Title: Cinderella Screwed Me Over
Author: Cindi Madsen
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Release Date: October 22, 2013 (first published April 30, 2013)
Acquired Via: Sizzling PR
Darby Quinn has a bone to pick with Cinderella. Burned one too many times by ex-boyfriends, Darby has lost all belief in the happily-ever-after that the fairy-tale princess promised her. She's sworn off love, Prince Charmings, and happy endings and she's happy about it. Really. Or at least she was…until she met Jake, her gorgeous neighbor and the manager of her favorite restaurant. But Darby has rules about dating, ones she's culled from her years spent with so-called “princes,” and starting something with Jake would break all of them.
Charming, fun, and unwilling to give up on her, Jake doesn’t fit any of the profiles Darby has created from her case studies of ex-princes-gone-bad. Finally presented with her own Prince Charming, can Darby take a chance on a happily-ever-after?
Full of wit and sarcastic humor, Cinderella Screwed Me Over proves that sometimes the perfect love, like a perfect pair of shoes, is just within your grasp.
My Review
Okay, I think it's safe to say that it's pretty official that I'm a Cindi Madsen fangirl now. I started reading her books because we had fun on Twitter, and we were in a book club together. (You know, being supportive and such.) However, her writing style is so snarky and fun, her characters are strong and well constructed, and the romance is sweet and believable. I will be reading her books from now on by her strengths as a writer alone. But you must be reading this to see what I think about Cinderella Screwed Me Over, right? (Just tell me to get on with it.)
Cinderella Screwed Me Over is Cindi Madsen's latest adult novel and showcases the witty, charming journey of Darby Quinn from being cynical to finding love. What I like best about Darby is that she's not a poor, broken soul that has a horrible past with me. She's a successful, hard-working woman who has just been on a bad luck streak with men. I especially like that she's not a man-hater, but someone who has realistic expectations. I also love that her job is so important to her and that she has her own life. I would totally be friends with Darby.
The love interest, Jake, is just as good of a character as Darby. He's a good-looking, successful individual, but doesn't feel the urge to throw it all by the wayside for a relationship. These people take their careers seriously, and I love that. In his pursuit of Darby, he was firm but not pushy or stalkerish. Jake let his interest be known, but he didn't beat her over the head with it. There's nothing more comforting to read from time to time than a healthy relationship.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was the fairy tale case studies that Madsen put at the end of some of the chapters. These were Darby's way of highlighting some of her favorite fairy tale men and the men from her past that was similar to them. She then applying why things didn't work out. One of my favorite ones was the Beast. Darby's ex-boyfriend, Boone, had a foul temper just like the Beast from the fairy tale, but it's something not as appealing to real-life women. She was smart enough to realize that the temper was a problem and left the relationship, as opposed to Belle who stayed around waiting for her fairy tale prince to change. It's awesome that Madsen points out that this sort of thing is not healthy in our society.
I think Cinderella Screwed Me Over is my favorite book by Madsen to date, and I can't wait to read more of her novels. Lucky for me, I have some of her young adult works at my house. I have no doubt that I'll be just as impressed as I am with her adult work.
Buy Links
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo
About the Author
Cindi Madsen sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children. She is the author of YA novels All the Broken Pieces and Demons of the Sun, bestselling short romance Falling for Her FiancĂ© and the women's fiction novel Cinderella Screwed Me Over.
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Giveaway
Cindi is giving away a "Cinderella Prize Pack" during the blog tour. It includes a glass slipper keychain, a miniature crystal carriage, playing cards and the movie Ever After. Terms and Conditions are found on the Rafflecopter form below.
Ends at 12:01am EST on November 27th
a Rafflecopter giveaway
To satisfy FTC guidelines, I am disclosing that I received a copy of the novel from the publisher through Sizzling PR in exchange for an unbiased review. It has in no way affected the outcome. All expressed opinions are awesome, honest, and courtesy of me.
My favorite fairy tale is either The Little Mermaid or Rapunzel (I think I spelled that correctly)! Thanks for posting the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteSnow White. I like the dwarfs and the love they have for her.
ReplyDeleteFavorite: Rapunzel :)
ReplyDeleteRapunzel has always been my favorite, too. jr_panda2778@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteMy favorite fairy tale is Little Mermaid, just love the under water.
ReplyDeletesnow white, always liked them dwarves - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com
ReplyDeleteI always loved The Goose Girl, minus the fact that the imposter is killed in a barrel with nails.
ReplyDeleteFavorite fairy tale is Beauty and the Beast because in finding true love with the beast, despite his ugliness, the curse was broken that was place upon him by a fairy.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite fairy tale has always been Beauty & the Beast. I like the fact that the Beast was misunderstood and not a perfect being.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance to win!
I like Aladin. Cause my name is Jasmine and I want a tiger.:D
ReplyDeleteI have always loved Cinderella and Rapunzel. They each speak to different parts of me. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteMy all-time favorite Fairy Tale is Beauty and the Beast. I love that it represents unconditional love and looks aren't everything.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite fairy tale is Cinderella who wldnt love a prince charming.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if this counts or not, but I fell in love with Enchanted since both characters made each other question everything they knew and believed.
ReplyDeleteBeauty and the Beast.
ReplyDeleteIt is more realistic in love. She didn't just instantly say "this is the one for me' what more other stories do. There is depth to the story.
Delete(I meant to type this about bit hit wasn't thinking and clicked publish instead of enter on my keyboard lol)
My favorite is Rapunzel.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
My favorite was always Snow White!
ReplyDeleteBeauty and the Beast. Looks aren't everything for this fairy tale couple which I love. It's just purer than a lot of the other stories to me.
ReplyDeleteI like fairy tales in general, but my all time favorite is Beauty and the Beast because I love the idea that someone can change on the inside and be accepted for more than their appearance.
ReplyDeleteThis story sounds good. Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway opportunity.
Cinderella - my love is because of the supporting cast of characters :)
ReplyDeleteI've never been a huge fan of fairy tales. I can't even think of them all! But I did love Beauty and the Beat. Is that a fairy tale?
ReplyDeleteSnow White (sorry if I accidentally posted twice... I get easily confused.)
ReplyDeleteBeauty and the Beast for sure! A humble, down-to-earth girl finds it in her heart to love "something" so hideous. What a lesson to be learned by all!
ReplyDeleteSnow white because I have a massive love for animals. :)
ReplyDeleteI love fairy tales and the many different versions. But, *The Little Mermaid* and *Beauty and the Beast* have always been my favorites.
ReplyDeleteCinderella is my favorite fairytale because she finds her Prince Charming and lives happily ever after.
ReplyDeleteBeauty and the Beast because it represents that love will find you even from someone you least expect it from.
ReplyDeleteGreat review!