This was a very lovely fairy tale. Efrosin is very adorable in his light way. I didn't understand it at first, silly me ... but then when it finally clicked, it was really absolutely wonderful. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
When he meets Dmitri ... oh so great. The two of them together are terrific and there were some very nice sex scenes, also awesome how they can't keep their hands off each other so much.

“I hope you intend to ravish me, because I have always imagined it would be quite fun to be ravished. No one’s ever tried it with me, alas.”
Efrosin frowned a little and licked his mouth. “You taste like dirt. It’s delicious, though I’ve never enjoyed the taste of dirt before. How odd.”
“You taste like clouds,” Dmitri said, hoping it was a compliment. ⛅️

Merged review:

This was a very lovely fairy tale. Efrosin is very adorable in his light way. I didn't understand it at first, silly me ... but then when it finally clicked, it was really absolutely wonderful. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
When he meets Dmitri ... oh so great. The two of them together are terrific and there were some very nice sex scenes, also awesome how they can't keep their hands off each other so much.

“I hope you intend to ravish me, because I have always imagined it would be quite fun to be ravished. No one’s ever tried it with me, alas.”
Efrosin frowned a little and licked his mouth. “You taste like dirt. It’s delicious, though I’ve never enjoyed the taste of dirt before. How odd.”
“You taste like clouds,” Dmitri said, hoping it was a compliment. ⛅️

I got this as my monthly lend from the Amazon Prime Kindle Lending library and I just loved it!

I thought the concept of the fairy tale was great, and the whole thing was just such a lovely, charming read. Great characters, and the connection and parallels between them were fabulous. I've been loving this fairy tale re-imaginings, and I can't wait to read the final one!

I thought this was a sweet fairy tale. I really liked the characters, their respective curses, and the whole fairytale fantasy feel while reading it. Very sweet!

Fiaba in salsa m/m che mescola gli elementi classici (principi, maledizioni, strega cattiva e via dicendo) ad altre novità, rendendola una trama carina, diversa dal solito, pur rispecchiando l’archetipo del genere.
Ad essere sincera, la parte iniziale mi ha un po’ annoiata, ma si riprende bene dal momento in cui Efrosin incontra Dmitri.
Questo protagonista maledetto, incapace di sentire la gravità – sia fisica che emozionale – è curioso, offre degli spunti di riflessione interessanti. Per certi versi, la sua mancanza di reazioni adeguate o il suo provare dolore e non saperlo esprimere è crudele. È una spensieratezza falsata, artificiosa, una vita a metà.
Anche Dmitri è maledetto per ragioni diverse dal principe e come personaggio mi è piaciuto tanto. Insieme poi sono perfetti, in questo cammino iniziatico verso il sesso e l’amore che – si sa – vince su tutto (almeno nelle fiabe).
Lettura non eccelsa, ma consigliata per un paio d’ore diverse dal solito.
Voto: 3.5

2.5 Stars

Just like the blurb says, Efrosin and Dimitri finally find that special person in the other. How will they overcome their curses, and to what lengths will they go to for love?

A bit absurd. A lot silly. Sexy and touching with a classic fairy tale set up and the requisite happily ever after.

Efrosin and Dmitri made an unusual and enjoyable couple, and I really liked the fairy tale dynamic for their world.

*** 2.5 Stars ***

Well written and imaginative, but Blake & Andrews created a thoroughly unlikable MC... on purpose. I didn't quite how I was supposed to come to care for his character and find him worthy of Dmitri. :(

I bought this because I wanted more Training Season, and it's by the same author. But they're not really similar a all. Even beyond the obvious plot difference between a contemporary romance and a re-told fairy tale and how much shorter it was, the characters and writing just didn't grip me the same way. Not necessarily bad, but not at all what I was looking for.

I always appreciate a good fairy tale retelling, and this one was marvelous!