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Evergreen
A deliciously dreamy urban fairytale about a dryad who risks immortality for love, from debut author Devin Greenlee
All seventeen-year-old Quill wants is a break from the family business. Flowers, plants, the generations-old garden. What he wouldn’t give for a taste of the outside world. Normalcy. But his mom won’t let him out of the house, telling him he’s just not ready…
All because he’s a dryad. Well, not just any dryad, but a male dryad—the first ever. And unlike everyone else in his family, he hasn’t a lick of magic. Just a shock of green hair, matching green eyes, and a growing frustration that there’s an entire world out there waiting to be discovered. Until the night when the outside world—specifically his new neighbor—discovers him.
Liam Watson lives in a culture filled with electronics, mobile devices, and social media—where there is no magic or even the belief in it. And as much as Quill finds Liam irritating (he’s so cute it’s annoying), he can’t help himself.
Now Quill’s getting a taste of the outside world and of Liam…and he wants more. But all is not well in this magical, urban garden, and someone—or something—is changing the very essence of it.
And wherever Quill goes, the danger grows…
All seventeen-year-old Quill wants is a break from the family business. Flowers, plants, the generations-old garden. What he wouldn’t give for a taste of the outside world. Normalcy. But his mom won’t let him out of the house, telling him he’s just not ready…
All because he’s a dryad. Well, not just any dryad, but a male dryad—the first ever. And unlike everyone else in his family, he hasn’t a lick of magic. Just a shock of green hair, matching green eyes, and a growing frustration that there’s an entire world out there waiting to be discovered. Until the night when the outside world—specifically his new neighbor—discovers him.
Liam Watson lives in a culture filled with electronics, mobile devices, and social media—where there is no magic or even the belief in it. And as much as Quill finds Liam irritating (he’s so cute it’s annoying), he can’t help himself.
Now Quill’s getting a taste of the outside world and of Liam…and he wants more. But all is not well in this magical, urban garden, and someone—or something—is changing the very essence of it.
And wherever Quill goes, the danger grows…
400 pages, Hardcover
First published January 16, 2024
33 people are currently reading
12292 people want to read
About the author
Devin Greenlee
1 book84 followersDevin grew up in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. He fell in love with books at a young age, even “writing” his first one in grade school (seriously, his mom still pulls it out at parties). He continued that passion throughout college and would love nothing more than to create the LGBTQ+ novels he wished he had growing up. He currently teaches high schoolers everything they need to know about performance and sharp wit. On any given night, you can find him bingeing on video games or snoring so loud it wakes the neighbors.
Devin is represented by Ramona Pina at Bookends Literary Agency.
Devin is represented by Ramona Pina at Bookends Literary Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 271 reviews
October 27, 2023
This book has a fantastic premise and I think it could have done better if it had gone through some deep developmental edits. Unfortunately, as it stands now, I was disappointed.
The concept of a dryad family running a floral shop and caring for a magical garden? Fantastic, very cottage core. And I really did enjoy the idea of Quill - a half human half dryad who desperately wants to be normal, but I beyond those things I struggled.
The chapter length, repetitive scenes, and (kind of cringey) dialogue were reminiscent of high school creative writing endeavors. I’ve read a lot of YA in my time, but regardless of subject matter or audience age, I still generally expect the writing quality to hold up. Personally, I don't think it did here.
Beyond simple word choice and writing style, the plot felt choppy in many places; for example there was a lot of focus put into Quill and Liam's nightly drives - these scenes began to feel repetitive by the second trip and genuinely annoying by the third - but everything in between their dates seemed rushed and not evenly weighted. Based on the premise, I expected the plot of this book to center around Quill, his family of dryads, and the magical garden. Instead I third wheeled for dates with a love interest that, honestly, I really hated at worst and made my physically cringe at best.
I also felt a lack of connection from these characters. The way they dropped into the story felt like reading fanfiction, specifically in the way that you are expected to already possess knowledge of the characters' personalities and just follow the “AU” story. I yearned to know so much more about Quill than we were told in passing conversation between him and Liam. I would have loved to spend some more time diving into Quill and what really makes him tick.
I truly struggled through most of the pages after the 75% mark. Firstly because the storyline went from zero to feral with no build up (at no point did I feel like the ending made sense in relation to the beginning of this story). Secondly, because most of the writing was simply not that interesting to read.
I honestly feel that this book had so much potential, but it just did not work for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for the arc of this book! I’m leaving this review voluntarily!
The concept of a dryad family running a floral shop and caring for a magical garden? Fantastic, very cottage core. And I really did enjoy the idea of Quill - a half human half dryad who desperately wants to be normal, but I beyond those things I struggled.
The chapter length, repetitive scenes, and (kind of cringey) dialogue were reminiscent of high school creative writing endeavors. I’ve read a lot of YA in my time, but regardless of subject matter or audience age, I still generally expect the writing quality to hold up. Personally, I don't think it did here.
Beyond simple word choice and writing style, the plot felt choppy in many places; for example there was a lot of focus put into Quill and Liam's nightly drives - these scenes began to feel repetitive by the second trip and genuinely annoying by the third - but everything in between their dates seemed rushed and not evenly weighted. Based on the premise, I expected the plot of this book to center around Quill, his family of dryads, and the magical garden. Instead I third wheeled for dates with a love interest that, honestly, I really hated at worst and made my physically cringe at best.
I also felt a lack of connection from these characters. The way they dropped into the story felt like reading fanfiction, specifically in the way that you are expected to already possess knowledge of the characters' personalities and just follow the “AU” story. I yearned to know so much more about Quill than we were told in passing conversation between him and Liam. I would have loved to spend some more time diving into Quill and what really makes him tick.
I truly struggled through most of the pages after the 75% mark. Firstly because the storyline went from zero to feral with no build up (at no point did I feel like the ending made sense in relation to the beginning of this story). Secondly, because most of the writing was simply not that interesting to read.
I honestly feel that this book had so much potential, but it just did not work for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for the arc of this book! I’m leaving this review voluntarily!
January 4, 2024
M/M, YA fantasy romance. This book was honestly great! The flow and pacing of the story were also great. There was never a dull moment and I really love the progression of the relationship between Quill and Liam. I think the two characters are adorable and I wish the story was longer but anyway, it ended well and those plot twists were not forced; I like how they were gradually unraveled as I was reading through. I actually got a bit terrified when the mother revealed what might have caused all the trouble. Like...what the hell could it be then???
I don't know if this is a plot hole but Liam mentioned that he was allergic to flowers that he even closed Liam's windows because the scent reached his place but when Quill brought him to their garden, he seemed fine that's why I thought he was lying, contributing to the fact that he might be the bad guy. (Edit: this is not a plot hole. I forgot a part in the book and this was answered)
💎 Thank you Netgalley and Devin Greenlee for the eARC copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I don't know if this is a plot hole but Liam mentioned that he was allergic to flowers that he even closed Liam's windows because the scent reached his place but when Quill brought him to their garden, he seemed fine that's why I thought he was lying, contributing to the fact that he might be the bad guy. (Edit: this is not a plot hole. I forgot a part in the book and this was answered)
💎 Thank you Netgalley and Devin Greenlee for the eARC copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 31, 2023
This is a very solid debut, and one that I will be recommending to people. I think this did romance-heavy fantasy really well, making the fantasy element accessible and fun, and the romance super cute and heartfelt.
I do think there was a little bit of a tonal shift around the 80% mark. Up until then the book was mostly focused on the romance and on Quill wanting more freedom. Then around 80% the main mystery is solved and it sets a bunch of events in motion. This part of the story felt fresh and enjoyable, but it also felt rushed. I would have enjoyed the book even more if this last part of the book had been fleshed out a little more.
I do think there was a little bit of a tonal shift around the 80% mark. Up until then the book was mostly focused on the romance and on Quill wanting more freedom. Then around 80% the main mystery is solved and it sets a bunch of events in motion. This part of the story felt fresh and enjoyable, but it also felt rushed. I would have enjoyed the book even more if this last part of the book had been fleshed out a little more.
unreleased
November 13, 2023Just got an ARC for this one, it sounds so cute!! And that cover 😍😍
November 29, 2023
I feel about half like and half dislike for this one. And some of that has to do with the marketing for this book being a reimagined Secret Garden. I simply could not really relate this story to the classic in any way besides the fact that, indeed, there is a secret garden in this tale.
Quil is a male dryad. He is one of a kind due to the fact that all other dryads have been female. His mom keeps him undercover and away from the outside world and it's humans by keeping him inside their apartment and often working in the beautiful magical garden. When he meets his neighbor, Liam, Quil begins to learn more about himself and the world he lives in.
My main issue in this was how I never felt like each separate variable really added up. It's definitely an odd read, and I do think many would enjoy this, but it just wasn't for me. It felt a little on the younger side of ya and used language that gets on my nerves. And, trust me, I use bad language.... for some reason, it just got on my nerves in this book. Maybe the less mature side to the writing and the story coupled with plenty of f-bombs just annoyed me.
However, I do really feel like many would enjoy this. These are just my personal thoughts.
Out January 16, 2024!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
Quil is a male dryad. He is one of a kind due to the fact that all other dryads have been female. His mom keeps him undercover and away from the outside world and it's humans by keeping him inside their apartment and often working in the beautiful magical garden. When he meets his neighbor, Liam, Quil begins to learn more about himself and the world he lives in.
My main issue in this was how I never felt like each separate variable really added up. It's definitely an odd read, and I do think many would enjoy this, but it just wasn't for me. It felt a little on the younger side of ya and used language that gets on my nerves. And, trust me, I use bad language.... for some reason, it just got on my nerves in this book. Maybe the less mature side to the writing and the story coupled with plenty of f-bombs just annoyed me.
However, I do really feel like many would enjoy this. These are just my personal thoughts.
Out January 16, 2024!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
January 17, 2024
A secret magically garden with a family at its heart. I really enjoyed Quills story. He’s a male dryad which is rare. He’s spent his life hiding who he is… until he meets Liam.
The guys are drawn to each other and find it hard to stay away. There’s connection is cute to watch unfolding, however somethings going on with Quill and the garden. Can he protect his family/legacy and still get the boy?
This was an interesting read. It’s sweet, cute and intriguing.
YA
Romance
Fantasy
The guys are drawn to each other and find it hard to stay away. There’s connection is cute to watch unfolding, however somethings going on with Quill and the garden. Can he protect his family/legacy and still get the boy?
This was an interesting read. It’s sweet, cute and intriguing.
YA
Romance
Fantasy
January 10, 2024
Hi everyone! I'm the author of Evergreen and I'm so excited for you to read it. I worked very hard on this book and I think it's pretty cool, if I do say so myself. (I might be biased. Forgive me.)
It features a twist on mythological creatures, love in an overprotective family, navigating social anxiety, and coming of age in a digital world. But, most importantly, it has all those sweet gooey feelings you get from your first crush, your first kiss, and the first time you sneak out in the middle of the night to see the boy next door when you should be preparing for impending doom. Totally normal, right?
Of course, it's not all sunshine and magical flowers the whole time. Not all books are built the same, so always make sure you read responsibly. Evergreen does have some trigger warnings. Swears and curses are a common tongue for teenagers (anyone who's ever worked in a secondary school will tell you that). It also includes mentions of past assault, blood, illness, past loss of a loved one, cancer, anxiety, panic attacks, fire, nightmares of traumatic events, hospitalization, terminal illness, and mind control.
If you've read this far and Evergreen still sounds like it's up your alley, thank you so much! I hope Quill and Liam make you smile as much as they did for me.
It features a twist on mythological creatures, love in an overprotective family, navigating social anxiety, and coming of age in a digital world. But, most importantly, it has all those sweet gooey feelings you get from your first crush, your first kiss, and the first time you sneak out in the middle of the night to see the boy next door when you should be preparing for impending doom. Totally normal, right?
Of course, it's not all sunshine and magical flowers the whole time. Not all books are built the same, so always make sure you read responsibly. Evergreen does have some trigger warnings. Swears and curses are a common tongue for teenagers (anyone who's ever worked in a secondary school will tell you that). It also includes mentions of past assault, blood, illness, past loss of a loved one, cancer, anxiety, panic attacks, fire, nightmares of traumatic events, hospitalization, terminal illness, and mind control.
If you've read this far and Evergreen still sounds like it's up your alley, thank you so much! I hope Quill and Liam make you smile as much as they did for me.
October 31, 2023
Entangled, how the hell do y’all keep putting out all these wonderful books. I mean seriously. I wasn’t expecting this to be as cute as it was. Thank you for sending me an eARC.
Omg this WAS SO FREAKING CUTE YALL.
Quill—oh the poor baby. Riddled with anxiety and feelings about a boy he knows he shouldn’t.
And Liam—sweet sweet Liam. A boy undoubtedly infatuated with the weird boy next door with green hair and eyes.
I’ve never fallen faster and harder for two characters. This was such a sweet and thoughtful concept and sooooo well executed.
And let’s not even talk about the COVER. I literally just finished Your Blood My Bones and the cover is similar to Evergreen and I LOVE IT. covers like that are *chef’s kiss*
sooooooo
All that’s left to ask is: are we getting more of Liam of Quill? Cause if not I respectfully demand we do.
Omg this WAS SO FREAKING CUTE YALL.
Quill—oh the poor baby. Riddled with anxiety and feelings about a boy he knows he shouldn’t.
And Liam—sweet sweet Liam. A boy undoubtedly infatuated with the weird boy next door with green hair and eyes.
I’ve never fallen faster and harder for two characters. This was such a sweet and thoughtful concept and sooooo well executed.
And let’s not even talk about the COVER. I literally just finished Your Blood My Bones and the cover is similar to Evergreen and I LOVE IT. covers like that are *chef’s kiss*
sooooooo
All that’s left to ask is: are we getting more of Liam of Quill? Cause if not I respectfully demand we do.
July 3, 2024
This book was a little slow to start, but once I was about 25% in, I really liked it!
The romance was really cute. These two gave me some warm fuzzies and made me smile, remembering what it was like being a teen and spending time with a new crush. And these two were cute together. Instead of judging, Liam seemed endeared by Quill’s strangeness.
The dryad stuff was cool. The book was less plant-y than you might expect, but there were some interesting things that were different about Quill. And I just love reading about supernatural/magical beings that you don’t often find books about.
The story took me by surprise. It was mostly about the romance and Quill coming out of his sheltered life, but there was a mystery and a bit of tension and danger.
Sometimes in books about supernaturals or sheltered characters experiencing life among humans or out in the world for the first time, the things they know vs. don’t know are nonsensical. But I felt like they made sense in this book. For example, Quill knew what a car was and how to get in and out, he’d seen it in movies, but he didn’t know how much force was needed to open and shut the car door the first time.
In general, the way characters acted just felt like it made sense. Which feels like a weird thing to say, because isn’t that sort of the standard in books? But like I said, in these types of stories about supernaturals, sometimes that goes out the window. Whereas these characters felt grounded and believable to me. Sometimes they made questionable or bad decisions, but what teen (or human in general) doesn’t sometimes?
This was also such a great portrayal of what happens when parents are overprotective and controlling, even if it’s well-meaning. Quill’s mom could’ve taught him and supported him, and then he would’ve known what was safe and what wasn’t, could’ve talked to her about things, would’ve been more likely to listen to her advice and respect her rules, and could’ve made smart decisions. Instead, he had to sneak around and figure things out on his own and ended up taking risks that could’ve been avoided. I don’t know if that was meant to be one of the points of the book or not, but it just struck me as very realistic.
The audiobook, narrated by Michael Crouch, was great. He sounded natural and made characters sound just different enough to tell them apart. And he has a voice and style that I feel like was a good choice for this story and character.
Warning, the topics of parent death and cancer come up in this book. So it does get heavy at times, though it’s not an overall heavy book. *SPOILER* *END SPOILER*
Overall, this was a great combination of realistic experiences, interesting dryad magic, and cute teen romance!
*Rating: 4 Stars // Read Date: 2024 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes cute queer teen romance, uncommon supernaturals, and a bit of mystery and danger.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
The romance was really cute. These two gave me some warm fuzzies and made me smile, remembering what it was like being a teen and spending time with a new crush. And these two were cute together. Instead of judging, Liam seemed endeared by Quill’s strangeness.
The dryad stuff was cool. The book was less plant-y than you might expect, but there were some interesting things that were different about Quill. And I just love reading about supernatural/magical beings that you don’t often find books about.
The story took me by surprise. It was mostly about the romance and Quill coming out of his sheltered life, but there was a mystery and a bit of tension and danger.
Sometimes in books about supernaturals or sheltered characters experiencing life among humans or out in the world for the first time, the things they know vs. don’t know are nonsensical. But I felt like they made sense in this book. For example, Quill knew what a car was and how to get in and out, he’d seen it in movies, but he didn’t know how much force was needed to open and shut the car door the first time.
In general, the way characters acted just felt like it made sense. Which feels like a weird thing to say, because isn’t that sort of the standard in books? But like I said, in these types of stories about supernaturals, sometimes that goes out the window. Whereas these characters felt grounded and believable to me. Sometimes they made questionable or bad decisions, but what teen (or human in general) doesn’t sometimes?
This was also such a great portrayal of what happens when parents are overprotective and controlling, even if it’s well-meaning. Quill’s mom could’ve taught him and supported him, and then he would’ve known what was safe and what wasn’t, could’ve talked to her about things, would’ve been more likely to listen to her advice and respect her rules, and could’ve made smart decisions. Instead, he had to sneak around and figure things out on his own and ended up taking risks that could’ve been avoided. I don’t know if that was meant to be one of the points of the book or not, but it just struck me as very realistic.
The audiobook, narrated by Michael Crouch, was great. He sounded natural and made characters sound just different enough to tell them apart. And he has a voice and style that I feel like was a good choice for this story and character.
Warning, the topics of parent death and cancer come up in this book. So it does get heavy at times, though it’s not an overall heavy book. *SPOILER* *END SPOILER*
Overall, this was a great combination of realistic experiences, interesting dryad magic, and cute teen romance!
*Rating: 4 Stars // Read Date: 2024 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes cute queer teen romance, uncommon supernaturals, and a bit of mystery and danger.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
November 6, 2023
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.
-> 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.
January 20, 2024
This was a REALLY fun YA M/M opposites attract fantasy romance that sees the first male dryad falling for a guy in the nonmagical 'real world.' Sweet with great banter and perfect for fans of books like Belladonna. I enjoyed this one a lot and look forward to more from Devin Greenlee! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
May 12, 2025
3.75⭐️!!!
February 8, 2025
I absolutely adored Evergreen! Quill and Liam are an adorable duo. The dryad magic was a super interesting aspect of the story and I wished the story was longer just so I could learn more about it. Devin Greenlee’s writing is simple and clean, but his imagery is absolutely beautiful! There were so many moments where I could vividly imagine the world he created, the garden and the cave being my favorite. And that made the story that much more memorable.
October 28, 2023
Evergreen by Devin Greenlee-
This is a retelling that is loosely based on The Secret Garden. It is a coming-of-age story with some fantastical magic sprinkled all over. It was a nice change from the types of books I generally read. I rated it a 3.5 stars, (rounded up to a 4.)
Quill is a seventeen year old, half dryad male who has never left his apartment building or seen the world outside of his magical garden. He’s an anxious fellow, who dreams of having the freedom to see and experience the human world. Quill just wants to be “normal.” His mother and sister are the only family he has and they’ve done their best to protect him and have kept him isolated because they feel he isn’t quite ready for human interaction. This all changes when Liam and his father move into the apartment next door. Quill has a run in with Liam and an unlikely friendship blooms…
This is story of a blossoming friendship between Quill and Liam. There are adventures and challenges. There are awkward encounters, ups and downs and an awakening of sorts. Quill experiences things and feelings that he’s ever had before. I really liked watching the development of Quill as an individual. He learns a lot about family, loyalty and what loving people truly means. His appreciation of his mother and sister and even Liam, is a beautiful thing. He really comes into his own when Azazel is introduced to the plot.
I wish there would have been more backstory, or lore. More details to understand dryads, their powers and the importance of nature and its relationship with humans. We get a basic understanding when we learn a little bit about his mother but I think it would have added so much to this story. I would have also liked to have seen more magic in the garden. As it stands, the story is a good one. The plot and mystery were decent. The ending was a little sad, in my opinion. I’d comment more on that but I don’t want to spoil the book. This was an enjoyable read and the writing itself was very good, very strong. I’m interested in seeing what the author releases next.
I received an advance reader copy and am leaving my review voluntarily.
This is a retelling that is loosely based on The Secret Garden. It is a coming-of-age story with some fantastical magic sprinkled all over. It was a nice change from the types of books I generally read. I rated it a 3.5 stars, (rounded up to a 4.)
Quill is a seventeen year old, half dryad male who has never left his apartment building or seen the world outside of his magical garden. He’s an anxious fellow, who dreams of having the freedom to see and experience the human world. Quill just wants to be “normal.” His mother and sister are the only family he has and they’ve done their best to protect him and have kept him isolated because they feel he isn’t quite ready for human interaction. This all changes when Liam and his father move into the apartment next door. Quill has a run in with Liam and an unlikely friendship blooms…
This is story of a blossoming friendship between Quill and Liam. There are adventures and challenges. There are awkward encounters, ups and downs and an awakening of sorts. Quill experiences things and feelings that he’s ever had before. I really liked watching the development of Quill as an individual. He learns a lot about family, loyalty and what loving people truly means. His appreciation of his mother and sister and even Liam, is a beautiful thing. He really comes into his own when Azazel is introduced to the plot.
I wish there would have been more backstory, or lore. More details to understand dryads, their powers and the importance of nature and its relationship with humans. We get a basic understanding when we learn a little bit about his mother but I think it would have added so much to this story. I would have also liked to have seen more magic in the garden. As it stands, the story is a good one. The plot and mystery were decent. The ending was a little sad, in my opinion. I’d comment more on that but I don’t want to spoil the book. This was an enjoyable read and the writing itself was very good, very strong. I’m interested in seeing what the author releases next.
I received an advance reader copy and am leaving my review voluntarily.
January 15, 2024
[I received a copy for an honest review]
Evergreen by Devin Greenlee is a solid debut YA romance fantasy. I personally haven't read the Secret Garden (hide) but I definitely felt strong Rapunzel vibes throughout.
Our lead Quill is a dryad whose has spent his entire 17 years of life so far stuck inside and working for the family business. He isn't allowed outside or to interact with humans. His mother is overprotective for a multitude of reasons. But when a boy his age moves in next door, he feels that getting to know him is worth the risk. Liam shows Quill a world he only dreamed of seeing someday, and the two quickly become attached with each other. But both are keeping secrets and when betrayal happens it puts everyone Quill loves in danger.
He squeezes my hand and looks at me, and for the smallest second, I feel like he sees me . All of me. And actually likes me for all of it. And I never want to let him go.
I quite enjoyed this one. The story is light on the fantasy aspect, and it adds a charming quality to the entire story. The central focus for most of the story is the romance between Quill and Liam, and I have zero complaints about that. The two for very sweet and adorable together. I enjoyed the pacing but did feel like the end was a tad rushed. Not the way it unfolded necessarily, but it maybe it could have been stretched just a bit from the climax to the solution.
Overall , Evergreen by Devin Greenlee is a sweet Queer YA light Fantasy romance with Rapunzel vibes, a charming MM romance, sneaking out, awkward flirting, magic, betrayal, love, sacrifice, and a satisfying ending.
Evergreen by Devin Greenlee is a solid debut YA romance fantasy. I personally haven't read the Secret Garden (hide) but I definitely felt strong Rapunzel vibes throughout.
Our lead Quill is a dryad whose has spent his entire 17 years of life so far stuck inside and working for the family business. He isn't allowed outside or to interact with humans. His mother is overprotective for a multitude of reasons. But when a boy his age moves in next door, he feels that getting to know him is worth the risk. Liam shows Quill a world he only dreamed of seeing someday, and the two quickly become attached with each other. But both are keeping secrets and when betrayal happens it puts everyone Quill loves in danger.
He squeezes my hand and looks at me, and for the smallest second, I feel like he sees me . All of me. And actually likes me for all of it. And I never want to let him go.
I quite enjoyed this one. The story is light on the fantasy aspect, and it adds a charming quality to the entire story. The central focus for most of the story is the romance between Quill and Liam, and I have zero complaints about that. The two for very sweet and adorable together. I enjoyed the pacing but did feel like the end was a tad rushed. Not the way it unfolded necessarily, but it maybe it could have been stretched just a bit from the climax to the solution.
Overall , Evergreen by Devin Greenlee is a sweet Queer YA light Fantasy romance with Rapunzel vibes, a charming MM romance, sneaking out, awkward flirting, magic, betrayal, love, sacrifice, and a satisfying ending.
January 19, 2024
The first thing I want to say is how much I love this cover, so shoutout to the cover designers. Secondly, this is one of the most unique books I have ever read. Quill is the first male dryad and doesn’t have the knack for magic his mother and sister have. Because of his green hair and reasons, he’s been cooped up for seventeen years, unable to experience life in the real world. When a new boy moves into his building, they strike up a friendship. Sure, Liam may be the one who broke into his family’s garden, but he’s nice, he’s cute and he’s showing him things he’s never seen before. Quill wants to think the best of humans despite his family’s warnings. But most of all, he wants freedom.
“This garden’s magic never lets me down.”
I loved that this is very romance-heavy. Now and again, I love to sink into something safe and fluffy. The thing that made this book fresh and fun was the descriptions of all the plants and trees in Quill’s garden, but I would have liked to have seen a little bit more magic; I didn’t feel quite rooted in that aspect. The last 25% will give you whiplash in a good way; gosh, it was so creepy!
Overall, this is a solid debut novel from Devin Greenlee. He is an author I will be keeping my eyes on in the future.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🏳️🌈 LGBTQIA+ rep
😬 Some swearing
❌No steamy scenes (just kissing)
Let's be friends on bookstagram!
“This garden’s magic never lets me down.”
I loved that this is very romance-heavy. Now and again, I love to sink into something safe and fluffy. The thing that made this book fresh and fun was the descriptions of all the plants and trees in Quill’s garden, but I would have liked to have seen a little bit more magic; I didn’t feel quite rooted in that aspect. The last 25% will give you whiplash in a good way; gosh, it was so creepy!
Overall, this is a solid debut novel from Devin Greenlee. He is an author I will be keeping my eyes on in the future.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🏳️🌈 LGBTQIA+ rep
😬 Some swearing
❌No steamy scenes (just kissing)
Let's be friends on bookstagram!
July 4, 2025
This was a great book and I loved the premise of it and the magical garden full of wonder plants and the plot had me hooked trying to figure it out. It’s a great debut novel and I can’t wait for more works in the future.
July 23, 2025
200 odrzuconych propozycji wydawniczych powinno dać autorowi do myślenia.
November 29, 2023
I feel about half like and half dislike for this one. And some of that has to do with the marketing for this book being a reimagined Secret Garden. I simply could not really relate this story to the classic in any way besides the fact that, indeed, there is a secret garden in this tale.
Quil is a male dryad. He is one of a kind due to the fact that all other dryads have been female. His mom keeps him undercover and away from the outside world and it's humans by keeping him inside their apartment and often working in the beautiful magical garden. When he meets his neighbor, Liam, Quil begins to learn more about himself and the world he lives in.
My main issue in this was how I never felt like each separate variable really added up. It's definitely an odd read, and I do think many would enjoy this, but it just wasn't for me. It felt a little on the younger side of ya and used language that gets on my nerves. And, trust me, I use bad language.... for some reason, it just got on my nerves in this book. Maybe the less mature side to the writing and the story coupled with plenty of f-bombs just annoyed me.
However, I do really feel like many would enjoy this. These are just my personal thoughts.
Out January 16, 2024!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
Quil is a male dryad. He is one of a kind due to the fact that all other dryads have been female. His mom keeps him undercover and away from the outside world and it's humans by keeping him inside their apartment and often working in the beautiful magical garden. When he meets his neighbor, Liam, Quil begins to learn more about himself and the world he lives in.
My main issue in this was how I never felt like each separate variable really added up. It's definitely an odd read, and I do think many would enjoy this, but it just wasn't for me. It felt a little on the younger side of ya and used language that gets on my nerves. And, trust me, I use bad language.... for some reason, it just got on my nerves in this book. Maybe the less mature side to the writing and the story coupled with plenty of f-bombs just annoyed me.
However, I do really feel like many would enjoy this. These are just my personal thoughts.
Out January 16, 2024!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
November 9, 2023
Seventeen year old Quill has never been out in the real world but that's just what happens when you're the first male born dryad, sans powers, and your family is tasked with keeping a vast secret garden that resides in a pocket world in closet in your apartment. With his green hair and sarcasm, Quill thinks he's ready to step out and experience everything. That's when he meets the new boy-next-door Liam and everything changes. There's an intruder in the garden and a human boy winning over his affections - what Quill does next will determine the entire future of his family and his life as he knows it.
This book was great, truly. The characters come to life easily - I've already mentally cast the role of Liam in the non-existent movie version of this book. Quill and his family are fantastical and rightfully so - they're supposed to be. They're not human and they come off just as beautifully written as their garden does. Devin Greenlee does an exceptional job of bringing both the characters and the places they're inhabiting to such life. I could see the flowers and the fruit trees and that ever suspicious conservatory. But I think what I loved most was how Quill and Liam's sexualities are celebrated rather than ever experiencing a point of shame. That just doesn't happen in this book and it's about damn time people stopped equating queerness to a need for shame.
I will say that there are decidedly two parts to this book and it very much is made clear around the halfway point. This is possibly unintentional but without the first half the second half would suffer so they very much need each other. You spend the first half of this book meeting Quill and his family and Liam and discovering the world with Quill, from seeing his first film to making his first friend. The first half of the book is very much stepping out into the world with Quill and finding all of the things he finds there with him. The second half is where the action ramps up, where all the little things come into play that you may have not seen within the rest of the book but it does work. The second portion of the book is much faster, much more action packed but it needs the first half - so they very much work hand in hand.
I was convinced several times through the first half of this book that I knew who the intruder was. It kept switching until I was surprised by what was actually happening. Unexpected, yet it totally makes sense. I wish there was more about the true villain and how it operates weaved into the first part of this book but that's just the reader in me wanting more. Because, at the same time, I could say at the end I want more of what comes next for Quill and his family and Quill and Liam.
Definitely a good read, easily devoured.
Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read this lovely book!
This book was great, truly. The characters come to life easily - I've already mentally cast the role of Liam in the non-existent movie version of this book. Quill and his family are fantastical and rightfully so - they're supposed to be. They're not human and they come off just as beautifully written as their garden does. Devin Greenlee does an exceptional job of bringing both the characters and the places they're inhabiting to such life. I could see the flowers and the fruit trees and that ever suspicious conservatory. But I think what I loved most was how Quill and Liam's sexualities are celebrated rather than ever experiencing a point of shame. That just doesn't happen in this book and it's about damn time people stopped equating queerness to a need for shame.
I will say that there are decidedly two parts to this book and it very much is made clear around the halfway point. This is possibly unintentional but without the first half the second half would suffer so they very much need each other. You spend the first half of this book meeting Quill and his family and Liam and discovering the world with Quill, from seeing his first film to making his first friend. The first half of the book is very much stepping out into the world with Quill and finding all of the things he finds there with him. The second half is where the action ramps up, where all the little things come into play that you may have not seen within the rest of the book but it does work. The second portion of the book is much faster, much more action packed but it needs the first half - so they very much work hand in hand.
I was convinced several times through the first half of this book that I knew who the intruder was. It kept switching until I was surprised by what was actually happening. Unexpected, yet it totally makes sense. I wish there was more about the true villain and how it operates weaved into the first part of this book but that's just the reader in me wanting more. Because, at the same time, I could say at the end I want more of what comes next for Quill and his family and Quill and Liam.
Definitely a good read, easily devoured.
Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read this lovely book!
February 26, 2024
Rating: 4.25/5 Penguins (rounded down)
Quick Reasons: a Secret Garden retelling?! GIMME!; intriguing magic, powerful world-building; WHAT a reveal twist!; could not put this down; pretty purple prose; diverse romance/characters; wit and snark galore
HUGE thanks to Devin Greenlee, Entangled Teen, and Netgalley for the ARC of this title! My review of this book is voluntarily written and in no way altered or impacted by this gesture.
Magic isn't all it's cracked up to be. It's kind of boring, to be honest--working around mystical plants all day. The novelty wears off.
I know the deal--it's a rite of passage. Every dryad's done it--my grandmothers, then my mother, then Laurel, and now it's my turn. If you can take care of it, you prove that you can take care of yourself. Fail, and... I don'[t actually know. No one's ever failed before.
I fell in love with this book based on two small things initially. 1. The cover is spectacularly eye-catching; and 2. This is a Secret Garden retelling. I did not know the journey I was about to embark on when I requested this ARC; I merely knew I NEEDED to read it. I'm so happy my intuition was correct.
The magic system in this read is beautifully crafted, mysterious in a way that makes you want to know more, and only just slightly confusing. Devin Greenlee plays with plant-based powers and dryad mythologies to weave an awe-inspiring journey of self-discovery, self-confidence, and growth. The prose is elegant and just the right amount of purple, flowing and flowering (hahaha...flowers. get it?) in all the right ways. And that twist reveal?! I was left gasping.
"So what happened after that? Did they get away?"
Laurel chuckles. "Oh, absolutely not. The prince hunted them down and publicly executed them before finding a new wife. Lived unhappily ever after until he was captured, tortured, and overthrown. Not the greatest end to the story--probably why it isn't told often. The moral is true love never lies."
I definitely recommend this to lovers of dryad magics, seekers of new and uniquely crafted worlds, and those who love a good retelling to lose themselves in. The door has been left unlocked, Penguins. Are you ready to face what's lurking inside?!
Quick Reasons: a Secret Garden retelling?! GIMME!; intriguing magic, powerful world-building; WHAT a reveal twist!; could not put this down; pretty purple prose; diverse romance/characters; wit and snark galore
HUGE thanks to Devin Greenlee, Entangled Teen, and Netgalley for the ARC of this title! My review of this book is voluntarily written and in no way altered or impacted by this gesture.
Magic isn't all it's cracked up to be. It's kind of boring, to be honest--working around mystical plants all day. The novelty wears off.
I know the deal--it's a rite of passage. Every dryad's done it--my grandmothers, then my mother, then Laurel, and now it's my turn. If you can take care of it, you prove that you can take care of yourself. Fail, and... I don'[t actually know. No one's ever failed before.
I fell in love with this book based on two small things initially. 1. The cover is spectacularly eye-catching; and 2. This is a Secret Garden retelling. I did not know the journey I was about to embark on when I requested this ARC; I merely knew I NEEDED to read it. I'm so happy my intuition was correct.
The magic system in this read is beautifully crafted, mysterious in a way that makes you want to know more, and only just slightly confusing. Devin Greenlee plays with plant-based powers and dryad mythologies to weave an awe-inspiring journey of self-discovery, self-confidence, and growth. The prose is elegant and just the right amount of purple, flowing and flowering (hahaha...flowers. get it?) in all the right ways. And that twist reveal?! I was left gasping.
"So what happened after that? Did they get away?"
Laurel chuckles. "Oh, absolutely not. The prince hunted them down and publicly executed them before finding a new wife. Lived unhappily ever after until he was captured, tortured, and overthrown. Not the greatest end to the story--probably why it isn't told often. The moral is true love never lies."
I definitely recommend this to lovers of dryad magics, seekers of new and uniquely crafted worlds, and those who love a good retelling to lose themselves in. The door has been left unlocked, Penguins. Are you ready to face what's lurking inside?!
February 26, 2024
I'm giving Evergreen by Devin Greenlee a 4/5 stars rating, and I want to express my gratitude to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for providing me with an early copy.
Netgalley describes this book as a Secret Garden retelling, while the author suggests it's more of a Rapunzel retelling. In my opinion, it embraces elements of both, though I wish the execution had been better.
Quill, the first male dryad ever born, captured my heart as a character. His upbringing involved homeschooling and being confined to his house with his mother and their garden. The introduction of a new family, including the human boy Liam, adds a layer of intrigue to Quill's sheltered life. The desire to explore the outside world grows in Quill, coinciding with Liam's curiosity about him.
The initial 60% of the book is undeniably cute and enjoyable to read. However, the plot takes a backseat until the very end, which was a bit disappointing. Despite this, the charm and two-thirds of the love story between Quill and Liam make the narrative quite endearing. While the plot may be lacking, the strong character development makes it deserving of a high rating.
Netgalley describes this book as a Secret Garden retelling, while the author suggests it's more of a Rapunzel retelling. In my opinion, it embraces elements of both, though I wish the execution had been better.
Quill, the first male dryad ever born, captured my heart as a character. His upbringing involved homeschooling and being confined to his house with his mother and their garden. The introduction of a new family, including the human boy Liam, adds a layer of intrigue to Quill's sheltered life. The desire to explore the outside world grows in Quill, coinciding with Liam's curiosity about him.
The initial 60% of the book is undeniably cute and enjoyable to read. However, the plot takes a backseat until the very end, which was a bit disappointing. Despite this, the charm and two-thirds of the love story between Quill and Liam make the narrative quite endearing. While the plot may be lacking, the strong character development makes it deserving of a high rating.
October 28, 2023
Quill yearns for a respite from the family's gardening legacy, and the fact that, as the sole male dryad among a lineage of females, he possesses only the physical attributes of his kind but lacks their magical abilities. For years, he's been confined indoors, unable to experience the outside world. When the new neighbor Liam finds him, he’s introduced to the outside world. Yet, an escalating danger arises as mysterious intruders infiltrate the family garden, leading to disturbances among the once-docile plants.
“Evergreen” by Devin Greenlee is a fantastic coming-of-age fantasy book. I absolutely love the characters, all of them. Quill was my favorite, especially since he was awkward but also outspoken and defensive at times. I liked how shelter and innocent he was, and the experiences that he’s new to in the book. Quill and Liam romance was so adorable, I was fighting for them the whole time. The lore was unique and perfectly explained. The cover is absolutely perfect. 5 out of 5 stars.
“Evergreen” by Devin Greenlee is a fantastic coming-of-age fantasy book. I absolutely love the characters, all of them. Quill was my favorite, especially since he was awkward but also outspoken and defensive at times. I liked how shelter and innocent he was, and the experiences that he’s new to in the book. Quill and Liam romance was so adorable, I was fighting for them the whole time. The lore was unique and perfectly explained. The cover is absolutely perfect. 5 out of 5 stars.
January 15, 2024
This book is Secret Garden meets Little Shop of Horrors- with of course an adorable teen romance à la Casey McQuiston. This portrayal of the fantastic botanical world lends a view into life as a teen who is more than just a bit quirky. I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys comforting romance with a twist, particularly teens getting into low fantasy.
January 6, 2024
Quill is unique. He's seventeen and has barely stepped foot outside his house. His family is a bit overprotective and homeschools him and is slowly teaching him to tend the family garden. Oh and he's the first male dryad ever to be born. He hasn't quite come into his powers yet so, really, all he feels like is a sheltered weirdo with leaf-green hair. Until a new boy moves into the apartment next door and Quill's entire life flips upside down. Liam is adventurous and nice and flirty and,...cute. So much so that Quill starts to silently rebel and sneaks out to have adventures with Liam: going to the movies for the first time or going swimming after dark.
Letting his defenses down around Liam, he brings him into the family garden (set in a secret pocket dimension in the closet) which sets off a series of events that no one could have seen coming.
I wasn't really sure what to expect from Evergreen and was pleasantly surprised. I didn't super realize it was a retelling of The Secret Garden at first and I'll be honest I'm not overly familiar with the source material (I think I saw the movie when I was super young?). I devoured this in two days. I could've finished it in one night if I had wanted to be a bit more reckless with my sleep. Liam and Quill are charming and Quill, while being a petulant teenager rebelling, feels real and not obnoxious. I'm an old curmudgeon now and often get exhausted by "put-upon teen" characters but really liked Quill. The story is engaging and the characters are lovable. Quill's mom feels a bit flat for most of the book but I think that's maybe a bit intentional as we only see her from Quill's perspective.
All-in-all this was a really fun time and definitely would recommend it to people who enjoy queer YA books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing LLC for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Letting his defenses down around Liam, he brings him into the family garden (set in a secret pocket dimension in the closet) which sets off a series of events that no one could have seen coming.
I wasn't really sure what to expect from Evergreen and was pleasantly surprised. I didn't super realize it was a retelling of The Secret Garden at first and I'll be honest I'm not overly familiar with the source material (I think I saw the movie when I was super young?). I devoured this in two days. I could've finished it in one night if I had wanted to be a bit more reckless with my sleep. Liam and Quill are charming and Quill, while being a petulant teenager rebelling, feels real and not obnoxious. I'm an old curmudgeon now and often get exhausted by "put-upon teen" characters but really liked Quill. The story is engaging and the characters are lovable. Quill's mom feels a bit flat for most of the book but I think that's maybe a bit intentional as we only see her from Quill's perspective.
All-in-all this was a really fun time and definitely would recommend it to people who enjoy queer YA books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing LLC for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 23, 2024
Evergreen is such a magical retelling of The Secret Garden. I can only imagine how beautiful and lush their world is and I’m left wishing it was all real.
Quill has lived an extremely sheltered life. In all 17 years he hasn’t been allowed to leave their home once. Being the only male dryad ever to be born, he’s a bit of an enigma. Even though both he and his older sister have the same deadbeat father (not in the picture), she was born with magic and he has green hair. But it could just be that his hasn’t shown up yet…
His world is turned upside down when a beautiful red-headed boy named Liam shows up on his doorstep (more like outside of his bedroom window). His father is sick and they’ve moved into Quill’s mother’s extra apartment. While she shows a dislike for humans for the majority of the book, she does show some compassion for the ailing man.
I really loved the garden and the dryad lore that came with it. It’s basically all inside of what I imagined was like Doctor Who’s Tardis. It’s a mile long lush and “evergreen” world where Quill’s family takes care of rare and extinct plants, including the trees that were once his grandmothers. Once dryads live out their full lives, they become the trees they care for. How cool is that????
There is a villain of the story and that I won’t give any information away about. I will say, I was really sad with how the ending turned out. It hurt my heart quite a lot… While everyone made it out alive, they weren’t unscathed. 😭😭
Quill has lived an extremely sheltered life. In all 17 years he hasn’t been allowed to leave their home once. Being the only male dryad ever to be born, he’s a bit of an enigma. Even though both he and his older sister have the same deadbeat father (not in the picture), she was born with magic and he has green hair. But it could just be that his hasn’t shown up yet…
His world is turned upside down when a beautiful red-headed boy named Liam shows up on his doorstep (more like outside of his bedroom window). His father is sick and they’ve moved into Quill’s mother’s extra apartment. While she shows a dislike for humans for the majority of the book, she does show some compassion for the ailing man.
I really loved the garden and the dryad lore that came with it. It’s basically all inside of what I imagined was like Doctor Who’s Tardis. It’s a mile long lush and “evergreen” world where Quill’s family takes care of rare and extinct plants, including the trees that were once his grandmothers. Once dryads live out their full lives, they become the trees they care for. How cool is that????
There is a villain of the story and that I won’t give any information away about. I will say, I was really sad with how the ending turned out. It hurt my heart quite a lot… While everyone made it out alive, they weren’t unscathed. 😭😭
December 26, 2023
All seventeen-year-old Quill wants is a break from the family business. Flowers, plants, the generations-old garden. What he wouldn’t give for a taste of the outside world. Normalcy. But his mom won’t let him out of the house, telling him he’s just not ready…
Evergreen
by Devin Greenlee
Pub Date: 16 Jan 2024
All because he’s a dryad. Well, not just any dryad, but a male dryad—the first ever. And unlike everyone else in his family, he hasn’t a lick of magic. Just a shock of green hair, matching green eyes, and a growing frustration that there’s an entire world out there waiting to be discovered. Until the night when the outside world—specifically his new neighbor—discovers him.
Liam Watson lives in a culture filled with electronics, mobile devices, and social media—where there is no magic or even the belief in it. And as much as Quill finds Liam irritating (he’s so cute it’s annoying), he can’t help himself.
Now Quill’s getting a taste of the outside world and of Liam…and he wants more. But all is not well in this magical, urban garden, and someone—or something—is changing the very essence of it.
And wherever Quill goes, the danger grows…
#Evergreen
Evergreen
by Devin Greenlee
Pub Date: 16 Jan 2024
All because he’s a dryad. Well, not just any dryad, but a male dryad—the first ever. And unlike everyone else in his family, he hasn’t a lick of magic. Just a shock of green hair, matching green eyes, and a growing frustration that there’s an entire world out there waiting to be discovered. Until the night when the outside world—specifically his new neighbor—discovers him.
Liam Watson lives in a culture filled with electronics, mobile devices, and social media—where there is no magic or even the belief in it. And as much as Quill finds Liam irritating (he’s so cute it’s annoying), he can’t help himself.
Now Quill’s getting a taste of the outside world and of Liam…and he wants more. But all is not well in this magical, urban garden, and someone—or something—is changing the very essence of it.
And wherever Quill goes, the danger grows…
#Evergreen
March 14, 2025
Cute and fun! The ending felt a little rushed but otherwise I really enjoyed it
January 25, 2024
Impressive debut
Evergreen is a debut novel blossoming with imagination and heart.
The story follows Quill, a half dryad— half human hidden away from the world by his family. Everything changes when he meets a charming young man who inspires him to escape his house and experience the world for the first time. However, his happiness isn’t without risks. The stakes in the book had me turning the pages for hours. I couldn’t get enough.
The characters are well written in this novel. The narrative is vivid and expressive!
I found myself emoting aloud because I was so immersed, haha.
I love Quill and Liam.
The romance is super cute. I quickly shipped it.
I highly recommend this book to fantasy and MM Romance fans.
Evergreen is a debut novel blossoming with imagination and heart.
The story follows Quill, a half dryad— half human hidden away from the world by his family. Everything changes when he meets a charming young man who inspires him to escape his house and experience the world for the first time. However, his happiness isn’t without risks. The stakes in the book had me turning the pages for hours. I couldn’t get enough.
The characters are well written in this novel. The narrative is vivid and expressive!
I found myself emoting aloud because I was so immersed, haha.
I love Quill and Liam.
The romance is super cute. I quickly shipped it.
I highly recommend this book to fantasy and MM Romance fans.
January 10, 2024
This was a highly anticipated read for me based on the premise alone and unfortunately did not deliver. Right from the beginning I had an issue with the main character, the worldbuilding, and the writing. I feel like there are things I can overlook in order to enjoy a story but it’s really got to be one or the other and not so many hang ups.
A few reviewers have said that the writing feels YA which is also the genre this is in but that feels unfair to me to YA. Even a younger intended audience deserves quality writing. This feels like a rough first draft and like someone trying to connect to a YA audience while coming off even more immature than the actual age group in reality. Even just from the very beginning the main character is attempting to antagonize the eventual love interest and says something along the lines of “can you even spell your name? I’ll give you a hint it start with L” when I tell you I had to put my kindle down from the cringe. I can’t imagine a teenager of any age or background thinking that’s a sick burn either on the speaking or receiving end. These tactics continue.
The actual writing is overly literal. It is a lot of telling and not showing. It insults the readers intelligence (yes even a teenage level reader if such a thing exists) when the inner dialogue and emotions are overly explained. It also does the main character no favors to be seen as so petty and immature. I had a hard time connecting and/or rooting for him.
There are plot holes in this and one of the biggest ones is how Quill has been stuck in his house for his whole life but this is contemporary/urban fantasy and he has had access to the internet and media the whole time. So he wonders things like “are all humans like this?” well you’ve spent a ton of time with unmonitored access to the internet I wouldn’t think you’d be that clueless. I think this would have done better as historical fantasy or with less of a clueless main character. Gen Z deserves better rep when it comes to utilizing technology.
I was also confused from the very start on certain aspects of the setting and magic subplots and as I kept reading I realized that was not intentional. That was essentially all the worldbuilding I was going to get. I still have so many questions about the garden and what’s out of magic and what’s not. I had a hard time conceptualizing this world based on the limited descriptions. This needed another round of editing.
Like I said, I wanted to like this. I seek out MM own voices romance and Romantasy especially in that category can feel hard to come by. So I thank Entangled Teen for this eARC but this was unfortunately not for me.
A few reviewers have said that the writing feels YA which is also the genre this is in but that feels unfair to me to YA. Even a younger intended audience deserves quality writing. This feels like a rough first draft and like someone trying to connect to a YA audience while coming off even more immature than the actual age group in reality. Even just from the very beginning the main character is attempting to antagonize the eventual love interest and says something along the lines of “can you even spell your name? I’ll give you a hint it start with L” when I tell you I had to put my kindle down from the cringe. I can’t imagine a teenager of any age or background thinking that’s a sick burn either on the speaking or receiving end. These tactics continue.
The actual writing is overly literal. It is a lot of telling and not showing. It insults the readers intelligence (yes even a teenage level reader if such a thing exists) when the inner dialogue and emotions are overly explained. It also does the main character no favors to be seen as so petty and immature. I had a hard time connecting and/or rooting for him.
There are plot holes in this and one of the biggest ones is how Quill has been stuck in his house for his whole life but this is contemporary/urban fantasy and he has had access to the internet and media the whole time. So he wonders things like “are all humans like this?” well you’ve spent a ton of time with unmonitored access to the internet I wouldn’t think you’d be that clueless. I think this would have done better as historical fantasy or with less of a clueless main character. Gen Z deserves better rep when it comes to utilizing technology.
I was also confused from the very start on certain aspects of the setting and magic subplots and as I kept reading I realized that was not intentional. That was essentially all the worldbuilding I was going to get. I still have so many questions about the garden and what’s out of magic and what’s not. I had a hard time conceptualizing this world based on the limited descriptions. This needed another round of editing.
Like I said, I wanted to like this. I seek out MM own voices romance and Romantasy especially in that category can feel hard to come by. So I thank Entangled Teen for this eARC but this was unfortunately not for me.
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