Sophie Gonzales, Nobody in Particular, Hodder Children’s Books, June 2025, 352 pp., RRP $19.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781444982671

Nobody in Particular is a novel about identity, friendship, and forbidden love set within the privileged yet confining walls of an all-girls boarding school. Gonzales captures the emotional turbulence of adolescence intertwined with the harsh realities of societal pressures.

At the center of the story is Princess Rosemary of Henland, a young royal struggling to rebuild her reputation after a scandal shakes the foundation of her carefully curated public image and shatters her closest friendship. As she strives to reclaim her image and navigate the suffocating expectations of royal life, especially the pressure to conform to traditional roles, Rose tries to keep her world tightly controlled and free from distractions. But when Danni, a talented pianist and scholarship student from America, arrives at Bramppath College, Rose finds herself drawn into an unexpected and complicated romance.

Danni feels out of place among the wealthy elite, but through an unexpected bond with Rose’s former best friend, she slowly becomes woven into the complex social fabric of the school. Intrigued by Rose’s sharp wit and hidden vulnerabilities, Danni and Rose begin a secret romance that challenges both their perceptions of themselves and the world around them. Their relationship is tender yet fraught with tension. As rumours begin to spread, Rose faces the terrifying possibility of further damaging her reputation—and with it, her future. The palace, determined to protect its image at any cost, becomes a looming threat, ready to tear them apart.

Nobody in Particular explores class divides, self-acceptance, and the courage required to embrace one’s true identity. Gonzales balances humour, heartache, and social commentary with complex characters.

This novel is recommended for readers aged 14 and up who appreciate LGBTQIA+ narratives, royal dramas, and secret romances.

Reviewed by India Boon