Striking

by Bella Matthews

Review

I’ll admit I haven’t read the other books in this series, and while there were some moments that hinted at past relationships between characters, it didn’t feel like it held me back from enjoying this story on its own. The plot is a classic “royal meets commoner” romance, complete with a quick wedding, but I really appreciated how the heroine didn’t lose herself in the royal lifestyle. She managed to hold on to who she was, her education, and her career ambitions, finding a way to blend her personal goals with her new life in the palace. That balance made the story feel fresh and empowering, rather than just a fairy tale fantasy.

What surprised me most was how this book flipped the typical romance dynamics a bit—it’s very much a “he falls first” story with insta-love vibes, and it worked beautifully. It was exactly the kind of story I needed at this moment: light, fun, and engaging, with characters I could root for. Overall, I genuinely enjoyed my time in this world and found it impossible to put down.