The Midnight Blizzard: A Cinderella Retelling (The Christmas Chronicles) by Mary Mecham

An ice slipper wasn’t the only thing left behind at midnight… Noelle Frost only has one chance to reclaim the inheritance stolen from her after her father’s death. With her stepfamily plotting to win the prince’s heart during his bride competition to secure their own power, Noelle must infiltrate the royal ball to confront her stepmother and reclaim her birthright before time runs out. But in order to get close enough, she must compete for a crown she doesn’t want—and a prince she doesn’t love. The real danger lies in her growing feelings for Jack, the prince’s enigmatic mage advisor. As their forbidden romance ignites, Jack becomes Noelle’s only ally in a world of treachery, with access to the records that could restore her to her rightful place as the heiress of the Frostwood estate. The closer Noelle gets to Jack, the more impossible their future seems. As the competition heats up and the prince’s attention turns to Noelle, her stepmother offers a risky bargain that Noelle can’t turn down if she wants to protect Jack, even if it means leaving the castle forever. After all, if Noelle and Jack can never be together, does she have any reason to stay? As midnight approaches, Noelle must decide if she can truly leave her heart behind. This is a Cinderella retelling, filled with forbidden love, dog sleds, blackmail, and an illegal courtship set in a snowy kingdom. Perfect for a cozy Christmas read, fans of Melanie Cellier, Tara Grayce, and Deborah Grace White will love this no-spice romantic fantasy book. Tropes in The Midnight Blizzard: ❄️ Forbidden, Illegal Love ❄️ Blackmailed by her Stepmother ❄️ Ice Slippers (instead of glass) ❄️ Cinderella Goes in a Dog Sled to the Ball ❄️ Locked in a Closet and Can't Kiss (but they want to!) ❄️ Jack Frost is the fairy godfather ❄️ Grimms inspired What Readers Are Saying: "This was absolutely THE PERFECT choice for a cozy winter read! I'm all gushy and stuff now" "I'm fairly certain I didn't breathe during the last 30% of the book because PLOT TWISTS AND FORBIDDEN KISSES." "With dog sledding, ice skating, magic ice slippers, and a nod to the 12 Days of Christmas, this “prince picks a bride” competition is magical."

Young Adult • Romance • Fantasy • Romance/Fantasy • Fantasy/Mythic, Retelling, and Folklore • Fantasy/Cozy, Low, Mundane, and Slice of Life