I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Cinderella and the Beast (or, Beauty and the Glass Slipper) by Kim Bussing is a third person dual-POV Middle Grade fantasy mash-up of Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. When Belle and Ella accidentally switch places, they end up as the heroine in each other’s fairy tale and in a more tightly intertwined larger plot than either could have known.

I rarely comment on covers, but I love, love, love this cover. I love the little details from their fairy tales spilling behind both girls to form a circle so the other’s fairy tale is in front of them and their original one is behind them. I love the shades of yellow and blue used; eye-catching and on brand without clashing. Even if you didn’t tell me which princesses they were, there are enough clues where I would be able to guess.

Of the two POVs, I think Belle was my favorite. Belle is intelligent and a bit calculating, making careful decisions when she talks to Ella’s stepmother and relying on her previous knowledge to help her get out of difficult situations. The most interesting part of her backstory is that she has spent time with pirates, which is borrowing from the original fairy tale’s father losing product on the high seas (sometimes due to storms and sometimes due to pirates).

Like most current Middle Grades, the focus here isn’t romance but I didn’t find myself missing it despite being a romance lover. The twisting of the fairy tales, playing with expectations, and giving different dimensions to known characters (such as making the beast a girl and Ella and the prince childhood friends) provides enough interesting character dynamics to really steal the show. My favorite dynamic was the friendship between Belle and Prince Amir due to their teasing. There is a budding romance between them, but it’s a very slowburn and doesn’t play a large part in the grand scheme of things.

I would recommend this to elementary school fans of Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, readers who love twisted versions of fairy tales, and those looking for princess books that are less romance focused

This was so fun and smart! I loved it. Fun to see what would have been bad the two princesses been in each others shoes. Perfect for teenagers/YA. Thank you for the arc!

4.2 ☆
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What if Cinderella and Belle swapped places? This is what this story is all about! It's a cute and delightful spin on the classic Disney retelling of Beauty and the Beast, mashed up with Cinderella. A great retelling for upper elementary and middle school children. Even from an adult perspective, I enjoyed this story.
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬:
•Princess Swap
•Magic
•Middle Age | Young Adult
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 Jan.7, 2025
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Thank you, Netgalley, and Random House for the eBook in exchange for my honest review.

Fun twisted fairytales for teens/preteens depending on reading level. Absolutely creatively genius. Nothing like I've read before. My niece and I really enjoyed the twists and turns of these stories and seeing some long time favorite princesses in a whole different light.

The is a fun new take on the classic fairy tales. Cinderella and the Beast, Beauty and the Wicked Stepmother — this was perfectly written to make it almost seem like this was the original story. If you or your grade school children are a fan of princesses, fairytales, and fun twists, this is the book for you and them. I enjoyed it with my 8 year old and we had fun reading it together.

This is a great fairytale twist. I loved the characters and storyline. Fun interactions and mix ups. Will be a hit with kids. These are my two favorite stories mixed together. I loved the way it turned out.

The is a fun whirlwind of a fairy tale. Cinderella and the Beast, Beauty and the Wicked Stepmother — it’s cleverly put together with all the right touches to make it feel like it came out of a children’s book. The tin horses, the glass leg, the magic mirror and the felt mouse who loves cheese. I think fans of magic and castles, princesses and twists will enjoy this book -- at lesat, I hope they do.

The writing is slick and polished, the pace is lightning fast and it’s just an overall good time with some subtle subversions and a good book for a slightly younger YA audience while still being entertaining for adults. Thank you very much to Net Galley and the publisher for letting me read this ARC.

(3.5 rounded up to 4.)