A Princess in Theory

I absolutely adored this book. It stars Naledi Smith, a graduate student with a lot on her plate. She's studying for finals, working as a research assistant, trying to nail down her summer plans, and waiting tables to support herself. So when she finds out that she's the long lost fiance of an African prince, well she just assumes it's a scam and ignores the whole thing.

Said prince, Thabiso, of the small (fictional) nation Thesolo, has plans to track down his fiance and find out why her parents fled the country, betraying everyone close to them in the process. But when he meets her, and discovers that her parents died shortly after they arrived in America, leaving her with no knowledge of where she came from or why she left, he finds himself intrigued. And when a case of mistaken identity gives him a chance to get to know her without all the royal baggage, he jumps at the opportunity.

Hijinks ensue, as they are wont to do. Thankfully, the prince's true identity is revealed closer to the middle of the book than the end, giving Naledi plenty of time process her own feelings of betrayal and get to know the prince as a leader of people and all around decent guy.

There was just so much in here that was like catnip for me. Ledi is studying epidemiology, and she's able to use her science smarts to save the day. Her relationship with Thabiso felt organic, and I'm glad she was given so much space in the story to work out her feelings towards him. Plus there's Thesolo, which is a bit like Wakanda in that it's a little known, benevolent kingdom, that seems to be miles ahead the rest of the world when it comes to technology and social programs.

This was a delightful fantasy to indulge in, and I'll definitely be tracking down more of Alyssa Cole's work. Luck for me, the next book in this series just came out! But Cole has also written romances set during the Civil War and in dystopian, science-fiction setting. I'm eager to see what she does in those different worlds.

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