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

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!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

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

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

A MUST READ!!!

I was looking for something different, and I am so flipping glad I took a chance on this book!

I am not a HUGE fan of YA, because usually there is just too much immature dramalama and it drives me nuts. But I am going to say it... This book had drama yes but in a way that flows with the book.

I was enthralled with Ella, and Cinder and their relationship. I didn’t want to stop listening at any point and I was even sorry when the book ended I wanted more, more, more.

It really is a twist on the Cinderella tale but in a completely fresh way. We really get to know the characters well and not just on the surface. This book reminds me of The Sea of Tranquility if anyone has read that YA novel you know what I mean by the depth of a YA book.

Ella has a lot of bad going for her but I loved her tenacity, is she broken down? Sure, but she doesn’t make it anyone’s fault when she could. I wouldn’t say she just takes it but she is coping the very best way she knows how.
I loved how she asks for help and picks herself up.

Cinder was delicious but it was more than that, you fall in love with his heart. His character is just one of those characters you want to keep for yourself. I am calling it he is my BOOK BOYFRIEND.. Back off Ladies :p

I loved the narration!! I don’t know what a Boston accent is but I would think Kirsten nailed it. Because it wasn’t on every word but it was there. I liked her male voice too... ;)

Also really wished this author had more audiobooks because I was going to go get more... :(

3 of 4 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

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!!!