Can Ella and her unlikely Prince Charming put aside their differences to live happily ever after?
Thirty-two-year-old Ella’s life is busy enough running her evil stepmother’s cleaning business, without adding Christmas into the mix. She doesn’t have time to play Cinderella in her local festive pantomime, but she recently lost her father, who loved the show and helped out every year, so she finds herself being fitted for glass slippers anyway. Her life may be falling apart, but she won’t let his memory down.
Then Ella meets brooding and handsome stranger, Alexander, who is playing Prince Charming, and her heart skips a beat. Might this knight-in-shining-armour inspire Mistletoe’s best show yet? But Alexander quickly makes it clear that he doesn’t want anything to do with her or their town’s traditions. And as the night of the show draws near, it’s one disaster after another, with the ugly stepbrothers falling suspiciously ill, and Alexander rolling his eyes at every chance he gets. Ella is exhausted and can’t help but feel she’s letting everyone – including her father – down.
But when an on-stage kiss gets a little too heated between Ella and Alexander, she’s surprised when he offers his muscled shoulder to lean on. Under the spotlight, Alex’s gentle encouragement of the child performers and his adorable pre-show nerves make Ella wonder if there may be more to her prince than she thought. As props go missing and scenery falls flat, can Ella and Alex bring the town to together for one last showstopper? And as the curtain falls on the performance of her life, will Ella find her fairytale ending?
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This retelling of Cinderella follows Ella, a talented artist who is overworked, managing her stepmother’s cleaning business while her stepbrothers constantly make excuses to avoid helping. In addition to her day job, Ella works whenever she can with Henry, a famous artist. Alex Charming, another artist, comes to town to assist Henry with his work and has a fateful first meeting with Ella. Their paths cross again when they are cast in the local festive pantomime, with Ella playing Cinderella and Alex as Prince Charming.
Both characters are weighed down by personal struggles: Ella is trying to balance her art with her overwhelming family responsibilities, while Alex has spent his life trying to meet his father’s expectations. With Ella’s support, Alex begins to realize his self-worth, and Ella learns that she deserves to prioritize her own happiness.
The story, set in the Scottish Highlands, is a heartwarming romance full of festive spirit, personal growth, and charming moments. It features endearing relationships, including Alex’s connection with Henry’s dog, and offers a magical take on the classic Cinderella tale with a modern twist.
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