Promchanted was such a fun book! I have enjoyed all of Morgan Matson's books so far and this one was just as fun as the others. She is a master of the "misadventure." I loved the characters and their development throughout the story. The world of Sleeping Beauty was so neat to visit through Reece and Stella's adventures.

Promchanted by Morgan Matson is a YA Romance with SciFi elements. Stella meticulous Prom plans are ruined by her boyfriend breaking up with her. She had planned to go to Disneyland before the evening event. While visiting Disneyland with her friends, she meets Reece. When they open a "secret" door at the castle, they're transported to the equivalent of Aurora/Briar Rose's land. The remainder of the book is about how they've changed both their world and that of Rose. Meanwhile, they have to find a way to get back home. This was an enjoyable read because it was very clever to have contemporary issues with that of Sleeping Beauty's.
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

As a devoted reader of Morgan Matson’s books (including her first middle-grade novel), I was excited to read Promchanted. However, unfortunately I found it tedious to read, mostly because I had a difficult time connecting with the protagonist, Stella.

The characters in Morgan’s other novels are well developed, layered, and often, flawed. Despite these elements, they all have an endearing quality that immediately made me root for them. Stella is not unlike the character Andie in The Unexpected Everything, driven and hyper organized/Type A. However, there usually is a quality in Matson’s characters (or their lives) that quickly dispels the notion that they are perfect/lead perfect lives. Stella seemingly doesn’t have one, apart from her obvious distress over her breakup. In my opinion, the character is far too rigid in nature and by the time the breakup happened, much less the changes in her mindset, I didn’t feel empathetic to her situation. Any changes that did occur felt forced and inorganic to who the character genuinely was.

The other characters were wonderful, although I think Reese should have been fleshed out more. Given the fact that I frequently re-read her prior novels (and am itching for a continuation of The Firefly Summer), I’m not sure why Matson’s writing fell flat for me and thus, disappointed me. Perhaps it’s me? Perhaps it’s because all of her other novels are grounded in a very real, though idealistic at times, world. I guess I should just chalk it up to the fact that I was not enchanted by this particular story.

Disney fanatic here!!! As a Disney obsessed person, I saw this title and immediately knew I had to read it. I am so glad I got the chance to. This book is definitely a good read for YA audience. It geared toward the high school prom area. Who wouldn't want to go to Disneyland before prom?! Overall, if you like Disney and a small high school feel...this is the book for you! Thank you to Netgalley and Disney Hyperion for the chance to read this magical book. :)

Promchanted is a fun and whimsical Disney theme YA book. While Stella wasn't my favorite character, she comes around in the end. I know my teens will enjoy reading this.

This is the perfect book for anyone who loves Disney and wishes they too could enter into the story. It's a fun and easy read with the perfect amount of romance thrown in. There's also some science fiction elements thrown in with the idea of traveling back in time, or in this case to a different world, and dangers of the "ripple" effect.

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for the e-ARC!

I really enjoyed reading this book. I will admit the main character Stella was kind of annoying at times and needed to get over herself but she had some decent character development so I’ll forgive that. Seeing the main characters from sleeping beauty in a different way was a lot of fun, and many elements from the classic Disney movie were definitely there. The story was quite predictable, though that’s just the nature of these kind of stories I guess. It was still fun to read.

One of the more unique takes on a Disney EU/AU, Promchanted is gonna be well received for both Disney adults and teen fans alike.

Super cute book with magical realism and the drama of highschool playing together. I think this will be enjoyed by our teens at the library.

I loved this book! I devoured it in only a few sittings and wish there was more to read. The story line was paced very well and the characters were easy to love!

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for this DRC.
Stella Griffin is fairy tale hater, but she loves Disneyland. She’s been planning for year’s to spend the day at Disneyland before going to prom. Her boyfriend has just dumped her and her best friend has just brought along an unemployed waiter named Reece that she just can’t stand. But when Stella and Reece step into Sleeping Beauty’s castle more than one magical thing happens!
I love the story and the writing and Disneyland. I just didn’t like Stella. She only had one personality trait and it was very wearing and off-putting making it hard to believe that Reece would be attracted to her.

#Promchanted #NetGalley

3.5/5

Promchanted is a take on what happens if you stumbled into the plot of Sleeping Beauty on the night of your prom and needed to make sure you didn't mess it up via the Butterfly Effect. The idea is clever and it plays right into the playfulness of Disneyland itself, however, the execution felt lacking. The pacing is really off. The book felt repetitive, dragging in some places where I found myself skimming. This would have been much more interesting if told through the various perspectives of the characters we meet along the way. The plot was also wholly predictable. I read a lot of YA and I don't often find myself knowing exactly what is coming next, but here I did. It was written with a YA sophistication, but felt very middle grade in content. Because of this, the characters kind of fall flat. Our MCs come off as cliche and follow their troupe lines very well. But there is no dynamic to them, nor do I feel like there is a strong connection between them. Because we are only following Stella's POV, the rest of the characters feel one note.

That being said, I know this will be a hit with teen readers. A magical trip to Disneyland before prom followed by a storybook adventure? They will eat that up. Sleeping Beauty and Maleficent also seem to be a big hit still. Strong effort, just wish it was a little better executed.

Who doesn't like a Disney Princess like YA book? This is the cutest book and I would recommend it to anyone who likes Disney or roots for the underdog. You will fly through the book, wanting to know what happens in the end.

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of Promchanted. I was very excited to read another book by Morgan Matson, and while I enjoyed it, this one was definitely not my favorite.

A time-travel story involving Sleeping Beauty should be right up my alley, but I just wasn't connecting with the characters like I wanted to. I didn't dislike this one, but it wasn't something I want to rave about either. Maybe I just wasn't in the right headspace at the time of reading. I do have a lot of Disney fans who visit the library, though, so I think this will be a worthy addition to our collection.

Fans of rom coms, fans of Disney fairytales, you have a match!
I truly enjoyed this book. I read it super quick and am ready for a sequel!

As a fan of Morgan Matson, I was excited when I learned about this book and was not disappointed. Matson's charming style was complemented perfectly by the Disney magic we love.

Who doesn't love a new YA Disney love story? I found this book to be adorable and relatable for teens. I don't typically read YA but I loved this one as a Disney adult I will definitely be recommending this book to some of my middle grades kids as well as teens. This is such a cute "love" story with Disney magic sprinkled throughout.

Promchanted is a teen novel where reality meetings fairy tale. Stella is a teen who feels the need to control everything. She literally doesn't know how to just enjoy the moment. Everything she does is planned down to the minute. At first she thinks everything is great, but then her boyfriend dumps her before prom, putting a wrench in all her carefully laid out plans. But she decides to forge ahead, only to have her friend invite a guy to their prom day Disney outing in her date's place. Turns out it's the waiter who witnessed her rather public break up. She's certain things couldn't possibly get worse...until they do.

Stella and waiter boy, Reece, seemingly get pulled into a fairy tale. One Stella apparently doesn't really remember (She's American and goes to Disneyland all the time. Mind boggling, right?),. Fortunately Reece knows the story and is determined to have everything go right so the fairy tale can have its happily ever after and maybe they can get home. That is, if they still want to go home after everything.

So what did I think?

First off, this book was quite long. It's less than 20 pages off breaking 400. I did feel like there were things that could have been pared down to streamline the story a little.
I also would classify this book as Teen fiction, not YA (there is a difference). This is a high school teen fantasy romance for sure. The main character is in high school and the most you get that would be concerning is the eventual kiss and maybe, if you have never seen the movie, you can stretch that and include the battle scene. Maybe. Not really.

That said, Stella was a pretty believable character. Though I did find that she let go of her need for a plan quite easily. She's spent 16-17 years of her life basically planning everything in her life in an attempt to control things. It is nice that she did have a realization that there is such thing as too much planning and that sometimes living in the moment is the best thing though. It was a well done "Aha" moment.

I didn't mind Reece. But he did very much feel like a background/support character. I really wished some of the 387 pages were devoted to getting things from his point of view. Maybe a look at that castle they kept mentioning. I wanted to hear about the library and the map room too!!! It wasn't just Stella! I also think it would have helped to flesh him out a bit as a character. Oh well.

Phil and Rose were interesting too. Rose was pretty much what I would imagine her to be, but Phil was a bit of a surprise. It worked though!

What really got me was the end bits. The who surprised me because I felt it should be the other way round. It just felt like it would be more believable then what did happen. And what did they do with Delilah at the end? Where did she end up living? Hopefully there's a book two adventure to tell us!

All in all I really enjoyed Morgan Matson's fresh spin on a fairy tale classic. She didn't 'ruin' anything for the Disney version fairy tale diehards. In fact, I think she might have actually added to the experience by allowing you to get to know more about the characters. Including Samson. lol I do think it could have been trimmed up a little bit, for the sake of length but it was still a pretty good read. as a fairy tale retelling, it does not disappoint!

"Promchanted", by Morgan Matson, is a YA novel based in magical realism. Stella is a Type-A high schooler who likes to have everything planned in advance. However, when her boyfriend dumps her just weeks before Prom, all of her plans have been ruined. Her friends are determined to keep her smiling, so they take her to DisneyLand before Prom, and a new friend tags along. Reece is an unknown to Stella, and he drives her crazy. However, when Reece and Stella end up hanging out together, they find a hidden door in Sleeping Beauty's castle and are transported into the fairy tale. They have to work together to survive Malificent and escape from the fairy tale.

I thought this book has an original storyline, but I didn't really believe the Stella/Reece pairing. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

"Promchanted" by Morgan Matson is an enchanting and whimsical tale that will sweep readers off their feet. Stella Griffin's skepticism towards love stories takes a delightful turn when she finds herself transported into the very world of fairy tales she once doubted. Matson masterfully weaves a story that blends contemporary realism with fantastical elements, resulting in a heartwarming and unique narrative.

Stella's journey from prom-night disappointment to an unexpected adventure in a fairy tale realm is captivating. As she navigates the world of Sleeping Beauty alongside the charming yet challenging Reece, readers are treated to a rollercoaster of emotions, from hilarious clashes to heartwarming connections. Matson's writing shines as she deftly brings to life the classic characters of Aurora, Phillip, Maleficent, and others while giving them new dimensions through Stella and Reece's perspectives.

The evolution of Stella and Reece's relationship is a highlight of the story. Their initial friction evolves into a touching camaraderie and shared purpose as they endeavor to restore the fairy tale's balance. Matson skillfully explores themes of personal growth, friendship, and the transformative power of belief in a way that resonates with readers of all ages.

"Promchanted" reminds us that even in a world that seems fantastical, the struggles and triumphs of love and self-discovery are universal and relatable. With humor, heart, and a touch of magic, Morgan Matson has crafted a delightful narrative that ultimately affirms the power of true connection and the possibility of happily-ever-afters, both within the pages of a book and in our own lives. This novel is a testament to the author's storytelling prowess and is sure to leave readers with a satisfied smile and a renewed belief in the magic of love.