liralen's review
4.0
The Cinderella story is markedly improved by the addition of
a) lesbians,
b) firefighters, and
c) lesbian firefighters.
Actually...most things are markedly improved by the addition of
a) lesbians,
b) firefighters, and
c) lesbian firefighters.
Possibly I should be more annoyed by the insta-romance, but I'm just entertained by the fluff. My estimation of Cyn's intelligence, however, plummets several notches when she decides that the best way to stop an arsonist is to pull strings to get him a police job.
a) lesbians,
b) firefighters, and
c) lesbian firefighters.
Actually...most things are markedly improved by the addition of
a) lesbians,
b) firefighters, and
c) lesbian firefighters.
Possibly I should be more annoyed by the insta-romance, but I'm just entertained by the fluff. My estimation of Cyn's intelligence, however, plummets several notches when she decides that the best way to stop an arsonist is to pull strings to get him a police job.
megan_by_force's review
4.0
I enjoyed this more than Seeing Red. It was cute and a fast read. There was a moment when I felt Cyn was out of character and would have preferred her getting thumped upside the head for her antics than it being pushed aside. But, I didn't write the novel, nor am I a published author.
Otherwise very enjoyable but again, less steamy than the author's Amazon blurb leads one to believe.
Otherwise very enjoyable but again, less steamy than the author's Amazon blurb leads one to believe.
qraveline's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
kimily's review
5.0
This book has awesome characters, and a very good story. The romantic scenes are steamy, and it has a happily ever after.
Cara Malone is one of my top three favorite Lesfic authors or contemporary romance. You should give her a try.
This book was provided to me free of charge. My review is given voluntarily.
Cara Malone is one of my top three favorite Lesfic authors or contemporary romance. You should give her a try.
This book was provided to me free of charge. My review is given voluntarily.
megglettep's review
5.0
This was FUN!! Low on drama, high on charm, just a little bit of spice ;)
The connection to the fairytale was a little heavy handed at times, like the lost loafer moment, but I loved the modern take and I really enjoyed the moments of tenderness between the two leads. Plus it's just such phenomenal wish fulfillment when everything works out well, everyone is dressed properly, there's minimal family discord, and. I love me a HEA and this definitely delivered :)
I was grinning and giggling at multiple times throughout the novel. There were good jokes and funny asides, and the descriptions of clothing and locations and food was substantial enough that I got a good image of what was happening, without it being so rigidly specific that there was no room for interpretation. The characters were picture perfect and understanding of each other, and realism is not the goal of this book. And I love it all the better for it. Like Cyn, I too am a huge romance reader (obviously, if you look at my page...) and after a few of these Cara Malone books, I'm in danger of becoming a true romantic <3
The connection to the fairytale was a little heavy handed at times, like the lost loafer moment, but I loved the modern take and I really enjoyed the moments of tenderness between the two leads. Plus it's just such phenomenal wish fulfillment when everything works out well, everyone is dressed properly, there's minimal family discord, and
Spoiler
there's a lavish and wonderful wedding at the endI was grinning and giggling at multiple times throughout the novel. There were good jokes and funny asides, and the descriptions of clothing and locations and food was substantial enough that I got a good image of what was happening, without it being so rigidly specific that there was no room for interpretation. The characters were picture perfect and understanding of each other, and realism is not the goal of this book. And I love it all the better for it. Like Cyn, I too am a huge romance reader (obviously, if you look at my page...) and after a few of these Cara Malone books, I'm in danger of becoming a true romantic <3
eyrinreads's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
elvang's review
2.0
Second half is better than the first but the modern retelling/take on the classic doesn’t have the same bite as the original Cinderella.
Dialogue was oddly formal and lacked emotional depth. Characters felt one dimensional. The scenes involving dangerous activities all felt too safe.
I did appreciate the author including the original un-Disney-fied Grimm fairy tale at the end of the book. Now that story had passion, bloodshed and venom. Hard to compete with a classic.
ssejig's review
3.0
Cynthia “Cyn” Robinson, firefighter, has loved Marigold "Mari" Grimm, the princess of Grimm Falls, since Cyn moved into town. But her stepbrother, Drew, told Cyn that she was bothering Mari so she backed off. In the present day, Cyn is called to Mari's house when a firebug sets the gardens of the Grimm Estate on fire. Unfortunately, this is the third instance of fire that we read about in this book so that means there is an arsonist running around. This is the weakest part of the story but I did like that we learned who the firebug was early in the book. When the person was revealed, I thought it couldn't be that person because almost any other book would have saved the identity until the end. I also really liked that Cyn talked to Mari; there was no Big Misunderstanding.
There definitely could have been more development of the relationship between the two women but it was an okay start to the series.
There definitely could have been more development of the relationship between the two women but it was an okay start to the series.
rogueriot's review
5.0
Nearly a year later and I wanted to come back and leave a text review outside of just my star review because it is the book that I remember the most of all the books I read last year. I love fairy tale retellings and Cinderella is a favourite, this is by far my most favourite of all those I've read. I loved every minute of it.