Prah, Constantine and Baryeh Review: Let it Shine by Alyssa Cole

We’re baaaack. Happy New Year everyone. So far 2020 has been fabulous, I hope the same is true for you and will continue to be so. To start off our review year we chose Let It Shine by Alyssa Cole (one of my all time favorite writers). It didn’t hit me until I started reading it just how appropriate the book is for Black History Month. A great choice for February. Remember to stop by Constantine and Baryeh’s blogs to see what they thought of the book.

Blurb
Sofronia Wallis knows that proper Black women don’t court trouble by upending the status quo, but it’s 1961 and the Civil Rights movement is in full swing. Sofie’s spent half her life being prim, proper, and reserved—as if that could bring her mother back—but the nonviolent protests happening across the South bring out her inner agitator.

Ivan Friedman has devoted his life to boxing, loving the finesse of a well-delivered punch and the penance of receiving one. His family escaped from Europe before the horrors of WWII, and Ivan decides to help fight injustice in their new country, even if it goes against all his instincts as a fighter.

When Ivan and Sofie meet, they realize that their pasts are intertwined and—with the sparks that fly between them—perhaps their futures will be too. With everything in their society lined up against them, will Sofie and Ivan be able to beat the odds? Or will their chance at love be destroyed by the tumultuous times they live in?

My Review

A spectacular read that had me engrossed in the characters lives and the stressful environment they lived. This is a historical romance that bought the issues of race, equal rights and differences of religion to the forefront. I’ll be honest and say that stories about historical race relations tends to get me upset because the truth of people encountering such situations was and still is real.

Ms. Cole’s telling of Sofie and Ivan’s story was both heart-breaking and inspiring. The story had me on pins and needles wondering just how it would end. I was satisfied with how it turned out.

I give this book five out of five boxing glove shaped chocolate bars.

I purchased my copy from Amazon UK on sale for $0.99 which I think is still going on.

Review: Can't Escape Love (Reluctant Royals #2.6) by Alyssa Cole

The Blurb

Regina Hobbs is nerdy by nature, businesswoman by nurture. She's finally taking her pop culture-centered media enterprise, Girls with Glasses, to the next level, but the stress is forcing her to face a familiar supervillain: insomnia. The only thing that helps her sleep when things get this bad is the deep, soothing voice of puzzle-obsessed live streamer Gustave Nguyen. The problem? His archive has been deleted.

Gus has been tasked with creating an escape room themed around a romance anime…except he knows nothing about romance or anime. Then mega-nerd and anime expert Reggie comes calling, and they make a trade: his voice for her knowledge. But when their online friendship has IRL chemistry, will they be able to escape love? 

My Review

This book had me holding my hand over my heart because it was so darn touching. It had everything that makes a romance novel great and Ms. Cole’s superb and engaging writing style had me in awe.

The heroine, Reggie, was strong, determined to succeed at everything she tried and just plain awesome. Her flaw of wanting to do everything herself was one of those “interview” type weakness because even that made her a better heroine. She kicked ass and didn’t let anything, not even her disability stop her. Reggie just rocked all over the place. 

Gus was just so sweet. He didn’t even seem to have to try to make Reggie happy. By the nature of him being who he was, he just did and that lead to a terrific romance. And he was blunt. I covered my mouth a time or two on his behalf wishing he would have kept the words inside. The way he treated Reggie with so much respect (even though she naturally commanded it) was just so fabulous. 

The chemistry between them was far from geeky. Their romance had heat, yet it moved at a pace that suited the characters. 

Be warned that the humor in the book was definitely on the dorky side. I’m okay with admitting that I didn’t get it all, but I sure did enjoy it.

I haven’t read a book that I have enjoyed this much since A Duke By Default by Ms. Cole. Also a fabulous read. Heck get the whole series because they‘re all great.

I give this book five out of five salad dressing bottle shaped chocolate bars. 

Purchased my copy from AmazonUK.

Review: A Duke by Default (Reluctant Royals 2) by Alyssa Cole

The Blurb

Award-winning author Alyssa Cole’s Reluctant Royals series continues with a woman on a quest to be the heroine of her own story and the duke in shining armor she rescues along the way

New York City socialite and perpetual hot mess Portia Hobbs is tired of disappointing her family, friends, and—most importantly—herself. An apprenticeship with a struggling swordmaker in Scotland is a chance to use her expertise and discover what she’s capable of. Turns out she excels at aggravating her gruff silver fox boss…when she’s not having inappropriate fantasies about his sexy Scottish burr.

Tavish McKenzie doesn’t need a rich, spoiled American telling him how to run his armory…even if she is infuriatingly good at it. Tav tries to rebuff his apprentice, and his attraction to her, but when Portia accidentally discovers that he’s the secret son of a duke, rough-around-the-edges Tav becomes her newest makeover project.

Forging metal into weapons and armor is one thing, but when desire burns out of control and the media spotlight gets too hot to bear, can a commoner turned duke and his posh apprentice find lasting love?

My Review

Oh my goodness this book was the best! I loved A Princess in Theory, but this novel topped it. It had me laughing and tearing up. I now really want to learn European martial arts and take a trip return trip to Scotland.

 I’ll admit that I didn’t like drunk Portia from Book #1, but New Portia was amazing. The interesting part was that she didn’t know it, and that was part of her journey. She discovered a lot about herself during this story which made her tale more intriguing.

Tavish was hilarious, a gruff man for sure, but a sweetheart too. I wouldn’t want to be in his position of finding out his new status of royalty, but with help he handled it well.

The way Portia and Tavish’s attraction was described made me want to experience it for myself because it was incredible and consistent.

The story kept me on my toes. I almost took a peep at the end of the book in order to find out what would happen. This is a rarity for me.

I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. A Prince on Paper with Johan – sigh!

I give this book five out of five sword shaped chocolate bars.

I purchased my copy from AmazonUK.

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

The Blurb

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 review

Just look at that amazing cover! The first time I saw it I admired the book. Then I read the blurb and I was panting with need. And then I read it and what started out as infatuation turned into love. I wish Thesolo was a real place in Africa because Ms. Cole made it so appealing that I’m sure I’d book a ticket for a visit. The details of the environments, characters, and even scientific work Naledi did were vivid and thorough, but not overwhelming. Perfect is how I’d describe it.

Naledi has pulled herself through a rough life to make a success of it. Her childhood in foster care has shaped her in a way that she is both determined to get and do what she needs for her career, yet hesitant to stand up for herself when it’s clear that she really needs to.

Prince Thabiso has a huge responsibility as the future king of Thesolo. He has pressure coming at him from every direction, but he’s been groomed for the role so he handles it well. I like that Nadeli teaches him with their experiences and that he’s willing to learn and grow through knowing her. His deception when he first meets her doesn’t sit well (with me or Naledi), but things had to happen the way they did to get the outcome. At least they both knew for certain that Naledi appreciated his true self rather than his princely title.

The chemistry between the two was incredibly beautiful. So were the relationships with the other characters in the story. I’m so glad that I read this book and look forward to reading book two and hopefully more, as soon as Ms. Cole releases them.

I give this book five out of five test tube shaped chocolate bars.

I purchased my copy from AmazonUK