DNF at 47%. One star for how it starts and the other for the world, which I do love. But I am done with these two characters.

Sometimes characters in denial are intriguing and sympathetic. Alas, both main characters in this version are being too stupid to tolerate any longer--and one of them studies beings in his graduate program. Really. No wonder you're having trouble, David. (I'm sure Tulip has suffered something emotionally devastating, but I don't have the patience to get to it.) ( )

I came to love this series, but I had little patience for this book (which admittedly was my fault). I was confused throughout the book, no wonder, because the missing piece of the story got revealed in the last chapter. But up until then, I struggled.

On a positive note, I finally got to meet the infamous Clematis. He was first mentioned in book 2 and I was curious ever since. Now that curiosity ramped up.

Bertie and Arthur showed up too, which is always a delight. ( )

The magical, supernatural world of R. Cooper’s ‘Being(s) In Love’ series has fascinated me since the first book – and my addiction has been growing more serious with each volume. Fairies have been around since the beginning of the series - in fact, one of the two main characters in the first book was a half fairy. But their specific behaviors and “rules” have been no more than hinted at, making them more than a little mysterious, possible flighty, and worth a second look. Imagine my delight when I discovered that ‘A Dandelion for Tulip’ has a human falling in love with a full fairy! I couldn’t wait to see what would happen.

David is halfway through the first year of obtaining his PhD, with his topic the role of fairies in classical human literature, so he is not stupid. His best friend is a fairy, so he knows a lot more about who they are than most humans, but the practical implications of all that knowledge elude him. Partly this is because he makes a lot of assumptions about fairies’ short attention spans, and partly he just does not know what signs to look for in Tulip’s behavior. David’s fairy friends all love him because he is so “shiny” – one of the highest compliment they can pay any human or being. He thinks he knows a lot about Tulip from watching him over the years, and he is certain that Tulip is not interested, could never love him, and doesn’t want to “keep him” – the fairy equivalent of mating. David could not be more wrong if he tried!

Tulip wants David desperately. The “shine” is part of it, but he also thinks David is brilliant. But Tulip has some self-confidence issues as well, and he cannot imagine a perfect human like David could possibly be interested in him. And even if he were – Tulip also thinks that David deserves better. Tulip has been involved with a human before, but this did not end well. It only confirmed, in Tulip’s mind, how unworthy he is in general, and that he does not deserve to be with David specifically. But once David’s feelings become evident at a Christmas party, Tulip has to admit that David may be interested in him. Then he has to figure out how to be courageous enough to overcome his reticence so he can respond in kind. I was rooting for him all the way!

These two men are exasperating in their efforts to downplay their own charms, abilities, and strength of character. Each could so clearly see how perfect the other was, but was unable to see the same qualities in themselves. The lack of self-confidence was oozing off the pages and all I could do was hang on for the ride and hope they’d get the message at some point before the end of the book. Their emotional suffering and heartache was so real and things seemed so hopeless… what an emotional roller coaster! As exhausting as it was to see David and Tulip struggle, I loved learning more about fairy culture and seeing these two beat the odds was extra rewarding.

If you like stories about supernatural beings with a somewhat mysterious culture, if you enjoy finding out more about two shy men who have to overcome their past experiences as well as their own nature if they want to be together, and if you’re looking for a love story that is as heartbreaking as it is sweet, then you will probably love this novel as much as I do. It’s deeply emotional, made me cry as well as laugh, and I have rarely cheered on two about-to-be-lovers as much as David and Tulip. They truly deserve their hard-won happy ever after!


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )