I would have liked more oomph behind her character with more motivations and backstory. She makes brash decisions, and does not question much.

What left me wanting more: Hollis comes across as one-dimensional, very naive, and sometimes foolish. This is the biggest strength of the read in that it is interesting and does keep the reader guessing until the end. It is certainly engaging enough to keep reading until the end. It's very clean with only a few kisses, and so this would appeal to younger readers as an early romantic read. Combined with the characterizations, this book feels appropriate for a younger (middle grade, maybe) audience. What I loved: The book moves very quickly, and the pacing is fast. As this trip continues, Hollis begins to realize that being queen is not everything she had hoped it would be. It continues when foreign royalty visit, and Hollis accompanies Jameson as he hosts the other King and Queen. Jameson begins giving Hollis a chance to make decisions with him when they receive a foreign family seeking asylum.

While other courtiers think she may be too young and naive to fill the role of queen, Hollis wants to prove them wrong- and Jameson (king) wants to do the same. He sends her lavish gifts and they spend little time together, but Hollis thinks she is prepared to marry him and wear the crown. Although the King has flirted with other ladies, they have been passing fancies, and Hollis is the latest to catch his eye. THE BETROTHED is a YA romance that follows Hollis, a young woman who has her eyes on the crown.

The betrothed kiera cass book 2