by Carrie Anne Noble

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Once upon a time, Gretel defeated the witch of the gingerbread cottage and saved Hansel. Now, she must face what the witch left behind…

Germany, 1825. Thirteen years have passed since Gretel and her brother Hansel started new lives in a small town. She’s changed her name, lived quietly, and tried to forget her terrible past—yet gossiping neighbors accuse her of being the old witch’s protégé. When roguish Hansel stirs up the townsfolk’s wrath, she must return to the gingerbread cottage—a place both she and her enemies fear.

Deep within the forest, the white duck awaits Gretel’s return. He and the enchanted forest have plans to nudge her toward a dark, magical future—whether she likes it or not.

Could it be her fate to become the next cruel witch-queen to reign–and to forfeit any chance of a happily-ever-after with a kind and noble man? And what dangerous secrets does the white duck hide?

Hansel and Gretel was never one of my favorite fairy tales, but Carrie Anne Noble has written a charming continuation of Gretel’s story.

Noble’s writing style and voice naturally have a fairy tale feeling, which results in The Gingerbread Queen feeling like a light, cozy day read. The ending felt a little anti-climactic, but the book was still enjoyable. While it’s the first book in a duology, The Gingerbread Queen seems to work fine as a standalone novel. If you like fairy tales, happily ever afters, and magical forests, you’ll likely enjoy The Gingerbread Queen.

Caution: light/moderate romance; five kisses; brief mentions of a side character having an affair in the past; brief mentions of a side character having visited brothels

*I received an eARC of The Gingerbread Queen through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinons are my own. The Gingerbread Queen releases June 11, 2024.*