Review: Truly Madly Royally by Debbie Rigaud
10:00
Series: None
Author: Debbie Rigaud
Published July 30th 2019 by Point
Goodreads Synopsis
Fiercely independent and smart, Zora Emerson wants to change the world. She's excited to be attending a prestigious summer program, even if she feels out of place among her privileged, mostly white classmates. So she's definitely not expecting to feel a connection to Owen, who's an actual prince of an island off the coast of England. But Owen is funny, charming...and undeniably cute. Zora can't ignore the chemistry between them. When Owen invites Zora to be his date at his big brother's big royal wedding, Zora is suddenly thrust into the spotlight, along with her family and friends. Everyone is talking about her, in real life and online, and while Owen is used to the scrutiny, Zora's not sure it's something she can live with. Can she maintain her sense of self while moving between two very different worlds? And can her feelings for Owen survive and thrive in the midst of the crazy? Find out in this charming romantic comedy that's like The Princess Diaries for a new generation.
Goodreads
Review
Truly Madly Royally was a book that fell below my radar for so long, and it was actually in the back of another book by the same publisher when I first learnt of it. We have Zora who has overcome her less well off background to gain a scholarship to one of the most prestigious summer schools in the country. Being one of the only black students there, and one who commutes in daily, Zora feels like a fish out of water with all of the over privileged white students she's studying with. One day in the library, she meets a stranger who she has a connection with - they seem to understand what it's like to be a fish out of water, and appreciate her love for her community, and her wish to help the children too. When she realises that the handsome stranger is no more than Owen, the younger prince of a European kingdom, and he seems extremely interested in her. As they spend more time together, they realise they want to continue their relationship, and will do whatever it takes to deal with the press and the attention they receive.
I really wanted to love this book as it had everything going for it. There's a foreign prince, an independent girl, and class barriers and privilege to overcome - what more could you ask for? However, I was left wanting more when I finished the book. It was a good book, it really was, but the last few chapters were hurriedly done, and I was left with questions, and wanting more. Zora was a fantastic main character, and I loved her and all those around her, but I just wanted more. Her and Owen's relationship was cute, but missing something. That's pretty much the theme of this review - more. Nothing was wrong, but it was just missing, and I couldn't give the book higher than 3 starts.
Dates Read:
February 2-3, 2020
Rating
3 Stars
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