Title: Bookishly Ever After
Series: Ever After (#1)
Author: Isabel Bandeira
Publisher: Spencer Hill Contemporary
Date: January 19th, 2016
Pages: 378
Format: eARC
Source: from Publisher for a review
Synopsis (from Goodreads): 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?
Review:
First of all, let me praise this cover! It’s one of the most beautiful book covers I have seen lately, and what’s even better, it’s sequel’s cover is even more beautiful.
And now when we got all that beauty out of the way (sorry, I just woke up and I can’t think of any better phrase to express myself), let’s focus on what’s really important: the story itself.
If you already read the book, you might ask me: “What story?”. Yes, I know what you mean, because that’s what I asked myself more then few times while reading.
And the answer is: this one, at first fun, one dimensional story that dragged and dragged even though nothing important really happened, and made me lose my interest after the fist half of the book.
Honestly, it felt like I was reading a 700 pages long book, not a 378 pages one.
As I already said, the story is one dimensional. We follow Phoebe and her friends, read about their conversations which lack of significance, and there is no subplots.
It was like waiting for Godot in a shape of plot.
Guess what? Godot never came, or maybe he came after I fell asleep.
To be fair, I liked Phoebe. I enjoyed reading her comparing her life with life of her favorite characters, and how she asked herself what would her favorite characters do in certain situations.
I only wish that her favorite characters and books weren’t non-existent. I have never heard of those books or characters, and I feel like if familiar books and characters were part of the story, readers would enjoy this book more.
This book started really good, it got me in and I was having fun reading about Phoebe and her high-school drama, but somewhere on the way, I lost my interest and to be honest, I just skimmed the second half of the novel.
I found myself realizing that I didn’t care anymore, and if I wasn’t given this book for a review, I would probably DNF it.
However, I want to stress out that some of my goodreads friends really enjoyed this story, so if you were thinking about giving this book a chance, please do.
Maybe you will end up really enjoying it.
I usually love ya contemporary, but I guess this book just wasn’t for me.
Book Dust Magic 
It does sound a bit too simple for me too.. thank you for your honest review Irena! I do like the cover very much too though!
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I have read a book that sounds similar to this. It’s called Boyfriend by the Book. The main character is looking for her prince charming and imagines what her favourite characters would do. But she thinks of real characters like Jane Eyre etc. It was an enjoyable light read. I like the idea of the book you read, but having characters you know would be better. A good honest and tactful fair review.
I hope you enjoy your next book more.
Amanda xx
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Thank you Amanda. In theory this book wasn’t bad at all, but it just dragged and to be fair, maybe I just wasn’t in the right mood, but my review is 100% honest.
Tbh, I read this book in February. I am beghind with my reviews so I have sth like 6 of them to post.
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I will look forward to reading them then. 😊
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I’m sorry to hear the second part of the book was a letdown! I love the title of this book!
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I hadn’t heard of this title before. Thanks for sharing your review. ☺
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It was really popular on Netgalley some time ago. It was one of the most requested title, I was lucky enough to have my wish granted, but then again, it would be better if that wish was granted to someone who would enjoy it more. But you never know how much you’ll actually like the book you request, I always think I’d love it, I wouldn’t request it otherway.
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