I received this title as an ARC on Net-galley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you publisher for the copy!

Now, I loved Verity and the Forbidden Suitor and was so excited to read another book in this series and this did not disappoint!

This book is hate to love done right. Hathor has always lived in the shadow of her older sister Aphrodite and with her married and living her happily ever after, Hathor wants her own. When she learns that the Queen wants her to marry her nephew, she is delighted, until she unexpectedly mets him and the two argue whenever they meet. At a weeklong gathering at her family's estate, Hathor and Prince Wilhelm will be forced to interact while battling the Queen's wishes..

The Good
I loved this book! This was 'hate to love' done right. Hathor and Wilhem dislike each other for their own reasons and go toe to toe in their arguments. The banter is so fun. And as someone who adores Pride and Prejudice, I loved their initial meeting. The way they slowly argued themselves in love with one another was amazing. Wilhem's story was interesting and I found him very charming. I also liked seeing Hathor's growth from how we see her in the previous books. We get to understand her much better and wash away any prejudices we might have held about her in the previous books. Yes, she envied her sister and wanted a good match. No, that's not all she wanted. There was a lot more to her and I loved her character so much. I'm glad she got everything she wanted. The subplot of this book was more rooted in reality than the previous books. I disliked the evil half-brother plotline but this book's plot seemed more grounded and not over the top while still having a good emotional effect.

Tropes:
— Hate to Love
— Forced Proximity
— Black FMC

Horn Level: 2/5🌶️
Format: Ebook

The Rating
I give this book a 5/5🌟 rating. I need to get a physical copy as soon as it is released! An excellent addition to the series and I can't wait to see what's next!

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✨You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess…✨

It’s a book but it’s also cinema. Heartbreak feels good in a place like this. It was perfect.

It had almost a new adult feel to it (??) which I LOVED. The first person narrative style coupled with their ages (he was 24 she was 20ish) really amplified both the enemies to lovers but also just the big emotions they were both feeling and denying. It was kind of a “Romeo take me” vibe. Once they were in it they were IN it and nobody could stop them. Literally the more I think about it, Love Story is the perfect song for this book. In this essay I will—

It’s hard to really describe, but it used tropes SO well. I’m going to do a trope list because I want to show just how much J.J. McAvoy fit into this book and how well she did it. They can be a bit spoilery if you like to be surprised so just proceed cautiously!

✨Overheard insult
✨A “let me show you how to do this sport by holding you with my entire body while I demonstrate” scene
✨Jealousyyyy but he doesn’t realize he’s jealous
✨House party
✨Artists
✨Rake who claims he’s a rake but literally can’t even look at another woman
✨An ”I loath you” / “I loath you more” Princess Diaries 2 dynamic
✨Caught in a rainstorm
✨Meddling family members
✨Royalty
✨Dramatic but very satisfying third act
✨Insults as flirting
✨When denial of all feelings flips like a switch >>>

I just loved it so much I don’t think you understand!!! I was holding my breath for a lot of the book, especially towards the end because I was like someTHING has to tear them apart...and while it sorta happened…I loved it. It wasn’t like an Aphrodite and the Duke third act that you saw from a mile away. Or any unnecessary drama. It all felt very fitting for the characters and both emphasized their youth and how much they had matured. I’m just so proud of both them. My children!!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️/5


I received an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC

Let me start by saying that I love J. J. McAvoy's writing. My intro to her was through the first book in the Du Bell Series, Aphrodite and the Duke, and I've been hooked since!

"She was everything. She was Hathor." Hathor Du Bell is, in my opinion, the MOST interesting and relatable Du Bell sister. I enjoyed seeing her character growth and relationship dynamics evolve throughout the series. Hathor initially wanted the glitz and glamor of being a princess but eventually realized she truly wanted LOVE and to be SEEN. Though the story centered around Hathor, Prince Wilhelm was written with depth and an interesting redemption arc. Their relationship started as enemies to lovers and blossomed into partnership and true love.

I'm so happy that I was chosen to receive the ARC for this novel because I anxiously awaited the release in March 2024. Hopefully, we'll continue to see BIPOC regency-era representation soon.

Pub Date 19 Mar 2024
I received a digital ARC of this book from Random House Publishing Group via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This is the third book in JJ McAvoy’s Regency Romance series and the one I couldn’t wait to read. Once I saw the cover reveal, it solidified my anticipation. If I had to describe my thoughts upon finishing the book in one word; I’d say SUPERB. Hathor stole the show for me in the first two installments so I knew her as the lead character would be thoroughly entertaining. I’m glad to say I was not disappointed.

Witnessing Hathor forge her own path to finding love and becoming a strong-willed, outspoken, self assured young woman was refreshing. The witty banter, sarcasm and humor between Hathor and Prince Wilhelm was delightful. They are the perfect match as each provides the other with things only they can.

I look forward to more from the DuBells who are quickly becoming one of my favorite families. Houston

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I really wanted to like this book but the “courtship” between Hathor and Wilhelm was painful to read. They spend the first third of the book literally yelling at each other, this is not the witty back and forth you might expect from a story like this. The only thing they have in common seemingly is their art but that was as expanded on.

Steamy scene wise, the first scene at the palace was painful to read. Hathor had no clue what was going on and it felt just this side of a bodice ripper there for a bit. And that works for some readers but just not me.

Now the third act! After Wilhelm gets shot in an assassination attempt that’s when the character building and plot ramp up. It was interesting seeing how the Queen dealt with the situation and how she subtly helped Hathor the whole time. Then Dr. Darrington is back trying to save the population with his “wackadoodle” medical practices like blood transfusion. Love that guy.

I am begging for someone to turn JJ McAvoy's world into a TV show. OMG.. the characters are so lush and well thought out. AND They are Black? I just.. I am enthralled. I loved this book as much as Verity and Aphrodite..... She can do no wrong and is really carving a nice for herself in regency romance

“Hathor and the Prince” by JJ McAvoy is the third book in the “Du Bells” Regency Romance series. This book can be read as a stand-alone. I’ll admit, I wasn’t that thrilled by the second book in this series, so I was very happy that this book was about as enjoyable as the first one. In this book, Hathor is a strong willed woman who doesn’t always think before she speaks. She meets Wilhelm the first time at a gathering and is instantly not taken with him. However, they are thrown together again and both of them realize that second chances are worth noticing and taking. The underlying storyline of this book is strong and although in the end love triumphs, there was a nice little twist (actually a few obstacles put in the couple’s way) that made me wonder if a happy ending was going to occur. Very solid story, with engaging characters … and I look forward to the next installment in this series.

“Egyptian goddess of the sky, women, and love”

First of all, the cover … Stunning! This is the third book in the series my favorite so far. While I enjoyed Aphrodite and Verity’s books, Hathor’s story is the one that I have been anticipating since the beginning. This story follows Hathor on her journey to find a husband with a title, all the while dealing with the expectations of society and her family. Hathor is determined to find an appropriate suitor before the London season comes to an end. The banter between Hathor and Prince Wilhelm is witty and entertaining, and their chemistry is evident from the beginning. The tension, the push and pull between these characters was everything. If you’re a fan of historical regency romance with a sprinkle of spice then I recommend picking this up March 2024!

Once again, J.J. McAvoy has created a story that keeps readers engaged without the needs for trauma.

The third in the series - with a hint of a fourth - Hathor gets to shine. Which she has been anticipating for years. Hathor has always been second to her sister Aphrodite. Second daughter, second prettiest, etc. But Hathor is determined to be just as good if not better. When she is informed that a Prince will be in attendance at her family's estate, Hathor sees the chance to get a title and be higher than her sister.

When Hathor is face-to-face with the Prince she realizes they have met and she was not impressed. Swearing to never consider this man as a potential match. So Hathor and Prince Wilhelm determine to stay away from each other. But the distance they try to keep actually brings them closer together.

J.J. McAvoy is becoming one of my favorite authors! Her world building and her LOVE INTERESTS omg, such a fantastic addition to the historical romance genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Random House Publishing Group, an imprint Dell for an advance reader’s copy for an honest review.

J. J. McAvoy’s third installment in this series is as delightful as the first installment (which I read; however, I did not read the second installment). In this novel, we follow Hathor, younger sister of Aphrodite, on her quest to find a husband with a title. McAvoy indulges the reader with witty banter between Hathor and the prince, Wilhelm. The characters are of diverse backgrounds and as always the author delivers a happy ending that makes the reader believe in love while enjoying the beautifully crafted world of the DuBell family.