The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest: A low-spice Robin Hood reimagining historical romance (A Medieval Fairy Tale)

So I cannot tell you how much I have loved this book. Agh!! I want to get to the juice of it all but right now at the mere thought of the book am I all squeals and smiles. The moment I got it I couldn't wait to dig in as I have adored Melanie's previous books and I mean, the cover and description are both to die for. I mean really. I was still taken aback by how beautiful the story was, though, from the writing style to the characters. I am total girl when it comes to loving a good romance and trust me, this book gets your heart racing! There was just so much more to this story, though. There were actually several moments in reading in which I was just stunned by how much I related to Odette concerning some of the emotions she was going through. (I only wish I could say they were concerning Jorgen....<3;]) Her struggles and search of meaning in life were so real and they just made her so relatable. And the answers and realizations that she came to just hit so close to home as well. Although crushed when the story finally came to an end, I actually found myself several days later thinking about some of the conclusions Odette had come to, and found them applicable to myself. I just love this. So dang much! And I truly hope that all who reads it can relate to me on this as well. <3I can go on and on about how stunning the writing was and how the plot was full of the perfect amount of twists but the bottom line of things is this isn't just a book I will be picking up again, this is a book I have already "picked up again." I adored it and although I know I have said it once before, I really have to say again that I adored Odette and Jorgen. Ahhh! Although I don't want go spoiling anything for you, if you do decide to check this book out which I ENTIRELY recommend you do, tell me if you do not just want to go and give the margrave the biggest hug ever once you're done. And that deserves at least several exclamation marks - !!!!!!!I know phrases like, "This book doesn't deserve 5 stars...it deserves 10 stars!!!" are oh-so common but I really have to say I sincerely wish I could give this book ten stars because it completely wowed me in on so many different levels. Loved it and as I said before, entirely recommend it. <3<3<3

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a clean fairy tale romance, with a bit of a twist. I appreciate the faith aspects that are interwoven.

Even though I adore the Middle Ages and will pick up a medieval romance before just about any other genre, I am no medieval language expert. Therefore, I cannot say with confidence that Dickerson’s use of dialogue is accurate or not, but I typically will set aside one of her books because her dialogue style is off-putting. To me, at times, she dips into callow and unsophisticated dialogue which is in sharp contrast to her descriptive narrative, or she occasionally tosses in a foreign language term that is isolated from the general style. Those are jolting reading experiences for me that throw me off-pace and so I put the book down, unfinished, for good. But, I saw some of the reviews and the authors who were writing them (many of whom are favorites of mine) and I thought I’d better give it a chance. I’m glad I did. As I said, her descriptive narrative is excellent, but she fills Odette’s and Jorgen’s story out well with strong characters and a very engaging plot. She throws in a surprise, or two, and you find yourself reading way longer into the night than is good for you! I think I will have to dust off the other Dickerson novels and give them another chance.

This book was fairly good, writing style could do with some improvement and I thought it focused too much on the love interests and could have spread the focus more into the children and their circumstances. Despite the book describing Odette wanting to help the children it didn't really explore that relationship with the children in any depth.Overall it was a bit of a fun read so I'll give it 3 stars.

I must begin with this beautiful cover! I'm a visual person and when I see a cover like this, it draws me in, makes me curious about what the story is behind the young woman on the front, and takes me to another place. I love it.Melanie Dickerson's books are like a breath of fresh air. Each time I've read one, it has been a refreshing reminder of how sweet young love can be. In a day where books geared towards adults are filled with profanity and freely giving themselves physically to someone else, not to mention what books for young adults have in them, it's nice to read a book that is romantic but still keeps the innocence of the main characters intact.Another aspect of this story that stood out to me was the theme of integrity. Even though Odette truly felt that her lawbreaking was justified because she was helping others, the story takes her on a journey to see how important it is to have integrity with all things. For Jorgen, he also had to have integrity and stand for what was right even if it might hurt the one he cares about the most. Several of the characters had to be held accountable for their actions. The margrave, who was seen as very harsh and often cold, didn't abuse his position, but administered fair justice as well as grace to those he was in authority over. What a great message in a day and age that often encourages to do just the opposite: lie, steal and cheat to get what you can to get ahead.This is the sixth book of Melanie's that I've read, and I have yet to be even a bit disappointed! When I finished the last page of The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest, I had so many good things to take with me to think about beyond just a lovely romance. Jorgan and Odette's desire to risk almost all they had to help the outcasts and low in their community made me think of how my attitude should be for those in my own path in life. So many people we come in contact with have a history that we may know nothing about, and a small, or big, act of kindness towards them can change their life. I was reminded that wealth is a blessing, and it can be there one minute and gone the next. We must be thankful and use the provisions God has given us wisely. These things and so many more have stuck with me. I would definitely recommend this book!

What can I say, Melanie Dickerson has done it again, this is a new series and this is the first book, I read this one and thenbought The Beautiful Pretender and can't wait for book 3. Melanie's books, although based on Fairy tales, and advertised for the young adult - don't be put off by that, I am in my sixties and I can't put Melanie's books down. They are full of romance, intrigue, suspension, excitement youjust read on and on and then don't want the book to finish as you miss the people in it. But the best part of Melanie's writing is that the bookscan be read as stand alone books, they are, but in the next book you come across the people you grew to know and love in her next suspenseful book. Melanie is one of my favourite writers, I can't get enough of her books, so buy this book and the next one and I promise you however old or young you are you will LOVE it.

Great story with a lot of heart! I don't usually read romance stories, but this was more than just a story about romance. I loved the main character's feisty personality, but also the subtly interwoven spiritual truths. In particular, how sometimes it can be easy to think you know God's will in a situation, only to discover that you were way off course. This story's ability to make me ponder my own spiritual walk, plus the tension in wondering if/when/how Odette would be caught added interest and suspense that kept me reading. Well-done!

Bought this as a fi=gift for my sister who expressed it was a great book. Great service.

Awesome story

I found the idea interesting. But the solutions to the problem were very unsatisfactory and the romance had very little to make it interesting. I’ll definitely try a few more of this authors books. I hope they’re better!