Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “Bookish and the Beast (Once Upon a Con, #3)” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

Bookish and the Beast

(Once Upon a Con #3)

Ashley Poston (Goodreads Author)

4.53 · Rating details · 34 ratings · 34 reviews

In the third book in Ashley Poston's Once Upon a Con series, Beauty and the Beast is retold in the beloved Starfield universe.

Rosie Thorne is feeling stuck—on her college application essays, in her small town, and on that mysterious General Sond cosplayer she met at ExcelsiCon. Most of all, she’s stuck in her grief over her mother’s death. Her only solace was her late ...more

Get A Copy

Hardcover, 320 pages

Expected publication: June 16th 2020 by Quirk Books

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Bookish and the Beast, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 4.53 ·

Rating details

· 34 ratings · 34 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of Bookish and the Beast (Once Upon a Con, #3)

Apr 19, 2019 K Whatsherface marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020, 06-jun

Feb 2020: there's a cover!! When did we get a cover? That's rhetorical. Please don't actually answer. It's cute. Also a description! I had a feeling this one would be about Vance

2019: Beauty and the beast set in the nerdy world of geekerella? Sold

flag 25 likes · Like · see review

Jan 03, 2020 megs_bookrack marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-contemporary-to-read, 2020-releases

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST RETELLING!!!

Commence stalking internet until cover reveal.
That is all.

Wake me up in June.

flag 27 likes · Like · see review

May 18, 2019 Sage Elizabeth marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: 3rd-in-a-series, contemporary, retelling, young-adult, 2020-publication

1.) Geekerella
2.) The Princess and the Fangirl
-
Ashley Poston's 'Once Upon a Con' series is the fangirl/contemporary retelling equivalent to Marissa Meyer's 'Lunar Chronicles'. ...more

flag 19 likes · Like · see review

Jan 23, 2020 Ashley Poston rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

Books, beasts, and german shepherds, oh my!

flag 20 likes · Like · see review

Apr 20, 2019 Kloe marked it as to-read · review of another edition

There’s the third book ????? And about beauty and the beast !! Sign me up !! I love geekerella so much !!

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Jan 28, 2020 Lea (drumsofautumn) marked it as owned-tbr · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs-to-review, to-be-released, most-anticipated-2020

1.) Geekerella
2.) The Princess and the Fangirl

[Update Feb 14th] IT'S VALENTINE'S DAY AND I GOT APPROVED FOR AN ARC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YOU DON'T EVEN UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS SERIES MEANS TO ME!!!!! AND THIS ONE WILL HAVE QUEER AND ENBY REP!!!!!! BLESS EVERYTHING!!!!

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Jul 28, 2019 ✩ Ashley ✩ marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020-new-release, age-young-adult

This is BOOKISH AND THE BEAST?!!

*screams eternally* ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Dec 17, 2019 Rec-It Rachel rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2019-reads, 2020-releases

this is the best of the GEEK books and also the most excellent beauty and the beast retelling

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Jun 17, 2019 Michal Ness rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Oct 16, 2019 Riya Queen marked it as to-read · review of another edition

MORE GOOEYNESS. YES.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jan 21, 2020 Darcy (Daydreamingofbookdragons) marked it as to-read · review of another edition

My excitement for this has gone up tenfold since learning this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Sep 22, 2019 Emily marked it as to-read · review of another edition

I just learned about this and I’m so excited!! I NEED IT ALREADY

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jun 03, 2019 Meghan marked it as long-term-to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, ya-romance, retellings, published-2020

A THIRD BOOK AND IT IS BEAUTY AND THE BEAST OKAY I AM READY.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Feb 11, 2020 Anna Jackson rated it it was ok · review of another edition

2 stars. Actually, I'll bump it up to 2.25 because of the Howl's Movie Castle and Fangirl references.

Thank you to Edelweiss for the ARC. This book was fine, but nothing to write home about. Like bubble gum flavored toothpaste- generically sweet, but doesn't leave your mouth with that refreshing minty-freshness that normal toothpaste does. The rest of my comments will be in a spoiler section because the release date is so far away.
(view spoiler) 2 stars. Actually, I'll bump it up to 2.25 because of the Howl's Movie Castle and Fangirl references.

Thank you to Edelweiss for the ARC. This book was fine, but nothing to write home about. Like bubble gum flavored toothpaste- generically sweet, but doesn't leave your mouth with that refreshing minty-freshness that normal toothpaste does. The rest of my comments will be in a spoiler section because the release date is so far away.
(view spoiler)[
Honestly, I read the first chapter and almost put the whole book down because I though Oh crap, it's going to be one of THESE books. But an ARC is still an ARC and I have a responsibility to read on!

The writing style was pretty juvenile, and I couldn't get into the characters. Rosie was supposed to be super smart - (view spoiler) but the book always shows her getting to class late, not caring about school, blah blah blah etc. I was one of those kids, and let me tell you, that is NOT type casting for ya! And I also find it difficult to believe that anyone with an enormous crush on a star would have that much trouble forgiving him for anything... so forget the whole "I don't like you and wouldn't go on a date with you."

For the rest of the characters: Vance was a little more believable, but, you know, I also don't know many spoiled Hollywood rich kids. His dating app fetish felt extremely unbelievable. Annie was annoying, and Quinn was ok but underdeveloped. Rosie's dad was cool because he was a librarian (mad props!) but otherwise, also completely unbelievable - what teens actually want to hang out with their friend's parents??? Am I just missing something since this is the 3rd book in the series? I thought they were kind of stand alones?

Overall, I understand that this is fictional fantasy, however the plot was also extremely contrived. Can we please stop with the whole prom/homecoming date ending? For a book about geeks and fandoms, this was too mainstream. And how was that epilogue even allowed to happen?!?!?!?! I mean we're talking mega stars (whose "secret" hide away in a small town has already been outed to TMZ) going to a drive in movie with normal bumpkins??? Where are the paparazzi? That is like prime real estate for them there! Ugh, I digress... just the last nail in the completely unbelievable plot line coffin.

Wow, the more I write, the less I'm liking this book! Maybe I should change my rating back to a solid 2 stars... Oh well, just my 2-cents worth. It's still a fine book if you're just looking for a fluffy beach read. I don't think I'll be going back to read the first two books in the series though.

(hide spoiler)] ...more

flag Like · see review

Feb 03, 2020 Annie (Putt) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I received an eARC from Netgalley for an honest review.
Minor spoilers ahead.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read, but there were a few things that made this not quite as good as the other two volumes in the series. Namely, there were too many nerd references. As a nerd, I approve of fandoms and nerding out. But I also want it as realistic. There were parts in this, especially in the beginning, where things Rosie, her friends, or her dad would say would feel forced. Rosie tells her dad "I love you I received an eARC from Netgalley for an honest review.
Minor spoilers ahead.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read, but there were a few things that made this not quite as good as the other two volumes in the series. Namely, there were too many nerd references. As a nerd, I approve of fandoms and nerding out. But I also want it as realistic. There were parts in this, especially in the beginning, where things Rosie, her friends, or her dad would say would feel forced. Rosie tells her dad "I love you 3000" as she runs out the door, and merely sentences before there was another reference to a whole other fandom. There was even a super unsubtle nod to Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass series in the form of a "giant gold tome" that was described as "trashy fantasy." The amount of time spent on this one inconsequential thing made all of the other moments before it ridiculous. Near the middle, the story tones it down and focuses less on homages to every nerd thing ever and instead the plot.

Rosie is a likable character. She's suffering a lose, and yet it doesn't define her. It's a part of her, but it's not her whole character, unlike what characters like Garrett assume. She's funny and quirky and has a good heart, even if she feels generic YA protagonist at times.

Her friends were so supportive--the boom box scene was straight from every romcom ever, but I loved it to bits--and they also provided immense comic relief.

Vance was a mess. My favorite part about this story was how both he, Rosie, and the reader never once is led on to the "oh he's a bad boy but he has a rough past" idea. He was a bad boy because he did it himself, and despite being a pain in the rear to Rosie, both Rosie and Imogen (from Fangirl) taught him what friendship was as well as the fact people could like you for who you are despite your fame. He grew in this, not that it was a shock to anyone, but it was a good progression and showcased how much he understood he had been awful to people, and himself, in the past.

The plot was cute, and I loved how everything tied in at the end. I knew it would happen because these are nerdy fluff books, but it's so satisfying when it does happen. I genuinely don't know how Aashley Poston does this because I can't stand contemporary, but here I am obsessed with this series. It's a cute continuation to Once Upon a Con, and it's perfectly comedic and heartfelt. ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Feb 11, 2020 Laura rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, girl-power-books, your-friendly-librarian-recommends, fluffy-and-romantic, fandom-artists-and-writers, arcs-read, books-read-2020

I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What happens at Excelsicon, doesn't always stay at Excelsicon. But for bookish, Starfield-loving Rosie Thorne, she thinks that the one night she spent wandering the empty halls with a mysterious Sond cosplayer would be one thing that stayed with her. The one thing she thought of upon returning home, where her mother's death hangs over her like a dark cloud. Then, after a disastrous night at work, her life ends up I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What happens at Excelsicon, doesn't always stay at Excelsicon. But for bookish, Starfield-loving Rosie Thorne, she thinks that the one night she spent wandering the empty halls with a mysterious Sond cosplayer would be one thing that stayed with her. The one thing she thought of upon returning home, where her mother's death hangs over her like a dark cloud. Then, after a disastrous night at work, her life ends up changing when she follows a German Shepherd dog into the castle-like home...

Vance Reigns is Hollywood's bad boy, and currently doing time in small town nowhere after he accidentally crashes into a pond, with his co-star's girlfriend in the passenger seat. Escaping the paparazzi, his disappointed step-father, and generally in a horrible mood about everything, the one bright spot in Vance's life is his godfather/warden, his dog Sansa, and the memory of the night of Excelsicon he spent completely incognito as his Starfield character, Son, with another masked cosplayer.

When fate brings them together, Rosie begins cataloging the massive Starfield novel collection within the house, forcing Vance and Rosie into close proximity. But when they learn who the other truly is, will it shatter the memories of that perfect night... or lead to something beautiful?

"Bookish and the Beast" is fantastic for a number of reasons. One, we return to the wonderful world of Excelsicon and Starfield, meaning we get to see cameos from favorite characters from the previous books. Two, it's Beauty and the Beast!!! With a bunch of books!!! And nerdy references!!!! (You will die laughing at the recreated "Howl's Moving Castle" scene, folks!) Third, Ashley Poston continues to astound and wow readers with her characters, her wit, and the drama. So much drama... Even for a book series that features a whole bunch of movie stars.

Also, major kudos for Poston writing a contemporary Beauty and the Beast! As she acknowledged via Twitter, this is a hard fairy tale to recreate without magic, but this tale as old as time is retold perfectly in modern time. As you will discover, there is still plenty of magic, woven into every word, every scene, every glance between Rosie and Vance. Whether you have read and loved "Geekerella" and "The Princess and the Fangirl", or are brand new to this world, "Bookish and the Beast" will delight readers from beginning to end! ...more

flag Like · see review

Feb 17, 2020 Evangeline rated it it was amazing

The Once Upon a Con series is one of my favorites of all time. The way it so accurately explains fandom culture and have such realistic and relatable characters is so fun and I don't think its ever taken me more than 2 days to fly through any of them. Bookish and the Beast was no different. This time showing the more bookish side of fandom culture, which sometimes gets overlooked in real life. We follow Rosie, who's a complete bookworm and the perfect embodiment of Belle, and Vance Reigns, bad ...more

flag Like · see review

Feb 01, 2020 Ashley Collins rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: to-own, 2020-june

I LOVED THIS SO MUCH.

Bookish & the Beast is officially my favorite Once Upon A Con book. I cannot WAIT to buy it, and add it to my collection, and pour over it again when it gets published in June!

Ashley does a fantastic job of taking the Beauty and the Beast plot we all know and reinventing it in smart ways that work, including character origins. I especially think that using Vance's status as a Hollywood heir works perfectly to match the original tale of a prince cursed and cast away! ...more

flag Like · see review

Feb 06, 2020 Lindsey rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I just love these books so so much. This one in particular felt like it was written for me. Absolutely delicious rom-com fluff with all the geeky references thrown in. And I don't even normally enjoy rom-coms that much. But these books, oh these books. I squeal and giggle and grin and sometimes even tear up. They just make me happy.

One thing I particularly love about this series is that it revolves around the same universe, but doesn't follow the exact same characters. I love the cameos in each ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Feb 14, 2020 Hollis rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, retellings, romance, contemporary, ya, nope, lgbtqia, pull-the-lever-kronk, arc, zzzz-snooze

Unfortunately, the latest installment in this fandom-and-nerdy-love-explosion just.. really missed the mark. The third book in the series, centering around the revival and cult-following of a tv-series-turned-movie-adaptation relies heavily on the previous fairytale-esque romances set in and around the fandom and conventions and, unfortunately, fails to live up to anything that came before. Added to the mix was an attempted Beauty and the Beast retelling that didn't remotely land.

So what did ...more

flag 15 likes · Like · see review

Feb 02, 2020 Gretal rated it liked it · review of another edition

This wasn't a bad book by any means, but it was just incredibly disappointing for me. I just did not get the relationship between the leads in any way, why they were drawn to each other in the first place, why they allegedly had issues with each other, it just did not work for me. I was way more interested in the potential romance between two minor characters than Vance and Rosie, and that's a huge problem. I really don't have anything else to say because their relationship was so much of the ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 06, 2019 Blonde Book Geek (Sky) marked it as to-read · review of another edition

When I thought Geekerella was gonna be a light read, it blew me away with how it was full of fun and love for fandoms and cosplay.
Princess and the Fangirl matched the prior in energy and love. Though my favorite will always be the first (due to the fact it blew my expectations out of the water), I still love the second so much.
Now this third and momentarily untitled book is on the way, I can fully say with no doubt I have trust in Ashley Poston that this book will be full of love towards fandoms ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Feb 08, 2020 Ashley Schumacher rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Y'ALL. This book. It was one of those days where I had a million things to do and the world stopped because I fell in love with Vance and Rosie and the world they inhabit. BOOKISH AND THE BEAST has all of my favorite things I look for in a Beauty and the Beast retelling: books, a grumpy-but-actually-sweet guy, a clever girl who is smart enough to see past the sweet guy's grumpy front, and this one is made even better by the addition of a loyal doggo! This is the contemporary B&B retelling of ...more

flag Like · see review

Feb 05, 2020 Sara Michaels rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The best love letter to one of my favorite tales. Poston's references to the cartoon are spot on (& never feel cliche). The pop-culture references are pretty perfect, too. Beauty & the Beast isn't the easiest story to bring into a modern retelling, & this one is lovely. The characters are worth getting to know, & it's the sweetest addition to the Once Upon a Con series. I love the little universe Ashley Poston has created here.

flag Like · see review

Feb 13, 2020 Leslie Young rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: highly-anticipated-upcoming, terrific-twists-to-reality, lovey-dovey, arcs

I LOVE THIS BOOK, I love this series, I LOVE ASH POSTON!!!!!! This was soooo cute! And as much as I love the first two books, this one is my favorite. By far. I’m gonna squee about this one for AGES!!!!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the review copy! <3

flag Like · see review

Jan 31, 2020 Jayashree rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own, ya-favs, arc-s, fairy-tale-retellings, fav-authors, romance

Oh my god, I loved this book so much!!!! A fantastic contemporary Beauty and the Beast retelling with so much heart and laughter! Once Upon a Con is probably one of my favorite series.

flag Like · see review

Feb 13, 2020 Belle Ellrich rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

{REVIEW TO COME}

flag Like · see review

Jul 19, 2019 Nikki S marked it as to-read · review of another edition

*7/19/2019*
WHO IS IT? lol But seriously, which character is it?!

flag Like · see review

Feb 17, 2020 VL rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: advance-reader-books, ya

Love it so much

flag Like · see review

Jan 02, 2020 Macy marked it as to-read · review of another edition

IT HAS A TITLE! *gasp*...

I'm a little late aren't I... I have been watching this book and I saw that it now has a title help.

flag Like · see review

« previous 1 2 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
LGBT again?	1	26	Jun 06, 2019 04:12AM

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Genres

Contemporary

35 users

Young Adult

23 users

Retellings

23 users

Romance

18 users

See top shelves…

About Ashley Poston

Ashley Poston

2,454 followers

Ashley Poston’s is a part-time author and full-time fangirl. She was born in rural South Carolina, where you can see the stars impossibly well...

Tweet her at @ashposton and read her inner-most rambles at www.ashposton.com.