How to Summon a Fairy Godmother by Laura J. Mayo is whimsical, charming, and a little bit magical. It has an uplifting and playful tone while also diving into themes of self-discovery and personal growth.

I had a lot of fun with this book! The story follows an ordinary woman named Lily, who finds herself in an unexpected situation: summoning a fairy godmother. But it’s not all fairy-tale magic—Lily has to face some real-life challenges and decisions. The humor, quirky characters, and magical elements kept me entertained, and I loved how it touched on the importance of taking control of your own destiny, even in the face of the most outlandish circumstances. It’s a perfect read for anyone looking for something light-hearted but with a touch of magic and heart!

While overall I enjoyed this retelling of Cinderella from the point of view of one of her stepsisters, it wasn’t a standout book for me. Fun while reading (or listening in my case), but this book was one that quickly faded from my memory soon after I finished it. It was still a creative twist on the traditional story, weaving in more fae/faerie elements and giving you some new characters to root for. At times it felt a little slow, or maybe I was just expecting a bit more excitement from the summary. Good start to a series/world building - I’d probably check out a sequel to see what else is in store. If you like fairytales and fae, might be worth giving this a try. The narrator was enjoyable too. Thanks for NetGalley for the audiobook.

Hi. Yes. I will take 10 more books like this one please! The plot, the characters, the human character learning to be less idiotic? The dream

Cinderella meets Princess Bride !
This is a task/quest type novel and there was a lot of humour in it that I enjoyed. Ive been getting into cozy fantasy lately and this one really fit the bill. The only thing I didnt love was that the characters felt a little flat and under developed to me. One caveat with cozy fantasy is the lack of depth sometimes, especially with world building. I would have liked to know more, but we only get glimpses of the world and are more focused on the tasks being completed. With some more fleshing out of the details I feel like this would have been the perfect book

What an absolute drag of a story. The set up is so boring and takes a ridiculous amount of time for something which is known to every Disney-watching person under 60 years of age. Way, WAY too much time was spent on the set up, and making it clear that the main character is not just some poor abused side character, but is actually as spoiled and obnoxious as the Disney version of this story made her out to be. The only entertaining moment I had with this book was where they sarcastically rip into Prince Charming spending hours dancing with his future bride and never once asking her what her name is. I laughed out loud at that, and then went back to being bored. If one is going to do a retelling of a famous story, they should realize that not all the parts need to be told since their audience already know it. Get to the new bits more quickly.

First read of the year... This book hooked me from the very beginning. I could not put this book down.

Fairytale retellings are some of my favorite stories to read. This one is told from the perspective of one of the evil step sisters. I thought I would dislike the main character, Theo, but I found myself rooting for her.

If you're looking for a fun Cinderella re-telling, this is it.

3.75 Stars
Stunning cover!

This retelling of Cinderella is captivating and offers a fresh perspective on the classic tale. I especially enjoyed how the story explores not only the life of the stepsister but also the fairy godmother's world, revealing complex motivations and interactions that add depth to the narrative. While I initially found Theo's character a bit challenging to connect with, I appreciated her growth throughout the story, which made her ultimately more relatable and endearing. Overall, this retelling is a delightful and imaginative take on a beloved story, and I eagerly anticipate the next installment to see where the journey goes from here!

***Thank you to NetGalley, Laura J. Mayo, and Hachette Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***

I'm not sure what I was expecting from this book, and I was hesitant in the beginning. It was strange to have a Cinderella retelling from the wicked stepsister's point of view in which the stepsisters were still wicked. Even so, I think it was wonderfully done. Theo was hard to love but impossible to hate. The style and the climax were wonderfully enjoyable.

So much fun! Narrator voices were distinct and the pacing was excellent. The story kept me interested through the end.

This was an interesting read and take on a classic. I was wanting a little more character development, I wasn't rooting for the main character as much as a i wanted too.

This was so goood. I'm so upset I put it off. I need more desperately. Theo is everything to me. PLEASE say there's gonna be a sequel.
Narrator was a perfect choice. Obsessed.

This book is clever, witty, smart, and a great “retelling” of Cinderella, but from the step sisters POV. The character development, plot, and writing were all great, and it was just a lot of fun.

This was a bit slow to hook me, but I ended up enjoying it quite a bit! Will be eagerly awaiting the sequel!

I'm going to be honest, I did not like the first 30% of this book, but then it really picked up for me. I actually enjoyed it enough that I think I'd consider a reread!

Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for the ARC!

fairytale 'what-if' story following Cinderella's "wicked" stepsister Theo.

Read if you're interested in:
•Morally Grey characters
•Reversed Fairytale
•Rom-Com
•Whimsical setting
•Generational Trauma
•Older FMC

This was so much fun to read!!! This is a really well written debut, first in a romantasy series that I feel has slipped under the radar for a lot of people & it definitely deserves it's readership!

The narrator was a great fit for this type of story and added more depth to the characters and story,

Theodosia might be the wicked stepsister to Princess Beatrice, but when her mother tries to marry her off to an ancient duke, she knows she has to save herself. She finds Beatrice's notes for summoning a fairy, and make her own deal to escape her upcoming marriage. Of course nothing is easy when you're wicked, so Theo is tasked with completing three selfless tasks to prove that's she's worth of fairy magic.

I really loved the narrator and the way she brought Theo's attempts to be a good person to life.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought the twists and turns were so good, and I cannot wait to see where the next book takes Theo.

I’m always attracted to a classic retelling and Cinderella always has an endless array of them.

Mayo had a special way of inviting us readers in, the familiar romanticized origin story provided and immediately giving us whiplash as we find we will be following one of the stepsisters. Names have changed as Beatrice is our new Cinderella and one of her sisters who we follow on this particular telling is named Theodosia.

As for the plot, the spin is completely unexpected and welcomed. It is Theo who needs assistance from a not so familiar fairy godmother. The attention to the characters fresh personalities is wonderful. There was both humor and heartbreak throughout and a bundle of new characters to enjoy!

I am a theorizer when reading and often felt the direction going one way for our main character and her future, I disagreed with her perspective on Beatrice many a time and was surprised by what I learned along the way. Mayo kept the magic and heart alive right through the absolutely perfect ending!

In this unique retelling of Cinderella, Theodosia Balfour finds herself facing an unwanted marriage to an elderly duke, a situation she’s determined to escape. Summoning her stepsister Bea’s fairy godmother, she agrees to prove she’s a good person in exchange for freedom from this fate. What unfolds is a delightful series of hilarious escapades that reveal what Theo truly desires in life.

While the book offers a fresh perspective on a beloved fairy tale, the pacing can be uneven. The first quarter feels overly familiar and could have been condensed into a prologue, which may leave some readers impatient for the action to begin. However, once the fairy godmother enters the scene, the story gains momentum and introduces amusing plot twists that keep the reader engaged.

Theo herself is a standout character—initially prickly and rude, her journey of self-discovery is both entertaining and relatable. Her witty one-liners and knack for insults add a layer of humor that enhances the narrative. The vivid world-building creates an immersive backdrop for her growth.

Though not without its flaws, including moments of sluggishness, this book is a charming addition to the fairy tale genre. It’s particularly recommended for fans of Cinderella who appreciate a new twist on the classic story. If you enjoyed the Disney Cinderella sequels, you might find this enchanting retelling to be just the right fit. Overall, it’s a fun read that balances humor and heart, making it worthwhile for fairy tale enthusiasts.

“She was Theodosia Balfour. Good things did not happen to her.”

Theo is engaged to be married, despite her wishes; her mother has bartered her to an ancient, badly behaved duke for the prestige of his title and the money she must have to keep the family manse. Beggars can’t be choosers, amirite? Her stepsister and the prince have barred her from their castle due to her own unseemly behaviors, and her sister is about to be wedded to a more desirable man. There’s only one way out of it: Theo needs to find her stepsister’s notes on summoning a fairy godmother. Only magic can possibly get her out of this mess.

My thanks go to Orbit Books, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for the review copies. This book is for sale now.

Because I am lucky enough to have both the print and audio galleys, I pair this book with my morning regimen on my exercise bike. While my feet are doing the work, my eyes and ears are on a pleasure cruise, listening to the story as read by the talented Josie Charles. At the outset, I’m not sure I’m going to enjoy it. After a handful of quick laughs, the story and voice actor seem to be a little over the top, perhaps trying too hard. However, a number of other reviewers that I respect have really enjoyed this thing, so I keep an open mind, and sure enough—about a third of the way in, I realize that I’m bonded to the protagonist. As I follow the narrative and become accustomed to the writing and narrative styles of the author and performer, the whole thing grows on me, and before long I find myself looking forward to my wretched exercise bike, because Theodosia needs me.

Once the fairy has been summoned, Theo is magicked away to fairy land, and she is provided with a set of tasks she must accomplish in order to be freed from the loathsome old toad to whom she’s betrothed. She is provided with some assistants and supervisors, and it’s a good thing because she needs rescuing now and then. The hardest part, perhaps, is the caveat that as she completes the steps required, she must behave respectfully—at all times!

The chapters are brief and have hilarious titles. A couple of examples: “Chapter 5 Where Theo Should Probably Think of Something Before She Ends Up Married,” “Chapter 11 Where It Becomes Quite Clear Theo Was Never Trained as a Lawyer.” There’s lots of snarky dialogue, with a tender moment or two tucked in here and there. There’s a twist at the end that I absolutely did not see coming.

Should you listen to the audio, or read the printed version? There are some American readers that don’t like a British accent, and Ms. Charles’s is a heavy one. Once I’m used to it, I rather like it, but you know what type of reader you are. Follow your usual go-to. If you enjoy an audiobook, this one could make your commute much pleasanter.

Highly recommended to those that enjoy fantasy and/or humor.

A fun twist on an old tale! Perfect for readings who love Olivia Atwater's books and fairytale retellings from a different perspective. This book was delightful, fun, and the romance was so sweet.