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rich2023's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed this book. I like how the characters relied on God through prayer and by reading and holding onto his word!
authoramyearls's review
4.0
If you like Hallmark movies, you'll enjoy this novel's charm and cuteness. It was an easy read and I liked it. I didn't love that Bri cried or had tears in her eyes in just about every scene and that she felt nauseous every time she was nervous and there were many scenes when it seemed the protagonist contradicted herself, but maybe I'm being too picky. The story itself was a fun read.
farmfreshlisa's review
4.0
This was my first Toni Shiloh book and I admit I wanted to read it first and foremost for the cover! So gorgeous! I actually waited for the whole story to find out when that dress was going to be worn! LOL.
This was a very light and fun story with a Princess Diaries meets Black Panther feel. Does that make sense? The author was so vivid and the nation she created sprang to life with vivid imagery that put to mind Wakanda for me. The clothing, the celebrations, the monarchy. It was a rich dance of culture I absolutely loved. The gold dress at the end brought to mind a photograph I once saw of a metallic golden dress with woven symbols worn by a regal woman with a golden headwrap. Simply magnificent!
As for the plot itself--it was just a lovely story. No deep sub-layers really. A solid romantic read. I think I enjoyed the lead male's family--especially the mom's reaction to Brielle. And then the events that follows. LOL.
There was obviously some...unrealistic aspects "find love in 2 months". But it's okay when you just accept it as a beautiful fairy tale!
I give it a solid 4 stars! :)
This was a very light and fun story with a Princess Diaries meets Black Panther feel. Does that make sense? The author was so vivid and the nation she created sprang to life with vivid imagery that put to mind Wakanda for me. The clothing, the celebrations, the monarchy. It was a rich dance of culture I absolutely loved. The gold dress at the end brought to mind a photograph I once saw of a metallic golden dress with woven symbols worn by a regal woman with a golden headwrap. Simply magnificent!
As for the plot itself--it was just a lovely story. No deep sub-layers really. A solid romantic read. I think I enjoyed the lead male's family--especially the mom's reaction to Brielle. And then the events that follows. LOL.
There was obviously some...unrealistic aspects "find love in 2 months". But it's okay when you just accept it as a beautiful fairy tale!
I give it a solid 4 stars! :)
rusticreadingal's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! I don't even know where to begin. This was such a beautiful story and just an absolute joy to read. Author Toni Shiloh has a real gift. I've loved everything I've read by her and this is my favorite one yet.
This story was full of wonderful characters who were easy to root for. Brielle had such a kind soul. I admired the way she handled being thrust into such an overwhelming situation. She did it with such grace and poise. And I loved how she leaned on the Lord and prayed over every decision, big or small. It was so inspiring. The first-person narration felt so natural and inviting, like I was listening to a good friend tell me her story.
I really appreciated the strong element of faith that was woven throughout this whole novel. It's always so special when a story can make me feel closer to God, and this one did just that.
This was a sweet read with a lot of depth and a great message of faith. It has everything I look for in a good contemporary romance and so much more. It's just an all-around fantastic story that I highly recommend. I really hope there are more stories to come set in the gorgeous island country of Oloro Ile. There are so many secondary characters that I'd love to read more about.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
This story was full of wonderful characters who were easy to root for. Brielle had such a kind soul. I admired the way she handled being thrust into such an overwhelming situation. She did it with such grace and poise. And I loved how she leaned on the Lord and prayed over every decision, big or small. It was so inspiring. The first-person narration felt so natural and inviting, like I was listening to a good friend tell me her story.
I really appreciated the strong element of faith that was woven throughout this whole novel. It's always so special when a story can make me feel closer to God, and this one did just that.
This was a sweet read with a lot of depth and a great message of faith. It has everything I look for in a good contemporary romance and so much more. It's just an all-around fantastic story that I highly recommend. I really hope there are more stories to come set in the gorgeous island country of Oloro Ile. There are so many secondary characters that I'd love to read more about.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
thedamwife's review
DNF 23%. I just couldn't get into it and then the weird fish spitting scene happened and it was just too weird for me .
I'd be willing to try another book by the author though.
I'd be willing to try another book by the author though.
lidiaparreira's review
4.0
5 brilliant stars!
This book truly felt like a hug from God!
The romance, the description of Oloro, her relationship with her grandfather and the princess diaries vibes? Impeccable! Loved it!!!!!
This book truly felt like a hug from God!
The romance, the description of Oloro, her relationship with her grandfather and the princess diaries vibes? Impeccable! Loved it!!!!!
allireadsmke's review against another edition
It is SO long. And it's just not....interesting? The love interest is not interesting. And she seems like a perfectly perfect person, which is not interesting.
cohencottage's review
3.0
This was a little all over the place for me.
I love the story concept/premise. I love the representation. I love the beautiful inclusion of faith. It really is a beautiful story at its heart. This book really made me reconsider how I approach prayer in my times of struggle. I will remember the reflections and thoughts of the main character for a long time to come.
But the pace did not keep my attention. There are many scenes with heavy details about the responsibilities of running a country, the laws and business jargon etc. I wasn’t interested in that, on a personal level. It felt too meaty to me at times and it distracted me from the story. I really struggled to get through the bulk of reading.
And the ending ?! Where did that come from? I felt like the middle of this book dragged on with details about running a country and then BAM. Suddenly we have full on physical descriptions of romance and insinuated intimacy. (Closed door) And the side mystery that occurs throughout the novel suddenly goes full speed and becomes the main plot point. But all of this felt very rushed and lacked context. It was missing something for me.
Also, just a personal conviction… this story mentioned the main character being concerned about gaining weight and not wanting to eat foods because of fear of gaining weight. That’s a major red flag for me and I will not be passing it along to my daughter for this reason. (And because I found the intimacy scenes to be more adult/teen, definitely not preteen)
I love the story concept/premise. I love the representation. I love the beautiful inclusion of faith. It really is a beautiful story at its heart. This book really made me reconsider how I approach prayer in my times of struggle. I will remember the reflections and thoughts of the main character for a long time to come.
But the pace did not keep my attention. There are many scenes with heavy details about the responsibilities of running a country, the laws and business jargon etc. I wasn’t interested in that, on a personal level. It felt too meaty to me at times and it distracted me from the story. I really struggled to get through the bulk of reading.
And the ending ?! Where did that come from? I felt like the middle of this book dragged on with details about running a country and then BAM. Suddenly we have full on physical descriptions of romance and insinuated intimacy. (Closed door) And the side mystery that occurs throughout the novel suddenly goes full speed and becomes the main plot point. But all of this felt very rushed and lacked context. It was missing something for me.
Also, just a personal conviction… this story mentioned the main character being concerned about gaining weight and not wanting to eat foods because of fear of gaining weight. That’s a major red flag for me and I will not be passing it along to my daughter for this reason. (And because I found the intimacy scenes to be more adult/teen, definitely not preteen)
teewilliams's review
5.0
In this book we follow Bri who finds out her deceased father was an African Prince and she’s the next heir.
Bri has to find a husband before she can take the throne. We see the funny love out loud moments and the sad teary eyed moments as Bri goes on this journey. She keeps God first in all the decisions that she has to make. This is a book that’s makes you want to write, read and fall in love. I am currently trying to buy all of this author’s books (no thrifted , so y’all know I love them).
Amazing read!
Bri has to find a husband before she can take the throne. We see the funny love out loud moments and the sad teary eyed moments as Bri goes on this journey. She keeps God first in all the decisions that she has to make. This is a book that’s makes you want to write, read and fall in love. I am currently trying to buy all of this author’s books (no thrifted , so y’all know I love them).
Amazing read!
danapr's review
2.0
This story is told in first person by Brielle, a twenty-five year old middle school teacher living in NYC when she unexpectedly learns that her father (who was married to her mother but died at a young age) was the heir to the throne of a small African island nation. Due to a falling out between her mother and her grandfather, the king, Brielle has had no idea that she is next in line to the throne until her grandfather is dying and requests her presence and consideration to become the next ruler. When Brielle agrees to become queen after feeling led to do so by God, she learns that she must be married in order to succeed her grandfather, thus her search for a prince.
I received a complimentary copy of this book to review so I did finish it but this is definitely not the genre for me. I typically do not like romance novels in general but this one is especially corny and painfully predictable. I really think it should be rated as YA as the main young adult characters are extremely immature, constantly “squealing” with delight like middle schoolers. The book is also classified as Christian fiction and this is also a central theme. There were some “twists” towards the end but so predictable that I wanted to rush to finish the book so I could move on to more enjoyable reading worth my time. The cover of the book is beautiful and I was hopeful for more but it didn’t happen for me. I see that other reviewers gave this book higher ratings so I think that readers of Christian romance will probably find it more enjoyable than I did.
Thanks to Open Book for the complimentary copy of this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book to review so I did finish it but this is definitely not the genre for me. I typically do not like romance novels in general but this one is especially corny and painfully predictable. I really think it should be rated as YA as the main young adult characters are extremely immature, constantly “squealing” with delight like middle schoolers. The book is also classified as Christian fiction and this is also a central theme. There were some “twists” towards the end but so predictable that I wanted to rush to finish the book so I could move on to more enjoyable reading worth my time. The cover of the book is beautiful and I was hopeful for more but it didn’t happen for me. I see that other reviewers gave this book higher ratings so I think that readers of Christian romance will probably find it more enjoyable than I did.
Thanks to Open Book for the complimentary copy of this book.