I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoy these Harlequin romance mangas. I love the illustrations. I love the stories and since the stories are from actual books, sometimes it even motivates me to go and read the book for more details. Love it.

Cute story, I liked the characters. I didn't really enjoy the story of this one as much as i thought I would have. I really LOVED the art work throughout this story. I have not read a lot of manga before, but I do appreciate these quick stories. I am looking forward to reading more like this.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Harlequin/SB Creative as the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Book title : Pretender to the Throne : a Harlequin Manga

Author : Maisey Yates ; Illustrator : Masami Shinohara

Release Date : 13 March 2019

Xander, the heir to the throne of Kyonos, a small island kingdom in Aegean Sea has returned! He demands Layna, his former fiancé to come back and accompany him ruling the country. Meanwhile, Layna has already enjoyed her quiet life as a nun in training. She likes it there because she can keep the scars in her face and particularly in her heart for herself.

As the story goes on, Layna finally decides to help Xander. Little that Xander and Layna know, their togetherness also brings some sparks particularly sexual tension and emotional bounds to each other. There is one thing that need to deal before admitting their attraction: the ghosts from their own past. 

I am not going to spoil everything here as I am sure that it is something you do have to read as a reader. The ending of the story and the whole plot make this story as an interesting manga to read. What is missing is sometimes the transition between one scene to the other that does not go smoothly. Yet still, the story is as a sweet romance  wrapped in manga style to read!

Review: https://literatureisliving.wordpress.com/2019/04/13/__trashed/

I liked this story of redemption and self-acceptance. Lush royal life, dramatic events, a second chance romance, and the weight of guilt and shame on the soul are the main elements.

At first, the characters seem too burdened by their past to overcome them, but they each stimulate thte other in turns until they grow and heal and finally accept a hew hope.

The heir to the throne and the scarred nun seem an impossible union, but the plot works well with heavy secrets, and a much needed love for both characters as they come to accept their flaws and losses thanks to their mutual feelings.

The drawings are beautiful except for a few sharp bursts of violent feelings where the characters have too large open mouths and distorted feaatures. Sometimes the transition between scenes was also brusque and confusing. The romance is slow and and difficult, but worth it.

Xander, prodigal prince and the infamous firstborn heir to the throne of Kyonos, a small island kingdom in the Aegean Sea, has returned home. Layna is at a loss for words when her former fiancé, who now appears before her for the first time in fifteen years, demands that she come with him. Once a candidate to be queen, Layna is now a shadow of her former self, living a quiet life as a nun in training. So why has he returned now? It’s because of him that Layna’s heart and body are permanently scarred, so she refuses his command at first.

However, Layna understands Xander wants to help his country and be worthy of the throne in order to bring peace back and she finally gives in in the hope to serve the nation. But getting to know each other will unlock feeelings none of them can deny. Will they be able to live the fairy tale they were once denied or will the past haunt them and destroy their chance at love? I literally adored this romance, the art has a unique touch and the story is simply beautiful, I recommend it whole-heartedly.

Rushed, sexist, toxic, with two-dimensional characters and an utterly unbelievable premise. Thought it would be a bit of fun, but I was sorely disappointed.

Story was really rushed. The romance is hard to believe and the characters were too one dimensional.