Thanks for this book, but I couldn't finish it. At all.

For a bunch of reasons:

-The MC. She was just bland, boring, and I wished she grew some balls to say no to people and just find her own kind of people to have fun with.
-The show. I was really looking forward to it, but then found it quickly to be a big nope. These guys don't stop for anything to get material for their show. Even if that means filming an underaged girl in her underwear. Or stalking her to the ends of earth. What?
-The toilet stuff got a bit eh. I don't really see what is the big deal that her dad makes toilets and why that is so embarrassing. What are you, 4?

So yeah, I was really looking forward to this one, but in the end it just wasn't for me.

This book had it's moments. Both really cute and funny, and a few that went on a bit too long. I loved Adrianna "Andy" Bottom, heir to the Bottoms Bathroom dynasty. She's funny, quirky, and a little unsure of herself, but she's also got a solid backbone that I loved. When her family moves from the Pacific Northwest down to Beverly Hills, subject of a new reality show based on their bathroom products, she becomes the Porcelain Princess. The victim of ridicule in her old school, she has a chance to reinvent herself in Southern California. But things go unexpectedly, hilariously wrong when on the first day of school, her new pencil skirt splits right down the back, revealing her Wonder Woman underwear for the entire world to see, literally, since the cameras are always there.

While she quickly makes friends, she sets her sights on cute, but nerdy, Kevin. Her new friend tells her that would be social suicide, so Adrianna finds a way to dodge the cameras and become someone else, someone Kevin might be interested in. The world of live-action role playing (LARPing) takes center stage as Adrianna attempts a Hannah Montana life of having the best of both worlds.

The romance is sweet and the life of a reality-TV star makes for some hysterical moments, but the LARPing was almost a distraction. I loved that side of the story, but a lot of attention was paid to the LARPing events. The first one was great. I loved seeing how their world worked, sort of like living Dungeons & Dragons. But by the third event, I found myself skimming those sections. I knew Adrianna and her friends weren't in real danger, so the sword battles and treasure hunting didn't hold my attention. I flipped past those, looking for the nuggets that moved the main plot along.

Plot
The plot centers around Adrianna's relationship with Kevin with strong subplots involving LARPing and her family's business. Themes include being true to yourself and loyalty to friends. The main plot was good. There isn't much heat in the relationship, but it's definitely cute and I was pulling for these two the whole way.

Characters
I liked all of the characters. Even the antagonist, the show's camera guy, is more than a stereotype. Some seemed cardboard on the surface, but by the end of the story, it was clear what everyone's motivations were.

What Didn't Work for Me
1. Long LARPing Expeditions. These distracted me from the main plot too much.

2. Southern California Life. Some of it didn't come across as authentic. Beverly Hills teens don't take the bus. In fact public transportation in LA is pretty much a joke. I also have a hard time believing a small plumbing store could afford the rents on Rodeo Drive. And there are few empty lots anywhere in town that resemble a forest, but I could overlook most of this for the sake of the story.

What I Enjoyed About SECRETS OF A RELUCTANT PRINCESS
1. Adrianna. She was really complex. Part nerd, part cool kid, tough yet vulnerable, there was much to like about our heroine.

2. Kevin. Sometimes I wanted to shake him, other times I felt bad for him, but I always pulled for him to get the girl.

3. Comedy. The author does a fabulous job of weaving wit and humor throughout the story.

4. LARPing. While I didn't need to read all the details of their quests, I absolutely love this idea of dressing up and becoming another character. Like Comic-Con on steroids.

5. Reality TV. I don't actually watch any reality TV aside from competitions on the Food Network, but I loved the behind-the-scenes look at life in front of the camera.

Bottom Line
SECRETS OF A RELUCTANT PRINCESS is a cute, funny romance with lovable characters.

Adrianna or Andy's family came into the limelight overnight when his father's business shot to fame. Now, they are even having their own reality tv show but all Andy wants is freedom from all the cameramen following her everywhere. With Kevin, she feels like she can be normal but becomes difficult when she is warned not to mix with him because he's the school nerd. The only way she breathes in peace for a little while is by LARping but when all the secrets explode in her face, she has to step up in her game or lose everything.

The plot was enjoyable but a lot predictable. I almost DNF'ed it because it felt it was not going anywhere but it suddenly picked up momentum. This book had its moments but the negative factors overpowered it. When Andy's family shoots to fame, they sign a contract for a reality tv show which becomes a complete nightmare for Andy. I don't understand one thing, why does most of the parents in YA makes shitty decisions all the time, they seem less matured than the kids which is completely lame! Likewise, even when Andy's parents knew what she was going through they didn't do anything for a long time except for some screaming sometimes but it is not much until later that they take strict decisions.

I didn't connect with the characters much either. I felt bad for Andy, though, she was in this mess because of her parent's business but she didn't stand up to her choices either but it was still understandable since she was bullied in her previous school for the very same reason. I wanted to like Kevin but he was too quick to judge and I am not much of a fan of people who judge too quickly even without knowing the other side of the story.

I really, really hated Lennox, he seemed quite unaware of that fact that NO MEANS NO!! It was later revealed that he was mostly acting due to Corbin's talking but that doesn't make this any okay! I don't know how everything was rainbow and sunshine, in the end, all of it felt very unrealistic. Also, the LARing was kind of boring to read as well, I mostly skimmed those sections.

Overall, wasn't much of a good read. The plot and the characters were predictable. The writing was easy to read but the pace differed throughout the book.

Recommend it?

No.

Secrets of a Reluctant Princess by Casey Griffin......This book was really enjoyable and geeks always makes it a great read. It had all the feels and keeps you turning pages. It was fun watching Andy and Kevin's story be told. If you are looking for a sweet fun book this one is for you. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book from publisher via NetGalley.

I have to admit I found Secrets of a Reluctant Princess to be far too formulaic to keep my interest. There have been some GREAT geek YA novels lately (e.g.,The Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl and the fantastic The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You) and so there is much to measure up to in this subject. But cardboard characters, the prototypical plot, a rather unfunny attempt at humor, and an insipid topical plot left me very underwhelmed.

Story: Andy is a geek who was bullied her whole life in Seattle because her father makes toilet/bathroom accessories. But when one of his inventions make them rich, they move to Beverly Hills and become the subject of a reality TV show: the Bathroom Barons. Our Porcelain Princess has the chance to be popular and hang out with the cool kids at Beverly Hills High - but are they interested in her or her fame? And why does she keep thinking about the handsome boy who enjoys Live Action Role Playing (LARP) and is bullied because of it? Life is about to get even more complicated for the Porcelain Princess when the producer of the TV show takes matters into his own hands to make the show racier and more scandalous.

There are two 'hooks' with this book: The Kardashians-like life of a reality TV star and the geek world (anime, comics, Larping). The problem here is that neither angles are really explored or expounded upon in a way that elevates the story. The reality TV angle should have been funny but it became tedious fast - Andy being hounded by an unconscionable producer and many misrepresentations of otherwise innocent situations. There's so much room here for a clever social commentary but Griffin never really explores the wealth of satire available; the TV show is just set dressing so Andy can have misunderstandings with hot geek boy Kevin.

The geek angle is similarly grossly underused. We are told over and over that she loves geeky things like comic books and anime. But other than a few sentences and a wardrobe malfunction featuring wonder woman emblazoned underwear, we get absolutely no perspective of Andy's secret geekiness. There is no 'show' to the 'tell' - nothing about anime whatsoever, no parallels to her life and comic characters, no superhero Easter eggs or wink winks. Rather, all we know of Andy is that she hates the cameras around her, is annoyed that her parents didn't buy her a car, and she has the hots for geek boy Kevin. My own geek heart wilted and cried at the missed opportunities - even the Larping with Kevin felt contrived and unrealistic. Neither character felt authentic as a result.

The book also hits most of the cliches of the YA romance genre: insta luv, big misunderstandings, smelling the boy all the time, girl being rude and mean to show that she is 'spirited', the boy not minding the rude and obnoxious attitude and thinking that is 'cute', the archetypal mean girls and stupid jocks in high school, the interrupted confessions, etc. etc. I've read this before and there just isn't a single original piece in this entire book, sadly.

Secrets of a Reluctant Princess isn't a terrible book. I'd categorize it as a light fluffy read for undemanding readers who think the Kardashians are awesome. Everyone else might be a bit bored by the well worn path this book's plot takes. Those who love geek stories should really check out the two books mentioned earlier in the review - they revel in, explore, and really bring out the pathos and humor in the wonderful world of comics, anime, and geekdom. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

I must admit- although I love NA and contemporary romance, I have such a soft spot for YA romance! Maybe it's because I was a late bloomer was my high school love life was pretty much non-existent? At any rate, I adored Secrets of a Reluctant Princess! My only knowledge of LARP (live action role play) was from an episode of Good Luck Charlie called "LARP in the Park", which means= not much. I loved learning about larping and felt the author did a great job explaining it. Such a fun book! This book is a great clean romance and I would feel very comfortable recommending it to a high schooler.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
Thanks to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Secrets of a Reluctant Princess by Casey Griffin. This silly, charming and sometimes cheesy clean read tells the story of Adrianna Bottom, Andy for short. Andy has to deal with being called Porcelain Princess because of her family's toilet accessories business as well as the reality TV show highlighting them. Since her real name is Adrianna Bottom, Andy has already been bullied endlessly about her last name, even before becoming the Porcelain Princess. Her family has now moved, so Andy is attending a new school and the bullying doesn't take long to start. On top of the bullying, she has to deal with the producer of the reality show being pushy and invading every aspect of Andy's life that he can. This quick read has romance, humor and the lesson of keeping secrets, 4 stars.

Be still, my heart! Friends, I'm about to shamelessly gush about this book. Consider yourself warned. I mean, I admit that it did take me a few chapters to warm up to Andy but once I did? Well, you couldn't have pried me away from this book if you tried. It has everything I love. Great characters, realistic life lessons, sweet romance, and LARPing. Yes, LARPing. My nerdy heart is so happy right now.

Andy, or Adrianna as her mother prefers she goes by, is the type of character that I wish we saw more of in YA literature. Used to being bullied and mocked, she uses her fresh start in her "new life" to remake herself into someone who avoids all that. The problem is, that she soon learns that it's difficult be someone you're not. Even more than that, she learns that sometimes fitting in means being the bully. If more teens learned that lesson early on, well, high school might not be such a difficult space to exist in.

My absolute favorite part of this story though was that it was a love letter to nerdom. Griffin points out the deep divide that exists between the popular crowd, and the "nerds". However she goes beyond that by showing that it's perfectly acceptable to love what you love. Comics, drawing, cosplay, it's all in here. I was instantly able to tell that Griffin did her research, and I adored the spotlight that she gave to this group that is often ignored.

Then there were the characters. Most importantly, or maybe I have a minor crush myself, is Kevin. Kevin is sweet. He's kind, honest, and he loves LARPing. It takes his character, unafraid to be himself, to teach Andy who she really wants to be. The awkward, often tear-jerking relationship between these two was the icing on the cake really. I would have loved them even if they were just friends.

Secrets of a Reluctant Princess has it all. Family loyalty, forever friendships, high school drama, and enough giggle worthy moments to make the tear-jerking moments totally worthwhile. I loved this book! I genuinely hope you'll add it to your TBR, because it's well worth you time.

Received in exchange for a honest review.

Casey Griffin has knocked it out of the park with this book. I was so entertained and laughed so much. the book had a light hearted tone but dealt with some very real issues that teens go through. For Adrianna we get so much more.

She is a good honest character that gets lost in trying to change herself so she doesn’t experience the pains of being the butt of everyone’s jokes again and to also please her parents. Since her family was now on tv she didn’t know who was her friend or using her. She was kind hearted but did get lost in trying to please everyone but herself. It was Kevin that was a guide but she lost that along the way in her quest to not be who she was.

Kevin was a great guy. He was comfortable with who he was and doesn’t hide behind any pretenses. For this he was ostracized but didn’t care. He was kind, funny and honest. He had a thing for Casey but didn’t quite like all that she did. she was the geeky fun girl who liked comics and learned to love LARPing on the inside but portrayed something different on the outside. The producer of her show didn’t always paint her in a good light either and with things happening to her all the time it did make it hard for Kevin to always have faith in her. I hated to see him hurt by her actions whether it was unintentional or not. And his ex best friend was caught in the fray as well. Him and Kevin did need to work things out as well.

We see high school and how it really is for some. How pressure to fit in takes over and you lose yourself in the need not to be made fun of. We see how because of this we may lose our way and the one who likes us for who we really are and not what we portray to others. We see Casey struggle to fit both of her lives together and find a happy medium only in the end to realize that it is being true to yourself that matters and not what others think. Once she learns this she does everything she can to get back those that were true to her and herself in the process.

the book is entertaining, fun,endearing, addictive and light hearted. We see two people who like each other slowly not see eye to eye due to a series of events that cause one to lose their way. This makes them begin to question who they are and want to be themselves once again and the path to that isn’t easy. A funny book about finding yourself and being comfortable with who you are and getting a great guy and a wonderful set of friends in the process.

This had some really fun adventures, mishaps and action. I could picture every scene so clearly, it was like I was watching a fun teen rom com movie. It was indulgent in that same way, asking you to suspend your disbelief over several things, yet it was charming and such an incredible ride you had no issue with that.

The LARPing was so well-described, both in the way that someone not familiar could understand and in the way that you coud see trolls and magic spells and epic battles.

The school drama was the most indulgent as there is no way most of that would happen. Those kids would be expelled left and right but it is also unlikely that mean girls could rule the school. I did feel that this just adds to the humor and understanding of Andy though.

The message to be true to yourself and unafraid to show it is an oldie but always a goody. I liked the way that the theme was woven in and felt the mesage was obvious but not heavy-handed.

The romance here was really sweet and made me smile. It felt genuine too, including when Kevin doubts Andy. The humor was nice and punny and, well, I am a sucker for a good (or deliciously bad) puns!

I had a blast reading this book. Andy is a very believable character. From the start, I could totally relate to the sudden change in her lifestyle and her mental comments on her father's business had me cracking up. When Kevin's character starts appearing it gets even better. The budding relationship between them is really sweet, and there's Adrianna's acknowledgment of how Kevin would react to her real identity. I like to read YA a lot. So, if you're like me, this is the book for you to get your hands on. If you are not into YA, that's okay. I'm sure there is a different book out there for you. <3

Rating: 3.75/5 Penguins

Quick Reasons: Adrianna/Andy has a super entertaining, snarky, vibrantly-written voice; this was a roMESS if I've ever read one; that director is absolute slime; lots of angst and drama; the hilarious banter between the characters is SPOT ON; I could literally "see" each of these people in the pages

HUGE thanks to Casey Griffin, Entangled: Teen, Chapter by Chapter, and Netgalley for sending me a free digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review! This in no way altered my read of or opinions on this book.


---"But your heart, dare I ask, is it still free for the taking?"

The way he asks it makes my toes curl in excitement, like he's asking for himself. I give him a daring look. "No. It is not."

He sighs in exaggerated disappointment.

"It is mine for the giving."---


Hear ye, hear ye! On behalf of the Porcelain Princess (toilet thrones now 25% off at the door!) I present to you....my review! And what a grand thing it shall be, because... Wait, wait, cut. Okay, sorry penguins--my fingers got away from me. I just couldn't help myself! But this is a great way to start off--because this book? FILLED with snark, attitude, and just the right amount of teenage drama and hysterics. Seriously, if you're looking for an entertaining read with a HUGE personality, you need to pick up this one--I promise it won't let you down!

Having skimmed a few other reviews on goodreads, I can tell you it seems a majority of the readerly population was a bit... put off? by Andy/Adrianna's attitude and personality. HOWEVER...this was not the case on my end. I really enjoyed how snarky and strong-willed she is. While there were, admittedly, a few moments I cringed over (her decisions are, as the rest of humanity, rather flawed in some instances) I ADORED how much voice and spunk Casey Griffin managed to shove into each and every page. I found myself giggling aloud, dropping my jaw at some of the twists, and even raging alongside Andy as the world seemingly fell apart around her. I was thoroughly and immensely amused by her antics and her reactions to everything happening, and loved how much "growth" I saw in her throughout the read.


---I wonder if I should be worried that I'm smelling so many guys in one day, like some horny Chihuahua or something. It can't be normal. It's not like Teen Vogue has scratch and sniff centerfolds or anything. Maybe that should be a thing-- Eau de Boy Band.---


The plot is fairly predictable in some places--I mean, it IS a YA Contemporary Romance, after all. There are bound to be a few tropes and cliches along the way, right? But Casey Griffin managed to tell this story in a unique and inventive way, in my opinion--the "Bathroom Business" and ensuing reality TV show turned roadside disaster made this a quick, entertaining read. The focus on "being true to yourself" really helped to tie the story together in a seamless, engaging way, as well.

In the end, I proclaim this an enthralling, snarky, angsty read! I cannot wait to see what Casey Griffin delivers in the future--the amount of unique voice and personality she packed into these pages has me begging my liege for more. If you're seeking a quick, witty read with a ton of attitude, look no further than this one! Just promise not to drop it in the toilet, okay? Soggy pages are not good for reading.

Very cute YA romance. I'm probably way too old to read YA, but I can't help myself. When it's done well it's just so fun. This was that perfect balance of cute and funny, mixed in with real growing pains. It's hard being a teen. I remember so well the ups and downs, the absolute importance of (to my parents) minor issues, the insecurity, and the certainty that no else could possibly understand what I was going through. And the best YA books capture those feelings. I loved Andy, and I got her pain. Although as an adult I cringed at her choices and her mistakes, and could see the repercussions, I knew they were the choices teen me would have made. So I rooted for her, and giggled at the silliness of it all, and really enjoyed the ride.

Secrets of a Reluctant Princess by Casey Griffin is a YA contemporary novel that, for me, was reminiscent of stories like that of Disney's Princess Diaries, the movie Mean Girls, or even the 80's movie Teen Witch.

Adriana "Andy" Bottom is having her world turned completely upside down. Her family has moved from Seattle, WA to Beverly Hills, CA to be the newest reality TV family thanks to her father's successful bathroom accessory business. She'll be the Porcelain Princess. After being bullied in school due to her father's business, Andy isn't looking forward to being the new butt of everyone's jokes in a brand new school. After a horrific first day of school, with a tv film crew to capture every second of it, it seems there is no avoiding the bullying she tried to escape from at her old school. However, it seems that being a reality tv "princess" may change that for her: she just has to be ruthless and everything she's not.

Secrets of a Reluctant Princess is descriptive and Andy as a narrator definitely pulls you in. She is relatable in her desire to be accepted, as well as, her hope to please everyone and desire to be herself. I also loved Kevin, a sketch artist and comic-lover who spends his Sundays LARPing with his friends, as the love interest. He's a sweet hero who is caring and kind to Andy from the start when they first meet at his uncle's shop. My favorite scenes are between Andy and Kevin, especially when they were LARPing or when they are getting to know each other. I liked that Ms. Griffin included details about LARPing, a sub-culture that is not mentioned widely in novels, and we got to learn more about it through Andy as she joined in it for the first time herself.

What slowed the story for me at times while reading was how over-the-top some parts felt, especially in regards to the mishaps and misunderstandings that happen to Andy. There seemed to be a few too many, and it made her relationship with Kevin turn rocky when it didn't need to in my opinion. The ending makes up for any slowness. Once Andy gets her head on straight, so to speak, she really begins to take charge and you'll have to read the story to find out what happens.

Overall, the novel was enjoyable with a clear message that it is always important to be true to yourself. I would recommend to anyone looking for a fun and light novel to read.

(I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book I received from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my open and honest review.)

This is a clear case of it's not you, it's me.

I don't think I'm the right audience for this book; it's your typical YA book with a heroine who is about to have her life become a reality show as her dad "discovered" a fancy toilet or something. Anyway, I don't think anyone would be interesting in watching that but worse things have had a reality TV.

Our main character is annoying to be honest but the book touches a subject that a lot of teens might be in to so that's a plus.

Not my cup of tea but I'm sure it will find its audience.

Secrets of a Reluctant Princess follows Andy, a girl who has to reinvent herself as Adrianna, when her family scores a reality TV gig due to the success of their bathrooms and accessories line.
After moving away from a place and life she kind of loved, she becomes popular and has to dress and act completely differently from what she's used to, but one day, after evading the camera crew that constantly follows her, she meets Kevin, a boy who works in a small yet rival bathroom store, who has an interest in LARPing. Suddenly, Andy develops multiple interests, and has to battle between the girl she wants to be, and the girl she thinks she has to be.

Yep, this is essentially a fun, slightly ridiculous, version of Romeo & Juliet, in an American high school, with multiple references to bathrooms and other related products. Also, it's about LARPing. I almost can't wrap my head around it.

Kevin meets our protagonist as Adrianna, the new girl who has a reality TV show and who's popular and mean ad everything he doesn't want to befriend. Unbeknownst to him, he also meets her as Andy, a girl who is entirely his type.
Andy feels free when she's LARPing, but people would make fun of her if they knew she did it. She'd end up disappointing her parents and losing her friends and lots of other overly dramatic consequences. Instead of coming clean with Kevin about who exactly she is, she leads a double life, and continues to try to interact with him as both Andy and Adrianna.

The more I think about it, the more it reminds me of A Cinderella Story, except instead of talking online, they talk behind masks. If you liked A Cinderella Story and like cutesy and fun stories then you'd probably like this.

The story has a happy ending, because I'm not sure these kind of stories are allowed to have endings that aren't happy. You'll root for Kevin who really does seem like a nice guy, and you'll end up liking Harper, who's deeper than what she seems. Maybe you'll even enjoy the basic references to 'nerd culture' that they throw in too.
This is a big of feel-good fluff with some angst thrown in, but it's a nice way to spend some time.

Adrianna Bottom is comfortable being a geek, not as someone who her parents and their new reality show are trying to make her. Heir to the "Bottom" fortune, Andy is being reinvented by the network at her new school and in her new world. She meets Kevin and realizes that he could be a great friend, unfortunitly things don't always go as planned. This is a great story of friendship and self discovery. It includes the typical HS life, as well as LARPing! Fantastic fun to read and left me hoping that the reality show doesn't ruin Andy's life and relationships! I know my students will love this !

Secrets of a Reluctant Princess tells the story of Adrianna (Andy) Bottom. She moved to Beverly Hills because her dad's toilet products have been a hit in the market and now they're rich. And because of that, there'll be a TV show about them, called Bathroom Barons. Adrianna doesn't feel like a celebrity and hates the way her stylists dress her. She's an real geek. But because she'll be on TV, she has to change her look and her behaviour. She wants to be a cool kid but she falls in love with a geek, called Kevin. Will she give up her status of cool kid or will she admit her feelings for Kevin?

Secrets of a Reluctant Princess is such an enjoyable read. I finished it in one day because it's so fast paced and easy to read. The story is really funny and sometimes dramatic, but that makes the book so good. I love the geeky things in Secrets of a Reluctant Princess because I'm a geek myself. I love reading contemporary/young adult books like this one, so I highly recommend Secrets of a Reluctant Princess to everyone who loves contemporary/young adult books!

'Secrets of a Reluctant Princess' will make you laugh and swoon but most importantly it will endorse you in the larping action. Andy Bottom and her family enjoy sudden upgrade in their lives and Andy sees it as a chance to forget about her geek self and become her new self - a popular, reality show princess. As an educator I will definitely recommend this book because of its 'believe in your true self' message. I also enjoyed reading bathroom-bottom and all things toilet sense of humour. Well done Casey Griffin!