I was up until 1 AM finishing Cloaked in Beauty because I couldn’t put it down. I needed answers, not sleep, and I would’ve finished it in less than three days if “real life” responsibilities hadn’t gotten in the way. Honestly, I was so intrigued by the premise and curious to see how the author would combine a retelling of Sleeping Beauty (my favorite Disney princess) with Little Red Riding Hood.
Karen cleverly includes enough "Easter egg" references to both fairy tales to satisfy readers. Her Texas Ever After series is loosely inspired by fairy tales, not direct retellings. You still feel like you’re reading a Karen Witemeyer novel, with all the exceptional storytelling and nuanced writing that readers have come to love and expect from this fan-favorite author. (Karen was voted #1 Readers’ Favorite Christian Historical Author in 2023 by Family Fiction Magazine.)
Scarlett Radcliffe, alias Letty Hood, has been hidden away in the backwoods of Texas for fifteen years, living with her grandmother and pet wolf, Rusty. She’s been in hiding to escape the clutches of her evil uncle, who wants her dead before her 21st birthday. Letty sees herself as a simple girl who has spent most of her life free and outdoors. She has no interest in the wealth she’ll inherit or in taking her place in society—her only concern is preserving her family’s legacy.
Pinkerton Agent Philip Carmichael, nicknamed the "Lone Wolf," is tasked with finding the Radcliffe heiress before her milestone birthday and escorting her home alive. I loved Philip's deeply protective nature and how honorable he was to the core.
One of my favorite lines in the book is the last one on page 199. It’s one of the most sigh-worthy, heart-melting lines I’ve ever read—pure perfection! (Did you flip to that page?)
The believable romantic tension between Philip and Letty is one of the best parts of the story. Karen is known for building incredible romantic tension between her leads, and this book is no exception.
The theme of Cloaked in Beauty—how God has gone before us and knows what lies ahead, even when we don’t—is such a timely and important lesson. It’s one of those messages we need to be reminded of often.
I want to live in a Karen Witemeyer novel! She’s an automatic pre-order for me, and the second I have one of her new books in my hands, reality takes a backseat. Why do I love her books so much? To me, the mark of a terrific author is someone whose stories you can re-read and still glean new insights and enjoyment from. Karen's books check all my wish-list boxes.
Her characters are never cookie-cutter; they’re unique and interesting, and you can’t help but want to know their stories and follow their journeys. She also seamlessly weaves the gospel message and biblical truths into her narratives. It’s hard to make this feel natural, but Karen does it so well. That’s a big part of why I keep reading and re-reading her books—and recommending them to all my bookworm friends.
In many of my reviews for Karen’s books, I mention the cover design, and I just want to applaud the team at Bethany House again. They’ve created another exquisite cover! I love the contrast of the vibrant red cloak against the lush green forest—it gives off major Christmas and fairytale vibes all at once. Each book in Karen Witemeyer’s Texas Ever After series perfectly captures the storybook atmosphere her books invoke, and the covers are stunning.
I’d probably rate Cloaked in Beauty 4.5 out of 5 stars, only because I felt the ending was a little rushed, and I wanted more. When you don’t want a story to end, that’s the sign of a truly engaging read.
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