What do you think?
Rate this book
A Villain's Ever After #4
The Stepsister and the Slipper
What if the prince fell in love with the stepsister?
Lady Charlotte needs a rich husband, and fast. Good thing she has plenty of beauty and charm, with no foolish ideas of love to get in the way of her plans. When the chance to catch the wealthiest, most eligible bachelor in the kingdom appears, she will do everything in her power to win such a prize; even if she must break a few hearts along the way. But in the end, it is her own heart that's troubled. Perhaps true love really does exist, but if so, it’s not with the man she has caught…
The Stepsister and the Slipper is one of twelve short novels in A Villain's Ever After, a collection of standalone stories featuring villainous twists on some of your favorite classic fairytales. Read the series in any order for magical adventures . . . and fall in love with villains as you've never seen them before. Who said villains can't have happily-ever-afters?
Lady Charlotte needs a rich husband, and fast. Good thing she has plenty of beauty and charm, with no foolish ideas of love to get in the way of her plans. When the chance to catch the wealthiest, most eligible bachelor in the kingdom appears, she will do everything in her power to win such a prize; even if she must break a few hearts along the way. But in the end, it is her own heart that's troubled. Perhaps true love really does exist, but if so, it’s not with the man she has caught…
The Stepsister and the Slipper is one of twelve short novels in A Villain's Ever After, a collection of standalone stories featuring villainous twists on some of your favorite classic fairytales. Read the series in any order for magical adventures . . . and fall in love with villains as you've never seen them before. Who said villains can't have happily-ever-afters?
139 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2021
78 people are currently reading
896 people want to read
About the author
Nina Clare
26 books109 followersWhen she’s not writing stories or thinking up stories or reading other people’s stories, Nina likes to paint and collage pictures, get taken for long walks by her adorable dogs, and cook all things plant-based. She also does other things, like office work, but that’s the boring bit. She lives very happily in rural Cornwall, England with her family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
January 9, 2022
Look at this beautiful cover!
I sincerely enjoyed this book. It’s not just a light, fluffy read. There’s also inner struggles, character development and the way the author, Nina Clare, writes the stepsister is authentic. The characterization is amazing.
I’m really happy with how the key elements of the fairy tale retelling were kept. I also enjoyed the way the author takes the time to develop the world and each individual character. The author takes the time to make sure each person’s faults and strengths shines through and I could really connect and sympathize with the different characters (besides the stepmother).
There were parts of the story that was painful. But hey! No pain no gain. :) It was all worth it in the end to see Charlotte growth once she listened to her heart and thought things through without the toxic influence of her mother’s greed. Definitely one of the best reverse retellings I’ve ever read.
I sincerely enjoyed this book. It’s not just a light, fluffy read. There’s also inner struggles, character development and the way the author, Nina Clare, writes the stepsister is authentic. The characterization is amazing.
I’m really happy with how the key elements of the fairy tale retelling were kept. I also enjoyed the way the author takes the time to develop the world and each individual character. The author takes the time to make sure each person’s faults and strengths shines through and I could really connect and sympathize with the different characters (besides the stepmother).
There were parts of the story that was painful. But hey! No pain no gain. :) It was all worth it in the end to see Charlotte growth once she listened to her heart and thought things through without the toxic influence of her mother’s greed. Definitely one of the best reverse retellings I’ve ever read.
September 9, 2021
Delightful
A heartfelt retelling of Cinderella focused on the Stepsister with a Georgette Heyer vibe and magic that might or might not be real.... (It's totally real).
A heartfelt retelling of Cinderella focused on the Stepsister with a Georgette Heyer vibe and magic that might or might not be real.... (It's totally real).
April 19, 2022
The Stepsister and the Slipper is the fourth installment of the A Villain's Ever After series. In it, you will meet Charlotte and Lance. Now this is a Cinderella retelling with an interesting twist. Yes, the prince still marries the Cinderella-like character in this book. That love will probably never change. It just so happens that the stepsister almost ends up marrying him before she finally tells the truth.
Don't know if you all know but there are three animated Cinderella movies. In the last one, I think, the stepsister ends up almost marrying the prince before the truth is reveal and he ends up with Cinderella. Please don't ask me how I know this but just know that I love Disney movies. Plain and simple.
That being said, this book reminded me of that movie. Charlotte was a bit unlikable for most of this book. Same feelings towards her mother as well. I didn't really agree with her decisions until she finally told the truth. She just seemed pretty selfish, and she just wanted the title and money more than the actual love.
I did, however, really like her with Lance. At least whenever they were together the chemistry never felt forced. I liked how he called her out towards the end and was still there for her after everything. I also liked how both sisters were visited by the fairy godmother. So, yeah, it reminded me of the movie and I'm glad both sisters found love.
In the end, I need the next book now!
Don't know if you all know but there are three animated Cinderella movies. In the last one, I think, the stepsister ends up almost marrying the prince before the truth is reveal and he ends up with Cinderella. Please don't ask me how I know this but just know that I love Disney movies. Plain and simple.
That being said, this book reminded me of that movie. Charlotte was a bit unlikable for most of this book. Same feelings towards her mother as well. I didn't really agree with her decisions until she finally told the truth. She just seemed pretty selfish, and she just wanted the title and money more than the actual love.
I did, however, really like her with Lance. At least whenever they were together the chemistry never felt forced. I liked how he called her out towards the end and was still there for her after everything. I also liked how both sisters were visited by the fairy godmother. So, yeah, it reminded me of the movie and I'm glad both sisters found love.
In the end, I need the next book now!
January 12, 2022
Okay, so...there were some things I liked in this one and some I didn't love.
First off, I do love Cinderella and even wrote my own retelling from the Stepsister's pov, so I was absolutely intrigued by this novella and very curious to see what Clare would do. Second, I just have to say that cover is gorgeous! Bravo to the designer on that one!
I liked some of the nods to the original tale, like the godmother, the slipper, and the balls. The godmother figure played a very small role, but she was distinct as a godmother figure and I liked her. I also liked how she had a role in society, two really unique houses, and more than just Cinderella as her charge. Her function in the story was neat and I appreciated that. I also have to say I liked the house the Cinderella family stayed in near the palace and how it was so specifically tied to Cinderella. That was a really cool way to explain the magic. And it was fun that the manservant looked to her as his mistress!
Additionally, what Clare did with the slipper was fun and clever. I did something similar in my own story, but it was still really neat to see it played out here. I also actually really liked how Charlotte struggled with the decision over the slipper in the end and she didn't immediately do what was right. That made her more like the traditional villain, but it also added a small twist to her character since she didn't technically lie about it.
And, of course, the balls were fun. But I think more than that, I really liked how Clare used the balls to push the story forward. And she didn't focus so exclusively on them, but drew in time outside the balls so that things came together in pivotal moments during the balls. It was fun to see Charlotte approach this opportunity and I liked how she was confident when dealing with suitors and intentional, even if it was a cruel game to play. I also liked that we got to see why she did it. That there was a reason and the pressure for her to marry well.
But that said, that was one of the things I think missed the mark just a little. Perhaps because it's a novella and there just wasn't quite the time to flesh this out properly, but Charlotte felt like two different people sometimes. On one hand, she was under a lot of pressure and dealing with an insane mother (nice touch, Clare). She knew she shouldn't have to be the family's salvation, and yet she also knew that she was. Combined with her soft heart toward Cinderella (I can't for the life of me think of her name right now!), made her a sympathetic character in line with the whole theme of the Villain's Ever After series.
But on the other hand, Charlotte flipped a switch in a few places and was quite cruel. And I don't just mean cruel because she was raised to be or because she panicked and wanted to fulfill the role her mother thrust on her (there were a few of those places that made sense), but there were a few places where she just got super jealous and all up in arms and threw a hissy fit about Cinderella and the prince. And it just didn't make sense to me. Or when Cinderella's dress was prettier than hers. It didn't quite line up with who she was in other places and that kind of disappointed me. You'd think she'd want Cinderella to be happy based on her interactions with her in other places of the book (like defending her against her mother or giving her the plan to get to the ball--a really cool plan, if I may say so when I used something similar ;)) but then there were bits where she was more traditionally like the cruel stepsister that I think could have been better explained or shown.
Similarly along those lines, I really liked some of the other characters a lot, like the Cinderella character and the stepmother and the prince. But they didn't really get enough screen time to be fleshed out much. The prince could have been a really neat character, but we really didn't get enough of him. Though I did really like the scenes between him and Charlotte in the study and in the treasury because it showed off Charlotte's character very well in the first and gave us a glimpse of his in the second. Lance was a fun character, but like Charlotte, there were bits of him that felt a little off. He was a charmer and that made him a lot of fun, especially with Charlotte who was a flirt in her own right. The favors he asked of Charlotte though didn't make much logical sense and made him seem a little...not very smart...at times. And the way things wrapped up with him also felt a little convenient or forced, I'm not sure which. It was just odd for Charlotte to go from husband obsessed to completely nonchalant. And for him to hang back and then suddenly show up again. So, that felt a little bumpy to me. But I did like how he pushed the plot forward and some of the ways he influenced the other characters and storyline. I really liked when we learned what he was really up to and his interactions with the Cinderella character and Charlotte together. Those were really eye-opening and showed us more parts of each of the characters in the scenes.
Overall, it's a cute little short read. Not super deep or fleshed out, but a fun story nonetheless. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series and possibly checking out more of Nina Clare's work in the future.
Content: there's no swearing or violence, but the stepfamily is cruel to Cinderella in some places and they are pretty manipulative to people in general. Charlotte thinks a lot about marriage and how that can further her in society, but there's nothing worse than a pretty quick kiss and the implications of a flirt hinting at roguish behavior for the era. I think this one would be fine for 12/13+
First off, I do love Cinderella and even wrote my own retelling from the Stepsister's pov, so I was absolutely intrigued by this novella and very curious to see what Clare would do. Second, I just have to say that cover is gorgeous! Bravo to the designer on that one!
I liked some of the nods to the original tale, like the godmother, the slipper, and the balls. The godmother figure played a very small role, but she was distinct as a godmother figure and I liked her. I also liked how she had a role in society, two really unique houses, and more than just Cinderella as her charge. Her function in the story was neat and I appreciated that. I also have to say I liked the house the Cinderella family stayed in near the palace and how it was so specifically tied to Cinderella. That was a really cool way to explain the magic. And it was fun that the manservant looked to her as his mistress!
Additionally, what Clare did with the slipper was fun and clever. I did something similar in my own story, but it was still really neat to see it played out here. I also actually really liked how Charlotte struggled with the decision over the slipper in the end and she didn't immediately do what was right. That made her more like the traditional villain, but it also added a small twist to her character since she didn't technically lie about it.
And, of course, the balls were fun. But I think more than that, I really liked how Clare used the balls to push the story forward. And she didn't focus so exclusively on them, but drew in time outside the balls so that things came together in pivotal moments during the balls. It was fun to see Charlotte approach this opportunity and I liked how she was confident when dealing with suitors and intentional, even if it was a cruel game to play. I also liked that we got to see why she did it. That there was a reason and the pressure for her to marry well.
But that said, that was one of the things I think missed the mark just a little. Perhaps because it's a novella and there just wasn't quite the time to flesh this out properly, but Charlotte felt like two different people sometimes. On one hand, she was under a lot of pressure and dealing with an insane mother (nice touch, Clare). She knew she shouldn't have to be the family's salvation, and yet she also knew that she was. Combined with her soft heart toward Cinderella (I can't for the life of me think of her name right now!), made her a sympathetic character in line with the whole theme of the Villain's Ever After series.
But on the other hand, Charlotte flipped a switch in a few places and was quite cruel. And I don't just mean cruel because she was raised to be or because she panicked and wanted to fulfill the role her mother thrust on her (there were a few of those places that made sense), but there were a few places where she just got super jealous and all up in arms and threw a hissy fit about Cinderella and the prince. And it just didn't make sense to me. Or when Cinderella's dress was prettier than hers. It didn't quite line up with who she was in other places and that kind of disappointed me. You'd think she'd want Cinderella to be happy based on her interactions with her in other places of the book (like defending her against her mother or giving her the plan to get to the ball--a really cool plan, if I may say so when I used something similar ;)) but then there were bits where she was more traditionally like the cruel stepsister that I think could have been better explained or shown.
Similarly along those lines, I really liked some of the other characters a lot, like the Cinderella character and the stepmother and the prince. But they didn't really get enough screen time to be fleshed out much. The prince could have been a really neat character, but we really didn't get enough of him. Though I did really like the scenes between him and Charlotte in the study and in the treasury because it showed off Charlotte's character very well in the first and gave us a glimpse of his in the second. Lance was a fun character, but like Charlotte, there were bits of him that felt a little off. He was a charmer and that made him a lot of fun, especially with Charlotte who was a flirt in her own right. The favors he asked of Charlotte though didn't make much logical sense and made him seem a little...not very smart...at times. And the way things wrapped up with him also felt a little convenient or forced, I'm not sure which. It was just odd for Charlotte to go from husband obsessed to completely nonchalant. And for him to hang back and then suddenly show up again. So, that felt a little bumpy to me. But I did like how he pushed the plot forward and some of the ways he influenced the other characters and storyline. I really liked when we learned what he was really up to and his interactions with the Cinderella character and Charlotte together. Those were really eye-opening and showed us more parts of each of the characters in the scenes.
Overall, it's a cute little short read. Not super deep or fleshed out, but a fun story nonetheless. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series and possibly checking out more of Nina Clare's work in the future.
Content: there's no swearing or violence, but the stepfamily is cruel to Cinderella in some places and they are pretty manipulative to people in general. Charlotte thinks a lot about marriage and how that can further her in society, but there's nothing worse than a pretty quick kiss and the implications of a flirt hinting at roguish behavior for the era. I think this one would be fine for 12/13+
September 3, 2021
3.5 stars, because I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone looking for a sweet fairy tale, but it also just...wasn't necessarily for me
I have a deep and undying love for any stepsister character and so I was ecstatic that the Stepsister was going to be front and center in this story
However, since the book was so short it was as if the author either didn't want to commit to her being as deeply flawed as she claimed or there just wasn't time for such an arc. So what we're left with is a character who flits between being super sweet to exactly what you'd expect from the "evil stepsister" without warning. It wasn't that I felt like Charlotte was acting out of character, it was as if I didn't know her well know enough to know what even was in character for her
For example, we're often told she has no interest in marriage, that she hates the endless flirting and trying to snag a husband, but when something puts a damper on that (which might still procure her financial stability) she falls into a jealous rage and I'm still not entirely sure why....
However, Charlotte and Lance were adorable, I loved their banter and they had such great chemistry. I wished we're gotten more of their shenanigans, because it was definitely the highlight of the book. I did cringe at the "he kissed her to stop her from making a scene" (it was meant innocently enough but regardless of intent, it was uncomfortable). But overall, they were wonderful and I shipped them from the start. 10/10, they're very cute and as much as I love the Cinderella/Prince type relationship, I also have a soft spot for the Flirt/Rogue dynamic of two slightly jaded characters who fall in love
The conclusion of Charlotte's arc was also really nice, I liked the ending a lot. I wished there'd been more buildup, but I also felt satisfied reading the end
Blanche was also a sweetheart and it was so fun to see the Cinderella character as a side character and seeing her story unfold from another's perspective
Overall, would recommend to anyone who likes sweet fairy tale retellings and is looking for something fun and lighthearted to pass the time
I have a deep and undying love for any stepsister character and so I was ecstatic that the Stepsister was going to be front and center in this story
However, since the book was so short it was as if the author either didn't want to commit to her being as deeply flawed as she claimed or there just wasn't time for such an arc. So what we're left with is a character who flits between being super sweet to exactly what you'd expect from the "evil stepsister" without warning. It wasn't that I felt like Charlotte was acting out of character, it was as if I didn't know her well know enough to know what even was in character for her
For example, we're often told she has no interest in marriage, that she hates the endless flirting and trying to snag a husband, but when something puts a damper on that (which might still procure her financial stability) she falls into a jealous rage and I'm still not entirely sure why....
However, Charlotte and Lance were adorable, I loved their banter and they had such great chemistry. I wished we're gotten more of their shenanigans, because it was definitely the highlight of the book. I did cringe at the "he kissed her to stop her from making a scene" (it was meant innocently enough but regardless of intent, it was uncomfortable). But overall, they were wonderful and I shipped them from the start. 10/10, they're very cute and as much as I love the Cinderella/Prince type relationship, I also have a soft spot for the Flirt/Rogue dynamic of two slightly jaded characters who fall in love
The conclusion of Charlotte's arc was also really nice, I liked the ending a lot. I wished there'd been more buildup, but I also felt satisfied reading the end
Blanche was also a sweetheart and it was so fun to see the Cinderella character as a side character and seeing her story unfold from another's perspective
Overall, would recommend to anyone who likes sweet fairy tale retellings and is looking for something fun and lighthearted to pass the time
November 19, 2021
A few days ago my patience got thrown out of the window. I was gonna buy a few paperbacks of this series here and there. I was gonna wait until another self pub book would be published and I would need a few extra books to justify the shipping costs. But I was having way too much fun with this series and these books. I wanted the rest too! So, I decided to do something crazy and I ordered all the ones I missed. My issue this morning? Which one to read first!
I've read quite a few Cinderella retellings already, but this one was very original! Mostly because we were reading the entire story through the eyes of the Evil Stepsister. Also because the author captured the core of the story, but changed a few of the details. There is only one stepsister in this story, for example and although this Cinderella does the work of the servants, she is not purposely treated as such by her stepmother and stepsister.
What I enjoyed most is that this story gave the evil stepsister her happy ending (I assume that not's a spoiler considering the title of the series), but didn't make her less evil. We understand what happens and why she hurts her stepsister. We understand why she wants and needs that prince so badly. We understand her frustration and desperation, but it doesn't make her kinder. She's still mean and crossing lines she really shouldn't cross.
The one thing I would have loved to see more of, was the ending. A lot of focus is on the story we already know, although we live it through different eyes, but the happy ending of the stepsister gets less attention. I understand that most of it can be solved within the few pages is lasts and yet I feel like our heroine deserved more, more focus on her own journey and the last steps towards her own happily ever after.
I've read quite a few Cinderella retellings already, but this one was very original! Mostly because we were reading the entire story through the eyes of the Evil Stepsister. Also because the author captured the core of the story, but changed a few of the details. There is only one stepsister in this story, for example and although this Cinderella does the work of the servants, she is not purposely treated as such by her stepmother and stepsister.
What I enjoyed most is that this story gave the evil stepsister her happy ending (I assume that not's a spoiler considering the title of the series), but didn't make her less evil. We understand what happens and why she hurts her stepsister. We understand why she wants and needs that prince so badly. We understand her frustration and desperation, but it doesn't make her kinder. She's still mean and crossing lines she really shouldn't cross.
The one thing I would have loved to see more of, was the ending. A lot of focus is on the story we already know, although we live it through different eyes, but the happy ending of the stepsister gets less attention. I understand that most of it can be solved within the few pages is lasts and yet I feel like our heroine deserved more, more focus on her own journey and the last steps towards her own happily ever after.
January 24, 2022
Video Review: https://youtu.be/0muCr_MClMM
This told exactly like a fairytale which…makes sense seeing its a fairytale retelling, lol. But it really does feel like one!
Charlotte isn’t my favorite type of character—the flirty, bossy, trying to catch a man types I usually want to punch—but I understood WHY she was acting that way and therefore really enjoyed seeing her transform in the end—the climax point where she decides to do the right thing is my favorite part and was written so emotionally well for all the characters involved. Blanche our “Cinderella” was wonderful—even though she’s a side character I loved her and am not ashamed to say I identified with her more than Charlotte, haha. She’s just a sweet dear and I love her. And their mother…goodness get rid of that woman, what a pain! 🙄😒 Lancelot and Artus are also wonderful and perfect for each of our girls. (And does anyone else think some of these names are reflective of King Arthur lore or is that just me?)
The light magic added to the whole fairytale feel and I liked the balls as they were so beautifully described.
This was a really sweet read and take on Cinderella. Highly recommend!
Content: gambling and drinking at parties (one guy is also drunk); kissing (not detailed); light magic
This told exactly like a fairytale which…makes sense seeing its a fairytale retelling, lol. But it really does feel like one!
Charlotte isn’t my favorite type of character—the flirty, bossy, trying to catch a man types I usually want to punch—but I understood WHY she was acting that way and therefore really enjoyed seeing her transform in the end—the climax point where she decides to do the right thing is my favorite part and was written so emotionally well for all the characters involved. Blanche our “Cinderella” was wonderful—even though she’s a side character I loved her and am not ashamed to say I identified with her more than Charlotte, haha. She’s just a sweet dear and I love her. And their mother…goodness get rid of that woman, what a pain! 🙄😒 Lancelot and Artus are also wonderful and perfect for each of our girls. (And does anyone else think some of these names are reflective of King Arthur lore or is that just me?)
The light magic added to the whole fairytale feel and I liked the balls as they were so beautifully described.
This was a really sweet read and take on Cinderella. Highly recommend!
Content: gambling and drinking at parties (one guy is also drunk); kissing (not detailed); light magic
September 15, 2021
This is a lovely retelling of Cinderella, told from the perspective of the stepsister! It is a tale without a lot of danger, except that of the heart, but it is still very compelling and had me turning pages quickly as I read it in a single evening!
March 2, 2025
This was such a nice concept. I liked the characters well enough. I do wish that the romance and character development would have been more flushed out. If it had I might have not felt so disconnected at the ending.
November 7, 2023
This was okay, but I wasn't a huge fan of any of the characters, except Blanche.
September 6, 2021
Romance is notoriously difficult to write in a novella format. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: It’s virtually impossible to write a believable romance in fewer than 200 pages.
It’s kind of like when you’re craving pizza, but all you have available is a pepperoni hot pocket. It’s still good, and it still satisfies your craving, but it’s not the same as a large NY style monstrosity with extra cheese and grease.
That being said, I did enjoy it!
Charlotte is the ‘evil stepsister’ in this case, but she’s not evil at all. She’s under a tremendous amount of pressure to find a rich husband and save her mother from bankruptcy (and from the dungeon, since she’s a raging kleptomaniac), since her stepsister, Blanche (the Cinderella here), is painfully shy and would much prefer a book to a man.
On their way to the capitol, she meets Lance, an unapologetic rake with connections to the royal family. He’s able to secure them invitations to the exclusive balls where she can meet the prince. Thus ensues a bit of Simon/Daphne-esque banter where he teases her about wanting a rich husband and pointing out the failures of literally every man she meets.
I was totally fine with Charlotte as a character, until that backstabbing, traitorous BIOTCH tries to steal the prince from Blanche.
Things are resolved eventually, but still... the AUDACITY.
I thought the ending wrapped up a little too abruptly for my liking, leaving the reader to fill in some blanks.
But overall, a good, quick read for when you want a clean romance but don’t have all day to sink into a book.
It’s kind of like when you’re craving pizza, but all you have available is a pepperoni hot pocket. It’s still good, and it still satisfies your craving, but it’s not the same as a large NY style monstrosity with extra cheese and grease.
That being said, I did enjoy it!
Charlotte is the ‘evil stepsister’ in this case, but she’s not evil at all. She’s under a tremendous amount of pressure to find a rich husband and save her mother from bankruptcy (and from the dungeon, since she’s a raging kleptomaniac), since her stepsister, Blanche (the Cinderella here), is painfully shy and would much prefer a book to a man.
On their way to the capitol, she meets Lance, an unapologetic rake with connections to the royal family. He’s able to secure them invitations to the exclusive balls where she can meet the prince. Thus ensues a bit of Simon/Daphne-esque banter where he teases her about wanting a rich husband and pointing out the failures of literally every man she meets.
I was totally fine with Charlotte as a character, until that backstabbing, traitorous BIOTCH tries to steal the prince from Blanche.
Things are resolved eventually, but still... the AUDACITY.
I thought the ending wrapped up a little too abruptly for my liking, leaving the reader to fill in some blanks.
But overall, a good, quick read for when you want a clean romance but don’t have all day to sink into a book.
September 7, 2021
Since the original story has the ugly stepsister, I expected something similar in this one, but it was the other way round. Charlotte was gorgeous; while this disappointed me initially, as I relate better to average-looking protagonists, I did end up liking her towards the end.
The characters were well-written with distinct personalities. I was indifferent towards Charlotte in the beginning, then I pitied her, then annoyed with her, and finally satisfied with the way she turned out. She was neither good nor bad, so that was one refreshing aspect of her character. I constantly experienced second-hand embarrassment due to her mother's stealing. I can't imagine what I would have done in that position.
Blanche (Cinderella) on the other hand, was someone I could connect to. She was simple-looking and loved to read books. The male protagonist was good but could have been more fleshed out.
I liked the unique twist given to the original story. The romance was good, but I would have loved to see more of it, especially towards the end. Maybe a bonus scene would have helped with the craving.
The ending was done nicely. It included the slipper scene from the original story, and I'm glad there was some logic to it in this book. I always thought the Prince not recognising Cinderella without make-up was ridiculous.
I was happy with everyone's fate. I enjoyed the book for the most part, but I can't help but feel that something was missing. I didn't get sucked into it completely. I'd still recommend it to fairytale lovers and ask them to give it a try since we all have different tastes.
The characters were well-written with distinct personalities. I was indifferent towards Charlotte in the beginning, then I pitied her, then annoyed with her, and finally satisfied with the way she turned out. She was neither good nor bad, so that was one refreshing aspect of her character. I constantly experienced second-hand embarrassment due to her mother's stealing. I can't imagine what I would have done in that position.
Blanche (Cinderella) on the other hand, was someone I could connect to. She was simple-looking and loved to read books. The male protagonist was good but could have been more fleshed out.
I liked the unique twist given to the original story. The romance was good, but I would have loved to see more of it, especially towards the end. Maybe a bonus scene would have helped with the craving.
The ending was done nicely. It included the slipper scene from the original story, and I'm glad there was some logic to it in this book. I always thought the Prince not recognising Cinderella without make-up was ridiculous.
I was happy with everyone's fate. I enjoyed the book for the most part, but I can't help but feel that something was missing. I didn't get sucked into it completely. I'd still recommend it to fairytale lovers and ask them to give it a try since we all have different tastes.
January 14, 2025
This was a really fun twist on the tale of Cinderella! I think the author did a great job in portraying Charlotte as the evil stepsister. Due to the short length of the book, we get to see some character growth (not as much as I, personally, would have liked).
One thing that seemed a little out of place was the ending with Lance and Charlotte. Maybe my partiality towards slow-burn has blinded me a little bit, but I felt as though Lance's declaration (of sorts) seemed a little fast because they weren't too familiar with each other. Overall though I did think they would make a cute couple.
This was a fun read and addition to the series!
One thing that seemed a little out of place was the ending with Lance and Charlotte. Maybe my partiality towards slow-burn has blinded me a little bit, but I felt as though Lance's declaration (of sorts) seemed a little fast because they weren't too familiar with each other. Overall though I did think they would make a cute couple.
This was a fun read and addition to the series!
September 30, 2021
This series is fantastic. This retelling by Nina Clare? Phenomenal. I appreciated the humanizing of the stepsister, the stepmother comeuppance was fitting, and the story was just a delight to read. Stellar retelling of an oft-retold tale.
April 1, 2023
i went into this highly prejudiced (i.e. expecting something badly-written, but light and fluffy enough that i could look past it) and was proved… correct. this is the novella equivalent of a croquembouche covered w violas and borage—not very substantial, but yummy and nice to look at. i already know the story and i already love cinderella, so the best part is seeing her from a different perspective. that, and all the meaningless french touches.
November 22, 2023
Uno de los mejores retellings que he leído.
August 16, 2025
I loved this! The banter and flirting was so cute! And the step sister was a good character with her growth and I loved her. Lance! Yes! I wish the book was longer and had more of him in it!
January 5, 2022
A fun read
Very cute and unique. Good for fans on fairytales and true love. I actually enjoyed that the only true villain, so to speak, was the stepmother.
Very cute and unique. Good for fans on fairytales and true love. I actually enjoyed that the only true villain, so to speak, was the stepmother.
January 3, 2022
Fun
It is interesting to see from a different perspective, the tales we grow accustomed to. And this was Refreshing and creative storytelling
It is interesting to see from a different perspective, the tales we grow accustomed to. And this was Refreshing and creative storytelling
December 24, 2021
Amazing. Exactly as it should be. This book still contained the necessary elements of the fairy tale it was based on, which I felt the previous books didn’t. Although the Robin Hood book did!! I feel like this series is getting better and better and I can’t wait to read em all :)
I loved the growth of Charlotte, and the love between her and Lance. I felt like this book needed some more funny characters, but after thinking about it a bit more, I came to the conclusion that it actually didn’t and that it’s perfect the way it is. Because it’s still about the fairy tale Cinderella.
Ugh I feel like I’m not making much sense. I finished this book in an hour or two when I actually just wanted to sleep, so I’m dead tired and super glad it’s winter break. But I’m probably pretty vague because of that.
Bottom point is, I really liked this book :). There’s a reason it didn’t take me long to finish!
I loved the growth of Charlotte, and the love between her and Lance. I felt like this book needed some more funny characters, but after thinking about it a bit more, I came to the conclusion that it actually didn’t and that it’s perfect the way it is. Because it’s still about the fairy tale Cinderella.
Ugh I feel like I’m not making much sense. I finished this book in an hour or two when I actually just wanted to sleep, so I’m dead tired and super glad it’s winter break. But I’m probably pretty vague because of that.
Bottom point is, I really liked this book :). There’s a reason it didn’t take me long to finish!
January 6, 2023
*Source* Kindle Unlimited
*Genre* Young Adult / Fairy Tales
*Rating* 3.5
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Young Adult / Fairy Tales
*Rating* 3.5
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
September 8, 2021
I absolutely love these fantasy-romance series that keep popping up, like Stolen Brides from earlier this year. They're a great opportunity for readers to find new indie authors; I ended up following both Stolen Brides and A Villain's Ever After thanks to Tara Grayce and my abiding love for her fluffy-fabulous series, Elven Alliance, and I am so glad I did. Because yet again, in Nina Clare, I have found a new author whose backlist I intend to devour ASAP.
We have here a retelling of "Cinderella" from the POV of the wicked stepsister. There is only one stepsister in this version, instead of the original two, but otherwise it seems to take its inspiration from the version by Charles Perrault (the most famous in English, I think, although originally in French). I'm not entirely sure what time period the author chose; I got the feeling that it might have been modeled on the Arthur Rackham silhouettes, and the clothing and hairstyle choices made me think it might be a fantasy version of the late 18th century? But honestly, in the best fairy tale style, the novel also seems very timeless and not anachronistic at all. It's simply gorgeous.
Everyone gets a HEA in this one, including Blanche, our Cinderella, and Charlotte, the "wicked" stepsister--who is less truly wicked than horribly manipulated by her mother into thinking love is impossible and marriage nothing more than a business transaction. She is vain, shallow, and selfish, but while the author never excuses Charlotte's behavior, she does a beautiful job of showing us the reasons why Charlotte is this way. And just when you think Charlotte couldn't possibly stoop any lower, she finally redeems herself in a spectacular way--and promptly suffers all the punishment you could ask for (and then some!) for her former failings.
I was heartily rooting for her by the end! 💖
I was the tiniest bit disappointed that some of the truly awful people in the novel--usually unnamed "bit" characters who were horribly abusive to Charlotte toward the finale--never got their comeuppance on-page. I can assume that they did (the gatekeeper of the palace was one that REALLY infuriated me--what the hell was wrong with that guy?!) because but I wish I could have had the satisfaction of actually seeing it. The author did such a good job with everyone getting their just desserts, it would have been nice to see even the bit players get what was coming to them, but it definitely wasn't enough to detract from my enjoyment of the story.
Also, kudos to the author for creating such a believable redemption arc for her "villain." 😍
Loved it. Highly recommend!
We have here a retelling of "Cinderella" from the POV of the wicked stepsister. There is only one stepsister in this version, instead of the original two, but otherwise it seems to take its inspiration from the version by Charles Perrault (the most famous in English, I think, although originally in French). I'm not entirely sure what time period the author chose; I got the feeling that it might have been modeled on the Arthur Rackham silhouettes, and the clothing and hairstyle choices made me think it might be a fantasy version of the late 18th century? But honestly, in the best fairy tale style, the novel also seems very timeless and not anachronistic at all. It's simply gorgeous.
Everyone gets a HEA in this one, including Blanche, our Cinderella, and Charlotte, the "wicked" stepsister--who is less truly wicked than horribly manipulated by her mother into thinking love is impossible and marriage nothing more than a business transaction. She is vain, shallow, and selfish, but while the author never excuses Charlotte's behavior, she does a beautiful job of showing us the reasons why Charlotte is this way. And just when you think Charlotte couldn't possibly stoop any lower, she finally redeems herself in a spectacular way--and promptly suffers all the punishment you could ask for (and then some!) for her former failings.
I was heartily rooting for her by the end! 💖
I was the tiniest bit disappointed that some of the truly awful people in the novel--usually unnamed "bit" characters who were horribly abusive to Charlotte toward the finale--never got their comeuppance on-page. I can assume that they did (the gatekeeper of the palace was one that REALLY infuriated me--what the hell was wrong with that guy?!) because but I wish I could have had the satisfaction of actually seeing it. The author did such a good job with everyone getting their just desserts, it would have been nice to see even the bit players get what was coming to them, but it definitely wasn't enough to detract from my enjoyment of the story.
Also, kudos to the author for creating such a believable redemption arc for her "villain." 😍
Loved it. Highly recommend!
December 9, 2021
Great Story
Not going to lie, Charlotte was an as$hole... Unlike the other books in the series that I've read, they kept the protagonist very similar to the evil stepsister. She had her moments of kindness, however she was still a jerk. Which is why I found it so interesting, she had a believable character growth. I liked Lances character, and I like how in the end he wasn't made into some high ranking noble, which is what I typically see. I like that, but this take was refreshing.
Not going to lie, Charlotte was an as$hole... Unlike the other books in the series that I've read, they kept the protagonist very similar to the evil stepsister. She had her moments of kindness, however she was still a jerk. Which is why I found it so interesting, she had a believable character growth. I liked Lances character, and I like how in the end he wasn't made into some high ranking noble, which is what I typically see. I like that, but this take was refreshing.
December 6, 2021
Ohh, this was an excellent villain's retelling! Charlotte was a perfect villainous-but-redeemable stepsister. Her motives were morally questionable at first, but I loved how her character developed over the story. Also, this was perfectly paced. A lot of novellas feel too short, but this was the perfect length for telling Charlotte's story.
December 5, 2021
Lots of twists
Lots of surprises. Is Charlotte really kind hearted, or more like her mother? Evil gets what it deserves and kindness has it's rewards.
Lots of surprises. Is Charlotte really kind hearted, or more like her mother? Evil gets what it deserves and kindness has it's rewards.
November 2, 2021
This book left me so happy. I loved this book. This book took me in a completely different direction emotionally that I had predicted in a Cinderella stepsister retelling.
I feel like this book could have easily been written in a way where it felt cliched and like just another Cinderella retelling with a slight stepsister twist. I almost expected it to feel that way after all of the Cinderella retellings I have read in the past.
But I was completely surprised the more I read as it continually surprised and impressed me. I was especially impressed with how Charlotte, our main character, was portrayed. At the beginning I was immediately assaulted with her shallowness in the moment but as the book went on I was able to see more and more to her and it was a fascinating journey that would not have been the same if the author had written her without the personality that she has.
It was a delight to read and I would recommend it to anyone who loves fairytale retellings. I think I will explore more books from this author because of how impressed I was with the execution of this retelling. I am also exited to read more villain tales in this collection.
Romance content: Super Sweet. Kisses.
I feel like this book could have easily been written in a way where it felt cliched and like just another Cinderella retelling with a slight stepsister twist. I almost expected it to feel that way after all of the Cinderella retellings I have read in the past.
But I was completely surprised the more I read as it continually surprised and impressed me. I was especially impressed with how Charlotte, our main character, was portrayed. At the beginning I was immediately assaulted with her shallowness in the moment but as the book went on I was able to see more and more to her and it was a fascinating journey that would not have been the same if the author had written her without the personality that she has.
It was a delight to read and I would recommend it to anyone who loves fairytale retellings. I think I will explore more books from this author because of how impressed I was with the execution of this retelling. I am also exited to read more villain tales in this collection.
Romance content: Super Sweet. Kisses.
September 9, 2021
A love-hate relationship with the stepsister
This was a very well thought out storyline for a Villain's Ever After.
The stepsister was sometimes kind, and sometimes selfish (ok, more selfish than kind), but you're able to understand why since this story is from her POV.
There is a bit of magic, but it is not the focal point of this version of the Cinderella tale.
This is a clean romance, with slight violence towards the end (caught alone in a bad part of town, and being attacked, but doesn't go into details).
If you're unsure about the multi-author Villain series, this is one of two I have enjoyed. The other was 'Bluebeard and the Outlaw'. I skipped the "Beast and the Enchantress' because of its poor reviews. I did read the 'Sultan and the Storyteller' and found it painful to get through. I am hoping the rest of the series remains enjoyable. There are a few other authors I really enjoy who are contributing.
This was a very well thought out storyline for a Villain's Ever After.
The stepsister was sometimes kind, and sometimes selfish (ok, more selfish than kind), but you're able to understand why since this story is from her POV.
There is a bit of magic, but it is not the focal point of this version of the Cinderella tale.
This is a clean romance, with slight violence towards the end (caught alone in a bad part of town, and being attacked, but doesn't go into details).
If you're unsure about the multi-author Villain series, this is one of two I have enjoyed. The other was 'Bluebeard and the Outlaw'. I skipped the "Beast and the Enchantress' because of its poor reviews. I did read the 'Sultan and the Storyteller' and found it painful to get through. I am hoping the rest of the series remains enjoyable. There are a few other authors I really enjoy who are contributing.
September 13, 2021
It took me until about halfway through this one to really get into it, thus just four stars. I love Nina's stories so was surprised it took me so long to be into it (lose the world around me for awhile).
The Stepsister in this story isn't quite as bad as the stepsisters in the original, she just has a very strange mother (a kleptomaniac) who has fed her daughter lies all her life about how love isn't real - so Charlotte is going to find a husband systematically and she has her sights set on the Prince, who is a rather reserved fellow without a whole lot of confidence. Unfortunately for Charlotte her step sister (the Cinderella we usually pull for) comes into the picture and ...
It has quite a bit of humor, some very poignant moments, and of course romance - all done in a clean story! Thank you, Nina, for making your stories without bad language or sexual content, I for one appreciate it very much.
The Stepsister in this story isn't quite as bad as the stepsisters in the original, she just has a very strange mother (a kleptomaniac) who has fed her daughter lies all her life about how love isn't real - so Charlotte is going to find a husband systematically and she has her sights set on the Prince, who is a rather reserved fellow without a whole lot of confidence. Unfortunately for Charlotte her step sister (the Cinderella we usually pull for) comes into the picture and ...
It has quite a bit of humor, some very poignant moments, and of course romance - all done in a clean story! Thank you, Nina, for making your stories without bad language or sexual content, I for one appreciate it very much.
September 3, 2021
I'm happy to have pre-ordered all the A Villain's Ever After books. This one is the fourth to be released, and it provided a great opportunity to get to know another new-to-me author. I was content to read it in one sitting, and the characters were well written and the story unfolded just the way I would have liked. The 'wicked' stepsister from the familiar Cinderella-inspired story had both the opportunity to show great kindness and to also be hard and cruel. It was satisfying to see how she dealt with the challenges that came in the pursuit of her dreams. There were opportunities for her to make both good and bad choices that threatened more than her own future.
This story delivered happy-ever-after, with a couple of twists to make the journey more enjoyable.
This story delivered happy-ever-after, with a couple of twists to make the journey more enjoyable.
September 3, 2021
Cinderella and her stepsister meet Rhett Butler
The Stepsister and the Slipper is another fun adventure in the Villains Ever After series. It's a redemption tale with some Rhett Butler vibes--in the best way. The villainous twist is done well, with the stepsister still acting like the classic Cinderella stepsister and the stepmother definitely reflecting the original tale. It of course has the main elements one expects in a Cinderella retelling, the slipper, the balls, the loss of said slipper, and true love. Overall it's another novella I'll reread when I'm wanting a light fairytale retelling that's a quick read.
The Stepsister and the Slipper is another fun adventure in the Villains Ever After series. It's a redemption tale with some Rhett Butler vibes--in the best way. The villainous twist is done well, with the stepsister still acting like the classic Cinderella stepsister and the stepmother definitely reflecting the original tale. It of course has the main elements one expects in a Cinderella retelling, the slipper, the balls, the loss of said slipper, and true love. Overall it's another novella I'll reread when I'm wanting a light fairytale retelling that's a quick read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews