The cover on this one is absolutely adorable. This story has plenty of the hallmarks of a good YA novel. I loved every second.

The cover on this one is absolutely adorable. This story has plenty of the hallmarks of a good YA. such a stunning coming-of-age story about love, hope, hurt, and yearning

4.75

Setting: Henland (fictional European country)
Rep: lesbian FMC, bisexual FMC

Sophie Gonzales is the QUEEN of queer YA. Every time I think I'm probably done with YA, she's like "nope you're not" - this was excellent, so much heart and soul with fantastic characters. The sapphic royal romance I needed!

"It's an odd and wonderful thing, to barely dare to hope you might be tolerated as you are, only to find out the real you is beloved the way the false you never was."

What am I going to do? Dislike a book about the importance of being true to yourself, hope, and love? Let's be serious here. Nobody in Particular is such a perfect YA romance with just the right amount of humous, fleshed-out characters, a minor yet significant suspense plot line, and interesting relationships, both platonic and not.

The boarding school setting sits genuinely so well with me. That, the fast pacing of the story, and the descriptions of emotion had me read this in one sitting-- and definitely past my established bedtime.

I also really enjoyed Sophie Gonzales' other novel, Never Ever Getting Back Together-- so no part of me was surprised that I really did enjoy this one. This book is highly recommended for those who enjoyed Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins, and Flip the Script by Lyla Lee. Gonzales offers a standard trope in Nobody in Particular, but does so excellently.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is an absolute gem! I was completely drawn into their world, where every glance and secret meeting felt like a daring act of rebellion. Rose’s struggle to reclaim her reputation adds a rich layer to the story, making her connection with Danni even more poignant. Their relationship blooms against the backdrop of societal expectations and personal stakes, creating a rollercoaster of emotions that left me breathless. The tension is palpable as they navigate the choppy waters of rumors and scrutiny, and I found myself rooting for their love to triumph against all odds. The supporting characters add depth and complexity, enriching the narrative and providing a perfect balance to Rose and Danni's journey. I was captivated by the exploration of friendship, loyalty, and the sacrifices one must make for love. If you’re a fan of royal dramas with a side of heartfelt romance, you absolutely cannot miss this.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!!

What a good book! I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I loved the main characters! They had great chemistry and worked so well together. I loved how the book just flowed. My first by this author but will not be my last!!!

The author does a great job of demonstrating the difficulty of being true to oneself when a person does not conform to expectations or stereotypes. Princess Rosemary is an extreme example, as the vast majority of people are not princesses or princes or future queens or kings, and do not have the weight of public perceptions and expectations weighing them down. Even if it sometimes feels like everyone is judging us, the reality is that most people are less concerned about us than we think. However, that realization does not necessarily make it any easier. A princess, prince or other celebrity is always going to be in the public eye and is always going to have fans and detractors; it comes with the territory. Yet most of the people judging them are and always will be strangers. For the "normal" person, the scope of people potentially judging them is much smaller but often much more important -- family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc. -- which can make the risk and fear greater.

I enjoyed the ups and downs of Rose and Danni's relationship, as they tried to figure out how to be together, especially as their relationship had to be a secret. I also enjoyed the personal growth that Rose, Danni, and others experienced -- Danni gaining confidence about performing in the public and having people's attention on, Rose realizing how much of herself she suppresses and how it has harmed her relationships, including with her former best friend, Molly. While there is a lot of seriousness in the story, there is also plenty of humor and intimacy.

What a sweet & heartfelt novel!! Sophie Gonzales ability to authentically write queer young adult romance is unmatched. This is a book that will make you feel. Absolutely adored it!

A special thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books Marketing for a ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Nobody in Particular highlights Sophie Gonzales' incredible skills of building tension and devising real characters. ALL of the characters in this novel felt real to me, and had their own distinct storylines, quirks, and personalities. This is not true of all writers and Sophie does a great job with it. The boarding school scene makes for a wonderful world in which Rose and Danni feel like they can live outside the perception of the world itself. Of course, this is never the case and conflict always comes, but I think Sophie did a phenomenal job with this book. I wish this could have come out years ago and I want to send a strongly worded letter to the person who said the world wasn't ready for a royal queer romance.