One of Amazon's Best YA Books of December!
Fangirlish, "10 Best Romance Books of December"
Book Riot, "The 8 Most-Anticipated New Queer Books Out in December 2024" and "Take Yourself Out On a Date With These 10 New Romance Reads"
“Dietrich has written a quintessential gay romance. Everything about it—its tantalizing premise, its highly engaging plot, its to-die-for characters—is practically perfect, and it’s irresistibly readable, to boot. The pages fly by as readers root for the starcrossed boyfriends, with whom readers will have doubtlessly fallen in love, and hope for a happy ending." - Booklist (starred review)
"Immediate and emotional first-person chapters detail the highs and lows of royal teenage life in this slow-burn romance by Dietrich, which is studded with high-society extravagance and old-world charm.” - Publishers Weekly
“An LGBTQIA+ romance reminiscent of The Princess Diaries with characters readers will root for.” - School Library Journal
"Readers will enjoy indulging in the deliciously slow-burn romance between the kind, honest, and adorable boys, who narrate in alternating first-person chapters...this cozy royal love story is thoroughly delightful." - Kirkus
"A loose, queer retelling of The Princess Diaries is probably just what the doctor ordered for many of us given, you know, everything in the world right now and this warm, gooey slow-burn tale of a romance between two princes gets every emotional beat exactly right." - Paste, "The Best New YA Books of December 2024"
"The Rules of Royalty is a compelling YA contemporary romance that brings together compelling characters, a great love story, and coming-of-age storylines." - YA Books Central
“...a sweet royal romance billed as a gay YA spin on The Princess Diaries. If you need a dose of feel-good cheer this holiday season, how can you beat that?” - Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, "December 2024 Queer Romances"
“The Rules of Royalty is a sweet story of friendship, love and the importance of found family. Cale Dietrich’s take on The Princess Diaries is a lighthearted rom com with just enough angst to keep the plot moving along.” - Geek Girl Authority, "New Release Radar"
“If royal romances and The Princess Diaries are your cup of tea, The Rules of Royalty will be your new favorite LGBTQIA book.” - Eulalie Magazine, "7 LGBTQIA Books to Finish The Year Strong"
“This slow-burn romance doesn’t shy away from the challenges of royal life. A delightful read.” - Arlington Magazine, "10 New Books to Read in December"
"The Rules of Royalty is a must read. Jamie and Erik are 100% the princes we need—and deserve. Their love pops off the pages while Cale Dietrich plays with your heartstrings in this wonderfully crafted royal romance." Jordon Greene, author of Every Word You Never Said
"Smart, funny, full of heart, and packed full with Dietrich's signature style, The Rules of Royalty is the type of book that reminds you that miracles happen, once in a while. I couldn't stop smiling while reading and rooting for Jamie and Erik. A must read for all who love, love." —Kosoko Jackson, USA Today Bestselling author of The Forest Demands Its Due
“An enchanting, crown-worthy read! The Rules of Royalty delivers laughs, swoons, and a reminder that being our most authentic selves is the best happily-ever-after. Erik and Jamie are what real fairy tales are made of.”—Julian Winters, award-winning author of Right Where I Left You
Praise for If This Gets Out:
“If This Gets Out is an absolute showstopper! Equal parts edgy and adorable, this bright, joyful book has everything I look for in a queer YA romance—Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich tell this story in perfect harmony.” —Phil Stamper, bestselling author of The Gravity of Us and As Far as You’ll Take Me
“If This Gets Out is the perfect book.... It deftly explores the dark side of fame [and] the giddy thrill of first—and forbidden—love.” —Mackenzi Lee, New York Times–bestselling author
"[A] sweet and swoon-worthy romance. Zach and Ruben are a pitch-perfect duet!" —Caleb Roehrig, author of Last Seen Leaving
"Dazzle[s]...with a narrative of queer boy-bandmates who wrestle with newfound fame, and newfound feelings for each other. Readers will fall in love." —Adam Sass, author of Surrender Your Sons
"If This Gets Out blends the ache and the beauty of coming out under the lights of celebrity with the ways in which queer love is told to stay hidden, even when it's the only thing keeping the music going." —L.C. Rosen, author of Camp and Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts)
“If This Gets Out will suck you in from Page 1...[and] stick with you beyond the finale.” —Associated Press
“Fun, heartwarming, and a vital purchase for all collections serving teens.” —School Library Journal (starred review)
“This unexpectedly poignant love story… subverts expectations in refreshing ways…. A lively novel with as much appeal as the band itself.” —Kirkus
"Dietrich and Gonzales keep the tension high and Ruben and Zach's voices distinct in this friends-to-lovers romance that shines with passion and verve." —Booklist
“Riveting...If This Gets Out is the perfect read for anyone who loves music, friends-to-lovers romances or ever secretly shipped members of a band!” —Nerd Daily
09/16/2024
On Jamie Johnson’s 17th birthday, his adoptive American mother informs him that his biological father is the king of Mitanor, a sunny country near Spain. Though reserved Jamie insists “there’s nothing royal about me,” his father asks northern European prince Erik Lindstrom, also 17, to befriend Jamie and answer his questions. Soon both princes are invited to the Cristalia Palace in Mitanor for the summer where Erik coaches Jamie in all things royalty such as etiquette, presentation, and posture. The boys are immediately smitten, and Erik relishes the break from his life playing second fiddle to his straight, engaged older brother. But Erik’s gram has another suitor picked out for him, one meant to boost diplomatic relations and appearances, and when the media learns of Jamie’s identity, challenges mount. Immediate and emotional first-person chapters alternating between Jamie and Erik detail the highs and lows of royal teenage life in this slow-burn romance by Dietrich (The Pledge), which is studded with high-society extravagance and old-world charm and which paints a familiar and convincing portrait of the responsibilities and excesses of a monarchy. Ages 13–up. Agent: Moe Ferrara, BookEnds Literary. (Dec.)
12/01/2024
Gr 9 Up—Seventeen-year-old Jamie Johnson is an average high school student until he finds out he is a prince of Mitanor. To make the transition to the new aspects of his life easier, the king brings in Erik, Prince of Sunstad, to give him lessons on royal etiquette. What starts as friendship quickly blossoms into something more. Readers, through the novel's dual points of view, experience the princes' burgeoning romance and the royal expectations that create obstacles in their new relationship. Jamie's family, both biological and adoptive, are supportive of his being gay and encourage him to find balance in his new role as European royalty and in his life back in America. Erik's nation and family embrace his queer identity; however, his family believes they know what is best for him when choosing a suitable partner and exercise heavy control of his life. Readers will enjoy watching the relationship develop against the background of the opulent royal lifestyle. While the pair do not take their relationship past making out, an overnight trip in which they make out in their underwear makes this a purchase for high school collections. VERDICT An LGBTQIA+ romance reminiscent of The Princess Diaries with characters readers will root for.—Ashley Leffel
2024-09-14
Jamie Johnson is just a regular American high school kid—until his adoptive mom upends his life.
It turns out that Mom knows more about Jamie’s bio parents than she originally let on: He is, in fact, a prince of the kingdom of Mitanor. King Alexander invites Jamie, his mom, and his stepdad to spend the summer with the royal family, and what follows is a wholesome reunion filled with patience, respect, and love. After the news of Jamie’s royal status is leaked to the press, Prince Erik of Sunstad becomes his tutor, teaching him the rules of royalty and preparing him for his first press conference. Erik is also the perfect companion for a fellow gay prince. Despite being in a fight with his bestie, Max, for the majority of the narrative, Jamie is well supported by his core group of friends and his adoptive, biological, and step families. Likewise, Erik may not always see eye-to-eye with his parents and grandmother, but he’s very close to his older brother, crown prince Stefan, and Stefan’s fiancee. Readers will enjoy indulging in the deliciously slow-burn romance between the kind, honest, and adorable boys, who narrate in alternating first-person chapters. While Jamie’s and Erik’s narrative voices can sound too similar, this cozy royal love story is thoroughly delightful. Main characters are cued white.
Healthy relationships and honest discourse abound in this sweet romance.(Romance. 13-18)
