merlin_reads's review against another edition
4.0
What a fantastic ending to an adorable series. Once Upon A Con has been a series full of cons, celebs, adorkable moments, and romance. And I've loved every second.
In the final installment we get to know more about Vance Reigns, the villain in the Starfield movies and who appears to be the villain in real life. Most recently know for breaking up Hollywoods cutest couple, Vance is sent to the middle of nowhere while his publicist tries to calm the storm. Meanwhile, Rosie Thorne keeps dreaming of the mystery man she met at ExcelsiCon, kicking herself for not getting his name. When an accidental meeting puts her in the path of Vance, the two collide in an explosion of spark and hostility not knowing that there's something that connects them.
Rosie was adorable. I loved her love of books and how she described how they made her feel. This was really a poem for book lovers because I felt everything on a real level with her. But she also has suffered a loss and she finds that books bring her closer to her mom. I loved her spunk and how she cared for those close to her. Vance, on the other hand, was so sullen and cold yet you could tell that he was hiding his real feelings behind this cold exterior. I just wanted to shake him to knock him out of his black hole. It was really nice to see his shell melt over time and really get to know him.
The side characters were also fantastic. There was Elias, Vance's guardian and Rosie's gem of a father. Then there were Rosie's two best friends who were just amazing. I loved all of them and they brought so much light to the book. Plus, the little cameos from beloved characters of past books were also spot on.
I would love for this series to continue forever, but I know all things must end. And this was a great ending and a series I will forever recommend to people who just want pure happiness.
In the final installment we get to know more about Vance Reigns, the villain in the Starfield movies and who appears to be the villain in real life. Most recently know for breaking up Hollywoods cutest couple, Vance is sent to the middle of nowhere while his publicist tries to calm the storm. Meanwhile, Rosie Thorne keeps dreaming of the mystery man she met at ExcelsiCon, kicking herself for not getting his name. When an accidental meeting puts her in the path of Vance, the two collide in an explosion of spark and hostility not knowing that there's something that connects them.
Rosie was adorable. I loved her love of books and how she described how they made her feel. This was really a poem for book lovers because I felt everything on a real level with her. But she also has suffered a loss and she finds that books bring her closer to her mom. I loved her spunk and how she cared for those close to her. Vance, on the other hand, was so sullen and cold yet you could tell that he was hiding his real feelings behind this cold exterior. I just wanted to shake him to knock him out of his black hole. It was really nice to see his shell melt over time and really get to know him.
The side characters were also fantastic. There was Elias, Vance's guardian and Rosie's gem of a father. Then there were Rosie's two best friends who were just amazing. I loved all of them and they brought so much light to the book. Plus, the little cameos from beloved characters of past books were also spot on.
I would love for this series to continue forever, but I know all things must end. And this was a great ending and a series I will forever recommend to people who just want pure happiness.
sierranevada005's review against another edition
4.0
Such a cute story! I love fairy tale retellings, and this is such a niche version of retellings it is the literal best. Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite fairy tales, and this modern twist just made me so happy! It wasn't a story with a ton of substance, but it had a great heart and that's what matters. A solid 4 stars.
buriedinbooks's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Bookish and the Beast is a cute Beauty and the Beast retelling that follows characters Rosie, small town girl who is super into sci-fi books like the Starfield novels, and Vance, a famous bad boy actor who is sent to a house in the middle of nowhere to lay low after some media backlash. When Rosie accidentally ruins a rare edition of a book, she is tasked with organizing the library of the home that Vance is staying in.
This book gives a nerdy spin on a classic tale, and for the most part succeeds in its goal. While there was perhaps a few too many pop culture references that overshadowed the fictional Starfield franchise, and the similarities to Disney’s Beauty and the Beast were a bit too obvious, I ended up really enjoying it! The writing was cheesy but didn’t overdo it very often, and the dialogue was only considered clunky when the aforementioned pop culture references were inserted. In general, the story flowed nicely and I had a fun time reading. I wish there was a bit more interaction with Rosie and Vance before the halfway point—Vance actually being in the library and having some more bickering dialogue with Rosie would have been great for building their chemistry!—but I do think they were authentically crushing on each other. The ending scenes were so cute, and I really appreciate them as a couple… even if the first book’s couple remains my favorite. Aside from the romance, I appreciated the side characters a lot: Rosie’s dad was super funny, Rosie’s friends were kind and supportive while also being silly, Elias was a bit stereotypical but overall a very caring guardian, and Imogen was a great little addition to the cast. Generally, my gripes with the book come from its random bits of information that leave unanswered questions—for example, Elle and Darien’s relationship being briefly addressed for no reason was very odd, and the same goes for Darien’s message to Vance. There were just odd moments like that which added up and made the book feel a bit off kilter. Also, I would have enjoyed this to be like the previous installments and actually have been set at a con? But I know that’s a small detail so it didn’t bother me enough to knock the book a ton.
Bookish and the Beast was a fun continuation of the Once Upon a Con series, and I definitely think it’s worth the read. That being said, I had a few too many unanswered bits of information and unsatisfying moments. 4 stars.
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Bookish and the Beast is a cute Beauty and the Beast retelling that follows characters Rosie, small town girl who is super into sci-fi books like the Starfield novels, and Vance, a famous bad boy actor who is sent to a house in the middle of nowhere to lay low after some media backlash. When Rosie accidentally ruins a rare edition of a book, she is tasked with organizing the library of the home that Vance is staying in.
This book gives a nerdy spin on a classic tale, and for the most part succeeds in its goal. While there was perhaps a few too many pop culture references that overshadowed the fictional Starfield franchise, and the similarities to Disney’s Beauty and the Beast were a bit too obvious, I ended up really enjoying it! The writing was cheesy but didn’t overdo it very often, and the dialogue was only considered clunky when the aforementioned pop culture references were inserted. In general, the story flowed nicely and I had a fun time reading. I wish there was a bit more interaction with Rosie and Vance before the halfway point—Vance actually being in the library and having some more bickering dialogue with Rosie would have been great for building their chemistry!—but I do think they were authentically crushing on each other. The ending scenes were so cute, and I really appreciate them as a couple… even if the first book’s couple remains my favorite. Aside from the romance, I appreciated the side characters a lot: Rosie’s dad was super funny, Rosie’s friends were kind and supportive while also being silly, Elias was a bit stereotypical but overall a very caring guardian, and Imogen was a great little addition to the cast. Generally, my gripes with the book come from its random bits of information that leave unanswered questions—for example, Elle and Darien’s relationship being briefly addressed for no reason was very odd, and the same goes for Darien’s message to Vance. There were just odd moments like that which added up and made the book feel a bit off kilter. Also, I would have enjoyed this to be like the previous installments and actually have been set at a con? But I know that’s a small detail so it didn’t bother me enough to knock the book a ton.
Bookish and the Beast was a fun continuation of the Once Upon a Con series, and I definitely think it’s worth the read. That being said, I had a few too many unanswered bits of information and unsatisfying moments. 4 stars.
leacallida's review against another edition
5.0
Ugh WHY. Why did I read it so fast. I hate myself for this lmao.
But this was amazing. Honestly I wasn’t sure I would like as much as the other two, but it was PERFECT.
But this was amazing. Honestly I wasn’t sure I would like as much as the other two, but it was PERFECT.
ashleycd45's review
2.0
yo Pensé dejar de leer este libro una 100 veces. Pero después de que pasas todas las partes aburridas tú cómo que te interesas en un chin lo que está pasando. No se enserio que pensar o decir de este libro, cuando ellos comenzaron a llevarse bien de una vez pasó el beso y yo siento que pasó todo esa tan rápido like miss girl you hated him like a week ago! But i did find cute Que Ella le leyera a el, y que ella halla hecho que el ame leer. El libro tiene su chin de cute con un montón de disparates innecesarios. Hablando de innecesarios that guy garret is one of the unnecessary things like porque el no podía entender un no! Y porque después de que el público el video sin el permiso de ella le pidió que bailara con el? Is he that dumb?! Bueno no quiero ni pensar más en todo el tiempo que gaste en este libro que ni disfrute bye!
lilliangretsinger's review against another edition
4.0
I think this was my favourite of the three books. I really like Rosie. It was obvious where it was going but it was sweet and comforting too
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mikaela_martinez's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
megan_ash's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bridget_books's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a fun retelling of beauty and the beast within the world Ashley Poston has created. It’s diverse in the LGBTQ+ rep it offers which was good to see.