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If the Slipper Fits
Disarming Prince Charming
Anne Sayer learned long ago that fairy tales don't come true. Connor Emory was the "prince" of a rich and powerful family and she was the "hired help," and for one glorious Maine summer, it was heaven. But evil stepmothers do exist, so Anne's "happily-ever-after"—wasn't.
Dashing, charismatic, and successful, Connor never understood what happened all those years ago, but he's sure now it was for the best. As the reigning heir to the family estate, he returns to Candlewick Island for one reason only: to sell the cursed castle where his heart was broken and dismiss from his life the woman responsible. But Anne, now more beautiful and confident than ever, no longer fits his memory—and Connor is intrigued. But enough so to risk his heart again?
A long way from the girl she had been, Anne knows what she wants. Armed with a scheme to save the estate, and aided by a houseful of eccentric cohorts, this "Cinderella" intends to win back her prince. Because the glass slipper that would never have fit a decade ago is the perfect size now...
Anne Sayer learned long ago that fairy tales don't come true. Connor Emory was the "prince" of a rich and powerful family and she was the "hired help," and for one glorious Maine summer, it was heaven. But evil stepmothers do exist, so Anne's "happily-ever-after"—wasn't.
Dashing, charismatic, and successful, Connor never understood what happened all those years ago, but he's sure now it was for the best. As the reigning heir to the family estate, he returns to Candlewick Island for one reason only: to sell the cursed castle where his heart was broken and dismiss from his life the woman responsible. But Anne, now more beautiful and confident than ever, no longer fits his memory—and Connor is intrigued. But enough so to risk his heart again?
A long way from the girl she had been, Anne knows what she wants. Armed with a scheme to save the estate, and aided by a houseful of eccentric cohorts, this "Cinderella" intends to win back her prince. Because the glass slipper that would never have fit a decade ago is the perfect size now...
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
5 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Elaine Fox
43 books84 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 1, 2015
3.5 stars
Some stories repeatedly pop up in literature, sometimes in the works of different writers. This is one of those stories, a typical romance. A poor girl and a rich boy lived on a small island off the coast of Maine, USA. A decade or more earlier, they were in love, but the boy’s parents were not happy. The kids broke up, and he left the island, never to return until now. Their passion is ignited again the moment they meet, but one or both of them resist it this time because of the old grievances, misunderstandings, and lies. Then they stop resisting, all the naughty secrets are revealed, and they live happily ever after.
I read a story like that recently – Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and the comparison was inevitable. While Phillips’s book was wonderful, this one, although written a decade earlier, wasn’t nearly as good.
First, the plot moved slowly. It had lots of unnecessary details and subplots which took page space but didn’t affect the main story at all. Mostly those details were distractions, red herrings really. The device works for the mystery genre, but in a classical romance, it feels forced.
Second, I didn’t like the heroine. Her actions in the past were logical, but her actions in the present not so much. The guy kept resisting her, and she kept throwing herself at him like a slut. It didn’t feel right to me.
Fortunately, the writing was good enough, and I did care for the hero and heroine somewhat, so I kept on reading. Not bad, as romances go, but I know for sure that this writer can do better, and has done better with several of her later novels.
Note: as many plots based on old secrets, this one confirms my conviction that secrets are bad for relationships. Besides, secrets have a tendency to come out and bite their keepers, usually at the worst time. Don’t keep secrets from your family and friends, folks.
Some stories repeatedly pop up in literature, sometimes in the works of different writers. This is one of those stories, a typical romance. A poor girl and a rich boy lived on a small island off the coast of Maine, USA. A decade or more earlier, they were in love, but the boy’s parents were not happy. The kids broke up, and he left the island, never to return until now. Their passion is ignited again the moment they meet, but one or both of them resist it this time because of the old grievances, misunderstandings, and lies. Then they stop resisting, all the naughty secrets are revealed, and they live happily ever after.
I read a story like that recently – Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and the comparison was inevitable. While Phillips’s book was wonderful, this one, although written a decade earlier, wasn’t nearly as good.
First, the plot moved slowly. It had lots of unnecessary details and subplots which took page space but didn’t affect the main story at all. Mostly those details were distractions, red herrings really. The device works for the mystery genre, but in a classical romance, it feels forced.
Second, I didn’t like the heroine. Her actions in the past were logical, but her actions in the present not so much. The guy kept resisting her, and she kept throwing herself at him like a slut. It didn’t feel right to me.
Fortunately, the writing was good enough, and I did care for the hero and heroine somewhat, so I kept on reading. Not bad, as romances go, but I know for sure that this writer can do better, and has done better with several of her later novels.
Note: as many plots based on old secrets, this one confirms my conviction that secrets are bad for relationships. Besides, secrets have a tendency to come out and bite their keepers, usually at the worst time. Don’t keep secrets from your family and friends, folks.
December 14, 2010
The plot is a common one, most often found in historical novels or contemporary HQ romances. (You know...The Billionaire Italian's Shy and Destitute Virgin Employee Turned Mistress.) This is the "rich guy/poor girl who happens to work for him" plot, filled with enough meddling family members to populate several such stories. Unfortunately, almost all the tension in the book is created by these family members and their meddling, either in the past or present, so the "crisis" feels forced. I might be able to buy Connor's dad and stepmother's interference, but I can't understand or forgive Anne's grandmother. People who love you don't lie to or manipulate you.
The writing is good and I liked Anne and Connor, although I thought he was too quick to believe his stepmother, who had a history of lying and manipulation, without asking Anne to explain the situation, or to give her some credit when she did explain it.
Overall it's a fine story, and if I'd read this before reading a half-dozen similar stories I'd have probably liked it better. I'll give this a 3* for the writing and some of the humorous scenes, but only 2* for the overused plot, and the tiresome meddling family.
I enjoy Elaine Fox's Guys and Dogs series, however, they are light, humorous and fun.
The writing is good and I liked Anne and Connor, although I thought he was too quick to believe his stepmother, who had a history of lying and manipulation, without asking Anne to explain the situation, or to give her some credit when she did explain it.
Overall it's a fine story, and if I'd read this before reading a half-dozen similar stories I'd have probably liked it better. I'll give this a 3* for the writing and some of the humorous scenes, but only 2* for the overused plot, and the tiresome meddling family.
I enjoy Elaine Fox's Guys and Dogs series, however, they are light, humorous and fun.
January 11, 2018
It’s a typical cinderella story wherein the poor heroine falls in love with prince charming. However, it was good that the twist as to why she really left him 11 yrs ago got revealed at the end.
When it come’s to the Anne’s character, I wouldn’t really say I like her. Yes, she loves him. But because of this love, she often gets swayed into throwing herself at him. And she keeps on saying on the first part they shouldn’t dwell on their past together but she was the first one to walk down the memory lane and tried to make him remember.
On the other hand, I get why Connor was adamant to take Anne back at first since he got heartbroken years before. What I don’t like about him was when he didn’t believe Anne. It took him 3 weeks before coming to conclusion to prove Anne’s story. It made me doubt his love for her.
When it come’s to the Anne’s character, I wouldn’t really say I like her. Yes, she loves him. But because of this love, she often gets swayed into throwing herself at him. And she keeps on saying on the first part they shouldn’t dwell on their past together but she was the first one to walk down the memory lane and tried to make him remember.
On the other hand, I get why Connor was adamant to take Anne back at first since he got heartbroken years before. What I don’t like about him was when he didn’t believe Anne. It took him 3 weeks before coming to conclusion to prove Anne’s story. It made me doubt his love for her.
May 25, 2025
The first half was a little too long, but the last 150 or so pages were great. Hence, 3.5 stars.
I liked the Cinderella romance between a wealthy son and a servant of the summer home, it just took too long to happen. The first half of the book was spread too thin, imo.
I loved the hero's uncle, Marcello. He was hilarious and such a great character. The end did make me tear-eyed on my flight to Sydney, Australia, so 3.5 stars.
Also, there's only one sex scene for like-minded individuals, lol.
I liked the Cinderella romance between a wealthy son and a servant of the summer home, it just took too long to happen. The first half of the book was spread too thin, imo.
I loved the hero's uncle, Marcello. He was hilarious and such a great character. The end did make me tear-eyed on my flight to Sydney, Australia, so 3.5 stars.
Also, there's only one sex scene for like-minded individuals, lol.
January 29, 2023
🎀 Book 9/100 - 2023
🎀 Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎀 If The Slipper Fits
🎀 Elaine Fox
🎀 Second chance romance - both characters annoyed me a bit about how unable they were to get to the damn point
🎀 Female lead had good character development, not so much him
🎀 Side characters were a hoot
🎀 Very happy ending
🎀 Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎀 If The Slipper Fits
🎀 Elaine Fox
🎀 Second chance romance - both characters annoyed me a bit about how unable they were to get to the damn point
🎀 Female lead had good character development, not so much him
🎀 Side characters were a hoot
🎀 Very happy ending
September 8, 2018
3.5 stars
January 2, 2020
It's a typical easy read romance with predictable plot and characters. I only paid 75 cents for it, so I got my money's worth. Entertaining, but not memorable.
April 28, 2021
Registered at Bookcrossing - https://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/...
Really good romance story. Lots of interesting characters. I love a happy ending in a romance.
Really good romance story. Lots of interesting characters. I love a happy ending in a romance.
January 17, 2023
The ‘misunderstanding’ which is the anchor of the book is super-duper lame. Unbelievable!
October 15, 2024
3-4 stars for me so I'll go with 4. I liked the story, characters, etc.
December 8, 2025
Hmmmm. I like the other characters better than the two mcs
July 25, 2013
3.5 stars
Ok, so this was cutesness incarnated as i'm sure the cover can testify.
A teenage Anne fell in love with the heir of the family and was forced to dump him because of this horrible truth—which wasn't really that horrible, but thats just me. To be honest, Anne annoyed me a little. She was too nice. And was only at the end that she stood up for herself. And Conner, the heartbroken “prince” of the family, who's never really found the perfect woman after Anne finally gets up the nerve to ask for the truth.
But the end. Wow. It was the cutest thing! Aww, just. Aww. I really don't have words to describe the complete adorableness of that moments. Completely too cute!
It was a good summer read.
Ok, so this was cutesness incarnated as i'm sure the cover can testify.
A teenage Anne fell in love with the heir of the family and was forced to dump him because of this horrible truth—which wasn't really that horrible, but thats just me. To be honest, Anne annoyed me a little. She was too nice. And was only at the end that she stood up for herself. And Conner, the heartbroken “prince” of the family, who's never really found the perfect woman after Anne finally gets up the nerve to ask for the truth.
But the end. Wow. It was the cutest thing! Aww, just. Aww. I really don't have words to describe the complete adorableness of that moments. Completely too cute!
It was a good summer read.
April 15, 2008
This is the first book that I have read by Elaine Fox. I grabbed it because it was cheap and the cover looked interesting. It was a very poor girl/rich guy love story and a little Cinderella esque. It was cute and an easy read.
May 5, 2012
enjoyed it but i think the ending was a bit strange as why would Marcello gave away Sea Bluff ( which costs million of dollars ) to Anne ( whom he only just go to know when he arrived at the mansion ) just like that ?
June 30, 2011
i think why i couldn't like this book was because how wimpy Anne really was, that for some reason bugged me.
May 9, 2012
As the others stated, this is sort of a "Cinderella" type story. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I did have a difficult time understanding how 11 yrs can pass without contact with someone you love.
September 17, 2013
Sweet romance.
November 13, 2013
It's a good light read but I'm afraid it's too long for its genre and it's too long for its plot.
June 12, 2014
I just couldn't find anything redeemable about Connor.
September 6, 2015
Cinderella story - fun fast read. Enjoyed it.
September 22, 2014
I hate wanting to read more after the book is done. I always want to know what happens next.
March 8, 2015
The first "romance novel" I ever read!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews