Cinder & Ella by Kelly Oram

Synopsis: It’s been almost a year since eighteen-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.
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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.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1PeEYII

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22724488-cinder-ella

5 Stars!!!!!

OMG, you guys!  This book was so fecking delicious!  I ate it all up so fast!  I just want to scream at strangers, “YOU ALL NEED TO READ THIS BOOK NOW! NOW I SAY!”

I really liked how real it was with regards to her accident and working through all of her problems both physically and emotionally.  It showed more than just her side, it showed her sisters side too, giving a great contrasting element to Ella’s POV. It was interesting to see the changes that occurred in her as time progressed.

I liked all the issues that it touched on.  Societies idea of beauty, bullying, dealing with someone who may be suicidal.  It wasn’t superficial at all.  I felt her helplessnesss, her hopelessness and her anger toward her father.  The bullying she had to deal with. The pain she felt going through the physical therapy. There was a lot of pain in this book, a lot of pain.

The author’s references to other books and movies were both mainstream and classic.  Great nod to Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, two of my favorite high fantasy authors. And OUAT, one of my favorite shows!   It added a nice layer to the background.  There was also some pretty good diversity in the book.  Her Chilean background was a prominent point in the book with relating to food and language. I really want that recipe!  The two dads as well represented more diverse family units than I usually see in a book as well.

Okay, my favorite part!  Location 3689 people, that scene is the bestest!  I’m leaving it at that.  Muhahahahahahahah.