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agmaynard's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Lovely story of Henry, who feels he’s lost his chance at a true love and family, and Math who wants to find his HEA with a man, while struggling at supportive single parenting as his ex is gone for many months. Realistic small town feelings, mundane committee work, and the like. Warning for the rough patches faced by Nova, Math’s child, who’s *definitely* not a girl.
s4r1's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
commed's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
ajcousins's review
I'm a Ripper fangirl, and this book is right up my alley: characters with real problems, lots of anxiety, extended family/friend networks that work together to support each other, parents out of their depth but figuring it out, lots of UST (well, not really unresolved? Resolved in the back of a bar, lol, and then unresolved when they meet IRL again), good times.
Fairy Tales also does something you rarely see in romance novels: the first time these two get together, the sex is bad. And not, like, awkward but hot. It's just...not good. But because they *are* into each other outside of the bedroom, and because they see the potential (one guy more than the other, really), they keep at it. They keep getting to know each other, and figuring out what makes the other person tick, or freak out, or relax enough to have fun. And it's such a *real* thing, I just loved it.
Plus, if you've ever working in commercial real estate development or small town government, everything about the setting/background of this book will make you nod your head in recognition, while eye rolling or sighing or laughing at how frigging true it is. :) Enjoy!
Fairy Tales also does something you rarely see in romance novels: the first time these two get together, the sex is bad. And not, like, awkward but hot. It's just...not good. But because they *are* into each other outside of the bedroom, and because they see the potential (one guy more than the other, really), they keep at it. They keep getting to know each other, and figuring out what makes the other person tick, or freak out, or relax enough to have fun. And it's such a *real* thing, I just loved it.
Plus, if you've ever working in commercial real estate development or small town government, everything about the setting/background of this book will make you nod your head in recognition, while eye rolling or sighing or laughing at how frigging true it is. :) Enjoy!
rhodered's review
3.0
So much to like about this book, but I was never completely swept into it. The great stuff included
- a young trans child thoughtfully and interestingly rendered (not a moppet, her story was strong enough in fact to carry the book on its own if it had needed to)
- main characters all adulting in their 30s (yay no NA)
- great women, as well as heterosexual marriages (no mysoginy or anti-breeder sentiment)
- the best, happily divorced couple ever (no wounded ex-wives)
- little bits of real-life from sore stomachs due to overeating ice cream to the horrors of committee meetings
- some awkward sex - instead of only fictionally perfect sex - along with some awkward afterwards. Plus all sex served the plot or character growth, nothing solely there for the readers' entertainment or voyerism (which is a big pet peeve of mine.)
So, a heck of a lot of good stuff.
Why wasn't I completely swept off my feet? Part of it was the sheer metric ton of characters that got dumped into the first chapter or two. Townspeople, committee members, family members, past family members, coworkers, businesspeople.... I have a hard time with names anyway, so it was just too much for me. I couldn't relax into the story quickly with all these people and their relationships pelting at me.
Part of it was logistics. The town I think had only 5,000 residents, but was able to support what felt like an improbable number of businesses. I've lived in towns 4x that size that barely had that many places to eat. And I don't get how on earth Math will make a living there, or how the co-op makes enough money to support so many co-owners. Call me an economic cynic.
But most of all, I never understood what Math saw in Henry. Henry seems like a fine guy...but we don't see enough of him through Math's eyes to understand the attraction. Especially because he is such an anxious pain in the ass to woo. What makes him the one Math wants? I'm sure it must be more than proximity and slightly dominant kisses. So what is it?
- a young trans child thoughtfully and interestingly rendered (not a moppet, her story was strong enough in fact to carry the book on its own if it had needed to)
- main characters all adulting in their 30s (yay no NA)
- great women, as well as heterosexual marriages (no mysoginy or anti-breeder sentiment)
- the best, happily divorced couple ever (no wounded ex-wives)
- little bits of real-life from sore stomachs due to overeating ice cream to the horrors of committee meetings
- some awkward sex - instead of only fictionally perfect sex - along with some awkward afterwards. Plus all sex served the plot or character growth, nothing solely there for the readers' entertainment or voyerism (which is a big pet peeve of mine.)
So, a heck of a lot of good stuff.
Why wasn't I completely swept off my feet? Part of it was the sheer metric ton of characters that got dumped into the first chapter or two. Townspeople, committee members, family members, past family members, coworkers, businesspeople.... I have a hard time with names anyway, so it was just too much for me. I couldn't relax into the story quickly with all these people and their relationships pelting at me.
Part of it was logistics. The town I think had only 5,000 residents, but was able to support what felt like an improbable number of businesses. I've lived in towns 4x that size that barely had that many places to eat. And I don't get how on earth Math will make a living there, or how the co-op makes enough money to support so many co-owners. Call me an economic cynic.
But most of all, I never understood what Math saw in Henry. Henry seems like a fine guy...but we don't see enough of him through Math's eyes to understand the attraction. Especially because he is such an anxious pain in the ass to woo. What makes him the one Math wants? I'm sure it must be more than proximity and slightly dominant kisses. So what is it?
terriaminute's review
4.0
As is typical of Ripper's work, she handles serious topics like anxiety, depression, and trans issues with reassuringly straightforward delicacy. I found the end overly simple/stereotypical, but good nevertheless. It fit them.
ariadna's review
1.0
Actual rating is 1.5
I had snagged a copy of this book way back after I started reading Ripper’s books. Unfortch (for me), it was a massive disappointment. The chemistry between Henry and Math (which has to be the most pretentious name I’ve come across in a while) was not really there. As a result, the Enemies to Lovers push-and-pull that I tend to enjoy made me eyeroll.
Even more, Henry’s transphobia toward his own kid was annoying AF.
IIRC, I ended up finishing it only because I was BR with Elsa.
If/when you pick up this book (particularly if you’ve read other books by Ripper), I’d suggest to adjust your expectations. This one is a weaker entry. #YMMV
TL;DR: Given the lack of oomph between the MCs, the bisexual father’s transphobia toward his own child, and the enthusiastic descriptions of small town minutiae, I’m reluctant to recommend it. Maybe snag it if it goes on sale or if you can borrow it from the library?
I had snagged a copy of this book way back after I started reading Ripper’s books. Unfortch (for me), it was a massive disappointment. The chemistry between Henry and Math (which has to be the most pretentious name I’ve come across in a while) was not really there. As a result, the Enemies to Lovers push-and-pull that I tend to enjoy made me eyeroll.
Even more, Henry’s transphobia toward his own kid was annoying AF.
IIRC, I ended up finishing it only because I was BR with Elsa.
If/when you pick up this book (particularly if you’ve read other books by Ripper), I’d suggest to adjust your expectations. This one is a weaker entry. #YMMV
TL;DR: Given the lack of oomph between the MCs, the bisexual father’s transphobia toward his own child, and the enthusiastic descriptions of small town minutiae, I’m reluctant to recommend it. Maybe snag it if it goes on sale or if you can borrow it from the library?
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