I was soo excited to read Nobody In Particular because royal romances are my all time favorite trope and even better when they are sapphic. I enjoyed reading about the romance blooming between Danni and Rose, however they separately felt a bit flat as individual characters. I also really enjoyed the boarding school setting, but would have liked some more exposure to the outside world to make the broader consequences feel real. I also really enjoyed the side characters in this book, and would have liked to see more of Danni's mom and Rose's parents. Overall, I did feel a little bit let down by this book, but I still enjoyed it and would recommend for fans of Her Royal Highness and other YA royal romances like American Royals.

This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed her writing style. I liked the multiple povs because I felt that each character was very unique and the dual narrative allowed me to hear both of their experiences. I loved both Danni and Rose. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

This book opens with Sophie Gonzales explaining how this comes from a story she wrote long ago, before the queer royalty books became a trend. Hence, the story may have become less different from back when she conceived it. I can't tell what I would have thought then, but I feel this was just the expectable amount of... the expected for a YA romance.

3.5 rounded up to 4.

This is a girls boarding school romance between the American and the princess of the small reign in Europe. I loved the contrasting personalities for both and I imagine all the years of editing the story did it very good. It's hard to pick a flaw. The pacing is good, the characters act just as the author needs them to.

Aside from how the main couple was built, I also like how this dealt with substance abuse. Not as the big thing to take the focus out of what we were really here for but as something relevant to the characters and their development.

It's hard to pick what about the book that it's not a five-star. But I think that was it. As I said I can't tell how the novelty of a queer royalty romance would have gone when the author really wanted it published, but I suspect that my impression would still be that it was a good book to read but that was it. It lacked that Something Else that makes it an unforgettable five-star to me.

All in all, even if it's not a rare gem, it's a book that I'm sure most readers will enjoy. Plus I love Sophie Gonzales's stories, and you shouldn't miss the opportunity to read any of them.

Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.

I can't stop thinking about this book! The depth of character was so well-done, and I was deeply invested from start to finish. I think the ending was a little too optimistic compared to how grounded the rest of the book felt, and I would have preferred more ambiguity, but overall this was a great read.

The fairytale I always wanted to read growing up

This book is like a warm hug wrapped in teenage angst, queer joy, and just the right amount of swoon. Seriously—if you’re into heartfelt slow-burns, witty banter, and characters who feel way too real (in the best way), this one’s a must-read.

The romance will sweep you off your feet! I caught myself grinning like a dork at multiple points. And the emotional beats? They hit hard. There’s so much vulnerability and growth packed in, but it never feels heavy—it’s got that perfect balance of fluff and depth.

Also, the friendships and the little moments of self-discovery? Chef’s kiss. 🫶

Five stars, easily. This one gave me all the feels and left my heart full. Highly recommend for fans of YA romance that actually says something while still being ridiculously cute.

The first thing I would like to point out for this book would be to read the author's note -- I feel like it's a very important piece to this book.

For me, I feel like if you enjoyed Red, White, and Royal Blue, you will enjoy this book. Nobody in Particular is a story about the crown princess, Rosemary, and a new scholarship student, Dani, at a boarding school called Bramppath College. Both trying to find acceptance for who they are. Both from two different backgrounds, Both unable to avoid looking at each other.

The sweet sapphic relationship found in this book was well written and very thought-out when it came to dating someone famous and dealing with the paparazzi and social media. Overall, this was a really sweet read, but it was hard to keep my attention because I couldn't connect to the characters. I realize that I am not the targeted audience (age 36), but I would recommend this to teens who are interested in this genre.

I almost didn't finish this book because let's face it, some story lines interest us more than others and this book has A LOT going on, but I had to finish it. I had to see what happened.

To me most of the characters very annoying and over the top with the exception of a few moments throughout the book.You could tell they cared about each other, but there was struggles about sexual identity and past (from almost every character) that we see throughout the book, However, there is so much growth for the 2 FMC'S and I feel that readers can appreciate that. The ending felt a little too rushed for me and I would have liked to see more in regards to some of the main characters.

Nobody in Particular is a heartwarming coming of age LGBTQIA+ novel that includes drama, love, and grief and a lot of emotions, with a gorgeous cover to go with the words inside.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

This was so cute! I need to read more sapphic romances because this one just made me crave it so much. I loved the banter and the chemistry between our two main characters, the plot and setting were engaging and I was gripped the whole time.

Sophie Gonzales writes great characters, and Rose and Danni are no exception. I thought the character development was great, especially when we find out just why Molly hates Rose so much. The characters and their dynamics were well-done, and I know that they will resonate with my students. I am looking forward to recommending this one!

This book was like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day (fitting, since it's spring right now in the Twin Cities). with a royal twist (English Breakfast cuppa, anyone?) Oh, and did I mention it's a slow burn full of yearning??

Princess Rosemary is trying to piece her life back together after a scandal that nearly destroyed everything she’d worked for. She’s determined to keep her head down at school and avoid any more headlines. That is, until Danni shows up, all talent, charm, and zero respect for royal boundaries. Their connection is immediate and electric, but in a world where image is everything, love becomes more of a liability than a fairytale.

Their story is soft and full of sweet moments, but what really drew me in is how much both girls grow throughout the story. Rose’s struggle to live authentically under constant scrutiny will be so relatable to any eldest daughter who still craves academic validation even after years of therapy, and Danni’s confidence and kindness bring so much light to the page.

The supporting characters add drama and dimension, which is always something I look for. You’ll find yourself rooting hard for Rose and Danni as they try to hold onto something beautiful in a world that’s desperate to tear them apart (it's giving Red, White, and Royal Blue, but sapphic).

It was cute, and I always love seeing the young sapphics finding each other and finding their footing. But honestly other than Rose’s character and situation (and I will say that Rose grew on me quite a bit, and I enjoyed her journey and growth, but also her teasing personality and scathing sarcasm, plus the very real way she would dissociate from any negative emotion) it felt very surface level, unable to hold up under any kind of scrutiny.

Danni fit whatever role was needed for the moment. Sometimes she was painfully shy, other times she was popular and standing up for herself and others. She grew up in DENVER and was horrified of weed (more so than alcohol??) and had never had a non-dairy milk. She was a pianist good enough to get a full ride into a fancy private school in another country (which is INSANE; she’d have to be a prodigy to do that for piano. It would have been much more believable if she played oboe or something) WITHOUT performing?? Like, auditions?? A repertoire of performances and recitals?? There’s absolutely no way unless the school’s music program is a literal joke. Also no way she’d be the only piano student; because that’s not remotely cost effective and not conducive to learning.

Also, we needed Rachel to actually be a character. Otherwise, why even have her exist? She’s a plot device so Danni isn’t entirely alone without any friends.

The good: Rose and Molly, Rose confronting her trauma (don’t like that she said no to therapy though), Rose embracing her emotions, Rose thrashing against her gilded cage.

Could have been 50 pages shorter though

This book was such a lovely surprise. Heartfelt, funny, and completely absorbing, Nobody in Particular had me hooked from Danni and Rose’s first sarcastic exchange. Their connection was magnetic and sweet, and I loved the layered exploration of identity, privilege, and queer first love. The boarding school setting, the mystery surrounding past events, and the secret dating trope all worked so well together.

It reminded me of Her Royal Highness meets Red, White, and Royal Blue, with a bit of Gossip Girl chaos and entitlement thrown in. The story touches on mature themes like sex, drugs, and alcohol, but felt appropriate for the high school setting and was handled with realism and care.

Sophie Gonzales has written a beautiful, romantic YA novel with unforgettable characters and genuine emotional depth. I read this in less than a day and loved watching Danni and Rose grow into themselves. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC.

<b>“I am wildfire. And I intend to burn it all down”</b>

Oof. Royal romance. LGBTQ+. Heartbreak and heart healed. A true coming-of-age story. Gonzales DELIVERED. I really enjoyed Danni, who started out so unsure of herself but really blossomed at Brammpath. Rose was exactly what I would have expected and more. I love how hard she came for people when she thought Danni was at risk.

Burn it all down, Rose. & from the ashes a queen shall rise.

Princess Rosemary of Henland can’t afford distractions. She’s working tirelessly to repair her image following a scandal that lost the trust of both her country and her best friend. Unfortunately, when a beautiful and funny new student joins her boarding school, Rose finds herself quite distracted indeed. Attending Bramppath College on a music scholarship, talented pianist Danni expects to be an outcast amongst the wealthy children of the elite, but she is pleasantly surprised to be taken in by the ex-best friend of the princess. The more Danni gets to know her new classmates, the more intrigued she becomes by Rose. When somebody sees something they shouldn’t and rumors circulate throughout Henland, Rose and Danni must either find a way to deflect the ever-increasing eyes on their relationship, or end it altogether. Because one thing is clear: if Rose’s fragile reputation takes any more hits, the palace will do whatever they must to separate Rose and Danni. Forever.

Thoughts
I enjoyed this book way more than I expected. It was a lovely coming of age and coming out story with of course the added dramatics of being a royal and having an entire country watching you. It’s also a reminder of being true to yourself and finding the love and acceptance you deserve, even if that means risking it all.

I didn't think I could love a Sophie Gonzales book more than Only Mostly Devastated, but I think this is her best yet that I have read.

Her author's note says this book was 11 years in the making, and that may be to its advantage!

In the country of Henland (which feels silly, but is it worse than Finland?), Danni is starting at the ritzy private school Bramppath on a piano scholarship. She's an American kid who has moved with her mom to her stepfather's homeplace - which feels well timed after a difficult year of bullying back in Colorado. But it's left Danni scared of being seen by the public, even for her piano playing.

Her new friend group at school includes the country's princess, Rose - drop-dead gorgeous and reeling after a tragedy a few months ago.

There is a lot in this novel: dealing with PTSD and the death of a friend, friendship break-ups and make-ups, thoughts about royalty, public vs. private persona, and coming out by choice and not. It is steamy without going into detail, appropriate for YA in my opinion.

I thoroughly enjoyed this royal/normal romance.

1 Sentence Summary: Danni just moved to a new country and doesn’t fit in at her new ultra rich and elite school; Princess Rosemary is trying to rehabilitate her reputation after a huge scandal and doesn’t have time for distractions; but the more time Danni and Rose spend together, the more they fall for each other, except their relationship is forbidden and they must hide it at all costs.

My Thoughts: 3.5 stars rounded up!

This was overall pretty good! Maybe I’ve just been reading too many boarding school novels lately, because I was a little bored of that trope. Also the whole ‘royalty of a made up country’ trope. (On that note, why did she name the country Henland??? Every time I read that I could only think of chickens lol.)

I wish that the topic of teenage drug use and overdose was explored a bit more. It kind of seemed like it was only there as a plot device, and I think a bit more care could’ve been taken with it.

The writing was good, the romance was sweet (if a bit overdramatic at times, but I guess they are teenagers), and the conclusion was pretty satisfying. It did feel like things worked out suspiciously well, but I am glad that it had a happy ending.

Not my favorite Sophie Gonzales, but not bad:)

Recommend to: Fans of YA boarding school & royalty romance

(Warnings: swearing; underage drinking; drug use; drug overdose)

Princess Rosemary is working hard to repair her image after a scandal lost her the trust of her country and her best friend. Danni is a pianist who is an outcast of the wealthy children who attend the school. Danni finds herself more and more intrigued by Rose. Rose and Danni must find a way to deflect eyes from their relationship or be separated by the palace forever.

Super cute romance story set at wealthy school, sign me up. I really enjoyed the dual POV and getting to see inside both girls heads. I liked both the characters and enjoyed getting to see them develop through the story.

A cute, sapphic coming-of-age story AND Princess and the Pauper vibes? I was SOLD. This story was adorable, and I loved these characters. The writing style was slightly juvenile, but for a YA audience I felt like it was acceptable, especially since the overall themes and plot were enrapturing!

This is a nice angst-with-a-happy-ending wlw romance, with a dash of royal drama. If that sounds like your thing, no reason to read on! This book is probably for you. That being said, I’m not sure it was quite for me, and that’s not because there’s anything in particular (ha) wrong with it. It was a little heavier on the angst than I expected, and I wasn’t ever quite excited to come back to it. I think this is because Gonzales tries very seriously to navigate the potential issues with coming out in a Catholic country, particularly as royalty. It’s well done, but it’s a bit heavier than a typical YA romance.

I enjoyed the two main characters and their friend group. Danni works hard to overcome the bullying she faced at her last school, and Rose is just delightful on the page. She’s poised and snarky, and most of my favorite lines of dialogue came from her. Apart from the romance, there’s also an excellent friendship bond for both of them with Molly, and I liked seeing the girls come together to support each other. The plot took one twist I was expecting and one I wasn’t, and it was fun to watch both of those play out. The end is unexpectedly optimistic after the hopelessness of some of the middle chapters, but I’m always here for a happy ending. I received a free e-ARC through NetGalley from the publishers at St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books.

I review regularly at brightbeautifulthings.tumblr.com.

4.5 ⭐

This is the story of Danni from America, who gets a music scholarship to Bramppath College in Henland—a prestigious, all-girls boarding school for the ultra-rich. And Princess Rosemary of Henland, who’s working tirelessly to repair her image following a scandal that lost the trust of both her country and her best friend.

But this isn’t Mean Girls. No one’s getting pushed in front of a bus. The girls at Bramppath are genuinely welcoming—in the best way they know how—even if they come from power, money, or fame. Think The Princess Diaries 2 meets Serena Van Der Woodsen, with a queer twist and way more heart.

At its core, this is a love story. A tender romance—no love triangles, no insta-lust. It doesn’t scream “Look! Queer romance!”—it simply is. The journey is about expression, not repression. And that makes all the difference.

There’s also the ever-present tension of Rose’s public life. Henland is a deeply religious country, and the expectations placed on her as a future queen are intense. But the book doesn’t villainize religion—it just shows how institutions can quietly dictate what someone is allowed to show the world.

The writing itself is clean and breezy. It’s easy to read, in a good way. The kind of book you devour in two sittings because you want to stay in its world a little longer.

Is it groundbreaking? Not really. But it’s necessary. It’s heartfelt, quietly brave, and the kind of story I wish had existed when I was a teen. It might not redefine the genre, but it’ll absolutely mean something to the right reader. And that’s everything.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

Nobody in Particular by Sophie Gonzales is a first person dual-POV YA Sapphic contemporary romance. Danni is an American and new piano student at a prestigious boarding school in a small European nation. When she meets Princess Rosemary, they initially don’t hit it off. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is for them to fight their growing feelings and hide those feelings from the general public.

I feel like this is the YA romance I’ve been waiting for ever since I read Princess Diaries as a kid and slowly started to realize that I’m Sapphic. The opening is a little bit Mean Girls and the general premise feels somewhat like a Princess Diaries alternative universe but with more emphasis on the romance and less ‘learning how to be a princess.’ There’s a lot more emphasis on public perception and Rose needing to learn how to balance the expectations placed on her versus what she wants and who she is. I also feel that it gets more political than Princess Diaries did and it really benefits from having frank discussions around being gay and being next in line to the throne.

The other thing the plot really benefited from is the social media and press aspects. As much as many of us might feel that public figures are entitled to their privacy, there are others who don’t and nothing is more sensational than a future queen possibly not wanting to be with a man, which creates different avenues for succession than what is traditional. The nation being majority Catholic did make me worry that we’d get a lot more homophobia from the press, but there wasn’t nearly as much as I thought there could be. There is a forced outing and it is really uncomfortable, but it also feels inevitable in a lot of ways, unfortunately, especially given that there is an account documenting every instance of Danni and Rose interacting.

Danni and Rose’s romance is not really on the sweet side of the spectrum but it’s also not the spiciest romance I’ve read in YA. It’s somewhere solidly in between where there is some heat and we get some glimpses, though nothing explicit, and it feels a lot like how many teens experience a first love. They want to touch each other all the time and kiss and just spend time together, but they also have the added pressure of Rose’s position in society and having to hide their relationship as Rose has been told she can’t be out and Danni isn’t ready to come out as Bi quite yet. The secretive bits have higher stakes and both girls take those stakes very seriously.

Content warning for depictions of homophobia, sexual assault, and forced outing

I would recommend this to fans of YA romance looking for a Sapphic Princess Diaries-esque story and readers of Sapphic romance looking for a YA that frankly discusses the intersection of Queerness, politics, and faith