4.5 stars

I was delightfully surprised by this book. I was unsure how McDowell was going to match the energy of the first book, but this was a real treat.

McDowell takes her time really working through a resolution that feels believable and really strengthens the bond between Wren and Theo.

I also enjoyed the addition of the ensemble cast in this book. It made the whole scenario more interesting, but I do wish we would have gotten a touch more depth with them. I also thought that some of the drama and reveals were a bit over the top, ergo the 4.5 instead of 5, but the sweet Wren and Theo moments mostly made up for it.

Also, I don’t know if many people know this, but this book went through a title change and I lowkey don’t like the change that much. It doesn’t mesh well with the vibe and format of the first book.

Thanks, as always to Wednesday and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this second book in the series! It was a fun and quick read, and although I didn’t like it quite as much as I liked the first one, the character developments and plot points made sense for how this book dealt with the aftermath of an averted world-ending crisis. I will definitely read the next book in the series whenever it comes out!

I would actually say I liked this book more than the first one, The Prince and the Apocalypse. I think a big factor in that was that this one included so many fun side characters—all their quirky, hilarious family and friends who were along for the ride in their survival adventure this time. There was also a lot of pining between Theo and Wren, which is always enjoyable to read, but we also finally got our happy ending instead of a cliffhanger, which will always make me happier with a book.

McDowell is one of my favorite writers. I love the campiness of the plots of Prince and the Apocalypse and Heir, Apparently. Throw in royalty and I am utterly completely sold. Wren and Theo are my favorite--their chemistry is sizzling. I enjoyed every bit of the meddling royals, trapped on an island plot.

3.5/5

After the major cliffhanger in the first book, I was so excited to jump into Heir, Apparently. After the first book being a little out there/unrealistic in terms of plot (which made it fun!), I was expecting book two to be a little more realistic/normal life. However, Heir, Apparently also was a little out there on the plot. So if you read this series, you definitely need to expect an out there/unrealistic plot going into it. This book did a good job of not leaving me hanging with the cliffhanger from book one, and overall I liked it. Without getting too into the plot and spoiling book one for those who may not have read it yet, I think I just needed a little more romance throughout book two and felt like I didn’t get quite enough. I liked the ending though and felt like it was a good ending to the series/duology (but who knows, maybe there’ll be a third book??). I definitely liked this one, just a little less than the first book. But it was still a fun read!

Heir, Apparently is out July 9th! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the author and publisher for my copy. All thoughts are my own!

I have been a fan of Kara McDowell since her debut novel and the first book in this duet was one of my favorite books of 2023. I have had this ARC for so long and wanted to save it for the perfect time to dive back into this world, especially after that wild cliffhanger. I enjoyed this book but it didn’t have the same magic as the first book. I still found it entertaining and enjoyable, but I didn’t love it the same way I did the first.

Synopsis:

“Freshman year is stressful enough without accidentally being married to the King of England. Of course, Wren Wheeler can’t tell her Northwestern classmates about that; after surviving a narrowly-averted apocalypse over the summer, everyone’s had enough excitement for one lifetime. Wren knows she needs to move on from Theo, but she can’t forget the look in his eyes when he left her on that island in Greece—and also, he took her dog.When an ill-fated attempt to rescue Comet the Apocalypse Dog turns into a chemistry-fueled reunion with Theo that’s caught by the paparazzi, Wren finds herself under the royal spotlight. Suddenly, she’s a problem for “the firm” to solve, and in order to be protected from the rabid press, she’ll have to fly back to London with Theo. Along for the ride are Naomi and Brooke, as well as Theo's siblings, including Henry, the brother he's spent his life being compared to. But because the universe can’t let these two maybe-newlyweds have one conversation in peace, their plane goes down over the Atlantic, crashing on a tropical island in the middle of nowhere.Stranded with no sign of rescue, the group will have to band together against poisonous animals, catastrophic injuries, a brotherly rivalry, and an ill-timed volcano if they’re going to make it out alive. And, scariest of all, Wren and Theo will have to face their feelings for one another and decide what they want their futures to look like—and if that future will be heartbreak, or happily ever after.” —NetGalley

What I Liked:

The Action—This book is fast paced with lots of action and detail, making it a really fun and entertaining read.

The Concept—I still love the concept of the original book and I kind of missed the stakes when a comet was barling toward Earth!

What Didn’t Work For Me:

The Pacing—Something just felt a little off in regards to how the plot moved forward. Act III was particularly jumpy.

The Ending—I don’t know what I wanted, but I didn’t love this ending! Maybe it needed an epilogue to really feel like the story had resolution but so much happened without sufficient explanation in the end for me.

Character Authenticity: 4/5 Overall Rating: 3.5/5

Content Warnings:

blood, plane crash, death of a parent, injury

HEIR, APPARENTLY was a really fun YA novel. After reading the first book, and it ending on that cliffhanger, I needed to know what would happen next. And while parts of the plot were a bit ridiculous, I think this book was perfect for YA readers and made for a fun royal drama.

This book picks up right where the last ended. And I was into it! It is very drama-filled, mixed in with royalty, which I absolutely adore. It had the angst that I enjoy in a book of this speed. And while others might say that the characters are immature and they make poor choices, I think that is the point. This is a YA book, meaning that the characters are very YA in the way that they behave and act. To an adult reader, this might be too much. For the audience in which it is intended, it is just right. It does end up being outrageous, but in a good way. There are a lot of hijinx that make the plot fun.

But, as an adult reader who is reading this book, the characters are extremely immature and you often scratch your heads wondering why in the world they decided to make that choice. Additionally, the lack of communication between Wren, the FMC, and Theo, the MMC, will make you want to tear your hair out. So, personally, I didn't love these parts of the book and I agree that they can be maddening at times. But the reviewer in me wants to make it clear that adult audiences are not who this is geared towards. There are some YA books that transcend this divide between YA novels with adult themes more effectively than others. But this isn't meant to do that. It is meant to be a fun ride to entertain, enjoy, and create some angsty teen drama.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. This might be a skip for you if you are a more adult reader. For those with YA readers or more advanced readers for their age, this is age appropriate, fun, and a light read.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I couldn’t get into the story just as I thought. Not disappointed but need more depth, I think. I can't remember when was the last time when I read a book in which the whole plot was 100% equal to what was written in the blurb and nothing more. There was no surprise there, no resolution to any of the plot threads and the whole story was blatantly predictable and painfully dull.

I am so happy that I found this duology at an utterly perfect time too!

This series has brought such a smile to my face with its humor, adventure, and absolute rom-com goodness in spades. For those who loved Red, White, and Royal Blue, The Princess Diaries, or the movie Chasing Liberty, this is absolutely the book series for you. Luckily for me, I love all of those things in abundance, as well.

Wren and Theo went through a tailspin in the last book, and no surprise, they find themselves thrust into another one in this one. While their romance is always at the forefront of the story, what I love most is that Theo and Wren's interior lives are always huge factors into how they react in any given situation. Theo's depression and his impulse to self-medicate, combined with Wren's fear of revealing her feelings and indecision about her future really stand out as justifiable reasons why these two won't "just kiss" as the audience is probably always yelling for them to do.

This book also has the added feature of an expanded group of characters, including Theo's siblings, Victoria and Henry, and Wren's best friend Naomi, and sister Brooke. All of these characters really jump out and could (and should) merit further adventures in this world, if Kara McDowell is willing to write more.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

DNF

This book seemed cue, but it was just really hard to get through, the premise was very unbelievable and I understand this is a YA, but the characters just seemed way too immature.

Thanks to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the eARC!

When I finished "The Prince and the Apocalypse" I had no idea how the story could go on after the aversion of an apocalypse. Everything would seem kind of los stakes after that.

That simply isn't true.

After getting more of the royal family and insights into who they are, I'd say the tension matches the first book pretty evenly. It's somehow more intimate within a group and with another countdown looming over Theo and Wren, everything seems somehow more urgent.

This was a nice conclusion to a wild ride. I really enjoyed it. I can't wait to see what Kara puts out next.

Leaving off where the last book ended, the sequel delivers a satisfying ending full of action, adventure, chaos, and romance!

I wasn’t sure what direction the sequel would go in after a near end of the world meteor strike, but as it turns out, Wren just can’t catch a break. Understandably she goes to hunt down Theo to get her beloved dog back and ends up in way more chaos than she could’ve imagined. You can’t help but begin to think that maybe this love story isn’t meant to be, but naturally, love prevails.

We get a better glimpse into the royal family and their lives, we get a little chronic illness representation in a side character, tensions all around, and truly a fun book that wraps it all together. Fast-paced and fun, you’ll be on your toes throughout this book and satisfied with how the duology ends!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

I absolutely loved the first book and was thrilled to get this follow up book with our beloved Wren and Theo (and Comet!) I really recommend you read the first book before this because it would be a crime not to start at the beginning.

So, we have gone from the end of the world scenario in book one to a plane wreck/stranded on a deserted island...this time our cast of characters has increased with siblings from both families pulled into the life-or-death situations our couple for some reason has a habit of encountering. This book takes place months after the original story, and Wren and Theo are in fact still legally married! Not only do they need to learn how to survive their new deadly surroundings but face their future whether it be together or apart.

Every time our couple is together on page, I squeal with happiness (or sometimes brief frustrated sighs), but mostly just joyful sounds! Wren and Theo are just pure magic together...and the ending was worth all the agony getting there. I know this is a duology, but I honestly would read a whole series surrounding their lives together. Maybe a follow up with the siblings...?!

5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book!

I could not love this book (and the 1st one in the series) more! They are just the most fun, perfect summer reads! Heir, Apparently picks up basically right where book #1 left off and we get to see what is next for Wren and Theo. There is royalty, an "are they technically married" question, a plane crash, and an awesome dog--what's not to love? I thoroughly enjoy the way the author leans into the unrealistic plot without a second thought and just takes the reader on a fun journey!

I was lucky enough to receive digital advanced copies of both books in this duology so thank you to the publisher for that! I loved this book just as much aas the first one, and I was really worried I wouldn't tbh. I love how the plot is so ridiculous and kinda silly but it doesn't make the story silly, there is so much heart and relatablitiy in these books!

Obviously after the first books cliffhanger I was dying to find out what would happen, and I did not see any of that coming! I was literally sitting in shock while reading this book lol. I also finished it in a day which I hardly ever do anymore. I was very satisfied with the ending to this book but would love to see the world expand and get some books focusing on side characters. Definitely will keep an eye on this author either way!

Wren Wheeler accidentally married the King of England (no, not Charles you can calm down Camila no one is coming for your man). She’s a freshman entering college and sets out on a trip to Toronto with her best friend and sister to get her rescue dog, Comet, back from the King. Their marriage is revealed to the public and with the paparazzi in pursuit, they high tail it with their friends and entourage back to England. Unfortunately their plane crashes on a tropical island (between Toronto and England…) and the prospect of rescue does not look promising.

It took me a few chapters to figure out that this was a sequel but as long as you don’t crave a lengthy backstory to understand why the two main characters are no longer speaking this could work just as well as a standalone.

I do have to say that I think every book should be limited to one ridiculous life event. This author used her entire lifetime of publishing’s quota. It knows it’s melodramatic and leans heavily into it and the result is good fun. The CW is somewhere taking notes because even they wouldn’t dare.

Thank you to #Wednesday Books for providing an ARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I was so excited to read this after loving The Prince and the Apocalypse last year. It was such a fun and unique story, and I adored the characters, so I couldn't wait to find out what happened to them after the conclusion of the first book. Heir, Apparently is as fun and quirky as the first book!

A little bit of time has passed from the end of the first book and the beginning of this one. Now, Wren and Theo may or may not be married, and Theo's mother has died, so he is about to become the next King of England. Wren's trying to adjust to a normal, mundane life in college, but her world is soon turned upside down when she tries to get the dog she and Theo rescued back from the heir. As the pair tries to figure out if their marriage is actually legal, disaster strikes again.

What's better than one disaster to bring two people together? Two! In the first book, Wren and Theo face a possible global catastrophe, and in this one, they are stranded together with others on a deserted island after surviving a plane crash. Unlike the first book where Theo and Wren are mostly alone, in this book we have a fantastic cast of friends and family to complement the protagonists. I loved the relationships and dynamics throughout the story! The dialogue is great and really highlights the connections they share, the banter is fun, funny, and sometimes filled with chemistry, and the chemistry between Theo and Wren is fabulous.

My favorite part of the story, of course, is the romance between Wren and Theo. They face so many challenges both in their lives and in their relationships, and I was eager to see if they would be able to work through everything. Being stranded on a deserted island comes with its share of problems from dangerous and deadly creatures, surviving the elements, and a potentially explosive volcano. Even though Wren and Theo come from very different worlds - worlds that are difficult to fit into - it seems like during these disasters they're on more common ground. They have amazing chemistry, and their romance is angsty and swoon-worthy.

I would definitely recommend this duology to YA readers who like disaster romances. It's fun and exciting with great characters and a unique plot and love story. Special thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

I want to start this review stating that I didn’t realize this was a second book, so I never had the pleasure of reading the first book. I will set that aside other than to state. If you want to truly enjoy this book to its fullest, I feel like you really need to read the first book. Now that that is out of the way. This book is fun. It is very fast paced. Even without reading the first book there are enough inferences to what happened that you can still enjoy this book, Wren I feel bad for. The pressure of not knowing the future really plagues her throughout the book, and overall, I am glad about most of the choices she makes for herself. There are a couple of decent plot twists right towards the end of this book.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.

This is the sequel I so desperately needed!!! And I went into it without reading a detailed synopsis or reviews, and I’m so glad I did. This is an adventure rom-com that’s even more unbelievable than The Prince & the Apocalypse. I loved every single page.