Member Reviews

OH MY GOD I loved this book!!! Freaking hysterical. Wonderful characters. Great story! Genius! Seriously though it was uproariously funny, snarky and wonderfully empowering! I really can't wait for Belle's book!!!

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Contemporary fairytale retellings that also feature comedy? Yes, please. And then, written by the hilarious Tara Sivec? SOLD.

I was super pumped to read At the Stroke of Midnight. Tara is a brilliant writer regardless of which genre she dabbles in. But I think she truly shines when she pens romantic comedy. This time is no different.

Cynthia's life is in shambles. Her husband divorced her and took off with their babysitter. She's broke, struggling to keep her and her daughter afloat. The bills are piling up. Something needs to change. And change it does once her neighbor (and street hussy) Ariel shows up on her doorstep. From that initial meeting, I knew this book was going to be comedic gold.

It is.

I haven't laughed this hard while reading a book in YEARS. If I'm honest, probably not since I first read Sivec's Seduction and Snacks back in 2012. It felt as if every page had me chuckling, but there is one chapter—I laughed so hard I had tears streaming down my face. Mascara running, the works. And this is no lie: that laughter didn't subside for 20 minutes. When I think of the line that caused the fit, I still want to break out in laughter. It's mostly thanks to the foul-mouthed, crudely honest, and often crass character that is Ariel. Seriously, her book will probably win the gold medal in comedy. (No, I don't care that's a made up award.) And the way she wrote Belle's character...genius. I giggled a bit whenever she spoke.

But besides the comedic aspect, there's romance. Be still, my heart. PJ is SUH-WOON. I don't really develop crushes on book guys these days, mainly because they're all written the same way. PJ was refreshingly different. And he is a perfect match for Cynthia. Someone allowing her to become who she's meant to be, to be herself. Support and love; he was just delicious in every way. Because, yeah, he was super hot physically too. Don't let this fool you into thinking Cynthia/Cindy/Cin needed a man to become rounded. She was doing it all by herself. She is strong, independent, and finally took charge of her life. With the help of PJ, Ariel, and yes even Belle, she really comes into her own.

And! The pieces of the actual fairytale were woven in. Not overly and unrealistically, but the pieces Sivec chose made absolute sense in the modern era setting.

I swooned, I laughed hysterically, I loved it. This book was a fantastic start to what I'm already sure will be a phenomenal series. I know there will only be 3 books, but I feel like Tara could take on unlimited fairytales and make them shine in a new way! Just think of the possibilities! I do look forward to Belle's story, which is up next. The wait will be torturous, but at least I can reread my favorite scenes in this one until summer.

I really feel Tara outdid herself. This is my FAVORITE book by her, no bullshit. I have read and enjoyed all of her other works, but this one was so much fun...it's spectacular. Buy this book! You won't regret it.

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