From acclaimed author Alyssa Cole comes the tale of a city Cinderella and her Prince Charming in disguise . . .Between grad school and multiple jobs, Naledi Smith doesn’t have time for fairy tales…or patience for the constant e-mails claiming she’s betrothed to an African prince. Sure. Right. Delete! As a former foster kid, she’s learned that the only things she can depend on are herself and the … she’s learned that the only things she can depend on are herself and the scientific method, and a silly e-mail won’t convince her otherwise.
Prince Thabiso is the sole heir to the throne of Thesolo, shouldering the hopes of his parents and his people. At the top of their list? His marriage. Ever dutiful, he tracks down his missing betrothed. When Naledi mistakes the prince for a pauper, Thabiso can’t resist the chance to experience life—and love—without the burden of his crown.
The chemistry between them is instant and irresistible, and flirty friendship quickly evolves into passionate nights. But when the truth is revealed, can a princess in theory become a princess ever after?
Selected as one of the New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2018!
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Fun, sexy, and heart-warming! This book kept me smiling and turning pages late into the night. What a great book!
What happens when the African prince sending you e-mails claiming you’re secretly a princess–and his betrothed–isn’t lying? The perfect book for people who wanted a Princess Diaries for grown-ups. (And an awesome scientist grad student heroine!)
I absolutely adored this story, and caught myself sneaking “just a few more pages” every time I had a break in the day. The heroine is whip-smart and funny and so relatable that I wanted to keep hearing her voice long after the book ended. I loved the hero, too, and caught myself laughing out loud a few times over some of his turns of phrase. Highly recommend this one!
I don’t read a lot of contemporary books (in any genre!), but I LOVED A Princess in Theory! This was such a fun and clever romance—Naledi starts getting emails declaring that she’s the long-lost betrothed of the prince of a small African country (I thought it had VERY strong Wakanda vibes, minus the comic book elements). She dismisses them as spam, but of course it’s TRUE! And when the prince shows up at her job in NYC, she mistakes him for a new employee. He rolls with it so he can get to know her without the wall of his princeliness between them, so now we’ve got secret royalty AND a mistaken identity!
I can’t wait to read A Duke by Default next!
One of the best romances I’ve read in a while–the perfect blend of Cinderella and The Black Panther! This hero is sexy and likable, while the heroine is confident and capable. Cole has done a brilliant job of creating a world we don’t often get to experience in romance–HIGHLY recommended!!
What a fun, heartwarming read! This left me with all the warm and fuzzy feels.
Alyssa Cole is the newly coronated queen of contemporary royal romance! A Princess in Theory is delicious fun… a smart, funny heroine; a sweetly sexy prince; swoon-worthy romance; and an epic happily-ever-after. Long live the queen!
A royal romance done amazingly right!
Romantic, witty, strong characters, and people, it’s a princess book!!! What more could we want??? Loved it!!!
I loved this book so much! Since reading it, I’ve adored every book in this series, but it all started here. I adored the way Naledi and Thabiso built a layered, supportive, and swoony relationship. The sex was hot, but they kept adding so many thing they desired about each other on top of the sex, so the conclusion felt so well fought and deserved in every way.
This is a really enjoyable read with engaging characters. There’s a great scene with the hero in the restaurant that I’ve read several times because it’s so much fun. The romance is hot and sweet at the same time. Highly recommend!
Loved this book so hard. A STEM heroine and a prince? More please!
What a wonderful story!
When Naledi got emails saying she’s betrothed to an African prince, she deleted them assuming they were spam. But they weren’t! Naledi was a strong woman who’d had a rough life in America so she was completely out of her depth when she was thrown into the world of royals in another country. I loved the Prince. Everyone thought he had a perfect, easy life, but a prince had a lot more work to do than most people knew about. I liked that he was just a man who wanted to be loved for himself, not his title. I felt sorry for him because even though he had many women wanting to be his princess, all they really wanted was the position.
I LOVED this book! It was fun, heart-warming and sexy. If you like fairy tale type romances, I highly recommend this one.
Just look at that amazing cover! The first time I saw it I admired the book. Then I read the blurb and I was panting with need. And then I read it and what started out as infatuation turned into love. I wish Thesolo was a real place in Africa because Ms. Cole made it so appealing that I’m sure I’d book a ticket for a visit. The details of the environments, characters, and even scientific work Naledi did were vivid and thorough, but not overwhelming. Perfect is how I’d describe it.
Naledi has pulled herself through a rough life to make a success of it. Her childhood in foster care has shaped her in a way that she is both determined to get and do what she needs for her career, yet hesitant to stand up for herself when it’s clear that she really needs to.
Prince Thabiso has a huge responsibility as the future king of Thesolo. He has pressure coming at him from every direction, but he’s been groomed for the role so he handles it well. I like that Nadeli teaches him with their experiences and that he’s willing to learn and grow through knowing her. His deception when he first meets her doesn’t sit well (with me or Naledi), but things had to happen the way they did to get the outcome. At least they both knew for certain that Naledi appreciated his true self rather than his princely title.
The chemistry between the two was incredibly beautiful. So were the relationships with the other characters in the story. I’m so glad that I read this book and look forward to reading book two and hopefully more, as soon as Ms. Cole releases them.
Give me a scientist heroine, and I am all in!
This was such a great book. Alyssa Coal is my new favorite author.
Love this book couldn’t put it down
I won this book through the Goodreads Giveaways Program, thank you!
I loved this book! First of all that cover is GORGEOUS! The characters were so loveable and detailed, I cherish that. This book was good at drawing out the emotions in me. I cryed, I laughed, and was mad all like Naledi, one of the main chracters of the story. It felt real for me, and I thank anyone who can write like that.
The way Thebiso(main male character) always calls his love Goddess…. makes my freaking heart melt. Can you say Lady boner?!?! Haha. This story was sexy, alive, adventurous. I loved A Princess In Theory, but wish the ending would have been longer. I wanted more action and play, to have a good balance between action and romance. Those are my favorite types of books, a good love story with some kick ass action involved. There was also a part where the main characters aren’t getting along, where it felt like it drug on for way too long and was very whiney. That part was the only bore, I felt like it spanned on for 20 pages, that was the only lull in the book for me though.
At first, I didn’t like the main characters job and thought it was weird but towards the end of the book I became ok with it, as it was all for a better purpose. 🙂
Was bored. I was so excited to read (listen) to this story, learn about a different culture. But I was let down. Had to skip most of the middle because of how bored I was.
I felt like the book was a little too long and that’s why I was getting bored. I don’t know if this is just me thing but the plot felt all over the place. I was getting confused about what was happing.
The heroine’s relationship with her “best friend” felt fake. Like why are you not supportive of your supposed friend when you know she is dealing with some issues. She complained about her for more than half the book.
The Hero could have done better for a love interest, honestly.
This had an adult Princess Diaries/ Black Panther kind of vibe to it.
Loved this couple! Ledi is empowered, smart, and spunky, all the things I adore in my heroine. Thabiso is adorable in his fumbled attempts to get her attention, and the chemistry between them is off the charts! I am so very glad I finally took this off my #TBR pile, and I am excited to check out more by this author!