“The Cinderella Plot” by Pepper Basham

Description-

Paisley Harper is invisible.

Not in a superpower way. More like the people-look-right-through-you-in-the-hallway kind of way.

She’s the girl with the oversized cardigan, random book knowledge, and the uncanny ability to tutor the school’s star quarterback without actually being seen as anything more than helpful. Meanwhile, her aunt and uncle’s beloved small-town bookstore is under threat from a shiny corporate chain, her best friend keeps giving her looks that feel suspiciously loaded, and Homecoming is looming like a glittery reminder that senior year is running out…and she’s never been kissed.

Enter The Cinderella Plot—a wildly popular self-help book promising total transformation in five easy steps. New hair. New confidence. New life. Maybe even… a date.

With nothing to lose (except her dignity), Paisley decides to follow the plan. Because if fairy tales have taught her anything, it’s that invisible girls don’t get happy endings unless they change something first.

But as Paisley starts stepping into the spotlight, she has to ask herself an important question:
What if being seen comes at the cost of being herself?

Full of heart, humor, bookish charm, and small-town magic, The Cinderella Plot is a romcom about friendship, first love, faith, and discovering that sometimes the greatest transformation isn’t becoming someone new—it’s realizing you were worthy all along.

** CLEAN YA Rom-Com Fiction you can read without skipping a page **

Personal Thoughts-

I really loved this book and it sold me on the author. The characters are Christians, southern and acted more maturely than a lot of characters in books set in high school. I would not label this as a Cinderella retelling but as a fresh look at the story. There are major, important themes in this book- like self worth, manipulation, seeing what was always in front of you and handling mistakes responsibly. I loved it so much. This is a clean book.

It’s not in a series from my understanding. And it is on kindle unlimited. 

Characters- Chris and Paisley came to life on the page. I adore both of their names. Their banter was fun and light and there is so much to be said for the friendship to love trope. They mostly handled the conflict in a mature way, not like a lot of books set in high-school. Their friendship was sweet to read.

I loved their relationship!

Christianity- The faith content in this played a major part but at the same time was light overall. I wish there had been more and deeper content. But the author did rely on the Bible to dispel the lies in the story.

Profanity- None. Absolutely none. 🙂

Romance- 3 kisses. Very light, but the romance is a major part of the story. It felt like they would get married and stay together which was nice. It was also interesting to see how Paisley’s view of what she wanted and needed in a boyfriend changed. 

No violence.

Positive messages about who God made you to be and the difference between being transformed by God and conformed to the world.

I recommend this to 14/15+, and my personal rating is 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐!

This review is very short and sweet, but I don’t have much to add. The author touched on important topics in todays world, when appearances can mean everything and how we dress impacts the way people view us. Also, on the difference between being transformed by God and conforming to the world’s opinions and designs and on maipulation and how lies can sometimes sound almost true or Biblical, but just slightly twisted (and how importance it is to read the Bible and listen to God’s voice). I am a bit disappointed that the author didn’t focus as much on God as I think she could have, but it is a super clean book and I plan to buy a physical copy for my bookshelf.