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3.34 AVERAGE
3.34 AVERAGE
Part of me is almost leaning towards a two-star rating for this book. I guess I was expecting it to be a lot like “Prince in Disguise” by Stephanie Kate Strohm. It wasn’t; Debbie Rigaud has her own style of writing.
Another thing I didn’t like about this book was Zora herself. She seemed like a very unrealistic character and she was so over dramatic. Something about Zora just rubbed me the wrong way. Owen was perfect, though. If you read “Prince in Disguise” and loved Jamie, I think you’ll like Owen, too.
The one thing I liked about Zora was her name. I keep wondering if she was named after Zora Neale Hurston. I’ve been learning about Hurston in my English class and they seem to be very similar women.
Something I really enjoyed from this book was the fact that there was no cursing - it was very refreshing. At first I also thought I liked the slow romance, but I think that’s part of what made this book so dull for me.
I hope this review was helpful and that you enjoy this book more than I did!
Another thing I didn’t like about this book was Zora herself. She seemed like a very unrealistic character and she was so over dramatic. Something about Zora just rubbed me the wrong way. Owen was perfect, though. If you read “Prince in Disguise” and loved Jamie, I think you’ll like Owen, too.
The one thing I liked about Zora was her name. I keep wondering if she was named after Zora Neale Hurston. I’ve been learning about Hurston in my English class and they seem to be very similar women.
Something I really enjoyed from this book was the fact that there was no cursing - it was very refreshing. At first I also thought I liked the slow romance, but I think that’s part of what made this book so dull for me.
I hope this review was helpful and that you enjoy this book more than I did!
I received this book for free from Fantastic Flying Book Club in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Today is a good day. Today I get to share Truly Madly Royally by Debbie Rigaud. A quick snappy rom com about an American girl and a prince grappling with their attraction and media attention.
Zora is kicking ass and taking names at a prestigious educational white haven while commuting, do-gooding, and surviving the snobs. One cell phone mishap in a library leads to a confessional with a cutely accented stranger leads to Truly Madly Royally.
It's really hard to talk about Zora & Owen as so much revolves around their dynamic and events. But I love their dialogue, it sparks off the page. Owen also plans amazing dates. On one hand, I would like to see more of Owen & Zora time, but on the other, I love how tight and snappy the narrative is.
Things happen, stuff goes sideways, and it's handled. There's no long drawn out melodrama or unnecessariness. They talk honestly and head-on. Life can be full and exciting and a whirlwind of domino effects without being unpleasant and full of villains.
I love how the community watch and support of fellow black women was included. Yes, media can be invasive and slanted and plain fatphobic trash in Emily's case, but throughout out it all, black women hold it down for each other. I don't care about white royalty or aristocracy, but watching black women support and enjoy Markle's wedding, was a thing of beauty.
Zora's mom is remarried and they're a happy family with the step-dad. Her brother's gotten to the other side of rough patch and her father is quite the character. Him and Zora are so alike it's difficult since they use their talents in seemingly opposite ways.
I could see and understand her parents so well. This next bit it'll sound really weird-but I appreciate the included parental headbutting and disagreements. It's refreshing to see adults lovingly rendered with history, and baggage. So many kids deal with this and it's great to see Zora handle it with aplomb.
Prize: Win (1) of (2) copies of TRULY MADLY ROYALLY by Debbie Rigaud (US Only)
Starts: 24th July 2019
Ends: 7th August 2019
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This review was originally posted on The Layaway Dragon
About Truly Madly Royally:
IMHO: Truly Madly Royally
Zora is kicking ass and taking names at a prestigious educational white haven while commuting, do-gooding, and surviving the snobs. One cell phone mishap in a library leads to a confessional with a cutely accented stranger leads to Truly Madly Royally.
"This summer could've gone as I'd planned had I just walked away from Owen to begin with."
Snapshot:
- Quick breezy fun contemp
- Tight and snappy narrative
- Fantastic dialogue
- So adorable!
- Zora is amazing
- Full of black girl magic and black positivity
- Fundraising and community building
- Amazing library and bookstore hang outs
- Understandable mishaps & miscommunications.
- Love the bffs and the additional subplot romance.
- Divorced parents, one being remarried
- Yesssss my studious overachievers.
- Not all the students are awful & they find a place on campus
- I didn't even know there were classes in such things, though it makes total sense.
- It Girl Antagonist. Loved their conversation and interactions at the wedding.
- Happy ending that hits just right.
It's really hard to talk about Zora & Owen as so much revolves around their dynamic and events. But I love their dialogue, it sparks off the page. Owen also plans amazing dates. On one hand, I would like to see more of Owen & Zora time, but on the other, I love how tight and snappy the narrative is.
"Even though I failed the Dope Dress Test, this feels like a win."
Things happen, stuff goes sideways, and it's handled. There's no long drawn out melodrama or unnecessariness. They talk honestly and head-on. Life can be full and exciting and a whirlwind of domino effects without being unpleasant and full of villains.
"It's about joining hands with the families to safeguard children from one of society's greatest ills: apathy. This program models the idea that in the absence of your parents or guardian, your community is your family. You never walk alone."
I love how the community watch and support of fellow black women was included. Yes, media can be invasive and slanted and plain fatphobic trash in Emily's case, but throughout out it all, black women hold it down for each other. I don't care about white royalty or aristocracy, but watching black women support and enjoy Markle's wedding, was a thing of beauty.
"Zora, every day I pray my darkness didn't take away your light."
Zora's mom is remarried and they're a happy family with the step-dad. Her brother's gotten to the other side of rough patch and her father is quite the character. Him and Zora are so alike it's difficult since they use their talents in seemingly opposite ways.
I could see and understand her parents so well. This next bit it'll sound really weird-but I appreciate the included parental headbutting and disagreements. It's refreshing to see adults lovingly rendered with history, and baggage. So many kids deal with this and it's great to see Zora handle it with aplomb.
Perfect for fans of Kaisie West, and Not Now, Not Ever by Lily Anderson.
About the Author:
Giveaway:
Prize: Win (1) of (2) copies of TRULY MADLY ROYALLY by Debbie Rigaud (US Only)
Starts: 24th July 2019
Ends: 7th August 2019
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tour Schedule:
This review was originally posted on The Layaway Dragon
“Truly Madly Royally” is a quick read gives the reader a sweet teen romance between an ambitious New Jersey girl and an European prince.
When the book begins, sixteen year old Zora Emerson is responding to a question from a classmate at the summer college prep program she’s attending at the illustrious Halstead University. Zora feels out of place at the university since she’s the only student that commutes to the school everyday and she also feels that everyone attending the program is rich kids that she has nothing in common with.
During a quick stop at the university library one afternoon, Zora has an interesting conversation with a mystery guy while they are both hidden behind bookshelves. Zora finds her conversation with the mystery guy so relaxing, she agrees to put her cellphone down next to his as a sign that she’s not recording their conversation. When Zora realizes that she’s about to miss her train, she’s accidentally grabs the mystery guy’s cellphone instead of her phone.
She’s mortified when she discovers the mistake but is happy when the mystery guy calls and introduces himself as Owen Whittelsey. As the book progresses, Zora and Owen’s budding relationship hits compilations once it’s Zora finds out the he is the prince of a small European country.
This was a cute read and I liked how Zora oozes confident even when she doesn’t really feel confident. Owen’s character is likable but a little blah to me. Overall, this was a great light read although I was slightly annoyed by how long it too for Zora and Owen to have their first kiss which provides a slow drawn out romance.
When the book begins, sixteen year old Zora Emerson is responding to a question from a classmate at the summer college prep program she’s attending at the illustrious Halstead University. Zora feels out of place at the university since she’s the only student that commutes to the school everyday and she also feels that everyone attending the program is rich kids that she has nothing in common with.
During a quick stop at the university library one afternoon, Zora has an interesting conversation with a mystery guy while they are both hidden behind bookshelves. Zora finds her conversation with the mystery guy so relaxing, she agrees to put her cellphone down next to his as a sign that she’s not recording their conversation. When Zora realizes that she’s about to miss her train, she’s accidentally grabs the mystery guy’s cellphone instead of her phone.
She’s mortified when she discovers the mistake but is happy when the mystery guy calls and introduces himself as Owen Whittelsey. As the book progresses, Zora and Owen’s budding relationship hits compilations once it’s Zora finds out the he is the prince of a small European country.
This was a cute read and I liked how Zora oozes confident even when she doesn’t really feel confident. Owen’s character is likable but a little blah to me. Overall, this was a great light read although I was slightly annoyed by how long it too for Zora and Owen to have their first kiss which provides a slow drawn out romance.
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Hallmark Channel type story (not a diss) where Zora meets Prince Owen at a summer program at the local university. YA MS/HS Romance; Community Organization; African Americans
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
ending = lowkey bad. was super cheesy and like a 6th grade book but the middle was okay. very quick reas
lighthearted
medium-paced
I got exactly what I wanted. I also loved her mom.