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cmitchell2781's review
4.0
A fun read
Very cute and unique. Good for fans on fairytales and true love. I actually enjoyed that the only true villain, so to speak, was the stepmother.
Very cute and unique. Good for fans on fairytales and true love. I actually enjoyed that the only true villain, so to speak, was the stepmother.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
4.0
A few days ago my patience got thrown out of the window. I was gonna buy a few paperbacks of this series here and there. I was gonna wait until another self pub book would be published and I would need a few extra books to justify the shipping costs. But I was having way too much fun with this series and these books. I wanted the rest too! So, I decided to do something crazy and I ordered all the ones I missed. My issue this morning? Which one to read first!
I've read quite a few Cinderella retellings already, but this one was very original! Mostly because we were reading the entire story through the eyes of the Evil Stepsister. Also because the author captured the core of the story, but changed a few of the details. There is only one stepsister in this story, for example and although this Cinderella does the work of the servants, she is not purposely treated as such by her stepmother and stepsister.
What I enjoyed most is that this story gave the evil stepsister her happy ending (I assume that not's a spoiler considering the title of the series), but didn't make her less evil. We understand what happens and why she hurts her stepsister. We understand why she wants and needs that prince so badly. We understand her frustration and desperation, but it doesn't make her kinder. She's still mean and crossing lines she really shouldn't cross.
The one thing I would have loved to see more of, was the ending. A lot of focus is on the story we already know, although we live it through different eyes, but the happy ending of the stepsister gets less attention. I understand that most of it can be solved within the few pages is lasts and yet I feel like our heroine deserved more, more focus on her own journey and the last steps towards her own happily ever after.
I've read quite a few Cinderella retellings already, but this one was very original! Mostly because we were reading the entire story through the eyes of the Evil Stepsister. Also because the author captured the core of the story, but changed a few of the details. There is only one stepsister in this story, for example and although this Cinderella does the work of the servants, she is not purposely treated as such by her stepmother and stepsister.
What I enjoyed most is that this story gave the evil stepsister her happy ending (I assume that not's a spoiler considering the title of the series), but didn't make her less evil. We understand what happens and why she hurts her stepsister. We understand why she wants and needs that prince so badly. We understand her frustration and desperation, but it doesn't make her kinder. She's still mean and crossing lines she really shouldn't cross.
The one thing I would have loved to see more of, was the ending. A lot of focus is on the story we already know, although we live it through different eyes, but the happy ending of the stepsister gets less attention. I understand that most of it can be solved within the few pages is lasts and yet I feel like our heroine deserved more, more focus on her own journey and the last steps towards her own happily ever after.
fairytalearista's review
5.0
Delightful
A heartfelt retelling of Cinderella focused on the Stepsister with a Georgette Heyer vibe and magic that might or might not be real.... (It's totally real).
A heartfelt retelling of Cinderella focused on the Stepsister with a Georgette Heyer vibe and magic that might or might not be real.... (It's totally real).
ameserole's review
4.0
The Stepsister and the Slipper is the fourth installment of the A Villain's Ever After series. In it, you will meet Charlotte and Lance. Now this is a Cinderella retelling with an interesting twist. Yes, the prince still marries the Cinderella-like character in this book. That love will probably never change. It just so happens that the stepsister almost ends up marrying him before she finally tells the truth.
Don't know if you all know but there are three animated Cinderella movies. In the last one, I think, the stepsister ends up almost marrying the prince before the truth is reveal and he ends up with Cinderella. Please don't ask me how I know this but just know that I love Disney movies. Plain and simple.
That being said, this book reminded me of that movie. Charlotte was a bit unlikable for most of this book. Same feelings towards her mother as well. I didn't really agree with her decisions until she finally told the truth. She just seemed pretty selfish, and she just wanted the title and money more than the actual love.
I did, however, really like her with Lance. At least whenever they were together the chemistry never felt forced. I liked how he called her out towards the end and was still there for her after everything. I also liked how both sisters were visited by the fairy godmother. So, yeah, it reminded me of the movie and I'm glad both sisters found love.
In the end, I need the next book now!
Don't know if you all know but there are three animated Cinderella movies. In the last one, I think, the stepsister ends up almost marrying the prince before the truth is reveal and he ends up with Cinderella. Please don't ask me how I know this but just know that I love Disney movies. Plain and simple.
That being said, this book reminded me of that movie. Charlotte was a bit unlikable for most of this book. Same feelings towards her mother as well. I didn't really agree with her decisions until she finally told the truth. She just seemed pretty selfish, and she just wanted the title and money more than the actual love.
I did, however, really like her with Lance. At least whenever they were together the chemistry never felt forced. I liked how he called her out towards the end and was still there for her after everything. I also liked how both sisters were visited by the fairy godmother. So, yeah, it reminded me of the movie and I'm glad both sisters found love.
In the end, I need the next book now!
shelvedthoughts's review
5.0
Charlotte: villain or hero?
Reader’s Notes:
– this is a part of a series but is read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Charlotte’s (the stepsister) point of view
Review:
I loved this villainous twist on Cinderella! Charlotte was an awesome stepsister who toed the line between villain and heroine. And I couldn’t tell if she was going to be the one to end up with the prince or if her stepsister would until the very end! I also loved each interaction between Charlotte and Lance! They played off each other so well and it was interesting to see what Lance would say to Charlotte next.
Charlotte has always known that she would not marry for love. In fact, it doesn’t even exist. She was to marry the wealthiest man she could to support her mother and stepsister. So when all her efforts bring her to the palace, Charlotte does not hesitate to go for the most wealthy man of all, the prince. But when she is thwarted at every turn by a mysterious girl or a conniving man, Charlotte wonders if she truly wants to marry for wealth. And if true love might actually be real after all…
Reader’s Notes:
– this is a part of a series but is read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Charlotte’s (the stepsister) point of view
Review:
I loved this villainous twist on Cinderella! Charlotte was an awesome stepsister who toed the line between villain and heroine. And I couldn’t tell if she was going to be the one to end up with the prince or if her stepsister would until the very end! I also loved each interaction between Charlotte and Lance! They played off each other so well and it was interesting to see what Lance would say to Charlotte next.
Charlotte has always known that she would not marry for love. In fact, it doesn’t even exist. She was to marry the wealthiest man she could to support her mother and stepsister. So when all her efforts bring her to the palace, Charlotte does not hesitate to go for the most wealthy man of all, the prince. But when she is thwarted at every turn by a mysterious girl or a conniving man, Charlotte wonders if she truly wants to marry for wealth. And if true love might actually be real after all…
betweenthelinesbookclub's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
clockworkp's review
El principio me pareció interesante y las caracterizaciones y lo pobres que eran todas muy realista cara la historia original. Pero en el momento de la zapatilla y que Charlotte tarde tantísimo en confesar pudo conmigo. Eso ya no es redimible e increíblemente irreal que el príncipe siguiera con la voda sabiendo que no era la chica que buscaba. Y que le den dinero y un título después de todo eso es risorio. Un caso de el final destrozó mi disfrute.
kiriamarin's review
Eu gostei desta estória mas é tão curta e como é uma coletânea com vários escritoras, não dá pra desenvolver um arco complexo de personagem e trama, principalmente Charlotte e Lancelot. Poderia ser interessante uma continuação