Before the Glass Slipper

The Before Fairy Tale Series #2

by Michelle Deerwester-Dalrymple

Stepmothers get a bad rap. I know this first hand.

When I met Luc, I tried my best to be a good mother to his daughter, Ella. Even my own girls reached out to her, trying to befriend her. He had given us this amazing new life -- caring dearly for his daughter was the very least I could do for him.

But some people, even if they are children, have hard hearts. Ella wanted her father all to herself. No matter, I set that aside and tried to bet the best mother to all the girls so Luc and I could have the most wonderful, romantic life together.

To raise our family together.

To grow old together . . .

But things don’t always go according to plan.

Something different by Michelle Deerwester-Dalrymple. Meet the villains in your favorite fairy tales! A fairy tale retelling series full of love, a little magic, a strong sense of history, and powerful characters that we fall in love with, only to hate later on. Not steamy or with HEA endings, this series paints the fairy tale characters in a new light!

Genres: Cinderella, Retellings, Fantasy

197 pages, ebook

Published August 31, 2021

About the author

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Michelle is an author, college writing professor, mother, and wife living on the west coast. Follow her socials here: https://linktr.ee/mddalrympleauthor

This author also writes as M.D. Dalrymple
and Strawberry Chase

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of the Before . . . Fairy Tale Series a Flawed Fairy Tale Retelling Adaptation that was an emotional story. No wonder Corinne came to dislike Ella. I enjoyed reading this story but it does have a sad ending. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

They say there are two sides to every story and this is the story of the wicked stepmother who we have always loved to hate for her nepotism and her cruel treatment of the kind and flawless Cinderella. Always loving the story of Cinderella as I was growing up, I never thought to consider that maybe there was more to the story. This story presents a short but interesting possibility that maybe the wicked stepmother wasn’t as wicked as we always thought.

The story begins when Corinne (Cinderella’s step-mother) was a young but beautiful daughter of a financially struggling family and how she was “sold” into marriage to benefit her family. We see the good and the bad from her marriage and family life and see how she came to be little Ella’s step-mother. We see a beautiful, young mother who just wants to find happiness and to make the most out of life and do her best by her family. We also see that maybe little Ella wasn’t always as perfect as we always believed her to be. How would seeing both sides of the story and it’s preceding events change our perception of this beloved fairy tale?

I really enjoyed this concept and possibility. It was strange to have more amiable feelings towards a character I have always only felt disdain for and applaud the author for achieving this! Corinne’s character was maybe just a bit too perfect, but on the other hand, this is a fairy tale where characters are usually all that’s good and lovely or irredeemably evil. Her innate goodness fits as the original fairy tale uses similar strokes to paint Cinderella.

This was a unique and interesting idea. While it is an element of a familiar fairy tale, this does not have the happily ever after that we usually get from fairy tales. The ending was abrupt and I would have loved to see this story continue and see the author’s vision of the rest of the story, the more familiar part of the story, only from Corinne’s point of view. Now that my mind is awakened to this, I’m anxious to see how the rest of the story would play out! This was a short and easy read that I really enjoyed.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting back story for the stepmother from Cinderella. This book tells her side of the story, and shows why things turned out the way they did. Perhaps she wasn't really the villain of the story?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sara Eames · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant retelling of Cinderella's story that gives a dark back story to explain why the "wicked stepmother" came to be. Cinderella is painted in a very different light, as are the stepmother and stepsisters. An intriguing read. Highly recommended.

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

there are two sides to every story and this is the side you don't hear about... the stepmother's side... evil ? you tell me !! loved it !!! what a wonderful start for a new series with a twist... this tells of Ella's step mother and how Ella is... so good !

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jayne Butcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, that’s certainly an interesting take on Cinderella. It is well written, and creative and I enjoyed it until we got to there part where Ella entered. I found my attachment to the story I have always known got in the way of me believing this one. Actually, I was surprised at the vehemence of my reaction…..which is a salute to the author’s ability to spin a tale.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ashleigh K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free ARC copy of this, and was very excited to read it, and while it did fulfill its promise of a backstory, the deliverance was a bit lacking. The novel itself felt a bit unpolished and not quite publishing level writing, and details were lacking at times (never huge details, but the amount of times it happened did become a bit noticeable). Also, the pacing seemed too fast. It jumped from one event to the next and emotion to emotion, which at times made it very hard to tell what was gong on.
A few of the details felt lacking or off. It was really hard to tell time passing and actions because it either was glossed over, or never stated at all. Also the build up felt a little off.
I did enjoy getting to see the different relationship aspects throughout though. It was interesting how the author visualized each character relating to each event and set of circumstances and gave some of the characters a type of depth I had not been expecting.
The ending though was almost a mix of disconcertion (like, in a good way) and like amazement and feels. It was just pulled off well and gave me very mixed feelings as far as how to feel abt the stepmother's choice, but what she decided was written in a powerful way & definitely gave the story a good punch at the end.
All in all, not what I expecting, but also, not a terrible read.

[Cassi Sanchez-Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a little back story told from the perspective of Cinderella’s “wicked stepmother.” There are two sides to every story… even fairytales! I enjoyed this point of view and look forward to more in this series

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book two in the Sky pirate Trilogy. I have fallen in love with the world that the author has created. I love these characters and am so draw into their world. The characters are well developed with compelling back stories, strong motivation and goals. They have bold personalities and make bold choices. They have captivating internal conflicts with multiple difficult decisions to make. The world building is detailed, imaginative and so well done that you're drawn into a fantastic world unlike any other. This story has an interesting story line full of suspense, danger, action, mystery, unexpected twists, passion and an ending that left me wanting to read the next book in the series. It pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention. I can’t wait to read more of this series! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting take on the classic Cinderella. The author does a terrific job developing her version and bringing it to life with her detailed and descriptive scenes. It's well written,moves quickly and smoothly and is an enjoyable and unique read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not every story it’s fairytale but definitely has different points of view.
I really enjoy this one. Ella story was far from happy but how much of her doing was there.
Definitely recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILERS.......SPOILERS There are so many grammatical errors in this book! Sentences don't make sense sometimes and words are misspelled. Sometimes it even shows the action of one person while wording it as another..hard to explain but trust me. Who edits these books??? We get a rare glimpse into the other side of the story! Even as a child, I always wondered why the stepmother hated Cinderella. Just because Cinderella was pretty and good? That never was a satisfying conclusion to me. There just HAD to be more. Well, this book gives it! We are introduced to young, beautiful, 17yr old Corrine. Her family was wealthy but have fallen on hard times. She had hoped to marry for love. But unfortunately, her parents have sold her to an affluent, fat, old man. This marriage produces 2 beautiful daughters, her real loves, and brings feelings of content, if not love, and respect to her husband. He does love his daughters. Unfortunately, he is OLD. So he dies soon after the 2nd girl is born. Penniless and selling all her valuable items just to keep the house, Corrine knows she's in trouble. She needs something. Andres nephew( the male heir, since daughters and wives inherited nothing), Pierre basically tells Corrine she can meet this guy, Luc, a single dad. Her only option is to marry him, according to Pierre's thinking. However, Luc is young, handsome and completely in love with her. She falls for him, can't believe she actually gets to have a true love, and another chance at happiness. Little Ella, Lucs rambunctious daughter, is not happy. She's a terror. She hates Corrine and does everything to show it. She demands her father make them(Corrine mad the girls) leave after being married. She's physically abusive to the youngest daughter, a bully, a slob, spoiled, rude, vindictive, mean, and just all around a terror. It's pretty much her fault her father dies. Corrine has done everything to show love, understanding, and family to this brat. A little too much if you ask me. I get it that she's determined to have a happy family, but maybe slap the girl when she's violent, or something! Anything!! Not just excuses. Anyway, it's a great backstory. I'm not happy that Corrine is this perfect loving, accepting, forgiving, doormat in the beginning. But I guess that's what Disney made Cinderella out to be, so maybe it's deliberately done. Anyway, it's a definitely good read and a way better backstory to the evil stepmother than basically saying she's jealous....of a child she raised. That was such a bad idea from Disney. Not super shocked tho, Disney always does screw up the coolest characters. Good read!

[Arin Baur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m also one that really enjoys fairly tales and I really liked this one in my opinion it makes a lot of sense! I loved how much the guy loved her and her girls as much as if they have known each other their whole life. I would love to read more on this story I didn’t want it to end I read it in two days!! The author did a wonderful job with this book and I look forward to reading more by her:) if you love short stories and and a little twist on fairy tales you grow up on then this a perfect book for you!!! :)

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting play on an old fairy tale. Great familiar characters to follow in this story. The concept of having a good stepmother is really interesting to read about. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather W · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant and engaging take on the Cinderella story, where Cinderella comes across as very much the bad guy. It made me feel a lot of sympathy for the evil stepmother and her daughters. I really enjoyed this book and flew through it.

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It's a retelling of Cinderella from the stepmother's point of view. Its not a long book and I read it in a couple hours. It explains how Cinderella's stepmother came to be.

[Michael Alton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This blew my mind. I thought I knew what was going to happen next but was wrong. Great book.

[Martin Meek · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an emotional retailing, the book is from the stepmother's point of view, explaining the events that led to her becoming the antagonist in the traditional Cinderella story, by Auther Michelle Deerwester- Dalrymple. It is before the happy ever after. It tells the story of the stepmother and her love for her husband and her chalenges of blend their families.
The why did the stepmother treat Cinderella the way she did, has always intrigued me like a mystery. Now we've got a good no great backstory to the wicked stepmother, I understand why she did what she did and how she treated Cinderella the way she did. I can see the stepmother's pain and healing and struggle of losing her husband. pain like that will make you do anything and everything. Author Michelle Deerwester-Dalrympleknows how to do a great job in research this book. this is a historical novel, but also a great backstory to the evil stepmother.
If you're looking for a series that is told through The eyes of the villain and pick up this series today. This is the first book in her new series (The Before... Fairy tales) series on going with seven books so far. I can't wait to see where she takes the series. And if you don't like the series, and they're the certain fairy tale and you like and you can pick this up at the stand alone. And that is why I first did when I ran the queen of hearts. But I decided to go back and read the rest of them in order. Michelle Deerwester- Dalrymple knows her way around her pen aka computer. I give this book a five star.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was impressed by the author weaving in French words and perhaps cultural habits and such. My mind was able to release my Disney vision of the story and use my own imagination to draw what I thought the story would look otherwise. The books is a relaxing quick read. I enjoyed our time together. There are still some empty storylines that didn’t completely explain everything before the Disney movie began, but that was not the authors fault. I did feel, though, that the story of Cinderella could definitely pick up where the book left off. I also would have minded if it had a Few more chapters. I totally recommend looking into this author and her work. She seems pretty cool.

[Mary Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Different Point

First, I really liked the idea of a prequel to Cinderella and this story is masterfully crafted. Corinne and her daughters are described and depicted in a way that makes a lot of sense for their stories and I could easily align with them. What would have made this story a five star would have been an epilogue with an older Ella, if there was any change in her, as even as a young person, it was very hard to empathize with her.

[Tazz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this retelling it gave me similar vibes to how the book heartless was written to the same ending but how the character became that person. definitely would recommend if you enjoy retelling as much as I do. also !!!SPOILER!!! Ella so so annoying I actually sided who the "villian" was supposed to be.

[Heatherly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this YA retelling of Cinderella. This story focused on the "evil stepmother" but what if she really wasn't evil at all? And Ella herself, turned her "evil"? This is a must read for any Disney/fairytale lover, who LOVES a good character backstory.

[Cecilia Rodriguez · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dalrymple is not the first author to visit the trope of Cinderella and present the classic fairy tale from the Stepmother's perspective.

[Jacq Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a refreshing take on before “Cinderella” I finished it in a couple of hours as it was an easy to read very enjoyable backstory!

[Kristie L Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read. Interesting and gives you a different perspective of the fairytale of Cinderella

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only downside is that it wasn’t longer but it was good and an interesting take.

[Lindsay Spears · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and how she became the stepmother!!

[Susanne Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back story on Cinderella. Love!

[Chrystal Checketts · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are two sides to every story. You really do feel for the "wicked stepmother" and understand how someone can become the villain.

[Chaos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything went at lightning speed. Easy read at least. And the story while not new, it told a different perspective. Jealousy and a spoiling without discipline can really ruin a child. I understand the stepmother maybe a bit better as there are always two sides to every story.