A Guide to Once Upon an Ella

Once Upon an Ella is book one of the Happily Ella After Duet. This fairytale retelling is a Cinderella x The Princess Bride with dragon shifters, fated mates, and a FMC who’s not the damsel in distress—she saves the Prince this time!

Tropes include:

•He falls first

•“I’ll spend my whole life looking for her”

•Touch her and ☠️

•Dragon shifters

•Stolen/locked memories

•Fated mates

•A damsel who saves herself—and her prince—rather than being in distress

#fairytaleretelling #lemon8bookclub #lemon8bookcommunity #bookreccomendation #bookrec

2025/6/1 Edited to

... Read moreOnce Upon an Ella introduces readers to Elarian Oriel, a captivating character whose journey from servant to savior challenges traditional fairy tale narratives. As Elarian navigates her tumultuous life, marked by betrayal from her deceitful fiancée and oppressive family, she yearns for freedom and a chance to rewrite her destiny. Her fated mate, Theon Cerefas, the prince of Nuria, is determined to find her—making their reunion pivotal to both their fates. Readers will appreciate the unique tropes woven into the narrative, such as 'he falls first' and 'stolen memories,' showcasing a fresh spin on classic themes. Moreover, the element of dragon shifters adds an exciting layer of fantasy, expanding the allure beyond typical romance. The story masterfully contrasts the traditional damsel-in-distress trope by allowing Elarian to take charge, presenting a narrative where the heroine does not simply wait for rescue. Instead, she actively fights for her life and love, embodying the modern ideals of empowerment. As the most awaited tale in the series, 'Once Upon an Ella' delivers an engaging mix of adventure, romance, and self-discovery, inviting readers to lose themselves in its magic and significance.

Related posts

A guide titled 'a guide to pretty feet' provides tips on foot care. It covers washing with warm water, exfoliating with scrubs, moisturizing with lotion, and enhancing physical appearance by painting nails. The background features a blurred image of feet, visually representing the topic of foot care.
a guide to pretty feet 🦶🏼 💋
WASH • use warm water instead of hot to wash your feet, you can use your wrist to check the temperature • use a loofah, foot scrubber don't miss washing in between your toes & pat your feet dry • products: foot scrubs, dove soap, epsom salt • don't soak your feet !! EXFOLIATE &
irianna

irianna

3969 likes

A silhouette of a person's torso against a window, with text indicating "WINTER ARC" and a "start date: october 15," symbolizing the beginning of a self-improvement journey.
A smartphone displaying multiple early morning alarms on a dark bedsheet, illustrating the Winter Arc goal of achieving "8 hours of sleep" for improved well-being.
Fitness equipment including a water bottle, foam roller, towel, and Pilates ring on a mat, representing the Winter Arc commitment to "workout 6 days + 1 active rest day."
WINTER ARC RULES AND GUIDE
✨Guide link is in Bio✨ Winter Arc is upon us. It’s a season for cutting out the noise, limiting distractions, and locking in. I want to get more focused, find clarity and make actual intentional progress towards the life and body I want. My brain is fried from instant gratification, straying fr
Haven France

Haven France

5529 likes

A beginner's guide to The Ordinary products
Product Types: Hair Density, Uneven Skin Tone, Fine Lines and Wrinkles, Acne Scars, Pores, Dark Circles and Puffiness. All products can be left on overnight as part of a skincare routine and are suitable for beginners to build tolerance before using higher concentrations of acids. 🌟1. Multi-Pep
Nemophilist

Nemophilist

6670 likes

A young woman in a car with text "Clean Girl Skincare Routine" and various skincare products, illustrating the guide's focus on a natural, polished look.
A visual guide outlining the correct order to layer skincare products, from cleanser to sunscreen, with examples of each product type.
A selection of face washes categorized by skin type, including options for oily, dry, combination, acne-prone, sensitive skin, and hyperpigmentation.
Clean Girl Complete Self-Care Routine Guide
Hey loves! Want to achieve the clean girl look but not sure where to start? I’ve got you covered! The clean girl aesthetic is all about simplicity, natural beauty, and a polished, put-together vibe that’s both effortless and sophisticated. Think fresh, dewy skin, a well-rested glow, and a look
Chalie_Baker

Chalie_Baker

6527 likes

The ultimate guide to viewing an apartment!
Have you finally found some promising apartments but haven’t seen them yet? Feeling unsure about what to do once you’re there for the viewing? Don’t stress; I’ve got you covered 😊Dive into my ultimate guide, filled with everything you need to have a successful viewing experience. 🏡✨ If you need
Sophiejankovits

Sophiejankovits

508 likes

Once upon a time memes
Ell_life1998🩰

Ell_life1998🩰

46 likes

An open Bible with handwritten notes and sticky notes, overlaid with the text "HOW TO START READING THE BIBLE for beginners," indicating a guide for new readers.
An open Bible with notes and an iPad displaying prayer notes, overlaid with the text "START WITH THE GOSPELS" and listing "MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN."
A close-up of an open Bible page with highlighted text, overlaid with the text "PAIR PSALMS & PROVERBS TO LEARN THE HEART AND WISDOM OF GOD."
How to Begin Reading Your Bible: A Simple Guide
Starting your Bible-reading journey can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you dive into Scripture and truly connect with God’s Word: 💛 Start with the Gospels (John First!) The Gospels are all about the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of
ModistyAmethyst

ModistyAmethyst

8625 likes

A book cover reveal image for 'Once upon an Ella' by T.M. Mayfield, showing a physical book and an e-reader version. The cover features a silhouette of a woman in a gown against a dark, enchanted forest and castle. Text indicates 'Cover Reveal ARCs now Open' and 'Releasing 5.22.25'.
Once Upon an Ella
I am so stinking in love with this cover!! #lemon8bookclub #coverreveal #retelling #romantasy
T. M. Mayfield

T. M. Mayfield

36 likes

A person's feet in white sneakers standing in snow, with the title 'HOW TO DO A Winter Uglies DeTox' in black and yellow text. The Lemon8 logo and user handle are at the bottom.
Text outlining '1. FUEL UR BODY LIKE U LOVE IT' with advice on hydration, adding colorful foods, and swapping comfort foods for lighter alternatives to feel good.
Text outlining '2. MOVE LIKE U MEAN IT' with advice to make movement fun, start small but be consistent, and incorporate stretching and strengthening exercises.
Lazy Girl’s Glow Up Guide to a HOT GIRL Summer! ✨👙
Alright, besties. We need to have a serious talk. Winter has been doing what winter does best—keeping us curled up under blankets, eating all the comfort food, skipping workouts, and letting self-care slide. And honestly? No shame in it. We needed the cozy era. But now? It’s time to wake up. It’
Chalie_Baker

Chalie_Baker

801 likes

WAXING AFTERCARE GUIDE
Taking care of your skin after waxing is crucial for maintaining smooth, bump-free results. Here’s a step-by-step guide using three highly recommended products: the European Wax Center Exfoliating Liquid, Glycolic Acid from The Ordinary, and TOPICALS Faded Cream. European Wax Center Exfoliating Li
Ellie Nicole

Ellie Nicole

1626 likes

Realistic glow up guide
I wanted to post a realistic “glow up” guide that has helped me there are a lot of glow up post that I feel don’t take into account of the different type of people in the world and how they live there lives IN THE POST First know everyone’s journey is different what’s a glow up to you may be
Camari

Camari

6403 likes

★ Becoming BAPTIZED Guide ★
Hello My 0 followers! 🤍 I hope you are having a blessed day so far, my name is Esther Hawker also known as essa brook or just essa (my nickname) & I’m a Christian Girl 🫶🏽Today I just wanted to share to the people who are confused about baptism & wants to know what happens after you are bapt
ESSAH ;)

ESSAH ;)

175 likes

Once upon A Broken Heart✨💗💋💭
My all time favorite book
Joss

Joss

159 likes

The image shows a bedroom with a bed, nightstand, and lamp, featuring a blue bird and a teddy bear. The title "How to Become an Early Bird" and "Wake Up Early (And Actually Enjoy It!)" are overlaid, introducing the guide.
Against a starry night sky with a full moon, the image presents "Step 1: Identify Your Sleep Personality," listing common types like Night Owl, Insomniac, and Snoozer, along with their challenges.
Featuring an owl against a starry sky, this section details "For the Night Owl," outlining challenges like late bedtime and offering tips such as gradual sleep shifts, wind-down routines, and limiting blue light.
Step-By-Step Guide to Becoming a Morning Person🧸⏰☀️
Waking up early can be transformative, setting a positive tone for the day and allowing for increased productivity and mental clarity. However, many people find it challenging to rise early due to various sleep habits and lifestyle factors. In this guide, I’ll explore tailored strategies for di
Chalie_Baker

Chalie_Baker

145 likes

Field Guide to Fruit Colors🍉 🍒🍓🍇🍎🍑🍊🍋🍍🍌🥑
This guide helps you to understand what to eat based upon our body what it’s good for . #fruitful #heart #lungs #fruitinspired Canal Winchester Wellness Habits 🧘 Habit 1: 🧘 How It Helps Me: 🧘 Habit 2: 🧘 How It Helps Me: 🧘 Habit 3: 🧘 How It Helps Me:healthy-eating
SHELUVSFASHION

SHELUVSFASHION

12 likes

A cover image for a beginner's guide to YouTube, featuring a laptop, headphones, and feet in socks on a grey surface, with text 'A begginers TO guide YOUTUBE (it's not that hard)' and a 'SWIPE' indicator.
A person typing on a laptop displaying video editing software, with text providing tips on editing, recommending mobile editors like CapCut, and suggesting 'Finzar's Editing tutorials' for beginners.
A laptop and a tablet showing various images, illustrating advice on creating effective YouTube thumbnails, including using clear text and pictures, and listing recommended apps like Canva and Picsart.
How to start a YT Channel || Easy guide❤️🤍
Starting a YouTube channel has never been easier! Follow my guide here and my other YouTube related posts to help you get started 💫 Step One | Editing: Find yourself a solid editing software that suits your skill level. For absolute beginners I recommend iMovie and CapCut. For those who are mor
ᦔꫀꪜꪖ

ᦔꫀꪜꪖ

1461 likes

Three books from the 'Once Upon a Broken Heart' series are displayed on a colorful crocheted blanket, with text overlays reading "THINGS THAT Jacks SAID" and "+ why this series wrecked me."
A text post titled "Once a broken heart" describes the book series as a surprise, mentioning Jacks as a 'book bf' from a TikTok recommendation, and includes a romantic quote.
A text post titled "the ballad of never after" praises Evangeline Fox as an amazing heroine and calls the book one of the best reads of the year, including a character quote.
how once upon a broken heart trilogy wrecked me 🫣🍎
2024 for reading started out STRONG! ya girl is riding a romantasy kick and i’m enjoying the ride. once upon a broken heart really caught me off guard. let me explain!!! i’m not one to read fantasy anything. the world building is intimidating and i’m just the type to really visualize what th
jam ♡

jam ♡

74 likes

Once Upon an Ella-Cinderella x The Princess Bride
For what is a dream, if not a wish that had been created from the depths of one’s heart? Once Upon an Ella is book one of the Happily Ella After Duet. This fairytale retelling is a Cinderella x The Princess Bride with dragon shifters, fated mates, and a FMC who’s not the damsel in distress—she
T. M. Mayfield

T. M. Mayfield

9 likes

Liver Reset Guide
Your liver works hard every day—why not give it the reset it deserves? 💚 From nutrient-packed foods 🥦, to protective supplements 🌸, and gentle movement 🧘‍♀️—these simple steps help reduce toxin overload and keep your energy flowing. ✨ Small daily choices = long-term liver health! #LiverHealth
purelyella

purelyella

23 likes

Once Upon an Empire
So honored to be the Cover Doll of the January Hinsdale Living Magazine 🎀📖🥂 #entrepreneur #hinsdale #socialmedia #influencer #influencerjourney
onceuponadollhouse

onceuponadollhouse

4 likes

Evajacks 🦊🏹 #onceuponabrokenheart #books
This edit is from my YouTube channel! If you want to check it out it’s @thebookishduo #books #reading #bookworm #edit #evajacks #onceuponabrokenheart #fantasy #romance #romantasy #bookedit
aubreyy

aubreyy

22 likes

first time puppy owner guide pt.1
feeding dogs & dog food accessories, dog crates, and Introduction to cars. 👍Pros: having a puppy is fun but you must remember there are responsibilities and things to think about!!! Memphis #unfiltered #puppyoflemon8 #puppyguide #whatdoineedtoknowaboutpuppies #mypetdiary
ella 🎀🐾

ella 🎀🐾

106 likes

A comprehensive guide to crystal knowledge 📖
How to choose crystals? Do crystals need to be demagnetized? Which hand should you wear crystals on? All of this is in this post! #Crystal #EnergyCrystal #CrystalScience #KnowledgePopularization #CrystalKnowledge
Lotus Harmony

Lotus Harmony

3 likes

An easy Guide to Building Wealth
The first and most crucial step in building wealth is to make money. Without income, there's nothing you can do to accumulate assets or grow your net worth. This may seem obvious, but it's a step that many people overlook or underestimate. You need to focus on earning as much as you can, wh
Investingashley

Investingashley

78 likes

Once upon a time, I married a narcissist
#narcissisticabuse #embracevulnerability #poetry #godlovesyou #youreworthy #iamenough
GigiAlive

GigiAlive

18 likes

Guide: HOW TO SAVE MONEY💰
Here's a beginner's guide to saving money: 1. Evaluate your current income vs. spending - calculate your monthly income and expenses to find out where you are at now so you can plan changes you want to make 2. Create a budget - split your budget for your spending into fixed and variable
kaylakoupons

kaylakoupons

42 likes

Once Upon a Broken Heart
“He loved her. He loved her. He loved her. He loved her so much he'd rewritten history.” . ———————— Series Review: 3/5⭐️ I liked it as a whole, I just didn’t love it. Kinda sad because I had expected to be absolutely obsessed with this series, but it was just missing something for me p
DreamingOfBooks

DreamingOfBooks

27 likes

Once Upon a Dream(Twisted Tales)
Books That I love to read and their Authors.
Jacz_Kingdom13

Jacz_Kingdom13

3 likes

Once Upon an Ella: A Fated Mates Shifter Romantasy
Once Upon an Ella is book one in the Happily Ella After Duet. It is a fairytale retelling that can best be described as Cinderella x The Princess Bride with dragon shifters, fated mates, and a FMC who’s not the damsel in distress—she saves the Prince this time! #lemon8bookclub #romantasy
T. M. Mayfield

T. M. Mayfield

1 like

Once upon a time, we started going to ren fairs 🏰
We really dove head first into this! And it’s now one of my favorite things. What nerdy or “cringy” things are you into that bring you joy?? #storytime #lemon8contest #renaissanceoutfitideas #renaissancefaire #newlemon8er #newlemon8creator
Darcie

Darcie

366 likes

A laptop screen displays the homepage of Tae Kim's Guide to Learning Japanese, offering free lessons. The screen shows an embedded YouTube video and introductory text, highlighting it as a resource for learning Japanese online.
The laptop screen shows the 'Complete Guide to Japanese' section of Tae Kim's website, detailing its comprehensive grammar and vocabulary lessons. The text explains the structured approach to learning Japanese grammar.
A laptop screen displays a specific lesson on 'Nouns and Adjectives' from Tae Kim's Guide. It features an embedded video and text explanations for grammar points like 'State-of-Being' and polite vocabulary, demonstrating video and text guides.
Your Guide to Japanese
I’ve noticed that Japanese learning resources seem to be some of the most comprehensive and well organized resources, and I love it! Tae Kim's Guide to Learning Japanese has great lessons offered via videos and text explanations. The guide covers important topics like grammar and vocabulary as
Anaïs D’Ottavio

Anaïs D’Ottavio

405 likes

A person in light blue scrubs and white clogs holds a stethoscope and a syringe, with text overlayed saying "tips on surviving your first semester of nursing school!". The image highlights essential nursing tools and the theme of guidance for new students.
Screenshots of online product listings for a nursing school planner and nursing badge cards are shown. A pink text box overlays the image, stating "you don't need all these fancy supplies!", advising against unnecessary purchases for nursing school.
A hand holds three detailed flashcards illustrating the human heart and circulatory system, including cardiac conduction and oxygenation. The text overlay reads "FIND A STUDY STYLE THAT WORKS FOR YOU", emphasizing personalized learning methods for nursing students.
Nursing School Survival Guide!✨🩺
Nursing school is far from easy, but if you’re just starting out or thinking of becoming a nurse, welcome! As a current nursing student, I want to share some tips with you that I have learned along the way. 🩺 Let’s talk supplies! You may be tempted to buy all these fun supplies, but in realit
nikki

nikki

1433 likes

Once Upon a Broken Heart 💔
#ouabh #books #lemon8bookclub #reading #readersoflemon8
Avery reads🎀

Avery reads🎀

10 likes

Once Upon A Dream ✨
First time taking my Briar Rose cosplay for a spin! Honestly with all the princesses… peasant dress > ballgowns. Convention: Megacon Orlando 2025 📍 #disney #megacon #megaconorlando #sleepingbeauty #cosplay
Belle

Belle

22 likes

✨🌿Once upon a time in Africa 🌿✨
The Blueprint
DAUGHTER OF SIRENS  💖

DAUGHTER OF SIRENS 💖

91 likes

Books Every Woman Should Read Once
🧠 Intro A 4.5⭐ read that unpacks the silent epidemic of overthinking in women—blending science, therapy, and compassion into one healing guide. 📍 Key Takeaways 1️⃣ Mental Traffic Jam – Overthinking is not insight, it’s mental noise disguised as productivity. 2️⃣ Trauma Replays on Loop – Our m
EllaReadsThings

EllaReadsThings

485 likes

once upon a dream 🎀☁️
Disneyland Park #sleepingbeauty #disneyland 🏰 #prettyinpink 💞 #disney #magic
marlena 🌺

marlena 🌺

26 likes

NW ARK Travel Guide!
Do you live in or near NWA? Or are you passing through?! Check out these cool places in my hometown! Stop by the Bentonville Square Saturday mornings to browse the weekly farmers market for local produce, baked goods, and more amazing homemade things! You can also stop by the Once Upon
Caitlyn Blunt

Caitlyn Blunt

14 likes

See more