If the Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer - Texas Ever After, book 2

Determined to prove that cattle king Eli Dearing has no justification for evicting his stepmother and half brothers, Asher Ellis uses the cover of a fancy ball to break into the Three Cedars ranch house to search for proof of wrongdoing. On the verge of discovery, he flees, but a boy's cry compels him to make a daring rescue. Spunky and independent, Samantha Dearing balks when she learns the ball her father is hosting in her honor is nothing more than a matrimonial ambush. Taking a break from her unwanted suitors, Samantha spots a thief fleeing her home. When the stranger ends up saving her brother's life, she hides the only clue to his identity left behind--his boot--and resolves to find him herself. But when Samantha encounters the older brother of a student she tutors, all thoughts of the bootless mystery man vanish. And although Asher tries to keep his distance from Samantha for reasons of his own, a series of suspicious accidents befall her, and his protective instincts flare, no matter the cost to their future.

I love fairy tales, but I think this book was better for having been inspired by Cinderella and then running off in its own direction (let's face it, most fairy tales are bit shy on relationship development). Every now and then a detail would crop up as a nod to the Disney version of Cinderella (which was fun for nostalgia, but at the same time, I just don't like Disney upheld as the Definitive Version of any fairy tale). I loved how a lot of things were turned on their heads--Asher as Cinderella, rather than Samantha; it begins with the dance and Asher losing his boot rather than climaxing with the ball; Asher's stepmother is as sweet as they come, and his little brothers are adorable.

For the most part, it really is its own story--most of the plot doesn't have much to do with the fairy tale other than as a jumping-off point. I wasn't actually surprised by the plot twist near the end; the author did a good job setting it up, and I actually managed to latch onto the right clues early on. I really appreciate it when something like that is foreshadowed so that it makes sense, not having it appear melodramatically out of the blue. I also appreciated that Samantha starts working on her relationship with her dad pretty much from the beginning; they have a ways to go, with misunderstandings to work through (some immature behavior to repent of . . . ). 

Over all, it's sweet, entertaining, and faith-filled. And of course, if you love Disney's Cinderella, there are plenty of sly references to watch for.

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Texas Ever After
1. Fairest of Heart
2. If the Boot Fits
3. Cloaked in Beauty