A Princess in Theory
A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole
Published in 2018
Main Couple: Naledi (Ledi) & Thabiso
The Story: Orphan and Phd student Ledi has no time for men or fun, so she definitely has no time for the scammer bugging her about being a long lost engaged princess. Turns out, it’s all true. How will she handle this new family history and prince to boot?
The Sex:
So many great moments of consent and check in!!! “Can I touch you?” “Do you like that?” I liked the appreciation for actual facial hair. I’ve seen lots of scruff or 5 o’clock shadow, but it’s rare that I read about full facial hair. Unless it’s a lumberjack situation. And he uses his beard to switch up the sensations he causing. Top notch move! In general, Alyssa uses metaphor with mastery. Terms like”sipping at her like a butterfly savoring the sweetest nectar” do not feel corny or out of place. The use of them enhances the experience to something soul deep. Their connection goes beyond the physical. They bring their personality in to the bedroom. They make jokes before sex. That made them feel like a real couple to me. Not every part of sex is “sexy.” This grounded realness of them as a couple made the sex feel grounded too. I believed Thabiso was a boss as getting Ledi off. He was generous and worked to give her an orgasm before penetrative sex, and during. He helped stimulate her clit in one scene, and then she did it herself. The back and forth of their relationship was echoed in their lovemaking.
Favorite Lines:
“The only data she was currently interested in collecting was the exact tensile pressure of his beard against her inner thigh, and the shift in mass of his body on top of hers.” Chapter 4 I want her to talk in science terms for all things
“Just because the finest, most lickable man you’ve ever seen in real life is going to be working next to you all night is no reason to start acting like some classic ’90s movie character.” Chapter 4 The word lickable evokes a very clear picture for me.
“His fingers teased along her slit, and then rubbed hard, and when he could see she preferred his touch rough he kept at it, kissing her all the while.” Chapter 17 When a woman expresses her preference…give it to her!!! YAS!
“I’m a fucking gentleman, Naledi. Gentlemen don’t assume, they ask. So. Can I kiss you?” Chapter 28 I might have swooned. This needs to be taught in every fucking sex ed class.
“‘Wrong seat,’ he said, then his strong hands were at the backs of her thighs, urging her up his torso and toward his face.” Chapter 30 Best seat in the house!!!!!
Least Favorite Lines:
“In the firelight she could see the rounded sharpness of his cheekbones” Chapter 30 It feels like an oxymoron. If you’re round, you can’t be sharp. Took me out of the moment.
Final Thoughts:
This was a super fun read. There are a TON of great tropes: secret identity, arranged marriage, fake engagement, only one bed, even a bit of enemies to lovers. The secret identity part of the story was a awkward for me to read, but once everything was out in the open, their relationship was able to deepen. Alyssa Cole’s writing is beautiful. I am entranced by her magnificent use of metaphor to convey feelings. It’s almost poetic. I know this is the first book in a series, and there’s a spin off. I want to see how this world evolves.
Spice Level: 2/5
Kinks Explored: Not a one
Voices Heard: This is almost an exclusively black cast of characters. Thabiso’s assistant and best friend is also a gay woman.
Did I like it? It was great!!!