Cindy and the Prince

Legendary Lovers #1

by Debbie Macomber

Unemotional, levelheaded Thorndike Prince was certain his company's Christmas ball would be an utter bore -- until a captivating mystery woman announced that she was Cinderella and he just might be her prince. In a matter of hours, she had toppled his implacable cool and sent his usually unshakable heart reeling. But who was she? Janitor Cindy Territo had thought donning an elegant gown and crashing the Oakes-Jennings Christmas party would be a lark. She'd never dreamed the handsome but cynical young vice president would melt her heart. There was no way she could tell Thorndike that his Cinderella was the broom-wielding nobody who cleaned his office . . .

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Christmas, Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance, Retellings

188 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 1, 1987

About the author

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I added a new shelf just to put this book on. It's called sandys trigger. Any book that has certain bad things going for it will be put on this list.

I saw this book and thought "oh it should be cute and romantic", and it is by Debbie Macomber so it should be good. A Cinderella type story. First, it was written in 1988 and there were rules for romance writers but come on. Second, it has a jerk of a man as the main male character. OMG where to start with this guy. I guess his mama never taught him how to treat people. He's mean to the male workers under him and pretty much sexually assaults Cindy. I thought I would be able to read it all. After all, it is only 191 pages in large print. I got to page 91 and said "nope, no more", and drove it back to the library. I didn't want that book in my possession anymore.

My notes while reading this POS:

-The names were really out there. POS's name is Thorndike Prince. There is a co-worker named Rutherford, with a nickname (he doesn't like) Ruffie. Of course, Cindy, because it's like Cinderella.

-page 26 Thorny calls Cindy a "chit". From the Freedictionary.com Noun. 1. chit - a dismissive term for a girl who is immature or who lacks respect. I knew it was an old word that was an insult but I wanted to be correct. I got some news for you Thorny, no one respects a prick.

-page 45 Thorny assumes Cindy is a secretary because it's 1988 and what other job would a woman have besides a secretary?

-page 46 The two danced together at the Christmas Ball, had food at the Ball, and kissed so Cindy "knows" who Thorny "really is". Cindy, Cindy, you are TSTL.

-Oh wait! He has a girlfriend and now he's kissing on some strange girl. Wow that must make him amazing.

-page 58 He wants to marry her and meet his parents.

-page 70 I learned something! Charwoman is a woman who cleans homes and/or offices. I guess even in a bad book you can learn stuff.

-page 72 Oh geez. "He is dealing with stupidity and incompetence". He assumes that Cindy works as a secretary for the company. She never corrected him so misunderstanding coming up. He goes to HR and asks for the guy to find Cindy. He checked three times but he is still incompetent.

-page 75 Now he has a cold. Oops sorry, a man cold. On the night of the Ball Thorny gives his overcoat to Cindy because as a person TSTL she only wore her dress and a shawl. So now he is sick and IT'S ALL HER FAULT. Right, because that's how colds work.

-page 80 Now it's Cindy's turn. Oh, he has a cold and IT'S ALL HER FAULT. She feels so guilty.

-page 84 Now it starts to get over the top. He is sick and has found out she lied to him about working for the company. He is livid and wants her to hurt. He wants her to experience just a taste of the hell she had put him through. WTH? Literally, what the hell? What hell did she put him through?

-page 85 During the Ball, her hair combs fell out (no slippers, darn), and they belonged to her mother who passed away and she wants them back. She finds out where he lives and brings him chicken soup because he is sick and IT'S ALL HER FAULT. This is what he says to her: "You my dear, should be employed by the War Department. Your country would be well served by your deceitfulness." War Department? What year was this again?

-page 86 Here we go with the sexual assault. He begins yelling at her for lying to him. "Frightened, Cindy drew back sharply. ....his hands tightened around her upper arm. He pulled her against him and slanted his mouth over hers, mercilessly moving his lips against hers. Cindy went still with shock, giving up the struggle letting him do as he would. Fighting would only aggravate him."

-page 89 He gets all pissy when she asks for the combs back. He almost collapses because of his man cold and she helps him into his bed. He wants her to stay and sleep with him. Not sex but to help him sleep because he's sick and IT'S ALL HER FAULT. She thinks that's blackmail. All she did was crash a party and lie to him.

-page 91 I was going to stop after page 89 but I turned the page and this happened. -She asks for the combs again and he says they were her mothers and they mean a great deal to Cindy. She says of course. He says "Then I'll keep them until i find out why it's necessary for you to disappear from my life". What?! This is after she feels he is blackmailing her and makes her spend the night with him. Oh hell no! Cindy needs to grow a pair and tell him to go fuck himself!!!! Oh, wow, sorry, that's been bubbling up for a while.

I about threw the book across the room at that point. I couldn't take any more. I did read the last sentence of the book, "and they lived happily ever after". How and why are two questions I have after all this. I will stick to reading the authors new books from now on.

Side note: My mom was a huge fan of Debbie Macomber. I wonder if she read this and how she felt about it. I hope she got as pissed as I did. Sorry, mom, that you had to read such crap when you were younger. If heaven is a library then you can read all the good stuff.

[Jules2016 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember my 13-year old self hiding under the sheet on my bed with flashlight in hand reading this story and hoping my mom would not catch me. I had been warned repeatedly that reading romances would rot my brain and that real life was nothing like the stories.

A rotting brain never felt so good. I loved this book. The quintessential modern day take on Cinderella. Young parentless janitor falling in love with the wealthy tycoon CEO.


These five stars are from my 13-year-old self. She didn't have the internet so my adult self is giving this book some long overdue recognition

[Emily D · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really disappointing. The story was weak, the issue between the couple could've been solved with one conversation. The entire book felt antiquated, I get it was written in the 80's but it felt more like the 50's. The ending was also incredibly rushed.

Also, Thornedike Prince needed to learn that when a girl says no, she means no. She doesn't mean hire a private investigator and stalk me. Of course, if that happened I would've hated the book so 🤷‍♀️

[Anneka · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and silly romance. The Cinderella comparisons were played up well. Unfortunately, some of the writing was a bit sexist (dialogue-wise I would accept the argument that he really felt that way) and could be adjusted or improved and even expanded to teach and grow.

[Sep · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever retelling of the Cinderella story. In the forward Ms. Macomber said that it was one of her earlier books.

[Agnieszka · Rating 2 out of 5]

I disliked the mian characters so much I wasn't able to enjoy the great writting style.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cindy and the Prince is the first book in the Legendary Lovers series by popular American author, Debbie Macomber. Cindy Territo, janitor of executive offices. Thorndike Prince, high-ranking NYC executive. A match made in heaven? Cindy doesn’t think so. She cleans his offices after hours and has seen the photo of the pretty brunette on his desk. But when Cindy rescues an invitation to his company Christmas Ball from the trash can, her idea is to see if he could be her Prince Charming. And the attraction between them is instant, strong and mutual. But when Cindy slips away at midnight, he doesn’t have even a glass slipper to track her down. Macomber gives the reader a very likeable hero, a sweet heroine and plenty of miscommunications to provide both humour and heartache. A fun read with a feel-good ending.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

No judging me!! I was in the mood for something cheesy, romantic, quick and fluffy. And which author came to mind? Debbie Macomber, of course. I used to live in the same town where she lives, and I frequented her yarn shop, so I have a little bit of soft spot for her. Her stories are squeaky clean and ultra-mindless, so I can only read them every once in a while, but when I'm in the mood, they scratch that itch.
Don't go looking for high-literature. That's not why you read Macomber. You read her to feel happy and uplifted.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is just so amazing. The characters were just so easy to read and fall in love with. just everything about this story I loved. I forgot how much I love this author. she's an amazing writer. I love fairy tale retellings. This retelling is kind of like Cinderella which is one of my favorites. this is just a quick and easy fall in love with story that should be read by many. I love it.

[Shiyai · Rating 5 out of 5]

I made it a habit to read reviews after reading a story. Sometimes, I will read the review before reading if I find the sypnosis is not intriguing enough. So, my advice for those who will read the book is, give it a shot. My review is 5 stars, but yours might be 4 or even 3.
To someone who prefer light readings and less sensual stuff, this is my book. And both MCs is likable....

Here comes some spoilers and maybe some argument against the 1 star review (everyone is right though. It's all the matter of personal oppinion) :

1. First, the Cinderella based beginning. I think it's interesting. And how they didn't smoothly have their happy ending is good
2. People might got irked with how Cindy didn't confess and get done with it which made the story dragged. But for me, it's normal. Sometimes, you thought too much that simple thing become hard. This can be applied to Cindy. Just I think Macomber should explain more on Cindy's emotional turmoil.
3. Some says, Thorne is pushy. But I think that's the wheel of the story, HIS PUSHINESS. Or I rather say, his stubborness. After all, Cindy didn't tell anything and he's in love with her. He deserve some answer right? Not that he didn't try to forget the girl at first.
4. When some says, the ending was rushed... Well, I agree with that. I want to at least read about how Uncle Sal punches Thorne.. Haha
5. I actually like how weak-hearted Cindy towards Thorne is. And how she couldn't manage to hate him. But someone should address Thorne's temper issue.
6. I do feel sorry for Sheila though. Thorne reluctance had made Sheila like that.

Ok. I'll come back if I think of anything more.

[Vibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Consistently mixed bag

[modified review based on the one for Fairytale Romance: A Collection of Debbie Macomber Classics]
This, according to some reviewers, was apparently originally written earlier in Macomber's career.

Most of it reads like YA fantasy. A mix of possible with implausible & occasions of cringe. And a lot of manufactured angst. I almost quit reading part way into it, but began skimming some as I was trying to decide. I did wind up reading the ending.

Despite a lot of stereotyping, even early Macomber is good at quick-sketching fairly likeable characters. And even with all the dross, there are clever and funny things that she incorporates into her story. I liked the unexpected turn she took with Prince's mom. I found that skim-reading let me skip a lot of the extraneous & redundant material (which I found included most of the kissing scenes, sadly), and focus more on the actions & dialogue. The relationship development is pretty insta-love, but there were a few amusing elements.

So, this qualifies as a tolerable time passer when you've nothing better, but if you're checking Macomber out for the first time to find out why she's so popular, this is definitely not where you want to start.

*Clean romance level: passionate kisses

[Kacie Alisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

What did I just read? Debbie Macomber is one of my favorites, and up until now I had never read a book of hers I didn’t love or at least like. While I knew this was a fairytale come to life book, I still didn’t expect it to be this ridiculously cheesy. As much as I’m a hopeless romantic, this was too much.
One of the lines in this book, the lead girl Cindy says “In some ways I think I might’ve been born for this night.” And leading man replies with the doozy of a line “I feel like I’ve been born for you.”
Enough said🤦🏼‍♀️

[Ann-marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has been reproduced its actually thirty four years old. This a modern day Cinderalla story. Cindy is a janitor in high powered business, her co-worker Vanessa tells her she would be a good fit for the vp Thorndike Prince whose office she happens to clean. So begins this very light story about is possible for a simple girl and well to do rich man to have anything in common? The book of course with some of its story shows its age no celluar phone etc...

[Sandra Eggleston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cindy and the Prince

This was a modern day twist on the fairy tale Cinderella. Debbie Macomber handled this tale and its characters beautifully. I really liked "prince charming's" character and his reactions to the events in the story. If their ending isn't happy, it's not because he didn't try hard enough for it. I recommend this one for those true lovers of fairy tales and a good happy ending.

[Hazel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Usually I find Debbie Macomber books at least tolerable, you know what your getting a light fun read, predictable but a great book to pick up after reading heavier books.

Unfortunately with Cindy and the Prince this book was beyond cheesy the characters came across as annoyingly immature and don't even get me started on the insta-love...yikes!

[Diana Salas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes me happy

books keep coming back to Debbie Macomber's books whenever i want to be cheered up. The drama she writes for these couples just keeps me coming back to buy more and more of her books. I know ill be satisfied by the end of the book. I will forever be a Debbie Macomber fan.

[Riley:) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I live for older romance and I have definitely read better. I liked the writing just not the story line. When a girl says “no” they mean no. And like just overall it was good but not the best. I am going to read Some Kind of Wonder by this other next. Wish me luck. 😬-got this book from a free little library

[Joyce A. Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Determined Prince

Cindy knew just how much she loved hm but she was a lowly janitress and he was a very wealthy VP of a successful business. No way could they be 'Happy Ever After.' Guess again!

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fairytale in the Making

It starts with on Cinderella and one Prince. And everything else goes out the window. Funny and romantic. I recommend for those who wish to have a storybook end, as I have and I found my Prince Charming so can you.

[Cathie McManus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story. Small bit of drama. Cindy wanted to meet her Prince. The Christmas Ball was like Cinderella's Ball. If only she thought she was good enough for The One. But Thorne lights up after talking to her.

[Lis Sigona · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Debbie Macomber’s Silhouette series, the first, I believe. Very entertaining and light hearted. Nothing heavy or too deep to gable during these tumultuous times. Enjoyed it immensely and felt light hearted to pick up the next in the series.

[Jeanne (love2cook) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story loosely based on Cinderella and the Prince. When they fall in love at the ball or in this case the company's Christmas ball. A very predictable story.

[Chana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet, clean romance based on the story of Cinderella.

[Connie McIntyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fairytale do come true.

Against all odds, the fairytale does come true in Debbie Macomber fashion with lots of twists and turns the whole family can read and enjoy.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute modern-day retelling of "Cinderella" and it was done long ago before it was the rage. Way to go Debbie! Cindy cleans offices and happens to clean the office of Thorndike Prince. Cindy has never personally met Prince but when she crashes the company ball, sparks fly. After fleeing at midnight, Prince is doing whatever he can to find "Cindy".

[Joyce Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWESOME BOOK

AWESOME BOOK... any book that Debbie MaComber is great... You cannot put her books down until the end of the book, but you still want more!!!

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I prefer to watch hokey hallmark than read it. But one more for my annual book challenge- books with my name in the title

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thats 2 hours of my life I will never get back

[Judy Verdini]

Nice Cinderella and Prince Charming story

[Cecilia Rodriguez · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is set in New York City.
Macomber updates Cinderella in a charming contemporary romance.