This book was amazing and I could not put it down. I did not see the plot twists coming and I absolutely loved it!

A solid 4 ⭐ with 0 🌶️

Characters: The FMC is smart, brave and dealing with a lot emotionally. I enjoyed how her reactions to situations were written - I was fully immersed and riding those emotions with her! The MMC was a little annoying for me, but he comes off as just a young boy, which he is. I wish we got to find out more about Nicholas - maybe in book 2?! I felt a lot of love towards some of the side characters with how they treated the younger ones and looked out for them as one large family! I hate Bryn haha!

World: The world in this story is so well written that I could easily imagine it as I read. From the bakery, Forest & Fern, to the Tree Garden and the castle. It reads like a fairytale with an underlying dark secret.The world reads all happy and light on the surface, but you can tell there is something else there.

Plot: I honestly wasn't too sure where this book was going at first. I know some other reviewers guessed early on, but not me! There's no shocking twists, but the way the book flows is fantastic. The FMC was trying to find out who her and her family really were. I'm intrigued to see where book 2 is going to go!

Ending: A great cliff hanger, I'm excited for Book 2! And with the new characters that have been introduced ... I'm hoping I spy a little romance!

Emotions: I spent the entire book just overwhelmed with curiosity!! I was absorbed into what the characters were feeling, which for me, means their experiences were well written.

Recommend: Most definitely! It was a nice, pleasant read, with a mysterious fairytale feeling.

I received an ARC of this book (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.

I will be posting a review of this book on Amazon and TikTok on the 1st February (date of publish).

Woah what a wild read! It keeps you on your toes the entire time you are reading, trying to guess what is coming next. I had a hard time putting the book down and each time I did, I was thinking of what was coming next.

I enjoyed the characters and the world building development. I found everything described perfectly and it was easy for me to imagine the scenario.

"Secrets run in the family tree, but they do not start with me."

Forest & Fern. A wooden owl key. A missing father leaving an Arborist shop to his only daughter. Beautiful flowers & plants with the power to eat away at human skin just with a simple admiring touch.

A girl with a heart understanding people better than the greenery around her, unlike her predecessor with a gift for plants and trees alike.

Scheming botanical and florist students and suspicious teachers. A returned "misplaced" journal of her father's.

A curious castle, an even more mysterious Count. Who will win the Carver tournament? Will Ivy Rune pass the Arborist test to become just like her father?

And who are those curious three figures wandering on the path of the Count's castle?

Readers, dive into this new release to find out!

🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 stars. Can't wait to read the next installment in this incredible world of mystery, arborists, carvers , and botanists.

Summary: "Secrets Ever Green" invites readers into Ivy Rune's quest to unravel her father's mysterious legacy. From the quiet life of an Arborist to the forbidden castle of the Count, Ivy discovers a hidden world that alters her destiny. As she grapples with newfound discoveries, Ivy must decide between preserving her father's legacy or forging her own path.

Pros:
🌟 Three stars for this escapade! "Secrets Ever Green" weaves a whimsical setting that blooms with intrigue and adventure.

😄 The worldbuilding is lush and captivating – it's like wandering through a magical forest where every tree has a tale to tell.

Cons:
🍂 The writing occasionally leans towards excessive telling rather than showing, like a tour guide leading the way instead of letting readers discover the magic organically.

🌱 Some characters, like Ivy, blossom into vital roles, while others, like Nicholas, fade like leaves in autumn, leaving a sense of forgotten potential in their wake.

📚 The pacing occasionally stumbles like a wanderer caught in vines, making some revelations feel rushed and lacking the depth they deserve.


🌿 In conclusion, "Secrets Ever Green" is a delightful blend of mystery, action, and the power within. Kudos to Sara Knightly for planting the seeds of a promising series! 🌲📚

Disclaimer: A forest-sized thank you to NetGalley and the wordsmith, Sara Knightly for this ARC copy. All opinions are as uniquely mine as a rare flower in a hidden grove. 🍃🌺📚

Thank you to NetGalley, Sara Knightly, and Victory Editing for the eARC. All reviews and thoughts are my own.

I absolutely loved this book. It was intriguing from the start and pulled you in. The world building and descriptions were easy to understand. The main character was easy to connect with, I even felt myself tearing up with her at one point.
I’m very excited to buy this and read the second book!


This review will run on Instagram 1/28.

Secrets Ever Green by Sara Knightly

Secrets Ever Green is book one in The Everlight Series and was a beautiful introduction to our main character Ivy. If you love mystery, adventure and fairytales, you will love this.

✨ Magic
🗺️ Adventure
🔍 Mystery

The ending sets up really nicely for book two, where there are still a lot of secrets left to be uncovered.

This book definitely leans on the younger side of YA, which isn't really my thing but I will definitely be purchasing a copy for my niece who will love this.

Thank you Sara Knightly, Portal Publishing and NetGalley for giving me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Firstly, how stunning is this cover?! It immediately drew me in when I was scanning @netgalley & the description intrigued me.

Reading Secrets Ever Green feels like you've entered a fairytale. From 'unique' trees to 'unusual' boats to the sweet smelling bakery, it all sounds like a dream. The descriptions are brilliant and make you want to visit Windermere!

The book description mentions exploring new powers but I don't feel we heard much in depth about them, so I'm really looking forward to reading more about them in the next book!

I guessed pretty early on where Ivy's story was heading, but it was a lovely, easy read & I'm intrigued to see what happens next to Ivy (& York!). The cliffhanger was a brilliant way to finish the book and sets book 2 up perfectly!!

It was a fine change to read a book that focused on the story & world building rather than romance.

My review will be posted on Goodreads, Instagram (maggie_books92) & Amazon.

Thank you to Netgalley, Portal Publishing & Sara Knightly for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!