The Cinderella Deal by Jennifer Crusie

The Cinderella Deal

by Jennifer Crusie

New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Crusie brings humor and storytelling magic to this modern-day romance about a match with a dubious beginning—that is destined for a fairy-tale ending.
 
Daisy Flattery is a free spirit with a soft spot for strays and a weakness for a good story. Why else would she agree to the outrageous charade offered by her buttoned-down workaholic neighbor, Linc Blaise? The history professor needs a makeshift fiancée to secure his dream job, and Daisy needs a short-term gig to support her painting career. And so the Cinderella Deal is born: Daisy will transform...Read more

Reviewed by MurderByDeath on

3 of 5 stars

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I almost never read romance, but when I do it's almost always Jennifer Crusie.  She has a way of writing romance without the melodrama, and even when there is angst, it's almost always short lived and smothered in wry humour.  The fact that all her characters staunchly defend and rescue animals makes it even easier to fall into her stories; her characters are just so easy to like.   The Cinderella Deal is one that I've had on my shelves for ages, but sort of thought I'd already read.  Turns out I hadn't.  It's one of her earlier books and one of the simpler plot lines but Crusie is so damn readable I was quickly lost in the story.   What I thought was a beautiful touch was the thread of faith that runs through the narrative.  Daisy refuses to take a false vow before God, and when her mother-in-law is ill she gives Linc the Bible to read to her.     Normally I'd be complaining here because I've almost never seen any author weave faith in without brandishing it like a battle axe (my perception is admittedly touchy about this) but Crusie was awesome.  First, she never dwelled on it; it was just a part of the narrative in the same nonchalant way Daisy painted the walls.  Second, in those few scenes, it was always books from the old testament mentioned, which are just as applicable to Judaism as they are to Christianity.  The only reason a reader would assume Daisy is Christian at all is because of the off hand mention of the Bible itself as the source of the reading.  I liked the way it was done; it felt sincere, more inclusive, and not at all like flag-waving.   If you like light hearted, easy, entertaining reads, I maintain that you just cannot go wrong with Crusie.

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  • Started reading
  • 10 January, 2017: Finished reading
  • 10 January, 2017: Reviewed
  • Started reading
  • Finished reading
  • 10 January, 2017: Reviewed