sassejenn's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
harris39's review
3.0
I liked this one better than the first in the series (which really fell flat for me) but I also thought the first half of the book was way more engaging and fun than the second. Great build up and sexual tension, but once the H&H actually got it on? The book turned into a total slog and the sparks sputtered out. The pacing felt really off in the back half, with nothing really happening in terms of character and relationship development and then suddenly EVERYTHING was resolved within the last two chapters. I also HATE how this author makes so many conscious efforts to be progressive and inclusive in her character depictions and messaging (e.g., pro immigration, anti-bigotry, ADHD, etc), but then resorts to tired cliches in the back half of the romance. I hate when romances fall apart because the characters can’t speak honestly to one another and instead just make crazy assumptions that they hold as absolute truth and then this is the catalyst that breaks them up. Such a lame contrivance, and I feel like this author should be capable of more. (Then again, this is the second book of hers that has disappointed me, so maybe *I* am the one making unfounded assumptions.) Also, even though I ultimately just wanted this book to be over (which was a shame because it started off so fun!) I didn’t like that Portia’s character still felt like she hadn’t come into her own by the end; she definitely needed to have a “Come to Jesus” talk with her parents, and we have no sense of what she would do with her life after her passionate “Happily Ever After” kiss. I haven’t really been able to find any romance novels lately that do it for me, so maybe I am just not gelling with this genre right now, but I also think that maybe this series just isn’t meant for me.
jaywithwhiskey's review
3.0
Liked the story. The love interest was alright, the protagonist was super relatable.
I love the narrator for these books but the accents in this one was all over the place lol
I love the narrator for these books but the accents in this one was all over the place lol
sarahbeth_linke's review
5.0
Damn, this book is going to be hard to top. I'm almost sad I finished it! Perfection.
westcoastchelle's review
5.0
SOOO good.
I had hoped at the end of the first RR book that we were going to learn a little more about Portia, and that she would be able to get herself together.
Such a relatable protagonist, despite her trust-fund.
My only complaint, and I realize that it makes a more realistic story, is that things with her parents never really resolved at the end. But there's more to the series, so maybe we'll see how that all falls out!
I had hoped at the end of the first RR book that we were going to learn a little more about Portia, and that she would be able to get herself together.
Such a relatable protagonist, despite her trust-fund.
My only complaint, and I realize that it makes a more realistic story, is that things with her parents never really resolved at the end. But there's more to the series, so maybe we'll see how that all falls out!
givemaribooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I enjoyed this book. I particularly liked Portia and how nuance her character was and seeing her growth. I do wish we had seen her stand up to her parents more. I also did not love Tavish, which is not what I expected because I am always down for a grumpy Scot, but I found him to be a bit too assholish at times.
I listened to the audiobook, and I was not a big fan of the narrator. Her Scottish accents were not great.
I listened to the audiobook, and I was not a big fan of the narrator. Her Scottish accents were not great.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting and Racism
ria_mhrj's review
4.0
I was reluctant to read this as a) I did not love A Princess In Theory and b) Portia as a supporting character in that book did not entice me to want to know more, I dismissed her as an irredeemable party girl.
I'm delighted to report I was wrong! Much stronger romance this time, but best of all, I fell absolutely head over heels for Portia herself. Her journey was a joy to watch unfold and I regularly wanted to wrap her in a big hug and give her a pep talk. Alyssa Cole did such a great job of displaying Portia's skills and successes, whilst leaving her plagued with self doubt and convinced of her own ineptitude, it was such a clever depiction of damaged self worth, especially when tied in to her undiagnosed condition. I have a dear friend who is constantly thriving and succeeding academically and professionally yet all the while believing it's a fluke and that she's a fraud and that she can't do the things she's doing every day, so this hit close to home, and was really well conveyed in this book.
As mentioned, I loved the romance too. Tav's grumpiness masking a marshmallow centre is a beloved character trait, and he was a perfect foil for Portia. I also thoroughly enjoyed the story outside of the romance, as businesses are fought for and dukedoms are discovered (even if it was weird to read about the Duke of Edinburgh and not conjure up an image of 99 year old Prince Philip!).
Johan's introduction was excellent and I eagerly look forward to his book - should be a lot of fun based on the glimpse we had here.
I'm delighted to report I was wrong! Much stronger romance this time, but best of all, I fell absolutely head over heels for Portia herself. Her journey was a joy to watch unfold and I regularly wanted to wrap her in a big hug and give her a pep talk. Alyssa Cole did such a great job of displaying Portia's skills and successes, whilst leaving her plagued with self doubt and convinced of her own ineptitude, it was such a clever depiction of damaged self worth, especially when tied in to her undiagnosed condition. I have a dear friend who is constantly thriving and succeeding academically and professionally yet all the while believing it's a fluke and that she's a fraud and that she can't do the things she's doing every day, so this hit close to home, and was really well conveyed in this book.
As mentioned, I loved the romance too. Tav's grumpiness masking a marshmallow centre is a beloved character trait, and he was a perfect foil for Portia. I also thoroughly enjoyed the story outside of the romance, as businesses are fought for and dukedoms are discovered (even if it was weird to read about the Duke of Edinburgh and not conjure up an image of 99 year old Prince Philip!).
Johan's introduction was excellent and I eagerly look forward to his book - should be a lot of fun based on the glimpse we had here.
highlandsbooks's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
skudiklier's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.75
I liked this about as much as the first book in the series, but in slightly different ways! I like that Cole addresses some of the unhealthy relationship dynamics that most romances would just ignore because it would make things too complicated; I was ready to sort of suspend my disbelief/concerns as I normally would, and then they were directly addressed. My biggest problem with this series is that they end sort of suddenly. I wish there was an epilogue or something, though at least I know I'll probably get a glimpse of their relationship in the sequel(s).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Classism, Ableism, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Pregnancy and Racism