![](https://netgalley-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/a15cb8542c/images/icons/nav_back_xs.png)
Member Reviews
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar1332990-micro.png?1725755139)
Wasn't expecting this Audiobook to be this good honestly!! I enjoyed listening to both the narrators! I didn't realise it was dual POVs unles I heard James POV😩💖 Both the female and the male narrator just added so much to this audiobook!! this my first time enjoying an audiobook so much!!! Both the narrators were just cherry on top!!!😭💘 This audiobook was EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!
Thankyou to Netgalley, the Author, the Publisher for providing this fabulous audiobook in exchange for an honest review!! I honestly can't wait to listen to the next books soon<3
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar668286-micro.png?1725755139)
This was a fun lighthearted retelling. I adored the spin on Cinderella.
This was a sweet story, Luna is such a kind, caring, and thoughtful person, she’s always grateful and helps others whenever she can.
Henry is a swoony guy, who loves his family, has a lot on his shoulders, he is kind and generous.
Their friendship is full of awkward moments, funny & lighthearted.
This was fun, Swoony, full of chemistry and charm, friendship and falling in love.
![](https://netgalley-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/a15cb8542c/images/profile-micro.png)
I really enjoyed this contemporary retelling of Cinderella. I thought the story was cute and I liked the characters. I liked that the author used video game playing as the way they meet and got to know each other before meeting in person. I thought it was sweet. I found myself not wanting to put the book down and wanting to keep reading. I also really enjoyed the narrators. I liked that there were dual narrators so we could hear what the characters sounded like. I thought this was a very well done story and look forward to reading more books by this author.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
![](https://netgalley-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/a15cb8542c/images/profile-micro.png)
Such a cute story right from the beginning that really had you rooting for them to end up together. I really loved the Cinderella retelling with the gamer stuff thrown in the mix. It really made it feel like something that could happen nowadays. The romance was all very closed door except for a few spicier kisses but nothing to clutch your pearls about.
Overall I really enjoyed listening to this and definitely want to get my hands on more by Marie Soleil
![](https://netgalley-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/a15cb8542c/images/profile-micro.png)
Cinder Luna is a fun modern retelling of Cinderella. I enjoyed that both characters were into video games. There were series moments that gave the story depth while still being an enjoyable and largely light-hearted rom com. A quick, fun, enjoyable read for rom com lovers.
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar871094-micro.png?1725755139)
I was slightly concerned how kitschy this book would be since it’s a Cinderella spoof. But I was delighted with how much I actually enjoyed this book. I loved the sweet romance, all of the side characters, and what aspects of the Cinderella story stayed. The modern twist with a graphic designer and billionaire gamer being online friends too was just so fun!
Only issue with the audiobook? Don’t have the MMC have a British accent and a narrator that doesn’t do the accent, but the FMC narrator does the accent 🙃
Excited for Henry’s siblings to get their own books - Rapunzel?! Yes please!
Final Rating: 4⭐️, 1🌶️
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an ALC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
![](https://netgalley-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/a15cb8542c/images/profile-micro.png)
"Cinder Luna" by Marie Soleil audiobook, narrated by Renee Dorian and Joe Jameson, offers a modern take on the classic fairytale Cinderella. Luna and Henry's lives are intertwined in many ways throughout the story, and it was great to see where the author was taking us. This is a very clean story targeted at young adult readers. The narration was easy to follow and engaging. Both narrators did a great job of bringing the story to life for us as listeners.
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar969598-micro.png?1725755139)
Since I am a huge fan of fairytale retellings, this sweet gamer romcom has completely blown me away. I loved this modern take on Cinderella with great characters and a very original story reinventing. I also never read any gamer romance, so this was perfect for me. Especially considering that I never read any fairytale retelling that wasn't a fantasy. So this was a completely new experience for me!
An unexpected meeting on the train leads to an amazing instant connection between Luna and Henry, however, they fail to get each other’s contact information, thus, leaving both of them with only a memory of a great time spent together. While helping her best friend with wedding preparations, Luna struggles to find a cozy apartment and a job in the video gaming industry. She is left with no other choice than to live in a cramped and dusty underroof apartment working for her demanding twin bosses who exploit Luna’s kindhearted heart and force her to do an unimaginable amount of work. But at least she has her best online friend MidKnight to whom she can play video games every evening and confide in her hardships. Everything gets complicated when she runs into Henry, a wealthy man from the train whom she kept constantly thinking of. As her relationship with him grows, so does her relationship with MidKnight. In the end, whom will she choose, and what happens when her secrets start to unravel?
I loved Luna’s kind and thoughtful character. Especially the way she grew more confident and learned to stand up for herself. I also loved Henry’s considerate and kind nature and the way he kept on pursuing her without being intrusive. All the Cinderella references were so hilariously on point– her lost shoe, the pumpkin carriage, evil stepsister-boss thing, ruined dress, and hidden identity trope that actually really reminded me of Love on the Brain.
Overall, this was a really sweet and heartwarming closed door romance, and I already can’t wait for the next book that will be a Beauty and the Beast retelling. I am so so excited for it!
This audiobook that was kindly provided to me by @netgalley and @dreamscape_media for an honest review. Thank you so much @authormariesoleil , @reneedorian and Joe Jameson for such an enjoyable time spent listening to this gem!
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar990731-micro.png?1725755139)
🌟Book Review 🌟
It wasn’t what I expected but I enjoyed this one a lot! Gamers who are also into romance would really like it! I just loved how the FMC navigated the challenges and the MMC was so supportive to both sides of her. A modern day Cinderella for sure.
🌀Synopsis
Luna’s life is mediocre at best. She’s in need of a job but can’t find one without experience. Just how does one get experience without getting a job? Until she finds something she’ll need to just survive. Since arriving to Brookhaven things seem to be looking better. She gets moved to first class and meets Henry, a handsome stranger plus she gets to help her best friend plan her wedding.
On top of that, her gamer friend, MidKnight, has asked her to demo a new game. After the initial demo he also is letting her redo some of the design work, finally getting her the experience she needs.
A run-in with Henry at a bakery has her realizing that Henry and MidKnight might just be the same person. How does she reveal her identity to her longtime friend after she’s told him all of her personal life stories and struggles? He’s a rich game designer and she lives in a tiny apartment above a bakery. Not only does she risk losing MidKnight as her friend but she risks losing Henry as her love interest too.
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar1153375-micro.png?1725755139)
Cinder Luna by Maria Soleil was such a fun modern take on Cinderella. If you like books about hidden identities, small town romance, slow burn, cinnamon roll MMC, girl next door, instant attraction, Cinderella retelling, romcom, computer games, and is clean, then you are going to love this book.
Henry and Luna’s Cinderella version was the cutest story and I enjoyed it so much! I really enjoyed the banter between all of the characters. Although, I loved the MC’s Henry and Luna, the side characters were just as much fun. I loved that they were written as independent go getters.
I cannot recommend this audiobook enough and enjoyed that it was clean…a nice change from my normal read. I really thought the narrators Renee Dorian and Joe Jameson did such a great job and were the perfect Luna and Henry. Thank you to Dreamscape Media, Marie Soleil, and NetGalley for letting me listen to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar854587-micro.png?1725755139)
I loved this! The Cinderella spin was perfect, believable, and not too intense for the storyline. This was a fun listen and I look forward to more of Marie’s novels!
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar1156881-micro.png?1725755139)
I ended up DNFing this audiobook at 15%. I just couldn't get into the story at all.
The writing did a lot of telling, rather than showing, and I was unfortunately unable to get invested in this read at all.
I also found the insecure nature of both MC annoying, rather than charming, which made it difficult to invest in their love story.
Thank you, Netgalley and Dreamscape Media, for this advanced reader copy.
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar622451-micro.png?1725755139)
Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.
This was a sweet little romance. Quick read with interesting characters that make you want to root for them. I enjoyed it, and thought the narrators were perfect.
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar711699-micro.png?1725755139)
I can be really picky about contemporary romance. I don't like totally unrealistic characters or mishaps, I don't like cheesiness. And ~usually~ I don't like wealthy characters. Cinder Luna is sooo precious and I loved it! The wealthy love interest was believable and wonderfully flawed. I loved the videogame aspect!
The Cinderella retelling is sooo good too! Soleil worked in the "evil stepsister" types creatively. Her "Cinderella" was such an original nod to the classic.
The audiobook narration is great. I like the male/female narrators for the two POVs. It made it easy to follow and engaging to listen to.
I'll def be reading the rest of the series! Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape for an audio to listen to and review voluntarily!
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar1006654-micro.png?1725755139)
this book was so freaking cute! i loved the whole thing. I adore the storybook retelling. I don't want to ruin the book or spoil anything, but i highly recommend this book.
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar843327-micro.png?1725755139)
Sweet romcom Cinderella retelling I really enjoyed this one I’ve never read a book by this author before but this will definitely not be the last. I would recommend this one
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar693254-micro.png?1725755139)
This was so cute. I loved it. The characters, world building and story telling were great. It kept me interested and involved.
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar1319571-micro.png?1725755139)
This was such a cute rom-com. And if you love fairytales, this is right up your alley. I loved the modern take on a classic Cinderella story! The humor was so entertaining, the love story romance was so heart warming, and the real life struggles were really touching. A must read!
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar160772-micro.png?1725755139)
This audiobook is a delightful, modern retelling of Cinderella that ultimately drew me in. Luna's move to Brookhaven starts with a serendipitous train encounter with a charming stranger, Henry, but she quickly faces challenges like a cramped apartment and demanding twin bosses. Her evenings are brightened by gaming with her online friend, MidKnight, whose game development she eagerly supports. Their friendship soon deepens, adding to Luna’s complicated emotions when she unexpectedly reunites with Henry, who has been searching for her since their first meeting. Torn between MidKnight and Henry, Luna must confront her insecurities and secrets. This sweet, slow-burn romance has hidden identities, instant attraction, and endearing characters. Luna's journey to find courage and pursue her happily ever after is heartwarming. With perfect nods to the original fairytale and clever twists, this story is for fans of clean romantic comedies and fairy tale retellings.
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar828862-micro.png?1725755139)
A sweet Cinderella retelling where fate brings together two gamers from different worlds.
Luna has always taken care of everyone before herself, and moving to Brookhaven to help with her best friend’s wedding is no different. She meets a handsome stranger on the train to her new life, and finally fate is urging her to put herself first. Henry is preparing to take over his father’s tech company, and his big plans involve adding a gaming division. He’s prepping the company’s first game launch, with the last minute help of his gaming buddy ClockStriker. Worlds collide as the game nears its debut…
This is a closed door romance, and oh so cute! All of the characters, except for this retelling’s “stepsisters” were so delightful. I wanted to hug them all. I loved the familial connections prevalent in this book, and Henry’s earnestness and genuine good guy persona was super refreshing.
And the best part!? The gaming-focused plot! I loveee video games and it was so fun seeing a girl gamer saving the day. Not to mention the positive framing of video games, which are often used to stereotype adults lazy and awkward.
Henry and Luna really had no flaws except for their Luna’s secrecy and Henry’s lack of detective skills. But seriously, they were both endearing and while not necessarily super deep characters, their loyalty and goodness made them shine. I felt the chemistry between them, but I do think their “love” progressed a bit faster than what I’d deem realistic. But hey, it’s fiction!
The retelling was also such a fun and fresh take on Cinderella, since it stepped (ha ha) away from the step-family plot point and instead brought in the big bad landlords. I thought that was so clever! I sometimes forgot about the Cinderella retelling component because it was so cleverly woven.
The narrators for the audiobook were also pretty good! I think they both matched their characters, although the faint British accent often disappeared. I listened on 1.5x speed due to pacing.
I really only have two critiques of this book. I felt like Luna was infantilized a bit and at times it was a bit much. For example, she is repeatably framed as very small (size 4 feet); she has a really high-pitched, feminine voice, including frequent squeaks; she does anything other people tell her to; and she’s overall just very naive. I’m not sure this was intentional and there’s plenty of adult women who meet these characteristics, it just felt a bit odd at times. Maybe the author just wanted to appeal to a wide range of ages. I did feel like the female narrator added to this effect a bit. Either way, the romance was very family friendly so it still felt appropriate. I also didn’t really feel like that this novel was classified as a comedy, but maybe my only type of humor is sarcasm so… take that with a grain of salt!
The family drama and plot hints for the rest of the series got me all excited for Adam’s story!