not the best novel by Erica Ridley but an enjoyable and well plotted one. I had fun and it kept reading
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

As someone who forgets to read the book blurb before diving into a book, I had forgotten that this was a sapphic Cinderella retelling, and one I got to that reveal, I was giddy again with excitement!

Her Princess at Midnight starts very similar to any Cinderella tale, and I was worried that this was going to be one of your standard run-of-the-mill bland retellings- but lo and behold, this retelling, has our Cinderella falling for not the prince, but his sister, the princess, thus adding so much to this classic tale!

I had so much fun seeing how Erica Ridley stayed true to the original ideas and vibes of the story, but gave them her own touch.

I’ve had a bunch of Cinderella retellings, and this is one of my favourites! It has everything you want in a Cinderella story, but with a modern spin on the tale!

Thanks to author, Erica Ridley for the ebook review copy. Opinions on my own.

Sapphic Cinderella retelling!

I love fairy-tale retellings that add their own twist while keeping close to well known versions, and this book did just that.

Cynthia is forced to do all the housework for her step-family, having to put her step-sisters' needs before her own. One day a Prince comes into town on a search for a wife, which has her step-sisters all excited with opportunity. Cynthia isn't so sure there's anything to be excited about... until she locks eyes with the Prince's sister.

The storyline has a LOT of elements from the Disney film of Cinderella, and I thought the references worked really well.

While there is a definite element of insta-lust, I really appreciated that the two women grew to like each other more for their personality. I still very much enjoyed the steamy scenes - the tension with the bath tub!

I would have loved this book to be longer, to give more time to explore the relationship. But still very much enjoyed it as it was.

Definitely check this out if you like queer retellings of classic fairy-tales.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the free digital review copy. All thoughts are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this story and this is my freely given opinion.

This is another of Erica Ridley's spin on fairy tales, a retelling of Cinderella that puts a new spin on the old tale. In this one, Italian royalty travel to England in the search of a British bride to strengthen ties between the two nations. But this tale has a queer twist and an FF happily ever after. This was a fun short story with a strong element of humour as Ridley pokes fun at the some of the characters and also gives the Prince his own HEA with a twist as well.

I enjoyed the story quite a bit and all the little twists, and the small odes to the Disney version.

4 stars out of 5

Cynthia, the hard-used Cinderella of Erica Ridley's fairy tale retelling, is tired of drudging for her stepsisters and stepmother. When she gets a glimpse of Prince Azzurro and his sister Princess Ammalia as they ride into town in search of a wife for the prince, she is determined to join them at the ball.

Classic fairy tale so far, but the twist is that Cynthia has no interest in men, princes or otherwise, and the one who has caught her eye is the Princess.

Cynthia and Ammalia make a force to be reckoned with in this feel-good novella. Yes, it's short and we don't really get to know the characters, but fairy tales aren't supposed to be deep character studies! "Princess at Midnight" is a happily ever after for girls who love girls.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a unique take on the classic Cinderella story. Cynthia, instead of falling for the prince, fell in love with the princess instead. I like the idea but the execution, not so much. I feel like the interaction between Cynthia and the princess is too 'safe'. I didn't feel their chemistry. I wish there was more romantic interactions between them that would make a reader really fall in love with the story.

I know this was a short story, but it just needed more for me. Its a twist on Cinderella and was ok just not the best.

Her Princess at Midnight is a quick afternoon read with 108 pages. This was an entertaining fun read. This is a Cinderella like story where Cynthia is the maid character where she works for the stepmother and stepsisters every command. Each day is repetitive of the last until a royal entourage comes to town inviting all maidens of age to compete for the young handsome prince. While everyone else is in a tizzy over the prince Cynthia only has eyes for the Princess Ammalia.

I enjoy Erica Ridley's writing. It is as magical as this story.

This was okay. I liked the concept but I think this really needed to be a full length novel because as a novella other than shifting the love interest the entire plot was just exactly Cinderella so it got kind of boring. If I'm reading a retelling then I need it to add something else to the plot or what's the point in reading the retelling instead of just the original?

Possibly a missed opportunity. What I'd hoped for in this retelling was something with more depth and less light-heartedness. The whole concept of forced servitude could have been highlighted with a much more serious and precise lens.

But that was not the focus of this book; instead, what we get is a light-hearted and fun retelling of the Cinderella tale. I enjoyed the scenes in and around the ball the most, and the chemistry between the leads was interesting given the nature of the dichotomy of status of the two characters. Again, that could also have had more depth.

If this was something that the author was giving to readers on her mailing list perhaps, I would have no gripe because what's here is fun. Sometimes you do not know what you're getting and you have preconceived hopes. That's not necessarily the author's fault--if at all. And perhaps the tone of the blurb does imply the tone and story style.. So, if you're looking for a fun, light-hearted sapphic retelling of this classic fable, this novella will suit you nicely, and on that basis this is a solid 4 stars ::).

Thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book.

Who doesn’t live a sapphic Cinderella adaptation.
I was on board with the premise of this story but I wanted…more. I feel like there could have been more to the story but knowing that Cinderella itself isn’t necessarily a very long story. All in all this was pretty good. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this story.

Her Princess at Midnight was a cute sapphic take on the Cinderella story. I loved the twist they took of Cynthia, who is Cinderella in this story, falling in love with the Italian prince’s sister. They were so cute and smitten with one another, and only had eyes for each other. Also, I loved the twist that Ridley did with the glass slipper and who the prince ends up with.

This book was everything I hoped it would be. A sapphic twist on the classic Cinderella everyone has been told. This books is fast-paced and captivating with its descriptions of a joyous flirtation between two women. The sibling rivalry was amusing and really brought the book to life. I read this in one sitting and it has really allowed me to escape the mundane-ness of everyday life.

My only criticism is that I wanted more. Being only 108 pages the story felt as though it were over too quickly. Some of the descriptions could have been more developed, or the ending could have been extended further. That being said, this is a great book for when you're in a reading slump as it's an easy, quick read that still sparks the imagination. I will be looking out for more Erica Ridley books in the future.

I love reading books about Sapphic Couples, so when you add cinderella vibes, mixed with queer representation, you can sign me up.

This book is following Cynthia, who lives a very boring life. She cleans and cooks, and does everything that you know Cinderella to do well getting the treatment that Cinderella gets. However, in this book, Cinderella or Cynthia sets her sites on the princes beautiful sister. Just like the fairytale, we all know in love Cynthia find a way to make it to the fairytale ball so that she can have her magical ending.

Like stated above, I am a sucker for all of the vibes that this book brings and I thought it was very sweet and cute. However, it wasn’t a new favorite for me. I think if any of these tropes click with you, you should definitely check it out but I don’t think that it’s a must read.

Was gifted by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange, for my honest review.

3 or 4 stars, I really can't decide.
The writing was not good, the prose was very simplistic, and the third person narration occasionally switched POVs in the middle of the chapter without warning. That being said, I rather enjoyed this!
The premise of this book sticks closely to that of the original fairytale, but with the largest difference being that Cinderella, or Cynthia in this case, falls for the prince's sister instead. The plot could be kind of absurd at times, like the characters end up in certain scenarios that (I feel) are just implausible. The romance seems to mainly consist of the characters finding each other extremely attractive, which, like, that's valid, except within the first chapter they make eye contact across a distance and maintain that eye contact for like at least a few minutes.
There's a lot that I can nitpick about this book, but I really just enjoyed this. Some of the dialogue was genuinely funny and the characters are rather charming. Overall, this was a lighthearted and fun read.

This is a quick read with an LGBTQ twist on the classic Cinderella fairy tale. When a princess and a servant's eyes meet during the prince's arrival parade, the attraction is instant. Can Cynthia get to the ball to meet the princess?
The story is so quick that you don't get very much development of characters but I like the fun twist on the original.

3.5 stars
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Her Princess at Midnight is a fun sapphic Regency-set fairy tale, putting a unique spin on Cinderella. Given I have a lot of opinions on the various levels of obliviousness and arrogance of various incarnations of Cinderella’s Prince (from the Disney film to Benedict Bridgerton to even the mostly solid Prince Henry from Ever After), I love that this book kind of leaned into him being not worth the Cinderella figure’s time, and having his sister be her true soul mate. Most of the references here are Disney-inspired, but it’s fun regardless of what version is your favorite.
Cynthia is fairly standard for a Cinderella figure, and not much to write home about…she’s fairly sympathetic, but not revolutionary, given the billion retellings out there. But I loved Ammalia immediately…I loved her take-charge nature, and how she simultaneously is the love interest and a Fairy Godmother-esque wingwoman, putting the stepmother and stepsisters in their place, helping Cynthia to get ready for the ball, while also pining for Cynthia herself.
The plot is fairly simplistic, but that’s to be expected both for the short length and the fact that it leans toward the anachronistic, thanks to the fairytale feel (not to mention it being previously published in a LGBTQ+ charity anthology, so it makes sense to avoid the heavier period-accurate themes). However, I fully expected there to be more at stake, and more opposition to them being together, especially with Ammalia literally being royalty, but because she’s more or less an afterthought, there’s pretty much no issue with her marrying a woman. Even the question of who the brother marries isn’t an issue, as they’re basically like, “just marry one of the stepsisters and take the other as your mistress!” and no one bats an eye! It all felt very convenient and anticlimactic.
While it’s not the most complex read, I can forgive it for trying something different and executing it fairly well for the most part. If you’re looking for a fun, short read, especially if you’ve ever wanted a queer take on Cinderella, I’d recommend checking this out!

Cynthia Talbott playing the part of Cinderella
Jack and Gus played by Maggie's
Lady Tremaine as herself
Daughters Dorothea, the elder and Stasia
Family cat Is Dorothea’s black cat, Morningstar
Our prince Is from Italy. Prince Azzurro. His sister Princess Ammalia.

Our cast is in for a surprise when you find yourself wishing on a dream for your mate and not what other think to be true. As Cynthia finds hers in the princess not Tue prince but when the prince says you are his choice, what do you do? Run, of course, right into the arms of the one you want.

However, you do get the glass slipper being left behind. So when the royal retinue shows to have the slipper tried on their feet a surprise is in order that will shock them all.

As only Erica can do, you will find the animals do get center stage when it is their turn, but the weaving of the story being depth, beauty, and family rivalry in the best way possible.
I loved this retelling of a classic.

I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When I read the description of this book of course I was interested. Historical romance, LGBTQIA+ representation, and a fairytale retelling, say less. However, I wasn't expecting this book to be as short as it was. I thought Erica Ridley did an excellent job for telling their story in less than 100 pages, but I wish there maybe the character had been given more. I thought this story was good but not what I was expecting and I'm sure others will enjoy this more than I did. Overall, I gave this book 2 stars.

Ebook received for free through NetGalley

Another absolutely enjoying read by Erika Ridley. The books are like candy. A quick and enjoyable read that leaves you smiling.