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Charming for Mother's Day
Wanted: Prince Charming
After years of watching fairy tale movies, Ariana Soto has decided her hard-working, generous, pretty mom, Lucinda, needs a Prince Charming of her own. When television's "All Star Chef" winner, Colin Murriere, returns to Snug Harbor to open his new restaurant, Ariana knows he'll be perfect for Mom--with a little princely education from an expert.
But Colin and Lucie have a past Ariana knows nothing about. And she'll need to call on all her fairy tale princess experience to ensure these two end up with the Happily Ever After they deserve.
After years of watching fairy tale movies, Ariana Soto has decided her hard-working, generous, pretty mom, Lucinda, needs a Prince Charming of her own. When television's "All Star Chef" winner, Colin Murriere, returns to Snug Harbor to open his new restaurant, Ariana knows he'll be perfect for Mom--with a little princely education from an expert.
But Colin and Lucie have a past Ariana knows nothing about. And she'll need to call on all her fairy tale princess experience to ensure these two end up with the Happily Ever After they deserve.
109 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 6, 2013
59 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Gina Ardito
47 books442 followersGina Ardito is the award-winning author of more than twenty romances in contemporary, historical, and paranormal sub-genres. In 2012, she launched her freelance editing business, Excellence in Editing, and now has a stable of award-winning clients, as well.
She’s hosted workshops around the world for writing conferences, author organization chapter meetings, and library events. To her everlasting shame, despite all her accomplishments, she’ll never be more famous than her dog, who starred in commercials for 2015’s Puppy Bowl.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GinaArditoAu...
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ginaardito/
Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...
She’s hosted workshops around the world for writing conferences, author organization chapter meetings, and library events. To her everlasting shame, despite all her accomplishments, she’ll never be more famous than her dog, who starred in commercials for 2015’s Puppy Bowl.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GinaArditoAu...
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ginaardito/
Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 30, 2016
Lucinda Soto is a widow and a survivor of an abusive relationship. She struggles to get by and raise Ariana, her 8 year old daughter. With her father in laws help and support, she and Ariana are doing fine. That is until reality T.V. chef Colin Murreire takes over her father in laws restaurant and flips her heart upside down. Ariana decides to play fairy god mother to ensure her mother gets the happy ending she deserves, by trying to hook her up with Colin. Unaware of the past they have shared, Ariana is determined to win this prince charming for her mother while Lucinda is determined to resist his charms and cast him into the role of villain instead. Will this fairy tale have a happy ending?
A wonderful light romance that is inspired by fairy tales and not just any fairy tales but the Disney kind. Lucinda is strong and witty. She epitomizes the phrase "when life hands you lemons....... You feel her struggle with raising a daughter, balancing school, work and having come out of an abusive relationship. She is admirable. She resists change every step of the way but eventually falls under the spell of love. Ariana is crafty and clever. Very much like an 8 year old I know well. She is inspired by Disney fairy tales and the hope of love conquers all is her driving force. Ultimately wanting to see her mom happy and loved. Ariana easily is at the true heart of this story. Colin plays the role of the rogue but really down deep is a loving person. He fits the prince charming character quite well. He reveals his love for Lucinda and never gives up. The kind of love story that makes you sigh....and keep believing in happy endings.
A wonderful light romance that is inspired by fairy tales and not just any fairy tales but the Disney kind. Lucinda is strong and witty. She epitomizes the phrase "when life hands you lemons....... You feel her struggle with raising a daughter, balancing school, work and having come out of an abusive relationship. She is admirable. She resists change every step of the way but eventually falls under the spell of love. Ariana is crafty and clever. Very much like an 8 year old I know well. She is inspired by Disney fairy tales and the hope of love conquers all is her driving force. Ultimately wanting to see her mom happy and loved. Ariana easily is at the true heart of this story. Colin plays the role of the rogue but really down deep is a loving person. He fits the prince charming character quite well. He reveals his love for Lucinda and never gives up. The kind of love story that makes you sigh....and keep believing in happy endings.
October 22, 2013
A sweet read! Great for reading while curled up under a blanket on a cold fall or winter day.
Lucinda Soto is the Maitre d' at her father-in-law Sidney's restaurant. When she shows up for work one day, she enters the kitchen where her daughter, Ariana, is hanging out cooking with her father-in-law...and Colin!
Years ago, Lucie dated rich-boy Colin Murriere. When he ended their relationship in a less-than kind manner, she fell into the arms of her good friend Rob Soto. Unfortunately, she suffered greatly at Rob's hand - to the point of it almost costing the lives of her and her daughter. Widowed several years now, she works at the Gull and Oar and attends college to secure the future of her and her daughter.
Colin has recently won a cooking reality show, and used the winnings to buy the 5-star Gull and Oar from Sidney, who wants to retire and move to Florida. Lucie is the girl he couldn't forget, and he looked for her for a long time, never suspecting she married. Having found her, he intends to make her his again.
Lucie has never forgiven Colin for the way he dumped her. She admits she even cheered for his opponent on the cooking show, which she and her daughter watched regularly. Ariana, on the other hand, cheered for Colin.
Ariana, proclaimed by her grandfather to be his best sou chef, is disappointed when her mom tells her she can no longer hang out at the restaurant after school. She knows her mom does not like Chef Colin, but no one will tell her why. She is determined, after Colin tells her they once dated, that they belong together. She needs to find a way to get them back together so Colin can be her new daddy!
The story is not a very long one, but since Colin and Lucie have a history, it works. I was able to relate to and like the characters. It was a nice ending to an unrequited love. This is only the second work by this author I have read, but I have LOVED both of them so far. This, in my mind, is a sign of more good things to come.
Lucinda Soto is the Maitre d' at her father-in-law Sidney's restaurant. When she shows up for work one day, she enters the kitchen where her daughter, Ariana, is hanging out cooking with her father-in-law...and Colin!
Years ago, Lucie dated rich-boy Colin Murriere. When he ended their relationship in a less-than kind manner, she fell into the arms of her good friend Rob Soto. Unfortunately, she suffered greatly at Rob's hand - to the point of it almost costing the lives of her and her daughter. Widowed several years now, she works at the Gull and Oar and attends college to secure the future of her and her daughter.
Colin has recently won a cooking reality show, and used the winnings to buy the 5-star Gull and Oar from Sidney, who wants to retire and move to Florida. Lucie is the girl he couldn't forget, and he looked for her for a long time, never suspecting she married. Having found her, he intends to make her his again.
Lucie has never forgiven Colin for the way he dumped her. She admits she even cheered for his opponent on the cooking show, which she and her daughter watched regularly. Ariana, on the other hand, cheered for Colin.
Ariana, proclaimed by her grandfather to be his best sou chef, is disappointed when her mom tells her she can no longer hang out at the restaurant after school. She knows her mom does not like Chef Colin, but no one will tell her why. She is determined, after Colin tells her they once dated, that they belong together. She needs to find a way to get them back together so Colin can be her new daddy!
The story is not a very long one, but since Colin and Lucie have a history, it works. I was able to relate to and like the characters. It was a nice ending to an unrequited love. This is only the second work by this author I have read, but I have LOVED both of them so far. This, in my mind, is a sign of more good things to come.
July 9, 2013
LOVED this! Now I want to read more Gina Ardito's books:)
August 29, 2013
Past choices return to change the lives for Lucinda and Colin. Enjoyed the story and will watch for more by this author.
September 29, 2024
This Clean & Wholesome Romance is delightful. Ariana Soto is a precocious eight-year-old who knows her mom, Lucinda, and the All-Star Chef, Colin, would be great together. But their shared past seems to be a problem. Ari will need to put princess skills to work.
While Ari is a fantastic support character, the main focus is Lucie and Colin: their shared and independent pasts. Understanding those pasts allows the couple to understand each other. And sharing is hard work, almost as hard as listening. Overall, the resulting healing makes this tale exceptional.
Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Great world building. Happily Ever After. Haunting. Romantic. Tragic. Unpredictable. Wonderful characters.
While Ari is a fantastic support character, the main focus is Lucie and Colin: their shared and independent pasts. Understanding those pasts allows the couple to understand each other. And sharing is hard work, almost as hard as listening. Overall, the resulting healing makes this tale exceptional.
Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Great world building. Happily Ever After. Haunting. Romantic. Tragic. Unpredictable. Wonderful characters.
May 21, 2021
Lucinda walks in to hear her father-in-law say the words that destroys her world
Lucinda works and her daughter Ariana stays in the back of the G & O Restaurant when she gets out of school and visits with her grandfather Chef Sidney. He loves teaching Ariana to cook and calls her his aprentice. Lucinda works as his Mater de after she gets out of school everyday and on weekends. She needs this income and support to finish school.
Then the world falls in! Sidney introduces the new owner. A man from her past and one that will be disastrous to her and her daughter. The fight is on. Join in and ride along.
Lucinda works and her daughter Ariana stays in the back of the G & O Restaurant when she gets out of school and visits with her grandfather Chef Sidney. He loves teaching Ariana to cook and calls her his aprentice. Lucinda works as his Mater de after she gets out of school everyday and on weekends. She needs this income and support to finish school.
Then the world falls in! Sidney introduces the new owner. A man from her past and one that will be disastrous to her and her daughter. The fight is on. Join in and ride along.
May 15, 2022
A sweet read. The three person point of view made for a very moving story. Part of it deals with the past abuse that Lucinda suffered-I could imagine how horrible it had been for her; thankfully her daughter was too young to remember it. Lucinda and Colin have to deal with their past relationship, especially the way he ended it and hurt her a lot, then left her to find her way home alone. That was 10 years ago, and both have changed since then. Lucinda has a hard time trusting him at first, but Colin perseveres at apologizing and showing how he has changed. Great happy ending. The little girl was so cute and tries to play matchmaker, which is cute.
July 9, 2019
I have to start out by saying that I have read this book before. And it gets better the second time around. Yesterday I had just finished reading two clunkers in a row (no, I will not tell you the titles or authors) and my heart, soul, and brain cried out to read a well-written-wonderful story. I chose Charming for Mother's Day and I am really, really glad I did. It was everything I had hoped for and even more.
Gina writes strong, gutsy, intelligent heroines. They are a pleasure to read.
Gina writes strong, gutsy, intelligent heroines. They are a pleasure to read.
May 12, 2020
Great story
I very much enjoyed this story. A story about a woman, her daughter and the man who broke her heart in the past. He is a celebrity chef and buys the restaurant where she works. They must then come to terms with the past. I especially liked reading the daughter's point of view as the story unfolds.
I very much enjoyed this story. A story about a woman, her daughter and the man who broke her heart in the past. He is a celebrity chef and buys the restaurant where she works. They must then come to terms with the past. I especially liked reading the daughter's point of view as the story unfolds.
November 26, 2021
Adorable.
Having the three person point of view made this story really moving. Young Arianna wants to find a Prince Charming for her hardworking mom. She sets her sites on chef Colin, not knowing they have a history. Both Lucinda and Colin have journeys to take to make Arianna’s dream come true.
Having the three person point of view made this story really moving. Young Arianna wants to find a Prince Charming for her hardworking mom. She sets her sites on chef Colin, not knowing they have a history. Both Lucinda and Colin have journeys to take to make Arianna’s dream come true.
May 14, 2023
Before you start reading get your tissues ready
This story hit you with a punch. The characters Are each filled with emotions that bring you to your knees. I absolutely love the way the writer Depicts different things. I don't know if the author has gone through anything like this but she uses words that make you believe it she could have ever have no somebody else who has.
This story hit you with a punch. The characters Are each filled with emotions that bring you to your knees. I absolutely love the way the writer Depicts different things. I don't know if the author has gone through anything like this but she uses words that make you believe it she could have ever have no somebody else who has.
May 4, 2022
Good read
Author handled the topic of abuse and recovery with a delicate hand, showing how it affected many others than those who were abused and that healing can take place and lead to a wonderful life. Not a heavy story, but a positive one.
Author handled the topic of abuse and recovery with a delicate hand, showing how it affected many others than those who were abused and that healing can take place and lead to a wonderful life. Not a heavy story, but a positive one.
May 19, 2021
Loved it!
Although there were problems, love found a way to work in this situation. A well written book that let the characters tell their story.
Although there were problems, love found a way to work in this situation. A well written book that let the characters tell their story.
June 15, 2021
Wasn't sure what to expect...
But this book is wonderful. I love the story and the depth and the way it's laid out. It hit me in the "feels".
But this book is wonderful. I love the story and the depth and the way it's laid out. It hit me in the "feels".
August 21, 2021
Cute story
It was a sweet story. I wish it Lord's name in vain, which sadly happened way too much. Good story though.
It was a sweet story. I wish it Lord's name in vain, which sadly happened way too much. Good story though.
April 23, 2024
Easy, short read. Happy Ending! Did feel Lucie too too long to come around!
August 9, 2016
Charming for Mother's Day
A Second Chance
Lucie works as a Maître d' at her father-in-law's restaurant - until he sells it to Lucie's past flame -someone she would rather forget...
-"Some people were born under a lucky star. Colin was born under a lucky star while leprechauns farted four-leaf clovers and rabbits tossed their amputated feet into his gold-encrusted cradle. I, on the other hand, was born on Friday the thirteenth. No lie."
Colin always looked down his nose at people who weren't in his social or financial class, treating them like nobodies. Lucie finds that, and the hurt she experienced from him so long ago, hard to leave behind. It's been ten years since they were involved but the hurt is still there. She fell hard for him, and when he dumped her she married a man who abused her. Now she has the scars -emotional and physical - to prove she's better off on her own. As soon as she can finish her degree and get a better job, she's going to quit the restaurant. But jobs aren't so easy to come by, and as a single mom she can't just walk away... Lucie's daughter thinks her mom needs a Prince Charming and Colin seems the perfect choice: rich, charming, a protector...
The story is written in narrative form from the viewpoint of Lucie and alternating with her daughter's. As always, and in true Gina Ardito style, the writing is smooth, it flows quickly and easily, it is mature, and the story line is captivating. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. I did not see any grammatical nor spelling errors, which I very much appreciate. Since this book is part of a series, it is a good idea to read all of the books in order to get to know the characters' stories better, although there are no cliffhangers and they can be read independently. However, each story is very different and each one is equally worth the read. I highly recommend all of the books in this series. 5 stars once again!
A Second Chance
Lucie works as a Maître d' at her father-in-law's restaurant - until he sells it to Lucie's past flame -someone she would rather forget...
-"Some people were born under a lucky star. Colin was born under a lucky star while leprechauns farted four-leaf clovers and rabbits tossed their amputated feet into his gold-encrusted cradle. I, on the other hand, was born on Friday the thirteenth. No lie."
Colin always looked down his nose at people who weren't in his social or financial class, treating them like nobodies. Lucie finds that, and the hurt she experienced from him so long ago, hard to leave behind. It's been ten years since they were involved but the hurt is still there. She fell hard for him, and when he dumped her she married a man who abused her. Now she has the scars -emotional and physical - to prove she's better off on her own. As soon as she can finish her degree and get a better job, she's going to quit the restaurant. But jobs aren't so easy to come by, and as a single mom she can't just walk away... Lucie's daughter thinks her mom needs a Prince Charming and Colin seems the perfect choice: rich, charming, a protector...
The story is written in narrative form from the viewpoint of Lucie and alternating with her daughter's. As always, and in true Gina Ardito style, the writing is smooth, it flows quickly and easily, it is mature, and the story line is captivating. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. I did not see any grammatical nor spelling errors, which I very much appreciate. Since this book is part of a series, it is a good idea to read all of the books in order to get to know the characters' stories better, although there are no cliffhangers and they can be read independently. However, each story is very different and each one is equally worth the read. I highly recommend all of the books in this series. 5 stars once again!
September 2, 2014
You can learn to trust, again.
I really liked this book. The characters were well developed, and there were no places where the story bogged down. I liked all the characters, but Ariana simply stole my heart. I loved getting to see Colin and Lucie's relationship through the eyes of an innocent child. I love how this story teaches Lucie that she can trust again, especially Colin. My only reason for not giving this book 5 stars, is the use of "Jesus" as a swear word. While I do applaud the author for a clean, wholesome book without foul mouth characters, she could have chosen a different word to use, any time the characters were shocked. Other than that, I LOVED this story. Well written.
I really liked this book. The characters were well developed, and there were no places where the story bogged down. I liked all the characters, but Ariana simply stole my heart. I loved getting to see Colin and Lucie's relationship through the eyes of an innocent child. I love how this story teaches Lucie that she can trust again, especially Colin. My only reason for not giving this book 5 stars, is the use of "Jesus" as a swear word. While I do applaud the author for a clean, wholesome book without foul mouth characters, she could have chosen a different word to use, any time the characters were shocked. Other than that, I LOVED this story. Well written.
June 23, 2015
What a delightful story! Anyone who reads Gina Ardito falls immediately in love with her characters and stories. Lucie, Ariana, and Colin are some of her finest yet. Ms Ardito's humor, tenderness, and passion for writing infiltrates all of her books.This is a charming romance with a happily ever after...both things I enjoy. I highly recommend this book!
May 11, 2014
I love single parent stories and I thought the heroine's daughter was cute, but it's really frustrating that 50% of the story is told from her perspective and none of it is told from the hero's perspective.
June 29, 2017
Is a great book to read
July 11, 2014
Fantastic!
I loved this story! It caught me from the first page. The multiple perspectives was awesome, allowing a greater understanding of every situation!
I loved this story! It caught me from the first page. The multiple perspectives was awesome, allowing a greater understanding of every situation!
September 4, 2014
Not For Me .. It Was Kind Of Boring & I Get That It's A Mothers Day Novelle But Ari's POV Took Up Way Too Much Of The Novel IMO ..
September 27, 2014
This was a sweet story. A very modern day tale. The heroine has to come to grips with her abusive past.
June 2, 2013
This was a cute, charming, and clean romance. Some talk of spousal abuse, but not too graphic.
owned-to-read
January 1, 2014*downloaded free on ARE
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews