Cinder & Ella

By: Kelly Oram

Narrated by: Kirsten Leigh

Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's Summary

It's been almost a year since 18-year-old Ella Rodriguez was in a car accident that left her crippled, scarred, and without a mother. After a very difficult recovery, she's been uprooted across the country and forced into the custody of a father that abandoned her when she was a young child. If Ella wants to escape her father's home, and her awful new stepfamily, she must convince her doctors that she's capable, both physically and emotionally, of living on her own. The problem is, she's not ready yet. The only way she can think of to start healing is by reconnecting with the one person left in the world who's ever meant anything to her-her anonymous Internet best friend, Cinder.

Hollywood sensation Brian Oliver has a reputation for being trouble. There's major buzz around his performance in his upcoming film The Druid Prince, but his management team says he won't make the transition from teen heartthrob to serious A-list actor unless he can prove he's left his wild days behind and become a mature adult.

In order to douse the flames on Brian's bad-boy reputation, his management stages a fake engagement for him to his co-star Kaylee. Brian isn't thrilled with the arrangement - or his fake fiancée - but decides he'll suffer through it if it means he'll get an Oscar nomination. Then a surprise email from an old Internet friend changes everything.

©2014 Kelly Oram (P)2015 Kelly Oram

One of the Best YA retellings

One of the best audiobooks I've listened to this year. This book was all that. It was well written, with great characters. I appreciate that the characters were not ALL good or all bad, they were human with different emotions.

I think I took to Ella immediately because she was a lover of books and a blogger. That made me smile immediately. I could picture her hoarding ARCs and the whole interaction online. It made me think of goodreads.

Ella is so impressive as was Cinder (Brian Oliver). I really empathized wit Ella and what she had been through. I was mad at her father for a while, but I saw there was genuine effort to be better. The sisters were trying even though some of the comments were biting. Ella was highly sensitive, understandably so, so I could see where her step sister Juliet and step mother Jennifer were coming from.

I couldn't stop listening to this book as I was waiting for Ella to heal emotionally and physically. I wanted her to find that joy of life again. This book was truly a joy because the writing was so visceral and I was just entranced with the story. This is the best cinderella YA retellings I've read. I will definitely check out more work by this author.

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

If you're in the mood for a sweet YA fairy tale...

STORY (teen romance) - The main part of this story is set in Los Angeles in about 2014. The main characters are 18 and 21 throughout most of the story, so it is YA. Yeah, I admit it, I occasionally listen to YA romances. They're just so sweet and innocent, not full of sex like more adult romances (though I like those, too!) Anyway, this is kind of a modern-day twist on Cinderella. The story has some similarities and has the same fairy tale quality to it, but it's still quite different from the original.

The main female character is named Ella, and the male's internet name is Cinder. Ella has a stepmother and two mean twin stepsisters, but there is no prince, no ball, etc. Cinder and Ella meet on the internet. Ella's life is in total turmoil and Cinder is a heart-throb actor, but neither knows the other's true identity. There is some teenage drama and high school bullying, so you must be that age group or an adult who enjoys a trip down memory lane. I find YA to be refreshing occasionally, and this book does not disappoint. The whole book is a nice escape and the ending will make you swoon!!!

PERFORMANCE - The narrator does a pretty good job. Ella is from Boston, so the narrator tries to mimic that accent. I think natives from that area will probably cringe, as she forgets the accent sometimes, but she makes a good enough effort to please this Texas reviewer. She definitely remembered to say "ca" instead of "car."

OVERALL - The book stands alone. There is no sex, violence or cussing, so it's okay for teens or older. Definitely not for guys. Highly recommended if you think you'd like a sweet remake of a classic fairy tale!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Nice Twist on Cinderella fairytale

The story was touching and believable!I enjoyed how the character triumphed through psychological healing after tragedy.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Very nice YA happily-ever-after story

This is a nice twist on the common fairy tale story line. And it does, as it says, start with tragedy. But, although there is angst, embarrassment, anger and some real pain, there is no further real tragedy. That was nice. This story is about doing what is expected, or following your heart, about fear, and courage.

What makes this story interesting and a little different from other stories of lovers who meet online, is that there is a story within this story that becomes central to the romance. It is a creditable tale itself, and the discussion of it forms some of the most interesting portions of the book. Another interesting angle in these online Cinderella tales, is that rather than being creepy stalkers, the bloggers and followers seem to show their true inner selves. And yet there is still one fact that they hide.

The characters are deeper than those in typical fairy tales, and we get to look at the different personages' motivations. It is good to discover that when everyone is being a jerk, you probably are too! There is good discussion of how differing fears lead to people's misunderstood behaviors. It also seems that many people can be witchy! Some of the reactions and conversations may seem unbelievable, but these are kids. There are some truly wonderful characters here whom I would like to follow further!

The only thing I would have liked more of would be discussion of the reasons for Anastasia's cruelty. It was hinted at but never fully developed: she was afraid the dad would leave her as he had left Ella.

The narration is acceptable. Seems nobody told her the heroine is from Boston, so that accent didn't start up until several chapters in, and then intermittently. Otherwise the voicings were very good.

There's a good ending all around for all the good people, without a horrible ending for the witch!

A fine, light read for adults, and something more for teens to contemplate than just being saved by a prince.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

What a great book

I finish this book in one listen i love it got in to the book immediately you will love it too

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

To how good can it get?

I collect Cinderella stories. I seek creative and entertaining variants. I love the use of elements from the original story to create a new one that is somehow familiar. Cinder & Ella does not disappoint!

Kelly Oram has reached into our collective past and combined it with a believable present to create a story to which this romantic couldn't stop listening. She sucks you in immediately, makes you care about these characters, and gives you just enough predictability to make you comfortable yet curious to see if the story will really unfold as you believe it will. Don't worry, you'll be pleased either way. The writing is so fluent, the dialog so natural, and the situations so believable you'll be half way through before you realize you're hooked.

There is one flaw. It's not the story or the performance. The recording quality varies frequently. It's a bit distracting. Get past it. This book is worth your time.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

LOVED IT!

This story was so much better than the name may lead you to believe. I'm a sucker for a fairytale and this one far exceeded my expectations. I'm sure I'll listen/read this one again. And again.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Get your tissues ready!

This book was an amazing read! It will rip out your heart several times but eventually put in back together. Ella's story is heartbreaking and she has a rough journey but through it all, she has always had her internet best friend, Cinder. Although they don't know each others identities, they share a special bond and love for one another. I don't want to give away spoilers so I will just say that you have to read this! Cinder and Ella's story is very realistic, you will love some of the other characters in the book, and you will simply fall in love with Cinder and Ella!

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Who isn't a sucker for a Cinderella story?

What did you love best about Cinder & Ella?

I loved while this story was totally different from the fairy tale the author managed to keep some of the main elements. Such as the dress, something left behind, and something happening at the stroke of midnight.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Cinder & Ella?

There are so many. I think my favorite is when they finally meet and realize who the other is without being told.

What does Kirsten Leigh bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Kirsten Leigh when not trying to add the Boston, MA accent, brought her total enjoyment of reading the book into the story. I think she should have been allowed to let the accent go we all know regional accents are hard sometimes and just using it when Cider teased Ella about saying the word car would have been perfectly acceptable.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

All through the book Ella's ability to step away and see everyone point of view, to change her thinking as the story unfolded, and her ability to grow.

Any additional comments?

I very rarely review books but this one I found during the hidden gems sale and I just wanted to say the reviews of it are more than well earned! I totally enjoyed listening to this tale that was very well weaved by the writer!

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

The Blogger & The Hollywood Prince

A fun but not exactly fluffy YA Contemporary Re-telling.

BOOK DETAILS:
Cinder & Ella by Kelly Oram, read by Kirsten Leigh, published 2015 / Length: 10 hrs 10 min

SERIES INFO: This book is standalone, but Brian Oliver was mentioned in A is for Abstinence.

SUMMARY:
I have a confession, I have never wanted to marry a prince or an entertainment star (I don't even like my family to take my picture, and I'm too lazy to look good most days). I don't seek out Hollywood or rock star romances. But I do have a weakness for fairy tale retellings.

What draws me to this book is not Ella getting a Hollywood prince, but Ella reconnecting with her best friend - the guy who will always be there for her, no matter what.

CHARACTERS:
Ella(mara) Rodriguez: A beautiful but nerdy book blogger, what's not to like? She is passionate and incredibly strong. Although she has given in to despair in the past, totally understandably, she is still fighting for what she wants & needs.

Brian Oliver (aka Cinder): I'm not actually a fan of bad boy characters, and I have a real problem with a particular throw away statement Brian made that seems to blame his behavior on the inadequacies of all the other women he's been with. That said however, he does totally own and acknowledge the inappropriateness of his past actions. I believe that he really has overcome his past.

Ella & Cinder: Unlike many movie star romance couples, these two have been really good friends since before he hit the big time. They shared so many of the same interests, and their personalities were a really good match. One of the things I loved was how, when Ella became distressed, he Immediately drops the heartthrob persona and became a tender & caring best friend and true love. Even her other friends recognize how he feels about her.


"Cinder? That’s the guy who’s not your boyfriend, but texts you like a twelve-year-old girl experiencing her first crush?”


Vivian & Scotty are my favorites among the supporting cast. Scotty is Brian's long suffering assistant and steals every scene he's in.

PLOT:
The beginning sets the tone perfectly.

“The problem with fairy tales is that most of them begin with tragedy. I understand the reasoning behind it. No one likes a pampered heroine. A great character needs trials to overcome—experiences to give them depth, to make them vulnerable, relatable, and likable. Good characters need hardships to make them strong. The idea makes sense, but it still sucks if you’re the heroine.”


I am not a fan of books about bullying, so I struggled with those parts. But I love it when Ella finally lets loose at the guy who accidentally injured her.

This is a standalone book with a perfect fairy tale ending.

HIGHLIGHTS / CAUTIONS:

--Brian’s response to Vivian answering Ella’s phone and introducing herself as Ella’s best friend.
--Brian's understanding that, in a way, one of the things Ella lost was herself & her own body.
--Scotty going the 2nd mile (or 2nd hundred) in support of Ella.

I COULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT: Lots of swearing (but no F-words). / Quite a bit of sex-talk (but nothing explicit)

OTHER CAUTIONS(?): Ella's father left her mother for another woman, abandoning her in the process. / There is info about a couple who became pregnant before they were married. / One of the characters has 2 Dads, who appear in a couple of scenes (and wicked step sister Anastasia is nasty about it).

NARRATION:
Character voices differentiated = Yes, though sometimes not very strongly / Opposite sex voices acceptable = Yes / Accents = Ella's Boston accent is mostly very subtle except where directly mentioned in the book. I don't know what a Chilean accent sounds like, but this version didn't bother me / Phrasing, Pacing & Pronunciation = Good / Emoting = Good, I think she did an especially good job on the many moods and layers of Brian. She also did a truly horrible Kaylee (that's a compliment). / Speed = listened on 1.25, my usual, but it was a bit fast.

3 of 5 people found this review helpful

brilliant

loved this book had me hook from start to finish had me laughing,crying and happy... a well rounded book would definitely recommend

Cinder & Ella

Would you consider the audio edition of Cinder & Ella to be better than the print version?

I think so, but I don't know because I haven't read the book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ummm them all I think they all fit into the story.

Any additional comments?

Amazing book, it is a must read!!!