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adeselnaferreira's review
1.0
ARC provided by the Publisher through Netgalley for an honest review
I found that in a series of 12 novella, not enjoying one is normal. Actually I am surprised that I haven't only given one star so far given that this is series of Christian novellas. However, this one was a big nono :(
The beginning started off a little shaky but I understood the conflict and it seemed like a fair good one... until the author lost track of what she wanted to tell.
Susanna was for 80% of the time weak because the author wanted her to be like that for plot convenience, Nathaniel was cliche and a lousy king to be pretty honest, even the citizens of Brighton were stupid.
The beginning was all right but soon the author understood that the conflict was self-caused by the protagonist (with good reason! Giving up your citizenship because the law demands so is kinda stupid if you are marrying a king who can change the law! I mean, he's the king, if he has no power then he might as well just give up) and that she couldn't keep it much longer.
The absence of feelings was also harsh, the book was about identity, who you are and how can love affect that, but it all seemed pointless. Susanna overreacts and acts in a childish way (I still believe it was for plot convenience), their first night as a wedding couple was dry of feelings. They marry, they go to a cottage, she blushes and forgets it's their wedding night (is she a teenager?) and then... they wake up the next day with Susanna telling him they have to attend some lunch.
I understand this is a Christian romance, I do. But they were married, a sentence with a metaphor regarding sex would be lovely, you don't need to write complex erotica in order for a sex scene to be sweet. But the lack of emotion after their wedding was surprisingly a let down.
The religious part was unnecessary, she already knew she loved Nathan and that she was going to give it all up, so the preachy scenes and "God give me strength" was just really unnecessary. Susanna was def. NOT weak when she was thinking and rationalizing and being realistic, I liked her when she was like that, but when she got all preachy she sounded like a fool. I understand that she asked for God when she was in doubt, but when she had that talk with the reverend, she had it all sorted out.
The ending was also a last minute conflict: oh wait we need one more conflict before we finish that will be sorted out rather quickly because it's a stupid conflict... and guess what: it's all sorted out in a single page because yes, it was a stupid conflict... I am with Susanna on this one: how did he
become Prime-minister? (Also the author has a some terrible notions about politics and laws, but I also agree that they were stupid because they were only there for plot convenience).
Also the citizens are also a bunch of a**holes!
I give 1 star (GoodReads) because each book of the series has a great message in the end (love will find you whenever you least expect, never give love up especially in hard times, trust the person you love, don't let religion take over your life) but the message in this novella was: it's alright to give up EVERYTHING you are for love... and that is not a good message at all.
I found that in a series of 12 novella, not enjoying one is normal. Actually I am surprised that I haven't only given one star so far given that this is series of Christian novellas. However, this one was a big nono :(
The beginning started off a little shaky but I understood the conflict and it seemed like a fair good one... until the author lost track of what she wanted to tell.
Susanna was for 80% of the time weak because the author wanted her to be like that for plot convenience, Nathaniel was cliche and a lousy king to be pretty honest, even the citizens of Brighton were stupid.
The beginning was all right but soon the author understood that the conflict was self-caused by the protagonist (with good reason! Giving up your citizenship because the law demands so is kinda stupid if you are marrying a king who can change the law! I mean, he's the king, if he has no power then he might as well just give up) and that she couldn't keep it much longer.
The absence of feelings was also harsh, the book was about identity, who you are and how can love affect that, but it all seemed pointless. Susanna overreacts and acts in a childish way (I still believe it was for plot convenience), their first night as a wedding couple was dry of feelings. They marry, they go to a cottage, she blushes and forgets it's their wedding night (is she a teenager?) and then... they wake up the next day with Susanna telling him they have to attend some lunch.
I understand this is a Christian romance, I do. But they were married, a sentence with a metaphor regarding sex would be lovely, you don't need to write complex erotica in order for a sex scene to be sweet. But the lack of emotion after their wedding was surprisingly a let down.
The religious part was unnecessary, she already knew she loved Nathan and that she was going to give it all up, so the preachy scenes and "God give me strength" was just really unnecessary. Susanna was def. NOT weak when she was thinking and rationalizing and being realistic, I liked her when she was like that, but when she got all preachy she sounded like a fool. I understand that she asked for God when she was in doubt, but when she had that talk with the reverend, she had it all sorted out.
The ending was also a last minute conflict: oh wait we need one more conflict before we finish that will be sorted out rather quickly because it's a stupid conflict... and guess what: it's all sorted out in a single page because yes, it was a stupid conflict... I am with Susanna on this one: how did he
become Prime-minister? (Also the author has a some terrible notions about politics and laws, but I also agree that they were stupid because they were only there for plot convenience).
Also the citizens are also a bunch of a**holes!
I give 1 star (GoodReads) because each book of the series has a great message in the end (love will find you whenever you least expect, never give love up especially in hard times, trust the person you love, don't let religion take over your life) but the message in this novella was: it's alright to give up EVERYTHING you are for love... and that is not a good message at all.
janeeyre_914716's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
When I saw this was a short story continuation of Rachel Hauck's book ONCE UPON A PRINCE, I knew I had to pick that one up first before this one since I knew I probably wouldn't have liked this as much after listening to the main story. I do have to say it was worth it and all I can say is Prince/King Nathaniel is one hopeless romantic and just wow! Loved to have this written of his and Susannah's wedding! *heart eyes*
beyondevak's review
5.0
A March Bride stole my heart. It was a perfect princess story, in more ways than one. It's the story of an American girl who meets a foreign royal, falls in love with him, has doubts and insecurities related to their relationship, but gets something more than a happily ever after in the end.
I loved the dynamics and movement of this story. It was sweet and simple. It had a charm about it that was easily seen even from the beginning. It was a story that spoke of faith, family, and friendship. It touched on trials and challenges. Ultimately, it pointed to God in a very big way.
This book would be an excellent book club read. I highly recommend it.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Bookshelf Worthy: Yes
Re-read: Absolutely!
A complimentary copy of this title was made available by the author and publisher in exchange for an honest review. The words I have expressed are my own.
I loved the dynamics and movement of this story. It was sweet and simple. It had a charm about it that was easily seen even from the beginning. It was a story that spoke of faith, family, and friendship. It touched on trials and challenges. Ultimately, it pointed to God in a very big way.
This book would be an excellent book club read. I highly recommend it.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Bookshelf Worthy: Yes
Re-read: Absolutely!
A complimentary copy of this title was made available by the author and publisher in exchange for an honest review. The words I have expressed are my own.
a_ab's review
DNF at 55%. Ridiculous and preachy nonsense that keeps getting worse and worse as the book goes on. The writing is horrible, too.
novelesque_life's review
3.0
2.5 STARS
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).
"Susanna has found her true prince, and their happily ever after is just around the corner. But when Nate asks her to give up something precious to her, Susanna can't help but wonder if it's a sign that their love is not meant to be.
Susanna Truitt (Once Upon A Prince) is three weeks from royalty. She'll soon marry King Nathaniel II of Brighton Kingdom. But when the government insists she renounce her American citizenship before the wedding, coupled with the lack of involvement by family and friends, Susanna's heart begins to doubt whether this marriage is God's plan for her.
Nathaniel would do anything for his bride-to-be. But he knows his position requires that she give up a lot to be with him. Her life will never be her own-right down to her very identity. When she travels home to St. Simon's Island, Georgia, right before the wedding, Nathaniel fears she won't return. Gathering his courage, he devises a plan to win his bride all over again, and together they seek out a kingdom to treasure above all." (From Amazon).
I am really getting disenchanted with this series...I will read up to May as per my commitment.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).
"Susanna has found her true prince, and their happily ever after is just around the corner. But when Nate asks her to give up something precious to her, Susanna can't help but wonder if it's a sign that their love is not meant to be.
Susanna Truitt (Once Upon A Prince) is three weeks from royalty. She'll soon marry King Nathaniel II of Brighton Kingdom. But when the government insists she renounce her American citizenship before the wedding, coupled with the lack of involvement by family and friends, Susanna's heart begins to doubt whether this marriage is God's plan for her.
Nathaniel would do anything for his bride-to-be. But he knows his position requires that she give up a lot to be with him. Her life will never be her own-right down to her very identity. When she travels home to St. Simon's Island, Georgia, right before the wedding, Nathaniel fears she won't return. Gathering his courage, he devises a plan to win his bride all over again, and together they seek out a kingdom to treasure above all." (From Amazon).
I am really getting disenchanted with this series...I will read up to May as per my commitment.
jennfgarcia's review
5.0
This is a another installment in "A Year of Weddings" and it was fabulous. Modern day European King marrying an American with their wedding only three weeks away. The King had to petition Parliament for the right to marry a foreigner and once he has that right, the government then comes up with another stipulation. This causes a kink in their relationship and perhaps a wedding cancelation. You'll have to read to see if they can work it out. ;)
I love these installments, as they are all so very different but, of course, revolve around weddings.
The author put together a very good short story that fits well with the wedding theme. It was quite creative and romantic. I truly enjoyed the characters and plan on looking into the book this was a follow up to: Once Upon a Prince.
If you are a romantic at heart, enjoy short stories, and wedding these books are for you.
I love these installments, as they are all so very different but, of course, revolve around weddings.
The author put together a very good short story that fits well with the wedding theme. It was quite creative and romantic. I truly enjoyed the characters and plan on looking into the book this was a follow up to: Once Upon a Prince.
If you are a romantic at heart, enjoy short stories, and wedding these books are for you.
alids's review
1.0
Whomp whomp....
This is basically the Christian version of the royal we and I didn't like either one so...
This is basically the Christian version of the royal we and I didn't like either one so...
wintermote's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
A romantic person or someone who had read the book the book where they fall in love would enjoyed it.
xakyr's review
4.0
This book was a direct follow up to [b:Once Upon a Prince|16164030|Once Upon a Prince (Royal Wedding, #1)|Rachel Hauck|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1354639615s/16164030.jpg|22007254] by the same author. It was a nice bridge over to [b:Princess Ever After|18224923|Princess Ever After (Royal Wedding, #2)|Rachel Hauck|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1374859637s/18224923.jpg|25377177]. I liked how it showcased all the doubts that can creep up on a couple on their journey to getting married. It made the characters more real to me and their relationship more realistic. It was a cute and short read that I really enjoyed.