Just the Way You Are

by Allison M Boot

Misty Miles, the princess of a faraway land known as Starryton, is like any other woman of her station – except for her disability. She has spent the majority of her 21 years high in a tower so that this, and the wheelchair that accompanies it, will remain a secret. Her parents’ fear of the monarchy appearing weak as a result of Misty’s condition necessitates this course of action. Their efforts to protect both Misty and the monarchy make her question her ability to do much of anything – forget about reigning over a kingdom. Like most princesses, Misty has a Prince Charming. Her love is Derrick Denison, prince of the neighboring kingdom of Mooncrest, who is a gifted dancer. Misty is unable to see Derrick because not only is she stuck in an inescapable room, but there’s also the matter of the long, as of yet unresolved, feud between the two families. This conflict caused the once beloved kingdom of Starrycrest to break apart into two separate kingdoms. The princess soon realizes that she must take matters into her own hands. She goes to Trovella, a troll rumored to grant wishes for a price. Misty’s wish takes her on an interesting journey. She not only stares down self-doubt while ensuring that her kingdom and the kingdom of her beloved prince do not pay the ultimate price, but also contends with the rage of feuding families. To make matters all the more complicated, the princess is also faced with the challenge of finding a little girl she encounters in the course of her journey, who also has a disability, a permanent family.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Fantasy

109 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 23, 2020

About the author

Much like the main characters in her novels, Allison M. Boot, has a disability. She wrote Just the Way You Are and The Magic Within to spread messages of self-acceptance and equality to young boys and girls traveling paths similar to hers. She is very proud to say that she earned a Master of Arts in Mass Communication from the University of Dayton. Additionally, she is proud of her extensive troll doll collection, started at the tender age of three, after being told that trolls bring good luck. To this day, her collection continues to grow and do just that. While she enjoys being a daughter to 2 and sister to 11, it is being an auntie to 12 and a dog mom to 2 that she loves most. She relocated to Urbana, Illinois where she lives with her husband, Dylan, a few years ago

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the Way You Are is a stand-a-lone romance novella by Allison M. Lewis. It's the story of a young woman named Misty who is the princess in a kingdom named Starryton. Misty has a disability that does not allow her to walk or to use her hands properly, so Misty has to use a wheelchair. Misty's parents love her very much but are afraid to allow the citizens of Starryton to find out that she has a disability because they think that it will make the royal family appear weak to their citizens, and so they have never allowed Misty to leave the tower of the castle. Misty more than anything wants to see some place outside of Starryton, and asked her parents if she could travel outside the kingdom as a gift for her 21st birthday. She hopes to travel to the neighboring kingdom of Mooncrest to meet Prince Derrick, who she has fallen in love with after seeing his photo and reading an article about him in the Starryton Gazette. After Misty's parents refuse to help her travel to Mooncrest to meet Derrick, Misty plans to sneak out of the castle on her own and so her adventure then begins.

I really enjoyed this romantic adventure by Allison M. Lewis, who also uses a wheelchair. This is a very sweet story, with interesting characters, and the novella is a modern fairytale that is quite timely. I would recommend this book to all lovers of romance!

[B. Roman · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sorry it took so long to post this, but here is my review from April 3, 2016

An airy, gossamer fantasy
Breezily written, and in full fairy tale mode, “Just the Way You are” deals with very universal issues - disabilities, self-esteem, unbridled love, selflessness, family angst - in a manner reminiscent of Grimm’s Fairy Tales and every Disney film based on classic children’s books. The contemporary setting juxtaposes with those timeless themes, with royal families in a feud that threatens the kingdom and the love affair between their prince and princess offspring. Hidden in a tower by her parents because of a disability that would deem her and their kingdom “weak” if discovered by the outside world, wheelchair bound Princess Misty finally escapes to explore and fulfill her dreams. The object of her desire is the handsome - and much too perfect - Prince Derrick who lives in a neighboring kingdom. With the help of a deceptive troll who grants Misty’s wish, with the obligatory conditions, Misty can walk and dance and capture Derrick’s heart. The transformation of all the characters involved is the stuff of yummy fantasy, and the author deals with the subject of overcoming - indeed, triumphing over - physical limitations in a heartfelt and personal manner. Truly a story that youngsters will embrace, and one that parents will enjoy as well.

[Kellee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just The Way You Are by Allison M. Lewis 5 stars

This book gives the reader good feels! It is written in a fairytale style. As I was reading it, I pictured a narrator reading the story and the characters cutting in with their lines. This is a perfect beginner romance for a preteen or young teenager. It is about accepting yourself for who you are. Misty, the princess, wasn't going to let her disability keep her away from her dreams. She was an excellent role model to a younger girl in the story and to the reader as well. As the story states, this story is a perfect mashup of The Little Mermaid and Rapunzel. The story is a quick read chapter book with a happy ever after. It has a good moral to be learned at the end. It is about love, family, and forgiveness. Even the adults in the book learned an important lesson. It has everything a fairytale should have such as a prince, a princess, magic, and an evil troll. The princess rebels against her mother and father, the king and queen, but it all turns out well for everyone in the family. I love the way princess Misty was accepted just the way she was. That is what true love is all about! We can all learn a lesson from princess Misty and Prince Derrick.

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Just The Way You Are" by Allison M Lewis is a super sweet fairy tale romance that is exactly as the title says - a story of acceptance.

This story is quick, this story is clean, and this story is complete. I've become so used to reading books that are the opposite of this, I kept expecting a grand battle or shape shifter. I'm so glad the story is exactly as it is.

We know from the blurb that Misty Miles is the star of this book and that she has a disability. This story is written in a compassionate and honest way that sometimes I forgot about the wheelchair and other times, the story showed how difficult it can be. Add in romance and a cute kid and this book is a winner.

I would absolutely recommend this book to my young cousins and my mom's elderly book club (she would hate me if she knew I called her club elderly).

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awww, such a cute, royal and romantic story. Although our heroine was constricted by the circumstances I loved her determination to get out there and find her role in the world and just be happy no matter what. It was hard and frightening at times but Misty kept her positivity and saw the best in people and her prince and Kara are lucky to her her.
A strong and beautiful message for people with disabilities and adoption.

[Kim Shofner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how this fairy tale shows that people with disabilities can still have the lives they way. Even if they have naysayers at every turn. Misty was a strong individual. Derrick was a kind man to help bring her confidence to light. And Kara just needed someone to love her. More books need to be this accepting of disabilities.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just the Way You Are by Allison M. Boot is a magical fantasy story that is wonderful and tells the tale of a young princess with a disability that doesn’t stop her. It is a sweet adventure as we journey along with her and her love. This story is well written, and the characters are likable. Allison's words give us a vivid view of the world she has created. This story is not one to be missed.

[Lisa Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the benefits of blogging about princess books is that I occasionally get recommendations from my readers about books that I probably would never have known about otherwise. This month, that's been a little stressful for me since three of my favorite authors are releasing new books. When I received a recommendation on my "Disabled Princesses" post, I tried to read it as quickly as I could before my reading list explodes. Just the Way You Are by Allison M. Boot was written with the intention of creating positive visibility for disabled princess fans. While it succeeds in that respect, the story itself leaves much to be desired. Allison is a fantastic advocate for people with disabilities, and I think she is a very admirable person for all of the effort that she has put into this. She isn't a bad writer either, but the story structure in Just the Way You Are borrows heavily from common tropes, making it difficult to appreciate as an original fairy tale or adaptation.

Before I get started with my review, I have to say that the cover of this book is absolutely gorgeous. It portrays a romantic couple dancing in the moonlight with a fairy tale castle in the background as the elegantly dressed woman leans back on a silver wheelchair. I was hoping that the story would be just as magical and romantic as the imagery on the cover, but as the idiom goes, you should never judge a book by its cover. I knew I was in for a rough ride when the first page made direct comparisons of the book's protagonist to specific Disney Princesses instead of building its own mythology. Misty Miles is a princess living in a kingdom called Starryton, which exists in an anachronistic universe that contains monarchies, movie theaters, phonographs, and trolls. The more I read of this book, the more displaced the world felt in terms of time and space. There are many other things in the story that don't make sense, such as the specifics of how Misty is able to escape her castle tower in a wheelchair. I doubt she managed to build an accessible ramp all the way from her tower window to the ground.

The first half of the book reads like a butchered version of Disney's The Little Mermaid. Misty runs away from her overprotective parents to make a deal with Trovella, an evil troll, to have a pair of functional legs so she can ditch her wheelchair and make Prince Derrick, a man she has never seen in person, fall in love with her. Some of the dialogue in this section is lifted straight out of the Disney classic. She meets Prince Derrick in a similar manner to Ariel except that instead of falling off a rock into his arms, she falls into a pond, and he pulls her out. Derrick is by far the worst thing about this book. He uses the old cliché "You're not like other girls, are you?" not even a minute after meeting her and invites her to live with him in the castle despite knowing absolutely nothing about her. He only refers to her as "sweetie" or "beautiful" from the moment they meet, which made me want to gag every time. I know she told him her name at some point, but he never actually uses it. His love is not earned by any capacity, and he constantly showers her with compliments for seemingly no reason.

The story improves dramatically in the second half after Misty returns to her wheelchair and starts an honest relationship with Derrick, even though I still couldn't stand him because he was flatter than a piece of cardboard. At one point, he places her in charge of attending to his kingdom's commoners, and she sends all of them away after meeting a little girl who is also in a wheelchair instead of listening to everyone's problems, even though they all traveled there just to report them. This doesn't seem like the best decision for someone in a position of power, but it does support the author's intentions for the needs of those with disabilities to come first. Kara, the girl in the wheelchair, was hoping to wish her disability away like Misty did, but she lost her chance because Misty defeated Trovella earlier in the book using the abilities that she only had because of the wish that Trovella granted her. Misty and Derrick agree to help Kara find a loving family who accepts her the way she is. I think the book would have been much stronger if it was about Misty taking Kara in from the very beginning instead of the weird Little Mermaid mash-up. There aren't nearly as many stories about princesses adopting disabled children as there are about princesses using magic to find love.

I definitely appreciated what this book was trying to do. More positive representation of disabilities in the media is absolutely a good thing. However, the setting was incredibly confusing, and the prince felt like a robot that was built entirely for the purpose of making Misty feel good about herself. I think the book would have been much better if it cut out the muddled Trovella sequence entirely and started out with Misty living in the castle with Derrick and wanting to help Kara find a family. Portraying Misty as a married handicap princess from the beginning would have done a better job of showing disabled girls that there's nothing wrong with them than by having her pretend to be something she isn't. If you are interested in reading a book about a disabled princess with a much more believable world and characters, I highly recommend Pirouette by Kenley Davidson.

[The Endless Unread · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully captivating story. This book was stunningly descriptive and created a beautiful, magical world for me to dive right into. The author has created relatable characters and that's what I loved best about this book. First rate work.

[Anantha Rusum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the books where one celebrates the author more than the book itself. The book is about a princess on wheel chair, Misty miles who is locked in her room and has limited exposure to the world. Her parents love her but fear about her safety because of her disability.
But Misty is determined to follow her heart and win the love of her prince charming, Derrick, heir in line of the neighboring kingdom. Things are not rosy between both the kingdoms because of a past rivalry. Despite all these challenges, she runs away from her castle one day to meet a troll who has magical powers. The troll grants her a wish to make her walk for three full days, but demands something very dangerous in return, which could put both the kingdoms in peril. The troll connives and tricks her to put her tiara at stake. The tiara has magical powers with which the troll can control the kingdom.
Unknowingly, Misty trades the tiara for her new power and heads off to the neighboring kingdom in full gusto. She manages to meet the prince and also charm him. She also meets a young orphan with a disability and wishes to adopt her. As things were almost going as planned, the troll intervenes and sticks her evil head out. The two kings come face to face and the age-old rivalry surfaces back.
Now it is up to both Misty and the orphan girl Kara, both disabled people, to face the troll and also bring an end to the rivalry between both the kingdoms.
The book is a very breezy and enjoyable read. There are certain places where I did wish few more characters would have added more flavor to the book. It also follows a stereotypical Disney romance story. But as I said earlier, this is one of the books where we have to celebrate the author more than the story itself. The author, Allison M. Boot is a person with disability herself and has resolved to write books where the protagonists are disabled yet strong willed. The main message that is conveyed through her books is that their disability shouldn’t be a blocking factor for the lives they choose to lead and the dreams they dare to pursue.
And that objective is definitely achieved through this book. Misty Miles, the heroine of the book, comes across as a very strong resolved heroine who is not afraid to take on challenges. Her dreams are not inhibited by the fact that she is disabled. She sometimes takes rash decisions but when is not afraid to face the consequences of her own actions. She takes full accountability of her flaws and tries to correct them. I am sure Misty Miles is a symbolic personification of the traits of the author herself. These are all qualities which have to be lauded and learnt by all of us.
Keep it coming Allison M. Boot. Take a bow for what you are and what you aim to achieve!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely modern day fairytale with a difference, in that the main character, the princess Misty Miles has a disability. Misty is the the princess of a faraway land known as Starryton and for twenty one years she has been in a tower and her disability and her wheelchair have been hidden from the kingdom. Her parents are worried that the monarchy will look weak and even though her parents have hidden her away to protect her it has left Misty feeling that she is unable to do anything. Misty’s Prince Charming, Derrick Denison is the prince of the neighbouring kingdom of Mooncrest and he’s a gifted dancer. Misty and Derrick have not actually ever met. To make things more complicated there has been a long running feud between Misty and Derrick’s families. The conflict caused the once beloved kingdom of Starrycrest to break apart into two separate kingdoms. Having realised that she must take matters into her own hands Misty visits a troll,
Trovella who is rumoured to grant wishes for a price. This wish sends the princess off on an exciting and dangerous adventure and in the process she battles her own self doubt and learns that she is far more capable than she ever imagined. As well as dealing with feuding families, a disability, and ensuring no harm comes to her or Derrick’s kingdoms, along the way Misty encounters a little girl with her own disability who is in need of a forever family of her own.
This is a fairly quick read but the author has packed so much into the pages of this young adult story and as an older adult I was absolutely hooked from page one. I found it both a lovely romantic story with plenty of action and also an inspiring read. The fact that the main character has a disability is sadly a rare thing in a book and this in itself makes Allison M. Boot’s novel unique. The author has written about the disability with such sensitivity and honesty that she has bought disability awareness to the reader along with a wonderful storyline and likeable, realistic characters. I was very impressed with this novel and I hope it makes other readers feel as empowered as the princess becomes in the story and educates young readers that disabilities do not need to hold a person back from fulfilling their potential.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

Just the Way You Are, is the debut novel by Allison M. Lewis. This is a delightful and inspiring fantasy that has a fairy tale feel to it. It is a story of self- acceptance, with magic, and adventure. I loved this super sweet, clean, fun read.
Misty Miles is the Princess of Starrycrest, but she’s not your typical Princess. There is so much more to her than I think even she realises. She has a disability that confines her to a wheelchair and keeps her in a tower high above the palace. Her parents don’t want the news of her disability to make their monarchy appear weak, so Misty spends her days in the tower. She has fallen in love with Prince Derrick, from the neighbouring kingdom of Mooncrest- after seeing his picture and reading all about him in an article in the local gazette. Misty dreams of seeing much more of her world, travelling to Mooncrest and meeting Prince Derrick- but when her parents refuse to let her leave- she decides to sneak away. And this is where her amazing journey begins.
What happens on her adventure? Will she meet Prince Derrick? What happens then? What of their feuding families? Will there be a happily-ever-after in this Princess’s future? You really will have to read this lovely story and discover all the delightful details for yourself!
Ms. Lewis, who has a disability herself, has written this story to send a message of self-acceptance to other young girls/women- to love and accept yourself, just the way you are. I think that is a wonderfully inspiring thing to do!
This story is really well written, with fantastic characters, strong character growth and development, detailed scene setting, descriptive world building, and a very enjoyable plot. This is a fairy tale with a difference- but has all the feels, charm and interest you could ever want.
I really recommend this beautiful story to anyone who enjoys fantasy/fairy tales- as well as a strong heroine who isn’t afraid of being different! It’s her difference that really makes this story special, uplifting and memorable!
I can’t wait to see what Ms. Lewis has in store for us next!

Thank you, Ms. Lewis!

[Katie Blythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

*This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review*

Misty Miles is a princess in a kingdom of Starryton. What makes her different than other princesses is, she is bound to a wheelchair and her parents have kept her locked in the castle, so no one can see her and judge her or there kingdom. Her 21st birthday is coming up and she wants to see, dance, and try to have her online crush, the prince from the neighboring kingdom of Mooncrest called Derrick Denison, fall in love with her. Her parents have always had a hatred of the King and Queen of Mooncrest ever since a food competition went sour between them, so they forbid her from leaving. Misty sneaks out one day and goes to visit a troll named Trovella who can grant wishes, for a price. Trovella makes it so Misty can walk and says that if she can make the prince fall in love with her within 3 days, she won’t have to use her wheelchair again. However, if he doesn’t, than Misty will have to go back to using her wheelchair and she will have to let everyone in the kingdom know that Trovella will not be granting any more wishes for them. She agrees and from then on it’s an adventure of her getting used to not needing a wheelchair, meeting the prince, trying to stop the feud between the families, and coming across a little girl who is also in a wheelchair and is in need of a permanent home.
I felt that this story read like two short stories put as one whole book. The first half felt like a retelling of Rapunzel, Cinderella, and The Little Mermaid all mashed together. Which I love fairy tale retellings so I absolutely loved it. The second half didn’t seem like a retelling but it was still a very enjoyable time. I have never read a story where a princess has been in a wheelchair before so I thought that concept was very new and refreshing. It’s very short but it’s a fun quick read that I had such a fun time reading it and I would highly recommend it.

***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng***

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just The Way We Are by Allison M Lewis is a fairy tale romance. This story reads just like a children's story book but with an adult twist on it. This is my first story by this author, I enjoyed her story and can't wait to see what she has next. Her writing style is easy flowing and engaging. Her characters are connectable and lovable They will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride from anger to laughter. This story has a couple of different themes in it. It will show you that stepping out of your comfort zone is scary but can be rewarding. It will show you that who you are in the inside is more important then what you look like on the outside. This is the story of Misty. Misty is a princess who is kept away from her kingdom because she has a disability. She has one wish for her birthday and that is to out among others in the kingdom. She wants to be with her prince charming and her heart is set on the prince in the next kingdom over. Her parents are dead set on that not happening because of what could happen. Misty does the only thing that she can think of to get what she wants, she goes to the troll who has been rumored to make wishes come true. Everything comes at a price, what price will Misty have to pay to get what she wants? Will she put the kingdom in danger to get what she wants? There are a couple of twists and turns in this story that you won't see coming but will keep you turning pages to find out what will happen next. I enjoyed Misty except at first I thought her a little selfish but later in the story my opinion changed a little bit. She is determined and knows what she wants and is willing to do anything to get it. I enjoyed watching her character grow throughout the story especially when she finds her voice. I highly recommend this story, I know you are going to want to know what happens in this modern day fairy tale and how it ends.

[Madilynn Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just the Way You Are by Allison M. Lewis

In a modern-day fairy tale, Misty Miles is the princess to the land of Starryton. She is not just your average princess. She is brave, strong, beautiful, smart, and confined to a wheelchair. Misty has a disability that limits her daily tasks. She has plenty of help around the castle, but because of this disability, her parents have kept her locked away in a tower for the past 21 years of her life. She finally decides to run away and make a wish that will hopefully cause the prince of neighboring land Mooncrest to fall in love with her. Little does she know the trouble her wish will bring after being granted by the evil troll Trovella. As she struggles to correct her errors with the assistance of her service dog Dex, Prince Derrick of Mooncrest, and his cockatoo Cliff she discovers new secrets of her family’s past that may interfere with her current plans and jeopardize the building relationship between her and Derrick.

The author did a great job with the main character Misty in this novel as well as Derrick. As the story unfolds the two are cast in a manner one would not suspect of a fairytale. I loved that it didn’t follow the typical standards and highlighted her disability and struggles. I found it to be very inspirational and enjoyed following her as she learned a variety of life lessons upon leaving the castle. I couldn’t help but fall in love with her character, and the spunky little girl introduced later in the story as Kara as well. Something I observed while reading were a few minor errors. These errors did not detract from the storyline but did cause me to drop down a point on my rating scale. With that, I felt the story had a great plot, character development, and I also felt like it kept me drawn in, which leads me to rate it 4 out of 5 stars overall. I will definitely be recommending this novel to friends and family and hope to read more from this author.

[Rhiannon Pritchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just The Way You Are by Allison M Lewis is a fantastic book. This is my first book from this author and thoroughly enjoyed it and will be looking out for more books. This book is very easy reading, it flows well, the characters are engaging to the point you feel emotionally attached to the main character and journey through her experiences with her. The way the book reads takes you back to feeling like a little girl reading fairy tales but with a more realistic point of view of the world.
We have all imagined what it would be like to be born a princess, every girl has! Well Misty was born a princess but the beginning of her life was not the fairy tale lifestyle you would imagine. Misty has been in a wheelchair since a young girl, which you would think being a princess wouldn't really matter, however that is not the case. Misty is locked away from the kingdom, hidden in a tower of her parents castle. The King, her father believes she is not capable of ruling the kingdom on her position and does not want to be deemed weak by fellow kingdoms, he explains it to her that by keeping her a secret he is protecting the kingdom. Obviously as a young woman who has never seen the past the castle, let alone the kingdom she is princess of, it's infuriating!
As all girls, Misty has a huge crush on the prince of a neighboring kingdom after reading about him, he is known for being a good dancer. All she longs is to meet her prince but she is forbidden to leave to the castle and be found out. Misty cannot accept this and goes on a path to discover herself and finds people far more accepting of her than her father made out they ever would. Does Misty meet her prince? That's for you to read and find out. You won't be disappointed!

[Laura Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the Way You Are is a romantic short story that will capture your heart. Using a little bit of magic and a whole lot of hope, we follow a princess on her journey to find her prince. Written in the third person and a really unique writing style, I loved how different this story was. A non-traditional fairytale-esque story, you won’t be able to put this one down!

While novellas haven’t always been my thing, I’ve recently become hooked. Picking up a short story and being blown away by just how good it is has become some kind of addiction for me, so I was excited for this to continue with Just the Way You Are. I was not disappointed and before I knew it, I’d reached the end of Misty and Derrick’s story. Misty is not your average princess. In fact, she’s like no character I’ve read before. The magical twist to the story fitted in perfectly and I loved Misty’s determination; she even went as far as asking for a wish from a troll! While she made some decisions that were quite drastic, she always came back to her true-self and this is what made me like her so much. Although, the very same thing had me worried about whether Derrick would stick around! Everyone dreams of their prince and I was so worried Derrick was going to let Misty down and break her heart. Whether he does or not is for you to find out, but I’ll admit I was a little tense at various points in this story!

A really fun read, I would definitely recommend Just the Way You Are to others. I can never ignore a prince and princess love story, so this was perfect for me. Thanks to the author for such a good read! I loved this book as it related to my personality and own disability.

[Debi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the Way You Are by Allison M. Lewis

5 Stars

This was an amazing story, although told in a child's fairy tale sort of fashion it felt so so adult real. The messages that were apparent throughout were conveyed beautifully. This is my first story by this author and it looks like also her first book. I will buy a few copies of this book because I have granddaughters that would sincerely enjoy and benefit from reading this, as well as a daughter who fights self esteem issues at every turn.

At the beginning of this story it was very apparent that Misty has a disability because it was focused so much on, and because of how she was brought up, even at the age of 21 she viewed her disability as an issue and only wished for it to be different.

By halfway through, the story read as if there was no disability and nothing stopping Misty from living a normal life thanks to her Prince Charming. Watching her grow and accept who she is and take on many tasks that she didn't feel she was capable of was nothing short of amazing. One of the most powerful messages in this book for me personally was that sometimes when you wish for your life to be different you find that everything you ever wanted is actually already alive inside of you just waiting to break free.

I highly commend this author for sharing her own story at the end of this book and recommend everyone picking up a copy of this story and sharing it with others. The message can be applied to so many issues people face everyday. I loved it!!!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

a fantastic read about accepting disabled people even in a fantasy world setting. Misty Miles is a princess who is disabled and in a wheelchair and as a result, her parents hide her in a tower. on her twenty first birthday, she escapes to live her own life. Desperate to be able to walk so fellow prince Derrick will fall in love with her, Misty travels to the troll Trovella to accomplish her dream. Travello grants her wish as long as she makes Derrick fall in love with her in three days. However, when things spiral out of control, will Derrick stay with Misty even if she cant walk?
an amazing read. well developed plot. well developed characters, especially in Misty and Derrick. Mistys mic of strengths and vulnerabilities and insecurities was beautifully written and rounded her out as a character. Derricks caring nature and acceptance of people with disabilities was sweet and perfectly written. I adored the excellent twists on the fairytale like a princess being disabled, a carriage for wheelchairs or the family feud caused by a cooking competition. I also loved the sense of visual detail full of intricate detail and colour and wonder especially in the butterfly garden, the dresses and jewels. On the darker side, the scene with Trovella and the bats and darkness and storms was full of visual detail and was spellbinding. the theme of accepting everyone and fighting for what you want was well written, a nice addition to the disabilities. .overall, a spellbinding read and I woul give it five stars.

[Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just The Way You Are is a charming fantasy story by Allison M. Boot. It follows the beautiful, adventurous princess Misty Miles as she attempts to escape from the tower her parents have been keeping her hidden away in for the 21 years of her life so far, and find the prince she knows she is destined to be with.
Misty has a physical disability which means she relies on a wheelchair to get around, and is always accompanied by her spritely service dog Dex. A wish-granting troll enables her to walk and dance for three days – just long enough to find Prince Derrick and for the two to fall in love – but the troll neglects to mention the darker consequences of the wish.
As well as fighting a troll, Misty and Derrick must overcome the longstanding rivalry between their two families, which divided the once unified kingdom in two. The pair have a lot to do, and it’s a good thing that they are both very diplomatic and confident.
This is an enchanting story. I loved the descriptions of food and clothes, as well as the magical dance scenes. It’s a wonderful fairytale for modern readers. For me, it’s a five-star read and I would definitely recommend it to teenagers and young adults who enjoy stories with princesses, magic and cute animals.

[Candida Furbush · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just the Way You Are by Allison M. Lewis is a sweet, romantic story with a little bit of magic and some twists and turns. I really enjoyed reading this story because it was about inner strength and being loved for who you are and not what's on the outside. Misty Miles who is a princess with a disability that confines her to a wheelchair and has spent her life in a tower. Her parents are trying to protect her, but in doing so they have also sheltered her from living life to its fullest. Misty sets out on her own to find a troll that she has heard grants wishes. This journey is where she will learn how strong she truly is on the inside, and she also meets some wonderful people on her journey. I think there are a couple of lessons to be learned in this story of your paying attention. The author did an awesome job writing this story because it flows so well and also tugs at your heartstrings, it gives you hope and sadness and love and so many more emotions throughout the book. I would recommend this story it is very engaging and you will also want to know how the romantic part of this story turns out.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the Way You Are
By Allison M Lewis
5 stars

I think I fell in love with this story as soon as I read the blurb! It was such a beautifully written story – I honestly could not put it down. It had this feel about it that made it read like a children’s book, indeed like a fairy tale, but with an adult twist to it. It really was an absolute pleasure to read and a fantastic introduction to this new to me author.
The meaning behind the story spoke volumes to me, I could relate so well to the main character. I really liked her (for the most part I will add!). I liked that there were a couple of twists along the way that made the book a little less predictable. I thought the author did a great job with the different themes included in the storyline.
The style of the story was really it for me, even at 34 I still love fairy tales, I still love films about princesses so I knew this book was going to be one that I would really enjoy and I certainly did.
If you are looking for something a little different to read then I highly recommend Just the Way You Are!!

[Moriah Venable · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just The Way You Are is novel by Allison M. Lewis. This is my first novel by this author.

Princess Misty Miles lives in a far away kingdom called Starrydom. For the past 21 years she has lived in a tower because of her disability. Her parents don’t want her to explore the kingdom especially the neighboring kingdom, where the man she loves, Derrick Denison.

In order to make her wish come true, she goes to Trovella. With this, she embarks on a journey to help and protect the kingdoms.

This was a short was great story. I truly felt like I was reading a fairytale. Misty being in a wheelchair was different for the protagonist. I don’t usually read about the main character having a disability and I felt it was refreshing.

The scene with her talking to her parents in the beginning of the novel, I really liked. The complexity of the parents trying to save the kingdom and protect their daughter really came through but I felt bad for Misty.

For anyone who wants a quick read, with a fairytale element, I recommend it.

[Katie Kearney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just the Way You Are by Allison M. Lewis
Is a story that's a bit of a mix of types of stories. I felt this story reminded me a bit of the movie Penelope and the story of Romeo & Juliet. This story while short was still a very fun read and it's written well. This is my first book by this author and I look forward to seeing where she takes her readers next. In the story we meet a princess named Misty who spends her days locked inside and wishing she could see the outside world, meet people and like most princesses fall in love. This book is her journey of trying to do just that. As stated it is a shorter story but that in no way hinders the storyline or the enjoyment of the reader. Her characters are relatable and well thought out. If you like a fantasy Fairytale this book is calling your name. I give this book a well deserved four star review and definitely look forward to more by this author.

[Stacie Catoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just The Way You Are by Allison M. Lewis


This was such a cute story about a princess who is disabled and her parents keep her hidden in the tower her whole life.  Misty is the adored princess of Starryton and all she dreams about is having a normal life and hopefully to meet Prince Derrick of the neighbouring kingdom, Mooncrest. She has loved him forever even though they have never met.  Her parents refuse to let you go out among the people for fear of how they will react.

There is an old feud between their parents and they each have banned the other from their kingdoms.  Misty decides to seek out Trovella, a troll who can grant wishes.  All she wants is to be able to walk and dance and fall in love completely with Prince Derrick.  Will her dreams come true or will she turn back in the isolated Princess where Derrick don't love her.  Easy and enjoyable read.

[Gail Guerrero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just the Way You Are by Allison M. Lewis

Four Stars

At first the story was interesting because hello how many fairy tales do you hear about where the princess is disabled. I was excited for the story to build up young girls spirits who didn’t believe they could. It did do that some what but I feel like it was corny and unrealistic. I liked how Derrick built her up and pushed her to believe in herself. How Misty stood up to her father and demanded he listen. There was no demand on a sexual nature between them and it was refreshing to read about a couple not dominated by sex. The direction the author wanted was somewhat there but the flow of the story was lacking. Conversations didn’t have the believable quality at all. Overall it was a good story so I would read more from this author.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aside from home use, this book needs to be in every library and Children's Hospital gift shop! It is a modern fairy tale for the differently abled, whether wheelchair bound or not, whether personal care dependent or not. Written at about third grade level, it is easy to read and understand. And the lesson is: beauty on the inside is what matters, and don't limit the horizons of a child who is non-standard. The story highlights the anguish of a young person who has been over-sheltered by well meaning parents, the mistakes she makes and confrontation with a troll, the handsome prince who really is a gallant gem, and an orphaned girl who is also wheelchair bound. The writing is very good, making the story come alive.
Free books in an exchange for a review from Books Go Social.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just the Way You Are, by Allison M. Lewis, is a teen/young adult story that is a laced with self image/esteem struggles. as well as, the enticement of a possible happy ever after that is every girl's dream. I did like how the author challenged these characters in regards to the flaws and obstacles they each have to battle choosing whether to surpass and move past them or letting them pull them under water. The way the author wrote this story was beautifully done. I found the characters had quality depth defined to them, along with situations that can easily be related to in real life. A lovely story with a strong and capable lead female that had an amazing story of battling her own demons.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just The Way You Are by Allison Lewis is an adorable story of love, acceptance, and preservation. Not only did the lead character decide she was not going to let anyone tell her she couldn’t do things she decided she was going to do them and be happy. This was a fast read for me and I really flew threw it. Derrick was a really sweet character. It was refreshing to see a male lead character so caring and compassionate. I liked that this book was a positive for those who are differently abled. It is also a clean fairy tale I would let my kid sister read without fear of what she was reading. I enjoyed this book. And I enjoyed the characters. 4 star rating.

[Sunday · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just The Way You Are by Allison M. Lewis
Four Stars

Just The Way You Are is a Fairy Tale romance with an adult twist by Allison M. Lewis. This is the first book I have read by Ms. Lewis, but definitely not the last. She tells a great story that shines with the way she depicts attitudes towards disabilities. Princess Misty has been held in the tower by her parents, the King and Queen, because they see her disability as a weakness. When Princess Misty turned 21, she made her own path and meets Prince Derrick who sees her without prejudice. This is a lovely story. I highly recommend this book.