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cberlin's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
crazyylizard's review
2.0
I'm really glad I read the second book first. I liked it and never would have read it if I read this book first.
My least favorite trope: miscommunication. Also, the FMC is supposed to be a brilliant scientist but she repeatedly makes dumb choices and is not at all curious.
Him: I have something I must tell you.
Her: No. I don't want to know.
Jump to...
Her: Why didn't you tell me? It must be that you're a liar I can't trust because only terrible people make mistakes and I'm not culpable for the many times I made assumptions and refused to listen to you. I'm perfect in all ways except that no one loves me.
My least favorite trope: miscommunication. Also, the FMC is supposed to be a brilliant scientist but she repeatedly makes dumb choices and is not at all curious.
Him: I have something I must tell you.
Her: No. I don't want to know.
Jump to...
Her: Why didn't you tell me? It must be that you're a liar I can't trust because only terrible people make mistakes and I'm not culpable for the many times I made assumptions and refused to listen to you. I'm perfect in all ways except that no one loves me.
juniper_reads_things's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
3.75
Listen, this book isn’t going to be for everyone. It’s cringey older millennial humor, there are many eyeroll moments, the plot certainly doesn’t progress quickly, and the author clearly didn’t know a whole lot about science or working as a waiter.
But I still enjoyed the ride we got taken on.
But I still enjoyed the ride we got taken on.
mastersal's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very cute story. The premise of the book caught my eye when this book came out last year - our heroine gets these emails about her bethroal to an African prince which turns out to be more than spam. That was enough for me to pick this - about a year later.
The heroine was wonderful and it was great to she her work in a STEM field. She was good looking, brainy and hardworking but managed to avoid becoming a sainty cliches. Her issues were understandable and real at the same time.
Our princely hero, was cute but not as real. He starts this book being a little spoilt (but not too much) and learns to love and recognise his privelage. He is very much patterned after Eddie Murphy character in Coming to America before going off the rails slightly in the second half of the novel.
In fact, the first half of this book very much reminded me of the movie but updated from the 80s setting. It was pretty great with the lie between them not really being too much of an issue. The second half of the book was a little too serious too fast.
The book was a little too long to keep the pace, with the second half exploring the fictional African country which could have been Wakanda without vibranium or alien armies and a half-silly plague plot. I think it was meant to give the book a little more depth and angst that the 1st half didn't but the lack of time spent in this fantasy environment made the scene setting a little thin.
None the less there is much to like in the book. I like the lead couple and the time they spent together. Their interactions felt guiniune. The Prince's assistant was also a hoot and I think I'd read the novella which she stars in.
All in all a light read which is a little uneven near the end but nothign particulaly annoying or off putting here. I'll likely continue with the series.
The heroine was wonderful and it was great to she her work in a STEM field. She was good looking, brainy and hardworking but managed to avoid becoming a sainty cliches. Her issues were understandable and real at the same time.
Our princely hero, was cute but not as real. He starts this book being a little spoilt (but not too much) and learns to love and recognise his privelage. He is very much patterned after Eddie Murphy character in Coming to America before going off the rails slightly in the second half of the novel.
In fact, the first half of this book very much reminded me of the movie but updated from the 80s setting. It was pretty great with the lie between them not really being too much of an issue. The second half of the book was a little too serious too fast.
The book was a little too long to keep the pace, with the second half exploring the fictional African country which could have been Wakanda without vibranium or alien armies and a half-silly plague plot. I think it was meant to give the book a little more depth and angst that the 1st half didn't but the lack of time spent in this fantasy environment made the scene setting a little thin.
None the less there is much to like in the book. I like the lead couple and the time they spent together. Their interactions felt guiniune. The Prince's assistant was also a hoot and I think I'd read the novella which she stars in.
All in all a light read which is a little uneven near the end but nothign particulaly annoying or off putting here. I'll likely continue with the series.
m_kemp18's review
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
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
3.75
yoursisterscanary's review
2.0
I never read things like this but heard it involved themes that are rarely written about so figured I should branch out and support it. While it does ask you to completely suspend reason and even high school level biology knowledge it may just be typical for the genre. An all POC set of characters take you through a story packed with female friendship that does not revolve around men, women in STEM and higher education, life in the foster system, lgbt life, global development, and a few blue scenes that lean heavily on consent and safe practices. It was not my cup of tea but if you want diverse books that cover themes like these you have to support them by reading them.
gieselleusc's review against another edition
3.75
I love Alyssa Cole’s humor and thought this was cute but I did still feel like this dragged a bit which is why I’m knocking it down .25 stars
librarydancer's review
4.0
The premise of this book is a riot, and I laughed out loud many times in the beginning of the book. I've noticed that I can lose interest in many of her novels 1/3 of the way through, as they seem to lose speed for me.
Still, this is a light & fun romance that gives us some much needed diversity in this genre.
Still, this is a light & fun romance that gives us some much needed diversity in this genre.
kimyattaw's review against another edition
5.0
OMG
I quite enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the next one. It was easy to fall for this story. The characters are lovable. The author was witty in her writing and held my interests. It was VERY hard to put this book down!
I quite enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the next one. It was easy to fall for this story. The characters are lovable. The author was witty in her writing and held my interests. It was VERY hard to put this book down!