When the Slipper Fits

A charming rendition of the Cinderella story by an author who is quickly becoming my favorite. I recommend you read the other two stories of Sarah and Lady Rose.

The fairytale has long been the premise for romance writers and Miss Collum has used the Cinderella tale here creating a wonderfully origin take on the story. This is a delightful end to a trilogy of fairytales by this author who is rapidly becoming a favorite of mine.

"When the Slipper Fits" finishes the fairy-tale trilogy by Lynn Collum that centers on three very good friends Sara, Ella and Rosamund. "When the Slipper Fits" is Ella's story and is, as the title suggests, modeled on the fairy tale CINDERELLA. And of the three ("Miss Whiting and the Seven Wards" & "A Kiss At Midnight" being the other two books in the trilogy), I actually liked this one best. (Which of course totally messes up my previous ratings of the other two books in the series, but then that's life.)Gabriel Crowe, the Earl of Shalford, has unintentionally put himself in an untenable position. In order to save his younger brother, Daniel, from their father's wrath, Gabriel has taken the blame for Daniel's latest scrape. The last thing that Gabriel expected, however, was for their furious father to decree that Gabriel must find a suitable bride (of wealth and acceptable connections) within a month and in the country. Gabriel is appalled but has little choice but to comply. Once in the country, however, Gabriel meets Ella Sanderson, whom he first mistakes for a maid, and is immediately drawn to this beautiful, intelligent and kind young lady. Unfortunately Ella doesn't meet his parents' standards as a suitable wife -- she's a poor relation in spite of the fact that she's a viscount's daughter. On top of it all, Gabriel's mother has made up her mind as to whom Gabriel should marry and is hell bent on pushing the match down his throat! What will Gabriel do? Give up the young lady who has stolen his heart? Or stand his ground and face his parents' anger?What made this novel really memorable was the slightly complex family relationship that Gabriel and his siblings had with their parents. Lynn Collum does a wonderful job here of developing that theme. She also does a really good job with 'fleshing ' out the different characters in the book -- esp those of Ella and Gabriel. As with the other two books however, the romance that developed between Ella and Gabriel was a little sketchy. You know that they're both attracted to each to each other, but the developing romance was, I felt, a little sketchy. However, the authour does maintain that fairy tale-like air splendidly, and I found this book to be a rather charming and pleasing one, so that I'm going to vote it as a book to be read if you're looking for something lighthearted to enjoy.

Luella Sanderson (called "Ella" by her friends) is the heroine of this near-perfect Cinderella tale. After parting with her close school friends, she is sent to live with unpleasant relatives. Her aunt (who is as wicked as any evil stepmother) tells her she must earn her keep. She must rise at 6 o'clock each morning and work as Mr. Banks' personal assistant. (Mr. Banks is her aunt's brother).After taking the fall for his troublesome brother, Gabriel Crowe, Earl of Shalford, is sent to Surrey by his father. While he is there, he has a month to chose a respectable, weathly country bride. She must be a diamond of the first water, for his parents would accept nothing less. And Gabriel has agreed to follow the wishes of his parents & Society. ...So why does he feel drawn to Ella, the penniless viscount's daughter?There is SO much to be enjoyed in this book. There's a misunderstanding between Ella and Gabriel's mother, who hires the girl to be the cook at her garden party. There are flights in Mr. Banks' hot air balloons. (I perceive Mr. Banks to be Ella's fairy godmother). There is one snotty cousin, and one very daft cousin. There are geese. There are slippers sliding off of Luella's tiny feet. All in all, the book is 222 pages of pure delight! In the end, love conquers all! Break open & enjoy!

Luella Sanderson, upon the close of the lady's academy that has been her home for the past several years, must leave her dearest friends and journey to her aunt's home in Surrey. Ella, left penniless by her parents' untimely deaths, is forced to depend on her aunt by marriage's goodwill. She sees immediately that she will not be the beloved niece fallen on hard times, but the unpaid servant of her mercenary aunt and spoiled cousins.Ella is forced to act as the housekeeper and cook for her aunt's brother, Mr. Banks, who lives in a cottage on his sister's estate. She is frightened by her cousins' story of a crazy uncle, only to find he is a dear elderly scientist who spends all his time working on a hot air balloon. He treats Ella with kindness and they become like father and daughter. Ella is actually happy in her new situation. Then HE arrives...The Earl of Shalford has been sent to Surrey by his father to find a wife. Gabe got into the whole mess by taking the blame for his younger brother's latest scandal, saving Daniel from being sent to the family holdings in Calcutta, but forcing Gabe to lose his freedom to the parson's noose.Now the neighborhood is in a flurry. Matchmaking mamas are biting at the bit and marriageable ladies are popping out of the woodwork. Perhaps that is why Gabe and Daniel were so relieved to find a distraction in their interesting neighbor Mr. Banks and his hot air balloon. And why Gabe has taken an interest in the only young lady in Surrey who has not thrown herself at his head...a little maid named Ella...