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Regalami una favola
Amy ha ventiquattro anni e ormai ha capito di essere più brava con le piante che con i ragazzi. Con i fiori è tutto più facile: sa perfettamente che mix di colori scegliere per dare nuova vita a un giardino o quali specie creino un'atmosfera magica anche su un terrazzo di città. Ma far colpo su qualcuno è molto più complicato. Ogni volta che parla con un uomo il viso di Amy assume la sfumatura dei gerani rossi in primavera e la sua bocca farfuglia frasi insensate. Il suo sogno di vivere un amore da favola sembra essere davvero irrealizzabile. Ma durante una festa, in cui come al solito se ne sta in disparte senza parlare con nessuno, Amy incontra due occhi azzurri come petali di un fiordaliso. È amore a prima vista. Leo è il ragazzo che tutte sognano, e, anche se sembra quasi impossibile, ha scelto proprio lei. Con la scusa di farle ristrutturare il suo giardino al centro di Londra, la corteggia con il romanticismo e la passione di un vero gentiluomo.
Passano solo pochi mesi e Leo è pronto per farle la proposta che ogni donna aspetta: le chiede di sposarlo regalandole un anello di diamanti che brilla come un intero cielo stellato. Amy non riesce a credere che la sua favola d'amore si stia realizzando.
Eppure la strada per la felicità è tutta in salita. Leo non è il semplice ragazzo che Amy crede: è un vero principe, erede al trono. Il suo mondo è fatto di ricevimenti sfarzosi e serate di gala. Per stare accanto a lui Amy deve decidere se è pronta a disegnare una nuova sé stessa rinunciando a quello che è sempre stata. Deve abbandonare i jeans per indossare abiti eleganti e la corona. E più di tutto, deve decidere se è pronta a essere sincera fino in fondo. Perché c'è qualcosa che minaccia il suo sogno. Un segreto che Amy non ha mai confessato a nessuno e che può portare Leo lontano da lei per sempre.
Passano solo pochi mesi e Leo è pronto per farle la proposta che ogni donna aspetta: le chiede di sposarlo regalandole un anello di diamanti che brilla come un intero cielo stellato. Amy non riesce a credere che la sua favola d'amore si stia realizzando.
Eppure la strada per la felicità è tutta in salita. Leo non è il semplice ragazzo che Amy crede: è un vero principe, erede al trono. Il suo mondo è fatto di ricevimenti sfarzosi e serate di gala. Per stare accanto a lui Amy deve decidere se è pronta a disegnare una nuova sé stessa rinunciando a quello che è sempre stata. Deve abbandonare i jeans per indossare abiti eleganti e la corona. E più di tutto, deve decidere se è pronta a essere sincera fino in fondo. Perché c'è qualcosa che minaccia il suo sogno. Un segreto che Amy non ha mai confessato a nessuno e che può portare Leo lontano da lei per sempre.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2012
150 people are currently reading
7479 people want to read
About the author
Hester Browne
16 books814 followersHester Browne was born in England's Lake District, read English at Trinity College, Cambridge, and worked as a fiction editor before leaving publishing to write full time. She enjoys Scottish reeling, driving, baking, and trawling eBay for estate sale bargains. She doesn't enjoy hot weather, tax returns, or any talent programme where people have to plead to be allowed to juggle flaming chainsaws on national television.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 619 reviews
May 16, 2013
I tried to read Hester Browne's first book and put it down after, oh, 20 pages or so.
So I was reluctant to read THE RUNAWAY PRINCESS, but it was at my library and I needed something to read so...
Wow. Am I glad I picked it up.
I loved Hester Browne's voice in this book. Her writing is warm, and funny, and real. I gulped the book down as fast as I could.
Amy Wilde is a London-based gardener whose speciality is wildflowers (I see what you did with the name there, Browne.) She lives in a flat with her mad posh friend Jo, who never met a social occasion she didn't like and couldn't conquer. When Jo decides to host a "Heaven and Hell" fancy dress party, their flat is crashed by Rolf, a drunk European prince, and his entourage - which includes a sober and very handsome man who helps Amy repair a little of the damage done by royalty.
Little does Amy know that her helper is Leo, Rolf's older brother and a prince in his own right.
The romance between Amy and Leo is incredibly sweet, and Browne takes care to get the reader heavily invested in their relationship before springing the inevitable obstacles that come with marrying into an eccentric royal family complete with American supermodel mother, playboy brother, and chip-on-the-shoulder older sister who actively hates the male primogeniture tradition that locks her out of succeeding to the throne. And Amy's family has its own troubles that make the inevitable media spotlight a potent threat to Amy's and Leo's happiness.
In short, this is a fun, charming novel with well-drawn sympathetic characters, witty dialogue, and a terrific first person narrator.
So I was reluctant to read THE RUNAWAY PRINCESS, but it was at my library and I needed something to read so...
Wow. Am I glad I picked it up.
I loved Hester Browne's voice in this book. Her writing is warm, and funny, and real. I gulped the book down as fast as I could.
Amy Wilde is a London-based gardener whose speciality is wildflowers (I see what you did with the name there, Browne.) She lives in a flat with her mad posh friend Jo, who never met a social occasion she didn't like and couldn't conquer. When Jo decides to host a "Heaven and Hell" fancy dress party, their flat is crashed by Rolf, a drunk European prince, and his entourage - which includes a sober and very handsome man who helps Amy repair a little of the damage done by royalty.
Little does Amy know that her helper is Leo, Rolf's older brother and a prince in his own right.
The romance between Amy and Leo is incredibly sweet, and Browne takes care to get the reader heavily invested in their relationship before springing the inevitable obstacles that come with marrying into an eccentric royal family complete with American supermodel mother, playboy brother, and chip-on-the-shoulder older sister who actively hates the male primogeniture tradition that locks her out of succeeding to the throne. And Amy's family has its own troubles that make the inevitable media spotlight a potent threat to Amy's and Leo's happiness.
In short, this is a fun, charming novel with well-drawn sympathetic characters, witty dialogue, and a terrific first person narrator.
January 12, 2013
This review is spoiler-free and here’s why: the title of the book alone is a huge spoiler, the prologue is an even bigger one, and the back cover blurb gives away one of the biggest “surprises” in the whole book. Not that chick-lits are bursting with suspense as a rule, but at least there is a flimsy veil drawn across how Our Heroine and Mr Perfect end up together. In this case, it was the sheer likability of the main characters and the wit and warmth of Browne’s writing that kept me turning the pages, not any real hunger to find out “what happens next.”
Although I ended up really enjoying the book on the whole, I can only award it four stars. The beginning felt really slow to me—establishing Amy’s lifestyle, career and friendships pre-prince was certainly necessary, but it seemed to take ages until we got to the start of the romance and I think this was, in part, due to the lack of suspense I mentioned earlier. After about two or three chapters I felt like, “just hurry up and meet the prince already!” After about the first quarter of the book, things really picked up and I enjoyed the juxtaposition of Amy’s garden-designer lifestyle with her forays into the royal life. Still, I think that the big reveal that changes everything for her and Leo happened a bit late and made the compilations that ensued in the final stretch a tad rushed and not completely realized. That or perhaps it just felt unevenly balanced—too much focused on Amy’s family drama and not quite enough on the Amy-and-Leo scene.
Even so, the book was a pleasure to read on the whole and I found myself turning to it eagerly for the last half of the book. I found many five-star aspects here for sure, from the gem of a phrase that especially shines amidst generally sparkling prose, to the lovely romance of Amy and Leo, to the beautifully described scenery (especially of the gardens!), to the sweet and loving relationship Amy has with her endearing parents. Indeed, I really appreciated that Amy did have such a close relationship with her parents and was so concerned for their wellbeing. I also appreciated that she and Leo had a genuine respect and admiration for one another, and that usually the problems that sprouted in their relationship were from the storms others cast at them, rather than any underlying problems in their own sense of self or in their profusely blooming friendship and love for one another. I also applaud Browne (and her publisher) for making this a clean read. Browne does a great job at building up the magic, romance and longing in kisses and it’s not only refreshing to this reader, but also befitting of the characters, that we are not bombarded with more carnal details from the other side of the bedroom door.
All in all, I highly recommend this book to any Hester Browne fan as well as to readers hungry for another commoner-prince romance after the Will and Kate fanfare of last year. Browne does a great job at conveying the rollercoaster of emotions of an average girl who is suddenly swept into the royal world, and creates a prince most of us would also swoon over, so perhaps my biggest complaint is simply that I wanted to suffer from an embarrassment of riches—I wanted even more of the royal romance than what the book ultimately provided.
Although I ended up really enjoying the book on the whole, I can only award it four stars. The beginning felt really slow to me—establishing Amy’s lifestyle, career and friendships pre-prince was certainly necessary, but it seemed to take ages until we got to the start of the romance and I think this was, in part, due to the lack of suspense I mentioned earlier. After about two or three chapters I felt like, “just hurry up and meet the prince already!” After about the first quarter of the book, things really picked up and I enjoyed the juxtaposition of Amy’s garden-designer lifestyle with her forays into the royal life. Still, I think that the big reveal that changes everything for her and Leo happened a bit late and made the compilations that ensued in the final stretch a tad rushed and not completely realized. That or perhaps it just felt unevenly balanced—too much focused on Amy’s family drama and not quite enough on the Amy-and-Leo scene.
Even so, the book was a pleasure to read on the whole and I found myself turning to it eagerly for the last half of the book. I found many five-star aspects here for sure, from the gem of a phrase that especially shines amidst generally sparkling prose, to the lovely romance of Amy and Leo, to the beautifully described scenery (especially of the gardens!), to the sweet and loving relationship Amy has with her endearing parents. Indeed, I really appreciated that Amy did have such a close relationship with her parents and was so concerned for their wellbeing. I also appreciated that she and Leo had a genuine respect and admiration for one another, and that usually the problems that sprouted in their relationship were from the storms others cast at them, rather than any underlying problems in their own sense of self or in their profusely blooming friendship and love for one another. I also applaud Browne (and her publisher) for making this a clean read. Browne does a great job at building up the magic, romance and longing in kisses and it’s not only refreshing to this reader, but also befitting of the characters, that we are not bombarded with more carnal details from the other side of the bedroom door.
All in all, I highly recommend this book to any Hester Browne fan as well as to readers hungry for another commoner-prince romance after the Will and Kate fanfare of last year. Browne does a great job at conveying the rollercoaster of emotions of an average girl who is suddenly swept into the royal world, and creates a prince most of us would also swoon over, so perhaps my biggest complaint is simply that I wanted to suffer from an embarrassment of riches—I wanted even more of the royal romance than what the book ultimately provided.
August 8, 2017
~MILD SPOILERS~
I am extremely disappointed, although this is entirely my fault. I was super excited going into this because the premise sounds exactly like the kind of story I love to read about (I'm a sucker for Kate Middleton-type stories) but this ended up being just irritating.
The first quarter of the book was fine, interesting even. I enjoyed all the character development and Amy and Leo's blossoming relationship but the more their relationship progressed the more annoyed I got.
WARNING: I might come off a little elitist and super angry but bear with me.
WTF IS WRONG WITH AMY??
I understand (well not understand but empathize with) the shift from being middle class to rubbing shoulders with royalty but MY GOD was it necessary to mention it every few pages?? Did every scene have to compare Amy's "normal" behavior to that of the "glamorous upper class" as if wanting glamor in your life was frivolous or made you less of a smart, real woman. This was an actual line in the book:
"Now wasn't the time to get on my 'real women don't wear mascara' soapbox"
Why does a "real woman" have to be makeup free? Why does this book, which had so much potential for true girl power, had to subscribe to this outdated notion of feminism: that women who want to look pretty or glamorous don't have any substance????
Also, Amy acts like she's surprised by the life a princess has to lead but she has access to the internet and is clearly obsessed with that website about royals so couldn't she have done some research to prepare herself? Read up about Kate Middleton maybe? Her reaction made no sense whatsoever. I actually found myself agreeing with Liza (Leo's mom) in that scene when Amy overhears Liza's conversation with Leo. YEAH AMY DOESN'T GET IT. But it's not because she's middle class, it's because she's an idiot.
Oh and another thing, if Amy and her parents had to move away because of how big the scandal got and how it was in the papers and all that, wouldn't a google search have turned that up? Let's assume the town paper doesn't have an online version, wouldn't the royal family of a country do a thorough background check on the woman about to marry into their family? Shouldn't the Kelly thing have been covered in, like, the first half of the book? That also made no sense as the catalyst for the breakup and could've been easily addressed if she'd been honest and upfront about it. (Also, who doesn't tell their fiancé about their sister??)
This is the longest review I've ever written but I had such high hopes and waited months to read this so I could savor it and I'm just so, so disappointed.
I am extremely disappointed, although this is entirely my fault. I was super excited going into this because the premise sounds exactly like the kind of story I love to read about (I'm a sucker for Kate Middleton-type stories) but this ended up being just irritating.
The first quarter of the book was fine, interesting even. I enjoyed all the character development and Amy and Leo's blossoming relationship but the more their relationship progressed the more annoyed I got.
WARNING: I might come off a little elitist and super angry but bear with me.
WTF IS WRONG WITH AMY??
I understand (well not understand but empathize with) the shift from being middle class to rubbing shoulders with royalty but MY GOD was it necessary to mention it every few pages?? Did every scene have to compare Amy's "normal" behavior to that of the "glamorous upper class" as if wanting glamor in your life was frivolous or made you less of a smart, real woman. This was an actual line in the book:
"Now wasn't the time to get on my 'real women don't wear mascara' soapbox"
Why does a "real woman" have to be makeup free? Why does this book, which had so much potential for true girl power, had to subscribe to this outdated notion of feminism: that women who want to look pretty or glamorous don't have any substance????
Also, Amy acts like she's surprised by the life a princess has to lead but she has access to the internet and is clearly obsessed with that website about royals so couldn't she have done some research to prepare herself? Read up about Kate Middleton maybe? Her reaction made no sense whatsoever. I actually found myself agreeing with Liza (Leo's mom) in that scene when Amy overhears Liza's conversation with Leo. YEAH AMY DOESN'T GET IT. But it's not because she's middle class, it's because she's an idiot.
Oh and another thing, if Amy and her parents had to move away because of how big the scandal got and how it was in the papers and all that, wouldn't a google search have turned that up? Let's assume the town paper doesn't have an online version, wouldn't the royal family of a country do a thorough background check on the woman about to marry into their family? Shouldn't the Kelly thing have been covered in, like, the first half of the book? That also made no sense as the catalyst for the breakup and could've been easily addressed if she'd been honest and upfront about it. (Also, who doesn't tell their fiancé about their sister??)
This is the longest review I've ever written but I had such high hopes and waited months to read this so I could savor it and I'm just so, so disappointed.
March 9, 2019
I wasnt exactly blown away but if you like cliche books about hot princes and simple girls then you will love this.
November 6, 2015
Review originally posted on Mostly YA Lit:
Review:
The Runaway Princess by Hester Browne stars Amy Wilde as an up-and-coming garden designer in London, hailing from small-town Yorkshire. On New Year's Eve, her fun-loving best friend and roommate throws a party where she meets Leo, a fund manager that she instantly has an attraction to. What she doesn't know is that he's a prince, and Amy's middle-class life is about to be turned upside-down.
I really enjoyed the romance of The Runaway Princess. Leo's fame did seem a bit contrived considering that he came from such a small principality, but I liked how normal he was and how much he cared for garden-loving Amy. The romantic scenes were inventive, the romance believable, and Amy and her friends were delightful, fully realized characters. Amy's struggle throughout the book is maintaining her own persona and trying to figure out whether she's being "chippy" (having a chip on her shoulder) because of Leo's wealth, or whether he really does have an issue with just throwing money at a problem to solve it. It's something I haven't seen explored a lot in royal fiction, and it's definitely a strength of the book.
My main issue for liking but not "really liking" this book is that the author decided to use one of my pet peeves in creation of suspense: through a character knowing something, but not telling. To me, it's an unimaginative tactic that forces suspense and makes me less likely to sympathize with a character, even though what the character is experiencing is heartbreaking (which it is, in this case).
And this one was a whopper that basically lasted the whole book: Amy's sister did something big and horrible eight years ago that ruined the family, and throughout the book, you're just frustrated that she knows about it, her parents know about it, her hometown knows about it, but she refuses to divulge that information to her best friends or her boyfriend. The author just dangles tantalizing pieces of the story over you, but the more she does it, the more I just wanted it to be over. It's especially frustrating because the build-up is so overwhelming that when the payoff happens, it doesn't feel like a payoff (as is often the case when this type of suspense is employed).
I also felt like the conclusion of the book also wrapped up a bit too quickly and easily - it was a solution that felt right, but I wish we had explored a bit more, especially since it involved feminist issues and lines of succession that I think are relevant in modern-day royalty.
Nevertheless, this was a page-turner that I really enjoyed. Recommended for anyone who loves royal stories.
Bonuses:
Gardening: I have a house with a garden now, so I really enjoyed the details the author inserted about the plants and flowers Amy was growing, and more importantly, how it fit in with her relationship with Leo and his family.
Royal Realism: I mean, can I even call this a bonus? It's the WHOLE book. But yeah, in my brain, this is a definite win.
British-isms: If Amy and her friends are anything, they are BRITISH. The slang in this book occasionally caught me off-guard and I had to look up a few phrases, but man, they made the book authentic.
The Final Word:
I'm a little obsessed with royalty stories, so when I heard about this one, I knew I had to get it right away - and I wasn't disappointed. Very engaging, fun, and British, The Runaway Princess is romantic chick-lit that had me whipping through the pages.
Review:
The Runaway Princess by Hester Browne stars Amy Wilde as an up-and-coming garden designer in London, hailing from small-town Yorkshire. On New Year's Eve, her fun-loving best friend and roommate throws a party where she meets Leo, a fund manager that she instantly has an attraction to. What she doesn't know is that he's a prince, and Amy's middle-class life is about to be turned upside-down.
I really enjoyed the romance of The Runaway Princess. Leo's fame did seem a bit contrived considering that he came from such a small principality, but I liked how normal he was and how much he cared for garden-loving Amy. The romantic scenes were inventive, the romance believable, and Amy and her friends were delightful, fully realized characters. Amy's struggle throughout the book is maintaining her own persona and trying to figure out whether she's being "chippy" (having a chip on her shoulder) because of Leo's wealth, or whether he really does have an issue with just throwing money at a problem to solve it. It's something I haven't seen explored a lot in royal fiction, and it's definitely a strength of the book.
My main issue for liking but not "really liking" this book is that the author decided to use one of my pet peeves in creation of suspense: through a character knowing something, but not telling. To me, it's an unimaginative tactic that forces suspense and makes me less likely to sympathize with a character, even though what the character is experiencing is heartbreaking (which it is, in this case).
And this one was a whopper that basically lasted the whole book: Amy's sister did something big and horrible eight years ago that ruined the family, and throughout the book, you're just frustrated that she knows about it, her parents know about it, her hometown knows about it, but she refuses to divulge that information to her best friends or her boyfriend. The author just dangles tantalizing pieces of the story over you, but the more she does it, the more I just wanted it to be over. It's especially frustrating because the build-up is so overwhelming that when the payoff happens, it doesn't feel like a payoff (as is often the case when this type of suspense is employed).
I also felt like the conclusion of the book also wrapped up a bit too quickly and easily - it was a solution that felt right, but I wish we had explored a bit more, especially since it involved feminist issues and lines of succession that I think are relevant in modern-day royalty.
Nevertheless, this was a page-turner that I really enjoyed. Recommended for anyone who loves royal stories.
Bonuses:
Gardening: I have a house with a garden now, so I really enjoyed the details the author inserted about the plants and flowers Amy was growing, and more importantly, how it fit in with her relationship with Leo and his family. 
Royal Realism: I mean, can I even call this a bonus? It's the WHOLE book. But yeah, in my brain, this is a definite win. 
British-isms: If Amy and her friends are anything, they are BRITISH. The slang in this book occasionally caught me off-guard and I had to look up a few phrases, but man, they made the book authentic. The Final Word:
I'm a little obsessed with royalty stories, so when I heard about this one, I knew I had to get it right away - and I wasn't disappointed. Very engaging, fun, and British, The Runaway Princess is romantic chick-lit that had me whipping through the pages.
February 20, 2015
I'm becoming increasingly angry reading this mess of a supposed modern fairy-tale. The main characters have NO personality, the book skips over important events and casually mentions what could have been entertaining scenarios in fleeting terms, and if I read "sausage rolls," "daisy," or "Nirona" one more time I swear I will scream. Nirona. Seriously. Stupidest name for an imaginary kingdom. I literally cringe every time it's mentioned, and that's a whole heck of a lot.
The prince isn't likable, but the main character less so. The relationship between them is so ho hum and without understandable feelings or quirks, and the story is somehow tedious while also vague. The only details obsessed over are the many references to all things gardening, and frankly, by the time Amy's love of the subject rings true, it's far too late, and just damn annoying.
And then the kicker that has me ready to wring someone's neck: SHUT THE HELL UP ABOUT "REAL" WOMEN. If you're talking about depressed over eaters, and calling them "real," in comparison to any fit, healthy or otherwise "skinny" girls, you need to shut your mouth and put your pen away. You are a hypocrite. Stop this stupid trend once and for all.
. . .
Now I've finished it and I'm just mad. I'm very tired of hypocritical crap intended as humble feel-good stories. It doesn't work. You can't portray Amy's mother as severely traumatized and anxious, massive because of her emotional eating, and then you bash all thinner characters like they're the ones with a problem. The main character is thicker than "skinny Kate Middleton," so that makes Amy real. That's stupid. Then, she is the most selfish hypocrite, but her selfishness and thoughtlessness are presented as a hero's selflessness. Boohoo, she whines at the end, the fantastic historic garden she's worked at and treasured fondly throughout the entire book just isn't her. The prince's calendar has too many events she's not used to. His family is too different than her own. The clothes and people and expectations and jewelry and language, and e v e r y t h i n g, her man has in his life isn't normal, so therefore it's not real, it's not ok, and her way, and everything she's used to, is right. Wrong.
The moral of the story is meant to be, basically, girls can be non-models who walk around in little to no makeup, wear dirty clothes, and these are virtues, and ultimately, girls, yes, your man should change EVERYTHING about himself, give up everything he's used to, and discard tradition, family, and comfort, for you, because none of it fits in your current world. Hypocrisy at its most clichéd.
Also, the dirty secret of Kelly is first hinted at so out of the blue and out of context, and then mentioned randomly throughout, obviously meant to be dangled as an intriguing puzzle. But it's not tantalizing, and is done in a way that fails to build suspense, only adding to the growing annoyance I felt reading this story. Then, when it's finally revealed, it's not at all shocking. It's not like the family mystery was a walk in the park, but it absolutely does not live up to the way the author's kept it from us for however many chapters. Could have just revealed it in the beginning and would have made for a better story and slightly more sympathetic heroine.
This book became such a chore to get through, but what will stay with me is how the attitude and flawed message that's presented is so utterly, utterly insulting. Truly.
The prince isn't likable, but the main character less so. The relationship between them is so ho hum and without understandable feelings or quirks, and the story is somehow tedious while also vague. The only details obsessed over are the many references to all things gardening, and frankly, by the time Amy's love of the subject rings true, it's far too late, and just damn annoying.
And then the kicker that has me ready to wring someone's neck: SHUT THE HELL UP ABOUT "REAL" WOMEN. If you're talking about depressed over eaters, and calling them "real," in comparison to any fit, healthy or otherwise "skinny" girls, you need to shut your mouth and put your pen away. You are a hypocrite. Stop this stupid trend once and for all.
. . .
Now I've finished it and I'm just mad. I'm very tired of hypocritical crap intended as humble feel-good stories. It doesn't work. You can't portray Amy's mother as severely traumatized and anxious, massive because of her emotional eating, and then you bash all thinner characters like they're the ones with a problem. The main character is thicker than "skinny Kate Middleton," so that makes Amy real. That's stupid. Then, she is the most selfish hypocrite, but her selfishness and thoughtlessness are presented as a hero's selflessness. Boohoo, she whines at the end, the fantastic historic garden she's worked at and treasured fondly throughout the entire book just isn't her. The prince's calendar has too many events she's not used to. His family is too different than her own. The clothes and people and expectations and jewelry and language, and e v e r y t h i n g, her man has in his life isn't normal, so therefore it's not real, it's not ok, and her way, and everything she's used to, is right. Wrong.
The moral of the story is meant to be, basically, girls can be non-models who walk around in little to no makeup, wear dirty clothes, and these are virtues, and ultimately, girls, yes, your man should change EVERYTHING about himself, give up everything he's used to, and discard tradition, family, and comfort, for you, because none of it fits in your current world. Hypocrisy at its most clichéd.
Also, the dirty secret of Kelly is first hinted at so out of the blue and out of context, and then mentioned randomly throughout, obviously meant to be dangled as an intriguing puzzle. But it's not tantalizing, and is done in a way that fails to build suspense, only adding to the growing annoyance I felt reading this story. Then, when it's finally revealed, it's not at all shocking. It's not like the family mystery was a walk in the park, but it absolutely does not live up to the way the author's kept it from us for however many chapters. Could have just revealed it in the beginning and would have made for a better story and slightly more sympathetic heroine.
This book became such a chore to get through, but what will stay with me is how the attitude and flawed message that's presented is so utterly, utterly insulting. Truly.
September 5, 2022
*Spotify playing Dandelions by Ruth B *
★★★★★5 Sweet Daisies stars for Leo & Amy ♡★★★★★
This book was such a feel good book.My heart just melted through the floorboards while reading certain scenes.
It defiantly can be said I was NOT Prepared for how wholesome this would be.This book was one that I picked up at my local bookstore almost a good 4-5 years? ago and then stayed forgotten for a bit as life got busier.I could not be more sorry that i missed this gem of a read for so long.
Leo & Amy were such sweethearts and they deserved everything the ending gave them.Special shoutout to all the other supporting characters as well.Im going to really miss reading about the shenanigans Jo & Rolf will get up to next.
Wonderful.Wonderful.Just simply Wonderful ♡
★★★★★5 Sweet Daisies stars for Leo & Amy ♡★★★★★
This book was such a feel good book.My heart just melted through the floorboards while reading certain scenes.
It defiantly can be said I was NOT Prepared for how wholesome this would be.This book was one that I picked up at my local bookstore almost a good 4-5 years? ago and then stayed forgotten for a bit as life got busier.I could not be more sorry that i missed this gem of a read for so long.
Leo & Amy were such sweethearts and they deserved everything the ending gave them.Special shoutout to all the other supporting characters as well.Im going to really miss reading about the shenanigans Jo & Rolf will get up to next.
Wonderful.Wonderful.Just simply Wonderful ♡
December 31, 2012
3 Stars
I am highly disappointed with The Runaway Princess. I love Hester Brown books and I have read all of them and so when I noticed this recent release, I was very excited.
Amy is your typical normal gal; she lives in London and co-owns a garden business. Amy meets Leo at a party and doesn’t know Leo’s a prince. I wish I could say the book is about Amy discovering who Leo is, but it’s not and that was probably the down fall of the book.
The first 60 pages were not necessary, I felt like it didn’t add anything to the book but excess weight. I didn’t like the title and “Runaway Princess” kind of foretells how the story is going to play out right? I think the title could have been something that didn’t reference the final anticlimactic obstacle (I’m not giving anything away; the title did it for you).
The style of writing reminds me a lot like Sophie Kinsella’s “Twenties Girl”, since there were a lot of unnecessary conflicts, annoying situations and silly scenes. I love Sophia Kinellsa, but “Twenties Girl” was not a favorite of mine.
The Runaway Princess should have been two books, book 1 should have been the story of Amy and Leo getting to know each other and in the end she finds out he’s a prince and book 2 should have been the story of Amy and Leo working out the relationship.
I understand the title has to draw in the audience, but I figure Hester Brown would have a huge enough fan base, that she didn’t have to give away the story in the title. The Runaway Princess was simply a very light dull read and even though the book was over 400 pages, I couldn’t feel any chemistry between Amy and Leo. At times, I questioned when/if Amy Leo loved each other, because the relationship didn’t feel organic.
I didn’t like Amy, I thought she was ridiculous and her “issues” weren’t big enough for me to justify her actions. I thought Leo was okay, but I really didn’t see any outward affection on his part towards Amy, it was almost he was just a character written to be there.
I would have rated this book lower if it wasn’t for the fact I do like Hester Browne books, I’m just disappointed with The Runaway Princess. I love a romantic Princess books, instead I got an annoying, long, boring read with silly characters and situations.
I do not recommend.
http://jacquelinesreads.blogspot.com/
I am highly disappointed with The Runaway Princess. I love Hester Brown books and I have read all of them and so when I noticed this recent release, I was very excited.
Amy is your typical normal gal; she lives in London and co-owns a garden business. Amy meets Leo at a party and doesn’t know Leo’s a prince. I wish I could say the book is about Amy discovering who Leo is, but it’s not and that was probably the down fall of the book.
The first 60 pages were not necessary, I felt like it didn’t add anything to the book but excess weight. I didn’t like the title and “Runaway Princess” kind of foretells how the story is going to play out right? I think the title could have been something that didn’t reference the final anticlimactic obstacle (I’m not giving anything away; the title did it for you).
The style of writing reminds me a lot like Sophie Kinsella’s “Twenties Girl”, since there were a lot of unnecessary conflicts, annoying situations and silly scenes. I love Sophia Kinellsa, but “Twenties Girl” was not a favorite of mine.
The Runaway Princess should have been two books, book 1 should have been the story of Amy and Leo getting to know each other and in the end she finds out he’s a prince and book 2 should have been the story of Amy and Leo working out the relationship.
I understand the title has to draw in the audience, but I figure Hester Brown would have a huge enough fan base, that she didn’t have to give away the story in the title. The Runaway Princess was simply a very light dull read and even though the book was over 400 pages, I couldn’t feel any chemistry between Amy and Leo. At times, I questioned when/if Amy Leo loved each other, because the relationship didn’t feel organic.
I didn’t like Amy, I thought she was ridiculous and her “issues” weren’t big enough for me to justify her actions. I thought Leo was okay, but I really didn’t see any outward affection on his part towards Amy, it was almost he was just a character written to be there.
I would have rated this book lower if it wasn’t for the fact I do like Hester Browne books, I’m just disappointed with The Runaway Princess. I love a romantic Princess books, instead I got an annoying, long, boring read with silly characters and situations.
I do not recommend.
http://jacquelinesreads.blogspot.com/
October 16, 2012
Hester Browne is a go-to to for fun, fluffy reads that still retain quality writing. I once likened reading The Little Lady Agency to eating a big piece of chocolate cake. Not an every day occurrence, because it is possible to have too much sugar, but enjoyable in the right moderation.
Browne does it here as well: the staple better-than-she-knows leading lady, the fun and smart best friends, the really cute guy who might just be too good to be true, and the situation that makes our leading lady step up to own just how awesome she can be.
Grab a cup of coffee and a comfy spot. :)
Browne does it here as well: the staple better-than-she-knows leading lady, the fun and smart best friends, the really cute guy who might just be too good to be true, and the situation that makes our leading lady step up to own just how awesome she can be.
Grab a cup of coffee and a comfy spot. :)
May 8, 2016
Took me a little while to get into this but I'm so glad I stuck with it because it was hilarious and sweet. Loved the romance.
August 27, 2015
5 Words: Gardening, family, friends, love, royalty.
This was such a fun listen, read by one of my auto-buy narrators.
It's feel-good fun at its best.
Full review to come.
This was such a fun listen, read by one of my auto-buy narrators.
It's feel-good fun at its best.
Full review to come.
February 12, 2023
🌹🌼An enjoyable enough read. I’ve read it on audio, and first of all, I have to say that the narrator is amazing! How she manages to constantly switch back and forth between different accents is crazy. Loved her intonation and emotion as well. Well done!
As for the book: I loved Jo. Jo is very much like me, I must admit. I mean... judging the quality of a potential flatmate by taking her to do karaoke with her? A (musical) actress? Comfortable in social situations but maybe sometimes a bit running around without a plan? Yep, that’s me. Except for the nobility then. I am certainly not high born.
Such a bummer then that Jo was not the main character and just the supporting best friend.
Amy was not too bad. But I didn’t like her drama too much. Especially in the beginning, her drama/main conflict was soooooooooooooooo immensely exaggerated and - frankly - just dumb. She didn’t want to say to Leo that she was ashamed that someone assaulted her by throwing a vase over her head and was therefore wet and see-through, even though he was very supporting from the start. She was running away and that was so dumb. However, it does fit a bit with the symbolism of her past, I guess. And I thought it was stupid that most of the plot-twists I could see coming from MILES away and Amy couldn’t. But fine. I also thought it was very annoying we didn’t find out about Kelly until the last couple of pages. I LOVED the reunion scene though. Very, very well done. Emotions everywhere. And finally an Amy I was proud of. Able to speak her mind and stand up for herself. Also, I think the trauma in her past and the anxiety it caused for her family is very well portrayed. I love how the author has done that. But to be fair, it could have been addressed AND resolved many many many pages before. IF AMY WOULD HAVE JUST BEEN FUCKING HONEST WITH HER FUCKING BOYFRIEND/VERY FAST FIANCE THIS WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN THE KATALYSATOR FOR THE ENGAGEMENT TO BE BROKEN OFF. And also, was that REALLY necessary Amy? Also, how did the Kelly thing never turn up into any record or background check on Amy for AT LEAST A YEAR INTO THE RELATIONSHIP? HOW? HOW?1!1!!1
I am actually very disappointed the personal business Amy had with her in-laws was never resolved. Not that we heard of anyway, because this book hsd the talent to skip over things and scenes I was dying to hear in person but wasn’t allowed to apparently (the sex scenes?! Hello?!1) Neither was Rolf any big character anymore near the end. He felt a bit useless. That was a shame. AND WHY HYPE JO AND ROLF UP TOGETHER AND THEN MAKE JO END UP WITH TED?1!!2 Of all the people Jo had no chemistry with... Ted. She had chemistry with Rolf in almost every scene they were on, even though that weren’t many. Why hype them up if you’re going to drop them in the last pages? And TED??1 Who wasn’t even there most of the book? Who was being boring and personality-less? THAT was a match for lovely Jo?! Pffff, please.
So, the relationship between Leo and Amy felt a bit... weird. The early engagement, the breaking off breaking up making up etc felt so... exhausting. Especially since I didn’t feel the romantic tension between them that much. (BECAUSE WE MISSED THE SEXSCENE DAMN IT!! What is a good romance WITHOUT THE BLOODY SEX SCENE?1!1) But they were sweet enough. And I loved the character development.
Oh and then one more thing: Sophia was supposed to be the mean, busy, super skinny and ambitious feminist sister, being perpetually angry all the time because she is the eldest child but can’t inherit because she is a woman. I know this book was written in 2012, but damn. She has a fucking point. Also, the ONLY reason Leo eventually stops dismissing his sister’s points as being annoying and finally decides to do something with it, it is NOT because of her arguments or the fact that it’s unfair. No. It’s about that he doesn’t want to lose the love of his life because she can’t cope with being royal. Ex-fucking-cuse me. And we are supposed to root for Leo and Amy? Hm. No, not really, no.
In the end, my favourite character was Jo. I loved Amy and her relationship. I loved how they were living together in the London flat and how their friendship was so pure and honest and good. That was the best bit, honestly. This wasn’t a romance to me. This was a friendship-romance. A friendmance?
A good and cozy book. Enjoyed it, certainly. It was fine, I liked it, although it could have benefitted with better understandings of women, sexism, feminism, romance, scene-skipping and googling. But that’s just me. 🌼🌹
As for the book: I loved Jo. Jo is very much like me, I must admit. I mean... judging the quality of a potential flatmate by taking her to do karaoke with her? A (musical) actress? Comfortable in social situations but maybe sometimes a bit running around without a plan? Yep, that’s me. Except for the nobility then. I am certainly not high born.
Such a bummer then that Jo was not the main character and just the supporting best friend.
Amy was not too bad. But I didn’t like her drama too much. Especially in the beginning, her drama/main conflict was soooooooooooooooo immensely exaggerated and - frankly - just dumb. She didn’t want to say to Leo that she was ashamed that someone assaulted her by throwing a vase over her head and was therefore wet and see-through, even though he was very supporting from the start. She was running away and that was so dumb. However, it does fit a bit with the symbolism of her past, I guess. And I thought it was stupid that most of the plot-twists I could see coming from MILES away and Amy couldn’t. But fine. I also thought it was very annoying we didn’t find out about Kelly until the last couple of pages. I LOVED the reunion scene though. Very, very well done. Emotions everywhere. And finally an Amy I was proud of. Able to speak her mind and stand up for herself. Also, I think the trauma in her past and the anxiety it caused for her family is very well portrayed. I love how the author has done that. But to be fair, it could have been addressed AND resolved many many many pages before. IF AMY WOULD HAVE JUST BEEN FUCKING HONEST WITH HER FUCKING BOYFRIEND/VERY FAST FIANCE THIS WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN THE KATALYSATOR FOR THE ENGAGEMENT TO BE BROKEN OFF. And also, was that REALLY necessary Amy? Also, how did the Kelly thing never turn up into any record or background check on Amy for AT LEAST A YEAR INTO THE RELATIONSHIP? HOW? HOW?1!1!!1
I am actually very disappointed the personal business Amy had with her in-laws was never resolved. Not that we heard of anyway, because this book hsd the talent to skip over things and scenes I was dying to hear in person but wasn’t allowed to apparently (the sex scenes?! Hello?!1) Neither was Rolf any big character anymore near the end. He felt a bit useless. That was a shame. AND WHY HYPE JO AND ROLF UP TOGETHER AND THEN MAKE JO END UP WITH TED?1!!2 Of all the people Jo had no chemistry with... Ted. She had chemistry with Rolf in almost every scene they were on, even though that weren’t many. Why hype them up if you’re going to drop them in the last pages? And TED??1 Who wasn’t even there most of the book? Who was being boring and personality-less? THAT was a match for lovely Jo?! Pffff, please.
So, the relationship between Leo and Amy felt a bit... weird. The early engagement, the breaking off breaking up making up etc felt so... exhausting. Especially since I didn’t feel the romantic tension between them that much. (BECAUSE WE MISSED THE SEXSCENE DAMN IT!! What is a good romance WITHOUT THE BLOODY SEX SCENE?1!1) But they were sweet enough. And I loved the character development.
Oh and then one more thing: Sophia was supposed to be the mean, busy, super skinny and ambitious feminist sister, being perpetually angry all the time because she is the eldest child but can’t inherit because she is a woman. I know this book was written in 2012, but damn. She has a fucking point. Also, the ONLY reason Leo eventually stops dismissing his sister’s points as being annoying and finally decides to do something with it, it is NOT because of her arguments or the fact that it’s unfair. No. It’s about that he doesn’t want to lose the love of his life because she can’t cope with being royal. Ex-fucking-cuse me. And we are supposed to root for Leo and Amy? Hm. No, not really, no.
In the end, my favourite character was Jo. I loved Amy and her relationship. I loved how they were living together in the London flat and how their friendship was so pure and honest and good. That was the best bit, honestly. This wasn’t a romance to me. This was a friendship-romance. A friendmance?
A good and cozy book. Enjoyed it, certainly. It was fine, I liked it, although it could have benefitted with better understandings of women, sexism, feminism, romance, scene-skipping and googling. But that’s just me. 🌼🌹
May 16, 2016
Absolutely loved it! Perfect blend of romance, wittiness and angsty plot. It was funny, incredibly well written and very good. I love reading a book that really gives a well rounded account of a couple falling in love. They have friends, their own lives and their own problems. Each person brings their own life to the table and reading about that makes a book so much more rich.
And I love Royal romance. So add that, and this book was a total winner.
Loved Amy, and completely connected with her and her need to fit in and try to be this princess everyone expected her to be. It was too much, of course, but watching her navigate the treacherous waters of such a larger than life existence was very emotional. Prince Leo was amazing. He was beyond romantic and considerate. The secondary cast was great, especially Jo and Rolf...they provided endless comedic relief. This book didn't drag things out, it straddled the line between angst and humour. I loved how things worked out, adored the ending. This was also very clean, barely fade to black sex scenes, but like I've said before with other authors I adore, if the writing is fantastic and the characters wonderful, the romance beautiful, I don't care about the lack of steam. Anyways, wonderful book, loved it.
And I love Royal romance. So add that, and this book was a total winner.
Loved Amy, and completely connected with her and her need to fit in and try to be this princess everyone expected her to be. It was too much, of course, but watching her navigate the treacherous waters of such a larger than life existence was very emotional. Prince Leo was amazing. He was beyond romantic and considerate. The secondary cast was great, especially Jo and Rolf...they provided endless comedic relief. This book didn't drag things out, it straddled the line between angst and humour. I loved how things worked out, adored the ending. This was also very clean, barely fade to black sex scenes, but like I've said before with other authors I adore, if the writing is fantastic and the characters wonderful, the romance beautiful, I don't care about the lack of steam. Anyways, wonderful book, loved it.
February 24, 2014
Couple of seriously irritating points:
1. The MC doesn't seem to stand for anyone or anything-
E.g. when she lets Sofia and Liza push her around-like so much. I get that the author is trying to show how Amy is in a difficult position, but quite frankly I think the way that she handled it-to go along with it, disregard her values, and then run away from it all when it all gets too much-is hardly admirable.
2. The romance-Leo is perfect-too perfect. He lacks character and is really quite boring. Coupled with Amy's doormat-nature, and you have yourself an uninspiring romance.
3. The feminist angle-badly handled and rather pathetic. The whole primogeniture issue was completely ignored until it was convenient, leaving a reader wondering what it was the author was trying to say about when tradition shouldn't be followed.
4. Jo and Ted-predictable and uninteresting. Both were cliche characters and their romance was unimportant to the story-line-So why did the author waste time on it?
So yeah, pretty annoying all up.
1. The MC doesn't seem to stand for anyone or anything-
E.g. when she lets Sofia and Liza push her around-like so much. I get that the author is trying to show how Amy is in a difficult position, but quite frankly I think the way that she handled it-to go along with it, disregard her values, and then run away from it all when it all gets too much-is hardly admirable.
2. The romance-Leo is perfect-too perfect. He lacks character and is really quite boring. Coupled with Amy's doormat-nature, and you have yourself an uninspiring romance.
3. The feminist angle-badly handled and rather pathetic. The whole primogeniture issue was completely ignored until it was convenient, leaving a reader wondering what it was the author was trying to say about when tradition shouldn't be followed.
4. Jo and Ted-predictable and uninteresting. Both were cliche characters and their romance was unimportant to the story-line-So why did the author waste time on it?
So yeah, pretty annoying all up.
January 3, 2014
2/5
I don't recommend this, disappointing book.
Characters: stereotypes. Few of them lovable, and the primary protag (Amy) is insultingly anti-feminist. A woman who naturally cant take compliments or handle her own emotions... Ffs... And using a flat uber-bitch from career land in form of Sophia does NOT balance out Amy anti-fem character! Not all feminists are heartless career scum who loath family and enjoy stress work... sophia is just another stereotype.
Plot: confused. First 15% of book isnt needed. And the weird plot gear shift 50% in makes this feel like a disjointed two parter shoved together.
I don't recommend this, disappointing book.
Characters: stereotypes. Few of them lovable, and the primary protag (Amy) is insultingly anti-feminist. A woman who naturally cant take compliments or handle her own emotions... Ffs... And using a flat uber-bitch from career land in form of Sophia does NOT balance out Amy anti-fem character! Not all feminists are heartless career scum who loath family and enjoy stress work... sophia is just another stereotype.
Plot: confused. First 15% of book isnt needed. And the weird plot gear shift 50% in makes this feel like a disjointed two parter shoved together.
January 10, 2014
Boring, dull, totally unrealistic and annoying. Amy is silly and stupid. The title gives away the story. Such a silly read. Wasted my time. I do not recommend it.
Read
December 22, 2017After nearly being buried under my last book, the 1,149 page Outlander behemoth, An Echo in the Bone, I was looking for something lighter and shorter to read. Inspired by American princess to be Meghan Markle, I picked up this cute little novel about a commoner who becomes engaged to a prince. When gardener Amy meets Leo at a party she is the only person on earth who doesn't recognize who he is. She quickly gets caught up in the fun part of being a royal, diamond bracelets, glittering parties and fancy dresses. Unfortunately the bad part, attacks on her and her family by the press, insecurities, and awful relatives soon threaten her happy after. Is the love Amy and Leo share enough or will she be the one who got away?
I enjoyed this book for the most part. It was around the middle when Amy leaves Leo hanging at a party that I started getting frustrated with the story. Amy is the most insecure neurotic person I have ever seen. When a problem pops up she runs away and buries her head in the sand instead of dealing with it.Things happen in Amy's life that are beyond her control and still she chooses to act as if she should be ashamed of everything. There is no way a real life relationship could ever function if one person runs away and shuts down every time there is a minor problem. My disgust at Amy started to overshadow my enjoyment of the story. Although I liked the concept of an ordinary person trying to fit into a royal family ultimately Amy's vapid ways and lack of a backbone ruined the fairy tale for me.
December 3, 2015
The title of The Runaway Princess is misleading because Amy, our heroine, is just ordinary English middle-class girl. Her best friends Jo jokingly calls her 'Queen of Spades', but that's got more to do with Amy's profession than social status. If you haven't guessed it, Amy is a gardener. I felt close to Amy immediately - we had a lot of similarities. We're both not afraid to get our hands dirty, do not care about latest fashion, makeup, manicure and usually say wrong thing or get tongue-tied around unknown people.
While Jo tries to set Amy up with her posh friends, all Amy wants is someone ordinary and down-to-earth. Someone who is easy to talk to.
"I just want someone normal," I said stoutly. "I'm just a normal girl, and I want a normal bloke."
She smiled. "None of us are normal. We're all special in our own way."
When Amy meets Leo, it seems like her wish came true. And Leo is definitely not only easy to talk to but easy on the eyes also: blond hair, blue eyes, cute smile... But surprise surprise - Leo turns out to be a real prince from a small European country called Nirona. It's a little bit pretentious turning down a great guy just because he is a prince, especially if everything about him feels... just right.
"We're not exactly the same, but we fit together. You feel right. You smell right. When I'm with you, it's like I'm at home, even here in London, where I never thought I'd properly be happy. I don't know what it is, but I could talk to you forever and never run out of things to say. And I could never get tired of looking at you. Ever."
As Amy's and Leo's relationship gets serious, the pressure from royal family and paparazzi escalates and Amy encounters a lot of tough decisions and not-very-much-enjoyable 'princessing process'. How much are you willing to sacrifice for love? Is justified causing discomfort to your family just so you could be happy? Where is a boundary between improving and losing yourself? In this cute and quirky novel camouflaging as contemporary chick lit Hester Browne ask these and a lot of other important questions.
If you have ever envied Disney princesses on their hot and royal mates or wished you were lucky as Kate Middleton and caught a prince - Hester Browne will make you question that decision. If you want to know 100 reasons why you should not date (or God forbid) marry a prince and you like chick lit novels with quirky characters and English humor, then The Runaway Princess might be the book you are looking for.
My rating: 4 stars
Disclaimer: I was given a free eBook by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for a honest review. This text is also posted on my blog Bookworm Dreams in a little bit more styled edition.
While Jo tries to set Amy up with her posh friends, all Amy wants is someone ordinary and down-to-earth. Someone who is easy to talk to.
"I just want someone normal," I said stoutly. "I'm just a normal girl, and I want a normal bloke."
She smiled. "None of us are normal. We're all special in our own way."
When Amy meets Leo, it seems like her wish came true. And Leo is definitely not only easy to talk to but easy on the eyes also: blond hair, blue eyes, cute smile... But surprise surprise - Leo turns out to be a real prince from a small European country called Nirona. It's a little bit pretentious turning down a great guy just because he is a prince, especially if everything about him feels... just right.
"We're not exactly the same, but we fit together. You feel right. You smell right. When I'm with you, it's like I'm at home, even here in London, where I never thought I'd properly be happy. I don't know what it is, but I could talk to you forever and never run out of things to say. And I could never get tired of looking at you. Ever."
As Amy's and Leo's relationship gets serious, the pressure from royal family and paparazzi escalates and Amy encounters a lot of tough decisions and not-very-much-enjoyable 'princessing process'. How much are you willing to sacrifice for love? Is justified causing discomfort to your family just so you could be happy? Where is a boundary between improving and losing yourself? In this cute and quirky novel camouflaging as contemporary chick lit Hester Browne ask these and a lot of other important questions.
If you have ever envied Disney princesses on their hot and royal mates or wished you were lucky as Kate Middleton and caught a prince - Hester Browne will make you question that decision. If you want to know 100 reasons why you should not date (or God forbid) marry a prince and you like chick lit novels with quirky characters and English humor, then The Runaway Princess might be the book you are looking for.
My rating: 4 stars
Disclaimer: I was given a free eBook by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for a honest review. This text is also posted on my blog Bookworm Dreams in a little bit more styled edition.
June 13, 2018
This was a very cute book.
I really liked Hester’s writing style, it was very funny and the dialogue was like stepping straight into a delicious romcom.
I loved Amy and Jo, their relationship was adorable.
I was also enjoying Leo and Amy’s relationship, more at the beginning before she discovered he was a prince, but whatever.
The only reason I wouldn’t give this more stars is because it felt like it took me a long time to get through it, and I don’t know if I’d devour it again, but I DID enjoy it. It was easy and light (except for Sofia, YEEESH) and that’s what I was looking for.
Simply for the writing style, which I really did enjoy, I would definitely pick up more books by this author.
I really liked Hester’s writing style, it was very funny and the dialogue was like stepping straight into a delicious romcom.
I loved Amy and Jo, their relationship was adorable.
I was also enjoying Leo and Amy’s relationship, more at the beginning before she discovered he was a prince, but whatever.
The only reason I wouldn’t give this more stars is because it felt like it took me a long time to get through it, and I don’t know if I’d devour it again, but I DID enjoy it. It was easy and light (except for Sofia, YEEESH) and that’s what I was looking for.
Simply for the writing style, which I really did enjoy, I would definitely pick up more books by this author.
June 22, 2018
I've been looking for a good royal romance for ages and this is most definitely it. The heroine (and narrator) Amy is a down to earth Yorkshire gardener with a very funny internal monologue. Her friends and family are complex and well drawn, the central relationship doesn't ignore the problems that would come with a millionaire Prince falling in love with a working class girl, it's genuinely funny and surprising (yes even with that spoiler title). I just loved this. It neatly sidestepped all the cliches I was expecting and kept me hooked throughout.
January 18, 2021
Not very realistic, but I do love these British Rom-Coms, especially when it concerns royalty. They are so addicting! Read this in one day!
August 1, 2018
This book wanted to be SO MANY THINGS so it didn't quite manage to be any of them. I'd have liked to see more about either Leo and Amy or about Amy reconciling her past and her present.
December 14, 2012
To see full review click here: http://yalbookbriefs.blogspot.com/201...
I started this book right before my last final and had a hard time putting it down (thank God the final was open note and I basically started the book when study time was over).
This book was simply a breath of fresh air. Yeah, it was predictable and it was ridiculously fluffy, but I really enjoyed it.
Maybe it's because I love any book with princesses in it-you can blame Meg Cabot for that one folks. Also, I was sort of obsessed with the royal wedding a few years back as well. To be honest, when I was a kid I always imagined myself marrying a prince(I was six years-old, okay). And reading these books sort of bring me back to that first memory when I told my mom I wanted to be the queen of England when I grew up.
Of course, that didn't happen.
Though in Amy Wilde's case it sort of did. She fell in love with a prince. A real bonafide prince. And she wasn't even prince hunting (and yes, there are some honest bonafide prince hunters out there).
Honestly, I feel like the best thing about this book was Amy and Leo's relationship. They are so cute together and they really work as a couple. I feel like the best part of the book happened during their courtship.
However, once they ended up getting engaged Leo's role diminished and he was merely mind candy. I didn't like this. It was like he lacked a backbone. His sister, who is a horrible witch, essentially got what she wanted in the end. And yeah, I guess it was better for Amy, but I really think that she and Leo could've worked things out even if..... okay, I'm going into spoiler territory. But let's just say the ending was sort of a bummer.
I think it's partially because the whole resolution of the plot seemed extremely rushed. Not only with the Amy and Leo relationship but with the side plot concerning Amy's sister.
That aside, I really enjoyed the book. The characters were great and I really did get caught up in the story. It's not the deepest book I've ever read, but it has a lot going for it.
Best Feature: Grown Up Princess Diaries. I love books about princesses. The first YA book I ever read was Meg Cabot's The Princess Diaries and this book is like that book but grown up. I love Browne's whole take on royalty.
Worst Feature: The last thirty pages. Honestly, I didn't like the way this book wrapped up. It just seemed so quickly and I felt like some characters got a happier ending than they deserved (cough, Sophia and Kelly, cough).
Appropriateness: This is an adult book, but it's pretty mild. There's some language and some partying, but that's about it. Really, it's a lot calmer than a lot of YA books out there.
I started this book right before my last final and had a hard time putting it down (thank God the final was open note and I basically started the book when study time was over).
This book was simply a breath of fresh air. Yeah, it was predictable and it was ridiculously fluffy, but I really enjoyed it.
Maybe it's because I love any book with princesses in it-you can blame Meg Cabot for that one folks. Also, I was sort of obsessed with the royal wedding a few years back as well. To be honest, when I was a kid I always imagined myself marrying a prince(I was six years-old, okay). And reading these books sort of bring me back to that first memory when I told my mom I wanted to be the queen of England when I grew up.
Of course, that didn't happen.
Though in Amy Wilde's case it sort of did. She fell in love with a prince. A real bonafide prince. And she wasn't even prince hunting (and yes, there are some honest bonafide prince hunters out there).
Honestly, I feel like the best thing about this book was Amy and Leo's relationship. They are so cute together and they really work as a couple. I feel like the best part of the book happened during their courtship.
However, once they ended up getting engaged Leo's role diminished and he was merely mind candy. I didn't like this. It was like he lacked a backbone. His sister, who is a horrible witch, essentially got what she wanted in the end. And yeah, I guess it was better for Amy, but I really think that she and Leo could've worked things out even if..... okay, I'm going into spoiler territory. But let's just say the ending was sort of a bummer.
I think it's partially because the whole resolution of the plot seemed extremely rushed. Not only with the Amy and Leo relationship but with the side plot concerning Amy's sister.
That aside, I really enjoyed the book. The characters were great and I really did get caught up in the story. It's not the deepest book I've ever read, but it has a lot going for it.
Best Feature: Grown Up Princess Diaries. I love books about princesses. The first YA book I ever read was Meg Cabot's The Princess Diaries and this book is like that book but grown up. I love Browne's whole take on royalty.
Worst Feature: The last thirty pages. Honestly, I didn't like the way this book wrapped up. It just seemed so quickly and I felt like some characters got a happier ending than they deserved (cough, Sophia and Kelly, cough).
Appropriateness: This is an adult book, but it's pretty mild. There's some language and some partying, but that's about it. Really, it's a lot calmer than a lot of YA books out there.
July 6, 2017
I really liked this book. I thought for a fairy-tale type of story it was surprisingly believable and it really made me think of what I would do if faced with the same situations. I really did relate to Amy. She was a girl who took pride in working for everything she got and I liked that about her, she didn't let the glamour of dating a prince change her personality. She was a normal girl and I think that's what made the book not feel over the top, which a lot of modern princess stories can be at times. Leo was a wonderful male lead, he was so elegant, smart, and very prince-like. He was also very down to earth, even though he lived a glamorous royal lifestyle. I loved the effort he made to fit into Amy's life and not just trying to superimpose her into his. I also loved how he fit in with her family, who were working class people, very different from his own and even though her home life and hometown was so much different than his, he embraced it. I thought Leo's family was really colorful with his eccentric Prince of a father, Supermodel mom, and party boy younger brother, Rolf, who was one of my favorite characters. The things he did and said were just so outlandish and hilarious, I wouldn't mind reading a book that focused exclusively on him. I also liked Amy's bff, Jo, she was very supportive of everything Amy did and was always there to help, which Amy often needed a lot of.
The only negatives I can name are that I didn't like how Amy didn't face her problems head on and that she often didn't speak up for herself when it came to doing things she didn't want to do. I also thought that the book tended to drag a little towards the end and that the ending itself was a little rushed, but other than that this was a really good book.
*ARC provided by Goodreads*
The only negatives I can name are that I didn't like how Amy didn't face her problems head on and that she often didn't speak up for herself when it came to doing things she didn't want to do. I also thought that the book tended to drag a little towards the end and that the ending itself was a little rushed, but other than that this was a really good book.
*ARC provided by Goodreads*
November 2, 2012
Rating: solid 3 stars
It was a nice cute read. The shy wallflower, middle income girl gets the prince, but I did however find the Leo character quite lacking. He was great and charming, but there really wasn't much depth to him. He didn't really have any flaws. Sure, he was really considerate made the heroine feel special, but he never made a mistake. There was no hidden traumas of being royal or emotions of resentment that his every action was monitored by the press. Or that he followed a schedule someone made for him. He never even had a blow-up, call me a realist, but no one is that controlled. Everyone has a melt-down or two. Sorry, (cringe) Leo was very bland.
The character that sort of steals the show sometimes is Rolf, the younger prince Harry-like character. It would've been a nice little twist if Amy's character would have tried to knock some sense into Rolf and make him evolve as a character and maybe end up with him.
Amy's character I half liked and half didn't. I liked how she was a gardener and wore jeans and a t-shirt. Also, how she had trouble walking in really high heels, and spilling water. She was klutzy, but I liked that. However, she sort of strikes a nerve every time she doesn't stand up for herself. She goes along with everything and never really inserts how and what she wants to do. I get it you're about to marry royalty, but can't you at least chose what you want to wear?
The whole Kelly conflict was bad, but it wasn't that bad. I don't understand why she never even told her best friend Jo? Plus, I kept wondering what's so bad that she can't tell her best friend or why her sister ran away? It took forever for her to even mention it, and the world didn't end after.
Overall, a light read, but sometimes dragging in some parts.
It was a nice cute read. The shy wallflower, middle income girl gets the prince, but I did however find the Leo character quite lacking. He was great and charming, but there really wasn't much depth to him. He didn't really have any flaws. Sure, he was really considerate made the heroine feel special, but he never made a mistake. There was no hidden traumas of being royal or emotions of resentment that his every action was monitored by the press. Or that he followed a schedule someone made for him. He never even had a blow-up, call me a realist, but no one is that controlled. Everyone has a melt-down or two. Sorry, (cringe) Leo was very bland.
The character that sort of steals the show sometimes is Rolf, the younger prince Harry-like character. It would've been a nice little twist if Amy's character would have tried to knock some sense into Rolf and make him evolve as a character and maybe end up with him.
Amy's character I half liked and half didn't. I liked how she was a gardener and wore jeans and a t-shirt. Also, how she had trouble walking in really high heels, and spilling water. She was klutzy, but I liked that. However, she sort of strikes a nerve every time she doesn't stand up for herself. She goes along with everything and never really inserts how and what she wants to do. I get it you're about to marry royalty, but can't you at least chose what you want to wear?
The whole Kelly conflict was bad, but it wasn't that bad. I don't understand why she never even told her best friend Jo? Plus, I kept wondering what's so bad that she can't tell her best friend or why her sister ran away? It took forever for her to even mention it, and the world didn't end after.
Overall, a light read, but sometimes dragging in some parts.
July 21, 2018
Where this book falls on the motor revvin’ scale:
--->Sweet: This book could be read by Puritans without blushing.
Sensual: A few pages of sexy time, but mostly story.
Hot: NSFW but safe enough for the bus if you hide the cover.
Erotic: Oh my.
Genre tropes:
* Rich or super-rich hero
* Awkward heroine/ Ugly duckling
* Royalty
* Heroine is tortured by her past
* Insta-love
The first romance novel to make me laugh out loud a couple of times, but with awful two dimensional characters.
The love interest was completely non-existent. I mean, he was definitely there but he was not a person. He was a moneybag with legs.
This book inspired me to make a scale for romance novels. Apparently it’s a known thing on the various romance novel blogs on the internet but I had not considered it. Romances definitely have a smuttiness level. Just because it’s shelved in romance doesn’t mean it has any sex. What? I know. So, FYI. This book has NO SEX.
I feel like I should comment on the classism and sexism here but I didn’t really care about the book enough to spend the time.
--->Sweet: This book could be read by Puritans without blushing.
Sensual: A few pages of sexy time, but mostly story.
Hot: NSFW but safe enough for the bus if you hide the cover.
Erotic: Oh my.
Genre tropes:
* Rich or super-rich hero
* Awkward heroine/ Ugly duckling
* Royalty
* Heroine is tortured by her past
* Insta-love
The first romance novel to make me laugh out loud a couple of times, but with awful two dimensional characters.
The love interest was completely non-existent. I mean, he was definitely there but he was not a person. He was a moneybag with legs.
This book inspired me to make a scale for romance novels. Apparently it’s a known thing on the various romance novel blogs on the internet but I had not considered it. Romances definitely have a smuttiness level. Just because it’s shelved in romance doesn’t mean it has any sex. What? I know. So, FYI. This book has NO SEX.
I feel like I should comment on the classism and sexism here but I didn’t really care about the book enough to spend the time.
July 5, 2019
Actual rating: 4.5 out of 5
Reading secular rom-com isn't always my cup of tea. Fortunately I'd read a stellar review for this novel which led me to buy a copy. After that The Runaway Princess sat on my shelf being good for nothing but taking up space. Once I finally got into it, I had to ask myself: why did I wait so long to read this!?
The snappy dialogue (which is deliciously British), its British setting and wonderfully colorful characters gives this book an edge. Sure it will probably conjure up reflections of The Prince and Me (the Julia Stiles film) however there is some kind of sparkle this book has that lets it shine in unique ways. Amy and Leo are brilliant characters, who aren't the carbon-copy leading couple. In particular I liked Amy's sweet and sometimes awkward personality (read: relatable!). Plus the fact that there isn't a huge "let's-break-up-because..." heated moment is a breath of fresh air.
It may be a contemporary romantic-comedy traditionally - something that might inspire worry over clichés, but this has lots of glitz and glamour amidst some of the more important social issues and poignant moments that take place between Amy and Leo. The story keeps us guessing even as the logical part of our mind tells us all will be well leading to a happily ever after. When I don't know for certain, but I will be reading more of Hester's novels. If they mirror anything similar to this novel, I'll be enchanted all over again.
Content: there are some vague references to couples sleeping together. Social drinking and minor profanity can also be found along with some British slang.
Reading secular rom-com isn't always my cup of tea. Fortunately I'd read a stellar review for this novel which led me to buy a copy. After that The Runaway Princess sat on my shelf being good for nothing but taking up space. Once I finally got into it, I had to ask myself: why did I wait so long to read this!?
The snappy dialogue (which is deliciously British), its British setting and wonderfully colorful characters gives this book an edge. Sure it will probably conjure up reflections of The Prince and Me (the Julia Stiles film) however there is some kind of sparkle this book has that lets it shine in unique ways. Amy and Leo are brilliant characters, who aren't the carbon-copy leading couple. In particular I liked Amy's sweet and sometimes awkward personality (read: relatable!). Plus the fact that there isn't a huge "let's-break-up-because..." heated moment is a breath of fresh air.
It may be a contemporary romantic-comedy traditionally - something that might inspire worry over clichés, but this has lots of glitz and glamour amidst some of the more important social issues and poignant moments that take place between Amy and Leo. The story keeps us guessing even as the logical part of our mind tells us all will be well leading to a happily ever after. When I don't know for certain, but I will be reading more of Hester's novels. If they mirror anything similar to this novel, I'll be enchanted all over again.
Content: there are some vague references to couples sleeping together. Social drinking and minor profanity can also be found along with some British slang.
March 5, 2013
Hester Brown's books are always such fund with a leisurely pace and lots of character development.
What I like best is that the characters are believable with honest reasons for the behaviors, not turning completely into someone else at that last minute to make the plot work.
Amy is somewhat shy, but not because she doens't care for people or is uninterested. She has some bad past to constantly remind her of what happens when you let people in. I could eastily understand why she is the way she is, even if I occasonially wanted her to be able to stand up for herself.
Leo is a prince. Full stop. And there relationship is built on knowing each other and not just looks.
There are some great twists that were nice surprises.
The only reason I'd give this a four instead of a five is that someone tries very hard to come between Leo and Amy, is successful at hurting Amy, not only her relationship, but her pride and self-esteem, and that person pays no price for that and is, in fact, rewarded for sabotaging her. I would have liked there to have been a bit of negative consequences for those actions, but that is a very small quibble.
You'll laugh, you'll cry. Enjoy this one.
What I like best is that the characters are believable with honest reasons for the behaviors, not turning completely into someone else at that last minute to make the plot work.
Amy is somewhat shy, but not because she doens't care for people or is uninterested. She has some bad past to constantly remind her of what happens when you let people in. I could eastily understand why she is the way she is, even if I occasonially wanted her to be able to stand up for herself.
Leo is a prince. Full stop. And there relationship is built on knowing each other and not just looks.
There are some great twists that were nice surprises.
The only reason I'd give this a four instead of a five is that someone tries very hard to come between Leo and Amy, is successful at hurting Amy, not only her relationship, but her pride and self-esteem, and that person pays no price for that and is, in fact, rewarded for sabotaging her. I would have liked there to have been a bit of negative consequences for those actions, but that is a very small quibble.
You'll laugh, you'll cry. Enjoy this one.
September 15, 2012
I liked The Runaway Princess. I might've enjoyed it a bit more if it hadn't been such a long book.
It's about a "normal" girl who falls in love with a prince. It describes itself as "The Princess Diaries meets Runaway Bride" and this description is pretty much exactly what I would've compared it to.
I enjoyed the parts where she was being taught how to be "royal" the most. My main problem with it was the length. I thought there unnecessary parts and times when the book moved a bit slowly. Otherwise, it was perfect for lovers of a good chick lit.
(Thanks to Edelweiss for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion)
It's about a "normal" girl who falls in love with a prince. It describes itself as "The Princess Diaries meets Runaway Bride" and this description is pretty much exactly what I would've compared it to.
I enjoyed the parts where she was being taught how to be "royal" the most. My main problem with it was the length. I thought there unnecessary parts and times when the book moved a bit slowly. Otherwise, it was perfect for lovers of a good chick lit.
(Thanks to Edelweiss for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion)
July 5, 2018
I went through a bunch of royal wedding books a few months ago, due to Harry and Meghan's wedding. I had this one ready to go at the time, but burned out. Reading it now, I realize it should've been at the top of my list. This is a fun story, about a gardener in London, named Amy, who meets a wonderful guy, Leo, at a party. She soon learns that he is actually a prince, albeit with no hope of becoming the Crown Prince of his homeland. This is a great romantic story, with some twists I saw coming and some I did not. Great summer read!
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