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Glass Slipper, Inc. #3
Sleeping with Beauty
At twenty-eight, elementary-school teacher Lucy Harper still feels more like a wallflower than the sex goddess she knows is trapped inside her. In fact, she can barely remember the last time she actually had sex. She claims she’s content with her life, but she doesn’t even realize she’s slipping into a coma–a sex coma, that is. Until It the invitation to her ten-year high school reunion.
Lucy’s childhood pals Jana and Grady are baffled by her decision to attend. But they’ve managed to put geek-hood behind them. This may be Lucy’s last chance to lose her loser reputation and knock her ex-classmates’ socks off–thanks to the modern-day fairy godmothers at Glass Slipper, Inc. For a not-so-small fee, they promise to bring out the princess in any woman. If only Lucy’s friends were more supportive, especially Grady. After all, he loves her like a sister. Doesn’t he?
Soon Lucy is under the scrutiny of eccentric self-made diva Vivian dePalma. And the diagnosis is Lucy has slipped into the final stage of Sleeping Beauty Syndrome–meaning her love life is near death. Can Vivian rouse her in time for the reunion? And will a kiss from her teen crush really be enough to awaken her? For Lucy hasn’t quite opened her eyes to one important the soul mate she’s been dreaming of has never left her side.
Lucy’s childhood pals Jana and Grady are baffled by her decision to attend. But they’ve managed to put geek-hood behind them. This may be Lucy’s last chance to lose her loser reputation and knock her ex-classmates’ socks off–thanks to the modern-day fairy godmothers at Glass Slipper, Inc. For a not-so-small fee, they promise to bring out the princess in any woman. If only Lucy’s friends were more supportive, especially Grady. After all, he loves her like a sister. Doesn’t he?
Soon Lucy is under the scrutiny of eccentric self-made diva Vivian dePalma. And the diagnosis is Lucy has slipped into the final stage of Sleeping Beauty Syndrome–meaning her love life is near death. Can Vivian rouse her in time for the reunion? And will a kiss from her teen crush really be enough to awaken her? For Lucy hasn’t quite opened her eyes to one important the soul mate she’s been dreaming of has never left her side.
383 pages, Paperback
First published June 28, 2005
21 people are currently reading
547 people want to read
About the author
Donna Kauffman
146 books1,797 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 32 reviews
April 12, 2010
After reading Wicked, I was in a fairy tale mood and picked up what I thought would be a chick lit version of Sleeping Beauty, which is my favorite Disney movie. I was wrong. This book seemed more like Cinderella meets the Ugly Duckling. Its a story about a plain Jane who is going to her 10 year high school reunion and doesn't want to go back look like herself, so she goes to Beauty Bootcamp, where the 3 fairy godmothers turn her into a swan. Her long-time guy friend, who (surprise) has a crush on her doesn't like the new her, because now that means she's actually getting dates. It was about 100 pages to long and very predictable. It made me realize that I need to stop reading chick lit books, they are going to turn my head into mush. The only part that I did like was when she got her 'Sleeping Beauty kiss' and woke up and realized that her guy friend was her Prince Charming all along. It makes me want a 'Sleeping Beauty kiss'. Where's my Prince Charming?
January 17, 2015
I started this book because of the fairy tale theme and I was in the mood for a cheesy romance. I was going to DNF around 25 pages in but I thought I'd stick around for the fairy godmothers jsut to see them.
OH my goodness the exposition. For the first two chapters, all 25 pages, nothing but exposition. This story has a super ridiculously slow start.
At first I really just DID NOT like Lucy at all. It's like she's not even real. She's annoying and unrealistic. In that she's both an unrealistically written character and the way she is written, her personality is to be impractical and unrealistic.
And how can she not know or ever consider that her best friend is in love with her or even a guy possibility. She is like the equivalent of those super nerdy guys who ignore all the geeky girls and go for the hottest most alpha girl around. Tier 3 guys do not get tier 1 girls.
Well poor old Lucy just keeps going for these guys who are a-out of her league and b- not even cool guys, so why is she into them.
Anyway, I got sucked into the whole makeover thing and that was fun and I wanted to see how it would turn out.
So then we have Lucy getting things all mixed up. All this angst and Grady. Grady who is supposedly Lucy's bff and unknowing love itnerest when really he is a GRADE A DOUCHEBAG. He never told her how he feels. He gets offended when she goes to get madeover (for her own empowerment) and then he says stuff like I know what's better for you than you. Not even lying. he said that. And all he thinks about is sex. And he basically ignores his supposed bff when he can't deal with his feelings. If youa re going to lose the friendship anyway, tell her how you feel! Anyway, then he pulls now you're hot and you could get anyone, so I better hurry and swoop you up. What a douche.
And then were some writing things I didn't like, just like switching povs all around so close together with no definite breaks and also weird slang choice or voices for the characters.
Overall the characters were not believable, the relationships and friendships were not enjoyable to read about and the main lead annoyed and the male lead was a jerk. I don't think I'll be reading this author again.
OH my goodness the exposition. For the first two chapters, all 25 pages, nothing but exposition. This story has a super ridiculously slow start.
At first I really just DID NOT like Lucy at all. It's like she's not even real. She's annoying and unrealistic. In that she's both an unrealistically written character and the way she is written, her personality is to be impractical and unrealistic.
And how can she not know or ever consider that her best friend is in love with her or even a guy possibility. She is like the equivalent of those super nerdy guys who ignore all the geeky girls and go for the hottest most alpha girl around. Tier 3 guys do not get tier 1 girls.
Well poor old Lucy just keeps going for these guys who are a-out of her league and b- not even cool guys, so why is she into them.
Anyway, I got sucked into the whole makeover thing and that was fun and I wanted to see how it would turn out.
So then we have Lucy getting things all mixed up. All this angst and Grady. Grady who is supposedly Lucy's bff and unknowing love itnerest when really he is a GRADE A DOUCHEBAG. He never told her how he feels. He gets offended when she goes to get madeover (for her own empowerment) and then he says stuff like I know what's better for you than you. Not even lying. he said that. And all he thinks about is sex. And he basically ignores his supposed bff when he can't deal with his feelings. If youa re going to lose the friendship anyway, tell her how you feel! Anyway, then he pulls now you're hot and you could get anyone, so I better hurry and swoop you up. What a douche.
And then were some writing things I didn't like, just like switching povs all around so close together with no definite breaks and also weird slang choice or voices for the characters.
Overall the characters were not believable, the relationships and friendships were not enjoyable to read about and the main lead annoyed and the male lead was a jerk. I don't think I'll be reading this author again.
October 2, 2008
this was such a predictible, gaggably gooshy book. it was ok for a quick read, but so saccharine that i could barely finish it. it's about a nerdy woman who gets remade over, inside and out, to impress her high school crush. her 2 best friends are moody, as is she. in the end she finally realizes she was supposed to be with her best friend, which everyone else could tell on page 2.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2012
Like all of Kauffamn's books, the hero/heroine pairing did NOT work for me. The so-called hero is a passive agressive jerk who was completely unsportive of the heroine's attempts to make herself feel better and heal her emotional scars. All because he was too much of a coward to tell her he loved her.
There's nothing worse than a cowardly man. And this dude was so cowardly he'd make The Cowardly Lion look like a mad scientist's mixing of John Wayne and Bruce Lee's DNA.
Read these books for the Godmothers. They're the only saving grace of this series.
There's nothing worse than a cowardly man. And this dude was so cowardly he'd make The Cowardly Lion look like a mad scientist's mixing of John Wayne and Bruce Lee's DNA.
Read these books for the Godmothers. They're the only saving grace of this series.
April 16, 2010
I've read Donna Kauffman before and this book was really bad in comparison to her other books. It took forever to get started and the relationship between the hero and heroine was very stale and weird. Their romance didn't evolve like it should have and this could have been much better written.
September 20, 2008
Couldn't read this book. Couldn't force myself to.
January 6, 2012
Малку преводот беше конфузен но инаку книгата е супер!!!Интересна била оваа чик-лит хехехехе!
January 27, 2023
I really liked this installment in the Glass slipper series. Vivian is a hoot and the fact that she takes Lucy under her wing is awesome. Lucy and Grady are incredible characters and I really connected with them, even during the times it felt a little like I had heard a version of this story before. But still a great book! The whole "transformation" of Lucy was fun and I liked how she stuck to her guns about wanting to feel good inside and out, not just change her appearance. My only gripe with this book, as with one other in this series, is the lack of love scenes. It seems the last two volumes of this series take the more "build and stoke the fire" approach where the first two have more passion throughout. I like creating suspense and anticipation but we could use a bit more action too.
May 9, 2017
3 1\2 - 4 stars really. Every "single" who doesn't believe in themselves needs to read this book. Ms. Kauffman is brilliant in seeing the dispair some people feel about themselves and takes them to a level where they learn to appreciate who and what they are. A self help book without being labeled one.!!
July 29, 2018
Thank god I read reviews from this site about this book. I knew I would absolutely hate it ! I left it at a hotel for someone who might appreciate it.
May 22, 2019
Fun read but not as good as the first 2 in the series.
August 31, 2021
This book was not for me. The characters were annoying and the plot was thin.
December 20, 2023
This was one of first Romance books I read 15 years ago. Back then I found the whole "teacher gets a makeover and finds confidence and true love" endearing. Not so much anymore
July 19, 2015
Oh goodness. Okay, so let me just say that this book is more of 3.5. I liked it, but I was kind of disappointed by it. This is the second book by Donna Kauffman I've read, The Big Bad Wolf Tells All is the first, so I had high expectations. And by high expectations I meant a lot of sexy fun haha. This book did have some of that but not enough to satisfy me, unfortunately.
HOWEVER, I liked the whole of it. I could really relate to Lucy, minus the fact that I'm not 28 and have a few years to go in order to become an elementary school teacher, oh and the hot best friend. (Not that my best friend isn't hot, just not someone I'd consider hooking up with.) Anyway, I felt that we were one nonetheless.I would have killed to go to a beauty camp and then turn out super hot and confident. That way when I run into the super popular jock that I lusted after for six years of my life, I would have the pleasure of destroying his soul. But much like Lucy, I think that I would (and actually have) figured out that the guy I 'loved' is really a jerk. And really this jerk didn't deserve even the time of day. It was nice remembering about my own "Jason Prescott" as Lucy was realizing it.
Honestly, the book was a little bit of a boost to my self esteem. I don't know if that's what Kauffman intended (though I have a feeling she did), but it was just nice to feel that I could control my feelings, if that makes sense. I'm in charge of my future, much like Lucy is, and I need to realize that I'm a pretty fucking awesome person and don't have to impress anyone with fancy clothes or hair.
And really the whole book can be summed up by what Vivian, the 'fairy godmother', says: "Anyone can slap a fresh coat of paint on a dated piece of furniture and make it look all shiny and new. Would it be passable? Certainly. Interesting? Rarely. You see, the problem with the quick fix is that it buries the chance of finding the real potential of the piece. And that true potential is buried deeper with every cosmetic coat of paint we slap on."
That's just a message I can really get behind.
HOWEVER, I liked the whole of it. I could really relate to Lucy, minus the fact that I'm not 28 and have a few years to go in order to become an elementary school teacher, oh and the hot best friend. (Not that my best friend isn't hot, just not someone I'd consider hooking up with.) Anyway, I felt that we were one nonetheless.I would have killed to go to a beauty camp and then turn out super hot and confident. That way when I run into the super popular jock that I lusted after for six years of my life, I would have the pleasure of destroying his soul. But much like Lucy, I think that I would (and actually have) figured out that the guy I 'loved' is really a jerk. And really this jerk didn't deserve even the time of day. It was nice remembering about my own "Jason Prescott" as Lucy was realizing it.
Honestly, the book was a little bit of a boost to my self esteem. I don't know if that's what Kauffman intended (though I have a feeling she did), but it was just nice to feel that I could control my feelings, if that makes sense. I'm in charge of my future, much like Lucy is, and I need to realize that I'm a pretty fucking awesome person and don't have to impress anyone with fancy clothes or hair.
And really the whole book can be summed up by what Vivian, the 'fairy godmother', says: "Anyone can slap a fresh coat of paint on a dated piece of furniture and make it look all shiny and new. Would it be passable? Certainly. Interesting? Rarely. You see, the problem with the quick fix is that it buries the chance of finding the real potential of the piece. And that true potential is buried deeper with every cosmetic coat of paint we slap on."
That's just a message I can really get behind.
March 1, 2016
This book is wonderful on so many levels. It is a story of friendship between three people who were there for each other, no matter what. It is a story of a young girl with no self esteem who grew into a woman who felt the same way. She always felt something was wrong and she really needed to discover herself, her real self. She felt like no one could get close enough to her to get to know her because she was tall, lanky and unattractive.
When she received an invitation to her ten year high school reunion, she really wanted to do something to change the way she looked so others would see the real Lucy. This is one of the many levels and it was easy to relate to Lucy and feel what she felt. You get to see her transformation from a klutz to a dancer on four inch heels.
One of her friends, Grady, loves her just like she is because she needs him to rescue her and he was scared she would not need him anymore. Of course, it might have helped if Lucy knew what everyone around them knew about how he felt but alas she did not know.
This is a wonderful story of coming out of shells, revealing love and sharing fears.
When she received an invitation to her ten year high school reunion, she really wanted to do something to change the way she looked so others would see the real Lucy. This is one of the many levels and it was easy to relate to Lucy and feel what she felt. You get to see her transformation from a klutz to a dancer on four inch heels.
One of her friends, Grady, loves her just like she is because she needs him to rescue her and he was scared she would not need him anymore. Of course, it might have helped if Lucy knew what everyone around them knew about how he felt but alas she did not know.
This is a wonderful story of coming out of shells, revealing love and sharing fears.
May 5, 2009
I thought this was an adorable... yes the good guy wins and the bad guy gets punched in the face.... yes the book is predictable... yes there is not really any intelligence level required to read this book, but thats why you read chick lit.... you don't watch a Disney movie to see the bad guy win and the good guy helpless and alone... I thought this book was a fun little beach read that our inner nerd can relate to!
Well done :)
Well done :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2013
I was attracted to this simply because the 'Beauty' in the title reminded me of Beauty & the Beast. When I turned it around and read the synopsis on the dustcover, I suspected it to be crazy fun.
It is.
Yeah, yeah, yeah--it's cheesy, predictable, it's storyline is basic and its pulls from different literary inspirations: vast.
But I definitely enjoy the story, and I would recommend it to someone who's looking to invest some time in a cheesy love story~
It is.
Yeah, yeah, yeah--it's cheesy, predictable, it's storyline is basic and its pulls from different literary inspirations: vast.
But I definitely enjoy the story, and I would recommend it to someone who's looking to invest some time in a cheesy love story~
March 22, 2010
I thought this book was good. It was fast paced, witty, original. The characters were easy to relate to yet mysterious enough to be curious about their futures. The "Glass Slipper" angle was also cute. It enhanced the storyline without overpowering it. I had not read any Donna Kauffman before this- but I'm looking forward to reading more of her now!
July 1, 2015
Best of the series
I am a huge Day Anna Kauffman fan but this was her best yet. Absolutely hilarious but a great life lesson. I laughed all the essay through this book. Great update to an old fairy tale. . . With a twist. The fairygodmothers took a bit of a back seat on this one but the story held well.
Great series, great writer!
I am a huge Day Anna Kauffman fan but this was her best yet. Absolutely hilarious but a great life lesson. I laughed all the essay through this book. Great update to an old fairy tale. . . With a twist. The fairygodmothers took a bit of a back seat on this one but the story held well.
Great series, great writer!
May 29, 2012
This was really predictable, but it was a cute story. An easy beach read! I like her books.....they require no thought. LOL!
June 15, 2012
cute, but not a page turner. finally came back to it a year later and finished it.
November 21, 2008
This book was cute but one of those really predictable chick-lit novels. The ending will not disappoint those die-hard romantics. :)
September 29, 2009
slow read at times. sometimes just wanted author to get on with the dialogue between characters instead of giving exta details. easy, fun read though.
January 26, 2010
Very silly chick lit....but needed it right now...read it in a little over a day....a nice rest for my brain!
March 1, 2013
Totally adorable! Love the relationship between the 3 friends, as well the fairy grandmothers!
November 15, 2013
Very light, even for a beach read. Plot is totally predictable from the beginning.
July 4, 2014
I believe/my tastes are changing. I did not like this book as much as I have liked this authors books in the past.
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November 2, 2016[did not finish] "dear prince charming" was a good book so i thought of reading other book in the series but this book was just boring.
December 24, 2016
Another fun book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews