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rachlloyd's review against another edition
This is my ideal kind of romance because he drives her to school everyday and brings her a sweet treat and she’s just rude to him.
Another example of a YA romance that would have RUINED (in the best ways) my life at 17
Another example of a YA romance that would have RUINED (in the best ways) my life at 17
wordsbetweenlines's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
As I listened to this I felt like I have been missing out by not reading fan fic. Maybe I need to get into it?
This was so cute. And the representation in multiple categories was so well done. We don’t always see what is right in front of us and the reminders of what that feels like as a high schooler.
If you want a cute YA romance then this needs to be added to your tbr.
This was so cute. And the representation in multiple categories was so well done. We don’t always see what is right in front of us and the reminders of what that feels like as a high schooler.
If you want a cute YA romance then this needs to be added to your tbr.
laura_cs's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
"Writing is what I do, and who even am I anymore if I don't write?"
Tessa Johnson is a writer. She's been writing since she was very young, creating fanfiction, and starting her own novels. Not just any novels, though, romances starring girls with Afros and dark skin. Girls that don't get the leading lady role in the romances she reads. She writes predominately for herself, her best friend--Caroline--being her only reader. And she's fine with that! Except, after a big move to Long Beach, Tessa's mom submits Tessa's writing to a prestigious creative arts high school, and Tessa is accepted into their creative writing program.
Her first day of school arrives, and she goes to her first workshop and... the words aren't there. They have disappeared. Gone. Like that. Nothing, zilch, nada. No matter what Tessa tries, she can't write.
Caroline has a suggestion, though: what Tessa needs to get the words back is some real-life experience in the romance department. Tessa quickly sets her sights on another writer in her program, and she and Caroline come up with a step-by-step plan to get the guy and place Tessa as the leading lady in her own real-life romance novel. But is Nico really the other half of Tessa's OTP? Especially as she continues to grow closer to Sam, the baker boy from across the street? Will Tessa find her words and her Happily Ever After?
Ironically, as this is a book about a girl with anxiety, I started this book with quite a bit of anxiety myself. Ever since I heard about it, I was full of excited anticipation. This has been the book I've been looking forward to the most, and was ecstatic when I got approved for it on NetGalley. So there was that little bit of fear of "What if I don't love it?" that one sometimes gets when you finally get your hands on a book you're really excited about. In just a few short chapters, however, those fears were washed away and I was thoroughly and completely in love: with Tessa, with Sam, with Lenore and Theodore, with Miles, with Caroline, with Tessa's parents... They all felt so real and wonderful, like I could reach through the pages and touch them, laugh with them, hug them. (But, let me be real: what I really wanted to do was reach in and snatch up as many of Sam's desserts as possible. I can't even pick which one I'd want the most because they are all so. Stinking. GOOD!) You know a book is good when the character's joy is your joy, and the character's pain is your pain, and Bryant KILLS IT in writing emotion as well as plot.
Bryant is a tremendously talented writer, and her debut is phenomenal, emotional, and breathtakingly beautiful. "Happily Ever Afters" is perfect for every reader, aspiring writer, teenager, adult, and... Yeah, it's perfect for everyone.
"Writing is what I do, and who even am I anymore if I don't write?"
Tessa Johnson is a writer. She's been writing since she was very young, creating fanfiction, and starting her own novels. Not just any novels, though, romances starring girls with Afros and dark skin. Girls that don't get the leading lady role in the romances she reads. She writes predominately for herself, her best friend--Caroline--being her only reader. And she's fine with that! Except, after a big move to Long Beach, Tessa's mom submits Tessa's writing to a prestigious creative arts high school, and Tessa is accepted into their creative writing program.
Her first day of school arrives, and she goes to her first workshop and... the words aren't there. They have disappeared. Gone. Like that. Nothing, zilch, nada. No matter what Tessa tries, she can't write.
Caroline has a suggestion, though: what Tessa needs to get the words back is some real-life experience in the romance department. Tessa quickly sets her sights on another writer in her program, and she and Caroline come up with a step-by-step plan to get the guy and place Tessa as the leading lady in her own real-life romance novel. But is Nico really the other half of Tessa's OTP? Especially as she continues to grow closer to Sam, the baker boy from across the street? Will Tessa find her words and her Happily Ever After?
Ironically, as this is a book about a girl with anxiety, I started this book with quite a bit of anxiety myself. Ever since I heard about it, I was full of excited anticipation. This has been the book I've been looking forward to the most, and was ecstatic when I got approved for it on NetGalley. So there was that little bit of fear of "What if I don't love it?" that one sometimes gets when you finally get your hands on a book you're really excited about. In just a few short chapters, however, those fears were washed away and I was thoroughly and completely in love: with Tessa, with Sam, with Lenore and Theodore, with Miles, with Caroline, with Tessa's parents... They all felt so real and wonderful, like I could reach through the pages and touch them, laugh with them, hug them. (But, let me be real: what I really wanted to do was reach in and snatch up as many of Sam's desserts as possible. I can't even pick which one I'd want the most because they are all so. Stinking. GOOD!) You know a book is good when the character's joy is your joy, and the character's pain is your pain, and Bryant KILLS IT in writing emotion as well as plot.
Bryant is a tremendously talented writer, and her debut is phenomenal, emotional, and breathtakingly beautiful. "Happily Ever Afters" is perfect for every reader, aspiring writer, teenager, adult, and... Yeah, it's perfect for everyone.
theogspiderman's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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
thebrainlair's review against another edition
5.0
As a not-so-closeted fan of romance, I had high expectations for this one and it fully delivered. They chose the perfect narrator to read [a:Elise Bryant|17419182|Elise Bryant|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1585779345p2/17419182.jpg]'s work. I found myself stopping and just listening, such a well-done story. There's name dropping of some of my favorite YA Romances, laughter, tears. Great debut.
Brain Lair Books -
Brain Lair Books -
emmakslone's review against another edition
3.0
Cute and sweet despite some mixed feelings bc there were not enough cute moments to balance the drawn out, figuring out, etc etc
distant_ships's review against another edition
5.0
I sincerely appreciate all the books lately that are normalizing romance and fanction reading/writing. I haven't rooted for an MC this hard in awhile. This one will get you right in the feels.
avisparks's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
julialowebe's review against another edition
Just wrong time, couldn’t concentrate
melanie_books's review against another edition
3.0
Tessa needs to write like a fish needs water. Her specialty is writing stories with main characters who look like her. She shares them with her best friend Caroline, and no one else. When she and her family move to a new town, Tessa has the opportunity to attend a prestigious art school, alongside with her new [slightly dorky] neighbor Sam. Unfortunately, the thought of others reading - and not liking - her work gives her serious writer's block. She and Caroline come up with a plan to fix things: Tessa must find her own Happily Ever After to find inspiration. They set their sights on Nico, the dreamy rich kid in Tessa's writing conservatory. Will Tessa find love, or, more importantly, write again?
This story was cute - fluffy on the surface but filled with a lot of heart. Tessa struggles with her identity and happiness along with her writer's block and through the help of her mom & friends finds the help she needs. She is fiercely protective of her brother Miles, who has disabilities, and loyal to her friends. Sam is a big cupcake (though maybe over sensitive at times). The characters deal with pretty typical teen emotions & reactions but also some more serious ones, giving the story layers. I think the ending was a bit rushed, but happy nonetheless. The story had a little more language than was strictly necessary, but was entertaining overall!
This story was cute - fluffy on the surface but filled with a lot of heart. Tessa struggles with her identity and happiness along with her writer's block and through the help of her mom & friends finds the help she needs. She is fiercely protective of her brother Miles, who has disabilities, and loyal to her friends. Sam is a big cupcake (though maybe over sensitive at times). The characters deal with pretty typical teen emotions & reactions but also some more serious ones, giving the story layers. I think the ending was a bit rushed, but happy nonetheless. The story had a little more language than was strictly necessary, but was entertaining overall!