Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I would like to thank netgalley and Kindle Press for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a really clever twist on Cinderella were the so-called ugly sister gets to be the heroine of her own story. Set in high school Mattie has always has a crush on prince charming - Jake, but the only problem is he is dating her perfect stepsister (read Cinderella) Ella.
Some of it was a little cringy, but it was well written and entertaining. I managed to read it in one sitting. This edition has been re-edited and contains chapters at the end from Jake's POV, it also contains the first chapter of the next book in the series tentatively called promposal, I will certainly looking out for this.
This is a really clever twist on Cinderella were the so-called ugly sister gets to be the heroine of her own story. Set in high school Mattie has always has a crush on prince charming - Jake, but the only problem is he is dating her perfect stepsister (read Cinderella) Ella.
Some of it was a little cringy, but it was well written and entertaining. I managed to read it in one sitting. This edition has been re-edited and contains chapters at the end from Jake's POV, it also contains the first chapter of the next book in the series tentatively called promposal, I will certainly looking out for this.
“I sighed, because that's what unrequited love made you do. Sigh with self-pity.”
This was really cute. I never thought I could enjoy YA again but this book made a liar out of me. This a quick, light, and easy to read. Very funny. But very YA. Yup. Shocker, right?
The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back, as the title suggest is Cinderella flipped on its head because instead of Cinderella being the heroine, it's actually the ugly step sister who is. Mattie Lowe is your quintessential, manga-loving, snarky, awkward high school girl who never fit in anywhere. Her awkwardness is confounded by the presence of her perfectly awesome step-sister Ella who can do no wrong. At first, I thought this was going to be about sister rivalry considering that Ella's boyfriend happens to be the only boy that Mattie has ever loved. But it wasn't that kind of story, it was so much better.
I loved Mattie. She's far from being a perfect heroine. She's a teenager, so she can be totally selfish, dramatic and self-absorb but her heart is in the right place. Her point of view is a hoot to read. The author totally nailed the insecure but snarky teenager voice.
"The awkwardness between us was so tangible it was like we had another person hanging out with us. Maybe I should ask Awkward if it wanted to go to the masquerade ball with me since lately, we seemed to be spending so much time together."
Sure, this was a bit predictable, in a John Hughes movie kind of way, but it's still funny and cute and totally perfect for the mood I was in. I liked the coming of age angle and the romance was totally sweet. And clean. Very clean. Nothing graphic which made this book totally safe to recommend to actual teenagers, which I'm totally not but heck yeah, I still enjoyed it. I'm babbling, but you guys know what I mean.
"There were no words to describe what that level of hope and excitement feels like. Which made me finally understand why they lived happily ever after in those fairytales. Because there was a lot of happy to be had with a boy who loved you and kissed you like nothing else in the world mattered."
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I admit it: I was hesitant about this book at first. While I love YA, generally, I've read a few fairytale-like stories (or retellings) that didn't go so well. But, the story sounded really cute and light, which was just what I needed, so I gave it a shot.
I'm a real pessimist when it comes to stories like this one. The quiet, artistic girl with a big love for John Hughes films, and the unrequited love of the hot jock guy. I keep waiting for the pig's blood scene from Carrie to happen again.Thankfully, it didn't happen in this story, even though I was certain it would at any moment, until the very last sentence.
I made it through this book in one day, and it was a fun read. I felt pretty bad for Mattie and how she viewed herself. I thought she was a little immature and annoying at first, to be honest, but I think her character really changed for the better by the end of the book.
I think my favorite thing about this book was how Sariah Wilson didn't try to retell the Cinderella story from the stepsister's POV, or stick to that theme completely. It's obvious that Cinderella was an inspiration, but this story really stands on its own.
I didn't absolutely love the story, but I thought it was a good read and I would definitely recommend it.
I admit it: I was hesitant about this book at first. While I love YA, generally, I've read a few fairytale-like stories (or retellings) that didn't go so well. But, the story sounded really cute and light, which was just what I needed, so I gave it a shot.
I'm a real pessimist when it comes to stories like this one. The quiet, artistic girl with a big love for John Hughes films, and the unrequited love of the hot jock guy. I keep waiting for the pig's blood scene from Carrie to happen again.
I made it through this book in one day, and it was a fun read. I felt pretty bad for Mattie and how she viewed herself. I thought she was a little immature and annoying at first, to be honest, but I think her character really changed for the better by the end of the book.
I think my favorite thing about this book was how Sariah Wilson didn't try to retell the Cinderella story from the stepsister's POV, or stick to that theme completely. It's obvious that Cinderella was an inspiration, but this story really stands on its own.
I didn't absolutely love the story, but I thought it was a good read and I would definitely recommend it.
Not bad. Reminds of all those '80s teenage movies I used to watch.
THE REVIEW
Why this book?
Seemed like a book for me
What I thought
OMG Mattie obsession with Jake had me rolling my eyes constantly, I was seriously embarrassed for her. Girl get a life! You have major problems. The secondhand embarrassment in this book was also too much, I wanted to scream! I was face palming like crazy! The only thing good about this book was Ella, I really liked her. The rest is just ridiculous!
Why this book?
Seemed like a book for me
What I thought
OMG Mattie obsession with Jake had me rolling my eyes constantly, I was seriously embarrassed for her. Girl get a life! You have major problems. The secondhand embarrassment in this book was also too much, I wanted to scream! I was face palming like crazy! The only thing good about this book was Ella, I really liked her. The rest is just ridiculous!