3.75

Romance has never been my favorite genre, however, I do have a soft spot for princes and princesses. I went into this book not expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised about how much I liked it.
I found the characters to be fully fleshed out and very like able. The pacing of this book is slow, and I struggled through the first hundred pages before I was “hooked”. I am so invested in these characters now and I look forward to book 2.

Unfortunately this book really wasn’t for me.
I was excited to get to read an ‘arranged marriage/marriage of convenience’ story with the backdrop of a royal family.
Those are two of my favourite tropes but I really feel they weren’t utilised as well as possible in the book.
I felt it took too long for the character to finally meet and that the motivations weren’t enough for me to think this would happen (obviously there has to be some suspended reality in romance books but this for me just wasn’t right)
I wasn’t rooting for the relationship and therefore didn’t actually care what happened in it.
It had a few good moments, and I did like some of the characters but it wasn’t enough for me to get fully invested in the book.

The Prince's Bride by J.J. McAvoy was one dreamy, swoony, steamy and one hundred percent adorable ride. It was entertaining. It was witty and funny. It made my romance lover heart so happy! I cannot tell you enough just how much pure romance goodness this story had!

Odette and Gale has found themselves in similar situation. Gale aka Prince of Ersovia is being forced by his royal family to marry a rich heiress to save his family from a royal financial disgrace. Odette is being forced by her mother to get married so that she can get her inheritance from hee business mogul father that in under dispute with her stepmother and stepsister. And Gale is the perfect candidate for her. None of them is thrilled by this arranged marriage plan. But as Gale comes to Chicago and gets to know Odette, he falls for her immediately. Will Odette feel the same? Is it a true fairytale?

Gale cannot be any more prince even if he tried trust me. This man is straight out of my secret childhood prince fantasies. Gorgeous. Charming. Witty. Poetic. With so much charisma that my heart just couldn't take it! And then the author gave his this mischievous bad boy edge. Lord save me! I was screaming at Odette inside, " GIRL WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED TO FALL IN LOVE?" But that's Odette for you. Stubborn, sassy, independent and talented musician. And completely dazed and negative when it comes to love. She is guarding her heart and resisting all the courting and "royal" gestures because her experience about relationships is not sweet. And the moment she accepts her feelings and I think we are having one of those epic happily ever afters, the author broke my heart with that cliffhanger. I WANT HER TO TAKE THAT MOMENT BACK but I understand it's necessary for the story! Odette and Gale's story has this sweet and tangy flavour. Their banter and their friendship and their chemistry- everything is laced with addictive emotions. I was lost inside their entertaining world.


The Prince's Bride by J.J. McAvoy made me smile like crazy. It made me laugh and it filled my heart with overwhelming feelings. A true royal romance masterpiece. A story I will keep on coming back to and craving for more.

Received ARC through Netgalley and Author for honest review.

PS THE COVER MODEL IS THE MOST PERFECT PRINCE EVER .

Let me first say, I am not really a big YA/NA reader but I really enjoyed this story!!
The leading characters and supporting cast had me vested and I wanted more of each of them.
Prince Galahad (Gale), is just everything you want him to be. A known playboy. The spare heir. The one no one takes seriously The task set before him is one that throws his world upside down.... go get married to save the monarchy.
Odette Wyntor, is still mourning the death of her father when she finds out that to save her and her mothers fortune , Odette must get married. This is the perfect set up for Gale and Odette,
With Gale on board to save the his family , he must now get to Odette and get her on the same page. Which is easier said than done.
I have read all of Miss McAvoy's other books and I will have to say, this one is the most romantic of all her stories. The courting of Odette, is just swoon worthy. Gale, writes her amazing cards and sends flowers. He is impressed with her and is starting to develop feelings for Odette. She on the other hand needs a little more coaxing. Odette has watched her father and mother fall apart and wants nothing to do with that kind of hurt. Steadfast that she is not going to even think about marring Gale, she does agree to at least "date" him.
With romantic dates, hours spent talking and a few stolen kisses, Odette is starting to soften towards Gale.
Family dynamics change and both Gale and Odette are shook to their cores and things are set in motion that could make or break this new happy couple. Is it too much to take on for the couple? Is their new love and happiness enough to tackle what the world has just thrown at them? Questions to be answered in Book 2 due out this year.
I am in it, I am there for the conclusion of the saga that is Prince Gale and Princess Odette. !!!

All I can think is "when is part 2 coming out!?!"

This book was witty, hilarious and just so much fun. Until the end. I have to remember this is JJ McAvoy, she can do sweet but she is the queen of ruthless.

"Her voice. It was like being stabbed right in the heart. It was haunting and heavy. It felt like winter. It was stunningly beautiful and chilled me to the bone."

Gale has lived his entire life as the spare heir and this has been just fine for him, now that the crown has called for him to step up and marry an American heiress in order to secure the financial security of the royal family, things are looking very different for Gale. At first Gale wanted to rebel against a forced marriage but once he is faced with some hard truths about the wellbeing of his family, Gale finds himself on his way to wooing his future wife.

"“You really are the most cold-hearted woman in all the world.”“I told you—”“But still, I won’t give up because global warming will be on my side.” He grinned wide. “Oh, my God! You are so… lame.” I giggled, shaking us both."

••

Odette has her own set of family issues not only have her mother and stepmother been at each others throats fro. The beginning of time but now her late father has thrown a major spanner into the works; if she wants to get her inheritance she needs to marry or it all goes to her stepsister. Now it's not about the money for Odette but she will be damned if anyone makes her mother feel small. So when her mother sets her up with a real life prince, Odette finds herself pushing down her own trust issues to make this work, this however doesn't mean she makes it easy for Gale. Ready to put in the work Gale gives his all to wooing Odette. With the young couple just finding their feet how will a life changing blow in Ersovia leave them?

"How do you vex me? Let me count the ways. One, you vex me in sight. Your face haunts me day and night. Two, you vex me in might. Your wit matches mine fight by fight. Three, the most vexing is how amused you leave me. —Gale."

••

Just WOW! McAvoy is a mastermind this woman is beyond talented and I am extremely grateful for the chance to read this e-ARC. I absolutely feel in love with Odette and Gale, this couple was perfect for each other. I loved watching them dance around their growing attraction.

••

"“Though you do know, you just admitted you do not want to end up in my bed.”“No. I don’t.” He sat back. “I want you to end up in mine.”“What’s the difference?”“There is no leaving my bed.” Holy shit. I am not in the kiddie pool, anymore."

I loved that Odette was a strong Black woman that didn't let anyone walk all over her, especially her stepmother. As for her stepsister, I'm not to convinced she is as innocent as she claims but let's see what happens next. Now on to our dashing prince Gale, this man was the perfect hero! I loved that he opened up to Odette and showed her his softer side. I have to say that both of Gale's sidekicks were hilarious and added so much love and colour to the novel.

••

In true McAvoy fashion we were left with a major cliffhanger, I am just dying to know how Gale and Odette's story ends. The Prince's Bride was an amazing read that not only had me hooked from the very start but also showcased McAvoy diverse repertoire. I can not wait to see what else she has planned!

Gale is a prince of the House of Monterey. Despite being a royal family, they have lost money in bad investments and the situation is not good.
The solution? Well, Gale will have to marry someone wealthy to save his family from bankruptcy.
The lucky girl is Odette Wyntor, one of the heirs of an American and very wealthy family. But she will receive nothing unless she gets married.
Both of them needs the marriage. But first, the need to know each other a little bit. That's why Gale is sent to USA. And he is really surprised when he sees that Odette is much more than what he had expected.
I looooooved this story. The characters are fun, fresh. And the banter between them is hilarious.
But, Oh My...I was not expecting that end!! I need to read the second part like yesterday!

Wow! This is a great book. The story is very similar to Cinderella, including the evil stepmother. Gale and Odete are funny, and charming. They are opposites in some ways, but work well together. The other characters just add to the entertainment. I'm anxious to read Part 2. This ebook did have a few typos. Hopefully that can be fixed before publishing.

I was given an ARC is exchange for my feedback.

Thank you publisher and NetGalley for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. My review is my own and not influenced by others.

This was the first book I’ve read by this author and I liked it much. It was a sweet, lovely and funny read with a nice writing style and characters I liked from the start.

I received this book from NetGalley and am providing an honest review.

I requested The Prince's Bride based on author alone (the cover isn't really doing it for me). JJ McAvoy has written some of my favorite books and this one did not disappoint.

For anyone who is familiar with her work, I must warn that this was a slow burn romance (sooo slow), which I was unaware of before starting this book. But, I can't say that I mind.

I was super into the characters! I initially thought Wilhelmina (who I picture as Vanessa Williams) was going to be the typical rich, overbearing mother but she turned out to just be a mom who was doing what she thought was best for her child. Odette was pretty down-to-earth considering she was the child of a billionaire. Gale was both romantic and goofy, which was a surprising yet welcome combination. Iskandar was a loyal guard who still got some good digs on Gale. Wolfgang's youth was apparent through some of his missteps as a royal assistant, but it was endearing. Arty was the stern yet loving brother.

I laughed out loud in quite a few places, mostly at the banter/interactions between Gale and Odette. And I loved that Gale wrote Odette letters. And I appreciated the relationship that Gale had with Odette's mother and the way Odette stood up for Wilhelmina where it really mattered.

It does end on a cliffhanger for those of you that don't like that. But part 2 of 2 comes out one month later, so maybe just wait til both books are out before diving in. I almost wish I had because I really want to see how Gale and Odette's story progresses and reading an ARC means I have even longer til the next installment is out. I will wait patiently, though :-).

Review: The Prince's Bride by J.J. McAvoy

5/5

The Prince's Bride follows two very different characters, Gale and Odette. Gale is a prince from a small European nation while Odette is the daughter of an American Silicon Valley developer and investor. Gale has been ordered to marry an heiress by his father, the King. Odette must marry in order to receive her half of her late father's inheritance. Neither is happy about the situation and neither want to marry. But their families have forced them together in the hopes that they are compatible.

I don't think I can say enough good things about this story! Gale and Odette are both wonderful characters with well flushed back stories. The side characters bring color and comedy to the story. I laughed. I cried. And then I wanted more! This story is just book 1 and I already can't want for book 2! I could read about Gale and Odette's adventures forever.

Oh my goodness, I honestly was not expecting my feelings at the end of this book. I was a bit hesitant at the beginning, thought the idea and fake monarchy/country was a bit too much of a reach. Then I remembered that is a stupid reason, bring on the fake European country and drama! I fell hard for both Gale and Odette (totally obsessed with this name now). THAT ENDING!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait for the next one. 4.5 stars

Wow, this was such a fabulous read. I will say this one started off very slow for me, took several chapters to really connect and like the characters and get engaged with the story but once I did, I couldn't put it down.

Gale and Odette were such great characters. I loved the dynamic the author developed with them and loved the slow burn happening pretty much the majority of the book. Slow burn for me is something that either works or just drags on and on and I must say the author did it so well in this story. I loved their banter and I loved the back and forth letters and texts, it just helped build that connection and the chemistry with them.

I really loved Gale's character and love that we got both his and Odette's POV to really get inside both characters head. I think had we not gotten Gale's POV, his character would have come off as fake and cheesy but being able to get that connection, you couldn't help but fall in love with him. Didn't hurt that he is also a prince.

I really loved Odette's sassy and strong characteristics, as well as her sarcasm. I loved that she started off so cold hearted but slowly began to open up and break down her walls to truly let Gale in.

The only downside of the this book for me was two things. First, I felt like the story jumped scenes and time when I didn't feel like the last one was done and was left feeling like I was robbed of some story that I really wanted. Second, I kind of wished I had went into this book knowing there was a sequel, When I got to the end and it just abruptly stopped, I again felt robbed and needed more. Had I known I wasn't getting the whole story, My mindset would have definitely been different and I would have been prepared for the cliff hanger ending

All in all a fabulous book that I am now dying for the sequel

I loved the premise of this book. A contemporary royal romance with a multicultural hero and heroine. There is also a meddling Mother and controlling Father from the grave. This book starts off slow. It has great parts in the beginning such as the lawyers office with mother and step mother. Also the sisters relationship is great. The book starts off slow and gets good about halfway through. The Hero was he’s to like at the beginning and I like the fact that the Hero is a writer. I’m the book is a cliffhanger.

Thank you, NetGalley for giving me this arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
I am not a stranger to j.j. McAvoy’s books. I really love her ruthless people series. This book was very different from her other books that I have read. This had a slow burn romance which I both hated and loved. She certainly knows how to write a compelling story. While I didn’t love this book the way I loved her others, I liked it and it was a good read for me. I certainly recommend to any romance lover. If you are not a fan of slow-burn romance you will certainly have angry moments reading this book.

JJ McAvoy is one of my favourite authors. Her ruthless people trilogy is one of the best mafia romance series I've ever read. Unfortunately, this one, didn't quite measure up. I knew going in that this was gonna be different and a slow burn romance novel. Here's what I didn't like:

The first 30% of the book was spent setting the scene and introducing the characters. At this point, Odette seemed like a lovely character; responsible and decisive. She also had a job of her own as a well known singer so I knew she wasn't just a spoiled rich heiress which endeared me to her. Her mother Wilhelmina seemed like an aggressive character. She was hell bent on securing Odette's share of her fortune and I didnt like her in the beginning, but she grew on me as the story progressed and Odette's stepmother revealed her true colours ie buying out Odette's shares in her father's company. I was eager to see how Odette would handle the situation.

Instead the next 40% of the book had Gale writing Odette charming letters and going grocery shopping together and cooking in the kitchen. This would've been interesting if the plot had progressed as well. All this time spent together and yet Odette was going back and forth on her feelings for Gale which was frankly annoying beyond a certain point. I was expecting more of an 'arranged marriage' trope and this was not one of those.

Towards the end of the book Odette decides to just get married to him 'on a whim' atleast thats what it looks like because at this point the plot itself hadnt progressed at all.
Besides this, the attraction and chemistry between Gale and Odette seemed forced and unnatural.
Also there were quite a few spelling and grammar errors throughout the book.

I'll definitely pick up JJ's other books in the future but I'm not invested enough in Gale and Odette's story to pick up the next book in this duet.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

A modern royal romance where a royal prince and an American heiress are told they need to marry each other to help bring both families out of debt. But feelings begin to happen, true feelings- that have them both doing something out of tradition for the royal family, and when tragedy strikes, will their love stand the test of what is to be expected?

Odette is a stubborn, feisty American heiress who can have access to her inheritance once she marries.
Gale is a playboy prince who’s family is in need of money to get out of debt. The only solution is for him to marry for money. American money.

At first I wasn’t sure if I was going to get into this, but after a few chapters I started to really enjoy it. I don’t think it actually hooked me until more towards the end when the climax started to happen, but overall it was a good read and I’m anxious to see where part 2 takes us after part 1’s ending.

I liked this book. I enjoyed it more than I expected to as it is a verrrrry slow burn (don't expect anything too steamy lol). It is very cute and quite funny. It's a royal romance but at times I almost forgot about that because of the book's setting. I really liked Gale as a character and Odette grew on me. I like them as a couple and was always eager to get back to the book whenever I had a chance. Note: This is not the first book I have read by J.J. McAvoy but it definitely feels different from her other mafia series. The book ends on a cliffhanger that actually surprised me and this book is part 1 with part 2 coming later so don't expect a HEA quite yet.

ARC Provided by NetGalley in exchange for an Honest Review.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book; it was definitely a slow burn, but there was great dialogue and an engaging plot. I am excited for the second part of this novel to be released!! I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Holy guacamole!!!

This story had me on the edge of my seat the entire time!

The. Entire. Time.

I loved this story - beginning to end! Please note this is part 1 and there will be a part 2. Now we gotta patiently wait for pet 2. *sigh*
He’s a price from a country who is in need of money. A playboy prince who has no issues sleeping with a married woman and another woman. I didn’t think I would like him. (I’m going off on a tangent. Oops!)
Solution - marry a woman with lots of money. Enter Odette. Daughter to a deceased billionaire.
I don’t want to tell you if or why anything happens. I went into this story blind and I hope you go in the same way. Trust me on this one.

I CANNOT wait for part 2 to be released!