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The Dubells #3
Hathor and the Prince
Hathor Du Bell is on her own path to find love in the third installment of J. J. McAvoy's Regency romance series, following Aphrodite and the Duke and Verity and the Forbidden Suitor.
Hathor Du Bell has always fought to break free from the shadow left by her revered older sister, Aphrodite. It has been two years since Hathor’s debut, and while Aphrodite is a duchess, Hathor has been left with the most boring, incomparable suitors of the ton. With the London season coming to a close, Hathor’s anxieties reach a peak. Will she be the only Du Bell unable to find her perfect match?
Then Hathor’s wildest dream comes true when the Queen announces she’ll be presenting Prince Wilhelm Augustus Karl Von Edward of Malrovia during the week-long society event at the Du Bells’ Belclere Castle. But the dream quickly crumbles when Hathor is face to face with the prince, and he is nothing like she imagined.
A flirtatious rivalry sparks a genuine romance, meanwhile Hathor fights to make a name of her own, despite society’s expectations of her. Amidst the grand balls and growing feelings, the final events of the season promise to be the most romantic and shocking of them all.
Hathor Du Bell has always fought to break free from the shadow left by her revered older sister, Aphrodite. It has been two years since Hathor’s debut, and while Aphrodite is a duchess, Hathor has been left with the most boring, incomparable suitors of the ton. With the London season coming to a close, Hathor’s anxieties reach a peak. Will she be the only Du Bell unable to find her perfect match?
Then Hathor’s wildest dream comes true when the Queen announces she’ll be presenting Prince Wilhelm Augustus Karl Von Edward of Malrovia during the week-long society event at the Du Bells’ Belclere Castle. But the dream quickly crumbles when Hathor is face to face with the prince, and he is nothing like she imagined.
A flirtatious rivalry sparks a genuine romance, meanwhile Hathor fights to make a name of her own, despite society’s expectations of her. Amidst the grand balls and growing feelings, the final events of the season promise to be the most romantic and shocking of them all.
368 pages, Paperback
Published March 19, 2024
20 people are currently reading
5,688 people want to read
About the author
J.J. McAvoy
33 books5,641 followersI’m a twenty-year-old something born in Montreal, Canada but currently living in Virginia for school. I would tell you want my major is however after two years I still have no idea what I’m doing.
So I’m a writer (duh that’s how you found me), movie enthusiast, and self-proclaimed chef. I love music even though I can’t sing or dance to save my life. (That doesn’t necessarily stop me but you’ve been warned.)
I started Ruthless People the summer of 2013 in hopes of giving myself a new type of love and crime drama. I never knew so many people thought like me! I feel truly blessed to have fans like you all! Writing is my true love and having you all enjoy my words is a dream come true.
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So I’m a writer (duh that’s how you found me), movie enthusiast, and self-proclaimed chef. I love music even though I can’t sing or dance to save my life. (That doesn’t necessarily stop me but you’ve been warned.)
I started Ruthless People the summer of 2013 in hopes of giving myself a new type of love and crime drama. I never knew so many people thought like me! I feel truly blessed to have fans like you all! Writing is my true love and having you all enjoy my words is a dream come true.
I'm on
Tumblr
and
Youtube
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
May 20, 2024
✨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
✨Hero 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
✨But Daddy I Love Him!
✨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.
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
✨Hero 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
✨But Daddy I Love Him!
✨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.
March 17, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up
This was great! I feel like McAvoy is really finding her stride with historical romance because this was the best yet in terms of pacing, voice etc. I have enjoyed all the books in the series, but this is my favorite so far. It's a great take on the enemies to lovers trope with excellent banter.
I love Hathor as a heroine! She's prickly, impulsive, and hard-headed. Which makes her the perfect match for Prince Wilhelm, an equally hard-headed playboy who wants nothing to do with marriage. It was a blast seeing them butt heads at a house party, and eventually realize they enjoy the fighting and are falling for each other. If you haven't tried this series yet you should! It's perfect for fans of the Bridgerton show on Netflix. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
This was great! I feel like McAvoy is really finding her stride with historical romance because this was the best yet in terms of pacing, voice etc. I have enjoyed all the books in the series, but this is my favorite so far. It's a great take on the enemies to lovers trope with excellent banter.
I love Hathor as a heroine! She's prickly, impulsive, and hard-headed. Which makes her the perfect match for Prince Wilhelm, an equally hard-headed playboy who wants nothing to do with marriage. It was a blast seeing them butt heads at a house party, and eventually realize they enjoy the fighting and are falling for each other. If you haven't tried this series yet you should! It's perfect for fans of the Bridgerton show on Netflix. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
January 30, 2024
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
Read if you like:
- Historical romance
- Rivals to lovers
- Diverse characters
- Close-knit families
March 31, 2024
4.5 Stars!
This is book 3 in The DuBells series and it's my favorite. Book 1 Aphrodite and the Duke was not my favorite I gave it 2 stars because the romance didn't do it for me but I liked the family and writing. Book 2 Verity and the Forbidden Suitor was better I gave it 3 stars. Book 3 baby!!!!
I love enemies to lovers and I love banter. Hathor and her Prince August were everything. They melted my ice encrusted heart. I need J.J. to give them another book. I have some idea of who books 4 & 5 will be about if she does write them but I need her to give me more Hathor and August. I will say that Hathor is annoying and super jealous of her sister Aphrodite but once you get to know her you really do fall in love with her.
If you want to read basically Black Bridgerton, than this series is for you. It's a fun, light hearted series with only a pinch of steam. I highly recommend this series and especally this book!
This is book 3 in The DuBells series and it's my favorite. Book 1 Aphrodite and the Duke was not my favorite I gave it 2 stars because the romance didn't do it for me but I liked the family and writing. Book 2 Verity and the Forbidden Suitor was better I gave it 3 stars. Book 3 baby!!!!
I love enemies to lovers and I love banter. Hathor and her Prince August were everything. They melted my ice encrusted heart. I need J.J. to give them another book. I have some idea of who books 4 & 5 will be about if she does write them but I need her to give me more Hathor and August. I will say that Hathor is annoying and super jealous of her sister Aphrodite but once you get to know her you really do fall in love with her.
If you want to read basically Black Bridgerton, than this series is for you. It's a fun, light hearted series with only a pinch of steam. I highly recommend this series and especally this book!
April 17, 2024
Sometimes it's the characters that can come off annoying in earlier books that give you the best reading experience in their own. Which is exactly what happened here.
The first book, I liked the character but the love story felt lacking to me.
Second book, definite improvement.
This one? Definitely the best.
I loved Hathor's dynamic with the prince. It was giving me Bridgerton's Kate x Anthony, where he is a rake and she is a vexing bewitching creature and I loved every minute of it.
The first book, I liked the character but the love story felt lacking to me.
Second book, definite improvement.
This one? Definitely the best.
I loved Hathor's dynamic with the prince. It was giving me Bridgerton's Kate x Anthony, where he is a rake and she is a vexing bewitching creature and I loved every minute of it.
January 17, 2024
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.
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.
April 1, 2024
5 "The Villian" Stars!
I loved this story so much. The banter was just fantastic and the going from adversaries-ish to lovers was so organic. Sop well done. The ending was a wee bit frustrating, but I loved it in the end. Hathor was the wittiest and this has been my favorite of the three so far. Her and Wilhelm's story was so good. I really hope there are more DuBells to come. Happy Reading!
I loved this story so much. The banter was just fantastic and the going from adversaries-ish to lovers was so organic. Sop well done. The ending was a wee bit frustrating, but I loved it in the end. Hathor was the wittiest and this has been my favorite of the three so far. Her and Wilhelm's story was so good. I really hope there are more DuBells to come. Happy Reading!
January 4, 2024
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“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 black regency romance with a sprinkle of spice then I recommend picking this up March 2024!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“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 black regency romance with a sprinkle of spice then I recommend picking this up March 2024!
April 25, 2024
This was a lot of fun! Overall Hathor kind of annoyed me, but I still found this story swoony, fun, and lighthearted. Highly recommend if you’re like me and impatiently waiting for Bridgerton S3 haha
February 28, 2024
Omg omg omg omg. This book has all my favorite things: historical romance, high society, Black folks, witty banter, lovable main characters, GOODT flirting, beautiful one-liners, and drama.
I received this book early as an eARC from Net Galley and omg. I loved every single second of this story. Hathor is a strong willed, bold and doesn’t know how to hold her tongue while The Prince is similar but also fighting against what is expected of him. I have not read the other stories about the other Du Bell siblings, but this one holds up just fine as a standalone (Hathor is arguably my favorite sibling anyways). I felt like the storytelling, the imagery and the plot really held my attention throughout the whole book. I felt like it really went through all the stages of enemies, to acquaintances, to friends, and finally to people who really liked each other, but both were in denial (LOL), to finally people who were madly in love.
There are a couple of plot twists/obstacles towards the end that I was not expecting, and that really cooked me in where I finished the second half of the book in a couple hours, because I was dying to know what happened. Overall, this is a highly enjoyable read for me and maybe now I will go back and read about the other siblings!
Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance reader copy! I cannot wait to read what J.J McAvoy writes next!
I received this book early as an eARC from Net Galley and omg. I loved every single second of this story. Hathor is a strong willed, bold and doesn’t know how to hold her tongue while The Prince is similar but also fighting against what is expected of him. I have not read the other stories about the other Du Bell siblings, but this one holds up just fine as a standalone (Hathor is arguably my favorite sibling anyways). I felt like the storytelling, the imagery and the plot really held my attention throughout the whole book. I felt like it really went through all the stages of enemies, to acquaintances, to friends, and finally to people who really liked each other, but both were in denial (LOL), to finally people who were madly in love.
There are a couple of plot twists/obstacles towards the end that I was not expecting, and that really cooked me in where I finished the second half of the book in a couple hours, because I was dying to know what happened. Overall, this is a highly enjoyable read for me and maybe now I will go back and read about the other siblings!
Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance reader copy! I cannot wait to read what J.J McAvoy writes next!
March 26, 2024
This was absolutely delightful!
I hope next up is Devana's love story with her mysterious suitor!
I LOVE this series.
It's what I hoped The Bridgerton book series would be.
This is easily my favorite book in this series. I love a good enemies to lovers storyline!
I hope next up is Devana's love story with her mysterious suitor!
I LOVE this series.
It's what I hoped The Bridgerton book series would be.
This is easily my favorite book in this series. I love a good enemies to lovers storyline!
August 12, 2024
"Hathor and the Prince" by J.J. McAvoy was such a blast to read! Hathor Du Bell is such a relatable character—trying to find her own way and not just live in her sister Aphrodite’s shadow. I was so ready for her to meet the perfect guy, and when the Prince shows up, it’s not what I expected at all, but in the best way.
Their first meeting is full of sass and sparks, and the way they go from rivals to something more had me totally hooked. The banter between Hathor and Prince Wilhelm is just too good, and I loved watching their romance unfold. The whole setting with the grand balls and fancy society events made it even more fun.
By the end, I was totally invested and loved how everything came together with a few surprises thrown in. If you’re into Regency romance with a mix of humor, drama, and a swoon-worthy love story, this is a must-read. Five stars, hands down!
Their first meeting is full of sass and sparks, and the way they go from rivals to something more had me totally hooked. The banter between Hathor and Prince Wilhelm is just too good, and I loved watching their romance unfold. The whole setting with the grand balls and fancy society events made it even more fun.
By the end, I was totally invested and loved how everything came together with a few surprises thrown in. If you’re into Regency romance with a mix of humor, drama, and a swoon-worthy love story, this is a must-read. Five stars, hands down!
December 11, 2024
This book is my favorite in The Dubells series! The banter between Hathor and Prince Wilhelm was perfect. I recommend reading this series if you are looking for a book with Bridgerton vibes with BIPOC heroines.
February 9, 2024
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.
Thank you to Netgally for an arc of this book.
January 16, 2024
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!
Check out my socials here for more reviews!
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!
Check out my socials here for more reviews!
November 23, 2024
DNF @ 70%
I know I know, another book I didn’t finish MAS em minha defesa eu actually gostei bue deste livro, it’s just that I don’t understand porque é que começou a engonhar para o final.
Tipo o livro na minha cabeça acabava perfeitamente aqui nos 70% - as personagens tiveram a great development and journey and eventually got engaged - that’s all you really look for in a regency romance, that type of tension of lingering stares and touches until they get married and then it’s over. Now, at 70%, they’ve already fallen in love and they’re engaged to be married so i guess i expected like 1 or 2 more chapters.. not fucking more than um quarto mais do livro por ler!!
Im sure there might be some twists and turns mas sinceramente não vejo where the story could go that would make it thaaat much more interesting or add more to the characters that would make me want to sit through another fourth of the book, I guess que a única coisa que faltava was to try to make her parents approve of their marriage but that’s it (?) I’m just not that interested tbh
Things I didn’t like:
- apesar do banter ser witty and fun achei que era em demasia (tipo eu não tenho assim tanta energia para estar constantemente bickering com alguém)
- as personagens principais came across a bit infantis (especialmente a rapariga) so it felt a bit silly
- there was a lot of characters to follow and I was a bit lost sometimes
- the whole story is happening in the same setting which is her house, nothing else is really explored so it made it a bit repetitive.
Apesar disso, I still got what I wanted from the book, it was a really enjoyable read, the banter between the characters was, despite what was mentioned above, really cute and funny and it gave me some nice historical romance vibes that I was missing.
All in all, had it finished here I would’ve still given it 4 stars mas como isso não aconteceu, 3 stars it is
I know I know, another book I didn’t finish MAS em minha defesa eu actually gostei bue deste livro, it’s just that I don’t understand porque é que começou a engonhar para o final.
Tipo o livro na minha cabeça acabava perfeitamente aqui nos 70% - as personagens tiveram a great development and journey and eventually got engaged - that’s all you really look for in a regency romance, that type of tension of lingering stares and touches until they get married and then it’s over. Now, at 70%, they’ve already fallen in love and they’re engaged to be married so i guess i expected like 1 or 2 more chapters.. not fucking more than um quarto mais do livro por ler!!
Im sure there might be some twists and turns mas sinceramente não vejo where the story could go that would make it thaaat much more interesting or add more to the characters that would make me want to sit through another fourth of the book, I guess que a única coisa que faltava was to try to make her parents approve of their marriage but that’s it (?) I’m just not that interested tbh
Things I didn’t like:
- apesar do banter ser witty and fun achei que era em demasia (tipo eu não tenho assim tanta energia para estar constantemente bickering com alguém)
- as personagens principais came across a bit infantis (especialmente a rapariga) so it felt a bit silly
- there was a lot of characters to follow and I was a bit lost sometimes
- the whole story is happening in the same setting which is her house, nothing else is really explored so it made it a bit repetitive.
Apesar disso, I still got what I wanted from the book, it was a really enjoyable read, the banter between the characters was, despite what was mentioned above, really cute and funny and it gave me some nice historical romance vibes that I was missing.
All in all, had it finished here I would’ve still given it 4 stars mas como isso não aconteceu, 3 stars it is
February 20, 2024
I read J.J.McAvoy's first books, way back, circa 2014-2015. I loved those - they were unhinged in the best ways.
I wanted to try her histrom books, but unfortunately I did not really like this one. Tbh, I was bored. I liked the dislike between the main characters, however, Hathor sees to be always harping about the Prince, and it was getting on my nerves. The lady hath fury.
The first part of the book (at least up to the point I read) takes place at a house party, and as much as I usually love those in histrom, there were too many characters to keep track of here - the siblings, the numerous guests. And Hathor and the Prince (together, on page) seemed to be lost among all of it. I wanted more of them.
Shout-out to Hathor's 12 year old sister, I love her impertinence!
I hope this book finds its audience, unfortunately it's not me.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
I wanted to try her histrom books, but unfortunately I did not really like this one. Tbh, I was bored. I liked the dislike between the main characters, however, Hathor sees to be always harping about the Prince, and it was getting on my nerves. The lady hath fury.
The first part of the book (at least up to the point I read) takes place at a house party, and as much as I usually love those in histrom, there were too many characters to keep track of here - the siblings, the numerous guests. And Hathor and the Prince (together, on page) seemed to be lost among all of it. I wanted more of them.
Shout-out to Hathor's 12 year old sister, I love her impertinence!
I hope this book finds its audience, unfortunately it's not me.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
October 21, 2024
True rating 4.5⭐️
I really loved this book. I read it in 24 hours and enjoyed the entire book, until the unsatisfying ending 😩😩😩. I wished there had been more to the end because they were so harshly scrutinized, their relationship not well understood and the ending did not redeem their story/love.
The ending aside, this book remains my favorite of the series. In the other two books I disliked Hathor’s character so I wasn’t looking forward to continuing her story. I will admit that she is a complex character but I think that’s part of her allure. She did have some major character development by the end. Abena continued to crack me up. And Wilhelm does not play about Hathor, ok?!
I took off half a star for the ending but overall I would recommend Hathor and the Prince!
I really loved this book. I read it in 24 hours and enjoyed the entire book, until the unsatisfying ending 😩😩😩. I wished there had been more to the end because they were so harshly scrutinized, their relationship not well understood and the ending did not redeem their story/love.
The ending aside, this book remains my favorite of the series. In the other two books I disliked Hathor’s character so I wasn’t looking forward to continuing her story. I will admit that she is a complex character but I think that’s part of her allure. She did have some major character development by the end. Abena continued to crack me up. And Wilhelm does not play about Hathor, ok?!
I took off half a star for the ending but overall I would recommend Hathor and the Prince!
April 4, 2024
This was BY FAR, my favorite one of the series. i love love love the banter between Hathor and Wilhelm. From beginning to end, it was perfect. The only thing is I want more🥲🥲 I can’t wait for Davena and Abena’s books!!!
May 5, 2024
wilhelm was a massive manwhore like woah.. but he redeemed himself so its ok
May 31, 2024
Went from giggling and kicking my feet, to utter despair, back to giggling and kicking my feet, back to despair, and finished giggling and kicking my feet. 10/10 regency romance novel, I need MORE!!!
Shelved as 'dnf'
June 9, 2024DNF at 27% (ch9)
Something about their conflict/bickering just isn’t landing for me. More uncomfortable and/or annoying vs fun and playful.
6.9.24
Something about their conflict/bickering just isn’t landing for me. More uncomfortable and/or annoying vs fun and playful.
6.9.24
May 16, 2024
Oh, how I hated the main character in this. I could not understand her. I don't know if she was written in a confusing manner or if she is just a shitty person, but my god. Finished it out of pure spite and attraction to the prince. I love me some good princes.
May 1, 2024
This is my favorite book in The Dubell series and a great historical romance with excellent banter. The romance and enemies-to-lovers dynamic is done well, and I loved the close-knit family and diverse characters. If you're a fan of historical romance or Bridgerton, this is a must-read.
June 6, 2024
this one is the best of the series imo, but maybe i'm biased for mischievous male love-interests.
December 25, 2024
A great return read that has me wanting to pick up more!
Hathor had me laughing out loud at her wit! She was actually so funny and that is rare. Girlie has seen all the picture perfect cookie cutter romances so was unfamiliar when she saw her own. If only she lived in the digital age she could see how this “smug and irksome” guy is totally perfect for her.
SPOILERS
Aghh I freakin love their little meddling against each other. The way they try to sabotage each other in the cutest ways but I’m in the back twiddling my thumbs like “hehehe keep ‘fighting’ (aka falling in love) with each other.”
And then when they actually fall in love ugggh. Breaks my heart, all she wants is love. The reveal that he’s an art lover too ughh and when he made that painting for her!!! Oh my god the way he just admitted she’s beautiful ugh outright told her “you are so beautiful it is unfair” broooo
Mad in love
Hathor had me laughing out loud at her wit! She was actually so funny and that is rare. Girlie has seen all the picture perfect cookie cutter romances so was unfamiliar when she saw her own. If only she lived in the digital age she could see how this “smug and irksome” guy is totally perfect for her.
SPOILERS
Aghh I freakin love their little meddling against each other. The way they try to sabotage each other in the cutest ways but I’m in the back twiddling my thumbs like “hehehe keep ‘fighting’ (aka falling in love) with each other.”
And then when they actually fall in love ugggh. Breaks my heart, all she wants is love. The reveal that he’s an art lover too ughh and when he made that painting for her!!! Oh my god the way he just admitted she’s beautiful ugh outright told her “you are so beautiful it is unfair” broooo
Mad in love
October 16, 2024
The book stands out as the most enjoyable in the series. The witty exchanges between Hather and the Prince (Wilhelm, if I recall correctly) were interesting.
January 9, 2025
To be honest, I didn’t really know what to expect when reading this book because I skipped straight to book three. I didn’t even read books one or two since the synopsis of book three intrigued me the most. At the beginning, I was kind of irritated by Hathor. She came off as vile and nasty, like someone who blamed all her problems on her older sister. Her sister probably wasn’t even trying to compete with her and might have been nice to her all along, but Hathor projected her insecurities onto her. Her resentment seemed to stem from her sister’s brilliance, which made her feel overshadowed. In the first two chapters, I was appalled by how often Hathor talked about her older sister, describing her as her mortal enemy number one, etc. I wasn’t sure about the book at all, and I had a very bad impression of both the book and the FMC at the start. However, as the story progressed, I started to understand why she was the way she was. She shared instances where she genuinely tried to be herself, but it was never enough because her sister always outshined her. Even though I don’t have that exact experience in my life, I could sympathize with her. I have siblings who’ve made me feel inadequate at times, so her insecurities resonated with me.
Even if I Initially, was skeptical about her character flaws over time, I came to love her. She wasn’t perfect, but her flaws and insecurities were so real and relatable. They weren’t just superficial. I especially loved how she coped with her insecurities by affirming herself, talking herself up, and even flattering herself. While that might seem arrogant to some, I totally understood her and could put myself in her shoes.
When it came to love, her insecurities made perfect sense. She’s only 20, which isn’t old, but in the Regency era, especially for someone from a prominent family, it would’ve been considered unusual to still be unmarried. That added so much pressure on her, and I really felt for her. By the end, I loved Hathor. She turned out to be such an intelligent, headstrong, and likable character. Despite her initial flaws, she became one of my favorite characters in Regency or historical romance. She reminded me of Lillian from Lisa Kleypas’s Wallflowers series (It Happened One Autumn, book two). Both are headstrong, and I loved seeing that parallel.
As for the MMC, claiming that I’m not a fan of the “reformed rake” trope is putting it mildly. It feels cheap and predictable to me. The idea that a man with trauma MUST resort to being a rake and being SUPER sceptical of love and marriage, instead of working through his issues just annoys me to no end. It feels unoriginal, and honestly, I would despise having a reformed rake as a husband aswell. That said, the MMC proved to be a deeper and more complex character than I initially thought. His trauma, especially the family-related aspects, was valid, but some of his other issues felt less compelling. I kept thinking, “Okay, that’s sad, but is that really enough to justify everything?”
Still, he grew on me by the 30% and end of the book (esp since there wasn’t a mention of him being interested in other women after meeting her and he was solely focused on fmc)
While I wasn’t completely sold on him, he had undeniable chemistry with Hathor, and their interactions were fantastic. I loved their banter or when characters bicker or have playful, sharp conversations that only they seem to understand. Their banter and rivalry gradually turned into genuine appreciation and understanding of each other, which I loved. The MMC never made Hathor feel stupid for her insecurities, even though she was conventionally attractive. I appreciated how he recognized her worth from the beginning.
In fact, you could tell from their very first interaction that he was smitten. Hathor, on the other hand, wasn’t interested in him at first—not until later. But from the start, he was drawn to her, even if he didn’t admit it. I love when the guy falls first, and it’s clear that he came to her house initially just because she was there. Their chemistry was off the charts, and they were so compatible. I also appreciated that outside gossip didn’t affect their relationship much. So often, books introduce unnecessary third-act breakups fueled by external drama, but this one avoided that, which was refreshing.
When it came to Hathor’s family, I didn’t feel they lived up to their “close-knit and loving” reputation, at least not for her. While it was obvious they loved her, they didn’t take her seriously or really see her for who she was. They had a fixed image of her in their minds and never bothered to ask her what she truly wanted. This was heartbreaking because she craved their understanding but didn’t get it. Even her mother’s judgment of August felt hypocritical. How could she criticize him for his rake-like behavior when her own son had a similar past? The double standards were frustrating, and her family’s lack of support added to Hathor’s insecurities.
Despite her family’s flaws, I loved her younger sisters, especially Abina. They stood out as genuinely supportive and endearing characters. But the parents? I couldn’t forgive their actions or attitudes, especially toward Hathor’s engagement. They seemed to judge her unfairly and didn’t believe she was capable of securing a good match.
The whole Lucas subplot was another highlight for me. I loved how his presence pushed August to confront his feelings for Hathor. Seeing August fight with jealousy and realize he was in love was so satisfying. I also appreciated that Hathor wasn’t easily swayed by Lucas’s superficial charm.
BUT Lucas’s betrayal of August was honestly so outrageous. Like, how do you just spill someone’s personal, deeply sensitive stuff that they told you in confidence, especially when they were drunk and vulnerable? That’s just low. And to do it just to ruin August’s reputation so you can try and win over Hathor? Embarrassing. So embarrassing. It just shows how little game Lucas actually had. Instead of stepping up and trying to win her over on his own merits, he went straight to slander and manipulation, which only made him look pathetic. Lucas really thought he could come for him, but Hathor wasn’t even swayed by it. She didn’t even give Lucas the satisfaction of entertaining his mess, which I loved. Like, just admit defeat and move on, man. And also, he claimed to be in love with her or to have feelings for her, but at the same time, he still planned to upkeep his bachelor-like lifestyle?! Are we supposed to believe you?!
Overall, this book was incredible—a rare five-star read for me, especially in the Regency romance genre. J.J. McAvoy exceeded my expectations. I’ve always enjoyed her Regency and royalty romances (though her contemporary works aren’t my thing), but this book was exceptional. The representation was another big plus. I loved that the FMC was Black, and her race wasn’t a source of conflict. Representation without centering racism is so important, and McAvoy handled it great. It’s easily one of the best things I’ll read in 2025 fs!
Even if I Initially, was skeptical about her character flaws over time, I came to love her. She wasn’t perfect, but her flaws and insecurities were so real and relatable. They weren’t just superficial. I especially loved how she coped with her insecurities by affirming herself, talking herself up, and even flattering herself. While that might seem arrogant to some, I totally understood her and could put myself in her shoes.
When it came to love, her insecurities made perfect sense. She’s only 20, which isn’t old, but in the Regency era, especially for someone from a prominent family, it would’ve been considered unusual to still be unmarried. That added so much pressure on her, and I really felt for her. By the end, I loved Hathor. She turned out to be such an intelligent, headstrong, and likable character. Despite her initial flaws, she became one of my favorite characters in Regency or historical romance. She reminded me of Lillian from Lisa Kleypas’s Wallflowers series (It Happened One Autumn, book two). Both are headstrong, and I loved seeing that parallel.
As for the MMC, claiming that I’m not a fan of the “reformed rake” trope is putting it mildly. It feels cheap and predictable to me. The idea that a man with trauma MUST resort to being a rake and being SUPER sceptical of love and marriage, instead of working through his issues just annoys me to no end. It feels unoriginal, and honestly, I would despise having a reformed rake as a husband aswell. That said, the MMC proved to be a deeper and more complex character than I initially thought. His trauma, especially the family-related aspects, was valid, but some of his other issues felt less compelling. I kept thinking, “Okay, that’s sad, but is that really enough to justify everything?”
Still, he grew on me by the 30% and end of the book (esp since there wasn’t a mention of him being interested in other women after meeting her and he was solely focused on fmc)
While I wasn’t completely sold on him, he had undeniable chemistry with Hathor, and their interactions were fantastic. I loved their banter or when characters bicker or have playful, sharp conversations that only they seem to understand. Their banter and rivalry gradually turned into genuine appreciation and understanding of each other, which I loved. The MMC never made Hathor feel stupid for her insecurities, even though she was conventionally attractive. I appreciated how he recognized her worth from the beginning.
In fact, you could tell from their very first interaction that he was smitten. Hathor, on the other hand, wasn’t interested in him at first—not until later. But from the start, he was drawn to her, even if he didn’t admit it. I love when the guy falls first, and it’s clear that he came to her house initially just because she was there. Their chemistry was off the charts, and they were so compatible. I also appreciated that outside gossip didn’t affect their relationship much. So often, books introduce unnecessary third-act breakups fueled by external drama, but this one avoided that, which was refreshing.
When it came to Hathor’s family, I didn’t feel they lived up to their “close-knit and loving” reputation, at least not for her. While it was obvious they loved her, they didn’t take her seriously or really see her for who she was. They had a fixed image of her in their minds and never bothered to ask her what she truly wanted. This was heartbreaking because she craved their understanding but didn’t get it. Even her mother’s judgment of August felt hypocritical. How could she criticize him for his rake-like behavior when her own son had a similar past? The double standards were frustrating, and her family’s lack of support added to Hathor’s insecurities.
Despite her family’s flaws, I loved her younger sisters, especially Abina. They stood out as genuinely supportive and endearing characters. But the parents? I couldn’t forgive their actions or attitudes, especially toward Hathor’s engagement. They seemed to judge her unfairly and didn’t believe she was capable of securing a good match.
The whole Lucas subplot was another highlight for me. I loved how his presence pushed August to confront his feelings for Hathor. Seeing August fight with jealousy and realize he was in love was so satisfying. I also appreciated that Hathor wasn’t easily swayed by Lucas’s superficial charm.
BUT Lucas’s betrayal of August was honestly so outrageous. Like, how do you just spill someone’s personal, deeply sensitive stuff that they told you in confidence, especially when they were drunk and vulnerable? That’s just low. And to do it just to ruin August’s reputation so you can try and win over Hathor? Embarrassing. So embarrassing. It just shows how little game Lucas actually had. Instead of stepping up and trying to win her over on his own merits, he went straight to slander and manipulation, which only made him look pathetic. Lucas really thought he could come for him, but Hathor wasn’t even swayed by it. She didn’t even give Lucas the satisfaction of entertaining his mess, which I loved. Like, just admit defeat and move on, man. And also, he claimed to be in love with her or to have feelings for her, but at the same time, he still planned to upkeep his bachelor-like lifestyle?! Are we supposed to believe you?!
Overall, this book was incredible—a rare five-star read for me, especially in the Regency romance genre. J.J. McAvoy exceeded my expectations. I’ve always enjoyed her Regency and royalty romances (though her contemporary works aren’t my thing), but this book was exceptional. The representation was another big plus. I loved that the FMC was Black, and her race wasn’t a source of conflict. Representation without centering racism is so important, and McAvoy handled it great. It’s easily one of the best things I’ll read in 2025 fs!
June 29, 2024
This is was the most unsatisfying ending I’ve read in a while. Would not recommend.
January 25, 2024
Hathor and The Prince
By @jjmcavoy
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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.
By @jjmcavoy
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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.
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