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Waking Rory
17-year-old Even (Ev-an) McCoy is always up to no good, chasing any unhealthy coping mechanism she can find. Her workaholic uncle (and guardian), Nash is finally at his limit with her arrests and truancy. She’s one year from 18, and if she doesn’t straighten up at this summer internship, it’s boarding school for her. It seems simple enough: bring people coffee, answer some phone calls, wait out the summer. That is, until she wakes Sleeping Beauty.
Now Even has to decide if true love is worth the risk of heartache and boarding school. Can she accept that fairy-tales do exist enough to get her own Happily Ever After?
Now Even has to decide if true love is worth the risk of heartache and boarding school. Can she accept that fairy-tales do exist enough to get her own Happily Ever After?
270 pages, Paperback
Published July 31, 2020
1 person is currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Jeannel
7 books26 followersElizabeth Jeannel is a saphhic ace author of queer stories she wishes she’d had in her yesteryears and insistent that all of them end happily. Her releases currently include The Art of Feeling, Cursed (the novella), and Waking Rory. She is the founder and ringmaster of Hansen House, an artist, a photographer, and a gamer when she can squeeze in the time. She is a massive nerd and lover of most sci-fi and fantasy, only wishing more of it had queer representation.
When not writing, she can usually be found wrangling her small farm, hyperfixating on the wrong thing, or consuming just shy of too much caffeine. She currently resides in Southeast Kansas with her two partners.
When not writing, she can usually be found wrangling her small farm, hyperfixating on the wrong thing, or consuming just shy of too much caffeine. She currently resides in Southeast Kansas with her two partners.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 12, 2020
A young adult lesbian spin on the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale!
Aurora has been sleeping, waiting for 600 years in Lyon, France. Even (pronounced Evan) stumbles across her hidden fortress in the woods, lead there by some magic and a dream, and feels immediately drawn to the beautiful sleeping figure, and of course proceeds to wake the girl with a kiss.
Even is 17 and Rory is about 16.
Even had a traumatic backstory with losing her parents in a car crash, and her woefully ignorant uncle hasn't done a thing to help her adjust or cope. He just works long hours at the family company and leaves her to her own devices. So she has been acting out, getting into trouble, seeking attention. Trying to dull her nightmares and loss. While trying to find some meaning and care.
Her uncle decides a summer in France working at the family business as an intern might help Even become more responsible. This time spent together also helps them to connect. But old habits can be hard to change.
The introduction of Rory helps Even get out of her own head and start to believe in something more. Their attraction is immediate but it takes a while for us to learn about Aurora's backstory.
They both struggle with their own issues but have a sweet support of one another which was very cute. The romance was very PG which was to be expected.
I really enjoyed seeing both characters grow and learn from eachother with care and consideration. A Kindle unlimited read.
Aurora has been sleeping, waiting for 600 years in Lyon, France. Even (pronounced Evan) stumbles across her hidden fortress in the woods, lead there by some magic and a dream, and feels immediately drawn to the beautiful sleeping figure, and of course proceeds to wake the girl with a kiss.
Even is 17 and Rory is about 16.
Even had a traumatic backstory with losing her parents in a car crash, and her woefully ignorant uncle hasn't done a thing to help her adjust or cope. He just works long hours at the family company and leaves her to her own devices. So she has been acting out, getting into trouble, seeking attention. Trying to dull her nightmares and loss. While trying to find some meaning and care.
Her uncle decides a summer in France working at the family business as an intern might help Even become more responsible. This time spent together also helps them to connect. But old habits can be hard to change.
The introduction of Rory helps Even get out of her own head and start to believe in something more. Their attraction is immediate but it takes a while for us to learn about Aurora's backstory.
They both struggle with their own issues but have a sweet support of one another which was very cute. The romance was very PG which was to be expected.
I really enjoyed seeing both characters grow and learn from eachother with care and consideration. A Kindle unlimited read.
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October 5, 2020Fun & sweet WLW romance
Things to love: characters are on-point and grow through the story, fairy tale retelling that's self-aware, LGBTQ characters receive acceptance from friends and family, shared bed romance (!!!), and other adorable romance tropes but WLW (!!).
Things you may not love: main character is petulant in the beginning, magic is used but not frequently/directly.
Overall there is a lot to love in Waking Rory. It reminded me of Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins in tone, character development, YA-level, and the use of royalty/fairy tale themes. However, I found Waking Rory to be a much more enjoyable read because none of the characters did anything annoying or frustrating. I also thought the plot of Waking Rory was a bit less predictable than HRH.
One thing I usually see in the LGBTQ teen romance genre is some sort of horrible event where the characters are "outed" and they have to deal with backlash/homophobia. I LOVE that Waking Rory didn't have anything of the sort! I won't spoil it, but I will say that if you are upset by scenes like that (I sure am) be assured that this book does not contain any of them! The way that Jeannel handles the sexuality and identity of the characters is really reassuring. I would 100% recommend this book to an LGBTQ teen who is looking for an inclusive and enjoyable book.
Things to love: characters are on-point and grow through the story, fairy tale retelling that's self-aware, LGBTQ characters receive acceptance from friends and family, shared bed romance (!!!), and other adorable romance tropes but WLW (!!).
Things you may not love: main character is petulant in the beginning, magic is used but not frequently/directly.
Overall there is a lot to love in Waking Rory. It reminded me of Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins in tone, character development, YA-level, and the use of royalty/fairy tale themes. However, I found Waking Rory to be a much more enjoyable read because none of the characters did anything annoying or frustrating. I also thought the plot of Waking Rory was a bit less predictable than HRH.
One thing I usually see in the LGBTQ teen romance genre is some sort of horrible event where the characters are "outed" and they have to deal with backlash/homophobia. I LOVE that Waking Rory didn't have anything of the sort! I won't spoil it, but I will say that if you are upset by scenes like that (I sure am) be assured that this book does not contain any of them! The way that Jeannel handles the sexuality and identity of the characters is really reassuring. I would 100% recommend this book to an LGBTQ teen who is looking for an inclusive and enjoyable book.
July 31, 2020
Even is a semi-apathetic teenager with a penchant for trouble who is blackmailed into a prestigious internship in France. When she sneaks away from her rich uncle/guardian, accidentally finds herself in a decrepit castle and wakes Sleeping Beauty, everything changes.
I could hardly put this book down. Even and her unique voice make the entire story. Immediately, she is an extremely likable main character. We fall in love with Rory right along with her. I would highly recommend this story to any older teen who grew up loving fairy tales. I especially loved the mental health aspect weaved throughout. With its important message and sweet love story, it’s not just a simple modern YA twist on a beloved classic. Any reader of any age will be touched by this romance and beg for more from this author when they’re done.
I could hardly put this book down. Even and her unique voice make the entire story. Immediately, she is an extremely likable main character. We fall in love with Rory right along with her. I would highly recommend this story to any older teen who grew up loving fairy tales. I especially loved the mental health aspect weaved throughout. With its important message and sweet love story, it’s not just a simple modern YA twist on a beloved classic. Any reader of any age will be touched by this romance and beg for more from this author when they’re done.
August 14, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this book, the characters were great and I loved the fairy tale elements in the story. Overall this was a really good book
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 14, 2023
the plot itself was interesting but the way it written was just a no for me
January 1, 2021
A sweet an heartbreaking retelling of the classic fairytale Sleeping Beauty. Set in modern times where the fairytale never had its conclusion Even finds Aurora still sleeping and the two women with traumatic pasts then must help each other heal and find their places in the world.
Jeannel has done a fantastic job weaving a classic fairytale with a unique new twist. I love the themes of love, loss, trauma, and healing that are so prevalent throughout the story.
Both Even and Rory and wonderfully developed characters and I love them so much. They have both suffered so much and watching them both grow and heal together is so satisfying. Their romance is sweet and endearing though filled with secrets and pain that drive the conflict of the story and create a wedge between them.
This is a story of finding one’s self for both characters and I loved the journey along the way. This is a story of fate and true love, just a whole lot messier. People are messy and complicated and that is reflected very well throughout the story.
Even though Jeannel is great at driving in the emotional knife, this story is also incredibly fun, sweet, and full of love.
Jeannel has done a fantastic job weaving a classic fairytale with a unique new twist. I love the themes of love, loss, trauma, and healing that are so prevalent throughout the story.
Both Even and Rory and wonderfully developed characters and I love them so much. They have both suffered so much and watching them both grow and heal together is so satisfying. Their romance is sweet and endearing though filled with secrets and pain that drive the conflict of the story and create a wedge between them.
This is a story of finding one’s self for both characters and I loved the journey along the way. This is a story of fate and true love, just a whole lot messier. People are messy and complicated and that is reflected very well throughout the story.
Even though Jeannel is great at driving in the emotional knife, this story is also incredibly fun, sweet, and full of love.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews