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

2.0

TWs: Homophobia, emotional manipulation, death of parents (not on page).

2.5 stars

This was my final read for F/F February and although fun, it was a little predictable, and the plot wasn't very original. Unfortunately it was a bit of a 'painting by numbers' affair, with all the tropes and twists happening exactly as I expected them to.

A princess goes for countryside break to get away from her family and impending engagement. She meets a stranger and starts to fall for her. The stranger doesn't know who she is but starts to fall for her too. There's a big reveal and all hell breaks loose. It's exactly what you'd expect from a secret-royal-identity type novel, so in one sense readers are getting what they came for. But there was nothing innovative or different to what I've read before so I didn't find it very exciting or engaging.

I did enjoy the queer romance but I found the characters a little tame and lacking in personality. They felt a bit one-dimensional and this seems to be a recurring theme in the adult romance books I've read this year. I feel like sometimes, romance authors go light on personality and heavy on romantic scenes, and I'd like a bit more of a balance between both (that's just me though, maybe I'm being fussy).

Despite this, it was an easy book to read and I flew through it on audio. It was fun and I enjoyed the happy ending, but ultimately I don't think it'll have a lasting impact, sadly.