This was a good read! I'm not sure the ages are believable, but that might be because I am 25 and feel as though I wouldn't have been able to do these things at that age. Belle especially seemed a lot more mature than 13...

Another thing is that Citrine seemed to disappear after the two girls and Stanley were trying to figure out how to break this curse, and then she came back at the very end. Otherwise, I think young kids will love this story!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s for this ARC!

While these books weren’t what I thought I was getting into, the stories were still really well written. The story swap didn’t hold enough of the original story for me to really imagine that this was a story swap and not just a whole new tale itself. I do think that this will appeal to children who love Disney and have creative minds to think about ways those stories can be reimagined and still have that powerful HEA we all know and love.

Firstly, I'd like to extend a huge thank you to the author, Kim Bussing, the publisher, Random House Children's, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book, Cinderella and the Beast (or, Beauty and the Glass Slipper). This remix of two classic fairy tales for middle school-aged children/young teenage readers blends the stories of Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast in a fun, new, interesting way. This story was a great blend of heart, funny moments, and action told in dual perspectives. The cover is exceptional, with bright colors and well-designed characters with a fresh look. The elements in the background of the cover that are pulled from each of their stories adds a level of detail that I appreciate!

I liked both stories, but thought Belle was a really great character with lots of depth and dynamic abilities. There is a little bit of flirtiness between Belle and her friend, Prince Amir, and I think middle-grade readers will enjoy the light romance. The stories balance each other out, providing much needed breaks in tension. This story is well-paced and engaging if you enjoy character growth. If you love fairy tales with a fun twist, you'll love this one.

I really liked this book. It was unique and fun to read.
The characters were well developed and likable.
I thought it was fun how the author mixed the two fairy tales to create a new spin on both fairy tales.
This is a book that I also had my daughter read and she loved it.
It was sweet and wholesome. There was not a ton of romance but the story was really fun to read. I can’t wait to read more by this author.

I loved this, it was fast paced and so much fun. I loved the idea of a princess swap and this executed it so well.

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.)