Rapunzel's Gambit by Mary Mecham

Some princesses would rather be the villain than the damsel in distress. Desperate to rid his kingdom of a troublesome dragon, King Harrigan offers his daughter’s hand in marriage to any man who can slay the beast, but Rapunzel refuses to be pawned off. Deciding that a life of crime is preferable to wedding some power-hungry suitor, Rapunzel fakes her own kidnapping and joins forces with the cunning dragon plaguing her own kingdom. Together, they plot a grand scheme that would amass them both riches beyond their wildest dreams. As the lure of a reward for the princess’s safe return attracts men ensnared by greed and Rapunzel’s flirtations, the would-be heroes soon become the ones in need of rescue atop a tower only accessible by dragonback. But as her alliance with the dragon grows more precarious and dangerous, Rapunzel is forced to question whether she’s trusted the wrong side. Amidst the chaos, Griffin, the humble but brilliant squire, emerges as an unexpected ally. His quick wit and resourcefulness stand in stark contrast to the arrogant knights he serves, and Rapunzel can’t help but take notice. On the chessboard of fate, the swindler princess of Rookwyn must make her own moves with every calculated gambit and soon realizes… The real game was never about knights, kings, and queens, but about how a mere pawn could become a legend. Rapunzel’s Gambit is a no spice, diabolical fairytale retelling packed with villain vibes, a dragon/princess con artist duo, and banter that will have you laughing out loud. Join a diabolical princess on her daring swindles in this part of All That Glitters—a 12-book series brimming with Tales of Treasure and True Love. Each book stands alone and is written by a different author, so pick your next adventure and remember… not all that glitters is gold!

Scarlett and the Dark Woods by Mary Mecham

She is one of the protected elect. He is a shunned shapeshifter. Can Scarlett rescue her grandmother before her own heart is stolen? When her grandmother is cast out as unworthy after facing Hamelin’s annual Shunning, Scarlett knows she must brave the dangers of Darkwood Forest if she’s to have any chance of saving her. Her perilous adventure becomes a race against time; she needs to find Gran before the previously shunned get to her first. Scarlett’s efforts come too late. As her magic dwindles the farther into the forest she ventures, she becomes hopelessly lost and is forced to accept help from Greyson, the shapeshifting wolf who is stalking her every footstep—and who Scarlett suspects of knowing Gran’s location. If she manages to save her grandmother, Scarlett will be faced with an impossible choice: join Gran and live her life as an outcast or return to the rest of the elect, safe but alone. As she struggles to find the right path forward, Scarlett realizes that more than her grandmother’s future is at stake. Her heart is too. Can Scarlett resist her inexplicable attraction to the shunned wolf she despises long enough to protect the woman who raised her?

Bluebeard's Bride (Displaced Fairytales) by Mary Mecham

She ran from one monster…straight into the arms of another. When Alia traded her future for her sister’s freedom, she knew exactly what awaited her—a murderous husband with a trail of vanished wives. Upon discovering a hidden lamp, she makes a desperate wish to save her life, not knowing that genie magic always comes with a cruel twist. Alia is hurled halfway across the world and straight into the clutches of Zafir, a villainous vizier with ambitions of his own. Now Alia is trapped in a foreign kingdom, her sister is in more danger than ever, and the murderous husband she fled is hunting for her. So Alia strikes a dangerous bargain with the one man she absolutely should not trust. The problem is…an overdose on a highly illegal love potion leaves them questioning which feelings are real and which are not. With her sister out of reach and a villain chained to her side, how is she supposed to save anyone, least of all herself? Bluebeard’s Bride is a standalone no-spice fantasy romance packed with villain vibes, sharp-tongued banter, forced proximity, and love potion shenanigans perfect for fans who love their fairy tales clever, edgy, and delightfully unhinged.

To Defy a Dream: A Sleeping Beauty Retelling (The Shattered Tales, #4) by Mary Mecham

What if Sleeping Beauty pricked her finger on purpose? Princess Aurelia’s kingdom is plagued by the Eternal Slumber, a disease progressively ensnaring the minds of her subjects. After Aurelia wishes for the means to revive her brother, her sinister fairy godmother presents an ominous solution: Aurelia must stab herself with a poisoned spindle. Accepting this fate plunges Aurelia into a nightmare where victims of the Eternal Slumber are being held hostage by a dark djinni. However, Aurelia’s brother isn’t the only familiar face she finds herself reunited with; Everett, the love of her life who mysteriously disappeared years ago, is there as well. As the djinni’s power grows, Aurelia must decide who to save before the djinni escapes and enters the waking world. Failing on her quest could trap her in the dream world forever. Will she forgo her chance at a happily ever after and protect her brother, or will she choose to rescue herself and the man she loves? No matter who she chooses, someone will be doomed to remain in the nightmare that never ends. To Defy a Dream is a second chance romance retelling of Sleeping Beauty. It is one of twelve novellas in The Shattered Tales, a collection of twelve fractured retellings of your favorite fairy tales. They can be enjoyed in any order, so fall in love with the swoony sweet romances, magical adventures, and tale-shattering twists one happily-ever-after at a time!

The Midnight Blizzard: A Cinderella Retelling (The Christmas Chronicles) by Mary Mecham

An ice slipper wasn’t the only thing left behind at midnight… Noelle Frost only has one chance to reclaim the inheritance stolen from her after her father’s death. With her stepfamily plotting to win the prince’s heart during his bride competition to secure their own power, Noelle must infiltrate the royal ball to confront her stepmother and reclaim her birthright before time runs out. But in order to get close enough, she must compete for a crown she doesn’t want—and a prince she doesn’t love. The real danger lies in her growing feelings for Jack, the prince’s enigmatic mage advisor. As their forbidden romance ignites, Jack becomes Noelle’s only ally in a world of treachery, with access to the records that could restore her to her rightful place as the heiress of the Frostwood estate. The closer Noelle gets to Jack, the more impossible their future seems. As the competition heats up and the prince’s attention turns to Noelle, her stepmother offers a risky bargain that Noelle can’t turn down if she wants to protect Jack, even if it means leaving the castle forever. After all, if Noelle and Jack can never be together, does she have any reason to stay? As midnight approaches, Noelle must decide if she can truly leave her heart behind. This is a Cinderella retelling, filled with forbidden love, dog sleds, blackmail, and an illegal courtship set in a snowy kingdom. Perfect for a cozy Christmas read, fans of Melanie Cellier, Tara Grayce, and Deborah Grace White will love this no-spice romantic fantasy book. Tropes in The Midnight Blizzard: ❄️ Forbidden, Illegal Love ❄️ Blackmailed by her Stepmother ❄️ Ice Slippers (instead of glass) ❄️ Cinderella Goes in a Dog Sled to the Ball ❄️ Locked in a Closet and Can't Kiss (but they want to!) ❄️ Jack Frost is the fairy godfather ❄️ Grimms inspired What Readers Are Saying: "This was absolutely THE PERFECT choice for a cozy winter read! I'm all gushy and stuff now" "I'm fairly certain I didn't breathe during the last 30% of the book because PLOT TWISTS AND FORBIDDEN KISSES." "With dog sledding, ice skating, magic ice slippers, and a nod to the 12 Days of Christmas, this “prince picks a bride” competition is magical."

Hunting Sirens: A Gender-Flipped Little Mermaid (Legends of Neverland #02) by Mary Mecham

She was destined to hunt sirens to extinction… but can she complete her mission before one of them captures her heart? Trapped on an island nation and surrounded by bloodthirsty sirens, the starving people of Haven Harbor are losing hope. Treva, a Deaf blacksmith immune to the tempting call of the sirens lurking in the deep, steps into the perilous role of Siren Hunter. If she can rid the waters of enough sirens, her people could be free at last. Unbeknownst to her, another creature dwells in the sea, even more ferocious than the dreaded sirens. When Treva faces the monster and loses, her life is saved by a handsome siren who has no voice. Can mortal enemies set their differences aside long enough to unite their nations? Or will Treva ignore her growing feelings and finish what she started? Treva is certain of one thing—that the famed Siren Hunter of Haven Harbor would never fall for one of her prey. Hunting Sirens is the second book in the Legends of Neverland series but can also be read as a stand-alone novel. Tropes in Hunting Sirens: Deaf Main Character Siren Hunter Gender-Flipped Little Mermaid Enemies to Lovers Reverse Grumpy x Sunshine Slow Burn Romance Morally Gray Heroine Forbidden Love Sea Monsters What Readers Are Saying: "This is book is everything I hoped for and more!!! The romance, the battles, the inner battling the FMC has left me completely surrender to this book!! NO SPICE- definitely heat but kissing only. SWOON LEVEL 100%!!!!" "Empowerment instead of disability" "The way it describes no sound and just includes the Deaf community is so amazing! The character dynamic is sooo different than any book than I have read. I have never read a book that doesn’t have a single sound included and that immersed me into the Deaf community. My husband is hard of hearing and my daughter preferred to go voice off and that means someone like Mary uses her books to make others feel loved!"

Becoming Hook: A Villainous Peter Pan Retelling (Legends of Neverland #01) by Mary Mecham

A pirate, a pixie, and a plot to foil Peter Pan… James Hook never meant to become a pirate, and never dreamed that he would turn against best friend, Peter Pan. Every adventure and eternal youth awaited them… until a pixie exposes a shocking revelation. Tinkerbell’s information forces James into acknowledging that, far from being the benevolent hero he painted himself to be, Peter Pan was kidnapping innocent children. After accepting the traumatic loss of his hand and of the family he can barely remember, James deserts Pan. In the fight to rescue the Lost Boys, Hook will risk everything, even if that means becoming the most notorious villain in Neverland… or losing the fiery pixie who is stealing his heart. Can the original Lost Boy vanquish Neverland’s greatest threat? Becoming Hook is the first book in the Legends of Neverland series but can also be read as a stand-alone novel. If you enjoy adventure, fairy tales, clean romance, and hard-won happily ever afters, dive into Becoming Hook today! Read Becoming Hook if you love: Swoony Pirates Pixie Love Interest Villain Origin Story Former Best Friends to Rivals Morally Gray Hero Rescue Mission Clean YA Romance Betrayal and Redemption From the readers: "My new favorite Peter Pan retelling!" "This book as well as Mary's others I have read have not had any language and are sweet romances with some kissing but nothing explicit. Also, no hidden agendas. So great for teens and adults. I highly recommend this book to everyone!" "I am wholeheartedly recommending this book for children ages 10+ as well as for anyone who craves more depth to the Peter Pan story."

Seeking Revenge: A Villainous Goldilocks Retelling (Legends of Neverland #05) by Mary Mecham

Villains aren’t given second chances; they take them. Jillian learned the hard way that gold talks and mercy gets you killed. Left behind when her family was sold into slavery, she survived the streets with nothing but quick fists and even quicker lies. Now a bounty hunter cloaked in deception, Jillian lives disguised as a teenage boy to infiltrate the criminal underworld that destroyed her life. She doesn’t care who she has to catch, con, or kill—every coin earned is a step closer to revenge, and a step closer to tracking down the ones who tore her family apart. Her newest job leads her straight to the den of the most notorious crime ring in Berkway. Headed by three ruthless bandits, the crime ring is brutal, untouchable, and sitting on more secrets than gold. Going undercover and extracting her target was supposed to be simple, but when a handsome but dangerous bandit discovers Jillian’s secret, her safety is threatened and Lochlan’s growing interest threatens to unravel everything she’s fought to keep hidden. In a world where trust is a trap and vengeance is survival, love is a deadly weakness Jillian cannot afford. Seeking Revenge is the fifth book in the Legends of Neverland series and it is recommended to read the other books in chronological order prior to this one. If you enjoy adventure, villains, and damsels who distress others, start Seeking Revenge today! Tropes in Seeking Revenge: Goldilocks Retelling Morally Grey Heroine Disguised as a Boy Bounty Hunter Revenge Criminal Underworld Grumpy Girl Pretending to be Sunshine Sunshine Guy Pretending to be Grumpy Only One Bed (and it's just right) Damsel Who Distresses Others Clean YA Romance

Escaping Pirates: A Seafaring Cinderella Retelling (Legends of Neverland #04) by Mary Mecham

Navigating treacherous seas is perilous, but navigating love is even more dangerous. When Elena’s merchant ship is attacked by ruthless pirates, she is torn from her life and imprisoned aboard the Kraken’s Revenge. Forced to serve the captain’s cruel daughters, Elena’s dream of escape fades like the distant shore. Survival means obeying orders without question, but the fire in her heart refuses to be extinguished. Everything changes when a new prisoner is thrown into the brig—a dashing sailor named Harlan, whose defiance matches Elena’s own. Their connection is immediate, but the captain’s daughters are just as captivated by Harlan’s charm. As a forbidden romance kindles in the darkness of their confinement, Elena dares to dream of freedom once more. But danger looms when another pirate with sinister intentions wants to buy Elena. Now burdened with a secret that could change the course of history, Elena must decide how far she’s willing to go to protect Harlan and herself. As she navigates the treacherous waters of betrayal and desire, Elena must choose between the liberty she craves and the love she cannot deny. Escaping Pirates is the fourth book in the Legends of Neverland series and it is recommended to read the other three prior to this book for maximum enjoyment. If you enjoy pirate adventures, fairytale retellings, and no spice fantasy romance, dive into Escaping Pirates today! Tropes in Escaping Pirates: Kidnapped by Pirates Cinderella on the High Seas Serving the Captain's Two Daughters Forbidden Prisoner Romance Damsel in Extreme Distress Fairy God-pirate Clean YA Romance Tending Wounds Might Be Sold into Marriage What Readers are Saying: "Okay but seriously, how does every single book Mary Mecham pens outshine her previous one? Every time I think her stories could not possibly get any better, she proves me wrong. Again!" "A pirate ship is the perfect setting for all those who question, "why doesn't Cinderella just leave?" in the original story - certain death by drowning or shark is an excellent reason to stay!" "This is definitely not one of those books that is all sweetness and butterflies. It's dark and harsh. But it also shows hope in the trials, light in the darkness."

Betraying Korth: A Villainous Goose Girl Retelling (Legends of Neverland #03) by Mary Mecham

Traitorous spies don’t deserve happily ever afters. Dahlia has always known her life would end at the bottom of a hangman’s noose. But treason seems a small price to pay if it meant a chance to free her people from the iron grip of their tyrannical king. Dahlia can’t fail the rebellion now. Dahlia’s time playing the role of obedient handmaiden to Odette, the king’s entitled daughter, comes to an end when Odette is sent to marry her betrothed, and Dahlia strikes without mercy. After a swift mutiny en route to Haven Harbor, she forces the king’s daughter to trade places with her and upon arrival, masquerades in her mistress’s place. If she can ensure Haven Harbor’s loyalty to her rebellion, the king’s oppressive reign could end. But the princess’s fiancé, Korth, isn’t the man she expected, and her loyalties become torn as she begins to fall for him. Continuing the façade will force Dahlia to betray Korth, but to reveal the truth spells her own treasonous demise. Is a life of lies better than no life at all? Betraying Korth is the third book in the Legends of Neverland series but can also be read as a stand-alone novel. Tropes in Betraying Korth: Hidden Identity Traitorous Spy Morally Gray Heroine Political Rebellion Treason and Mutiny Rule-Abiding Prince He Falls First Goose Girl Retelling Clean YA Romance What Readers are Saying: "If you want twisted, villianous retellings, characters that do the wrong thing for the right reasons and who take action instead of being damsels in distress, and stories that tug at your heart, then this is the book for you!" "Best story in the series so far!" "This is a brilliant reimagining of the original fairy tale. Mary Mecham is one of the few people I've read who can write villain retellings where the villain isn't a complete moustache twirler."

Training Shadows: A Spy School 12 Dancing Princesses (Legends of Neverland #06) by Mary Mecham

Weak girls won’t survive spy training. Marina has spent her life being told exactly what she is worth—nothing. With a father who never lets her forget it, she clings to the one thing that might change her fate: a scholarship to an elite boarding school for wealthy young women. If she can become better, smarter, or more beautiful, maybe she can finally earn his approval and might even prove herself worthy of Marco, the boy she once loved and the man she can’t forget. But beneath Rosehaven Hall’s polished corridors is a dark secret, one that calls to Marina in the dead of night. An underground training arena where select girls disappear after dark. When an invitation is issued for her to join the Shadows, Marina isn’t sure she belongs with them…until she uncovers a plot that threatens her school and the only friend she’s ever had. As danger closes in and the girls’ training becomes a fight for survival, Marina must decide if she is fighting to be chosen…or finally choosing herself. Training Shadows is the sixth book in the Legends of Neverland series and can also be read as a standalone.