It took me almost a month to finish Evergreen, and that isn't because it's a long book. As much as I tried, I couldn't get into this.

I preferred the mystery to the romance. Unfortunately for me, the plot was more focused on Quill and Liam's relationship.

I can't be the only one skeptical about a romantic relationship that starts after a sheltered person meets someone else for the first time. Is it true love, or has Quill latched onto the only person who knows he exists? It did not help that this relationship escalated to an extreme in a matter of days.

We do not always need to be sold stories of people who are perfect for each other. It's okay to call lust for what it is.

Also...

Why were there chapters dedicated to their late-night drives when there is literally someone inside Quill's house? If my life depended on the well-being of a garden, I wouldn't leave said garden unattended.
Quill, what is going on with your priorities? Is love that much more important than life?

I found Evergreen frustrating. If there's ever a reworked version, I'll reconsider my review.

Bottom line: There's nothing quite as depressing as disliking a debut.

Magical realism story. Something about it reminded me of the Raven Cycle. Really enjoyed reading this one as we followed two main characters, Liam and Quill. Liam is a regular guy who just moved onto the property that Quill's family owns, while Quill is everything but a regular guy..

Special thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for the ARC copy they provided.

I want to start by saying, I enjoyed many parts of this book. Evergreen is an adorable story about a cute, and sweetly naive dryad who’s been cooped up in his family’s magic garden a bit longer than was good for him. The first few chapters, I identified hardcore with Quill because much of my own childhood was spent being overly sheltered, and wishing I could escape.

Devin Greenlee’s concept for this story, a magic garden, housing a deadly secret at its core, is also one I find delightfully inventive and which I would have loved to see, pardon the pun, blossom a bit more. There is an amazing amount of potential, both in this book and its author, and I think we’re going to see some great things from Greenlee in the future.

That said, there are several reasons I’ve rated Evergreen as only a three star book.

While reading, I consistently found developmental issues that, while small in themselves, when compounded by the number I found, rankled and jarred me out of the immersion in the story I needed for full enjoyment. Some of the more notable of these issues are Quill using his phone to text his love interest when he was stated as not having his phone, due to him being grounded, and characters’ motivations being skewed or vulgar.

Another thing that brings Evergreen to a three star is that about midway through the book, it just started to feel too long. A sense everything was dragging crept in, and by the 75% mark, I definitely knew the writing needed to be a bit tighter.

Despite the noted issues, Evergreen DID make me smile like an idiot several times, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching poor Quill bumble through the same awkwardness I remember experiencing with my first few ventures into the world outside my family’s narrow world. I think the number I put down my phone, shook my head, and mentally screamed, “No!!! Don’t do it, Quill, you soft, squishy, naïve little cinnamon roll!!!” was worth the read.

All together, Evergreen is a cute, young adult fantasy retelling of a classic story that anyone who enjoys long, rambly tales of fluff and adventure is likely to love. It didn’t quite resonate with me the way I hoped it would when I started it, but it’s a decent read.

I loved the idea for this book - I think dryads or nymphs are mystical creatures that don't get enough stories about them. They might be mentioned in books, but don't have entire books published about them and this was a refreshing take on a magical creature book. The book also started out very good, in my opinion, the first 30% had me really intrigued and invested - this was a long book and I finished it very quickly. It did have some tropes that I'm not the biggest fan of, like miscommunication and it was a bit insta-lovey, but if I done well I can forgive those - for the most part this book accomplished that. This is Devin Greenlee's debut novel and I can only see his writing and books going up from here.

Now we move onto the parts that aren't so great. There are some discrepancies with statements made in reference to timeline and character interactions. In chapter 29, Quill says "I haven't seen Liam for a few days." then a little later in the character he makes a comment about an interaction between them taking place the night before. I believe this happens on another occasion as well, but I didn't write down the chapter for that instance. Also, there are some times in the book where the wording is a little hard to follow and makes it difficult to figure out what is happening. As mentioned previously the characters are very instalove - on both sides and it comes off a bit unrealistic on the part of Liam. Quill it makes more sense, he's never really had interactions with others, so it's more believable that he would fall for the first person he meets (happens in many novels), but Liam is portrayed as handsome and popular albeit a bit cringe. I just find it hard to believe he would fall in true love after such a short meeting. Quill discovering his powers and automatically being a pro with them was a bit much. There is no way that after not being able to use your powers or really have any training you'd be able to kill something that seemed as all powerful as Azazel in a matter of seconds? This could have been more climactic and dramatic - instead it felt like huge lead up then fell pretty flat and unsatisfying. The ending was very rushed, like maybe the story should have been a duology but was crushed into one book instead.

Overall, I would read more by this author and I wish he would rework this novel and consider fixing a lot of the issues and potentially making it a series instead.

Thank you to #NetGalley for an e-copy of #Evergreen by Devin Greenlee to read and review.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

This book had an amazing premise and I was excited to read it. For me, it was a middle of the road read. The characters were interesting, but the premise didn't pan out to be as interesting or exciting as I was hoping. The writing was good, but this reads what it is, which is very YA to me.

Synopsis:
All seventeen-year-old Quill wants is a break from the family business. Flowers, plants, the generations-old garden. What he wouldn’t give for a taste of the outside world. Normalcy. But his mom won’t let him out of the house, telling him he’s just not ready…
All because he’s a dryad. Well, not just any dryad, but a male dryad—the first ever. And unlike everyone else in his family, he hasn’t a lick of magic. Just a shock of green hair, matching green eyes, and a growing frustration that there’s an entire world out there waiting to be discovered. Until the night when the outside world—specifically his new neighbor—discovers him.
Liam Watson lives in a culture filled with electronics, mobile devices, and social media—where there is no magic or even the belief in it. And as much as Quill finds Liam irritating (he’s so cute it’s annoying), he can’t help himself.
Now Quill’s getting a taste of the outside world and of Liam…and he wants more. But all is not well in this magical, urban garden, and someone—or something—is changing the very essence of it.
And wherever Quill goes, the danger grows…

17 year old Quill is the only male dryad. He lives with his dryad mother and works with her in their flower shop which makes use of their hidden magical garden.
Quills over protected mother will not let him leave the apartment block but when nither teenage boy, Liam moves into the apartment next door Quill starts sneaking out with Liam and a romance ensues.
Meanwhile someone has broken into the magical garden and Quill must work out who has broken in and what they were after.
This book has a really sweet feeling. Fans of heartbreaker will love the relationship between Quill and Liam. The book definitely has a ya vibe but I enjoyed it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)

Actual review 3.5 stars.

I loved the idea of this based on the premise but it fell a little flat for me, I think due to the lack of depth to the characters. I also would have loved more world building in this magical garden environment. The ending also took a hard turn in which I found confusing based on the start of the book.

This was a beautiful urban fairytale that is reimagines the classic "Secret Garden" in a modern and magical setting. Quill is our main character who is a 17-year old dryad yearning for a taste of the outside world, away from his family's generations-old garden. Quill's desire for normalcy and his struggle to find his place in the world is both relatable and endearing. As the first male dryad without a hint of magic, his character is a breath of fresh air, making him a very lovable character and someone that you find yourself rooting for. When a new neighbor arrives, it brings a little bit of a twist to the tale. The relationship that develops is heartwarming and full of humor and felt like it added a layer of depth to the narrative. The world building is masterfully executed, it took me into a world where magic and reality seamlessly coexisted. The garden itself becomes a character in the story, and its transformation is an integral part of the plot, adding an element of mystery and danger that keeps the reader engaged.

The 5-star rating is well deserved, reflecting the beautifully crafted characters, the setting and the plot that was compelling and heartwarming. While the charm of the story lies in its reimagining of a classic story, it also stands on its own as a unique and captivating tale of love and self-discovery.

This was a wonderful urban fantasy that left me wanting more, I didn't want it to end. If you're looking for a captivating blend of magic, love, and self-discovery, this is the perfect choice.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

Evergreen is a Rapunzel inspired retelling, focused on the only known male dryad, his family, and the boy he falls in love with. I thought this book was okay, unfortunately not amazing. The concept was wonderful, and I really enjoyed the dynamics of the MC's family and the way the family's garden is described. I did also very much enjoy the relationship between our two main characters. However, this book unfortunately felt too fast paced for me, in the way that teenage romcoms will have the characters falling in love over a week. The dialogue also felt fairly juvenile, which can somewhat be excused by this being a YA book, but it felt very young YA. Overall I think this book was okay and was a good quick read for someone looking for a cute, whimsical cottagecore journey.

Unfortunately this story fell short for me in many ways.
I was super excited going in, I absolutely loved what I read from the blurb.

The dialogue was a bit too cringy for my liking, even with it being YA.

I also found the story to be rushed. It went from nothing happening to everything happening all at once with no build up to that point.

thank you NetGalley and publisher for giving me the chance to read the ARC!

sold the moment i read the word dryad from the synopsis! i love Greek myth, thus i expected much from the book. i loved the nature-based magic, of course. for the characters, i didn't have any favorite, but that didn't stop me from rooting for them. i liked the romance, i thought that its development was good, not forced, and well-executed. as for the direction of the story, i liked it at first, especially the mystery. however, the climax was anticlimactic. it felt rushed, which made it lackluster, and left a room for development. it gave an impression wherein the story lacked a chapter or more.

thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a ARC copy. i'm writing this review voluntarily.

-> 3 stars

if i'm going to be perfectly honest, this book was okay. it could've been amazing with some more development. the idea was amazing; a family running a floral shop and taking care of a super cute magical garden? LOVE! the spring/cottage core vibes were off the charts. but it could've gone so much farther with more development.

i didn't feel any connection to the characters. the writing was reminiscent of a wattpad fanfic in the whole juvenile writing style. i wanted to be told SO much more about the characters other than the little facts dropped in passing conversations. i wanted to know about Liam, and i wanted to know about Quill, but i didn't get that.

i was STRUGGLING!!!!! throughout the entire book, there was barely any world-building. i was thrown into the book almost violently and it made my head SPIN. another reason why i was struggling was because of the writing. like i said, the writing was reminiscent of wattpad/fanfic in the most basic way. it wasn't entertaining or attention grabbing AT. ALL.

as it stands, this book was a 3 star. i don't think i'll think about it, and i don't recommend. thank you again to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

The concept was super cool and unique, but unfortunately the writing really didn't work for me. The romance was too insta-lusty, which always takes me out of a story, and I was thrown off by the constant innuendo. I am sure many people will like this because the world-building is cool, the story is easy to read and the romance will work for people who loved books such as Fourth Wing. I am not that kind of reader, though. Thank you so much for the ARC.

4.5 stars I loved it so much. It ended up feeling really fast paced for nome and from the moment I started I couldn’t put it down. Thank you so much for allowing me to read this arc!!!!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC, Entangled: Teen for providing me this book in exchange for an honest review.*

This was an interesting read. It was premised as as Secret Garden retelling and it was good. I didn't like some aspects of the book but overall it was a great book and I liked it a lot.

It was a cute and whimsical read! Love the dynamic of Quill and Liam (and all the banter and flirting and angst), the dryad lore and background story, and everything else about this book!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review. The following opinions are my own.

The ideas in this book and the general plot were definitely a big selling point for this novel. I will say that as a big positive. But it definitely needed some revisions and edits, badly. Which made me like it a bit less. I was waiting for a really good secret garden retelling. And it was so close.

"Evergreen" by Devin Greenlee offers a dreamy and delightful reimagining of "The Secret Garden" in a contemporary urban fairy tale, blending the mundane and the magical seamlessly.

Seventeen-year-old Quill, the first-ever male dryad in his family, yearns for a life beyond the confines of his garden. However, his mother, fearing the outside world, has kept him sheltered. Quill may lack the traditional dryad magic, but he's got a shock of green hair, green eyes, and an insatiable curiosity about life beyond the garden.

The discovery of a new neighbor, Liam Watson, with his technologically advanced and magic-free world, awakens Quill's desire for something more. Despite finding Liam both irritating and irresistibly cute, Quill can't help but be drawn to him.

As the two worlds collide, Quill's eyes are opened to the wonders and dangers of the outside world. The story beautifully blends the enchanting magic of a secret garden with the modern complexities of life and love.

"Evergreen" is a fresh and imaginative exploration of self-discovery, love, and the collision of two different worlds. Devin Greenlee's debut novel is a captivating urban fantasy that takes you on an enchanting journey that will leave you eagerly awaiting more.

Evergreen follows Quinn a half-dryad, half-human who is the first of his kind. For this reason he is not allowed to leave the family garden. However one day Liam’s and his dad move in next door, and suddenly he is everywhere Quinn can look. The two form an hidden friendship, but things turn sour when the more Quinn is out of the house, the more things go out of control in the garden.

Quinn and Liam were such lovely characters to read about. Their friendship was so lovely and it felt super natural when it turned into a love story. I loved the fact that the villain was not who I expected to be, and the overall magical garden setting. The books was super easy to get through and the magic system was very cool as well.

If you’re looking for a magical, LGBTQIA+ young adult urban fantasy with a side plot of romance, this is a great pick!

Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for giving me an arc of this book.

I was very happy to get the eARC of this book and was very excited to read it. The book cover is absolutely gorgeous!

I definitely have mixed feelings about this book, I liked the general idea for the story and I think it had a great potential but it felt so rushed. I would have loved to learn more about Quill’s family and their magic powers.
I still overall enjoyed reading it.