I’ve had such a love hate relationship with the Wizard of Oz. From when I was terrified of the flying monkeys as a child to rediscovering it reading Wicked and seeing the musical. This is such a quirky reimagining of the story. While it isn’t as fun as the cover might imply, it is such a unique treat to read and discover how the author weaved all those references and homage to the original book and movie.

A little bit of bouncing back from adversity and finding oneself, a dash of romance, and a lot of friendship and what perseverance and hard work will reap. I am sure I didn’t catch them all, but it was fun to see how the author re-envisioned the classic tale. I was a little slow to connect with Dee, Dorothy, and at times was at odds with choices made, but ultimately I came on board with those choices and rooted for Dee to succeed.

The characters are so very likable and flawed to add to their relatability. The situations and relationships were complex and messy. And once I connected with the story, I really didn’t want it to end.

While I both read and listened to this one, I think I liked listening a smidge more. Rachel L Jabobs, Damian Gildea and Christian Coulson did an excellent job of narrating. I was pulled into the story and felt like it was all around me.

Thanks to Berkley for my free copy of The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale by Virginia Kantra. #berkleypartner #berkleyig

Inspired by The Wizard of Oz, a woman learns to follow her own road in this wonderful book set in Ireland.

After both heartbreak and humiliation Dee is ready to leave Kansas behind to start a writing program at Trinity University in Dublin. She meets 3 friends who help her get used to life in Dublin, especially when she is challenged by her professor to step outside her comfort zone. Will she find her voice and confidence to share her story?

While this has subtle ties to The Wizard of Oz, I really liked this wasn't a traditional retelling. I of course loved the Dublin setting and Dee friends!

Overall this is a story of finding yourself and believing in yourself and I really enjoyed it!

The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale comes out tomorrow - December 5th.

The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale by Virginia Kantra is a delightful and heartwarming retelling of The Wizard of Oz. Kantra pays homage to the classic tale while putting her own unique spin on it. The parallels between Dee's journey and Dorothy's are evident, but the story also stands on its own as a unique and engaging narrative. The way characters and elements from the original story were transformed into modern day people and places were delightful.

Dorothy "Dee" Gale, a grad student struggling to find her place in the world, embarks on a journey of self-discovery in Dublin, far from her comfortable surroundings. Determined to rebuild her life after enduring a devastating tornado of humiliation and heartbreak, Dorothy begins a life-changing journey. The process of healing from deep wounds, examines the essence of home, and celebrates the victory of reclaiming one's own narrative, is deeply examined. A highlight is found family: Dee finds solace and support in a quirky group of friends, and their unconventional support provides her with the love and acceptance she needs to thrive. The theme of found family is a powerful one, and resonates deeply in this story.

Ms. Kantra wrote her own beautiful story with as a tribute to L. Frank Baum’s original by taking the classic children’s tale and turning it into a heartwarming adult novel about a woman’s journey to find the power within herself that, of course, was there all along. I found this book full of heart, brains, courage, and an always welcome reminder of how much power we carry within. I highly recommend The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

4.5⭐️ I am not always a fan of retellings, but when a retelling is done as masterfully as this one, count me in!

The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale has all of the elements of The Wizard of Oz most of us grew up with and have come to love. It has substantial, well developed characters, each needing to dig deep within themselves to find that element they feel they are lacking. For some, it is the courage to face their fears; for others, it is to come to terms with how smart they actually are. And at the very heart of it, this beautiful modernized retelling is about finding that which has been within yourself all along, even when you do not realize it.

Gosh, this is a good one. And the audio, narrated by a full cast, is excellent.

Thank you Berkley Pub for my gifted copy.

The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale is a unique creative story inspired by The Wizard of Oz, my favorite classic. It was well written had so many great characters.

If you love the Wizard of Oz, or even if you don't, this inspiring story of finding your place and navigating bumpy roads will capture your attention, and your heart.

I do wish it had even more ties to The Wizard of Oz

The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale is a fun new novel inspired by the classic, The Wizard of Oz! In this contemporary take on the classic, Dorothy Gale finds herself on the adventure of a lifetime when she runs away from a disaster to a new land (Ireland) where with the help of three new friends she must learn to navigate through love and loss and take control of her own narrative!

I’ve always been a big fan of both the book series by L. Frank Baum and the movie. It was so fun to see the parallels and brilliance that Kantra created with this new novel and the original story. There was some romance but Dorothy’s relationship with her self and her own power took center stage in this story.

The audiobook, narrated by Rachel L. Jacobs, Damian Gildea, and Christian Coulson was well done! Add this one to your TBR today!

“Women who tell the truth have always been called witches.”

Dorothy Gale has never had it easy. After the untimely loss of her mother, Dorothy (aka Dee) was raised by her loving, yet stoic Aunt Em alongside her younger sister, Toni. A large part of Dee has grown accustomed to her quiet Kansas life. But an even bigger part of her can’t help but to wonder what life would be like on the other side of the rainbow.

Dee also always wanted to be a writer. Then a relationship with a college professor blows up, and Dee retreats. Suddenly, an opportunity arises that gives Dee the chance to start anew in the far off town of Dublin. All she has to do is follow the proverbial yellow brick road.

But upon her arrival to Dublin’s Trinity College, Dee quickly sees her new path, while paved with good intentions, also might be one of surprised resistance. Faced with the unexpected task of proving her worth, Dee befriends a cast of characters including the “brainless” Sam, and “heartless” Tim. Can she finally find her own voice and come to terms with her place in her new world, or is she destined to return to the only place she’s ever called home?

The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale is a clever reimagining of a classic story. While some of the character based influences are obvious like Dee as Dorothy, others are more nuanced i.e. her younger sister as the loyal Toto. There is an underlying current of good vs evil in both versions, but this modern take places present day Dorothy in a love triangle with her trusty sidekicks. Told from the characters varying points of view, the readability takes on a bit of a learning curve. Despite this confusion, The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale is a story that highlights intelligence, courage, and love, reminding the reader the power is in everyone one of us. You just have to learn it yourself.

I don’t read a lot of rom-coms, but when they have Wizard of Oz vibes, I’m in. I used to be so excited to watch Dorothy and Toto on the way to Oz every year (back when it was only on TV once a year). When she lands in Oz and everything transitions to color…pure magic. Virginia Kantra’s The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale isn’t a retelling, but it’s more an inspired by. I’m not even sure I would classify this as a rom-com, although there are a few meet cutes and some romance on the way, but it’s more a finding yourself and your place in this world. Whatever it’s classified as, it’s entertaining and fun and a reminder that sometimes we all need to leave Kansas and our comfort zones.

Kantra's story, The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale, is a delightful and heartwarming novel that reimagines a modern version of the Wizard of Oz. Dororty is struggling in life and sets off to Ireland. The setting steals the story as the author captures the beauty, charm and its people. It's wonder and magic flow from the pages.

Ireland provides a home for Dorothy with its quirky cast of characters. They provide the much needed support and acceptance she's been searching for in her life.

Strongly recommend the audio option to capture the accents and experience of its setting.

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for the complimentary copy.

Read if you like:
💛 Romances
👠 Wizard of Oz
📚 Modern Retellings
🌶️ Fade to Black Spice
🍎 Disgraced student after scandal with professor
🇮🇪 Books set in Ireland

This book has me hooked at set in Ireland and further hooked with the idea of the wizard of Oz retelling with the themes of friendship, adventure, and facing your fears all with some romance mixed in!

I love how each of the main characters was portrayed through the retelling of Wizard of Oz and how this was an “adult” version where our Dorothy gets to find love along the way.

All in all, this was a fun and different romance and recommend it to anyone that loves books set in Ireland or loves the Wizard of Oz and likes a little sparkle with their romance!

Thanks so much Berkley Romance for my ARC in exchange for my honest review!

After the passing of Dorothy’s mother, Dorothy “Dee” and her sister live with Uncle Henry and Aunt Em in Kansas. In graduate school, Dorothy has an affair with a faculty member that ends in heartbreak and humiliation. Trying to escape the negative publicity and attention, Dee moves to Ireland and applies to the writing program at Trinity College in Dublin. Dee makes new friends and gains confidence in making decisions about her future.

Do you appreciate a modern reimagining? For me, it depends and my reading experiences vary. The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale is inspired by The Wizard of Oz. I enjoyed matching the contemporary characters with their Wizard of Oz counterparts. There’s Aunt Em, of course, seemingly brainless Sam, distant and heartless-at-first-glance Tim Woodman, and loyal Reeti who needs a shot of courage. An entertaining part of the story is to notice the many (and sometime too on-the-nose) Wizard of Oz callbacks (including the cover, the title, and her journey to the “Emerald Isle”). This story could stand on its own well without the retelling aspect.

Thoughtful themes include self-discovery, following your dreams, a fresh start, facing your fears, gaining confidence, healing, home, friendship, and a side of romance (closed door).

Content Consideration: toxic, manipulative relationship

Fans of modern reimaginings will enjoy The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale with its likable characters and substantial themes.

Thanks #NetGalley @BerkleyPub for a complimentary e ARC of #TheFairytaleLifeOfDorothyGale upon my request. All opinions are my own.

I probably should have read the description of this before reading the book. It was adorable, but not what I was expecting so it left me a little disappointed. I loved the Wizard of Oz. When I was a child I wanted to be Dorothy Gale from Kansas... so you can understand my excitement. I also thought this book was adorable, although it moved way too slowly at times for me. The characters were cute and I did like the alignment to the Wizard of Oz and the characters. However, I was really hoping this had more to do with the original Dorothy. If you are looking for a slower read, with enjoyable characters who grow and change drastically, definitely give this a try!

Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale is the first Wizard of Oz retelling I’ve ever read, and I loved seeing these new, contemporary characters and figuring out which Oz character they correspond to. If you’ve seen the movie (as I have) or even read the books (alas, I have not), it’s usually immediately clear who each character represents in this novel. But I also love that, instead of leaving Kansas for a fantasy realm, our Dorothy goes to Ireland, the Emerald Isle rather than the Emerald City.

Dee Gale is a compelling protagonist, full of different nuances and positive attributes and things she could work on, and it makes her feel real. She’s running away from what readers can probably tell was a really toxic relationship… even if Dee still doesn’t totally see it that way. Grayson Kettering is terrible, and seeing what Dee went through, what inspired her move across the Atlantic, is something straight out of #MeToo. But Dee has some growing to do before she can finally move on from that tragic relationship.

One of my favorite aspects of The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale is how much Dee is always thinking about her own creative writing. She’s at Trinity to earn her master’s and finally finish her novel, with classmates and mentors to help along the way. I enjoyed the discussions around auto-fiction, confidence, the difficulty of receiving feedback on your work, and developing the characters and plot, sometimes even putting them into a new genre altogether. Dee has some wonderful conversations with her friend Sam, himself a writer, though he’s given up on his own ambitions in the past decade.

Speaking of, the supporting cast here is wonderful. While most of the chapters are from Dee’s first-person perspective, we also get third-person chapters from both Sam and Tim. (Reeti and Toni don’t get their own chapters.) These extra insights add new dimensions to the novel and make it fuller. Sam is our Scarecrow, a man who is smart and talented but has deluded himself into thinking he can’t aim for more. Our Tin Man is named Tim, a man with scars (both physical and emotional) from fighting in the war. And Reeti is the Cowardly Lion, with fears of telling her Sikh parents about her true career goals after finishing her degree. Dee’s younger sister is Toni (nickname: Toto), 18 years old and ready to take a very different path than what overprotective Dee wants for her. I loved all of these characters, but my favorite was Tim. This man bakes! All of the treats he made throughout the novel—Chelsea buns, lavender scones, chocolate chip cookies, muffins—made me hungry! Dee would be a fool to give him up!

Some character and plot arcs were surprising to me, especially the one involving Glenda Norton. But I loved how the author brought everyone to life, constructing a world that is vivid and full of rich emotional depth. These aren’t flat characters or direct throw-ins from The Wizard of Oz. Rather, they all stand on the own and make for an inspired, thoughtful, heartfelt novel.

The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale is the contemporary Wizard of Oz retelling I never knew I needed. I loved the setting in Dublin, all of the characters, and the numerous themes that are explored throughout. It’s a work of women’s fiction with some healthy doses of romance, and I adored every bit of it.

This is my first Virginia Kantra book and I really, really enjoyed this wonderful re-imagined modern day tale of The Wizard Of Oz! There are nods to the magical story but if you haven’t read it, watched the movie,or aren’t a fan, The Fairytale Life of Dorthy Gale is still a story you are going to want to read! It has so much heart and Kantra’s writing really draws you and I know you are going to love the character development and the Ireland scenery as much as I did!

This time of year I am always looking for holiday reads and getting myself into the holiday spirit. While I am a huge lover of romantic stories, I am always looking for books that have a bit more going on than just the romance and this read was absolutely perfect! I also look for books that have the holidays in the storyline but need more happening with the plot and the characters. Dee and her adventures to Ireland and all the characters met that need perfectly!

One of my favorite festive movies is The Holiday. This is largely because, like the holiday books I look for, the movie has the holidays in it, but that is not the central plot line. I also love this movie and watch it every year, because of Kate Winslet’s character, Iris. Iris is thoughtful and kind but also insecure and vulnerable and not the leading character in her own life and that is exactly like Dee in this book. Both women have the best hearts and have so many lovable qualities but do not love themselves and I love going along with them on their journey of self discovery and growth!

Dee is from Kansas, and an aspiring writer, and she gets herself into a bit of a mess with a college professor. She finds herself in a pretty bad place with negative publicity and heartache and decides to move to Emerald Isle Ireland. There she meets a cast of characters that will steal your heart, and help her along on her journey. You also get to meet her sister, and I loved how their dynamic is explored. There is so much these characters have been through and I love how they grow and support each other. I also loved getting a glimpse into Dee’s writing process. The story within a story is one of my favorite themes!

I also really enjoyed the setting of this story so much! I have always wanted to go to Ireland and Kantra’s descriptions really make you feel like you are right alongside Dee while she goes to bookstores and the Trinity college campus and cozy coffee shops. I really recommend you read the Author’s Note to hear more about Kantra’s thoughts about the book's location.

This book was the perfect read to kick off December! I also really recommend the audio. Rachel L. Jacobs, Damian Gildea, and Christian Coulson really bring the story to life and I love all the different accents!

The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale by Virginia Kantra!

Who likes a good retelling? I do, and this one was great! The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale is the modern-day story of Dorothy Gale, aka Dee.

“After their globe-trotting mother’s death, Dee and her sister Toni settled with Uncle Henry and Aunt Em in Kansas, where Dee attends graduate school. But when Dee’s relationship with a faculty member, a bestselling novelist, ends in heartbreak and humiliation, she’s caught in a tornado of negative publicity. Unable to face her colleagues—or her former lover—Dee applies to the writing program at Trinity College Dublin.

Dee’s journey to Ireland leads her to new companions: seemingly brainless Sam Clery—who dropped out of college and now runs a newsagent’s shop—is charming and hot, in a dissolute, Irish poet kind of way; allegedly heartless Tim Woodman—who stiffly refused to take back his ex-fiancée—seems stuck in his past; and fiercely loyal Reeti Kaur, who longs for the courage to tell her parents she wants to teach underprivileged girls rather than work in the family business.”

I really enjoyed this book! Throughout the whole story, Dee is trying to figure out who she is, where she fits, and what she wants to do. She is trying to take care of her little sister, even from miles away, get over a horrible relationship, and make new friends and connections in her new temporary home.

I loved all the side characters of this one, and the book keeps you wondering how things will all play out. I also loved the connections to the original story, even the smaller details intermixed with this modern story.

4 stars!!!

Virginia Kantra's "The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale" is a delightful and heartwarming tale that reimagines the classic story of The Wizard of Oz in a modern setting. Dorothy "Dee" Gale, a grad student struggling to find her place in the world, embarks on a journey of self-discovery to Ireland.
Kantra's writing is engaging and her characters are well-developed. Dee is a relatable protagonist, and her journey is one that readers will root for. The supporting cast is equally charming, and their relationships with Dee add depth and dimension to the story.

One of the things I loved most about this book was the setting. Kantra vividly captures the beauty and charm of Ireland, and I felt like I was transported there alongside Dee. The Irish setting is not just a backdrop; it plays an integral role in the story, and it adds a touch of magic and wonder.

Another highlight of the book is the found family aspect. Dee finds solace and support in a quirky group of friends, and their unconventional support provides her with the love and acceptance she needs to thrive. The theme of found family is a powerful one, and it resonates deeply in this story.

I also enjoyed the clever retelling of The Wizard of Oz. Kantra pays homage to the classic tale while putting her own unique spin on it. The parallels between Dee's journey and Dorothy's are clear, but the story also stands on its own as a unique and engaging narrative.

The audiobook narration is excellent. The narrators bring the characters to life with their expressive voices and their ability to capture the different accents of the characters. The audiobook is a great way to experience this story,

"The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale" is a delightful and heartwarming read. It's a story about following your dreams, getting out of your comfort zone, and finding your place in the world. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a feel-good story with a touch of magic.

***Big thank you to Berkley and PRH Audio for my gifted copy of this book, all opinions are my own.***

This was a fun take on The Wizard of Oz. It’s a character driven story about Dorothy “Dee” and her journey of self-discovery sprinkled with a little romance.

After Dee’s mother died, she lived in Kansas with her Aunt Em, Uncle Henry and sister. She attended graduate school and was involved with a professor that took advantage of her. Wanting to flee from the situation, Dee gets accepted into a program at Trinity College in Ireland where she meets new people that will help her with her journey of self-discovery and self-worth.

It was such a charming read. I loved how the author mixed characters and elements from the original story and put a modern twist on everything. My only complaint was that the pacing was a little off – at times I couldn’t stop reading and at other times I struggled to get into it. Other than that, I thought it was a clever retelling of The Wizard of Oz.

Virginia Kantra has written two novels that retell Little Women in a contemporary time period. I enjoyed both. When I saw this book and recognized both the author and Dorothy Gale's name, I knew that I wanted to read this one. I am so glad that I did!

Anyone who has read The Wizard of Oz will enjoy feeling like an insider as they pick up on references and themes from Baum's beloved classic. However, those with no familiarity with Oz at all can still relish this novel.

This is a story of dealing with situations that don't go as one wished and then figuring out how to move on, grow and live one's life. Readers will surely be hoping that Dorothy works things out and finds some happiness.

I loved the virtual trip to Dublin, the references to other books and Dorothy (Dee's) story and those of the other characters. Highly recommended for fiction readers.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for this title. All opinions are my own.

The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale by Virginia Kantra is a standalone novel based on a modern reimagining of The Wizard of Oz. We meet Dorothy (Dee) Gale, who with her sister, Toni, grew up with their Uncle Henry and Aunt Em in Kansas. While a student at Kansas University, Dee had a relationship with a professor for a couple of years, only to discover that he wrote a bestselling novel, as she ends up with heartbreak and humiliation. He used their relationship as part of the story, though he did make heinous untruths. Dee is devastated by his betrayal, and decides to make a change of venue, applying to pursue her degree at Emerald Isle’s Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland; she is accepted into a creative writing program at the school.

Upon arriving at Trinity College, she is surprised that the person who accepted her, is now deceased, and she ends up with having to deal with a leader, who is difficult to deal with. In a short time, Dee makes new friends, who are also searching for their own paths. Sam Clery, who runs a store, and has given up on his desire to learn more, as he left the university upon his father’s death. Tim Woodman, a former military man, who lost his heart to a woman who betrayed him. Reeti, who is now Dee’s roommate, is lacking courage to tell her parents that she wants to be a teacher in London. All three of her friends are very supportive of Dee. Dee’s sister leaves school in Kansas and joins her in Dublin; her sister’s name is Toni (close to Toto). 😊 Dee had relationships with both Sam and Tim, but she realized that Tim was her muse.

During her journey, Dee learns of opportunities, changes, friendship, love, as well as challenging herself to open her mind to new ideas in the writing program, with her advisor giving her help to build her confidence, discovering what has been always inside her.

The Fairy Tale Life of Dorothy Gale was heartwarming and charming novel inspired by The Wizard of Oz, but a modern version. It was a fun, entertaining story of self-discovery, with a bit of romance. The Fairy Tale Life of Dorothy Gales was very well written by Virginia Kantra.

The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale by Virginia Kantra is filled with a lot of imagery from the book The Wizard of Oz, including the use of character names. None is more prevalent than the main character Dorothy, who goes by Dee. But her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, who live on a farm in Kansas, are woven throughout, and these set up various themes in the story, with even the mention of good and bad witches and the strength they give to women. Much of the book is set in Ireland, Dee’s Emerald City, and the yellow brick road is featured on the cover.

Dee and her sister had a chaotic childhood. Their mom was a famous artist who traveled the world and died tragically and too young. She and her daughters lived in many places, mostly with friends and family, but the farm in Kansas became Dee and Toni’s home. It was their refuge when life didn’t go as planned and when it ultimately derailed until one or the other could regroup and plan her next steps.

The story was sometimes choppy, with a wealth of characters who we get to know a little at a time. Dee and Toni also get to know themselves and learn to go after what they want. We learn of Dee’s troubles in her graduate program in Kansas and what made her flee to Ireland and Trinity College. She finds her voice, not only in her writing.

Her relationship with others slowly grew as she made friends, found supporters, and learned to trust herself and go after what she wanted. Her friendships with others always seemed to surprise her since it wasn’t the norm for her and she liked how her life was changing. But she also had to let go and not mother her younger sister so much so Toni could forge her own career path and way in the world.

The book took many paths, and several storylines were told, but I felt there were loose ends and only some closure on a couple of fronts. There is some romance and caring, and there seems to be a happily ever after for several characters.

I enjoyed the Questions for Discussion at the back of the book since it made me reflect more on the book and on several levels since many of the questions turned the reader’s thoughts to their own lives.

The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale is a story with fairytale-like feels, stories woven within stories, as many characters nurture friendships and change their interactions with other members of their own family. Many finally find their paths and roles in life, adding layers to the story. I look forward to reading more books by Ms. Kantra.