As I was stuck reading a long high fantasy novel I wanted something fun and easy to read as a break. As someone who is a sucker for modern royalty romance books (thank you old Merther fanfiction) I was looking forward to this one. Unfortunately, this book did not live up to my hopes.

We follow Emma, a Korean-American culinary instructor in LA who is a well-rounded character and easy to root for. Her Prince, Michel, gets no development besides saying the cheeses-est things and feels trapped as a prince. This book does a lot of telling not showing. The author tells us that the characters are bonding and falling in love while exploring LA but she never really shows that development. Instead, we see their instant attraction but nothing on the emotional side. I wanted to read about the little things they like about each other and their sharing about their life, fears, and even their family (which Emma doesn't even know about Michel's cousin). All the conflict was extremely predictable, which sometimes can be wanted, but in this case, it made me roll my eyes. Same with the spicey bits. Any cliche that could be said was said. I am not sure if I've been only reading queer romances but are all straight modern romance books like this now?

I did enjoy all the food descriptions and how grounded Emma was. She surprised me a couple of times when she went along with Michel enthusiastically instead of saying the typical lines. It was overall cute and easy to read but nothing memorable.

This gave me The Prince and Me vibes in all the right ways!

This was captivating, sweet, enchanting and fun!

This is a sweet and spicy romance full of delicious food. It's not a good choice to read when hungry unless you have traditional Korean food on hand!

Emma is determined to find a good match through her godmother's matchmaking service. Michel is determined to find a love match - and he has his sights fixed on Emma! Add in interfering family, unsuitable matches, and a secret identity, and you have a recipe for a good time. Everyone is a tad overdramatic, with terrible habits of keeping secrets but it's difficult to not get swept up in the drama. It was funny and sweet, and I loved the side characters - especially Emma's godmother.

This book is a charming contemporary romance that swept me off my feet with its blend of royalty and real-world issues. The fairy-tale-like story with a modern twist, featured a relatable heroine and a prince who is more than just his title. The protagonist's journey towards love is filled with obstacles, introspection, and growth, making her character development a strong point of the book.

This was a quick, fast paced and fun read. The description of the royal court cuisine and Emma's commitment to teaching felt realistic and heartfelt. Michel was a fun and dashing prince.
The chemistry between Emma and Michel was well developed. The development of their respective cultural perspectives, however, felt a little flat and rushed. Overall, a lighthearted and fun read. I will be looking for other titles by this author.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion. I see a lot of reviews that mention the plot falling short in the second half of the novel, and I have to agree! Overall, I think this was a really fun idea and the "secret identity" trope is one of my favorites, the characters just fell a little flat and the story lacked the depth I usually like. I would still recommend it if you're looking for a light read that you're not looking too hard into!

In "That Prince Is Mine," Jayci Lee weaves a delightful tale of love, food, and unexpected connections. Set against the backdrop of Los Angeles, this romance novel is a feel-good read that leaves you with a smile.

Meet Emma Yoon: a Korean royal court cuisine instructor with a practical, heartbreak-proof plan for her life. Emma dreams of opening her own culinary school, but meddling matchmakers threaten her aspirations. To save her godmother's reputation and her own dreams, Emma embarks on a series of arranged first dates in search of the perfect-on-paper husband.

Meet Prince Michel Aubert: a professor at USC who is bound by duty to his country. Michel longs for a love that transcends duty and responsibility. When he meets Emma, he wonders if she might be the woman he's been searching for. As their paths intertwine, secrets are revealed, and love blooms unexpectedly.

Lee's writing is both heartwarming and engaging. She skillfully combines romance with culinary delights, making the food come alive on the pages. The incorporation of Korean royal court cuisine adds depth to the story, and readers will find themselves craving the dishes described. From savoury bulgogi to delicate banchan, the culinary journey is as satisfying as the romance itself.

Emma and Michel are well-drawn characters, each with their own vulnerabilities and dreams. Their chemistry is palpable, and their banter is both witty and endearing. While the love between them may start as an arrangement, it soon evolves into something deeper, forming a connection that defies societal expectations.

The pacing is spot-on, with just the right balance of tension, humour, and heartache. Lee's attention to detail immerses readers in the world of Korean culture, from traditional customs to modern LA life. And yes, there's even a delightful shout-out to H-Mart. It’s a nod that will resonate with foodies and fans of Asian cuisine.

"That Prince Is Mine" is a reminder that love can be found in unexpected places, even when duty and tradition seem to dictate otherwise. If you're looking for a charming read that combines love, food, and a touch of royalty, this book is a must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4/4.25 ⭐️

I really enjoyed this story. it is more of a lighthearted read, the topics don’t get too in depth and there isn’t any really heavy topics.

You’re following Emma and Michel and i felt like Emma’s character had a lot of depth. It was hard not to relate to her in some way and enjoy her character. Michel didn’t feel like he had much depth to me. You learned basically who he was - but not much else about his background.

I really enjoyed the romance, and I would love a book about Sophie and Gabriel. I wished the book was dual POV and not third but still enjoyed it!

Sweet story and how fortunate that Emma is a chef of royal Korean cuisine! The food references were so yummy and I loved that there was even a dictionary of the terms we would be reading throughout the story. While I felt like the characters weren't that well fleshed out, I did enjoy this story for the sweet characters, the gentle pacing and the overall low angst of the story.

Prepare to be swept off your feet in Jayci Lee's enchanting romance, 'The Prince is Mine.' In this delightful tale, Lee introduces us to Emma Yoon, a culinary enthusiast who dreams of opening a culinary school. As she navigates the world of Korean royal court cuisine and assists hopeful brides, Emma finds herself entangled in a plot orchestrated by rival matchmakers.

Forced to save her godmother's reputation and her dreams, Emma embarks on a quest to find the perfect husband, even if love isn't on her agenda. Enter Michel Chevalier, a charming and irresistible professor who also happens to be a real-life prince, who disrupts Emma's plans. Only months until his arranged engagement is announced, Michel is determined to find a bride who loves him for who he is, not his crown.

Lee's engaging storytelling shines through as she weaves a tale of finding love when and where you least expect it. From the bustling streets of Los Angeles to the opulent world of royalty, 'The Prince is Mine' is a captivating journey filled with twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

What a cute storyline! If you are into “a prince meets average girl and falls in love “ then this book is for you. It was a light fluffy, feel good read. :) I loved it and wouldn’t mind reading it again. Perfect to change things up

This is a great quick read for someone who wants a cute predictable contemporary romance with a secret prince. I enjoyed the dual POV, side character plots, and the insight into Korean culture and cuisine. The MMC could have been more well rounded as I felt like his only personality trait was "loving" the FMC (instalove from his side). That being said if you just want to turn your brain off for awhile and read a cute romance with a little spice this is still a good read.

I will never not love a "royal in disguise" romcom, and this one delivered that trope along with plenty of foodie fun. I really enjoyed this book!

I read this book as an impulse offer. I haven't read any of Jayci Lee's previous books but I loved this book. It was cute and I love the style of writing. If anybody is on the fence of buying, I'd tell you it is worth the cost.

Emma and Michel come from two different worlds: she aspires to open a culinary school in L.A. and Michel is the crown prince of a European country. They both feel pressure from their families to marry someone they don't know and don't love. Can they make it work?

I enjoyed this fun, contemporary romance. There was a good amount of fluff and substance, and I really liked our main characters. Their relationship was insta-love, but I didn't mind that in this instance. It was interesting learning about Korean culture and food.

I'm glad we got a dual POV, and I also liked the side characters Sophie and Gabriel. I hope there will be a book focusing on their romance!

Overall this is a sold contemporary romance that I would recommend to my patrons.

This was pretty disappointing for me. The premise sounded great to me but I really struggled to connect to the characters and their story:

Jayci Lee usually NEVER disappoints, and That Prince is Mine seemed like it would absolutely be something I would love, but I struggled to connect with Emma and Michael and their story.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️💫
If you are in the mood for a Royal romance with some interesting information about Korean culture, this is a book you might enjoy. I think the cultural information is likely what will stick with me the most. This book is good for anyone looking for a quick, predictable, light read.
Thank you to NetGalley, the Publisher for the ARC of this book.

Ok why does this cover give me YA vibes more than anything? I requested the title a long while back and dove in without remembering the premise, so that's the first thing I'd like to say. The novel is indisputably an adult romance and has a good number of explicit scenes, so definitely not recommended for clean romance lovers.

I enjoyed the story, but not the romance so much. The writing style flowed beautifully, so I finished the book quickly, but I there's nothing I was invested in about the MCs romance. I find myself more interested in the side characters, and the connection between Michel's royal bodyguard Sophie, and his cousin Gabriel. I don't yet know whether this book is part of a series, but I'd love to read Sophie and Gabriel's story.

When I first discovered this book, I was quite excited. There's few romances I will read unless they catch my eye like this one. This, however, is a did not finish for me. Perhaps it is unfair to rate a book I didn't finish and I agree, but I also wanted my opinion to be shared. This book starts off with our main female character on the phone with her mother. I can't remember if she is Chinese, Japanese, or something similar but it is important to note because of the culture. Now I understand that that culture is different in terms of romance than western areas but it actually bothered me quite a lot to read. MC is just down for a forced marriage, wanting to please her family and culture, even though she's being sold off. Obviously, this isn't going to happen and she will meet our male MC but I just couldn't stomach it. How happy she was to give up everything for a stranger. Again, I understand this is the culture, and I know she will eventually follow her heart, but I don't have to like it. If this is something you don't mind reading, I'm sure this book will be fantastic. It's just not for me, the whole forced marriage thing.