An entertaining twist somewhat on Cinderella but all turned around!!

She married when young to get away from a worse suitor and years later is now a widow. She only wants to have children and be happy.

Her childhood friend had escaped his vile step family to become successful in his own right. He had kept in touch with her through the years and now when he hears she is a widow, he returns hoping for her hand.

But of course it is never that simple!! There are forces trying to keep them apart but hopefully they will have their happy ever after!!

A creative flip & twist on the classic fairytale, Cinderella!

Despite, taking about a third of the book to really become absorbed in their fates, I came to really love Ginny and Ash! Especially, as the pace quickened the threats hastened and accelerated, the romance slowly burned and interwove throughout the wealth of historical tidbits, society details, mindsets and insights, not to mention, intricately descriptive settings. The characters slowly crept up and grabbed a hold, compelling me to keep reading, making it harder to put down the book the more I read and became invested.
The twists, flips and inventive odes to 'Cendrillon' make you delightfully smile as much as Knight creates the loathsome self-obsessed stepbrothers, drugged by their own self-importance and entitlement, that you just love to hate as she encourages you to detest them more and be skincrawling-ly disgusted each second they appear and reveal how much more repugnant and fawningly venomous in their scheming they can be.
Overall, adding to a series that feeds my love of fairytale reimagining as much as the joy of being swept along in a romantic adventure thwarted by many mini battles before happiness can truly be attained.
With a steady pace to the storytelling, that emerges through the array of players it entangles and brings together. Especially those, like Arial and Peter, as they entangle and gravitate towards our new heroes....creating a loyal family of friends who I hope will only continue to increase as the series unfolds.
A tale that can unequivocally be enjoyed as a standalone. Looking forward to book 3 and indulging in a fresh take on Snow White... can't wait!!

This was an entertaining read with very engaging main characters in Regina and Elijah. It is a twist on the Cinderella story and I enjoyed the references throughout the book that connected it to the story. Regina was a very brave and determined lady and made the best of her situation. Elijah, also, was determined to better his situation. They had known each other as children but circumstances had separated them physically but they had kept in touch. There are a number of villains but I was pleased when they got their comeuppance and it has a satisfying ending. I did receive a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. However I did preorder my own copy.

An interesting twist on the Cinderella theme. Elijah and Regina have a second chance sixteen years later but with lots of danger and villains who thankfully get their comeuppance which was nice to see. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Regina Paddimore puts her dreams of love away with when she weds her father’s friend Gideon to escape a vile suitor who tries to force a marriage. Sixteen years later, and two years a widow, she re enters society. Elijah Ashby escapes his abusive step-family as soon as he comes of age, & takes the post of secretary to Lord Arthur Versey, a duke's son aka Rex & they set off to see the world. Letters from his childhood friend Regina are all that connects him to England. Sixteen years later, now Rex & Ash are famous travel writers & feel it is time to return home.
The second book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. I loved the twist on the famous fairy tale. A delightful & charming romance with strong characters & a well paced story. I loved both Ash & Regina & I was routing for their second chance at love. He’s grown into a strong, successful, wealthy man who after a horrid childhood has found true friendship with Rex. Regina is caring, loving & not a woman to underestimate. Their journey to a HEA is fraught with obstacles, danger, revelations, lies & kidnapping but eventually they have their perfect dance
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Entertaining, loved the twist on the Cinderella theme. Elijah and Regina have a second chance sixteen years later but with lots of obstacles and danger to get through. A classic love over hate story wins out for a wonderful happily ever after.

Whoa what a pull on the heart strings this was. LOVED IT! The romance was incredible, and the mystery kept me on the edge of my seat.