This young adult apocalyptic story would have been life changing when I was a teen, full of angst and drama. The main character is a girl who loves order and control, which resonated with me. Due to the impending doom of a comet, she finds herself helping the prince escape his family. She faces realizations and feelings in a "coming of age" story type of way. There's even a promise of romance throughout the novel. McDowell does a wonderful job building suspense while also giving space for the reader to evaluate their own lives as they imagine what it would be like to be in the book. This book is a story in which you can expect certain things to happen, but the actual events are unpredictable and exciting. My only hang up was the ending. It felt a bit too out of reach, with little closure. Overall, this was an enjoyable read!

"...He's a prince who looks like he could wreck my plans -- and my life -- if I'm not careful."

This charming contemporary caught me by surprise in a number of ways. The biggest of which was discovering that this is actually the first installment in a series rather than a standalone story. A fun fact I wasn't privy to reading an advanced copy. BUT, given how hard I fell for this couple, it's not a decision I'm upset with.

Royalty, road trips, and romance combine in McDowell's newest novel that finds the Prince of Wales and an American teenager in the ultimate race against time. Because the world's ending (not a spoiler it's in the title, y'all) and they need each other to make sure they reach their destinations in time.

So yeah, it's a zany concept and these young characters pull ridiculous stunts along the way, but it's perfect for anyone looking for a quick, engaging read that flirts with heavy issues while staying in a humorous safe zone. Think Chasing Liberty or Leap Year for a general vibes check.

At the end of the day, I loved how McDowell completed this chapter and I cannot wait to return to this duo.

The Prince and The Apocalypse was a fun, *relatively* light-hearted book about a young American girl who unknowingly meets the British Prince. Also, the world ends in a little over a week. I loved how the story progressed and the depth of the characters and their relationships with not just each other, but their families as well. Plus...the ending!? I need more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting concept, but unfortunately not my cup of tea. Some parts of this book seemed to drag on a little too much for me, and I couldn't get into the story enough to make up for it. Not bad at all, just not my style.

This book was both utterly ridiculous, and completely heartbreaking. A comet is going to hit the earth in 8 days, and all Wren wants is to get home from London to the US so she can say goodbye to her family before all life on earth is wiped out. She falls in with the runaway British crown prince and they roadtrip across Europe to reach a private jet in Greece. The entire premise is bonkers, and it took me a bit to go with the flow, but once I did, I thoroughly enjoyed it. There's also some really good discussion of depression, privilege, classism, and human nature. The ending made me scream with rage/joy, and I really hope there's a sequel!

Honestly I felt like the book dragged on a lot.
With that being said the ending will get it 4 stars
Big cliffhanger. I hope a second book gets made.

Some of my favorite books are the ones that truly surprise me. When I picked up The Prince and the Apocalypse I figured it would be a cute romcom-eque story about a runaway prince and an American teen, but it is so much more than that.

The story centers around Wren Wheeler, an American teenager who is in London on her senior year trip. She has had a miserable time as nothing on her carefully curated itinerary has gone according to plan, and then she misses her plane home after helping the runaway heir to the British throne. As she tries to find another flight she learns that a comet is going to hit the Earth in just eight days and she is forced to strike a deal with the prince in order to try to get home before the world ends.

The plot is fast paced, and I read all 320 pages in just a couple days because I simply could not put it down. I was so invested first in Wren getting home, and then in her budding relationship with Theo (said run away prince) that I was hooked. It’s a perfect combination of romantic comedy and romantic drama as there were several moments that simply hit all my emotional buttons. It did end on a bit of a cliffhanger and I can only hope that a sequel is coming soon.

What I absolutely loved most about this story was Wren and her development from the start of the book to the very end. She is a list maker and a planner, something I can very much relate to. Somewhere in the middle of all of the chaos of trying to find her way home, she suddenly realizes she uses her lists as a way to avoid the hard moments of life.

“If I’m not the girl with the plan, who am I?”

That quote made me stop and ponder so much about my own life, which makes this book so much deeper than your typical YA romance. We hear people talk about how it’s about the journey, not the destination, and if you are a planner this book will make you stop and think about what’s really important in life. If the world were to end in eight days would you want to be stuck to some rigid itinerary, or would you want to do what truly makes you happy?

Ratings:
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️

This book will make you laugh and cry. It is beautifully written and very high up on my list of favorites for the year. If you liked movies like Chasing Liberty or The Prince and Me and want something that goes perhaps even deeper, I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me this Advanced Readers Copy of The Prince & The Apocalypse by Kara McDowell!

This was my first read of Kara McDowell and when I tell you I read this book in less than 24 hours, what I mean is I freaking devoured it!

Kara is now one of my new favorite authors!

This book is a page turning rom-com that will have you gasping and grasping the pages to see what happens next.

The Prince and The Apocalypse is a true love story and I guarantee you will fall in love with Wren and Theo’s love. After all, who doesn’t want to fall in love with a Prince.

I really enjoyed this book! It’s the perfect beach read, with enough complexity to keep you invested and interested, but a fun premise and easy style of writing. I really liked how Theo and Wren’s relationship progressed as they travelled, but I would’ve liked more information about what Theo was struggling with as it would’ve given more context to his choices. I also thought that when they got to Santorini, everything was very rushed without a lot of explanation, which was most likely the point, and even though I didn’t like that I really enjoyed how it made the ending even more impactful. I definitely want to see where McDowell takes this storyline next!

This so cute. I laughed, I cried. Wren and Theo have such great chemistry. I was hooked from the first sentence.

I cannot believe this was as good as it was.

I went in with low expectations, and was blown away.

The emotional roller coaster of this book, the way it perfectly captures the despair and chaos of the world ending, of a girl stranded in England and trying frantically to get to home to her family so they can be together when the comet hits.

Even the utterly ridiculous plot line of her running smack dab into the literal crown prince of England works—and their chaotic road trip across Europe to get to Santorini where there's a private plane that can fly her back. He needs her to provide his cover while he flees, she needs his jet. Of course they're going to fall in love along the way and of course there's going to be road blocks and sinking boats and car crashes and trainscapades and more.

Overall, this is so fucking messy, but again. The EMOTIONS. I was having a near panic attack (literally) from the thought of the world ending by comet, of 90% of life dying instantly and everything else dying slowly, unable to find food or water in the oppressive everwinter. Not that we aren't all going in 20 years by being broiled to death, but ya know. 20 years versus 8 days.

The ending was a little meh, but it worked.

"'If I'm starlight, you are daylight, chasing the shadows out of my kind. You think I saved you? I think we saved each other.'"

Oh my god, talk about a wild, action-packed, and fun book, like HELLO??? I will now read anything Kara McDowell has ever written and will ever write. Just as long as she doesn't leave me on a CLIFFHANGER AGAIN!!!!! I need more information, Kara, PLEASE??????

Usually, I have a hard time suspending disbelief when so many outlandish and impossible events take place in a book...but everything that transpires––all the weird chase scenes, running from the British press, narrowly avoiding being caught by hiding in a train's bathroom for TWO HOURS, a box dye job that turns Wren's hair orange, jumping from a ship Titanic-style––it all somehow fits! Everything seems so impossibly possible and hysterical, like just when you think Wren and Prince Theo were in the clear, another thing would just entirely throw them off course in the weirdest way. But that's what makes this book a lot of fun to read!

This is the kind of book that you have to experience and jump right into yourself because nothing I say can come close to describing all of the wild antics (and super cute romantic moments), but I will say this: picture Jennifer Lawrence's and Timothee Chalamet's characters in Don't Look Up, if he was a prince and she was willing to do anything to get back home to see her family before the comet wipes out humanity. Including following around the golden retriever prince who operates on the vibes of trying and failing to escape to a Greek island to avoid being the heir to the British throne. Oh, and, all this time, he has the chance to stay in the Comet-Proof Royal Bunker he conveniently ~forgot~ to mention.

I absolutely ate this story up and what makes it even better is that the pub date was my 22nd birthday. Fate!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books and NetGalley for this eARC!! (:

(Out as of July 11!!!)

The Prince & the Apocalypse by Kara McDowell 5/5 ✨

THIS FREAKING BOOK!!!!!!!! Y’all, I literally was screaming at the ending, and I need a sequel IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!!!

This book was not at all what I expected (I went in blind reading this, and I recommend you do too!!!!), and perfectly captured how I would feel if I knew the world was ending in a few days.

Prince Theo & Wren are perfectly matched and I loved how Kara was able to describe the depth of both of their feelings, while being honest about the challenges and experiences they’re facing.

This is my new favorite book involving royals, and I can’t wait to read what’s next!!!!!

My favorite parts of this book include: Comet, the British/American dynamics, and the ending!!!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for sharing an advanced copy of this brilliant book!!!!!

"The Prince and the Apocalypse" by Kara McDowell is a captivating tale that takes readers on a thrilling journey with Wren Wheeler and the crown Prince of England, Theodore Geoffrey Edward George (Theo for short).
Set against the impending doom of a comet strike, the story explores the unexpected bond formed between these two teenagers. Wren's chance encounter with Theo leads to a series of events that intertwine their lives in an intriguing manner.

As the comet's arrival looms, Wren and Theo's relationship deepens, with each day bringing them closer together. The tension builds steadily as they navigate through various obstacles and challenges, all while trying to overcome their differences.

McDowell masterfully weaves a web of emotions, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the gripping climax. The uncertainty of how they will handle their distinct backgrounds and responsibilities adds an element of suspense to the story.

"The Prince and the Apocalypse" is a well-crafted and engrossing novel that combines romance, adventure, and apocalyptic themes, leaving readers eager for the next installment to discover how Wren and Theo will confront the ultimate test of their bond.

A must-read for anyone who enjoys an enthralling story of love, courage, and fate.

I've enjoyed reading Kara's books since her debut Just for Clicks. Her writing is so lovely and this book was wonderful. I liked the change of scenery and the dystopian feel of the world ending in eight days. Getting to traverse through London and all of the other places with Wren and Prince Theo was great. I love reading about locations that I've been too because I'm easily able to picture everything. The connection between Wren and Theo was easy, full of banter, and thoughtful. I liked how crazy some things got on their adventures, but I am curious if there will be a second book or if we're left with that ending.

This was such a cute read for my vacation! I think a simple and fast-paced romance what exactly what I needed and this gave it to me.
It wasn't a life-changing book but the story was different and well paced. The main girl character, Wren, was sometimes getting on my nerves with some of her reactions and decisions, but the male protagonist, Theo, balanced it back really well.
I highly recommend this if you are looking for something fun and light to read.

Goodreads:
This was so charming! To go with movie references that undoubtedly show my age, this is basically Chasing Liberty in the foreground and Armageddon in the background. I thought this was a really fun ride following Wren and Theo across Europe—I made the mistake of starting this after midnight with the intention of falling asleep reading it, but next thing I knew I was halfway through the book and I ended up with some puffy, sleep-deprived eyes for work the next day. Oops.
To anyone who, like me, might feel a little weird reading a book romanticizing the modern British royalty, I thought McDowell was appropriately critical of the institution. Wren is pretty anti-royalist—at least, as much as an American generally unaffected by the British monarchy can be—and Theo himself isn’t comfortable with life as part of the monarchy. That said, this is a YA romance, so don’t expect thoughtful analysis on the harms of colonialism.
I do really hope there’s a sequel after that ending! <spoiler> Not least because it sure would be fun to read about King Theo and Queen Consort Wren dismantling the British Royal Family piece by piece. </spoiler>
Thank you to the publisher for providing this to me in exchange for an honest review!

Forthcoming Instagram review:
Bullet Points
- What if *Chasing Liberty* 🫅🏃🧳🚄 while also *Armageddon* 🌍☄️?
- Wren and Theo have less than a week to make their way across Europe as the world increasingly falls apart in the face of impending doom
- But so much cuter than “impending doom” would imply! It’s really more of a travel adventure with romance. I adored it!
- Considering the love interest is a member of the British Royal Family, I thought the story was appropriately critical of the institution
- Thank you to the publisher for providing me a copy of this in exchange for an honest review! 🥰

Recommended if…
- you like (or will accept) closed-door romances—this is YA (18yos) but reads fine for adults imo
- you lean anti-British Royal Family but can still accept a prince as a love interest
- you’re ok with a bit of a cliffhanger ending (hoping for a sequel 🤞)
- you, like me, have a soft spot for the objectively terrible Chasing Liberty

This was such a fun read! The genre Bending between scfi/dystopian with the romance. I loved the adventure and seeing Theo and Wren develop individually and together. Hoping for a second book!!

"It matters. It all matters. Every bloody moment matters."

So there's going to be a sequel right? Right? Right?

If the movies Chasing Liberty, Leap Year, and Starstruck all got together and made a romcom baby it would be this book. These are my favorite kinds of trainwrecks of comfort stories, full of everyday kind of magic and tropes. And I can't believe I've had an arc of The Prince & The Apocalypse for months and just now picked it up. But also, the audiobook was totally worth the wait. I could listen to Laura Knight Keating narrate a dictionary. Top tier talent.

Don't go into the book expecting hardcore apocalyptic. It's more apocalyptic lite. Apocalyptic adjacent, if you will. Wren Wheeler has flown five thousand miles across the ocean for her senior-year trip to London. It was supposed to be epic and life-changing. But litrally (not a typo) all her perfect planning goes up in flames. With only one checklist item left to try and get right, (spoiler alert: it doesn't) Wren runs into a very cute and mysterious guy named Theo. Theo has plenty of secrets of his own, including the just released knowledge of a comet on it's way to destroy the world as we know it. With his help and a bunch of other small catastrophes and many many shenanigans, Wren tries to make it home before the end of the world. When life as they know it will be over in days, is it possible to find a happy ending?

I adored Wren. She was bossy and smart and funny and compassionate. I couldn't get enough of her story. I wish we could have gotten more of Theo's pov. He seemed just as complicated and complex as character. And with *that* cliffhanger ending, I want more of his story, too. In many ways, he reminded me of Prince Henry from Red, White & Royal Blue. This is my first Kara McDowell book and it definitely won't be the last.