This was such a lush romantic tale written with such beauty. I really enjoyed learning about the world of the Dryad and how Quill attempted to fit into it and yearned for a place he could truly belong. I feel like even though this was a fantasy, the story and characters were relatable and interesting.

The cover of the book first caught my eye and drew me to the summary like a moth to a flame. The book summary was just original and compelling that I had read this right away and I was not disappointed with the Greenlee's imagination or creative take on the world of classic mythic creatures meet the human world. Add to this an enduring MM romance with all the angst, questioning, and longing that is always part of young love and you have a wonderful story to build within a frame inspired by one of my favorite classics, The Secret Garden. Quill, the first male dyad, and Liam, a human, had the cutest dynamic. This was a book I will come back to and explore again and Greenlee is an author I will be watching for because as a debut novel this really stands apart!

Thank you NetGalley and Entangled for the arc that I read.

The synopsis made this book sound so promising, I loved the premise of a male dryad that was getting out of the garden for the first time so I went expecting a cute story and maybe that was part of my issues with this book, I had high expectations that weren't met.

My main issue was with the pacing, it was good during the first part but then it felt rushed and that messed up with the characters' relations making them feel forced and unbelievable, not just because the main relationship was very insta love but also on how the issue of being "isolated" got sorted out in just a couple of pages.

I also struggled with some plot holes from the story, there were elements that contradicted each other like how Quill has learned everything about humans from movies and videos, and knows how to google Liam and text but doesn't know what social media is. There were also some characters that were introduced but not mentioned again leaving theirs stories just hanging.

Overall the book was very visual and quick to read, but I would've loved to get more world building and character development.

I would say this book is perfect for fans of The Absinthe Underground and Nico DiAngelo.

The premise of this book was amazing! Dryads who run a flower shop as a front for caring for a magical garden. Quill, the first male dryad (total bonus), was born without powers since dryads are meant to be females. His family is over on protective causing Quill to be sheltered and isolated from the world. When he meets a new neighbor, Liam, mayhem in the form a sweet friendship blossoming into a sweet romance, ensues. It’s a story of magic, mystery, and first love.
Admittedly, I’m normally not a fan of romance stories and this one was, as most are, too sappy for me. However, it was a good book and one that I would highly recommend to my friends who enjoy a romance story, family drama, and a good cry.

Rooted in nature, magical turth and love, this debut brought so much pleasant memories back of the Secret Garden, but in a more full, more mature atmosphere. I enjoyed it, although I could appreciate more explanation about the world building.

This was pitched as a retelling of The Secret Garden, which was one of my favorite stories growing up. And make it gay? I'm in, no further questions asked. This was such a pleasant debut and I cannot recommend it enough. I think calling it a retelling was a stretch, but I can definitely see the inspiration from The Secret Garden woven in here. The story kept me interested and I was shocked by the reveals (both who the villain is and what is actually killing things in the garden). This was set up very well, and Quil and Liam's chemistry made me giggle like an idiot. I'm a sucker for characters who cannot read the room, and Quil not realizing that Liam has been flirting with him? Amazing. I will be recommending this! I can't wait to read more from Greenlee.

Evergreen by Devin Greenlee is a delightful journey into a richly crafted fantasy world that captivates both young readers and the young-at-heart. The intricate world-building is impressive, yet Greenlee manages to keep it approachable, making complex elements of this fantastical realm accessible to a younger audience. The settings are vividly described, and the lore feels both deep and inviting, ensuring readers are fully immersed in the story without feeling lost or confused. The language was a bit flowery (pun intended) but the purple prose fit the setting Greenlee established. Each character is also well-developed, with clear motives that drive their actions throughout the narrative. Greenlee has done an exceptional job of giving each character a distinct voice, making their individual journeys compelling and relatable. Readers will find themselves genuinely invested in their struggles and triumphs, which adds an emotional depth to the adventure. I greatly appreciate the exploration of their characters feelings for each other and how that developed as well. Evergreen is a charming fantasy novel that encourages young readers to explore their own creativity while providing them with an engaging narrative. I would highly recommend it for anyone looking for a magical escape!

even with such a cool idea, I had a hard time with this book. The world-building felt lacking, the writing seemed a bit immature, and unfortunately, I just couldn't relate to the characters. I really wished the book delved deeper into the characters and their world, beyond just the bits and pieces we get from their conversations.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

"**Evergreen**" by Devin Greenlee is a breathtaking and enchanting novel that captivates with its lush world-building and poignant storytelling. Greenlee’s vivid descriptions and rich character development create a deeply immersive experience, making this book a standout in the fantasy genre. Its blend of magic, adventure, and emotional depth ensures a compelling and unforgettable read.

Evergreen starts with a super interesting idea. Picture a family of dryads running a flower shop and taking care of a magical secret garden (perfect for fans of the cottagecore aesthetic). Then there's Quill, the MC, the only male dryad ever born, kept hidden from the outside world and its not-so-great humans by his mom, and all he wants is to fit in and be normal (doesn't it remind you a bit of Tangled?). When he becomes friends with his neighbor, Liam, Quill starts discovering more about himself, his emotions, and the world that's been kept from him.

But even with such a cool idea, I had a hard time with this book. The world-building felt lacking, the writing seemed a bit immature, and unfortunately, I just couldn't relate to the characters. I really wished the book delved deeper into the characters and their world, beyond just the bits and pieces we get from their conversations.

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!

I had high hopes going into this book. The synopsis was wonderful and I was thrilled to receive an ARC from Entangled Publishing, but I ultimately had to DNF it about 30% in. I just couldn't connect with the characters no matter how hard I tried.

This one did not grip me the way I thought it would. I couldn’t find myself connecting to the characters.

Evergreen was... okay. It didn't hook me the way I expected it to and I really, really wanted to love this book. I had to keep putting it down because I was getting bored at times.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

It was a nice book, but for a younger audience. I enjoyed the beginning of the book, but I felt that the ending was kind of rushed and unnecessary. The book would have been better being a cozy romance instead of adding all the drama at the end. At one point, I thought the story would take a different direction with the protagonist's mother, but I was just being paranoic ahaha (it would have been interesting). For me it was like a 3 / 3.5 stars.

I simply will not be able to get around to this one anytime soon and am no longer interested, I apologize.

A simple, lovely story of cute boy meet cute boy. You know where one cute boy has never left his home - his mother worried the world will discover their dryad abilities. The other boy has a father dying of cancer, so desperate to save him he may end the world. No biggie.
I just loved this one so much - smooth story line and character building, teenage angst, attraction.

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.