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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
The conclusion felt a little rushed but thats basically my only complaint. This was funny and steamy with a good balance of angst. Again, good communication and healthy relationships...gotta love it.
I liked this one more than the first one. The beginning was a little rough because Makeda's "helping" was so hard to read, that I almost stopped the book after a couple chapters. However, her character's progression throughout the story was worth the ride. The ending, to me, was super abrupt which was jarring but overall, this was a cute and sweet fake relationship story.
How many books will you make me read Cole?
I mean, really give me moooooore!
In the beginning of the year I read an e-arc from Edelweiss of How To Catch a Queen by Cole and read it in pretty much a sitting. And thought I would have to wait a long time for the next time, at least a year. So when checking Edelweiss and that this book was available as a e-arc I was the first to request it. Thanks Edelweiss for the copy.
I thought I'll wait with reading it but I kept getting drawn to it again and again.
You could read this books in the Runaway Royals and Reluctant Royals in any order I guess but really why would you? Just read them in semi right order at least so you get happy with all the reappearing characters. That being written, this book is the book I've been waiting for while reading the other books.
Why you ask? Because this is the f/f love story that you want. One character Bez, is on the page pan sexual which is just great. Being that this is a romance we all know that Bez and Makeda will get it on by the end of the book and I just COULDN'T wait.
Do you read a lot of romance? I would say I do, and a thing I've learned is that you have to suspend disbelieve at times while reading romance.
I think the whole going an a cargo ship transatlantic to get to Ibarania (this made up island) is unbelievable being that it takes two weeks when a plane would take a couple of hours. (Note: I'm all for slow travel and there are reasons that are explained why Bez and Makeda end up on the cargo ship but still...)
But the cargo ship really is a great setting for a romance novel. Being that both characters have to share a tiny cabin and have to be close being fake married. I just enjoy those plot points a lot.
So end thoughts? I'm not giving much about the plot because just read it because I read it in less than a day. And it was cute, sexy and made my heart jump a bit. And knowing Cole's writing I had such a good time. Also the next book will be so interesting to read, being what was hinted at in this one. So f/f romance was on point and just so so good. I've really been waiting for a f/f romance from Cole in this series because the short novella with a f/f second chance romance made me want more. I hope she writes a male male romance soon too.
Because I'll read it and everything else Cole will write. I see no reason not to since I keep having a good time reading her books. Or listning to them - can recommend audio for most books because Karen Chilton is queen narrator.
This was rambly but all you need to take from this is to read Cole if you like romance and that this book in particular will make your heart warm.
I mean, really give me moooooore!
In the beginning of the year I read an e-arc from Edelweiss of How To Catch a Queen by Cole and read it in pretty much a sitting. And thought I would have to wait a long time for the next time, at least a year. So when checking Edelweiss and that this book was available as a e-arc I was the first to request it. Thanks Edelweiss for the copy.
I thought I'll wait with reading it but I kept getting drawn to it again and again.
You could read this books in the Runaway Royals and Reluctant Royals in any order I guess but really why would you? Just read them in semi right order at least so you get happy with all the reappearing characters. That being written, this book is the book I've been waiting for while reading the other books.
Why you ask? Because this is the f/f love story that you want. One character Bez, is on the page pan sexual which is just great. Being that this is a romance we all know that Bez and Makeda will get it on by the end of the book and I just COULDN'T wait.
Do you read a lot of romance? I would say I do, and a thing I've learned is that you have to suspend disbelieve at times while reading romance.
I think the whole going an a cargo ship transatlantic to get to Ibarania (this made up island) is unbelievable being that it takes two weeks when a plane would take a couple of hours. (Note: I'm all for slow travel and there are reasons that are explained why Bez and Makeda end up on the cargo ship but still...)
But the cargo ship really is a great setting for a romance novel. Being that both characters have to share a tiny cabin and have to be close being fake married. I just enjoy those plot points a lot.
So end thoughts? I'm not giving much about the plot because just read it because I read it in less than a day. And it was cute, sexy and made my heart jump a bit. And knowing Cole's writing I had such a good time. Also the next book will be so interesting to read, being what was hinted at in this one. So f/f romance was on point and just so so good. I've really been waiting for a f/f romance from Cole in this series because the short novella with a f/f second chance romance made me want more. I hope she writes a male male romance soon too.
Because I'll read it and everything else Cole will write. I see no reason not to since I keep having a good time reading her books. Or listning to them - can recommend audio for most books because Karen Chilton is queen narrator.
This was rambly but all you need to take from this is to read Cole if you like romance and that this book in particular will make your heart warm.
This book was so very good.. I didn’t think I would love the Royal storyline, but Bez & Makeda had so much depth to their journey. If you are looking for a F/F enemies to lovers, with a fake relationship troupe & forced proximity with a dash of “oh no, there’s only one bed” this is the perfect book! I was swooning, and smiling, and rooting for these two from the very first chapters. Both characters are strong, and also can show their vulnerability. And that those vulnerabilities do not have to be seen as weakness. I absolutely adored this book and can not wait to read more from Alyssa Cole.
Another smart, original, and entertaining story from Alyssa Cole. The romance, however, fell a little flat for me. While there was clearly attraction between our heroines, there didn’t seem to be much chemistry. I just didn’t get a lot of feels. The story was slow moving and didn’t take place where I had expected. Also unexpected was the ending.
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
-hate to love romance!!!
-"there's only one bed"!!!
-fake dating/marriage!!!
-wasn't into the royal stuff (I just don't care), but I did enjoy the mystery aspect and the relationship between Bez and Makeda. This was a really fun read, and I did enjoy it overall!
-"there's only one bed"!!!
-fake dating/marriage!!!
-wasn't into the royal stuff (I just don't care), but I did enjoy the mystery aspect and the relationship between Bez and Makeda. This was a really fun read, and I did enjoy it overall!
Makeda has lost her job, only to come home and find her girlfriend is also leaving her. Makeda is a fixer and it's just gotten to be too much for her partner. So Makeda moves in to her grandmother's B&B to help while she gets her life back on tract. Enter: Beznaria Chetchevaliere. Bez is in a mission to find the lost heir to the Ibaranian throne and, unbeknownst to Makeda, her grandmother has submitted her name. But princess dreams have ruined her life before and Makeda wants nothing to do with royalty. Unfortunately, she's no match for Bez. Cole's delightful tales of Runaway Royals continue in this follow-up to her previous book, How to Catch a Queen. This second book has much for fun and hijinx without sacrificing any of the heart and steam.
3.5 stars. A fun story of finding who you are and how you fit into your family.
Makeda has spent most of her life trying to avoid having discussions with her family about her possible royal blood after having her mother spiral into obsession about proving her heritage. Then an investigator shows up, determined to force Makeda to go to Ibarania and take the ceremonial crown. This would let Beznaria clear her family's name. Due to a threat to Makeda's grandmother's livelihood, Makeda eventually agrees to go to Ibarania. However, Beznaria doesn't have plane tickets booked; she has passage on a ship full of quirky characters and a requirement for her and Makeda to pretend they're on their honeymoon.
I really enjoyed the cast of characters in this book, especially the ship's crew. They were extremely loveable and I wish we could get to know them a bit better. Makeda and Beznaria are both a bit harder to understand. Although I can understand their motives at times, I struggled with them both talking about the need for open communication while simultaneously lying to each other. I do think they both helped each other grow as individuals, though.
If you've enjoyed the other contemporary royal romances Alyssa Cole has written, I think you'll like this one too! I liked seeing the bits of connections to others stories that we got to see. And I definitely want AK's story as soon as possible.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for providing an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Makeda has spent most of her life trying to avoid having discussions with her family about her possible royal blood after having her mother spiral into obsession about proving her heritage. Then an investigator shows up, determined to force Makeda to go to Ibarania and take the ceremonial crown. This would let Beznaria clear her family's name. Due to a threat to Makeda's grandmother's livelihood, Makeda eventually agrees to go to Ibarania. However, Beznaria doesn't have plane tickets booked; she has passage on a ship full of quirky characters and a requirement for her and Makeda to pretend they're on their honeymoon.
I really enjoyed the cast of characters in this book, especially the ship's crew. They were extremely loveable and I wish we could get to know them a bit better. Makeda and Beznaria are both a bit harder to understand. Although I can understand their motives at times, I struggled with them both talking about the need for open communication while simultaneously lying to each other. I do think they both helped each other grow as individuals, though.
If you've enjoyed the other contemporary royal romances Alyssa Cole has written, I think you'll like this one too! I liked seeing the bits of connections to others stories that we got to see. And I definitely want AK's story as soon as possible.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for providing an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.