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Regency and Rivalry #4
The Inconsequential Princess
She was happy with a private life, but Princess Bethany is on the brink of walking back into the royal fold in the grandest way possible…
The Inconsequential Princess picks up nearly a decade after where A House Divided left off. Princess Bethany, having left royal life, is now living in Paris. A pianist and composer, she spends her days like a private citizen, surrounded by artists and writers. When she meets and falls for a new man, she hardly expects to be pulled back into royal orbit. Bethany struggles to ignore the persistent Prince who worships the ground she walks on, even as she wishes to keep life the same. Meanwhile, back in London, her family deals with their own scandals. The Queen struggles to reconcile with her sister over her niece’s complicated and scandalous divorce. Tensions with Robbie and the other Lyons siblings continue to simmer. As conflict boils over and Bethany’s love life takes center stage, how will the Lyons family cope?
The Inconsequential Princess picks up nearly a decade after where A House Divided left off. Princess Bethany, having left royal life, is now living in Paris. A pianist and composer, she spends her days like a private citizen, surrounded by artists and writers. When she meets and falls for a new man, she hardly expects to be pulled back into royal orbit. Bethany struggles to ignore the persistent Prince who worships the ground she walks on, even as she wishes to keep life the same. Meanwhile, back in London, her family deals with their own scandals. The Queen struggles to reconcile with her sister over her niece’s complicated and scandalous divorce. Tensions with Robbie and the other Lyons siblings continue to simmer. As conflict boils over and Bethany’s love life takes center stage, how will the Lyons family cope?
361 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2023
4 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Maude Winters
33 books79 followersMaude Winters is a romance author who writes cozy and spicy fiction. She’s a horse girl through-and-through and lives in the Midwest with her husband, horse girl daughter, and two dogs.
Maude has lived throughout the world but attributes her interest in writing about the intersection of modern politics, feminism, and royalty with her time spent in the UK as a twenty-something.
Maude has lived throughout the world but attributes her interest in writing about the intersection of modern politics, feminism, and royalty with her time spent in the UK as a twenty-something.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 6, 2023
I received a copy of this book on book sirens to review, but my thoughts about it are entirely my own and I have not been paid in any way for my review.
To say that I have been enjoying the series Regency and Rivalry by Maude Winters is an understatement. The first two books in the series: 'London Season' and 'The Queen's Conundrum' have been two extremely unexpected books that are definitely in the top ten that I've read so far this year. Though I was disappointed (slightly) with the third book 'A House Divided' I described it in my review as something like it's a middle book (but a good middle book!) so we'll need to see how it shakes out when the rest of the series is released. The fourth book, that this review is about 'The Inconsequential Princess' does seem to be very much a return to form of those first two books and I enjoyed it immensely.
This book gives us a massive time jump, and as such starts to lead us into a new generation of royals and all of the things that come along with that. Beth, the adorable little sister from the other books is a full grown woman now, and she's dealing with being a royal in an entirely different way that's fascinating. Beth is a shining, multifaceted character who is full of contradictions, having essentially escaped the ongoing family schism that was started with Vanna's entry into the family and the Queen's response to losing control over her children, leaving England and its rules and traditions in the hands of her siblings and their wives.
Instead, Beth is thriving as a musician in Paris with her own group of friends including an older lover who is never actually serious suitor material, and she's someone who the text implies as both bisexual as well as non-magnomous.
While I think that a book that is written with those things in earnest would be an amazing read, especially with Winter's style, that is not the story that we have here. Instead we have Beth finding love with a man and her own personal story and way of life changes. This isn't a complaint that I'm making, but I do hope that in the final book in the series, Winters does mention it again, because of it being a part of who Beth seems to be.
None of this is to say that I don't find the love story engaging, because I definitely do! I deeply enjoy that Beth's prince is someone who seems shy and nerdy and awkward on the surface, but definitely has an as deep and rich internal life as all of the other love interests in the rest of the series. Louis is funny and smart and charming (even if he does have a fair amount of growing to do) and god knows that man can write love letters that I swear at one point made me, a seasoned romance reader almost blush!
Of course none of this means that their relationship goes smoothly, because what would that be? Still, I enjoy the ups and downs of their relationship and am extremely interested in this take on second chances at a real and fulfilling love life despite how things seem bleak for a person.
Second chances at love are a theme with this book, because while I was definitely extremely invested in the relationship between Beth and Louis, I was also just as invested in the relationship between Rita and Bruno. Rita, who has been a champion of so many of these relationships and the children that came from said marriages definitely deserves a second chance at life considering what a scumbag person her first husband was and how he continues to treat her throughout this book. Seeing her introduce her children to Bruno and his family really did warm my heart in many ways, and I cannot wait for what comes next.
Unfortunately, though for as much as I enjoyed this book and for how invested I am in this series, I do have some disappointments in it. Many of the side characters that I deeply loved in the earlier books seem to only get cameos here, which I understand considering that this is no longer their story.
While I understand that no one changes over night, the time jump in this book showcases the schism of the family that started with Vanna but only intensified when it came to Rita's divorce. I understand the reasons Maggie wouldn't want such a thing to be splashed throughout the papers, but the distance between what was such a close family for the first three books and how they are now breaks my heart a bit, especially between Maggie and Sabine. I really do wish that this gets remedied and repaired in the final book in the series, which I am hopeful for given the way that the synopsis is up on goodreads.
I'm rating this book 4.5 stars, which given the system means that I'm rounding it up to five stars and I do recommend it but only if you've read the other books first.
To say that I have been enjoying the series Regency and Rivalry by Maude Winters is an understatement. The first two books in the series: 'London Season' and 'The Queen's Conundrum' have been two extremely unexpected books that are definitely in the top ten that I've read so far this year. Though I was disappointed (slightly) with the third book 'A House Divided' I described it in my review as something like it's a middle book (but a good middle book!) so we'll need to see how it shakes out when the rest of the series is released. The fourth book, that this review is about 'The Inconsequential Princess' does seem to be very much a return to form of those first two books and I enjoyed it immensely.
This book gives us a massive time jump, and as such starts to lead us into a new generation of royals and all of the things that come along with that. Beth, the adorable little sister from the other books is a full grown woman now, and she's dealing with being a royal in an entirely different way that's fascinating. Beth is a shining, multifaceted character who is full of contradictions, having essentially escaped the ongoing family schism that was started with Vanna's entry into the family and the Queen's response to losing control over her children, leaving England and its rules and traditions in the hands of her siblings and their wives.
Instead, Beth is thriving as a musician in Paris with her own group of friends including an older lover who is never actually serious suitor material, and she's someone who the text implies as both bisexual as well as non-magnomous.
While I think that a book that is written with those things in earnest would be an amazing read, especially with Winter's style, that is not the story that we have here. Instead we have Beth finding love with a man and her own personal story and way of life changes. This isn't a complaint that I'm making, but I do hope that in the final book in the series, Winters does mention it again, because of it being a part of who Beth seems to be.
None of this is to say that I don't find the love story engaging, because I definitely do! I deeply enjoy that Beth's prince is someone who seems shy and nerdy and awkward on the surface, but definitely has an as deep and rich internal life as all of the other love interests in the rest of the series. Louis is funny and smart and charming (even if he does have a fair amount of growing to do) and god knows that man can write love letters that I swear at one point made me, a seasoned romance reader almost blush!
Of course none of this means that their relationship goes smoothly, because what would that be? Still, I enjoy the ups and downs of their relationship and am extremely interested in this take on second chances at a real and fulfilling love life despite how things seem bleak for a person.
Second chances at love are a theme with this book, because while I was definitely extremely invested in the relationship between Beth and Louis, I was also just as invested in the relationship between Rita and Bruno. Rita, who has been a champion of so many of these relationships and the children that came from said marriages definitely deserves a second chance at life considering what a scumbag person her first husband was and how he continues to treat her throughout this book. Seeing her introduce her children to Bruno and his family really did warm my heart in many ways, and I cannot wait for what comes next.
Unfortunately, though for as much as I enjoyed this book and for how invested I am in this series, I do have some disappointments in it. Many of the side characters that I deeply loved in the earlier books seem to only get cameos here, which I understand considering that this is no longer their story.
While I understand that no one changes over night, the time jump in this book showcases the schism of the family that started with Vanna but only intensified when it came to Rita's divorce. I understand the reasons Maggie wouldn't want such a thing to be splashed throughout the papers, but the distance between what was such a close family for the first three books and how they are now breaks my heart a bit, especially between Maggie and Sabine. I really do wish that this gets remedied and repaired in the final book in the series, which I am hopeful for given the way that the synopsis is up on goodreads.
I'm rating this book 4.5 stars, which given the system means that I'm rounding it up to five stars and I do recommend it but only if you've read the other books first.
May 13, 2023
The Inconsequential Princess by Maude Winters is a good, and enjoyable royal enemies to lovers romantic comedy read. The story has a great entertaining story line. The characters are great, and they have great chemistry. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 24, 2023
This was exactly what I needed! The author takes you into the setting of the historical London Social Season with ease and beauty. I love the romance, the scandal, the plot… Awesome book!
September 19, 2023
A Modern-Day Classic
I absolutely loved reading The Inconsequential Princess: Book Four in the Regency and Rivalry Series—it was simply captivating! The author does an incredible job of weaving together the story of Princess Bethany's journey from royal life to a tranquil existence in Paris and her unexpected reentry into the royal world. The story is full of tension and emotion, making it the perfect beach read. The characters are well developed, and the dialogue is witty and clever. I especially enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers theme and the steamy and sweet scenes. The author really shines in the delicate balance between family drama and royal romance.
One of my favorite parts of the book is the passionate exchange of love letters. The words are so meaningful and beautifully written, they make you feel like you're in the middle of the story. I was so blown away by the realism and depth of the characters, and I felt their emotions deeply.
The Inconsequential Princess is a modern-day classic. I highly recommend it to any fan of royal romances and those looking for a flirty, entertaining, romantic, and passionate read. This book is sure to steal your heart!
I absolutely loved reading The Inconsequential Princess: Book Four in the Regency and Rivalry Series—it was simply captivating! The author does an incredible job of weaving together the story of Princess Bethany's journey from royal life to a tranquil existence in Paris and her unexpected reentry into the royal world. The story is full of tension and emotion, making it the perfect beach read. The characters are well developed, and the dialogue is witty and clever. I especially enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers theme and the steamy and sweet scenes. The author really shines in the delicate balance between family drama and royal romance.
One of my favorite parts of the book is the passionate exchange of love letters. The words are so meaningful and beautifully written, they make you feel like you're in the middle of the story. I was so blown away by the realism and depth of the characters, and I felt their emotions deeply.
The Inconsequential Princess is a modern-day classic. I highly recommend it to any fan of royal romances and those looking for a flirty, entertaining, romantic, and passionate read. This book is sure to steal your heart!
May 24, 2023
I was a bit disappointed in how this book ended having read two others in the series. Maybe the author is planning more I do not know. The organization of the book is good but only if the reader has read the previous books. Characters are referred to but some only in passing but the author refrained from giving a lot of historical background which I appreciated.
I quite liked how the mature Bethany was portrayed and the interactions she had with her mother and with Louis. I was happy to see that Queen Maggie did not get her way.
There are still a lot of errors, wrong wording that could be misinterpreted, better editing is required.
Overall I enjoyed the book and the romance between Bethany and Louis and the updating of past characters 15 plus years later. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I quite liked how the mature Bethany was portrayed and the interactions she had with her mother and with Louis. I was happy to see that Queen Maggie did not get her way.
There are still a lot of errors, wrong wording that could be misinterpreted, better editing is required.
Overall I enjoyed the book and the romance between Bethany and Louis and the updating of past characters 15 plus years later. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 27, 2023
This is book 4 in Winters' Regency and Rivalry series and can be read as a standalone but the series as a whole is wonderful. I am hooked on this series. The modern day royalty and the twists that these couples undergo is captivating. Add to that Winters writing style and smooth flowing storylines make this book and this series one you won't want to miss out on.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 24, 2023
still going strong in the Regency and Rivalry series, it had everything that I enjoyed from the first three books. Maude Winters does a great job in creating a unique world and the characters felt like they flowed with the other books.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 24, 2023
I am throughly enjoying this series. The story of Beth and Louis is a story of an unlikely couple on the surface, Louis is a steamy letter writer that sweeps Princess Beth off her feet. I’m here for it, oh swoon. Who is next in this wonder series?
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews