Release: July 6, 2021
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Source: Rockstar Book Tours
Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org.
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This was supposed to be her happily ever after…
It’s a familiar tale: A kind and beautiful young girl, reeling from the loss—a doting father, frantic to bring a mother’s love back into his daughter’s life. And the selfish, cruel woman who insinuates herself into that family―a woman so unfeeling, so cold-hearted, that when her new husband dies, she makes the girl a servant in her own home.
But who is that evil stepmother, that icy lady of the house? How did she become so closed off that, in the face of a child’s grief, she thought only to seek wealth and power for herself and her abhorrent daughters? Before that fateful ball, before the glass slipper and the prince, there was another story―a story of love and grief, of hope and dreams, dashed. It is the story of Lady Tremaine.
Even the coldest of villains are sometimes wives and mothers, women who loved and lost and hoped for something grander for their lives . . . once upon a dream.
The latest novel in Serena Valentino’s deliciously devious Villains series introduces the most famed and hated wicked stepmother of them all―but turns everything you know about her on its head.
About the Author:
Serena Valentino has been weaving tales that combine mythos and guile for the past decade. She has also earned critical acclaim in both the comic and horror domains. Besides, she is known for her unique storytelling style, bringing her readers into exquisitely frightening worlds filled with terror, beauty, and extraordinary protagonists. The books in her best-selling Villains series are best enjoyed when read in the following order: Fairest of All, The Beast Within, Poor Unfortunate Soul, Mistress of All Evil, Mother Knows Best, Odd Sisters, Evil Thing, and Cold Hearted.
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Cold-Hearted Review:
I have read a few books in the “Villains” series, and “Cold Hearted” was an excellent addition. It was such a delight because it completely changed my perspective of Lady Tremaine and how we perceived her in the classic movie.
“Cinderella” was the first movie I ever saw in my life, and I immediately fell in love with Disney movies since then. Hence, the film holds a special place in my heart. What’s creative about the series, in general, is how they make you change your perception of the villains but giving them a soul. In this book, we get to root for Lady Tremaine and find out how she met Richard and married Cinderella’s father. The author adds many twists and turns that show how Lady Tremaine got pushed into becoming the evil stepmother. Parts of the story also justify why she behaves so harshly towards Cinderella in the movie version, which I thought was a genius way of intricately connecting the book to the movie.
Moreover, I liked how the author incorporated characters from other tales like Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather. The author made the story connected to a larger picture with other Disney classics, which I enjoyed reading. Surprisingly, Anastasia and Drizella still come across as bratty in the tale for the most part, which was entertaining. One of my favorite moments in the story is when Lady Tremaine finds out about the mice that Cinderella plays with, which freaks out Anastasia and Drizella. Another memorable incident is the Christmas scene that revolves around the stockings.
Overall, I found “Cold Hearted” to be a lovely addition to the series, and it changed the way I perceived Lady Tremaine.
Giveaway:
3 winners will receive a finished copy of COLD HEARTED, US Only.
I am thrilled to be hosting a Cold Hearted by Serena Valentino Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post, and make sure to enter the giveaway!
Book Tour Schedule
Week One:
YABooksCentral-Excerpt-7-1-2021
BookHounds YA -Excerpt-7-2-2021
Rajiv’s Reviews-Review-7-3-2021
Week Two:
Kait Plus Books-Excerpt-7-4-2021
She Just Loves Books-Review-7-5-2021
@curlygrannylovestoread-Review-7-6-2021
History from a Woman’s Perspective -Review-7-7-2021
@autumn.booked-Review-7-8-2021
@kristens.reading.nook-Review-7-9-2021
Fyrekatz Blog-Review-7-10-2021
Week Three:
The Reading Wordsmith-Review-7-11-2021
Lilly’s Book World-Review-7-12-2021
BRITTREADSALATTEBOOKS -Review-7-13-2021
Phannie the ginger bookworm -Review-7-14-2021
@pagesofyellow-Review-7-15-2021
Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers -Review-7-16-2021
Don’t Judge, Read-Review-7-17-2021
Week Four:
@under_the_aurora.borealis -Review-7-18-2021
A Fictional Bookworm-Review-7-19-2021
@minnesota_mailer-Review-7-20-2021
Books Are Magic Too-Review-7-21-2021
@lostinbookverse-Review-7-22-2021
hauntedbybooks-Review-7-23-2021
The Momma Spot-Review-7-24-2021
Week Five:
Books and Zebras @jypsylynn -Review-7-25-2021
Bookish Rantings-Review-7-26-2021
Book-Keeping-Review-7-27-2021
Popthebutterfly-Review-7-28-2021
Momfluenster -Review-7-29-2021
@fictitious.fox-Review-7-30-2021
two points of interest-Review-7-31-2021
