Not a bad story with some really amusing dialogue and character interactions. The writing style was a bit over the top at times for me - a bit soap opera-ish.

Ella and Aiden met at an MMA fighting scene 6 years ago but they had no knowledge of their real identity. He was her Number 9 and she was his Cinderella. After Aiden rescues her, flash forward to 6 years...Ella is a defense attorney and fighting a case in a courtroom against Aiden's family. They feel an intense attraction towards each other but had no idea how much they really matters to each other. When the secret's out...you gotta be ready for the rough ride.



This was my first read from this author and it was a terrific start for a book...only After reading the book I came to know that this was a part of a series but it is still alright to read as a Standalone apart from some hazy details.

The plotline of this book was smoking...don't be mistaken by the title here...Our Ella here is nothing like Cinderella...she isn't some naive, innocent girl...well she kinda was in the beginning but after she turns her life around she became beautiful, a badass and so smart...a lethal combination for a woman.



Aiden was a man from a rich, privileged family but still craves adrenaline rush...He secretly visits MMA fighting and that's where he first encounters Ella...



The storyline was stunning...loved the characters and the family drama present here...the attraction between Aiden and Ella was overloaded with hotness.



Fast-paced, entertaining, and a romantic thriller to the best. I am desperately waiting for the next book ...

3 stars

This book started great. Fast-paced. Fun. Intriguing. But then... I don't know what is it lately that authors decide to throw a bunch of info dump in their books. Telling things instead of showing them to the readers. This book was good but it would have been better if it kept the action pace instead of the paperwork/business talk it got.
The romance was good but there is the thing that I find ridiculous and is that Ella was looking for nine for months and suddenly he's right in front of her and she doesn't recognize him. Like... what? I'd get that he won't recognized her because she was a teenager when they met and features can change plus she was in costume but she saw him without anything on and so her not knowing it was him i find that odd and unbelievable. Also unbelievable and something that annoyed me is the relationship with Sabine and how our female lead seemed like she brushed away all the horrible things that her mom did. Like really? That easy? Their first phone conversation was horrible to read. I also stopped reading after that to be honest.
This one fun read and although i do admit i skimmed a little some parts (especially the business talk) overall it was an entertaining book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

First, let me say that there is a lot going on in this book. From the opening pages with an underground fight scene and with fighter number nine wanting to help save, rescue a young woman, a girl from the life she is in there in Mexico. Ella becomes Cinderella looking for her prince that helped her so many years before by going to underground fights looking for fighter number nine. Years have gone by and now she is an attorney working for her uncle’s firm and he wants her to sue the Deveraux family for shares of their company because her father worked for them and with them back when it was just starting out and feels they are owed those shares.
It is here when she meets the lawyer for the family Aiden Deveraux that she thinks that there is something familiar about him. Can he be number nine and if he is how can she go up against him in court. This story has multiple mysteries and twists as you get further into the story. The author does a good job putting it all together and does so with all of the characters. A good book worth the read.

Definitely a lot going on in this book. We have a secret fighting club, family businesses, paying back favors and revenge. Ella and Aiden have a very complicated history that comes to a head in some court room drama. Aiden and Ella had some intense chemistry. I felt that this book dragged a little for me. I would Definitely read another book by this author.

Well now! I wasn't quite sure what to expect with my first read from Bethany Maines but I was sucked into The Cinderella Secret from the very beginning.

To say the first time Ella and Aiden met was intense would be a gross understatement. But man I really liked them both. They were so much alike; strong willed, stubborn, dedicated to their family, smart and willing to battle for what they want. Too bad they were fighting on opposite sides of the war that brought them back together.

I loved how the mystery unfolded. It was layers and layers of lies and deception piled upon revenge and greed. Add family loyalty and ties into the mix and it was a recipe for drama. And as Aiden and Ella got closer to revealing the truth behind the trouble, they also got closer to one another.

There was something so real about the relationship between Aiden and his family that struck a chord with me. The sibling dynamic was on point and gave some great moments of levity to all the intrigue and danger laced in the rest of the pages. And let me tell you, The Cinderella Secret was intense. But that ending! It was oh so satisfying and has be eager to see what Bethany Maines has in store for the Deveraux's next!

I had been waiting in anticipation for this sequel and it did not disappoint.

In continuation of exploring the lives and loves of the Deveraux, this book follows the devil may care Aiden Deveraux.

Aiden Deveraux is the hot shot lawyer who has a secret identify, street fighting under the mask of Number Nine. He saved Ella Zhao, masked as Cinderella, from her evil mother's clutches years back and the two have been looking for each other ever since neither knowing the other's identity. But when they come up against each other in a battle of law and family ties, will they unmask and reunite?

Cannot recommend enough. This series is a page turner and I cannot wait for the next book.

I have to say “The Cinderella Secret” is an exciting reading and I can assure you don’t want stop reading it until the end. It starts with an alter ego: a fighter (Number 9) rescuing Cinderella aka Ella Zhao, both with faces covered. Years after he is a prominent lawyer who is living a double life and has a unconventional family. In other hand, Ella is now an adult woman. She and her uncle are searching for justice because of the murder of Ella’s father; the family implicated: the Deveraux. At the same time she is still trying to find “Number 9”, the man who saved her 6 years ago. So, when it comes the moment of the reunion between Aiden and Ella at the court, an invisible connection is developing. But they are enemies. However, a situation make them to work together to solve a mystery that involves their families...

“The Cinderella Secret” contains all the elements to enjoy and entertain us: suspense, action, mystery, romance and well structured characters. I love the interaction between the Deveraux family, each member has a type of personality that make you want to know more of them. The chemistry between Ella and Aiden is palpable, it’s so intense and although after few years separated, when they reunite the flame intensify and it’s impossible to fall into temptation. I really enjoyed reading this one.

I enjoyed this book once I got into the storyline. Think I was thrown for a loop a bit with it being second book in the series, which I hadn’t realised till I had read.

This was a new author for me and looking forward to reading more of this series in the future.




https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R2DG397WRQE3FR/ref=pe_1572281_66412651_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Loved this book!
Characters are great, little bit of humor, little sarcasm, and a lot of secrets make for an enjoyable read.
Aiden is a lawyer with a huge secret, he is also a fighter, and his family has no idea. Ella is smart and beautiful , but she has her own secrets. The two meet in court when Aiden's family business is threatened. But, the more they search out the truth, the more secrets they discover. Can they work through their pasts to find a future together?
Love this series.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Good book!This book had lots of , action packed and can be read as a standalone but it kind of ended in a cliffhanger?! It's my first book in this series that I've read,and although I didn't feel lost there were parts that had me wishing I read the books before it! It's definitely worth reading but I would suggest reading from the start! Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!

This was a new to me author.
Although it took awhile to truly get into it, I think it might just of been my frame of mind as I raced through the second half.
Once the puzzle pieces started coming together and the characters started communicating and working together itwas definitely more edge of your seat enjoyable.
Will definitely be interested in checking out the next book.

I am so enjoying this series as the author’s style of writing makes you not want to miss even one word. The humorous and sarcastic interaction between this blended family highlights their closeness. Well known lawyer Aiden Deveraux, has kept a secret from his family. He enjoys MMA fighting and sneaks off at times to participate. At one match he meets “Cinderella” and is able to rescue her. Years later, Cinderella aka attorney Ella Zhao is still searching for “Number Nine” the man who saved her that night. As they appear in court to litigate a case that her family has brought against his, they are still unaware of their shared history. There is strong attraction between them and soon they are working together while trying to evade the unknown party who wants the case solved, no matter who has to die. Great sequel to “The Second Shot”. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)