What do you think?
Rate this book
Stepmother
Before she was Cinderella’s stepmother, she was Hélène Longe, the beautiful only daughter of a prestigious Parisian family. Her mother and father doted on her, catering to her every wish—but just as Hélène was about to make her societal debut, a fatal carriage accident altered her fate, leaving her penniless at just fifteen.
Faced with debts she can no longer pay, Hélène is given a choice: work for the seamstress she owes, or wait for her unknown uncle to decide her future. Working to pay off her debt in the seamstress’s atelier, she dreams of her former life. With the help of her fairy godmother, Hélène is given another choice.
Love or wealth?
But the choice isn’t as simple as it appears. Hélène knows what she needs to survive, but where will her decisions lead her?
Be careful what you wish for…
Stepmother is a stand-alone novella, but it is part of the Hellish Fairytale Universe. This book is not intended to be historically accurate. It is set in the fictional human world of the Hellish Universe, which we also see in Towerwood.
Faced with debts she can no longer pay, Hélène is given a choice: work for the seamstress she owes, or wait for her unknown uncle to decide her future. Working to pay off her debt in the seamstress’s atelier, she dreams of her former life. With the help of her fairy godmother, Hélène is given another choice.
Love or wealth?
But the choice isn’t as simple as it appears. Hélène knows what she needs to survive, but where will her decisions lead her?
Be careful what you wish for…
Stepmother is a stand-alone novella, but it is part of the Hellish Fairytale Universe. This book is not intended to be historically accurate. It is set in the fictional human world of the Hellish Universe, which we also see in Towerwood.
42 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2019
2 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Kate Callaghan
14 books328 followersKate Callaghan is an Irish author who writes adult fantasy, romantic suspense, and feel-good Christmas romance. She’s the creator of the Hellish Fairytale series, blending dark magic and intrigue, as well as festive romcoms like The Naughty or Nice Clause. Whether she’s spinning tales of dangerous love or cozy holiday magic, you’ll find her in a Dublin café with an iced coffee, plotting her next twist.
Mailing List https://forms.gle/mBcib2vHhBaf5XRe9
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katecallagh...
Tiktok 🍄 tiktok.com/@katecallaghanwriter
Mailing List https://forms.gle/mBcib2vHhBaf5XRe9
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katecallagh...
Tiktok 🍄 tiktok.com/@katecallaghanwriter
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 15, 2023
Stepmother is about something I've never given a thought to before.
Where did the evil stepmother come from?
Why is this woman the way she is?
Where does all the blind hatred towards her stepdaughter come from?
Kate Callaghan's retelling has given the story a completely new perspective.
If you think about the original fairy tale, you see just the bad stepmother and the innocent stepdaughter.
This book will give you the unique background story as to why was the stepmother so evil to her beautiful stepdaughter.
This novel is a fascinating dark story about the life of stepmother aka Helene before she became the bad stepmother of Cinderella aka Ella and it explains why she became the monster we all know from the original story.
I've experienced all kinds of different conflicting feelings through this unique story.
I swung from page to page between swoon, pity, anger, frustration and hate.
I love this exciting and gripping story.
✨
I hope Kate will write a sequel to this novel because the ending gives a lot to think about 🤨
Where did the evil stepmother come from?
Why is this woman the way she is?
Where does all the blind hatred towards her stepdaughter come from?
Kate Callaghan's retelling has given the story a completely new perspective.
If you think about the original fairy tale, you see just the bad stepmother and the innocent stepdaughter.
This book will give you the unique background story as to why was the stepmother so evil to her beautiful stepdaughter.
This novel is a fascinating dark story about the life of stepmother aka Helene before she became the bad stepmother of Cinderella aka Ella and it explains why she became the monster we all know from the original story.
I've experienced all kinds of different conflicting feelings through this unique story.
I swung from page to page between swoon, pity, anger, frustration and hate.
I love this exciting and gripping story.
✨
I hope Kate will write a sequel to this novel because the ending gives a lot to think about 🤨
February 16, 2023
Wow this was a fabulous look into what could have caused Cinderellas stepmother to be the way she was. Helene through no real fault of her own becomes virtually destitute and only survives because the person her family owe money to offers her a job. Of course Helene whilst not entirely unappreciative of receiving a roof over her head still hankers back for the days when she was a part of the high society that now looks down on her. Yet Helene finally gets a chance to be safe and loved but will she actually choose love or is wealth more important to her ?
I think the author did a really good job of humanizing the wicked stepmother that its easy to emphasize with her. A noble woman by birth and yet shunned when she has to work for a living. It's easy to understand her and the choices she makes but I don't think Helene actually turns away truly from love as she's determined to help her daughter's have a better life than she's had. Society , chauvinism and greed all play a hard here but don't take my word for it read this short, entertaining story and decide for yourself.
This voluntary take is of an advanced copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
I think the author did a really good job of humanizing the wicked stepmother that its easy to emphasize with her. A noble woman by birth and yet shunned when she has to work for a living. It's easy to understand her and the choices she makes but I don't think Helene actually turns away truly from love as she's determined to help her daughter's have a better life than she's had. Society , chauvinism and greed all play a hard here but don't take my word for it read this short, entertaining story and decide for yourself.
This voluntary take is of an advanced copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
May 2, 2022
First book I read this year yay!
Loved the writing style.
It was very interesting, different, and short.
Loved the writing style.
It was very interesting, different, and short.
January 5, 2020
A great, well written, quick read!
This story is a very smart backstory to the popular fairytale, Cinderella. We often just see villains are evil for no reason, but Callaghan's glimpse into the Step-Mothers life really helps you understand why she is the way she is. The perfect story to help get you out of a reading slump!
This story is a very smart backstory to the popular fairytale, Cinderella. We often just see villains are evil for no reason, but Callaghan's glimpse into the Step-Mothers life really helps you understand why she is the way she is. The perfect story to help get you out of a reading slump!
February 25, 2020
A well written and compelling story of Lady Tremaine before she became Cinderella’s stepmother. It was really good!
April 24, 2023
Stepmother by Kate Callaghan
I received a review copy for free thanks to the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Before she was Cinderella’s stepmother, she was Hélène Longe, the beautiful only daughter of a prestigious Parisian family. Her mother and father doted on her, catering to her every wish—but just as Hélène was about to make her societal debut, a fatal carriage accident altered her fate, leaving her penniless at just fifteen.
Faced with debts she can no longer pay, Hélène is given a choice: work for the seamstress she owes, or wait for her unknown uncle to decide her future. Working to pay off her debt in the seamstress’s atelier, she dreams of her former life. With the help of her fairy godmother, Hélène is given another choice.
Love or wealth?
But the choice isn’t as simple as it appears. Hélène knows what she needs to survive, but where will her decisions lead her?
My Opinion
Hélène Longe has had a rough start to life, she finds herself with debts to pay following the death of her parents - at just fifteen she starts working for the seamstress as a way to pay off her debts. Stepmother is Kate Callaghan's introduction to Cinderella's step mother.
This an enjoyable fairy tale retelling. A short read filled with Hélène's determination to make a better life for her children.
Rating 4/5
I received a review copy for free thanks to the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Before she was Cinderella’s stepmother, she was Hélène Longe, the beautiful only daughter of a prestigious Parisian family. Her mother and father doted on her, catering to her every wish—but just as Hélène was about to make her societal debut, a fatal carriage accident altered her fate, leaving her penniless at just fifteen.
Faced with debts she can no longer pay, Hélène is given a choice: work for the seamstress she owes, or wait for her unknown uncle to decide her future. Working to pay off her debt in the seamstress’s atelier, she dreams of her former life. With the help of her fairy godmother, Hélène is given another choice.
Love or wealth?
But the choice isn’t as simple as it appears. Hélène knows what she needs to survive, but where will her decisions lead her?
My Opinion
Hélène Longe has had a rough start to life, she finds herself with debts to pay following the death of her parents - at just fifteen she starts working for the seamstress as a way to pay off her debts. Stepmother is Kate Callaghan's introduction to Cinderella's step mother.
This an enjoyable fairy tale retelling. A short read filled with Hélène's determination to make a better life for her children.
Rating 4/5
October 17, 2025
From now on I will be accepting only this prequel as canon in the world of Cinderella.
I both loved and was exasperated by Helene. Watching her grow from the naive little orphan, to the (in my opinion) bitter widow was a ride. She made so many mistakes, but was always trying to do the right thing to protect first, herself, and then her daughters.
I can't honestly say I wouldn't have done the same if I was in Helene's shoes, and was presented with the same choices from the Fairy Godmother, but I would hope that I wouldn't. I hope I would always choose Love, but I completely understand why Helene chose wealth.
I was very happy to hear at the end of the book that we will get more insight into Helene and Ella's future within the Hellish Fairytale universe. I will definitely be keeping an eye out.
I both loved and was exasperated by Helene. Watching her grow from the naive little orphan, to the (in my opinion) bitter widow was a ride. She made so many mistakes, but was always trying to do the right thing to protect first, herself, and then her daughters.
I can't honestly say I wouldn't have done the same if I was in Helene's shoes, and was presented with the same choices from the Fairy Godmother, but I would hope that I wouldn't. I hope I would always choose Love, but I completely understand why Helene chose wealth.
I was very happy to hear at the end of the book that we will get more insight into Helene and Ella's future within the Hellish Fairytale universe. I will definitely be keeping an eye out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2023
An absolutely awesome introduction to the Hellish Fairytale realm, setting the stage for the wicked stepmother. This is an intricate tale about the history of the family that becomes the broken family of the historical folktale. Through it all is the thread that you must choose riches or love, but that choosing one does not prevent you from achieving the other. It is through these choices that the primary character becomes hardened and selfish. I also read Towerwood, a modern retelling of Rapunzel - both works were based on the fairytales of old but with a very modern and twisted spin. Both are incredible stories, and I very much look forward to continuing the path through this Hellish Fairytale world that Callaghan has created!!
February 22, 2023
OMG this was so good, I was a bit scared about it lacking depth because of how short it was, but it did not disappoint at all. I love fairytale retellings, and this view into who the stepmother was before Cinderella, and how she ended up as the stepmother we all know and loathe was just amazing. I love Kate Callaghans writing, and I really think she is so talented. This book gave me so many feelings, and I could not put it down. I would never think that I would feel for Cinderellas stepmother, but I did throughout the whole book.
February 22, 2023
This was another great read, told in third person POV. It was a great way to see a version of what made the stepmother so cruel towards Cinderella. All the struggles Hélène faced, the mistakes she made, really helped to build her heart to stone. I can’t wait to read more of this series.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from BookFunnel. This review is in my own words and my own thoughts and opinions. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from BookFunnel. This review is in my own words and my own thoughts and opinions. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
February 27, 2023
Short & a good setup for future stories
I never thought that there could be a story behind the evil stepmother that would make my heart hurt for her, but this one did it. Even with that, the way her heart hardened that led to the way she treated Ella hurt my heart even more. She was a good person who was dealt a tough hand in life, but she kept her heart open. All that changed when people from her past life in society came back & took notice in her.
I never thought that there could be a story behind the evil stepmother that would make my heart hurt for her, but this one did it. Even with that, the way her heart hardened that led to the way she treated Ella hurt my heart even more. She was a good person who was dealt a tough hand in life, but she kept her heart open. All that changed when people from her past life in society came back & took notice in her.
February 28, 2023
Ever wondered who the evil stepmother was before everything?
This was so interesting and I read it in one sitting! Always be carful with what you wish for.
Helene isnt a good person, and I don't feel sorry for her. She did all this to her self and he daughters.
I received an ARC, and I write a honest review.
This was so interesting and I read it in one sitting! Always be carful with what you wish for.
Helene isnt a good person, and I don't feel sorry for her. She did all this to her self and he daughters.
I received an ARC, and I write a honest review.
March 10, 2023
I thank Kate Callaghan for this book and I am voluntarily leaving this review. Helene is forced to work off a debt that her parents incurred. Well I thought that I was ready for the wicked stepmother but nope! This story took a turn I wasn't expecting! I felt such sympathy for Helene but then...ugh! Be careful what you wish for is what you will take away from this story.
March 15, 2023
A great villain origin story
- I would like to thank the author for the eARC -
When Hélène's parents died in an accident, her entire life changed. From a noble girl in a prestigious family, she was left with nothing but debts. With no other choice, she works for the seamstress she owes, dreaming of her former life. When her fairy godmother offers her a choice between love and wealth, Hélène changes her life once more.
I love a good origin story and this one was truly amazing. I loved how Hélène evolved throughout the story with everything that life throws her way. It was really interesting to discover. The story was beautiful and unfolded easily from page to page, making it very pleasant to read. I usually don't like short stories because I feel frustrated, but it didn't happen with this one. The author managed to conduct a story from start to finish - or is it truly the end? - and kept me hooked through the entirety of it. The writing was really good as well, addictive and immersive. I quite enjoyed the touch of magic and how everything links out to the Cinderella tale we all know. I'm excited to see what's next in this universe.
I really recommend if you're looking for a good and short story.
"Love won't save me. I can save myself."
TW: violence, death, sexual assault, depression, grief, accident, abuse
- I would like to thank the author for the eARC -
When Hélène's parents died in an accident, her entire life changed. From a noble girl in a prestigious family, she was left with nothing but debts. With no other choice, she works for the seamstress she owes, dreaming of her former life. When her fairy godmother offers her a choice between love and wealth, Hélène changes her life once more.
I love a good origin story and this one was truly amazing. I loved how Hélène evolved throughout the story with everything that life throws her way. It was really interesting to discover. The story was beautiful and unfolded easily from page to page, making it very pleasant to read. I usually don't like short stories because I feel frustrated, but it didn't happen with this one. The author managed to conduct a story from start to finish - or is it truly the end? - and kept me hooked through the entirety of it. The writing was really good as well, addictive and immersive. I quite enjoyed the touch of magic and how everything links out to the Cinderella tale we all know. I'm excited to see what's next in this universe.
I really recommend if you're looking for a good and short story.
"Love won't save me. I can save myself."
TW: violence, death, sexual assault, depression, grief, accident, abuse
March 28, 2023
Ok wow! This is such a good fairytale retelling. In this novella, we find out how Cinderella’s stepmother came to be. And let me tell you, for a destitute noble, her character shows promise towards changing but… you’ll have to read it for yourself.
May 24, 2020
I really enjoyed this Cinderella origins story about Cinderella’s stepmother.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews