The Cracked Slipper

The Cracked Slipper
by Stephanie Alexander
 
Book: The Cracked Slipper #1
Publisher: Author
Pub Date: December 19, 2019 
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Retelling
Format: eBook
Source: Author
Book Links: Goodreads Bookshop
 
When Eleanor Brice unexpectedly wins the heart of Gregory Desmarais, Crown Prince of Cartheigh, she's sure she's found her happily-ever-after. Unfortunately, Prince Charming has a loose grip on his temper, a looser grip on his marriage vows, and a tight grip on the bottle.

Eight years of mistreatment, isolation and clandestine book learning hardly prepare Eleanor for life at Eclatant Palace, where women are seen, not heard. According to Eleanor’s eavesdropping parrot, no one at court appreciates her unladylike tendency to voice her opinion. To make matter worse, her royal fiancé spends his last night of bachelorhood on a drunken whoring spree. Before the ink dries on her marriage proclamation Eleanor realizes that she loves her husband's best friend, former soldier Dorian Finley.

Eleanor can’t resist Dorian’s honesty, or his unusual admiration for her intelligence, and soon both are caught in a dangerous obsession. She drowns her confusion in charitable endeavors, but the people’s love can’t protect her from her feelings. When a magical crime endangers the bond between unicorns, dragons, and the royal family, a falsely accused Eleanor must clear her own name to save her life. The road toward vindication will force a choice between hard-won security and an impossible love.

The Cracked Slipper is a book club friendly fairytale retelling in the vein of Gregory Maguire, with a dash of romance. Set in a pseudo-renaissance, corset-and-petticoats enchanted kingdom, The Cracked Slipper brings a magical twist to women’s fiction.

 
My Review: This story actually surprised me. While I love a good retelling, this one was based on one of the few that I actually dont like. However, I liked the sound of this book and was glad I took the chance. 

Eleanor has her head on her shoulders. She is smart, strong and comes off well put together. Not the kind of Cinderella you've come to know.

However, there are still similarities throughout. 

Elanor does meet a prince at a ball and they fall in love and get married. That HEA doesnt come though. The prince turns out nothing like she thought he would be, and even I was done with him. 

His best friend though?? Well that's the kind of slow burn love that leads to that HEA.  

Overall, this is NOT the princess story you've come to know. Which for me was great as Cinderella was never a favorite of mine. But for others, I'd say read with caution. Its a more adult version, not everything is sweet and innocent and you really just needs to be aware its got the elements of the story its certainly not the same.  

If you love a retelling and one that takes it to another level then this is a book you need to put on that TBR. A book that's certainly worth the read. 

 

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪