"Deep character driven tale"

The three owners of Glass Slipper Inc. renowned for their life makeovers decide to publish a magazine. They hire failed model-designer Valerie Wagner as the publicist for Glass Slipper Magazine. Valerie pulls off a coup when she obtains the services of highly regarded women's adviser Eric Jermaine, who previously hid his identity as if he were a deep CIA operative.

Just a few days before the launch, Eric informs Valerie that he is gay and refuses to hide that anymore. Eric also stuns his best friend, Jack Lambert with the same revelation. Jack loves Eric like a brother and owes him so he agrees to Eric's outlandish ploy that Jack pretends to be the column's author and pose for the pictures. Valerie has doubts, but also goes along with the ruse thinking that the unemployed sports writer is too barbaric to have the sensitivity of Eric. As Jack and Valerie fall in love, she doubts they can forge a permanent relationship.

Though Shakespeare would admonish the trio for the web of deceit, fans will appreciate this deep character driven tale. The story line focuses on the typical romance between a man and a woman, but also furbishes a deep look at a gay person seeking his inner self. Though Valerie and Jack are a fine dueling duo, Eric steals the show with his sensitivity and understanding of what makes a relationship work. Unlike our compassionate President and the union Democratic pretender, Eric knows that sexual preference does not necessarily lead to a good or bad relationship; it is two people considering the needs of the other that effect a healthy marriage. Donna Kauffman expands THE CINDERELLA RULES with this deep sequel.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted August 9, 2004