Once upon a Disappointment Audiobook By Tessa Conway cover art

Once upon a Disappointment

How to Break Free from Fairy Tale Myths to Find Real Happiness

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.

Once upon a Disappointment

By: Tessa Conway
Narrated by: Michol Mae
Try for $0.00

$0.00/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $14.95

Buy for $14.95

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

Happily Ever After? Think Again. Fairy tales, Disney movies, and romantic comedies: we love them, we quote them, and sometimes, we let them ruin our lives. From the idea that a magical romance will solve all your problems to the belief that a single grand gesture can fix a broken relationship, these stories have shaped how we see love, family, careers, and success—and not always for the better. In this sharp, hilarious, and insightful book, Tessa Conway takes a sledgehammer to the myths we've been fed since childhood.

Through laugh-out-loud anecdotes, biting sarcasm, and thoughtful analysis, this book explores many different challenges we face such as some of the following:

  • The Beast Syndrome: Why your love isn’t enough to change a toxic partner.
  • The Prince Charming Illusion Spoiler: Perfect people don’t exist.
  • The Grand Gesture Fallacy: Why a bouquet of roses won’t magically fix your problems.
  • The Love at First Sight Trap: Real connections take more than a meet-cute.

And so much more!

But don’t worry—this book isn’t about giving up on love, dreams, or the idea of a happy ending. It’s about replacing the unrealistic fantasies with something better: real, messy, and fulfilling lives! With a mix of wit, realism, and practical advice, Once Upon a Disappointment doesn’t just call out these myths—it offers a path forward. Together, we'll learn how to break free from the lies we’ve been told, embrace the chaos of real life, and find true beauty and happiness in the small, imperfect moments. Whether you’re a hopeless romantic, a fairy tale skeptic, or somewhere in between, this book will make you laugh, think, and maybe even roll your eyes. Because while real life might not always be a perfect rom-com, it doesn’t mean you can’t write your own happy ending. Are you ready to rewrite the script?

©2025 AM Creative Publishing (P)2025 AM Creative Publishing Love, Dating & Attraction Personal Development Personal Success Relationships Funny Witty
All stars
Most relevant  

Listener received this title free

This audiobook offers a refreshing take on the stories we grew up with. It challenges traditional fairy tale ideals about love, success, and happiness. It's honest, funny, and relatable. Instead of chasing perfection, it encourages us to embrace the messy, imperfect moments that make life real. If "happily ever after" has ever disappointed you, this one is worth a listen.

Breaking Free from Fairy Tale Myths

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

Everyone has probably imagined themselves as the main character of a romance book at least once. This is especially true when that is the picture they want. This is a unique self-development book where you can feel the author's wit and delicacy. If it does not stimulate thoughts or emotions, it naturally gives you the wisdom to deal with the differences between reality and reality through imagination and dreams. Instead, it makes you think by seeing yourself in reality as the main character of a romance created through imagination. It guides you from self-discovery to self-development, from what you hoped for in imagination to what you need as actual results. The point is that fantasy does not remain a fantasy, but you face reality based on it and become wise and mature. I highly recommend it to romantic people. It was a fascinating book.

It was a fascinating book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

After a lifetime of fairy-tale endings that I read in romance novels, this book taught me the power of rewriting the script after disappointment. I even tried the author's "gratitude for the letdown" exercise - writing a short letter to an unmet expectation. That moment of pen to paper was cathartic—I didn't just move on, I leveled up my story.

If you’re ready to find your own happy ending, even when life takes a detour, this one gives you the tools - and the permission - to do it.

Turns Out, I'm My Own Prince

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

I picked this up after a breakup that left me feeling like I’d failed at love. This book helped me see how much pressure I’d put on myself to live out some version of a perfect story. It was honest without being harsh, and it gave me space to reflect on what I actually want—not just what I thought I was supposed to want. I feel more grounded now and a lot less stuck in old patterns.

Let Go of “Perfect” Expectations

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

Have you ever watched a romantic comedy and come away feeling empty and sad? As much as you love to see the dramatic (and funny) love story unfolding on screen, you leave unfulfilled, wondering when you are going to meet "the one." Or maybe you're already in a relationship, but you're not sure if he (or she) is "the one." Then this book is for you.

Shattering the stereotypes of "love at first sight," and "having it all," Tessa Conway advises us to embrace life's messiness and to accept that real love is rarely perfect. And that's okay. Because imperfection is what makes it real. And real is always better than fake.

Big decisions are hardly ever made during the space of a musical montage, and real love doesn't happen in 90 minutes. Forgiveness and compassion can sometimes mean setting boundaries. And that's a good thing.

Tessa offers techniques to accept our sometimes messy lives and even become empowered by them. Mindfulness, meditation, journaling, and fast decision making can transform our lives, avoiding "analysis paralysis."

Becoming the star of your own story, and learning to love yourself is definitely (as Whitney Houston told us in the 80's) "the greatest love of all."

Revelatory and Empowering!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

This audiobook was funny, smart, and refreshingly honest. It completely changed how I look at romance and the unrealistic expectations we grow up with. The author’s sarcasm had me laughing out loud, but the advice was actually solid and relatable. I appreciated the breakdown of common myths and how they really mess with our relationships. Definitely recommend if you're tired of fairy tale nonsense and want something real.

Hilarious Reality Check on Modern Love

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

I devoured this book in a weekend. It’s funny, sharp, and totally calls out all the romantic nonsense we’ve been fed since childhood. The chapter on “fixing the Beast” hit way too close to home—but in the best, most eye-opening way. It doesn’t trash love—it just helps you see it with clearer eyes. If you've ever rolled your eyes at a rom-com but still secretly hoped for one, this book is for you.

Honest, Hilarious and much needed!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

This audiobook is a refreshing and heartfelt take on letting go of unrealistic expectations and finding true happiness. The author gently unpacks the myths we’re often taught to believe about love, success, and fulfillment, replacing them with honest insights and empowering truths. The tone is relatable and warm, making it feel like a wise friend is walking with you. A great listen for anyone ready to stop chasing fairy tales and start embracing real, meaningful joy.

Uplifting Guide to Finding Real-Life Joy

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

I loved this book!! It is so true life isn't perfect and we aren't perfect but there is happiness to be found everywhere! Its a motivating book that captures fairy tales and how to truely get the life we want in reality ourselves by putting our values first and not waiting for someone to save us! Thank you!

Best life book!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

The narration is calm and steady, offering a voice that suits the serious but hopeful tone of the content. Ideas about moving beyond unrealistic expectations are shared in a clear and thoughtful way, without sounding harsh. The pacing is even, making it easy to follow and reflect on the key points. Subtle background music appears at times, adding to the mood without distracting from the message. The audiobook presents a practical look at happiness with a tone that feels both respectful and honest. It delivers real insight with a light, steady touch

Clear Message with Gentle Delivery

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews