What's Happily Ever After, Anyway?

Rating:
Summary: An Honest Book
Review: I don't think I've ever read a book that was more honest about the joys and perils of being sixteen and in love with my ideal man. Miranda's relationship with her family, her friends, and her school really ring true. I thought it was a completely satisfying book, especially the ending.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Book!
Review: Michelle Taylor's What's Happily Ever After, Anyway? focuses on answering the title question in terms young adults can relate to. The characters she created are typical teenagers that readers can easily imagine having as friends, or perhaps representing someone the already know. She addresses important issues such as pre-marital sex, rape, abortion, dating, being a teenage Mom and even dealing with harassment in school. Taylor not only brings these topics to light but she does it in such a way that readers will be entertained, touched and informed all at the same time.

Miranda meets the boy of her dreams at a rock concert on her sixteenth birthday and quickly begins to believe she has found her Prince Charming. Though not a virgin, Miranda's disastrous relationship with a football star at her school has taught her to be more cautious with her body and more careful with her heart. Readers follow Miranda on a journey of self discovery as she talks to her parents about sex, deals with sexual harassment and an unexpected pregnancy. We suffer with her, agonize over her choices and hold our breath until the end of the novel.

Taylor does not preach to readers in this book. She manages to entertain readers while outlining all the options available to her heroine. There is no prejudice or judgment in this book. It is merely a look into the problems of an average teenage girl who makes a couple of wrong decision and provides a valuable lesson for young adult readers.

Through the magic of Taylor's storytelling Miranda's pain becomes their own, and her mistakes could possible become a life saving lesson for readers. More oriented towards girls, this book should be read by any teenage female who has questions about boys, sex or life in general for this book truly contains valuable life lessons. Recommended for readers 12 and up.

Reviewed for Flamingnet Book Reviews by C. Devilbiss.

www.flamingnet.com



Rating:
Summary: Do you believe in fairy tales?
Review: Miranda comes face to face with Prince Charming, but things don't always work out the way they are supposed to. Or do they? Ms. Taylor is dead on with her characters and their angst. Miranda and her family and friends face some difficult choices. Yes, the book is edgy, but don't let that stop you. Once you start reading, you will want to finish in one sitting. Great choice for anyone looking for a realistic adolescent novel.
I can't wait for her next book.

Rating:
Summary: Romance in high school, good friends and jerks.
Review: My friends and I loved this book!
It reminds us of our high school. The romance is really great and boyfriend is so cool (and handsome). The ex-boyfriend reminds me of every high school mean jock who wears a varsity letter and is a true jerk. They think that every girl is in love with them. Give us a break!
Poor Miranda does get into a bit of trouble tho.....
If you like reading true romance, you'll love this book.
We do!

Rating:
Summary: Finally--a realistic love story!
Review: What's Happily Ever After, Anyway? is a truly engaging story that made me want to move to Colorado and find a street musician for myself. Once I picked up the book, I had a hard time putting it down. The dialogue makes it move quickly and I wanted to see how the whole thing turns out for Miranda. The books speaks the truth about teenage relationships--the good parts, the bad parts, and the parts that no one wants to talk about.