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Unbound by Midnight
Ella is trapped in a life of misery. Reduced to a servant in her own home, her days are spent cleaning and seeing to the whims of her spoiled sisters. Until one day, a royal invitation gives Ella a spark of hope. She doesn’t care about dancing at balls, she just wants one night of freedom.
Enter Seraphina, a mysteriously irresistible fairy who sweeps in with a wink and a promise of pleasure. Ella finds herself spellbound—but as the midnight hour approaches, Ella must make a choice. Will she claim her own happily ever after, or will the shadows of her past drag her back into the depths of servitude?
Escape into this steamy, sapphic twist on the beloved fairy tale Cinderella, where magic, pleasure, and self-discovery collide.
Enter Seraphina, a mysteriously irresistible fairy who sweeps in with a wink and a promise of pleasure. Ella finds herself spellbound—but as the midnight hour approaches, Ella must make a choice. Will she claim her own happily ever after, or will the shadows of her past drag her back into the depths of servitude?
Escape into this steamy, sapphic twist on the beloved fairy tale Cinderella, where magic, pleasure, and self-discovery collide.
124 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 12, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 22, 2024
I completely adore retellings/reimaginings and this was no exception! I loved the overall feel of this story being nostalgia meets new fairytale lore! It was the perfect vibe I was looking for and it was executed flawlessly!
We meet Ella in the typical Cinderella situation of living in her deceased parents’ estate with only her evil stepmother and stepsisters. I did enjoy that in this story the stepsisters did act rather sisterly with her when the stepmother was not around, but then changed to fit the mold their mother would like when she was. While I don’t like two-faced people, I found that this gave the stepsisters a lot more depth than the original. And at the end of the day, their actions made sense; they had never been shown true love by their own mother so they were vying for her attention and love every time she was around, so of course they would distance themselves from Ella who their mother despised.
I really loved Ella’s love of books. This reminded me of one of my favorite movies of all time, Ever After, where the main character also had a special connection to books with her deceased father. I especially loved how Ella really loved the fairy tales, as I do too!
Let’s get to the spice! I loved how sensual the fairy, Seraphina, was at first, really comforting Ella and making her feel like she could cry and speak her feelings without judgement. But then the spice kicked off with vine bondage play and I was like “MA’AM!”. I was not expecting that, but I WASN’T MAD ABOUT IT!
Finally, I loved Seraphina’s gift to Ella in relation to books. I thought that was so swoony and romantic that I audibly awwww’d.
Amanda has some more stories coming in 2025 that I can’t wait to check out!
Thank you so much to Amanda Austen for the opportunity to read this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
We meet Ella in the typical Cinderella situation of living in her deceased parents’ estate with only her evil stepmother and stepsisters. I did enjoy that in this story the stepsisters did act rather sisterly with her when the stepmother was not around, but then changed to fit the mold their mother would like when she was. While I don’t like two-faced people, I found that this gave the stepsisters a lot more depth than the original. And at the end of the day, their actions made sense; they had never been shown true love by their own mother so they were vying for her attention and love every time she was around, so of course they would distance themselves from Ella who their mother despised.
I really loved Ella’s love of books. This reminded me of one of my favorite movies of all time, Ever After, where the main character also had a special connection to books with her deceased father. I especially loved how Ella really loved the fairy tales, as I do too!
Let’s get to the spice! I loved how sensual the fairy, Seraphina, was at first, really comforting Ella and making her feel like she could cry and speak her feelings without judgement. But then the spice kicked off with vine bondage play and I was like “MA’AM!”. I was not expecting that, but I WASN’T MAD ABOUT IT!
Finally, I loved Seraphina’s gift to Ella in relation to books. I thought that was so swoony and romantic that I audibly awwww’d.
Amanda has some more stories coming in 2025 that I can’t wait to check out!
Thank you so much to Amanda Austen for the opportunity to read this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
March 30, 2025
3 stars. Sapphic ‘Cinderella’ retelling where Cinderella (Ella) meets and has a hook up with her fairy godmother Seraphina. The potential was there but everything is so underdeveloped. This is also less than 200 pages and that didn’t help either. The writing itself was good though and I liked Ella. She was likable and I liked the fire she had. The whole scene where she finally stood up to her stepmother was really satisfying.
I wish this had been fleshed out and developed more because this could’ve been really, really good. I’ll keep an eye out for future releases from this author.
I wish this had been fleshed out and developed more because this could’ve been really, really good. I’ll keep an eye out for future releases from this author.
November 6, 2024
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️.5/5
Amanda Austen is making her indie author debut with Unbound by Midnight, and this novella was a refreshing take on a Cinderella reimagining! The writing style of Unbound by Midnight immerses you into a classic fairytale with impressively detailed descriptions and matching language to the time period, yet makes it its own with a unique twist in the FMC’s wishes and desires.
*As always, be sure to check your TWs as there could be some content that is triggering (ex: FMC is an orphan). Stay safe, friends!*
💖Adult fairytale retelling
🧹Cinderella with a twist
💖Sapphic romance
🧚🏼♀️Sultry fairy
💖Instalove
🌿Fun use of vines
💖Steamy
Ella is trapped in the monotony of her miserable life: orphaned and at the mercy of her stepmother, Ella is reduced to life as a servant rather than being the rightful Lady of the home she grew up in. One day, a royal invitation to the Prince’s ball gives Ella a tiny flicker of hope – not dancing with the Prince, but rather a night of freedom.
While tears run down her face, Ella is greeted by Seraphina, a mysterious and irresistible fairy who promises to help Ella be released from the bonds of her unhappy existence. Ella is drawn to the sultry fairy who is ready to grant her wish, and is willing to embrace the feelings being elicited on her path of self-discovery.
But, when the clock strikes midnight, is Ella going to get her HEA or was her encounter with Seraphina a fleeting wish?
If you enjoy an adult fairytale with a twist, give this a shot! There is no fairy godmother, but rather, a sultry fairy who is ready to grant Cinderella her every wish!
Spice: 🌶️.5/5
Amanda Austen is making her indie author debut with Unbound by Midnight, and this novella was a refreshing take on a Cinderella reimagining! The writing style of Unbound by Midnight immerses you into a classic fairytale with impressively detailed descriptions and matching language to the time period, yet makes it its own with a unique twist in the FMC’s wishes and desires.
*As always, be sure to check your TWs as there could be some content that is triggering (ex: FMC is an orphan). Stay safe, friends!*
💖Adult fairytale retelling
🧹Cinderella with a twist
💖Sapphic romance
🧚🏼♀️Sultry fairy
💖Instalove
🌿Fun use of vines
💖Steamy
Ella is trapped in the monotony of her miserable life: orphaned and at the mercy of her stepmother, Ella is reduced to life as a servant rather than being the rightful Lady of the home she grew up in. One day, a royal invitation to the Prince’s ball gives Ella a tiny flicker of hope – not dancing with the Prince, but rather a night of freedom.
While tears run down her face, Ella is greeted by Seraphina, a mysterious and irresistible fairy who promises to help Ella be released from the bonds of her unhappy existence. Ella is drawn to the sultry fairy who is ready to grant her wish, and is willing to embrace the feelings being elicited on her path of self-discovery.
But, when the clock strikes midnight, is Ella going to get her HEA or was her encounter with Seraphina a fleeting wish?
If you enjoy an adult fairytale with a twist, give this a shot! There is no fairy godmother, but rather, a sultry fairy who is ready to grant Cinderella her every wish!
November 30, 2024
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering what would have happened if Cinderella didn’t go to the ball, this book is for you!
Perhaps I am slightly biased as Cinderella is one of my favorite fairytales, but I really enjoyed this twist on the story we’ve all grown up with. It’s easy to immerse yourself in the beginning due to the familiarity of the tale and the beautifully descriptive language. What I think is truly brilliant storytelling is that just when it could become a predictable retelling, the author twists the familiar plot around into something new. Cinderella actually has no desire to go to the ball! She’d prefer to stay home, to have one quiet and cozy night in to herself (relatable).
What happens next will keep you on your toes and keep you hooked as the author finds a new ending for the kind-hearted heroine we all know and love. Spoiler alert! I think it’s much more interesting that Cinderella doesn’t find her escape through marrying a prince.
This novella is perfect for anyone looking to get lost in a dreamy, sexy story on a cold night this winter season.
Perhaps I am slightly biased as Cinderella is one of my favorite fairytales, but I really enjoyed this twist on the story we’ve all grown up with. It’s easy to immerse yourself in the beginning due to the familiarity of the tale and the beautifully descriptive language. What I think is truly brilliant storytelling is that just when it could become a predictable retelling, the author twists the familiar plot around into something new. Cinderella actually has no desire to go to the ball! She’d prefer to stay home, to have one quiet and cozy night in to herself (relatable).
What happens next will keep you on your toes and keep you hooked as the author finds a new ending for the kind-hearted heroine we all know and love. Spoiler alert! I think it’s much more interesting that Cinderella doesn’t find her escape through marrying a prince.
This novella is perfect for anyone looking to get lost in a dreamy, sexy story on a cold night this winter season.
November 14, 2024
A spicy, sapphic adult retelling of Cinderella👠
I haven't read much fantasy, let alone romantasy, so I wasnt sure what to expect going into this ARC, but the tropes seemed interesting.
Firstly, thank you Amanda Austen for the opportunity to ARC read Unbound by Midnight. I've never read a retelling of any sort before this one, and this was an interesting little twist on Cinderella. Such a good, short romantasy read, if you're into that genre!
Favorite quote:⤵️
"I would wish for a day to myself.
Time to lounge in bed in the morning
To have my tea served to me in bed, hot
To luxuriate in a rose water bath and
read a book by the fire."
I haven't read much fantasy, let alone romantasy, so I wasnt sure what to expect going into this ARC, but the tropes seemed interesting.
Firstly, thank you Amanda Austen for the opportunity to ARC read Unbound by Midnight. I've never read a retelling of any sort before this one, and this was an interesting little twist on Cinderella. Such a good, short romantasy read, if you're into that genre!
Favorite quote:⤵️
"I would wish for a day to myself.
Time to lounge in bed in the morning
To have my tea served to me in bed, hot
To luxuriate in a rose water bath and
read a book by the fire."
April 23, 2025
I picked this up on SYKD because the cover is gorgeous who doesn’t want a sapphic Cinderella?!
Unfortunately this didn’t hit the mark for me. First of all the spice was very out of place, either the story needed longer to develop or the spice should have been left out entirely. It was giving “sex will fix all your problems”.
Secondly, the story was an exact retelling of Disney’s Cinderella for 60% of the book, with no world building or character development beyond what it was assumed the reader already knew. I found this disappointing and a strange contrast to the way the story completely deviated from the source material towards the end.
Unfortunately this didn’t hit the mark for me. First of all the spice was very out of place, either the story needed longer to develop or the spice should have been left out entirely. It was giving “sex will fix all your problems”.
Secondly, the story was an exact retelling of Disney’s Cinderella for 60% of the book, with no world building or character development beyond what it was assumed the reader already knew. I found this disappointing and a strange contrast to the way the story completely deviated from the source material towards the end.
November 29, 2024
Full disclosure: I am not a member of the target intended audience for this book, or so I assume. However, I wrangled an advance reader copy (ARC) and enjoyed reading Unbound by Midnight by Amanda Austen. The book wasn't a literary slam dunk. But there are excellent instances of phrasing, language, and imagery (no spoilers here) that are worth the read. Additionally, there are some clever character moments, which I appreciated.
November 1, 2025
So, I like the whole Cinderella retelling part of this book but I really wish it were longer and more detailed. I kind of feel like the whole book was really rushed and I wish there was more to the ending. I don't want to post any spoilers but a continuation to the ending would of been great. I feel like Amanda Austen had great ideas for this book and maybe it's just my preferences, but I like a more drawn out, detailed book. Honestly, it's worth reading though, especially if you enjoy short, fast paced stories <3
February 15, 2025
Hot hot hot!
I so loved this book! The chemistry between Ella and her fairy is steamy with a chance of ecstasy!
This retelling brings forth the hardships of being misunderstood in a world that's set against you but also leaves you wanting more of those smutty bits of passion!
I so loved this book! The chemistry between Ella and her fairy is steamy with a chance of ecstasy!
This retelling brings forth the hardships of being misunderstood in a world that's set against you but also leaves you wanting more of those smutty bits of passion!
June 29, 2025
A cute short story
This was an interesting rendition of Cinderella. I liked the views on the step sisters. The spice was decent. It is a short story, so there's not a lot to it, but I enjoyed it for what it is.
This was an interesting rendition of Cinderella. I liked the views on the step sisters. The spice was decent. It is a short story, so there's not a lot to it, but I enjoyed it for what it is.
July 29, 2025
Super short and “meh”
This book is extremely short. I initially thought, “ah, cool, a new take on the Cindirella story”, but there’s no time for any development. I think the original tale has more story than this one. Disappointed.
This book is extremely short. I initially thought, “ah, cool, a new take on the Cindirella story”, but there’s no time for any development. I think the original tale has more story than this one. Disappointed.
December 23, 2024
Unbound by Midnight was a delightful twist on a classic Cinderella retelling. The writing flowed and I enjoyed learning about Ella’s story. I read this in a day, as I couldn’t put it down! Seraphina made for a perfect fairy godmother, and I was delighted by the ending. I can’t wait for more books from this author.
March 2, 2025
Just, no.
April 29, 2025
A different take
In this retelling of a children's classic Cinderella finds a different way to find everlasting love. It doesn't necessarily have an ending as the Grimms story.
In this retelling of a children's classic Cinderella finds a different way to find everlasting love. It doesn't necessarily have an ending as the Grimms story.
May 12, 2025
I loved this sapphic Cinderella retelling! I only wish it had been longer and told more of the story.
November 26, 2025
1.75 ⭐
It was a super quick read but it just wasn’t my jam. Most chapters was Ella getting harassed by her stepmother and then the last 2 chapters is when the story actually picks up.
It was a super quick read but it just wasn’t my jam. Most chapters was Ella getting harassed by her stepmother and then the last 2 chapters is when the story actually picks up.
June 10, 2025
Me: Pride of a catchy art cover and several friendly recommendations to me, getting me read - and adore it.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews