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Published by SparkPress
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
"A witty, well-paced, and original story—gimme all the Courtney Deane books with a big glass of rosé, please!” —Lizzy Dent, author of The Summer Job and The Sweetest Revenge
Twentysomething Abigail Gardner’s life is circling the drain. Her parents are dead, her “like a brother” is in love with her, and her nascent career as an art teacher was fully squashed by an unfortunate viral incident involving sophomores and Spanx.
But just as that whirlpool feels poised to suck her down completely, she’s granted a second chance: she lands a teaching job at Excelsior Primm, one of Philadelphia’s oldest and most prestigious preparatory academies. Only problem is, instead of teaching art she’ll be stuck teaching her least favorite subject—literature—and her least favorite theme: tragedy.
Tired of being stuck in her own tragic tale, Abigail starts rewriting every sad ending she can get her hands on, in and out of the classroom. To her surprise, her life soon starts to resemble the fairy tales she adores—great job, hot guy, a career gaining recognition. But when an unexpected plot twist threatens to derail her happy ending, Abigail begins to realize why these conclusions are so hard to come by.
Twentysomething Abigail Gardner’s life is circling the drain. Her parents are dead, her “like a brother” is in love with her, and her nascent career as an art teacher was fully squashed by an unfortunate viral incident involving sophomores and Spanx.
But just as that whirlpool feels poised to suck her down completely, she’s granted a second chance: she lands a teaching job at Excelsior Primm, one of Philadelphia’s oldest and most prestigious preparatory academies. Only problem is, instead of teaching art she’ll be stuck teaching her least favorite subject—literature—and her least favorite theme: tragedy.
Tired of being stuck in her own tragic tale, Abigail starts rewriting every sad ending she can get her hands on, in and out of the classroom. To her surprise, her life soon starts to resemble the fairy tales she adores—great job, hot guy, a career gaining recognition. But when an unexpected plot twist threatens to derail her happy ending, Abigail begins to realize why these conclusions are so hard to come by.
Product Details
- Publisher: SparkPress (April 9, 2024)
- Length: 304 pages
- ISBN13: 9781684632411
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Raves and Reviews
2024 NYC Big Book Awards Winner in Romantic Comedy
“The end result is an expansive tale that will have the reader rooting for happily-ever-afters. . . . A strong debut romance for fans of true happy endings.” —Kirkus Reviews
“This is a stirring romance that the great William Shakespeare would appreciate.” —Readers’ Favorite, 5-star review
“When Happily Ever After Fails is a brilliantly funny faking-it rom-com. Abigail is a perfect heroine—equal parts messy and lovable—and this story is as much about her personal journey as it is about her blooming secret romance. Her relationships and the messy areas between love and friendship are brilliantly explored. A witty, well-paced, and original story—gimme all the Courtney Deane books with a big glass of rose´, please!” —Lizzy Dent, author of The Summer Job and The Sweetest Revenge
“Courtney Deane offers up a radiant debut in When Happily Ever After Fails. Whip-smart and relatable, Abigail’s search for her own happy ending will have you on the edge of your pool chair. An absolute must read this spring!” —Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke, authors of Forever Hold Your Peace
“An entertaining read that will keep you turning pages. The reader is taken on a ride with Abigail as she grows into herself and finds her voice. Deane makes it easy to root for Abigail along with the other quirky characters who have distinct and interesting personalities. When Happily Ever After Fails is a fun debut.” —Leslie A. Rasmussen, author of After Happily Ever After and The Stories We Cannot Tell
“Courtney Deane is a fresh, fabulous new voice in the women's fiction world. Her debut novel is an absolute gem—heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply moving. I'll be watching and cheering as Ms. Deane's career takes off at what I'm certain will be a furious pace.” —Melanie Summers, author of The Honeymooner
“. . . a charmingly astute romantic novel . . .” —San Diego Union Tribune
“Courtney Deane’s debut is a novel in which you do not only root for the characters, but you believe in them. This book is for anyone who has ever tried to find their way and especially for those who still are.” —Gigi Garrett, author of Her Fake Engagement and Miss Christmas (now adapted as a Hallmark film)
“Deane did a great job of making you love the main character, Abigail, from the first chapter. . . . This story was wonderful. I can’t wait to see what Deane writes next.” —Chick Lit Central
“Courtney’s debut novel, When Happily Ever After Fails, gave me a mental workout I can’t even begin to describe. The challenge of perspective and perception, the notion of making the most and letting go, and driving home the idea of appreciating the moments life has to offer, no matter how minuscule, is what is going to make her an author to watch.” —The Romantic Comedy Book Club
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