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.

For those interested, you can listen to Trash and Treasures here on Youtube: https://www (dot) youtube (dot) com/watch?v=HRaMJV9yqa0

And my review of A Princess in Theory is here: https://app (dot) thestorygraph (dot) com/reviews/7b161f61-9bc7-4bce-803f-05e68558a746