Ellie Manuel is your average twenty something professional. She has a stable relationship with the good guy Don in her corporate barkada and likes to travel in her spare time. What you wouldn’t know from first glance is that she believes in fairy tales. Not just the ones in books, but those in real life. So when her Prince Charming dumps her, Ellie refuses to believe their relationship is over. She figures that her story will just be more tried-and-true-tested than most. After a year of work promotions, exotic vacations, and getting to know the cute stranger at the office, why doesn’t she miss him more?
As soon as I read Chachic’s review of this light and short Filipino chick lit novella I knew it was for me. I just had to wait for a day where I really needed a quick pick-me-up, and when I did it worked wonders. It’s smooth, everyday writing style and succinct descriptions made the reading extremely easy and fast as well as completely entertaining and fun. Ellie is such the quintessential ordinary girl as well that I think you’d find it difficult not to relate to her. I mean she believes in happily ever after fairy tales but is an average, vulnerable and hopelessly hopeful heroine herself – what’s not to like? I couldn’t help but remember my own best-friend-turned-more high school relationship that backfired when we broke up but shared the same group of friends. I found what Ellie said about her myriad groups of friends to be very true to life:
Some people had one large group of friends, and that was all they needed. I, on the other hand, had many small circles of friends. High school friends, college blockmates, college orgmates, cousins, friends from my first job, the barkada from my current job. These groups all had different personalities – and sometimes I was in the mood for one group and not another.
I can see why some readers may become slightly frustrated with her romantic blindness but I connected with the unrealistic hanging onto dreams and ideals especially when it comes to finding Mr. Right. And while we’re on that subject what the pleasant and sometimes confusing surprise the mysterious hottie Lucas turned out to be! At first I thought he was not my type but boy was I wrong. I eagerly and delightedly watched their relationship develop. I wished we got to know him a little better before their story ended but overall Fairy Tale Fail was cute, light, and effortless contemporary chick lit and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Now if only more of Mina Esguerra’s books were available internationally, because I’m dying to read My Imaginary Ex.
Book Source
Kindle for a steal at $.89
Second Opinions
Chachic’s Book Nook Review
One More Page Review
Holly! *huggles you for reading this* I’m so happy you decided to pick it up because books by Filipino authors are rarely available internationally. Plus, I loved this one because I could totally relate to it – Ellie’s corporate life, her friends, the typhoon (that’s really how crazy the rains are here), the getting over, etc. I’m really glad you liked it.
I can get My Imaginary Ex for you! I just need to figure out how to ship items internationally because I haven’t tried doing it (and I’m planning to do it for the Book Blogger Holiday Swap). Mina’s coming out with a new one book so maybe I should wait for that to be released in case you want to read that as well?
No prob Chachic. Sounded like my think and it was. I wanted to ask you about the typhoon! I was wondering how realistic those kinds of rains are.
Chachic, that’s such a kind offer and I’d love to have her next book as well, but I don’t want you spending a fortune on shipping. If you can find a really cheap option then go ahead. Though I signed up for international holiday book swap as well and put it on my wish list just in case I get someone from the Phillipines.
I also saw your conversation with Mina and don’t mind seeing if she has someone in the States who can send me a copy.
When does her next book come out btw?
Oh that part was very realistic! That typhoon wasn’t even that bad, they didn’t have to wade through flood waters (which I have done several times) and the power wasn’t cut off. We get some really bad ones from time to time. People really get stranded when it starts raining that hard, it’s better to stay somewhere and wait it out.
I hope you get someone from the Philippines too.
I’ll ask around and see what shipping options are available here. I think for the holiday swap, we’re required to used air mail but I’ve heard that sea mail is really cheap but it’ll take a lot longer to arrive. I’ll check back with Mina if someone has copies to spare in the States.
She doesn’t have a definite date for the next one but she says it’s going to be released soon.
That’s crazy about the typhoons! Thanks Chachic for checking into shipping and other copies already in the States. That’s good news about it coming out soon.
Like Chachic, I’m really glad you read and liked this one too!
And yes, Lucas! <3 He's one of my favorite fictional guys this year.
These recent reviews of the book makes me want to read it again.
It is nice knowing it’s at my fingertips always. I don’t have a Kindle but really enjoyed reading it on my phone. *smile* I guess I know what I’m asking for for Christmas.
This sounds like a light and fun read, it’s going onto my goodreads wish list. I would want to read it a rainy day. Wonderful review, Holly.
Have a great weekend
Oh, I’m glad it’s going on your TBR. More people need to read this, it was just too much fun.
I have a crush on Lucas
I love the story too and am glad you liked it as Mina’s a close friend of mine. Can’t wait for her next book too!
I get to have her autograph my copies!
Me too! I looked his slight Star Wars/video game geekiness. I guess it’s no surprise I married that type of guy, too.
I’d love an autographed copy, or at least a real copy instead of an ebook. I think the covers are so fun and whimsical as well.
Oh man, I’ve been eying this too because of Chachic’s review! Glad to see another positive review. I think I’ll keep this in mind for a day I need a pick-me-up too.
Do! I think you’d like it.
Holly, thank you for the review, and the interest in my other stuff.
Working with Chachic on getting copies to you of My Imaginary Ex (and maybe the new one too!).
Really? Wow, that’s awesome. I’m very excited. Thank you.