Scan barcode
moniqueeditrix's review against another edition
5.0
This book is AMAZINGLY FUNNY. Full review to come
********************************************************************
This review also appears on my blog All The Bookish Love where i also have a giveaway going.
Disclaimer: I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
“If you rewatch Cinderella now, you’ll realize there are some similarities between Prince Charming and the guys you’ve dated. Cute, charismatic and kind of lazy. After all, what did the prince in Cinderella really do? He danced with Cinderella, thought she was pretty and picked up her shoe.”
I’ll admit it, I didn’t even know what this book was about when I signed up for an ARC. I didn’t read the blurb, because I was already sold. What sold me was the title. Never have I ever been as attracted to a title like I was to this one: Cinderella Screwed Me Over. I was sold on it because it’s the truth. Cinderella really did screw us over. In fact Disney did quite a number on all of us, and this is what Cindi Madsen expresses throughout this book.
I fell in love with this book by the end of the first paragraph. I was laughing so hard by the end of the third paragraph, that my drink was coming out of nose. And that was when I knew. I found it. The book I have been waiting for, the book that would help me take a load off, the book that I would force all my friends and family to buy, the book that will be wrapped up as gifts this holiday for so many women I know. And I couldn’t wait to spread the word.
“It was on my twenty-sixth birthday that it finally hit me. Love is bullshit. There was no happily ever after.”
Cindi Madsen takes a romance novel and she makes it funny. No, that’s not right, she makes it HILARIOUS. Although the romance element is predominant in Cinderella Screwed Me Over, she also focuses on the heroine’s personal journey. Darby Quinn is a cynic. She doesn’t believe in Love, Happily Ever Afters or Soul Mates. She’d love to give Disney a huge kick up the butt, for giving little girls unrealistic expectations regarding love and men. So she’s sworn off relationships. And she’s happy, thank you very much. That is, until she meets Jake. Who is everything you think Prince Charming would be, all rolled up into one perfectly sculpted, gorgeous specimen of a man.
“A pair of great heels was much more satisfying than a man. They lasted longer, and better yet, they didn’t leave me for someone prettier.”
Now, believe me, I would’ve caved easily, had I been at the receiving end of Jake’s affections, but I gotta hand it to Darby. Boy did she stay true to her beliefs, so true in fact that at one point I was ready to climb into the story and give her a couple of shakes. Then again, who would blame her? After all the crap men have put her through, it’s no wonder she’s so pessimistic about giving love a chance. To tell you the truth, I was just waiting for Jake to give up on Darby and high-tail it out of the story. But he wasn’t written that way, he wasn’t created that way. He stuck in there even when the most love-struck guys would’ve bolted.
At one point, I was laughing and crying at the same time. I gave quite a few audible “aww’s” and even gasped in frustration. I got angry at Darby, for misreading a situation, I got angry at Jake for allowing her to misread it. Then there’s the scene where Darby finally figured it all out and you just know, this is the book you didn’t even know you needed to read.
I applaud you, Cindi Madsen.
********************************************************************
This review also appears on my blog All The Bookish Love where i also have a giveaway going.
Disclaimer: I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
“If you rewatch Cinderella now, you’ll realize there are some similarities between Prince Charming and the guys you’ve dated. Cute, charismatic and kind of lazy. After all, what did the prince in Cinderella really do? He danced with Cinderella, thought she was pretty and picked up her shoe.”
I’ll admit it, I didn’t even know what this book was about when I signed up for an ARC. I didn’t read the blurb, because I was already sold. What sold me was the title. Never have I ever been as attracted to a title like I was to this one: Cinderella Screwed Me Over. I was sold on it because it’s the truth. Cinderella really did screw us over. In fact Disney did quite a number on all of us, and this is what Cindi Madsen expresses throughout this book.
I fell in love with this book by the end of the first paragraph. I was laughing so hard by the end of the third paragraph, that my drink was coming out of nose. And that was when I knew. I found it. The book I have been waiting for, the book that would help me take a load off, the book that I would force all my friends and family to buy, the book that will be wrapped up as gifts this holiday for so many women I know. And I couldn’t wait to spread the word.
“It was on my twenty-sixth birthday that it finally hit me. Love is bullshit. There was no happily ever after.”
Cindi Madsen takes a romance novel and she makes it funny. No, that’s not right, she makes it HILARIOUS. Although the romance element is predominant in Cinderella Screwed Me Over, she also focuses on the heroine’s personal journey. Darby Quinn is a cynic. She doesn’t believe in Love, Happily Ever Afters or Soul Mates. She’d love to give Disney a huge kick up the butt, for giving little girls unrealistic expectations regarding love and men. So she’s sworn off relationships. And she’s happy, thank you very much. That is, until she meets Jake. Who is everything you think Prince Charming would be, all rolled up into one perfectly sculpted, gorgeous specimen of a man.
“A pair of great heels was much more satisfying than a man. They lasted longer, and better yet, they didn’t leave me for someone prettier.”
Now, believe me, I would’ve caved easily, had I been at the receiving end of Jake’s affections, but I gotta hand it to Darby. Boy did she stay true to her beliefs, so true in fact that at one point I was ready to climb into the story and give her a couple of shakes. Then again, who would blame her? After all the crap men have put her through, it’s no wonder she’s so pessimistic about giving love a chance. To tell you the truth, I was just waiting for Jake to give up on Darby and high-tail it out of the story. But he wasn’t written that way, he wasn’t created that way. He stuck in there even when the most love-struck guys would’ve bolted.
At one point, I was laughing and crying at the same time. I gave quite a few audible “aww’s” and even gasped in frustration. I got angry at Darby, for misreading a situation, I got angry at Jake for allowing her to misread it. Then there’s the scene where Darby finally figured it all out and you just know, this is the book you didn’t even know you needed to read.
I applaud you, Cindi Madsen.
anabelsbrother's review against another edition
4.0
Cinderella screwed me over. And really, she doesn't deserve all the blame. Jasmine, Ariel, Belle, Sleeping Beauty—whatever her real name was, she had, like, three of them—they all added to it. This idea of happily ever after. Of finding Prince Charming.
Oweeeeee!
Growing up with fairytales myself, I surely understand how Darby feels. I, too, was once hung up on the idea of finding Prince Charming and having my happily-ever-after, but then I realized that that only happens in movies and books. You don't simply stumble into Prince Charming in bookstores and Starbucks and fall head over heels for him. Prince Charmings and relationships require hard work and effort that I'm sure I don't have in me to spare.
But I digress.
See, Darby has been burned multiple times and she's sick of it. She's sick of love and relationships because they never last. She's studied all her failed relationships (she made case studies out of all of them: Prince Charming, Robin Hood, The Beast...they're hilarious) and somehow managed to choose the wrong guy every time.
And then she meets Jake Knight.
"Your last name is Knight?" I asked.
"Is something wrong with that?"
"No." Just that I’m anti-fairy tales and you’re a Knight. It’s not ironic at all.
I relate to Darby a lot. I might not have failed relationships but I share her views (albeit messed up) on this whole shindig. She's so cynical but I admire that she acknowledges her belief is messed up, and that she acknowledges that some people are lucky to find The One (her mother, brothers, best friend) but she knows it is not for her. In a way, I truly admire Jake's persistence. He really works hard to break down all the rules she has.
That’s when it hit me. I had to go through a lot of bad relationships first, but I’d finally found him. My very own Prince Charming. Turns out they do exist.
Touché, Cinderella. Touché.
Fantastic read.
4.5 stars
Oweeeeee!
Growing up with fairytales myself, I surely understand how Darby feels. I, too, was once hung up on the idea of finding Prince Charming and having my happily-ever-after, but then I realized that that only happens in movies and books. You don't simply stumble into Prince Charming in bookstores and Starbucks and fall head over heels for him. Prince Charmings and relationships require hard work and effort that I'm sure I don't have in me to spare.
But I digress.
See, Darby has been burned multiple times and she's sick of it. She's sick of love and relationships because they never last. She's studied all her failed relationships (she made case studies out of all of them: Prince Charming, Robin Hood, The Beast...they're hilarious) and somehow managed to choose the wrong guy every time.
And then she meets Jake Knight.
"Your last name is Knight?" I asked.
"Is something wrong with that?"
"No." Just that I’m anti-fairy tales and you’re a Knight. It’s not ironic at all.
I relate to Darby a lot. I might not have failed relationships but I share her views (albeit messed up) on this whole shindig. She's so cynical but I admire that she acknowledges her belief is messed up, and that she acknowledges that some people are lucky to find The One (her mother, brothers, best friend) but she knows it is not for her. In a way, I truly admire Jake's persistence. He really works hard to break down all the rules she has.
That’s when it hit me. I had to go through a lot of bad relationships first, but I’d finally found him. My very own Prince Charming. Turns out they do exist.
Touché, Cinderella. Touché.
Fantastic read.
4.5 stars
pagesofrachella's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
taniahedge's review against another edition
2.0
Book started on good note. Liked her “case studies”, but I wish it‘d dug deeper: cause in this overviews, she talked only about guys’ mistakes and never tried to find what she did wrong. It’s so strange that she never let the thought in that her numerous breakups was her fault too.
The main love interest was just blend, he doesn’t feel like a person at all. Just talking sex toy she’s always want to touch. Another perfect picture: rich, very hot lonely owner of successful business, who cares about her, does everything perfectly and seeks for her attention all the time since he met her. Asking her out again and again, despite her clear “no”, what by the way is called harassment.
Overall, it had a lot of fun moments and it was pretty interesting to dive into her case studies, some kind of modern retellings of good old fairy tales. Sometimes those parts were even more interesting that the main plot
The main love interest was just blend, he doesn’t feel like a person at all. Just talking sex toy she’s always want to touch. Another perfect picture: rich, very hot lonely owner of successful business, who cares about her, does everything perfectly and seeks for her attention all the time since he met her. Asking her out again and again, despite her clear “no”, what by the way is called harassment.
Overall, it had a lot of fun moments and it was pretty interesting to dive into her case studies, some kind of modern retellings of good old fairy tales. Sometimes those parts were even more interesting that the main plot
kassah14's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
saradarling's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
katrinamarie's review against another edition
4.0
Cinderella Screwed Me Over is a great read. It’s fun, light, and the case studies had me laughing so hard. I never thought I’d like a character that was so dead set against love, but Cindi Madsen did a great job of making me love Darby.
Darby is a fun character. She hasn’t always been against the idea of falling in love, but after getting burned so many times, she decides it’s just not worth it. Darby tries so hard to keep herself in check with her rules, but meeting Jake completely messes with her. She feels a connection between them, but is terrified to pursue it. It doesn’t help that her best friend is getting married. Darby does her best to balance her ideas toward a relationship with Jake, her job, and helping her BFF plan her wedding while trying not to fall apart. Jake is such a great guy. Everyone, myself included, always likes the bad boys, but he’s one of the good ones. Almost too good to be true, but I fell hard for this character. He just makes it so dang easy to like him.
I loved Darby’s case studies. Every time she things she could be falling for Jake, she remembers a case study she did on a prior boyfriend. I couldn’t stop giggling with the connection to each of the Disney princes. I actually share some of the same thoughts as Darby. I love me some Disney cartoons, but they seriously set unrealistic ideas of love to young girls. I always like seeing a character grow, and Darby does just that. She is terrified of some of the things that she wants to try, but has to learn to realize her own self-worth. I think that has a lot to do with why I love her so much. Also, I adore the fact that Darby has such a great relationship with her family. I think that’s important, and her banter with her brother was amazing.
So, yeah, that got kind of rambly. Sorry about all the disconnected thoughts, but Cinderella Screwed Me Over was a fun read. I think all contemporary readers will love this book.
Darby is a fun character. She hasn’t always been against the idea of falling in love, but after getting burned so many times, she decides it’s just not worth it. Darby tries so hard to keep herself in check with her rules, but meeting Jake completely messes with her. She feels a connection between them, but is terrified to pursue it. It doesn’t help that her best friend is getting married. Darby does her best to balance her ideas toward a relationship with Jake, her job, and helping her BFF plan her wedding while trying not to fall apart. Jake is such a great guy. Everyone, myself included, always likes the bad boys, but he’s one of the good ones. Almost too good to be true, but I fell hard for this character. He just makes it so dang easy to like him.
I loved Darby’s case studies. Every time she things she could be falling for Jake, she remembers a case study she did on a prior boyfriend. I couldn’t stop giggling with the connection to each of the Disney princes. I actually share some of the same thoughts as Darby. I love me some Disney cartoons, but they seriously set unrealistic ideas of love to young girls. I always like seeing a character grow, and Darby does just that. She is terrified of some of the things that she wants to try, but has to learn to realize her own self-worth. I think that has a lot to do with why I love her so much. Also, I adore the fact that Darby has such a great relationship with her family. I think that’s important, and her banter with her brother was amazing.
So, yeah, that got kind of rambly. Sorry about all the disconnected thoughts, but Cinderella Screwed Me Over was a fun read. I think all contemporary readers will love this book.
samantha_randolph's review against another edition
4.0
"According to Darby Quinn, Cinderella is the liar of all liars. Prince Charmings may in fact be full of charm, but true happy endings are nonexistent. After strings of relationships that always ended badly, Darby wants nothing more than to focus on her career and her own happiness without a committed man. When she meets Jake, he constantly surprises her by not fitting into the typical, no-good prince profiles, and he doesn't give up easily no matter how many times she tries to explain her dating rules. If she's not careful, she just might find herself falling for him." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=46088
karen_nicole's review against another edition
3.0
First off I should start by saying that it says this book is 400 pages but the entire book is only 277 pages. I will say I did like the book but originally bought it thinking it would be a really funny read. Not to say that it didn't have its moments but it was not laugh out load funny.
Darby's character was a little over the top in exactly how cynical she was with her view on love & its being able to last. Most everyone has had a broken heart but the lengths in which she tries to stop herself from falling but fails are somewhat far fetched. At times it was a little frustrating because even she herself wasn't sure of the rules she set in place & how to follow them let alone explain them to her own friends never mind complete strangers. I did feel bad for the character of Jake. He clearly was trying so hard to win her over. I completly understood where his friend Tina was coming from when she confronts Darby. I really liked the idea of the author, Cindi Madsen, using fairy tales we grew up with & having Darby turn them into case studies. it was unique & I liked that. All in all it was a good book & I was not upset about my purchase despite it reading a bit different than what I originally purchased it for. I would plan on reading another of her books.
Darby's character was a little over the top in exactly how cynical she was with her view on love & its being able to last. Most everyone has had a broken heart but the lengths in which she tries to stop herself from falling but fails are somewhat far fetched. At times it was a little frustrating because even she herself wasn't sure of the rules she set in place & how to follow them let alone explain them to her own friends never mind complete strangers. I did feel bad for the character of Jake. He clearly was trying so hard to win her over. I completly understood where his friend Tina was coming from when she confronts Darby. I really liked the idea of the author, Cindi Madsen, using fairy tales we grew up with & having Darby turn them into case studies. it was unique & I liked that. All in all it was a good book & I was not upset about my purchase despite it reading a bit different than what I originally purchased it for. I would plan on reading another of her books.