
Member Reviews

This was fast-paced and fun, if a bit ridiculous. You have to suspend a lot of disbelief (for a book that already requires a lot of disbelief suspension, conceptually) with a few of the early decisions, and it ended up making for a quick read, full of action, pining, and high stakes. I felt the introduction of multiple additional characters made this a more enjoyable experience, but everything felt a bit rushed. Overall, this was exactly what I needed it to be, just good, old-fashioned fun.

I admit, I read this before The Prince & The Apocalypse, but I’m also super excited to read the first book AND this one again. (Annotating this time)
Wren may have accidentally married Theo (heir to the throne of England) but more importantly, he has her dog and she wants him back. Naturally she runs into Theo at the same time and now they are under the spotlight. Chaos ensues when they get stranded on a deserted island and I actually LOVED this. Not only did we see character development but we saw relationship development between Theo & Wren, and them and the side characters as well.
It was a fun book when you look past the “this would never happen in real life” but I love books that take you away from real life.
4.5 stars - rounded up to 5 for the sake of the review.
Huge thank you to St Martin’s press for the physical ARC and also NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Three months after the comet DIDN'T hit earth, Wren still has questions about the particulars of her whirlwind trip with Theo--who is about to be crowned the king of England. Determined to talk to him, and to get her dog back, she travels to Canada to intercept his world tour. But, of course, things can't be that simple--they're chased by paparazzi, a certain important document is leaked, and then on their way to England their plane goes down on a deserted island. And throughout it all, Wren isn't sure exactly where she stands with Theo.
Like the first book, Heir, Apparently is incredibly fast-paced--it's truly just one thing after another, with very high stakes and lots of drama. There's fear and near-death situations, and I was absolutely riveted the whole time. I've been looking forward to this book since the first one came out, and I definitely wasn't disappointed!

A great end to the duology! I devoured this book! I do think there were a few things missing however, For example, we lost a few side characters a long the way, like they were literally never mentioned again after a certain point in the story. And I think that Theo and Wren getting back together should have been bigger, suddenly they were over everything that happened and were kissing again. I would have liked more development on those points, but otherwise, I loved it!

The Prince and the Apocalypse was a surprise hit for me. I couldn't wait to read Heir, Apparently. I had to know how Wren, Theo, and Comet were doing.
There was a lot I liked about Heir, Apparently, but it didn't captivate me as much as Apocalypse did. I am glad we spent time with Theo's family and Wren's best friend. The disaster was a clever way to put the couple in peril again. However, what I wanted and didn't get was enough on-page time with just Theo and Wren. I wanted more character growth between them as a couple, and what we got wasn't enough for my taste.
I will read whatever Kara McDowell writes in the future.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book in the series. I am glad I was able to see where the characters go in their lives. While this one seemed a bit unrealistic at times, I still love a good romance that you can suspend your disbelief. I was surprised at the spice level, considering this is YA, but it isn’t anything a teen can handle. You might want to watch if you have a pre-teen though.
Thank you to Wednesday books

3.5 stars, rounded up.
After adoring The Prince & The Apocalypse, I was really excited for the sequel. But it kind of gave me emotional whiplash? And it's definitely more of a "coming of age" novel rather than a romance, at least in my opinion.
Things I liked:
-Getting to know Henry and Victoria
-Everything about the island
-Comet
Things I didn't like:
-So much back and forth, on again-off again nonsense
-Too many loose ends that didn't get tied up
-I wanted Wren to just figure out what the heck she even wanted and grasp it with both hands rather than waiting on "fate"
Thanks to Netgalley for my complimentary e-arc. All opinions here are my own.

Second book syndrome definitely effected this one, but overall still a cute YA story and a decent enough second book.

3.5 Stars
Since I enjoyed The Prince & The Apocalypse's upbeat adventure, I was interested to see what this sequel would have in store. Like the first instalment in the series, this book doesn't shy away from being dramatic and over-the-top with its plane crash and desert island survival premise, and I was entertained by the characters' strategies to make it out alive. I love the way Wren makes mistakes and learns from them, and it was interesting to learn more about Theo's family and get to know the side characters. That said, I found the ending very rushed, and I'm still not convinced that this sequel is necessary. It is a fun read, but it doesn't quite measure up to The Prince & The Apocalypse, which made the book feel flat for me at times.

I was so excited for this sequel to The Prince and the Apocalypse and it absolutely delivered! Just a few chapters in and I was hooked and could not put it down. It's just one thing after the next for Wren and Theo! Speaking of Theo, I just love him!!! I'm also really glad Theo's siblings and Wren's sister and best friend were featured in this book.
This book seriously has everything- romance, adventure, twists and turns. It's a must read, after The Prince and the Apocalypse of course!

This is book 2 in a series & I own book 1 but never got around to reading it before this book came out. But that’s okay, because the big plot points were brought up in this so I could follow the plot.
Theo & Wren were ADORABLE! I did not like their inability to communicate, but it’s pretty much a given with this type of book. Their ending felt very believable considering their age, although reading this as an adult I couldn’t help but scream “WHAT?!”
I will definitely be reading this again after I read the first book because I cannot get enough of these two crazy kids.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel. I had read the first in the series as an ARC as well and enjoyed how we picked up a few months later from the ending to try and resolve the cliffhanger. It does seem cliche to have a plane crash after the apocalypse but since that only took up 1/3 of the book, it actually worked out well. Some of the later plot twists caught me off guard (even though there was foreshadowing) and hit me over the head with their speed as it came to the end. I did still enjoy this book and am glad I saw it through. 3.75 stars.

"Heir, Apparently" by Kara McDowell is a delightful and engaging young adult novel that combines elements of romance, royalty, and self-discovery into a captivating story. The book follows the journey of a teenage girl who, under extraordinary circumstances, finds herself thrust into the role of a princess. This unexpected twist sets the stage for a narrative rich with personal growth, royal intrigue, and heartfelt romance.
McDowell's storytelling is both charming and witty, capturing the complexities of transitioning from an ordinary life to one filled with the expectations and challenges of royalty. The protagonist's character development is at the heart of the novel, as she navigates her new responsibilities and learns about herself in the process. The supporting cast is equally well-crafted, contributing to a story that feels both expansive and intimate.
The romance subplot is a highlight, offering a blend of chemistry and emotional depth that keeps readers invested in the protagonist's journey. The novel balances its romantic elements with themes of identity and self-worth, making for a thoughtful and engaging read.
"Heir, Apparently" is marked by its brisk pacing and McDowell’s engaging prose, which make it a page-turner from start to finish. Fans of contemporary romance with a touch of royalty will find much to enjoy in this novel. Overall, it’s a charming and thoughtful addition to the genre that will appeal to readers seeking a blend of escapism and real-life introspection.

The sequel and conclusion to The Prince and The Apocalypse duology.
Did the story and things that happened in this book make sense? No. Was it totally unbelievable and kind of dumb? Yes. Was it extremely entertaining anyways? YES. These books are so over the top ridiculous, you can't help but love them. The cast of characters are so loveable, you have to root for them. Wren and Theo are such cuties, and I loved seeing them together again. Wren and Theo have so much chemistry, I wanted to shake them and yell that they needed to figure out how to make it work with one another because they are so dang cute together. I loved the spoiled royalty trapped on an island plot line. I loved the dynamics of this group, and watching them learn to trust one another. It was fun seeing Theo's family open up to Wren more, which allowed us to see their true personalities and why they are so guarded. We also get a lot more of Comet the dog, who is THE GOODEST BOY.
I highly recommend this duology if you're looking for something quick, quirky and extremely entertaining.

I’m not going to give a synopsis here, but know this book picks up right where the Prince and the Apocalypse ended with a wild cliff hanger. And know this is an even more wild adventure that involves multiple people stuck on a desert island.
Without giving too much away, this book is just as chaotic and adventure-filled as book one. It makes for a quick and very engaging read. What makes this book even more special than book 1 is that we get to know even more characters. This is a fun YA series that both teenagers and adults can enjoy.
Thank you to Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for the advance copy.

I loved Prince and the Apocalypse and hoped for a sequel from right before finishing it so when I heard Heir, Apparently was coming out I knew it would be a 2024 must-read. Is this book as unrealistic, chaotic, and comedic as its predecessor? Why yes, yes it is. Would a teenage girl actually be able to run into the Crown Prince a week before his coronation in a garden in Canada? Absolutely not, the security alone would be insane, but that's something I love about this duology, the need for suspension of disbelief. Reading contemporary romance, especially as an adult, we forget that we need to relax and have fun too, that's one of the reasons I love reading YA. The pace was fast and kept me engaged easily. Theo and Wren are such a fun couple and I love the realistic choices they come to throughout the book, though I love the ending even more and was pleasantly surprised by the twist. It was the one thing that hadn't occurred to me as a viable solution. The pace was fast and kept me engaged easily. I especially loved meeting Theo's siblings and spending more time with Wren's sister and best friend. I can't wait to get a copy of the paperback on my shelf and see what Kara has in store for us next.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, & Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved The Prince and the Apocalypse, so when I saw there was going to be a sequel, I knew I had to read it. And holy cow, it did not disappoint. I devoured the book in a single day, which is not something that I usually do, but I just couldn't put it down. I loved Wren and Theo as characters, with all the tension and banter between them that I loved from the last book coming back again. I wasn't sure if it would be possible, but Heir, Apparently carried that same rollercoaster of emotions amidst tragedy, adventure, drama and romance. It was fun to meet some new characters along the way, giving the story a fresh dynamic. This duology of books was really well done, and I'd love to read them again!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the advance review copy of Heir, Apparently! All opinions expressed in my review are completely my own.

Kara McDowell has written a wild and exciting YA Rom-Com in Heir, Apparently. This novel has fun and relatable characters, aside from the royalty part. The storyline is fun and engaging and you'll want to continue reading to find out where the characters end up.
Wren Wheeler has been trying to move on from Theo, her ex who left her alone on a Greek Island and to make things worse, he took her dog. Shortly after her summer misadventure Wren finds herself accidentally married to the King of England-really! And on top of all of this she is beginning her freshman year at Northwestern and can't tell a soul..
When a disastrous attempt to rescue her dog, aptly named "Comet the Apocalypse Dog" turns into a chemistry-fueled reunion with Theo, she find that it was all caught on camera by the paparazzi. Wren then finds herself to be a problem for “the firm” to solve. The resolution to the press fiasco is for her am Theo to go to London together. Also headed to London with Theo and Wren are friends Naomi and Brooke, as well as Theo's siblings. As things cannot go as planned, their plane goes down over the Atlantic, crashing on a deserted island.
Stranded, the group will have to band together against Flora and fauna (including venomous snakes), severe injuries, a sibling rivalry, and a volcano if they’re going to make it off the Island. Will this adventure impact the feeling between Wren and Theo and if so, how?

I really enjoyed this book. It definitely felt like an ending. I am interested to see if Kara will follow up with other characters but it was a sweet read. I felt the indecision and understood it all, the characters were relatable!!
Wren is back in Chicago and isn’t happy but she has been keeping track of Comet. Just Comet definitely not Theo. So when Theo is in Canada, i mean Comet. Wren decided that she needs to see him right now…which starts a whole new adventure
Thank you Kara McDowell, NetGalley and St Martin for the ARC of this book

This was a fun romance. I loved the characters and wanted to keep reading to get to know them and their story. This is a good romance to add to your list!