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jenny_librarian's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This is for the romance trope lovers. Ashley Poston even notes in her acknowledgements that she made sure to include all the tropes because Beauty & the Beast is her favourite story. Is it cliché? Totally. But it's heart-warming and cheesy and it's the perfect pick-me-up read if you need a cosy read.
Having now read all Once Upon a Con books, I can say this is my favourite. Like Poston, I'm a huge fan of the original (Disney-version) story and this gave me everything I could've asked. It has the same nerdy vibe as the previous books, with puns and namedrops every other page that will only make sense to the geeks.
So why not rate it 5 stars? Unfortunately, I'm also a major Star Wars fan and having to read Rosie and her friends talk about The Last Jedi as if it's the greatest SW movie ever made me want to vomit. I could excuse the HP references since this came out in 2020, but that was the line for me. So -0.25 stars for that.
Having now read all Once Upon a Con books, I can say this is my favourite. Like Poston, I'm a huge fan of the original (Disney-version) story and this gave me everything I could've asked. It has the same nerdy vibe as the previous books, with puns and namedrops every other page that will only make sense to the geeks.
So why not rate it 5 stars? Unfortunately, I'm also a major Star Wars fan and having to read Rosie and her friends talk about The Last Jedi as if it's the greatest SW movie ever made me want to vomit. I could excuse the HP references since this came out in 2020, but that was the line for me. So -0.25 stars for that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Classism, Drug use, and Sexism
readingthroughinfinity's review against another edition
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
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