ARC Review: Cracked Slipper

This is an ARC review. Thank you to the author, Stephanie Alexander, for a copy of her book.

The Cracked Slipper is book 1 in a Cinderella retelling trilogy by Stephanie Alexander. This book falls into a romantasy category and I'd consider it appropriate it for young adults. A little bit of implied spice but no gratuitous scenes. Eleanor, the female main character, is young and gaining her voice so it appropriately feels geared towards a young adult.

Ok, first and foremost, Gregory AKA the Prince, is one of the most confusing characters I've ever read. Our story starts with Eleanor (Cinderella) at the ball and being swept off her feet and then runs out as her clothes turns to rags... the Cinderella story we all know. Gregory finds her, proposes to her and she becomes the Princess. We find out that Greg is a drunk and a womanizer. Running off and doing as he pleases while Eleanor is expected to keep her mouth shut and start popping out the next heir to the throne. Greg is mostly a chauvinistic @ss most of the book. But then he has moments of standing up for Eleanor and kindness and it makes you wonder if he would be different if he hadn't been raised by his father, the King. Also, the King can be a real piece of work but then turn around and give Eleanor a compliment. Very confusing men.

Anyway... enter Dorian. The Prince's BFF. Eleanor falls helplessly in love with him but, she's married to the Prince and Dorian is the Prince's best friend and ...it gets messy.

I appreciated Eleanor's girl power attitude and not sidelining herself to appease the men in her life. Throughout the book she learns how to play politics and get her way without causing one of Gregory's meltdowns (he's a very moody prince).

This is the first in a trilogy and the ending was most definitely left with open plot for the next two books. I enjoyed the ride. I do not like Gregory. Would be happy to see him off'ed in the next few books. Team Dorian over here.

The first book is on Kindle Unlimited and the trilogy is complete and available for purchase on Amazon.

🌮🌮🌮🌮🌮 and 🌶️ for implied adult situations.

I'd recommend you checking it out if you like fantasy, magic and modern day takes on fairy tales!

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