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Cornerstone Series #1
A Noble Purpose
To help her miserable sister, Princess Liesel must survive the elements, danger…and her grumpy guard.
Princess Liesel’s older sister, Verena, hasn’t smiled in years. Desperate to improve her low spirits, the king declares that the man who can make Verena laugh will earn her hand in marriage.
But his plan seems doomed to failure from the start. Each unsuccessful attempt only makes Verena more despondent, and a set of mysterious masked suitors raises suspicions about a plot by an enemy prince. When Liesel discovers her sister still harbors feelings for a guard who was sent away years before, she embarks on a desperate quest to find him, both for the sake of Verena’s future happiness and their kingdom’s safety.
As increasingly dangerous challenges hinder Liesel’s journey, she begins to wonder if they’re more than coincidence. Will she and her travel companions even make it to Verena’s former guard, let alone convince him to return with them?
With each impediment drawing her closer to her own surly knight, more than just her sister’s happily-ever-after may be hanging in the balance.
A Noble Purpose is a New Adult Christian fantasy Hans, Who Made the Princess Laugh retelling and is Book #1 in the Cornerstone Series. Each book can be read as a standalone.
Princess Liesel’s older sister, Verena, hasn’t smiled in years. Desperate to improve her low spirits, the king declares that the man who can make Verena laugh will earn her hand in marriage.
But his plan seems doomed to failure from the start. Each unsuccessful attempt only makes Verena more despondent, and a set of mysterious masked suitors raises suspicions about a plot by an enemy prince. When Liesel discovers her sister still harbors feelings for a guard who was sent away years before, she embarks on a desperate quest to find him, both for the sake of Verena’s future happiness and their kingdom’s safety.
As increasingly dangerous challenges hinder Liesel’s journey, she begins to wonder if they’re more than coincidence. Will she and her travel companions even make it to Verena’s former guard, let alone convince him to return with them?
With each impediment drawing her closer to her own surly knight, more than just her sister’s happily-ever-after may be hanging in the balance.
A Noble Purpose is a New Adult Christian fantasy Hans, Who Made the Princess Laugh retelling and is Book #1 in the Cornerstone Series. Each book can be read as a standalone.
142 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2024
18 people are currently reading
224 people want to read
About the author
Laurie Lucking
14 books77 followersLaurie Lucking has always loved diving into imaginary worlds through books, but didn’t start writing her own stories until she left her career as an attorney to become a stay-at-home mom. After growing up in Wisconsin, she hopped the border into Minnesota to attend St. Olaf College and the University of Minnesota Law School, and she continues to make Minnesota her home with her husband and two young sons. When she gets a break from playing super heroes and driving wind-up cars, Laurie enjoys reading, singing, connecting with other moms, and writing young adult fantasy, always with a central love story to satisfy her inner romantic.
Laurie is the Secretary of her local ACFW Chapter and a co-founder of www.LandsUncharted.com, a blog for fans of clean young adult speculative fiction. Find out more about Laurie and her writing at www.laurielucking.com.
Laurie is the Secretary of her local ACFW Chapter and a co-founder of www.LandsUncharted.com, a blog for fans of clean young adult speculative fiction. Find out more about Laurie and her writing at www.laurielucking.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
December 6, 2024
4 stars ✨ (Christian YA/NA Fairytale retelling)
About this book:
“To help her miserable sister, Princess Liesel must survive the elements, danger…and her grumpy guard.
Princess Liesel’s older sister, Verena, hasn’t smiled in years. Desperate to improve her low spirits, the king declares that the man who can make Verena laugh will earn her hand in marriage.
But his plan seems doomed to failure from the start. Each unsuccessful attempt only makes Verena more despondent, and a set of mysterious masked suitors raises suspicions about a plot by an enemy prince. When Liesel discovers her sister still harbors feelings for a guard who was sent away years before, she embarks on a desperate quest to find him, both for the sake of Verena’s future happiness and their kingdom’s safety.
As increasingly dangerous challenges hinder Liesel’s journey, she begins to wonder if they’re more than coincidence. Will she and her travel companions even make it to Verena’s former guard, let alone convince him to return with them?
With each impediment drawing her closer to her own surly knight, more than just her sister’s happily-ever-after may be hanging in the balance.”
Series: Book #1 in the multi-author series, “Cornerstone”. It does not seem to be connected to any other books, however. A stand-alone.
Spiritual Content- Prayers & Thanking and Praising the Holy One; Liesel views her faith as private and has never done any prayers spoken in front of others, so she feels awkward about doing one on the journey; Liesel has a couple of reassurances from the Holy One during prayers and feels peace afterwards; Liesel asks the Holy One to forgive her falsehood to her sister; Mentions of the Holy One (God); Mentions of prayers, praying, thanking the Holy One, & someone looking up to the heavens while praying; Mentions of Resurrection Sunday (called “Siebennet”) & going to church on that day; A few mentions of a priest; A few mentions of blessings; A mention of being reunited with loved ones in paradise with the Holy One for all of eternity;
*Note: “For heaven’s sake” is said once.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘bloomin’’ and a ‘drat’; A couple fictional world phrases like “thank the snows”, “why in the snows”, and “snows” are said and exclaimed; A mention of a curse (said, not written); Some eye rolling & sarcasm; Liesel lies that she will be visiting a friend but instead goes on a journey to find the man she sister fell in love with (when she finds the man, she isn’t honest and doesn’t tell him about the proclamation; She feels guilt over both and her guard calls her out for her deception and lying); Being held at knife-point & an attempted kidnapping (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of wars & possible wars; Mentions of bandits, thieves, attacks, & an attempted kidnapping; Mentions of a fire & injuries; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of a tattoo being received by every man who failed to make the princess laugh (done with a berry juice and lasts about six months); Mentions of lies, lying, & deception; Mentions of hunting; A few mentions of a parent being ill; A couple mentions of being held hostage.
Sexual Content- a fingers-to-lips touch, a cheek kiss, a forehead kiss, two barely-above-not-detailed kisses, and a border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed kiss; Some Touches, Embraces, Dancing, Hand holding, Tingles, Nearness, & Smelling (barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes; Noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); Liesel falls asleep in the arms of her (young and handsome) guard in the journey; Liesel feels a bit of envy for another’s relationship working out; A few mentions of blushes & falling in love; A couple mentions of a king and his son not being known for their fidelity; A couple mentions of flirting; A mention of envy; Love, falling in love, & the emotions.
-Princess Liesel, age 19
1st person P.O.V. of Liesel
142 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Two Stars
New Teens- Three Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
This was really adorable and I adored the sweet sister content as Liesel is on a mission for her sister’s happiness—which might just lead to some happiness for herself as well. This was my first time reading about this fairytale and thus first time for a retelling as well, but I’m going to have to see if I can find more of this story because this was such a cute retelling! I also really liked how the faith content was worked in naturally. A great start to this multi-author series!
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
About this book:
“To help her miserable sister, Princess Liesel must survive the elements, danger…and her grumpy guard.
Princess Liesel’s older sister, Verena, hasn’t smiled in years. Desperate to improve her low spirits, the king declares that the man who can make Verena laugh will earn her hand in marriage.
But his plan seems doomed to failure from the start. Each unsuccessful attempt only makes Verena more despondent, and a set of mysterious masked suitors raises suspicions about a plot by an enemy prince. When Liesel discovers her sister still harbors feelings for a guard who was sent away years before, she embarks on a desperate quest to find him, both for the sake of Verena’s future happiness and their kingdom’s safety.
As increasingly dangerous challenges hinder Liesel’s journey, she begins to wonder if they’re more than coincidence. Will she and her travel companions even make it to Verena’s former guard, let alone convince him to return with them?
With each impediment drawing her closer to her own surly knight, more than just her sister’s happily-ever-after may be hanging in the balance.”
Series: Book #1 in the multi-author series, “Cornerstone”. It does not seem to be connected to any other books, however. A stand-alone.
Spiritual Content- Prayers & Thanking and Praising the Holy One; Liesel views her faith as private and has never done any prayers spoken in front of others, so she feels awkward about doing one on the journey; Liesel has a couple of reassurances from the Holy One during prayers and feels peace afterwards; Liesel asks the Holy One to forgive her falsehood to her sister; Mentions of the Holy One (God); Mentions of prayers, praying, thanking the Holy One, & someone looking up to the heavens while praying; Mentions of Resurrection Sunday (called “Siebennet”) & going to church on that day; A few mentions of a priest; A few mentions of blessings; A mention of being reunited with loved ones in paradise with the Holy One for all of eternity;
*Note: “For heaven’s sake” is said once.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘bloomin’’ and a ‘drat’; A couple fictional world phrases like “thank the snows”, “why in the snows”, and “snows” are said and exclaimed; A mention of a curse (said, not written); Some eye rolling & sarcasm; Liesel lies that she will be visiting a friend but instead goes on a journey to find the man she sister fell in love with (when she finds the man, she isn’t honest and doesn’t tell him about the proclamation; She feels guilt over both and her guard calls her out for her deception and lying); Being held at knife-point & an attempted kidnapping (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of wars & possible wars; Mentions of bandits, thieves, attacks, & an attempted kidnapping; Mentions of a fire & injuries; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of a tattoo being received by every man who failed to make the princess laugh (done with a berry juice and lasts about six months); Mentions of lies, lying, & deception; Mentions of hunting; A few mentions of a parent being ill; A couple mentions of being held hostage.
Sexual Content- a fingers-to-lips touch, a cheek kiss, a forehead kiss, two barely-above-not-detailed kisses, and a border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed kiss; Some Touches, Embraces, Dancing, Hand holding, Tingles, Nearness, & Smelling (barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes; Noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); Liesel falls asleep in the arms of her (young and handsome) guard in the journey; Liesel feels a bit of envy for another’s relationship working out; A few mentions of blushes & falling in love; A couple mentions of a king and his son not being known for their fidelity; A couple mentions of flirting; A mention of envy; Love, falling in love, & the emotions.
-Princess Liesel, age 19
1st person P.O.V. of Liesel
142 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Two Stars
New Teens- Three Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
This was really adorable and I adored the sweet sister content as Liesel is on a mission for her sister’s happiness—which might just lead to some happiness for herself as well. This was my first time reading about this fairytale and thus first time for a retelling as well, but I’m going to have to see if I can find more of this story because this was such a cute retelling! I also really liked how the faith content was worked in naturally. A great start to this multi-author series!
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
September 10, 2024
First reaction:
Awh this book was so cute! The ending really made it for me 😊.
Full Review:
Alright let’s get right into it!
Overview:
Liesel is just an energetic princess trying to make her sister happy. Her sister, Verena, hasn’t smiled in years and as time goes on she seems more and more despondent. One night at dinner her father comes up with a plan, give any man her hand in marriage if he can make her laugh. After many futile attempts, Liesel takes Verena’s happiness into her own hands when Verena tells her about a solider she used to laugh with who was sent away many years ago. On the way to find the solider she encounters many obstacles and the possibilities of true love herself.
Characters:
- Liesel - Princess who is quite impulsive and cares about her sister.
- Verena - oldest sister who hasn’t laughed in years. She also can play an instrument!
- Sir Albrecht - the stern guard who protects Liesel.
- Sir Jonas - the guard Verena enjoyed laughing with so many years ago.
My reading journey:
Tbh it took me some time to get invested in the plot, I felt like the conversations and journey slowed down the plot. I really think the book got better in the second half especially when Sir Jonas got introduced into the picture. I loved his character arc.
Christian content:
Omg I was so happy with how much there was. Mentions of the Holy One, worship service, feeling odd about missing worship service so doing one “on the road”, characters praying together.
Dislikes:
- I did feel like some of the romance was rushed but it’s likely bc the story is on the shorter side
- I didn’t love the main character prob just bc I like characters who make good thoughtful decisions
- I felt a little detached from some of the characters
- I wrestled with a 2-3 star until close to the ending where I had to give it four stars bc it was so cute and funny! So I wish more of the feels of the ending was throughout the book
- I want more sir Jonas 😭😭😭❤️❤️
So that’s all!
If you like more slow paced but still fairytale books you might like this. <3
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.*
Awh this book was so cute! The ending really made it for me 😊.
Full Review:
Alright let’s get right into it!
Overview:
Liesel is just an energetic princess trying to make her sister happy. Her sister, Verena, hasn’t smiled in years and as time goes on she seems more and more despondent. One night at dinner her father comes up with a plan, give any man her hand in marriage if he can make her laugh. After many futile attempts, Liesel takes Verena’s happiness into her own hands when Verena tells her about a solider she used to laugh with who was sent away many years ago. On the way to find the solider she encounters many obstacles and the possibilities of true love herself.
Characters:
- Liesel - Princess who is quite impulsive and cares about her sister.
- Verena - oldest sister who hasn’t laughed in years. She also can play an instrument!
- Sir Albrecht - the stern guard who protects Liesel.
- Sir Jonas - the guard Verena enjoyed laughing with so many years ago.
My reading journey:
Tbh it took me some time to get invested in the plot, I felt like the conversations and journey slowed down the plot. I really think the book got better in the second half especially when Sir Jonas got introduced into the picture. I loved his character arc.
Christian content:
Omg I was so happy with how much there was. Mentions of the Holy One, worship service, feeling odd about missing worship service so doing one “on the road”, characters praying together.
Dislikes:
- I did feel like some of the romance was rushed but it’s likely bc the story is on the shorter side
- I didn’t love the main character prob just bc I like characters who make good thoughtful decisions
- I felt a little detached from some of the characters
- I wrestled with a 2-3 star until close to the ending where I had to give it four stars bc it was so cute and funny! So I wish more of the feels of the ending was throughout the book
- I want more sir Jonas 😭😭😭❤️❤️
So that’s all!
If you like more slow paced but still fairytale books you might like this. <3
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.*
September 13, 2024
I actually finished this in like two days…or less! 🤭 I remember reading the story about Hans who made the princess laugh in a storybook that’s not really one I read anymore lol but I loved this retelling so much!!! Laurie Lucking did an awesome job!!!
For those who like retelling romance, a bit of mystery/intrigue, and a faith-weaved through the characters…this is for you!!
*I received an ARC copy of this story and all thoughts are my own!*
For those who like retelling romance, a bit of mystery/intrigue, and a faith-weaved through the characters…this is for you!!
*I received an ARC copy of this story and all thoughts are my own!*
October 3, 2024
Such a sweet and fun tale.
The characters were so vibrant and colorful. Liesel and Breck were wonderful! I always love a well written grumpy sunshine dynamic. The storyline was well written and paced just right. I loved the fact that they are riding Elk instead of horses, it was a small little thing that made a fun difference to the story. (And I must agree that roasted apples are indeed delicious).
This was a new fairytale retelling for me. So that’s always fun! It was just what I needed to break out of the reading slump I was in for the last month. I eagerly look forward to reading the rest of the Cornerstone series to discover more great fairytales!
**I received an ARC copy from the author and was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The characters were so vibrant and colorful. Liesel and Breck were wonderful! I always love a well written grumpy sunshine dynamic. The storyline was well written and paced just right. I loved the fact that they are riding Elk instead of horses, it was a small little thing that made a fun difference to the story. (And I must agree that roasted apples are indeed delicious).
This was a new fairytale retelling for me. So that’s always fun! It was just what I needed to break out of the reading slump I was in for the last month. I eagerly look forward to reading the rest of the Cornerstone series to discover more great fairytales!
**I received an ARC copy from the author and was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 9, 2024
I ate this book up <33
I've not had the privilege of reading Laurie Lucking's other books, but from the first paragraph her writing had me spellbound. In a combination of whimsical imagery and a sweet butterfly-infused romance I found myself glued to my seat. Add in a mix of action, and the ever welcomed banter between a princess and her guard and you have yourself a beautiful opening in a series of clean Fairytale Retellings that I will most certainly want on my shelves.
When this book presented itself in my inbox I first had to do some research for I had a severe lack of exposure to the tale of 'Hans the Man Who Made the Princess Laugh'. Of course when finding out about my lack of exposure the clear solution was a heavy dose of this book that I swooped up and finished in little over twenty four hours.
If you happen to be like me and lack exposure, obviously I recommend this book, but I also want to let you know that Wikipedia has a splendid overview of it so you know what to expect. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pri...)
This book had (that I LOVED):
👑 Witty banter
🦌 Enemies to lovers <3
👑 A sweet and completely clean sub-plot romance
🦌 A main plot tale of two sisters
👑 Colorful imagery of a kingdom of its occupants
🦌 The POV of the tale from the sister's pov
Obviously as each book has it's pros it has it's cons as well. The only thing I could find was the length. As I loved the book, it was very short in my opinion. I would have loved perhaps a slower pace on Liesel's travels so we could have some more of this book, but I also understand that it could also just be me as I'm used to reading 300+ paged books.
Overall, it was a great book! I loved that it was sweet, innocent, clean, and descriptive but I would have loved to have a slower pace and more details and action on the adventurous trip. But I loved all of the tropes and will definitely be watching this author from now on :)
Thank you to the author and her publishers for my free copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, all thoughts are happily my own :)
I've not had the privilege of reading Laurie Lucking's other books, but from the first paragraph her writing had me spellbound. In a combination of whimsical imagery and a sweet butterfly-infused romance I found myself glued to my seat. Add in a mix of action, and the ever welcomed banter between a princess and her guard and you have yourself a beautiful opening in a series of clean Fairytale Retellings that I will most certainly want on my shelves.
When this book presented itself in my inbox I first had to do some research for I had a severe lack of exposure to the tale of 'Hans the Man Who Made the Princess Laugh'. Of course when finding out about my lack of exposure the clear solution was a heavy dose of this book that I swooped up and finished in little over twenty four hours.
If you happen to be like me and lack exposure, obviously I recommend this book, but I also want to let you know that Wikipedia has a splendid overview of it so you know what to expect. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pri...)
This book had (that I LOVED):
👑 Witty banter
🦌 Enemies to lovers <3
👑 A sweet and completely clean sub-plot romance
🦌 A main plot tale of two sisters
👑 Colorful imagery of a kingdom of its occupants
🦌 The POV of the tale from the sister's pov
Obviously as each book has it's pros it has it's cons as well. The only thing I could find was the length. As I loved the book, it was very short in my opinion. I would have loved perhaps a slower pace on Liesel's travels so we could have some more of this book, but I also understand that it could also just be me as I'm used to reading 300+ paged books.
Overall, it was a great book! I loved that it was sweet, innocent, clean, and descriptive but I would have loved to have a slower pace and more details and action on the adventurous trip. But I loved all of the tropes and will definitely be watching this author from now on :)
Thank you to the author and her publishers for my free copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, all thoughts are happily my own :)
September 9, 2024
The characters and story was super sweet... But the writing made it hard to enjoy. It was very slow. Overall, I did like it, especially the ending! Super sweet and I loved the nicknames. 🥰
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 13, 2024
This is such a sweet story! A Noble Purpose is the first of Laurie Lucking's books that I've read and now I'll need to go read more of her works - she's crafted a fun, heartwarming tale with a refreshing spin on the classic Hans, Who Made the Princess Laugh.
My only qualm with the entire story is that I want there to be more of it, haha! Some of the romances near the end felt rushed and I would have loved to see those relationships develop slower and more naturally over time. But in a novella, that's not really possible and it didn't affect my ability to enjoy the characters or the story at all.
The characters were so fun! Liesl, the protagonist, is so kind-hearted and bubbly, and I really admired her drive to make her sister happy. What a fantastic little sister. She didn't always think her decisions through but it fit her personality, being so impulsive and willing to risk everything to make her sister smile. I'm so glad she had a happy ending herself, after everything she risked!
I also really loved the approach to the eldest sister's, Verena's, melancholy, specifically one line about it being how the Holy One shaped her heart. She could still laugh and be happy, but naturally she didn't have as bubbly a personality, and as someone who can relate, I appreciated her stoicism not being something that needed to be "fixed". Liesl wanted to make her smile because Verena wanted to smile, not because she didn't value her sister as she was. I'm glad Verena did find someone to help draw out her happiness though. <3
Breck was an interesting character too. I enjoy gruff mentor characters and he and Liesl had a very fun dynamic through the story. He balanced her out well, keeping her safe and sane, but also appreciating her character qualities for what they are. I would have loved to see their relationship grow over time but they seem like a well-fitting couple, and I'd believe they work out well. His protectiveness was so incredibly sweet.
And Sir Jonas! I love him so much. The story got even better as soon as he was introduced, and I really enjoyed reading scenes with him. His personality is perfect for Verena, and I loved his optimism and kindheartedness. If there's ever a continuation of this story, he should be a big part of it, I'm just saying...haha! In general, it's fun that both couples balance one another out in opposite ways - bubbly woman with stoic man, and bubbly man with stoic woman.
I also appreciated that the adventure part of the story was lowkey. There was action and unknown, and some danger, but it was all on a very small scale. I was never on the edge of my seat, stressed. Instead, the entire book felt cozy. The added mentions of The Holy One and prayers were not pushy or in-your-face, they were very naturally woven in and I enjoyed them being there.
I'd have no problem at all giving this book to my little siblings or recommending it to anyone who wonders what my last great read was. If you enjoy short and sweet fairy tale romances with cozy vibes, chipper humor, and fun characters, you might just fall in love with this one!
Content to mention: a couple of kisses, a woman rests in her love's arms and with her head against his shoulders while asleep, mentions of the Holy One, someone is hit in the head with a rock and passes out, attempted kidnapping. No strong language, explicit descriptions, or excessive violence!
** I received an ARC copy of this book, but was not required to leave a review - much less a positive one. All thoughts expressed are my own. **
My only qualm with the entire story is that I want there to be more of it, haha! Some of the romances near the end felt rushed and I would have loved to see those relationships develop slower and more naturally over time. But in a novella, that's not really possible and it didn't affect my ability to enjoy the characters or the story at all.
The characters were so fun! Liesl, the protagonist, is so kind-hearted and bubbly, and I really admired her drive to make her sister happy. What a fantastic little sister. She didn't always think her decisions through but it fit her personality, being so impulsive and willing to risk everything to make her sister smile. I'm so glad she had a happy ending herself, after everything she risked!
I also really loved the approach to the eldest sister's, Verena's, melancholy, specifically one line about it being how the Holy One shaped her heart. She could still laugh and be happy, but naturally she didn't have as bubbly a personality, and as someone who can relate, I appreciated her stoicism not being something that needed to be "fixed". Liesl wanted to make her smile because Verena wanted to smile, not because she didn't value her sister as she was. I'm glad Verena did find someone to help draw out her happiness though. <3
Breck was an interesting character too. I enjoy gruff mentor characters and he and Liesl had a very fun dynamic through the story. He balanced her out well, keeping her safe and sane, but also appreciating her character qualities for what they are. I would have loved to see their relationship grow over time but they seem like a well-fitting couple, and I'd believe they work out well. His protectiveness was so incredibly sweet.
And Sir Jonas! I love him so much. The story got even better as soon as he was introduced, and I really enjoyed reading scenes with him. His personality is perfect for Verena, and I loved his optimism and kindheartedness. If there's ever a continuation of this story, he should be a big part of it, I'm just saying...haha! In general, it's fun that both couples balance one another out in opposite ways - bubbly woman with stoic man, and bubbly man with stoic woman.
I also appreciated that the adventure part of the story was lowkey. There was action and unknown, and some danger, but it was all on a very small scale. I was never on the edge of my seat, stressed. Instead, the entire book felt cozy. The added mentions of The Holy One and prayers were not pushy or in-your-face, they were very naturally woven in and I enjoyed them being there.
I'd have no problem at all giving this book to my little siblings or recommending it to anyone who wonders what my last great read was. If you enjoy short and sweet fairy tale romances with cozy vibes, chipper humor, and fun characters, you might just fall in love with this one!
Content to mention: a couple of kisses, a woman rests in her love's arms and with her head against his shoulders while asleep, mentions of the Holy One, someone is hit in the head with a rock and passes out, attempted kidnapping. No strong language, explicit descriptions, or excessive violence!
** I received an ARC copy of this book, but was not required to leave a review - much less a positive one. All thoughts expressed are my own. **
October 28, 2024
I have never read a Hans, Who Made the Princess Laugh retelling. This is such a fun, obscure fairytale, and we really need more retellings of it. This one was a super cute retelling!
If I'm honest, I don't think I'd even heard of Hans, Who Made the Princess Laugh, but it does have very similar vibes as (and may quite possibly be the same fairytales from other cultures as) The Golden Goose and The Princess Who Never Smiled. It seems a melancholy royal is quite popular in the fairytale realm... which only bolsters my point -- we need more retellings!
Princess Liesel loves her older sister, Verena, but she is not the only one in the kingdom to have noticed how little her sister smiles. Or laughs. Or does anything that even hints at any kind of happiness. Liesel has accepted Verena just as she is, but their father cannot. Thinking he may have finally hit upon a good plan, he announces that the man who can make Verena laugh will marry her and become the next king.
And so Verena suffers through numerous bouts of foolishness and jesting, never once cracking a smile. She finally admits to Liesel that there had only ever been one man who had made her laugh -- Sir Jonas, an ex-bodyguard who was as clumsy as he was charming. The only problem? He was sent away a long time ago. Desperate to help her sister, Liesel concocts a dangerous but noble plan: to seek out Sir Jonas and bring him back to wed Verena.
But finding Sir Jonas isn't exactly a walk in the park. Liesel and her companions find themselves the target of accidents -- or maybe something more -- as they journey along. Will Jonas still be there once they reach their destination, and will he agree to return with them?
The beginning of this book was a little slow, as it took a while to set up the adventure. But once the action got going, I had a hard time putting the book down, and I read the whole thing in one sitting.
The characters are few, but memorable. Liesel is a fun, flawed heroine with plenty of spunk and good intentions. I particularly liked the banter between her and Breck (if I'm completely honest, it's because it reminds me GREATLY of how my husband and I interacted when we first met).
I wasn't a big fan of how many lies/half-truths Liesel gave in the beginning, but I understood it by the end to be a big part of her flawed character. Twisting the truth was a pretty natural thing for her, and easy in the moment, but overall, her half-truths only gave her more trouble and anxiety later on. It was pretty cool to recognize Liesel's growth -- slowly becoming less afraid to tell the truth and not feeling the need to hide her true feelings and intentions.
I *have* to say something about the elks. They weren't a huge part of the book, but I would have gladly read more chapters just on them. So cool! And it was a neat piece of world-building, given that Liesel's kingdom is so mountainous, it made sense that they would have elks instead of horses.
My favorite scene, hands down, was the climax when Sir Jonas had his attempt to make Verena laugh. It was such a fun and sweet scene all at the same time, and I really loved how it all played out. So many excellent nods to the original fairytale!
I do wish the book had been longer. I would have loved to see the subplot with the masked suitors (no spoilers, I promise) explored a bit more; I felt that part was resolved perhaps too quickly. I would have also loved to have seen another scene where Jonas and Verena's relationship was expanded a little more. But, for a shorter novella, it was a very satisfying read. This was actually the first book by Laurie that I've read, and now I definitely want to read more from her.
Advisory: Clean romance with some light physical contact, leading to a few kisses. Some danger, including a kidnapping and a rock slide.
If I'm honest, I don't think I'd even heard of Hans, Who Made the Princess Laugh, but it does have very similar vibes as (and may quite possibly be the same fairytales from other cultures as) The Golden Goose and The Princess Who Never Smiled. It seems a melancholy royal is quite popular in the fairytale realm... which only bolsters my point -- we need more retellings!
Princess Liesel loves her older sister, Verena, but she is not the only one in the kingdom to have noticed how little her sister smiles. Or laughs. Or does anything that even hints at any kind of happiness. Liesel has accepted Verena just as she is, but their father cannot. Thinking he may have finally hit upon a good plan, he announces that the man who can make Verena laugh will marry her and become the next king.
And so Verena suffers through numerous bouts of foolishness and jesting, never once cracking a smile. She finally admits to Liesel that there had only ever been one man who had made her laugh -- Sir Jonas, an ex-bodyguard who was as clumsy as he was charming. The only problem? He was sent away a long time ago. Desperate to help her sister, Liesel concocts a dangerous but noble plan: to seek out Sir Jonas and bring him back to wed Verena.
But finding Sir Jonas isn't exactly a walk in the park. Liesel and her companions find themselves the target of accidents -- or maybe something more -- as they journey along. Will Jonas still be there once they reach their destination, and will he agree to return with them?
The beginning of this book was a little slow, as it took a while to set up the adventure. But once the action got going, I had a hard time putting the book down, and I read the whole thing in one sitting.
The characters are few, but memorable. Liesel is a fun, flawed heroine with plenty of spunk and good intentions. I particularly liked the banter between her and Breck (if I'm completely honest, it's because it reminds me GREATLY of how my husband and I interacted when we first met).
I wasn't a big fan of how many lies/half-truths Liesel gave in the beginning, but I understood it by the end to be a big part of her flawed character. Twisting the truth was a pretty natural thing for her, and easy in the moment, but overall, her half-truths only gave her more trouble and anxiety later on. It was pretty cool to recognize Liesel's growth -- slowly becoming less afraid to tell the truth and not feeling the need to hide her true feelings and intentions.
I *have* to say something about the elks. They weren't a huge part of the book, but I would have gladly read more chapters just on them. So cool! And it was a neat piece of world-building, given that Liesel's kingdom is so mountainous, it made sense that they would have elks instead of horses.
My favorite scene, hands down, was the climax when Sir Jonas had his attempt to make Verena laugh. It was such a fun and sweet scene all at the same time, and I really loved how it all played out. So many excellent nods to the original fairytale!
I do wish the book had been longer. I would have loved to see the subplot with the masked suitors (no spoilers, I promise) explored a bit more; I felt that part was resolved perhaps too quickly. I would have also loved to have seen another scene where Jonas and Verena's relationship was expanded a little more. But, for a shorter novella, it was a very satisfying read. This was actually the first book by Laurie that I've read, and now I definitely want to read more from her.
Advisory: Clean romance with some light physical contact, leading to a few kisses. Some danger, including a kidnapping and a rock slide.
September 30, 2024
4✨!
Loved this one! 🥰 Perfect doses of adventure, romance, and humor to keep you hooked and enjoying! 💜
My favorite character was probably Breck, but honestly, I loved them all! 😌🤭🥰
CWs: very little! 😊 Only what you'd expect from a fantasy with swords/fighting involved, and that very minor. A male and female character snuggle under a blanket and fall asleep that way. MFC lies a couple of times, feels guilty.
Can't wait for more! 😍😍
(Thank you so much to the author for the ARC! 😊 All opinions are my own. 😉)
Loved this one! 🥰 Perfect doses of adventure, romance, and humor to keep you hooked and enjoying! 💜
My favorite character was probably Breck, but honestly, I loved them all! 😌🤭🥰
CWs: very little! 😊 Only what you'd expect from a fantasy with swords/fighting involved, and that very minor. A male and female character snuggle under a blanket and fall asleep that way. MFC lies a couple of times, feels guilty.
Can't wait for more! 😍😍
(Thank you so much to the author for the ARC! 😊 All opinions are my own. 😉)
September 9, 2024
I loved every chapter of this book! It was amazing - incredible! I love how Laurie Lucking retold "Hans, Who Made the Princess Laugh" fairy tale from the sister's point of view instead of the typical main character. The story was so sweet and touching and I loved Liesel's hairbrained schemes and sunny nature. It was amusing how both sisters fell in love with their personal guards. Honestly, Liesel's perpetually happy attitude reminds of Freddy (in A Bond of Ice and Sunshine by Sarah Beran), and I loved it! Liesel is such a loyal and kind sister to go traipsing to the other end of the continent just to make her sister happy. I loved Nadette as well - she's also extremely loyal to her charge and she really cares for Liesel. Overall, I believe that Laurie Lucking has written such an incredible and well-written book that is truly heartwarming and intriguing.
I received the ARC copy of this book. Any opinions I have shared are completely my own.
I received the ARC copy of this book. Any opinions I have shared are completely my own.
September 9, 2024
What an incredible read! Laurie Lucking has expertly drawn us into a world of danger, intrigue, and bravery in this retold fairy-tale. I quite enjoyed Liesel’s determinedness and mischievous nature, and her kind heart in desiring the best for her sister and those she loves.
The double romance was also incredibly sweet, although a bit rushed, but that was likely owing to the shortness of the book (which did not affect the story—I think it quite suited it, actually). Also, the faith incorporated within was well-done and quite refreshing. Overall, an excellent tale and well-worth the read!
I received a free ARC from the author and was not required to leave a positive review. (However, this book absolutely deserves it.)
The double romance was also incredibly sweet, although a bit rushed, but that was likely owing to the shortness of the book (which did not affect the story—I think it quite suited it, actually). Also, the faith incorporated within was well-done and quite refreshing. Overall, an excellent tale and well-worth the read!
I received a free ARC from the author and was not required to leave a positive review. (However, this book absolutely deserves it.)
October 1, 2024
A Noble Purpose by Laurie Lucking is a captivating retelling of the lesser-known fairy tale, Hans, Who Made the Princess Laugh, blending adventure, romance, and faith into a delightful story of sisterly love and determination. This first book in the Cornerstone Series introduces readers to Princess Liesel, a young woman on a quest to restore joy to her melancholy older sister, Verena, and to save their kingdom from an insidious plot.
The story begins with a creative and lighthearted premise: the king’s challenge to find a man who can make his despondent daughter, Verena, smile. But as each suitor fails, and the princess grows even more withdrawn, it becomes clear that Verena’s happiness is tied to her unresolved feelings for a former guard who was sent away years ago. Enter Liesel, the lively and caring younger sister, who takes it upon herself to track down this guard and convince him to return—embarking on an exciting and dangerous journey that puts her in the path of a grumpy but steadfast knight who becomes her unexpected companion.
Liesel is an endearing protagonist, with her sunny personality and fierce loyalty to her sister driving the story. Her impulsiveness and determination add a fun energy to the narrative, and her development over the course of the book is heartwarming to watch. It’s refreshing to see the focus on familial love, as Liesel's primary motivation is her sister’s happiness, though her own budding romance with the surly knight provides a sweet subplot.
Verena’s character is also thoughtfully portrayed, with the novel touching on themes of melancholy and emotional complexity. It’s not about “fixing” her reserved nature but rather understanding and embracing who she is, which adds depth to the tale.
The romance in the story, while a bit fast-paced, is nonetheless charming. Both sisters find love with their respective guards, and although the relationships move quickly, they are woven into the broader plot in a way that feels natural and fitting for the novella’s length. The blend of romance with the fairy tale adventure keeps the pace lively and engaging.
The faith elements are also skillfully integrated, providing a sense of hope and purpose without being heavy-handed. Lucking's ability to infuse spiritual growth into the character arcs adds a deeper layer to the story, making it more than just a simple retelling.
Overall, A Noble Purpose is a delightful and unique take on a lesser-known fairy tale. Laurie Lucking has crafted a story filled with heart, adventure, and faith, making it a perfect read for fans of fairy tale retellings and Christian fantasy. With its charming characters and engaging plot, this novella is sure to leave readers eagerly anticipating the next book in the Cornerstone Series.
The story begins with a creative and lighthearted premise: the king’s challenge to find a man who can make his despondent daughter, Verena, smile. But as each suitor fails, and the princess grows even more withdrawn, it becomes clear that Verena’s happiness is tied to her unresolved feelings for a former guard who was sent away years ago. Enter Liesel, the lively and caring younger sister, who takes it upon herself to track down this guard and convince him to return—embarking on an exciting and dangerous journey that puts her in the path of a grumpy but steadfast knight who becomes her unexpected companion.
Liesel is an endearing protagonist, with her sunny personality and fierce loyalty to her sister driving the story. Her impulsiveness and determination add a fun energy to the narrative, and her development over the course of the book is heartwarming to watch. It’s refreshing to see the focus on familial love, as Liesel's primary motivation is her sister’s happiness, though her own budding romance with the surly knight provides a sweet subplot.
Verena’s character is also thoughtfully portrayed, with the novel touching on themes of melancholy and emotional complexity. It’s not about “fixing” her reserved nature but rather understanding and embracing who she is, which adds depth to the tale.
The romance in the story, while a bit fast-paced, is nonetheless charming. Both sisters find love with their respective guards, and although the relationships move quickly, they are woven into the broader plot in a way that feels natural and fitting for the novella’s length. The blend of romance with the fairy tale adventure keeps the pace lively and engaging.
The faith elements are also skillfully integrated, providing a sense of hope and purpose without being heavy-handed. Lucking's ability to infuse spiritual growth into the character arcs adds a deeper layer to the story, making it more than just a simple retelling.
Overall, A Noble Purpose is a delightful and unique take on a lesser-known fairy tale. Laurie Lucking has crafted a story filled with heart, adventure, and faith, making it a perfect read for fans of fairy tale retellings and Christian fantasy. With its charming characters and engaging plot, this novella is sure to leave readers eagerly anticipating the next book in the Cornerstone Series.
October 1, 2024
A Noble Purpose by Laurie Lucking is a wonderfully written and intriguing story. There was enough action to keep your attention, enough humor and sass to keep you entertained, and enough sweet and clean romance to keep butterflies in your stomach. This fun adventure displayed a sweet sisterly love and loyalty between Verena and Liesel. A Noble Purpose is a clean, fairytale retelling with references to faith, and is the first book in the multi-author Cornerstone series.
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December 4, 2024
~My Thoughts~
Y'all, this book was so sweet and cute!! I LOVE IT!! And the romance was just the cherry on top! 🥰
It was maybe a teensy bit slow at first, but then it picked up and didn't slow back down. The ending was amazing!
Oh, and parts of it was funny, so be prepared to laugh! 😉
I do wish we got more of Sir Jonas, though.
~Characters~
Princess Liesel: She's just a dear! She was so sweet to her sister! I really liked her!
Sir Albrecht: His name is very unique…. (Though not in a bad way. I like it!) But his personality definitely overshines it! He was so sweet, and kind, and caring, and protective, and ugh! He was just so, so amazing!! 🥰🥰
~Content Warnings~
(Warning! 🚨 Before you go any further, there is a chance that something I've said about the content could possibly be a bit spoilerish, so please proceed with caution!)
Faith based/Christian:
Mentions of church and missing a service (I believe it was a Resurrection Day, aka Easter, service)(and feelings of oddness over missing it, which gained some brownie points from me). Praying. Talking about, and mentioning the Holy One.
Violence:
A character has a dagger held up to her throat. A person gets shot with an arrow.
Sexual Content/Romance:
Just some kissing and falling in love!
Bad Language:
None.
LGBTQ+:
Definitely not.
Drugs/Alcohol:
None.
~Other Notes~
I'd probably recommend this for people 13+.
~Will I Read the Rest of the Series/More from this Author?~
Um, yeah! Absolutely!!
*I received a free copy of this book from the author for my honest review. A positive review was not required. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Y'all, this book was so sweet and cute!! I LOVE IT!! And the romance was just the cherry on top! 🥰
It was maybe a teensy bit slow at first, but then it picked up and didn't slow back down. The ending was amazing!
Oh, and parts of it was funny, so be prepared to laugh! 😉
I do wish we got more of Sir Jonas, though.
~Characters~
Princess Liesel: She's just a dear! She was so sweet to her sister! I really liked her!
Sir Albrecht: His name is very unique…. (Though not in a bad way. I like it!) But his personality definitely overshines it! He was so sweet, and kind, and caring, and protective, and ugh! He was just so, so amazing!! 🥰🥰
~Content Warnings~
(Warning! 🚨 Before you go any further, there is a chance that something I've said about the content could possibly be a bit spoilerish, so please proceed with caution!)
Faith based/Christian:
Mentions of church and missing a service (I believe it was a Resurrection Day, aka Easter, service)(and feelings of oddness over missing it, which gained some brownie points from me). Praying. Talking about, and mentioning the Holy One.
Violence:
A character has a dagger held up to her throat. A person gets shot with an arrow.
Sexual Content/Romance:
Just some kissing and falling in love!
Bad Language:
None.
LGBTQ+:
Definitely not.
Drugs/Alcohol:
None.
~Other Notes~
I'd probably recommend this for people 13+.
~Will I Read the Rest of the Series/More from this Author?~
Um, yeah! Absolutely!!
*I received a free copy of this book from the author for my honest review. A positive review was not required. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 25, 2024
Sweet, Christian fairytale retelling that will leave you with a smile
If you’ve read the fairytale the novella is based on, you’ll clearly see the touches. However, a few twists, a couple of adventures, and a slew of lovable characters together with a beautiful love story will keep you turning “one more page”.
Although, I also cherish that this love story covers the hurt behind expectations, the burden of roles, and the need for honesty, as well. I appreciate that the author did not hide from such concerns but touched upon them in a subtle way while drawing our attention to the One who’s created our differences and Who can be trusted.
I was given a privilege to read an advanced copy, and though it’s my first foray into this author’s works, I highly enjoyed her engaging style and would recommend this book for a light, afternoon read.
If you’ve read the fairytale the novella is based on, you’ll clearly see the touches. However, a few twists, a couple of adventures, and a slew of lovable characters together with a beautiful love story will keep you turning “one more page”.
Although, I also cherish that this love story covers the hurt behind expectations, the burden of roles, and the need for honesty, as well. I appreciate that the author did not hide from such concerns but touched upon them in a subtle way while drawing our attention to the One who’s created our differences and Who can be trusted.
I was given a privilege to read an advanced copy, and though it’s my first foray into this author’s works, I highly enjoyed her engaging style and would recommend this book for a light, afternoon read.
October 1, 2024
I absolutely adore the premise of this series with non-magical fairytale retellings from the viewpoint of a side character and faith-based undertones.
First, I love the thread of a religion but I also love that it's not overpowering. Belief based efforts and prayers for help, safe-keeping of loved ones, etc.
I also really adored Liesel's character. I felt that she really grew a lot in the story, realizing that it wasn't her job to hide anything that didn't make her happy just because her sister wasn't a happy person. I also love that she found her own romance in this story and it had all the swoon!
This story was a quick, fun read and there wasn't a character I didn't like (except you know, any you're not actually meant to like). I look forward to reading the other stories in this series and will definitely be looking up Laurie's other stories!
First, I love the thread of a religion but I also love that it's not overpowering. Belief based efforts and prayers for help, safe-keeping of loved ones, etc.
I also really adored Liesel's character. I felt that she really grew a lot in the story, realizing that it wasn't her job to hide anything that didn't make her happy just because her sister wasn't a happy person. I also love that she found her own romance in this story and it had all the swoon!
This story was a quick, fun read and there wasn't a character I didn't like (except you know, any you're not actually meant to like). I look forward to reading the other stories in this series and will definitely be looking up Laurie's other stories!
October 18, 2024
This is a short and sweet story. It’s the first Christian fairy tale I’ve read, and I really enjoyed it. I won’t claim the plot or romance has great depth (it’s very much fairy tale), but it’s light, fun, and encouraging. It was also quite refreshing to read a Christian book, one where the characters pray and seek God’s direction and protection.
I look forward to reading more of the series!
Content:
There’s no foul language, violence, or sex. The romance is very clean with only a few kisses at the end. There is no magic.
I look forward to reading more of the series!
Content:
There’s no foul language, violence, or sex. The romance is very clean with only a few kisses at the end. There is no magic.
September 26, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet book. Based on a rather obscure fairy tale, it had relatable characters, fun twists and a predictable but no less enjoyable happily ever after ending. What a lovely story to begin the Cornerstone series with!
September 18, 2024
I loved this sweet story.
February 2, 2025
Aww, this was so sweet! I loved both the main couple and the secondary couple--and the way that the actual retelling is the secondary romance--it opened up so much scope for the rest of the story. Liesel was a darling sister, and I loved how well she understood Verena and how hard she worked to fix things for her. I also loved how Verena's inability to smile ended up making sense with her personality and circumstances and not making her seem like a spoiled brat. I adored Jonas and the way that it wasn't just his natural clumsiness that drew Verena to him, but the fact that he actually understood and went out of his way to make her happy. And I loved Breck, stubborn and grumpy persona notwithstanding. Such a sweet story, and I loved it so much...
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
Read
November 2, 2024I didn't adore this story--I think my main problems with it were that the worldbuilding was rather vague and the plot was a little implausible. However, people who enjoy fantasy and fairy tale retellings in general probably wouldn't mind the worldbuilding issue. Of course, the plot's slight implausibility can be attributed to the original story.
I'm glad I read this novella, but I wish it was longer so it would have had more time to flesh out the characters, setting, and plot. I also thought one character's change at the end was too drastic to be believable. However, fantasy and fairy tale fans will love this book and will be excited for the rest in the series.
I'm glad I read this novella, but I wish it was longer so it would have had more time to flesh out the characters, setting, and plot. I also thought one character's change at the end was too drastic to be believable. However, fantasy and fairy tale fans will love this book and will be excited for the rest in the series.
December 27, 2024
Even amidst toddler distractions, I read this book in a few short hours! It had me hooked the whole way through!
I’ve never read the original fairy tale this retelling is based on, so I cannot compare to that, nor did I know what to expect throughout the storyline. But I found this retelling very enjoyable.
I don’t even know what more to write as I’m still processing the book. I do plan to write a longer, full review on my new blog in the upcoming months.
I’ve never read the original fairy tale this retelling is based on, so I cannot compare to that, nor did I know what to expect throughout the storyline. But I found this retelling very enjoyable.
I don’t even know what more to write as I’m still processing the book. I do plan to write a longer, full review on my new blog in the upcoming months.
September 16, 2024
The way this book was written indicates a lot of care on the part of the author-- the viewpoint character (Princess Liesel)'s own emotional state, her focus and purpose, really shaped how the reader perceived the world of Walthar. Revelations that seem sudden to Liesel (and thereby, the reader) are very deftly hinted throughout the narrative, making me nod in admiration at several points.
(Not that you needed to know, but Sir Jonas is my favorite character. He's just perfect. *chef's kiss of fingertips* Thank you.)
How, you ask? Well, this story retells Hans, Who Made the Princess Laugh. (I have seen NO retellings of that story previously, though in truth it might be because I've been looking in the wrong places-- another point in this book's favor for me was the unique quality of the tale retold.) The main character is the younger sister of said titular princess, the cheery one of the family. She feels that she must carry on without a hiccup to be the faithful, dependable, bright spot in her parent's lives. Her natural disposition lends a great deal of strength to her standing by that conviction, but when she struggles to stay in that path when things look hopeless, it takes someone that loves her in a different way to perceive and call out her struggles with trusting the Holy One.
(That theme of following your character but not making it your sole purpose brought me to tears, I admit. I was always the cheery one in the family and sometimes felt like I had a duty to be cheerful even when I didn't feel it. I had to learn, like Liesel, that our disposition and our duty are not one. We are to find joy in the Holy One and share it, but we are also to run to Him for comfort and strength when we are unable to see light ourselves, and to rest in His sufficiency.)
I loved the unique world the author made, making reindeer the mount of choice in this tundra-styled kingdom. There's not enough stories that are set that far north without constantly being snowbound, but Ms. Lucking gives you a look at the beauty and variety that can be found in an Alaskan-type terrain without overpowering the story. Masterfully done!
Plotwise, Liesel sets out to find the only man she remembers that can make her sister laugh-- since not only her sister's happiness is at stake, but a neighboring kingdom that holds a grudge desires to win the contest for the princess' hand through trickery and secure an unfavorable alliance. So she sets out under false pretenses to find the man she believes will make her sister happy, a short week's ride over treacherous terrain to the borders of the kingdom. Unfortunately, she becomes saddled with her surly guard, who she barely convinces to join her and her lady's maid on their search instead of dragging them back to the castle... and, of course, there's always more than you bargain for when you set off on a highly-secret mission to save the kingdom.
Despite her vivacious and mischievous nature, Liesel is very loving and loyal to those she cares for, whether person or beast. Her faith grows a natural amount over the course of the tale, instead of the abrupt "it's-all-better" feeling you tend to get with novellas.
My only complaint about the tale would be that Verena's character seems to make that abrupt 360-degree shift I was mentioning once Jonas arrives on the scene. She gets quite giggly and lighthearted, which I think could've been more delicately handled. Yet, I've personally known serious girls to get giggly when they are in the presence of their man, so I'll leave it to you to decide whether or not that's realistic. 😉
The language was clean, the romance was well-handled, and I would say it's good for readers 13+.
(The only moment that might bother certain readers was that Sir Albrecht grabs Liesel and holds her under a cliff when a rockslide happens and she gets butterflies in her stomach; but he was a perfect gentleman and she changes focus fairly quickly. I wasn't personally bothered by it.)
All in all, I'm glad I got this ARC! (All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I was not obligated to leave a review. My schedule's busy enough that if it wasn't worth it, I wouldn't leave it.)
(Not that you needed to know, but Sir Jonas is my favorite character. He's just perfect. *chef's kiss of fingertips* Thank you.)
How, you ask? Well, this story retells Hans, Who Made the Princess Laugh. (I have seen NO retellings of that story previously, though in truth it might be because I've been looking in the wrong places-- another point in this book's favor for me was the unique quality of the tale retold.) The main character is the younger sister of said titular princess, the cheery one of the family. She feels that she must carry on without a hiccup to be the faithful, dependable, bright spot in her parent's lives. Her natural disposition lends a great deal of strength to her standing by that conviction, but when she struggles to stay in that path when things look hopeless, it takes someone that loves her in a different way to perceive and call out her struggles with trusting the Holy One.
(That theme of following your character but not making it your sole purpose brought me to tears, I admit. I was always the cheery one in the family and sometimes felt like I had a duty to be cheerful even when I didn't feel it. I had to learn, like Liesel, that our disposition and our duty are not one. We are to find joy in the Holy One and share it, but we are also to run to Him for comfort and strength when we are unable to see light ourselves, and to rest in His sufficiency.)
I loved the unique world the author made, making reindeer the mount of choice in this tundra-styled kingdom. There's not enough stories that are set that far north without constantly being snowbound, but Ms. Lucking gives you a look at the beauty and variety that can be found in an Alaskan-type terrain without overpowering the story. Masterfully done!
Plotwise, Liesel sets out to find the only man she remembers that can make her sister laugh-- since not only her sister's happiness is at stake, but a neighboring kingdom that holds a grudge desires to win the contest for the princess' hand through trickery and secure an unfavorable alliance. So she sets out under false pretenses to find the man she believes will make her sister happy, a short week's ride over treacherous terrain to the borders of the kingdom. Unfortunately, she becomes saddled with her surly guard, who she barely convinces to join her and her lady's maid on their search instead of dragging them back to the castle... and, of course, there's always more than you bargain for when you set off on a highly-secret mission to save the kingdom.
Despite her vivacious and mischievous nature, Liesel is very loving and loyal to those she cares for, whether person or beast. Her faith grows a natural amount over the course of the tale, instead of the abrupt "it's-all-better" feeling you tend to get with novellas.
My only complaint about the tale would be that Verena's character seems to make that abrupt 360-degree shift I was mentioning once Jonas arrives on the scene. She gets quite giggly and lighthearted, which I think could've been more delicately handled. Yet, I've personally known serious girls to get giggly when they are in the presence of their man, so I'll leave it to you to decide whether or not that's realistic. 😉
The language was clean, the romance was well-handled, and I would say it's good for readers 13+.
(The only moment that might bother certain readers was that Sir Albrecht grabs Liesel and holds her under a cliff when a rockslide happens and she gets butterflies in her stomach; but he was a perfect gentleman and she changes focus fairly quickly. I wasn't personally bothered by it.)
All in all, I'm glad I got this ARC! (All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I was not obligated to leave a review. My schedule's busy enough that if it wasn't worth it, I wouldn't leave it.)
October 15, 2024
This book is the second Princess Who Never Smiled retelling I've read, and it has ALL the things I love in a book! There are incredible characters, an incredible love interest, SISTERS, fun dialogue, sweet horses, and a wild card character I did not expect to love nearly as much as I did!!!
Liesl is a fiery girl who lives to make people around her happier. She sees a problem and is willing to do whatever to take to solve the problem, especially since it will help her sister be happy again. I love how bright Liesl is and how she learns to more fully recognize the needs of those around her.
Breck... I LOVE BRECK SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He's like the perfect love interest. He is willing to do whatever it takes to make Liesl happy, even if it means leaving on a trip with nothing but the clothes on his back. He is kind and resourceful and encourages Liesl to become the best version of herself.
I didn't expect to love Sir Jonas, but he quickly earned a special place in my heart. Have I already demanded Laurie write an extra scene or SOMETHING with Sir Jonas? Absolutely. This character is so sweet. He is more intelligent than anyone gives him credit for and is loyal to a fault. You cannot read this book without falling in love with Sir Jonas.
The SISTERS element of this story was so special!!!!! I have several sisters, so I always love seeing stories about sisters. Watching how Liesl supported her sister through hard times was so beautiful. It is interesting seeing how the two could read each other (and so realistic). I love how Laurie portrayed sister relationships in this book!
The ending of this book was incredible!!!!!!!!!! I didn't know how Laurie would tie up all the loose ends and make it fit the fairy tale, but she did such an incredible job!!! It was just the sweetest ending, and I don't think she could've done it any better!!!
Overall, I LOVED this book!!!!!!!!!!!! I now need to read Laurie's entire backlog of books!!!!!!!!! If the rest of the Cornerstone books are as amazing as this one, my wallet will not be very happy with me.........
I received an advance copy of this book. My opinions are my own. A positive review was not required.
Liesl is a fiery girl who lives to make people around her happier. She sees a problem and is willing to do whatever to take to solve the problem, especially since it will help her sister be happy again. I love how bright Liesl is and how she learns to more fully recognize the needs of those around her.
Breck... I LOVE BRECK SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He's like the perfect love interest. He is willing to do whatever it takes to make Liesl happy, even if it means leaving on a trip with nothing but the clothes on his back. He is kind and resourceful and encourages Liesl to become the best version of herself.
I didn't expect to love Sir Jonas, but he quickly earned a special place in my heart. Have I already demanded Laurie write an extra scene or SOMETHING with Sir Jonas? Absolutely. This character is so sweet. He is more intelligent than anyone gives him credit for and is loyal to a fault. You cannot read this book without falling in love with Sir Jonas.
The SISTERS element of this story was so special!!!!! I have several sisters, so I always love seeing stories about sisters. Watching how Liesl supported her sister through hard times was so beautiful. It is interesting seeing how the two could read each other (and so realistic). I love how Laurie portrayed sister relationships in this book!
The ending of this book was incredible!!!!!!!!!! I didn't know how Laurie would tie up all the loose ends and make it fit the fairy tale, but she did such an incredible job!!! It was just the sweetest ending, and I don't think she could've done it any better!!!
Overall, I LOVED this book!!!!!!!!!!!! I now need to read Laurie's entire backlog of books!!!!!!!!! If the rest of the Cornerstone books are as amazing as this one, my wallet will not be very happy with me.........
I received an advance copy of this book. My opinions are my own. A positive review was not required.
October 2, 2024
A Noble Purpose
Cornerstone Series #1
By Laurie Lucking
Princess Verena is twenty-five years old and has no desire to marry. But her father has decided that the time has come for her to marry and not be an embarrassment to the family. The embarrassment comes from the fact that she shows no joy or enjoyment in anything. The first man to make Verena laugh will be her husband and the future king. Can anyone see the problem with this? Obviously, the king cannot.
Princess Liesel is not going to sit around and do nothing. She will do anything to help Verena return to the person she once was. Even track down a guard who is stationed far away. If he could make her sister smile and laugh, he may be able to do so again.
Liesel sets out to find the one man who might bring her sister happiness. But the journey is not easy. There are unexpected dangers that Liesel, her maid, and her ever-faithful guard must overcome just to find Sir Jones. Can they convince him to return with them?
Now, this was a lovely story about the bonds of sisterly affection. I also found it interesting how Verena's father felt she needed to be fixed because of a personality difference. As someone with a different personality from the rest of my family, I know that comments like, "I don't know where that comes from." or "Well, I always react such-and-such way." can be hurtful. So I'm sure her father's comments about her more solemn personality were not helpful, based on her reactions. I loved how Liesel accepted her sister's opposing personality.
This is an easy and satisfying read. It is acceptable content-wise for all readers over twelve. This was a sweet retelling of Hans, Who Made the Princess Laugh, and the first book in the multi-author Cornerstone series.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.
Cornerstone Series #1
By Laurie Lucking
Princess Verena is twenty-five years old and has no desire to marry. But her father has decided that the time has come for her to marry and not be an embarrassment to the family. The embarrassment comes from the fact that she shows no joy or enjoyment in anything. The first man to make Verena laugh will be her husband and the future king. Can anyone see the problem with this? Obviously, the king cannot.
Princess Liesel is not going to sit around and do nothing. She will do anything to help Verena return to the person she once was. Even track down a guard who is stationed far away. If he could make her sister smile and laugh, he may be able to do so again.
Liesel sets out to find the one man who might bring her sister happiness. But the journey is not easy. There are unexpected dangers that Liesel, her maid, and her ever-faithful guard must overcome just to find Sir Jones. Can they convince him to return with them?
Now, this was a lovely story about the bonds of sisterly affection. I also found it interesting how Verena's father felt she needed to be fixed because of a personality difference. As someone with a different personality from the rest of my family, I know that comments like, "I don't know where that comes from." or "Well, I always react such-and-such way." can be hurtful. So I'm sure her father's comments about her more solemn personality were not helpful, based on her reactions. I loved how Liesel accepted her sister's opposing personality.
This is an easy and satisfying read. It is acceptable content-wise for all readers over twelve. This was a sweet retelling of Hans, Who Made the Princess Laugh, and the first book in the multi-author Cornerstone series.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.
September 9, 2024
I loved A Noble Purpose so much! This is the first book that I've read by Laurie Lucking and I really enjoyed the plot, the worldbuilding and the characters. I loved how, although the stakes weren't that high, there was still a lot of danger and excitement and, of course, a lot of room for romance and humour. Liesel was such a great character! I loved her mischievous streak and her loyalty and dedication to her family, so much so that she was willing to travel an incredibly far distance with only her maid and her personal guard to find a suitor who will make her sister happy. I really love the way she enjoys teasing Breck and I love how, although she has to travel on horseback and camp out in the open, she never complains and does her best to help out. I loved Albrecht so much too! He was so dedicated to his job protecting Liesel and his exasperation with her was so sweet and endearing. I would have enjoyed seeing things from Albrecht's perspective as well, but the story was amazing even without it. Sir Jonas and Verena were such excellent characters too and I love Sir Jonas's clumsiness so much. He and Verena were an excellent match! I really do hope that we get to see more from this series. I can't wait for The Dancer and the Dragon Speaker to come out!
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February 6, 2025🫐Sara's review🫐
4✨!
I really enjoyed this one! 🥰 It really has perfect doses of adventure, wonderful romance, and quick humor, all keeping you hooked and enjoying, without making it feel like too much of a commitment for the busy, or TBR-laden. 😉💜
Favorite charries:
Breck ⚔️
Jonas 🤭
Nadette 💕
And, honestly, all the rest of them. 🤷🏼♀️🤭
CWs: very little! 😊 Only what you might expect from a fantasy with swords and fighting involved, and that very minor. A male and female character snuggle under a blanket and fall asleep that way. MFC lies a couple of times, feels guilty.
I can’t wait for more from this series! 🥰
(Thank you so much to the author for the ARC! 😊 All opinions are my own. 😉)
4✨!
I really enjoyed this one! 🥰 It really has perfect doses of adventure, wonderful romance, and quick humor, all keeping you hooked and enjoying, without making it feel like too much of a commitment for the busy, or TBR-laden. 😉💜
Favorite charries:
Breck ⚔️
Jonas 🤭
Nadette 💕
And, honestly, all the rest of them. 🤷🏼♀️🤭
CWs: very little! 😊 Only what you might expect from a fantasy with swords and fighting involved, and that very minor. A male and female character snuggle under a blanket and fall asleep that way. MFC lies a couple of times, feels guilty.
I can’t wait for more from this series! 🥰
(Thank you so much to the author for the ARC! 😊 All opinions are my own. 😉)
September 11, 2024
This non-magical fairytale retelling left a smile on my face. The characters were believable, the story held a good pace, and the mix of adventure and romance was spot on. Laurie Lucking did a fabulous job of bringing these side characters to life while teaching some important life lessons on the way.
February 4, 2025
The princess laughed
And so did I.
I first enjoyed a related tale in second grade, when our class then performed it for our parents. And I was the unsmiling princess...
This was a much better version.
And though the story period is short, the relationship between Liesel and Breck is quite understandable. Seeing and being seen for the real/whole you is so wonderful.
And so did I.
I first enjoyed a related tale in second grade, when our class then performed it for our parents. And I was the unsmiling princess...
This was a much better version.
And though the story period is short, the relationship between Liesel and Breck is quite understandable. Seeing and being seen for the real/whole you is so wonderful.
March 9, 2025
A lovely fairy tale retelling...
I enjoyed Princess Liesel and Sir Albrecht's romance. Liesel's heart for her sister drove the entire storyline, so her plucky determination and stubbornness was underpinned with love.
I liked journeying with Liesel, her lady's maid and Breck, and the way the hero and heroine grew closer over their challenging travels.
Also loved Sir Jonas. 😍
I enjoyed Princess Liesel and Sir Albrecht's romance. Liesel's heart for her sister drove the entire storyline, so her plucky determination and stubbornness was underpinned with love.
I liked journeying with Liesel, her lady's maid and Breck, and the way the hero and heroine grew closer over their challenging travels.
Also loved Sir Jonas. 😍
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