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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
3.5 stars - good
I'm really torn on how to rate this book. On the one hand, I really enjoyed reading it; on the other hand, I hated how it proceeded/ended. There was one line that made me snicker a bit, though, so I think 3.5 stars is about right for it.
The line that made me laugh (in a "hehehe" kind of way, lol) was on page 47 in Chapter Four. Katie is pondering the mysteries of having a fairy godmother and has this thought: "Of course, you'd probably have to make sure you got out of the meeting before the stroke of five, or else that Armani suit would turn into polyester separates from JCPenney and your high-end laptop with the killer presentation would revert to being an Etch-a-Sketch." *snicker*
Sadly, though, most of the rest of the book had me shaking my head. Sure, there were scenes and moments that I loved - namely those when Katie and Owen were on one of their dates (and Christmas with his foster parents was fun) - but for much of the rest of the book, it just seemed awkward.
Ethelinda, Katie's fairy godmother, was the primary culprit. I really didn't like her. Rather than trying to help and failing, she seemed to be actively sabotaging Katie's relationship with Owen. I really expected her to be working on the side of Phelan Idris. Ifelt cheated when it turned out that she truly was trying to help and failing. She truly did have the best intentions. But when her "best intentions" tried to tell Katie that maybe she's not the right sort of girl for Owen and Katie agreed... Well. Disappointed is one word for how I felt in that moment.
Then we have the ending, where Katiegoes into Merlin's office to talk with him about maybe she should resign and go home to Texas to get away from Owen. Merlin agreed (?!?!) that Katie was too big of a distraction for the oh-so-powerful Owen and that this sounded like a good idea. So then Katie goes to tell Owen she's leaving--he's in a meeting--and leaves him a note. A note!!! Then we have the final line in the book: "After all, we'd always have Manhattan." ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm really feeling quite mind-boggled. How could Katie be so dumb??? I'm so frustrated with her right now. It's probably a good thing that I don't yet have book four, as I need the time it will take to request it from the library (and for it to come in and be ready to check out) to calm down. *grrrrrrrr*
In any event, I did like this book, but I can't say I really enjoyed it. Because of the earlier-mentioned snickering, I think 3.5 "good" stars is representative of how this book was for me to read. And I suppose it's good that I don't rate it lower, since I do want to continue the series. Surely Owen won't be dumb like Katie andjust accept that she's gone. Surely he'll go after her or she'll return and they'll get back together. Surely . . . ???
ADDENDUM: I have one final thought to share: In the end, after the "big battle," Katie tells her roommates the truth about her job...about the fact that there's magic in the world. (Then not long after sheleaves New York *grrrrrr*) While I agreed that telling them was the right thing to do, this scene seemed very awkward and out-of-place. I think I read it with a sour expression on my face. :-(
In any event, 3.5 stars still is a good rating for how I feel about this book.
I'm really torn on how to rate this book. On the one hand, I really enjoyed reading it; on the other hand, I hated how it proceeded/ended. There was one line that made me snicker a bit, though, so I think 3.5 stars is about right for it.
The line that made me laugh (in a "hehehe" kind of way, lol) was on page 47 in Chapter Four. Katie is pondering the mysteries of having a fairy godmother and has this thought: "Of course, you'd probably have to make sure you got out of the meeting before the stroke of five, or else that Armani suit would turn into polyester separates from JCPenney and your high-end laptop with the killer presentation would revert to being an Etch-a-Sketch." *snicker*
Sadly, though, most of the rest of the book had me shaking my head. Sure, there were scenes and moments that I loved - namely those when Katie and Owen were on one of their dates (and Christmas with his foster parents was fun) - but for much of the rest of the book, it just seemed awkward.
Ethelinda, Katie's fairy godmother, was the primary culprit. I really didn't like her. Rather than trying to help and failing, she seemed to be actively sabotaging Katie's relationship with Owen. I really expected her to be working on the side of Phelan Idris. I
Then we have the ending, where Katie
I'm really feeling quite mind-boggled. How could Katie be so dumb??? I'm so frustrated with her right now. It's probably a good thing that I don't yet have book four, as I need the time it will take to request it from the library (and for it to come in and be ready to check out) to calm down. *grrrrrrrr*
In any event, I did like this book, but I can't say I really enjoyed it. Because of the earlier-mentioned snickering, I think 3.5 "good" stars is representative of how this book was for me to read. And I suppose it's good that I don't rate it lower, since I do want to continue the series. Surely Owen won't be dumb like Katie and
ADDENDUM: I have one final thought to share: In the end, after the "big battle," Katie tells her roommates the truth about her job...about the fact that there's magic in the world. (Then not long after she
In any event, 3.5 stars still is a good rating for how I feel about this book.
3.5 stars
These titles really make my life tbh. Damsels are way more often under stress than in distress; this speaks to my workaday soul. Damsel Under Stress is an especially good installment because there’s a lot of Owen. #priorities
Owen and Katie are officially dating. HUZZAH! Only took two whole books. That’s the good news. The bad news is that they’re still very much Owen and Katie, which means that these adorable little dorks are moving their relationship along at the speed of sloth molasses. They’re both just so shy and so busy and so nice. Owen’s a bit less blushy as he settles in, which is both exciting and disappointing. Also, Owen has a cat named Loony, and I love her. HE IS PERFECT. They got to meet his foster parents for Christmas and it gave me many a feel.
In Damsel Under Stress, Katie’s beset by a Fairy Godmother. Katie’s not really sure why Ethelinda chose to come help her now that she finally has her dream boyfriend, and she’s not sure how to make Ethelinda go away because the “help” is often life-threatening and never romantic. My second favorite thing about this series is the way that Swendson plays with classic fairy tale tropes, and the fairy godmother is a great example. View Spoiler »
Damsel Under Stress is a strong addition to the series, but the ending is just cruel. Only read if you have book four handy. I must have been so pissed when I read these as they came out haha.
These titles really make my life tbh. Damsels are way more often under stress than in distress; this speaks to my workaday soul. Damsel Under Stress is an especially good installment because there’s a lot of Owen. #priorities
Owen and Katie are officially dating. HUZZAH! Only took two whole books. That’s the good news. The bad news is that they’re still very much Owen and Katie, which means that these adorable little dorks are moving their relationship along at the speed of sloth molasses. They’re both just so shy and so busy and so nice. Owen’s a bit less blushy as he settles in, which is both exciting and disappointing. Also, Owen has a cat named Loony, and I love her. HE IS PERFECT. They got to meet his foster parents for Christmas and it gave me many a feel.
In Damsel Under Stress, Katie’s beset by a Fairy Godmother. Katie’s not really sure why Ethelinda chose to come help her now that she finally has her dream boyfriend, and she’s not sure how to make Ethelinda go away because the “help” is often life-threatening and never romantic. My second favorite thing about this series is the way that Swendson plays with classic fairy tale tropes, and the fairy godmother is a great example. View Spoiler »
Damsel Under Stress is a strong addition to the series, but the ending is just cruel. Only read if you have book four handy. I must have been so pissed when I read these as they came out haha.
The third book in this series was a struggle to finish - the further along I went, the more I realize I don’t like the heroine that much. I read this initially because I wanted her to get with Owen, but even that’s a stretch at this point. Very few actual romantic moments and the magic isn’t that magical. I couldn’t recommend it.
Katie Chandler has an odd job - she's a normal girl working in a company that sells spells and enchantments. In fact, it's because she's normal - so incredibly normal - that magic just doesn't affect her at all, which is how she got the job, and how her life has taken a turn for the mystical.
In the first two books, we saw Katie dodge bad wizards and manage to land the romantic attention of the very cute and bashful Owen Palmer, the hunk with the biggest magic in the company. So with a wizard for a boyfriend, things are just bound to be magical, right?
Well, if she can survive yet another hostile attempt from an evil wizard or two, a vindictive ex-pal with fairy wings, and - oh yeah - the meddling of her own fairy grandmother, then maybe, just maybe, Katie can get a happily ever after after all.
Fun and quirky, this series is a quick read, and an enjoyable one. The story is cute, and Swendson does a good job of building on what has come before.
In the first two books, we saw Katie dodge bad wizards and manage to land the romantic attention of the very cute and bashful Owen Palmer, the hunk with the biggest magic in the company. So with a wizard for a boyfriend, things are just bound to be magical, right?
Well, if she can survive yet another hostile attempt from an evil wizard or two, a vindictive ex-pal with fairy wings, and - oh yeah - the meddling of her own fairy grandmother, then maybe, just maybe, Katie can get a happily ever after after all.
Fun and quirky, this series is a quick read, and an enjoyable one. The story is cute, and Swendson does a good job of building on what has come before.