ARC Review // Cinderella and the Beast (or, Beauty and the Glass Slipper) by Kim Bussing

What would happen if Cinderella found herself in the beast's castle, and Beauty woke up in some evil stepmother's home? Fairy tales meet Freaky Friday in this series, where there’s a magical mix-up for every princess!

Ella’s spent her life dreaming about adventure, but it’s hard to have adventures when you’re stuck with a stepfamily who treat you like a servant. When she unexpectedly wakes up in a land far, far away, she’s thrilled at the chance to embark on an epic quest. That is, until she finds herself trapped once more—this time in the castle of a dangerous beast.

Belle, meanwhile, has plans. Her family’s trading company is on the brink of ruin, and to save it, she’s going to enter—and win—a royal competition in the prince’s honor. But when she unexpectedly winds up in a cellar with a wicked stepfamily who have their own plans to keep her from the competition . . . things get complicated.

Happily-ever-after couldn’t feel farther away. Can Ella escape the beast’s clutches? And can Belle get rid of this stepfamily in time for the competition?

As a lover of fairytale retellings, I am so surprised that I have never read one where the characters switch places. I was excited and apprehensive about the initial changes and where they would lead but was pleasantly surprised by how the character growth, friendships, and storytelling unfolded.

Belle has always been my favorite princess since I was a kid because she loved books like me so I especially liked how she uses her cleverness. She knows when to keep quiet and use opportunities to her advantage. And that's the type of princess I can get behind! There were some morally grey things she had to do to get close to Prince Amir but if an evil stepmother trapped me I would do the same, to be honest. I didn't know how to feel about Belle and Prince Amir's growing crush on each other because I see her only with the Beast but I got over it because the writing was just that good.

Belle is seen as the weird girl who loves magic so reading about her making friends was so sweet. I loved her and Marie's friendship. Marie is one of Cinderella's stepsisters who is a little odd herself. She is willing to help find Cinderella with Belle and Prince Amir as soon as she finds out that's what they are doing. Marie slowly finds that bravery within her thanks to Belle. I gasped at an incredible scene with Marie and Belle. This is worth reading just for Belle and Marie's friendship.

Then there is Cinderella who becomes stuck living with a Beast because she is simply kind and doesn't want Belle's father to lose his chance to save his daughter. I understood why the author chose to switch Cinderella and Belle together at this moment; they are both very selfless in their stories. Cinderella sympathizes with the Beast who is truly mean to her at first. However, she understood what it felt like to be isolated and angry in a world that treated her unfairly. I loved that they found a friend in each other and a hint at something more. I was truly stumped on how she would help break the Beast's curse until it all became clear and what a great message it sends. I also liked how the story was changed so that Cinderella had a glass leg which was such a great way to have disability representation.

Cinderella and the Beast (or, Beauty and the Glass Slipper) is a wonderful debut! I'm excited to read the series continuation coming out in a couple of months. I am hoping there are many more books in this series to come because they are perfect for fairytale-loving tweens (and me of course!)

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of Cinderella and the Beast (or, Beauty and the Glass Slipper) in exchange for an honest review.