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readingthroughinfinity's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Thanks to Quirk for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I'm feeling v pleased that I finally finished this series! This is the third book in the Once upon a Con series, following Rosie and Vance as they catalogue and rearrange a library after Rosie (almost) destroys a priceless book and has to work off her debt. (Note: I am a sucker for character A almost wrecking something and having to work off their debt (Ouran was the blueprint), it's just such a fun trope with a lot of possibilities.)
Surprisingly, this was probably my least favourite book in the series, but that's not to say it isn't good (it is). I think it's more that Beauty and the Beast is one of my least favourite fairy tales, so I was just (personally) less predisposed to liking this one.
But story itself is cute and fun, with a good dose of high school drama. There's also a hint of enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, but it's more like Vance hiding his true self behind a rude, arrogant façade (and Rosie beginning to break down that façade). The characters felt a little underdeveloped in comparison to previous books and they were also younger, but I did really like Rosie. She's kind, looks out for her friends, and has a self-deprecating sense of humour, which I always enjoy.
This felt like a comfort read for me (even though it's the first time I've read it) because everything about the plot and world-building just felt safe and cosy. I knew there was going to be a HEA and didn't have to worry about anything bad happening in the last couple of chapters, so I had a very relaxing time reading this. I also enjoyed the fact that the characters from the previous two books made an appearance throughout the story (there are a few queer and non-binary side characters in the book). And it goes without saying that I love books about books!
I'm feeling v pleased that I finally finished this series! This is the third book in the Once upon a Con series, following Rosie and Vance as they catalogue and rearrange a library after Rosie (almost) destroys a priceless book and has to work off her debt. (Note: I am a sucker for character A almost wrecking something and having to work off their debt (Ouran was the blueprint), it's just such a fun trope with a lot of possibilities.)
Surprisingly, this was probably my least favourite book in the series, but that's not to say it isn't good (it is). I think it's more that Beauty and the Beast is one of my least favourite fairy tales, so I was just (personally) less predisposed to liking this one.
But story itself is cute and fun, with a good dose of high school drama. There's also a hint of enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, but it's more like Vance hiding his true self behind a rude, arrogant façade (and Rosie beginning to break down that façade). The characters felt a little underdeveloped in comparison to previous books and they were also younger, but I did really like Rosie. She's kind, looks out for her friends, and has a self-deprecating sense of humour, which I always enjoy.
This felt like a comfort read for me (even though it's the first time I've read it) because everything about the plot and world-building just felt safe and cosy. I knew there was going to be a HEA and didn't have to worry about anything bad happening in the last couple of chapters, so I had a very relaxing time reading this. I also enjoyed the fact that the characters from the previous two books made an appearance throughout the story (there are a few queer and non-binary side characters in the book). And it goes without saying that I love books about books!
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Blood
minbyrnes's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.0
I liked it, it was cute.
I think my biggest problem(?) with it was how little of their initial interaction we actually got to see because that basically makes up the basis for why they like each other.
Once they realized who the other person was, of course they’d start to like each other/think about each other (although I liked how Rosie rejected Vance when he asked her out at first because she didn’t like the person that Vance was presenting at the time and simply the memory of nice Vance wasn’t enough to make her want to go out with him. I also liked the scenes where they read to each other; that was cute ) but I feel like we didn’t get enough of that initial contact to understand why they liked each other so much.
I think my biggest problem(?) with it was how little of their initial interaction we actually got to see because that basically makes up the basis for why they like each other.
Once they realized who the other person was, of course they’d start to like each other/think about each other (although
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
princess424's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was really good. It’s a modern beauty and the beast retelling as shoe by the title but it doesn’t really push the concept of beauty and the beast which I like because It’s just hints all throughout the book. The characters are regular flawed teenagers and are easy to both love and want to punch at the same time. It’s a nice and easy read and The side characters are absolutely amazing. We love Space Dad. All in all, I would totally recommend this book if you like the slight force proximity, misunderstood celebrity bad boy meets small town girl tropes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
rain_baby's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
mswarning's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Car accident
nrogers_1030's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
graceless_grace's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
litokeland's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
sj_elli's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed the first book, felt kinda meh towards the second, so I didn't have super high hopes for book 3 going in, but found myself pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed this installment. I'm a sucker for a Beauty & the Beast retelling and I think this one was really well done. I think this covered a good myriad of different issues and did them well enough for under 300 pages. I knew what to expect but I loved the journey. I loved that there was a nonbinary character. I loved that one of the MCs is bi or pan (not specified) and that there were also queer adults too. Really lovely brain break of a book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
val_books_of_leisure's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, and Grief