Alyssa Cole

Alyssa Cole returns with a fun, sexy romance novella in the Reluctant Royals series! While her boss the prince was busy wooing his betrothed, Likotsi had her own love affair after swiping right on a dating app. But her romance had ended in heartbreak, and now, back in NYC again, she’s determined to rediscover her joy—so of course she runs into the woman who broke her heart. When Likotsi and Fabiola meet again on a stalled subway train months later, Fab asks for just one cup of tea. Likotsi, hoping to know why she was unceremoniously dumped, agrees. Tea and food soon leads to them exploring the city together, and their past, with Fab slowly revealing why she let Likotsi go, and both of them wondering if they can turn this second chance into a happily ever after.

A Reluctant Royals Novella

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy

Gillian Rose

I hate saying that I didn't enjoy this one. I think if it had been a full-length novel, I probably would have connected more to the story and characters. But the jumping between timelines confused me more than it should have. I didn't fully understand why Fab had acted the way she did and then finding out the reason was kind of unfair to both of them. It was too instalove-y at times. I wanted more, but again I think the fact that it was a novella was the reason I feel more cold to this than anything else.

menna

Jamieson

SapphicAThon Round Two: challenge one (read the group book) ✅

This was sooo freakin cute (but also sexy!) I loved the characters a lot, both Fabiola and Likotsi were so well fleshed out even though this book is short which I loved. Even though it's not necessary, I do wish I had read the other books in this world first because I felt like I missed some things. 

I found this very whirlwhind and 'love at first sight' though, which is not my personal favourite so I feel for that I didn't like it as much as I could have - however this is very much a "its me not you" thing and I recommend if you want a short, cute second chance f/f romance with good sex scenes and characters! I liked it :)

Lover of Romance 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

Once Ghosted Twice Shy is the first novella in the Reluctant Royals series. And its also a F/F romance and this is my FIRST F/F romance and I was pretty anxious but I have no idea why because this book was fantastic, and even though the novella was written so wonderfully, I do wish it had been a full length novel just to get a bit more depth to their relationship. But Alyssa Cole did a fantastic job with this book here and I adored every minute of this book here. I grabbed this book when I saw the Audiobook was available on my library's digital system and first off I was SHOCKED to see this title because they don't have that much in diversity and I live in a very conservative state but I was so happy about this that I listened to it immediately and this was such a fun diversion.

In Once Ghosted Twice Shy, our delightful romance begins with a train ride, where Likotsi is on vacation, when her boss (the Prince---hero in book one) fully supportive of her taking a rest she definitely needs. But Likotsi is shocked when she sees a woman she has never gotten over, a woman that hurt her and broke her heart but one whom she has never forgotten...Fabiola. Fabiola and Likotsi met on a vacation took when her boss was courting his lady. They met from a swiping dating app, and when they both swiped right for each other, they met up for a drink and what was first a casual hookup turned into something deeper very quickly. But Fabiola, had a family incident that took all of her attention and she had to break things off with Likotsi. But now that they have met up again, Fabiola will need to convince Likotsi to take a second chance on them and their love that has never faltered despite the past hurts....

This was truly a beautifully woven romance and I was hooked immediately into their story. One of the best novella's I have ever read, there was such charm and sweet tenderness to their relationship that I immediately gravitated towards. This book was full of depth which really shocked me at the emotional intimacy that we see develop in this story here. You don't always see that in a novella, there isn't many smexy times, which I was glad for because there were some unresolved issues that these two needed to work out including complete and open honesty with each other. I really loved how different Likotsi and Fabi are in their own personalities but when they are together its like they are in harmony. They really balance each other out and I was so thrilled to see Likotsi find her HEA, because she deserved it.

This story is written with the current timeline and with flashbacks every other chapter and I don't always like flashbacks, but this was so well done and I was hooked into their relationship. This is my first F/F romance and boy this one was so so good. I loved the little intricate details we see in their relationship and I need more  F/F lovin' in my life.

Overall I found Once Ghosted Twice Shy to be a engaging, humor filled romance that speaks to the heart and is a story to stay with you for a very long while. I highly recommend this story to anyone that loves a well written second chance romance!! BRILLIANTLY DONE!!

Renee

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy is about Fab and Likotsi, who fall in love at first sight not once but twice. From the beginning, Fab and Likotsi knew their time together would be limited to a handful of days; however, they each continued to hope for “one more time.” Unfortunately, as the blurb points out, Fab ended their affair rather abruptly, and Likotsi (and me as the reader) wants to know why so she can “point her shoes forward” and move on. 

I like Fab and Likotsi's chemistry in this short story. Where Fab is more spirited and artistic, Likotsi is composed and old-fashioned in a sexy hot advisor to a prince kinda way. My favorite part was when Fab read Likotsi's to-do list. This list became the catalyst for them to ask/answer the questions they needed to move forward. It was also at this point in the story where I became a little bit more emotionally drawn into Fab and Likotsi's journey. 

The story is told as flashbacks and from Fab and Likotsi’s POV. Along with love, this story touches on other themes such as immigration, family, and freedom, of which the author uses lots of similes/metaphors to enhance these themes and the story's overall tone.

Overall, Once Ghosted, Twice Shy was a solid, enjoyable story if somewhat predictable. This was my first story by the author, and I've already put a few of her other books on my TBR list.

Connor 

This was lovely--big fan Kotsi and Fab and very jealous of both of their wardrobes tbh. Sticking to 4 for two reasons, though--one, love at first sight/interaction is really just never my thing, and I realize that's very heavily a personal preference thing and not a writing thing, because as always Alyssa Cole has fantastic characters and a neatly woven plot. The second is just that, as much as I've said I love Alyssa Cole's writing (I DO, SO MUCH), I didn't find this to be as strongly written as her longer novels (but again, that's a bit more of a personal opinion than any actual critique). 

in other news I'm now craving soup dumplings, and it is entirely this novella's fault.

Grace O'Callaghan

*3.5 ⭐️

I’ve finally finished the Reluctant Royals series (for now)! I’m a little sad that I no longer have anymore to read, I guess I’ll move on to Alyssa Cole’s other work.

Once Ghosted Twice Shy follows Lakotsi and Fabiola as they reunite with each other on a train in New York. Told in alternating chapters, we experience their initial attraction with each other and their reunion after eight months apart. Lakotsi wants to know why Fabiola ghosted her and Fabiola wants to know if those feelings are still there.

My biggest critique of this book is how short it is. I understand it’s a novella but it could have easily been longer. I just felt like the relationship was too quick to develop and they were throwing around ‘I love you’s by the end of it.

Fabiola and Lakotsi on the other hand were great characters. Both have distinct personalities that you can really root for. I did find it a bit odd that Fabiola was reluctant to tell Lakotsi why she ghosted her when all Lakotsi wanted was an explanation.

I loved that the problem with the relationship wasn’t with them as people, but an external thing that put pressure on Fabiola.

Family also played a big role in this story and I just love how there’s more to this series than just the romance.

I will say that the switching back and forth between timelines was a little confusing and not very clear. It was sometimes hard to tell which one we were in. I will be lenient on this as I did listen to the story and that may have contributed to my confusion.

All in all, a solid f/f novella with family being a big theme. Definitely not my favourite but still enjoyable.

Jude Silberfeld

Likotsi didn’t expect a fling to break her heart but a few nights with Fabiola were enough for her to be all in. Not Fabiola, though. A few months, chance brings them together again but for Likotsi, the fear of going through the same pain again is overwhelming.

After I read Alyssa Cole’s soon-to-be released How to Find a Princess, I went back in time (I wish I could do that for real, I need more time to read) and read her previous f/f romance, Once Ghosted, Twice Shy so I could get a better feel of her writing.

I enjoyed this second chance romance a lot. I love novellas that manage not to feel rushed or too short, and this one hit the perfect balance. I liked both main characters, they’re very different, each with her own voice and personality, both very charming, and the chemistry between was strong and palpable. Visiting New York through their eyes was a nice bonus.

I’d been wanting to read Alyssa Cole’s books for a while, I’m definitely adding her to my must-read author list.

b.andherbooks

Back in NYC for a well-deserved break from her demanding job managing the affairs of the Prince of Thesolo, Likotsi is also hoping to finally forget the woman she met the last time she was in NYC a year ago.

A stalled subway train and a chance check-in to a dating app puts Likotsi right back where she left off, scared to death the woman she fell in love with a year ago, the woman who was just supposed to be a fling, is going to hurt her again.

Ignoring her head but listening to her heart, Likotsi agrees to a cup of tea with Fabiola, the pin-up pretty accountant who swiped right one year ago. As tea turns into checking off all of the items on Likotsi's NYC list, Fabiola is hoping she'll be able to persuade the diligent Likotsi to delete the last item - forgetting Fabiola forever.

Super sweet, Cole knows how to perfectly craft a novella that captures the spirit, heart, and joy of both characters who each receive ample page time. I also enjoyed the Then/Now time changes, as it led to an extremely poignant HEA. Just the right amount of heat and so much heart. Must read for 2019!

Thank you to Avon for the advanced reading copy!

Find this review and more at 
  kimberlyfaye reads.


I'm a big fan of Alyssa Cole's Reluctant Royals series. I mean, royals are my jam in general, but her voice is so fresh and her characters and their stories so addicting. I also love the diversity she brings to the table with her characters. I've not read many lesbian romance stories because they don't seem to be all that common, but if you can point out more that are as good as Once Ghosted, Twice Shy I'm here for them.

I loved the setup for this book. I have a bit of a "thing" for stories where characters are basically "expiration dating". Add to that the other half of this book, which is the second chance for Likotsi and Fab and I was all in. These ladies had amazing chemistry. I really enjoyed the way the story unfolded, too, where we flipped back and forth between present and past. When done well, as it was here, I love the format.

It was so easy to root for Likotsi and Fab — both in the present and the past. Their chemistry was strong, their connection very real and it all gave me swoony feels. That type of connection is rare and I so wanted them to figure out a way to work things out. I breezed through Once Ghosted, Twice Shy in a matter of a little over an hour. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. It was the perfect novella with the perfect balance of swoons, sexy times and substance. Now I'm all the more excited to read the next full-length installment in the Reluctant Royals series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Favorite Quotes:

"Um. Has this all been an elaborate plan to steal one of my organs? I should warn you that they're currently being used and I won't part with them lightly."

"I've thought about you every day, but I didn't realize how much I'd missed you until I saw you on the train and felt like I couldn't breathe."

"Finding a sexual partner is easy. Finding someone that makes you need to know more about them is not."

"Who falls in love in, like, three days? Who gets so fucking caught up in someone they barely know?"

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy A Reluctant Royals Novella

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