What do you think?
Rate this book
Charlie Glass's Slippers: A Very Modern Fairy Tale
In this delightful, clever spin on Cinderella , Charlie Glass—a heroine as loveable as Cannie Shapiro and Bridget Jones—inherits her father’s shoe empire and snatches up a drop-dead-gorgeous, multi-millionaire Prince Charming. But is he truly the key to her happily ever after?
When Charlie’s beloved father, iconic shoe designer Elroy Glass, dies after a long illness, everyone expects that he’ll leave his business to his glamorous wife and eldest daughters. After all, they’ve been running the company for years. But Elroy surprises everyone from beyond the at the will reading, it’s announced that his fashion empire has been left to Charlie, his youngest—and plumpest—daughter.
Before she can run the company, Charlie decides she needs to make a few changes in her life. After several weeks at a California boot camp, she returns to London a new thinner, blonder, and ready to revitalize the Elroy Glass brand. But as she’ll soon discover, a good esthetician and a killer pair of stilettos can only go so far, and there’s more to reinvention—and running a fashion empire—than meets the eye.
Endlessly entertaining, surprising, and ultimately inspiring, Charlie Glass’s Slippers is a modern-day fairytale about finding your own magic and transforming yourself from within.
When Charlie’s beloved father, iconic shoe designer Elroy Glass, dies after a long illness, everyone expects that he’ll leave his business to his glamorous wife and eldest daughters. After all, they’ve been running the company for years. But Elroy surprises everyone from beyond the at the will reading, it’s announced that his fashion empire has been left to Charlie, his youngest—and plumpest—daughter.
Before she can run the company, Charlie decides she needs to make a few changes in her life. After several weeks at a California boot camp, she returns to London a new thinner, blonder, and ready to revitalize the Elroy Glass brand. But as she’ll soon discover, a good esthetician and a killer pair of stilettos can only go so far, and there’s more to reinvention—and running a fashion empire—than meets the eye.
Endlessly entertaining, surprising, and ultimately inspiring, Charlie Glass’s Slippers is a modern-day fairytale about finding your own magic and transforming yourself from within.
464 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2014
9 people are currently reading
1343 people want to read
About the author
Holly McQueen
12 books63 followersHolly McQueen has wanted to be a writer ever since discovering that the nuns at her junior school would let her off maths homework if she wrote a story instead. After unexpected detours via law, magazine journalism, and even musical theatre, she began writing her first novel in 2006. Holly lives with her husband in London. She still avoids math.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
December 22, 2014
4.5 stars. This was so adorable and well developed. Flew by for almost 500 pages. Would buy for a ton of friends.
Review originally posted on: Rather Be Reading Blog
Any book that falls right under 500 pages is going to be intimidating but I can assure you that once you get hooked on Charlie, you are not going to want to put this novel down. I loved the appeal of a modern day Cinderella set in London. With a writing style similar to Jane Green and Lucy Robinson, I was fully invested in the new life Charlie was trying to make for herself: mind, body, and soul.
Immediately, Charlie was someone I wanted to be friends with. I could understand why she felt so insecure about her business sense when it came to taking on a substantial role in her father’s company. She’s never been the most fashionable and she doesn’t have a lot of experience in PR, sales, or marketing. What she does have is nostalgia: memories of her father working in the shop when she was little, her deceased mom’s collection of some of his best shoes, and hands on knowledge of how much her father’s job meant to him.
Healthier and prepared to wow Diana, her dad’s ex, with the reemergence of the classic Elroy Glass shoe line (affordable to boot), Charlie has a lot if work to do to make this dream a reality. Now there’s the added complication of Jay, a sought after bachelor, who can’t seem to get enough of her, a best friend living with a miserable man, and the unfinished business between her and Ferdy, an old family friend (a.k.a crush) who owns an ice cream shop and is currently dating a sweet psychopath.
Whew!
You couldn’t help but root for an underdog like Charlie. She was still coming to terms with her dad’s behavior when her mother died, trying to triumph over Diana (who has never liked her), and dealing with the emotional baggage stemming from her weight loss. I was really glad that McQueen included that last detail because so many times a character will still have body image insecurities post-loss and it was important that Charlie dealt with these.
With so much going on, McQueen still dedicated a lot of the book to the friendship between Charlie and her longtime best friend, Lucy. When other things (men, waxing, running) start to take up Charlie’s time, it was interesting to see how their relationship changed and had to be reconfigured. I loved how they cared about each other and tried to be honest even when it was hard. Plus the both had moments where they took each other for granted. Something I think happens in a ton of friendships. Here, it was explained well and you could certainly see both sides.
There is so much to enjoy about Charlie Glass’s Slippers. A few other details: cute English slang, an adorable ice cream shop with creative flavor names, and so many laugh out loud moments. Best of all, happily ever after meant more than finding romance. It focused on all the areas of life we are trying to figure out in our 20s: family, friendship, career, and feeling good in our own skin.
Review originally posted on: Rather Be Reading Blog
Any book that falls right under 500 pages is going to be intimidating but I can assure you that once you get hooked on Charlie, you are not going to want to put this novel down. I loved the appeal of a modern day Cinderella set in London. With a writing style similar to Jane Green and Lucy Robinson, I was fully invested in the new life Charlie was trying to make for herself: mind, body, and soul.
Immediately, Charlie was someone I wanted to be friends with. I could understand why she felt so insecure about her business sense when it came to taking on a substantial role in her father’s company. She’s never been the most fashionable and she doesn’t have a lot of experience in PR, sales, or marketing. What she does have is nostalgia: memories of her father working in the shop when she was little, her deceased mom’s collection of some of his best shoes, and hands on knowledge of how much her father’s job meant to him.
Healthier and prepared to wow Diana, her dad’s ex, with the reemergence of the classic Elroy Glass shoe line (affordable to boot), Charlie has a lot if work to do to make this dream a reality. Now there’s the added complication of Jay, a sought after bachelor, who can’t seem to get enough of her, a best friend living with a miserable man, and the unfinished business between her and Ferdy, an old family friend (a.k.a crush) who owns an ice cream shop and is currently dating a sweet psychopath.
Whew!
You couldn’t help but root for an underdog like Charlie. She was still coming to terms with her dad’s behavior when her mother died, trying to triumph over Diana (who has never liked her), and dealing with the emotional baggage stemming from her weight loss. I was really glad that McQueen included that last detail because so many times a character will still have body image insecurities post-loss and it was important that Charlie dealt with these.
With so much going on, McQueen still dedicated a lot of the book to the friendship between Charlie and her longtime best friend, Lucy. When other things (men, waxing, running) start to take up Charlie’s time, it was interesting to see how their relationship changed and had to be reconfigured. I loved how they cared about each other and tried to be honest even when it was hard. Plus the both had moments where they took each other for granted. Something I think happens in a ton of friendships. Here, it was explained well and you could certainly see both sides.
There is so much to enjoy about Charlie Glass’s Slippers. A few other details: cute English slang, an adorable ice cream shop with creative flavor names, and so many laugh out loud moments. Best of all, happily ever after meant more than finding romance. It focused on all the areas of life we are trying to figure out in our 20s: family, friendship, career, and feeling good in our own skin.
August 5, 2014
This modern update of Cinderella positions Charlie Glass as the inheritor of a luxury women's shoe company with multiple desirable suitors. Charlie's life didn't always go so well. She left school and her dreams in order to care for her terminally ill father. She was overweight, and struggled with being positive about her body. Her stepmother was cruel and her half sisters selfish.
I am a sucker for retold fairytales, and I liked the way Holly McQueen updated Cinderella in CHARLIE GLASS'S SLIPPERS. Charlie's struggle with her body and appearance was more compelling than an effortlessly beautiful heroine. Her sudden windfall is her chance to become thinner and blonder (with an intensive fat camp), but her new attention to everything she eats and intense exercise doesn't really make her that much happier. I liked her half sisters quite a bit. The younger one is a model, quite silly in a bit of a sad way, but mostly tries to be sweet to her sister when she isn't jealous. The older one has her own family and is dedicated to her career, without much use for Charlie until she comes to respect her. The sisters aren't the nicest, but they aren't totally awful and they have feelings about family.
As for the two men in Charlie's life, I liked that McQueen didn't make it as simple as Prince Charming just happening to hold a ball. Both men have their good points and bad points. In fact, I didn't like her old crush Freddie at first because of how he failed to communicate with Charlie, but he grew on me. Her new boyfriend is sexy, generous, and really into her, but a bit shallow. I believed I knew which way things were going, but I was a bit surprised.
McQueen also throws a cold case murder mystery into the mix, which seemed a bit much at times. It tied into Charlie's past, her recent grief over her father's death and her mixed emotions since he mostly left her alone after her mother's death. Her mother died in a hit and run, and Charlie and the lead detective (Freddie's father) never give up hope of finding her killer. It added a darkness to the frothy tone of CHARLIE GLASS'S SLIPPERS.
If you're looking for chicklit with a fairytale bent, you might try CHARLIE GLASS'S SLIPPERS. It's characters have surprising dimension, and it tackles some surprisingly tough topics (if with a light touch). I really liked Charlie, with her struggles to maintain her closest friendship amidst change, find true love, and rejuvenate her company.
I am a sucker for retold fairytales, and I liked the way Holly McQueen updated Cinderella in CHARLIE GLASS'S SLIPPERS. Charlie's struggle with her body and appearance was more compelling than an effortlessly beautiful heroine. Her sudden windfall is her chance to become thinner and blonder (with an intensive fat camp), but her new attention to everything she eats and intense exercise doesn't really make her that much happier. I liked her half sisters quite a bit. The younger one is a model, quite silly in a bit of a sad way, but mostly tries to be sweet to her sister when she isn't jealous. The older one has her own family and is dedicated to her career, without much use for Charlie until she comes to respect her. The sisters aren't the nicest, but they aren't totally awful and they have feelings about family.
As for the two men in Charlie's life, I liked that McQueen didn't make it as simple as Prince Charming just happening to hold a ball. Both men have their good points and bad points. In fact, I didn't like her old crush Freddie at first because of how he failed to communicate with Charlie, but he grew on me. Her new boyfriend is sexy, generous, and really into her, but a bit shallow. I believed I knew which way things were going, but I was a bit surprised.
McQueen also throws a cold case murder mystery into the mix, which seemed a bit much at times. It tied into Charlie's past, her recent grief over her father's death and her mixed emotions since he mostly left her alone after her mother's death. Her mother died in a hit and run, and Charlie and the lead detective (Freddie's father) never give up hope of finding her killer. It added a darkness to the frothy tone of CHARLIE GLASS'S SLIPPERS.
If you're looking for chicklit with a fairytale bent, you might try CHARLIE GLASS'S SLIPPERS. It's characters have surprising dimension, and it tackles some surprisingly tough topics (if with a light touch). I really liked Charlie, with her struggles to maintain her closest friendship amidst change, find true love, and rejuvenate her company.
July 20, 2014
Original review can be found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...
I received an advanced readers copy of this book from Atria Books via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
As described in the synopsis, this book has a real Cinderella quality to it as well as Bridget Jones. In fact, it reminded me a lot of Bridget Jones. Although the story is not overly original it is still an entertaining and enjoyable read.
I thoroughly enjoyed Charlie's character and found myself giggling on numerous occasions. I particularly liked her thoughts around all of the "grooming" that she found herself enduring in her efforts to transform herself. She was quirky, clutsy, awkward and totally unaware of her positive qualities which made her relatable as well as likeable. She had me in her corner from beginning to end. Not only was Charlie a pleasure to read about but so were her group of friends from Lucy to Ferdy to Olly.
Of course there are always the characters that you love to hate and this book is no exception. With an evil step-mother and spoiled, self centred step-sisters, Charlie finds resistance around every corner in her effort to bring her father's shoes back to life. It was her family dynamic that brought a modern Cinderella quality to the story. Of course no Cinderella story is complete without a "Prince Charming" and Charlie has one of those too...or does she?
This story is really a story about Charlie coming into her own and discovering who she really is and what she wants out of life. Although told in a fun and quirky way, there is a positive message hidden within the pages about acceptance, self worth and being happy within your own skin. This book is an easy and fun summer read that fans of chick lit will be sure to enjoy. I know I did.
I received an advanced readers copy of this book from Atria Books via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
As described in the synopsis, this book has a real Cinderella quality to it as well as Bridget Jones. In fact, it reminded me a lot of Bridget Jones. Although the story is not overly original it is still an entertaining and enjoyable read.
I thoroughly enjoyed Charlie's character and found myself giggling on numerous occasions. I particularly liked her thoughts around all of the "grooming" that she found herself enduring in her efforts to transform herself. She was quirky, clutsy, awkward and totally unaware of her positive qualities which made her relatable as well as likeable. She had me in her corner from beginning to end. Not only was Charlie a pleasure to read about but so were her group of friends from Lucy to Ferdy to Olly.
Of course there are always the characters that you love to hate and this book is no exception. With an evil step-mother and spoiled, self centred step-sisters, Charlie finds resistance around every corner in her effort to bring her father's shoes back to life. It was her family dynamic that brought a modern Cinderella quality to the story. Of course no Cinderella story is complete without a "Prince Charming" and Charlie has one of those too...or does she?
This story is really a story about Charlie coming into her own and discovering who she really is and what she wants out of life. Although told in a fun and quirky way, there is a positive message hidden within the pages about acceptance, self worth and being happy within your own skin. This book is an easy and fun summer read that fans of chick lit will be sure to enjoy. I know I did.
August 4, 2014
**I got this through the Goodreads First Reads giveaway by Atria.**
3.5 stars...
I was SO excited when I found out I won this book. The plot line instantly grabbed my attention. I love retelling of fairy tales and what not so a retelling of Cinderella was exciting!
I started out loving this book. Part one of the book was great. It made me laugh and I fell in love with Charlie. She was funny, smart, self conscious (but who isn't?), and an all around great character. The other characters were also all very well rounded believable characters that I either liked, disliked or thought were just plain silly according to who it was. And the storyline was perfect and moved along at a very nice pace.
Then comes part 2 which takes place after she went to boot camp and it just went a bit downhill from there. It starts off ok enough but when she got back she was SO obsessed with her appearance I wanted to crawl through the book and strangle her!! She was so ridiculous and self centered! And honestly she seemed to be a bit less intelligent. It was still easy to read but at the same time I started to get that "I just want to finish this book" mentality.
Part 3 was better the book came together a little bit and I was so happy that it did. It also had some huge surprises. However because of the surprises the ending sucked. It pretty much is left wide open and you don't really know what happens. The ending isn't very polished I guess you can say.
3.5 stars...
I was SO excited when I found out I won this book. The plot line instantly grabbed my attention. I love retelling of fairy tales and what not so a retelling of Cinderella was exciting!
I started out loving this book. Part one of the book was great. It made me laugh and I fell in love with Charlie. She was funny, smart, self conscious (but who isn't?), and an all around great character. The other characters were also all very well rounded believable characters that I either liked, disliked or thought were just plain silly according to who it was. And the storyline was perfect and moved along at a very nice pace.
Then comes part 2 which takes place after she went to boot camp and it just went a bit downhill from there. It starts off ok enough but when she got back she was SO obsessed with her appearance I wanted to crawl through the book and strangle her!! She was so ridiculous and self centered! And honestly she seemed to be a bit less intelligent. It was still easy to read but at the same time I started to get that "I just want to finish this book" mentality.
Part 3 was better the book came together a little bit and I was so happy that it did. It also had some huge surprises. However because of the surprises the ending sucked. It pretty much is left wide open and you don't really know what happens. The ending isn't very polished I guess you can say.
August 11, 2014
A clever retelling of the classic story of Cinderella. Charlie Glass has spent years taking care of her ailing father and bearing the brunt of the malice from her ex-stepmother and two half-sisters. When the tables turn and she gets controlling interest in her father's exclusive shoe company, she has a chance to reinvent herself.
After a stint in a weight loss boot camp, Charlie feels ready to take on the company and her uber-bitch stepmother. She finds herself in the middle of two Prince Charmings, one with feet of clay. just when she feels that she has put her ugly past behind her, disaster strikes and she has to start over again.
What I liked about this book was that Charlie had to make changes in herself but she also had to really see the truth about the people around her. She made surface changes but internal ones too and she needed to look beyond the surface of her family and friends to see what she really wanted. There are some cute variations on the fairy tale, especially the loss of the glass slipper. A fun read all around.
After a stint in a weight loss boot camp, Charlie feels ready to take on the company and her uber-bitch stepmother. She finds herself in the middle of two Prince Charmings, one with feet of clay. just when she feels that she has put her ugly past behind her, disaster strikes and she has to start over again.
What I liked about this book was that Charlie had to make changes in herself but she also had to really see the truth about the people around her. She made surface changes but internal ones too and she needed to look beyond the surface of her family and friends to see what she really wanted. There are some cute variations on the fairy tale, especially the loss of the glass slipper. A fun read all around.
August 24, 2014
I'm always a sucker for a fairy tale retelling so the Cinderella story drew me in and was what kept me reading. This was a lot like a Sophie Kinsella book, but just not quite as funny and not really cute enough to redeem it from all it's trashy parts. I liked how it all ended, but I would have liked a much different path getting there.
June 27, 2017
Meh. It was okay. not the worst - not the best.
September 17, 2017
I LOVE fairy tale retellings. I did enjoy the fairytale elements of it, and was intrigued by this new take on it: "Cinderella" and her sisters being adults instead of teens, and half-sisters instead of stepsisters, and I enjoyed the parts where she left her shoes behind when suddenly leaving a party, wanted to wear her Mother's dress, etc.
But the sheer joy of there being a new twist on Cinderella wasn't enough to carry this book. The female characters were all shallow and WAY too focused on being skinny. I never much cared about Charlie herself, and I REALLY didn't like her entire attitude in the middle of the book. This is one book I wish I'd put down instead of finishing.
But the sheer joy of there being a new twist on Cinderella wasn't enough to carry this book. The female characters were all shallow and WAY too focused on being skinny. I never much cared about Charlie herself, and I REALLY didn't like her entire attitude in the middle of the book. This is one book I wish I'd put down instead of finishing.
July 26, 2017
Very cute and has some interesting body issue stuff.
I always have some problems reading the Cinderella stories because the step family is just SO AWFUL! That's still the case here, but the whole story worked out as a good balance. Although, there was so much food talk that I think I was constantly hungry. I blame this book for the ice cream that made me feel crappy today. 😆
I always have some problems reading the Cinderella stories because the step family is just SO AWFUL! That's still the case here, but the whole story worked out as a good balance. Although, there was so much food talk that I think I was constantly hungry. I blame this book for the ice cream that made me feel crappy today. 😆
December 22, 2017
A mix between Devil Wear Prada and murder mystery. I love the fact the author was able to invoke such strong emotional feelings between the characters. I empathized with Charlie's self image views and struggles to fight against the stereotypes against her.
There were parts of the plotline that were predictable, but the twist at the end made it worth it. I was drawn in by the second chapter.
There were parts of the plotline that were predictable, but the twist at the end made it worth it. I was drawn in by the second chapter.
September 22, 2017
Quite long winded and slow. The characters were well developed but aspects of the story could have been better written and there didn't need to be so much focus on Charlie's thoughts or her exercise routine.
June 29, 2020
Considered this as my guilty pleasure. Very funny and very entertaining but the plot could be more interesting if the author focus more on writing about Charlie’s journey to set up her new shoes line rather than her love life.
August 17, 2020
I lked it, I just thought it was a little slow paced for my taste... especially considering that I wasn´t too fond of the ending since I thought it a little rushed. Nonetheless, I actually enjoyed the book and its little funny moments, as well as the twist with the Cinderella story and all.
March 2, 2017
Loved this book! Perfectly written romantic comedy that focusing on the importance of loving yourself, forgiveness and friendship. Overall I would definitely recommend this book.
August 5, 2019
I started the book so I read the book
May 8, 2020
This was a fun, light, humorous read.
September 9, 2022
Hidden gem!
October 26, 2022
Contemporary Cinderella retelling…
February 14, 2025
Adorable! A cute, easy read.
August 23, 2014
As seen on Read and Shelved
Do you have any idea how hard it is to “navigate that tricky area on the edge of the friend zone?” Well Charlie learned that the hard way!
Charlie’s Glass Slippers, in my opinion, would make an enjoyable romantic-comedy movie. It is a laugh out loud and lighthearted story that would make a good Saturday rom-com watch for the family. It also made a good (and funny) jab on how and why the “gosh-you’re-such-a-big-strong-man-and-so-clever-too-whereas-I’m-so-weak-and-silly-I-can’t-even-take-my-own-clothes-off-would-you-do-it-for-me?” kind of woman can easily bag the guys we want for ourselves. Yes, I’m sorry if that was a mouthful but I couldn’t resist not quoting that!
I had fun reading this book. Charlie’s Glass Slippers has the familiar characters from Cinderella, from the damsel in distress to the stepsisters, stepmother, Prince Charming and even a “pumpkin ride”. Unlike the fairy tale though, this romantic novel has a delicious and delightful twist! We find our modern Cinderella in Charlie, a plus-size woman who spent her whole life living in the shadows of her model-thin sisters. She had a sorry life being at the beck and call of her family but the death of their father changed all of their lives.
I’m a huge fan of the ‘just friends turned into lovers’ trope and boy I pretty much enjoyed diving into this one. I loved how the characters were all so realistically imperfect. Their imperfections were hilariously endearing and frustrating that I often found myself between delight and irritation. I reveled in how no one did anything halfheartedly. They were either bitchy or nice, overconfident or insecure, smart or fool but never in between. The family dynamics, in my opinion, were an all familiar scene but it still hooked me especially when the main character was consistently loyal to the image and idea of her father being a perfect dad. It was heartbreaking.
I admit there were times when I skimmed some pages mostly when Charlie kept blabbering on about some stuff I’m not really interested to know. Charlie sounded prattling to me when she repeats the same sentiments, thoughts or argument again and again. It annoyed me because I felt like I was wasting precious time (pages) reading about something she just said about 5 pages back. I really don’t have any major issue with the other characters as I knew this was going to be a light romantic read. I did, however, had a little tiff with the story line because the ending felt rushed. I was near the end and there was no resolution in sight for the love problem. Then, bham! 3 pages into the ending comes the happily-ever-after. Good thing I’m a fan of friends-into-lovers stories! Yes, the ending was predictable but it was enjoyable how it came about.
Charlie’s Glass Slippers reminds us readers that change starts within one’s self; that it is possible to be THE glamorous and THE smart and confident woman at the same time. As modern fairy tales go, the book was very charming in telling us that THE Prince Charming we think we need is not always the one with the grandest and shiniest armor (or car for that matter) ;)
Should you read it?
YES, if you love romantic comedy stories or lighthearted, feel good novels.
YES, if you love Cinderella.
ABSOLUTELY YES, if you’re a romantic.
Note: I received an e-ARC of this book so some quotes might have been changed in the final printing. :)
Do you have any idea how hard it is to “navigate that tricky area on the edge of the friend zone?” Well Charlie learned that the hard way!
Charlie’s Glass Slippers, in my opinion, would make an enjoyable romantic-comedy movie. It is a laugh out loud and lighthearted story that would make a good Saturday rom-com watch for the family. It also made a good (and funny) jab on how and why the “gosh-you’re-such-a-big-strong-man-and-so-clever-too-whereas-I’m-so-weak-and-silly-I-can’t-even-take-my-own-clothes-off-would-you-do-it-for-me?” kind of woman can easily bag the guys we want for ourselves. Yes, I’m sorry if that was a mouthful but I couldn’t resist not quoting that!
I had fun reading this book. Charlie’s Glass Slippers has the familiar characters from Cinderella, from the damsel in distress to the stepsisters, stepmother, Prince Charming and even a “pumpkin ride”. Unlike the fairy tale though, this romantic novel has a delicious and delightful twist! We find our modern Cinderella in Charlie, a plus-size woman who spent her whole life living in the shadows of her model-thin sisters. She had a sorry life being at the beck and call of her family but the death of their father changed all of their lives.
I’m a huge fan of the ‘just friends turned into lovers’ trope and boy I pretty much enjoyed diving into this one. I loved how the characters were all so realistically imperfect. Their imperfections were hilariously endearing and frustrating that I often found myself between delight and irritation. I reveled in how no one did anything halfheartedly. They were either bitchy or nice, overconfident or insecure, smart or fool but never in between. The family dynamics, in my opinion, were an all familiar scene but it still hooked me especially when the main character was consistently loyal to the image and idea of her father being a perfect dad. It was heartbreaking.
I admit there were times when I skimmed some pages mostly when Charlie kept blabbering on about some stuff I’m not really interested to know. Charlie sounded prattling to me when she repeats the same sentiments, thoughts or argument again and again. It annoyed me because I felt like I was wasting precious time (pages) reading about something she just said about 5 pages back. I really don’t have any major issue with the other characters as I knew this was going to be a light romantic read. I did, however, had a little tiff with the story line because the ending felt rushed. I was near the end and there was no resolution in sight for the love problem. Then, bham! 3 pages into the ending comes the happily-ever-after. Good thing I’m a fan of friends-into-lovers stories! Yes, the ending was predictable but it was enjoyable how it came about.
Charlie’s Glass Slippers reminds us readers that change starts within one’s self; that it is possible to be THE glamorous and THE smart and confident woman at the same time. As modern fairy tales go, the book was very charming in telling us that THE Prince Charming we think we need is not always the one with the grandest and shiniest armor (or car for that matter) ;)
“Any girl can be glamorous. All you have to do is stand still and look stupid.”
Should you read it?
YES, if you love romantic comedy stories or lighthearted, feel good novels.
YES, if you love Cinderella.
ABSOLUTELY YES, if you’re a romantic.
Note: I received an e-ARC of this book so some quotes might have been changed in the final printing. :)
August 28, 2020
After his death, Charlie Glass's father leaves his luxury shoe company to her - instead of his ex-wife and two other daughters. In addition to her new responsibilities, Charlie has also drastically changed her appearance, but finds it may not be worth the effort.
I thought this was a cute Cinderella retelling. I loved the clever ways the the author incorporated important elements of the original story in a modern way - her glam up, the shoes, the evil stepmother, the prince. Charlie has not had an easy life, but she's still upbeat and kind. Even though she never worked at the shoe company before, she throws herself into it wholeheartedly, knowing it was her father's passion. There's also a rom-com element to the story. I think many readers will identify with her body issues, even after she loses a bunch of weight. There is a lot of fat-shaming in this book, and my heart broke for Charlie every time her stepmother was cruel to her. The book probably could have been a bit shorter - at times the pacing dragged and felt repetitive. However, it was still light and entertaining. 3.5 stars
I thought this was a cute Cinderella retelling. I loved the clever ways the the author incorporated important elements of the original story in a modern way - her glam up, the shoes, the evil stepmother, the prince. Charlie has not had an easy life, but she's still upbeat and kind. Even though she never worked at the shoe company before, she throws herself into it wholeheartedly, knowing it was her father's passion. There's also a rom-com element to the story. I think many readers will identify with her body issues, even after she loses a bunch of weight. There is a lot of fat-shaming in this book, and my heart broke for Charlie every time her stepmother was cruel to her. The book probably could have been a bit shorter - at times the pacing dragged and felt repetitive. However, it was still light and entertaining. 3.5 stars
March 17, 2014
Book Title: Charlie Glass’s Slippers
Author: Holly McQueen
Publisher: Atria Books, 2014
Pages: 360
Genre: Contemporary Chick-lit
Recommended Age: Adult
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Summary:
Holly McQueen, author of the Isabel Bookbinder series, gives the readers a modern day effortlessly amusing Cinderella story. Charlotte Glass, aka Charlie, is the youngest daughter of iconic British shoe designer Elroy Glass. After putting her life on hold to care for her terminally-ill father for ten long years, it is discovered that Elroy has willed the shoe empire to Charlie, and not her ice queen of a step-mother or step-sisters. With new found wealth and responsibility, Charlie first gets a makeover that transforms not only her full-figured body but also her life.
The predictable but humorous plot does justice to the chick lit genre and makes this the perfect beach read. Charlie is the type of character that you want to sympathize with, laugh at, knock some sense into, and cheer for. She is a sweetheart who is just beginning to discover her self-worth and potential. The “evil” step-sisters are relatable and the supporting characters are absolutely fantastic! The dynamics between all of the characters are thoroughly entertaining. While materialistic characters and body image issues are all too common/mundane for this genre, they work in this book.
On the technical side there are a couple of distractions. Firstly, there are a few instances where the narrative tenses (which alternate quickly between past and present depending on Charlie’s reflections and current actions) did not flow. Perhaps it is the use of the present indicative? It is not enough to detract from the likeability of the story. Secondly, the author seems to take liberties with the British vernacular. Discrepancies such as describing driving distance in miles and weight in pounds seems a little odd.
Overall, well done! The story reads like a movie and I imagine (slightly younger versions of) Simon Baker and Colin Firth playing the roles of Jay Broderick and Ferde Wright. Yum!
Why I picked it up: It was compared to Bridget Jones…I liked the movie. I received this story as a Edelweiss ARC copy.
Why I finished it: It was an enjoyable light read.
Who I would give it to: Former bookclub peers.
Author: Holly McQueen
Publisher: Atria Books, 2014
Pages: 360
Genre: Contemporary Chick-lit
Recommended Age: Adult
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Summary:
Holly McQueen, author of the Isabel Bookbinder series, gives the readers a modern day effortlessly amusing Cinderella story. Charlotte Glass, aka Charlie, is the youngest daughter of iconic British shoe designer Elroy Glass. After putting her life on hold to care for her terminally-ill father for ten long years, it is discovered that Elroy has willed the shoe empire to Charlie, and not her ice queen of a step-mother or step-sisters. With new found wealth and responsibility, Charlie first gets a makeover that transforms not only her full-figured body but also her life.
The predictable but humorous plot does justice to the chick lit genre and makes this the perfect beach read. Charlie is the type of character that you want to sympathize with, laugh at, knock some sense into, and cheer for. She is a sweetheart who is just beginning to discover her self-worth and potential. The “evil” step-sisters are relatable and the supporting characters are absolutely fantastic! The dynamics between all of the characters are thoroughly entertaining. While materialistic characters and body image issues are all too common/mundane for this genre, they work in this book.
On the technical side there are a couple of distractions. Firstly, there are a few instances where the narrative tenses (which alternate quickly between past and present depending on Charlie’s reflections and current actions) did not flow. Perhaps it is the use of the present indicative? It is not enough to detract from the likeability of the story. Secondly, the author seems to take liberties with the British vernacular. Discrepancies such as describing driving distance in miles and weight in pounds seems a little odd.
Overall, well done! The story reads like a movie and I imagine (slightly younger versions of) Simon Baker and Colin Firth playing the roles of Jay Broderick and Ferde Wright. Yum!
Why I picked it up: It was compared to Bridget Jones…I liked the movie. I received this story as a Edelweiss ARC copy.
Why I finished it: It was an enjoyable light read.
Who I would give it to: Former bookclub peers.
August 8, 2014
A truly wonderful modern retelling of Cinderella! I am in love with this new book and I cannot wait to finish typing this review so that I can go and place this book atop my favorite’s shelf. Charlie Glass has just suffered the loss of her beloved father and is left to deal with her evil stepmother, Diana, and her two obnoxious stepsisters, Gaby and Robyn. Charlie is also left, surprisingly by her father, his shoe empire that he and his ex-wife, Diana, worked years to build together. Charlie has no clue that her father planned to leave her his half of the business, and when she finds out his plans for her she accepts them courageously and finally tells Diana where to go, if you catch my drift! Charlie looks at her new life with wide eyes and hopes for the best adventure yet!
Charlie Glass was so much like Bridget Jones and I absolutely loved that! Charlie is not your typical chick lit heroine because she does not have a model figure and a perfectly handsome, rich boyfriend in tow. However, Charlie has quite a few self-confidence issues because she is overweight and looks nothing like her vibrant, beautiful stepsisters and she is afraid that she does not fit the Glass image that her father worked so long and hard to achieve. Charlie takes a lot of criticism from her stepmother, Diana, who I really, really disliked. Charlie is a very inspirational heroine and really had to overcome a lot throughout the course of this novel. She worked so hard to get herself back into shape and to really have more confidence in herself. In the end, she turned out to be one of the most courageous characters I have ever read and adored.
McQueen does something a bit different when it comes to the romance department in this book. This is a Cinderella retelling so many people would think that there is a Prince Charming who comes in and sweeps Charlie off of her feet, but in this book there are Prince Charming’s! I really liked this choice on McQueen’s part because it switched things up from the average, ordinary fairy tale retelling. Both men had good and bad qualities and honestly I did not know which one Charlie would finally choose. I really enjoyed the love triangle; it was so well-written and trust me romance is not my favorite part of any book that I read!
***A free copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Atria Books in exchange for my honest review***
Charlie Glass was so much like Bridget Jones and I absolutely loved that! Charlie is not your typical chick lit heroine because she does not have a model figure and a perfectly handsome, rich boyfriend in tow. However, Charlie has quite a few self-confidence issues because she is overweight and looks nothing like her vibrant, beautiful stepsisters and she is afraid that she does not fit the Glass image that her father worked so long and hard to achieve. Charlie takes a lot of criticism from her stepmother, Diana, who I really, really disliked. Charlie is a very inspirational heroine and really had to overcome a lot throughout the course of this novel. She worked so hard to get herself back into shape and to really have more confidence in herself. In the end, she turned out to be one of the most courageous characters I have ever read and adored.
McQueen does something a bit different when it comes to the romance department in this book. This is a Cinderella retelling so many people would think that there is a Prince Charming who comes in and sweeps Charlie off of her feet, but in this book there are Prince Charming’s! I really liked this choice on McQueen’s part because it switched things up from the average, ordinary fairy tale retelling. Both men had good and bad qualities and honestly I did not know which one Charlie would finally choose. I really enjoyed the love triangle; it was so well-written and trust me romance is not my favorite part of any book that I read!
***A free copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Atria Books in exchange for my honest review***
August 6, 2014
Holly McQueen has taken one of my favorite fairy tales and created a wonderful modern day story. Let me tell you some of the things that made this really stand out in my mind. First we have Charlie which is short for Charlotte. She is the plump member of the family. She gets walked on by her sisters. She is a peacemaker. She is not exactly a fashionista. Her sister Gaby is all show and about as snooty and uppity as they come. Robyn tries to put on airs. She definitely has some problems. She’s just come back from getting help from having a break down.
Charlie has a small dinner and ends up trying to keep peace the entire time. When two of the guests, one of whom was not originally invited complain they can’t eat the food and order food in, she takes it in stride. She is definitely someone who needs to stand up to others. I love that she considers her step-mother the “Ice Queen”, “High Priestess of Mordor”, She Who Must Not Be Named.” It gives us an idea of what she thinks of the woman. Something else unique about this story is the way she became Charlie’s step-mother. Charlie’s father was married to Gabby and Robyn’s mother. They got a divorce and later he married Charlie’s mom and they had her. Charlie’s mom died when she was run over and Charlie went to live with her Step-family. She was always considered lowly because her mother was a domestic and not high society like her step-mother. Charlie’s step mom is so verbally abusive to her. In front of other people she tries to put on a good act. I believe that is one reason I really could not stand her. I took great pleasure in learning Charlie’s dad had left 51% of the shares to her because she had given up her own life to take care of him, while the other members of his family only took from him.
Revenge might not be what Charlie set out to get when she takes a leave and comes back with a new look and a new idea for moving the business forward. That is exactly what she gets.
I loved the book. The characters were so well developed that you could not help loving some and really despising others. I really look forward to reading anything else this author puts out. I would highly recommend this book with a lot of quirky twists. It is one you have to sit and read cover to cover.
I received a copy to help facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Charlie has a small dinner and ends up trying to keep peace the entire time. When two of the guests, one of whom was not originally invited complain they can’t eat the food and order food in, she takes it in stride. She is definitely someone who needs to stand up to others. I love that she considers her step-mother the “Ice Queen”, “High Priestess of Mordor”, She Who Must Not Be Named.” It gives us an idea of what she thinks of the woman. Something else unique about this story is the way she became Charlie’s step-mother. Charlie’s father was married to Gabby and Robyn’s mother. They got a divorce and later he married Charlie’s mom and they had her. Charlie’s mom died when she was run over and Charlie went to live with her Step-family. She was always considered lowly because her mother was a domestic and not high society like her step-mother. Charlie’s step mom is so verbally abusive to her. In front of other people she tries to put on a good act. I believe that is one reason I really could not stand her. I took great pleasure in learning Charlie’s dad had left 51% of the shares to her because she had given up her own life to take care of him, while the other members of his family only took from him.
Revenge might not be what Charlie set out to get when she takes a leave and comes back with a new look and a new idea for moving the business forward. That is exactly what she gets.
I loved the book. The characters were so well developed that you could not help loving some and really despising others. I really look forward to reading anything else this author puts out. I would highly recommend this book with a lot of quirky twists. It is one you have to sit and read cover to cover.
I received a copy to help facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
October 3, 2014
Charlie is the third Glass sister, and when her father dies she is the one he bestows the majority shares of his company upon -- to the shock of everyone. After all, Charlie is the youngest sister, and is not supposed to be the prettiest, and is certainly not the slimmest, either, as is pointed out at every possible moment by her step-mother. Rather than be intimidated by her new role, Charlie takes herself to America where she gets in shape and brainstorms an idea of where to take her father’s company. She devises a vintage line, named Glass Slippers, to remind the fashion world of her father’s design aesthetic and return the shoe line to its former glory.
This story, however, is not primarily about the shoe line but is about Charlie’s weight. When she returns from America everyone she previously knew is shocked by her appearance, along with the way she has now begun to obsess over her looks. The new-Charlie might have gotten a ridiculously handsome boyfriend, but is he really worth it when she has to stress herself out so much in the attempt to be perfect for him? The new-Charlie might look good according to society’s beauty standards, but does that mean she is actually happy? When the story attempted to uncover answers to those two questions it was good. My major complaint is that despite the long length of the story, it did not include what I believed was the point of it all. By this I mean that it was a disappointment to have Charlie’s realizations presented to the reader rather than see them take root within her and put to action over a course of time, or even in an epilogue.
In conclusion, I would deem this to be a predictable but rather enjoyable story. There were plenty of moments that caused me to laugh out loud, and there were also moments that made me smile (because of Ferdy!). The obsession with perfection and Charlie’s weight might be exasperating to some readers, yet I would advise to stick it out because in the end she does make progress.
This story, however, is not primarily about the shoe line but is about Charlie’s weight. When she returns from America everyone she previously knew is shocked by her appearance, along with the way she has now begun to obsess over her looks. The new-Charlie might have gotten a ridiculously handsome boyfriend, but is he really worth it when she has to stress herself out so much in the attempt to be perfect for him? The new-Charlie might look good according to society’s beauty standards, but does that mean she is actually happy? When the story attempted to uncover answers to those two questions it was good. My major complaint is that despite the long length of the story, it did not include what I believed was the point of it all. By this I mean that it was a disappointment to have Charlie’s realizations presented to the reader rather than see them take root within her and put to action over a course of time, or even in an epilogue.
In conclusion, I would deem this to be a predictable but rather enjoyable story. There were plenty of moments that caused me to laugh out loud, and there were also moments that made me smile (because of Ferdy!). The obsession with perfection and Charlie’s weight might be exasperating to some readers, yet I would advise to stick it out because in the end she does make progress.
November 16, 2015
The blurb instantly grabbed my attention, and the story didn't disappoint. Charlie Glass is our modern day Cinderella, a little bit of an 'ugly duckling' within the fashion empire. Her father, the legendary Elroy Glass, who recently passed away, surprised all when he left his daughter Charlie the majority share of the Glass Empire. This doesn't go down too well with the Evil Stepmother and Sisters. Before she's able to take the reigns, Charlie feels she needs to work on herself. Enters a new Charlie, who is thinner and blonder and much more confident in her skin.
No matter how old you are, who doesn't love a fairy tale? Even more so, a fairy tale that has been revamped for the modern day? This modern take on Cinderella was so much fun and it had the perfect amount of romance.
We follow Charlie as she tries build her life, and rebuild the Elroy Glass brand. Along the way of course, we meet Prince Charming.. Well Prince Charmings. Charlie has a few different suitors and each with their own virtues, it wasn't actually as easy as Cinderella experiences in the fairy tale. I enjoyed the way Holly played out each relationship, and I wasn't able to easily guess who she would have her Happily Ever After with.
Charlie was a wonderful leading lady. She was a little self depreciative, she really didn't understand the way people looked at her, especially after her transformation. Charlie is witty and goofy and it was really easy to connect with her and cheer her on.
I had so much fun with this story. I loved the characters, even the evil stepsisters. They were a brilliant representation of the urban fashionista. The writing flowed, and the British slang added another fun element to the reading experience. What else can I say? I thoroughly enjoyed this story and it was a nice little escape from the angst im usually knee deep in.
No matter how old you are, who doesn't love a fairy tale? Even more so, a fairy tale that has been revamped for the modern day? This modern take on Cinderella was so much fun and it had the perfect amount of romance.
We follow Charlie as she tries build her life, and rebuild the Elroy Glass brand. Along the way of course, we meet Prince Charming.. Well Prince Charmings. Charlie has a few different suitors and each with their own virtues, it wasn't actually as easy as Cinderella experiences in the fairy tale. I enjoyed the way Holly played out each relationship, and I wasn't able to easily guess who she would have her Happily Ever After with.
Charlie was a wonderful leading lady. She was a little self depreciative, she really didn't understand the way people looked at her, especially after her transformation. Charlie is witty and goofy and it was really easy to connect with her and cheer her on.
I had so much fun with this story. I loved the characters, even the evil stepsisters. They were a brilliant representation of the urban fashionista. The writing flowed, and the British slang added another fun element to the reading experience. What else can I say? I thoroughly enjoyed this story and it was a nice little escape from the angst im usually knee deep in.
Read
April 8, 2025 Review
Charlie Glass's Slippers is a fun read, and I couldn't put it down.
Charlie has a few image issues when in the same vicinity as her stick thin sisters. She has it in her head that being slimmer will help her run her dad's shoe business. But it may not. She becomes someone that is constantly stressing about her image. She has to look a certain way for everyone, and that thought process drove me mad! She starts placing all of her value in her appearance. There are a couple of potential love interests: Ferdy and Jay. I really liked Ferdy even though I thought he got upset about ridiculous things. And I couldn't stand Jay. He thinks money shows affection, and couldn't be more wrong.
We also learn about how awful Charlie's sisters can be. There were a few times I wished I could reach through the pages. They are so mean to Charlie. She's treated more like a servant that an part of the family. And don't even get me started on her step-mother. That's a whole other can of worms. That woman is awful. Charlie definitely needs to learn to stand up for herself when it comes to the step-monster.
I loved everything about this book. The pacing was great, we went on this journey with Charlie, and had the chance to see her grow. I also loved all of the characters. They were fleshed out well, and added something to Charlie's story.
I definitely recommend this book. It's fun and perfect as the summer winds down.
Charlie Glass's Slippers is a fun read, and I couldn't put it down.
Charlie has a few image issues when in the same vicinity as her stick thin sisters. She has it in her head that being slimmer will help her run her dad's shoe business. But it may not. She becomes someone that is constantly stressing about her image. She has to look a certain way for everyone, and that thought process drove me mad! She starts placing all of her value in her appearance. There are a couple of potential love interests: Ferdy and Jay. I really liked Ferdy even though I thought he got upset about ridiculous things. And I couldn't stand Jay. He thinks money shows affection, and couldn't be more wrong.
We also learn about how awful Charlie's sisters can be. There were a few times I wished I could reach through the pages. They are so mean to Charlie. She's treated more like a servant that an part of the family. And don't even get me started on her step-mother. That's a whole other can of worms. That woman is awful. Charlie definitely needs to learn to stand up for herself when it comes to the step-monster.
I loved everything about this book. The pacing was great, we went on this journey with Charlie, and had the chance to see her grow. I also loved all of the characters. They were fleshed out well, and added something to Charlie's story.
I definitely recommend this book. It's fun and perfect as the summer winds down.
October 13, 2015
I'll start with the positive of this book for me; I like that it seemed to be a longer book than many others I've been reading lately. I hate when I open a book to see that it is only 190 pages, maybe low 200s, and that they always seem so rushed to get everything in in those few pages. So I did enjoy that this book was long enough to give a distinct beginning, middle, and end to the story without feeling rushed. On to the negatives...I really enjoyed all of the author's previous works, so this one was a major let down in comparison. The characters didn't seem likeable, and being set in the fashion industry, everything was very superficial as well. The character of Jay just made me angry above anything else. What kind of jerk doesn't even recognize someone after a few months, even if they did lose a little weight and color their hair? And why would caring for your ailing father make you physically repulsive? It made me hate him, but not in the way of a character you love to hate, like a Daniel Cleaver. It ended up just making me hate the book instead. I will still read more books from the author if there are any, since I love the British chick lit genre, but this one was disappointing and forgettable for me.
September 16, 2014
Who doesn't love a good fairytale! Charlie Glass's Slippers by Holly McQueen is a very modern fairy tale complete with a very modern Cinderella, Charlie Glass.
Charlie's father, Elroy Glass, who heads a shoe empire, leaves the company to Charlie in his will. Our Cinderella, the plump Charlie, is left to deal with a wicked and cruel but glamorous stepmother and older half sisters. I had a wicked stepmother so I can complete relate! And of course you need a Prince Charming for a Cinderella fairy tale. Or more than one!
Charlie has always been the chubby, ugly duckling sister. Her inheritance prompts her to head to a California boot camp to shed some pounds and have a makeover. But does being slim and attractive make your life perfect? The reader will enjoy following Charlie's transitions and realizations.
Is the story predictable...of course. But that doesn't matter. You'll enjoy the story! It would make a great movie!
Wonderful chick lit book! Great romance and great comedic tale.
Charlie's father, Elroy Glass, who heads a shoe empire, leaves the company to Charlie in his will. Our Cinderella, the plump Charlie, is left to deal with a wicked and cruel but glamorous stepmother and older half sisters. I had a wicked stepmother so I can complete relate! And of course you need a Prince Charming for a Cinderella fairy tale. Or more than one!
Charlie has always been the chubby, ugly duckling sister. Her inheritance prompts her to head to a California boot camp to shed some pounds and have a makeover. But does being slim and attractive make your life perfect? The reader will enjoy following Charlie's transitions and realizations.
Is the story predictable...of course. But that doesn't matter. You'll enjoy the story! It would make a great movie!
Wonderful chick lit book! Great romance and great comedic tale.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews