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The Midnight Heat Collection #1
The Princess Trap
From bestselling author Talia Hibbert comes a story of wicked royals, fake engagements, and the fed-up office worker trapped in the midst of it all…
Cherry Neita is thirty, flirty, and done with men. As far as she can tell, they’re overrated, overpaid, and underperforming – in every area of life. But a girl has needs, and the smoking-hot stranger she just met at the office seems like the perfect one-night stand…
Prince Ruben of Helgmøre is reckless, dominant, and famously filthy. The outcast royal is rebuilding his reputation – all for a good cause – but he can’t resist a pretty face. And bossy whirlwind Cherry’s got the face, the body, and the attitude to make Ruben’s convictions crumble. Even better, when she propositions him, she has no idea who he really is.
But when paparazzi catch the pair, erm, kissing in an alleyway, Ruben’s anonymity disappears faster than Cherry’s knickers. Now the press is in uproar, the palace is outraged, and Ruben’s reputation is back in the gutter. There’s only one way to turn this disaster around – and it involves Cherry, some big fat lies, and a flashy diamond ring. On her left hand.
Unfortunately, Cherry isn’t pleased with Ruben’s ‘fake engagement’ scheme… and neither is the king.
The Princess Trap is a steamy, diverse royal romance featuring a take-no-sh*t heroine and a misunderstood hero fighting to survive life at the palace. There’s fake relationship fluff, a healthy dose of angst, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. Please be aware: this story contains scenes of abuse that could trigger certain audiences.
Cherry Neita is thirty, flirty, and done with men. As far as she can tell, they’re overrated, overpaid, and underperforming – in every area of life. But a girl has needs, and the smoking-hot stranger she just met at the office seems like the perfect one-night stand…
Prince Ruben of Helgmøre is reckless, dominant, and famously filthy. The outcast royal is rebuilding his reputation – all for a good cause – but he can’t resist a pretty face. And bossy whirlwind Cherry’s got the face, the body, and the attitude to make Ruben’s convictions crumble. Even better, when she propositions him, she has no idea who he really is.
But when paparazzi catch the pair, erm, kissing in an alleyway, Ruben’s anonymity disappears faster than Cherry’s knickers. Now the press is in uproar, the palace is outraged, and Ruben’s reputation is back in the gutter. There’s only one way to turn this disaster around – and it involves Cherry, some big fat lies, and a flashy diamond ring. On her left hand.
Unfortunately, Cherry isn’t pleased with Ruben’s ‘fake engagement’ scheme… and neither is the king.
The Princess Trap is a steamy, diverse royal romance featuring a take-no-sh*t heroine and a misunderstood hero fighting to survive life at the palace. There’s fake relationship fluff, a healthy dose of angst, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. Please be aware: this story contains scenes of abuse that could trigger certain audiences.
352 pages, ebook
First published February 8, 2018
1370 people are currently reading
22927 people want to read
About the author
Talia Hibbert
30 books34.3k followersTalia Hibbert is a New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author whose books are available in 15 languages.
Best known for her Brown Sisters series, Talia writes spicy, inclusive romance novels starring complicated characters who make readers feel seen. Talia's debut romantasy will hit shelves in Summer 2026.
A typically cantankerous Brit, Talia's hobbies include chugging cups of tea, eating too many biscuits, and complaining bitterly about the weather.
Best known for her Brown Sisters series, Talia writes spicy, inclusive romance novels starring complicated characters who make readers feel seen. Talia's debut romantasy will hit shelves in Summer 2026.
A typically cantankerous Brit, Talia's hobbies include chugging cups of tea, eating too many biscuits, and complaining bitterly about the weather.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,705 reviews
July 12, 2022
Turns out reading about a hot royal who smashes puss like a champ is exactly what I needed to break this slump
January 18, 2021
this was cute, but not my favorite book by talia hibbert. it's really cool to see her progression as an author though. there were quite a few similarities between this and the Brown sisters books, but this just felt slightly less polished.
i think what was lacking for me was that trademark talia banter. our heroine cherry was definitely feisty and confident but i didn't feel much chemistry between her and prince ruben. the sex scenes were very steamy and well done, and i felt like the kink was explored in a very sex positive way. but i felt like a few of the sex scenes could have been exchanged for more time with our two characters chatting. we got to hear them reveal their backstories to each other (his tragic past, her family issues) but that's about it. i actually wanted some mundanity here.
that being said, this was a fun way to spend a sunday and i'm excited to read even more of Talia Hibbert's backlist in the future.
i think what was lacking for me was that trademark talia banter. our heroine cherry was definitely feisty and confident but i didn't feel much chemistry between her and prince ruben. the sex scenes were very steamy and well done, and i felt like the kink was explored in a very sex positive way. but i felt like a few of the sex scenes could have been exchanged for more time with our two characters chatting. we got to hear them reveal their backstories to each other (his tragic past, her family issues) but that's about it. i actually wanted some mundanity here.
that being said, this was a fun way to spend a sunday and i'm excited to read even more of Talia Hibbert's backlist in the future.
April 26, 2022
I’ve accepted it: I’m 3/3 on Talia’s books now and have devoured each of them in 24 hours or less, and have given each of them 5 stars. To say that she has become my favorite adult contemporary romance author would be a tremendous understatement.
First, there’s what initially drew me to Talia’s writing: the diversity in her character casts! As far as I’m aware, almost every single title she has written features a plus-size black woman, and the men are often unique in their own way as well; in this case, Ruben is bisexual and this is actually a very important facet of his character arc, which I positively loved seeing. (Hello, bi rep, all day long, please!)
Of course, at this point, I’m under the impression that a Talia Hibbert title wouldn’t be complete without a healthy dose of angst (and I am such a freaking sucker for it!), and this one does not disappoint. I haven’t read the fake dating trope much in my life, but I love how it’s executed in this one, and the gradual buildup between the two leads is absolutely precious and pays off so well.
More than anything, though, I loved Ruben’s character. He’s been through so much trauma in his life, and all he wants is to protect others from experiencing the same things he’s suffered, but he keeps finding himself in circumstances he couldn’t have predicted or prevented. He is selfless to a fault, and just so damn sweet that you can’t help but want to squeeze him.
Of course, the romance isn’t just angsty and sweet. It’s full of adorable banter, loads of mutual respect and care, and (of course) steamy scenes, which are always written well and never come off as cheesy or over-the-top. There’s a slight dom/sub dynamic going on and there are brief moments of conversation where they establish comfort levels and so forth, and as I’ve come to expect from Talia’s books, consent is not just sexy, but it’s a bare-minimum requirement at all times.
All in all, another successful Talia Hibbert read—and now I can’t wait to dive into the next one!
The hurricane was a woman. A woman with laughing eyes and a heart-shaped face and a figure that could kill a man. A woman whose dark, springy curls gleamed like midnight, who had incongruously chubby cheeks and brown-sugar skin.
First, there’s what initially drew me to Talia’s writing: the diversity in her character casts! As far as I’m aware, almost every single title she has written features a plus-size black woman, and the men are often unique in their own way as well; in this case, Ruben is bisexual and this is actually a very important facet of his character arc, which I positively loved seeing. (Hello, bi rep, all day long, please!)
Dragging Cherry into his life felt like dragging a princess off to his lair. He was almost certainly the dragon in this fairytale.
Of course, at this point, I’m under the impression that a Talia Hibbert title wouldn’t be complete without a healthy dose of angst (and I am such a freaking sucker for it!), and this one does not disappoint. I haven’t read the fake dating trope much in my life, but I love how it’s executed in this one, and the gradual buildup between the two leads is absolutely precious and pays off so well.
“Always slaying dragons? And coming home half-dead, thinking no one will care.”
More than anything, though, I loved Ruben’s character. He’s been through so much trauma in his life, and all he wants is to protect others from experiencing the same things he’s suffered, but he keeps finding himself in circumstances he couldn’t have predicted or prevented. He is selfless to a fault, and just so damn sweet that you can’t help but want to squeeze him.
“I have a theory,” he said, his voice mild, “that under the right circumstances, you would be capable of murder. I should add that this aspect of your personality is one I appreciate.”
Of course, the romance isn’t just angsty and sweet. It’s full of adorable banter, loads of mutual respect and care, and (of course) steamy scenes, which are always written well and never come off as cheesy or over-the-top. There’s a slight dom/sub dynamic going on and there are brief moments of conversation where they establish comfort levels and so forth, and as I’ve come to expect from Talia’s books, consent is not just sexy, but it’s a bare-minimum requirement at all times.
All in all, another successful Talia Hibbert read—and now I can’t wait to dive into the next one!
April 26, 2021
Everything Talia Hibbert writes is a fuckin’ delight!
I can’t believe she has me liking something as ludicrous as royal romances now.
This was unbelievably sweet and loveable and I couldn’t get enough.
I can’t believe she has me liking something as ludicrous as royal romances now.
This was unbelievably sweet and loveable and I couldn’t get enough.
Read
February 23, 2018I am now tagging everything by Talia Hibbert as "oh god where is the next book". Officially my favourite m/f contemporary romancer bar none.
Good grief this was fun. Wonderful happy confident heroine who takes no crap, vulnerable-strong-kind hero, hot bonking, casual bi rep just because people are bi, all kinds of body positivity, diverse cast, ALL THE TROPES and then turned up to 11 because why not, and some really impressive swearing (and I like to consider myself a bit of a connoisseur when it comes to swearing in romance).
I glommed it in two sittings. So feelgood they ought to put it on the NHS.
(Also, can I just applaud the sheer glee of creating a Danish royal family and surnaming them Gyldenstierne. Actual LOL when that dawned.)
Good grief this was fun. Wonderful happy confident heroine who takes no crap, vulnerable-strong-kind hero, hot bonking, casual bi rep just because people are bi, all kinds of body positivity, diverse cast, ALL THE TROPES and then turned up to 11 because why not, and some really impressive swearing (and I like to consider myself a bit of a connoisseur when it comes to swearing in romance).
I glommed it in two sittings. So feelgood they ought to put it on the NHS.
(Also, can I just applaud the sheer glee of creating a Danish royal family and surnaming them Gyldenstierne. Actual LOL when that dawned.)
Want to read
July 26, 2018"Plus-size Black British heroine, royal, bisexual, Scandinavian hero, fake engagement" - Talia Hibbert
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This is the August pick for the Book Hangover Book Club that Julie and Chelsea host! ❤
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Youtube | Twitch
This is the August pick for the Book Hangover Book Club that Julie and Chelsea host! ❤
July 9, 2021
The pacing of this one was a little weird and things wrapped up a little too near and tidy for my personal taste but I really enjoyed it! I can definitely see myself reading more from this series in the future
August 22, 2023
I really wanted to give this an extra star because I was thrilled by the diversity of this cast of characters, and it is always nice to see some body positivity as well, but man alive I really disliked this book. I suspect I might have made it to that 2-star rating if I had read the book instead of listening. I will get to the book, but I want to start with the narrator who, and I cannot stress this strongly enough, really needs to keep his day job.
Every person in this book had a different accent. Not different voices mind you, different accents. Members of the same nuclear family who lived in the same house had accents from different continents. Alarmingly few of the accents coincided with the accents of the places they identified as the places they had lived their entire lives. But the worst were the voices of our erstwhile Prince Ruben and his grandmother, both of which were cribbed from Jim Henson. Ruben's voice was The Count from Sesame Street. Let's face it, even among his Muppet community his voice is extremely silly. I never wanted to know what the Count sounded like when he was having sex. Now I do. Is there Muppet fanfic? Never mind. I don't want to know if 50 Shades of Orange and Green and Yellow is floating around. Bottom line; The Count is not hot, and consequently (even if the writing had been better) Ruben was not hot. One extra note, it rankled when Cherry mentioned how perfect his English was, and that only when he got emotional did he betray the hint of an accent. As she noted this fact the reader was hearing a Transylvanian puppet. The narrator also went full-on Muppet when voicing Ruben's grandmother -- she was the Swedish Chef. Exactly. She was from the same place that Ruben's family was, a made up place, but something in or near Scandinavia. Bottom line, terrible narration made a story that I did not enjoy even worse.
As for the story, my issues are legion but I will just mention a few.
A caveat for the first one: There is perhaps nothing so wholly idiosyncratic as the things a person finds sexually appealing. From my perspective, these were some really unsexy sex scenes. The language was (I want to find a different word but I can't) icky. Also, I don't think the author understands power exchange. There is one scene where Ruben says something like "lay down and spread your legs I want to make you come with my mouth" (these are all paraphrases, but the meaning is the same) and Cherry says something like "what if I don't want you to do that?" and Ruben says something like "tell me what you want me to do and I will do it, anything." So, a couple of things. How on Earth does anyone see this as him controlling her? The control thing is made a big deal of, so this matters. Secondly, does Cherry's response seem odd to anyone else? It sounds like a mighty fine offer. I don't look for authenticity in my romance sex scenes, I actively want them to be better than authentic sex scenes. But the scenes here went too far and ended up being far less sexy than authentic sex scenes. Every sex scene is, like that, a negotiation. If that works for you fine, but when I was in law school I never felt a hint of arousal when reading "Getting to Yes." This is the opposite of hot to me, but of course YMMV. An extra demerit, they went for the "magic vagina" thing, with the constant marveling at how intercourse has never felt like that for Ruben. I like Cinderella fine, but once we leave the fairy tale we need to acknowledge that there would actually be a lot of women in attendance at any decent size ball with a foot to fit that slipper.
Second, for no apparent reason the author spent a lot of time telling us about the not particularly interesting characters with whom Cherry worked. They were there to facilitate a meet-cute. They just needed to be random office workers. We did not need to know what they looked like and what they did in their spare time. We (blessedly) never see these people again after the first scene so why do we spend 30ish pages learning about them? I lost interest right at the beginning because these people were boring and unnecessary. Once I lose interest in a romance it is hard to come back.
Third, I can't figure out why these people would love each other. They were both a bit unappealing really. Both were very superficial in their romantic lives, they did not appear to be particularly clever, especially Cherry. They talked about the world like they had been reading a whole lot of Marianne Williamson. They were both predisposed to kindness. and that is a lovely characteristic, but its not so unique that it alone would lead to love.
Fourth, and I know this will piss people off, I don't see how Cherry could have been attractive to everyone she encounters. I am cool with her not being hot but having a beautiful smile, but much is made of how dazzled people are by her beauty. She is overweight and pockmarked. I get and love that there are people who will see her beauty and radiance (and I say this as a fat person who is pretty comfortable in my body.) I loved that Ruben was attracted to her cellulite. But every person who beholds an overweight pockmarked woman is not going to be overcome with lust. That she is so sexy to Ruben is delightful, and I liked that, but its just not reasonable that someone so far outside the conventional definition of beauty in the UK and Western Europe (where all of these people live) would leave everyone she meets so hot and bothered.
Fifth (and last for this review) the villains were just too over-the-top ridiculous. Ruben's sister and brother were like Boris and Natasha. I liked that the author delved into an abuse storyline, but it would have been so much better if those two did not spend their time making big trouble for moose and squirrel.
Most people loved this. I am an outlier, but I stand by my review. If you are still going to read this, avoid the audio. Trust me.
Every person in this book had a different accent. Not different voices mind you, different accents. Members of the same nuclear family who lived in the same house had accents from different continents. Alarmingly few of the accents coincided with the accents of the places they identified as the places they had lived their entire lives. But the worst were the voices of our erstwhile Prince Ruben and his grandmother, both of which were cribbed from Jim Henson. Ruben's voice was The Count from Sesame Street. Let's face it, even among his Muppet community his voice is extremely silly. I never wanted to know what the Count sounded like when he was having sex. Now I do. Is there Muppet fanfic? Never mind. I don't want to know if 50 Shades of Orange and Green and Yellow is floating around. Bottom line; The Count is not hot, and consequently (even if the writing had been better) Ruben was not hot. One extra note, it rankled when Cherry mentioned how perfect his English was, and that only when he got emotional did he betray the hint of an accent. As she noted this fact the reader was hearing a Transylvanian puppet. The narrator also went full-on Muppet when voicing Ruben's grandmother -- she was the Swedish Chef. Exactly. She was from the same place that Ruben's family was, a made up place, but something in or near Scandinavia. Bottom line, terrible narration made a story that I did not enjoy even worse.
As for the story, my issues are legion but I will just mention a few.
A caveat for the first one: There is perhaps nothing so wholly idiosyncratic as the things a person finds sexually appealing. From my perspective, these were some really unsexy sex scenes. The language was (I want to find a different word but I can't) icky. Also, I don't think the author understands power exchange. There is one scene where Ruben says something like "lay down and spread your legs I want to make you come with my mouth" (these are all paraphrases, but the meaning is the same) and Cherry says something like "what if I don't want you to do that?" and Ruben says something like "tell me what you want me to do and I will do it, anything." So, a couple of things. How on Earth does anyone see this as him controlling her? The control thing is made a big deal of, so this matters. Secondly, does Cherry's response seem odd to anyone else? It sounds like a mighty fine offer. I don't look for authenticity in my romance sex scenes, I actively want them to be better than authentic sex scenes. But the scenes here went too far and ended up being far less sexy than authentic sex scenes. Every sex scene is, like that, a negotiation. If that works for you fine, but when I was in law school I never felt a hint of arousal when reading "Getting to Yes." This is the opposite of hot to me, but of course YMMV. An extra demerit, they went for the "magic vagina" thing, with the constant marveling at how intercourse has never felt like that for Ruben. I like Cinderella fine, but once we leave the fairy tale we need to acknowledge that there would actually be a lot of women in attendance at any decent size ball with a foot to fit that slipper.
Second, for no apparent reason the author spent a lot of time telling us about the not particularly interesting characters with whom Cherry worked. They were there to facilitate a meet-cute. They just needed to be random office workers. We did not need to know what they looked like and what they did in their spare time. We (blessedly) never see these people again after the first scene so why do we spend 30ish pages learning about them? I lost interest right at the beginning because these people were boring and unnecessary. Once I lose interest in a romance it is hard to come back.
Third, I can't figure out why these people would love each other. They were both a bit unappealing really. Both were very superficial in their romantic lives, they did not appear to be particularly clever, especially Cherry. They talked about the world like they had been reading a whole lot of Marianne Williamson. They were both predisposed to kindness. and that is a lovely characteristic, but its not so unique that it alone would lead to love.
Fourth, and I know this will piss people off, I don't see how Cherry could have been attractive to everyone she encounters. I am cool with her not being hot but having a beautiful smile, but much is made of how dazzled people are by her beauty. She is overweight and pockmarked. I get and love that there are people who will see her beauty and radiance (and I say this as a fat person who is pretty comfortable in my body.) I loved that Ruben was attracted to her cellulite. But every person who beholds an overweight pockmarked woman is not going to be overcome with lust. That she is so sexy to Ruben is delightful, and I liked that, but its just not reasonable that someone so far outside the conventional definition of beauty in the UK and Western Europe (where all of these people live) would leave everyone she meets so hot and bothered.
Fifth (and last for this review) the villains were just too over-the-top ridiculous. Ruben's sister and brother were like Boris and Natasha. I liked that the author delved into an abuse storyline, but it would have been so much better if those two did not spend their time making big trouble for moose and squirrel.
Most people loved this. I am an outlier, but I stand by my review. If you are still going to read this, avoid the audio. Trust me.
February 8, 2021
3.5 stars
I love Talia Hibbert, I loved our heroine Cherry, and I loved the hero, Prince Ruben. The story itself was okay, but I wanted more from it. I wanted more about Cherry's family and for things to be more developed.
I love Talia Hibbert, I loved our heroine Cherry, and I loved the hero, Prince Ruben. The story itself was okay, but I wanted more from it. I wanted more about Cherry's family and for things to be more developed.
Audio book source: Hoopla (library borrow)
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrator: Cornell Collins
Narration Rating: 3.5 stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance (Royal romance)
Length: 8 hours and 9 minutes
January 22, 2022
TW for child abuse
This one was just okay! Prince Ruben is touring a school and sees Cherry who works there. He's immediately captivated by her and must know her. They go out, but they're accosted by paparazzi and Ruben lies and says they're engaged. Cherry soon finds herself pretending to be engaged to a prince and moving in with him. I enjoyed the romance, but it felt like not a whole lot happened with the plot until the very end. Cherry just hung out at Ruben's home and they talked and slept together a lot. And that was really it. I wanted a little more beyond just the end having a substantial plot. But it was still a cute romance!
This one was just okay! Prince Ruben is touring a school and sees Cherry who works there. He's immediately captivated by her and must know her. They go out, but they're accosted by paparazzi and Ruben lies and says they're engaged. Cherry soon finds herself pretending to be engaged to a prince and moving in with him. I enjoyed the romance, but it felt like not a whole lot happened with the plot until the very end. Cherry just hung out at Ruben's home and they talked and slept together a lot. And that was really it. I wanted a little more beyond just the end having a substantial plot. But it was still a cute romance!
August 29, 2018
3.75 stars
representation: black main character, bisexual love interest, muslim (bi/pan?) side character
I was pleasantly surprised by this book!! I think I expected it to be somewhat trashy, but it was actually a mindful and feminist read with diversity and refreshing discussion about relevant issues. I liked how the main character stood up for herself and called out any time the guy made questionable choices or statements. It’s how I wish all romances would go.
Speaking of romance, I think the scenes were also steamy and fun, but i’m personally not into dom/sub so it was intimidating and awkward at points. It’s my personal preference to have more mutuality because I also love women taking charge. That aside, there was lots of consent and attention to details. The love story was a typical instalove and happy ever after, but I didn’t mind that just because it was fun to watch unfold.
The main reason why this book isn’t the 5 stars it could potentially be is that the conflict it tried to resolve was way out of the book’s league. For a book as small as this with such a limited scope of world-building and backstory, the massive subplot that arises around 80% of the book just does not have enough time to be fleshed out fully, so it ends the book feeling very underdeveloped and conveniently resolved, making me question how realistic this book actually is. It all took me out of the action and made me question why those characters and subplot was needed. Not nearly enough time was taken to unpack emotional trauma, so it all felt superficial and unrealistic. I wish the end conflict could have been something smaller and tidier that the two characters could’ve handled themselves.
Still, I highly recommend this one if you like romances that are modern and super healthy. Definitely a winner on that front.
representation: black main character, bisexual love interest, muslim (bi/pan?) side character
I was pleasantly surprised by this book!! I think I expected it to be somewhat trashy, but it was actually a mindful and feminist read with diversity and refreshing discussion about relevant issues. I liked how the main character stood up for herself and called out any time the guy made questionable choices or statements. It’s how I wish all romances would go.
Speaking of romance, I think the scenes were also steamy and fun, but i’m personally not into dom/sub so it was intimidating and awkward at points. It’s my personal preference to have more mutuality because I also love women taking charge. That aside, there was lots of consent and attention to details. The love story was a typical instalove and happy ever after, but I didn’t mind that just because it was fun to watch unfold.
The main reason why this book isn’t the 5 stars it could potentially be is that the conflict it tried to resolve was way out of the book’s league. For a book as small as this with such a limited scope of world-building and backstory, the massive subplot that arises around 80% of the book just does not have enough time to be fleshed out fully, so it ends the book feeling very underdeveloped and conveniently resolved, making me question how realistic this book actually is. It all took me out of the action and made me question why those characters and subplot was needed. Not nearly enough time was taken to unpack emotional trauma, so it all felt superficial and unrealistic. I wish the end conflict could have been something smaller and tidier that the two characters could’ve handled themselves.
Still, I highly recommend this one if you like romances that are modern and super healthy. Definitely a winner on that front.
February 3, 2023
This book was "meh" at best.
Okay here's the thing. I really REALLY liked Cherry. She was a funny strong character that knew what she wanted but then there was Ruben. He was the prince that no one knew but somehow everyone knew. I do not know but that already felt a bit unrealistic and on top of hat this was love at first sight. And I truly mean love not just attraction. I like a straightforward guy but he was a bit too much for me.
I also am a bit confused about the entire royal situation because huh? maybe I do not know enough about it but some of these things don't seem like they would ever happen. I am talking about the fact that his sex tape was released and somehow there were not really big consequences or the girl who released it. ON TOP OF THAT THE GUARD SITUATION?????
I mean idk but the fact that they could have just shot him idkkkkkkk
Okay here's the thing. I really REALLY liked Cherry. She was a funny strong character that knew what she wanted but then there was Ruben. He was the prince that no one knew but somehow everyone knew. I do not know but that already felt a bit unrealistic and on top of hat this was love at first sight. And I truly mean love not just attraction. I like a straightforward guy but he was a bit too much for me.
I also am a bit confused about the entire royal situation because huh? maybe I do not know enough about it but some of these things don't seem like they would ever happen. I am talking about the fact that his sex tape was released and somehow there were not really big consequences or the girl who released it. ON TOP OF THAT THE GUARD SITUATION?????
I mean idk but the fact that they could have just shot him idkkkkkkk
September 8, 2023
demasiado entretenido y EL SPICE ME SORPRENDIÓ UN MONTÓN.
August 24, 2018
What I liked about this book:
- bisexual royal hero, plus-size female MC & an interracial romance
- the two main characters were great and very interesting - I loved them both!
- very quick read
- nice writing style
- overall, I enjoyed the plot
What I didn't like about this book:
- rushed romance & insta-lust; I'd actually hoped after they signed their contract for their fake engagement, it would take them the whole year to slowly fall in love with each other but suddenly everything just happened way too quickly
- generally, there were quite a few scenes in this book that felt way too rushed and many of the problems the MCs had to face were resolved too easily
- 2 epilogues and both were way too vague; I didn't really understand what had happened after the actual end of the book and would've liked to find out if the prince was still a prince or if they were living in the UK instead of his kingdom now
Nevertheless, overall I liked the book and enjoyed reading it which is why I'm still giving it three out of five stars!
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- bisexual royal hero, plus-size female MC & an interracial romance
- the two main characters were great and very interesting - I loved them both!
- very quick read
- nice writing style
- overall, I enjoyed the plot
What I didn't like about this book:
- rushed romance & insta-lust; I'd actually hoped after they signed their contract for their fake engagement, it would take them the whole year to slowly fall in love with each other but suddenly everything just happened way too quickly
- generally, there were quite a few scenes in this book that felt way too rushed and many of the problems the MCs had to face were resolved too easily
- 2 epilogues and both were way too vague; I didn't really understand what had happened after the actual end of the book and would've liked to find out if the prince was still a prince or if they were living in the UK instead of his kingdom now
Nevertheless, overall I liked the book and enjoyed reading it which is why I'm still giving it three out of five stars!
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February 15, 2021
➽ 2021 reads: book 11/75
ahh, i do love talia hibbert so dearly which is why this one JUST missed the mark of being a new favourite. what should have been a fast read actually ended up being one that dragged on over the space of two weeks, so that may have been something to do with it.
honestly it's rather difficult to write a review because this book seemed rather messy, disjointed, and ultimately pretty forgettable.
the three stars are for act one cherry and act two ruben. that is all.
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ahh, i do love talia hibbert so dearly which is why this one JUST missed the mark of being a new favourite. what should have been a fast read actually ended up being one that dragged on over the space of two weeks, so that may have been something to do with it.
honestly it's rather difficult to write a review because this book seemed rather messy, disjointed, and ultimately pretty forgettable.
the three stars are for act one cherry and act two ruben. that is all.
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May 24, 2022
Talia Hibbert >>>>
March 12, 2021
4.2 out of 5 stars.
Another great Talia Hibbert romance. I loved this!!
I'm really enjoying my foray into Talia Hibbert's backlist. My only complaint is that I dislike most of her book covers (and titles) but, as the old saying goes, we shouldn't judge a book by its cover.
... But we all do, right? I know that I'm not the only one guilty of doing that :')
Another great Talia Hibbert romance. I loved this!!
I'm really enjoying my foray into Talia Hibbert's backlist. My only complaint is that I dislike most of her book covers (and titles) but, as the old saying goes, we shouldn't judge a book by its cover.
... But we all do, right? I know that I'm not the only one guilty of doing that :')
❝He got everything he ever wanted. He died, but everyone must die. And not all die happy.❞
November 25, 2021
i dont trust ppl who doesnt like talia hibbert. that said this one was blah. couldnt feel a thing thoroughout
January 5, 2022
4 to 4 1/2 stars
January 4, 2024
2.5⭐
I absolutely loved the brown sister series by Talia Hibbert. But honestly, every time I try any of her other books I can never connect with them. There isn't too much to say about this one. Other than the fact that the mmc compared the fmc’s beauty to his sister at 5% in the book. Didn't really understand that. Also very Insta-love🙅♀️. And I mean VERY😬. I think that it was only like 3 weeks of them being together and they are saying I love you😃. I was just really bored throughout the whole book. But I do still want to try her other books.
“For some reason, he'd developed a mild fixation on this woman. Probably because she didn't want him.” I can’t stand when that is the man’s reason for wanting her😑🤚.
I absolutely loved the brown sister series by Talia Hibbert. But honestly, every time I try any of her other books I can never connect with them. There isn't too much to say about this one. Other than the fact that the mmc compared the fmc’s beauty to his sister at 5% in the book. Didn't really understand that. Also very Insta-love🙅♀️. And I mean VERY😬. I think that it was only like 3 weeks of them being together and they are saying I love you😃. I was just really bored throughout the whole book. But I do still want to try her other books.
“For some reason, he'd developed a mild fixation on this woman. Probably because she didn't want him.” I can’t stand when that is the man’s reason for wanting her😑🤚.
September 19, 2021
This was cute and sexy! Cherry is such a fun character. I adored her immensely. I also enjoyed Reuben’s immediate attraction to her.
Here’s what to expect:
*Fake engagement
*Interracial couple
*Dirty talk and kink (nothing hardcore)
*Steamy scenes
*Quick read (can be read in a day)
I made a mistake of starting this on audio, I do not recommend that at all. The narrator isn’t the greatest.
Here’s what to expect:
*Fake engagement
*Interracial couple
*Dirty talk and kink (nothing hardcore)
*Steamy scenes
*Quick read (can be read in a day)
I made a mistake of starting this on audio, I do not recommend that at all. The narrator isn’t the greatest.
Want to read
July 11, 2018Kindle freebie 7/11/18!
January 2, 2022
Book 1 of 2022
This was sooooo beautiful
This was sooooo beautiful
June 18, 2025
pleasantly surprised by this one! I picked it up thinking it’d be something light and quick for the ride home, but I got totally hooked. it was fun, witty, and had more depth than I expected.
Cherry was awesome—confident, knows what she wants, and doesn’t take crap from anyone. I loved the way she handled everything. Ruben was such a great match for her. he’s sweet, grounded, and genuinely caring, especially with the kids. the way he stood up to his abuser to protect the family he built really got me. and the fact that he was completely smitten with Cherry from the moment they met? SO adorable. their chemistry was on point, and the spicy scenes hit just right.
my only small gripe is that I wish there had been more closure about what happened with Ruben’s brother. that part felt a little unfinished. but otherwise, the ending worked for me.
if you're looking for a steamy romcom with characters you can 100% root for, this one’s a great pick!
Cherry was awesome—confident, knows what she wants, and doesn’t take crap from anyone. I loved the way she handled everything. Ruben was such a great match for her. he’s sweet, grounded, and genuinely caring, especially with the kids. the way he stood up to his abuser to protect the family he built really got me. and the fact that he was completely smitten with Cherry from the moment they met? SO adorable. their chemistry was on point, and the spicy scenes hit just right.
my only small gripe is that I wish there had been more closure about what happened with Ruben’s brother. that part felt a little unfinished. but otherwise, the ending worked for me.
if you're looking for a steamy romcom with characters you can 100% root for, this one’s a great pick!
March 2, 2021
"People are many things at once; that’s the beauty of humanity."
representation: fat, Black MC (3rd generation British Jamaican), side character with a chronic illness (sickle cell disease), Muslim Hijabi side character, acne scarring, lesbian side character, bisexual love interest/MC.
[trigger warnings are listed at the bottom of this review and may contain spoilers]
★★★★★
oh how i adored this one. i am an absolute SUCKER for anything involving royals!! especially if one of the MC's isn't royal and finds themselves mixed up with one 👀
The thing that I absolutely ADORED about this is the way the male MC describes the fat MC's body with such love and desire. - "Fully clothed, Cherry was already a walking fantasy. Naked, she became something unimaginable. However hard he tried, Ruben could never have dreamt this up. His eyes followed the curves of her body, from those wide hips to that soft, rounded belly, to the gentle sag of her heavy breasts with their thick, dark nipples. She was like a rose in full bloom, delicately decadent."ISN'T THAT JUST BEAUTIFUL?? It was sooo nice to read. Talia Hibbert is definitely a new favourite author!
trigger warnings: suicide, loss of loved ones (in the past), sickle cell disease, domestic abuse, fatphobia.
representation: fat, Black MC (3rd generation British Jamaican), side character with a chronic illness (sickle cell disease), Muslim Hijabi side character, acne scarring, lesbian side character, bisexual love interest/MC.
[trigger warnings are listed at the bottom of this review and may contain spoilers]
★★★★★
oh how i adored this one. i am an absolute SUCKER for anything involving royals!! especially if one of the MC's isn't royal and finds themselves mixed up with one 👀
The thing that I absolutely ADORED about this is the way the male MC describes the fat MC's body with such love and desire. - "Fully clothed, Cherry was already a walking fantasy. Naked, she became something unimaginable. However hard he tried, Ruben could never have dreamt this up. His eyes followed the curves of her body, from those wide hips to that soft, rounded belly, to the gentle sag of her heavy breasts with their thick, dark nipples. She was like a rose in full bloom, delicately decadent."ISN'T THAT JUST BEAUTIFUL?? It was sooo nice to read. Talia Hibbert is definitely a new favourite author!
trigger warnings: suicide, loss of loved ones (in the past), sickle cell disease, domestic abuse, fatphobia.
September 14, 2022
my thoughts can be found here: https://youtu.be/-PadPNCZIZQ
November 18, 2022
I love Talia Hibbert and I'm gonna read everything she writes.
This one was just not it for me.
I just didn't really care about the outcome? The characters are great but we don't really get past surface level for either of them. Which is fine since this is more of a smutty story with forced proximity, fake dating, and regency. I think it was just really that I felt they didn't actually know each other by the end of the book.
At the end of it all, I don't feel connected to them the way I instantly did for the Brown sisters books. I won't compare anymore (but they are the standard thank you).
This one was just not it for me.
I just didn't really care about the outcome? The characters are great but we don't really get past surface level for either of them. Which is fine since this is more of a smutty story with forced proximity, fake dating, and regency. I think it was just really that I felt they didn't actually know each other by the end of the book.
At the end of it all, I don't feel connected to them the way I instantly did for the Brown sisters books. I won't compare anymore (but they are the standard thank you).
May 30, 2021
I am once again begging Talia Hibbert to loosen her grip on my heart and stop setting new impossible standards for men !
The steamy chemistry.
The VILLAINS !!!
The representation of a plus-sized black woman being THE MOST desirable woman this gorgeous simp of a prince has ever seen.
I want someone to take one look at me and absolutely lose their mind over having not met me sooner 😭
Book TW: child abuse at the hands of a parent and older siblings, spousal abuse, references to biphobia
The steamy chemistry.
The VILLAINS !!!
The representation of a plus-sized black woman being THE MOST desirable woman this gorgeous simp of a prince has ever seen.
I want someone to take one look at me and absolutely lose their mind over having not met me sooner 😭
Book TW: child abuse at the hands of a parent and older siblings, spousal abuse, references to biphobia
July 26, 2021
talia hibbert could publish a grocery list and i would still rate it 5 stars
cw: child/spousal abuse (physical & verbal), biphobia (mentioned)
cw: child/spousal abuse (physical & verbal), biphobia (mentioned)
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