Review By: Heather Kent
Published: 2024
Genre(s): YA Fiction, Romance, LGBTQAI+, Family, Relationships, Family Traditions
Audience: Grades 8–12
Content Warnings: None
Goodreads Link: Stefi and the Spanish Prince
Publisher’s Summary:
In Barcelona, the beach is beautiful, the tapas are delicious, and the boys are plentiful. Good thing, too, because Stefi’s nursing a broken heart after a disastrous breakup and is excited to reinvent herself, practice her Catalan language skills, and take baking classes at the legendary culinary institute, all in a magical city where no one knows her.
Another thing Barcelona has? A secret prince. Xavi Borges is spending his final summer of anonymity helping his mother run a popular tapas spot in El Mercado. But after Stefi stops at their counter, Xavi can’t get the beautiful American girl off his mind, even though his life is way too complicated for romance.
Part bodyguard, part confidante, Santiago is tasked with keeping Xavi out of trouble. Santiago knows Xavi and Stefi’s budding relationship can’t last once Xavi’s real identity becomes public. But soon Santiago is crushing on Xavi’s best friend, Diego, and his focus shifts from royal protection duties to the possibility of enjoying a romance of his own.
With so many sparks flying, a threat to expose Xavi’s royal secret goes unheeded, and when the news blows up, it threatens to burn down all of their lives.
Review:
I found Stefi and the Spanish Prince by Donna Freitas to be an engaging and culturally rich novel that transports readers straight into the heart of Barcelona. The author’s description of the city is absolutely stunning—she captures the colors, sounds, and spirit of Barcelona in a way that makes readers feel as if they are walking its streets themselves. Through her vivid storytelling, Freitas introduces readers to a variety of customs and traditions unique to Catalonia, offering a wonderful contrast to what students in the United States might experience in their own communities.
Beyond the beautiful setting, the book also provides an opportunity to explore the cultural and political tensions between Barcelona and the rest of Spain. Freitas subtly weaves in the complexities of regional identity, pride, and autonomy that characterize modern-day Catalonia. This element of the story opens the door for meaningful classroom discussions and cultural comparisons, especially about how regional and national identities can shape politics and daily life. Teachers could even use the novel to draw comparisons between government structures in Spain and the United States, examining how both countries balance local and national power.
What I especially love about this novel is how deeply the author develops her characters. Their struggles with romance, family expectations, friendships, and personal identity feel genuine and relatable. Freitas encourages readers to reflect on the importance of being true to themselves and making choices that lead to happiness, rather than simply following what society dictates.
I would highly recommend Stefi and the Spanish Prince to anyone with a love for Spanish culture or for world language teachers looking to deepen their classroom discussions about culture, identity, and government. It’s a beautifully written novel that both inspires and informs, making it an excellent addition to any classroom library.
