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A Princess in Theory
A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole is $1.99! This is the first book in her Reluctant Royals series and this seems to be a series that just keeps getting better with its books. Many readers loved how Alyssa writes consent, agency, and all sorts of other awesome and empowering things. However, some warn that this book takes several chapters to get into the swing of things.
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?
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Cinder
Cinder by Marissa Meyer is $2.99! This is the first book in the Lunar Chronicles series. Set in New Beijing, a fictional world of the future, Cinder is influenced by several fairy tales, so if you’re a sucker for retellings, you may want to give this is a try. I love the cover redesigns (with stepbacks!) and bought them all when they came out.
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.
Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.
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On the Line
On the Line by Victoria Denault is 99c! This sports romance is the fifth book in The Hometown Players series and has a 4.2-star rating on Goodreads. Though it can be read as a standalone, many readers of series were really anticipating this hero’s book. If you’re a completionist, a few of the other titles are also 99c.
He had total control of his game–until she changed all the rules . . .
As one of the best players in the NHL and the “golden boy” of the league, Avery Westwood knows he has to keep his cool–on and off the ice. His whole life is a carefully constructed image of perfection for the media and his brand sponsors. Of course, that means he can never let his true feelings show. But when it comes to the sexy sister of his former teammate, Avery might be willing to make an exception . . . even if it means breaking all his own rules.
As far as Stephanie Deveau is concerned, having a thing for Avery is the equivalent of psychological napalm. Très bad idea. Then he moves in next door, all sexy smiles and a deliciously hot body that she can’t resist. Something’s happening between them–it’s intense, a little (a lot) out of control, and real. Only Avery doesn’t know everything about Stephanie’s past. And the one exception to his rule might just be the one girl who could destroy his career.
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A Memory Called Empire
A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine is $2.99! It’s the first book in a new sci-fi series and we had Arkady on the podcast. The episode focuses on narratology and I found it fascination. Did you listen to this episode? The book has impressive 4.1-star rating on Goodreads.
Ambassador Mahit Dzmare arrives in the center of the multi-system Teixcalaanli Empire only to discover that her predecessor, the previous ambassador from their small but fiercely independent mining Station, has died. But no one will admit that his death wasn’t an accident–or that Mahit might be next to die, during a time of political instability in the highest echelons of the imperial court.
Now, Mahit must discover who is behind the murder, rescue herself, and save her Station from Teixcalaan’s unceasing expansion–all while navigating an alien culture that is all too seductive, engaging in intrigues of her own, and hiding a deadly technological secret–one that might spell the end of her Station and her way of life–or rescue it from annihilation.
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The Mail Order Bride’s Secret by Linda Broday is 1.99
The Lunar Chronicles is how I finally became friends with the librarian at the school I work with. From my scream of “OMG, you have the entire series!” and her absolute delight when I begged her to let me take out book three, it’s a Friday, I need to know what is going to happen, please wait for me for 300 seconds before you leave so I check the book out.
Good times. Thank heavens I had maintenance stuff that week.
I read Duke by Default, the second book in Cole’s Reluctant Royals series, and gave it a D. The character’s problems (her lack of self esteem and his anti-social behavior) were not satisfyingly dealt with, and the plot was kind of a mess, lacking an unifying focus. It’s like Cole couldn’t decide what story to tell. There was Portia’s interesting ADHD revelation-it went nowhere. Then the sword making went nowhere. A pygmalion-esque storyline took over, and then a weird little mystery was interjected. I’ve heard such great things about Cole as an author, but my one experience makes me reluctant to try again.
I would agree A Princess in Theory was a little slow to get started–which, to be fair, determining the African prince emails weren’t a scam would have slowed me down too! It’s pretty helpful for establishing the main characters for the rest of the series, though, so even though each is a standalone, I’d recommend reading in order. My favorite in the series was A Duke by Default, I loved Portia.
I remember reading and enjoying the Lunar Chronicles several years ago, the new covers are very cute! I haven’t had the urge to re-read the series, but I guess my ever-growing TBR pile limits how often I do pick books back up.
I loved A Princess in Theory, but I would not recommend A Duke by Default to anyone who lives in a Commonwealth country.
One of my all-time-all-the-feels favorite books, Kati Wilde’s SECRET SANTA, is free in the Kindle Store right now. Highly recommended!
https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Santa-Kati-Wilde-ebook/dp/B01N7JF6EG/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=kati+wilde+secret+santa&qid=1606177199&sr=8-3
I find it fascinating to see such strong opinions on A Duke by Default. I like that book because I identified hard with Portia. The people pleasing, the struggle to find one thing she would like to do for ever.
I will agree that I wanted there to be more sword making. I think it was an allegory for him letting her in.
A universal truth, one person’s yes please is another person’s oh hell no. And that’s ok.
“A universal truth, one person’s yes please is another person’s oh hell no.”
Yup – given the almost universal squee over Cinder, I slogged through the book and did not enjoy it. I kept reading on, wondering at which point the story would start to work for me. So I finished, without ever finding out why it makes so many people happy ::shrug emoji::
(thanks for mentioning “A Memory”, it’s on discount in The Netherlands too – or it is if you arrived via the US site 🙂 and I’ve been meaning to pick that up.
I loved A MEMORY CALLED EMPIRE with it’s completely twisty, complicated world-building and a strong, determined protagonist. The negative reviews on Amazon surprised me, so I’ll add that the story takes its time and patience is rewarded.
Love the first and last books on this list! (But I’ve already got ‘em.)
@Yota Armai I really like Portia, too, and I was so interested to read her story. When she got the ADHD revelation, I thought we’d get to see her learn how to manage it. I loved that she was obviously so competent, but unfocused. My disappointment was that a Pygmalion story completely takes over and, in my opinion, the potential for a really good “finding where you fit” love story is mostly lost. What is looking like a slow burn love story morphs into “scratching an itch.