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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
Reviewed for Book Soulmates
Sixteen-year-old Angel Moncoeur dreams of becoming a top fashion designer while her best friend Lily aspires to be a famous stage actress someday. Both girls are talented and driven, but they come from different backgrounds. Angel’s mom, Simone, is a housekeeper employed by Lily’s dad, Philip. Philip’s social climbing girlfriend Margot and her spoiled daughter Clarissa stay with the girls while he goes to South America. As Angel is putting the finishing touches on her Teen Couture fashion competition entry, she discovers that Clarissa has stolen her designs in an attempt to pass them off as her own. With a 1st prize of $50,000 and the chance to work in designer Antoine Vidal’s Paris salon, Angel desperately wants to win the competition. When Lily’s estranged grandmother invites her to Paris for two weeks, Angel goes in her place and pretends to be Lily in order to expose Clarissa’s theft.
I really enjoyed reading this modern Cinderella tale! It was interesting to read about a talented girl pursuing her passion. I loved all the vivid descriptions of the gorgeous designer fashions, and I could really feel how much Angel loved creating her own designs.
While the Teen Couture competition was the main plot point, there was a sweet romantic storyline as well. Nick, Lily’s childhood friend, fell for Angel before he knew her true identity, and Angel struggled with how soon she should reveal the truth. I have a weakness for cute boys with British accents, so I was immediately swooning over Nick! I felt like I was there in Paris with Nick as he took Angel to art museums, the Eiffel Tower, and other attractions. It definitely gave me the travel bug and made me want to visit Paris again.
As you might expect from a fairy tale retelling, The Cinderella Moment does have some predictable elements. However, there were also several surprises in the plot, especially toward the end. Family secrets were revealed in a twist that I personally did not see coming. The ending was satisfying and heartwarming.
The secondary characters were intriguing, especially Lily (a.k.a. the best friend ever!). I would love to read a story about her pursuing her acting career. Jennifer Kloester is an author I will definitely keep on my radar, and I hope to see more novels from her in the future.
Sixteen-year-old Angel Moncoeur dreams of becoming a top fashion designer while her best friend Lily aspires to be a famous stage actress someday. Both girls are talented and driven, but they come from different backgrounds. Angel’s mom, Simone, is a housekeeper employed by Lily’s dad, Philip. Philip’s social climbing girlfriend Margot and her spoiled daughter Clarissa stay with the girls while he goes to South America. As Angel is putting the finishing touches on her Teen Couture fashion competition entry, she discovers that Clarissa has stolen her designs in an attempt to pass them off as her own. With a 1st prize of $50,000 and the chance to work in designer Antoine Vidal’s Paris salon, Angel desperately wants to win the competition. When Lily’s estranged grandmother invites her to Paris for two weeks, Angel goes in her place and pretends to be Lily in order to expose Clarissa’s theft.
I really enjoyed reading this modern Cinderella tale! It was interesting to read about a talented girl pursuing her passion. I loved all the vivid descriptions of the gorgeous designer fashions, and I could really feel how much Angel loved creating her own designs.
While the Teen Couture competition was the main plot point, there was a sweet romantic storyline as well. Nick, Lily’s childhood friend, fell for Angel before he knew her true identity, and Angel struggled with how soon she should reveal the truth. I have a weakness for cute boys with British accents, so I was immediately swooning over Nick! I felt like I was there in Paris with Nick as he took Angel to art museums, the Eiffel Tower, and other attractions. It definitely gave me the travel bug and made me want to visit Paris again.
As you might expect from a fairy tale retelling, The Cinderella Moment does have some predictable elements. However, there were also several surprises in the plot, especially toward the end. Family secrets were revealed in a twist that I personally did not see coming. The ending was satisfying and heartwarming.
The secondary characters were intriguing, especially Lily (a.k.a. the best friend ever!). I would love to read a story about her pursuing her acting career. Jennifer Kloester is an author I will definitely keep on my radar, and I hope to see more novels from her in the future.
In the beginning, we start reading about Angel and Lily and the relationship between each other. During the beginning we also learn about their life and background. It started off slow, it took me a few chapters to fully get immersed into the story but once I did I enjoyed it immensely.
At first, I had been slightly confused because I forgot who the protagonist was when I started reading because it sort of read as omniscient third person but only a little later did I remember that Angel was the main character. Once I figured that out it was easier to read. I liked it better when Lily and Angel went their separate ways because I could read easier because I didn't get as confused between who was who in the story. I enjoyed the rest of the story once I got into the groove of reading but I think it could have been a bit quicker to get to the incited event.
After a few chapters I really got immersed into the story, I like where the author takes Angel and how all the events all coincide. It definitely is interesting to see such a high lifestyle and I loved seeing Paris. As someone from the middle class, I don't know what a high class life is like with the exception of watching TV shows or movies. I'm also not the type of person to care about fashion, brand names escape me, but I definitely can appreciate the artistic nature of creating a design and bringing it to life. As I read, I can't say that I didn't see the end coming because I did. I guessed it about half way through but I still liked it and how the author executed it.
I liked all the characters, they felt fairly real to me, except the bad women because they didn't feel as complex as I'd like. I would have liked to see a little behind why they acted the way they did but it's not a huge issue for me but would have made them more real for me. I didn't have a problem with the other characters but sort of wished there had been a little more growth or development among the higher class kids.
I feel that the writing is smooth and the pace for the rest of the book read easily to me. I enjoyed the squeamish situations the character got into but I wish it had been more brutal. I know that sounds bad, but I feel like things were a little too easy for her. Things just fell together or happened at just the right moment at crucial times in the story. Not a huge issue but I think if the stakes were raised a little I was have enjoyed the story more.
I did have a little qualm with the American accent, perhaps it's different in other parts of the world but when the characters, who are supposedly American, say they'll "ring" someone on the phone. I would say, as a Midwestern American, "call" someone if I were to phone someone. That read as a more European way of phoning someone which I thought it was odd since the characters are from New York. I don't know many people from New York so this may be completely valid but it's an extremely minor detail but it did confuse me for a moment.
Overall, this is a wonderful "feel-good" story that any person with an artistic dream can relate to and enjoy. It has all the makings of a nice contemporary romance but I like how the romance wasn't the sole focus of the story. I love how the character got her "Cinderlla moment" by her own hard work and not by some magical help. I would have liked to see more friendships develop but it's still a book I would recommend to all readers who like a fresh "Cinderella" underdog story.
3.6 out of 5 rating for me!
(A copy was provided for an honest review. I was not compensated in any other way.)
At first, I had been slightly confused because I forgot who the protagonist was when I started reading because it sort of read as omniscient third person but only a little later did I remember that Angel was the main character. Once I figured that out it was easier to read. I liked it better when Lily and Angel went their separate ways because I could read easier because I didn't get as confused between who was who in the story. I enjoyed the rest of the story once I got into the groove of reading but I think it could have been a bit quicker to get to the incited event.
After a few chapters I really got immersed into the story, I like where the author takes Angel and how all the events all coincide. It definitely is interesting to see such a high lifestyle and I loved seeing Paris. As someone from the middle class, I don't know what a high class life is like with the exception of watching TV shows or movies. I'm also not the type of person to care about fashion, brand names escape me, but I definitely can appreciate the artistic nature of creating a design and bringing it to life. As I read, I can't say that I didn't see the end coming because I did. I guessed it about half way through but I still liked it and how the author executed it.
I liked all the characters, they felt fairly real to me, except the bad women because they didn't feel as complex as I'd like. I would have liked to see a little behind why they acted the way they did but it's not a huge issue for me but would have made them more real for me. I didn't have a problem with the other characters but sort of wished there had been a little more growth or development among the higher class kids.
I feel that the writing is smooth and the pace for the rest of the book read easily to me. I enjoyed the squeamish situations the character got into but I wish it had been more brutal. I know that sounds bad, but I feel like things were a little too easy for her. Things just fell together or happened at just the right moment at crucial times in the story. Not a huge issue but I think if the stakes were raised a little I was have enjoyed the story more.
I did have a little qualm with the American accent, perhaps it's different in other parts of the world but when the characters, who are supposedly American, say they'll "ring" someone on the phone. I would say, as a Midwestern American, "call" someone if I were to phone someone. That read as a more European way of phoning someone which I thought it was odd since the characters are from New York. I don't know many people from New York so this may be completely valid but it's an extremely minor detail but it did confuse me for a moment.
Overall, this is a wonderful "feel-good" story that any person with an artistic dream can relate to and enjoy. It has all the makings of a nice contemporary romance but I like how the romance wasn't the sole focus of the story. I love how the character got her "Cinderlla moment" by her own hard work and not by some magical help. I would have liked to see more friendships develop but it's still a book I would recommend to all readers who like a fresh "Cinderella" underdog story.
3.6 out of 5 rating for me!
(A copy was provided for an honest review. I was not compensated in any other way.)