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A Matter of Principal
A contemporary romance story about a principal who has cut himself off from connecting with those around him and a parent volunteer who distracts herself from her own romantic desires. The two strangers meet for one night to lose all their inhibitions. One night to give into their own desires. One night and that is all, until they meet again by chance.
- GenresRomanceContemporary
301 pages, Paperback
Published June 3, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 25, 2024
A Hallmark Moxie in the making
I really enjoyed this read. New to me author, freebie from a stuff your Kindle day gone great!
This was a really cute story that was written well. I felt like I was in the story and was dragged around while poor Monet handled and mishandled that golden retriever of a man. Roland was such a sweetheart. They were very good to and for each other and I'm glad that things finally worked out for the best.
I really enjoyed this read. New to me author, freebie from a stuff your Kindle day gone great!
This was a really cute story that was written well. I felt like I was in the story and was dragged around while poor Monet handled and mishandled that golden retriever of a man. Roland was such a sweetheart. They were very good to and for each other and I'm glad that things finally worked out for the best.
October 25, 2024
3.75 stars. I liked the story
It was awkward and kinda sweet. I think the kids were forgotten a few times in the storyline. Overall, the story was good.
It was awkward and kinda sweet. I think the kids were forgotten a few times in the storyline. Overall, the story was good.
October 24, 2024
The Principal
It was a fun story. There were quite a few grammatical errors, incomplete sentences, and words used incorrectly, like weary instead of wary. Emily turned into Elizabeth, but then she went back to being Emily by the end of the story. There were some other names that got switched as well. It's true that this was not a closed door story, but at least it wasn't as graphic as some other books. If it had a good editor, I think it would be a much more enjoyable story.
It was a fun story. There were quite a few grammatical errors, incomplete sentences, and words used incorrectly, like weary instead of wary. Emily turned into Elizabeth, but then she went back to being Emily by the end of the story. There were some other names that got switched as well. It's true that this was not a closed door story, but at least it wasn't as graphic as some other books. If it had a good editor, I think it would be a much more enjoyable story.
May 17, 2025
3.5 stars.
This was cute and I just loved seeing Ro literally cater to Monet. Im not gonna lie Monet pissed me off bad with her own insecurities and past trauma. I wish the author dived a bit deeper into because I did feel it was rushed over. I am glad that they ended up together but I think the author could have really dug deeper into the formation of their relationship more. Overall still a good romance
This was cute and I just loved seeing Ro literally cater to Monet. Im not gonna lie Monet pissed me off bad with her own insecurities and past trauma. I wish the author dived a bit deeper into because I did feel it was rushed over. I am glad that they ended up together but I think the author could have really dug deeper into the formation of their relationship more. Overall still a good romance
October 4, 2024
Very cute
Loved the book even though Monet made me want to shake the silliness out of her. She was driving me nuts ...but when a character bothers me that bad...keeps me interested. Great book.
Loved the book even though Monet made me want to shake the silliness out of her. She was driving me nuts ...but when a character bothers me that bad...keeps me interested. Great book.
January 6, 2025
3.5ish ⭐️
Monet realllllly worked my nerves 😅 I wanted to reach through the pages and give her a good shake and smack. My frustration with her is what really took away from my rating; it was a cute book otherwise
Monet realllllly worked my nerves 😅 I wanted to reach through the pages and give her a good shake and smack. My frustration with her is what really took away from my rating; it was a cute book otherwise
August 29, 2025
I didn't like this book as much as I thought I would. Don't get me wrong, the book was good, and the storyline was cute. It just didn't catch me.
January 11, 2025
DNF @ 24%
August 3, 2026
Tropes: Workplace Romance, Love/Attraction at First Sight, Friends with Benefits, Secret Lovers, Mental Health Representation
Available for Free on Kindle at the time of this review
A Matter of Principal by Troinetta Nichole is an entertaining story detailing a secret love affair, masquerading as a “situationship”😊.
Ms. Nichole takes her time setting up the trajectory of her story and fleshes out the personalities, struggles and focus of our main characters, so that when they finally connect, readers are invested in them separately before they even become a couple.
Roland has just landed his dream job as the principal at a prestigious public school that is run like an elite private academy. He soon runs afoul of one of the most influential families at the school and finds himself, while not actually fired, but relieved of his duties. Roland is a lifelong bachelor (borderline playboy) and at near forty, he is not sure if he wants a settled relationship or children. Currently, he is estranged from most of his family and as readers, we speculate as to the cause.
Monet is divorced after twelve years of marriage, with two elementary aged children. Her divorce was amicable and she has not started dating again. Monet and Roland run into each other at a charity event and they are swept away by their chemistry. Using the nicknames of Ro and Mo, they share one enchanted evening and separate without exchanging their real names or contact information. Ro would have loved to have the opportunity to see Mo in other settings; however, as a single, responsible parent Mo felt that this was the best “rule” to follow. Imagine her surprise when she finds out that the new temporary principal at her children’s school is Ro; she is the very active head of the PTO, and their interactions will be inevitable! Ro is more than ecstatic to be in Mo’s orbit once again, but will he be able to convince her to put those pesky rules aside and give their attraction a chance or will she have too many principles to date the principal??
Conclusion:
Ro was such an attractive character kind, honorable, sexy and so sensitive. While readers could understand Mo’s reservations about the optics of dating him but come on now😊….she put up TOO many roadblocks. Once, Ro persuaded her to give their clandestine romance a chance, it was fun seeing the lengths they went to not to get caught. In between their romantic complications, they both had family drama that had similar components. I loved how they supported each other as they worked through their family ness. When their romance imploded and of course it did, it took happenstance to bring them back together again (I wasn’t mad at it, but Ro (imo) deserved better), Final words, Ms. Nichole gave readers an enjoyable story with likable characters. Looking at opportunities to read more stories by her, she has one other book available to read, The Chosen Luna: Book 1; I am hoping that she is still in business😊.
Favorite Lines:
That don't mean I want them. I like kids. I like sending them home to their breeders even more."
The worst part of navigating divorced life is figuring out my new position as the single friend.
Yeah, I’m single, but I haven’t had plans to bust my shit wide open for just anyone.
Okay, truthfully, I guess I haven’t had plans to slowly creak it open either.
I would love to snatch her up and run to the nearest elevator, but I use all of my strength to play it cool.
If you call me Ro again, I am likely to forget the agreement to keep my distance and treat you like the Monet I met in Chicago.”
“I told you I'd be here and I keep my word. Plus, I enjoy being in your presence. If I have to chaperone to do that, then I will chaperone.”
“I would be checking for you if you let me,” I mumble without allowing myself time to think and filter out my words.
I got my answer the day she walked out of my hotel room and said she didn’t want to keep in contact. At this point, this is just self-inflicted abuse.
“Fuck, Ro. I haven’t even made it all the way into the house and you already have me screaming your name.”
“You think you can make me wait this long, and I’m not going to get at you the minute I have the chance?”
https://theretiredreader.com/f/a-matt...
Available for Free on Kindle at the time of this review
A Matter of Principal by Troinetta Nichole is an entertaining story detailing a secret love affair, masquerading as a “situationship”😊.
Ms. Nichole takes her time setting up the trajectory of her story and fleshes out the personalities, struggles and focus of our main characters, so that when they finally connect, readers are invested in them separately before they even become a couple.
Roland has just landed his dream job as the principal at a prestigious public school that is run like an elite private academy. He soon runs afoul of one of the most influential families at the school and finds himself, while not actually fired, but relieved of his duties. Roland is a lifelong bachelor (borderline playboy) and at near forty, he is not sure if he wants a settled relationship or children. Currently, he is estranged from most of his family and as readers, we speculate as to the cause.
Monet is divorced after twelve years of marriage, with two elementary aged children. Her divorce was amicable and she has not started dating again. Monet and Roland run into each other at a charity event and they are swept away by their chemistry. Using the nicknames of Ro and Mo, they share one enchanted evening and separate without exchanging their real names or contact information. Ro would have loved to have the opportunity to see Mo in other settings; however, as a single, responsible parent Mo felt that this was the best “rule” to follow. Imagine her surprise when she finds out that the new temporary principal at her children’s school is Ro; she is the very active head of the PTO, and their interactions will be inevitable! Ro is more than ecstatic to be in Mo’s orbit once again, but will he be able to convince her to put those pesky rules aside and give their attraction a chance or will she have too many principles to date the principal??
Conclusion:
Ro was such an attractive character kind, honorable, sexy and so sensitive. While readers could understand Mo’s reservations about the optics of dating him but come on now😊….she put up TOO many roadblocks. Once, Ro persuaded her to give their clandestine romance a chance, it was fun seeing the lengths they went to not to get caught. In between their romantic complications, they both had family drama that had similar components. I loved how they supported each other as they worked through their family ness. When their romance imploded and of course it did, it took happenstance to bring them back together again (I wasn’t mad at it, but Ro (imo) deserved better), Final words, Ms. Nichole gave readers an enjoyable story with likable characters. Looking at opportunities to read more stories by her, she has one other book available to read, The Chosen Luna: Book 1; I am hoping that she is still in business😊.
Favorite Lines:
That don't mean I want them. I like kids. I like sending them home to their breeders even more."
The worst part of navigating divorced life is figuring out my new position as the single friend.
Yeah, I’m single, but I haven’t had plans to bust my shit wide open for just anyone.
Okay, truthfully, I guess I haven’t had plans to slowly creak it open either.
I would love to snatch her up and run to the nearest elevator, but I use all of my strength to play it cool.
If you call me Ro again, I am likely to forget the agreement to keep my distance and treat you like the Monet I met in Chicago.”
“I told you I'd be here and I keep my word. Plus, I enjoy being in your presence. If I have to chaperone to do that, then I will chaperone.”
“I would be checking for you if you let me,” I mumble without allowing myself time to think and filter out my words.
I got my answer the day she walked out of my hotel room and said she didn’t want to keep in contact. At this point, this is just self-inflicted abuse.
“Fuck, Ro. I haven’t even made it all the way into the house and you already have me screaming your name.”
“You think you can make me wait this long, and I’m not going to get at you the minute I have the chance?”
https://theretiredreader.com/f/a-matt...
April 14, 2025
Cute and Sweet
This was a heartwarming, fun, and genuinely enjoyable read. The story follows Roland (Ro), who takes a position as interim principal in a new city, and Monet (Mo), a divorced single mom and head of the PTO. After a one-night stand, neither expects to see the other again. Until they realize Ro is the new principal at Mo’s son’s school.
The setup made for a great mix of awkward tension and sweet chemistry. Ro and Mo’s connection felt natural, and the romance was both sexy and sincere. I really loved how Ro loved Mo with patience, kindness, and steady support. He respected her boundaries and understood her hesitation about dating again, especially with the added pressure of her role in the school community. Mo carried a lot on her shoulders, and Ro genuinely helped lighten that load. At the same time, Mo poured back into Ro, encouraging him to pursue his own dreams and believe in himself.
This was a feel-good story with a great blend of spice and heart. I’ll definitely be reading more from Troinetta Nichole. I couldn't put this book down and it left me smiling
This was a heartwarming, fun, and genuinely enjoyable read. The story follows Roland (Ro), who takes a position as interim principal in a new city, and Monet (Mo), a divorced single mom and head of the PTO. After a one-night stand, neither expects to see the other again. Until they realize Ro is the new principal at Mo’s son’s school.
The setup made for a great mix of awkward tension and sweet chemistry. Ro and Mo’s connection felt natural, and the romance was both sexy and sincere. I really loved how Ro loved Mo with patience, kindness, and steady support. He respected her boundaries and understood her hesitation about dating again, especially with the added pressure of her role in the school community. Mo carried a lot on her shoulders, and Ro genuinely helped lighten that load. At the same time, Mo poured back into Ro, encouraging him to pursue his own dreams and believe in himself.
This was a feel-good story with a great blend of spice and heart. I’ll definitely be reading more from Troinetta Nichole. I couldn't put this book down and it left me smiling
July 28, 2025
Trusting, again…
3.5⭐️ This was a cute read. Mo is a divorcee with 2 kids simply trying to find her footing. She has challenges with going for what she wants & speaking up for herself. Ro is a man simply trying to find himself after receiving a blow from his family which leaves him questioning “who am I”. When Mo goes out of town w/a friend & decides to live a little… her & Ro cross paths which leads to a one night stand. The connection is strong, leaving Ro with wanting more but Mo, stuck in her head dips. However, the universe had other plans and they meet again, he is now her children’s temporary Principal. I enjoyed how Ro stepped behind Mo after her resistance but felt as though she was making him grovel when it shouldn’t have been that way. Once Mo healed and realized she deserved to be happy, I was happy to see her not allow Ro to continue to pay the price for her past.
3.5⭐️ This was a cute read. Mo is a divorcee with 2 kids simply trying to find her footing. She has challenges with going for what she wants & speaking up for herself. Ro is a man simply trying to find himself after receiving a blow from his family which leaves him questioning “who am I”. When Mo goes out of town w/a friend & decides to live a little… her & Ro cross paths which leads to a one night stand. The connection is strong, leaving Ro with wanting more but Mo, stuck in her head dips. However, the universe had other plans and they meet again, he is now her children’s temporary Principal. I enjoyed how Ro stepped behind Mo after her resistance but felt as though she was making him grovel when it shouldn’t have been that way. Once Mo healed and realized she deserved to be happy, I was happy to see her not allow Ro to continue to pay the price for her past.
September 21, 2025
✨A Matter of Principle✨
I desperately tried to finish this book, I put this down 3 times and ultimately had to DNF at 44%.
Things I hated most:
Monet was insufferable. She treated Roland terribly and was very immature about the entire situation, at least as far as i got.
Monet did not thank Ro for covering the tab that first night. The gesture was SO sweet, but there was no acknowledgement whatsoever.
It was v annoying that the backstory between Roland and his moms + fam or whatever was not explained early on.
The MOST hated was the reading through one scene with Monet, then AGAIN with Roland. Just from his POV. It felt awfully repetitive, as if the writer needed filler, so she would just rewrite what we LITERALLY just read. Down to the damn conversation verbatim.
I am not sorry, this type of writing is not for me, it was giving amateur and the grammatical errors were just pissing me off.
I almost let this book put me in a rut.
I desperately tried to finish this book, I put this down 3 times and ultimately had to DNF at 44%.
Things I hated most:
Monet was insufferable. She treated Roland terribly and was very immature about the entire situation, at least as far as i got.
Monet did not thank Ro for covering the tab that first night. The gesture was SO sweet, but there was no acknowledgement whatsoever.
It was v annoying that the backstory between Roland and his moms + fam or whatever was not explained early on.
The MOST hated was the reading through one scene with Monet, then AGAIN with Roland. Just from his POV. It felt awfully repetitive, as if the writer needed filler, so she would just rewrite what we LITERALLY just read. Down to the damn conversation verbatim.
I am not sorry, this type of writing is not for me, it was giving amateur and the grammatical errors were just pissing me off.
I almost let this book put me in a rut.
September 5, 2025
Roland and Monet ( Ro and Mo)
I really enjoy this story. Incorporating Monet try to keep it friendly, but their chemistry was not trying to dissipate. I was hoping that Mo would have reached out to Ro in the end because she was so adamant at remaining friends although their feelings ran deeper than a friendship. I would have liked to see her choose him. I love his background story and how he opened his heart to forgiveness.
I really enjoy this story. Incorporating Monet try to keep it friendly, but their chemistry was not trying to dissipate. I was hoping that Mo would have reached out to Ro in the end because she was so adamant at remaining friends although their feelings ran deeper than a friendship. I would have liked to see her choose him. I love his background story and how he opened his heart to forgiveness.
March 19, 2025
It was really cute. I wanted more dialogue between Monet and Shondra. Like I feel like Shondra should have peeped it sooner. Plus how did she not recognize Roland as the same man from Chicago? Overall the story was cute. As far as grammar mistakes there were quite a few times that sentences were missing a period.
March 29, 2025
cute cute story!
This was a great romance. And actually incredibly realistic. I’m a former teacher, so the whole story felt so familiar. Monet was making me SO MAD throughout the whole book but I understood her concerns, and it was great that Ro knew what he wanted both professionally and romantically. Would love to read something else by this author.
This was a great romance. And actually incredibly realistic. I’m a former teacher, so the whole story felt so familiar. Monet was making me SO MAD throughout the whole book but I understood her concerns, and it was great that Ro knew what he wanted both professionally and romantically. Would love to read something else by this author.
November 16, 2024
Loved loved and loved some more
Amazing read. The flow of the storyline was fabulous. Mo drove me crazy at some points, but she was completely relatable. I understood her concerns and felt like all the above is true. I would definitely recommend it.
Amazing read. The flow of the storyline was fabulous. Mo drove me crazy at some points, but she was completely relatable. I understood her concerns and felt like all the above is true. I would definitely recommend it.
February 4, 2025
Was a good story but Mo was annoying. She didn't deserve him, she treated him horribly. I wish she was more likable and I also wished he would have stood up for himself more. I feel like the story kept going in a circle. The plot was there and I feel like it could have been developed differently.
April 2, 2025
I liked it…
This book was a nice read. First book from this author for me. Took me a little second to get into it but totally worth it. I love Ro and Mo together. I love that their interactions felt so real. Would totally read again.
This book was a nice read. First book from this author for me. Took me a little second to get into it but totally worth it. I love Ro and Mo together. I love that their interactions felt so real. Would totally read again.
June 6, 2025
New author to me, i loved her style of writing. The POV from each main character when needed was nice. This story was very realistic and had a nice pace to it. I liked both characters a lot and HEA didn’t come easy.
October 19, 2025
Monet was driving me crazy!!
This was a cute story, but Monet was driving me crazy!! She found a man like Roland after a divorce who was ready to risk it all for her, and she wouldn't budge.
This was a cute story, but Monet was driving me crazy!! She found a man like Roland after a divorce who was ready to risk it all for her, and she wouldn't budge.
January 13, 2026
I love Mo & Ro!
I enjoyed reading this story so much. I love reading Black romance stories and this one had me giggling and swooning the entire time.
Mo and Ro’s love story was a sweet read and I will be checking out other books from Ms.Troinetta.
I enjoyed reading this story so much. I love reading Black romance stories and this one had me giggling and swooning the entire time.
Mo and Ro’s love story was a sweet read and I will be checking out other books from Ms.Troinetta.
November 4, 2024
Ro & Mo loved this for them!
December 3, 2024
I enjoyed reading this book. The FMC irritated me but it was still a nice story.
Did Not Finish
March 25, 2025DNF’d @ 54%
May 8, 2025
Yessss!
This was my first read from Troinette and I was not disappointed. I loved Mo and Ro so much omg I highly recommend this book
This was my first read from Troinette and I was not disappointed. I loved Mo and Ro so much omg I highly recommend this book
May 16, 2025
Love this story. Great read!!
January 4, 2025
Definition of PERFECTION.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
The plot… the characters… the emotions… EVERYTHING about this book was chef’s kiss. This was definitely a beautiful story of parenthood, divorce, love, grief, pain, and joy. I loved every second of this book and highly recommend!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
The plot… the characters… the emotions… EVERYTHING about this book was chef’s kiss. This was definitely a beautiful story of parenthood, divorce, love, grief, pain, and joy. I loved every second of this book and highly recommend!!
April 10, 2025
Great read
I read this book in a day . Love the characters and the banter . It's crazy how you think one thing then something else happens instead .
I read this book in a day . Love the characters and the banter . It's crazy how you think one thing then something else happens instead .
June 22, 2025
Roland was unbelievable. I do not know how many times he was going to be rejected to not throw in the towel. Plus Monet got on my nerves with her crazy.
December 29, 2024
This was a new author for me, and I enjoyed the story, so I read it through to the end. After reading, I did some research and saw that this is a brand new author, so with that, I'm giving grace with my review.
This book has the potential to be a really good book, the storyline is there, the characters are there, it has so many great factors, but for me the repetition of events from the different POV is what really pushed this review down. I think there could have been a better way to convey that, but again, this is a new author. I'm hoping this author could rerelease down the line so this book can get the praise I think it deserves.
This book has the potential to be a really good book, the storyline is there, the characters are there, it has so many great factors, but for me the repetition of events from the different POV is what really pushed this review down. I think there could have been a better way to convey that, but again, this is a new author. I'm hoping this author could rerelease down the line so this book can get the praise I think it deserves.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews