A Princess in Theory
Written by Alyssa Cole
Narrated by Karen Chilton
4/5
()
Currently unavailable
Currently unavailable
About this audiobook
Between grad school and multiple jobs, Naledi Smith doesn't have time for fairy tales . . . or the patience for constant emails 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 email 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 their flirty friendship quickly evolves into passionate nights. But when the truth is revealed, can a princess in theory become a princess ever after?
Alyssa Cole
Alyssa Cole is an award-winning author of historical, contemporary, and SFF romance. Her books have received critical acclaim from The New York Times, Library Journal, BuzzFeed, Kirkus, Booklist, Jezebel, Vulture, Book Riot, and Entertainment Weekly. She can usually be found watching anime with her husband or wrangling their menagerie of animals.
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Reviews for A Princess in Theory
359 ratings24 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5What a fabulous start to a new series!?! An equally smart and steamy novel is not easy to find and this ticks all the boxes. Interesting storyline about class, culture, science, mixed with a lovely love story.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This was a refreshing read for my recent romance category books. The perspective of a strong, independent woman and a storyline that was more realistic than some recent ones I've read made for a welcome retreat into Naledi's world.
Quotes and moments:
eggplant emoji jeans.
"I know you are used to doing everything yourself. But I wanted to make sure you are okay after receiving that news, are you ok?"
sexy donkey riding
"I contain multitudes your highness." - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Sweet as can be and refreshingly current. The book is honest about life for young Black women (and to a lesser extent all women) in male dominated fields and the attack on science currently underway. It also touches on the costs of growing up in the foster system. It is honest about living in NY without money. I loved when Naledi says her apartment would fit into the bathroom on Friends, because seriously, the Friends apartment is absurd! No one has that much space! I likes the leads, I liked the side characters, I loved that one of the primary side characters is Queer and it is not a thing anyone really cares about, I liked the sense of humor displayed throughout. A really enjoyable read.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5A very traditional romance and the plot has some major holes, but the characters are relatable.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Naledi Smith has worked hard to get where she is. Growing up in the foster care system she's had to grind her way to her current work as a grad student studying epidemiology and not once has the stress let up. Adding to the strain is the string of persistent and weird spam emails she starts getting claiming she's the betrothed of an African prince. Meanwhile, Prince Thabiso is the sole heir of Thesolo who has grown up with his fantasy of his lost betrothed. When he finally has an opportunity to meet Naledi he jumps on it. What neither of them expect is that letting someone else into their lives could make everything so much better.A cute romance that plays on the secret prince trope quite effectively. I really appreciated how much of Naledi's scientific pursuits make it into the novel and that her career always remains her first priority throughout. The romance that builds between her and Thabiso is pretty believable and while the mystery element of the plot is not once actually mysterious, the book is still enjoyably plotted. However, for readers who are language sensitive, Naledi's character drops regular f-bombs throughout.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Absolutely adorable!I've been dying to read this book since the episode of Smart Podcasts, Trashy Books where author Alyssa Cole talked about creating the gorgeous cover for this book (and of course, gave teasers for the book itself), and am happy to report that it did not disappoint! I loved Ledi and the fact that she is a graduate student in epidemiology--and that she actually does epidemiology-type-stuff throughout the book. Gotta love dedicated, brainy heroines, amirite? :) And (Prince) Thabiso? OMG, that first trip to a bodega--and on the subway--had me giggling. And don't even get me started on his adorableness and princely behavior throughout (checking Ledi for consent whenever things heat up *almost* makes up for the whole pretending-to-be-Jamal thing).The mysterious illness/villain portion of the story wasn't the strongest--it wasn't too hard to guess who the "bad guy" was, their motivation, or even (at least a basic idea of) how they were attempting to accomplish their goals. Still, the romance between Thabiso and Ledi more than made up for any weakness that might have existed in other parts of the story.This modern twist on Cinderella was a great start to Ms. Cole's new series, Reluctant Royals, and I can't wait for book two! Portia wasn't my favorite character throughout much of the book--she's got some major issues to work through--but I'm looking forward to seeing how Ms. Cole will make her a more sympathetic character.Rating: 4 stars / B+I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5the first half of the book was a little slow and weak but the last half slapped!!!! so addicting and fun
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5i tryed very hard to finish this book i lose intered the middle the story it just didn't sound real
and all the F words it's too over the top - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Idk what the last reviewer is saying about plot holes, but this is a really good read so I rated it a five to balance her. A POC woman in STEM grad school is an underexplored protagonist, and this book deserved to be on all of the "must read books of 2018" lists it's on.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5really charming and cute story. had fun reading it. Good for Valentine's day
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This book is going to be an amazing movie someday, I can feel it. Our heroine Ledi is a former foster kid on her way to a career in STEM. Our hero Thabiso is an African prince with a playboy reputation but a head for politics. Mix in a family mystery, a case of mistaken identity, meddling friends and family who seem to mean well, some good old fashioned fake relationships, an international incident and a mysterious illness.
While the story has a dabbling of fake dating, it's not the strongest setup or execution but that doesn't diminish from the story. I was more invested in the mystery which resolved quickly and partially off-screen, I would have read another chapter devoted to wrapping up those loose ends.
How steamy was it? There are a handful of explicit scenes sprinkled in, let's just say I neither skipped nor lingered. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Audiobook narrated by Karen Chilton - When Naledi Smith gets an email from an African prince who claims they need to get married, obviously she ignores it. But Prince Thabiso is real, and when he stops by Naledi’s job to convince her and is mistaken for a waiter, he goes along with it to get close to her.Mostly a fine romance, though I have some issues with consent when one party is lying about their identity. The general concept of an African prince scam email being real is very funny, and I do love it when a rich/royal person has to learn how to live in the real world. I did not like this one as much as An Extraordinary Union, but I did like a lot of the side characters, particularly Naledi’s best friend and Thabiso’s bodyguard, so I might pick up some more in this series in the future. Karen Chilton narrated this one and she was great.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5So fun. The premise is a bit absurd of course, but I loved this and would definitely read something else by this author.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5A grad student is courted by an African prince.2/4 (Indifferent).I gave up on it after about 90 pages. It's very much like a formulaic Hollywood romantic comedy (where everything can be predicted two scenes in advance), minus the comedy.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book was really excellent. It was a very light read and I loved Naledi as a character. She was strong, smart and sweet and I loved the growth that she underwent in the book. I also really liked Thabiso, even though at times he was very arrogant (I feel like I was able to excuse that a bit though because it really comes with the territory of being a prince). Overall I found the plot really worked. The only thing that I would have liked more of was to see how their relationship was doing and what it looked like after the ending of this book took place. I didn't feel like that was really resolved for me. I also would have liked to see more of Thesolo. I would have liked more of a window into the culture and the politics of this particular place and how the two main characters were working to navigate in the political world of Thesolo.
Overall, I found this to be a very enjoyable read. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5My god that was good.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Gosh, I really really loved this book. I loved the characters, the romance, the relationships, and I cannot wait for the second book (which is good, because I already have a copy from the library waiting to be started ASAP). I heart Naledi and Thabiso and I loved seeing them develop both as people and as a couple throughout the book. There is the "pretending to be someone else to get closer to romantic interest" as an essential plot point but I think Alyssa Cole handles it very well and keeps Thabiso from falling into, ahem, fuckboy territory because of it.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I really enjoyed the setup of the story and the main characters. It was a really cool premise. I saw the ending coming a mile away, so the conclusion came too quickly for me. It looks like the supporting characters have their own stories in the series, so I'm guessing these main characters will make cameos in those as well.I was expecting A Princess in Theory to be in the contemporary romance genre, but I have to say I wasn't expecting the handful of explicit romance scenes, which I could have done without, and which pushed it into the erotic romance genre. I don't typically read adult romance, but I gave this one a go because of the lovely cover, diversity and the unique story line.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I loved this book! This voice actress is my favorite and really brought the characters to like.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This was so beautiful written. You never know what will come your way. Loved it
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Very cute with an interesting STEM heroine and an apt subplot for these COVID times.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Loved this. It was funny and entertaining. I loved that most of the awkward, embarrassing things happened to the H instead of the h as usually happens.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'm not usually a romance reader and fully admit that I brought some preconceived notions to the table when starting this book, but I really enjoyed it. The protagonist is smart and competent and vulnerable in turns, her love interest actually cares about enthusiastic consent, and Cole expertly depicts persistence on Prince Thabiso's part that never turns into stalking/creepy behavior. It's fantasy, but it's all grounded in principles that respect emotional health and healing.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I liked it well enough Though I didn't like the way he stalked her. I do understand how that was driving the story onwards, but it freaked me out a bit imagining someone doing that to me. But overall it was okay and I'm definitely reading the next book too.