How to Catch a Queen by Alyssa Cole

 Ugh. Alyssa Cole. Why do you do this to me? I settle in for a few chapters before bed and then get pulled into the story of a woman who has been planning to be a queen for years. Her whole life, really. And she came awfully close in an earlier Cole book. But now, Shanti Mohapi is so close. Except, in the kingdome of Njazi, only the True Queen will stay married to the king. Everyone else is cut off after four months. Three months into her marriage, Shanti is beginning to lose hope. The new king seems dazed and uninterested. 
Sanyu was raised in a patriarchal society where men rule with an iron fist and the king can show no weakness. But he is mourning his father's death and unsure of whether he can step into the large shoes left by the former king. However, he's starting to wake up. And he's noticing that his wife is not only intelligent, she wants what is best for the kingdom. Plus, he's really attracted to her.
Shanti definitely could have been painted as too rigid in pursuing her dreams, but Cole has written a likable character who is just going after what she wants without tossing anyone else under the bus on the way. Sanyu was also believable. A kid growing up in a bad situation but one who is learning and growing from his situation. I did think the book dragged a little in the middle but the ending was incredibly satisfying and I loved seeing characters from previous books in the series.

Four stars

Followed by How to Find a Princess
This book came out December 1st, 2020
Borrowed the book from CloudLibrary
Opinions are my own