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_tamara8464's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this read. The beginning half is a bit boring but it has a few sprinkles of humor. I don't want to ruin it for anyone but there is a twist at the end of this book which was very cute.
bluberrybooks's review against another edition
Loved the premise and the characters, but I think it's going too slow and I don't love the setting of the boat. I might go back/ skim around, but for now I'm not interested
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment and Bullying
chandlerainsley's review against another edition
dnf @ 50%
this started off promisingly, but good lord it drags! have to agree with a lot of my friends' reviews in that regard. i would also add though that the characters are... interesting. makeda was initially characterized as being a pushover and people pleaser but the majority of the book she is kind of a complete bitch who won't be pushed around by bez. bez was excited to discover a hidden royal for her home country and does anything she can to please makeda.
i guess it just didn't make sense to me. i felt like bez should have been skeptical of makeda's lineage. and that makeda should have been the sunshine-y one. maybe. i just know that the dynamic between the characters really didn't work for me. which sucks.
this started off promisingly, but good lord it drags! have to agree with a lot of my friends' reviews in that regard. i would also add though that the characters are... interesting. makeda was initially characterized as being a pushover and people pleaser but the majority of the book she is kind of a complete bitch who won't be pushed around by bez. bez was excited to discover a hidden royal for her home country and does anything she can to please makeda.
i guess it just didn't make sense to me. i felt like bez should have been skeptical of makeda's lineage. and that makeda should have been the sunshine-y one. maybe. i just know that the dynamic between the characters really didn't work for me. which sucks.
petitpoucetreveur's review against another edition
4.0
That was such a fun read!
I loved the characters and how they grown throughout the story, I loved their relationship and how honest and open their communication is, and above all, I loved how the plot drove me around and kept me wondering. I wasn't expecting the change of setting that happened halfway through the book, and I sure as hell wasn't expecting the ending.
I really do appreciate having such a good romance with queer black women!
I loved the characters and how they grown throughout the story, I loved their relationship and how honest and open their communication is, and above all, I loved how the plot drove me around and kept me wondering. I wasn't expecting the change of setting that happened halfway through the book, and I sure as hell wasn't expecting the ending.
I really do appreciate having such a good romance with queer black women!
lindoforbes's review against another edition
Published May 25, 2021
Contemporary Romance, 400 pages
Series but can be read on its own
3rd POV
Bechdel Test: Pass
Does it bang? Yes,
Contemporary Romance, 400 pages
Series but can be read on its own
3rd POV
Bechdel Test: Pass
Does it bang? Yes,
melg0378's review against another edition
2.0
I should give this book 1 star, but I appreciate the small romance. This series has been a letdown from the other royal series by Cole.
Makeda needed a backbone. Her mom was sickening and needed to go to therapy for boundaries. Grandmoor was a decent role model. Bez was more likable in the previous book. All this lying and manipulation was ugh.
Makeda needed a backbone. Her mom was sickening and needed to go to therapy for boundaries. Grandmoor was a decent role model. Bez was more likable in the previous book. All this lying and manipulation was ugh.
tey_lynn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
blodeuedd's review
2.0
The narrator did a good job, I felt her voices were distinct and it was easy listening to. It is someone I would listen to again.
Bez is looking for an heir to the throne of Ibarania, and comes to investigate Makeda.
Ok, so first, wouldn't it be better to investigate her maybe grandfather? Who knows who he might have married and gotten kids with after this. But ok for the story it is Makeda (her gran had a fling with a maybe prince and thinks Makeda should go for it since there is this whole Become our Prince/Princess and get some cash).
Makeda used to be a doormat, no more. So FU Bez. Makeda is going nowhere. She insults Bez, Bez tries to win her over.
Then came to meh part, the journey they take. It was SO long. And nothing happens, and everything happens in the last 5%. I would have wanted more there.
I did like that it takes time for them to fall for each other, as it should. And it gives Makeda time to wok on herself and not be such a pushover. And I liked how Bez was just so warrior!
I enjoyed it (though maybe less ship next time).
Bez is looking for an heir to the throne of Ibarania, and comes to investigate Makeda.
Ok, so first, wouldn't it be better to investigate her maybe grandfather? Who knows who he might have married and gotten kids with after this. But ok for the story it is Makeda (her gran had a fling with a maybe prince and thinks Makeda should go for it since there is this whole Become our Prince/Princess and get some cash).
Makeda used to be a doormat, no more. So FU Bez. Makeda is going nowhere. She insults Bez, Bez tries to win her over.
Then came to meh part, the journey they take. It was SO long. And nothing happens, and everything happens in the last 5%. I would have wanted more there.
I did like that it takes time for them to fall for each other, as it should. And it gives Makeda time to wok on herself and not be such a pushover. And I liked how Bez was just so warrior!
I enjoyed it (though maybe less ship next time).
clpaige's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
4.0
balletbookworm's review against another edition
5.0
omg helpy chaos Muppet vs prickly order Muppet in an Anastasia retelling
I just loved this whole book. If you haven't read any of Alyssa's previous Royals books, you could start with this one since this is the first one where previous couples don't really make an appearance in any way (the connection from the previous book to this one is Bez). Also: cargo ships.
I just loved this whole book. If you haven't read any of Alyssa's previous Royals books, you could start with this one since this is the first one where previous couples don't really make an appearance in any way (the connection from the previous book to this one is Bez). Also: cargo ships.