by Elle Cruz
Publication Date November 30, 2021
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Genres: Fiction / Romance / Contemporary, Fiction / Romance / Multicultural & Interracial, Fiction / Romance / Romantic Comedy
Pages: 368
Format: ARC
Claire Ventura is nothing like the poised and perfect heroines she reads about in her favorite romance novels. She’s a quirky, people-pleasing bookworm with a loving yet obliviously intrusive family and a passion for cookie decorating—all rolled into a five-foot-two Filipina American fueled by chamomile tea.
Then she meets Nate, billionaire CEO of a global tech company, the modern-day Prince Charming who sweeps her off her feet. Though he does his best to convince Claire that he’s genuinely head over heels for her, she knows he’ll soon realize she’s more underwhelming Plain Jane than jet-setting socialite. And once he meets her family, if their initial questioning doesn’t scare him off, then their tendency to decide “what’s best for her” certainly will.
Between her whirlwind romance with Nate and her meddlesome family, Claire wishes she had a fairy godmother to guide her. But this is the real world in the twenty-first century, and the only way to get her happily ever after is by grabbing firm hold of what she really wants—and letting her heart be her guide.
My Review:
How to Survive a Modern Day Fairy Tale by Elle Cruz is a nice, modern-day re-telling of Cinderella, with a multicultural twist.
Claire Ventura works in a bookstore with hopes of starting her own cookie decorating business. She’s the daughter of first-generation Filipino parents and has two sisters and a very large extended family. She’s always put her family first and doesn’t want to disappoint them. She has a special bond with her grandmother who has to live in a facility due to her advanced Alzheimer’s disease.
She literally runs into Nate, the CEO of a tech company and they fall for each other almost instantly and he flies her to Paris for a first date. But, with completely different backgrounds and financial statuses, can their love survive?
I enjoyed Claire’s family very much, their large loud gathering reminds me of Filipino families I’ve known over the years. I liked Claire’s determination to become a business owner and do something she enjoys.
I was not a fan of the romance. I didn’t feel the connection between Claire and Nate and found their instant love a bit unbelievable. Not that instant love is not believable, but the author did not make me feel this connection was realistic. I thought Nate was very nice and sweet, but I didn’t understand his instant connection with Claire.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
it’s a shame you didn’t like the romance! it sounds like a good book, with that aside. i’ve seen this one pop up a few times, although i’m not sure if i’ll read it.
Thank you Chelsea.
This does sound like an interesting concept. Too bad the romance fell flat. Excellent review!
Thank you Tessa!
This book sounds like fun despite Nate’s instant attraction to Claire. 🙂
Thank you Lark.
Thank you Lark!
It’s too bad the instalove isn’t believable in this book. I prefer when authors properly develop their characters’ relationships.
Thank you Lectrice, I agree!
Yep, I can buy insta-love if it’s set up right. Sorry to hear this didn’t knock your socks off.
Thank you Rachel, as we all know, you can’t win them all! 🙂
I am with you, instant love has to be believable! Have a great day!
Thank you Cindy!