A Fairytale Christmas

by Susan Wiggs

#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs sweeps you away with this beloved story of a fairytale holiday romance…

Ace reporter Jack Riley loves his job, or at least he did until Madeleine Angston took over as publisher for the Courier. The perfect blonde ice queen is a daunting presence in the newsroom and an irresistible distraction, despite Jack's determination to avoid her as often as possible. Even if it means boycotting her fancy Christmas party.

Then a chance encounter with a stranger transforms Jack from a scruffy journalist into a debonair Texan in a tux, and he suddenly finds himself at the center of Madeleine's attention. As they embark on a fairy-tale evening together, Jack realizes that Madeleine isn't the woman he thought she was…but unfortunately, she no longer recognizes him in his new "Prince Charming" attire! Will Madeleine still be able to love the man behind the suit when she discovers who he really is?

Previously published as Cinderfella (from "Merry Christmas, Baby").

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Holiday

72 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Susan Wiggs's life is all about family, friends...and fiction. She lives at the water's edge on an island in Puget Sound, and she commutes to her writers' group in a 17-foot motorboat. She serves as author liaison for Field's End, a literary community on Bainbridge Island, Washington, bringing inspiration and instruction from the world's top authors to her seaside community. (See www.fieldsend.org) She's been featured in the national media, including NPR's "Talk of the Nation," and is a popular speaker locally and nationally.

According to Publishers Weekly, Wiggs writes with "refreshingly honest emotion," and the Salem Statesman Journal adds that she is "one of our best observers of stories of the heart [who] knows how to capture emotion on virtually every page of every book." Booklist characterizes her books as "real and true and unforgettable." She is the recipient of three RITA (sm) awards and four starred reviews from Publishers Weekly for her books. The Winter Lodge and Passing Through Paradise have appeared on PW’s annual "Best Of" lists. Several of her books have been listed as top Booksense picks and optioned as feature films. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and have made national bestseller lists, including the USA Today, Washington Post and New York Times lists.

The author is a former teacher, a Harvard graduate, an avid hiker, an amateur photographer, a good skier and terrible golfer, yet her favorite form of exercise is curling up with a good book. Readers can learn more on the web at www.susanwiggs.com and on her lively blog at www.susanwiggs.wordpress.com.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished this sweet Christmas novella under the tree. Predictable and formulaic? Yes, a little bit but also fun and fast paced. I love a story of star-crossed lovers that make each other better people.

[Asheley T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute Christmas short that is based on the Cinderella tale except in this one, the male character is the Cinderella-type. Jack is a reporter for a newspaper, Madeleine is his boss. Jack is invited to Madeleine's high-society Christmas party, and isn't initially planning to go because he honestly doesn't like Madeleine that much and besides, he isn't high society with the high society clothes and all that. But at the last minute, something happens and Jack is unexpectedly rewarded with some clothes that leaves him nearly unrecognizable, as Jack is typically dressed-down at work and a bit messy in his day-to-day life. So the very second he walks into the party, I kid you not, Madeleine is immediately attracted to him. They dance. They leave together. They fall in love. And...they decorate Madeleine's Christmas tree. Wait, what? No, I'm serious. But there's something to that, I promise.

And there is also a glass slipper moment, except it isn't a glass slipper because the Cinderella in this story is Jack and he is wearing cowboy boots. I loved it.

You have to suspend your disbelief, okay? It IS called A Fairytale Christmas.

The actual story is a little bit more meaty than the synopsis sounds. Jack has a bit of a backstory and he also is more than a slob. He's a pretty decent character and I liked him a lot. Really, this was much cuter than it could have been. It was super short, quick to read, and it made me smile, so I'm sure that I'll read it again.

[Patrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a novella, and part of my challenge, A Lifetime of Books. This was a cute, holiday story about a young society woman, Madeleine Langston, whose father passed away earlier in the year, trying to find her place in the world. She decides to become the owner/managing editor for her late father’s newspaper in NYC. Reporter John “Jack” Riley is the bane of her existence. She doesn’t like him and she’s sure he doesn’t like her; but, he’s the best reporter she has at the city desk. Things change, with their perceptions of each other, when Jack attends the annual Christmas party and Madeleine doesn’t recognize him. I didn’t realize until I got to the end of the story that this was previously published as Cinderfella, which makes so much more sense now as it is “Cinderella story”-ish. It was a fun, cute, holiday story that I really enjoyed.

[Ken Finlay · Rating 2 out of 5]

“A Fairytale Christmas” depends completely on suspension of disbelief – the office slob puts on a tux, attends the firm's Christmas party, seduces the owner (aka The Ice Queen) and no-one recognises him.
The following morning he does a runner but leaves one of his boots behind – shades of Cinderella!
A photograph of the two of them appears in the paper – again no-one makes the connection.
Madeleine Langston took over the Courier newspaper after the death of her father. She's a cool character but, underneath it all, she's just looking for love.
Hard-bitten ace reporter Jack Riley may appear to be tough but he's really a very nice guy who helps run a charity for children.
There is, of course, a HEA.
And Harry Fodgother – gimme a break!
Bah, humbug!
It's not very good but is lifted slightly by story of the charity's struggle for survival.
2 Stars.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s Christmas in July! This book is a Cinderella retelling with a twist. Cinderella is now a Cowboy/journalist/mentor to underprivileged youth. When he stumbles upon his fairy godfather otherwise known as Harry Fodgother he finds himself at a party hosted by the princess-y owner of the newspaper he works for.
The story was outlandish but completely fun. I was willing to suspend belief that just cleaning up well, and flirting instead of being snarky might be enough to become unrecognizable to one’s boss. Christmas books make you want to believe in fairytales and happily ever afters, and if there was ever a year that needed A little magic it’s 2020.

[Elise Aschbacher · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was.... Not the best. It was too short for any real character development. But it was light and Christmas-y and that's why I picked it up, so it checked that box. I like the gender swapped of it all, that the man was the Cinderella character. Adding one star for the name Harry Fodgather (fairy godmother...) which made me cry laughing.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Susan Wiggs and I loved it! Simply loved it! It gave me a warm feeling inside and that's just what I need right now. I loved Jack and Madeleine. The characters were strong and Jack is just so full of surprises. A reversed Cinderella story of sorts.

[Adrianne Guariglio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Holiday Story

This is an interesting take on a Cinderella story complete with a fairy godfather. A rough but good-hearted man teaches a coldhearted woman how to love. It's a really warm Christmas story sure to tug on your heartstrings. Don't miss it!

[Diann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fair tale Christmas

I love this short story about a rich newspaper heiress and a newspaper writer who unexpectedly met at her Christmas party. They have a brief fling. Ending up falling in love.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Another fun Christmas short story.

[Margy Adner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as most of the author's other books,, have read.o

[Judi Haskell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

I really love Susan Wiggs writing. She draws me into her books and I can’t stop reading. I don’t want her stories to end.

[Linda Nease · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok story. Old Harlequin novel - not a lot of substance.

[Judythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for the romance lover in you

If you adore happily ever after, this one's for you. It's a short read with a sweet Christmas love story.

[Charland Garvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 3.5 book and a quick read. Pleasantly written and enjoyable.

[Connie Odom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

This book is wonderful. The best Christmas love story or I ever read. It gives you so the feels. Could not have been better. Love Susan Wiggs.

[Nan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely cozy Christmas fluffy 90s romance.

[Cora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pure FLUFF - all is well & good.

[Clare Rhoden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, short read of opposites attract - an inversion of Cinderella that works very well

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs sweeps you away with this beloved story of a fairytale holiday romance...
Ace reporter Jack Riley loves his job, or at least he did until Madeleine angston took over as publisher for the Courier. The perfect blonde ice queen is a daunting presence in the newsroom and an irresistible distraction, despite Jack's determination to avoid her as often as possible. Even if it means boycotting her fancy Christmas party.
Then a chance encounter with a stranger transforms Jack from a scruffy journalist into a debonair Texan in a tux, and he suddenly finds himself at the center of Madeleine's attention. As they embark on a fairy-tale evening together, Jack realizes that Madeleine isn't the woman he thought she was...but unfortunately, she no longer recognizes him in his new "Prince Charming" attire! Will Madeleine still be able to love the man behind the suit when she discovers who he really is?
Much better than i imagined it would be. It was a new age 'Cinderella' story, complete with Goat Skin Boots. Sexy story that you could imagine actually happening. 5 stars.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute holiday fairytale novella about newspaper heiress Madeleine Langston and her star reporter Jack Riley. When Jack saves a gentlemen's clothier from bodily harm on the night his paper is holding its Christmas ball, he finds himself decked out in a Stetson, black tux and cowboy boots by the tailor and attending the ball. Unbeknownst to Madeleine, her obnoxious reporter is transformed into her Prince Charming and makes her night.

I felt this short story was a bit too short. I didn't read it as being sexist, because guys will be guys, and Madeleine's shyness and grief over the loss of her father was understandably misperceived as aloofness by her city room staff. The idea of the youth center added a lot of depth to Jack's character, as did his saving Harry the clothier from the thugs. I liked Jack and Maddy together and wanted more, especially their interactions with the people at the center. Harry, though, was almost like Santa Claus.

Good read, but I could've used more.

[Beth Cutwright · Rating 4 out of 5]

At only 72 pages, A Fairytale Christmas, is a fun and light-hearted read. It's a spoof on the fairytale Cinderella, only the glass slipper is really a goatskin cowboy boot.

The characters aren't quite as they seem, but they are well rounded and likable in this quick read. It's a definite twist on an old fairytale and enjoyable from start to finish. And there is a lot of heart and Christmas spirit within.

[Kelly_Instalove · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't find sexual harassment romantic in any form, and there's plenty of it in the first ten pages as the "hero" and his dude-bro colleagues make disgusting remarks about their new female boss. I DNF'd after one chapter.

Also - "ace reporter"? Really?

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very touching story.

I really enjoyed this short story that developed quickly and completely into a very satisfying conclusion. Happily ever after don't have to be all good times -they just need to be based on deep, abiding love.

[Anna-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Texan transplant to NY City rescues a men’s clothier from a mugging, and sets in motion events that will change his life, the life of an unsuspecting woman, and the young teens who count on a mission center for shelter and comfort.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short story

Susan Wiggs at her best. A true miracle story at Christmas time to put you in the Christmas spirit. Need more of these kind of stories.

[Marcia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Silly.

[Carol Pelzl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

I have always enjoyed Susan's books
this IS a Very great Christmas story love and loved,the characters love stories. merry

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

so so cute. I loved it. Yummy cowboy

[Megan Blosser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harry Fodgother.

Fairy Godmother.

Harry Godfather.