Once Ghosted, Twice Shy: A Reluctant Royals Novella

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars | 654 ratings

Price: 12.59

Last update: 07-29-2024


Top reviews from the United States

Cocotte Flores
5.0 out of 5 stars Tabou Combo forever!
Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2019
As a Haitian-American woman married to another woman, I never expected to see myself so fully represented in a traditionally published romance novel. The author does an exceptional job of melding romance, heartbreak, immigration issues, and the angst of the twenty-something years into one superbly written novella. I particularly loved the little touches that exposed us to Fabiola’s Haitian culture (every Haitian knows Tabou Combo. Look it up!) and the strength of her family bond. I could feel Nkotsi’s pain and fear, but also the love that had her reaching out to the woman who broke her heart. I was so happy when they got back together, but I wanted the story to go on forever!
Julie L. Hayes
4.0 out of 5 stars Don't be afraid to try again...
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2019
Being the personal assistant to a prince has its ups and downs, even for the very efficient Likotski Adele. One of the downsides is that her personal life, what little she has, tends to suffer. At one time, she didn’t mind so much, but ever since she met Fabiola C on an Internet dating site, life has not been the same. From the moment she’d seen Fab’s picture, Likotski had been intrigued, and meeting her did nothing to change her opinion. Everything was great… until it wasn’t. Until Fab coldly and unexpectedly broke up with her, citing Likotski’s leaving as the reason.

Now Likotski is back in New York with the prince and his princess, and she can’t stop thinking of Fab.

The past is past, and Likotski is determined to let go, aided by the new shoes given her by her father for Christmas. His note said: New shoes point toward the future…. But how can she think of the future when her heart lies in the past? Now Likotski is taking some time for herself, visiting a list of places she’s made up for herself. While on the subway, she receives an unexpected text from a source she does not recognize. Is Fate so cruel that she should run into the one woman she is trying to forget in a city the size of New York? Or is it that Fate is not done with them yet and has something else to say?

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy is a Reluctant Royals novella, and it packs a sweet punch in its short length. In the first book, A Princess in Theory, we see Likotski secretly and happily but love, but something goes horribly wrong, although she never reveals what that is. In this novella, we find out exactly what that something was, and who it involved. A chance meeting on the subway brings Likotski and Fab back together, but can they get past the things that kept them apart before? Communication is key to any good relationship, but neither one is very forthcoming. Something has to change if they have a change of making it together.

This was a very sweet story, very romantic. I hope we see more of this couple in future books, but this novella was just perfect, and I enjoyed it greatly. I recommend it to anyone who is reading the series.
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Julie L. Hayes
4.0 out of 5 stars Don't be afraid to try again...
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2019
Being the personal assistant to a prince has its ups and downs, even for the very efficient Likotski Adele. One of the downsides is that her personal life, what little she has, tends to suffer. At one time, she didn’t mind so much, but ever since she met Fabiola C on an Internet dating site, life has not been the same. From the moment she’d seen Fab’s picture, Likotski had been intrigued, and meeting her did nothing to change her opinion. Everything was great… until it wasn’t. Until Fab coldly and unexpectedly broke up with her, citing Likotski’s leaving as the reason.

Now Likotski is back in New York with the prince and his princess, and she can’t stop thinking of Fab.

The past is past, and Likotski is determined to let go, aided by the new shoes given her by her father for Christmas. His note said: New shoes point toward the future…. But how can she think of the future when her heart lies in the past? Now Likotski is taking some time for herself, visiting a list of places she’s made up for herself. While on the subway, she receives an unexpected text from a source she does not recognize. Is Fate so cruel that she should run into the one woman she is trying to forget in a city the size of New York? Or is it that Fate is not done with them yet and has something else to say?

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy is a Reluctant Royals novella, and it packs a sweet punch in its short length. In the first book, A Princess in Theory, we see Likotski secretly and happily but love, but something goes horribly wrong, although she never reveals what that is. In this novella, we find out exactly what that something was, and who it involved. A chance meeting on the subway brings Likotski and Fab back together, but can they get past the things that kept them apart before? Communication is key to any good relationship, but neither one is very forthcoming. Something has to change if they have a change of making it together.

This was a very sweet story, very romantic. I hope we see more of this couple in future books, but this novella was just perfect, and I enjoyed it greatly. I recommend it to anyone who is reading the series.
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NMCannon
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely lovely 2nd chance romance!
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2021
After reading and loving A Princess in Theory, I planned to read A Duke by Default, but…best laid plans often go awry, haha. Last week, Trash and Treasures, a new sapphic romance media review podcast, reminded me that the Reluctant Royals series existed. Krissy and Scooby’s excitement during their episode on Once Ghosted, Twice Shy made me download it onto my Kindle right now immediately.
Though Once Ghosted, Twice Shy can, technically, be read as a stand-alone, in my opinion the story’s richer if you’ve read A Princess in Theory (And why would you deny yourself the pleasure of Ledi and Thabiso’s love story?? It’s so good y’all!!!). During A Princess in Theory, you may remember the Prince’s advisor/PA, Likosti, and how she disappears for a portion of the novel before showing up heartbroken and not wanting to talk about it. Once Ghosted, Twice Shy reveals what was going on with her. And that “what,” or rather “who,” is Fabiola, the pin-up girl femme to her dapper butch; a swipe right made in heaven. The one meant to be a one-night stand, but bloomed into a possible romance to last a lifetime…until Fabiola unceremoniously broke off all contact via text.

The novella has 10 chapters (and an epilogue), and they alternate between Fabiola’s POV during their initial affair in A Princess in Theory and Likosti’s POV seven months and three weeks later when Fab walks back into Likosti’s life during a subway train delay. There was…a lot of fashion talk I had to Internet search, but it was worth it to properly picture these two gorgeous women. Because of the length, a lot of Likosti and Fabiola’s relationship is told or implied, but when they are together, the chemistry is off the charts. Alyssa Cole is considered legendary in the romance world, and one of those reasons is this book.
Overall, Once Ghosted, Twice Shy is a sizzling short treat perfect for Pride Month. There’s black joy and queer joy, and those grant a revolutionary joy for the reader.

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