"Gather around one and all, and see an ancient tale reborn." This book was absolutely adorable.

First I want to say that it isn't the most original retelling i've ever read.. HOWEVER, it was thoroughly entertaining and creative.

What if the prince meeting Cinderella was not all that it seemed?
What if Cinderella when she ran away, was because she realised that she didn't actually want to marry the Prince and become Queen.
So If that happens, what tale do we have now?

"She was a regular maiden from a humble place, and she was called Charlotte. This is not her story, alone."

So this story begins as all Cinderella recounts do.

"Once upon a time in a faraway land, a call went out across the hills"

So this story revolves around a simple girl named Charlotte who finds a dying man, severely wounded by a stream. She promptly nurses him back to health only to discover that he is much more that he seemed.

After the ball, both the King and Prince were killed...or so it seems.

Now Charlotte's adventure begins.

I really enjoyed the fact that our main man began as extremely handsome and rugged, however he was then disfigured...this story was about love conquering all even when beauty is gone.

I liked Charlotte though her character had the tendency to lean into saint-hood.

And i actually loved the best friend- Thomas, I actually want to read his love story because he deserves the best!

I liked it, it was so sweet and adorable!

Stay Awesome

-The Book Herald Tweet me @thebookherald

Charlotte and Thomas live in a small country town. She a physician's daughter and he a blacksmith apprentice. They have known each other their whole life and been the best of friends.

One day news comes to the town that the king and the prince have been killed in an attempted robbery while hunting. Only 2 guards and Duke Frederick have survived and the guards were hung because they did not save the king and prince.

Duke Frederick will now become the prince as he is next in line. Already he is wreaking havoc by calling in all debts owned to the crown. If they cannot pay, they lose their property and the strongest put into prison.

One day Charlotte and Thomas are out riding and Thomas sees a man in the water, barely alive. They take him back to her father where they care for him. One arm is broken, part of a leg had to be amputated and one side of his face was disfigured. He is cared for night and day, as they would anyone. The finally figure out that this is the prince and the prince has survived!

Charlotte and the prince find themselves very attracted to one another even though she fights her feelings because he is so ill. Thomas sees this and is not happy because he has loved Charlotte for a long time.

Can the Prince get back the Throne from Duke Frederick and save the Kingdom? Will Charlotte be his queen?

This book was utterly enchanting! It was a fairy tale to the T! I normally probably wouldn't have read this because I like a sexier book but I would have seriously missed out on a good book!

One of the parts I really liked was that the prince's life was basically mapped out for him, even a wife, but because of this tragedy he got to see how others lived and what their everyday life was. It would make him a better ruler.

Thank you for the opportunity!

This review has been posted on Goodreads and Amazon (under Carmella S)

This was a very different take on the Cinderella story. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. There were a few gaps in the story line, but overall it was well done. I would read more by this author.