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pantsreadsbooks 's review for:

Once Upon a Maiden Lane by Elizabeth Hoyt
5.0
emotional funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

I have never been so glad for a novella in all my life. We absolutely could NOT leave Maiden Lane on that last book, we needed this Mary Whitsun story to save us. I loved that it took so many elements from stories we know— Anastasia, Pygmalion, Annie, Prince and the Pauper, I know I’m missing something— and in the end turns things on their head. Novellas are notorious for the insta-love factor, but it didn’t make me mad here, maybe cause it was so He Falls First. And the cameos were solid, even when it was just a list of who was at the wedding, it made me happy. Glad to end on a high note, even if I’m sad for it to be over!