In this interesting retelling of Cinderella, Danielle Teller's ALL THE EVER AFTERS gives readers the backstory of Cinderella's evil stepmother. But was she really evil? Or did circumstance simply frame her that way?

Beginning in her youth, Agnes is sent to Aviceford Manor, owned by Sir Emont, as a laundry girl. There she is exposed to the ways of the world and is forced to grow up quickly to make sure she survives day to day. When she is seduced by a charismatic and worldly older man, Agnes finds herself pregnant and unmarried and has to leave her position at the Manor. With a "husband" constantly on the road for his job, Agnes is left to fend for herself and her young daughters.

But Agnes' life works in funny ways, and after some years of independence and security, she finds herself back at Aviceford Manor as the nursemaid to the ethereal daughter of Sir Emont, Ella. Eventually, Agnes and Emont marry, and she becomes the lady of the manor. Once again she is in a place of security, and she feels she is beneficial in her place and can provide for her daughters, but as Ella grows and her beauty becomes the talk of court, Agnes finds herself up against something unexpected: a young, pretty woman who may or may not know how to wield this power.

ALL THE EVER AFTERS by Danielle Teller is a really captivating fairytale retelling. I loved that there were plausible reasons why things happened the way they did and could be construed into the outlandish parts of the fairy tale: why Agnes' daughters were considered ugly, who was Ella's fairy godmother and how she made things happen for Ella so easily, and how Agnes gained a reputation of being evil. The complicated relationships women have with significant others, the people they work for, other women, and between mothers and daughters (and stepdaughters) were the highlight of this book. Agnes' inner grappling to do what she thinks is right is really intriguing, and something readers will easily be able to relate. My only quibble lies in the character of Ella, or Cinderella; I didn't love how every character was immediately in love with Ella, Agnes and her daughters included. Ella was too beautiful, too poised, and too good, but I was glad that Agnes saw through that perfect veneer, which did bring some brevity to that character. Aside from that, this was a beguiling, historically-set novel.