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The Fade Fairytales #1
Thickerella
“A Cinderella story as you’ve never seen it before.”
After the untimely passing of her father, Tillar Reed had to grow up quickly and let go of her childish desires for fairytales, romance and true love’s first kiss. But when she finds herself back home for the first time in years to keep her father’s house in the family, she meets an unlikely Prince Charming figure in Cameron Logan. Now she has to decide if this is really the happily ever after she dreamed of once upon a time or if she’d rather keep her options open because glass slippers just aren’t her style anymore.
The Faded Fairytales Series follows Logan brothers Cameron, Christian, and Chasen on their individual quests to conquer love, sex, and maturation while also grieving and attempting to rebuild their fractured brotherhood.
After the untimely passing of her father, Tillar Reed had to grow up quickly and let go of her childish desires for fairytales, romance and true love’s first kiss. But when she finds herself back home for the first time in years to keep her father’s house in the family, she meets an unlikely Prince Charming figure in Cameron Logan. Now she has to decide if this is really the happily ever after she dreamed of once upon a time or if she’d rather keep her options open because glass slippers just aren’t her style anymore.
The Faded Fairytales Series follows Logan brothers Cameron, Christian, and Chasen on their individual quests to conquer love, sex, and maturation while also grieving and attempting to rebuild their fractured brotherhood.
345 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 17, 2020
320 people are currently reading
1043 people want to read
About the author
Tanzania Glover
18 books302 followersTanzania Glover lives in Chicago, Illinois. She is a blogger, pop culture critic, amateur chef, and tiny house enthusiast. Find her on all social media platforms as TanSaidWhat.
"I am a writer that creates stories and characters for black girls and women who never got to see themselves as the protagonist. Whether you were told that your skin was too dark, your hair was too nappy, your body was too big or too tall or all of the above, I’m here to tell you it was all a lie and I have something written just for you. For us."
"I am a writer that creates stories and characters for black girls and women who never got to see themselves as the protagonist. Whether you were told that your skin was too dark, your hair was too nappy, your body was too big or too tall or all of the above, I’m here to tell you it was all a lie and I have something written just for you. For us."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
December 19, 2020
I'm going to keep this really short but this book was not for me. The premise was a good idea considering it's a fairy tale retelling but I had a really hard time connecting with anyone in this story. Everyone was either toxic, over the top, or in Cam's case, too passive in the face of so much toxicity including from Tillar. I get that she had insecurities but for someone who was confident in her skin, she was constantly one upping everyone or making blatant, exaggerated assumptions about every situation. I did not like the way she treated Cam for most of the book and I also didn't like how he rolled over and exposed his belly for her every single time. I felt like just when I didn't think the story could take an even more ridiculous turn, it did. There were ridiculous scenes from arguments to physical fights and major info dumps for such a short book that I felt didn't add to the plot; instead it made it worse.
Edit to add content warnings: anti-black, lgbtqia negative, fatphobic language
I'm in the minority here cause the book is highly rated for others but I'm simply not with it this time.
Edit to add content warnings: anti-black, lgbtqia negative, fatphobic language
I'm in the minority here cause the book is highly rated for others but I'm simply not with it this time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2024
This was a great spin on a fairytale! It was a little slow in the beginning but I enjoyed every minute of it! This also speaks to the African American community sooooooo much. How mothers “raise their daughters and love their sons,” that’s a big thing & it affects African American women more than people know! Very well written!
September 8, 2020
Thickerella was everything I didn't know I needed. It was so good! This book sucked me in from the first page. The author spun a modern day fairytale with characters who were flawed and had some serious insecurities but, they were able to work through their struggles and come out on the other side. Cameron Logan is the man all fictitious and real single women deserve. He was literally a dream come true. I am beyond salty that Cameron does not exist. His dad and Grandmother raised him on how to treat a woman and he listened to every single word because, he definitely treated Tillar like a princess. Although, she didn’t deserve it. While I loved me some Cameron, I did NOT like Tillar. I stopped being sympathetic with her before I even finished chapter one. I just could not understand why she would uproot her life and allow herself to be pulled into a toxic environment where she was verbally and physically abused by her ratchet and sorry azz mama and brother. Michelle and TJ had absolutely no love for Tillar and they made sure she knew it. I lost count of the number of times they called her fat or said she “looked gay” because of her haircut. The shyt was honestly heartbreaking to read. You can’t help but feel sorry for her because, this is her family who’s treating her like this. But, she went out of her way to curve Cameron then, get angry with him when he told Michelle off and beat TJ’s azz for putting his hands on her. I was like are you kidding me?!!! I needed Tillar to keep that same energy she used trying to curve Cameron on her mama and brother. She eventually found her common sense and realized Cameron was, indeed, a good man and stopped fighting her attraction to him. But, by then, I just found it very hard to like her and I didn’t think she deserved Cameron at all. In the end, Tillar got her prince charming and her HEA and that’s all that really matters. Thickerella was a book a lot of women can relate to. The characters were very well developed and the story line was realistic. The message of knowing your worth and cutting family members out of your life when they have no purpose was loud and clear. This was my first book by Tanzania Glover and it did not disappoint. I cannot wait to read Sleeping Cutie.
May 20, 2021
3.50⭐️⭐️⭐️
Style: African American Urban Romance
Story: 3/5
Enjoyment: 3.5/5
Dark Level: 0/5
Sexual Level: OK-GOOD
Triggers: No
Violence: No
Male: Charming, Lovable & Sexy
Series: Book 1
Pages: 345
Audio: GOOD (female)
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
STORY:
Love this story, and I am in love with Cam. My issues were the beginning of the story when Tillar is giving the backstory of her background, growing up and where she is now. It was too long. I started losing interest wondering when and how we will be meeting Cam. The other issue was Tillar. I don’t know what it was, but sometimes I can overlook a main female character’s attitude, but her attitude/mentally rubbed me the wrong way at times. It was a turn off. The only reason I got through this book was Cam. The author did a great job creating a wonderful Prince Charming.
CHEMISTRY:
Their sexually wasn’t bad, I liked it but would have loved more of it.
SECONDARY CHARACTERS:
Tillar’s family was a piece of work.That’s blood for you. The family added interest to the storyline that also made me kept wanting to read. I enjoyed Tillar’s best friend and Cam’s brother.
OVERALL, I love the story but was not a fan of the way Tillar acted and think at times. Cam was amazing and safe this story for me.
✰✰TRIGGERS:
****I don’t equate these stories to real life. It’s about personal taste and what you would or want to tolerate with the books you read. I know we all have different opinions and preferences with what we read. I based my book reviews on my preferences and what I like, and while these preferences may not be the same for others, I hope this review was still helpful.
July 26, 2021
I really enjoyed this story...Cameron is such a good guy....and because of some of her prior experiences it really took Tiller too long to understand that what you see is really and truly what you get from Cam. I didn't like the fact that Cam had to chase and beg her so much....but, when he finally got into her head and heart....his place was cemented. His back story was very interesting....Tiller's mother Michelle and older brother TJ both were a mess...This family dynamic is simply messy....But, we absolutely love Aunt Diane. I can't wait to see what's up next for the other Logan Brothers.
May 5, 2020
First and foremost how dare Cam be the most perfect man to ever exist and not be a real person! Now that that’s over let’s discuss this gem here.
Tiller or Tilly for short is a successful beautiful Black Woman living her best life in Atlanta, but things get messy when her TRASH mother calls her telling not asking her to move back home to Chicago and save their family home. Now when I say that her mother Michelle is the worst human I am not exaggerating, because of this woman and the things she was says to Tilly I honestly did not think that I would be able to continue with this book but I’m glad that I did. Despite the deplorable way that her mother and older brother treat her she does pack up her life and move back home and it’s definitely not something I would’ve done. I would’ve let the house burn to the ground. Tilly rocks a low cut and is in need of a barber...enter prince charming Cam. It is literally unfair how perfect this man is but he also ends up being her barber at the shop that he owns. Despite her dumpster fire of a brother being one of his employees Cam is immediately taken by her and asks her out on a date. I feel like my emotions were split pretty evenly throughout this book between “omg I hate her family why does she deal with them” , and “how is Can this perfect!?” There were so many moments where I thought I knew what was gonna happen and then it completely went in a different direction. This book had a great message of knowing your worth, and excepting what you know you deserve,and being okay with cutting loose what you don’t. Also she referenced Brandy’s Cinderella and princess Tiana in this book so that’s an A+ with me.
December 19, 2020
I did not enjoy this at all. Way too much backstory up front. Didn't care for the editing. And an outrageously dislikeable main character. Tillar was so anti and negative and conceited and arrogant, among other things. Her family was awful, and her reactions to them were baffling, considering how she treated everyone else. Cam caved in to her too much, in my opinion. It just wasn't an enjoyable read. I stopped reading roughly halfway through.
July 5, 2020
I love it when I go into a book not knowing exactly what to expect. Such was the case with “Thickerella” by Tanzania Glover. Tillar’s whole life has been spent putting everyone else’s needs before her own. So when her mother calls her and tells her that she needs her to move back home to help with the bills, of course she can’t say no.
"Thickerella" hits on some very real-life issues, especially those found in the Black community. Mother- daughter relationships, weight shaming, and more were just some of the subjects that were touched upon. Tillar had to put up with so many toxic people in her life. I don’t know how she put up with all of that and I really felt for her but also wanted to call her on the phone and say “ You deserve better than this. Forget them!” lol. Which is of course, easier said than done.
With that being said, although these topics are woven into the story, it was not what I would consider a heavy read. There were so many funny moments that really balances everything out. I found all the characters to be well-developed and the plot to be realistic. The pacing was perfect. I definitely love Cam. Cam, Cam, Cam! I was just pleasantly surprised with this book and I'm kicking myself for waiting this long to read it. I can’t wait to read the sequel,“Sleeping Cutie”, in the very near future. I really like the artwork for these books and look forward to getting physical copies for my bookshelf.
"Thickerella" hits on some very real-life issues, especially those found in the Black community. Mother- daughter relationships, weight shaming, and more were just some of the subjects that were touched upon. Tillar had to put up with so many toxic people in her life. I don’t know how she put up with all of that and I really felt for her but also wanted to call her on the phone and say “ You deserve better than this. Forget them!” lol. Which is of course, easier said than done.
With that being said, although these topics are woven into the story, it was not what I would consider a heavy read. There were so many funny moments that really balances everything out. I found all the characters to be well-developed and the plot to be realistic. The pacing was perfect. I definitely love Cam. Cam, Cam, Cam! I was just pleasantly surprised with this book and I'm kicking myself for waiting this long to read it. I can’t wait to read the sequel,“Sleeping Cutie”, in the very near future. I really like the artwork for these books and look forward to getting physical copies for my bookshelf.
August 23, 2021
Immature, Fickle, and 2Nosey made the main character unlikable for Mi…..Not even the terrible dynamics of her family made me feel for her, if anything I thought she was rather a pushover to the extreme with her family and then kind of a bully towards her love interest. I did not find some of the situations with her family believable (making her do chores, like washing her brother’s clothes and watching his children). I was kinda disappointed with this read because I found her novellas to be rather entertaining, I am hoping for more from the next two reads.
May 21, 2024
It's a difficult balancing act - you want your MC to be a strong independent character, but then there's all the lovely emotional stuff that comes with them being put down by their nearest and dearest. How beautifully they hurt!
So Thickerella lost me early on in this regard. Tillar was badly abused as a child, had the self-confidence to get away & spent the next 10 years making a satisfying life for herself. Kudos to her.
BUT then—for the flimiest of reasons—she willingly walks herself back into the abusive set-up she's escaped. First evening back, the family insults start up again & by the end of the night, in spite of those 10 successful years, she's sobbing all alone. It's hard to feel much sympathy for Tillar's self-inflicted situation, particularly when she's not especially pleasant to the other characters in her life. The writing style is competent, but not exciting.
Managed to 25%, then skipped to the end, and didn't feel as if I'd missed much.
So Thickerella lost me early on in this regard. Tillar was badly abused as a child, had the self-confidence to get away & spent the next 10 years making a satisfying life for herself. Kudos to her.
BUT then—for the flimiest of reasons—she willingly walks herself back into the abusive set-up she's escaped. First evening back, the family insults start up again & by the end of the night, in spite of those 10 successful years, she's sobbing all alone. It's hard to feel much sympathy for Tillar's self-inflicted situation, particularly when she's not especially pleasant to the other characters in her life. The writing style is competent, but not exciting.
Managed to 25%, then skipped to the end, and didn't feel as if I'd missed much.
July 8, 2020
Yasss Thickerella! I really enjoyed this retelling of a classic story. I loved her confidence and outlook on life. Cam was everything, and all the things he really showed her what real love looked like. I can’t wait to read the upcoming installments. Great read and my first of this author!
December 6, 2020
Cute
It was a slow start but I’m glad I kept goin. Once the story picked up, my heart bonded with Tillar as we became book sisters. I was ready to go to war for her and against everybody. Lol This story was a bit of an emotional roller coaster, so I’m pleased to see how things turned out.
It was a slow start but I’m glad I kept goin. Once the story picked up, my heart bonded with Tillar as we became book sisters. I was ready to go to war for her and against everybody. Lol This story was a bit of an emotional roller coaster, so I’m pleased to see how things turned out.
November 4, 2020
I absolutely loved this book! I normally read a lot of street fiction & this was my first Urban Romance.. well at least I consider it an Urban Romance if it isn’t lol This twist on Cinderella was better than the original black twist on the childhood story. This was so modern & I believe every young single woman can relate. We all know how it feels to be so fed up with the dating pool that you choose to forget love & only have pleasure in mind. In this beautiful story, things take an unexpected turn when a gentleman is everything he claims to be and more!
The fact that the main character is a plus size woman, and not the typical fetishized shape of a plus size woman, is my favorite part of the entire story. Her being open about her insecurities as well as sharing her path to self love WITHOUT a man is beautiful & should be heard by women all across the globe. Needless to say, if this ever comes out in a hard copy, I will for sure be adding it to my collection! Currently reading Sleeping Cutie & impatiently waiting on Trapunzel
The fact that the main character is a plus size woman, and not the typical fetishized shape of a plus size woman, is my favorite part of the entire story. Her being open about her insecurities as well as sharing her path to self love WITHOUT a man is beautiful & should be heard by women all across the globe. Needless to say, if this ever comes out in a hard copy, I will for sure be adding it to my collection! Currently reading Sleeping Cutie & impatiently waiting on Trapunzel
July 11, 2021
A Disney Princess at Heart
As a forever Disney Princess this was a really great “remake”/ modern take. I would have liked a little more heat, but overall I really enjoyed it. If someone ever creates the Black version of Hallmark that I keep begging for, this has GOT to be on there!
As a forever Disney Princess this was a really great “remake”/ modern take. I would have liked a little more heat, but overall I really enjoyed it. If someone ever creates the Black version of Hallmark that I keep begging for, this has GOT to be on there!
January 26, 2020
REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE OTHER BOOKS IN THIS SERIES .. CAM WAS EVERYTHANG READY TO SEE HOW HIS BROTHERS COME THRU...
June 7, 2020
The first 4 sentences of this story had me hooked! I loved the Cinderella movie starring Brandy! Watching it as a kid was a pivotal moment in my childhood! Tillar was so likeable and so frustrating at the same time. I loved her heart and compassion but I hated how she endured the mistreatment from her flesh and blood. Cameron was perfect. Normally I hate it when the guy is too perfect but Cameron is alright with me. I really liked how he was a homebody and bookworm. His troubled past was shocking but it also made him human. I just loved how Cam didn't hold back with expressing his love for Tillar. This story covered so many topics such as body shaming, grief, jealousy, family disputes and so much more! I liked how there was a subtle nod to Eric Jerome Dickey because Cheaters was that novel that got me hooked on this genre back in the day. I didn't want this story to end! I'm looking forward to Christian and Chasen's stories too!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2020
Tanzania solidified herself as my favorite author with this one!
This was a realistic take on the Cinderella fairytale. I like how the author took creative liberties and instead of a wicked stepmother and stepsisters, Tiller had a wicked mother, brother and jealous girl cousin. This is the first book I read where I literally wanted to fight every character but I still loved the way it was written. I read the soundtrack series so I already knew the author was gonna bring it, I just wish Thickerella was longer like the soundtrack books lol. All in all it was relatable and the dynamics felt real and I'm sooooo looking forward to the next books!!!!
This was a realistic take on the Cinderella fairytale. I like how the author took creative liberties and instead of a wicked stepmother and stepsisters, Tiller had a wicked mother, brother and jealous girl cousin. This is the first book I read where I literally wanted to fight every character but I still loved the way it was written. I read the soundtrack series so I already knew the author was gonna bring it, I just wish Thickerella was longer like the soundtrack books lol. All in all it was relatable and the dynamics felt real and I'm sooooo looking forward to the next books!!!!
January 1, 2021
Loved it
Good modern update on and old classic. So relevant too.
Tillar had a horrible family. Mom and brother were users and abusers of her good heart. She just wanted to be loved by them but love didn’t live there. She escaped the dysfunction until the threat of losing the home her deceased father worked so hard for was imminent. Her mom and brother pissed away all the money and she was called on to move home and bail them out.
A chance encounter with the barbershop owner and her life changes from there.
I enjoyed this book
Good modern update on and old classic. So relevant too.
Tillar had a horrible family. Mom and brother were users and abusers of her good heart. She just wanted to be loved by them but love didn’t live there. She escaped the dysfunction until the threat of losing the home her deceased father worked so hard for was imminent. Her mom and brother pissed away all the money and she was called on to move home and bail them out.
A chance encounter with the barbershop owner and her life changes from there.
I enjoyed this book
June 13, 2020
A beautiful modern take on a classic story
I fell in love with the characters in this story. Tillar was like my friend, my sister, like me. Cam was a great, well-developed book boyfriend. The characters were realistic and believable.
This story was a fast paced, great read.
I would recommend this book to fans of modern retellings and love stories. I look forward to the sequel!
I fell in love with the characters in this story. Tillar was like my friend, my sister, like me. Cam was a great, well-developed book boyfriend. The characters were realistic and believable.
This story was a fast paced, great read.
I would recommend this book to fans of modern retellings and love stories. I look forward to the sequel!
July 3, 2020
Thickeralla * Takes Deep Breath* This book was everything I didn't know I needed at the moment. This story follows a 30 year old Tilar who's life revolves around others. In this modern day fairy tale Tillar is constantly put down by people who are suppose to love her. It wasn't until Tilar met Cam (price charming) she realized her worth and how dope she really is. This book is definitely full of of free game and wisdom and Tilar's journey is definitely one you would want to follow.
December 6, 2020
Love. Love. LOVE.
I was just scrolling through my kindle and stumbled upon this book. I noticed the cover and it definitely interested. I love reading books about Black women who look like me. We deserve to be represented not all men want skin and bones.
I was just scrolling through my kindle and stumbled upon this book. I noticed the cover and it definitely interested. I love reading books about Black women who look like me. We deserve to be represented not all men want skin and bones.
April 20, 2021
Great read
First time reading from this author and so far I love what I read. Tillar needed to finally put herself first and I am glad she had Cam there to show her she was worth it
First time reading from this author and so far I love what I read. Tillar needed to finally put herself first and I am glad she had Cam there to show her she was worth it
August 16, 2020
Romantic
I absolutely loved this book. Tillar was so great by herself. Putting her with Cam was excellent. They were a beautiful couple. I would highly recommend this book.
I absolutely loved this book. Tillar was so great by herself. Putting her with Cam was excellent. They were a beautiful couple. I would highly recommend this book.
February 11, 2021
My heart
This was such a beautiful love story it was real romantic and funny. I'm so happy that Tills got her unexpected happily ever after :)
This was such a beautiful love story it was real romantic and funny. I'm so happy that Tills got her unexpected happily ever after :)
March 4, 2022
Well that was an experience and it wasn’t a fun one. Will I read the others? Probably. lol
January 18, 2020
Great book
This book was so great. I loved the twist on Cinderella. Cam is the Prince Charming we all dream of and no one deserved him more than Tilly. This was the first book I’ve read by this author but definitely not my last. Great story with a even better message.
This book was so great. I loved the twist on Cinderella. Cam is the Prince Charming we all dream of and no one deserved him more than Tilly. This was the first book I’ve read by this author but definitely not my last. Great story with a even better message.
May 4, 2021
I loved it! 10/10 would recommend. Cam had my heart from day one! However, Tills and I had some words here and there! But these two were WELL WRITTEN, lovable, and flawed characters that I just want to hug. There was definitely growth and a powerful message.
May 17, 2021
👍🏾
A very realistic spin on the modern day Cinderella story. It’s not too sappy or whimsical but a wonderful development of the characters
A very realistic spin on the modern day Cinderella story. It’s not too sappy or whimsical but a wonderful development of the characters
December 1, 2020
Wanted to love it
I really wanted to love this book. The storyline was semi unique, Cam was an amazing leading male, the drama kept your interest. The drawback in the book was Tillar. One minute she is hard as a dude with her attitude, the next she is a doormat as her good for nothing mother and brother walk all over her. The character just became unlikable. Cam jumped through hoops and went above and beyond to prove and show his love for Tillar. The book just fell flat for me.
I really wanted to love this book. The storyline was semi unique, Cam was an amazing leading male, the drama kept your interest. The drawback in the book was Tillar. One minute she is hard as a dude with her attitude, the next she is a doormat as her good for nothing mother and brother walk all over her. The character just became unlikable. Cam jumped through hoops and went above and beyond to prove and show his love for Tillar. The book just fell flat for me.
August 5, 2020
This isn't a typical book I would pick at all but that's what book clubs are for right? I thought that this was a sweet fairy tale that provided a much needed escape from the heavy, complicated world of today. Did I think it was a literary work of art or a multidimensional plot with layers and levels? No. Is it necessary for a story to be art or multidimensional in order to be entertaining? No. With that said, it was entertaining and I would definitely recommend it to the right friend looking for an escape.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews