A Wishful Hope: An Aladdin Retelling
Can one find hope when a happy ending seems like nothing more than wishful thinking?
If there’s one thing the streets have taught Dan, it’s that the future is only guaranteed for those with enough money and power to buy their happy ending. When a crooked magistrate condemns him to a lifetime of service to a ruthless treasure hunter, his own life suddenly seems hopeless…until he stumbles upon a treasure that could secure the very future he wishes for.
Bound in service to a magical lamp, all Aida has known for the last thousand years is a lonely and frustrating existence, watching the world pass by from the confines of her lamp and fulfilling everyone’s wishes but her own. But her newest master is nothing like the greedy, power-seeking men that came before, and Aida quickly devises a plan to finally get the one thing that will give her the life she wants: the prince.
A bargain is struck, three wishes exchanged, and Aida and Dan are both sure they will finally get the futures they’ve dreamed of. But when the treasure hunter returns, intent on claiming Aida’s power for his own, will they be able to keep a hold on their freedom? Or is a Happily Ever After the one wish that can never be granted?
“A Wishful Hope,” a retelling of Aladdin, is a standalone novella, complete with tropes like Forced Proximity, Rags to Riches, and He Falls First. It is part of the “Hope Ever After” series, a collection of twenty hopeful and uplifting fairy tale retellings. Each book is written by a different author so it can be enjoyed in any order. The proceeds from this series are donated to the O.U.R. (Operation Underground Rescue) to rescue children from exploitation and trafficking.
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Sarah Beran
Sarah Beran is a writer who has found her true passion in blending enchanting tales with relatable characters, bringing magic, romance, and adventure to life through her unique lens. Living in sunny Southern California, Sarah is not only a writer but also a devoted wife, mother to two young children, and an elementary music teacher by day. Her life is filled with the hum of creativity, both in the classroom and in her writing.
When she's not guiding young minds in music, Sarah spends her free time running, creating new melodies, or immersing herself in a world of make-believe with her family. These moments of balance between the practical and the whimsical are often reflected in her stories, where everyday life meets the extraordinary. Her writing journey is one that began with a love for storytelling, evolving into a deep connection with the craft of creating worlds that feel both magical and grounded in reality.
Hope Ever After
A collection of twenty hopeful and uplifting fairytale retellings. Each book is written by a different author, so they can be enjoyed in any order. The proceeds from this series will be donated to the O.U.R. (Operation Underground Rescue) to rescue children from exploitation and trafficking.
Hope Ever After consists of twenty primary books, and includes one additional book that complement the series but is not considered mandatory reads — considered a complete series. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Reviews and Comments
This was a really enjoyable Retelling of Aladdin with great world building and I loved the characters. I loved the relationship between Dan (Aladdin) and his brother Jasper as well as seeing how the two of them interacted with Aida (the genie). The sultan was also a nice side character. The epilogue at the end was really cute and I am glad with how things worked out for everyone. I look forward to reading more books by Sarah Beran in the future as well as more books from this multi author series.