#Review: Once Ghosted, Twice Shy (Reluctant Royals #2.5) by Alyssa Cole

BLURB

While her boss the prince was busy wooing his betrothed, Likotsi had her own love affair after swiping right on a dating app. But her romance had ended in heartbreak, and now, back in NYC again, she’s determined to rediscover her joy—so of course she runs into the woman who broke her heart.

When Likotsi and Fabiola meet again on a stalled subway train months later, Fab asks for just one cup of tea. Likotsi, hoping to know why she was unceremoniously dumped, agrees. Tea and food soon leads to them exploring the city together, and their past, with Fab slowly revealing why she let Likotsi go, and both of them wondering if they can turn this second chance into a happily ever after.

MY REVIEW

I was thrilled to discover Likotsi had her own story, since she was my favourite character in A Princess in Theory. In that, we learn she met someone, fell in love and had her heart broken. (PS. You don't need to have read A Princess in Theory to understand or enjoy this, but you'll probably enjoy this more if you've already met Likotsi in book 1) 

Once Ghosted Twice Shy sort of picks up from there. Likotsi is back in NYC and has a systematic plan to help her forget about the woman who broke her heart - Fabiola (Fab). Here plans get altered when she runs into the very person she'd trying to forget. Through their journey of rediscovery, we learn about the events from their first meeting and the reason behind their break-up. Fab turned out to be a fun character, whose personality complemented Likotsi's well.

The story is told in two parts, switching between their first meeting "last Spring" (told in Fab's POV) and their present meeting in "Winter" (told in Likotsi's POV). Some readers might find this confusing or off-putting, but I thought it was a good way of showing what transpired before and how Likosti could have had her heart broken by someone she spent just a few days with - especially for those who read A Princess in Theory. I'd love to see more of them in their HEA in future books in the series.

As an African, one thing I've enjoyed about the series so far (with this book and A Princess in Theory) is that it isn't the Africans being 'rescued' as is often the case with books featuring African characters. 

An interesting piece of trivia I've learnt is that the cover models are a real-life couple. How cute is that!

When it comes to diversity, this book represents strongly, being an f/f romance between two WOC with one MC being bi-sexual. The story also deals with real-life issues facing immigrants in America as represented by Fab whose family are Haitian-American. 

This is my first f/f romance read (ever), and I have to admit I bought it mainly because it was part of the reluctant royals series. So I feel I should say this to fans of the series, who aren't necessarily readers of f/f romance: don't skip this one just because it's f/f.

I give this one 3.75 stars

I purchased my copy of this book from Amazon.