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j_almat's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
deestarod's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
___tamara___'s review against another edition
4.0
I liked it!
The setting is kind of ridiculous - what if all that spam you get in your inbox about nobility from an African country being your distant relatives or leaving you inheritance was actually true?
Naledi has been kicked by life and is tightly wound and distrustful of anything good happening to her, always waiting for the other shoe to drop. She is smart, stubborn, capable, and fiercely loyal to the people she considers friends.
Prince Thabiso comes from the African kingdom of Thesolo, and he is a privileged rich boy comically divorced from all the aspects and intricacies of a regular person's life. But he's also very serious and capable in what he was born and raised to do, quick to apologize and own up to his own mistakes and unbearably sweet to Naledi. Seriously. My teeth ached (in a good way!).
When the two meet there's an instant attraction, but they will have to work through Naledi's issues with trust (in herself, other people, the universe). It doesn't help in the least that Thabiso lied to her about who he was (which was a shitty thing to do, but I also understood his motives).
The ending was perfect imho - just the right kind of hfn. I wouldn't mind reading the sequel, even if I only get a glimpse of how they settled down in the end.
Final rating: 3.5 stars
hissingpotatoes's review against another edition
4.0
This is an interesting one. Some things I really liked, some things I didn't.
The character work is great and I ended up liking both leads, but more separately than together because I feel that Thabiso went past the point of no return by not telling Naledi the truth sooner. The resolution of the conflict his actions caused felt rushed at the end and more like it needed to happen because it's a romance book than because it made sense for the characters.
The subplot of the epidemic also resolved very quickly way at the last second. That said, I really enjoyed the worldbuilding of Thesolo, the way the character and plot arcs intertwined, and the promise of side characters becoming leads in future books.
I definitely want to continue reading the series.
The character work is great and I ended up liking both leads, but more separately than together because I feel that Thabiso went past the point of no return by not telling Naledi the truth sooner. The resolution of the conflict his actions caused felt rushed at the end and more like it needed to happen because it's a romance book than because it made sense for the characters.
The subplot of the epidemic also resolved very quickly way at the last second. That said, I really enjoyed the worldbuilding of Thesolo, the way the character and plot arcs intertwined, and the promise of side characters becoming leads in future books.
I definitely want to continue reading the series.
ihateprozac's review against another edition
5.0
Somehow I forgot to review this!
I read adult romances primarily to get out of reading slumps, and while this did that, it’s also a gorgeous and engaging story in its own right.
I looooved Naledi! She has so much agency and is a kickass science queen struggling with the patriarchal bullshit that is science and academia. I also enjoyed Thabiso as the Nigerian prince in disguise. While he intially comes off as a bit naive, I enjoyed getting to know him further and exploring the political quagmire he’s forever wading through as Prince.
The sex scenes were steamy and not cringey, and they actually came secondary to the plot! Naledi and Thabiso have significant storylines outside of shacking up together, which I was pleasantly surprised by. While this is sold as a romance, it’s meaty enough to stand on its own as a general contemporary novel.
This was my first introduction to Alyssa Cole’s writing and I really enjoyed it! The characters were fleshed out and felt like real people, and they had agency, storylines, and purpose beyond the romance. Said romance was well executed and the sex scenes were well written.
I’ve already been back for more Alyssa Cole since - having read Once Ghosted Twice Shy - and hope to pick up more of her work in the future!
I read adult romances primarily to get out of reading slumps, and while this did that, it’s also a gorgeous and engaging story in its own right.
I looooved Naledi! She has so much agency and is a kickass science queen struggling with the patriarchal bullshit that is science and academia. I also enjoyed Thabiso as the Nigerian prince in disguise. While he intially comes off as a bit naive, I enjoyed getting to know him further and exploring the political quagmire he’s forever wading through as Prince.
The sex scenes were steamy and not cringey, and they actually came secondary to the plot! Naledi and Thabiso have significant storylines outside of shacking up together, which I was pleasantly surprised by. While this is sold as a romance, it’s meaty enough to stand on its own as a general contemporary novel.
This was my first introduction to Alyssa Cole’s writing and I really enjoyed it! The characters were fleshed out and felt like real people, and they had agency, storylines, and purpose beyond the romance. Said romance was well executed and the sex scenes were well written.
I’ve already been back for more Alyssa Cole since - having read Once Ghosted Twice Shy - and hope to pick up more of her work in the future!
jennc's review against another edition
5.0
First off, I rarely read romance. It is not my go to genre. I did however love this book. The characters were so real, so authentic. I loved the chemistry between the main characters and loved, looooved Ledi. Thank you so much, Alyssa Cole for writing a smart, strong woman who had flaws and a man who loved her for who she was. I loved the focus on female friendships as well. Just an all around great book and I now need to read the rest of the series.
ceceewing_'s review against another edition
4.0
Well this was ridiculously fun and a delightful way to spend some reading time. I’m definitely continuing on with the series.
thegoldenageofgabylon's review against another edition
4.0
Ledi is not Thabiso's princess, she's MY QUEEN.
I picked this up because Alyssa Cole was name-dropped in [b:Book Lovers|58690308|Book Lovers|Emily Henry|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1638867089l/58690308._SY75_.jpg|92341790], and as an unseasoned romance reader, I wanted to see who she was and why her works were beloved by an author I liked. Glad I did!
I picked this up because Alyssa Cole was name-dropped in [b:Book Lovers|58690308|Book Lovers|Emily Henry|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1638867089l/58690308._SY75_.jpg|92341790], and as an unseasoned romance reader, I wanted to see who she was and why her works were beloved by an author I liked. Glad I did!