Cold Hearted

Cold Hearted

  • Downloads:1043
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-06-13 01:31:05
  • Update Date:2025-09-07
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Serena Valentino
  • ISBN:1368025285
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

This was supposed to be her happily ever after。。。

It’s a familiar tale: A kind and beautiful young girl, reeling from loss。 A doting father, frantic to bring a mother’s love back into his daughter’s life。 And the selfish, cruel woman who insinuates herself into that family―a woman so unfeeling, so cold hearted, that when her new husband dies, she makes the girl a servant in her own home。

But who is that evil stepmother, that icy lady of the house? How did she become so closed off that, in the face of a child’s grief, she thought only to seek wealth and power for herself and her abhorrent daughters? Before that fateful ball, before the glass slipper and the prince, there was another story―a story of love and grief, of hope and of dreams dashed。 It is the story of Lady Tremaine。

Even the coldest of villains are sometimes wives and mothers, women who loved and lost and hoped for something grander for their lives 。 。 。 once upon a dream。

The latest novel in Serena Valentino’s deliciously devious Villains series introduces the most famed and hated wicked stepmother of them all―but turns everything you know about her on its head。

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Reviews

Arezou

I am a sucker for a good villain origin story。 Bonus points if it somehow explains how this character isn’t actually as villainous as we thought and is in fact someone worthy of our empathy。 Because evil for evil’s sake isn’t always as fun as people think it is, especially when that character is the focus of the story。 This is why I was so excited to dive into Cold Hearted。 The character of Cinderella’s Stepmother is one we’ve seen time and time again, portrayed with various shades of understand I am a sucker for a good villain origin story。 Bonus points if it somehow explains how this character isn’t actually as villainous as we thought and is in fact someone worthy of our empathy。 Because evil for evil’s sake isn’t always as fun as people think it is, especially when that character is the focus of the story。 This is why I was so excited to dive into Cold Hearted。 The character of Cinderella’s Stepmother is one we’ve seen time and time again, portrayed with various shades of understanding at least, if not empathy。 We may not agree with the choices she makes, or the way she treats our heroine, but in reading between the lines, we can somewhat see her point of view。Disney’s 1950 animated film Cinderella doesn’t extend this kind of empathy towards Lady Tremaine, but then to be fair that wasn’t the expectation of the time period, and that also wasn’t the focus of the film。 But that’s fine! That’s what books like Cold Hearted are for。 Or so I thought, anyway。[READ FULL REVIEW: https://thegeekywaffle。com/home/2021/。。。]Cold Hearted is out June 29, 2021Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing for an advance copy of this book for review purposes 。。。more

Lizz Axnick

This was one of the best books in this series。 Lady Tremaine is one of my favorite Disney villains and reading the artful backstory Serena Valentino created was both heart-wrenching and gripping。 This book follows the story of the Disney version of Cinderella。 I say that to clarify since the Grimms' version is indeed, a lot grimmer。。。 It gives us the backstory of Lady Tremaine and her daughters and how she becomes the stepmother to Cinderella。 While the audience knows she married a widower looki This was one of the best books in this series。 Lady Tremaine is one of my favorite Disney villains and reading the artful backstory Serena Valentino created was both heart-wrenching and gripping。 This book follows the story of the Disney version of Cinderella。 I say that to clarify since the Grimms' version is indeed, a lot grimmer。。。 It gives us the backstory of Lady Tremaine and her daughters and how she becomes the stepmother to Cinderella。 While the audience knows she married a widower looking for a mother for his daughter, this story is much more sinister than that and gives clout to the adage, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is。 I don't want to give a lot of the plot away since it was so delicious to discover reading the book。I have only read a couple of the other books by Serena Valentino in this series but I have been impressed with her capability of creating relatable characters who are cast as villains throughout the Disney cannon。 They are easy and enjoyable reads that any Disney fan should have in their library。 I got this as an ARC from Netgalley but I loved it so much I will purchase a copy when it is released so I can read it over and over。 More please! 。。。more

Rhys

*Thank you to Netgalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for a copy in exchange for an honest review*Cold Hearted follows Lady Tremaine, mother of Drizella and Anastasia, stepmother to Cinderella。 We follow Lady Tremaine as she turns into the evil stepmother we know from the movies。 This book is marketed as book 8 in the Villains series, and it REALLY is the 8th book。 If you think you can only read this book of the series, you are sorely mistaken。 I love how characters from the other books show u *Thank you to Netgalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for a copy in exchange for an honest review*Cold Hearted follows Lady Tremaine, mother of Drizella and Anastasia, stepmother to Cinderella。 We follow Lady Tremaine as she turns into the evil stepmother we know from the movies。 This book is marketed as book 8 in the Villains series, and it REALLY is the 8th book。 If you think you can only read this book of the series, you are sorely mistaken。 I love how characters from the other books show up in this one。 For example, we see The Odd Sisters (like usual, let's be real here), Circe, Nanny, and there are mentions of The Beast and Belle, Maleficent, Ursula, and more。 I highly suggest reading all of the past 7 books in this series so you understand the world (The Many Kingdoms), and all of the characters。 With this retelling, in particular, I love how we see Lady Tremaine turn into the cruel stepmother we know her by。 We get a backstory and see that she was nice and caring before she met Cinderella。 It stayed close to the original tale from Disney, but Valentino adds her own style to it。 If you are looking for a (possibly) completed series of Disney Villain retellings, I highly suggest reading all of these books in order! I will put the reading order down below for it to be easier。 1) Fairest of All 2) The Beast Within3) Poor Unfortunate Soul4) Mistress of All Evil 5) Mother Knows Best (my personal favourite)6) The Odd Sisters7) Evil Thing 8) Cold Hearted 。。。more

Tammy

Cold Hearted tells the backstory of Lady Tremaine, Cinderella’s wicked stepmother, and how she became the wicked stepmother。 I must say this is fascinating to me as this book (and the series as a whole) does an amazing job as crafting up a tale on the scenarios that result in Lady Tremaine becoming a villain when she was a kind-hearted and thoughtful person originally。 Through darker outside forces, Lady Tremaine, a widow who is a doting mother to her two young daughters, is tricked into a marri Cold Hearted tells the backstory of Lady Tremaine, Cinderella’s wicked stepmother, and how she became the wicked stepmother。 I must say this is fascinating to me as this book (and the series as a whole) does an amazing job as crafting up a tale on the scenarios that result in Lady Tremaine becoming a villain when she was a kind-hearted and thoughtful person originally。 Through darker outside forces, Lady Tremaine, a widow who is a doting mother to her two young daughters, is tricked into a marriage with a duke from the Many Kingdoms (Cinderella’s father) and her magic fairytale romance becomes far from a happy ending。 You begin to feel compassion and frustration at the injustice of Lady Tremaine’s predicament and the way she turned out makes complete sense。 However, the one thing I would change about the story is the ending。 I wished there was more help involved in helping Lady Tremaine out as she wasn’t a magical being herself as the other stepmothers in the series were and was an unwilling victim to the dark magic。 Also, I recommend reading the series in order as there is an underlying other story that ties all of the books together that I very much relish in and there are references to events that happened in the previous books。 Overall, this YA book is a quick and fun read that charms those who enjoy fairytales and of course, Disney。Thank you to Disney Publishing and Netgalley for the arc。 Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own。 。。。more

Clarissa Bush

I loved this and I am def reading the rest of the series。。。

Larissa

If you love Disney villains and would love to know their back story this is the perfect series for you。 I have read multiple books from this series and trust me Cold Hearted does not disappoint。 Lady Tremaine has always kind of been that odd Disney villain。 She is evil but there is not much explaining why。 This book does a stunning job sharing how Lady Tremaine becomes the Evil Stepmother。 The only thing that I wish had been explored more was the curse that was placed upon her broach。 I just lov If you love Disney villains and would love to know their back story this is the perfect series for you。 I have read multiple books from this series and trust me Cold Hearted does not disappoint。 Lady Tremaine has always kind of been that odd Disney villain。 She is evil but there is not much explaining why。 This book does a stunning job sharing how Lady Tremaine becomes the Evil Stepmother。 The only thing that I wish had been explored more was the curse that was placed upon her broach。 I just loved this book! I love seeing both sides of the story。 Just a great read! Thank you so to NetGalley and Disney publishing for the advance copy。 。。。more

Tera Slawson

In this book Fairy Godmother is a straight savage。 She gives zero foxes about that stepmother or her stepmonsters。 (Gif)This is the 8th book in this series, but the first one I am reading, Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers。 Queen Cinderella sends fairy Godmother a letter asking her to help her stepsisters Druzilla and Anastasia, it seems after Cindy rode off into her happily after Fairy Godmother didn’t want no trouble and trapped them and their mommy in that chateau。 Cinderella being th In this book Fairy Godmother is a straight savage。 She gives zero foxes about that stepmother or her stepmonsters。 (Gif)This is the 8th book in this series, but the first one I am reading, Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers。 Queen Cinderella sends fairy Godmother a letter asking her to help her stepsisters Druzilla and Anastasia, it seems after Cindy rode off into her happily after Fairy Godmother didn’t want no trouble and trapped them and their mommy in that chateau。 Cinderella being the sweet thing she is, saw how poorly her stepsisters were doing trapped with their evil momma and hoped the Fairy Godmother would help。 NOPE! (Gif)Fairy Godmother is not having any of that, Fairy’s don’t help Villains! Until her sister, Nanny, who is now in charge of the fairies, asks her to really look back and see how Lady Tremaine and her daughters wound up in this situation。 I think the books in this series show the circumstances that lead these people to become Villains。 And I 100 percent love that, but this book did not help me gain any empathy for Lady Tremaine aka the wicked Stepmother。 It’s probably a lifetime of being taught to hate this lady, I mean in my day Cinderella THE Princess。 I have watched that movie like 100 times, not to mention all the retellings。 But that being said, it was a fun little read, it was closer to Middle Grade or younger YA, which I don’t read a lot of。 But I would like to check out a few more books。 I may get some feels for Gaston or Ursula the Sea Witch。 I do love Disney。 Thank you again to Netgalley and the publishers。 Cold Hearted will be released on June 29th, 2021 。。。more

Amber Brooks Bowie

From the very first book, I have been obsessed with this Villain series。 As a child, I didn't have much love or understanding for the villains。 As I grew, I began to understand that they were misunderstood。 Then, I was introduced to this series and WOW。。。 I LOVE the villains; more specifically, I love Valentino's back-stories。 "Cold Hearted" focuses on the story of Lady Tremaine, a widow who finds herself being lonely (even when surrounded by servants)。 She decides to visit her friend, where she From the very first book, I have been obsessed with this Villain series。 As a child, I didn't have much love or understanding for the villains。 As I grew, I began to understand that they were misunderstood。 Then, I was introduced to this series and WOW。。。 I LOVE the villains; more specifically, I love Valentino's back-stories。 "Cold Hearted" focuses on the story of Lady Tremaine, a widow who finds herself being lonely (even when surrounded by servants)。 She decides to visit her friend, where she meets (and falls in love) with Sir Richard。 Their love was straight out of a fairy tale。。。 or not。 Anyway, I enjoyed being able to read more about Lady Tremaine's hatred of Cinderella。 Valentino does a phenomenal job of making me sympathize with the villains (I'm not sure if that's intentional or not)。 Either way, while Lady Tremaine will probably never be my favorite villain, she has broken through the top 5。The book, overall, is a quick read filled with unexpected twists and turns。 This, by far, is one of my favorite books of the entire series。 As long as Valentino keeps writing them, I will continue to read and buy them。 。。。more

Josh Sanders (found_my_wondla)

Thank you NetGalley, Disney Publishing, and Serena for allowing me to read an early copy of this book! I am so excited for this release as this has been one of my favorite series。 I am a big Disney villain fan so I always enjoy hearing their side of the story。 This book was brilliant。 It is one of the best of Serena’s villains series。 This book really gave you an inside look into who Lady Tremaine is as a person and what drove her to become such a horrid person。 I loved the story and whimsy of t Thank you NetGalley, Disney Publishing, and Serena for allowing me to read an early copy of this book! I am so excited for this release as this has been one of my favorite series。 I am a big Disney villain fan so I always enjoy hearing their side of the story。 This book was brilliant。 It is one of the best of Serena’s villains series。 This book really gave you an inside look into who Lady Tremaine is as a person and what drove her to become such a horrid person。 I loved the story and whimsy of this book。 I felt so many emotions for the characters and I felt for The Tremaines。 My heart broke so many times for Lady Tremaine。 She deserved so much better。 There were so many twists and turns that had me shocked even though we all know the story。 The one thing I wish is that the ending wasn’t so rushed (although I know it’s because we all know the story already)。 All in all I loved this book and can’t wait to get my hands on the physical copy。 。。。more

Kirstyn (readwithkirstyn)

I love Fairytale retellings and I really enjoy Disney as well, so these villain stories always intrigue me。 I haven't read them all, but I have read quite a few。 That being said, I saw real potential in the addition of Lady Tremaine because she is not otherwordly or magical, thus making her the villain we all fear - one that could actually exist in real life。 Cold Hearted provides a fresh twist to the Cinderella story by giving us the origin story for Lady Tremaine。 Having not always been the ev I love Fairytale retellings and I really enjoy Disney as well, so these villain stories always intrigue me。 I haven't read them all, but I have read quite a few。 That being said, I saw real potential in the addition of Lady Tremaine because she is not otherwordly or magical, thus making her the villain we all fear - one that could actually exist in real life。 Cold Hearted provides a fresh twist to the Cinderella story by giving us the origin story for Lady Tremaine。 Having not always been the evil stepmother we know her as now, it's nice to see the parts of her life that shaped that perspective。 Isn't it funny how someone can have their heart in the right place and mean well, yet still come off as evil? Perfect for any fans of villain stories, fairytale retellings, or in general Disney fans。 Writing is age appropriate so younger children would also be able to enjoy the story。 。。。more

Gicely

2。8/5💫: Listen I think I'm reading a completely different book from everyone because everyone loved this book but I did not。 The eight book in the series, I'm not sure if this series is suppose to be sequential or companion/standalone books but none the less, this is the first one that I've ever read。 This story follows Lady Termaine, known to all of us as the wicked stepmother to Cinderella, before she became a storybook villain。 And objectively the book wasn't written poorly and wasn't not com 2。8/5💫: Listen I think I'm reading a completely different book from everyone because everyone loved this book but I did not。 The eight book in the series, I'm not sure if this series is suppose to be sequential or companion/standalone books but none the less, this is the first one that I've ever read。 This story follows Lady Termaine, known to all of us as the wicked stepmother to Cinderella, before she became a storybook villain。 And objectively the book wasn't written poorly and wasn't not compelling but it was just not my vibe。I wasn't here for the style the narrative took place。 I also did not like how the origin story basically put all the blame on the heroes or good guys of the actual classic。 It just felt kind of like a cop-out because it just instead of having complex issues that lead her to cruelty, it was all oh the characters that have always been established are good are trash。 Like I know the writer wanted us to sympathize with the villain, hence the need for an origin story, but I didn't like that they thought the best way to do that was ruin beloved characters by making them flat horrible characters that lacked any compassion。 It felt off, like I was waiting the whole time for them to say, oh they good guys acted horrible to them cause they're being controlled by the ood sisters or something but no, they're just terrible。Also the story also was all about saving the stepsisters but we barely got mention of them in the "flashbacks/past" so it was weird for that to be the central plot/mission when the story is supposed to be about Termaine because the saving felt flat and rushed。[Tiny, and I mean like one sentence spoiler] Also side-note that probably doesn't matter, but when Lady Termaine moved to the kingdoms, they past beast/belle's castle and that story has already played out because they were referencing it, but Cinderella was a child still? I thought the princess stories happened around the same time。 But this would make Belle way older。 I just found that a little odd, especially since the Cinderella story technically comes first。---My ARC copy of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair, unbiased review。---- 。。。more

Meredith

4。5 starsI really enjoy fairy tale retellings and I love the fresh twist of this one。 I like that it is an origin story for Lady Tremaine。 I appreciate that she wasn't always evil and that her heart was in the right place。It is a page turner, an easy read and 100% appropriate for kids and I am excited to share this one with my littles。I definitely recommend it! 4。5 starsI really enjoy fairy tale retellings and I love the fresh twist of this one。 I like that it is an origin story for Lady Tremaine。 I appreciate that she wasn't always evil and that her heart was in the right place。It is a page turner, an easy read and 100% appropriate for kids and I am excited to share this one with my littles。I definitely recommend it! 。。。more

Ms。 Yingling

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Yamil

Before this, I had never read any of the books in the Disney Villain's series but after I read the first chapter of Cold Hearted, I HAD to read all the others! This is an amazing series! I wouldn't say I"m a Disney freak, I like the fairy tales as much as the next person but I am now hooked! This version of how the villains we love to hate makes you not only understand their motivation but sympathize with their story。 Who'd have thought we'd ever feel empathy for Lady Tremaine or those evil step Before this, I had never read any of the books in the Disney Villain's series but after I read the first chapter of Cold Hearted, I HAD to read all the others! This is an amazing series! I wouldn't say I"m a Disney freak, I like the fairy tales as much as the next person but I am now hooked! This version of how the villains we love to hate makes you not only understand their motivation but sympathize with their story。 Who'd have thought we'd ever feel empathy for Lady Tremaine or those evil stepsisters??? I simply LOVED it! 。。。more

Mary

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review。Cold Hearted tells the story of Cinderella's wicked stepmother, Lady Tremaine。 Once a wealthy widow, the woman and her two daughters now roam the halls of Cinderella's former house like wraiths。 When the Fairy Godmother and her sister, Nanny, receive a plea from Cinderella to help her stepsisters, the two fairies look back on Lady Tremaine's story to decide whether or not she is worth helping。This w Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review。Cold Hearted tells the story of Cinderella's wicked stepmother, Lady Tremaine。 Once a wealthy widow, the woman and her two daughters now roam the halls of Cinderella's former house like wraiths。 When the Fairy Godmother and her sister, Nanny, receive a plea from Cinderella to help her stepsisters, the two fairies look back on Lady Tremaine's story to decide whether or not she is worth helping。This was a fairly quick read, as all of Valentino's Villians books are。 While the premise was intriguing, the bulk of the short novel was spent in Lady Tremaine's past, particularly her being courted by Cinderella's father。 As much as the backstory did set up Lady Tremaine's downfall into villainy quite well, I felt that the book ultimately spent too little time on the Lady's eventual madness and the squalor she forced her daughters to live in。 Additionally, that particular conflict was (very) quickly wrapped up by the Fairy Godmother and Nanny, so there wasn't even much time for the reader to sit with this strange, haunting end-result of Cinderella's H。E。A。I did enjoy the book, as I've enjoyed all the other books in the Villains series, however I would have liked to have experienced some plot points at a bit of a slower pace, so I could fully absorb what was happening。 。。。more

Ashley Dang

Ever wanted to know the real story about Cinderella’s Stepmother and what made her the way she was? This story gives us the backstory of Lady Tremaine’s life and how she became known as the evil step-mother in Cinderella。 Lady Tremaine was a caring and loving mother and after her husband died she’s been taking care of her family and just trying to grieve。 After 6 years, her friends introduce her to Sir Richard, aka。 Cinderella’s father。 At first he is handsome and immediately convinces Lady Trem Ever wanted to know the real story about Cinderella’s Stepmother and what made her the way she was? This story gives us the backstory of Lady Tremaine’s life and how she became known as the evil step-mother in Cinderella。 Lady Tremaine was a caring and loving mother and after her husband died she’s been taking care of her family and just trying to grieve。 After 6 years, her friends introduce her to Sir Richard, aka。 Cinderella’s father。 At first he is handsome and immediately convinces Lady Tremaine to marry him and pretends he is in love with her。。。。but by the time she has moved into his family house。。。 things are going very wrong。 Now, let me tell you how much I disliked Sir Richard and Cinderella。 Sir Richard was abusive as all heck, he stole her money, her dignity, and threatened her life along with her daughters。 What really got me was that ending。。。。 it just wasn’t fair。 Lady Tremaine was tricked and even the fairy godmother and other fairies ignored her cries for help for years and set her on the path to her destruction。 So overall, this was such a sad read as I found myself sympathizing and feeling so bad for Lady Tremaine and all for what? That sad ending? It is tragic。*Thanks Netgalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review* 。。。more

Brittany

I love these books! I enjoy reading the back story of the famous villains and finding out why they ended up as the villains。 I liked hearing more about Lady Tremaine and the step-sisters before they came into Cinderella's story。 I also liked the ending of the book and seeing how things are going after Cinderella's Happily Ever After。 I can't wait to read more of these books。 I love these books! I enjoy reading the back story of the famous villains and finding out why they ended up as the villains。 I liked hearing more about Lady Tremaine and the step-sisters before they came into Cinderella's story。 I also liked the ending of the book and seeing how things are going after Cinderella's Happily Ever After。 I can't wait to read more of these books。 。。。more

Cassandrah Woyak

Such a great backstory for our villain。 Honestly has you feeling bad for Lady Tremaine, and why she ended up the way she did。

Hope

Did we all read the same book? It's highly suspicious all of these reviews sound the same, almost as if someone paid for them。。。The writing in this book is awful。 I love retellings, but this is sub-par at best。 If you'd like to watch fairies fight and exchange terrible dialog, by all means。 I've now tried two books in this series, and this was worse than the B&tB retelling。 Did we all read the same book? It's highly suspicious all of these reviews sound the same, almost as if someone paid for them。。。The writing in this book is awful。 I love retellings, but this is sub-par at best。 If you'd like to watch fairies fight and exchange terrible dialog, by all means。 I've now tried two books in this series, and this was worse than the B&tB retelling。 。。。more

Lauren (The Bookish Belle)

4 STARSThis book in the series was really good! It was really fun and there were lots of twists! 1。 Fairest of All (Evil Queen) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️2。 The Beast Within (Prince Adam/The Beast) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️3 Poor Unfortunate Soul (Ursula) - ⭐️⭐️4。 Mistress of All Evil (Maleficent) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5。 Mother Knows Best (Mother Gothel) ⭐️⭐️⭐️6。 The Odd Sisters - ⭐️⭐️⭐️7。 Evil Thing (Cruella De Vil) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️8。 Cold Hearted (Lady Tremaine) -⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Press for the ARC in exchange for 4 STARSThis book in the series was really good! It was really fun and there were lots of twists! 1。 Fairest of All (Evil Queen) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️2。 The Beast Within (Prince Adam/The Beast) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️3 Poor Unfortunate Soul (Ursula) - ⭐️⭐️4。 Mistress of All Evil (Maleficent) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5。 Mother Knows Best (Mother Gothel) ⭐️⭐️⭐️6。 The Odd Sisters - ⭐️⭐️⭐️7。 Evil Thing (Cruella De Vil) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️8。 Cold Hearted (Lady Tremaine) -⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

Matthea

I absolutely loved this book! I have a soft sport in my heart for Disney and this book is phenomenal! Plus。。。。 Who doesn't love a good villain story! I absolutely loved this book! I have a soft sport in my heart for Disney and this book is phenomenal! Plus。。。。 Who doesn't love a good villain story! 。。。more

Realmommybooks

If all of these Disney books were like this I would own them all。 I LOVED IT and I wish I could give it more stars。 I need more。 It was beautifully written。 I will be owning the paperback for sure。

Selena

Cold Hearted is the story of Lady Tremaine and how she went from being a lonely widow, and loving mother to Drizella and Anastasia。 She had mourned her husband for several years before letting a friend talk her into attending a dinner and meeting a man who takes her breath away。 Before the end of her visit she has accepted his proposal and makes plans to meet him right away at his home in the Many Kingdoms。 Feeling that he loves her too she moves quickly from London to his home bringing her two Cold Hearted is the story of Lady Tremaine and how she went from being a lonely widow, and loving mother to Drizella and Anastasia。 She had mourned her husband for several years before letting a friend talk her into attending a dinner and meeting a man who takes her breath away。 Before the end of her visit she has accepted his proposal and makes plans to meet him right away at his home in the Many Kingdoms。 Feeling that he loves her too she moves quickly from London to his home bringing her two daughters who are excited to meet their new father and sister, Cinderella。 Once she arrives she is surprised to find the house is not what she expected and there are no servants。 Soon she realizes the mistake she made。 Richard wasn't looking for a wife, he was looking for someone to cook his meals, clean his house, and watch over his daughter while he was away。 After several years of neglect and emotional abuse toward Lady Tremaine and her daughters he mysteriously dies。 Lady Tremaine has gone from being an overindulgent mother to a person whose heart has broken and is no longer the woman of the past, but a hard, distrustful, sad woman bent on revenge toward the girl who refused to call her mother and told Richard that Lady Tremaine was planning to run away with her daughters。In the beginning she refused to believe in the stories in the book of fairy tales, especially that she would become a villain。 By the time Richard dies, she decides if that is what people are going to think of her, she might as well give in and become the villain。I was given the opportunity to read this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

Shaylin Maxwell

I got this book for my 11 year old daughter who loves Disney and loves reading here is her review:It’s has been really fun to hear the villains side of the story。 We all know about the princesses, but it was interesting to see what happened to the villains to make them so evil。 It was easy for me to read, but I read a lot so maybe this would be hard for some younger kids to read。 I really liked this story and the characters and I can’t wait to read more of the books in this series。

Steph Elias

Cold Hearted is the story of how Lady Tremaine became the Evil Stepmother to Cinderella。 The book is really fantastic, with a really interesting plot and great characters。 I had zero knowledge of Lady Tremaine going into this book, she is really not at all like the character she becomes。 But can you blame her? She is really taken advantage of by her cruel new husband。 I love the Many Kingdoms setting and of course the characters。

Saara

4。5 ⭐This is a masterpiece! I loved how the author was able to put me in England with Lady Tremaine then transport me to Many Kingdoms all from the comfort of my home。There are many lessons to be learned from this story。 Happiness, sadness, loss, gain, honesty as well as deceit are all bundled up inside this one 💖。Truly a spectacular piece of writing that I highly recommend。Book #8 of the Villians series。Thank you #Netgalley #serenavalentino and #disneyenterprisesinc for a copy of this book in e 4。5 ⭐This is a masterpiece! I loved how the author was able to put me in England with Lady Tremaine then transport me to Many Kingdoms all from the comfort of my home。There are many lessons to be learned from this story。 Happiness, sadness, loss, gain, honesty as well as deceit are all bundled up inside this one 💖。Truly a spectacular piece of writing that I highly recommend。Book #8 of the Villians series。Thank you #Netgalley #serenavalentino and #disneyenterprisesinc for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 。。。more

Meg

Thank you for the E-Arc NetGalley & Disney Press。 I love these books and their back stories about villains! This one is about Lady Tremain, Drizella and Anastasia and how they got to be the villainous wretches we see in Cinderella。 These are oh so much fun if you are a Disney villain fan and they often put things into perspective ( ie: you jut never know what someone is going through!)。