3.5 - A cute read reminiscent of princess diaries and red, white, and royal blue. A sweet book that captured innocent and young love. The plot itself had some traction, but there wasn’t much conflict or crescendo for this book. It was a cute and enjoyable book to read that is perfect for a quick palate cleanser.

I thought this would be right up my alley. A gay rom-com with Princess Diaries vibes? Yes, please! Unfortunately, I just couldn't get into it. It starts off slow and I wasn't really connecting with any of the characters. I think a lot of people will really love this one and it did have moments that were really cute, but overall it just wasn't for me.

The Rules of Royalty by Cale Dietrich was a fun, quick read for me that I enjoyed quite a bit! "Two princes for neighboring countries fall into a whirlwind royal romance" was the hook that instantly intrigued me with this book! It was a fun mesh of The Princess Diaries and Red White and Royal Blue. Erik and Jamie came from different backgrounds but had a lot in common. The acceptance of these two princes falling in love was refreshing, and their romance was sweet and exciting.

Thank you to author Cale Dietrich, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the ARC!

I really liked this cute “princess diaries meets red white and royal blue” story. It was a fast read and I really liked the characters. The best friend at home being so angsty got a little frustrating, but overall it was great

This, unfortunately, simply wasn't for me.

I was really hopeful I would enjoy this because I love The Princess Diaries, but I never really got into. I felt like the story was rushed and discombobulated. Everything was happening so fast! And sometimes, I couldn't quite understand how we got from point A to B. Things were happening, but I didn't see the logical thread.

I also couldn't really connect to the characters. I could see potential in both of our protagonists, but I felt like we never really dug deep. Everything remained on the surface.

Overall, this seemed promising, but it did not live up to my expectations.

MM
Dual POV
Young Adult
Princess Diaries vibes

Rating: ??? - for me this was a 2, just way too young for me, I got bored and wanted to move on, for an early teen two thumbs up, super cute and age appropriate romance

TLDR: Are you a young teen? This book is for you.

This book is cute. Enjoyable Princess Diaries vibes without just being a queer retelling of that story. This book is clearly written for a young audience. I wouldn't recommend it for anyone older than young teens. The main characters are 17 and behave in very safe ways. I would let my kids read this.

Ultimately, I'd recommend this book to anyone who is a young teenager.

Thank you to the author, St Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the advanced review copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel. The concept of this novel worked better for me than the actual book. A hidden illegitimate American price meets a born and bred royal is a great setup with opposing points of view and the early attraction but I did not find either character to be engaging. It felt like they were saying the same thing over and over and over again and while I wanted to see where the ending would go, I did not want to read more. I did finish it but this does not rate highly for me. I have enjoyed Dietrich's work previously so one miss does not discourage me from reading other works or requesting more in the future. I would skip this and go to If This Gets Out or The Love Interest. 2 stars.

3.5 stars
Imagine finding out your are a prince, had no idea, and have to figure out all the rules of society. That’s what Jaime had to do and along the way falls for his tutor erick.

This book was such a joyous and incredible read. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment reading this novel, and I highly recommend it for anyone who needs a sweet, funny and swoony rom-com to enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Wednesday Books for an early-access copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I ended up DNFing this book, around the 30% mark. I lost interest and wasn’t able to bring it back enough to finish. I have heard excellent things from others, so I know this was a “me thing”.

The Rules of Royalty by Cale Dietrich is a cute, fun read with a solid royal romance at its core. The story follows Jamie, a regular teen who suddenly finds out he’s the heir to a throne, and Erik, the polished prince assigned to help him adjust. Their dynamic is sweet, and the romance is definitely the highlight of the book.

That said, the dual POV doesn’t always feel distinct, and the story sticks pretty closely to familiar royal romance tropes. It’s still entertaining, but nothing about it really stands out. The side characters also don’t get much development, which makes the world feel a little flat.

Overall, it’s an enjoyable book if you’re in the mood for a light, feel-good royal romance, but it doesn’t bring much new to the table.

I Thanks to the net galley for the arc of this book

This isn't my first Cale Dietrich book, i previously read the love interest, and that was one of my favorite books, so i was looking forward to this book

I did not enjoy it as much as i enjoyed the love interest, but i did enjoy this book. i think it was well written and had good characters, i loved the relationship between erik and Jamie, i do wish Erik's brother appeared more i wish we got to see them together more

I'm normally not a fan of the whole commoner royal match up. But with this rom com I loved it. I loved the banter between Erik and Jamie. And the fact that we get a Northern European fictional kingdom instead of it suppose to be Britain.

This is a very cute book about a European prince and an American boy who finds out he’s a prince. Queer royal romance is basically my bread and butter, but unfortunately I just couldn’t get into this and Dnf’ed about 40% of the way through. I would still recommend it for fans of m/m YA romance and red white and royal blue.

The Princess Diaries meets Red, White, and Royal Blue. Cale Dietrich has created a magical queer, YA world that is every young person’s fantasy - what if I was secretly Royal and what if I fell in love with a Prince? A very cute love story and as an almost nearly middle-aged woman - hot dads. 🤣 3.75 stars.

This was a lighthearted LGBTQ+ retelling of The Princess Diaries. IT was really sweet and was a nice YA to read that I would recommend to students!

This story was one that I desperately needed in a time like this.

Cale weaves us a fun, enjoyable tale about two young men who likely wouldn't have gotten together in any other circumstance than this. It's a gay Princess Diaries -- which is pretty much right up my alley.

The cover was adorable, which is what made me want to read it in the first place. Between the pages we get taken to a new world where ordinary people find out their princes, and then wind up getting lessons on how to fulfill their duty.

While you DO need to suspend belief in reality for this one, I don't think it's a bad thing. You get to have fun, go on an adventure, and find love all while being at home.

If you're looking for a good time, then this is the book to pick up. It was well worth the time.

In this fun royal romance novel, readers follow Jamie Johnson as he discovers that his father is the king of Mitanor, a sunny southern European country, and he is the heir to the throne. Invited to spend the summer in Mitanor and meet his father, Jamie meets Erik Lindstrom, the second son and prince of a northern European kingdom, who has agreed to tutor the new Mitanorian prince in etiquette, politics, and history. With a surprising connection forming between the two royals, both must choose between their duties and their happiness, especially since the crown and country usually come first. With alternating perspectives and two fascinating narrators, this is a fun new royal romance that fans of similar titles like “Red, White, and Royal Blue” will love. Emotional, entertaining, and full of tension (romantic and familial), the characters’ internal conflicts are excellently written and suitably dramatic, while the growth of characters and their relationships is also incredibly enjoyable to follow as the novel develops. The characters really pull readers into the story, and Cale Dietrich has done a great job developing the two kingdoms and their cultural differences, which only add to the characters’ decisions and the tensions in this charming new release.

The Rules of Royalty is a decent YA Queer romance between an American who discovers he's a foreign royal and the neighboring prince who tutors him on how to be a royal. The story is fluffy with low angst, while it was enjoyable , I didn't love it and found it to be overall nothing rememberable about it.

Cale Dietrich’s The Rules of Royalty is a heartwarming, romantic, and delightfully regal tale of identity, duty, and love. With its lush settings, layered characters, and a romance that feels both tender and profound, this book is a must-read for fans of modern royal stories and LGBTQ+ romance.

Jamie Johnson, a grounded and likable protagonist, is thrust into the spotlight when he learns he’s the heir to the throne of Mitanor, a fictional sun-drenched European country. As he navigates the overwhelming world of royal life and begins to build a relationship with the father he never knew, Jamie’s journey feels authentic and deeply personal. Across the continent, Erik Lindstrom, a charming but overshadowed spare prince, struggles to find his place within a family and country that prioritize perfection over individuality. The contrast between Jamie’s sudden rise and Erik’s simmering frustrations sets the stage for a heartfelt connection.

When Erik is invited to tutor Jamie in royal etiquette and protocol, sparks fly in more ways than one. Their chemistry is palpable, but Dietrich balances their romance with the weight of their responsibilities, making their journey both swoon-worthy and emotionally resonant. The push and pull between duty and desire is explored beautifully, and the summer palace setting adds a dreamy, cinematic quality to their budding relationship.

The audiobook, provided by Macmillan Audio, enhances the experience with outstanding narration. Each prince’s voice is distinct, capturing Jamie’s uncertainty and Erik’s stoic yet vulnerable demeanor perfectly. The lush descriptions of palaces, formal events, and quiet moments between Jamie and Erik are brought vividly to life, making the audiobook an immersive delight.

Dietrich also weaves themes of self-discovery, family expectations, and the weight of tradition into the narrative, giving the story depth beyond its romantic core. The political and royal elements feel well-researched, and the stakes are high enough to keep readers engaged until the satisfying conclusion.

I’m grateful to St. Martin’s Press for granting me access to the book via NetGalley and to Macmillan Audio for the audiobook. Both formats are excellent, but the audiobook adds an extra layer of charm that makes it a standout.

The Rules of Royalty is a romantic escape that’s as heartwarming as it is thought-provoking. With its mix of glamour, heartfelt connections, and a swoon-worthy love story, this is a book you won’t want to miss. Fans of modern royal tales and sweet LGBTQ+ romances will be eagerly awaiting what Cale Dietrich writes next!