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A review by vixdag
Once Upon a Princess by Harper Bliss, Clare Lydon
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.