3 stars -- I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.

I'm usually a sucker for royalty undercover stories, but this one fell a little flat for me. It had all the makings of a great book, but the characters weren't endearing enough for me to fall in love with them. Amber has this incredible backstory, but it really didn't play that much of a part and so seemed superfluous. And she was kind of mean sometimes to Nik...like it was supposed to be teasing, but I just found it kind of rude. Like I got what was supposed to be happening, but it just went too far and lacked empathy. (Her BFF Lauren was kind of rude too quite frankly, and gave some really bad advice at times)

And Nik was so back and forth, I kind of had a hard time figuring him out. He honestly was kind of arrogant and cold. And he didn't just appear that way, it came across in his inner thoughts sometimes too. Which is not a horrible thing, it can make sense with his upbringing. But then there would be these quick moments of vulnerability, and I felt them, but they were both so extreme, I just wished there was more in between Nik. Not sure if I'm making sense. It just became hard to imagine him as a person because his reactions were so...well, extreme.

Part of this could be just me being out of touch with teenagers and their hormones. There is definitely a bit of that going on. But I did feel like there could have been more subtlety for both of these characters.

And then, quite frankly, the story just happened really fast. It was like, no Amber didn't like him, to all of a sudden she did, to oh look they're kissing. I missed the transitions. And it even ended rather quickly. And I can't help but wonder where in the world their relationship is going to go.

So while that all sounds bad, it wasn't...it was just ok. It had some cute moments, but I just inevitably wanted more. And on a strange sidenote, the blurb says he literally runs into her. He doesn't. I hate it when people use literally wrong. Maybe he did in a previous version?

Fun and quirky read. Was enjoyable and I would recommend it to anyone for a light read :)

A book reminiscent of that movie The Prince and Me (which I loved, not gonna lie).

Niklas III of Lutgenstadt just wants to be normal and have normal experiences while he's young. He convinces his parents to let him attend his junior year at a boarding school in America. There he will be with the son of an old family friend and an undercover bodyguard (think janitor). But despite wanting to be "normal", Nik quickly realizes it's hard to break out of old habits.

Amber wants nothing to do with boys. Having her heart broken, in a horrible way I will admit, has her focus firmly in one direction - securing a photography internship. When she meets Nik, she's thrown off by his air superiority and vows to steer clear of him. Of course that doesn't work and she soon finds herself wrapped up in everything about him.

It was a cute plot. And I normally love these, but I couldn't connect with either of them. And honestly, I couldn't see why they ended up falling for each other. Almost all of their conversations consisted of them misunderstanding each other and awkward one liners. Amber was very frustrating because she kept criticizing Nik for how he acted, never taking a moment to realize that he was a foreigner in a new country. Give him time to adapt! As for Nik, well, starting a relationship based on a lie is obviously a good idea.

Everything kind of felt thrown together and very jilted. I guess I wanted more depth to characters. A quick and very easy read. Good if you're looking for something light.

4.5 stars

I really did enjoy reading this book.
This may sound weird but I felt like I was reading more a script for a movie than a book, I am saying it in the sense that this book was that good. As I read I had a whole movie playing in my head, Like how I imagine Nik's body guard mopping the floor with his body all stiff and trying to not be suspicions (I laughed as I read those parts). I really wish they make this book into a movie.

Maybe that happen to me because a few movies came popping to my mind when I was reading this book. Like Chasing Libery, First Daughter and Prince and me. Which I loved by the way. I would love to see how they would portray this book into a movie. I loved the concept.

Nik was adorable, Love everything about him. Who wouldn't fall for a guy who is a gentleman, who has an accent and who looks like an Abercrombie and Fitch model. oh and who is a Prince. Even do he did come out as stuck up, like he was better than others I understood it was how he was brought up.

Amber was an amazing FC, she had survived two big situations in her life things that played important part on how she saw Nik and the situations that surrounded them. I love that she was a fighter and she wasn't whiny.

Lucy and Josh were amazing second leads and friends to Amber and Nik. I love how loyal they both were to both of their friends. Josh didn't say a beep about Nik situation and Lucy was always there for Amber.

I would of given this book 5 stars but the pace went from good to fast. Like the author was in a hurry to finish. The problem they had was solved in the same day, I would of imagine Nik's dad to be more strict in the decision of Nik staying. I would of like to meet Nik's family. I would of like him meeting Amber's family. I would of like reading about her traveling to his country. AS I read I learn how both families played important part of the leads lives, so I expect to read more about them.
Oh and they started dating too fast (this is a big no no for me).

Maybe I was so excited reading the book that if felt like a short Novel, was it? was it a short Novel? Maybe the book was that good that it felt short for me.

Overall I did love this book.

*1.5 Stars Rounded Up

I apologize in advance for any potential harshness in my review, but just thinking about this book again has me irritated.

For almost half of this (I stopped at 48%), I trudged through, expecting some big change in Amber's personality, but that never came. Practically from the moment we meet her, I did not like her. She was constantly rude and so incredibly full of herself that it was grating. Nik is from a foreign country and new to the school, but she makes fun of him every other sentence out of her mouth (but I think we are supposed to find her charming, especially because she calls her bullying "teasing" as she gives Nik a hard time about reacting appropriately to her mocking the fact that he is polite, doesn't dress like a hipster, is from a country with a name she thinks is ridiculous, is rich like 99.9% of the boarding school they attend but she is apparently oblivious to this, he has a better vocabulary than she does, etc ...).

Perhaps I am just too old but these kids act like they are immature and spoiled twelve year olds. I am American but found every American kid in this to be horrid and worthy of scorn from Europeans.

Why is this at a prestigious boarding school where Presidents send their kids but Amber sounds like a middle class person at a typical high school, reacting to thr life Nik describes? They all live in DORMS with a lot of space. Yeah, they are all loaded, and no, it isn't at all weird for any of the students there to have drivers, gardeners, housekeepers, cooks, etc. Her best friend is described as having unlimited funds, and the guy her best friend is into met Nik while on a trip with his parents to Nik's country.

I appreciated some of the subtle differences between Americans and Europeans but dont like how everyone keeps making fun of him. I have never mocked someone from another country and find it abhorrent. I also can't believe how much everyone expects him to change to be losers like them. I really don't like that the message seems to be that Nik needed to change who he was because he wasn't like everyone else either. He is the kind of guy that women in their 20s and 30s brag about dating (and not because he is rich or royal).

It's also important to note that these two had NO chemistry. None. They were pushed together and even went on a date, but they literally went from Amber mocking him to them kissing. What is romantic about someone treating you poorly?

So, yeah, this was a pretty big miss for me.

I thought this book started out okay. As characters I wasn’t a big fan of Nik, but I did like Amber quite a bit. I think my deal with Nik is that he seemed unrealistically clueless. I mean, I’ve never been rich, but is it so completely crazy that you have to take your own suitcase to your new dorm room? Then Nik and Amber meet and we’re switching off between narrators and things just started to feel…inconsistent. That’s always a big issue for me–especially in books coming from this publisher. I mean, does no one read these books all the way through to look for that kind of thing before they get published? If not, I am available for hire.

First of the inconsistencies: during his sections, Nik is always hyper-aware and concerned about spilling his secret. But then during Amber’s sections he (seemingly nonchalantly) drops that he’s got servants at home and MULTIPLE DRIVERS to take him wherever he wants to go. Someone who is actively trying to keep their identity secret would not say stuff like that. A second inconsistency that really stood out to me was regarding Amber. She’s supposedly SUPER close to her family but we never once see her brother even though they go to the same boarding school. She tries to explain that away by saying that he’s only in ninth grade so they never see each other, but if her family is so close wouldn’t they eat together or hang out sometimes? And then all this stuff is happening to her and Amber never once even THINKS about calling her parents. Instead, she just turns to Lauren for all life advice. I’ve had roommates that are super close with their parents and let me tell you, they talk to their parents every single day (sometimes multiple times a day) and they tell their parents everything that is happening to them. I understand that, as a reader, we don’t see every aspect of these characters’ lives, but it seems like calling her mom would be a very natural reaction for Amber to have after everything hits the fan.

But anyway, the book is moving along and like I said earlier, I’m not a huge fan of Nik but I like Amber pretty good. Then the big dramatic scene happens and things get really intense between them and Amber’s reaction was just…not good. She compares Nik hiding his true identity from her to her ex-boyfriend Wade cheating on her while she was fighting cancer. She literally says that what Nik did was worse than what Wade did. WHAT??? I mean, of course Nik didn’t tell her who he really was! I don’t feel like he was obligated to tell her even if they’d been dating for two whole weeks. Anyway, the book goes on to place all of the blame squarely on Nik’s shoulders and I just don’t agree with that. Even though I liked Amber better as a character, everything was pretty much her fault and she never owns up to it.

Overall, this book started out pretty good, but then crashed and burned at the end in my opinion. I tend to like the trope where a commoner meets and falls in love with a member of some royal family, but I just felt this one was poorly executed. If you’re looking for something similar, I would recommend reading The Heir and the Spare by Emily Albright instead (while still not GREAT, it was at least better than this one).

Overall Rating: 2
Language: Mild
Violence: None
Smoking/Drinking: None
Sexual Content: Mild, some kissing

Note: I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

received in exchange for a honest review

Characters: fine and adorable. Amber blurred lines when hurt and Nik was in a tough situation. Hated the rock and hard place for these two.

Amber: tough as nails. Been through so much. She was strong in some ways and others vulnerable. After what people did to her last year she had a right to be scared to trust and let someone in. People can be cruel when trying to protect themselves and Wade what a tool. She was nice as well. I loved how she let Nik know when he was being a doof and was honest with him.

Nik: guy had so much on his shoulders. He was tense but sweet. He was a fish trying to find his way and experience freedom for the first time. He came off at times as arrogant but it was more him keeping himself in check and in the difference in how he was raised. His circumstances were different and it showed. I loved how he was with Josh and his conflicting emotions over Amber. He didn’t want to hurt anyone since he was leaving but couldn’t stop himself from caring for her. He saw who she was and loved how she put him in his place.

Plot: the prince wanting freedom comes to the US to see a different world. He finds a girl and is conflicted. He wants to tell her all but is afraid. One silly mistake can cost them everything. I loved how they grew to know each other and see they were wrong about one another. Love how Nik puts it all on the line. He really is a great character.

Writing: endears you to this tale by how the characters are portrayed and learn about one another. Also how they show their emotions and struggles is so honest and raw.

Overall: endearing and adorable. Loved seeing the conflict and how they rise above it. Love how Nik is with his feelings and how he made it right. A wonderful tale.

Real Review 3.5 Stars

Nik is a prince of Lutgenstadt, a small European contry where his life is very structured and his life is planned out. When given the opportunity, Nik jumps at the chance to go to an American Boarding School with his best friend Josh. The only catch is that he has to use a fake identity so nobody will know who he is. Well, Amber makes it hard for Nik to keep up his lies. Amber has had her own fare share of past heartache and betrayal so she knows that Nik is not telling her everything. When an accident causes trouble for both of them, and secrets are revealed, can their new relationship stand up to the problems?

I knew I had to read this book when I first came across it predominantly since I love the concept of royalty finding love with a commoner. I mean seriously, I could easily watch the movie "Ever After" and the modern version "The Prince and Me" on repeat and be happy. The concept appeals to the inner romantic in me who is usually kept on a short leash. This was a really cute, feel good story about two people who learn to trust each other and find love despite their differences. I seriously blew through this book in one sitting, the story and the writing flowed smoothly and the characters were cute enough to keep me engaged. At times things were either a little too easily resolved, and other times a crisis arose from nothing, but I think that is probably very realistic to being a teenager.

Amber is a very driven character, who knows what she wants from life and how to get it. I loved the dynamic between Amber and her best friend Lauren, how they knew each other so well regardless of what was said, sticking through illness and heartbreak, making them more like sisters. Oh and the fact that Lauren and Josh had a thing going on made it even cuter since they wanted friends to double date with. Nik on the other hand was trying to be someone not at all like himself, he wanted to blend in and experience a regular life without the rules and pressure. I appreciated the hostility between the two characters and kinda sorta wished that the story was longer to draw that out more and then the slow build of a positive relationship that would come next.

Overall this was a really cute, short read that I can see lots of people enjoying it. There indeed was a happily ever after here which made me happy to experience right along with the characters.

I received this title from the publisher in return for my honest review.
For more reviews visit my blog at http://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/

I have to admit that I am a little torn with this review as I was in two minds with Sara Hantz's new book. There's Something about Nik. First off, I was excited to read this as something that I have always loved is when royalty or someone famous goes undercover and lately, I have been on a royalty kick with books. The other thing is I normally love these stories as they are like Cinderella tales. There's Something about Nik had these qualities as Nik is a Prince from a small country in Europe. He has come to America undercover as a high school student to experience life in an American boarding school and has been staying and will be rooming with Josh who is family friends with the Royals. The book does also have the Cinderella ending with Amber falling in love for now with Nik as remember it's still a teen novel, no marriages yet. Now to the part that made me struggle reading There's Something about Nik - the characters of Amber and Nik which by the way are the main two leads in the book, so of course you can feel my frustration as I wanted to love this book, but I couldn't. Nik which I do understand is used to his royal servants and the people below him and accustomed to a different lifestyle, so it only made sense that he came across pompous but Amber, she was the one that ruined it for me as she was so freaking irritating as her hate for Nik basically radiated off the page. I found the everyday interactions between Amber and Nik to be so awkward even for my reading pleasure. I do have to admit, though, that I think if I had been younger and hadn't been exposed to this storyline in multiple stages and books - I might not be this jaded about the book and who knows I might have loved it to pieces. Overall, I think this particular book "There's Something about Nik" by Sara Hantz is aimed and suitable for teens aged 14-18 years, rather than my 29 years.

There's Something About Nik by Sara Hantz......This was a cute fun story. It hits all the emotion buttons and keeps you flipping pages. Nik is a hot Prince that wants to be a normal teenage boy. He meets Amber and she is so different from the girls he sees and attracted to. I enjoyed this sweet story unfolding on the pages. If you want a fun sweet quick read this is the book for you. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

'There's Something About Nik' is an upbeat story of falling in love with a prince. I have already read many stories with the plot: a common girl meets a prince but it didn't make this book less interesting. I enjoyed every bit of it and I almost read it at one go- so gripping. It's definitely a fast read. I recommend it to all romantics.

When you grow up reading magazines about royalty, you find yourself daydreaming about marrying a prince. Amber is not one of those girls. She grew up attached to a camera, viewing life through a lens. When she meets the officious Nik Gustafsson, she is resoundingly unimpressed. He is a bit standoffish, a bit smug, and a bit superior.

Little does she know that he's also second in line to the throne in his home country.

Amber puts Nik off because of the camera. He loathes cameras and the people who operate them, yet the more he and Amber get to know each other, the more they start to like each other. Of course, she doesn't know he's a prince - something for which Nik is quite grateful because once people find out the truth about him, they change how they act toward him - and he doesn't know that she maybe possibly took a surreptitious photo of him.

This is a gooey sweet teen romance, perfect for girls who like the fantasy of meeting a prince. It's wonderfully fluffy, and it has its share of some teen angst. Nik is a pretty good guy, if only he'd trust Amber a little more, and Amber is a pretty great girl, if only she would trust Nik a little more.

4.5 stars

There's Something about Nik by Sara Hantz is a sweet and romantic YA novel that will having your heart swooning. Ms. Hantz' dashing prince, Nik Gustafsson, will steal your heart.

For me, reading There's Something about Nik was like a complete throwback (in a good way) to the Julia Stiles movie, The Prince and Me. Like the movie, I found the entire story plot to There's Something about Nik to be very endearing.

Nik Gustafsson has decided to spend one year going to boarding school in America where he can live a normal life away from anyone who knows he's a prince. With only his bodyguard, disguised as a maintenance worker, and his friend Josh who know his true identity he's able to be himself. And when a girl he meets, hates him at first sight just for being him, he finds it exhilarating and the girl in question interesting, especially when through circumstances they begin spending more time together.

Amber has decided to take a year off guys and focus on landing a photography internship after overcoming all she's been through. However, her vow to stay away from guys, may not withstand the tall and handsome, new guy in school. Even if his arrogant attitude rubbed her the wrong way in the first five minutes they met. Luckily (or unluckily in regards to her vow), her best friend Lauren (who is dating Josh) keeps trying to pair her up with tall and handsome, Nik. Romance blooms between Amber and Nik, but what will happen when Nik's secret is revealed?

There's Something about Nik was a fun and delightful. Nik was charming though he does jump to conclusions at times. I also enjoyed the friendships between Amber/Lauren and Nik/Josh. Friends for life! These pairs.

Also, Amber was my favorite character in the story. She was a strong character who had her insecurities, especially in regards to trusting guys after her last boyfriend. But what I really admired about her character was that she wasn't afraid to be honest right away, even after she made an accidental mistake.

Lastly, the ending was really cute! I absolutely recommend.


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

Are you a fan of modern royalty? Hanging on to details of Prince William and Duchess Catherine or Prince Harry? If so, this book might be for you! I didn’t read it for that aspect, but I am a fan of characters who are celebrities in one form or another who want to try to go “civilian” and live a normal life. I’ve read a few of them in this vein and have enjoyed each one, including There’s Something about Nik.

Nik and Amber start out not liking each other. For Nik, it’s because of the camera strapped around Amber’s neck and what it has come to represent in his everyday life. For Amber, it’s his attitude coupled with the fact that her last boyfriend, who betrayed her when she was ill, has given her huge trust issues.

Time lessens their dislike and increases their “like” until that is tested by trust issues on both of their parts.

There’s Something about Nik is a typical YA romance with atypical characters. Broad contrasts are shown between Amber’s extremely close, loving family and Nik’s reserved, polite one. Part of me wishes that we could have seen a little more of Nik letting his reserve fall away and enjoying himself recklessly, a little like Audrey Hepburn’s Princess Ann in Roman Holiday and while some reserve did fall away and he did laugh, we wanted more!

There’s Something about Nik is a quick, enjoyable read, very suitable for any fans of the royals and all fans of ya novels.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was sooo cute! I really loved Nik and Amber and how the story progressed between these two despite how different they were from each other.

Nik Gustafsson has a huge secret (can't tell you... shush!), his life is too privy to the eyes of the public and he desperately needs a break. He jumps at the chance of attending school at America where no one would recognize him. Amber doesn't need a boy in her life after her breakup but there's something about Nik that she just can't shake off but she understands he's hiding a secret as well. Can a relationship is possible between two people who are polar opposites to each other?

The plot was executed really well and I enjoyed this story quite a lot. Nik has been granted only a year to study abroad outside Europe and he wants to make the most of it. All he just has to do is stay away from cameras. I absolutely loved Nik's awkwardness, it was just so cute! But he tried his best to fit in but I definitely agree with Amber's statement, a little different is good.

I enjoyed the relationship between Nik and Amber, although it was a bit sudden but it didn't matter much. However, the middle portion of the book felt a little low for me and I felt a bit bored but it picked up its speed near the end again, and oh my god!! How much I adored the every little thing that happened in the last few chapters. And I simply looooved Nik's dad's reaction when Nik finally confessed everything to him.

Overall, There's Something About Nik was an enjoyable read. I liked the plot and I enjoyed the character growth. The romance between Nik and Amber was just so sweet! The writing was smooth and simple and the pace was even throughout the book.

Recommend it?

Yes.

This was a super cute and super adorable quick read about a fantasy I’m sure many girls/women have had all their lives, after all who doesn’t want a prince charming? Sara Hantz did a wonderful job transporting us to this private school where it seems even royalty attends.

We meet Nik who is under cover trying to be a regular guy. Its hard being second in line for the throne, even if it’s not something he really wants there is still too much attention on him. Normalcy is a rarity in his life and he’s just seeking a little bit with a year away in America. Of course he wasn’t planning on meeting someone, let alone someone as special and as strong willed as Amber. The two of them are like ying and yang until you put them together and they fit just right.

Amber also has had a tough life, although not because of media and duties, there are things she has overcome in her past and has always had a hard time trusting people because of those actions. Trust is a major part of any relationship, break that just a little and sometimes it’s just too hard to gain back. Even though she adamantly doesn’t want a relationship this school year only wanting to focus on her photography and application, she couldn’t help but feel that attraction with Nik. Again two peas in a pod these two.

There was a very sweet innocence to the entire book that you don’t see very often. Oh to be that young and naïve, what a treasure these young people have today that they take for granted. Overall the book was a great quick read. The characters were just adorable and even though there wasn’t too much depth to the book it still kept you rooting for the couple to get together in the end. The setting was very typical of a boarding school, not that I’ve experienced one in the past but it’s definitely what I can imagine it to be. New Hampshire as a whole is also just a beautiful state and very remote in some places so perfect place to set this book in. Loved it!

This is a cute story that does everything you expect from the blurb. To be honest, it was a little too cute for me. I'm not usually a fan of stories featuring royals from made-up principalities, and this was a reminder of why. There's nothing bad about it per se, it's just not my kind of thing. Objectively, I can tell you that it's well-written, with good characters and sweet dialogue, but for me it was a little too formulaic, and a bit too sacharine-sweet.

This book has all the makings to be popular with younger readers and fans of romance, for me it was a little too cliche' and a little too 'done' already. Fantastic reading and I definitely will be getting a copy for my friend!

This book frustrated me. There's a great idea behind it, but it's not done properly. The 'flaws' of the characters that were meant to make them realistic were overdone so much that they made them simply annoying. Amber's inability to respect the cultural differences, and Nik's silence every time she said something out of line is what I disliked most.
If you have a few hours to spare and you're looking for a easy, light read, this book is for you. But it won't wow you. Which was really sad for me, because I've had luck with Entangled: Crush books in the past, and this one was an exception.