"Promchanted" by Morgan Matson is a delightful and heartwarming young adult novel that captures all the magic and excitement of prom night with a charming twist. Matson effortlessly blends romance, friendship, and self-discovery in this enchanting tale that follows a group of high school seniors as they navigate the ups and downs of prom preparations. With its relatable characters, witty dialogue, and swoon-worthy romance, "Promchanted" is a feel-good read that will leave readers smiling long after the final dance. Matson's knack for creating vibrant, authentic teenage voices shines through, making this novel a perfect pick for anyone seeking a dose of nostalgia and a reminder of the transformative power of friendship and love.

This was a really enjoyable fairy tale (specifically Disney fairy tale) retelling. I enjoyed Stella's interactions with Rose/Aurora, and the dynamics with the girls and the guys. Phil was delightful. The fairies were a lot of fun. I loved the Disneyland ties, as well, as I'm a huge Disneyphile myself. I will add a hard copy of this book to my classroom library.

I have a ton of books by Morgan Matson on my TBR, but this is the first one I've actually listened to. I don't think it was a bad book, by any means, but I think this one was a little on the young side of YA so it didn't interest me as much as some other young adult books. I'm sure if I was in the age range it was geared for I would have enjoyed it more. Disney Hyperion books are always done well I think, but I also think this is the first one I've read that was a contemporary and not a fantasy (This one does have fantasy or magical realism elements to it). I did like that it was an enemies to lovers rom-com and the characters were pretty good - I enjoyed the male MC more than the female MC. Sleeping Beauty is also not my most favorite Disney movie, but I did like that it got some love (it's not a very common one to get a retelling or anything like that).

Overall, if you want a cute, magical-realism rom-com with characters that are a little on the grumpy, jilted by love & practical side this might be a book you would enjoy. If you like Sleeping Beauty you also should give this one a try.

Thanks to #NetGalley for an e-arc of Promchanted by Morgan Matson to read and review.

First, let me say that "Sleeping Beauty" has always been my favorite Disney movie. It's style of drawing is beautiful, Maleficent is a great character, and I love the setting. So I was excited about this book. BUT... This book just had too many flaws for me to enjoy it, even when I take a step back knowing I am not the intended audience. This book contradicted itself, was full of unlikeable and/or two-dimensional characters who acted and felt one way on one page and then completely different in the next chapter, had characters make decisions that they completely went back on later in the story, had no through line, and just didn't make any sense.
This is supposed to be the story of Stella, a junior in high school who is so detail-oriented that she even makes a spreadsheet on her phone (seems to me like that would be a lot easier to do on a laptop, but that's just me... And could you not just keep a calendar?) every morning to organize her day. She ends up going to Disneyland before her prom (you might think that's a huge part of the story, but it's not. Apart from the unnecessarily detailed descriptions of how Stella has created 4 different spreadsheets about what rides they need to go on, when they have to eat, what time they need to be in line, and essentially what they are and are not allowed to do, according to her plans.) with her best friend, her best friend's girlfriend, and a literal "rando." And of course Stella decides she does not like said rando, Reece, because he witnessed her breakup with her boyfriend weeks earlier, and he doesn't respond the way she feels he should to all her spreadsheets, rules, didactic pronouncements about what one should and shouldn't do at Disneyland, and generally unpleasant personality (not to mention the fact that she is mad he is there at one point, and then a few pages later is mad that he wants to do his own thing.) All of this "backstory" (complete with a whole scene about how Stella has to show up at the gym earlier that day because the prom decorations aren't arranged to her "logistical expert" standards and she doesn't like that the theme is "fairy tale," just because her boyfriend broke up with her, even though she LOVES Disney--which is supposed to be a major part of her personality) just makes the pace of the first part of the book too slow and honestly, a bit boring.
I felt like the story should pick up when Reece and Stella finally, by some weird (not really ever explained in the book--if you're counting plot holes, you'll probably lose count, but here's one,) reason end up in the DISNEY CARTOON version of Sleeping Beauty (this is also important to remember, because although they have not actually travelled back in time to an actual historical event, they for some reason feel if they do anything to disrupt the storyline of animated characters who were designed by Walt Disney--a la the butterfly effect--cataclysms will occur that could warp the space time continuum. Again, it made no sense). And this is the point where the book got even more contradictory. Stella, who prides herself on being so detail-oriented, for some reason cannot remember the details of Sleeping Beauty (another plot hole: she has trouble remembering the details in stories even though she has somehow genetically inherited a genius-level propensity for figuring out logistics? How does she function in school? What happens when she has to read a novel in English, or remember dates in history, or use formulas in math? Not to mention the fact that SHE LOVES DISNEY), and has to have Reece explain everything to her--characters, details, major plot-points, seemingly obvious things that any normal person could probably figure out just by using common sense. And then when he tells her how she should or shouldn't behave or what she should or should not do to keep the movie flowing like it should, she gets mad, ignores him, or just acts in an incredibly stupid manner. Reece keeps telling her they are in 14th century Europe, and she needs to speak and behave appropriately (yet another plot hole: they are NOT in the Middle Ages, they are in an animated movie. If they were actually in feudal Europe, they would be speaking a different language, Stella's actions would probably have her burned at the stake as a witch, and THERE WOULD BE NO FAIRIES OR MAGIC. Here, the author and in turn the characters need to stop emphasizing that they are in the actual past, and focus more on the fact that if the story doesn't unfold just as it should that they may not get back home. That would make much more sense).
At this point, I just started skimming. I didn't feel like anything that happened would really have any important impact on the story, because the character would most likely just go back on their statements or contradict their actions in the next chapter. Phillip and Rose meet a week early, (but that's okay, even though it doesn't happen in the movie...? Again, I'm confused). Stella and Reese spend a week showing them how to be modern teenagers, complete with current slang (I thought we in medieval Europe? But then again, Phillip and Rose talk just like Stella and Reese... Confused... Now, it would be a bit more believable if the fact they are in a MADE UP cartoon was emphasized, but it's not...), manage somehow to avoid Maleficent (again, a great character. She was severely underused in this story). Then, it JUST SO HAPPENS that in teaching our cartoon characters how to play a weird game in a lake, handing out modern knickknacks, and just generally being 21st century teenagers, Stella and Reese have APPARENTLY BEEN PART OF WALT DISNEY'S CREATION THE WHOLE TIME--since 1959!!!--and between the two of them they manage to save Rose, Phillip, the entire kingdom, and help out the 3 fairies (who are portrayed as rather clueless and ineffectual in this book--not the case in the movie: they were a bit silly, but when the time came, they showed their true powers and they were able to defeat Maleficent without a plastic bubble want from Anaheim). Reece is then so happy with his new best friends that he decides to stay in make-believe-cartoon-land and of course Stella is heartbroken. But wouldn't you know it, Reece sees the error of his ways, and our 3 intrepid fairies manage to send Reece (AND A WHITE HORSE, because OF COURSE he needs a horse to gallop to the gym upon) home just in time for prom (plot hole #453: why did Stella and Reese have to wait a whole week to get back to Anaheim because the fairies' magic wasn't strong enough so they needed the added boost of "true love's first kiss," but when Reese decided he DID want to go back home, the fairies all of a sudden could do it by themselves...? SOOO confused.).
Okay, I am too tired of this to keep going. But there are so many more things I could list that make this book just not good. More plotholes, more things that make Stella unlikeable, more times we could have really used Reece's POV, more examples of the 2-dimensional nature of Phillip and Rose, more GLARING incongruity...but I'll stop here. I didn't like this book. I am shocked that Disney approved of it. I really hope this isn't a series. I am surprised this got past an editor. I DO NOT recommend it. The premise was great. The execution was atrocious.

Though the premise seems outrageous, Matson’s storytelling and character curdling really pull this silly story off. When two teens find themselves stuck inside a fairytale, they must problem solve a way out. Part romance, part mystery, and full of fun.

The book was a big meh for me. I went into it with some high expectations so maybe it's my own fault. I also found the main characters to be very annoying at times.

Two teens stuck in a fairy tale world before prom.
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Stella Griffin just had her heart broken three weeks before prom so the idea of going to her old favorite place, Disneyland, as a third wheel to her best friend and her date. When Nisha also brings along her new friend, Reece, Stella quickly realizes he’s the waiter that witnessed her humiliating break up. The two are immediately at odds, but when they both get stuck in Sleeping Beauty, they have to work together to figure out how to get out.
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Fans of 🧀 and @disney will 100% love this YA book. I love Matson’s realistic fiction/romance books so I was pumped to read this one, but the magic in the magical realism was a little much for me, personally. While the age is young adult, it felt a big upper middle grade so it would fit in a middle school very well. Many students are going to devour this #novel Can’t wait to get it in my middle school library.

CW: some violence
2.5 ⭐️

Ok, I admit, I was leery of this book when I first saw it. I figured it would be another cheesy romance novel for teens. But, this story line was so entertaining, and I read the entire book in one sitting. Is it the best literature I have ever read? No. Would I recommend it to the student population in my school? Absolutely!

So, basically, it is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty on prom night. Stella and Reese do not like each other, but are stuck together at Disney on prom night. They accidently walking into Sleeping Beauty's castle and into the story. They accidently change the sequence of the story and have to put it back together.

I think this will be a hit with the teen reader. It is well written and has a great twist on a typical fairy tale love story.

DNF. Obsessed with logistics aside, there is not a typical teenage girl in America who doesn't know the backstory of the Disney-fied fairy tales of Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, et al. The stereotypical MC girl was annoyingly crabby and matched with the exasperated teenage boy. The story, as far as I got into it, was equal parts eye-roll and sigh. Teenage Disney-fanatics/fantasy readers might enjoy this story more, but I got about seven chapters in before I just couldn't do it anymore.

Based on the concept (teens end up in the story of <i>Sleeping Beauty</i>, the story gets messed up and they have to fix it to ensure the characters get their happy ending) I thought I would love this but overall it was just fine. It felt a bit too long and I didn't get attached to the characters. Stella, the narrator, irritated me a bit and by extension I never cared much about the romance between her and Reece. That being said, I did quite enjoy seeing them interact with Aurora, Phillip, and the fairies and overall their ending was satisfying.

Overall I think the main reason I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would is because I'm not the target YA audience. It's overall a fun story (I think it would make a fun DCOM) and I definitely think Disney-obsessed tweens/teens looking for a lighthearted read would really enjoy this.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC! What a cute book. I grabbed this one because I have enjoyed other YA by this author and was kind of intrigued bc Sleeping Beauty is one of my favorite Disney films. I feel like there were a lot of things to like in this book for even middle grade readers. The characters take time to disconnect from their phones and get to know each other and some new friends better. The main character, Stella, struggles with that different time and changes at first, but it’s good for her! There’s plenty of diversity and visibility in here with likable characters, and the Disney vibe is pretty neat, sticking to the original tale pretty well. I did feel like some of what Stella said and did in response to her adventure was a little far-fetched, and the ending seemed like a stretch, but it didn’t ruin it for me. Even when i was doing a little mental eye-rolling, I kept thinking of some of my middle school kids I want to get this book in the hands of. Overall, cute book with some nice lessons. Totally clean romance with a lovely Disney connection.

It is Once upon a time with a twist.

Stella is in charge of organizing her class prom night. She thought she had everything under control until her boyfriend breaks up with her at the mermaid cafe, and Mauricio, the waiter, witnesses her humiliation. Heartbroken, she tries to find solace in her friends.
Trying to make lemonades with the lemons she was given, Stella and her friends go to Disneyland to enjoy their night. Stella and Mauricio embark on a magical journey once they cross a magical door at Sleeping Beauty's castle that takes them to Aurora's world. our heroes must find a door to bring them back home without changing the course of Sleeping Beauty's story. Stella and Mauricio might find their fairy tale love story.
I highly recommend it.
Ages: 12-18

This is such a cute Sleeping Beauty retelling. I appreciated that this book is something that not only high schoolers would enjoy, but middle schoolers. I thought this was adorable read.

This is such a cute retelling of Sleeping Beauty combined with an enemies to lovers theme. I enjoyed the banter between Stella and Reece.. This is a quick, enjoyable read that I will be sure to include in our library and one that teens are sure to love. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Promchanted is an imaginative story that radiates Disney magic. I'm not a huge fan of so much focus on relationships, especially for people who are so young, but I loved the inclusion of the relationships.

All and all a fun read that tells a reimagined version of a Disney classic in a fun story.

The premise of Promchanted promises a lot — modern people dropped into a fairy tale, what could go wrong?

The book starts out fine. Author Morgan Matson does a good job with the setup, but once Stella and Reece actually end up in Sleeping Beauty, the place where you’d think the action would pick up, it grinds to nearly a halt.

Stella is not a particularly likeable character, and Reece, at least initially, feels very one note. And all the asides and inner thinking just kind of get in the way of the story. Thankfully, Matson gets into her groove further on, but some readers might not have the patience to stick with it.

I suggest Promchanted as a library read prior to purchasing.

This story was seriously so cute. I’m not sure exactly what I was expecting— but it wasn’t this.

This FELT like a movie, an unexpected adventure that was equal parts sweet and fun. I absolutely loved how the MCs went from strangers who mostly disliked each other, to friends, to more.

I loved that the male lead was the one with all of the knowledge of Sleeping Beauty, and that the female lead had no idea what was going on. I loved both of them as characters as well. She learns to take a slower step back, he learns to enjoy his life for what it is. I just thoroughly enjoyed this story and I look forward to sharing it with my students.

Stella Griffin has just been dumped by her boyfriend three weeks before prom, so she's not really looking forward to a planned pre-prom trip to Disneyland, especially when she discovers that a last-minute addition to their trip is the waiter that witnessed her break-up. Stella does NOT believe in fairy tales, so she is shocked when she somehow ends up in one, with said waiter no less. Stella and Reece must work together to find a way home without disrupting the story they've stumbled into. This was a cute retelling of Sleeping Beauty where two modern-day teens fall into the story and learn that happily-ever-afters just might be possible after all.

Perhaps I'm not the best audience for Promchanted. As someone who knows the very basics of Disney, I felt overwhelmed with all of the Disneyland and Disney references. Alongside that, I also struggled with the characters. I found Reece and Stella to be slightly annoying. I thought the premise of this book was interesting; however, the execution wasn't there for me. I think young Disney fans will enjoy this one. Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Hyperion for the ARC.

Thank you to #NetGalley, Morgan Matson, and the publisher of the book for the eARC copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Stella Griffin doesn't believe in fairy tales anymore. Not since her boyfriend dumped her just a few weeks from prom. She had it all planned out for years! Stella, her best friend Nisha and her partners would go to Disneyland for "before Prom". She decides to still go with Nisha, her partner and Nisha's new neighbor Reece, but it is not as fun as she had planned it to be.

When Reece and Stella go off on their own though and accidentally push through a mystery door, they end up in the middle of the Sleeping Beauty story! Can Stella and Reece put their differences aside and help Aurora and Phillip fall in love? If they don't, will they be stuck in the story forever?

A fun Disney YA read! I loved this book. I loved hearing about prom goers in California going to Disneyland for their before prom activities. I loved Reece's love for the Sleeping Beauty story to be supportive of his sister. I also loved how Stella shared her modern day snacks and treats with the fairies and Aurora. I will and have already recommended this book to others!