Being told one day that you are the long lost princess of another country sounds like a fairy tale. However, as Toni Shiloh shows in "In Search of a Prince," it's not all dreamlike for Brielle Adebayo. Brielle moves from New York City to the African island of Oloro Ile where her grandfather is dying and needs to meet his heir. She faces opposition and controversy as well as a stalker threatening her. Brielle must decide if becoming the future ruler of this new country is what she is meant to do. That's where this story differs from all other fairytales of regular girl to princess. Brielle turns to God to find out where He wants her. Throughout the whole book, Shiloh reminds us that bringing everything to God in prayer is our way through any and every situation. Brielle's identity didn't depend on her grandfather's status as the king, but on her Savior's status as King of kings. Brielle has to remember this through all the challenges of learning a new language and culture and especially when she realizes that she has to marry to become the next ruler. Finding a prince isn't the easiest task when you don't know anyone in your new country! But the search is worth it and we meet some interesting characters along the way.

A well-written novel with an interesting twist on the modern fairytale idea. I prefer more realism, so this wasn't really my cup of tea, but I think it will appeal well to readers who are looking for this kind of a story.

I believe this is the first book I have read by Toni. I really enjoyed it, it was very well done. I love modern day royalty stories because you want it to be true but doesn’t seem like it could ever happen.

I couldn’t help but wonder what Bri would do. The reader could see the attraction she had to Tomori but she couldn’t marry him so then what? Would she settle for someone else who doesn’t make her happy? And how long would her grandfather live?

Many questions that will keep you reading and wondering what will happen next.

A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

A sweet, royal romance reminiscent of "The Princess Diaries" albeit set in Africa (but not like "Coming to America" LOL).

This was my first Toni Shiloh read and I enjoyed it. The story could almost pass as women's fiction (written in first person and only the protagonist's point of view) as the romance was not the focal point of the story... despite the title. In fact, more than 35% of the novel had passed before we even knew a prince needed to be searched for.

I enjoyed getting to know Brielle and her new world, especially her grandfather. The awkward interactions between family, some of the Oloron natives, and Brielle were well written. The vivid imagery of the places she travelled in her new African homeland filled my imagination. I also liked Mori from the get-go, and was cheering for him to "make the cut".

Without giving spoilers, I did feel like the resolution of the "mystery" part in the story was rushed, so felt a tad disappointed. Maybe a few more breadcrumbs would've added to the believability that this particular character would behave so differently.

Overall, a lovely read!

NB I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.

OK, before I start—can I just swoon (and maybe drool a little) over this cover and the dress, oh my, how beautiful!!

Brielle Adebayo is shocked and taken aback when her mother reveals to her that she is really a princess of the island kingdom of Ọlọrọ Ilé, off the coast of Africa. Not only that, but her grandfather is gravely ill, and she has to immediately assume the duties of her position, despite the fact that she has neither been to nor heard of the island before.

It's simple to empathize with her and put oneself in her place. Realistically, anyone would be nonplussed and unnerved if they were asked to do what Brielle was asked to do. Yet, Brielle leaps in with both feet, eager to take on the challenge, but only after spending time in prayer.

As Brielle's best friend, accountability partner and prayer buddy, Iris is the ideal confidante and ally. It was deeply moving to observe their mutual kindness, love and mercy toward each other. I loved reading about their interactions, chiding and teasing.

Shiloh crafts an extraordinary novel with brilliant plot and character development, as well as a powerful topic of faith and the perfect blend of obscuration and intrigue. She has created an island that is chimerically too good to be true, and the plot fits the backdrop. Ọlọrọ Ilé is a beautifully transcendent, magical island with a lot to offer.

I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own, and I am voluntarily leaving this review.

In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh is a modern-day princess tale with a stunning African American woman on the cover that will draw future readers to this book. Brielle Adebayo is a middle school social studies teacher that learns that she is the heir to a small African country's throne. With her grandfather the king dying, Brielle learns that she must marry a suitor picked by the Council in order to inherit the throne since she is a female heir. Shiloh has seamlessly interwoven Christian faith into the story as the characters must trust God in every situation.

"In Search Of a Prince": 4 ⭐

Hello, Princess Diaries! 😍
This book brought me so much nostalgia to all my wishes of becomig a princess when I was a little girl.
Bri discovers she's not who she thinks she is - she's so much more and we go with her on this journey to bring out the best in herself and truly getting to know who she really is.
The search for identity was something gratifying to read and I so much enjoyed it!

This book was excellent. When the story started I had mixed feelings because it immediately played on my emotions. The more I read the deeper I fell in love with the characters and storyline. I highly recommend this book to anyone that believes in true love and fairytales. Toni Shiloh did an excellent job on this story. I was given the opportunity to read this book by #NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers.

This is my first Toni Shiloh book, but it won’t be my last!! Brielles story pulled me in from the beginning! I’ve heard people talking about it, and had to see what it was all about. It had the essence of The Princess Diaries and felt like a Lori Wick book. Pick up this book, it won’t disappoint!

When I started reading In Search of a Prince I thought it was going to be like the Princess Diaries. A young woman learns that her royal heritage finds out that it has been hidden from her. She travels to the country and receives opposition when she is presented as the heir to the council. That part is similar, but that is where the book diverges.

I had fun reading this story. Brielle is a down-to-earth main character. She sees people as individuals and is not interested in their social status. She learns to love the small island kingdom set off the coast of Africa. In reading the pages, I came to love the culture and the people. If it wasn't a fictional island, I would love to visit. :)

Brielle has an instant attraction to a palace runner. She receives a list of council-approved prospects for her husband. Tomori is not on the list because of his station in life. The book is about her struggle to find a groom while comparing all of them to him. She uses God as her compass and her faith to pick the husband who would be the best choice for the kingdom.

There is an element of suspense. Toni Shiloh did a fantastic job at setting up several characters as the "bad guy". I hate to admit that I was blindsided when all was revealed at the end.

This is a perfect book for anyone who imagined they were really a princess as a child. (That would be me.) The characters in the book are Christian who have a lot of faith and offer prayers in the dialogue.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Three stars means I liked it. It was cute.
Pros: really well researched, unusual, novel setting, a touch of real humanity explored in both main characters’ relationships with their mothers.

Cons: slow to get started, and then I found the romance to be fast, then slow, then fast, then slow, then surprisingly fast based on the characters’ initial wishes. Now, I know the romance was unconventional since she had to hurry to find someone and get married quick. But I was just so terrified for her. Marrying someone you barely know is like my nightmare.

Pros: the faith aspect seemed nicely integrated without being too heavy handed. I mean really heavy handed for an average book, but just exactly as inspirational and cheesy as you’d expect from the genre, so the author is crushing it as far as what most readers of the genre want. I personally felt it was a lot, but I was genuinely inspired to take more of my personal daily concerns to the One who truly does care for us.

Cons: this one needs a big ol’ trigger warning on the part about cancer and death and grief. Having just lost my dad to cancer, it was really hard to read. Also, several instances where I thought there was some references to body image and weight loss that could be triggering to some.

Conclusion: might read the sequel? Haven’t decided if I’m invested enough in the characters.

What little girl doesn’t dream that she is a long-lost princess of a beautiful kingdom? Toni Shiloh’s In Search of a Prince has given us the true essence of a fairytale, but bolstered the story with political intrigue, exotic locales, mystery, and her beautiful writing.

The story begins with Brielle Adebayo, a NYC public school teacher, learning her father—whom she never knew and was killed in a boating accident—was a prince. Which means, this schoolteacher is a princess of the island kingdom of Ọlọrọ Ilé, off the coast of Africa. Before she has a chance to process this reality—and the reality her mother hid this information from her—she must immediately assume her royal position. Her grandfather—the king—is dying. A grandfather she never knew she had.

Once she lands in the country of her father, the whirlwind continues when the Ọlọrọ Ilé Royal Council brings up an old edict that states she must marry before her coronation, or the crown will pass to another. Does she even want to be queen much less marry a stranger who may have nefarious intents?

Shiloh has written a delightful romance with real emotions, authentic conflicts, and can I say with much enthusiasm, dynamic Black characters that marry faith and justice with great passion. Her secondary characters are strong enough to support a sequel—will there be one, Toni? There are some loose ends!

I highly recommend Toni Shiloh’s In Search of a Prince for any reader of romance, political intrigue, and a clean, wholesome, inspirational story.

I received a complimentary ebook of #InSearchofaPrince from #NetGalley and the publisher.

Toni Shiloh wrote a sweet inspiring story. Having Nigerian friends enables me to testify that true royal exists, and that faith belongs to their life. Brielle goes quickly from one life to another, never find, we go along.

In Search of A Prince is a wonderful fairytale romance but with so much more. Author Toni Shiloh has created an exotic kingdom on an African island complete with its own language, laws, and stunning landscapes. As she states in the afterword, she did a lot of research to make the setting and the people ring true. At the heart of the story is a young woman finally discovering her roots. Her transformation from Bri Bayo to Princess Brielle Adebayo isn’t easy, but with her faith, Bri weathers naysayers and her own doubts. There is a prominent spiritual thread woven throughout the book with many of the characters leaning on God to find their direction and purpose. That’s probably the strongest part of the book, although the romance is no slouch either. 😉 Bri and Mori are the perfect marriage of convenience couple — friends first and foremost, sharing a common faith and love of country. Their romance will have you sighing! Supporting characters are well-developed — I cannot wait for book 2 to find out more of Iris’ story. There’s also a bit of a mystery involved with a resolution you will not see coming.

Exotic locale, great characters, swoon-y romance, kissing scenes . . . what are you waiting for!

Recommended.

Audience: adults

In Search of a Prince is a delightful fairy-tale esque story that doesn’t shy away from life’s difficulties & the strength that comes from faith in God. Fans of The Princess Diaries movies (1 & 2!) will like the similar situation Brielle finds herself in, as a surprise heir to a throne with the added pressure of finding a suitable husband while under pressure from all sides.

Shiloh has created a detailed setting that is both idyllic and tropical with believable political and social structure with the fictional Ọlọrọ Ilé, Africa. As Brielle navigates this new-to-her environment, she learns more about herself and how to rely on God’s strength and guidance to make decisions. I think I loved the themes of faith and trust in God’s ultimate plan the most because they seem so natural to the characters and inherent in their lives.

This story balances stately glamour, hints of humor, and God-ordained life roles. Brielle is a character to root for — especially as she experiences a romance in the most unexpected of times in her life. I enjoyed the side characters of the story, especially the levity and fun Iris brings to the page. I am looking forward to Shiloh’s follow up novel featuring Iris as the heroine!

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review.

Talk about falling in love!! In Search of a Prince didn’t have to search to find a place in my heart! This is such a wonderful story that has it all: culture, intrigue, mystery, love, and at the center of it all, faith. And that cover?!! Absolutely stunning!!!

Brielle’s life is going good. The 25-year-old loves her teaching job, her life in New York, and has a deep faith in the Lord, and trust about her future. It takes one lunch date with her mother, and suddenly her whole world is turned upside down. Her father, who she doesn’t remember, was actually an African prince, and now that her grandfather’s health is failing
Brielle is being summoned to assume her position as heir to the throne, the princess of Ọlọrọ Ilé, Africa.

The fact that Brielle was never allowed to know the truth about her heritage, or have a relationship with her grandfather was heartbreaking to me. I have lost both of my grandfathers in the past three years and cannot imagine not having a relationship with either of them, so I could feel Brielle’s raw pain. Brielle is obviously angry that her mother has kept this truth from her for so long, and wastes no time making plans for her and her best friend Iris to go to Ọlọrọ Ilé.

I appreciate stories that highlight other cultures and reading the details of Ọlọrọ Ilé made me fall in love with this fictitious country. The broad descriptions and delicious details were so vivid that I could see this beautiful country in my mind's eye, and I love knowing that some of the scenery and culture references were inspired by real African tribes and land. I have always wanted to visit Africa and reading this novel makes me want to visit this amazing country even more!

There are real The Princess Diaries vibes throughout, but with exquisite African and Christian influence. The faith of many of the characters was moving, but seeing Brielle’s was especially inspiring. Her steadfastness, taking everything to the Lord in prayer, and waiting on His timing and His will truly inspired me. This is the kind of relationship I believe we all aspire to have with our Savior and seeing it fleshed out made it all the more powerful. I contemplated many of Brielle’s thoughts, and even found myself praying some of the prayers that she spoke, deepening not only my connection to this character, but my own personal faith as well. I am so thankful to the author for including such deep convictions.

Written as a first person from Brielle’s perspective, you are able to go on her journey with her, and experience everything as she experienced it. I loved learning about Ọlọrọ Ilé with her, watching her search for a husband, and seeing the tenderness and loyalty in her close relationships. This is a culture and character-driven novel, and I enjoyed every moment.

We meet Brielle, a modern American woman, who finds out she is the heir to the throne of a place she never knew existed. All her mother ever told her about her father was that he died before she was born. Now she finds out he was a prince and his father {her grandfather} the King, is dying and wishes her to fly there where he can meet her before he dies. She travels to this West African country and totally falls in love with the inhabitants and her grandfather. But do fairy tales really come true? She is overwhelmed as to what her grandfather wants her to do. Can she become a princess and most of all will the people accept her as one when she is an American?… Shiloh writes such descriptive characters, some unexpected twists, and a believable resolution with a delightful ending. I was given an e-copy via NetGalley and this in my review.

In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh is a beautifully written romance with a princess twist. Brielle has no idea that she is a princess until she is about to become the reigning monarch of a country she has never been to. Written with the lightness of the princess diaries but for an audience of adults. this book is the perfect RomCom for a lighthearted read on vacation or a long weekend. I adored everything about this book and hope there are more books in this series. This is the first book that I have read by this author, but it is certainly not the last. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh boasts a beautiful cover that invites the reader into the world of Ọlọrọ Ilé, an island kingdom off the coast of Africa. Descriptive world crafting by the author made this fictional island a vibrant place for Brielle’s unexpected journey from middle school teacher to royalty. Genuine feelings and thoughts laced Brielle’s new season of life and contributed to her substantial character growth.

As the book synopsis for In Search of a Prince indicates, Brielle must choose a husband before she ascends the throne. Naturally, this external tension surrounds Brielle and her man. However, they complement each other so well that little romantic tension exists between the two of them. I wished for a little more conflict between personalities or within their relationship to add spark.

In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh felt akin to The Princess Diaries movies and a bit predictable. I prefer novels with more originality, but the story’s strong emphasis on seeking God’s direction set In Search of a Prince apart from like stories. Readers who can overlook the storyline’s familiarity will find a slow-burn royal romance with strong spiritual themes and solid character development.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

The entire time I read this fabulous book, all I could think of aside from how much I enjoyed this reading experience was how much I would love to watch this as a movie. This is a strong indicator to me that it is not only entertaining on the page, but will stay with me long after. The story, in itself, is absorbing in its transporting and escapist nature full of interesting and intriguing characters as well as deliciously described settings and plot events. I know this will be a huge hit with my patrons and I have already raved about it to many. I absolutely recommend this to the fullest extent!