After learning to advocate for herself in the workplace, this sequel to A SALARY CINDERELLA STORY finds Cinderella “El” Casey ready to refocus on dating. Seeing her blissfully engaged friend makes El question how people fall in love and know it’s the real deal. El decides to design her own master’s degree in relationships, complete with readings, interviews, and a cute new study buddy. However, she doesn’t realize how soon she’ll need to put her research to the test when three amazing men enter her life! As El navigates dating while prioritizing her own needs and values, authors Laura C. Browne and Jill L. Ferguson stealthily outline relationship strategies for single readers.
The upbeat narrative benefits from a realistic exploration of meeting and dating several people. As romantic prospects, sweet childhood friend Owen, charming hipster Bernie, and thoughtful bookworm Keith all match well with El in different ways. The authors successfully avoid setting up a competition between the three or making it obvious who our heroine will choose in the end. Instead, romance often takes a backseat to introspection and communication. Ultimately, El’s biggest success is not simply entering a relationship, but choosing a partner who she can be the best version of herself with.
El’s playful form of self-reflection and her friends’ good-humored prodding also keep the book from ever feeling preachy or overtly motivational. Browne and Ferguson summarize the key points of El’s many readings in a way that doesn’t bog down the story, then share a full book list at the end for readers who want to learn more about how attachment styles, communication methods, and self-love impact their relationships. El is also surrounded by an entertaining set of friends who often push her to be bold with her dates. At times, the authors’ emphasis on describing simple external qualities—like clothes and food choices—can make the friends seem more like props than fully fleshed out characters, but eventually, each one takes part an intriguing discussion that shows they have their own views on love and lessons to impart. Though the book is a sequel, it easily functions as a standalone novel. Browne and Ferguson quickly catch readers up on important events and characters, then infuse any other context as needed.
A SINGLES CINDERELLA STORY effectively combines a lighthearted dating narrative with actionable strategies for initiating grounded and communicative romantic relationships, making for both a fun and introspective read.
~Cameron Gillespie for IndieReader