If you wanted to write a modern version of the Cinderella story from medieval Europe, where would you set it? What kind of girl could possibly put up with the bossy, skiving antics of the sisters and the dismissive, insulting manner of the stepmother. They would try the patience of a saint. Maybe this is why the Amish community is the background for this clever version, ELLA: AN AMISH RETELLING OF CINDERELLA.

Since we know the setup so well, no time is wasted in arranging a quick marriage between widow and widower, virtual strangers, each with a daughter or two. Ella Troyer lives in Echo Creek and bears rather more of her share of chores than she should, especially after her father dies. Her stepmother Linda and sisters take over running the general store, and Ella does cooking, washing, cleaning; the home skivvy work. This has an unexpected detrimental effect for the girls in the shop though; Drusilla and Anna can't sew or cook, so what good Amish man would be interested? Of course, the last thing they want is for Ella to wed. Then who would do the work? The tale is sweetly and smartly pieced together for us.

Of course, the Amish would not hold with princes and princely living. But nevertheless, the metaphorical clock is going to strike midnight... I had a good laugh.

I am delighted to see that author Sarah Price is next creating SADIE: AN AMISH RETELLING OF SNOW WHITE and has already written BELLE: AN AMISH RETELLING OF BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, all set around the same community. Sometimes the old stories really are the best. Grab a copy of ELLA, which is suitable for any age of romance reader, sit back and enjoy.

Book Summary

In Sarah Price’s heartwarming Amish version of this best-loved fairytale, a hardworking, overlooked young woman is rewarded in unexpected ways . . .

“Be kind and have faith.” Ella Troyer strives to abide by her mother’s final words, although life in the small Amish town of Echo Creek isn’t always easy. Her new stepmother, Linda, treats her coldly, and her two stepsisters, Drusilla and Anna, delight in gossip and laziness. After her father’s death, Ella’s stepsisters are free to attend youth singings while Ella stays at home to manage the household chores, rarely seeing another soul. Until one day, while running an errand, she has a chance meeting with a young Amish man from a nearby town.

Drusilla and Anna are full of admiration for charming, affluent newcomer Johannes Wagler, and Linda hopes to ensnare him as a husband for one of her girls—while keeping Ella out of the way. As for Hannes, he longs to catch another glimpse of the mysterious young woman who can sing so sweetly and bake the most delicious pie he’s ever sampled. Now, with a little help from some unlikely sources, Ella dares to hope she might find her heart’s dearest wishes—for love, family, and a home of her own—coming true at last . . .