Review: Off the Page by Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer

Title: Off the Page
Author: Jodi Picoult & Samantha van Leer
Publication: June 4th 2015 by Hodder & Stoughton
Genre: Young Adult ~ Contemporary
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Rating: 4/5

  

Meant for each other...

Meet Oliver, a prince literally taken from the pages of a fairy tale and transported into the real world. Meet Delilah, the girl who wished Oliver into being. It's a miracle that seems perfect at first - but there are complications. To exist in Delilah's world, Oliver must take the place of a regular boy. Enter Edgar, who agrees to play Oliver's role in the pages of Delilah's favorite book. But just when it seems that the plan will work, everything gets turned upside down.

In this multilayered universe, the line be ween what's on the page and what's possible is blurred. Is there a way for everyone to live happily ever after? OFF THE PAGE is a stand-alone novel as well as the sequel to the authors' bestseller BETWEEN THE LINES, and is perfect for readers looking for a fairytale ending.

First of all, Off the Page can be read as a standalone book but I would highly recommend reading Between the Lines first because it involves the same characters and all. Second, I have to admit that I liked Off the Page a little less than Between the Lines but it was still a really good read.

This book really is a peek into what happens after "Happily Ever After" and it's not all that great. Delilah and Oliver still love each other dearly but now that Oliver is in the real world and high school, Delilah realizes she has to share him with others too. Meanwhile Oliver is doing his best to fit in, though it's not always that easy.

Along with chapters in Delilah and Oliver's points of view, there's also a new one: Edgar. These were my favorite. Why? Because most of them were featured in the fairy tale book. What can I say? I still love fantasy more than contemporary. But it isn't long before things start going wrong for Edgar also. Being the hero also isn't all that it's cracked up to be.

So I mentioned before that I liked the first book more than this one. It was mostly the start of the book that I had a hard time getting into at first. I was a bit annoyed by both Delilah and Oliver, with the way they were acting. As I got closer and closer towards the end it was when I started liking it as much as Between the Lines. 

I also just want to say that I feel really sorry for Edgar and Jules. They had just found each other only to lose each other again. It was for a really good reason but I was shipping them so hard. I can only hope that if there will be another book in this world that they will get to be together somehow. And I was so very sad about this one character dying. Not going to say who but why did this have to happen?

With that said, I also should say that sure, this book is still fun and lighthearted but there were also some hard topics like death in it. Also a lot more kissing. This, however, was very nice!

All in all, Off the Page wasn't as good as its predecessor but I still enjoyed it immensely. It's a lovely book for teenagers I think and even for adults if they're looking for something lighter. The writing was beautiful at times as well and the illustrations by Yvonne Gilbert were simply gorgeous! I loved them! So I would definitely recommend this book!

       About Jodi Picoult:

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Jodi Picoult is the author of twenty-two novels, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers The Storyteller, Lone Wolf, Between the Lines, Sing You Home, House Rules, Handle with Care, Change of Heart, Nineteen Minutes, and My Sister’s Keeper. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and three children.

       About Samantha van Leer:

Samantha van Leer is a sophomore at Vassar College majoring in psychology with a minor in human development. She has four dogs: Alvin, Harvey, Dudley, and Oliver—for whom the prince in this story is named.