Wilfair

Wilfair #1

by Alysia Gray Painter

A late-blooming heiress runs a posh hotel next door to a shy guy and the little motel he oversees. Her task? Steal his pool for her pool-less hotel. Strange things happen, adventures are had, feelings are felt, and cheese dip is eaten.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, New Adult, Mystery, Fiction, Fantasy

114 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 11, 2011

About the author

Pros: I write about travel, hotels, festivals, and food for NBC Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. The Discovery Prize in American Humor and a regional writing Emmy nomination are two bullet points on my CV. I'm that person who will kiss your dog even though I just met your dog. I pre-like everything.

Cons: I'll sometimes list pros and cons rather than write an actual bio. I'll use "CV" even though I am not British and should probably say "résumé." Eating the leftover French fries off your plate is my thing. I regularly ruin punchlines then make the situation worse by restarting the joke three times.

Reviews

[K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger warnings: nothing that springs to mind!

17/5/2022
Legit can't believe I let myself go so long without reading this. Rereading this was like wrapping myself up in a warm blanket.

1/1/2019
This was the perfect way to start the year. I relate to Fair a disturbing amount, and I love seeing the start of her friendships with the Overbove boys.

18/2/2017
In the past, I've left my rating of this book at 3 stars, because that's how I felt about it the first time I read it. It was weird, it was quirky, I had no idea what was going on half the time.

But having just reread it for the third time, I'm gonna go ahead and give it the five star rating that it has in my heart. Because rereading this book is like putting on your favourite pair of PJs and curling up under a blanket. It's full of wonderful characters that I want to be friends with and delightful settings that I want to visit. I know exactly what to expect from it, and it makes me smile from start to finish.

Fair/Gomery = OTP 5eva.

19/3/2014
I loved this so much more on reread. The first time around, my brain was trying to process Fair's voice and all the adorable weirdness that was going on. This time? I was caught up in Sutton's initialisations, and all the things that prove relevant in the subsequent books, and Gomery's freckles and dimples, and the fact that Fair's brain and its random tangents and adding-on-to-the-end-of-words-thing works a lot like my brain (the word "ridickity" has now entered my vocabulary) and OMG ALL THE THINGS. Based on the reread, I'd bump the rating up to four stars. But I'm going to leave it as is simply because a big part of my love for it this time was based on the fact that I knew and loved the characters from the get go, so it feels like cheating to change it when I have prior knowledge. Or something... Whatever, it's adorable. Go read it.

13/8/2013
3 stars.
I don't even really know how to write a review of this book. Because it's epically weird. Like "No idea what the hell is happening or what anyone is talking about, but it's really stinking cute so I have to keep reading" kind of weird. Quirky would perhaps be a better way to describe it.

At any rate, it's one of those books that you can't really describe to someone without sounding like a complete and utter lunatic, so instead I shall just say this: it was a lot of fun, I immediately downloaded the other two books in the series, and the Kindle editions of each of the three books are only $1.99. Win.

[Williesun · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars really.

17.12.2017
What I said three years ago still stands, however I think I can overrelate to Fair even more than before. Re-reading it, I got to dive a little deeper than the first time because I knew what was coming. I know the characters but Fair, Fair is my kind of woman in the way she puts on a brave face and tries to make everyone happy. But not everything can be solved with a fruit basked although imagine it could! She's an old child just like me and I love her for it. And the cousins, oh my god. I love them even more. Yes, it's possible.

13.12.2014
I was told this book is quirky and HELLOOOOO it is. It's a good thing though, I don't think I have read a book like this before. I love the characters, maybe not the parents and the twins but everyone else and I can identify with Fair so well.

There is one moment when she sees her bedroom and has to decide between crying and being the confident person she wants to be and as much as she commands her tear ducts to not work, some tears fall. In that moment I could relate with her like whoa because I have been in that situation more times than I can remember or dare to remember.

I love the utterly ridiculousness of it all. And I have apparently found a fictional character who likes using the word thingy as much as I do. And also loves to add an ish or y and ness to words.

Now I can't wait to see what happens next. To meet the aunts for the first time, see what the Redwoodian and Stay Awhile are like and Fair and Gomery, omg omg omg omg. I know it's slow burn, like hella slow but damn, I like them a lot.

BRB purchasing book 2 on Amazon right now.

[Nicky (burialshroud) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Extremely tiresome and difficult to read. The amount of effort it took to divine the story amid all the quirkiness was not worth it. Here are some quotes from the novel that I highlighted in lieu of screaming at my Kindle and flinging it out of a window:

"Those delightful youngsters do so adore the ba-nuh-na-na-na fountain.” I had no idea what a banana fountain was, but heavens knows it sounded very 1936, and heaven knows I liked adding extra “-na”s to the end to up its exoticness, and heaven knows guests ate this Hollywood-y stuff up..."

"“That is so. Well. So. You know?” “So totally so,” agreed Monty. “So so. Not so-so, but so so,” I nodded."

"I adjusted my enormous shoulder pads and walked behind the front desk into the first office. Then I frown-smiled. Wait. Reverse that. Smile-frowned. Smowned. Pause—and scene: “Oh goodness graciousnessness. Ness,” I squealed, and then shrank. My mouth needed to stop saying “-ness” now. No more -nessing required at this juncture. One more -ness would be a mess."

"Frankly, “me me me” was making me tired. I had to say that last “me” there, of course, before the word “tired,” but I didn’t mean “me” like “me me me.” Just me."

WHAT A COMPLETE NIGHTMARE. The only praise I can come up with is that I'm impressed at how much drivel has been crammed into such a short book.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books is a huge amount of fun. Some readers seem to find the language of the book too quirky, and I can see how that might be an issue. However, I personally enjoyed the quirkiness of the story. The slang is fun and the characters are endearing. My only real issue is that it's not a work unto itself, the ending clearly sets up for the next book and cuts off without resolving things. I do enjoy books in a series, but I like the stories in the series to be as self-contained as possible. But that's a very minor quibble for a completely delightful book.

[Katie]

Not into the writing style and not in the mood to push through that.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, that was TMFF I've had reading a book in forever. Seriously.

It took me a bit to get into it and I was confused for a good minute, but once I did? I fell in love with every word and I never wanted to stop reading.

The different hotels and all their descriptions made me incredibly happy, too. Mostly because I ADORE hotels anyway but also because they were all awesome.

Also, I WANT THE DIP RESTAURANT TO BE REAL. Like, so much.

I wish I had the next two books, but I have to wait til my b-day in 2 weeks. Sigh, sigh, double French fry.

[Forever Young Adult]

Graded By: Erin
Cover Story: Totally Wasted On An EPub
BFF Charm: Yay!
Swoonworthy Scale: 5
Talky Talky: If Angela Chase and FYA Had a Baby, And That Baby Wrote a Book . . .
Bonus Factors: Hotel Life, Dips, College-Aged Protagonist
Relationship Status: The First Date That Totally Took Me By Surprise

Read the full book report here.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just realized I never reviewed this book. I loved it so much. I thought the quirkiness would be grating or get old. Nope.
I almost never give a 5 star review. Ever.
But I’m reviewing this almost 2 years later and I stand by it. This book stuck with me and I still love everything about it.

I cant wait for Charlotte to read it.

[NicoleHasRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and quirky

Two competing hotels sit side by side with adjoining restaurants. Fair, 19 year old manager of The Wilfair, has been tasked with taking over the Fairwil (small t) to get their pool. But cousins Monty and Gomery are not giving up easily, and Fair finds herself intrigued by her handsome neighbours. When strange things start happening in both hotels, the takeover takes a back seat to solving the mystery.

Fair has a very unusual style of narrating, which sites take some getting used to, but this us a fun and quirky book which had me eager to find out what would happen.

The unexplained abbreviations and sudden ending were frustrating, this is more the first act than a complete story, but it was still a very enjoyable diversion and I will read the rest of the series to find out what happens.

[Tedi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is completely quirky, and weird, and entirely charming. It took me about 75% of the story to really feel in the groove of the main character's voice. Before that, I kept asking myself if I was actually enjoying it while also not being able to stop reading. But by the end I was so endeared by the characters and desperate to know how everything was going to turn out that I started book 2 immediately. This is definitely worth a read when you just want something fun.

[DistantShips · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't even know how to describe this book/series, but I devoured it. So delightful.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

The biggest standout in this book that will be make-or-break for most readers is the writing - Fair Finley’s voice - which is a lot like Lemony Snicket and Joss Whedon+writers* circa Buffy's high school years, on speed, shifted into overdrive, and examined under a microscope. It takes some getting used to and can be obnoxious at times, but it also perfectly suits the main character as it showcases her own internal sociological system and subsequent lingo thanks to the personally-solitary and unique life she has lived. It’s that sort of language that you see develop with an eclectic group of people, but Fair IS her own peer group with the addition of just one outside friend. At least, until she gets sucked into a tar pit, room-swapping mystery with Montgomery #1 and Montgomery #2, both of whom are quite spectacular.

I have to say now: I have NO IDEA where this mystery is headed... and it’s kind of odd how much I appreciate and enjoy that. I am super curious and so ready to find out! The settings and these elements of mystery have a marvelousy absurd quality that are simply delightful and add such color and light to Fair’s world.

Ultimately, it was the character of Fair that really resonated with me in a sort of eerie, looking-into-the-mirror way. Not so much in her situation, obviously - oh, to live in a hotel with a 500 Dip Bar! - but we are so much alike in personality. She’s shy, awkward, neurotic, daydreamy, and completely unsure of herself which really presents itself in all of her -ishes and maybes (I use my fair share of maybes but I thankfully do not have an -ish problem). I also start every sentence with the word sorry... or use it enough to make a similar statement. She doesn’t handle reality well, either, and also requires an anchor in social situations. The difference with her being, she doesn’t completely freeze without that anchor and her general awkwardness has a vocal pitch that is impressive considering her foot is wedged in her mouth while my awkwardness stays mostly quiet. I have, however, learned that one is never too old for a Shirley Temple.

* - Particularly thinking of Jane Espenson’s line for Willow in 3x11, Gingerbread: “A doodle. I do doodle. You, too. You do doodle, too.” But there’s also a lot of wordplay that I could see coming from the Scoobies at any given time.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Quirky Book. I was pretty much cool with the quirky plot AND quirky narrative form (which is told from Fair's perspective). Fair Finley is a hotel heiress who runs a famous Hollywood hotel. She dresses like a 1940s film star, but has not yet come into her own as a hotel magnate, despite her parent hopes. She tends to over-apologize via fruit baskets, and can't get the nerve to steal the neighboring motel's swimming pool. That's right. Her famous hotel, where each floor is a different design, from Rococo to Story Book, lacks a pool-a terrible oversight in Los Angeles. The problem is the motel owner's happen to be a pair of handsome cousins (with loose ties, rolled up sleeves, and distracting, attractive forearms). Fair doesn't have many friends, and these two, both named Montgomery, seem ready to be friends and have adventures, but stealing a pool from potential friends is tough. There is so much packed into this little book! Her little twin brothers run the famous 500 Dip Bar, which means we are treated to lots of discussion of dip. I enjoyed that Fair was a person trying to find herself and learning to use her quirks to her advantage. And Fair's weirdness is kinda refreshing. I knew we would be friends when she made T-Rex claws and Raaaawwweeed at someone.

I think people will be divided about the very fanciful writing style of this book. Painter makes up words (sometimes I found this confusing) and uses some wacky metaphors. Sometimes I wanted a calm moment to collect my brain and enjoy the whimsy. By the end, however, I either got used to it or things calmed down. I learned the world and the lingo, and then things wrapped up. Nooooooo, give me more! Can't wait for the sequel.

see http://yafictionandwhiskeysours.blogs... for more on Wilfair and other books we are crushing on!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd really give this 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding down for the time being.

The ladies over at Forever Young Adult reviewed this one a while ago and it sounded interesting. Each of the three books in the series were $1.99, and I thought that sounded reasonable for some YA entertainment.

The book was cute. Quirky and wordy. Don't know how else to explain it. I'm going to describe everything as "ish" from now on. The story is strange, but it keeps you reading. I'm starting the next book immediately, as I'm really curious to see where it's going.

EDIT 10/20/2017: I know why I gave this three stars the first time I read it, because it's weird (yet charming) and I had no idea what I was getting myself into. In my heart it's a hands down five-star book. I love this series. I love rereading it. I love the characters. I love the ridickity-ness. Ness. I love the author so much, like so so much. All that said, now on my third reread of the series, I still understand my first reaction and I stand by it. BUT ALSO LOOOOOVVVVEEEEEE.

[Bazi]

Yeah there could've been a few less inner monologues about "like" and "ish" BUT at the same time it all adds towards a picture of our storyteller that was really genuine. I felt Fair Finley's (Like a lot of this book: yes, almost toooo quirky but yes, I still love it not despite but because of the quirks? Or both? Anyway Fair Finley is an adorable gamine-y name.) embarrassments and small/big triumphs and unsureness and her constantly trying to pull up her big girl pants, so to speak. And I liked her a lot. The Overboves too. Sutton less so (her flinty way of pointing out the obvious felt less like blunt honesty and more like her trying to put herself way on top of the fray? But that's just me). I have no idea what the hell is going on with the supernatural plot point but I will be there for the ride man.

[Chiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it, it was cute and Fair is kinda adorable but it's written in a too cute style, too many made-up words and acronyms or expressions. It would most likely be much better with some heavy editing. Which is too bad because the premise of the book is quite original. Nonetheless, I'll be reading the next one because I do want to know what is going on as this was ended leaving things very much open.

Reread this and liked it more now, the style didn't bother me as much as it apparently did the first time around and I caught more details I guess. Love the characters even more and all of their character traits. Especially Sutton and Monty. Adding a star to my previous review.

[Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young woman manages the WilFair Hotel. The hotel style is a combination of styles. They are Traditional-Spanish Deco-Rococo-Gothic-Storybook-Mission-Modern in layers. It has a working Ferris Wheel in the lobby plus it features a 500 dip bar. Fair Finley the manager, dresses in vintage Hollywood.
Reading this book in one giant exercise in making pictures in your head. The vocabulary often includes made up words.
I read this on Kindle. If I had had a book in hand I would have flipped back many times to reread and re picture the scenes.
I enjoyed this book, but am not ready to jump into book two without a break. So much visualization is slow going.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of a cool concept -- 19-year-old with eccentric parents manages the family's quirky and iconic hotel in LA while they're off making improvements to other properties. She's enamored with the boys who run the motel next door. She's also very quirky and eccentric herself. So all that's fun -- but the story moves at a glacial pace, and there's no beginning middle or end. This book is basically a prologue to what (I assume) is to come in later books. So that's annoying. Also, the style is disjointed and engages a lot of wordplay, which is cute in places, but is distracting mostly.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The basics of this are good -- interesting characters and setting, although the narrator seems a bit young for 19. Still, it's a fun little romance, although I didn't care for the "to-be-continued" type ending. What I liked least was the overwhelming amount of clever wordplay and general overwriting it contained -- the author could've cut about half of it out and still been left with a fun YA novel with a distinctive voice and style. Instead, there was a lot here that I just skimmed over because it felt unnecessary.

[Missie Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute, but almost collapses under the weight of its cuteness. I long to be Painter's editor, so I can slash out about half of the super-quirky things that Fair thinks. And as someone who adored "Pushing Daisies", I have a high tolerance for quirk. However, as a fun, quick read, with an intriguing plot, it's pretty good. It just needs a better editor.

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked so many things about this book, but the writing style is maddening. The constant slang would be cute if it were toned down by at least half. As it is, it is difficult to follow the story at times. And, honestly, there is not much of a story here. I think what might have made one good book was watered down into a series.

[Nicole47 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wilfair is not easy to describe. I came to it because one of my best friends was squeeing about it and wanted someone to squee with. Within the first few pages I fell in love with the flawed, clever, incredibly funny narrator Fair Finley, who plays with words as much as my friends and I do. Once the mystery started unfolding, I couldn't put it down.

Next step: order Redwoodian!

[Liz · Rating 1 out of 5]

While the plot is quirky and fun, I just couldn't get past the painful over-usage of the main character's stream of consciousness. Trying to understand her thought process was intriguing at first, but I quickly tired of it. I won't be finishing this book.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The quirky narrative style could be tiresome at times, but the main characters are very likeable and the mystery aspects of the book are written in such a way that I was still interested and curious enough to continue on to the second book.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is ridiculously delightful and delightfully ridiculous. I adore magic realism, and Alysia Gray Painter's version is heavy on the magic (and the charm).

[Marti]

I'm not sure if I liked this book. And now I'm angry because I can't decide if I should continue the series. Angst.

[Catherine Sumner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little too quirky at times, but I love Fair and the two Montgomeries (not to mention Sutton and Prior Yates) and can't wait for the next one to see where the story goes.

[Limeminearia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quirky in the extreme, which is fine by me. I enjoyed its style and creativity, but at times the pacing was uneven. I'd like to read the next book though.

[M. Patrick Duggan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I love Fair Finley. I love dip stations.