Meet the Naughty Princess Club: a brand new series from USA Today bestselling author Tara Sivec that introduces readers to Fairytale Lane and the hilarity–and romance–that ensue when three women start a new business to make it rain. Once upon a time Cynthia was the perfect housewife. Between being the President of the PTA and keeping her home spotless without a hair (or her pearls) out of … (or her pearls) out of place, her life was a dream come true. Her husband was once her knight in shining armor, but now he’s run off with all their money…and the babysitter.
Dressed as a princess at the annual Halloween block party on Fairytale Lane, she meets two other “princesses” also facing money troubles: antique store owner Ariel and librarian Isabelle. When the women are invited to wear their costumes to a party where they’re mistaken for strippers, Cindy, Ariel, and Belle realize that a career change could be the best way to make their money problems go bippity-boppity-boo.
But can structured Cindy approach a stripper pole without sanitizing wipes? And could the blue-eyed anti-prince that has been crossing her path become Cindy’s happily ever after? At the Stroke of Midnight is a hilarious, empowering story where princesses can save themselves while slaying in stilettos.
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4 1/2 stars. At the Stroke of Midnight was so entertaining! I loved seeing Cindy unravel with the help of her VERY amusing princesses and super hot “prince”. The unique and clever way the fairy tale tidbits were sprinkled through out the book was ingenious. What a great way to start a new series!
At the Stroke of Midnight by Tara Sivec (Audiobook)
Narrated by: CJ Bloom
Series: The Naughty Princess Club #1
4 Stars – This book had me laughing right away and kept the humour up throughout the story. I liked the spin on the Cinderella fairytale, and I felt the author portrayed strippers well and seemed to shed positive feelings toward the profession.
The titles of the chapters were a great way to ensure a chuckle, the characters were fun and intriguing and the romance was sweet. This was my first time reading this author and I look forward to reading the next books in this series.
CJ Bloom did a good job with the narration. It was also my first time hearing her. She was clear and brought the characters to life.
~Paragraphs and Petticoats~
I like pretty much all of Tara’s books, but this stuff right here, this is why I love her books.
“Fine. I’ll change the subject. But I’m not going to forget about this. You will tell me everything about why you walked over here an hour ago just to talk business and suddenly I find you riding him like Seabiscuit. Hashtag, never forgot. Hashtag, riding his pony. Hashtag, you’re a dirty slut.”
At The Stroke Of Midnight is a bit of a spoof off of Disney Princess characters. It isn’t done in a way that would have you rolling your eyes, I can see why some would think that. Most of the references are either ones you wouldn’t pick up on if you were not paying attention or they are kinda thrown in as a joke with the character. I’ve read other books that have attempted this and I rolled my eyes the whole time reading them. I never once did that while reading it.
This book in the series is about Cindy (Cinderella) and her divorce with her husband and how she meets PJ (the prince). She meets two other girls that help her find herself again and move on, they are Ariel and Belle. I just love Ariel because she is basically me. I just kept laughing the whole time because out of a group of friends, I am her. These girls decided to learn to become strippers to make enough money for what each of them need it for, they all have their reasons. Then it becomes them starting a business and finding their independence. It’s witty, hilarious and flawless. I can’t wait for the next book.
“I took your advice and chose another song. But just so you know, ‘Eternal Flame’ by the Bangles is not a horrible eighties song. ‘Is this burning, an eternal flame’ is a beautiful and passionate lyric.”
“If it’s burning eternally, it’s probably chlamydia,” Ariel deadpans.
I loved Cindy and PJ’s story and their chemistry together. He brought out the best in her and she needed that more than ever. I never felt it was a rebound for her, I really liked that. They were perfect for each other.
You want to read this. I couldn’t put it down and right now, a few days later, I want to read it again already. LOVE IT!
This was hilarious goodness in all its glory! I had a seriously fun time reading this and laughed myself silly. I adored this!
This is my first Tara Sivec book but it won’t be my last. At the Stroke of Midnight (Naughty Princess Club #1) puts a whole new naughty spin on the traditional Cinderella story, This was laugh out loud funny and a delight to read. I LOVED the characters (Cynthia, Ariel, Belle, PJ) and the super witty dialogue. I’m eagerly awaiting In Bed with the Beast (The Naughty Princess Club #2)
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
This is the first book I’ve read by Tara Sivec. I know…where have I been? Well…reading everyone else but apparently. I’m making up for it now though. This new series by Tara is hilarious! There’s one character in this trio that says the most off the wall funny things. I was laughing so hard at times one of my kids asked me what was so funny.
This book’s focus is on Cynthia (Cindy). She’s newly divorced and her inlaws are blaming her for stealing millions from their company. One she’s never worked for ever. She’s always stayed home and played the perfect housewife. The one thing that irritates me about her character is she doesn’t stand up for herself in the beginning. She’s a shell of a person it seems she was before she married. Though that eventually changes.
Her hero, PJ, is such a sweet guy. He definitely takes a quick liking to Cindy…but they get off to a bit of a rocky start. Not to mention Cindy is a little man shy with how her douche canoe of a husband has been. PJ gives Cindy and her friends some instruction on how to get their new stripper party business started.
I’m telling you – hilarious. You’ll just have to read it to see because no review of mine can do it justice. Definitely add this one to your list ASAP!
Ever since I read Seduction and Snacks in 2012, I’ve been a huge fan of Tara Sivec’s raunchy humor and her ability to create an eclectic group of women who have each other’s back but also aren’t afraid to be real and honest when it comes to life, love, and most definitely sex.
Sivec’s latest release, At the Stroke of Midnight, is the first book in her Naughty Princess Club series, and it is a fantastic romantic comedy – one that shatters the facade of perfection and gets real when it comes to reforming a woman who gave everything she had to a man who didn’t appreciate her and now she’s left trying to figure out who she is, how she defeats her fears, how to step outside her comfort zone, and how to feel freer than she’s ever felt simply because she knows she’s a strong and independent woman who doesn’t need a prince or a fairy tale life…just a man who gives her the attention she deserves and stands by her regardless what life throws at them.
I love modern retellings of fairy tales, especially when Tara Sivec puts her own brand of highly sexual and deviant escapades! Sivec’s first princess is none other than Cynthia Ella – a woman who has spent most of her adult life creating the perfect home and perfect marriage, but if anyone bothered to look closely, they would see a woman who’s been deprived of a real marriage and a real life since her husband took away her self respect and her self worth, forcing her to keep up appearances when the only thing she wanted and needed was a partner to stand by her side and support her desire to figure out who she truly is and who she wants to be.
Who knew that all it would take for Cindy to free herself from a loveless relationship is a foul-mouthed woman who isn’t afraid to say what she thinks and an overly shy librarian who teach one another just how essential it is for women to stick together and not give any fucks to those men who only want to tear them down and keep them under their thumb for the rest of their lives.
Cindy, Ariel, and Belle may be as different as they come, but as a team, they lean on each other and offer one another an outlet for their anger, their pain, and their uncertainty. They force one another to step outside their comfort zones and go after what they want regardless of how scary that action may be.
Who would have thought that Cindy’s Prince Charming would be an owner of a strip club…not her, but PJ’s the guy who steps up for Cindy, even though they didn’t quite see eye to eye when they first met. Watching them circle around each other and then start gravitating toward one another when Cindy works up the courage to prove just how non-prudish she is was both comical and heartwarming, and the fact that PJ truly sees who Cindy is and what she deserves makes him her perfectly imperfect prince.
While Cindy putting herself out there in order to have a second chance at love is a pivotal component of At the Stroke of Midnight, to me, her story is more about finding the woman inside who has laid dormant for far too long and also finding female friends who make her confront her issues and take risks that she might be too afraid to do without a few pushes from her two bffs.
At the Stroke of Midnight is a hilarious, sexy, and empowering story that illustrates the possibility of the princesses saving themselves while still finding their very own prince charming and a group of friends who are essential to them for encouragement and strength. I truly enjoyed Cindy and PJ’s story, but I do have to admit…Ariel stole the show for me and I’m incredibly intrigued by a certain librarian who has a statistic or fact about EVERY SINGLE ASPECT of life and regardless if she uses it as a coping mechanism, I can’t wait to see who becomes Belle’s beast;)
4.5 Poison Apples
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Ruthie –
4.5 stars of naughty princess magic!
This heralds the beginning of a great new series from Ms Sivec. This is an inspired take on a well-known fairy tale, with plenty of twists which ensure that it is not easy to predict the plot.
The three women who form the Naughty Princess Club are a wonderful mix and provide the classic humour for which Ms Sivec is so renowned. Alcohol may have been involved in the loosening up of the uptight Cynthia, aided and abetted by Ariel’s prompting and Isabelle’s wonderful factoids. So many fun moments that even on a bad day you will feel your face stretch into a smile.
PJ is the perfect leading man, and whilst the owner of a strip club is hardly the usual Prince Charming, you’d be hard pressed to find a better guy. He even behaves perfectly with Anastasia, Cynthia’s daughter.
Really, I don’t want to say more as you need to get the full blast of passion, comedy, and the perfect ending! I am looking forward to future installments very much indeed.
Mary Jo –
I really enjoyed this story about three very different women who become friends under the most unusual of circumstances. The classical perfect wife, the brainiac, and the sarcastic “other” woman meet and re-learn that appearances can be deceiving.
Cynthia is trying to maintain outward appearances since her ex-husband ran off with their babysitter. Once you leave the trailer park behind, Cynthia knows that going back there will be the ultimate rock bottom and wants to protect her daughter in any way she can. When Ariel shows up on her doorstep, she knows she’s one step closer to rock bottom. What she doesn’t expect is the offer of friendship that Ariel extends, along with introducing her to Isabelle, the local librarian.
Each of the women have their own issues, but together they put together a plan to work their way out of the holes that men have dug for them, to find their own happily ever afters.
Shelby –
Tara Sivec’s writing is ALWAYS entertaining! At the Stroke of Midnight was touching, funny, sweet, spicy, and overall, a great read.
Cynthia finds her world imploding with the help of neighborhood harlot, Ariel, and innocent librarian, Belle. Together the ladies find themselves coming up with a plan to improve their circumstances, and the Naughty Princess Club is created.
I am not going to go into details, I will say this was a story about a woman finding herself – defining herself. This is a story of women coming together and besting life. It’s the story of women learning themselves, finding their strengths, and taking life by the horns (or frickle, if you will)!
Zany circumstance, funny one-liners, and fantastic characters – I loved everything about this story. I zoomed through the entire book without any breaks because I was that engrossed. There weren’t any slow or boring moments, and by the end I wanted more!
This isn’t a story of a woman depending on a man, but just the opposite – the woman defines herself and finds a man that complements HER.
I loved this and I cannot wait to read Belle’s story!!
Veronica –
At the Stroke of Midnight is the first book in Tara Sivec’s new series the Naughty Princess Club. This is Cynthia’s story. In her early 30s, her husband has run off with the barely legal babysitter and left her with no money or a way to care for their 13-year-old daughter.
When we first meet Cynthia (Cindy), she is pretty much a Stepford wife and it took me a bit of time to warm up to her. I wanted to shake her and tell her to wake up and get with it. Lucky for Cindy, Ariel comes along, takes Cindy under her wing, and tells her repeatedly to take the stick out of her you know where.
Ariel is outgoing, opinionated, and crass. She brings with her young, naive librarian Belle. You add in Cindy, who is prim and proper, and these 3 different ladies join to form the Naughty Princess Club in an effort to make money to support themselves.
I had great fun watching Cindy learn who she is, and how to stand up for herself while she learned how to be a stripper. Strip club owner PJ is her love interest and early on I wasn’t sure about him, so I wanted to see the story from his point of view too. But as the story progressed I realised the story wasn’t about PJ, he really is just the romantic interest – Cindy is the star.
At the Stroke of Midnight is full of fun, plenty of laughs, friendship, a steamy romance, and a kick-butt woman finding her way to a happy life. I loved it.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of At the Stroke of Midnight (Naughty Princess Club #1) by Tara Sivec to read and review.
I loved the premise of this story, a naughty princess club based on your favorite Disney princesses. A very modern, slightly dirty (in the BEST possible way) retelling of your favorite fairytale! Honestly its genius and I finished this book wishing I could BE a naughty princesses stripper…I mean dancer ;-). It takes a lot for me to laugh out loud when reading…and usually it’s Tara’s romantic comedies that evoke that reaction from me. This time was no different! I love, love, LOVED this story…once again Tara writes in such a way that you are wishing you were IN the story, a part of it. I adored all of her characters she introduced and I cannot wait until the next book comes out! I can’t remember the last time I had so many highlighted sections of a story…but there are so many genius one-liners that I had to capture them all! The chemistry between Cynthia and PJ was scorching hot, and the friendship chemistry that Cynthia, Ariel and Belle have is excellent, they complement each other perfectly! Tara writes well no matter what genre she’s writing in, but her romantic comedies are true works of art. She has a unique way of writing a sexy, funny romance that makes you wish it was your life. I could not put this book down and finished it in less than a day. Do yourself a favor and one-click this one, you will NOT be sorry!!
I live for a good rom com and Tara Sivec has just exceeded all my expectations with At the Stroke of Midnight, book #1 of the Naughty Princess Club series.
Cynthia has hit rock bottom and when she meets Ariel and Belle, the only way to go is up, right? With an entire cast of characters right out of a fairytale, this hilarious story about coming to terms with life and finding yourself again is one of the best things I’ve ever read. These ladies are about to turn life upside down and come out stronger than before!
I adore this book and truly cannot say enough about it. While it’s absolutely hilarious, it speaks to so many things that women face. Single motherhood, lost identity, making ends meet any way necessary, body issues…you name it, Tara Sivec has covered it all in this book in the most refreshing way I have ever seen. There was so much depth to the story and such relatable struggles but yet it is so funny and raunchy, this is definitely a story I’ll be going back to read again and again. I cannot wait for the next one!!!!
Oh my gawd!!! I absolutely LOVED this book! Every. Single. Thing!!
Cynthia is living in a fantasy land of denial after her husband left her for the babysitter taking all of their savings and closing their credit cards. With a thirteen year old daughter to care for she’s trying to make ends meet all while carrying on the façade that things are perfectly rosy in her world. When Ariel, the neighborhood’s main source of gossip, arrives on her doorstep to deliver some shocking news, she is suddenly pushed outside her pompous and prudish ways.
Together with Ariel and Belle, the ladies come up with a plan for a way to make money. They will strip at private parties dressed as three princesses. Easy, right? Eh, maybe not.
PJ owns a local strip club and Cynthia needs his cooperation to not only have access to one of his dancers for lessons, but for advice on how to start a business. There is an instant attraction to him that she fights but after one memorable evening at his club, there is less fighting and more yearning.
I absolutely loved that PJ only had Cynthia’s best interest in mind as she stumbles from her rule shrouded life and into a life that allows cursing and cleavage as well as good friends that will always have her back. His background was perfect for her and their banter regarding his name was so dang cute.
Ariel and Belle were spot on for the perfect counterpoints to Cynthia’s uptight personality. The relationship here was laugh out loud fun. I adored Ariel’s snarky dirty mouth and Belle’s geeky random trivia sharing. While the romance is definitely a part of this book, in my opinion, it is the relationship these women begin that is the true shining star of this book. Normally, that might bother me but in the end it all seemed to have evened out and I loved these women so much and all their quirky ways that I couldn’t resent the time they took up in the story.
I’ve read a few books by this author. Some were heart wrenching and I loved them while others were hilarious and I loved them. However, one of them I was not a fan of despite the warnings of immature humor, so I was a bit apprehensive going into this, afraid I’d end up with the over the top immaturity that this author does so well when she chooses to do so. (Nothing wrong with that but it’s just not my cup of tea.) But I couldn’t ask for more or less in this case. The humor was almost a character in itself and I loved it all!
This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press.
Heroine POV
No apparent triggers
Safety – some ow/om drama
Holy smokes this is an awesome new series by the wonderful Tara Sivec! This is way worth more than 5 stars..
Entertaining – check
Writing flowed nicely – check
Characters and setting – check
Naughty and laughing- double check
If you are looking for an adult version of Cinderella (Cindy) and Prince Charming (PJ) with a twist then go and one-click this story. Be ready for the one -liners, and romance and of course the comedy!!
Can’t wait for book 2
“You’re sexy and beautiful and young enough to shop anywhere you damn well please.”
“The Naughty Princess club! That’s what we should name our business.”
Tara Sivec is a surprise. I was taken in by her ridiculously on point sense of humor in one of her novellas. I fell into her fandom because of the Eye Candy anthology. I enjoyed it. I smirked and I added a bunch of her books to my TBR. But as most things on my TBR, her books got buried in the ever growing numbers. Until I saw a teaser for At the Stroke of Midnight…
The Naughty Princess Club has more than just a smirk inducing name going for them. These chicks, these badasses at heart, are the key to the world. Or at least the key to Tara Sivec opening your eyes! This wildly ridiculous, yet charmingly awesome book is filled with “did that just happen” moments, sailor talking princesses, and enough hormones to make teenagers run and hide.
Did I mention there’s also the presence of a teenager who eats people’s soul for entertainment? Silly me for forgetting that nugget. At the Stroke of Midnight is everything a princess could want in a romance book. It’s full of handsy jerks, men behaving badly, a gorgeous hot business owner who makes women think “men climbing should be an Olympic sport”. It also has a cast of characters that are bound to give you a headache from the whiplash, a case of heartburn from the worry, and a hangover in solidarity. What more could a girl need!?!
Oh you want more? Don’t worry I can guarantee that the author has to write at least two more before she can risk being kidnapped and held hostage by wild men…right, Ms. Sivec?