by Sara Ella
publisher’s synopsis
Light always finds a way to break free . . .
Noelle Perrault has felt drawn to the tales her glassmaker father told of the four Firefly artisans since she was a child. But when her mother falls under a curse, Noelle suspects the stories are more than mere fables. Their last hope is for her father to embark on a desperate journey to another realm, where he must seek a miracle.
Alone but not defenseless, Noelle is forced to navigate battles that rise against her beloved home, while her dearest friend, the prince, vows to help her father.
Dante Marin is a prince prepared to bear the crown. But the king offers an ultimatum: find the fabled Firefly Vestiges, believed to hold the Lamplighter’s ancient power, or forfeit the crown. Only then will Dante be considered worthy of his birthright and given the freedom to choose his bride. But how does one hunt down a legend?
Connected by the past, but forced apart in the present, Noelle and Dante must discover the truth about the Firefly and Vestiges before they lose all hope—and each other—for good. But breaking a curse comes at a great sacrifice—one neither of them predicted. With a mysterious foe rising to power, will they survive, let alone succeed? Or will darkness shroud their future, shattering the light they’ve striven to restore?
Cinderella is one of my favorite fairy tales, and I loved Sara Ella’s retelling of it. Glass Across the Sea follows the Cinderella story arc while weaving in motifs of The Count of Monte Cristo and its own unique elements.
Noelle and Dante were sweet together. Sara also did a great job rounding out the rest of the cast. Like I said above, the plot weaves together new and familiar elements in a story rich with theme that will sweep readers away.
My only quibble would be that the flow between the present and flashback/memory scenes sometimes felt a little off or the flashbacks were a little too close together. However, that is a very minor quibble.
Fairy tale fans will love Sara Ella’s latest novel.
Cautions: moderate romance; three kisses
(I received an eARC from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Glass Across the Sea releases October 21, 2025)
Hailey Huntington 
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