Princess Diaries, but make it gay! This is the book I did not know I needed! but oh wow! Jamie and Erik were so much fun to follow and I could not put this one down!

I really thought this book would be up my ally but I just didn't love it. The story was fun but I just don't think I enjoy this authors writing style unfortunately so I just found it hard to get through.

My December TBR was full of festive reads as you’d expect, until I stumbled across ‘The Rules of Royalty’ on NetGalley and instantly pushed it to the top of the list

As someone who’s obsessed with Red White and Royal Blue, or any royal romance, especially one involving two princes, they’re always a must read for me and this definitely did not disappoint. I devoured this in three days and although I may have been a teeny bit antisocial between christmas and new years…escaping to garden parties, luxurious balls and feeling like I’ve had my own lessons in regal etiquette was completely worth it

I adored both Princes Jamie and Erik and was completely invested in there journey and must say there communication skills were a huge highlight for me - just perfection!!

It was no surprise that this was one of the easiest 5-star ratings I’ve given for a while - what a way to round out my reading for 2024 and I’ll definitely be looking out for more reads from Cale Dietrich

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#Netgalley #TheRulesOfRoyalty

Rules of Royalty is a fabulous YA gay romance. It gives major princess diary vibes with Jamie discovering he's a prince & learning to deal with it.

I found the characters easy to route for. Even if I did wish that Erik fought a bit sooner.

The plot was well paced & the countries well developed.

This cosy read is perfect for fans of The Princess Diaries or Red, White & Royal Blue.

Unfortunately, this one was a DNF for me. I usually really enjoy royalty stories, but with the YA setting and the slightly juvenile writing, I didn't want to force myself to continue. I'm sure there's a great audience for this out there, but it's not me. I think I was expecting something different, I'm just the wrong reader for this one.

Short and sweet! The rules of royalty is a cute and fun YA book about a gay American who finds out he is a prince of a small country and how another prince helps him navigate his new role.

I loved the friends to lovers in this book and was really routing for these two! I did find however that their voices weren’t as destinât as they could have been making it hard to see them as two fully formed individuals. Overall, I would recommend this book to people who enjoy coming of age romances or liked the princess diaries.

Summary: On his seventeenth birthday, Jamie discovers he’s a prince, while Erik, a royal tutor, faces sparks that challenge duty.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book, all thoughts are my own.

(2.75) THE RULES OF ROYALTY is a cute, queer take on The Princess Diaries, perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston.

Following an American teenager finding out he is a prince, THE RULES OF ROYALTY explores queer relationships, politics, family, and friendships. While the plot was simple enough, and read rather like a movie, I found it difficult to enjoy as the characters are quite flat. I found myself glossing over hastily thrown together events such as the “only one bed trope” which didn’t really add anything to the development of the characters’ relationships.

Similarly, the book seems to lack any depth, with little character growth and true tension. This was disappointing as Dietrich’s previous books had apt character development. The dialogue was slightly strange as well, and I found it difficult to imagine Erik, the love interest as being a European royal given that he spoke in a distinctly American tone.

I would have loved more insight into Jamie’s change of identity to a prince, and more tension in his relationship with Erik. I would have also enjoyed further exploration into his relationship with his father and other royal members of his family. However, the book was easy enough to read and made for a light-hearted escape.

This was a fun YA read about Jamie Johnson, gay American high schooler, finding out he is the Prince of a small European country! He goes for the summer and the Prince of a neighbouring country is asked to give him ‘prince lessons’… although turns out Prince Erik is gay too, and he and Jamie really hit it off!

Unfortunately, Erik’s grandmother, the Queen, is not at all pleased that Erik wants a relationship with Jamie, and forbids him from dating Jamie, telling him he has to date the man she has chosen for him instead, Sebastian. But Sebastian doesn’t want to be in a relationship and definitely doesn’t care about Erik.

But the boys have grown close and Erik isn’t sure he wants to abide by his family’s rules any more…

I did like this - the premise of it being the Princess Diaries but gay was pretty accurate, but there were some glaring issues for me. Firstly, Erik’s grandmother is fine that he’s gay, but not fine with him dating a boy he chooses for himself… who is a literal prince? It seems like such a power trip and didn’t sit right with me. There is also a section where Jamie has a press conference after the press find out about him, and Erik agrees to help him prepare for it… by teaching him which forks to use at dinner and how to ride a horse? Huh? I also found the writing style a bit jerky - some unnecessary repetitiveness and unbelievable speech.

So overall a solid read but not one I’d read again I think. Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC of this book!

When Jamie is told the truth about his birth mother it’s a shock. His father is the King of Mitanor, making him the heir to the throne.
We follow Jamie as he visits Mitanor to spend some time with his father. Helping him come to terms with his new status is Erik, the second son and spare of another royal family. Erik is tasked with educating Jamie in manners of etiquette…but neither of them are prepared for the developing feelings they have for each other.
The likelihood of such a scenario is low. The chance of everyone involved being as well-adjusted as they all are is slim. However, it’s hard not to find Jamie’s story entertaining.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this.

Jamie finds out on his seventeenth birthday that he is the prince of a tiny European country called Mitanor, and then travels there to meet his father and learn about his new life as a prince. He receives help in navigating these new social circles from Erik, the spare heir of a neighbouring country. In between social engagements and etiquette lessons, sparks fly between the two princes. But their responsibilities may stand in the way of love.

The Rules of Royalty was a sweet queer take on The Princess Diaries. It delivered the elements I was expecting given this comp - etiquette lessons, wardrobe makeovers, and balls. I liked both Jamie and Erik, but found that their narrative voices weren't that distinct - I often forgot whose chapter I was reading. This didn't impact me following the plot, but perhaps made them less individual. Overall, it was a sweet romance, perfect if you enjoy a coming of age romance against a royal background.

I spoke to the publishing team at YALC and they really sold this book to me. The following day I sat on my sofa and devoured it.

If you like Red, White and Royal Blue, you will like this book. It's similar but different enough to be unique. I loved the European setting and the palace was very visual, I could imagine myself there. I loved the friendship to relationship trope and the fighting against your family for love. I was rooting for these two.

I would love a sequel, please :)

Super cute book I think will become a fire favourite amongst YA lovers.

Great pacing and well written characters. Loved the nod to the princess diaries!

It was okay at best. The way the main character found out he was royal and then made to be with the other main character felt a bit forced. Also the secondary character annoyed me! Just not for me.