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stephclaw's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
rants_n_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kathlgpa's review against another edition
4.0
This was such an enjoyable read, mostly because Naledi is such a great character. Alyssa Cole did a superb job at making her pop off the pages: I don't know if she has any background in science herself but everything she wrote felt from Naledi's perspective just felt so authentic (I say this as a non-scientist myself). I really love when the career/background of a character if fully fleshed out and I think it just added a lot to the story.
The romance itself was not my favorite. Don't get me wrong, it was great. Although there was immediate attraction I think Cole did a great job at making the way Naledi and Thabiso grow to like each other believable. It's not a spoiler to say that Naledi finds out Thabiso is a prince which he had been hiding, so their initial romance and attraction is called into question.
The plot itself is of course unrealistic but you know that going in with the prince-in-disguise blurb. So I didn't mind it because the characters and writing are all so well done. There is kind of a mystery thing which I figured out right away but again, not really the point of the book and maybe not even the author's intention for the reader to be misled. It's a romance not a mystery or thriller.
I would recommend to anyone in need of some contemporary romance who also wants a little Disney plotline in their life. It's a great book and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
The romance itself was not my favorite. Don't get me wrong, it was great. Although there was immediate attraction I think Cole did a great job at making the way Naledi and Thabiso grow to like each other believable. It's not a spoiler to say that Naledi finds out Thabiso is a prince which he had been hiding, so their initial romance and attraction is called into question.
The plot itself is of course unrealistic but you know that going in with the prince-in-disguise blurb. So I didn't mind it because the characters and writing are all so well done. There is kind of a mystery thing which I figured out right away but again, not really the point of the book and maybe not even the author's intention for the reader to be misled. It's a romance not a mystery or thriller.
I would recommend to anyone in need of some contemporary romance who also wants a little Disney plotline in their life. It's a great book and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
njreadsandwrites's review against another edition
5.0
I have one word to describe how this reading experience was: Magnificent. I only say that about a few of the 700 books I have read the past 4 years.
The way Alyssa outlined this beautiful story about a prince who finally finds the woman he was meant to marry is exactly why I loved adult contemporary so much. She didn't attach any extra plots that weren't necessary for the progression of the story. She didn't make unnecessary plot moves to distract us from the main plot. She did everything right, and it was perfect. The perfect read for the the exact time I needed it.
The characters in this story were some of the best characters I have read to date. The flaws, the changes, and the growth matched with the timeline of the book. It was believable. My favorite character...I can't even choose. From the stubbornness, determination and "do it all myself" attitude of Naledi, to the princely, unattached, compassion, and in search of freedom of Prince Thabiso, and the take charge, queer, strong, and wisdom of Likotsi, each character was written for their role in the best way.
I must say that it will be hard for a book to beat this one in my favorite of the year, and I am excited to continue on with the series. Also, I have already purchased all of the Reluctant Royals' books that have been released to date. I wouldn't be surprised if I binged the series.
If someone told you that your were a lost princess, how would you react? Drop them below. If you're pressed for time, and this was a quick read in between tasks, drop a pink heart in the comments.
Love, peace, and dope reading!
-NJ
The way Alyssa outlined this beautiful story about a prince who finally finds the woman he was meant to marry is exactly why I loved adult contemporary so much. She didn't attach any extra plots that weren't necessary for the progression of the story. She didn't make unnecessary plot moves to distract us from the main plot. She did everything right, and it was perfect. The perfect read for the the exact time I needed it.
The characters in this story were some of the best characters I have read to date. The flaws, the changes, and the growth matched with the timeline of the book. It was believable. My favorite character...I can't even choose. From the stubbornness, determination and "do it all myself" attitude of Naledi, to the princely, unattached, compassion, and in search of freedom of Prince Thabiso, and the take charge, queer, strong, and wisdom of Likotsi, each character was written for their role in the best way.
I must say that it will be hard for a book to beat this one in my favorite of the year, and I am excited to continue on with the series. Also, I have already purchased all of the Reluctant Royals' books that have been released to date. I wouldn't be surprised if I binged the series.
If someone told you that your were a lost princess, how would you react? Drop them below. If you're pressed for time, and this was a quick read in between tasks, drop a pink heart in the comments.
Love, peace, and dope reading!
-NJ
albon's review against another edition
3.0
2019 review:
3.5 stars
This started off really strong, but then writing got really awkward in the second half. The plot was still good, I just feel like it could've used some more editing.
3.5 stars
This started off really strong, but then writing got really awkward in the second half. The plot was still good, I just feel like it could've used some more editing.
karlynrose's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
hannahhmh's review against another edition
1.0
All the characters felt like charicatures. The hard working poor student, the spoiled prince, the icey queen, the cold hearted villain etc. The main characters velcro theory felt like something pulled from every other romance book ever.
I can't take Thesolo as a country seriously because it's full of contradictions. It seemed like some utopia with the best social services, but somehow they are also poor enough to consider selling land for mining. This town is befitted with all the latest climate-saving technology, but the only way to get there is by donkey. How did they even install their tech?
The science in this book is awful. First of all, everyone assumes it's an infectious epidemic for absolutely no reason. Then, once the main character invents a theory it's based on tea poisoning, everyone assumes she's right, problem solved! The symptoms aren't described, they are allowing visitors into the hospital while they don't know how the disease spreads and no actual research is described in this book.
Our main character thinks in science metaphors, one of them being her phospholipid bilayer. She mentions it's enough for prokaryotes to keep others out so it's good enough for her. Of course it is! In fact, every single cell of her body is covered in it. It's not just how bacteria keep their insides seperated, it's how all life does. This is a really ridiculous nitpick but it bothered me immensely.
It felt like the author perused a high school biology book and picked out a few cool sounding words.
I can't take Thesolo as a country seriously because it's full of contradictions. It seemed like some utopia with the best social services, but somehow they are also poor enough to consider selling land for mining. This town is befitted with all the latest climate-saving technology, but the only way to get there is by donkey. How did they even install their tech?
The science in this book is awful. First of all, everyone assumes it's an infectious epidemic for absolutely no reason. Then, once the main character invents a theory it's based on tea poisoning, everyone assumes she's right, problem solved! The symptoms aren't described, they are allowing visitors into the hospital while they don't know how the disease spreads and no actual research is described in this book.
Our main character thinks in science metaphors, one of them being her phospholipid bilayer. She mentions it's enough for prokaryotes to keep others out so it's good enough for her. Of course it is! In fact, every single cell of her body is covered in it. It's not just how bacteria keep their insides seperated, it's how all life does. This is a really ridiculous nitpick but it bothered me immensely.
It felt like the author perused a high school biology book and picked out a few cool sounding words.
seraphimgt's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thejestess's review against another edition
4.0
Some enjoyable escapism, and while there was some lying about identities and getting better about taking accountability to get through they didn't detract too much from my overall experience. I love the way the friendship was handled, loved the assistant, and appreciated the themes around family