Name: Can't Escape Love
ISBN: 9780062931887

Alyssa Cole

Alyssa Cole delivers another fun, sexy romance novella in the Reluctant Royals series! Regina Hobbs is nerdy by nature, businesswoman by nurture. She's finally taking her pop culture-centered media enterprise, Girls with Glasses, to the next level, but the stress is forcing her to face a familiar supervillain: insomnia. The only thing that helps her sleep when things get this bad is the deep, soothing voice of puzzle-obsessed live streamer Gustave Nguyen. The problem? His archive has been deleted. Gus has been tasked with creating an escape room themed around a romance anime…except he knows nothing about romance or anime. Then mega-nerd and anime expert Reggie comes calling, and they make a trade: his voice for her knowledge. But when their online friendship has IRL chemistry, will they be able to escape love?

A Reluctant Royals Novella

Can't Escape Love

Connor 

Flavia Louise

Okay so this was unexpectedly amazing.
I have enjoyed everything that I have read by Alyssa Cole but these characters had a whole different level of chemistry. Oh boy...

Grace O'Callaghan

Another excellent entry into The Reluctant Royals series.

This one is set during the same time that a Duke by Default takes place and follows Portia’s sister, Reggie. Reggie has been working nonstop for the past few weeks and is beyond tired. The only thing that can cure her insomnia is a guy that did puzzle live-streams online. But when he no longer does them and took them all offline, Reggie’s only solution is to try and commission him to make some recordings to help her fall asleep. However deep down, is that all she wanted from him?

I love how strong all of Alyssa Cole’s characters are. Reggie is black, disabled and is building an online empire with her blog ‘Girls with Glasses’. She’s extremely independent and hates asking for help for anything. She also describes herself as a pineapple, she has a prickly exterior after so many people have been rude to her and expect her to be incapable of doing things. But Gus makes her feel safe and able to ask for help a little more.

Gus, the live-streamer, is so charming and sweet. He’s Vietnamese-American and also autistic. I think because this is a novella we didn’t really have time to see any of his flaws so he felt a little too perfect to me.

I loved how their relationship was paced. It never felt insta lovey despite being set over a small period of time. 

I don’t want to give away too much of the plot but if you’re really into fandom, I think you’d really like this. There are quite a few geeky conversations.

I’d highly suggest you read a Duke by Default before you read this one. Although in theory you could, I don’t think you’d get some of the conversations that happen in this book. And why would you skip A Duke by Default? It’s the best in the series (at least from what I’ve read).

If you’re looking for a diverse, sweet and geeky romance, look no further.

Loredana

b.andherbooks

Regina Hobbs has a bit of dilemma. She hates asking people for help, but her insomnia has become an issue as the demands of her popular website consume her time and energy. What worked in the past was being lulled to sleep by her internet friend's voice while watching him solve puzzles on his streaming channel. But, her favorite voice is now mysteriously missing from the internet.

Taking a chance and reaching out leads to discovering the man behind the voice is living in her NYC neighborhood. Gustave Nguyen agrees to help Regina with her problem for a little quid pro quo-her assistance in making sure an escape room based on her favorite anime is good enough for even the most hardcore fan.

Both Reggie and Gus have personal struggles and disabilities that have made them shy about being in a real relationship, but as they work together they can't help but realize they are perfect for each other.

Oh my gosh Alyssa Cole! All the heart-eyes! The Reluctant Royals Series is just the best, and I adored everything about this novella.

Why did I wait so darn long to read this novella? Regina and Gus were absolutely wonderful. I cheesy grinned through roughly 3/4 of this book and almost cried when it was over. There was just so much swoony, nerdy goodness in this novella. I wish it was longer! I'd love more of these two. All the heart eyes!

Can't Escape Love A Reluctant Royals Novella