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sicilyjoy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Minor: Addiction
sticky_icky's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Addiction, Colonisation, Alcoholism, and Bullying
Minor: Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, and Xenophobia
morebedsidebooks's review
3.0
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, and Sexual content
Minor: War, Addiction, Death, Alcoholism, and Infidelity
Makeda has a rather toxic parent in her mother.rockyroadbutch's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Abandonment, and Death
ashleycmms's review
- 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
2.75
Moderate: Abandonment, Addiction, and Alcoholism
Minor: War
TW: Also a story about refugees/people escaping their home countries being in the water (alive, but still can be traumatic for some!) I like both of the MCs so much. But I don’t care about this romance? I don’t know if it’s the location or the pacing? I feel like there’s stuff I love: sapphic love, bnbs, bodyguard~ element, close proximity/one bed trope, etc. But they were pushed together by a circumstance that I feel like they did NOT touch on enough? Like that chunk wrapped up so quickly? And a lot wasn’t addressed really in terms of Makeda’s background? A lot is going on, lol.caseythereader's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
citymouse's review against another edition
3.0
Moderate: Abandonment, Addiction, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Minor: Death, Vomit, and Violence
zombiezami's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Sexual content and Cursing
Minor: Bullying, Alcoholism, Addiction, Xenophobia, Death, Infidelity, and Child abuse
qace90's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh my god!!!! Alyssa Cole does it again and I am a bubbling glass of joy having read this book! One of my most anticipated 2021 releases and it was ~excellent~! Full review closer to release.
Full review:
Oh my god, this book brought me so much joy! Alyssa Cole once against has written an absolutely wonderful romance with characters who make me feel all the feelings.
Beznaria Chetchevaliere was first introduced in How to Catch a Queen as part of the World Federation of Monarchists (WFM) and also as par of Damsel in Distress Rescuer, and I almost immediately wanted her to get a girlfriend. Learning this book would be following her, and she would get the girl (this is a romance after all!) I was immediately grabby hands, and then the cover was revealed!
Makeda Hicks is used to fixing everything and taking care of people, especially as her mother has been obsessed with proving they’re descended from the lost queen of Ibarania and when she wasn’t believed she turned to alcohol and gambling, forcing Makeda to grow up faster to ensure things were taken care of. After losing her job and her girlfriend in the same day, Makeda decides its time to start being selfish and stop giving all her sweetness away. When Bez arrives at her grandmother’s B&B saying she believes she really is the lost princess, Makeda finally relents on going to Ibarania with every intention of proving she isn’t the princess so she can finally be free from the trauma that belief has brought her.
This book really brought me so much joy to read and I love Makeda and Bez so much. Especially Bez, with her brain fireflies and chaotic adherence to her personal code of honor. I loved the romance that develops between them, as well as the ways consent and communication are shown. This was so sweet on many levels, even as both Makeda and Beznaria have internal stress about how choices are playing out and what the future may hold for them.
This was an excellent modern day royals romance that I’m looking forward to rereading many times. It was funny and sweet, with hints of angst that just increased the intensity of the romance.
Moderate: Addiction and Sexual content
Minor: Death, Murder, and Violence
- Mention of alcoholic parent (currently sober) - Fired from job - Breakup - Trauma where MC is always trying to fix things and be helpful - Reference to former enslaved ancestors - References to bullying - Religious parent - Obsession - PTSD - Mention of people fleeing countries by sea