Wear It Like A Crown Paperback – March 10, 2021

A prince is targeted in a blackmail scheme. A noble who was kicked out of his home and was homeless is part of the team to help the prince. What Prince Joshua doesn't know is that Leo and him went to school together and Leo had a crush on Prince Joshua. They clash in the beginning, come together and a 3rd act breakup that was needed.

I've read this novel twice now--the first time was at least a couple of years ago, long enough where I had forgotten the details (given that I read 6-8 MM romance novels a week); but I still recalled Leo's backstory. The romance is flawed but lovely, and Leo is a good MC with an interesting backstory. Leo's story isn't atypical amongst the MM romance characters, but it is unusual to see a character with such a backstory be the lead with someone who is second in line to the throne. The reason I can't give this book a higher rating is because of the problematic details regarding Prince Joshua and Leo that make me internally roll my eyes, taking me out of the story at various moments. Spoilers follow.Prince Joshua had maybe one official charity engagement during the entire story. Aside from that, he spent his days supposedly doing his own shopping, living his own life in his own apartment, cooking his own meals, attending the World Cup events, and hanging out with his friends. He doesn't seem to have the life of a working royal, someone who is second in line to the throne. As a result, he is a lackluster boring prince who seems to spend too much time lounging around. In addition, the attempt to make Prince Joshua appear more like an ordinary guy (the living in his own apartment off of royal property grounds, doing his own shopping, cooking and cleaning, etc.) doesn't mesh with the author's story. At one point, the author writes that there is a rabid PrinceWatch group with fans who stalk Prince Joshua, a group with "half a million followers" who are "obsessed with figuring out his every move." Supposedly this group caused the prince to move in the past. Yet we only read about one instance (after one appearance at a bar) on the page where PrinceWatch followers were getting close. Each time the prince wandered outside to go shopping I wondered whether someone will tweet his appearance or follow him home. (No one did.) When he opens the door to his apartment (instead of having someone else open it) I wonder if some member of the public had tracked him down. (Nope.) Does he have a bodyguard at all times? (No.) So we have a VIP royal character who doesn't behave like a VIP royal, and yet we're supposed to believe he really is a VIP royal (and not some distant relation to the throne).Details about Leo also contradict each other. For example, when the prince finally asked for a background check on Leo, and MI5 reported that "'There is no record of such a person[]'" I was so surprised. I was expecting MI5 to report that this Leo didn't appear until X number of years ago, or that Leo doesn't seem to have a history older than the year 20XX. That would make sense as I got the impression that Leo was working at a legit job (whose boss gets hired by the Queen!) earning a legal pay; I assumed that he had officially changed his name. How was he getting paid all those years without an official ID, a bank account, etc.? How was he renting an apartment? Then I thought perhaps he had been using his real name for all the official records, and only using his "new" last name (Graham) for work. But later the reader will learn that Leo hadn't officially changed his name. And on page 228 (68% Kindle) Leo thought about the first time he used Graham as his last name and how he "still remembered the first time he'd used it on an official form." So is MI5 in this world just incompetent--it can't find a record of a Leo Graham when official records have included that fake name?When I read a novel I like to immerse myself into that world--whether it be a contemporary setting involving royals, a small town setting involving middle class MCs, or a paranormal setting involving paranormal MCs. This author created characters who were supposed to have certain characteristics or done certain things, but then within the story itself the writing contradicted those characteristics/things. And each moment that happened I was jarred out of the story. I think these are details that a careful beta reader or editor could and should have caught for the author. Aside from these issues, I did find the overall writing compelling enough to go look for this author's other novels.

I came across this story after reading another of Zarah's works (Pull Me Under) and I already know this will be another story that I constantly revisit time and time again because both Leo's and Joshua's individual journeys throughout are both so completely captivating and moving.I particularly loved being able to watch Leo throughout the story. Seeing him transform from someone who was so closed off into someone who not only embraced the moments of vulnerability that came, but also feelings of love and kindness, was truly fantastic. His journey leaps off the pages and you can't help but empathize and relate to the emotions he's constantly feeling. These few sentences don't do Leo's journey justice, but, as a reader, you can really and truly connect with it and I loved how I could visualize it completely off the page. Leo is just a fascinating character with so many different facets that I wish I knew him as a real person.And Joshua! Seeing him as he fell in love with Leo was a truly wonderful experience. You hurt when he was hurting, but at the same time, you were lifted when he was happy. And also, with Joshua being part of the Royal family, there was a sense of connection and humanity in him that I feel was so dearly needed. Sometimes, it's hard to relate to those who don't have "normal" lives like most of us; people like celebrities, the Royal family, the rich. We see stories about them in the news so often, but yet they're still so out of reach. But, being able to see Joshua and feel this sense of humanity in him helps you realize that they're real people too because so many people forget that. Even though he's a fictional character, Joshua brings a sense of reality to the fact that even the rich and famous struggle sometimes, they fall in love, and chill out on the couch with their friends just like the rest of us. It's a breath of fresh air.Though, perhaps my most favorite thing about this story was being able to watch Leo and Joshua fall in love from the very beginning. We got to see the initial attraction, the flirting, the fights and misunderstandings, the love. You can see the moment of being attracted to someone at first glance as it takes the time to turn to love out in full force with Leo and Joshua on the pages and I LIVED for that. Being able to see it so clearly really brings that journey to life and the fact that Zarah doesn't shy away from the bad to just focus on the good makes when they finally figure everything out and get together so much more fulfilling.Plus, my two most favorite moments of the story were when Leo and Joshua individually realized that they were in love with one another. That "Oh" moment gets me every time and it didn't disappoint here either time.So, pick up this book and experience a breath of fresh air with this love story. You won't regret it.

Very enjoyable read... one of my favorite "opposites" stories... wants me to read more of this author!!!

I don't normally give 5 star reviews for books that have even minor editing mistakes (my brain is trained to notice even the slightest one) but there were so few and more importantly...This book was fantastic. I did not expect to laugh and cry and appreciate my friendships so damn much! I don't think there was a single emotion this book didn't evoke in me. I was doubtful I would continue reading this author, I try not to read too many female authors that write m/m but every now and then I find a true gem. Honestly wish there was more to this groups story. Nate and Mo intrigue me, I'd love to get the inner workings of Nate's mind. Plus I wouldn't mind some follow up of Leo and Joshua.