Review: Jonathon, After All: Princes Take New York Book 1 by K. Sterling

Rating:  4.25🌈

From K Sterling’s forward:

“All the books in this series are meant to be modern adaptations of classic fairy tales with the primary focus on the king of all tropes: Prince Charming. He’s the king for me, at least. And if there is one thing that is consistent with Charming, it’s insta love. He believes in love at first sight and he is often blindly noble. Occasionally, to his and his true love’s detriment.”

Other classical elements of the Prince Charming fairy tale story are included.  A in-distress character who’s been wronged, knights,wicked stepmothers, etc, but all given a contemporary twist with the characters and storyline elements to make Jonathon, After All: Princes Take New York Book 1 a entertaining start to a new series.

The aspects of this story I absolutely loved were seeing the real relationship between Jonathon and his formidable aunt Muriel.  In the preceding series and stories, both Jonathon and his intimidating Aunt Muriel, and her apricot poodle, had by their own accounts here, given a very different,  oftentimes off putting impression.  But here we see and understand the truth of the matter.  That they love each other and Aunt Muriel has always been Jonathon’s most loyal supporter, even when she hasn’t understood his actions. 

Sterling presents an older, mischievous, highly intelligent woman, one determined to make sure that her beloved nephew is taken care of and safe.  If you can’t tell, I’d be throughly thrilled with a novel about Muriel , Tilly (her devoted staff), and that poodle as the go invest things!

And add in Jonathon, who has a great, wounded backstory, but a loving history with Muriel and that building that they live in Manhattan, well, I’m totally invested in this family. It gets better when Jonathon meets and is “acquired” as part of the Nanny found family by Riley and Giles.  Again, another superb pairing and part of the story.  Beautiful work with in this narrative, and so great to see this family again.

Only the romance was a little less developed for me.  I think this has to do with how the flashbacks were worked into the present day storyline.  For me, the transitions weren’t particularly smooth between the decade they met and the time now when Leo is trying to figure out what happened and get Jonathon back.

It’s too jumbled and it takes away from the story as it’s happening now between them.  The best part is all about Jonathon. Then separately about Leo.  It’s not until later that any real new relationship can begin again. And reasonably, a decade and a lot of misdeeds have happened.

More development would have been nice for them both afterwards and a better cohesive format for the flashbacks to really make this relationship stronger than it comes across.  Especially with the kink and their background.

I’m looking forward to reading the new books in the series and hopefully Aunt Muriel pops up again to save the day in some way. What an amazing character and turnaround! I adore her so much!

A definite recommendation.

Nannies of New York (6 book series) and must read. 

Princes Take New York (connected and sequel series):

• Jonathon, After All #1

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Blurb

What do you say to the man who took your virginity, broke your heart, and ruined your life?

For ten years, Jonathon hid his pain, acting out in ridiculous ways in hopes that one day, his prince would rescue him. But when the day finally came, it was too little, too late after being pushed at and rejected by every eligible bachelor in Manhattan.

Leopold, the new Margrave of Hessen, was the gala’s guest of honor but he didn’t give a damn until he spotted the love of his life at the bar. After nearly a decade apart, Leo’s delight quickly turns into confusion when he’s doused by a cocktail and Jonathon flees the gala.

What happened, all those years ago in Austria? And what went wrong? Both men must confront the truth about their secret, month-long affair and break the spell that’s kept them apart. Is it too late for them to turn back the clock, or will Jonathon get his happily ever after, after all?

A spin-off of K. Sterling’s Nannies of New York series, Jonathan, After All is a contemporary fairytale romance about a young artist hiding a broken heart behind an influencer persona, and a valiant, misguided prince trying to save the world from climate change. There’s meddling family and staff, a metaphorical tower, a wicked aunt, and two lovers separated by an evil spell.

• Publisher: Bawdy Books (August 20, 2024)
• Publication date: August 20, 2024
• Language: English
• Print length: 303 pages