The Stepsister's Tale

The Stepsister's Tale by Tracy Barrett

What really happened after the clock struck midnight?

Jane Montjoy is tired of being a lady. She's tired of pretending to live up to the standards of her mother's noble family-especially now that the family's wealth is gone and their stately mansion has fallen to ruin. It's hard enough that she must tend to the animals and find a way to feed her mother and her little sister each day. Jane's burden only gets worse after her mother returns from a trip to town with a new stepfather and stepsister in tow. Despite the family's struggle to prepare for the long winter ahead, Jane's stepfather remains determined to give his beautiful but spoiled child her every desire.

When her stepfather suddenly dies, leaving nothing but debts and a bereaved daughter behind, it seems to Jane that her family is destined for eternal unhappiness. But a mysterious boy from the woods and an invitation to a royal ball are certain to change her fate...

From the handsome prince to the evil stepsister, nothing is quite as it seems in Tracy Barrett's stunning retelling of the classic Cinderella tale.**

I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review!! 

I went in to this thinking ok, I loved Cinderella and this will just show things from the side of the stepsisters. This was not at all what I was expecting but in a good way. It wasn't just a retelling it was a reworking. Jane is one of the stepsisters, and they are destitute. They make things that are appropriate for ladies to make just to trade or get money for small things they need to survive. Her mother doesn't want to accept the fact they aren't the regal family they once were. Her mother leaves to go sell the cheese and what not and doesn't come back for some time, they begin to worry.  When she finally returns, she's not alone, she has a man and a girl with her. 

The man is disappointed with the house and the way the daughters of his new wife look. The house is in horrible disrepair and the girls look like woods folk. His daughter is a brat, she hates this place and these people and she just wants to go home *stomps foot*.  Isabella (cinderella) doesn't want to work, she wants servants and she doesn't understand why these girls work so hard. She's mean and cruel to them. 

This story was an interesting twist on the story of Cinderella. The strain of being poor and downtrodden made them all a little crazy it seems. The mother couldn't face the fact that they were poor and the girls kept up the facade for her so she wouldn't be upset or sad. The little girl Isabella, was the spoiled one and I really wanted to smack her. No fairy Godmother and the prince was a complete tool. I loved the spin on a classic and I think people will enjoy it as well. Check it out!! 

**Goodreads summary