“Eloisa James writes with a captivating blend of charm, style, and grace that never fails to leave the reader sighing and smiling and falling in love.” —New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn
“Romance writing does not get much better than this.” —People
The Cinderella story moves to Regency England—with more than a few twists and turns along the way! With A Kiss at Midnight, the remarkable Eloisa James spins a delicious tale involving a carriage, a godmother, a pair of rats…and a beauty with no interest whatsoever in getting married—and certainly not to a prince! Read A Kiss at Midnight and see why New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas says, “Eloisa James is extraordinary.”Download and start listening now!
"A friend introduced me to Eloisa James with the second of the Fairy Tales series. I enjoyed it, given that it was based on "Beauty and the Beast" with a hero modeled after Dr. House. I decided to read A Kiss at Midnight since it is the first in this series and based on "Cinderella." I have always been interested studying the elements of Cinderella stories around the world at different times, so I was interested to see Eloisa James' take on the story. Her take on the story was entertaining, and I would continue the series."
— Irishun77 (4 out of 5 stars)
“Eccentric turns from Professor Biggitstiff, a pickle-eating dog, and an irrepressible godmother spin a candy floss comic romp around a core of heartache. James's deft touch allows the characters to shine through genuinely witty dialogue and an uncluttered plot.”
— Publishers Weekly“Susan Duerden narrates this moralistic tale of disguise, trickery, and vanity in genteel tones. She portrays the prince with a subtle Germanic accent and gives Kate a sweet, straightforward characterization. The wicked stepsisters and stepmother are depicted in shrill tones. While the story is well known, James provides twists with mistaken identities, disguises, and more. Duerden’s performance is impeccable, especially as she recounts the inevitable court intrigue. Listeners will have trouble keeping a straight face as Duerden weaves this sexy fairytale.”
— AudioFile“Nonstop action, quick-witted, intelligent banter, clever plotting, remarkable, well-defined characters, and breathtaking sensuality make James’ exquisitely written, hilarious take on Cinderella another magical sparkler. One can only hope that there will be a similarly reinvented Snow White or Sleeping Beauty in the offing.”
— Library Journal" unlike other Cinderella story this one had a relationship building not just love at first sight? "
— MD, 8/16/2022" This is a very light, humorous book. It is a Cinderella-type story. Katherine Daltry, a twenty-three-year-old "spinster" and orphan, resides with and caters to serving as land steward her horrid, greedy stepmother and daft stepsister. She, of course, has no fancy clothes or trifles as all her father's money was left to the stepmother, who is using said funds to sponsor her weeping daughter and marry her off to a viscount; this viscount happens to be a distant cousin to our prince, and for one reason or other, needs the prince's approval to wed his chosen bride. Kate is exactly how I always wanted my Cinderella to be - a fighter. She fights for what she believes in, what's right and wrong. She fight's her stepmother as much as she can in her position. She isn't book smart, but she has made effort to be and she's not lacking in common sense. Her sister Victoria isn't the awful stepsister, but actually very sweet and caring. She's never taken part in torturing Kate like Marianna does and that's why Kate relents on going along with the crazy plan. Even the Prince is different from our perfect first. He's arrogant, a little rude and brooding. It's not until Kate really gets to know him that she finally understands his personality. Although his arrogance never really goes away, it becomes more playful and sexy. A Kiss at Midnight is actually my first Eloisa James novel. The other girls at Paperback Dolls completely love her, so when we got the chance to review one of her novels, I jumped at the offer. The story is one we've all heard before, but the twists that Ms. James puts in are a welcomed change. Most of the novel takes place at Pemeroy, but I didn't feel the least bit claustrophobic. Pemeroy is a very large castle, and Ms. James makes use of the grounds. My favorite character has got to be Henry; Kate's "Godmother" This woman says exactly what's on her mind. She's a little vulgar for the times and completely self-assured. It's plain to see that she wants nothing but good things to come Kate's way. She does everything in her power to make her comfortable and happy. I took A Kiss at Midnight for exactly what it was a fairy tale romance. I want say how important it is that I make it clear that this is a fairy tale and not a historical romance. Ms. James expresses this herself in the author’s notes at the end. But anyone who reads this beautiful story will have no doubt about it. A Kiss at Midnight was romantic, sexy and funny and I myself am already more than ready for the next in this series. "
— Melissa, 2/19/2014" I loved EVERYTHING about this book! "
— Isalys, 2/10/2014" This book was much better than the previous Eloisa James novel I read. This book is a retelling of Cinderella, and I think it was original in execution. The romance is perfect, and a little bit naughty ;) It was such a quick and easy read, I was captivated by the story. My favourite part of the book is the prologue, it had a fantastical fairy tale tone to it that sucked me in. "
— Carlie, 2/5/2014" Any Eloisa James book is a fabulous book! Couldn't put it down for the life of me! "
— Ashley, 1/18/2014" You have done it again. Exceptional book..You gave us the real Cinderella story. You captured and entwined the Cinderella story girls read and grew up with and applied it to a real life Cinderella story. Thank you for still giving us hope through your written words in this extraordinary novel. "
— Raynell, 1/17/2014" Once upon a time I enjoyed these...now just plain trash. "
— Dona, 1/5/2014" Very nice combination of Cinderella and your standard romance. I really liked that the couple did a lot of sexy things without immediately having sex. "
— Kathyred, 11/29/2013" I love fairy tales, especially Cinderella. This was a different take on it. It took a bit for me to get into it but once I did I couldn't put it down. It was a total guilty pleasure. It was cute and charming and a fun escape for a few hours. "
— Sarah, 10/27/2013" I thought it was a beautiful true lovve story of a prince that finds his princess and lives happily ever after. "
— Taya, 10/13/2013" Great heroine and fun twist on the story. "
— Pton, 9/20/2013" I'm a big fan of Eloisa James and this book didn't disappoint. I love the whimsy, I love the fantasy/fairy tale, I love the humor, I love the fun. A series to look forward to! "
— Andrea, 11/16/2012" Lighthearted and sexy, James's take on the Cinderella fairy tale was a delight from start to finish. Kate and Gabriel are certainly honorable, but not without a dash of wickedness to keep things spicy. "
— Julia, 10/5/2012" This was an AWESOME book! I loved the romance in it and the characters! Such a great "Cinderella" story! "
— Amber, 8/17/2012" Like the Cinderella re-telling, especially when Cinders has move wit and vigour than the original. And liked the Prince, except it took him a bit too long to get over his duty to his misfits. And it was a bit too pat that she ends up actually having the dowry he needs. "
— Brenda, 2/10/2012" The first few chapters were hard for me to get into, but after that I was reading non-stop waiting to see how the story unfolded. I was thoroughly pleased. "
— Laura, 1/18/2012" I couldn't even get through the first chapter... "
— Carrie, 5/10/2011" Absolutely charming and delightful. A magical and quirky fairy tale with a sweet - and sometimes hot - love story. One of James' best. Full review coming soon. "
— Meredith, 5/9/2011" The interactions between characters are really fun and real. This one had a few anachronisms but they didn't detract from the story. Interesting twist on Cinderella. Reminds me of other things she and others have written but stood well on its own. "
— Rachel, 4/22/2011" I like a well-done spin on a fairy tale, but I loved the characters inability to keep secrets. It kept things fun and fresh not to have the characters stumble around for half the book miserable over some misunderstanding that could've been avoided with a little honesty. Plus? Willie dogs. "
— Sarah, 4/12/2011" 3 1/2 stars. <br/> <br/>A take on the Cinderella story. "
— Lesley, 4/11/2011" It's been awhile since a romance novel kept me up all night reading, but this one did. "
— Mommyreview.com, 3/31/2011" Cinderella story in a new way. Step sister sweet, stepmother not, prince flawed,but charming. I love that EJ always has an epilogue that tell what happened years later:) "
— Mindy, 3/30/2011" made me tear up : ) loved it ! "
— Estee, 3/16/2011" This book was weird. That is the only way to explain it. Too many characters left underdevoloped, a plot line that just kind of disappears, unanswered questions, and just strange dialogue. Nevertheless, I found myself hopelessly addicted to the last half of the book. "
— Michelle, 3/10/2011" Cinderella meets The Taming of the Shrew. Sorta. "
— Kati, 3/8/2011Eloisa James is a bestselling author of historical romance novels. In 2013 she won the Rita Award for Best Romance Novella. She is a professor of English literature, lives with her family in New York, and is married to a genuine Italian knight. For info about books, visit www.eloisajames.com and sign up for her Five Fabulous Things newsletter.
Susan Duerden is an actress and an Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator. Her reading of The Tiger’s Wife by Téa Obreht earned her an AudioFile Best Voice Award and a Booklist Editors’ Choice Award. She has won ten AudioFile Earphones Awards. Here career spans film, television, theater, voice-overs, and animation. She has played critically acclaimed and award-winning theatrical roles on London’s West End and Off Broadway; acted in the features Lovewrecked and Flushed Away; and held a recurring role on ABC’s Lost.