What do you think?
Rate this book
Once Upon a Time #2
The Glass Shoe
A modern-day Prince Charming finds his Cinderella in a woman struggling to escape her memories of a former lover, with the help of one glass shoe
180 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1989
About the author
Kay Hooper
110 books2,479 followersKay Hooper (aka Kay Robbins) was born in California, in an air force base hospital since her father was stationed there at the time. The family moved back to North Carolina shortly afterward, so she was raised and went to school there.
The oldest of three children, Kay has a brother two years younger and a sister seven years younger. Her father and brother are builders who own a highly respected construction company, and her mother worked for many years in personnel management before becoming Kay's personal assistant, a position she held until her untimely death in March 2002. Kay's sister Linda works as her Business Manager, Events Coordinator, and is playing a major role in the creation and operation of The Kay Hooper Foundation.
Kay graduated from East Rutherford High School and attended Isothermal Community College — where she quickly discovered that business classes did not in any way enthrall her. Switching to more involving courses such as history and literature, she also began to concentrate on writing, which had been a longtime interest. Very quickly hooked, she asked for a Christmas typewriter and began seriously working on her first novel. That book, a Regency romance titled Lady Thief, sold to Dell Publishing in 1980. She has since published more than 60 novels and four novellas.
Kay is single and lives in a very small town in North Carolina, not far from her father and siblings. Deigning to live with her are a flock of cats — Bonnie, Ginger, Oscar, Tuffy, Felix, Renny, and Isabel — of various personalities who all like sleeping on manuscripts and whatever research happens to be spread across Kay's desk. And living amongst the many felines are two cheerfully tolerant dogs, a shelter rescue, Bandit, who looks rather like a small sheepdog, and a Sheltie named Lizzie.
The oldest of three children, Kay has a brother two years younger and a sister seven years younger. Her father and brother are builders who own a highly respected construction company, and her mother worked for many years in personnel management before becoming Kay's personal assistant, a position she held until her untimely death in March 2002. Kay's sister Linda works as her Business Manager, Events Coordinator, and is playing a major role in the creation and operation of The Kay Hooper Foundation.
Kay graduated from East Rutherford High School and attended Isothermal Community College — where she quickly discovered that business classes did not in any way enthrall her. Switching to more involving courses such as history and literature, she also began to concentrate on writing, which had been a longtime interest. Very quickly hooked, she asked for a Christmas typewriter and began seriously working on her first novel. That book, a Regency romance titled Lady Thief, sold to Dell Publishing in 1980. She has since published more than 60 novels and four novellas.
Kay is single and lives in a very small town in North Carolina, not far from her father and siblings. Deigning to live with her are a flock of cats — Bonnie, Ginger, Oscar, Tuffy, Felix, Renny, and Isabel — of various personalities who all like sleeping on manuscripts and whatever research happens to be spread across Kay's desk. And living amongst the many felines are two cheerfully tolerant dogs, a shelter rescue, Bandit, who looks rather like a small sheepdog, and a Sheltie named Lizzie.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 29, 2016
FINAL DECISION: Sweet, funny and with just a touch of angst. This story is short and thus not fully developed but I enjoyed the characters and their journey.
THE STORY: Amanda Wilderman doesn't believe in princes so she ruefully allows her cousins to convince her to attend a masquerade ball as Cinderella. There she meet Ryder Foxx, who is conveniently dressed as the prince. The two have a magical evening together and, of course, Amanda runs off before midnight, leaving a glass shoe behind. The two end up meeting again in Wyoming where Amanda is helping her uncle redecorate a hotel. Amanda doesn't want Ryder to know that she is an heiress because she has been burnt before and she certainly doesn't want him to know that she was Cinderella. Despite this, the sparks fly between these two. A wary woman and the man who wants her love and trust.
OPINION: This is a short novel but has a freshness that belies is being over 25 years old. I enjoyed the spirit of the book with has a humor mixed with some mild angst involving Amanda's wariness. I liked how Amanda and Ryder challenge one another and enjoy each others company. There are such normal activities as board game playing and a fainting dog. The central conflict in the story is Amanda's wariness, the secrets she is keeping, and Ryder's own expectations.
Although there is a plot involving a potential technology that both their companies are competing for which might derail their romance, the plot mostly stays in the background in this book. This is a book about the heart of these two characters and overcoming a sad past.
I enjoyed this book when I read it years ago and it has aged very well.
WORTH MENTIONING: THE GLASS SHOE was originally published as a Loveswept category romance in 1989.
CONNECTED BOOKS: THE GLASS SHOE is the second book in the Once Upon a Time series. It can be read as a standalone because the books in the series are only loosely connected.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.This review was originally posted on Top10RomanceBooks.com
THE STORY: Amanda Wilderman doesn't believe in princes so she ruefully allows her cousins to convince her to attend a masquerade ball as Cinderella. There she meet Ryder Foxx, who is conveniently dressed as the prince. The two have a magical evening together and, of course, Amanda runs off before midnight, leaving a glass shoe behind. The two end up meeting again in Wyoming where Amanda is helping her uncle redecorate a hotel. Amanda doesn't want Ryder to know that she is an heiress because she has been burnt before and she certainly doesn't want him to know that she was Cinderella. Despite this, the sparks fly between these two. A wary woman and the man who wants her love and trust.
OPINION: This is a short novel but has a freshness that belies is being over 25 years old. I enjoyed the spirit of the book with has a humor mixed with some mild angst involving Amanda's wariness. I liked how Amanda and Ryder challenge one another and enjoy each others company. There are such normal activities as board game playing and a fainting dog. The central conflict in the story is Amanda's wariness, the secrets she is keeping, and Ryder's own expectations.
Although there is a plot involving a potential technology that both their companies are competing for which might derail their romance, the plot mostly stays in the background in this book. This is a book about the heart of these two characters and overcoming a sad past.
I enjoyed this book when I read it years ago and it has aged very well.
WORTH MENTIONING: THE GLASS SHOE was originally published as a Loveswept category romance in 1989.
CONNECTED BOOKS: THE GLASS SHOE is the second book in the Once Upon a Time series. It can be read as a standalone because the books in the series are only loosely connected.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.This review was originally posted on Top10RomanceBooks.com
July 13, 2018
Lagana.
October 25, 2016
A sweet and easy novella to read. Amanda Wilderman is both filthy rich and drop dead gorgeous. She has issues finding men that are interested in HER though so she's seemingly sworn them all off. Her cousins set up an evening for her to dress as Cinderella (right now to her glass slippers) where of course she runs off before the stroke of midnight and loses one of those glass shoes. During the course of that ball, her and someone dressed as Prince Charming all but fall in love and by the end of the evening, he's left holding the glass shoe.
This is the second book I've read in the the Once Upon a Time series and while a fun read, the plots are SO contrived that it's hard for me to relate or get attached to the characters. They don't develop well and I'm unused to everything neatly following into place and for everything to be so sunshiny and rainbows.
Thank you netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book I've read in the the Once Upon a Time series and while a fun read, the plots are SO contrived that it's hard for me to relate or get attached to the characters. They don't develop well and I'm unused to everything neatly following into place and for everything to be so sunshiny and rainbows.
Thank you netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 17, 2016
I read both Golden Threads and the Glass Shoe back to back. They are cute, modern adaptations of the fairy tale classics of Rapunzel and Cinderella. If you are looking for a fun, quick read, I would recommend these books.
May 1, 2018
A semi Cinderella story with a Santa type man thrown in twice. For a novella this a simple and fun book to read.
January 10, 2019
Fun short story
Fun short story. I enjoyed the characters. At some point every woman would like to be Cinderella finding her Prince if only just for one day.
Fun short story. I enjoyed the characters. At some point every woman would like to be Cinderella finding her Prince if only just for one day.
November 28, 2016
This modern day version of the classic Cinderella was a fun, sweet read. Owing her cousins a favor is never a good thing and this time it has her dressing up as Cinderella, glass slippers and all, and attending a local ball. Never did she imagine meeting her very own Prince Charming in Ryder Foxx. After having a great time Amanda is reluctant for Ryder to find out who she really is and at midnight runs from the ball. And yes you guessed it....leaves her slipper behind. When they eventually meet up again it looks like they have a chance at a happily ever after until business comes between them.
A quick fun read that I would recommend.
A quick fun read that I would recommend.
April 5, 2018
Amanda has closed herself off from relationships with men because they will just hurt her but her cousins Samantha and Leslie won’t let her do that. They have set her up to go to a masked ball dressed like Cinderella to give her a chance to be someone else when she meets Ryder a self made billionaire that doesn’t have time for a life outside of work. When Amanda and Ryder meet it’s like fireworks go off but Amanda being the scaredy cat she is leaves the ball leaving one of her glass slippers and poor Ryder searching for her. I loved the modern day twist on this story and how you can relate to what the characters are feeling
March 7, 2018
For what it was, this wasn't a bad book to read. It was enjoyable to read and made me laugh at certain times. I do wish the book was longer because I felt like Amanda and Ryder's story felt rushed at certain parts of the book. The chemistry was there but it just felt rushed. I wish the ending had been better because it didn't seem like it tied up the story. I wouldn't mind having a dog like Nemo, I think he made me laugh the most.
November 29, 2016
The Glass Shoe is a quick, cute story. It leans a little too far into the cutesy zone for me, but it is a spoof on a fairy tale and to be expected. I think I would have been bored if it had been any longer.
ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley, but no one made me write this review and my opinions are honest and my own.
ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley, but no one made me write this review and my opinions are honest and my own.
March 1, 2026
This was an entertaining interpretation of a Cinderella story! I wasn’t fully enamored with our FMC sometimes, she seemed to have a mean streak, but then she would make up for it. Loved Nemo, the fainting dog, he made for some perfect moments 😊
March 19, 2017
Fairy Tale Romance
Romantic. For those of us who given up on finding our fairy tale prince, a tale of love at first sight.
Romantic. For those of us who given up on finding our fairy tale prince, a tale of love at first sight.
March 4, 2018
I loved this story...I believe in fairy tales so it was easy for me to follow. A real life Cinderella story with a happy ever after. It was so pure and romantic and I am going to read it again...
October 11, 2020
Straightforward and engaging romantic read. For all the romantic escapists out there.
February 7, 2022
Not worth a re-read. H was more into the relationship than h due to a bad break-up when she was 19!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2022
Cute Cinderella story
January 30, 2024
DNF. Couldn’t get into these characters. I’m sorry.
March 20, 2017
Cute book.
Very easy read, I read it in an afternoon. Sweet, fluffy story with likable characters. Nice modern(ish) fairytale, not to serious.
Very easy read, I read it in an afternoon. Sweet, fluffy story with likable characters. Nice modern(ish) fairytale, not to serious.
September 19, 2016
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Loveswept for my ARC
Amanda was Cinderella for a night and she meets prince Ryder Duncan Foxx but Amanda is richer than prince charming.
Amanda owed favors to her cousins and they wanted her to attend a gala dressed as Cinderella with glass shoes and all. Being a good sport, she did dressed up and went to a ball. Not expecting to have a great time with Ryder. By midnight, Amanda was afraid to reveal herself, she leaves in a hurry and drops her glass shoe.
Her cousins leave enough crumbs for prince charming to find Amanda. However, Ryder gives up looking for his Cinderella and head to Wyoming where Amanda is going to oversee renovation of the ranch.
Amanda knew who was coming and she wanted to avoid at all cost but she couldn't keep running away. From the moment he arrived in Wyoming, sparks were flying between them. But Amanda couldn't open up to Ryder and she was afraid if she reveals who she is he will be like her ex-fiance.
Slowly but surely, they become more comfortable with each other but business gets in the way and her uncle's company (technically her's as well) and Ryder's company is pursuing for same thing.
Will both risk their love for business or will they give each other another chance.
I did enjoy reading this and it was fun twist to Cinderella story.
Amanda was Cinderella for a night and she meets prince Ryder Duncan Foxx but Amanda is richer than prince charming.
Amanda owed favors to her cousins and they wanted her to attend a gala dressed as Cinderella with glass shoes and all. Being a good sport, she did dressed up and went to a ball. Not expecting to have a great time with Ryder. By midnight, Amanda was afraid to reveal herself, she leaves in a hurry and drops her glass shoe.
Her cousins leave enough crumbs for prince charming to find Amanda. However, Ryder gives up looking for his Cinderella and head to Wyoming where Amanda is going to oversee renovation of the ranch.
Amanda knew who was coming and she wanted to avoid at all cost but she couldn't keep running away. From the moment he arrived in Wyoming, sparks were flying between them. But Amanda couldn't open up to Ryder and she was afraid if she reveals who she is he will be like her ex-fiance.
Slowly but surely, they become more comfortable with each other but business gets in the way and her uncle's company (technically her's as well) and Ryder's company is pursuing for same thing.
Will both risk their love for business or will they give each other another chance.
I did enjoy reading this and it was fun twist to Cinderella story.
February 11, 2017
I would have called this new adult, but it was written almost 30 years ago. I didn't care for it, but I think most romance readers would.
December 1, 2016
This is part of the Author's fairy tale stories with this Tale a take on Cinderella. Enjoyed Amanda and Ryder's story with the humor , characters and ending. Have this book in Print from original first publishing from Loveswept on a keeper shelf and loved revisiting it.
Ebook from Netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.
Ebook from Netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.
December 14, 2010
Not sure if my ebook copy was incomplete but it seemed like this story just dropped. Everything was very formulaic and predictable but the characters were charming (pun intended) enough to carry the story through and for a no-brain-cells-required afternoon read, it was great.
no-longer-interested
April 2, 2012I decided that this book didn't sound as interesting as I once thought. Going to send it off into the world
January 2, 2015
Loveswept
November 29, 2016
This is the second book in the series.Just loved this series a set lovely romances with a bit of mystery in them.A modern take on fairy tales recommended to all
April 7, 2017
Short Sweet Read
Amanda Wilderman attends a costume ball thrown by Ryder Foxx dressed as Cinderella. Her younger cousins have arranged to acquire all of the available Cinderella costumes to guarantee that she will be the only Cinderella. Ryder will attend dressed as a prince and, thanks to Amanda's cousins, will be the only prince in attendance. Amanda even wears glass slippers. Like clockwork, Amanda and Ryder meet, dance, kiss and spend several hours talking in the garden. Realizing it's getting close to midnight and not wanting to take off her mask, Amanda asks Ryder to bring her something to drink and then flees before he can return. And just like in the fairy tale, she inadvertently loses one of the slippers, which mysteriously winds up sitting on Ryder's desk.
And so the groundwork is laid for a modern day version of the fairy tale, complete with modern day mores. Read this short book to discover how the two meet up again at a Wyoming Dude ranch and find their HEA.
The story is very well written and if there were spelling or grammatical errors, I didn't notice them. There is no swearing or violence, but there is some steamy sex, which by no means detracts from the story. The reason I gave this a 4 star rating rather than a 5 is because I felt the story should have been a little longer and more follow up made in the epilogue.
Amanda Wilderman attends a costume ball thrown by Ryder Foxx dressed as Cinderella. Her younger cousins have arranged to acquire all of the available Cinderella costumes to guarantee that she will be the only Cinderella. Ryder will attend dressed as a prince and, thanks to Amanda's cousins, will be the only prince in attendance. Amanda even wears glass slippers. Like clockwork, Amanda and Ryder meet, dance, kiss and spend several hours talking in the garden. Realizing it's getting close to midnight and not wanting to take off her mask, Amanda asks Ryder to bring her something to drink and then flees before he can return. And just like in the fairy tale, she inadvertently loses one of the slippers, which mysteriously winds up sitting on Ryder's desk.
And so the groundwork is laid for a modern day version of the fairy tale, complete with modern day mores. Read this short book to discover how the two meet up again at a Wyoming Dude ranch and find their HEA.
The story is very well written and if there were spelling or grammatical errors, I didn't notice them. There is no swearing or violence, but there is some steamy sex, which by no means detracts from the story. The reason I gave this a 4 star rating rather than a 5 is because I felt the story should have been a little longer and more follow up made in the epilogue.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews