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vixdag's review
4.0
Once Upon a Princess by Clare Lyndon and Harper Bliss is a delightful story about a royal princess who falls in love with a commoner with a few interesting twists on the theme.
Princess Olivia, (or “Charlie” to the men and women in her military unit) is home from serving her country and her mother, the Queen of England, has decided it is time for Olivia to settle down and get married. The Queen has made peace with the fact that her second born is a lesbian, but if she is going to be married, it is going to be to the “right” kind of woman. Olivia finds herself engaged to ex-girlfriend and social climber, Jemima. They have made their engagement official via royal press conference, but there is one catch. Olivia does not love Jemima and hates that this relationship is a sham. Reluctantly, Olivia’s mother, the Queen, has let Olivia escape to one of their family homes so that Olivia can get her head straight (no pun intended).
Charlie loves the family estate in Cornwall. On her first morning there, she settles into a homey little café for breakfast. Enter Rosie, the café’s young owner who is as charming as she is lovely. The two women build a fast friendship. Olivia is enchanted by Rosie’s spontaneity and resourcefulness. Rosie is everything that Olivia cannot be when she is in her royal environment. Rosie is equally drawn to “Charlie”. Rosie finds her to be kind and generous by nature and just a little bit familiar looking. The two women spend as much time as they can together, both knowing that Charlie is only in town for a very short stay. As this is a romance, their feelings begin to turn romantic, but Charlie knows that nothing can come of it because she is about to be married. Is there a future for this mismatched couple?
Both Charlie and Rosie are very likable characters. Rosie is the type of character that you can’t help routing for because she has had some really hard knocks in life. Charlie is very relatable. She is much more comfortable when she is simply Charlie and not Princess Olivia. Their mutual attraction seems natural and not forced. There dialogue is witty and sincere. Every now and again, Lydon’s hilarious wit wiggles it’s way into their quick banter.
The book is told from both character’s point of view which makes getting to know them very easy. We get to see and feel the spectrum of emotions they cycle through as they try and keep their relationship platonic. The authors do a great job in creating a very vibrant cast of supporting players. Charlie’s mother, the Queen, is exceptionally unlikable and Rosie’s ex-girlfriend, Amy is a close second.
This is the very essence of a feel-good romance and it has just the right amount of drama to it to keep you turning the pages into the wee hours of the night.
I was given an ARC of this book by the authors in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Princess Olivia, (or “Charlie” to the men and women in her military unit) is home from serving her country and her mother, the Queen of England, has decided it is time for Olivia to settle down and get married. The Queen has made peace with the fact that her second born is a lesbian, but if she is going to be married, it is going to be to the “right” kind of woman. Olivia finds herself engaged to ex-girlfriend and social climber, Jemima. They have made their engagement official via royal press conference, but there is one catch. Olivia does not love Jemima and hates that this relationship is a sham. Reluctantly, Olivia’s mother, the Queen, has let Olivia escape to one of their family homes so that Olivia can get her head straight (no pun intended).
Charlie loves the family estate in Cornwall. On her first morning there, she settles into a homey little café for breakfast. Enter Rosie, the café’s young owner who is as charming as she is lovely. The two women build a fast friendship. Olivia is enchanted by Rosie’s spontaneity and resourcefulness. Rosie is everything that Olivia cannot be when she is in her royal environment. Rosie is equally drawn to “Charlie”. Rosie finds her to be kind and generous by nature and just a little bit familiar looking. The two women spend as much time as they can together, both knowing that Charlie is only in town for a very short stay. As this is a romance, their feelings begin to turn romantic, but Charlie knows that nothing can come of it because she is about to be married. Is there a future for this mismatched couple?
Both Charlie and Rosie are very likable characters. Rosie is the type of character that you can’t help routing for because she has had some really hard knocks in life. Charlie is very relatable. She is much more comfortable when she is simply Charlie and not Princess Olivia. Their mutual attraction seems natural and not forced. There dialogue is witty and sincere. Every now and again, Lydon’s hilarious wit wiggles it’s way into their quick banter.
The book is told from both character’s point of view which makes getting to know them very easy. We get to see and feel the spectrum of emotions they cycle through as they try and keep their relationship platonic. The authors do a great job in creating a very vibrant cast of supporting players. Charlie’s mother, the Queen, is exceptionally unlikable and Rosie’s ex-girlfriend, Amy is a close second.
This is the very essence of a feel-good romance and it has just the right amount of drama to it to keep you turning the pages into the wee hours of the night.
I was given an ARC of this book by the authors in exchange for a fair and honest review.
torialovesbooks's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
jcirne's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
_mazx's review
funny
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
panichistory's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars rounded down.
March 1, 2019: coming back to this over 6 months later to add: Royals by Lorde is a TERRIBLE karaoke song. It's a great song don't get me wrong, but not for karaoke!
March 1, 2019: coming back to this over 6 months later to add: Royals by Lorde is a TERRIBLE karaoke song. It's a great song don't get me wrong, but not for karaoke!
mollypearlman's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mxphoebesviewpoint's review against another edition
4.0
A runaway princess sounds almost too good to be true, especially when one is too busy falling in love.
Olivia Charlton has been many things: a soldier, a sister, a daughter, a lover, oh and a princess. Now she is being forced to marry an ex-lover who her mother the Queen approves of. Except Olivia is not in love with Jem and vice verse.
Olivia asks her parents for time away to get her thoughts together. She is granted a short reprieve to stay at their family home in Cornwall. Enter her alter ego, Charlie the name she used when she was in the Army. Charlie is laid back, has copper colored hair, and wears glasses.
Charlie also promptly meets café owner Rosie Perkins. Rosie is down-to-earth, hard-working, and has a fantastic butt. Charlie and her hit it off and cannot seem to keep their eyes off each other and soon find themselves spending all their time together. Too soon, Charlie’s time comes to an end just as her two worlds are about to collide with Rosie getting broadsided by more than love.
Clare Lydon and Harper Bliss team up to write Once Upon A Princess (LadyLit, B07D81VYXH, 2018). “A Princess and a Gentlewoman” is what Olivia should be called as she does not cross the line in the process of falling in love with Rosie. She tries to respect everyone’s wishes, except for her own. Lydon and Bliss create two strong women who believe in standing by family and only through falling in love with each other do they grow.
(laugh) I sound a little mushy don’t I? The story is a little fairy talish and that is why it works. Every girl wants a Princess who is flawed, but is also a hero. A soldier who also can pick china patterns. (laugh). (I can’t do this - sorry ladies.) Rosie and Charlie work together and make you want to root for them and if they can’t be together, you root for them individually.
Lydon and Bliss create a town and a set of side characters that make you want to root for everyone - even the horrible ex-lover. Hopefully they come together and write something for her who can sing karaoke. You will enjoy the trip to Cornwall - I did and I want Lydon and Bliss to take me back there and you will too.
Olivia Charlton has been many things: a soldier, a sister, a daughter, a lover, oh and a princess. Now she is being forced to marry an ex-lover who her mother the Queen approves of. Except Olivia is not in love with Jem and vice verse.
Olivia asks her parents for time away to get her thoughts together. She is granted a short reprieve to stay at their family home in Cornwall. Enter her alter ego, Charlie the name she used when she was in the Army. Charlie is laid back, has copper colored hair, and wears glasses.
Charlie also promptly meets café owner Rosie Perkins. Rosie is down-to-earth, hard-working, and has a fantastic butt. Charlie and her hit it off and cannot seem to keep their eyes off each other and soon find themselves spending all their time together. Too soon, Charlie’s time comes to an end just as her two worlds are about to collide with Rosie getting broadsided by more than love.
Clare Lydon and Harper Bliss team up to write Once Upon A Princess (LadyLit, B07D81VYXH, 2018). “A Princess and a Gentlewoman” is what Olivia should be called as she does not cross the line in the process of falling in love with Rosie. She tries to respect everyone’s wishes, except for her own. Lydon and Bliss create two strong women who believe in standing by family and only through falling in love with each other do they grow.
(laugh) I sound a little mushy don’t I? The story is a little fairy talish and that is why it works. Every girl wants a Princess who is flawed, but is also a hero. A soldier who also can pick china patterns. (laugh). (I can’t do this - sorry ladies.) Rosie and Charlie work together and make you want to root for them and if they can’t be together, you root for them individually.
Lydon and Bliss create a town and a set of side characters that make you want to root for everyone - even the horrible ex-lover. Hopefully they come together and write something for her who can sing karaoke. You will enjoy the trip to Cornwall - I did and I want Lydon and Bliss to take me back there and you will too.