Swept Away: Special YA Edition by Vanessa Riley

Swept Away by Vanessa Riley
Series: N/A
Published by CreateSpace on September 4, 2014
Genres: Love, Romance, Fairytale retelling
Pages: 178 : Paperback edition
Source: Received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
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Charlotte Downing, the Duchess of Charming, wants what she wants. Today, it’s a fine pair of lacy slippers crafted by the renowned Ella’s Establishment. To be picture perfect for her presentation to the queen, Charlotte will survive crashed ceilings and falling bricks. Yet, has she met her match in the conservative merchant, whose autumn-colored eyes make her pulse race, especially when he says no? Caught between the glittering world of the ton and the respectable profession of selling shoes, Edwin Cinder can’t understand the lady’s persistence or the fire lighting her blue eyes when she’s challenged. With his lack of pedigree, there’s no chance for this common God-fearing man to win her hand, but he’ll risk all to save the duchess from the ravages of a London gale. Swept Away is a Regency retelling of Cinderella with a twist. This is the Young Adult Version of Swept Away. It has discussion questions and a lesser focus on some romantic elements.

Usually, I love fairytale retellings, but I just couldn’t get attached to this one. I think the whole thing sounds great in theory, but it was just WAY too rushed and didn’t feel authentic. I also couldn’t really connect to the characters and didn’t really feel the chemistry between them. I think if I had more of their backgrounds it would have been better instead of being plopped down in the middle of all of this confusion (which was how I felt for most of the story; confused).

It kind of makes me wonder what the non “Special YA Edition” is like, but I’m not invested enough to actually find out. I hope it is better than this one though, because this was just a little too dull and dry for my tastes.

I also HATE that cover! The coloring is nice, but she just looks so awkward and there’s way too much text going on. It’s overwhelming.