Scan barcode
gmamartha's review against another edition
2.0
cute. It's true that gaining confidence in one part of your life can rub off in other applications.
ameliabiblio's review against another edition
5.0
This was an awesome book! I can't wait to read the second one!
shhchar's review against another edition
5.0
This book was really cute. It was definitely a junky and quick read. There were definitely some cheesy scenes--and an overuse of abbreviations. But I see a good series coming out of it, and can't wait to read the next one!
kelsyfitzgerald's review against another edition
5.0
Y’all don’t come for me. I found this on my bookshelf while I was going through books I read in middle school and I remembered LOVING this book, so I decided to read it real quick again
meme_too2's review against another edition
1.0
Not sure why I read this. This was worst than what little I expected. For very young girls, maybe it could be fun. Does not translate into adult cuteness.
reddyrat's review against another edition
5.0
Princess For Hire is 240 pages of pure, unadulterated cuteness. If you want a book that will bring a smile to your face and brighten up a tough day, you need to pick up this book.
Desi Bascomb is a nobody. First off, she lives in nowheres-ville Idaho. She's not the beauty queen her mom wishes her to be. Her former best friend hates her because Desi's dad got her dad sent to prison. Her crush, the handsome, most popular boy in school doesn't know she exists. And to add insult to injury, she has to dress up in a groundhog costume for her job at the pet store.
It's understandable that Desi jumps at the opportunity to be someone when Meredith shows up, tells her she has Magic Potential, and offers her the opportunity to be a substitute princess.
Desi really makes this book. Despite having the typical low self-esteem of a normal teenager, Desi is independent, brave, and outspoken. She always has a question in mind and is willing to speak up when something isn't right (except around her classmates). I also loved her hobbies - classic movies and designing T-shirts - refreshingly different for YA characters.
The plot is adorable. Being able to magically transform into a princess look-alike just with the application of "Royal Rouge" sounds like it would be stupid, but Leavitt makes it work. She establishes a world where the idea of Royal Rouge seems believable - or at least has a well thought out creation story. I loved meeting all the different princes and princesses, seeing their different personalities, and their different lives.
It was great seeing how Desi reacted to her princess's lives. Not content to just play pretend, Desi tries to make things better. It's totally in keeping with her personality, but perhaps not what Facade Academy has in mind for its Subs. Creates conflict. It was also nice to see how Desi changed as a girl through living her princess's lives. If you can stick up for yourself when you're pretending to be someone else, maybe you can stick up for yourself too.
While the plot itself is original, the direction of the story isn't overly surprising. Also, a few characters such as Meredith and Lilith were a bit too cardboard for me. The flaws aren't a big deal though. When I started Princess for Hire, I expected a cute, sweet book that would follow a relatively predictable path and that's what I got. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Rating: 4 / 5
Desi Bascomb is a nobody. First off, she lives in nowheres-ville Idaho. She's not the beauty queen her mom wishes her to be. Her former best friend hates her because Desi's dad got her dad sent to prison. Her crush, the handsome, most popular boy in school doesn't know she exists. And to add insult to injury, she has to dress up in a groundhog costume for her job at the pet store.
It's understandable that Desi jumps at the opportunity to be someone when Meredith shows up, tells her she has Magic Potential, and offers her the opportunity to be a substitute princess.
Desi really makes this book. Despite having the typical low self-esteem of a normal teenager, Desi is independent, brave, and outspoken. She always has a question in mind and is willing to speak up when something isn't right (except around her classmates). I also loved her hobbies - classic movies and designing T-shirts - refreshingly different for YA characters.
The plot is adorable. Being able to magically transform into a princess look-alike just with the application of "Royal Rouge" sounds like it would be stupid, but Leavitt makes it work. She establishes a world where the idea of Royal Rouge seems believable - or at least has a well thought out creation story. I loved meeting all the different princes and princesses, seeing their different personalities, and their different lives.
It was great seeing how Desi reacted to her princess's lives. Not content to just play pretend, Desi tries to make things better. It's totally in keeping with her personality, but perhaps not what Facade Academy has in mind for its Subs. Creates conflict. It was also nice to see how Desi changed as a girl through living her princess's lives. If you can stick up for yourself when you're pretending to be someone else, maybe you can stick up for yourself too.
While the plot itself is original, the direction of the story isn't overly surprising. Also, a few characters such as Meredith and Lilith were a bit too cardboard for me. The flaws aren't a big deal though. When I started Princess for Hire, I expected a cute, sweet book that would follow a relatively predictable path and that's what I got. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Rating: 4 / 5
webz's review against another edition
4.0
Okay I just read this over again for the third time and have decided that I just HAVE to write a review about it! I don't usually read books over again once I've read them once (there's so many books out there to read that I haven't read yet!) but I've been pretty desperate to get my hands on a good book and so I've chosen to read this book (that I own) over again. And I was not disappointed! In fact I liked this book even more than I did from reading it again (the third time). I love the main character, Desi, and how you feel like you can totally relate to her. She just seems so real! I love that I've never read a book that has something like THIS going on, where the "ordinary" girl gets to sub for a royal! I love that Desi wants to make a real impact in the lives of all the royals she subs for (contrary to the traditions of Facade) and really....I just love this whole book! The situations Desi gets put in are crazy, and you enjoy every second of them! I also like how the characters seem to have their own distinct personalities. And I love the romance (although there isn't actually all that much romance *pouts* but what little there is IS AWESOME! I'm a sucker for a good healthy dose of puppy love!) in here! Desi really changed (technical term is developed.... :p ) throughout the book. She went from an insecure girl who felt like she was vapor to a confident I-can-make-an-impact girl! GO DESI! And yes, I'm gonna start reading the other 2 books in the series ( they're just sitting on my shelf waiting for me :) ) And so....until the next review...byezies!
cathyatratedreads's review against another edition
3.0
Cute little book. Some YA books are great for adults, too, but I'd say this one is more in the line of just for tweens. Doesn't take away from its delightfulness, but I don't think I'll be wanting to just read all of the books that come out after this one. I would, however, recommend it to any tween/teen girl who loves princesses and would like something fun to read.
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com: https://ratedreads.com/princess-for-hire-clean-young-adult-book-review/
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com: https://ratedreads.com/princess-for-hire-clean-young-adult-book-review/
serenitylive's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! You want a book to put you in an interesting world, and this one puts you in several. And I loved Desi's journey toward greater confidence and the gift she was given to see her own life from a wider perspective. Beautiful. I wish I'd had it to read as a preteen.
phillygirljl's review against another edition
3.0
Princess For Hire by Lindsay Leavitt is a light and charming read that will appeal to tweens, teens and even adults who are fans of Disney. The main character, Desi, discovers she has magical powers and is chosen to fill in for princesses who need a break from their royal duties. Readers will laugh at the predicaments that Desi finds herself in and cheer for her as she stands up for herself and for the princesses she is standing in for.