Fairy Tale Fail

Jan 14, 2013 K.D. Oliveros rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: pinoy, english, chick-lit, given-away

Definitely a nice romance book. A chick lit that is not hard for men to read or appreciate.

I would imagine that younger men could see themselves as either the cool athletic Lucas or the serious workaholic Don. I am too old to relate to either of them and there is no parent character in this particular Esguerra chick lit. So, what did I consciously do to "connect" to the story? I asked myself this question: "If Ellie were my own daughter, would I be proud of her?"

Overall, my answer was YES and t...more Definitely a nice romance book. A chick lit that is not hard for men to read or appreciate.

I would imagine that younger men could see themselves as either the cool athletic Lucas or the serious workaholic Don. I am too old to relate to either of them and there is no parent character in this particular Esguerra chick lit. So, what did I consciously do to "connect" to the story? I asked myself this question: "If Ellie were my own daughter, would I be proud of her?"

Overall, my answer was YES and this question made me like the book. While reading I analyzed the character of Ellie as if she were my daughter. I was seeing all that she's doing. I was hearing all that she's saying. I was the equivalent of a third-party omniscient narrator. I was like a third-party omniscient audience.

Ellie is smart. She means well. She wants to make her parents proud of her by bringing somebody like the hardworking mature Don as her boyfriend. She tends to over-analyze things but that is what she is, a thinker. She's fond of traveling even if her salary can hardly support this hobby so oftentimes dreams of those places that she wants to see. Traveling is a good way to educate oneself. She's also a dreamer and we know that big things are normally created in the mind first; sometimes in a form of a dream.

Ellie's weakness, however, is that probably because of her age (raging hormones), she easily gives in to temptation without even thinking. She unconsciously removes her blouse the moment that she is alone with Lucas. She engages in pre-marital sex without thinking twice. Is this how teenagers/young people now behave? Ellie is a thinker but when it comes to carnal urges, her whole brain liquefies and evaporates in just a matter of split second. Ellie is even portrayed as a religious (spiritual) person and yet she does not have any qualms sleeping with somebody who is not even her official boyfriend. Many young people read this book so I hope they will not pattern their morals with that of Ellie's.

However, I'd like to think that Esguerra deliberately incorporated that trait into Ellie's biodata to put some verve into her like she is some kind of modern free-spirited young woman. I understand that most Filipino women would like to be seen as liberated, not priggish about sex and fun to be with. Of course, without being considered cheap nor easy to get. So, that part, I'd like to believe, is to cater to the fantasy of most women's fun side. Romance is basically an escapist genre so I fully understand.

My 4th Esguerra book and definitely not my last.(less)

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Oct 25, 2012 Louize rated it 4 of 5 stars

Fairy Tale Fail is a very short tale, but it completely validates female emotions. While every girl, of course, wishes for a Prince Charming; every girl also wishes for someone to appreciate them for everything they are. Most of the time, the charming ones are not charmed with the gift. My daughter said that a boyfriend material doesn’t have to be perfect; he just needs to listen and know when to turn the pressure off . Where did she get that? LOL, I think I have a good idea where…

This book made...more

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Mar 10, 2012 Janice (Janicu) rated it 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars really. Liked this one. A quick little gem.

Review originally posted on my book blog here

The Premise: Ellie Manuel is a young twenty-something working girl and free spirit. She enjoys her job in Marketing, but work is not the end-all and be-all of her life. Travel is her real passion, and can spend hours constructing her next vacation. From what to eat to where to stay, the options are limitless. Ellie is a dreamer for sure, and she is convinced that life is like a fairytale. There are...more

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Aug 05, 2011 Cary rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Faily Tale Fail is my third book for Mina Esguerra, and so far, in all fairness to her, she never fails to amuse me with her stories. Just like the two other books by Mina Esguerra that I've read, this novella's plot is cute, easy to read and has the "kilig" moments that I can easily relate to.

Generally, the story is not something that is so unique and different for me because I've read some stories with similar plot. What I like most about this book are the characters and the setting. I always...more Faily Tale Fail is my third book for Mina Esguerra, and so far, in all fairness to her, she never fails to amuse me with her stories. Just like the two other books by Mina Esguerra that I've read, this novella's plot is cute, easy to read and has the "kilig" moments that I can easily relate to.

Generally, the story is not something that is so unique and different for me because I've read some stories with similar plot. What I like most about this book are the characters and the setting. I always love reading novels with stories that remind me of some feelings and situations I had before or with characters that I can relate to myself or remind me of someone I know. Apparently, Don and Lucas reminds me of two guys I used to like before so I really cant help but smile the whole time I was reading this book hahaha!

Reading is my past time so I read books for pleasure and entertainment purposes, and a good book for me, is usually something that would make me smile and think happy thoughts all through out the time that Im reading it and of course, as I've mentioned earlier, the story should be something that I can easily relate to in one way or another.

Like Ellie, I am free-spirited, loves travelling and admittedly a hopeless romantic. If I would have a Prince Charming of my own, I would like to him to be Mr. Perfect, with stable job, hardworking,gentleman, no vices and all that, just like Don. I would like to meet him as an "aloof and arrogant guy who gets over himself and reveals his other side – sensitive, caring and responsible" but I would like him also to be someone who shares the same principles and interest with me and supportive of my passion. Sometimes, Mr. Perfect is not necessarily Mr. Right and if you insist that the fairy tale that you've designed is something that involves Mr. Perfect and Mr. Right as the same person,then things would definitely turn out differently from happily ever after.

This is the reason why Ellie's first relationship did not end up well. She keeps on insisting that Mr. Perfect is the right man for her and she holds on to her fantasy that their break-up is part of the test so she can't move on and be happy.

Having not able to experience the break-up that Ellie had, I know I dont have the right to talk about getting over and moving on but my feminist side of always makes me want to hit people like Ellie in the head for holding on to undeserving guys like Don. And in a fairy tale, there is always this knight in shining armour so here comes Lucas, the cool and fun-to-be-with and definitely the better guy, but she could not accept because he is not the good guy she thought she want. So when she finally realize that Don is not the right one for her I kind of felt so relieved and happy that she ended up with the right guy.(less)

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Mar 07, 2011 Emir Never rated it 3 of 5 stars

It was Bertolt Brecht who conceptualized Verfremdungseffek in theater, designed to make the viewers concious that what they are watching is a performance, a creation that needs to be digested by the mind. It's a tremendous concept, the "distancing" of one's self from the characters of a fictive piece, and perhaps can be applied to some other literary forms as well.

But how do you distance yourself from a piece that is actually designed to get you emotionally affected? Well, the hell with Verfremd...more

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Aug 19, 2011 Isamlq rated it 3 of 5 stars

Two things: I liked it but didn't like one specific thing in it.

I liked that all the characters' reactions and quirks were believable. The hate on the ex-boyfriend parade? Check. The 'Move on. Oh, please move on? Check. But what had me holding back was her 'Woe, is me' schtick. More specifically, I was held back by how blinded she was to what she thought she wanted.

That aside, Fairy Tale Fail reads a lot like those visuals in Batman and Robin fight scenes. Who here remembers those *WHOOSH* or...more

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Dec 13, 2012 Reev Robledo rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This isn't normally a book I would read. I couldn't even take the romance between Peeta and Katniss in Hunger Games. Women authors dwell on mush too much! :)

But I wanted to find out why female teenagers and yuppies are going ape over Mina V. Esguerra's books. Let's call this research. Curiosity at best. Supporting the Filipino author. A male perspective—on chick literature!

I noticed that most of the reviews (from females no doubt) loved this book probably because of their failed fairy tales and...more

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Aug 20, 2012 Blue rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: filipiniana, romance-and-chick-lit, 2012

Read this with the Enchanted soundtrack playing in the background. Perfect day is perfect.

Thank you to Ms. Mina for making this free for a day! Also, congratulations on winning in the Chick Lit category for the 1st Reader's Choice Awards in the ReaderCon last Saturday!!

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Mar 18, 2012 Christine rated it 3 of 5 stars

I think the book was okay and I didn't exactly like it. BUT as a book, it is more of a three. So I give it three!

This is my first read from the "chick lit" genre, so that could explain my not having liked it very much, which isn't the same as disliking it. I've avoided the genre all these years and didn't even buy a book by some people I know. Picking up this book is a big deal and this is all because of the author, Mina Esguerra. Plus, I really really really support Pinoy writers!

Fairy Tale Fai...more

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Nov 12, 2010 Holly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, filipino

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 pro...more 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.(less)

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Nov 02, 2010 Chachic rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, by-a-filipino-author, book-crack, ebooks, fictional-crushes, best-of-2010

Originally posted here.

I always say that in order for me to like a book, I have to be able to relate to it somehow. No worries on that department when it comes to this one because I could TOTALLY relate to Ellie. Twenty-something Filipina working in a corporate job but really doesn't know what her career path is? That could be me! Ellie's thing is traveling and making plans for hypothetical trips abroad. While I do love to travel, I don't get to do it that often so I guess it would be better to...more Originally posted here.

I always say that in order for me to like a book, I have to be able to relate to it somehow. No worries on that department when it comes to this one because I could TOTALLY relate to Ellie. Twenty-something Filipina working in a corporate job but really doesn't know what her career path is? That could be me! Ellie's thing is traveling and making plans for hypothetical trips abroad. While I do love to travel, I don't get to do it that often so I guess it would be better to say that my thing is reading and blogging about books. I've never experienced an office romance like Ellie did but the breaking up with a boyfriend-who-was-a-friend-before-you-became-a-couple? Been there, done that. Ellie also has several circles of friends, from her high school barkada to her office mates and I'm like that as well. Each set of friends has a different personality and I like to think that each group brings out a different side of me. Ellie is really believable as a character - she's a representation of me, my friends and every young Pinay out there looking for her own fairy tale.

I keep my reviews spoiler-free so I don't want to mention any names but I want a guy like the male protagonist! Seriously.♥ I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Ellie and her attempts to get her life back in order after the breakup. Fairy Tale Fail is a light and fun contemporary romance that gives a glimpse of middle class life in the Philippines. If only the paperback was as cheap as the e-book edition, I'd buy lots of copies and give them as Christmas gifts to my girlfriends. Unfortunately, the paperback is more expensive at P350. The good news is the e-book is available both in Smashwords and Amazon so for all international readers out there, you could order this anytime you want. If you want a peek at what our lives are usually like (and by us I mean young professionals in the Philippines), then go and read this book! At $0.99, it's cheaper than your average Starbucks coffee. It's really short too, more like a novella than a novel. I'm interested to see how readers outside the Philippines will react to this one. One minor quibble though, I wish Mina included footnotes to define some of the Filipino words used in the book like kuya, barkada and bulalo so that foreigners will be able to understand them. That said, I'd like to thank Mina for coming up with a well-written Filipino chick lit novel. :) I look forward to reading her other book, My Imaginary Ex and I hope she comes up with a thicker novel next time.(less)

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Dec 18, 2012 Berto rated it 3 of 5 stars

Grabe na talaga ang global warming. Umulan one week before Holy Week.

Nagtrigger tuloy ng break up yung ulan. Tsk, sama.

Pero sa palagay ko tama lang yung ginawa ni Don.

Mukha nga naman kasing walang plano kasi sa buhay itong si Ellie.

Talo nga lang siya bandang huli. Di siya naka-move on eh. Hehe. Well ganun talaga sa love, may nasasaktan.

Ito naman si Ellie, well, ewan..haha!

Mas interesado kasi ako sa character ni Don. Di ko lang kasi magets kung bakit may mga lalaki na ganun sa babae, wala nama...more

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Apr 25, 2010 Laura rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, novellas, chick-lit

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 19, 2012 Dawn rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was definitely a light read. I did breeze my way through it in an hour. Fairy Tale Fail encompasses THE standard one must have to have that happily ever after. Ellie wanted it so much that she had woven a reality where she thinks she MUST have in order to have the perfect life. Here comes perfect Don, the friend and her prince charming. She thought she had everything perfectly not until Mr. Prince Charming on his white horse crashed her dreams of happily ever after. Personally, I think she...more

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May 11, 2010 Tina rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebooks, 2010, filipino, favorites, chick-lit, indie, romance

Fairy Tale Fail really is a cute book, one that has the right amount of fluff and life lessons for the everyday working girl. It’s very easy to relate to Ellie, the protagonist, with her fairy tale whims and romanticism. While I never had a Prince Charming like her, I knew the feeling of wanting to have a fairy tale romance, one where I have a set guide for who Prince Charming should be. I know about obsessing about a guy, and I sort of know how it feels to restoring yourself when experiencing a...more Fairy Tale Fail really is a cute book, one that has the right amount of fluff and life lessons for the everyday working girl. It’s very easy to relate to Ellie, the protagonist, with her fairy tale whims and romanticism. While I never had a Prince Charming like her, I knew the feeling of wanting to have a fairy tale romance, one where I have a set guide for who Prince Charming should be. I know about obsessing about a guy, and I sort of know how it feels to restoring yourself when experiencing a loss.

I have to admit that like Ellie, I think I’d also prefer to have a guy like Don, but I would find someone like Lucas intriguing. Out of my league, but very intriguing. Lucas and Ellie’s development was done gradually, and it was nice to see that it wasn’t a rushed romance — nothing is more disappointing than a rushed romance in a chick lit novel, I swear. Lucas seemed sexy, yet he had a good heart, even if he seemed a bit hard to see. I kind of wish I got to know more of him through the story, but since the story was told in Ellie’s point of view, we only know as much as she does.

Here’s my favorite part (a spoiler, so if you’re reading/planning to read this, skip this!):

“You think you’re funny,” I said ruefully. “I have no idea what my life is going to be like now.”

…”You told me that your life wasn’t all about work. That you had a lot of things you looked forward to when you got out of the office…Then that’s exactly what your life is going to be. You’ve still got your family, your hobbies, your friends, and none of that will change…And I’m probably going to, you know, start calling. Driving you home. Taking you to movies you hate…And then you’ll probably want to introduce me to your mom. Your nephew Dylan will love me because kids like me, and I’ll tell him about my brother’s job and our pirate story, and he’ll just be so attached to me. And then you’ll want me to go to church again, and we’ll probably discuss that at length. But I probably will go to church with you at least once, and it will be in your college church, to erase the memory of what that douche did there.”

Ah Lucas. Where can I find someone like you? ♥ Fairy Tale Fail is a fresh and cute story that’s sure to make you sigh and be kilig. :) (less)

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Dec 18, 2012 Venessaa ♡☮♫ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Fairy Tale Fail is a short chick lit story about Ellie, a girl who was broken up with recently by her boyfriend Don.
So, she was a bit broken heart at first, but then, she found her way out of the sadness and learned that after every problem, the sun would always shine on you and give you a, maybe, happy ending.
I really loved this book! Well, it might be short but it still made me realize that after every heartbreak, well, not everything's gonna end. Like in this book, it showed that Ellie became...more

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Apr 10, 2011 Monique rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: chicklit, fiction, filipino, romance, 2011, kindle

Wow, that was a quick read. It felt like I just sat down to read it, and already I'm done with it.

I picked up this book just for variety. I realized I hadn't been reading any chicklit lately, and with some reviews lavishing praises upon this novel, I thought I'd give it a try.

The verdict in two words: just okay. Nothing exceptional, nothing bad, either. And for someone who is writing in a second language (I am just presuming that it is, the author being Filipina), I think that her writing was...more

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Dec 28, 2012 Gwynne Andal rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

As much as you might say that you want a love story to resemble a past favorite, once you have read a book (like this one!) you'd realize that certain treatments are different depending in the story.

What I liked about this one is Ellie total attachment to her fairy tale romance with Don. She has a plan. She thinks the "break-up" is all part of the romance. In a sense, I get it. When in love, we women tend to go crazy and overboard on the idea or "romance" and "happily ever after". (view spoiler)...more

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Aug 30, 2012 Maria rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, e-book

I didn't like Fairy Tale Fail.

*****

It didn't work for me. Too short to mean anything. Too shallow for my taste. Fairy Tale Fail is not my kind of story.

I didn't like Ellie. Maybe i just dislike girls in general who are stupid enough pining after an insufferable ex. As for Lucas, nothing special about him, either. Got no swoon from that one.

After reading Interim Goddess of Love, this second Esguerra read is an epic fail.

Don't start with Fairy Tale Fail if you haven't read Mina V. Esguerra. It wa...more

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Sep 06, 2012 Janus Vielle (The Blair Book Project) rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: owned-ebook, filipino-reads, yabc-tbr-2012, owned-paperback

Fairy Tale Fail introduces readers to Ellie. A girl in her twenties who believes life is like a fairy tale, and she falls in love with the idea of a happily ever after – oh girl, are you in for a huge reality check!

Fairy Tale Fail kind of reminds me of the movie, Legally Blonde. You know, the movie where this blonde girl gets dumped by her boyfriend, and she goes into law school where the guy is at and tries to prove herself so that he’d take her back. But in the end the guy’s a douche and she...more

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Dec 05, 2012 Cherubim Cassandra Paula Javier rated it 4 of 5 stars

KIIIIILIIIIIIIIIIIG!!!!!!
I couldn't even put out a better word for it. It's just soooo kilig. What's that in English? Fluffy?
IT'S SO FLUFFY I'M GONNA DIE

I mean, come on, most of us have probably experienced life with jerks who make us feel guilty for being who we are. Yet...we make excuses for their actions, and believe that our happy ending resides with them...
This book tackles all of that, and more. You'll feel for Ellie, and think about your choices, as well.
It's the perfect book for everyon...more

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Sep 23, 2012 Jinky rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2012

(2.5)
This had been on my TBR/wishlist for awhile and I finally got to reading it. I had enjoyed the author's other book, Love Your Frenemies, so I had high hopes for this one. I was disappointed. It was a cute romance story and well written but it just didn't pop for me. As short as it was, I struggled to finish it. I just didn't find it captivating. I didn't care for the swearing either, even though it was very minimal. I just found the book as a whole a bit humdrum and pretentious.

It was not...more

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Nov 27, 2012 Lynai rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook

Fairy Tale Fail is my second Mina V. Esguerra book, the first one being Love Your Frenemies which I absolutely loved. After I read Frenemies, I was longing for more chicklit high and I thought another Esguerra book would be wonderful. I was able to download Fairy Tale Fail from Smashwords and devoured it in just one sitting.

Yes, just one sitting. Because this is such a short story. So short that I was in fact surprised when I found out that it already ended. But I know that I shouldn’t complain,...more Fairy Tale Fail is my second Mina V. Esguerra book, the first one being Love Your Frenemies which I absolutely loved. After I read Frenemies, I was longing for more chicklit high and I thought another Esguerra book would be wonderful. I was able to download Fairy Tale Fail from Smashwords and devoured it in just one sitting.

Yes, just one sitting. Because this is such a short story. So short that I was in fact surprised when I found out that it already ended. But I know that I shouldn’t complain, though, because it was described as a novella in the reviews, and most of all, because it was still a sweet and cute story — just the kind of light reading that I wanted at the time.

I wasn’t exactly the fairy tale kind of girl. I never dreamed of becoming like Cinderella being swept away by her Prince Charming, but of course, I dreamt of happily ever after. I wanted the happily ever after so bad, I had been strictly guarding my heart. There were close calls before but I want to thing that I am the kind of woman who wants to be wise when it comes to matters of the heart. Maybe this is one reason why I only had one boyfriend (who is now my husband, hee) and married a little late (though some may say it wasn’t that late. :D ) Of course, it would sound a bit ambitious to say that I am definitely expecting my happy ever after, but I truly am. My reasons to this hopefulness, however, deserve a separate post so let’s just leave it at that for the moment. ;)

Even though I cannot totally relate with Ellie when it comes to breakups and exes, I can understand her way of coping after the break up. She chopped her hair, dined out, ratted about Don to friends and acquaintances (so what if she appears bitter?), traveled alone to Bangkok, and changed her job. I mean, these are all things that are real — I have seen this happen on movies and TV shows and to celebrities and even to my own friends!

What I love the most about the book is not really about Ellie falling in love for the second time. Instead, I love her journey to self-recovery and discovery; the positive change in her outlook and her self-image. There is nothing very damaging to self-esteem than a break up but if one has to learn to love one’s self more rather than fall into a pity party, a break up can still bring something more wonderful and worthwhile to life.

To be honest? I cannot make up my mind on whom to like best between Don and Lucas. I know that Don is a total a** when he decided to break up with Ellie but for me his reasons also deserve some consideration. As for Lucas, he may have the kilig factor but somehow I am still looking for more depth to his character. I feel that he has to prove something more about himself rather than just talk about it.

This is the reason why I think that the book ended abruptly. Although, on second thought, it is just as well because ever after is not something you just have to wait to happen. You have to at least work on it. And I would love to think that Ellie has this second chance to do just that.

Also posted in It's A Wonderful Bookworld.(less)

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Mar 22, 2013 Dia rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Read other book reviews at Book Junkie Joint.

Fairy Tale Fail is very relatable story of being blinded by love, being heartbroken and finally being able to move on and become a better person.

The story is nothing out of the ordinary, but that’s not always a bad thing. Truth be told, though this story has nothing majorly ground-breaking in it, the simple fact that it reflects reality is exactly what makes it so special.

Every little girl has probably dreamed of meeting her own prince charming one da...more Read other book reviews at Book Junkie Joint.

Fairy Tale Fail is very relatable story of being blinded by love, being heartbroken and finally being able to move on and become a better person.

The story is nothing out of the ordinary, but that’s not always a bad thing. Truth be told, though this story has nothing majorly ground-breaking in it, the simple fact that it reflects reality is exactly what makes it so special.

Every little girl has probably dreamed of meeting her own prince charming one day – that one guy who would sweep her off her feet and give her the happy-ever after that she so deserves. We can pin all the blame on those Disney movies that gave us such unrealistic views of love, but seriously, I think that deep inside every grown woman lies that little girl who yearns for her perfect happy ending.

In Fairy Tale Fail, we hear the voice of Ellie, a twenty-something single woman whose life is centered on having her own happy ever after. She’s got her stable job, her perfect boyfriend and the only thing that’s missing is marriage. However, the thing is, no matter how perfect you think something is, life sometimes throws you in a pinch and you end up realizing that it’s not so perfect at all.

Overall, I like Ellie. There were some moments when I wanted to smack her with a broomstick, but overall, she did nothing majorly off-putting for me to want to do some serious damage if I ever meet her. Also, I loved the fact that aside from the romance aspect of the book, it was Ellie’s transformation that was the center-piece of the story.

What I didn’t like, however, was when she took the initiative and slept with Lucas. It’s just that this move on her part was something that I didn’t expect for her to do. Right from the start of the story, Ellie is portrayed as this dependable and level-headed woman. Sure, she can be a romantic, but that’s normal for women because of estrogen, right? I mean, she took her time with Don. And suddenly, on an impulse, she sleeps with a guy who’s not even her boyfriend. Granted, they had chemistry and sparks going on, and she suddenly had this eureka moment about her feelings for Lucas, but I just find it out-of-character for her to do. Maybe it’s just me. I don’t know.

I highly appreciate the nitty-gritty realism that the author has painstakingly placed into the story. The post-break-up drama and the ends that a scorned woman does, as well as her effect on the people around her was quite realistic. I never really got a chance to experience doing everything that Ellie did, but I saw some of it happening on my friends. It’s quite accurate. Heh.

What I didn’t like was the length of the story. Understandably, this is a novella and not a full-length novel, but still, I would have loved to read more.
(less)

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Jan 05, 2013 Pauline rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: my-favorites, 2013-reads

Now I'm excited for my Thailand trip this summer after reading this book. Just in time to check out the places Ellie had visited after her breakup with Don.
Mina-- oh my gosh, I love this story! I can so relate with Ellie and all that crazy, obsessive things about fairy tales that are running around her head. I'm sure a lot of girls out there can relate about the "template" thing, because I did!

So anyway, I have to admit that I learned a lot from this. It gave me an understanding that we shouldn...more

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Mar 29, 2013 Rhena rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Originally posted on Snapshot Inkblot Whatnot

In a nutshell. Guy breaks up with girl and girl still roots for her relationship with now-ex anyway even if another good-looking guy is coming her way. New guy becomes her confidant and, unconsciously, she becomes his confidante, too. Turns out both of them had his/her heart broken recently and chose to heal in the company of the other. As friends, at least. Girl started to be okay and lots of things happened so fast--she started getting busy and unkn...more Originally posted on Snapshot Inkblot Whatnot

In a nutshell. Guy breaks up with girl and girl still roots for her relationship with now-ex anyway even if another good-looking guy is coming her way. New guy becomes her confidant and, unconsciously, she becomes his confidante, too. Turns out both of them had his/her heart broken recently and chose to heal in the company of the other. As friends, at least. Girl started to be okay and lots of things happened so fast--she started getting busy and unknowingly climbed up the career ladder, as if the cosmos is obliged to help in her speedy recovery. Naturally, ex now wants her back. Either not having enough self-pride or just in dire need of a closure, she agrees to a dinner he offered. In Bangkok. During dinner, realizations start pouring in and, having a clear picture now of what is actually happening, she started bombarding her date with questions which rendered him speechless. Almost. She gets the closure she wanted, rushes to the side of the guy who supported her in her not-so-glorious days, and finally ends her fairy tale on a good note.

It isn't something I haven't read or watched before. But the thing about this story, which made me read through it until the last leaf in one sitting, is found on the little details somewhere in between.

I like Ellie, the protagonist, in the sense that many girls our age would relate with her. (But then again, maybe it's just me. Haha.) Constantly in love with the idea of being in love. Natural sucker for weddings and warm, fuzzy feelings. Usually falls for the Good Guy aka Prince Charming. Loves planning because, you know, she already pictured out everything in her head and so things just have to happen according to how she imagined it. Heads to a direction her impulsive, young self imposed upon her (which presently looks like it isn't the best road for her but she trudges on anyway) and not letting this path to stop her from doing little hobbies close to her heart. Like traveling, or planning for travels. Probably keeps a journal or an album, too, to make sure everything is well-documented. A definite owner of a planner. Her favorite color is something of a pastel shade, or maybe coral or teal. (Okay, this is beginning to look like my slum book page!)

Another thing I liked about this are the conversations between Ellie and Lucas, the new guy. Although they enjoy the same interests, they have different opinions on most things. And that means a lot of arguments and contradicting each other. That is a fun thing to read. Also, I think it carefully worded which makes the reading experience so fluid.

Lastly, I loved how it ended. Of course it's still your formula ending, but what I'm referring to is Lucas' monologue. They say we, Filipinos, suck at making or writing endings once the protagonists have come together, sometimes making you cringe all over, but this one's done a fine job, methinks.

Overall, I liked this better than my first Mina Esguerra chicklit, That Kind of Guy.(less)

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Apr 29, 2013 Lottie Eve rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: People in search for a cute read

Recommended to Lottie by: Monica

Wow... I forgot to post my review on GR! Well, here it is!

This book was the perfect February read. Fairy Tale Fail was cute, funny, and romantic. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the pages. And since that this book is only about one hundred pages I was able to finish it quickly. Every ten pages this book raises its one out of ten scale up by one point. Remember: there are 110 pages.

Ellie Manuel has a theory: life is like a fairy tale. She thinks that her “happily ever after” might be near when...more Wow... I forgot to post my review on GR! Well, here it is!

This book was the perfect February read. Fairy Tale Fail was cute, funny, and romantic. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the pages. And since that this book is only about one hundred pages I was able to finish it quickly. Every ten pages this book raises its one out of ten scale up by one point. Remember: there are 110 pages.

Ellie Manuel has a theory: life is like a fairy tale. She thinks that her “happily ever after” might be near when she starts dating Don, her “prince charming.” But they break up. Even then Ellie thinks that she is, like every fairy tale hero is, being tested. Ellie spends a year becoming the “free girl” she used to be before dating Don so she can win him back. Until she starts to find herself enjoying life without Don. She is doing well in her career, she is restoring her confidence, and her “office crush” is becoming more than an office crush. Will Ellie decide to prove her theory wrong?

Ellie is a character that will have you rooting for her instantly. She is smart and tries her best. She tries to make the people around her proud. And her character grows a lot throughout the story. I could see a huge difference in her. Ellie is a girl that I would want as a best friend. She is a girl that I would want to be in the same barkada with.

And then there is Lucas. He isn’t what one would picture as a prince charming. He smokes(well, used to), has tattoos, and allegedly *cough-hint hint-cough* broke up with his girlfriend after getting her pregnant. But the reader later finds out that although he isn’t prince charming he is a really nice guy. I wish to find my own Lucas later in life.

The reader also gets a glimpse of the Filipino culture awhile reading this book. I loved learning about barkada‘s and such. There are a lot of Filipino words sprinkled throughout the book. I was easily able to learn what the word meant because of the context.

Esguerra’s prose is easy to read through which made reading Fairy Tale Fail a breeze.

Fairy Tale Fail is a gem. I really can’t recommend this book enough! I demand that anyone who wants a cute, quick story to read this book. You will thank me later. This was my first Esguerra book but it will certainly not be my last!(less)

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Jan 18, 2013 Peppermintstash rated it 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book, very light and heart-warming.In some way I can relate as my work entails financial management and is very corporate in nature.

The work issues, even at time too personal does happen.The dialog used in the book are believable, things that I may actually say given the same scenes.

It's well thought of. Though given that it is compact, I hope that it could have given more to the last chapter.

All in all, I recommend it for people going through break-ups, or for people who are look...more

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Feb 25, 2012 Alona rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: e-book, adult, favorites, romance, chick-lit, 2012

Original review posted at Off The Wall

Fairy Tale Fail is the first Mina V. Esguerra book I've read and I instantly became a fan. This is one of my best reads for the first quarter of the year. And since I discovered her works, whenever I crave for a light read, Mina's books are always on my top list.

Ellie Manuelis a believable character that most twenty-something working girls can easily relate to. I know every girl had once looked for Mr. Right and asked for a happy ever after. That is why we c...more

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Jul 17, 2011 Urs rated it 3 of 5 stars

I read this book as my second read for the 2011 Colorful Chick Lit Challenge. I chose this book because it was one of those 99 cent books that often showed up in the kindle bestseller list with good ratings. I, however, borrowed it on booklending.com instead of spending the 99 cents.

This was a short, clean, romance read without much substance and character development. The main character is dumped by a long time love, but she hopes that he will come back to her eventually. While waiting on him t...more

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