The Beautiful Pretender: A clean fairy tale retelling inspired by Beauty and the Beast and The Princess and the Pea

The Margrave of Thornbeck is under orders from the king to find a bride, fast. He invites ten noble born ladies who meet the king’s approval to be his guests at Thornbeck Castle for two weeks, a time to test the ladies and reveal their true character. But one of the guests is not who she pretends to be . . . and not everyone in attendance is there with good intentions.

A commoner, Avelina has only two instructions: keep her true identity a secret and make sure the margrave doesn't select her as his bride. Since the latter seems unlikely, she concentrates on not getting caught. No one must know she is merely a maidservant, sent by the Earl of Plimmwald to stand in for his daughter, Dorothea.

Despite Avelina's best attempts at diverting attention from herself, the margrave has taken notice. And try as she might, she can't deny her own growing feelings. But something else is afoot in the castle. Something sinister that could have far worse--and far deadlier--consequences. Will there ever be a wedding at Thornbeck Castle?

Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson is a captivating entry in the Medieval Fairy Tale series, which also includes The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest, The Silent Songbird, and The Orphan's Wish. This enthralling series reimagines classic fairy tales in a vibrant medieval setting, and each book offers thoughtful discussion questions perfect for families seeking young adult literature that prompts deep conversations about faith. These engaging narratives, filled with adventure and romance, provide a meaningful exploration of faith and values.