REVIEW: CINDERELLA SCREWED ME OVER by CINDI MADSEN

Genre: Women's Fiction/Romance

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Publication Date: 10/22/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 308
Source: Received from publisher for review
Rating: 5 stars

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.

 

Cinderella Screwed Me Over is a book I have been waiting on for months. From the vibrant and eye-catching cover to the promise of a funny and charming story of a woman who's over the promise of fairy tales, I just knew that I would enjoy this book. And I did.

Cinderella Screwed Me Over (is that not the best title?!) was written in such a clever manner. Darby Quinn has had enough of the Disney-fed fairy tales we've all grown up on. After years of looking for a Prince and landing a frog, Darby is no longer buying the promise of a Prince and Happily Ever After. Over the years of heartache and disappointment, Darby has accumulated case files, comparing the men in her life to Disney Princes. From Prince Charming to Robin Hood to The Beast, you name a Disney man, Darby's boyfriends can be compared to each in some way, along with the lesson she learned. When she meets charming, gorgeous, and sweet Jake, Darby has a difficult time fitting him into a place in her case files. Jake wants a relationship, Darby insists she doesn't believe in long-term love. And though Jake proves himself time and again, she just can't quite take the leap and admit that maybe love isn't a bad word. Will Darby begin to believe in fairy tales, or will she push true love away for good?

Besides the romantic story, this really is a personal journey for Darby. I loved that Madsen took the time to focus on her as an individual and not just make this a story on winning a guy. Darby was a funny and winsome heroine, but also very headstrong and set in her ways. She was tough yet sweet, and I liked that she never lost either aspect to her personality even as she began to change. Jake was really a great leading man. I liked that he was so nice and charming, and especially that he was patient with Darby. These two had great banter, which is really a strong point for Madsen. A story that can make me laugh and swoon is always going to win with me.

At this point, I think it is fairly established that I am a big fan of Madsen's work. Although I go in certain I will enjoy the book, I am surprised again and again by just how much. It seems that her writing suits me perfectly, or maybe I am perfectly suited to her writing. Either way, Cinderella Screwed Me Over is another charming book from Cindi Madsen. My favorite yet.



Favorite Quotes:


  "I have to admit," I said when he finished a lengthy discussion on the types of drivers, "I've been golfing and it's about the most boring thing I've ever done. Old men drive around in golf carts pretending they're sporty and getting grouchy if there's any noise. It's like the nursing-home Olympics."
  Nick's mouth dropped open. "It takes great athletic ability to know how to aim and drive the ball that far."
  "I get more exercise shopping at the mall," I joked. "I don't come home and tell everyone I won at shopping." Although those red shoes I got on sale the other day felt like a win.   ~eARC, 8%



  "I like you, too," I said, my voice coming out breathy. "But I always choose the wrong guys. Always. Trust me, I've studied all my relationships in and out, and no matter how much I learn, I still choose wrong."
  Jake put his hand on my hip, like he'd done so many times before, and slid his thumb between my shirt and pants, brushing the skin underneath. "I guess it's a good thing I chose you, then."  
 ~eARC, 50%

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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 books All the Broken Pieces, Cipher, and Demons of the Sun and adult romances Falling for Her Fiancé, Act Like You Love Me, and Cinderella Screwed Me Over.

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