I went into it thinking this was a romance. While Jadon and Reiss’s love story is a major part of the story, it’s a really a coming of age story following Jason’s struggle to find his own identity. Overall, I enjoyed the story and our main characters and side characters. I wish that the inciting incident that gets Jadon exiled was more interesting.

I’ve been a bit burnt out on reading romances so it might’ve not been the best time to pick this one up. I was looking forward to this because of the Red White & Royal Blue comp, but like some other reviewers. I didn’t see much of a connection outside of the royalty aspect. A lot of the narration felt repetitive and I could never really get invested in either Jadon as a protagonist or the secondary characters.

4.5 stars

After a video of a messy break up goes viral, Prince Jadon of Îles de la Rêverie is forced to stay in America until he cleans up his act. So, he's enrolled in a private school in Santa Monica, with carefully scheduled appearances to get his image back. What he doesn't expect is to fall for a local boy at his school that might just throw a wrench into all his plans.

As Jadon tries to juggle his new image with his growing feelings, he has to decide what his future looks like. And if he wants to fit into the image Rêverie wants him to have after all.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for an advanced copy of Prince of the Palisades by Julian Winters to review! If you are a fan of Young Royals, you'll definitely love Winters' latest romance. It hits all the right boxes, with a swoonworthy romance you'll absolutely love.

This also might be the rare queer YA that actually feels like Red, White, & Royal Blue to me as well. Not quite the enemies to lovers romance, but you get similar vibes from the royalty and the romance. Winters always excels at writing characters you will fall in love with from the beginning, and this book is no exception. At the beginning, Jadon is closed off. Being a prince for him means that getting close to people is a liability. His emotional journey from beginning to end is so well done. Especially as he learns to open up.

In addition to being a romance, this book is also about finding your voice and standing up for what you believe in. Through his new friends in the US, Jadon learns to use his privilege as a prince to stand up for others, especially queer teens. It works so well for the emotional journey he's on throughout the book.

All in all, if you're looking for a queer, royalty romance, definitely pick this one up in August!

When Prince Jaden, the spare to the heir of the Island of Reverie, is caught on camera seemingly drunk and mouthing off about his country's Prime Minister, his parents send him away to California to cool down and become someone his country can be proud of. Jaden finds it difficult to make friends--difficult to trust anyone, after what happened--but catches the eye of sweet, pink-haired, filmmaking fellow classmate Reiss. He learns that sometimes trouble is worth it.

This book was fun and frothy, and showcases the struggles of being both a POC and member of the LGBTQ community in the spotlight. I think the comparisons to RW&RB are inapt and do this book a disservice, though. This book reads much younger, for one--the characters are seventeen, rather than in their early twenties, and just the level of the jokes and every feel more high school. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but that garners a different audience. It would probably be more appropriate to compare it to something like Tokyo Ever After, not that it needs a comp. I also think Jaden's personality had a 180 about two-thirds of the way through the book, and while the change needed to happen and was central to the plot, it could have been more gradual. I think this book will appeal to high school students, royal aficionados, and those looking for queer and POC representation.

Thanks to Viking Books for Young Readers / Penguin Teen for my ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4 stars - 7/10

4.75 stars

Engaging, fun, and a wonderful personal growth arc, this book is an adorable royal romance.

Prince Jadon is sent to America to repair his image after a viral video of him smack talking his country's prime minister. In Califronia, he meets Reiss, and Jadon is faced with the challenge of learning who he wants to be.

I love that every chapter has an article excerpt at the beginning. I adore Jadon's journey as a young queer, Black teenager who is allowed to be angry and cry and be strong. Jadon and Reiss are adorable together. I wish there was a little more depth in some of the side characters but that's because I'd love to know more about them. Jadon is flawed but trying, and I love him.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review!

Book:
PRINCE OF THE PALISADES by Julian Winters
Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Teen for the Arc (Aug 20)

Review:
4⭐
PRINCE OF THE PALISADES was such, cutesy-entertaining read. It follows Jadon, Prince of Palisades, as he is banished to America after a stunt goes wrong---ranting to the wrong people and ending up in tabloids. He must do what it takes to get back on top: to be the person who is fit to be prince. Jadon goes through obstacle after obstacle, trying to fit in, trying to be the right fit in the tabloids eyes.
PRINCE OF THE PALISADES is different from what I normally read. I's full of drama, lies, bickering royals, blooming romance between a prince and an everyday person. I really like how it didn't feel like I was reading---it was to the point where I binged this book. I couldn't get enough of Jadon learning to fit in, or lack thereof in way. I couldn't get enough of the royals spats, the drama galore.

4.5 Royal Stars!

Really enjoyed this coming-of-age story narrated by Prince Jadon as he tries to balance adjusting to a new high school in a new country with showing only the 'perfect prince' that his parents want him to be. It's hard to let his guard down and make new friends, nonetheless have a mutual crush, when you're the Prince of a foreign country and the international media is always hungry for a scoop; always trying to photograph and document less-than-ideal moments. Jadon gets by, with the help of his witty and sarcastic sister and bodyguard, and he even joins the school play!

Highly recommended YA reading, love the LGBTQIAP+ cast!

I've read several Julian Winters book and have always enjoyed how he approaches a "coming of age" story. This one is a bit different from his previous works, dealing with a slightly less relatable approach of a prince figuring out who he is. I found Jadon to be a likeable, but flawed, character and thought his self-discovery journey was well written. I did find most of the background characters to be a bit flat. They had unique personalities, but they felt a bit one-note at times. For a few characters that felt like part of the story; Jadon noticing how people are what is expected of them. However, some of the time it just felt like there wasn't enough character development for anyone but our main protagonist.

When I first heard from Penguin Teen that Prince of the Palisades was perfect for fans of Young Royals and Red, White, and Royal Blue, I was hesitant at first. I love both of those stories so much, and I was worried this book was using a big name tv show and book to promote this story, and I can confidently say I had nothing to worry about.

Prince Jadon is sent away from Rêverie after a public scandal and enrolls at a private school in America, except things don't go as planned when he meets a pink-haired boy and completely falls in love. While working on his image, Jadon works on finding himself and what it truly means to be the leader he wants to be.

It's safe to say, I LOVED this book. I love the subtle references to YR, RWRB, and Princess Dairies I caught while reading the book. I enjoyed the relationships between Jadon and everyone in his live. And I thought the prince's character growth was very well done.

Thank you so much Penguin Teen for giving me the opportunity to review this book. It's definitely in my top five reads of 2024.

@wintersjulian has done it again, with another winning book featuring (royal!) queer black boy joy. Billed as having a RW&RB x Young Royals vibe, Prince of the Palisades features Prince Jadon, the second in line to the throne of the fictional Rêverie. When his loud criticism of the prime minister gets him temporarily banished to Southern California (his mother’s native hometown), Jadon cannot wait to prove he is worthy of his people’s respect and the right to come home again. But nothing ever goes the way Jadon wants it to go; between homesickness, anger, the challenge of connecting with his peers, staying politically neutral, giving the paps only good things to report, and possibly finding a cute boy (Reiss) to crush on, Jadon is struggling. And when his relationship with Reiss goes public, will Reiss be willing to put up with the media attention and royal expectations? YA fans will love watching Jadon get the chance to discover who he really is. After all, everyone deserves that chance. Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. #yabooks #queerauthors #blackauthors #lgbtqya #blackroyals #princeofthepalisades #youthlibrarian #schoollibrarian

Queer, black, and royalty. An unusual combination to find in one character, and I loved Jadon's expression of his emotions, and his character arc over the course of the story. A young prince struggling to understand his identity in a world where he represents his country. I was in awe of Jadon's articulate voice and how beautifully the author put forward the mixture of the pure exhilaration and messy confusion that is experienced in love. The story is highly engaging and refreshing. It's so easy to connect with Jadon and root for him. I 100% recommend this book coz it's so worth your time.

The Young Royals vibes are IMMACULATE!

Jadon and Reiss definitely read as Wilhelm and Simon in their first interactions, which are so reminiscent of Wilson’s awkward first encounters. Even though Jadon is a slightly stuck-up rich kid (he's a literal prince), it’s very easy to root for him because he's so earnest and just trying his best. The romance between him and Reiss was slightly bumpy in how they came together but overall very sweet <3

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book! Julian Winters has been on my list of authors to read and I am so glad I started with this one! I am a huge fan of Red, White, and Royal Blue and I can definitely see the comparisons. This book is a fresh take on the royalty romance sub genre that has become so popular. Overall, I felt that this was a cute, short, and super fun read. While Jadon is unlikeable at first, you will definitely warm up to him towards the end.

This was such a fun YA romance book about a young royal teenager being exiled to California. I wouldn't necessarily classify this as a romcom because while there are light moments this book also dives into more serious subjects that some could find triggering. Racism, police brutality, homophobia/transphobia. But the romance between Jadon and Reiss was so sweet and endearing, they had really good chemistry that seeped through the pages.

Refreshing read that hints at the complexities of our lived experiences while staying grounded in the story of finding of who we truly are. Hints of Princess Diaries with a more diverse, modern update! Finishing the book has me wishing Rêverie existed!

"Prince of the Palisades" by Julian Winters is an absolute delight! Winters has a magical way of blending humor, heart, and romance into a story that feels both fresh and timeless. Prince Jadon's journey from royal screw-up to a true leader is engaging and full of unexpected twists. The witty banter between Jadon and his entourage is genuinely laugh-out-loud funny, and the romance with the pink-haired, film-obsessed American boy is both sweet and authentic. I particularly loved how Jadon's sister and the quirky royal liaison added depth and warmth to the story. This isn't just a romance; it's a story about personal growth, identity, and finding one's place in the world. Winters' writing is charming and endearing, making "Prince of the Palisades" a feel-good read that leaves you smiling long after you turn the last page. If you're a fan of royal tales with a modern twist, this book is a must-read!

I feel bad that I've been in such a reading slump because I haven't been able to care about a lot of these anticipated releases like this one. I really wanted this one to be the one to break the slump, but unfortunately, this wasn't it for me.

Really fun YA queer romantic fic, in the line of Red, White, and Royal Blue but with a Black protagonist. Basically, this teen prince lets his mouth run and gets filmed doing it. He’s exiled from his island to Southern California.
Highly recommended.
I was lucky enough to read this as an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

"Sometimes the only way to be seen is to burn down everything else around you."

CW for mentions of police brutality, murder, and homo/transphobia.

Being a prince of a beautiful island country is bound to be all sunshine and coconuts, right? Well, Julian Winters tells a different kind of princely tale with Jadon and what does it mean to be Prince Jadon.

I'll start off my review by being completely canon. Any work done by Julian Winters is going to be a top read for me, and reading Jadon's and Reiss's love story is top tier. The amount of times I teared up and cried along with Jadon's whirlwind of emotions is probably way too many to count.

The emotions are there in Prince of the Palisades. Like any teen thrust into a spotlight early on, Jadon has a hard time. Not only is his relationship with his parents and sister completely non-existent, but Jadon's friends are zilch. At the beginning of the book, Jadon is dealing with a terrible blow-out after he blasted the Prime Minister of his homeland. Sent to America to earn back his people's respect, Jadon is in uncharted territory.

I liked the way California is written, from the sunny skies to the cozy neighborhood, the place sounds like paradise. But like a koi in the ocean, Jadon is completely left adrift at his new fancy private school. But! But, that is where he meets the best character (besides Mr. Prince himself): film geek Reiss.

Reiss is the best teen in the book. Passionate about films, the bestest of friends, and loved by his family. The banter between Reiss and Jadon at the beginning of the book, to them slowly growing to enjoy each other's company, these things made the romance all so much sweeter. All the stolen kisses, to the jealousy over a reappearing ex, to encouraging words to Reiss's littler brother, the relationship between Jadon and Reiss was perfect. And **consent**. Jadon is all about making sure Reiss is comfortable. Since Jadon is the more experience of the two in the dating department, he always makes sure Reiss is comfortable. And that may be the best thing about their romance.

This book also touches on several other issues: Rêverie's neutrality traditions, police brutality and murder, and transphobia/homophobia. These are touch briefly, except for a demonstration that happens, but each time, Jadon has to chose whether he is going to breathe life into the fire in his chest over how wrong these things are, or is he going to be Rêverie's Prince Jadon. These issues are nothing new and I'm glad that we have a princely character like Jadon showing what fighting these issues means. That prince or not, hate and judgement happen to anyone and no one is safe. That being quiet or neutral helps no one.

Ah, this got a bit ramble-y and I haven't even touch on the other parts like Jadon's sister Annika, Reiss's besties Karan and Lo, or the trashy ex, Leon. Just know that this is definitely a YA you don't wanna miss.

I absolutely devoured this book from start to finish and loved all of it! The way the characters are written and the way the plot moves are easy to read and relatable. I loved the “self love” theme throughout the book and the self discovery of one’s self in the world. This was my first book by this author but I will be diving into his author works as soon as possible!