"Just which man is her real Prince Charming?"

Overworked design layout assistant Charlotte Gambrell is caught in a sudden rainstorm on her way back from lunch. Taking shelter under a nearby awning, she finds herself in very close contact with a photographer for the magazine, Cooper Hunt. Friendship quickly springs up between the two of them, which leads to a couple of unusual proposals. Cooper, furious when he sees how overworked and underpaid Charlotte is, suggests a makeover for Charlotte as he captures makeovers of historical mansions in the area. In return, Charlotte who has had a long-term crush on their boss, James Clarkson III, asks Cooper to help her learn to please a man.

Cooper Hunt finds Charlotte to be a beautiful woman who has no sense of her own attractiveness. She just needs a few pointers and she'll be a head-turner for sure. He can't believe she's mooning over that ass, Clarkson, but Cooper can't resist being the one to show Charlotte the secrets of her sensuality. Cooper has been in relationships before, but they've never felt as right as being with Charlotte does. Will he be able to win her over?

As Cooper awakens Charlotte's dormant sensual side, she begins to feel more for him than just friendship. She sticks firm to her idea of the ideal man -- James Clarkson III. He's everything she's ever wanted in a man, so why is Cooper looking more and more appealing? Will either Charlotte or Cooper be able to end their relationship before their hearts get involved? When will Clarkson show his true nature to Charlotte? Will it be too late when that happens?

THE CINDERELLA CURSE in a story in a story, with the narrator being shown at the beginning and the end. Though the narrator's life parallels the story is some ways, there is a bit of surprise at the end. Ms. Knight has written a fabulous hero in Cooper, a man any woman would want. This story teaches that the man right beside us may just be the prince for whom we've been seeking.

Sensuality: Explicit sex; sexually explicit scenes: 16.

Reviewed by Denise Powers
Courtesy Sensual Romance Reviews
Posted October 10, 2003

Summary

One evening, in a land far away, a wife spins a fairy tale for the amusement of her husband. It's not your typical child's tale, of course, but an updated, more adult version of the classic, Cinderella.

All of the principals are present. Charlotte Gambrell immediately recognizes Prince Charming when she meets her boss, James Clarkson. Unfortunately, the worldly Clarkson barely knows she's alive. Charlotte's two hateful supervisors make her professional life miserable by piling on the work and never letting her forget that she has employment only at their pleasure.

Everything changes when Charlotte becomes part of a magazine shoot. The photographer, Cooper Hunt, agrees to perform duties as her fairy godfather. By day, he transforms her life by revealing to the world what he already knows, that Charlotte is an exquisite beauty. By night, he transforms her universe by teaching her about passion so she can attract her Prince. The "real" Cinderella never had it so good!

By the time Charlotte arrives at the ball, she has to figure out what makes a prince, a Prince. More importantly, what can she do to make sure her life ends "happily ever after?"