Love, Lorena by Ivy L. James is a delightful contemporary romance that proves that fairy tales do exist.
Lorena Garcia Fernandez has built her successful matchmaking company, Love, Lorena from scratch. Her parents don’t believe that her business is legitimate so in order to win their approval, she travels to Iovoria to help Crown Prince Callum find his happily ever after. When Prince Callum unexpectedly abdicates, his sister Princess Rosemond becomes Lorena’s new client.
Lorena has heard all about “Rowdy Rosemond” from the tabloids, but as she helps the princess, she quickly realizes there’s more to Rose than her public persona. As the two women grow closer with each date Lorena sets up for her, Lorena begins to realize she’s the one who wants to date Rose.
With only a month to find Rose the perfect match, Lorena must force her budding feelings for Rose aside in order to save her business and please the Queen.
How will Lorena choose between her duty and her heart?
Pros And My Favourite Parts
Love, Lorena is set in the majestic fictional country Iovoria, whose people have an affinity for pears. The beautiful descriptions of the countryside make me want to pack my bags and visit immediately.
Lorena is independent, ambitious, and hard-working. Her parents are critical and unsupportive of the successful international matchmaking business she built from the ground up which whether she realizes it or not, really affects her life. She finds love for everyone else and won’t give herself the opportunity to look fearing her relationship will crash and burn just like her parent’s marriage.
The world knows her as Rowdy Rosamond the wayward princess whose exploits are splashed all across the tabloids. Rose is okay with the moniker because pulling all media attention to herself keeps them away from her brother. Rose is outgoing, flirty, adventurous, and attention seeking but underneath that brash exterior she’s a vulnerable woman who is afraid to let anyone in.
When Lorena and Rose meet, Rose shamelessly flirts with Lorena to no avail. Lorena has a job to do, find Rose a perfect life partner in less than a month or incur the wrath of the Queen. Lorena continues to find Rose dates but none seem to click and as the two spend time together the walls they’ve both erected around themselves slowly begin to crumble. Lorena is steadfast in her focus to find Rose the appropriate match but each time her professionalism slips, my heart soared. When Rose finally allows herself to become vulnerable, she’s simply incredible. At her core, Rose is sweet, sensitive, and downright romantic. Her bravery shines through as she works hard to down the walls around Lorena. Their chemistry is off the charts from moment one and the push/pull is swoon-worthy. Their interactions and dialogue are witty, fun, and entertaining as are the chapter titles.
The nod to Breaking Character by Lee Winter does not go unnoticed! Kudos Ivy L. James!
Cons And Heads Up
Lorena’s parents and Rose’s mother are absolutely awful humans. They’re degrading, unsupportive, and demeaning. I frequently found myself grinding my teeth when they were in a scene.
The Conclusion
Love, Lorena by Ivy L. James is a delightful contemporary romance about a matchmaker and a princess who are destined to be together. The only problem is that Lorena, the matchmaker, is supposed to find Princess Rose a suitable partner; her livelihood depends on it. Despite their increasing feelings for one another and pushback from their families, these two strong and independent women must navigate uncharted waters. It’s a witty, sweet, and romantic story with galas, a snuggly cat, an adorable pup, and lots of pears. If you’re looking for a romantic fairy tale that will leave you smiling like a loon, then this is the book for you!
Excerpt from Love, Lorena by Ivy L. James
The woman entered and stood beside Graeme.
Rose stared.
Black hair pulled up in a neat bun revealed a long neck and tawny skin. A crisp violet blouse and high-waisted trousers flattered petite curves. Oversized glasses sat perched on her nose. A binder was tucked under her arm like a security blanket. Very put together, and screaming for someone fun to ruffle her up.
Running a hand through her blonde waves to loosen them, Rose cocked her head. “This is the matchmaker?”
“I’m Lorena.” The woman curtsied, and it was technically correct, but her back was a little too straight, her feet too firmly planted. She needed to be unwound, fast.
Rose flashed a pretty smile. “Rosamund. You can call me Rose.”
Lorena’s full red lips ticked upward, but her eyes said no. “Pleasure to meet you.”
No, the pleasure’s mine.
“Meet your new client,” Catriona told Lorena. “Now that Rosamund is next in line for the throne, we’ll need to reform her tawdry reputation. I want you to find her an appropriate, upstanding partner. Someone who will improve her reputation, not dig the hole deeper.”
“I understand.” Lorena tapped the edge of her binder as if she ached to crack it open.
Rose stared at those pretty, long fingers tipped with nude polish. Short nails. A great sign.
“When can we fit an intake interview into your schedule, Your Highness?”
One-on-one time with this goddess? Yes, please. “Anytime,” Rose purred. They could work on the calling-her-Rose thing later.
This month just got a lot more interesting.
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Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 9781648905629
Publisher: NineStar Press
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