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mindfullibrarian's review
4.0
(free review copy from Edelweiss) This is the 3rd book in a series, but there are also 2 novellas prior to this one as well - and let me just say that you should NOT try to pick this book up to read without reading all the previous works. I have read every word of all of them and I still had to do some stop-and-recalls to make sure I had everything straight, especially the main storyline tied to book 1. Such a fun series - I adore Alyssa Cole and will read anything she writes!
aprilbooksandwine's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
audreypalz's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
I generally have low expectations for romance novels with this kind of Harlequin-y cover, but this one was a pleasant surprise. Some nice fluff with just enough emotional heft to keep it interesting. Plus, nonbinary royalty? We love to see it.
shellysbookcorner's review
3.0
Even though I had read and loved the other books in this series, I struggled with this story. I felt it was long and drawn out at times. It had a lot of buildup and then in the end everything felt rushed and flat in the end. I also didn't feel the connection between the two characters either but it was nice to see the other characters from previous books in this story.
andipants's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a while to finally finish it, but I think this even better than the first two. Johan and Nya both had so much baggage to work through, but they were great to each other and worked through their issues without it ever becoming an angst-fest. The conflict with him being weirded out about her dating sim game felt a little forced, but it was also so minor it didn't bug me overmuch. So much character growth! So much fun dialogue! And if the subplot with Lucas felt just a little too neat, well, it was sweet and wonderful anyway. Definitely an enjoyable read.
chirson's review
4.0
I bought this on a whim but it turned out to be better than I'd expected - a wholesome, cute and queer royalty(-ish) romance, with a diverse and well-rounded cast of characters, well-executed plot, good romantic beats and good sex scenes. I do wish Johan's bisexuality was actually more prominently explored (there were a couple of scenes where it seemed to be the afterthought, but maybe I'm just being extra picky), if only because bi male protagonists are not that common (and quite fun to read about).
I think the angst was really well done, and the way Cole wrote the aftermath of abuse and trauma was compelling and made the romance all the more convincing and gripping.
I'll need to get round to the previous volumes too, after all.
I think the angst was really well done, and the way Cole wrote the aftermath of abuse and trauma was compelling and made the romance all the more convincing and gripping.
I'll need to get round to the previous volumes too, after all.
nglofile's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
First, the cover: Gorgeous. Magnetic. Hearts will swell. It balances both formula and freshness, and that could equally describe the story contained within.
This is a last stop in my most recent circuit of romance check-ins, and Alyssa Cole deserves all the buzz she's been building: multiracial pairings, royal fantasy, self-aware characters who still fumble with old patterns, playful sensuality, and a foundation of respect. There are a few truly original scenarios that contemporary readers will thrill to see depicted, and the best part is that they resonate as Romantic Gesture even though the significance is understated and might seem rather ordinary out of context.
However, this story didn't win me over without reservation. Though the introduction of the online game Nya plays was cute, her investment in it throughout the story grew ridiculous, and the trouble it would eventually cause was thoroughly telegraphed. Also, each of the family dramas had legitimate substance at times, but those were undercut with characters that played too closely to type. Then there's this:. Quibbles aside, there's a great deal to recommend this author and this series, and both will undoubtedly be more prominent in my suggestions for specific readers.
First, the cover: Gorgeous. Magnetic. Hearts will swell. It balances both formula and freshness, and that could equally describe the story contained within.
This is a last stop in my most recent circuit of romance check-ins, and Alyssa Cole deserves all the buzz she's been building: multiracial pairings, royal fantasy, self-aware characters who still fumble with old patterns, playful sensuality, and a foundation of respect. There are a few truly original scenarios that contemporary readers will thrill to see depicted, and the best part is that they resonate as Romantic Gesture even though the significance is understated and might seem rather ordinary out of context.
However, this story didn't win me over without reservation. Though the introduction of the online game Nya plays was cute, her investment in it throughout the story grew ridiculous, and the trouble it would eventually cause was thoroughly telegraphed. Also, each of the family dramas had legitimate substance at times, but those were undercut with characters that played too closely to type. Then there's this:
Spoiler
the choice for N's first time to take place in a public setting, even at her instigation, was not true to either character and tainted the moment with slight cringeintensej's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This was just too cringe for me. In the middle of a sex scene, Nya literally says "peach emoji" because she can't say the real word aloud. I had a hard time seeing any chemistry between the two characters. I did like watching the relationship between Johan and his younger brother evolve. This can be read as a standalone.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content