Seducing Cinderella

In book 1 of the Fighting For Love series, physical therapist Lucie Miller is pining over the surgeon she works with and wishes he would see her as a woman, instead of just a colleague. After he asks for her best friend’s phone number, she’s crushed and feeling horrible about herself until her big brother’s sexy best friend walks into her office.
Injured MMA fighter Reid Andrews needs a therapist to get him back into fighting shape for his next big fight. Lucie is still the same shy, awkward girl he remembers, but she’s not a little kid anymore. He offers her a deal—help him get back into shape, and he’ll teach her how to gain confidence and how to seduce a man, so she can get the one she wants.
Lucie and Reid have great show more chemistry and fell for each other pretty quickly, but they both have their fair share of trauma and insecurities to work through, especially Lucie. Even though her naïveté was annoying at times, I loved seeing her break out of her self-imposed shell and finally greet the world with open arms.
I enjoyed Ms. Maxwell’s writing style and the snarkiness she infused in some of her characters (Lucie’s friend Vanessa was a hoot!). The pacing flowed well, but some of the sex scenes (which were super hot) were a little long for me. I don’t read sports romance often, so I wish there would’ve been a scene with Reid in the ring with an opponent. Instead, the MMA sport was only talked about, not shown.
Anyway, I definitely liked the book and would love to read more from Ms. Maxwell.
4 Stars

I received a copy from NetGalley and voluntarily left this review. show less

This was great read! The writing flowed well, and I loved the characters. Reid was great, and exactly what I love in a hero. Lucie was a little dense at times when it came to what she needed in a partner, but I was very happy to see her finally realize what was in front of her. I thought Vanessa was a great secondary character. She was always there for Lucie when she needed her. Although Butch didn't have a big role, that scene at the end with Reid had me tearing up a little. So did the scene with Reid's dad. I loved the ending. This was a first for me from this author, but I will definitely be checking out more from her!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.

3.5/5 stars



I'm warning you...brace yourself for my confession:
This was my first book about a MMA fighter. I know, shocker right!!??? Silly me.

There's no real fighting in this book though. But I'll give another one a go in the near future.

Anyhoo, back to this book. I enjoyed it. It was sweet and a nice read. Reid is a great, funny and sexy hero and I liked Lucie as well. If you are looking for a short, steamy and sweet read - than this surely one you'll want to read.

I do wonder why most of the women in these kind of books are always very inexperienced. I don't really understand why - mostly - woman writers feel the need to partake in this - well pretty much - disguised slut shaming. It's very unlikely that a woman in her late 20s is show more still a virgin or that inexperienced, so why have mostly those kind of heroines? show less

I can't say that I was blown away by Seducing Cinderella, but I did thoroughly enjoy this quick and steamy romance!

I had a few issues with it, mainly the fact that for much of the story Lucie wanted the “other man”, the one that would be compatible with her, a theme that always annoys me. I can't tell you the number of times I wanted to smack her upside the head, until the lesson go through—if you need to “work harder” or change yourself to gain the attention, and therefore “love”, of a man, clearly it's not meant to be, no matter how perfect he may seem. Of course, she does end up with Reid, and I will admit the last chapter or so was pretty sweet, if a bit rushed. I'm not sure that I would have forgiven him that quickly show more for treating me like crap, trying to push me away for “my own good”.

Still, this was a solid debut from this author, and I will come back to read Maxwell's other books in the future. With a bit of spice, a bit of sweet, and a dash of banter, Seducing Cinderella is well worth reading!

3 ½ STARS!

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For other romance review, including favorite book quotes and other fun posts, please visit my blog, TBQ's Book Palace.

I purchased this ebook.

TheBookQueen show less

Hot, sexy, entertaining fun I had reading Seducing Cinderella" by Gina Maxwell.

Twenty-nine year old insecure physical therapist, Lucinda Miller (Maris) has had a crush on her co-worker. She has her brother's best friend MMA fighter Reid Andrews help her come out of her plain Jane shell and embrace her inner sex kitten.

Lucie plays the Cinderella type in this story. And the doctor is I guess the prince but he's a d-bag to me (and Reid). And Reid, you're wondering what's his role in all of this since the major two has been taken? Why he's the fairy godmother, of course! (sans wings)

But don't worry, this fairy godmother has a penis (and it's awesome BTW, I see you Reid *wink*) and he puts it to excellent use. (*double wink*)

Oh and the show more author based her character of this guy here... .

I know.

I KNOW!!!


Lucinda does a lot of this action...can you blame her? Reid is sex on legs.

You want to read this book right?!

But get this, amidst the serious hotness of Reid Andrews, there's a great story here too! It's cute, it's quirky, great dialogue and a happy ending. What more do you need? I wish I learned this version of Cinderella first because I say to hell with the prince, give me Reid any day.

Most definitely will be following this series.

FOUR STARS Reid might be able to talk me into bumping up this one 1/2 a star...hmmm we'll see." show less

Seducing Cinderella by Gina Maxwell
Book 1 in the Fighting for Love series. Contemporary romance. Friends to lovers troupe.
Mixed martial arts fighter Reid goes to physical therapy rehab on his torn rotator cuff injury. Turns out his therapist is his best friend’s little sister. Lucie lacks confidence in her sexuality so Reid makes a deal to teach her to flirt while he does the rehab per her strict instructions. Both know he’s going back to fighting in Vegas when his healing is complete.

From innocent flirting and clothing makeover to full daily sexual encounters, the couple grows closer as his leaving town gets nearer. Will they hold to their no commitment agreement?
Innocence swivels to multiple high heat scenes in the book. It’s show more sweet and spicy at the same time.
The updated version (early 2020) includes a wonderful epilogue that fans were asking for.
Engaging, hot and satisfying.

Excerpt:
“ A sigh of exasperation proceeded grumbling of what sounded like his name in mixed company with some very unfavorable threats against his manhood. And yet he smiled. He couldn’t help it; she was adorable when ornery.”
Excerpt from Seducing Cinderella by Gina L Maxwell show less

I was delighted by this book! Usually, with shorter romances, it tends to be all about the "lets have sex" and less about the "oh I love you." And while there were some scorching hot sex scenes in this book, there was also real emotions. The characters transitioned very well from friends to the awkwardness of attraction to falling in love. It had all the delicious tension I wanted. No one dove head first into love here, like sometimes can happen.

I would definitely recommend it. 5 stars!