Reviews

Evergreen by Devin Greenlee

jory728's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

anniedevcic's review against another edition

3.0

thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a ARC copy. i'm writing this review voluntarily.

-> 3 stars

if i'm going to be perfectly honest, this book was okay. it could've been amazing with some more development. the idea was amazing; a family running a floral shop and taking care of a super cute magical garden? LOVE! the spring/cottage core vibes were off the charts. but it could've gone so much farther with more development.

i didn't feel any connection to the characters. the writing was reminiscent of a wattpad fanfic in the whole juvenile writing style. i wanted to be told SO much more about the characters other than the little facts dropped in passing conversations. i wanted to know about Liam, and i wanted to know about Quill, but i didn't get that.

i was STRUGGLING!!!!! throughout the entire book, there was barely any world-building. i was thrown into the book almost violently and it made my head SPIN. another reason why i was struggling was because of the writing. like i said, the writing was reminiscent of wattpad/fanfic in the most basic way. it wasn't entertaining or attention grabbing AT. ALL.

as it stands, this book was a 3 star. i don't think i'll think about it, and i don't recommend. thank you again to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

cjaralore's review against another edition

4.0

Evergreen grows an immersive world of plant magic in the midst of relatable feelings of isolation, yearning for freedom, and the desperate need for someone. It interweaves the teen love story with magic, danger, and the sense of never knowing who to trust but desperately wanting to, thus creating a compelling read with surprising twists and fantasy elements.

paulineerika's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

Not so much a Secret Garden retelling, so that was a bit disappointing. However, I enjoyed Quill's steps out of his sheltered life and into the real world and I think the book might have been more successful if it had just focused on that and his relationship with Liam. Alternatively, it could have focused primarily on the magical mystery of the garden and Azazel. Unfortunately, the split between the two storylines didn't really work out as well and I was left wanting more about the magic and less about Quill and Liam's dates. The climax felt a little like it came out of nowhere and the resolution was under-developed. I still had questions at the end that didn't get answered.

For example, what happens to the people Azazel possessed--specifically, Liam's dad? We just brushing that aside?

Still, overall a pretty solid debut.  

manicotti's review

lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.0

cag168's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious 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

3.5

thepolishedbibliophile's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring medium-paced

4.0

 When I saw the cover to this book, I immediately knew I needed to read it!  I was immersed right into the story from the start as we met Quill and learned his family's magic and being dryads.  Quill has never been allowed outside of his family's store and home, however with the introduction of Liam, he begins to explore what life is like on the outside of his world.  Throughout this story, readers are taken through Quill's character growth.  There is also a mystery occurring throughout about what is happening to the garden.  Will Quill and his family be able to stop the garden from dying before their magic is affected?  Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!  

lucidreads's review against another edition

4.0

I wasn't really engaged with this book until around 40% in but I was definitely entertained by the end. I listened to it through the audiobook and idk it might just be me but the narration was very foreboding in a good way. I wish it had actually leaned a pit more that way in terms of plot. I thought Quill and Liam we're cute and all the characters were distinct. I do think the ending was just a little deus ex machina tho. Also what was with the royal family propaganda that was kinda weird. Overall it was an enjoyable read but it wasn't perfect.

andreannechat'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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

moonlitchapters's review against another edition

3.0

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Rating: 3 Stars

Loved this book, the cover drew me in with how stunning it was. I loved the story and I loved the characters, I just wish they had more depth to them. I didn't feel necessarily connected to them, but overall I loved the author's writing and I definitely will be reading more from them.