A Fairy Tale
This book may seem like it’s a romance or fantasy, but it’s really neither. Certainly, the romance that buds between Jack and Faye fits into the romance formula. Just don’t go looking for a steamy sex scene. In terms of fantasy, there are never any blatant fantastical elements, but rather allusions and aftermath of such encounters. This book is best described as a fairy tale for adults, but not the naughty kind so popular over the last decade plus. This is a wholesome story from beginning to end. Faye and Jack are rounded out well, but the remainder of the characters feel like cutouts. Most all the characters sound as if they’re taken straight out of Downton Abbey. As someone who watches a fair share of BBC programming, I wasn’t sold on the depiction of all the British as uppity and proper. There were also tons and tons of sunny days in this book. And fireflies in London…? Okay. I guess. It is a fairy tale after all. The character of Faye is pretty difficult to handle. I’ve known people like her in the past, and they are tough to be around. Why Jack was so into her when the book provided little reason why, is beyond me. Perhaps, it’s because he’s the type of person who likes a challenge. And making Faye smile? That is a hard-won task that he delights in achieving. Overall, I feel this book would have made a better Lifetime movie than a novel. The imagery and scenes are vivid and the characters have just enough depth for the small screen. What I find most surprising is the quality of narration. Rarely does an author read their own book as well as a professional narrator. Mary Alice Monroe fits right in with the likes of such acclaimed readers as Cassandra Campbell and Marguerite Gavin. And she does a pretty decent British accent, to boot.