I was blown away by the depth of character in this novel. It's YA, and marketed as High School Musical + Beauty and the Beast. (It is both of those.) But it's also a perfect read for teens who feel they don't fit in, for anyone who is struggling to find their place.

Natalie is a strong young woman, with beauty and grace and character. Even when the adults in her life don't see it, her heart knows her value.

"Jerk kids are perks no matter what you look like."

She's an athlete, actress, and artist - who deserves the best of each of those worlds. And like most teens, she's carrying the burden of everyone's expectations. Not only that, but it seems like nobody wants to tell Natalie the truth.

Dealing with life, even while you're in a musical, is part of growing up. Natalie's a great character, and a great MC for any YA fan.

I enjoyed this ya romance that kind of gave me beauty and the beast vibes. It was sweet. This one threw in all my favorite troupes, and some of my favorite pop culture references.

I thought this was a perfect coming of age story and not one that told with just grace. The writer did a great job with character development and keeping your hooked. It touches on so many things teen face today, I felt the author really laid it out perfectly. It must read for every age, not just the YA group. It is the perfect story to read with your daughter and talk about how you felt when reading it.
There were times when the main character had me laughing, she is every teen girl so relatable.

Natalie has everything mapped out for her, good grades, passion for theater, good at swimming enough to get her in a good college far away from her parents. But when new kid Campbell starts to notice her, just maybe she will have a boyfriend too. But he has secrets she doesn't see coming. This is altar universe she had never navigated before so to meet him where he is she needs to be all in. So, when he shuts her out, she keeps pushing because she knows who he really is not what he believes he is.

Great Book! Thank you, Kristin,!

I do think the romance was so sweet, and I think it provided into the struggles of having a single parent can be like for some people. I did think it was pretty impressive how the main character has so many commitments. I just think this was a little bit too slow for me to fully fall in love with it.

This book was so much more than I thought it would be. It focuses on a struggling single dad as her works, goes to school full time, does swim team, star in the school musical, and navigate his growing feelings for Natalie. The two do everything they can to ignore their connection but their feelings quickly get messy and complicated.

Altogether, I would rate this book a four out of five stars. The only reason it is not a five is because the beginning was a little on the slow side, but don't let it deter you. I am very glad that

This was a really well written YA novel, that handles a lot of really heavy topics in a very mature and realistic way. I find sometimes with YA novels that sometimes they seem too silly and out there with how teenagers handle the situations they are thrust in but I didn't feel that way at all with this book. Nat is our heroine, she's in her senior year, start student, swimmer, and a talented musical theatre performer, who never gets the lead because of her tall/larger build. I was so inspired by how she valued her mind and body, she had the kind of confidence that reminded me of when I was younger, it's tough having your weight commented on by your mom, teachers, family friends, etc. but you have to accept your body type and learn to love it for what it can do. The romance was good, again, felt very realistic and the hurdles that they faced were very compelling to read without getting annoying! Cam was very shy and quiet, he was dealing with a lot in his home life and it was really lovely to see him open up to Nat about everything going on and for them to grow together. You're left feeling hopeful for their relationship and their futures!

This romance was sweet and angsty. I called a few things that happened before they did, but I was still surprised how the story unfolded. I really enjoyed Campbell and Natalie's story. I loved Natalie standing up for herself against Finney in the last chapter. He had that awakening coming and, while the final getting together was abrupt, I loved how it ended. Thank you to Netgalley and Owl Hollow Press for the eARC of this novel. I really enjoyed reading it.

A lovely coming of age story about some of the difficult topics that teens face such as bullying and body shaming. It has very likable and endearing characters and I loved seeing them bond and grow with each other. I wasn't expecting this to be quite as heavy as it was but it was a beautiful story that explored some important topics and I think I would have really appreciated this when I was a teen. It started out a bit slow but overall it's a good story

Thank you to Netgalley, Owl Hollow Press and Kristin Wright for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a wonderfully written, very compelling YA contemporary romance. I found myself rooting for Natalie, our point of view character, almost from the first page. Nat is smart, ambitious and dedicated, a star on the swim team and a committed musical theatre performer as well as a top student in her senior year.

We get to know a little about her family, her mother's overbearing concern about her heavier and taller physique, and her father's support as a professor at the local state university. The first major disappointment for Nat comes when she misses out on the lead in Beauty and the Beast - to make things worse, her beloved theatre teacher even admits that it's all about her physique and nothing to do with her talent and ability. Outwardly, Natalie rolls with the disappointment with the kind of confidence that young people will admire and respect in her character. I found myself really inspired by how well she knew herself and how much she valued her mind, character and body for everything she could do throughout the story. This book truly delivers the kind of body neutrality/positivity that I wish I had read more of as a teenager!

Of course, the romance wouldn't be a romance without a love interest! Campbell, a senior like Nat, is relatively new to the school and very reserved; they have seen each other at swim training every weekday for a year without ever really exchanging a word. When he surprises everyone by audtioning for the spring musical - and getting cast as the Beast - he and Natalie are quickly drawn towards each other. There were plenty of swoon-worthy moments as the romance between them developed, slowly, tensely, and not always in a hopeful direction... By the time we reach the resolution and Nat and Campbell find themselves at the start of a new, post-high school chapter in each of their lives, we are left with the genuine sense that their happy-for-now might just be forever. Or maybe it won't - and maybe that'll be okay, too. Whatever happens, Nat and Campbell feel well-matched, hopeful, realistic, excited, nervous and carefree all at once - a lovely, relatable and realistic high school coming-of-age.

This book touches on some quite heavy topics that I don't often see written about so openly in the YA space, including sex ed and abstinence education, unplanned pregnancy, and alcohol misuse. Kristin Wright does a stellar job of giving the issues the weight they deserve without casting judgement. The whole cast of characters - from the popular girl playing Belle to the usually-cool dad who freaks out when Nat starts dating - show Nat (and the reader) that they will always have the capacity to surprise us. Overall, I really enjoyed this story - an adorable, just-on-the-PG-13-side of steamy romance with a huge, human heart.

Here's Where She Meets Prince Charming is published May 21 2024 by Owl Hollow Press.

I preface my review in stating that I don't read a lot of YA novels. Maybe it's my age, or maybe because I don't tend to find the situations realistic (especially in resolution).

Which is all to say that I was pleasantly surprised, and in a good way, with this novel.

Now it's been a hot minute since I've been in high school, but the characters were so realistic, and the I sympathized with their struggles and insecurities. There wasn't one time where I said to myself "as if."

Natalie and Campbell are absolutely great and well-written characters, and the supporting cast were as well.

Without giving too much away, I have to say that I loved the ending. I haven't been that satisfied with a conclusion of a novel in a long time.

The story was a bit slow to get going, but I also appreciate the time spent developing the characters and plot.

This was definitely one of the better reads I've read all year. This romance was better than a lot of modern day adult-geared novels. I look forward to reading more from this writer. I will definitely had Kristin Wright to my must-read list.
***
Disclaimer: I received and advance copy through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you Kristin Wright and Owl Hollow Press for the copy.

I have to say I actually really liked this book, and I wasn’t expecting to! It had the high school drama, the character growth and the romance *chefs kiss*.

I liked how the storyline of Campbell having a baby developed to be honest, it delved into the stigma around teen pregnancy and explored change in responsibilities and lifestyles. I found the characters to be quite loveable and I liked how it all tied together at the end, Campbell had been secretly pining for Natalie from the moment he stepped foot in the school and he got his girl! Natalie matured and got her happy ending. Enjoyable.

4 stars - it's a cutsie read that I devoured from start to finish. I think the characters were brilliant and the reveals about characters were well done. The pacing is great and it is an all round brilliant read. Highly recommend for readers who love a cute, easy read that has great characters

Here’s Where She Meets Prince Charming by Kristin Wright, 263 pages. Owl Hollow Press, 2024. $15.
Language: R (187 swears, 5 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
As a senior, this will be Natalie’s (17yo) last school musical, and she’s ready for the female lead. She doesn’t get it. But more surprising is that quiet Campbell (17yo) is cast as the male lead. Every interaction they have leaves Natalie with more questions than answers, and she’s determined to wheedle every detail of his life out of the reluctant Campbell.
Like Natalie, I, as the reader, came to respect Campbell and to see a perspective I have not often considered. Campbell’s secret inspired a variety of responses from the characters, and it was interesting to think about the actions I did and did not agree with. The story feels real and relevant, and I appreciate that Wright kept that feeling through the last page, giving her characters realistic solutions that did not make everything magically better.
Natalie is White (her mom is American and her dad is English), Noah is Black and is also gay, and Marisa is described as having “light tan” skin. The mature content rating is for underage drinking; mentions of drugs, condoms, orgies, and sex; groping; nudity; and innuendo. The violence rating is for assault.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Before I dive into this review, I have to share that I received an ARC of this book and went in completely blind—I'd forgotten the blurb entirely. And let me tell you, I'm so glad I did because WOW! This book pulled me in right from the beginning.

This incredibly poignant story follows the lives of two high school students, Natalie and Campbell, during their senior year. Now, these two already know each other from the swim team, but they start spending a lot more time together when they both star in the school play. It’s a beautiful development, watching their relationship unfold in such a natural way.

But here’s the real kicker: I wasn’t expecting the book to tackle some very relevant social issues for teenagers, and it did so in a way that was neither overbearing nor preachy. The writer did a commendable job weaving these issues into the story, making it both touching and thought-provoking. I was really impressed.

Natalie and Campbell are such well-crafted characters. Natalie is confident, practical, and level-headed, yet she’s also vulnerable to the heartbreaks that come with being a teenager. And Campbell? So sweet! I loved how both characters actually think and speak like real teenagers. It’s so refreshing compared to other books where teens talk like adults.

The writing itself is solid, and the story’s conclusion is satisfying—it’s realistic and avoids being overly fairy tale-like. It was the perfect ending for a story that tugged at my heartstrings from start to finish.

This was a super sweet and relateable story. It was fun to read about problems and issues teenagers deal with in a mature way. It explores heavier topics with a lot of care. The characters were sweet and I loved seeing their relationship developing.

I was pleasantly surprised by this coming of age book. The first half was a little slow, but the last half delivered a beautiful story about many of the difficult issues teens face. Bullying, body-shaming, and teenage pregnancy were some of the issues this book explores in an often heartbreaking but beautiful way.

Natalie is a senior in high school with her future ahead of her. She is a star on the swim team and has just been cast in a school play. Tall and strongly-built, she is also the victim of bullying.

When the new student, Campbell, also snags a part in the play, Natalie finds herself curious about her quiet and handsome classmate. As she gets to know Campbell, she finds a friend with challenges she would never have imagined.

This book has a very sweet and relatable vibe. I enjoyed getting to know the characters. I really found myself connecting with Campbell as I learned his story. A little heavier than I was expecting, this book beautifully explores the struggles many face, teenagers and adults alike. I loved it.

Here's Where She Meets Prince Charming will be published May 21, 2024.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Owl Hollow Press for the opportunity to read this lovely book.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. As a fan of Wright's adult mystery books, I was interested in reading this book as I do like some YA. My only hesitation was the release date and fast turnaround. I was able to fit this book into my reading prior to the release date of May 21.

This book is much deeper and more complex with adult like theme problems and life challenges than I anticipated. Not wanting to give anything away, I really liked Natalie as a strong female character. Natalie struggles somewhat with her size being teased, as she's quite tall and athletic due to swimming. She enjoys singing in school plays and has a supportive best friend. Having a mother who criticizes her eating/snacking was difficult and may be triggering to readers. Natalie tried out for the lead in the school play The Beauty & The Beast, but gets a lesser role. Campbell, a quiet transfer student, gets the lead. He's also on the swim team with Natalie.

Campbell has a secret, and it's not at all what I was thinking. It's not necessarily something shameful, although society looks down on young people in his situation. I absolutely hated how his parents treated him about it. There's an attraction between Natalie and Campbell. He's worried, though, how his secret would impact them dating. Once it's revealed, a lot makes sense. There's a lot of parental influence, which I appreciated as realistic in a YA book. There's kissing and making out but totally PG, although the conversations about sex and intimacy are very adult, as well as the consequences of being sexually active.

Like I said, I had a hard time with how Natalie was being bullied for her size by another student and how her mother dealt with eating / dieting. It was also really heartbreaking to see how Campbell's parents treated him. Natalie sees adults as "old" and not having a clue what teenagers are experiencing. As a 40- something adult, I can day I remember with clarity and horror my 17 year old self.

Overall, it was solid writing, although the ending felt a bit rushed. I would have liked to see them at the prom. Releases 5/21/24, 4/5☆.

Overall, this is a beautifully crafted book, especially the last half! There is a lot of discussion about topics that we do not always in a YA novels.
Without going into detail, Campbell and Natalie are characters that a lot of people can see themselves in. Once the twist hits there is a lot of internal struggles faced by both characters that make you really think about life as a teenager in modern society.
As a theatre kid, I enjoyed the pieces and parts that talked about the play, but it was not too heavy for a none theatre people.
Altogether, I would rate this book a four out of five stars. The only reason it is not a five is because the beginning was a little on the slow side, but don't let it deter you. I am very glad that I read this book!

For a YA book, this was surprisingly heavy. Natalie is on a very straight path to get into the college of her dreams, and then she meets Campbell, who is a guarded and mysterious boy that just transferred from another school. He mostly stays to himself, but there is something about him that draws Natalie to him. As she gets to know him, she finds that he has a secret of his own, and this secret rules his life and his future. I really enjoyed this book. The characters had a definite chemistry, and you are rooting for them the whole time.

I will say there were a couple times that I would get really mad at certain characters in this book. First, Natalie's mother. She is really hard on Natalie when it comes to her body, saying that she should watch what she eats, etc. The second is the bully, who is so horrible and truly a terrible person. Overall, though, I would give this book a 4/5.