Not What I Ordered: A Sapphic Novella

by Raluca M. Matara

For an imminent disaster, follow the recipe below.

Take one bratty princess, strip her of her fortune, and place her in a small town.
Add a sexy assistant-manager-slash-barista to the mix, make her spill coffee on the princess and then demote the barista.
Throw in a lazy king who sends his daughter to work so she can provide for him, just for fun.

Now for the final touch?
Make the barista train the princess when she shows up begging for a job.

Enemies to lovers?
Oh, absolutely.
Sparks will fly—and not just from the espresso machine.

Genres: Contemporary

104 pages, Paperback

Published July 2, 2025

About the author

Raluca M. Matara, by day a strategy whiz at a multinational company, dived into fantastical worlds with her debut novel "The Opposite Worlds" which flips the script on societal norms, creating a world where love is love.

Raluca has a knack for sparking conversations about inclusion, all while keeping things entertaining. Her debut novel is just the beginning of her literary adventure, though, and readers can expect even more captivating stories that challenge the ordinary. And just so you know, Raluca's passions don't end with writing. She loves to paint as well so you'll see amazing illustrations in her books!

Reviews

[Aunt Missa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a super sweet and fun story! A princess down on her luck and a hard working barista clash when the princess loses her fortune and is forced to work in a coffee shop. Silma is entitled and demanding, but proves to be adept and smart and Vatima can’t help but be intrigued and attracted. Opposites attract and also inspire in this cute and adorable novella!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Meet Silma Maria Elena Graciela, the Third, Princess of Maroma. She’s strong willed, a little bossy and very spoiled, but after losing her fortune she’s forced to do what she’s never had to do before…find a job.

Enter Vatima Bhati. She’s a hard working barista who struggles to pay her bills, especially after she’s been demoted by her racist manager because of customer complaint…What happens when Vatima is forced to train the princess who cost Vatima her promotion?

Not What I Ordered is a sweet, and a little spicy, novella, with great BIPOC representation. And it appears their story won’t end here 😉

[coleythesapphic · Rating 4 out of 5]

eARC Review - Release Date: June 30th! 🎉
Not What I Ordered by Raluca M. Matara ☕👑

This book is like getting a venti iced sapphic romance with extra spice and unexpected heart.

You’ve got:
💅 A spoiled princess forced to work
☕ A clumsy barista who’s finding her voice
💜 Sapphic tension that turns sweet (and spicy 🔥)
📖 Creative dreams, retail trauma, and a guaranteed HEA

This was my first official ARC and I had a great time. It’s fast-paced, emotionally charged, and still in the editing stage, so I read with grace. The heat? Present. The chemistry? Delicious. The ending? Satisfying.

📚 Format: eARC
🌟 3.75 (rounded up to 4) | 🌶️ 3.5
Tropes: opposites attract, workplace romance, class tension, creative encouragement
Rep: sapphic, interracial, BIPOC MCs
POV: dual
HEA: confirmed

📬 Thank you to the author, Raluca M. Matara, for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! I'm looking forward to more of Vatima and Princess Silma's story brewing.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, comedic, short romance following Silma, a bratty princess who’s having a rough time of it after her family loses everything and Vatima, a coffee barista who can’t help hating her racist boss after being demoted from her managerial position.
It doesn’t take long for the sparks to fly between Silma & Vatima and attraction starts to bloom into more.
Loved reading this book, I’ve read work by the author previously so I was more than happy to adv Not What I Ordered having enjoyed Raluca M. Matara’s previous work.

Tropes:
• BIPOC
• Sapphic Workplace Rom-Com
• Coffee Barista x Bratty Princess
• Banter
• Spicy 🌶️
• Femme x Femme

[Marina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute wee book. I could have done with a longer story though. The characters are sweet and you can feel the love blossoming between them. It’s like a lesbian princess diaries but with adults and sex. It was nice to see no miscommunication trope being used, and a healthy honest relationship between the main characters. A few instances in the book where I felt the grammar or word choice could have been better.

[Kerstin · Rating 4 out of 5]

(True rating: 4.5 stars)

This was my second time reading Raluca’s work, and I want to thank her again for giving me the opportunity —her stories have been such a joy to read! With that being said, here is my honest review of “Not What I Ordered”.

This novella was a delightful little gem—short, but packed with heart. Silma and Vatima’s unexpected romance was incredibly sweet, the kind that makes you think of those comfortingly cheesy romance movies where everything magically falls into place. But don’t let the sweetness fool you—when the spice hits, it really hits.

“Silma Maria Elena Graciela the Third, Princess of Maroma, Heir to the throne of the Lost Kingdom” starts off as a self-centered “conceited brat” of a princess, and I’ll admit, I couldn’t stand her at first—just like Vatima couldn’t. But that’s what makes her transformation so satisfying. Stripped of her privilege and forced to adapt, she grows in ways that feel both genuine and earned. Vatima, with her no-nonsense attitude and steady work ethic, plays a crucial role in that change. Her ability to challenge Silma and ground her made for a dynamic and compelling opposites-attract romance.

"Listen here, miss 'I have seven names to go with my coffee'! You're in my territory now. So if you want this job, you better watch your back because we're loyal people here; we stick up for each other. But if you ever cross me again, I'll make sure you'll get zero help—see how that suits the fairytale you're living in."

Also, can we all agree that Carl needs to be fired (and then some)?! Ooo, he made me so mad! I was hoping he was going to get what he deserved! (Maybe we’ll get that in the continuation of the story?! *nudge nudge*)

If you love quick reads with headstrong, BIPOC main characters, forced proximity, grumpy vs sunshine and enemies-to-lovers energy, some sizzling spice, and with a focus on class disparity, “Not What I Ordered” belongs on your TBR. It’s a satisfying bite-sized romance that delivers charm, heat, and heart in all the right ways!

[S. Shybrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐ / 5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ / 5

This was just the palette cleanser I needed after an epic fantasy! It’s a quick, contemporary sapphic novella that manages to pack a whole lot of character growth into 84 brief pages (and even a plot twist!). Though, that said, I would've appreciated a little more exploration of certain aspects of their story.

To be honest, I almost put this one down in the beginning. Silma starts out positively insufferable and the meet cute from which the story gets its title felt forced. However, I’m glad I stuck with it because the story is ultimately a sweet and heartfelt one with a satisfying conclusion (though there is one unresolved loose end that the author mentions will be addressed in a future work).

And the sass! I love an FMC with a backbone, and both leads have opinions to spare. I was pleasantly surprised at how that dynamic translated to the spicy scenes (we all love a “good girl” moment, no?).

Recommended for fans of sapphic romances by authors like Sahara Lane, Daisy Wren, and similar.

📚Fast facts📚
✨ “Secret” princess and barista
✨ Forced proximity
✨ Insta-lust
✨ BIPOC leads
✨ Workplace
✨ Different worlds
✨ Open door
✨ Contemporary FF novella
✨ Standalone, though more to come
✨ Third person, dual POV, present tense

I am grateful to the author to have received an advanced copy of this novella! This is my honest and unbiased review.

[Darcy Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When Vatima finally returned her gaze to Silma's face, their eyes locked in a silent, sensual battle for control. Something about this woman made her blood pressure spike; the fire in her belly burned brighter when their eyes met even for seconds—and it was smoldering now."

Spoilt Brat Princess learns that all that glitters isn't just gold, jewellery and sequin dresses! Silma loses everything she thought mattered and gets a sharp reality check. In return she gains so much more and gains a new perspective, new love and a new dream. Vatima is fierce, independent, fears rejection and failure and spends so much energy on survival that it's hard to find time to dream of something more. She is taken by suprise by Silma and gradually sees beyond her superficial front to the strong-willed, loyal and vulnerable woman inside. Sparks and fire grow in this opposites-attract romance.

A quick and fun read with some good character development (especially Silma) and good spice! Some characters I hated such as Carl and felt conflicted on such as Silma's dad, The King of Maroma so I'd be keen to see where they end up in future glimpses into Silma and Vatima's story. I'm also curious about Vatima's family so I'd love to see where her story goes next.

Thank you Raluca for having me as part of you ARC team for this fun sapphic novella!

[The Bookish Chimera - Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

“How useless having a fortune was if you offered nothing in return.”

I decided to read Not What I Ordered like I would read a fairytale, and I loved the experience. The story, indeed, has all the inherent codes to this genre –more than the Contemporary Romance ones (even though there is a scorching chapter ˆˆ). If you want a realistic book, maybe this one isn’t the right one. But if you want to dream a bit, to escape reality and to discover two characters who will grow on you, then you should try this short novella. I loved both characters’ evolution, but maybe Silma’s a bit more, who, from a spoiled princess who acts only from duty –and frustration– grows into someone who learn how to think for herself and prioritize her real needs, and not what she was taught (and told) to want. Paradoxically she has to learn how to become more egoistic (and you wouldn’t know that at first), and I loved that.
The romance between them is both sweet and scorching. And believe me, you want to read until the end because what could make your eyes roll at first has a very great explanation!

Thank you to the author for the eARC. My opinions are my own.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not What I Ordered by Raluca Matara is a fairytale-like novella, featuring a plotline and characters that are somewhat exaggerated. It is a sweet and spicy sapphic romance with a clear moral. The relationship between the main characters begins with conflict, stemming from their differing upbringings and an accidental coffee spill. As circumstances evolve, a romantic relationship develops organically between them, despite the novella’s brevity. The narrative ultimately concludes as a complete and satisfying story.
I appreciate Silma’s character development and Vatima’s steady, grounded personality. Together, they form a compelling and endearing couple. An interesting twist occurs at the end, adding depth to the story.
Kudos for BIPOC main characters.
The end indicates that there will be more to their story, so I look forward to reading it. This is my second read by Matara, and I like the whimsical storytelling style.
I am giving this one 3.5 stars.
#workplaceromance #oppositesattract #richgirl/poorgirl #HEA #BIPOC #queernormative #barista #writer #fashiondesigner #princess I received this free ARC from the author. This is my honest opinion.

[Anna Santana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not What I Ordered by Raluca M. Matara is a cozy, sapphic novella with the perfect blend of heart, humor, and unexpected romance. When Princess Silma’s father gambles away the family fortune, she’s forced to trade palace walls for café counters. Broke and out of options, she takes a job at a local coffee shop—where she meets Vatima, the sharp-tongued barista who's not impressed by crowns or sob stories.
Their clashing personalities slowly give way to mutual respect and a spark neither of them expected. With witty banter, warm moments, and a modern fairytale charm, this story proves that sometimes life serves up exactly what you didn’t order—but everything you need.
If you love queer romance, royal redemption arcs, and latte art with a dash of flirtation, this is the perfect novella for you!
Thank you so much for sending me this ARC to read! 👑☕️💕

[Danielle Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun story to read. I was lucky enough to beta read even before the arcs were available. I was kicking my feet and giggling!

This has fantastic characters. I loved the contrast between them. The author did a wonderful job portraying them even in a shorter length story. You keep thinking you know them but you turn the page and are hit with a shock. I loved Vatima from the start. I have to admit it took me a bit to warm up to Silma. But I'm pretty sure that was 100% intentional. I really enjoyed the way the story unfolded. Bit by bit you got more and it all started to click into place.

Who wouldn't love a sassy barista and a bratty princess who slowly realize they just might need the other as more than just friends.

[VickydpBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book it was only 90 pages, has a lot of spicy in there

For an imminent disaster, follow the recipe below.

Take one bratty princess, strip her of her fortune, and place her in a small town.
Add a sexy assistant-manager-slash-barista to the mix, make her spill coffee on the princess and then demote the barista.
Throw in a lazy king who sends his daughter to work so she can provide for him, just for fun.

Now for the final touch?
Make the barista train the princess when she shows up begging for a job.

Enemies to lovers?
Oh, absolutely.
Sparks will fly—and not just from the espresso machine.

[Amy H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally I am not one for novella's I like my books chunky. But Raluca is one of my favorite authors, so I had to read this one. And I am glad I did.

Raluca has this knack to write flawed, relatable characters, who more often than not didn't have it easy before. Which makes you get sucked into the story. And not what I ordered did the same. Never did it feel rushed, or like there was still story to tell. I mean of course I wouldn't have mind more. But it is a great novella and a very satisfying read. Finished in two days, because I couldn't put it down. So another 5 star review. If you like sapphic enemies to lovers. You really need to give Silma and Vatima a chance.

[Maria S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The type of short book I'd call an 'utopian comedy', deliberately written in an exaggerated spirit of positivism - it tells the story of two women who are literally thrown together by fate, taking the path from enemies to lovers. Not What I Ordered is a light and cozy read with a pleasant level of piquancy, serving up a solid dose of giggles and tickles for readers tired of heavy topics. The writing style is well-maintained, in the spirit of the plot. The characters are lovable, not too deep, but enough for the purpose of the book - to be a cool breeze and entertainment. I enjoyed it :)

[bookloverm_23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about “Not What I Ordered” well this is my first time reading a Sapphic romance and I want to thank Raluca for giving me the opportunity to read. I truly did enjoy reading this book. Raluca you had me wanting to punch a few people in the face! But you also had me crushing BIG time on Vatima phew...yesss!!! I absolutely loved the banter between them but I also love them connecting and realizing they are falling for each other ! I would recommend this book to everyone so feel the love and banter and to go for what you want.

[ChapterChaser1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is full of storyline, spice, oh those tense fire moment phew!.
At times I disliked Silma's whole attitude, but the author made me fall in love with her after we got to know her a little more and she stopped being a little spoilt rich girl.
I loved Vatima from the first page! Sweet, hard worker a wonderful character.
I saw a good growth in both characters even for a short novella it was beautifully done.
And I have to add I hate Silma's father ...

[Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to get an ARC ebook copy of this - thank you to Raluca M. Matara! ❤️

My first read from Raluca M. Matara.

Not what I ordered was a super sweet wee novella. I enjoyed it a lot only wished it was a bit longer. 😏

The characters Vatima and Silma were such a contrast and I loved how much their romance bloomed. They supported each other’s dreams and goals. They were exactly what they needed for each other.
The growth in both characters was just beautiful.
The spice was…tense!

[J. Tobias · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get an ARC for this cute novella. Although it's short, the author packs a full, enjoyable story. I really, really disliked Silma's bratty, spoiled rich girl attitude at first. I was worried I would never like her but the way Raluca developed her character made me fall in love with her. The romance between Vatima and Silma was sweet and well paced. And the spice was 🔥 and loving. Highly recommend!!

[Monna · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Not What I Ordered” is a short, sweet sapphic novella that takes two femmes from totally different backgrounds and mixes them into a coffee shop workplace romance. They really don’t get along at first. I liked reading about their verbal and nonverbal sparring. But then they developed a mutual respect and their chemistry basically exploded! There are several big surprises that you’ll have to read to find out, but I think you’ll appreciate Silma’s secrets and Vatima’s resolute calm.

[Sienna Zini · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that surprises you. I would've never imagined I'd end up liking Silma and yet....
Two strong women, a lot of angst and banter. A story that grows almost without you noticing, day by day, witty interaction after witty interaction.
A heap of feelings that fit perfectly into a novella, guiding the readers to love the characters like they've known them forever.
Bravo to the author!

[Renée (FatedBookReviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a unique take on the Princess and the pauper storyline.

this story was short and fast, even by lesbian standards 😂, but it was a super cute read with a big lesson to learn for both FMCs.

if you're looking for a quick palate cleanser, this is one you'll probably want to read.

4.5 stars rounded up
2🌶️

thank you so much to raluca for the ARC!

[Jacqueline Halle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bratty princess's Enemies to Lovers meet cute with a batista who's name is longer than most coffee orders. She's lost her fortune and has to take up a job to support the patriarchy. When it starts you'll think the princess is the Villain but I assure you, his name is Carl. Sapphic HEA with a tease of a continuation for their story. 3.5⭐️

[BA · Rating 3 out of 5]

A princess walks into a coffee shop… Such an interesting and unique piece of art with wonderful BIPOC representation. I loved the idea and want to see more of the characters and how they develop both in their careers as well as their relationship. I would also love to deep dive into both of their families history as they have such interesting stories.

*true rating (3.5)

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was cute. Very light hearted and sweet. If you are looking for something that's super easy to read, with all the feel good vibes then this is it. Some of the romance scenes were kind of cheesy. The romance between the two MCs were sweet and it was nice to see growth in the character development. Over all I liked it and look forward to reading more from this author.

[Melissa Ruzik · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute contemporary sapphic novella where a spoilt princess finds herself humbled in an everyday commoner lifestyle and falls in love with someone unexpected.

I enjoyed the book and want to what happens next in their story so I will read the second book, however there was something about the style of writing that I was struggling with a little.

[Jen Betchie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be able to be a beta reader on this masterpiece of a novella!

I absolutely loved this book! A bratty princess and a sarcastic barista. Witty, flirty banter. The perfect touch of spice! All blended beautifully together into a quick fun read, that’s exactly what you ordered!

[Aspen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this sapphic novella. This fasted paced book is adorable and spicy in the perfect mix. I got to read this as an arc and I thank you for letting me do this. I couldn't put this book down and finished it within 24 hours. It was a refreshing read.

[Vicky Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Easy to read in one sitting - a short, spicy, sapphic take on a princess having to make it in the real world!
it's fun and enjoyable, just didn't blow me away due to how quickly and cleanly everything goes.

thanks to the author for the arc ebook.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. This was fine. Something about the writing didn't work for me. The characters were okay I didn't love nor hate them. I'd read the next book in hopes that it'll be better than this one for me.