A splendid retelling of Cinderella.
924301
This was a splendid retelling of Cinderella. The setting of having to work at the Blackmore Miller trying to save money to go to Paris to study design and having to deal with a greedy step-mother and step- sister. The good guy okay is not a prince but a duke will do I think and she has a wonderful friend in Lorna. A must read for anyone seeking a fresh and enjoyable story. Oh, let me not forget there is a bit of steam to this story too. Take a chance on it is a fun twist on the classic fairytale. I did download this book free but not from the author. I do have her Quest of Honor that I will be a reviewing shortly. After reading this story I wanted to be part of her arc group.
2343209
Whats not to love about Glass Hearts? Its a modern-day Cinderella retelling with lots of heart and just enough sexual tension to keep you turning the pages. I read it in three days. And while thats not a record (held by New Moon, read in less than 24 hours), it should give you an idea of how much I loved this book. When I wasn't reading, I was thinking about the characters and when I could pick up the book again.

Ember, our heroine, is a recent college grad with a full scholarship to Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. Normally a risk-adverse woman, she decides to throw caution to the wind right before leaving and engage in a one-night stand with a guy she meets in a bar. The only problem is that tragedy keeps her from fulfilling her Paris dream. In a truly genius plot point, now shes stuck with a brain-damaged-mom-turned-evil-stepmother and an ungrateful sister, both of whom she has to support with virtually no money.

Her one night stand doesnt fair much better. Ring (also called Jordan), our Price Charming, sees his nearly completed masters degree go up in smoke when his father dies, leaving a previously unknown legacy of debt and confusion. Ring quits school to help save his fathers floundering hotel with no idea how hes going to get it done, only the conviction that he owes it to his dad and needs to do it on his own.

The estranged lovers meet up once again in a bakery where Ember works, cooking up some truly mouth-watering recipes (the author seriously made me hungry while reading it), and decide they need a fail safe, a relationship that will let them escape from their problems while not burdening the other with them. So they can hang out, have sex, and talk, but neither knows what is going on in the others life. Ill leave the rest of the plot for you to uncover as you go, but trust that it involves a lot of ups and downs for Ember and Ring, a fairy godfather (of a sort the Brothers Grimm never imagined), a masked ball, and yes, a sort of glass slipper.

I truly fell in love with this book. Its a feel-good story that defies the norms of the fairy tale (for example Ember is overweight, which is wonderful to see in a heroine) while still keeping with its spirit and giving creative nods to the iconic elements. The characters are great, the kind of people you want to be friends with.  I also loved the theme that getting what you want of out of life takes hard work and effort nothing is just handed to youespecially since the characters are of a generation known for its acceptance of entitlement.

This five-star book makes me anxious to go back and read the authors first book, Ink Deep, a modern twist on Beauty and the Beast.
2490468
A beautiful take on the Cinderella story coupled with Jan Brett's beautiful artwork. A must have if you like variations on fairy tales.
2438182
A different spin on the Cinderella tale. I found it absorbing -the plot kept moving with a realistic outcome and of course the happily ever after.
2939515
A lovely retelling of a classic fairy tale. Ms. Singh really brings this world to life. The descriptions of the Castle and its inhabitants are vibrant and enticing (down to the food!). Liliana is a wonderful heroine, brave and determined (and not conventionally beautiful!). The finale to the series feels a bit rushed, but it does not detract from the love story.
3585534
I usually stay away from re-told fairy tales. I already know the story, so what's the point? This one is a delightful exception!  I loved that Kate (aka Cinderella) is not the hesitant, shy miss the tale seems to imply but a wonderfully witty (sometimes laugh-out-loud-funny) heroine stuck in a less than desirable position and making the most out of it. I wasn't sold on the scene where Kate waits in the Prince's room while he plays court to his betrothed, it just didn't fit her character. But, with that exception, it was a light, very funny, read that just might make me change my outlook on fairy tales!
405312
Since this is a retelling of the Cinderella story, it is, obviously, fairly predictable. I did appreciate that the step mother was largely not a villian, cruel through apathy rather than malice.  I also liked that this Cinderella is much less a victim than in the classic tale. While I could make a case that there is a lot more that could be done with the tale to flesh out the story more, overall it exceeded my expectations.
1724581
This was a nice, sweet story. It's a modern day retelling of Cinderella, but in my opinion it's best considered as it's own separate story. It was an enjoyable story and there's a good amount of character growth as well as some romance.
35266
I love this movie for many reasons, but the most important reason is that it portrays Cinderella as an intelligent and self sufficient person.  Yes, of course she gets her prince charming but unlike other versions of the tale, she dosn't need a fairy godmother, and she dosn't need the prince to save her while she sits around waiting.  This cinderella is a real woman with real problems, and she finds true love.  That is what a fairy tale is supposed to be.
4120440
A wonderfully entertaining retelling of the Cinderella story. Aria and Henry are great together and the story is wonderfully modern. She works for the US government and Henry is a prince, but Aria doesn't know that because he lies about it and doesn't tell her. Will Aria's stepmother ruin everything and will Aria believe in Henry's love when he has lied about everything else? If you like fairy tales don't pass this one by.
I voluntarily received a copy for a free, honest review.
3215107
I was a little skeptical at first about another Cinderella story, but I absolutely loved it! Even though this version doesn't have fairy godmothers or singing mice, there is still something magical about it. The book is so well written and Ella is such a thoughtful and beautiful character. And there's a good chance you'll need some tissues with this book.
2504788
A good read for those who enjoy fairytale romance with plenty of realistic mud. This clever adaptation of a classic fairytale invokes plenty of recognisable elements from the old story, with some delicate wordplay evoking the Wolf.

Many readers will recognise the Scottish/viking background.  Others will appreciate the links to the other books in this series.

 I personally could have done without the visceral description of some battle scenes.

However,  all well that ends well, which this romance does.

Worth a read.
872171
Credit to Drew Barrymore for her performance in a Cinderella role. This one is a gem of a story, beautifully told. The inclusion of Leonardo da Vinci as a quirky senior inventor and friend adds a light-hearted note to the film.
1454123
This story was wonderful. At first, you'll think you're reading Cinderella. Give it a few chapters before having doubts. It's worth every word. This book was a pleasure to read. I hope you like it too.
4495313
I read this book in one eveningIt is a delightful modern-day version of Cinderella. There are no glass slippers hereElla wears a worn pair of cowboy boots. The stepmother is replaced by a stepfather who worked her mother to death and then slotted Ellen into her place to do the cooking, cleaning, and catering to her stepsisters. Fearing that Ella will meet someone and leave, he keeps her isolated on the ranch and has someone assigned to watch her constantly.

Ellas Prince Charming is a war veteran, who had come to town a few years ago and started a business. He has isolated himself from the community because he cringes from the look on peoples face when they see his impairment. He lives by himself, with a circle of dogs who are also damaged.

This is heart warming story the Cinderella theme is obvious, but the characters and the situation are unique and very different than the original ones. I felt for Ella, resented her sisters, was glad that she found a couple of allies, in spite of her evil stepfather. I liked Ian Crowne a lot. Together he and Ella found the possibility of something that they never imagined could existif Ella could ever break away from her prison to be with him.

If I had one complaint, it was that the book isn't very long; yet when I thought about that, I realized that it didn't need to be any longer.  The story was complete.

I highly recommend this for an afternoon breakor a space of time when you want to be carried away to another world for a few hours!
1833546
Cinderella is the most popular fairy tale of all time.  There are several versions of the story that we might have all read at different points as children.  This had "chick flick" written all over it, but I was pleased with the results as they fleshed out this tale as best as they could.

Drew Barrymore, the world's most successful comeback child star, plays Danielle, a young peasant girl in France.  Like the fairy tale, her father remarries, gains a family of a step mother and two step sisters, then suddenly dies.  Danielle is left with her new family but finds the true nature of her step mother to be cold and cruel (played wonderfully by Angelica Houston).  Her bitter jealousy of Danielle's good qualities and contempt is obvious.  What the fairy tale versions did not always hint at (with the possible exception of the Disney animated movie) was that the step mother is plotting for her own daughter to be in favor with the royal court and marry the prince.  It makes for many hilarious situations with Danielle and her step mother and sister (see that scene when she knocks her over and her feet go flying over her head).  Her younger step sister, while the weaker and clearly not the favorite of the two, makes for Danielle's unlikely ally.

While Danielle tries to keep the peace and home and make the best of her situation, the prince of France one day comes right to her door.  Prince Henry is suffering from a combination of cold feet and growing pains, and when a willful Danielle comes into the picture he is taken aback.  While at first there is animosity between them, but the love will naturally grow.  They incorporate some more modern themes in this story that your average so-and-so in those times might not have been thinking of (education, free thinking, justice system, etc.) because a vast majority were illiterate.  Plus, Danielle is strong enough that she doesn't need the prince to come rescue her from the evil neighbor who bought her.  She slays the dragon herself and has a humbled prince come before her asking her to take him back.  And her fairy godmother is none other than Leonardo DiVinci himself.

This is a wonderful take on the most beloved of all fairy tales and leaves wonders to the imagination.
4369221
This is one of the most cleverly written and acted adaptations of the classic Cinderella story.  A nearly flawless film with beautiful scenery, unforgettable acting and a well thought out plot more than compensate for Drew Barrymore's awkard british accent. Many unexpected plot twists, enjoyable costumes and funny situations make this a first rate film for the whole family.