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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
It was super cute AND lesbians! 4 stars because I feel as if the ending was rushed but I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Love a lesbian romance, give me more!!
emotional
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
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
This was a super fun royalty romance with an interesting plot and a fantastic fake kingdom. Good chemistry between characters, enjoyable banter, and I loved Bez's dry humor.
This is the second book in the series, but I feel it can standalone very well!
Makeda Hicks is a doormat. She lets people walk all over her, and she goes out of her way to do things for others, even when they don't deserve it, or didn't ask for it. When she loses her job and her girlfriend on the same day, she knows things need to change. She heads home to her grandmother's B&B to stay, and help out. But when an investigator shows up, convinced Makeda is the long lost princess of Ibarania, she isn't having it. It brings up a lot of painful memories of her mom's downward spiral trying to investigate that very connection, and she wants nothing to do with it.
Beznaria Chetchevaliere works for the World Federation of Monarchies, but she only ever follows her own rules. She's in the U.S. investigating a bunch of (so far ALL bogus) claims to the Ibaranian throne, when she comes upon one from the grandmother of Makeda Hicks, Ora. Ora had a short affair with a supposed prince of Ibarania, to whom she birthed a daughter. Since this is the only promising lead Bez has had, she's determined to follow it, regardless of what her bosses say. Ora is thrilled to meet her, but Makeda, not so much. However, Bez has sworn to return the rightful heir to Ibarania, and she isn't going to take no for an answer.
Bez and Makeda had sparks flying all over the place from the first meeting, but they both had very good reasons to ignore them, and not pursue anything between them. Makeda only has bad memories associated with Ibarania, after growing up with her mother, who was OBSESSED with the idea that they were royalty. It caused a downward spiral for her mother, which led to a fracture in their relationship. It also led to Makeda being bullied in school, among other things. She has ZERO interest in helping to prove that her mother may have been right, as she fears the consequences of that. Bez's family has held shame for years over the disappearance of the former queen, as her grandmother was head of the royal guard at the time it happened. As a child, Bez promised her grandmother that she would help prove her innocence, and she is still determined to do so.
Both women's grandmothers played a big role in both their lives, and in the storyline of the book. I enjoyed their relationships, and how that was an aspect of what they respected about each other too. The side characters from the cargo ship were a delight, and I can only presume that AK will be the hero in the next book?! I was so intrigued by him, and I can't wait to learn more. That whole plot of their travel by sea was such fun, and I enjoyed how their close quarters led them to understanding each other so much better.
This was quite the slow burn, and the heat level wasn't as high as book 1 in the series. I did understand that Makeda and Bez working at cross-purposes meant it would need to be a slow burn situation, but I think it was even slower than I expected. I enjoyed their connection, and the unique aspects of their personalities, and how they fit together so well. But, towards the end, I felt things were a little rushed. I would've liked to see some things on page that we didn't get to see, like some sort of final resolution with Makeda's mother.
This was a cute story, with a bit of intrigue, and many fun, unique characters, and I enjoyed it. If AK is the hero of the next book, I'll DEFINITELY be back for more in this series!
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. This review is my personal opinion, voluntarily given.
Reviewed by Megan from Romanced by the Book
Makeda Hicks is a doormat. She lets people walk all over her, and she goes out of her way to do things for others, even when they don't deserve it, or didn't ask for it. When she loses her job and her girlfriend on the same day, she knows things need to change. She heads home to her grandmother's B&B to stay, and help out. But when an investigator shows up, convinced Makeda is the long lost princess of Ibarania, she isn't having it. It brings up a lot of painful memories of her mom's downward spiral trying to investigate that very connection, and she wants nothing to do with it.
Beznaria Chetchevaliere works for the World Federation of Monarchies, but she only ever follows her own rules. She's in the U.S. investigating a bunch of (so far ALL bogus) claims to the Ibaranian throne, when she comes upon one from the grandmother of Makeda Hicks, Ora. Ora had a short affair with a supposed prince of Ibarania, to whom she birthed a daughter. Since this is the only promising lead Bez has had, she's determined to follow it, regardless of what her bosses say. Ora is thrilled to meet her, but Makeda, not so much. However, Bez has sworn to return the rightful heir to Ibarania, and she isn't going to take no for an answer.
Bez and Makeda had sparks flying all over the place from the first meeting, but they both had very good reasons to ignore them, and not pursue anything between them. Makeda only has bad memories associated with Ibarania, after growing up with her mother, who was OBSESSED with the idea that they were royalty. It caused a downward spiral for her mother, which led to a fracture in their relationship. It also led to Makeda being bullied in school, among other things. She has ZERO interest in helping to prove that her mother may have been right, as she fears the consequences of that. Bez's family has held shame for years over the disappearance of the former queen, as her grandmother was head of the royal guard at the time it happened. As a child, Bez promised her grandmother that she would help prove her innocence, and she is still determined to do so.
Both women's grandmothers played a big role in both their lives, and in the storyline of the book. I enjoyed their relationships, and how that was an aspect of what they respected about each other too. The side characters from the cargo ship were a delight, and I can only presume that AK will be the hero in the next book?! I was so intrigued by him, and I can't wait to learn more. That whole plot of their travel by sea was such fun, and I enjoyed how their close quarters led them to understanding each other so much better.
This was quite the slow burn, and the heat level wasn't as high as book 1 in the series. I did understand that Makeda and Bez working at cross-purposes meant it would need to be a slow burn situation, but I think it was even slower than I expected. I enjoyed their connection, and the unique aspects of their personalities, and how they fit together so well. But, towards the end, I felt things were a little rushed. I would've liked to see some things on page that we didn't get to see, like some sort of final resolution with Makeda's mother.
This was a cute story, with a bit of intrigue, and many fun, unique characters, and I enjoyed it. If AK is the hero of the next book, I'll DEFINITELY be back for more in this series!
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. This review is my personal opinion, voluntarily given.
Reviewed by Megan from Romanced by the Book
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Cole's "Acknowledgements" page says it all...
Cole thanks her agent and the staff at Avon and her copyeditor - and finishes with "and everyone who helped make this story better."
I feel like I've read so many of her novels now that I can tell when her heart is not in the work. Maybe it's time to let this series go after #3 and hit the refresh button?
Cole thanks her agent and the staff at Avon and her copyeditor - and finishes with "and everyone who helped make this story better."
I feel like I've read so many of her novels now that I can tell when her heart is not in the work. Maybe it's time to let this series go after #3 and hit the refresh button?
Literally the only thing I liked about this book, was the smell of the paper.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No