Sweet Romantic Comedy
Fooling Around With Cinderella
A sweet, funny fairy-tale romance and modern Cinderella retelling from the Storybook Valley series.
Jaine Andersen lands her dream marketing job at a theme park and discovers the dress code includes glass slippers.
Jaine has always wanted to use her marketing skills someplace fun, and Storybook Valley seems like the perfect fit. But charming general manager Dylan Callahan has another role in mind: spend the summer filling in as the park’s Cinderella.
Her unexpected reign transforms Jaine’s carefully planned new life into enough chaos to bewilder a fairy godmother. Soon she’s juggling princess duty, a royal ball, wedding errands for her demanding sisters, and a growing attraction to her new boss.
Falling for Dylan makes everything even more complicated, especially when Jaine discovers that an old high-school rival—who also happens to be Dylan’s ex—works there too. And she’s not about to let Jaine waltz off with the prince.
Jaine finally has a chance to prove she belongs at Storybook Valley without the tiara. But mixing business with pleasure could cost her the dream job she’s worked so hard for—or a romance she never saw coming.
Fooling Around with Cinderella is a sweet, lighthearted romantic comedy and contemporary Cinderella retelling featuring workplace sparks, witty banter, and plenty of fairy-tale fun.
It’s the first book in the Storybook Valley series, where clean romance, humor, and happily-ever-afters take center stage.
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A Modern Cinderella Rom-Com
Read an Excerpt
Dylan scrutinized Jaine, arms folded across his royal blue shirt with the Storybook Valley logo stamped over the left in white block letters. “Do you wear contacts?”
“I have plenty of media contacts. Wait. Did you say wear contacts? You mean instead of these?” Jaine fingered the earpiece of her gold-rimmed glasses.
“Right. Contact lenses.”
She gave a nervous chuckle. “I scheduled a consultation in college, but was too squeamish to insert the lens. I was more comfortable in glasses.”
Was she really justifying her vision enhancement choices to her prospective new boss? Maybe he intended to discuss medical benefits. Or did he think she looked nerdy? What was the saying? Guys don’t make passes at girls who wear glasses? Not that she wanted him to make a pass even if he was hot.
“How blind are you without glasses?” Dylan persisted.
“You wouldn’t want to drive with me.”
“How about if you’re walking around a building? Are you in danger of hurting yourself?”
This interview had taken the Mad Hatter Freeway from Fairy Tale Land into Wonderland where nothing made a damn bit of sense. Did this guy have a glasses fetish, like those weirdoes with shoe fetishes?
“I should be okay. I take them off for special occasions.” In fact, Jaine’s older sister Bree, who was getting married in August, remarked just last week, “You are losing the glasses for my wedding pictures, right?”
What the hell. She’d be a good sport and hope Dylan would be so grateful to pick the brain of a real, flesh and blood, bespectacled person that he would appoint her marketing director. Jaine removed her glasses and the fine details of her surroundings fuzzed.
She nodded toward the framed print hanging on a side wall, the picture a wash of symbols and colors. “I can tell that’s a park map, but the words and images smear together.”
And that was myopia in a nutshell. Jaine adjusted her glasses back into place so she could see his reaction. Dylan examined her with such intensity that a blush stained her cheeks. She patted her blonde French braid, in case stray strands were straggling out.
“Here’s the situation,” Dylan said. “I took over the general manager position a few months ago. I’m evaluating possible changes and researching how other theme parks run. My grandfather and father have worked with a marketing firm for years to create our brochures, billboards, print, and radio ads.”
Jaine’s shoulders caved, imperceptible to him, but it felt as if her whole body was sinking.
No fairy tale job ending for her.
What Reviewers are Saying
“The romance is cute, heartfelt, and chaste. Like a theme park, this story is pleasant, inoffensive, and satisfying.”
- Publisher's Weekly
“Fun, light, and just the ticket for those cold and rainy days when some laughter and love is what you need.”
- I Am Indeed
“This was an awesome and very authentic story, with a magical fairy-tale twist. I enjoyed every minute of it!”
- Book-o-Craze
“This delightful storybook romance is pure entertainment. Kudos to Stacy Juba for crafting such an engaging and funny read."
- Write-Escape
“A great start to a new series and definitely a must-read. All in all, Fooling Around With Cinderella had me thoroughly entertained, and I loved every second of it.”
- NJKinny’s World of Books & Stuff
“... a fun filled book with romance and, of course, conflict. A really good read that kept me intrigued until the last page.”
- Long and Short Reviews
“I love how wonderful the writing flowed with this story, I loved all the characters. This was such a fun book to read ... If you like a nice, fun story this is it.”
- Diana's Book Reviews
“Thank you to Stacy Juba for writing such a good book that I can’t wait to see what is next!”
- Holly’s Honest Reviews
“If you’re a fan of the fun contemporaries that make you smile, I would definitely recommend Fooling Around with Cinderella.”
- Reviews in a Pinch
“What a great start to the Storybook Valley series. This book gives you the 'feels' and tells an incredibly warm story, too.”
- Kitty’s Book Spot
“It has a bit of everything–mystery, romance, and humour–and is written in a way that draws a reader in, envelops them in the story, and makes them believe that they are actually there, walking alongside the characters as they play their part.”
- Reader’s Favorite
“The story flows at a good pace and there are a few surprises in store for the reader. This is a great read for Cinderella lovers.”
- Katie’s Clean Book Collection
“This light, imaginative read, rich with lovable characters, will have you believing in magic again. I can’t wait to see what this series has in store.”
- Behind Closed Covers
“I’d recommend Fooling Around with Cinderella to anyone looking for a quick read full of love, laughs, and a wonderful amusement park that will remind you of the one you attended as a child.”
- Bookish Bevil
“I loved the chemistry between Dylan and Janie ... I can’t wait to read more of this series. 5 Amazeballs Stars!”
- Amazeball’s Book Addicts
“This is the kind of series I just can’t resist..."
- Emily Reads Everything
“This one is a fast, charming, and sweet book perfect for all the chick-lit lovers.”
- Reading…Dreaming
“Are you needing something fun, fluffy, and enjoyable to read? Then Fooling Around with Cinderella is the perfect story for you. It is sweet, simple, and a great read.”
- Confessions of the Perfect Mom
“If you’re looking for a great read that satisfies an internal need for a feel-good, romance, then add Fooling Around With Cinderella to your to-read list.”
- The Plum Report
“It is always great to watch a strong female wade through the twists of a plot and manage to keep her dignity intact while dealing with circumstances beyond her control. There is a nice balance achieved in this story, and I would recommend it for a satisfying beach read.”
“Fooling Around with Cinderella shows pieces of the romance of the fairy tale world as well as the challenges of living in the real world. A sweet romance, this book is highly suitable for all. I give it five stars!”
“Fooling Around With Cinderella is light easy reading and a fun book. With a touch of Disney and Prince Charming, it was total escapism. I enjoyed the flowing writing, the underlying similarities between the Cinderella story and this tale, but mostly I enjoyed being taken away from real life for a while and being enchanted by a fictional ‘Princess’.”
“It’s an eventful summer for Jaine and all of the wackiness that ensues. But everything comes together in the end and makes for a fun read.”
- My Book Filled Life
“...this is original and engaging. If you enjoy clean adult romance with a happily ever after, then do give this a go.”
- Reading Lark
“If you’re after a quick read that will pick you up and put a smile on your face, then Fooling Around with Cinderella will certainly do that for you.”
- Whispering Stories
“This was one of the sweetest books I’ve read in a long time….”
- Walking on Bookshelves
“If you’re looking for a sweet romance to read, or you’re interested in chick lit or just a nice Cinderella-themed story, then I highly recommend you read this book!”
"I LOVED IT! I couldn’t put it down. It would be a great book to curl up with on a Sunday afternoon.”
“Stacy Juba has done a fabulous job of creating what feels like a real-life fairy tale with a fun setting, a great storyline, and characters I can’t wait to read more about.”
“Jaine is likable as the lead, and the supporting characters fit in well! If you like your romance sweet and fairly chaste, this is a solid choice!”
“Fooling Around with Cinderella was certainly a guilty-pleasure read for me, and I highly recommend it.”
- Juniper Grove
“A sweet romance that you’d feel comfortable letting your younger teen read. Did I mention I’m looking forward to the rest of the series?”
“After reading the blurb for this, I knew it was a must-read, and turns out, I was right. This was a great update on a classic that everyone loves.”
- I Create Purty Thangs Blogspot
Continue the Storybook Valley Series
Romance, ballet, and one scene-stealing hedgehog await in Prancing Around With Sleeping Beauty.
