The Fairy Godmother - Mercedes Lackey Best read when not beset with distractions like kids, laundry, meals, spouses, cats...

So the premise of the series is simple - you have citizens, and you have the Tradition whereupon at least some are pressured into fitting a known fairy tale mold. Our h was supposed to be a Cinderella but fate screwed her over - the Prince who was supposed to rescue her was only 11 to her...21 - I think. Thus, she became a candidate for a fairy godmother's apprentice, and thus, a fairy godmother.

The H was a Quester - a victim of the Tradition's insistence on various Princes trying to rescue the Princess. He offended the h, and thus became a candidate for the Lesson in Manners.

Much entertainment ensues.