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Fairytales Don't Come True
LIFE IS ALL WE HAVE ... ONE CONVERSATION AT A TIME.
When middle-aged nurse Dora Stuart-Frazer is assigned to provide end-of-life care to ex-prostitute Magdalena, she suffers a failure of sympathy linked to the woman’s career and her own marital issues. It’s her job—her vocation to care. Trying to overcome her prejudices against her patient and the other members of the all-female household, Dora is drawn into their world. Mags has cancer and it won’t be long now. She is an unwilling listener to the sordid life-story that her patient wants to recount in her last few weeks of life. It’s her dying wish to get her story out and as such, it’s Dora’s job to listen. However, every night as her patient’s story unfolds, Dora needs more. She is transfixed and a willing listener as she compares the life of the story teller to hers and forces herself to confront her mid-life crisis. In this race against time, Dora has to know it all—but fears Mags won’t make it until the end.
When middle-aged nurse Dora Stuart-Frazer is assigned to provide end-of-life care to ex-prostitute Magdalena, she suffers a failure of sympathy linked to the woman’s career and her own marital issues. It’s her job—her vocation to care. Trying to overcome her prejudices against her patient and the other members of the all-female household, Dora is drawn into their world. Mags has cancer and it won’t be long now. She is an unwilling listener to the sordid life-story that her patient wants to recount in her last few weeks of life. It’s her dying wish to get her story out and as such, it’s Dora’s job to listen. However, every night as her patient’s story unfolds, Dora needs more. She is transfixed and a willing listener as she compares the life of the story teller to hers and forces herself to confront her mid-life crisis. In this race against time, Dora has to know it all—but fears Mags won’t make it until the end.
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2021
1 person is currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Laura Lyndhurst
16 books80 followersI was born and grew up in North London, England, but was unable to attend university when young due to family financial circumstances. Instead, I worked at various occupations, including dental nurse, laboratory assistant and shop assistant.
I married just before I was 20, and travelled to some interesting places around the world, following my husband’s career. I spent much time reading, a passion, but in order to keep further occupied I took office jobs when these were available to me; I hated the work, but the money was useful.
When we were back in the UK I took evening classes at various times and gained ‘A’ levels in Psychology, Sociology and English, eventually settling in Kent with my husband and becoming a mature student and gaining Bachelor's and Master's degrees in English and Literature before training and working as a teacher.
In 2016 we moved to the peace and quiet of rural Lincolnshire, and my sporadic writing activities became more permanent. I self-published Fairytales Don't Come True, my debut novel, in May 2020 and since then have written and published four books of poetry, October Poems, Thanksgiving Poems & Prose Pieces, Poet-Pourri and Social Climbing and Other Poems.
In January 2021 I published a sequel to Fairytales entitled Degenerate, Regenerate, and at the end of March 2021 I published a psychological suspense story, You Know What You Did. A third book was published in June 2021, entitled All That We Are Heir To, to make up the 'Criminal Conversation' trilogy with Fairytales and Degenerate, In November 2022 I published another psychological suspense story, What Else Did You Do?, which is a sequel to You Know What You Did. The work didn't stop, as alongside this sequel I was writing a fourth book to follow the 'Criminal Conversation' trilogy. Entitled 'Innocent, Guilty'. It was published in January 2023, and a fifth book, 'The Future of Our House' came out in June 2023. The sixth and final book is entitled, 'Uphill, Downhill, Over, Out.' A new standalone novel, 'An Honourable Institution' was published in January 2025, followed by 'The Guilty Party' in September 2025.
I try to go for a long walk each day (weather permitting; I’m a fair-weather walker) in the beautiful countryside around us, and exercise for a couple of hours each morning, including use of a hula-hoop and stepping machine. I love food and drink and have spent half my life battling a weight problem. I managed to lose 5 stone of unfortunately-gained weight a few years ago and am determined to never regain it, Unfortunately however Covid and lockdown thwarted those plans, but at least I haven't put it all back on. Hopefully in what's left of 2023 I will manage to lose the excess. Life's certainly not fair in that respect, as every other day is a diet day (for hubby too) but the weight still came back. When not being careful--more often than is desirable these days--we enjoy a good meal with wine.
For other leisure activities I have taught myself to play the recorder--badly, but it keeps the brain cells ticking over. I also listen to music of many types; Tracy Chapman is playing while I write this, and will later be replaced by Leonard Cohen or Katie Melua or any one of dozens of other artists, or by some classical music or opera, another passion.
There’s also reading, something which I have loved since I was a child. I became a convert to eBooks and subscribed to the Kindle Unlimited programme, because although I love physical books, my bookcases are groaning under the weight and I don’t have room for any more. I review everything I read, since I became an author myself and realise the value of these in getting our work in front of as many eyes as possible; but it does mean that I have a large virtual To Be Read pile!
In late 2021 I undertook editorial training and freelance work as a sub-editor. I terminated that work in late 2022, but have my hands full writing my own books and reviewing those of others.
My late
I married just before I was 20, and travelled to some interesting places around the world, following my husband’s career. I spent much time reading, a passion, but in order to keep further occupied I took office jobs when these were available to me; I hated the work, but the money was useful.
When we were back in the UK I took evening classes at various times and gained ‘A’ levels in Psychology, Sociology and English, eventually settling in Kent with my husband and becoming a mature student and gaining Bachelor's and Master's degrees in English and Literature before training and working as a teacher.
In 2016 we moved to the peace and quiet of rural Lincolnshire, and my sporadic writing activities became more permanent. I self-published Fairytales Don't Come True, my debut novel, in May 2020 and since then have written and published four books of poetry, October Poems, Thanksgiving Poems & Prose Pieces, Poet-Pourri and Social Climbing and Other Poems.
In January 2021 I published a sequel to Fairytales entitled Degenerate, Regenerate, and at the end of March 2021 I published a psychological suspense story, You Know What You Did. A third book was published in June 2021, entitled All That We Are Heir To, to make up the 'Criminal Conversation' trilogy with Fairytales and Degenerate, In November 2022 I published another psychological suspense story, What Else Did You Do?, which is a sequel to You Know What You Did. The work didn't stop, as alongside this sequel I was writing a fourth book to follow the 'Criminal Conversation' trilogy. Entitled 'Innocent, Guilty'. It was published in January 2023, and a fifth book, 'The Future of Our House' came out in June 2023. The sixth and final book is entitled, 'Uphill, Downhill, Over, Out.' A new standalone novel, 'An Honourable Institution' was published in January 2025, followed by 'The Guilty Party' in September 2025.
I try to go for a long walk each day (weather permitting; I’m a fair-weather walker) in the beautiful countryside around us, and exercise for a couple of hours each morning, including use of a hula-hoop and stepping machine. I love food and drink and have spent half my life battling a weight problem. I managed to lose 5 stone of unfortunately-gained weight a few years ago and am determined to never regain it, Unfortunately however Covid and lockdown thwarted those plans, but at least I haven't put it all back on. Hopefully in what's left of 2023 I will manage to lose the excess. Life's certainly not fair in that respect, as every other day is a diet day (for hubby too) but the weight still came back. When not being careful--more often than is desirable these days--we enjoy a good meal with wine.
For other leisure activities I have taught myself to play the recorder--badly, but it keeps the brain cells ticking over. I also listen to music of many types; Tracy Chapman is playing while I write this, and will later be replaced by Leonard Cohen or Katie Melua or any one of dozens of other artists, or by some classical music or opera, another passion.
There’s also reading, something which I have loved since I was a child. I became a convert to eBooks and subscribed to the Kindle Unlimited programme, because although I love physical books, my bookcases are groaning under the weight and I don’t have room for any more. I review everything I read, since I became an author myself and realise the value of these in getting our work in front of as many eyes as possible; but it does mean that I have a large virtual To Be Read pile!
In late 2021 I undertook editorial training and freelance work as a sub-editor. I terminated that work in late 2022, but have my hands full writing my own books and reviewing those of others.
My late
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
January 18, 2022
Mags is a twenty-eight-year-old ex-prostitute, dying from cancer. She forms an unlikely and, in some respects intimate, friendship with her palliative care nurse, Dora.
Mags became a high-class ‘escort’ living in luxury when she decided to do this to support herself while at university. She met Teddy, a handsome business man who set her up in his apartment and she became his exclusive lover. Until she wasn’t. He used her to entertain clients, friends and even his brother.
When the relationship soured, Mags was forced to carry on prostituting herself but downgraded from the life she had lived with Teddy. Her downward spiral continued with addiction to drugs and a prison sentence and finally a cancer diagnosis.
Dora is a strait-laced mother of two and husband to Des – and there is an interesting sub-plot here that revolves around Dora’s relationship with her husband – and, because of her strict religious stance, has no sympathy or compassion for this woman who has brought all this misery on herself.
The two women are polar opposites with nothing whatsoever in common. But there are small similarities and it is this that brings them together when Mags begins to tell Dora her story.
And it is this that raises Fairy Tales Don’t Come True to a new level.
Mags tells her story as though in a confessional. She has to get it off her chest before she dies and Dora is her reluctant confessor. But as the tale is told the two women form a bond – mother/daughter or possibly big sister/little sister – and Dora, although sometimes shocked and horrified by what Mags is telling her – finds in herself compassion and even affection for the girl as her story reaches its inevitable conclusion.
This book has everything – erotica (though not in explicit detail), the bonds of sisterhood, in the guise of Laura and Celia, and discovering the ability to open one’s heart to those that are different.
Five stars and more for an excellent read.
Mags became a high-class ‘escort’ living in luxury when she decided to do this to support herself while at university. She met Teddy, a handsome business man who set her up in his apartment and she became his exclusive lover. Until she wasn’t. He used her to entertain clients, friends and even his brother.
When the relationship soured, Mags was forced to carry on prostituting herself but downgraded from the life she had lived with Teddy. Her downward spiral continued with addiction to drugs and a prison sentence and finally a cancer diagnosis.
Dora is a strait-laced mother of two and husband to Des – and there is an interesting sub-plot here that revolves around Dora’s relationship with her husband – and, because of her strict religious stance, has no sympathy or compassion for this woman who has brought all this misery on herself.
The two women are polar opposites with nothing whatsoever in common. But there are small similarities and it is this that brings them together when Mags begins to tell Dora her story.
And it is this that raises Fairy Tales Don’t Come True to a new level.
Mags tells her story as though in a confessional. She has to get it off her chest before she dies and Dora is her reluctant confessor. But as the tale is told the two women form a bond – mother/daughter or possibly big sister/little sister – and Dora, although sometimes shocked and horrified by what Mags is telling her – finds in herself compassion and even affection for the girl as her story reaches its inevitable conclusion.
This book has everything – erotica (though not in explicit detail), the bonds of sisterhood, in the guise of Laura and Celia, and discovering the ability to open one’s heart to those that are different.
Five stars and more for an excellent read.
May 8, 2023
A true gem!
Dora, a Jamaican nurse for the terminally ill. She provided care for Mags and as such listened to her life story. And what a story! The sexual side of the conversations initially diatrubed Dora but as time went by she got to thinking maybe she should experiment more to keep her man! She was becoming more and more suspicious by his actions but was it founded!
I've not read a book in a long time that's had such a profound affect on me. So many emotions whilst reading it. Such a simple idea to write about someone's life but the way this author writes and gets all the emotions transferred from the characters to the readers is outstanding. You read two stories, one of Mags and her past life and one of Dora and the life she is living now. Both are exceptionally well written and blend together so well a fantastic start to a trilogy and can't wait to read the rest. Strongly recommend this gem of a read! Well done Laura Lyndhurst, my favourite read this year by far!
Dora, a Jamaican nurse for the terminally ill. She provided care for Mags and as such listened to her life story. And what a story! The sexual side of the conversations initially diatrubed Dora but as time went by she got to thinking maybe she should experiment more to keep her man! She was becoming more and more suspicious by his actions but was it founded!
I've not read a book in a long time that's had such a profound affect on me. So many emotions whilst reading it. Such a simple idea to write about someone's life but the way this author writes and gets all the emotions transferred from the characters to the readers is outstanding. You read two stories, one of Mags and her past life and one of Dora and the life she is living now. Both are exceptionally well written and blend together so well a fantastic start to a trilogy and can't wait to read the rest. Strongly recommend this gem of a read! Well done Laura Lyndhurst, my favourite read this year by far!
October 26, 2020
I read this book and paid for the priveledge, and it is a priveledge to have access to well writen thought provoking books which this is.
I didn't give the author five stars because I am really trying to figure out the star system and be helpful to both authors and readers.
This book held my interest from start to finish. It is well-paced and the main story line well plotted. I did think the narrators plot got tied up a little too neatly. This novels characters are compelling and made me think whether I could have been sucked into the same situation.
It made me think of situations I have learned about with a little more compassion.
A good book is compelling, makes us think, and gives an ahha moment or three.
This book does all three. Very good read and I highly recommend it.
I didn't give the author five stars because I am really trying to figure out the star system and be helpful to both authors and readers.
This book held my interest from start to finish. It is well-paced and the main story line well plotted. I did think the narrators plot got tied up a little too neatly. This novels characters are compelling and made me think whether I could have been sucked into the same situation.
It made me think of situations I have learned about with a little more compassion.
A good book is compelling, makes us think, and gives an ahha moment or three.
This book does all three. Very good read and I highly recommend it.
May 5, 2022
An absolute must read!
Magdalena is a twenty-eight-year-old, ex-prostitute who is dying of cancer. She knows time isn’t on her side and feels her story needs to be told. Dora her palliative care nurse, married with two children has mixed reactions as she listens night after night to Mag’s short life.
When Magdalena goes off to university without any support from her family, she struggles to make it work. Juggling two part time jobs and her studies is becoming too difficult for her, so after taking advice from a fellow student she becomes a high-class hostess. In walks Teddy.
A handsome businessman who offers to pay for all her needs while she attends to whatever he needs. At first, Teddy who is much older than Mags is gentle and caring but all too soon their relationship becomes dark and twisted.
I found Fairytales Don’t Come True to be beautifully written with all the care and detail that is needed for such an emotional story. The author has done an amazing job with the characters as we also learn about Dora and how listening to Magdalena’s life, starts second guessing her own.
This is not just your normal prostitute meets rich guy. The storyline is gripping from the very first page until the very last and believe me it takes you on one hell of an emotional journey.
I highly recommend you read this book but keep the tissues at the ready because as the title suggests there’s no happy ending here.
Magdalena is a twenty-eight-year-old, ex-prostitute who is dying of cancer. She knows time isn’t on her side and feels her story needs to be told. Dora her palliative care nurse, married with two children has mixed reactions as she listens night after night to Mag’s short life.
When Magdalena goes off to university without any support from her family, she struggles to make it work. Juggling two part time jobs and her studies is becoming too difficult for her, so after taking advice from a fellow student she becomes a high-class hostess. In walks Teddy.
A handsome businessman who offers to pay for all her needs while she attends to whatever he needs. At first, Teddy who is much older than Mags is gentle and caring but all too soon their relationship becomes dark and twisted.
I found Fairytales Don’t Come True to be beautifully written with all the care and detail that is needed for such an emotional story. The author has done an amazing job with the characters as we also learn about Dora and how listening to Magdalena’s life, starts second guessing her own.
This is not just your normal prostitute meets rich guy. The storyline is gripping from the very first page until the very last and believe me it takes you on one hell of an emotional journey.
I highly recommend you read this book but keep the tissues at the ready because as the title suggests there’s no happy ending here.
February 17, 2022
Oh my word! I struggle to believe Fairytales Don’t Come True is a debut novel - being so rich and deep. The narrative style is curious, endearing and mesmerising - it flows seamlessly across two and more points-of-view, breaking a few grammatical norms and with no quotations - but it does so beautifully.
I started this beautiful book wondering how my feminist, liberal-left sensibilities would fair with a story of a young woman’s life, defined by those men around her. By the end, I struggled to think so black and white. The last chapters were read weeping on an aeroplane (embarrassing), as much for the male anti-heroes as for the vulnerable young woman they abused. Well done Laura Lyndhurst.
Highly recommended! Read it, NOW!
I started this beautiful book wondering how my feminist, liberal-left sensibilities would fair with a story of a young woman’s life, defined by those men around her. By the end, I struggled to think so black and white. The last chapters were read weeping on an aeroplane (embarrassing), as much for the male anti-heroes as for the vulnerable young woman they abused. Well done Laura Lyndhurst.
Highly recommended! Read it, NOW!
March 10, 2021
At first I was unsure [sounds a bit like the opening line of a 1970s disco song, doesn’t it]
It wasn’t that I was unsure about the story, or for that matter, the quality of the writing, it was what I saw as a unique aspect of the style. Once clarified – and understood – I was on my merry way with ‘Fairytales Don’t Come True’.
Essentially, there are two primary characters, Mags and Dora, though there are peripheral characters that have a major impact within what could be called the side-stories which run in parallel to the main.
Perhaps Dora has discovered something too late in life? Curiosity is an untameable beast, yet many can’t resist approaching the beast, regardless of that feeling of uneasiness as to what might lie beyond it; we reach willingly into its cage, knowing full well of its potential to bite us, and perhaps wanting it to. Dora’s relationship/encounter/involvement with Mags, through her own reaching into curiosity’s cage, unleashes an understanding within her that her own life is not shielded within a bubble that protects it from the unsettling realities of relationships in the general sense. The ‘what-if’ questions begin to haunt her mind like ghosts running amuck in an old house in the dead of night. Despite this, and despite her own life’s path, Dora is drawn by her curiosity into Mags’ story, and I feel she is both disturbed and infatuated by it; the thrill of ruffled feathers, as it were.
Mags is dying; the unobservant person would simply see this young woman rambling, albeit coherently, yet what she is doing is something which sits at the core of all of us; she doesn’t want to leave the world without being sure that someone knew she had been there in the first place. What Mags is doing in her retelling of her story, is ensuring that if she is forgotten after her passing, it will be because she was at least remembered first.
At first glance, one might see ‘Fairytales Don’t Come True’ as quite the simple story, but if the reader is prepared to invest some deeper thought while reading, they will find that it is far from simple. The action occurs within the mind; the high-speed chase after wayward thoughts to bring them under control, as opposed to the high-speed car chase through busy streets, the perilous fight with assumption instead of the gunfight at high-noon, and the seduction of a life-path steered from instead of seduction at the hand of some Prince Charming. Lyndhurst [it’s important to refer to an author by their surname; we don’t say William, do we? No, we say Shakespeare] so, Lyndhurst captures this ‘mind-action’ beautifully. This is a book that gets you thinking.
It wasn’t that I was unsure about the story, or for that matter, the quality of the writing, it was what I saw as a unique aspect of the style. Once clarified – and understood – I was on my merry way with ‘Fairytales Don’t Come True’.
Essentially, there are two primary characters, Mags and Dora, though there are peripheral characters that have a major impact within what could be called the side-stories which run in parallel to the main.
Perhaps Dora has discovered something too late in life? Curiosity is an untameable beast, yet many can’t resist approaching the beast, regardless of that feeling of uneasiness as to what might lie beyond it; we reach willingly into its cage, knowing full well of its potential to bite us, and perhaps wanting it to. Dora’s relationship/encounter/involvement with Mags, through her own reaching into curiosity’s cage, unleashes an understanding within her that her own life is not shielded within a bubble that protects it from the unsettling realities of relationships in the general sense. The ‘what-if’ questions begin to haunt her mind like ghosts running amuck in an old house in the dead of night. Despite this, and despite her own life’s path, Dora is drawn by her curiosity into Mags’ story, and I feel she is both disturbed and infatuated by it; the thrill of ruffled feathers, as it were.
Mags is dying; the unobservant person would simply see this young woman rambling, albeit coherently, yet what she is doing is something which sits at the core of all of us; she doesn’t want to leave the world without being sure that someone knew she had been there in the first place. What Mags is doing in her retelling of her story, is ensuring that if she is forgotten after her passing, it will be because she was at least remembered first.
At first glance, one might see ‘Fairytales Don’t Come True’ as quite the simple story, but if the reader is prepared to invest some deeper thought while reading, they will find that it is far from simple. The action occurs within the mind; the high-speed chase after wayward thoughts to bring them under control, as opposed to the high-speed car chase through busy streets, the perilous fight with assumption instead of the gunfight at high-noon, and the seduction of a life-path steered from instead of seduction at the hand of some Prince Charming. Lyndhurst [it’s important to refer to an author by their surname; we don’t say William, do we? No, we say Shakespeare] so, Lyndhurst captures this ‘mind-action’ beautifully. This is a book that gets you thinking.
October 15, 2022
Fairytales Don’t Come True, by Laura Lyndhurst.
I admit this is not a genre I would normally choose to read but found the author’s writing style and the premise intriguing.
Mags is a twenty-eight-year-old ex-prostitute, dying of cancer.
Dora is her palliative care nurse assigned to comfort Mags during her last days of life. The emotional story begins when Dora agrees to work the night shift to tend Mags and keep her company. Mags confides in Dora and tells her about the men in her life and her entanglement with each one.
At first, Dora is an unwilling listener and is disgusted by what see hears. Then gradually an unlikely friendship develops between the two women as Dora becomes engrossed in her patient’s life.
Expect a few sexual scenes, and some physical sexual violence through the middle chapters as Mags speaks of her slide from wealth and stability, and a man she once loved into a life of depravity and regret. Overall, a compelling novel where the sad tale of prostitution was portrayed with heart and understanding. A well written thought-provoking read.
I admit this is not a genre I would normally choose to read but found the author’s writing style and the premise intriguing.
Mags is a twenty-eight-year-old ex-prostitute, dying of cancer.
Dora is her palliative care nurse assigned to comfort Mags during her last days of life. The emotional story begins when Dora agrees to work the night shift to tend Mags and keep her company. Mags confides in Dora and tells her about the men in her life and her entanglement with each one.
At first, Dora is an unwilling listener and is disgusted by what see hears. Then gradually an unlikely friendship develops between the two women as Dora becomes engrossed in her patient’s life.
Expect a few sexual scenes, and some physical sexual violence through the middle chapters as Mags speaks of her slide from wealth and stability, and a man she once loved into a life of depravity and regret. Overall, a compelling novel where the sad tale of prostitution was portrayed with heart and understanding. A well written thought-provoking read.
October 29, 2020
It took me a few days to read but it was totally worth it for sure! Dora was such an interesting character to read all throughout! The story between her and Mags was just wow. It was so powerful, and interesting all the way through! It kept me on the edge of my seat, and I was just shocked when I was done reading it. I am not going to say anything else because I do not want to spoil anything. I recommend this book for sure.
July 23, 2023
I didn't know what to expect when picked this book up. From the start, the story didn't seem to match up with the title but by the end I sort of get it. At its core, this is a powerful drama about humanity and the importance of empathy. Dora is a conservative Christian woman who agrees to see and give therapy to patience during the last weeks of their life. Magdalena is an ex prostitute who is dying of cancer. With only a few weeks to live Mags seeks reconciliation from her past and tells Dora her life story and through that, the two women are able to connect and they soon realize they aren't so different after all.
I won't spoil much but Magdalena's story is quite sad. She is definitely a victim of circumstance in many ways but the novel does a good job of showing that some of our mistakes and weaknesses can contribute to the scenario that we find ourselves in as well. The story focuses a lot less on her work as a prostitute and more on her romance and sexual encounters with the men that she lived with and I appreciated that. It allowed for some pretty complex drama. Of all the men Mag associated with the one we get to know the best and is well-written is her first, Edward du Cain, whom she calls Teddy throughout the book. He is an interesting character, some would call him a monster but there is something very genuine about him that kept me glued to the pages every time that he was mentioned. I also really appreciated Dora. I admired her Christian ideals and how she didn't keep that from seeing the good in her patient, unlike Magdalena's parents, who were assholes.
Lastly, there is the ending, which I felt was very well done. It was tragic yet hopeful which is exactly what a story like this needs. Definitely leaves me wanting to read more from this author. As a debut and the first of a trilogy, it was quite effective. It's well-written and features a relatable and down-to-earth story despite the sensitive material.
I won't spoil much but Magdalena's story is quite sad. She is definitely a victim of circumstance in many ways but the novel does a good job of showing that some of our mistakes and weaknesses can contribute to the scenario that we find ourselves in as well. The story focuses a lot less on her work as a prostitute and more on her romance and sexual encounters with the men that she lived with and I appreciated that. It allowed for some pretty complex drama. Of all the men Mag associated with the one we get to know the best and is well-written is her first, Edward du Cain, whom she calls Teddy throughout the book. He is an interesting character, some would call him a monster but there is something very genuine about him that kept me glued to the pages every time that he was mentioned. I also really appreciated Dora. I admired her Christian ideals and how she didn't keep that from seeing the good in her patient, unlike Magdalena's parents, who were assholes.
Lastly, there is the ending, which I felt was very well done. It was tragic yet hopeful which is exactly what a story like this needs. Definitely leaves me wanting to read more from this author. As a debut and the first of a trilogy, it was quite effective. It's well-written and features a relatable and down-to-earth story despite the sensitive material.
July 9, 2021
The elevator pitch would be - “Nurse looking after a limited life patient, meets and looks down on (because of her own, strict, Baptist upbringing) an ex-prostitute and listens to her story.” This exquisite novel is so much more than that and is deep in its investigations, insights and its ability to make all of us think about our preconceived ideas.
I came across the author via her poetry and soon realised that someone with such a mastery of words would write a good novel. I was thrilled, therefore, to find a set of three novels and this is the first.
Having a wife as an ex-nurse myself, who dealt with bereavement and also having recently lost a father who had a need to impart his life stories before leaving us, made this novel even more poignant and I loved it.
Mags, the ex-prostitute, explains to Dora, the nurse how she got into her Profession and how it all ended. Mags is quite explicit in places, but the book is so thoughtfully and delicately written that you take it all in your stride.
My only experience of prostitution in novels (or anywhere else!) is by reading Martina Cole but they are gritty, East End novels, whereas this is middle class meets rich meets poorer. I thought Lyndhurst would come out with a cracking novel having read her poetry and was not disappointed. The ending is inevitable and yet a complete surprise and brought a tear, (you’re a bloke get over it,) due to the compassion with which the author writes throughout.
Thinking back, on finishing this piece of artwork, I think the relationship between Mags and Dora is so intimate (and intimately written) that the reader sometimes forgets they are not in the room, sat listening in to their conversation.
This being the first of three in a series I can’t wait to read the next.
I came across the author via her poetry and soon realised that someone with such a mastery of words would write a good novel. I was thrilled, therefore, to find a set of three novels and this is the first.
Having a wife as an ex-nurse myself, who dealt with bereavement and also having recently lost a father who had a need to impart his life stories before leaving us, made this novel even more poignant and I loved it.
Mags, the ex-prostitute, explains to Dora, the nurse how she got into her Profession and how it all ended. Mags is quite explicit in places, but the book is so thoughtfully and delicately written that you take it all in your stride.
My only experience of prostitution in novels (or anywhere else!) is by reading Martina Cole but they are gritty, East End novels, whereas this is middle class meets rich meets poorer. I thought Lyndhurst would come out with a cracking novel having read her poetry and was not disappointed. The ending is inevitable and yet a complete surprise and brought a tear, (you’re a bloke get over it,) due to the compassion with which the author writes throughout.
Thinking back, on finishing this piece of artwork, I think the relationship between Mags and Dora is so intimate (and intimately written) that the reader sometimes forgets they are not in the room, sat listening in to their conversation.
This being the first of three in a series I can’t wait to read the next.
July 14, 2021
Truth be told this is not the genre I usually read but, in all fairness, to the author, the plot is well thought out and the story comes to life as her words take you into their telling of the story. The characters of Mags and Dora are well defined and brought to life as they engage in their tête- a-tête.
The story tends to be a little slow at times for my personal preferences but still engaging. The bits of eroticism are tastefully done. I do recommend the book as an adult read.
I will keep my comments short; I am not one to reveal too much of the story, that, I leave to the reader to enjoy. Now it is up to all you readers to join Mags as she captivates her friends' attention by narrating her life story.
Well written I give it 4 ½ stars.
This is a review is for this paperback which I bought on Amazon.
The story tends to be a little slow at times for my personal preferences but still engaging. The bits of eroticism are tastefully done. I do recommend the book as an adult read.
I will keep my comments short; I am not one to reveal too much of the story, that, I leave to the reader to enjoy. Now it is up to all you readers to join Mags as she captivates her friends' attention by narrating her life story.
Well written I give it 4 ½ stars.
This is a review is for this paperback which I bought on Amazon.
February 12, 2023
This book is extraordinary in so many ways. The way the author handles difficult subjects with empathy and understanding left me in awe. Prostitution, racism, and drugs are interwoven into the tragic life of Mags.
The anuthor's understanding of the pressures caused by student debts when they have little or no support after they accept courses in universities is fully exposed in this bitter sweet tale. As a lecturer myself, I saw the rise of impractical courses being offered by a stream of new universities which would never lead to a worthwhile job. The book describes attempts by Mags and Liz to find legal work at different times of their lives, but despite their degrees, they had no success. Both fell into prostitution; Mags began as a top courtesan; Liz as an escort.
Mags descended to the depths of this sordid world and could only cope with drugs.
What is extraordinary is how the author has managed to weave many romantic parallels of literary tragic heroines, such as Lara in Dr Zhivago, into the dialogue of the story.
There are only a few books that have made me cry. This was one . The ending is an emotional roller coaster.
I devoured this book. This author is a true storyteller, and I hope to read much more of her work.
The anuthor's understanding of the pressures caused by student debts when they have little or no support after they accept courses in universities is fully exposed in this bitter sweet tale. As a lecturer myself, I saw the rise of impractical courses being offered by a stream of new universities which would never lead to a worthwhile job. The book describes attempts by Mags and Liz to find legal work at different times of their lives, but despite their degrees, they had no success. Both fell into prostitution; Mags began as a top courtesan; Liz as an escort.
Mags descended to the depths of this sordid world and could only cope with drugs.
What is extraordinary is how the author has managed to weave many romantic parallels of literary tragic heroines, such as Lara in Dr Zhivago, into the dialogue of the story.
There are only a few books that have made me cry. This was one . The ending is an emotional roller coaster.
I devoured this book. This author is a true storyteller, and I hope to read much more of her work.
April 10, 2023
Incredible
This book is absolutely incredible. I can't accurately describe the absolute warmth that comes from this story given the horrific content sometimes. You can't help but feel for all the characters, even the bad ones. You wish life was different, but it's not. Then you're blessed with life must go on, but it'll never be the same again. It's so beautifully crafted, so intricately woven that your heart can't quite believe what your eyes are reading. An elegant portrayal. A beautiful masterpiece and a though provoking insight into those lives people often think below them.
This book is absolutely incredible. I can't accurately describe the absolute warmth that comes from this story given the horrific content sometimes. You can't help but feel for all the characters, even the bad ones. You wish life was different, but it's not. Then you're blessed with life must go on, but it'll never be the same again. It's so beautifully crafted, so intricately woven that your heart can't quite believe what your eyes are reading. An elegant portrayal. A beautiful masterpiece and a though provoking insight into those lives people often think below them.
October 27, 2020
A unique and brave novel, a modern 'Moll Flanders', this novel depicts the downside of a student's attempts to rid herself of the debt trap. The underlying question is does education redeem or enslave. The reader may draw their own conclusion. But, be warned, this is not for the squeamish of heart. Recommended!
September 9, 2021
Thought provoking novel
This is a story about how different lifes our main characters Dora and Mags have. There is a great deal of sadness mixed with some hot scenes. There is prejudice as well that goes full circle with the relationships. I would definitely recommend this love, thought provoking novel with a lot of suspense. I enjoyed it.
This is a story about how different lifes our main characters Dora and Mags have. There is a great deal of sadness mixed with some hot scenes. There is prejudice as well that goes full circle with the relationships. I would definitely recommend this love, thought provoking novel with a lot of suspense. I enjoyed it.
August 21, 2021
Great Story
Absolutely loved the characters! Also impressed by the writing style that so perfectly created a feeling of suspense throughout the novel. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys a great story with an unexpected ending!
Absolutely loved the characters! Also impressed by the writing style that so perfectly created a feeling of suspense throughout the novel. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys a great story with an unexpected ending!
September 2, 2021
The blurb says it all. This story is refreshingly different and well constructed. As a nurse, I understood why Dora tried her best to be impartial and that was her strength as a nurse because her dedication to her profession opened new doors for her. The contrast between Dora and Mags was compelling and thought-provoking and I was caught unprepared. Great plot with emotional twists and turns. I am so glad that I found this story!
April 28, 2022
Told in the main from the perspective of a dying prostitute, and also from the point of view of the palliative care nurse who looks after her during the nights. A review I read before diving in described this novel as being erotic without being too graphic, and I agree wholeheartedly. However, if you’re easily shocked by sexuality and matters of sex in its broader terms, then this probably isn’t the book for you.
Magdalena, or Mags as we come to know her, was originally a very naïve young woman from a very strict religious background. We meet her when she is twenty-eight, dying from cervical cancer, and surrounded by three woman who care for and love her.
Dora is the nurse engaged to care for Mags as her health deteriorates. She is middle-aged, West Indian, religious and a lot more judgemental than her notion of Jesus would surely feel comfortable with. However, as the story unfolds, Dora is forced to question her attitudes not simply towards woman like Mags, but also looking deeper into herself to examine the kind of woman, wife and mother she has become over her decades of marriage to Des.
So we are drawn along on Mags’ life story, as she faces death with a humour and bravery that goes way beyond acceptance. Like Dora, we might be shocked by the choices Mags has made but, also like Dora, we come to question our prejudices when we realise that Mags is an intelligent young woman, forced to make some challenging decisions due to circumstances beyond her control.
Mags takes us back to when she was just eighteen, when she broke free from strict parents… people who used their religion to judge and oppress. She was to be married off. The only expectation was that she would then breed and carry on living the life her parents chose. But Mags fights instead to go to university. This is a huge challenge, and life quickly gets tough financially. She must work to support herself, and does several jobs so, inevitably, her studies suffer. She needs to make more money in less time and, given an opportunity, makes a choice that changes her life. Enter Teddy.
Teddy and Mags embark upon their erotic and toxic relationship, which is also rather endearing at times. Mags is very much a kept woman. With no friends and no family support, she has little choice but to make the best of things with Teddy. This goes on for a number of years, before another choice leads her down a very different pathway, but Mags nevertheless manages to hold her head high and keep a positive attitude.
This is a fascinating story which made me question all kinds of relationships. Men and women in the main; particularly how men so easily exploit women in the name of love. Parents and their children; should parents ever dictate life choices to children who didn’t ask to be born? Religion; odd how Christians cast their stones at the deeds of others despite the basic doctrine being all about forgiveness. Would Jesus truly approve?
We live in a culture largely incapable of accepting women of a certain profession; they are judged and found to be less than their peers by virtue of the fact they take payment in exchange for sex. So what? Then there are ill-conceived laws that put prostitutes in needless danger. BTW I am perfectly aware that men also work as prostitutes, and know that some women are just as capable of exploitation as male pimps and sex-traffickers… but for simplicity I comment only upon women selling and men buying.
Prostitutes offer services a lot of woman refuse, for whatever reason, even within marriage. There are also all those clients with various incapacities who are nevertheless sexual beings who have the right to expect fulfilment from time to time. Prostitutes are a necessary component of any healthy society, and they deserve our respect. If prostitution were legalised then men could be taken out of the equation beyond their role as paying client, and the working women would be a lot safer. Just my opinion, but one I found to be reinforced when reading this book.
In the end Mags is a woman, a mother, a loving human being who deserves to be heard. Laura Lyndhurst has told her story beautifully. A great read that will melt even the hardest hearts.
Magdalena, or Mags as we come to know her, was originally a very naïve young woman from a very strict religious background. We meet her when she is twenty-eight, dying from cervical cancer, and surrounded by three woman who care for and love her.
Dora is the nurse engaged to care for Mags as her health deteriorates. She is middle-aged, West Indian, religious and a lot more judgemental than her notion of Jesus would surely feel comfortable with. However, as the story unfolds, Dora is forced to question her attitudes not simply towards woman like Mags, but also looking deeper into herself to examine the kind of woman, wife and mother she has become over her decades of marriage to Des.
So we are drawn along on Mags’ life story, as she faces death with a humour and bravery that goes way beyond acceptance. Like Dora, we might be shocked by the choices Mags has made but, also like Dora, we come to question our prejudices when we realise that Mags is an intelligent young woman, forced to make some challenging decisions due to circumstances beyond her control.
Mags takes us back to when she was just eighteen, when she broke free from strict parents… people who used their religion to judge and oppress. She was to be married off. The only expectation was that she would then breed and carry on living the life her parents chose. But Mags fights instead to go to university. This is a huge challenge, and life quickly gets tough financially. She must work to support herself, and does several jobs so, inevitably, her studies suffer. She needs to make more money in less time and, given an opportunity, makes a choice that changes her life. Enter Teddy.
Teddy and Mags embark upon their erotic and toxic relationship, which is also rather endearing at times. Mags is very much a kept woman. With no friends and no family support, she has little choice but to make the best of things with Teddy. This goes on for a number of years, before another choice leads her down a very different pathway, but Mags nevertheless manages to hold her head high and keep a positive attitude.
This is a fascinating story which made me question all kinds of relationships. Men and women in the main; particularly how men so easily exploit women in the name of love. Parents and their children; should parents ever dictate life choices to children who didn’t ask to be born? Religion; odd how Christians cast their stones at the deeds of others despite the basic doctrine being all about forgiveness. Would Jesus truly approve?
We live in a culture largely incapable of accepting women of a certain profession; they are judged and found to be less than their peers by virtue of the fact they take payment in exchange for sex. So what? Then there are ill-conceived laws that put prostitutes in needless danger. BTW I am perfectly aware that men also work as prostitutes, and know that some women are just as capable of exploitation as male pimps and sex-traffickers… but for simplicity I comment only upon women selling and men buying.
Prostitutes offer services a lot of woman refuse, for whatever reason, even within marriage. There are also all those clients with various incapacities who are nevertheless sexual beings who have the right to expect fulfilment from time to time. Prostitutes are a necessary component of any healthy society, and they deserve our respect. If prostitution were legalised then men could be taken out of the equation beyond their role as paying client, and the working women would be a lot safer. Just my opinion, but one I found to be reinforced when reading this book.
In the end Mags is a woman, a mother, a loving human being who deserves to be heard. Laura Lyndhurst has told her story beautifully. A great read that will melt even the hardest hearts.
August 27, 2021
Wow
I was enthralled by this story right from the start and read it in two sessions. Highly recommended. Fantastic author.
I was enthralled by this story right from the start and read it in two sessions. Highly recommended. Fantastic author.
August 27, 2021
I’m glad I had the opportunity to discover this story - an immersive and engaging story, with an excellent plotline and characters. I will certainly be reading more from Laura Lyndhurst. Thumbs up.
July 17, 2022
Book Review
Basic Details:
Book Title: Fairytales Don't Come True
Subtitle:
Author: Laura Lyndhurst
Genre: Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Part of a series? Yes
Order in series: 1
Best read after earlier books in series?
Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Overall score:
I scored this book 5/5
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Short Summary of the book:
Maria Magdelena was born into an extremely religious family, but wanted to spread her wings and go to university. When her parents withdraw their financial support after her first year in an attempt to gain control over her again, Mags has to find a way of funding her studies herself.
As she lies dying of cervical cancer, she tells her life story to prim and proper Dora Stuart-Frazer. She has a dim view of prostitutes but softens to this young girl during the nights spent together.
What I liked about the book:
The book is beautifully written and highly emotional in places.
What I didn’t like about the book:
I loved the entire book.
My favourite bits in the book:
I enjoyed the entire book.
My least favourite bits in the book:
The book was a great read.
Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?
This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I look forward to reading more.
What books could this be compared to and why?
This is a highly emotional book about love, control, misadventure, and redemption.
Recommendation:
In summary, I would recommend this book to the following readers:
Children No
Young Adult Possibly
Adult Yes
If you like books that challenge prejudices, this book may be the book for you. I highly recommend this book.
I look forward to reading more by this author.
Book Description by Author:
When middle-aged nurse Dora Stuart-Frazer is assigned to provide end-of-life care to ex-prostitute Magdalena, she suffers a failure of sympathy linked to the woman’s former career and her own mid-life marital issues.
Attempting to overcome her prejudices, not only against her patient but other members of the all-female household in which Mags lives, Dora finds herself an initially unwilling listener to the life-story which her patient wishes to recount in the course of her last few weeks of life.
However, as she listens each night to the unfolding story which Mags has to tell, Dora finds herself an increasingly-willing listener as she compares the life of the story-teller to her own and gradually forces herself to confront her own mid-life crisis.
About the Author:
I was born and grew up in North London, England, but was unable to attend university when young due to family financial circumstances. Instead, I worked at various occupations, including dental nurse, laboratory assistant and shop assistant.
I married just before I was 20, and travelled to some interesting places around the world, following my husband’s career. I spent much time reading, a passion, but in order to keep further occupied I took office jobs when these were available to me; I hated the work, but the money was useful.
When we were back in the UK I took evening classes at various times and gained ‘A’ levels in Psychology, Sociology and English, eventually settling in Kent with my husband and becoming a mature student and gaining Bachelor's and Master's degrees in English and Literature before training and working as a teacher.
In 2016 we moved to the peace and quiet of rural Lincolnshire, and my sporadic writing activities became more permanent. I self-published Fairytales Don't Come True, my debut novel, in May 2020 and since then have written and published two books of poetry, October Poems and Thanksgiving Poems & Prose Pieces. In January 2021 I published a sequel to Fairytales entitled Degenerate, Regenerate and at the end of March 2021 I published a psychological suspense story, You Know What You Did. A third book was published in June 2021 to make a trilogy with Fairytales and Degenerate, entitled All That We Are Heir To. Another psychological suspense story is now underway, along with a small collection of poems.
I usually go for a long walk each day (weather permitting; I’m a fair-weather walker) in the beautiful countryside around us, and exercise for a couple of hours each morning, including use of a hula-hoop and stepping machine. I love food and drink and have spent half my life battling a weight problem. I managed to lose 5 stone of unfortunately-gained weight three years ago and am determined to NEVER regain it! So every other day is a diet day (for hubby too), but when not being careful we enjoy a good meal with wine. Going out to eat is something which I enjoy, although under the current lockdown conditions I’m having to cook at home every day. This was fun for a while, but I’m running out of ideas and really looking forward to the day when I can eat a meal which I haven’t prepared myself.
For other leisure activities I have taught myself to play the recorder; badly, but it keeps the brain cells ticking over. I also listen to music of many types; Tracy Chapman is playing while I write this, and will later be replaced by Leonard Cohen or Katie Melua or any one of dozens of other artists, or by some classical music or opera, another passion.
Oh, and of course there’s reading, something which I have loved since I was a child. I became a convert to eBooks and subscribed to the Kindle Unlimited programme, because although I love physical books, my bookcases are groaning under the weight and I don’t have room for any more. I review everything I read, since I became an author myself and realise the value of these in getting our work in front of as many eyes as possible; but it does mean that I have a large virtual To Be Read pile!
Basic Details:
Book Title: Fairytales Don't Come True
Subtitle:
Author: Laura Lyndhurst
Genre: Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Part of a series? Yes
Order in series: 1
Best read after earlier books in series?
Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Overall score:
I scored this book 5/5
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Short Summary of the book:
Maria Magdelena was born into an extremely religious family, but wanted to spread her wings and go to university. When her parents withdraw their financial support after her first year in an attempt to gain control over her again, Mags has to find a way of funding her studies herself.
As she lies dying of cervical cancer, she tells her life story to prim and proper Dora Stuart-Frazer. She has a dim view of prostitutes but softens to this young girl during the nights spent together.
What I liked about the book:
The book is beautifully written and highly emotional in places.
What I didn’t like about the book:
I loved the entire book.
My favourite bits in the book:
I enjoyed the entire book.
My least favourite bits in the book:
The book was a great read.
Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?
This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I look forward to reading more.
What books could this be compared to and why?
This is a highly emotional book about love, control, misadventure, and redemption.
Recommendation:
In summary, I would recommend this book to the following readers:
Children No
Young Adult Possibly
Adult Yes
If you like books that challenge prejudices, this book may be the book for you. I highly recommend this book.
I look forward to reading more by this author.
Book Description by Author:
When middle-aged nurse Dora Stuart-Frazer is assigned to provide end-of-life care to ex-prostitute Magdalena, she suffers a failure of sympathy linked to the woman’s former career and her own mid-life marital issues.
Attempting to overcome her prejudices, not only against her patient but other members of the all-female household in which Mags lives, Dora finds herself an initially unwilling listener to the life-story which her patient wishes to recount in the course of her last few weeks of life.
However, as she listens each night to the unfolding story which Mags has to tell, Dora finds herself an increasingly-willing listener as she compares the life of the story-teller to her own and gradually forces herself to confront her own mid-life crisis.
About the Author:
I was born and grew up in North London, England, but was unable to attend university when young due to family financial circumstances. Instead, I worked at various occupations, including dental nurse, laboratory assistant and shop assistant.
I married just before I was 20, and travelled to some interesting places around the world, following my husband’s career. I spent much time reading, a passion, but in order to keep further occupied I took office jobs when these were available to me; I hated the work, but the money was useful.
When we were back in the UK I took evening classes at various times and gained ‘A’ levels in Psychology, Sociology and English, eventually settling in Kent with my husband and becoming a mature student and gaining Bachelor's and Master's degrees in English and Literature before training and working as a teacher.
In 2016 we moved to the peace and quiet of rural Lincolnshire, and my sporadic writing activities became more permanent. I self-published Fairytales Don't Come True, my debut novel, in May 2020 and since then have written and published two books of poetry, October Poems and Thanksgiving Poems & Prose Pieces. In January 2021 I published a sequel to Fairytales entitled Degenerate, Regenerate and at the end of March 2021 I published a psychological suspense story, You Know What You Did. A third book was published in June 2021 to make a trilogy with Fairytales and Degenerate, entitled All That We Are Heir To. Another psychological suspense story is now underway, along with a small collection of poems.
I usually go for a long walk each day (weather permitting; I’m a fair-weather walker) in the beautiful countryside around us, and exercise for a couple of hours each morning, including use of a hula-hoop and stepping machine. I love food and drink and have spent half my life battling a weight problem. I managed to lose 5 stone of unfortunately-gained weight three years ago and am determined to NEVER regain it! So every other day is a diet day (for hubby too), but when not being careful we enjoy a good meal with wine. Going out to eat is something which I enjoy, although under the current lockdown conditions I’m having to cook at home every day. This was fun for a while, but I’m running out of ideas and really looking forward to the day when I can eat a meal which I haven’t prepared myself.
For other leisure activities I have taught myself to play the recorder; badly, but it keeps the brain cells ticking over. I also listen to music of many types; Tracy Chapman is playing while I write this, and will later be replaced by Leonard Cohen or Katie Melua or any one of dozens of other artists, or by some classical music or opera, another passion.
Oh, and of course there’s reading, something which I have loved since I was a child. I became a convert to eBooks and subscribed to the Kindle Unlimited programme, because although I love physical books, my bookcases are groaning under the weight and I don’t have room for any more. I review everything I read, since I became an author myself and realise the value of these in getting our work in front of as many eyes as possible; but it does mean that I have a large virtual To Be Read pile!
May 10, 2021
This excellent novel follows the fates of two women, one tending to the other as she is dying. The dying woman tells her story, which is a story of descent from wealthy man's companion to prostitute and prisoner; the reader is drawn in to both characters and comes to appreciate the contrast. I highly recommend it.
July 27, 2021
A good start for a new author. The storyline was slow to start, bits of eroticism (part read like 50 Shades of Grey), mixed in with sadness of a wasted life, but halfway through the story came to life. I’m glad I read the book, I look forward to Laura Lyndhurst’s next book
February 6, 2023
“Fairytales Don’t Come True” by Laura Lyndhurst is the second novel I’ve read by this author, the previous being “You Know What You Did”. I was impressed with the narrative propulsion of that novel and thus, was inspired to pick up this offering by Ms. Lyndhurst.
I will skip the recap, because I don’t want to spoil the story surprises, but overall I was rather disappointed by the story choices in this book. The central dichotomy between Mags and Dora is, on the surface, an interesting study in contrasts - with Dora being a caregiving nurse and Mags being the dying prostitute narrating her life story. The problem for me arose with the character of Mags being far more compelling than that of Dora.
This isn’t so bad, since Mags gets the lion’s share of the story, which charts her sordid exploits from her college years and the following decade after. I can easily say that Mags’ story is the reason I continued to read and kept me coming back to the end. In this regard, the author succeeded. In fact, Mags’ story should have been told in first person throughout, as the framing device of the other characters didn’t work for me. I found Dora to be dreadfully dull and wasn’t interested in her story in the least, as her conflict felt repetitive and unfounded. Likewise for the other side characters in the story - I was bored by them. Mags’ various lovers, chiefly Teddy, were the driving force in marking her tragic downfall and to me, the most interesting parts of “Fairytales…”
The relationship between Teddy, James, and Mags creeped me out, to be honest, because it smacks of incestuous lust.
The heights of Mags’ life with Teddy did read like a fantasy, which the author describes quite well, with lavish indulgences and experiences that really treat the reader to a side of living that they might not otherwise experience. Like her other novel, this was a highlight.
I did find my attention slipping with the other characters though, and for me, this led to the feeling of there being major pacing issues, particularly in the second and last quarter surrounding the trial, both of which dragged.
Overall, author Lyndhurst remains a talented writer with a dramatic flair, however the issues listed above made this story less appealing than her other book.
This novel may work better for those who like deliberate pacing and dramatic, biographical stories.
2 stars
I will skip the recap, because I don’t want to spoil the story surprises, but overall I was rather disappointed by the story choices in this book. The central dichotomy between Mags and Dora is, on the surface, an interesting study in contrasts - with Dora being a caregiving nurse and Mags being the dying prostitute narrating her life story. The problem for me arose with the character of Mags being far more compelling than that of Dora.
This isn’t so bad, since Mags gets the lion’s share of the story, which charts her sordid exploits from her college years and the following decade after. I can easily say that Mags’ story is the reason I continued to read and kept me coming back to the end. In this regard, the author succeeded. In fact, Mags’ story should have been told in first person throughout, as the framing device of the other characters didn’t work for me. I found Dora to be dreadfully dull and wasn’t interested in her story in the least, as her conflict felt repetitive and unfounded. Likewise for the other side characters in the story - I was bored by them. Mags’ various lovers, chiefly Teddy, were the driving force in marking her tragic downfall and to me, the most interesting parts of “Fairytales…”
The relationship between Teddy, James, and Mags creeped me out, to be honest, because it smacks of incestuous lust.
The heights of Mags’ life with Teddy did read like a fantasy, which the author describes quite well, with lavish indulgences and experiences that really treat the reader to a side of living that they might not otherwise experience. Like her other novel, this was a highlight.
I did find my attention slipping with the other characters though, and for me, this led to the feeling of there being major pacing issues, particularly in the second and last quarter surrounding the trial, both of which dragged.
Overall, author Lyndhurst remains a talented writer with a dramatic flair, however the issues listed above made this story less appealing than her other book.
This novel may work better for those who like deliberate pacing and dramatic, biographical stories.
2 stars
June 22, 2023
Romance story that takes some dark turns
I'll start with the grammar because it's the first thing I noticed. There are a lot of sentences with delayed subjects. Sooooo many commas, very many are where they don't need to be, and tons of comma splices. And, ironically, some missing commas as well.
It's off putting and hurts the flow. I doubt it's a stylistic choice. There's no reason to make it difficult to read. The novel contains a lot of unnecessary adverbs and other words that fail to add to the description/narrative, not to mention the pages of info dumps/exposition. There were many other grammatical issues. This novel clearly was not edited by a third party.
The dialogue is more like written text. The characters don't speak how normal people do, and they all have the same voice. People do not narrate their lives in the same way that an author writes, even when telling a story. And they certainly don't do it with impeccable accuracy, remembering every last detail as they speak without pause.
The nurse character listens to the ill character speak for minutes upon minutes on end with no questions or statements to interrupt it at all. It makes for boring reading. The character's story is a bit repetitive as well. Also, the nurse character is an unlikable, nosy, judgmental, busy body.
Much of the story retold by one of the characters is unrealistic, but I think we are meant to believe it. At least that character, Mags, is interesting and I wanted to hear her story.
After the first few chapters it turned into the stereotypical young girl meets a rich guy that pampers her fantasy. And then a chapter later it moved into 50 Shades of Gray. Though, I admit the story did go elsewhere without spoiling any details. It is ultimately a tale about an abusive relationship, and I hoped for more growth from the victim. The last quarter of the book dragged a bit as not much occurred.
I didn't expect as much romance/sex based on the book description/blurb. So I felt a little misled. I don't have an issue with those things. I was just surprised. I would have likely made a different selection.
If that's the kind of thing you are looking for you will probably be happy with this. It's not groundbreaking, but it's not unreadable.
I'll start with the grammar because it's the first thing I noticed. There are a lot of sentences with delayed subjects. Sooooo many commas, very many are where they don't need to be, and tons of comma splices. And, ironically, some missing commas as well.
It's off putting and hurts the flow. I doubt it's a stylistic choice. There's no reason to make it difficult to read. The novel contains a lot of unnecessary adverbs and other words that fail to add to the description/narrative, not to mention the pages of info dumps/exposition. There were many other grammatical issues. This novel clearly was not edited by a third party.
The dialogue is more like written text. The characters don't speak how normal people do, and they all have the same voice. People do not narrate their lives in the same way that an author writes, even when telling a story. And they certainly don't do it with impeccable accuracy, remembering every last detail as they speak without pause.
The nurse character listens to the ill character speak for minutes upon minutes on end with no questions or statements to interrupt it at all. It makes for boring reading. The character's story is a bit repetitive as well. Also, the nurse character is an unlikable, nosy, judgmental, busy body.
Much of the story retold by one of the characters is unrealistic, but I think we are meant to believe it. At least that character, Mags, is interesting and I wanted to hear her story.
After the first few chapters it turned into the stereotypical young girl meets a rich guy that pampers her fantasy. And then a chapter later it moved into 50 Shades of Gray. Though, I admit the story did go elsewhere without spoiling any details. It is ultimately a tale about an abusive relationship, and I hoped for more growth from the victim. The last quarter of the book dragged a bit as not much occurred.
I didn't expect as much romance/sex based on the book description/blurb. So I felt a little misled. I don't have an issue with those things. I was just surprised. I would have likely made a different selection.
If that's the kind of thing you are looking for you will probably be happy with this. It's not groundbreaking, but it's not unreadable.
May 4, 2023
This book got to me and I found myself thinking about it even when I wasn't reading it, due to the compelling plot line, the brilliant characterisation and the big themes. Here we find different types of love and dependency, control, the withholding of affection, the sex industry, lawbreaking, terminal illness, and forgiveness. Despite the 'adult' nature of life as a high class escort, the drug taking, and the dubious business deals, I never found the story grim. Author Laura Lyndhurst managed to convey these topics in a palatable way, which made me feel only sympathy for the young and naïve central character, and critical of her parents and other adults who took advantage of her innocence.
In this story we have two protagonists: the terminally ill former prostitute Mags, recounting her rather short life story, and strait-laced, middle aged Dora, her special needs nurse. Mags is keen to explain and relive the events of her life and Dora, although initially judgemental and almost repelled, uses her patient's experiences to reflect on her own life choices. I found the cast of characters in Mags' life in the sex industry particularly convincing, suggesting that author Lyndhurst has done her research well, and to me every one of them was completely believable. There are some scenes in the book touching on sadomasochism but the author managed to convey them in a way that I did not find offensive. Similarly, there is some rather adult language which, although explicit, seems appropriate to the scenes and specific characters. If you're not likely to be offended by that I'm sure you will find this a memorable and ultimately heart warming read. I enjoyed the writing style and found it an easy to read page turner. I cannot award it less than 5 stars.
In this story we have two protagonists: the terminally ill former prostitute Mags, recounting her rather short life story, and strait-laced, middle aged Dora, her special needs nurse. Mags is keen to explain and relive the events of her life and Dora, although initially judgemental and almost repelled, uses her patient's experiences to reflect on her own life choices. I found the cast of characters in Mags' life in the sex industry particularly convincing, suggesting that author Lyndhurst has done her research well, and to me every one of them was completely believable. There are some scenes in the book touching on sadomasochism but the author managed to convey them in a way that I did not find offensive. Similarly, there is some rather adult language which, although explicit, seems appropriate to the scenes and specific characters. If you're not likely to be offended by that I'm sure you will find this a memorable and ultimately heart warming read. I enjoyed the writing style and found it an easy to read page turner. I cannot award it less than 5 stars.
July 3, 2023
This book is by no means groundbreaking in terms of exploring new setups or plots. What it does do is explore common romance tropes in a way that doesn't inspire envy, but rather attaches reality to the fanciful fantasies that many romance novels leverage.
There is no happy ending with the rich guy, his brother, or the passionate younger lover. Because fairy tales do not come true.
This premise in itself elevates the book above most with similar plots. There's an unmistakable air of reality casting its crushing weight over the happy moments of this novel, consistently reminding us that things might not always work out.
Overall, the novel treads a fine line, being a bit steamy while not being overtly sexual. The editing is decent, with only a few errors present, and the author showcases significant skill with narrative structure and the resulting meta-commentary.
Thus, while I am not the target reader for this book, I will say that I enjoyed it greatly. Although it is by no means a short book, it never drags, and I was always curious about what was going to happen next (even though the end result is clear from the very beginning of the novel).
My only complaint is that it sometimes felt that the person narrating her story didn't always know what was happening next. Information wasn't revealed in the way it usually is when a story is being told, but rather only when it was necessary for the reader's benefit. Personally, I would have enjoyed it if hints towards these coming plot points had been sprinkled throughout, allowing me as a reader to anticipate what was going to happen next.
All in all, this novel is an enjoyable read and I would recommend it to those who enjoy romance but are too jaded to believe in happily ever after.
There is no happy ending with the rich guy, his brother, or the passionate younger lover. Because fairy tales do not come true.
This premise in itself elevates the book above most with similar plots. There's an unmistakable air of reality casting its crushing weight over the happy moments of this novel, consistently reminding us that things might not always work out.
Overall, the novel treads a fine line, being a bit steamy while not being overtly sexual. The editing is decent, with only a few errors present, and the author showcases significant skill with narrative structure and the resulting meta-commentary.
Thus, while I am not the target reader for this book, I will say that I enjoyed it greatly. Although it is by no means a short book, it never drags, and I was always curious about what was going to happen next (even though the end result is clear from the very beginning of the novel).
My only complaint is that it sometimes felt that the person narrating her story didn't always know what was happening next. Information wasn't revealed in the way it usually is when a story is being told, but rather only when it was necessary for the reader's benefit. Personally, I would have enjoyed it if hints towards these coming plot points had been sprinkled throughout, allowing me as a reader to anticipate what was going to happen next.
All in all, this novel is an enjoyable read and I would recommend it to those who enjoy romance but are too jaded to believe in happily ever after.
May 23, 2022
A very powerful and well-told story told through the series of conversations between Magdalena, a young prostitute dying of cancer and one of her helpers, Dora, a middle-aged nurse from the Caribbean. Magdalena, a product of a strict religious upbringing, longs for freedom and space to grow and develop and when it eventually comes, makes dubious choices. Her rags to riches to rags lifestyle and her lover, an older man, to whom she is in thrall, are explored in what is in many ways her confession and explanation of those choices. Dora, on the other hand, also has a strict religious background but not an exciting life and as Magdalena’s tale unfolds, begins to doubt her marriage and her husband. Both are on opposite sides of the spectrum.
The end, Magdalena’s death, is inevitable, but the author has maintained the tension to give the reader the curiosity to know more, right to the very end of the book. At times you want to shake Magdalena and say what are you doing? And at times you sympathise with her. Is she just naive and someone who has been used and is willing to be used? Is she someone fated to make the same mistakes over and over again? Or is there more to her relationship with Teddy, her lover? In the end, it may well be love she feels, but not of the fairytale, happy ever after, variety.
It is a gripping and sad story, dark in places. The characters are believable and the story tragic. And it is a very human story. Definitely a recommended read.
The end, Magdalena’s death, is inevitable, but the author has maintained the tension to give the reader the curiosity to know more, right to the very end of the book. At times you want to shake Magdalena and say what are you doing? And at times you sympathise with her. Is she just naive and someone who has been used and is willing to be used? Is she someone fated to make the same mistakes over and over again? Or is there more to her relationship with Teddy, her lover? In the end, it may well be love she feels, but not of the fairytale, happy ever after, variety.
It is a gripping and sad story, dark in places. The characters are believable and the story tragic. And it is a very human story. Definitely a recommended read.
November 18, 2022
This is the first book I have read by this author, and to be honest I wasn’t sure what to expect. It is a story that is not shown but is very much told to you. Just as storytellers of old would sit around the fire and weave their tales, so does this story creep into your heart as you listen to a young woman dying of cancer tell the story of her fall from grace.
The reader is slowly drawn into the poignant and shocking life of Mags, and they begin to feel they are sitting in that dim room in the middle of the night as, desperately needing the cathartic relief of confession before her untimely end, Mags tells her tale to her palliative care nurse, Dora.
A respectable and sensible woman, Dora is at first shocked and disapproving of the events that have conspired to bring Mags to this bed, in this room, in this house. But, as the sorry tale unfolds, night after night, Dora becomes more than a reluctant listener and empathy and compassion stir her heart.
At first, I was unsure if this narrative style of writing worked, but about a third into the book, I realised it absolutely worked and was the only way this tale could be told. Utterly compelling, the intensity of the drama between the two women in that dark room as they await death meant I found myself reading faster and faster.
A slow burn, and not for readers with short attention spans, it ultimately rewards the patient with a thought-provoking tale of love, loss, and betrayal.
The reader is slowly drawn into the poignant and shocking life of Mags, and they begin to feel they are sitting in that dim room in the middle of the night as, desperately needing the cathartic relief of confession before her untimely end, Mags tells her tale to her palliative care nurse, Dora.
A respectable and sensible woman, Dora is at first shocked and disapproving of the events that have conspired to bring Mags to this bed, in this room, in this house. But, as the sorry tale unfolds, night after night, Dora becomes more than a reluctant listener and empathy and compassion stir her heart.
At first, I was unsure if this narrative style of writing worked, but about a third into the book, I realised it absolutely worked and was the only way this tale could be told. Utterly compelling, the intensity of the drama between the two women in that dark room as they await death meant I found myself reading faster and faster.
A slow burn, and not for readers with short attention spans, it ultimately rewards the patient with a thought-provoking tale of love, loss, and betrayal.
February 16, 2022
This book is about two women with seemingly nothing in common. Dora is a middle-aged, happily married woman with two grown-up children, whilst Mags is a single mother and ex-prostitute. Mags, at only twenty-eight years old is dying from cancer and Dora is her palliative care nurse. Unusually for her, Dora finds it difficult to empathise with her patient, and to begin with is an unwilling listener to Mags’ life story. However, as the story unfolds night after night, Dora becomes engrossed and realises just how lucky she is never to have faced some of the difficult choices Mags was forced to make. Mags does not hold back in her description of her life as a prostitute and Dora is shocked, but Mags feels the need to get it all off her chest and spares the religious Dora none of the details. The information Dora is given leads her to question her relationship with her husband and she wonders if he is having an affair. She eventually confides her concerns to her patient. I once worked as a Marie Curie Nursing Auxiliary, caring for terminally ill patients in their own homes during the night. Inevitably people confide their fears and stories at a time like this and often find it easier to do so with a comparative stranger, rather than a loved one. However, I never shared a story like this! When I started the book, I found the absence of dialogue, quotation marks, and the long paragraphs distracting, but as I became more and more engrossed in the story and became used to the author’s style of writing, this became less than an issue. An excellent and unusual read.
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