Kay gives a wonderful voice to the YA in me…I am left with  my own memories of school, and boys…. and how we all just wanted to fit in somewhere… ~ Sheila

What’s a girl to do when the glass slipper fits, but she doesn’t want to wear it anymore?

Sixteen-year-old Jess Parker survives by staying invisible. Then she gets the chance of a lifetime: an invitation to join the Cinderella Society, a secret club of some of the most popular girls in school, where makeovers are the first order of official business. Catching the eye of her popular crush, and with a chance to finally fit in, Jess feels like she’s found her fairy tale.

Until the Wickeds – led by Jess’s archenemy – begin targeting innocent girls, and Jess learns that there’s more to being a Cindy than reinventing yourself from the outside. She’s become part of a battle for good vs. evil, and now the Cindys need Jess on special assignment. Is honouring her new sisterhood worth destroying her dream life?

My Thoughts…

Where do I begin? I picked up Kay’s book wondering what this book would be about… a coming of age story?  Ugly duckling to swan?  No – I found out quickly that this was a different story… a story of acceptance in a school where you are the new kid…. a story of those high school years where everything is a big deal (or at least as teens you tend to think it is) prestige, parents, clothing, and of course who you hang out with.  A story with another story inside it,one that goes back 100+ years… a story of a group of strong women with *Power *Personality *Appearance *Strength ... a secret society called The Cinderella Society.

I immediately took to the main character of Jess…. trying to be strong and fit in, I think I could sense a little bit of me in this character when I was that age.  Jess and I?  Yeah… we bonded.  Jess is a wonderful character who is a typical teenager, trying to fit into her new school and trying not to be embarrassed by a very pregnant mother who Jess feels relies on her too much.   Jess has  decided that it is too late for a “mother/daughter bonding” at this point.  No matter how hard her mom may try.

And what is a book without a villain… or in this case, a wicked?  Lexy is Jess’s arch enemy.  Ever since Jess won the spot on the cheerleader squad over Lexy it has been a battle.  Lexy is after Jess and works hard to make her look stupid at every opportunity from spilling coffee drinks on her to starting hurtful rumors….  As Jess works to counteract each blow, you wonder what is the story behind Lexy’s anger?

This is one of those books that I am so excited about having this opportunity to read and want to share so much of it with you !  About the secret society (Oh yes my friends – it is that cool!) about the hot guy (what YA book would be complete without him?) and about the friendships we make through those years while we are molding into who we will become… and probably more importantly, the friendships that survive those years, the good ones… that make it through because we all know… those are the true ones. (Yes – that is an intentional run on sentence!) Yet, I don’t want to give away too much so I am going to encourage you to seriously consider this book to go on your own TBR lists for yourself or the YA in your life….. because she is going to thank you for it!

Let’s Talk about Kay Cassidy…

Kay Cassidy is the author of teen fiction she wishes was based on her real life. Her debut novel, THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY, won the 2008 Golden Heart award in the Young Adult category.  In her life B.W. (Before Writing), Kay was an award-winning professional trainer and now enjoys giving energizing motivational talks to young people around the country.

Kay is a former cheerleader and sorority girl, an M.B.A. and a member of Mensa. She thinks it’s comical when people are surprised to discover those things aren’t mutually exclusive. When not writing, Kay enjoys tennis, yoga, movies and reading.

On a personal note…I discovered Kay a couple months ago online at her blog You 2.0.  Kay’s blog is an active one!  She is always interviewing YA authors and having great contests and tips for YA authors.  It was through her blog that I won this book and now that I have read it I am beyond excited to read the sequel that she is currently putting the finishing touches on.

My Amazon Rating

I received this book from an online contest at Kay Cassdiy’s blog You 2.0

I would rate this book PG