This book resembles a Cinderella re-telling and it tells the story of a girl called Elle, she considers herself the biggest Starfield fan, she has her own blog and she wants to go to ExcelsiCon and enter the cosplay contest on the other hand we have Darien, the guy meant to play the main lead in the upcoming Starfield movie adaptation, he isn’t very comfortable with going to cons and he know the hardcore fans don’t think he will do a good job as Carmindor.

The way these two complemented each other and supported one another through some really heavy situations was very sweet and cute, I was frustrated at times by their insecurities but I guess we all go through some of that growing up (and even when you are grown up).

The book was really good, it had some pretty cool plot twists that only added to my excitement and investment in the book, I liked some side characters a lot and I hoped we got to see more of them and we kind of did. The writing was perfect for this book, fun and light at times and thoughtful and sentimental at others.

Elle Wittimer is a fandom geek. More specifically, a Starfield geek. Her father founded a convention dedicated it it, so she grew up in the fandom naturally. Until her father died, leaving Elle with her stepmonster and twin stepsisters.



While Geekerella is a modern retake on Cinderella, it's also put an entire new spin on the story. We've got a self rescuing princess, a prince who isn't completely confident in himself, a fairy godmother who drives a food truck, and only one charming animal companion for our princess.



When Elle learns that the Starfield movie is going to star Darien Freeman, she's understandable upset. Why cast a teen heartthrob as the captain of the Prospero? Especially when he isn't even a fan. How can he possibly do justice to Prince Carmindor?



Darien is nervous and excited. He's just been cast in the role of a lifetime, Prince Carmindor of Starfield. How could a fan get a bigger role of his dreams? Now he just has to prove to all the doubters that he can be Carmindor, not just play him.



After a text to the wrong number for ExcelsiCon, Elle and Darien strike up a conversation that blooms into something more. The anonymity of the internet worked in their favor this time, allowing to people to form a connection that would never have happened otherwise. And while there are some serious obstacles in the way, Elle and Darien, as their anonymous alter-egos try to let that connection grow.



Geekerella flips back and forth between the perspectives of Ella and Darien, and with each chapter marked as to who is talking, it's very easy to follow. The flow is great between the chapters, and it's incredibly easy to read. The twists and turns are fairly predictable, it is a story we know by heart after all. But there are some charming twists on the familiar details that make it fresh, and relevant in the age of the internet.



A huge part of Geekerella is the con and fandoms. ExcelsiCon may have started for fans of Starfield, but as many cons do, it's grown to embrace geeks of all stripes. And being reminded at a few spots during the book that fandoms really are all interconnected was beautiful. And while there may not be a Happily Ever After, there is a (mostly) Happily Ever Now.



Look to the stars. Aim. Ignite

One of my ultimate favorite fairy tales has always been Cinderella, there is just something so special about someone from rags to riches, the struggle they go through, the drama they overcome. Ashley Poston did a wonderful job with Geekerella in showcasing this beautiful fairy tale in the best way, and a unique theme.

We’ve all at one point in our lives been a fangirl or fanboy about something or someone, and for Elle it’s all about Starfield. It was something special that she shared with her father, so of course she will hold it near and dear to her. Her connection is very strong and of course her stepmother, let’s call her evil, doesn’t understand that connection and will always try and deter her from it. But after finding some cosplay outfits in the closet, and with the remake of Starfield coming out soon she couldn’t help but get even deeper into this culture.

Speaking of remakes, that’s where we meet Darien, who is starring in the new remake. Think dark, sexy and so not right for the part in some people’s eyes. But still he tries, it’s his fanboy thing, he’s always adored Starfield. But let’s not get too much into the story after all you have to read it.

I really enjoyed their interactions, its Cinderella in the modern times through text. There were a lot of the best parts of Cinderella in this story and it just made me love this book that much more! I think Elle was a great character, she had some struggles but in the end, when she finally let people into her life, she realized just how strong she could be. I sympathized with her throughout the book, and her new friend Sage, she was just a kick ass girl too.

Darien, he too had his own struggles, sure we know that the guys in fairy tales have problems but you never really dive into them too much and I loved that we really got to see this story from both points of view. Sometimes the hero’s and love interest in books also have things going on, struggles they are trying to deal with, backstabbers and liars they have to go through before they can get the girl.

I loved the plot, I can’t really express that enough and once you start reading you just can’t put it down. You keep thinking about it throughout your day like yes I completely understand girl, and yes I too feel the same way sometimes. I don’t know why but by the end of the book I was like revenge of the nerds and Cinderella had a baby and this is it, but so much more. I always go to revenge of the nerds when geek is such a strong theme.

This was a too cute book, and you need to go read this. You will get sucked in and wish that you too could see Starfield and get educated on it. The cover is very cute and simple, love that the food truck is a pumpkin. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone.

What an absolutely brilliant modern day version of Cinderella for grown ups! I loved reading this fun remake of the fairy tale. Elle Wittimer lives with her step mother and twin step sisters following the untimely death of her beloved parents. Her Dad was a huge fan of the classic television series, Starfield, so much so that he and Elle’s Mum were the instigators of the ExcelsiCon, a convention for fans. Elle still loves the series and regularly watches re-runs (when she can escape the attentions of her step-family) and has created a fan blog about the series. When news of a movie remake of the series is publicised and it is said to star teen actor Darien Freeman, Elle blogs her negative opinions - and these are viewed and shared by millions. She’s astounded as she wasn't convinced many people actually read it. Little did she know but one of her readers is Darien, another Starfield geek!

Darien used to attend cons before becoming a famous star actor. He’s worried about his latest role, hoping he can do justice to the series he loves but certainly not happy to discover he’s also meant to be attending ExcelsiCon, something he hasn’t agreed to do. He tries to phone the organiser but rings Elle instead. This starts an exchange of Starfield themed texts. As their exchanges geek along, the two grow closer. However, with her stepmother so against the convention and him hiding his true identity, will they ever get to meet?

If you’re a nerd about any science fiction television of film series (yes, guilty - though not as much as my daughter . . . she learnt from me and took it even further) I suspect that, whatever you age, you’ll also love this story. It has an appetising mix of fandom, fairy tale and fun with a great range characters. Sage has to be one of my favourites, but there are many twists and surprises along the way. It is a brilliant modern take on Cinderella and is definitely going to be one of those rare stories that I know I’ll re-read and keep on laughing out loud at some of the antics, action and activities as it progresses. I have no hesitation in highly recommending this to anyone looking for an engaging, fun(ny) fairytale with contemporary, charismatic characters, a well-crafted story and (only after lots of problems including a lost glass slipper) the happy ever after required for the main characters!

Look to the stars. Aim. Ignite!

I requested and received a copy of this story via NetGalley and this is my honest review after reading it. I am so glad I spotted this book - it will definitely be one of my best reads for 2017 - Fandoms rule!

The story of Geekerella follows two protagonists, the first being Elle Wittimer who’s a diehard Starfield fan that lives with her stepmother and two stepsisters after tragically losing her father in an accident. The one season long TV-show Starfield was the fandom that she shared with her father and after his passing she doesn’t falter in her devotion to him or the show. She’s an avid blogger and now that Starfield’s getting rebooted as a movie she’s got ample ammo to use in her posts.

The second protagonist is Darien Freeman, an actor that’s been employed to be the new version of the main character Federation Prince Carmindor in the reboot. He used to live for cons and especially everything Starfield, but since getting famous for being in another TV series and then getting drafted for this role.. Let’s just say that his living the fandom at cons have been severely limited since then. Being Carmindor in this new show is like a dream come true, but can he overcome the Starfield community’s scepticism and the media’s heartthrob labeling?

When Elle finds out about the cosplay contest being held at ExcelsiCon, at the con that her father helped get started no less, and with the hard to resist prize of tickets enabling her to get away from the stepmonsters, she decides to enter. There’s a bit of snag tough when her non-starfield stepsisters decides to enter too…

This retelling follows the pattern of Cinderellas tale but with refreshingly original content. It’s like a mix between Cinderella, Fangirl and something more. It’s wonderfully geeky with it’s own fandom and I thought it was such a cute read. Just call me a Stargunner now!

4 out of 5 stars!

After reading a mystery featuring a serial killer, I was looking for something a little lighter, and this book was a good choice.

The novel riffs on the Cinderella fairytale. Elle is the heroine, abused by her stepmother and stepsisters but sustained through her love for the sci-fi TV show Starfield, a love she shared with her much-missed father. Now they are remaking the series as a movie, and Elle can’t believe that they’ve cast the teenage star of a soapy TV show who is mostly adored for his looks (and abs) as the Federation prince at the center of the plot. She’s so upset that she puts up a post on her blog criticizing the casting—and then that post goes viral. Meanwhile, Damien, the actor cast as the prince, is also a huge fan of Starfield. He is both thrilled to be playing Prince Carmindor and scared that he won’t live up to the role, and that viral blog post does nothing to add to his confidence. When a phone call goes astray, Damien and Elle wind up flirting with each other through texts, each not knowing the identity of the other. They’re on a collision course, though, with each of them planning to attend ExcelsiCon, a con founded by Elle’s late father.

The story creatively incorporates many of the elements of the original Cinderella story. There’s even a glass slipper, in the form of the shoe that goes with Elle’s Starfield cosplay costume. My favorite bit was the bright orange vegan food truck standing in for Cinderella’s pumpkin coach—that amused me.

The incorporation of fandom and the con setting was also well done. I’m not a part of that scene, but I definitely appreciate it as a longtime fan of sci-fi and fantasy. (Doctor Who in particular.) Her description made me want to check out a con sometime, although I think I’ll leave the cosplay to others. (OK, maybe I’d wear a long striped scarf if I could find one.)

The one thing that bugged me about the book was that the angst was laid on a bit thick at times. Elle has had genuinely awful things happen to her, and she’s got the right to be sad about the deaths of her parents and her crappy stepfamily. Damien’s essentially got no parental support, so his life is no picnic, either. But there were a few too many, “Oh, woe is me, I’m no one, no one cares for me, and my existence is meaningless” moments for me. For example, Elle makes it sound like she has never in her life had a friend until she makes one in the course of the book. Never? No one? Not even when her dad was alive? That was just a little much for me.

Overly angsty moments aside, the book was pretty entertaining. If you like fairytale retellings and are looking for a quick and easy read, then this might be the book for you.

An eARC of this novel was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If you couldn't already tell from the title, Geekerella is a Cinderella retelling with nerdy twist. I really wasn't expecting to like this novel as much as a did, but who was I kidding? I'm a sucker for cinderella-story like plots. If you enjoy "Cinderella Story" movie franchise like me, I know for a fact you'll enjoy this.

This novel features a fandom that I completely wish was real and something I could be apart of. It's a sci-fi space show (similar to Star Trek, Star Wars, etc) called "Starfield." The more the two main characters geek about it the more I wish I could have seen this show and joined the fandom. The author grasped the life that is a fandom and incorporated it so well into the story & that's why Starfield felt like it could be real. I totally petition for this show to exist and for us to all go to ExcelsiCon. Also this book made me really want to go to a convention like this some day.

Another thing I enjoyed was the characters. Darien was so chill and down to earth and funny, I absolutely loved reading his chapters. I also liked how the author incorporated the message of teens getting to see themselves represented in media. Darien is an asian-american actor and he explained how watching the original Starfield when he was growing up made him happy because he got to see Carmindor, someone who looked like him, in a main role.

As for the other main character, Elle. I loved her fiery personality when it came out, but I also related a lot to her nerdy side. This book in general is a perfect nod to anyone who's ever been obsessed with a fandom and the characters are all easily relatable.

If you're looking for a quick, extremely fun and nerdy romance, I'd pick up Geekerella. I enjoyed this novel the whole way through and was glad I decided to pick it up, as I wasn't sure I was going to be able to get to it. Geekerella is out today everywhere so yay! Grab a copy!

Elle is a fangirl who is gaga over Starfield after sharing the love with her late father. She is less then trilled when she finds out that Darien Freeman is playing one of the main characters in a reboot and worried they might ruin and white wash everything shes come to love. Starfield was something she could escape into when she has to deal with her mother and messed up sisters. ExcelsiCon (Which was created by her father) is coming soon and is hosting a costume contest and Elle is on a mission to win it along with the prize using her fathers old costume.

I really had fun reading this book. In fact it pretty much took over my whole morning which oops I had things to do. I guess I'll have to get them done tomorrow. I found it so easy to get sucked into this book and it was so fun reading from the point of view of a fangirl like Elle. It was also interesting getting to see from Dariens voice and seeing what he is really like behind all that star glamour. I loved how the story played out and I love coming across retellings. Also loving that cover, at first if I'm honest the cover turned me off but when reading the description of the book I was curious. After reading the book I really appreciate that cover and loved how it perfectly suited the book. Overall a great book for you fangirls and boys out there, its such a fun book.

A sweet, funny and charming take on the classic Cinderella that perfectly entwines with geek culture.

I don’t know if you know this about me, but I am a huge fan of the Cinderella Story movies. The first one is one of my all time favourite chick flicks. Also, I am a massive geek. My ability to annoy people with the same topic (mostly a TV show/movie/actor/actress I can’t stop thinking about) is one of my best developed skills. That very same thing is also the reason I wasn’t very popular at school. Everything pop culture was always my jam, but unfortunately my fellow peers got very bored with my ramblings after a while. No one was ever truly mean to me, they all thought I was a nice girl, but we all know that “nice” can be an insult as well. It took me forever to come to terms with who I was and that I was awesome in my own right, I just had to find the right people to make my true geek-colors shine. This book just embodied all of that for me – that journey, the finding to one self, the friendships that can be found in fandoms and to be brave enough to stand up for what you believe in.

Elle is such a relatable girl to me. She’s passionate about a TV show, even if it hasn’t been on air for years, and she’s a blogger (SHE’S ONE OF US!). Generally she seemed like a good person and she didn’t deserve the treatment from her stepmonster/-sister. All she wanted was to cherish the memories of her parents and she wasn’t even allowed to do that. There were so many moments that made me really emotional. I was so glad when she finally stood up for herself, because she was so isolated and there’s only so much a person can take. I don’t know why I ever keep hoping for better reactions from the villains, but I guess I just don’t want to give up hope on them. Anyway, I was so happy when she found a great friend and unexpected allies along the way. Go Elle!



Darien was such a sweetheart even when he could be a silly dork sometimes. I liked that he was one of the biggest up and coming stars, but felt so utterly grounded most of the time. He just wanted to be a teenager and I think, he too, still needed to figure himself out (because sometimes he was acting immature). He is of Indian descent, but I didn’t feel like he was anywhere near as connected to that culture as he was to geekdom. Just like Elle, he struggled with his sense of family and I liked the idea of sometimes choosing your own family in the people you surround yourself with.

Everything just fit together perfectly in this book! The atmosphere felt authentically fangirlish and it was fun to have settings such as a convention and a movie set (although, as a film student, I know better than to believe that a big budget movie can be shot in 23 days. It takes 4-6 weeks minimum). The only reason that this isn’t a 5-star-book for me is because I found everything a bit predictable. It’s fairy tale re-telling, so that was to be expected and it didn’t take away anything from my enjoyment of the story. However, I also didn’t feel like it was something completely groundbreaking, so yeah, that’s why. I would still highly recommend it!

This book was everything I wanted it to be and so much more. It was fun and geeky and swoony and nostalgic all in one. Remember those feelings you got when you watched Cinderella dancing with the prince and nobody knew who she was but you just KNEW they were falling in love? And that feeling when you watched Han Solo and Princess Leia kiss that first time? And when Samwise carries Frodo up Mount Doom because he knows how important Frodo’s quest is and that he can’t do it on his own?! When Nickie goes to Terry’s apartment and then he suddenly realizes why she never showed up at the Empire State Building?! And when Kathleen Kelly sees Joe Fox walking toward her in the park and says “I hoped it would be you.”?!?!?! All of those feelings are in this book. I loved it so much.

This book is a tribute to fandoms and fangirls and fanboys. And I loved every minute of it. It reminds us that not only can TV shows and movies and books give us a community to belong to, they also teach us about what’s right and wrong. They connect us to people already close to us, like with Elle and her dad, but also bring together people who otherwise never would have met. They remind us that there are good things in the world even if it doesn’t seem like it in that moment. And they create memories that stay with us forever. Even if you never attend a Con or fandom event, those characters are important to us and their stories stay with us. And it’s nice to be reminded that the way we feel about our fandoms isn’t wrong or weird and that lots of people feel that way. And it’s totally okay and even good for us. Elle feels completely alone in her house with her stepmother and stepsisters, but the Starfield fandom brings her happiness and people who feel the same way and good memories of her parents. It’s hard to argue that something like that could be bad. Though her stepmother does try.

Secondly, this is an awesome modernized retelling of Cinderella. I’m not going to lie and say that I knew that way before reading it. Because I didn’t. I don’t know how that connection was completely lost on me but I think I got so excited about the geekiness of it all, the rest just didn’t even register. Plus, I never read synopses before reading a book, so I just didn’t know. But it’s clear very early on that it’s a retelling and it was very well done. It’s set in current time and does a great job of incorporating cell phones and texting and blogging and current issues teens deal with. I really loved the way this was modernized and how it didn’t feel like an adult just trying to figure out how kids talk and text and flirt online.

Also, I’m always a little worried when reading a book about a kid who’s famous or rich or privileged in ways they might not really know. I recently read a book where a kid became internet famous pretty much over night and it was just horrible. I felt nothing for the kid whenever he whined about stuff. There was just no depth. And this one the teen is starring in one of the biggest fandom remakes ever. And he stars on a popular teen show. So I was a little worried I’d be annoyed whenever he whined about his “perfect” life. But I actually found him very likable and down-to-earth. He had a few moments but overall he was a well-developed character that had honest worries about his abilities and fear about being able to trust people close to him. And I liked that he felt vulnerable, it made him more real and easier to sympathize with.

There are a few surprises thrown in this one. I hated the stepmother and stepsisters like always but there’s a fun twist in this one for them. I really was not expecting it but loved the moment it happened. Also, Sage was the best. Her friendship with Elle really completed the book and added in a lot of the fun scenes.

Overall, I highly recommend this book! Especially if you consider yourself a fangirl or fanboy. There’s so much love for fandoms in this one, you shouldn’t miss out. Also, if you love retellings, I definitely think this was a good one. It retained the overall feel and key points of the original story but modernized it in a way that made it a story all on its own. And lastly, if you just love YA contemporary romances, this one is so freaking cute, you’ll definitely want to read it. I found myself smiling at times at just how cute it was. There was so much going on, this book flew by but that didn’t in any way take away from the emotions or romance. Definitely put this book on your list and make sure you read it!

“Look to the stars. Aim. Ignite.”

Two words: Totally adorable. This is a fluffy and light retelling of Cinderella and I freaking adored it!

Elle Wittimer is such a relatable geek, I liked her immediately. Her favorite fandom is Starfield which appears to be a mix of Star Trek and Star Wars. She also has an own blog where she talks abouts Starfield. It is multiple times mentioned that she writes fanfiction and I would have loved to see more of that, maybe even an excerpt of one of her stories.

I also liked that Elle's stepsisters were not only the bad and mean guys (well, one of them at least) but I would have preferred that her stepmom had more background and depth, she was too one-dimensional for me. Elle's co-worker and friend Sage was definitely my favourite character in this book, she had a sick sassy attitude which was awesome.

Darien was a likeable guy but I couldn't fully connect with him throughout the book. This book does have insta-love in it, though a not too strong one but it was to be expected, so I did not mind it very much.

All in all, a loveable and heartwarming Cinderella retelling.

I didn't know what I was getting into when I started this book.
This is a must read for every Cinderella nut. This book isn't just a retelling but the story has more heart and soul than most retelling of Cinderella bring kids, teens and adults wonder emotions of their childhood.
I can't wait to read what is next for this talented author. My 8 year old daughter begged me every night to read more and more until we were finished in just a few days.

Thank you for the Advance Copy From Netgalley.

Any time I see something that is described as a retelling, I instantly add it to my TBR. Retellings are my jam and because of this, I will read any one that comes up. Doesn't stop me from saying that any form of Cinderella I'm wary about tho fo certain reasons. And this one was no better.
This modern re-telling of Cinderella starts with Elle who lives with... you got it, her evile stepmother and two stepsisters. She herself is a geek who lives for a show that she watched with her father, Starfield. She enters a cosplay contest that can land her a once in a lifetime opportunity. Then there's teen actor Darien Freeman who plays in the movie. People have said awful things about him, but they don't know the real him. But he only cares that one person does....
I'll admit.... I love re-tellings, but I don't really care for Cinderella ones. Why? Because as a character driven reader, everyone in the book except for usually three people make me want to punch their lights out. And this one was no different. I hated most of the people in this book for wha they did to her. And it sucked even more because since I knew Cinderella, I knew she wouldn't stand up to it. But I digress. Needless to say, Poston did a fantastic job in creating her cast of characters, because the more I knew them, the more I hated them.
As far as the re-telling, I LOVED it. She included all the right points and made them so modernized and geeky. There was the "Magic Pumpkin," the rushing home before midnight, and just everything, and I was all there for it. This will definitely be added to my list of favorite re-tellings.
And last but not least, there was Poston's writing style. I know this is a story I've read/ watched over and over again, but she still managed to make it her own. I haven't put off my homeowork for a full day to binge read a book in a long time, but this one made me. I couldn't put it down. I wanted to know how she changed things and what she wanted to keep the same. I couldn't wait to see how she chose to do the ending and it was eeverything I had hoped for.
This is a tried and true story, but the way it's told will make you forget the original story. With an amazing cast of characters so terrible you'll love to hate them, a re-tellings with all the right elements, all paired with an amazing writing style, this is one story you'll want to read again and again. Just like me.

This was everything my Cinderella-loving, geeky fandom heart wanted. Longer review to come! I will add a blog link when it goes live.

I absolutely adored this book. As soon as I finished it, I immediately began thinking about how much I wanted to see this in movie form. It was adorable, touching, and sweet as all get out. I love retellings, but still didn't expect to like a Cinderella retelling as much as I liked GEEKERELLA.

I completely adored this book!

The characters were engaging and relatable, even if one of them was a celebrity hotshot. Their voices across chapters came off amazingly well. The romance between Elle and Darrien was the sweetest thing, fueled with geeky goodness and genuine care of each other. The translation from fairy tale to this story is brilliant - something that sounded like a push to me came off flawlessly in the final piece.

Don't even get me started on Sage and Cal. I want a whole book dedicated to them together and being adorable.

This is definitely a book I'd buy when it's released because I just loved every moment of it.

Holy fangirling, Batman! I LOVED this book. It has everything I want in a story – it’s cute, funny, and well-written to boot. If you have been part of any fandom in the last 20 years, READ THIS BOOK. I’ve never read a book exactly like it, and yet part of it feels like coming home.

Full disclaimer here: I’m a fangirl. I spend a good 80% of my free time on the internet, immersed in pop culture and fandom. I have read fanfiction until the sun comes up, squealed over trailers with people from other continents, other timezones. In fandom, I found a diverse range of people who still find something in common. Never before have I read a book which captures this so well.

Geekerella is a love letter to fandom dressed up in a Cinderella dress. It hits all the notes of the retold fairytale, swapping the ball for a cosplay competition and the fairy godmother for a green-haired workmate with a knack for fashion design. Beyond that, it echoes You’ve Got Mail through anonymous text messages. Their public interactions even have shades of a gender-flipped Pride and Prejudice, with Darian proud of his nerdy background and Elle prejudiced against him for his soap opera beginnings and screaming fangirls. Neither character is perfect, but they learn and grow as the story goes on.

The rest of the characters are fully fleshed out, as well. Even Catherine, the evil stepmother, has a human side. Instead of some one-dimensional caricature, she comes across as a shallow woman with a deep resentment of the fan culture that makes up the backbone of the story. Not because she’s shallow, but because she feels her deceased husband loved it more than her.

Geekerella is also peppered with fandom references and outright name-dropping, from Lord of the Rings to Doctor Who – all the big name fandoms of the last 15 years save Harry Potter and Twilight (though the former gets a shout out in the acknowledgements – let’s hear it for AVPM!). They all feel natural, inserted with great care because the author loves them and not just the main characters do.

Elle’s final confrontation with Catherine also has a lovely monologue on the power of fandom, how it’s not the subject matter but the community that is built around it. There also is an awesome takedown of the ‘fake geek’ mindset and celebrity culture, and validation of all sorts of fans – even those who liked Val Kilmer’s Batman. The author gets it.

I could gush about this book for a lot longer. It’s not perfect – the story is mightily predictable and I sometimes wished both characters would stand up for themselves a little more – but I enjoyed every word. If fandom means anything, has ever meant anything, to you, go read Geekerella. Please.