ALA Booklist

"Maybe letting someone know me past the costume, past this summer, past this very moment, is just too much." After her brother dies and her missionary parents move to Africa, recent high-school graduate Ella takes a job performing as Cinderella at an enormous Disney-like amusement park. Luke, who works as Dale the chipmunk, is drawn to Ella, even though he's dating "perfect" Cassie. As in their debut collaboration, Scrambled Eggs at Midnight (2006), the authors contribute alternating chapters, flipping the funny, intelligent narration between Ella's and Luke's voices. The gleefully detailed theme-park background, with its oppressively manufactured "magic," is an excellent foil for the characters' sly, cynical humor and also their earnest questions about how to trust and recognize intuition and individuality, beauty and truth. The hot-pink cover shouts chick lit, but the strong male voice, the upended fairy tale, and the characters' honest struggles will broaden the audience for this thoughtful romance.

Horn Book

When Disney World's costumed actors strike, teens are brought in. Ella (as Cinderella) is hiding a tragic loss, while Luke (chipmunk Dale) is figuring out his future. Both are dating the right characters (Prince Charming and Chip, respectively) but the wrong people. Readers may grow impatient with the will-they-or-won't-they dating scenario (they will), but behind-the-scenes theme park details will keep readers entertained.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Fans of Barkley and Hepler's Scrambled Eggs at Midnight will find a similar slice-of-teen-romance in this novel, which gives a behind-the-scenes look at America's favorite amusement park. Ella and Luke meet at Disney World when both take temporary jobs as Disney characters after the permanent employees go on strike. Ella is cast as Cinderella-not because of her name but because she fits into the costume. (Luke plays the less prestigious part of Dale the chipmunk.) The two first become romantically linked with other """"characters"""" before realizing they have more in common with each other than with their respective partners. Ella and Luke's alternating narratives express similar outlooks and states of uncertainty, yet the teens' backgrounds and conflicts are different. Ella is still reeling from the death of her brother and the recent departure of her parents, who have decided to go to Africa (""""suddenly, the vague ideas about their doing something for others and making a difference in the world had details and a date""""). For his part, Luke is dreading his future of entering the family business. If it takes a frustratingly long time for Ella and Luke to admit their mutual attraction, their individual musings and insightful conversations provide a thought-provoking prelude to their eventual pairing. A generous sprinkling of Disney trivia adds color to this wistful novel while an ongoing theme regarding the existence of magic adds an extra layer of meaning. Ages 12-up.

School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up-Disney World's magic depends on both the invisible ranks and on "face" employees, including some young adults who step in to play the character roles when the regulars go on strike. Ella, given to silent sadness over the recent death of her brother and the subsequent decampment of her parents to Africa, lands the plum role of Cinderella as well as the romantic attentions of her Prince Charming. Yet it's Luke, stuck sweating inside the suit of Dale the chipmunk and likewise stuck with a too-perfect girlfriend in Chip, who intrigues Ella. The two reveal their experiences and backgrounds in alternating voices penned by two different authors. While the characters run from princess breakfasts to the daily royal wedding, they fret about their personal lives: Ella is not sure if she's ready for college in Vermont, and Luke wonders if he can walk lockstep into the comfortable future his parents have laid out for him. The authors realistically portray all of the anticipation and thrill of a romanceone in which Ella and Luke share who they are, what they fear, and what they yearn for. A setting filled with Disney flavor and trivia gives readers insider insight into the Magic Kingdom. Able writing moves the story along while strong characterization makes even secondary players come alive. Suzanne Gordon, Peachtree Ridge High School, Suwanee, GA

Voice of Youth Advocates

Alternating the perspectives of Ella and Luke, teenage replacement characters during a strike at Disney World, this book paints a picture of hard work behind the famous fantasyland. In the theme park, Ella portrays Cinderella, getting married to Prince Charming every afternoon and attending lots of events with little girls. Luke is chipmunk Dale, often unable to see out of his furry costume and sometimes overheating in it. The replacement workers are housed in a dormitory, and to prevent boredom, they hold parties with smuggled-in beer and start pairing off. Ella is together with the current Prince Charming, Mark, a true Disney believer and expert, and Luke is with Cassie, who portrays Chip, the other chipmunk. Over time, Ella and Luke realize that they like each other a lot, and their partnership in a scavenger hunt organized for the workers cements their romance. Together, they meet a legendary employee who has worked as a character at Disney World for more than thirty years and who shares with them some of the secrets and lore about the theme park that he has learned over time. When the strike ends, Ella and Luke are grateful that the hard work is over, have learned a lot about themselves, and look to the future. Leisure readers will enjoy this book for its romance and for the fun depiction of life within the magic kingdom.-Jenny Ingram.