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Kimberly Karalius
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Love Fortunes and Other Disasters (Grimbaud, 1) Paperback – May 12, 2015

by Kimberly Karalius (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 54 ratings
See all formats and editions

This whimsical, fairy tale of a novel stars fascinating, quirky characters, a dash of magical realism, and a unique setting sure to charm the hearts of readers young and old.

Love is real in the town of Grimbaud and Fallon Dupree has dreamed of attending high school there for years. After all, generations of Duprees have successfully followed the (100% accurate!) love fortunes from Zita's famous Love Charms Shop to happily marry their high school sweethearts. It's a tradition. So she is both stunned and devastated when her fortune states that she will NEVER find love.

Fortunately, Fallon isn't the only student with a terrible love fortune, and a rebellion is brewing. Fallon is determined to take control of her own fate―even if it means working with a notorious heartbreaker like Sebastian.

Will Fallon and Sebastian be able to overthrow Zita's tyranny and fall in love?

Debut author Kimberly Karalius delivers a delightfully charming story of love and rebellion in Love Fortunes and Other Disasters, chosen by readers like you for Macmillan's young adult imprint Swoon Reads.

Praise for Love Fortunes and Other Disasters:

"An unusual love story that will delight readers."―School Library Journal

"I am now a walking, talking heart-eye emoji after reading this book.” ―Catherine Tinker, reader on SwoonReads.com

"The writing is delicious, and the plot clever and new." ―Janelle, reader on SwoonReads.com

Previous page
  1. Reading age
    12 - 18 years
  2. Book 1 of 2
    Grimbaud
  3. Print length
    368 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Grade level
    2 - 9
  6. Lexile measure
    HL710L
  7. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.82 x 8.5 inches
  8. Publisher
    Swoon Reads
  9. Publication date
    May 12, 2015
  10. ISBN-10
    125004720X
  11. ISBN-13
    978-1250047205
  12. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up—Fallon Dupree dreams about falling in love. Starting high school in the town of Grimbaud is the first step to finding a perfect match because in Grimbaud, love charms from Zita's Lovely Love Charms are a guarantee to happiness. Devastation awaits the protagonist when she unfurls her fortune to discover that her love will never be requited. This is far from the flawless start to high school Fallon envisioned. However, rebellion is brewing and she is invited to participate in a secret charms club with select students harmed by their love charms, including heartbreaker Sebastian. The goal—dethrone Zita's love charms and prove that everyone deserves to find love. Fallon's heart is on her sleeve and she is sure that romantic happiness is around the corner. Initially heartbroken by her fortune, soon she is ready to take up arms against Zita and put the power of love back in her own hands. Fallon's growing independence is a welcome dose of realism in this magic-infused story. As her relationship expectations grow beyond the idea of true love, the heroine starts to appreciate her friends more and better understand Sebastian. The writing style matches the tone of the story, adding ambiance to Grimbaud and Fallon's quest. VERDICT An unusual love story that will delight readers. Purchase where romance books are in high demand.—Sarah Wethern, Douglas County Library, Alexandria, MN

Review

“An unusual love story that will delight readers.” ―School Library Journal

"Utterly charming. Love Fortunes and Other Disasters is the kind of book you sit down and read and are immediately swept away into a realistic magical world where love charms usually work, the small shops contain hidden secrets and Love is on everyone’s mind every day. I am infatuated.” ―The Windy Pages

"Definitely one of my favorites of the year. I am now a walking, talking heart-eye emoji after reading this book.” ―Catherine Tinker, reader on SwoonReads.com

“Kim's work is full of magic, wonder, adventure and excitement.” ―MochiManiac, Swoon Reader

“The writing is delicious, and the plot clever and new. The story rings true, consistent and soundly set in the realm of magical-realism. Definitely swoonworthy!” ―Janelle, Swoon Reader

“A whimsical, dreamy breath of fresh air.” ―Kristianna, Swoon Reader

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Swoon Reads (May 12, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 125004720X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250047205
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 12 - 18 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ HL710L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 2 - 9
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.1 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.82 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 54 ratings

About the author

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Kimberly Karalius

Kimberly Karalius

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Kimberly Karalius holds an MFA in fiction from the University of South Florida, and has been sharing stories on Figment.com with a strong following of enthusiastic readers since the site's conception. Although Kimberly lives in sunny Florida, she prefers to stay indoors and sometimes buys a scarf in the hopes of snow. She loves watching really old cartoons and silent films. Being in Florida certainly has one big perk: going to Disney World. Which she does. Frequently. Love Fortunes and Other Disasters is her debut novel.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
54 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

lbeanburrito
5.0 out of 5 stars As a cynic who has often thought that love might just not be in the cards
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2018
Verified Purchase
As a cynic who has often thought that love might just not be in the cards, this book reinforced this naive thought that perhaps the person I let go before just wasn't meant to be the person I am with thereafter. I think it introduces this fantasy that love is a part of our lives despite the statistics these days or our personal bias on love and relationships. It introduces you to this world that there is love, and people are dependent on it. That it isn't a commercialized event to capitalize on like Fourth of July, or Christmas. That love used to mean something to people, in all the meaning of the word.
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Emily Levin
5.0 out of 5 stars Manic Pixie Dream Boy <3
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2015
Verified Purchase
The magical realism-touched world is beautifully crafted and totally enchanting. The premise is unique and absorbing. I also have to give mad props for the deft way the author reverses traditional literary (especially YA) gender roles--the male love interest has a touch of manic pixie dream boy about him, which just makes my heart grow three sizes. The heroine is much more confident in herself, her choices, and her heart--it's a refreshing change of pace for perennial YA readers who may be tired of "adorably awkward" characters.

I blew through this--it's a sweet, satisfying read. Definitely recommend.
2 people found this helpful
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aashna
3.0 out of 5 stars good.
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2017
Verified Purchase
the book was good but i was expecting so much more..all in all a good read!
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yuniesan
5.0 out of 5 stars No one should rule over love ever! I would love to know about Fallon ...
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2015
Verified Purchase
I absolutely adored this book. No one should rule over love ever! I would love to know about Fallon and Sebastian's future. But for now I'm happily content with how the story ended. It's cute and has a lot of turns I wasn't expecting but in the end I was happy and wished for the same kind of love that these two fought so hard for!
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Book Binger
4.0 out of 5 stars Love Fortunes and Other Disasters: Dreamily Romantic and Fanciful
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2016
Verified Purchase
A young girl rebels against tradition in Love Fortunes and Other Disasters by Kimberly Karalius, a fairy tale-like love story. Magical and unique, the characters, setting and plot will charm you.

The fictional town of Grimbaud has a romantic magical tradition. When a teen enters high school, the teen must go to Zita’s famous Love Charms Shop and get a love fortune. The fortune will either predict a love match with their high school sweetheart or a life without love.

Fallon Dupree has just left home to attend high school. Fallon is excited to leave home and meet other teens. But she’s nervous about getting her fortune. When Fallon reads her fortune, she’s shocked and devastated. Her fortune predicts that her love will never be requited.

The De Keyser twins approach Fallon and a few others about their “unfortunate fortunes” at school. The twins convince Fallon to not accept Zita’s fortune but, instead, make her own choices.

At one of the rebellion meetings, Fallon meets Sebastian Barringer, a handsome boy known for breaking hearts. At first, Fallon sees Sebastian as a “smooth-talking, shallow boy”. But the more she gets to know him, the more she likes him.

As the teens investigate Zita, they uncover an old vendetta and mystery.

Karalius ‘s crisp writing and quaint setting set the tone for the book. Fallon describes Grimbaud as a whimsical town decorated with cobbled-stone streets, buildings dating back to medieval times, and gaudy stone cupids and storks. Charm shops that look like gingerbread houses are plentiful. And, in the town’s center stands Zita’s shop painted the color pink lemonade.

The book’s odd main characters, Fallon and Sebastian, fit easily into this setting. Fallon is a kind-hearted, quirky girl. Outside Sebastion’s door, she leaves boxes of tissue for his crying ex-girlfriends and shares her home-made lunches with her friends.

Because Fallon’s parents are health inspectors and her brother is a clothing inspector, Fallon is phobic about food and clothing. Others notice this on the first day of school when she refuses to eat the principal’s under-cooked casserole or wear the schools’ cheap T-shirt. Because of this, she’s labeled Grimbaud High’s princess.

Sebastian has a reputation for breaking girl’s hearts. He takes them on one date and then refuses to see them again. But he’s not the villain he seems, as Fallon discovers. There’s a reason for his behavior–a deadly secret he cannot reveal to anyone, especially Fallon.

Dreamily romantic and fanciful, this book offers light-hearted escapism.
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Kate
5.0 out of 5 stars What are you waiting for?
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2015
Verified Purchase
There is nothing more adorable than this book. If you're looking for a light weekend read that will leave you swooning, you're in the capable hands of Kimberly Karalius. Her characters will leave you smiling from beginning to end.
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