A Fairest Hope: A Snow White retelling by S. Lee Poole (Hope Ever After Book 4)

Princess Ilise’s birthday is only a few days away, a day she’s been looking forward to since her father died years ago. The day she can take back her kingdom.

But her stepmother isn’t ready to give up the throne, and send her huntsmen to get rid of the princess once and for all. Ilise escapes, but thirteen years of being locked up has left her with few skills and she has no idea how to live on the run.

Enter Captain Lafe. Charged with the murder of his king, he’s desperate to find evidence of his innocence. The last thing he needs is a tagalong who can’t look after herself.

But he can’t deny she needs help — or that he’s falling for her. Will Ilise be able to return hope to her kingdom without losing Lafe along the way?

“I want their thoughts to be of the hope I have given to them, not of what colors complement my features.”

~ S. Lee Poole, A Fairest Hope

I admire Ilise because she knows how her stepmother rules is not the way to lead a kingdom, and despite the many blocks in her path, she is determined to do something about it.

The story is short and sweet, with only a few simple kisses. The writing style and themes would make this a good introduction to the genre for younger readers.

Only a few simple kisses
No swearing
Minor injuries