Stepsisters

Stepsisters are the worst. Especially ones who steal your prince, slander your reputation, and exile your family to the outskirts of town.

After their widowed mother marries the handsome Lord Thackery, sisters Adelaide and Rosalind Bryden, discover the nefarious intentions of both him and his daughter, Ella. The former admits to selling the Bryden family estate in a bid to stave off bankruptcy, and the latter reveals herself as a cruel and vindictive addition to their family. After the unexpected death of Lord Thackery and a never-ending list of his debts, the three young ladies of the house pin hopes of financial salvation on the upcoming ball, and catching the eye of the kingdom's most eligible young bachelor, Prince Edward.

Despite Edward initially lavishing his attention on Adelaide, he is abruptly and mysteriously entranced by Ella at only fifteen minutes to midnight. Her victory at hand, Ella weaves a slanderous tale of woe, accusing her stepfamily of vicious abuses and forced servitude. As the newspapers fill with distorted anecdotes, accompanied by hideous caricatures of Adelaide and Rosalind, the sisters are confronted with a painful reality concerning their marriage prospects: Men could forgive evil, but not ugly.

Faced with a bleak future of drudgery, exile, and spinsterhood, Adelaide is determined to uncover and expose Ella's secret-how her stepsister really managed to win the heart of Prince Edward. Her quest to restore her family's reputation will find her allies (and romance) in unexpected places, unlock the complex world of magic, and force her to confront the most powerful obstacle of all-the darkness that lurks within herself.

Readers who enjoy strong female protagonists, unique magic systems that explore deeper themes of the human condition, and slow-burn romances without a hint of toxic masculinity, will enjoy this unique fairy tale retelling of sweet and demure Cinderella as she's never been seen before.

Content Warning: Themes and depictions of anxiety and panic attacks.