So much queer Black joy! I had such fun reading this story that I finished it in one sitting. I especially love the DC/Maryland setting and the adventures in Catalina. Finding Prince Charming is a treat.

This book follows Tyriq, an American boy who just graduated high school and is down on his luck in life (his closeted boyfriend cheated on him and he missed his scholarship interview). Desmond, who works at the student services desk, is able to help him get another interview as long as Tyriq goes on a fake date with him.

I enjoyed the plot a lot. There were times where Tyriq’s line of thinking felt very immature for his age, so that was hard to get through at times. BUT I AM HERE FOR BLACK PEOPLE BEING SPOILED AND LOVED ON OUT LOUD.

This was a super fun YA royal romance between a college freshman and the prince of Catalina who asks him on a fake date to show his unsupportive father he wants to live his life out and proud in America. Perfect for fans of the movie The prince & me, this was a cute and entertaining fade to black M/M love story that was good on audio. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to Bloomsbury for the physical ARC and eARC.

Finding Prince Charming was such an adorable read.

Tyriq is a few minutes late to an interview for a scholarship and they refuse to let him in, so he goes to drown his sorrows in the nearby coffeeshop/library. There Desmond convinces him to be his fake date for an upcoming event, and Des will get Tyriq a new interview.

Long story short, Desmond is the prince of a small country and is in the US to try to live his most true life—a life where he can live openly as a gay man. Despite how cute and adorable this story is, there are some very real issues that get mentioned. The paparazzi, homophobia, racism, classism; it’s all mentioned and are important parts of their relationship, but I’m still so hopeful and happy while reading.

Filled with well-rounded characters, the romance is sweet and adorable. While it’s a bit fast paced, I still had fun time and couldn’t stop reading. I thoroughly enjoyed Finding Prince Charming.

This was such a cute quick read. Like I did find the fake dating aspect cute BUT the tiny issue I had was the fact that it felt like the prince was buying his affection to me. But overall I thought it was cute.

Let me start by saying that if I ever fake date a prince without knowing he’s a prince and then get mad when I find out, please give me a slap! Lol. Honestly, this was such a fun read! It has a vibe similar to "Coming to America," but with a queer twist. The banter between the two love interests was excellent. I really enjoyed the storyline, especially how Prince Desmond advocated for himself and his love.

The book also provides good commentary on parental expectations and how they often don’t align with what we truly want. I found myself rooting for the King to overcome his age out beliefs on tradition and understand his son’s perspective. In the end, though, the King still preferred to be upset with his son rather than love him openly and unapologetically. Overall, Jamar did an amazing job with this book.

Okay, this was so cute. If a prince ever asks me to fake date, just know I’m already planning our matching outfits for the press tour. Finding Prince Charming was a fun, feel-good read with the right amount of drama, humour, and heart.
I absolutely loved both main characters! Desmond was confident, grounded, and not afraid to stand up for what he wanted. Meanwhile, Tyriq was a people pleaser who made some questionable decisions. But even with his frustrating choices, I still stood by him. He’s my sweet, confused boy, and I love him. 🥹
The chemistry between Desmond and Tyriq? Chef’s kiss.
If you're into fake dating, royal drama, this one’s for you. 10/10 would fake date again. ❣️🤭

This was the perfect YA ROM COM novel. I usually don’t like fake dating or Rom Com’s because it’s always so cheesey and not really funny. But this one was perfect. The reason behind the fake dating was really good and benefited both main characters. I loved the authors writing style. It was easy to follow, and it just flowed! The main topic was a serious one but the author found a way to incorporate some comedy to make us laugh. I’d highly recommend this title. I enjoyed my time while reading.

This is such a fun and beautiful celebration of Black queer love. It reminded me a lot of Red, White & Royal Blue meets The Princess Diaries. This was also my first time reading a "fake dating" plot, and I found that Perry wrote it really well. I really enjoyed and could commiserate with both love interests. Tyriq's dreams of going to college and dealing with his ex while also learning to love himself and have a partner fight with him resonated hard, and I think will resonate greatly with other Black queer and trans youth.

I also enjoyed the depiction of Desmond and the slow burn at the beginning with Desmond learning to deal with his country politics and fight to be with Tyriq. The story feels very much like that of Red, White & Royal Blue when it comes to challenging cisheteronormativity and homophobia in traditional monarchies while having a nuanced and fresh depiction of Blackness and Queerness.

Finally, I'd recommend this YA novel to lovers of Black Queer and/or Trans stories like All Boys Aren't Blue. I'm definitely interested in checking out more of Perry's work. What a cute cover too.

Thanks to Bloomsbury and Netgalley for the ARC.

Loved the story it was definitely giving Coming To America for queer. Seeing how Tyriq navigate the spotlight of fake dating prince Desmond after breaking up with recent down low partner was a journey in itself. Then Desmond wanting to be free from expectations to live his own life while also finding love 🥰. This was a good read.

In this swoonworthy YA romance, the story of Tyriq and Prince Desmond unfolds beautifully, capturing the essence of young love amid royal expectations. The plot starts strong with Tyriq's relatable struggle after a heartbreak, setting the stage for an unexpected twist when he becomes the crown prince's faux boyfriend. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, and their journey through the complexities of court life and personal growth is both heartwarming and engaging.

The writing is vibrant, and the pacing keeps you hooked, making it hard to put down. However, while the premise is intriguing, there are moments where the plot feels a bit rushed, particularly towards the end. Some character developments could have benefited from more depth, which is why I’m giving it a solid four stars instead of five. Overall, it's a delightful read that balances humor, romance, and the challenges of coming out in a royal setting. Perfect for anyone who enjoys a good love story with a twist!

Thank you Bloomsbury and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. This story is so sweet! Tyriq’s life just hit a wall when he missed an important interview for a scholarship. That was the only way he was going to be able to pay for college, what’s he going to do now? And all because he was fighting with his cheating ex-boyfriend. Hope comes in the form of Desmond, the hot guy who works for Student Services. He can get Tyriq a redo on his interview if Tyriq agrees to be his date for an event. Not a real date Desmond just needs people to think it’s real. Should he? He did make himself a promise that he’s done with love. But it’s not real. Only Desmond is secretive about his life, refusing to discuss his family. The thing is Tyriq’s ex wasn’t out so he knows what it’s like to be kept a secret. It’s only when they are swarmed by press that he learns Desmond is a Prince. Now the whole world is asking who is Tyriq to have captured the eye of the Prince. His life is turned upside down and dissected. His only option is to continue fake dating the Prince until enough time has passed that they can amicably breakup. But is it fake? Things are increasingly complicated with a controlling King and a country that might not be excepting of a future gay King. Can they figure out what they mean to each other? Or will the pressure of the eyes watching them be too much? Charming, sweet, and chock full of the warm and fuzzies!! Jamar Perry’s Finding Prince Charming is a fast paced swoon worthy fake dating romance that is unputdownable!!