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Happily for Now
Fiona wants to fix people's problems--but what if she's the one who needs help? Kelly Jones, author of Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer, delivers a funny, take-charge heroine kids will love.
Fiona may have problems, but she's no damsel in distress. She'd rather be the one wielding the wand in the she wants to be the fairy godperson. So when her mom sends her off to stay with relatives in a place called Cold Hope for the summer, Fiona decides it's time to start training for the role.
And wow, do these people need help! Aunt Becky's bakery is failing, Great-uncle Timothy draws but never speaks, and Great-Aunt Alta is the gloomiest, doomiest woman she's ever met.
But helping people in the real world isn't as easy as it sounds in fairy tales. Change is messy. What if she's actually making things worse?
Still, with practice (and some deep breaths), Fiona will discover that sometimes messy is okay. Sometimes things do get worse before they get better. And sometimes trying to help fix other people's problems can help you work on your own...
Fiona may have problems, but she's no damsel in distress. She'd rather be the one wielding the wand in the she wants to be the fairy godperson. So when her mom sends her off to stay with relatives in a place called Cold Hope for the summer, Fiona decides it's time to start training for the role.
And wow, do these people need help! Aunt Becky's bakery is failing, Great-uncle Timothy draws but never speaks, and Great-Aunt Alta is the gloomiest, doomiest woman she's ever met.
But helping people in the real world isn't as easy as it sounds in fairy tales. Change is messy. What if she's actually making things worse?
Still, with practice (and some deep breaths), Fiona will discover that sometimes messy is okay. Sometimes things do get worse before they get better. And sometimes trying to help fix other people's problems can help you work on your own...
288 pages, Hardcover
First published May 4, 2021
4 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Jones
5 books91 followersOnce upon a time, Kelly Jones was a librarian and a bookseller. Now, she writes novels for young people and takes care of a few hilarious chickens. She’s the author of Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer; Are You Ready to Hatch an Unusual Chicken?; Murder, Magic, and What We Wore; Sauerkraut; and Happily for Now. You can find her online at her website, curiosityjones.net, or on Twitter and Instagram @curiosityjones.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 8, 2022
Another book I picked up thinking I was going to be reading a great summer story-well, I definitely did, but so much more makes up this story than just that though. Loved this. Every part of this book feels like a warm hug-which is impressive since it deals with some important issues like anxiety, & a parent who suffers from addiction, & what it does to a child. Fiona is such an endearing MC. To deal with what she’s been/going through, & thinking she could help her mom eventually as well, she decides to be a “fairy godperson in training”. She has an amazing social worker, Ms. Davis, who she is so close to, & thinks of her as a fairy godperson, & wants to help people like she does. She gets sent with relatives she doesn’t know for the summer while her mother tries rehab once again. She thinks this is the perfect place to do her training, because boy do these people need some help! Lol The whole cast of characters are incredible. A little quirky, but all so endearing. I liked the “help” she gave her aunt & uncle the most. Her uncles character/story especially intrigued me so much. And all the baking! I wanted cupcakes the whole time I was reading this, or whatever other delicious sounding item they were making. Great descriptions believe me lol. I think many kids will relate to Fiona’s issues with her mom, as well as kids who will relate to her anxiety & how it affects her. I loved the comparison to lava & all of that, describing what her blood & just her inside feels like, when people yell for example. I relate. All these years later, I still can’t listen to people yelling/fighting-tears my nerves up. I loved this whole town as well. Like the mail woman who Fiona sees as a fierce dragon, the librarian, & so many more. Also, Mr. Rivera who is Fiona’s temporary fairy godperson while she’s with her relatives, & his daughter Julia-who Fiona becomes fast friends with, & helped Fiona so much. Great dynamic & so heartwarming. It was so wonderful to see Fiona try to help her out a little at the end too. I really enjoyed how many chapters ended with emails between Fiona & her mom(who’s in rehab), & Ms. Davis(who she checks in with, & gets her “fairy godperson” training lessons from.) So many great messages in here. Speak your truth, do things for yourself that make you happy, you can’t make someone help themselves or do the work for them, & sometimes things have to get worse before they get better. Highly recommend. STUNNING cover & inside illustrations by Kelly Murphy as well.💜
May 16, 2021
I *adored* this book and can't recommend it highly enough. If you're looking for a book that feels like a hug even as it tackles tough issues (parent struggling with addiction, anxiety, grief), this is EXACTLY what you need. This is a story so full of kindness, compassion, and heart - it is a true delight, despite the sad challenges facing Fiona, the absolutely endearing main character. In fact, Kelly Jones has created an entire cast of lovable, quirky characters that will tug your affection, no matter what mistakes they might make along the way. Her gentle humor, quiet wisdom, and deep thoughtfulness make this a comforting, hopeful, healing sort of book. Although it's perfect for kid readers, honestly I think most adults could benefit from it, too - especially after the difficult year we've all had! Certainly a new favorite of mine and one I'll be gifting to several young readers I know.
September 9, 2021
First sentence: THINGS ARE A lot simpler in fairy tales. I mean, when you read about some girl going around covered in ashes who gets treated way worse than her stepsisters, it’s pretty clear somebody should get that girl some help. Then again, who knows what she thought when she woke up every morning? Maybe she thought, Well, things could be better, but they could be a lot worse, too. (Trust me, they could—and in lots of fairy tales they are. If you’ve ever read the original versions, you know they get gruesome fast.) Maybe she was glad her stepmother was bugging her stepsisters instead of her about what they wore or why they didn’t go out and find someone rich to marry. Maybe she was okay with doing her own thing.You get used to what’s normal for you.
Premise/plot: Fiona may not "want" to go stay with distant relations while her mother seeks treatment, but, sometimes you don't always get what you want, you get what you need. So Fiona finds herself heading to the farm to live with Great Aunt Alta, Aunt Becky, and Great Uncle Timothy. (Aunt Becky and Uncle Timothy manage the family's bakery.)
Fiona is a fairy god-person in training. (That's how she copes with what life throws at her.) And she's determined to be a fairy god-person in her new situation. She has a feeling that her relations definitely need some help and intervention....and it turns out they do. Now whether Fiona's wish-granting goes off according to anyone's plans...well...that's up for debate.
But life will never be the same after Fiona comes to town.
My thoughts: I really LOVED this one. I thought it was a great read. I enjoyed the characterization so much. I loved meeting the extended family--flaws and all. I loved getting to know all the people in the community. When well done--like this one is--a wide cast of characters is such a delight.
Quotes:
I thought about the questions Ms. Davis and I liked to talk about, and picked a good one. “What’s your favorite kind of cookie?”
See, a question like that seems like no big deal, so it doesn’t make you nervous. You can’t get it wrong. But cookies can tell you a lot about a person. For instance, my favorites are oatmeal with chocolate chips. Ms. Davis says they’re a lot like me: you might not notice right away that they’re something special, but once you do, you’ll never make that mistake again. Ms. Davis’s favorites are these spicy molasses cookies she makes. She says they’re just like her: they keep getting better with age, and people always remember them. Great-Uncle Timothy didn’t say anything. Maybe he needed to think about it, or maybe he was still feeling shy around me. Or maybe he just didn’t like to talk that much.
Premise/plot: Fiona may not "want" to go stay with distant relations while her mother seeks treatment, but, sometimes you don't always get what you want, you get what you need. So Fiona finds herself heading to the farm to live with Great Aunt Alta, Aunt Becky, and Great Uncle Timothy. (Aunt Becky and Uncle Timothy manage the family's bakery.)
Fiona is a fairy god-person in training. (That's how she copes with what life throws at her.) And she's determined to be a fairy god-person in her new situation. She has a feeling that her relations definitely need some help and intervention....and it turns out they do. Now whether Fiona's wish-granting goes off according to anyone's plans...well...that's up for debate.
But life will never be the same after Fiona comes to town.
My thoughts: I really LOVED this one. I thought it was a great read. I enjoyed the characterization so much. I loved meeting the extended family--flaws and all. I loved getting to know all the people in the community. When well done--like this one is--a wide cast of characters is such a delight.
Quotes:
I thought about the questions Ms. Davis and I liked to talk about, and picked a good one. “What’s your favorite kind of cookie?”
See, a question like that seems like no big deal, so it doesn’t make you nervous. You can’t get it wrong. But cookies can tell you a lot about a person. For instance, my favorites are oatmeal with chocolate chips. Ms. Davis says they’re a lot like me: you might not notice right away that they’re something special, but once you do, you’ll never make that mistake again. Ms. Davis’s favorites are these spicy molasses cookies she makes. She says they’re just like her: they keep getting better with age, and people always remember them. Great-Uncle Timothy didn’t say anything. Maybe he needed to think about it, or maybe he was still feeling shy around me. Or maybe he just didn’t like to talk that much.
April 2, 2023
PHENOMENAL book, cannot recommend highly enough! A great read for anyone who interacts with other people (so, everyone) but especially for a person who struggles with social anxiety, people pleasing, setting boundaries, putting themself first, or other similar things. There is so much wisdom and social-emotional learning in the pages of the book, but it reads like a fun story about a girl you can't help but love. And the baking descriptions will make your mouth water! 11/10, read this book!
A 4, R 4.5, K 4
A 4, R 4.5, K 4
December 31, 2021
Wow. This hit a bit harder than I thought it would.
I loved Fiona's "social workers = fairy godpersons" thinking. I loved that Jones didn't make this an inner-city kid's story, and that everyone was a little bit broken in some way. I loved that not everyone needed fixing, and that Fiona learned that she - a child - could not fix everyone. And I am sad that this kind of book didn't exist when I was Fiona.
I loved Fiona's "social workers = fairy godpersons" thinking. I loved that Jones didn't make this an inner-city kid's story, and that everyone was a little bit broken in some way. I loved that not everyone needed fixing, and that Fiona learned that she - a child - could not fix everyone. And I am sad that this kind of book didn't exist when I was Fiona.
December 16, 2022
This was adorable, and I really enjoyed the resonances with Cold Comfort Farm.
May 16, 2021
Speaking your truth
I loved this story of an addicted mom and how her daughter was told to speak her truth. And when Fiona has to live with relatives while her mom gets treated, she uses all her coping skills to “grant wishes” to her great aunt and uncle and change lives.
Wonderful read. Highly enjoyable.
I loved this story of an addicted mom and how her daughter was told to speak her truth. And when Fiona has to live with relatives while her mom gets treated, she uses all her coping skills to “grant wishes” to her great aunt and uncle and change lives.
Wonderful read. Highly enjoyable.
April 3, 2025
My seven-year-olds loved this (just like all of Kelly Jones' books) as a read-aloud. It deals with some heavy issues (addiction, grief, trauma) but it does so in an age-appropriate way, with lots of humor to lighten the story, and ends on an optimistic note. The kids thought it was hilarious.
I liked that the protagonist, Fiona, models healthy ways to deal with her anxiety and anger and wants to learn how to help other people help themselves. The details of her background are left hazy but w66e know that her mother struggles with addiction (to what is never specified) and that Fiona has a very close relationship with her social worker Ms. Davis. She views Ms. Davis as a sort of fairy godmother for helping her over the years, and wants to learn to be one herself, so Ms. Davis agrees to send her "Fairy Godperson Lessons" via email while Fiona is sent to live in a town called Cold Hope with relatives she doesn't know for the summer (while her mom goes to what is not explicitly called but clearly is inpatient rehab). The lessons help Fiona try to help her relatives, who are clearly in need of some happiness, and find some peace herself along the way.
As serious as the themes explored are, the writing is light and the whole tone of the book is gentle and warm. Jones' books tend to feature kids who feel different for one reason or another, but find support and acceptance in communities of quirky but kind peers and adults. This one is no exception, and makes you wish you could live somewhere where everyone is as self-aware and community-oriented as in Cold Hope.
The book ends on an upbeat note- not every problem has been solved, but Fiona has helped improve multiple lives, and has reason to hope for more good things to come.
I liked that the protagonist, Fiona, models healthy ways to deal with her anxiety and anger and wants to learn how to help other people help themselves. The details of her background are left hazy but w66e know that her mother struggles with addiction (to what is never specified) and that Fiona has a very close relationship with her social worker Ms. Davis. She views Ms. Davis as a sort of fairy godmother for helping her over the years, and wants to learn to be one herself, so Ms. Davis agrees to send her "Fairy Godperson Lessons" via email while Fiona is sent to live in a town called Cold Hope with relatives she doesn't know for the summer (while her mom goes to what is not explicitly called but clearly is inpatient rehab). The lessons help Fiona try to help her relatives, who are clearly in need of some happiness, and find some peace herself along the way.
As serious as the themes explored are, the writing is light and the whole tone of the book is gentle and warm. Jones' books tend to feature kids who feel different for one reason or another, but find support and acceptance in communities of quirky but kind peers and adults. This one is no exception, and makes you wish you could live somewhere where everyone is as self-aware and community-oriented as in Cold Hope.
The book ends on an upbeat note- not every problem has been solved, but Fiona has helped improve multiple lives, and has reason to hope for more good things to come.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2022
Fiona longs to become a fairy godmother and help people, especially her Mom, learn to help themselves and be happy. Fiona gets lots of practice helping her mom who is an addict and she gets help from her caring therapist, Ms. Davis. When Fiona's mother decides to go back into rehab, Fiona is sent to relatives in the small town of Cold Hope. Ms. Davis promises to send fairy godmother lessons and Fiona decides her extremely dysfunctional relatives really need her help!
The unhappy trio run a struggling bakery, baking the same old tired options day after day. Fiona encourages her Aunt Becky to bake the things she wants to bake, a crazy chain of events leads turmoil. How can Fiona's efforts be going so wrong?
A warm and supportive cast of characters, adults and young friend, help Fiona learn to help herself as well as understand what being a fairy godperson really means. Fiona is mature-beyond her years but also endearingly earnest and somewhat naive. I was cheering for Fiona and for all those she was trying to help. The lessons from her therapist are completely kid appropriate as is the message that however much we try to help them, people have to ultimately help themselves. Sometimes that leads in unexpected directions. Hopeful but realistic, the charming story has humorous black and white illustrations.
The unhappy trio run a struggling bakery, baking the same old tired options day after day. Fiona encourages her Aunt Becky to bake the things she wants to bake, a crazy chain of events leads turmoil. How can Fiona's efforts be going so wrong?
A warm and supportive cast of characters, adults and young friend, help Fiona learn to help herself as well as understand what being a fairy godperson really means. Fiona is mature-beyond her years but also endearingly earnest and somewhat naive. I was cheering for Fiona and for all those she was trying to help. The lessons from her therapist are completely kid appropriate as is the message that however much we try to help them, people have to ultimately help themselves. Sometimes that leads in unexpected directions. Hopeful but realistic, the charming story has humorous black and white illustrations.
November 20, 2023
My 10-year-old-self REALLY wishes she had a copy of this gem of a novel back when. I'm going to find more copies for the children and grandchildren of friends who might need this book.
Fiona and her mom are struggling with mom's addictions. Fortunately, Fiona has social worker Ms. Davis, whom Fiona knows is actually a fairy godperson. Ms. Davis helps Fiona develop skills that will make the world make a bit more sense, and help Fiona find her place in the real world.
When Fiona's mom enters a residential treatment program for the summer, Fiona must go to relatives she has never met. Ms. Davis helps her plan and provides a substitute for Ms. Davis in the town of Cold Hope. Fiona explains to Ms. Davis that she has decided to train to become a fairy godperson and asks Ms. Davis to provide her with lessons over the summer.
This is a very strong story. I enjoyed every minute of it, but I wish I had had a Ms. Davis. Since I didn't, but I have read this book, perhaps I can pass on some lessons to any fairy-godpersons-in-training I might meet. You never know, do you?
Fiona and her mom are struggling with mom's addictions. Fortunately, Fiona has social worker Ms. Davis, whom Fiona knows is actually a fairy godperson. Ms. Davis helps Fiona develop skills that will make the world make a bit more sense, and help Fiona find her place in the real world.
When Fiona's mom enters a residential treatment program for the summer, Fiona must go to relatives she has never met. Ms. Davis helps her plan and provides a substitute for Ms. Davis in the town of Cold Hope. Fiona explains to Ms. Davis that she has decided to train to become a fairy godperson and asks Ms. Davis to provide her with lessons over the summer.
This is a very strong story. I enjoyed every minute of it, but I wish I had had a Ms. Davis. Since I didn't, but I have read this book, perhaps I can pass on some lessons to any fairy-godpersons-in-training I might meet. You never know, do you?
February 2, 2024
This is a lovely if sometimes heartwrenching book comparing the lessons we learn from fairy tales to how they would be applied in real life. As they discuss,
Fiona does imagine herself to be a fairy godperson-in-training (not godmother, since she might sometimes help someone older), and while that's admirable in general, she does learn a hard lesson that some people need more help than any one person—even one who wants to help the most of all—can give. It's gut-wretching, but unfortunately we don't have magic wands to make everything happily ever after... or even happily for now.
Recommended for readers dealing with victims of abuse of different kinds. Fiona's mother's addiction isn't gone into in detail as to what KIND of addiction, but the story can definitely help someone going through the same sort of heartbreak.
"I just—I don't really know how this is going to go."It's a little oversimplified, since princesses ALSO have done what they're told in fairy tales, but the vast majority of fairy tales are indeed about people either waiting for something to happen or just following someone else's orders. It's rare when a fairy tale protagonist takes initiative and does something purely to do something other than wait.
Julia shrugged. "That's because you're not a princess. Princesses wait for something to happen, and princes do what they're told. But witches and fairy godpeople try something and see what happens next."
Fiona does imagine herself to be a fairy godperson-in-training (not godmother, since she might sometimes help someone older), and while that's admirable in general, she does learn a hard lesson that some people need more help than any one person—even one who wants to help the most of all—can give. It's gut-wretching, but unfortunately we don't have magic wands to make everything happily ever after... or even happily for now.
Recommended for readers dealing with victims of abuse of different kinds. Fiona's mother's addiction isn't gone into in detail as to what KIND of addiction, but the story can definitely help someone going through the same sort of heartbreak.
August 30, 2023
Sweet new JFic with a plucky and brave protagonist. Fiona's mother is a drug addict and has been sent to rehab to try to get clean. Fiona is placed with a family of relatives she's never met before - an aunt, great aunt, and a great uncle. The heroine and hero of this story are the case workers who keep watch over Fiona and her mom.
The family in Fiona's temporary home run a bakery that's close to failing because the bakers are stuck in the past. Fiona admires her case worker's ability to help people with their problems and she aspires to do so too, kind of like a fairy godmother. Fiona finds other adults willing to help her - the mail carrier and the librarian, and a friend her age who shows she'll stick with her through the good and bad. Together the two girls are able to help her new family members get unstuck and step into a happier, more satisfying life.
The family in Fiona's temporary home run a bakery that's close to failing because the bakers are stuck in the past. Fiona admires her case worker's ability to help people with their problems and she aspires to do so too, kind of like a fairy godmother. Fiona finds other adults willing to help her - the mail carrier and the librarian, and a friend her age who shows she'll stick with her through the good and bad. Together the two girls are able to help her new family members get unstuck and step into a happier, more satisfying life.
May 10, 2021
Fiona must go live with relatives she does not know while her mom goes to rehab. Fiona decides that she will work on her fairy godperson skills during this time because everyone could use some magical help. Fiona enlists the services of her own fairy godperson to give her some lessons to help her during this apprenticeship. Fiona's relatives do certainly seem to need her help - but it is possible that Fiona may still need some support herself. Plus, when she starts to practice, things go terribly wrong.
This is a sweet, fun book filled with magic, baking, art, friendship, and family. Kelly has nailed it with this one! Love, love, love.
This is a sweet, fun book filled with magic, baking, art, friendship, and family. Kelly has nailed it with this one! Love, love, love.
December 2, 2022
My daughter pressed this into my hands after she read it and loved it. It was nice to read a book recommended by her. It’s a sweet story about Fiona, who has to go live with relatives for the summer while her mom is in treatment for addiction. She decides she is a fairy godperson in training and tries to help people. The book does a great job of showing kids how to work through big problems and feelings. Fiona shows the reader what to do when your blood feels like lava or you have cannonballs in your stomach. She speaks her truth and learns how to help herself as well as others. This book would be great for kids who are going through difficult things or have problems with anxiety, etc.
April 30, 2022
Gentle book about the summer adventures of a girl whose mom is in inpatient rehab. The girl, Fiona, stays with relatives who have problems she hopes to solve with magic. There is no actual magic in the book, but there is plenty of friendship. Supporting cast includes strong and competent adults and children of color, but the messed-up central family is white. The book deals with trauma and (probably) neurodivergence, but unlike some other books on these themes there is a lot of positivity and no peril beyond someone yelling in a pretty ridiculous way.
July 11, 2022
This is an absolutely charming book with a Pollyanna-like main character who has a few more challenges to face than Pollyanna did. But the whole fairy-god-person-in-training thing makes it magically realistic. It is a profoundly insightful portrayal of what a little girl's world is actually like, especially when eccentric relatives and odd characters surround the little girl. It is funny, good at creating memorable characters, and the perfect book for young girls who are avid readers and lovers of all things magical.
August 27, 2023
Such a fun, good book! I loved this real life fairy godmother in training story! It is the perfect blend of magic and real life, showing us how magic each person can be, and where the magic in real life can be seen. I love the mess, the hope, and the dealing with all the imperfect, finding joy in it all. I really did love it. There was a minute, maybe 10 pages, where it hit a kind of lull near the end, but it does pull out of it and end well. I recommend it to anyone who is a helper at heart!
Clean rating: G. It's just so good.
Clean rating: G. It's just so good.
June 3, 2021
This is a playful story about the delightfully earnest Fiona trying to help all the silly grown-ups in her life with their problems, often with hilariously awful results. It also weaves through the difficult story of handling a parent's addiction, making Fiona's efforts bittersweet, though still whimsical and fun.
June 15, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I didn't have many expectations going in. The characters were well fleshed out. The story was well thought through and wasn't lacking. And there was some wonderful development in both the main story and minor storylines. This book also dealt well with difficult topics such as a parent with addiction, death of parents, mixed-emotions, and more.
May 10, 2021
The author always brings characters to life for me and she does the same in this book. The story itself was nice, but many portions of the book felt like lectures on mental health procedures. Right now I can’t picture an ideal reader for this book.
July 7, 2021
Good book for kids who like small town stories. I like the fact that Fiona's mother is an addict, and how the book showed how she dealt with that in a way that seemed consistent with her character. Would booktalk.
September 8, 2021
Fiona is going to live with extended family while her mother works through a residential treatment program. Fiona wants to fix everyone, and has to learn to just be a kid. Strong adults, flawed adults, lots of love. Good story!
March 11, 2021
Such a whimsical and fun read. I loved just how magical and ordinary (in all the best ways) it was. Highly recommend!
May 10, 2021
I enjoyed this one! Great-Aunt Alta especially.
May 10, 2021
It was a very good book. I'm 29 years old and I learned a few things. The main character tries to fix other people's problems but doesn't give up when they don't want to help themselves.
July 1, 2021
B+. fiction, teen, baking, family problems.
Read
July 28, 2021Inspired me to do some baking this weekend! I made guava jam & walnut oatmeal cookie bars. LOL.
September 5, 2021
DNF for Happily for Now. The writing style seemed a bit off, and I wasn't sure how old Fiona was supposed to be.
January 22, 2022
I like how it dealt with a difficult topic about someone trying to save someone instead of helping them to work out their problems and how sometimes you need the help even if you do not think you do.
May 30, 2025
Another reviewer summarized this quite well, it's a book that feels like a big hug, even though it deals with some heavy topics. Definitely a book I'll recommend to specific readers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews