While I objectively love romance books with all their silly little girly troupes, this one just didn’t hit for me. I’m very wishy-washy on instant love, and this was certainly that. I haven’t read many normal person and royalty romance books so that was new for me. It gave me big Princess Diaries vibes, which I enjoyed. The parts that I didn’t enjoy is that it didn’t feel authentic at all. I did not believe for one second these characters had fallen in love in a two week span of time. I felt like they had zero chemistry, and the steamy scenes felt awfully forced. There were things that I did enjoy about the book including the many references to Emma’s Korean heritage and the Korean food descriptions really made my mouth water. That being said, I did feel myself zone out at times of reading this book. My objections with the book certainly didn't have anything to do with the narrator, who did do a fantastic job bringing these characters to life. While it wasn’t for me, other readers might enjoy it more!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced reading copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

This was, without a doubt, one of the most cringe cheesy reads I’ve finished in a while.

Jayci Lee’s That Prince Is Mine is one of those over the top attempts at all the rom com tropes you want to love but just comes out more cringeworthy than charming. These are the stories that remind you of the recent cheesy Netflix or Hallmark, or perhaps even Prime of late, trashy rom coms that you’re initially curious about because the premise has some mild potential, but by the time you’ve finished you seriously question why you wasted all that time on it.

Emma and Michel’s romance escalates at an unrealistic pace, with instant love declarations and overblown swooning that make it hard to take their relationship seriously. Unfortunately, the writing doesn’t do much to elevate the plot, with dialogue that frequently elicits repeated eye rolls. Lines meant to be romantic come across as awkward or overly scripted. The royal aspect of the story, rather than adding intrigue, plays out in the most predictable way possible. We’ve all seen this movie or read this book before and simply adding a splash of diversity isn’t going to change that.

While the book does have moments of cultural richness—especially in its focus on Korean royal cuisine and familial connection—those elements often feel overshadowed by the clunky romance. And it’s truly unfortunate as I would have loved to be able to say I enjoyed this book, but I just found myself cringing more and more the further in I got.

I think the narrator did a fine job with the material, but the book overall just wasn’t it for me.

3.5⭐️ I love a royal romance, and THAT PRINCE IS MINE is my latest! Featuring the romance between a middle class Asian-American woman and a prince.

*many thanks to SMP (HEA) and Macmillan audio, and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

Olivia Song narrates Jayci Lee’s That Prince Is Mine, in which an LA Korean culinary instructor, who doesn’t believe in love, and an undercover Prince, who is a hopeless romantic, visiting America for three months, fall head over heels for each other at first sight. They then must think about what they want from life and their ideas about love.

Dreaming of opening a culinary school, Twenty-eight-year-old Emma Yoon teaches court cuisine to young women who want to marry into exclusive Korean families. With no time for dating and her views on love, she can wait for her matchmaker godmother to find her a match when she’s ready to marry. However, when her grandmother’s competition turns to sabotage, Emma lets her set her up on a series of dates. While on a date, she’s immediately drawn to Michel. A hopeless romantic, Prince Michel Aubert will soon become his country’s king. His parents intend to force him into an arranged marriage. During his reprieve in America as a visiting professor, he’s determined to find an all-consuming love like his parents.

Songs expressive and dynamic narration brings Lee’s characters and story from the written word to life and draws you into the story from the first scene. She wonderfully captures Emma and Michel’s personalities, and those of the secondary characters. With precise pronunciation, diction, cadence, and perfect accents, Songs gives the characters their own distinct voices that match Lee’s descriptions exactly.

Reading Michel and Emma awkwardly date each other, and Emma’s matchup dates, is hilarious. They’re so together and competent professionally that the difference is remarkable and fascinating. Michel and Emma share an intense chemistry that deepens into a life-changing connection once they spend time together and get to know each other. They find their home in each other but are afraid of the intensity of their love for each other and the unexpectedness of falling in love so quickly. Emma exposes him to new experiences. But instead of enjoying that time with him, she obsesses over their incompatibility because of differences in their social status. While understandable, it’s frustrating.

When Lee’s characters passionately fall in love, she expresses it in her vibrant description of their feelings. Lee writes the most sensual character-driven love scenes that always fit her characters’ personalities. She incorporates wonderful use of the characters’ senses to develop the characters, explore and develop their relationship, and for vivid world-building. The love scenes are sensual, emotional, steamy, and funny, developing the characters’ relationship and the story. She explores the nature of genuine, selfless love. Lee is excellent at developing her characters and following through on those characters and how each part of the story grows out of who they are. This may be the steamiest novel I’ve read by Lee so far. Though not my favorite because I had trouble connecting with the characters. Because they’re so frustrating to me or because they became intimate before resolving vital issues or being honest with each other. I’m not sure.

Lee examines what happens when you become so driven by fear that you make your life plans, but limit what you allow yourself to have in your life through the character of Emma. Further, Lee shows how complicated your life and choices can be when you fall in love if fear is such a big part of your life. However, it becomes frustrating because Emma and Michel repeatedly refuse to communicate their feelings and what they want from this relationship honestly. Lee also explores racial issues affecting interracial marriages between an Asian and non-Asian partner. Michel is French and wealthier than Emma. Emma is rightfully concerned about how his family and country people will treat her because of their differences.

I love Lee’s engaging, funny, and chemistry-filled character interactions. The exploration of Emma’s relationship with her family and their interactions over food preparations and eating meals is familiar and relatable. Michel’s cousin Gabriel is hilarious. He keeps it real with Michel, challenges him, and makes him think about his choices and what he wants from his life, while giving him a tough time. He also supports and encourages him. Michel needs all the help he can get because he’s so sheltered. Their love for each other is clear. Michel’s relationship with his bodyguard, Sophie, is similar. I was deeply invested in the secondary relationship between her and Gabriel, which parallels Michel’s and Emma’s. It’s filled with sparks, humor, and a bit of angst.

That Prince is Mine is a sweet, funny, steamy, sexy, emotional, and fast-paced audio romance listen I recommend.

Macmillan Audio provided an advanced listening copy via Netgalley for review.

This was a very cute book. Overall, it was very wholesome, but I think it could have been a bit shorter. There was a fun romance that surprised me with a higher spice level than I was expecting! Not complaining, I just wasn’t expecting it with the vibe of the book up until then. I loved the food descriptions. I’m a sucker for good food in books, especially when it teaches me about another culture. The concept of a prince or princess falling in love “undercover” is very nostalgic for me. I would love to see this as a Hallmark movie, but on Netflix or similar so we can have the spice. I would definitely be interested to read more from this author! Rated 3.5 stars.

I really tried to give this book a fair shot. I put it up and came back to it multiple times I just couldn’t get into it. I made it to about 50% and it just felt like it was dragging on and on and I didn’t care about the characters at all. It had great potential, but just didn’t live up to it.

✨That Prince is Mine ✨

This audiobook was such a fun listen! It had me laughing and swooning! The slow burn was so good and I just loved how down bad Michel was for Emma.

Listen to this one if you're in the mood for:

✨ RomCom
✨ Opposites attract
✨ Prince in disguise
✨ He falls first
✨ Slow burn
🔥Spice Rating: ❤️

Thanks so much to Macmillan Audio for this gifted audiobook.

Spice Rating
🤍 clean romance
💗 closed door/ fade to black
❤️ spicy content (a few detailed scenes)
❤️‍🔥 explicit, play-by-play (major part of the plot)
🖤 graphic, more than vanilla

That Prince Is Mine is a charming romantic comedy that blends cultural heritage, modern romance, and a dash of royal intrigue into an enjoyable read. Jayci Lee crafts a vibrant world, from the detailed descriptions of Korean royal court cuisine to the high-stakes matchmaking drama. Emma Yoon’s journey as a strong, goal-oriented entrepreneur navigating her way through love and duty is both relatable and inspiring. Michel Aubert, the dashing prince with a secret identity, adds a swoon-worthy touch of fairy tale magic.

While the chemistry between Emma and Michel is undeniable, the story occasionally feels rushed, particularly in its resolution. Some of the side characters and subplots, like the meddling matchmakers, deserved more depth and exploration to make the stakes feel higher. That said, the novel’s wit, cultural richness, and heartfelt moments shine through, making it an engaging, if slightly predictable, read.

This story is tailor-made for a Netflix adaptation. The vibrant food scenes, glamorous high society settings, and romantic tension would translate beautifully to the screen. With the right cast, it could be the next rom-com hit, offering a fresh take on the royal romance trope with a uniquely Korean-American twist. Fans of lighthearted, feel-good romances will find plenty to enjoy in That Prince Is Mine.

Very cute book about Emma a Koren-American culinary instructor who teaches how to cook royal court cusine. She meets Michael and he ends up being an actual prince.

This was a adorable vook with a good chemistry between Emma and Michael. I like that they fell in love over food as someone who loves to feed people. This was a lighthearted read and I would recommend to someone looking for such a read.

A royal cooking romance is the trope fusion I didn't know I needed in my life. Emma, a culinary instructor specializing in Korean royal court cuisine, meets a local professor who is a prince in disguise. Both are on a timeline to find love before they are stuck in an arranged marriage, and luckily they find each other just in time.
This book was a bit slow-paced, but I loved all the food references and learning more about Korean culture. I enjoyed Olivia Song’s narration of the audiobook, although I would have preferred a second narrator to give Michel’s point of view. Overall, this was a cute, fun read with good chemistry.
Thank you to SMP Romance, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the advance copies.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

What a cute little rom com featuring an undercover Prince working as a professor and a woman aspiring to be a chef.

Emma feels she is destined to end up in an arranged marriage but wants to defy the traditions of her family and begins dating to find love.

Michel, a professor at USC is also in search for love and a wife that he has no doubt he can spend the rest of his life with.

Can a dash of sugar and spice and the introduction to the family jewels solidify a marriage match for love? Guess you’ll need to read the book to find out!

I had a really hard time connecting with this book. I've really liked this narrator for other books, but I don't think she was right for this one.

This was quite a fun and light novel, and I loved it- it moved at a good pace, we have some banter, some cooking, and a fake European monarchy, I'm here for it! In 2024, more than ever, we need lighter novels that let us get lost and escape for a while, and Lee does this SO well.

This was a little bit of a swing and a miss for me so I rated this three stars. For me, a three star review means I acknowledge this book is capable of being a four or five star review for someone else!

In That Prince is Mine by Jayci Lee, Prince Michel travels to California to escape his royal duties and an arranged marriage. While there, he meets Emma, a culinary teacher specializing in Korean Royal Court cuisine. Michel hides his true identity, and as he and Emma spend time together, they form a connection that challenges Emma’s ideas about love and the "perfect" partner.

I felt the connection was a little too quick and didn't fully connect with the characters.

I still recommend reading this if you haven't already done so! Jayci Lee has other books I've absolutely loved!

That Prince is Mine
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Author: Jayci Lee

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: Emma Yoon runs a small business as a culinary instructor in Los Angeles teaching Korean royal court cuisine to young ladies striving to marry into the exclusive upper crust Korean families. She has built her business alongside her renowned Korean matchmaker godmother, which brings her one step closer to her dream of opening up a culinary school on her own. But when her godmother’s fellow matchmakers decide to meddle in Emma’s love life in a bid to sabotage her godmother, and indirectly push Emma's dream out of her reach, she must go on a series of arranged first dates and find herself the perfect-on-paper husband to help save both, her godmother's reputation and her dream--even if she's not ready for love. But when she meets Michel Aubert, a professor at USC, after a series of disastrous first dates, she wonders if she might reevaluate her position on love.

Prince Michel Aubert is bound by duty and responsibility to his country, but an arranged marriage is the last thing he wants. If he is going to spend the rest of his life in service of his people, then he at least wants someone he loves and trusts by his side while doing it. He needs to find a woman who loves him for who he is before his engagement to his handpicked bride is announced. Emma Yoon might be just the woman he is looking for.

My Thoughts: This was a cute story. I have been a fan of Lee’s works for a while and personally love them. Emma Yoon runs a small business as a culinary instructor teaching royal cuisine. She wants to open her own culinary school. She has a close relationship with her godmother, a matchmaker, and would do anything to make her godmother happy. Her godmother has a series of dates set up for Emma to find a husband, not necessarily love at first. Most end in disaster. Prince Michel Aubert is bound by royal responsibility, including an arranged marriage. However, if he finds love first, he can escape the arrange marriage aspect of the responsibility. Emma might just be the woman he is looking for, however, Emma is re-evaluating how she feels about “love.” This follows the tropes of royal romance, opposite attract, arranged marriage aspect, and food incorporation.

Emma believes that marriage will only work between two people if they are compatible, as she feels two people will eventually fall out of love and if they are not compatible, they is nothing to fall back on and the relationship will end in divorce. Michel is a prince under the guise of a professor at USC. He is in America searching for his soulmate, as he believes in true love. There was an immediate attraction between Emma and Michel. They started dating for different reasons, he believed she was his soulmate and she wanted to prove that they were not compatible. This even carried an insta-love aspect. The characters were well developed, likable, were witty, had chemistry, and were intriguing. I did love the supporting characters and the side romance that developed there. I would have liked to see a little more backstory built up, even saying that, the characters were well thought out. The author’s writing style was complex, funny, passionate, and creative. I do think the third act breakup could have gone a tad differently, or not at all.

The narrator, Olivia Song, did a good job with voice variation matching character distinction. The pace and flow were spot on to listen at 2x speed with no issues of following along. Even with the plot shortcomings, overall, I really did enjoy this story and thought it was a cute read. Again, I love Lee, so I will always pick up the next novel of hers. I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys an adorable love story.

Not for me.
There was no depth to any of the characters.
The romance was not felt.
I didn’t feel any connection between the two characters.
I didn’t love the matchmaking and how it was so important but at the end it suddenly didn’t matter anymore.
I don’t know if it was just the narrator or if it was intended by the author but Michel is the MMC’s name and it’s pronounced “Michelle.” For myself as an American, Michelle is a woman’s name so maybe it’s just me but whole time I’m thinking of it as a woman’s name. Threw me off for the whole book.

This is a great book for fans of light-heartedness, humor/banter, and books that are more emotional romance stories. It felt flat and predictable at some points, but the prince whisked me away and kept me reading.

Thank you for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is a delightful read for fans of lighthearted, humorous, and emotional romance stories who will be swept away by the charming tale of a strong-willed Korean royal court cuisine instructor and a dashing prince who must navigate the complexities of love, identity, and happily ever after.

This book was somewhat hard for me to get through. I think the idea of it was cute, well intentioned, and had some great romance. What I found was that it was very predictable—so if that’s your thing you might love it!

I really enjoyed the dating dare so I was excited for this book, I definitely think this fell a little flat for me as the characters seemed to surface level for my liking. I want all of Emma’s dreams of cooking to come true. My favourite parts were when she was talking about a recipe or teaching classes. Michel was not my favourite, seemed like he decided on the first pretty woman he saw to fall in love with her and get what he wanted.

Did I love? No. Will I read the next Jayci Lee book? Absolutely will eat it up.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.