“We find the stories in the broken pieces that we pick up.”

“If the Crown Fits,” by Leané Giliomee

I loved this book so much! I loved the entire plot of a bandit/thief having to pretend to be the princess and betrothed to the prince in order to steal something that the other prince wants was so good. The FMC was strong but also had to fight her attraction to the prince, the prince she courted was so good, perfect amount of strength and protective. What really sealed the deal for me about how good the book was the ending! I loved it so much. 5 out of 5 stars, can’t wait for book 2.

-Hidden Identity
-Bandit/Thief
-Arranged Marriage/Courting

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.

“I had learned that the truth wasn’t a fine line after all, but a pile of shattered glass instead.”

This was a DNF for me

I really dislike First Person Narrative, but I HATE Dual Perspective First Person Narrative, and you guessed it, this alternating perspective written in first person.


The blurb sounded amazing, but I just couldn't get into the story because the writing style was completely off-putting to me.

This face paced book is the perfect read for anyone who desires an adventure based romantasy with thieves, bandits, royals and secrets. Where a masked bandit with a well known reputation finds herself entangled with a prince with hidden agendas. Before she knows it she’d thrown into a political feud between kingdoms, spanning back generations. It should have been a simple theft, but the deeper she finds herself falling, who can she really trust?

Main Tropes:
-Betrayal
-Forced Proximity
-Feuding Kingdoms
-Enemies-to-Lovers
-Arranged Engagement
-No spice (lots of tension)

This fairy tale story follows Lena, a masked bandit tasked with a simple theft. Or is should have been, until she suddenly she finds herself mixed up with the Kingdoms prince and his feud with the neighbouring Kingdom. What he wants is simple, decieve their Prince and steal an heirloom. It should be simple enough for someone with her past. But with her own life on the line, and no clue who to trust, it won’t be as simple as she thinks.

With magical forests, an arranged engagement and a life full of lies and deceit - will Lena be able to follow orders or will her heart take the lead? And most importantly, will she put her trust in the right person?

This book was filled with forced proximity, betrayal and royal feuds- the perfect combination for a romantic fairytale adventure.

Action-packed fastpaced YA romantasy with betrayal, twist and lot's of secrets.
Esay, funny and captivating! And oh the tension!

I Would have liked a bit more worldbuilding, but defently a interesting fantasy read!
3 fantastic stars

Post on IG (one_fairy_tale_at:_the_time) on 5.nov 2024

Ich habe mich über das Buch sehr gefreut. Es ist nicht nur fließend zum lesen sondern auch sehr spannend.

If The Crown Fits is a slow burn, enemies to lovers Fantasy Romance. But it's more than that... it's a journey of deception, learning to trust, learning family secrets, and a journey of survival for Lara.

As soon as the book starts, we are thrown into the action, and it doesn't slow down. For me, I just wanted to keep reading and find out what was going to happen next.

The book was well thought out and plotted, and the characters were well developed. You couldn't help but cheer for our 2 MCs. I just wanted a bit more, a bit more of the world building, a bit more of the journey in a bit of depth. And the ending... don't do that to me... but I have since discovered that there will be a book 2, I need answers, and I need to know what happens next... soon 😂

For those who love a good fantasy book, give this a read

I enjoyed this but wasn’t in love with the book.
I am not a massive fantasy book reader so it may have just been that I wasn’t in the mood for this but I didn’t find it a page turned but didn’t dislike the experience of reading the book.

This is an action-packed fantasy novel that pulls the reader in and then flies along to what I thought was a rather abrupt end (although I’ve since realised this is intended to be the first of a trilogy). There’s so much going on in swift succession and the world-building is decent; I just wish the plot had a chance to take a breath once in a while. It would have been good not only to explore the relationship between Lara and Cai in more depth, but also to show a little more of Lara’s background. Nonetheless there’s plenty of potential in both writing and characterisation, and lots of intriguing ways the subsequent books could develop.

An easy and enjoyable read overall, definitely a lighter hearted plot.

At times I felt there were more underlying adult themes that was subjective for sure! Almost like watching a Pixar film... where the adult gets the 'nod' but it goes straight over a kids head.

From around 40% I think I had worked out the plot twist, and I can safely say, I'm intrigued for a follow up novel with Lara, Cai & even Rhen (who was my supporting favourite)!

Definitely worth a read I'd you enjoyed Six of Crows or Dance of Theives.

Lara is trying to make a break and get away when her luck runs out. Cai is making an alliance that should benefit both countries but is leary of the reasons. Thrown together without knowing who the other is creates an unique adventure as they learn about each other. The world building it descriptive and I love the back and forth between the characters. There a quite a few hidden twists that the reader unravels as the plot progresses. I am curious to see if the necklace and mystery around it plays into the next story as well as the dagger gifted in the beginning of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for providing a copy of this book! If the Crown Fits by Leane Giliomee transports readers to a captivating medieval world. The story centers around an infamous thief who, after being betrayed and captured by the royal prince, is unexpectedly recruited for a personal mission against a rival kingdom.

The narrative features multiple points of view, which enriches the experience and keeps readers engaged, even during slower moments. I did anticipate the twist, but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to the next installment in the series.
At a concise length, this light fantasy novel is perfect for those seeking an enjoyable read. It’s a story that moves quickly and sets the stage for further development.

Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, arranged marriage, concealed identities
Elements: medieval setting, bandits, jewels
Language: 0/5
Swoony Romance: 1/5
Favorite character: Cai
Favorite quote:

"Yᴏᴜ ᴄᴀɴ'ᴛ ᴊᴜsᴛ ʏᴇʟʟ ɪɴsᴜʟᴛs ɪɴ ᴍʏ ғᴀᴄᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ʀᴜɴ ᴀᴡᴀʏ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ."

"Sᴏ ᴡʜᴀᴛ, ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴀᴘᴏʟᴏɢɪsᴇ?"

Wᴇ ʙᴏᴛʜ ᴋɴᴇᴡ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡᴀs ɴᴏ ᴄʜᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʜᴀᴘᴘᴇɴɪɴɢ.

I really liked this fantasy romance. Lara and Cai's banter was great and I loved watching their romance grow. The plot was fast paced and am looking forward to the next installment!

I enjoyed this book. The main character was likeable and strong. The book had a good pace and I never got bored. The ending was wrapped up too quickly. I would have liked more of a backstory and conclusion.

The two main characters had a good chemistry.

Okay, so this book? *Chef’s kiss* for anyone who's obsessed with enemies-to-lovers and badass female leads. Right off the bat, Lara is the kind of main character you root for. She’s a thief with rules—don’t get caught, don’t trust anyone, and *definitely* don’t let anyone get too close. But of course, she steals from the wrong people (aka the royal family of Everness) and gets caught. Classic. And instead of facing a gruesome end, she’s forced to work with the arrogant, spoiled prince regent, which just sets up all the delicious tension and scheming in the plot.

The forced proximity trope is on full display, especially when Lara has to pose as the betrothed of a prince from an enemy kingdom. Enemies to lovers? Check. And let’s not forget the one bed situation (which, let’s be honest, we all live for). There's plenty of banter, tension, and that simmering attraction that keeps you on edge throughout. The pacing? Perfect. Giliomee knows how to hook you with twists that have you flipping pages late into the night.

Plus, the whole found family dynamic really hit. Lara’s not just fighting for herself—she’s driven to protect the people she loves, which adds depth to her character and she makes some morally questionable choices, but you get why, and honestly? Sometimes you gotta root for a little chaos.. And the way she navigates this political mess while trying not to catch feelings for the prince… swoon. He’s frustratingly charming, and it’s so fun watching Lara’s walls start to crack.

If you love books like *Throne of Glass* or *The Cruel Prince*, you’re gonna eat this up. The slow burn romance, the fake relationship drama, and all those secrets and betrayals keep you hooked. The ending leaves you wanting more, so yeah, I’m 100% ready for book two.

If The Crown Fits is a fast-paced romp through a kingdom in crisis where a young female bandit is forced to pose as a princess to steal an unknown item from the prince of a neighbouring kingdom while pretending to be his fiancée.

The writing has an enjoyably simple young adult feel and the story is fairly short for this genre, though some sections feel rushed without suitable explanation and the world-building is limited. However, overall the concept was good and I wanted to read more about Lana and Cai. I did find the ending a bit disappointing - I was hoping for something more epic but I hadn't realised this was the first book in a series so while there isn't exactly a cliffhanger, there are plenty of unresolved elements which will hopefully be picked up in the next book - I can't wait to find out more.

While there are some romantic elements this is the slowest of very slow burns and for large chunks of the book, the focus is on other parts of the plot.

Thanks to NetGalley, Joffe and Leané Giliomee for the ARC, this is my honest opinion.

The story follows Lara, a quick-witted bandit who finds herself caught in a precarious situation after daring to steal from the highly oppressive royal family. The stakes are immediately established as Lara is thrust into a world that blurs the lines between loyalty, survival, and the pursuit of freedom.
Giliomee's world-building is superb, painting a vivid picture of Everness and its socio-political landscape. Through Lara's perspective, we witness a realm that once thrived on magic but is now dominated by a ruthless prince regent and his decadent court. The author weaves a narrative rich in historical echoes and societal constraints, creating a backdrop that enhances Lara’s personal struggle.
The romantic elements of the story are equally engaging. Lara's begrudging alliance with the charming, yet infuriating prince of an enemy kingdom serves as a classic trope that Giliomee breathes fresh life into. Their evolving relationship is laced with banter, tension, and the inevitable complications that arise from secrets and deception.
Giliomee skillfully crafts secondary characters who bring depth to the story. The depiction of the prince regent as both a source of conflict and a mirror to Lara’s struggles adds complexity to the plot. Additionally, Lara’s interactions with her loved ones and the obligations she bears for their safety further enhance her character’s motivations.
Overall, this was a delightful escapade that brilliantly entwines themes of bravery, love, and the fight against tyranny. Leané Giliomee’s deft storytelling and richly imagined world make this a memorable read for fans of young adult fantasy. It is a tale that reminds us, in a land where magic is a mere whisper, that true strength resides within the heart, ready to defy the crown.

This was a pretty good read! The story was a little simple but I still enjoyed the book. The romance was cute!

So she’s a thief??? With a good heart??? But she has to steal from the prince??? With a good heart??? Whilst pretending to be his royal fiancé??? And then they fall in love??? GASPING.

The style of prose is pretty basic, and the story felt a little rushed at times, but impeccable vibes. Probably a 3.5 but GoodReads doesn’t allow half star ratings.

Thanks to Giliomee and Joffee books for the ARC.

"If the Crown Fits" was an interesting read, though it didn’t entirely meet my expectations. Based on the title, I was ready for a sweeping fantasy with grand stakes, but instead, the book leaned more toward an adventure vibe. That’s not necessarily bad, but it left me wanting something a little more intense.

One thing I enjoyed was the setting. Its fantastic medieval atmosphere gave me a King Arthur vibe, which is always a win in my book. However, the plot didn’t quite match the energy of the world-building. There were large sections where the story felt slow, with not much happening, and I found myself waiting for a twist or moment of excitement that took too long to arrive.

The language in the book also felt a little uneven. There were moments when the dialogue didn’t quite fit the world or time period, which pulled me out of the story. Thankfully, that issue seemed to smooth out a bit as the book went on, but it was noticeable enough to be distracting in the early chapters.

As for the plot, it was a bit predictable. I guessed how things would turn out fairly early, and while I don’t mind predictability if it’s done well, I wanted a little more surprise here. The ending felt a bit unresolved, which made me think there’s more to come in the form of a sequel. While some readers might love that, I wished for more closure.

One of the book's saving graces was that it wasn’t overly long. I appreciated that it was a quick read, especially for a fantasy novel, and the pacing towards the end did pick up a bit. The concept of our main character being a thief caught by the royal family, only to be recruited for a new mission, was an intriguing setup. However, I felt the execution didn’t quite reach its potential. There was also the issue of some plot elements, like the hidden identity and the royal intrigue, feeling a little too convenient or underdeveloped.

Despite some frustrations, I did enjoy that the book used multiple POVs. I’ve always been a fan of seeing the story from different angles, and that helped keep me engaged even when the plot slowed down. There’s definitely potential for solid character development, but it felt like we only scratched the surface in this instalment.

Overall, the BOOK was an okay read. It had moments of charm, particularly with the setting and the multiple perspectives, but it struggled with pacing and predictability. I’m curious to see where the rest of the series goes, but this first book didn’t quite hook me as much as I’d hoped. Still, it’s a decent enough adventure for fans of light fantasy. Many thanks to NetGalley

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe books for a chance to read this e-arc!

I am actually pleasantly surprised by this story. I took a chance with reading the small blurb and thought it sounded like something that would interest me.

If the Crown Fits is a face-paced, whirlwind story revolving around Lara, our witty bandit turned pretend princess and Cai, the rival kingdom Prince. Tasked with going undercover as her kingdom’s princess to steal something very important from the Prince. Along the way though, she steals more than she bargained for, his heart. As new revelations and histories come to par, both Lara and Cai need to sort through their feelings and directions their lives will take.

For a shorter sized book, I was glad that the story just started off right away. Dove right into it. I appreciated that. And throughout the story, there wasn’t a lot of unnecessary “fluff” which are stories I tend to like.

The banter and tension between Lara and Cai kept me gripped into the story. Their chemistry was seen very well on the page.

I did feel like the ending was rushed a little bit. I think we could have had a bit more to it. Leading up to it, we had good flow and then suddenly the big “battle” of the story was to come and it was over in what felt like a page. Just left me wanting to bit more out of it.

Overall, a solid story and sets itself up for more to come (which I hope it does because there are so many things left out there for it!)

4⭐️
.5 🌶️ (kissing only but lots of tension)