Prince of the Palisades by Julian Winters follows Prince Jadon of Îles de la Rêverie. After some negative press following a horrible breakup gone viral Prince Jadon is sent to America to clean up his act. With the help of the people closest to him he tries various things to show the world who Prince Jadon really is. In the midst of this endeavor he meets a pink haired hottie who wants to know who Jadon (not prince Jadon) is. If you enjoy royal romances and coming of age stories you’ll enjoy Prince of the Palisades. I like this book but I did feel like the story needed a little more flushing out. There were things that were left somewhat unresolved. The romance is a smaller part of the story so if you are picking this up solely for that know that this is about Jadon He’s figuring out who he is and how he wants the world to know him. I liked that he was able to figure himself out and that he was given the chance to live life more freely without having to hide parts of himself. This was cute.

I'll admit that at times I was so frustrated with the character of Leon that I just wanted to put the book down, and I was deeply uncomfortable with the ways he didn't seek consent from Jadon never being challenged in any way, especially when it was juxtaposed with all the ways Jadon constantly sought Reiss's consent. I'm so glad I didn't though.

I really loved Jadon's story and watching him grow from feeling forced to maintain the neutrality his role required to coming into his own and deciding who he wanted to be and what things were worth raising his voice and dropping the carefully maintained neutrality. I thought the moment that he sees himself in Grace and decides to fully commit to being himself to show her that there was another path was so lovely and showed exactly how much he grew over the course of the novel. Overall this was a really sweet love story with a love interest after my own film-nerd heart, while also navigating how we all negotiate with the intersections of our identities and choose how we want to be seen existing in the world. Julian Winters is an author who I've been meaning to pick up his books for a long time and just never got around to, but I'm so glad I took the chance on this book. I'm so excited to see it find its audience, and hope it finds more people who love it as much as I did.

Thank you Penguin Group and NetGalley for the ARC of Prince of the Palisades by Julian Winters.

Julian Winters’ Prince of the Palisades is an outstanding novel that expertly weaves together contemporary romance and personal growth. With echoes of Red, White & Royal Blue and Young Royals, this book excels not only in its engaging storyline but also in its authentic representation.

Jadon, the central character, is incredibly compelling. His journey of self-discovery and his struggle to reconcile his role within his kingdom with his own desires make for a powerful narrative. Watching Jadon evolve throughout the book is both moving and inspiring, as his character development is portrayed with depth and nuance.

In contrast, Reiss stands firm and unchanging, offering a fascinating counterpoint to Jadon’s growth. This dynamic adds layers to the story, enriching the reader's experience and highlighting the complexity of personal transformation.

What truly sets this novel apart is its thoughtful representation. Winters handles sensitive themes with care, providing a refreshing and impactful portrayal of identity and acceptance that resonates deeply.

Prince of the Palisades is a triumph of storytelling, blending a gripping plot with meaningful representation. It’s a book that not only entertains but also leaves a lasting impression.

Julian. Winters delivers again with PRINCE OF THE PALISADES. This story is unapologetically queer and Black, which is one of the reasons I love Winters' writing. Any of my students who even think of mentioning the m/m royal romance by McQuiston will be handed this novel. Both Jadon and Reiss are interesting, well developed characters. Jadon discovering his own voice and figuring out what type of leader/royal he wants to be is surprisingly compelling, which speaks to Winters' ability to write grounded, complex characters. I'll definitely be talking about this book with many of my fiction students.

This book has a little bit of romance and some exploration of social injustices–particularly regarding race, sexuality, and gender identity–but what stands out most is the importance of finding oneself and one’s voice. It is a reminder that teenagers are still children and should be allowed to be children, imperfections and all. A reminder that power is not based on age or title, but that we can all make a change. That it’s important to try. To improve oneself and the world around us, but give grace to make mistakes. Without a lot of attention to the traumas of social injustices, this book is a gentle exploration of the issues shown through one teen’s journey to discover who he wants to be. A good addition to heavier realistic fiction and fluffier rom-coms both.

Ahhhhh! I just loved Prince of the Palisades by Julian Winters! While I admit, I wasn’t especially drawn to the idea of a royal romance, I was quickly swayed and it was easy to root for the flawed and wounded Prince Jadon.

Jadon and Reiss - two queer black boys - are charmingly adorable together. Their teasing banter and awkward moments would make even the most cynical reader smile. I loved how Reiss would call Jadon out when he was feeling wronged, pushing him into taking responsibility for his own behavior. And also encouraging him to stand up for himself and his beliefs.

The characters really are this book’s biggest strength. There are no throw away characters in the supporting cast. From the royal family and their entourage to Reiss’s protective friends and down-to-earth parents, each personality is well defined. Even the “villains” of the story are allowed to be multi-dimensional, instead of flat caricatures.

The author’s own big hearted, generous personality always shines through in his writing. If you’ve ever had the opportunity to meet Winters, you will recognize his joyous exuberance on the page.

I highly recommend this YA romance to anyone looking for a sweet and thoughtful feel-good read.
Ahhhhh! I just loved Prince of the Palisades by Julian Winters! While I admit, I wasn’t especially drawn to the idea of a royal romance, I was quickly swayed and it was easy to root for the flawed and wounded Prince Jadon.

Jadon and Reiss - two queer black boys - are charmingly adorable together. Their teasing banter and awkward moments would make even the most cynical reader smile. I loved how Reiss would call Jadon out when he was feeling wronged, pushing him into taking responsibility for his own behavior. And also encouraging him to stand up for himself and his beliefs.

The characters really are this book’s biggest strength. There are no throw away characters in the supporting cast. From the royal family and their entourage to Reiss’s protective friends and down-to-earth parents, each personality is well defined. Even the “villains” of the story are allowed to be multi-dimensional, instead of flat caricatures.

The author’s own big hearted, generous personality always shines through in his writing. If you’ve ever had the opportunity to meet Winters, you will recognize his joyous exuberance on the page.

I highly recommend this YA romance to anyone looking for a sweet and thoughtful feel-good read.

PRINCE OF THE PALISADES is the latest YA queer rom-com from Julian Winters. It hits all the marks when it comes to a frothy royal romance with cute dialogue, teenaged pining and identity seeking, and vivid descriptions that romanticize LA. It even has a bit of substance. The pacing is a little too fast to feel grounded in the world and relationships, but it's a breezy, enjoyable read.

4.5⭐️ Happy Pub Day to this gem of a book 💜

If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I am a Julian Winters stan. I fell in love with his books years ago and he quickly became an auto-buy author for me. His books are captivating, fun, and sweet while also highlighting important, real world issues.

Prince of the Palisades follows Jadon, the 17-year-old Prince of Rêverie. After a video goes viral of him trash talking the PM of Rêverie, his parents essentially banish him to America and tell him to get it together before he returns home. They don’t know that he recently heard the PM talking shit about his family or that his (supposed) bestie was behind the antagonizing, filming, and release of the video.

Now Jadon is stuck in America, trying to adapt to high school for the first time. He’s now faced with the challenge of trying to fit in as a “normal” high schooler while also trying to please his parents and get home to Rêverie. He keeps his head down and mouth shut as he feels this is the best way to make everyone happy. Then he meets Reiss. Reiss is his classmate and an utterly adorable film enthusiast. He makes Jadon feel safe; like he doesn’t have to wear the mask he’s so desperately trying to keep on. He makes Jadon feel like Jadon.

It should come as no surprise to anyone that I loved this book. Julian could write a grocery list and I’d gush.

Jadon was capital S Struggling in this book and I loved watching him find himself. I also loved seeing Jadon and Reiss figure out their romance, which you know as high schoolers was not drama-free. Add in the pressure of the whole “Prince of another country” thing and the two had their work cut out for them. Other things I loved with this couple was how comfortable they felt being their authentic selves around another, their communication (we love consent kings), and their genuine connection.

I can’t rave about this book without mentioning all the side characters. I freaking loved them all. Even Léon (the PM’s son and Jadon’s ex) grew on me at the end. And lest we forget the Queen of my heart, and literal Queen-to-be of Rêverie, Princess Annika. I loved Anni so much and would commit crimes to read her book.

Young Royals lovers, don’t miss this one. The Wilhelm / Simon vibes were vibingggg.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

Ok, I am always going to be interested in queer romance involving royalty. I am a millennial woman from the United States, what do you expect?? This book gives Red, White and Royal Blue, my favorite book, meets The Prince and Me, one of my favorite 2000s movies. I loved every second of it.

Prince Jadon has had some bad press, leading to his temporary exile to America to clean up his image. But while there, he ends up learning so much about himself and what he wants out of life. And not to mention, he stars in his school play and finds love along the way. This book was on the spicier side for YA, too. I loved this story with my whole heart.

My only feedback that isn't glowing is about how the story was set up. I found the whole banishment thing a little confusing. If he was trying to improve his reputation in his country, why wouldn't he be doing that in his country? And the timeline about the breakup and the viral video was kinda muddled for me in the beginning. But once the story really got moving, I was hooked.

This book ended up on my radar because of the comps to Red, White, and Royal Blue, which is one of my favorite novels. Also, I’m from LA, so having the book set there sealed the deal for me.

Prince Jadon finds himself banished to the United States after an Incident at home. Part of his image rehab involves enrolling at an elite private school. This is a big step for Jadon because he’s always been educated by tutors at home. He falls in with the theatre kids and even auditions for the play.

He also meets Reiss, who is very different from the other people who Jadon has met, both at home and now in LA. Reiss doesn’t try to impress Jadon; in fact, their first couple meetings are acrimonious. But then they take the time to get to know each other, and–excuse the cliche– the sparks fly.

Even without Reiss, Jadon’s time in LA is marked by growth and change. He’s away from home for the first time in his life, and even though he’s living in a mansion and has an extensive support system, he’s still faced with situations he’s never had to consider before now. He has always had to justify who he is to his royal parents, but now he has the opportunity to be unapologetically himself as he reveals the catalyst behind the Incident that led to his banishment.

I would absolutely recommend Prince of the Palisades. This book was simply delightful from start to finish. It’s bursting at the seams with Easter Eggs and sly references to all sorts of things. I loved the history behind Jadon’s island home and I love that his mother was a USC student and Jadon wants to experience Los Angeles as she did, all those years ago. I love that this book is full of Black joy and queer joy and it’s just overall such a joyful and happy book. I don’t mean to imply that this book is free of tension and drama, but strife is not a focal point of the narrative.




I received a digital ARC of this book from Penguin/NetGalley.

Prince of the Palisades by Julian Winters is such a beautifully written story!
I enjoyed this book so much more than I thought I would. It is a perfectly crafted story with the absolute best characters! I love how fun and full these characters feel while also being able to reflect diverse, intersectional identities.

Thank You NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This is a captivating and heartwarming gay-friendly story that blends hilarity, romance, and a strong personal growth arc with with brisk and breezy writing and a fast-paced story. Winters’ delightful characters and distinct plot come together to explore relationships, identity, and a lot of the big questions faced by young readers. I loved the representation, and the uplifting sense that it imparts.

Another #NetGalley for the win. Here's Julian Winters's "Prince of the Palisades." Advertised as "Young Royals meets Red, White, and Royal Blue in this heart-pumping romance by award-winning author Julian Winters!", how couldn't I?!?

["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 . . ."]

How do YA books manage to be sooo freaking deep?! How can you manage to cover so much and break my heart and heal it and cover more? Gender, race, class, sexuality. All of it.

Jadon was told to figure out how to be the prince his country needed while being told who to be, how to act, what to do. All the while trying to figure out who he is as a person. And being a teenager. Like oooof.

Not being able to trust anyone, not being able to speak up for causes you believe in, not being able to have a safe place, not being able to tell anyone the trust, not being able to confine in someone about the moment that wrecked everything. Add into that figuring out a new country, a new school, a new set of peers, a new normal. Plus a fight with your parents weighing you down. AND falling in love (and fucking it up a few times).

Quote of the day: "Be a little fearless."

AND there was a SERIOUS and 100% legit reference to RWRB (#HistoryHuh) ANNNNND one to Princess Dairies (#Genovia)

#princeofthepalisades #julianwinters #books #queerbooks #ya #queerya #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Julian Winters absolutely never disappoints. He delivers another swoon worthy romance but this time about modern age royalty. The kind of book you will giggle and kick your feet to. But also a book with a lot of heart! A lovely m/m romance and an easy to read page turner.

Prince of the Palisades is a story about Prince Jadon, who, to clean his image following a media scandal, is shipped off to America, where he meets a film geek who seriously turns his life inside out.

This book has so much heart—not only with the main couple but between friends and family as well. You can tell a lot of emotional labor went into crafting each and every relationship. I especially love Ajani’s character. The communication between characters is also written very nicely. Teenagers are inherently messy, but they find their paths eventually.

This novel is primarily about Jadon and Reiss’ romantic arc, but it does touch on some very serious real-world topics like police brutality. Jadon struggles with his beliefs, which clash with how he’s expected to think and behave as a prince. It is very much a story of self acceptance and finding your own place in the world. It’s one of a few romance books I’ve read recently where I can say for sure that the protagonist actually learned something.

In all, I think this is a really important book coming out at an important time. I hope a lot of people give it a try.

P.S. It’s my understanding that there are easter eggs scattered in the text referencing Julian Winters’ other works, which I haven’t read…yet. How fun is that!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

I really really enjoyed this one. Julian Winters is such a talented writer and I always get sucked in with his stories. This was the right amount of sweet and adorable to keep me invested. I loved Jadon and Reiss. I also warmed up a lot to all the characters, even the ones who had to be redeemed a little. I saw all the relationships coming a mile away but they were still so cute. This book was so sweet and sour. We have so many nice moments with Jadon and Reiss but they were so back and forth. It seemed like for the small amount of time they were together they were also apart. They fell hard and fast. I also noticed a few of the Easter eggs with our authors being named as characters. That’s such a neat idea! This is a short story and I enjoyed it a lot. I liked Jadon’s character development and him learning about himself was so good to see. It’s so important for people to read and see others like them. Nowadays especially. I need to read more of Julian’s books because the stories are always so refreshing and fluffy!

Julian Winters does it again. This book was so funny and heartfelt. I didn’t want it to end! All the characters were so lovable. ( Except the prime minister, forget that guy) Would recommend this to everyone and anyone!!!

This is a story of personal growth and learning to stand up for what you believe in. I liked all the characters, the diverse LGBTQ+ representation, and focus on Black American experiences. I recommend this one if you're after the drama of Young Royals and heartfelt explorations of identity, family, and activism. Thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved watching Jaden try and figure out what type of prince he wants to be. I think so many times we forget that royals are people outside of what the media tells us. Also, so much of what is posted about them can be through the lens of the person taking the photo and video and that person’s intent is maybe not always the best. Jaden is a dynamic character. I will say I grew to love him the further we went into the book. Reiss is also a fun character, and their courtship jumps off the pages in such a lovely way.
Thank you to Penguin Group Penguin Young Readers Group, and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this story.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

This was a really sweet story! Jadon and Reiss were really great characters, even if the story felt a little fast. I think the final version of this novel is a lot longer but what I read was only about 240 pages long so it really felt like the characters were speed running with their relationships/arcs. Overall though I throughly enjoyed it! The dialogue was great and a lot of the characters, even the ones people might consider "the bad guys", all had redeeming qualities. Grace and Leon in particular had fairly good arcs for side characters as you learn how they're also trying not to buckle under the same pressure that Jadon is facing and because of his (Jadon's) strength in the story, it allowed them to stand up as well. (Though I think Leon does a better job than Grace in this aspect). One of my favorite characters was Karan but you don't get to see him much in the story overall. I thought he was hilarious though and reminded me of myself in high school. I also loved how Jadon joined the theatre guild! Overall a very adorable book!