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.

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.