Is Alyssa Cole the Beyoncé of contemporary romance lit? PLEASE DISCUSS.
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Some points to consider: her style is fierce and unapologetically feminist. Her work is artful & fun, sexy as hell, but gives no quarter. And she’s coming for your false “high art/low art” dichotomy like it talked smack about her mother.
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There is a Medium post there that I hope someone will write but until they do, feel free to take my word for it. Or decide for yourself by picking up A PRINCE ON PAPER, the 3rd in Cole’s Reluctant Royals series.
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In this installment we follow Nya (cousin of Book 1’s Naledi) as her encounters with playboy prince Johan at Ledi & Biso’s wedding spins out into a fake engagement and an adventure with him into a small Western European country (cue choruses of “Colonizer!” in EXTREME Shuri voice).
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This set-up, you’re saying to yourself, is a little ridiculous. Duh! It’s a romance novel, & one refreshingly self-aware of its own genre. As ever, Cole weaves an implausible plot device into a story with real humans, tangible emotions & rich relationships...as well as some mild censure of colonialism, imperialism, & historical erasure. The characters also contend with issues of reparations, mental health, & gender identity in a way that felt organic & satisfying. And as a bonus, there’s a ‘phonetic accommodation’ shoutout that I am HERE FOR whether it’s a defense of Meghan Markle or not.
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I felt like Nya could’ve had a bit more of an edge, & in a script-flip from the first two books, it was Johan—a fiercely protective older brother who has never quite recovered from his mother’s death & society’s ruthless & prurient gaze—who I found the more compelling/relatable character. No spoilers, but: what a delightful send-up of toxic masculinity.
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My one gripe with this book was its epilogue, which felt like superfluous over-reach. Maybe publishing houses require them? Maybe I am a giant Grinch who side-eyes HEA through squinted gaze?? (I am.) But I literally NEVER WANT THE EPILOGUE, & that was extra-true here.
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I read this dARC thanks to @netgalley & @harpercollinsus but am eager to throw my money at a print copy when it comes out tomorrow!

Out of all the previous books in the Reluctant Royals series, I enjoyed this one the most. I really liked Nya and Johan as characters and as a couple. Even though they are both royalty in some way, they both have their own issues which are relatable to the readers. Their growth as characters and as a couple was immensely satisfying. Another reviewer said it and I agree that this felt like an adult relationship. They discussed their feelings and opinions with maturity and understanding. This is definitely one of the better romance novels I've read in awhile.

This is my favorite Alyssa Cole book that I've read so far. I loved both of main characters, Johan and Nya, and the plot avoided some of the tedious troupes I think held back the previous two Reluctant Royals books. Johan was a compassionate brother who hides his softer side from the world because he is afraid of being hurt. Nya has survived her father's abuse (which we learned about in book one) but has kept her strength and optimism. Their fake relationship turns into friendship and then turns into something more while they adventure through a new country as the setting and meet new characters. But fans of the series will be happy to see the return of Naledi and Portia, as well as their leading men. I really enjoyed reading about how each of the characters grow and open up more to the world through their trust in each other. This was a funny, compelling, and steamy romance book that I couldn't put down. I'm glad I stuck it out with this trilogy because this is my favorite of them all.

I loved this entry in the Reluctant Royals series. Nya and Johan don't have a clue that they are meant to be together, and both have a lot of personal issues to oversome, but love wins out in a most satisfactory manner. It's nice to see a shy heroine develop and grow her strengths. I am looking forward to what comes next for this author.

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

[Excerpt]:

About two months ago I requested this book on NetGalley, and I was a little surprised when I was granted a copy. The first thing I had to do was read the first 2 books in the series, so I immediately went about doing that. I understood that the books could technically be read as stand-alones, but in order to really appreciate the characters’ relationships in book 3, I wanted to start from the beginning.

“A Princess in Theory” was decent. I thought it was interesting to read about a woman (especially a POC woman) who was so focused on a career in sciences. That’s unusual in romance novels; in my experience, the woman’s career often has something to do with the arts (photography, painting, interior designing) or more “feminine” fields like wedding planning and office assistant/secretary. I was pleasantly surprised by this aspect. Then there was “A Duke By Default,” which I enjoyed a little more because I’m always up for an “age gap” romance, and I liked that it took place internationally. Sometimes reading books based in America gets…tiresome. I also took a few days to read the first novella of the series, “Once Ghosted, Twice Shy” which I didn’t enjoy as much as I thought I would, and I was disappointed – I had high expectations for that one. Instead, I was kind of bored.

Then, finally, I came to “A Prince on Paper.” I can say without a doubt it’s my favorite of the series so far!

I really liked how Nya was extremely shy and innocent because she’d lived a sheltered life. She often had no idea how relationships worked, and it was amusing at times to see her fumble to keep up the facade. She was naive, but not in a bad way. Sometimes naive/innocent characters can come across as stupid, annoying, and/or cringe-worthy, but although I periodically felt embarrassed on Nya’s behalf (whenever she unironically said “eggplant emoji” or “peach emoji”), I thought it was really endearing! Especially because I could imagine her saying certain things in her African accent.

[Full review on my blog!]

I adore Alyssa Cole's Reluctant Royals series and this may be my favorite of the novels yet--and the steamiest. It was funny, the plot kept me interested, and I'm completely in love with both Nya and Johann. As ever, the cover is gorgeously perfect also.

My first book by this author and it was just so good! I wish I had read the rest in the series because I think I would have liked it even more. I am rectifying that situation very soon! Highly recommend this sexy, funny, romantic book with two fabulous and engaging lead characters!

This was a magnificent and satisfying continuation of this series. I really enjoyed this. I was a million percent surprised (in the best possible way) with the Lukas story line and I would like to hear more from their perspective in the future. I thought the Nya and Johan were excellent characters and I loved their relationship.

I received an ARC of A Prince on Paper by Alyssa Cole from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the final installment of Alyssa Cole’s Reluctant Royals series. I have thoroughly enjoyed all the books in this series, and I was excited to see how it ended. I had a hard time getting into this book. It took me over a week to finish it as I would read a chapter or two and then move on to something else. But once I got about 60% in, it really picked up and I loved the ending. The book had humor and heart and lots of growth in both of the main characters. Cole’s writing is fantastic. I guess it was just a slower burn than I prefer.

I give this book 3.5 stars. I probably will reread this in a few months to see if it was just my mood that made it difficult to stay interested because it really was a good story and beautifully told.

Absolutely delightful! I adored Nya and Johan their relationship starts a bit rocky but this is a romance so you know everything works out. I think these are two people that needed each other and were always expected to be and act a certain way. My favorite scene was when Nya gets her period for the first time in a long time at the wedding of her bff and Johan walks behind her out of the hall and *gasp* her period doesn’t gross her out! Amazing! We should all be so lucky to have a Johan in our lives.

Thank you for approving me for this title, it was great getting to read it a few weeks early! I adore this series and Portia and Tavis's book spoke to me on such a personal level that I knew it would be a hard act to follow, but Nya and Johan's story didn't disappoint. Finally, while I'm sorry the current trilogy is finished, I'm looking forward to whatever Alyssa Cole does next, and I'm so happy her diverse, woke, geek-friendly brand of romance is out there--and I hope it keeps getting more and more of the sales and recognition it deserves.

After finishing A Duke By Default earlier this month I excitedly requested A Prince on Paper from NetGalley. I really enjoyed the fact that I had already been introduced to Portia in book two, and so I was excited to read book three where I would know both main characters.

A Prince On Paper follows Johan, the Playboy Prince of Liechtienbourg, who draws attention to himself in order to keep his brother out of the spotlight. It also follows Nya, the cousin of Ledi from A Princess in Theory, whose father that is currently in jail was emotionally abusive and kept her from living the life she always wanted. The two get drawn together and eventually enter into a fake engagement, and as you can imagine, the romance sparks from there.

I really liked both main characters in this one! Johan is a playboy with a heart of gold. I loved how the two of them first met, and I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest at how their relationship progressed from there. I also appreciated how complex Nya was. She has a lot to work through after years of her father’s gaslighting, and it’s wonderful watching her develop into her own person and finding out exactly who she is, after being told how to exist for years. I also felt that the two characters worked really well together, helping the other grow, but also giving the other enough space to be their own person.

While their relationship was hands down my favorite part of the book, I also really appreciated Johan’s family. I ADORED his relationship with his step-father, the king. I appreciated how it was actually a loving, caring relationship, even though the two were not bound by blood and no longer had Johan’s mother to connect them. I also liked Lukas, Johan’s brother, but not as much as I would have liked. I loved how much Johan cared for him, but I did feel like the lack of communication between the two brothers was dragged on for a bit longer than preferable.

I also really wasn’t a fan of Nya’s grandmother and how much she belittled Nya. I know it was sort of addressed, but I wasn’t satisfied with how it was handled. While I’m happy that she spurred on the fake engagement, her overprotectiveness over Nya had me groaning and rolling my eyes.

I also will admit that the plot of the referendum on whether or not the Liechtienbourg monarchy remained, lost my interest after a while. Especially as I began to figure some things out ahead of time.

Despite the issues with the side characters and the plots, I really did enjoy this book for the romance it promised and it may very well be my favorite of the Reluctant Royals series! It was definitely worth the read! If you haven’t already started the series, I’d honestly recommend starting from the beginning, but just know that they get better as they go!

The latest book in the Reluctant Royals series, A PRINCE ON PAPER is the story of Nya and Johan. After years of being passing acquaintances, Johan impulsively asks Nya to pretend to be his fiancée as a PR move against his playboy image. You can probably guess how this works out for them!

I love the trope of a fake relationship, and this one is a stunner. Mix in some shades of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and A PRINCE ON PAPER stacks up nicely with the other books in this series.

This installment sees Nya reunited with previous series heroines Naledi and Portia, and it’s so wonderful to have them all together. I love that Nya turns to her friends for support and advice in a way that’s treated as equal to or more important than the support she receives from Johan. Noting that, I do think this is one of the rare romance novels where you do need to read the other books to put this one into context. Otherwise a lot of the conversations and references to secondary characters and events from the other books won’t make any sense.

I really appreciated how trauma was treated in this book - how it can be triggered in seemingly nonsensical ways. Even when the characters’ motivations for keeping secrets didn’t really make sense to me, those motivations made sense in their minds, and those lasting effects were illustrated painfully and beautifully.

I won’t spoil it, but suffice to say this story has a really lovely queer subplot (which more than makes up for Likotsi being barely present in this book, all books should have more Likotsi).

I wanted to love this book as much as I loved the others in this series. Unfortunately, it just didn't capture my attention, and I found myself picking up other books instead of this one.

Heat Factor: Toasty warm and playful, too
Character Chemistry: The more I get to know you, the more I adore your hidden gem qualities
Plot: Let’s have a fake engagement and we both get something
Overall: With multiple opportunities for stupid misunderstanding angst, it was soooooo satisfying to read an adult relationship

Well hello, Alyssa Cole. I see what all the hype is about. This book is sweet and fun and has so many feels!

Nya and Johan both have issues. Nya is recovering from learning that her father has been controlling her for his entire life (a combination of emotional manipulation and poison was very effective). Johan was bullied as a child and also lost his mother unexpectedly when he was 17, so he has learned to use a carefree, playboy personality as a smoke screen (he seems to have aaaaaaaall the sex).

From their personal emotional baggage to a ridiculous game Nya plays to nonsense associated with the referendum, there are plenty of opportunities for conflicts between Nya and Johan to arise from misunderstandings and a lack of communication, but Cole doesn’t do that to us. I do love it when people who supposedly love each other actually … I don’t know … talk to each other about problems or concerns instead of making messes by way of assumption and mistrust. There’s one great moment that springs to mind during which Johan learns something about Nya that seems particularly damning, and he just asks her about it and then believes her. What crazy non-drama is this? Love, love, love grown-ups acting like grown-ups, even when they do have some heavy emotional baggage to navigate in order to make their relationship work.

I usually don’t seek out or love romance novels with imaginary settings (there’s usually enough imagination going on in the books I read), but the imaginary benevolent monarchies work for this book. Nya is related to royalty from the imaginary African monarchy, Thesolo, while Johan is the stepson of the King of the imaginary European monarchy, Liechtienbourg. Their experiences are shaped by the physical setting in which they were raised. She’s demure and has a hard time getting out of her shell like she wants to, while he is, like, Europe’s favorite playboy prince. (See what she did there?) After two years not really talking to each other in New York, they have some forced proximity during royal wedding festivities in Thesolo, culminating in a spontaneous fake engagement that isn’t totally nuts because it’ll help the royal family of Liechtienbourg with a referendum while Nya gets to have a little adventure and stick it to her dad.

Another aspect of this story that I particularly enjoyed centered on representation. If you’re doing a reading challenge and are looking for a book by an author of color or featuring protagonists of color, look no further! But this book wasn’t particularly centered on race or the interracial relationship. Nya and Johan were simply themselves. We can see from the cover that it looks like Nya checks a “representation” box, but that’s not all, readers! For most of the book, it sort of flies under the radar (pay attention!), but Johan does not identify as straight, and I think Cole intentionally did not have him self-identify as bisexual either. He’s just not straight. This also doesn’t really matter for the story, except that it facilitates a conversation with Johan’s brother. Now we arrive at a well-executed storyline that provides some meaningful discussion of culture and identity. We get numerous hints that Johan’s younger brother Lukas is trying to express an authentic identity, and, as the heir to the throne, is having a really hard time. What’s a royal to do? It’s not like there’s an opportunity to fly under the radar, and celebrity gossip is brutal. The answer might be a HEA for everyone.

This book was great. Give it a go!

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

This was completely amazing! Nya and Johan stole my heart. Loved how the story progressed between and how we figured out more them. Also enjoyed the mythology that Cole played into the story. And how Cole also brought in Lukas in as a character and how it help them and Johan become more closer.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for this early copy!

I recommend checking out this new novel from Alyssa Cole and the rest of this great series!

This was my least favorite of the series. I found Nya to be an unbelievable character the way she was written. I found it too hard to believe that she avoided talking to him all those years but was fine being so forward in the bedroom, especially after it was mentioned that she’d only ever kissed one person before.
I also didn’t enjoy the app game aspect of it, as that just felt like it was contrived as a way to set up a later plot point that was necessary for conflict. I found myself rolling my eyes every time it was me
I loved Lukas’ character and their relationship with Johan, but that came in after almost half the book. It felt like two separate stories - like it could have ended after they left Thesolo.
I enjoyed seeing the characters from the other books, especially Ledi and Thabiso.
I still enjoy this series, but Nya is my least favorite character.

A Prince On Paper
By Alyssa Cole

This adorable romance has 2 of my favorite tropes... Bad boy with a heart of gold loves the soft girl gaining her indepence, and FAKE DATING!!! Was this book written just for me?

Nya is on her way back to her home country for a royal wedding. On her plane home, she finds a passenger that she wasn't informed would be there. Prince Johan is the Bad Boy Prince on the outside, and has his reasons as to why he behaves the way he does.
After an awkward encounter on the plane, they continue to be forced together by fate, as well as friends and family.
Nya has been through the ringer, and is still healing from the manipulation and abuse from her father. She wants nothing more than freedom, and to feel confident and glamorous. She feels awkward around men, and prefers dating sims. She particularly enjoys the game called One True Prince.
Johan has been watching Nya for a long while, and doesn't mind being with her. He feels he can be his normal self with her, and he is a fiercely loyal man. Loyal to his family, his country, and he wants to be there for Nya. After the loss of his mother, he isnt sure he wants commitment to any woman.
THE FRIENDSHIPS!
The depiction of adult friendship within this series has always warmed my heart, and I feel it is more of a focus in this particular novel. The ladies are particularly great for me. They are geeks, and you can tell how much they love each other.
The male trio also care deeply for each other. They do their best to protect their friendship and their women, and I love watching it.
All in all, it was a great book! Thank you to Alyssa Cole for the blessing that is this series.

*May Contain Spoilers*A Prince on Paper is the third full-length installment in the Reluctant Royals series and I am not sure if this author plans on more books in this series, but if not I have adored every moment in reading these books and I love the humor and endearing qualities that we have seen in this series. I always get a kick out of a well written royal romance, and man no one does it better than Alyssa Cole. Ever since Duke By Default, I have been so stoked for this story, I loved seeing these two characters in the previous books and I had a delightful time seeing them find their own happily ever after.A Prince on Paper begins with our heroine, Nya Jerami, who once fled Thesolo, wanting to be free and find herself in the glamour of New York City. But it just didn't work out that way for her. New York City wasn't quite the experience that she was hoping for and now with her cousin and friend having their wedding in Thesolo, she will be going back home and back to the painful memories. But on the plane ride home, she finds herself in a bed with the bad boy prince....Johan von Braustein. There has always been a bit of chemistry between Nya and Johan but with the distance between them, nothing has really cemented between them until they come to close quarters with each other and for the first time Nya is beginning to find herself and see beneath the bad boy exterior that Johan hides behind. Johan and Nya are both hiding from their pasts. Johan hides from emotion, ever since his mother died he has never been able to open himself up. He hides behind the man the paparazzi knows and to protect his younger brother who is the heir to Liechtienbourg. But secretly he supports multiple charities with his own funds, in a way to honor his mother. But he can't let anyone know the truth, its something he wants to do on his own without any recognition so he can help others without it being tainted by his bad reputation. But Johan has secretly had a love for Nya but hides it until the wedding in Thesolo and he sees a woman of courage and strength that he wants to bring out in the light, a woman who hides a big part of herself. But when they go on a journey together, from the wilds of Thesolo to the city of Liechtienbourg, their love for each other will be revealed and a passion neither of them realized until now...A Prince on Paper is a beautiful romance that delivers in every way possible. I had such a blast with this book and still debating which book in the series is my favorite but honestly....a Prince on Paper is a good match for the previous two books. I loved it just as much as the previous books and I just devoured this story. There is something that Alyssa Cole does with these books that are so amazing and I can't ever get enough of her writing especially in her contemporary love stories. There is quite a bit that we see happen in this story and boy all the diverse themes that we get introduced to including a surprising character that is a transgender but not quite in the way I have ever seen in a romance gave me all the delightful feels. The romance between Johan and Nya has a mix of unrequited love, royalty mix, road trip adventure, and fake relationship. We first get to see their interaction when they find themselves in the same bed and boy do sparks fly between these two here. Then we skip to when Nya arrives in Thesolo and all of her friends are there including the couple from "Once Ghosted Twice Shy" so it was fun seeing them again for a brief moment. Then we have Nya having to face up to some painful memories and how her father is still trying to torment her. We get a more in-depth look on the crimes that her father committed against Nya. It's so heartbreaking to see her face up to these memories but also how the people in Thesolo treat her, always talking behind her back as if she committed the crimes too. But we see that Nya was a victim and a survivor. But she is still learning about her own strengths and capabilities and trying to find herself. We see how the bantering that happens between Johan and Nya is what they both really need. You see them both come out of their shells and the covers they hide behind and love seeing this unveiling.But when Nya agrees to act as the fake fiancee for Johan, they go on an adventure together. I enjoyed seeing Nya and Johan explore their sexuality with each other while trying to act like what they have is just a temporary situation. But both their hearts are becoming involved with the act that they are trying to play and trying to solve the mystery of who is sabotaging the royal family.  There was a couple that we did meet that are having marriage problems....would love to see their story for sure!! There is so much unexpected emotion that I didn't expect and I swear that Alyssa Cole does this on PURPOSE!! I swear she breaks my heart each and every time I pick up one of her books, but in a positive way. I love how much these two are in tune with each other, the ways they bring out the best in each other and always help each other become better. There is so much intimate growth in their relationship that we see happen and this is a delightful development that we see happen between Johan and Nya. I adored every single moment of this novel and was so sad to see it end because I fell head over heels in love with Johan and Nya. Overall I found A Prince on Paper a delightful fairy tale of true love in the least expected moments, a story of hidden emotion, secret courage and plenty of amusing antics to delight you from head to toe!! A SPARKLING GEM!