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.

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!

This was such a dreamy and fun listen!! I LOVE gamer romances and can't get enough of them. Cinder Luna did not disappoint!

If you love romcoms, fairytales and clean romances this is for you! Such a cute retelling of a fan favorite. I loved all the gaming and liked how certain parts tied into the original story. Henry and Luna are so lovable in their own way. From the moment they met, to what they both went through alone and together, I loved it.

This was a cute gamer romance that I haven't read or heard of before! Parts of this were a bit cheesy, but in the best ways possible. This was an interesting retelling for Cinderella but I enjoyed it!

If you’re a fan of You’ve Got Mail, A Cinderella Story, or hidden identity trope at all— this audiobook is for you!

I thought the narration for this audiobook was so good in the sense that it faded into the background and let the dialogue play out around them. The only part of the narration I didn’t love was that Henry is supposed to have a *slight* British accent, and it would just show up sometimes at random. That may have been the intent. Even still, I loved the way they both gave voice to the characters, and kept the story moving. I especially liked the scenes when Luna’s entire family was interacting with Henry. Henry’s narrator did a great job with the nuance of so many voices.

If you need a story that will make you smile, and give you all the cozy family vibes— this one’s for you. As a hobby chicken farmer myself, I have to say WE LOVED YOU CHICKALETTA!

What an adorable, fantastic story! This romcom was a modern day twist on Cinderella and it was done so well. It has some characters from a few of the other books by this author who are friends and siblings of Luna, however, this book can easily be read as a stand alone, too. I listened to the audio book version and the dual narrators were fabulous!

The author did a great job of creating excellent chemistry between Henry and Luna, as well as a great gaming friendship between their online personas. I really liked Henry and Luna and felt for them as they juggled the various things going on in their lives. Luna definitely had quite a few things pulling her down throughout the story, yet she worked hard and kept a good attitude, only becoming overwhelmed as things truly began to unravel.

This story was just so fun to listen to and the romance between Henry and Luna made me happy. I really enjoyed the way the author wrapped things up and am looking forward to reading the future fairy tale retellings in this series as they release.

I received a complimentary copy of this audio book, although I also purchased the ebook version. All opinions are my own.

This was a cute idea that I lost all patience with. Yes: romance is not SUPPOSED to be real, but I prefer my romance, particularly my contemporary romance, to be at least somewhat believable. Cinder Luna was so jam-packed with ludicrous silliness that my eye rolls became painful. However, I've been told I have no imagination, so I was probably the wrong one to request this title. I can't leave well enough alone, though, before registering my chief complaint. There's no glass slipper, and I don't want to give away spoilers, but the voice issue was a biggie for me. Luna describes her own voice as annoyingly high-pitched, and the narrator (most gratingly!) followed through on the description. So this should have been her MOST recognizable characteristic, but instead we're supposed to believe that Henry doesn't recognize it. This was a sweet story, with sweet pumpkin-scented settings, sweet friends, and even villainous sisters engaged in making sweets, and all the main characters obviously have the sweet non-reactive genitals of Barbie and Ken dolls. I know there's a huge audience for this book. I'm just not part of that audience. Rounding up from a two because the actual writing was fine.

I absolutely love this book. I love the retelling of Cinderella. It blows my mind how the Author has MFC “work” for a place to stay; how she “lost” her necklace, and the carriage. I absolutely love this book, but what I love more is the male narrator. Man, he sounds so hot. I could listen to him read all of the books.

A light, sweet, update to Cinderella. Henry and Luna meet on a train and there is an immediate spark and yet they leave without exchanging information. Unbeknownst to them, they do know each other, but in the cyber gaming world. Luna is a sweet woman who is trying, but not yet living her best life. When she moves to help her BFF plan her wedding she finds herself in a terrible living situation. Having always been the one to pitch in, take care of everyone and everything and be counted on to not make waves, she keeps just how bad thugs are going to herself. The winding road of miscommunication and missed opportunities lead to their eventual happily ever after is very sweet. I look forward to the next in the series.

Uprated to 4 from what would have been a 3.5 rating.

*4.5 Stars On My Instagram Account*

"You're worth so much more than you understand."

The charming all too adorable Cinder Luna, by RomCom author Marie Soleil, proves that this writer gets it. She gets that Cinderella works because it's more than romance. It's about self worth, growth and a bit of karma.

Luna's moving to Brookhaven (which in real life is a township here on Long Island!) to help BFF Madeleine prepare for her wedding. An upgrade to first class on the train has her sitting next to the swoony handsome, English accented, very wealthy businessman Henry Stone. By the time the trip is over they will have shared stories, laughed together and kissed each other. But when Henry loses her number, Luna assumes she made too much of the romantic encounter.

To cope she continues to play online video games with Midknight. Too bad they only communicate by text. She might have recognized that English accent.

Voice actress Renee Dorian captures the innocent sweetness we expect from the enchanting Cinderella Luna and voice actor Joe Jameson just embodies a debonair prince of a man.

There's a lost Louboutin shoe, a pumpkin patch and instead of mice we have Devil Cat. A closed door romance, insta love, devious sister bosses and a glamorous gala will leave you with a happily ever after smile.

The next book is a Beauty and the Beast retelling. My favorite fairy tale. Need the audiobook ASAP!

I received a free copy of this audiobook from Dreamscape Media via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book was ridiculously cute! I loved the Cinderella retelling and all of the touches it added to the story. Luna and Henry were down right adorable and I adored them as a couple. I loved all the modern aspects of the book. I am looking forward to more books like this in the future. The setting was great and the characters were great and the story was so fun.

The writing in Cinder Luna was charming and the narration was pleasant to the ear, but the "English" accent was off. I don't think I am the audience for this book and my rating reflects as much. If you are not a fan of cheesy stories and dialogue and characters, STAY AWAY. But if you are in the mood for a cheesy and easy hallmark-movie-like experience, this may be the perfect beach read for you! It is also closed door which is worth noting, I think.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

As Luna would say - “Oh my biscuits!”....Marie Soleil, you have done it again.

Sometimes you just need a sweet romance with no spice in it and this one hit the spot.

Modern day Cinderella retelling. Gaming. Online friendship turned into real life. Discovering interconnected friends and family. Finding yourself through hardship. Satisfying slow burn. Basically, this entire book and the microtropes within it were absolute perfection.

This book made me swoon and kick my feet up in giggles. It was so dreamy, fairytale-ish and fun. Plus, I LOVE the narration on this. It was absolutely PERFECT.

This entire book was radiant and clever. I genuinely cannot wait to read the next book in this series.

The audiobook was easy to listen to, and I loved the voices of the narrators who brought Luna and Henry's characters to life. I enjoyed the whole plot. At first, I thought the main characters' relationship developed too quickly, but then I realized it’s based on a Cinderella story. That made me smile and think, "Oh, that makes sense." It's part of the book's plot.

This book was absolutely adorable! I loved that it hit all of the high points of a Cinderella retelling! Since I’m not a gamer I wasn’t sure if I would “get it all”, but it wasn’t anything over my head at all! Cinderella is my favorite fairytale and I love the theme of bravery and kindness. Those themes were so beautifully displayed throughout the book! I honestly enjoyed this so much and was grinning the whole time. The narrators both did a great job!

Cinder Luna is a sweet, clean, retelling of Cinderella. Luna and Henry. It is a fun, instant attraction story with hidden identities and the added bonus of video games! I am not a gamer, but I appreciate the light brought to the profession and the focus on the artistic nature. Luna is a tender-hearted young woman who is looking for a way to break into the game designer field. She gives of herself, sometimes to her detriment, but it is this giving nature that first draws Henry to Luna. It is a definitely a modern fairytale so be prepared for some unrealistic moments. I enjoy getting lost in a sweet fairytale, so this was part of the charm, but if you are looking for a realistic romcom, this may not be your thing. I did really enjoy the focus on family and caring for one another.
I especially enjoyed listening to the audiobook narrated by Renee Dorian and Joe Jameson.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

Loved this modern-day Cinderella retelling! All the little Cinderella details were so fun to try and find and tie together! The videogame theme added a fun layer to the storyline. Luna and Henry's communication, perspective, and compatibility were so fun to watch unfold! Finally, the narrators were perfection and made the story even better!!

Pretty cute Cinderella retelling.

The story is quick and easy to follow. There's a small town with (mostly) sweet residents, great friends and family who are there to help get the couple together, and a kissing-only romance.

The audiobook features two narrators and was a nice listen.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the copy.

As a gamer girl, i loved this book! super cute!

Publisher's summary
Is Luna destined for a happily ever after, or is it game over for her love life?
Move to the adorable town of Brookhaven? Check.
Get bumped to first class on the train and meet the most gorgeous, considerate man of my life? Check.
Find a job in video game animation and a cozy apartment of my own? Not so much.
So maybe things in Brookhaven aren’t quite as idyllic as my friend promised. My one saving grace is playing video games every evening with my best online friend, MidKnight. Plus, helping him create his own video game helps me escape the drudgery of my demanding twin bosses and a dusty, cramped apartment.
It’s not long before our relationship turns from friendly to… a lot more personal.
Things get complicated when I run into the man from the train again. He couldn’t forget about me either, and he’s been searching for me. I can’t deny the intense physical attraction we have, but I feel like my heart is being pulled in two directions. But there are things that both guys don’t know about me.
Being brave isn’t my strong suit, but maybe it’s time to find some courage.

Thanks to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for the ALC of this book!

Cinder Luna
By: Marie Soleil
Narrated by: Renee Dorian, Joe Jameson
Series: Once Upon a RomCom, Book 1
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Release date: 05-27-24