I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Prince of the Palisades is everything my Royal Romance-loving heart wanted. While the “world building” was a little spotty in places, I did like that Julian Winters chose to create his own fictional country for his main characters to hail from, even if, like many of the other recent Royal Romances, some of the drama appears to be inspired by the recent headlines related to racism and discord among the British Royal Family, and the impact of the tabloid press.
I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about Jadon, given he was a bit off-putting in his bad behavior and privilege at the beginning. But that is just a starting-point for him, and he grows through his experiences in the US, reckoning with all his raging emotions and vulnerability, and coming to recognize the power of speaking up in the face of injustice, especially as a person in his position.
While this is a single-POV book, Reiss nonetheless comes through as a fairly strong love interest who challenges Jadon in his beliefs and thought process. He’s not as fully realized as Jadon, but he’s definitely sympathetic, and I saw enough of him to root for him and Jadon to work out.
I really enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to readers looking for a lighthearted YA contemporary romance.

Lush drama with a Spoiled prince and sweet romance that builds. Winters transports the reader and brings the characters to vivid life.

Thank you to Netgalley and Viking Books for the ARC of this book.
Prince of the Palisades follows Prince Jadon of Îles de la Rêverie who is exiled to America after a video goes viral of him criticizing their prime minister. He finds himself in the Palisades and stgarting a new school with creative students. He finds himself drawn to one particular student, Reiss, and starting to consider who he has presented to the world.
I thought this was a pretty good book to read. I really liked the fact that this book was focused on Jadon as a character and his growth into the person who he wanted to be. I really loved that this book was about a diverse group of people who were exceeding and thriving. I loved the way this story is going to mean so much to those who read it and get to see themselves represented. I thought Jadon and his sister's relationship was so nice to see as well. They really grew together and to appreciate each other so much. I loved seeing how they inspired each other and really cared for each other.
I do wish the love story between Jadon and Reiss was a little more developed. I didn't feel that they really knew each other a lot that we saw on page but that's my personal opinion. I do think they were a cute couple and i really liked seeing their relationship grow.
I definitely think this is a book worth picking up and it was such a great read! I loved when I was able to sit down and read it, I was able to fly through it.

she was cute! i found this to be a quick, easy, and fun read that i flew through in almost one sitting. the writing and storyline were solid, and although it read like a couple things i’ve picked up before i still thoroughly enjoyed it!

Thank you to Penguin Young Readers, Netgalley, and Julian Winters for the chance to read and review this book, all opinions are my own.

Julian Winters writes such fun and engaging YA books, I always have a good time reading his books and Prince of the Palisades is no exception!

Secret royalty or royalty forced to slum it with the common people is always a fun trope and I loved the author's twist on this for this book. Prince Jadon has been behaving badly (or so the tabloids think) and he is forced out of his home (made up) country to go live in his mother's home of LA in order to rehabilitate his image. Royal hijinks ensue! This book was fun and fast paced and I appreciated the perspective of a POC royal instead of the typical royal whose white privilege and problems aren't very interesting. I liked that Jadon could recognize his privilege but also wanted to use his voice for good instead of just turning away. I liked all of the side characters and Jadon's relationship with his sister.

I did want a bit more from the plot and also a bit more character depth. This book was surprisingly short and I felt like the last quarter of the book moved so quickly and things got wrapped easily. I just wanted more from Prince Jadon and all of the other characters. They felt a little one-dimensional at times, which is not what I expect from a Julian Winters book.

I think if you want a fun, fast paced runaway royal story, you will enjoy this one.

4.25 stars

Jadon is a Sad Prince because, although he is incredibly wealthy and pampered, he has to honor the royal traditions of Reverie, his French-African island nation. That includes not speaking his mind every time he is angry about some perceived injustice. After dressing down the country's Prime Minister (and letting it be recorded), he is banished to a hovel...er, actually a mansion in Santa Monica, California. His older sister Annika, the heir to the throne, accompanies him to assist in the rehabilitation of Jadon's image.

At his new high school, a cute boy with pink hair catches Jadon's eye, but Reiss Hayes is not impressed by "His Royal Arrogance." Jadon's haughtiness is a cover for loneliness and insecurity, and once he drops the attitude, he and Reiss start making heart eyes at each other. But the new couple have to keep their relationship a secret, and Jadon's ex-boyfriend has just appeared in Santa Monica, allegedly to help Jadon. Although Jadon is really into Reiss, his ultimate goal is to return to Reverie. Can their relationship survive conniving exes and potential long distance? Can Prince Jadon find a way to be suitably royal without sacrificing himself?

This was a predictable but enjoyable YA novel that distinguishes itself by having a Black, queer royal as the MC and taking place in an environment where neither of those things are a big deal. There are a lot of secondary characters, notably Jadon's new friends who are only mildly impressed by his title, and at times I lost track of who was who. I wish Winters had gone for quality over quantity; Annika alone deserves her own book, as does Jadon's Poor Little Rich Girl friend, Grace.

The story's narration is first person from Jadon's POV, so we only see Reiss through his eyes. The pink-haired boy with no tolerance for bullshit is an aspiring filmmaker and sneakerhead who is inexperienced sexually and part of a warm, loving family. He needed a little more depth to come fully alive, but he wasn't one-dimensional. Winters nicely sidesteps a potential Big Misunderstanding between the boys when Jadon's ex shows up, although being honest with Reiss doesn't solve all of their problems.

I caught several Easter Eggs (view spoiler), and I'm sure I missed many others. Honestly, I need to read fewer YA novels and more adult fare, but it's hard to stay away from stories like this one that are so optimistic about life's possibilities.

ARC received from publisher and Net Galley in exchange for objective review.

Loved this young adult story. It’s refreshing and lots and lots of culture. I felt the story close to me and and I couldn’t put the book down once I started reading.

I went into it thinking this was a romance. While Jadon and Reiss’s love story is a major part of the story, it’s a really a coming of age story following Jason’s struggle to find his own identity. Overall, I enjoyed the story and our main characters and side characters. I wish that the inciting incident that gets Jadon exiled was more interesting.

I’ve been a bit burnt out on reading romances so it might’ve not been the best time to pick this one up. I was looking forward to this because of the Red White & Royal Blue comp, but like some other reviewers. I didn’t see much of a connection outside of the royalty aspect. A lot of the narration felt repetitive and I could never really get invested in either Jadon as a protagonist or the secondary characters.

4.5 stars

After a video of a messy break up goes viral, Prince Jadon of Îles de la Rêverie is forced to stay in America until he cleans up his act. So, he's enrolled in a private school in Santa Monica, with carefully scheduled appearances to get his image back. What he doesn't expect is to fall for a local boy at his school that might just throw a wrench into all his plans.

As Jadon tries to juggle his new image with his growing feelings, he has to decide what his future looks like. And if he wants to fit into the image Rêverie wants him to have after all.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for an advanced copy of Prince of the Palisades by Julian Winters to review! If you are a fan of Young Royals, you'll definitely love Winters' latest romance. It hits all the right boxes, with a swoonworthy romance you'll absolutely love.

This also might be the rare queer YA that actually feels like Red, White, & Royal Blue to me as well. Not quite the enemies to lovers romance, but you get similar vibes from the royalty and the romance. Winters always excels at writing characters you will fall in love with from the beginning, and this book is no exception. At the beginning, Jadon is closed off. Being a prince for him means that getting close to people is a liability. His emotional journey from beginning to end is so well done. Especially as he learns to open up.

In addition to being a romance, this book is also about finding your voice and standing up for what you believe in. Through his new friends in the US, Jadon learns to use his privilege as a prince to stand up for others, especially queer teens. It works so well for the emotional journey he's on throughout the book.

All in all, if you're looking for a queer, royalty romance, definitely pick this one up in August!

When Prince Jaden, the spare to the heir of the Island of Reverie, is caught on camera seemingly drunk and mouthing off about his country's Prime Minister, his parents send him away to California to cool down and become someone his country can be proud of. Jaden finds it difficult to make friends--difficult to trust anyone, after what happened--but catches the eye of sweet, pink-haired, filmmaking fellow classmate Reiss. He learns that sometimes trouble is worth it.

This book was fun and frothy, and showcases the struggles of being both a POC and member of the LGBTQ community in the spotlight. I think the comparisons to RW&RB are inapt and do this book a disservice, though. This book reads much younger, for one--the characters are seventeen, rather than in their early twenties, and just the level of the jokes and every feel more high school. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but that garners a different audience. It would probably be more appropriate to compare it to something like Tokyo Ever After, not that it needs a comp. I also think Jaden's personality had a 180 about two-thirds of the way through the book, and while the change needed to happen and was central to the plot, it could have been more gradual. I think this book will appeal to high school students, royal aficionados, and those looking for queer and POC representation.

Thanks to Viking Books for Young Readers / Penguin Teen for my ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4 stars - 7/10

4.75 stars

Engaging, fun, and a wonderful personal growth arc, this book is an adorable royal romance.

Prince Jadon is sent to America to repair his image after a viral video of him smack talking his country's prime minister. In Califronia, he meets Reiss, and Jadon is faced with the challenge of learning who he wants to be.

I love that every chapter has an article excerpt at the beginning. I adore Jadon's journey as a young queer, Black teenager who is allowed to be angry and cry and be strong. Jadon and Reiss are adorable together. I wish there was a little more depth in some of the side characters but that's because I'd love to know more about them. Jadon is flawed but trying, and I love him.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review!

Book:
PRINCE OF THE PALISADES by Julian Winters
Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Teen for the Arc (Aug 20)

Review:
4⭐
PRINCE OF THE PALISADES was such, cutesy-entertaining read. It follows Jadon, Prince of Palisades, as he is banished to America after a stunt goes wrong---ranting to the wrong people and ending up in tabloids. He must do what it takes to get back on top: to be the person who is fit to be prince. Jadon goes through obstacle after obstacle, trying to fit in, trying to be the right fit in the tabloids eyes.
PRINCE OF THE PALISADES is different from what I normally read. I's full of drama, lies, bickering royals, blooming romance between a prince and an everyday person. I really like how it didn't feel like I was reading---it was to the point where I binged this book. I couldn't get enough of Jadon learning to fit in, or lack thereof in way. I couldn't get enough of the royals spats, the drama galore.

4.5 Royal Stars!

Really enjoyed this coming-of-age story narrated by Prince Jadon as he tries to balance adjusting to a new high school in a new country with showing only the 'perfect prince' that his parents want him to be. It's hard to let his guard down and make new friends, nonetheless have a mutual crush, when you're the Prince of a foreign country and the international media is always hungry for a scoop; always trying to photograph and document less-than-ideal moments. Jadon gets by, with the help of his witty and sarcastic sister and bodyguard, and he even joins the school play!

Highly recommended YA reading, love the LGBTQIAP+ cast!

I've read several Julian Winters book and have always enjoyed how he approaches a "coming of age" story. This one is a bit different from his previous works, dealing with a slightly less relatable approach of a prince figuring out who he is. I found Jadon to be a likeable, but flawed, character and thought his self-discovery journey was well written. I did find most of the background characters to be a bit flat. They had unique personalities, but they felt a bit one-note at times. For a few characters that felt like part of the story; Jadon noticing how people are what is expected of them. However, some of the time it just felt like there wasn't enough character development for anyone but our main protagonist.

When I first heard from Penguin Teen that Prince of the Palisades was perfect for fans of Young Royals and Red, White, and Royal Blue, I was hesitant at first. I love both of those stories so much, and I was worried this book was using a big name tv show and book to promote this story, and I can confidently say I had nothing to worry about.

Prince Jadon is sent away from Rêverie after a public scandal and enrolls at a private school in America, except things don't go as planned when he meets a pink-haired boy and completely falls in love. While working on his image, Jadon works on finding himself and what it truly means to be the leader he wants to be.

It's safe to say, I LOVED this book. I love the subtle references to YR, RWRB, and Princess Dairies I caught while reading the book. I enjoyed the relationships between Jadon and everyone in his live. And I thought the prince's character growth was very well done.

Thank you so much Penguin Teen for giving me the opportunity to review this book. It's definitely in my top five reads of 2024.

@wintersjulian has done it again, with another winning book featuring (royal!) queer black boy joy. Billed as having a RW&RB x Young Royals vibe, Prince of the Palisades features Prince Jadon, the second in line to the throne of the fictional Rêverie. When his loud criticism of the prime minister gets him temporarily banished to Southern California (his mother’s native hometown), Jadon cannot wait to prove he is worthy of his people’s respect and the right to come home again. But nothing ever goes the way Jadon wants it to go; between homesickness, anger, the challenge of connecting with his peers, staying politically neutral, giving the paps only good things to report, and possibly finding a cute boy (Reiss) to crush on, Jadon is struggling. And when his relationship with Reiss goes public, will Reiss be willing to put up with the media attention and royal expectations? YA fans will love watching Jadon get the chance to discover who he really is. After all, everyone deserves that chance. Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. #yabooks #queerauthors #blackauthors #lgbtqya #blackroyals #princeofthepalisades #youthlibrarian #schoollibrarian

Queer, black, and royalty. An unusual combination to find in one character, and I loved Jadon's expression of his emotions, and his character arc over the course of the story. A young prince struggling to understand his identity in a world where he represents his country. I was in awe of Jadon's articulate voice and how beautifully the author put forward the mixture of the pure exhilaration and messy confusion that is experienced in love. The story is highly engaging and refreshing. It's so easy to connect with Jadon and root for him. I 100% recommend this book coz it's so worth your time.

The Young Royals vibes are IMMACULATE!

Jadon and Reiss definitely read as Wilhelm and Simon in their first interactions, which are so reminiscent of Wilson’s awkward first encounters. Even though Jadon is a slightly stuck-up rich kid (he's a literal prince), it’s very easy to root for him because he's so earnest and just trying his best. The romance between him and Reiss was slightly bumpy in how they came together but overall very sweet <3

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book! Julian Winters has been on my list of authors to read and I am so glad I started with this one! I am a huge fan of Red, White, and Royal Blue and I can definitely see the comparisons. This book is a fresh take on the royalty romance sub genre that has become so popular. Overall, I felt that this was a cute, short, and super fun read. While Jadon is unlikeable at first, you will definitely warm up to him towards the end.