[ 4.5 🌟 ]

*note: I received an e-ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

To write my reviews, especially if I’m reading on my kindle, I look back on what I’ve highlighted. For The Princess & the Fangirl, one of the first highlights was commentary on Hollywood through Jessica Stone’s perspective. It really makes you re-evaluate at how you look at the idols of society. Sometimes it’s difficult to remember that they are people, too.

On a similar thread, Poston also contemplates the good side and the bad side of social media. On one hand you can make some incredible connections that would not have been possible if it were not for social media (I can attest to this), but then, since people are anonymous behind their screens and their usernames, one has the potential to be cruel to others because that anonymity protects them. At the same time, Poston stresses how internet friends are valid and very much so real. One does have to be cautious about what they’re putting out there but similar interests can lead to friendships that are not limited by time or distance.

THE CHARACTERS. I love them all (to varying degrees, of course), and I need to protect them. Plus, it’s amazing that Imogen’s nickname is Monster; I love that! Ashley Poston writes such developed (and wholesome) characters, which was evident in Geekerella, and even more so in The Princess & the Fangirl! The book is a little over 300 pages (according to the e-ARC), but I have such a clear picture of each one of the characters, probably because Poston creates such diverse and unique cast. The characters are similar in their own ways, but, ultimately, they are all different with their own wants, desires, and insecurities, and that is refreshing to see. Plus, the hate-to-love trope showed up, and I’m definitely here for that😏.

It was so great to see Darien, Elle, Sage, and Calliope again!! When I first say Elle’s name, I was like, ELLE!!! (Geekerella has such a special place in my heart that I was not even able to fully express my thoughts in a review).

What particularly struck me about Poston’s writing was how relatable it is. I felt it in Geekerella, and The Princess & the Fangirl was no different. I highlighted so many things Imogen said about her insecurities. I had not even thought about this aspect of myself, but once she expressed how she sometimes felt like “nobody,” I realized that I definitely have those kinds of thoughts and feelings as well. It took a book character and a brilliant author to make me face some of the insecurities I have about myself ( I tend to push my fears deep down and ignore them, which is not healthy, please don’t do this).

Some other random(ish) thoughts: Ashley Poston mentions J-pop!! I’m more into k-pop but I have heard of J-pop!

Also, I can’t write a review about The Princess & the Fangirl without mentioning the nerdiness!! The Once Upon a Con books always have a center message: Be proud of your nerdiness! (but I do now really have to watch Star Wars and Star Trek)

I can’t wait to see what else Ashley Poston has in store for the Geekerella Fairytales/the Once Upon a Con books because these stories are such a love letter to nerdiness and cons and fandoms, and they always make my heart so happy in such a special way (as in I feel like my heart is going to explode from the joy and all the smiles)! The fun and geeky (with a dash of romantic) books are always balanced with hard-hitting realness with Ashley Poston, and I think that is what makes these stories even more unique.

Thank you to Netgalley and Quirk Books for letting me read The Princess & the Fangirl early!