Review: Fairy Story Set in Modern Day
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 26, 2013
Charlie King had dedicated herself to making her late father's store profitable again, but her stepmother has always been a thorn in her side, and her stepmother has legal control of everything now. The woman plans to marry off her own two daughters to rich men, but when she has the "Prince Charming" of society, Alexander Royale, come to meet them, he's more enchanted with Charlie.Alex's grandparents, who have cared for him ever since his parents died in a plane crash, are pushing him to marry and have an heir before they die. He can see his grandfather becoming more fragile, and it worries him. He wants to grant their wish, especially since he'd promised his father he'd always take care of them. Against what he would have done otherwise, he shows up for the all-female dinner party. Spunky Charlie surprises him, he feels sparks whenever she's near, and she seems to feel them too. But he knows Charlie's stepmother will drive a hard bargain before he can have Charlie over the stepsisters. He just doesn't realize what far-reaching effects that bargain might have.This was a light but interesting twist to Cinderella. It was such a fast read, I read it in one evening. It contained a few mild curse words, but no detailed sex scenes. I had to reread a couple of paragraphs, like the scene with the deck of cards, to understand exactly what was happening. The ending fell into place all too easily, and I think a little more would have made it better, but I reminded myself this is a fairy tale, so things can just fall together. I would read more by Laurie LeClair.