Makeda Hicks has lost her job and her girlfriend in one fell swoop. The last thing she’s in the mood for is to rehash the story of her grandmother’s infamous summer fling with a runaway prince from Ibarania, or the investigator from the World Federation of Monarchies tasked with searching for Ibarania’s missing heir.
Yet when Beznaria Chetchevaliere crashes into her life, the sleek and sexy investigator exudes exactly the kind of chaos that organized and efficient Makeda finds irresistible, even if Bez is determined to drag her into a world of royal duty Makeda wants nothing to do with.
When a threat to her grandmother’s livelihood pushes Makeda to agree to return to Ibarania, Bez takes her on a transatlantic adventure with a crew of lovable weirdos, a fake marriage, and one-bed hijinks on the high seas. When they finally make it to Ibarania, they realize there’s more at stake than just cash and crown, and Makeda must learn what it means to fight for what she desires and not what she feels bound to by duty.
Release Date: May 25, 2021
Series: Runaway Royals
Book: 2
Heat Level: Sensual
Publisher: HarperCollins
Imprint: Avon Books
Price: $5.99
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
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