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It's a Fabulous Life
After years of putting aside her dreams of travel and adventure, Bailey George is ready to leave Lanford Falls and her responsibilities behind on a long-awaited vacation to New York City. But when the volunteer who took over her leadership position for the town's Winter Wonderfest has a medical emergency, Bailey finds herself stuck in Lanford Falls. She gets roped into reassuming her old role, not wanting to let the town or her friends and family down.
Staying home seems slightly less terrible when Bailey runs into her high school crush, Maria Hatcher. A kiss they shared years ago in the town's mistletoe grove was a life-defining moment for them both. Maria quickly offers to pitch in and help with Winter Wonderfest. Her sunny disposition and holiday cheer perk up Bailey's grinchy feelings about everything.
However, one disaster after another snowball on the day of the festival. Bailey’s frustration boils over, and she ends up on the town's old wooden bridge. There, she meets fabulous drag queen Clara Angel. Bailey declares that she wishes she hadn’t been born in this Christmas-obsessed, suffocating small town. With a little of the magic Clara possesses, she shows Bailey how wrong she is about Lanford Falls and her place in it. And that with a little hope and some true holiday spirit, there is a way to attain all her dreams.
Staying home seems slightly less terrible when Bailey runs into her high school crush, Maria Hatcher. A kiss they shared years ago in the town's mistletoe grove was a life-defining moment for them both. Maria quickly offers to pitch in and help with Winter Wonderfest. Her sunny disposition and holiday cheer perk up Bailey's grinchy feelings about everything.
However, one disaster after another snowball on the day of the festival. Bailey’s frustration boils over, and she ends up on the town's old wooden bridge. There, she meets fabulous drag queen Clara Angel. Bailey declares that she wishes she hadn’t been born in this Christmas-obsessed, suffocating small town. With a little of the magic Clara possesses, she shows Bailey how wrong she is about Lanford Falls and her place in it. And that with a little hope and some true holiday spirit, there is a way to attain all her dreams.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2023
76 people are currently reading
3489 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Farmer
8 books89 followersKelly Farmer (she/her) has been writing romance novels since junior high. While the stories have changed, one theme remains the same: everyone deserves to have a happy ending. She is the bestselling author of queer contemporary romances with snarky humor and lots of heart.
When not writing, she enjoys being outside in nature, quoting from eighties movies, listening to all kinds of music, and petting every dog she comes in contact with. All of these show up in her books. Kelly lives in the Chicago area, where she swears every winter is her last one there.
To connect with Kelly, talk about current TV binges, and subscribe to her newsletter for access to free bonus stories, head over to www.kellyfarmerauthor.com.
When not writing, she enjoys being outside in nature, quoting from eighties movies, listening to all kinds of music, and petting every dog she comes in contact with. All of these show up in her books. Kelly lives in the Chicago area, where she swears every winter is her last one there.
To connect with Kelly, talk about current TV binges, and subscribe to her newsletter for access to free bonus stories, head over to www.kellyfarmerauthor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 308 reviews
November 21, 2023
✨[Cue Jimmy Stewart Voice]✨
As someone who watches It’s a Wonderful Life at least twice every Christmas, let me just say I KNOW that movie. So trust me when I say, It’s a Fabulous Life was such a faithful and charming take on the movie. I loved that the angels were drag queens and that Zuzu was an adorable doggo named Lulu and that it was sapphic!!
The audiobook was a really quick listen with two great narrators. There wasn’t any spice, but the story didn’t really need it. I really think if you enjoy the movie, you’ll have a fun time with this book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5
Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
As someone who watches It’s a Wonderful Life at least twice every Christmas, let me just say I KNOW that movie. So trust me when I say, It’s a Fabulous Life was such a faithful and charming take on the movie. I loved that the angels were drag queens and that Zuzu was an adorable doggo named Lulu and that it was sapphic!!
The audiobook was a really quick listen with two great narrators. There wasn’t any spice, but the story didn’t really need it. I really think if you enjoy the movie, you’ll have a fun time with this book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5
Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
December 18, 2023
Top 5 Christmas Movies
1. It's a Wonderful Life
2. Home Alone
3. The Muppet Christmas Carol
4. Batman Returns
5. Die Hard
Honorable Mentions
1. Home Alone 2
2. Scrooged
3. Three Days
It's a Wonderful Life is my favorite Christmas movie and it's a top 20 movie period. So this book had to bring its A game if I was going to enjoy it. It did not.
This book missed the whole reason for why I love that movie. It's a depressing look at how capitalism destroys people and communities. George Bailey is a good-hearted person who through the Hell of capitalism never got to live out his dreams. George ends up trapped in Bedford Falls. He has to keep running the family Savings & Loan business to keep the town from falling into the hands of Mr. Potter. People's entire life savings were in George's hands. He was important to Bedford Falls. I truly understand how he gets to the breaking point where suicide is an option. This man truly feels like his life meant nothing and everyone would be better off without him.
Meanwhile....Bailey George from this book is just a Type A real estate agent who volunteers to do everything in town and then complains when people expect her to do everything in town. Bailey is repeatedly told by everyone in town how important she is to them. How much the town needs her. Nothing absolutely NOTHING is stopping her from leaving. She has no wife or kids unlike her movie counterpart. She doesn't have a job that's indisputably important to the town. She's just in a life slump.
Welcome to adulthood.
And to make matters worse the "romance" was boring and her love interest Maria was annoying. This book did nothing for me but make me want to watch It's a Wonderful Life. If you've never seen It's a Wonderful Life ( first of all what's wrong with you? Go watch it, it's depressing and great) than I think you'll like this book more than me. But I just felt like she missed the whole point. She decided to stay in town because her Winter fest thing brings in a gang of money for the town....Bitch who cares....oh and for Maria, for some reason.
1. It's a Wonderful Life
2. Home Alone
3. The Muppet Christmas Carol
4. Batman Returns
5. Die Hard
Honorable Mentions
1. Home Alone 2
2. Scrooged
3. Three Days
It's a Wonderful Life is my favorite Christmas movie and it's a top 20 movie period. So this book had to bring its A game if I was going to enjoy it. It did not.
This book missed the whole reason for why I love that movie. It's a depressing look at how capitalism destroys people and communities. George Bailey is a good-hearted person who through the Hell of capitalism never got to live out his dreams. George ends up trapped in Bedford Falls. He has to keep running the family Savings & Loan business to keep the town from falling into the hands of Mr. Potter. People's entire life savings were in George's hands. He was important to Bedford Falls. I truly understand how he gets to the breaking point where suicide is an option. This man truly feels like his life meant nothing and everyone would be better off without him.
Meanwhile....Bailey George from this book is just a Type A real estate agent who volunteers to do everything in town and then complains when people expect her to do everything in town. Bailey is repeatedly told by everyone in town how important she is to them. How much the town needs her. Nothing absolutely NOTHING is stopping her from leaving. She has no wife or kids unlike her movie counterpart. She doesn't have a job that's indisputably important to the town. She's just in a life slump.
Welcome to adulthood.
And to make matters worse the "romance" was boring and her love interest Maria was annoying. This book did nothing for me but make me want to watch It's a Wonderful Life. If you've never seen It's a Wonderful Life ( first of all what's wrong with you? Go watch it, it's depressing and great) than I think you'll like this book more than me. But I just felt like she missed the whole point. She decided to stay in town because her Winter fest thing brings in a gang of money for the town....Bitch who cares....oh and for Maria, for some reason.
November 27, 2023
It's A Wonderful Life is easily one of my top three favorite movies of all time. I quote it at least once a week, all year round. My husband and I go to see it in the theaters every Christmas. We even tossed around ideas for a Halloween couple's costume as George and Mary. So if there was any doubt, this queer rom-com retelling was always going to be right up my alley.
Here, Bailey George is a realtor who is in charge of the small town's annual holiday festival - but she wants nothing more than to get out of town and enjoy herself without the burden of the Winter Wonderfest hanging over her. Unfortunately, an emergency appendectomy thwarts those plans, but offering to help Bailey out is Maria, her high school crush who has recently moved to town to take over the library.
There are a ton of fun references to the movie in this book. The guardian angel is a drag queen named Clara. Instead of falling into a pool at the school dance, the sprinkler system got turned on and soaked everyone. Mrs. Potter is an older woman who just wants to build luxury condos and price most people out of town. Laughing at the way Farmer updated these things for 2023 was the best part of this book for me. If you love the movie, I think you'll be thoroughly charmed by this book.
That being said, if you don't have the same affection for the source material, I can see how this could be underwhelming. There are relatively few romantic scenes between Bailey and Maria, and it doesn't really hit the right beats for any modern rom-com tropes. The obligation of the holiday festival doesn't feel as strong a reason for Bailey to give up her (rather ill-defined) dreams the way that George had to keep things going for his family. Even Potter doesn't really feel like a villain so much as an afterthought side plot. The magic that Clara creates comes so late in the book that it might feel a little rushed and the payoff unearned if you aren't, like me, commenting each year about how late in the movie Clarence steps in to save George from himself.
I could be wrong, but highly recommended for anyone who has ever looked into buying a "Jimmy Stewart in an old-timey football uniform/Donna Reed in a bathrobe" costume and softly recommended with caveats for anyone who has no idea what that means. Avoid entirely if you are one of those ding dongs who root for Potter.
Here, Bailey George is a realtor who is in charge of the small town's annual holiday festival - but she wants nothing more than to get out of town and enjoy herself without the burden of the Winter Wonderfest hanging over her. Unfortunately, an emergency appendectomy thwarts those plans, but offering to help Bailey out is Maria, her high school crush who has recently moved to town to take over the library.
There are a ton of fun references to the movie in this book. The guardian angel is a drag queen named Clara. Instead of falling into a pool at the school dance, the sprinkler system got turned on and soaked everyone. Mrs. Potter is an older woman who just wants to build luxury condos and price most people out of town. Laughing at the way Farmer updated these things for 2023 was the best part of this book for me. If you love the movie, I think you'll be thoroughly charmed by this book.
That being said, if you don't have the same affection for the source material, I can see how this could be underwhelming. There are relatively few romantic scenes between Bailey and Maria, and it doesn't really hit the right beats for any modern rom-com tropes. The obligation of the holiday festival doesn't feel as strong a reason for Bailey to give up her (rather ill-defined) dreams the way that George had to keep things going for his family. Even Potter doesn't really feel like a villain so much as an afterthought side plot. The magic that Clara creates comes so late in the book that it might feel a little rushed and the payoff unearned if you aren't, like me, commenting each year about how late in the movie Clarence steps in to save George from himself.
I could be wrong, but highly recommended for anyone who has ever looked into buying a "Jimmy Stewart in an old-timey football uniform/Donna Reed in a bathrobe" costume and softly recommended with caveats for anyone who has no idea what that means. Avoid entirely if you are one of those ding dongs who root for Potter.
November 29, 2023
Kelly Farmer brings us a very progressive and cute It's a Wonderful Life, the lite version. Bailey George cannot wait to escape her hometown and vacation in New York City. It means she finally will not be responsible for Lanford Falls' annual Winter Wonderfest. But, of course, the new person in charge has a medical emergency, and Bailey winds up on the hook, yet again. The only bright spot is that her old high school crush, Maria Hatcher, is back in town, and she agrees to help Bailey out.
LIFE glosses over a lot of the more depressing aspects of the original while keeping somewhat to its framework. If you're a huge fan of the Jimmy Stewart classic, you'll love seeing what stays in this story and how the parallels are made. There's the romance between Bailey (who runs her family's real estate business and battles town nemesis Felicity Potter) and Maria, who works at the local library. Bailey's desire to leave Lanford Falls and her disgruntlement with the Wonderfest leads to the arrival of the Angels, a trio of drag queens, and her own personal queen, Clara, who are determined to help her find her Christmas spirit again.
Nothing has quite the same gravitas as the film, but, hey, we're reading a holiday romance. Bailey's reason for a lack of spirit--and her eventual "tada" moment--feel a bit forced. As with the original, you do wonder why she has to give up all her dreams in the name of friends and family.
But, this is a really cute read overall. I loved seeing what quotes and pieces came across from the movie. The small town charm of Lanford Falls really shone through, and while Bailey irked me sometimes, Maria was such a sweet character. She and Bailey each had adorable dogs who were literary stars in their own right. The book is packed with queer characters--always a winning combo for me. There are some really funny inside jokes and great messages sprinkled throughout. As Christmas romances go, I liked this one. 3.5 stars, rounded up here.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Alcove Press in return for an unbiased review.
LIFE glosses over a lot of the more depressing aspects of the original while keeping somewhat to its framework. If you're a huge fan of the Jimmy Stewart classic, you'll love seeing what stays in this story and how the parallels are made. There's the romance between Bailey (who runs her family's real estate business and battles town nemesis Felicity Potter) and Maria, who works at the local library. Bailey's desire to leave Lanford Falls and her disgruntlement with the Wonderfest leads to the arrival of the Angels, a trio of drag queens, and her own personal queen, Clara, who are determined to help her find her Christmas spirit again.
Nothing has quite the same gravitas as the film, but, hey, we're reading a holiday romance. Bailey's reason for a lack of spirit--and her eventual "tada" moment--feel a bit forced. As with the original, you do wonder why she has to give up all her dreams in the name of friends and family.
But, this is a really cute read overall. I loved seeing what quotes and pieces came across from the movie. The small town charm of Lanford Falls really shone through, and while Bailey irked me sometimes, Maria was such a sweet character. She and Bailey each had adorable dogs who were literary stars in their own right. The book is packed with queer characters--always a winning combo for me. There are some really funny inside jokes and great messages sprinkled throughout. As Christmas romances go, I liked this one. 3.5 stars, rounded up here.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Alcove Press in return for an unbiased review.
October 13, 2023
I love It’s a Wonderful Life and I love sapphic romances. So this book being a sapphic retelling of It’s a Wonderful Life meant it was right up my alley. It was so much fun to see how Kelly Farmer took the events of the original movie and reshaped them to fit a story between two queer women set in the modern day. I feel like this is the type of retelling that you can enjoy even if you’ve never seen the source material, but if you’re super familiar with the movie then it makes it fun to pick out all the references. Bailey George, Maria Hatcher, Clara Angel, a job at the library, sprinklers going off at the prom, I’ll pull the sun down for you, 320 Sycamore, and so on.
This book was full of so much lovely Christmas atmosphere, it really put me in the holiday spirit even though I was reading it in early October. The story of Bailey wanting to escape her hometown and do things for herself instead of having to step up and run the family business and keep the Winter Wonderfest alive made so much sense. It’s frustrating to see her not be able to go after what she wants. When Maria Hatcher returns to town and some old sparks ignite, could Bailey truly be happy staying in Lanford Falls when she’s wanted to leave for so long? I really enjoyed the romance and partnership that blossomed between Bailey and Maria. Bailey’s own personal journey of learning what’s most important to her and also setting boundaries was wonderful to see.
Normally I’m someone who always wants to see explicit sex scenes in the adult romances I read. If there aren’t any or they’re just fade to black, I can feel a bit let down. However, the lack of sex scenes in this book didn’t bother me at all. Maybe since it’s a retelling of a movie that doesn’t feature any explicit content, but I just felt like it worked in this particular case.
I definitely recommend this, it’s such a fun sapphic Christmas romance. And there’s the added layer of it being a great retelling of a Christmas classic.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was full of so much lovely Christmas atmosphere, it really put me in the holiday spirit even though I was reading it in early October. The story of Bailey wanting to escape her hometown and do things for herself instead of having to step up and run the family business and keep the Winter Wonderfest alive made so much sense. It’s frustrating to see her not be able to go after what she wants. When Maria Hatcher returns to town and some old sparks ignite, could Bailey truly be happy staying in Lanford Falls when she’s wanted to leave for so long? I really enjoyed the romance and partnership that blossomed between Bailey and Maria. Bailey’s own personal journey of learning what’s most important to her and also setting boundaries was wonderful to see.
Normally I’m someone who always wants to see explicit sex scenes in the adult romances I read. If there aren’t any or they’re just fade to black, I can feel a bit let down. However, the lack of sex scenes in this book didn’t bother me at all. Maybe since it’s a retelling of a movie that doesn’t feature any explicit content, but I just felt like it worked in this particular case.
I definitely recommend this, it’s such a fun sapphic Christmas romance. And there’s the added layer of it being a great retelling of a Christmas classic.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 21, 2023
this was cute, i wanted to love it more but it was just so slow
November 27, 2023
Controversial opinion, perhaps, but I hate the movie It’s a Wonderful Life. But if you make anything sapphic, I’ll at least consider giving it a go. And lo and behold, I can finally enjoy this story. At least a bit. It’s cute and seasonally appropriate. I liked it better than the movie for sure. But it probably won’t be long remembered.
December 9, 2023
I am currently in my Christmas romance era and when I saw that It's a Fabulous Life by Kelly Farmer was a sapphic retelling of It’s a Wonderful Life I knew it would be a perfect choice. I was not wrong, and I loved the way this story played out and the addition of the drag queen angels! The viewpoints alternate between Bailey (and of course I only just now picked up on the Bailey George thing 🙈) and the angels which I absolutely adored. Some parts were pure hilarity watching Clara Angel try to help fix things and instead make them worse, and I laughed out loud many times throughout the entire book. It definitely has more of a lighthearted feel than the movie it is a retelling of (from what I remember) but has a wonderful and important message as well.
I loved the audiobook and highly recommend it as the best way to enjoy this book and its characters. Mia Hutchinson-Shaw narrates Bailey while Pete Cross narrates the angels and I found listening to them both to be incredibly enjoyable. It's a Fabulous Life is the perfect mix of funny and serious, and even has a bit of a Hallmark vibe to it as well. The romance here doesn't have spice to it, but that was fine with me since I am a big fan of closed-door romance as it is. I also thought this was a fitting choice being a play off of It’s a Wonderful Life and all, and I didn't feel like I was missing anything without the heat. The ending was really sweet and though I do think Bailey has every right to move if she wants to, the overall message of how each and every person makes an impact was on point and had me full of emotion. I will definitely be reading more from this author now!
I loved the audiobook and highly recommend it as the best way to enjoy this book and its characters. Mia Hutchinson-Shaw narrates Bailey while Pete Cross narrates the angels and I found listening to them both to be incredibly enjoyable. It's a Fabulous Life is the perfect mix of funny and serious, and even has a bit of a Hallmark vibe to it as well. The romance here doesn't have spice to it, but that was fine with me since I am a big fan of closed-door romance as it is. I also thought this was a fitting choice being a play off of It’s a Wonderful Life and all, and I didn't feel like I was missing anything without the heat. The ending was really sweet and though I do think Bailey has every right to move if she wants to, the overall message of how each and every person makes an impact was on point and had me full of emotion. I will definitely be reading more from this author now!
December 2, 2023
This book made me unbelievably frustrated and angry. Just really peeved me off.
It's a Wonderful Life is charming, sweet, heartbreaking, and funny. It's a classic for a reason. I AM NOT UPSET THEY DID A RETELLING! I bought it for that reason (and for it being sapphic). I love retellings.
In It's a Wonderful Life, George feels like life just isn't going his way. Everything hits him all at once and it's just all too much for him. It's like the world is out to get him. He's reminded by an angel that harming himself is a terrible idea because so many people depend on him and have his entire life. He feels good about life again when he thinks about all the people he loves. It's like he just needed a break, someone to vent to, a reminder of everything good he's done in his life. He's only got the typical stresses of family and work whereas Bailey has everyone's problems on her shoulders.
It's a Fabulous Life is about a lovely young woman who just wants out. For one week she wants to go to New York to find her own happiness without anyone putting all these responsibilities on her, stressing her out. She's looking forward to her vacation. Instead, she's stuck there. How dare she not appreciate all the nothing this town has done for her? All the stress the town has given her? It's so pretty there at Christmas time, so what's her problem? Maybe some complete strangers can remind her of how perfect this place is even though they're visiting for the very first time and dont know anyone there.
They're abusive assholes. If Bailey was your friend, you'd be helping her plan her escape. See if there's any cute women in New York. Hell, take Maria with you.
I wanted desperately for Bailey and Maria to find their happiness (with Rosie and Lulu at their sides), but then I realized that Bailey's happiness is in New York. Is the moral to just let people boss you around, you'll be happier that way rather than doing one little thing for yourself?
"No man is a failure who has friends." It's just too bad Bailey doesn't seem to have any.
It's a Wonderful Life is charming, sweet, heartbreaking, and funny. It's a classic for a reason. I AM NOT UPSET THEY DID A RETELLING! I bought it for that reason (and for it being sapphic). I love retellings.
In It's a Wonderful Life, George feels like life just isn't going his way. Everything hits him all at once and it's just all too much for him. It's like the world is out to get him. He's reminded by an angel that harming himself is a terrible idea because so many people depend on him and have his entire life. He feels good about life again when he thinks about all the people he loves. It's like he just needed a break, someone to vent to, a reminder of everything good he's done in his life. He's only got the typical stresses of family and work whereas Bailey has everyone's problems on her shoulders.
It's a Fabulous Life is about a lovely young woman who just wants out. For one week she wants to go to New York to find her own happiness without anyone putting all these responsibilities on her, stressing her out. She's looking forward to her vacation. Instead, she's stuck there. How dare she not appreciate all the nothing this town has done for her? All the stress the town has given her? It's so pretty there at Christmas time, so what's her problem? Maybe some complete strangers can remind her of how perfect this place is even though they're visiting for the very first time and dont know anyone there.
They're abusive assholes. If Bailey was your friend, you'd be helping her plan her escape. See if there's any cute women in New York. Hell, take Maria with you.
I wanted desperately for Bailey and Maria to find their happiness (with Rosie and Lulu at their sides), but then I realized that Bailey's happiness is in New York. Is the moral to just let people boss you around, you'll be happier that way rather than doing one little thing for yourself?
"No man is a failure who has friends." It's just too bad Bailey doesn't seem to have any.
December 19, 2023
Bailey George is in an abusive relationship with her hometown and everyone in it. At 18 she gives up her dreams including a full ride to Stanford to run her father’s real estate business when he passes. She’s convinced she must do this in order to save the town from real estate mogul Felicity Potter. All of her “friends” and family continue to reinforce this sense of duty in Bailey with guilt trips, manipulation, and gaslighting. Bailey mentions multiple times how she feels trapped in this town and keeps trying to leave only to be guilt tripped yet again. She never learns boundaries and once again gives up her dreams for “love” and to devote herself to her toxic hometown.
October 9, 2023
Clever modern retelling of It’s a Wonderful Life. Bailey George vacations always get interrupted. She puts her latest trip on hold to save the town's Winter Wonderfest. Bailey has run it the last ten years but the new leader has a medical emergency. Bailey can’t let her friends, family or town down but it weighs on her. And she feels stuck in Lanford Falls. Maria Hatcher has recently returned to town to manage the town library. She and Bailey have a past connection and she is happy to run into Bailey at the dog park where they exercise their cute dogs.
This is a wholesome story complete with chaste kisses and hot chocolate. I like how much of a It’s a Wonderful Life works its way into the storyline. But there are some fun updates, especially the drag queen helpful angels. If you're interested in a feel good, low angst Christmas romance this is easy to recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.
This is a wholesome story complete with chaste kisses and hot chocolate. I like how much of a It’s a Wonderful Life works its way into the storyline. But there are some fun updates, especially the drag queen helpful angels. If you're interested in a feel good, low angst Christmas romance this is easy to recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.
December 4, 2023
Like a cheesy hallmark Christmas movie but with sapphics and magical drag queen angels with a Priscilla, Queen of the Desert-esque RV.
I love It’s a Wonderful Life, so this sounded perfect to me. Maybe it was the high expectations, but I never really felt connected to the characters, and the story started to feel a bit repetitive to me until around 70-75% of the way through. The ending was very sweet, though. And drag performers ARE magical.
I love It’s a Wonderful Life, so this sounded perfect to me. Maybe it was the high expectations, but I never really felt connected to the characters, and the story started to feel a bit repetitive to me until around 70-75% of the way through. The ending was very sweet, though. And drag performers ARE magical.
December 17, 2023
It’s a Fabulous Life is a sapphic, holiday retelling of It’s a Wonderful Life!
Bailey is so excited to get out of town for a long-awaited vacation to New York City, but plans change when the person who was taking over her leadership role for the town’s Winter Wonderland festival has a medical emergency. She’s not looking forward to staying in her small town but decides to jump in and help for the sake of her friends and family. It all seems less terrible when she runs into her highschool crush Maria!
Maria and Bailey knew one another in highschool and have a bit of a history with a shared kiss and prom. They definitely have different wants since Maria wants to stay in their small town, while Bailey wants to leave as fast as she can. Just like the original story, Bailey is very grumpy and hates a lot about her life and small town and comes to appreciate it in the end. I do think this was a long one and with Bailey’s complaints it feels longer. But for being a sapphic retelling of this movie, it has its fun moments and nods! The audio is on hoopla and I liked the narrators.
Bailey is so excited to get out of town for a long-awaited vacation to New York City, but plans change when the person who was taking over her leadership role for the town’s Winter Wonderland festival has a medical emergency. She’s not looking forward to staying in her small town but decides to jump in and help for the sake of her friends and family. It all seems less terrible when she runs into her highschool crush Maria!
Maria and Bailey knew one another in highschool and have a bit of a history with a shared kiss and prom. They definitely have different wants since Maria wants to stay in their small town, while Bailey wants to leave as fast as she can. Just like the original story, Bailey is very grumpy and hates a lot about her life and small town and comes to appreciate it in the end. I do think this was a long one and with Bailey’s complaints it feels longer. But for being a sapphic retelling of this movie, it has its fun moments and nods! The audio is on hoopla and I liked the narrators.
2023
October 22, 2025Holidays TBR
Pride TBR
Valentine's Day TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press
Pride TBR
Valentine's Day TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press
December 7, 2023
This has such a charming premisse, and such a charming execution as well. I loved the drag queen twist on the small town holiday romance trope. I loved the (re)meet cute at the dog park. And I especially loved how warm every interaction between the main character and love interest felt. I've been wanting to read from this author for quite a while, and I'm so glad I finally have. I definitely want to read more of her books now.
December 5, 2025
soooo fun! a little silly, but the "it's a wonderful life" references were copious and incredible, very fun to get into Christmas time!
November 17, 2023
4 stars!
I thoroughly enjoyed "It's a Fabulous Life" by Kelly Farmer, narrated by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw. One of my favorite Christmas movies is "It's a Wonderful Life," so to read a modern day sapphic retelling of that story was, well, fabulous!! Being obsessed with the movie, you'd think I might be bored reading a book that hits all of the same plot point. Luckily, Kelly Farmer's writing and contemporary changes keep this book feeling funny, fresh, and fun. I adored Bailey and Maria as characters. I fell in love with them as they rediscovered their connection to one another in the small, quaint, Christmas-obsessed Lanford Falls. I connected to them in the present, but I also enjoyed reminiscing with them about the spark they had when they were 16 year old and had crushes on one another. Seeing them fall slowly back in love during Christmastime was such a lovely treat. I also adored the drag queens, Clara Angel and Giovanna! What a creative and spectacular twist on the Clarence character from "It's a Wonderful Life." And the dogs! Maria and Bailey both have dogs, and their dogs become besties, and that's the catalyst for them spending time with one another. And Lanford Falls... what I wouldn't give to live there! This is the perfect fuzzy-feeling holiday romance. Please take a chance on this book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Kelly Farmer, and Dreamscape Media for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for my review.
I thoroughly enjoyed "It's a Fabulous Life" by Kelly Farmer, narrated by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw. One of my favorite Christmas movies is "It's a Wonderful Life," so to read a modern day sapphic retelling of that story was, well, fabulous!! Being obsessed with the movie, you'd think I might be bored reading a book that hits all of the same plot point. Luckily, Kelly Farmer's writing and contemporary changes keep this book feeling funny, fresh, and fun. I adored Bailey and Maria as characters. I fell in love with them as they rediscovered their connection to one another in the small, quaint, Christmas-obsessed Lanford Falls. I connected to them in the present, but I also enjoyed reminiscing with them about the spark they had when they were 16 year old and had crushes on one another. Seeing them fall slowly back in love during Christmastime was such a lovely treat. I also adored the drag queens, Clara Angel and Giovanna! What a creative and spectacular twist on the Clarence character from "It's a Wonderful Life." And the dogs! Maria and Bailey both have dogs, and their dogs become besties, and that's the catalyst for them spending time with one another. And Lanford Falls... what I wouldn't give to live there! This is the perfect fuzzy-feeling holiday romance. Please take a chance on this book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Kelly Farmer, and Dreamscape Media for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for my review.
October 16, 2023
Solid 3.5 stars. I was never the biggest fan of the It's a Wonderful Life movie, but I may have been if it had been more like this book. I thought the slow burn and chemistry was perfect, and I loved that the angels were drag queens with big personalities. I get that some story elements had to be preserved from the original movie in order to follow the formula of a retelling, but I admit that the people pleasing/guilt trip of needing to stay in a small town was a bit difficult to read at times. You should be allowed to want more for yourself. Still, overall I enjoyed this cozy holiday romance.
*Thank you to Edelweiss for the ARC; I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
*Thank you to Edelweiss for the ARC; I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
October 17, 2023
So I need to start this by saying i've never actually watched it's a wonderful life before (*gasp* ik)
but I know enough about the story/have watched enough spin off episodes to know what its about lol.
I really liked this book!! its such a cozy christmas read! Making the angels drag queens was just such an amazing and fun touch i LOVED them!
the romance was so cute, overall a really fast paced sapphic holiday read!
thank you Netgalley, Kelly Farmer & Dreamscape Media for an arc of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
but I know enough about the story/have watched enough spin off episodes to know what its about lol.
I really liked this book!! its such a cozy christmas read! Making the angels drag queens was just such an amazing and fun touch i LOVED them!
the romance was so cute, overall a really fast paced sapphic holiday read!
thank you Netgalley, Kelly Farmer & Dreamscape Media for an arc of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
January 8, 2024
English
All I have to say is that this book took too much time to finish. I was very excited over the theme, the sinopsis and so on, but it just did not click.
I liked the concept, in fact it is loosely a retelling of one of my favourite movies: It's a Wonderful Life. Still, there are some mayor changes with the story that I somwhat enjoyed. I loved the angels being drag queens. I rarely find books with this representation and it was so over the top, amazing.
The only thing is that the original material is supposed to talk about death and life, this one is just a protagonist who does not want to participate in the christmas event of her town. I feel like the stakes are very different. I understand, though, that we do not want sad sapphics. I agree with that, but the main problem of the story, the thing that is supposed to move the characters just felt superficial.
Honestly? One of the biggest deceptions of the year. It put me on a reading slump. I don't think its a bad book, but it was not good for me. Perhaps I was not good for it, I don't know. I didn't like it either way.
Spanish
Todo lo que tengo que decir es que este libro me llevó demasiado tiempo terminarlo. Estaba muy entusiasmada con el tema, la sinopsis... Pero no acababa de encajar conmigo.
Me gustó el concepto, de hecho es una versión de una de mis películas favoritas: Qué bello es vivir. Sin embargo, hay algunos cambios importantes en la historia que me han gustado. Me encantó que los ángeles fueran drag queens. Rara vez encuentro libros con esta representación y fue tan desmedido, maravilloso.
Lo único es que el material original se supone que habla de la muerte y la vida, esta adaptación es solo una protagonista que no quiere participar en el evento navideño de su pueblo. Siento que lo que está en juego es muy diferente. No obstante, entiendo que no queramos sáficas tristes. Estoy de acuerdo con eso, pero el problema principal de la historia, lo que se supone que debe mover a los personajes, me pareció superficial.
¿Sinceramente? Una de las mayores decepciones del año. Me puso en un bloqueo lector. No creo que sea un mal libro, pero no fue bueno para mí. Quizás yo no era buena para él, no lo sé. En cualquier caso, no me gustó.
- Ele
All I have to say is that this book took too much time to finish. I was very excited over the theme, the sinopsis and so on, but it just did not click.
I liked the concept, in fact it is loosely a retelling of one of my favourite movies: It's a Wonderful Life. Still, there are some mayor changes with the story that I somwhat enjoyed. I loved the angels being drag queens. I rarely find books with this representation and it was so over the top, amazing.
The only thing is that the original material is supposed to talk about death and life, this one is just a protagonist who does not want to participate in the christmas event of her town. I feel like the stakes are very different. I understand, though, that we do not want sad sapphics. I agree with that, but the main problem of the story, the thing that is supposed to move the characters just felt superficial.
Honestly? One of the biggest deceptions of the year. It put me on a reading slump. I don't think its a bad book, but it was not good for me. Perhaps I was not good for it, I don't know. I didn't like it either way.
Spanish
Todo lo que tengo que decir es que este libro me llevó demasiado tiempo terminarlo. Estaba muy entusiasmada con el tema, la sinopsis... Pero no acababa de encajar conmigo.
Me gustó el concepto, de hecho es una versión de una de mis películas favoritas: Qué bello es vivir. Sin embargo, hay algunos cambios importantes en la historia que me han gustado. Me encantó que los ángeles fueran drag queens. Rara vez encuentro libros con esta representación y fue tan desmedido, maravilloso.
Lo único es que el material original se supone que habla de la muerte y la vida, esta adaptación es solo una protagonista que no quiere participar en el evento navideño de su pueblo. Siento que lo que está en juego es muy diferente. No obstante, entiendo que no queramos sáficas tristes. Estoy de acuerdo con eso, pero el problema principal de la historia, lo que se supone que debe mover a los personajes, me pareció superficial.
¿Sinceramente? Una de las mayores decepciones del año. Me puso en un bloqueo lector. No creo que sea un mal libro, pero no fue bueno para mí. Quizás yo no era buena para él, no lo sé. En cualquier caso, no me gustó.
- Ele
November 26, 2023
It's a Fabulous Life is a retelling of the famous movie, It's a Wonderful Life. It was a fun story with some new characters and storylines. After years of putting aside her dreams of travel and adventure, Bailey George is ready to leave Lanford Falls and her responsibilities behind on a long-awaited vacation to New York City. (sound familiar) She had been the chair of Winter Wonderfest for years but gave it up this year. Unfortunately, the new chair had a medical emergency and Bailey is roped into taking over again. Bailey is a people pleaser and doesn't want to let her family, friends or neighbours down. Meanwhile there are some angels, who are also drag queens, who want to help Bailey realize how much she is valued. Clara Angel wants her wings and is supposed to help out. As Bailey tries to get organized, Maria, the girl she dated briefly in high school, returns to town and offers to help. Things don't go smoothly and on the day the festival begins, Bailey is on the old town bridge where she declares to Clara Angel that she wishes she had never been born. Poof! What changes in Lanford if Bailey hadn't been born.
This was a fun twist on the well known story that some people will enjoy and others will be upset with. How dare you mess with George Bailey and his story. This was a sweet Christmas story about finding your worth, second chance romance, frustrations, giving up on your dreams, friendship and more. As in the movie, Bailey realizes all she did in her life and those she touched. I enjoyed this story, with the characters, updated setting, and storylines. Pick this one up if you are looking for a feel good story with Christmas Magic. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw and Pete Cross. I enjoyed their narration and my listening experience.
This was a fun twist on the well known story that some people will enjoy and others will be upset with. How dare you mess with George Bailey and his story. This was a sweet Christmas story about finding your worth, second chance romance, frustrations, giving up on your dreams, friendship and more. As in the movie, Bailey realizes all she did in her life and those she touched. I enjoyed this story, with the characters, updated setting, and storylines. Pick this one up if you are looking for a feel good story with Christmas Magic. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw and Pete Cross. I enjoyed their narration and my listening experience.
December 18, 2023
Okay so - full disclosure - I've never seen It's a Wonderful Life. I've seen enough snippets and clips that I'm aware of the premise and all that jazz so I had a pretty good idea of how this was going to go. ANNND it didn't disappoint. It's a Fabulous Life is so precious! I enjoyed this audiobook (and got the print version because of that and the cover is SO cute ). I've been enjoying light-hearted, hallmark-esc type reads this holiday season. This is a fun read full of adorable pups, a wonderful community, drag queen angels, and a lovely second-chance romance with mistletoe kisses. This is just a fantastic, cozy little holiday slice of joy. Perfect audiobook for the season ( particularly to keep your calm if you're not done with the craziness of shopping this season.
January 22, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ "the true measure of success is in love. surround yourself with love and good friends, and you'll achieve beautiful things."
October 13, 2023
Trigger Warnings: medical content, alcohol, past death of a parent, cursing, car accident
Representation: Drag, Sapphic, Gay
It’s a Fabulous Life is a sapphic spin on the Christmas classic, It’s a Wonderful Life. After years of putting aside her dreams of travel and adventure, Bailey George is ready to leave Lanford Falls and her responsibilities behind on a long-awaited vacation to New York City. When the volunteer who took over her leadership position for the town's Winter Wonderfest has a medical emergency, Bailey finds herself stuck in Lanford Falls, getting roped into reassuming her old role, not wanting to let the town or her friends and family down.
Staying home seems slightly less terrible when Bailey runs into her high school crush, Maria Hatcher. A kiss they shared years ago in the town's mistletoe grove was a life-defining moment for them both. Maria quickly offers to pitch in and help with Winter Wonderfest. Her sunny disposition and holiday cheer perk up Bailey's grinchy feelings about everything.
When one disaster after another snowballs on the day of the festival, Bailey’s frustration boils over and she ends up on the town's old wooden bridge. It’s there she meets fabulous drag queen Clara Angel. Bailey declares that she wishes she hadn’t been born in this Christmas-obsessed, suffocating small town and with a little of the magic Clara possesses, she shows Bailey how wrong she is about Lanford Falls and her place in it. The new perspective with a little hope and some true holiday spirit, Bailey learns there is a way to attain all her dreams.
This ALC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I am a Christmas obsessed elf from Black Friday to little Christmas! It’s a Wonderful Life is one of my all time favorite movies. That being said, I have always had one piece of criticism. The story telling prior to Clarence’s interference is so detailed but then after the bridge, the movie wraps up way too quickly. Unfortunately this story fell into that same trap. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely loved this book! I just wish there was more to it in the alternate universe!
This is such an adorable twist on a timeless classic! The storytelling and world building makes you feel like you’re walking through Lanford Falls on a snowy winter day. I loved the characters and all of the twists on parts of the original story. I loved when Bailey was looking for Lulu’s treats! The drag queens are so fun and a small town that is so friendly of our community sounds like a dream!
Representation: Drag, Sapphic, Gay
It’s a Fabulous Life is a sapphic spin on the Christmas classic, It’s a Wonderful Life. After years of putting aside her dreams of travel and adventure, Bailey George is ready to leave Lanford Falls and her responsibilities behind on a long-awaited vacation to New York City. When the volunteer who took over her leadership position for the town's Winter Wonderfest has a medical emergency, Bailey finds herself stuck in Lanford Falls, getting roped into reassuming her old role, not wanting to let the town or her friends and family down.
Staying home seems slightly less terrible when Bailey runs into her high school crush, Maria Hatcher. A kiss they shared years ago in the town's mistletoe grove was a life-defining moment for them both. Maria quickly offers to pitch in and help with Winter Wonderfest. Her sunny disposition and holiday cheer perk up Bailey's grinchy feelings about everything.
When one disaster after another snowballs on the day of the festival, Bailey’s frustration boils over and she ends up on the town's old wooden bridge. It’s there she meets fabulous drag queen Clara Angel. Bailey declares that she wishes she hadn’t been born in this Christmas-obsessed, suffocating small town and with a little of the magic Clara possesses, she shows Bailey how wrong she is about Lanford Falls and her place in it. The new perspective with a little hope and some true holiday spirit, Bailey learns there is a way to attain all her dreams.
This ALC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I am a Christmas obsessed elf from Black Friday to little Christmas! It’s a Wonderful Life is one of my all time favorite movies. That being said, I have always had one piece of criticism. The story telling prior to Clarence’s interference is so detailed but then after the bridge, the movie wraps up way too quickly. Unfortunately this story fell into that same trap. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely loved this book! I just wish there was more to it in the alternate universe!
This is such an adorable twist on a timeless classic! The storytelling and world building makes you feel like you’re walking through Lanford Falls on a snowy winter day. I loved the characters and all of the twists on parts of the original story. I loved when Bailey was looking for Lulu’s treats! The drag queens are so fun and a small town that is so friendly of our community sounds like a dream!
October 16, 2023
This was a super fun Sapphic "It's a wonderful life" Christmas romance retelling. With wish-granting drag queens, small town charm, holiday festival disasters and a beautiful second chance, childhood friends to lovers romance.
Heartwarming and perfect for fans of authors like Courtney Kae and Alison Cochrun, you don't want to miss this great 'holigay' romance. This was also good on audio with dual narration by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw and Pete Cross. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early digital and audio review copies!!
Heartwarming and perfect for fans of authors like Courtney Kae and Alison Cochrun, you don't want to miss this great 'holigay' romance. This was also good on audio with dual narration by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw and Pete Cross. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early digital and audio review copies!!
December 3, 2025
look this was cute i guess to get in the holiday spirit but like snooze no chemistry lmfao
October 28, 2023
this book kinda got on my nerves bc it's like a christmas carol but the ghosts are drag queens and unlike ebenezer scrooge, bailey has literally done nothing wrong. The entire town are total assholes to her!!! She spent 18 years on endless committees, fixing shit with seemingly no help at all. Then she plans something for herself after years of guilt tripping and the entire town guilt trips her back!!! She was going on a VACATION! someone else was supposed to be in charge, and if she can't relegate, fuck that noise. Then the drag queens have the gall to blame her for not having the spirit of christmas in her. She has more christmas spirit than literally everyone else. A mean and greedy real estate agent steals her stuff, everyone else is incompetent and sucks ass at their job, and these crazies ruin things even more for her before giving her a dread vision about what life would be like without her at Lanford, in such guilt tripping her so completely she gives up on opportunity to ever get away from the soul sucking inhabitants of Lanford Falls who can't even do one fucking christmas celebration without her. Bailey haul ass and get out of there!!! This was so infuriating to me that honestly I have nothing yo say about the romance. Maria is cute and all, but there are cute women in NYC. Lots of em!!! AND the fact that Bailey kept the real estate agency afloat sending her sister off to college and that said sister now lives away from the Falls with her husband happily doing her job... bitch please. Like, she could cover home base for a little while Bailey worked things out and went to college. Why is everyone in this town so selfish?? This has the energy of being the only one to do anything in a group project, grumbling about it a little, and being forced into learning an important lesson about friendship (tm)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2023
I really wanted to love this book. I mean, a sapphic retelling of a classic Christmas movie?! Count me in. I've watched It's a Wonderful Life every year for almost my entire life.
Unfortunately, there were some things that made this book fall short of my hopes. The pacing of the novel felt off in a way that made the lead-up to the infamous wish feel like it took forever, and the result of the wish flew by in a comparatively short amount of time. There were also some elements that kept taking me out of the story, mainly pop culture references and modern-day slang that made the book feel very "right now" and less "timeless classic".
I was also disappointed that there wasn't as much focus on mental health as I feel like there is in the movie. While the movie deals with heavier topics like suicidality, it felt like the mental health aspects were glossed over in the book. While retellings are never expected to be completely faithful to their source material, the lack of exploration of more serious mental health topics felt like a missed opportunity here.
Unfortunately, there were some things that made this book fall short of my hopes. The pacing of the novel felt off in a way that made the lead-up to the infamous wish feel like it took forever, and the result of the wish flew by in a comparatively short amount of time. There were also some elements that kept taking me out of the story, mainly pop culture references and modern-day slang that made the book feel very "right now" and less "timeless classic".
I was also disappointed that there wasn't as much focus on mental health as I feel like there is in the movie. While the movie deals with heavier topics like suicidality, it felt like the mental health aspects were glossed over in the book. While retellings are never expected to be completely faithful to their source material, the lack of exploration of more serious mental health topics felt like a missed opportunity here.
December 19, 2023
DNF at 43 pages.
The writing just isn’t for me.
The writing just isn’t for me.
January 11, 2025
2/5.
This book was not well-written. The dialogue was bad; cheesy and just not something real humans would ever say to each other. There was no chemistry between the two main characters, and the pacing of the book was off. I’m sure this was not the author’s intent, but it felt like certain side characters were included so that diversity boxes could be checked off, rather than feeling an actual attempt at including diverse characters. The drag queens, in particular, felt like caricatures in a way that was uncomfortable. I also disliked that the overall message of the book seemed to be, “moving to the big city to follow your dreams is bad.” I appreciate what the author was trying to do, but unfortunately, she fell short.
This book was not well-written. The dialogue was bad; cheesy and just not something real humans would ever say to each other. There was no chemistry between the two main characters, and the pacing of the book was off. I’m sure this was not the author’s intent, but it felt like certain side characters were included so that diversity boxes could be checked off, rather than feeling an actual attempt at including diverse characters. The drag queens, in particular, felt like caricatures in a way that was uncomfortable. I also disliked that the overall message of the book seemed to be, “moving to the big city to follow your dreams is bad.” I appreciate what the author was trying to do, but unfortunately, she fell short.
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