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Ella
Reserved yet resilient, Ella Blakeley lives with her cruel stepmother and stepsisters, without hope of escape—until the day Prince Kenton announces a ball that changes everything. Even without mice, magic, or fairy godmothers, Ella might discover a life that’s better than she ever dreamed. This intricately woven twist on Cinderella is an enchanting book you won’t be able to put down.
240 pages, Paperback
First published November 10, 2015
81 people are currently reading
1136 people want to read
About the author
Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee
5 books99 followersOnce upon a time—somewhere between laundry piles and bedtime stories—Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee fell in love with fairy tales and the belief that they still matter. She reimagines classic stories through the lens of real life, where courage and love are the truest magic of all.
Her debut novel, Ella, received the Silver Quill Award from the League of Utah Writers, and her third novel, Finding Beauty in the Beast, earned the Gold Quill Award, both in YA Fiction. A passionate advocate for young writers, Jessilyn loves encouraging youth to pursue their creative dreams and has visited schools throughout Utah and surrounding states. A graduate of Brigham Young University with a BA in English, Jessilyn grew up in Southern California in a family of music lovers, movie quoters, and sports fans. Now living in Utah with her science-teaching husband and their five hilarious sons, she is a boy mom who writes delightfully girly books. As you read this, she is probably folding laundry…or should be.
Her debut novel, Ella, received the Silver Quill Award from the League of Utah Writers, and her third novel, Finding Beauty in the Beast, earned the Gold Quill Award, both in YA Fiction. A passionate advocate for young writers, Jessilyn loves encouraging youth to pursue their creative dreams and has visited schools throughout Utah and surrounding states. A graduate of Brigham Young University with a BA in English, Jessilyn grew up in Southern California in a family of music lovers, movie quoters, and sports fans. Now living in Utah with her science-teaching husband and their five hilarious sons, she is a boy mom who writes delightfully girly books. As you read this, she is probably folding laundry…or should be.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
August 28, 2025
4 stars ⭐️ Clean Fiction - Fairytale Retelling (non-magical and very light Christian faith content)
TW: grief, abuse (whippings/being smacked with a switch on her hands), a death, a death of an animal for food, & the mentioned death of an infant.
Pretty sure that prologue was illegal with how cute it was and then how fast it changed to the Cinderella story with heartbreak. I adore the thought of (Cinder)Ella’s father’s pet name for her being pumpkin and that’s now a canon/fact in my brain.
I’ve read a couple other Cinderella retellings before where the Cinderella character is supposed to be very self-reliant and has to come up with things on her own for her happily ever after, but I’m afraid I’ve found those Cinderellas to be a little more on the feminist or bitter side than I care for reading. Ella in this book was completely not this way at all and truly felt like Cinderella from the 2015 live action movie with her sensitivity, compassion, and perseverance. She has to do everything—down to the dress and shoes—on her own without any magic and I honestly found it refreshing to read.
This girl’s love language is 110% acts of service and the author wrote Ella so well in the reasons of why she takes care of her stepmother, stepsisters, and all the household things. Yes, because she promised her father. But also because she care about her home and shows love by serving others.
I will say that there was a lot of play-by-play of Ella’s daily chores and responsibilities which felt like both a pro and a con. Pro: it was believable and showed all the hard work Ella has to do rather than just tell the reader. Con: it got to be a bit boring at times as I waited for the fun part of the story to finally happen. I do think I’m being gaslit that this book is only 171 pages because it felt much long (which is also a pro and con). [Edit to add: the paperback says it’s 240 pages which makes much more sense, thank you.]
There was an event in this book that I don’t think I’ve seen before in all the Cinderella retellings I’ve read and it was a defining moment for the story.
This book was a complete random download on KU as I had never heard of it or seen it before in all my searching. It was definitely an emotional retelling of Cinderella and made me tear up with the moments of grief Ella faces, but it was also a solid story. It’s not a light-hearted, feel-good retelling due to the depth of the plot with Ella’s grief and situation, but it was still a good story. I really liked the ending (especially the epilogue set years later!), Ella’s tenancy and heart, the message of forgiveness and taking pride in your work, and the whole book being non-magical (which is something I’m always on the hunt for with fairytale retellings). I definitely plan to get a copy for my bookshelves.
[As a note: There’s two more books connected to this one: one in Will’s POV and the other in Ella’s stepmother’s POV. I don’t think I’ll read the second one due to knowing how it will go, but I am curious about Will’s perspective. At the same time, I think you could just read this book only and that would be just fine.]
Main Content-
Part of a Scripture is quoted; Ella goes to church (she doesn’t pay much attention to the message and the topic is never shared); Ella’s father would tell her she has a gift from God in her musical ability; Ella’ notes that her stepmother isn’t “exactly religious” but usually goes to church for the social gathering of it.
Different people are called angels (because of their kindness and/or beauty); Ella’s father said before he died that she has always been his angel, so now he will be hers; Ella thinks that due to not knowing her mother but only hearing people speak of her with awe, that she has related her as if she is a “creature from another world” or someone who seems like more of a “heavenly being than a human being”; A young Ella asks if the slippers are made out of fairy wings.
A few mentions of church going; A few mentions of Biblical references; A couple mentions of God; A couple mentions of praying; A couple mentions of luck; A mention of someone hearing from heaven.
No major language; Eye rolling & Sarcasm (often with ill-intent by Ella’s step-family); Ella lies once to avoid confrontation with her stepmother.
Ella is switched/whipped on her hand multiple times throughout the book & we’re also told about her being locked in the cellar years prior for days; Being whipped, Pain, Injuries, & Blood/Bleeding (up to a few sentences).
A large part of this story is Ella grieving both her mother and father and also what her life once was before his death (up to multiple sentences in length each time with heavy emotions from her).
Ella recalls going with her father to a family where the mother is having a difficult child birth to help (the mother is weak and implied near death, but is okay later).
A death of an adult (up to a few sentences; *Major spoilers* ).
Remembering the death of an infant (*Spoiler* ).
Death of an animal (*Spoiler* ).
Mentions of deaths & grief; Mentions of whippings, scars, pain, injuries, & blood/bleeding (up to a couple sentences); Mentions of weight loss due to not having enough food to eat (including extreme hunger) & illnesses; Mentions of stealing & stolen items; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of cigars & smoking; A few mentions of alcohol & drinking/drunks; A few mentions of nightmares; A mention of executions;
7 hand/palm kisses (most are greetings but one is particularly not wanted),
6 cheek kisses,
1 almost kiss that pauses when Ella explains that she’s never been kissed before (& wondering if the man is trying to “claim her”),
4 kisses lasting a sentence,
2 kisses lasting 3-5 sentences (one is where Ella notes that while she’s never been kissed before, she was in capable hands);
Remembering kisses (up to a couple sentences); A bit of staring at lips.
Touches, Embraces, Hand holding, Warmth, Butterflies, Nearness, Noticing, & Staring (up to a few sentences); Blushes, Winks, & Flirting; Ella has blushes and butterflies over her friend that she reasons is because of other things (not because of attraction/romance).
A man leers at Ella and later gets too close to her (making her uncomfortable both times); Ella notices men gazing at her with “expressions [she] did not recognize but didn’t exactly want to”.
Mentions of kisses & kissing; Mentions of flirting & giggling girls over handsome boys; Mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of Ella’s stepsisters wearing scandalously low-cut gowns that looks like they would be going to “a brothel, not a ball”.
TW: grief, abuse (whippings/being smacked with a switch on her hands), a death, a death of an animal for food, & the mentioned death of an infant.
Pretty sure that prologue was illegal with how cute it was and then how fast it changed to the Cinderella story with heartbreak. I adore the thought of (Cinder)Ella’s father’s pet name for her being pumpkin and that’s now a canon/fact in my brain.
I’ve read a couple other Cinderella retellings before where the Cinderella character is supposed to be very self-reliant and has to come up with things on her own for her happily ever after, but I’m afraid I’ve found those Cinderellas to be a little more on the feminist or bitter side than I care for reading. Ella in this book was completely not this way at all and truly felt like Cinderella from the 2015 live action movie with her sensitivity, compassion, and perseverance. She has to do everything—down to the dress and shoes—on her own without any magic and I honestly found it refreshing to read.
This girl’s love language is 110% acts of service and the author wrote Ella so well in the reasons of why she takes care of her stepmother, stepsisters, and all the household things. Yes, because she promised her father. But also because she care about her home and shows love by serving others.
I will say that there was a lot of play-by-play of Ella’s daily chores and responsibilities which felt like both a pro and a con. Pro: it was believable and showed all the hard work Ella has to do rather than just tell the reader. Con: it got to be a bit boring at times as I waited for the fun part of the story to finally happen. I do think I’m being gaslit that this book is only 171 pages because it felt much long (which is also a pro and con). [Edit to add: the paperback says it’s 240 pages which makes much more sense, thank you.]
There was an event in this book that I don’t think I’ve seen before in all the Cinderella retellings I’ve read and it was a defining moment for the story.
This book was a complete random download on KU as I had never heard of it or seen it before in all my searching. It was definitely an emotional retelling of Cinderella and made me tear up with the moments of grief Ella faces, but it was also a solid story. It’s not a light-hearted, feel-good retelling due to the depth of the plot with Ella’s grief and situation, but it was still a good story. I really liked the ending (especially the epilogue set years later!), Ella’s tenancy and heart, the message of forgiveness and taking pride in your work, and the whole book being non-magical (which is something I’m always on the hunt for with fairytale retellings). I definitely plan to get a copy for my bookshelves.
[As a note: There’s two more books connected to this one: one in Will’s POV and the other in Ella’s stepmother’s POV. I don’t think I’ll read the second one due to knowing how it will go, but I am curious about Will’s perspective. At the same time, I think you could just read this book only and that would be just fine.]
Main Content-
Part of a Scripture is quoted; Ella goes to church (she doesn’t pay much attention to the message and the topic is never shared); Ella’s father would tell her she has a gift from God in her musical ability; Ella’ notes that her stepmother isn’t “exactly religious” but usually goes to church for the social gathering of it.
Different people are called angels (because of their kindness and/or beauty); Ella’s father said before he died that she has always been his angel, so now he will be hers; Ella thinks that due to not knowing her mother but only hearing people speak of her with awe, that she has related her as if she is a “creature from another world” or someone who seems like more of a “heavenly being than a human being”; A young Ella asks if the slippers are made out of fairy wings.
A few mentions of church going; A few mentions of Biblical references; A couple mentions of God; A couple mentions of praying; A couple mentions of luck; A mention of someone hearing from heaven.
No major language; Eye rolling & Sarcasm (often with ill-intent by Ella’s step-family); Ella lies once to avoid confrontation with her stepmother.
Ella is switched/whipped on her hand multiple times throughout the book & we’re also told about her being locked in the cellar years prior for days; Being whipped, Pain, Injuries, & Blood/Bleeding (up to a few sentences).
A large part of this story is Ella grieving both her mother and father and also what her life once was before his death (up to multiple sentences in length each time with heavy emotions from her).
Ella recalls going with her father to a family where the mother is having a difficult child birth to help (the mother is weak and implied near death, but is okay later).
A death of an adult (up to a few sentences; *Major spoilers* ).
Remembering the death of an infant (*Spoiler* ).
Death of an animal (*Spoiler* ).
Mentions of deaths & grief; Mentions of whippings, scars, pain, injuries, & blood/bleeding (up to a couple sentences); Mentions of weight loss due to not having enough food to eat (including extreme hunger) & illnesses; Mentions of stealing & stolen items; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of cigars & smoking; A few mentions of alcohol & drinking/drunks; A few mentions of nightmares; A mention of executions;
7 hand/palm kisses (most are greetings but one is particularly not wanted),
6 cheek kisses,
1 almost kiss that pauses when Ella explains that she’s never been kissed before (& wondering if the man is trying to “claim her”),
4 kisses lasting a sentence,
2 kisses lasting 3-5 sentences (one is where Ella notes that while she’s never been kissed before, she was in capable hands);
Remembering kisses (up to a couple sentences); A bit of staring at lips.
Touches, Embraces, Hand holding, Warmth, Butterflies, Nearness, Noticing, & Staring (up to a few sentences); Blushes, Winks, & Flirting; Ella has blushes and butterflies over her friend that she reasons is because of other things (not because of attraction/romance).
A man leers at Ella and later gets too close to her (making her uncomfortable both times); Ella notices men gazing at her with “expressions [she] did not recognize but didn’t exactly want to”.
Mentions of kisses & kissing; Mentions of flirting & giggling girls over handsome boys; Mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of Ella’s stepsisters wearing scandalously low-cut gowns that looks like they would be going to “a brothel, not a ball”.
November 26, 2015
I must admit--my favorite fairy tale is Beauty and the Beast, but Cinderella is a very, very close second. I love the idea of someone rising up from where she's been forced to be in a positive and selfless way. This retelling is one of the best I've read and one of my new favorites.
One thing that's tricky with retellings is to stay close enough to the original that the reader is engaged, yet put enough twists and spins on it to make it unique. Ms. Peaslee masters that quite well. The familiar elements are there--a motherless girl with a father who dies, a mean stepmother and stepsisters, a prince, and a ball. However, in this version, the reader really gets inside of Ella's head and sees her reasons for doing (or not doing) what she does.
I found myself connected to Ella almost from the start. She's a hardworking, loyal girl with a great attitude and personality. Ella has two good friends, Jane and Will, who each play important roles in the story. The characters are all very well done.
There isn't a fairy godmother, yet the story still worked well in that aspect. The major twists come towards the end and I wasn't sure just how it would all end, but I was very, very pleased with how it did. I read this book in a day, as I just couldn't get enough. This is a clean read, appropriate for all ages. I'm excited to see what Jessilyn Peaslee comes up with next!
*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
One thing that's tricky with retellings is to stay close enough to the original that the reader is engaged, yet put enough twists and spins on it to make it unique. Ms. Peaslee masters that quite well. The familiar elements are there--a motherless girl with a father who dies, a mean stepmother and stepsisters, a prince, and a ball. However, in this version, the reader really gets inside of Ella's head and sees her reasons for doing (or not doing) what she does.
I found myself connected to Ella almost from the start. She's a hardworking, loyal girl with a great attitude and personality. Ella has two good friends, Jane and Will, who each play important roles in the story. The characters are all very well done.
There isn't a fairy godmother, yet the story still worked well in that aspect. The major twists come towards the end and I wasn't sure just how it would all end, but I was very, very pleased with how it did. I read this book in a day, as I just couldn't get enough. This is a clean read, appropriate for all ages. I'm excited to see what Jessilyn Peaslee comes up with next!
*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
April 12, 2020
I think is my favourite Cinderella Retelling to date!
I love Beauty and the Beast retellings, but Cinderella is a really close second. And I think I found my most treasured and loved Cinderella Retelling
In this tale, we meet Ella, a young girl full of life and wonder and her life is filled with loved. But at only 10 years old, she is orphaned and doomed with live as a servant in her own home for the next 10 years.
There is no magic in this story, no fairy godmothers, no talking mice and no magic pumpkins. But this story still managed to grasp that magic with the words.
I loved the setting, I love the characters, her best friend Will her neighbour, Jane, even her stepmother Victoria. Her cruel nature has no compare but she wasn’t just black and white, she had grey in her which made readers feel sympathy for her which I liked.
A really good story, a nice twist at the end and a very satisfying ending. Loved it!
I love Beauty and the Beast retellings, but Cinderella is a really close second. And I think I found my most treasured and loved Cinderella Retelling
In this tale, we meet Ella, a young girl full of life and wonder and her life is filled with loved. But at only 10 years old, she is orphaned and doomed with live as a servant in her own home for the next 10 years.
There is no magic in this story, no fairy godmothers, no talking mice and no magic pumpkins. But this story still managed to grasp that magic with the words.
I loved the setting, I love the characters, her best friend Will her neighbour, Jane, even her stepmother Victoria. Her cruel nature has no compare but she wasn’t just black and white, she had grey in her which made readers feel sympathy for her which I liked.
A really good story, a nice twist at the end and a very satisfying ending. Loved it!
April 18, 2022
I am a big fan of Cinderella retellings and jumped at the chance to review this one, besides isn’t that cover gorgeous? Very intriguing and has the feel of a fairytale.
I connected with Ella right away and found myself rooting for her throughout the book. She is a likable heroine who goes through a lot of growth throughout the course of the book. While I like retellings, I love when an author takes a familiar story and really makes it their own. Adding their own touches to a classic, makes for a fun read and keeps you guessing how everything is going to turn out. I’m a big fan of YA fiction, even though the target audience might be for a younger crowd (I’m young at heart!), I still find the story to be enjoyable for any age.
Overall, I thought this was a fun escape and one I’d easily recommend! I thought this was a great debut for a new author and I’ll be keeping my eye out for more books to come.
Content: Clean
Source: Review copy for blog tour.
I connected with Ella right away and found myself rooting for her throughout the book. She is a likable heroine who goes through a lot of growth throughout the course of the book. While I like retellings, I love when an author takes a familiar story and really makes it their own. Adding their own touches to a classic, makes for a fun read and keeps you guessing how everything is going to turn out. I’m a big fan of YA fiction, even though the target audience might be for a younger crowd (I’m young at heart!), I still find the story to be enjoyable for any age.
Overall, I thought this was a fun escape and one I’d easily recommend! I thought this was a great debut for a new author and I’ll be keeping my eye out for more books to come.
Content: Clean
Source: Review copy for blog tour.
April 17, 2022
Okay, y'all know I love a good Cinderella story <3 I've had this one on my to-read shelf for a while and I finally bit the bullet and read it in a day while I was flying across the nation. I ended up staying up late that night once I landed just to finish the story!
First, I just have to say how much I love the cover. It's beautiful! Props to the designer there!! Also the Lewis quote at the beginning <3 That wasn't one I've read before, but I really liked that one. And it suits the story well.
The best word I can think of for this retelling is sweet. This is a sweet story. It's not particularly twisty or surprising or even intriguing, suspenseful, or page-turning in the traditional sense. But it's heartwarming. It's not fluffy or shallow, necessarily. But it would be a really good cozy read when you just needed a pick-me-up, a reminder of what is good and right in the world.
Okay, so let me start with the setting, because for some reason that riverbank just stuck out to me. That setting was the most vibrant and it was certainly not how I expected the story to open (post-prologue). I loved the barefoot girl, the muddy bank, and the fisherman friend. I fell for Will almost instantly. His character was so much fun--and a little infuriating! Ella was good and kind and selfless, as our classic Cinderella is. I liked how Peaslee portrayed survival vs. living. Ella got by. She did what she had to, but she took it in strides. And how Will got so bent out of shape for her was cute. I loved their friendship, but pretty quickly into the story I wanted a little...more. More depth and complexity. The story is pretty simple and straightforward. The characters even are pretty straightforward. I wouldn't call them flat per say, but I wanted to dig deeper.
In terms of plot, it started out pretty stereotypically, but there's a reason we all love the Cinderella story. The relationship dynamics were pretty predictable, but again, it's the kind of book that scratched that silky fairytale itch. I think my favorite tie in to the classic was the coachman and the coach and the godmother's house. I loved that servant! And I loved how Ella got to the ball and back, that whole explanation for the midnight rule. It's something I thought of as I was reading it and I felt good to see that it worked! It was also really neat to see how invested Will was in giving Ella a better life.
Victoria was something else, truly. Her utter denial made me shake my head. It's insane to think someone could reach her level, but Peaslee pulled it off I think. I will say the whole hand-striking thing was a little strange to me. I didn't really understand why Ella so willingly just held her hands out. It seemed such a simple thing to just say no or to argue or fight it. But Ella never even tried to argue, which frustrated me. It's also sad to think that someone could get to the point that she believes she has no chance and so doesn't even try to escape. Victoria just never really gave me a reason to believe she was a true threat to Ella, so that was kind of hard to swallow. And, I'll say the way it wrapped up was...not my favorite. Thematically, it was beautiful. But it was too easy. And quick. I'd hoped to, again, dig a little deeper and see a little more. But the heart Ella had was still beautiful and I see why Peaslee made the choices she did. And leading up to that resolution was interesting for sure. And it was fun to see Will taunt Victoria, too XD
Ella's friend, J, also seemed a bit odd. Again, I just felt like there was so much opportunity and potential to dig into some of these characters and delve in deeper thematically, to really show some of these growth moments, but most of the characters and themes only felt like we scratched the surface just to get to the thematic point and tell the classic tale. The stepsister kind of did her own thing. She didn't really feel like she added a whole lot to the story, but she had to be there because, well, it's Cinderella. But her interactions with her mother were interesting, especially toward the end. And the prince was fun! I liked him a lot when he was first introduced. He didn't develop the way I'd hoped, which was kind of sad. But the story was still fun to follow. It's almost like the characters grew off-screen if that makes any sense, and I wanted to go on that growth journey with them.
And, I know I've kind of already said this, but thematically, I think much the same as I do about the characters. It was stated pretty bluntly (and repeated in a few places). I got it easily. But it was so easy. There wasn't much of a struggle or wrestle with the questions and situations, so it didn't really feel like I'd earned it.
But even though the story didn't go as deeply as I'd wanted, I did still really enjoy it. It won't be one of my favorite Cinderella retellings ever, but it was, well, sweet.
No foul language, clean romance, very little violence (although, this is a Cinderella story--she's emotionally abused, neglected, physically abused with the strange hand slapping thing, mentally manipulated, etc.). I'd probably say it's safe for a preteen/early teen.
First, I just have to say how much I love the cover. It's beautiful! Props to the designer there!! Also the Lewis quote at the beginning <3 That wasn't one I've read before, but I really liked that one. And it suits the story well.
The best word I can think of for this retelling is sweet. This is a sweet story. It's not particularly twisty or surprising or even intriguing, suspenseful, or page-turning in the traditional sense. But it's heartwarming. It's not fluffy or shallow, necessarily. But it would be a really good cozy read when you just needed a pick-me-up, a reminder of what is good and right in the world.
Okay, so let me start with the setting, because for some reason that riverbank just stuck out to me. That setting was the most vibrant and it was certainly not how I expected the story to open (post-prologue). I loved the barefoot girl, the muddy bank, and the fisherman friend. I fell for Will almost instantly. His character was so much fun--and a little infuriating! Ella was good and kind and selfless, as our classic Cinderella is. I liked how Peaslee portrayed survival vs. living. Ella got by. She did what she had to, but she took it in strides. And how Will got so bent out of shape for her was cute. I loved their friendship, but pretty quickly into the story I wanted a little...more. More depth and complexity. The story is pretty simple and straightforward. The characters even are pretty straightforward. I wouldn't call them flat per say, but I wanted to dig deeper.
In terms of plot, it started out pretty stereotypically, but there's a reason we all love the Cinderella story. The relationship dynamics were pretty predictable, but again, it's the kind of book that scratched that silky fairytale itch. I think my favorite tie in to the classic was the coachman and the coach and the godmother's house. I loved that servant! And I loved how Ella got to the ball and back, that whole explanation for the midnight rule. It's something I thought of as I was reading it and I felt good to see that it worked! It was also really neat to see how invested Will was in giving Ella a better life.
Victoria was something else, truly. Her utter denial made me shake my head. It's insane to think someone could reach her level, but Peaslee pulled it off I think. I will say the whole hand-striking thing was a little strange to me. I didn't really understand why Ella so willingly just held her hands out. It seemed such a simple thing to just say no or to argue or fight it. But Ella never even tried to argue, which frustrated me. It's also sad to think that someone could get to the point that she believes she has no chance and so doesn't even try to escape. Victoria just never really gave me a reason to believe she was a true threat to Ella, so that was kind of hard to swallow. And, I'll say the way it wrapped up was...not my favorite. Thematically, it was beautiful. But it was too easy. And quick. I'd hoped to, again, dig a little deeper and see a little more. But the heart Ella had was still beautiful and I see why Peaslee made the choices she did. And leading up to that resolution was interesting for sure. And it was fun to see Will taunt Victoria, too XD
Ella's friend, J, also seemed a bit odd. Again, I just felt like there was so much opportunity and potential to dig into some of these characters and delve in deeper thematically, to really show some of these growth moments, but most of the characters and themes only felt like we scratched the surface just to get to the thematic point and tell the classic tale. The stepsister kind of did her own thing. She didn't really feel like she added a whole lot to the story, but she had to be there because, well, it's Cinderella. But her interactions with her mother were interesting, especially toward the end. And the prince was fun! I liked him a lot when he was first introduced. He didn't develop the way I'd hoped, which was kind of sad. But the story was still fun to follow. It's almost like the characters grew off-screen if that makes any sense, and I wanted to go on that growth journey with them.
And, I know I've kind of already said this, but thematically, I think much the same as I do about the characters. It was stated pretty bluntly (and repeated in a few places). I got it easily. But it was so easy. There wasn't much of a struggle or wrestle with the questions and situations, so it didn't really feel like I'd earned it.
But even though the story didn't go as deeply as I'd wanted, I did still really enjoy it. It won't be one of my favorite Cinderella retellings ever, but it was, well, sweet.
No foul language, clean romance, very little violence (although, this is a Cinderella story--she's emotionally abused, neglected, physically abused with the strange hand slapping thing, mentally manipulated, etc.). I'd probably say it's safe for a preteen/early teen.
January 31, 2018
***4.5 stars***
This is a sweet re-telling of Cinderella with a twist. I love the Cinderella story, but when an author can change it up a bit and add their own imagination to the story, it makes it new and exciting.
"Ella" is well written with great characters. I love how the story moves along without a boring moment. The pacing is wonderful. Ella has a great voice, I loved reading the book from her perspective. Will is the boy next door who has always been there to help and support her. Everyone needs a Will.
This story has all the basics of the "Disney" story, but adds depth and a much stronger version in Ella.
The book is clean with kissing and a bit of violence. Ella is beat on the hands with a stick in a few places. I would consider it a good fit for teens on up.
Source: I purchased a kindle copy because I wanted to read this book. :)
This is a sweet re-telling of Cinderella with a twist. I love the Cinderella story, but when an author can change it up a bit and add their own imagination to the story, it makes it new and exciting.
"Ella" is well written with great characters. I love how the story moves along without a boring moment. The pacing is wonderful. Ella has a great voice, I loved reading the book from her perspective. Will is the boy next door who has always been there to help and support her. Everyone needs a Will.
This story has all the basics of the "Disney" story, but adds depth and a much stronger version in Ella.
The book is clean with kissing and a bit of violence. Ella is beat on the hands with a stick in a few places. I would consider it a good fit for teens on up.
Source: I purchased a kindle copy because I wanted to read this book. :)
August 26, 2020
This may be the sweetest retelling of Cinderella I've ever read! It started off only 'reasonably interesting' but it slowly grew on me until I loved it. I especially loved how homemaking was presented as such a joyful task, even in Cinderella level circumstances.
This would appropriate for even most very young readers. There is one passing use of the word brothel, and a couple of hugs and kisses, barely described at all. There is also the abuse the stepmother inflicts, both emotional, and physical (Ella's hands are whipped more than once). The story also includes .
This would appropriate for even most very young readers. There is one passing use of the word brothel, and a couple of hugs and kisses, barely described at all. There is also the abuse the stepmother inflicts, both emotional, and physical (Ella's hands are whipped more than once). The story also includes .
July 19, 2020
There are some negative reviews I relish writing for books that I did not finish but not this one. I could tell a lot of care and crafting had gone into the story but I just struggled with reading it--from the first page. I scan-read (skimmed) from nearly the first word. Not a good sign. Because of that scan-reading--had I actually finished the book--this book would have ultimately warranted two stars minimum. I made it to page 111 (out of 230) and just could not make myself push forward one more page.
I have general theories about why I scan read. Sometimes, it is pacing--the story is just not going as fast as I need it to go. Sometimes, it is from the story being wordy--just TMI that does not (in my opinion) move the story along. Sometimes, these two things are inter-related--too much chitchat while the story does not advance fast enough. Finally, it can also be when things in the story don't add up or there is a lack of credibility or there is some breakdown between the story and me. On reflection, all of these apply here to some extent. For example, I felt as I was reading the prologue: "OK, the father and Ella get along marvelously. Check." I just did not need all those words to tell me that. Same with the chapter that followed about how wicked the stepmother was. "Check--got that already." Then it went on and on for CHAPTERS in that same vein--well, I got that already. Then, as an example of my disconnect with the book, why didn't the doctor notice the repeated hand beatings on Ella's hands when Will had noticed from the get-go? Why did he just smile and innanely say things would work out? Why did Ella think that wearing the same dress every single day and going to market and having work roughened hands would not be the first clue to people that, perhaps, things had gone awry at home? The final nail in the DNF coffin: since this was a retelling of Cinderella and most are well acquainted with the story, why did I need such a lead in? I was halfway through the book and only reading things that I already knew about the Cinderella story, well other than Will's part and I guess that kept me reading until it just couldn't hold me any longer.
I have general theories about why I scan read. Sometimes, it is pacing--the story is just not going as fast as I need it to go. Sometimes, it is from the story being wordy--just TMI that does not (in my opinion) move the story along. Sometimes, these two things are inter-related--too much chitchat while the story does not advance fast enough. Finally, it can also be when things in the story don't add up or there is a lack of credibility or there is some breakdown between the story and me. On reflection, all of these apply here to some extent. For example, I felt as I was reading the prologue: "OK, the father and Ella get along marvelously. Check." I just did not need all those words to tell me that. Same with the chapter that followed about how wicked the stepmother was. "Check--got that already." Then it went on and on for CHAPTERS in that same vein--well, I got that already. Then, as an example of my disconnect with the book, why didn't the doctor notice the repeated hand beatings on Ella's hands when Will had noticed from the get-go? Why did he just smile and innanely say things would work out? Why did Ella think that wearing the same dress every single day and going to market and having work roughened hands would not be the first clue to people that, perhaps, things had gone awry at home? The final nail in the DNF coffin: since this was a retelling of Cinderella and most are well acquainted with the story, why did I need such a lead in? I was halfway through the book and only reading things that I already knew about the Cinderella story, well other than Will's part and I guess that kept me reading until it just couldn't hold me any longer.
November 28, 2015
So, there are lots of fairy-tale retellings for Cinderella, and of course, I was interested in reading another one. There are some great ones and this version is now one of my personal favorites!
All the basic ingredients are there: Ella's mother died when she was young, her father remarried and has also now died, Victoria is the evil stepmother and Mabel and Cecilia are the two self-absorbed stepsisters. There is a ball where Prince Kenton is hoping to find a wife as he is in a bit of a hurry to get married.
There are also some differences. Ella has two friends, Jane and Will. There are things that happen through the course of the book which tests both of those friendships. There's no fairy godmother so Ella has to find a different way to get to the ball. And as for the evil stepmother...well, you'll have to read the book to find out what happens with her.
Ella is worked to the bone and not treated well by her stepmother and stepsisters. She's always pleasant, but when they go a little too far, she is not about to live with what happened and sets out to make it right. It's one of those stories where you feel like you know what will happen in certain parts, but there are some great twists which make the story more realistic.
There are some great lessons to be taken from Ella's story and this is a book that will appeal to both teens and adults. I definitely plan to share it with my daughter and will read it again myself. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author in the future!
I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
All the basic ingredients are there: Ella's mother died when she was young, her father remarried and has also now died, Victoria is the evil stepmother and Mabel and Cecilia are the two self-absorbed stepsisters. There is a ball where Prince Kenton is hoping to find a wife as he is in a bit of a hurry to get married.
There are also some differences. Ella has two friends, Jane and Will. There are things that happen through the course of the book which tests both of those friendships. There's no fairy godmother so Ella has to find a different way to get to the ball. And as for the evil stepmother...well, you'll have to read the book to find out what happens with her.
Ella is worked to the bone and not treated well by her stepmother and stepsisters. She's always pleasant, but when they go a little too far, she is not about to live with what happened and sets out to make it right. It's one of those stories where you feel like you know what will happen in certain parts, but there are some great twists which make the story more realistic.
There are some great lessons to be taken from Ella's story and this is a book that will appeal to both teens and adults. I definitely plan to share it with my daughter and will read it again myself. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author in the future!
I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
November 15, 2017
Ella was a beautiful, unique, and delightful re-imagining of the classic Cinderella fairy tale. I’ve always loved a good Cinderella story as I adore the idea of someone rising from their difficult circumstances due to their goodness and positive outlook, and Ella's journey in this story was no exception.
This was one of the rougher Cinderella tellings I’ve read, but its hope, strength, growth, and heart more than makes up for it. It was heartbreaking experiencing Ella's journey and her many difficult trials with her, but wonderful to witness how these difficulties both strengthened her and allowed her to grow.
While the story of Cinderella is familiar, the author adds not only depth but many twists and turns in order to make it her own, my favorite being the character of Ella’s friend Will. Their relationship was so incredibly sweet, especially the ending . What an utterly perfect conclusion to this beautiful story.
The writing style was lovely and charming, with a distinct fairy-tale feel. Unlike the original fairy tale by which it's based, there was no magic that helped Ella rise above the ashes of her life, just the sweet, determined heart and strength of a girl doing the best with the circumstances presented to her. The story's message that true love is about sacrifice further enhanced the incredibly enjoyable story. This is definitely a Cinderella retelling I'll return to in the future.
This was one of the rougher Cinderella tellings I’ve read, but its hope, strength, growth, and heart more than makes up for it. It was heartbreaking experiencing Ella's journey and her many difficult trials with her, but wonderful to witness how these difficulties both strengthened her and allowed her to grow.
While the story of Cinderella is familiar, the author adds not only depth but many twists and turns in order to make it her own, my favorite being the character of Ella’s friend Will. Their relationship was so incredibly sweet, especially the ending . What an utterly perfect conclusion to this beautiful story.
The writing style was lovely and charming, with a distinct fairy-tale feel. Unlike the original fairy tale by which it's based, there was no magic that helped Ella rise above the ashes of her life, just the sweet, determined heart and strength of a girl doing the best with the circumstances presented to her. The story's message that true love is about sacrifice further enhanced the incredibly enjoyable story. This is definitely a Cinderella retelling I'll return to in the future.
September 30, 2015
If I were to write a Cinderella story, this is exactly what I would have written! Being my favorite fairy tale (cliche, I know), I've always had my peeves in parts of the story. Each of those was addressed in this re-telling and made me quite satisfied. While I adore Ella Enchanted and her reasons for obedience, I liked that this book was very realistic and her reasons were ones that every person can relate to. Ella starts as a good character, but with flaws. Again, like any regular person. She grows over the course of the book. She is stronger and more aware by the end, and still relatable. I think that was my favorite part of the book--how relatable every thing was. Even if abuse or servitude is not something a reader is familiar with, they can understand it by the way the story is written.
So excited I was able to get an ARC of this--and signed by the author! I look forward to promoting this to tweens and teens alike. There is much a reader can take away from this, with a realistically happy ending.
So excited I was able to get an ARC of this--and signed by the author! I look forward to promoting this to tweens and teens alike. There is much a reader can take away from this, with a realistically happy ending.
September 1, 2016
I have always favored Cinderella tales and retellings and Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee has written a splendid and delightful twist on this beautiful story. As always there is the evil step-mother and step-sisters and Ella must take care of them, even when they are so cruel to her that she can hardly stand it. Throughout the story, you will fall in love with Ella Blakeley’s determination and perseverance to survive and press on as she discovers her own self-worth. The many excellent characters in this story also help flush out this wonderful and magical tale. I would recommend this novel to teens that enjoy romance and fairytales.
Genre: young adult, romance, retelling, fantasy, fairytale
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Publication date: November 10, 2015
Number of pages: 240
Category: Junior High +
Content Rating: PG
Book Rating: 5 stars
Other books in the series:
2-Ella’s Will
A review copy of this novel was purchased for review.
Genre: young adult, romance, retelling, fantasy, fairytale
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Publication date: November 10, 2015
Number of pages: 240
Category: Junior High +
Content Rating: PG
Book Rating: 5 stars
Other books in the series:
2-Ella’s Will
A review copy of this novel was purchased for review.
January 10, 2016
I love the cover of this book, the title is a little overused and the little blurp on the cover gives way too much away. Saying on the cover "The shoe fits but she may not want it back", I knew what would happen before I opened it and this hurt the book for me. The first half of this story was so depressing. One of the roughest Cinderella retelling I have read, but it was worth it in the end. This isn't just your normal Cinderella story it is about a young woman who is treated harshly by some and loved by others and how she comes to realize in the end how to forgive and let go and embrace the joy and learn to live again. This is a deeper retelling and one to learn a very good lesson from. It was a little predictable but the story and the characters more then made up for it. Peaslee is a talented writer and I can't wait to see what she writes next.
dnf
December 22, 2017Simply awful. Couldn't make it past the second chapter. Chapter One opens with Ella lounging in the muck dangling her feet in the pond as she watches the sun slowly rise. Why is she hanging out in a pond before sunrise? Because her bed on the ground was TOO COLD so she got up to gather berries (for several hours... in the dark...) and then decided to dangle her feet in the pond for a while. Because, y'know, floors are cold but ponds aren't.
The MOMENT the sun rises, she notices her buddy fishing nearby at the same pond. It's light enough for her to see the tadpoles swimming around the lily pads, but somehow she can't see this guy fishing across the way from her. He seems to be across the pond, and yet is close enough to hear her quietly speak to him. OK?
UGH. Just... throw it against the wall. I want my money back.
The MOMENT the sun rises, she notices her buddy fishing nearby at the same pond. It's light enough for her to see the tadpoles swimming around the lily pads, but somehow she can't see this guy fishing across the way from her. He seems to be across the pond, and yet is close enough to hear her quietly speak to him. OK?
UGH. Just... throw it against the wall. I want my money back.
July 22, 2017
Sigh... such a lovely story. Ella was one of those people who should have angel wings. She is kind, hard working, and forgiving. She also doesn't complain or tell how bad her step mother is. I thought she should have just refused to come here when here mother called her to be beaten, but she finally decided she had had enough when her step mother was ill and she could see she had some power over her. All in all, Will was the best choice, but the prince seemed like a pretty nice guy. Hard decision. She was a very good example of being kind and loving and for forgiving others. I was glad to read that her life got better when she married him- what a sweet story about true love- the love that is service.
February 21, 2018
This was my second time reading this book, and I did so in preparation for "Ella's Will." And let me tell you, this story was even better the second time (probably because I had forgotten most of it), but still.
If you love Cinderella, the characterization of a kind and selfless girl turned bold and confident, the going against the grain type-narrative/plot, then this book is for you.
Honestly, this was one of my favorite Cinderella adaptations I've ever read. It's clean, it's selfless, it's a beautiful depiction of love and sacrifice, and it made me want to cry.
Okay. pleasegoandreadthis!!!
If you love Cinderella, the characterization of a kind and selfless girl turned bold and confident, the going against the grain type-narrative/plot, then this book is for you.
Honestly, this was one of my favorite Cinderella adaptations I've ever read. It's clean, it's selfless, it's a beautiful depiction of love and sacrifice, and it made me want to cry.
Okay. pleasegoandreadthis!!!
June 6, 2023
This was such a sweet Cinderella story. Definitely a must read for all!
February 3, 2018
Ella is resourceful and has purpose behind her obedience.
Ella Blakely works as a servant in her own home, ever since the death of her beloved father Henry. She has chosen to stay, despite the abuse from her stemother Victoria, and stepsisters Cecilia and Mabel, because of a promise to her father on his deathbed--that she would take care of them. She knows that he had no idea how bad things would get, but she still honors the promise and the man. She also stays because Ashfield is her home and has been in the family for generations. She will not leave, and by so doing, leave Ashfield in Victoria's clutches to do with as she chooses.
As it is, they are barely getting by. Ella somehow manages to scrape together food from the eggs and milk their 2 chickens and 1 cow give, but they are in desperate straits. Victoria has already sold off anything of value in the home, but instead of using the money to buy food or pay for upkeep, she invariably uses it to buy dresses for her daughters, or other trappings to make it look to the outside world like everything is still just fine.
When Prince Kenton returns home from years travelling abroad, he makes an electrifying announcement: he is having a ball, and means to choose his bride from amongst the commoners. Ella must get to that ball! Not that she will be the one chosen, but if she is--it would be a way out, while still keeping her promise to provide for her family.
Her friend Will, whom she often meets by the pond in the morning, has been so sweet to her always. He works at the palace, in charge of the stables. Maybe if he could give her a ride, or something...there must be a way for her to go!
* * * * *
I read this one after Ella's Will and it actually made me like Ella better. From Will's perspective, she is just too angelic and sweet to be believed. This one shows that she does feel frustrated and angry at her stepmother and stepsisters, at times, and that she isn't completely perfect.
Content: Clean.
I blog at www.ofbooksandblooms.com
Ella Blakely works as a servant in her own home, ever since the death of her beloved father Henry. She has chosen to stay, despite the abuse from her stemother Victoria, and stepsisters Cecilia and Mabel, because of a promise to her father on his deathbed--that she would take care of them. She knows that he had no idea how bad things would get, but she still honors the promise and the man. She also stays because Ashfield is her home and has been in the family for generations. She will not leave, and by so doing, leave Ashfield in Victoria's clutches to do with as she chooses.
As it is, they are barely getting by. Ella somehow manages to scrape together food from the eggs and milk their 2 chickens and 1 cow give, but they are in desperate straits. Victoria has already sold off anything of value in the home, but instead of using the money to buy food or pay for upkeep, she invariably uses it to buy dresses for her daughters, or other trappings to make it look to the outside world like everything is still just fine.
When Prince Kenton returns home from years travelling abroad, he makes an electrifying announcement: he is having a ball, and means to choose his bride from amongst the commoners. Ella must get to that ball! Not that she will be the one chosen, but if she is--it would be a way out, while still keeping her promise to provide for her family.
Her friend Will, whom she often meets by the pond in the morning, has been so sweet to her always. He works at the palace, in charge of the stables. Maybe if he could give her a ride, or something...there must be a way for her to go!
* * * * *
I read this one after Ella's Will and it actually made me like Ella better. From Will's perspective, she is just too angelic and sweet to be believed. This one shows that she does feel frustrated and angry at her stepmother and stepsisters, at times, and that she isn't completely perfect.
Content: Clean.
I blog at www.ofbooksandblooms.com
August 27, 2019
"Ella" is a fairytale retelling of Cinderella. Ella is a caring young woman who chose to serve her step-family with love even though they mistreated her. A young man who lives nearby gives her emotional support with his friendship. He admires her character as well as her beauty. It's obvious to the reader that he'd like to marry her, but he's also poor and not in a position to support her. When the Prince announces a ball to choose a wife, he loves Ella enough to help her get to the ball and meet the Prince so she'll have a chance to get away from the poverty and abuse.
I liked how this story brings out the qualities that are important for a loving, enduring marriage. The characters were admirable and caring. Ella was able to forgive and heal some of the hurt at the end because she continued to serve her family and friends out of love. There is no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this enjoyable story.
I liked how this story brings out the qualities that are important for a loving, enduring marriage. The characters were admirable and caring. Ella was able to forgive and heal some of the hurt at the end because she continued to serve her family and friends out of love. There is no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this enjoyable story.
May 23, 2020
Possibly the best version of the Cinderella story I've ever read!
April 18, 2022
Sweet and a lovely twist on the Cinderella story! Loved Ella and loved Will! I love how you really see what true love looks like. Will was a beautiful example of that. ❤️❤️
March 22, 2017
An enjoyable Cinderella story retelling! Peaslee made it her own, adding twists to the story. She also packed in some good food for thought; life lessons and encouragement!
July 11, 2023
Truly trumps "Love at first sight"!
Beyond "Love at first sight", and so much stronger, is the true love of sacrifice and feeling each others' joy and pain. This book brings this real love to life!
Beyond "Love at first sight", and so much stronger, is the true love of sacrifice and feeling each others' joy and pain. This book brings this real love to life!
January 27, 2018
This was such a lovely retelling. It's different, but in a way that brings more heart to the original story. Ella is a story of kindness, courage, forgiveness, and love. It was such a beautiful story that I hope all of my daughters will read! I can't wait to read Jess's other books!
December 18, 2024
I had this book on my Kindle for a few years before deciding to purchase a physical copy. That's not an unusual habit of mine, as I will buy physical books if I like the e-book well enough. I remember having started to read my e-book copy some time ago, but I can't recall if I ever finished. This time around, though, I did finish it - and I'm glad I did. While this might be another Cinderella re-telling, it's not just another Cinderella re-telling.
Ella, by Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee, is (essentially) a standalone Cinderella-inspired YA novel. (There is a "sequel," Will's Ella, which is a retelling from a male character's perspective, and a prequel, Always Ella, which outlines the stepmother's backstory. But these aren't necessary to understanding or appreciating this book.) Here, years after her father's passing, Ella Blakeley shares house room with Victoria, her manipulative stepmother, and two bratty stepsisters. Thanks to her stepmother's iron-clad reign, Ella has become a prisoner in her own home and Victoria's slave. Each day, Ella survives by virtue of her wits and stubborn perseverance, alongside the encouragement and helping hand of her best friend, Will. Suddenly, it seems Ella's luck has changed as the handsome Prince Kenton proclaims he will hold a ball through which he will open the palace's door to the kingdom's citizens with the hopes of finding a wife. Ella aspires to attend the ball, hoping this might be her way to escape her stepmother's abusive shadow. But will sheer resolve be enough to change the course of her life - or has the answer been waiting right in front of Ella all along?
The most distinctive feature about this re-telling is that it is devoid of any fairy tale or fantasy elements: no magic, no fairy godmother, no talking mice, and no pumpkin carriage. (But there are a gorgeous blue gown and a pair of glass slippers!) As much as I adore fantasy and fairy tales and appreciate well-told re-tellings, I was impressed with how Ella holds its own as a Cinderella-minus-magic story. It's a different approach, to be sure - and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Given the fact Ella plays the leading role of a Cinderella redux, it would have been tempting to either not give her a personality or turn her into a special snowflake. Peaslee does neither as she crafts a well-rounded, intelligent, imperfect, resourceful female lead. I appreciate the fact there is little attention paid to Ella's physical beauty but, instead, readers are shown a complete portrait of her internal beauty. That becomes a moral interwoven throughout the story: true beauty comes from within and is based on character, not appearances. While this might sound cliched, it's never delivered with a tired or trite hand but becomes a subtle undercurrent throughout the progression of Ella's growth.
I loved Ella's resolve and resourcefulness, as she is determined to not let her abusive stepmother beat her down, literally and figuratively. Even though she's been made a servant in her own home, Ella holds her head up high and does what she can, first and foremost, to make sure her home is taken care of and, secondly, because she doesn't wish for her stepmother and stepsisters to starve - a surprising show of restraint compared to how Ella is treated in return. Even though the novel stops shy of saying Ella is 100% self-sufficient, it makes it clear that Ella's victories are not the result of plot conveniences. Instead, Ella makes her own way through life, doing her best to navigate the depressing valleys she often finds herself in, though it's not without a little help from her friends.
Make no mistake: these friends aren't talking mice, singing birds, or even a lovable fairy godmother. Instead, the biggest source of Ella's help is her closest friend, Will. I loved Will, both as a character in his own right and as part of a good character pairing with Ella. Will is sweet and helpful, but he's not a push over, a wimp, or a faceless "boy next door" trope. He struggles to contain his anger at the injustice of Ella's predicament, and he is more than happy and willing to help alleviate her situation in any way he can. Their friendship is wholesome and genuine in a way that other YA books could take a cue from. Ella never acts "boy crazy," desperately trying to hold on to Will, and Will never acts possessive of Ella. He is willing to let her go her own way, even if it means he can't follow. Their love and loyalty to each other runs deep, and it's another aspect to the story as a whole that makes it a joy to read.
Another surprise positive for me was the novel's lack of a fantasy angle. I say this is a surprise because I love fantasy literature and good fairy tale re-tellings; however, I don't object to a fairy tale being given a non-fantasy makeover. If anything, doing so can put a fresh face on a traditional story that, otherwise, might be subject to yet another magic-infused variation that does little to craft an original tale beneath the surface. Ella presents readers with a generic historical setting and subtracts the fairy tale's fantastical elements. This is done so that the characters are not given easy outs or solutions to their problems. Ella and Will must use their intelligence and resources to tackle obstacles; and while the road is never easy, the struggle in the end is worthwhile.
The messages Ella presents are universal and remain true to the themes of the original Cinderella, even borrowing a few cues from the Disney adaptation with some slight adjustments. Hope, perseverance, and love triumph all, and forgiveness of one's enemies is preferable to living a vindictive or bitter life. Likewise, Ella learns that sometimes what looks good on the outside isn't always what's best in the long run. While I won't dive too much into spoilers, one way this novel deviates from the fairy tale is that the prince's ball isn't the end-all, be-all event readers might be expecting. Again, I liked this aspect to the story as it keeps the plot and its characters grounded. There are no easy solutions or answers here, much like in real life, so the subtle morals presented are also important life lessons for both the characters and readers.
My only possible petty complaint - and even the word "petty" sounds too harsh - is that the overall plot is a linear narrative. All of the story beats one would expect from a Cinderella-inspired tale are accounted for, and while this wasn't a deterrent for me, it bears mentioning in case some readers like a few more twists and turns in their fairy tale re-tellings. Likewise, Ella's eventual love interest is obvious almost from the start, but, again, that's not a huge negative as I think it was meant to be that way. Both of these attributes work in context as the novel, while subtracting magic from the Cinderella equation, seeks to read like a fairy tale of its own making with a simple message and straightforward structure. And to that aim, it succeeds.
Overall, Ella is a charming, clean YA re-telling of Cinderella that replaces magic and a fairy godmother with hard work and a determined heroine who has her best friend by her side. Fans of fairy tale re-imaginings would do well to explore this iteration, as its decision not to rely on a fantasy narrative works in its favor. This is, unquestionably, a Cinderella story that, with a solid cast and engaging delivery, is capable of standing on its own two glass slipper feet.
Content:
Language - None.
Violence - Nothing in terms of anything graphic or gory. Ella suffers abuse at the hands of her stepmother, Victoria. While most of the abuse is verbal, Victoria also emotionally toys with Ella, gaslights her, and frequently strikes her hands with a stick whenever Ella displeases her. (In one scene, it's implied that Ella was whipped as we're told her back is sore from a recent punishment, but no such act occurs on the page.) Elsewhere, we are told about different loved ones passing away, and two characters suffer from an illness and eventually pass.
Sexual Content - None. Some characters exchange a few chaste kisses but nothing ever goes further.
Ella, by Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee, is (essentially) a standalone Cinderella-inspired YA novel. (There is a "sequel," Will's Ella, which is a retelling from a male character's perspective, and a prequel, Always Ella, which outlines the stepmother's backstory. But these aren't necessary to understanding or appreciating this book.) Here, years after her father's passing, Ella Blakeley shares house room with Victoria, her manipulative stepmother, and two bratty stepsisters. Thanks to her stepmother's iron-clad reign, Ella has become a prisoner in her own home and Victoria's slave. Each day, Ella survives by virtue of her wits and stubborn perseverance, alongside the encouragement and helping hand of her best friend, Will. Suddenly, it seems Ella's luck has changed as the handsome Prince Kenton proclaims he will hold a ball through which he will open the palace's door to the kingdom's citizens with the hopes of finding a wife. Ella aspires to attend the ball, hoping this might be her way to escape her stepmother's abusive shadow. But will sheer resolve be enough to change the course of her life - or has the answer been waiting right in front of Ella all along?
The most distinctive feature about this re-telling is that it is devoid of any fairy tale or fantasy elements: no magic, no fairy godmother, no talking mice, and no pumpkin carriage. (But there are a gorgeous blue gown and a pair of glass slippers!) As much as I adore fantasy and fairy tales and appreciate well-told re-tellings, I was impressed with how Ella holds its own as a Cinderella-minus-magic story. It's a different approach, to be sure - and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Given the fact Ella plays the leading role of a Cinderella redux, it would have been tempting to either not give her a personality or turn her into a special snowflake. Peaslee does neither as she crafts a well-rounded, intelligent, imperfect, resourceful female lead. I appreciate the fact there is little attention paid to Ella's physical beauty but, instead, readers are shown a complete portrait of her internal beauty. That becomes a moral interwoven throughout the story: true beauty comes from within and is based on character, not appearances. While this might sound cliched, it's never delivered with a tired or trite hand but becomes a subtle undercurrent throughout the progression of Ella's growth.
I loved Ella's resolve and resourcefulness, as she is determined to not let her abusive stepmother beat her down, literally and figuratively. Even though she's been made a servant in her own home, Ella holds her head up high and does what she can, first and foremost, to make sure her home is taken care of and, secondly, because she doesn't wish for her stepmother and stepsisters to starve - a surprising show of restraint compared to how Ella is treated in return. Even though the novel stops shy of saying Ella is 100% self-sufficient, it makes it clear that Ella's victories are not the result of plot conveniences. Instead, Ella makes her own way through life, doing her best to navigate the depressing valleys she often finds herself in, though it's not without a little help from her friends.
Make no mistake: these friends aren't talking mice, singing birds, or even a lovable fairy godmother. Instead, the biggest source of Ella's help is her closest friend, Will. I loved Will, both as a character in his own right and as part of a good character pairing with Ella. Will is sweet and helpful, but he's not a push over, a wimp, or a faceless "boy next door" trope. He struggles to contain his anger at the injustice of Ella's predicament, and he is more than happy and willing to help alleviate her situation in any way he can. Their friendship is wholesome and genuine in a way that other YA books could take a cue from. Ella never acts "boy crazy," desperately trying to hold on to Will, and Will never acts possessive of Ella. He is willing to let her go her own way, even if it means he can't follow. Their love and loyalty to each other runs deep, and it's another aspect to the story as a whole that makes it a joy to read.
Another surprise positive for me was the novel's lack of a fantasy angle. I say this is a surprise because I love fantasy literature and good fairy tale re-tellings; however, I don't object to a fairy tale being given a non-fantasy makeover. If anything, doing so can put a fresh face on a traditional story that, otherwise, might be subject to yet another magic-infused variation that does little to craft an original tale beneath the surface. Ella presents readers with a generic historical setting and subtracts the fairy tale's fantastical elements. This is done so that the characters are not given easy outs or solutions to their problems. Ella and Will must use their intelligence and resources to tackle obstacles; and while the road is never easy, the struggle in the end is worthwhile.
The messages Ella presents are universal and remain true to the themes of the original Cinderella, even borrowing a few cues from the Disney adaptation with some slight adjustments. Hope, perseverance, and love triumph all, and forgiveness of one's enemies is preferable to living a vindictive or bitter life. Likewise, Ella learns that sometimes what looks good on the outside isn't always what's best in the long run. While I won't dive too much into spoilers, one way this novel deviates from the fairy tale is that the prince's ball isn't the end-all, be-all event readers might be expecting. Again, I liked this aspect to the story as it keeps the plot and its characters grounded. There are no easy solutions or answers here, much like in real life, so the subtle morals presented are also important life lessons for both the characters and readers.
My only possible petty complaint - and even the word "petty" sounds too harsh - is that the overall plot is a linear narrative. All of the story beats one would expect from a Cinderella-inspired tale are accounted for, and while this wasn't a deterrent for me, it bears mentioning in case some readers like a few more twists and turns in their fairy tale re-tellings. Likewise, Ella's eventual love interest is obvious almost from the start, but, again, that's not a huge negative as I think it was meant to be that way. Both of these attributes work in context as the novel, while subtracting magic from the Cinderella equation, seeks to read like a fairy tale of its own making with a simple message and straightforward structure. And to that aim, it succeeds.
Overall, Ella is a charming, clean YA re-telling of Cinderella that replaces magic and a fairy godmother with hard work and a determined heroine who has her best friend by her side. Fans of fairy tale re-imaginings would do well to explore this iteration, as its decision not to rely on a fantasy narrative works in its favor. This is, unquestionably, a Cinderella story that, with a solid cast and engaging delivery, is capable of standing on its own two glass slipper feet.
Content:
Language - None.
Violence - Nothing in terms of anything graphic or gory. Ella suffers abuse at the hands of her stepmother, Victoria. While most of the abuse is verbal, Victoria also emotionally toys with Ella, gaslights her, and frequently strikes her hands with a stick whenever Ella displeases her. (In one scene, it's implied that Ella was whipped as we're told her back is sore from a recent punishment, but no such act occurs on the page.) Elsewhere, we are told about different loved ones passing away, and two characters suffer from an illness and eventually pass.
Sexual Content - None. Some characters exchange a few chaste kisses but nothing ever goes further.
February 1, 2020
The Cinderella story has always been one of my favorite stories since childhood (mostly the Disney version). There is a lot of Cinderella retelling out there, some do stick to the original story or the Disney one. In this book, Ella by Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee, is the retelling and re-imagining classic Cinderella fairy tale with some new twists and turns in order to make it her own story! I loved the idea of someone rising from their difficult circumstances due to their goodness, selfless, determination and positive outlook and Ella’s journey in this story was no exception. This Cinderella story is the best one I have read and it’s now one of my favorites.
There are familiar elements of the Cinderella story: Ella’s mother dies when she was young. Her father, Henry, raises her and he eventually remarries another woman called Victoria, the evil stepmother who is a mother to Mabel and Cecilia. When Ella is ten years old, her father dies. She is left to take care of her stepmother and her stepsisters and she becomes their servant in her own home. When Ella is twenty years old, there is a ball announced by Prince Kenton who is hoping to find a wife before he turns twenty-five.
There are also some differences like Ella has two friends, Will and Jane. There are things that happen as the story goes which tests both of those friendships. There is no fairy godmother so Ella has to find another way to get to the ball without her stepmother and stepsister knowing. And many more differences that you have to read to find out!
I found myself connect to Ella from the start of the book. She is a hardworking, loyal girl with a great personality and attitude. This is one of the roughest retelling Cinderella stories I have read but, in this story, there is a lot of hope, strength and it makes up for it. Ella goes through a lot of heartbreaking and difficult experiences but she overcomes these difficulties which strengthens her and allow to grow. She always tries to look the good side of things and of people. She also has two good friends that help her out in her journey, they each play an important role in her story. As I said before, while this story is familiar, the author has created new twists and turns in order to make it her own story, and one of them was Ella’s best friend, Will. There relationship was incredibly sweet, Will knew Ella since their childhood and he was always there for Ella, through the good times and the hard ones. The ending was completely perfect to this beautiful story!
Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee’s writing style was very lovely and charming with a fairy tale feel. Even if there was no fairies or magic to help Ella, she rises herself up on her own and with the help of her friends. There are some great lessons to be taken from Ella’s story, such as true love is all about sacrifice and to never give up on your dreams. This book will appeal to teens to adults. I can’t wait to read more of this talented author, especially Ella’s Will.
There are familiar elements of the Cinderella story: Ella’s mother dies when she was young. Her father, Henry, raises her and he eventually remarries another woman called Victoria, the evil stepmother who is a mother to Mabel and Cecilia. When Ella is ten years old, her father dies. She is left to take care of her stepmother and her stepsisters and she becomes their servant in her own home. When Ella is twenty years old, there is a ball announced by Prince Kenton who is hoping to find a wife before he turns twenty-five.
There are also some differences like Ella has two friends, Will and Jane. There are things that happen as the story goes which tests both of those friendships. There is no fairy godmother so Ella has to find another way to get to the ball without her stepmother and stepsister knowing. And many more differences that you have to read to find out!
I found myself connect to Ella from the start of the book. She is a hardworking, loyal girl with a great personality and attitude. This is one of the roughest retelling Cinderella stories I have read but, in this story, there is a lot of hope, strength and it makes up for it. Ella goes through a lot of heartbreaking and difficult experiences but she overcomes these difficulties which strengthens her and allow to grow. She always tries to look the good side of things and of people. She also has two good friends that help her out in her journey, they each play an important role in her story. As I said before, while this story is familiar, the author has created new twists and turns in order to make it her own story, and one of them was Ella’s best friend, Will. There relationship was incredibly sweet, Will knew Ella since their childhood and he was always there for Ella, through the good times and the hard ones. The ending was completely perfect to this beautiful story!
Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee’s writing style was very lovely and charming with a fairy tale feel. Even if there was no fairies or magic to help Ella, she rises herself up on her own and with the help of her friends. There are some great lessons to be taken from Ella’s story, such as true love is all about sacrifice and to never give up on your dreams. This book will appeal to teens to adults. I can’t wait to read more of this talented author, especially Ella’s Will.
December 4, 2019
This is my 10-yo daughter’s favorite book. She loves it! She says: “I would give it five times five times five stars.”
June 27, 2023
I. Love. This. Book. I read it for the first time when I was in middle school and I just finish rereading it as a college student. It’s such a beautifully written book and the story, though a retelling, is nostalgic and uniquely wonderful to read. I can’t describe how happy this book makes me. I’ve read fairy tale retellings before that I absolutely couldn’t stand (I normally think they’re insufferable and cringey) but this really puts a different spin on Cinderella that I think is so much more emotionally satisfying than the original story. Everyone needs to read this I wish it was more popular/mainstream.
September 19, 2016
I have a blog tour post coming up for the second book in this series, so I thought I should probably put this review up as well. When the description says you will not be able to put it down, it's true. I started late Friday evening, and went into the morning because I couldn't put it down. I devoured this book.
I love re-tellings when they are done well, and this one is done very well. Cinderella is one of my all time favorite stories, so I knew when I opened the book I was in for the long haul.
Ella, is such a sweet, loving, kind, hardworking, and compassionate character. She works all day to provide for her stepmother and horrible step sisters. Her best friend in the world is Will Hawkins. They grew up together, but when Ella's father died, her step mother fired most of the staff or just quit paying them so they left.
Will, is also an amazing character. He is humble, kind, hard working, and obviously handsome. His only real friend is Ella and although they don't spend much time together they obviously care for each other.
Will works at the Palace, and the Prince has just returned from travel and plans to have a ball to find his princess. He invites the whole kingdom, peasants, and royalty to attend.
We all knows what happens from there right? Well this one has a little spin on the ending, which I love more than anything.
This is such a fun read. I enjoyed every moment of this book. I cannot wait to read Ella's Will next! Stay tuned for my review on that one :).
Source: I bought this book for myself. I was not compensated in any way for this review. These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.
Content: CLEAN and wonderful!
I love re-tellings when they are done well, and this one is done very well. Cinderella is one of my all time favorite stories, so I knew when I opened the book I was in for the long haul.
Ella, is such a sweet, loving, kind, hardworking, and compassionate character. She works all day to provide for her stepmother and horrible step sisters. Her best friend in the world is Will Hawkins. They grew up together, but when Ella's father died, her step mother fired most of the staff or just quit paying them so they left.
Will, is also an amazing character. He is humble, kind, hard working, and obviously handsome. His only real friend is Ella and although they don't spend much time together they obviously care for each other.
Will works at the Palace, and the Prince has just returned from travel and plans to have a ball to find his princess. He invites the whole kingdom, peasants, and royalty to attend.
We all knows what happens from there right? Well this one has a little spin on the ending, which I love more than anything.
This is such a fun read. I enjoyed every moment of this book. I cannot wait to read Ella's Will next! Stay tuned for my review on that one :).
Source: I bought this book for myself. I was not compensated in any way for this review. These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.
Content: CLEAN and wonderful!
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June 23, 2020This is my all time favorite book and hopefully always will be. Because my name is Ella, I grew up adoring the Disney Princess, Cinderella. She was probably my favorite childhood princess and i dressed up as her for multiple Halloweens. I love the emotion and description put into this book. Every single scene is carefully planned out and creates a perfect image of what is going on at the moment. I also love all the twists and turns that are set into this. The book definitely had a very positive affect on me and look up to Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee's writing very much. other books I enjoyed by her are, Ella's Will Ella's Will, and Finding Beauty in the Beast Finding Beauty in the Beast. But Ella is my favorite over all.
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