What's Happily Ever After, Anyway?

by Michelle Taylor

Miranda's new fairy-tale romance collides with an old disastrous one in a book that will touch the soul of every teen-aged girl (and possibly her mother). Destined for teen cult-dom. Ages 13 up. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0974648132
• ISBN13: 9780974648132
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Brown Barn Books
• Length: 178 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.7" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 14 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 9 to 12

Customer Reviews

Choices and consequences

Reviewed by Susan Pettrone for Reader Views (1/07) Miranda is awakened on the morning of her 16th birthday by her friend Tasha who informs her that she is going with her and her sister Carly to a concert that very night! Wildly excited about this fantastic turn of fate, Miranda doesn't realize that the concert will put into play a series of events that will change her and her life forever. Meeting Keith, a handsome artistic soul whom she falls in love with, is just the beginning of many changes ahead for both Miranda and Keith. To say that the story is all pink flowers and sweet talk would be misrepresenting the book. It is more than that. It is a book that has its romantic moments which each young girl likes to read, but it also is a book that puts into words the difficulties and choices a young teenage couple must make as their relationship grows ever closer. Miranda is no innocent by any means within this book, nor is she a worldly wise young woman either. What she is, is a typical teen, caught between youth and adulthood and who makes one bad choice which later causes her to make another harder one. From the beginning of their relationship, Miranda and Keith, meet in a semi-secret way, not telling Miranda's parents the whole truth about their meetings. Drawn into the plan for secrecy and innocent encounters is Mack, Miranda's brother and Tasha who find that they do in fact have more in common than they originally thought. The contrast between the two budding couples is interesting to watch unfold as both pairs learn more about each other and decide how to proceed in their relationships. The choices are as different as the couples are and the choices they make are ones that form a basis for what is to come next in the book. The choice Keith and Miranda make to finally have sex is a common one for young couples, and one that they tried to put off for as long as possible. But the choice they make to have unprotected sex is one they soon find themselves regretting, for it is obvious that after one brief encounter, Miranda is in fact pregnant. How Miranda handles this news, who she tells and how she tells them is a real part of this book as is her relationship with not only Keith and Tasha, but her brother Mack who is by now, not only her brother but her confidant too in matters of the heart. What the future holds for these two couples, the hard decisions they must make and how they come about their choices is what makes this book a "must read" for young teens. It is within the pages of this book that common teen problems are addressed and solved which change their lives forever. It is the type of book which you wish you could "rewind" parts of the story and make other choices for the characters but which you know, like in real life, is impossible to do. I would highly recommend "What's Happily Ever After, Anyway?" for all young teens as it is well written, true to life and frank without coming off as "preachy." It is a book that will cau

Romance in high school, good friends and jerks.

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!

A Great Book!

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

Do you believe in fairy tales?

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.

Finally--a realistic love story!

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.