For What It's Worth


Monday, March 19, 2018

monday minis: Suddenly in Love, A Princess in Theory



LYING LIARS WHO LIE

Today’s Monday minis are both books where the hero lies about his identity while starting a relationship with the heroine. Not a trope that I like but I did end up enjoying both of these books.


26150228Suddenly in Love (Lake Haven #1) by Julia London
Audio narrator: Cristina Panfilio

Source: Kindle Unlimited

~ Goodreads

Mia Lassiter is thrilled to finally put her artistic skills to use working for her aunt’s interior design shop in her hometown of East Beach. While renovating an old mansion overlooking stunning Lake Haven, she encounters a scruffy but attractive man named Brennan—the owner’s son. She doesn’t realize this sexy recluse is actually Everett Alden, the world-famous rock star in hiding who’s nursing his own artistic and personal crises.

As their personalities clash, tension simmers between the struggling artist and jaded musician, and their time spent alone together in the gorgeous old house only serves to turn up the heat. Soon, Mia and Brennan’s creative passions boil over to inspire passions of another kind…


But reality comes crashing in when Mia’s celeb-obsessed cousin discovers Brennan’s true identity—and reveals it to the world. As paparazzi and industry execs swarm the mansion, Brennan is thrust back into his rock star lifestyle. Will Mia lose her soul mate just when she’s finally found him? Can their love survive the glaring spotlight?


My thoughts: This was your typical jaded rock star becomes a recluse – not trusting anyone until the one girl who doesn’t recognize him or take his crap shows up. Standard fare here but both Mia and Brennan are good people and in a slight twist – Mia is also artistic (a failed painter) – and struggling with the same doubts about her talent as Brennan. They’re kindred spirits and this romance just works despite the over used premise and annoying back & forth once the secret was revealed.

As for the Brennan lying. I got it. And he didn’t exactly lie – just never told Mia he was a rock star. In fact, he was probably more honest with Mia than he was with anyone else in his life. Other than that one itty bitty fact. lol

Audio thoughts: This was my first book on audio and…eh. It wasn’t awful but I could have finished this SO much faster if I read it on my Kindle. On the other hand, listening probably helped me get past the whole lying thing since it felt more like I was *watching* the story unfold. I would have gotten mad and skimmed if I was reading. The narrator (Cristina Panfillio) did a good job but I wasn’t a fan of her voice for Brennan – it sounded strained and whenever she did an excited/exasperated voice for Mia, it was grating.



35828223A Princess in Theory (Reluctant Royals #1) by Alyssa Cole

Source: Purchased

~ Goodreads

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 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?


My thoughts: I LOVE the premise! Ledi keeps getting those – you are betrothed to an African Prince – please send your social security # and all personal information – emails lol Of course Ledi deletes all of them but then a real life African prince shows up to claim his bride. Only he falls for her and pretends to be Jamal, a regular guy who waits tables and lives next door.

Ledi falls hard and I had to step away from this book for a bit because of it. Ledi has been let down SO often and Jamal/Thabiso knows this – yet lies to her anyway. I actually understand his reasons and he did try to tell her multiple times but he didn’t. And continued to sleep with her. I just felt SO bad for Ledi and what was coming.

But! Once I took a breather from it and came back to it I loved them together. Thabiso has the whole fish out of water thing going on – having never had to do anything for himself before, and Ledi learns how to stand up for herself more. These two are combustible together and make each other stronger and better,

I wasn’t a fan of the rushed ending either but still a fun read.

Are there any tropes that you aren’t a fan of but found books that made it work for you anyway?

32 comments:

  1. This is normally a trope that I'm not a fan of either, just waiting for the truth to come out can sometimes be agonisingly long! But out of the two books I think a Princess in Theory would be more my sort of book! Great reviews :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It didn't take too long in either one but the resolution was drawn out for Suddenly in Love and the big moment in A Princess in Theory was awful. I felt so bad.

      Delete
  2. I love the sound of A Princess in Theory!!! The pretending-to-be-not-royalty trope is a super cute one for me. <3 Glad you enjoyed despite the rushed ending. <3

    - Aimee @ Aimee, Always

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Then you'll love this one Aimee! I like the secret royalty think - it was more how much I knew it would hurt Ledi. She really needed someone to trust. But it all works out of course!

      Delete
  3. YOU FINISHED A PRINCESS IN THEORY. I'm so proud of you Karen, haha. I'm happy that it worked out in the end, I'm still waiting for an audiobook to be made damn it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did! Took me TWO weeks! lol I think I was avoiding the big moment because I knew how much it would hurt her but he is a good guy so I got over it lol

      Delete
  4. I'm not a huge fan o that trope either but these sound cute!

    Speaking of cute..that header !! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They were - if you can ignore the whole lying thing lol

      Thanks!

      Delete
  5. I am sorry your first book on audio was a miss. I hope you try another.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was fine. The format is not one I enjoy though. This was my 4th attempt so at least I finally finished a book! lol

      Delete
  6. I love a good prince/princess trope! I can not say no

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! it doesn't do much for me other than the fish out of water - they have to live as a commoner thing.

      Delete
  7. The first book actually sounds like something I would like. And, the second book sounds kind of fun. I like that the African prince thing is real for her and she just doesn't know it, lol.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They were both sweet in their own way. The first book had more of a small town vibe.

      Delete
  8. I wondered about A Princess in Theory, so thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh I have the first on my tbr pile somewhere. Sometimes the narrations aren't fab. I've found speeding them up a little helps me with a lot of them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I used 1.5 speed. Any faster was too fast for me. I was ok with the guys voice once I got used to it but they HAPPY voice was cringy lol

      Delete
    2. Oh wow. Yeah 1.5 would be way too fast for most for me. I tend to hover right around 1.25 for my happy balance.

      Delete
  10. LOL yes, Thabiso is definitely a lying liar who lies! I'm glad that you were still able to enjoy the book despite that, though. I thought Ledi was such a great heroine, and I loved that she kinda has to school Thabiso in what it's like to be a regular dude lol. As for the Julia London book, narrators totally make or break an audiobook in my opinion. Here's hoping your next one is a better listening experience!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She was amazing and my favorite part was when he was trying to learn to do common things for her.

      Delete
  11. It's funny but I often accidentally pick up two books with similar themes. I had three from Overdrive all come in on the same day and all of them were about messed up women with secrets. I'm not sure what you listened to your audio on but many devices have a little speed up button. Libby & Audible let you do it and I always bump mine up 1.5 otherwise, yeah, waaaay too slow!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I sped it up to 1.5. The regular speed is like. each. word. enunciated. lol

      I hate when I read the same themes because it's hard not to compare and find one lacking. Or, like in this case, get annoyed at all the lying.

      Delete
  12. I love the cover for A Princess in Theory, and I loved the concept of it. However, I couldn't stand the fact that he never told her the truth. I understand it happening in the beginning but it was almost the entire novel. Not to mention that he sleeps with her and she still has no idea who he is or what his real name is. I wish the author had dropped the "I'm a prince" bomb a lot sooner. Maybe I should have taken a breather like you did. :\

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah - I had to step away after he slept with her. I got why he didn't tell her but she's SO emotionally vulnerable and did not need one more person she cared about letting her down (& Portia grrr). Especially when she gave herself so freely to him.

      I ended up giving it 3.5 on goodreads. I did end up liking it but that lying really bothered me.

      Delete
  13. Those sound interesting. I haven't read either of them. I'm not a big fan of lying in the story line but I can read it at times if the story is good.

    ReplyDelete
  14. liers liers liers... I hate them in real life but I do have to say they provide good material for books! :) I am one to always whine about tropes and then I still love books with tropes in them LOL Like Twilight! :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Yes I definitely have read books that aren't my favorites but still proved to be enjoyable. Most of those are where I may struggle with certain character elements but the writing is where I can't put the book down so I keep reading because the writing is so engaging.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I’m not a big fan of that type of trope (lying about identity or mistaken identity) but I’ve seen several rave reviews for A Princess in Theory. Glad you enjoyed both of these!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I keep seeing A Princess in Theory around the blogs and I'm curious about it but the long-term lying thing (even by omission) would get right on my nerves.
    However, I quite like the hidden rockstar type trope. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. I definitely struggled with the lying in A Princess in Theory but I found the couple so cute I kind of forgave it. I think it was the fact I was craving a cute romance and it delivered on that point even if the lies stressed me out.

    The first book I hadn't head of before but it sounds pretty fun. Definitely a romance I could enjoy.

    Great reviews.

    ReplyDelete