The Perfect Ring: A Short Story

by Rachel Elizabeth Cole

Alistair Deacon is on the hunt for the perfect engagement ring for his girlfriend, Emma. When he and his workmate, Dee, find it in a tiny shop in Covent Garden, the old shop woman there makes a startling prediction. Now Alistair may have got more than he bargained for.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Adult, Short Stories, Humor

18 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 20, 2012

About the author

Rachel Elizabeth Cole loves bunnies, tea, autumn, and working in her pyjamas. She lives just outside Vancouver, British Columbia, with her husband, their two sons, and two very spoiled house rabbits.

Along with children's books, she also writes literary women's fiction and chicklit. Her short stories have appeared in literary magazines both online and in print.

Reviews

[Shabana Mukhtar · Rating 3 out of 5]

"A perfect Ring" turned out to be the perfect short story to be read during the tea break.

It is one of those stories where the best friend becomes the problem in a relationship. Alistair Deacon loves his girlfriend, Emma. but Emma is jealous of Dee, Alistair's friend. Things change quickly and the reader is in for a surprise.

The story is fast pace, short and sweet. It is more like 3.35 stars, but rating it 3.

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure if this book is funny, sad, or a mix of both! Alistair was searching for the perfect ring for his girlfriend, Emma, with the help of his co-worker, Dee. However, when a grandma casually commented on how good Alistair and Dee looked together and how they’d have beautiful children, it threw Alistair into a whirlwind of confusion. It made him question his feelings—was he truly in love with Emma, or was it Dee all along? This short story is both funny and bittersweet, with a touch of realism woven in. A great read!

[SK · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is reminiscent of "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry, as there is an ironic twist to this short story that is just delicious. It concerns an engagement ring, The central characters are Alistair, Dee, Emma, and the Old-Shop Woman, who claims to have an unusual gift of determining long and happy marriages by the type of engagement ring a couple buys. An easy, fast read, but it will bring a smile to your face.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little short story with a cheeky twist at the end.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Perfect Ring is a delicately, well-executed short story that stands alone in that it's well written, 100% complete and very enjoyable. I've never read a story like this outside a collection before so it felt a little odd but it has spurred me on to read other works by the author if I get a chance and perhaps a full collection if one exists.
A lightly romantic tale charged with emotion, without getting too heavy and with some symbolic characters that need be no more than that. The ending is its triumph, as you would hope from a well written short story and I never would have guessed the eventual outcome, well at least one surprising element of it!
Cleverly written and an enjoyable, super quick read, can't be faulted for a bit of light entertainment.
Beth Townsend - The Kindle Book Review

[Monica Akinyi Odhiambo · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I read this book,I kept playing the scenario in my head-The man of a close friend is taken shopping by one of her friends,and as they chose rings and settle on one-this woman at the shop tells them they are suited to be together.This raises questions in Alistair's mind,whether he is really marrying the right woman.A good read by Rachael Elizabeth Cole,This is her second short story I have read and am glad I picked it up.

[Chamera · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was so cute. It was a quick read that actually ended faster than I expected. Many times short stories are a flop. This one however was not. It was well written, straight to the point, (which believe it or not is very hard to accomplish), and had a nice twist at the end that will leave you grinning if not laughing. Plus it's free for Kindle. Rachel Elizabeth Cole does short stories very well.

[Juliet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though it is a very short ebook, I really liked it. It was sweet and light to read. I knew Dee was the one for him right from the first page.

The ending where the old lady at the ring shop was Dee's very own grandmother came as a surprised but it made me laughed. Nice one!

[Bill Tillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clever and engaging short story, with just enough twists and turns to make you flip to the next page. And what an ending, it is one that is sure to make you love the story even more. A Must Read!

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet short story! It was a really quick read and I kind of figured how it would end but there was a surprise I didn't expect! That made the story even better! Read it, you'll like it!

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alistair is on the hunt for the perfect engagement ring for his girlfriend and he enlists his co-worker, Dee, to help. But then he realizes that maybe Emma isn't the one he wants to marry.

Very short, but sweet (clean). I think there was one swear word.

[Riz · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute story .. a little predictable but cute none the less

[Maryellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I regret paying a dollar for this. Everyone kept making a big deal about the twist, so I figured that I'd try it, why not. The twist didn't make me go oooh or aaaah. I wish I had the dollar back.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very short story! Transitions are harsh; the story quickly transitions without bridging. Of course, I am used to reading novels. The content is good

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, though the ending revealed a bit of an unfair advantage for Dee. If I was Alistair, I would have been PO'd at the subterfuge.

[Pam Beran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick 15 minute read.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute short story with a wonderful twist.