations, and they are all fleeing from something. They share the stresses and fears of traveling through the Eternity Forest toward freedom and safety, and they all have secrets. Their unique situations present some powerful messages about trust, fitting in, freedom, and love.
There is a sweet romance amidst a creative and fantastical setting. Roselynn has to examine her feelings for her fiancee as her feelings for the mysterious Jay develop. Can she trust Jay? Can she trust her fiancee? Roselynn has been betrayed by people close to her, and she has lost trust. It is fascinating to see Roselynn gain more confidence in herself and her abilities and learn to trust again. She is an intelligent, compassionate, and loyal young woman, and these qualities aid her in personal growth.
Though the story suggests a possible love triangle, the chemistry between Roselynn and Jay is palpable. They challenge each other and make each other want to be better. I like how they bring out the best in each other, and that, even though they are so different, they are also quite similar. They are both stubborn, loyal, and brave. They both value family and friendship, and they both find pleasure in helping and connecting with others.
This is a wonderful and vivid page-turner. I actually read the second book in the series, Jabberwocky Princess, first, but it did not matter. Both books are standalone stories (though I did notice that two characters from this story make an appearance in the second book).
Princess Roselynn is desperate. Her life is in danger, and she must flee her home. She flees into the dangerous Eternity Forest in the hopes of reaching her fiancee, the King of a neighboring kingdom. She is certain that he will keep her safe. She just has to make it through the forest alive. Roselynn is rescued by a mysterious traveler (who I love!!!) and reluctantly continues her journey with him and his group. They are a dynamic group, and each has their own way to contribute – cooking, hunting, healing. Roselynn must figure out where she fits in and who her allies are.
This is a new and empowering experience for Roselynn. Though she is fleeing for her life, she is also free from the constraints of the castle. She has an opportunity to figure out what she really wants and who she really wants to be with. I think this is why she connects to Jay and the group. They were all trapped by societal situations, and they are all fleeing from something. They share the stresses and fears of traveling through the Eternity Forest toward freedom and safety, and they all have secrets. Their unique situations present some powerful messages about trust, fitting in, freedom, and love.
There is a sweet romance amidst a creative and fantastical setting. Roselynn has to examine her feelings for her fiancee as her feelings for the mysterious Jay develop. Can she trust Jay? Can she trust her fiancee? Roselynn has been betrayed by people close to her, and she has lost trust. It is fascinating to see Roselynn gain more confidence in herself and her abilities and learn to trust again. She is an intelligent, compassionate, and loyal young woman, and these qualities aid her in personal growth.
Though the story suggests a possible love triangle, the chemistry between Roselynn and Jay is palpable. They challenge each other and make each other want to be better. I like how they bring out the best in each other, and that, even though they are so different, they are also quite similar. They are both stubborn, loyal, and brave. They both value family and friendship, and they both find pleasure in helping and connecting with others.
This is a wonderful and vivid page-turner. I actually read the second book in the series, Jabberwocky Princess, first, but it did not matter. Both books are standalone stories (though I did notice that two characters from this story make an appearance in the second book).
July 5, 2019
Please note, I received a free copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review. Please note that there are spoilers ahead in this review.
When I first started the book, honestly I wasn't super thrilled. A king was murdered, the uncle wants to now kill the princess in order to have control over the kingdom, and the Princess has run away. Okay, decently common theme throughout young adult fantasy books. I'm very glad that I kept reading though.
Roselynn was a fantastic protagonist. She is a great combination of innocence and determination and loyalty to save her people and her kingdom. She risks her own life and safety many many times because she wants to do what is best for her people in her mind.
I love the way that her relationships grow with Jay, Gavin, Laurel, and all of the other members of her group. I love watching her learn to place her trust and her safety within them, as well as want to make sure that they are safe also.
Of course, I was sad to see Darius's betrayal of his father, his brother, and Roselynn. While it was very predictable, it was still disappointing to read nonetheless. I would really like one of these types of stories to end it with the stranger actually being the one that is at fault rather than someone who was trusted at the beginning. In other words, I would enjoy seeing a story similar to this where Jay is actually the one at fault, and Roselyn is correct in her initial judgment of Darius. But alas, that doesn't seem to be the way that these books work.
This book was a quick and easy book to read. After the initial couple chapters, it became very engaging and hard to put down. The author did a great job at making the story come alive and also throwing in a couple small twists and turns. However, most of the storyline is predictable but it is still enjoyable nonetheless this book was a quick and easy book to read.
Thank you to Cece Louise for the opportunity to read and review this book. I definitely enjoyed it and I highly recommend it to anybody that enjoys young adult novels.
When I first started the book, honestly I wasn't super thrilled. A king was murdered, the uncle wants to now kill the princess in order to have control over the kingdom, and the Princess has run away. Okay, decently common theme throughout young adult fantasy books. I'm very glad that I kept reading though.
Roselynn was a fantastic protagonist. She is a great combination of innocence and determination and loyalty to save her people and her kingdom. She risks her own life and safety many many times because she wants to do what is best for her people in her mind.
I love the way that her relationships grow with Jay, Gavin, Laurel, and all of the other members of her group. I love watching her learn to place her trust and her safety within them, as well as want to make sure that they are safe also.
Of course, I was sad to see Darius's betrayal of his father, his brother, and Roselynn. While it was very predictable, it was still disappointing to read nonetheless. I would really like one of these types of stories to end it with the stranger actually being the one that is at fault rather than someone who was trusted at the beginning. In other words, I would enjoy seeing a story similar to this where Jay is actually the one at fault, and Roselyn is correct in her initial judgment of Darius. But alas, that doesn't seem to be the way that these books work.
This book was a quick and easy book to read. After the initial couple chapters, it became very engaging and hard to put down. The author did a great job at making the story come alive and also throwing in a couple small twists and turns. However, most of the storyline is predictable but it is still enjoyable nonetheless this book was a quick and easy book to read.
Thank you to Cece Louise for the opportunity to read and review this book. I definitely enjoyed it and I highly recommend it to anybody that enjoys young adult novels.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2019
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
"Desperate Forest" is a short love story that includes a princess, an evil uncle bent on stealing her kingdom, a deadly forest, and a couple twists and turns along the way. We find our princess getting caught up with a group of vagabonds, who have questionable pasts. That is, after she flees from her own kingdom, where her uncle is trying to kill her, like he did her father in a plot to take over the kingdom.
It's a tried and true formula, and if you're in the mood for a classic "princess saves the day" book, this might be it.
What I liked about it:
Keeping in mind that this book is written for middle-age kids, I appreciate that the author keeps it clean and innocent. Unfortunately, is can be hard to find books (even fantasy) that do not use obscene language or explicit scenes.
The message of the book is primarily positive, and it was an easy read. You would have no problem picking this book up and reading through the night.
I also love the fact that the princess saves herself, along with some help from other strong women.
What I wasn't entirely keen on:
The plot of the book (princess on the run trying to save her kingdom) wasn't very original. It's a story we've heard over and over again and didn't show much deviation from the typical formula.
I wasn't very attached to the characters, and sometimes dialogue felt forced and unnatural.
Occasionally, the characters referred to books and things that are in our own world, such as Beowulf. So I would have appreciated a little bit more of an explanation as to what kind of world was being built. Is it a fantasy world with no root in our own? Or is it based on some historical events and people? I would have liked to find a little more clarity on that aspect.
Overall, I enjoyed the read. It was easy-going and pretty fast-paced. It is meant to be enjoyed by young teenagers, and I think it will be. If you're looking for a clean book to give your child, this is a good choice.
"Desperate Forest" is a short love story that includes a princess, an evil uncle bent on stealing her kingdom, a deadly forest, and a couple twists and turns along the way. We find our princess getting caught up with a group of vagabonds, who have questionable pasts. That is, after she flees from her own kingdom, where her uncle is trying to kill her, like he did her father in a plot to take over the kingdom.
It's a tried and true formula, and if you're in the mood for a classic "princess saves the day" book, this might be it.
What I liked about it:
Keeping in mind that this book is written for middle-age kids, I appreciate that the author keeps it clean and innocent. Unfortunately, is can be hard to find books (even fantasy) that do not use obscene language or explicit scenes.
The message of the book is primarily positive, and it was an easy read. You would have no problem picking this book up and reading through the night.
I also love the fact that the princess saves herself, along with some help from other strong women.
What I wasn't entirely keen on:
The plot of the book (princess on the run trying to save her kingdom) wasn't very original. It's a story we've heard over and over again and didn't show much deviation from the typical formula.
I wasn't very attached to the characters, and sometimes dialogue felt forced and unnatural.
Occasionally, the characters referred to books and things that are in our own world, such as Beowulf. So I would have appreciated a little bit more of an explanation as to what kind of world was being built. Is it a fantasy world with no root in our own? Or is it based on some historical events and people? I would have liked to find a little more clarity on that aspect.
Overall, I enjoyed the read. It was easy-going and pretty fast-paced. It is meant to be enjoyed by young teenagers, and I think it will be. If you're looking for a clean book to give your child, this is a good choice.
February 23, 2022
Note: I read the series backwards, so ended with book 1.
This one was the hardest book for me to read since I had already read book three and knew more about Jay and Darius's relationship than if I had read book one first. It made me anxious. I won't say too much because I don't want to give anything away, but it all plays out well enough to set up the story for book three while giving a satisfying ending for our couple here.
It's really quite a complicated tangle of heartache that is beautifully written. Just know that I recommend you read the entire series. We have another great cast of characters with flaws that make them relatable and annoyingly human. They are easy to root for and at times quite slappable. :)
I give Desperate Forest 4 stars and a Clean rating.
1-5 scale and what it means:
1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad
2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing
3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive
3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love
4: Solid mind candy / worth reading
4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read
5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure
Movie Ratings in relation to my review:
Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no intimacy on or off "screen"
PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, intimacy is all closed door
PG-13--some language (swear words not related to intimacy), more talk about intimacy, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but intimacy is closed door.
PG-14—somewhere between PG-13 and R. Not erotica, but at least a paragraph of on-screen intimacy
R--swearing (F-bomb, on “screen” intimacy, sometimes feels like the whole story is about the intimacy and not the relationship or some other plot, but not always
This one was the hardest book for me to read since I had already read book three and knew more about Jay and Darius's relationship than if I had read book one first. It made me anxious. I won't say too much because I don't want to give anything away, but it all plays out well enough to set up the story for book three while giving a satisfying ending for our couple here.
It's really quite a complicated tangle of heartache that is beautifully written. Just know that I recommend you read the entire series. We have another great cast of characters with flaws that make them relatable and annoyingly human. They are easy to root for and at times quite slappable. :)
I give Desperate Forest 4 stars and a Clean rating.
1-5 scale and what it means:
1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad
2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing
3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive
3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love
4: Solid mind candy / worth reading
4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read
5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure
Movie Ratings in relation to my review:
Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no intimacy on or off "screen"
PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, intimacy is all closed door
PG-13--some language (swear words not related to intimacy), more talk about intimacy, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but intimacy is closed door.
PG-14—somewhere between PG-13 and R. Not erotica, but at least a paragraph of on-screen intimacy
R--swearing (F-bomb, on “screen” intimacy, sometimes feels like the whole story is about the intimacy and not the relationship or some other plot, but not always
August 11, 2019
“My heart sank for her, knowing what It meant to lose a loved one. An emptiness grew inside you that could never be filled.”
4.5 ⭐️. I have received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Guys I am so glad I read this book 😍. A princess finds out her father has been killed by her uncle, who wants to kill her as well. She runs away in a forest where she meets a group of outlaws that become her new family. They offer to accompany her to meet her betrothed who is the king of a near kingdom. But of course in the meantime she falls in love with the boy who has saved her life.
Jay is definitely my perfect boyfriend! He has a secret he cannot share, which makes him incredibly mysterious and charming. He cannot completely open up and sometimes he feels as if he needs to push people away not to hurt them, but he is so funny and caring that you cannot fail to see that if he loves you he will do everything to protect you. The scenes in which he and the Princess quarrels are full of love tension and you just want to push them together shouting “KISS”.
Roselynn is a Princess who has lived all her life in commodities, it’s quite difficult for her to live in the forest, but she has such a good heart and she is determined to do the right thing for her kingdom that she is ready to face all the difficulties she encounters.
I personally think the ending is a bit rushed, there could have definitely been a second book in which Roselynn was imprisoned by her uncle and Jay did everything to rescue her but after all I enjoyed the fairy tale atmosphere of the ending.
4.5 ⭐️. I have received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Guys I am so glad I read this book 😍. A princess finds out her father has been killed by her uncle, who wants to kill her as well. She runs away in a forest where she meets a group of outlaws that become her new family. They offer to accompany her to meet her betrothed who is the king of a near kingdom. But of course in the meantime she falls in love with the boy who has saved her life.
Jay is definitely my perfect boyfriend! He has a secret he cannot share, which makes him incredibly mysterious and charming. He cannot completely open up and sometimes he feels as if he needs to push people away not to hurt them, but he is so funny and caring that you cannot fail to see that if he loves you he will do everything to protect you. The scenes in which he and the Princess quarrels are full of love tension and you just want to push them together shouting “KISS”.
Roselynn is a Princess who has lived all her life in commodities, it’s quite difficult for her to live in the forest, but she has such a good heart and she is determined to do the right thing for her kingdom that she is ready to face all the difficulties she encounters.
I personally think the ending is a bit rushed, there could have definitely been a second book in which Roselynn was imprisoned by her uncle and Jay did everything to rescue her but after all I enjoyed the fairy tale atmosphere of the ending.
May 28, 2021
I enjoyed this story of a princess who became a prisoner in her own castle and escaped after finding out her uncle killed her father and is planning on murdering her as well! She flees the castle and by chance meets a group in the forest who take her in with them. Most of the group it turns out are fleeing from her uncles wicked rule over her kingdom. In that group though there is a man who won’t talk about his past mainly because he can’t remember what happened to drive him into the forest himself. His past is restored later on which astounds him and the young princess.
I recommend this book to all who love a story fraught with adventure, suspense a slow building romance that culminates in a happily ever after. It’s a story of deception and redemption which will appeal to both young adult and adult readers alike.
This is the first in a series by a very talented author named Cece Louise. Her writing captures your imagination and the story flows effortlessly as you experience what your friends experience for characters in books quickly become my friends and I feel I you will feel the same. It’s so easy to imagine you are right there as you read this story!
I urge you to pick up this book and then to continue the series for two more books are mentioned at the end but will probably be more than that. This book was a joy to read and I feel you ought to treat yourself to a book you will truly enjoy.
I recommend this book to all who love a story fraught with adventure, suspense a slow building romance that culminates in a happily ever after. It’s a story of deception and redemption which will appeal to both young adult and adult readers alike.
This is the first in a series by a very talented author named Cece Louise. Her writing captures your imagination and the story flows effortlessly as you experience what your friends experience for characters in books quickly become my friends and I feel I you will feel the same. It’s so easy to imagine you are right there as you read this story!
I urge you to pick up this book and then to continue the series for two more books are mentioned at the end but will probably be more than that. This book was a joy to read and I feel you ought to treat yourself to a book you will truly enjoy.
May 20, 2020
As a disclaimer, I received this book from the author for free for review. In no way, shape or form am I biased.
Desperate Forest by CeCe Louise is one of the books I would consider to be on my "oldies" list. It gives out the nice old castle story, with many little twists in the book. I really enjoyed reading it and am surprised that I read it all in one sitting. The positives I would say is the nice relationship building, plotline, and character arc. The main character goes through changes and understandings while not being annoying. In many princess books, the girl usually turns out to be a brat and annoying when something happens. However, the main character is very understanding.
I can't think of many negatives besides variation in setting, more character understanding as to why the characters are where they are. I wish there was more of a deeper plot point in the forest, as they spend most of the time there. I also feel like the climax wasn't long enough or explained enough, but that is a personal preference.
The book was really well written alongside the description of the settings and the characters. I really enjoyed this and hope someday to add it to my physical library.
Desperate Forest by CeCe Louise is one of the books I would consider to be on my "oldies" list. It gives out the nice old castle story, with many little twists in the book. I really enjoyed reading it and am surprised that I read it all in one sitting. The positives I would say is the nice relationship building, plotline, and character arc. The main character goes through changes and understandings while not being annoying. In many princess books, the girl usually turns out to be a brat and annoying when something happens. However, the main character is very understanding.
I can't think of many negatives besides variation in setting, more character understanding as to why the characters are where they are. I wish there was more of a deeper plot point in the forest, as they spend most of the time there. I also feel like the climax wasn't long enough or explained enough, but that is a personal preference.
The book was really well written alongside the description of the settings and the characters. I really enjoyed this and hope someday to add it to my physical library.
September 1, 2020
This was a good, quick adventure, romance story. It is written from the POV of Roselynn, the princess of Tover. When her father dies suddenly, the throne is taken over by her uncle, now King Abrax. When she overheard a plot to kill her, Roselynn finds herself fleeing into the forest. Where she stumbles upon others also fleeing the new King.
I loved the characters, and how they were all thrown together. Fleeing for different reasons but braving the perilous Eternity Forest to find safety in a neighbouring Kingdom.
The only thing was, the forest was made out to be dangerous, and it felt like they were just walking through a normal forest, well almost normal. They encountered some dangerous animals, an eel, an abnormally large wolf and a couple snakes. But I thought the danger element was a little lacking.
When I read an adventure romance, I expect to be on the edge of my seat, it should be intense. And while I definitely couldn’t put this book down, I just wanted the adventure, danger and of course the romance to be amped up a little more.
I still think it’s a book worth reading if you’re in the mood for a quick adventure, romance. Just don’t expect to be shocked by the turn of events.
I loved the characters, and how they were all thrown together. Fleeing for different reasons but braving the perilous Eternity Forest to find safety in a neighbouring Kingdom.
The only thing was, the forest was made out to be dangerous, and it felt like they were just walking through a normal forest, well almost normal. They encountered some dangerous animals, an eel, an abnormally large wolf and a couple snakes. But I thought the danger element was a little lacking.
When I read an adventure romance, I expect to be on the edge of my seat, it should be intense. And while I definitely couldn’t put this book down, I just wanted the adventure, danger and of course the romance to be amped up a little more.
I still think it’s a book worth reading if you’re in the mood for a quick adventure, romance. Just don’t expect to be shocked by the turn of events.
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