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A review by laurenjodi
If the Slipper Fits by Olivia Drake
2.0
If the Slipper Fits
2 Stars
Orphaned at birth, Annabelle Quinn was raised in a school for young ladies. Given the opportunity to take a position as governess to a young duke, Annabelle seizes the chance and finds herself in Cornwall matching wits with the duke’s uncle and guardian, Lord Simon Westerly. Simon has no idea how to handle the vivacious addition to his staff, but is determined to have her one way or the other. Unfortunately, someone has other plans for Annabelle…
Fairytale retellings can be entertaining, but this one falls short.
Neither Annabelle nor Simon are particularly likable characters. Annabelle’s resourcefulness borders on the manipulative and the conniving while Simon’s stoicism is more dispassionate indifference than enigmatic alpha. This is further exacerbated by the fact that the chemistry between the couple is virtually non-existent and the love scenes are more mechanical than sensual.
Both the minor mystery plot and the fairytale elements are underdeveloped. The villain is obvious from the start and the surprising revelation at the end lacks foundation and makes no sense historically speaking. The fairytale aspects consist of vague references to the Cinderella tale, which are more window-dressing than substantial content.
Drake’s writing style is also problematic with excessive descriptions of a variety of irrelevant elements, such as Druidic rituals and Cornish superstitions that play little to no role in the story.
All in all, a disappointing read and this will probably be my first and only Olivia Drake book.
2 Stars
Orphaned at birth, Annabelle Quinn was raised in a school for young ladies. Given the opportunity to take a position as governess to a young duke, Annabelle seizes the chance and finds herself in Cornwall matching wits with the duke’s uncle and guardian, Lord Simon Westerly. Simon has no idea how to handle the vivacious addition to his staff, but is determined to have her one way or the other. Unfortunately, someone has other plans for Annabelle…
Fairytale retellings can be entertaining, but this one falls short.
Neither Annabelle nor Simon are particularly likable characters. Annabelle’s resourcefulness borders on the manipulative and the conniving while Simon’s stoicism is more dispassionate indifference than enigmatic alpha. This is further exacerbated by the fact that the chemistry between the couple is virtually non-existent and the love scenes are more mechanical than sensual.
Both the minor mystery plot and the fairytale elements are underdeveloped. The villain is obvious from the start and the surprising revelation at the end lacks foundation and makes no sense historically speaking. The fairytale aspects consist of vague references to the Cinderella tale, which are more window-dressing than substantial content.
Drake’s writing style is also problematic with excessive descriptions of a variety of irrelevant elements, such as Druidic rituals and Cornish superstitions that play little to no role in the story.
All in all, a disappointing read and this will probably be my first and only Olivia Drake book.