Review: A Charming Hope

With the Hope Ever After series about to retire its two-year run, I decided to check out one of the books I haven't read yet. A Charming Hope by Ashley Evercott is a cozy retelling of "The Frog Prince" with a fun twist. The book reimagines the prince, Devon, and his princess, Annelise, as childhood friends who had a falling out. Instead of agreeing to kiss the cursed frog right off the bat, Annelise asks Devon to be her wingman to win over another potential suitor and offers to kiss him as payment. The book has a light romcom feel that matches the hopeful vibes of the series.


Prince Devon is devastated to learn that his brother is marrying the woman he loves instead of him. In a fit of jealousy, he performs a disrespectful act at a sacred ceremony and is punished in the body of a frog. The only way to break the spell is a kiss from a woman who can understand him. However, Princess Annelise is unwilling to comply so easily after he had already broken her heart. When her parents arrange a marriage alliance between her and Devon, she is convinced that there is no chance for her to ever experience true romance. Devon agrees to help her win a kiss from Kristoffer, a knight she has a crush on, before she breaks the spell on her frog fiancé.

Even though there was a magical transformation, this book is like a romantic comedy from the early 2000s. It was heartwarming to see Devon work so hard to set Annelise up with her crush while they both denied their own feelings towards each other. There were many humorous antics revolving around Annelise's awkward attempts at flirting and Devon's reassurance. The fact that she was the only one who could understand him gave the two a special bond that made their relationship feel special.

Underneath its humorous surface, this story also contained plenty of heart. Devon's remorse for his actions is clear, and his desire to make amends with Annelise before accepting her salvation makes him a worthy partner for her. In the end, both people learn and grow from their experiences and earn their reward. I enjoyed seeing them morph into a healthy couple that learned to put the past aside and pave the way for a bright future together.

A Charming Hope is a cute and light-hearted addition to the Hope Ever After series that will leave readers feeling joyful and entertained. It contains an equal amount of humor and heart with a healthy dose of redemption and forgiveness. I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to complete the series before it retires. It's a fun romcom with just a touch of magic.

I have always dreamed of being a writer and creating the next great fairy tale princess heroine. Princesses inspire us to be our best selves. While you're here, feel free to follow my page on Facebook, subscribe to my YouTube channel, and check out my books. I'm also on Instagram and Twitter.

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