For teen and older audiences- Life Isn’t a Fairytale: Review By Ella Waters

This book has the potential to touch the hearts of readers as Amanda Lovelace guides us through her darkest times. We see how hard some people have it and not to assume everyone is happy just by the expression on their face. This is not another cliche novel about a girl going through common struggles this is “the story of a princess turned damsel turned queen.”

Before the book starts you are greeted with a lovely trigger warning stating “This book contains sensitive material relating to: Child abuse, Intimate partner abuse, bullying, sexual assault, self-harm, eating disorders, queerphobia, menstruation, alcoholism, racism, trauma, death, suicide, grief, cancer, fire and possibly more. Remember to practice self care before, during and after reading.” Which I think was a very good addition to this book to let the readers know that she is targeting a more mature audience I also think it was a good addition because you don’t want to be blamed for something that could’ve been caused by this book.

If you love a good happy ending this book isn't quite for you. Lovelace did an outstanding job with this 192 page novel about her life and her struggles. I would say that this book is very similar to the other dark poetry novel “Milk and honey” so if you enjoy “The princess saves herself in this one” I recommend you read it. From this book I definitely learned that self confidence is very important and that life may not go as planned but you have to learn to go with the flow and to never isolate yourself from people who care about you. I’d recommend this book to a mature audience who are emotionally stable to learn from this dark novel.

Lovelace doesn’t state any names for the characters so it’s hard to talk about their traits. She rather keep them unknown only given a well known title mom, dad, ex boyfriend, boyfriend. The only name stated is her own. She refers to her present boyfriend as her dragon and her past boyfriends as her ghosts. “He won’t stop hunting me. - my ghost 2” she states on page 95 of this intriguing novel.

I’d give this book a 10/10 for great content and intriguing lines that leave you wanting more. “Pending your own happy ending. You'll get there.” I think this was such a clever ending to the story but also a way to upset the readers. What ever happened to the happily ever after where the princess marries the price or the quirky nerd ends up with the popular high school jock? This story is different. It’s not a fairy tale it’s real life, reality.

- Ella Waters

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