Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to listen to the audiobook of Sophie Gonzales’ newest release.

Sophie, you got me again. There isn’t one single thing I will not read by Sophie Gonzales and a sapphic royal romance is at the TOP of the mf-ING list. When I tell you I dropped everything to devour this book, THE HOLD THIS WOMAN HAS ON ME.
Here we go, guys, gals and non-binary pals.
Our main character, Dani, recently arrived to a boarding school, is hiding her own trauma and secrets when she comes upon Her Royal Highness, Rose and her friends. Something horrible has happened in Amsterdam the year prior and no one is willing to talk about it, except for Molly, Rose’s ex-best friend, who has taken the incident very hard, icing out Rose and so naturally, Dani latches onto her first. Shenanigans ensue, making sure our two queer leads bond over their mutual love and care for Molly, developing the feelings©️along the way.
This being a YA novel, it made sense for the relationship to develop very quickly. There’s a lot of drama and sweet conversations; 100% perfect for a high school setting. Even in my Advanced Age (✨Thirty-Four Year Old Lady✨✨✨), I still found myself relating to their fears and hopes, kicking my feet along the way.
This was a great way to kick off Pride Month.
4.5 stars.

You know how we are all clamoring for the feel of those 2000s teen movies we loved so much? Satiate your craving with this book right here! It made me so happy! The romance, the friendships, the drama! It’s all so good! Truthfully, when I received the book, I wasn’t sure I would be able to finish it before pub day, but, oh my god, I couldn’t put it down!
Also, we love when girls love girls, so bonus points, always.
If you are looking for the sweet, fun, sapphic love story of your dreams, look no further!

ALERT: FAVORITE AUTHOR NEW BOOK ABOUT TO DROP

Sophie prefaces Nobody in Particular by saying she wrote this book about a decade ago and that, at the time, no one was interested in royal queer romances. Well, guess tf what??? The girlies have arrived and they are now thriving. (everyone say thank you Red, White, and Royal Blue and Young Royals) I hate that Sophie had to backburn this book but I'm also kind of glad because now it has a better chance of doing numbers. (As if I wouldn't read a Sophie book at anytime...)

Forbidden Love. Betrayal. Found Family. Yearning. Commoner/Royalty. Did I mention the yearning? Nobody in Particular is the story of a disgraced princess a new student from America at an all-girls boarding school. Danni and Princess Rosemary of Henland start up a quick and witty friendship that quickly turns into something more. but Rose can’t afford distractions as she works to repair her image after a tragic scandal. And Danni, who is attending Bramppath College on a music scholarship, doesn't need anything to happen to get her kicked out of the elite school. But soon rumors of their forbidden relationship start circulating. No one knows who might betray who. And Rose and Danni have to decide what really matters in the end.

Sophie always tells such fun stories but yet there's still depth to her characters. There's still a plot to the chaotic chaos. Nobody in Particular has very distinct voices. Gail Shalan and Imani Jade Powers give extra life and layers to these characters in the audiobook. I could listen to both of them narrate forever. Nobody in Particular is one of my top favorite Sophie books. And I would never say no to a sequel.

If you have made it this far, please, for the love of everything book holy, go read Sophie's debut The Law of Inertia and hype it up so she will write me a freakin sequel ok thank you.

And if you are looking for a similar story written ahead of it's time, Rachel Hawkins wrote Her Royal Highness. Which is also fabulous.


***Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, and Macmillan Audio for always giving me the privilege of checking out Sophie's books early.***

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio (Young Listeners) for the Advance Listeners Copy of Nobody in Particular by Sophie Gonzales, narrated by Gail Shalan & Imani Jade Powers.

Releasing just in time for Pride month, this sapphic, coming of age, discovery of love story is perfect. An american nobody meets and falls for Princess Rosemary while attending a prestigious boarding school. Navigating high school, new friends, a new country, new customs, and new love is never easy and these characters truly go through it.

The narrator of Rose's character had a strong accent making it difficult to understand her in some parts of the book, but for the most part the narration did an excellent job of portraying the emotions and struggles faced by these characters. The pacing of the book was also well done, but the book did run on the very young adult side, which is important for listeners/readers to be away of. Overall, the book was well written and I can strongly recommend to enjoyers of young adult, lowborn love stories.

I can’t get enough of the royal x commoner trope, so naturally I was excited to pick up Nobody in Particular. This is a sapphic love story set at a posh all-girls boarding school between the future queen of Henland and an American scholarship student.

I enjoyed having two designated narrators for Danni and Rose’s respective chapters. Gail Shalan and Imani Jade Powers really embodied both of these young women and helped bring their characters to life. Their accents were believable and they both imbued their performances with the perfect notes of yearning and emotion. This novel covers some heavier topics (such as grief and unresolved trauma) and you could hear the tears welling up in their voices during the more somber moments.

Nobody in Particular is the type of heart-affirming, young adult romance I adore. The inclusive, positive tone made me yearn for a brighter future where queer youth feel affirmed and comfortable in every setting. The cover is also too cute for words and I LOVE the little tiara on Rose’s head!

Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing me with an ALC!

As someone who has been a longtime fan of the ‘royal falls in love with a commoner’ story, I could not wait for this book! I have loved Gonzales’ previous work and was ecstatic for this sapphic royal love story. I absolutely adored this book! It’s wonderfully YA - I would say upper YA - and the characters are perfectly imperfect as they are trying to navigate typical teenage challenges - academics, extracurriculars, familial expectations - all while living as their true selves and discovering first loves, healing from heartbreak and grief, and forging new paths.

My heart ached for Rose as she not only was trying to juggle the demands of high school but also as a princess, being in the spotlight and having to deal with archaic and homophobia within her family. I wanted to scream at her parents for not providing her with the support she deserved, but I was grateful for some steps towards healing and them honoring Rose’s decision and bravery in the end.

Danni was a darling and gosh, her anxieties were incredibly relatable. She has such a big heart and I admired her loyal and determination, but I hated that she was treated so abominably by some of the characters. Everyone deserves the right and respect to come out at the time of their choosing, when they feel comfortable and safe to do so.

I loved the dual narration! These narrators so perfectly captured the spirit of Rose and Danni and the emotion that carried through in their performances had me in tears. Highly recommend the audiobook!

5/5 no notes
Genre: YA romance (mystery elements)
Would reread? YES.
Would recommend? YES.
Did I cry? YEP. that audiobook performance??
Vibes: 👑 🎹 🎶 🏫 🥂 🏰

For fans of The Prince and Me, or Red White and Royal Blue

Themes & Tropes
- LGBTQ+ rep (lesbian and bisexual)
- Private fancy boarding school
- Royal vs American commoner
- Duty vs independent want/need
- Forbidden love
- Forced proximity

The intimate touches!! Many little moments that build.

Chapter 28?! OMG those speeches. That pining 😮‍💨

Memorable quote:
“How enchantingly, delightfully normal”

I've been thinking about this book a lot since I finished it, which I suppose is a good thing. :)

This was a really good, very unique sapphic book. Danni and Rose's relationship was really sweet and I love how much they fought for their love once they made the decision to do so. That said, for me it felt a bit dark and as such a bit long for a YA book. I wish she could have made this work without the really sad friend back story.

🎧 The audiobook was lovely! Gail Shalan and Imani Jade Powers were both FANTASTIC and I loved their accents. They brought this story to life in a really beautiful, believable way.

Read if you like:
-YA Sapphic Stories
-Royalty
-Boarding schools
-Grief journeys

Overall, I did enjoy it and would recommend for those looking for a royal sapphic story. That said, go in knowing it's not as lighthearted as some of the other YA LGBTQ books we've read before.

Thank you so much to Wednesday Books for the ARC and Macmillan Audio for the ALC!

Nobody in Particular was a Macmillan Audio pick that I had seen on a few mutuals’, so I was definitely interested in reading it!

If you like sapphic books, boarding schools, royal romance, and realistic teen drama, I recommend this book! Princess Rose of the fictional European country, Henland, and the American scholarship student Danni begin their friendship with some of the best witty banter I’ve read in a teen romance. This book is also given some conflict with Danni’s new friends dealing with a tragedy, and I liked the themes of grief and healing. Rose and Danni are also navigating their queerness, not only with each other, but with themselves and their communities at large.

This book was really enjoyable in that I love a teen story about finding oneself and one’s people. I also do appreciate how these teens struggled with things that a lot of young people actually do, not just in books and movies. The romance was built on banter and mutual trust and was very lovely. Overall, I give this book 4 stars!

I enjoyed the narration too! Imani Jade Powers is someone I’ve listened and enjoyed before, and Gail Shalan was new to me, but great!

I really liked the idea of Nobody in Particular: a royal falling for someone completely outside their world, with all the pressure and secrecy that comes with it. Rose and Danni’s relationship is sweet, and I appreciated how the book showed the stress of being in the public eye while trying to figure out who you are and who you love. It’s also great to see more queer rep in stories like this.
That said, I didn’t completely connect with the characters. Some of the side stories and relationships felt a little underdeveloped, and parts of the plot moved too quickly or didn’t quite land for me. I wanted more depth in certain moments, especially around the bigger emotional conflicts.
Overall, it's a decent read with a lot of heart, just not one that really stuck with me. If you're into royal drama and slow-burn romance, you’ll probably still enjoy it!

I REALLY enjoyed this Royal Sapphic Romance!!

It took me a little while to adjust to the narrators voices, but eventually I was hooked.

I loved the character development, the relationship development, the scandals, and the plot twists!

Highly recommend!!

Nobody in Particular is a heartfelt, cozy queer romance about coming into your identity and finding love along the way. While the overall story might feel familiar in the best way, it is about coming to terms with your sexuality and figuring out who you are. What makes this one shine is the journey of Dani and Rose. I couldn’t help but root for them as they stumbled, grew, and fell for each other.
I especially loved the dual POV. It was so satisfying to see both characters' perspectives, which made their connection feel more genuine and layered. Dani completely stole my heart. I adored her voice and her growth throughout the book.
If you're looking for a soft, affirming love story with real heart, this one is worth picking up. It’s exactly the kind of book that leaves you smiling.

This charming novel blends royal intrigue with the aching sweetness of first love, as Princess Rosemary of Henland and outsider pianist Danni navigate their growing feelings under the scrutiny of tradition and power. With the tension of forbidden romance and the stakes of royal reputation, this book delivers a compelling mix of drama and tenderness.

4.5

Sophie Gonzales’ book? I’M IN! Sophie Gonzales’ book with a lesbian princess? I’M SUPER IN!
This book is amazing! I have no doubt about it but it was even better than I thought it would be. I love it so damn much!
I love Rose and her fragility, I love the way she hides it because she is a princess and she has duties. I love Dani and her insicurities. I love the way the trauma is portrait and I love the love story.
Yea, the subplot of Alfie was like super evident, but that was not the point, so I don’t really care and doesn’t change my mind about this book.
I love it so much!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

Book Review
“Nobody In Particular” - Sophie Gonazales
👑 👑 👑 👑 👑
🌶️
“Nobody In Particular” by Sophie Gonzales is a deeply emotional and beautifully written sapphic YA romance that combines the charm of a modern royal fairytale with the rawness of teen reality. This novel follows Dani Blythe who relocates from Colorado with her mom and stepdad to a fictional eastern european catholic country named Henland. She attends her new prestigious Catholic all girls school—Brampith College on a music scholarship for piano. Dani feels completely out of place until she meets Rosemary the countries crowned princess.

Rose is no ordinary classmate. She’s navigating the intense pressure of public life, grief from a recent tragedy, and the suffocating expectations placed on her as royalty. While Danni struggles with performance anxiety and feeling like an outsider, Rose is dealing with her own isolation under constant scrutiny. When the two begin to fall for each other, their bond is heartfelt, complicated, and electric—but secrecy, guilt, and public image threaten to tear them apart.

This book shines not just in its romance but in its rich emotional landscape. Gonzales thoughtfully explores grief, mental health, and the destructive power of image over authenticity.

Ultimately, this is a story about vulnerability, emotional honesty, and choosing your own path. It’s a compelling read with a serious tone but also moments of warmth, humor, and hope. Gonzales delivers not just a swoony queer romance, but a thoughtful exploration of what it means to be seen and loved for exactly who you are.

3.5 stars

CW: underage drinking, recreational drug use, death by overdose (in the past), grief/loss, non-consensual kissing, forced outing

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ALC

I feel like such a hater for this review so to be clear, this is a perfectly enjoyable book. The romance is sweet and believable, the pacing and tension consistently had me invested. The side characters were lovable if occasionally one dimensional. The narrator did an amazing job as both of the main characters, each POV having a distinct sound without sounding too much like she was putting on a voice. Overall, a good time.

But my god. Another fucking forced outing in a romance novel. I thought the hardest part of reading this was going to be the grief and loss, as one of the main characters loses a close friend to an overdose just before the book begins, but the outing was worse by far. They were constantly fearing it, in part because Rose is a princess with eyes on her always, and then when it finally happened it was horrible and took over the story.

I have sympathy for the idea that the author wrote this over a decade ago, and pre gay marriage being legal in the U.S. this kind of fear was much realer, and was pretty common in the Queer novels that were published. I understand that this came from a much younger version of the author that was still grappling with her sexuality (according to the authors note at the beginning anyways). But I'm so tired of it. There is a beautiful and scary and real coming out story in here that didn't have to include one of the characters being outed.

I like that in the end Rose chose to come out and support Danni, that she said fuck staying in the closet for the sake of the monarchy! But in my opinion that storyline suffers under the weight of Danni's outing. It would've felt much more earnest if it had been Rose's idea from the beginning.

If the outing won't bother you, by all means read this. Like I said it was otherwise very enjoyable, gripping and well written. I just can't move past this.

Just to begin, I received an audiobook version of this, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I thought that both voice actors deserved their flowers, they had embodied the characters well, gave so much emotion, and had a lovely voice to listen to.

Onto the actual story! To begin, I was drawn to it because of the synopsis and cover art, all beautifully done. The story follows a girl attending boarding school on scholarship; the biggest difference to any boarding schools? Princesses. I thoroughly enjoyed the tension the characters had and how they both would've acted how actual teenagers would've. While they both had beautiful character growth, they were also flawed, like any humans are. The story is taking place in a pivotal time for them where they learn about themselves, learn right from wrong, loyalties, and I believe that Sophie Gonzales captures it well.

I hadn't expected to enjoy the book as much as I did, but I will definitely be checking more of her work out now. I loved the characterization of all characters, they were distinct, had growth, and felt realistic. A beautiful job!

SOPHIE GONZALES IM IN UR WALLS I WANT MORE PLEASE MAAM RESPECTFULLY

—it took me a full ten minutes to calm down after finishing to even attempt to gather my thoughts because WOW


there is literally nothing sweeter than two idiots mutually pining before realizing they’re both equally obsessed with each other and this little boarding school royalty romance has it ALL. the romance was the cutest thing despite it being first love it felt so real and wholesome and genuinely soft. Rose and Danni were hilarious while pining and seeing them together was almost rotting my teeth with how sweet they were id read another 300 pages of them just living life and making each other feel whole again. despite them going though so much emotional turmoil they really would do anything for each other and as a romantic at heart it spoke so much to meeee (don’t ever be the reason danni is in danger rose does not mess around LOL)

ugh I wish I could post my favorite scene but truly every climatic scene they had was my favorite, from the the tension of them becoming friends to their first kiss to their TEXTS to their secret dates to the fallouts the drama of the past to basically everything and the END?? didn’t even know I had any tears left but I cried in so much joy

as for the rest of the book character and plot wise- everything had a purpose which I appreciated!! most of the times things get lost or unanswered and I feel like everything was handled well! the group of friends felt developed, the plot had depth but didn’t take away from the couple and everyone had growth! so 10/10

overall a cute romantic read that i’m so excited to get a physical copy of in a few days once it’s officially out <3

thank you Macmillan Audio for this wonderful ARC you have no idea how grateful I am to be able to get this early edition

——————————————

spoilers*** but author gets a millions bonus points for the fabulous HEA and the even happier epilogue i’m a sucker for the parents accepting their daughter/son in laws yes ma’am

It took me by surprise how much I loved this book! Royals + boarding school + lesbians can be a total hit or miss, especially with YA books these days. However, this one had a lot of depth and addressed some intense topics while still maintaining a lighthearted and hopeful tone. And it depicted a really sweet relationship with a lot of chemistry. Loved it! 4.5 rounded up. I thought the narrator was excellent too.

🌈Queer rep: lesbian main character, bi main character, FF relationship

Boarding school and royalty? What more could you want from a fun, queer, YA romance? Danni is the new girl at boarding school, on scholarship, unsure of herself and her love of piano, and worried about making friends and being an outcast. Thankfully, one girl takes her under her wing, and that girl turns out to be the ex-best friend of Rose, or Princess Rosemary of Henland. But that doesn't stop Danni from getting to know Rose, and the two strike up their own friendship...sort of.

Overall, this was a good blend of cute and serious. There were a lot of characters and friendships to keep up with, so that kind of started the story off a little confusing. But over time, it settles out a bit. There is the topic of overdose and drug use in this book, so keep that in mind if that's a triggering subject. Though I did enjoy this story, for a while I kind of felt like nothing was really happening. I wouldn't say the book is slow, though, necessarily. Maybe a few pacing issues.

In conclusion, liked it! Definitely recommend if you want more royalty and commoner (is that the right term?) romance!

Thank you to Netgalley, Wednesday Books, and Macmillan Young Listeners for the e-ARC and e-ALC!