So this is Love. A twisted tale. By Elizabeth Lim

I’ll admit it — I’ve always had a soft spot for fairytales. There’s something comforting about magic, destiny, and that promise of a happily-ever-after. But when a retelling can take a story we all know by heart and make it feel brand-new, that’s when it becomes something special.

Elizabeth Lim’s So This Is Love: A Twisted Tale does exactly that. From the first chapter, I knew this wasn’t going to be the typical Cinderella story. It’s richer, braver, and more empowering — a version where Cinderella doesn’t wait to be rescued but instead learns to rescue herself.

This book asks one simple but brilliant question: what if Cinderella never tried on the glass slipper?

That small change sets off an entirely new chain of events. When her cruel stepmother locks her away before the slipper can be found, Cinderella (or Ella, as she’s called here) escapes and finds herself working at the palace — not as a princess, but as a seamstress. From there, Lim spins a story that blends courage, mystery, and love into a completely fresh take on a beloved classic.

What I loved most about this book is how it gives Ella her own voice and purpose. She’s no longer just a girl with a dream — she’s a woman determined to build her own life.

In this version, Ella doesn’t stumble into happiness because of magic or luck. She earns it. She faces fear, loss, and betrayal, but she keeps choosing kindness and bravery in a world that has given her every reason to stop believing. Watching her step into her own power was deeply satisfying — like seeing the Cinderella we always hoped for finally come to life.

The fairytale charm is still there — the palace, the glittering gowns, the soft-spoken prince — but Lim layers it with something deeper. There’s political intrigue, a kingdom that’s banned magic, and a growing tension that makes the story feel almost like historical fantasy. Every choice Ella makes matters. She’s not waiting for the prince; she’s shaping the future.

Speaking of the prince — yes, he’s still charming, but this time he’s also interesting. Prince Charles has a conscience and a curious heart. He questions the way his kingdom treats magic, and he’s drawn to Ella not just for her beauty but for her intelligence and courage.

Their relationship develops slowly and sweetly. It’s not love at first sight — it’s love built on friendship, trust, and respect. That alone made me fall harder for this story. It felt real.

There’s something beautiful about the way Lim writes their connection — gentle, patient, and quietly powerful. You can feel their bond growing with every shared glance and heartfelt conversation.

Elizabeth Lim’s writing is absolutely stunning. Her prose has a fairy-tale elegance, yet it never feels overly flowery. The world she builds is vivid — the palace halls, the candlelit rooms, the tension between the magical and non-magical worlds — everything feels alive.

What really struck me was how easily she balances nostalgia with newness. You can sense her love for the original Cinderella story, but she’s not afraid to challenge it. By giving Ella agency, Lim transforms the fairytale into a story about self-discovery and resilience.

Even the side characters are memorable. From the palace staff to the scheming nobles, everyone adds something to the plot. The story moves at a steady pace — not rushed, not dragging — and by the time I reached the end, I genuinely didn’t want it to be over.

Beneath the magic and romance lies a much bigger message — one that feels especially relevant today. So This Is Love is about reclaiming your power when life doesn’t go as planned.

Ella doesn’t get the fairytale ending handed to her — she creates it through perseverance, compassion, and courage. She learns that true love isn’t about being saved; it’s about standing beside someone who sees your worth.

That theme of self-worth hit me hard. It reminded me that even when our stories twist away from what we expected, they can still lead somewhere beautiful.

So This Is Love is everything I want in a retelling — magical, emotional, empowering, and heartfelt. Elizabeth Lim breathes new life into a timeless classic and gives us a Cinderella who feels real, layered, and deeply inspiring.

I finished the book smiling, because for once, the fairytale wasn’t about being chosen — it was about choosing yourself.

If you love strong heroines, meaningful romance, and the idea that every “once upon a time” can lead to a new kind of “happily ever after,” this book is for you.

A perfect blend of magic, heart, and hope — and easily one of my favorite reads of the Twisted Tales so far.