In a perfect world, sixteen-year-old Phoebe Martins’ life would be a book. Preferably a YA novel with magic and a hot paranormal love interest. Unfortunately, her life probably wouldn’t even qualify for a quiet contemporary.
But when Phoebe finds out that Dev, the hottest guy in the clarinet section, might actually have a crush on her, she turns to her favorite books for advice. Phoebe overhauls her personality to become as awesome as her favorite heroines and win Dev’s heart. But if her plan fails, can she go back to her happy world of fictional boys after falling for the real thing?
Note: This review is spoiler-free!
Why did I pick it?
From reading the synopsis I could just tell that the author was clearly a massive YA fan. With a protagonist who’s obsessed with YA fiction, loved knitting and hot paranormal love interests it was a must… it was basically me minus a few years!
What I loved about it
It’s like a YA fan fic. I loved all the references to YA. Reading about some of the things book obsessed Phoebe did sometimes made me think, yep BEEN THERE! The author really does get what it’s like to be a YA book obsessed teenager and I loved reliving the experience through Phoebe.
What I loathed about it
My only dislike was the jump to novels, it did add some context, I get that, but a third of the way through I started to skip them, it pulled me away from the main plot which I cared more about. That’s not to say they weren’t interesting, if they ever became novels in themselves I might even read some of them, I just didn’t want to read snippets every now and then.
Thoughts
Bookishly Ever After is one of those books which always puzzles me. You know the books, the ones you pickup and realise 20% of the way through that nothing is happening outside of the mundane… but you can’t put it down, you’re hooked on something you just can’t put your finger on, and you keep reading goddammit!
For some reason, despite a “will they won’t they” plot that could have easily come to a finale within a few chapters, the author managed to turn a short story into an entire book. I think this was partly down to the character development, most of whom were strong stereotypes but rather lovable, I actually cared what happened so I continued to read their story.
I probably won’t read the second book, I mean I did enjoy this one, but I’ve had my fill I think.
When and where can you get it
You can purchase Bookishly Ever After on Amazon today
* Book provided FOC in exchange for an honest and fair review
Sounds interesting.. like maybe it will be a CW series in a couple years LOL.
xoxo Christie
http://icanstyleu.com/blog/
Author
maybe! Although I would watch it
I like the way you break down the review into what you did and didn’t like (: shame you didn’t like this one more – I do love a YA novel every now and again but this sounds a bit mushy and wishy washy for me! I tend to stay away from romance altogether! The cover is pretty tho (: xx
Author
mushy I think sums it up. I love YA novels, I’m going through a bit of a binge of them at the moment but this didn’t cut it for me, unfortunately.
I havn’t been sucked into a good story in a long time, but I do know the feeling of not being able to put a book down. While this book does sound interesting, I don’t think it would be quite my thing.
A Sparkle Of Grace
Ohhh this sounds like an interesting pick! Ill have to give this one a try! Thanks for sharing your thoughts
XO-Lisa
http://www.thatssodarling.com
i love the way you set this review out! I always love hearing people thoughts on books as we all perceive them so differently! X
Author
thanks! very true, I’ve seen lots of people loving this one
I’m always intrigued by those books where you just can’t quite place why you can’t put it down. I sometimes think it’s just because I’m stubborn – there’s only two books I have every properly given up on!
Author
lol you may be right, I hate not finishing a book
This sounds exactly like the sort of book I used to pick at the library as a teenager so I’m sure younger me would have loved this! I think it sounds a little boring to me now, it’s a pity you didn’t really enjoy it, I’m sure it would appeal to a younger age group though!
PaleGirlRambling xo
Author
I think younger me would have loved it too, maybe that was the problem :/
This is literally me as a person, I was a dancer for 17 years and did my ankle really bad at one point!! Sounds like a great read for a audience 13+ I wish I could of read it when I was younger!! Great review as always xx
What a cute book title! I seriously need to start reading more books for fun!
xoxo,
Berniedette | PetiteAndToned.com
This looks like a great book, I don’t read that often but I might have to pick up this one for next time!
– Lauren xx
http://www.laurenannbeauty.com
I like how you wrote about the book. I can’t say its something I would be interested in personally but none the less – Great Post!!
Jamie | www,jamies-corner.com
I have to check out this book. Thanks for sharing the good and bad side of it.
ooo this sounds like something that i would love! i’ll have to add it to my list
It’s great to see an honest review. I think it really helps people decide whether they want to commit to reading the book or not! X
I do love a bit of YA fiction from time to time. Great way of reviewing tell the good and bad ? x
From reading the synopsis, it doesn’t sound like something I’d read but I’m glad you enjoyed it. The fact it has excerpts from other books would annoy me, as well
I really appreciate the way you have breakdown the review. It’s been a good amount of time that I haven’t read a nice book. Gonna give this a try, feels like it’s my kinda story. Thanks for sharing your review ?
Author
enjoy!
I have not read a book in forever, this has made me want to go out and get one to read in my spare time.
Shona Marie xo
Sounds very interesting. I myself love romance books and it draws me in completely. I will look into this one
Sounds like a great casual read:) I love these kinds of books for when I’m on holiday! Will check it out:)
Sounds Interesting ! I love the way you have break down the review.Keep coming up with many such interesting stuff.
I love the graphic design of the cover of the book! xo, Suzanne
Thanks this was a really clear review. I get the feeling it could make a good YA film or series with a few fantasy sequences in for effect? (maybe a bit gilmore girlish with the non-much-is-happening satisfactory feeling?). I will maybe wait for that series though as I too would want to flick I think!
Jen xx