Seducing Cinderella, by Gina L. Maxwell is a 232-page contemporary romance novel and is the first book out of a 4-book series. I will be reading all 4 so expect to see lots of back to back from this author. It is written from a third-person POV, two-sided.

Spoilers Ahead ***

Once upon a time a wallflower and an MMA fighter…

Yeah, it’s going to be like that.

Lucie isn’t a wallflower per se, but she is not one who enjoys attention on her. She is one who is satisfied being an observer of life, versus a participator of life. She’s pragmatic and is risk adverse, especially after her first whirlwind marriage failed when she walked in on her ex-husband with another woman. Yes, a tale as old as time. She decided it was better to be with someone that you had a lot in common with than to feel an uncontrollable amount of passion for. When her brother’s best friend walks in and demands she treat him 24/7 for the next two months so he can prep for his fight she laughs in his face and says no. Why? Reid was her first crush and she did not need his distracting, hot self while she was trying to win the attention of one of the doctor’s in the hospital she works at (she’s a physical therapist). Then Reid turns around and makes her an offer she can’t refuse, he’ll teach her to seduce the good doctor and she helps him to get ready for his next big fight where he plans to win the title belt back.

Reid hadn’t seen Lucie in at least six or seven years, but what surprised him the most of finding out she had been married and lusted after a doctor, who in his mind didn’t recognize her worth through her frumpy clothes and glasses, was his attraction to her. He kept his end of the bargain, because that’s the kind of guy he is, but he wasn’t happy when the doctor started to pay attention to his Lucie. The only reason he acquiesced is because he didn’t believe he was good enough for Lucie. She needed/deserved someone who would be home and be there for her, not an MMA fighter who was constantly training, cutting, and traveling for fights. In the end he realized he loved her more than he loved fighting.

Overall, I found the characters likeable.

Generally, here are my thoughts

1. I really like the author’s pacing and flow in this book. The scenes flow together naturally, I don’t recall experiencing any awkward moments with the writing, even when the characters were weird with each other
2. The author’s style of writing sucks you in, especially in the romantic scenes so their attraction to each other is palpable
3. The ending was nicely wrapped up. The book does read as a standalone, so you don’t have to read the others

In summary, I give this a 4 out of 5.