Reviews

Super cute modern day retelling of Cinderella. I so appreciate the evil stepmom and bratty stepsisters were left in the past. Having Cindy be a shoe maker was genius, and having the backdrop be a dating show vying for the prince in a castle chateau was fitting to the Cinderella theme. I love that this was a plus size character who acknowledged her weight made it difficult to find clothes in high fashion, but did not obsess about her weight in other negative ways as seen in other books. She didn't bemoan her size, or have lesser confidence because of a string of failed diets, and she NEVER questioned whether or not Prince Charming, ahem, I mean Henry, could like her when stacked against the other ladies present. That kind of body positivity is how all plus size heroines should be written. The fade-to-black was ok, but a little spice would have amped this up to a 4-star for me. As is, this book was a solid 3.5.

beckyyreadss's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I wanted to read this book because I wanted to read more work from authors that I've enjoyed previously. I love the Dumplin series by Julie Murphy and when I saw this book, I immediately added it to my TBR. However, this book was on my TBR for way too long before I read this. I enjoyed this book; I just wanted it to be longer.

This book is based on Cindy, she has just graduated with a degree in shoe design and trying to get her feet on the ground. In the meantime, she is working for her stepmother who happens to be the executive producer of America’s favourite reality show, Before Midnight. When a spot on the show needs filling ASAP, Cindy volunteers, hoping it might help jump-start her fashion career, or at least give her something to do while her peers land jobs in the world of high fashion. Turns out being the only plus size woman on a reality dating competition makes a splash, and soon Cindy becomes a body positivity icon for women everywhere. What she didn’t expect? That she may find inspiration and love in the process. Ultimately, Cindy learns that if the shoe doesn’t fit, maybe it’s time to design your own.

I really enjoyed this book mainly because I was able to relate to it. Self-confidence is still a massive issue of mine and I have been working on it. Seeing someone like Cindy being able to be on a reality TV show and not have the public rip her to part (because if it was based in the UK, she would have been). I loved her journey and how she was standing up for herself and that she is this badass who chooses to decide on her future. I liked that the stepmother and the stepsisters weren’t evil unlike the original story of Cinderella, it was so refreshing to see that her adopted family cared about her and didn’t see her as a burden.

Even though it was based on a reality TV show, I hate reality TV and the whole challenges and petty girls and challenges were slightly annoying. I would have loved this book to have been more in-depth especially with the ending, we don’t get a happy ending expect for Cindy and Henry reuniting. I wanted them to go on dates as themselves without the reality TV aspect.

I’ve seen that this is a series with different authors, and I cannot wait to carry on with the re-telling and hopefully, the books are longer.

Content Warnings

happyjackiep's review against another edition

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funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

pages_notions's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I love a good Cinderella retelling. This had everything I wanted or didn't know I needed it.

Although this does base around family loss. We do see Cindy work her way through losing her parents, grief and what is fate to her.

I think the best highlight for me was that her support system. It's not often we see this in a retold but I absolutely loved it. And the freaking ending!!!! Like not what I was expecting but SOOO freaking cute.

I'm so excited to read the rest of the series from different authors and their interpretation of some of our beloved fairy tales.

mindi1083's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

4.25

emoser_9's review against another edition

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4.0

This was cute. Modern Cinderella retelling without an evil stepnom or sisters (theyre actyally nice!!). And it takes place a Bachelor type dating show. Chris Harrison would have teased it as the most dramatic season ever and, as usual, that would be a lie. It was still a fun read though

sofiamg's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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