A review by litletters
A Prince on Paper, by Alyssa Cole
5.0
Around this time, a year ago, I took to this platform to sing my praises for A Princess in Theory to the internet heavens above. That was the first romance novel I’d ever read and enjoyed (the ones I snuck to read to learn about sex as a 12 year old don’t count). It opened the doors of my cynical reader heart and mind to the possibility that maybe, just maybe, romance novels could be yes, sexy and heart-warming, but also smart and sharp.
I read the follow up, A Duke by Default, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought, ‘okay, cool, this is the one romance series I like.’ Then I read A Prince on Paper. Y’ALL. Alyssa Cole has made a convert of me. I want to bring offerings to her author altar and thank her for the goodness that A Prince on Paper is in my life. First of all, the writing was even better than any of the previous, already well-written, novels. I felt that Cole’s ending (but gods above is there anything we can do to get her to continue??) was the most matured and rounded-out of the three books. Both of the previous novels had points of plot-stuff that dragged just a tad for me, but not so with this one. All of the plot kept me interested (and not skimming, looking for romantic banter. I love a pageful of romantic banter). But it was the two main characters I loved the most.
I adored them both equally. But I’m gonna start with my girl first. Naughty young antelope. In Nya I found the first romantic lead that I could identify parts of myself with. Her journey in many ways felt like a mirror for my own. It gave me a whole new gratitude for some of the choices I’ve made that honoured myself, even when they frustrated or dumbfounded others in my community. In Nya I saw someone else doing the same, and rejoiced with her as she found her way. Her happy ending felt truly joyful to me.
As much as I loved Nya, without Johan I’m not sure I would’ve had such a deep love for this book (a love as such that I called two of my best friends and demanded that they read the series so I could have someone to talk to about this book in particular. They’re both dragging their feet so here I am. Writing my feelings). Though I liked the earlier Royals heroes, none of them grabbed me the way Johan did (purposeful double entendre there). Both of them were great in their own ways, but Johan seemed more fully realized to me than either of them. He had the quirks, faults, insecurities, talents and complex strengths of a real person. He really read as “real”. I appreciated the way that Cole explored his wounds and where they came from. It’s ridiculous how hard it is for men to express the softer sides of them without condemnation. I loved that Johan got to find that safe place again first with Nya and then, more truly, within himself. Even better, he shared it with his father and Lukas.
Okay, I'm going to stop now before I give all the spoilers but y'all, seriously this is SO GOOD. Do yourself a favor and read it as soon as possible.
I read the follow up, A Duke by Default, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought, ‘okay, cool, this is the one romance series I like.’ Then I read A Prince on Paper. Y’ALL. Alyssa Cole has made a convert of me. I want to bring offerings to her author altar and thank her for the goodness that A Prince on Paper is in my life. First of all, the writing was even better than any of the previous, already well-written, novels. I felt that Cole’s ending (but gods above is there anything we can do to get her to continue??) was the most matured and rounded-out of the three books. Both of the previous novels had points of plot-stuff that dragged just a tad for me, but not so with this one. All of the plot kept me interested (and not skimming, looking for romantic banter. I love a pageful of romantic banter). But it was the two main characters I loved the most.
I adored them both equally. But I’m gonna start with my girl first. Naughty young antelope. In Nya I found the first romantic lead that I could identify parts of myself with. Her journey in many ways felt like a mirror for my own. It gave me a whole new gratitude for some of the choices I’ve made that honoured myself, even when they frustrated or dumbfounded others in my community. In Nya I saw someone else doing the same, and rejoiced with her as she found her way. Her happy ending felt truly joyful to me.
As much as I loved Nya, without Johan I’m not sure I would’ve had such a deep love for this book (a love as such that I called two of my best friends and demanded that they read the series so I could have someone to talk to about this book in particular. They’re both dragging their feet so here I am. Writing my feelings). Though I liked the earlier Royals heroes, none of them grabbed me the way Johan did (purposeful double entendre there). Both of them were great in their own ways, but Johan seemed more fully realized to me than either of them. He had the quirks, faults, insecurities, talents and complex strengths of a real person. He really read as “real”. I appreciated the way that Cole explored his wounds and where they came from. It’s ridiculous how hard it is for men to express the softer sides of them without condemnation. I loved that Johan got to find that safe place again first with Nya and then, more truly, within himself. Even better, he shared it with his father and Lukas.
Okay, I'm going to stop now before I give all the spoilers but y'all, seriously this is SO GOOD. Do yourself a favor and read it as soon as possible.