The NerdHerd Reads: {Blog Tour} Review: Cinderella's Dress by Shonna Slayton

Title: Cinderella's Dress

Author: Shonna Slayton

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Being seventeen during World War II is tough. Finding out you’re the next keeper of the real Cinderella’s dresses is even tougher. Kate simply wants to create window displays at the department store where she's working, trying to help out with the war effort. But when long-lost relatives from Poland arrive with a steamer trunk they claim holds the Cinderella’s dresses, life gets complicated. Now, with a father missing in action, her new sweetheart, Johnny, stuck in the middle of battle, and her great aunt losing her wits, Kate has to unravel the mystery before it’s too late.
After all, the descendants of the wicked stepsisters will stop at nothing to get what they think they deserve.

I'm not much of a historical fiction reader. But when I saw this unique twist on the fairy tale aspect, I knew I had to read it. And I loved it.

Kate is a teen girl during World War II. Her father is overseas, although not as a soldier, and her brother is getting ready to go into training any day now. Then one day, her grandmother's sister and husband arrive from Poland. Kate and her mother don't know much about their Polish side, as her grandmother had a falling out with her family before coming to America. Except, something is not quite right with her great-aunt. She keeps talking about a dress, one that Kate cannot see and something about...Cinderella?

As I said , I'm not one for historical fiction, especially the WWII era. But I did love the setting of this one, and how it was accurately portrayed. I also loved the setting of the department store, and how window decorating was such a big part of the story. It gave more life to the 40's, something we don't often hear about.

I did think this was going to be more about Cinderella's dress, as although it was introduced and mentioned in the beginning, it really isn't until about halfway through that Kate gets serious about the dress and the story starts to revolve around the dress. That does not mean the first half was in any way bad or not as good, just wasn't what I was expecting.

I loved the characters, from Kate's shy demeanor to her best friend Josie's bubbly and exciting personality. Adalbert's quiet strength in the face of his wife's dementia, and Elsie's quirks. And Johnny...sa-woon. They were each written very well, and enjoyable to read about.

And, of course, the dress. I love the way this was handled, from the explanation of the fairy tale, to how the Keeper of the dress came about and the feud between the families. I like the way this played out, and I think it came to a very satisfying conclusion. (I would have liked to know more about the shoes though.)

In short, this was a highly enjoyable read that historical fiction lovers will like, and even non-historical fiction lovers, like me, can enjoy. The fairy tale aspect is uniquely done and well-handled, and the ending will leaving you happy and satisfied.

This review can also be found on

Rachel Marie's book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf)

Shonna Slayton:

Shonna Slayton finds inspiration in reading vintage diaries written by teens, who despite using different slang, sound a lot like teenagers today. While writing Cinderella’s Dress she reflected on her days as a high-school senior in British Columbia when she convinced her supervisors at a sportswear store to lher design a few windows—it was glorious fun while it lasted. When not writing, Shonna enjoys amaretto lattes and spending time with her husband and children in Arizona.

1 Signed copy of Cinderella's Dress, an Amber sun pendant set in sterling silver, a Tatting shuttle and thread, a dress form ornament and bookmark swag. US Only.

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Tour Schedule:

Week One:

6/2/2014- Zach's YA Reviews- Review

6/2/2014- Dark Novella- Excerpt

6/3/2014- Angelic Book Reviews- Review

6/3/2014- Pages From My Thoughts- Interview

6/4/2014- YA Book Madness- Review

6/4/2014- The Cover Contessa- Guest Post

6/5/2014- Crossroad Reviews- Review

6/5/2014- Such a Novel Idea- Guest Post

6/6/2014- The NerdHerd Reads- Review