once upon an apple by gabrielle landi
book review #10
Hello readers,
Today’s book review will be a bit different.
I recently got my hands in the amazing ARC for the book “Once Upon an Apple” as part of “The Galamere Chronicles” by Gabrielle Landi!
And the best part…today is the release day of the book!
I love receiving ARCs and doing posts about them.
For this review I will go a bit into my opinions for each chapter since I took notes as I read it. At the end of this post I will write a more broad and conclusive review about the whole book.
**WARNING: there is (obviously) have some bits and pieces of spoiler, but nothing that ruins the book for your enjoyment and entertainment!**
This book unfolds a captivating romance set against a backdrop of class differences and secret identities. The story starts off slowly, introducing us to the protagonist, Sophia, but it quickly picks up pace with the arrival of Caspian, a nobleman returning to his town. While the first chapter primarily serves to set the stage, I was thrilled to discover a character named Beatrice—though with a different spelling than mine—who, as a librarian, is living the dream!
As the chapters progress, Caspian's introduction is notably more engaging than Sophia’s, with a natural chemistry between him and his family that immediately draws you in. The first meeting between Sophia and Caspian is nothing short of delightful. Their interaction exudes the kind of tension I adore in romantic novels—Sophia’s independence, tinged with vulnerability, contrasts beautifully with Caspian’s carefree demeanor, masking a deep desire to care for her. The fact that Caspian doesn’t reveal his true identity as the third son of Sophia’s boss, Lord Rendon, adds an intriguing layer to the plot.
By Chapter 4, the story had me fully invested, especially with passages like, “Besides, it was probably better if he didn’t spend time with Sophia. It would be a little too easy to fall for her.” This early display of potential love-at-first-sight is done perfectly, making me root for them even more.
The story’s forced proximity trope kicks in during Chapter 5, with Caspian subtly orchestrating situations that keep them together. His jealousy over Sophia’s interactions with others only heightens the romantic tension, which is further amplified by Beatrice’s endearing goofiness and Thea’s protective, big-sister-like behavior towards Sophia.
Chapters 7 and 8 delve into Sophia’s tragic backstory and her complex emotions towards Caspian. The author beautifully balances moments of heartbreak with tender, romantic gestures that showcase Caspian’s growing affection for Sophia. Lines like, “None of the other guards had ever put their arm around her while they looked up at the stars. That had to count for something,” add depth to their budding relationship, making it impossible not to fall in love with these characters.
By Chapter 9, their relationship has blossomed into something truly special. The author does a fantastic job of building tension, with Caspian’s jealousy and protectiveness coming to the fore, culminating in a sweet, tentative moment where they both express their desire to kiss.
There is this one specific moment in the book where Caspian’s mother talks to him about his interest and courtship towards Sophia, who’s only the “goat girl” by that point in the story. The way the author doesn’t make his family as richness purists is a breath of fresh air. Sometimes, books will always try to pass the family as the “bad guy” in order to fulfill the plot. Landi, however, has given us readers the best and most healthy blood and found family throughout her book.
The following chapters continue to build on this chemistry, leading up to a major revelation in Chapter 17, where Lady Manning accidentally reveals Sophia’s true parentage after kidnapping her. The stakes are raised, but Caspian’s determination to protect Sophia, even at great personal risk, makes him a hero worth rooting for.
Chapter 18 offers a heartwarming scene where Sophia tends to Caspian’s wounds, solidifying their bond. The dialogue during these moments is tender and heartfelt, exemplified by their mutual declarations of love.
As the story reaches its climax, all loose ends are tied up beautifully. Justice is served, and happiness reigns as Sophia, now revealed to be Lady SophiaManning, finds her place in the world. The epilogue brings the story full circle, with a sweet and humorous exchange that captures the essence of their love story.
Overall, this book is a delightful blend of romance, drama, and character development. The author skillfully weaves together themes of class disparity, identity, and love, creating a story that is both heartwarming and engaging. Fans of romantic fiction will find much to enjoy in this charming retelling tale.
What is my final review and rating you ask me, dear reader?
This book is definitely a 5 star book! I am not usually the best of the fans of retelling because people often try too much, but I could feel that this book was made with a dash of the author herself. I loved it so much! My heart is very warm after basically binging this book today. I began reading it at 7:28am and finished at 11:04pm. I cannot recommend it enough! Go read it :)
Read you soon,
Bea
Photo by: Bea Barros.