This was a fun and cute ya romcom that I enjoyed so much. I loved everything about this book, from the royalty to the high school relationship and feelings to Jadon’s character development and all his different relationships. First let’s talk about Jadon’s character development, which I really enjoyed. We see him go from a shunned and lonely prince to someone who lets other people in and is unapologetically himself. All the actions he’s done are that of a teenager and it’s gotta be hard in the spotlight, especially as a prince, and I loved seeing him come into his own and recognizing that he’s not a bad prince as he thought, but just a boy who will make mistakes and will continue to grow and fight for what he believes in. And that development is due to all these relationships in his life both from family and friends and romantic. I loved seeing his growing relationships with his new friends at school and how he learned to let people in after his previous friendships. I also loved his relationship with Reiss. These two have such a high school-esque relationship it’s so cute and I love it and them.

Overall, I loved this book and highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC.

I really appreciate that queer YA books and queer books in general are becoming more prominent in books and will always try to give one a chance.

This one wasn’t bad, but just fell a little flat for me. This is the first book I’ve read from this author and although this one wasn’t quite for me, I’d read more by them.

Prince Jadon of Îles de la Rêverie has been exiled to America — LA, to be exact — where he’s going to be enrolled in the prestigious private school, Willow Wood. There, he’s expected to make friends, smile, behave, and repent for his past scandals: Yelling at one of his father’s prime ministers, having a public breakup with his boyfriend (the aforementioned prime minister’s son), and going viral for badmouthing the prime minister on social media.

He’s so screwed.

Because Jadon isn’t sorry. He’s angry. Angry at his father the king, who went from being a loving father to an absent one when he became king of of Rêverie; angry at Prime Minister Barnard for what he said about Jadon’s mother; angry at his ex, who dumped him; angry at Kofi, who he thought was his friend and who let him be filmed; angry at having to play nice, smile for the camera, and pretend to be the prince he’s supposed to be when all he wants is … well, he has no idea.

And then Jadon meets Reiss, with his cocky smile, sharp tongue, clever friends, and biting humor, and Jadon finds himself wanting more. First, it’s just friendship — and flirting — but it quickly becomes something more. Reiss doesn’t care that Jadon’s a prince, and it’s refreshing. Reiss challenges him, insults him, and makes him try harder. And Reiss and his friendship are just what Jadon needs when he’s feeling homesick and worthless. Everything’s almost perfect, until the paparazzi find them.

This story is about a young royal falling in love with an all American boy, with all the complications and complexities one would expect. The ex-boyfriend coming back, the disapproval of the king, the school play, the private jet flying the couple to the storybook kingdom, complete with a castle and a bustling market adventure. It sets up all the expected dominoes quite nicely, and topples them in the proper order … all while adding more nuance and more social commentary due to Jadon’s race.

When Jadon attends a protest for transgender rights with a friend, he’s oblivious to the potential harm that could happen to a young black man who isn’t afraid of the police, even in a liberal city. He doesn’t understand why his father is so horrified, because his kingdom, Îles de la Rêverie, is a kingdom of black people who threw off the shackles of their colonizers. All of Jadon’s life, his blackness has never been an issue, and while he’s heavily protected by his guards, his friends are not. This isn’t the biggest focus of the book, but it’s an undercurrent — along with Jadon’s older sister, heir to the throne, who has to represent not only her kingdom but her gender and her own blackness. Jadon and his sister are biracial; their mother is white. It’s an undercurrent that shapes so much of the familial relationships and it’s handled so well, with delicacy and a happy ending ,while still accepting and acknowledging that not every place is going to be Rêverie.

However, the main focus is Jadon and his coming of age, moving from young prince to public scandal, all while being expected to be and act like an adult at seventeen. He’s also suffering the emotional loss of his father, the current king, who was a present and active parent, who made him feel loved and wanted. He had a family, and now it’s gone, his father replaced by a distant and often absent king; his mother an obedient and dutiful queen, bowing her head to her husband’s commands; and a sister often away on her own duties, being a model royal. Jadon is still, in many ways, a child wanting comfort, needing support, needing someone he can turn to for comfort. And he has no one.

While trying to do everything right — say the right things, obey the rules, be the right kind of person, the right kind of prince — he continues to fail not just his friends, but himself. So, for once, Jadon decides to embrace his anger and do something out of spite, and realizes that he’s angry for a reason. Not just because he’s a spoiled prince, but because he feels helpless and powerless and nothing he does is good enough to protect the people he loves.

Reiss is there as a balance, someone who is willing to love Jadon, the boy in front of him rather than the prince, someone who will also stand up to him, say no when things are too much, or say yes when he’s willing. He’s a good friend, a sounding board, and someone who comes without the bias of a preconceived notion of who Jadon ought to be. Reiss is kind, loving, and open in a way Jadon struggles to be. He balances Jadon, a bright and shining light to combat the despair, and is someone who will not only stand shoulder to shoulder with him, but toe-to-toe against him when he doesn’t agree with Jadon’s words or actions.

This is just a lovely book. Jadon is a very sympathetic character, though he struggles for much of the book to find out who he wants to be, and — as many seventeen year olds are — can be curt, cruel, thoughtless, and self-centered. But by the end of the book, when he’s found himself, he is able to reconnect with his father, his mother, and his sister, all of whom it’s clear he adores.

If you like coming of age stories, friends to lovers, princes in love, and strong family bonds, you should very much give this book a try. It’s well worth the read, and I’m so glad I am able to review it.

3.5 Stars. First of all, can we talk about how gorgeous this cover is?!? There was a lot that I really loved about this book. I loved our wonderful male leads and many of the side characters were equally well developed. I did struggle with the cartoonish-nature of the story's villains and how awful the parents were in general. I can see why so many are comparing it to RWRB.

wow. wow. wow.

i’ll read anything julian writes. and i’ll devour it. but this book…

there were so many moments in this book that i had to pause and reflect on. there were quotes that had me closing the book, and thinking on how these concepts could be mirrored in our world. there were times that had me wishing this book was real because the queer black boy joy felt palpable and i WISH that was more common.

i’m finding it hard to put into words how important this book is. but it feels like a dedication to BIPOC authors, readers, and people. (the easter eggs pointing to other authors, books, or people in this community were also so fun to find and recognize!)

if you haven’t picked up any of julian’s books yet, this is your sign to do just that. and then pick up another. and another. read the backlist.

I love a good rom-com so I was excited for this one. While I enjoyed the story, it fell slightly short of what I find to be a good rom-com. I had a hard time connecting to the characters and found everyone to fall a bit flat and live to the stereotypes only. Jadon is a prince who has recently gotten some negative press. His parents order him to stay in California, his mother’s original home, until he can prove he can be the prince that Reverie needs. Jadon struggles with maintaining the prince persona and burying his true feelings. He doesn’t have a hard time not repeating the horrible video someone took because he had a very good reason for going off on the prime minister, but he refuses to repeat those words so no one is aware of it. Jadon wants nothing more than to go home, but he finds there’s more to American high school than he knew and no matter how hard you try you can’t pretend you don’t care about the people around you. Jadon finds a boy he likes, but how can he have a relationship and be the prince his country needs. Overall I gave this one 3.5 stars which I rounded up for great representation.

An entertaining read, but Julian Winters could never write anything that doesn't entertain the readers as well as bring light to the characters and their life lessons. At 17, Jadon's parents have different expectations of him than he does. His actions cause conflict and embarrassment to the royal family, so he's sent off to discover how he's meant to fit into the world. The back story may seem familiar but the story and the wonderful cast of characters are originals. No, it's not all light and birds singing; these young adults are still trying to figure out who they are much less how to face the huge changes coming soon. Written as a YA title, PRINCE OF PALISADES would be enjoyed by anyone tween age and up, including us old folks who have been over 17 for a few years.

DNF @25%

Everyone in this book was judgmental and they all annoyed me. I didn't really care for the writing either.

*4.5

I have a soft spot for queer romances with queer princes and queer princesses. So I was really curious about this and I am not disappointed at all. It’s a cute romance with a cute story. But it also a lot more. This book shows racism and homophobia in such a vivid realism I felt sick in some moment. But it was necessary. This book is necessary. I’m so grateful to the author for writing this. So grateful.

Thank you Negalley and the publisher for the arc.

Thank you so much Penguin Group for my Arc copy! I think this books leans more toward Litfic compared to soley being a romance novel. Overall I loved the book and Jadon's story. I also love the rep in this books as well!

I love Jadon and Reiss so much. Their relationship is raw and felt realistic in ways that I didn't expect. This coming of age story speaks to racism, xenophobia, misogyny, and more in such an approachable way. I love all the side characters, and the way the author beautifully describes the atmosphere. There is a bit of miscommunication, but it wasn't the main conflict of the story, and a lot of impeccabl fashion. Seeing as I cannot stop smiling after finishing this, I will definitely be reading more from Winters.

Thank you to Penguin for the review copy, my opinions are my own.

This was a cute story about the rebel prince who gets in trouble with his family and banished to LA while he works on getting his image back under control. But things aren't going the way that his parents want, because he meets people that help him figure out who he exactly wants to be.

This is a royal/regular person romance between two gay black teens in LA. Seriously, this was so cute and I really enjoyed reading Jadon and Reiss's relationship development, and Jadon's character development. I was regularly annoyed with Jadon's parents because why didn't they listen to him?
Of course, also Reviere the country sounds gorgeous.

Highly recommend for those who liked Red, White and Royal Blue, Young Royals tv series, and those who love a prince with a bad boy reputation.

Prince of the Palisades by Julian Winters follows Prince Jadon of Îles de la Rêverie. After some negative press following a horrible breakup gone viral Prince Jadon is sent to America to clean up his act. With the help of the people closest to him he tries various things to show the world who Prince Jadon really is. In the midst of this endeavor he meets a pink haired hottie who wants to know who Jadon (not prince Jadon) is. If you enjoy royal romances and coming of age stories you’ll enjoy Prince of the Palisades. I like this book but I did feel like the story needed a little more flushing out. There were things that were left somewhat unresolved. The romance is a smaller part of the story so if you are picking this up solely for that know that this is about Jadon He’s figuring out who he is and how he wants the world to know him. I liked that he was able to figure himself out and that he was given the chance to live life more freely without having to hide parts of himself. This was cute.

I'll admit that at times I was so frustrated with the character of Leon that I just wanted to put the book down, and I was deeply uncomfortable with the ways he didn't seek consent from Jadon never being challenged in any way, especially when it was juxtaposed with all the ways Jadon constantly sought Reiss's consent. I'm so glad I didn't though.

I really loved Jadon's story and watching him grow from feeling forced to maintain the neutrality his role required to coming into his own and deciding who he wanted to be and what things were worth raising his voice and dropping the carefully maintained neutrality. I thought the moment that he sees himself in Grace and decides to fully commit to being himself to show her that there was another path was so lovely and showed exactly how much he grew over the course of the novel. Overall this was a really sweet love story with a love interest after my own film-nerd heart, while also navigating how we all negotiate with the intersections of our identities and choose how we want to be seen existing in the world. Julian Winters is an author who I've been meaning to pick up his books for a long time and just never got around to, but I'm so glad I took the chance on this book. I'm so excited to see it find its audience, and hope it finds more people who love it as much as I did.

Thank you Penguin Group and NetGalley for the ARC of Prince of the Palisades by Julian Winters.

Julian Winters’ Prince of the Palisades is an outstanding novel that expertly weaves together contemporary romance and personal growth. With echoes of Red, White & Royal Blue and Young Royals, this book excels not only in its engaging storyline but also in its authentic representation.

Jadon, the central character, is incredibly compelling. His journey of self-discovery and his struggle to reconcile his role within his kingdom with his own desires make for a powerful narrative. Watching Jadon evolve throughout the book is both moving and inspiring, as his character development is portrayed with depth and nuance.

In contrast, Reiss stands firm and unchanging, offering a fascinating counterpoint to Jadon’s growth. This dynamic adds layers to the story, enriching the reader's experience and highlighting the complexity of personal transformation.

What truly sets this novel apart is its thoughtful representation. Winters handles sensitive themes with care, providing a refreshing and impactful portrayal of identity and acceptance that resonates deeply.

Prince of the Palisades is a triumph of storytelling, blending a gripping plot with meaningful representation. It’s a book that not only entertains but also leaves a lasting impression.

Julian. Winters delivers again with PRINCE OF THE PALISADES. This story is unapologetically queer and Black, which is one of the reasons I love Winters' writing. Any of my students who even think of mentioning the m/m royal romance by McQuiston will be handed this novel. Both Jadon and Reiss are interesting, well developed characters. Jadon discovering his own voice and figuring out what type of leader/royal he wants to be is surprisingly compelling, which speaks to Winters' ability to write grounded, complex characters. I'll definitely be talking about this book with many of my fiction students.

This book has a little bit of romance and some exploration of social injustices–particularly regarding race, sexuality, and gender identity–but what stands out most is the importance of finding oneself and one’s voice. It is a reminder that teenagers are still children and should be allowed to be children, imperfections and all. A reminder that power is not based on age or title, but that we can all make a change. That it’s important to try. To improve oneself and the world around us, but give grace to make mistakes. Without a lot of attention to the traumas of social injustices, this book is a gentle exploration of the issues shown through one teen’s journey to discover who he wants to be. A good addition to heavier realistic fiction and fluffier rom-coms both.

Ahhhhh! I just loved Prince of the Palisades by Julian Winters! While I admit, I wasn’t especially drawn to the idea of a royal romance, I was quickly swayed and it was easy to root for the flawed and wounded Prince Jadon.

Jadon and Reiss - two queer black boys - are charmingly adorable together. Their teasing banter and awkward moments would make even the most cynical reader smile. I loved how Reiss would call Jadon out when he was feeling wronged, pushing him into taking responsibility for his own behavior. And also encouraging him to stand up for himself and his beliefs.

The characters really are this book’s biggest strength. There are no throw away characters in the supporting cast. From the royal family and their entourage to Reiss’s protective friends and down-to-earth parents, each personality is well defined. Even the “villains” of the story are allowed to be multi-dimensional, instead of flat caricatures.

The author’s own big hearted, generous personality always shines through in his writing. If you’ve ever had the opportunity to meet Winters, you will recognize his joyous exuberance on the page.

I highly recommend this YA romance to anyone looking for a sweet and thoughtful feel-good read.
Ahhhhh! I just loved Prince of the Palisades by Julian Winters! While I admit, I wasn’t especially drawn to the idea of a royal romance, I was quickly swayed and it was easy to root for the flawed and wounded Prince Jadon.

Jadon and Reiss - two queer black boys - are charmingly adorable together. Their teasing banter and awkward moments would make even the most cynical reader smile. I loved how Reiss would call Jadon out when he was feeling wronged, pushing him into taking responsibility for his own behavior. And also encouraging him to stand up for himself and his beliefs.

The characters really are this book’s biggest strength. There are no throw away characters in the supporting cast. From the royal family and their entourage to Reiss’s protective friends and down-to-earth parents, each personality is well defined. Even the “villains” of the story are allowed to be multi-dimensional, instead of flat caricatures.

The author’s own big hearted, generous personality always shines through in his writing. If you’ve ever had the opportunity to meet Winters, you will recognize his joyous exuberance on the page.

I highly recommend this YA romance to anyone looking for a sweet and thoughtful feel-good read.

PRINCE OF THE PALISADES is the latest YA queer rom-com from Julian Winters. It hits all the marks when it comes to a frothy royal romance with cute dialogue, teenaged pining and identity seeking, and vivid descriptions that romanticize LA. It even has a bit of substance. The pacing is a little too fast to feel grounded in the world and relationships, but it's a breezy, enjoyable read.

4.5⭐️ Happy Pub Day to this gem of a book 💜

If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I am a Julian Winters stan. I fell in love with his books years ago and he quickly became an auto-buy author for me. His books are captivating, fun, and sweet while also highlighting important, real world issues.

Prince of the Palisades follows Jadon, the 17-year-old Prince of Rêverie. After a video goes viral of him trash talking the PM of Rêverie, his parents essentially banish him to America and tell him to get it together before he returns home. They don’t know that he recently heard the PM talking shit about his family or that his (supposed) bestie was behind the antagonizing, filming, and release of the video.

Now Jadon is stuck in America, trying to adapt to high school for the first time. He’s now faced with the challenge of trying to fit in as a “normal” high schooler while also trying to please his parents and get home to Rêverie. He keeps his head down and mouth shut as he feels this is the best way to make everyone happy. Then he meets Reiss. Reiss is his classmate and an utterly adorable film enthusiast. He makes Jadon feel safe; like he doesn’t have to wear the mask he’s so desperately trying to keep on. He makes Jadon feel like Jadon.

It should come as no surprise to anyone that I loved this book. Julian could write a grocery list and I’d gush.

Jadon was capital S Struggling in this book and I loved watching him find himself. I also loved seeing Jadon and Reiss figure out their romance, which you know as high schoolers was not drama-free. Add in the pressure of the whole “Prince of another country” thing and the two had their work cut out for them. Other things I loved with this couple was how comfortable they felt being their authentic selves around another, their communication (we love consent kings), and their genuine connection.

I can’t rave about this book without mentioning all the side characters. I freaking loved them all. Even Léon (the PM’s son and Jadon’s ex) grew on me at the end. And lest we forget the Queen of my heart, and literal Queen-to-be of Rêverie, Princess Annika. I loved Anni so much and would commit crimes to read her book.

Young Royals lovers, don’t miss this one. The Wilhelm / Simon vibes were vibingggg.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!