Ella's Will

by Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee

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Will Hawkins is just a simple stable boy. How can he ever hope to woo Ella, his once-wealthy childhood friend who is stubbornly independent, especially when his competition is the prince? Without any magic or fairy godmothers, Will must show Ella that he is her true prince charming in this perspective twist of the Cinderella story.

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Book Details

Genre

Historical Romance

Subgenre

Fairytale, Royal

Series

Ella Series • Book 2

Audience

Young Adult

Bell Peppers

🫑

Profanity

1 None

Violence

2 Mild

Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco

2 Mild

Publication Date

September 13, 2016

Language Versions

English

Fiction Form

Novel

Sensitive Themes

Abuse (physical, emotional, or verbal), Bullying or humiliation, Child abuse/endangerment, Chronic or terminal illness, Domestic violence, Grief or loss of a loved one, Power-imbalance relationships (e.g., teacher/student, boss/employee)

Representation

Depictions of prayer, worship, or scripture

Editorial Reviews

"This book was a hard book to read, mainly because my teenage twins kept STEALING it from me. They were totally ga-ga over it, and every time I would ask them about it they would put their hands on their hearts and swoon. Once I had my chance to read the book I could see why. This is definitely a book to savor, with a hero that is worthy of adoration. Not the kind of adoration that teenagers give to bare-chested men or icy cold vampires, but for a man who works hard, who is filled with compassion, and who is utterly selfless...THAT is a man I don't mind my daughters swooning over! It is filled with great wisdom, humor and witty one-liners ("no one should be allowed to have dimples AND money"). The author has an elegant style of writing that, from the very beginning, reassures you that you are in the good hands of a gifted storyteller.

As you might know, this book is the companion book to Ella, a Cinderella story more about the heroine's pluck, determination and compassion than about magic and fairies. It is an empowering story for young women! And this is its perfect partner. The books fit hand in hand. This story is about Will, the young man who is in love with Ella. (Can you think of anything more devastating than being in love with the girl whom everyone knows will end up with the prince?) It is about his internal struggle between wanting Ella for himself (even though he has nothing to offer her) and wanting her to have the opportunity to make a dramatic improvement to her life (going to the ball, marrying the prince, becoming queen). The journey he takes is sometimes agonizing, for you feel Will's pain as he lets Ella go, but the ending is wonderfully satisfying. It is an exquisite tale about the power of selfless love."

Chelsea Dyreng

"This is hands down the best Cinderella retelling I have ever read! The twist to it is genius! The main characters were so selfless that I cried my eyes out over them!

I thought this would be a love triangle, but it’s not. You know how stories go where boy meets girl they fall in love but something happens that they have a falling out and then get back together? That is not how this book works. Ella and Will are two people who are selfless and sacrificing for each other. Will has known Ella since her father took him in and treated him like a son instead of just a stable boy.

Ella has a wicked stepmother and has 2 rude stepsisters. Ella carries no anger but she is hurt over her treatment in her own home. She is very strong and independent. As she watches her step family run through the money and make her their servant, she stays there to take care of her home where her memories are still alive when her father was alive.

Will sees that she is independent. He wants to take her away but he has nothing to offer her except a home that is small and not well built and where he sleeps on a small cushioned bed on the floor and some horses.

So, when the prince returns and wants to take a commoner for a wife and choose her from a ball at the palace, Will knows the prince will fall for her and plans for her to go. He wants the prince to marry her so she can have a better life. But as the time gets closer, his moments of time with her become more difficult. He loves her and he is jealous. But he will do whatever will bring her happiness over the conditions she lives in.

If you love retellings, a Prince who is charming, horses, glass slippers, selflessness, sacrifices, broken hearts, and finding lasting love than this might be for you!"

Kelly

Great Book

I really like this book. I

Cinderella rewritten

The book is well written and engaging. However, I took off one star because I found Ella (Cinderella) far too goody-goody and sweet to be a believable character.

Must read for youth and their parents!

dearmandy1 said everything I wanted to say, but she said it much better than I would have said it.I do want to stress how much impact this book can have on youth, and even on adults. I was struck by how hardworking Ella was. She not only works hard, but she takes pride in doing a good job. That is just one positive character trait that can be emulated by the youth...and me:) She doesn't wallow in self-pity. I know that, not because the author says it in so many words, it is just how Ella is. And I know Ella. I feel everything she is feeling. I want to be like her. I want to deal with life the way she deals with life. It all seems so natural and right. This is the way Cinderella should have been originally, in my opinion.I could go on and on, but I want you to read the book. I want you to read the book with your daughters and granddaughters, and then talk about it. Share how you felt when Ella was disappointed, or ask your daughter what she would have done in a situation Ella had to deal with. Was this fair? Do you have things in your life that you think are not fair? How could you deal with that a different way? There are so many possibilities for sharing, growth and interaction if parents would read this exceptional book with their children.I think the book is wonderful! As a mother I can see the great teaching possibilities. You wouldn't have to say, "You know, you really would feel better if your room was clean." You can just ask, "Why do you think Ella chose to (whatever you want to use here), even when no one made her do it. That way Ella is teaching, you are just the facilitator. This book is so much more than just a great novel. I think it is a must read for youth and their parents.

Better than the traditional Cinderella

I loved this! I loved Ellas character and felt like had she been my neighbor we would have been the best of friends. and this love story that is different from the traditional Cinderella story was better than the traditional one, in my opinion. I've always thought the "i love you and want to marry you even though I just met you and don't really know you" is quite the shallow love story, but as a silly romantic, I don't let it bother me, but always loved beauty and the beast because they get to know each other and fall in love in the process. So this story, with the change in the love story, was a much sweeter one than the traditional one.Also, the writing flows really well. Sometimes when reading, it can be difficult to get into the story because the writing doesn't flow well, but I was immediately wrapped up in the story and had a hard time putting it down. Very well written!

The classic with a twist.

***4.5 stars***This is a sweet re-telling of Cinderella with a twist. I love the Cinderella story, but when an author can change it up a bit and add their own imagination to the story, it makes it new and exciting."Ella" is well written with great characters. I love how the story moves along without a boring moment. The pacing is wonderful. Ella has a great voice, I loved reading the book from her perspective. Will is the boy next door who has always been there to help and support her. Everyone needs a Will.This story has all the basics of the "Disney" story, but adds depth and a much stronger version in Ella.The book is clean with kissing and a bit of violence. Ella is beat on the hands with a stick in a few places. I would consider it a good fit for teens on up.