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How to Survive a Modern-Day Fairy Tale
This is no ordinary Cinderella story from #OwnVoices debut author Elle Cruz. Claire never believed in fairy tales—that is, until she met Nate—in this fun, flirty rom-com.
Claire Ventura is nothing like the poised and perfect heroines she reads about in her favorite romance novels. She’s a quirky, people-pleasing bookworm with a degree in Women’s Studies and an internet cookie decorator all rolled into a five-foot-two package fueled by chamomile tea.
And most of all, Claire loves her grandmother, Lola. Claire was always her favorite grandchild, and they shared a special bond. So when Lola inches into her nineties and Alzheimer’s starts chipping away at the vital and independent woman she used to be, the whole family dynamic starts shifting in a new direction.
Then Claire meets Nate, the CEO of a mega tech company, and he takes her to Paris. Hailed as the next Mark Zuckerberg, Nate is a fast-rising star in the tech industry, and he’s just fallen head-over-heels for Claire. Together, Claire and Nate must learn to navigate their personal and professional lives and, in the end, Nate proves to Claire that fairytale endings are really just the beginning.
Claire Ventura is nothing like the poised and perfect heroines she reads about in her favorite romance novels. She’s a quirky, people-pleasing bookworm with a degree in Women’s Studies and an internet cookie decorator all rolled into a five-foot-two package fueled by chamomile tea.
And most of all, Claire loves her grandmother, Lola. Claire was always her favorite grandchild, and they shared a special bond. So when Lola inches into her nineties and Alzheimer’s starts chipping away at the vital and independent woman she used to be, the whole family dynamic starts shifting in a new direction.
Then Claire meets Nate, the CEO of a mega tech company, and he takes her to Paris. Hailed as the next Mark Zuckerberg, Nate is a fast-rising star in the tech industry, and he’s just fallen head-over-heels for Claire. Together, Claire and Nate must learn to navigate their personal and professional lives and, in the end, Nate proves to Claire that fairytale endings are really just the beginning.
331 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 263 reviews
February 8, 2022
What do you do when a book has almost every cliche or trope you despise in literature? You try to coherently make a point out of the immense disappointment.
First of all, yes, retellings are fun, but that doesn’t mean the male love interest has to be this perfect caricature who probably stepped out of those original fairy tales that remain problematic despite the so-called perfect characterisation. I know male protagonists written by female authors often lack realism but there’s only so much disbelief I can suspend for a romance I hope to enjoy. I mean, are we not tired of typical fictional men who love playing video games, are great at seducing the girl, have private jets, are workaholics and basically billionaires? I would be lying if I say they don’t sound charming but sadly, saturation triumphs here. Give me a mafia romance instead; at least his personality would then have some texture through everything that’s outright bad or morally grey.
Secondly, I’m forced to wonder: are we calling every common trope a retelling nowadays to sound fancy? Sure, Cinderella has that swoony romance that transcends class and social hierarchies, but that doesn’t mean every romance treading the trope of ‘a plain, average girl meets a famous, rich guy’ can be called a retelling of that fairytale. Lastly, ambitious heroines with narrations that focus on their career are a win for me but when the romantic arc outweighs those aspirations, my inner feminist gets a little sad. Not that women can’t prioritise love over their passionate dreams, or seek both at the same time, but when you repeatedly talk about setting up a business and are nervous about taking a leap, I wish for you to think a minute longer before choosing ‘true love’. Especially when you have been judgemental towards female side characters who are housewives.
Having said all of this, I did appreciate the theme of family and culture making a subtle impact on one’s priorities, the goodness of caring for the elders, and those comments from relatives that get too deep into your head. Of course, Claire, the heroine, managed to win points from me for her desire to pursue her passion for baking because yes to female entrepreneurs! But unfortunately, all the major tropes were too cheesy for me and when it’s all topped with instalove, I end up asking: how to survive reading this modern-day fairytale.
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➵ excuse me, i hoped to start my february with a good romance, not with a disappointment.
December 3, 2021
Pardon my Filipino, but this book is genuinely the stupidest thing I’ve ever had the misfortune to read. I know wish fulfillment is a thing, but this was just unfathomably awful. Full review to follow.
December 9, 2021
Why I requested this Netgalley arc: The gorgeous cover, #ownvoices debut, a Cinderella retelling as a "fun, flirty romcom". Basically, all the things I usually love.
By the time I got round to reading the book, it had dipped to a 3.22 rating and it took me only a few chapters to see why.
1. The writing (particularly the protagonist's voice) came across as juvenile.
The entire book read more like a Wattpad story (in fact, I've read better there) instead of a published adult novel. I was actually shocked to learn that Claire is 30 years old because I felt like I was reading tweenage fiction (not even YA).
2. There is hardly any cultural/ownvoices or Cinderella element.
I know this is largely a romance novel, but I was hoping to learn more about Filipino culture and hence was disappointed by the lack of depth. What we have is a huge family including some annoying aunties and two sisters, all of whom are one-dimensional with no backstory. There were just some fleeting mentions of Filipino food but that's about it.
3. The steamy scenes scenes were cringeworthy.
4. This book made me realise just how much I dislike the instalove trope.
The romance was super fast-paced and bland, with no development or buildup. The characters do acknowledge this, which I appreciated. I tried to read the book like I would a fairytale (quick, fluffy, minimal conflict) but it just didn't work for me.
5. Claire and Nate are clearly incompatible.
Claire does not grow at all throughout the book and remains unchanged (and not in a good way). Nate is manipulative and a red-flag love interest who employs the 'love bombing' tactic in the guise of big romantic gestures.
The argument they had at 86% is SO problematic. Nate chides Claire for having 'bullshit insecurities" that she can't get past and which "get in the way". These are also classic lines of a manipulator:
6. Claire's arc was highly disappointing.
Claire spends bulk of the book talking about how much she loves baking. She repeatedly mentions her desire to set up her own business and spends a lot of time deliberating whether to take the leap. She repeatedly tells everyone that she wants her own career outside of her romantic relationship. She judges the wives of Nate's friends for giving up their careers to be housewives and says she doesn't want to be like them.
Not fun, not flirty and definitely not my idea of a modern fairytale.
By the time I got round to reading the book, it had dipped to a 3.22 rating and it took me only a few chapters to see why.
1. The writing (particularly the protagonist's voice) came across as juvenile.
The entire book read more like a Wattpad story (in fact, I've read better there) instead of a published adult novel. I was actually shocked to learn that Claire is 30 years old because I felt like I was reading tweenage fiction (not even YA).
2. There is hardly any cultural/ownvoices or Cinderella element.
I know this is largely a romance novel, but I was hoping to learn more about Filipino culture and hence was disappointed by the lack of depth. What we have is a huge family including some annoying aunties and two sisters, all of whom are one-dimensional with no backstory. There were just some fleeting mentions of Filipino food but that's about it.
3. The steamy scenes scenes were cringeworthy.
"He was a big boy, indeed. Claire had seen several penises in real life, and all of them were perfunctory enough. But this was not a regular penis. This was a cock – long and thick and beautiful all at once. He had the kind of dick that belonged in porn, and Claire was certain her eyes were deceiving her." (34%)
4. This book made me realise just how much I dislike the instalove trope.
The romance was super fast-paced and bland, with no development or buildup. The characters do acknowledge this, which I appreciated. I tried to read the book like I would a fairytale (quick, fluffy, minimal conflict) but it just didn't work for me.
5. Claire and Nate are clearly incompatible.
Claire does not grow at all throughout the book and remains unchanged (and not in a good way). Nate is manipulative and a red-flag love interest who employs the 'love bombing' tactic in the guise of big romantic gestures.
The argument they had at 86% is SO problematic. Nate chides Claire for having 'bullshit insecurities" that she can't get past and which "get in the way". These are also classic lines of a manipulator:
"You promised me you'd always tell me what was in your mind, and that you'd always be here. You said you'd never walk away, but you didn't mean it."
"You'd better be fucking sure this is what you want. Because if you leave, I don't even want to see you again."
6. Claire's arc was highly disappointing.
Claire spends bulk of the book talking about how much she loves baking. She repeatedly mentions her desire to set up her own business and spends a lot of time deliberating whether to take the leap. She repeatedly tells everyone that she wants her own career outside of her romantic relationship. She judges the wives of Nate's friends for giving up their careers to be housewives and says she doesn't want to be like them.
Not fun, not flirty and definitely not my idea of a modern fairytale.
November 29, 2021
This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I found this to be a well-done romance. I liked the characters right away and wanted to see things work out for them. This book was a pretty quick read for me and I was hooked very early on in the story. I thought that the story tackled a lot of interesting things including dealing with a family member with Alzheimer’s needing nursing home care and a large and sometimes demanding Filipino family. I am so glad that I decided to pick this book up.
Claire visits with her grandmother daily and works in a local bookstore. Her family is a big part of her life and they can sometimes be quite demanding. She also runs a cookie decorating business which is her passion. She meets Nate when she almost hits him with her car and she has no idea who he is. It turns out that he is a well-known businessman who happens to be incredibly wealthy. He is taken with Claire right away and I loved seeing these two get to know each other.
I loved Nate. He might have been a little too perfect at times but he was the highlight of this story for me. I liked Claire to a point but she did drive me crazy at times. I understand being insecure but her inability to stand up for herself and always do what her family wanted her to do drove me crazy after a while. The parts of the story that were focused on Claire and Nate’s relationship were the strongest parts of the story but I was less impressed those focused solely on Claire.
I would recommend this book to others. I found it to be a rather enjoyable read with an interesting cast of characters and a wonderful romance. I would not hesitate to read more of this author’s work in the future.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Entangled: Amara via NetGalley.
I found this to be a well-done romance. I liked the characters right away and wanted to see things work out for them. This book was a pretty quick read for me and I was hooked very early on in the story. I thought that the story tackled a lot of interesting things including dealing with a family member with Alzheimer’s needing nursing home care and a large and sometimes demanding Filipino family. I am so glad that I decided to pick this book up.
Claire visits with her grandmother daily and works in a local bookstore. Her family is a big part of her life and they can sometimes be quite demanding. She also runs a cookie decorating business which is her passion. She meets Nate when she almost hits him with her car and she has no idea who he is. It turns out that he is a well-known businessman who happens to be incredibly wealthy. He is taken with Claire right away and I loved seeing these two get to know each other.
I loved Nate. He might have been a little too perfect at times but he was the highlight of this story for me. I liked Claire to a point but she did drive me crazy at times. I understand being insecure but her inability to stand up for herself and always do what her family wanted her to do drove me crazy after a while. The parts of the story that were focused on Claire and Nate’s relationship were the strongest parts of the story but I was less impressed those focused solely on Claire.
I would recommend this book to others. I found it to be a rather enjoyable read with an interesting cast of characters and a wonderful romance. I would not hesitate to read more of this author’s work in the future.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Entangled: Amara via NetGalley.
January 28, 2023
More like "how to survive the most-clichéd nuisance tale" ever.
"How to Survive a Modern-Day Fairy Tale" by Elle Cruz was supposed to be a charming and heartwarming novel that explores the idea of finding love with the ideas of "happily ever after" and happiness in the modern world.
But, rather this book is completely predictable and the ending is a bit too convenient. The characters are superficious and not very deep. The story also lacks any real conflict or tension.
"How to Survive a Modern-Day Fairy Tale" by Elle Cruz was supposed to be a charming and heartwarming novel that explores the idea of finding love with the ideas of "happily ever after" and happiness in the modern world.
But, rather this book is completely predictable and the ending is a bit too convenient. The characters are superficious and not very deep. The story also lacks any real conflict or tension.
October 6, 2021
2.75 stars
This is the second novel I've read from a Filipina-American author this year, and being Filipina myself, I couldn't help but have expectations. Hence the rating.
Now objectively, 2.75 stars out of 5 isn't great.
But this was not a bad story.
It just didn't hit the mark on so many aspects for me, that I couldn't justify giving it anything higher.
From a cultural standpoint, I think the Filipino culture was displayed fairly accurately, but it doesn't go into a lot of depth. There's a wide diaspora of Filipinos across the world, and the generational effect of being born out of the country, under a different nationality and still be considered Filipina without being able to speak the language or really feel connected to the culture and country in a way that feels tangible was an aspect of the story that I craved for and never really got. That's not a testament to the story though - I understand that that was not the intent in this story, but I still wanted it, and was disappointed that I didn't get it.
But a large part of Filipino culture does revolve solely around family. The story and plot do a decent job of displaying this and exploring it alongside Lola and her Alzheimer's, I just wish it went a little deeper. Because while Claire didn't make it out like taking care of Lola was a burden to her, there was this underlying resentment I was picking up that was never really addressed. And I wanted it to be. The same goes for the sister/sibling dynamics that were explored throughout the novel; I wanted more from them than surface-level interactions sprinkled with the occasional emotional moment. I wanted them to feel more layered and real.
I also really struggled with the pacing. I have never been so aware of the passage of time in a romance novel before and I absolutely detested the fact that it was so deliberate and in my face at the beginning of some of the chapters. Granted, it's not that many chapters, but I was physically drawn out of the story by seeing the words One week later, and Five days later. It was incredibly overt and not even the teeniest bit subtle, and I was not a fan. I'm not trying to be nit-picky despite knowing I'm totally coming across as that way, but it bothered me too much for me to say silent on the matter because it really screwed with the fluidity of the plot.
But my biggest issue with this story is with the characterization. At no point did I feel emotionally connected to any of the characters. Everything felt too surface-level; there were hints of deeper elements within the brief moments of introspection that we're privy to in Claire's perspective (she's a very self-conscious and introverted worry wart), but they were too far and few between. Nothing about Claire endeared me to her despite her giving and kind nature because she was a pushover for almost the entirety of the novel. A people-pleaser to the end, her choices for approximately three-quarters of the book made it really difficult to believe in her growth when she stood up to her Tita Chriss, her sisters and even Nate.
Which brings me to Nate. Is he perfect? No. But was he really flawed? I don't think so. He was a workaholic which was supposed to be his one single flaw and that was it. What do we really learn about him as a character though? Not a whole lot personality-wise. He likes dogs, video games, Claire, has a deadbeat dad who abandoned him as a child. And that's all I've got; 298 pages worth of content and the fact that I can sum up the lead romantic interest in a single sentence does not bode well. The romance was pretty average to be honest because everything about it felt too easy, and the instalove didn't help matters because that is not an easy trope to manage.
The plot was also... not my favourite. Without getting too far into the weeds and specifics, a lot of the plot choices felt convenient. Like they were the easy choice to make. And that's fair, not everything has to be difficult, but it didn't make for much of a compelling plot. By the 200 page mark, I was ready for it to be over because it didn't feel like there was any story left to tell from a romance standpoint. I could go on about how a certain marriage coming about and occurring was not the move for me. But then came the ending. The abrupt, let's-tie-everything-off-really-neatly-with-a-bow-and-unsarcastically-use-the-words-and-they-lived-happily-ever after-to-finish-things-off kind of ending. Needless to say, I didn't love it.
However, I can see other readers enjoying this for what it is: a lighthearted contemporary romance with a (very blatant) HEA. And if you go into it with that in mind, you may really like it. I think for me, I just wanted to fall in love with it, but you can't force feelings when it comes to these things.
A big shoutout and thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for giving me access to an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second novel I've read from a Filipina-American author this year, and being Filipina myself, I couldn't help but have expectations. Hence the rating.
Now objectively, 2.75 stars out of 5 isn't great.
But this was not a bad story.
It just didn't hit the mark on so many aspects for me, that I couldn't justify giving it anything higher.
From a cultural standpoint, I think the Filipino culture was displayed fairly accurately, but it doesn't go into a lot of depth. There's a wide diaspora of Filipinos across the world, and the generational effect of being born out of the country, under a different nationality and still be considered Filipina without being able to speak the language or really feel connected to the culture and country in a way that feels tangible was an aspect of the story that I craved for and never really got. That's not a testament to the story though - I understand that that was not the intent in this story, but I still wanted it, and was disappointed that I didn't get it.
But a large part of Filipino culture does revolve solely around family. The story and plot do a decent job of displaying this and exploring it alongside Lola and her Alzheimer's, I just wish it went a little deeper. Because while Claire didn't make it out like taking care of Lola was a burden to her, there was this underlying resentment I was picking up that was never really addressed. And I wanted it to be. The same goes for the sister/sibling dynamics that were explored throughout the novel; I wanted more from them than surface-level interactions sprinkled with the occasional emotional moment. I wanted them to feel more layered and real.
I also really struggled with the pacing. I have never been so aware of the passage of time in a romance novel before and I absolutely detested the fact that it was so deliberate and in my face at the beginning of some of the chapters. Granted, it's not that many chapters, but I was physically drawn out of the story by seeing the words One week later, and Five days later. It was incredibly overt and not even the teeniest bit subtle, and I was not a fan. I'm not trying to be nit-picky despite knowing I'm totally coming across as that way, but it bothered me too much for me to say silent on the matter because it really screwed with the fluidity of the plot.
But my biggest issue with this story is with the characterization. At no point did I feel emotionally connected to any of the characters. Everything felt too surface-level; there were hints of deeper elements within the brief moments of introspection that we're privy to in Claire's perspective (she's a very self-conscious and introverted worry wart), but they were too far and few between. Nothing about Claire endeared me to her despite her giving and kind nature because she was a pushover for almost the entirety of the novel. A people-pleaser to the end, her choices for approximately three-quarters of the book made it really difficult to believe in her growth when she stood up to her Tita Chriss, her sisters and even Nate.
Which brings me to Nate. Is he perfect? No. But was he really flawed? I don't think so. He was a workaholic which was supposed to be his one single flaw and that was it. What do we really learn about him as a character though? Not a whole lot personality-wise. He likes dogs, video games, Claire, has a deadbeat dad who abandoned him as a child. And that's all I've got; 298 pages worth of content and the fact that I can sum up the lead romantic interest in a single sentence does not bode well. The romance was pretty average to be honest because everything about it felt too easy, and the instalove didn't help matters because that is not an easy trope to manage.
The plot was also... not my favourite. Without getting too far into the weeds and specifics, a lot of the plot choices felt convenient. Like they were the easy choice to make. And that's fair, not everything has to be difficult, but it didn't make for much of a compelling plot. By the 200 page mark, I was ready for it to be over because it didn't feel like there was any story left to tell from a romance standpoint. I could go on about how a certain marriage coming about and occurring was not the move for me. But then came the ending. The abrupt, let's-tie-everything-off-really-neatly-with-a-bow-and-unsarcastically-use-the-words-and-they-lived-happily-ever after-to-finish-things-off kind of ending. Needless to say, I didn't love it.
However, I can see other readers enjoying this for what it is: a lighthearted contemporary romance with a (very blatant) HEA. And if you go into it with that in mind, you may really like it. I think for me, I just wanted to fall in love with it, but you can't force feelings when it comes to these things.
A big shoutout and thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for giving me access to an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.
December 29, 2021
How about a retelling of
Cinderella
with a diverse cast? Try
How to Survive a Modern-Day Fairy Tale
.
Claire loves her job at a bookstore, but her dream is to start a cookie decorating business. That’s where her talents lie. However, her demanding Filipino family can’t understand why someone so smart wants such a silly job.
When she has a meet-cute with Nate, a handsome, rich CEO and restaurant owner (although Claire almost hit him with her car), he quickly tries to sweep her off her feet. She is definitely smitten but she can’t believe someone like Nate would be interested in someone like her, no matter how hard he tries to convince her.
Can Nate and Claire’s relationship weather her family’s skepticism and demands, as well as Claire’s doubts? Can she find her way to the life she’s always dreamed of? (What do you think?)
This was a fun, sweet romp of a book. Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review!!
Claire loves her job at a bookstore, but her dream is to start a cookie decorating business. That’s where her talents lie. However, her demanding Filipino family can’t understand why someone so smart wants such a silly job.
When she has a meet-cute with Nate, a handsome, rich CEO and restaurant owner (although Claire almost hit him with her car), he quickly tries to sweep her off her feet. She is definitely smitten but she can’t believe someone like Nate would be interested in someone like her, no matter how hard he tries to convince her.
Can Nate and Claire’s relationship weather her family’s skepticism and demands, as well as Claire’s doubts? Can she find her way to the life she’s always dreamed of? (What do you think?)
This was a fun, sweet romp of a book. Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review!!
December 25, 2021
Thank you Entangled for my review copy!
This was such a cute story, that had everything I need in a book for right now - over the top, dramatic, fun, and a little unbelievable, but that’s what makes the Insta-love trope work.
I wish there was an epilogue though to this book - did Clarke become a successful cookie decorator? What’s the update on Nate’s empire? I need answers! Or maybe even a prequel lol!
Read this if you’re looking for fun, cute, instalove, and a story about believing in yourself.
This was such a cute story, that had everything I need in a book for right now - over the top, dramatic, fun, and a little unbelievable, but that’s what makes the Insta-love trope work.
I wish there was an epilogue though to this book - did Clarke become a successful cookie decorator? What’s the update on Nate’s empire? I need answers! Or maybe even a prequel lol!
Read this if you’re looking for fun, cute, instalove, and a story about believing in yourself.
December 21, 2021
1.5/5
I’m so sad to say that this book was a huge letdown for me. As a Filipino reader who believes that there aren't nearly enough contemporary fiction books that center around Filipino protagonists, I was really looking forward to a cool and fun but yet meaty story that incorporates Filipino-centric themes in exciting ways. While this novel does touch on some specific Filipino and Asian family ideals, the plot and overall character developments were extremely superficial and unrealistic.
The main couple, Claire and Nate, were so forgettable that I had to refer back to the book just now to remember their names. Claire is the Filipino main character who works at a bookstore, loves to bake, visits her grandmother everyday at an assisted living facility, and whose family pressures her constantly to find a ‘real’ job instead of the baking side business that she has. She meets Nate, a bigshot techie and billionaire bachelor, by accident when she dines at one of his restaurants and he is charmed simply because she does not recognize him as a celebrity.
I could roll with the story at this point in the novel; the premise was nothing new but I didn’t mind suspending my disbelief for a potentially cute and hilarious romance. Unfortunately, the story suffered from too many side plots, really weird pacing, and very little redeeming qualities for its characters. We read about the declining health of Claire’s grandmother, Claire’s struggle to quit her part-time job and commit to establishing a full-time baking company, her family (specifically her naggy sisters and aunts) judging her every life decision, her whirlwind romance with Nate, and her indecisiveness with how far she wants to go in pursuing a relationship with him. The pacing and dialogue were awkward in my opinion because the author had to find a way to tie all of these small conflicts together and wrap up everything before the end of the story, all while trying to stick to the theme of this being an #OwnVoices book, which is how this novel was marketed.
The author focused a lot on family values, which are a huge and important part of Filipino culture. Families are a cohesive unit and everyone typically supports each other in whatever little ways they can, like cooking and hosting dinner at someone’s house, helping with financial burdens, and taking care of elderly family members. Cruz did include the importance of family into Nate’s character, but I feel like aside from that he was a very cartoonish character; the only other qualities I remember about him is that he’s a workaholic who likes video games, is really good at seducing Claire, and probably has an insanely high carbon footprint from all his private jet trips.
I want to point out one part in the book that really rubbed me the wrong way, in which Claire turns over her grandmother in the care of someone who was essentially a stranger to her (she’s Nate’s godmother who is a retired nurse, but still, she’s basically known Nate for like a week or something at this point) so that she could go on a date with Nate. Like I get it, the man is busy 24/7, but if she really couldn’t wait to spend time with him then she should have at least asked a family member to look after her grandmother. That part left a bad taste in my mouth and I really disliked how the character handled that situation.
Their romance moved way too fast for me, and although I’m not a fan of the love at first sight trope, I can dig it as long as a novel does a great job of having the characters connect with each other, which I do not feel this book did. I was not invested in any of the characters and lost interest in the plot after very little development. The conflicts were very surface level, as were the resolutions. The scenes leading up to the final resolution were rushed and devoid of any real emotion, and the ending was just too cheesy, even for any other cheesy romcom. This really missed the mark for me, and alas, the hunt for an A+ Filipino protagonist continues.
**Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’m so sad to say that this book was a huge letdown for me. As a Filipino reader who believes that there aren't nearly enough contemporary fiction books that center around Filipino protagonists, I was really looking forward to a cool and fun but yet meaty story that incorporates Filipino-centric themes in exciting ways. While this novel does touch on some specific Filipino and Asian family ideals, the plot and overall character developments were extremely superficial and unrealistic.
The main couple, Claire and Nate, were so forgettable that I had to refer back to the book just now to remember their names. Claire is the Filipino main character who works at a bookstore, loves to bake, visits her grandmother everyday at an assisted living facility, and whose family pressures her constantly to find a ‘real’ job instead of the baking side business that she has. She meets Nate, a bigshot techie and billionaire bachelor, by accident when she dines at one of his restaurants and he is charmed simply because she does not recognize him as a celebrity.
I could roll with the story at this point in the novel; the premise was nothing new but I didn’t mind suspending my disbelief for a potentially cute and hilarious romance. Unfortunately, the story suffered from too many side plots, really weird pacing, and very little redeeming qualities for its characters. We read about the declining health of Claire’s grandmother, Claire’s struggle to quit her part-time job and commit to establishing a full-time baking company, her family (specifically her naggy sisters and aunts) judging her every life decision, her whirlwind romance with Nate, and her indecisiveness with how far she wants to go in pursuing a relationship with him. The pacing and dialogue were awkward in my opinion because the author had to find a way to tie all of these small conflicts together and wrap up everything before the end of the story, all while trying to stick to the theme of this being an #OwnVoices book, which is how this novel was marketed.
The author focused a lot on family values, which are a huge and important part of Filipino culture. Families are a cohesive unit and everyone typically supports each other in whatever little ways they can, like cooking and hosting dinner at someone’s house, helping with financial burdens, and taking care of elderly family members. Cruz did include the importance of family into Nate’s character, but I feel like aside from that he was a very cartoonish character; the only other qualities I remember about him is that he’s a workaholic who likes video games, is really good at seducing Claire, and probably has an insanely high carbon footprint from all his private jet trips.
I want to point out one part in the book that really rubbed me the wrong way, in which Claire turns over her grandmother in the care of someone who was essentially a stranger to her (she’s Nate’s godmother who is a retired nurse, but still, she’s basically known Nate for like a week or something at this point) so that she could go on a date with Nate. Like I get it, the man is busy 24/7, but if she really couldn’t wait to spend time with him then she should have at least asked a family member to look after her grandmother. That part left a bad taste in my mouth and I really disliked how the character handled that situation.
Their romance moved way too fast for me, and although I’m not a fan of the love at first sight trope, I can dig it as long as a novel does a great job of having the characters connect with each other, which I do not feel this book did. I was not invested in any of the characters and lost interest in the plot after very little development. The conflicts were very surface level, as were the resolutions. The scenes leading up to the final resolution were rushed and devoid of any real emotion, and the ending was just too cheesy, even for any other cheesy romcom. This really missed the mark for me, and alas, the hunt for an A+ Filipino protagonist continues.
**Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2021
How to Survive a Modern Day Fairy Tale by Elle Cruz is a nice, modern-day re-telling of Cinderella, with a multicultural twist.
Claire Ventura works in a bookstore with hopes of starting her own cookie decorating business. She’s the daughter of first-generation Filipino parents and has two sisters and a very large extended family. She’s always put her family first and doesn’t want to disappoint them. She has a special bond with her grandmother who has to live in a facility due to her advanced Alzheimer’s disease.
She literally runs into Nate, the CEO of a tech company and they fall for each other almost instantly and he flies her to Paris for a first date. But, with completely different backgrounds and financial statuses, can their love survive?
I enjoyed Claire’s family very much, their large loud gathering reminds me of Filipino families I’ve known over the years. I liked Claire’s determination to become a business owner and do something she enjoys.
I was not a fan of the romance. I didn’t feel the connection between Claire and Nate and found their instant love a bit unbelievable. Not that instant love is not believable, but the author did not make me feel this connection was realistic. I thought Nate was very nice and sweet, but I didn’t understand his instant connection with Claire.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Claire Ventura works in a bookstore with hopes of starting her own cookie decorating business. She’s the daughter of first-generation Filipino parents and has two sisters and a very large extended family. She’s always put her family first and doesn’t want to disappoint them. She has a special bond with her grandmother who has to live in a facility due to her advanced Alzheimer’s disease.
She literally runs into Nate, the CEO of a tech company and they fall for each other almost instantly and he flies her to Paris for a first date. But, with completely different backgrounds and financial statuses, can their love survive?
I enjoyed Claire’s family very much, their large loud gathering reminds me of Filipino families I’ve known over the years. I liked Claire’s determination to become a business owner and do something she enjoys.
I was not a fan of the romance. I didn’t feel the connection between Claire and Nate and found their instant love a bit unbelievable. Not that instant love is not believable, but the author did not make me feel this connection was realistic. I thought Nate was very nice and sweet, but I didn’t understand his instant connection with Claire.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
September 24, 2021
There’s always a special shelf I mentally have for stories where protagonists are torn between the demands of traditional family values (whether done so obliviously or not) and the need to seek out one’s unique identity in a place of birth vs. the place of ‘ancestry’ so to speak. And it’s a complex but fascinating one at heart especially when discovering the depth of those familial and cultural ties to the ‘motherland’ brings you to a crossroads where your aspirations seem to go directly against the values espoused by your family.
I thought ‘How to Survive a Modern Fairy Tale’ would be delving slightly into this conundrum as well, but it turned out that the story was mostly a really quick, instalove romance that bloomed between Claire and Nate without much rhyme or reason as both hurtle—at breakneck pace—down the love-road after an accidental meeting. Claire being sucked into his glitterati tech-world is probably part of the fairy-tale dust that Elle Cruz scatters liberally all over the pages, along with a huge dose of serendipity that helps smooth the very few road-blocks the insta-couple face in front of them, as the overarching vibe of ‘I just knew she was the one’ drove Nate’s sudden and inexplicable response to Claire.
I think the lack of believability was my main issue with the whole book; maybe it’s cynicism and jaded-ness speaking now but there were constantly points where I found myself pausing to evaluate their relationship with scepticism and while waiting for the other shoe to fall past the very early love-declarations from both of them. In this cinderella-esque tale of ‘average girl meets famous, rich guy’, I’m afraid ‘How to Survive a Modern Fairy-Tale’ just didn’t do it for me.
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
I thought ‘How to Survive a Modern Fairy Tale’ would be delving slightly into this conundrum as well, but it turned out that the story was mostly a really quick, instalove romance that bloomed between Claire and Nate without much rhyme or reason as both hurtle—at breakneck pace—down the love-road after an accidental meeting. Claire being sucked into his glitterati tech-world is probably part of the fairy-tale dust that Elle Cruz scatters liberally all over the pages, along with a huge dose of serendipity that helps smooth the very few road-blocks the insta-couple face in front of them, as the overarching vibe of ‘I just knew she was the one’ drove Nate’s sudden and inexplicable response to Claire.
I think the lack of believability was my main issue with the whole book; maybe it’s cynicism and jaded-ness speaking now but there were constantly points where I found myself pausing to evaluate their relationship with scepticism and while waiting for the other shoe to fall past the very early love-declarations from both of them. In this cinderella-esque tale of ‘average girl meets famous, rich guy’, I’m afraid ‘How to Survive a Modern Fairy-Tale’ just didn’t do it for me.
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
November 29, 2021
A cute mix of Filipino heritage, standing up for your dreams and letting go of self doubts. When I first saw the title I thought I was in for a fairy-tale retelling but instead found myself cheering on Claire as she struggles to find footing in her changing life.
Claire is a bit of a mess that I think most people with large families who have high expectations can appreciate. On the one hand she wants to live up to the demands of her family and their desires to see her work a financially stable job and marry. Then there is her creative side that adores the cookies she makes and wants to open her own business. Unfortunately for Claire, she never says no or stands up for her dreams when it comes to her family. This took me a little getting used to. I struggled with the almost pushover side of Claire's personality. Yet at the same time I found myself reflecting on all the ways in life I am like Claire as my dreams pass me by and I bend to the will of everyone but myself. It really does make you stop and think as you're reading. I love a book that makes you reflect like that.
Then there is the romance side. Her prince charming, Nate, who she crashes into (literally...with a car), whisks her off her feet into his mega-money lifestyle. Though I absolutely adored these two I struggled with how fast the connection was made and how quickly life decisions occurred. He says all the right things and does all the right things and yet some of her reasonings and standoffish attitude didn't fit the insta-love vibe that was taking lead. The steamy scenes though...phew.. grab yourself a fan ladies!
There is a lot going on in this novel. There is filler and branches that I felt could have been left out but then there is the depth and familial aspects that I found myself connecting with the most. The bond she has with her grandmother and the way Alzheimer's affected the family members in different ways was well done and heartbreakingly sentimental. The bond of sisters was realistic and heartwarming by the end too. I know this is a romance novel but my biggest take away revolved around balancing dreams, love and family all while living and cherishing life's moments.
I found this to be a cute Own Voices novel. There's a mixture of pros and cons but I think most readers will find the overall message endearing and reflective. Thank you Entangled Publishing for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Claire is a bit of a mess that I think most people with large families who have high expectations can appreciate. On the one hand she wants to live up to the demands of her family and their desires to see her work a financially stable job and marry. Then there is her creative side that adores the cookies she makes and wants to open her own business. Unfortunately for Claire, she never says no or stands up for her dreams when it comes to her family. This took me a little getting used to. I struggled with the almost pushover side of Claire's personality. Yet at the same time I found myself reflecting on all the ways in life I am like Claire as my dreams pass me by and I bend to the will of everyone but myself. It really does make you stop and think as you're reading. I love a book that makes you reflect like that.
Then there is the romance side. Her prince charming, Nate, who she crashes into (literally...with a car), whisks her off her feet into his mega-money lifestyle. Though I absolutely adored these two I struggled with how fast the connection was made and how quickly life decisions occurred. He says all the right things and does all the right things and yet some of her reasonings and standoffish attitude didn't fit the insta-love vibe that was taking lead. The steamy scenes though...phew.. grab yourself a fan ladies!
There is a lot going on in this novel. There is filler and branches that I felt could have been left out but then there is the depth and familial aspects that I found myself connecting with the most. The bond she has with her grandmother and the way Alzheimer's affected the family members in different ways was well done and heartbreakingly sentimental. The bond of sisters was realistic and heartwarming by the end too. I know this is a romance novel but my biggest take away revolved around balancing dreams, love and family all while living and cherishing life's moments.
I found this to be a cute Own Voices novel. There's a mixture of pros and cons but I think most readers will find the overall message endearing and reflective. Thank you Entangled Publishing for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
December 21, 2021
I’m so sad to say that this book was a huge letdown for me. As a Filipino reader who believes that there aren't nearly enough contemporary fiction books that center around Filipino protagonists, I was really looking forward to a cool and fun but yet meaty story that incorporates Filipino-centric themes in exciting ways. While this novel does touch on some specific Filipino and Asian family ideals, the plot and overall character developments were extremely superficial and unrealistic.
The main couple, Claire and Nate, were so forgettable that I had to refer back to the book just now to remember their names. Claire is the Filipino main character who works at a bookstore, loves to bake, visits her grandmother everyday at an assisted living facility, and whose family pressures her constantly to find a ‘real’ job instead of the baking side business that she has. She meets Nate, a bigshot techie and billionaire bachelor, by accident when she dines at one of his restaurants and he is charmed simply because she does not recognize him as a celebrity.
I could roll with the story at this point in the novel; the premise was nothing new but I didn’t mind suspending my disbelief for a potentially cute and hilarious romance. Unfortunately, the story suffered from too many side plots, really weird pacing, and very little redeeming qualities for its characters. We read about the declining health of Claire’s grandmother, Claire’s struggle to quit her part-time job and commit to establishing a full-time baking company, her family (specifically her naggy sisters and aunts) judging her every life decision, her whirlwind romance with Nate, and her indecisiveness with how far she wants to go in pursuing a relationship with him. The pacing and dialogue were awkward in my opinion because the author had to find a way to tie all of these small conflicts together and wrap up everything before the end of the story, all while trying to stick to the theme of this being an #OwnVoices book, which is how this novel was marketed.
The author focused a lot on family values, which are a huge and important part of Filipino culture. Families are a cohesive unit and everyone typically supports each other in whatever little ways they can, like cooking and hosting dinner at someone’s house, helping with financial burdens, and taking care of elderly family members. Cruz did include the importance of family into Nate’s character, but I feel like aside from that he was a very cartoonish character; the only other qualities I remember about him is that he’s a workaholic who likes video games, is really good at seducing Claire, and probably has an insanely high carbon footprint from all his private jet trips.
I want to point out one part in the book that really rubbed me the wrong way, in which Claire turns over her grandmother in the care of someone who was essentially a stranger to her (she’s Nate’s godmother who is a retired nurse, but still, she’s basically known Nate for like a week or something at this point) so that she could go on a date with Nate. Like I get it, the man is busy 24/7, but if she really couldn’t wait to spend time with him then she should have at least asked a family member to look after her grandmother. That part left a bad taste in my mouth and I really disliked how the character handled that situation.
Their romance moved way too fast for me, and although I’m not a fan of the love at first sight trope, I can dig it as long as a novel does a great job of having the characters connect with each other, which I do not feel this book did. I was not invested in any of the characters and lost interest in the plot after very little development. The conflicts were very surface level, as were the resolutions. The scenes leading up to the final resolution were rushed and devoid of any real emotion, and the ending was just too cheesy, even for any other cheesy romcom. This really missed the mark for me, and alas, the hunt for an A+ Filipino protagonist continues.
**Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The main couple, Claire and Nate, were so forgettable that I had to refer back to the book just now to remember their names. Claire is the Filipino main character who works at a bookstore, loves to bake, visits her grandmother everyday at an assisted living facility, and whose family pressures her constantly to find a ‘real’ job instead of the baking side business that she has. She meets Nate, a bigshot techie and billionaire bachelor, by accident when she dines at one of his restaurants and he is charmed simply because she does not recognize him as a celebrity.
I could roll with the story at this point in the novel; the premise was nothing new but I didn’t mind suspending my disbelief for a potentially cute and hilarious romance. Unfortunately, the story suffered from too many side plots, really weird pacing, and very little redeeming qualities for its characters. We read about the declining health of Claire’s grandmother, Claire’s struggle to quit her part-time job and commit to establishing a full-time baking company, her family (specifically her naggy sisters and aunts) judging her every life decision, her whirlwind romance with Nate, and her indecisiveness with how far she wants to go in pursuing a relationship with him. The pacing and dialogue were awkward in my opinion because the author had to find a way to tie all of these small conflicts together and wrap up everything before the end of the story, all while trying to stick to the theme of this being an #OwnVoices book, which is how this novel was marketed.
The author focused a lot on family values, which are a huge and important part of Filipino culture. Families are a cohesive unit and everyone typically supports each other in whatever little ways they can, like cooking and hosting dinner at someone’s house, helping with financial burdens, and taking care of elderly family members. Cruz did include the importance of family into Nate’s character, but I feel like aside from that he was a very cartoonish character; the only other qualities I remember about him is that he’s a workaholic who likes video games, is really good at seducing Claire, and probably has an insanely high carbon footprint from all his private jet trips.
I want to point out one part in the book that really rubbed me the wrong way, in which Claire turns over her grandmother in the care of someone who was essentially a stranger to her (she’s Nate’s godmother who is a retired nurse, but still, she’s basically known Nate for like a week or something at this point) so that she could go on a date with Nate. Like I get it, the man is busy 24/7, but if she really couldn’t wait to spend time with him then she should have at least asked a family member to look after her grandmother. That part left a bad taste in my mouth and I really disliked how the character handled that situation.
Their romance moved way too fast for me, and although I’m not a fan of the love at first sight trope, I can dig it as long as a novel does a great job of having the characters connect with each other, which I do not feel this book did. I was not invested in any of the characters and lost interest in the plot after very little development. The conflicts were very surface level, as were the resolutions. The scenes leading up to the final resolution were rushed and devoid of any real emotion, and the ending was just too cheesy, even for any other cheesy romcom. This really missed the mark for me, and alas, the hunt for an A+ Filipino protagonist continues.
**Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 25, 2021
Sadly, this just wasn't for me, but I think someone in the mood for a quick, unrealistic romance would probably enjoy this.
Things I liked:
- Claire's relationship with her family, especially with Lola, was touching and nicely done
- Claire's independence and desire to pursue her business
Things I disliked:
- Instalove
- Too cheesy and unrealistic for me. I know this was the point, but it just became too much for me to enjoy the story.
- Nate was basically perfect and one-dimensional until the last couple of chapters, when he kind of became a jerk
- The main "conflict" was that Claire was insecure and overwhelmed. The only concrete reasons she had to feel this way were 1.) a couple of mean Instagram comments and 2.) one negative experience with the paparazzi, but she already felt insecure before those experiences.
- The dating app incident felt like a user data privacy violation
Content: Several scenes with adult content that were decently easy to skip through.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.
Things I liked:
- Claire's relationship with her family, especially with Lola, was touching and nicely done
- Claire's independence and desire to pursue her business
Things I disliked:
- Instalove
- Too cheesy and unrealistic for me. I know this was the point, but it just became too much for me to enjoy the story.
- Nate was basically perfect and one-dimensional until the last couple of chapters, when he kind of became a jerk
- The main "conflict" was that Claire was insecure and overwhelmed. The only concrete reasons she had to feel this way were 1.) a couple of mean Instagram comments and 2.) one negative experience with the paparazzi, but she already felt insecure before those experiences.
- The dating app incident felt like a user data privacy violation
Content: Several scenes with adult content that were decently easy to skip through.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.
December 14, 2021
Spoilers ahead.
This book is so creepy. He flies her to France via private jet for their first date, but he can't make it so she flies there alone. I looked it up, from Cali to France is an almost 12 hour flight. WTF. Who wants to make that flight alone? And then he's there for work. Why would you make a date with someone for a time you knew you need to be in another country? And it's not like it was a last minute thing - he's the keynote speaker and on several panels. So her dream is to see Paris. She takes 2 days off work, hops on a 12 hour flight (alone) to hang out at this industry conference entirely outside her interests, to fly 12 hours home...
"I'm nervous he's too fancy for me." Gay BFF advice - Google all about him! Huh?
Almost all of Nate's dialogue is some variation of telling Claire "You're so hot." That's it. She's the most important thing to him, and she's so hot. It's like the worst bits of Christian Gray and Edward Cullen mixed together into this "hero."
There's one point where Nate is supposed to be back in town in the morning. He texts her the evening before to say he's been delayed and won't be home for at least another day, then shows up 5 minutes later to surprise her. Just showing up early would have been enough of a surprise - why text her and make her feel let down first? But it's described as being "so romantic." Puke, no.
DNF @ 60% because even skimming it trying to finish was unbearable
This book is so creepy. He flies her to France via private jet for their first date, but he can't make it so she flies there alone. I looked it up, from Cali to France is an almost 12 hour flight. WTF. Who wants to make that flight alone? And then he's there for work. Why would you make a date with someone for a time you knew you need to be in another country? And it's not like it was a last minute thing - he's the keynote speaker and on several panels. So her dream is to see Paris. She takes 2 days off work, hops on a 12 hour flight (alone) to hang out at this industry conference entirely outside her interests, to fly 12 hours home...
"I'm nervous he's too fancy for me." Gay BFF advice - Google all about him! Huh?
Almost all of Nate's dialogue is some variation of telling Claire "You're so hot." That's it. She's the most important thing to him, and she's so hot. It's like the worst bits of Christian Gray and Edward Cullen mixed together into this "hero."
There's one point where Nate is supposed to be back in town in the morning. He texts her the evening before to say he's been delayed and won't be home for at least another day, then shows up 5 minutes later to surprise her. Just showing up early would have been enough of a surprise - why text her and make her feel let down first? But it's described as being "so romantic." Puke, no.
DNF @ 60% because even skimming it trying to finish was unbearable
November 25, 2021
Thanks to Netgalley and Entangled publishing for giving me an ARC of the book in exchange of a honest review.
So, no surprise given the two-stars I've put, I didn't like this book. It sadly, has all my romance red flags : the love at first sight, the billionaire guy who flies the girl everwhere with his jet, the guy who use his power to make the girl spend more time with him.
All the time I was reading, I was waiting for history to stop and another guy arrive to save the girl 🥲
All the plot were convenient and I saw them coming from miles away...
_____________________________
Merci à Netgalley et Entangled publishing de m'avoir envoyé un SP de ce livre en échange d'une revue honnête.
Pas de surprise ici, étant donné que j'ai mis deux étoiles, mais je n'ai pas aimé ce livre. Ce livre avait tous les drapeaux rouges que j'ai en romance : l'amour au premier coup d'œil, le millionnaire qui emmène la fille en jet privé partout, ce même gars qui utilise des ressources extérieures pour que la fille passe plus de temps avec lui au lieu de faire ce qu'elle doit faire.
Pendant toute ma lecture, j'ai attendu que leur histoire s'arrête et qu'un autre gars ""sauve"" la fille de cette relation 🥲
Tous les changements de situations étaient convenus et je les ai vu arriver de loin....
So, no surprise given the two-stars I've put, I didn't like this book. It sadly, has all my romance red flags : the love at first sight, the billionaire guy who flies the girl everwhere with his jet, the guy who use his power to make the girl spend more time with him.
All the time I was reading, I was waiting for history to stop and another guy arrive to save the girl 🥲
All the plot were convenient and I saw them coming from miles away...
_____________________________
Merci à Netgalley et Entangled publishing de m'avoir envoyé un SP de ce livre en échange d'une revue honnête.
Pas de surprise ici, étant donné que j'ai mis deux étoiles, mais je n'ai pas aimé ce livre. Ce livre avait tous les drapeaux rouges que j'ai en romance : l'amour au premier coup d'œil, le millionnaire qui emmène la fille en jet privé partout, ce même gars qui utilise des ressources extérieures pour que la fille passe plus de temps avec lui au lieu de faire ce qu'elle doit faire.
Pendant toute ma lecture, j'ai attendu que leur histoire s'arrête et qu'un autre gars ""sauve"" la fille de cette relation 🥲
Tous les changements de situations étaient convenus et je les ai vu arriver de loin....
April 9, 2022
rounding it up to 4 because the ratings on this book are too harsh in my opinion. while i think parts of this book were a little too much, i love seeing Filipina representation in books, and especially romance novels and the certain unique dynamics and struggles that can be relatable and specific to Asian families. if you take the book for what it is and the title literally, it’s cute. :)
October 19, 2021
How to Survive a Modern-Day Fairytale follows Claire, a loving, family-oriented dreamer, as she meets Nate, a tech billionaire, except she doesn’t recognize him, and the two fall fast into love and romance. This is a quick-paced romance I read in two days. There is a lot going on—more than anything it’s Claire’s story, as she dreams of becoming running her own business decorating cookies (she’s also part of a regency romance book club I would’ve just loved to have joined myself!). She’s filled with a lot of self-doubt though, and as a people pleaser, she puts her family before herself. She is quirky and adorable, and I just wish there were bigger moments of strength for her. Claire is so determined and dreams so big, I wanted her to have that time to shine that was about her, rather than about her love for Nate, and I never really got that. Nate too is so sweet and giving, and he may be a workaholic, but he makes sure Claire know she is cared for. I really appreciate how much support he gives Claire. In terms of a romance, everything feels a little fast. There are moments that feel so sweet and genuine, but the book seems so centric to Claire he’s a side character in the romance and I want their emotional connection to come through more. The physical aspect of their romance shines the most, and there are a few steamy scenes between these two. I also loved Claire’s best friend Todd and Nate’s assistant Craig. Both are such good and genuine friends that are supportive in a way that felt authentic and honest rather than a way that pacified them. I have a lot of different thoughts with this. On one side, I was frustrated by her relationship with herself, her family, and Nate, everything moved fast. I wanted more moments with Nate and Claire, in terms of vulnerability, and I wanted more resolution with her family, as she had some relatives that weren’t supportive of her dream, and her sisters were a little too selfish. But on the other hand, I loved the growth in the relationships with her sisters too. And the romance with Nate was sweeping and adorable and he really treasured her. How to Survive a Modern-Day Fairytale is sweet and a fast read that had moments that made me smile. Claire was such an interesting character I just really wanted to hug and support, and the whole book just had me craving a cookie!
December 10, 2021
I was excited to read this book and while I liked it, I didn’t love it. A modern day Cinderella type story, this book focuses on Claire Ventura, who works in a bookshop and has dreams of opening her own cookie shop knowing it will upset her entire Filipina family and Nate Noruta, a self made media/tech giant. While I did enjoy parts of this book, I felt like the relationship was rushed and a bit over the top.
All Claire has every wanted was her own business decorating cookies, after getting her degree she took a job in a bookshop while working at building her business and two years later she is still trying to figure out how to break it to her family that she doesn’t intend to pursue a job in the medical or science related fields they want her to. I liked Claire especially her dedication to her grandmother, but I didn’t see her as a strong character at all. I saw her as someone who refused to stand up for herself, was always trying to please everyone, and listened to much to the advice of others instead of listening to her head and her heart. I loved the way she met Nate, but the way he swooped in on her almost immediately for me was way too over the top.
I did like Nate and the fact that he was a self made billionaire, smart, funny, and charming, but also a workaholic. It was endearing the way he made time for Claire even when it wasn’t good for business because he wanted her to know he was serious about pursuing her. He wasn’t perfect, not by a long shot, but I do believe he had good intentions.
I understand that for Filipino-Americans that family is extremely important and I loved Claire’s dedication to her grandmother who had Alzheimer’s and was in a care facility. What I didn’t like was that she felt like she didn’t have a voice when it came to her sisters, her parents and her bossy aunt. She let them get too much in her head and she constantly doubted her ability to make a go of her business and her relationships. While she eventually figures this out, for me it came too late in the story and it almost caused irreparable damage.
What I really couldn’t wrap my head around is the fact that despite Claire being at a point where she could absolutely make a go of her own business, she was constantly dropping everything to go off with Nate. Yes, he was busy and yes he had to travel for business but in this day and age, meetings can take place virtually (considering he is in tech business, this should be a given) so while he did make her somewhat of a priority, I felt like his business travel added unnecessary angst to a story that already had way more than its share.
I saw hints of promise in Ms. Cruz’s writing, but How to Survive a Modern-Day Fairytale had the heroine giving up so much for a guy and that’s really not the message a modern-day fairytale should have.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
All Claire has every wanted was her own business decorating cookies, after getting her degree she took a job in a bookshop while working at building her business and two years later she is still trying to figure out how to break it to her family that she doesn’t intend to pursue a job in the medical or science related fields they want her to. I liked Claire especially her dedication to her grandmother, but I didn’t see her as a strong character at all. I saw her as someone who refused to stand up for herself, was always trying to please everyone, and listened to much to the advice of others instead of listening to her head and her heart. I loved the way she met Nate, but the way he swooped in on her almost immediately for me was way too over the top.
I did like Nate and the fact that he was a self made billionaire, smart, funny, and charming, but also a workaholic. It was endearing the way he made time for Claire even when it wasn’t good for business because he wanted her to know he was serious about pursuing her. He wasn’t perfect, not by a long shot, but I do believe he had good intentions.
I understand that for Filipino-Americans that family is extremely important and I loved Claire’s dedication to her grandmother who had Alzheimer’s and was in a care facility. What I didn’t like was that she felt like she didn’t have a voice when it came to her sisters, her parents and her bossy aunt. She let them get too much in her head and she constantly doubted her ability to make a go of her business and her relationships. While she eventually figures this out, for me it came too late in the story and it almost caused irreparable damage.
What I really couldn’t wrap my head around is the fact that despite Claire being at a point where she could absolutely make a go of her own business, she was constantly dropping everything to go off with Nate. Yes, he was busy and yes he had to travel for business but in this day and age, meetings can take place virtually (considering he is in tech business, this should be a given) so while he did make her somewhat of a priority, I felt like his business travel added unnecessary angst to a story that already had way more than its share.
I saw hints of promise in Ms. Cruz’s writing, but How to Survive a Modern-Day Fairytale had the heroine giving up so much for a guy and that’s really not the message a modern-day fairytale should have.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
November 24, 2021
This was an amazing spin on the fairy tales that we know and love! Claire is quirky and the peace keeper in her Philipino family. She works as a bookseller, but her dream is to do her small scale cookie decorating business as her full time career. When she almost hits Nate with her car one day, she and he are instantly taken with each other. When Claire finds out that Nate is the billionaire founder of a tech company, she is almost disappointed rather than excited.
Claire and Nate have a whirlwind relationship, each knowing almost instantly that the other is their perfect match, but knowing that fairy tales aren't reality, Claire is scared of how perfect their relationship seems. This is a fun spin on the aftermath of the fairy tale meeting, and does a great job of exploring so many issues that crop up in our modern day lives.
I loved the wonderful sense of family that came from this book, the side story of Claire and her love and care for her grandmother whose health is failing; her relationships with her sister, and an overbearing aunt. I really appreciated that along with the almost instant love that occurs between the two characters, that there is also the regret and the soul searching that accompanies knowing that such a situation just doesn't happen very often in real life.
I enjoyed this book immensely, and will be looking forward to reading more from this author!
Thank you to Entangled Publishing for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Claire and Nate have a whirlwind relationship, each knowing almost instantly that the other is their perfect match, but knowing that fairy tales aren't reality, Claire is scared of how perfect their relationship seems. This is a fun spin on the aftermath of the fairy tale meeting, and does a great job of exploring so many issues that crop up in our modern day lives.
I loved the wonderful sense of family that came from this book, the side story of Claire and her love and care for her grandmother whose health is failing; her relationships with her sister, and an overbearing aunt. I really appreciated that along with the almost instant love that occurs between the two characters, that there is also the regret and the soul searching that accompanies knowing that such a situation just doesn't happen very often in real life.
I enjoyed this book immensely, and will be looking forward to reading more from this author!
Thank you to Entangled Publishing for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
November 27, 2021
I kindly received an advance reader copy from the author and Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
I immediately added this book to my tbr after seeing the author pitch this debut novel on their tiktok page. I have a soft spot for romance novels that feature a caregiver protagonist (plus billionaire prince charming definitely peaked my interest).
I desperately wanted to love this, but I ended up not connecting with the fairytale aspect of the romance. Claire and Nate both lacked sufficient development for my tastes, and Nate wasn't even slightly believable as a character. My favorite parts of this novel were the insights into the Filipino-American family dynamics and the caregiving element.
If you are a lover of grandiose fairytales bordering on fantasy with some spice (2.5🌶), I think you'll enjoy this one.
I immediately added this book to my tbr after seeing the author pitch this debut novel on their tiktok page. I have a soft spot for romance novels that feature a caregiver protagonist (plus billionaire prince charming definitely peaked my interest).
I desperately wanted to love this, but I ended up not connecting with the fairytale aspect of the romance. Claire and Nate both lacked sufficient development for my tastes, and Nate wasn't even slightly believable as a character. My favorite parts of this novel were the insights into the Filipino-American family dynamics and the caregiving element.
If you are a lover of grandiose fairytales bordering on fantasy with some spice (2.5🌶), I think you'll enjoy this one.
December 1, 2021
This was a fun, SEXY, Cinderella style romance between a Filipino American aspiring cookie decorator and the hot billionaire she accidentally almost runs over. When Claire runs into Nate (literally) the sparks are instantaneous and she is unable to resist his many charms. This was such a fun love story but you really have to suspend reality to enjoy it fully. For me this was somewhat of a cross between Arsenic and adobo and Crazy rich Asians. I enjoyed it for the entertaining escapist read and the steamy open door love scenes. Highly recommend and great on audio!
December 7, 2021
I really liked the description of this book and excited that it was an #ourownvoices story for a culture I haven’t read a lot about Filipino. I did think the main protagonist’s cultural descriptions seemed good and I did like her family descriptions and dynamics. Otherwise the characters in this one fell flat for me. I can deal with instant love but this took it a little far and I didn’t think it was a healthy relationship. I didn’t feel that the characters ever really communicated which may have been part of what made it seem in genuine and hard to root for. I also didn’t really like the ending. I understood the fight that led to the inevitable temporary break up but I didn’t think the issues were truly resolved. I found Nate to be manipulative and I saw numerous red flags that kept me from wanting the couple to have success.
October 9, 2021
"How to Survive a Modern-Day Fairy Tale" by Elle Cruz a first time author and novel read. Well what can I say about this book...contrary to some of the low ratings and reviews I thought it was just fabulous.
I am a romantic at heart and loved the story of Claire and the dynamics of her crazy, yet mixed up family. Although, I found some parts of the story not believable, it was indeed a story that lived up to its title. No it wasn't a Cinderella or Snow White but it was Claire and Nate in their somehow complex relationships with dealing with family, careers and ambitions and realizing that you don't have to give up all of yourself in order to achieve all of yourself in your own mixed up world. I loved the Asian/American infusion of tradition and food. The subcharacters were okay but there were a few that really ticked my nerves. In the end, I found myself smiling so many times for Claire and Nate and them getting to that happily ever after. This was a 5-star and recommended not so traditional fairy re-telling. Definitely will read more from this author.
Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC, Entangled: Amara for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
I am a romantic at heart and loved the story of Claire and the dynamics of her crazy, yet mixed up family. Although, I found some parts of the story not believable, it was indeed a story that lived up to its title. No it wasn't a Cinderella or Snow White but it was Claire and Nate in their somehow complex relationships with dealing with family, careers and ambitions and realizing that you don't have to give up all of yourself in order to achieve all of yourself in your own mixed up world. I loved the Asian/American infusion of tradition and food. The subcharacters were okay but there were a few that really ticked my nerves. In the end, I found myself smiling so many times for Claire and Nate and them getting to that happily ever after. This was a 5-star and recommended not so traditional fairy re-telling. Definitely will read more from this author.
Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC, Entangled: Amara for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
October 21, 2021
2.5⭐️ If you need a break from reality, this is the book for you. It was cheesy, cute and fairytale-Esque. It was unrealistic so it’s the perfect escape from reality. Nate always says the perfect thing. The beginning was cute and towards the middle you kind of want to shake Claire and then the same for the rest of the book.
February 20, 2022
The 3 is because I hate read it and it made me laugh. This is like that book I never read, Fifty Shades of Grey without the BDSM. Very troupey and I made a game out of which troupe would be introduced next.
August 22, 2022
Maybe a 2.5.
Had all the elements to make a good book, but didn’t quite make it.
Had all the elements to make a good book, but didn’t quite make it.
November 20, 2021
First off, thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an ARC of this book. This is my honest opinion/review.
The synopsis of this book initially drew me in since this book is about a Filipino American woman and her extremely intrusive family (relatable). She runs into (quite literally) billionaire CEO, Nate Noruta, and they instantly fall in love and start their whirlwind romance.
Although the plot was a bit predictable, I flew through this book. There are some SPICY scenes in this book.. like 4.5/5 heat level. This book was easy to follow along and was just a fun romance in general.
I enjoyed how much Filipino culture was included in this book. I think a lot of Filipino women can relate to the struggle of living your own life and having loyalty and responsibility towards family. I felt like I really could relate to Claire in that sense, not the CEO billionaire part, but the insecurities she felt with her career and identity.
3.75 stars!! It was a fun read, predictable trope and storyline, some red flags with the characters, a bit of an abrupt ending, but overall enjoyed.
The synopsis of this book initially drew me in since this book is about a Filipino American woman and her extremely intrusive family (relatable). She runs into (quite literally) billionaire CEO, Nate Noruta, and they instantly fall in love and start their whirlwind romance.
Although the plot was a bit predictable, I flew through this book. There are some SPICY scenes in this book.. like 4.5/5 heat level. This book was easy to follow along and was just a fun romance in general.
I enjoyed how much Filipino culture was included in this book. I think a lot of Filipino women can relate to the struggle of living your own life and having loyalty and responsibility towards family. I felt like I really could relate to Claire in that sense, not the CEO billionaire part, but the insecurities she felt with her career and identity.
3.75 stars!! It was a fun read, predictable trope and storyline, some red flags with the characters, a bit of an abrupt ending, but overall enjoyed.
September 27, 2021
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
I would be lying if I said I didn't sob my eyes out on certain moments with Lola.
I utterly enjoyed the book but, to be honest, I did have a though time in the beginning to get thru some tropes: not like the other girls, gay best friend with no character development, rich but kind love interest. What saved the story for me, its the fact that the tropes felt minor introductions to the cast and faded away once we got more into the story.
Even during the (several) conflicts along the story, they always felt true to them, even if most of the resolutions came too quickly.
This book will always have a special place in my heart on showing grandmother-granddaughter relationship once half of it is consumed by the Alzheimer's disease. It was loving and heartbreaking to see on the pages something that feels so personal to your life.
Don't be fooled, this is a fanfic, but a quite enjoyable and well written fanfic.
I would be lying if I said I didn't sob my eyes out on certain moments with Lola.
I utterly enjoyed the book but, to be honest, I did have a though time in the beginning to get thru some tropes: not like the other girls, gay best friend with no character development, rich but kind love interest. What saved the story for me, its the fact that the tropes felt minor introductions to the cast and faded away once we got more into the story.
Even during the (several) conflicts along the story, they always felt true to them, even if most of the resolutions came too quickly.
This book will always have a special place in my heart on showing grandmother-granddaughter relationship once half of it is consumed by the Alzheimer's disease. It was loving and heartbreaking to see on the pages something that feels so personal to your life.
Don't be fooled, this is a fanfic, but a quite enjoyable and well written fanfic.
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