The Princess and the Paparazzi: A modern fairytale retelling of The Prince and the Pauper

by Ciara Blume

What if you could take the week off from your entire life?

Hard-working barista/photographer Kenna has always been told she looks just like former child star turned film-fatale, Lorelei Dupont. If only she had it as easy as a celeb! Kenna would love to trade her apron and mop for a chaise lounge and cabana, complete with Lorelei’s sexy costar as her pool boy. Spending some one-on-one time with Titanium Man superhero actor Rafe Barzilay seems like a fantasy-almost too good to be true.

Lorelei is sick of wearing wigs in public and pretending to be someone she’s not. She came to this small town to get away from Hollywood, but with the paparazzi in pursuit, she can’t relax. All she wants is one week to go shopping in sweatpants, join a book club, get in on a DND session, and get to know Noah, the compelling English teacher who moonlights as a beastly Dungeon Master.

A modern fairytale retelling of The Prince and the Pauper

These doppelgängers might look alike, but they’ve got nothing else in common. Or do they? Is it possible that their resemblance might be more than skin deep?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Retellings, Ebooks, Fiction, Rom Com

374 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2023

About the author

Ciara Blume writes fiction about characters who aren't willing to wait around for their happy endings. An award-winning author working from the edge of the California coast, she crafts stories that explore the magic of transformation, the art of reclaiming yourself, the complications of family and the chaos of starting over when the world expects you to stay put. The daily sight of the ocean makes her wonder: what lies beneath the surface, and what happens when you dive in?

For more information and news about Ciara’s upcoming releases, follow her on Amazon, visit her website at www.ciarablume.com or follow @ciarablumeauthor on instagram, tiktok and facebook.

Reviews

[Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Princess and the Paparazzi by Ciara Blume is the fourth book in her Lit Lovers Series, and is a modern retelling of The Prince and the Pauper. Kenna is a barista who knows exactly what coffee people need. Lorelei is a movie star. Both women are feeling trapped in their respective lives, so, after some prodding from Lorelei, they decide to switch places for a week.



Intrigued by their similar looks, Lorelei and Kenna take a DNA test . The resulrs will arrive at the end of the week, and they will see the results when they switch back. Hijicks ensue, characters will fall in love, and each woman will learn more about herself and the kind of person she wants to be.



Kenna and Lorelei are both interesting characters. Their reasons for switching lives make sense and doesn't feel contrived. Their growth through the novel also fits their unique personalities. This makes the story more compelling to read, and an enjoyable adventure.



This novel has a couple of (consensual) spicy scenes in it, so be aware of that. But the romantic relationships never overshadow the friendship blooming between Lorelei and Kenna, or the established relationships both characters have. The romances ultimately added to both Kenna and Lorelei's character growth in a positive way. The love interests are different, and the eventual pairings are perfect.



The ending also had a few fun twists. Blume gave us a satisfying conclusion that felt earned. The pieces all fit together beautifully, and didn't seem to come out of left field. She planted the seeds and readers got to watch them grow as they read.



Although it is part of a larger series, you can read this as a stand-alone novel. The other novels enhance the experience, and are similar in a lot of ways. This little town of Ephron is a delightfully quirky place with a lot of fun characters.



If you enjoy classic literature with a twist and a little steam, this is certainly a book to check out. It pays homage to nerd culture while also looking at what makes people uniquely themselves. Overall, it was a lot of fun.

[Ali W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, it was such an easy and entertaining read that had me completely hooked from start to finish. I honestly just loved everything about it, definitely one of my favourite reads so far this year, and would be fabulous as a book club read.

This was actually the first of the Lit Lovers series I have read, and I didn’t feel that I had missed out on not having read any previous books in the series … but of course now I have to read them all.

[Emma Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The princess and the paparazzi is a fun, rom-com novel by Ciara Blume.
I really enjoyed this fun novel and it had me hooked from the start. It was a very enjoyable read with a good mix of characters. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more by the author.
💖I received a arc copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️*Downloaded this book as a part of December 2023 Stuff Your Kindle Day*
So this is apparently Book 4 in the Lit Lovers series and I wish I would have known that going into this book because they really wanted to make sure we got EVERY DAMN EASTER EGG and I was just out of the loop. But this was a cute and standard rom com.

[Katja Presnal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!

Every Ciara’s book I read I tell myself “this is my favorite” after finishing it. But this really is my favorite. 😄

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is fun retelling of The Prince and the Pauper. Instead of a Prince, we have a weary famous actress, and in place of a pauper, as her doppelgänger we get a small town barista who is facing a wave of upheaval in her own life. Of course they decide to switch places so they can each have a vacation from their own lives. The story is told dual POV, from the perspectives of both female main characters. It was fun to see it unfold from both sides and to get two romances in one book. The switch was not without its hiccups, which kept it entertaining. Both Kenna and Lorelei were engaging main characters. There’s some intrigue surrounding their backgrounds too, which adds some depth to the story. The male main characters are also very interesting and very different from each other. The romances both progressed over a fairly short period of time and with different levels of contact, so I kind of appreciated that they were allowed to be at different levels. There are fun moments and some good banter. The secondary characters are entertaining too. I especially enjoyed Georgia in the alley. And Orly is adorable. This story works fine as a standalone, but there is some crossover of characters from the other books. This book is open door and steamy with frequent strong harsh language.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Came for a modern retelling of a classic fairy tale and stayed for the unexpected adoption story. This was a cute read and I liked it from the beginning, but as soon as they started talking about Gotcha days I was intrigued. It hit a little close to home since I’m adopted from China, and I could relate to Kenna looking through the family albums and finding photos taken with the families who traveled together to Russia to adopt their children. My mom got me in a similar adoption group, we have lots of photos from the orphanage, and I was pen pals with another girl who was adopted by another family to came on that group too. I was also abandoned on the street and found by the orphanage. Anyway I digress. Going back to the main story I also loved how they went to Disneyland and Disney bounded because I grew up going to Disney and I often Disney bound too, so it was so fun to read. The Lindsey Lohan remake of The Parent Trap was also one of my favorite movies growing up, so I loved that it was referenced so often and was a similar plot, but instead of the parents getting back together, it’s the girls who find their own lovers.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great addition to Blume's Lit Lovers series and while a part of a series, can easily be read as a standalone. A fun parent-trap storyline read with fun characters and a sweet HEA for all involved. Our main characters are Kenna and Lorelei. Kenna is from a small town and works herself ragged to help those she cares for. Lorelei is a famous actress in town for a play being produced...funny thing is that a lot of people think these two look an awful lot like each other and when they meet - it's like looking into a mirror - only not. Both long for things the other has and a swap is inevitable only - they are found out...by those who really should know and it's a delightful book of love and laughs with some angst and mystery. Told in dual points of view which was very well done. I did think that the love story was a bit rushed - I mean who falls in love like that BUT it's a fairytale read, and I loved it! Can't wait for more!

I received a free copy of this book via BookSprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marissa (Bookish City Gal) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I write this review as someone who did not realize this book was part of a series and has no backstory for the characters that may have been developed in other books. With that said…

Was this book good? Eh, I can’t really say that. Was it entertaining in a time where I needed something silly and totally made up? Absolutely. The story is the common romantic comedy trope of 2 similar looking people (one who has it all and one poor girl who likely works in the food industry) swap lives to see how the other half lives. Of course they both fall in love and have happy endings. These types of stories are predictable but that’s what makes them so popular for many. They are safe, expected and wildly optimistic. I think part of the turn off for me was just the quality of writing. It felt a little young and like the author wanted to imitate more developed authors like Emily Henry but lacked the finesse that Henry’s books have. Overall 2.5 stars and perfect for a quick reset or easy beach read.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this modern retelling of The Prince and the Pauper.

This is the fourth title in the Lit Lovers Series and I truly believe Ciara's storytelling improves with each title.

If you've read the previous titles, some of the supporting characters and two main characters, Kenna and Noah, will be familiar. The other two love interests, Lorelei and Rafe, were mentioned in a previous title.

The town of Ephron and the surrounding area sounds almost idyllic and each title expands the reader's glimpse into the community. I'm ready to pack my bags and visit the area where it is set!

The story is light and quick to read. Ciara's writing engages the reader and has you wanting more.

I am looking forward to reading the next title now to see how the last of the Lit Lovers podcast members finds love in his life.

[Evelyn V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Author Ciara Blume for the ARC! I am voluntarily leaving a review. What a fun,fun story! I love both Kenna and Lorelei. This is a sexy version of "The Parent Trap and I enjoyed every minute of it! When Kenna and Lorelei meet to face,they realize just how much they look like each other. Kenna can only dream of having the luxuries that Lorelei indulges in. Lorelei would love to just be able to go through a drive through without having paparazzi on her tail. A little weekend swap of identities wouldn't be so bad,right? When the lookalikes start to have feelings for men in their opposite lives,things start to get complicated. This was an enjoyable,sweet read and actually more emotional than I thought it would be.

[Brittany S · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Book review]
The Princess and the Paparazzi by Ciara Blume

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥

▪️if there was ever a perfect beach read, it's this.
▪️follows Lorelei, a Hollywood actress/former child star and Kenna, a small town girl trying to find her place. The women's paths cross and bc they look so alike, decide to switch places for a week
▪️gives Parent Trap/Prince and the Pauper vibes
▪️alternating points of view between Kenna and Lorelei
▪️love the character development throughout the book
▪️fast-paced but it doesn't impact the story
▪️I was a bit bummed that the epilogue went to Lorelei but then again, Kenna got the prologue.
▪️this was one of those books I finished way past bedtime because I couldn't put it down.
▪️I'd love to see more.i want to know more.
▪️ would be such a cute rom com film
▪️would definitely recommend

[Mary Manzanares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who hasn't dreamed of changing places with someone rich and famous? Even if only for a short period of time. While the grass isn't always greener on the other side, this changing places rom-com is full of surprises. It also touches on some real-life issues - foreign adoption, family disenfranchisement, learning disabilities, and family separation - weaving them into the story line in a way that felt authentic (not heavy).

The Lit Lovers crew is all back, and it was fun to keep up on how they're all living their happily ever after. Can't wait till the next book in this series. I'd love to spend my summer with these friends in Ephron.

(I received an ARC copy.)

[52kaosangel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story from Ciara Blume in this series.
I loved that the story centered around Kenna and Lorelei and their two very different experiences and how they end up switching identities and getting to live the other's lives. And I love that Kenna's bff knew immediately that Kenna wasn't Kenna.
I love that these two found each other the way that they did and the entire history that they already had with one another and how they found the family in each other.
Truly a heartwarming romcom.
Cannot wait for the next one in this series!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jackie Rakoski-Diediker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, I usually enjoy Rom-Coms plus I have already read the other books in this series so revisiting some core characters is always fun. What I really enjoyed about this book was all of the hijinks the main characters get into while playing the parts of each other. It really made the whole tale an enjoyable roller coaster - you never know when another's point of view might alter your own thoughts on someone else. Such a fun book and I'm already looking forward to the next one!

[Kindlelover 1220 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kenna dreams of a different life with no worries. Lorelei is a movie star who wants a normal life. Two seemingly identical strangers meet and they decide to switch places. Fun and chaotic events happen and makes their lives interesting. A fun romantic comedy story and a trading places trope. This was a fun and amusing story. The characters were entertaining and the plot was an enjoyable ride. A fun story from start to finish.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Madison Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5
I was sent this book as an advanced readers copy, and i absolutely adored this book!
There was no one boring moment the whole time, It capture my attention and kept it till the very end. I would 100% recommend that you read this book if you are looking for a cute little romance read. There was so many cute moments in here and a little bit of spice to top it all of!!!!
OK thats all...... i'm off to go read the rest of this series!

[Janet Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a modern-day romantic comedy with a fun mix of humor, diversity and spiciness….I loved it!
I loved meeting these well- developed characters (special bonus if you’ve met some of them in her previous books in the Lit Lovers series, but certainly not required!)
I especially appreciated the foray into the adoption world…handled with knowledge and sensitivity.
Highly recommend..easy, fun book and would be really good as a book club choice!

[Bookworm_acre · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be able to swap roles once in a lifetime, who doesn't sometimes dream of that? It's a nice and funny story about two women who switch roles for a certain period of time and get to know each other's lives. Rafe's daughter Orly is so adorable, I loved the interactions between Kenna and her.
Will there also be two happily ever after?
Find it out -it's an easy and fun book and I definitely can recommend it!

I received an ARC for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[GRivera23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw that this book was a prince and the pauper retelling, I was all for it. I love retellings. The book was captivating from the beginning and even though you can guess where it's going, there is not a dull moment. This book made me think a lot about the world of adulting as we know it. This is the second book, I believe, I've read from this author and I am looking forward to more. I have to go back and get book 2, I believe. Anyway, do yourself a favor and read this book.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. It had one of my favorite tropes (hello one bed!) and I had such high hopes, but it was hard for me to get into the story. While I really liked banter between the main characters, a lot of the plot felt disjointed, which made it hard to read. Some of the plot felt rushed which made it hard to believe. I can see why some would enjoy this fun romcom, though!
Thank you to the author giving me a free arc in exchange for an honest review✨

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was disappointing. All of these books are cutesy rom com types but this one didn’t work for me. I remember really enjoying Theater Lovers and the other ones were cute too. My problem with this one is it was a little disjointed and the romance didn’t build at all. When these people were just all of a sudden touching each other and making eyes, I thought I’d accidentally skipped some chapters. It came out of nowhere.

[Emily Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a super cute fluffy life swap story with just a hint of romance this one is for you. I liked the characters and the storyline. I'd say the romance kind of takes a back seat to the life swap part of the tale so its perfect for those who want low to no spice. I really enjoyed it. I can read the filthiest smut with a straight face but give me cutesy fluff and I'm giggling like a school girl.

[Cari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book! It kept my attention, made me want to keep reading and I laughed out loud a few times! Loved the references to Dungeons & Dragons, fruity pebbles in pancakes (which is SO good), Disney, and shelter dog rescue. Great book, thanks to ARC for advanced copy. Lorelei and Kenna were tons of fun and great characters!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This could be my favorite of the Lit Lovers Series so far! Kenna is a relatable, overworked young adult who is unlucky in love. She meets her doppelganger at Dean's theater and they pull a classic parent trap switch. Minus the parents. Kenna and Lorelei find more in each other's lives than they bargained for. I loved the addition of the backstory for these two characters, and unlike the other books in this series, there is no male perspective in this story which was kind of refreshing. I love the way that Ciara Blume writes her characters as interlocking pieces of a puzzle.

[Natasha Bovee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this take on The Prince and the Pauper set in the town and friend group I’ve come to love. This was such a different story from the rest of the Lit Lovers books because instead of being told from the perspectives of the two love interests you get the perspectives of the two females from the two sets of love interests. Their stories unfolded beautifully.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was such a fun concept for a romance-comedy, it had everything that I was hoping for. It worked well overall as a retelling of the Prince and the Pauper. I enjoyed the story going on and thought the characters were perfectly written. It left me wanting to read more in this series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cheryl Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was absolutely adorable from start to finish. The characters were wonderful and could really feel the chemistry between everyone. I started it as something light to read between heavier reads and I could not put it down. Super entertaining and I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series.

[Tiffany Ewald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love watching romcoms, but never in a million years did I think I could get into reading them! So glad I did and so glad it was with this author and book! She writes in a captivating way that kept the story light, fun, relatable even, but leaving quite a bit on edge so that you wanted to know what was going to happen next! I devoured this book in two days and cannot wait to get my hands on another book from her!

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witty and light-hearted story about two women who are unhappy with their lives and wish they were other people. Great characters in this story. Entertaining to follow along on their adventures. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.