Special thanks to Entangled Publishing, LLC and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was cute, but not quite what I expected. The premise had a lot of potential, and while the characters were cute, I just feel like the actual story couldn't quite follow through. I would recommend this book as an easy, sweet read, but should have been a rom-com (not trying to do a "save the world").

I enjoyed Evergreen by Devin Greenlee.
This book really has a gorgeous cover! If I'm being honest it's one of the main reasons I wanted to read this book...
The premise also sounded absolutely amazing!

I really liked the characters though I did think they could have been a little more fleshed out. I especially liked the romance and thought it was a really cute.
The writing style was good and I'm definitely curious to see what the author will write next!

I definitely recommend this book!
Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a review.

This was a gripping read and I was intrigued by the characters. I will look out for more by this author.

This book had such an interesting concept, a male dryad falling for a human guy and all the mess that entails, and I did really enjoy this. I loved all the intricate detail that went into the gardens and the powers and appearance of the dryads. At times I got a little annoyed with the cluelessness of our main character but he did act like a typical teenager most of the time. Sometimes the writing was a little overdone or too descriptive when it wasn't needed but I think with more time this author will be a powerhouse in queer books.

The summary for this book was what got me interested in it. The basic premise was intriguing but the overall execution just didn't do it for me.

The book wasn't bad overall but it could've used more time in the editing stage.

I wanted to like the characters but I just couldn't connect with them at all. There were times in which the repetitiveness of scenes really took me out of it. Certain turns of phrase were awkward and overall the flow of the narrative was a bit choppy. The characters weren't fleshed out as much as I wanted and the world was under-utilized.

I was expecting more than just the romance aspect but I was a bit disappointed in that as well.

This book could have been great but instead ended up as just being okay.

2.5 stars out 5 stars.

I'm not usually a fan of YA, but this book was adorable. It's a cozy, warm story, and I would recommend it as a comfort read.

Thank you, NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC, Entangled: Teen, for the chance to read this book in exchange of an honest review.

Quill is seventeen years old and he wants a break from his family business, involving plants and flowers, wanting to taste the outside world, but his mother is sure he's not ready. Because he's a dryad and he's the first ever. Unlike everyone else in the family, he doesn't have powers, just green hair and eyes and his desire to go outside. Everything changes when his neighbour discovers him. On the other side, Liam lives in world filled with eletronics, without any kind of magic, until he meets Quill. After getting a taste of the outside world, away from his garden, Quill wants more of it, but something is wront in this magical urban garden and wherever he goes, he's followed by danger...

In this urban fantasy story by the debut author Devin Greenlee, Quill is a dryad willing to risk everything for love in a cute and swoony book. Quill and Liam are very different from one other, with complex personalities and coming from very different worlds and habits, slowly discovering more and more about themselves and each other in this cute and romantic story, that mixes fantasy, magic, flowers and plants and danger. I loved reading Evergreen and I loved the relationship between Liam and Quill, the teasing and, slowly, the love between them.
The story is cute and swoony and I truly loved it.

A slow-paced, cottage-core vibe story about a dryad family who cares for a magical garden under the guise of a flower shop, and how they suddenly run the risk of being discovered when Quill meets an enigmatic human boy who gives him a taste of the world outside. It's a solid debut by Greenlee, full of sweet moments and great banter between these YA boys falling in love for the first time.

[Netgalley ARC]

For some reason, I simply find this book endearing. While it takes a little while to get used to the writing style, the elements were nonetheless captivating. The characterizations is definitely something to take note of as the author took a normally feminine aspects and merge it to the MMCs personality- and done so beautifully.

For those starting with Fantasy, this is definitely something recommended

Quill wants nothing more than to live a normal life, but even though he’s the first male dryad in existence, he doesn’t have even a hint of magic and his mother insists that he’s not ready to enter the world, keeping him restricted to their home indefinitely. But when a new neighbor moves into their building, Quill finds himself inexplicably drawn to Liam. Soon, he gets his first taste of the outside world at Liam’s side...and he wants more. But there is something lurking that could turn his entire world upside down, risking everything and everyone he's ever loved.

While I legitimately do not remember any of the plot, I do remember that THE SECRET GARDEN was one of my favorite books as a kid. So when a new book comes along and is described as a reimagining of this story that my heart tells me I loved, I immediately hopped on board. (Don't worry, I will be re-reading THE SECRET GARDEN this year to reacquaint myself with it.)

There is a lot to love about this story—the characters are fleshed out, the fairytale feel of the plot draws you in, and the mystery at the center of it all is intriguing. I found myself relating a lot to Quill and his feelings of being stifled under his mom’s overprotectiveness. His experience of a first crush, a first love, and that overwhelming teenage impulse that you’d do anything to keep them drives the story towards its climax masterfully.

I was absolutely hooked from the beginning! The blossoming relationship between Quill and Liam really dug its hooks into me and I happily sat back and enjoyed the ride. But as the mystery at the center of the plot starts to unravel, the story takes a bit of a turn that felt kind of out of left field. It all comes back together in the end, wrapping up the story in a nice satisfying little bow, but I did kind of get taken out of my groove for a little bit there.

Overall, I found this book to be a beautiful debut featuring a unique story that still felt incredibly relatable. If this is the kind of book to expect from Devin Greenlee, I’m happy to add him to my list of authors to watch.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for free and have voluntarily written this review.

I enjoyed the journey of this book! Our main character is sheltered but smart and full of dreams! Some parts felt a lil goofy, like him not knowing what a seatbelt was, but the queer love and family dynamics were fun to be part of!

This was a sweet book, I normally read at a faster pace but I felt compelled to take my time so I could absorb everything in this world. I really liked Quill, all he craves is normalcy even though he is surrounded by ancient magic.

Seventeen-year-old Quill wants a break from the family business. Flowers, plants, and, an old magical garden. He wants to experience the outside world, even though his mother repeatedly reminds him that he's not ready.

He comes from a long line of dryads, and he's the first-ever male dryad. Only he doesn't seem to possess any magic. What he does have is green hair and matching green eyes and a yearning to discover the world beyond his corner of it. Until the outside world discovers him, in the form of his new neighbor Liam.

Quill finds him annoying at first but is also drawn to him. Liam gives Quill his first taste of the outside and he wants more.

But something is wrong with the magical garden and someone tried to break in on the very night he met Liam. He turns to his sister not wanting to worry their mother.

And as his relationship with Liam grows so does the danger that's affecting the garden.

Thank you so much to the author, and Entangled for this ARC to review.

I really wanted to like this book, but from the begging the characters did not grab me and neither did the plot. I liked the idea of a magic garden and a reclusive boy finding his way into a new world, but I feel like neither of these ideas were fully explored and were just ignored in favor of a subpar love story. Liam’s character was so one dimensional, he felt like he should’ve been a background characters who appears to make flirty, inappropriate jokes and then gets killed seconds later. I did not like Quill, and his personality confused me, if you wanted to make him a recluse that knows nothing about the world then do that! But don’t have him be this character who gets pop culture references and then acts aloof the next chapter. The ending was also such a let down, it was a very Disney ending. But I will give credit where credit is due and that’s the magic system, I loved the nature aspect and the idea that dryads never truly die they just become part of nature forever.

I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for a review
This book was very cute. I was excited to read it because of the secret garden reimagining. I loved the sweet romance and the plot so very much. The flow of this book was spectacular. I felt there were never any slow moments. It moved at the perfect pace and made it incredibly hard to put down

Book Review: Evergreen by Devin Greenlee

⭐⭐⭐.5/5 Stars

First off, I have to mention the stunning cover of Evergreen by Devin Greenlee. It immediately caught my attention and perfectly captures the magical essence of the story within. Now, on to my thoughts about this book.

All seventeen-year-old Quill wants is a taste of normalcy, a break from his family's generations-old garden and the responsibilities that come with being a dryad. Unlike his family members, Quill is a male dryad, the first ever, and lacks any magical abilities. With only his shock of green hair and eyes to set him apart, he yearns for an adventure beyond the confines of his home.

But Quill's desire for freedom becomes a reality when he catches the attention of Liam Watson, his new neighbor from a world devoid of magic and filled with electronics and social media. Despite finding Liam somewhat irritating (though undeniably cute), Quill can't resist the allure of the outside world and the connection he feels with Liam.

As Quill begins to explore the world beyond his garden, he discovers that danger lurks in the shadows, threatening not only his newfound freedom but also the very essence of the magical urban garden. The more Quill delves into this mysterious world, the more the danger escalates.

Overall, I found Evergreen to be an enjoyable read. The writing may not be perfect, but the author has created a unique and imaginative world where magic and technology collide, bringing together two unlikely protagonists.

One of my favorite aspects of the book is the blossoming relationship between Quill and Liam. Their interactions are both heartwarming and entertaining, and I couldn't help but root for their connection to grow stronger.

That being said, there were moments when I wished for more depth and development in certain areas. The concept of plant magic and the history of dryads are fascinating, but I felt they were somewhat underexplored. Additional background information would have enhanced my understanding and appreciation of these elements.

In conclusion, Evergreen by Devin Greenlee is a delightful read that combines magic, romance, and adventure. While the writing may have its flaws and the lack of detailed exposition on certain aspects left me wanting more, the story as a whole is captivating. I recommend this book to anyone seeking an enchanting escape into a world where nature and technology collide, and love blossoms in unexpected places.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This was cute and lighthearted. It is a good fantasy for people who don't want a lot of world building, just a hint of magic set in the modern day. The romance definitely had more of a focus than anything else, it was not a plot heavy book. It was a quick read, and I look forward to seeing what the author does next.

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley for my honest review! Thank you Netgalley!

This book fell a little flat for me. Me and my mom both received this arc and neither of us were really able to connect with the characters and the interesting parts of the premise got left behind in the beginning of the book as if they didn't matter anymore. It just really didn't hit at all.

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

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of Evergreen.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a fast and fun read. I loved the aspect of the dryads and their magic system. And I loved the romance that was blooming between Quill and Liam. They were soo cute.

Wasn’t super sure about this book in the first few chapters but by the time I hit about 30% I was completely sucked in and finished it in a few hours! It was such a cute read, I love it!