Cinder-Ugly

Cindra is the youngest of three girls and one boy. Her older sisters are beautiful and her brother is very handsome. When Cindra was born, it was a very difficult delivery for her mother and the baby girl was deformed in some ways. She had wide shoulders, large hands, and other features more masculine than feminine. Ignored by her mother and raised by her nurse, her sisters nicknamed her Cinder-Ugly, but her brother, Robin, was very kind to her. She was not allowed to socialize with the rest of the family, but was hidden away in the nursery. She was schooled with her sisters where she excelled.

One night, she escaped her room to peek in on a party downstairs. When she was seen by the guests, they laughed at her. Her mother was furious and she whipped her. Her father wanted more for her so he allowed her to stay in the kitchen where she worked all day.

Her siblings grew up and the older sisters had many proposals. However, they hoped the Prince Rupert, who lived in the nearby castle, would take an interest in them. So, their mother planned a reception for Prince Rupert and his mother. While serving the guests, Cindra dropped a tray of food. The Prince was very kind to her as he helped her pick things up. Again, her mother was furious when resulted in yet another whipping from the young woman.

When her brother, Robin, married, she went to live with him and his wife, Donella. There she was finally treated as a member of the family.

When the Prince dropped by one day, he was taken with Cindra and began sending her flowers every day. His attention soon became an attraction between them. Could she truly find herself married to the Prince?

I thought this book might be more of a light fairy tale or even humorous. It certainly was not. It is a story of cruelty, strength, and enduring love. I really enjoyed it and I hope other readers will as well.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Wonderful! Wonderful! I loved this look at Cinderella! I thought it was a fairy tale that could have happened! It was charming and rich with characters and turmoil from the beginning!

This is not your typical fairy tale of flowers (although there are flowers given), cute puppies and such. There are the elements of your typical Cinderella story, but boy is it different. I enjoyed reading about Cinder coming into her own with the help of her brother (yes she has a brother!) and his wife. Her sisters and mother are not nice, but you need to read the story to find out how she comes into her own and becomes a strong woman.

I received a copy of this book from netgalley for an honest opinon/review.

Re-tellings of fairy tales is always tricky. However, the blurb of Cinder-Ugly got me intrigued. This was a total different version of the truth: Cindra was born as one of four children. Whereas her brother and sisters are beautiful like their mother, Cindra is born deformed. Hence the nickname Cinder-Ugly. Her mother despises her looks and she hides her daughter from the outside world. It is a heartbreaking story and at a certain point I wasn't sure I wanted to continue because it was so sad. However, prince Rupert comes along and he sees Cindra's beauty from within: her steel spine and her compassion. So he begins to court her and takes her to his castle. But then war breaks out and Rupert, now king, will lead his people into battle, leaving Queen Cindra with his people. The story is definitely not a perfect fairy tale, but beautiful on its own. A wonderful read, but keep your tissues near. Four out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

New author for me and I have to say this was one of the best Cinderella retellings I've ever read.
Cindra is the youngest of three sisters and was born with defects that her mother can't even tolerate for a second. She was raised by an old nurse and starved for affection all her life so when love comes her way she had to fight.
I think this was a very clever and new way of telling the Cinderella story that most people know by heart. The fact that it wasn't the step-mother but the biological mother that rejected her, that her sisters were so mean to her and that her father just plain didn't help her was very strong.
One sentence at the beginning I think it was fantastic, Cindra didn't blame her sisters for the awful way they treated her because they learned nothing else since they were toddlers. Their mother showed them that way and they didn't know better at the time. I don't condone what was done to Cindra at all but I can understand her point of view when she thought that in the story.
Whoever picks this book up to read need to know that deep issues are talked about in this beautiful romance novel. Not only the fact that physical beauty was more important than anything for some people but also other topics that sometimes we forget. Like, how hard it is to stand up for yourself in front of the people you want to be loved by, your family.
The romance part of the book was absolutely stunning because it was slow and intentional. I can't explain in words how much this book meant to me and how much I would love to read this to the girls in my family, so they can see what I saw.
Also, have so tissue close because the tears are sure to be making an appearance during your reading time.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book provided by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

This was a wonderful book! Didn’t take long to read, because it was such a great book. I couldn’t put it down, but had to, at times. It’s full of all different genres, mostly romance, but good and clean romance. But there’s action, as well. But I just loved it. Would recommend to everyone.
Thank you to #NetGalley and the publishers of #Cinder-Ugly for the opportunity to read and review. My views are my own.

this is another great read w I liked this book just as much. She has a unique clean writing style that draws you in and just won't let you put the book down. I read this one in 5 hours. Highly recommend.

This was a must read for me I am a huge fan of adult fairy tales and this one was so good. It is not all sweetness and light and my heart just broke at times it is a wonderful read but is also very emotional. I was completely pulled into this one and just could not put it down. A super read I would recommend it.

Cinderella re-tellings are not at all uncommon to women's fiction, but this one fits in nicely with the group, adding new freshness to the story. Strickland's musical prose is reminiscent of traditional fairy tales, but a love-starved Cinderella gives the tale a new and tender sadness.