Cover Image: Ella: An Amish Retelling of Cinderella

Ella: An Amish Retelling of Cinderella

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Member Reviews

Ella is basically a slave to her stepmother and stepsisters, until she meets handsome Hannes. A good retelling of the Cinderella story set in an Amish background, although got tired of the meanness after awhile. Would still recommend though, and of course loved the ending.

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I really enjoyed this book very much. Will recommend to others. I was hooked from the very beginning. I think the author did a great job writing this one.

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This is another great book by Sarah Price. She cleverly rewrites the Disney classics with an Amish twist. So fun to read.

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I am a huge fan of Sarah Price’s novels, and this one did not disappoint. I love how Sarah breathed life into a classic tale and made it realistic. I thought the characters and the setting were very authentic. This novel is a must-read and it shows why Sarah is one of my favorite authors.

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A wonderful retelling of Cinderella. The characters bring the story to life and you will love this book too.

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Ella: An Amish Retelling of Cinderella by Sarah Price
I read the Kindle edition provided by NetGalley.

Ella's father is a shopkeeper in town and Ella tends to all the household chores. A few years back Ella's mother died and it is now time for her father to remarry. Enter the widow Linda and her two very spoiled daughters. Ella gets through the days with advice from her mother and the Bible.

Yes, there is a handsome prince, of sorts!

I can't wait for you to read it!

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But the words seemed to repeat themselves, over and over again. Be kind. And good. God has a plan.

These are the words Ella lived by since her mother's death when she was young. Now that her father is ready to remarry, the words become a test to her faith and the promise she made to her mother. Ella strongly believes that breaking a promise is paramount to lying. Linda her new step mother along with Linda's daughter's Drusilla and Anna, is testing her faith. Life is manageable while her father is the head of the house, however, when he dies and leaves all that he has, his Amish store and house to his wife, Ella is at the mercy of her step mother and sisters. However, with them there is no mercy. Ella receives her strength from knowing God does have a plan.

With the store in crisis since Linda has taken over, a young man Amish is in town that has taken notice of Ella. He is a mystery with a secret. Ella welcomes his kindness and begins to hope again for a future.

So what does an Amish Cinderella look like? There are mice and pumpkins, foolish step mother and self-centered step sisters. Instead of a ball, a pie contest and instead of fairy god mother a pastor's wife that sees the truth. Bring these all together, you have a picture of God's goodness in all circumstances. One biblical application that I appreciated was one of the father and son. The father sent his son to do his business, but they did not accept the son. It was a subtle picture of what God does thru his son Jesus and how we without knowing it reject the son.

Loved every minute of it.

A Special Thank You to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

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An interesting take on what it would have been like if Cinderella were Amish. A nice clean romance that will stay with your even after its over.

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If you wanted to write a modern version of the Cinderella story from medieval Europe, where would you set it? What kind of girl could possibly put up with the bossy, skiving antics of the sisters and the dismissive, insulting manner of the stepmother. They would try the patience of a saint. Maybe this is why the Amish community is the background for this clever version, ELLA: AN AMISH RETELLING OF CINDERELLA.
Since we know the setup so well, no time is wasted in arranging a quick marriage between widow and widower, virtual strangers, each with a daughter or two. Ella Troyer lives in Echo Creek and bears rather more of her share of chores than she should, especially after her father dies. Her stepmother Linda and sisters take over running the general store, and Ella does cooking, washing, cleaning; the home skivvy work. This has an unexpected detrimental effect for the girls in the shop though; Drusilla and Anna can't sew or cook, so what good Amish man would be interested? Of course, the last thing they want is for Ella to wed. Then who would do the work? The tale is sweetly and smartly pieced together for us.
Of course, the Amish would not hold with princes and princely living. But nevertheless, the metaphorical clock is going to strike midnight... I had a good laugh.
I am delighted to see that author Sarah Price is next creating SADIE: AN AMISH RETELLING OF SNOW WHITE and has already written BELLE: AN AMISH RETELLING OF BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, all set around the same community. Sometimes the old stories really are the best. Grab a copy of ELLA, which is suitable for any age of romance reader, sit back and enjoy.

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I love a good fairy tale. and “Cinderella” has always been my favorite. But I have to admit that I think this may now be my very favorite version of that tale. Sarah Price has done an excellent job of setting this story in an Amish setting. I loved everything about this book. I laughed and sighed my way through the ending of the story when Ella finally gets her happily-ever-after with Hannes.

Ella is a perfect Cinderella. She’s a likeable, kind-hearted, and faithful young lady who trusts God through all her struggles. Although Hanes is not a “Prince”, he fits his role very well. They fit together perfectly and are believable as a couple.

Miriam, the deacon’s wife, takes her turn as a sprirted—and sneaky—fairy godmother. Linda is the standard cruel step-mother and there is not one likeable thing about her. And oh, those clueless, cruel, and prideful step-sisters! I’d love to tell you how this story ends, and what takes the place of the “glass slipper”, but that would be ruining your fun. I’ll give you a hint: It’s the perfect ending to an Amish fairytale. Sarah Price has another version of an Amish fairytale coming soon. If it’s as sweet as this one was, I don’t want to miss it.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review. This is my honest opinion about this book.

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The story of Cinderella is one we all know and could probably tell without problem. It’s the Amish element of this one that makes it interesting.

Ella Troyer lives with her stepmom and 2 stepsisters where she is treated like a maid moreso than a member of the family. Just like in the Rodgers & Hammerstein or Disney versions, Ella is made to clean and cook and wash while her stepsisters do nothing. Being that Ella is Amish and one of their highest beliefs is to respect one’s parents; Ella takes this abuse (which sometimes can be verbal) without rebuttal because to rebut would be to disrespect her stepmother.

A handsome stranger has come to town and has turned the heads of all the single girls, all except Ella, whom the stranger takes an immediate interest in.

A few long talks and a carefully planned scheme later, all is well! Ella’s married a wonderful man, her stepfamily has gotten what they deserve and life is grand.

I enjoyed the author’s take on this classic fairytale. By making it an Amish retelling, there were certain elements that had to be changed (the savior wasn’t a handsome prince, just a goodly man) but it worked out nonetheless. I also like how the author linked her upcoming story to the current one. I feel each of the stories could be read as a stand-alone but that little bit of background from the previous one is quite nice.

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I love all things Cinderella. I love clean Amish fiction. This book was written just for me but you will enjoy it too. It is a well written Amish take on a perfect classic tale. I loved it ! I was gifted a copy of this book through netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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Not sure how I managed to apply for this book as don't do religious books but I read it and actually enjoyed it

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What a delightful story! After the death of Ella's mother, her father brought home a woman and her two daughters telling Ella he had decided to remarry. As is Cinderella, the stepmother and stepsisters were unkind to Ella. This increased tremendously after her father's passing. Ella, remembering her mother's final words to her to 'be good and kind, for the Lord has a plan for your life.' This is how Ella coped with her life. Ella is not allowed to have a social life, for she must complete her daily list of chores given to her by her stepmother, Linda, while her stepsisters, Drusilla and Anna, are allowed to be lazy and have lots of fun.
Then, one Sunday, there is a stranger at Church. A good looking young adult man, Hannes. He noticed Ella and her lovely singing to God and hoped to see her again.
A nice little twist to the story brought to my remembrance a plaque in my granny's house, that said, 'Cooking is the way to a man's heart.' You will have to read the book to know what I mean by that! Highly recommend this book!
Wonderful 'fairy tale' ending!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Kensington through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Excellent story by Sarah Price. Sorry to say I loved Sarah's version of Cinderella better. She had my attention on every page with wanting to know what was going to happen next. Plus her story was more realistic, because of being based on real life happenings. I look forward to reading more books by Sarah Price in the future.

I received an advance copy through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and no money exchanged.

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Love this book!! I know it is another retelling of a classic, but it is wonderful. It is well done and really a beautiful story. There is enough new elements to keep me interested at least. I enjoyed this book and recommend it.

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I absolutely loved Ella! This is the second book in Price's, An Amish Fairytale series and both books have been so good. Price takes the well known Fairy tale, Cinderella, and remakes it into an Amish book, and she does it so well.

Ella tells the story of Ella Troyer. Her father, a store owner, has died and Ella resides with her stepmother and her stepsisters. Ella ends up doing all of the chores. She is not treated kindly at all. She sits back and watches her stepsisters get to enjoy youth singings and other events, while she is at home. She has not had the opportunity to be courted because she is never out in the community. Ella's stepmother is also doing a terrible job of running the family store and now the family finds themselves in financial trouble. The answer to the family's financial trouble may be to partner with another Amish business owner. When an Amish man mysteriously appears and is immediately drawn to Ella, he begins to show her kindness that she has not known since her father. The more the two spend time together, the more they realize they have deep feelings for one another. But God is working behind the scenes in this story and things are not always what they appear.

The book is so good and the ending is just perfect.

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Ella has not had it easy since her father died unexpectedly and left her alone with her stepmother and two stepsisters. She has had to do whatever her stepsisters did not want to do which is everything from cooking, cleaning and working in the family store. Her stepmother lets the girls get away with everything while making Ella look and feel as if she is worthless. An unfortunate event has plagued the family and something must be done to save the family store. When a young man starts visiting Echo Creek for his father another store owner life gets interesting for all. Will this be Ella's chance to shine?

Sarah Price has done a wonderful job in the retelling of Cinderella through an Amish perspective. It makes it very fun and interesting. My favorite line in the story is Ella's mother's final words, “Be kind and have faith.” What a powerful line. I have found myself repeating that many times since I have finished the book.

This book is great for teenage readers (and adults) who want to read a clean romance without the crude sex scenes and unneeded obscene language that is finding its way into young adult books.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Books through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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Ella is a fun, quick read that transports the reader into an Amish tale that incorporates all of the expected components and characters of the Cinderella fairytale, though not always in an expected way. Her stepmother is appropriately capriciously cruel and her step-sisters vain and lazy, and there just happen to be some mice in the cellar.

Ella herself is a lovely version of Cinderella, putting up with the demands of her stepmother and step-sisters as she keeps in mind her mother's dying words, that she be good and kind to all and that God has a plan for her. Though her wish to be helpful and kind is taken advantage of, she has her small rebellions (see mention of mice above) but remains respectful and hard working, which doesn't go unnoticed by a a select few members of her community. And the introduction of Hannes, the "handsome prince" role of the piece, as a potential business partner for Ella's stepmother and object of her step-sisters' marital machinations, is quite fun. As he attempts to get to know Ella and assures her that everything is not always what it seems, Hannes is quite, well, charming.

But what, you might think, about the ball? I'll just say that I loved how the author turned this aspect, as well as how Ella gets to the event, into a believable and pivotal part of the story. I do think the discovery of a trunk was a missed opportunity, though there is no telling whether it will play into a future story. I was hopeful that a will would be discovered inside, but that would have moved the story in another direction and I quite like how everything worked together to give a satisfying ending in keeping with the fairytale.

I was unsure of what an Amish retelling of Cinderella would be like, but I was quickly pulled in to the story and I found myself happily reading it in one sitting. This is a delightful fairytale retelling that will lend itself to rereads, and the mentions of Ella's friends Belle (Beauty) and Sadie (Snow White) have me wanting to read the previous and upcoming books in this Amish Fairytale series.

Recommended for those who enjoy Amish novels, fairytale retellings with a faith element, or just a fun and enchanting read.

This review refers to an e-galley copy read courtesy of the publisher, through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

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This is a delightful book. The last words Ella’s mother gave her were to always be good and kind. Ella strives to follow her mom’s advice, but her stepmother and stepsisters take full advantage of her. Little happiness remains in her life until she meets Hannes
The stepsisters are outrageous do-nothings whose prospects for succeeding in life are zilch, but they can’t see that. The stepmother totally lacks business sense regarding the general store established by Ella’s father, and her cluelessness about her lazy daughters is priceless. Their come-uppance is ever so satisfying.
Sarah Price has written a clever Amish fairytale.

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