I must say that "That Prince is Mine" by Jayci Lee is adorable love story that had me smiling from ear to ear. If you're all about those warm, fuzzy feels and love stories that make your heart do a little dance, this one's a must.

The plot follows Emma Yoon, a culinary whiz running classes from her home kitchen, and the unexpected romance that blooms when she crosses paths with Michel, the crown prince of Rouleme. Lee spins a really cute tale that effortlessly blends the magic of a royal romance with the everyday joy of cooking. Emma's struggle to balance her culinary dreams with societal expectations is so relatable, adding that extra touch of sweetness to the story.
The connection between Emma and Michel is just downright endearing, and their quest for love against the backdrop of Los Angeles is like a warm hug in book form. It's not a complicated read, but that's what makes it perfect for those moments when you just want to unwind with something heartwarming.

Surprisingly, my absolute favorite characters turned out to be Gabriel and Sophie. They added an extra layer of charm to the whole narrative, and I can't help but cross my fingers for Jayci Lee spills more tea on their story in a spin-off.

"That Prince is Mine" is a feel-good romance that caters to anyone who adores a good royal love story. It's the kind of book that leaves you with a goofy grin and a happy heart.

Received this ARC via NetGalley.

This was super cute! The story reminded me of the Prince & Me movie with Julia Styles.

Their interactions were always so sweet. I also liked the sibling-like dynamic each of them had with their relatives.

This book had a strong theme of family obligations and expectations while trying to balance that with their own dreams and sense of happiness.

Highly recommend as an easy, light HEA read.

I'm a sucker for romances between royalty and ordinary people (just like you and me), so, of course, I loved this one! It's the kind of light, cute, and adorable romance that keeps you giggling throughout. I absolutely loved it!

Ooh I just loved Michel and Emma’s story! Emma was so against finding a love match, thinking compatibility would make for a stronger match, when she met Michel in a coffee shop.

Their story was so sweet, I loved how Michel always pursued Emma even though she wasn’t always sure it was what would mean a solid future match for her. I also really enjoy reading all of details about food, like in all of Jayci Lee’s books.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book!

A nice quick and enjoyable read. Some dialogue was a little clunky, and some plot points felt forced. Still, it was a fin read in all of its trope-y glory.

Thank you for the opportunity to read That Prince is Mine's e-arc. Although I enjoyed it and would like not write a review along with post on my bookstagram, due to St.Martin's Press not responding or taking action about the racist remarks made by an employee on twitter. I will however rate the book, as to not hurt an authors new release.

I wish I liked this book more but oh well. I definitely could see this being a much better read if it had more.. story? details? im not sure really. I didn’t really feel anything for the prince, he was just a character? Didn’t know much about him and didn’t get to grow an attachment. The romance was nice though! It was cute and fluffy, a quick read as well.

I truly enjoyed this sweet and enduring love story and how it developed. These characters desperately needed a happily ever after and the way they got it was so wonderful. And all the cooking was perfectly described and left you very hungry! This author never disappoints.

This a cute quick read! If you liked the movie, The Prince and Me you will like this book! As always a regular person x royalty/celebrity trope gets me time and time again.

a book hasn't taken me this long to read since i tried to get thru the first chapter of Les Mis

i loved the relationship between the side characters, they should have their own book! I'd LOVE to hear more about sophie and gabriels backstory and future relationship- cuz we all know they're getting together.

i really liked the first half then i put it down one day and just had 0 motivation to pick it up! it wasn't u it was me (but u a bit hahaha). and then when i picked it up i was like ughhhh it was painful to dredge through that second half. not bc it wasn't good i just soo was not in the mood for a book like this. ill have to give it another shot when i am!

Absolutely love royal romance books! If you’re looking for a swoon worthy romance that has you loving all the characters than this is definitely the book for you!

3.5 this was really cute to me. i always love a commoner x royalty trope, so i enjoyed this one too. sometimes it was a little slow but i can forgive it for that. i liked the characters and the side romance too.

I just love Jayci Lee books! Such a cute little romance book to read. I devoured this easy read cover to cover. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley & St. Martin for the eARC. Here’s my honest opinion.

I have two weaknesses: royal Hallmark movies and Cinderella trope k-dramas. If those two had a plot baby, this book is it, and to sprinkle in Korean cuisine that features royal tteobokki instead of the gochujang street food variety — 😍😋. I don’t even care that the storyline was predictable, down to the conflict that presents itself in the last 20 minutes of reading but will resolve itself 5 minutes into the end of the story. I had way too much fun reading this book. It’s cheesy in the best possible way.

“Jeongseong wasn’t a cheeky sentiment like a ‘sprinkle of love.’ It meant working hard with a generous heart”

Emma Yoon is a culinary instructor with dreams of opening her own culinary school, teaching the art of Korean royal court cooking. She is looking for a husband that is perfect on paper and her Korean matchmaker Godmother begins to set her up for an arranged marriage. Michel Chevalier is the crowned Prince of Rouleme, who is in LA for 3 months as a visiting professor. His marriage was arranged at birth and he is desperate to find his love match. With limited time and a world of differences between them, will they both find what they are looking in each other?

This book was very sweet and I enjoyed reading it. I loved that as much as Emma was so determined to see their cultural differences, Michel was so open to learning and experiencing new things and her culture. The chemistry between them was awesome. It was the perfect mix of sweet and spicy. You find yourself really rooting for them. I definitely recommend this book.

A charming romance between Emma -- an American-Korean chef and commoner in L.A. -- and Michel, a visiting USC prof who hides his true royal heritage. Enchanting!

I found Jayci Lee's novel to be quite enjoyable. It had a fluffy, bubbly vibe, overall quite cute! It evoked the feel of Hallmark Christmas movies, which I adore. While the concept was fun, the plot could use a bit more refinement. Many thanks to NetGalley and Jayci Lee for providing me with this ARC copy!
Finished on 01-29-2024

This is an enjoyable read. Michel is a Prince in disguise as a visiting professor at USC. Emma is Culinary instructor with dreams of expanding to teach more than 1 person at a time. She's also a little broken from her parents' divorce. Her godmother is a matchmaker and guilts her into looking for a relationship. While going on these dates, she meets Prince Michel. He's handsome and when they finally meet and talk, he's nervous and bumbling and endearing. When he finally gets the courage to ask her out and she says yes, he doesn't get her number. They coincidentally meet not long after that and she gives him her number. She's convinced this is temporary and they have nothing in common. She's hell bent on finding someone she has lots in common with, since she believed her parents only had love and no common interests. He is looking for love and doesn’t want the arranged marriage waiting for him at home. They fall in love pretty easily. They both are scared by it, but are also a little accepting of it. He finally tells her that he's a prince and she takes it better than he expected it to since she uses it as another reason they can't stay together. He realizes that she's it for him and proposes. She freaks and runs off. They agree to talk about it later but that is when the arranged marriage back at home comes to light and she freaks again. She's devastated and realizes that she does want him forever. Her dad reveals that her mom left because they were always second to her career, nothing else that Emma had previously believed. Michel is willing to abdicate the throne for Emma and she, with the help of his cousin Gabriel and bodyguard Sophie(who's story I need to read ASAP) stops him on time to accept his proposal and get back together. It's an endearing story, frustrating at times with the lack of communication between the two, but enjoyable none the less. This isn't my first read from this author and I don't think it will be my last.

Food — the preparation, presentation, and enjoyment of — is central to this book about a Asian American woman, Emma, who falls for Michel Chevalier, the prince of a small nation masquerading as a university professor.

Here’s what worked for me:
•The food is a highlight — the descriptions of and way it is significant in the relationships Emma has with everyone in her life.
•It’s a sweet enough romance with a little spice mixed in.

Here’s what didn’t work for me:
•There’s no depth. Everything is surface level instead of really digging into the problems the characters face.
•It’s a mess of characters who all have something going on, but it’s not written with the intent of being an ensemble book. Again, see: depth.
•A character comes out and it’s used simply as a device to solve a problem for Emma. Don’t do that. Don’t use a coming out as a throw away event. I get what the author was going for but it doesn’t work.
•Licking, as used here, is not sexy.

Emma Yoon runs a culinary class out of the kitchen in the house she shares with her father. It’s her dream to rent a commercial kitchen space to run larger classes. Cooking brings her joy, after all. However, she’s approaching 30 and should be married. Enter her Aunt Soo, a Korean matchmaker and her de facto mother.

In the middle of one of the arranged dates, Emma notices an attractive man in the cafe. When her date ends abruptly, he makes his way nervously to her table, pays for her drink, and introduces himself. Seems he’s noticed her, too.

That would be Michel, the crown prince of Rouleme, who has asked his father for three months of anonymity in Los Angeles to try to find true love. If he can’t find it, he’s bound to a loveless arranged marriage when he returns. Emma seems to be his way out.

Add to this his cousin/best friend Gabriel, his security detail and Gabriel’s long lost love Sophia, Emma’s cousin/de facto brother Jeremy, and honestly a bunch of other characters who are introduced and seem like they’ll be important, but aren’t. It’s a lot.

I love a sweet romance as much as the next person and I so wanted to love my first ARC, but I didn’t. It’s not terrible, but it’s not on par with those I love.

This is a NetGalley ARC that I was given the opportunity to read and review. Releases July 2024.

I love a good royalty rom com and this is no exception!

Emma is such a wonderful female lead and I really enjoyed the male lead Michel as well. Their romance is sweet and there are definitely some swoon worthy moments.

To me, the best part of this book was that each character stands out alone, and they don't need each other to complete one another. They exist as two wholes who comes together and support each other.