What do you think?
Rate this book
Prince Of Hearts
Prince Of Hearts by Katy Cooper released on Jul 25, 2000 is available now for purchase.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 2000
33 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 25, 2026
"They have been married for how many years? And she has not quickened once. I do not think she has ever been pregnant." Resolutely she refused to think of what Beatrice must face to become pregnant.
"Beatrice is not barren." Mistress Emma scowled at her.
"No, a field is only barren when it is well plowed and does not bring forth." Cecelia waved her hand dismissively.
I bought this book 26 years ago; the author is a coworker of my husband. I do remember liking the book back then, but having read a ton of romance novels since then and forgetting what happens in the story, it was nice to reread it like a new book. I really liked this... especially the historically accurate dialogue, setting, and plot points the author infused into the story. I'm not usually a stickler for historical accuracy, but it absolutely elevates the story for me when it's there and is a refreshing palate cleanser after a few recent romances where the dialogue and drama were ridiculous and irritating.
Edmund Tudor is the King's youngest brother. Cecelia Coleville is the daughter of the Earl of Wednesfield. Neither are able to marry at will. Ceci's family has acquired a post for her at court to attend to the queen, where she will occasionally see Edmund, but neither have the freedom and leisure to come and go as they please. I really enjoyed how the strictures of etiquette made the moments they have together much more intense and meaningful-it is such an underutilized aspect in many romance novels. There were moments where Ceci could not leave Edmund's presence if her leave was not granted, where Edmund could not wear his hat if the king did not grant his permission. Hearing about how the queen's maids were gossipy and cliquey... little details that really made you feel what life at court was actually like. The book also sticks in an unexpected plot twist that discusses whether a witnessed verbal betrothal is legally and religiously binding. And I loved watching the dynamic between the king and Edmund. Arthur is his king and his brother. Edmund is first and foremost his faithful servant. And brother or not, Edmund has to follow the same rules of etiquette everyone else has to. It really made for a delightfully different historical romance in a sea of same old same old.
"Beatrice is not barren." Mistress Emma scowled at her.
"No, a field is only barren when it is well plowed and does not bring forth." Cecelia waved her hand dismissively.
I bought this book 26 years ago; the author is a coworker of my husband. I do remember liking the book back then, but having read a ton of romance novels since then and forgetting what happens in the story, it was nice to reread it like a new book. I really liked this... especially the historically accurate dialogue, setting, and plot points the author infused into the story. I'm not usually a stickler for historical accuracy, but it absolutely elevates the story for me when it's there and is a refreshing palate cleanser after a few recent romances where the dialogue and drama were ridiculous and irritating.
Edmund Tudor is the King's youngest brother. Cecelia Coleville is the daughter of the Earl of Wednesfield. Neither are able to marry at will. Ceci's family has acquired a post for her at court to attend to the queen, where she will occasionally see Edmund, but neither have the freedom and leisure to come and go as they please. I really enjoyed how the strictures of etiquette made the moments they have together much more intense and meaningful-it is such an underutilized aspect in many romance novels. There were moments where Ceci could not leave Edmund's presence if her leave was not granted, where Edmund could not wear his hat if the king did not grant his permission. Hearing about how the queen's maids were gossipy and cliquey... little details that really made you feel what life at court was actually like. The book also sticks in an unexpected plot twist that discusses whether a witnessed verbal betrothal is legally and religiously binding. And I loved watching the dynamic between the king and Edmund. Arthur is his king and his brother. Edmund is first and foremost his faithful servant. And brother or not, Edmund has to follow the same rules of etiquette everyone else has to. It really made for a delightfully different historical romance in a sea of same old same old.
October 16, 2023
Lovely star-crossed romance that spans from childhood when the pair first meet through adolescence when their paths cross again and then into adulthood where they meet again, this time at court and embark on a friends-to-lovers journey despite their impossible difference in ranks.
March 14, 2025
I read this many years ago and thought it was absolutely brilliant. I almost feared picking it up again, in case I thought any differently.
Wow. Still brilliant. So many twists and turns, love the weaving of historic events with fiction, love the characters, who feel SO REAL. I wish everyone wrote this well.
Highly recommend.
Wow. Still brilliant. So many twists and turns, love the weaving of historic events with fiction, love the characters, who feel SO REAL. I wish everyone wrote this well.
Highly recommend.
Read
January 12, 2021DNF at page 72. There doesn't seem to be anything at all wrong with this book, but I have no desire to pick it up and read it. Given the state of things lately, it's very likely me not the book, so I may give it a try again later on in the year.
July 1, 2011
How sad but glorious, rich yet hollow this time was. Can you imagine being a woman in the 1500's who was educated but was molded so others wouldn't know? Women were no better than possessions, something that was bartered for or owned. After reading this surprisingly well-written medieval romance I knew I wouldn't want to live back then for anything.
Katy Cooper did a fine job of taking me on a journey to glimpse our hero and heroine's way of life. Ceci was a lady. She was smart and from a good family that had both monies and land. She had no pretensions, she knew what was expected of herself. When she was a young child she met Edmund Tudor. They had a few moments of normalcy. Later, when she was sixteen, she met him again. Both of them felt something special. Unfortunately Edmund had a secret he couldn't share with Ceci; he was a prince and the brother of King Arthur.
Five more years pass before they meet once more and they soon fall in love but neither can marry the other. Politics are in play. If they weren't careful they could be cited for treason. What knocked it down to three stars from five was the reading was somewhat slow. There were also some issues that were left open. How did Ceci's sister, Beatrice, resolve her feelings for Sebastien? What about him, did he learn to love Beatrice? I wanted to know more about their brother John; why couldn't he and his wife return to Rome? These were little things but I wanted closure.
Katy Cooper did a fine job of taking me on a journey to glimpse our hero and heroine's way of life. Ceci was a lady. She was smart and from a good family that had both monies and land. She had no pretensions, she knew what was expected of herself. When she was a young child she met Edmund Tudor. They had a few moments of normalcy. Later, when she was sixteen, she met him again. Both of them felt something special. Unfortunately Edmund had a secret he couldn't share with Ceci; he was a prince and the brother of King Arthur.
Five more years pass before they meet once more and they soon fall in love but neither can marry the other. Politics are in play. If they weren't careful they could be cited for treason. What knocked it down to three stars from five was the reading was somewhat slow. There were also some issues that were left open. How did Ceci's sister, Beatrice, resolve her feelings for Sebastien? What about him, did he learn to love Beatrice? I wanted to know more about their brother John; why couldn't he and his wife return to Rome? These were little things but I wanted closure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2011
Edmund is the son of the king, a Prince. He was out looking at the tower of blood seeing if there really was blood when he met a young girl around his own age of 9. Cecilia did not recognize him and treated him as a normal young man. He showed her how he just learned to walk on his hands and shared a linty piece of sweetmeat with her.
When Cecilia was 16 and sitting in a tree she again met Edmund Tudor. She knew he was below her ranking, she was the daughter of an Earl, but she was still attracted to the young man.
When Cecilia went to Court at 21 she found out the truth, Edmund was brother to King Arthur.
Edmund promised his father he will always do what was best for the King and then his father died some months later. With his vow he knew he could not marry Cecilia as his brother would marry him to some woman for alliances with other countries.
Many tales with in this love story as well.
When Cecilia was 16 and sitting in a tree she again met Edmund Tudor. She knew he was below her ranking, she was the daughter of an Earl, but she was still attracted to the young man.
When Cecilia went to Court at 21 she found out the truth, Edmund was brother to King Arthur.
Edmund promised his father he will always do what was best for the King and then his father died some months later. With his vow he knew he could not marry Cecilia as his brother would marry him to some woman for alliances with other countries.
Many tales with in this love story as well.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews