REVIEW: Cinderella’s Secret Fling by Michelle Douglas

Cinderella’s Secret Fling by Michelle Douglas Audrey has not had an easy early life. Her mother left the family behind. Audrey had to take care of her sister who had a progressive, chronic illness while their father was off in his own world. The one thing that kept Audrey from slipping into despair was her art. After her sister dies, Audrey isn’t sure what her path should be.

Imagine her surprise when she finds out she has rich relatives in the Lake Como part of Italy. The Funaro clan is ruled by the matriarch, Marguerite. Marguerite is Audrey’s grandmother who welcomes her, but has expectations of how she should act and what she should wear.

Shortly after arriving at Lake Como, Audrey meets a renowned sculptor, Gabriel. Gabriel is certainly not warm and welcoming. He is very off putting. Audrey wonders if it is because his late wife was Audrey’s unknown step-sister? The only person Gabriel is loving towards is his precocious young daughter, Lili.

Marguerite wants Gabriel to work with Audrey and mentor with her art. The best place to do this is in Gabriel’s studio away from the main villa. Will this closeness light a fire or will the two be ready to fight?

Audrey is truly a Cinderella. She has so much thrown at her all at once. She is a strong person to have made it through her past and in dealing with her new reality. She is a loving, kind person that anyone should be happy to be close to.

Gabriel certainly has the right to be a bit angry and resentful of the Funaro clan and his late wife. He really doesn’t want to send time with any of them, but Lili’s grandmother has certain legal issues in place that has him not being able to change things. The reader can see why he doesn’t want to get close to Audrey. He is afraid she will succumb to the curse of the Funaro clan and doesn’t want for him or Lili to be part of it.

I enjoyed how the author not only crafted a lovely romance, but also examined family secrets and dynamics and how they affect in sort of a ripple effect.

The Lake Como setting added an extra charming layer to the storyline. Its history and beauty are perfect for a love story.
I know readers will enjoy this Cinderella tale. I have enjoyed all the Michelle Douglas novels that I’ve read.

Book Info:

Publication: June 27, 2023 | Harlequin Romance | One Summer In Italy #2

Will a secret fling with this charming single dad ignite a spark that lasts forever? Escape to Lake Como in the latest enchanting One Summer in Italy story by Michelle Douglas for Harlequin Romance.

Cinderella…

and her forbidden Italian!

Aspiring artist Audrey is staying with newly discovered relatives in Lake Como when she meets renowned sculptor and brooding single dad Gabriel. Their attraction is instant and unexpected…as is his hostility! Is it because Audrey was related to his late wife? As they bond over art and his little girl, their spark ignites into a secret affair. But a summer fling was never meant to be this complicated…