This book was a fun ride and more wholesome than I'd expected. To preface, I'm not big on the original Cinderella story although I'm well aware of the plot and it's details. But I do greatly appreciate how well Ashley Poston translated all of those iconic memorable details into this sweet retelling grounded in reality.

I'm a lover of YA stories, and this book perfected the ingredients of everything I enjoy in them. There's no spice or foul language, beautifully flawed and relatable characters, and a dual POV storytelling from both main characters. Needless to say, Darien is a much better love interest than the prince from the original story. I love that both Elle and Darien were given their own backstories that add so much depth to their characters rather than just replicate while retelling.

A tough female protagonist, summery backdrops and intentional pretense form the foundation of this novel, and I found myself enjoying the ride. Paula Rogers nailed the entirety of the reality TV plotline, with each curveball feeling all too real.

I loved the main character Dana a whole lot more than I'd thought possible. In a crisis of FMCs that are damsels in distress, clumsy, insecure, awkward, and dependent, Dana strongly stood out to me in her opinionated way of thinking, confidence and athleticism. Her background of being a Hapkido (martial art) instructor only added to her immense aura. Working against the backdrop of her intriguing family dynamics after her father ghosted her along with her mother and two half brothers spice things up in the drama department (which I love).

Unfortunately, I do have some complaints with the story. On the romance front, I found it incredibly difficult to buy the chemistry between Dana and the MMC of the story Graeme. Yes, they have some history so there is second chance romance thrown into the plot, yet I just couldn't see the appeal. So for me, the highlight of the story was the side characters and Dana more than the romance of it all. Looking at it that way, I actually liked Dana's narration from her first POV. If you are to read this, I'd advise against going under hopes of a memorable romance.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Joffe Books, and Paula Rogers for the opportunity to read this complimentary e-ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all thoughts are authentically mine.