Cloaked in Beauty (Texas Ever After): (A Christian Western Historical Romance Fairy Tale Retelling of Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty) by Karen Witemeyer

Cloaked in Beauty (Texas Ever After): (A Christian Western Historical Romance Fairy Tale Retelling of Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty) Reviews

• 
  Heather Wood

  I was kept turning pages, anxious to see Phiip and Letty's respect for each other grow and for Letty to get to safety. For having lived such a sheltered life, she's strong and capable as a woman but both she and her mother use those qualities to help vulnerable children and speak up for the helpless and not as a means to further their own feminist agenda or career goals and I really respect people who use their strength in this way. Sometimes she makes choices to not listen to others because she knows the right thing to do and is compelled to do it. Would make for an interesting conversation in a book club.
  I love the solidly Christian feel of the book all throughout and the way their faith is something the characters use, lean on, and grow in. Philip is a man of character and I appreciate the role model of someone who respects a woman and doesn't take advantage of his position with her despite his growing feelings.
  Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ebook so I can write an honest review. All opinions are my own.
• 
  Carolyn Bryant

  This third fairy tale rework in the Texas Ever After Series, with vibes of Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White, is an engaging, cleverly plotted western story set in the late 1800s. The wonderful, well-crafted cast of characters is headlined by courageous and determined heiress Scarlett Radcliffe, alias Letty Hood, and honorable, dependable, handsome hero Pinkerton Agent Philip Carmichael. I enjoyed their adventurous journey to thwart her ruthless uncle’s plans and preserve her father’s legacy. I love the way they grow personally and in their relationship with each other through the danger and uncertainties they encounter on the journey. Rusty, Letty’s pet wolf, adds a delightfully unique element to the mix. I appreciate the encouraging faith aspect that flows naturally throughout the story reminding us of God’s caring, comfort, and guidance. A sneak preview of Ms. Witemeyer’s next series is a pleasing bonus! I think fans of fairy tales and historical romance will love this book and the series. Note: Each book in the series can easily be read as a standalone.
  I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
  
• 
  A Look Inside: Reviews and Interviews

  Karen Witemeyer’s Cloaked in Beauty is a captivating historical romance set in the rugged landscapes of 19th-century Texas. With a blend of suspense, romance, and rich character development, Witemeyer takes readers on a journey that’s as much about survival as it is about discovering the depth of the human heart.
  
  The story centers around Letty Hood, a young woman who’s spent the last 15 years in hiding with her grandmother to escape the dangerous machinations of an uncle who wants her dead. Letty’s life has been one of secrecy, fear, and isolation, but as her 21st birthday approaches, she is thrust into a perilous situation: she must leave her hidden existence behind, journeying to Houston with a stranger to claim a vast inheritance that could make her one of the wealthiest women in Texas. But the threat to her life still looms, and time is running out.
  
  Enter Philip Carmichael, a Pinkerton agent hired to escort Letty safely through treacherous terrain. Philip expects to meet a pampered, spoiled heiress, but instead, he encounters a woman of intelligence, courage, and emotional depth. Throughout their journey, Letty’s resilience and kindness challenge Philip’s cynicism and hardened heart, and he finds himself torn between his duty to protect her and his growing feelings for her. But with danger at every turn, their path forward is fraught with tension, uncertainty, and peril.
  
  At the heart of Cloaked in Beauty is the slow-burn romance between Letty and Philip. The story carefully weaves their relationship, balancing moments of tension and affection with the ever-present danger that shadows their every move. Witemeyer excels in portraying their emotional growth and personal struggles. Letty, despite the trauma she’s faced, remains strong, compassionate, and resourceful. She’s not just a damsel in distress, but a woman who’s fought for survival her entire life and is determined to protect herself and those she loves.
  
  Philip, on the other hand, is a man who has been hardened by years of dangerous work as a Pinkerton agent. He’s wary of becoming emotionally involved, particularly with a woman like Letty, who represents everything he’s never allowed himself to care about. His transformation over the course of the novel is powerful to watch—he learns to see Letty not just as a job to be done, but as someone worthy of his heart.
  
  Witemeyer masterfully builds suspense throughout the book. As Letty and Philip journey through Texas, the stakes grow higher, and the threats against Letty’s life become more dire. This constant undercurrent of danger keeps the reader on edge, wondering what will happen next. The book blends action with emotional depth, ensuring that even when the characters are in the midst of peril, their personal growth and evolving feelings never take a backseat.
  
  One of the most compelling aspects of Cloaked in Beauty is its exploration of inner strength and redemption. Letty’s journey is not just physical, but emotional. She’s had to carry the weight of her past, but she emerges as a heroine who finds beauty in the world, despite the darkness she’s known. Philip’s arc is similarly redemptive, as he learns to let go of his cynicism and open himself up to love, a lesson that feels as much about personal healing as it is about trusting in someone else.
  
  Fans of historical romance will find much to love in Cloaked in Beauty. Witemeyer’s writing is lush with detail, painting a vivid picture of 19th-century Texas while allowing the emotional stakes of the story to be highlighted. The romance between Letty and Philip is tender yet fiery, building slowly but surely until it begins to feel natural. Witemeyer creates characters that feel real—flawed but relatable—and their emotional journeys resonate with readers on a deep level.
  
  The book is also perfect for those who enjoy a strong sense of adventure and suspense. The perilous journey that Letty and Philip embark on is thrilling, and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep you guessing. At the same time, the novel balances action with reflection, allowing readers to connect with the characters on an emotional level. It’s a book that will appeal to fans of historical fiction, romantic suspense, and anyone who enjoys a story with deeply developed characters and a satisfying, emotional payoff. Letty Hood is a heroine you’ll root for, and Philip Carmichael is the kind of hero readers won’t forget. This novel will warm your heart, making it a must-read for anyone looking for an engaging and emotionally resonant historical romance.
  
  I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews via NetGalley.
• 
  Marilee

  What a sweet and swoony fairytale retelling!
  
  Letty Hood has spent the last fifteen years with her grandmother in a cottage in the woods hiding from her uncle who wants her dead. Now that she is close to her 21st birthday, the time has come for her to return home and claim her inheritance.
  
  Pinkerton agent Philip Carmichel has been hired to find Letty and bring her home safely. She is different than what he expected a rich heiress would be like and as they journey together, he loses his heart to her a little more each day despite his efforts to keep his distance. Though an heiress and an agent are an unlikely couple, Letty and Philip must first escape the dangerous threat that follows them if they are ever to have a chance at a happily ever after.
  
  What you'll love:
  historical western
  fairytale retelling
  Little Red Riding Hood + Sleeping Beauty
  bodyguard romance
  dual pov
  road trip/journey
  protective hero
  perilous situations
  forced proximity
  Rusty
  tension and chemistry
  villain you love to hate
  the rescues
  slow-burn
  light inspirational themes
  swoony first kiss!!
  PERFECT epilogue!!
  
  I have loved this entire series but I think this one may be my favorite! It has all tension and chemistry and forced proximity I love in a road trip romance, and the sweet and tender scenes between Letty and Philip are meshed perfectly with the suspenseful moments. Talk about a story that was both heart melting and heart pounding!
  
  I would never have thought of intertwining these two fairy tales together but it totally worked! Loved the bits and pieces from each fairytale but the story had enough twists and turns (and cowboys!) that the author truly made the story all her own. So brilliantly done! And sigh, can we just talk about how perfect Philip and Letty are for each other? Their journey of trust and love and faith is what fairytale dreams are made of.
  
  This was such a beautiful and unforgettable story of love, of trust, of forgiveness and though it is the third book in the series, it can be read as a standalone (though you need to pick up the first two as well!). This is a book that I will be re-reading and enjoying over and over again.
  
  I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.
• 
  Laura

  Cloaked in Beauty by Karen Witemeyer is an engaging new narrative on the tale of Little Red Riding Hood. And it is one you will not be able to put down.
  
  While the story is loosely based on Red Riding Hood with our main character, Letty Hood, wearing a red cape, the twist is Rusty—her trusted and faithful companion, a wolf she raised as a pup.
  
  Letty has been in hiding with her grandmother since she was a child because her uncle (who is the actual wolf) has been trying to find her so he can kill her and grab her inheritance. But now she is turning 21, and she needs to return to society to claim her inheritance and be done with her uncle forever. And it is Pinkerton agent Philip Carmichael’s job to get her home safely.
  
  I loved everything about this book. Philip is a charismatic hero, trying desperately to keep Letty and her reputation safe as they travel alone from the backwoods of East Texas to Houston. His attraction to Letty and hers to him is a sweet romance that made this book hard to put down.
  
  I also loved the faith element Witemeyer has expertly included. I also appreciated that she didn’t make Letty someone who was timid and afraid of everything. She is a wonderful heroine who is intelligent and brave enough to face whatever obstacles come her way.
  
  If you like historical romance, you will love Cloaked in Beauty. I highly recommend it!
  
  I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley for my honest review.
• 
  LA

  What a fun retelling of Little Red Riding Hood!
  I loved this story. It’s been a while since I’ve been so enthralled with each character. Karen Witemeyer does an excellent job of creating characters that readers want to see succeed in all their hopes and dreams.
  Heiress Scarlett Radcliffe, alias Letty Hood, has been in hiding with her grandmother in the woods since the age of six. Fearing for her daughter’s life, Scarlett’s mother sends her into hiding until her 21st birthday when she is to inherit her deceased father’s fortune.
  Pinkerton agent Philip Carmichael, is hired by Letty’s mother to find her and bring her home. An honorable man, ready to leave the life of a Pinkerton behind, eventually discovers Letty’s whereabouts and takes her across treacherous country to reunite her with her mother.
  I love that Letty’s pet is a wolf, which plays just as large a role in the story as Letty and Philip do. A doting grandmother, an evil uncle and faithful servants round out the cast of characters. And a sweet romance develops between Letty and Philip, despite the large age difference.
  And a lovely twist to the end of the story will have readers in tears. Better grab your tissues for this one!
  I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
  
• 
  Becky

  Karen Witemeyer is one of my favorite historical authors. Cloaked in Beauty is a book based on the fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood.
  From the very beginning, the reader knows who the heroine and the villain are. The plot of the book seems a bit overdone. The young girl's life is in danger, so she is spirited away to live with her grandmother until she is at an age where she can handle her own affairs. The "woodcutter" of this story is a Pinkerton agent who has been hired to guard her on her passage home. Once he has delivered her to her mother, she ends up in the clutches of her evil uncle who wants all the money her father had left her. His greed overshadows his own good sense.
  
  Now that I've exposed the weaknesses of the book, there are many aspects of the novel that are well thought out and well-written. She has used the characters well and developed them to their fullest. They played their part in the novel and had a great performance. The settings were well developed and quite believable. The plot has been done before, but it was still readable and enjoyable.
  
  Four Stars.
  
  Bethany House Publishing provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
• 
  Randi Sampson

  Cloaked in Beauty is the third book in the Texas Ever After series but can absolutely be enjoyed as a standalone as well.
  
  A historical western retelling of Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty? Um, yes please! This was such a fantastic read with just the right blend of romance, a sense of danger and nods to the original fairy tales. One of the things that I loved about the previous books in the series is that while those nods are certainly there and evident, it also felt like it's own unique story too. With this particular story being a mix of both Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty, I did personally see more on the first within the story--- the red cloak she wears, a pet wolf, etc. while I think the Sleeping Beauty references might have been more subtle (though admittedly, it could be that I'm just not as familiar with the story to notice them as well). Either way, I loved how those familiar elements were woven so perfectly. If you love historical romance and fairy tale retellings, this is absolutely a series you won't want to miss.
  
  **ARC received via Netgalley for consideration. All opinions are my own.
• 
  Christine Barth

  This review by librarian Christine Barth was first published in the November 2024 issue of Library Journal.
  
  Witemeyer (If the Boot Fits) breathes new life into traditional European fairy tales as she explores the wildness and wonder of the Old West in her "Texas After Ever" series. Letty Hood has total freedom to ride and explore, and even tame a wolf, as long as no one else besides her beloved grandmother sees her face. She must maintain this reclusive lifestyle until she turns 21 and can claim her own inheritance rather than ceding control of the family business empire to her scheming uncle. Meanwhile, Philip Carmichael is growing weary of the deception required for his detective job with the Pinkertons, but one last case to find the missing Radcliffe heiress piques his interest and takes him across Texas along the rail line. VERDICT Each book in this series can be read as a stand-alone and will keep readers guessing at how beloved fairy tales might play out in the turbulent Texas of the 1880s. For fans of Western romances from authors such as Regina Jennings and Robin Lee Hatcher.
• 
  Scott County Library System

  This review by librarian Christine Barth was first published in the November 2024 issue of Library Journal.
  
  Witemeyer (If the Boot Fits) breathes new life into traditional European fairy tales as she explores the wildness and wonder of the Old West in her "Texas After Ever" series. Letty Hood has total freedom to ride and explore, and even tame a wolf, as long as no one else besides her beloved grandmother sees her face. She must maintain this reclusive lifestyle until she turns 21 and can claim her own inheritance rather than ceding control of the family business empire to her scheming uncle. Meanwhile, Philip Carmichael is growing weary of the deception required for his detective job with the Pinkertons, but one last case to find the missing Radcliffe heiress piques his interest and takes him across Texas along the rail line. VERDICT Each book in this series can be read as a stand-alone and will keep readers guessing at how beloved fairy tales might play out in the turbulent Texas of the 1880s. For fans of Western romances from authors such as Regina Jennings and Robin Lee Hatcher.
• 
  Jessica

  Thank you to Bethany House Fiction for the ARC of Cloaked in Beauty by Karen Witemeyer. All opinions are my own.
  
  This is book three in the Texas Ever After series, but each book is a standalone book about different characters with a unique fairytale retelling.
  
  I’ve read the other books in this series and enjoyed both of them. However, this book is definitely my favorite, and I didn’t want to put it down!
  
  This book was romantic, exciting, and full of great spiritual moments.
  
  Letty and Philip quickly became friends, and their friendship seemed so natural and sweet. I liked that they never tried to be someone they were not. They were sweet and caring, but I was also impressed with the physical boundaries they put in place since they were alone together so much.
  
  The journey throughout the book was exciting and at times funny. Letty’s pet wolf Rusty was such an enjoyable addition to the story with how protective he was and the funny moments between him and Philip.
  
  One thing that really impressed me and made me enjoy the story even more was the faith elements. I could tell that the characters were strong Christians, but they weren’t pushy or preachy with their faith. I really admired their selflessness and self-control that they exhibited throughout the story.
  
  Overall, I really loved this book and was so sad when it was over.
• 
  Emily Waits (emilylovesreading_)

  {Thank you to @netgalley and to the publisher for my gifted e-copy in exchange for an honest review.}
  
  I love this series so much! Cloaked in Beauty has been one of my most highly anticipated reads of 2024, after falling in love with the first two books in this series earlier this year. Thankfully, the third installment did not disappoint! I absolutely adored this book!
  
  Set in 1800s Texas, each book of this series is a fairy tale retelling with a Western romantic suspense spin. The best part is that these books also are filled with deep faith themes and biblical theology seamlessly woven into the storylines and characters.
  
  Cloaked in Beauty is a Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty retelling, and the combining of these fairytales into this unique story worked perfectly. I could not put this book down and devoured it in ONE day.
  
  I can’t recommend this series enough!
  
• 
  Lisa M.

  This is the third book in the fairy tale retellings by Karen Witemeyer. As you can imagine just the cover lets you in that it's going to be Red Ridinghood. I love that the author though doesn't make it super following of the tale. Yes there are some similarities: Granny, Scarlett, "Wolf", but there are more nods than actually following the story.
  
  This is a very clever retelling and one that you will enjoy to the end. Sure it has predictable things, but that's okay. I loved that one of the wolves in the book (wink) is an actual WOLF that is a friend to Letty.
  
  This one is just a solid read with some good faith themes. Very enjoyable.
  
  4 stars
  
  *Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC of this book to review. All opinions are 100% my own.
• 
  Audra Christianson

  A great third book in this series (and they are each stand-alone novels). This is a fun story using the Red Riding Hood theme. Almost the entire story takes place while on a journey where the two main characters are the only ones on the page, yet it never got slow or boring—the events moved the story right along. There was bit of mystery and unknown in the ending and I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
  
  *I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
• 
  Julie Graves

  review to come soon
• 
  Courtney | Soul of a Librarian

  I loved it. 💛
  
  More review to come.
  
  I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. All expressed opinions are my own.
• 
  Camille Dayton Fostering.literacy

  Review coming soon!