Just Ella

Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix

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It pained me to give this book only three stars because I love Margaret Peterson Haddix! This book just lacked the usual "POW!" that her other books have. I didn't hate this book, and still think it is worth reading, I just didn't enjoy it as much as I expected to. 

This book is a sweet and relateable story about a girl who gets stuck in the wrong situation and forced to be someone she isn't. Ella is chosen to be the Prince's future bride in the classic Cinderella story. She wows him at the ball and next thing you know she is swept off her feet and being changed from a peasant girl to a future queen. It doesn't take long for Ella to realize this isn't the life she wants and she finds herself drawn to her tutor, Jed who is unlike the selfish and boring prince in every way. Her goal now, is to find a way out but the Prince and those working for him refuse to let that happen in this Cinderella story gone wrong. 
 This is a unique and fun twist on the average happily ever after and is a fun and short read. My only criticism is that this story lacks the thrill I usually get from one of Haddix's books.