How to Summon a Fairy Godmother

A Hilarious Cinderella Fairytale What-If

By: Laura J. Mayo

Narrated by: Josie Charles

If a fairy godmother can get one sister into a marriage, getting another out of one should be easy…

Lady Theodosia Balfour has certainly gotten the short end of the stick—her stepsister, the newly crowned Princess Beatrice, is telling everyone in polite society that Theo, her sister, and their mother are evil, wicked, and horrid people who treated her like a slave. Though Theo knows this isn't exactly true, it seems her life is thoroughly ruined by the rumor. With the Balfour family estate on the verge of bankruptcy, Theo's only path forward is a forced betrothal to the Duke of Snowbell, a foul-tempered geezer who wishes only to use her as a brood mare for spare heirs.

Desperate for help, Theo clings to the only thing that might save her: the rumor of a fairy godmother, one that supposedly helped her stepsister secure a prince. After discovering a way to summon a fairy in Beatrice's old room, Theo thinks her prayers have been answered. But the fairy she meets isn't at all what she imagined. Drop-dead gorgeous, incredibly cunning, and slightly devious, Cecily of the Ash Fairies is much more interested in gathering powerful favors and smoking her pipe than providing charitable magic for humans in a bind.

Before she receives magical assistance, Cecily sets Theo to three tasks, seemingly to prove that Theo is a selfless and kind person. Helping her along the way are Cecily's familiars, the flirty human-turned-mockingbird Phineas and the aloof Kasra, a fox shapeshifter who should not be as handsome as he is for someone with such cutting remarks. As Theo works on her tasks, she shockingly finds kinship with the magical creatures she's helping, and starts to wonder if a continued life among her human peers is what she really wants after all.

From debut author Laura J. Mayo comes a hilarious new spin on the Cinderella tale!

Wow on the depth of character and emotion

The story starts off a bit slow and I wasn’t sure about liking our main character, but please keep reading for an excellent plot with surprises, laughs, and even a bit of tears. I must also give immense praise to the narrator. She was fantastic! I can’t wait for the next installment and will be following the author to see what comes next.

Absolutely delightful read

I always love a good retelling and this one was spectacular.

I loved hearing the step sisters side and really thought the author did a great job of making it in a way that wasn’t over the top, so to speak. More of they just didn’t understand each other kind of thing

I am seriously so sad the next book isn’t out because this would be a binge able series for sure! I can’t wait for the next one and can’t recommend enough if you want a cozy Cinderella retelling with twists and turns!

What a fun retelling!

Honestly - so much fun to listen to! And a great many lessons along the way.

Fun, funny and creative

I loved this story! It was a very creative retelling of the old Cinderella story told from one of the step sister’s point of view. I highly recommend for an excellent, light hearted listen.

Not what I expected

It takes a while to find it's rhythm but there is surprising depth to this story line; Theodosia starts out being immensely unlikable and ends up a wonderful heroine that you can't help but root for. I look forward to the next installment.