Book Review : The Cinderella Moment by Jennifer Kloester

Goodreads :

A love of fashion.

A couture competition.

A once-in-a-lifetime chance . . . Angel Moncoeur has always wanted to be a fashion designer, but without money or connections, it's going to be a challenge. When an opportunity to leave her home in New York and head to Paris appears, Angel grabs it – even if it means masquerading as her best friend Lily. That can't be too hard, can it?

But faking things doesn't come easy for Angel, so when she falls in love with her very own Prince Charming and he thinks she's someone else, things start to get complicated.

Angel needs to stop her secrets unravelling if she wants to live happily ever after . . .

From exciting talent Jennifer Kloester comes this fabulous story about high society, mistaken identity, love, betrayal, friendship – and great clothes.

 

Title: The Cinderella Moment
Author: Jennifer Kloester
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance, Chick Lit,
Format: Paperback

Pages: 304 pages
Source: Purchased from Bookworld

Okay so its no secret that I love fairy tale retelling especially Cinderella retelling.

I was wonderstruck enchanted with the book! 

I picked this up as the book was recommended at PTA live and also cause the sequel is already out (The Rapunzel Dilemma) 

Reading this... lets just say its best to go into the book with knowing as little as possible and that the book is very different from the synopsis.

The book started slow for me but as it progresses it got better.  While I like the narration and the very addictive plot, I found some parts of the book too descriptive to my liking especially on the parts where Angle goes on and on about the fabric of the dresses. Maybe this is because I don't like sewing and was not a fan of sewing classes in high school is one of the reason but if even so I feel like the description was toned down slightly I will have enjoyed it more. Though don't get me wrong, its fun reading about Angle being mesmerize and enchanted with fashion! Its her passion and i love reading a character who is very passionate about something they love. 

The characters were very well written especially the 'evil step-mother' and 'evil step-daughter' characters as they made me LOVE to HATE them with pure passion! Probably one of the best written villains I've read! Like no joke i had temptation of throwing my book across the room when the evil duo were EVIL! But then I had to remind myself that its not worth throwing a book over frustrating villains as they are written out like that ;)

I like reading about Angle! She's very sweet and heart warming, at times i find her a bit too 'goody two shoes', enthusiast and passionate with fashion and a determine to make her dreams come true.  While I like Angle I love Lily and am looking forward to reading more about her in the sequel! Both girls are as different as day and night. Even though their differences they are as close as best friends could be and almost like sisters! If Angle is the 'goody two shoes', Lily is the rule breaker and risk taker. She's very caring and looks out for her best friend and is also really smart as she managed to get them out of some situation.. some not all... 

While I was not a fan on how Lily and Angle managed to swap places without anyone noticing, I still love reading about it! It reminds me of Parent Trap or Monte Carlo meets prince and the pauper and the princess diaries . I also love reading Angle and her relationship with Lily's Grandmere! She reminds me of a nicer version of Grandmere from the princess diaries!

In fact I had Julie Andrews in mind to play here if ever this book as made into a movie! Anyone?! just me?! okay... 

The side characters  Phillip (Lily's dad) and Simone (Angle's mum) were great to read but my fav is definitely Nick! I meant British boys, charming gentlemen manners, cute cheekiness, and did I mention he know how to tango?!?! I love reading his romance with Angle! My only complain about him is that there is not enough of him in the book!

While the main plot of the book is for Angle to achieve her dream of being a fashion designer , there were elements of friendship and expect alot of family drama at the end.

Overall check this book out for a refreshing modern twist on Cinderella, if you love reading books set in Paris, and if you enjoy watching project runway (or fashion).

What was the last enchanting book you've read?!

Book Review : Royally Lost by Angie Stanton

Goodreads Discription:

Dragged on a family trip to Europe’s ancient cities, Becca wants nothing more than to go home. Trapped with her emotionally distant father, over-eager stepmother, and a brother who only wants to hook up with European hotties, Becca is miserable. That is until she meets Nikolai, a guy as mysterious as he is handsome. And she unknowingly finds herself with a runaway prince.

Nikolai has everything a guy could ask for-he's crown prince, heir to the throne, and girls adore him. But the one thing he doesn't have...is freedom. Staging a coup, he flees his kingdom and goes undercover on his own European tour.

When Nikolai and Becca meet, it’s their differences that draw them together. Sparks fly as they share a whirlwind of adventures, all the while dodging his royal guard. But Becca's family vacation ends in a matter of days. Will Nikolai and Becca be forced to say goodbye forever, will his destiny catch up to him, or will they change history forever?

Title: Royally Lost
Author: Angie Stanton
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance, Chick Lit,
Format: Paperback

Pages: 336 pages
Source: Purchased from the Book Depository

I saw Epic Reads website recommending this book for those who love Anna and The French Kiss by Stephine Perkin so I got my hands onto the book depository and ordered it since i as in a happy contemporary/ Stephine Perkin kick.

Royally Lost is a fun road trip/backpacking adventure around Europe reads with a cute summer romance although expect the book to be a realistic read. The romance between Nikolai and Becca at the start was one of the cheesiest insta-love I've read (and was not a big fan of) even though Nikolai didn't exactly fall head over heals for her but was attracted to her cause of some similarities in her. Still I enjoyed the development of their relationship! Happy, cute and fun with its twist and turns.

Becca came out strong, sassy and down to earth. Described as your typical 'All American Girl' at the start, freshly graduated from high school but unsure of what to peruse in college is dragged on a family vacation to cruise around Europe with her distance workaholic father, young overly eager stepmother and party/womanizer but caring and protective older brother Dylan.

One thing about the book that stood out from others is the close brother-sister relationship between Becca  Dylan. This is refreshing as in the book Becca and Dylan relationship came out as realistic and relatable. Yes they have their fights and bickers but they have some good moments like covering for each other when they are sneaking away from their parents. I rarely find good close age brother-sister relationship in YA as in most books the characters are only child, a sister-sister or brother-brother relationship, the siblings are significantly older or younger than the characters or that they are out of the picture.

My only complain of the two is that both characters keep whining and complaining on their trip around Europe. I meant I'll be grateful and happy dancing if I was given a chance to travel to Europe as a graduation/family vacation. Though I don't blame them for the awkwardness and distance from the new step mum and distance father.

Nicolai or should i say Prince Nicolai is SWOONNNN ! Charming, cheeky and freaking smart (history nerd anyone?) I fell for his charms the moment I opened the book. Yes some of the ways he handle himself/situation was not ideal but he manages to redeemed himself in the end of the day. Also some of the stuff he does gives me a heart attack as its very daring. Trough the book he is running from his strict traditional Royall family along with trying to hide from the paparazzi and blending with the locals.

I am not a big fan of Selina Gomez's songs but this song reminded me of the book.

Check this book out if you like 'Prince Undercover' stories, adventurous Europe roadtrips, a romance that will make you swoon and grin and a great fast pace summer/pick me up reads.

If you could go to anyplace in the world for a summer vacation where will it be?

I definitely will choose Europe (Switzerland preferred) but I also want to travel to the Philippines and USA someday.

Book Review: Twice Upon a Time by Kate Forster

Goodreads Discription:

Ludo introduces Cinda to the heady world of the super-rich, taking her to parties on yachts and villas all over Europe. Sparks start to fly as Ludo and Cinda spend more and more time together, and even cautious Cinda wonders if there might be something real between them. Then Gus, Ludo's twin brother and heir to the Sardinian throne, arrives to ruin everyone's fun. Gus is obsessed with duty, and having a commoner like Cinda around just isn't part of his plan. But when fate throws Cinda and Gus together, he's astounded to discover that he and Cinda get along well. So well, in fact, that he might be prepared to throw away everything to be with her...

Title: Twice Upon a Time
Author: Kate Forster
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance, Chick Lit, NA, Mature YA
Format: Paperback

Pages: 377
Source: Purchased from Target Australia

Get ready for some royal love, drama and adventure! 

Flirty, Fun, enchanting fairy tale romance with an interesting twist, I flew trough this book like there's no tomorrow.

I love Cinda from the start! Back packing trough Europe with her best friend Jonas, she meet's Ludo a handsome, charming local who turned out to be a crowned Prince of Sardinia and is pulled into the world of luxury... Royal style! Though she is suddenly place in a too good to be true situation where she's showered with wealth and luxury, having that she comes from humble life in Sydney, she stays down to earth as well as true to herself. Strong and independent but also a very complex character having that Cinda has been abandoned by her mother (yet again) who married a man that she have yet to meet and moves to New Zealand to start her new life with her new husband. 

Gus and Ludo, the good looking and swoon worthy twins and Princes of Sardinia, opposite in so many ways.

Ludo, though the kinder fun loving twin I like him but didn't love him and I was holding the book for my dear life expecting him to screw up in someway. Though he's your typical 'playboy' who came out a bit too free spirit and happy-go-lucky, he's passionate and respect others.

Gus the older by three minutes twin who is also the future heir to the throne, my first impression of him was a snobby, arrogant jerk who looked down on the lower class and made me want to chuck the book across the room the way he treats Cinda and Jonas (and at times his own brother) at first. Groomed to be the future king, he came out as very uptight and plays by the rules, putting honor and duty above pleasure. However after he meet Cinda he changed being lay back, compassionate and a loveable charming guy that dare I say it made me fall head-over-heals for Gus. Of all the characters in this book he certainly changed and had the most character development.

His relationship with Cinda was one of the things that made the book for me where they started out as a love-hate relationship turned friendship turned romance.

Also I freaking enjoyed Jonas! He's THE Best Friend that anyone to be friends with hits the jackpot! A budding fashion designer, he's confident, smart, hilariously sarcastic and sassy yet caring and loyal especially to Cinda. Of all the side characters I've read he is definitely my favorite! Also Alex was another great side character. The only character I didn't like was a certain Parrot (read the book and you'll get the reference though try not to throw the book across the room because of the Parrot)

While the main story line is the tension and romance between Cinda and the twins, it also talks about duty, wealth as well as family love and true love. It was very fast pace, light, flirty and addictive ( I can't put it down! need to know which guy Cinda ends up with!). It also have that modern fairy tale feel which made the book feel enchanting (lol Taylor Swift song reference).

My only complain was the ending. While I liked the mind blowing ending since it made sense with the story as it was kinda the ONLY way it can end in a happy tone, in reality and to my satisfaction it was not how I liked the story to end.

Overall another great Smitten romance story! Keep them coming as I am addicted to this cute happy swoon worthy reads!

Book Review : A French Girl in New York (The French Girl series #1) by Anna Adams

Goodreads Description:

Maude Laurent is a spirited sixteen-year-old orphan who grew up in a small, provincial town in the north of France with a passion for piano and a beautiful voice. One day in Paris, she is discovered by an American music producer who takes her to New York to live with him and his close-knit family while producing her first album, with help from teen pop star, Matt. Maude will dive into a new fascinating world discovering New York City, music, family, love and the truth about her past.

Title: A French Girl in New York (The French Girl series #1)
Author: Anna Adams
Genre: Contemporary, YA, Romance, Chick Lit
Format: eBook, Wattpad Book
Pages: -
Source: Read from Wattpad, Free on iBooks.

So I found this randomly on Wattpad which started my addiction to 'The French Girl Series' by Anna Adams. 

Maude, a talented pianist who dreams to be an opera singer lives in rural France with her terrible foster family where they mistreat her, forcing her to work from dusk to dawn like a slave. One day while out on a school excursion in Paris, she stumble upon a cafe where she plays a couple of songs and gets discovered by James Baldwin, music mogul and owner of Soulville Records who gives her a chance to escape France to go to New York to make a record.

I had a couple of issue with the book:

Firstly the narrative was not what I expect since its from first person point of view as I felt like the book would have been better if it was from Maude's POV.

Also the song lyrics... usually in books where the author 'compose' song lyrics are a hit or a miss. This case it is a miss as I found it really cheesy... like overly cheesy...

Maude's character and personality got me hooked from page one! Talented, hard working,Sassy, strong, caring, determine driven and passionate made her a really likeable character. She makes you want to cheer for her to succeed and have a happy ending. Yes like all characters she does some flaws

thanks to her innocent/naive she tend to not make wise decisions at times and sometimes a bit too stubborn for her own good. Her character development in the book is a good setting stone for the idk how many books the author plans to write in the series (she just announced the forth book a few days ago) but seeing her grow personally and professionally is what's gonna make me want to continue reading the series.

Matt. a pop heartthrob who happens to be Maude's song writing mentor is super cocky, witty and most importantly Maude's love interest. While his first meeting with Maude didn't exactly hit off well (literally one of the best moments in the book!), his character grew from the egoistic pop star to a likable, cute, dorky guy that you just can't help but love! 

Ms Tragent, Maude's singing coach is one of those mentors who pushes her to bring out the best in Maude. She reminded me of my piano teacher who was super freaking strict but for a good reason that made me thankful for later. 

 

The Baldwin family who took Maude in with open arms were all amazing! James is a great mentor and 'father figure' for Maude where luck and faith was with him when he discovered Maude. Jasmine who is the same age as Maude but with an opposite personality to her which balance out their friendship. Her confident, enthusiastic personal made her stand out! Also Cynthia, the oldest sister surprise me with her law skills at one point of the book (btw I have a decent background knowledge of law so for me it was a breeze to follow not to mention another favorite part of the book)! I also love the Baldwin's family tradition that incorporate music. 

Overall, the storyline while predicable was a page turner where you want to know what happens to Maude in the end. There were some cliche elements but was nicely balance out with the struggles, love hate relationship between Matt and Maude, the family dynamic with the Baldwin as well as the freaking 'I DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING' plot twist really made the book or me!

Also check it out if you are a music lover and is a fan of 'musical' theme books since the story incorporate classical music and pop music well as the fact that the main character plays the piano which for me motivated me to play the piano more when I was reading this.

  

 A great addictive read that got me hooked onto my ipad/iphone when reading it! A Modern Cinderella retelling with its own unique spin. Great starter to a series! Best part? Its free on iTunes,Amazon, Smaswords and Wattpad so if you want to test out the series definitely pick this up!

Check out the author on her blog Strolling in Storyland for more info in The French Girl series.