Cinder Luna is retelling of the popular fairytale Cinderella, but reimagined for modern times. While hidden identities are still apart of the story, the majority of the plot has been updated. For instance, the female and male protagonist develop a friendship while playing video games.

One of my biggest issues with Cinderella or any fairytale for that matter, is the instant love element. While I do believe it is possible to have an instant attraction, lasting relationships need more. The foundation Luna and Henry built (while mostly virtual) proved invaluable. It was their support that led to dreams coming true.

I had the pleasure of listening to this as an audiobook. Both Renee Dorian and Joe Jameson were fantastic narrators. They brought the story to life. In fact, I was having so much fun listening I consumed the entire book in the span of a day.

I am happy to report that this is just the beginning of Marie Soleil modernizing fairytales. She is creating more love stories for her Once Upon a RomCom Series. The epilogue set up Henry’s siblings (Adam and Lily) to be the main characters in two upcoming books (perhaps Beauty and the Beast and Rapunzel). I look forward to reading/ listening to them all.

Special thanks to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, and Marie Soleil for allowing me to listen to this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

So cute and adorable tale, that i was hooked to it from the opening scene to the final scene of the book. I read the best meet cute if the leads in this book.
And the gaming part is brilliantly executed in this book along with the romcom part of the book.

This is a really cute romcom. Has all the Cinderella tropes, but in a modern setting. Very obvious from the beginning, but most romcoms are. Fans aren't there for the uniqueness of the plot, but the fun along way to the happily ever after.

There’s a little bit of Cinderella vibes in this one, but not many and it felt forced into the storyline.

Luna gets promoted to first class on a train ride and meets Mr. Perfect, who just so happens to be her favorite gaming partner online. What are the odds?

I don’t think this novel is marketed to a younger audience, but I would say it feels like it’s written by a teenager for a teenager. I’m not sure how old Luna is, but I know she’s an adult. She acts and talks like she’s about 16-17 though. The guy seems like he’s 30+, but who knows.

I felt hardly any chemistry between the two main characters. The beginning was way too rushed and then the rest dragged out, but added no plot development.

I’ll be honest, I just wasn’t a fan of this one, but I really wanted to be. This may be a great romance for a 13 year old, but it did not deliver for an adult reader, who likes clean romances.

Narrators- the female’s voice wore on me. The male’s voice wad just okay.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to this ARC, in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate it!

A cute and modern spin on the Cinderella story. This is a closed door romance and the author did a really good job still generating heat between the characters. At times the dialogue was a little awkward but overall it was well done

Such a fun audiobook! I loved the story the first time around and revisiting it with narrators was even better! they did such a good job! They brought the story to life!

This was amazing! I read the book a couple months ago and loved it but the audio took it to the next level. The narrators were so talented. When I read the book, I wondered what a "slight British accent" really sounded like and I think both narrators nailed it. Also, the female narrator was perfect for Luna, who is described as having a Snow White voice. While I prefer duet style narration when there is more than one narrator, this dual style narration was done so well that it didn't matter as much to me. I can't wait for Adam's book!

A cute little You've Got Mail vibes book! Luna moves to a small town to help her best friend with her wedding planning and while on the way there she meets a handsome stranger that she immediately connects with. It turns out, it is none other than the gaming friend she has had for years. She isn't sure she wants him to know her true identity quite yet, so she hides that she is both women until she can't anymore.
This book was very sweet and had a bit of a Cinderella vibe going, but overall was just a really light read. Low angst and would be a great palate cleanser between something heavier. The audio was cute. 3.5 stars.
Thanks to Dreamscape, Netgalley and Marie Soleil for an early audio copy.

Moving to the charming town of Brookhaven, Luna’s chance encounter on the train leaves her captivated by Henry, a gorgeous stranger. As she navigates the challenges of finding her dream job and a cozy home, Luna takes solace in the virtual realm, forging a deep connection with an online gaming friend. But when she again crosses paths with the intriguing Henry, Luna is torn between an undeniable attraction and the desire to keep parts of her life hidden.

This sweet small-town romance offers some humorous nods to the Cinderella fairytale. Luna is an introverted people-pleaser who genuinely finds joy in helping people, which makes it easy for them to take advantage of her. She also lacks confidence in her own unique talents and attributes. Henry is a genuinely nice guy who helps her learn to value and stand up for herself.

[Spoiler: It bothered me a little (okay, a lot) that Luna never calls Henry on his claim that she lied by interacting online in a gender-neutral way. She never claimed to be male; he just assumed that. The fault is on him, and it’s not cool that he called her a liar because of it. I think it would have been a more interesting story if Luna hadn’t accepted all the blame on herself for the rupture between them.]

IMO, the author focuses too much on making the characters “nice” instead of real. But if you’re looking for a low-angst romance, this novel may be for you. I enjoyed the audiobook narration.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Audiobook Review

Cinder Luna by Marie Soleil

“Be Brave, Luna.”

Genre: Sweet Rom-Com; Kisses only; Cinderella Retelling; with A Cinderella Story (movie) vibes

What I Loved:
The Meet Cute
That kiss
His sister
Secret identities
Henry
Bakery-I worked at a bakery, so that was a fun aspect and helped me to relate to Luna
Hand on the back
The goat scene
Gaming names as Cinderella cameos
The necklace
The other kiss!
The cookies!
The epilogue

Story Review:
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. A meet cute with such swoony kisses, a great MMC, and lots of yummy baked goods. I used to work at a bakery and also owned my own mini bakery business.
Also, video gaming if that is your thing. I enjoy a video game on occasion. But I really liked their chat room names which were cameos for Cinderella.
I was laughing as I listened to the whole goat scene.
And that necklace!
This was such a feel good, fun, light-hearted rom-com. And based on Cinderella too! So cute! My favorite Disney live action is Cinderella because just like Marie does, I too loved the quote, “Have Courage and be kind”.
And she definitely did a great job of writing that into this story.

Audiobook Review:
I really enjoyed the audiobook version of this book. I liked the dual POV with 2 narrators. They did a great job. The female narrator was fabulous when Luna’s voice squeaked. And I liked the deep male voice for Henry. The only thing I didn’t care for was when Joe Jameson spoke in girl voices.
Otherwise it was a really great audio!

I just reviewed the audiobook of Cinder Luna by Marie Soleil. Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape audio for the free audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Updated review

I was given a copy of the audiobook from NetGalley & Dreamscape Media, and I can say I still loved this story. The narrators were perfect, especially Renee Dorian. She is exactly what I expected Luna to sound like. I can not wait for more!!

Omg, Cinder Luna by Marie Soleil was one of the cutest books I have read. It was full of swoony moments. Henry and Luna were such likable characters. I loved Luna's growth through the book finally standing up for herself and not hiding behind her gaming name. Henry is the perfect Prince Charming. He's considerate, kind, and gorgeous.

Dual POV
Slow burn
Cinnamon roll MMC
Instant attraction
Hidden identities
Girl next door
Closed door/kissing only

I cannot wait for more from Marie.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

I love a good meet-cute, and this one certainly had it. It was however, too predictable for me. It was too much, too fast for my taste. I was very pleasantly surprised with how things progressed from there and I ended out really liking the story.

I loved Luna's kindness and willingness to help those around her, and think the best of people. Even though it got her into some 'situations', she continued to be positive and be herself. I absolutely loved the gamer aspect of her personality- she is unapologetically herself, and confident in her abilities.

Henry is rich, but doesn't act it. He is considerate of how it may make others uncomfortable, and has dreams and secrets of his own. He is kind, sincere, of course handsome, and thoughtful... your typical cinnamon roll male character. What more could a single girl want?

I'm not a fan of miscommunication and was worried that this was heading that way. It did, but not to the point of a third act break-up, thankfully. 😉 There is a lot of humor, banter, and romance- obviously. It is closed door and swoony- a great combo.

I always enjoy modern fairytale retellings, and this one is one of the best l've read recently. I will certainly read the rest in this series as they are released.

I was given the audiobook by NetGalley for my honest review- and here it is.

Cinder Luna is an adorable take on the Cinderella story we all know and love with a modern twist. Luna is a gamer but hides her gender from all of her gamer friends, even her best friend Midnight. Luna is our Cinderella in this story but I loved all the little twists. Luna has a great family so there are no wicked stepsisters, there are instead Twins who run a bakery where Luna lives and works who treat her like crap, taking on the step-sister role. The fairy godmother could have been a few different characters as Luna had a decent amount of help getting to her Cinderella moment.

Henry is her Prince Charming. They have a chance meeting on a train and they both could not get the other out of their head. Luna and Henrys lives were intertwined in so many ways that it made you know these two are destined to be together.

Luna and Henry are both such strong characters and I loved both of them throughout the story. They both grow so much, especially Luna. Seeing how they started and where they ended makes this a book I can’t wait to reread.

♡𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰♡
4.5 🌟
-
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 :
•gaming girl | boy
•rom-com
•insta romance (love at first sight)
•hidden identities
•closed door
•ya romance fiction
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O M G, adorable, cute, cheesy. I highly enjoyed this book, I devoured it in one day! This did feel like an insta love connection from the first time Luna and Herny (Midknight) sat beside each other on the train ride to Brookhaven. It was game over literally. They were head over hills for each other. I love how both of them enjoy playing games. Because I'm a gamer myself and me and my husband enjoy playing two player games together! So, it was interesting to see it in a book with romance as the subplot. This book will give Disney Cinderella.
The narrators Renee Dorian and Joe Jameson did a great job bringing this story to life. Renee's voice fit very well with Luna's character because they described her as a fairy princess, and Renee definitely have that fairy voice. So she was a great fit for the character.
Can't wait for the second book to come out. This is book 1 in the series.
♡𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 May.27♡
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Thank you, Netgalley, and Dreamscape Media for the (ALC)-Audiobook for my honest review.

Cinder Luna was a cute Cinderella retelling. Mixed in were video games and great side characters. It was very cheesy and also very instalove, but also fun.

The characters were fun, I loved Luna & Henry's chemistry and their little quirks. I loved their interactions, both in person and virtual. I loved the side characters as well.

The plot was well done and finding the original references was a lot of fun. I thought the author did a great job of mixing them into the story. Overall a cute read and I'll most probably continue the series.

✨️ Thank you to @netgalley &dreamscape_media for my gifted ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and dreamscape media for the free ALC. My opinions are being left voluntarily. What a fun twist on Cinderella wow wow wow absolutely love this sweet romance. I will be recommending this to my my Disney friends and will probably be one of my favorites of 2024.

4.5/5

Loved this retelling of Cinderella so much especially with the main character being a gaming girl! It just spoke to one of my many loves!

Read this if you like:
- instalove
- hidden identities
- closed door romance (kissing only)
- Cinderella retelling

Read if you like:
Cinderella retellings
Gaming
Hidden identity
British accents 🤭
Cinnamon roll MMC
Instant attraction
Slow burn

🎮Henry and Luna🌙

This audio is fantastic! I’ve been looking forward to reading this story. When it showed up on NetGalley as an audio I had to request it!

I’m so glad I did. It’s been at least three weeks since my last Cinderella retelling so it was about time 😅

My favorite scene is when Henry asks, “Who hurt you?” He asks gently, it was a pleasant spin on the phrase and spot on for his character.

TW/CW: Kisses only.

Very much a “palate cleanser” (which is totally fine and necessary), but still cute and enjoyable fast read. The audiobook is <7 hours so truly mean it when I say fast read. Male narrator had a weird accent (above and beyond his characters backstory) and occaisionally took me out of the story with weirdly pronounced or mispronounced words (very clearly enunciated draw instead of drawer for ex).

this was an absolutely adorable, magical, joyful cinderella retelling! all the characters truly beheld their fairytale counterparts with the best modern twists and turns. Luna is the perfect heart of gold, kind to fault leading lady, and Henry is the most perfectly kind and loving prince charming, ready to be the most loving and patient person he can be for all the people in his life. the story does not stray too far outside the cinderella-esque story, keeping it the perfect escapist romcom perfect for a quick read or listen 💜

thank you for the alc :)