In Search of a Prince
by Toni Shiloh
Pub DateFeb 01 2022
Bethany House |Bethany House Publishers
Christian| OwnVoices| Romance


In Search Of A Princs is being reviewed by Bethany House publishers and Netgalley:


She was set on living her dream . . . until it forced her to question everything she believed in.


Brielle Adebayo enjoys teaching at a New York City public school and taking annual summer vacations with her mother on Martha's Vineyard. When her mother tells her that Brelle is actually a princess, she must immediately assume her royal position, since her grandfather, the king, is declining in health. But the story takes a dramatic turn when her mom drops a bombshell.



Amidst all the secrets her mother kept, Brielle is further left in a tizzy when the Ilé Royal Council demands she marry before coronation, or the crown will pass to another. With her world totally turned upside down, where will Brielle find the courage to risk love and brave the perils a wrong decision may bring?


I give In Search of A Prince five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

My friends and I interviewed Toni Shiloh about this title on StoryChats podcast here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HPo7Hqir1c

This book was adorable! The ultimate feel-good chick flick. This fun read filled me with all the good feals. It made me smile, it made me laugh, and it made me swoon from the utter sweetness of this love story.

Bri is an American elementary school teacher, and only child of her single mother. When a sudden phone call promps her mother to reveal that her father, who had died before she was born, was actually an African prince, Bri is stunned as well as furious. Her mother had kept this from her? A secret this large? Determined to meet her grandfather she journies to Africa - in a private jet, with her new royal secretary, her best friend, and a very charming palace runner. Everything is surreal. A week before she was teaching school children... now people are bowing to her and calling her "majesty"?

Everything is going well - if not overwhelming - until the council informs Bri that she must be married before she can assume position of queen when her ailing grandfather passes... and she doesn't have much time. The frantic search begins.... to hilarious and adorable results.



I really loved this book. It was just so sweet and fun. If your looking for a fun chickflick to read instead of watch one Friday night, then this is the book for you!

This was the perfect blend of Princess Diaries, neat African culture, all with Christian themes and a hint of mystery.

This is my new favorite Toni Shiloh book! I loved Iris, Bri's best friend and look forward to reading her book!

This was a sweet Christian read, I'd rate PG for kissing.

This is a contemporary Christian romance with a surprise princess trope. I liked the characters and liked how they incorporated their faith throughout their daily lives. This was enjoyable and I would recommend.

Please see the StoryChats podcast episode for a full review of this title along with a fun interview with the author. We enjoyed the chance to read and review the book as well as the opportunity to chat with the author.

*Warnings*
#1 This is a long review, so pull up a chair and grab a bowl of popcorn. You’ll be here awhile. #2 When I read a review, I want substantial information. So I will not skimp on the details. Which may mean some spoilers, so watch out.

Stars: 3

Synopsis: Brielle Bayo lives a comfortable life as a middle school teacher in New York...until she learns her average life is a lie. Brielle is really an African princess, granddaughter to the king of Ọlọrọ Ilé. Not only that, but the king is dying and it’s time for her to assume her role as his heir. Will she abandon her easygoing life in America for the responsibility of an entire kingdom? Or will she let her grandfather die alone, leaving the kingdom to his harsh brother?


Pretty fitting that I start this book during Black History Month and finish it during Women’s History Month, eh? We’ve got a real cliche-bender here folks, with an African-American princess taking center stage instead of some bland faux European guy. And, seriously, I’m down with that. I get tired of the extremely overdone Netflix romcom trope with the American girl and the fake British guy, so the moment I picked up In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh, I all but leaped for joy! This was something new, unique, much more realistic than a fictional country randomly popping up in Western Europe that is so much of a carbon copy of England that they go so far as to name the country after an English town...(and, yes, I’m looking at you, Belgravia).

How could it go wrong?

Well, believe it or not, there are a lot of ways...but instead of immediately dumping my rantish opinions on y’all, I’ve decided to start by going over the positive and technical aspects of this novel first. Then if y’all don’t wanna get your feelings hurt by my feelings, y’all are more than welcome to skip the last part of this review. Sound good?

Good.

So for starters...I actually liked Brielle. Which is insanity. Because I rarely ever like the heroine...not even when she’s the only POV character. But Brielle wasn’t bad. She was well-developed, kind and respectful, and she wasn’t sarcastic or obnoxious or annoying. She was (for the most mature) mature and handled everything in a realistic, levelheaded manner, which left little room for contrived drama or cringe-worthy stupidity.

You’ve gotta admire that, eh?

And like I said, we had the absolute perfect premise here! An African country, a long-lost princess (instead of a prince), a hint of mystery...I’m honestly surprised a story like this hasn’t been written before, because it’s such a no-brainer than the concept is just splendid. Definitely the kind of story we needed to break up the monotony of small town second chance romances with billionaires and rockstars and cowboys (no offense to cowboys, of course...or small towns).

And, y’all. Shiloh didn’t just come up with an ingenious concept...she pulled it off. Everything was portrayed so realistically, and she didn’t gloss over the technical aspects of running a kingdom. Admittedly, yeah, a few events unfolded a little too quickly, maybe, and I think the rest of the plot could’ve been taken in a whole other direction (because it starts to fall apart about halfway through), and the ending was so rushed (the entire book was resolved in one chapter), but it didn’t read like a cheesy Hallmark movie. It had character, substance, realism. And Brielle’s reactions to everything going on around her were all realistic too. I’m impressed.

The setting was so vibrant and warm and inviting, and all the secondary characters were just as interesting and vivid as Brielle! Shiloh’s prose itself was technically on point—her voice didn’t stand out, but it didn’t fade into the crowd either. Everything was evenly balanced and flowed smoothly. From a technical perspective, I can’t complain.

But my favorite part? Oh, my favorite part, you guys, was the spiritual content. In every single thing, Brielle and Iris turned to prayer. They trusted in God and lived out their faith (most of the time) and God was never ignored or painted in shades of black and grey or shoved into a box. He was real. He was there. He was moving and working and I loved that. I needed that after so many stories of stagnant “faith” and diluted religion. I needed something fresh and revitalizing, where God was alive and a part of the characters’ lives. And, no, before you get on the “preachy” tangent, the faith elements weren’t “preachy” or “cheesy.” They were real. Just as our faith in God and walk with Him is real in the nonfictional world.

More than that, Shiloh did something I wasn’t expecting in the least...she gave Brielle a vision. I won’t go into detail, but I absolutely loved the fact that Brielle had a vision of God and Him speaking to her! You go, Toni, for putting that in there! I know y’all Baptists are gonna naysay it, but God does work through visions and dreams and it’s not “fake” or “fantastical” or “unnatural.” It’s a very real and very present part of God and how He communicates with us, and I love it when Christian fiction showcases God’s amazing power!

So whether you like that or not, that alone was worth the three stars.

In Search of a Prince had a lot of good elements, from a likeable heroine to an engaging plot to a unique premise. The spiritual content, too, was pretty darn good! However, a lot of the content was handled badly and not at all Biblically, which was such a shame. Had it not been for the ungodly views presented and the secular portrayal of certain things, this just might have been a five star read. As it is, readers with less sponge-like, perceptive minds will probably find this novel enjoyable and intriguing!


Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Although the writing was excellent, the religious aspects feel forced, like the author is trying to force her views onto the reader.

In Search of a Prince is an easy-to-read, likeable, and cute modern-day fairytale featuring a gorgeous setting, diversity, and a sweet, albeit light, romance.

I really liked Brielle as a heroine. She was passionate, sensitive, hardworking, and sincere about following the will of God for her life and serving the people of the kingdom. It was easy to root for her on her journey.

Additionally, I enjoyed how faith was displayed in the lives of the characters, especially Brielle. Their constant prayers and sincerity in seeking God’s will for their lives was encouraging and I enjoyed that their faith wasn’t just mentioned in passing, but portrayed in their actions, words, and thoughts.

I also liked the vibrant culture and picturesque setting of the African kingdom featured in the story. The traditions, the food, the fashion, and the colorful scenery were all vivid and appealing. It created an immersive reading experience that was wholly enjoyable.

Admittedly, I didn’t connect to the romance as much as I would have liked. Although the romance was sweet in its entirety, it personally lacked depth for me - given the rushed time frame, the emphasis on physical attraction, and the seemingly predominant surface-level conversations. I just wished for more vulnerability and engagement between the couple throughout the story instead of more towards the end. However, further into the story, I do think their shared faith added a measure of intimacy to the romance that I enjoyed.

I also didn't agree with the feminist culture in this book, especially since the worldly viewpoint contradicts the biblical stance and that was reflected in a couple matters throughout the story.

Still, I liked In Search of a Prince overall.

*There is a fade-to-black scene. This is not my personal preference, but this book doesn't go into detail.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed this contemporary Christian romance with a rather unique storyline and setting. As I began getting to know Brielle, I was soon swept away to her new life and country.

Brielle had been raised in the U.S. and was enjoying her life, including her career as a teacher. Brielle was more than surprised when she was told that she was heir to the throne of an African Island nation. Can you say plot twist?

I loved being introduced to the beauty and culture of life in Oloro Ile. There was so much for Brielle to learn and adapt to. She did just that with grace and humility.

The Christian faith was integrated and portrayed beautifully throughout the entire storyline. Faith guided the characters through friendships, family dynamics, leadership responsibilities, romance and grief.

A lovely and satisfying story!

I received complimentary copies of this book from Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Big thanks to the publisher for approval! What a great story. This author is new to me and I was thrilled to read this darling story. I am a sucker for princess stories and this one fit the bill. Brielle is a wonderful character and I enjoyed her journey.

From New York to Africa, from a public school to a kingdom
Christian contemporary romance author Toni Shiloh presents her book "In Search of a Prince", published by Bethany House Publishers. It is the first book of a series that takes place on the island of Oloro Ilé Ijoba close to the coast of Africa. Tiwa Jimoh Adebayo, king of Oloro Ilé Ijoba is dying and needs to present an heir to his country. He has a granddaughter that he never met. Brielle is a middle school teacher looking forward to the yearly vacation to Martha's Vineyard with her mother, a medical doctor. Her world is rocked when she learns from her mother that her father, who was killed in an accident, had been the crown prince of Oloro Ilé Ijoba. She is distraught by the fact that her mother kept the secret about her background, about the fact that she is the heir to the throne, and that she has to leave for this country that she knows nothing about. How will she, who considers herself an American, deal with all the challenges? What does she do when she learns that she has to get married before her coronation? And what about her relationship with Tomori whom she meets on Oloro Ilé Ijoba and who soon becomes more to her than just her bodyguard?
This book is an easy read for those who like fairy-tale Christian romance with some humor. I enjoyed the story and recommend it to readers who like an enjoyable clean and inspirational read.
The complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley free of charge. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#InSearchOfAPrince #Netgalley

'In Search of a Prince' by Toni Shiloh is a Christian-romantic story with some fairy-tale elements. Brielle Adebayo is a common middle school Civics teacher who suddenly finds herself to be the heir-apparent to the throne of the fictional island kingdom of Ọlọrọ Ilé, off the coast of Africa. Once she gets to know this from her mother, just when her paternal grandfather is dying, Brielle decided to go the country and visit her grandfather. What astonishes her more is the fact that, she is expected to be the Queen of the country, once her grandfather passes away and she has to decide if she wants to be Queen within a month.

Thus begins Brielle's journey in finding herself, her purpose in life and what she can accomplish when she places her complete faith in God. The story takes the reader through her inner turmoil, her struggles in reconciling herself to the person people expect her to be and overcoming her misgivings regarding God's plans for her. We get to see whether or not she holds onto her faith in troubling times. There is also a sweet love story that flows through the story between Brielle and Tomori, the palace runner; in fact, this is what I loved the most about the story.

I have read some Christian fictions earlier and had liked some. But I can't say the same about this book. The author has tried to convey her faith and learnings through the life of Brielle. The book contains more of God and the characters' faith, rather than the actual characters' arc, throughout the story. In fact, I would have liked the characters to have had more agency and some personal growth. In spite of this issue, Shiloh has managed to endear the principal characters to me; I cared about them as people and wanted them to sort out their difficulties without getting burnt too much. But it just was not deep enough so as to connect me with the story.
I actually even enjoyed the book, as much as I did, only because I liked the love story of Brielle-Tomori and was rooting for them.

I don't think I will read any more of this author but this opinion is completely based on my interests and preferences. However, if you are into stories with great emphasis on God, God's plan for us, people's purpose in life and Faith in general, then you can definitely check this book out.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for this ARC. All opinions I expressed in this review are entirely my own.

In Search for a Prince tells the story of an ordinary woman who finds out she is a princess. The story is light and sweet! The romance is also well-done! The message is that everyone has a purpose. The book is about how God will solve all your difficulties! I recommend this for fans of The Princess Diaries!

This royal love story is much more than that. It is about familial identity and finding your God-given destiny. Brielle is a teacher in her twenties, who is pretty happy with her life. The life-altering effects of being from a royal family of an African country (fictional) increases when she finds out she is next in line for the throne, after her dying grandfather. Navigating palace and family dynamics comes with both joy and anxiety. With the help of her creative ,best friend and a palace attendant, she finds time for fun and exploration. When the stakes involve her search for a prince, the plot changes into a kind of reality TV show for a few chapters. Thankfully, “her prince” is closer than she thinks.

Those who like the details of clothing, food, and scenery will soak up this story. To add to the comprehension of the culture and language, there is a Dictionary and Author's Note. Elements of court intrigue may remind some of the TV version of Queen Victoria' and Prince Albert's romance. Faith in God is paramount in the story and woven in the conversations among many of the main characters and in Brielle's prayers. This novel is Ideal for those looking for a romance of faith, but specifically may engage those readers looking for a yearning romance featuring BIPOC love.

3.5 rounded up to 4.0

Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for the e-galley. I mainly listened to the audiobook for this review. My ratings and reviews are my own.

TW and CW: gaslighting; threat of violence; death of a relative; grief

A great escape! When she finds out she's royalty she flies to meet her grandfather and try to find out everything she can about her decease father. Full of adventures, decisions, and romance, you won't want to miss this gem!

This one was much too religious based for me. The description did not point to having regular god references.

There has been a lot of anticipation in the book world for this book, and I could not wait for my copy to arrive!

Well, let’s just say, from the first pages, I was invested and this book did not disappoint. In Search of a Prince is a delight and at some points, I just could not read fast enough to find out what the outcome would be. I read late into the night. Would Brielle get her happy-ever-after ending? Why do I need to sleep anyways? When I woke up, the book was straight back into my hands.

The hero of this story is not only swoony but a man of integrity. I love that about heroes. He’s realistic though because the man has a few insecurities. This book takes you on an entertaining and meaningful ride full of moments you’ll treasure along with the characters. At least, that is what I did.

Totally would love to be Brielle’s friend in real life. Toni Shiloh really nailed it with this one. Don’t miss it!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Such a gorgeous story! I hope there will be more about these amazing characters.

The scenery is lush and vivid, and the characters are richly crafted. One of Shiloh’s best!

What would you do if you suddenly found out your mom had lied to you and you were the prince or princess of some small town most people don’t know exists? This book is about that “what-if” that you will not want to miss. Beautifully written and fun.