Cinders

Sapphic Fairy Tales #3

by Cara Malone

MP3 CD Format Cynthia "Cyn" Robinson has only ever wanted three the approval of her stepmother, to save lives as a firefighter, and the attention of her dream girl, Marigold Grimm.

A socialite who most of the town refers to as Grimm Falls royalty, Marigold is so far out of Cyn's league that even dreaming about her could be considered inappropriate.

And Cyn has all but given up on her stepmother, who refuses to accept a daughter who does not delight in wearing dresses and working in her clothing boutique. Cyn tried to be that girl ever since she and her father moved to Grimm Falls, but sooner or later, she always turns back into a pumpkin.

One thing Cyn does have is her job. She's a great firefighter, and when an arsonist strikes her beloved town, she's ready to forget the unfulfilled parts of her life and throw herself into work—until Marigold Grimm's beloved garden becomes the firebug's next target.

Cyn puts out the blaze, but there's more than one type of spark flying as Cyn and Marigold meet. Is her dream girl really within reach, or will it all go up in flames?

Contains mature themes.

Genres: Romance, Lesbian, LGBT, Fiction, Queer, Contemporary, Adult

1 pages, Audio CD

First published September 10, 2018

About the author

I write stories that explore the thrills – and challenges – of falling in love as a woman-loving woman, including the bestselling Lakeside Hospital medical romance series and Rainbow Award honorable mention The Rules of Love.

My books are for you if you’re a fan of contemporary romance, if you love strong women who aren’t afraid to be vulnerable, and if you like a little heat with your sapphic love stories.

Grab a free copy of Mind Games on my website, CaraMalone.com

Reviews

[Diane Wallace · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay read!
Meh storyline -- wasn't as enticing as i'd made to believe.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 4th book by this author and though it was a pleasant read, I expected a lot more from it. Perhaps the ratings and the reviews made me get my hopes up a little too much because though this book had great potential, it didn't deliver on several fronts.

As a book that is labeled as romance, there wasn't a lot of it to be found. There was however a glaring case of insta-love which didn't allow for a lot of chemistry build up. It feels like because this is based on a fairy tale the author thought it was ok to create a couple after interacting for less than 24 hours.

The lack of chemistry and romance is perhaps because several chapters are devoted to a pyromaniac. This person is setting fire to objects, buildings and even Marigold's beloved garden. I'm not sure whether this book was supposed to be part mystery because of this persons actions but to me it was quite obvious who they were and the book became very predictable because of it.

If you're looking for something fairly angst free and sweet with a happily ever after, that won't require a lot of thinking then give this a shot. If you're looking for some real crime & passion, you won't find it in this book.

2.75* rating for this modern day Cinderella.

[Agirlcandream · Rating 2 out of 5]

Second half is better than the first but the modern retelling/take on the classic doesn’t have the same bite as the original Cinderella.
Dialogue was oddly formal and lacked emotional depth. Characters felt one dimensional. The scenes involving dangerous activities all felt too safe.
I did appreciate the author including the original un-Disney-fied Grimm fairy tale at the end of the book. Now that story had passion, bloodshed and venom. Hard to compete with a classic.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this story. My first by Cara Malone and certainly not my last.

[Joc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet re-imagining of Grimm brother's 'Cinderella'. Cyn Robinson is a firefighter in Grimm Falls who has loved Marigold Grimm from afar since she was 12-years-old. Only Marigold, three years older than her, doesn't even know she exists. A series of fires brings them into contact.

Its a nice enough read but it lacks tension between the main characters as well as between the secondary characters. Cyn's stepmother seemed aloof disinterested rather than mean and her relationship with her stepbrother was lacking substance in their dislike for each other.

[Jo reece · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, but felt like something was missing. Think it had great potential to be so much more. The story line was quite good, but needed more depth to feel what the characters were feeling. . The book needed to be longer, certain parts felt rushed. But still a great read.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it and it made me smile

I'm a fan of Malone's books and have read most of them. This one was a modern/New spin on the Cinderella fairytale. We!l, it very loosely based on it but it is a story all its own. I really liked Cinder and Mark and their chemistry was well done. I did find that there were some things left a bit up in the air main!y with Cinder's dad and stepmom. I just felt issues were not resolved between them. There is very little angst and the drama is very mild but that's one of the reasons I love Malone's books, they make me smile. If you are looking for a book like that then this may be for you. I give it 4.5 stars and it is current!y a kU book.

[Yoly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! :)

[MaxDisaster · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 stars
Fairytale retellings tend to be hit-and-miss for me. I almost always feel like they had so much potential but didn't deliver.
This one wasn't a verbatim retelling, but the issue remained. It was bland and definitely didn't reach the level of quality the blurb implied.

[cloverxheart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This seemed even more underdeveloped than the first one.
More insta-love, which I'm starting to think is the authors usual.
This once again had the potential to be great, but it was just too short and didn't have enough depth.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most unique way to describe Cinderella story in 21st century. Loved it from the begining to the end. The end was the best of course.

[Temecka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love women. I love this book. I love girls in love.

[Aleigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a little too predictable - but kudos for making one of the MCs a hot firefighter :)

[AnnMaree Of Oz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely fun retelling with a twist. Cyn and Mari made an adorable couple. The family drama was just enough and the story was a fun light entertaining read.

[Kexx · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read 15 of Cara's - average score of 4, with 3 @ 5*. The Girl's done good - due for a dud and from me this is it, but it don't make her a bad writer.

[Samantha Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great

A well down reworked classic fairy tale with a lesfic twist. Does the heart good to have read this light-hearted tale of love.

[Rachel]

4/3/19 Currently FREE via Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cinders-Contem...

[Jean Mapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book !

[ƁRị · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cauuuutttteeeee

[Michelle Schuler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cinders

With a play towards Cinderella, Cara Malone brings a classic to sapphic. This tale was full of chemistry and enjoyable to read. Can't wait for the third in the series.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a fun lighthearted and quick story to read. It wasn’t a typical retelling of Cinderella but a very modern take on it. The characters were well developed and fun to follow.

[Mummy's Naughty Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice feel good story with a small bit of angst.

[Jax · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. So many romantic moments that made me squee :-) The epilogue was perfect. This is definitely worth the read. It’s a quick read but made my romantic heart so happy.

[Katherine Jensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable romance with a little bit of crime mystery thrown in. It was a quick read and I liked the characters, but there were times when I just wanted a little bit more between them - a little more development instead of the kind of insta-love that went on.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review

[Babes in Romanceland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ratings (out of 5)
Chemistry: 💥💥💥💥
Heat: 🔥🔥🔥
Heart: ❤️💛💙💚💜
⠀
Cyn Robinson is a firefighter who is utterly devoted to the town of Grimm Falls. She joined the fire department because it was the exact opposite thing that her overbearing stepmother wanted for her but now she can’t picture doing anything else. When an arsonist begins terrorizing the community, Cyn is thrown into the sphere of a woman she’s liked since adolescence. Marigold Grimm (Yes, those Grimms) is local royalty with big ambitions. She doesn’t have time for a relationship, but as sparks fly and things heat up, can Marigold stay away? Can Cyn protect Marigold, the town, and her family? Is there a happily ever after to this fairy tale? Or is the consequence of playing with fire just a bad, bad burn.
⠀
This book was a lot of fun. Malone took a well-known fairy tale and gave it a fresh, modern spin. Mari was an absolute delight to read and I loved her as our “Prince Charming” character - a person feeling the weight of duty and legacy but also the draw and allure of irresistible attraction and the promise of a new relationship.
⠀
And Cyn? Cyn is so goshdamn sexy, you all. Confident, assertive, strong, but with so much believable, unspoken insecurity. She is no damsel Cinderella, though, and we all know how much I love a lady who does the rescuing. We also know how much I love a book with a strong heroine who isn’t afraid to go for what she wants and this book has TWO.
⠀
There’s a bit of a mystery to this story and I don’t want to give any spoilers, so I’ll just say this - sexy women fighting fires and stealing kisses + a sugar sweet HEA.
⠀
If you like modern fairy tale retellings with strong women, light danger and intrigue, and plenty of chemistry, definitely give Cinders a read.
⠀
Kiss & Tell:⠀
This book features some super hot kissing and one unbelievably sexy scene in a firehouse. Mostly handplay described, with the more juicy encounters fading to black or referenced in hindsight. If I say I wished there was more, it’s only because the chemistry between these two is white hot.

[Char Dafoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once upon a time...

I'm a sucker for a fairy tale and this reversed, re-telling of Cinderella was nothing short of what I expected. However, what I wasn't expecting was the reversed roles of the two main characters. Marigold was the epitome of class, grace, royalty, and beauty. With her golden curls, designer clothes, and a daddy who treated her like a princess, it was obvious she was the 'Cinderella', at first glance. Then I started wondering where all the evil stepsisters were. Once we met Cynthia, 'Cyn', we quickly learn that the raven haired, heroic firefighter butch, was the 'Cinderella' in this fairy tale. Cyn was a sweetheart even after having to endure the belittling and berating she received from her step-mother and step-brother. But none of it prevented Cyn from being a kind, decent person, no matter how much it hurt her big heart to be treated less than within her own family. She was almost too kind and sweet that it almost costed her job and life because she couldn't face the fact that the evil bad guy was someone close to her.

Oh, Cynthia, Cynthia, wherefore art thou my butch Cynthia? *Swoon* (whoops, wrong story)

I really did like this story, and the romantic aspect of it was sweet, not hot or erotic, but sweet. I gave it a 3.5 due to the lack of urgency and grit when it came to the bad guy and their crimes they were committing. It was a tad fluffy for my taste. I want my bad guy to be brutal and deranged, not a whine-ass who's acting out because they didn't get their way.

A cute, quick read.

[Mari Stark · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I heard about this one, got me intrigued but I knew that coming from Miss Malone would be a very interesting read and definitely didn’t disappoint.

Cynthia “Cyn” Robinson is a hard work firefighter who loves her work and is very good at it, but has a complicated family relationship, she has always been trying to be accepted by her stepmother and stepbrother, but failing at every step. Since she arrived to Grimm Falls has been in love with Marigold Grimm who is considered “royalty”, but Cyn considers she’s so out of her league and just a fairytale dream. When an arsonist starts to put in danger Grimm Falls and Marigold’s beloved garden is one of his targets, Cyn and Mari chemistry sparks and a mystery begs to be solved.

I liked the story very much, the plot is exciting and the characters very lovable, I found endearing the way things were developing and the stories entwined, I also liked the subtle references to the story that inspired this one. The only thing is, even when I understand why the fast-growing love, considering it wasn’t born the moment Cyn puts out the blaze, but from the moment they met, there’s still a time where it feels a little too fast, would have been more entertaining to see a bit more how they reconnect.

In general, I liked the book very much and is one I would read again, so I’d happily recommend it, is an easy reading with an adorable love story and a happy ending.


ARC received in exchange for an honest review

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute! Like, not sure what else to say. I liked the chemistry between the two leads — I am HERE for that dynamic — and it was pretty sweet how they both knew each other as kids/teenagers but it wasn't until now that they could really meet and get to know each other. Because while things are always a little rushed in romance books like this, it did feel like both women wanted to get to know each other. Like, it wasn't just insta-lust and sex they were after — you could feel tender feelings begin to grow at the very start.

That said, there was a moment when I thought I would have to drop this book. It turned out it was a false alarm, but, oh man, I was so pissed there for a while. To put it as spoiler-free as possible: I thought Cyn was going to keep a secret from Mari she really shouldn't be keeping. Had she done that, I can't see how their relationship would ever recover. But, fortunately, I kept reading and it turned out I was the one who was jumping to conclusions (my apologies). So, if you run into that same issue: keep reading. It does get resolved and it's worth it for the sweet ending.

So yeah. A sweet, fairly simple lesbian romance. The plot with the arsonist wasn't quite as exciting as I had hoped, but it wasn't bad, either. It worked as the catalyst for Cyn and Mari meeting, which I guess is the point. Overall, a nice read!

[Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very plot-light and fluffy take on a sapphic re-telling of Cinderella. I was just expecting more from this all around, something a little more aligned or parallel to the source material. Instead, this Cinderella is "Cyn" the firefighter with a complicated to say the least step mother/brother relationship (and the less said about the dynamic between the mother and brother, the better). In only the first few chapters, Cyn gets an insta-relationship with her childhood crush Marigold with very little set up and even less chemistry, but all of this is pretty much established by the 1/3 mark. The remainder of the story and the resolution of the serial arsonist plot just drags while ignoring massive plot holes such as an apparently lack of security systems or cameras and abandoning seemingly important side stories. The Cyn and Marigold characters are boring and one-note, one's a firefighter other is local royalty and that's about as interesting as it gets for them. There are no stakes, there is no build up, and when Cyn makes a bizarre and frankly unforgivable (not to mention illegal) decision, there are no repercussions for her when it's revealed. This story just lacked anything that would make for an interesting read.

[Micaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than expected

I picked this book when I was in a mood for fire fighter romance. I didn't knew anything about it, it just caught my eye between all the Fire fighter romances collection in my kindle.
So imagine my surprise when I discovered that it was a F/F contemporary romance and a Cinderella retelling. I haven't read many F/F romances, this is actually my second, so I didn't knew what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised.
The plot is good, I enjoyed the hints to the traditional tale and how it was adapted to the modern world and the Fire fighter world. The small town setting was completely endearing. And the main characters were well developed and believable.
But, because there always is a but, the side characters were plain and simple, with zero defining characteristics. And the villain was too predictable and, like, simply bad. Even though we got his point of view, I never quite understood his motive or reasoning.
Finally, I'm not a Cinderella fan, so although I admit this was an enjoyable read, someone who likes the tale or the type of story would probably like it more.