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Glass Slipper, Inc. #4
Not So Snow White
Can a down-on-her-luck princess really have it all?
A whisper away from thirty, gorgeous Tess Hamilton has been the tennis world’s top titleholder and celebrity since she won her first championship at fifteen. Now the headline-making party girl is getting her first taste of mortality – thanks to new teenage phenom Gabrielle Fontaine. But it’s Gaby’s cool, calm, and all-too-collected brother and manager, Max, who really has Tess seeing double. He’s the first man she can’t seem to seduce – or intimidate. It appears Tess is truly off her game, until a real-life, modern-day fairy godmother steps in....
Aurora Favreaux, a founder of Glass Slipper, Inc., and an old family friend, has a plan to get Tess back on her stilettos, and it includes an unlikely meeting between Tess, Max, and Gaby at Glass Slipper’s new London headquarters – just in time for Wimbledon. It seems that Tess is going to hit the courts in a whole new way, to prove to the world – and herself – that a woman with the heart of a champion can ace life and love – even after the big 3-0....
382 pages, Paperback
First published May 30, 2006
16 people are currently reading
597 people want to read
About the author
Donna Kauffman
148 books1,800 followersUSA Today bestseller and award winning author of the Cupcake Club series and the Blueberry Cove series, DONNA KAUFFMAN has been gratified to see her books get rave reviews in venues ranging from Kirkus Reviews and Library Journal to Entertainment Weekly and Cosmopolitan. She lives in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in southwestern Virginia, where she is happily working on the next book in her brand new Blue Hollow Falls series, set right in her mountain home area. When she's not writing, she can be found recapping the popular tv show NCIS for USA Today, or escaping into her garden to play in the dirt. Donna also works as a volunteer wildlife transporter for two local sanctuaries, giving orphaned and injured wildlife a second chance at survival. You can catch up on all of her adventures via her author page on Facebook, or on Twitter, or Instagram @writerchick. Donna loves to hear from readers!
Donna Kauffman passed away on April 9, 2020 of pancreatic cancer.
Donna Kauffman passed away on April 9, 2020 of pancreatic cancer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
October 4, 2021
This is what they refer to a slow burn romance because it took 225 pages for I the reader to feel the heat. This king and queen won the bickering award 😂 Why it took so long beats me. How was I patient that long? I saw promise in the storyline and title. Well, I also had a lot of expectations from the blurb.
The author just simply explained so much in terms why a certain character is the way they are and that was the too much bit that lead to 225 pages of slow burn romance.
Was that patience worth it? Yes. Eventually, Tess and Max finally smacked (no pun intended 😂). And it was easy, effortless, sweeping, succinct eureka moment with no drama just connecting.
Kauffman left me wanting more of their story. Maybe that was the intent? Then it ended. At least happily.
The writing style is nothing to write home about. The characters were quite interesting: each with their spark of light and individuality.
This is part of a series but can be read as a standalone.
"My opponent was never the enemy. She's just there trying to do the same thing I am. The game is the enemy. Every ball, every point, you have the chance to do something, to use your skill to control the game. Sometimes your opponent is better at it than you are, is able to influence the outcome more than you can, but I never confused the two. Because opponents change. The game is always the same."
Not So Snow White, Donna Kauffman
The author just simply explained so much in terms why a certain character is the way they are and that was the too much bit that lead to 225 pages of slow burn romance.
Was that patience worth it? Yes. Eventually, Tess and Max finally smacked (no pun intended 😂). And it was easy, effortless, sweeping, succinct eureka moment with no drama just connecting.
Kauffman left me wanting more of their story. Maybe that was the intent? Then it ended. At least happily.
The writing style is nothing to write home about. The characters were quite interesting: each with their spark of light and individuality.
This is part of a series but can be read as a standalone.
"My opponent was never the enemy. She's just there trying to do the same thing I am. The game is the enemy. Every ball, every point, you have the chance to do something, to use your skill to control the game. Sometimes your opponent is better at it than you are, is able to influence the outcome more than you can, but I never confused the two. Because opponents change. The game is always the same."
Not So Snow White, Donna Kauffman
April 11, 2009
Amazingly, despite the reviews that referred to this book as chick-lit (and despite the obvious direction of the story itself), I found this a thoroughly enjoyable read. Kauffman really did her homework on the tennis aspect, and seemed (to me, anyway) to keep the romance at a minimum. Hardcore tennis fans should leave it alone but anyone else wanting insight into the psychology and strategy of the game should check it out. And be prepared for some neurotic romance and Machiavellian crap.
August 8, 2009
another great installment of the Glass Slipper series! Tess is a fun, witty main character who is hilarious to follow through the book. She also has to grow on you - you realize after awhile she's the bad girl with the soft spots. Max is adorable of course - Kauffman does know how to write her men...
September 14, 2018
I didn’t know what to think of this book. I liked certain parts but others it seemed to lag on forever. I did like it had to do with tennis.
Tess Hamilton, was the sh*t and a pro-tennis player. But all players eventually have to retire but her career-ending injury doesn’t help. And especially having no money when you retire cause you partied it all away. Now she is looking for a job, and it’s embarrassing. Imagine Serena trying to get a job after her awards. Crazy. But that’s what happens. Tess ends up working with the new ‘it’ girl, Gabrielle Fontaine. Gaby is loving her new mentor but her brother-manager, Max is having none of it. He thinks Tess is up to something. It also doesn’t help he finds her incredibly attractive and thinks she is a sweet woman to help when she doesn’t have too. What happens is the working relationship between Tess and Max, and the underlining tension that builds between them until kisses become passionate. Even public ones.
This was a fun quick read that had some fun loving moments. You get to see a glimpse of the tennis world. I mean fiction wise of course. But the book takes place in London for Wimbledon.
Tess Hamilton, was the sh*t and a pro-tennis player. But all players eventually have to retire but her career-ending injury doesn’t help. And especially having no money when you retire cause you partied it all away. Now she is looking for a job, and it’s embarrassing. Imagine Serena trying to get a job after her awards. Crazy. But that’s what happens. Tess ends up working with the new ‘it’ girl, Gabrielle Fontaine. Gaby is loving her new mentor but her brother-manager, Max is having none of it. He thinks Tess is up to something. It also doesn’t help he finds her incredibly attractive and thinks she is a sweet woman to help when she doesn’t have too. What happens is the working relationship between Tess and Max, and the underlining tension that builds between them until kisses become passionate. Even public ones.
This was a fun quick read that had some fun loving moments. You get to see a glimpse of the tennis world. I mean fiction wise of course. But the book takes place in London for Wimbledon.
October 7, 2019
Do you like tennis? Do you like watching two characters slowly overcomes their differences to come to an accord? Because that’s exactly what this all was. I like that the link factor for this book to its series is that of an organization that is more like a tertiary character. Definitely would consider this a “throw away” as some folks call it, but I enjoyed reading about Tess just the same.
June 7, 2020
This book is not really what I expected when I picked it up, but it was still an enjoyable read. The title made me think it was going to be a fairytale retelling. Throughout the whole book it only made references to fairy godmothers.
Once I got into the book it was quick paced and a cute light hearted read.
Once I got into the book it was quick paced and a cute light hearted read.
January 13, 2023
3.5 Stars
Not as good as the other books in this series. The build up was pretty lame and there was only one sex scene? Not much of a steamy romance. I did like Tess and her spunk but it wasn't enough to keep me completely interested. Took me awhile to get through.
Not as good as the other books in this series. The build up was pretty lame and there was only one sex scene? Not much of a steamy romance. I did like Tess and her spunk but it wasn't enough to keep me completely interested. Took me awhile to get through.
July 3, 2018
Overall I enjoyed the book despite not normally reading romances. My biggest complaint is the build up didn't require 200 pages.
July 3, 2019
Fun to read but a little long for the content.
May 22, 2017
Tess Hamilton is a former multi-slam champion forced to retire due to a shoulder injury. Having not managed her finances as well as she should have Tess finds herself in the position of needing money and decides to use a trip to London for her younger brother's wedding on the eve of Wimbledon as an opportunity to look for work.
It's there she's introduced to Gaby (a teenage up and coming tennis player) and a Godmother from Glass Slipper decides the two of them could help each other, even if Gaby's brother/manager Max doesn't like it.
Overall I liked this book and the author's efforts to actually look into tennis and try and make it believable. The Singles Game didn't seem to make much effort with realism despite having the author consult with a tennis player. This one only tripped up once obviously that bothered me (you don't get marks for the umpire to check on a grass court).
I can imagine it would be easy to get frustrated if you have no interest in tennis because it's pretty heavily featured and the terminology and tactics are used in Tess's narrative more than once. The story isn't ground breaking and secondary characters get ignored a lot I found, but story moves at a good pace, even with info dumps from time to time, and the though the relationship formations can seem rushed at some points, it's pretty consistent with what is expected of a chick lit book.
The book brushed unbelievable in other ways too, but they're things that can generally be 'because reasons' rather than 'that's a major plot flaw'.
It's there she's introduced to Gaby (a teenage up and coming tennis player) and a Godmother from Glass Slipper decides the two of them could help each other, even if Gaby's brother/manager Max doesn't like it.
Overall I liked this book and the author's efforts to actually look into tennis and try and make it believable. The Singles Game didn't seem to make much effort with realism despite having the author consult with a tennis player. This one only tripped up once obviously that bothered me (you don't get marks for the umpire to check on a grass court).
I can imagine it would be easy to get frustrated if you have no interest in tennis because it's pretty heavily featured and the terminology and tactics are used in Tess's narrative more than once. The story isn't ground breaking and secondary characters get ignored a lot I found, but story moves at a good pace, even with info dumps from time to time, and the though the relationship formations can seem rushed at some points, it's pretty consistent with what is expected of a chick lit book.
The book brushed unbelievable in other ways too, but they're things that can generally be 'because reasons' rather than 'that's a major plot flaw'.
January 6, 2010
How I Came To Read This Book: Swayed by the fairy tale title, I borrowed it from my friend Danielle.
The Plot: Tess is a former tennis star turned party girl on the brink of bankruptcy - destroying her former legacy. When she's recruited as a mentor for young tennis starlet Gaby, she leaps at the opportunity for the extra cash, but soon finds she's in for more than she bargained for as she falls for Gaby's older brother/manager/slave driver, who wants nothing to do with her. A virtual fairy godmother named Aurora, who owns a lifestyle 'spa' of sorts, steps in and assists the entire clan on the road to pursuing their dreams.
The Good & The Bad: this is a pretty throwaway book - it's the equivalent of a chick flick in book form with a tennis twist. Incidentally it doesn't really have anything to do with the story of Snow White, banking more on Cinderella than anything. Honestly, there isn't a lot to say about this book - it wasn't mind-numbing, but it also wasn't particularly engaging.
The Bottom Line: If you're looking for a chick flick in book form with the comfortable ol' characters and plot devices, pick this up.
Anything Memorable?: Gaby wears a ton of eyeliner, that's literally about all I remember in terms of specific details.
50-Book Challenge?: NA
The Plot: Tess is a former tennis star turned party girl on the brink of bankruptcy - destroying her former legacy. When she's recruited as a mentor for young tennis starlet Gaby, she leaps at the opportunity for the extra cash, but soon finds she's in for more than she bargained for as she falls for Gaby's older brother/manager/slave driver, who wants nothing to do with her. A virtual fairy godmother named Aurora, who owns a lifestyle 'spa' of sorts, steps in and assists the entire clan on the road to pursuing their dreams.
The Good & The Bad: this is a pretty throwaway book - it's the equivalent of a chick flick in book form with a tennis twist. Incidentally it doesn't really have anything to do with the story of Snow White, banking more on Cinderella than anything. Honestly, there isn't a lot to say about this book - it wasn't mind-numbing, but it also wasn't particularly engaging.
The Bottom Line: If you're looking for a chick flick in book form with the comfortable ol' characters and plot devices, pick this up.
Anything Memorable?: Gaby wears a ton of eyeliner, that's literally about all I remember in terms of specific details.
50-Book Challenge?: NA
July 22, 2016
Tess is a touch character to like. She's arrogant, outspoken and just plain bitchy. Though you kinda feel sorry for her since she's squandered all her tennis winnings and is now scrambling for a new sponsor to save her bacon. And she has a bad girl rep to protect hence all the cattiness. She has a good heart hidden under all that attitude but it takes quite a bit of the story for it to show itself.
On the other hand, I really liked Max immediately. He put his life on hold in order to raise his 8 year old, tennis prodigy half-sister, Gabrielle. He certainly means well but hasn't a clue about managing a professional tennis star. He's like a parent who just won't let his "child" grow up. She's 16 but he's treating her like she's 12 and of course she's rebelling.
The sparks fly instantly when Tess and Max meet. Of course, she immediately puts him off with her attitude and reputation but the Fairy Godmothers at The Glass Slipper soon are twirling their magic wands and making all kinds of things happen. Once this book gets moving, it's very good and has it's rather poignant moments. Though it's not one of the best in this god mother series, it's certainly worth reading especially if you are at all interested in the professional tennis circuit.
On the other hand, I really liked Max immediately. He put his life on hold in order to raise his 8 year old, tennis prodigy half-sister, Gabrielle. He certainly means well but hasn't a clue about managing a professional tennis star. He's like a parent who just won't let his "child" grow up. She's 16 but he's treating her like she's 12 and of course she's rebelling.
The sparks fly instantly when Tess and Max meet. Of course, she immediately puts him off with her attitude and reputation but the Fairy Godmothers at The Glass Slipper soon are twirling their magic wands and making all kinds of things happen. Once this book gets moving, it's very good and has it's rather poignant moments. Though it's not one of the best in this god mother series, it's certainly worth reading especially if you are at all interested in the professional tennis circuit.
April 3, 2012
I’ve just finished this book and I’m finding it so hard to give it a rating out of 5.
I started off a little intrigued and then for the majority of the book I was bored and frustrated. The constant bickering between characters annoyed me. I was thinking “this book is so going to get a 1 or 2 star rating”.
But then the ending totally redeemed itself. I mean, I finished it and thought, wow, that wasn’t so bad. Don’t get me wrong nothing spectacular happened. No twists if anything it was very cheesy and predictable but not sure why I finished it with a smile on my face.
I guess I must be a sucker for happy endings…or maybe I’m glad it’s over…
Either way I think a 3 sums up my feelings towards this book. Would I read another novel written by this author? I wouldn’t say no but have too many other novels to read before picking up another from this author.
I would recommend this to those who love tennis , the descriptions are very thorough and you don’t have to be an expert in the sport to understand what is happening. Also recommended for those who love a happy ending.
xoxo
I started off a little intrigued and then for the majority of the book I was bored and frustrated. The constant bickering between characters annoyed me. I was thinking “this book is so going to get a 1 or 2 star rating”.
But then the ending totally redeemed itself. I mean, I finished it and thought, wow, that wasn’t so bad. Don’t get me wrong nothing spectacular happened. No twists if anything it was very cheesy and predictable but not sure why I finished it with a smile on my face.
I guess I must be a sucker for happy endings…or maybe I’m glad it’s over…
Either way I think a 3 sums up my feelings towards this book. Would I read another novel written by this author? I wouldn’t say no but have too many other novels to read before picking up another from this author.
I would recommend this to those who love tennis , the descriptions are very thorough and you don’t have to be an expert in the sport to understand what is happening. Also recommended for those who love a happy ending.
xoxo
August 22, 2013
This was a pretty good book. I loved the characters and the story line. There were emotions, some sneakiness, plenty of humor, some angst (of the blood-sucking publicity type), volleying in all types of manner that was just great to 'watch', self-discovery, and a good HEA. I wouldn't mind reading this again, but I don't think it would be a go-to kinda book. I enjoyed reading this and there were some really page-turning areas, as well as some mellower parts. At some points, this was a hard book to put down. I liked the determination and the can-do attitudes, although, the cockiness was more humorous than degrading (which was a plus). This had me holding my breath some at the matches and definitely gave me a new aspect (and respect) of tennis than the general 'boring uptight rich people sport'. A great book to cuddle up with, passing time, or escaping a little. A good novel and fun to read. I loved every one of the characters and the 'godmothers' were perfect. I'd definitely like to read more in this series and will be keeping an eye out for the other books. Enjoy!
February 9, 2014
I really like the idea of this book. I read it because it's an adaptation of Snow White and it's a fun one that plays with the relationship between the Queen (Tess, a former tennis star) and Snow (Gabrielle, the young phenom she starts to mentor). The romance is between Tess and Gaby's uptight older brother, Max. I enjoy tennis and Wimbledon is my favorite competition to follow so the bones of this book seem made up for me. But the chapters are annoyingly repetitive and neither Tess nor Max are particularly relatable. Tess spends most of the story worrying about money but it is in the form of "oh no, I might have to sell my sports car collection" and every time she berates herself for mismanaging her money I can't help but agree with her.
This is 4 in a series that adapts fairy tales for modern romance but I doubt I'll read any more of them because the Glass Slipper "godmothers" were the most annoying part.
February 17, 2012
What do you do when your career is finished before you are 30? That is the question Tess Hamilton is trying to answer after an injury ends her career in tennis and as a media icon. Wimbledon seems like the ideal time to try and get one last deal to put her on life back on track. When Aurora Favreaux, one of the fairy godmothers from the Glass Slipper, Inc., makes plans to help Tess without her knowledge, things get interesting. Tess didn’t count on meeting Max Fontaine and his tennis phenom sister Gabrielle. When Tess takes on the role of mentoring Gabrielle, she does it to irritate Max, but she starts caring. Will Tess’s Party Girl rep get in the way of her future?
abandoned
July 17, 2013This was a book I had been waiting for a really, really, really long time. First I held it at my regular library for months, only to discover that the copy they did have had been lost so it needed to be brought in as an interlibrary loan.
So you can imagine my excitement when I finally got this in my hot little hands.
The excitement did not last long.
Too much detail, the characters are just this weird jumble and while the blurb promises us a storyline that would rival a fairy tale, what you get is one that is so boring, you find yourself falling asleep.
So you can imagine my excitement when I finally got this in my hot little hands.
The excitement did not last long.
Too much detail, the characters are just this weird jumble and while the blurb promises us a storyline that would rival a fairy tale, what you get is one that is so boring, you find yourself falling asleep.
March 3, 2016
I have really enjoyed this series of stories about the Glass Slippers, Inc. This story started a little slow but more than caught up with itself. Tess Hamilton was a champion with trophies to match. After an injury she had to learn to cope with not playing tennis anymore but she just couldn't get away from the press. Max Fontaine's little sister was on the same track as Tess had been on and he wanted her to gain control of her temper but he soon learned that her temper was what made her who she was. A wonderful story of taking care of those you love and learning to live.
March 4, 2013
It wasn't horrible, but I had to force myself to finish it. I didn't really like the interaction between Tess & Max; it seemed like a forced realationship and it was hard to picture them together. I don't like tennis, but the tennis parts were my favorite and I absolutely loved Gaby. Almost wish the story was about her. The ending is the reason I gave this one a 2 because it did somewhat redeem itself. Don't know if I would ever re-read this one....
August 21, 2013
Had a tough time trying to rate this. I felt the actual romance was weak. And although I am not a tennis fan, really enjoyed the discussions about the game. I really liked Gabby; just didn't really feel a connection between Max and Tess, though. So I'd say 3 or 4 stars to the story about Gabby and her relationship with her brother and Tess. And about 2 stars for the actual romance of the h/h.
October 25, 2010
I'm reminded of why I stopped reading chick lit so much, other than the occasional favorite author. My favorite parts of this book were the tennis bits...and I don't like tennis that much. Tess was an interesting character except, in my opinion, when she interacted with Max who was just bland.
I might give Kauffman another shot after this one has washed away from my memory.
I might give Kauffman another shot after this one has washed away from my memory.
May 19, 2008
A very cute easy to read book....Of course I enjoyed it a bit more than others might as the setting of the story takes place at Wimbledon....Overall, predictable, but cute. Good for when you want an easy read, cute, fun, and a bit of romance
March 28, 2010
Glass Slipper story.
Tough girl, Tess, coming to realize that the tennis fame she has is disappearing. What will she do now?
Max is determined to keep his young sister safe from Tess's bad influence.
Interesting view of the tennis world.
Tough girl, Tess, coming to realize that the tennis fame she has is disappearing. What will she do now?
Max is determined to keep his young sister safe from Tess's bad influence.
Interesting view of the tennis world.
February 9, 2010
I thought this would be a fun book to read. It was entertaining but it got old real fast. I got tired of their bickering. It only stopped after the book was almost done.
I do have to say that I want to watch tennis after reading this though. Just to see what she wrote about.
I do have to say that I want to watch tennis after reading this though. Just to see what she wrote about.
February 6, 2010
Aside from the fact that she treats someone who's over 30 as if she has one foot in the grave, this author has a deft touch for the chick lit. I love the idea of modern fairy godmothers working through what is essentially a dating agency. Several more of her books are on my "to-read" list.
March 19, 2010
It was okay. I feel like I wasted my time reading this book when I could have been reading something better. I was running out of books on my vacation! This book reminded me of a Danielle Steel book~over the top perfect characters with a predictable ending. No wonder I found it at Goodwill.
Read
May 27, 2020I like the way that Donna Kauffman writes. This is a good romance, no-brainer book, but it has a lot of tennis terms. I would have liked it better without all of them, but if you ignore it or love tennis, you'll enjoy this!
February 15, 2015
It was good, kind of predictable and the "relationship" if you want to call it that that grows between Tess and Max happens to quickly for my taste. But all in all it was okay, not the best but definitely not the worst I have ever read either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2007
Loved this one!
April 29, 2008
I was surprised how much i enjoyed this book. Very quick read and i couldnt put it down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews