e-Audio, 09:03:12
Narrated by: Ivanno Jeremiah
Release Date: July 18, 2023
Published by: Hachette Audio
Read from: July 19-21, 2023
Stand-alone
Source: Library’s Libby
TW: Grief, Racism, Homophobia, Bullying, Classism
For Readers Interested In: Thrillers, Romance, LGBTQ+, Racial/Ethnic Diversity, Mystery, Set Outside the USA, YAIn this YA romantic thriller, James—the shy, handsome, mixed-race heir to the British throne—must choose between love and duty amidst a dangerous scandal and a tabloid media desperate for his downfall. Perfect for fans of Ace of Spades.
Heavy is the crown James has been born to wear, especially as the first Black heir to the British throne. But with his father’s recent passing, and with a new boyfriend to hide, James is woefully unprepared for the sudden shine of public scrutiny.
When his secrets come spilling forth across tabloid pages and the man he thought he loved has suddenly disappeared, James finds himself on the precipice of ruin. As every detail of his life becomes public knowledge, his sense of safety is shattered and the people he trusts the most become the likeliest suspects.
What dangers lurk behind the palace walls—and will the new king find out before it’s too late?
*MY THOUGHTS*
I saw this cover sometime last year and I KNEW I had to read it. Y’all know how I am, I never know anything about it but I have to get it in my hands immediately lol And I am not sorry that I put this as a priority. It was a bit out there, but I still enjoyed it.
So the number one thing I didn’t like about this was the writing style. The #commonYAline was in there at least twice, and y’all know how I am about that. Like do y’all not search that as a term to edit out? I won’t immediately DNF it, but I will document it each time I see it so I can warn other people who might. Because Lordt. But even still, I couldn’t tear my ears away from my headphones. The mystery was good, but I guess the technical stuff was what I didn’t like? Like the plot was slow to get to. I think they made it a little too long to get to the mystery because they were introducing him having such a hard time losing his dad and becoming king. (I get that was important, but it seemed over told? Does that make sense?) I was anticipating getting to the mystery but it seemed like it took a while.
I also didn’t like the characters. Like literally everyone in this book besides him was terrible. I don’t know what else to say besides that. His mom was the Queen but she was holding secrets too. And with him just losing his dad, I thought he deserved better. And then there was his twin and their cousin, which I’m just going to say he deserved better from family. And the weird rabid journalist that was all over him all the time. It was just weird. But I will say this, it really helped to keep me from finding out whodunit. Because I hated everyone, I couldn’t figure out who it was. I suspected everyone.
I also didn’t like the ending. I didn’t like the way it was resolved. Like the reasoning that person had for what they did was dumb af. Literally none of what they said was his fault? Like he couldn’t help any of that. That person was jealous of him for shit that was out of his control. And the way they were so lenient? Yeah they’re 100 times better than me because I was like “Off with their head!” And I didn’t like the way the book overall was ended either. It was like an open ended question and I was so mad. Can we make a petition to keep authors from doing this? lol
But I did like the way the mystery kept me going. And I did like James’ story arc. He was so sad and broken in the beginning. Just wracked with grief. By the end he was turning into a strong king. I imagine it was because all that he had gone through because Lordt this whole book was a lot. And I liked the way everyone was a suspect. It helped me not realize who it was. And it makes the reveal even more crazy lol
This review was a little all over the place, but so was this book? I’m still going to be waiting on the next one tho because what was the answer to that question? Why have me read this whole book to end it like that? Ugh.
Overall, I give this
