So this is kind of the retelling of Cinderella, once upon a time, you had a girl (Claire) with an evil boss (Andrea) and her awful daughter (Margaux), whom coincidentally was her classmate and quasi-roommate in college. Her dad and Andrea got to know each other because of her and are engaged. Andrea's firm is the PR dream team, Asher and Associates are hired by Stone Global Corporation to clean up a heap of the Stone family's filthiest laundry. Claire is not a princess, she is a survivor and had earned her place in the PR team and has set her goals to become the best. Killian Stone is the youngest of the Stone family and the family company is everything to him, he knows how to treat people, delimit lines and achieve everything he sets his mind to... and now he wants the new fairy queen that fills his senses.

The story begins when they are traveling to Chicago, where the Stone Headquarters are and after Margaux saw a photo of Killian she called dibs on him and threatens anyone that dears to stand in the way of what she wants, as she always has done. Claire can't help her feelings for this sexy as hell alpha man, but she is terrified by Margaux since she holds evidence of something that Claire did and is not afraid to use it against her even if she is going to be her step-sister. Killian has his own buried secrets that he has to keep in order to take care of his family, but he can help the burning desire for his fairy queen.

I have to say, I had really high hopes for this book and by 50% I was so in love with it... but there were a few things that I just couldn't forgive in the other half. I understand that what happened to Claire was awful, she was taken advantage of and she didn't know how to trust again, but I feel that she was unfair to Killian, he didn't give her any reason to mistrust him, she just kept pushing him away that I actually was rooting for him to find somebody else. The HFN ending... just didn't cut it for me, I know this is going to be a series and, I kind of hoping that things will get better but no, I HATED the way she treated him, if she asked him to stop breathing for her, he would do it, no questions asked, instead she couldn't even answer an email (forget the phone or a message) AN EMAIL! And I'm truly sorry... but Clare is NOT a fighter... she is a survivor and has no fire inside her, all her battles are fought by her coworkers, friends, Killian himself and delivered to her or lose in favor of Andrea or Margaux. Killian was a character that I truly LOVED, this book was unfair to him, he deserves so much better than Claire than his family, and I didn't feel like he grew at all, but he is strong, he is capable of everything he sets his mind to, and even with everything that he is carrying on his shoulders he had stood up and risen above. To me, the story didn't have a good development towards the end and definitely wasn't a good ending at all. BUT, and I do have to say it and write my praise about, the steamy portions of the book? OMG!! those were hotter than Death Valley on the dog days of summer.

I'm always up for a modern day re-telling of Cinderella. I mean who isn't? But this book was <i>okay</i> in my mind. It was well-written and the storyline is quite interesting - a PR agency helping out a major company with a crisis and in the process the strictly-off-limits (for more than 1 reason in this story) boss falls for the hard-working and brilliant young woman.
But for one reason or another, this book and I just didn't hit it off that much. Sure, it was a nice read, if a bit drawn out, and it's not like I hated the book. But, I don't know. It just wasn't for me, and that is only my personal opinion, and it is certainly nothing against this book nor the authors, just me.
And sure, the protagonist - Claire was nice. But i think that was just it. I didn't 'click' with her as much as I have with other protagonists in other books. Kilian was a bit too much for me at times, and I didn't really love how demanding he was and how almost forceful he was. But sure, he was certainly swoony at times and he genuinely cared for Claire - that much is clear.
So overall, perhaps not my favourite ever, but a decent read.
NB: I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review, all thought and opinions expressed are my own.

This book has been on my TBR list for a while and I have no idea why I waited so long to get into the Secrets of Stone Stone Series by Angel Payne because I really enjoyed this quirky take on the old Cinderella fairy tale. Killian (our prince) hires a reputation management firm to clean up the mess his brother Trey has gotten into and that’s where we meet Claire (our Cinders) and her soon to be stepmother and stepsister Margaux (I’m guessing you are getting the picture). Margaux calls dibs on Killian but he has no desire to be with her he only has eyes for Claire but secrets are being kept and that could mean jail for the innocent insecure Claire so she runs will her prince follow and save her.
Charming characters with lots of sizzling chemistry and a modern day twist on a timeless classic makes this a great read, looking forward to the rest of this series.

Fantastic read..love the characters and the fairy tale story..would be looking forward to the next book

This modern day Cinderella story drove me a bit crazy and not in a good way. The story starts slow and for much of the first half, a bit boring. In all honesty, the only character I actually liked in this one was Killian. He's all alpha male and when he sees something he wants, he goes after it, which is exactly what he did here with Claire. Yes, he wanted her, but that only implies lust, not love. He's rich enough to dazzle her with various ways of getting her attention, and they do generate plenty of steam. I realize that this is supposed to be and erotic twist on the fairytale, but when that takes over the book, it starts to become repetitive and a lot of steam doesn't show love - lust, yes, but nor love. The push and pull between our main characters happened so much that it quickly became expected. He would chase, she'd get caught, they'd get all hot and steamy, then she'd pull away again, and again, and again. These two do have some secrets, and there's a lot of angsty buildup to what I felt like was a letdown. The secrets just weren't big enough for all that angst. Finally, we have Claire, who I kept hoping would show some backbone. Instead, she's more doormat than anything else, and I really just wanted Killian to move on and find someone with some sass to compliment his all alpha self. On that note, the authors did a brilliant job with his character. Too bad the rest were such a disappointment. The conclusion here is open-ended, but considering my experience with this one, I won't be continuing this series.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book which I received
through Netgalley. I really liked it.

NO PRICE CHARMING SECRETS OF STONE Series Book 1 By Angel Payne & Victoria Blue
This is the story of Killian Stone and Claire Montgomery. These two meet when her employer, the PR firm Asher & Associates is hired to try to neutralize and reverse the problems his older brother Trey has made for their company SGC. Things start off when she is warned off of Killian by Margaux, her soon to be stepsister when her dad marries Andrea, the owner of the company. The attraction is off the charts from the start. They both have secrets they are hiding and are afraid to share. This book has chemistry, heat, and a great story line. This is the 1st book by Angel Payne and Victoria Blue I have read, but will not be the last!

This story was clever (modern Cinderella). It did stall a bit here and there but not enough for me to give up. Insta love - check, straight away fabulous sex - check. But, that’s what we signed up for with this type of story right?

It has plot points outside of the main characters which made it more than the average romance. Killian and Claire’s families were something else, lots of drama there.

The ending was nice. It was enough to leave you satisfied if you don’t intend to read on in this series but open ended enough for those ready for more. Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Waterhouse Press for a copy in exchange for a review.

No Prince Charming is the first book in the Secrets of Stone series and is loosely based on the Cinderella fairytale. Claire Montgomery is our Cinders, although I’d say her soon to be stepmother, Andrea, is more apathetic rather than evil in her behaviour towards Claire. In this modern day retelling the evil role is reserved for Margaux, Andrea’s daughter, who is surely one of the most unlikeable characters I’ve read. They all work together for a top PR firm in San Diego when Killian Stone AKA Prince Charming calls them to Chicago to do damage control on his wastrel brother Trey’s latest escapade before he does lasting damage to the Stone Global Corporation. When Claire and Killian meet the chemistry between them is electric although Claire is reluctant to admit any attraction she has towards him let alone act on it due to Margaux “calling dibs” on Killian. Killian, however, is used to getting what he wants and right now that is Claire no matter how many times she says no. What he doesn’t know though is that Claire has a secret. One that could potentially see her sent to prison and the only other person who knows about it is Margaux, who isn’t above using blackmail to control people and is just mean and spiteful enough to use this information against Claire if thwarted in her plans.

I was a bit disappointed with the character of Claire in this book. She was such a doormat & didn’t seem to have any backbone. I was waiting for her to stand up to Margaux and there to be a big showdown between them but it never happened. The one point I did think start thinking “right, here it comes. Margaux has finally gone too far” but nope, Killian stepped in and took control but even then she still seemed to get off easy – maybe book two will see Margaux get her comeuppance. When I started reading this book I didn’t realise it was the start of a series and, although in my opinion, it could be read as a standalone, I’m looking forward to reading the second book, No More Masquerade, to see if Claire and Killian are living their happily ever after or if there are more secrets to be unearthed.

I absolutely loved this book! They fell in love so easily! I can't wait to continue on with their fairy tale ending

This is the first work I've read by Angel Payne or Victoria Blue.
An enjoyable Cinerella-esque story with a happy for now ending.

This was a pretty good, modern retelling (sort of) of Cinderella. I did like Claire and Killian. All in all, It was a fun read!

I loved it! She did a fantastic job sucking me into this story. I’ve been dying to read these books and now that I’ve read one, it’s just not enough. Can’t wait to be able to read the rest. Amazing story and characters, couldn’t put it down. Would definitely recommend.

Melt your Kindle sexiness ahead! This was a cute, quick read with some really steamy scenes. I enjoyed it!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Such a great book! I read it in one weekend! I love books that just flow quickly with the story. Warning major steamy sex scenes. I had to skim those.

Claire Montgomery is part of a team that cleans up messes. Killian Stone has a brother who is that mess. Claire's soon to be stepsister Margaux Asher knows her secret and is not afraid to use it for her gain. In this case, she warns everyone off of Killian or else. From the word go, Killian sees Claire and there's something about her that he just needs. Their attraction is instant, but maneuvering around hurdles and crises gets complicated fast. They each have to overcome their personal demons while figuring out what is worth fighting over during their time working together.

Angel Payne and Victoria Blue have created a page turning story filled with sexy characters. Claire has a past that she may have to pay for if she doesn't follow the rules. Killian also keeps secrets while running the family business and keeping his brother in line. Their chemistry is palpable and it pours off the pages. I have enjoyed their flirting conversations. They are both strong characters with a vulnerability that surfaces between them. I really enjoyed this story and I look forward to reading more from these authors.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Waterhouse Press for this privilege.

#NetGalley #NoPrinceCharming(secretsOfStoneBook1)

I was able to read this book through Netgalley, and I liked it. I realize it was an ARC, and editing still needs to be done. Once it is, this book will be phenomenal. I loved the story and the characters. There is so much potential for these characters and I can't wait to see what's coming.

A modern, hot re-telling of the fairy tale, Cinderella, with a not so charming prince, Killian, vicious step-sister, Margaux and wicked of a boss and step mother, Andrea and every day girl, Claire. When Claire's PR team in called in to troubleshoot the antics of billionaire playboy Trey Stone, Claire comes face-to-face with her not so prince charming, Killian, and from their first meeting, the electricity between the two cannot be contained. With lots of skeletons in both their closets, they try to push each other way, but their chemistry cannot be denied. The banter and sexual tension between Claire and Killian make a true romantic read.

Angel Payne and Victoria Blue together have written a book that is sexy, humorous and I absolutely adore it. Killian Stone is amazing. Knowing these ladies sense of humor and how they write I enjoyed the book so much I could not put it down. No wonder each of them is great in their own right.
Once Killian laid eyes on Claire he knew he wanted her and she fought him the whole only he didn't understand why?
Claire saw the Man candy that was Killian Stone but knew if she tried to pursue him herself her soon to be step-sister would reveal all of the secrets and that could be trouble.
Will one hot tryst be enough to sate Killian and Claire? I can't wait to read the next book!

This book is awful. It is so bad I couldn’t finish it. I love books that are a spin off of fairy tales but this one is unreadable. It has a Cinderella element with the evil stepmother and especially the very evil step sister. Claire is the kind protagonist trying to survive in her job despite working with her evil step family to be. The company has a new job in Chicago where Claire will meet the handsome Killian Stone. The narrative bounced back and forth from their POVs. She’s nervous and he’s horny. That’s about as deep as the story got before I had to give up all hope that it would improve. I was not hoping for actual depth here but a fun read. There’s no fun banter between the characters but a very long internal monologue.

This book also had a lot of formatting issues where lines of text
Would do
This
And just for no reason cut off and
Bounce around the page. Words were also squished together when they should have been two separate words.