Brad Barkley, co-author
Dutton, 2007
ISBN 978-0-5254-7802-7
Young adult

When the character actors at Disney World go on strike, the teens hired as replacements quickly learn that it isn’t exactly the Happiest Place on Earth. Ella is, appropriately enough, assigned the role of Cinderella, simply because the shoe fits. Every afternoon at three o’clock she gets married to Prince Charming, an unbelievably handsome boy who speaks fluent Disney. It should be a dream come true, but Ella no longer believes in dreams.
Luke is one of the fur characters, Dale (you know—the chipmunk). His job entails sweating inside a hairy outfit while waving wordlessly to over-stimulated children and their exhausted parents. Chip is played by his girlfriend, Cassie, who is perfect in every way. Why, then, does Luke find himself drawn to imperfect things, like the theme park’s Phantom and the enigmatic Ella?

A team-building scavenger hunt brings Luke and Ella together. As they uncover the Magic Kingdom’s treasures and trivia, they discover an undeniable magic between them. Is it real, or just an illusion? From the two authors at Scrambled Eggs at Midnight, here is another romantic tale told in two perfectly matched voices, full of humor, poignancy, and wit.

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