This wasn't one of Alyssa Cole's best, but it was definitely a fun read with an unexpected twist at the end. Makeda has spent her life making other people happy, even if that means being a doormat for her lovers, her coworkers, and her mom. When Bez walks into her life, claiming that she is the lost princess and promising that she could make everything right just by showing up to claim and then unclaim her throne, Makeda takes a chance. A LOT of this book takes place on a boat and there is a slow slow slow burn that takes maybe a little too long to uncover. I enjoy AC's books, and the ending made up for it all, but there were some parts that I wish went a little faster.

Rainbows and Sunshine Book Blog
May 25, 2021

I adored this book! It was fun and I totally fell in love with the characters, especially Bez. This has

✔Sapphic Anastasia retelling
✔Fake marriage
✔Bodyguard/princess
✔UST
✔Slowburn
✔Dual POV

Bez is the embodiment of chaotic energy and incredibly charming. She's also neurodivergent, which is something I rarely see in romance. Her family is amzing too!

“Core strength, beauty, and knows how to make a sea slug into an object of affection. You really do win.”

As for Makeda, it took me a couple of chapters to warm up to her but she sort of grows on you. She gives and gives and takes care of everyone but all she wants is someone doing the same for her. Makeda's grandma is a delight and I loved her cat, Kojak, so much!

I haven't read any of the other books set in this world, except for a novella but that did not impede my enjoyment. This definitely can be read as a standalone. I would loved an epilogue to wrap up some of the things, especially their relationship but overall I really enjoyed it.

Makeda and Bez have sizzling chemistry and if you love sea voyages, fake relationships, long lost princesses and a hot bodyguard f/f romance, definitely recommend this one!

*ARC provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review

3.5 Stars

A lovely, twisty take on Anastasia with a bit of a slow start.

Cole is good for many things, but some of the best are the unexpected turns her stories take and her characterization. This latest book the Runaway Royals series capitalizes on Cole’s talents and at the same time fell a bit flat for me.

Let’s start with the things I loved.

An F/F royal story is a great place to start. I loved the fact that would-be princess Makeda Hicks finds herself falling for Beznaria Chetchevaliere, royal investigator for the World Federation of Monarchs. These two are opposite with a hardcore attraction. They have differing personalities and there were elements of Makeda that I found easy to relate to. Especially, Makeda’s description as a ‘multi-tool’. I’m like Makeda in a lot of ways.

Secondary characters, from demon kitty Kojack to a possible future character in the mysterious AK, and even Makeda’s Grandmore were highlights as well. Providing insight and comic relief. Rich, vibrant descriptions along with emotional turmoil was plentiful.

Where the story fell flat is the pacing and mainly with my expectations. This story was a super slow burn romantically. The Anastasia element was there but downplayed in a big way and I often found myself easily able to put the book down and walk away. I loved the characters, but not the way the story itself played out. I won’t lie I wanted more time in Ibarania and more would-be princess stuff, and those expectations were snuffed pretty quick. Not to mention no first kiss until almost seventy percent through the book (note: there was a kiss prior, but it was more a kiss-turned-accident)

Overall, the book is good if you like slow, drawn out romances with plenty of tension. It’s also cute in the way of two awkward women finding themselves and each other. The challenges with plot could very well be me and not the story itself so take those with a grain of salt, but if you prefer fast-paced books this one is not for you.

~ Landra

So once again, reviewing an ARC I didn’t like, except I didn’t even finish this one. This is gonna be short but hopefully not too brutal, again, this could very well be a Me thing and you should all try at least the free sample, other people really loved it and it does seem like such a fun trope.

But man, I did not like the love interest or the dynamic and unlike the other ARCs I wasn’t super into, this is a pure romance, once you’ve lost those two things, what’s left? Everyone around the main character was so pushy, even her family! I hate when people are like that, friends, precocious kids, know-you-better-than-you-know-yourself grandparents, and then the character ends up being grateful? One of my most hated tropes.

And here, it could be both a personal thing as well as just these times we’re living in, because the main character was just so drained and tired and like, I felt that. And these people are just pushing her when she asks them again and again to stop? I couldn’t read more than a few chapters of that.

But uh, don’t take my word for it, heh. It comes out…I guess a few minutes ago, May 25th. The cover looks great, right? And that summary? If you have a higher tolerance for busybody family and chaotic love interests, this could be your thing.

3.75 Stars. This was a super cute romance. I’ve wanted to read Cole for a while so I was happy to get my hands on this book. This is a bit of an Anastasia retelling, but I didn’t really feel much Anastasia while reading this. This was just more of a slow-burn, feel-good romance. This did have a few bumps so this wasn’t a total win for me, but overall I quite enjoyed the read.

I loved the beginning of the book and found it very easy to get sucked into the story. Yes, there were a few things that were over the top, but this book is much more in that fun and fluffy vein. This book actually reminded me of the feel of a Disney movie –I mean the overall vibe and of course I’m not including the sex scenes- and not the old school Disney movies that could be a little sad or terrifying in parts for kids, but the newer, feel-good kind of Disney. I don’t know if it was the royalty and some of the humor, but I couldn’t help feeling that way.

The book is very slow-burn. The chemistry is easy and in your face, and even though it made me roll my eyes at times, I still enjoyed it. I love slow-burn, but I wish they had gotten together a bit faster here. There is no big angst, but some little angst that keeps them apart enough that I wish we had more couple time. The sex scenes had some steam and I was a big fan of the couple they made together. Fauxmances are always my favorite romance trope so I was happy that is what this romance turned out to be.

While I loved the beginning, and later when the characters started to actually get some couple time, there was a bit of a lull in-between. There was a lot of travel time in this book and it is where things slowed down for me. It’s funny since I’m such a big fantasy fans that I’m used to lots of traveling. It normally doesn’t bother me but I’m not a fan of it in a romance. I know it was used for character and relationship growth, but I would have edited some parts out and added time to the end.

The ending is the other part I have mixed feelings apart. I do love twists and being surprised, so I give Cole credit for that, but I wasn’t an overall fan of the ending. We just had this big travel slow-down and then all of a sudden the ending is very hectic and rushed. This whole book was leading up to the ending. You are waiting for the end even more than in a normal romance. And maybe because this is a retelling, or has an adult Disney vibe, but I wanted this big fairytale ending and I didn’t really get it. The ending was fine, and it doesn’t ruin the book, but I was honestly disappointed.

If you are looking for fun, sweet, and a romance that has a bit of a fairytale feel, then this book is for you. It does have its bumps, but the characters were great and it was a fun, feel-good romance. I would absolutely read more of Cole’s WLW stories.

I enjoyed How to Find a Princess. Alyssa Cole is such a good writer that even the parts I struggled with were really good. In fact, the anxiety and frustration I felt about Bez and Makeda was largely because of how real Cole made them to me. I think some people are going to find How to Find a Princess a challenge to get into, and it definitely benefits from a second read. Once I was comfortable with the story, I could appreciate how Bez and Makeda’s relationship developed with much less of the anxiety I experienced on the first read. And once they got on the boat and pretended to be married, the book hit it’s stride.

I adored Beznaria Chetchevaliere in How to Catch a Queen, and was excited to get her romance. Makeda Hicks is a worthy love interest for her. Bez is a delight, but sometimes she was also stressful. I think she’s the first “too much” character that really felt like the people I know and love who are “too much.” I wouldn’t want Bez to be any less, or any different. I was frustrated with her and for her because she was given so many opportunities to be honest and vulnerable with Makeda, and she deflected instead. But once she did let herself be vulnerable, it as delicious.

Makeda feels like she has been weak and allowed herself to be walked on. As Bez comes storming into her life, she is deciding to be stronger and better at saying no. It helps that she doesn’t want what Bez is offering. I love that it she doesn’t learn that she is stronger than she thinks from Bez, but Bez reinforces what Makeda is learning about herself.

As a life long difficult person, I have an affinity for the difficult characters. Bez does lie to Makeda, both to get her own way and also because the situation is slipping out of her control and she doesn’t want to worry Makeda. I related to Bez so much – the hideous mix of good intentions and not wanting to look bad. I adored the compassionate way that they dealt with each other’s insecurities and vulnerabilities. Bez and Makeda earned my whole heart by the end of the book. They danced so awkwardly around each other I wanted to smack them, but they got where they needed to be in the way they needed to get there.

I received this as an advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Makeda works hard to take care of everyone and pushes down her own needs and desires to accommodate others. She might also be a long lost princess. At least Bez thinks she might be. Bez is one of the top ten junior investigators for the World Federation of Monarchists, and she bends their orders to do what she thinks is best.

Makeda, after loosing her job and her girlfriend leaving, moves back to her grandmother's B&B and decides to stop putting what she wants on the backburner. When Bez arrives (breaks in) at the B&B, Makeda has no trouble standing up for herself.

I enjoyed most of this book. Bez's opening scene set this amazing tone that was absolutely delightful. There are three settings: B&B, Boat, and Ibarania. During the B&B section, I really enjoyed the sniping chemistry between the MCs, and getting to see Makeda come out of her shell. During the Boat section, I enjoyed the forced proximity/only one bed/Makeda beginning to live her best life. The MCs really learn to communicate and it's lovely. The (presumed) male MC of the next book is introduced, and he absolutely has my interest.

For as much as I enjoyed the first two sections of the book, the final part really fell flat. There's so much potential there and it was just glossed over. There are some twists and plot things that seemed to come out of nowhere. They happened so fast, and then they were over, without the characters unpacking or addressing what happened very much.

So, about 80% of this book is a really enjoyable Anastasia re-telling, but the last bit feels rushed and unfulfilling.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Oh, how I have waited with great anticipation to read Beznaria Chetchevaliere's story. When her opening scene had her offering a performance review of her boss at her own evaluation with follow-up questions about the purpose and nature of his job (what does he do all day, really? why is he so drastically overpaid?), I already knew it was worth the wait. I'm now indulging in a fantasy where I pull a similar stunt at my own evaluation meeting this week.

But to focus on the story at hand, it's got a fake marriage, an agent of chaos (hi, Bez), and "just one bed" so you can catch me marking up my top romance tropes BINGO card right now. In this royal romance, Makeda reluctantly leaves New Jersey to stake a claim on her family's royal legacy. She's struggling with her mother's obsession with the crown and coming to terms with her own need to be a useful helper until she has nothing left to give. Luckily, Bez is a top 10 investigator (out of 10, but still) and a rescuer of damsels in distress, so the two set off for the Mediterranean in a cargo ship that becomes a home over the course of their two week journey. There's drama and a mega twist right at the end, and there's personal growth and kissing (for starters), so this story was a fun romp on all counts.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the opportunity to read and review this book. It hits shelves this week on 5/25!

I really wanted to like this one but it didn’t quite hit the mark.

Let’s start with the story.
I love the “Anastasia” feel to this story set up with a long lost heir to a throne still out there and an investigator looking for her. While this did occur, the story veered off for more than half with them on a cargo ship which was just odd.

I get that you needed time (granted 12 days) for them to build up feelings but that didn’t even really happen (for me anyway). I would have loved to have seen Makeda adjusting her way to royal life (aka The Princess Diaries) with Bez’s help versus this cargo ship randomness.

As for the characters I understood Makeda’s struggle – always giving more (or too much) but I couldn’t really connect with her.

Bez was a unique character, slightly neuro-different, but definitely more endearing.

There just wasn’t enough to make me buy into them really falling for each other besides a few thoughtful comments from Bez.

Overall, I’d say this book has good writing but I found the story constantly drifting. Instead of being glued to the page, I kept hoping it would wrap up so that says something.

The ending had a great twist but even that was quickly ended and haphazard.

While I’m glad that I read it, something was missing for me in this one.

Makeda has a serious problem with setting boundaries. She would rather push aside her own hurt, disappointment, or frustration so she can tend to others. This has left her single, jobless, and in debt. Her Grandmore takes her in, where Makeda helps run their B&B.

Beznaria Chetchevaliere (we met her in the previous book) works for the World Federation of Monarchists. She’s from the Kingdom of Ibarania, and is in search of the country’s missing heir. She arrives at the B&B, wanting to take Makeda with her back to Ibarania based on a story Grandmore shares about having an affair with their king.

Makeda has a painful history with claims of being a princess-her mother was obsessed with being proclaimed royalty, and her obsession turned to addition. Makeda wants nothing to do with Ibarania, but decides to go along with the plan for two reasons - for the prize money and to prove to her mother she’s not a princess. Meanwhile, Beznaria wants to save the family’s name by bringing home the missing heir and clearing her grandmother of rumors she assassinated the missing queen.

How to Find a Princess had all the makings of a wonderful story, but unfortunately fell flat. I really wanted to love it, but honestly, I should have DNF’d it (It took me three weeks to finish it). I enjoyed seeing Makeda learn to take charge of her life, accepting and embracing her own quirks while no longer allowing others to use her. I admire that she learns to love herself and can make changes without sacrificing her genuine kindness and compassion.

Beznaria, on the other hand, is not a likable character. She is pushy to the point of annoying, and she is extremely selfish. She manipulates Makeda time and time again, convincing herself that her motives and lies are for the greater good, but the greater good is really just her own personal cause. She’s given ample opportunities to come clean and clear the air, yet she continues to hide the truth from Makeda.

The pair continue their charade for the entire book, with a “true connection” coming well into the narrative. Although there is a strong attraction between the pair from the beginning, there was no like for much of the story. There would be glimpses of connection outside of lust, but very little true romantic development. Beznaria’s obsession with clearing her grandmother’s name overshadowed the story, and it never clicked with me. In the end, How to Find a Princess did not work for me.

My rating: C-

AHAHAHAHAAAAA

THAT

TWIST

ENDING!!!!

Damn, this was good.

I simply ADORED the characters, it was the perfect romance for me because I could identify with one lead and swoon over the other. Makeda's need to always be the helpful one and her description of her inner emotional reserves as a watering can spoke to me so, so much. And Bez was the tall, buff damsel-rescuing woman of my dreams, I LOVED her.

I think my one complaint was that the pacing was a little sluggish in the middle, but again, the characters are so great they carried me through. You know a romance is good when at the end your heart feels like a warm, gooey cookie. Asshhfjfjgkh so good.

2.5 stars

I was so excited to see that Avon publishing a Black sapphic romance (especially from the queen that is Alyssa Cole), but this one fell a little flat for me.

Both heroines are funny, endearing, dynamic, and thoroughly realized. However, their motivations felt a little murky to me. The pacing seemed strange throughout, and it almost felt like the rules of the book kept changing. Ultimately, the story didn't feel finished to me when I got to the end, and I was left with a lot of questions about the plot and the future of these characters.

However, I found every single one of the characters in the book to be absolutely delightful, and the writing was strong and funny enough to keep me entertained. The description of "a queer Anastasia retelling" didn't really pan out for me, given that both the emotional tone and the character/plot arcs are so vastly different from Anastasia, but once I let that expectation go, I had a lot more fun reading and watching these characters fall in love.

I am so thrilled that this book exists, even if it didn't quite work for me on all levels.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC.

Seeking the lost princess of Ibarania, Bez travels to the US and convinces Makeda to go with her to the tiny island nation for a DNA test. Along the way, they end up fake married and sharing a bedroom. Can Makeda resist the managing female who's slowly winning her heart?

This royal rom com charmed me from the first page. The plot is full of surprises. The characters are vibrant and unique and real. I never reread books (well, except for Jane Austen), but I may have to reread this one. The chemistry between Bez and Makeda is amazing, and I didn't get enough of them the first time. This is worth the read for Bez's internal monologue alone. I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I tried to read the first book in this series called How To Catch A Queen but the romance and story never quite gripped me. So when I saw the second book in the series I was a bit hesitant. However, this is a modern F/F retelling of Anastasia so I had to give it a try. I'm so glad that I did!
I related so much to Makeda. When we start the book, Makeda is at her rock bottom. She lost her job, her girlfriend and her self confidence all in one day. Makeda is the nice, generous person who often gets taken advantage of. It was so nice to see her character's journey and I was definitely satisfied by the ending. Her love interest Beznaria has a hard time relating to people. She's very logical and wants to redeem her family's honor through the eyes of the monarchy. The first time these two characters interact is hysterical. I couldn't stop giggling. The romance between them is a slow burn but definitely worth the wait.
The book is fast paced. I was never bored and the story flowed nicely. The dialogue is witty and memorable. (I highlighted a lot of quotes on my kindle!) The plot is interesting and the reader has to know what happens next. I would say this read more like a retelling of The Princess Diaries than Anastasia but that's just a nit pick.
To say I liked this installment much more than the first one would be an understatement. Alyssa Cole did not let me down with this royal love story.
I would recommend this to people who are looking for a royal romance, a romantic comedy (seriously this book is funny!) or a Princess Diaries/Anastasia retelling.
Thank you so much to Avon/Harper Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an arc. This in no way effected my opinion or review of the book.

Another charmer from Alyssa Cole! I forgot that it was supposed to be a queer Anastasia retelling, but I don't think you have to have that lens to enjoy it. I loved the sections that took place as Bez and Makeda traveled and really connected. The ending was a pleasant surprise.

I had high expectations for this book and I have to say I’m a little disappointed. I think the parts I liked best about this book actually have very little to do with the central romance and that doesn’t bode super well for a romance. I really liked Makeda but I found Beznaria’s dismissive attitude towards her to be off putting. She continually lied to Makeda (yes, a lie of omission is still a lie) and I found myself more interested in side characters, especially on the cargo ship, than in Bez. I did like Makeda learning to use her boundaries properly but I just wish Bez had treated her better.

And then the ending? Huh? It seemed like a really bizarre way to wrap things up and left me wholly unsatisfied.

However, I’m curious to see if the MMC of the next book is who I think it is. Overall, not her best work.

ARC via Netgalley, views are all my own.

Been putting this on multiple customer orders for Tailored Book Recommendations - http://mytbr.co

So thanks for the review copy! My netgalley reviews are slowing due to ocular fatigue, so I'm mostly taking print review copies from now on.

Makeda has two goals in life - to help people and to not be a princess. Beznaria throws those goals off track when she comes to take Makeda to her home Ibarania as the long lost heir. What could possibly go wrong?

I loved the first book in this series. One of the things I love about Alyssa Cole's writing is that it is always grounded in the real world. This may be a story about royalty but it all feels like it could be happening to your neighbor.

I had high hopes for this book but it didn't meet them. The story felt disjointed. A large portion of the book was spent on their journey to Ibarania but the resolution once they arrived happened very quickly. I very much enjoyed the characters we met on the journey though. I found myself wanting to know more about them instead of our two heroines.

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for the ARC.

Bez is on a quest to regain her family's honor by discovering the long lost princess of Ibarania. Makeda is recently broken up with her girlfriend and fired from her job. Their circumstances crash into each other when Bez follows up on a claim that Makeda might be said long lost princess, but there's one problem: Makeda doesn't want it to be true.

Bez and Makeda are each such unique characters with complicated and unusual circumstances. They are quirky and hard to love yet so loveable. I appreciate them working through their problems on their own and together. They are both such sweethearts, too. The long boat ride was a fun scenario to watch play out.

The downsides of the reading experience for me were the enemies to lovers trope and the repetitive nature of their problems. I definitely had moments of wanting to shake them for their poor communication! Why are you believing they feel one thing without asking them about it? Why?

Super fun f/f Anastasia retelling. Slow burn - like so slow you think it’ll never happen. Both characters are quirky and chaotic and awesome. The supporting characters are hilarious. It’s always a blast to slip into the imaginary kingdoms of Alyssa Cole’s royals series.

Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for the early copy. All opinions are my own.