After establishing herself as a powerhouse in contemporary LGBTQ+ YA fiction with hits like “Only Mostly Devastated” and “Perfect on Paper,” Sophie Gonzales returns to her literary origins with Nobody in Particular—a manuscript that predates her publishing career by over a decade. This royal romance, first written in 2014 but shelved due to market concerns about queer stories, finally finds its moment in 2025’s more inclusive publishing landscape.
A Tale of Two Worlds Colliding
The story follows Princess Rosemary of Henland, a carefully controlled royal desperately trying to repair her public image following an unspecified scandal, and Danni Blythe, an American pianist who arrives at the prestigious Bramppath College on a music scholarship. The contrast between their worlds couldn’t be starker—Rose navigating the suffocating expectations of monarchy while Danni struggles with imposter syndrome among her wealthy classmates.
Gonzales excels at creating this fish-out-of-water dynamic, particularly through Danni’s perspective. Her observations about not belonging in a world of “stupidly rich kids who all own Porsches” ring authentic, capturing the genuine discomfort of economic disparity without falling into tired class-war tropes. The boarding school setting provides an intimate backdrop where these differences can be explored naturally.
Character Development: Depth Beyond the Crown
Rose: More Than a Pretty Princess
Princess Rosemary emerges as a complex protagonist wrestling with authenticity versus duty. Gonzales avoids the trap of making her either completely rebellious or entirely submissive to royal expectations. Instead, Rose exists in a gray area—someone who understands the game but chafes against its rules. Her relationship with her publicist William and the revelation of Alfie’s manipulations showcase her growth from reactive to proactive.
The author’s handling of Rose’s emotional journey feels particularly genuine in scenes where she grapples with the weight of public scrutiny. Her fear of losing Danni while simultaneously putting her in danger creates compelling internal conflict that drives much of the narrative tension.
Danni: Finding Her Voice
Danni’s character arc from insecure scholarship student to confident young woman ready to face public scrutiny feels earned rather than rushed. Her passion for piano provides authentic grounding—Gonzales clearly researched the pressures faced by serious musicians. The moments where Danni loses herself in performance contrast beautifully with her social anxieties, creating a three-dimensional character whose talents extend beyond her romantic appeal.
The Manipulation Web: Where the Plot Thickens
The book’s strongest element lies in its intricate plot involving Alfie’s manipulation schemes. Rather than presenting a simple love triangle, Gonzales crafts a psychological thriller element where Alfie orchestrates events from behind the scenes—leaking photos, spreading rumors, and positioning himself as Rose’s savior while simultaneously creating the problems he claims to solve.
This manipulation subplot elevates the story beyond typical romance fare. The revelation that Alfie has been pulling strings creates genuine stakes and transforms what could have been a predictable “princess chooses love over duty” narrative into something more sinister and compelling. His justifications—claiming to protect Rose while systematically isolating her—feel uncomfortably realistic.
Romance That Breathes
The central romance between Rose and Danni develops organically despite the high-stakes environment. Gonzales allows their relationship to build through small moments—shared glances during piano practice, whispered conversations in dormitory hallways, and the gradual letting down of carefully constructed guards.
The physical intimacy feels age-appropriate and meaningful rather than gratuitous. Their stolen moments carry weight because of the ever-present threat of discovery. When they’re forced apart by palace machinations, the separation feels genuinely devastating rather than artificially dramatic.
Writing Style: Polished Yet Accessible
Gonzales demonstrates remarkable growth as a writer, even while revisiting earlier work. The dual POV structure allows readers to understand both Rose’s privileged constraints and Danni’s outsider perspective without favoring either viewpoint. The prose flows smoothly, with dialogue that captures distinct voices for each character.
The author’s background in contemporary YA romance shows in her pacing—she knows when to linger on emotional beats and when to propel the plot forward. Particularly effective are the boarding school scenes, which feel lived-in rather than artificially constructed for plot purposes.
Addressing the Critiques
While Nobody in Particular succeeds in many areas, it’s not without flaws. The book occasionally suffers from what might be called “first novel syndrome”—despite extensive revision, some plot threads feel overexplained while others remain underdeveloped.
- The pacing stumbles in the middle section, particularly around the party scandal that leads to Danni’s near-expulsion. While this event serves as a crucial catalyst, the aftermath feels rushed compared to the careful buildup. The resolution involving Alfie’s mother feels somewhat convenient, even if it’s properly foreshadowed.
- Secondary characters like Molly and Eleanor serve their purpose but lack the depth of the main protagonists. Given the boarding school setting’s potential for rich ensemble dynamics, these relationships feel underutilized. Harriet’s role as Danni’s would-be love interest resolves too neatly without exploring the genuine hurt her unrequited feelings might cause.
- The royal world-building occasionally relies on familiar tropes without adding unique elements. While Henland feels sufficiently European and small-scale, the monarchy’s operations could use more specificity to distinguish it from other fictional royal families in popular media.
Themes That Resonate
Beyond its romantic core, the novel explores themes of authenticity, power dynamics, and the cost of privilege. Rose’s struggle with being “nobody in particular” despite her royal status creates an interesting parallel with Danni’s actual invisibility as a scholarship student. Both characters must learn to claim space in worlds that don’t necessarily welcome their true selves.
The book also examines how marginalized identities intersect with power structures. Rose’s queerness isn’t just a personal identity—it’s a potential political liability that affects not just her future but the monarchy’s stability. This adds weight to their relationship beyond typical coming-of-age romance stakes.
For Readers Who Loved…
Fans of royal romances like “Red, White & Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston will appreciate the political intrigue elements, while readers of “The Miseducation of Cameron Post” by Emily M. Danforth might connect with the boarding school setting and queer identity themes. Gonzales’s other works, particularly “Perfect on Paper,” share similar themes of hidden identities and authentic relationships.
Final Verdict: A Crown Worth Claiming
Nobody in Particular succeeds as both a satisfying romance and a meditation on power, identity, and the courage required to live authentically. While it may not reach the effortless charm of Gonzales’s more recent works, it demonstrates her storytelling instincts and commitment to queer representation in YA fiction.
The book’s greatest strength lies in its refusal to simplify complex situations. Rose can’t simply abdicate responsibility, and Danni can’t ignore the realities of royal life. Their love story succeeds because it acknowledges these constraints while still fighting for happiness within them.
For readers seeking LGBTQ+ royal romance with genuine stakes and emotional depth, Nobody in Particular delivers a story worthy of its long journey to publication. It stands as both an entertaining read and a testament to the importance of diverse voices in literature—proving that some stories are worth waiting for, no matter how long that wait might be.
Similar Books to Explore
- “Red, White & Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston
- “The Prince and the Dressmaker” by Jen Wang
- “Cemetery Boys” by Aiden Thomas
- “Felix Ever After” by Kacen Callender
- “The Black Flamingo” by Dean Atta
