
Men Are Frogs (Fairy Godmothers, Inc. #2) by Saranna DeWylde
Published July 27th 2021 by Zebra
4 Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I really enjoyed the first book in the Fairy Godmothers Inc. series and was looking forward to reading this one. I enjoyed it almost as much as the first. Each book in the series is the story of a different set of characters. so you do not need to read them all or read them in order. Men Are Frogs is the story of the real Prince Charming. Phillip Charming has been a frog for over 300 years and time is running out for the curse to be broken. He is a man once the sun sets, but turns back into a frog at sunrise. With the Fairy Godmothers, Petunia, Jonquil and Blue Bonnet opening up Ever After as a wedding destination, they need to hire a wedding planner. Disgraced wedding planner Zuri Davis is offered a job with Fairy Godmothers, Inc., and she’s willing to trade the excitement of Chicago for the small-town charm of Ever After. She fell in love with one of her grooms, but that has since ended and she is ready for a new life. When she meets the gorgeous owner of the B&B where she is staying, she wonders about true love. So, now that she knows about the magic and realizes that she loves Phillip, will true love’s kiss break the 300 year old curse?
This was another fun story set in Ever After. We met Phillip in the last book, but this is his story. He has been kissing women for centuries, but not been able to break the curse. He was always a somewhat shallow prince, who has lessons to learn before the curse can be broken. Zuri and her twin sister, Zeva are great additions to Ever After. Zeva discovered the magic on her own and is not attending Fairy Godmother Academy, while Zuri is trying to plan the next wedding as well as figure out how to break Phillip’s curse. She is also dodging Alec aka Zander, the lying groom from the disastrous wedding. Zuri does not have a very good self-esteem and blames herself for everything that goes wrong. She needs to develop confidence that she is enough and can do a great job for Fairy Godmothers Inc. I enjoyed seeing Phillip and Zuri fall in love. There was some rude language and sexual talk, but otherwise it is a relatively clean story. This is a fun story with other fairytale characters that I hope will find their own Happily Ever After in Future books. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.

Summer in Provence by Lucy Coleman. Lucy Scott (Narrator)
Published April 2nd 2020 by Boldwood Books
4 Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I can’t imagine taking a “Marriage Gap Year”. Summer in Provence is the story of Fern and Aiden. A married couple who seem to be going through the motions of life together. When they win the lottery, Fern wants to pay off the cottage and bills and then start a family. Aiden, who loves to travel and have adventures, wants to travel the world. That is of no interest to Fern, so they agree to take a year to do what they want and then settle down and start a family. Fern heads to Provence to a retreat for a year. She offers to work at the retreat in exchange for painting lessons. Fern is in her element. She has undiscovered talent and is also great with people. Aiden is off mining in Australia, hiking, surfing etc. As Fern gets more comfortable at the retreat, a gallery offers to sell her work and she discovers some secrets about painter, Nico. As communication between Aiden and Fern becomes less frequent, this reader figured out where that relationship was going.
I really liked Fern’s character and wanted her to find the happiness she craved. Was her place with Aiden or at the retreat with Nico? I liked how she discovered what made her happy and Aiden does as well. I know they say opposites attract, but can they go back to their old life? Fern is strong, smart, caring, compassionate and talented. She is a great character to carry this story. The secondary characters all played an important part in her journey and helped her figure out what she really wanted. Their backstories were great and showed us more about Fern based on how she reacted to each of them. The setting was beautiful. I would love to spend time at a retreat like that, although not for a year. This was an enjoyable, enchanting and heart warming story of self discovery, love, learning new skills, relationships and moving on.
August 9, 2021 at 6:30 am
Men Are Frogs….just the title makes me laugh. Re-worked fairytales seem to be a trend these days. Nice reviews Carla. 🙂
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August 9, 2021 at 7:30 am
Thanks Barb. This one is humorous, some are a bit scary and lean to horror. I will take funny anyday.
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August 8, 2021 at 10:51 pm
I smiled all through your review of the adult fairytale; it sounds like so much fun. For me, writing the marriage gap year book would be hard. I just can’t imagine two people in love doing that, but times have changed. It would be interesting to hear what young people today would think of that idea.
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August 8, 2021 at 10:57 pm
I don’t understand it, but I guess your comment about two people being in love doing that, is the answer. I don’t think they were in love anymore, just living together because that is what they had been doing for several years.
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August 8, 2021 at 8:54 pm
Lovely reviews Carla, glad you enjoyed these!🙂
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August 8, 2021 at 8:58 pm
Thanks Carrie.
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August 8, 2021 at 8:47 pm
The second book reminded me of my time in Provence back in 2019! Such a beautiful place. Glad to see how much you enjoyed both stories, Carla! Thanks for sharing! 😀
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August 8, 2021 at 9:04 pm
Oh, I would love to go to Provence some day. I have been traveling vicariously the last year and a half.
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August 8, 2021 at 11:38 am
Cool books/great reviews/fine post all around. Your sign off is very appropriate. Congrats to the designers.
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August 8, 2021 at 1:02 pm
Thanks Rae. When I saw that siggie tag, I couldn’t resist.
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August 8, 2021 at 7:03 am
Fab reviews Carla! Men are Frogs what a title! 😂 I can’t imagine taking a marriage break either but that cover looks gorgeous and your review has really intrigued so I’m off for a look to see if I can find it on Scribd!
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August 8, 2021 at 7:10 am
Thanks Nicki. That cover was what originally attracted me to it, but the story was good as well. I hope you enjoy it if you listen or read it.
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August 8, 2021 at 6:50 am
Men are Frogs sounds so good, Carla. I’ll have to add both to my list! Beautiful reviews as always. 🧡
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August 8, 2021 at 7:12 am
It was a fun read, Jen. Thanks.
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August 8, 2021 at 4:33 am
Lovely reviews, Carla! The second one reminded me of my friend who doesn’t believe in long-distance relationships. She says that if you can live without each other for year (we’re not talking about extreme circumstances like war), you can probably live all your life without each other and won’t be worse off. Perhaps she is onto something…Anyway, my guess is Aiden and Fern didn’t stay together…
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August 8, 2021 at 7:16 am
My husband and I met just before I moved five hours away for my first teaching job. We lived that way for four years and I was worried we wouldn’t last. We did, got married and I quit my job and moved back home. I never would have stayed away once we were married, so I understand what she is saying. You will have to read the book to find out what happens.
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August 7, 2021 at 11:19 pm
Great reviews Carla. These both sound like fun reads. Must add them to my TBR.
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August 8, 2021 at 7:20 am
Thanks Bev, I enjoyed them both and The Fairytales Inc series is so much fun.
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August 7, 2021 at 9:36 pm
Wonderful reviews Carla! These both sound really good!🤗📚❤
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August 7, 2021 at 10:36 pm
Thanks Susan. They were both good in very different ways. 📚💞
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August 7, 2021 at 9:36 pm
Great reviews, Carla! I’ve heard a lot of good things about the Fairy Godmothers, Inc. series. I definitely have to check it out.
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August 7, 2021 at 10:37 pm
Thanks Julie. I have enjoyed both of them. I think there might only be one more, but I would love to see more. There are so many fairytale characters.
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August 7, 2021 at 8:59 pm
Men are Frogs looks very good. I really enjoy fairy tale retellings. I’ll have to look for the first book in the series and read them all. Thanks!
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August 7, 2021 at 9:05 pm
They are quite a hoot and very enjoyable. I call them fairytale retellings, but they are almost alternate stories that feature fairytale characters. I hope you give this series a try, Wendy.
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