Wickedly Charming

March 28, 2011
Reality and fairy tales collide in this altogether delightful story. Prince Charming, now divorced from Cinderella, has happily shed his storybook image for a life of running a bookstore and raising his two daughters. Mellie, on the other hand, can't get over being forever labeled as Evil. When she meets Charming at a book fair while protesting with People for the Ethical Treatment of Archetypes, the attraction is immediate and mutual, but first they must overcome Mellie's hatred of books and Charming's daughters' wariness ("Dad, she's the evil stepmother"). While a bit confusing at first, the story eventually flows and becomes a quick read, with engaging side characters and a sweet romance. Book lovers will be thrilled by the inside look at the publishing world, while fairy tale fans will love the in-jokes.

April 15, 2011

Divorced and disillusioned by love, Prince Charming (Cinderella's, in this case) pursues his passion for books and opens a bookstore in the Greater World. However, when he meets Snow White's gorgeous stepmother, Melvina, at a book fair where she is protesting the way stepmothers and others are portrayed in fairy tales, both their lives take a surprising turn. He sets out to show Mellie the "Charming way" to get her point across in this fanciful tale with a serious core. VERDICT Unusual, whimsical, and wickedly clever, this funny romp takes a decidedly offbeat look at fairy tales from the characters' points of view, with delightful, magical results. Grayson (Totally Spellbound) lives in Oregon.

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from March 15, 2011
Mellie is tired of evil stepmothers getting a bad name. A stepmother to Snow White, she certainly isnt evil, but no one sees her as she really is. For that theres only one thing to blame, books. Fairy tales have done nothing but lie, and its time they were banned. Bookstore owner Prince Charming, divorced and skeptical of love, understands all too well the pain caused by misperception, but how can anyone not love books? He needs to convince Mellie that her strategy is all wrong. Mellie tentatively agrees to team up with Charming to take on stereotypes, but neither imagines that in the gritty Greater World, dreams really can come true. Wickedly Charming may be the most aptly named romance of the year. In this smart, witty tale of second chances at love, award-winning fantasy and romance writer Grayson deftly nods to pop culture and offers clever spins on classic legends and lore while adding unique twists all her own. Perfect for those who like just a hint of fantasy in a sweet romance.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)