Broken Wings
When Rye Woods, a fairy, meets the beautiful dryad Flora Withe, her libido, as squashed and hidden as her wings, reawakens along with her heart. But Rye is a poor builder's labourer with a teenage sister to raise, while Flora is a w
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Rye Woods is a fairy who escaped Fairyland in order to give her younger sister, Holly, a better life. Rye took another identity, and she keeps her wings taped securely down beneath her shirt, because fairy-phobia is alive and well in the city where they reside. Should an ...more

This was a really odd ball story for me. Overall, I had mixed feelings about it.
I've read a lot of lesfic fantasy books in the last year and this is the first full-length novel involving fairies, wood creatures, goblins and the like so it definitely has a unique setting with different characters. Even the language, swear words and slang used complement the ambience of the story since it revolves around nature terms. The author tackled a lot of different issues ranging from raising a si ...more

L-J Baker writes the world and characters in such a natural way that it reads nearly like a contemporary romance. The struggles are familiar and real, only the races and little details are different. They live in trees, they drive brooms and magic carpets, and the different species have their own forms of sexual expression. But the novel flows. I loved reading about Rye’s cooking and all the different foods she made. I was pulled along as their romance progressed ...more

It felt as if the story suffered from multiple personality disorder. The one moment it felt like reading a fairy tale for children or young adults ---oh, they are having sex. Then, oh cute, the fairies are eating buttercups and drinking honey---oh, they are naked on the floor. Oh wow, they are flying around on brooms and living in trees---uhm, they are stripping each others clothes off.
Not th ...more

The character I like the most is Flora (for obvious reason). Rye is too afraid, too paranoid, and she is kinda too much of a coward for my liking, at least she tried to be a good parent/guardian for Holly, but I hope she put more effort into her relationship with Flora.
From the beginning of the book until near the very end, I just don't like Holly. I know she's a kid, ...more

This book ...more

I love how strong and selfless Rye is... how she puts the need of her sister first before herself. And I also love to hate how stubborn she can be when receiving help. And how she grew as a person in the end is really amazing; it is really hard t ...more

There were really only 2 things I didn't like about this book. ** ...more

Books don't generally affect me like this. I was feeling each moment of joy, each anxiety-laden conversation, each bit of teenage angst. The light fantasy world allowed some very heavy subjects (PTSD, conversion therapy/torture, immigration, drug use) a soft landing that cushioned the beauty of the romance. This was simply spectacular. Can't recommend it highly enough. ...more


Aside from being fantasy and a romance the books deals with a lot of other societal issues, in an excellent way.
Absolutely recommend this book, it was a joy to read

In a magical world where being different is the norm, why must Rye Woods fear for her life if the truth about her hidden identity is revealed? When Rye Woods, a fairy, meets the beautiful dryad Flora Withe, her libido, as squashed and hidden as her wings, reawakens along with her heart. But Rye is a poor builder's labourer with a teenage sister to raise, while Flora is a wealthy artist-celebrity with a tree-top condominium and a sporty, late-model flying carpet. If those aren't obstacles enough
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So, another half-good-half-bad story. This book has fine characters' dialogues and interactions, as well as charming/ interesting personalities, which guarantees a nice first half. Then the drama kicks in, and the protagonist gets... stup ...more


The main character of the story is a fairy named Rye Woods. Rye works two sometimes three jobs as a laborer to pa ...more

Rye's wings are useless. They have been broken and incorrectly set for 12 years. She has to keep them binded anytime she is public. They cause her a great ...more

Fantasy is not my go to genre. Sure I grew up devouring Tolkien's LOTR and Anne McCaffrey's Dragon Riders of Pern. But then I became that boring adult who only had time for "literature."
Thank you L.J. Baker for bringing me back to a genre I forgot how much I truly enjoy. I loved the imagery and the world of dryads, fairies and sylphs. I got a kick out of the nature related expletives and the various ways to make algae and borage sound tasty. I may just start spouting Oh Branch instead ...more

ALSO. Since when do *carpets* have windows and tops and doors and boots? Gah. :P
But I liked Rye a lot, she was a great character. Flora, I didn't see the huge appeal in so I wasn't as invested in their relationship as much as I would ...more

I think about every issue is covered here, from illigal immigrants to homophobia. I love it that Rey is so social awkward. I stopped counting the sentences that started with "Um." Yet at the same time she works her butt of to provide a life and education for her ...more



Turned out, it was pret ...more





