adarkcinderellanovel – booksofthemuggleborn

The Glass Slipper by K. Webster

Adult Romance, ARC Review, Book Review, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Dark Romance, Romance, Suspense

booksofthemuggleborn_theglassslipper — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

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• BLURB •

Betraying the most powerful man in New York wasn’t something I ever envisioned when I first started playing games with Winston Constantine. But he’s engaged in far more dangerous games than ours, and his enemies are out for blood.

Winston has my heart, the Morellis have incriminating photos, and I’m left with nothing except three stepbrothers who want to hurt me and a future in doubt. I knew Winston wouldn’t be my prince charming, but that didn’t stop me from falling for him.

After all, the slippers fit, and I let myself believe I’d be dancing with Winston forever.

Until too much truth comes to light.

Until I realize instead of ruling the board, I was just a pawn.

In the end, I have only one question. When his game with me is over, will I be able to pretend as if the glass slipper wasn’t a perfect fit?

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• MY REVIEW •

Ahhhh! I recently finished reading the third and final book in Webster’s Cinderella trilogy and I am left reeling, feeling giddy-happy, and all around content with how Ash and Winston’s story wrapped up. This book started off strong and kept at it all the way through to the end. There was just so many things happening that it was hard to put down!

This was an action-packed third installment. A lot of things were left up in the air from the second book that I was itching to get to. Same as the previous books in this trilogy, it’s fast-paced storytelling and told in first person, dual points of view. Whilst it took some getting used to with the difference in age between Ash and Winston, I’m happy to say by this third book I was smiling at their dynamics. The cool, calm and collected mature personality of Winston and the youthful, carefree, and teenage rebelliousness of Ash. I’m late to the party, but for some insane reason I finally found their unique, taboo relationship adorable and just so well-suited now. After two books and a steady progression, Ash and Winston have rubbed off on each other and a somewhat balanced-out coupling has formed. The power and say-so is not all up to Winston anymore. Ash is finally getting some of her input and Winston is all but happy to entertain her wants and needs.

👋 So long to the cold-hearted façade towards Ash… (and to be honest it’s made him more personable in my eyes). You can see his transformation. The guy did not stand a chance against Ash’s drive and determination! 🤭 She’s opened him up emotionally and gave him something else to focus his time on other than the Constantine empire and who to destroy next.

The only reason why I didn’t give it full ratings is whilst it was a great ending to their story, the book itself felt a little rushed towards the end. There were a few roadblocks that Ash and Winston were trying to get through in the previous books that continued onto this one, yet they were all resolved relatively quickly in what seemed like in one fell swoop. You’re still trying to wrap your head around everything and next thing you know it’s already reached the end. It just seemed like a swift conclusion to all their problems before you get to the swoon-worthy happily ever after.

But in saying that, The Glass Slipper is my favourite from all three books. Overall, it was an absolute treat to read this trilogy. It’s definitely a different take on the classic tale of Cinderella, and it stands out from all other fairy tale retellings I’ve read in the past due to Webster’s distinctly twisted style of storytelling. Who would have thought Cinderella in this version is a maid highly paid to participate in indecent sexual acts that’s considered degrading, cruel, and oh-so taboo with the much older, uber rich, and unbelievably powerful “Prince Charming”?! It’s a total adult-rated fairy tale story!

Age Gap Romance
Billionaire Romance
Contemporary
Light BDSM
Opposites Attract

This story has a nice balance of light and shade. Whilst Ash’s and Winston’s story was cast in gloominess the majority of the time, there were still plenty of playful and upbeat moments weaved throughout from keeping it going too dark. Putting aside their quirky relationship, there’s also plenty of secondary characters that assisted in making this book more than a simple love story between two people from opposite worlds.

There’s no slowing down the drama, the copious amounts of devious characters, and dirty dealings going on in their world. I liked how easily the atmosphere changed depending on whichever character was presently in the forefront—whether it was a member of the Constantine family, or Ash’s family, or even those who worked for Winston, you can automatically sense the change in air… which I truly think has a lot to do with the fact that Webster created such lavish world-building that constantly keeps you intrigued.

This is only one story set in the world of the Midnight Dynasty. But I can only hope certain characters (those who don’t already have their own series) who’ve made appearances in this trilogy will eventually get their own book too… *cough* Perry *cough* 😜😉 (More details on the Midnight Dynasty below!)

And I have to say if you’ve read the other books in the Midnight Dynasty then you might agree with me that a certain Constantine has been shown in a slightly different light in these books. I actually liked the fact that in this particular case, this Constantine was shown to have a softer, more human side because they certainly were portrayed to be more ruthless in the other ones.

After reading the first two books, you’ll see how far Ash and Winston have come since their first encounter. It started out initially as a business transaction that turned into so much more. They are wrapped up in each other, and seeing how their story concludes was so satisfying. Team Constantine! ✊ These books introduced me to Webster and I’m looking forward to reading more of her work.

What can you expect from this book? Hot and heavy bedroom romps, declaration of love, suspense, plot twists, and ever-constant banter! A must read for dark romance readers and fans of dark fairy tales.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you K. Webster, Dangerous Press, and Candi Kane PR for the opportunity to read an advanced copy! 💙

🔔 Interested in reading The Glass Slipper? Grab your copy here: Amazon | Apple Books | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Google Play

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👑 Read my reviews for the Cinderella Series!

📘 Book One: Stroke Of Midnight by K. Webster

📘 Book Two: Prince Charming by K. Webster

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Midnight Dynasty is a brand new world where enemies and lovers are often one and the same.

Continue with the world of the Midnight Dynasty!

💻 Join the Facebook Group! Midnight Dynasty Reader Lounge

📱 Follow on Instagram! Dangerous Press

🔔 Get the latest news! Newsletter Sign Up

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Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo

Prince Charming by K. Webster

Adult Romance, ARC Review, Book Review, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Dark Romance, Romance

booksofthemuggleborn_princecharming — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

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• BLURB •

Winston Constantine is no prince charming…

I crave him so badly I think I might be losing my mind. He’s right in front of me, but he’s just as remote as my dreams of getting away from my stepbrothers. I keep playing his twisted games, and I want to stay just as distant as he is. But I can’t. I never could. I’ve fallen for him. Hopelessly. Irrevocably.

But Winston isn’t a lover, he’s a business venture.

A way for me to pay for college.

A ticket out.

He’s never pretended to be anything other than that.

I can’t blame him for making me fall in love.

There can be no happily ever after between a maid and a prince, no matter what the stories say.

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• MY REVIEW •

“I’m the villain and my story doesn’t end with a carriage ride into the sunset.”

Okay. Okay. With the first book (Stroke of Midnight) I was a little skeptical, a little unsure if it was a book I could truly like or not… but after having read the second book? Yeah, I’m sold that yes this book is one hell of an acquired taste but hot damn not only did I binge read it, enjoyed it, but now I’m anticipating the conclusion to the series! Eeep! 🙉

I can undoubtedly say the I am invested in Ash and Winston’s twistedly cruel, yet somehow endearing screwed-up relationship. The constant banter between not only the two of them but with the rest of the Constantine siblings (especially Perry) had me chuckling to myself all throughout (and getting weird side-glances from people as they notice me smiling to myself). 😅

It certainly has a great balance of that light-hearted banter and uplifting moments to the darker, unsettling scenes that occur. As with the first book, this one has sensitive subject matter that may be triggering to some readers. Please be aware that bullying, attempted sexual and physical assault are present.

When I’m not smiling like a loon, I found myself holding my breath at times. Webster has brilliantly set the mood and atmosphere with every scene, making you feel like you’re right there alongside the characters. The build-up, the intensity of some situations had me digging my nails into my palms. It’s one of those stories where you know the pin is eventually going to drop but even though it does, it still takes you aback like you didn’t see it coming… *shakes head* 😲🙈

Such a juicy, entertaining continuance from Stroke of Midnight. It continues right from where it ended and goes straight to Ash and Winston’s full-out complicated kinky relationship. You must read the first book in order to read this one because the series is one whole continuous storyline. With the first book, Ash and Winston were still finding their groove and testing each other’s limits. In this one… they are completely comfortable in each other’s space and have fallen into somewhat of a routine.

As the title has most likely given it away, this book focuses more so on the anti-hero, anti-prince-charming himself, Winston Constantine. Whilst we get both protagonists’ points of view, Winston’s is ultimately what I got hooked onto seeing develop. He’s a businessman — powerful, intimidating, and always get his way. But the more he spends time with Ash, the more his second-guessing his feelings for her.

It’s an interesting contrast to Ash’s young, open book, and usually light-hearted personality. She’s a bubbly teenager, but she also has determination and backbone.

Besides the whole kinky, BDSM erotica weaved throughout this story (which I don’t usually go for in my romance reads), I can’t say an age-gap romance trope is another element I read a lot of. But in saying that, this book (and this entire series in general) has become an exception. I’m not familiar enough with Webster’s writing style, as she’s still a relatively new-to-me author, but based on the two books I’ve read, both of which are from this series, I can say her storytelling is easy to follow, the world-building creative, and the characters are intriguing. These books may be considered guilty pleasure reads, but there not at all fluff. There some depth and progression throughout the story and with the characters.

I adored the push and pull between Ash and Winston, and seeing them battling with their inner monologue. It reminds me somewhat of a soap opera with all the constant drama surrounding the Constantines and the amount of trouble that seems to pop up at every turn. But there are certain situations that are very much relatable that you can’t help but feel emotional about.

The secondary characters in this book are on point! Whether they’re fun-loving, goodhearted heroes, or vile, disturbingly sick villains… they definitely added layers to this modern fairy tale. You’ll either be giggling, or be in a murderous mood. And for those who cry easily like I do, you may just surprisingly get teary-eyed too. Who knows?! Besides the romance, there’s strong familial plot points as well. You get an insight to the Constantine family dynamics, as well as Ash’s one with her father, step ~~monster~~ mother, and (ugh barf!) step-brothers.

Whilst I overall found myself needing to know what happens next. I did get inklings to certain characters and situations that I’m predicting will play out in the third and final book. I don’t want to blurt out names and spoil it for you guys wanting to read this, but a certain friend is looking awfully dodgy that I’m keeping my eyes peeled! *narrows eyes* 🤔

If you love the classic tale of Cinderella told in a dirty, raunchy retelling — that I wouldn’t recommend reading out in public, then you have got to read this one! If you haven’t read Stroke of Midnight, start with that one first. Grab some good grub and some booze, and discover the world of the Constantine family, of secrecy, deception, and devious plotting.

A dark, contemporary romance that’ll have you reading until the wee hours!