Every royal has their dirty little secret. His was… me.
It should have been simple.
Go to the ball, meet the prince, and secure his patronage for my favorite charity.
But beneath the mask, the brooding beast of a man was not at all who I expected.
He was dark and intense and eerily quiet.
When I left, I could still feel the ghost of his touch branded into my skin.
He haunted my dreams, but … into my skin.
He haunted my dreams, but I never expected to see him again.
Then he came for me.
And he took me.
And I learned that his darkness was a void I never could have conceived.
He’s the crown prince.
And, now, I’m his captive.
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This was an intriguing and dirty Cinderella story. I liked Ella and Thor together. They had amazing chemistry. They both had their own demons but it didn’t stop them from falling for each other. I enjoyed this book.
I adored this stunning and enticing twist on the Cinderella fairy tale. This is a complex and gripping read that will quickly have you under the spell it casts with it’s intriguing characters, compelling story line and enveloping darkness. Ella and Thorsen are well developed characters. Each have their own baggage, issues and painful history that has shaped who they are and weighs heavily into the story and their developing relationship. This book is dark, twisted, kinky, sometimes disturbing and it can leave you feeling uncomfortable on occasion. If being drugged and kidnapped, mental illness, BDSM or references to child abuse could be triggers for you or are simply not things you prefer to read about you will want to seriously consider if this book is for you. As for myself, I thought this raw and deeply emotional read was a definite must read.
Let me start off by saying this is not your everyday fairytale, it is so much more! I literally couldn’t put it down and read it in one sitting! Thor and Ella will ingrain themselves into your very heart and soul. Ella is perfection personified and I absolutely loved her character. Her heart is so big and even with all her heartache she still tries to find the good in people. So when she meets Thor, an angry, brooding man, she still believes there is good in him. But Thor has plans for her that may change the way she feels about it. As you read, you just know that somehow, someway these two need to be together. This story takes you on their journey and at times, I cried, I felt anger and most definitely felt love. I can’t express how much I recommend that you read this brilliant story!
A fairytale with a dark twist
Stealing Cinderella is a fairytale with a dark twist. Ella is on a mission to help her friend Olivia save her Sanctuary, but everything they try surmounts to nothing Another friend of hers Charlotte, manages to snag a ticket to a royal ball and comes to Ella with the idea of enlisting a Prince in her bid to save the Sanctuary But when she finally meets the Prince….one of many at the ball…he’s not who she thought she was meeting and it turns this fairytale into a darker and more sinister tale
Absolutely loved Thor and Ella in this dark tale and I hope there are some more sinister tales coming our way I received an advanced copy and I voluntarily leave my honest review
DENISE’S DREAMY REVIEW
What an interesting take on Cinderella and I was absolutely captivated by this book! Such a modern take on a classic tale, I loved every single page of this book! So intense, so familiar, and yet so different and everything that I wasn’t expecting!
I love everything about:
A damaged hero.
A broken heroine.
And a dark and deliciously steamy story between Ella and Prince Thorsen!
I love how Zavarelli made this story her own! It was everything I’d hope for and more! I’m not new to her writing, but this definitely was one of the best I’ve read by her!
Four dreamy stars:
*fans self* Okay… let me take a moment and just digest what I just read… Okay, better. This story is, WOW!! It is based on Cinderrella but only in the barest frame work. The author did an amazing job of re-telling and creating imagniative characters that are much more detailed the the original story ever gave us.
I loved the liberties this author took to create such a stong and dark story that had me on the edge of my seat. The way the characters meet, depart, meet again and how they spend the story dancing around each other was perfection. The twists and turns, the push and pull had me devouring the pages. This author has talent!! I would love more dark fairy tale re-tellings from her in the future. I received an ARC and I am leaving an honest review. 4. 5 stars.
I’d started to have my doubts about this series, but Stealing Cinderella has certainly turned the tides favourably.
The book has a nice swirl of darkness to it, and is certainly fits the billing of ‘Sinister’ perfectly. Ella and Thor’s story is set in modern times, which made a few elements at the beginning seem a little far fetched, and I did find myself having to let several things ‘go’ at the beginning, hence the loss of half a star. However I can appreciate that not only were they necessary for the story, they strongly echoed the fairy tale on which this book is based. Though this prince is very more devillish than he is charming.
Stealing Cinderella has an excellent plot, well thought through, nicely paced and with some unexpected twists along the way. There are possible triggers in the book, more alluded to than truly experienced, though there is one brief flashback scene that occurs. Ella and Thor have both experienced abuse and neglect, though it has shaped them into very different characters.
Ella is very much the sweet natured, caring and loving Cinderella of the fairytale. Thor, however, has a much darker, bleaker nature and is very much an antihero – to the point that it took me quite a while to warm to him. However as we, and Ella, get to know the true man, as his secrets and hurts are gradually revealed and as he warms towards her, so I found myself warming towards him.
Whilst the Sinister Fairy Tales series has been very hit and miss for me, and mainly miss if I’m being brutally honest, this book has made the whole experience worthwhile. Ashleigh Zavarelli took the brief and very much stuck to it, producing a story that closely paralleled the original on which it is based. At the same time she modernised the tale, threw in a good dose of all things dark, add a generous helping of steam to create a really great story.
This is one Sinister Fairy Tale I am more than happy to recommend.
“Stealing Cinderella by A. Zavarelli is part of the Sinister Fairy Tales Connection and as expected it was dark, intense and so good. This wasn’t my first book of her yet I’m speechless after reading her story. I’m not lying I’ve just finished it and wow! The words are stuck in my head!
This retelling of Cinderella wasn’t at all what I thought it was going to be. Way so much darker than the original if that’s possible. Yes! This retelling was mind blowing! A unique and somehow terrific new side of Cinderella story. The deeps and lengths we got to read were unbelievable, epic and so fascinating in a twisted way.
Stealing Cinderella was proof of the saying that truths hide behind a smile. A story that will take you into a journey of secrets, mystery and hotness.
If you’re a lover of dark plots this book is for you! Plus if retellings are your things Stealing Cinderella is a MUST read.”
I was back and forth with this review because it hit me so hard. I struggled through the darkness, I cried while I read and had to put the book down to catch my breath, step away for a moment before I could dig back in. I was absolutely in love with Ella. This young woman that had been through so much as a young girl. The losses, the hurt, both physical and emotional yet she still had this inner strength that she never let go of. Thor is dark and damaged and my heart broke for him as his story is told. The pain he’s dealt with. My struggles were with the graphic darkness, the bits that pushed me over the edge of comfort that had me thinking I couldn’t continue. The characters wouldn’t let me NOT finish, I had to know. Beware as you enter, the darkness may takeover. It’s a journey to find the light as tears rolled down my cheeks. Those moments that gripped my heart and twisted will not let me forget.
Zavarelli gives us another drool-worthy Book Boyfriend! Stealing Cinderella is a part of the Sinister Fairy Tale Collection and it’s a Phenomenal Read! This book is a retelling of Cinderella with a dark twist! It’s addictive and intoxicating! Ella’s story is a heartbreaking one! You instantly want to stand up for her and fight for her cause. Her five minutes with the wrong prince changes the course of her life forever! Stealing Cinderella was dark and sexy! You can’t help but be captivated by the notorious Prince Thorsen! He pulls on your heartstrings and embraces you in his darkness! This book is filled with secrets and twists that have your heart racing! I loved these two characters they didn’t know how much they needed each other! It was never supposed to be like this! My favorite kind of story! The shocking blows that just keep coming have you yelling and ready to choke a h0e! I love Zacarelli’s tortured characters, she makes you fall in love so easily. Each book in this Sinister Fairy Tale Collection is truly Wonderful! I’m so happy to have read them, they change your look on fairytales. I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thor is a prince of Norway but he’s no hero. Ella is at a party trying to get funding for her charity. She never expected Thor to come after her. Thor plans on keeping Ella as his no matter what may come from it. A dark, delicious retelling of Cinderella.
Loved Ella and Thorsen, once you start reading this book there is not going back, you will crave every single work.
Thor is so dark, cold, and hide so many secrets, no one can get to him until he meets selfless Ella so innocent and good to be true. Ella was not supposed to talk to Thor, her mission was to help the animal refuge she loves, once they cross paths their lives will never be the same
I never expect this book to be so dark, and hot. It will captivate and definitely make you feel like you’re under a spell while reading this book.
A dark, intense, edgy, and twisted retelling of Cinderella. It is not your typical fairytale, hence the reason they call this collection the Sinister Fairytale Collection, and it definitely lived up to its name! It has some difficult subject matter but I couldn’t look away and couldn’t put it down. It is very well written. The elements of mystery, intrigue, high angst, and surprise added to the richness of the story. I was hanging onto every word and couldn’t wait to flip to the next page to see what happened next. Thorsen and Ella’s love story is unconventional, to say the least, but I loved it! Their chemistry was undeniable and sizzled. Ella was everything he needed and wasn’t looking for. This is an excellent addition to the Sinister Fairytales Collection, and I highly recommend reading this book!
***ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.***
Stealing Cinderella is a dark retelling of the classic Cinderella fairytale and it will hold your attention from beginning to end. This was a dark, engrossing, hott and steamy novel with characters that were tormented and complex. The author did a great job with the development of the characters and your heart will go out to both Thor and Ella.The story was well written and will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride with its twisted sinful scenes. This was a great addition to the Sinister Fairytale Collection and I would recommend it to all lovers of dark romances.
Well, well, well, this is my kind of Cinderella!
Devilishly dirty and sinfully delicious, this author’s interpretation of one of my favorite childhood fairytale is exactly what I needed to escape into a world that was fun, sexy and a whole lot of twisty darkness this author is famous for.
4.5 stars!
Stealing Cinderella by A. Zavarelli is a dark and seamy retelling of Cinderella. Ella was all alone. Her stepmother and stepsisters were horrible to her. But her beloved charity is in trouble. When her friends gets her a ticket to attend the ball, maybe she can talk to the prince to secure his patronage. But the prince she meets is no prince. He is dark, broody and intense. He took one look at her and knew he wanted her in every way. But it was temporary, right?
Stealing Cinderella by A. Zavarelli was a wonderful retelling of Cinderella with dark characters with secrets and desires. I loved the sexual tension and chemistry Thor and Ella shared. The way he saw himself broke my heart, but Ella reached him in ways no one else did. The story was deliciously sexy and captivating.
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
I’m a serious Ashleigh Zavarelli fan and always devour her books – Stealing Cinderella was no exception! This dark retelling of a classic fairy tale was indescribable! It’s hauntingly twisty, filled with so much heartbreak but also hope. Its everything you’ve come to love about Ashleigh’s books.
Ashleigh’s incredible talent with words makes this a definite MUST READ! Its raw, gritty and a new favorite for sure! If you’re a fan of dark, dirty, violent, all consuming, hauntingly beautiful stories then Stealing Cinderella has it! Grab your copy today!
What is not to love about the classic tale of Cinderella but this new modern, dark version definitely gives it a run for its money. It combines the classic with a page out of the movie Ever After to weave a spellbinding, page turning read that you just cannot put down. The emotions this author evokes with this story will have readers gob smacked. Ella is a woman who loves with her whole heart and just wants to do what she can to help which is why she agrees to go to a ball to meet the prince in the hope of getting his financial support for an animal sanctuary. Thorsen is the Prince of Norway and he is gruff with a reputation that precedes him. As Ella debates where to go to meet the prince, she inadvertently winds up with Prince Thorsen. He is not the prince she intended to meet. Be that as it may, Ella pleads her case and the prince seems amenable to her but looks can be deceiving. Will Ella be able to get what she needs? The chemistry between Ella and Thorsen is combustible. They are two parts to a damaged whole that combine to bring out the best in both. This is a stellar addition to the Sinister Fairytales Collection and I highly recommend it! I volunteered to read an advance copy.
The tale of Cinderella has always been my favorite in nearly all of its variations that I have read or seen over the years, so when I heard that Ashleigh Zavarelli was doing her own adaptation of the story I was thrilled. For myself, I doubt anyone could retell this beloved fairytale better, within its chosen context or otherwise. In this era defining novel, the original telling of the story did not dominate, it just laid the background for Zavarelli’s spin of this classic.
The stepsisters and stepmother were characterized so fittingly. Their hateful, evil, envious traits shone through in their behaviour, they really were modern day bullies. And while Ella was a bit of a victim to their malevolence, her strength shone through in her abilities to withstand everything that was thrown at her. And oh god….Thor….don’t even get me started on the God of Thunder!!! He is the perfect broken man turned whole through the power of love!
While all retellings of Cinderella usually end with a HEA, and although I was quite sure this one would, it was still a surprising outcome, one that gave me all the feels. I fell in love with the characters, their struggles and their romance, and can honestly say I’m blissfully content with their journey as well as their happily ever after.
This is one classic remake that I will display proudly on my shelf of books!
Stealing Cinderella has stolen the top spot for my favorite retelling from the Sinister Fairy Tales collection. The dark, intriguing and modern twist on this classic grabbed my attention from the first page and held me spellbound until the very end.
From their first fiery meeting the sparks flew between Ella and Thorsen and I couldn’t dive into their story fast enough. Both characters were damaged in their own way and their less than charming backstories tugged at my heartstrings. I loved how Ella’s kindness and innocence drew out the broody and aloof Thor and brought a bit of light to his dark world. The transformation both of them underwent was entertaining at times and quite amazing to watch unfold.
Stealing Cinderella was a gritty, steamy and riveting read that had left me grinning like crazy. After this entertaining and consuming retelling I’m left a bit hopeful that this isn’t the last I’ll see of these fantastic characters and their kingdom.