Cross: Three Billy Goats Gruff Retold

Romance a Medieval Fairytale #24

by Demelza Carlton

Two households. One ancient grudge. Can two star-crossed lovers bridge the gap between them?
Once upon a time…
Julia has one goal: to protect her mother's lands. But the land itself is dying, beset by salt and the encroaching sea, and she's forced to head home to admit her failure. Until she meets a miller who might know a way to save her stricken estate. There's only one problem – Romein is the son of Count Montague, her mortal enemy.
Romein returned home with a mission from the Queen – to save the country from flooding. But every tactic he tries seems doomed to failure. Until a girl he hasn't seen for seven years falls at his feet. Lady Julia Capet could be a dangerous distraction, or she might hold the key to perfecting his plan.
Can two star crossed lovers defy fate, find happiness and save the country?

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Retellings

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 3, 2022

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author Demelza Carlton has always loved the ocean, but on her first snorkelling trip she found she was afraid of fish.
She has since swum with sea lions, sharks and sea cucumbers and stood on spray-drenched cliffs over a seething sea as a seven-metre cyclonic swell surged in, shattering a shipwreck below.
Sensationalist spin? No - Demelza tends to take a camera with her so she can capture and share the moment later; shipwrecks, sharks and all.
Demelza now lives in Perth, Western Australia, the shark attack capital of the world.
The Ocean's Gift series was her first foray into fiction, followed by the Nightmares trilogy. She swears the Mel Goes to Hell series ambushed her on a crowded train and wouldn't leave her alone.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

🏰A version of a classic that brings smiles instead of tears😊

4.5🌟 stars
I have to say, this is very, I mean very, loosely related to the Three Billy Goats Gruff. But I thought it was an imaginative and even improved version of the warring family tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, here replaced with Romein and Julia. Julia, despite her noble birth and the influence her father would wield over her fate, takes control over her lands and her life. She's smarter than the average Thibault and desperate to bring her lands back to fruitfulness.

As to Romein, he's got perseverance and industry to spare as he works on inventions that can save his family lands from regular flooding and destruction. Plus he's generous, kind and, despite appearances, a great catch!

I liked the twist that helps Julia in her hour of need and gives this tale a dramatically different outcome from Shakespeare's tale of doomed lovers.

Overall, a great, quick read with just a twinge of inexplicit heat.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the story; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this story so well woven with a little bit of the original story and a lot of imagination and creativity. Romein and Julia find themselves facing a bigger problem, and not only because of the rivalry between their families. What reminded me of the Three Billy Goats was the despicable villain with the bridge as a witness to his misdeeds. Interesting how Romein and Julia visualize their problems and the different ways they try to handle it. Problem solving 101! The characters of Romein and Julia appeal to feelings from the beginning with their interest in others, their determination not to give up and their sweet romance. I like how there is always a secondary character that is intertwined with another story and arouses my curiosity to know what will happen with this one. An interesting, entertaining story, with action, suspense, magic, violence, a lot of thought, romance, and passion.

[Richard Goodrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining tale. A terrible storm threatens the lands of the Capets and the Montagues. Romein Montague has been set at the bridge to warn anyone attempting to flee the storm through the Capet's lands. Hence Lady Julia Capet's cousin, Thibault, throws him off the bridge. Romein is taken to the Queen's physician for treatment. Years later he returns to save his father's lands from flooding. Fate throws Romein and Julia together to save both of their lands. The story takes a rather nasty turn about two thirds of the way through; however, as is the nature of these stories, the ending is quite pleasant.

Entertaining. Happily Ever After. Haunting. Romantic. Tear-jerker. Tragic. Twisted. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.

I received a review copy of this book from a third party. This is my honest review.

[Mary Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's just a speck of the Three Billy Goats Gruff but a lovely thread from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Romein and Julia are the star crossed lovers who start out as quite the pair, both trying to do their best for the people they serve. I say serve because there is no ego in those two, just the desire to do the right thing. Loved the ending, and the snippets that reflect Shakespeare. Another classic reimagining from Demelza Carlton. I also love that the next book will center around a character from this one, as many of Demelza's works do. Absolutely entertaining, read in one day, with a creative twist on the original theme- happily ever after works here!

[Avid Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always with Demelza Carlton's book, a brilliant retelling of a classic Shakespeare play cleverly linked the the 3 Billy Goats Gruff. It also included links to other characters from previous books. The two lead characters Romein and Julia were not concerned with historic feuds they each just wanted to protect their lands and their people from mother nature in the most effective way. A very enjoyable fun book with great characters, humour, magic, loyalty, love and romance. I received a copy from the author and have chosen to review.

[Amber Christiansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The story is a bit of a cross between The 3 Billy Goats Gruff and Romeo and Juliet, but it also has a lot of unique parts that fit in as well. Unlike Romeo and Juliet, this is a true romance, complete with a happily ever after. I loved seeing some of the crossover with other characters, places, and events I’ve read about previously in the series. Although this is a standalone story, I’m eager to see what else happens in future stories in this series.

I received a free copy from the author and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Adena Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet! Romeo and Juliet has always been one of my favourite plays and to find it retold with a dash of the Billy Goats Gruff was a surprising treat. I never considered Thibault as a goat, but I have to admit the author did an excellent portraying him as a less-than-sympathetic bully who embodies the very nature of a battle-ready randy ram. Definitely a fun read!

I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is dual POV, well written and edited, and I found the mashup of the two fairytales cute. I enjoyed how both characters were shown developing as individuals before they started forming a relationship.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great drama and romance with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Chris Mckay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again Demelza Carlton has written a midevil fairy-tale that is nearly impossible to put down. If you like fairy-tales with a more adult feeling you will love this and all the books in this series. They are all stand alone by the way, with occasional shared characters.