Three siblings. Two shoemakers. One curse that could change everything. All Alba ever wanted was to be the royal shoemaker, like her father. But her despicable brothers have a very different future planned for her.When a good deed backfires, leaving her cursed for her brothers’ crimes while the real culprits walk free, Alba will be forced to fight for her freedom, or face losing her dream … freedom, or face losing her dream forever.
Can Alba and her new allies bring the true villains to justice?
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As charming as its cover, “Cobble” by Demelza Carlton is a wonderful twist on the old fairy tale of the Elves and the Shoemaker. Instead of focusing on wealth and power as fairy tales with handsome princes do, this is the tale of the joy derived from passion for your work – plus a lovely romance.
Sometimes your worst enemies are in the family and for Alba that proved true. Fate had cruelly chastised her robbing what she most wanted but, with the new tenant she may had a new chance. But still she would have to fight to survive her infortune. Awesome plot development that kept me enthralled reading non-stop intrigued by the curse and fuming because of the brothers. Predictable? At all! What a good story! Love how the author entwines and makes reference to characters from other of her stories. It makes me connect dots and exclaim, Ah, I remember this one! Suspense, intrigue, violence, magic, romance and a curse. An interesting and entertaining retold of the shoemaker and the elves that I enjoyed.
I loved reading this unique twist on the Elves and the Shoemaker. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it told as a romance without mixing in other fairytales before. I feel quite satisfied with all aspects of this story.
I enjoyed this retelling of the fairytale, it is less steamy than some of the others in this series but no less entertaining. Brogan and Alba have great rapport and make a great couple. The brothers are truely evil and deserve to be cursed.
I adore Demelza Carlton’s Romance a Medieval Fairytale series. Each of the novels has done a fantastic job re-imagining a classic fairytale story and that is certainly the case with Cobble: Elves and the Shoemaker Retold (Book 18). Totally creative but clearly linked to its underlying inspiration tale, Alba’s story is a total blast that is perfectly written. Whether or not you’re familiar with the classic tale you’re pretty much guaranteed to love this novel. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
This was a fun, well-written retelling of the Elves and the Shoemaker. It grabbed my attention and I didn’t want to put it down. I got caught up in the story and wanted to skim ahead to find out what happened next! I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.
What a great telling of an old fairytale. I enjoyed this story and the magic of Alba and Brogan’s love. I can’t wait to read the next in this series.
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review
I have read books by this author many times and am truly amazed at how she takes a classic fairy tale and creates an enchanting read each time. This story is the retelling of the classic “The Elves and the Shoemaker”. The story is centered around a girl named Alba, who was cursed to be an elf and remain in her family home as punishment for her part in her brother’s wicked schemes. Alba’s brothers were tasked by their father to protect her, but instead use her for their own gains. I respect Alba’s character because instead of feeling sorry for her situation, she is empathetic towards others and is able to find some happiness by doing what she loves the most (making shoes). I found this story to be entertaining and liked the moral to the story.
Dark fairy tale at the beginning. Much of the story proceeds with no hope for any of the significant characters as long as Alba’s brother could work their mischief. Lots of miscommunication and false assumptions provide plenty of tension. The shortness of the chapters makes the story feel choppy. Tears aplenty. Not a children’s story as it contains some steam. Happily-ever-after.
I received a copy of this book as a gift. This is my honest review.
“Cobble: Elves and the Shoemaker Retold” by Demelza Carlton is another of her Medieval Fairytales.
I very much enjoyed this book. I read it straight through on a rainy day and it was creative, engrossing, and appealing. I thought the characters had some good depth and showed growth. There was a good comeuppance for the baddies and a Happily Ever After for the Shoemakers, in good Fairytale fashion.
Enchanting retelling the Shoemaker and the Elves!
Brogan, this girl is a woman now and needs your help and affection!
April 2, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 stars
I really enjoyed Demelza Carlton’s take on the traditional shoemaker fairytale. It’s well-written and features one of the most put-upon fairytale heroines I’ve ever come across. Wee, bedraggled Alba suffers in isolation and silence for years as she is used, abused and deprived of her beloved profession and a decent set of clothes. She needs a break! Brogan, the new shoemaker who takes over her dead father’s workshop, is perfect for her, though there comes a point when he almost can’t resist the lies her brothers spout about her. He is so honorable that you really want their relationship to end in happiness
At first I thought that there was a mistaken gap in the story as it lacked an explanation for Alba’s cursed existence, but Carlton just pumps up the tension and eventually reveals and explains all. All parties meet their just ends and a passel of beautiful shoes are produced along the way to delight the court ladies’ every step!
This was a quick and enjoyable read with just a touch of very mild heat and a lot of trials and tribulations working up to a great fairytale ending. I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.