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annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
So, I got this book about a year ago already. At the time I hadn't read the first book in the series yet and although I read in reviews that you can follow this book without having read the first book I'm the kind of reader who wants those easter eggs and inside jokes. So, I got myself the first book in the series, read that first book and did what I do best: Not reading the sequel. But, when the third book appeared on Netgalley and my request was approved I finally had to pick this book up.
I think I might like this installment even better than the first and I already did enjoy the first novel in this series. I think this one has an even nicer message though. Just like with the first book the story is a very loose retelling, this time of the Frog Prince. But I really love what the author does with the themes of the original fairytale. I also like how this story, in a way, kinda becomes the opposite of beauty and the beast and maybe most of all the opposite of the movie Grease.
The Frog Prince fairytale is very much about change, about a mismatch between outside and inside. It's also about goodness and what makes someone a good person. This book really plays around with that theme and that means that both leading characters have quite some character growth to do. Our heroine because we've see her not always showing her prettiest side. Our hero because he feels like he has to fit into our heroine's world.
And both in their own way eventually figure out who they want to be, what's truly important and that true love doesn't demand that you change. True love simply demands that you're comfortable and save enough to show your true self and true colors. And because of the entire journey and because of everything both our characters have learned along the way I couldn't be happier when they eventually did find their happily ever after.
I can't wait to dive into the third book in the series!
I think I might like this installment even better than the first and I already did enjoy the first novel in this series. I think this one has an even nicer message though. Just like with the first book the story is a very loose retelling, this time of the Frog Prince. But I really love what the author does with the themes of the original fairytale. I also like how this story, in a way, kinda becomes the opposite of beauty and the beast and maybe most of all the opposite of the movie Grease.
The Frog Prince fairytale is very much about change, about a mismatch between outside and inside. It's also about goodness and what makes someone a good person. This book really plays around with that theme and that means that both leading characters have quite some character growth to do. Our heroine because we've see her not always showing her prettiest side. Our hero because he feels like he has to fit into our heroine's world.
And both in their own way eventually figure out who they want to be, what's truly important and that true love doesn't demand that you change. True love simply demands that you're comfortable and save enough to show your true self and true colors. And because of the entire journey and because of everything both our characters have learned along the way I couldn't be happier when they eventually did find their happily ever after.
I can't wait to dive into the third book in the series!
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
3.0
3/5
As much as I enjoyed the first book, this one seemed in a way to be a step down from it. I was still intrigued by the plot but not as much as the first one.
As much as I enjoyed the first book, this one seemed in a way to be a step down from it. I was still intrigued by the plot but not as much as the first one.
atrailofpages's review against another edition
3.0
I loved Of Curses and Kisses, so was excited to read the second i stall ent in this series. However, I will admit, I did not enjoy this book as much as the first.
Catarina was cheated by her boyfriend so they ended things. After a break from school, she returns and is determined to become Queen Cat again, and reign supreme at the Academy. But Alaric(ex-boyfriend) is one-upping her already by already dating someone new and making it seem like his life is just fine after their breakup. So, for an upcoming gala, Cat decides she needs to get a new guy to go with her to prove Alaric and everyone else wrong about herself, that she is still queen and that she is not bothered by the scandal that happened with Alaric, that she’s moved on. She decides on Rahul(who had danced with her and was kind to her after the scandal), and gives him a total makeover, including this “magical” hair gel. Rahul becomes a completely different person and wants to prove to Catarina and everyone else he is worthy of Catarina and being a part of her circle no matter what.
The story to me was okay. I was never bored, but if I’m honest, I never liked Catarina. She is definitely a spoiled, selfish, full of herself brat, and I couldn’t believe how she couldn’t see it, especially with Rahul. I liked Rahul, until he also started acting like an arrogant jerk, and they just both made me so mad! In the end, though, I do appreciate how much Catarina grew in this book. She definitely did a 180 and became a different person, and loved seeing that growth in her. Same with Rahul, once he got his act together and stopped acting like a selfish jerk as well, he also changed, but in a good way. He had more confidence in himself, and you could see it in the way he talked and acted.
There were some lovely twists in here too, although, I figured out one of them, the other shocked me and made me sad
Catarina was cheated by her boyfriend so they ended things. After a break from school, she returns and is determined to become Queen Cat again, and reign supreme at the Academy. But Alaric(ex-boyfriend) is one-upping her already by already dating someone new and making it seem like his life is just fine after their breakup. So, for an upcoming gala, Cat decides she needs to get a new guy to go with her to prove Alaric and everyone else wrong about herself, that she is still queen and that she is not bothered by the scandal that happened with Alaric, that she’s moved on. She decides on Rahul(who had danced with her and was kind to her after the scandal), and gives him a total makeover, including this “magical” hair gel. Rahul becomes a completely different person and wants to prove to Catarina and everyone else he is worthy of Catarina and being a part of her circle no matter what.
The story to me was okay. I was never bored, but if I’m honest, I never liked Catarina. She is definitely a spoiled, selfish, full of herself brat, and I couldn’t believe how she couldn’t see it, especially with Rahul. I liked Rahul, until he also started acting like an arrogant jerk, and they just both made me so mad! In the end, though, I do appreciate how much Catarina grew in this book. She definitely did a 180 and became a different person, and loved seeing that growth in her. Same with Rahul, once he got his act together and stopped acting like a selfish jerk as well, he also changed, but in a good way. He had more confidence in himself, and you could see it in the way he talked and acted.
There were some lovely twists in here too, although, I figured out one of them, the other shocked me and made me sad
books4susie's review
4.0
This story was a unique list on The Frog Prince fairy tale. Having read the first book a while ago, I was afraid I wouldn’t remember the story. Starting just weeks later, this book started out slow for me as Caterina makes over Rahul for a party. Once these two begin to see each other for who the other really is, the story took off for me. With an underlining mystery, Caterina and Rahul must fight for their happily ever after.
rhy_nicole12's review
5.0
A book couple that I feel in my bones would be loved by all. NETFLIX ADAPTATION???
prathaaaaaaaaaaa_'s review
There is a character by the name of Leo Nguyen and he is the only reason I'll read every book in this series
nvjtgll13's review
4.0
First of all, I want to thank SimonTeen for sending me the ARC of Sandhya Menon “Of Princes and Promises.”
I just want to say that Menon writes cute, fluffy contemporary novels that I enjoy reading during the summer season. As a person of Indian Descent, I love to support another “Desi” and appreciate the representation in the contemporary genre.
So I’ll keep my review short. I read it super quick too because I couldn’t put the book down. I enjoyed this retelling of The Frog Prince in this world. It was a great, magical read and I can’t wait for the next book. I highly recommend this book!
I just want to say that Menon writes cute, fluffy contemporary novels that I enjoy reading during the summer season. As a person of Indian Descent, I love to support another “Desi” and appreciate the representation in the contemporary genre.
So I’ll keep my review short. I read it super quick too because I couldn’t put the book down. I enjoyed this retelling of The Frog Prince in this world. It was a great, magical read and I can’t wait for the next book. I highly recommend this book!
norassick's review
4.0
If I’m the Ice Queen, Rahul, you’re the warm waters I want to melt into. Saying I’ve never felt this way about anyone before is an understatement, but when I look at you… I see the future. And if that’s not love, I don’t know what is.