Don’t Tell Me You Believe Cinderella’s Story Happens in Real Life?!

Dahlia was the eldest daughter of the Duke of Stewart, one of the four great dukes of the Woodria Kingdom. Soon after her mother died of illness, her father married Andrea, a commoner. Moreover, they already had a child named Betty, who was just a year younger than her. In order to establish her position, Andrea planned setting up schemes against Dahlia, the legitimate successor of the Duke. Betty, on the other hand, grew up always wanting anything Dahlia owned. Hence, the fight between the three of them ensued.

Original Publisher

alphapolis

Original Language

japanese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Don’t Tell Me You Believe Cinderella’s Story Happens in Real Life?! "Don’t Tell Me You Believe Cinderella’s Story Happens in Real Life?!" is a completed web novel that I recently finished reading. The story blends romance and shoujo elements, but it also delves into darker themes like abuse and betrayal. While it has some interesting ideas, the execution left me with mixed feelings. ### First Impressions The initial setup is classic Cinderella with an evil stepfamily, but it quickly pivots. I was intrigued by the premise of deconstructing fairy tale tropes. Dahlia, the protagonist, suffers terribly at the hands of her stepmother and stepsister. This part is engaging, as I quickly sympathized with her plight and despised her abusers. ### What Works Well The pacing is definitely a strong point. The story moves quickly, focusing on the essentials. I appreciated that it didn't get bogged down in unnecessary details. I found myself invested in Dahlia's journey, especially after she escapes her abusive family and finds refuge with her maternal relatives. Seeing her gain strength and stand up for herself was satisfying. ### Areas of Concern One of my biggest issues was the lack of depth. The writing style often felt more like a summary than a fully realized narrative. I struggled to connect with Dahlia on an emotional level, even during traumatic events. This was compounded by the one-dimensional villains, who felt more like caricatures than believable characters. Their stupidity undermined any sense of satisfaction I might have felt when they received their comeuppance. Additionally, the romance felt underdeveloped. The relationship between Dahlia and the male lead progresses too quickly, leaving me feeling disconnected from their connection. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning The ending was particularly problematic. The fates of the villains are dispatched without much emotional resonance, and the sudden engagement between Dahlia and her cousin felt rushed and somewhat unsettling. ### Final Verdict Overall, "Don’t Tell Me You Believe Cinderella’s Story Happens in Real Life?!" is a quick and easy read, but it falls short of its potential. While the pacing and initial setup are engaging, the lack of depth, one-dimensional characters, and underdeveloped romance ultimately detract from the experience. I'd recommend it as a light, frustration-fueled read if you're looking for a quick escape, but don't expect a masterpiece. I'd give it a 3/5.