I really wanted to love this book with all my heart, but unfortunately I just liked it. I loved the characters and their struggles/growth throughout the book, and I could definitely identify with them because of their backgrounds and personalities. But I felt like the first half of the book was written like a middle grade set in college. Madison seems younger than 18 to me, and while I appreciate and adore her love of Disney, there was absolutely nothing that made her stand out differently from a middle school or elementary girl who also love and are obsessed with Disney. To me she had no ties to the real world, and I didn't feel like I would be able to find this person in real life. I also was a bit confused with some of the language in the book regarding the parks. I didn't ever see anything specifically mentioned about which park Madison used to go to with her grandmother, and because of that and because I live closer to Disney World I assumed it was World and then got a bit confused when things that aren't in world were mentioned. I also think that this was a bit outdated in the Disney terminology, specifically with the mention of a FastPass. I know they're not in the parks anymore, but it made the book feel a lot more dated. When the girls got to the island it definitely felt more YA, and I really appreciated the growth and development of both girls relationships with their partners. I also adore that Lanie is shows with anxiety and her coping mechanisms, I feel like I would like to see even more when they're on the island because they were only in one little spot that I can remember. I also loved that Madison was gay, and that she never felt a pushback for being with a woman, even though she was Cinderella and before the twist ending was meant to ride off with her prince charming. I liked the other characters, especially Val and Jared, their banter and Val's dislike of Jared was fun to read and would be great to see more of. Overall I do think it's a good book, but it doesn't fit in with YA in my opinion. I think that it would be best served as a middle grade with the current writing, or as a YA but in senior year of High School to make them ok to not have their entire futures planned out.

I love all things Disney. The description made me really want to read this book. I just couldn't get past the first few chapters. It is written great from the chapters I've read but just not my cup of tea. Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for the ARC and chance to review this.

I am now really in the mood to watch Disney movies… this book was really cute. I will probably check out future books by this author. I would say that it was not the most spectacular book I’ve ever read, but it did have a fairly unique concept that I really quite enjoyed. I would say that Madison was not the best of friends either, she was a little selfish, even if not intentionally, but I did still really like her character development. Overall, I would recommend if you just want something cute and quick.

I ended up dnfing this one. Although I enjoy Disney this one was a bit too cheesy for me and didn't work .I can see this title being a hit with others though. I really do like the cover and it is what initially pulled me in.

This book is very cheesy - if you get past that, the book is good. Now imagine you win an all-inclusive vacation to a Disney island? Sounds pretty awesome if I do say so myself. There is a cute, fun romance as well as a really nice friendship, which you don't always get to see! There are also a ton of Disney references throughout the book.

I have a bit of mixed feelings about this book, especially because it borders the line between magical and cheesy throughout the entire thing. The two main characters go on a dream visit to a new Disney experience park that incorporates live action role-play and it does take a bit of time to fully distance your mind enough to believe any of this is possible both in a mechanical sense and in a financial sense. But in order to enjoy the book, you have to let those thoughts leave you because otherwise you'll spend the entire time scratching your head and going "there is no way this is cost-effective if they're making custom costumes for every single guest of the experience."

I enjoyed that there was some lesbian representation in the book, though Madison does tend to become a little much with her Disney adult schtick. Lanie is much easier to relate to and her love story with Prince Charming was very sweet. But overall, the magic didn't quite reach me when it came to reading this. I wanted to love it and feel the magic that the characters describe about Disney as well as their friendship and their romantic relationships but it never hit for me entirely. The book has definite charms but they only do so much.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this read. However it's not the kind of vacation I want to go on. But it was still a fun read.

If you love Disney, you HAVE to read this book! Set in a fictional resort island, where guests get to actually become their favorite Disney characters, acting out iconic scenes from the movies. Madison loves all things Disney and is over the moon when she wins a contest to become one of the first guests on the island, especially since she is having a hard time planning out her future during her first year in college. She wanted to go with her then-girlfriend, but is unceremoniously dumped just before the winners were announced. Instead, she takes her extremely studious and focused best friend Lanie. The island experience isn't what either of them expected, but instead gives them each exactly what they need. Highly recommended for grades 9 & up.

Do you love Disney? Do you love a good, wholesome romance? If so, this is for you! It was a cute and fun read, but it started off a little slow for me and I wasn't sure if I would enjoy the story because of how the main character made me feel at first. Luckily I kept going and ended up enjoying the story. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Okay Disney first things first this island needs to be a real deal. I know Star Wars is cool, but think of what type of money you could make on an island like this. I know I would love to be apart of real Disney moments. Crystal Cestari is on to something, just saying.

That being said. This book lives up to the hype of the description. Madison and Lanie are swept up into a world of Disney magic when Madison wins the opportunity of a lifetime to visit the test run of Disney's newest destination vacation. Madison lives, eats, and breaths Disney magic living with her heart on her sleeve. Lanie is very education driven, focusing on a goal that others have set for her and towing the line. When Madison asks Lanie to join her on the trip, Lanie is worried. Her exposure to Disney is limited how will she be able to hold up to others on the island like Madison, who exude Disney. Will Disney magic help both girls find their happily ever after?

What do I love about this book. I love that it shows the real power of Disney. While it is built on fairytales and pixie dust the true magic of Disney once you become an adult is applying it to your real life. Looking at how you can help others make magic. Doing a magic moment for someone just because you know it spreads that magic. Taking a chance on the unknown and trying something new. This book perfectly puts being a "Disney adult" into perspective. It is not the same thing for everyone, and it doesn't have to be. There are ways to approach the magic that include everyone. It is not just for those who love Disney, you don't have to love Disney to love what it stands for. You also don't have to identify with a main character or actually be the main character to be a huge part of a fairytale. This book is just such a lovely self discovery for both Madison and Lanie. Which in many ways is what real Disney magic can do for someone. I know it personally has allowed me to have a lot of growth within my own life.

If you love Disney and you love fairytales you will love this book. I cannot recommend it enough if you are any type of Disney fan like myself

Thank you so very much Disney and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

Cheesy in all the best ways, this Disney immersion resort hits all the highlights for a Disney lover and all the lowlights of college students figuring out their futures. Sign me up.......as long as I don't have to be in college again.

I enjoyed this book. The characters were well thought out and the plot moved at a great pace. I would enjoy reading more from this author in the future.

Cute, fun romance with a strong friendship subplot. Two best friends, Madison and Lanie, win a vacation to larp as a Disney character in a new dream Disney attraction. Well, Madison wins, and when she and her girlfriend break up, her plans change to bring her friend, who happens to not be so Disney enthused.

Interesting, fun romance for all the Disney fans out there. I loved the dual narrative that allows us to see if both queer Madison and heterosexual Lanie can find their happily ever afters while playing make believe. A fun bit of magic.

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this book. There were two good romances throughout, and I also enjoyed the relationship between the two friends, Madison and Laney. I loved all of the references to Disney movies in the book. There were so many of them, which is something I appreciated because I love Disney princess movies. I definitely found myself wishing I could visit the island described in the book for myself. Overall, this book was a fun read I would recommend to any Disney fan.

"Happily Ever Island" is a sweet, cheery book about two college friends who win a dream vacation to the soft open of a fictional Disney theme park. Happily Ever After island is a place where the dreams truly do come true; guests pick a Disney character to cosplay and act as. Some are villains and some are heroines--the protagonists of the book are Cinderella and Merida, respectively. The characters are earnest and the concept of the island is pretty cool. Overall, the story doesn't have much bite, and is exactly what a YA novel brought to you by Disney would be. It features lots of adventure and wholesome romance and I can see it being a big hit with teenaged Disney fans.

My Disney-loving heart is full!!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The description is spot on! This is an adorable book, CHOCK full of Disney references. The depictions of anxiety and the stresses of trying to make decisions about what to do for a career and about ~romantic relationships~ were relatable and well-described!

Read this book only if you love over-the-top Disney, though, because it is of course very themed around that! The characters were developed and portrayed nicely and I loved reading about Lanie, Madison, Val, Charming, and the others as well.