From the Publisher
Alyssa Cole is the newly coronated queen of contemporary royal romance! A Princess in Theory is delicious fun. It has everything anyone could ever want in a royal romance, including a smart, funny heroine; a sweetly sexy prince; swoon-worthy romance; and an epic happily-ever-after. Long live the queen!” — Meg Cabot, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Princess Diaries
“The best new romance I’ve read in a while.” — New York Times Book Review on A Princess in Theory
“This book was a lot of fun, sexy, with a compelling story. I really enjoyed the romance as it developed between Ledi and Thabioso, both interesting characters together and as individuals. Lots of erotic tension and a deeply satisfying ending. Definitely dive into this one.” — Roxane Gay on A Princess in Theory
“In Cole’s world, royalty and romance go hand in hand with compassion, open-heartedness, and intelligence, as well as a clear-eyed sense of real-world politics. A Princess in Theory is a fairy tale, yes, but one consistently grounded in reality, which makes the happily-ever-after all the more satisfying.” — Entertainment Weekly
“Cole’s humorous and delightful romance is perfect for those looking for a fun read with a memorable cast of characters and neurodivergent representation, whether the reader is new to Cole’s work or an established fan.” — Library Journal
“Bitingly funny…Cole makes virtuoso use of the familiar rhythms of a romance arc. Joyful and absolutely perfect.” — New York Times
“Alyssa Cole is best known for her swoon-worthy romances.” — PopSugar
“If you like faux engagements, ultra steamy scenes, and an eventual happily-ever-after, this one’s for you.” — Oprahmag.com
"Neuro-divergent nerds…are a highlight of this treat of a story.” — Washington Post (Best Romances of 2019)
“Cole includes just the right amount of sass, sex, and heart to satisfy romance readers.” — Publishers Weekly
“Alyssa Cole has rightfully garnered acclaim from all corners for the impeccable construction and emotional complexity of her romance novels. But her new novel, A Duke by Default, underscored something about her writing that I think deserves to be celebrated just as much—how joyfully and unrepentantly nerdy her work is.” — BookPage
“Cole explores sexual and gender identities, grief, self-respect, acceptance, and love in this faultless romance. She weaves family drama and emotional growth into a passion-filled story worthy of its irresistibly complicated (and diverse) characters. This affair of the heart is deeply satisfying.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“An impressive ending to a series featuring an international cast of complex, multicultural characters balancing their royal responsibilities with their modern lives and loves.” — Booklist (starred review)
Meg Cabot
Alyssa Cole is the newly coronated queen of contemporary royal romance! A Princess in Theory is delicious fun. It has everything anyone could ever want in a royal romance, including a smart, funny heroine; a sweetly sexy prince; swoon-worthy romance; and an epic happily-ever-after. Long live the queen!
Washington Post (Best Romances of 2019)
"Neuro-divergent nerds…are a highlight of this treat of a story.
Oprahmag.com
If you like faux engagements, ultra steamy scenes, and an eventual happily-ever-after, this one’s for you.
PopSugar
Alyssa Cole is best known for her swoon-worthy romances.”
Roxane Gay on A Princess in Theory
This book was a lot of fun, sexy, with a compelling story. I really enjoyed the romance as it developed between Ledi and Thabioso, both interesting characters together and as individuals. Lots of erotic tension and a deeply satisfying ending. Definitely dive into this one.
New York Times Book Review on A Princess in Theory
The best new romance I’ve read in a while.
Entertainment Weekly
In Cole’s world, royalty and romance go hand in hand with compassion, open-heartedness, and intelligence, as well as a clear-eyed sense of real-world politics. A Princess in Theory is a fairy tale, yes, but one consistently grounded in reality, which makes the happily-ever-after all the more satisfying.
New York Times
Bitingly funny…Cole makes virtuoso use of the familiar rhythms of a romance arc. Joyful and absolutely perfect.
null PopSugar
Alyssa Cole is best known for her swoon-worthy romances.”
null New York Times Book Review on A Princess in Theory
The best new romance I’ve read in a while.
Roxane Gay
This book was a lot of fun, sexy, with a compelling story. I really enjoyed the romance as it developed between Ledi and Thabioso, both interesting characters together and as individuals. Lots of erotic tension and a deeply satisfying ending. Definitely dive into this one.
Booklist (starred review)
An impressive ending to a series featuring an international cast of complex, multicultural characters balancing their royal responsibilities with their modern lives and loves.
BookPage
Alyssa Cole has rightfully garnered acclaim from all corners for the impeccable construction and emotional complexity of her romance novels. But her new novel, A Duke by Default, underscored something about her writing that I think deserves to be celebrated just as much—how joyfully and unrepentantly nerdy her work is.
New York Times Book Review
the best new romance I’ve read in a while...
Kirkus Reviews
2021-04-14
The tale of Anastasia Romanov receives a fresh retelling in this queer love story between a potential princess and the investigator who must unearth the truth of her identity.
Makeda Hicks’ life arguably couldn’t get any worse. Not only has she lost her job, but her longtime girlfriend has also just dumped her. Moving in with her grandmother and helping out at their family-owned bed-and-breakfast might be just what she needs to reset her life—until an investigator from the World Federation of Monarchies comes knocking. Beznaria Chetchevaliere has made it her personal mission to seek out the long-lost heir to the Ibaranian throne, and she thinks Makeda is the one she’s been searching for—only Makeda’s unconvinced, until she realizes accepting her possible birthright could have a financial benefit that would save her grandmother from going into debt. A long, closed-quarters journey on the high seas ensues, with everything from the improvisation of a fake marriage to the promise of only one bed for Makeda and Bez to share, and over the course of their trip, the two women come to the realization that they want their future to be together even if responsibility demands they stay apart. Cole's characters are delightful, and her prose brims with humor and sexy, romantic tension. Though the ending feels a bit abrupt, readers looking for another delightful romance from Cole will be well served by this charming tale.
An effervescent queer romance that challenges the institutions of monarchy and marriage.
