Fairy Tale Interrupted: A Memoir of Life, Love, and Loss

RoseMarie Terenzio

Jan 2012 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

Working Girl meets What Remains in this New York Times bestselling, behind-the-scenes story of an unlikely friendship between America’s favorite First Son, John F. Kennedy Jr. and his personal assistant, a blue-collar girl from the Bronx. Featured in the documentary I Am JFK Jr.!

From the moment RoseMarie Terenzio unleashed her Italian temper on the entitled nuisance commandeering her office in a downtown New York PR firm, an unlikely friendship bloomed between the blue-collar girl from the Bronx and John F. Kennedy Jr.

Many books have sought to capture John F. Kennedy Jr.’s life. None has been as intimate or as honest as Fairy Tale Interrupted. Recalling the adventure of working as his executive assistant for five years, RoseMarie portrays the man behind the icon—patient, protective, surprisingly goofy, occasionally thoughtless and self-involved, yet capable of extraordinary generosity and kindness. She reveals how he dealt with dating, politics, and the paparazzi, and describes life behind the scenes at George magazine. Captured here are her memories of Carolyn Bessette, how she orchestrated the ultra-secretive planning of John and Carolyn’s wedding on Cumberland Island—and the heartbreak of their deaths on July 16, 1999, after which RoseMarie’s whole world came crashing down around her. Only now does she feel she can tell her story in a book that stands as “a fitting personal tribute to a unique boss . . . deliriously fun and entertaining” (Kirkus Reviews).

Ratings and reviews

Did I read the same book as some of you? Ms. Terenzio is undoubtedly a very insecure, self-absorbed woman. I learned very little about JFK Jr. and Carolyn that I had not already heard or read. While they were a substantial part of this tome, they definitely took a back seat to the author herself. This woman used the tragic deaths of JFK Jr. and Carolyn for her own self-promotion. Shame on you.The writing and editing in this book is quite poor. Her need to include pictures and notes from alleged celebrities to her is nothing more than further proof of her pathetic need for recognition and validation. Can we really believe that she was given the level of access she asserts after the couple died so tragically, considering the status of the entire Kennedy clan? Nobody had ever heard of her until this book was published. Seems like somebody is taking liberties with the truth, Rosie!How classy of Ms. Terenzio to include the recollection that JFK Jr. gave her the finger at the White House Correspondents Dinner. I am sure the Kennedy family appreciates her sharing of that moment, and JFK Jr. would be so pleased at her choice of happy memories. If you must read the book, do yourself a favor and borrow it from a library or a friend. Do not waste a penny on this book!

Interesting book. However here are some complaints. First of all RoseMarie really needs to get over her lovefest with Howard Stern. Doesn't she know he is a total douchebag??? I was also tired of her calling Kennedy the "most famous man in the world". I beg to differ. Did she never hear of Michael Jackson who actually had talent and made such a difference in the world and really was considered the most famous man in the world.. The truth is that JFK, Jr. was not an exceptional person. He was very immature in many ways, not funny (such as calling her idiot etc. like a ten year old) and dangerously impulsive. That is why he is dead. He had some wonderful qualities like most people and he had his last name.

Made JFK jr a real funny person and made to feel like he really was just like the rest of us. Enjoyed

About the author

RoseMarie Terenzio is the New York Times bestselling author of Fairy Tale Interrupted and the former executive assistant to John F. Kennedy Jr. She served as JFK Jr.’s chief of staff at George magazine and oversaw his public relations and philanthropic causes until his death in 1999. Terenzio is the executive producer of Paramount Network’s I Am JFK, Jr. She is from New York City, where she lives and works as a strategic communications professional.