I think I loved this so much because it reminded me of the movie Coming to America.

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I NEED A NOVELLA OR BOOK ABOUT LIKOTSI OK? UPDATE: I GOT MY LIKOTSI ROMANCE (Once Ghosted, Twice Shy)

Otherwise, this was everything I could have wanted when I read the premise.

I would really like a novella or book about Likotsi's romantic exploits during this book (I have thoughts and theories and hopes).

This was everything I could have wanted after reading the premise. It was touching and light hearted, romantic and charming - never once did I think that Thabiso (Jamal) didn't deserve his own happy ending despite the fact he started out so rough. Nor did I think that Naledi should have fallen instantly into love with him once she found out his reasons.

The build up to when they finally are on the same page was made no less tense for the fact that this is a romance so a HEA is all but guaranteed in the fine print. Naledi and Thabiso both had reasonable arguments as to why they should (or shouldn't) be together. Try as he might Thabiso could not put aside his responsibilities as Crown Prince and Naledi couldn't put aside what growing up in the foster system did to her.

The underlying threat of what's happening to his--their--country is possibly the slightly weaker part of the story. Its there, Likotsi mentions it, we hear about Thabiso disappearing for all sorts of meetings and such, but it doesn't ramp up til the latter third and the resolution to several problems seems...rushed.

That being said, as much as this is a fairy tale for grown ups its also grounded in some realities that are present but not overwhelming the romance. Ledi has to deal with not just the baggage of being an orphan, but also a female in the STEM field - complete with a jerk-hole for a colleague. Having to work multiple jobs just to keep a roof over her head while trying to finish out her schooling and find an internship that will lead somewhere are not magically made better because Thabiso enters her life.

One of the best and most genuine scenes is when Thabiso, as Jamal, invites her over to share a meal as an apology for an earlier incident. Initially wary that he could be a creeper she clearly defines that she is doing this purely for the food, that she told a friend and he shouldn't' expect anything else. Thabiso is at pains to try and put her at ease, but fails pretty spectacularly at giving her a "relaxing night". Ledi's resignation that even when someone says they'll handle everything doesn't work out is something I can understand quite a bit.

This is a beautiful, wonderful romance that in the end doesn't ignore that for the leads to have their HEA they have to work at it and find a way to balance for of their needs individually with the needs together. ( )

Ok ( )

When they were children, Prince Thabiso of Thesolo and Naledi Ajoua were decreed to be future mates by the goddess Ingoka. Then suddenly Naledi’s parents took Naldi and left the country without notice.

Fast forward to Naledi, now grown up, with no memory of her parents, who died in a car accident shortly after they came to America. Naledi grew up in a series of foster homes “passed around like Brussels sprouts at dinner before they became trendy.” Now she is studying epidemiology, and working as a waitress. This is how she meets Thabiso, when he came into her restaurant, and she mistook him for a new worker named Jamal. In that guise, the two fell in love. Then, when Naledi joined her best friend at an African gala where the guest of honor was none other than Prince Thabiso, she realized she had been deceived, and was furious and deeply hurt.

Will it all work out? You can imagine, but the journey is enjoyable getting there. Fans of the movie “Coming to America” may feel as if they stumbled across a slightly revised screenplay. So it is quite predictable, yes, but still an entertaining read. ( )

This starts off with complete disregard for "show, don't tell" principles and couldn't sustain my interest in the face of my tbr pile.