Reviews

How to Catch a Queen by Alyssa Cole

_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.

charlottenw1's review against another edition

4.0

At first I couldn't get into the story because it's pretty heavy on the political side of things which the new king needs to be monitoring because Queens are seen and not heard in How To Catch A Queen.

That is until Shanti comes with her boss woman vibes and breaks through the old traditions with the grace of a Queen and a heart of a warrior. Sanyu actually has no idea what's about to hit him. He thinks he knows how to play the role of King with a new wife every 4 months but he never expected the bride he received through RoyalMatch.com.

These two are so funny and as the story moves along and the characters get to know each other, they started to melt my heart. There's banter, steam and tension! I listened to the audio as well and the narrator is so sassy, I love it.

If your looking for a

Royal romance
Arranged marriage
Enemies to lovers

Then you've found it.

blodeuedd's review against another edition

3.0

Arranged marriage story! A woman who really wants to be queen!

Shanti has prepared all her life to be queen, ok yes I admit, a tad weird, I mean how many chances are there in the world to achieve that, but hey this is a romance so a lot more pretend kingdoms. I did not know how to take this ambition of hers, but then, I mean she really went all in for it. She studied, she mastered everything and when she finally got her chance she started to plan how to help her new country.

But, yes not that kind of story. Cut to her being mostly alone for 3 months, moving from her room to the library. No one giving an f or wanting her there. All her plans in turmoil. This is not a queen friendly country. No they have for decades had a queen for 4 months and then a new one and a new one and a new one and a new one.

But then she finally gets a chance and gets to speak to her husband. And he notices her brilliant mind (oh and how fine she is.)

Sanyu, yes i liked him. Not everyone wants to be king and his dad, and their advisor sure did a number on him. First, all those queens, so never any mother for him. An advisor ho kept telling him he was a failure, and a father who was known for his iron fist. This poor guy pops antacids like they are candy. But it felt so real, hell it would be scary to be king and suddenly must know what to do.

And no one told him he was to marry either so resentment there too.

She is the only queen ready to save this country, and together they could be great. But there is a road there and yes some drama on the way. It is fun, it makes you want to smack someone over the head and it felt new. I have sure never read about someone this driven to be queen!

I remember the couple for an earlier book and wanting to read it, and I finally had the chance. Enjoyable and refreshing.

Great narration by Chilton. She gets to portray characters from two made up kingdoms, and she gives the characters different accents so well. She has a nice range with her male and female voices and she truly brings the story together.

sweetmisty's review against another edition

4.0

This is my first time reading Alyssa Cole’s books and im not disappointed. I like how it switched between the main characters, Shanti and Sanyu, showing their perspective of things but also how they react on the outside to other people. At first I was skeptical when Shanti said her goal was to be queen, which reflected a lot of the thoughts and reactions that people had to her dreams in the book. However, she is progressive, socially aware, and compassionate enough to explain something that might be obvious to her in a way that doesn’t make someone feel bad. I really liked that about her. Sanyu was an interesting character cuz he always listened to what the people he looked up to had to say but he wasn’t stuck in his ways. He just wanted to have the right answers to please everyone and he had to learn that it was hard, especially as king. Wonderful writing. Great character development. I can totally see the chemistry between Sanyu and Shanti but they were both so annoying for trying to reject their feelings. Musoke really triggered me cuz his reasoning for being the way that he is (manipulative/sad/annoying) made no sense. It’s giving hopeless romantic lowkey (except he used intangible violence to make himself feel better).

clpaige's review against another edition

emotional funny informative inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing 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