How To Catch A Queen by Alyssa Cole | Audiobook Review

I received this book for free from Library, Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

How To Catch A Queen by Alyssa Cole | Audiobook ReviewHow to Catch a Queen by Alyssa Cole
Narrator: Karen Chilton
Length: 10 Hours 53 Minutes
Series: Runaway Royals #1
Also in this series: The Prince & The Apocalypse, How to Find a Princess
Also by this author: Once Ghosted, Twice Shy, How to Find a Princess
Published by HarperCollins on December 1, 2020
Genres: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Multicultural & Interracial, Romantic Comedy
Pages: 384
Format: Audiobook, eARC, Paperback
Source: Library, Publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
five-stars

An arranged marriage leads to unexpected desire, in the first book of Alyssa Cole’s
Runaway Royals series…
When Shanti Mohapi weds the king of Njaza, her dream of becoming a queen finally comes true. But it’s nothing like she imagined. Shanti and her husband may share an immediate and powerful attraction, but her subjects see her as an outsider, and everything she was taught about being the perfect wife goes disastrously wrong.
A king must rule with an iron fist, and newly crowned King Sanyu was born perfectly fitted for the gauntlet, even if he wishes he weren’t. He agrees to take a wife as is required of him, though he doesn’t expect to actually fall in love. Even more vexing? His beguiling new queen seems to have the answers to his country’s problems—except no one will listen to her.
By day, they lead separate lives. By night, she wears the crown, and he bows to her demands in matters of politics and passion. When turmoil erupts in their kingdom and their marriage, Shanti goes on the run, and Sanyu must learn whether he has what it takes both to lead his people and to catch his queen.
 

Why Did I Listen To How To Catch A Queen by Alyssa Cole?

Alyssa Cole is one of the best romance writers out there (and also, I want to check out her thriller too). So, it just made sense to listen to How To Catch A Queen – particularly as I’ve listened to both of her novellas as well as A Princess In Theory and A Duke By Default. With my powerbeats on the ears, I was beyond READY to give this book a listen, and even more exciting? It is the start to a new series from Cole – Runaway Royals.

What’s The Story Here?

Shanti has dreamed of becoming a queen. It is what she has worked her whole life for, after all she wants to make a difference in the lives of people on a large scale. A royal matchmaking app sets her up with the king of Njaza. Luckily Shanti and Sanyu are immediately attracted to each other, however, they don’t really act on that attraction. Also? Shanti’s dreams don’t turn out how she expected. She’s treated as an outsider by the court of Njaza and by the people. She doesn’t really get a voice and instead is relegated to scanning old documents in the national archive.

Meanwhile, Sanyu has been taught to be like his father and rule with an iron fist. His advisor seems to have more say than he does. Sanyu gives speeches that are more his dad’s style, than his style. Plus, he won’t let himself get attached to Shanti, because Njaza history shows that queens don’t stick around. Rather, they last for a couple months and then it is on to the next one. Still, he cannot deny the attraction to Shanti. Plus, she’s got excellent political skills and a very analytical mind. But, by day, he’s really quite distant from her.

How Did I Like How To Catch A Queen?

Cole’s How To Catch A Queen is a great start to a new series. I could relate to Shanti’s need to be of service and of use. I liked that she chafed against not really having a purpose or being allowed to grow to her full potential while in Njaza. She’s an admirable and wonderful main character. As for Sanyu, I wasn’t a huge fan at first. He’s kind of a jerk to Shanti. However, he has the most dynamic character journey. Plus, I can get why he was the way that he was and kind of want to chalk it up to attachment issues, given he didn’t really have a mother figure and his father figure was not super affectionate or loving. I ended up coming around to Sanyu’s character and then rooting for this couple to get it right.

How’s The Narration?

The audiobook narrator is Karen Chilton. It is 10 hours and 53 minutes unabridged. This is not my first time listening to a Chilton narrated audiobook and it certainly won’t be my last. Chilton is an excellent narrator with a lovely voice. She narrates in a way that is not overwrought or annoying. How To Catch A Queen is wonderful in audiobook form and of course, I’d recommend.

five-stars
The following two tabs change content below.
April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.
About April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.