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Being Royal #1
How to Date a Prince
What happens when the British Crown Prince falls in love with an American influencer who wants to get rid of the monarchy? Prince Auggie swears he’s no kind of dashing prince: daydreamer, private—and also secretly very gay. He’s instantly horrified when his father, reality TV addict King James, signs Auggie up for a reality TV show to promote the monarchy, where the man with the most talents wins—and to help find Auggie a bride, the very last thing Auggie wants. But duty calls.
When Auggie finds out his co-star is irritatingly gorgeous Thomas Golden, the charismatic dual American-English heir to the Golden hotel fortune, it’s another step too far. There’s at least one problem: Prince Auggie’s already recently crossed paths with Thomas Golden one disastrous night in a London club. Plus, there’s that whole second not-so-small, not-so-secret problem—the Golden family wants to get rid of the monarchy.
Once Auggie and Thomas arrive on set in the English countryside, it’s already unapologetically hate at first sight. It’s going to be a very long summer of filming…until sparks fly behind the scenes. They make a searing heatwave all their own as they secretly date. But soon, real reality strikes, and Auggie must choose between the life he’s destined for as the future king—or dare risk everything for love.
When Auggie finds out his co-star is irritatingly gorgeous Thomas Golden, the charismatic dual American-English heir to the Golden hotel fortune, it’s another step too far. There’s at least one problem: Prince Auggie’s already recently crossed paths with Thomas Golden one disastrous night in a London club. Plus, there’s that whole second not-so-small, not-so-secret problem—the Golden family wants to get rid of the monarchy.
Once Auggie and Thomas arrive on set in the English countryside, it’s already unapologetically hate at first sight. It’s going to be a very long summer of filming…until sparks fly behind the scenes. They make a searing heatwave all their own as they secretly date. But soon, real reality strikes, and Auggie must choose between the life he’s destined for as the future king—or dare risk everything for love.
375 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 15, 2025
79 people are currently reading
6447 people want to read
About the author
Hayden Stone
6 books274 followersMore animal than mineral, Hayden Stone is a writer of queer fiction, especially with kissing. He currently lives in Victoria, Canada, and has previously lived in Vancouver, Canada and London, UK. Hayden likes strong coffee and is owned by two cats.
Pronouns: he/him
Pronouns: he/him
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 369 reviews
March 9, 2026
Sigh, this was bad. I was a victim of the cute cover deception again. I really should read blurbs before requesting Arcs, because this book's plot is one of the most absurd I have ever read.
In what world does it make sense for the Prince of Wales to participate in a reality show? Like seriously, how am I expected to believe the heir to the British throne would do that and worst, actively influenced by his father, the king? I’ve seen the Crown, so I’m basically an expert, but The House of Windsor would never.
I’m sure it's not the easiest thing to write a relatable Prince, but as someone who has read other royal romances, ie, The Unlikely Heir or His Royal Secret, I know it’s possible, and this one just didn’t hit the mark. Auggie was whining and annoying.
The whole setup for the reality show was ridiculous, a bunch of rich dudes participating in boring challenges. There was even one part where the Prince sculpted a bust of his dead mother, and the host of the show asked him if that wouldn’t make people believe he was obsessed with the Queen, again, his dead mother 🤦🏻♀️
As for the romance, it was barely there. Like, these guys just had a couple of interactions that were mostly random and uncomfortable, and I’m supposed to believe they are in love? Auggie spent all the book complaining about how he wasn’t attracted to women and was a gay man, but paraphrasing my dear friend Ilya Rozanov, not gay enough to not fuck his woman best friend who is coincidentally in love with him, he then proceeded to say multiple times how he had to marry a woman and how he couldn’t be gay in public and then he did a confessional for the show and came out? Make it make sense.
So many more things to complain about, but I don’t have the energy. If it wasn’t for James Joseph
narrating this book, I would have DNF’d after 10%. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
In what world does it make sense for the Prince of Wales to participate in a reality show? Like seriously, how am I expected to believe the heir to the British throne would do that and worst, actively influenced by his father, the king? I’ve seen the Crown, so I’m basically an expert, but The House of Windsor would never.
I’m sure it's not the easiest thing to write a relatable Prince, but as someone who has read other royal romances, ie, The Unlikely Heir or His Royal Secret, I know it’s possible, and this one just didn’t hit the mark. Auggie was whining and annoying.
The whole setup for the reality show was ridiculous, a bunch of rich dudes participating in boring challenges. There was even one part where the Prince sculpted a bust of his dead mother, and the host of the show asked him if that wouldn’t make people believe he was obsessed with the Queen, again, his dead mother 🤦🏻♀️
As for the romance, it was barely there. Like, these guys just had a couple of interactions that were mostly random and uncomfortable, and I’m supposed to believe they are in love? Auggie spent all the book complaining about how he wasn’t attracted to women and was a gay man, but paraphrasing my dear friend Ilya Rozanov, not gay enough to not fuck his woman best friend who is coincidentally in love with him, he then proceeded to say multiple times how he had to marry a woman and how he couldn’t be gay in public and then he did a confessional for the show and came out? Make it make sense.
So many more things to complain about, but I don’t have the energy. If it wasn’t for James Joseph
narrating this book, I would have DNF’d after 10%. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
June 20, 2025
This was a pretty fun book. It did the job.
How to Date a Prince is a romcom about a prince and an heir to an empire of hotels who is also an anti monarchist competing together in a reality show. It's a rivals to lovers kinda story, lighthearted and funny.
However there were some contradictions. The characters made decisions that were very uncharacteristic seemingly out of nowhere. I just can't understand that many 180 for no reason. It's also a little too long. The smut bothered me because I couldn't tell what it wanted to be, it isn't closed door but it's not full on smut either, it's strange.
At the end, it was an entertaining book.
Thank you Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the ARC.
How to Date a Prince is a romcom about a prince and an heir to an empire of hotels who is also an anti monarchist competing together in a reality show. It's a rivals to lovers kinda story, lighthearted and funny.
However there were some contradictions. The characters made decisions that were very uncharacteristic seemingly out of nowhere. I just can't understand that many 180 for no reason. It's also a little too long. The smut bothered me because I couldn't tell what it wanted to be, it isn't closed door but it's not full on smut either, it's strange.
At the end, it was an entertaining book.
Thank you Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the ARC.
July 5, 2025
I actually breezed through this story. It’s fun and lighthearted, and an easy read for the beach or curled up on the couch. Thomas is a cinnamon bun and I always have a soft spot for those. Think Boyfriend Material meets Red, White, and Royal Blue.
Because of everything I mentioned above, I desperately wanted to rate this book at least four stars. I love enemies-to-lovers, but what I like less is going back and forth in a relationship. Sadly, this was the case with Auggie and Thomas. Auggie pushed Thomas away almost constantly, then made up again, until the next moment when everything started all over again. Even up to the end when I thought they would finally stay together. But they didn’t and I couldn’t do anything else but push the three-star button.
Like I said, this is a great beach read and a fun story if you want to escape from the real world for a while. And sometimes we need those stories desperately.
Thank you, Hayden Stone and Xpresso Book Tours, for this ARC!
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Because of everything I mentioned above, I desperately wanted to rate this book at least four stars. I love enemies-to-lovers, but what I like less is going back and forth in a relationship. Sadly, this was the case with Auggie and Thomas. Auggie pushed Thomas away almost constantly, then made up again, until the next moment when everything started all over again. Even up to the end when I thought they would finally stay together. But they didn’t and I couldn’t do anything else but push the three-star button.
Like I said, this is a great beach read and a fun story if you want to escape from the real world for a while. And sometimes we need those stories desperately.
Thank you, Hayden Stone and Xpresso Book Tours, for this ARC!
Follow me on Instagram
March 14, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
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March 30, 2026
MM Romance
Royals & Reality Shows
1.5 Star ⭐️
DNF @ 53%
🎧Narrated by James Joseph🎧 I like this narrator but I did struggle with his American accent at the start however he’s the only reason why this book gets 2 stars from me.
Netgalley rarely has mm audiobooks so if I like the narrator I almost always grab them without reading the blurb. Jokes on me because somehow I ended up with another reality show book 😭😭 My track record with these have not been good and this is no different.
I really wanted to finish this since it fit my book challenge prompt of a “how to guide” but I’m going to be so for real right now, I have no idea wtf this title was in reference to or how to do it? These two meet at a club, the to-be crowned prince, Auggie and an American, Thomas Golden, who hates the monarchy and everything it stands for. Why was an American so caught up in hating the monarchy? Your guess is as good as mine tbh 😂 Anyways this club meeting goes sideways, causes some scandals and the King decides it’s a good idea to put the to-be Prince in a reality show. A reality show Thomas Golden just happens to be participating on too? Why is he there? He wants to be an influencer 🙄 I think? It’s not important. So these two are like kinda sorta enemies due to the club thing but we are only in Auggie’s pov and I was more distracted by how insufferable I found him to be than his feelings towards Thomas. OMFG Not even James Joseph’s British accent could help overcome my disdain towards Auggie.
And what kind of reality show was this?? Your guess is as good as mine. Week one they have to bake something but the second week they are doing art projects. What do they get if they win said reality show? No idea 🤷🏻♀️😂 But the second week the boys are getting closer to each other, randomly, going on picnics and then realizing cameras are there among the bushes. No duh. It’s a reality show.
I liked this at first kind of but by 53% I was so bored and checked out. You know it’s bad when I chose to stop in the middle of a sex scene narrated by James Joseph but I just couldn’t continue. They had met up at a club on a weekend they had off from the show and suddenly they didn’t need to hide which I found weird af because Auggie was in the closet and was sure his sexuality would ruin the monarchy or some shit and him hiding is the reason all this shit happened that put him on the show but now he’s not worried about grinding on Golden in the middle of a club. You’re telling me the paparazzi wouldn’t be following his every move? 🙄🙄🙄 He’s basically a gay Prince William and I have to see him on everything. Are you trying to tell me this wouldn’t be the hottest gossip? Please 💅 I found this shit dumb af so I’m out plus I realized I had another arc by this author last year that I noped out of real quick but never posted to GR so I think I’m done trying to read this author.
Thanks netgalley for the arc!
Royals & Reality Shows
1.5 Star ⭐️
DNF @ 53%
🎧Narrated by James Joseph🎧 I like this narrator but I did struggle with his American accent at the start however he’s the only reason why this book gets 2 stars from me.
Netgalley rarely has mm audiobooks so if I like the narrator I almost always grab them without reading the blurb. Jokes on me because somehow I ended up with another reality show book 😭😭 My track record with these have not been good and this is no different.
I really wanted to finish this since it fit my book challenge prompt of a “how to guide” but I’m going to be so for real right now, I have no idea wtf this title was in reference to or how to do it? These two meet at a club, the to-be crowned prince, Auggie and an American, Thomas Golden, who hates the monarchy and everything it stands for. Why was an American so caught up in hating the monarchy? Your guess is as good as mine tbh 😂 Anyways this club meeting goes sideways, causes some scandals and the King decides it’s a good idea to put the to-be Prince in a reality show. A reality show Thomas Golden just happens to be participating on too? Why is he there? He wants to be an influencer 🙄 I think? It’s not important. So these two are like kinda sorta enemies due to the club thing but we are only in Auggie’s pov and I was more distracted by how insufferable I found him to be than his feelings towards Thomas. OMFG Not even James Joseph’s British accent could help overcome my disdain towards Auggie.
And what kind of reality show was this?? Your guess is as good as mine. Week one they have to bake something but the second week they are doing art projects. What do they get if they win said reality show? No idea 🤷🏻♀️😂 But the second week the boys are getting closer to each other, randomly, going on picnics and then realizing cameras are there among the bushes. No duh. It’s a reality show.
I liked this at first kind of but by 53% I was so bored and checked out. You know it’s bad when I chose to stop in the middle of a sex scene narrated by James Joseph but I just couldn’t continue. They had met up at a club on a weekend they had off from the show and suddenly they didn’t need to hide which I found weird af because Auggie was in the closet and was sure his sexuality would ruin the monarchy or some shit and him hiding is the reason all this shit happened that put him on the show but now he’s not worried about grinding on Golden in the middle of a club. You’re telling me the paparazzi wouldn’t be following his every move? 🙄🙄🙄 He’s basically a gay Prince William and I have to see him on everything. Are you trying to tell me this wouldn’t be the hottest gossip? Please 💅 I found this shit dumb af so I’m out plus I realized I had another arc by this author last year that I noped out of real quick but never posted to GR so I think I’m done trying to read this author.
Thanks netgalley for the arc!
March 29, 2026
Post blowjob arguments about monarchist vs abolitionist ideologies is not what I expected from this.
Neither were soft and sweet 'Hey. I want you.' declarations immediately after said arguments.
Which is fine. For ME. I don't understand why THEY expected any different. A vocal abolitionist sleeping with the prince of Wales, it should have been easy to expect that they'd clash anytime their mouths weren't otherwise occupied.
Maybe they both thought the D would be life changing enough that the other would immediately abandon their inevitabilities.
Because that's what they are. Both raised by their fathers to be different, to think certain ways. It's easy to tell Auggie has unresolved emotions about his dad but Thomas does, too.
The kind that maybe come from having such a good relationship that he puts unbearably immense pressure on himself not to disappoint.
That said. I like how they have enough to argue about but still make time to create new problems.
I don't think I've ever seen an MC get mad that the other doesn't really have a girlfriend after all and that the girl he kissed long before they ever became anything was (and has always been) just a best friend.
Still. For a story where the MCs make such a big deal about how different and incompatible their futures are, it ends up being not that big of a deal.
Like.....nobody ends up caring beyond their fathers. And the one you'd expect to be a harder sell also folds pretty easily, imo.
The reality show aspect was fine, and it was nice to see MCs fall in love with cameras all around them while trying to hide it from everyone (and mostly failing), but to me the biggest draw for a royal romance is the part after everyone finds out and we get to see them navigate that.
This book doesn't deliver on that front. Though the second half really delivers on the angst and handwringing. So there's that.
My condolences to the MC on being called Auggie. This is one of those cases where the nickname sounds more ridiculous than the given name.
Reminds me of that Lark Taylor book where Ferenc goes by Ferry.
Deeply unserious behaviour.
More unserious than a King of England WILLINGLY signing up the heir to a reality show?
Possibly not. But unserious nonetheless.
Still. I didn't hate this. It just didn't quite live up to my hopes and dreams for it lol.
Neither were soft and sweet 'Hey. I want you.' declarations immediately after said arguments.
Which is fine. For ME. I don't understand why THEY expected any different. A vocal abolitionist sleeping with the prince of Wales, it should have been easy to expect that they'd clash anytime their mouths weren't otherwise occupied.
Maybe they both thought the D would be life changing enough that the other would immediately abandon their inevitabilities.
Because that's what they are. Both raised by their fathers to be different, to think certain ways. It's easy to tell Auggie has unresolved emotions about his dad but Thomas does, too.
The kind that maybe come from having such a good relationship that he puts unbearably immense pressure on himself not to disappoint.
That said. I like how they have enough to argue about but still make time to create new problems.
I don't think I've ever seen an MC get mad that the other doesn't really have a girlfriend after all and that the girl he kissed long before they ever became anything was (and has always been) just a best friend.
Still. For a story where the MCs make such a big deal about how different and incompatible their futures are, it ends up being not that big of a deal.
Like.....nobody ends up caring beyond their fathers. And the one you'd expect to be a harder sell also folds pretty easily, imo.
The reality show aspect was fine, and it was nice to see MCs fall in love with cameras all around them while trying to hide it from everyone (and mostly failing), but to me the biggest draw for a royal romance is the part after everyone finds out and we get to see them navigate that.
This book doesn't deliver on that front. Though the second half really delivers on the angst and handwringing. So there's that.
My condolences to the MC on being called Auggie. This is one of those cases where the nickname sounds more ridiculous than the given name.
Reminds me of that Lark Taylor book where Ferenc goes by Ferry.
Deeply unserious behaviour.
More unserious than a King of England WILLINGLY signing up the heir to a reality show?
Possibly not. But unserious nonetheless.
Still. I didn't hate this. It just didn't quite live up to my hopes and dreams for it lol.
July 22, 2025
1⭐️
*deep guttural sigh*
I honestly don't even know where to begin with this. I - like many others - came to this looking for another "Red, White & Royal Blue," and was deeply disappointed with how this went. Where it's predecessor succeeded, this one failed to deliver.
Let's start with the premise: it is whack af. The fact that the firstborn crown prince would go on a reality TV show (yes, you read that correctly) in the first place, let alone that he is made to go on by the King of England (yep, that too) is absolutely insane to start. It gets even worse when I see the manufactured drama sprinkled throughout the story that all just feels tired and played out. Imagine every overplayed trope - opposites attract, reality TV premise, miscommunication, "enemies" to lovers - played out in a giant mish-mash of convoluted storytelling.
Characters were a little too predictable, the writing was not that great, and there just did not seem to be any redeemability with this work. I admire the author for attempting this piece, I fear they missed the mark so far that I cannot find the silver lining. I don't want to harp on this author more than necessary, but suffice it to say that I did not like this book in the least. Someone may enjoy this...
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book.
*deep guttural sigh*
I honestly don't even know where to begin with this. I - like many others - came to this looking for another "Red, White & Royal Blue," and was deeply disappointed with how this went. Where it's predecessor succeeded, this one failed to deliver.
Let's start with the premise: it is whack af. The fact that the firstborn crown prince would go on a reality TV show (yes, you read that correctly) in the first place, let alone that he is made to go on by the King of England (yep, that too) is absolutely insane to start. It gets even worse when I see the manufactured drama sprinkled throughout the story that all just feels tired and played out. Imagine every overplayed trope - opposites attract, reality TV premise, miscommunication, "enemies" to lovers - played out in a giant mish-mash of convoluted storytelling.
Characters were a little too predictable, the writing was not that great, and there just did not seem to be any redeemability with this work. I admire the author for attempting this piece, I fear they missed the mark so far that I cannot find the silver lining. I don't want to harp on this author more than necessary, but suffice it to say that I did not like this book in the least. Someone may enjoy this...
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book.
July 27, 2025
I am a sucker for Royal Romance. This story is not just royal but also on the set of a reality tv show. The over all plot and setting is fun. The two characters are hot and fit together well.
But there are some things that bother me. The first couple of pages were just info dumping, I read a lot of fantasy so I know how world building can work.
The characters didn't have consistent characteristics, some of their choices seemed so off that I was really confused.
But I did read an early copy and maybe some of the issues I saw will be smooth out until release.
Thank you Netgalley and Hayden Stone for the chance to read the ARC! All opinions are honest and my own.
But there are some things that bother me. The first couple of pages were just info dumping, I read a lot of fantasy so I know how world building can work.
The characters didn't have consistent characteristics, some of their choices seemed so off that I was really confused.
But I did read an early copy and maybe some of the issues I saw will be smooth out until release.
Thank you Netgalley and Hayden Stone for the chance to read the ARC! All opinions are honest and my own.
March 28, 2026
Thank you Xpresso Tours for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
🌶️🌶️ mild
The British Crown Prince Auggie is very dashing, but very private. His reality TV obsessed father (yes, the actual King) signs Prince Auggie up for a new reality show in an effort to promote the monarchy, and just maybe to help him find a bride. The only problem? Auggie is very gay, and very enamored with one of the other contestants on the show: hotel heir and influencer Thomas Golden. Can Auggie hold it together for the cameras, or will his fling with Thomas be exploited for the ratings?
Yes, it’s a bit outlandish: the King of England forcing his son to join a reality TV show, one in which the narrative isn’t 1000% controlled? But you know what, it works well in this story! Prince Auggie is dealing with his own secrets and identities, and where better to process than on a Reality TV show! The chemistry between Auggie and Thomas is electric, and their enemies-to-lovers vibe works especially well on the reality show. I loved listening to James Joseph narrate Auggie’s angst and Thomas’s boldness; he nailed the American accent! This is the first book in the series, and I can’t wait to hear more about Prince Auggie’s story.
Reviewed as part of an #ARC from #NetGalley.
Read this book if you:
🇬🇧 love Red, White, and Royal Blue, but make it a reality show
🧁 enjoy the friendly reality shows like Great British Bake Off
📱 live for texting code names like Lily and Jane in Heated Rivalry
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
🌶️🌶️ mild
The British Crown Prince Auggie is very dashing, but very private. His reality TV obsessed father (yes, the actual King) signs Prince Auggie up for a new reality show in an effort to promote the monarchy, and just maybe to help him find a bride. The only problem? Auggie is very gay, and very enamored with one of the other contestants on the show: hotel heir and influencer Thomas Golden. Can Auggie hold it together for the cameras, or will his fling with Thomas be exploited for the ratings?
Yes, it’s a bit outlandish: the King of England forcing his son to join a reality TV show, one in which the narrative isn’t 1000% controlled? But you know what, it works well in this story! Prince Auggie is dealing with his own secrets and identities, and where better to process than on a Reality TV show! The chemistry between Auggie and Thomas is electric, and their enemies-to-lovers vibe works especially well on the reality show. I loved listening to James Joseph narrate Auggie’s angst and Thomas’s boldness; he nailed the American accent! This is the first book in the series, and I can’t wait to hear more about Prince Auggie’s story.
Reviewed as part of an #ARC from #NetGalley.
Read this book if you:
🇬🇧 love Red, White, and Royal Blue, but make it a reality show
🧁 enjoy the friendly reality shows like Great British Bake Off
📱 live for texting code names like Lily and Jane in Heated Rivalry
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
March 5, 2026
4/5 ⭐️
1.5/5 🌶️
How to Date a Prince by Hayden Stone is such a cute, feel-good listen. It definitely gave me Red, White & Royal Blue vibes in the best way. Not because it copies that story at all, but because it captures that same kind of charming, modern royal romance energy. The characters and relationship dynamic feel distinct enough that it never feels like a knockoff. They definitely have different vibes, which made this story really easy to enjoy on its own terms.
Instead of the usual “ordinary person meets royalty” trope, the non-royal lead here is actually a social media influencer with a massive following. That dynamic adds a fun layer to the story, especially with the contrast between influencer culture, public perception, and royal expectations.
The audiobook narration by James Joseph really elevates the whole experience. Listeners who know him from the Quinn app will recognize him immediately. His voice is genuinely swoon-worthy and incredibly easy to listen to, which works perfectly for a romantic story like this. He also handles accents really well, giving the characters distinct personalities and making the dialogue feel natural.
Overall, this was a charming, entertaining audiobook that left me smiling. If you enjoy royal romances, witty banter, and a narrator with a seriously dreamy voice, this one is definitely worth a listen.
Thank you to the author, their publisher, and NetGalley for the ALC of this novel.
1.5/5 🌶️
How to Date a Prince by Hayden Stone is such a cute, feel-good listen. It definitely gave me Red, White & Royal Blue vibes in the best way. Not because it copies that story at all, but because it captures that same kind of charming, modern royal romance energy. The characters and relationship dynamic feel distinct enough that it never feels like a knockoff. They definitely have different vibes, which made this story really easy to enjoy on its own terms.
Instead of the usual “ordinary person meets royalty” trope, the non-royal lead here is actually a social media influencer with a massive following. That dynamic adds a fun layer to the story, especially with the contrast between influencer culture, public perception, and royal expectations.
The audiobook narration by James Joseph really elevates the whole experience. Listeners who know him from the Quinn app will recognize him immediately. His voice is genuinely swoon-worthy and incredibly easy to listen to, which works perfectly for a romantic story like this. He also handles accents really well, giving the characters distinct personalities and making the dialogue feel natural.
Overall, this was a charming, entertaining audiobook that left me smiling. If you enjoy royal romances, witty banter, and a narrator with a seriously dreamy voice, this one is definitely worth a listen.
Thank you to the author, their publisher, and NetGalley for the ALC of this novel.
July 7, 2025
truly saddened to say i didn't like this one, which breaks my heart bc the premise sounded right up my alley and the cover gave me boyfriend material vibes which was why i requested the arc and was excited to dive in.
sadly, the writing just didn't live up to those expectations. other than our main character, the others just aren't fleshed out - and even with auggie, his character work is just infodumping different facts. it was all too much on the telling side instead of showing.
i've been thinking about this since i finished the book last night and really the only thing i can say is that this read like fanfiction except i lacked the knowledge of and devotion to the characters so that everything fell flat.
the scenes and chapters were also very weirdly broken up, which in my opinion ruined the flow.
the last thing i'll touch upon very briefly is the internalized homophobia the main character deals with, and the expectations he has set on him. i want to be very careful with this because i'm not part of the community and i could never understand those struggles. however, we've not only read this in other books, we've seen it in tv, in film, and the closeted lead is truly a tale as old as time. reading what he was going through, instead of inciting empathy, instead felt like we were back in 2008. i think the way that turmoil was written was just very shallow and instead of establishing the character it was purely a plot device for why these two characters couldn't be together until we passed the climax. it also just didn't work narratively in my opinion.
thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the arc. all views are my own.
sadly, the writing just didn't live up to those expectations. other than our main character, the others just aren't fleshed out - and even with auggie, his character work is just infodumping different facts. it was all too much on the telling side instead of showing.
i've been thinking about this since i finished the book last night and really the only thing i can say is that this read like fanfiction except i lacked the knowledge of and devotion to the characters so that everything fell flat.
the scenes and chapters were also very weirdly broken up, which in my opinion ruined the flow.
the last thing i'll touch upon very briefly is the internalized homophobia the main character deals with, and the expectations he has set on him. i want to be very careful with this because i'm not part of the community and i could never understand those struggles. however, we've not only read this in other books, we've seen it in tv, in film, and the closeted lead is truly a tale as old as time. reading what he was going through, instead of inciting empathy, instead felt like we were back in 2008. i think the way that turmoil was written was just very shallow and instead of establishing the character it was purely a plot device for why these two characters couldn't be together until we passed the climax. it also just didn't work narratively in my opinion.
thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the arc. all views are my own.
June 20, 2025
Yay! When I requested this book on NetGalley, I was hoping it would give Red, White and Royal Blue vibes. I wanted it to satisfy that craving I have for another story like that and it did!
This was so much fun and I cam definitely see myself rereading it in the future. And I think that's the testament to a good book if right after reading it, I know I will want to again.
This follows the British crown prince and an American influencer. There is family drama and politics, royalty and reality tv. This was so much fun. A perfect, quick little romance.
Sometimes, the romance felt a little forced and I could tell it was to move the story along and relying a lot on the reader to figure out clues that weren't really given. But it didn't really pull me out of the story at all, so I was fine with it. I can ignore little boo-boos if it doesn't distract me from the actual book.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This was so much fun and I cam definitely see myself rereading it in the future. And I think that's the testament to a good book if right after reading it, I know I will want to again.
This follows the British crown prince and an American influencer. There is family drama and politics, royalty and reality tv. This was so much fun. A perfect, quick little romance.
Sometimes, the romance felt a little forced and I could tell it was to move the story along and relying a lot on the reader to figure out clues that weren't really given. But it didn't really pull me out of the story at all, so I was fine with it. I can ignore little boo-boos if it doesn't distract me from the actual book.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
July 7, 2025
This story delves into the struggles of coming out and the journey of recovery that follows. It's a powerful and poignant exploration of identity and acceptance. If you enjoyed Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, or Stars in your eyes by Kacen Callendar, I have no doubt you will love this book.
Though it had a similar starting point to Casey McQuiston’s Red, White and Royal Blue, it veers off into a totally unexpected and delightful territory; carving out its own special niche. From the first page to the last, I was completely hooked. The plot moves at a breakneck speed, with twists and turns that kept me guessing. I literally couldn't put it down.
What truly stood out for me was the way the relationships were portrayed. We're NOT talking about fluffy, unrealistic connections here. The characters actually communicate, face real problems, and work through them together.
The way the book explored different family dynamics, by highlighting the contrasts and similarities in how families function, and the impact that upbringing can have on an individual, GROUNDBREAKING. It added a layer of depth and relatability to the story. And just when you think things might be settling down, the rivalry between the characters intensifies, adding a whole new level of excitement to the mix.
This was truly an enjoyable read, but I have to ask, do these characters ever sleep? The late-night rendezvous definitely added some spice to the story, but I did find myself wondering when did they ever find time to sleep?!
Though it had a similar starting point to Casey McQuiston’s Red, White and Royal Blue, it veers off into a totally unexpected and delightful territory; carving out its own special niche. From the first page to the last, I was completely hooked. The plot moves at a breakneck speed, with twists and turns that kept me guessing. I literally couldn't put it down.
What truly stood out for me was the way the relationships were portrayed. We're NOT talking about fluffy, unrealistic connections here. The characters actually communicate, face real problems, and work through them together.
The way the book explored different family dynamics, by highlighting the contrasts and similarities in how families function, and the impact that upbringing can have on an individual, GROUNDBREAKING. It added a layer of depth and relatability to the story. And just when you think things might be settling down, the rivalry between the characters intensifies, adding a whole new level of excitement to the mix.
This was truly an enjoyable read, but I have to ask, do these characters ever sleep? The late-night rendezvous definitely added some spice to the story, but I did find myself wondering when did they ever find time to sleep?!
June 30, 2025
first of all — i love the premise. really. i’m an absolute sucker for reality tv AND make it queer? i was so unbelievably excited to read this.
unfortunately, the writing was just not up-to-par; i found the sentences awkward due to mistakes in verb tenses and the use of plain telling, not showing. i know this is all personal preference and it’s hardly noticeable in this book but i’m a stickler for grammar so that’s a no.
the characters and storytelling overall also fell a bit flat. i love auggie but everyone else was just? there? it was so hard to connect with any of them and they never really felt tangible. the storyline is fine, enjoyable even, but everything happened so fast and out of nowhere. his relationship (if you could call it that) with thomas was literally lust at first sight and after that it was all over the place there was no buildup at all. i’m just disappointed i didn’t enjoy this as much as i wished i had but maybe other people will disagree 🤷♀️
thank you to netgalley for the arc!
unfortunately, the writing was just not up-to-par; i found the sentences awkward due to mistakes in verb tenses and the use of plain telling, not showing. i know this is all personal preference and it’s hardly noticeable in this book but i’m a stickler for grammar so that’s a no.
the characters and storytelling overall also fell a bit flat. i love auggie but everyone else was just? there? it was so hard to connect with any of them and they never really felt tangible. the storyline is fine, enjoyable even, but everything happened so fast and out of nowhere. his relationship (if you could call it that) with thomas was literally lust at first sight and after that it was all over the place there was no buildup at all. i’m just disappointed i didn’t enjoy this as much as i wished i had but maybe other people will disagree 🤷♀️
thank you to netgalley for the arc!
July 1, 2025
What a fun read this was, from beginning to end! Rom-com shenanigans between a prince and an influencer meet reality TV in Hayden Stone's upcoming release "How to Date a Prince", which is the perfect beach or swimming pool read for this summer. When prince Auggie is signed up for a reality show where he'll have to compete against eight other men to claim the title of Renaissance Man, it sounds like a nightmare in the making. But behind the cameras might lie a chance for Auggie to find what he has never even dreamt of ever having, which is a chance at true happiness.
Something I really loved about "How to Date a Prince" was that it was a fun and light-hearted read. Although the novel deals with serious topics and features complicated conversations about grief, child neglect and identity crises, there was always a very sunshiney quality to it thanks to prince Auggie's clever and cheerful voice. His sharp tongue and terrible impulse control made my whole day every time he didn't rein them in, and to be honest, he was such a lovely main character! I would read about his shenanigans anytime. In fact, I wouldn't be too bothered by badgers as long as I had him beside me to keep me from losing my marbles.
Aside from being a great narrator, Auggie was really well done in that, since he's the heir to the throne, there were nuanced discussions of what "tradition" truly means for those born into it. While I am not English, I am from a country that also has a Royal Family, and I've always been intrigued by how life must be when you have never been allowed to not be in the public eye. In this sense, "How to Date a Prince" was quite humane and moving, and I found myself thinking about Auggie and feeling quite fond of him precisely because the novel excelled at showing us what the royal backstage might look like and the toll it often takes.
Just as charming and vulnerable, Thomas Golden was another highlight of the book for me. I was quite invested in him from the get-go, since he caught my attention from the moment he walked into the club, and as the book progressed I was really moved to watch him slowly open up and show his vulnerable side to Auggie. Child influencers, as well as people born with a silver spoon in their mouth, are just as fascinating as royal kids to me, and so I was really curious about Thomas and his backstory. It was beautiful to realise that he was just as scared and lost as Auggie, even if he seemed to have it all figured out, and I loved that he was allowed to be human and mess up just like Auggie.
Their relationship was charming, and I deeply enjoyed the build-up as they gravitated towards each other on and off-camera. I felt really warm inside as Auggie and Thomas both gave into the feelings for each other they could've suppressed, but chose not to! Everything about them was both really beautiful and messily human, which made them all the more endearing to me.
Despite the seemingly low stakes, the plot was engaging, and I found myself wanting to know what happened next so bad! Both during the reality show and afterwards, at that. There was an overarching plot regarding Auggie's life choices, as well as his struggle to choose between sticking to what's been laid out for him or pursuing his happiness - it brought everything together nicely, and I felt like I was reading a very lovely and intimate story about a caged bird learning to fly.
All in all this was deliciously fun, swoonworthy, and charming! I cannot wait to see where Hayden Stone goes next, to the point that I immediately pre-ordered this book's sequel and the standalone that Stone will be releasing in 2026 (thank God for the utter lack of object permanence, because otherwise the wait would destroy me). Don't miss out on this book!
Something I really loved about "How to Date a Prince" was that it was a fun and light-hearted read. Although the novel deals with serious topics and features complicated conversations about grief, child neglect and identity crises, there was always a very sunshiney quality to it thanks to prince Auggie's clever and cheerful voice. His sharp tongue and terrible impulse control made my whole day every time he didn't rein them in, and to be honest, he was such a lovely main character! I would read about his shenanigans anytime. In fact, I wouldn't be too bothered by badgers as long as I had him beside me to keep me from losing my marbles.
Aside from being a great narrator, Auggie was really well done in that, since he's the heir to the throne, there were nuanced discussions of what "tradition" truly means for those born into it. While I am not English, I am from a country that also has a Royal Family, and I've always been intrigued by how life must be when you have never been allowed to not be in the public eye. In this sense, "How to Date a Prince" was quite humane and moving, and I found myself thinking about Auggie and feeling quite fond of him precisely because the novel excelled at showing us what the royal backstage might look like and the toll it often takes.
Just as charming and vulnerable, Thomas Golden was another highlight of the book for me. I was quite invested in him from the get-go, since he caught my attention from the moment he walked into the club, and as the book progressed I was really moved to watch him slowly open up and show his vulnerable side to Auggie. Child influencers, as well as people born with a silver spoon in their mouth, are just as fascinating as royal kids to me, and so I was really curious about Thomas and his backstory. It was beautiful to realise that he was just as scared and lost as Auggie, even if he seemed to have it all figured out, and I loved that he was allowed to be human and mess up just like Auggie.
Their relationship was charming, and I deeply enjoyed the build-up as they gravitated towards each other on and off-camera. I felt really warm inside as Auggie and Thomas both gave into the feelings for each other they could've suppressed, but chose not to! Everything about them was both really beautiful and messily human, which made them all the more endearing to me.
Despite the seemingly low stakes, the plot was engaging, and I found myself wanting to know what happened next so bad! Both during the reality show and afterwards, at that. There was an overarching plot regarding Auggie's life choices, as well as his struggle to choose between sticking to what's been laid out for him or pursuing his happiness - it brought everything together nicely, and I felt like I was reading a very lovely and intimate story about a caged bird learning to fly.
All in all this was deliciously fun, swoonworthy, and charming! I cannot wait to see where Hayden Stone goes next, to the point that I immediately pre-ordered this book's sequel and the standalone that Stone will be releasing in 2026 (thank God for the utter lack of object permanence, because otherwise the wait would destroy me). Don't miss out on this book!
September 1, 2025
Special thanks to the author(s), publisher, Goodreads and/or NetGalley for the review copy. All views and opinions expressed are honest and my own.
The story follows Prince Augustus, Auggie who ends up on a reality TV show after making recent headlines. There he meets co-star and competitor Thomas Golden. Auggie has already had a horrible run in with Thomas, but that doesn’t stop the feelings from growing, even if this relationship is a failure before its start!
I enjoyed the game show concept and its execution. I thought it was the perfect balance between show related content and plot progression. I liked how there was realistic competition; a believable host and camera crew; as well as more than one competition round depicted. It made the story interesting and engaging. I love watching similarly formatted shows, so it was interesting to read about how they were possibly recorded!
That said, the relationship between Auggie and Thomas is instant. The sparks don’t fly, it’s pure love at first sight. I have nothing against it but I felt like it could have been executed better. It was unnecessarily messy as the story tries to make them some type of enemies but fails each time. I also felt sympathetic for Auggie. He’s someone with internal homophobia, unfortunately due to his surroundings, whereas Thomas has been open about his sexuality since he was a teen. So I found it unfair that Thomas kept getting closer to Auggie while asking for an open relationship. Like, it’s not easy and people cannot change overnight, so please be a bit understanding.
That said, I had no clue how much time passed in this book sometimes. At times, it was indicated however the latter half of the book felt unclear to me. Instead of indicating how many days or weeks had gone by, it suddenly shifted to describing the seasons and noting months. I felt like this worked against the second half of the story because it was the messiest time in Auggie’s and Thomas’s relationship.
We never get Thomas’ perspective in this book but I personally don’t like him. He got frustrated really quickly and I felt like he was not willing to understand Auggie. Like sit down, listen and understand. Auggie’s a Prince and no, he cannot be open about his relationship that quickly, especially since he’s spent years denying himself. Instead, Thomas could have easily given him encouragement and support as well as have been honest. It hurt me when Thomas was hiding things and in the later half, when he quickly fell into another relationship.
Personally I don’t like unnecessary drama. So I didn’t like the “rebound”. It hurts the other person in the relationship as well, so nothing good ever comes from it. It’s likely real and common, but it doesn’t make me hate it any less.
There are quite a few supporting characters and all I can say is that they were quite confusing. Some are named while others are a part of the story. Auggie’s relationship with them felt unclear and rough but I was ultimately glad he was friends with Katie. Death is definitely a moment where things change and I liked how Auggie’s family became more caring. Yes, they needed a wake up call and got one, however that doesn’t justify the somewhat rushed ending with King James.
Overall this was a good read but I felt like it wasn’t connecting for me. I enjoyed Auggie’s character but the rest were less than enjoyable. I also enjoyed the depiction of the game show as well as was intrigued by the depiction of a concussion. Ultimately this book has a happy ending after multiple waves so at least that was satisfying.
Read more reviews @ Mystic's Review Shelf
The story follows Prince Augustus, Auggie who ends up on a reality TV show after making recent headlines. There he meets co-star and competitor Thomas Golden. Auggie has already had a horrible run in with Thomas, but that doesn’t stop the feelings from growing, even if this relationship is a failure before its start!
I enjoyed the game show concept and its execution. I thought it was the perfect balance between show related content and plot progression. I liked how there was realistic competition; a believable host and camera crew; as well as more than one competition round depicted. It made the story interesting and engaging. I love watching similarly formatted shows, so it was interesting to read about how they were possibly recorded!
That said, the relationship between Auggie and Thomas is instant. The sparks don’t fly, it’s pure love at first sight. I have nothing against it but I felt like it could have been executed better. It was unnecessarily messy as the story tries to make them some type of enemies but fails each time. I also felt sympathetic for Auggie. He’s someone with internal homophobia, unfortunately due to his surroundings, whereas Thomas has been open about his sexuality since he was a teen. So I found it unfair that Thomas kept getting closer to Auggie while asking for an open relationship. Like, it’s not easy and people cannot change overnight, so please be a bit understanding.
That said, I had no clue how much time passed in this book sometimes. At times, it was indicated however the latter half of the book felt unclear to me. Instead of indicating how many days or weeks had gone by, it suddenly shifted to describing the seasons and noting months. I felt like this worked against the second half of the story because it was the messiest time in Auggie’s and Thomas’s relationship.
We never get Thomas’ perspective in this book but I personally don’t like him. He got frustrated really quickly and I felt like he was not willing to understand Auggie. Like sit down, listen and understand. Auggie’s a Prince and no, he cannot be open about his relationship that quickly, especially since he’s spent years denying himself. Instead, Thomas could have easily given him encouragement and support as well as have been honest. It hurt me when Thomas was hiding things and in the later half, when he quickly fell into another relationship.
Personally I don’t like unnecessary drama. So I didn’t like the “rebound”. It hurts the other person in the relationship as well, so nothing good ever comes from it. It’s likely real and common, but it doesn’t make me hate it any less.
There are quite a few supporting characters and all I can say is that they were quite confusing. Some are named while others are a part of the story. Auggie’s relationship with them felt unclear and rough but I was ultimately glad he was friends with Katie. Death is definitely a moment where things change and I liked how Auggie’s family became more caring. Yes, they needed a wake up call and got one, however that doesn’t justify the somewhat rushed ending with King James.
Overall this was a good read but I felt like it wasn’t connecting for me. I enjoyed Auggie’s character but the rest were less than enjoyable. I also enjoyed the depiction of the game show as well as was intrigued by the depiction of a concussion. Ultimately this book has a happy ending after multiple waves so at least that was satisfying.
Read more reviews @ Mystic's Review Shelf
April 27, 2026
I overall enjoyed this read. This book covered some major topics in today’s society. August having to hide his true self just to be accepted by his family, all while being in the public eye, must have been exhausting. Even more so when his dad signed him up for a reality TV show, pushing him further into said public eye. Trying to hide his true self while being drawn to Thomas Golden during filming was an obstacle that neither of them knew how to navigate. August’s struggle to find himself while feeling like he is under a microscope, along with the weight of the world on his shoulders due to the image he has to maintain, is something he felt Thomas could never understand. So, I can see why August tried keeping him at arm’s length. Never having anyone to confide in about who he is and feeling like trusting the wrong person could lead to changes that might cause problems he couldn’t afford. But in the end, I love how he decided to accept himself for who he was and chose what made him happy, even if it meant at the cost of everything.
March 8, 2026
1.5 ⭐ Well that was not the book for me.
I literally disliked it from the first page. I'm stubborn though, so I finished it. Honestly I should have dnfd it after probably the first or second chapter.
My number one pet peeve in books, what I hate so fucking much, is when mcs have sex with non mcs and guess what? We got this in the first few pages.
He fucks his "bff". He says he is a gay person and only attracted to men but fucks his female bff and almost another woman? Plus he knows his friend has feelings for him and he uses her. Are you for real? Also he is depressed which comes often with a low libido and still he can have sex with a woman eventhough he is gay. Okay.
And this friendship ugh, again he uses her and she is in love with him. That's not a base for a friendship, let alone best friendship for me.
We only get one pov which is another huge pet peeve for me. Of course it's Auggie's pov. He was so fucking annoying. If you want sympathy for a character, maybe don't make him a Windsor? A lot of people have the same issues he has, but without the added privilege.
The mentioning of Taylor Swift annoyed me from the beginning but having her mentioned 6 times? If you like her music fine what ever but to promote her? Her? In your book. There are so many other popstars that deserve it more.
If you are looking for a swoony, sweet love story, look further. Their love story was barely mentioned. And so much hot and cold bullshit. There were so many fucking chapters were they didn't even have contact. I mean the other guy has another relationship. THE FUCK??? *screams
How much can you love someone if you can move on so quickly?
His public coming out was barely mentioned. Thomas family is anti monarchy and it was barely mentioned in the epilogue how his family reacted to him dating the prince.
Auggie doesn't identify as male, more gender fluid or non binary but that was barely mentioned. If you want to add a non binary character, great but please talk about it more than him just sometimes wearing nail polish or makeup.
The same goes with his eating disorder. His relationship with food was mentioned quite a bit but it was never stated that it's probably an ED and it never sounded negative.
His conflict with his sister could have been resolved the next day but he takes half a year to talk to her?
I honestly have nothing positive to say about this book. It felt too long with way too much internal monologue.
I literally disliked it from the first page. I'm stubborn though, so I finished it. Honestly I should have dnfd it after probably the first or second chapter.
My number one pet peeve in books, what I hate so fucking much, is when mcs have sex with non mcs and guess what? We got this in the first few pages.
He fucks his "bff". He says he is a gay person and only attracted to men but fucks his female bff and almost another woman? Plus he knows his friend has feelings for him and he uses her. Are you for real? Also he is depressed which comes often with a low libido and still he can have sex with a woman eventhough he is gay. Okay.
And this friendship ugh, again he uses her and she is in love with him. That's not a base for a friendship, let alone best friendship for me.
We only get one pov which is another huge pet peeve for me. Of course it's Auggie's pov. He was so fucking annoying. If you want sympathy for a character, maybe don't make him a Windsor? A lot of people have the same issues he has, but without the added privilege.
The mentioning of Taylor Swift annoyed me from the beginning but having her mentioned 6 times? If you like her music fine what ever but to promote her? Her? In your book. There are so many other popstars that deserve it more.
If you are looking for a swoony, sweet love story, look further. Their love story was barely mentioned. And so much hot and cold bullshit. There were so many fucking chapters were they didn't even have contact. I mean the other guy has another relationship. THE FUCK??? *screams
How much can you love someone if you can move on so quickly?
His public coming out was barely mentioned. Thomas family is anti monarchy and it was barely mentioned in the epilogue how his family reacted to him dating the prince.
Auggie doesn't identify as male, more gender fluid or non binary but that was barely mentioned. If you want to add a non binary character, great but please talk about it more than him just sometimes wearing nail polish or makeup.
The same goes with his eating disorder. His relationship with food was mentioned quite a bit but it was never stated that it's probably an ED and it never sounded negative.
His conflict with his sister could have been resolved the next day but he takes half a year to talk to her?
I honestly have nothing positive to say about this book. It felt too long with way too much internal monologue.
July 16, 2025
*A big thanks to NetGalley for this ARC, this in no way affects my honest, and unbiased review*
I really really really wanted Red, White, & Royal Blue vibes, but I was left with no vibes. This is another "enemies" to lovers where there is no true reason for the enemies nor did they even act like they disliked each other at first at all. Non-prince boy doesn't like the Crown falls for Prince, don't see how they can be enemies unless the Crown murdered all of his family and he wants to seek revenge (which I would read ASAP! but not a romance, have them hunt each other down or something)
Speaking of non-prince boy hating the Crown, unless I missed it, that was never resolved or corrected or discussed once they got over a very tiny barely 3 sentences of an "argument" over it halfway through the book.
Has spice/smut, but it's not overly detailed and feels more like softcore/too afraid to write all the gritty details. Writing overall felt meh even outside the smut/spice scenes.
WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF THE TV SHOW?!
I really really really wanted Red, White, & Royal Blue vibes, but I was left with no vibes. This is another "enemies" to lovers where there is no true reason for the enemies nor did they even act like they disliked each other at first at all. Non-prince boy doesn't like the Crown falls for Prince, don't see how they can be enemies unless the Crown murdered all of his family and he wants to seek revenge (which I would read ASAP! but not a romance, have them hunt each other down or something)
Speaking of non-prince boy hating the Crown, unless I missed it, that was never resolved or corrected or discussed once they got over a very tiny barely 3 sentences of an "argument" over it halfway through the book.
Has spice/smut, but it's not overly detailed and feels more like softcore/too afraid to write all the gritty details. Writing overall felt meh even outside the smut/spice scenes.
WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF THE TV SHOW?!
October 16, 2025
I should have DNFed this but stuck with it. but why? no idea!!! the characters are absolutely insufferable and boring. The plot makes no sense? Auggie is rude, obnoxious and a jerk. Thomas? not much better! you telling me dude was totally fine with hooking up with Auggie, knowing he had a girlfriend yet when Auggie tells him it was to make him jealous, he... gets pissed off? my dude?? also the king goes from wanting Auggie to marry a woman and saying homophobic shit and being nasty about Auggie speaking up but five minutes later? he is in tears he is so touched over them???? and the writing was absolutely awful. I could buy into Auggie's language being stiff and old but influencer Thomas???? no??? also i know it's a book and you can make things up but you're telling me the royals would have no say over what gets shown on TV??????? no what a waste of my time.
April 8, 2026
I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ARC provided by Xpresso Book Tours.
What happens when the British Crown Prince falls in love with an American influencer who wants to get rid of the monarchy?
Prince Auggie swears he is no kind of dashing prince: daydreamer, private—and also secretly very gay. He is instantly horrified when his father, reality TV addict King James, signs Auggie up for a reality TV show to promote the monarchy, where the man with the most talents wins—and to help find Auggie a bride, the very last thing Auggie wants. But duty calls.
When Auggie finds out his co-star is irritatingly gorgeous Thomas Golden, the charismatic dual American-English heir to the Golden hotel fortune, it is another step too far. There is at least one problem: Prince Auggie’s already recently crossed paths with Thomas Golden one disastrous night in a London club. Plus, there is that whole second not-so-small, not-so-secret problem—the Golden family wants to get rid of the monarchy.
Once Auggie and Thomas arrive on set in the English countryside, it is already unapologetically hate at first sight. It is going to be a very long summer of filming until sparks fly behind the scenes. They make a searing heatwave all their own as they secretly date. But soon, real reality strikes, and Auggie must choose between the life he is destined for as the future king—or dare risk everything for love.
How to Date a Prince was such a sweet, feel-good read. It gave me Red, White & Royal Blue vibes in the best possible way, not because the stories are similar, but because it has that same charming, modern royal romance feel. What stood out most to me was how well the relationships were written. They did not feel overly idealized or superficial. Auggie was a layered character, and I really enjoyed watching his growth throughout the story. His relationship with Thomas was especially refreshing because they actually communicate, confront real issues, and work through them together. I also really appreciated how the book explored different family dynamics, showing both the differences and similarities in how families function and how deeply upbringing can shape a person. That added a lot of depth and relatability to the romance. And just when things seem to settle, the rivalry between the characters picks up and adds even more excitement. If you are looking for an easy, open-door royal romance, this is definitely one to pick up. I am already excited for book two.
Rating: 3.5/5
What happens when the British Crown Prince falls in love with an American influencer who wants to get rid of the monarchy?
Prince Auggie swears he is no kind of dashing prince: daydreamer, private—and also secretly very gay. He is instantly horrified when his father, reality TV addict King James, signs Auggie up for a reality TV show to promote the monarchy, where the man with the most talents wins—and to help find Auggie a bride, the very last thing Auggie wants. But duty calls.
When Auggie finds out his co-star is irritatingly gorgeous Thomas Golden, the charismatic dual American-English heir to the Golden hotel fortune, it is another step too far. There is at least one problem: Prince Auggie’s already recently crossed paths with Thomas Golden one disastrous night in a London club. Plus, there is that whole second not-so-small, not-so-secret problem—the Golden family wants to get rid of the monarchy.
Once Auggie and Thomas arrive on set in the English countryside, it is already unapologetically hate at first sight. It is going to be a very long summer of filming until sparks fly behind the scenes. They make a searing heatwave all their own as they secretly date. But soon, real reality strikes, and Auggie must choose between the life he is destined for as the future king—or dare risk everything for love.
How to Date a Prince was such a sweet, feel-good read. It gave me Red, White & Royal Blue vibes in the best possible way, not because the stories are similar, but because it has that same charming, modern royal romance feel. What stood out most to me was how well the relationships were written. They did not feel overly idealized or superficial. Auggie was a layered character, and I really enjoyed watching his growth throughout the story. His relationship with Thomas was especially refreshing because they actually communicate, confront real issues, and work through them together. I also really appreciated how the book explored different family dynamics, showing both the differences and similarities in how families function and how deeply upbringing can shape a person. That added a lot of depth and relatability to the romance. And just when things seem to settle, the rivalry between the characters picks up and adds even more excitement. If you are looking for an easy, open-door royal romance, this is definitely one to pick up. I am already excited for book two.
Rating: 3.5/5
March 5, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Listener Copy of How to Date a Prince by Hayden Stone. My review is my own.
Prince Auggie’s father, King James, signs the prince up for a reality talent show thinking it would help the monarchy’s image and that it might help Auggie find a bride. The only problem, other than the obvious one that he doesn’t want to be on a reality show, is that Auggie is gay. A secret he was hoping to keep a while longer.
Once he makes it to the set of the show, he realizes that his co-star is Thomas, the very handsome heir to a hotel empire. An empire that wants to be rid of the monarchy. And Thomas knows Auggie’s secret.
While I think the author missed a few plot opportunities to make this book even better, it was still a fun and heartwarming love story. Not just between Thomas and Auggie, but between Auggie and Auggie. His journey to accepting himself was fun to read.
James Joseph’s narration was superb but the sound mixing between characters was a little off at times with Colin, especially, being much louder than Auggie.
Prince Auggie’s father, King James, signs the prince up for a reality talent show thinking it would help the monarchy’s image and that it might help Auggie find a bride. The only problem, other than the obvious one that he doesn’t want to be on a reality show, is that Auggie is gay. A secret he was hoping to keep a while longer.
Once he makes it to the set of the show, he realizes that his co-star is Thomas, the very handsome heir to a hotel empire. An empire that wants to be rid of the monarchy. And Thomas knows Auggie’s secret.
While I think the author missed a few plot opportunities to make this book even better, it was still a fun and heartwarming love story. Not just between Thomas and Auggie, but between Auggie and Auggie. His journey to accepting himself was fun to read.
James Joseph’s narration was superb but the sound mixing between characters was a little off at times with Colin, especially, being much louder than Auggie.
July 5, 2025
4⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and Hayden Stone for giving me an ARC for this book, this was amazing. I loved this book sooo much! I hesitated almost giving it a 5 star, but didn’t because of a few things.
1. I think the author wrote Auggie’s closetedness too aggressive. like when he told thomas “if i’m seen with you, people might think i’m gay too” and just him never wanting to be seen with Thomas major red flag in someone that’s gay. Don’t care if you’re closested or not, that’s a weird thing to say/do. Definitely didn’t like that. It was only for like 100 pages, so it wasn’t for a majority of the book so I was able to get over it.
2. There’s a lot of childish wording “x” at the end of every text
“I listen to the conversation because i like hot boys,” it just seems like something a 13 year old and teen boy would say to me. Doesn’t seem like something an adult would say let alone a grown adult prince.
Overall I enjoyed it and really liked it. Besides Auggie being written too aggressive in the closeted aspect and the childish/teen boy wording every now and then, I really enjoy this book! I will definitely be reading from this author again! Write after I finished this book I went to sign up for the newsletter and went to see if I could preorder for How to Love a Prince and Handle with Care!
Thank you NetGalley and Hayden Stone for giving me an ARC for this book, this was amazing. I loved this book sooo much! I hesitated almost giving it a 5 star, but didn’t because of a few things.
1. I think the author wrote Auggie’s closetedness too aggressive. like when he told thomas “if i’m seen with you, people might think i’m gay too” and just him never wanting to be seen with Thomas major red flag in someone that’s gay. Don’t care if you’re closested or not, that’s a weird thing to say/do. Definitely didn’t like that. It was only for like 100 pages, so it wasn’t for a majority of the book so I was able to get over it.
2. There’s a lot of childish wording “x” at the end of every text
“I listen to the conversation because i like hot boys,” it just seems like something a 13 year old and teen boy would say to me. Doesn’t seem like something an adult would say let alone a grown adult prince.
Overall I enjoyed it and really liked it. Besides Auggie being written too aggressive in the closeted aspect and the childish/teen boy wording every now and then, I really enjoy this book! I will definitely be reading from this author again! Write after I finished this book I went to sign up for the newsletter and went to see if I could preorder for How to Love a Prince and Handle with Care!
April 27, 2026
3.5 stars
When this book was picked for the B.A.A. book club I was really excited because it was giving me Red, White and Royal Blue vibes and if you've been following me for a while you know that's one of my favorite books. Unfortunately, this one didn't end up being as good. This is a MM romance that follows Auggie who is the British Crown Prince and Thomas who is an American Influencer. I liked these two together and thought they were really cute but constant back and forth between being together and not being together really got old very fast and the pacing was a bit slow for me. It was only 375 pages, but it just felt so much longer while reading it. This was my first book by this author and while it wasn't a complete hit I could see myself giving the next book in this series a try or picking up another book by them at some point.
When this book was picked for the B.A.A. book club I was really excited because it was giving me Red, White and Royal Blue vibes and if you've been following me for a while you know that's one of my favorite books. Unfortunately, this one didn't end up being as good. This is a MM romance that follows Auggie who is the British Crown Prince and Thomas who is an American Influencer. I liked these two together and thought they were really cute but constant back and forth between being together and not being together really got old very fast and the pacing was a bit slow for me. It was only 375 pages, but it just felt so much longer while reading it. This was my first book by this author and while it wasn't a complete hit I could see myself giving the next book in this series a try or picking up another book by them at some point.
July 14, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
I really wanted to like this book, but there were so many gaps in the story. It's never really stated why Thomas's family is so against the monarchy, which is supposed to be driving the story. Thomas and August is an instant love, and I'm not a big fan of it, as it doesn't feel very authentic.
August blows so hot and cold with everyone around him, and everyone seems to want him to pretend to be someone he isn't. It felt like the conflicts between all the characters were resolved so quickly and it cheapened the book. It feels like none of the characters know what they actually want. The writing kept repeating itself and it got frustrating to keep reading it over and over.
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
I really wanted to like this book, but there were so many gaps in the story. It's never really stated why Thomas's family is so against the monarchy, which is supposed to be driving the story. Thomas and August is an instant love, and I'm not a big fan of it, as it doesn't feel very authentic.
August blows so hot and cold with everyone around him, and everyone seems to want him to pretend to be someone he isn't. It felt like the conflicts between all the characters were resolved so quickly and it cheapened the book. It feels like none of the characters know what they actually want. The writing kept repeating itself and it got frustrating to keep reading it over and over.
March 6, 2026
If you have a Charm Offensive-shaped hole in your heart, this book might help! James Joseph has also done a great job as narrator, so if audiobooks are your thing (they certainly are mine), I can recommend this one.
I really appreciated the disability rep in the second half of the book. I don't have personal experience in this regard but it seems to me that the author has approached the topic with research and sensitivity.
As for the book in general, I think it was a fine rom com, though I personally would have liked stronger character motivation behind some of the turning points of the plot.
Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours and Netgalley for the ARC!
I really appreciated the disability rep in the second half of the book. I don't have personal experience in this regard but it seems to me that the author has approached the topic with research and sensitivity.
As for the book in general, I think it was a fine rom com, though I personally would have liked stronger character motivation behind some of the turning points of the plot.
Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours and Netgalley for the ARC!
July 8, 2025
This was okay. Not great, but not bad either. Just okay.
I really wanted more from it, I feel like the characters were too surface level. I wanted more from this book, but at the same time I felt like it was dragging on for much longer than it needed to. I felt like we could have wrapped the story up a little more succinctly.
This was a solid 3 stars. Not sure if I will request the next one in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!
I really wanted more from it, I feel like the characters were too surface level. I wanted more from this book, but at the same time I felt like it was dragging on for much longer than it needed to. I felt like we could have wrapped the story up a little more succinctly.
This was a solid 3 stars. Not sure if I will request the next one in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!
April 8, 2026
It’s always difficult to pinpoint the exact moment when a book doesn’t quite hit the spot. With this one, I didn’t really notice until I reached the epilogue.
The premise was completely up my alley, which makes it even more disappointing that the story felt a little… lukewarm overall.
Auggie, the prince and main protagonist, was by far the most interesting part of the book. I really felt his internal struggle: he’s extremely private, somewhat depressed, clearly repressed, and constantly dealing with the pressure of royal life—plus the emotional manipulation from his reality-TV-obsessed father (the king). It felt like he had so much going on while no one around him truly understood or supported him. Even his best friend Kathy—bless her—ends up distancing herself after developing feelings for him, despite him being gay.
Thomas, the love interest, had a lot of potential but unfortunately fell into the insta-love category very quickly. His attraction to Augie seemed mostly based on physical appeal, which made their relationship harder to fully believe. Considering that Auggie initially represents everything Thomas disagrees with—and is even quite rude during their first meeting—the dynamic could have easily developed into a great enemies-to-lovers arc. But somehow… it never quite got there.
Another issue for me was how little the two main characters actually interact. They’re together briefly at the beginning, and then from about 60% to almost the end of the book they barely see each other. For a story called How to Date a Prince, the irony is that the dating part barely happens.
That said, it wasn’t all negative. The writing itself was enjoyable, and Augie’s character felt thoughtfully developed. I appreciated how well the book portrayed the isolation, privilege, and rigid expectations that come with being next in line for the throne.
For more bookish content follow me on instagram at@onetoomanybooks.ac 💫📚
The premise was completely up my alley, which makes it even more disappointing that the story felt a little… lukewarm overall.
Auggie, the prince and main protagonist, was by far the most interesting part of the book. I really felt his internal struggle: he’s extremely private, somewhat depressed, clearly repressed, and constantly dealing with the pressure of royal life—plus the emotional manipulation from his reality-TV-obsessed father (the king). It felt like he had so much going on while no one around him truly understood or supported him. Even his best friend Kathy—bless her—ends up distancing herself after developing feelings for him, despite him being gay.
Thomas, the love interest, had a lot of potential but unfortunately fell into the insta-love category very quickly. His attraction to Augie seemed mostly based on physical appeal, which made their relationship harder to fully believe. Considering that Auggie initially represents everything Thomas disagrees with—and is even quite rude during their first meeting—the dynamic could have easily developed into a great enemies-to-lovers arc. But somehow… it never quite got there.
Another issue for me was how little the two main characters actually interact. They’re together briefly at the beginning, and then from about 60% to almost the end of the book they barely see each other. For a story called How to Date a Prince, the irony is that the dating part barely happens.
That said, it wasn’t all negative. The writing itself was enjoyable, and Augie’s character felt thoughtfully developed. I appreciated how well the book portrayed the isolation, privilege, and rigid expectations that come with being next in line for the throne.
For more bookish content follow me on instagram at@onetoomanybooks.ac 💫📚
July 25, 2025
2.5 review coming
March 11, 2026
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for an ALC of this audiobook!
The premise of How to Date a Prince was something I IMMEDIATELY gravitated towards. I love reading anything fictional about royalty, especially if its European royalty falling in love with an American commoner. Unfortunately, this book missed the mark for me.
The plot is about a closeted prince struggling with his sexuality (and his gender? but more on that in a minute) who goes on a realty show, receives a head injury as a side plot, and falls in love with an American who is a royal abolitionist. He also strings along his female best friend, admits he’s in love with a man to a TV show producer instead of said man, and could really use many more hours of therapy before leaving the house again.
Auggie starts out as someone you really want to root for. You immediately learn that he loves men but as the crown prince, he’s not allowed to have the life he wants. After a disaster of a PR moment where he hooks up with his female best friend, Katie, who has been in love with him all her life, his father (THE KING) signs him up for a realty show. A show where men show off their talents and the King hopes that this will help Auggie catch the eye of a future wife? Despite the show not having any female contestants? and the protagonist is the same man who caused Auggie to act irrationally with his best friend to begin with?
The reality show aspect was odd. I tried to suspend my disbelief as one does when reading fiction, but the reality show part didn’t feel realistic in terms of how reality shows are filmed and it DRAGGED on, even with Auggie only being on it for three episodes. I truly think if the reality show was completely taken out, the plot would not have changed much. I believe the reality show was a way for the two MC to grow close, but any other scenario would have worked too. Again, I tried to suspend my disbelief but if I’m reading a contemporary fictional piece based off the modern day British monarchy, its hard not to wonder why there wasn’t a PR person involved in any of this book to stop half of this stuff from going on.
Another issue I had with the story was the lack of chemistry! There was instalust when they first met but neither had much personality to begin with outside of both being good looking. Also, I know Auggie was going through a lot, but the number of times he rejected and kicked out Thomas was insane. At one point I remember saying “these two do not need to end up together.” There wasn’t even much angst. I just kinda felt baffled when it kept happening. The book was promoted as enemies to lovers, but they were never really enemies. They were rivals at best FOR the TV show but even then, they were mostly friends.
This final point isn’t a complaint, mostly because I'm not going to criticize how someone thinks about their gender identity, it’s just that Auggie briefly talking about potentially being gender-non conforming close to the end of the story but and was never brought back up. It felt like it was a throw away thought but I thought it would have been nice to hear more about Auggie’s thoughts on this or see his journey.
I really liked how seriously they took Auggie’s head injury though. There are way too many books and people in real life who hear “concussion” and just expect someone to walk it off or that they are miraculously better after a day or two. This book took the time to be serious about Auggie healing from it and still showed the lingering side effects that are often not talked about.
Also, the narrator was phenomenal! James Joseph did an amazing job with the narration and the accents and I’m definitely going to pick up more works narrated by him.
3/5 stars. The premise was good, but the execution wasn't for me.
The premise of How to Date a Prince was something I IMMEDIATELY gravitated towards. I love reading anything fictional about royalty, especially if its European royalty falling in love with an American commoner. Unfortunately, this book missed the mark for me.
The plot is about a closeted prince struggling with his sexuality (and his gender? but more on that in a minute) who goes on a realty show, receives a head injury as a side plot, and falls in love with an American who is a royal abolitionist. He also strings along his female best friend, admits he’s in love with a man to a TV show producer instead of said man, and could really use many more hours of therapy before leaving the house again.
Auggie starts out as someone you really want to root for. You immediately learn that he loves men but as the crown prince, he’s not allowed to have the life he wants. After a disaster of a PR moment where he hooks up with his female best friend, Katie, who has been in love with him all her life, his father (THE KING) signs him up for a realty show. A show where men show off their talents and the King hopes that this will help Auggie catch the eye of a future wife? Despite the show not having any female contestants? and the protagonist is the same man who caused Auggie to act irrationally with his best friend to begin with?
The reality show aspect was odd. I tried to suspend my disbelief as one does when reading fiction, but the reality show part didn’t feel realistic in terms of how reality shows are filmed and it DRAGGED on, even with Auggie only being on it for three episodes. I truly think if the reality show was completely taken out, the plot would not have changed much. I believe the reality show was a way for the two MC to grow close, but any other scenario would have worked too. Again, I tried to suspend my disbelief but if I’m reading a contemporary fictional piece based off the modern day British monarchy, its hard not to wonder why there wasn’t a PR person involved in any of this book to stop half of this stuff from going on.
Another issue I had with the story was the lack of chemistry! There was instalust when they first met but neither had much personality to begin with outside of both being good looking. Also, I know Auggie was going through a lot, but the number of times he rejected and kicked out Thomas was insane. At one point I remember saying “these two do not need to end up together.” There wasn’t even much angst. I just kinda felt baffled when it kept happening. The book was promoted as enemies to lovers, but they were never really enemies. They were rivals at best FOR the TV show but even then, they were mostly friends.
This final point isn’t a complaint, mostly because I'm not going to criticize how someone thinks about their gender identity, it’s just that Auggie briefly talking about potentially being gender-non conforming close to the end of the story but and was never brought back up. It felt like it was a throw away thought but I thought it would have been nice to hear more about Auggie’s thoughts on this or see his journey.
I really liked how seriously they took Auggie’s head injury though. There are way too many books and people in real life who hear “concussion” and just expect someone to walk it off or that they are miraculously better after a day or two. This book took the time to be serious about Auggie healing from it and still showed the lingering side effects that are often not talked about.
Also, the narrator was phenomenal! James Joseph did an amazing job with the narration and the accents and I’m definitely going to pick up more works narrated by him.
3/5 stars. The premise was good, but the execution wasn't for me.
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