Rhodes Scholar Kerry Donovan has never had anything handed to her on a silver platter. As she arrives at Oxford to begin her course of study, she is determined to make the most out of this latest opportunity. But when she meets Her Royal Highness Princess Sasha, second in line to the British throne, Kerry’s priorities are eclipsed by an attraction neither of them can ignore. “Sassy Sasha” is a … tabloid favorite who appears to delight in scandalizing her people, but beneath her vexed public image, Sasha longs to be truly seen.
Will the tenuous connection she forms with Kerry be broken by the weight of the crown? Or will they find true love despite the forces endeavoring to keep them apart?
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In this American commoner falls for the Princess of England story, Nell Stark gives us a wonderful couples with chemistry coming out of their ears. Kerry is a Rhodes Scholar studying at Oxford. She came out in college, and it didn’t go well, and not before her ex left her. She’s here to focus. Sasha is actually Princess Alexandra, second in line to the English throne. She doesn’t do relationships because she can’t afford to be out publicly. When they meet in a bar, it’s instant attraction. But can a princess and an American find love?
This was so well written—I loved both Kerry and Sasha and I was rooting for them from before they met. Yes, it’s trope-y, but in the best ways. And even as it follows the beats, it is original and witty and fun.
What I Think: Sacha’s loneliness is a palpable, tangible shroud around her and being in her shoes would be a nightmare for me. How she stays sane is a wonder but also shows an inner strength that even she does not realize. Kerry is just as alone, her single-minded focus and natural distrust of people isolating her even in the midst of her peers. Which we later find out is only natural. When the people who are supposed to love and protect you the most let you down, you no longer expect anything from the world. You just want to focus on your dreams to ensure you make something of yourself for yourself. Then, I found out Kerry is flame-haired and off I was, ready to stand by her side and go to war for and with her if necessary. Only for my heart to ache for Sasha as the teacher I am began to deduce the reason she is not as academically successful as her siblings or father and it’s so unfair that she gets such cold treatment from someone who should be too educated for his behavior. Goes to show that true civilization can’t be taught. How, just how can Kerry be intelligent, a sportsman, and gorgeous too? Then, also has an inbuilt GPS system? No fair. Ach, be still my heart. I could get lost in my room if there were towers of books in it. And the addiction was instantaneous. Ha, you know how much I love those lightning bolts of desire that make you forget your place, especially when Kerry is being sensible. What made her think you can reason with a lightning bolt? This battle of mind and heart can only lead to one place: a grand capitulation. But even though I await her capitulation eagerly, I empathize with Kerry because she’s got my heart so I’m looking at my girl Sasha with some serious side-eye till she begins to make her moves which means I’m studying like a proper student on how to seduce Mrs. Right when she shows up because this slow-burn happening here is worthy of taking notes. I love poetry because words always affect me so, of course, that single line – dare to disturb the universe – is going on my wall. Because this tale just disturbed my universe. I’ll let you in on a little secret. Ssshhh, come closer. Here in West Africa, the first sign of a lesbian is the all Butch look. My Butch phase lasted a few months before I realized that it wasn’t me. But being naturally toppy and used to being in charge, it meant going after very rare femmes who were afraid to commit to a relationship with someone so bold and non-manipulative. I was unmercifully passed over by the goddess that gave women their uniquely complicated mind which is one reason I love them so much but I was often accused of being a pretender because I was so butch in character yet looked so ultra-femme. I won’t leave my house without at least, eyeliner, deep, bold lipstick and mascara and that would be because wherever I’m going would leave me sweaty. Then, I decided to date butches and it terrified the hell out of me. Not only did they treat me like I had no choice because I don’t behave like the typical African, but I’m also not Butch-looking so no femme would date me. So, I did not only go back into the closet for fear of being alone, I was convinced that I could never feel any attraction towards a butch representing woman. Was that too much personal history? Hnm, let me connect it back to the tale. Now, this tale is making me wonder if I shouldn’t give it another try now that I’m surer of myself and all the way out of the closet because Sacha’s desire and the way she sees Kerry makes me wonder if I didn’t just have the misfortune of attracting terrible people. But then the charades begin, distracting me from myself, and while Sasha has lived with it her whole life, I worry that Kerry will break under the strain of the things Sasha has to do to have her. Just when Kerry begins to doubt, the world turns on its head as Sasha comes close to losing another family member, which pushes everything off the rails, then brings the relationship to a staggering end. The world needs more friends like Harris and loyal men like Ian. It’s the first time reading a tale and wishing certain characters could hook up because oh, I would love to see these two together. There’s also hope because people can surprise us if we let them as Kerry’s family surprised me by all but one rallying to support and prop her up, yet it does not stop the steamroller of vitriol and hate that the world vomits on her as her certain world is yanked from under her feet. But my girl Sasha begins to make her moves and shows what makes her true royalty with bold, decisive strokes. She would make one helluva queen or her brother’s right hand. This is not a tale to read when the Red Tide is in town because I had to blink really hard not to cry as the courage that both Kerry and Sasha show is humbling, which means I lost the battle because I was laughing and crying at the same time. Their certainty in each other is as enviable as the bond between the heir and his future queen.
Verdict? A comfort keeper to give you the strength to dare to disturb the universe when love is the price!