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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One of the best books I’ve ever read. Dynamic, deep and simply a fabulous story. Definitely has a permanent spot on my keeper shelf.
If you read one Romance book, this is it. This is Cinderella for the 21st century. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, beginning from the first page with an email from a representative of a little known African prince requesting the heroine provide her license, passport, etc.
I just adored Ledi and Thabiso – Ledi just grabs you by the heart, and I loved watching Thabiso struggling in his disguise as a “commoner.” The plot, pacing, writing are just perfect. I had a big, sloppy grin on my face the entire time I was reading.
The final section of the book takes place in the mythical kingdom of Thesolo, and if you liked Black Panther and Wakanda, this has a very similar appeal. It’s a beautiful vision of how things could be, a reminder of what our society could be like if we lived up to our values.
I can’t wait to read more in Cole’s “Reluctant Royals” series!
I don’t read a lot of contemporary romance, but this one had me hooked me from the cover art and the premise. What if one of those transparently false emails — I am definitely an African prince and I am definitely not lying to get money from you! — was true? And then the prince showed up looking for you because you’re actually his betrothed bride. And he’s rich, charming, hot… a real life Prince T’Challa. Oh, this book will have you swooning. And laughing, and thinking, because what is she supposed to do? Just give up her hard-earned life to be his arm-candy because oops, he’s a prince and it’s her destiny? Such a good book.
“A Princess in Theory” is exactly the kind of book I was hoping it would be! Fun, hot, and loaded with chemistry of both the romantic and scientific variety. Both of their worlds–Manhattan and Thesolo–are fully realized worlds and become characters within the story, too. I can’t wait to continue with the series!
A Princess in Theory is the first book of the Reluctant Royals series and it is also my introduction to Ayssa Cole.
Naledi is a graduate public health student living in NYC. The reader learns immediately that she was raised in foster care and remembers nothing about her parents. Being shuffled from one foster family to another makes her reticient about close personal relationships. She believes that she is “faulty velcro,” or “someone no one ever chooses,” so she doesn’t open up to many people.
Little does Ledi know, she is a Princess of Thesolo, a small African nation, and betrothed from childhood to Prince Thabiso. Thabiso, travels to NYC in search of her, but when they first meet, Ledi thinks he is someone else. He allows her to persist in this disbelief, at first, because he enjoys being himself, without the burden of rulership. But as time passes and he grows fond of her and wants to share his true identity, as well as her lineage. Of course, his attempts to come clean are unsuccessful until the truth is finally revealed.
I loved the characterization in this book, especially Ledi, with whom I can identify with. Intelligent, resourceful, a survivor, she is nonetheless scarred by the early loss of her parents and shuttling between foster homes. Thabiso is a bit of a brat in the beginning, but grows into a prince who is worthy of his princess. He respects Ledi, seeks her consent at all turns and shows himself to be truly devoted, not just to her, but to his nation.
And talking about this, I absolutely loved the depiction of an African nation that is neither starving nor ripped apart by civil war. Thesolo is technologically advanced, rich in natural resources, and ruled by a royal family who cares for their people.
My understanding is Portia, Ledi’s best friend, Regina, Portia’s twin sister, and Nya, Ledi’s cousin, all get their own books. Each of these ladies are fascinating and complex in their own right and I am looking forward to reading the next installments.
I enjoyed this story and the characters! Recommend!
A lovely read with a heroine I’d love to be friends with.
This was my first experience with both this author and African American romances in general. I must admit, this book really surprised me!
My biggest gripe about this story was that Naledi’s past wasn’t discussed in great detail. It felt like we were just getting dribs and drabs of it, and it never fully formed a clear picture of what her life was like to form her into the cynical woman she was at the beginning of the book. This lack of detail made it harder to connect with her. That being said, I also had a problem with Thabiso in general. His name was too close to the African country name of Thesolo, so I was often confusing the two. I also hated his deceptions! He became a slimebag male, instead of a Prince in Disguise.
The story seemed a little on the fantastic side, but at the same time, I could totally see it happening in real life! The writing was a bit choppy and abrupt for my tastes, but it kept me engaged and entertained throughout the story. The characters were unique, perhaps not as enjoyable, but definitely unique! All things considered, this is a great introduction to the series and makes me eager to read the next book!
Such a great story! The author’s voice is so fresh and fun. Moving on to book two in this series now and I’m loving it already! <3
The first thing that attracted me to this book was the gorgeous cover! A close second was the title. This is my first Alyssa Cole book, and let me just say wow! I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
In this Cinderella-story, a case of mistaken identity thrusts a prince in a situation where he gets to live as a commoner while wooing the woman he’s destined (by royal and religious decree) to marry. This is a good thing because said woman, Naledi, has no knowledge of this betrothal.
Though naturally caged, Naledi finds herself opening up to Thabiso and their attraction soon leads to some very steamy encounters. The romance between them is sweet and they each learn to step outside their comfort zones. From their affair in New York, the story takes us to Thesolo where we get to see Naledi as the princess she was always meant to be.
I’ve always thought, of all the fairytales, Cinderella is the one you can’t really do a whole lot with. Ms Cole shakes this position with her story.
I really liked the strong female characters and the general celebration of femininity in the story – particularly when they arrive in Thesolo. The secondary characters were well-rounded and added flavor to the story. I am thrilled to know that all those who made an impression on me get their own stories too!
All of that said, I should mention that Thabiso’s cluelessness in some parts was a little odd for me especially since 1) he was already exposed to world outside the continent and 2) his country wasn’t some backward underdeveloped nation. That part was a little too Coming To America-y for my liking. The other thing is purely me being critical as an African. There were one too many West African references for a country that’s nestled in the tail end of Southern Africa. I noticed them, because I’m West African; most readers would probably not notice.
Overall, this is an excellent read whether you believe in fairytales or not. Highly recommended!
How is Alyssa Cole always so amazing at building her stories?! This was so wonderful! Every bit of it. Ledi was freaking amazing. She’s an epidemiology grad student doing her best to make ends meet when she starts receiving these spam emails claiming she’s betrothed to the prince of Thesolo, an African nation. She had my heart from the start. I got why she was so guarded/closed off and loved watching her slowly open up and let others in. Prince Thabiso was a spoiled brat but I loved watching him wake up to what a tool he could be. His heart was mostly in the right place so I could hang with him through the rest. And I absolutely loved the way he took care of Ledi. Cue all the swooning! The character growth was great, especially how Thabiso went from spoiled prince to a nurturing, more self-aware soul. All the nerdery was fantastic too! This had humor and heart and I loved every second of it. Plus, the side characters added so much depth to the story.
My favorite romance novel of all time!
A++! Or 5.0 for geek-girls.
I like romances purely because you know that there will be a happy conclusion, unlike most of life. But I think that each one is about the journey to the end of the book and this one is REFRESHING! Part Disney Princess movie, part Princess Diaries, part Coming to America and part Black Panther (the forward-thinking, advanced African country was wonderful!!)!
Think I fell for Thabiso when he said he snuck his mother’s Mills and Boons romances. I’m a big believer that if only men read more romances, the good ones (like this one) women would be better off.
But it is Ledi who is awesome! Got to love the geek-girl heroine. And she is very realistic. I love the grams, gram-positive and Gram-negative. That is straight out of the lab. And I loved it when she told the queen “Thanks for clearing that up!” It was perfect.
Lost interest less than half way through and never finished,
This is a fun novel, it has mystery, romance, a missing princess, a loyal prince and steamy sex scenes, what more is needed. I enjoyed the 2 protagonists, they were intelligent and strong willed and their interaction together was believable. It was a great book to read at the end of a stressful work day and I recommend it.
This is the 1st book I’ve read by Ms. Cole, but it won’t be my last. Love it!
Fun
I picked this book up because everyone was talking about it and just look at that cover! The colours! It’s got a STEM heroine and I was told that she was realistic.
I wasn’t disappointed. Ledi is a very realistically represented grad student. She works ridiculous hours, is quite nerdy and is essentially being bullied by the sexist git post-doc. I loved the various microbiology references (and epidemiology stuff) and was delighted that she had pet rats called Gram P and Gram N! In general, I liked Ledi. A lot.
Thabiso is a prince and I liked how he started off being all high handed and bossy. Because we can see his point of view, we understand that he’s not being a bossy alpha-hole, he’s just behaving as he is expected to behave. Of course, Ledi doesn’t know that and thinks he’s being a jerk. Since she has no idea who he is, Thabiso decides to get to know her by going undercover as a waiter called Jamal and complications ensue.
I love the idea that what appeared to be spam emails were actually real.
I really enjoyed this story. The writing is glorious. There were a couple of places where I got pulled out of the story, but for the most part I loved it.
I noticed that Likotsi, Thabiso’s assistant, was getting her own story, so I bought that too, because I loved Likotsi.
Fabulous romance.
I read this book because Meg Cabot recommended it and she is one of my favorite authors of princess stories. I have a new favorite author of princess stories and it’s Alessia Cole. I couldn’t put this book down It’s such a wonderful and well imagined story. And I adore Naledi and her prince and all of the secondary characters.
I finished it and immediately picked up the second book in the series, A Duke By Default. That one is set inEdinburough and I love it just as much I did A Princess in Theory. I recommend both books. And I can’t wait for the third one, which should be out in the spring
More realistic and romantic.