To Win a Prince by Toni Shiloh, A Contemporary Romance with a Royal, African Island Twist
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review. Also, this blog post includes affiliate links. You can view my affiliate disclaimer here.
Contemporary Romance
Cute and Charming with a Great Faith-Based Message!
This royal contemporary romance will transport readers to the tropical African isle of Ọlọrọ Ilé where author Toni Shiloh delivers a sweet, beautiful story of losing it all only to discover the riches that a personal faith in Christ can hold!
Scroll down to read my review…
"Shiloh has penned yet another adorable and charming royal romance!"
-MELISSA FERGUSON, bestselling author of Meet Me in the Margins
Can she stop herself from falling before she's too far gone?
As a fashion aficionado and best friend of the queen of the African island country Ọlọrọ Ilé, Iris Blakely dreams of using her talent to start a sustainable clothing line to help citizens in impoverished areas and honor the country's resources. But when she discovers that Ekon Diallo--the man who betrayed her best friend--will be her business consultant, the battle between her desires and reality begins.
Ekon Diallo has lost everything: his princely title, his material possessions, his friends, and the respect of his fellow Ọlọrans. To pay for his actions against Ọlọrọ Ilé, he's forced to assist the charismatic Iris Blakely--but he can't allow his heart to distract him from regaining his status.
Though they come from vastly different worlds, Iris and Ekon are both determined to reach their goals, and the only way to do that is to work together--if they can just keep their hearts from getting in the way . . .
MY REVIEW: ★★★★/5
To Win a Prince is my first Toni Shiloh novel and this one was adorable and charming! I love stories set abroad that open the door of my mind to imaginative locations (based on real geographical locations, of course) and transport me to a new places. That’s exactly what Shiloh did with this story. Not only was this novel fun to read, but she brought her story-world of Ọlọrọ Ilé to life with vivid descriptions and a beautiful story of losing it all only to discover the riches that a personal faith in Christ can hold!
HIGHLIGHTS:
African Prince Falls for African American · Clean, Faith-Filled Content · Forced Proximity · Fashion Industry Setting · African Island Location · Royals · Cute, Independent Heroine Who Loves to Dream · Rock Bottom + A Prodigal Son Moment
What I liked:
This contemporary romance is set in the fictional African country of Ọlọrọ Ilé, an island location that Shiloh has masterfully created. I really enjoyed the setting and the fact that this novel transported me there in my mind’s eye. I also found Shiloh’s faith-based story line refreshing as so many of today’s Christian fiction releases merely offer a watered-down version of the Gospel and what repentance and saving faith in Jesus can do. I also enjoyed that this novel was written from both main characters’ POV, allowing me a heart-level insight.
Related Post: Love clean, sweet romances that warm your heart? Try All That It Takes by Nicole Deese!
Main character, Iris Blakely, is launching her dream company, Aso, built to empower the women and people of the country with colorful, beautiful clothing that she hopes will become a coveted part of the global fashion industry. She’s talented and independent, but has a tender heart that allows her to daydream, jumping headfirst into giving her heart away easily. She wrestles through this in the story and her personal faith grows because of it.
Ekon Diallo loses everything he’s ever known as the result of a misguided mistake and his way of living, thinking and existing are challenged as a result. His character growth was deeply rewarding and I loved seeing him find both faith and love in the midst.
Summary:
Though at times, I found this story to lull and had to push myself to finish, my patience paid and I found the second half of the story to be rewarding. I had trouble relating with Iris’ character but enjoyed Ekon well enough. The setting was very fun and unique. While somewhat simple and predictable without much of the angst-y, flirty tension I enjoy, I found this novel to be clean, charming and cute, plus filled with a wonderful faith-based message that I believe many Christian readers will enjoy! Readers who love novels by Tari Faris, Lindsay Harrell and Tammy L. Gray might also enjoy this novel.
Prefer Audio? Me too, sometimes!
Check out the audiobook version of To Win a Prince, available on Amazon!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Image Courtesy of Baker Publishing Group.
