I absolutely LOVED this! This was a spin on the classic Cinderella fairytale where we see the story from the POV from one of her step sisters. After “Cinderella” (Beatrice in this story) married the prince, the stepmother is frantically trying to marry off her two daughters since she’s broke. Theo is delighted to hear she’s marrying a duke - until she finds out he is old enough to be her grandfather. When she finds Beatrice’s book on summoning a fairy godmother, she decides to take the chance to get out of her engagement. In exchange for help, Theo has to complete 3 tasks for the fairy, Cecily, and ends up gaining so much character development.

I enjoyed every second of this audiobook and thought the narrator was absolutely perfect for this book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review!

Lady Theodosia Balfour has really gotten the short end of the stick in life - according to her anyway. Most recently, she’s been forced to become engaged to the Duke of Snowbell, a grumpy old man who only wants her to make spare heirs. Desperate to find an escape from the marriage, Theo summons a fairy godmother. Except, it’s not as easy as it is in fairytales. Instead of being granted her wish, Theo must earn it by completing difficult tasks designed to prove that Theo is kindhearted. As Theo ventures into the magical world of fairies, she finds herself becoming friends with magical creatures.

This book was absolutely adorable, so much fun, and filled with adventure all at the same time. I was engaged the entire time, and didn’t want to put it down. I loved the complexity of Theo’s character and the way she grew and developed throughout the book. The world building and setting were fantastic and I enjoyed all of the magical creatures. If you’re looking for a magical fairytale retelling with humor, look no further! I’m so excited to see what happens next in this series!

I listened to the audio and Josie Charles did a fantastic job with the narration and really brought Theo’s character to life.

Thank you to Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for the advance copy!

This book had a slow start but was a fun read. I do wish the beginning would have been different; perhaps something about the real story of Cinderella or something. It took a bit to get into the book. However, it did pick up and I really enjoyed it. I loved the end! I would be interested to read a second book about Theo’s adventures working for the fairy godmother (with Lock making an appearance of course!).
Thank you for the opportunity to read this!

A wonderful story made all the better by a top notch narrator. She brought each character to life and made the story feel so real I was truly immersed. The story itself was so well done that I think it glides past the original Cinderella story into first place for best fairy tale for me. It’s clear the author took her time with each scene and fleshed them out in ways that made you feel like you were there experiencing exactly what Theo was. I also think Theo’s character arc was exceptionally done and the anguish she feels inside was captured in a way that makes the listener understand exactly why she acts the way she does. A truly magical and satisfying tale.

This book wasn't what I expected it to be, and my heart broke and bleed the entire way through... I lived deeply and was very much in awe of the characters at any given point. The story wove and spread out masterfully and I just wanted theo to be fucking happy .... and fucking kaz... brb sobbing

How To Summon A Fairy Godmother by Laura J Mayo in narrated by Josie Charles. When Lady Theodosia summons the same fairy godmother her step-sister Beatrice did. She believes her wish will be granted just like Beas, but like most situations in Theo‘s life when it comes to Beas it will be the total opposite. All Theo new was that her sister wanted to marry the prince and after one magical night, she did but now that Theo wants out of a marriage to a geriatric ogre it seems before her wish will be granted she’ll have to perform three tasks given to her by Selena, the Godmother. Theo was raised by her cold mother with her sister Flo and stepsister Bea. She’s never known love nor Had friends but is quite familiar with hatred jealousy and revenge. Once she starts the three task, however her life definitely changes for the better. They say never make a deal with a Fairy in lady Theodosia is going to find out why but in the end will gain much more than she thought she ever wanted to unfortunately she’ll have to give up the best thing she’ gained first. I cannot wait for the next book in this new series! I really loved the characters in this book the great but sad twist at the end I was a little angry at Theo for sacrificing so much for her selfish sister but because I don’t want to give too much away I am going to stop my review here just now if you love fairytales this is an awesome awesome book. It’s funny well written with awesome characters I cannot wait for the next book. #NetGalley, #HashettAudio, #LauraJMayo, #JoseyCharles, #HowToSummonAFairyGodmother,

The first chapter had me wondering if I would enjoy this book. It was basically a retelling of Cinderella. However, the second chapter turned things into a new direction that held my attention. Theo was a character I grew to love. The trials she encountered throughout the book seemed nearly impossible to complete, but somehow, she always managed. I loved the redemption arc with Beatrice and Theo not quite hating one another anymore. Towards the end, I felt bad for Theo that she had been tricked. But it seems it will all work out. I can't wait for book 2 in the series. The narrator did a great job with the story. I loved having an accent that isn't American to listen to.

4 out of 5 Stars

How to Summon a Fairy Godmother was fun read and great time. Definitely would recommend it.

Have you ever wondered what happened to the evil step sisters after Cinderella got her HEA? Well, Lady Theodosia also summoned a fairy godmother, but this isn't the sweet little old lady we all know and love. Theo's fairy godmother is a sassy young pipe smoking fairy that would prefer you address her as <i>'Her deliciousness Cecily of the ash fairies most benevolent mistress with the resplendent tits'</i>.
With the help of Cecily's two familiars, Phineas and Kasara, Theo has to complete three task to prove she's worthy of the faeries help to get her out of an arranged marriage to a terrible <b>old</b> Duke.

This was such a fun and different twist on the heavily over-retold story of Cinderella. I laughed, I cried, and quite frankly I was a little unhappy with the ending. However, it's 100% my own misguided desires on how <i>I</i> wanted the story to end and nothing to do with the actual ending.
The author did a wonderful job in telling this story and keeping me entertained the entire time. An impressive debut novel and I'm excited to see what we get from Mayo next.

A solid ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 rounding up for the resplendent tits


<i>Shout-out to my homies at Netgally and the publisher for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review</i>

Much thanks to Laura J. Mayo, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cinderella's not my favorite fairytale, mostly because it's extremely unrealistic and doesn't have much of a moral: Be a good little victim and wait for someone to take pity on you. But I'm all for retellings, and this promised to be humorous, so what the heck.

Well, first off, it's not particularly funny, so I'm not sure why they decided to market it as "hilarious." It's not <i>not</i> funny, but it's far from a defining characteristic of the narrative, in my opinion. Maybe they thought Dwin was a barrel of laughs? I thought he was a lying little pissant. Or perhaps I was supposed to chuckle and snort over Theo's insults? They were strong, and I liked it when they were deserved, but I didn't think they were funny. So I dunno.

I liked that Cinderella was villainized---or rather, "Beatrice," not sure why she wasn't just "Ella"---but not into a mustache-twirling, evil-for-the-fun-of-it villain. More that she was taken off her classic pedestal and put on par with the step-sisters. I believe Theo, especially after her horse tale, that Bea was spoiled, entitled, and full of herself. Good but not humble, not good for the sake of being good; she wanted praise and rewards for her benevolence. Which, if you ask me, is not true kindness.

I also liked that the fairy godmother wasn't the classic grandma handing out miracles free of charge and that this followed more common fae lore: They're conniving, manipulative, and superior, treating humans like stupid playthings.

Theo was an interesting protagonist. I could never quite figure out how I felt about her. She was both sympathetic and unsympathetic, likeable and unlikeable. I often wanted to root for her and boo her at the same time. Similar for Cecily: For a fairy she wasn't as bad as she could have been, which made her likeable, but she was still a self-interested, manipulative fairy, which made her unlikeable. Phineas was servile but likeable.

Casca....I'm not sure why he was the love interest. We didn't know anything about him. He wasn't particularly charming or charismatic. He was protective of Theo, but that was about all that was romantic about him; also, I had no idea why he liked Theo, why he thought he was in love with her. It felt rote. Lochlan made more sense; he appreciated Theo's mean streak, her insults, her musical ability. He thought she was beautiful and intriguing. I assumed he'd show himself to be evil in some capacity and that would excise him as a love interest, but that never happened. He was no better or worse than any of the others. So I was actually more interested in Lochlan being Theo's love interest. It just seemed they got along better than Theo and Casca.

I appreciate Mayo's attempt to make the stepmother more sympathetic, a miserable product of unfortunate circumstances and women's lack of choices, but ultimately an antagonist because she was a vindictive bully perpetuating the cycle of maltreatment. A "if I can't be happy, neither can you" kind of mentality. Much more interesting than evil for the sake of evil.

I loved that Theo's arc culminated in her unwillingness to perpetuate that cycle herself. Now we need to see her learn to care about others, because she's still mostly all about herself. She decided not to continue the vindictive cycle, but she's still very woe-is-me.

The more I think about the book for this review, the more I appreciate its story and themes. I very much look forward to book 2 and watching Theo continue to grow.

I don't remember thinking ill of the narration, which means it was great. Thumbs up to Josie Charles, who narrated, and the audio producers.

A truly fun and exciting take on the Cinderella story with such a sense of humor, whimsy, and developed characterization and world building. Really enjoyed this and I'm pumped to read more in this series!

I'm not sure how I can go back to reading fluffy filler books after being hit square in the chest by this beautifully crafted Cinderella inspired fairy tale. The prose was stunning, the narration for the audio was perfection, the twists and turns kept me engaged, and in suspense and Theo was the kind of female protagonist we do not get to see enough of. She is hard and prickly on the surface. Her tongue is sharp as an obsidian blade. She is literally the wicked step-sister of every childhood story, but her complex emotions, her tenacity and quick wit have you rooting for her from the very start. This is likely be one of my very few 5⭐️ reads of the year

This audiobook was completely captivating! It was such a cute, whimsical and magical listen that I didn’t want to stop! I really enjoyed this one.

I love fairytale retellings, and this one was great. It had the whole "don't make deals with the fae", showed what it is like to grow up with a sister who makes everything about them, and shows the pain and growth the victims of nasty rumors can grow.

This book was hilarious, and I loved that it really focuses in on the character growth of the main character and her focus on breaking generational cycles.

This Cinderella inspired story was a fun retelling from the point of view of one of the stepsisters, Theodosia. Taking place after the Happily Ever After for Beatrice and her prince, we get so see another side of the story about what happened with the fairy godmother Cecily. I liked how Theo grew through the story; she started as the stereotypical stepsister and quickly displayed a witty and wily nature while still maintaining her truths. Each task she performs gives more insight to how she ended up portrayed as an evil stepsister. The side characters are interesting as well.

The narration was well done and voice inflections for each character helped keep the dialogue clear during conversations.

I was given a copy by the publisher via NetGalley (thank you!) and all opinions are my own.

"How to Summon a Fairy Godmother" by Laura J. Mayo is a reimagined Cinderella tale that, unfortunately, didn't quite live up to my expectations. While the opening was intriguing and piqued my interest, I struggled to connect with the protagonist, Theo, as the story progressed.

Narrator Josie Charles delivered a commendable performance, deftly capturing the essence of each character through nuanced accent changes. However, Theo's sudden shift from a wicked disposition to a kind one during her first task felt rushed and lacked the character development I had hoped for.

While Laura J. Mayo's writing is engaging, the rapid transformation of the protagonist ultimately left me wanting more. Overall, "How to Summon a Fairy Godmother" may appeal to readers who enjoy creative takes on classic fairy tales but might not be the perfect fit for those seeking deep character development.

Thank you to Laura J. Mayo, Orbit, and NetGalley for sending me the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

"How to Summon a Fairy Godmother" is a Cinderella retelling from the stepsister's point of view. And the book did a great job fleshing out the characters and handling them with care, without idealizing them, but bringing out their flaws.

Also, the story was funny and entertaining, with loads of magic and whimsical characters. It was, in addition, well-paced and kept things interesting until the final chapter.

The romance, on the other hand, could have been handled better, but I enjoyed the ending and how the main character, now having gone through the character development, learned that she deserves better.

Finally, the narrator was amazing and the whole audiobook production was excellent.

This story is told from the perspective of one of those infamous evil stepsisters. The stepsister in question, Theo, haaaates her stepsister who somehow managed to make herself the victim in all situations and somehow soaked up all the affection available for little girls.

Now a new adult at 18 Theo is ghastly to others. When she’s trapped in an engagement she wants no part of she uses the trick her stepsister did and summons a fairy godmother for help.

Theo is given three tasks to prove her goodness, but isn’t sure what’s she’s doing is actually good.

I loved this take on a classic. It ultimately spins this story into one of redemption and the healing breaking of generational pain.

Don’t expect a happily ever after, but the ending is still right for the story.

This is the Cinderella retelling I didn't know that I needed! This book is a riot! I had so much fun reading this, the humor and sharp witt combined with all the magical shenanigans was perfect. I love Theo, even when she is at her worst she is so relatable and its really easy to understand and commiserate with her. The world building is super fun and I liked that even though this was a more lighthearted book that there was great attention to the details. Some of the best parts of this book are definitely the banter between characters. I found myself laughing out loud on more than one occasion. I was very surprised at the twist at the end and was excited that I didn't see it coming.

The audio for this is so compelling and I loved how the entire story was brought to life. I loved the narrator.

My rating; ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

How to Summon a Fairy Godmother is a delightful and refreshing twist on the Cinderella story, where the supposed "villain," Theo, finally gets a chance to reclaim her narrative. Laura J. Mayo takes familiar fairytale tropes and spins them in fascinating ways, offering readers a fresh and thought-provoking look at what it truly means to be good or evil.

Theo is a wonderfully complex protagonist. Though flawed and plagued by rumors of being wicked, she’s still a worthy heroine to root for. Mayo does an excellent job at making readers root for Theo as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, trying to break free from the labels others have imposed on her. Watching Theo navigate her tasks, alongside the mischievous and intriguing fairy Cecily, is both heartwarming and empowering.

The story’s charm lies in its clever reworking of fairytale clichés. While there is a major twist that may seem obvious from the clues, it’s fitting for the genre. Rather than focusing on shock value, the book centers on Theo’s emotional growth, her relationships with magical creatures, and her understanding of herself. Themes like family, loss, revenge, and forgiveness are woven beautifully throughout, making this more than just a fairytale—it’s a story about overcoming hardship and finding one’s place in the world.

The narration by Josie Charles is superb, perfectly capturing the characters and making the listening experience even more engaging. Her voice brings Theo’s story to life with clarity and charm, making it a joy from start to finish.

In the end, How to Summon a Fairy Godmother is what fairytales were always meant to be: a magical, heartfelt journey of growth and redemption with a moral takeaway at the end. Highly recommended for anyone who loves fairytale retellings with a deeper, more thoughtful spin. Bravo!