Welcome back to LiteraryScape Book Club! This week we dove into Karen Witemeyer's enchanting novel Cloaked in Beauty, and what a delightful discussion we had about this multi-layered fairy tale retelling.

The Story That Captivated Us

Set in the atmospheric Piney Woods of East Texas, Cloaked in Beauty follows Lady Hood (Letty), who has spent 15 years hidden away with her grandmother to escape a deadly uncle who wants her dead. As her 21st birthday approaches, she must return to Houston with Pinkerton agent Philip Carmichael to claim her birthright—if she can survive long enough to inherit it.

What starts as a protective escort mission becomes something much deeper as Philip discovers that Letty is far from the spoiled heiress he expected. Instead, he finds a woman of rare strength, kindness, and wit who challenges his hardened cynicism at every turn.

Which Fairy Tale Is It Really?

One of the most fascinating aspects of our discussion was trying to pin down exactly which fairy tale Witemeyer was retelling. Initially, some of us caught hints of Beauty and the Beast (especially with a character named Mrs. Pots!), while others picked up on Sleeping Beauty elements with the "dragon man" references.

But as the story unfolded, Red Riding Hood became the most obvious influence—Letty lives in the woods with her grandmother, wears a red cloak, and has a loyal wolf companion. We even detected echoes of Anastasia with the "hidden heiress" storyline.

The genius of Witemeyer's approach is that she weaves these different fairy tale elements together without making any single one feel heavy-handed. It's a masterful blend that keeps readers guessing and engaged.

Characters That Stole Our Hearts

Letty: The Fearless Heiress

We absolutely loved Letty's character development. While she was admittedly naive and sheltered, she was never truly fearful. Her bravery shone through, especially in her declaration: "I don't need a protector. I need a warrior who has my back... someone who's gonna fight the battles with me." This wasn't a damsel waiting to be saved—this was a woman ready to fight side by side with her partner.

Philip: The Transformed Protector

Philip quickly became a favorite among our group. His character arc from cynical agent to devoted protector was beautifully crafted. We appreciated how his primary concern was always Letty's safety, and his willingness to walk away for six months so she could discover her true identity showed remarkable selflessness.

The Wolf: Our Unexpected Favorite

Perhaps no character captured our hearts quite like Letty's loyal wolf companion. This wasn't the "big bad wolf" of traditional tales—this was a faithful friend who followed directions, kept secrets, and even served as a protective barrier between Letty and Philip when they had to share close quarters. The bridge crossing scene had us all on the edge of our seats, fearing for this beloved character's safety.

Our Ratings Breakdown

Suspense Level: Mocha ☕☕
Strong at the beginning and end, with constant tension throughout their journey.

Mystery Level: Espresso to Mocha ☕-☕☕
We knew the villain from the start, so few surprises, but the tension remained high.

Inspirational Level: Mocha ☕☕
Solid themes without being heavy-handed.

Drama Level: Mocha ☕☕
Plenty of family backstory drama, though Letty and Philip themselves weren't dramatic.

Romance Level: Espresso ☕
Classic fairy tale romance—worth the wait until the end!

What's Next from Karen Witemeyer?

For those who can't get enough of Witemeyer's fairy tale retellings, she has a second indie-published series beginning with To Love a Beast. One of our members has already read it and gives it the highest recommendation!

Looking Ahead

Next week, we're thrilled to bring you our interview with Karen Witemeyer herself, where we'll dive deeper into her fairy tale series and hopefully uncover some of the secrets behind her masterful storytelling.

Join the Conversation

Have you read Cloaked in Beauty? Which fairy tale elements did you pick up on? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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www.literaryscape.com/podcast/163