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annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
I think this was my most anticipated release of the year. Kinda weird, if you realize that this is a contemporary teenage romance, the genre that's normally not my thing. However, the previous two books were such giant love letters to nerdy girls around the world and made me feel so seen and appreciated that I didn't doubt this book would once more be a good one. The biggest challenge therefore was not reading it until I could use it for the N.E.W.T.'s.
Let me start with saying that this book didn't touch me the way the previous two books did. It's still a great book and certainly outstanding within its genre, but it didn't bring me to tears. And that's mostly because the amount of nerdyness isn't as extreme as in the previous book (if that was a reason for you not to like them, you might try this one!). It's also because Rosie doesn't need that validation of her nerdyness as much as I clearly do.
However, it's still a really lovely story and I love how Poston used the beauty and the beast elements for a contemporary tale and how she made them work. It's mostly a story of two people who have a connection from the start, but who need time to trust the other to the point that they dare to admit that connection. It's a slow burn, haters to loves, romance. And of course, it's quite predictable, but isn't that why we enjoy those stories so much? Because we know that we get a happy end and that our faith in love is restored?
I also really think it's quite impressive that Poston managed to make me care for fictional fictional characters and a fictional fandom. I have never seen the movie, the series, I didn't read the books and yet I started caring about it. When I closed the book I had this huge smile on my face while I whispered to myself (it was still early and the rest of the house was still asleep): Look to the stars. Aim. Ignite. Ow, and I'm pretty sure there will be a lot of moments where I will use the phrase: Amara up. I liked that one.
Let me start with saying that this book didn't touch me the way the previous two books did. It's still a great book and certainly outstanding within its genre, but it didn't bring me to tears. And that's mostly because the amount of nerdyness isn't as extreme as in the previous book (if that was a reason for you not to like them, you might try this one!). It's also because Rosie doesn't need that validation of her nerdyness as much as I clearly do.
However, it's still a really lovely story and I love how Poston used the beauty and the beast elements for a contemporary tale and how she made them work. It's mostly a story of two people who have a connection from the start, but who need time to trust the other to the point that they dare to admit that connection. It's a slow burn, haters to loves, romance. And of course, it's quite predictable, but isn't that why we enjoy those stories so much? Because we know that we get a happy end and that our faith in love is restored?
I also really think it's quite impressive that Poston managed to make me care for fictional fictional characters and a fictional fandom. I have never seen the movie, the series, I didn't read the books and yet I started caring about it. When I closed the book I had this huge smile on my face while I whispered to myself (it was still early and the rest of the house was still asleep): Look to the stars. Aim. Ignite. Ow, and I'm pretty sure there will be a lot of moments where I will use the phrase: Amara up. I liked that one.
achazsa's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
eharrison'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’m a sucker for a beauty and the beast retelling, and this was a great one. The modern day Gaston as Garrett was spot on. I would have liked a bit more of the book to be at the convention. The flashbacks were a bit vague for such a pivotal element of the story. I appreciated the way the characters from past books were woven in without being an overbearing presence.
luciagi's review
3.0
This book was the best in the series so far. Geekerella for me was fine, The Princess and the Fangirl was TERRIBLE but this one I can say that I really liked. It was very wholesome, and it had the Disney vibe that retellings need.
Beauty and the Beast is my favorite Disney Princess movie so when I found there was a retelling, I HAD to read it. This book was the reason I started the series, and I was not disappointed (by this book).
When I started it, I kept thinking “How the hell is she going to make Vance likable” but I think she nailed It and at the end I was rooting for them to get together, although in this novel I really felt even more than with the others that it was too much Insta-Love.
I enjoyed this book so much and would recommend it to people who like these types of Disney stories.
Beauty and the Beast is my favorite Disney Princess movie so when I found there was a retelling, I HAD to read it. This book was the reason I started the series, and I was not disappointed (by this book).
When I started it, I kept thinking “How the hell is she going to make Vance likable” but I think she nailed It and at the end I was rooting for them to get together, although in this novel I really felt even more than with the others that it was too much Insta-Love.
I enjoyed this book so much and would recommend it to people who like these types of Disney stories.
sunshine15's review
4.0
4.5 stars actually! This was soo cute! And the fact it evolved around a library was soo cool
strawberrycasualreader's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
book_concierge's review
3.0
Book number three in the Once Upon a Con series can easily be read as a standalone, though characters from the earlier books do show up here without much backstory. Still, the focus is on a new couple: Rosie Thorne, high school senior and geek girl bookworm, and Hollywood bad boy Vance Reign, who plays the villain in the Starfield movies.
Vance has recently been caught by paparazzi in a potentially scandalous situation (which really isn’t all that), so his mom and stepfather have sent him into exile in a small town with his godfather as guardian. Rosie stumbles onto the estate when chasing a dog, which she assumes to be a stray or runaway. And one thing leads to another.
I didn’t see a lot of Beauty and the Beast here, though Rosie does share Belle’s love of books & libraries. Vance is surly, to be sure, but hardly a beast. There’s a nice subplot involving Rosie’s dad and Vance’s guardian (I’d read THAT sequel).
To sum it up, this is a YA romance, full of the drama of homecoming, friends, college applications, frenemies, gossip, the pitfalls of social media, and a bit of Comic-Con nerdiness thrown in. The characters were pretty much right out of central casting, and the plot (even without the supposed B&tB background) was predictable. I was hesitant at first and thought I might DNF it, but I found myself caught up and sufficiently entertained to finish. It was a fast read and I can certainly see the appeal for the intended audience.
Vance has recently been caught by paparazzi in a potentially scandalous situation (which really isn’t all that), so his mom and stepfather have sent him into exile in a small town with his godfather as guardian. Rosie stumbles onto the estate when chasing a dog, which she assumes to be a stray or runaway. And one thing leads to another.
I didn’t see a lot of Beauty and the Beast here, though Rosie does share Belle’s love of books & libraries. Vance is surly, to be sure, but hardly a beast. There’s a nice subplot involving Rosie’s dad and Vance’s guardian (I’d read THAT sequel).
To sum it up, this is a YA romance, full of the drama of homecoming, friends, college applications, frenemies, gossip, the pitfalls of social media, and a bit of Comic-Con nerdiness thrown in. The characters were pretty much right out of central casting, and the plot (even without the supposed B&tB background) was predictable. I was hesitant at first and thought I might DNF it, but I found myself caught up and sufficiently entertained to finish. It was a fast read and I can certainly see the appeal for the intended audience.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
4.0
4/5
K an so happy to be finished with this series. I promise it isn’t in a bad way. I loved this universe and the characters, how they were all connected. In reality I believe that every character in a book should deserve their own story.
K an so happy to be finished with this series. I promise it isn’t in a bad way. I loved this universe and the characters, how they were all connected. In reality I believe that every character in a book should deserve their own story.