Helena Smole

*The author provided me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review which follows*

Izzy the Dwarf works for the circus. He is a kindly soul, one who looks out for the needs of others. Like many humans who work, Izzy has a boss that is difficult to get along with. All the boss seems to worry about is money. He even neglects the needs of others – especially his secretary, Miss Catherine who suffers from a stuttering malady.

A compassionate person, Izzy takes it upon himself to help Miss Catherine stop stuttering. He discovers that when she sings she does not stammer. After a brief visit to Central Park where Izzy has a telepathic visit with the Wizard of Singing from the Wood of Aquarius, he is able to sing melodies, just as the boss wanted him to. In no time at all, Izzy has instituted a Sunday singing session at the circus to help Miss Catherine.

During one of these singing sessions, Izzy meets Vivvy, a lovely girl who used to sing in a choir. The boss loves Vivvy’s singing and she is hired to sing with Izzy each Sunday. The two develop a friendship and Izzy realizes that Vivvy is the first human he has ever known in any great depth. It is no surprise then when Vivvy meets Felix and they fall madly in love, all with the blessings of Izzy, of course.

This is a fairy tale within a fairy tale. Vivvy and Izzy go through the normal ups and downs of a relationship. The difference is that Izzy the Dwarf through his friendship with Vivvy helps the couple understand themselves and their relationship. Isn’t that what friends are for?

Recommendation:

This is one of the most unusual approaches I have seen in the writing of a fantasy romance novel. Izzy, the Dwarf has access to many magical interventions that he could have used to assist the couple in their life journey. Instead, he consults with the wizards and turns that advice around to where the couple must figure out their issues on their own. Vivvy and Felix are on a journey of self-discovery. They are forced to come to grips with their childhood, how they feel about each other, and even their friendship with Izzy.

My favorite part of the book is when Vivvy acknowledges her feelings for Izzy and the friendship that he gives her. It is at that moment that Izzy realizes the importance of listening and being there for someone. He now knows that friendship is more important than all the wisdom found in the world. It turns out Izzy was on a self-discovery journey of his own.

This was a sweet engaging love story. I found it to be a bit predictable but that did not deter from my enjoyment in reading about Vivvy and Felix as their relationship unfolded. I enjoyed Izzy’s part in the story and actually liked that he did not use magic on the couple. It made it seem more realistic that the couple had to figure things out for themselves. It made them human.

If you are looking for a fun and different kind of romance story with a fantasy twist, you will love “Out of the Forest and Into the City.” It is a delightful romp into relationships and learning to love yourself and others.

Character Believability: 4
Flow and Pace: 4
Reader Engagement: 4
Reader Enrichment: 4
Reader Enjoyment: 4
Overall Rate: 4 out of 5 stars
… (más)