By Toni Shiloh
This is a follow-up/sequel to Toni Shilo's In Search of A Prince, and it is not to be missed. I loved getting a chance to get to know Bree's BFF better. Iris Blakely never thought her trip to Oloro Ilé would lead to a life-changing event for her too. But it did, and now she is the owner of a locally sourced fashion design business. But it isn't just any business - nope, the goal is to help improve the lives of the local women by offering them steady employment that would help them better their lives and those of their families.
But being an American in Oloro Ilé, starting a business comes with a few strings attached, and that includes allowing the man who was involved in the plot against Bree and her rule to do community service hours under her watchful eye. Ekon Diallo was an instant crush as far as Iris was concerned, and when he betrayed Bree, Iris's crush was a bit tarnished. But Ekon has the necessary skills and knowledge that Iris needs to succeed.
Ekon was raised to be a prince, and his fall has brought him to a new reality. Not only has he lost everything, but he has also fallen beneath his father's notice. He has no one to call on for help; he has absolutely no domestic skills and an ego that won't quit. You can already tell his time working for Iris will be interesting.
To Win a Prince is a story of discovery. Who is a person when they've lost everything that gave them worth in the eyes of the world? What gives a person their identity? Is it rank? Family name? Wealth? Or is it something deeper? TWAP is a spiritual discovery - sometimes, to discover our true selves and our place in God's eyes, we need to be brought to our lowest moments.
I highly recommend this book. It is well worth the time spent reading it. As with In Search of a Prince, I read the paperback edition while listening to the audio version. It was interesting to hear the various words pronounced and to get a feel for how Iris, her family, and Ekon all talked (accents can totally change how you feel and experience a character). You can enjoy this book as a standalone, but I think the previous book is necessary to fully grasp the backstory.
The audiobook is narrated by Tamika Katon-Donegal and has a runtime of 13 hours and 22 minutes. The presentation is excellent, and the characters are distinguishable from one another during the narrator's reading (always a BIG plus, in my opinion).
And if you need another reason to add this book to your personal library - just look at the cover - it is gorgeous. Who wouldn't want to see this sitting there asking you to pick it up?
I was provided a copy of this book (in paperback form) with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.
About the Book:
As a fashion aficionado and best friend of the queen of the African island country Oloro Ilé, Iris Blakely dreams of using her talent to start a business to help citizens in impoverished areas. But when she discovers that Ekon Diallo will be her business consultant, the battle between her desires and reality begins.
Ekon Diallo has lost everything: his princely title, his material possessions, his friends, and the respect of his countrymen. To pay for his actions against Oloro Ilé, he's forced to assist the charismatic Iris Blakely--but he can't allow his heart to distract him from regaining his status.
As Iris strives to get her business off the ground while keeping her heart intact, will her dreams of "happily ever after," survive the challenges she faces?
Ekon Diallo has lost everything: his princely title, his material possessions, his friends, and the respect of his countrymen. To pay for his actions against Oloro Ilé, he's forced to assist the charismatic Iris Blakely--but he can't allow his heart to distract him from regaining his status.
As Iris strives to get her business off the ground while keeping her heart intact, will her dreams of "happily ever after," survive the challenges she faces?
