I have no experience reviewing Romance, and very little reading it, but I loved these books, and they were just the thing I needed for 2020, so seemed a shame to not feature them on the blog. I have no clue what I’m doing so I left some of these very short.

A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole

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?

This was so much fun, I was grinning ear to and laughing for so much of it. Just the way it starts, with Naledi getting e-mails from an African prince, thinking they’re spam, when we know ofc they aren’t. 

I loved the characters, how Naledi is so focused on her work and grad school. She’s very protective of herself, not wanting to let anyone hurt her, so it’s always great seeing people like that open up a little. Even though it was stressing me out knowing the truth about the handsome new dude. Prince Thabiso, who is so hot, is trying out living as a commoner and is very bad at it. I liked how he starts off seeming shallow, but then turns out to be a pretty good prince.

I really liked how they interacted and how caring they could be, even though I spent a lot of time mentally screaming “tell her you idiot” at Thabiso. My favorite parts were probably after the cat was out of the bag, just cause I could stop worrying about that. 

Lady Griffith’s Second Chance by Quenby Olson

Regan isn’t looking for a husband. She has her children to raise, an estate to manage, and the role of perpetually grieving widow to uphold. So when she stumbles into Thomas Cranmer, a man so young he is better suited for her own daughter than herself, she is shocked by the immediate spark of desire that ignites between them.

Thomas is indeed young, handsome, and not at all the sort of gentleman who should be catching her attention. But the lure of an affair with him is too tempting to ignore, even as rumors swirl about what sort of man he really is.

It’s not until Regan finds her heart is in danger that she wonders if there can be life beyond grief, and if someone can have a second chance at love…

This was delightful, it was great seeing a middle-aged woman, a mother and widow, getting a second chance at love. Regan’s also very thirsty, so that was refreshing.  I read the entire book in one sitting, it was lovely, sweet and quite steamy. 

The Threefold Tie by Aster Glenn Gray

Everything was fine till Jack fell in love with his former lover’s wife.

Shy Civil War veteran Jack never expected to be involved in an affair du coeur. It seemed like a minor miracle when he and his comrade-in-arms Everett became lovers – and a painful return to reality when Everett married his sweetheart, Sophie. And the situation is only more complicated now that Jack has fallen in love with Sophie, too.

When Everett found himself in love with Sophie, the proper thing for him to do was to end his dalliance with Jack and marry her. But even though everyone says it’s impossible to be in love with two people at once, Everett has never really gotten over Jack.

Sophie’s unconventional family has shown her that love is not always simple. But she’s still startled to find herself responding to Jack’s very obvious crush – and to realize that Everett, too, still has feelings for Jack. How can they navigate nineteenth century romantic conventions and still find a satisfying arrangement?

Another book I read in one sitting, with the biggest grin on my face. This is really short, I think it falls under novellas, and very wholesome. It’s about 3 people that each love each other, they all want to make the other happy and accept them. I’ll definitely be rereading this when I need a comfort read.