I’m the kind of person that can read the same trope a million times. I’ll read the same couples, the same circumstances, over and over again. But The Rules of Royalty felt…cheap and far too easy. The plot was flimsy and the characters were superficial and unlikable. I can see what books the author takes inspiration from, and the nods to various tropes. But the characters just weren’t able to hold these tropes. I was bored and had a hard time getting through what was a relatively light hearted and what should have been an easy, cozy read.

I can perhaps see a young teen, probably 14 or 15, enjoying this book as their first foray into queer royal romance. It is an easy read in many respects, and perhaps I hoped for too much, given the comparisons to the Princess Diaries.

I think this is such a great young adult read! It was such a sweet, meet cute kind of read that I really enjoyed. I do think had I read this when I was in my teenage years or late high school I would have liked it a bit more but it was still such a cute book!

I will start by saying that I think this should be marketed as a teen book, as it reads very young. The characters, Jamie and Erik are both 17 and still in high school, and their narrative very much sounds like speaking to a 17 year old. So I feel it is too young to be categorized as YA and if it was properly marketed I would not have requested an arc for it. The story itself, American suddenly becoming a Prince in a foreign country (that conveniently speaks English even though it sounds like a Spanish country) and falling for his similar aged Tutor, a Prince from another kingdom, was cute and slightly reminiscent of The Princess Diaries. I just found that the book lacked substance overall. Every obstacle and conflict was very quickly and easily resolved (other than the main one which was repeated over and over again but then finally overcome in a matter of a few lines of dialogue), and none of the characters has very much depth to them. I will rate it a 3 as I think teenagers may like this book, but I wouldn't recommend for an audience over 22 years old and that might even be a stretch.

The Rules of Royalty was such a fun surprise for me. Cale Dietrich writes a really good story and ties it all together so neatly at the end. You’ll want to check this one out!~


Thank you NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press|Wednesday books for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Pleasant read and romance story. Read as a teen book, which is likely that target audience. That made the reading seem a bit sophomoric. It could also use some editing to remove some things that I cannot figure out if they were less than the best writing or not thought through. The story line seemed a bit simplistic and fully clear from the very beginning. I knew how it would flow and end without the need to read the story, I would have liked a bit more depth, but maybe I am expecting too much, I did enjoy it as a "beach read".
A couple of things that cause me to think - "what? that does not make sense":
- Why would one need or use a card key like a hotel in the private residence part of the place to enter a bedroom or suite?
- Why would someone not use proper honorifics (HRH, Majesty, etc.) when referring to royalty? I can understand it when in private, intimate setting between members of the family.

Feels like a princess diaries meet cute with the sweetness and fish out of water royalty vibes we love about hallmark stories but with two sweet princes.

What a cute take on a queer royals in love tale. Definite gem of a YA romance that's a great read for that young queer romance reader in your life.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“The Rules of Royalty” by Cale Dietrich is a charming queer young adult romance centered around two princes from neighboring countries. Jamie Johnson, who discovers on his seventeenth birthday that he is actually the prince of Mitanor, a picturesque European kingdom, is suddenly thrust into a royal life he knows nothing about. Erik Von Rosenborg, a prince from a nearby kingdom, is tasked with tutoring Jamie in the intricacies of royal etiquette. As Jamie navigates his new identity, he and Erik develop a heartwarming romantic relationship. This is a book I highly recommend for anyone looking for a feel-good read. It’s very similar to a Hallmark movie where it leaves you feeling warm inside after you’ve finished reading. While the story itself is pretty light and doesn’t have much depth to it, it’s a quick read and extremely enjoyable, especially if you are a fan of “The Princess Diaries.”

The story offers a delightful escape into a world of young love and royal charm. The story provides a light and happy narrative that is perfect for readers seeking a comforting and uncomplicated story. Jamie and Erik are endearing characters, and their blossoming romance is sweet and sincere. The plot, while enjoyable, does venture into the realm of the unrealistic, especially with the trope of fake dating and the obligatory third-act breakup. I’m not very into the fake dating troupe, though I do appreciate how there was often open communication between the characters. While these elements were predictable at times, they do not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.

The positive and supportive relationships among the characters add a layer of warmth to the book. The family and friends of both princes are portrayed as understanding and loving, which contributes to the feel-good atmosphere of the novel. I loved the family/friends aspect of the book as everyone is just so welcoming. This atmosphere made me love this story and all the characters involved. The setting of the story adds to its appeal, with the European backdrop offering a mix of natural beauty and regal allure. Think of the Northern Lights, serene lakes, and majestic mountains, which perfectly complement the royal theme.

Overall, “The Rules of Royalty” is an adorable, light-hearted read that is perfect for fans of YA romance and royal tales. The book serves as a wonderful escape from the real world.

The Rules of Royalty is The Princess Diaries meets Young Royals with a sprinkling of Red White & Royal Blue, and I am here for it!

Jamie, a normal American teenager, finds out his biological father is a king. When he goes overseas to meet him, his father asks teenage prince, Erik, to tutor Jamie on all things royalty. Of course their relationship does not stay teacher and student and Erik’s grandmother, the Queen, does not approve, leading to a smidge of teenage angst and a lot of cute moments.

This is a lighthearted easy read that got me out of a reading slump and made me happy.


Thank you to Cale Dietrich, NetGalley and Wednesday Books at St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

If you were ever obsessed with the Princess Diaries as a kid (or still are), but wanted it to be a little…or a lot gayer, you should read this book. It’s a light and happy read, and while it is easy to tell that it was based on the Princess Diaries, the author did a nice job of building it into its own story as well. I thought that the story was well written and had lots of substance besides just a story about a prince suddenly being told he’s a prince.

The characters in this book were great overall, and the side characters were especially well developed. Jamie and Erik were great main characters, and I was definitely picturing Erik as Wilhelm from Young Royals the entire time, although I did not realize that until the end (whoops). I felt that Jamie and Erik’s relationship was a good one—it felt like a natural next step in their friendship, instead of being rushed, and also felt realistic, despite them both being royalty.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books at St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

P.S. (minor spoilers) I am always absolutely ecstatic whenever the Killers are mentioned in a book. Did that one mention bump my rating up? Possibly, but it’s well warranted, especially because it was a small rant about Battle Born.

This was so wholesome and cute. I loved both the main characters and felt that the conflict was justified. This was the perfect comfort read.

This is a perfectly fine, fluffy book, if you don't care whether your authors have thought through the world they have created.

To explain: I don't care whether it's realistic that a US teenager is actually a prince. Fantasy setup, no problem! I care about character holes (like plot holes but for characters) that show the author ran with an idea without actually thinking about how things actually work.

Like that when Jamie finds out about his real birth mother, the thought of grandparents doesn't even cross his mind.

Like that that European royalty speak English with non-native accents. If you know anything about highly-educated Europeans moving in an international environment, you'd know they speak English perfectly.

Like that the supposedly-rich Erik has thoughts like "our suite was twice the size of a normal apartment" and "the garden looked as if every inch had been meticulously planned" (um, yes. it's a formal garden. created by professional gardeners. who, you know, plan things.) These thoughts would have been normal for Jamie but don't make sense for Erik to have.

I also think that the "forced to date someone that you will eventually marry, for the Look of the Thing" premise would work 100 times better if they MCs were, say, 21 instead of 17.

So, yeah, this book's weak spots hit all the things that annoy me. If you don't care about that, go ahead, it's a cute book.

Got an arc from the publisher; thoughts are my own.

Jamie recently finds out that he's the heir to the throne of Mitanor. He is tutored by Erik, the spare prince of another kingdom. Sparks fly....

Love the teenager angst. Fun and sweet. A queer princess diary. Really enjoy it.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

Cale Dietrich is a one-click author for me and this new book was highly anticipated! I was not let down and the chracters were lovely and unique with great chemistry and a lovely dynamic! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and reading queer stories by queer authors is such a vibe!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Contemporary Romance + Young Adult + LGBTQ

This is a queer young adult romance. The plot revolves around two princes from different countries who are neighbors. It was inspired by "The Princess Diaries." One of them is Jamie Johnson, who, up until the time he turned seventeen, was completely unaware that he was supposed to be a prince. The second one is Erik Von Rosenborg, the prince of a European Kingdom.

Erik is asked to tutor Jamie on everything about being a prince. How to speak, how to conduct oneself, and all of the associated royal etiquette. During the course of all of that, the two young princes develop feelings for one another, which ultimately leads to the beginning of a romantic relationship between them.

The narrative is told in the first person, but it is told from the points of view of the two main characters. Even though the story is endearing and the book itself is adorable, it lacks any kind of depth. This is the kind of story that is ideal for going through when you are looking for something simple to read that does not contain a lot of tension. You are going to have a good time with it, but I do not think you will remember it for a very long time.

My primary criticism of the writing in this piece is directed toward the voices of the two main characters. They are very similar, and it is hard to distinguish them from each other. Even though the events of the story allow you to differentiate between the two voices, the point I am trying to make is that both voices share the same characteristics. I feel these primary characters needed to be more unique.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I enjoyed this book and think you will to.

This book is giving princess diaries, in a fun not cliche way. There is an American boy who finds out he is a prince and a prince who is tasked with teaching him the way of royalty. Through etiquette lessons, video game sessions and deep talks they start to fall.
But it's complicated. And there are political reasons and family opinions to consider. BUT them being gay is not the issue, which I love. This is not a queer trauma book, just (what I imagine is) regular teen angst for royal kids. This is a proper you g love YA book that is appropriate for most ages.

This book has me totally loving how many gay royalty books exist-- I never would have dreamed of that.
What are his parents doing the whole time? Ad how can they not afford plane Tix, but just take the whole summer off work....both of them?
Got a lil slow in the middle and mind wandered
My only complaints, the pacing is weird. There is very little happening and then a lot. And honestly, not enough HEA for my taste....unless there is to be a sequel? Maybe Max can have her own book? I LOVED her.

Essentially, this was a light-ish teen royal queer romance and it was fun to read. I really like Cale District's works and plan to keep reading anything he writes moving forward!

Imagine a normal American teenager learning the family secret. His bio dad is a king! Yep, a king! In a flash his life changes forever. He doesn't know anything about being royalty so he is given a tutor to learn at least the basics. Eyes meet, hearts beat and romance begins. A story of young romance isn't just for girls and guys. These 2 guys sizzle. I like that Jamie doesn't forget his American friends but keeps them informed on what he is experiencing. He tries to do some good along the way. A nice story!

I really wanted to like this story. I’m a fan of stories about people from different walks of life, people who are in situations in which they can’t choose their own fate, things like that.

I think my main problem with this story is that it was kind of flat for me. Neither Jamie, nor Eric, the main characters, particularly appealed to me.

I suppose if what you’re looking for is a cute story about a couple Of young men developing your crush on one another and hoping for it to be more Then this might be the book for you. I just wish there had been a bit more depths to the story.

I wanted to like this book, I've liked other books by Cale Dietrich in the past but this one wasn't it for me. There was nothing wrong with the plot or the characters but the book lacked any interesting conflict or character depth. I know this is a YA book and so it must be looked at through a different lens but I found it boring and slow.