Once Upon a Shoe - Once upon a Story, #1

A determined heroine, magic shoes, and a midnight deadline...

Ella believes in true love—she just doesn't want it for herself. After watching her stepmother crumble from grief when her father vanishes, Ella vows to never risk her heart. But running a household, managing her father's business, and dealing with a hostile stepsister leaves little room for maintaining the walls she's built around her heart.

Crown Prince Aeden has spent years proving he's more than his title. The only person who's ever seen the real him is his best friend Ella—who also happens to be the one girl he can't stop thinking about. When she pushes him away after her father's disappearance, Aeden refuses to give up on her. But with his coming-of-age deadline approaching, he's running out of time to convince Ella that some loves are worth the risk.

At a masquerade ball where magic meets destiny, one lost shoe could change everything. In a world where stepmothers aren't always villains and true love requires courage, will Ella find the strength to risk her heart for love?

Perfect for fans of childhood-friends-to-lovers and reluctant royalty tropes, this fantasy romance features a heroine learning to trust her heart, a prince fighting for true love, and a rich world of magic, court intrigue, and family bonds. Ideal for readers who love Melanie Cellier, Kenley Davidson, and W.R. Gingell.

"Once Upon a Shoe" is part of the Once upon a Story series—a collection of interconnected standalone stories set in a rich fantasy world. Each book can be enjoyed on its own or as part of the larger series.