Finding Cinderella

Colleen Hoover

Full starFull starFull starFull starHalf star
4.2(39,163 Ratings)
Left wheat earsApple BooksRight wheat ears
3 Months Free TrialArrow right
Clock22 Min Reading Time
MicrophoneAudio Version Available
cover backgroundFinding Cinderella

About this book

From Colleen Hoover, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of It Ends With Us, comes a captivating novella about the elusive nature of happily ever after.

One fateful hour in the dark. That's all it took for eighteen-year-old Daniel and a mysterious girl to fall in love, bound by a promise of make-believe. But as quickly as their fairytale began, it vanished when she rushed off into the night, leaving Daniel to believe that such perfect moments only exist in dreams.

A year later, jaded by a failed relationship, Daniel meets Six—a girl as unconventional as her name. She challenges everything he thought he knew about love at first sight. Yet, finding his Cinderella might not guarantee a happy ending. An unbearable secret looms, threatening to shatter their fragile connection and jeopardize their only chance at saving each other.

Summary of Key Ideas

  • The Serendipity of Love

    A chance encounter can spark unexpected love. The story begins with Daniel and a girl who stumbles into the darkness with him. This accidental meeting leads them to profess their feelings for one another. However, their love comes with a condition: it will only last for one hour, and it will be make-believe. This initial connection, born from a fleeting moment, sets the stage for a deeper exploration of love's unpredictable nature.

  • Fairytales vs. Reality

    The story emphasizes that fairytales don't always guarantee a happy ending. Finding Cinderella doesn't ensure a perfect resolution; it can further complicate matters. Daniel realizes that real life is messier than a fairytale. This realization underscores the challenges and complexities inherent in relationships, even when they start with a seemingly magical connection.

  • The Confusion of Identity

    Daniel finds himself torn between two loves, only to discover they are the same person. This plot twist highlights themes of identity and perception. Daniel's confusion and eventual realization drive the narrative, adding depth to the exploration of love and self-discovery. The story uses this element to examine how initial impressions can be misleading and how true connection transcends superficial appearances.

  • The Power of First Love

    The novella explores the intensity and passion of first love. Daniel's experiences capture the exhilaration and vulnerability of young love. The narrative delves into the raw emotions, uncertainties, and transformative power of these early romantic encounters. It portrays how first love can shape one's understanding of relationships and personal growth.

  • The Necessity of Communication

    The book underscores the importance of open communication in relationships. Misunderstandings and assumptions create conflict between the characters, which could be resolved through honest and transparent dialogue. The story suggests that a willingness to communicate openly is essential for navigating the complexities of love and building lasting connections. The value of honesty helps to prevent unnecessary drama and heartbreak.

  • The Healing Power of Forgiveness

    The narrative emphasizes the importance of forgiveness in overcoming past mistakes and moving forward. Characters grapple with past actions and their consequences, learning to forgive themselves and others. The theme highlights the healing power of forgiveness and its role in fostering personal growth and healthier relationships. This process of extending and receiving forgiveness becomes vital for achieving a sense of closure and renewal.

Chapter Recap

Chapter OneOne year later, Daniel drives Val home, immediately irritated by the overpowering scent of her perfume. Val criticizes his immaturity, sparking a moment of clarity for Daniel. He realizes they are fundamentally incompatible and that neither of them is willing to change. Arriving at Val’s house, Dani
Read MoreArrow right

About The Author

Colleen Hoover

Colleen Hoover is the #1 New York Times and International bestselling author of multiple novels and novellas. She lives in Texas with her husband and their three boys. She is the founder of The Bookworm Box, a non-profit book subscription service and bookstore in Sulphur Springs, Texas. For more information and for a schedule of events, please visit colleenhoover.com. To contact Colleen and her team (Her team's name is Stephanie), please email hooverink@outlook.com

Main Quotes

""You're my best friend and I love you. I'm not ashamed to admit that I love a guy. I love you, Holder. Daniel Weasley loves Dean Holder. Always and forever.”"

"“I feel her whole body sigh on top of me. Even though I have no idea who she is or what she looks like, I can feel the sadness in her and it makes me want to take care of her.”"

"“She fist-bumped me,”"

"“I can’t stop tapping my fingers and shaking my leg. It feels like I want to scratch at my skin when she’s not around, like I’m coming down from a high.”"

"“The greatest courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to face it head-on for the sake of love.”"

"“Fuck all the first, Sky. The only thing that matters to me with you are the forevers.”"

"“I need you to be my forever, too.”"

"“Sometimes life gives you cotton candy, sometimes it gives you a kick in the pants.”"

"“I kissed her, and for once, I didn’t hold back.”"

"“In reality, people are who they are and they’ll never really change.”"

Who Should Read This Book

Young adults (ages 14+)

Readers of contemporary romance

Fans of Colleen Hoover's other books, particularly the "Hopeless" series

Readers interested in light, easy-to-read novellas

Readers who enjoy stories with a "Cinderella" theme or trope

Female readers interested in romance novels

Book Summaries Like

Finding Cinderella
cover backgroundThe Girl in the Garden

The Girl in the Garden

Kestra Pingree

Ri is a self-proclaimed delinquent, exiled to her grandparents' rose garden for the summer in a desperate attempt to reform her "bad" attitude. Surrounded by endless pines and fragrant blooms, she feels anything but reformed. Just when she's about to give up hope, she meets Avery, a peculiar boy who seems to understand the secrets the garden holds.

As Ri and Avery tend to the roses, a tentative connection blossoms between them. But Ri is determined to escape, and Avery is hiding secrets of his own. In this young adult coming-of-age story, Ri must decide if she can trust Avery and confront her past, or if she'll leave the girl in the garden behind forever. Awash with summer roses and a touch of magic, this heartfelt tale explores themes of truth, redemption, and the unexpected beauty that can be found in the most unlikely places.

cover backgroundFree From The Tracks

Free From The Tracks

K. T. Bowes

Sophia Armitage has always strived to be the perfect daughter, safeguarding a secret that could shatter her family's hard-won place on the 'right side of the tracks.' But in their small New Zealand town, secrets have a way of surfacing. When a betrayal costs Sophia her friends and reputation, she finds solace in the most unexpected person: the troubled and charismatic bad boy, Caleb.

Caleb is no stranger to being an outcast. Living on the fringes of society, he's learned to expect judgment and scorn. Yet, something about Sophia's vulnerability draws him in, sparking a connection that defies their different worlds.

As their bond deepens, Sophia and Caleb find themselves caught between their families, their community, and their own hidden truths. With the town determined to keep them apart, they must decide if their love is worth fighting for, or if they're destined to remain forever on opposite sides of the tracks. A captivating story of first love, prejudice, and the courage to break free.

cover backgroundMy Return to the Walter Boys

My Return to the Walter Boys

Ali Novak

New York Times Bestseller! USA Today Bestseller! The highly anticipated sequel to My Life with the Walter Boys , the internationally bestselling novel that inspired the Netflix series! Jackie Howard returns to the Walter ranch after a summer in New York. She needed space―and got it. But she doesn't know where things stand with her and Cole Walter after that goodbye kiss. Over the summer, she stopped texting him. She never stopped thinking about him. Still, with Cole living off in town to work at Tony's garage before he heads off to college, Jackie thinks it'll be easy to avoid him―only to find that when she sees him face to face at last, it's, well... impossible to resist him. Things are getting complicated: he's the boy she can't get off her mind, and the Walters have become the family she loves and needs. How can Jackie move forward when she's afraid of taking the next step?

FAQ