Ash Believes the Impossible

by Kim Fielding

Asher Kaufman could use a miracle. But first he’ll have to believe they exist.

Ash is single, strapped for cash, and burned out from his work at a nonprofit. Everyone else’s holiday spirit leaves him feeling like he’s in the wrong movie.

Then strange, thoughtful gifts begin appearing outside his door: a rustic basket filled with pinecones and acorns, and a beautiful handmade scarf in Hannukah colors. But the most wonderful gift of all comes when he meets Clay, his secret admirer, a beautiful young man who happens to be a fairy who lives in the wooded wonderland behind the duplex where Ash lives.

Clay brings warmth and magic into Ash’s dreary life–but when the realities of the human world threaten the bridge to fairyland, it will take all Ash’s faith to bring about a happy-ever-after that will work for everyone.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, M M Romance, Novella, Romance, Holiday, Contemporary

124 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 7, 2022

About the author

Kim Fielding lives in Oregon and travels as often as she can manage. A professor by day, at night she rushes into a phone booth to change into her author costume (which involves comfy clothes instead of Spandex and is, sadly, lacking a cape). Her superpowers include the ability to write nearly anywhere, often while simultaneously doling out assistance to her family. Her favorite word to describe herself is "eclectic" and she finally got that eighth tattoo.

Reviews

[☆ Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice magical fantasy story, but due to the short length, I was left with a desire for the story to dive into the side characters and back-stories way deeper than the novella format allowed.

While it was actually good, it felt a bit more surface level than I prefer and didn't get that many feels out of it, so I'd rate it at around 3.5 stars.

[Drusilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly, it wasn't as good as it could have been. Either I'm not cut out for miracles at the moment, even though I only read fantasy most of the time, or the book didn't quite manage to get through to me.
I'll just blame myself, because it can't be Kim Fielding's fault. The writing style is wonderful as always and suits this little fairytale holiday story. Perhaps I should have read it rather in December ...
This is the story of Ash and Clay, how they meet in a very strange way and immediately fall in love and how they have to overcome a little "adventure" in order to be happy together forever.
There is a hodgepodge of different characters in this story, but strangely enough they don't take on any major roles. There are also dreams that play no further role. So in terms of the plot, everything is very vague and undeveloped, I think. Ok, maybe it's not really me after all.
It's a really nice story with fairies and Hanukkah and fluffy little stories in the story.
The relationship between Ash and Clay is absolutely wonderful. Clay is at once completely innocent and curious and yet so resolute in the things he wants. That was wonderfully done.

“So we can kiss more. I’d like that. Or we can try other things—I hear they’re even more fun.” 🤩

Perhaps it would have been good if the few moments between the two had been given more space in this book.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, engaging, magical winter holidays novella. Happy Hanukkah!

[Achim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love it when Kim Fielding is using her serene, sometimes even a little serious voice to tell fantasy stories. So no wonder I liked the start of this book where the magic of a Fairy Wonderland is slowly dripping into Ash's reality of Portland like a reverse Alice without the white rabbit. Wonders often have a bigger effect if they are served with understatement.

Unfortunately I would have needed more time to get into the story but then suddenly Clay is standing there like a sweet and innocent stalker fairy and Ash does not only believe the impossible, he takes to that impossible without a second thought. Then they are crossing the border into Fairyland and still no struggle in face of a world right out of a caterpillar's dopey dream. From there on everything seemed to speed up and while Ash was able to rationalize the weirdness of that dream and his feelings toward Clay, my little brain wasn't able to follow or process those feelings. Maybe I'm not made for the impossible or I just need more on-page time to believe.

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I like the uniqueness of this story (a love interest that actually started from TREE that changed into fairy folk!). Plus Ash is one lovely person. I'm glad that Ash has someone who will cherish him

[Kim]

I'll be honest: I'm a bit of a cynic. But I also believe there are times it's best to set cynicism aside and allow yourself to indulge in a little wonder. This story is about one of those times. If you're in the mood to peek out of your hard shell and open yourself up to some sweetness and light, this is the story for you.

Also, there's Hanukkah and fairies, and who doesn't want those?

[Kaje Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet, light, Holiday fantasy story. Ash is a good-hearted young man who works for a nonprofit. He believes in his job, and loves his landlords in the old house where he rents a room. He's a little lonely, but really, doesn't let himself complain about that because he has a good life doing worthwhile work, and how could he ask for more.

Then small, unusual gifts start appearing outside his room. And on his way home, a wonderful new coffee shop appears, where the regulars show an unexpected interest in him and his life. And where, somehow, they never let him pay for his food. Perhaps he should be more startled when a beautiful young man appears, claiming to be both his secret admirer and a fairy. In the paranormal sense. But it appears that one of Ash's talents is his ability to believe the impossible.

This story has a serene, lovely tone to it that floats the reader through a modern fairytale. There were moments when I wanted more realism and less perfection, despite the presence of an antagonist, but that's about me, not the story. This goes on my comfort reread shelf, if I want that smooth sweetness again someday.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story in several ways, low angst, with one of the better charming sex scenes I've read. The main character is Jewish. Best for those times you want these elements. :)

[the.argumentative.bong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insta-love...too much too soon. There's hardly any world building and definitely no character development. Everything is too sappy and superficial to leave an impression.
It's difficult to accept that this is the same author who wrote Rattlesnake.

Also...Dreamspinner Press still??

[PaperMoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet (perhaps too) fantasy romance with likeable main characters. The best part comes near the end with a OK Corral showdown with a neutral chaotic power figure ... more of this earlier would have ramped up the excitement level a little. Seriously, an accompanying repeat music track featuring When You Believe would not have gone amiss.

A fairy boyfriend for Hanukkah? Why not indeed? - 3.5 stars.

[William Kibler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful story loaded with charm and good feels! I would recommend this book to everyone! It is a M/M romance with lots of kissing and the suggestion of sexual encounters, but there is no graphic sex. Hallelujah! A romantic story without graphic sex! (It would have ruined this book.) Ms. Fielding's characters were sweet, funny, and kind with their interactions being joyous and uplifting. 💖👏

[Kassu · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐

Lovely Hanukkah story with some fairy magic. It has the Fielding gentleness. The last third was 4 star worthy definitely, but the earlier parts dragged a bit. Usually I get sucked into Fielding's worlds fast and this one took its time.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ash lives in Portland, Oregon and rents a small apartment above his landlords. They're an older gay couple who've been together for years, but due to their age, they don't need the space a full house offers. So Ash got lucky finding this apartment seven months ago when his ex unceremoniously dumped him, even though he's been more licking his wounds over the break up and the changes in his life. He works for a small non-profit helping his clients find work. As the year approaches Hannukah, he begins finding small gifts left in his apartment, including a basket of pine cones, some flowers, and a stunning scarf. His landlords aren't leaving them, they say, but they clearly know something's up. Then he begins meeting some new people, including the mysterious owner of a coffee shop he begins frequenting... and a gorgeous young man with wavy hair, Clay.

Who is Clay? What is going on? Can Ash believe in the impossible?

This was a short novel that, honestly. I have mixed feelings about. It's a bit too insta-love for me; they basically take one look at each other and they're dating. If I hadn't read several other stories by this author that I really enjoyed, I might have given up on it. Clay's background is... weird, but certainly different enough to be interesting. I didn't really find either character compelling, they read pretty two dimensional and never really broke through. I felt like this needed something to be more engaging. Disappointing, it probably won't be something I'd recommend off-hand. Fielding has better, other books.

I'd rate this kind of average, in the low two and half stars, so rounded up to 3 starts.

[Barb ~rede-2-read~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was adorable! Kim Fielding has a wild imagination and the gift of storytelling. Together, they produced this lovely, fairly short, Hanukkah tale.

Ash is a good guy. He works to help place people in support jobs when they've overcome life obstacles to take entry to the workforce. It pays enough for his small apartment on the top floor of a home owned by an older gay couple, but he doesn't strive for more because he's happy. When he meets a sweet young man named Clay little does he know he's meeting a fairy who was "born" in the woods behind Ash's house. Turns out Clay was once a flowering plant and the Fairy Queen turned him human. Yes, not only Ash, but we readers, too, need to believe the impossible.

When Ash learns the woods are going to be sold to a developer, he and Clay decide to approach the (fickle) fairy queen for help. What follows is a comical game of dreidel and after a few scary moments, a happy ever after for Ash and Clay.

Definitely a fun and unique tale that I'll read again next holiday season.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and lovely little story! A story of magic and wonder, it is also a story of opening up and allowing yourself to see the magic and wonder in the world. Even as you grow up and become an adult you can still believe in the impossible and see wonder in the world but Ash has to take the time to do that and allow magic and love to come into his life. A great read!

[Harrison Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cute and gentle fantasy by Fielding. The story of Ash and Clay is surprisingly sweet. While the story itself doesn't necessarily hold any great surprises, it is inventive in its humor, particularly with the final "confrontation" with the Fairie queen.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming

A fun read. Unlike some stories like this there was a real promise of a happy ending and a real threat to it. The threat was overcome in a satisfying and believable way. A satisfying read.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely little fairy Hanukkah story.

[Kobie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never understand why this author's books aren't rated as 5 star. I thought this story was delightful.

[... · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely and magical and wonderful in every way 🥰

[Annie]

I fell asleep about halfway through, and I was fine with that outcome.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet and magical, I wish it was longer.

[Michael Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visit my web site for a full review of “Ash Belives the Impossible.”

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly charming. Everyone deserves a little Chanukkah miracle.

[Sarah☀️ Somerville · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sweet.

[Monika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great premise but this could have been so much more. Definitely cute and I did enjoy it, which is all that matters.

[CdnBookLover · Rating 2 out of 5]

A nice, but rather strange story about a human and a fae who started life as a plant.