Member Reviews
Such a sweet read with the perfect balance of romance, spice and laughter, Thank you for the advanced read!
I adored this book. It was exactly what a romance book should be. The characters were lovable, the pacing was great, the writing flowed well, and the story was sweet. You can feel like author’s love of her culture in every aspect of the book and I found myself craving Korean food, which I’ve never even had! I’ll remedy that before I buy this book. I take small issue with how it ended, I was hoping for Emma’s work to continue but otherwise this was thoroughly enjoyable!
This was definitely a fun read with lots of sweet moments. The plot was interesting and different, and both the main characters and supporting were pleasant and didn’t get on my nerves (which is rare for me!). It was a little frustrating that it seemed like there was always something new that was being hidden by the MMC. He would reveal one secret and then there would just be another that he was worried about. But overall, very enjoyable and easy read!
That Prince Is Mine is the upcoming novel by Jayci Lee. This sweet and hilarious romcom is filled with heartfelt moments that will have you swooning and cheering for the charismatic prince!
Emma and Michel meet by chance but the more time they spend together the more it becomes apart that fate knew they needed each other! Both aren’t expecting the other but find just what they need!
The story is longer than I thought but the relationship between Michel and Emma is handled with such beautiful care. Lee really took her time addressing everything and making sure when it all came together it was perfect! I fell for these two right away and was so happy they found each other! I love the cultural lessons and I now want to taste Korean cuisine! A very poignant and interesting read! Also love the dash of royal romance that we get!
A very cute and fun twist! This book had heat and heart and a cute love story to boot! I really like the infusion of Korean culture and royal aspect!! This was my first book by this author and the writing was good and easy to read! X
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC!
This was a nice, light-hearted read about a professional cooking instructor and a prince falling in love with each other. The premise sounded really promising, and I was super interested! Unfortunately, it did not meet many of my expectations. While I did love most of the main characters, Michel (our prince) was not a very iconic character. We learn nearly nothing about him in the book. Emma has important relationships with her family, she has a love of cooking, she takes pride in what she does and she has clear goals for what she wants in her life. Michel's personality is... Prince. (She's Barbie, and he's just Ken!). Overall, I do think the other characters are well written!
The beginning felt rushed, and I wished I could have gotten a chance to really learn more about the main characters before they were thrown together.
One big issue with the plot was: Michel's main motivation for finding love in the US was that he wanted someone to love him for him, not because of his crown. Totally valid! However, for his and Emma's first date, he invited her to have dinner with him at his resort penthouse suite (so I guess he can find someone who loves him for his money, instead!). The whole thing was kind of breezed over, which was bizarre!
Anyway, I wish I had liked this a lot more than I did. Oh well!
Their romance just gives me so much buzz. It conveys the feeling of the intimacy that comes with someone who engages with what you’re saying no matter how little they understand what you’re talking about simply because they find it; you interesting. It conveys the feeling of letting someone into your space, and allow them to get to know you, not the façade you might put up, but the real and the messy, even if it’s done inadvertently because they see you, see through you. ‘That Prince is mine’ is one of the best romcom I’ve read in a long time and I will continue to think about it for a long time.
Such a sweet, heartwarming read! Think hallmark movie with a twist? And a little spice
Big fan of the Korean-American twist on a royal romance and loved all the Los Angeles landmarks and mentions throughout the story
Emma and Michel’s chemistry was well-written and I found myself rooting for them early on (but who doesn’t love a prince in disguise)
And speaking of chemistry… Gabriel and Sophie spin off when??
Overall a quick, light-hearted read with cultural significance and heart
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘵. 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯'𝘴 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸!
*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
this was absolutely delightful. what a beautiful and charming read .Jayci Lee never disappoints. It was exactly what I needed right now. cute,fun and easy read. definitely recommend!
Disappointed in myself because I truly forgot how good of an author Jayci Lee is 🥹
That Prince is Mine was such an enjoyable easy read. I felt like I was transported into a Hallmark Christmas movie minus the Christmas. The chemistry between Emma and Michel sparked off the page. And we love a man that falls first and falls HARD. Another area of storytelling that Lee excels in is introducing supporting characters through friends and family who just naturally fit into the story and add value to Emma and Michel’s happily ever after.
Emma is a Korean royal court cusine instructor. Her renowned Korean matchmaker godmother's enemies meddle in her love life to sabotage her godmother. She's forced to go on a sieres of arranged first dates and find a husband to save them both. She meets Michael, a professor at USC, after a series of disastrous dates. He's actually a prince in disguise...
Love Michael and Emma. Both are nice people.... too nice in fact. I like their chemistry and how they are good for each other. Such a nice change to see nice and kind characters in romance. :)
Thanks to the publisher for the arc.
I LOVED this book!
The writing style look a little while for me to adjust to, but i ended up loving how Jayci Lee shared the characters with us. The story was so sweet and I loved how understanding/ communicative the characters were together. It was interesting to see what they were thinking on their own, and how they got each other to open up about who they are.
As an Asian-American woman, there were so many points in this read that were SO special. The moments were see of Emma and her family (specifically with her dad) were HEART-WARMING. Food is such a huge part in Asian culture and to see it take such a prominent role in this book was incredibly special.
This scene was SO sweet & special to me:
"And what will you be having?"
"Everything," Emma said, coming to the oly possible decision, She placed the covers on all the dishes and gave Michel a cheeky grin. "So are you."
This book touched on so many points for me: family responsibility, friendship, love, and what the obligations that we (as the children of Asian parents) feel toward taking care of our family. Emma was fierce in her love of her dad, and she let her love of her family drive every single decision she made.
A very sweet and funny read by Jayci Lee!
A sweet, fluffy story about a Prince and a "commoner". I've read a few books from this author before and liked them all, though this one didn't do it for me. I think I'm not a fan of the royalty trope/fantasy - but I don't want to take away from the depth this book had.
Emma and Michel both suffer the loss of a parent and it affects their outlook on love on very different ways. Emma has to work through her trauma, and in doing so, has to decide to follow her heart.
I wish Emma was given a solid friend to lean on rather than side characters who weren't fully immersed in her experience. I loved Gabriel and Sophie, and their loyalty to Michel both as a prince and as a friend.
Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.
loved this romance between a prince and cook. Loved his guard and cousin. Loved that they tried to work it out and that she helped him. Loved the hearing about the different foods being cooked. this author has become an autoread for me. Loved the romance and that they started slowly.
That Prince Is Mine by Jayci Lee is a fun and informative read about a Korean woman who is rapidly approaching that dreaded age 29 when she’ll be considered a spinster and a European crown prince in the US undercover looking for a soulmate. The writing is good, the situations are believable and the dialogue is wonderful. This reader also enjoyed reading about Korean matchmaking and the various types of food. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Highly recommend.
Title: Love's Culinary Symphony
Emma Yoon, a tenacious Korean American with aspirations of launching a Korean royal court cuisine cooking school, collides with destiny in the form of Michel, a visiting USC professor who conceals a royal secret. Unbeknownst to Emma, Michel is the crown prince of Rouleme, seeking love in the United States to evade an impending arranged marriage. Their magnetic connection defies Emma's cynicism about love, setting the stage for a captivating romance.
The palpable chemistry between Emma and Michel is the beating heart of this enchanting tale. Michel's genuine affection and Emma's guarded heart create a dynamic tension that propels the narrative forward. Emma's skepticism, rooted in her parents' failed marriage, becomes a poignant backdrop against which their love story unfolds.
Michel's pursuit of Emma is nothing short of charming, his heart stirred by her from the very first encounter. As their romance blossoms, the reader is treated to moments of humor and frustration, courtesy of Michel's ever-present cousin Gabriel and the vigilant bodyguard Sophie, who seem to have impeccable timing for interruptions.
The narrative skillfully weaves together passion and intimacy, particularly in the well-crafted spicy scenes that leave readers craving more. These moments of connection between Emma and Michel offer a respite from the entertaining chaos caused by their unconventional entourage.
While the constant interruptions may test the reader's patience, they also add a layer of humor and anticipation to the unfolding love story. Emma and Michel's journey explores the delicate balance between personal dreams and royal responsibilities, providing a nuanced portrayal of love overcoming skepticism.
In conclusion, "Love's Culinary Symphony" is a delectable blend of romance, humor, and cultural exploration. If you have a taste for royal romances with a pinch of spice, this book is sure to satisfy your literary palate. Many thanks to the publishers for the opportunity to savor this delightful eARC and share my honest impressions.
Cute, sweet very predictable rom com. Michel and Emma were swoony and adorable. It was a great twist on the royalty trope. Although this was very low stakes I could not wait to see how it played out. Who else wants the Gabriel and Sophie spin off? Or even a prequel?? Thanks for the arc from Netgalley and the publisher.
What a great romcom read! I enjoyed this so much -- I actually finished it in one sitting!
When Emma, a chef from Los Angeles who doesn't believe in love, and Michel, an undercover prince looking for some normalcy as a visiting professor at USC, cross paths in a café, the two can't seem to stay away from each other. But with different hopes and dreams for the future, will the two of them be able to create a life together or will they be too different to make it work?
I absolutely loved the characters - literally all of them were so lovable and fun. The plot was very cute and the pacing was great. I wish we had a longer epilogue, but that is just because I did not want to say goodbye to the characters just yet.
This was such a quick fun read for me. It was light and fluffy. I’ve always been a sucker for the royal x middle class trope and this one did not disappoint! I would definitely recommend as a cute story to get out of a slump.
Thank you for the ARC!
What a wonderfully sweet, heartwarming story. I really enjoyed the role food played in this book, and learning a bit about Korean culture.