Reviews

Once More Upon a Time, by Roshani Chokshi

emilee_paper_elytra's review

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

While it is very short, this novella is extremely charming and full of excellent moments of humour, tenderness, and adventure. I wish there were more of it! 

izzy_happyfornow's review

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4.0

This is a cute novella. My one pet peeve with it is the transition sound between chapters was annoying.

Super fun otherwise and very quick listen.

bhartsock's review

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

jen_likes_reading's review

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4.0

Fun, quick read. You could read it easily in one sitting. It’s a fun little fairy tale and I totally would have loved if it were longer.

amberlikesreading's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful lighthearted sad medium-paced
  • 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

I enjoyed it, a cute short little fairytale romance and I loved the characters and watching them fall back in love 

ginabelle's review

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adventurous hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

stephy66's review

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

reclusivereader's review

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3.0

So, silly me, I requested this thinking it was a full length adult romance novel and not a novella (though it is adult, I guess). That said, I have nothing against novellas at all and was happy to have something short to sneak in between reads.

This was a pretty standard unconventional fairytale in the sense that how they come together is standard but, unlike how most go, they are then broken up -- while still being together. They go on a journey, with a few side quests, and along the way discover more about each other than they ever did before.

I think what I loved most about this, though, was their backstories. I would've read a whole book about their lives before this or, even, a full length that included said backstories and expanded on their adventures from this one.

It was cute, sometimes funny, a little silly, and sweet. If this had been longer, and more adult in the vein of the romance, I think I would've really loved it. That said, I would not discourage you from picking this up.

** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **

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This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.

annalise_e's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

giuliaghoulia's review against another edition

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3.0

This was a short and sweet fairytale about lost love, whimsy and second chances at happy endings, and it was an excellent palate cleanser from the the horror I've been reading.

This was definitely an unusual fairytale love story, but still very enjoyable. At only 170 pages, you would think the story would be underdeveloped and romance would, for lack of a better word, blah. But it wasn't! It was fleshed out and very cute.

I wanted more though! More pages!!! More story!! More of Ambrose and Imelda being obliviously in love!! It was short and did what it said: told a love story. But it left me wanting more.

If the story were longer and had even more angst and higher stakes, I think this would definitely had been a 4-5 star book. Roshani Chokshi is an excellent writer and storyteller, and I would have loved a longer book with these characters. Some of my favorite lines were when she described the longing that our main characters were feeling for each other (swoon!!).

Either way, this was such an enjoyable and light read that was just what the doctor ordered: fluff.

Thank you SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC (Advanced Reader's Copy) in exchange for an honest review.