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Fairy Tale Interrupted  By  cover art

Fairy Tale Interrupted

By: RoseMarie Terenzio
Narrated by: RoseMarie Terenzio
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Publisher's summary

To everyone else, John F. Kennedy Jr. may have been American royalty, but to RoseMarie Terenzio, he was an entitled nuisance—and she wasn’t afraid to let him know it. RoseMarie was his personal assistant, his publicist, and one of his closest confidantes during the last five years of his life. In this, her first memoir, she bravely recounts her own fairy tale interrupted, describing the unlikely friendship between a blue-collar girl from the Bronx and John F. Kennedy Jr.

Funny, moving, and fresh, her memoir is a unique account by the woman who was with him through dating, politics, the paparazzi, and his marriage to Carolyn Bessette. Her street smarts, paired with her loyalty, candor, and relentless work ethic, made her the trusted insider to America’s most famous man.

After John and Carolyn’s tragic, untimely deaths on July 16, 1999, RoseMarie’s whole world came crashing down around her, along with her hopes for the future. Only now does she feel she can tell her story in a book that is at once a moving tribute and a very real picture of her friend and employer.

Many books have sought to capture John F. Kennedy Jr.’s life. None has been as intimate or as honest as Fairy Tale Interrupted, a true portrait of the man behind the icon—patient, protective, surprisingly goofy, occasionally thoughtless and self-involved, yet capable of extraordinary generosity and kindness. She reveals what John really had in mind for his political future, how he handled media attention, and the reality of life behind the scenes at George magazine. She also shares how she dealt with the ultra-secretive planning of John and Carolyn’s wedding on Cumberland Island—and the heartbreak of their deaths.

Fairy Tale Interrupted is a deeply loving story and a fascinating adventure, filled with warmth, humor, insight, and five years’ worth of unforgettable memories.

©2012 Rosemarie Terenzio (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Terenzio's captivating story, told with style and grace, chronicles her time with Kennedy within the glorious but often brutal bubble that encircled his world, and what he taught her about living." ( Publishers Weekly)

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this is a must read<br />

love it love it love it
love it love it love it
i.m only on chaptet 3

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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The inside story from a "No BS" gal

Where does Fairy Tale Interrupted rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This author has a fresh

Who was your favorite character and why?

John Kennedy, Jr., of course.

Which scene was your favorite?

2 Scenes: 1) When John Kennedy took Rose Marie to lunch and dined in a separate table from the other staff. 2) When John Kennedy took Rose Marie to a basketball game for Rose Marie's birthday.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

How America's prince showed grace, despite the burden of life in a fishbowl where all the world demanded a closer view.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed Rose Marie's clever approach to tackling a dragon.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful Read.....new perspective on JFK Jr.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Definitely recommend. Easy read and couldn't stop listening. Gave such a refreshing perspective on JFK Jr.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fairy Tale Interrupted?

Felt like you were actually in the office at "George".....and could almost see JFK at his desk.

Which scene was your favorite?

There were so many wonderful scenes.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not a particular scene but the realization of how much the "rich & famous", and also those who work with them, must give up. I was so moved that Rosie did not attend the wedding, because others from the office were not part of it.....That must have been so hard.

Any additional comments?

My only negative comments are around the quality of the recording. Narration was very good, but there was background noise early in the recording, and also duplicated phrases several times (chapter 8 I think.) This was not the usual excellent recording quality of Audible.
Otherwise, loved it!

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1 person found this helpful

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Beautifully Written and Told

I never knew much about JFK JR until I read this book. I feel I know him and my heart aches for the author. I feel like it’s the closest thing to knowing the truth about him as a person that a reader can get. I couldn’t put it down! Read in 1 day.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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great book, bad audio

I thought the book was great. I truly enjoyed it. However, the audio was bad quality. Whoever did the editing did a horrible job. That it the only downside of this Audiobook.

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King hearted

Too many harsh reviews. I thought it exemplified the author while she worked for a ever famous man, JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, a woman who marked an era. For us Gen X'ers, it couldn't be better. Two beautiful, flawed humans who never reached their potential except in memory.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Story or Love, Loss, and Resistance

This is a story of love, loss, and resilience for anyone who’s every had the rug pulled out from under them. I can totally relate to Rosie’s story and appreciate her sharing it.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed this one

Where does Fairy Tale Interrupted rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

one of the top ten

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fairy Tale Interrupted?

John coming in the office for the first time

Which scene was your favorite?

Christmas for Rosie

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I wanted to spread it out

Any additional comments?

Really enjoyed the insight that Rosie brought into John and Carolines life and character. Well written story

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1 person found this helpful

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Bad Editing

The story was fantastic but editing was terrible and novice. Multiple repeated sentences and audio that sounded like the author and reader were locked in a closet on speakerphone. Made it hard to listen to sometimes and was distracting from the overall beauty of such a great story.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Love this

Raw and touching. I hope she writes more. Great delivery in her reading. I may listen again. I loved it.

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