Truly Madly Royally

4 stars — I got exactly what I was looking for in this book: a cute YA royalty story, mixed in with a strong black heroine. While just by being a book written by a black woman, containing a black heroine, we got a look at everyday life…but race wasn’t the main issue in the story, it was just a byproduct of the characters. I am NOTHING like Zora, and you would think that would make her hard to relate to, but I did connect with her. She was so passionate about her community, and helping everyone around her. I LOVED that. I loved the way her mind was always thinking of how she could give new experiences to the kids she sort of mentored. Again, I can’t imagine being like that, but it was fascinating to watch. She was sassy, confident (for the most part), and hard working. And I will admit, through her, I learned quite a few new things (by having to Google some terms). I always appreciate that. Owen was pretty sweet. He wasn’t a standout or anything, he had a bit of a too good to be true thing going on with him, but for some reason I didn’t mind it. Sometimes you just want an easy love story. I wouldn’t have minded seeing them hang out together a bit more, seeing their connection a bit more…but what are you gonna do? There were some fun side characters in this one, from Zora’s family and friends, to people in her community, to the other high school students she meets in her program and eventually develops friendships with. I was looking for something fairly light and easy, but also diverse (and importantly, ownvoices), and that’s exactly what I got.

Good