Fairy Tale Interrupted: A Memoir of Life, Love, and Loss Paperback – July 10, 2012

I always read reviews prior to ordering a book. After all, why waste your time on something that has an overwhelmingly bad rating? Well, this is one book I am so very pleased to have read. I was curious to learn of the intellectual side of John Kennedy, Jr. and this book certainly lets you see just how intellectual he was, despite the names he was called during his post-college years - especially when the press referrred to him as "stupid" or "dumb" because he had to take the bar exam multiple times before he passed. No, the book does not let you in on the everyday details of his love-life, nor does it shed more than a passing light upon his relationship with his mother, sister or other relatives. What is does reveal is his sensitive side, his caring for his friends and employees, his generosity and his dedication to his magazine venture: "George".Yes, being written by his personal assistant, from her point of view, it is a lot about her. She reveals her personal feelings a bit more than she reveals every little nitty-gritty minute detail about John but that is part of the charm of this tale. You will learn an eye-opening lot of facts regarding John and his business world and you will learn a lot more about his girlfriend, and then wife, Carolyn. The insight into Carolyns' personality was delightful. I would have been disappointed if this had simply been a "tell-all" book. Instead the author draws you in to her world: first her life & personal background and then into the world she shared on a daily basis with her boss John Kennedy, Jr. It is a happy book and of course a sad story when the tragic accident happens. I am so glad that I had the chance to see, from an insiders view how it all played out.Do not nit-pick any vocabulary mistakes, or run-on sentences -- just read and enjoy. The author was not Ivy League educated nor born with a silver spoon in her mouth. She comes across as a very sincere woman who just happened to be in the right place at the right time to meet the son of American royality. Her book is a sincere account of her life and the wonderous days she spent working in the enchanting world of a Kennedy until the fairy tale was indeed interrupted. I do so highly recommend reading this book.

This story is as personal as it gets. The tragic ending for all is extremely well written & entirely moving. It's punch will stay with me a long, long time.

John F. Kennedy Jr. had an extraordinary life. One that was forever in the public eye, until it was tragically cut short by a plane accident in the waters off Martha's Vineyard in July 1999.Leading up to that fateful day, there was much speculation about his marriage to Carolyn Bessette, whom was also lost on that flight, along with her sister, Lauren. And whether the magazine founded by John F. Kennedy Jr., 'George', would survive the brutally competitive magazine industry.It took more than 12 years for John and Carolyn's closest confidant and friend to write a book about their fairy tale, that was so heartbreakingly interrupted.'Fairy Tale Interrupted' is a memoir by RoseMarie Terenzio, who first met John F. Kennedy Jr. when she was working at a boutique PR agency in New York City. Mr Kennedy started making frequent visits to meet her boss, secretly plotting a new venture. It wasn't long before John moved into their offices that the two of them struck up a mutually respectful and trusting relationship.The blue-collar girl from the Bronx was ultimately offered the role of assistant to John who became the editor-in-chief and co-founder of the new socio-political magazine named after the first President of the United States, George Washington.Ms Terenzio paints an intimate portrait of her relationship with not only John, but his wife, Carolyn Bessette. How they all became close friends and how often-times, RoseMarie acted as a go-between for the couple. Organizing appointments, arranging travel, and being the steadfast gatekeeper they both needed to cope with the demands of their professional and personal lives.Contrary to media reports circulating at the time, especially after John and Carolyn were secretly wed in Georgia, the author describes Carolyn as a loving, caring and protective woman, who not only doted on John but also supported, inspired and confided in RoseMarie.It's true this so-called 'royal couple' had arguments and fights; they were largely about the harsh public life Carolyn had to endure, which John had learned in his life to just shrug off and take in his stride.A revelation in the book is how brutal the paparazzi were toward Carolyn. Suggesting she wasn't good enough for John F. Kennedy Jr. and often calling out curse words and names at her, just to get a reaction. The kind of behavior and attention Carolyn struggled with.In the book, RoseMarie, explains that Carolyn was "exhausted" and didn't want to go to Hyannis to attend a family wedding with John. He desperately wanted her to be there, and solicited help from RoseMarie to talk Carolyn into making the trip. Now, in hindsight, the author regrets she had succeeded in convincing Carolyn to go on that fateful flight.It was RoseMarie who was staying at their New York City apartment that weekend John's plane disappeared. She writes of how she first learned of the missing couple late that Friday night. A moving, memorable account of suspended disbelief and denial. They must have changed plans, the worst couldn't possibly be happening.Asked why it took so long to write this book, RoseMarie explained although she had earlier been approached to tell her story, she wanted more time to pass. To write about 'her' fairy tale interrupted, to be true to John and Carolyn, and not write the kind of scandalous story that was expected at the time.Reading through 'Fairy Tale Interrupted', I often thought of the tribute given by Senator Edward M. Kennedy, John's uncle, at the Church of St. Thomas More in New York City, July 23, 1999.Senator Kennedy said that John had "found his shining star when he married Carolyn Bessette.""His beautiful young wife -- the new pride of the Kennedys -- would cheer for John's team and delight her nieces and nephews with her somersaults.""We dared to think, in that other Irish phrase, that this John Kennedy would live to comb gray hair, with his beloved Carolyn by his side. But like his father, he had every gift but length of years."Like a true friend, RoseMarie Terenzio, in writing this book, has lived up to her responsibility of protecting a legacy and enlightening us.This book is one that would have made both John and Carolyn proud. At times funny, loving, fascinating. But also, deeply moving and heart breaking.

Great background & insight into John John. I have read a few other books on this topic and this one stands out

This book is an excellent read, very well written and super interesting. It’s filled with information that has not previously been available to the public. Rose Marie fills this book with thoughtful remarks and personal messages that JFK Jr. wrote to her.

Ms Terenzio writes from the heart and you can feel it. Honest, sincere; a lovely tribute to two beautiful souls.

Der die Kennedys liebt, wird auch dieses Buch lieben. Die Autorin war die persönliche Assistentin von John jr. Kennedy und beschreibt ihren weg dorthin und wie ihr Alltag mit John und dessen Frau verlief bis zu deren tragischen Unfalltod. Es werden auch einige tränen beim lesen vergossen werden. Obwohl auf Englisch ist das Buch sehr verständlich geschrieben für einen nicht Native Speaker.

I felt compelled to write this review given that I am also an Executive Assistant, working in London, UK albeit not quite on the same levels as RoseMarie. I absolutely loved this book and felt it to be a fascinating insight into not just RoseMarie's working life but also her upbringing as well, rising from the Bronx to working for the equivalent of America's Royal Family which is certainly how we saw the Kennedy's in the UK is no mean feat and is a result of her determination and hard work and is an inspiration to us all.So often EAs/PAs get accused of having affairs with our bosses because of the closeness of our working relationships but for the vast majority of us that is simply not the case. It is the most intense working relationship within any working environment and it has to be that way in order for us to do our jobs successfully. It is also a huge honour to be trusted at this level with someone's personal and professional lives and know that with the success our bosses enjoy that we have played a huge part in making that happen. Would George have got off the ground in the way it did without RoseMarie?It is very clear throughout this book how much JFK Jnr valued RoseMarie and also Carloyn as well. This is a huge compliment to any EA to be trusted at this level. Being an EA (if you get the right boss) is one of the most rewarding roles you can undertake. I chuckled to myself when RoseMarie had to put JFK Jnr in his place from time to time or took him to task over certain matters - that is part of the role but tough for any PA to be able to do that to someone like him but it is clear that it is exactly what he needed from her and actually really liked.If you are not tough in this role you will get eaten alive - the gatekeeping part we can all relate to and every Tom, Dick and Harry trying to get a meeting in or your boss to attend an event and RoseMarie had plenty of that to deal with.Now put yourself into her position when you hear the news that the people you are working for have tragically died? I can tell you now that for any EA this would be abosolutely devestating beyond belief (unless you have a bully boss). I know a few PAs here in the UK this has happened to and one was off work for a year grieving and in therapy. People forget about the aftermath for us when something like this happens and mutiply that by 10 times for RoseMarie with the press to deal with to boot. I absolutely commend her for the way she dealt with things and came through an even stronger woman that she already was.Thank you to RoseMarie for sharing more information on what JFK Jnr and Carolyn were like as people, it was so interesting to learn more about them as actual human beings. Their lives were intruded on so much, can you imagine if that had happened now with high profile figures not being able to go literally anywhere or do anything with it ending up on Twitter or Facebook. I know as their EA you will be the person that knew them the best so this book will be accurate believe me..

While I found the book interesting, I kind of got this feeling that she looks down on anyone who wasn't part of the crew. Sure John's admirers were intense but they shouldn't be looked down upon for their admiration. Like most of the books by people who worked for John, the story is of a person that doesn't feel valued finding someone who does value them. I hope that one day there can be a legitimate biography of Carolyn, sans blind admiration or blind hate and rumours.