once upon a rose by gabrielle landi
book review #49
Hey readers,
Let’s talk about this lovely ARC I got!
From the very first page, Once Upon a Rose by Gabrielle Landi captured my heart and easily earned a glowing 5-star rating. This book is everything I ever want in a cozy fairytale retelling — enchanting, warm, whimsical, and with just the right dash of romantic tension and magical mischief.
Jumping back into Gabrielle Landi’s fantastical world felt like stepping into a warm blanket on a snowy day or the same feeling I get when I go to a park and just let the sunshine on top of me.
I don’t know how she does it, but every book of hers feels like the literary version of comfort food — rich in emotion and steeped in charm. And I say this after only reading chapter one! She just gets it. Every time I dive into her stories, I feel an instant sense of joy and coziness that lingers long after I’ve turned the last page.
One of the most delightful aspects is how clearly and confidently the Beauty and the Beast vibes hit from the beginning.
Beatrice — our clever, book-loving heroine — works in a library and has a traveling merchant father, a nod that instantly pulled me into the fairytale realm. Add a cocky, unwanted suitor and a cold, brooding boss named Alexander who summons her to his estate on a snowy day, and you have a setup that sparks the imagination like fire on frost. I loved how familiar it all felt, yet Gabrielle managed to make it completely her own.
Alexander’s POV was a chef’s kiss addition. I was fully sold the moment his storyline was revealed: to avoid being forced to marry a sorcerer’s daughter and risk losing his estate and community, he must find someone to marry—fast.
The bargain feels both fairytale and fresh. His guilt when he realizes he forgot to send a carriage for Beatrice and she was cold walking in the snow all the way to his estate? Adorable. I was already falling for him, and that sealed it.
Honestly, reading Landi's books makes me want to jot down bullet points after every single chapter just to keep up with how many moments I want to scream about. It’s that good. Every chapter adds a new piece of magic, humor, or romance that I can’t help but treasure.
Alexander quickly carved out a place in my top tier of book boyfriends — and let me tell you why. He arranges for their wedding to take place in his library so Beatrice can be surrounded by books during the ceremony. I melted. Add in a romantic winter stroll through their greenhouse where the roses are still blooming against the frost, and I was done for. It’s tender, thoughtful, and quietly magical.
Beatrice herself is such a delight — sharp, clever, always teasing him with the formal “Lord Alexander” instead of simply calling him Alexander as he asks.
Their banter had me smiling constantly.
One of the most touching scenes in the book is when Beatrice discovers his curse — through a nightmare. She finds him in distress, and her mere touch calms him. The vulnerability of that moment, the tremble when she lets go? It’s intimate and powerful, and it genuinely made my heart ache in the best way.
Their slow-burn pining is everything. The protectiveness, the tension, the soft hand-holding in town (I was swooning!) — it’s romance gold.
And then there’s the potion scene, which had me laughing out loud. It was chaotic and hilarious and added the perfect bit of levity.
I cannot talk about this book without giving a special shoutout to Dietrich — the best comedic relief character ever. He interrupts not one but TWO almost-kisses, and I loved him for it. He’s the scene-stealer you didn’t know you needed.
Even the climactic “battle” scene against the wizard isn’t high-stakes action but rather keeps with the book’s cozy, fairytale tone. It fits perfectly — it’s not trying to be epic fantasy. It’s charming, warm, and sweetly magical.
And then…the epilogue is in Dietrich’s POV?! What a perfect ending. Wholesome, funny, and satisfying, it tied the story up with a wink and a smile.
If you’re in the mood for a comforting, magical retelling that feels like a warm hug and a snowy stroll all at once, Once Upon a Rose is the book for you. Gabrielle Landi delivers yet another gem that will stay with me for a long time.
Read you soon,
Bea.
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Photo by: Bea Barros.