Book 1 of the Once Upon a Con Series
Elle Wittimer lives and breathes Starfield, the classic science-fiction series she grew up watching with her late father. When she sees a cosplay competition announcement with a prize to win a meet-and-greet with the actor who plays Prince Carmindor, she wants to enter it. There’s only one obstacle, well, three, her stepmother and stepsisters, who are hellbent on ruining her life. With the savings from her job at The Magic Pumpkin food truck, her father’s old cosplay costume and Sage, her colleague from the food truck, Elle gives it a go.
Teen actor Darien Freeman used to live cons – before he was Prince Carmindor on Starfield. Now they’re awkward meet-and-greets and signing autographs. Darien has been texting with a girl called Elle who shares his love for Starfield.
This is a cute romance, fairytale retelling: Cinderella in a contemporary setting. Darien and Elle hate each other on sight and don’t realise they’ve been texting to each other. I quite enjoyed it!
Read for The 52 Book Club Reading Challenge 2025
Prompt 20: A Fairy Tale Retelling
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
