An unfun book that worldbuilds the pandemic through the liberal lens, as if we hadn't all lived through it. I was hoping for relatable commiseration and nostalgia, but it's mostly Mia touting policies used to stop the spread of COVID, plus other polarizing issues, while belittling any opposing viewpoints. Sadly there is no nuance, no middle ground, none of the irony of the original series to balance this out. It's patronizing and propagandistic. I don't necessarily disagree with the ideology; I just hate blatant politics in fictional books that have no reason to be so partisan. I mean, the book cover is frickin pink with a sparkly crown on it. Who could blame me for thinking this would be a frivolous escapist read?

And politics aside, the plot, storytelling, and characters sucked in the same fashion as the 11th book. I really hope Meg Cabot doesn't write anymore "adult" Princess Diaries books.