'Gibbons is superb on middle class life' SAM JORDISON, GUARDIAN

'A sharp-edged romantic comedy, we have a chance to see what we've been missing' DAILY MAIL

'What luxury to stumble upon this quirky book, and the fascinating modern woman who wrote it' SOPHIE DAHL

Life is not quite a fairytale for poor Viola. Left penniless, the young widow is forced to live with her late husband's family in a joyless old house. There's Mr Wither, a tyrannical old miser, Mrs Wither, who thinks Viola is just a common shop girl and two unlovely sisters-in-law, one of whom is in love with the chauffeur.

Only the prospect of the charity ball can raise Viola's spirits - especially as Victor Spring, the local prince charming will be there. But Victor's intentions towards our Cinderella are, in short, not quite honourable . . .

Introduction by: Sophie Dahl