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Fairytale of New York
Are happy-ever-afters made in Manhattan? Find out in this gorgeous debut, perfect for cold winter nights. Once upon a time an English girl went to New York to live out her very own fairytale! Florist Rosie Duncan's life couldn't be better, she has a flourishing business on New York's Upper West Side and fantastic friends. Moving to Manhattan feels like the best decision she ever made. Even though at the time, it was her escape route from heartbreak ...For the past six years Rosie has kept her heart under lock and key, despite the protests of her closest friends - charming, commitment-phobic Ed, unlucky in love Marnie and the one-woman tornado that is Celia. Then a blossoming friendship with publishing hot-shot Nate begins to shake Rosie's resolve at the same time as her brother arrives in the Big Apple, hiding a secret. But a chance meeting brings Rosie face to face with her past, unravelling the mystery behind her arrival in New York. Rosie is forced to confront questions she has long been trying to ignore, including will she ever get her very own happy-ever-after? A sparkling, romantic comedy about an English girl who finds herself in the city where dreams can come true - or so she thinks!
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First published November 12, 2009
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About the author
Miranda Dickinson
28 books662 followersMiranda Dickinson has always had a head full of stories. Coming from a creative family where stories and songs were always present, it was perhaps inevitable that she would end up adoring words. A songwriter for over 15 years, Miranda has successfully penned over thirty songs, delivering both live and recorded performances in a range of venues across the UK and Europe. Her first solo project album, About Time is due for release this year. To hear her music, visit www.mirandadickinson.com - and be sure to leave a message if you like it!
Miranda began writing in earnest four years ago with her first novel, Coffee at Kowalski's - a romantic comedy set in New York's Upper West Side. This was spotted on HarperCollins' site for unpublished authors, Authonomy.com at the end of 2008 and was released by Avon (part of HC) as Fairytale of New York on 12th November 2009. She has also written several short stories, scripts and novel excerpts, many of which are published on Helium.com. Miranda is also a regular contributor for www.myvillage.com writing a range of local interest articles for the Birmingham area and national film and festival reviews.
Miranda began writing in earnest four years ago with her first novel, Coffee at Kowalski's - a romantic comedy set in New York's Upper West Side. This was spotted on HarperCollins' site for unpublished authors, Authonomy.com at the end of 2008 and was released by Avon (part of HC) as Fairytale of New York on 12th November 2009. She has also written several short stories, scripts and novel excerpts, many of which are published on Helium.com. Miranda is also a regular contributor for www.myvillage.com writing a range of local interest articles for the Birmingham area and national film and festival reviews.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 279 reviews
January 15, 2024
I was drawn to this one given my love of all things New York. It was impressive to listen to the descriptions of beautiful flowers, varied characters and the vibrant city. I loved the accents (the narrator acted out men with NY accents superbly, making it a little fun) and the chatter about pastrami sandwiches and the complaints of the die hard New Yorkers - which I did not really know about until now. The author specifically mentioned the kind of whiny nature and that things were a drag for folk in their busy busy day to day lives.
I suppose I'm not an expert on romance books and the HEA idea, but I knew straight away who the heroine would end up with, but it was a tad too slow for me. Rosie the florist, an eternal optimist, was a Londoner who landed in New York, running from something and changing her corporate job for her ultra successful florist shop. Unsure what she's hiding, she is unable to share her past with her nearest and dearest, and consistently is unable to allow happiness into her life. We do catch on that she is quite strong in her own way, and has found her forever home in the bustle of New York.
Her pals in the shop love her, but a will they won't they frisson between Nate proceeds and I did not feel the spark. Yucky women (namely a fiance and her mother) were getting in the way of Rosie who seemed to have a way of letting others trample on her little heart. It was almost impossible to treat this connection with anything as he was engaged, or perhaps the characters spark didn't pop.
What is she hiding from her mates she loves so dearly, and will she let it ruin her again?
I was amazed at the money clients spent on flowers and the extravagance, but this was a light hearted story which was easy to listen to on a rainy summers day. I just wanted to be swept away a little more fully. I wanted Rosie to spark brighter.
I listened to this via the BorrowBox app and my public library.
I suppose I'm not an expert on romance books and the HEA idea, but I knew straight away who the heroine would end up with, but it was a tad too slow for me. Rosie the florist, an eternal optimist, was a Londoner who landed in New York, running from something and changing her corporate job for her ultra successful florist shop. Unsure what she's hiding, she is unable to share her past with her nearest and dearest, and consistently is unable to allow happiness into her life. We do catch on that she is quite strong in her own way, and has found her forever home in the bustle of New York.
Her pals in the shop love her, but a will they won't they frisson between Nate proceeds and I did not feel the spark. Yucky women (namely a fiance and her mother) were getting in the way of Rosie who seemed to have a way of letting others trample on her little heart. It was almost impossible to treat this connection with anything as he was engaged, or perhaps the characters spark didn't pop.
What is she hiding from her mates she loves so dearly, and will she let it ruin her again?
I was amazed at the money clients spent on flowers and the extravagance, but this was a light hearted story which was easy to listen to on a rainy summers day. I just wanted to be swept away a little more fully. I wanted Rosie to spark brighter.
I listened to this via the BorrowBox app and my public library.
May 5, 2010
Reading this book was a highly frustrating experience. Right from the start, we are constantly told that the main character, Rosie, has a big secret, something really bad that happened to her in Boston and led to her moving to New York. Rather than have this spelled out to us like we are stupid, I'm sure it would have been far better for us as readers to figure this out for ourselves, as we surely would have considering that Rosie is portrayed as a very closed-off character right from chapter one.
As a result of the constant mention of 'the terrible thing that happened in Boston', when the secret is actually revealed later on, I must admit to thinking 'is that it?' It IS a pretty awful thing to have happened to someone, but given that I'd been imagining even bigger, more horrific scenarios in my head since the start of the novel, it took away from the impact of the big secret being revealed somewhat.
Not a lot happens in the first 200 pages of this novel, other than Rosie going on and on about how she has a big secret, reminiscing about her mentor Mr Kowalski, and having the same arguments with her colleague Ed over and over again. Rosie also has a very annoying habit of calling everyone 'mate', so you are driven half-mad by the time the actual plot kicks in and things start happening.
Rosie goes through quite a few love interests in this book, some of whom are total utter sleazeballs. This is also completely infuriating. I have no idea what she sees in them, or why she encourages them.
Rosie Duncan is so infuriating as the main character. I felt a certain amount of sympathy towards her, but other than that just annoyance. Fortunately, there are some other interesting characters in the novel, some likeable, some not but interesting all the same, who ensured that this book didn't quite reach top of my list of Worst Books Ever. Nonetheless, I still would not recommend reading it to anyone. The ending of the novel is obvious after the first few pages anyway, and I don't think the author did enough research into floristry to make Rosie sound convincing as a florist.
As a result of the constant mention of 'the terrible thing that happened in Boston', when the secret is actually revealed later on, I must admit to thinking 'is that it?' It IS a pretty awful thing to have happened to someone, but given that I'd been imagining even bigger, more horrific scenarios in my head since the start of the novel, it took away from the impact of the big secret being revealed somewhat.
Not a lot happens in the first 200 pages of this novel, other than Rosie going on and on about how she has a big secret, reminiscing about her mentor Mr Kowalski, and having the same arguments with her colleague Ed over and over again. Rosie also has a very annoying habit of calling everyone 'mate', so you are driven half-mad by the time the actual plot kicks in and things start happening.
Rosie goes through quite a few love interests in this book, some of whom are total utter sleazeballs. This is also completely infuriating. I have no idea what she sees in them, or why she encourages them.
Rosie Duncan is so infuriating as the main character. I felt a certain amount of sympathy towards her, but other than that just annoyance. Fortunately, there are some other interesting characters in the novel, some likeable, some not but interesting all the same, who ensured that this book didn't quite reach top of my list of Worst Books Ever. Nonetheless, I still would not recommend reading it to anyone. The ending of the novel is obvious after the first few pages anyway, and I don't think the author did enough research into floristry to make Rosie sound convincing as a florist.
December 4, 2010
The worst book I have ever read the characters all got on my nerves and made it hard for me to finish this book. The main character Rosie was dull and clueless and the way she called her friends mate all the time was unrealistic and I live in the uk and do not find myself saying that too any one nor do people I know just didn't ring true. Nate was such a dumb jerk and why rosie would want him when he was getting ready to marry another woman is total alien to me. Ed was ok and you could tell he was in love with rosie from the start I think rosie was the only one that didn't know. All in all a total let down thank goodness it was free on amazon kindle
December 22, 2021
Was loaned this book and had absolutely no expections, and was pleasantly surprised.
Rosie is an English woman who runs a small florist shop in New York. She has some great friends, but refuses to be drawn into any sort of relationship due to a past issue that she will not discuss.
The story revolves around the florist shop and the wonderful characters that come and go buying flowers. There are happy and sad occasions and when Rosie is asked to provide flowers for a wedding, her buried past comes rushing back at her.
Rosie is an English woman who runs a small florist shop in New York. She has some great friends, but refuses to be drawn into any sort of relationship due to a past issue that she will not discuss.
The story revolves around the florist shop and the wonderful characters that come and go buying flowers. There are happy and sad occasions and when Rosie is asked to provide flowers for a wedding, her buried past comes rushing back at her.
November 16, 2009
Rosie Duncan left England six-and-a-half years ago to live in Boston. A short while later something truly awful happened to Rosie which forced her to leave Boston and she ended up in New York. New York quickly captured Rosie’s heart and she found a job at Kowalski’s, a florists, before eventally taking over from Mr K. Along with Ed and Marnie, her assistants at work, and best friend Celia, can Rosie move on from the past or is it about to come crashing down on her?
When I first heard of Fairytale of New York I thought it sounded fab and when I saw the cover I fell even more in love. It truly is a beautiful cover and I’m actually going to buy the book because my ARC doesn’t have the cover on it, it’s that good. I thought Fairytale of New York sounded incredibly intriguing and I love any story set in New York. It’s a place I want to visit myself eventually.
Fairytale of New York is told entirely in the first person which is my preferred choice when our main character eclipses all of the other characters so it works incredibly well in this instance with Rosie being our main focus. The book starts as Rosie is on her way to see best friend Celia, a regular fixtures of theirs and Rosie is immediately likeable. As soon as I heard a whisper of there being something amiss in Rosie’s life I wanted to know what it was. Rosie’s secret is perhaps not as bad as I first thought, but it was quite heartbreaking for her to have to go through, so I could see why it affected her so much. Above all else, Rosie seemed incredibly real to me. I loved her cheery optimism even after everything that happened to her. More people could benefit from being a bit more optimistic like Rosie. I liked Celia, too, even if she is a journalist! She always seemed to have Rosie’s interests at heart and I loved her for that.
During the first chapter we learn more about Rosie’s florist business, Kowalski’s, and how she came to own it. We find out that when Rosie first came to New York, Mr Kowalski took her in and made her feel welcome; so much so that Rosie looked at him as a father figure and eventually, when Mr K. retired, Rosie took over the business with Ed & Marnie. Mr K. isn’t a present character in the book but I felt like he was there throughout. Rosie was always recalling things Mr K. said and I could see he’d made such an impact on Rosie’s life. Never has a deceased character been so present in a book and I felt like I knew Mr K. Ed and Marnie are Rosie’s work colleagues and I loved them both immediately. Marnie was hilarious and sounded like a friend everyone should have, she just seemed so full of life. As for Ed I loved him from the minute he appeared in the book. As Rosie said, Ed was so difficult to not like. Right from the off I saw something between him and Rosie and I hoped it would come to fruition in the end. My quest for those two to be together was impaired by the arrival of Nate Amies, who Rosie meets at an authors lunch. Nate was nice, don’t get me wrong, and I loved his and Rosie’s weekly chats with Old F. (the cofffee machine – a character in his own right!) providing the coffee, but I wanted Ed and Rosie to be together and Nate was someone in the way of that, an obstacle to be overcome I suppose. Don’t get me wrong he was immensely likeable but too laidback for my liking.
It’s actually Nate who brings Rosie’s past speeding back to the present, although not purposely, when he asks Rosie to do the flowers for his friends’ wedding. His friend turns out to be David, the mysterious man from Rosie’s past who somehow or another made sure Rosie would swear off men. As I said above Rosie’s secret didn’t shock me but I understood perfectly what David had done to her and how it had had such a big effect on her. I liked that Rosie could, eventually, come through the other side of that. The ending was fantastic and although I guessed who it was sending the mystery flowers I still loved it.
There’s also a small plotline involving Rosie’s brother, James, which I didn’t fully understand I have to admit. I’m not all that hot on anything even remotely political and it all seems to just wash over me. However I got the main jist and that little storyline didn’t take a long time to end.
The thing that made the book for me, though, was the descriptions of New York and the descriptions of floristry in general. New York sounds like a fantastic city and Miranda must have really done her research, she brings New York to life. The descriptions of Kowalski’s were also fantastic as well as the flower arrangements made by Rosie, Ed and Marnie and again, it must have taken a huge amount of research unless of course Miranda was a florist in a previous life. I hear a lot of how authors’ descriptions of places are poetic and here I can see what makes people say that, Miranda’s writing flows so well and the descriptions are so descriptive. I could also imagine Kowalski’s as a real place and I could practically smell the flowers. Never has anybody made floristry sound so enticing.
Fairytale of New York is a truly great read. It flows well and all of the characters are fantastic. Miranda’s writing is outstanding and I’m so pleased HarperCollins’ imprint Avon picked this up from Authonomy. I felt involved throughout the book and there was nothing I didn’t like about it. The whole book just flows so well and I found it a pleasure to read. This is without a doubt one of the best debut novels I have ever read. A fairytale read… if you will.
When I first heard of Fairytale of New York I thought it sounded fab and when I saw the cover I fell even more in love. It truly is a beautiful cover and I’m actually going to buy the book because my ARC doesn’t have the cover on it, it’s that good. I thought Fairytale of New York sounded incredibly intriguing and I love any story set in New York. It’s a place I want to visit myself eventually.
Fairytale of New York is told entirely in the first person which is my preferred choice when our main character eclipses all of the other characters so it works incredibly well in this instance with Rosie being our main focus. The book starts as Rosie is on her way to see best friend Celia, a regular fixtures of theirs and Rosie is immediately likeable. As soon as I heard a whisper of there being something amiss in Rosie’s life I wanted to know what it was. Rosie’s secret is perhaps not as bad as I first thought, but it was quite heartbreaking for her to have to go through, so I could see why it affected her so much. Above all else, Rosie seemed incredibly real to me. I loved her cheery optimism even after everything that happened to her. More people could benefit from being a bit more optimistic like Rosie. I liked Celia, too, even if she is a journalist! She always seemed to have Rosie’s interests at heart and I loved her for that.
During the first chapter we learn more about Rosie’s florist business, Kowalski’s, and how she came to own it. We find out that when Rosie first came to New York, Mr Kowalski took her in and made her feel welcome; so much so that Rosie looked at him as a father figure and eventually, when Mr K. retired, Rosie took over the business with Ed & Marnie. Mr K. isn’t a present character in the book but I felt like he was there throughout. Rosie was always recalling things Mr K. said and I could see he’d made such an impact on Rosie’s life. Never has a deceased character been so present in a book and I felt like I knew Mr K. Ed and Marnie are Rosie’s work colleagues and I loved them both immediately. Marnie was hilarious and sounded like a friend everyone should have, she just seemed so full of life. As for Ed I loved him from the minute he appeared in the book. As Rosie said, Ed was so difficult to not like. Right from the off I saw something between him and Rosie and I hoped it would come to fruition in the end. My quest for those two to be together was impaired by the arrival of Nate Amies, who Rosie meets at an authors lunch. Nate was nice, don’t get me wrong, and I loved his and Rosie’s weekly chats with Old F. (the cofffee machine – a character in his own right!) providing the coffee, but I wanted Ed and Rosie to be together and Nate was someone in the way of that, an obstacle to be overcome I suppose. Don’t get me wrong he was immensely likeable but too laidback for my liking.
It’s actually Nate who brings Rosie’s past speeding back to the present, although not purposely, when he asks Rosie to do the flowers for his friends’ wedding. His friend turns out to be David, the mysterious man from Rosie’s past who somehow or another made sure Rosie would swear off men. As I said above Rosie’s secret didn’t shock me but I understood perfectly what David had done to her and how it had had such a big effect on her. I liked that Rosie could, eventually, come through the other side of that. The ending was fantastic and although I guessed who it was sending the mystery flowers I still loved it.
There’s also a small plotline involving Rosie’s brother, James, which I didn’t fully understand I have to admit. I’m not all that hot on anything even remotely political and it all seems to just wash over me. However I got the main jist and that little storyline didn’t take a long time to end.
The thing that made the book for me, though, was the descriptions of New York and the descriptions of floristry in general. New York sounds like a fantastic city and Miranda must have really done her research, she brings New York to life. The descriptions of Kowalski’s were also fantastic as well as the flower arrangements made by Rosie, Ed and Marnie and again, it must have taken a huge amount of research unless of course Miranda was a florist in a previous life. I hear a lot of how authors’ descriptions of places are poetic and here I can see what makes people say that, Miranda’s writing flows so well and the descriptions are so descriptive. I could also imagine Kowalski’s as a real place and I could practically smell the flowers. Never has anybody made floristry sound so enticing.
Fairytale of New York is a truly great read. It flows well and all of the characters are fantastic. Miranda’s writing is outstanding and I’m so pleased HarperCollins’ imprint Avon picked this up from Authonomy. I felt involved throughout the book and there was nothing I didn’t like about it. The whole book just flows so well and I found it a pleasure to read. This is without a doubt one of the best debut novels I have ever read. A fairytale read… if you will.
October 21, 2018
After a slow start I got into this book and the characters.
I love Ed and it's obvious he's in love with Rosie with his actions and she's his specific someone.
I liked her brother James but didn't think he got the best story.
The story would have kept me guessing in parts if I hadn't read reviews for I'll take New York that tell you details about Ed and Rosie which I look forward to reading.
Nate is the guy Rosie thinks she likes and David is the guy who screwed her over. Honestly Rosie I want to scream at you in parts Ed is the one for you not either of these two.
Like I've said before I really loved reading about Ed he's such a lovely guy I hope he's in I'll take New York lots.
I love Ed and it's obvious he's in love with Rosie with his actions and she's his specific someone.
I liked her brother James but didn't think he got the best story.
The story would have kept me guessing in parts if I hadn't read reviews for I'll take New York that tell you details about Ed and Rosie which I look forward to reading.
Nate is the guy Rosie thinks she likes and David is the guy who screwed her over. Honestly Rosie I want to scream at you in parts Ed is the one for you not either of these two.
Like I've said before I really loved reading about Ed he's such a lovely guy I hope he's in I'll take New York lots.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2011
Fairytale Of New York is the first book I have read by Miranda Dickinson. If this book is anything to go by, I will be reading more of her books, as I could not put this book down. The book is your typical chic-lit style book but has been beautifully written. With a mixture of romance, drama
**Characters**
Rosie is the main character of the book. She is the boss of Kowalski flower shop but she has closed her heart not letting anyone get close because of her past in Boston.
Ed is Rosie's co-designer at Kowalski and also one of Rosie's best friends always there to help her and fight her corner. He is a serial dater until he decides he has found his special someone.
Marnie is the third worker at Kowalski who makes up the "Kowalski family". She seems to be unlucky in love and has a soft spot for the flower delivery guy but is sure he doesn't feel the same way
Celia is Rosie's best friend the first friend she made when she came to New York and s the only one here who knows of Rosie's bad past. She is a journalist who has been single for a long time after her partner just up and left.
Nate becomes one of Rosie's friends but is unsure of his feelings as he is pushed into an engagement which he is not sure he wants to be in.
**Plot**
After a bad event in Rosie's life in Boston she flees to New York to make a fresh start where nobody knows her. She soon makes friends with the lovely Celia. She lands a job at the Kowalski flower shop and makes a special bond with the owner Mr Kowalski who noticed her natural talent with flowers. When Mr Kowalski past away it was up to Rosie to take on the flower shop. With two co-workers Ed and Marnie who become special friends, alongside her she started to make a flourishing business.
As they take on bigger functions new friendships are made with Nate. But a problem arises when Nate asks Rosie to do a function for a friend as her past comes back to haunt her.
**My Opinion**
I honestly could not put this book down. The way this book was written was beautiful. The way the characters are described you feel as if you are a part of the story and genuinely care what happens to the characters. The scene of the story is described well so you feel when the story comes back to the flower shop that you have returned home.
This is a chic-lit book and contains your usual romance but I think everyone will be able to relate to this story as it has love and relationships in different situations from the serial dater to the scared to love again and unlucky in love which one are you.
Right up until the last chapter you are still on the edge of your seat as you still have no idea which way the story is going to go and who will end up happy in the end.
**Price**
This book retails at £6.99, but I got it in WH Smiths as a buy one get one half price offer. I can tell you it is well worth every penny.
I would highly recommend this book and will be looking forward to reading more of Miranda Dickinson books.
Also on my book blog http://reabookreview.blogspot.com/
**Characters**
Rosie is the main character of the book. She is the boss of Kowalski flower shop but she has closed her heart not letting anyone get close because of her past in Boston.
Ed is Rosie's co-designer at Kowalski and also one of Rosie's best friends always there to help her and fight her corner. He is a serial dater until he decides he has found his special someone.
Marnie is the third worker at Kowalski who makes up the "Kowalski family". She seems to be unlucky in love and has a soft spot for the flower delivery guy but is sure he doesn't feel the same way
Celia is Rosie's best friend the first friend she made when she came to New York and s the only one here who knows of Rosie's bad past. She is a journalist who has been single for a long time after her partner just up and left.
Nate becomes one of Rosie's friends but is unsure of his feelings as he is pushed into an engagement which he is not sure he wants to be in.
**Plot**
After a bad event in Rosie's life in Boston she flees to New York to make a fresh start where nobody knows her. She soon makes friends with the lovely Celia. She lands a job at the Kowalski flower shop and makes a special bond with the owner Mr Kowalski who noticed her natural talent with flowers. When Mr Kowalski past away it was up to Rosie to take on the flower shop. With two co-workers Ed and Marnie who become special friends, alongside her she started to make a flourishing business.
As they take on bigger functions new friendships are made with Nate. But a problem arises when Nate asks Rosie to do a function for a friend as her past comes back to haunt her.
**My Opinion**
I honestly could not put this book down. The way this book was written was beautiful. The way the characters are described you feel as if you are a part of the story and genuinely care what happens to the characters. The scene of the story is described well so you feel when the story comes back to the flower shop that you have returned home.
This is a chic-lit book and contains your usual romance but I think everyone will be able to relate to this story as it has love and relationships in different situations from the serial dater to the scared to love again and unlucky in love which one are you.
Right up until the last chapter you are still on the edge of your seat as you still have no idea which way the story is going to go and who will end up happy in the end.
**Price**
This book retails at £6.99, but I got it in WH Smiths as a buy one get one half price offer. I can tell you it is well worth every penny.
I would highly recommend this book and will be looking forward to reading more of Miranda Dickinson books.
Also on my book blog http://reabookreview.blogspot.com/
November 6, 2011
I picked this book up over the winter. I liked the cover. On the cover it says," Are happily-ever-afters made in Manhattan?" I love me a happily ever after! Sold!
Cute book! I'm happily surprised! It's been awhile since I've read a good chic-lit! Rose owns her own flower shop. How fun! She helps people through flowers. I've always wanted to be a New Yorker. This book really showed me the glitz and glamor of it all in a real way.
Rose has a past, who doesn't! It is just that no one knows about it, not even her closest friends. Why hasn't she dated anyone since she moved to NY 6 yrs ago?
There were a few things that could definitely have been left out of the book. They weren't essential to the story and to me just took up space away from the true story. I'm not a person who likes fillers. Just get on with the story already!
Go through the ups and downs of life in Manhattan with Rose and see if she can find love, right in front of her face. Great story! Enjoyable read. Character's are believable and lovable. Great debut novel! I would have never guessed this was her first!
Cute book! I'm happily surprised! It's been awhile since I've read a good chic-lit! Rose owns her own flower shop. How fun! She helps people through flowers. I've always wanted to be a New Yorker. This book really showed me the glitz and glamor of it all in a real way.
Rose has a past, who doesn't! It is just that no one knows about it, not even her closest friends. Why hasn't she dated anyone since she moved to NY 6 yrs ago?
There were a few things that could definitely have been left out of the book. They weren't essential to the story and to me just took up space away from the true story. I'm not a person who likes fillers. Just get on with the story already!
Go through the ups and downs of life in Manhattan with Rose and see if she can find love, right in front of her face. Great story! Enjoyable read. Character's are believable and lovable. Great debut novel! I would have never guessed this was her first!
November 29, 2011
First chick lit I've read in ages. Got it in charity book sale. Not good. The main character has a secret that she is v worried that if friends found out they'd think diff of her. Such an anti-climax when you find out. It's also such a predictable book and throws in additional stories about characters, e.g. Her brother, that are superfluous to the story.
As I've not read chick lit in a while I'm wondering if I've just forgotten the simplicity or if this book was just not good??
As I've not read chick lit in a while I'm wondering if I've just forgotten the simplicity or if this book was just not good??
January 6, 2021
Оказа се , че има непрочетен чиклит. Сега ми става ясно защо се е получило така. Въпреки , че непрекъснато ми се е набивала в очите тази книга , не съм стигнала до нея. Определено не си е струвало да си загубя времето.Четох я по диагонал , много досадна и безкрайна.
February 23, 2019
kapağındaki eğlence vaadinin hakkını vermeyen bir çik-litti. Olaylar çok durağan, anlatım yavandı
September 5, 2014
This is the second book from Miranda Dickinson I am reading. I loved her last book "Take a look at me now" so so much that I decided to try another book from her. And for that, I picked up her debut novel "Fairytale of New York".
Well.... to be honest I had a hard time to get into the story... I didn't find the writing style very fluid, I was a bit disappointed. But once I hit the second half of the book, the story became more intense and that's when i really started to like the book, to be hooked by the story and the characters. And finally I really liked how it ended. My favorite charachter of this book is Ed... sweet Ed... Just love him! The main charachter, Rose, can be a bit annoying from time to time, you just want to shake her.
I only put 3 stars to this book because I found the first half of the book a bit slow. Also, I think Miranda's writing style changed throughout the years. It is so much more fluid nowadays (at least in her last book "Take a look at me now").
So all in all I liked this book and even though the first half was a bit slow, I recommand this book which is full of hope and wonders :-)
Well.... to be honest I had a hard time to get into the story... I didn't find the writing style very fluid, I was a bit disappointed. But once I hit the second half of the book, the story became more intense and that's when i really started to like the book, to be hooked by the story and the characters. And finally I really liked how it ended. My favorite charachter of this book is Ed... sweet Ed... Just love him! The main charachter, Rose, can be a bit annoying from time to time, you just want to shake her.
I only put 3 stars to this book because I found the first half of the book a bit slow. Also, I think Miranda's writing style changed throughout the years. It is so much more fluid nowadays (at least in her last book "Take a look at me now").
So all in all I liked this book and even though the first half was a bit slow, I recommand this book which is full of hope and wonders :-)
July 4, 2012
This was a new author for me, I think most of the books I'm currently reviewing are. I put down as a new year resolution type thing to read as many ne authors as I possibly could.
So this book is set in New York and it is going through the girl's present and future whichis affected by her past, she doesn't trust anyone, she ran away but then a chance encounter of meeting her past and she is fighting to get rid of it by addressing it and on the way she ends up getting some amazing advice from a dead friend / mentor and ends up falling in love with someone at work.
It was an amazing book as it made me think that the only people who matter are the ones who don't judge you, it also made me want to go back to New york in the winter.
A top read.
So this book is set in New York and it is going through the girl's present and future whichis affected by her past, she doesn't trust anyone, she ran away but then a chance encounter of meeting her past and she is fighting to get rid of it by addressing it and on the way she ends up getting some amazing advice from a dead friend / mentor and ends up falling in love with someone at work.
It was an amazing book as it made me think that the only people who matter are the ones who don't judge you, it also made me want to go back to New york in the winter.
A top read.
November 22, 2019
This book features Rosie and the flower shop she runs in New York. It was an easy, enjoyable read although not as festive as I was expecting.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
November 21, 2018
Well, right from the start you are 'intrigued' by 'the secret of the past'. What happened that it takes more than six years to talk about?
It turns out to generally be an alright choice of mysterious awful past, but regarding the hype leading to its revelation, it was pretty weak. And not really matching.
'I want my current friends to see ME - not the 'me' I was in the past.'
Doesn't really fit with the result. (You'd expect her to have been an awful person herself in the past or something.)
And why is it so important that it's been six years? 'In the six years since I moved to New York City...' Yes. We know. Six years. Not recent news that need to be emphasised every other sentence? Right?
Some characters, their relationships and behaviours felt inconsistent somehow -especially in connection with that numberof years. But apart from that, some of those characters, especially Rosie's friends, were great and actually really good friends.
This book often scraped the 3-stars-mark, but thanks to a relatively cute ending, it secured its 4 star rating.
It turns out to generally be an alright choice of mysterious awful past, but regarding the hype leading to its revelation, it was pretty weak. And not really matching.
'I want my current friends to see ME - not the 'me' I was in the past.'
Doesn't really fit with the result. (You'd expect her to have been an awful person herself in the past or something.)
And why is it so important that it's been six years? 'In the six years since I moved to New York City...' Yes. We know. Six years. Not recent news that need to be emphasised every other sentence? Right?
Some characters, their relationships and behaviours felt inconsistent somehow -especially in connection with that numberof years. But apart from that, some of those characters, especially Rosie's friends, were great and actually really good friends.
This book often scraped the 3-stars-mark, but thanks to a relatively cute ending, it secured its 4 star rating.
January 3, 2011
I decided to read this book after hearing so many good things about it and finding it fairly cheap in ASDA. I have to say I was left a little disappointed! I don't know what I was expecting exactly but I definitely didn't get an amazing fairytale romance. To be honest I found Ed's character a little boring and was a little bit annoyed when I realised he was going to be the "prince" of the story. I feel the story was a little bit obvious from the start, except for why she moved to New York. I also disliked that the major romance was left for the last few pages, maybe it's just me but when I read a book like this I want a couple of chapters of the couple together not a page. After saying all that I can't bash Miranada Dickinson's writing style, I feel with a improved storyline I would have loved the book as I was very impressed with her as a writer. But as it was I was left feeling a bit blah about it! I'll definetly check out future books from this author though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2012
A non-taxing bit of chick lit.
January 6, 2015
once i got into the story i enjoyed the book but found that the ending left stuff hanging without any closer.
all round feel good read
all round feel good read
December 7, 2019
4 out of 5 stars
If you need a book to remind you of the importance of friendship then pick this up. This is rosie who is a Brit working In New York as a florist. Rosie has a history that she has hid from her friends and has made her hide away from a romantic life. Being a florist she is optimistic and loves others romance encompassing it for everyone except herself. We all know though that our past has a habit of coming back to bite us on the bum and that’s definitely true for Rosie. When her brother arrives hiding a secret more trouble arrives on her doorstep. This is a cosy read but it lost a star as I predicted the person she would end up with quite early on. I loved Ed so much and omg he sounds gorgeous. The friendship side of this book to me was what made it extra special.
If you need a book to remind you of the importance of friendship then pick this up. This is rosie who is a Brit working In New York as a florist. Rosie has a history that she has hid from her friends and has made her hide away from a romantic life. Being a florist she is optimistic and loves others romance encompassing it for everyone except herself. We all know though that our past has a habit of coming back to bite us on the bum and that’s definitely true for Rosie. When her brother arrives hiding a secret more trouble arrives on her doorstep. This is a cosy read but it lost a star as I predicted the person she would end up with quite early on. I loved Ed so much and omg he sounds gorgeous. The friendship side of this book to me was what made it extra special.
April 6, 2018
I bought this while I was still living in England and feeling nostalgic for the British chick-lit I first discovered as a young adult (this author is British and the protagonist an ex-pat living in NYC). This is definitely not what I was looking for; a very predictable story with characters that took me a long time to warm to. And because ‘that horrible thing that happened in Boston’ was referenced every few pages it became more annoying than intriguing that as the reader I wasn’t let in on the secret until 200 pages in. By that time, I was bored by the plot which was becoming more ridiculous and I was just reading to get to the end.
August 6, 2022
This was actually super cute and fun to read. Or you could say that its been a while since I pick up a Chick Lit so thats why I am enjoying it.
I really enjoy the drama and the budding romance but the ending totally throw me off guard.
I really enjoy the drama and the budding romance but the ending totally throw me off guard.
April 24, 2021
My second Miranda Dickinson of the year, I've had these two books on my shelves for years so wanted to finally finish them. I was a bit worried this was going to be a festive read (totally the wrong time of year 😂) but Christmas only features in it for a few chapters so it was all good 😂.
It's a nice read I wouldn't go mad for it but if your after something easy going it's good, it's your typical love story and I really enjoyed the ending its very romantic. Having been to New York as well it was nice to read about it and travel back through this book. 💕
It's a nice read I wouldn't go mad for it but if your after something easy going it's good, it's your typical love story and I really enjoyed the ending its very romantic. Having been to New York as well it was nice to read about it and travel back through this book. 💕
December 31, 2023
Found on a charity shelf and haven’t read any of hers before so went in with no expectations of what to expect. As Christmas books go it was ok. Felt a fair bit drawn out, I liked the mix of characters, but please Rosie drop the ‘mate’. That just felt so out of place with my image of her! Although there was a bit of who will the love interest be, I guessed right and wasn’t swayed. Some parts of the story, especially the brother storyline added very little to the overall.
December 14, 2025
one word - BORING
November 10, 2022
Brilliant.. magical!
May 13, 2025
As much as I loved the story of this book, I feel like there were a lot of long texts in which nothing really happened. But overall the book is great and the story amazing!❤️
July 3, 2019
Far too many pages and details, and the characters were not my cup of tea. Now i just want a bouquet of roses.
December 31, 2018
Review: it was only when I was reading this book for the second time that I realised that this is one of my all time favourite books and yet I've never actually reviewed it, having read it pre-blogging times! I love this book and it was amazing to read it again 5 years later and still love it. There were parts of the books I'd completely forgotten I loved and so it was amazing to recapture that joy from the very first time all over again!
Obviously the setting of this book is amazing, I could've imagined that Miranda was a native New Yorker when I read this and indeed when I first read it, I assumed that she was. This lives out a lot of people's dreams, moving from the UK and ending up having a fabulous life I the big apple, every detail is described beautifully, you can smell the smells, see the sights and really feel all the action right there in the pages of the novel.
The characters in thei book are what really make it come alive though. Rosie is lovely, completely believable and completely likeable. Her trust issues and her inability to let others in it totally relatable and yet I really love her for it. Ed is hilarious and a real player, but he really cares for his friends and I completely admire him for that. Celia and Marnie are just the perfect side kicks for Rosie. I want Marnie to be my best friend and I would totally love to read about her as well. Coffee is also a major player in the novel. The coffee machine in the florist, the coffee houses for New York and the healing cups of coffees that thing things into the open and heal emotional wounds-just fab, I can smell it now!
The storyline of this novel is just so heartwarming and so compelling, it will have you turning pages at a rate and a half and I defy anyone not to audibly aww at at least one part in the novel, thank goodness I read this when I was alone in my house, that's also I can say. I laughed, I cried, I wanted to be there hanging out with all of them-just a lovely book and I just want so badly to find out what happens next!
Obviously the setting of this book is amazing, I could've imagined that Miranda was a native New Yorker when I read this and indeed when I first read it, I assumed that she was. This lives out a lot of people's dreams, moving from the UK and ending up having a fabulous life I the big apple, every detail is described beautifully, you can smell the smells, see the sights and really feel all the action right there in the pages of the novel.
The characters in thei book are what really make it come alive though. Rosie is lovely, completely believable and completely likeable. Her trust issues and her inability to let others in it totally relatable and yet I really love her for it. Ed is hilarious and a real player, but he really cares for his friends and I completely admire him for that. Celia and Marnie are just the perfect side kicks for Rosie. I want Marnie to be my best friend and I would totally love to read about her as well. Coffee is also a major player in the novel. The coffee machine in the florist, the coffee houses for New York and the healing cups of coffees that thing things into the open and heal emotional wounds-just fab, I can smell it now!
The storyline of this novel is just so heartwarming and so compelling, it will have you turning pages at a rate and a half and I defy anyone not to audibly aww at at least one part in the novel, thank goodness I read this when I was alone in my house, that's also I can say. I laughed, I cried, I wanted to be there hanging out with all of them-just a lovely book and I just want so badly to find out what happens next!
August 3, 2016
It was so amazing!!
Hats off to Miranda Dickinson for this book. The book was so ace and pleasant. The exact mixture I love to expect in a book. This is the first Miranda Dickinson book I've read and if it is anything to go by, it compelled me to go grab her other books.
"Are happily-ever-afters made in Manhattan?"
This one single line on the cover got me, all of me actually. The simplicity and the pure adorableness is another brill aspect that you simply can't pass on.
All through the book, I really thought it was Nate that Rosie was going to end up with. But Miranda made up the end in a very different way - unsuspectable even - but it felt so right about the book. I'm not being cliche but this is one heck of a modern Manhattan romance and I completely get the New York feel, me being an ex-NYC resident with a British background.
Further, the amount of optimism showed by most of Miranda's main characters is amazing. Heck, it even helps you see the brighter situations in real life, too. My verdict is that this book is one of a kind where it satisfies so many factors that the readers hope to be fulfilled.
Hats off to Miranda Dickinson for this book. The book was so ace and pleasant. The exact mixture I love to expect in a book. This is the first Miranda Dickinson book I've read and if it is anything to go by, it compelled me to go grab her other books.
"Are happily-ever-afters made in Manhattan?"
This one single line on the cover got me, all of me actually. The simplicity and the pure adorableness is another brill aspect that you simply can't pass on.
All through the book, I really thought it was Nate that Rosie was going to end up with. But Miranda made up the end in a very different way - unsuspectable even - but it felt so right about the book. I'm not being cliche but this is one heck of a modern Manhattan romance and I completely get the New York feel, me being an ex-NYC resident with a British background.
Further, the amount of optimism showed by most of Miranda's main characters is amazing. Heck, it even helps you see the brighter situations in real life, too. My verdict is that this book is one of a kind where it satisfies so many factors that the readers hope to be fulfilled.
February 20, 2018
This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews Christmas may be over but I am in denial so this week I have 2 overdue festive reviews.
I picked this book up on Amazon quite a while ago because a) it was set in New York and b) I had heard good things about Miranda’s writing.
I found this book a little slow to begin with and I wasn’t sure about if for the first 20% but after that I couldn’t put it down. I was engrossed in this story I couldn’t put it down.
I loved Rosie and thought she was a great character. She had built so many walls that at first it was difficult to see who she was but as the book progressed and her walls came down she really was just this sweet girl who wanted to be loved but was so scared of getting hurt and humiliated again.
I loved the cast of side characters in this book and the way of Kwoalski’s. The shop is run like any local shop should be, with the thoughts of the community at the heart of it. Kwoalski’s is so much more than just a florist. It’s a place for love and friendship.
Rosie really does make New York seem like the place where dreams are made and this story did nothing to dispel my need to go and everything to raise my expectations for the day I finally visit it.
I enjoyed this sweet romance and look forward to picking up another of Miranda’s books in the future.
I picked this book up on Amazon quite a while ago because a) it was set in New York and b) I had heard good things about Miranda’s writing.
I found this book a little slow to begin with and I wasn’t sure about if for the first 20% but after that I couldn’t put it down. I was engrossed in this story I couldn’t put it down.
I loved Rosie and thought she was a great character. She had built so many walls that at first it was difficult to see who she was but as the book progressed and her walls came down she really was just this sweet girl who wanted to be loved but was so scared of getting hurt and humiliated again.
I loved the cast of side characters in this book and the way of Kwoalski’s. The shop is run like any local shop should be, with the thoughts of the community at the heart of it. Kwoalski’s is so much more than just a florist. It’s a place for love and friendship.
Rosie really does make New York seem like the place where dreams are made and this story did nothing to dispel my need to go and everything to raise my expectations for the day I finally visit it.
I enjoyed this sweet romance and look forward to picking up another of Miranda’s books in the future.
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