If you’re into fun mashups of Disney classics, this one’s got a cool twist blending Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. The pacing dragged here and there, but it always found its footing again. The big plot twist? Super easy to see coming around the halfway point, which was a little meh. But overall, it kept me interested. Definitely feels geared more toward a younger tween audience than the usual YA Twisted Tales crowd, so just keep that in mind. Still a fun read if you like fairy tale remixes!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to honestly review.

Kim Bussing’s Cinderella and the Beast (or, Beauty and the Glass Slipper) offers a captivating twist on two classic fairy tales, seamlessly blending adventure, self-discovery, and magic. In this imaginative retelling, the beloved stories of Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast intertwine in a fresh, exciting way.

The narrative follows Ella, who dreams of escaping her oppressive stepfamily and finds herself trapped in the mysterious castle of a beast, and Belle, who must overcome her own challenges while trapped by a wicked stepfamily. Bussing expertly weaves these two princesses' fates together, creating a story full of surprises, friendships, and courage.

What makes this book shine is its balance of whimsy and danger, delivering an enchanting fairy tale with high stakes. The strong, resilient heroines are easy to root for, and the plot keeps readers engaged with its magical atmosphere and unexpected turns. Themes of freedom, friendship, and personal growth are explored in an accessible and heartwarming way.

If you're a fan of fractured fairy tales or enjoy a good adventure filled with strong female leads, Cinderella and the Beast is an absolute must-read. Bussing’s enchanting world and lovable characters will keep you hooked from beginning to end. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

I love a good fairy tale retelling and this was one of them.

In this story we have Cinderella and Belle. While similar to the stories we know and love but different enough to make the story fresh and unique.

Without giving to much away, Cinderella is treated badly by her stepmother and Belle's father is a collector of magical objects instead of an inventor. Something happens when Belle does a bit of magic at the same time as Cinderella's fairy godfather does his and chaos ensues. They end up switching places. Hence the subtitle princess swap. You have duel points of view, Belle and Cinderella. Each girl is trying to piece together what happened and how to escape their captors. Will they get there HEA, read the book and see for yourself.

I look forward to the other books in this series.

I really liked the beginning and I really liked the ending but the middle fell a little flat. I think this book could have been shorter and would have benefitted from a little more explanation of the world and how everything worked. There were times that Belle would have knowledge of the magical world and it was explained in the text as if the reader should have known the same thing. Overall, I did enjoy it enough to want to read more in this series.

I love fractured fairy tale stories like this. This one takes two well-known tales - Cinderella and Beauty & the Best - and uses a magical curse to make two main characters (Ella and Belle) switch roles. They each have their own experience as they play out the plots that will be familiar to most readers. I love that Ella and Belle are strong, independent young women who want to save the people they love while expressing cleverness, kindness, and a sense of adventure. I highly recommend this book if you like Land of Stories, Rump, or other fairy tale-inspired books.

I absolutely adore fairytale retellings (or in this case twists on the originals)! Imagine Ella and Belle accidentally swapped places. Ella is now trapped with the Beast and Belle is trapped as a maid. I loved the strong female characters, the relationships they build with the characters around them, and inventive way that Kim Bussing ties the story all together. Loved the unique solutions and the magical elements that helped the girls. Highly recommend this middle grade fantasy novel to all fairytale fans.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's, and Random House Books for Young Readers for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy of this book for an honest review.

Twisted fairy tales are one of my guilty pleasures, and “Cinderella and the Beast” (or “Beauty and the Glass Slipper”) was such a fun read! I loved the concept, the cover art was gorgeous, and the author did an amazing job of transporting readers into the classic fairy tales they know and love. By swapping one princess for another, though, chaos ensues as the girls try to figure out where they are and how to return to their kingdoms. Also, the subtle changes (like making both of the girls 12-years-old) made the stories more age appropriate for older children and middle grade where falling in love and getting married to prince isn’t part of the plot.

I deducted one star from my rating, though, because I didn’t like Ella as much as I thought I would from other Cinderella stories…and half of the book was about her. I tried to be sympathetic due to her being treated like a servant and having a glass leg, but she made it difficult to like her for most of the story. Belle, on the other hand, was exactly what I was expecting, and I really enjoyed reading her chapters.

Also, the magic behind the whole “princess swap” was never fully explained. It just happened and no one really questioned it too hard other than it being explained as a bad curse that got sloppy. Since the main characters are children, they just accept this explanation and move on.

I enjoyed this book so much that I immediately reserved it at my local public library for my 12-year-old daughter. She devoured the book within two days and asked for her own copy of the book for her birthday! I call that a huge win since she’s a die-hard Disney fan. I highly recommend this book to older children, middle grade children, and young adults who love a fresh spin on classic fairy tales.

This book offers a fantastic twist on the fairy tales we grew up with—Cinderella and Belle switch places due to a magic spell!

Belle wakes up to find herself in Cinderella’s house, trapped under the rule of her cruel stepmother and stepsisters. Determined to escape, she devises a clever plan while trying to retrieve a stolen locket that forces her to obey. Along the way, she unexpectedly befriends one of the stepsisters, who ultimately helps her out.

Meanwhile, Cinderella encounters Belle’s father, who has taken a clock from a mysterious enchanted castle. When she accompanies him to return it, she finds herself trapped in the Beast’s castle. Surprisingly, she begins to sympathize with the Beast, recognizing her own feelings of being imprisoned by her stepmother. As their bond grows, she tries to help break the curse.

The plot twist caught me completely off guard, and I absolutely loved it! This was such a fun and unique retelling of these classic fairy tales.

Wholesome Mashup of fairytale muchness

It's been a while since i've read a good fairy tale retelling. Kim Bussing makes a delectable trifle of two beloved themes, combing roses, glass slippers, step families, girls can do anything vibes into a fishtail plait which leaves you eager for more!!
She successfully spins a tapestry of magic ,hope, friendship and adventure for Belle and Ella without sacrificing their individuality or spirit. A definite must read for young adults venturing into fantasy tropes!!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!! It was a delectable reading....

This book is such a clever twist on these classic fairytales. Cinderella and Belle had to live through each other’s story to get back to their former lives. Their lives were interconnected in a unique way. Their stories similar in the way that they had to both escape the place where they were being held captive. Though there were many similarities in the plot, there were some new additions to the stories.

Cinderella and the Beast (or Beauty and the Glass Slipper) is a great fairytale with a twist!

Thank you Tundra Books for providing a digital copy of this book!

Content warnings: death of parent (off page)

I grew up with fairy tales, but nothing like this. This is everything you thought you knew about Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast reimagined in a new way. In this adventure Ella wants to learn about real freedom and Belle is the girl who loves magic and all its wonders. Now together they use the magic to switch places
with each other. Now they must work together to break the Beast's curse.
This book was so fun, creative, action packed and it simply worked with so many twists and turns that you would never expect. I loved the new outlook on
classic fairy tales and the way the author captures us with detailed characters and along with the creative take on the classics we find ourselves seamlessly carried between two stories that create a whole new exciting world for us.
This is perfect to get your teen excited about reading. I know it made me excited. It’s a book you won’t want to put down. I can’t wait for the next book! Enjoy this adventure.

As a fan of the twisted tale series' and a Disney girlie, I adored this one. It was cute and not too childish even though it was written for younger audiences. This was good for adult audiences too, if they are fan's of disney

This is so adorable!!!!! I loved the twist on the stories and how it develops . Such a unique way to set up this worlds . Extremely exited to get more of this those of stories. Keep them coming.

This book was very cute! I loved the different take that was imagined with this book both for Belle and for Ella! It was wonderful to see a friendship blossom between Belle and Marie when you don't see the kind side of Marie in the movies until further on and watching them use their brains to figure out riddles and outsmart the magical creatures was cute. I enjoyed the friendship that Ella made with Neesa and that they were highlighting the trait of forgiveness. Although I usually spend a lot of time reading adult content, I enjoyed the minor crush between the prince and Belle, and I truly would be fascinated to have more story about them and their adventures with Belle's father on the ship! I can only imagine they're going to have the best of times and have so many stories to tell when they return back to the magical city they came from!

This book is such a delightful and refreshing take on the classic fairy tales of Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty! It weaves together elements from both stories while taking readers on a unique journey filled with magical adventures, personal growth, and some truly special friendships that feel like family. It’s not your average fairy tale! This story reimagines familiar characters and themes in a way that brings them to life in a brand new way, making it ideal for anyone who loves the enchantment of princess stories but is looking for something a bit different.

The narrative dives deep into the idea of self-discovery, featuring fantastic world-building that draws you into a realm where magic is not just an outside force but something tied to the characters’ growth and their relationships. It’s not only about romance or waiting for a prince to come save the day—this retelling focuses on empowerment, meaningful connections, and finding strength in unexpected places. As the protagonist's journey unfolds, they build relationships with other characters who become more like family than just friends, adding a lovely emotional depth to the adventure.

While it may not follow the traditional stories of Cinderella or Belle that we all know, that's what makes it so appealing! The fresh twist on familiar tropes is sure to charm readers, especially those who enjoy a good mix of magical escapism and relatable character development. If you grew up loving classic princess stories but want a more mature and thought-provoking spin, this book is definitely for you!

I had the pleasure of reading an eARC of this book, and I can genuinely say that these are my own opinions. I think this novel will be a big hit for anyone who enjoys fairy tale retellings, especially those of us who are a bit older but still hold a soft spot for the magic and adventure of classic princess tales!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
DNF @ 41%
2.5 stars

I do not know what it is about me and this book. I'm 40% in and it's just NOT clicking with me. It's not that it's bad. I could technically finish it, but I have no desire to. The characters don't appeal to me, and despite the really interesting twist of princesses changing places, the book also just... isn't interesting? I think part of the issue is that there are interesting elements hinted at, but it's taking too long to actually divulge says interesting elements. Like, there's clearly magical elements at play in each girl's lives (with characters from the fairy tales acknowledging that they're the wrong girl), but it's not played into enough. Or if it is, not soon enough. Somehow, this just doesn't add enough to the tales we already know to convince me to stay.

Others obviously really enjoyed this book, and I don't not recommend it. Maybe it'll hit better for younger audiences, or maybe as an intro to retellings (I have unfortunately read far more interesting ones. Definitely check out We Kept Her in the Cellar by W.R. Gorman).

Whatever the case may be, this book was not for me v_v

This story fell short for me because I thought it would be a different type of story. I didn’t know that it wouldn’t follow the lore of fairytales, which is what lowered my ratings. I feel like if I was told that this isn’t a retelling, but it’s just based on the princess stories then I might have not picked up this story at all. I also felt confused for the most part on why these two specific princesses switch, I know that’s how it’s meant to be, but when it was explained it felt very anticlimactic.

It is not bad and I can see that other people might like this. I don’t know if I would recommend though.

Thank you to the author, Random House Children’s, and NetGalley for this e-ARC.

One morning Cinderella or here Ella is not any longer in her home where she serves her stepfamily, instead she is in another home and somehow ends up in an enchanted castle with a beast.
Belle tries to save her family´s trading company which is on the brink of ruin by entering a royal competition. Something goes wrong when she is using a magical item and somehow she ends up in the cellar and as more goes wrong ends up to be the new servant for a wicked woman.
What is awaiting the two girls? Can they find a way out of their misery?

What a nice way of re telling two well known fairytales. I really like how the author is mixing here the story of the Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella and the glass slippers.
I really like the writing style, how the stories get combined and that Belle and Ella are not we expect them to be.
This is a kid story as the protagonist are 12 year old girls who have to grown beyond themselves. As usual with fairy tales here lessons are taught and how we should behave and be with others.
I really liked this story and can recommend to check out this book when you are looking for a nice fairy tale which is allowed to have a new modern touch (fairy goodfather, Elle has a glass leg, ...).

What a fun adventure. This wasn't what I expected, in the best way. I expected a straight forward retelling, with Belle playing Cinderella's role and vice versus. Instead, I got to strong, independent women on a great adventure to save their kingdom in so many ways, their tales interwoven together in a fantastic way.

Belle finds herself in Cinderella's cellar, forced into labor by her stepmother when she's found their via blackmail and magic, and helping Ella's prince find both his missing sister and his friend(Ella). She uses her mind and her knowledge of magic through her father's trade to escape Ella's stepmother and help save the kingdom.

Ella finds herself in Belle's home, and through Belle's father's actions, then is trapped in the beast's castle. As she stays, she meets the "beast" and learns more about her, embarking on a mission to break the curse.

Third act chaos ensures, drama is revealed, and our amazing leading ladies have to save the day.

I struggled with it at first but by the end I was having a lot of fun.

I expected a 'Cinderella' and 'Beauty and the Beast' retelling with a twist, but I somehow got so much more.

I went in expecting the Cinderella and Belle that we know and love, and while I do see elements of them in here, these characters are their own. They are fleshed out and individual and new. I really loved the addition of this magical world where many fairytales we know seem to converge. (I'm already excited for book 2 to see how even more princesses will find their stories).

I loved that while we have definite elements of both fairytales, and they are actually swapped around from how we know them, the stories move on a path that makes sense for these newer characters. I felt emotional at parts and really loved seeing the endings come together.

I can't wait to read more in this series!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.