A review by sebrittainclark
It's a Fabulous Life by Kelly Farmer

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was a super fun modern retelling of It's a Wonderful Life. Bailey George has been stretched way too thin by the demands her hometown and it's Winter Wonderfest have on her, and she's ready for a much deserved vacation. Instead, a last minute emergency means Bailey's once again in charge of making sure Winter Wonderfest is successful, and even Maria Hatcher's return to the town isn't enough to make Bailey feel anything other than frustrated by her obligations.

I thought the interludes from the magical drag queens, specifically Clara Angel, were super fun and a great way to bring in the angelic element of the movie. I did get fairly frustrated by Bailey and her over-commitment to large projects and inability to say no, but that's kind of the point of the character. It was a fun read that followed the beats of the original story while adding it's own spin.

I really enjoyed both narrators and thought they brought a lot of personality to both Bailey and Clara.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.