Customer Reviews

The Cinderella List (Love Inspired)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ever since she was a child, Marlo Mayfield has kept a list of traits her dream man would possess. But she never expected to actually meet a man who came anywhere near her list of expectations. So, after a series of bad relationships, Marlo is surprised to have her dream man walk into the kitchen at a party she's catering.

Jake Hammond is an architect, and his hobby is breeding purebred horses. He has a dream of starting a riding program for developmentally challenged children, but his father is against it. Jake intends to do what he wants, and he senses that Marlo would be the perfect volunteer. Marlo has always loved horses, and is quick to agree.

However, Jake has this beautiful, super wealthy, and spoiled girlfriend who is quick to warn Marlo away. Not only that, but after Marlo's boyfriend cheated on her, she was determined to not be "the other woman" to any man. But Jake is determined to show Marlo that he might be the one...

THE CINDERELLA LIST is a really cute story. I have read all of Ms. Baer's "adult" stories, and loved them. When I saw her name, I looked to see if this might be a "Steeple Hill Café" story, which is more chick-lit in flavor (and which I love) and was disappointed that it wasn't. However I couldn't help but fall in love with Marlo. She is quirky, kind, intelligent, and has this creative way of thinking that is so endearing.

Jake is kind, handsome, and considerate... on and on with whatever traits might have been on your "Cinderella List" as a child. He is practically perfect in every way, except in understanding exactly how a woman might feel about being pursued by a man who has a woman already on his arm. Some might call him a cad, but I think he was just clueless, and I really enjoyed getting to know him too.

THE CINDERELLA LIST is adorable, and I highly recommend this story. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book.

This book is from a favorite author, so I was expecting big things when I opened it up and I wasn't disappointed. It had all of my favorite things: fairy tale romance, faith, animals, children, and humor. I loved the concept of the Cinderella List. Marlo, the heroine and her sister played this as a game when they were children. They made lists of the qualities they would expect in a Prince Charming. The last time they played they were adults and Marlo had a pretty good list. Unfortunately she feels like she's doomed to be always a bridesmaid and never a bride, especially when her super-demanding, career oriented friend gets engaged. And when Marlo does meet a man that fits her list, his family already has a bride picked out for him.

Marlo and her Prince Charming, Jake work together to start up a hippotherapy program for children in their area. Hippotherapy uses horses to help people improve on everything from motor skills to strength to self-image. My daughter, who has Down syndrome, participated in a program like this a number of years ago. We've since moved and haven't found a new program in our area, but I'd definitely take her back if we could. Even now she remembers the name of the horse she rode and talks about him.

I also enjoyed the fairy tale theme of the story. Judy Baer has two more books like this from Love Inspired: Sleeping Beauty and Mirror, Mirror. These books have just enough fairy tale influence to liven up the story but are not mundane retellings. They are not proclaimed as a series, but I hope this author will continue to write with fairy tale themes in mind.

I really liked the idea of this book, with Marlo waiting for the man she's dreamed about since she was a little girl. The actual book was a little disappointing, because I had such high expectations, but it wasn't bad. It was definitely a fairy tale/Prince Charming/"and they lived happily ever after" kind of book, which is always fun.