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St. Rosetta's Academy #2
Of Princes and Promises
From the New York Times bestselling author of When Dimple Met Rishi comes the second installment in a series set an elite boarding school that’s a contemporary spin on fairy tales, this one a delightful, romantic twist on The Frog Prince.
Caterina LaValle is determined to show she’s still the queen of St. Rosetta’s Academy. Sure, her crown may be slightly askew after her ex-boyfriend, Alaric, cheated on her, but she’s a LaValle. She’ll find a way to march right back in there, her hands clutching the strings to the whole puppet show. This time, she’s going to be untouchable.
Rahul Chopra knows that moment he shared with Caterina LaValle at the winter formal meant something. Surely she feels it, too. He’s a little uncertain how someone like him (socially inept to a point way past “adorkable”) could fit into her world, but he’s loved Caterina for years. He knows they’ll find a way.
When Caterina finds out Alaric is taking a supermodel to the upcoming gala, she knows she cannot arrive without the perfect date. But the thought of taking another superficial St. R’s boy exhausts her. The solution? Sweet-but-clueless Rahul Chopra and a mysterious pot of hair gel with the power to alter the wearer into whatever his heart desires.
When Rahul tries it, he transforms instantly into RC—debonair, handsome, and charming. But transformation comes with a As Rahul enjoys his new social standing, the line between his two personas begins to blur. Will he give up everything, including Caterina, to remain RC? Or will this unlikely pair find their way back to each other?
Caterina LaValle is determined to show she’s still the queen of St. Rosetta’s Academy. Sure, her crown may be slightly askew after her ex-boyfriend, Alaric, cheated on her, but she’s a LaValle. She’ll find a way to march right back in there, her hands clutching the strings to the whole puppet show. This time, she’s going to be untouchable.
Rahul Chopra knows that moment he shared with Caterina LaValle at the winter formal meant something. Surely she feels it, too. He’s a little uncertain how someone like him (socially inept to a point way past “adorkable”) could fit into her world, but he’s loved Caterina for years. He knows they’ll find a way.
When Caterina finds out Alaric is taking a supermodel to the upcoming gala, she knows she cannot arrive without the perfect date. But the thought of taking another superficial St. R’s boy exhausts her. The solution? Sweet-but-clueless Rahul Chopra and a mysterious pot of hair gel with the power to alter the wearer into whatever his heart desires.
When Rahul tries it, he transforms instantly into RC—debonair, handsome, and charming. But transformation comes with a As Rahul enjoys his new social standing, the line between his two personas begins to blur. Will he give up everything, including Caterina, to remain RC? Or will this unlikely pair find their way back to each other?
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First published June 8, 2021
36 people are currently reading
7540 people want to read
About the author
Sandhya Menon
24 books3,485 followersSandhya Menon is the New York Times bestselling author of several novels with lots of kissing, girl power, and swoony boys. Her books have been featured in several cool places, including on The Today Show, Teen Vogue, NPR Book Review, Buzzfeed, and Seventeen. A full-time dog servant and part-time writer, she makes her home in the foggy mountains of Colorado.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 318 reviews
September 6, 2022
First of all I’m just very thankful that I received this ARC.
This book is the second installment of the St. Rosetta’s Academy series and is a contemporary spin off of the tale The Frog Prince. We have already met the characters of the book in the first book “of curses and kisses”, there is a reference to some scenes of that book, but this book can be read as a standalone.
I’ve read this book in a single go, I was such impressed by the book. At some point I felt Rahul’s behaviour a bit frustrating, but if you be in his spot then we can understand from where he is coming, but still I was frustrated (in a good way😉). He is a complete introvert and the blend to the background type of guy. Caterina is the Queen Cat, always the centre of attraction, and when she needs Rahul’s help to get back at his ex boyfriend at a Gala, this is what changes everything
Rahul goes through an immense transformation to RC from being in the background to being the centre of attraction. During this whole process, Caterina enjoys being with Rahul and gradually realises that she is falling in love with him. But everything is not so simple, thee are a lot of twists and turns to reach the end point.
Caterina although being the mean cat in the exterior, she is just a sweet girl in the interior. And like “the frog Prince” tale, here our Princess looks through the all the slime and warts and etc of the frog, looks directly into the Prince in his heart, and just unearths him. It’s not like she fell in love with a Prince, she fell in love with a frog, who has a heart of Prince, she has recognised this precious gem, even though there was so much mud covering him, and her love has changed him for good. This is what we have to understand, it’s not the external appearance that matters, what truly matters that what we are at the heart, and that is what defines us. This moral is very subtly told in the story and is effectively conveyed by the struggles Rahul faces to accept his frog self with the diamond heart, instead when he can become the Prince of everyone’s dreams. He struggles but at the end, he finally understands that he needs to be a Prince at heart, and not a Prince in appearance, cause appearance doesn’t matters for the ones who have truly seen your heart, they would accept you in whatever form you are and this is what we find in our true love and true friends.
Coming to my rating: out of 5 stars
Title : good ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cover : acceptable ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Story : satisfying and cute romance, with a slight thrill at the end. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing : there is no doubt that Sandhya Menon is a best selling author ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Description : words were perfectly imaginable, and the emotions were felt right at the heart.
Character development : perfect ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Originality : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall : 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5 stars.
This book is the second installment of the St. Rosetta’s Academy series and is a contemporary spin off of the tale The Frog Prince. We have already met the characters of the book in the first book “of curses and kisses”, there is a reference to some scenes of that book, but this book can be read as a standalone.
I’ve read this book in a single go, I was such impressed by the book. At some point I felt Rahul’s behaviour a bit frustrating, but if you be in his spot then we can understand from where he is coming, but still I was frustrated (in a good way😉). He is a complete introvert and the blend to the background type of guy. Caterina is the Queen Cat, always the centre of attraction, and when she needs Rahul’s help to get back at his ex boyfriend at a Gala, this is what changes everything
Rahul goes through an immense transformation to RC from being in the background to being the centre of attraction. During this whole process, Caterina enjoys being with Rahul and gradually realises that she is falling in love with him. But everything is not so simple, thee are a lot of twists and turns to reach the end point.
Caterina although being the mean cat in the exterior, she is just a sweet girl in the interior. And like “the frog Prince” tale, here our Princess looks through the all the slime and warts and etc of the frog, looks directly into the Prince in his heart, and just unearths him. It’s not like she fell in love with a Prince, she fell in love with a frog, who has a heart of Prince, she has recognised this precious gem, even though there was so much mud covering him, and her love has changed him for good. This is what we have to understand, it’s not the external appearance that matters, what truly matters that what we are at the heart, and that is what defines us. This moral is very subtly told in the story and is effectively conveyed by the struggles Rahul faces to accept his frog self with the diamond heart, instead when he can become the Prince of everyone’s dreams. He struggles but at the end, he finally understands that he needs to be a Prince at heart, and not a Prince in appearance, cause appearance doesn’t matters for the ones who have truly seen your heart, they would accept you in whatever form you are and this is what we find in our true love and true friends.
Coming to my rating: out of 5 stars
Title : good ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cover : acceptable ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Story : satisfying and cute romance, with a slight thrill at the end. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing : there is no doubt that Sandhya Menon is a best selling author ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Description : words were perfectly imaginable, and the emotions were felt right at the heart.
Character development : perfect ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Originality : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall : 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5 stars.
Want to read
April 8, 2020I just finished Of Curses and Kisses and I CANNOT WAIT until this story comes out!! I'm definitely exctied that the storyline is going to be focused on Caterina & Rahul, I knew these were going to have something going on, especially when Rahul couldn't stop looking at her at different times in OCAK *HAPPY DACNE!!!
July 26, 2021
Read on July 2021
3.5 ✨
I CANNOT WAIT :D
3.5 ✨
I CANNOT WAIT :D
May 1, 2021
| Review on Reader Fox Blog |
Sandhya Menon's Of Princes and Promises is, thus far, the most disappointing book of 2021. It's been about a week since I finished it and I'm still mad. Because the truth is, this book had everything going for it. Of Princes and Promises didn't have to be a massive disappointment. It could have been one of the best books I'd read all year.
And I'm just left wondering why? Why did this book have to fail so horribly when it was set up to be so wonderful?
I don't think there's anything more frustrating to me than watching a book that has so much potential destroy itself utterly in the last few chapters.
A quick spoiler alert, I can't adequately explain the problems with this book without them. Sorry.
Caterina LaValle makes her second appearance in Menon's St. Rosetta's Academy series, but this time as the lead character. This was, quite frankly, a brilliant choice on Menon's part in my opinion. Caterina was somewhat of a villain in the first novel and, in essence, is the perfect character to lead in a The Frog Prince retelling.
Fresh from having broken up with her boyfriend for cheating on her, Caterina remains a quasi-princess of the school but is certainly in need of something to refresh her reputation. Truthfully, recruiting someone to assist her in holding on to her shiny reputation is not exactly a far cry from retrieving her golden ball for her. So, for these reasons, it does genuinely seem that Menon had the perfect setup for this novel.
In fact, it gets even better when we're introduced to Rahul who is quite possibly the most adorable character I've read in a while. Despite being so socially awkward that his family has hidden him away for being too embarrassing in public, Rahul is unerringly genuine and kind. Though his understanding of social situations is deeply lacking, the boy has an incredibly authentic drive to do better in the most honest manner possible.
He's even got an ulterior motive for going along with Caterina's scheme, leading him to a rather intriguing hair gel that grants him the powers to collect himself in social situations. And it matches perfectly with the fable we know, for Rahul wants both to be near Caterina but also learn how to improve himself.
Quite honestly, Rahul's character arc as a whole is entirely the basis for why Menon struck gold with the set-up she gave us for this novel. There was a massive amount of potential hidden in the depths of Caterina and Rahul as characters. And to her credit, Menon does really begin the story this way. For the first half of the novel, you do genuinely believe that the novel will follow a path of detailed character development that drives the story as a whole.
I found myself thoroughly engaged in the narrative between these two characters, so much so that I was able to ignore any mild complaint I had about the writing and rather ridiculous pacing of the story. Despite hating the pointless and out-of-place time jumps, they seemed minuscule next to what I thought the plot would be.
In truth, I was anticipating a masterpiece about losing yourself to addiction, seeing the pain you can cause someone else, and finally getting to a place of acceptance. And, if I'm being honest, we did get a sense of this. But the problem really lies in the fact that it was kind of surface level and took a backseat to the most pointless and story-damaging villains I have ever had the misfortune to come across in my entire life.
So, the way Menon sets up her Frog to Prince transition is through this magical-esque hair gel that basically transforms Rahul into a 'princely' version of himself. When he attends the first party with Caterina--to prevent anyone from seeing her taken down after her breakup--Rahul becomes RC, a suave and impressive mysterious man everyone wants to know. Naturally, this is something Caterina is thrilled by and Rahul becomes enthralled with.
This plot alone opens up a world of opportunity to explore ideas of what it means to reinvent yourself. But, even better, it offers up an expansive opportunity to delve deeply into the concept of addiction. There's this visceral quality to feeling as though you cannot function without a substance driving Rahul's character arc. What first began as a way to help Caterina save face in a difficult situation quickly becomes something Rahul cannot let go of.
As a result of his reinvention, thanks largely due to the hair gel, Rahul becomes despairingly addicted to the substance. And it changes him.
What's even more stark about this is the fact that everyone around him recognizes this. And though Rahul sees these changes as good, going so far as to believe the gel is allowing him to "unlock...his truest potential" and leads him to feel invincible, everyone else sees something far more sinister. His friends grow increasingly concerned about him. Feeling they are being unsupportive, he pushes them away. More and more, Rahul begins to feel as though his entire existence requires this hair gel.
Then the girl for whom he made all the changes to begin with slowly realizes the damage she has done.
I honestly thought this story was the makings of a great take on the 'getting addicted to something that makes you popular and helps the popular girl fall in love with you' trope. First of all, Caterina wasn't getting tricked, thank the skies. She always knew who Rahul was. In fact, she was directly involved in getting him access to the hair gel that would change his entire persona. And at first, both she and Rahul see it as a good thing.
The way Menon allows the effects of the gel to slowly seep into Rahul's character is impressive. It's especially brilliant when seen through Caterina's eyes, "knowing in her heart that Rahul Chopra was becoming more and more self-hating with every day that passed, with every event that he went to as RC. And it was all her fault."
Seeing the sheer guilt she feels at having been the one to do this to him is almost tangible in how easily we are able to feel it with her. And you genuinely feel that this is going to be the big epic moment in the story. Everything is leading up to the dichotomy of how she changed him and realizing deep down that she already loved and appreciated him for who he'd been before.
And damn, can we just talk about how she left him? Let's forget for a moment that this entire portion of the novel was deeply diminished by an incredibly stupid and pointless villain and just think about that line. Cause I have some words for it.
Now, admittedly, Caterina is unquestionably the catalyst that sent Rahul diving into the deep end of his addiction. He never would have gotten his hands on the gel without her and that is an indisputable fact. But I think there's something to be said for the fact that there is something deeply damaging about having to watch someone refuse to leave behind their addiction.
And she's right, in a way, that it does make her selfish to leave him. But I think it's important to recognize that it's not good to damage ourselves watching someone we care about destroy themselves. Certainly, the commentary could have been better. Caterina had every opportunity to reach out to his friends to get him support. I understand this is more of a fluffy-themed book, but you've got themes of addiction here. The directions Menon could have taken with this novel are endless.
And I am so disappointed in her for not doing so.
But, as if missing out on an opportunity to have a substantially brilliant commentary on addiction and love wasn't bad enough...Mia exists.
Honestly, that is the worst and most unforgivable thing about this book.
It's fully because of Mia that this book dropped from a 4-star read to a 2-star for me. Her entire existence is the worst thing about this novel, from the nonsensical miscommunication-fueled plotline she embodied to her idiotic villain speech. I could rant for hours and never fully illustrate the level of hatred I have for how much she ruined an otherwise genuinely good--if not great--novel.
She's almost single-handedly the entire reason I feel like Menon failed so wholly on Rahul and Caterina's character arcs. Cause Menon just had to have some unimaginably moronic villain appear literally out of nowhere to...spearhead a miscommunication campaign. Menon really likes her miscommunications for no reason, doesn't she?
I cannot stress this enough: if the conflict in your novel only exists because of dumb miscommunications, your conflict has some serious problems.
What's most frustrating about this piece is the fact that Menon already had the perfect conflict. It didn't actually have serious problems. Rather, she decided to create massive flaws in a book that was otherwise fantastic. What the hell did Mia add to this story?
I'll tell you what she added. Absolutely nothing.
I hate Mia. I hate everything about her. She was completely pointless and served only as a way to detract from what was otherwise an incredibly promising plot and story. WHY, why does she exist?
What this all boils down to, in the end, is that Menon simply tried to do too much with a story that already had an excellent plot and conflict. She chose to forgo genuine character development in order to have this pointless side plot villain and it fully destroyed her novel.
Mia was nonsense of epic proportions, taking readers away from the true and most important conflict of the novel; that of self-perception of worth and human connection.
I don't even know how to get into the ridiculousness of the boyfriend. As if the only reason someone could sell Rahul a 'be your best self' concoction that is bad, actually, is because they were trying to help their girlfriend destroy the person who got the life she wished she'd had. There's just so much wrong with the entire Mia subplot.
But, frankly, the worst thing it does is take generously away from what could have been a truly amazing story.
As far as I'm concerned, Of Princes and Promises is in desperate need of a rewrite. Menon needed someone to sit her down and tell her where the real story was. She needed someone to tell her how dumb it was to include Mia's character at all. I cannot stress enough how crucially bad the decision to have this villain was. There is no need for the second conflict and it does little more than detract from the best parts of the book.
Menon, unquestionably, had the perfect conflict. She had the perfect opportunity for character development. She should never have strayed away from it, not for a second. Mia should not exist. The guy who got them the hair gel should have merely been a guy who sold the magic hair gel. Even he did not need to be a villain greater than the representation of the beauty industry itself and society's expectations of attractiveness. This should have been only a story about Rahul and Caterina learning to love themselves and, through that, each other.
And in the end, I can't even bring myself to focus on the numerous tiny things about this book that just irked me, like the random dig Menon makes at how periods make women emotional or how Rahul's friends weren't even really that great toward him. Cause everything pales in comparison to the ginormous missed opportunity in Rahul and Caterina's development and stories.
I mean, Menon built up these characters to have a connection of epic proportions, ready to fall apart all due to one's ability to feel confidence and self-love. This would have been an amazing story. So, why the hell does it take a backseat to stupid as hell side plot with monumentally dumb villain???
Ugh, I'm so fucking disappointed.
| Reader Fox Links |
She felt forgiveness and she felt forgiven and that, too, was the magic of Rahul Chopra.
Sandhya Menon's Of Princes and Promises is, thus far, the most disappointing book of 2021. It's been about a week since I finished it and I'm still mad. Because the truth is, this book had everything going for it. Of Princes and Promises didn't have to be a massive disappointment. It could have been one of the best books I'd read all year.
And I'm just left wondering why? Why did this book have to fail so horribly when it was set up to be so wonderful?
I don't think there's anything more frustrating to me than watching a book that has so much potential destroy itself utterly in the last few chapters.
A quick spoiler alert, I can't adequately explain the problems with this book without them. Sorry.
She’d felt like she had all the power then, like she could do no wrong.
Caterina LaValle makes her second appearance in Menon's St. Rosetta's Academy series, but this time as the lead character. This was, quite frankly, a brilliant choice on Menon's part in my opinion. Caterina was somewhat of a villain in the first novel and, in essence, is the perfect character to lead in a The Frog Prince retelling.
Fresh from having broken up with her boyfriend for cheating on her, Caterina remains a quasi-princess of the school but is certainly in need of something to refresh her reputation. Truthfully, recruiting someone to assist her in holding on to her shiny reputation is not exactly a far cry from retrieving her golden ball for her. So, for these reasons, it does genuinely seem that Menon had the perfect setup for this novel.
"Are we going to dance?" Caterina asked, surprised. "Right here?"
"Right here," Rahul said.
"I'm not putting my heels back on," she warned.
In answer, Rahul kicked off his own shoes.
In fact, it gets even better when we're introduced to Rahul who is quite possibly the most adorable character I've read in a while. Despite being so socially awkward that his family has hidden him away for being too embarrassing in public, Rahul is unerringly genuine and kind. Though his understanding of social situations is deeply lacking, the boy has an incredibly authentic drive to do better in the most honest manner possible.
He's even got an ulterior motive for going along with Caterina's scheme, leading him to a rather intriguing hair gel that grants him the powers to collect himself in social situations. And it matches perfectly with the fable we know, for Rahul wants both to be near Caterina but also learn how to improve himself.
He was still standing where she'd left him, simply because she'd asked him to wait and he was someone who was good for his word.
Quite honestly, Rahul's character arc as a whole is entirely the basis for why Menon struck gold with the set-up she gave us for this novel. There was a massive amount of potential hidden in the depths of Caterina and Rahul as characters. And to her credit, Menon does really begin the story this way. For the first half of the novel, you do genuinely believe that the novel will follow a path of detailed character development that drives the story as a whole.
I found myself thoroughly engaged in the narrative between these two characters, so much so that I was able to ignore any mild complaint I had about the writing and rather ridiculous pacing of the story. Despite hating the pointless and out-of-place time jumps, they seemed minuscule next to what I thought the plot would be.
In truth, I was anticipating a masterpiece about losing yourself to addiction, seeing the pain you can cause someone else, and finally getting to a place of acceptance. And, if I'm being honest, we did get a sense of this. But the problem really lies in the fact that it was kind of surface level and took a backseat to the most pointless and story-damaging villains I have ever had the misfortune to come across in my entire life.
He adjusted his sweater collar, wanting to rip it off his body. Being in this body, being Rahul 98 percent of the time, just wasn't cutting it anymore. Not when he knew he could be RC, the guy he'd always wanted to be, the guy the world liked so much better.
So, the way Menon sets up her Frog to Prince transition is through this magical-esque hair gel that basically transforms Rahul into a 'princely' version of himself. When he attends the first party with Caterina--to prevent anyone from seeing her taken down after her breakup--Rahul becomes RC, a suave and impressive mysterious man everyone wants to know. Naturally, this is something Caterina is thrilled by and Rahul becomes enthralled with.
This plot alone opens up a world of opportunity to explore ideas of what it means to reinvent yourself. But, even better, it offers up an expansive opportunity to delve deeply into the concept of addiction. There's this visceral quality to feeling as though you cannot function without a substance driving Rahul's character arc. What first began as a way to help Caterina save face in a difficult situation quickly becomes something Rahul cannot let go of.
As a result of his reinvention, thanks largely due to the hair gel, Rahul becomes despairingly addicted to the substance. And it changes him.
What's even more stark about this is the fact that everyone around him recognizes this. And though Rahul sees these changes as good, going so far as to believe the gel is allowing him to "unlock...his truest potential" and leads him to feel invincible, everyone else sees something far more sinister. His friends grow increasingly concerned about him. Feeling they are being unsupportive, he pushes them away. More and more, Rahul begins to feel as though his entire existence requires this hair gel.
Then the girl for whom he made all the changes to begin with slowly realizes the damage she has done.
His chiseled jaw, his long eyelashes, his silky-thick hair, the easy, confident manner with which he occupied his space. It was exactly what she'd wanted him to be; it was precisely what she needed to show Alaric up. Everything was working perfectly. It was like a flawless windup world she'd created from scratch. And yet…the way he'd said Rahul, like an old skin he was molting off. Something about it felt wrong, somehow.
I honestly thought this story was the makings of a great take on the 'getting addicted to something that makes you popular and helps the popular girl fall in love with you' trope. First of all, Caterina wasn't getting tricked, thank the skies. She always knew who Rahul was. In fact, she was directly involved in getting him access to the hair gel that would change his entire persona. And at first, both she and Rahul see it as a good thing.
The way Menon allows the effects of the gel to slowly seep into Rahul's character is impressive. It's especially brilliant when seen through Caterina's eyes, "knowing in her heart that Rahul Chopra was becoming more and more self-hating with every day that passed, with every event that he went to as RC. And it was all her fault."
Seeing the sheer guilt she feels at having been the one to do this to him is almost tangible in how easily we are able to feel it with her. And you genuinely feel that this is going to be the big epic moment in the story. Everything is leading up to the dichotomy of how she changed him and realizing deep down that she already loved and appreciated him for who he'd been before.
"It's more like he hurt himself and I didn't want to stick around to watch it. Which, I suppose, makes me selfish."
And damn, can we just talk about how she left him? Let's forget for a moment that this entire portion of the novel was deeply diminished by an incredibly stupid and pointless villain and just think about that line. Cause I have some words for it.
Now, admittedly, Caterina is unquestionably the catalyst that sent Rahul diving into the deep end of his addiction. He never would have gotten his hands on the gel without her and that is an indisputable fact. But I think there's something to be said for the fact that there is something deeply damaging about having to watch someone refuse to leave behind their addiction.
And she's right, in a way, that it does make her selfish to leave him. But I think it's important to recognize that it's not good to damage ourselves watching someone we care about destroy themselves. Certainly, the commentary could have been better. Caterina had every opportunity to reach out to his friends to get him support. I understand this is more of a fluffy-themed book, but you've got themes of addiction here. The directions Menon could have taken with this novel are endless.
And I am so disappointed in her for not doing so.
There was something sharp about Mia; she reminded him of glass shards wrapped in velvet.
But, as if missing out on an opportunity to have a substantially brilliant commentary on addiction and love wasn't bad enough...Mia exists.
Honestly, that is the worst and most unforgivable thing about this book.
It's fully because of Mia that this book dropped from a 4-star read to a 2-star for me. Her entire existence is the worst thing about this novel, from the nonsensical miscommunication-fueled plotline she embodied to her idiotic villain speech. I could rant for hours and never fully illustrate the level of hatred I have for how much she ruined an otherwise genuinely good--if not great--novel.
She's almost single-handedly the entire reason I feel like Menon failed so wholly on Rahul and Caterina's character arcs. Cause Menon just had to have some unimaginably moronic villain appear literally out of nowhere to...spearhead a miscommunication campaign. Menon really likes her miscommunications for no reason, doesn't she?
I cannot stress this enough: if the conflict in your novel only exists because of dumb miscommunications, your conflict has some serious problems.
What's most frustrating about this piece is the fact that Menon already had the perfect conflict. It didn't actually have serious problems. Rather, she decided to create massive flaws in a book that was otherwise fantastic. What the hell did Mia add to this story?
I'll tell you what she added. Absolutely nothing.
I hate Mia. I hate everything about her. She was completely pointless and served only as a way to detract from what was otherwise an incredibly promising plot and story. WHY, why does she exist?
"But I think I'll find a way to be happy by myself, regardless."
What this all boils down to, in the end, is that Menon simply tried to do too much with a story that already had an excellent plot and conflict. She chose to forgo genuine character development in order to have this pointless side plot villain and it fully destroyed her novel.
Mia was nonsense of epic proportions, taking readers away from the true and most important conflict of the novel; that of self-perception of worth and human connection.
I don't even know how to get into the ridiculousness of the boyfriend. As if the only reason someone could sell Rahul a 'be your best self' concoction that is bad, actually, is because they were trying to help their girlfriend destroy the person who got the life she wished she'd had. There's just so much wrong with the entire Mia subplot.
But, frankly, the worst thing it does is take generously away from what could have been a truly amazing story.
"Most people wouldn't say I have a heart, and most people wouldn't say you're easy to talk to," Caterina Mused. Her brown eyes glittered. "It sounds like most people don't know us."
As far as I'm concerned, Of Princes and Promises is in desperate need of a rewrite. Menon needed someone to sit her down and tell her where the real story was. She needed someone to tell her how dumb it was to include Mia's character at all. I cannot stress enough how crucially bad the decision to have this villain was. There is no need for the second conflict and it does little more than detract from the best parts of the book.
Menon, unquestionably, had the perfect conflict. She had the perfect opportunity for character development. She should never have strayed away from it, not for a second. Mia should not exist. The guy who got them the hair gel should have merely been a guy who sold the magic hair gel. Even he did not need to be a villain greater than the representation of the beauty industry itself and society's expectations of attractiveness. This should have been only a story about Rahul and Caterina learning to love themselves and, through that, each other.
And in the end, I can't even bring myself to focus on the numerous tiny things about this book that just irked me, like the random dig Menon makes at how periods make women emotional or how Rahul's friends weren't even really that great toward him. Cause everything pales in comparison to the ginormous missed opportunity in Rahul and Caterina's development and stories.
I mean, Menon built up these characters to have a connection of epic proportions, ready to fall apart all due to one's ability to feel confidence and self-love. This would have been an amazing story. So, why the hell does it take a backseat to stupid as hell side plot with monumentally dumb villain???
Ugh, I'm so fucking disappointed.
| Reader Fox Links |
December 11, 2021
This series by Sandhya Menon is criminally underrated. I love how she incorporates elements of fairytales into this modern boarding school setting. The romance here was a super adorable opposites attract between a popular girl and a not-so-popular boy.
Want to read
March 23, 202023/03/2020
there is a TITLE and a SYNOPSIS! this one does sound really cute and i like that its a retelling of the frog prince.
seems like theres no hope for my catarina and daphne love story though :(
25/02/2020
i really hope this one is about Catarina and Daphne Elizabeth falling in love <3
there is a TITLE and a SYNOPSIS! this one does sound really cute and i like that its a retelling of the frog prince.
seems like theres no hope for my catarina and daphne love story though :(
25/02/2020
i really hope this one is about Catarina and Daphne Elizabeth falling in love <3
June 2, 2021
Caterina LaValle broke up with her boyfriend Alaric in book one after she found out he was cheating on her. The boy who comforted her afterwards was none other than Rahul, someone totally un-popular who Caterina would hardly give the time of day before.
For a while, it seems like the dance and conversation they shared was a one time thing as Caterina is keeping Rahul at a distance. Until, she needs help and Rahul agrees without a second thought.
The deal is for him to accompany her to big fancy events and to show Alaric just how well Caterina is doing for herself. But he can hardly go as himself. Rahul will have to go through a full makeover and become someone else in the process. But for him, spending time with Caterina is worth it, no matter the cost.
This was a lot better than Of Curses and Kisses. Caterina and Rahul really shined here, I'm glad they got their own book because I got to see them in a different light.
I really like that it's not a typical 90s movie makeover story where nobody notices the person being madeover until they are. Caterina knew exactly who Rahul was, and she liked him for him.
On the other hand, I barely noticed any similarities with the original tale unlike in book one where there were plenty. Do I mind? Not necessarily.
I didn't like the villain. They were a bit predictable and unneeded. The story was strong on its own and the villain existed only to drive a bigger wedge between our couple...and to show another side to Caterina that we were already aware was there.
The romance starts early-ish on. That surprised me a little considering how long it took for Jaya and Grey to get together, but it works. I'm happy for them.
I'm excited about that DE teaser at the end. Is her book next in line? I hope so.
Extra bonus points for the name Vanya Petrovic who is not only Slavic, but also not evil. More nice Slavic characters!!!
I'd recommend this book to people who like cute boarding school romances with just a hint of magic.
*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
For a while, it seems like the dance and conversation they shared was a one time thing as Caterina is keeping Rahul at a distance. Until, she needs help and Rahul agrees without a second thought.
The deal is for him to accompany her to big fancy events and to show Alaric just how well Caterina is doing for herself. But he can hardly go as himself. Rahul will have to go through a full makeover and become someone else in the process. But for him, spending time with Caterina is worth it, no matter the cost.
This was a lot better than Of Curses and Kisses. Caterina and Rahul really shined here, I'm glad they got their own book because I got to see them in a different light.
I really like that it's not a typical 90s movie makeover story where nobody notices the person being madeover until they are. Caterina knew exactly who Rahul was, and she liked him for him.
On the other hand, I barely noticed any similarities with the original tale unlike in book one where there were plenty. Do I mind? Not necessarily.
I didn't like the villain. They were a bit predictable and unneeded. The story was strong on its own and the villain existed only to drive a bigger wedge between our couple...and to show another side to Caterina that we were already aware was there.
The romance starts early-ish on. That surprised me a little considering how long it took for Jaya and Grey to get together, but it works. I'm happy for them.
I'm excited about that DE teaser at the end. Is her book next in line? I hope so.
Extra bonus points for the name Vanya Petrovic who is not only Slavic, but also not evil. More nice Slavic characters!!!
I'd recommend this book to people who like cute boarding school romances with just a hint of magic.
*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
June 2, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
I read the first book in this series at the beginning of last year and I liked it, so I was excited to read this one. Unfortunately it didn't live up to the first one. I didn't really connect with the characters or particularly like them. I didn't really remember them all that much from the first one having read it a while ago and they had been more side characters in the first one so it almost felt like a standalone. Catarina is the typical stuck up rich girl and Rahul has wealthy political parents, but he is very socially awkward and his parents sent him to Rosetta to "get rid of him." I just spent the whole story feeling bad for Rahul for thinking he had to change this appearance and personality to fit in. It was sad watching him ruin his relationship with the friends who liked him for who he was to begin with. I just think I'm getting a little old for such high school drama (yikes!). I did enjoy Catarina's inner journey, but still didn't really connect with her and really knew what her journey was going to be all along so nothing was really surprising. By the end I was happy with her growth.
The plot was not super exciting, it was basically just Caterina bringing Rahul to different parties and events as RC by using magical hair gel. There is a twist at the end that felt almost like a thriller type twist, but then kind of wasn't and ended strangely. The ending in general felt a little rushed, while the rest of the book was slower paced.
The writing style was easy to read, however like the first book, there were some not so commonly used words that I did not know the meanings of that kind of took me out of the story a little bit while reading. Despite this not being an absolute favorite book of mine, I was able to blow through large portions at a time which doesn't happen all that often.
I would definitely recommend this series, just be aware that it is a very high school scene for you "older" YA readers!
3.5 stars
I read the first book in this series at the beginning of last year and I liked it, so I was excited to read this one. Unfortunately it didn't live up to the first one. I didn't really connect with the characters or particularly like them. I didn't really remember them all that much from the first one having read it a while ago and they had been more side characters in the first one so it almost felt like a standalone. Catarina is the typical stuck up rich girl and Rahul has wealthy political parents, but he is very socially awkward and his parents sent him to Rosetta to "get rid of him." I just spent the whole story feeling bad for Rahul for thinking he had to change this appearance and personality to fit in. It was sad watching him ruin his relationship with the friends who liked him for who he was to begin with. I just think I'm getting a little old for such high school drama (yikes!). I did enjoy Catarina's inner journey, but still didn't really connect with her and really knew what her journey was going to be all along so nothing was really surprising. By the end I was happy with her growth.
The plot was not super exciting, it was basically just Caterina bringing Rahul to different parties and events as RC by using magical hair gel. There is a twist at the end that felt almost like a thriller type twist, but then kind of wasn't and ended strangely. The ending in general felt a little rushed, while the rest of the book was slower paced.
The writing style was easy to read, however like the first book, there were some not so commonly used words that I did not know the meanings of that kind of took me out of the story a little bit while reading. Despite this not being an absolute favorite book of mine, I was able to blow through large portions at a time which doesn't happen all that often.
I would definitely recommend this series, just be aware that it is a very high school scene for you "older" YA readers!
September 2, 2021
More like a 2.75
I feel like I might have outgrown these types of stories. It just felt super immature to me and I would literally roll my eyes at times because of how dramatic everyone was being; my god especially Rahul. He sounded like such a “pick me” guy and it was getting on my nerves for at least 50% of it.
I feel like I might have outgrown these types of stories. It just felt super immature to me and I would literally roll my eyes at times because of how dramatic everyone was being; my god especially Rahul. He sounded like such a “pick me” guy and it was getting on my nerves for at least 50% of it.
July 30, 2021
3.25/5
June 17, 2021
3.5/5 stars
(review originally posted on Under the Covers book blog)
This was a sweet YA romance with some really great themes and characters, but there was something missing; I wanted the story to go to the next level but it never really got there.
In this sequel to Sandhya Menon’s Of Curses and Kisses, the trademark mean-girl-queen-bee at St. Rosetta’s Academy, Caterina LaValle, has only one thing on her mind: her plan to show everyone how untouched she is after her boyfriend, Alaric, cheated on her. She’s Queen Cat, and to stay on the throne, she needs a hot date to the Hindman Foundation Gala - one that will shock the smug looks off of Alaric and his rebound model girlfriend for good.
Rahul Chopra is head-over-heels in love with Caterina, and has been for a long time. And he can’t stop thinking about the night they danced together at the winter formal, when Caterina looked so hurt after Alaric’s betrayal. Rahul is socially awkward and feels no confidence in his own skin, but he still holds onto hope that Caterina remembers that dance between them, too. And so the only plausible answer when Caterina asks him to go to the Gala with her is yes. The next two weeks, Caterina begins Rahul’s makeover into RC, the hot prince on Caterina’s arm at all the high society functions. But what happens when Rahul likes RC better? And does Caterina really want Rahul to change?
Of Princes and Promises has so many great aspects to talk about. When I started reading, I didn’t jive with either of the main characters, but I especially didn’t relate to Rahul’s perspective; he’s so awkward that he comes off as unnecessarily cruel to his friends, and it was hard to read in his perspective at first. However, he is also easy to empathize with, and Menon does a good job of showing why he acts the way he does.
Both Rahul and Caterina have interesting character arcs, and it makes for an interesting main conflict I was not expecting; Menon took a fresh look at the “character changes himself” trope and I liked being surprised at that. At first, Rahul doesn’t feel right in his own skin, but it’s amazing to see his true transformation into someone comfortable and confident while still being himself. And Caterina learns that pretending to be invulnerable only hurts her in the end. Their romance rises to the occasion because of this interesting conflict twist, and I’m really glad they could find their happy ending (that’s not a spoiler, you definitely already knew they’d get together 😉).
In all honesty, perhaps my problem is that I didn’t read Of Curses and Kisses first. As soon as I started reading, so many characters and settings were introduced and I could tell I was supposed to have a familiarity with these people already. That could have been the barrier between me liking the book and me loving the book. However, this book still didn’t take the leap into the plot, and I think I could sense that hesitation throughout the entire read. It was all surface-level, never really diving into big conflicts or extra tense moments. In the last 20%, it gets close to that next level as everything comes together in the climax, but I really wish there had been a deeper plunge throughout the rest of the book.
Also, my understanding was that there would be a little bit of magic in this book, so I never grasped the purpose of the little hints of magic since I don’t think anything was actually magical? There were characters I suspected as soon as I met them, yet their conflicts were completely realistic. And most of the plot revolves around a bottle of hair gel that seemingly magically completes Rahul’s transformation into RC, yet I don’t think it ever ended up being magical? There needed to be a lot more explanation there because its purpose to the theme and the character arcs is never fully explained and that left me very confused by the end.
Ultimately, this book is a sweet romance with some great themes and an interesting twist that will take you by surprise. However, for me, I wished there was more depth because I never felt truly immersed in the story. I recommend this book to YA romance readers who want something quick and heart-warming to entertain them!
(review originally posted on Under the Covers book blog)
”Most people wouldn’t say I have a heart, and most people wouldn’t say you’re easy to talk to,” Caterina mused. Her brown eyes glittered. “It sounds like most people don’t know us.”
This was a sweet YA romance with some really great themes and characters, but there was something missing; I wanted the story to go to the next level but it never really got there.
In this sequel to Sandhya Menon’s Of Curses and Kisses, the trademark mean-girl-queen-bee at St. Rosetta’s Academy, Caterina LaValle, has only one thing on her mind: her plan to show everyone how untouched she is after her boyfriend, Alaric, cheated on her. She’s Queen Cat, and to stay on the throne, she needs a hot date to the Hindman Foundation Gala - one that will shock the smug looks off of Alaric and his rebound model girlfriend for good.
Rahul Chopra is head-over-heels in love with Caterina, and has been for a long time. And he can’t stop thinking about the night they danced together at the winter formal, when Caterina looked so hurt after Alaric’s betrayal. Rahul is socially awkward and feels no confidence in his own skin, but he still holds onto hope that Caterina remembers that dance between them, too. And so the only plausible answer when Caterina asks him to go to the Gala with her is yes. The next two weeks, Caterina begins Rahul’s makeover into RC, the hot prince on Caterina’s arm at all the high society functions. But what happens when Rahul likes RC better? And does Caterina really want Rahul to change?
Of Princes and Promises has so many great aspects to talk about. When I started reading, I didn’t jive with either of the main characters, but I especially didn’t relate to Rahul’s perspective; he’s so awkward that he comes off as unnecessarily cruel to his friends, and it was hard to read in his perspective at first. However, he is also easy to empathize with, and Menon does a good job of showing why he acts the way he does.
Both Rahul and Caterina have interesting character arcs, and it makes for an interesting main conflict I was not expecting; Menon took a fresh look at the “character changes himself” trope and I liked being surprised at that. At first, Rahul doesn’t feel right in his own skin, but it’s amazing to see his true transformation into someone comfortable and confident while still being himself. And Caterina learns that pretending to be invulnerable only hurts her in the end. Their romance rises to the occasion because of this interesting conflict twist, and I’m really glad they could find their happy ending (that’s not a spoiler, you definitely already knew they’d get together 😉).
In all honesty, perhaps my problem is that I didn’t read Of Curses and Kisses first. As soon as I started reading, so many characters and settings were introduced and I could tell I was supposed to have a familiarity with these people already. That could have been the barrier between me liking the book and me loving the book. However, this book still didn’t take the leap into the plot, and I think I could sense that hesitation throughout the entire read. It was all surface-level, never really diving into big conflicts or extra tense moments. In the last 20%, it gets close to that next level as everything comes together in the climax, but I really wish there had been a deeper plunge throughout the rest of the book.
Also, my understanding was that there would be a little bit of magic in this book, so I never grasped the purpose of the little hints of magic since I don’t think anything was actually magical? There were characters I suspected as soon as I met them, yet their conflicts were completely realistic. And most of the plot revolves around a bottle of hair gel that seemingly magically completes Rahul’s transformation into RC, yet I don’t think it ever ended up being magical? There needed to be a lot more explanation there because its purpose to the theme and the character arcs is never fully explained and that left me very confused by the end.
Ultimately, this book is a sweet romance with some great themes and an interesting twist that will take you by surprise. However, for me, I wished there was more depth because I never felt truly immersed in the story. I recommend this book to YA romance readers who want something quick and heart-warming to entertain them!
July 27, 2023
“‘Get angry, Caterina,’ he urged her, his deep brown eyes glittering. ‘Get angry. And then make a plan.’”
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Caterina LaValle is determined to show she’s still the queen of St. Rosetta’s Academy. Sure, her crown may be slightly askew after her ex-boyfriend, Alaric, cheated on her, but she’s a LaValle. She’ll find a way to march right back in there, her hands clutching the strings to the whole puppet show. This time, she’s going to be untouchable. Rahul Chopra knows that moment he shared with Caterina LaValle at the winter formal meant something. Surely she feels it, too. He’s a little uncertain how someone like him (socially inept to a point way past “adorkable”) could fit into her world, but he’s loved Caterina for years. He knows they’ll find a way. When Caterina finds out Alaric is taking a supermodel to the upcoming gala, she knows she cannot arrive without the perfect date. But the thought of taking another superficial St. R’s boy exhausts her. The solution? Sweet-but-clueless Rahul Chopra and a mysterious pot of hair gel with the power to alter the wearer into whatever his heart desires. When Rahul tries it, he transforms instantly into RC—debonair, handsome, and charming. But transformation comes with a price: As Rahul enjoys his new social standing, the line between his two personas begins to blur. Will he give up everything, including Caterina, to remain RC? Or will this unlikely pair find their way back to each other?
We get to see a totally different side to the ice queen that is Caterina. I LOVED IT! We know her as cold and cruel but getting to see inside her head proves she is anything but. I really loved that we got to see her be more vulnerable and open to new things and about her feelings. It’s important to show the deeper side of characters to prove they’re human - more often than not, there is some kind of hurt or event that causes them to be ice cold and closed off. Do I think she’s a perfect character? No. But I suppose that makes her more endearing and interesting to read.
Rahul is a sweetheart, through and through. I’d love a friend like him in my life - the weirder the better! It was really cool getting to delve into more of his character too and see his confidence manifest in a more negative way. He is definitely a different person as RC, it’s almost scary! But it also shows that you can change yourself to fit someone else’s life/personality, but actually it’s your authentic self that people prefer. I would have liked to have seen this explored a little more but that may just be me being picky!
I really enjoyed Of Curses and Kisses and I am so, so glad that this sequel lived up to expectations! The overall plot flowed well and the pacing was great. Sometimes time jumps can be tricky and make the plot feel a bit too episodic but I think this book was on the right side of the line. The characters were well fleshed out and I really enjoyed getting to see familiar faces. Romance was definitely undertone throughout this book and I believe Menon executed it perfectly! We get the longing from Rahul, and then the admiration from Caterina... perfection! I loved the twist and turns this book took as well - I had an inkling of what would happen but boy was I shocked by the events that did occur. The ending was a beautiful culmination of the overall story. It was perhaps a little rushed but I did like that it hinted at the new character which will feature in the next book.
Overall, Of Princes and Promises is a fabulous sequel that reminds you you’re perfect as you are.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you again to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for an advanced copy of this book.
#swoonsquad #sandhyassweethearts
[Review updated 27/07/2023]
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Caterina LaValle is determined to show she’s still the queen of St. Rosetta’s Academy. Sure, her crown may be slightly askew after her ex-boyfriend, Alaric, cheated on her, but she’s a LaValle. She’ll find a way to march right back in there, her hands clutching the strings to the whole puppet show. This time, she’s going to be untouchable. Rahul Chopra knows that moment he shared with Caterina LaValle at the winter formal meant something. Surely she feels it, too. He’s a little uncertain how someone like him (socially inept to a point way past “adorkable”) could fit into her world, but he’s loved Caterina for years. He knows they’ll find a way. When Caterina finds out Alaric is taking a supermodel to the upcoming gala, she knows she cannot arrive without the perfect date. But the thought of taking another superficial St. R’s boy exhausts her. The solution? Sweet-but-clueless Rahul Chopra and a mysterious pot of hair gel with the power to alter the wearer into whatever his heart desires. When Rahul tries it, he transforms instantly into RC—debonair, handsome, and charming. But transformation comes with a price: As Rahul enjoys his new social standing, the line between his two personas begins to blur. Will he give up everything, including Caterina, to remain RC? Or will this unlikely pair find their way back to each other?
We get to see a totally different side to the ice queen that is Caterina. I LOVED IT! We know her as cold and cruel but getting to see inside her head proves she is anything but. I really loved that we got to see her be more vulnerable and open to new things and about her feelings. It’s important to show the deeper side of characters to prove they’re human - more often than not, there is some kind of hurt or event that causes them to be ice cold and closed off. Do I think she’s a perfect character? No. But I suppose that makes her more endearing and interesting to read.
Rahul is a sweetheart, through and through. I’d love a friend like him in my life - the weirder the better! It was really cool getting to delve into more of his character too and see his confidence manifest in a more negative way. He is definitely a different person as RC, it’s almost scary! But it also shows that you can change yourself to fit someone else’s life/personality, but actually it’s your authentic self that people prefer. I would have liked to have seen this explored a little more but that may just be me being picky!
I really enjoyed Of Curses and Kisses and I am so, so glad that this sequel lived up to expectations! The overall plot flowed well and the pacing was great. Sometimes time jumps can be tricky and make the plot feel a bit too episodic but I think this book was on the right side of the line. The characters were well fleshed out and I really enjoyed getting to see familiar faces. Romance was definitely undertone throughout this book and I believe Menon executed it perfectly! We get the longing from Rahul, and then the admiration from Caterina... perfection! I loved the twist and turns this book took as well - I had an inkling of what would happen but boy was I shocked by the events that did occur. The ending was a beautiful culmination of the overall story. It was perhaps a little rushed but I did like that it hinted at the new character which will feature in the next book.
Overall, Of Princes and Promises is a fabulous sequel that reminds you you’re perfect as you are.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you again to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for an advanced copy of this book.
#swoonsquad #sandhyassweethearts
[Review updated 27/07/2023]
June 9, 2021
Of Princes and Promises is a very interesting retelling of The prince frog.
It has a bit of magic that I honestly didn't expect.
We met Caterina and Rahul in the previous book of this series, we knew that she is a rich heiress who enjoys her social life and everything that this world of appearances represents, or so we thought.
In this story we meet again with a Caterina that although it seems that the breakup with her ex-boyfriend Alaric could not care less, when she learns that he will attend with a famous model to one of the big social events that the two usually attend, Caterina is determined to let Alaric and the rest of society know that their breakup has not affected her and that she has turned over a move on. It is then that she decides to make a proposal to Rahul to be his companion in that famous dance, of course before she’s planning to transform and turn him into a person totally different from what he is.
Rahul has been in love with Caterina since that dance last winter when he decided to ask her to dance when he saw how sad she was after breaking with Alaric, and does not think twice to accept Caterina's proposal.
But Rahul's change doesn't just start with the exterior, his new personality will quickly take over him to the point that Caterina begins to have serious doubts and regrets about being the one to bring it all about.
I love that Caterina is not the girl we all think we know and that it is precisely Rahul who with the closeness they are having, is discovering her to us, and at the same time we would see how this Frog would become a Prince RC.
There is much I could say but I risk falling into spoilers, if I have not already, just say that the story is full of friendship, complicity, love and a little magic, I wasn’t expected the latter, specifically in the way it occurs.
Thank you so much to the author, Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC provided in exchange of my honest review.
Until the next one :)
It has a bit of magic that I honestly didn't expect.
We met Caterina and Rahul in the previous book of this series, we knew that she is a rich heiress who enjoys her social life and everything that this world of appearances represents, or so we thought.
In this story we meet again with a Caterina that although it seems that the breakup with her ex-boyfriend Alaric could not care less, when she learns that he will attend with a famous model to one of the big social events that the two usually attend, Caterina is determined to let Alaric and the rest of society know that their breakup has not affected her and that she has turned over a move on. It is then that she decides to make a proposal to Rahul to be his companion in that famous dance, of course before she’s planning to transform and turn him into a person totally different from what he is.
Rahul has been in love with Caterina since that dance last winter when he decided to ask her to dance when he saw how sad she was after breaking with Alaric, and does not think twice to accept Caterina's proposal.
But Rahul's change doesn't just start with the exterior, his new personality will quickly take over him to the point that Caterina begins to have serious doubts and regrets about being the one to bring it all about.
I love that Caterina is not the girl we all think we know and that it is precisely Rahul who with the closeness they are having, is discovering her to us, and at the same time we would see how this Frog would become a Prince RC.
There is much I could say but I risk falling into spoilers, if I have not already, just say that the story is full of friendship, complicity, love and a little magic, I wasn’t expected the latter, specifically in the way it occurs.
Thank you so much to the author, Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC provided in exchange of my honest review.
Until the next one :)
December 30, 2021
DNF at 22%
I’ll read just about anything, especially in the young adult world, but the beginning of this book made me so uncomfortable I couldn’t keep reading.
Rahul seems like an endearing character to me but I was convinced through the first few chapters he was neurodiverse in some capacity. When Caterina, the girl Rahul has a crush on, takes a sudden interest in Rahul because she can shape him to be what she wants, she comes out and asks Rahul if he’s autistic. Am I supposed to be ok with that? That made me angry and sad for Rahul.
Not only does Caterina plan to make Rahul into the type of person she wants, Rahul’s family has been using a cousin to step in as Rahul at any social events. Rahul is completely disregarded as a person worthy of being photographed because his behavior is so “unacceptable”.
I know this is a princess and the frog retelling, but I just couldn’t get over how Rahul was treated like a social pariah just because he was a little awkward and different. As Rahul says, “I have social anxiety and am supremely logical, which is different from being on the spectrum.” No one deserves to be treated the way Rahul is treated in this book by his family, friends, and classmates. I will not being finishing this book or this series.
I’ll read just about anything, especially in the young adult world, but the beginning of this book made me so uncomfortable I couldn’t keep reading.
Rahul seems like an endearing character to me but I was convinced through the first few chapters he was neurodiverse in some capacity. When Caterina, the girl Rahul has a crush on, takes a sudden interest in Rahul because she can shape him to be what she wants, she comes out and asks Rahul if he’s autistic. Am I supposed to be ok with that? That made me angry and sad for Rahul.
Not only does Caterina plan to make Rahul into the type of person she wants, Rahul’s family has been using a cousin to step in as Rahul at any social events. Rahul is completely disregarded as a person worthy of being photographed because his behavior is so “unacceptable”.
I know this is a princess and the frog retelling, but I just couldn’t get over how Rahul was treated like a social pariah just because he was a little awkward and different. As Rahul says, “I have social anxiety and am supremely logical, which is different from being on the spectrum.” No one deserves to be treated the way Rahul is treated in this book by his family, friends, and classmates. I will not being finishing this book or this series.
June 8, 2021
5 stars!
This was an amazing second instalment in the St Rosetta's Academy series! This can definitely be read as a standalone - the mentions to the first book the series "Of Curses and Kisses" don't spoil it - but I definitely recommend reading it in order to get the full immersive experience.
This time we follow Caterina LeValle and Rahul Chopra as they try to navigate the events that happened before the winter break. When Caterina discovers that her cheating ex-boyfriend Alaric is taking a super model as his date to the next big gala, she has to find a date to. And who better than a polished version of Rahul?
Of Princes and Promises was everything I was expecting and more. There's fake dating, there's character development, there's communication, there's twists - it has everything!
Caterina and Rahul are incredibly fleshed out characters and you'll have no choice but to fall in love with them. The story is also really well paced and reads very quickly.
Once you pick up the book you won't want to put it down until it's all finished.
This was an amazing second instalment in the St Rosetta's Academy series! This can definitely be read as a standalone - the mentions to the first book the series "Of Curses and Kisses" don't spoil it - but I definitely recommend reading it in order to get the full immersive experience.
This time we follow Caterina LeValle and Rahul Chopra as they try to navigate the events that happened before the winter break. When Caterina discovers that her cheating ex-boyfriend Alaric is taking a super model as his date to the next big gala, she has to find a date to. And who better than a polished version of Rahul?
Of Princes and Promises was everything I was expecting and more. There's fake dating, there's character development, there's communication, there's twists - it has everything!
Caterina and Rahul are incredibly fleshed out characters and you'll have no choice but to fall in love with them. The story is also really well paced and reads very quickly.
Once you pick up the book you won't want to put it down until it's all finished.
May 11, 2021
When I had the opportunity to review Of Curses and Kisses last year I was over the moon, I fell in love with Sandhya Menon and all of the characters within St. Rosetta’s Academy. When I was accepted to review Of Princes and Promises, let’s just say. Only dogs could hear my squeal!
I’m always hesitant on reading the second installment of a series, some of them are considered “filler” novels, but Of Princes and Promises is not! Of Princes and Promises contains as much fantasy and romance as Of Curses and Kisses, not to mention it's based on one of my favorite fairy tales, The Frog Prince! Am I a bit bias to say that Of Princes and Promises was better than Of Curses and Kisses? Possibly… I just cannot begin to express my overall love for this series and for the characters and the world that Sandhya Menon has created.
Overall a very well-written YA Fantasy, perfect for those who are wanting a whimsical quick, care-free read!
4/5 stars
I’m always hesitant on reading the second installment of a series, some of them are considered “filler” novels, but Of Princes and Promises is not! Of Princes and Promises contains as much fantasy and romance as Of Curses and Kisses, not to mention it's based on one of my favorite fairy tales, The Frog Prince! Am I a bit bias to say that Of Princes and Promises was better than Of Curses and Kisses? Possibly… I just cannot begin to express my overall love for this series and for the characters and the world that Sandhya Menon has created.
Overall a very well-written YA Fantasy, perfect for those who are wanting a whimsical quick, care-free read!
4/5 stars
September 6, 2023
So, I got this book about a year ago already. At the time I hadn't read the first book in the series yet and although I read in reviews that you can follow this book without having read the first book I'm the kind of reader who wants those easter eggs and inside jokes. So, I got myself the first book in the series, read that first book and did what I do best: Not reading the sequel. But, when the third book appeared on Netgalley and my request was approved I finally had to pick this book up.
I think I might like this installment even better than the first and I already did enjoy the first novel in this series. I think this one has an even nicer message though. Just like with the first book the story is a very loose retelling, this time of the Frog Prince. But I really love what the author does with the themes of the original fairytale. I also like how this story, in a way, kinda becomes the opposite of beauty and the beast and maybe most of all the opposite of the movie Grease.
The Frog Prince fairytale is very much about change, about a mismatch between outside and inside. It's also about goodness and what makes someone a good person. This book really plays around with that theme and that means that both leading characters have quite some character growth to do. Our heroine because we've see her not always showing her prettiest side. Our hero because he feels like he has to fit into our heroine's world.
And both in their own way eventually figure out who they want to be, what's truly important and that true love doesn't demand that you change. True love simply demands that you're comfortable and save enough to show your true self and true colors. And because of the entire journey and because of everything both our characters have learned along the way I couldn't be happier when they eventually did find their happily ever after.
I can't wait to dive into the third book in the series!
I think I might like this installment even better than the first and I already did enjoy the first novel in this series. I think this one has an even nicer message though. Just like with the first book the story is a very loose retelling, this time of the Frog Prince. But I really love what the author does with the themes of the original fairytale. I also like how this story, in a way, kinda becomes the opposite of beauty and the beast and maybe most of all the opposite of the movie Grease.
The Frog Prince fairytale is very much about change, about a mismatch between outside and inside. It's also about goodness and what makes someone a good person. This book really plays around with that theme and that means that both leading characters have quite some character growth to do. Our heroine because we've see her not always showing her prettiest side. Our hero because he feels like he has to fit into our heroine's world.
And both in their own way eventually figure out who they want to be, what's truly important and that true love doesn't demand that you change. True love simply demands that you're comfortable and save enough to show your true self and true colors. And because of the entire journey and because of everything both our characters have learned along the way I couldn't be happier when they eventually did find their happily ever after.
I can't wait to dive into the third book in the series!
June 7, 2021
A frog prince and an ice queen, an unlikely pair who are destined to befriend each other, for better or worse. With a fake dating plot in the works, nothing can go wrong, right?
In Of Princes and Promises, Caterina LaValle and Rahul Chopra, an unlikely duo, are brought together under special circumstances. Dumped by her jerk ex-boyfriend, Caterina combs through the boys in her school, searching for the perfect one to be a fake date to each ritzy gala event. Settling on Rahul, a unique bond forms between the two, filled with tension brewing beneath the surface.
The sequences of the book move like a movie montage, full of blooming blushes and eloquent etiquette. With witty moments and a charming sense of teen voice, Menon carefully creates a fun, swoon-worthy novel with its fair share of awkward moments. Distinctive voices are given to each character, showing Menon's skill for writing romances that sweep readers off their feet.
With a sweet dose of heart, sass and social uncomfortably, Of Princes and Promises is a stellar, light summer read. Fans of Of Curses and Kisses will adore this sequel, with cameos from favourites from the book before.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGallery for providing me with an arc of this book. It's greatly appreciated!
In Of Princes and Promises, Caterina LaValle and Rahul Chopra, an unlikely duo, are brought together under special circumstances. Dumped by her jerk ex-boyfriend, Caterina combs through the boys in her school, searching for the perfect one to be a fake date to each ritzy gala event. Settling on Rahul, a unique bond forms between the two, filled with tension brewing beneath the surface.
The sequences of the book move like a movie montage, full of blooming blushes and eloquent etiquette. With witty moments and a charming sense of teen voice, Menon carefully creates a fun, swoon-worthy novel with its fair share of awkward moments. Distinctive voices are given to each character, showing Menon's skill for writing romances that sweep readers off their feet.
With a sweet dose of heart, sass and social uncomfortably, Of Princes and Promises is a stellar, light summer read. Fans of Of Curses and Kisses will adore this sequel, with cameos from favourites from the book before.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGallery for providing me with an arc of this book. It's greatly appreciated!
April 2, 2022
The chandelier cast ribbons of light over the dancing guests. Everyone clad in expensive suits and lavish gowns. He pulled at his tie, trying to loosen it. It felt like he was suffocating; the warm air in the room stifling. He didn’t belong here, this wasn’t a place a person like him fit in. But then she entered the ballroom in a gorgeous dress and all of the negative thoughts in his mind evaporated.
Of Princes and Promises is a YA romance with a touch of magic. Catarina was just dumped and to get back at her ex she has to bring someone fabulous to the next event to make him regret losing her. When she meets Rahul, she realizes he is not a good fit for the regal society events she needs him to escort her to and decides to make him over. A little magic hair gel will go a long way!
If you ever watched the show Family Matters where Steve Urkel transforms into Stefan… well, that’s the vibe I got from this book. This is a story that teaches you to love yourself for who you truly are. While the story was cute and had a good message, it felt rushed and the immature miscommunication annoyed me at times. Plus I really wasn’t a fan of Catarina and how she treated others.
This book is part of a series, but can be read as a standalone. If you’re a fan of YA with a touch of magic, then you’ll probably enjoy the read!
TW: Bullying, Infidelity, Manipulation, Toxic Relationship.
*I received a gifted copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review
Of Princes and Promises is a YA romance with a touch of magic. Catarina was just dumped and to get back at her ex she has to bring someone fabulous to the next event to make him regret losing her. When she meets Rahul, she realizes he is not a good fit for the regal society events she needs him to escort her to and decides to make him over. A little magic hair gel will go a long way!
If you ever watched the show Family Matters where Steve Urkel transforms into Stefan… well, that’s the vibe I got from this book. This is a story that teaches you to love yourself for who you truly are. While the story was cute and had a good message, it felt rushed and the immature miscommunication annoyed me at times. Plus I really wasn’t a fan of Catarina and how she treated others.
This book is part of a series, but can be read as a standalone. If you’re a fan of YA with a touch of magic, then you’ll probably enjoy the read!
TW: Bullying, Infidelity, Manipulation, Toxic Relationship.
*I received a gifted copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review
March 28, 2021
(I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)
I found myself truly enjoying this book! Caterina as a main character was much more interesting than I had expected, given her personality in book 1. She's not exactly "likable" but she's understandable, and that's very important.
Rahul is a beautiful sweet boy, but I hated RC, and this book definitely felt at a times like a love triangle, but it was done really well and I was so invested in the relationship! What would I have liked more of? The supporting cast. I really missed Jaya and Grey and the rest of their friend group, and DEFINITELY missed Isha, whom I was hoping to see more of! This book felt much less present at Rosetta than Of Curses and Kisses, which obviously makes sense but I definitely missed the strong boarding school vibes of the first book.
The overall mystery / magical element was *chefs-kiss* though.
Overall, big fan of this book, can't wait to read the rest of the series!
I found myself truly enjoying this book! Caterina as a main character was much more interesting than I had expected, given her personality in book 1. She's not exactly "likable" but she's understandable, and that's very important.
Rahul is a beautiful sweet boy, but I hated RC, and this book definitely felt at a times like a love triangle, but it was done really well and I was so invested in the relationship! What would I have liked more of? The supporting cast. I really missed Jaya and Grey and the rest of their friend group, and DEFINITELY missed Isha, whom I was hoping to see more of! This book felt much less present at Rosetta than Of Curses and Kisses, which obviously makes sense but I definitely missed the strong boarding school vibes of the first book.
The overall mystery / magical element was *chefs-kiss* though.
Overall, big fan of this book, can't wait to read the rest of the series!
June 9, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. I’ll post that review upon publication.
If you read the first installment, you may like this one even more (I did!), and if you haven’t read the first one, you can absolutely still appreciate this novel as a self contained gem. More to follow…
Updated 6/8/21
3.75 stars
Menon writes such fantastic YA contemporary romance, and in this series, readers get the benefit of some fairy tale remixing on top of that. I was a fan of the first book in this series, and I found this one even more engaging. Readers should know that it is totally possible to love and enjoy this book without its predecessor, but reading the first will add to your overall experience.
The central characters - Caterina and Rahul/RC - are a lot of fun to follow. Caterina is in the position of power as the one with the social status and confidence (usually), and Rahul adopts the "cooler" persona of RC, thanks to the use of magical hair gel, of all things! Theirs is an uncomplicated relationship at first that evolves through some expected but still adorable experiences and patterns.
There's a twist that comes up for Caterina near the end that I found a bit abrupt, and while I would have liked to see that section/concept developed a bit, I liked that there was more here than just the romance.
I'm already looking forward to what comes next for these characters and any others who are currently brewing in Menon's mind. Recommended.
If you read the first installment, you may like this one even more (I did!), and if you haven’t read the first one, you can absolutely still appreciate this novel as a self contained gem. More to follow…
Updated 6/8/21
3.75 stars
Menon writes such fantastic YA contemporary romance, and in this series, readers get the benefit of some fairy tale remixing on top of that. I was a fan of the first book in this series, and I found this one even more engaging. Readers should know that it is totally possible to love and enjoy this book without its predecessor, but reading the first will add to your overall experience.
The central characters - Caterina and Rahul/RC - are a lot of fun to follow. Caterina is in the position of power as the one with the social status and confidence (usually), and Rahul adopts the "cooler" persona of RC, thanks to the use of magical hair gel, of all things! Theirs is an uncomplicated relationship at first that evolves through some expected but still adorable experiences and patterns.
There's a twist that comes up for Caterina near the end that I found a bit abrupt, and while I would have liked to see that section/concept developed a bit, I liked that there was more here than just the romance.
I'm already looking forward to what comes next for these characters and any others who are currently brewing in Menon's mind. Recommended.
June 8, 2021
I was fortunate to be chosen to be on her “review team” and receive an advanced readers copy. However, this review is my honest and unbiased. I loved this book. Was great to renter the world of Rosetta academy. Many characters returned. I greatly enjoyed learning more about Catrina and Rahul. If you enjoyed the “of curses and kisses” you will love this one, but it would also work as a stand alone.
December 12, 2021
I thought this was such an interesting YA read and a different interpretation on young and famous , how their social media image might appear to be perfect but that behind that rose tinted glass they have the same issues as everyone else. I thought this was a wonderful and enjoyable read!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
September 20, 2021
This series is *fun* ... a bit of magical realism, a whole lot of magical storytelling.
The Frog Prince is one of those odd stories to me, not my favorite, but sometimes quite enjoyable. This was definitely a case of quite enjoyable.
I'd like the next book now please! I need more Rosetta's ...
The Frog Prince is one of those odd stories to me, not my favorite, but sometimes quite enjoyable. This was definitely a case of quite enjoyable.
I'd like the next book now please! I need more Rosetta's ...
March 12, 2021
A nice take on the Frog Prince tale! Caterina and Rahul both really come to life in this one, and I loved the Mia twist
August 18, 2022
this book started out not great. The characters were dumb and annoying. As the book went on it was kinda stupid but there was a point it started to get more interesting. There was a lot of growth and it ended happily ever after but it’s not my favorite book
June 25, 2021
My lukewarm feelings about this series has more to do with the trope than the writing. I adored Rahul, but I cared little for the troubles of the super rich, elite teens. I prefer to read more about "normal" coming of ages stories, like those in Dimple/Rishi. Since certain characters have grown on me, I will likely continue with the series.
June 14, 2021
“Cats are the ultimate narcissists, a study in being heartless. They’re cold, and yet people live to serve them. Put a cat and a bear together, and the bear’s going to run away when the cat hits it on the nose. Why? Because cats have the don’t-fuck-with-me attitude that can put something twenty times their size in its place. That’s what I’ve always coveted.” -Queen Cat
This was cute. I like the new covers! I do feel like the romances are very childlike like the first book. I love the family dynamics and setting better in this sequel. Hopefully DE gets her own story!
Thank you so much to the publisher for sending me this arc!
This was cute. I like the new covers! I do feel like the romances are very childlike like the first book. I love the family dynamics and setting better in this sequel. Hopefully DE gets her own story!
Thank you so much to the publisher for sending me this arc!
October 3, 2021
Another fairytale retelling, this time as a spin-off of the previous Rosetta Academy novel, Of Curses and Kisses.
I had a lot of expectations for this one, as I really enjoyed the first book. However, I was slightly dissatisfied. It was an overall great book with good dynamic and a clear parallel to the original fairytale, however, I was not as enticed as I was with the first book and the characters were rather boring and the storyline was completely haywire. Not my favourite read, but something I’d recommend to someone looking for a modern and contemporary take on the classic fairytale.
Favourite quote: “She was the question and she was the answer. She was everything.”
I had a lot of expectations for this one, as I really enjoyed the first book. However, I was slightly dissatisfied. It was an overall great book with good dynamic and a clear parallel to the original fairytale, however, I was not as enticed as I was with the first book and the characters were rather boring and the storyline was completely haywire. Not my favourite read, but something I’d recommend to someone looking for a modern and contemporary take on the classic fairytale.
Favourite quote: “She was the question and she was the answer. She was everything.”
September 8, 2021
Not as good or as deep as the first book, but still enjoyable. I wish we had some scenes with Rahul's family or any sort of resolution there.
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