Once Upon A Dream

Her mother hates her. Emily doesn't understand why, but she knows she wants to break this Spell of Disaffection so she can be loved like other children. In this retelling of Cinderella, Emily discovers a formula in fairy tales for transformation from loveless to loved: ball + beautiful gown + prince. But she lives in a time when princes aren't what they seem and promises aren't always kept. Before she can find love, she has to recognize that what glitters isn't necessarily gold. Or love.

A witch's brew of maltreatment creates a Cinderella. Surviving that abuse requires believing someone will love you one day. But finding that love against impossible odds and without a fairy godmother is the trick. "I only love good girls" her mother tells Emily. But no matter what Emily does to earn her mother's love, the brass ring is always out of reach. Like everyone who is powerless, Emily believes in fairy tales—maps to happily ever after. At a ball, Emily meets Will who love bombs her with attention, gifts, and declarations of undying love. Everything she's dreamed of but never thought she'd have. Emily believes she is on the glidepath to happily ever after. Full of twists and turns, this tautly written tale questions what love is.

Maureen McCauley was born and grew up in Philadelphia but now lives in New York's Capital District.