Bookishly Ever After (Ever After Series #1)

by Isabel Bandeira

Overview

In a perfect world, sixteen-year-old Phoebe Martins’ life would be a book. Preferably one filled with magic and a hot paranormal love interest. Unfortunately, her life probably wouldn’t even qualify for a quiet contemporary.

Everything changes when Phoebe learns that Dev, the hottest guy in the clarinet section, might actually have a crush on her. So, Phoebe turns to the heroines in her favorite books for advice on a personality overhaul. Becoming as awesome as her book characters isn’t as easy as it sounds and when another girl nets Dev for herself right from under Phoebe’s nose, she’s crushed.

Then, to up the suckage, she gets assigned as his co-counselor at a sixth grade camp and has to spend an entire week tied to the hip with the one guy on the planet she wanted to avoid. Can she make it through the potential danger of romantic bonfires and nature walks without Dev figuring out she’s still not over him, or will her counseling career end in emotional disaster? Can she ever go back to her happy world of fictional boys after falling for the real thing?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781633920583
Publisher:	Spencer Hill Press
Publication date:	01/12/2016
Series:	Isabel Bandeira's Ever After Series , #1
Pages:	350
Sales rank:	444,692
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 7.90(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

Growing up, Isabel Bandeira split her time between summers surrounded by cathedrals, castles, and ancient tombs in Portugal and the rest of the year hanging around the lakes and trees of Southern New Jersey, which only fed her fairy-tale and nature obsessions. In her day job, she’s a Mechanical Engineer and tones down her love of all things glittery while designing medical devices, but it all comes out in her writing. The rest of the time, you’ll find her reading, at the dance studio, or working on her jumps and spins at the ice rink. Isabel is the author of the four-book Ever After series, including Bookishly Ever After, released in 2016, and Dramatically Ever After, to be released in the summer of 2017

Isabel lives in South Jersey with her little black cat, too much yarn, and a closetful of vintage hats. She is represented by Carrie Howland of Donadio and Olson, Inc.

Editorial Reviews

Bibliophile is the term used to describe people addicted to books. Phoebe is definitely in that group—her whole life revolves around books. She even has a crush on a guy just because he looks like the main character in her favorite book. She is a major introvert, with an extrovert group of friends. She is that one girl in the clique who is quiet and reserved while all the others are over the top. Phoebe has never been successful in love because she is completely socially inept. When she is told that her friend Dev might have a crush on her, she decides to imitate her favorite literary heroines and their behaviors to catch the boy. When she thinks it all blows up in her face and Dev is dating someone else, she gives up and goes back to crushing on the jerk that just happens to look like her book crush. She volunteers to be a camp counselor to get away from the madness of being a teen, only to be followed to camp by Dev. She still tries to figure out what her books would tell her to do when it comes to love. In the end, she discovers that she only needs to be herself and love will find a way. While this is a wonderful book for biblio-maniacs, it will not be an easy push for nonreaders. It is a captivating story that gets to the heart of every introvert. It leads readers through the world of books to find the happy medium between fantasy and reality. Reviewer: Barbara Allen; Ages 12 to 18.

VOYA, April 2016 (Vol. 39, No. 1) - Barbara Allen

02/01/2016
Gr 7–10—Sixteen-year-old South Jersey resident Phoebe has a small but devoted circle of friends, and they gently tease her about her obsession with fantasy books, archery, and knitting. Phoebe feels socially inadequate when it comes to the opposite sex and has a crush on handsome junior class president Kris. She doesn't pick up the clues that gorgeous Dev is very interested in her. Phoebe uses the romance tactics portrayed in her fantasy novels to try to flirt with Kris, and when she permits her friends to help her with makeovers and more trendy and flattering clothing, she's delighted that he finally notices her. On a camping trip where Phoebe is paired up as counselor with Dev, she finally has the opportunity to kiss Kris, but there are no sparks, and she's tremendously disappointed. Well-developed characterization, sparkling and humorous dialogue, and a logical story line combine in author Bandeira's easily relatable debut novel. VERDICT This gentle romance will spark high interest in middle schoolers and is an enjoyable start to the "Ever After" series.—Susan Riley, Mamaroneck Public Library, NY

School Library Journal