This Cinderella invited to the ball finds help from a surprising source. But will she win her prince?When store manager David Warwick, her secret crush, unexpectedly invites florist Ellie Ashton to represent the store at a glittering London ball, she needs help to look the part. The ball is a dream come true. But will she win the love of her prince, or will shyness and self-doubt send her running … her running away at midnight?
Love in Store Book #4.5. The series is set around a stately old London department store, and many of the same settings and characters appear in each book. But there is no need to read them in order. Every story is a complete romance, following a different couple through the trials and joys of a developing love, to their happy-ever-after. All involve a strong faith element.
Uses British spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Complete with British English Glossary. Shorter novella length – 22,000 words, approximately 85 print pages.
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What a sweet story of dreams coming true. When fear and low self-esteem play a larger than life role in Ellie’s life, it’s hard to believe she’s worth love by anyone.
This a tender re-making of the old classic, Cinderella story, but with a few twists.
I loved how the author, Autumn Macarthur, has written this sweet story. It was a refreshing and endearing tale. This story flowed smoothly and touched my heart in many ways.
I enjoy reading this author’s books and can’t wait to read the rest of the books in this collection.
I was given this book by the publisher which did not influence my review in any way, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I had a free copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. I enjoyed the characters and their interactions in this book, as well as the plot. I liked the take-off on the Cinderella Story. I also enjoyed the scripture references and the way she wove faith through the story. Great job Autumn!
Invitation to the Ball is positively delightful. A sweet contemporary take on Cinderella. Set in a stately London department store, a surprise invite to an annual glittering ball, the handsome secret crush of a prince, a fairytale makeover from a personal shopper fairy godmother, this novella has it all. The story encourages readers to recognize that beauty and elegance come from a confidence within and living a life of love and not from outward looks and adornment. I look forward to reading more of this author’s work. I won a copy of the book in a contest and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
This was the first book I’ve read by Autumn Macarthur and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A sweet novella about a florist who’s invited to attend a fancy ball in London. Charming!
Invitation to the Ball from Autumn Macarthur is een wel geschreven sweet clean romance gebaseerd op Christian principles. Het verhaal lijkt op een modern sprookje. Het boek leest prettig en het is een fijn verhaal om een paar uurtjes bij weg te dromen.
This is a sweet story, and I enjoyed it. The characters are adorable, two young people trying to get a good start to their careers. Neither has much money, but they are both dedicated to what they do. They’re both very religious.
It was the religious aspect of this story that kept me from liking it more. While I knew going in that this was Christian fiction, I was bothered by the constant prayer and the not making any decision without first thinking about whether it was what G-d wanted or determined for the characters. Ellie was particularly at fault for this. While I know some very religious people, none of them seem this focused on not making a decision without receiving an affirmative message from above.
Still, I did enjoy this book. I found it an easy read. While I didn’t enjoy the constant religious pounding this book provided, I’d be willing to read another book by this author.
I received a free copy of this book from the author. I thank her for her generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.
David and Ellie are work colleagues who get to represent their London department store at a glittering ball. It’s a modern-day Cinderella story… and we know how it ends. Right? But, I bet you will love this sweet, short read – book 4.5 in the Love In Store series. I know I did.
Wonderful story. A quick read that will leave a grin on your face. The characters drew me in leaving me with only one problem. The problem? I wanted it to last longer because I was enjoying it so much.
I recommend this without reservation.
Invitation to the Ball was my first book by Autumn MacArthur – I will definitely read another one. The story was a kind of “star-crossed” lovers with a twist. Very relatable characters. The setting was interesting and believable as were each of the people in the story.
Invitation to the Ball is a sweet, clean story of Ellie who runs the flower shop in a London department store. The owner of the store more or less commands David to invite an employee to accompany him to a ball. Both David and Ellie are shy but attracted to each other. The characters are well written. If you are looking for a quick, clean read, you will enjoy Invitation to the Ball. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest opinion.
A gentle sweet Christian romance, Invitation to the Ball follows the Cinderella theme. When Ellie’s long term crush David, asks her to go as his partner to the Drapers’ Ball, she is thrown into a tizz. However, help is on the way from a surprising source and Ellie finds herself looking more beautiful than she ever thought possible. Dancing with David is everything she ever dreamed of, but like all dreams she eventually has to wake up and when faced with reality, the truth is hard to swallow. Both Ellie and David rely on their faith and both are incredibly shy. How is it possible for them to get beyond their inhibitions to take the opportunity that is being offered to them. I found the story a little over sweet, but after a diet of high action, mystery and suspense, it did clear the pallet. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
This story was filled with sweet exchanges between the main characters and their relationship with God. It was short, but had a definite beginning an end. I liked the premise. I struggled with the lack of flow, though (the prayers sent heavenward seemed to interrupt the story line). I like that they had such a close relationship with Him and trusted in Him, but I kept finding it a distraction from the pace of the story. I found myself skimming a lot to find where the story would pick back up. The dialogue seemed a little forced, but I think that may have been due to my not feeling in touch with the characters. Their dialogue with God didn’t seemed so forced. I would have liked to have seen their dialogue with each other be as natural. There is also the possibility that it seemed forced because the author did an excellent job writing (the characters were nervous around each other and the dialogue definitely reflected that choppiness). This is the first story of hers I’ve read, so I’m unsure if it’s a case of the former or the latter. I look forward to reading a few more so I can better get a feel of her writing. I appreciate the beautiful and tasteful covers of her books, the innocent love scenes, and the example of a close relationship with God.
Ellie has been waiting all her life for happiness but she lacks confidence in herself. So when David, from underwearmen’s department at invites her to formal ball in London representing their store, will she risk going with him? This ball will be her Cinderella’s dream come true and the chance of a future full of love and happiness.