This week we're talking (reluctant) royal romances!
Title: A Princess in Theory (Reluctant Royals #1)
Author: Alyssa Cole
Publisher: Avon
Rating: 3.5 stars
A Princess in Theory was my introduction of Alyssa Cole and I will happily be looking into her other works. A Princess in Theory was a fun take on the "royal prince falls in love with hardened American" trope. This book was basically Coming to America and I loved it! Thabiso (our lovely prince) a had chance to see how the everyday man lived and learned a new appreciation for things that he took for granted. Ledi was very focused on having her dreams come true and didn't have any time for distractions. I preferred the second half of the novel more than the first as it was Ledi's opportunity to find a family that she never thought she had. My one complaint was that it was a bit corny, but I think that was because Thabiso was corny himself.
Title: A Duke by Default (Reluctant Royals #2)
Author: Alyssa Cole
Publisher: Avon
Rating: 4 stars
In A Princess in Theory, Portia was a bit of a mess. She drank too much, shirked responsibilities, and needed her loved ones to take care of her. In A Duke by Default, we got to understand Portia's insecurities and how hard she was working to be seen as "New" Portia. In Scotland, she applied herself and was determined not to let anyone down around her. Her romance with the jaded and older Tavish was sweet with plenty of chemistry. I loved their scenes together and how much they needed each other. More than that, I adored Portia and Ledi's friendship. Portia seemed to use Ledi in A Princess in Theory, but their relationship was sweet in A Duke by Default and they were super protective of each other. I realized that in both books, Cole tended to have a "Scooby Doo" moment. In both books, there is a villain with a plot. The villain and the plot are discovered off -scene with characters magically appearing on camera outlining the villain's intentions with officials carting the villain off. All that was missing was the villain to damn those meddling kids. It was a bit cheesy and info-dumping. If there was a confrontation rather than an explanation, I would I preferred the ending a bit more.
Have you read these books?
What other Alyssa Cole books would you recommend?
How excited are you for A Prince on Paper?
Labels: 3.5 stars, 4 stars, a duke by default, a princess in theory, alyssa cole, avon, book review, book reviews, les petites revues, reluctant royals, reviews
Title: A Princess in Theory (Reluctant Royals #1)
