Cute. The first half to third I liked best of the series so far. But then it slowed down and really got in Evie’s head more. I liked that her past played into the present so well. I just wish it hadn't sort of fizzled after the island. Also the end when she and Frederic finally get together was sort of rushed and high level description instead of enjoying the moment.
I think calling this a ugly duckling retelling is a really, really loose interpretation. i get the she was going for the idea that Evie’s past seemed unattractive but wasn't. Except shes the only one who thought that—it was always an internal perception and never an external expression by anyone else so it didn't really stick. I did like her as a seamstress. That worked well and was a fun element to the story.