The Cinderella Prince

The Boys of Hudson Burrow #1

by Hayden Hall

All I want is to help those who need it the most. So when a devastatingly handsome stranger lands in Neon Nights, the gay bar where we spend our days and nights, I immediately know he’s in trouble. I also know that we share an instant connection that comes once in a lifetime, but our clumsy kiss freaks him out and turns the night into a total disaster.

The truth is that Cedric Philippe Valois Montclair is no random stranger looking for a place to stay. He is a foreign prince about to be engaged to a woman his family picked for him. Facing the prospect of an arranged marriage, the charming prince ran to New York and fell into my arms.

Cedric is a dreamer, an art lover, and hell in a tight shirt. He makes my mouth water and my heart melt.

Can I protect him from his family’s pursuit? And can I resist that endless pull of attraction?

I know I can never be more than a friend to him. Even if he didn’t have to marry a French marchioness, he couldn’t be with me. But every minute we spend on the dance floor, our hands exploring each other’s biceps and backs, my desire for him becomes hotter.

I’m about to do something terribly stupid.

I’m about to fall in love with a prince.

The Cinderella Prince is a gay new adult romance featuring a chance encounter, a prince running away from an arranged marriage, a hero in search of a cause, their found family, and a hard-earned HEA with twists and turns before the end. It can be read as a standalone, but this book established the entire world of The Boys of Hudson Burrow. This is Tristan and Cedric's story.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Royalty, Contemporary, Queer, LGBT, Found Family

1 pages, Audio CD

Published April 22, 2025

About the author

Gay. Sweet. Steamy.

Hayden Hall writes MM romance novels. He is a boyfriend, a globetrotter, and an avid romance reader.

Hayden's mission is to author a catalog of captivating and steamy MM romance novels which gather a devoted community around the Happily Ever Afters.

His stories are sweet with just the right amount of naughty.

You can get in touch with Hayden on Facebook or through his website at haydenhallwrites.com

Reviews

[Lady Macbeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Nice start for a new series from Hayden Hall. This is a strangers to lovers, instant attraction, hidden identity romance.
Tristan and Cedric meet during a night in a bar and they're instantly attracted to each other. Cedric, though, after an amazing kiss, tells Tristan he cannot give him more. They meet again when Cedric starts working for Lady Vivian: they try to resist, but eventually they start a relationship.
They're so so good togheter and the sex scenes are very emotional and romantic. They're very committed to each other and Tristan is fiercely protective of Cedric's secret.

What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
Tristan's past is very interesting: his loss brought him a trauma he couldn't be able to overcome for years and I lovfed how he mended things with his parents. I would have loved to know more about his past relationships, though, because there are several hints in the story but the author left them unsaid and he didn't fully explain them.
What happened with Cedric's family was too predictable and so it was his decision to "protect" Tristan.
The epilogue is beautiful but it seemed that all that drama was resolved in a too easy and convenient way.

I adored to see Luke and Rafal again and I really loved to know more about them!

I love Hayden Hall stories and I'm a little bummed I didn't completely enjoy this one. I have high hopes for the next, though, because it already seems very interesting.

I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review.

[Leigh Gaskill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute read. A prince being forced into a marriage he doesn’t want hides out in NYC and a man with a hero complex finds him and tries to solve his problems. They definitely had some things to work out between themselves and had the looming threat of impending marriage over their heads. But they were able to pull it off with some unexpected help.

*𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬.*

[Guy Venturi · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you find a Prince you must Burrow the Hudson.

Love is almost always unexpected and amazing. The different kinds of love swirl through life like the Spring wind, but the heat of Summer is often followed by Fall and even Winter. The weather of love is unpredictable and does not obey royalty or government demands.

Yet hidden within the remarkable changes and amazing scenery that influences your mood, love can entwine your heart and inspire you to do things you would never expect to do. Family history is a strong influence and the relationships with friends and acquaintances interconnect conversations and adventures that seem too diverse to blend into the fantastic love story that makes life worth living.

When conspiracy theory and art history mold the love of life of the heroes and gods of the ancient past into the educational research of modern day royalty, the love for food, life, and even puppies can span extremes to fill a palace or a New York apartment with love beyond the bounds of time and space to fill a couples' hearts and souls without worries about what the world might think.Neither a busted bust of an ancient lover or the wrath of a Crown Prince wanting to control his family can separate the true love of a pair who only want to help others and be together forever.

[Heather MMRomanceReviewed]

This is the second runaway prince story I've read recently and I can't say that I'm bothered by that at all! The Cinderella Prince was a fun and poignant read that breaks open both Cedric and Tristan's inner desires and lays them out in story form as their instant attraction becomes more!

I love the aspects of found family, standing up for yourself and figuring out how to live your best life, even if that means standing up to your family or running away as fast as you can!

This book is a great start to the new series and I can't wait to see what comes out of Hudson Burrow next!

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few words: intimate, romantic, passionate, sensual, sweet, dazzling, and emotional.

The plot around these two was just fantastic, I adored it.

The characters were so engaging, all because of how they were crafted.
I saw them, felt them, and heard them.
Their first dance was dazzling, their first kiss sweet, their first date romantic, their first lovemaking sensual and passionate, the whole story together intimate.
A winner!

[Fernanda Parente · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Tristan, a lost soul with so much grief and pain inside.
The way Tristan and Cedric met is magical, the way the walk trough the streets of NY made me want to visit the city
And Luka and Rafael appear briefly in the book along with Mama Viv
Loved it

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cedric & Tristan

This was a cute and interesting story to read. I enjoyed Cedric and Tristan's story quite a bit.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[Laura Fabian · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC kindly provided for the author in exchange for an honest review

Ranking: 4.5⭐

This was my first book by Hayden Hall and I really enjoyed it. I was already excited to read The Boys of Hudson Borrow, but after reading Tristan & Cedric I am completely in love with these characters, plus I loved reading the sweetness in the love of these two and the atmosphere in Neon Lights was the best.

I really liked Tristan from the first chapter. He's a guy with a tragic & painful past that he has spent years running away from, he always helps those in need and has the most beautiful & sweet heart, I think that is why I fell in love with this character so much: I LOVED reading him worrying about Rome, helping Mama Viv whenever she needs it and his story with Pudding. That's why it broke my heart so much to know that Tris is also a broken boy, who constantly feels inadequate and a failure, and it was painful that his character sabotages himself from fulfilling his dreams, while at the same time trying to fight for them.

Cedric is a prince running away from his family obligations and engagement he DOESN'T want, he's a guy who takes refuge in another country and finds the freedom, community and unconditional support he needs when he arrives at Hudson Borrow, something that melted my heart and made me love this story even more. Cedric is also a very intelligent character, he sees Tristan as he is, recognizes his good heart and just wants to make him happy, he's also a brave man who is willing to fight for his happiness.

One of the things I liked most about this book was the instant attraction between Tristan & Cedric, the instant connection they share, and the sweetness of their love story. I also loved reading how Cedric allowed himself to trust Tristan, and how Tristan NEVER betrayed that trust, even in his worst moments. Also, I think things between these characters happen at the perfect time, and I really liked the way the main conflict in their love story was resolved, knowing that these characters are surrounded by people who love them and are willing to support them without hesitation.

👑Cedric: 5/5
🩵Tristan: 5/5
👑Plot: 4.5/5
🩵Love story: 5/5
👑Secondary characters: 5/5
🩵Cover: 5/5
🌶️: 2/5

ARC amablemente proporcionada por el autor a cambio de una reseña honesta

Puntuación: 4.5⭐

Este fue mi primer libro de Hayden Hall y lo disfruté mucho. Ya estaba emocionada por leer The Boys of Hudson Borrow, pero después de leer a Tristan & Cedric estoy completamente enamorada de estos personajes, además, me encantó leer la dulzura en el amor de estos dos y el ambiente que hay en Neon Lights.

Tristan me gustó muchísimo desde el primer capitulo. Es un chico con un pasado trágico & doloroso del que ha pasado años huyendo, siempre ayuda a quien lo necesita y tiene el corazón más hermoso & dulce, creo que por eso es que me enamoré tanto de su personaje: AMÉ que leerlo preocupándose por Rome, ayudando a Mama Viv siempre que lo necesita y su historia con Pudding. Por eso me rompió tanto el corazón saber que Tris también es un chico roto, que constantemente se siente insuficiente y fracasado, además, fue doloroso que su personaje se sabotee para cumplir sus sueños, al mismo tiempo que intenta luchar por ellos.

Cedric es un príncipe huyendo de sus obligaciones familiares y un compromiso que NO quiere, es un chico que se refugia en otro país y encuentra la libertad, comunidad y apoyo incondicional que necesita cuando llega a Hudson Borrow, algo que me derritió el corazón y me hizo amar esta historia aún más. Cedric también es un personaje muy inteligente, ve a Tristan tal cual es, reconoce su buen corazón y solo quiere hacerlo feliz, también es un chico valiente que está dispuesto a luchar por su felicidad.

Una de las cosas que más me gustó de este libro fue la atracción instantánea que hay entre Tristan & Cedric, la conexión instantánea que los une y la dulzura de su historia de amor. También me encantó leer como Cedric se permitió confiar en Tristan, y como este NUNCA traiciono esa confianza, incluso en sus peores momentos, además, creo que las cosas entre estos personajes pasan en el momento perfecto, y me gustó mucho la manera en la que el conflicto principal en su historia de amor se resolvió, saber que estos personajes están rodeados de personas que los aman y están dispuestos a apoyarlos sin dudarlo.

👑Cedric: 5/5
🩵Tristan: 5/5
👑Trama: 4.5/5
🩵Historia de amor: 5/5
👑Personajes secundarios: 5/5
🩵Portada: 5/5
🌶️: 2/5

[Laura Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cinderella Prince is book one in the Boys of Hudson Burrow series. This MM romance story is about Cedric and Tristan.

Cedric is a foreign prince that fleas from his country to New York in an attempt to escape the future his family has planned for him. This includes an arranged marriage to a French marchioness. Tristan is a college dropout with a passion for cooking. He works odd shifts at Neon Nights, a place he calls home. This gay bar is owned by Mama Viv, a drag queen who takes in runaways, offering them a job and place to stay. My heart broke for Tristan when we learned about his past, and how the trauma still affected him. He was such a caring guy and always wanted to help those in need. This eventually includes Cedric.

Cedric and Tristan first meet at Neon Nights. They are instantly attracted to each other and spend the evening getting to know one another. But after they share an amazing kiss, Cedric stops things from going further. Tristan is confused, but eventually Cedric confides in him. Tristan can’t help but offer to have Cedric’s back and to help him pass the time.

Although they try to resist each other, Cedric and Tristan give in and become so much more. These two take us on some ups and downs. In the end, Cedric makes a decision he believes protects Tristan. I wasn’t sure how it would all play out, but after an expected twist, we see Cedric and Tristan get their happy ending.

This book had a great found family and I really enjoyed meeting the side characters. This was certainly an interesting story and a great start to a new series.

I received an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review.

[raccoon reader]

I tapped out at like 15%.

I normally like secret relationships and hidden identities. But Hall can be a bit hit or miss. TBF it might have been the narrator. His accent for Cedric is....absolutely... well... it's a choice. A bad narrator can really steal some stars. It can really ruin a story.

I also had the ebook on KU which I'm about to return. If a story is good I'll read both, enthralled by the written word as much as by the narrators voice acting. A good narrator can make the lines pop in a way they didn't in my head. The meaning changed or altered beautifully with just one syllable, just one inflection. Neither caught my attention so both back they go. It's a shame.

I won't rate this, and I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading it. It seems filled with found family and has a lot of oddball guys living in one house that reminds me of Accidental Love series. It was a little too similar for my liking because I didn't really care for that series. I don't like OTT flamboyant or unbelievable characters in that sort of bigger than life bright sunny day we all love each other and are perfect people/friends. No, sadly my default is OTT gritty dark characters who are decidedly *not* perfect people. Give me morally grey. Give me cheating. Give me mafia, sex workers, crazy family, mean ex's any day of the week over ...whatever that was.

So if you light, bright, happy, mama drag queen wisdom, beautiful starving artists and protestors, on a vibrant NY street, then here's your book. It seems sweet and light and low angst. Definitely no murder, obsessive love, or kidnapping in this one 😂

Not sure if I'm done with the series. It just looked so interesting :( I'm sad I didn't like it more.

[Marion · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in The Boys of Hudson Burrow series and it starts off on the right foot. This is the story of Tristan Lawson and Cedric Philippe Valois Montclair. Tristan is the chef at Neon Nights, an LGBTQ+ friendly bar run by Lady Vivian Woodcock. Tristian believes he is not worthy of love nor attention because of his previous family trauma. Cedric is a prince who has run away to NYC. His family has arranged a marriage to Elodie, a marchioness. They have nothing in common plus Cedric is gay. His family doesn't care. Hence his hasty escape to NYC. As he is trying to stay untraceable, he needs a job for money. He doesn't want to use his credit cards. Cedric and Tristan meet at the bar. Lady Vivian is a drag queen who goes by Mama Viv to those she cares for. She also has a reputation for taking boys in who need help. It is obvious to all that Cedric needs help. The spark between Cedric and Tristan is real but nothing can happen. Cedric explains his betrothal and Tristan vows to help him. Eventually the chemistry overcomes good intentions. Then Cedric is forced to return home and leaves Tristan. Cedric believes he is doing the right thing to protect Tristan but Tristan eventually knows better. This is their story. The book is written well and is easy to read. There are a few twists and surprises along the way but eventually happy ever after is achieved.

I received a complementary copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[San Lemonade]

The Boys of Hudson Burrow Series:
1. The Cinderella Prince To Read
2. Romeo vs Romeo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars
3. Beauty and the Billionaire ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars
4. Mad For Madison Coming 16/01/2025

[Theodore · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 40%

The story was just a little too slow imo for a romance. I mean I'm 40% of the way through and the two MCs are just having their second/third scene together?

And since they've barely interacted, there wasn't a chance for them to really establish any sort of rapport with each other, so the mutual attraction really just feels like it's primarily physical.

Plus I don't really super care about Cedric's issue about being forced to marry a woman he doesn't love just because he's royalty. Like sure it's sad, but I just couldn't really feel sympathetic or empathetic to an incredibly rich person bumming it out.

Tristan is similarly kind of boring too. He's someone who cares a lot and aspires to be a chef, but like that's kinda it.

40% of the way through and the only thing I'm getting is that Cedric and Tristan are going to try and have a relationship based on purely sexual attraction.

TL;DR The story takes too long to get tonthe romance, but when it does, it's not emotionally backed up. The MCs are a little dull and I'm not super sympathetic to the main conflict.

[Syria · Rating 2 out of 5]

the plot was interesting and the author has good writing and engaging skills, so I can't understand how he could write a love story between two such bland and insipid protagonists.

[Janette · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the first book of this new series, Hayden Hall kicks things off with a tortured soul, a runaway prince, and an amazing found family complete with a commanding, colorful matriarch in Mama Viv. It’s spicy, sweet, and heartfelt in all the ways I’ve come to expect from his work while still delivering a boatload of drama and complications.

Cedric’s a prince from a lesser known European monarchy, and the US seems like the perfect place to escape his arranged marriage. As long as he doesn’t use his phone or access his bank accounts, his family will never find him, right? He’s just got to keep his identity under wraps.

Tristan seems like your average guy, living each day the best he can, supporting the friends he now considers family. I didn’t quite expect the mountain of trauma he’s shouldering, even if it’s abundantly clear there’s something he’s hiding.

This one starts off a bit slowly, setting the stage for the characters and storylines to come. If you’ve read When We Meet Again, you’ll recognize some familiar faces, but otherwise the cast is brand new. They’re an interesting group who promises plenty of drama and entertainment throughout the series.

Cedric & Tristan are each more than they seem, and I enjoyed learning how their backstories shaped their lives. Much of what unfolds between them is what you’d expect when a prince in hiding meets a man he can’t forget and sparks fly. There’s instant attraction, excitement, and uncertainty, although I wish there’d been less unnecessary tension and walking away. I appreciated the complexity of their situation, but I was left feeling as if things came together a bit too easily in the end.

*I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book*

[Showarst · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cinderella Prince is book 1 in a new series by Hayden Hall, and I am already obsessed. Prince Cedric is running from an arranged marriage and obligations to his royal family. While on the run he meets Tristan—sweet and lovely man. Tristan has some pain in his past that he hides from. He doesn’t feel worthy of love. Cedric and Tristan have a lot to fight through if they want to be together.

I kinda wish that Cedric had fought a little harder for Tristan, but in the end it all worked out. I adore Mama Viv, Roman, and the other characters we met along the way and I am so excited to see more of them in the future. The glimpses of Luke and Rafael were also sweet. It was nice to see them enjoying married life after their angsty romance. I really enjoyed this one and found it hard to put down. Can’t wait for the next one.

I received an ARC from the author for my honest review

[Natalia Forciniti · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️: 8/10 🌶️: 2,5/5 😭: 2/5 🤣: 1/5

Tropes:
🧡 Opposites
💚 Hidden identity
💙 Insta connection

“I realized why he couldn’t ignore my sadness. You knew it when you saw it, but you only saw it when you knew it.”

(ESP) Está nueva serie de Hayden arranca con un toque de magia ya que tenemos un príncipe en ella!! Si bien no novedoso, realmente no suele ser algo que leamos seguido y le otorga un carácter distintivo a la historia.
Como siempre, las descripciones del autor son perfectas y detalladas, transmitiéndonos un sin fin de emociones que nos hacen enamorar de los lugares y personajes que conforman la narración y derramar alguna que otra lágrima por las situaciones que estos últimos deben atravesar.
Tristán y Cedric son bellísimos y espero poder saber más de ellos a lo largo de la serie.
Tenemos un capítulo narrado por Roman, quien será el protagonista en el próximo libro y la necesidad que tengo de leer su historia es increíble.
Muy buen inicio de serie!!!

(ENG) Hayden's new series has a bit of magic in it, with a prince as one of the main characters. It's not a completely new concept, but it's not something we often read, so it gives the story a unique touch.
As usual, the author's descriptions are spot on, capturing a range of emotions that make us connect with the places and characters in the story. We even shed a tear or two for the situations they have to go through.
Oh, Tristan and Cedric! They're just the loveliest characters, and I'm so excited to learn more about them throughout the series.
We also get a chapter narrated by Roman, who'll be the main character in the next book. I just know I'm going to love reading his story.
What a great start to the series!

“Tristan was the perfect counterpart, perfect partner, perfect person to be with when you wanted to feel like you were someone’s entire world.”

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book of a new series centered In the fictional Hudson Burrows of NYC. It was a bit of a slow start for me, but once I got into the meat of the relationship between the MC’s I couldn’t put it down. Both men are running from different things, Cedric from his birthright and overbearing older brother and Tristan from a tragedy in his past that overshadows how he views his future. While Cedric thinks he’s hidden himself well in his blue collar surroundings he’s only been fooling himself. Reality comes crashing in on both him and Tristan and he runs once more. Only this time it’s to save Tristan, or so he thinks. In order for Tristan to fight for his future he must face his past. Once he does that he is ready to fight for Cedric. And he gets a little help from his found family plus some unexpected royal family members. Cedric and Tristan find their HEA, with plenty of steam, and I am definitely looking forward to the next book centered around Neon Nights in Hudson Burrows.

[Miss S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

We might be something if stars align and fate lets us, I thought. But I knew one thing for certain: I wasn’t putting my future only in fate’s hands. I would fight for us.

❥ Dual POV
❥ MM Romance
❥ Found Family
❥ Hero Complex
❥ Survivors Guilt
❥ Hurt/Comfort
❥ Medium Angst
❥ Class Difference
❥ Hard-earned HEA

I would say a great introduction to a new series, but if you've read When We Meet Again then you'll know the scene where The Cinderella Prince takes place. It was so great to see Rafael and Luke again as side characters ♥

Anyhow. This book is about Tristan and Cedric, two guys who meet under unexpected circumstances. You could say that they're both on the run. Cedric is on the run from his future as a prince and the things his family expects him to do, while Tristan is running from his traumatic past.

He looked at me with those knowing eyes, and I realized why he couldn’t ignore my sadness. You knew it when you saw it, but you only saw it when you knew it.

Tristan feels like he's undeserving of good things, which is why he refuses the things offered to him, like a job at Neon Nights, a gay bar run by the glamorous Lady Vivien.

Neon Nights is where Tristan and Cedric meet for the first time, and they're instantly attracted to each other, and what started out as the perfect night, ends in confusion and rejection.

Kissing him was like drinking fresh water from an oasis after a lifetime of wandering through the desert.

Tristan soon finds out the reason for Cedric's rejection, and he's the type of person who wants to save people, and Cedric is no exception. They become close and things are wonderful, but you know what happens when things are going great and there's still 100 pages left - heartbreak.

After a bit of soul searching, some help from his parents and friends, Tristan is ready to pursue the man he loves, no matter the cost. Not even the royal family of Verdumont is able to stop him.

Also, can we talk about nine inches and no lube?!?! Yikes.

All in all, a great first book to this series, and I'm looking forward to the next books. The side characters were super interesting, and I'm definitely curious about their happy endings to come. The Cinderella Prince was a lovely read, although a bit slow at times. It's super romantic and definitely something a romance lover will enjoy.

“I never loved anyone the way I love you.”

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Read the full review on my blog here with edits and quotes.

[Syd Springer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cedric and Tristan’s story made my heart hurt. I really enjoyed the instant connection and chemistry between these two. Cedric and Tristan have to work through their own issues but with the support and love they are able to get a much-deserved HEA.

I received an e-book copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Stealth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dang! I guess I'm done with this story at 30% read........

I was hoping it was going to be different. SO SAD! It's not, just by a different writer. I've read others' stories about a prince running away to find a normal life, instead of being the spare, and a movie, red,white......blue.

[Helen Oakes · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 35%

I don’t normally like to give up so late into the book, but I just couldn’t read anymore. Tristan had more chemistry with Roman than he did Cedric, and I just didn’t care about the pairing. It’s a shame because I did like the premise of the plot line - it just didn’t deliver.

[Andrea Bassano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Davvero la lettura di cui avevo bisogno. Semplice, leggera e super scorrevole. Se avete amato già red,white and royal blue e boyfriend material, con questa andate sul sicuro! ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

[Kobie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't love the writing, but do like the premise.  At 15%, this threw me: "A snort and a nod replied so I didn’t have to." I love the idea of a snort and a nod responding!  Anyway, DNF at 19%. 

[Julie Underhill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cinderella Prince by Hayden Hall is part of his Boys of Hudson Burrow series. It is the story of two men who come from different worlds who both think they have insurmountable problems standing in the way of finding love. Cedric Philippe Valois Montclair is a prince and the second son of the dynasty from the country of Verdumont which is between France and Germany. His family is very traditional and expects everyone, to follow their given paths, including marrying someone from the upper class of society to ensure the continuance of their line and heritage. The crown prince, Alexander, is especially adamant about this. In Cedric’s case he is to be engaged to Elodie, a marchioness. Unfortunately, she is almost the opposite of him, he doesn’t love her, and he is into guys. None of this matters to his family so he secretly leaves the country and ends up in Hudson Burrow in New York City. Across the street from where he is staying is Neon Nights, an LGBTQ+ friendly bar run by Lady Vivian Woodcock, a drag queen who goes by Mama Viv to those she cares for. She is known for taking in strays and lost boys and giving them all the help she can as well as holding the neighborhood together. When he ventures into the bar he sees Tristan Lawson and there is an instant attraction. Tristan is living across the street and left college after a year which he thinks alienated his parents. His love is food and he is training to be a chef but doesn’t think he is ready to work at a restaurant, even though he helps out at the bar when needed. Tristan had some trauma earlier in his life that left him feeling like he is not worthy of anyone’s attention, time, or love. So the two men circle each other and keep trying to push the other one away because of the secrets they are hiding, especially Cedric because he knows that he will eventually be found and have to return to Verdumont. But then his money is running out and Mama Viv gives him a job in the kitchen and Tristan is the chef that night. Their feelings come to a head and lead them to kissing and a steamy love scene. It is then that Cedric decides that he will be a part of their relationship as long as he can and as they date and continue to see each other they are very happy, so happy that Tristan is starting to believe that maybe he can be loved. But it all comes crashing down when Cedric notices someone has been following him and that leads him to talk to Alexander who demands he come home and fulfill his duties. When he does this Tristan is bereft and falls deeper into a depression and his feelings that he isn’t worthy. But luckily his parents who he visits, Mama Viv and his friends have him think through what happened and that sends him to Verdumont where he is taken to the palace and after a confrontation with Alexander gets to reunite with Cedric. Other happenings with the royal family lead them to say they love each other and against all odds they are able to achieve their happy ending. I enjoyed this story. There is a lot of angst for both main characters. Tristan is a good guy that will help anyone who needs it but his self-esteem has been hurt and he is wary of being involved with anyone. Cedric has his own devils in not wanting to live the life that he knows he will have to succumb to eventually. Mama Viv is a wonderful person who can see into the hearts of people and wants to give them what they need. You really do not like Alexander and his demands but luckily Cedric’s younger brother and sister are able to help. I recommend this book if you like angsty stories about a prince and a commoner who both have problems but overcome them with the help of family and friends to find love.

[Abigail Beckwith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I canNOT get enough of fairytales and retellings and princes. Here's Hayden Hall's latest: "The Cinderella Prince." Its the first novel in his new series: The Boys of Hudson Burrow.

["All I want is to help those who need it the most. So when a devastatingly handsome stranger lands in Neon Nights, the gay bar where we spend our days and nights, I immediately know he’s in trouble. I also know that we share an instant connection that comes once in a lifetime, but our clumsy kiss freaks him out and turns the night into a total disaster.

The truth is that Cedric Philippe Valois Montclair is no random stranger looking for a place to stay. He is a foreign prince about to be engaged to a woman his family picked for him. Facing the prospect of an arranged marriage, the charming prince ran to New York and fell into my arms.

Cedric is a dreamer, an art lover, and hell in a tight shirt. He makes my mouth water and my heart melt.

Can I protect him from his family’s pursuit? And can I resist that endless pull of attraction?

I know I can never be more than a friend to him. Even if he didn’t have to marry a French marchioness, he couldn’t be with me. But every minute we spend on the dance floor, our hands exploring each other’s biceps and backs, my desire for him becomes hotter.

I’m about to do something terribly stupid.

I’m about to fall in love with a prince."]

This book was beautiful and glorious and historic and heartbreaking. It reminded me a bit of "Red, White, and Royal Blue" but with more drag queens and more dancing (and less first sons).

I learned sooo much about queer motifs in Hellenic and Romance mythology and history. It was awesome (and heartbreaking--so much heartbreak in this one, and somehow I only cried a bit). It almost makes me want to make my own altar to Antinous.

Their love was so poetic, so open, so achingly beautiful. They were soft and devoted to each other. So dedicated and reverent and passionate. It was perfect. It was stuff of history.

I can't wait for the rest of the series.

Trigger Warnings: past mentions of a lost loved one, and more

#booksprout #indieauthorcreative #arcs #arcteammember
#thecinderellaprince #romeovsromeo #beautyandthebillionaire #theboysofhudsonburrow #theboysofhudsonburrowseries #haydenhall #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cedric Phillipe Valois Montclair is running away from his own life. As prince of Verdumont, Cedric is expected to marry a marchioness; that is, he must do his duty to the royal family - and to the traditions and customs of the small European monarchy which the family heads. However, in a fit of despair and hopelessness, Cedric finds himself in Hudson Burrow, a part of Greenwich Village in New York City. Intrigued by the local drag bar and night club, Neon Nights, Cedric meets the man of his dreams, Tristan Lawson.

Tristan sort of wanders through life aimlessly in the Burrow by helping Mama Viv, the owner of Neon Nights and matriarch of Hudson Burrow. Whether it be running errands, tending bar or helping with club set-ups, Tristan is indispensable to Mama Viv. When Tristan meets the elegant and charming Cedric Montclair at a Neon Nights party, he is at once mesmerized by the magic of the night and the attractive tall, blond Adonis. But Cedric has a secret that he can’t let get out, lest he be sent back to Verdumont in shame. Tristan promises to help with the prince’s secret, although never quite realizing exactly how much his own deep, dark secret is holding himself back emotionally and eating at his soul. Can the two men build a true lasting relationship together, or will each allow his own emotional turmoil to tear their budding relationship apart?

The Cinderella Prince is a fabulous book!! The plot is truly intriguing, engrossing and highly entertaining. The character development in this novel is very well constructed and every emotional detail of personality is presented for the reader. Each of the main characters has a great deal of emotional baggage that he must deal with when it comes to interpersonal relationships. Cedric has never allowed himself to just be himself, and Tristan is actually a bit ashamed of being himself, in a way. In the end, however, Cedric and Tristan each find that sometimes you have to fight hard for what you want. If love is strong enough to fight for, it has to be worth it in the end.

This novel is awesome…. Very sentimental, entertaining and romantic!! 5 stars!

[S a n d r a · Rating 3 out of 5]

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Rating: 2,5 ⭐

Some books are written just for us, while others… not so much.

I’ve read several books by this author, some of which I’ve liked more than others. I had planned to continue with his hockey series, and although I still have it on my list, I haven’t started it yet. However, when I saw this new release, I didn’t hesitate to give it a chance. A prince and a commoner? It sounded great.

It was okay, but not remarkable.

It’s very light, yes, but also quite simplistic. It doesn’t bring anything new to this type of story where one of the MC is a member of royalty living among commoners for one reason or another.

In this case, Cedric is the prince of a small European country with a fairly modern society but very traditional family customs. So traditional, in fact, that his family expects him to go through with an arranged marriage to a French noblewoman despite the fact that Cedric is gay.

But Cedric isn’t willing to comply and flees to the United States, where he meets Tristan, Mama Viv, and many others.

There’s not much to highlight about the romance. It’s all very quick, very easy despite the circumstances, with some predictable moments of drama, and not much else.

It’s not that I found it boring, it just felt very… unremarkable.

Some scenes are full of chemistry between the two of them, but the rest felt quite flat and predictable to me. Except for the beginning of the story, their first meeting, and then their first official date, the rest didn’t seem particularly noteworthy or interesting.

It’s a quick read and entertaining, but for me, it’s going to be one of those titles that you don’t think about again once you’ve finished it.

That said, I’m not ruling out reading the second book when it comes out. The plot involving Roman and Everett sounds promising, and I liked the neighborhood setting they live in.

[Bill Bottomley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free advance. This review is submitted voluntarily.

Tristan is a guy who doesn’t appear to have a steady job, other than the odd shift at Neon Nights, a gay bar owned by a drag queen, Lady Vivian more commonly known as Mama Viv. She takes in all manner of queer people, offering them rooms and jobs. Tristan lives in a flat in the building across the street with 4 other guys. We find out a little later that his main passion is cooking. Cedrick is a prince in Verdumont who has fled to New York to escape an arranged marriage with a lady (notwithstanding that he is gay). During his first visit to Neon Nights, he spots Tristan and is quite stricken, a feeling that is reciprocated. Cedrick is avoiding using his phone and his bank card in hopes that he won’t be tracked but is staying at an expensive hotel. The cost has him asking Mama Viv for a job to help him make ends meet (it never appears to cross his mind that he could simply move out). He and Tristan go on a series of dates after Cedrick tells Tristan who he is. Tristan has his own sordid past that Mama Viv tells Cedrick and that explains why he never accepts a steady job as in his view he doesn’t deserve it. Cedrick eventually discovers that his family has known all along where he was and that leads to a number of problems that must be overcome before they attain their happy ending.

This book has more angst than I tend to prefer but the resolution comes fairly quickly. The plot develops in a fairly linear fashion, though it does take the odd detour. These wanderings really add to the storyline and make it more interesting. The main characters are fairly complex but that just adds to their appeal. I’m not really a fan of two-dimensional characters that just make a story dull. The secondary characters are numerous and perhaps difficult to keep straight but by the end and as we go into the second book, they’re much easier to keep straight.

This book is easily recommended for lovers of the MM romance genre.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

A slow burn, sweet romance blossoms between two cautious men, but their journey has heartbreak before their determination to fight for each other can overcome both outside forces, and their own internal struggles.
Tristan and Cedric are two men who are troubled by the differing circumstances about their lives, but manage to find solace and a connection with each other - despite each trying to avoid it.
Tristan has a heartbreaking past that still haunts him emotionally, and has left him feeling undeserving of anythig good, of being worthless, and full of guilt. He is also feisty and talented, and when he sets his mind to something, nothing can stand in his way.
Cedric is running away from his troubles, from a family with an archaic way of living who is putting presure on him to continue an outdated tradition that goes against everything he is. In the back of his mind he knows he'll have to go back and cave to his family's wishes, but he doesn't expect to meet a wonderful man and fall hopelessly in love. He knows his family - mainly his older brother - is determined to drag him back and make him obey, but he isn't prepared for the lengths at which they do it.
Once they each realize just how much they are losing, they will do whatever they can to fight for their love.
This book has a wonderfully varied cast of secondary characters that add depth and a found family aspect that feels like a hug from Tristan's group, and an unexpected group of family and friends to help from Cedric's side.
The pacing of this book felt a little too slow to me, but overall, it was very enjoyable, it will bring out all your emotions, and leave you feeling satisfied that true love has prevailed with their sweet HEA.

I received an ARC from the author, this is my unbiased, honest review.