A modern day fairy tale for grown up girls, is the subtitle of THE ENCHANTED TRUTH. This is a very short book so I recommend it to anyone who likes a quick read, or who needs a quick lift of inspiration if their day isn't going well, or who just enjoys fairytales.

A Princess has been dumped by her supposed Prince Charming and mopes in her room. While the setting is medieval we can easily transpose the characters to modern life. The girl's fairy godmother appears, as in all the best tales, but on this occasion she gives the girl a sewn leather frog. This toy frog has a pouch into which the girl is to put notes of her decisions, to remind her of what she really needs.

Disgusted by this non-answer to her heartbreak, the Princess at first throws the frog on the floor. But the next charming prince turns out to have a handsome carriage but a wandering eye, so the princess starts to make a list all right, of all that a prince should be. She stores the notes in the frog. The handsome, valiant courtiers she next meets are either braggarts or don't treat her with respect - more for the list! Seeing through young men like this encourages the girl to go out and get on with having fun, either on her own or with girlfriends, dancing, skating and doing sporty things, until the frog has shown the girl the truth of what her life can be without needing to have a boyfriend to depend upon for happiness.

THE ENCHANTED TRUTH is a funny, lively little tale from Kym Petrie which may be just right to give a young adult girl you know for a Christmas or birthday present. Make sure to read it yourself as well, and tell yourself how great you really are.