Thank you to Inkyaed Press for Young Readers and Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
From the moment she first learned to read, literary genius Darcy Wells has spent most of her time living in the worlds of her books. There, she can avoid the crushing reality of her mother’s hoarding and pretend her life is simply ordinary. But when a new property manager becomes more active in the upkeep of their apartment complex, the only home Darcy has ever known outside of her books suddenly hangs in the balance.
While Darcy is struggling to survive beneath the weight of her mother’s compulsive shopping, Asher Fleet, a former teen pilot with an unexpectedly shattered future, walks into the bookstore where she works…and straight into her heart. For the first time in her life, Darcy can’t seem to find the right words. Fairy tales are one thing, but real love makes her want to hide inside her carefully constructed ink-and-paper bomb shelter.
Still, after spending her whole life keeping people out, something about Asher makes Darcy want to open up. But securing her own happily-ever-after will mean she’ll need to stop hiding and start living her own truth—even if it’s messy. (Goodreads)
I liked this book, but I didn’t love it. It was an enjoyable read, and I liked the characters, but I didn’t really connect with any of them. I felt for Darcy and Asher for that matter, but not enough. I find that this is a typical response for me and young adult contemporary reads.
The story was good, but I felt like both a lot happened and nothing happened at the same time. There were big revelations and the end of the book, but I can’t help feeling like had those occurred sooner they might have been more of a story to tell.
Overall this book was a quick read with a good heart.
Overall: 3/5