This was another great third entry in the Aphrodite and the Duke series, it has a strong historical feel to it and worked with the other two book in the series. The plot was just as strong as the others and had the characters that I enjoyed from the setting. I’m glad I got to read this as I enjoyed how good J.J. McAvoy wrote this and that it worked with the other books in this series and from the historical genre.

I loved this book. Starting it out was so amazing and intriguing . Right from the first line. It grabbed my attention. An unexpected enemies to lovers romance and even more unexpected is Hathor switching up within a week which was honestly unrealistic but never the less made this book a lovely one to read. Thank you Netgalley and TDX for this book in exchange for an honest review .

Hathor and the Prince
By JJ McAvoy
A Review by Jamilla (@ LandsAwayBooks, a wordpress blog)

If giggling and kicking your feet was a book!

If you’ve been following the DuBell family historical romance series, you know that Hathor, is an overly confident, decisive lass on the prowl for a man with the highest possible title, in order to one up her sister, the incomparable and aptly named Aphrodite.

Unfortunately for her, Aphrodite has taken the last available Duke, and with the season drawing to a close, Hathor’s discerning eye has yet to be caught by any of the eligible bachelors fawning for her lovely hand.

What’s a girl to do?

Luckily for her, the Queen has an absolute prince of a nephew! And what’s something that every prince needs? Especially if they want access to their trust fund? …..something kinda like a wife!?!!

Too bad, Prince Wilhelm is a shameless and unrepentant rake with no interest in marriage or ‘fortune hunter little misses’….

Or so he thinks!

This one was so much fun! What is it about adversarial relationships in romance books that just hit the spot? There’s a fine line between love and hate, but when you bicker and tease each other like these two, it’s very ease to stumble from one side to the other.

My previous impression of Hathor wasn’t all of that good, but in Hathor and the Prince we get to see all of her beautiful, charming layers, all the ways she hides them and all the ways love sets her free.

The series really hit its stride with this absolutely swoon worthy addition!

A wonderful addition to this series about the DuBell family. Set in Regency England,Lord and Lady DuBell have 6 children, 2 of whom are married. Lord Damon, the heir and now Duchess Aphrodite. This book focuses on their third daughter, Hathor. Much like the Bridgerton series, these books imagine a racially diverse and equitable early nineteenth century and Lady DuBell is Black and Lord DuBell is White. Race isn’t a big factor in this book but it does set them apart from most other Regency romances. Lady Hathor has always felt that she lived under her older sister Aphrodite’s shadow. Less lovely, less accomplished and less loved by her parents. As her sister is now a Duchess, at one time, Hathor was considered a “title hunter” and was very happy to find out that Queen Charlotte’s nephew, Prince Wilhelm was coming to her parents’ house party. If Hathor was a Princess, she’d finally be better than her older sister. She overhears an opinionated, very handsome and rakish man talking about her in very unflattering terms, She verbally spars with him and truly gives him a piece of her mind. Several weeks later, she’s shocked to meet the Prince and it’s the same man. This fun enemies to lovers story has some triggers about domestic and parental abuse but it’s not gratuitous and explains a lot about the Prince’s background and character.

Summary: Hathor has spent her life in not so quiet competition with her older sister. From skills and talents to etiquette and manners, now in marriage. She seeks to outdo her sister, The Duchess of Everly. Hathor has always had ideas of the perfect marriage to the perfect man. Preferably a man with great title. She is beside herself to learn that the queen is coming to present her nephew Prince Wilhelm, as a potential suitor to high society ladies of noble birth.
She is most excited at the prospect of becoming a princess. Until she comes face to face with the a man whom she had met earlier in the season and confronted because he thought her merely a title chaser without even knowing his title.
When she learns that he is indeed the prince she does all she can to avoid him and save herself from his villainous behavior. But the more they fight and attempt to avoid one another the more they fall for each other.

Review: What a wonderful read. Regency romance is one of my favorite escapes. Hathor, I have adored her since the very first book in this series. Aphrodite and The Duke. With her quick wit and razor sharp tongue, she has always been a favorite character of mine. J.J. has done an astounding job in this with the banter of the 2 main characters. The way in which Hathor refuses to back down but uses her witty nature to best even anyone even royals in conversation or banter is perfect. I found myself fully immersed in the story as it unfolded.

Seeing how the characters grew and changed over the course of the book blew me away. The development of not only the main characters but the entire cast of characters, sensational!
The closer to the end of the book I got, the more I felt sad that it was ending. Not fully ready for this world to close.

I do however, feel that I was left with more than a few questions right at the end. I feel the story could use a little more building and clarity in order to help round out the ending and make it feel more complete and answer some of the lingering questions.
Overall I found this book rather enjoyable and can’t wait to get a copy for my shelves.

Hathor Du Bell is an enigma. When we are first introduced to her, she is seen as envious, a perfectionist looking to step outside of the shadow that is her sister Aphrodite. Even if it means competing with her to gain public adoration. When she winds up in an unconventional courtship with the Queen's infamous nephew Prince Wilhelm, it is obviously a let down as she expected something more....her visualized taste (especially when they've had unpleasant run-ins prior to officially meeting). Wilhelm is a complex character who is introduced to us as a snarky and uncaring imbecile who does not want to marry.

As the story plays out, we uncover more depth to Hathor's character other than being the jealous younger sister and we see Wilhelm's callous exterior develop into something more softer as their rivalry starts simmer down. I absolutely loved the banter and friendship, I feel the way J.J. McAvoy wrote it out really gave the slow burn that razzle dazzle and excitement to see them finally kiss.

I really adore this series as there is not many African-American bridgerton-esque books in the media and it's so refreshing to see and read books about regal black princesses and duchesses. I hope we get Deanna's book next!

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the free eARC in exchange for my honest review.

More like a 3.5 or 3.75. I always enjoy the books from this series. They just give me major Bridgerton vibes but make it black. I love that the stories aren’t based on race or oppression. It’s about a world with black people thriving, loving and laughing. I loveeeee the Du bells and their whole family dynamic. Though this couple was personally not my favorite, I appreciate their story and their banter. I loved how witty and unrelenting Harthor was. Her character is what saved this book for me personally. She was just so bubbly and entertaining to read. And even though there were so many things and people aganist her love; she persevered and told them what’s what. She didn’t take any crap and I loved that about her. I personally didn’t love Wilhelm. I felt that he didn’t learn or grow much as a character outside of refusing to cheat on Harthor. He was pretty selfish, and it often felt like he was interested in her because he couldn’t have her. And then instead of really trying to do right by the family; he just did what he wanted. I get that the author wanted to change up the dynamic from the other books, but he fell flat for me as a character. I really hope there will be another book in the series for Deanna because I’m curious about her love interest. This book is like a cozy movie you’ve watched multiple times but still watch because it brings you joy and happy memories. This author is an auto-read for me and I highly recommend this series. You do not need to read it in order but it’s fun to do so, to understand the cameos of the characters from the other books. All in all, a fun read!!!!

I enjoyed this novel, even though I didn't read the other books beforehand I was still able to keep up with the book and the characters. I really enjoyed that I was given everything promised from the book and it did remind me of the Bridgerton Netflix series. There was only one thing I didn't like and that was the almost immediate broken promise, I felt it took away from his integrity which I felt had been building nicely since the beginning of the book. Other than that which is a personal issue I found the book very enjoyable and definitely recommend reading! I think I may try the other books in series.

Thank you to Netgally for an arc of this book.

Hathor and the Prince
By JJ McAvoy

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hathor Du Belle has always dreamed of marrying well, so well that she outshines her perfect sister with her perfect husband. She spent her time looking for a Duke to rival Aphrodite’s husband only to find that there were none to be had but then the Queen arrives with her nephew, Prince Wilhelm. It seems a perfect solution until Hathor recognizes that she and the prince have already met when he said some very uncomplimentary things about her to his mistress in public. Not only that, but the Prince has also declared that he will never marry. After a few very rocky interactions the Prince begins to show exactly what kind of man he is and slowly Hathor’s feelings towards him start to change. But will these two people ever find enough common ground or be willing to compromise for one another?

I loved this story. Hathor took some time to get to know, she certainly grows up and grows on you. Halfway through the story I was ready to stay up all night to finish it. JJ McAvoy does a great job of world building and creating characters with real flaws who are open to growing and changing throughout the story. Hathor begins the story selfish and jealous of her sister’s happiness and by the end has put the happiness of others before her own. Wilhelm, too, has a fantastic arc from carefree rake to dedicated brother and son. I also loved the interactions with her family members. It’s so clear that they adore one another. And also every time the Queen said anything I read it in Golda Rosheuvel’s voice (of Bridgerton fame).

Read this book if you love:
- Bridgerton
- Regency romances
- Slow burns
- Enemies to friends to lovers
- Adorable family dynamics
- Fantastic writing!

Thank you so much to Random House and NetGalley for the free eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Another amazing historical romance from J.J. McAvoy! Hathor and Wilhelm's dynamic was super fun to read, and I really liked getting some updates on the other family members too - so many babies!!!

I love this series, and I hope there will be more books about the DuBells!

Hathor and the Prince by J.J. McAvoy is fun.The DuBell family is a delight. Hathor is smart, sharp-tongued, and extremely sure of herself. I love her. Prince Wilhelm is clever and determined and very witty. Read this romance on Sunday and you’ be smiling for the rest of the week.

I kind of didn’t expect to like this as much as o did, mostly because it is third in a series and that usually adds a sense of confusion (even in romance books). This, however, was delightful. Hathor seems a bit prickly and aggressive at first but really grows more likable and really very funny as the story progresses. Prince Wilhelm is a realistically flawed but also very likable character. Their dialogue is snappy and entertaining and their tension works well. I didn’t feel like the reading experience was lacking by not reading the first two in the series. I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

This is my favorite in The Dubells series so far. I really liked the banter, and I thought the romance and enemies/rivals to lovers was done so well. Like the other books in the series, this follows The Dubells, specifically their younger daughter Hathor, who has always felt second best to her older sister Aphrodite. She meets Prince Wilhelm, who is notorious, and they start as rivals and fall for each other along the way. I loved how they were both artists and how they were competing against each other. The friendship and banter were well done, along with how the romance was portrayed. If you're looking for a historical romance with a big family(bridgerton vibes), diverse characters, and good banter, you should read this. Thank you to the publisher for this arc!

Read if you like:
- Historical romance
- Rivals to lovers
- Diverse characters
- Close-knit families

Ahhh I love the DuBells! After meeting Hathor in first book and seeing her again in the second book I truly wondered how in the world she would attract a mate. She was not one for holding back or mincing words! I laughed through her book cuz the verbal sparring between Hathor and Wilhelm was such great writing. Loved them! Couldn't put it down and devoured it in less than a day. Can't wait to see the next installment.

"Hathor and the Prince" by J.J. McAvoy offers a captivating narrative that explores the depths of love, sorrow, and the bonds that form between contrasting personalities. The stunning cover draws readers in, setting the stage for a tale filled with emotional richness.

Through the journey of the titular characters, readers are taken on a poignant exploration of the power of love to transcend barriers and provide strength in the face of adversity. The intricate dynamics between Hathor and the Prince showcase the beauty of their connection, highlighting how their differences ultimately contribute to their shared resilience.

As the story unfolds, the question of whether love can heal all becomes a central theme, prompting readers to ponder its implications in their own lives. And when the book reaches its conclusion, the lingering sense of longing and attachment to the characters may leave readers questioning why such a captivating tale had to end.

Overall, "Hathor and the Prince" is a testament to the enduring power of love and the profound impact it can have on the human experience.

The third book in the series, I believe this is my favorite.

Lady Hathor du Bell has spent her life living up to the reputation of her older sister Aphrodite. But when she learns that she has the opportunity to become a Princess, she knows it is just the thing to bring her out of her sister's shadow. But there's only one problem.

Unknowingly, she's met the prince before...and things did not turn out well!

I truly enjoyed the story. It had just enough tension to draw the reader in and keep them invested in the story. This is a fitting follow-up to Verity's story. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

Hathor and the prince is a historical fiction written as the second in the series. I read this as a stand alone and the story was a bit of a slow start for me. I found myself 30% in and not very much had happened in plot development that couldn’t have been summarized in about half the time. I may come back to this series one day but for now I have to DNF as it just hasn’t hooked me in.

After reading the first book, I highly anticipated Hathor’s story. I was curious to how she make way from her sister’s shadow and what kind of man would snag Hathor DuBell. The banter between her and the prince was so natural and made me blush. It gives enemies to lovers to desperately in love trope. I don’t think I could have asked for more from Hathor’s story. We see her change from annoying sister to someone who is unapologetically and LOUDLY her. I loved it. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an eARC of this book via NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 5/5 Stars
Publishing: March 19, 2024
Series: The DuBells #3
Pages: 368

I thoroughly loved Aphrodite and the Duke and Verity and the Forbidden Suitor and could not wait to read Hathor’s story. There is a hate to love relationship between Hathor and Wilhelm and they have their own reasons for such a hate. This story is filled with whit, banter, sarcasm, and flirty that somehow in all the arguments draws the main characters to place of love for one another. It doesn’t help that you have meddlesome family in the fray. I love the fact that this story develops Hathor’s personality from what is portrayed in the previous books in this series. I also loved her conviction and strong will of finding a good match for herself and was happy that the outcome was in her favor. Such a strong, outspoken and determined young lady who became the star of the book. There are dislikeable moments, especially that of her devious half-brother. This series puts me in mind of the Bridgeton. Hathor and Wilhelm are a very likeable couple in the story. However, I do love a bit of steamy in my historical romance reads, there was a bare minimum in this one, but it did not disappoint this reader. I was satisfied with the tad bit of spiciness presented. There were tropes that I welcomed in the story such as forced proximity, enemy to lovers, and an African American as the FMC in a regency period. A well-written story, plot and pace. Looking forward to the next in this series if there is one. I recommend checking this one out in March 2024.

pretty fun romance. the characters were quite fun, and i felt the connection between them. thanks for the arc.