Tag Archives: Mo Fanning

Book Review: Rainbows and Lollipops by Mo Fanning

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Rainbows and Lollipops by Mo Fanning

A Comedic Fiction Novel published by Spring Street Books (06/12/25)

I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery

Summary:

Multiple POV with three main characters and their stories is told as 6 episodic minis that get entangled between Jake, Vicky, and Lucy. When Jake’s partner suddenly dies, grief is overwhelming. When Vicky takes on new clients someone will threaten her in a new scary way. When Lucy’s perfect wedding isn’t coming to plan, she’ll have to figure out if it’s the fiancee or something else. All three are connected.

Keywords:

Loss, Grief, Friendship, Mystery, Crime, Multiple POV, Gay, Lawyer, Episodic Story

My Review:

At the beginning of the story, the author provides a reader’s guide that describes how the novel merges traditional storytelling with the visual language of a TV screenplay. There are abbreviations that are defined that I had to go back and reference for the first few scenes. I’m not sure the visual language is necessary for the story; however, it’s a clever way to define the environment in a succinct and no-nonsense way.

Time is not linear as the author builds relationships in parts and pieces through the three main characters’ voices: Jake, Vicky, and Lucy. We spend so much time with Jake that it almost feels like being torn away from the story when we move on to Vicky. Soon enough Vicky’s story is just as intriguing as Jake’s. It’s jarring again to jump into Lucy’s story but slowly the connections between the three people are revealed and I highly enjoyed all three points of view.

It’s truly a house of cards in this entanglement of threads between Vicky, Jake, and Lucy. The three stories are connected but distinct just like the three characters are similar but unique in their own ways.

Vicky is a trans, Black, and an exceptional lawyer. “She is overworked, under-loved, hoping to make named partner but knowing the title would likely go to someone far less capable and far more male. And white.” (Page 83).

Jake had a loved one, a stable home, and a future before everything fell apart when his partner Tom suddenly died. Grief will hit him in all the ways. As a reader, we can recognize the stages and know that until Jake has a fresh start with a fresh home he won’t be able to move on. It is especially hard for Jake because he questions the life and love he had. Jake needs to find his voice and himself through his grief.

Lucy Penrose is the annoying friend who you need in your life. She seems to create her own problems in her life. This time it’s the fiancée Colin. Lucy has only known him for a short time but is already committed to marrying the man. While planning her dream wedding she’ll find out Colin has more baggage than she realized and that there’s something up with her future mother-in-law.

The author’s writing has a wonderful flow and there are many, many wisdom nuggets about love, friendship, grief, and bravery in this book. As a reader, I feel like I learned so much about the human condition and how to be wise real, and human. If you love contemporary novels or tragicomedies like After Life, you will enjoy this book.

This novel was published by Spring Street Books 06/12/25 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.75

Links for more information:

Mo Fanning’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: Rebuilding Alexandra Small by Mo Fanning

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Rebuilding Alexandra Small by Mo Fanning

A Comedic Fiction Novel published by Spring Street Books (06/04/21)

First reviewed through Reedsy Discovery

Summary:

Allie Small was an alcoholic. Now she’s been sober for years, is married to a rising-star athlete, and is trying for a baby. Everything is on the up and up until she finds out that her husband has been having an affair with their fertility doctor. Not only that, but somehow the media keeps getting ahold of all the most sordid details of Allie’s troubles. It appears that someone from her past has it out for her.

Keywords:

WAG, Alcoholism, Press, Rumor, Gossip, Work, Love, Backstabbing, Media

My Review:

This book was refreshing, but at the same time had me biting my nails with mild anxiety. I never knew what was going to befall the main character Allie next. Nothing terrible happens to her, but every day some new annoyance, mishap, snide comment, or bullying occurs. At times I felt sorry for Allie and at other times I blamed her. Allie is not perfect, hasn’t always made great decisions, and sometimes lashes out. She’s like one version of ourselves, the version we are always trying to hide. Yet even then, I envy her. Allie doesn’t suppress herself. She reacts. She says what she shouldn’t and acts on impulse… but not all the time. She is trying to pick up her pieces and move on with her life, except she’s been thrust into a state of limbo. Mo Fanning has cleverly crafted this complex environment for Allie and I was enthralled watching the ups and downs of her everyday life within this environment. I was forever guessing what she would do or say next. I couldn’t put the book down. I was very curious about what was going to happen next. My life feels like it’s so different from Allie’s and I found her absolutely fascinating.

Allie is a WAG, thrust into the media and spotlight (mostly for her shortcomings or any negative drama surrounding her) because she’s married to a well-known athlete. Every time someone recognizes Allie on the street, I was not shocked at the interactions, but disgusted by the media’s negative portrayal of her. This is a reality of pop news and it was maddening to see Allie have to deal with this type of bullying. Allie wasn’t always nice to others growing up, so perhaps the way people see her and treat her now might be some kind of karma, but she doesn’t deserve it! Nobody does. The small window into the nasty way celebrities and those in the media are treated was both fascinating and saddening.

I felt like I was reading a mid-life crisis in action. Allie runs the gamut of moods, from hopeful to impassive to angry and worked up.

I was intrigued by Allie’s relationship with her husband, her friends, and people in the media. The book features heavy dialogue that is well-written and really tells the whole story.

For those who love some good gossip and day-to-day comedic tragedy, this is the book for you!

This novel was published by Spring Street Books 06/04/21 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.50

Links for more information:

Mo Fanning’s Website

Goodreads