Review: Princess Ballot by Jaymin Eve & Tate James

Princess Ballot by Jaymin Eve & Tate James

Series: Royal of Arbon Academy #1

Publication date: December 26th, 2019

Pages: 294
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Synopsis:

You have been chosen.

Those four words change Violet Spencer's whole life, when against staggering odds, she's selected in the "princess ballot."

Arbon Academy is affectionately known as the school for Royals. Only the rich, powerful, or heir to a throne gain entry... except for the one scholarship student accepted every five years. It's a worldwide lottery, and one that Violet entered without giving it any serious thought.

But the media got it wrong and Arbon Academy is much more than a simple college for future leaders. It's a dark world of politics, intrigue, and dangerous guys who will stop at nothing to get their own way. Despite her best efforts at remaining off the radar, Violet finds herself a pawn between two of the most powerful monarchies in the world.

Prince Rafe of the Switzerlands and Prince Alex of the Australasias are bitter enemies both on the soccer field and in the political arena. Monarchies rule the world now, and every waking breath is a competition for the princes. 

Control the ball.

Control the world.

Control Violet.

Whether it's through love or hate, someone will ultimately win.

*This is book one in a dark college romance It includes a-hole princes, nasty princesses, and one chick who will take none of their shit, all the while doing her best to make it out alive. HEA guaranteed. Eventually. 17+.

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Review:

Violet was born into a world that had restructured a lot over the years. War was waged and countries were split or merged. All of them were placed under a monarchy based government of kings, queens, as well as princes and princesses. As if that wasn't enough to deal with Violet is also an orphan and has been raised poor or homeless her entire life. Until she was told she won the princess ballot. Within the parameters of her reward she was gifted a scholarship to the most illustrious college that housed all the worlds princes and princesses of the world. It sounded too good to be true, doesn't it? That is what Violet felt too. She was weary but at the same time, she couldn't afford to pass up on an opportunity this great for her future. When she gets there she is in a world she had no idea how to navigate, but along the way she makes some friends that seem to take her under their wing. But are they really her friends because as the saying goes, you should never trust the royals.

Violet was an interesting character. I think I resonated with her a bit in the way she chose to fight back verbally at certain times and bide her time in others. She was able to navigate the royals treacherous waters skillfully and was a spitfire. She was called every name under the book and it only made her shrug. I have never seen such a self-assured character. It was refreshing that she wasn't a wilted flower through the whole book any time someone was mean to her. 

Rafe caught my eye and my heart from the beginning. Who isn't a sucker for the bad boy Prince of the Switzerlands? He was cruel and arrogant with Violet which made me want to strangle him but I noticed it was always very calculated. He tried to push her away at certain times and not just because he wanted to be as far away from her as possible. He was very hot or cold but it seemed to work for him all the same.

I did not like the fact that it seems like every single character in this universe seems to have a thing for Violet. A few, sure, but it seems like she's trying to combat affections from everyone. That made it a little gimmicky. I am hoping maybe there is something in later books that denotes why she may be so irresistible to the royals but  I somehow doubt it. 

I enjoyed the book and look forward to the second even if I am a bit confused as to whether this book is a reverse harem or not. It says it's not but then it feels like it is. I guess for readers, go into it prepared for both scenarios depending on your preferences. 

Book Blitz with Excerpt + Teasers + Giveaway: Too Good to Be True by A.S. Kelly @askelly_writes @XpressoTours

Too Good to Be True by A.S. Kelly

Publication date: July 23rd, 2025

Synopsis:

Seth Graham needs help. His eccentric job and troubled past will not help him get custody of his nephews. With their grandmother now stepping in to claim them, Seth needs a solution. Seth can't bear another loss. He has already said goodbye to too many people; he can't give up the only family he has left.

Rowan Kennedy doesn't need anything, especially not another lost cause. His career is finally taking off, and the last thing he has time for is helping a young single father desperate to keep his kids. He has no interest in getting caught up in a custody battle, especially when he's never had a real family of his own. He doesn't know what it's like to have someone willing to fight for you with everything they have.

But Seth is desperate, and Rowan seems to be his only chance, and these children need a home, love and something Rowan never had: a father who would give anything to see them happy. Plus, Seth is bloody adorable, with his dimples and his blue eyes and the way he creates chaos even when he sleeps, and his sweetness and his desire to be the father the children deserve. And then there's the way he practically begs Rowan not to walk away now that falling in love might actually be on the table...

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Excerpt

"I don't know what... I'm not usually emotional."

It's bullshit. I'm usually so emotional.

Why do I lie? Why do I care what he may think of me?

"Try taking deep breaths and drinking some more water."

I do as he says while he takes off his glasses and lays them on the desk, revealing his beautiful green eyes to me. I had not noticed them before.

I have a weakness for green eyes.

And I have a soft spot for strong men, with strong arms and tough looks, the kind you hope will be tender inside and in private and only with you.

Am I fantasizing about my lawyer?

"First, starting tomorrow, please switch to decaffeinated."

"What? Oh, the coffee. Sure. Decaf. Duly noted. Sorry. I was distracted for a moment."

"Second, stop apologizing. You won't go anywhere with that attitude."

"Oh... O-okay, I'll try."

"Will you try?"

"I will do my best."

He sighs, his face tense.

"They will tear you apart in court."

How does he think this revelation will help my agitation?

"Work on it. A lot."

"I will work on it," I assure him.

"And third..."

Oh God! Is there also a third point? I don't think I can even do the first two!

"I'm very sorry for your loss."

"Oh."

I didn't expect this, and I don't react well to unexpected things.

"Please don't cry again."

"I'm sorry."

The lawyer gives me a dirty look.

"Oh god! I'm so, so sorry!"

He shakes his head several times, but I could swear I see him lifting one corner of his mouth.

"I'll calm down, I swear." I take another tissue and blow my nose again. "I can't control my tongue and tears when I'm agitated. I will do my best to be careful. I solemnly promise."

"I'm not comfortable with tears."

"Oh, sure, I understand. I'm not comfortable with tears, either. Especially if they are my own."

This time, he laughs. He can't hide it!

Although it was not my intention to make him laugh, I must say that I don't mind him in this role at all.

There. Another point against me.

Mr. Kennedy can laugh, and he does it well. I don't know if it's possible to do it badly. I mean, that's something positive in itself, isn't it? Unless he laughs at me, then it becomes something else entirely.

A.S. KELLY writes Rom-Com, Romantic Fiction and Family Saga.

Avid reader, hopeless romantic, lover of yoga, knitting and home baking.

She was born in Italy but lives in Ireland with her husband, two children and a cat named Oscar.

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Book Blitz with Excerpt + Teaser + Giveaway: Seven Hundred Beachfront by Ligia de Wit @XpressoTours

Seven Hundred Beachfront by Ligia de Wit

Publication date: July 22nd, 2025

Synopsis:

Some places hold memories. Others have opinions.

I didn't mean to run again.

But when life gets tangled, I untangled it by leaving. And this time, my escape came with strings attached: a five-year-old brother I never signed up to care for, a seaside town I barely remember, and a tattered house on stilts that belongs in Renter's Hell.

I told myself it was just for the summer. A break. A pause. A way to escape the people I care about but can't seem to fit with anymore, and the choices I don't know how to fix.

But the sea doesn't let you stay distant for long.

Then there's him. Quiet. Grumpy. Mysterious. The kind of man who doesn't ask questions, but somehow sees more than he should. I don't even like talking to him, and yet... here we are. Sharing long silences. Unexpected moments. Maybe even something more.

And as for the house? Let's just say it has opinions--and it's not afraid to share them.

Seven Hundred Beachfront is a heartfelt, magical story about learning to stay, letting people in, and discovering that healing doesn't always come the way you expect it. But when it does, you'll feel it down to your bones.

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Excerpt

Carole hadn't sent a thing to keep him busy, damn woman, and I'd only used the TV for movies. Wait a sec--Jessie left a Star Wars movie at my place, the first one, so I should have it here.

"No Scooby, kiddo," I said while looking in the boxes, "but you're gonna like this one. It's the real thing, not a single goofy character one mile near it."

"'Kay." He sat on the old, flowery couch and gazed at me, expectant.

"How do you want your fish?" I asked while putting the movie on, realizing I had no idea what Bobby liked.

"Dead."

I gave a small smile. "But how do you like it prepared? Pan fried?"

"No. Like Mom does it." He lifted his little arms and mimed putting something in a pan. "Like this."

"You're not much help, kiddo. I'll cook it pan fried."

"'Kay," Bobby whispered, gaze down.

After leaving him with the movie, I got ready to cook. The stove burners were a little rusty but worked. I prepared pan-fried fish, along with steamed vegetables and wild rice. Maybe I didn't have many accomplishments in my life, but, damn, I could cook. It had been either that or be resigned to eating frozen dinners.

When other kids watched cartoons, I watched cooking shows. At ten, I prepared chicken cordon-bleu. Even Aunt Marie was impressed. Carole just grimaced. It's overcooked, she'd said.

The aroma of spices and well-cooked fish filled the space, and any knot in my body vanished.

My cell rang, and I picked it up, frowning at the caller ID. "Hey," I answered flatly.

"Honey!" Carole's voice came clear. "Darling, you have no idea what a marvelous flight we had." She laughed, evidently delighted. "First class. The only way to fly. Don't you ever dare fly coach again, Beverly."

"Sure. Will do the next time I fly overseas in, I don't know, my next life, I guess."

"Oh, don't be such a bore! Don't you want me to spill the tea, girlfriend?"

She giggled. Giggled.

"Are you drunk, Mother?"

She sobered up. Nothing like reminding Carole of the maternity role she'd never wanted.

"Sweetheart, you are such a bore."

I put her on speaker and placed one of my unopened boxes on the counter while Carole talked nonstop about her marvelous, fantastic flight and the wonderful five-star hotel in Madrid.

My Lladro figurine lay wrapped in newspaper. Carefully, I unwrapped it and placed it on the counter. Crap, one of the fruits had broken off.

"Bobby and I are okay," I managed to say when she took a small pause. "The house's too old, though. I don't know if this is a good place for me."

The wind moaned, and the noisy branch thumped above.

"You haven't asked me a thing about Madrid," Carole complained. "Make sure to check the pictures I posted because they are a-ma-zing. I already have more than one hundred likes!"

"Thank heavens for the social media gods."

"Don't give me that snarky tone of yours. You need more good energy in your life, girlfriend. You need a man."

"Ugh, please."

"You do. And not that silly cowboy--"

"Gary's a friend. One of my best friends, actually. Since you're my girlfriend, then you certainly remember I've known him since the seventh grade."

LIGIA DE WIT writes fantasy romance adventures with heart, humor, and just the right dose of magic. A lifelong romantic with a soft spot for fairy tales and found family tropes, Ligia writes characters who are strong in more than just a physical sense. Her characters face fears, fight for themselves, and find love in the most unexpected places.

When she's not writing (or rewriting) her imaginary worlds, she works for a global distribution company and dreams up stories during lunch breaks. You'll often find her with her nose in a book, exploring a new city, hiking through forests, or acting like a total goof at theme parks. She's a proud kid at heart--and owns it.

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