Reviews

How to Catch a Queen by Alyssa Cole

blackfemmebaddie's review against another edition

hopeful reflective 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

4.0

This is a fun love story. I really like how Alyssa Cole does her world/country building. I trust her choices when she explores challenging emotions and her books usually also include fun twists.

daenknight's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

This book was a wonderful surprise, because there was so much to learn about the characters on each page. The main FMC is a delight to be with, and watching her fight hard to challenge the restrictive rules around her and work to heal the kingdom she's the queen of was, by itself, incredible. Shanti carried the marriage, the kingdom, and the whole book. There was also a lot of work she did to deconstruct the misyogny her husband had learned. Overall, this book had so much more than I first thought it would have, and is a great read I'd recommend to others. 

girlwithsense's review against another edition

emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

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

3.75

ammbooks's review against another edition

3.0

Cute storyline. I enjoyed the change in "scenery" from the traditional old European kingdom to a young kingdom gaining its footage after imperialism. Looking forward to more in this lighhearted series that could spring discussions on more timely topics.

_tamara8464's review against another edition

3.0

I thought this story was going to be better than it was. I enjoyed it but I thought it would have a bit more drama and better romance. I di enjoy the few "nuggets" of comedy in this book. I knew the ending before I started the book but I still enjoyed the read.

Shanti has wanted to be a queen for most of her life. Her goal finally comes true when she weds the King of Njaza, Sanyu. Things aren't what she expected. The first time she meets her future husband, things don't go well. Second, since she is a woman no one really listens to her. Even though, she has several ideas on how to help with the economic growth and development of Njaza. This may also have to do with the fact that no one thinks she will stay the queen for long. The queen has a 4 month "trial period". After that point, the King can send her away since she isn't the "true Queen". Shanti is lonely and sad. She is also determine and focused and if her husband won't listen, she will go to those that will.

King Sanyu just lost his father. The only reason he married was to take the throne after his father's passing. He is grieving. His Kingdom is failing and his people are not happy. He is just going though the motions, stuck in a numbing fog. Besides that, his father's best friend thinks Sanyu is a weak King and does all the real ruling for him.

Overall, the book was just "okay".

slackermodenation's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

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

5.0

jcmbank's review against another edition

lighthearted 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

3.0

nikkieliz13's review against another edition

3.0

Rating: 3.5 Stars
POV(s): Dual—Third Person
Relationship: M/F
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance

Overall this was an enjoyable enough story. Sadly the climax and resolution both felt lackluster to me.

Title:[b: “How to Catch a Queen (Runaway Royals #1)” by Alyssa Cole]
Interconnected Series: Yes
Standalone: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
HEA:

Spoiler

Yes

Triggers: Yes

Spoiler

Loss of Parent/Grief

Tags/Tropes:
➢ Arranged-Marriage
➢ Competent-FMC
➢ Overlooked-Outcast-FMC
➢ Royal-MMC (King)

tolutolu9597's review against another edition

5.0

When I say chefs kiss romance this is wtf I meannnnnn? Alyssa Coke just does not miss!!!

_reedmylife_'s review against another edition

2.0

This book started off interesting, but it became boring pretty quickly. It was very slow and it felt like it wasn't even worth finishing. I did end up finishing it months later with the help of the audiobook.

I still did not care enough about the characters and their journeys and the sex scenes were just very cringey.

This was my first Alyssa Cole book, but I will try another one of her books because I think that her writing has potential, but this romance just wasn't for me.