talesuponmyshelf_'s review against another edition
4.0
Overall I really liked this continuation from the first book (although I liked The Rejected King better). There was more world building which gave us a better description of the post-desolation world. I actually enjoyed the politics and intrigue better than the romance. I still enjoyed the romance and Trev and Renna definitely had chemistry but I felt like some of their banter and pranks were a little Junior high to me. The ending was intense and made me not want to put the book down.
ashton_reads_'s review against another edition
5.0
Omggg how can I adore a book so much when it is full of PAAIIINNNN?!?!
Oh wait, yes, that’s right - it was the good kind of pain *insert evil laugh* You’ll see what I mean. Get ready for alllll the fangirling.
My Moodboard
Goodreads summary:
He's promised to another. She's promised to forget him.
Eighteen-year-old Renna Degray is hopeful about love and her future after a chance encounter with a handsome stranger. Until she discovers who the mysterious man is—the Prince of Albion, betrothed to Renna’s stepsister. Now Renna must try to keep her feelings for the prince in check. But he's not making it easy. The prince is charming, funny, and impossible not to fall for.
Trev has no room for mistakes. He must marry the princess of New Hope and secure the marriage alliance along with his future as king. The safety of his kingdom depends on it. Duty and honor never bothered Trev before, but love has a way of changing everything.
In this post-Desolation world, the Council of Essentials controls everything, including the prince. Is love more than a negotiation?
Is love essential?
*Once again, I thought this synopsis does a great job of encapsulating the book!*
EEEKK ohhh do I love this book. OH do I love it. This book filled my heart with so much emotion that it honestly made me extra emotional in real life. I don’t understand it, it just happened.
But in all seriousness, that good pain I joked about? The Promised Prince is full of tension and forbidden romance and clandestine meetings and longing stares (special thanks to T-Swift for the ever-applicable song lyrics) and I am here for it. I’m all about forbidden romance, and Keisel does not disappoint! Our two main characters, Renna and Trev, try so so hard to follow the paths laid out for them by their society and their families, and that means staying well behind the friendzone line when they discover he is the Prince of Albion and betrothed to her step-sister, the future queen of New Hope. But they just can’t help it - their feelings only grow stronger as their personalities intertwine and what first was attraction becomes a deep love. I adore their relationship, for even through the pain and the resignation and the arguments born from both, its like their souls locked when they first met and there is no key. It’s so so good, y’all.
Though this book is primarily romance-driven, very similarly to The Selection, their dystopian world is interestingly woven into the plot with some fantasy-esque elements that make the story feel so fresh. It feels like a fantasy, with its royalty and castles and a ballroom scene (I know right? *swoons*), but it also tackles themes of conforming by society’s rules and asks when the people should take charge of the problems they see in the world. They have guns and electricity and old magazines that make the world feel modern as well, since the book takes place two hundred years after the apocalypse…
Oh wait, yes, that’s right - it was the good kind of pain *insert evil laugh* You’ll see what I mean. Get ready for alllll the fangirling.
My Moodboard
Goodreads summary:
He's promised to another. She's promised to forget him.
Eighteen-year-old Renna Degray is hopeful about love and her future after a chance encounter with a handsome stranger. Until she discovers who the mysterious man is—the Prince of Albion, betrothed to Renna’s stepsister. Now Renna must try to keep her feelings for the prince in check. But he's not making it easy. The prince is charming, funny, and impossible not to fall for.
Trev has no room for mistakes. He must marry the princess of New Hope and secure the marriage alliance along with his future as king. The safety of his kingdom depends on it. Duty and honor never bothered Trev before, but love has a way of changing everything.
In this post-Desolation world, the Council of Essentials controls everything, including the prince. Is love more than a negotiation?
Is love essential?
*Once again, I thought this synopsis does a great job of encapsulating the book!*
EEEKK ohhh do I love this book. OH do I love it. This book filled my heart with so much emotion that it honestly made me extra emotional in real life. I don’t understand it, it just happened.
But in all seriousness, that good pain I joked about? The Promised Prince is full of tension and forbidden romance and clandestine meetings and longing stares (special thanks to T-Swift for the ever-applicable song lyrics) and I am here for it. I’m all about forbidden romance, and Keisel does not disappoint! Our two main characters, Renna and Trev, try so so hard to follow the paths laid out for them by their society and their families, and that means staying well behind the friendzone line when they discover he is the Prince of Albion and betrothed to her step-sister, the future queen of New Hope. But they just can’t help it - their feelings only grow stronger as their personalities intertwine and what first was attraction becomes a deep love. I adore their relationship, for even through the pain and the resignation and the arguments born from both, its like their souls locked when they first met and there is no key. It’s so so good, y’all.
Though this book is primarily romance-driven, very similarly to The Selection, their dystopian world is interestingly woven into the plot with some fantasy-esque elements that make the story feel so fresh. It feels like a fantasy, with its royalty and castles and a ballroom scene (I know right? *swoons*), but it also tackles themes of conforming by society’s rules and asks when the people should take charge of the problems they see in the world. They have guns and electricity and old magazines that make the world feel modern as well, since the book takes place two hundred years after the apocalypse…
books_over_everything's review against another edition
5.0
Initial Thoughts
I saw Kortney was looking for reviewers on a Facebook group I belong to. The cover was so eye catching and stunning, honestly, I didn’t even care what it was about because I knew I had to read it. Luckily, the synopsis also sounded fantastic!
Some Things I Liked
Lite dystopian. I loved the idea of a “Post-Desolation” world. The society and world building were definitely dystopian but it wasn’t bogged down with sci-fi elements or anything too extreme. This is a love story that happens to take place in a dystopian society.
Cinderella vibes. I loved that this story paralleled Cinderella between the step-sister element to Renna’s insecurities about not being good enough to be with a prince.
Wit and banter. I loved the banter between Renna and Trev. One thing I love about Kortney’s writing is her ability to make me laugh out loud with the things her characters say. Her characters are unapologetically witty and I just love that.
Subtle references to pop culture. I loved the Diet Coke and Blake Lively references. I thought they were fun ways to remind the reader that this is a different world, but it’s also an extension of our world.
Series Value
I have already read the prequel story, The Rejected King, and really enjoyed it. I’d love to see more stories set in this Post-Desolation world and more about the various rulers. We didn’t really meet or hear about any other characters in this story that I’d specifically be curious about, but, I think there is tremendous series value in the setting.
Final Thoughts
I loved this book. It was the perfect love story to snuggle up on the couch with. I felt so many different emotions and, most importantly, I found myself rooting for the characters. I love a love story that makes me want to cheer for the main couple.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Recommendations for Further Reading
The Rejected King by Kortney Keisel – if you liked the writing style and setting in The Promised Prince, definitely try the prequel story that is free if you sign up for Kortney’s newletter.
The Selection by Kiera Cass – if you liked the Cinderella, dystopian vibes here, try this classic series by Kiera Cass.
I saw Kortney was looking for reviewers on a Facebook group I belong to. The cover was so eye catching and stunning, honestly, I didn’t even care what it was about because I knew I had to read it. Luckily, the synopsis also sounded fantastic!
Some Things I Liked
Lite dystopian. I loved the idea of a “Post-Desolation” world. The society and world building were definitely dystopian but it wasn’t bogged down with sci-fi elements or anything too extreme. This is a love story that happens to take place in a dystopian society.
Cinderella vibes. I loved that this story paralleled Cinderella between the step-sister element to Renna’s insecurities about not being good enough to be with a prince.
Wit and banter. I loved the banter between Renna and Trev. One thing I love about Kortney’s writing is her ability to make me laugh out loud with the things her characters say. Her characters are unapologetically witty and I just love that.
Subtle references to pop culture. I loved the Diet Coke and Blake Lively references. I thought they were fun ways to remind the reader that this is a different world, but it’s also an extension of our world.
Series Value
I have already read the prequel story, The Rejected King, and really enjoyed it. I’d love to see more stories set in this Post-Desolation world and more about the various rulers. We didn’t really meet or hear about any other characters in this story that I’d specifically be curious about, but, I think there is tremendous series value in the setting.
Final Thoughts
I loved this book. It was the perfect love story to snuggle up on the couch with. I felt so many different emotions and, most importantly, I found myself rooting for the characters. I love a love story that makes me want to cheer for the main couple.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Recommendations for Further Reading
The Rejected King by Kortney Keisel – if you liked the writing style and setting in The Promised Prince, definitely try the prequel story that is free if you sign up for Kortney’s newletter.
The Selection by Kiera Cass – if you liked the Cinderella, dystopian vibes here, try this classic series by Kiera Cass.
thecleanreadbookclub's review against another edition
5.0
You would think a man in his position had anything he wanted, including freedom, but freedom was the one thing he didn’t seem to have. -Trev
Prepare to fall in love with Renna and Trev. This is my first book from Kortney and I am thrilled for my future in reading with her joining the book world! These characters will have you laughing right from the first meeting. Then you’ll be busy swooning, holding your breath and sighing with joy right down to the last page.
I have always loved the Dystopian genre, but have struggled finding clean reading content within this style. Kortney is able to bring the swoony romance in a way to captivate any level of steam reader and keep them hooked!
The dialogue and writing style is something I would expect to only find from a well seasoned author, not a first release! The consistency Keisel is able to keep throughout the book ensured that there were no lulls, especially as time passes throughout this story. Another skill from this author is a non-rushed ending. The pacing is perfect, complete, and may be the best ending I’ve ever read.
Nothing but praise for this book and author! I was able to receive a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Prepare to fall in love with Renna and Trev. This is my first book from Kortney and I am thrilled for my future in reading with her joining the book world! These characters will have you laughing right from the first meeting. Then you’ll be busy swooning, holding your breath and sighing with joy right down to the last page.
I have always loved the Dystopian genre, but have struggled finding clean reading content within this style. Kortney is able to bring the swoony romance in a way to captivate any level of steam reader and keep them hooked!
The dialogue and writing style is something I would expect to only find from a well seasoned author, not a first release! The consistency Keisel is able to keep throughout the book ensured that there were no lulls, especially as time passes throughout this story. Another skill from this author is a non-rushed ending. The pacing is perfect, complete, and may be the best ending I’ve ever read.
Nothing but praise for this book and author! I was able to receive a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
thesparklinglibrary's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a wholesome story oh my goodness I LOVED IT. I’m giving it 5 stars because I loved the forbidden romance trope this book held and I loved that the ending was so satisfying. Also, the list Trev wrote? Had me crying. It was so perfect. And when the words “my sweet tender muffin” were used that’s what sealed the deal on giving this book 5 stars - Haha. Im so excited to read the author’s other stand-alone books!!
bellebookcorner's review against another edition
4.0
First of all, I had a good time reading this and later I realized this one was much more developed compare to the first book, The Rejected King.
I really like the world building from the moment I read the first book, then in this one there's also another glimpse of some things that came from our era right now and I thought it was great and interesting. The pacing was also nice even though this one was longer compare to the first book.
Compare to the first book, this one seems to have a lot more emotion especially about the main character's forbidden love. They seem to have a lot more struggle and have more chemistry between each other. One minute I could be laughing and smiling while reading about their flirting conversation, then after that I felt sad for them because they can't be together... like every time they tried to abandon everything and just be together, something will come up and stop them.
The side character was also fun like Drake, I like him. But I didn't really like Renna's mother seriously and then there's the King of Tolsten. From the first book, I remembered him as an annoying and ignorant person, now he was certainly upgraded himself into a wicked and cunning person.
Overall, this was fun and very enjoyable to read. I wonder which kingdom it will be about in the next book and I can't wait to read it!
I really like the world building from the moment I read the first book, then in this one there's also another glimpse of some things that came from our era right now and I thought it was great and interesting. The pacing was also nice even though this one was longer compare to the first book.
Compare to the first book, this one seems to have a lot more emotion especially about the main character's forbidden love. They seem to have a lot more struggle and have more chemistry between each other. One minute I could be laughing and smiling while reading about their flirting conversation, then after that I felt sad for them because they can't be together... like every time they tried to abandon everything and just be together, something will come up and stop them.
The side character was also fun like Drake, I like him. But I didn't really like Renna's mother seriously and then there's the King of Tolsten. From the first book, I remembered him as an annoying and ignorant person, now he was certainly upgraded himself into a wicked and cunning person.
Overall, this was fun and very enjoyable to read. I wonder which kingdom it will be about in the next book and I can't wait to read it!
baddecisionsbookclub's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book! I loved how you actually got to see them fall in love and hear their conversations, and not just be told that they were in love. Such a good storyline and interesting characters!
heymama_755's review against another edition
5.0
I couldn’t put this one down! These characters are written so incredibly well! There were several times I found myself crying, my heart aching for Renna, the author did a fantastic job bringing her to life. I couldn’t get enough of this story!
the_reading_pantry's review
5.0
Uh-mazing!
This was such a fun read! I didn’t know what to expect and had read a bunch of the reviews from other people. I’m so glad I read the whole thing and didn’t let reviews stop me because I loved it!! The ending threw me for a loop and was so unexpected. But that’s why it was so great. I had no idea what was going to happen and that made me not want to put it down.
If you’re debating on if you should read this, don’t think. Just get it! :)
This was such a fun read! I didn’t know what to expect and had read a bunch of the reviews from other people. I’m so glad I read the whole thing and didn’t let reviews stop me because I loved it!! The ending threw me for a loop and was so unexpected. But that’s why it was so great. I had no idea what was going to happen and that made me not want to put it down.
If you’re debating on if you should read this, don’t think. Just get it! :)