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rensjedi's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked this book, but the ending fell kind of flat. I would have loved either more smut or a longer ending. The whole book we hear about this lost princess and then it's just tied up in a few pages. But still a good read!
greylandreviews's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
ARC provided by Avon through NetGalley for honest review
I wanted to like this so bad! I've been waiting for Bez's story after How to Catch A Queen and I was let down. The pacing wasn't great and over all plot development underwhelming. I did get aspects of an Anastasia retelling but the whole story just wasn't there. And the time spent in Ibarania at the end of the book was to short and rushed. Here's hoping the next book in this series is better!
ARC provided by Avon through NetGalley for honest review
I wanted to like this so bad! I've been waiting for Bez's story after How to Catch A Queen and I was let down. The pacing wasn't great and over all plot development underwhelming. I did get aspects of an Anastasia retelling but the whole story just wasn't there. And the time spent in Ibarania at the end of the book was to short and rushed. Here's hoping the next book in this series is better!
sbelasco40's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I really liked the characters in this, and also YAY for quality lesbian romance with BIPOC protagonists! Alyssa Cole is always solid, writing-wise, I just thought there were some pacing issues and the royalty plotline was kind of convoluted and confusing at times. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Makeda and Bez, though, and would read more about them. The ship’s crew were also great.
bookishhill's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5 ⭐️s
Alyssa Cole is an absolute joy to read. She throws so many fun tropes into Makeda and Bez’s story! Fake marriage, bodyguard trope, forced proximity, only one bed…I loved them all!
Bez and Makeda were a really fun couple that seemed to bring out the best in each other. I love that Bez so easily stoked Makeda’s ire because she’s a terminal people pleaser with everyone else in her life. And I like that Makeda listened to Bez without making her feel off.
The secret princess storyline is honestly the book’s weakest point, and I thought Cole’s choices in wrapping it up how she did were odd and came out of nowhere. I think a lot of that can be attributed to the book’s pacing, but since it’s the non-princessy moments that were my faves (the ladies at the B&B and on the ship), I’m choosing not to judge too harshly.
Spice: 1/5
Alyssa Cole is an absolute joy to read. She throws so many fun tropes into Makeda and Bez’s story! Fake marriage, bodyguard trope, forced proximity, only one bed…I loved them all!
Bez and Makeda were a really fun couple that seemed to bring out the best in each other. I love that Bez so easily stoked Makeda’s ire because she’s a terminal people pleaser with everyone else in her life. And I like that Makeda listened to Bez without making her feel off.
The secret princess storyline is honestly the book’s weakest point, and I thought Cole’s choices in wrapping it up how she did were odd and came out of nowhere. I think a lot of that can be attributed to the book’s pacing, but since it’s the non-princessy moments that were my faves (the ladies at the B&B and on the ship), I’m choosing not to judge too harshly.
Spice: 1/5
meredith_collins's review against another edition
4.0
This is a sweet romance. I'm not usually into contemporary romances, but I'm glad I read this one. Cole has a wonderful sense of character voice.
joyousreads132's review against another edition
3.0
It started out well until the freaking ship sailed in. That was totally left field.
love_bookswillbetheendofme's review against another edition
4.0
I did NOT see that ending coming! I actually gasped!
ebartsch85's review against another edition
3.0
I do keep trying to read princess books, but they are just NOT my jam. This is the second book I've read by Alyssa Cole and I have a hard time with her writing for some reason. I can't quite figure it out but I don't think our brains sync up the same way.
coldcupofwater's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-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? It's complicated
4.25
I liked the idea and the characters a lot. A lighthearted romance featuring gay black women? Bro nothing tops that. But the pacing was a little wonky. It felt like 95% of the book took place convincing Makeda to come along and sitting on a cargo ship, then the twist, and then it was over. All over the course of two and a half pages. I wish this book was either paced a little better, or 300+ pages longer with more post-cargo ship antics. It was still pretty cute though, would recommend
delaney572e4's review against another edition
4.0
Were there parts of this that could have been better? Yes. Was the ending kind of convoluted and wrapped up too quickly? Also yes. But the characters were amazing and the romance between them was perfect. And in the end, I was here for the romance, not the plot, so that’s really all that matters to me.