Dear Pheobe {Bookishly Ever After}

ARC Edition via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
BOOKISHLY EVER AFTER // Isabel Bandeira
Goodreads // Amazon
Published January 12, 2015

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?

Dear Phoebe,

Despite you having one of my least favorite names, you might actually be one of the most relatable characters. With your love for all things literature and your taking advice from your favorite young adult heroines, you might actually be me. I mean, I’m not totally sure I would actually do what characters from books would do (falling into his arms? Really?) but I can’t completely promise that I wouldn’t either. From having a major crush on a total idiot because he looks like a totally swoony character from a book and taking up archery because you YA idol is an archer, you certainly take your lit seriously.

You’re an introvert with a lacking fashion sense apparently. Also a knitter. I’ve always wanted to learn to knit socks (haha; remember that time when you decided Dev was totally knit-worthy?). I’m an introvert, but I happen to think that my clothes are so very fantastic. In case you’re wondering, I happen to be wearing red pants and a gray slouchy sweater with some silver earrings from Earthbound.

In your story, BOOKISHLY EVER AFTER, you do some…let’s say…embarrassing...things. But you also do some things that I am so swooning over. Or, well, let’s just say that the ending is darling. The camp was the cutest.

In the beginning, I was so not loving your friend choice. However, I slowly (very, super slowly) I began to approve. It was slow though.

From one bookish human to another, I think that you kind of do what we are all capable of doing. (I mean take risks when you’d rather be reading, fear for the loss of the people inside the books, a huge adoration of the outside world with the grand hope to change it.) Overall, I think there something about your story that resonates. It’s not going to be one of those that make the history books, but it’s a story I totally get. The relationship with fictional characters. The wariness of real people, as strange as that sounds.

I wouldn’t read your story again, but not because I didn’t enjoy it. I did, especially the last few chapters. I wouldn’t read it again because, like you, I have too many other books to read and way too little time.

Best,

Jackie