Cinder & Ash: A Dark Cinderella Retelling

by Emily Klepp

I am living in the shadows of my father’s death and my stepmother’s oppressive control. My world is a maze of secrets and hidden desires, where happiness feels out of reach. Ash sparks hope in my heart but my stepmother seeks to destroy every ounce of my joy. Her web of lies and deceit threaten to destroy everything, but the truth is what will set me free. The love that Ash and I share is impenetrable, even when evil sneaks back into our lives. We start to give up hope as the world burns around us. Will we find brighter skies, or will we be cursed to darkness forever?This is a DARK fairytale retelling of Cinderella and contains HEAVY triggers.

Reader’s discretion is HIGHLY advised.

This is NOT the fairytale you know.

Genres: Dark Romance, Retellings, Action, Dark

189 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 20, 2024

About the author

Visit my Linktree here -> https://linktr.ee/emilykleppnovels

Emily Klepp is a Western North Carolina native residing in eastern Tennessee with her loving husband and two beautiful children. She has been writing since she was fourteen years old as a way to cope with her anxiety. She hopes to help others be able to speak their truth by writing about topics that are considered too taboo for societal norms.

Reviews

[Destiny Decato · Rating 4 out of 5]

⚠️please always read the triggers⚠️

❗️❗️The warnings for anything written by Emily Klepp can be found on her website❗️❗️

This is the first thing I've read from her, and I received it as an ARC.

I like this retelling of Cinderella in a much more modern light with a dark twist that is unfortunately relatable on multiple levels for many individuals. It has the classic evil step sisters and horrid stepmother. Of course, it wouldn't be Cinderella without including the prince charming aspect and even the "mystery woman" at the ball.

It included all the classic parts of the Cinderella story with all the realness of abuse and trauma. The coping is realistic and relatable as well. The way Gus is there by her side, best friend and safe haven, is ✨️everything✨️

If you like safe and supportive relationships, plot twists, fairy tales, and dark romance, this is for you. Please make sure to read trigger warnings before deciding on giving it a read, though. There are multiple graphic scenes that could be traumatic to some.

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novella! Cinder and Ash had such great chemistry together. I also loved how Ash treated Mary—it felt like he gave her exactly what she deserved. Overall, it was an entertaining and satisfying short read.

[Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the best Cinderella retelling I’ve ever read. While some names and a smidge of the storyline were familiar, this version kept me guessing and being shocked by what happened next. With a solid ending, this was an incredibly well written retelling. Be sure to read trigger warnings as there are some tough triggers mentioned.

[andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, definitely check the TW in this book. This isn’t your normal Disney fairytale. This took a hard twist on that, this book is about Cinder who is a daughter of a man who got unalived by the evil step mom and step sisters, the step mom in this book is very awful to cinder and when cinder steps into the masked ball that is normally thrown every year at her fathers company, she finds someone that she ends up being in a broom closet with, then evil step mom finds out and makes sure that cinder doesn’t do that again. Cinder finally gets the nerve to leave said situation with the evil step mom and step sisters, Cinder turns to the MMC in this book and finds out that she loves him, all while the evil step mom is abusing him to get what she wants from the company. This book is not one where the FMC gets traumatized but where the MMC does and the FMC stays by her husband’s side to help him work through what has happened.

[Shelby Seal(Allen) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yeaaaaaaaah! I loved this dark retelling!

Cinder & Ash was honestly even darker than I was expecting! I did NOT have evil stepmothers special brand of crazy on my bingo card. 👀 IYKYK.

Cinder my girl went THROUGH some shit to get to where she is in the end. Yet she stands tall and strong! As a great friend, daughter, and partner. 💛 Ash also really came through for her and I loved his character! His instant attraction to Cinder was just *chefs kiss*

Omg and Gus? Don't even get me started, his friendship with Cinder was so pure and had the perfect touch of comedic relief. 🤌🏼

Honestly I loved that this retelling kept all of the original quirks of the story, but with a fresh take. DEFINITELY a dark take as well! Make sure to check these trigger warnings before reading! ⚠️

If you love dark taboo, spicy, insta love with secret baby, Cinder & Ash just might need to be your next read.

[Lunawolfwy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I read by Emily Klepp, and it did not disappoint!

This is not your sweet Cinderella story as the title so eloquently states.

This story has its darkness as well as softness. I was pulled into the story from the first page and had to keep turning the page.

The author writes about some things that aren't always "socially acceptable," but she sheds light on these taboo topics in such a soft light. To me, it definitely shows her talent, passion & compassion with writing.

Consenting relationships can be so beautiful as highlighted in this story. I could go on and on with how much I loved this book and the author's form of writing, definitely earned my 5 star rating!

[Vivien Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good story. But it is a dark romance so check triggers. It is loosely based on the story of Cinderella. Cinder lives with her abusive step mom and nasty step sisters. Ash is the CEO of a huge company. Ash and Cinder have a moment together in a supply closet wearing masquerade masks, then she runs away but he can't forget her. But there's one problem, step mother wants Ash all to herself. The heroine of the story Cinder, has experienced some very traumatic abuse in her past and is somewhat afraid to stand up to her step mom. I liked Ash, but so many of his encounters with step mom made me want to pull my hair out! Cinder's best friend Gus is a bright spot in this dark romance.

[Chaos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah this book is insane and messed up. Not a surprise from this author but good lord! There is a lot of things both Cinder and Ash suffered. The whole plot was crazy. It went from a little messed up to a whole lot of crazy. Gus is probably my favorite character. He supported Cinder and was there for her whenever she needed it. That type of friendship and loyalty is hard to come by. I really love how well he took care of Cinder. She would have crumbled without his friendship.

[⭐️ mrs_munken_555 ⭐️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a retelling!
One of my favourite things about these retellings is the way that the original fairytale is ever present in the twisted tale being portrayed - here, every essence of Cinderella is there with a spicy dark twist that just makes you need more!
Bravo yet again on a fantastic novel!
Bring on more retellings!!

[Susete Kunkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75⭐️
⚠️ Read Trigger Warnings ⚠️

Omg what a ride !!!
I loved this retelling, I couldn't put this book down. It was such a page turner.

Loved all the twists and turns, loved all the MCs, it was just a incredible read.


Spicy level: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

[Mirra Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a dark twist on the Cinderella story. It focuses on Cinder, who faces abuse from her evil stepmother and stepsisters. She meets the MMC at a masked ball and falls in love with him. The story revolves around the MMC's trauma and how the FMC supports him through it.

[Matthew Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked all the way through ! Cinder is amazing , her step sisters are bitches and her step mum Mary aka the evil hag needs to be ran over by a tank ! the things she did to Cinder and Ash ! Ash is amazing , what he did for Cinder , fantastic book !

[Charlotte Thurman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely great Cinderella retelling novella always check your triggers

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear lord when we thought we've seen the horror her evil step mother does to cinder she does to Ash I cried hard

[Heath Steph Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read your trigger warnings because there are a lot of uncomfortable moments in this book that are unfortunately some peoples reality.

Cinder has been through some serious stuff in her short 24 years of life. My heart broke so many times for her throughout this book and I can not tell you how angry I was at this piece of work Mary. Ughh that thing deserved everything she had coming to her.
Ash, I had multiple feelings towards him, but in the end I liked his character. Boys will be boys but it’s how he learned and grew along with cinder throughout their journey.
I LOVED Gus! He’s the sassy best friend I beryone should have because he’s a true ride or die.
So much tragedy…so much spice…laughs…cries…there is always a lesson to be learned in Emily’s books. Great read

[Frankie Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily has done it again!!! Ugh amazing!!! I love me a good fairytale retelling, add a dark twist and it’s amazing!!! Ugh I’m hooked and I need more!!! Side note please, please go over the trigger warnings

[Alexis Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so good. I loved how down the mmc was for the mfc and how the whole storyline went regarding a Cinderella retelling. Overall very enjoyable and I loved how most of the time the mfc gets her happy ending and everything she deserves 💚 don’t forget your trigger warnings before reading

[KitKat K8 · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

*will come back for written review*

omg, I forgot about this one. life has been CRAZY!!! def a good retelling of cinderella. I loved every aspect of this one (what’s new?) & thought it was wrapped up nicely with a well-followed plot.

i’m going off of pure memory from WEEKS ago, but I do know there were some dark triggers so check them on her website! as always, Emily killed it. book was fantastic!

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I am living in the shadows of my father’s death and my stepmother’s oppressive control”

Cinder’s world is a dark place filled with grief, losing people, heartbreak and abuse. Her parents are death and her stepmother is a sadistic b*tch. Her stepsisters are the always ready helpers of her stepmother. When she sneaks out to a benefit ball that is held at her fathers company, she meets up with an old friend Ash. They share an amazing and burning moment together. Wil Ash be her savior or will her stepmother destroy everything with her lies and deceit?

Cinder & Ash is a dark (and I mean DARK) retelling of Cinderella. I was a little bit in shock of how very black this books gets. It’s fast written, with a lot of spice and the plot twists are just so unexpected that they blew me away. I’ll quote the writer on this one, “This is a DARK fairytale retelling that contains HEAVY triggers.” If you’re going to read this book please read the triggers warnings because it is so not de fairytale we all know. All though it does feel really good to read how the stepmother gets her karma, it’s delicious 😉.

I’m a big fan of dark romance and taboo books, so when I got the chance to read this ARC I took it. This book really got under my skin and in my head. I did really like it so that’s good but like I said before beware of the heavy triggers!!! I rate this book 4 stars, it’s the first book I read from Emily Klepp and I cannot wait to read more of her work !!!

[sycokittykat - Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most messed up evil stepmother

Trigger warnings in this book are extensive and if you have triggers this may not be a good idea. This is the darkest and most depraved Cinderella retelling.

The steps sisters are a product if their upbringing but the stepmother is freaking insane. She marries into a wealthy family as Dad owns a very successful business and does fantastic charity work. When he is killed in an accident everything changes.

For this woman nothing is off the table. The way she treats Cinder is depraved. I absolutely adore her best friend and everything he does for her. He is the only one who knows everything Cinder has been through. When the charity gala he Dad put so much into comes up he forces her to go and sets her up not to get caught.

Cinder goes to the gala but after nearly getting caught by the wicked stepmother she ducks into a closet to hide. Well her Prince charming also choses this closet to hide in. They find an immediate connection that leads to some anonymous hot and heavy they both enjoy.

The next day Cinder finds out who her mystery man was and this sets of a series of events I was absolutely not prepared for. However, with the push from her best friend Cinder is able to move away though that doesn't end the interference.

This book is super dark but also super spicy. For being a shorter story there is a lot of mystery to unravel. Thankfully there is a happy ending after all the drama and trauma.

[Rowena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an arc and leaving an honest review.

This is a dark cinderella retelling, but its not as you would know it. This is dark, its taboo.

Cinder has had a pretty crap life after her dad dying in a car accident when she was 10 years old. Her mother died while giving birth to her, so the only people in her life were her evil and abusive step mother Mary and her just as bad step sisters who of course loved making her life a living hell.

Cinder was forbidden to go to a business function, but she has her best friend Gus who absolutely insists that she goes so that she was a way of being closer to her father just by being able to attend. He got her in a beautiful black dress and a mask to go with it because it was masquerade it was easy to not be known. While there she hid from her step mother in a storage closet. A masked handsome man decided to hide too, and things got steamy.

After all the ups and downs she goes through, there is a point where she can't hide anymore. She has to go to Ash and tell him everything. She's pregnant with his baby. Who wouldnt be terrified when you have a woman hell bent on taking everything from you? But Cinder and Ash have a plan to take down Mary.

All in all, there is plenty of things happening in this book. There is so much of a story in this but plenty of spice to keep it going too. There is also healing from trauma.

[Marni Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cinder & Ash ( Dark Cinderella Retelling) Have you ever come across a book that just hooked you in a way no other has for quite some time That you found yourself not only falling completely in love with from the very first page but had the ability to make you feel so many different emotions you never saw coming? Kinda like being on the craziest ride at the amusement park !!! you know that feeling you get in your stomach from being excited and nervous at the same time - the anticipation of whats to come next ? Well Cinder & Ash was without a doubt that book for me . For Ash and Cinder it all starts with one unexpected moment in a closet wearing Masquerade Masks - Their identities are hidden the moment ends with Cinder Running Away - leaving Ash unable to forget her and determined to find out who she was and is !!! To make matters even more complex Cimders Stepmother wants Ash for herself. Let me just say that this is not an easy story by any means . Cinder has endured so much trauma in her life that has taken a toll on her both physically and emotionally. That in itself makes her scarred to stick up for herself especially to her stepmother. But maybe just maybe Ash can be her salvation and chance at a happily ever

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Cinder & Ash

*Check the trigger warnings.*

Cindy, or Cinder as she was affectionately called, is stuck with her horrible step mother and two step sister after her father’s death. She is beautiful, blonde and smart as whip. Her best friend Gus is the only one keeping her sane.

Ash, son of Cindy’s father’s best friend and business associate has watch Cindy grow up in the unfit home of Mary, but he couldn’t do anything about it. He is successful, handsome, tatted and oh so single.

Mary is Cindy’s evil stepmother. She only cares about herself and now she has her sights set on making Ash her next victim… er… husband. She wants complete control over Ashs company as well. And she will stop at NOTHING to get it.

I’ve always loved Emilys approach and no holds barred depictions, fallout and subsequent path of healing of those traumatic experiences.

I love fairytale retellings and this is a spicy, and emotionally charged. I love a god story where the villain wins, but in this one it’s so satisfying to see her lose.

Mary is such a €~nt! Miranda and Marissa are really no better, luckily they play very little part in the story other than to be Marys yes women.

[Sheri Corriero · Rating 5 out of 5]

As it is already written, this is a Cinderella retelling. Cinder is the main girl and her step mother and two step sisters are horrid. She is left behind to clean the house while the three go to an event. The event is being held by a company that her father’s company worked with. After her father died, her step mother has his company and now Cinder thinks she is out to get a fresh new husband, Ash, so she can have both companies. Cinder’s friend Gus won’t stand for this. He pushes her to go to the event. It is a masquerade ball, so she will have a mask and they won’t know she is there. He will stay and clean the house. Cinder goes and her family gets too close so she hides in the closet. The next thing she knows is someone else comes to hide too. Awkward. They talk and then things get hot. Masked strangers – go for it! Cinder gets home in time and all is well. She goes for a job interview at the company the next day and is shocked to see the boss was the closet man. He doesn’t realize though and sets out to find his masked girl. It gets very steamy. This is a dark retelling so watch out if you have any triggers. I received an ARC copy from the author and this is my honest review.

[Shalei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cinder & Ash is definitely NOT a sweet little story! It’s dark and twisted and oh my 🥵. Cinders world is full of twisted, demented heartbreak and a lot of loss starting from birth to now. Her mom died in child labor and her dad died in a car wreck, so they say. Her stepmother is a twisted, vindictive piece of work! And of course what’s a Cinderella story without the stepsisters? They’re just as cruel as their mother, always there to lend a “helping” hand.
Theres a benefit going on for her father’s old friend that passed from cancer and with the help of Cinders best friend, Gus; Cinder sneaks out to attend. A moment in the coat closet turns into a task to find the missing woman. Does Ash find out who it was and does he save her or does her twisted stepmother win and what really happened to Cinders dad 🤔? Come find out you know you want to!

As always check your triggers (unless you’re demented like the rest of us and want to jump in). This is a VERY dark retelling with lots of details.

[Nikki B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cinder and Ash is a Cinderella retelling, but don't let that fool you. It is not a sweet love story. This is dark and heavy, so check your trigger warnings before reading.
Cinder is left in the care of her stepmother Mary after her father's death. Mary is abusive and does horrible things to Cinder from a young age while having her two step sisters hold her down. The abuse that Cinder endures is heartbreaking.
Ash, the MMC, is the son of Cinder's father's best friend. Cinder and Ash cross paths at a masquerade party that Cinder was forbidden to attend. When Mary finds out, she punishes Cinder, but gets this crazy idea of how to pretend it was actually her that Ash met. Ash saw through her crap and tried to use it to his advantage, but when Cinder is finally ready to tell him it was actually her, Mary doesn't want to give Ash up. This story gets twisty and sooooo juicy!!!!!!
I absolutely loved this retelling. It brought two of my favorite elements together, a fairytale retelling and a dark twisted story. The lies, the deceit, the abuse, the twists..... soooo good!

[Stefanie McLain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily has done it again. A new adult twist on a classic fairytale. Now before you go to thinking this is a light and fun book, let me tell you it is not. Please check all trigger and content warnings. This is a classified as a dark book for a reason.
The FMC is your typical Cinderella, who is left alone to be raised by her evil stepmother. The difference is that our FMC is trying to do better for herself and even starts going against what she is allowed to do.
The MMC has just taken over his family business and runs into an old family friend. The sad thing is, he doesn’t remember the friend, until they show up for a job interview.
The FMC and MMC meet one night and have a blind night together. This one night leads to so much discovery for both MCs. While the FMC wants the MMC, but will stepmother allow it? There is so many twist in the read, it keeps you wondering.
The spice is hot. There is talk about past experiences and even a few current experiences that are not the best. Again check your warnings.
Overall my ratings are 4 stars, 3.5 papers, and 3.75 black hearts.

[Leisel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darkness truly creeps into this adult version of the retelling of Cinderella!
It's weird how reading this story I would travel back to my childhood memories of the cartoon version of Cinderella, complete with pumpkin carriage, field mice friends and the infamous glass slipper. But really this version is simply dark and devious. The evil step mother truly wins in this version!
A well created plot that was truly entertaining yet still alarming in so many ways. Great characters that for me were well enough defined, although I guess the 'evil' step sisters were a little undercooked but as I say the step mother's character more than sufficed.
Good balance of action, drama, betrayal, family discord, psychotic behaviour, romance and the whole good verses bad trope. But just know that the ride you will be taken on, is still one strife with both emotional and physical upheavals that will test your own emotional resiliency but still having you await the moment for that uplifting moment of success for the characters.

[Sauieh Noushin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mmmmm.... yyyyeesss!!! So as always check your triggers. But for those who have read Emily before, you are good.
I loved this dark twist on Cinderella. Cindy aka Cinder has been through some shit with her stepmother. But Ash helps her out after their HOT meeting, even though Cinder suffered, Ash kept looking for her and didn't know she was the girl he was looking for when she was working for him... or did he lol
Also Gus!! My man I fucking loved him. And Roger as well. The supporting cast was top notch... and her dad!!!
Mary is truly evil and hurt a lot of people. She is very manipulative. Years of abuse to Cindy, her father which was crazy, what she does to Ash and even Victor the prison guard.
I love the dynamic between Ash and Cinder, and the ending was amazing... I loved that it was MF throughout but Cinder got to take control and have her way with Ash... I need more of that!!! So hot!!!

[Ashley Bolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the content warnings. If you're triggered in any way, do not pick up this book. This was a pretty good dark retelling of Cinderella. I enjoyed the fact that there was not a whole lot of drama between the main female character in the main male character. They only had one major incident, and it was resolved very quickly. I enjoy it when authors don't put a whole lot of extra drama in their stories and I especially don't like it when they take forever two, get the misunderstanding out of the way. It was a fast paced story, and it didn't drag on. I enjoyed how the author created the characters and the world they were in. I especially liked that even though it's a retelling of Cinderella, it's not predictable how the story will come about. My only complaint is that I wish the sisters had gotten there just desserts as well.