Review is from my personal blog rabidgummibear.wordpress.com
It’s that time of year for me where I want to read books based in paranormal and fairy tale themes so I picked this up thinking ‘Oh I love fairy tales and creative adaptations of classics.’ I was right to think this would be a good read considering I’ve only read one other Eloisa James Novel (Desperate Duchesses). I’m not really big on the whole regency thing, but have been trying to give it a shot more and more. I figure there has to be a reason it’s so popular.

A Kiss At Midnight is loosely based in the regency era and takes some freedoms with that era obviously, but it is an interesting adaptation of the story. We start off with Kate whose father has passed away and her step-mother Mariana takes over the estate. Of course she has a stepsister Victoria because what’s a cinderella story without those stepfamily members. We see that Kate has been somewhat neglected when it comes to the whole coming out process and finding a husband. Until she has to go to the castle and pretend to be her sister. This of course results in her meeting the prince and fun ensues.

I have to say I was kind of disappointed that this book lacked the wit that I found was present in Desperate Duchesses and really hoped for in this book. The main character Kate feels at times very just detached. There did come a point near the end though that I really loved the prince’s antics and was quickly won over by his character. Besides Gabriel I found myself not feeling any real attachment to the characters nor connection. Some of that could be attributed to my lack of love for the traditional Cinderella story, but in all honesty this book did take away most of what I dislike about the story and put a great twist on it.

Overall I only kind of enjoyed the book and can recommend it to anyone who really loves regency books or Cinderella. I give it 3 out of 5 stars and it’s worth the cash if you can get it cheap.

This retelling of Cinderella was surprisingly sweet and funny. The funny part I wasn't really expecting. There's a lot of poking fun at all the stuff and nonsense that goes into the fashions of the time (whatever time setting that might be- we are never told and it doesn't really matter, it's not a historical novel, it's a fairy tale!) And also the couple themselves are just funny characters, especially Kate. She really stole the show.

And what a show it is! She's having to pretend to be her own step-sister to attend a betrothal party, along with her sister's fiancé, since her sister is unable to attend due to a swollen lip. This is not the ideal time to meet the man of your dreams, whilst not being able to be yourself, supposedly being engaged to the man you brought with you, and especially since the man of your dreams just happens to be the prince who's betrothal party you are attending!

Who ever said love was easy...

“I did it,” Gabriel said, conversationally. “I met the woman, the only woman for me. I met her, and now . . . I’m going to meet my wife.”

We all know the story and this retelling of it was very well done. Nothing too deep and meaningful; just a light, fluffy fun read. And sexy too! I really enjoyed it on audio and can recommend you trying it out this way.

4 Stars! ★★★★

A Kiss at Midnight is a cinderella like story of Henry and Kate. Katherine, who pretends to be her stepsister to met the prince to be able to wed one of the high lord but sickness got in the way. I like this cinderella like version with no evil stepsister but with responsibilities and titles that comes their way. The hot scenes are so good! The way Henry came back and forth to Kate and the ball with his soon to be wife. Lov3d how supportive the characters are.

An engaging well written book! Will definitely read more books written by the author. The audio was also good with fancy sound effects that will takes you to the 19th century.