Reviewed by April
Book provided by the publisher for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book

A fairytale with a liberal dose of heated chemistry makes Operation Cinderella by Hope Tarr the perfect fantasy for adults! I have read a few other books written by Hope Tarr and have always enjoyed her style of writing, her characterization, vivid attention to detail and her creative story lines. Operation Cinderella is no exception.

In this tale, we meet Macie Graham, a dedicated editor of a well-known magazine. She prides herself on her no-holds-barred writing and loves her job – or so she thought. When she goes head to head with the well-known Conservative radio personality Ross Mannon, neither will know what hit them.

Ross is the single father of a fifteen-year-old, slightly troubled daughter. When he discovers an article on “sex and the teens of today” written by one of the top magazines, he makes his feelings well known on his radio show. This leads to trouble at the magazine and the person behind the article – Macie – finds herself in hot water. As a way to retaliate, she decides to go undercover as a live-in nanny/housekeeper for Ross and his daughter, determined to find the most heinous and horrible dirt on him imaginable to expose the real him behind the goody-goody persona. The problem? There is no dirt, but there is plenty of undeniable chemistry that is oh-so-hard to deny between the two. With lies, betrayal and a hidden agenda surrounding Macie and Ross, is there any way that they can find a happy ending or will the wicked witch known as the truth slash any hope of true and everlasting love?

Operation Cinderella is such a sweet, emotional, engrossing and impossible-to-put-down story. I loved every aspect of it and all of the characters. Macie, I did want to throttle a couple of times, but a good story always needs a bit of an antagonistic pull. Ross is the perfect gentleman – yes he has his issues, but he has such an amazing heart, intelligence and is a bit beyond hotness personified. Neither of these leading characters holds faith in the “happily ever after/forever love” idea, but they lead their lives the best they know how. Macie has hidden demons in her closet and a darkness that has nearly suffocated her since her teen years. Watching her open up to her feelings to Ross is an amazing journey and I couldn’t help but truly embrace both of these characters. I also loved Ross’s daughter, Sam, and Macie’s close friend Stefanie. I can’t wait to read Stefanie’s story.

There is also a bit of a twist on the Fairy Godmother aspect of this fairytale that I absolutely loved!! I don’t want to mention anything other than that to give it away, but I think readers will be equally as delightfully surprised as I was!

For anyone looking for a remarkable story that is fun, will leave you smiling, pull at your heart-strings and send your heart pounding, Operation Cinderella is definitely a book that you will want to check out. The story is very romantic and has a couple of steamy, yet tasteful parts that will have you holding your breath and reaching for a glass of ice water. I can’t wait to read the next installment of the ‘Suddenly Cinderella” series, A Cinderella Christmas Carol!

Favorite Quote: She might be dressed like an angel but thinking of Mannon in terms of “inches” and “packages” had her demon heart beating double time.