Book Review | So This Is Love

Fans of Disney’s Cinderella will love this magical and mysterious adaptation. Expanding upon the beloved classic, Elizabeth Lim explores what our heroine’s happily ever after might have looked like if the famed scullery maid never got her chance to try on the slipper.

Cinderella, now a servant in the castle, uncovers a plot that threatens her kingdom and the prince she adores. The Fairy godmother cannot help her, as the threat involves rooting out magic, and she must remain hidden for her own safety. Keeping a low profile, Cinderella’s natural charm and kindness towards others moves her up through the ranks and closer to the true villain.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am very particular about Cinderella. It’s an enchanting tale, for sure, but I always felt like it was missing something. Reaching into territory that reminds me of Cinderella III: A Twist In Time (if you haven’t seen it, it’s on Disney+ and it’s brilliant), Elizabeth Lim fills the void with a slow-burn romance that completes the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed every page, following Cinderella on her journey through the palace. There are colorful new characters to get to know, as well as a bit of new lore that truly sets this novel apart from other renditions of the original fairytale. While not as dark as Cendrillion, Lim embarks to make the story her own in a light, but still twisted way.

While I love all of the Twisted Tale installments, this one has a special place in my heart. I latched onto it as if I, too, could be whisked away to a palace with my own set of glass slippers. The additional content and reimagined storyline create an atmosphere of magic in a kingdom bent on rooting it out.