What do you think?
Rate this book
#BestFriendsForever #1
#TheRealCinderella
#TheRealCinderella returns to full price on May 1. Grab it for 75% off now!
A modern-day teenage Cinderella. An all-star varsity basketball player. Will the chemistry disappear when they go from anonymous to face-to-face?
Geeky Ella Reyes is at the bottom of the totem pole at Westwood High. Her ultra-popular stepsisters refuse to be seen with her at school, and every day she comes home to a mountain of chores.
Ella’s only friend (and maybe crush) lives on the other side of her phone’s screen. She and Baller929 know everything about each other, except their real names.
When they have a chance to meet at her school’s Halloween ball, Ella must figure out a way to get there without her stepmom or stepsisters finding out.
Is revealing her identity to Baller929 worth risking the one good thing left in her life? Or is he too good to be true?
Fans of Cinder & Ella by Kelly Oram and the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books will fall in love with this new coming-of-age series. Start the first book now.
This is a clean young adult contemporary romance.
A modern-day teenage Cinderella. An all-star varsity basketball player. Will the chemistry disappear when they go from anonymous to face-to-face?
Geeky Ella Reyes is at the bottom of the totem pole at Westwood High. Her ultra-popular stepsisters refuse to be seen with her at school, and every day she comes home to a mountain of chores.
Ella’s only friend (and maybe crush) lives on the other side of her phone’s screen. She and Baller929 know everything about each other, except their real names.
When they have a chance to meet at her school’s Halloween ball, Ella must figure out a way to get there without her stepmom or stepsisters finding out.
Is revealing her identity to Baller929 worth risking the one good thing left in her life? Or is he too good to be true?
Fans of Cinder & Ella by Kelly Oram and the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books will fall in love with this new coming-of-age series. Start the first book now.
This is a clean young adult contemporary romance.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 18, 2018
1821 people are currently reading
2697 people want to read
About the author
Yesenia Vargas
32 books334 followersLife & weight loss coach. Writer. Single mama. Host of the Single Mom Glow Up Podcast.
Check out what I'm up to on IG (@thisisyeseniavargas).
Check out what I'm up to on IG (@thisisyeseniavargas).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 387 reviews
November 24, 2019
I'm a huge sucker for fairytale retellings, especially Cinderella or Beauty and the Beast ones
So when I saw this book on Bookbub for free?
Yeah I was all over it!
This book had very "A Cinderella Story" movie vibes. I could easily picture the movie in my head, but instead of a white, blonde-haired girl, Daniela, or Ella is a Puerto Rican, tan skinned, brunette girl.
Ella lives with her (evil) stepmother, Sophia, and (evil) stepsisters Lindsay and Courtney. After her father passed away on her 11th birthday, she is left under their care. And because her father didn't leave them any money in case something happened to him, Ella is forced to withstand all the verbal abuse from her step family, since it only through their help she can pay for college in 2 years.
Ella is a geeky girl, who loves maths and computers. And she usually doesn't have many close friends, but her one true friend is not someone she can talk to in person, but online.
They know everything about each other, except their names.
Baller929 and #TheRealCinderella get along really well, they speak and laugh and Ella helps him with his maths homework.
But afraid to ruin a wonderful friendship, she doesn't tell him who she really is or even which school she goes to.
But what happens if they eventually have to meet? Will she let him know who she is? Will she open up to him?
I really enjoyed this modern-take of Cinderella, it was fun and lovely. Had hints of humour, a little angst but Ella's group of friends and her conversations with Baller929 make it worth reading
An enjoyable read, really want to read more about Ella's story and her friends
So when I saw this book on Bookbub for free?
Yeah I was all over it!
This book had very "A Cinderella Story" movie vibes. I could easily picture the movie in my head, but instead of a white, blonde-haired girl, Daniela, or Ella is a Puerto Rican, tan skinned, brunette girl.
Ella lives with her (evil) stepmother, Sophia, and (evil) stepsisters Lindsay and Courtney. After her father passed away on her 11th birthday, she is left under their care. And because her father didn't leave them any money in case something happened to him, Ella is forced to withstand all the verbal abuse from her step family, since it only through their help she can pay for college in 2 years.
Ella is a geeky girl, who loves maths and computers. And she usually doesn't have many close friends, but her one true friend is not someone she can talk to in person, but online.
They know everything about each other, except their names.
Baller929 and #TheRealCinderella get along really well, they speak and laugh and Ella helps him with his maths homework.
But afraid to ruin a wonderful friendship, she doesn't tell him who she really is or even which school she goes to.
But what happens if they eventually have to meet? Will she let him know who she is? Will she open up to him?
I really enjoyed this modern-take of Cinderella, it was fun and lovely. Had hints of humour, a little angst but Ella's group of friends and her conversations with Baller929 make it worth reading
An enjoyable read, really want to read more about Ella's story and her friends
June 28, 2021
2.5 Stars rounded up to 3
Well that was a sweet, slightly cheesy YA romance that is a modern re-imagining of Cinderella.
It is however another typical YA where the conflict frustratingly comes from a lack of empathy for other peoples points of view. Set your expectations to 'light and fluffy YA', and accept that the characters are a bit one dimensional and then you might find it an enjoyable book. It would be a great audiobook for teens looking for a simple story.
Well that was a sweet, slightly cheesy YA romance that is a modern re-imagining of Cinderella.
It is however another typical YA where the conflict frustratingly comes from a lack of empathy for other peoples points of view. Set your expectations to 'light and fluffy YA', and accept that the characters are a bit one dimensional and then you might find it an enjoyable book. It would be a great audiobook for teens looking for a simple story.
October 24, 2018
Top 5 Things You Should Know as to Why This Book is Amazing:
(this might be long, so prepare accordingly. Grab some tea, and then this book) :)
1. It's actually innocent
(if you're like me, the surplus of nasty stuff in books is an immediate discharge for a book. It drags the story down for me and doesn't increase my love for the romance at all. In fact, it weakens it and is a real reason for my angst against the occasional YA...schtuff) You know? But this! This is just purely a well-rounded, no worries read. :))
My heart is so happy... :) For a clean Cinderella retelling that I adore for its innocence. Thank you. For a geeky girl and an honest jock who are entirely more human than lovey-dovey. Because Ella is known for her kindness and geeky demeanor, smiles and openness. [Baller929] --I didn't include his real name, so it wouldn't be spoiled-- is known for his outgoingness and non-conformity, honesty and sportiness. They're just kind. And that's my kinda story.
2. Fairytale
(Am I sucker for fairytales? Absolutely. I'm not sure why. They run predictably, but there's so many different reruns for fairytales, I'm still unsure of how things will turn out overall every time. Characters are different, worlds are different...predictable in backbone, yes, but otherwise, the story can still be uniquely unlike the next.)
3. A pretty rad author
(Look her up!)
4. Everything else
(High school, learning social friendships outside the norm, basketball, geeky Ella, KINDNESS pointed out time and time again, shocking support from unlikely sources, not everyone is a winner, honesty pressed, non-cringy & non-overly dramatic love story, friends before crushes, the importance of helping people... the list is practically endless.)
LET ME JUST SAY THANK YOU AGAIN. Ugh, I adore this book.
And what is "5" you ask, if I have already said "everything else?"
5. YOU can read it too!
(okay, okay, that's not as interesting and contemplative as you were hoping for, probably. But seriously, this isn't a book I regret reading for way more reasons than just 5. I think this is one of the best Cinderella retellings I've ever read. Obviously, no one can just toss Ella Enchanted and Cinder out a window, but we can perch this book right alongside them. (At least on my shelf)
(this might be long, so prepare accordingly. Grab some tea, and then this book) :)
1. It's actually innocent
(if you're like me, the surplus of nasty stuff in books is an immediate discharge for a book. It drags the story down for me and doesn't increase my love for the romance at all. In fact, it weakens it and is a real reason for my angst against the occasional YA...schtuff) You know? But this! This is just purely a well-rounded, no worries read. :))
My heart is so happy... :) For a clean Cinderella retelling that I adore for its innocence. Thank you. For a geeky girl and an honest jock who are entirely more human than lovey-dovey. Because Ella is known for her kindness and geeky demeanor, smiles and openness. [Baller929] --I didn't include his real name, so it wouldn't be spoiled-- is known for his outgoingness and non-conformity, honesty and sportiness. They're just kind. And that's my kinda story.
2. Fairytale
(Am I sucker for fairytales? Absolutely. I'm not sure why. They run predictably, but there's so many different reruns for fairytales, I'm still unsure of how things will turn out overall every time. Characters are different, worlds are different...predictable in backbone, yes, but otherwise, the story can still be uniquely unlike the next.)
3. A pretty rad author
(Look her up!)
4. Everything else
(High school, learning social friendships outside the norm, basketball, geeky Ella, KINDNESS pointed out time and time again, shocking support from unlikely sources, not everyone is a winner, honesty pressed, non-cringy & non-overly dramatic love story, friends before crushes, the importance of helping people... the list is practically endless.)
LET ME JUST SAY THANK YOU AGAIN. Ugh, I adore this book.
And what is "5" you ask, if I have already said "everything else?"
5. YOU can read it too!
(okay, okay, that's not as interesting and contemplative as you were hoping for, probably. But seriously, this isn't a book I regret reading for way more reasons than just 5. I think this is one of the best Cinderella retellings I've ever read. Obviously, no one can just toss Ella Enchanted and Cinder out a window, but we can perch this book right alongside them. (At least on my shelf)
January 6, 2020
This was such an adorable book! I was so entertained and head-over-heels for it! #TheRealCinderella had so many comparisons to the movie "A Cinderella Story" (which is one of my favorites)!
If you love Cinderella retellings and YA romances, definitely give this book a shot. It was such a sweet and fun read!
P.S. -- if you enjoy audiobooks, the audiobook to this book was part of the reason I enjoyed my experience with it. The story itself was just something that was great to listen to and the narrators did a great job.
If you love Cinderella retellings and YA romances, definitely give this book a shot. It was such a sweet and fun read!
P.S. -- if you enjoy audiobooks, the audiobook to this book was part of the reason I enjoyed my experience with it. The story itself was just something that was great to listen to and the narrators did a great job.
December 26, 2018
It was an entertaining read but something I regret buying and I won´t be checking out other books by this author.
August 5, 2019
Loved it! 🖤
January 2, 2019
Another cute ass book for the new year.
I feel Kindle is the man today. Or maybe the woman? Either way, it has been recommending books that I needed today.. and just didn't know. #TheRealCinderella was pretty cute retelling book. It also got me in the mood to watch, A Cinderella Story. I can totally see the similarities because of the step monster and sisters. Ella was just adorable too and it hurt my heart that she didn't feel loved by the people who were supposed to be her family. Also, Sophia was just a monster and self-centered.
Besides Ella, I loved the girls that magically became her friends. They were always there for each other and it just felt genuine. Then there's the mystery prince charming. Now once she started look at a certain group of people.. I was definitely thinking it was a person that was in one of her classes. Not the class that I thought it was.. but still, I was on the right track.
Other than all of that, I loved the little twists in this book. Plus the modern take on it with texting was just so cute. Everything was all wrapped in a bow at the end of this book. Which is probably why I really enjoyed this book. It was a pretty quick read that I ended up devouring. I will definitely look forward to diving into the next book of this series.
I need more adorableness.
I feel Kindle is the man today. Or maybe the woman? Either way, it has been recommending books that I needed today.. and just didn't know. #TheRealCinderella was pretty cute retelling book. It also got me in the mood to watch, A Cinderella Story. I can totally see the similarities because of the step monster and sisters. Ella was just adorable too and it hurt my heart that she didn't feel loved by the people who were supposed to be her family. Also, Sophia was just a monster and self-centered.
Besides Ella, I loved the girls that magically became her friends. They were always there for each other and it just felt genuine. Then there's the mystery prince charming. Now once she started look at a certain group of people.. I was definitely thinking it was a person that was in one of her classes. Not the class that I thought it was.. but still, I was on the right track.
Other than all of that, I loved the little twists in this book. Plus the modern take on it with texting was just so cute. Everything was all wrapped in a bow at the end of this book. Which is probably why I really enjoyed this book. It was a pretty quick read that I ended up devouring. I will definitely look forward to diving into the next book of this series.
I need more adorableness.
February 19, 2019
This was a cute YA retelling of the Cinderella story. "Ella" has been left in the custody of her stepmother, Sophia, following the death of her father. Sophia makes her do all the chores in the house to earn Sophia's help paying for college. Sophia has two nasty daughters of her own, etc. etc. Ella has been texting "Baller929" for over a year. It started out as an anonymous study help/tutoring thread, but they became friends. He wants to meet her in real life, but she is insecure. She's a nerd and he plays varsity basketball. Fate conjures up a dance, a mysterious dress donation, a group of new friends to support her, and even a message from her father to help her.
Very cute retelling. I would say it would even be appropriate for late middle school. I don't recall any bad language and a couple kisses are all we get for the hormone level. The ending had some surprising features. There were some threads in the story that didn't lead anywhere and threw me off. I mean we know that Ella and Baller929 would end up together, but how Ella's family life problems are solved was a little unexpected.
Very cute retelling. I would say it would even be appropriate for late middle school. I don't recall any bad language and a couple kisses are all we get for the hormone level. The ending had some surprising features. There were some threads in the story that didn't lead anywhere and threw me off. I mean we know that Ella and Baller929 would end up together, but how Ella's family life problems are solved was a little unexpected.
August 29, 2018
Classic tale done different
I love fairytale retellings, especially when done by authors of color. This modern take on Cinderella had reminded me a lot of A Cinderella Story when I first read the description. I was glad to see that though there’s a basic similarity to it (anonymous texting between a popular jock and a smart wallflower, meeting at Homecoming, evil stepfamily) it was nice to see Ella at least get girl friends. I loved her relationships with the BFFs and how they played out. I’d love to see more of them, though maybe I’d love to see if one of them likes another one in the group. I think it’d be a great storyline to explore. I often grew exasperated with how heteronormative the relationship between Ella and the girls were, but I was also pleasantly surprised by the ending. I was rooting for her happily ever after.
(ALSO!!! Jesse is a Soft JockTM)
I love fairytale retellings, especially when done by authors of color. This modern take on Cinderella had reminded me a lot of A Cinderella Story when I first read the description. I was glad to see that though there’s a basic similarity to it (anonymous texting between a popular jock and a smart wallflower, meeting at Homecoming, evil stepfamily) it was nice to see Ella at least get girl friends. I loved her relationships with the BFFs and how they played out. I’d love to see more of them, though maybe I’d love to see if one of them likes another one in the group. I think it’d be a great storyline to explore. I often grew exasperated with how heteronormative the relationship between Ella and the girls were, but I was also pleasantly surprised by the ending. I was rooting for her happily ever after.
(ALSO!!! Jesse is a Soft JockTM)
May 7, 2025
El cuento de la cenicienta versión moderna.
Ella perdió a su padre, quedando bajo la tutela de su madrastra, quien le tiene un gran rencor por la muerte de su padre. Se ve obligada a limpiar y cocinar todo para así poder recibir un poco de dinero y así asegurar su futuro en una universidad, lejos de ahí.
Él es la estrella de basquet de su escuela.
Sin saberlo se escriben hace más de un año bajo un pseudonimo.
Pero ambos tienen curiosidad por conocerse, así que plantean hacer el encuentro en el baile.
•
Me gustó mucho la historia! Al comienzo me parecía lento, pero después es fácil de leer ❤️
Ella perdió a su padre, quedando bajo la tutela de su madrastra, quien le tiene un gran rencor por la muerte de su padre. Se ve obligada a limpiar y cocinar todo para así poder recibir un poco de dinero y así asegurar su futuro en una universidad, lejos de ahí.
Él es la estrella de basquet de su escuela.
Sin saberlo se escriben hace más de un año bajo un pseudonimo.
Pero ambos tienen curiosidad por conocerse, así que plantean hacer el encuentro en el baile.
•
Me gustó mucho la historia! Al comienzo me parecía lento, pero después es fácil de leer ❤️
September 21, 2019
3.75 Stars!
November 21, 2020
Une bonne histoire qui se lit rapidement!
November 15, 2018
I really can't say much about this book .. it was alright but not the best thing I've read .. there are much better Cinderella retelling than this one, but the idea was nice
September 20, 2019
Quite enjoyed this YA retelling of Cinderella. A sweet quick read.
April 11, 2019
#TheRealCindrella
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2019...
**** There are spoilers throughout this review*****
This book was so good; I read it in two days tbh, this story is similar to the “A Cinderella Story” but also different in many ways. The crazy thing is both her parents died on her birthday it sucks, but at least she can now celebrate with those who care and love her. Unlike her Step-mom and sisters ... Though, her step-sisters apologize to her finally for being mean unlike her step-mom... which turn out to be a good thing they even gave her a present earring which was something her and her father was planning to do for her birthday before he died.
I hated how her stepmom tried to blame for her father died. I'm like the nerve of that lady to say such a thing. When Ella was only ten at the time, plus; I was glad she made friends with Rey, Selena, and Harper; and finally Tori who took up for her a lot during and after the prom. When her stepsister reunion her dress I figured it was Tori who given the dress to Ella that’s what a good person do for someone. I figure that Tori wasn’t as bad as she may seem she just needed to come around.
Not only that I was glad that Ella and Jesse finally meet, but I also figured that it had to be one of the guys in her class. It only talked about her maths class the most and whatever other class that I don’t care to remember the name. I always said though; some popular people are mean not all are cruel individuals it’s just the haters and people who are jealous who pick on those who are different than them. I was glad that Ella found that Will and that letter from her father and ended up removing herself from her evil stepmom clutches.... glad for that happy ending and this book was a 5-star rating...
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2019...
**** There are spoilers throughout this review*****
This book was so good; I read it in two days tbh, this story is similar to the “A Cinderella Story” but also different in many ways. The crazy thing is both her parents died on her birthday it sucks, but at least she can now celebrate with those who care and love her. Unlike her Step-mom and sisters ... Though, her step-sisters apologize to her finally for being mean unlike her step-mom... which turn out to be a good thing they even gave her a present earring which was something her and her father was planning to do for her birthday before he died.
I hated how her stepmom tried to blame for her father died. I'm like the nerve of that lady to say such a thing. When Ella was only ten at the time, plus; I was glad she made friends with Rey, Selena, and Harper; and finally Tori who took up for her a lot during and after the prom. When her stepsister reunion her dress I figured it was Tori who given the dress to Ella that’s what a good person do for someone. I figure that Tori wasn’t as bad as she may seem she just needed to come around.
Not only that I was glad that Ella and Jesse finally meet, but I also figured that it had to be one of the guys in her class. It only talked about her maths class the most and whatever other class that I don’t care to remember the name. I always said though; some popular people are mean not all are cruel individuals it’s just the haters and people who are jealous who pick on those who are different than them. I was glad that Ella found that Will and that letter from her father and ended up removing herself from her evil stepmom clutches.... glad for that happy ending and this book was a 5-star rating...
August 28, 2018
If you've seen "A Cinderella story" you've pretty much read this book. It was one of my favourite movies growing up, so I didn't really mind it, and I'm such a sucker for a Cinderella retelling... The plot is basically that movie plus The sisterhood of the traveling pants. Some characters even are alike. The basketball player character was a bit "missing", I would have liked to read more of him, we didn't get to know him. I hope that in the next one he gets more background (I know the next book is about Tori but it would be nice to keep learning about everyone). The whole book seems a bit rushed, like it's all fast-forward and you can't fully enjoy it.
Also,
Also,
August 16, 2018
Cute read, obviously rather predictable, but I liked the characterization and the changes the author made from "A Cinderella Story", which seems to have been a very close model for this book (as in to say, the likeness is striking). Feels like watching a teenie movie and does entertain you perfectly. I found myself quite unwilling to stop reading, when real life asked me to.
March 31, 2020
this was so fucking adorable omg
June 27, 2022
Baller929 went to Westwood High School? My phone fell from my hands. This was impossible.
Super cute! This story reminded me in many ways of the movie A Cinderella Story with Hillary Duff and Chad Michael Murray. There are also many ways that it’s not the same. But we have Ella who lost her dad on her eleventh birthday. From then on she lived with her stepmother and two stepsisters.
One day while volunteering to help students with homework over the student server, she helped Baller929 who was then Baller23. Since that day the two became close friends.
Again super cute YA. It’s almost puke adorable if you catch my drift. I’ll put the second book on my TBR list.
Super cute! This story reminded me in many ways of the movie A Cinderella Story with Hillary Duff and Chad Michael Murray. There are also many ways that it’s not the same. But we have Ella who lost her dad on her eleventh birthday. From then on she lived with her stepmother and two stepsisters.
One day while volunteering to help students with homework over the student server, she helped Baller929 who was then Baller23. Since that day the two became close friends.
Again super cute YA. It’s almost puke adorable if you catch my drift. I’ll put the second book on my TBR list.
November 3, 2020
It's a bit hard to rate this book. It's not the best I've read this year, not by far, and my copy has A LOT of mistakes like it hasn't been properly edited (e.g. "...your them"), which really sets my teeth on edge. There are also some contextual inconsistencies. However, it was enjoyable and a good past-time and I did always like Cinderella re-tellings for one reason or another, so this was fun.
Read if you want a light, no-brainer Cinderella re-telling set in a modern-day American high-school.
Read if you want a light, no-brainer Cinderella re-telling set in a modern-day American high-school.
July 13, 2019
My Rating : 3.5🌟
March 22, 2020
A lot of spelling, grammar and editing errors, but it was exactly the kind of read I needed right now!
March 12, 2024
This was so cute!! A cute short little read
Read
May 4, 2018G-rated young adult novel.
June 29, 2018
This book was impossible to put down! I loved this fun Cinderella retelling. The characters felt real and Yesenia did a great job following the classic fairytale which still adding her own fresh twist.
October 28, 2018
Cute, but meh.
January 29, 2019
I love Cinderella storylines and the story was kind of cute but sounded way too much like the movies. Also the typos and grammar wasn’t the greatest.
June 7, 2021
cute but forgettable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 387 reviews