Reviews

How to Find a Princess: Runaway Royals by Alyssa Cole

thiccadonna's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing fast-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

2.5

kaydawn's review against another edition

3.0

Dual POV. A very tiny bit of fake dating. The one bed is an instance where she sleeps on the couch instead so doesn’t count. I could’ve used a bit more chemistry from them though it was decent. I was expecting more of the book to be about her being there to be a princess though but they didn’t even arrive until there were like 20 pages left. I did appreciate how the reveal was done considering it was clear her boss did not want it happening so I get the pacing just wasn’t expecting it based on the synopsis. Overall, this was fine but it was just missing something for me to turn it into great especially since I liked Bez from book one and find her chaos and seemingly neurodivergent-ness fun. 

leyashekanena's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

lezreadalot's review against another edition

4.0

Someone who refused to be a princess was utterly confounding to a person who had grown up longing to protect one.

3.5 stars. I really really enjoyed most of this, though it did have a fair few bumps. It's been on my radar for a while, and I was going to put it off for longer, but then I saw a bad review for it where someone was complaining that it's slow burn. Which, of course, immediately made me want to read it, lol. I'm sorry, but slow burn is just SO GOOD in romance; I'm right and I should say it.

I adored this mostly for the characters, which is, generally, where Cole shines in her writing. Makeda and Bez just feel so real, even within this fairytale-ish plot. They have meaningful strengths and foibles that make you want to root for them as people, and make you feel super connected to them. Makeda, a long lost princess who has no desire to be a princess, is a chronic people-pleaser and "sentient doormat". After losing her job and her girlfriend, while saddled with a huge debt from another ex-gf, she's back living at her grandmother's bed and breakfast. Bez is an investigator and a descendant of the royal guards, looking for the long lost princess. She's neurodivergent and doesn't have the most conventional people skills. Their relationship is just... SO good. Slow burn, but with a good amount of tension behind it, that makes it soooo satisfying. They're opposites in a lot of ways, and have great banter, but then there are moments where they're really sweet and tender with each other and I... gah. I really loved all of their interactions; Cole does a good job of showing their personalities and also showing how they change in little ways. Makeda becomes less of a pushover and Bez learns to listen more. At various points in the book, they gave me serious queen/lionheart vibes, which I loved a whole hecking lot. It makes me want a modern day lady/knight story. Also, I have to say, this was really funny; parts of this made me laugh out loud. It was just a fun book to read.

My biggest nitpick was the ending; like most people have said, it was just too rushed. A bunch of character stuff happened, and I thought we had more for the characters to discuss and work out, but suddenly we were hurtling towards the finish line. I actually really liked the ending and the reveals and whatnot, but it definitely needed a lot more build-up. It just happened too quickly. I liked the middle of the book with the sea voyage, but I think we should have spent a little less time with a certain side-character (who's obviously going to be in one of the next books) and more time with the main characters. Maybe there could have been some action, idk. The writing also got a little cheesy at times, in ways I didn't always enjoy, and the repetition of certain words and phrases got a teensy bit on my nerves. By the third mention of Makeda's watering can, I was over it, and the sea-snail thing was creative... but not that cute. 

Listened to the audiobook as read by Karen Chilton, which was pretty okay. I'm not always the biggest fan of her voicework, but I enjoyed it here, even though the accents didn't always do it for me. I've really liked Alyssa Cole in the past, and I was so happy to hear that she was writing a full-length f/f romance, and I'm even happier that I liked it. Hopefully there'll be more from her in the future!

gmc16's review against another edition

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

4.25

pasc_oh's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

andrea_author's review against another edition

5.0

Seeking the lost princess of Ibarania, Bez travels to the US and convinces Makeda to go with her to the tiny island nation for a DNA test. Along the way, they end up fake married and sharing a bedroom. Can Makeda resist the managing female who's slowly winning her heart?

This royal rom com charmed me from the first page. The plot is full of surprises. The characters are vibrant and unique and real. I never reread books (well, except for Jane Austen), but I may have to reread this one. The chemistry between Bez and Makeda is amazing, and I didn't get enough of them the first time. This is worth the read for Bez's internal monologue alone. I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

crunkbsnappin's review against another edition

emotional funny mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

sagittariusreads_'s review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

sweetmisty's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted

4.0