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3.34 AVERAGE
3.34 AVERAGE
Had such a good time reading this one! I saw a lot of mixed reviews and sure, you shouldn't expect a story with too much substance, but it really achieves what it sets out to do and feels like watching a fun romcom! If you like stories about royals, definitely give this one a try!
Somewhat cute. Somewhat bantery. Otherwise... Not what I wanted from this.
Have you ever been reading and felt like you got from point a to d but with no clear linkage between the items? This book felt full of that feeling, that things got skipped over.
And I would have enjoyed more time learning about Owen's sister. Zora can feel her precense missing at the wedding, but since she was barely ever talked about, how exactly does zora even know that???
And if I'm being fully honest, I feel like zora forgave Owen too easily, even though neither of them had to do with what happened. And for some off reason, I find the ending somewhat offputting. I can't explain why. Like... They're happy and together but it's not all clear cut either.
Have you ever been reading and felt like you got from point a to d but with no clear linkage between the items? This book felt full of that feeling, that things got skipped over.
And I would have enjoyed more time learning about Owen's sister. Zora can feel her precense missing at the wedding, but since she was barely ever talked about, how exactly does zora even know that???
And if I'm being fully honest, I feel like zora forgave Owen too easily, even though neither of them had to do with what happened. And for some off reason, I find the ending somewhat offputting. I can't explain why. Like... They're happy and together but it's not all clear cut either.
I am very unimpressed by this. Based off the blurb, I thought it'd be cute and sweet, something to occupy my attention. It was cute, but it definitely didn't occupy my attention. I spent the last half of the book counting the pages until it was over, which is a good indicator of how I felt about this. I liked Zora, but I just didn't care about her or Owen. I guess this just wasn't my type of book!
Grade: B-
An ARC was provided by Miss Print's ARC Adoption Program in exchange for an honest review.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: I love a good meet-cute. Truly Madly Royally has a great one, and I wish the premise connected to that had continued a little while longer before launching into Zora and Owen actually dating.
Overall the book is a bit surface-level, like a DCOM or Hallmark movie, but there were some moments where the author tried to go a little deeper. I'm not sure they always worked, but I appreciated the moments about Black hair, when racist issues were highlighted, and when the supposed mean girl was given depth (though I wish that had come a little sooner so she had felt like less of a stereotype).
I appreciated that Owen wasn't the heir to the throne, and I liked that he did call Zora out on some stuff, thereby helping her character arc, but I felt kinda meh about the romance in general. It didn't give me butterflies like some YA romances do.
I found Owen's dialogue a bit stiff at times like the author was trying to make him a little more formal because of his upbringing, but not quite succeeding at that goal, especially when he used some phrasings and slang that were still very American.
The Verdict: This is a great choice for younger YA readers.
An ARC was provided by Miss Print's ARC Adoption Program in exchange for an honest review.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: I love a good meet-cute. Truly Madly Royally has a great one, and I wish the premise connected to that had continued a little while longer before launching into Zora and Owen actually dating.
Overall the book is a bit surface-level, like a DCOM or Hallmark movie, but there were some moments where the author tried to go a little deeper. I'm not sure they always worked, but I appreciated the moments about Black hair, when racist issues were highlighted, and when the supposed mean girl was given depth (though I wish that had come a little sooner so she had felt like less of a stereotype).
I appreciated that Owen wasn't the heir to the throne, and I liked that he did call Zora out on some stuff, thereby helping her character arc, but I felt kinda meh about the romance in general. It didn't give me butterflies like some YA romances do.
I found Owen's dialogue a bit stiff at times like the author was trying to make him a little more formal because of his upbringing, but not quite succeeding at that goal, especially when he used some phrasings and slang that were still very American.
The Verdict: This is a great choice for younger YA readers.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Cute book, loved the royalty aspect. Nice escape during this pandemic
I received an ARC copy at YALL Fest 2019.
Ohmygod! This book was absolutely amazing!
The characters were developed and cool, especially Prince Owen who is swoon-worthy. Zora was headstrong, a leader, and a go-getter. I applaud Debbie Rigaud's incorporation of African history into the book. I loved the tension between Zora's mother and bio-father.
The only thing that was a let down for me was the beginning - I don't think that after only a few conversations that she would start to have fluttery feelings for him. Their relationship felt too fast and a little underdeveloped. Don't get me wrong, I loved it, but it was just missing something for me.
Ohmygod! This book was absolutely amazing!
The characters were developed and cool, especially Prince Owen who is swoon-worthy. Zora was headstrong, a leader, and a go-getter. I applaud Debbie Rigaud's incorporation of African history into the book. I loved the tension between Zora's mother and bio-father.
The only thing that was a let down for me was the beginning - I don't think that after only a few conversations that she would start to have fluttery feelings for him. Their relationship felt too fast and a little underdeveloped. Don't get me wrong, I loved it, but it was just missing something for me.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Zora Emerson has big ideas and the plans to accomplish them. Already heading major community programs in her black New Jersey suburb at age 17, she heads to a summer program on a prestigious college campus to learn more about community service and funding non-profits. A chance meeting on campus with fellow student Owen (who just so happens to be the prince of a small island near England) starts a sweet romance.
Truly Madly Royally is a quick and witty romance with themes of privilege and community building. Zora’s focus on Black Excellence and the contrast between her life and Owen’s adds additional interest.
Fans of sweet YA romances like those by Jenny Han will like this book, as will fans of Cinderella stories such as The Royals series by Rachel Hawkins. This book is also perfect for fans of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s romance.
http://www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/2019/12/02/quick-picks-for-reluctant-readers-qp2020-nominees-round-up-december-2-edition/
Truly Madly Royally is a quick and witty romance with themes of privilege and community building. Zora’s focus on Black Excellence and the contrast between her life and Owen’s adds additional interest.
Fans of sweet YA romances like those by Jenny Han will like this book, as will fans of Cinderella stories such as The Royals series by Rachel Hawkins. This book is also perfect for fans of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s romance.
http://www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/2019/12/02/quick-picks-for-reluctant-readers-qp2020-nominees-round-up-december-2-edition/
To be quite honest, I don't have a lot to say about this book. It was pretty cute, but mostly just a predictable boy-meets-girl story.
I really did like that the author explored what it would be like for a Black girl to date a white royal. I obviously don't have a place to stand and talk about the challenges that she could face, but it was worked through pretty well in the book and I appreciated that.
Overall, I can't sit here raving about this book, but I also can't say anything really negative about it either (except for the fact that I really didn't care for the narration since the accents were a little cringey).
I really did like that the author explored what it would be like for a Black girl to date a white royal. I obviously don't have a place to stand and talk about the challenges that she could face, but it was worked through pretty well in the book and I appreciated that.
Overall, I can't sit here raving about this book, but I also can't say anything really negative about it either (except for the fact that I really didn't care for the narration since the accents were a little cringey).