Cinderella: A Love Story Book Review

#fairytale #retelling

Ella had a wonderful family with two lovely parents. But when her mother Marie dies and her father remarries a horrid woman named Vera with two daughters her whole world changes. Forced to be a slave and subjected to ridicule she believes there is no hope until the King throws a ball in honor of his son's birthday.

This charming retelling focuses on the family dynamics and some surprising twists within them that is full of emotion. Gina Lo Biondo has provided depth to these familiar characters while maintaining all of the sparkle of the original. The beautiful illustrations by Donna Sterpe just add color and livelihood to the words on the page.

This book made me remember all the history and magic. I was pleasantly surprised to her take on Prince Andrew as a charming young man who can think for himself. For the first time ever I realized factors that he and Cinderella had in common. I also enjoyed a surprise twist on the Fairy Godmother that made perfect sense and tied the whole ending together.

I would recommend this book for young and old alike. Sometimes we all need to revisit a story like this to see it in a brand new light.