Cinderella and the Sheikh, by Teresa Morgan

Title: Cinderella and the Sheikh

Author: Teresa Morgan

Sub-Genre(s): Contemporary

Publisher: Self

Publication Date: June 8, 2011

ISBN #: 9780986956812

Format: eBook from Author

Reviewer: Sharon

Rating: 4 Cups

Blurb:*

She's about to get charmed...

Libby Fay's safe little life as a waitress at a posh New York boutique hotel implodes when Sheikh Rasyn Al Jabar, black-eyed and seductive, crashes into her world and swears that he loves her.

The powerful sheikh will do anything to prevent becoming the ruler of his North African homeland, including marrying a woman who is inappropriate to be queen. When he sees the beautiful, bubbly waitress, he knows that she is the perfect wife to help him avoid the throne—all he has to do is make her fall in love with him.

All her life, Libby has longed for the same loving, equal partnership her parents had—something she couldn't possibly have with a forceful sheikh who ignores all her objections. But Rasyn seems to be able to charm her into anything, including his bed. Soon, she finds herself on a plane to Abbas, transported into a fairy tale come true.

Unfortunately for Libby, a Cinderella is the last thing this Prince Charming wants.

Review:
Libby Fay wants a marriage like her parents had, one based on love with a man who is perfect for her. Sheikh Rasyn ibn Rahman al Jabar wants a marriage based on deception to a woman who is totally inappropriate for him. He needs to do something to get out of the line of succession in his country so his cousin can become ruler. Rasyn decides that if he marries Libby, a waitress at a New York hotel that caters to wealthy VIP’s, he can accomplish his goal.

Libby is attracted but wary. She needs her job and she feels overwhelmed by the Sheikh’s attentions. I liked that fact that Libby wasn’t the typical heroine with stars in her eyes for the handsome sheikh, but a down to earth young lady who knew something was not quite right with the situation. Even when she gives into temptation, she knows his claims of love are mere words. When he makes a public proposal to her, she agrees but plans to let him off the hook when they are in private. The next thing she knows, she is on a plane to Abbas to “visit”.

Rasyn is not all bad, as he is trying to make up to his cousin for years of perceived favoritism. He is generous to Libby’s elderly friend and fellow employees. He even plans to be very generous with Libby after the planned divorce when his plot succeeds. Rasyn’s cousin, Imaran, is a soldier with a huge chip on his shoulder and he does not take to Libby at all, which makes Libby even more uncomfortable in her new home.

I enjoyed this book because Libby remained true to form, not becoming an overnight sophisticated princess. She has adjustment problems and she embarrasses herself many times. The love story is believable and both she and Rasyn learn to love each other in a realistic way. Both have to grow in confidence and on an emotional level, dealing with realities of a relationship. There are some elements that are a little far-fetched but they don’t take away from the story. I look forward to reading future books by Teresa Morgan.

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*Blurb Courtesy of Goodreads

**Disclaimer: This book has been provided to C&R Romance eBook Reviews free of charge by the author. No money has been exchanged for the review of this eBook. This review reflects the opinion of the individual reviewer and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the other C&R reviewers or this blog’s administrator/editor.