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Prince in Disguise
Someday I want to live in a place where I never hear “You’re Dusty’s sister?” ever again.
Life is real enough for Dylan—especially as the ordinary younger sister of Dusty, former Miss Mississippi and the most perfect, popular girl in Tupelo. But when Dusty wins the hand of the handsome Scottish laird-to-be Ronan on the TRC television network’s crown jewel, Prince in Disguise, Dylan has to face a different kind of reality: reality TV.
As the camera crew whisks them off to Scotland to film the lead-up to the wedding, camera-shy Dylan is front and center as Dusty’s maid of honor. The producers are full of surprises—including old family secrets, long-lost relatives, and a hostile future mother-in-law who thinks Dusty and Dylan’s family isn’t good enough for her only son. At least there’s Jamie, an adorably bookish groomsman who might just be the perfect antidote to all Dylan’s stress . . . if she just can keep TRC from turning her into the next reality show sensation.
Life is real enough for Dylan—especially as the ordinary younger sister of Dusty, former Miss Mississippi and the most perfect, popular girl in Tupelo. But when Dusty wins the hand of the handsome Scottish laird-to-be Ronan on the TRC television network’s crown jewel, Prince in Disguise, Dylan has to face a different kind of reality: reality TV.
As the camera crew whisks them off to Scotland to film the lead-up to the wedding, camera-shy Dylan is front and center as Dusty’s maid of honor. The producers are full of surprises—including old family secrets, long-lost relatives, and a hostile future mother-in-law who thinks Dusty and Dylan’s family isn’t good enough for her only son. At least there’s Jamie, an adorably bookish groomsman who might just be the perfect antidote to all Dylan’s stress . . . if she just can keep TRC from turning her into the next reality show sensation.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published December 19, 2017
About the author
Stephanie Kate Strohm
16 books355 followersStephanie Kate Strohm is the author of Love a la Mode; Prince in Disguise; It's Not Me, It's You; That's Not What I Heard; The Date to Save; and Katy Keene: Restless Hearts. She grew up in Connecticut and attended Middlebury College in Vermont, where she was voted Winter Carnival Queen. Currently she lives in Los Angeles with her husband and son. Her middle-grade debut, Once Upon a Tide: A Mermaid's Tale, will be released in September.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 561 reviews
April 14, 2018
This. Was just. The CUTEST.
Our town got pummeled by a winter storm overnight, and so I spent today snowed inside, huddled beneath a pile of blankets.
Sure, I could have gotten up. And done things. Like laundry. But I also had a cat or two on my lap, so obvi I was stuck until they decided to move their divine furriness away from me.
Which they did. Sometime around noon.
And yet I stayed hunkered down in my chair, binge-reading this book in one sitting, with what I can only imagine was the goofiest grin on my face.
Here’s the thing, before picking this up, I was legit beginning to fear that I had turned into an actual adult. One who had so lost sight of her formative teenage reading years that she could no longer enjoy the fluffy, happy, squeaky-clean YA romance novels that she used to live on.
This book set me straight. It was the perfect little dose of escapism that I needed to cleanse my palette in between some of the heavier books that I’ve been reading the past few weeks.
The rom-com levels are off the charts, the male lead is super (believably) quirky, the female lead reads like a real (and yet not annoying) teenage girl just trying to figure life out, and the Scottish highland setting, complete with contrived reality-TV fairy tale wedding added just the right amount of drama.
I cannot recommend this highly enough for anyone who just needs something to read for sheer fun.
This review can also be found on The Alliterates.
December 31, 2017
I loved every single thing about this book- I almost died of the cute banter and swoony moments. I ship Dylan & Jamie so much it’s ridiculous, and I wouldn’t say no to something set in their future because I never want this story to end!!
Full review to come
I love this book so, so much and it might just be my new favorite thing ever.
It has witty banter.
It has relatable and funny characters.
It has reality T.V. craziness.
It has a prince in disguise.
It has all the swoons.
I don’t know why it wasn’t on my radar, but once I read the summary, I immediately bought it and when it arrived, I immediately started reading it.
You’re not going to find and crazy twists and turns in this one, it’s incredibly predictable, but you won’t even care! What you will find is one of the sweetest YA romances around. It is so smartly written, with so many fun pop culture and classic literature references, and if you’re like me, you’ll find yourself laughing every few pages!
From the very beginning, the chemistry between Dylan and Jamie just pulled me in. They just connected on this super nerdy level that I appreciated immensely. Dylan is stuck in what might be considered her personal hell… her sister’s reality T.V. wedding and with cameras everywhere she just knows all the awkward moments of her life are going to be magnified. She doesn’t expect to find a kindred soul in Jamie… the guy who rescued her from freezing to death at the train station.
The secondary characters were so fun too – Ronan, Dusty, Kit, & Heaven… I couldn’t get enough of them!
If you’re a fan of light-hearted, swoon filled contemporary… this is the book for you. It’s got a permanent place on my favorites shelf and I definitely plan to do an annual reread!
Full review to come
I love this book so, so much and it might just be my new favorite thing ever.
It has witty banter.
It has relatable and funny characters.
It has reality T.V. craziness.
It has a prince in disguise.
It has all the swoons.
I don’t know why it wasn’t on my radar, but once I read the summary, I immediately bought it and when it arrived, I immediately started reading it.
You’re not going to find and crazy twists and turns in this one, it’s incredibly predictable, but you won’t even care! What you will find is one of the sweetest YA romances around. It is so smartly written, with so many fun pop culture and classic literature references, and if you’re like me, you’ll find yourself laughing every few pages!
From the very beginning, the chemistry between Dylan and Jamie just pulled me in. They just connected on this super nerdy level that I appreciated immensely. Dylan is stuck in what might be considered her personal hell… her sister’s reality T.V. wedding and with cameras everywhere she just knows all the awkward moments of her life are going to be magnified. She doesn’t expect to find a kindred soul in Jamie… the guy who rescued her from freezing to death at the train station.
The secondary characters were so fun too – Ronan, Dusty, Kit, & Heaven… I couldn’t get enough of them!
If you’re a fan of light-hearted, swoon filled contemporary… this is the book for you. It’s got a permanent place on my favorites shelf and I definitely plan to do an annual reread!
Read
September 3, 2017I already know of two high-school aged relatives I am giving this book to for Christmas, and I hope I can see them read it.
This is an utterly charming wish-fulfillment romance, featuring Dylan, eye-rolling younger sister of gorgeous, perfect Dusty, beauty-pageant-winner from Tupelo. Dusty was chosen for a reality show, at which she met Scottish laird Ronan, and fell in love. Now Dylan, to her total disgust, is being whisked off to Scotland for the second series as Dusty and Ronan marry at his vast estate.
Dylan is no Cinderella, in that she is anti-romance. She's no-nonsense, a long distance sprinter, and is totally not ready for a super cold stint in an ancient castle . . . until she meets Jamie, there as a groomsman for Ronan, and he leads her to a secret trapdoor tunnel.
The fun is on as Jamie and Dylan make friends, try to evade the ever-present TV cameras, and surprises occur as they lurch toward the wedding day. Dylan's wise-acre best friend shows up, making the story even more of a crackup.
I loved the evolution of the sisters' relationships, and how Dylan handled the surprises, both those provided by the TV people for maximum drama, and the ones that just happened because life is like that. A couple of twists an older reader can see coming a mile away, but that is perfectly fine as the fun is really in seeing how Strohm would handle them.
A delightful read from first page to last, putting Strohm on my "watch this author" list.
And like I said, three copies already sold. (One of those is MINE.)
Copy provided by NetGalley
This is an utterly charming wish-fulfillment romance, featuring Dylan, eye-rolling younger sister of gorgeous, perfect Dusty, beauty-pageant-winner from Tupelo. Dusty was chosen for a reality show, at which she met Scottish laird Ronan, and fell in love. Now Dylan, to her total disgust, is being whisked off to Scotland for the second series as Dusty and Ronan marry at his vast estate.
Dylan is no Cinderella, in that she is anti-romance. She's no-nonsense, a long distance sprinter, and is totally not ready for a super cold stint in an ancient castle . . . until she meets Jamie, there as a groomsman for Ronan, and he leads her to a secret trapdoor tunnel.
The fun is on as Jamie and Dylan make friends, try to evade the ever-present TV cameras, and surprises occur as they lurch toward the wedding day. Dylan's wise-acre best friend shows up, making the story even more of a crackup.
I loved the evolution of the sisters' relationships, and how Dylan handled the surprises, both those provided by the TV people for maximum drama, and the ones that just happened because life is like that. A couple of twists an older reader can see coming a mile away, but that is perfectly fine as the fun is really in seeing how Strohm would handle them.
A delightful read from first page to last, putting Strohm on my "watch this author" list.
And like I said, three copies already sold. (One of those is MINE.)
Copy provided by NetGalley
July 31, 2020
Full Review: Thank you so much to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for giving me the chance to read and review this super cute novel by Stephanie Kate Strohm! What an adorable book about a younger sister dragged along to Scotland for her sister’s wedding to a Scottish lord, which, to her dismay, is being filmed for a reality TV series “Prince in Disguise.”
Gosh, I just loved the chemistry between Dylan and Jamie. From the first moment they meet, they have this really natural, cute, nerdy vibe that works so well. You feel like you’re spying on two regular teens falling in love. Sometimes in books, this feels rushed. But I loved the way that while on this little Scottish get-away, their interactions, whether hiding from the cameras or going on real dates felt genuine and full of the sort of bloopers you can expect in real life. Jamie was sweet and just the sort of hero you would want to fall in love with, and I like that Strohm made him loveable but not so over the top that he seemed like he wasn’t real. Just perfect.
And I especially loved the relationships within Dylan’s family that we got to look at. Before I forget, it was really nice to see Strohm write a really tall girl! It seems like I’ve read a lot of very petite heroines lately, and it’s lovely when we see heroines that come in all different shapes, sizes, ethnicities, sexual orientations, etc. So having Dylan be six feet tall and on eye level with her guy was a brave and lovely choice! I liked the exploration of all the relationships Dylan had with members of her family (won’t say too much since I don’t want to give away spoilers, but I thought that was well worked out and brought story arcs to a nice conclusion.)
This was a super cute read that’s perfect for cuddling up and enjoying on a cold rainy day, or listening to (that’s what I did) when you’re not feeling well. It’s light-hearted and full of funny reality-TV moments that if you’ve ever watched “The Bachelor” will make you roll your eyes.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author.
Please excuse typos. Entered on screen reader.
Gosh, I just loved the chemistry between Dylan and Jamie. From the first moment they meet, they have this really natural, cute, nerdy vibe that works so well. You feel like you’re spying on two regular teens falling in love. Sometimes in books, this feels rushed. But I loved the way that while on this little Scottish get-away, their interactions, whether hiding from the cameras or going on real dates felt genuine and full of the sort of bloopers you can expect in real life. Jamie was sweet and just the sort of hero you would want to fall in love with, and I like that Strohm made him loveable but not so over the top that he seemed like he wasn’t real. Just perfect.
And I especially loved the relationships within Dylan’s family that we got to look at. Before I forget, it was really nice to see Strohm write a really tall girl! It seems like I’ve read a lot of very petite heroines lately, and it’s lovely when we see heroines that come in all different shapes, sizes, ethnicities, sexual orientations, etc. So having Dylan be six feet tall and on eye level with her guy was a brave and lovely choice! I liked the exploration of all the relationships Dylan had with members of her family (won’t say too much since I don’t want to give away spoilers, but I thought that was well worked out and brought story arcs to a nice conclusion.)
This was a super cute read that’s perfect for cuddling up and enjoying on a cold rainy day, or listening to (that’s what I did) when you’re not feeling well. It’s light-hearted and full of funny reality-TV moments that if you’ve ever watched “The Bachelor” will make you roll your eyes.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author.
Please excuse typos. Entered on screen reader.
June 10, 2018
3.5 stars
This was so adorable. I read most of it by the pool one afternoon (which was odd seeing as this was set in Scotland at Christmas...so definitely not your typical summer-y read), and had such a great time with the characters! I am really intrigued by royalty and the royal wedding and so I went on a binge of everything royal I could get my plain American commoner hands on.
Jamie was easily the best part of this book. I loved his character and his quirkiness. He was so weird, but it just made him even more adorable and intriguing. Dylan, our MC, was such a fun character as well. I really enjoyed being in her head and seeing things through her eyes.
If you are looking for a cute beachy or pool-side read, this is a great choice! Just be prepared for a lot of fluff and adorable geekiness =)
This was so adorable. I read most of it by the pool one afternoon (which was odd seeing as this was set in Scotland at Christmas...so definitely not your typical summer-y read), and had such a great time with the characters! I am really intrigued by royalty and the royal wedding and so I went on a binge of everything royal I could get my plain American commoner hands on.
Jamie was easily the best part of this book. I loved his character and his quirkiness. He was so weird, but it just made him even more adorable and intriguing. Dylan, our MC, was such a fun character as well. I really enjoyed being in her head and seeing things through her eyes.
If you are looking for a cute beachy or pool-side read, this is a great choice! Just be prepared for a lot of fluff and adorable geekiness =)
July 30, 2019
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
I won a copy of this book on Twitter, and even if I hadn’t, it was already on my radar and wish list because of the royalty aspect to it. When it arrived, I simply couldn’t put it down, because of how fantastic it was. Dylan has been sent to Scotland (all royalty books seem to happen in Scotland lately), as her sister, Dusty, was the winner of a reality show - very like the Bachelor - and is now engaged to a Scottish lord, Ronan. The tv show want to film everything, and as the maid of honour, Dylan has to get used to the limelight, and all of the traditions and rules that come with both the Scottish aristocracy, and being a reality tv star. Luckily, one of Ronan's friends, Jamie, is on hand to help guide Dylan through everything, even if TRC want them two to be the next showbiz couple.
I just loved this book, and it's another one I couldn't put down once I had started it. Everything about it was swoony, and even though it was quite predictable, that didn't discount from the fun. Dylan and Jamie's relationship was quite a slow burn, friends-to-lovers, sort of relationship, but the chemistry was there from the get go, and whenever they were on the page together, I was proper smiling and giggling to myself - not like me, at all! I was pleasantly happy, and surprised, that even though Dylan and Dusty were polar opposites, that didn't mean they hated each other, and actually really cared about each other, and would do about anything in order to protect the other. Because of this book, I've gone out and bought more of Stepahnie's books, and definitely think she's an author who'll be on my auto-buy list before long.
I won a copy of this book on Twitter, and even if I hadn’t, it was already on my radar and wish list because of the royalty aspect to it. When it arrived, I simply couldn’t put it down, because of how fantastic it was. Dylan has been sent to Scotland (all royalty books seem to happen in Scotland lately), as her sister, Dusty, was the winner of a reality show - very like the Bachelor - and is now engaged to a Scottish lord, Ronan. The tv show want to film everything, and as the maid of honour, Dylan has to get used to the limelight, and all of the traditions and rules that come with both the Scottish aristocracy, and being a reality tv star. Luckily, one of Ronan's friends, Jamie, is on hand to help guide Dylan through everything, even if TRC want them two to be the next showbiz couple.
I just loved this book, and it's another one I couldn't put down once I had started it. Everything about it was swoony, and even though it was quite predictable, that didn't discount from the fun. Dylan and Jamie's relationship was quite a slow burn, friends-to-lovers, sort of relationship, but the chemistry was there from the get go, and whenever they were on the page together, I was proper smiling and giggling to myself - not like me, at all! I was pleasantly happy, and surprised, that even though Dylan and Dusty were polar opposites, that didn't mean they hated each other, and actually really cared about each other, and would do about anything in order to protect the other. Because of this book, I've gone out and bought more of Stepahnie's books, and definitely think she's an author who'll be on my auto-buy list before long.
Read
May 17, 2020Cute!!! I was wondering if the twist I expected would happen (it did) and it was a very fluffy, a little bit cheesy, romp through a Scottish castle-like-thing feat. marriages with nobility and sisterly love. Fans of Rachel Hawkins' The Royals will really enjoy Prince in Disguise!
March 27, 2021
Full Review on The Candid Cover
4.5 Stars
I am always a sucker for books about royalty, so I knew I would love Prince in Disguise the moment I saw it. This story is all about a reality TV show set in Scotland and contains a likeable main character. This book makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside, making it perfect for the winter.
This book has such an original concept! The main character’s sister is getting married to a (barely) prince, and the wedding and the planning are all being aired on a reality TV show. Dylan wants nothing to do with the cameras and the fake reactions, but she has to deal with them as her sister’s maid of honour. The plot thickens as the production crew uncovers some of her secrets and turns her life into the subplot of the show. I enjoyed how the book portrayed life as a reality TV star and shows how hard it is to have everything about you shown on screen. I really sympathized with Dylan and her strict contract.
Since Dylan’s sister marries Scottish royalty, the wedding is set in Scotland. I haven’t read too many books set there, but I would definitely love to see more. I adored the descriptions of the castle and its secret passageways and the frequent use of Scottish slang. There is also some traditional Scottish dancing and food, which was so interesting to read about. After reading this book, I would definitely like to go visit Scotland.
I enjoyed Dylan’s character in Prince in Disguise. She has a sense of humour and is pretty sarcastic. She also has a strong relationship with her sister, and they stick up for one another. I loved how Dylan wants to make her sister happy on her special day and is supportive of her decisions, even if they aren’t what she would have done. Dylan is just such a relatable character, and reading about her misadventures is so entertaining.
Prince in Disguise is a witty and adorable story set in picturesque Scotland. I loved the main character and the bond between sisters. If you enjoyed books like The Selection, you will love this one!
4.5 Stars
I am always a sucker for books about royalty, so I knew I would love Prince in Disguise the moment I saw it. This story is all about a reality TV show set in Scotland and contains a likeable main character. This book makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside, making it perfect for the winter.
This book has such an original concept! The main character’s sister is getting married to a (barely) prince, and the wedding and the planning are all being aired on a reality TV show. Dylan wants nothing to do with the cameras and the fake reactions, but she has to deal with them as her sister’s maid of honour. The plot thickens as the production crew uncovers some of her secrets and turns her life into the subplot of the show. I enjoyed how the book portrayed life as a reality TV star and shows how hard it is to have everything about you shown on screen. I really sympathized with Dylan and her strict contract.
Since Dylan’s sister marries Scottish royalty, the wedding is set in Scotland. I haven’t read too many books set there, but I would definitely love to see more. I adored the descriptions of the castle and its secret passageways and the frequent use of Scottish slang. There is also some traditional Scottish dancing and food, which was so interesting to read about. After reading this book, I would definitely like to go visit Scotland.
I enjoyed Dylan’s character in Prince in Disguise. She has a sense of humour and is pretty sarcastic. She also has a strong relationship with her sister, and they stick up for one another. I loved how Dylan wants to make her sister happy on her special day and is supportive of her decisions, even if they aren’t what she would have done. Dylan is just such a relatable character, and reading about her misadventures is so entertaining.
Prince in Disguise is a witty and adorable story set in picturesque Scotland. I loved the main character and the bond between sisters. If you enjoyed books like The Selection, you will love this one!
November 3, 2017
An Adorable Holiday Slump-buster!
I was SO excited to be approved for this Disney-Hyperion title on Net Galley, and it did not disappoint!
If you’re in the mood for a fast, slump-buster read–whether to get you back into reading or to kick-start you into the holiday spirit–this is it! I loved Dylan immediately. She’s the awkward, self-conscious, shy younger sister of a beauty-pageant winner, dragged into a high-profile world she never wanted to be part of. When she ends up meeting a boy she might actually LIKE (for the first time, like, EVER), she’s forced to go through the roller coaster of first love on reality television. UGH, right???
I’ll admit I struggled a bit between four and five stars–I FLEW through the book, but it doesn’t have a ton of dramatic tension. There’s nothing in the world quite like that teen anguish of is-he-going-to-like-me? mixed with the rush of omg-he-might-really-like-me! and I didn’t always feel that here. It was more of an ADORABLE read than a dramatic one–the surprises weren’t terribly surprising, and the complications weren’t terribly complicated–but sometimes that’s exactly what I’m in the mood for.
Bottom line? After starting and putting down several other books that just didn’t hold my interest, this one stuck with me. I’m giving it 4.5 stars and rounding up, for that “stickiness” factor. It held my attention from the first page to the last, and I genuinely enjoyed the read. I cared about the characters (Dylan’s romantic interest is equal parts nerdy and sweet–I LOVED him), the pacing was excellent, and the overall story was a fulfilling ride, with a lot of smiles along the way. I highly recommend both the book and the author, and I will be following Stephanie Kate Strohm for sure!
I was SO excited to be approved for this Disney-Hyperion title on Net Galley, and it did not disappoint!
If you’re in the mood for a fast, slump-buster read–whether to get you back into reading or to kick-start you into the holiday spirit–this is it! I loved Dylan immediately. She’s the awkward, self-conscious, shy younger sister of a beauty-pageant winner, dragged into a high-profile world she never wanted to be part of. When she ends up meeting a boy she might actually LIKE (for the first time, like, EVER), she’s forced to go through the roller coaster of first love on reality television. UGH, right???
I’ll admit I struggled a bit between four and five stars–I FLEW through the book, but it doesn’t have a ton of dramatic tension. There’s nothing in the world quite like that teen anguish of is-he-going-to-like-me? mixed with the rush of omg-he-might-really-like-me! and I didn’t always feel that here. It was more of an ADORABLE read than a dramatic one–the surprises weren’t terribly surprising, and the complications weren’t terribly complicated–but sometimes that’s exactly what I’m in the mood for.
Bottom line? After starting and putting down several other books that just didn’t hold my interest, this one stuck with me. I’m giving it 4.5 stars and rounding up, for that “stickiness” factor. It held my attention from the first page to the last, and I genuinely enjoyed the read. I cared about the characters (Dylan’s romantic interest is equal parts nerdy and sweet–I LOVED him), the pacing was excellent, and the overall story was a fulfilling ride, with a lot of smiles along the way. I highly recommend both the book and the author, and I will be following Stephanie Kate Strohm for sure!
Read
December 22, 2017That was just delightful. Super cute, and super perfect to read during Christmastime (and during a season of high royal romance to boot!). This was really funny, witty, banterful, and just plain adorable. Jamie is my dream boy. The twist is absolutely predictable, but in a really charming way. Like, OF COURSE that's what happens, but it's also so what you WANT to happen. What a delicious slice of escapism this is while not feeling even a little bit trashy. It's just a plain old wonderful time. This is like a really, REALLY good Holiday Hallmark or Lifetime movie (PLEASE FILM THIS, I WOULD WATCH THE CRAP OUT OF THIS), but again--a smart one with the most amazing banter ever, referencing pop culture and classic literature as easy as breathing. I was giggling the whole time. Highly recommend if this kind of book is your cup of tea!
December 20, 2017
A great rom-com about reality shows and finding one's prince.
3.5.
Dylan's perfect older sister was part of a successful reality show where she unknowingly fell in love with a lord from Scotland. Now she's about to get married, the family needs to spend a too long a time in his estate back in Scotland, being filmed for a special follow-up. And the big house comes with all the clichés, secret passageways, mean mother-in-law, and cute boy with a British accent. Maybe it's not going to be so bad for Dylan having to live with cameramen following her all around after all.
I was so happy to be able to read another work by Strohm so soon! Her quirky style had left me wanting more after finishing The Date to Save. Perhaps, my higher expectations this time made feel Prince in Disguise wasn't as entertaining, but I'll still say this: it's a great book. Back to Strohm's style, I appreciate how she doesn't go for a surprise with her plot but with the focus she'll give in the story.
So, what I really liked in this one book was, first, the characters. Most of them were very well constructed. Some did seem to act a bit with a clear purpose, like Dylan's mother and Jamie's mother, for them I didn't see enough depth. I should also add her best friend Heaven, she was funny but again because the writer wrote her in to be funny. But those with actual depth were really lovely. Even Ronan, Dylan's soon-to-be brother-in-law, who didn't do much during the book, showed to have an interesting personality. Dylan's sister Dusty spent most of the book just being a nasty but perfect older sister, but got me in the later half, she was great! I almost wish we had a prequel to see her falling in love with Ronan. Their backstory was so subtly entwined with this one I would believe if anyone told me Prince in Disguise is actually the sequel, it's like all that had really happened.
Now onto the main characters, Dylan and Jamie were the romance that I thought had failed in The Date to Save. They were just so cute together Dylan and I both thought it was too good to be true. But was it? That's the main question in the book for me.
Which brings me to my real issue with the book, we had such a nice mystery to solve but not enough thrill surrounding it. As a result this great story lost rhythm after the first half and dragged a lot. If Strohm wasn't so good at presenting different aspects of a situation, especially in this case with the schemes from the reality show production trying to control Dylan's impulsiveness, I'm not sure this would have earned as many stars from me.
Talking about the reality show, bonus points for being able to shine a new light on what could have been the dullest cliché. To be honest, I was ready to be bored by it and instead this plot saved the second half, in my opinion.
It seems when I want a funny contemporary YA, Strohm is turning out to be a go-to author.
Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.
3.5.
Dylan's perfect older sister was part of a successful reality show where she unknowingly fell in love with a lord from Scotland. Now she's about to get married, the family needs to spend a too long a time in his estate back in Scotland, being filmed for a special follow-up. And the big house comes with all the clichés, secret passageways, mean mother-in-law, and cute boy with a British accent. Maybe it's not going to be so bad for Dylan having to live with cameramen following her all around after all.
I was so happy to be able to read another work by Strohm so soon! Her quirky style had left me wanting more after finishing The Date to Save. Perhaps, my higher expectations this time made feel Prince in Disguise wasn't as entertaining, but I'll still say this: it's a great book. Back to Strohm's style, I appreciate how she doesn't go for a surprise with her plot but with the focus she'll give in the story.
So, what I really liked in this one book was, first, the characters. Most of them were very well constructed. Some did seem to act a bit with a clear purpose, like Dylan's mother and Jamie's mother, for them I didn't see enough depth. I should also add her best friend Heaven, she was funny but again because the writer wrote her in to be funny. But those with actual depth were really lovely. Even Ronan, Dylan's soon-to-be brother-in-law, who didn't do much during the book, showed to have an interesting personality. Dylan's sister Dusty spent most of the book just being a nasty but perfect older sister, but got me in the later half, she was great! I almost wish we had a prequel to see her falling in love with Ronan. Their backstory was so subtly entwined with this one I would believe if anyone told me Prince in Disguise is actually the sequel, it's like all that had really happened.
Now onto the main characters, Dylan and Jamie were the romance that I thought had failed in The Date to Save. They were just so cute together Dylan and I both thought it was too good to be true. But was it? That's the main question in the book for me.
Which brings me to my real issue with the book, we had such a nice mystery to solve but not enough thrill surrounding it. As a result this great story lost rhythm after the first half and dragged a lot. If Strohm wasn't so good at presenting different aspects of a situation, especially in this case with the schemes from the reality show production trying to control Dylan's impulsiveness, I'm not sure this would have earned as many stars from me.
Talking about the reality show, bonus points for being able to shine a new light on what could have been the dullest cliché. To be honest, I was ready to be bored by it and instead this plot saved the second half, in my opinion.
It seems when I want a funny contemporary YA, Strohm is turning out to be a go-to author.
Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.
December 4, 2017
{you can read my review here as well}
---
If you’re into season reads and want something super cute and fluffy for winter time, Prince in Disguise is definitely a good choice. It takes place in the weeks counting down to Christmas and there are a lot of shenanigans to behold in a cold castle in Scotland.
The cute factor here is definitely at a high. Jamie, the love interest, is an absolute dork and I adored him and all his quirky traits. He randomly refers to ancient poetry and literature in whatever conversations he’s a part of, countless #JustEnglishThings that I, nor the main character, Dylan, understand at first. It’s really endearing. He’s also really endearing and really cute, and really tall because that’s actually something that is important lol.
What I did not like, however, was the main character, Dylan!! She was relatable, but man, she was horrible at times, especially to her sister. She said the worst things to Dusty, and it’s just… Dylan constantly complains about the cameras that trail her family and her around because of the reality show Dusty and her soon-to-be-husband are a part of. She hates being filmed all the time and she calls Dusty fake, everything fake. I found it ridiculous that she’s so affected by the crew that she doesn’t even begin to consider how it must be for the actual star of the show. I found her selfish and rude and it was really hard to like her.
I don’t really want to say too much about the romance, but I did like it. It happens pretty soon, not even 100 pages into the book, which I was actually sort of happy about. No angst! No will-the-won’t-they! Jamie and Dylan had nice chemistry and it was nice seeing what adventures the two of them got into.
I was hoping for more of a relationship between Dylan and… basically everyone. The person we see her the most is with Jamie. And that’s cool, whatever, but I wanted more Dust & Dylan, more of their mother, more of her best friend. There are few scenes with them, not nearly enough to satisfy, though. This is also why I didn’t buy how Dusty and Dylan were at the end--it just didn’t feel like they’d actually patched something in their relationship.
Overall, if you’re willing to overlook my objections to this book, I think you’ll like it. It’s light and fluffy and has a lot of kisses, if you’re into that kind of thing. Also a lot of weird English/Scottish foods that I have no knowledge of and never really want to try. 3 stars!
---
If you’re into season reads and want something super cute and fluffy for winter time, Prince in Disguise is definitely a good choice. It takes place in the weeks counting down to Christmas and there are a lot of shenanigans to behold in a cold castle in Scotland.
The cute factor here is definitely at a high. Jamie, the love interest, is an absolute dork and I adored him and all his quirky traits. He randomly refers to ancient poetry and literature in whatever conversations he’s a part of, countless #JustEnglishThings that I, nor the main character, Dylan, understand at first. It’s really endearing. He’s also really endearing and really cute, and really tall because that’s actually something that is important lol.
What I did not like, however, was the main character, Dylan!! She was relatable, but man, she was horrible at times, especially to her sister. She said the worst things to Dusty, and it’s just… Dylan constantly complains about the cameras that trail her family and her around because of the reality show Dusty and her soon-to-be-husband are a part of. She hates being filmed all the time and she calls Dusty fake, everything fake. I found it ridiculous that she’s so affected by the crew that she doesn’t even begin to consider how it must be for the actual star of the show. I found her selfish and rude and it was really hard to like her.
I don’t really want to say too much about the romance, but I did like it. It happens pretty soon, not even 100 pages into the book, which I was actually sort of happy about. No angst! No will-the-won’t-they! Jamie and Dylan had nice chemistry and it was nice seeing what adventures the two of them got into.
I was hoping for more of a relationship between Dylan and… basically everyone. The person we see her the most is with Jamie. And that’s cool, whatever, but I wanted more Dust & Dylan, more of their mother, more of her best friend. There are few scenes with them, not nearly enough to satisfy, though. This is also why I didn’t buy how Dusty and Dylan were at the end--it just didn’t feel like they’d actually patched something in their relationship.
Overall, if you’re willing to overlook my objections to this book, I think you’ll like it. It’s light and fluffy and has a lot of kisses, if you’re into that kind of thing. Also a lot of weird English/Scottish foods that I have no knowledge of and never really want to try. 3 stars!
November 22, 2018
Right, it's official: No more Young Adult books for me. I'm just so booooored!
All I wanted was something amusing and undemanding and escapist. Undemanding it certainly is.
The boy is lovely, the two stars are for him. I don't understand why he hasn't been snapped up ages ago. The girl is STUPID. Whatever does he see in her?
I neither know nor care.
(It probably doesn't help that my parallel read is Angels in the Sky. Not romantic, but wow.)
All I wanted was something amusing and undemanding and escapist. Undemanding it certainly is.
The boy is lovely, the two stars are for him. I don't understand why he hasn't been snapped up ages ago. The girl is STUPID. Whatever does he see in her?
I neither know nor care.
(It probably doesn't help that my parallel read is Angels in the Sky. Not romantic, but wow.)
October 12, 2017
*Thanks so much to the publisher for sending me an e-ARC via Netgalley!!*
Okay, this book was adorable and fun AND HAD THE BEST DISNEY REFERENCES. I was dying with each witty Disney reference/comment that was made, and Strohm definitely has confirmed that she is a master of adorable, cheesey goodness - my favorite contemporary kind of novel. This story did drag in a few parts, and I started to get really bored - however it was cute for the most part.
The best part of this story was the comedy and wit. I read Strohm's previous novel, It's Not Me, It's You, and I actually laughed out loud quite a bit in this one - it was the same case for this one. She just has a wit to her that seems so effortless and not forced. I screengrabbed so many lines because I just had to remember them to laugh at in the future. There were a lot of comic moments, too, and I love a book that can just launch out in a comedic moment without any effort.
I also really enjoyed the characters. Dylan was fantastic, and I can so relate to her being thrown into this situation. She was funny, she was so easy to root for, and she was just a fun character. Jamie was cool, as well. He made a few too many references that went right over my head, and but I mean, you got to love a man that will start singing, "Do You Wanna Build a Snowman" to woo a girl out of her room at night and then names expeditions like The Premeditated Trapdoor excursion. Literally, I feel like he is me as a love interest in a story. XD Both of them were fun, and I loved them together.
The plot was engaging as well. I loved the idea of a Bachelor- type show with a magical prince in disguise and then the accompanying reality show following them. There was some kind of mystery involved, and all the antics that followed in Scotland was great. It was truly a lot of fun.
However, some things felt like it just was repeating over and over. Like, it didn't feel like the plot was moving and we were focused a bit too much on the comedy. At that point, it just felt kind of boring. I got disengaged with the story at some points, but it still was enjoyable overall.
This was a fun, enjoyable read, but it did dwindle in parts. I really enjoyed the characters and the comedy, and the ship was super cute. There were a few references that I did miss, but they were overall enjoyable. Three crowns and a Belle rating - which if I remember correctly did have a reference in here, too!
Favorite Quotes:
*****
On what was supposed to be the last day of filming Prince in Disguise, when I thought we were done with the Reality Channel forever, Ronan revealed he was secretly a lord, and then he dropped to one knee and proposed to my sister. See? Ronan seemed nice, but he was probably insane. You don't marry someone you just met. Did they not have Frozen in Scotland?
*****
"Little Match Girl? Because you were frozen? The Hans Christian Anderson story?"
"Yeah, I got the reference." I returned to poking the puck. It was proving to be distressingly resistant to my attempts to pierce it. Like an actual hockey puck would be. "Not really my favorite story. Kind of a downer."
"Unlike that heartwarming, not-at-all-depressing Hans Christian Anderson classic, The Little Mermaid."
"It's heartwarming when it involves singing crabs. Say what you will about Walt Disney, that man knew how to jazz up a real bummer of a story."
*****
"Did you stash that flashlight down here?"
"The Premeditated Torch is, naturally, the follow-up to the smash best seller The Premeditated Trapdoor."
"That is seriously the worst idea for a book series I've ever heard."
"Balderdash. Dashing British hero and his plucky American lady sidekick explore uncharted territory? It's brilliant."
"Plucky?" Eh, I'd been called worse. "And this territory has already been charted. By you."
"But it's uncharted for you, my plucky American lady sidekick." I turned to see him grinning at my side. "You can hold the torch, if you'd like."
Okay, this book was adorable and fun AND HAD THE BEST DISNEY REFERENCES. I was dying with each witty Disney reference/comment that was made, and Strohm definitely has confirmed that she is a master of adorable, cheesey goodness - my favorite contemporary kind of novel. This story did drag in a few parts, and I started to get really bored - however it was cute for the most part.
The best part of this story was the comedy and wit. I read Strohm's previous novel, It's Not Me, It's You, and I actually laughed out loud quite a bit in this one - it was the same case for this one. She just has a wit to her that seems so effortless and not forced. I screengrabbed so many lines because I just had to remember them to laugh at in the future. There were a lot of comic moments, too, and I love a book that can just launch out in a comedic moment without any effort.
I also really enjoyed the characters. Dylan was fantastic, and I can so relate to her being thrown into this situation. She was funny, she was so easy to root for, and she was just a fun character. Jamie was cool, as well. He made a few too many references that went right over my head, and but I mean, you got to love a man that will start singing, "Do You Wanna Build a Snowman" to woo a girl out of her room at night and then names expeditions like The Premeditated Trapdoor excursion. Literally, I feel like he is me as a love interest in a story. XD Both of them were fun, and I loved them together.
The plot was engaging as well. I loved the idea of a Bachelor- type show with a magical prince in disguise and then the accompanying reality show following them. There was some kind of mystery involved, and all the antics that followed in Scotland was great. It was truly a lot of fun.
However, some things felt like it just was repeating over and over. Like, it didn't feel like the plot was moving and we were focused a bit too much on the comedy. At that point, it just felt kind of boring. I got disengaged with the story at some points, but it still was enjoyable overall.
This was a fun, enjoyable read, but it did dwindle in parts. I really enjoyed the characters and the comedy, and the ship was super cute. There were a few references that I did miss, but they were overall enjoyable. Three crowns and a Belle rating - which if I remember correctly did have a reference in here, too!
Favorite Quotes:
*****
On what was supposed to be the last day of filming Prince in Disguise, when I thought we were done with the Reality Channel forever, Ronan revealed he was secretly a lord, and then he dropped to one knee and proposed to my sister. See? Ronan seemed nice, but he was probably insane. You don't marry someone you just met. Did they not have Frozen in Scotland?
*****
"Little Match Girl? Because you were frozen? The Hans Christian Anderson story?"
"Yeah, I got the reference." I returned to poking the puck. It was proving to be distressingly resistant to my attempts to pierce it. Like an actual hockey puck would be. "Not really my favorite story. Kind of a downer."
"Unlike that heartwarming, not-at-all-depressing Hans Christian Anderson classic, The Little Mermaid."
"It's heartwarming when it involves singing crabs. Say what you will about Walt Disney, that man knew how to jazz up a real bummer of a story."
*****
"Did you stash that flashlight down here?"
"The Premeditated Torch is, naturally, the follow-up to the smash best seller The Premeditated Trapdoor."
"That is seriously the worst idea for a book series I've ever heard."
"Balderdash. Dashing British hero and his plucky American lady sidekick explore uncharted territory? It's brilliant."
"Plucky?" Eh, I'd been called worse. "And this territory has already been charted. By you."
"But it's uncharted for you, my plucky American lady sidekick." I turned to see him grinning at my side. "You can hold the torch, if you'd like."
Read
November 9, 2017This book is the cutest freaking thing in the universe. The rommiest and commiest of the rom-coms. I am officially obsessed with Stephanie Kate Strohm.
November 12, 2018
3.5
Dieses Buch klang so zuckersüß, dass ich es unbedingt lesen wollte und sehr gespannt auf die Geschichte war.
Dylans Schwester war Teilnehmerin an einer Reality Show und heiratet nun an Weihnachten ihren Prinzen auf seinem Schloss in Schottland. Dylan ist gar nicht begeistert, dass sie die Kamera nun auch weiterbegleiten wird, aber in Schottland lernt sie Jamie, den Trauzeugen von Ronan, kennen und plötzlich ist alles gar nicht mehr so tragisch.
Ich fand die Geschichte sehr unterhaltsam und die winterliche Stimmung kam sehr gut rüber. Allerding hat die Reality Show mir manchmal ein wenig zu viel Platz in der Geschichte eingenommen und die restliche Geschichte, besonders um Dylan und Jamie, ist mir zu sehr in den Hintergrund geraten. In der Show werden dann alle Dramen ausgepackt, was mir dann manchmal etwas zu viel war. Da hätte ich lieber über ein paar romantische Dates im Schnee gelesen, denn das eine war wirklich zauberhaft und total niedlich.
Dylan war mir sympathisch, aber manchmal ein wenig zu naiv bzw. passte es in das amerikanische Klischee, dass man nichts über Europa weiß. Jamie war ebenfalls sehr sympathisch und ich mochte seine lockere und entspannte Art. Der absolute Knaller waren seine Eltern, die ihn in Situationen gebracht haben, bei denen ich öfters schmunzeln musste.
Das Buch war wirklich niedlich und hat mir gut gefallen, aber hätte an mancher Stelle noch ein wenig romantischer sein können.
Dieses Buch klang so zuckersüß, dass ich es unbedingt lesen wollte und sehr gespannt auf die Geschichte war.
Dylans Schwester war Teilnehmerin an einer Reality Show und heiratet nun an Weihnachten ihren Prinzen auf seinem Schloss in Schottland. Dylan ist gar nicht begeistert, dass sie die Kamera nun auch weiterbegleiten wird, aber in Schottland lernt sie Jamie, den Trauzeugen von Ronan, kennen und plötzlich ist alles gar nicht mehr so tragisch.
Ich fand die Geschichte sehr unterhaltsam und die winterliche Stimmung kam sehr gut rüber. Allerding hat die Reality Show mir manchmal ein wenig zu viel Platz in der Geschichte eingenommen und die restliche Geschichte, besonders um Dylan und Jamie, ist mir zu sehr in den Hintergrund geraten. In der Show werden dann alle Dramen ausgepackt, was mir dann manchmal etwas zu viel war. Da hätte ich lieber über ein paar romantische Dates im Schnee gelesen, denn das eine war wirklich zauberhaft und total niedlich.
Dylan war mir sympathisch, aber manchmal ein wenig zu naiv bzw. passte es in das amerikanische Klischee, dass man nichts über Europa weiß. Jamie war ebenfalls sehr sympathisch und ich mochte seine lockere und entspannte Art. Der absolute Knaller waren seine Eltern, die ihn in Situationen gebracht haben, bei denen ich öfters schmunzeln musste.
Das Buch war wirklich niedlich und hat mir gut gefallen, aber hätte an mancher Stelle noch ein wenig romantischer sein können.
February 27, 2019
3.5 stars
Prince in Disguise is one of those books that are perfect one-sitting reads that you can just devour and have a great time with. It's nothing new or unexpected, but it's comforting because it's so familiar. First love, dating hilarity, family drama, and a dash of secret identities make for an enjoyable read that puts you in a reading mood and reaching for another story to pick up. You know exactly what you're getting into with this book and you're either picking it up for that reason or you're not, simple as that. But if you go into this expecting a cute story that will make you smile and give you the warm-fuzzy feelings of first love, you're in the right place.
Prince in Disguise is one of those books that are perfect one-sitting reads that you can just devour and have a great time with. It's nothing new or unexpected, but it's comforting because it's so familiar. First love, dating hilarity, family drama, and a dash of secret identities make for an enjoyable read that puts you in a reading mood and reaching for another story to pick up. You know exactly what you're getting into with this book and you're either picking it up for that reason or you're not, simple as that. But if you go into this expecting a cute story that will make you smile and give you the warm-fuzzy feelings of first love, you're in the right place.
December 27, 2018
Thanks, I hate it! 🙃
Just, not for me.
Just, not for me.
February 19, 2018
Very sweet, sometimes laugh out loud, story of a16 year old girl who gets caught up in the story line when her older sister goes a reality show called "Prince in Disguise". A cute story, funny characters, and a nice break from reality, lol.
December 25, 2020
- didn't like the instalove
- liked the highlands setting though!
- liked the highlands setting though!
January 20, 2018
This was a fun read, but very predictable and too sugar sweet and cutesy. Good fluff material, but nothing life changing.
December 31, 2017
I'm so happy this was my last book of 2017, because I needed to end 2017 with something fluffy and lovely.
Here's the thing about this book: it was totally ridiculous and predictable as hell, but a) if it were a movie staring Mandy Moore and Matthew Goode I’d watch the shit out of it, and b) if there ends up being a sequel I’ll totally read it.
Some further thoughts, mostly for myself...
In short, it was an absolute delight.
Here's the thing about this book: it was totally ridiculous and predictable as hell, but a) if it were a movie staring Mandy Moore and Matthew Goode I’d watch the shit out of it, and b) if there ends up being a sequel I’ll totally read it.
Some further thoughts, mostly for myself...
In short, it was an absolute delight.
November 19, 2017
Absolutely lovely. Fluffy, fun, sweet, swoony, snowy. Give me ALL the YA holiday romance.
July 21, 2018
I won’t deny that this book was entertaining and fluffy but it was also a little too much. Too much drama, too much reality TV, everything felt too exaggerated and unrealistic... but I guess that’s the point.
I liked the romance of Dylan and Jaime. They were very sweet together and were the realistic of the bunch, not pretentious or fake. And I do love a boy who likes fictional friends more than actual ones and can bring Bronte into a conversation, but when he starts quoting Dylan Thomas, EE Cummings and Yeats, it just went too much over my head.
It’s still a cute love story that you can enjoy on a rainy day with a cup of hot chocolate.
I liked the romance of Dylan and Jaime. They were very sweet together and were the realistic of the bunch, not pretentious or fake. And I do love a boy who likes fictional friends more than actual ones and can bring Bronte into a conversation, but when he starts quoting Dylan Thomas, EE Cummings and Yeats, it just went too much over my head.
It’s still a cute love story that you can enjoy on a rainy day with a cup of hot chocolate.
January 10, 2018
I know this is a holiday tale akin to those I watched all December long, but my library didn't get it until this week. After seeing some very favorable reviews for this book, I knew I couldn't wait until next December to read it, and I'm so very glad that I didn't. Prince in Disguise was utterly charming and delightful and completely adorable and it's the feel-good read I needed and one I know I'll be revisiting again and again. As it was, I was sneaking chapters at work all day yesterday because I just could not get enough of the cuteness. This book was near perfect...and would have been completely so had there been an epilogue. :P I do love that it left off hopeful and realistically, but I don't think it's asking too much to get an update on how the show aired and was received -- there was a reality TV show filming aspect that was pretty fun -- and maybe a scene from Majorca? ;)
January 1, 2018
Trigger warnings: slut shaming, absent parents. I think that's about it??
Was this indescribably predictable? Uh, yeah. Was it also cute as hell? Definitely.
Dylan is a pretty great protagonist, and Jamie was a delightfully nerdy love interest. It was funny, it was fast paced, it was utterly ridiculous from start to finish, but I didn't freaking care because it's New Year's Day and my brain isn't working properly yet.
In short, it's perfect for fans of reality TV and/or contemporary YA books involving awkward girls, cute boys, and entertaining family drama. A great way to start my 2018 reading year.
Was this indescribably predictable? Uh, yeah. Was it also cute as hell? Definitely.
Dylan is a pretty great protagonist, and Jamie was a delightfully nerdy love interest. It was funny, it was fast paced, it was utterly ridiculous from start to finish, but I didn't freaking care because it's New Year's Day and my brain isn't working properly yet.
In short, it's perfect for fans of reality TV and/or contemporary YA books involving awkward girls, cute boys, and entertaining family drama. A great way to start my 2018 reading year.
December 21, 2017
"Prince in Disguise" is the story of Dylan, a girl who would rather be in the background than standing out. She leaves the spotlight for her older sister, Dusty, former beauty queen who is about to marry a Scottish laird... on television. Dusty is ready for her happily ever after in front of a television audience and while Dylan wants to be there for her sister, she'd rather not make an appearance on the screen herself. Little does she know that she might be getting her own happy ending and it's one she never expected!
There is a reason that books that have a fairytale feel to them are so popular! This book is definitely a modern fairytale and perfect for when you're looking for a comforting book with a swoonworthy and sweet romance. Dylan is a no nonsense teenager that hasn't gone on a date, not that she's looking to date. She would much rather run a race than be trapped in a cold castle in Scotland. Then she meets Jamie, her future brother in law's groomsman. Jamie is actually taller than Dylan - a tall order (haha!) and he's charming and funny. Dylan doesn't expect it to go anywhere but perhaps her sister isn't the only one that will get her fairytale ending.
Not only does this book have a sweet romance, it is also very funny. Dylan's friend, Heaven, shows up from home and creates chaos with the other groomsman, Kit. Dylan keeps meaning to be perfect in front of the cameras she can't escape from and fails miserably many, many times!
This was such a fun read about first loves!
There is a reason that books that have a fairytale feel to them are so popular! This book is definitely a modern fairytale and perfect for when you're looking for a comforting book with a swoonworthy and sweet romance. Dylan is a no nonsense teenager that hasn't gone on a date, not that she's looking to date. She would much rather run a race than be trapped in a cold castle in Scotland. Then she meets Jamie, her future brother in law's groomsman. Jamie is actually taller than Dylan - a tall order (haha!) and he's charming and funny. Dylan doesn't expect it to go anywhere but perhaps her sister isn't the only one that will get her fairytale ending.
Not only does this book have a sweet romance, it is also very funny. Dylan's friend, Heaven, shows up from home and creates chaos with the other groomsman, Kit. Dylan keeps meaning to be perfect in front of the cameras she can't escape from and fails miserably many, many times!
This was such a fun read about first loves!
May 11, 2018
If I’m being honest, this book was super ridiculous and cheesy and far fetched and quite possibly full of clichés but I couldn’t care less because I enjoyed every single second of it. It was super cute and fluffy, the characters were all delightful, there was an abundance of literary/pop culture references, it was set in Scotland during Christmas time aka one of the most picturesque settings I could imagine for a rom-com, and perhaps most importantly; it made me laugh out loud. Okay so those were two atrociously constructed run on sentences but you get the point. I enjoyed this, a lot. Incredibly enjoyable (if you can suspend your disbelief), would recommend.
February 2, 2023
this was cute! not a book i would’ve picked out on my own but it’s very much what it tried to be iykwim haha. dylan annoyed me sometimes and i would’ve liked a slower burn, but overall i can’t complain! sweet, quick read
January 1, 2020
I had family. And friends. They knew who I was- and so did I.
First, thank you thank you thank you Disney-Hyperion, NetGalley, and Stephanie Kate Strohm for letting me read and review this early! I can't even tell you guys how pumped I was when I got the email saying this was waiting for me on my NetGalley shelf. I screamed and jumped up and down and my sister thought I was crazy, but I wanted this so bad. So double thank you!
This book was so amazing. Honestly, it was better than I could have hoped for. I will be buying a hard copy of this book for my shelves because this is probably one of my all-time favorites. It reminded me a lot of my other favorite book, Royally Crushed (which is a set of three books), they were both sweet, quirky, and funny royal romances. But this one had more family aspects, which is part of why I loved it so much.
I loved Dylan as a main character. She was so funny and genuine, I found her super easy to relate to (even though she's years younger than me) and I think younger teens will love her too. In fact, I really enjoyed all the characters in this book. Ronan and Dusty were adorable together, Dylan and Dusty's mom was sassy and strong, Jamie was swoon-worthy and quirky, Kit and Heaven were totally hilarious, and everyone else just fit super well into the plot. While it felt like I was there with everyone, going through all the reality TV drama, I found myself wishing I was really there. I was so captivated with the characters and setting and drama and romance I wanted it to be real so badly.
What really made this book special for me was the relationship that Dusty, Dylan, and their mom had. I have a younger sister and we grew up with a single mother too so this was like reading about my own family. I can relate to Dylan's life being 'just the three of us' and by the end I was fully in tears because this all just strengthened their relationship. While this book has a lot to do with the romance between Jamie and Dylan, the side story that featured Dylan and her family was what really got me. I don't think I've ever related to a book so fully before, and I loved every second of it. If you're a sister, older or younger, you'll love this.
The romance in this is subtle and sweet, but that didn't make it any less romantic! This book gave me butterflies and made me giggle because it was so sweet, and I loved it. I haven't read a romance in a while that made me feel that way and I was obsessed! I wanted a Jamie of my own, a ridiculously adorable British beau who recited poems and literature like it was second nature. How perfect does that sound?
This book packed a ton of drama, too. I believe Heaven was the one who said "This is too many plot twists. Too many. I can't handle this many dramatic revelations on one episode of Prince in Disguise." Boy, was she right. There were a ton of plot twists but they just made me want to read more and more and more! I think I devoured this book in two or three days, and I'm sad I finished so quickly because I could have kept reading forever. It was an adorable holiday read that was really like reading a Christmas fairy-tale.
I don't think I could fully explain how much I loved this book, it's definitely one of the best I've read this year. I feel completely honored to have received an ARC of this gem, and I hope you all pick up a copy when it comes out this Tuesday! I can't recommend this enough, it's a perfect young adult romance and coming-of-age story.
You can check out other full reviews, author interviews, and bookish talks at Tonkin About Books!
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