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3.32 AVERAGE
3.32 AVERAGE
extremely flat and uninspired writing. if the only point of conflict is a relationship i’m supposed to root for, make me root for it
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
◇I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.◇
I went into this book unaware that it was YA but after learning such news, this book made way more sense in terms of writing. It was a cute little read and definitely easy to finish. My main concern was the lack of chemistry I felt between the MCs. Thank you again to NetGalley for the ARC!
I went into this book unaware that it was YA but after learning such news, this book made way more sense in terms of writing. It was a cute little read and definitely easy to finish. My main concern was the lack of chemistry I felt between the MCs. Thank you again to NetGalley for the ARC!
The Rules of Royalty is a YA contemporary romance inspired by The Princess Diaries. This is the third novel I've read by Dietrich alone (having read another that was co-written). The story follows two princes who spend the summer together; Erik has grown up a prince and is tasked with tutoring Jamie, who has only recently learned that he is a prince, in the ways of royalty. There were no surprises for me knowing what it was inspired by; it was an easy, quick read that proceeds exactly as you would expect.
My main concerns with this book were the lack of a major conflict and the voices of Erik and Jamie. The conflict that arises was a little too easily solved, and their voices were so similar in tone and content that it felt a bit like they were speaking to themselves at times.
Overall, this was a cute story that felt very much like a beach read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to review this ARC!
My main concerns with this book were the lack of a major conflict and the voices of Erik and Jamie. The conflict that arises was a little too easily solved, and their voices were so similar in tone and content that it felt a bit like they were speaking to themselves at times.
Overall, this was a cute story that felt very much like a beach read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to review this ARC!
3.75 stars rounded up to 4. Really dragged in the middle but overall very cute!
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
The Rules of Royalty is a Princess Diaries meets Young Royals come to life.
Our main character Jamie finds out on his 17th birthday that he’s a Prince of the country Mitanor. He’s invited to spend the summer in the country getting to know his family and learning how to be a prince. However, he starts developing feelings for his mentor/tutor, a prince from a neighboring country called Erik.
I really enjoyed the story and getting to see what Mitanor and its culture was like. Jamie handles the changes life throws his way very well and so do the rest of the characters. I especially liked King Alexander; he was respectful and understanding with Jamie when needed. It was also nice to see Erik and his brother Stefan have a good and supportive relationship.
I do wish we had gotten to know Jamie and Erik more and why they liked each other. They were a bit too similar at times and I’d have to go back and double check whose chapter I was in. The book also was also telling us rather than showing us some things, and I wish we had gotten more descriptions in general.
Overall, in my opinion, The Rules of Royalty is more suited to the younger/middle YA audience, and is something I would have enjoyed more if I had read it a few years ago.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
Thank you so much to St Martin's Press & Wednesday Books for a copy of this book!
Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary audio!
This book is out now.
This is my second book from Cale Dietrich and it was such a DELIGHT! And I really mean a delight. Cale was a co writer on one of my all time favorites, If This Gets Out so I knew that I already enjoyed his writing style.
Jamie turns 17 and learns that he is heir to the throne in a European country called Mitanor. I love how his family was open to him about his birth mother and then when learning of this news also learns about his father. I was waiting for Jamie to be upset or to have such a negative reaction but that was not the case. When he does meet his father King Alexander, it was nothing but opened arms and warm welcomes. So who is the lucky fellow who wins over Jamie's heart? None other than Prince Erik of Sunstad.
See King Alexander thought that Jamie needed someone his own age to help guide Jamie on how to be a royal. But Jamie also wonders if his father paired them together because they both are openly gay so there was that extra comfort. Their relationship was just the cutest and I love seeing their friendship blossom! It was really obvious that their feelings for each other was more than just friendship. There were a bunch of obstacles that was getting in the way of them having an actual relationship. I am glad they were able to work through those challenges to be able to give us that HEA.
There was a side storyline involving Jamie and his American friends and their journey with learning of his new life. As the reader, you could see the walls starting to crumble in the relationship between Jamie and his best friend Max. Things were changing rapidly and neither knew how to navigate this new world. I was glad to see that they were able to resolve their issues by having a conversation.
I paired my reading with the audio and this audio had two fabulous narrators: Major Curda, Max Meyers. Max Meyers is a pro narrator and I have enjoyed all the books that I have listen to with them as narrator. They have a very distinctive tone (not a bad thing) and I know what I'm in for while listening. Major Curda is a new narrator to me but I would certainly listen to him narrate again in the future. Each narrator brought their characters to life and even made them sound vulnerable at times.
This book just really made me smile and was just so darn enjoyable!
If you are a fan of The Princess Diaries meets Red, White & Royal Blue, definitely give this one a read!
Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary audio!
This book is out now.
This is my second book from Cale Dietrich and it was such a DELIGHT! And I really mean a delight. Cale was a co writer on one of my all time favorites, If This Gets Out so I knew that I already enjoyed his writing style.
Jamie turns 17 and learns that he is heir to the throne in a European country called Mitanor. I love how his family was open to him about his birth mother and then when learning of this news also learns about his father. I was waiting for Jamie to be upset or to have such a negative reaction but that was not the case. When he does meet his father King Alexander, it was nothing but opened arms and warm welcomes. So who is the lucky fellow who wins over Jamie's heart? None other than Prince Erik of Sunstad.
See King Alexander thought that Jamie needed someone his own age to help guide Jamie on how to be a royal. But Jamie also wonders if his father paired them together because they both are openly gay so there was that extra comfort. Their relationship was just the cutest and I love seeing their friendship blossom! It was really obvious that their feelings for each other was more than just friendship. There were a bunch of obstacles that was getting in the way of them having an actual relationship. I am glad they were able to work through those challenges to be able to give us that HEA.
There was a side storyline involving Jamie and his American friends and their journey with learning of his new life. As the reader, you could see the walls starting to crumble in the relationship between Jamie and his best friend Max. Things were changing rapidly and neither knew how to navigate this new world. I was glad to see that they were able to resolve their issues by having a conversation.
I paired my reading with the audio and this audio had two fabulous narrators: Major Curda, Max Meyers. Max Meyers is a pro narrator and I have enjoyed all the books that I have listen to with them as narrator. They have a very distinctive tone (not a bad thing) and I know what I'm in for while listening. Major Curda is a new narrator to me but I would certainly listen to him narrate again in the future. Each narrator brought their characters to life and even made them sound vulnerable at times.
This book just really made me smile and was just so darn enjoyable!
If you are a fan of The Princess Diaries meets Red, White & Royal Blue, definitely give this one a read!
I was so excited for this book, but it's just so boring, they both feel like the same character, and any conflict feels very forced...
Rules of Royalty is a fabulous YA gay romance. It gives major princess diary vibes with Jamie discovering he's a prince & learning to deal with it.
I found the characters easy to route for. Even if I did wish that Erik fought a bit sooner.
The plot was well paced & the countries well developed.
This cosy read is perfect for fans of The Princess Diaries or Red, White & Royal Blue.
I found the characters easy to route for. Even if I did wish that Erik fought a bit sooner.
The plot was well paced & the countries well developed.
This cosy read is perfect for fans of The Princess Diaries or Red, White & Royal Blue.