I love reading new authors and wanted to explore Virginia Barlow’s writing, The Wicked Sister. I love ‘fairy tale’ romances and there is a lot to enjoy in this book. One of my favorite parts was the ending, not to give it away, but the way the ‘tale’ is handed off is unique and interesting.

The love and care of the hero, heroine, and most of their family is special. I just had trouble connecting with a not too smart heroine who allowed her step-sister, Rella, to pull her along with fear and bullying. The reasons for ‘going along’ with Rella just did not seem credible. And, why was everyone so completely fooled by Rella? Did not make sense.

The relationship between Val and Anastasia seemed more lust than growing romance. I did not get that ‘feeling’ of true development of love. Val did take great care of Anastasia when she was hurt, but something was just off in their beginning connection.

I think Ms. Barlow has promise as a writer. Maybe this should have been a novella rather than a full book helping it to not seem so contrived. I began to think of Rella as the wicked energizer bunny who just kept coming and coming! Please take my review with a grain of salt as I believe everyone needs to form their own opinion.

I love the cover.
I love the book.
I love the story and the ending too.
I love the author.
I love the fairy tale romance like no other read book.
Therefore, for me this is a five star rating too!

This is my fair and honest review, voluntarily and in my own words, in return for this ARC. Remember the story of Cinderella?? Well, this is a different twist on that. Well done.

found some parts of the story to be rather clichéd or overdone, there’s perhaps too much winking, and the romance has quite a few references to “warmth” and “sensations,” which gets repetitive. Also, though this isn’t an insta-love story, the eventual jump to love still felt rushed to me, on one party’s part in particular, especially since they both began the story so opposed to marriage.

Still, I very much enjoyed this read, ate it up in one evening,

The Wicked Sister is a reversed retelling of Cinderella. This was just okay, I was intrigued enough to finish the book but found the ending to be forced and too happy of an ending.

A different take on the Cinderella fairy tale.
Some good drama and romance with somewhat of happy ending and revenge.
Voluntarily reviewed.