Ash lives a rather mundane life. He has a very fulfilling job helping people who have been out of work due to personal crises find jobs. It doesn't pay very much, but it's enough to get by. Since the breakup with his last boyfriend, Ash has been renting an apartment from two aging hippies with a forest in their backyard. One day, gifts start appearing outside Ash's door. They're not fancy, but obviously handmade with love. When Ash meets the maker of the gifts, Clay, he has to start believing in the impossible. And, once you start believing in the impossible, anything can happen.
This is a relatively short and very sweet fairy tale romance. The story is set in contemporary Portland, Oregon. Those familiar with the city will get the many references, which add to the whimsical mood of the tale. Even if you only know the city by reputation, you can still enjoy the story.
The narration is entirely from Ash's point of view. He appears to be a genuinely good person, and it's easy to see why Clay is attracted to him. His life, and especially his work, seems to have prepared him to accept things as they are. When Clay brings Ash into his world, Ash may feel like Alice in Wonderland, but he doesn't resist it too much.
There are, in fact, a lot of direct and indirect references to “Alice in Wonderland” throughout the story, including the title. It provides a handy shorthand for getting into the story while keeping a fast pace. While the story is firmly based in contemporary folklore, it does still manage to be fresh. Clay is not your typical fae character. He has quite an interesting story, which he relates to Ash naturally as the two get to know each other.
“Ash Belives the Impossible” is available from Amazon (commissionable link).
