Review: Bookishly Ever After

Author Isabel Bandeira

Format e-ARC
Print Length 350 pages
Publisher Spencer Hill Contemporary
Published Jan. 12, 2016

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?

My Opinion

Adorable read! This is one that leaves the warm fuzzies in your tummy when you are finished.

Phoebe lives in her own little world, wrapped in whatever new book that just released. She has her favorite series (like us all) that she re-reads as well. She even took up archery because of a book, she is so good at it that she her coach wants her to volunteer to do be a camp counselor. She is considering it, calculating how much it will take out of her reading time. Since she lives in her own little world, she doesn’t really notice when a guy is flirting with her. This is why her bestie Em keeps trying to hook her up with a boy. When Em starts to think that Dev (a long time theater/band friend) may be into her- Phoebe doesn’t believe it. Then she starts to, maybe even wants to hope that he is into her. There is nothing in her books to help her though. She is a fish out of water when it comes to dating and so she does what everyone else tells her she should do.

Phoebe is a book nerd. I am sure on all of the reviews out there you are going to read that she is relatable. That is because well- she is, to those who read a lot. Dresses up like her favorite book character, waits in line to meet the authors, re-reads her favorite scenes. She is the poster gal for all the book nerds or worms (I prefer nerd). She is awkward, she is sweet, she is just so endearing. I got excited when she was excited, and I wanted to cry when she cried. There are moments where I was literally cheering her on. Stepping out of your comfort zone is hard and well Phoebe does it so endearingly I wanted to hold her hand.

Dev is just too cute. He has always been around but lately he is around more. Phoebe and him banter back and forth instead of being annoying and snarky it is delightful. It is not mean spirited and just feels natural. He understands Phoebe’s need for books. There are times that he does get frustrated, which is not unusual at all for someone that likes a book nerd. He makes up for it in the cute stuff that he does- wait till you get to the mall scene.

Bookishly Ever After is a debut novel, that tells the story of a gal who falls in love with book boyfriends and then with a guy. The road to Ever After is bumpy, sometimes it has cracks maybe even a pot hole yet that is what makes the story even sweeter.

My Rating 5 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote “Normalcy is overrated.”

Other People

Em- Phoebe’s gal bestie, theater queen
Alec- Phoebe’s guy bestie
Grace- Phoebe’s gal pal, cheerleader
Kris- Phoebe’s longtime crush
Lexie- a gal who is crushing on Dev