Holly McQueen's modern twist on the Cinderella tale is more enchanting than a wonderful pair of designer shoes. Overweight, overworked Charlotte "Charlie" Glass has spent the better part of the last decade caring for her sickly father, genius footwear designer Elroy Glass. Meanwhile, her two half-sisters (one a snippy control freak, the other a ditzy party girl) have been indifferent to their ailing father and downright rude to poor Charlie. When Elroy dies, it's understood that he will leave his London-based shoe empire to the half-sisters and his cruel ex-wife, Charlie's stepmother, Diana. But at the reading of the will, the wheels fall off the coach and all hell breaks loose: Charlie is bequeathed controlling interest of her father's company.
After the startling first chapter of this appealing story, the action jumps ahead to a new and improved Charlie. She's got a rockin' bod (due to a three-month boot camp), blonde highlights and an innovative idea for continuing her father's legacy. Her life isn't free of problems, though: Charlie now has a rich and handsome boyfriend who seems like a real Prince Charming, but still pines for Ferdy, a close male friend who's dating a head case named Honey. And her jealous sisters keep Charlie on her toes while vindictive Diana tries to sabotage the company's new direction. Can sweet Charlie conquer the boardroom and get the guy?
With a bit of whimsy, a bushel of laughs and just enough light-hearted intrigue, McQueen (There Goes the Bride) leaves readers hoping that dreams do come true. --Natalie Papailiou, author of blog MILF: Mother I'd Like to Friend