Rebecca Zanetti: One Shattered Crown

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/244187785-one-shattered-crown

Book Blurb:

Set in a steamy, neon-lit, high-tech world of magic, money, and explosive desire, this sultry, dark fairytale retelling offers a dystopian romantasy twist on Cinderella.

ELLA
It’s the wedding of the year—a lavish union of two powerhouses. But I’m only here for vengeance against the woman who stole my position as sole heir to my late father’s company, TimeGem Moments, and shipped me off to boarding school. I’ve only made more enemies since. Tonight is my chance to reclaim control. Tonight, TimeGem’s diamond-powered servers are this girl’s best friend. Unless he ruins everything. Justice Beathach, the groom’s unbearably hot brother, with hands built for war and a mouth that spells destruction. He’s lethal, unyielding, and now has me in his crosshairs . . .

JUSTICE
Ella Rendale almost killed my brother once. Now, at his own wedding, she’s almost done it again. I don’t care if he’s forgiven her or if she’s been wronged. I care about one thing: the locked flash drive she leaves behind, spelling my destruction. She can run, she can hide, but when I find her, she’ll give me what I want. But someone else wants her even more than I do—they want her dead. When our enemies close in, I’m forced to protect her, turning the fire between us into an uncontrollable weapon. Now, she’s not just my quarry—she’s my obsession. And I’ll kill anyone who even thinks of taking her from me . . .

Tropes:

*Netgalley/Hambright PR ARC *Fairy Tale Retelling (Cinderella) *mafia romance 

*action *spice *trigger warnings *Possessive MMC *Protective MMC *Magic system 

*dystopian *Dark romantasy 

Thoughts:

I’m going to do this review a bit differently because I wanted to like this book more, but I think it just didn’t fully land for me but I’m sure plenty of people will like it so I’m going to try to find this book the right audience.

Things I liked about this book:

I appreciated that Ella (FMC) was a total baddie she was smart and capable and was an expert at code.  She was frequently getting herself out of sticky situations.

Justice (MMC) I liked how protective he was towards Ella, her dog and even her godmother’s, he was a bad guy but just slightly softer for her.

The 3 godmothers- Super fun group of ladies and I’m so glad that Ella had them in her corner they taught her about code and watched her back.

I appreciated some of the fairy tale elements of Cinderella were kept like the evil step mother/step sisters. 

Our Ella might not of had mice but she did have a protective Dog

 Negatives:

*Ella would get captured by Justice only to escape him and he would chase her… while this was ok the first few times, it began to feel repetitive. 

*Ella played a cat and mouse game with Justice pretty much the whole book then towards the very end she’s just all of a sudden ok and on fully on board… like what?  Why did you run from him so much then girl he was trying to protect you!

*The spice for me was over the top/too much and happened at some odd times once it started… he gave her too many spanking (not shaming it if people are into that kind of thing) but acted like it was more of a punishment for her continuing to run away from him… you are still enemies right now of course she’s going to run she doesn’t feel truly safe!  And her step mom is trying to unalive her too.

*MMC runs with FMC through a crowded room with fingers in places they shouldn’t be in public like just wait till you get to a room!

If you are looking for a super elaborate world building where the “magic” system is explained this isn’t that type of book à

Basically this is a dystopian society where there are 4 main “social media companies” that are super rich/powerful and over the top aggressive as most of them are headed by mafia families. 

Ella’s father owned one of the top 4 and she was supposed to get the company in the will but her step-mom stole the company. 

 The Social media companies are powered by different gems (diamonds, cintrine, rhinestones etc…) à none of the lead characters know how this whole process works just that some people have the ability to power up different stones. 

The Gems can get infected with computer viruses and through the gem humans can receive the infection when they go to try to power up the gem stone.

The MMC has an infection from a gem and is in need of help clearing up this issue… we find that his brother had this happen in the previous book and Ella was responsible leading to the enemies à more trope.   

This is probably better enjoyed if you read the previous two books first as the characters from previous books come into play in this 3^rd book. 

I could figure things out well enough from reading this as a stand alone, and might at some point go to check out the first two books in the series. 

If you enjoy more of a mafia romance vibe with some scattered dystopian/fairy tale retelling vibes and magical crystals you might enjoy this one.

Have you read this series yet?  What did you think?  

Marissa Meyer: Heartless

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18584855-heartless

Book Blurb:

Long before she was the terror of Wonderland—the infamous Queen of Hearts—she was just a girl who wanted to fall in love.

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next queen.

Then Cath meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the king and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship. Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

Tropes: 

*Fantasy *Young Adult *Romance *Fairytale Retelling *prequel  *heartbreaker

*Betrayal  *Villain origin story *secret mission *insta love *angst *tension *forbidden love

Thoughts:

I am currently on a team doing a book challenge and saw this book on the bingo board for this week saw the blurb and chose this one to help our group complete the board for this week. I actually hadn't heard of this before (or if I had I forgot about it)... but considering it has almost 300,000 ratings on goodreads I must be in the minority.

To start with we have Catherine she is a sweet girl with big dreams she loves to bake and her wish is to one day open a bakery with her best friend Maryanne.  Even though Cath comes from a wealthy family this dream is very much just that a dream and as far away as it can possibly be from her reach... She comes from a noble family and her family would never just approve for her to start a business... with one of their maids... not on their watch.  

Cath has caught the eye of the King but she hasn't caught her eyes... in fact she really would rather he not talk to her at all she wants to open her bakery and he is giving her mother big ideas like one day she might be the queen.  Her mother is obnoxious and snooty she frequently talks down to Cath and is quite insulting.  

The King is a timid (irritating) man who just wants peace in order to get it he often turns away from real problems and his form of a solution is having a party... like that will solve the real issue here. 

While Cath was not searching for love... love found her in the way of the court Joker (Jest MMC) who is handsome, charming, mysterious, stealthy and everything that Cath felt she would want if she were to fall in love... but totally unsuitable according to her parents and everyone else around her but she is intrigued by him from the moment she lays eyes on him.

Cath says yes to the kings courtship... not because she wants to but because she is voluntold and the only highlight to being with this man is that she'll get to continue to see Jest and he meets with her in secret they grow closer together and Cath continues to dream of a life where she can control what happens where she will say no if the king actually proposes marriage, one where she will be able to open her bakery and one where she can be with the one man she is growing to love Jest.

The romantic in me wanted for her to be able to have her happy ending with Jest and open up her bakery as she wanted to with her friend but over the course of the book it's clear that the fates have other plans for everyone involved, but could Cath have it all? There has to be another way.   

When a creature from nightmares emerge and everyone is afraid who will there be anyone to rescue them?  

I did at times feel that the pacing was a bit off there were many slower scenes which led to the ending feeling more rushed.  Cath was sweet and naive to the point of me feeling like shouting... no girl don't do that you've been warned. I also was frustrated with her for not setting her foot down long before the end... I get that she felt trapped in an impossible position when the king started courting her but if she didn't want to go thru with it and was in love with another man she seriously could have run away and opened a bakery in another whimsical place... she kept wanting to make her parents proud but her mom was terrible (in my opinion) and her dad just backed her mom.

The ending... seriously crushing... if you are a HEA person... don't start this book.  

Over all I really enjoyed this story it was an easy read and it flowed well, I loved how the characters we know from fairy tales and Alice in Wonderland came together the story felt whimsical and magical and we see from the beginning how the Queen of Hearts got to where she is now when time, fate and choices get in the way.  

Elisabeth Aimee Brown: What Comes of Attending the Commoners Ball

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/215353471-what-comes-of-attending-the-commoners-ball

Book Blurb:

Hester Flanders went to the ball for the food. She didn’t expect a prince to follow her home.

If there’s one rule Hester learned during her country upbringing, it’s never accept a gift; that’s how the Folk get you. Although she’s left her farm behind, she can’t leave her superstitions, even if no one else in the capital city seems to care. Hardworking but hungry, she’s looking for loopholes, and the king’s annual Commoners Ball seems like the perfect way to get a free meal that’s not technically a gift—and it would have been, too, except a pesky prince took a shine to her.

Inglebert Lucas Chesingwick isn’t just the crown prince; he’s also practical, responsible, and very annoyed to see his younger brother causing a scene by flirting with a peasant at the ball. He can separate them for one night, but his mischievous brother is determined to see the poor girl again. And again. And for some reason, Lucas keeps running into her, too. If only there was some way he could help her.

The princes might mean well, but Hester knows better than to accept favors from anyone, even royalty—even if it’s cheese—and even if saying no breaks her heart. After all, just because the Folk have never been seen in the city doesn’t mean they’re not around.

Cinderella meets Howl’s Moving Castle in this cozy fantasy romance from debut author Elisabeth Aimee Brown. Whirl away into a whimsical story of glittering gaslamps, frisky Folk, and huggable hogs.

Tropes:

*Netgalley ALC  *Historical Romance  *Fairy tale retelling *Strangers to more  *Fantasy 

*Superstitions  *Hardworking FMC  *Prince MMC  *Cozy read/listen  *just kissses (no spice)

*Dual Narration *forbidden relationship  *Protective MMC *Funny

Thoughts:

Hester (FMC) is a hard working woman who has left the country for the big city and once she hears that the Commoners Ball is happening she decides to go, she is a commoner after all... even though her friend advises her that it's not really what they meant and she doesn't have an invitation she shows up anyway about to be turned away by staff of the palace for not having an invitation... an invitation shows up just in time.

Lucas (MMC, Prince) is and always has been responsible he does what is expected of him but he truly is kind and cares about the people, he also feels its his job as the older brother to keep his younger brother out of trouble (which he often gets into).  The night of the commoners ball his brother is up to his old tricks and decides that he's going to find someone to fall in love with... when he sees Hester he narrows in on her and invites her in to enjoy the festivities.

While Hester has a wonderful time and enjoys spending time at the Palace with the princes (the older one more so than the younger)... she knows thats what it is one night of fun, it's back to work the next day... only the younger prince isn't done with his shenanigans and keeps bursting into her life in unexpected ways... leading to Lucas attempting to help clear up his younger brothers unhelpful actions by actually helping Hester and getting closer to her along the way.  

Hester continues to struggle with accepting favors from anyone as she believes in "Folk" and "changelings" she is very adament about keeping her special wards to keep them away and knows that people in the city don't believe... but she does and if she can't repay a thoughtful action she can't accept it with the help of her friends she grows to see that true friends want to help not for what they can get in return but because there are genuinely kind people out there. 

Our girl Hester is just doing her best... but can be tempted with cheese.  Even when down she picks herself back up and moves forward and even helped our serious Lucas have fun from time to time as they both deal with Hugh (the younger brother) while he feels he's being helpful but really just does what he wants without a care for the fall out.  

I received this ALC through Netgalley and I really enjoyed this one!  it was a cute cozy listen with fantasy elements blended with a Cinderella (ish) retelling.  The leads were very sweet and easy to love and it was so cute seeing Hester and Lucas find that even though he is a prince and she is a commoner some things are worth breaking the rules for... Love and even though they knew they couldn't/shouldn't be together they couldn't help just seeing each other one more time.  

I enjoyed how everything weaved together at the end this book was a light funny easy read.  

If you read it go in knowing its over the top quirky at times and reads as more of a YA romance!  Have you read this one? What did you think?  

S. Usher Evans: The Curse of the Wretched

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/245063491-the-curse-of-the-wretched

Book Blurb:

Five hundred years ago, the Legendary Balfour vanquished the evil witch Ophesia, saving Genad Kingdom from her heinous curse. So when that same witch crashes his father's coronation and revives the curse, Prince Thom is charged with finishing what Balfour started.

Thom is more diplomat than warrior, and if a throne room of soldiers can't kill the shadow wielding menace, he has little hope of success. Armed with Balfour's ancient journals, Thom hopes to convince Ophesia to free his people with charm instead of steel. But his plan goes sideways when the beautiful and mysterious woman imprisons him, vowing he'll never leave her magical castle hidden in the mountains.

Thom's new prison is much friendlier than he'd expected, with a quartet of enchanted housewares at his beck and call. As Thom learns more about his mysterious captor, he discovers Ophesia's not just an evil witch, but a woman who sacrificed everything for the man she loved once upon a time. And saving his kingdom might just mean mending her broken heart first.

The Curse of the Wretched is the first book in the Wretched Curse series.

*High Gravity ALC  *Romantasy *Beauty & The Beast retelling (Gender swapped)

*reverse Age Gap *reverse grumpy/sunshine *Shadow magic *Mirror magic *Slow Burn

*Curses  *Family drama  *Cliffhanger *Cinnamon Roll MMC  *enemies to lovers 

*enchanted friends 

Thoughts:

Beauty and the Beast but reverse the genders and make it spicy --> sold 

Thom (MMC) is the crowned prince he is different from his father and younger brother who just want power and don't care about the people of their land, ever since Thom lost his grandfather things have gone down hill... and quickly.  Thom is caring and thoughtful he actually listens to the people and wants to do what is right for everyone... not just what is best for himself.  

Apparently 500 years ago Thom's ancestor Balfour, that is highly celebrated as a legendary hero for defeating an evil witch (Ophesia the one that cast a curse over the lands)... but maybe his greatness is a bit (or a lot) embelleshed since Ophesia wasn't vanquished... in fact she's very much alive and while on his death bed Thom's grandfather told his father to be careful and not have a public coronation it needed to be private he urged everyone to be on guard as he knows that Ophesia is still alive and she is coming down from the mountain to cast judgement on the newly appointed king... as she does for every new king.

Naturally Thom's father who is arrogant and selfish doesn't listen and holds public celebrations which draws the Evil witch to him where she makes sure the curse over the land during his rule holds fast... or did she? 

Thom's father who always felt Thom was too much like his own father and would rather have his youngest son as his heir decides to send Thom on the impossible mission to rid the land of the evil witch once and for all... this is doable he just needs to go up the mountain take care of the witch (who apparently no one has defeated) and come back down... yea that's going to happen.

Thom with the help of his trusted friend (who is also his secretary), his friend's fiance and his great great great great (you get the idea) Grandpa Balfour's journal's finds the entrance to the witches mountain home... only once he gets there things are not as they seem.

Thom knows that he can't defeat the witch as is but maybe he can talk her into lifting the curse on the lands once and for all, she can be reasonable right? 

Now trapped with the evil witch Thom being the guy he is decides to make the most of it and get to know (or try to) his captor better... she is stand offish and short tempered at first but over the course of their time together more of her story comes out and we learn she has reasons for keeping her distance... along with reasons for everything that she does.  

The pacing was a bit slow at times with the action picking up towards the end.  This is a slow burn and our couple getting to know each other throughout the book feels natural the spark between the two is there... one of them just needs to make the first move!

I really enjoyed this gender reversed Beauty and the Beast it had enough of the original elements which we all love (including the enchanted items) but with enough twists to make it an enchanting tale all on it's own.  That ending... I need the next book now!! 

I got this ALC copy from High Gravity ALC and I think the narrators did a great job with this story I stayed up way too late wanting to know what happened next.   

Dorothy Callahan: Bella and the Bullfrog

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/249462710-bella-and-the-bullfrog

Fumbled Fairy Tales Series Book 1 

book blurb:

When the master book of fairy tales is shaken by a wayward human, the stories within are thrown into chaos — and Bella’s quiet village is the first to feel the consequences.

Instead of taming a cursed beast hidden inside a crumbling castle, Bella finds herself hurled thousands of leagues from home. Worried over her sick father but bound by her own concern over a beleaguered, talking bullfrog, Bella grants the creature two days of her help. Imagine her surprise when the frog turns out to be a prince transformed—quite unfairly—by a scheming enchantress. The threads of his fate are now tangled with hers, and breaking the curse will require more than a simple kiss.

As fragments of other fairy tales bleed into their world, Bella must rely on her wit, her compassion, and the strength of her own heart to see this through. The frog-prince who deserves her help may be proud, stubborn, and inconveniently small — but beneath the enchantment lies a man who sees beyond her beauty and is determined to earn her love rather than simply claim her.

Opposites in every way, this couple must overcome class differences, expectations, rank and enchantments if they are ever to find their way to Happy Ever After.

Because in this fumbled tale, love is not chosen by decree.

It is won by sacrifice, humility… and finding the humanity in us all.

Bella and the Bullfrog is a damaged prince, optimistic heroine, forced proximity fairy tale set in a medieval European town. Achieving their Happy Ever After means discovering self-grit and determination, overcoming stereotypical roles and parental expectations, finding found family, and seeing beyond what the eye normally sees.

THE FUMBLED FAIRY TALES SERIES is a collection of reimagined stories by authors who turn fairy tales on their heads to deliver stories that speak to the heart. Inside, you’ll discover bold heroines and unforgettable characters who refuse to wait for rescue, choosing instead to find their own way to a well-deserved Happy Ever After.

*Fairytale retelling  *Strangers to More  *Prince x commoner FMC  *friends to more  *curse

*magical world  *true loves kiss  *Young adult  *no spice/clean  *ARC read  *Indie author

*Forced Proximity  *Medieval Europe 

Thoughts:

The guardian of THE book of Fairy tales gets a surprise visitor who causes havoc by shaking the book feeling that the old tales are outdated and full of big problems that need change too late to stop it from happening the guardian is beside herself with worry over what changes were caused by this action... to start with Belle from Beauty and the Beast is now about to meet the Frog Prince... this is a disaster... or is it?

Bella in order to save her sick father from the Beast's clutches trades places with him as prisoner shortly after her world is shaken up (for real) when she falls... and keeps falling she is no longer imprisoned in the Beasts tower but now in a completely different tower after finding a way out she walks a very long time until coming across a disgusting pond filled with who knows what... and is that a talking bullfrog?

Prince Riven is distressed no one in his family respects him or feels he is responsible enough to have a job he wants... he wants to make people happy with song... is that so wrong?  He has always been the kind brother complete opposite to his older half brother's rudeness but he knows he's not going to inherit the throne anyways so why can't he just do what he wants build a university for all to attend and create music?  

Upon returning home Prince Riven finds that one of the Great Enchantresses visits... the mean one... trying to think back to what he did he finds out that he didn't do anything to enrage her it was his awful brother who told the townspeople to dump their trash into her special pond and contaminate it... but when he tries to explain all of this she doesn't want to hear it instead taking him to the very disgusting pond where he is to live out his days as a frog until he can find a way to decontiminate it... but how can he do this in his tiny new body?  Also will his family even care to look for him?

Bella with a heart of gold finds Riven in his new form and knowing that she's no longer close to home and just traveled far away in mere minutes she figures that it isn't too far off to find her new acquaintance is a cursed prince.  

Unable to leave the murky muck of the pond and still have his voice Riven is bound to the pond and surrounding area but he is thankful to have someone to help him and all in exchange for his help getting home.  He has always wanted to find a partner who liked him for him and not for his status as a Prince.

Bella tired of the men in her village who just want her for her beauty is surprised to find that she is drawn to the prince even in his frog form... could this be love?  

This was a cute quick read, it was a fun reimagining of the classic tales and it's easy to see that if Bella could fall in love with a Beast she could also potentially fall in love with a Frog Prince.  

I love how well Bella and Prince Riven worked together to help with both of their situations and the ending wraps up just like a fairy tale should.  

I truly enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to the next in the series! 

Have you read this book?  what did you think?  

E.V. Everest: Kissed by Iron and Glass

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/250419411-kissed-by-iron-and-glass

Book Blurb:

When my stepmother sold me at auction, I thought I’d experienced the cruelest fate. I was wrong.

Because now I belong to the Iron King, a fae with a heart as cold and unyielding as the cursed iron that encases it. To keep his throne, he needs a queen–his fated mate. And I’m supposed to use my ability to protect him, to see through deception… by posing as one of his potential brides.

Assuming I can survive.

The Iron King’s Bridal Trials are a glittering nightmare of cutthroat fae and deadly secrets. His kingdom is on the brink of rebellion, and every fae lady is willing to kill for the crown.

But when the clock strikes midnight during my first dance with the Iron King, everything changes. Because maybe, just maybe the man I loathe might also become the man I love...if two hearts can break a curse of glass and iron.

*Fairytale retelling (Cinderella) *Political intrigue *ruthless Fae *Bridal trials  *truly unlikeable villains *Fated mates *brooding/grumpy MMC *Cursed MMC  *Fierce FMC  *Some spice (light)  *Familiars *magical world *touch her and 💀 *Romantasy *ARC read 2026 *Dual POV

**This is book 2 in the series it is a stand alone and I didn't read the first one but now plan to

Thoughts:

Alette (Cinderella) is a magical fae with the ability to see through glamour spells (rare in this world) 

She is sold by her evil step mother at auction to the head guard at the palace and now is blood bound to serve him and he wants her to find threats that others have hidden or are trying to bring into the castle.

Harry: MMC brooding, grumpy he was the 4^th son of the king and never expected to inherit the title so he left years ago to forge his own path with his best friend… they were both cursed together (in the first book which I haven’t read but now plan to) and now that his friend has found happiness and he hasn’t since he is still cursed he is headed home after years away… only when he’s on his way back he gets word the palace is under siege by rebels and arrives too late to save the remainder of his family… he takes care of the current issue but now there are rumors that he came back to steal the throne and he lets these rumors fly if it causes fear and helps him keep the throne in his family… for now but he knows there will be more uprisings if he doesn’t do something drastic.

He decides to host an ancient event that where he will find his queen through a series of possibly deadly trials… an Iron King needs someone strong to stand beside him

This is where Alette comes back into play she has now against her will been brought to the castle to work and is now part of this bridal competition she wants no part in.  There is a cute Meet cute between our leads in the kitchen when she doesn’t know who he is.

Alette has had a hard life since her parents past and it’s about to get worse since 299 other noble ladies are fighting for the crown… they can have it as far as she’s concerned

Then she finds surprise allies in the castle with the kitchen staff, Princess Ember (widow to one of the fallen princes), The former queen’s familiar (a very large cat), and even the King himself who might not be as iron hearted as she originally thought…. In fact could she be falling for her enemy?

The only negatives for me were that there were some slower parts in the middle in between the trials and then the ending wrapped up a bit quickly but I'm looking forward to going back and reading the first book to see what happened to Harry previously.  

I truly enjoyed this romantasy fairytale retelling and I thank the author for letting me be on their ARC team!  

If you've read this one or any of this authors other books let me kwow what you think in the comments 

 

Rachel Hochhauser: Lady Tremaine

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/231126977

Book Blurb:  

A breathtaking reimagining of Cinderella, as told through the eyes of its iconic "evil" stepmother, revealing a propulsive love story about the lengths a mother will go to for her children

A widow twice-over, Etheldreda is now saddled with the care of her two children, a priggish stepdaughter, and a razor-taloned peregrine falcon. Her entire life has become a ruse, just like the manor hall they live grand and ornate on the exterior, but crumbling, brick by brick, inside. Fierce in the face of her misfortune, Ethel clings to her family’s respectability, the lifeboat that will float her daughters straight into the secure banks of marriage.

When a royal ball offers the chance to secure the future she desperately desires, Etheldreda must risk her secrets, pride, and limited resources in pursuit of an invitation for her daughters—only to see her hopes fulfilled by the wrong one. As an engagement to the heir of the kingdom unfolds with unnerving speed, she discovers a sordid secret hidden in the depths of the royal family, forcing her to choose between the security she’s sought for years and the wellbeing of the feckless stepdaughter who has rebuffed her at every turn.

As if Bridgerton met Circe, and exhilarating to its core, Lady Tremaine reimagines the myth of the evil stepmother at the heart of the world’s most famous fairytale. It is a battle cry for a mother’s love for her daughters, and a celebration of women everywhere who make their own fortunes.

*Fairy Tale Retelling (Cinderella)  *Step Mother  *Historical  *Netgalley ALC *2026 *Fierce FMC *Momma Bear FMC  *drama with the queen  

*Some trigger warnings (not sure if there is a warning but it does discuss SA  & DV towards the end of the book) 

Thoughts:

I was drawn to this story by the blurb alone I enjoy a good fairy tale retelling and I wasn't disappointed this tells the story of Cinderella... but it isn't the one we grew up with it's real and raw and told from the "evil" Step mother's point of view.  In this story we learn more of her life growing up and how she is just a woman on her own after out living 2 of her husband's the second husband left her with a falling down estate and no funds to take care of it... also a young step daughter Ellen she also has 2 young girls of her own what is she to do?

The story flips back and forth between telling a bit of Ethel's past and the present.  In this we find that she's just a woman trying to live and give her daughters the best life possible with limited resources she's hardworking and resourceful and teaches her 2 girls to be the same, while she tries with Ellen she's kind of at the end of her rope with her as Ellen still tends to believe everything is going to fall into place and some man is going to sweep her off her feet, she has her head in the clouds and seems to not notice the crumbling down estate and the struggles of her step mother, step sisters and the few staff members they have left and when asked to do her part to help she doesn't put much effort into anything including things that she would directly benefit from.

Ethel is heartbroken when her step daughter (who has never treated any of them like family) is invited to the prince's upcoming ball and knows that this would be a huge opportunity for all of her daughters.  Using a bit of scheming Ethel ends up with an invitation for all the girls but things go down hill shortly after that and she doesn't know how much more she pretend that they are still well off at home with most of their valuables sold and relying on her bird Lucy to help hunt for their daily meals.

While there were no cute talking mice, magical pumpkins or fairy godmothers what it did have was a lot of heart and Ethel isn't evil after all she's just a woman trying to do the best she can to provide for herself and all of her daughters (even if she feels a little more reluctant towards her step daughter after so many years of her lack of assistance with their situation).  

When the prince makes a decision maybe fairy tales don't have a happily ever after, after all.  I enjoyed the narrator she did a great job!  What I would say is that some of the story felt a little bit on the slower side due to the repetitive nature of topics like how she was just trying to be a good mother (which we could see throughout the book).  I also think that it read more towards historical fiction with a side of fairy tale retelling.  Thank you Netgalley, publishers and the author for this ALC. 

Kristy Brown: Cinderfella

 Read in 2025

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41022694-cinderfella

Ash (short for Ashley) is our Cinderfella in this book, he is a sweet, caring and nurturing guy he was adopted at a young age and while he had a caring family when he was young that all changed when his mom passed away.  His adopted father at that point turned to alcohol and began to treat Ash as more of a servant also encouraging his two biological sons to do the same.  Ash has been pushed out of the house and sleeps in the barn going to the house after his family leaves for the day for food from their housekeeper.  

Ash works the farm by himself including bottle feeding his piglet Gus, who sleeps in the barn with him.  One night everything changes when he meets a strange elderly man named Gerry who asks for help with his car, he goes to fix it for him and gets him on his way then later receives another unexpected visitor a beautiful girl Elle who is secretly a princess and is running from a ball where it was announced she would have to marry a complete stranger, tired of following all the rules and not having any say in her life she runs losing her shoe in the process and ends up on a farm (the farm where Ash lives naturally).

I enjoyed that Ash remained kind and caring he wanted to be a doctor and was often at the local hospital volunteering even though he was tired from his farm work.  Ellie is offered multiple times by Ash for a cab to be called to pick her up and take her home but she declines and ends up staying and helping around the farm for several days she likes that he doesn't treat her differently due to being royal, he doesn't even know who she really is as there is no TV in his barn.

I felt some of the dialogue was awkward it started off feeling like a movie from the 1950's but then you knew it was supposed to be modern times due to having modern cars mentioned, lap top computers, what was on TV and Ed Sheeran.  

Gerry is found to be Ash's Fairy Godfather assigned to him to correct a wrong, but he leaves more questions really as he shows up sporadically to help him and tell him that he's "doing things at the wrong time" but doesn't often tell him when the right time is either until he shows up way late asking why he isn't doing something... how was he supposed to know what to do?  

Ellie knows she needs to go back to the palace eventually and Ash finds out who she really is when he goes in the house and sees the news report on TV that the princess is missing and there is a reward for her safe return.  Some drama occurs when the evil step brothers find out where Ellie is leading Ash to have to make some tough decisions since a poor farm boy and a princess could never actually be allowed to be together right?

Was a cute quick read that had a lot of the same story we know and love from the original Cinderella but with some twists before our couple gets to their happily ever after 

*Indie author  *gender-bent Cinderella  *fairy tale retelling  *closed door  *some adult language 

*insta love  *young adult  *happily ever after  

Trigger warnings:  abduction/captivity, alcohol over indulgence