How to Summon a Fairy Godmother by Laura J. Mayo

Book Description

If a fairy godmother can get one sister into a marriage, getting another out of one should be easy… 

Lady Theodosia Balfour is screwed—with the Balfour estate on the verge of bankruptcy, and Theo’s royal stepsister spreading wicked rumors about her, Theo’s only path forward seems to be a forced betrothal a foul-tempered geezer who wishes only to use her as a brood mare. 

Desperate for help, Theo clings to the only thing that might save her: the rumor of a fairy godmother. And after discovering a way to summon one, Theo thinks her prayers have been answered. But the fairy she meets isn’t at all what she imagined. Drop-dead gorgeous and slightly devious, Cecily of the Ash Fairies is much more interested in smoking her pipe than providing charitable magic to. Now, Theo must prove she’s good to gain Cecily’s trust (and magic), but proving goodness doesn’t seem to be all that easy. In fact, it all seems to be rather ridiculous…

Review

Okay, book friends, let’s talk about How to Summon a Fairy Godmother by Laura J. Mayo. I finished it last week, and I’m still buzzing with thoughts. Now before you yawn, you should know this isn’t your glitter-and-sparkles type of fairy tale. It’s messy, meaningful, and full of humor.

When we meet Theo (short for Theodosia, naturally), she’s… let’s say, challenging. Prickly, self-absorbed, and definitely not winning any popularity contests. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I’d warm up to her. But here’s where Mayo’s magic comes in. Page by page, layer by layer, we learn why Theo is the way she is. You see the cracks in her armor, the pain she’s been carrying, and the reasons behind her choices.

The chip on her shoulder? Oh, it’s got history.

The snarky comments? A defense mechanism.

Bit by bit, she transforms. Not into some perfect, shiny person, but into someone real. By the end, she’s still her, but softened, stronger, and somehow entirely lovable. Except, it’s not really her that’s changed. It’s my understanding of her that the story transforms. And in this fractious age we’re living in, doesn’t that feel like a timely metaphor for life?

Oh, and the fairy godmother twist? Absolutely delightful. How to Summon a Fairy Godmother delivers a fun and refreshing take on the classic trope. The novel is snort-chuckle funny one moment and deeply emotional the next.

The prose is elegant, and Mayo keeps the pacing tight. How to Summon a Fairy Godmother is sharp and witty, reminding me of Gail Carriger’s Custard Protocol series.

If you’re craving a story about self-discovery and unexpected magic, this is your next read. Seriously, go pick it up—I’ll wait.

Content Warning

Abandonment, Animal Death, Blood, Bullying, Death of a Parent, Emotional Abuse, Forced Captivity, Grief, Loss, Self-Esteem Issues, Violence

The header photo is a composite image. Base image by james jeon on Unsplash