When roguish Prince Jadon of Îles de la Rêverie is left in America to clean up his image after a horribly public break-up gone viral, romance is not on the table. Carefully planned photo ops with puppies? Yes. Scheduled appearances with the Santa Monica elite? Absolutely. Rendezvous with a pink-haired, film-obsessed hottie from the private school where he’s currently enrolled? Uhhhh . . .
Together with his entourage—a bitingly witty royal guard, Rêverie’s future queen (and Jadon’s brilliant older sister), and a quirky royal liaison—Jadon’s on a mission to turn things around and show his parents, and his country, that he’s more than just a royal screw-up. If he doesn’t prove that he’s the prince Rêverie deserves? Well, he may not be allowed home . . .
But falling for a not-so-royal American boy has Jadon redefining what it means to be a leader. If he can be someone’s Prince Charming just by being himself, maybe that’s all it takes to win over a nation. Or at least a prince can dream . . .
Introduction
Jadon, prince of one of the many monarchies that populate fictionland, has been caught on camera drunk and belligerent. As punishment, he's sent to America until he can become a 'real' prince.
Plot Summary
Jadon's country has a strict policy of neutrality in all international issues, and he and his sister, the Crown Princess, are the children of the first outsider to marry into the royal family since their liberation from Britain. As one of very few Black or gay princes in the world, and one of the only ones who fits both labels, Jadon is constantly under the worlds' gaze as they watch for him to do something wrong.
Characters
Jadon is our main character, a well meaning but stifled figure who's grown up in the public eye. Reiss and the other friends he makes in America are pretty typical teens. Jadon's sister Annika and guard Ajani are both amazing, struggling in different ways with who they are and who they want to be. There's a lot going on here!
Writing Style
Fast paced and quippy banter keeps this story moving right along.
Themes and Messages
Jadon has to learn to be himself, not what people want him to be, and to stand up for what he believes in whether it's royal policy or not. It's tough for anyone to do, let alone someone so in the public eye, and he works hard at it.
Personal Connection
It's a very interesting read and a great look at how the stresses and strains on teens can upset them. I enjoyed it a lot.
Further Reading/Viewing
Red, White and Royal Blue is an obvious next read. The Prince and the Dressmaker is a graphic novel from the commoner's point of view in this kind of romance. Finally, The Rules of Royalty, due to release in December 2024, has a similar plotline; a boy who's just discovered he's a prince is tutored in the ways of royalty by another prince...
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