Review: The Shoeless Prince

I'm close to my goal of completing the Once Upon a Prince series, and I can't believe it took me this long to get to The Shoeless Prince by Jacque Stevens! This has quickly become my favorite book in the series, encompassing everything I was expecting out of the premise. It is a retelling of a classic story with a princess that is told primarily from a male perspective and filled to the brim with magic and romance. It takes many familiar elements of "Puss in Boots" and blends them seamlessly with new lore creating a fresh take on a popular story with twists and turns around every corner. "Puss in Boots" was already a great contender for this series because it is one of few famous stories that has a male lead but still contains a love story and other elements that appeal to princess lovers.

 

Archie is a humble miller's son who never expected much out of life. When his father passed away, he wasn't surprised to learn that most of his family inheritance went to his older brothers, leaving him with a peculiar cat. Archie is observant enough to know that Leo is no ordinary cat and submits to his schemes in the hope that some good fortune might come from them. He gets more than he bargains for when he crosses paths with the down-to-earth Princess Ainsley, who is a perfect match for him, but he deems himself unworthy of her due to his social class. The more he gets to know Ainsley, the more he wishes he had been born royal or she had been born a peasant so it would be acceptable for them to be together. Ainsley, on the other hand, doesn't care where Archie came from and is determined to help him look good to her father so she can choose him as a suitor.

This book is a little different from the other novels in the Once Upon a Prince series. Although it is still told from a dual perspective, it switches viewpoints between Archie and Leo instead of Archie and the princess. This gives the reader some much-needed insight to Leo's personality. Unlike the original fairy tale, this version of Puss does not speak. That doesn't stop him from having a mind of his own and a great deal of inner struggle. Like many books I've read recently, this book takes place in a fae world with all the pitfalls that come with it. A few chapters in, it is revealed that there is far more to Leo than meets the eye, and he has a deeper connection to Archie and Ainsley than even he realizes at first. He also has his own love interest, giving the book not one, but two star-crossed couples.

This was not the first "Puss in Boots" adaptation I've read, but it was the most creative. It is not a one-to-one retelling of the story but instead a fantastical reimagining that is respectful of its roots. It removes many of the questionable elements of the fairy tale, including the cat lying to the king and princess about Archie's identity and adds some magical twists. I was both surprised and pleased to learn Leo's identity and loved how seamlessly it blended with the rest of the story. The last two chapters were completely original and brought everything together in a way that no other retelling has. Archie and Leo are extremely memorable characters. I love how this book adapts a classic fairy tale without relying heavily on the actions and views of the princess.

The Shoeless Prince by Jacque Stevens is an original take on "Puss in Boots" that exceeded my expectations in every way. With its fresh take on a classic tale, memorable characters, and seamless blending of new lore, this book has become my favorite in the Once Upon a Prince series. The unique perspective of Archie and Leo's viewpoints adds depth to the story, and the fae setting brings an extra layer of magic to the narrative. I appreciated the creative twists and removal of questionable elements from the original fairy tale, making this adaptation a standout above the rest. If you only read one book from the Once Upon a Prince series, this is the one to choose.