Paperback, 352 pages
Published February 1st 2022 by Bethany House Publishers
Brielle Adebayo is fully content teaching at a New York City public school and taking annual summer vacations with her mother to Martha's Vineyard. But everything changes when her mom drops the mother of all bombshells--Brielle is a princess in the kingdom of Ọlọrọ Ilé, Africa, and she must immediately assume her royal position, since the health of her grandfather, King Tiwa Jimoh Adebayo, is failing.
Distraught by her mother's betrayal, Brielle is further left spinning when the Ọlọrọ Ilé Royal Council brings up an old edict that states she must marry before assuming the throne or the crown will be passed to another. Uncertain who to choose from the council's list of bachelors, she struggles with the decision along with the weight of her new role in a new country. With her world totally shaken, she must take a chance on love and brave the perils a wrong decision may bring.
________________________________________________________
Rebecca's Review 3.5 stars
"You are Brielle Eden Adebayo, daughter of Prince Naade Tayo Adebayo, and heir to the throne of Oloro Ile."She's who??? To say that Brielle Adebayo is stunned to learn of her true heritage is a massive understatement; even more shocking is the fact that her mother kept something this monumental a secret for so many years. Brielle woke up one morning as an ordinary middle school teacher and finished her day as the princess of an entire African kingdom. Who does that? It appears that Brielle and her best friend Iris have a road trip on their horizon . . . . or in actuality, an international flight.
Meeting her grandfather for the first time, Brielle is both humbled and saddened; sad because the king's health is failing so quickly, and humbled because his fragility puts Brielle in the precarious position of fast tracking her decision on whether or not to accept or reject the throne. Would the royal council even consider approving an American woman who does not even speak their language yet or know anything about their culture? And then . . . . . there is the matter of an historic edit requiring Brielle to marry before assuming the thrown. God help her!
Admittedly, the story seemed so much like a modern day fairy tale that eventually I realized that of course, it was. Thankfully a mighty river of rich spiritual depth flows underneath the "boy meets girl", and the "happily ever after" elements of this entertaining novel. Every decision is preceded by prayer and each person is treated with kindness and respect even when it was hard. And mistakes? Not easily forgotten, but genuinely forgiven. And friendship? What a gift.
Drum roll please . . . . . then along comes a most unexpected blessing, just who a princess-want-to-be needs, but not necessarily what the traditional royals deem appropriate. However, there is this, " . . . . I do believe I love you more than ice cream".
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
