THE PERFECT MATCH

Cory, ex–tooth fairy and a Cupid’s granddaughter, returns with her matchmaking bow and arrow in this fairy-tale series’ second installment.

During a housesitting stint for Mrs. Bruin, one of the three bears, Cory catches Goldilocks eating porridge in the bears’ kitchen. At first Cory is annoyed that Goldilocks insists that Cory set her up on a date with Jack Horner. As Cory predicts, that date fails, but in a vision, Cory sees Goldilocks’ true love, Prince Rupert. Alas, Rupert is betrothed to Princess Lillian. Luckily, Cory and her band, Zephyr, are hired to play at the prince’s wedding, where Cory might have a chance to fulfill Goldilocks and Rupert’s romantic destiny. While Baker has a solid track record with her popular princess and fairy-tale books, her prose here feels like it’s on autopilot. Events come off as clichéd, such as the scene where Cory seeks her grandfather’s advice. Instead of potential relationship gold mine opportunities, Lionel gives Cory old-hat advice such as “follow your heart,” and “do what you feel is right.” Cory’s ongoing troubles with the Tooth Fairy Guild, introduced in Book 1, heat up but are not resolved. Some bright lights are an out-of-control water nymph, Rina, and a talking woodchuck, Weegie.

Unless readers are die-hard Baker fans, they should leave this tale on the shelf. (Fantasy. 8-12)