Summary from Goodreads:
It’s been almost a year since eighteen-year-old Ella Rodriguez was in a car accident that left her crippled, scarred, and without a mother. After a very difficult recovery, she’s been uprooted across the country and forced into the custody of a father that abandoned her when she was a young child. If Ella wants to escape her father’s home and her awful new stepfamily, she must convince her doctors that she’s capable, both physically and emotionally, of living on her own. The problem is, she’s not ready yet. The only way she can think of to start healing is by reconnecting with the one person left in the world who’s ever meant anything to her—her anonymous Internet best friend, Cinder.
…
Hollywood sensation Brian Oliver has a reputation for being trouble. There’s major buzz around his performance in his upcoming film The Druid Prince, but his management team says he won’t make the transition from teen heartthrob to serious A-list actor unless he can prove he’s left his wild days behind and become a mature adult. In order to douse the flames on Brian’s bad-boy reputation, his management stages a fake engagement for him to his co-star Kaylee. Brian isn’t thrilled with the arrangement—or his fake fiancée—but decides he’ll suffer through it if it means he’ll get an Oscar nomination. Then a surprise email from an old Internet friend changes everything.
Read November 2014
4 Stars
Received Free e-book for an honest review
My Review:
This is not what I would call a retelling of Cinderella, but it definitely has references to the fairy tale. It is contemporary, it has a very current feel with the technology used in the story and the references to modern day popular themes.
I am struck with how Kelly Oram tackles difficult topics. Her book, V is for Virgin, caused me to really think about some things in a different way, specifically one's sexuality. In this book, Kelly Oram tackles personal recovery from a very serious accident. The loss that the main character faces is huge. Her struggles are at times hard to read about, but at the same time rewarding in seeing how she deals with and in some ways overcomes those challenges.
The romance in this book is complicated, but also sweet. The two don't meet until later in the book so it is not so much about their physical relationship. They develop their relationship through email and talking and it is refreshing to see a relationship in another way. They also have fun banter which at times surprised me. I will be honest, I'm not a fan of swearing. The banter does have some swearing, but none of it was very bad.
The secondary characters are a big part of this book. The relationships that Ella has with family and friends is really important in this book. Between her new step family and the new school, Ella has a lot to adjust to. These characters are vital in Ella's struggles and recovery.
My biggest complaint about the book is the cover. I don't like it. It doesn't do the book justice. And sorry to the models, but in my opinion, they don't look like Cinder and Ella. Oh well...Don't judge a book by its cover.
Warnings: Swearing, mild. Character references multiple sexual relationships.
I would let my 16 year old read this book. I would probably not allow my 13 year old to read it at this time.
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