Sweet Romantic Comedy
Prancing Around With Sleeping Beauty
A sweet "opposites-attract" romantic comedy from the Storybook Valley series.
This Sleeping Beauty has her happily-ever-after all planned out…
Dance instructor Rory Callahan prefers her days carefully choreographed—until she accidentally accepts a marriage proposal from her surgeon boyfriend. One problem: he didn’t propose.
Then she meets Kyle.
He’s impulsive, persistent, and has Rory spinning straight out of her comfort zone. He’s also the grandson of her family’s longtime archrival, whose zoo competes with their fairy-tale theme park. Their forbidden attraction threatens to escalate a decades-old family feud.
And with parents who named her Aurora after Sleeping Beauty, Rory has always tried to live up to their expectations.
But between an overbearing boss, demanding dance moms, and a hot, animal-loving rival she can’t resist, Rory’s well-rehearsed routine is coming undone.
If Sleeping Beauty finally wakes up, will she risk the future everyone expects for the man she shouldn’t want?
Prancing Around With Sleeping Beauty is a sweet, lighthearted romantic comedy and modern retelling of Sleeping Beauty.
It’s the second book in the Storybook Valley series, where clean romance, humor, and happily-ever-afters take center stage.
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A Sleeping Beauty-Inspired Romantic Comedy
Read an Excerpt
High above the crowded beach, an airplane skimmed the cloudless blue sky, its hum a distant whine over the thunderous surf. Behind it trailed a banner with red block letters. Cupping her hand over her brow, Rory Callahan squinted in the glaring sunlight.
WILL YOU MARRY ME, RORY?
She gasped, and her bare feet pressed into the gritty sand. Rory gripped the sides of her sunken beach chair. Her boyfriend, Dr. Brad Walker, a general surgery medical resident at Mountain View Medical Center, occupied the second chair, engrossed in a sports magazine, oblivious to the romantic gesture—or pretending he was oblivious.
Rory had accompanied him to the Jersey Shore for his parents’ thirtieth anniversary party. When Brad suggested a morning at the beach before driving back to the Catskills, she never expected a marriage proposal. Her stomach clenched, the semi-queasy reaction surprising her.
After all, she had wanted this—well, maybe not this, not yet—but Rory had wanted a declaration of love from the guy her mother worshipped and that her annoying big brother insisted “wasn’t that into her.” Obviously Brad was into her. This proved his willingness to make their relationship work. She would show her brother, and her friends, too. Rory knew her roommates worried that Brad didn’t carve out enough time for her, but unlike Dylan, the girls minded their own business.
All brides-to-be probably felt jittery during the proposal. She choked down the very normal mound in her throat, reached over, and touched Brad’s hand. “I had no idea you were planning this. Yes. I’ll . . . I’ll marry you.”
Brad dropped the magazine onto his nearby flip-flops as if sand fleas had nested inside the pages. His chiseled face had blanched whiter than his pale chest, arms, and legs. Summer was almost over, and Rory would bet this was the first time he’d worn the charcoal print swim trunks she bought him. “What? What the hell are you talking about?”
“The airplane. Didn’t you hire them to fly that banner?” Rory inclined her head toward the sky, even as she submerged her trembling fingers in the hot grains.
When she was a kid, she and her brothers used to dig holes at the beach. They never bothered building castles as they saw Cinderella’s castle every day at their family-owned fairy-tale theme park, Storybook Valley. The boys preferred burying each other in the sand. To lure Rory into helping, her brothers insisted that if they burrowed a deep enough hollow, it would lead to China. Naively, she accepted their words every time.
She wished that mythical tunnel to China would engulf her right now. Apparently, there were two Rorys sunbathing today.
What Reviewers are Saying
“This book was exactly what I needed. I was in a massive slump. I hadn’t read all month. Then I picked up this book, and it gave me a huge burst of energy. It’s fun and energetic and bright, everything you want in a romance novel. Plus, it was a hilarious, quick read. I finished it in one sitting, but it’s been on my mind ever since.”
- Emily Reads Everything
“This series is so charming. The characters are so incredibly endearing; I couldn’t help but fall in love with them. Rory and Kyle sparked from the first moment they met, and I found myself smiling through most of the story. This is one of those feel-good romances that made my heart melt.”
- Boundless Book Reviews
“Just as good as the first book. It’s well crafted with rich details, witty dialogue, and a captivating plot.”
- Write-Escape
“Inspired by fairytale characters and following the chick-lit line, you can expect the Happily Ever After ending and lots of sweet and simple moments. The writing is very good, and the rhythm is steady. If you like clean romance, sweet characters, and fun reading, I totally recommend it to you.”
- Books Are My Way of Living
“I love author Stacy Juba’s sense of humor! I chuckled, giggled, and may have even snorted through Prancing Around with Sleeping Beauty…”
- Among the Reads
“Storybook Valley is such a charming place, and this series delivers the feels and romance, typical of what you'd expect from those beloved fictional favorites. I loved the characters and the setting and look forward to more books set in this delightful place.”
- Katie's Clean Book Collection
“A light, fun series that will deliver the HEA we all crave, make you believe in modern-day fairy-tale romances, and add to your ever-climbing TBR list. I'm committed. I'll read every Storybook Valley that comes out because dang it, I CAN. I might even wear a tiara and call my husband Mr. Charming. Why not? YOLO, right.”
- I'd So Rather Be Reading
“I absolutely loved Prancing Around With Sleeping Beauty! A fun and sweet romance. I really appreciated how, along with the romance, Rory was struggling to find her career path. Plus, overcoming the family obstacles and dealing with a potential Romeo and Juliet situation sure do put qualifiers on a relationship before introductions are final.”
“Overall, this is a short and sweet romance that I found fulfilling to read and would recommend if you are looking for a light romance with a Disney twist.”
“I love the setting in a fairy tale park and how the characters are loosely based on fairy tale characters. It had a light feel to it, which is the perfect diversion from those weightier feels of real life.”
“I loved Stacy Juba's first installment of the Storybook Valley series, Fooling Around with Cinderella, and Prancing Around with Sleeping Beauty didn't disappoint. While I call this chick lit, there are things that women of all ages can relate to going on in Rory's life.”
“Super cute story! I love that this series is set in a theme park - how fun! And Rory being a dance teacher ... my daughter took ballet for years, and this brought back some real nice memories. Every time the book talked about the kids and dance class, I got pictures in my head of my daughter's class. Those are some great memories. I love when a book can do that to you.”
“A fun and sweet chick-lit with a twist of fairy tale. The characters are full of personality, with plenty of humor and fairy-tale puns, and a sweet romance that ends in a happily-ever-after that will satisfy readers.”
“A fun afternoon read that will take you back to warm summer days of cotton candy, rides, and being with the one you love.”
“I really enjoyed the way this story was told ... This is a quick easy, enjoyable read.”
“There is lots of laugh-out-loud moments as well as heart-warming ones too, and the book really comes alive once Kyle and Rory meet. This is pure chick-lit from beginning to end. If you are after a clean, sweet read that has wonderful characters and a perfect setting, plus can be read in one or two sittings, then this is the book to choose.”
- Whispering Stories
“If you are looking for a book to give you a quick pick-me-up with a sweet romance, humorous situations, and engaging characters, this is one you’ll want to read.”
- Coffee Time Romance and More
Start the Storybook Valley Series
Cinderella has a theme park to save, and falling for Prince Charming definitely isn’t part of the plan.
