Really enjoyed this book. I didn't read the first book in the series, but you don't really have to. I'll probably eventually read book #1 even though it doesn't sound as interesting as this one.

This was the perfect follow up to The Prince and the Apocalypse. Wren and Theo have been apart for months now, but when the royal family comes on tour only hours away, she attempt to get her dog back. Next thing she knows, the paparazzi is chasing them and she finds herself on her way to England. Then the plane goes down.

This has all of the wit and charm that I loved from The Prince and the Apocalypse. The light-hearted banter along with very real mental and physical health dealings are so well balanced. And, as expected, crazy antics ensue. While I wanted more of the Theo/Wren dynamic, I also loved the addition of the other characters. We are introduced to some of Theo's siblings as well as Wren's sister and best friend. The dynamic created when they were all together was just great. I will say that the ending, while ultimately satisfying, took a bit longer than expected to come around.

Heir, Apparently is heartwarming, hilarious, touching, and fun, all rolled into being trapped on a tropical island. It's over the top in the best way and absolutely delightful!

For those YA readers who read the first book “The Prince & The Apocalypse” that came out in July 2023, this book may make a bit more sense as earlier activities/situations are referenced in this new book. But, that said, this is a fun story about Wren, an American college freshman who may or may not have married Theo, the British heir to the throne the prior summer. While she feels she’s “over” him, she does miss Comet, the dog they rescued now living at the palace. And so off the story goes – a cute romcom.

Another slightly over the top, absolutely fun, YA adventure romcom that picks up right where The prince & the apocalypse left off. As Ren gets ready to start college and Theo prepares for his coronation as King of England, the two find themselves reunited one last time and stranded on a desert island with their siblings. Full of action, secrets and Royal Romance greatness, this was excellent on audio and perfect for fans of the American Royals series by Katharine McGee. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review! Kara McDowell is an auto-buy, never disappoints author for me!!

Kara McDowell’s Heir, Apparently brings a fresh twist to the familiar themes of royalty and romance, mixing adventure, humor, and heartfelt moments in a charming and engaging tale. This sequel to The Prince & The Apocalypse stands on its own, making it accessible even to readers who haven't read the first book.

Wren Wheeler, the protagonist, is a relatable and engaging character, navigating the tumultuous waters of freshman year while grappling with the bizarre reality of an accidental marriage to Theo, the King of England. McDowell effectively blends Wren’s normal teenage concerns with the extraordinary circumstances she finds herself in, creating a fantastical and grounded story.

The plot kicks off with a reunion between Wren and Theo that’s as unexpected as it is chemistry-laden, quickly escalating into a series of high-stakes adventures. The narrative does an excellent job of balancing romance with action, as Wren and Theo, along with a colorful cast of supporting characters, find themselves stranded on a tropical island after a plane crash.

The island setting adds a layer of survival drama to the story, with the group facing various challenges, from poisonous animals to a volcano. These elements are woven together seamlessly, providing plenty of tension and excitement. McDowell’s descriptive writing vividly brings the island to life, making it a character in its own right.

Theo’s royal baggage, particularly his relationship with his brother Henry, adds depth to the story, exploring themes of sibling rivalry and the pressures of living up to expectations. The dynamic between Theo and Wren evolves naturally, with their shared struggles on the island forcing them to confront their feelings and future together.

One of the strengths of Heir, Apparently is its ability to convey a sense of adventure without losing sight of its characters' emotional journeys. The balance of humor and heart keeps the story engaging, and McDowell’s writing ensures that the reader is invested in Wren and Theo’s relationship.

However, the story does have its predictable moments, and some of the plot twists can be seen coming. The pacing occasionally feels uneven, with some scenes feeling rushed while others linger a bit too long. Despite these minor issues, the overall narrative is compelling and enjoyable.

In conclusion, Heir, Apparently is a delightful read that offers a mix of romance, adventure, and humor. Kara McDowell successfully crafts a sequel that stands on its own, making it easy for new readers to jump in without feeling lost. It’s a perfect choice for those looking for a fun and heartwarming story with a royal twist.

Wren and Theo have to figure out their future!

Wren Wheeler was trying to do her best about ignoring that she might have married the new King of England when they were traveling across Europe while waiting for The Apocalypse. But she had just started university and Theo was in Canada with her dog that they had rescued during their travels and now she wanted Comet back.

Her attempt to rescue Comet brought her back around Theo and now the people that run the royal family want to her to go to London while they figure out what to do with her. But their plane to London crashes and they have to cross an island while they wait for rescue and figure out their future.

Heir, Apparently is the sequel The Prince & The Apocalypse but it isn’t required to read it first.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

✈️ Heir, Apparently ARC Review ✈️

Thank you so much to Kara McDowell and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read and review this book!!

Heir, Apparently is a contemporary romance and the sequel to The Prince & the Apocalypse. As always, this will be as spoiler free as possible, so if this feels vague - that’s why. After the events at the end of the last book, Wren is trying to adapt to her current life. But there’s still some loose ends that are hanging over her head, one of them being the charming Theo - who is determined to hold her to the promises she made

I absolutely adored this book. I loved Wren and Theo in The Prince & the Apocalypse, and getting more of their story was absolutely perfect! The world building was just as fun and I loved that the characters had to work together to build their relationship. I could easily read so many more books in this world!

This was a great five star read for me! I love these characters and the story! This book did have some moments that could potentially be triggering, so please check them if you’re sensitive. This book had a romantic subplot but YA levels of spice, so one flame for spice

If you’re a fan of Royal Romances with great banter, sweet characters and disaster twists, then absolutely pick this series up! As this is a continuation of the story, I absolutely recommend reading The Prince & the Apocalypse first.

I know this duology is YA, and the covers are so colorful and cute, but don't let those things fool you. This duology had me STRESSED! Both books are low key traumatic. BUT I was so glad that we got to have a happy ending for Wren and Theo!

I enjoyed the first book more, but I did not love the cliffhanger. And while both books are a bit out there with unrealistic events, this second book did have much more realistic aspects. Having said that, I felt like it was too similar to real life events surrounding the royals. Due to that, this book a bit more predictable than the first. Outside of that, I loved this one so much. It was a quick, fast read. I thoroughly enjoyed the relationship among the royal siblings. They all turned out so great despite all that they'd been through and that just warmed my heart. I also loved seeing Brooke and Wren's mended relationship.

Overall, I highly recommend this duology! Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars

I was delightfully surprised by this book. I was unsure how McDowell was going to match the energy of the first book, but this was a real treat.

McDowell takes her time really working through a resolution that feels believable and really strengthens the bond between Wren and Theo.

I also enjoyed the addition of the ensemble cast in this book. It made the whole scenario more interesting, but I do wish we would have gotten a touch more depth with them. I also thought that some of the drama and reveals were a bit over the top, ergo the 4.5 instead of 5, but the sweet Wren and Theo moments mostly made up for it.

Also, I don’t know if many people know this, but this book went through a title change and I lowkey don’t like the change that much. It doesn’t mesh well with the vibe and format of the first book.

Thanks, as always to Wednesday and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this second book in the series! It was a fun and quick read, and although I didn’t like it quite as much as I liked the first one, the character developments and plot points made sense for how this book dealt with the aftermath of an averted world-ending crisis. I will definitely read the next book in the series whenever it comes out!

I would actually say I liked this book more than the first one, The Prince and the Apocalypse. I think a big factor in that was that this one included so many fun side characters—all their quirky, hilarious family and friends who were along for the ride in their survival adventure this time. There was also a lot of pining between Theo and Wren, which is always enjoyable to read, but we also finally got our happy ending instead of a cliffhanger, which will always make me happier with a book.

McDowell is one of my favorite writers. I love the campiness of the plots of Prince and the Apocalypse and Heir, Apparently. Throw in royalty and I am utterly completely sold. Wren and Theo are my favorite--their chemistry is sizzling. I enjoyed every bit of the meddling royals, trapped on an island plot.

3.5/5

After the major cliffhanger in the first book, I was so excited to jump into Heir, Apparently. After the first book being a little out there/unrealistic in terms of plot (which made it fun!), I was expecting book two to be a little more realistic/normal life. However, Heir, Apparently also was a little out there on the plot. So if you read this series, you definitely need to expect an out there/unrealistic plot going into it. This book did a good job of not leaving me hanging with the cliffhanger from book one, and overall I liked it. Without getting too into the plot and spoiling book one for those who may not have read it yet, I think I just needed a little more romance throughout book two and felt like I didn’t get quite enough. I liked the ending though and felt like it was a good ending to the series/duology (but who knows, maybe there’ll be a third book??). I definitely liked this one, just a little less than the first book. But it was still a fun read!

Heir, Apparently is out July 9th! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the author and publisher for my copy. All thoughts are my own!

I have been a fan of Kara McDowell since her debut novel and the first book in this duet was one of my favorite books of 2023. I have had this ARC for so long and wanted to save it for the perfect time to dive back into this world, especially after that wild cliffhanger. I enjoyed this book but it didn’t have the same magic as the first book. I still found it entertaining and enjoyable, but I didn’t love it the same way I did the first.

Synopsis:

“Freshman year is stressful enough without accidentally being married to the King of England. Of course, Wren Wheeler can’t tell her Northwestern classmates about that; after surviving a narrowly-averted apocalypse over the summer, everyone’s had enough excitement for one lifetime. Wren knows she needs to move on from Theo, but she can’t forget the look in his eyes when he left her on that island in Greece—and also, he took her dog.When an ill-fated attempt to rescue Comet the Apocalypse Dog turns into a chemistry-fueled reunion with Theo that’s caught by the paparazzi, Wren finds herself under the royal spotlight. Suddenly, she’s a problem for “the firm” to solve, and in order to be protected from the rabid press, she’ll have to fly back to London with Theo. Along for the ride are Naomi and Brooke, as well as Theo's siblings, including Henry, the brother he's spent his life being compared to. But because the universe can’t let these two maybe-newlyweds have one conversation in peace, their plane goes down over the Atlantic, crashing on a tropical island in the middle of nowhere.Stranded with no sign of rescue, the group will have to band together against poisonous animals, catastrophic injuries, a brotherly rivalry, and an ill-timed volcano if they’re going to make it out alive. And, scariest of all, Wren and Theo will have to face their feelings for one another and decide what they want their futures to look like—and if that future will be heartbreak, or happily ever after.” —NetGalley

What I Liked:

The Action—This book is fast paced with lots of action and detail, making it a really fun and entertaining read.

The Concept—I still love the concept of the original book and I kind of missed the stakes when a comet was barling toward Earth!

What Didn’t Work For Me:

The Pacing—Something just felt a little off in regards to how the plot moved forward. Act III was particularly jumpy.

The Ending—I don’t know what I wanted, but I didn’t love this ending! Maybe it needed an epilogue to really feel like the story had resolution but so much happened without sufficient explanation in the end for me.

Character Authenticity: 4/5 Overall Rating: 3.5/5

Content Warnings:

blood, plane crash, death of a parent, injury

HEIR, APPARENTLY was a really fun YA novel. After reading the first book, and it ending on that cliffhanger, I needed to know what would happen next. And while parts of the plot were a bit ridiculous, I think this book was perfect for YA readers and made for a fun royal drama.

This book picks up right where the last ended. And I was into it! It is very drama-filled, mixed in with royalty, which I absolutely adore. It had the angst that I enjoy in a book of this speed. And while others might say that the characters are immature and they make poor choices, I think that is the point. This is a YA book, meaning that the characters are very YA in the way that they behave and act. To an adult reader, this might be too much. For the audience in which it is intended, it is just right. It does end up being outrageous, but in a good way. There are a lot of hijinx that make the plot fun.

But, as an adult reader who is reading this book, the characters are extremely immature and you often scratch your heads wondering why in the world they decided to make that choice. Additionally, the lack of communication between Wren, the FMC, and Theo, the MMC, will make you want to tear your hair out. So, personally, I didn't love these parts of the book and I agree that they can be maddening at times. But the reviewer in me wants to make it clear that adult audiences are not who this is geared towards. There are some YA books that transcend this divide between YA novels with adult themes more effectively than others. But this isn't meant to do that. It is meant to be a fun ride to entertain, enjoy, and create some angsty teen drama.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. This might be a skip for you if you are a more adult reader. For those with YA readers or more advanced readers for their age, this is age appropriate, fun, and a light read.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I couldn’t get into the story just as I thought. Not disappointed but need more depth, I think. I can't remember when was the last time when I read a book in which the whole plot was 100% equal to what was written in the blurb and nothing more. There was no surprise there, no resolution to any of the plot threads and the whole story was blatantly predictable and painfully dull.

I am so happy that I found this duology at an utterly perfect time too!

This series has brought such a smile to my face with its humor, adventure, and absolute rom-com goodness in spades. For those who loved Red, White, and Royal Blue, The Princess Diaries, or the movie Chasing Liberty, this is absolutely the book series for you. Luckily for me, I love all of those things in abundance, as well.

Wren and Theo went through a tailspin in the last book, and no surprise, they find themselves thrust into another one in this one. While their romance is always at the forefront of the story, what I love most is that Theo and Wren's interior lives are always huge factors into how they react in any given situation. Theo's depression and his impulse to self-medicate, combined with Wren's fear of revealing her feelings and indecision about her future really stand out as justifiable reasons why these two won't "just kiss" as the audience is probably always yelling for them to do.

This book also has the added feature of an expanded group of characters, including Theo's siblings, Victoria and Henry, and Wren's best friend Naomi, and sister Brooke. All of these characters really jump out and could (and should) merit further adventures in this world, if Kara McDowell is willing to write more.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

DNF

This book seemed cue, but it was just really hard to get through, the premise was very unbelievable and I understand this is a YA, but the characters just seemed way too immature.

Thanks to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the eARC!

When I finished "The Prince and the Apocalypse" I had no idea how the story could go on after the aversion of an apocalypse. Everything would seem kind of los stakes after that.

That simply isn't true.

After getting more of the royal family and insights into who they are, I'd say the tension matches the first book pretty evenly. It's somehow more intimate within a group and with another countdown looming over Theo and Wren, everything seems somehow more urgent.

This was a nice conclusion to a wild ride. I really enjoyed it. I can't wait to see what Kara puts out next.