Date read: 8th January 2022
My rating: 4*Genre I reckon: Fairytale Retelling
Buy link: Amazon
I would like to begin this review with a little whoop for challenging the evil stepmother stereotype!
Of course, as a part-time stepmother, this is pure self-indulgence.
As it's new year, I thought this an appropriate read. Well, Cinderella is a panto. Oh, yes it is!
Let me just offer a word of caution that this does include teen pregnancy and abortion, just in case you find that upsetting.
Because of that, I'd be inclined to say this is more NA (as opposed to YA) even though there's no detailed scenes of the act.
The book description itself says 18+
Teenaged Ella is a brat! Head-strong, gullible and determined to think the world's against her. Her POV is revealed via hilarious, ranting diary entries.
Whilst Grace takes her on along with the younger twins, and does her best to care for them and her own almost-three-year-old boy. Phew!
There's a myriad of fairy tale characters, and the tales you knew are all turned on their heads - such fun!
You do have to read to the end once you've started as there are some surprise revelations.
The ending sets up the next book but not on a cliff-hanger.
This is quite a shadowy, angst-filled yet fun read.
A good 4* from me.
TL
