A Duchess by Midnight

In the last of her fairy-tale trilogy, after Duchess a Day and When You Wish Upon a Duke, Michaels rehabilitates one of the ugly stepsisters from Cinderella, offering a delightful and deeply engaging story that sees Drewsmina Trelayne remake herself from a meanspirited wretch into a tactful, caring woman of substance, determined to make her own way by working as a stylist/teacher of debutantes in need of a helping hand. Drew needs money to make her grand plans come true, however, and with the help of her stepsister, Princess Cynde, is soon employed by Ian, the Duke of Lachlan, to aid his nieces. The girls need more than deportment advice. They need healing after spending years in a religious cult. Ian and his sister carry their own scars and regrets and it is with deep compassion that Drew helps rebuild this family. Michaels’s quick pacing is immediately appealing, and her fetching dialogue and fabulous set scenes are delightful, plus there are some clever Easter eggs that nod to Cinderella.