The Cinderella Deal

By: Jennifer Crusie

Narrated by: Susan Boyce

Length: 5 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Daisy Flattery is a free spirit with a soft spot for strays and a weakness for a good story. Why else would she agree to the outrageous charade offered by her buttoned-down workaholic neighbor, Linc Blaise? The history professor needs to have a fiancée in order to capture his dream job, and Daisy is game to play the role. But something funny happens on their way to the altar that changes everything. Now, with the midnight hour approaching, will Daisy lose her prince, or will opposites not only attract but live happily ever after?

©1996 Jennifer Smith (P)2009 BBC Audiobooks America

Definitely worth it

The narrator has a nice, strong voice and does a fine job with the story. I usually listen to audiobooks while I occupy myself doing chores or walking. However, this time I simply listened to the last 2 hours of the book while sitting quietly with my eyes shut. It was a great way to experience the story, being immersed in it. I felt the anxiety of both Linc and Daisy as they came to grips with their feelings while trying to understand what best to do about them. Linc turns out to be a great hero, and Daisy is equally wonderful.

This book is different than the other lighthearted contemporaries I've read by Jennifer Crusie, although Bet Me had some serious moments. The Cinderella Deal is certainly humorous, even laugh-out-loud at times, but the humor is laced with poignancy. This story about two mismatched people trying to work things out could have been simply another zany tale of opposites attracting, clashing, and finally getting it right. But for Linc and Daisy, getting it right was at times a painful experience. Both struggle with who they think they are suppose to be, and who they think the other person is. I've read several fun books with the basic "pretend fiance/spouse" plot line, but I've never gotten so caught up in the characters or their feelings. This book may be a fairly short, easy read, but it certainly has depth.

wonderful

Fun and quick and entertaining. Really enjoyed the story. Performance was good. Definitely recommend this one.

Fun and cute

Very cute- good love story and great characters. Not going to make you laugh historically or cry happy or sad, but fun, cute, and I love happy endings!

The storytelling grew on me the longer I listened

I kept asking myself if I liked this book, the way the author chose to tell the story, how the characters were being developed and how the story was unfolding. But all while I was evaluating the crafting of this novel...I was becoming emotionally invested in the characters.

The storytelling is not what I would call conventional. It moves from the mental dialogue of one character to the mental dialogue of another character -- telling much less of the story through actual conversations between characters than I normally expect. It felt like being carried down a swiftly flowing river without a float to hold onto. I was not in my comfort zone, but the journey was not unpleasant.

I found the last chapter where Daisy has an encounter with her father to be one dimensional and not worthy of the rest of the book, but there is one moment in the story when Lincoln comes out of his room and asks if it is midnight that truly tore me up. It pulled all kinds of feelings to the surface; I suddenly liked Lincoln, I cried for Daisy and I wanted the romance to work.

I imagine that another reason that I liked this book is that secretly harbor the hope that someday a man might appear in my life as unconventionally as Lincoln arrived in Daisy's. I guess all girls hope love will find them after the clock strikes midnight.

Loved it from beginning to end.

Loved it from beginning to end. Couldn't stop listening. Related to characters. Loved the message.

Nice Beach Read

What did you love best about The Cinderella Deal?

I loved that this book was a lighthearted read. It came when I had just finished some heavier books and needed something cheerful. Loved that it made me relax and enjoy my ride to work. Plus, it was a quick read.

Would you recommend The Cinderella Deal to your friends? Why or why not?

I would, but I would make sure to tell them I gave it around three stars. It was good, but not great. I feel like it seemed a bit rushed. Lacked a little drama.

What does Susan Boyce bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I have read books she has narrated before, and I love her as the characters. She is not pulling you away from the story with bad narration, but draws you in. She has a warm voice that gives the characters interesting POV.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I do not think anything "moved" me, but I did enjoy seeing the characters grow in their own way.

Charming story of opposites

This is one of my favorite audiobooks because Linc & Daisy are Polar opposites of each other. It's a sweet story and I highly recommend it.

Fun!

Any additional comments?

Lots of fun! Maybe not Jennifer Cruise's best, but a good story anyway. The premise was a bit thin, but Link and Daisy are great characters. Lots of great details, funny, warm and sweet.

Jennifer Crusie NEVER disappoints!

Once again a great story and it made me laugh out loud. Susan Boyce did a great job as narrator.

Opposites attract

Sweet love story .starts out as an arrangement but quickly turns into something else. Nice ending