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The Pitfalls of Dating a Prince: A Spicy Royal Romance

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The Prince of Hearts
Born the second son, Prince Nicholai lived as the spare until his father’s sudden death thrust him into the role of the heir. With mounting pressure to meet royal expectations, the monarchy’s PR team rushes to overhaul Nick’s notorious playboy image.

The solution? Debut his first serious relationship. The problem? He doesn’t have one. But what he does have is a secret obsession with the woman he met on vacation.

The Heartbroken Starlet
Willa Radford is America’s box office sweetheart, but beneath her glamorous exterior lies a woman haunted by her past. When she meets Nick, she’s not looking for love, but his magnetic pull becomes impossible to resist. Giving into temptation, their carefree fling quickly turns serious—until it ends just as suddenly as it began.

The Heart of the Matter
Torn between duty and desire, Nick is forced to return home as pressure mounts for him to select a suitable partner from a list of appropriate matches. But how can he settle for an arranged relationship when his heart belongs to a woman far removed from his aristocratic circles?

When their lives collide for a second time, Nick and Willa must decide if their love is strong enough to write their own fairy tale ending—or if they’ll continue to allow their pasts to dictate their future.

What to AttractVacation FlingForced ProximityMutual Piningand a sweet Happily-Ever-After, of course!
Author's The Pitfalls of Dating a Prince is the second book in the Love in the Limelight series, a series of interconnected, standalone novels. It's not necessary to read the first book, Off Script, prior to reading The Pitfalls of Dating a Prince.

The Pitfalls of Dating a Prince contains some coarse language and open door, spicy scenes. It also touches on topics that may be sensitive for some readers. Please check my website or read the Content Warnings section at the beginning of the novel.

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2025

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Erin Olivier

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
Profile Image for Shelby Westerdahl.
153 reviews62 followers
April 24, 2025
Thank you to the Author for the ARC copy! This book was absolutely adorable! Nick and Willa completely stole my heart. I laughed, I cry, I literally kicked my feet - I felt everything. I really appreciate how it touched on some deeper, more sensitive topics, and did it in such a thoughtful and respectful way. No spoilers, but wow… This story was just so good. Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Marie.
341 reviews2 followers
April 18, 2025
"My life was really divided into two distinct, pivotal eras—before I met Willa and after I met Willa—because her presence has forever changed me for the better."

This is my first time reading a book by Erin and I have to say it was great. PLEASE read the trigger warnings if you have infertility issues (especially chapter 9) as this can be triggering for some.

Willa is a famous Hollywood actress who is taking time off after running from her past trauma and trying to decide if she wants to continue with her career.

Nick is actually Prince Nicholai and he is taking a trip before starting his Royal duties since his father passes away. He is single by choice.

Willa and Nick meet when they are both on vacation in the same time. They keep bumping into each other and before they know it they are friends leading into more! Nick and Willa had great chemistry and the banter had me laughing out loud.

There is a little miscommunication but it does not drag on like other books which I liked a lot. Nick mom is allot that's all I will say without spilling any details.

there is a section in the book where it talks about miscarriage and I thought Erin did a really good job navigating that conversation and she wrote that beautifully. I really liked how she touched on how many women suffer and silence because they don't feel like they can talk about it . I can't wait to read more books by this author.

Thank you Erin for my book glad I was able to read it.
Profile Image for Ash⚔️.
53 reviews9 followers
April 13, 2025
Chefs kiss 😘 5 stars ⭐️ I cried, I laughed, I smiled, I kicked my feet and blushed. I sobbed THRICE. Ok, the last time, I was just sobbing about 2 consecutive things and I never actually stopped crying in between.
If you not only love romance books, but have also experienced grief, loss, anxiety, panic attacks.. please give this a read. I feel so seen and I’m not even a movie star or royal 😂
The first awkward moments, the instant chemistry and sweet way Nick cares for Willa is perfect. And let me just say, the dirty talk is top 👏🏻 notch 👏🏻🔥
The writing is beautifully descriptive, the banter is hilarious and witty. Nick is a swoony, sweet & caring walking green flag (even though I WAS salty with him for a hot second.)
On a serious note, I resonate with Willa deeply. Living through miscarriage, the anxious inner dialogue, imposter syndrome, questioning your worth… but still willing to push through and show up for yourself. The author has done a great job representing mental health and grief. It’s raw and real, but sensitive and handled respectfully. My heart was aching in the best way over the way things wrap up in the end. So many emotions. The validation and support Nick freely gave to Willa throughout the book has healed a part of my soul.

“Isn’t that one of the greatest cosmic mysteries? How a person can go from being a stranger to becoming the most important person in your life.”

Honorable mentions!
💞Willa and Maggie with their sassy banter! Laughing at Willa’s expense? Pure bestie behavior. Reminds me of my own childhood best friend and I!
🐕Bruno is the goodest boy. The cutest furry wingman. The best dressed good boy in town. End of story.
🎸Hayes needs his own country rockstar story where he finds his woman. Please tell me it’s happening in the future?! “Because it sure as shit ain’t Jane.”

Dishonorable mention..
🖕🏻F*** Baron and Queen Biotch and all they stand for. That’s all I’ll say about that.

Beautiful job on this book. I could see this being a rom com show or movie as well❤️ I’m honored to have been chosen as an arc reader for this new release. All opinions are my own🙂
Profile Image for Jen.
50 reviews1 follower
April 11, 2025
Thank you to the author for gifting me an ARC copy!! All opinions are my own.

Okay, so this was my first dip into the world of contemporary royal romance, and… I think I can be into it.

I flew through this book in about 24 hours because I literally could not stop reading. Nick and Willa had me hooked from page one. They’re charming, funny, and somehow totally relatable—even though their jobs are NOT.

The whole thing played out in my head like an early 2000s rom-com—but with some added spice 😉🌶️Honestly, I’d watch this movie in a heartbeat.
Profile Image for Isabella Grace.
532 reviews47 followers
May 29, 2025
“𝓜𝔂 𝓵𝓲𝓯𝓮 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓵𝓵𝔂 𝓭𝓲𝓿𝓲𝓭𝓮𝓭 𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓸 𝓽𝔀𝓸 𝓭𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓬𝓽, 𝓹𝓲𝓿𝓸𝓽𝓪𝓵 𝓮𝓻𝓪𝓼…𝓫𝓮𝓯𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓘 𝓶𝓮𝓽 𝓦𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓪 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓪𝓯𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓘 𝓶𝓮𝓽 𝓦𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓪…𝓫𝓮𝓬𝓪𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓮 𝓱𝓪𝓼 𝓯𝓸𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓭 𝓶𝓮 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓫𝓮𝓽𝓽𝓮𝓻.”

This was my first time reading Emily Olivier, and I really enjoyed this book. I’m not always a HUGE fan of royal romances set in modern day…but this one was sweet enough. Myself being from the U.K., I got massive Meghan and Harry vibes from the story. Do with that what you will depending on how you feel and stand regarding that whole situation.

Willa is a movie star who is vacationing after suffering a personal loss. There are some tough subjects touched upon here…grief, miscarriage…fertility issues..so please keep that in mind when reading as I know it can be a sensitive topic for some.

Nick, is actually Prince Nicholas. He’s getting ready to take the throne after the untimely passing of the King, and decides to take a vacation to the states for one last hurrah before he takes on his royal duties….and where does the prince decide to vacation? North Carolina……………… *sigh* listen. North Carolina is great. I’ve been a few times. But I promise…a prince with more money than he knows what to do with, who is taking a fun vacation to America isn’t choosing North Carolina. I get why Willa picked it…it’s her home town…but this just kind of made me raise an eyebrow. Anyway…moving on.

These two meet at a resort and it’s INSTA LUST…they are hot and heavy…but things get cut short because duties card for Nick back home…leaving Willa feeling crushed. But…Nick couldn’t get Willa out of his mind and made it his mission to make this girl his.

It was definitely a slow burn , which was great because these two had the time and opportunity to really get to know each other and build a meaningful and trust based relationship. Nick was all in for Willa and let her know she was his end goal, no matter how long it took. Willa shared her secrets and pain with Nick and he helped her navigate those feelings of grief and loss that they were both experiencing in different ways.

There was some drama with the Queen mother…predictable “you aren’t good enough for my son or to be a royal” but it was over pretty quickly. The road to their happy ever after is bumpy but it would be when you have two people coming from different backgrounds and cultures.

Ultimately I think it’s a fun , quick read. Definitely almost adult princess diaries meets Harry & Meghan vibes. So if you are into that, then this is your book 💛

Thank you to Emily Olivier for the opportunity to ARC read this book 💛

👑Royal Romance
🎥Movie Star FMC
👑Prince MMC
🎥Pregnancy Loss
👑Loss of a Parent
🎥Billionaire
👑Insta-Lust
🎥Opposites Attract
👑Mental Health Rep
🎥Reformed Playboy
👑Mutual Pining
🎥Forced Proximity
👑Vacation Fling
🎥Dual POV
👑HEA
Profile Image for Cait Waksler.
89 reviews3 followers
April 13, 2025
“Isn’t that one of the greatest cosmic mysteries? How someone can go from being a stranger to becoming the most important person in your life?”

Willa Radford is a Hollywood actress who decides to take some time off after suffering a personal tragedy that left her reeling. Prince Nicholai is taking some time off before he must assume his official royal duties following his father, the King’s, untimely passing. When Willa and Nick meet at a resort, it’s lust at first sight. Their initial attraction quickly becomes more but not before Nick’s royal duties call him back to his native land and their fling is over as quickly as it started, leaving Willa crushed. When life unexpectedly brings their paths back together, can they get a second chance and a happily ever after?

I loved this book! I’m a sucker for a lust at first sight story and Nick and Willa’s chemistry was off the charts. Their witty banter had me laughing and smiling. Their sexual chemistry and compatibility was palpable and steamy and just perfect. All the makings of a great romance novel but it’s so important to note that this story is deeper than a simple romance and the author did an excellent job of tackling some really difficult topics such as infertility, miscarriage, and family trauma. I could feel Willa’s raw grief and the way Nick instantly validated her and supported her and continued to do so just hit me in the feels.
Profile Image for its_just_christin.
158 reviews18 followers
April 26, 2025
I really enjoyed this book, it’s sweet, funny, and a little sad at times. As with any book there are some triggers that people should check out before reading.

Willa is an actress that is taking a hiatus in her small home town in North Carolina and has the greatest meet cute with Nick the prince of Belgrovinia who was up until his fathers death was living a charmed life with very little responsibility. Now Nick is next in line to throne and everything changes so he takes three months to travel before he gets to work in his new normal.

There is an instant attraction between them and watching them get to know each other was fun. Their banter was perfection. Nick is definitely swoon worthy, I love this man. Willa despite being a movie star is so relatable, she is real and has a lot of the same fears and anxieties most of us have. There were parts of this book that broke my heart and the sensitive topics were so delicately and respectfully written. Erin did an amazing job showing the struggle of living through anxiety, grief, and loss. The love story was beautiful and I love this couple together.

I am so thankful to have been given the opportunity to read an eARC of this book. This was my first book by Erin Olivier and I became an instant fan. I want to read everything else she’s written.
Profile Image for Keishla Sanchez.
19 reviews
April 14, 2025
Reseña ARC Team
Nacido como segundo hijo, el príncipe Nicholai vivió como un repuesto hasta que la repentina muerte de su padre lo empujó al papel de heredero. Con la creciente presión para cumplir con las expectativas reales, el equipo de relaciones públicas de la monarquía se apresura a revisar la notoria imagen de playboy de Nick.

¿La solución? Debuta en su primera relación seria. ¿El problema? Él no tiene uno. Pero lo que sí tiene es una obsesión secreta con las mujeres que conoció en vacaciones.

Willa Redford, nuestra FMC, es una estrella de cine de Hollywood que se toma un descanso del estrés de la vida de Hollywood y de la vida en general. Mientras está de vacaciones, conoce a nuestro MMC Nick. Este libro me hizo reír y sonreír en todo momento.

Aprecié que el autor llegara al grano. Puede haber habido malentendidos entre nuestros personajes principales, pero no se arrastró a lo largo de todo el libro y llevó a más malas decisiones. Hubo comunicación entre los personajes principales, por lo que cualquier malentendido se solucionó rápidamente. Esta fue una lectura fácil, entretenida, con la cantidad justa de especias.

Profile Image for ToniLynette.
364 reviews
April 14, 2025
ARC Review

🌶️🌶️

I am so pleasantly surprised by this book! I read it in A DAY! Nick and Will were just adorable and their spice was so well done.

I love the friends to lovers trope and this hit the nail on the head. At the very end, there was a BIT of the miscommunication trope that I despise (which is why I took half a star, but this personal preference), but we recovered quickly.

There are several hilarious pop culture references, including Taylor Swift and Eminem, which fit the scenes in the best ways.

Also, there’s an adorable guard dog that’s terrible at his job because he’s a sucker for our main female character. 🥰

Check your triggers, especially if you shy away from infertility or child loss. Chapter 9 dives into that and the struggles Will endured. I, personally feel like the author did a good job of capturing those raw emotions while also be respectful to such a sensitive topic.

I will not skip out on another one of these author’s books.
Profile Image for Miranda Murphy.
43 reviews
April 22, 2025
I received an eArc copy of this book and it gave me all the feels. I was frustrated, happy, sad, and happy sad.
I agree with comments saying that Nick and Willa seem very relatable even though they are elite status. I also agree that the topic of pregnancy loss was handled with such care, it did not feel out of place in a contemporary romance.
The star of the show of course was Bruno!
This was a fun and quick read, and we'll worth it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Samantha.
16 reviews
April 19, 2025
This was so freaking cute😭🤍. Nick and Willa are my favs. I laughed, I cried, I kicked my feet, and felt all the feels. I love the way some sensitive topics were brought up and how respectfully they were covered. I won’t spoil anything because duh, but this book was great!
Profile Image for Becca.
321 reviews5 followers
April 23, 2025
Hooked I’m telling you! I was hooked. I love Nicholas and Willa together and the struggles were very well handled! I will say I was a little worried by one of the trigger warnings but it was so well handled!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I received an arc and voluntarily leave this honest review.
Profile Image for Kelly.
551 reviews2 followers
April 24, 2025
I’m not really a royal romance person, but this one was pretty good. I really liked Nick and Willa. He was so kind, encouraging, supportive and just plain swoony. You really wanted them to find their happy ending together. 🩷🩷

It was kind of fun to have 2 really different settings on this story - the events that occurred in North Carolina and then the events that occured in the small European country.

There were parts that made me smile and there were some parts that were sad and made me tear up. It was a really good book.
Profile Image for Chloe Christensen.
32 reviews1 follower
April 9, 2025
Disclaimer: I was a part of the ARC read for the book but all opinions are my own.

This book is unlike anything I’ve read recently and it was such a great change. From the very first page I was hooked, there wasn’t a moment I wasn’t rooting for them and I loved every piece of their story and how it all unfolded. I think as someone who has had a miscarriage, Erin handled that part of the story with so much care and really portrayed all of the emotions and the aftermath in such a respectful way. When it comes to the characters; Nick was so patient and tender with Willa which just made the story even better. This is by far one of my favorite reads so far this year, I loved seeing their story unfold.
Profile Image for Michelle.
524 reviews3 followers
April 26, 2025
I am voluntarily leaving a review after receiving an ARC from Hidden Gems.

The timeline left me a little confused. I read Off Script, which is the first book in the series, and I kept waiting on the scene where Willa posted a picture of her and a faceless man to prove that she had moved on from her fake relationship with Ben Sutton. Besides being thrown off by the timeline, the book was good. I was surprised by the antagonist in this story. King Alex was a surprise hero as well. even though the story centered around Nick and Willa, many characters played a huge role in making their relationship work.

The supporting characters have a lot of depth - just as much as Willa and Nick does.
Profile Image for Plot_Twist_Momma -Stephanie.
146 reviews9 followers
May 7, 2025
I loved this story, totally gives me Princess Grace vibe’s….



This story was a true love at first sight romance, such a cute story about a world famous actress (Willa) who is taking a break from the limelight to reduce stress and a Prince (Nick) who is called up to help the family through a difficult time, but before he starts his new life, he takes an American tour to and relax before his life changes forever.

Enter a cute dog (Bruno), who’s supposed to be a guard dog but falls first for Willa and her hidden dog treats, and his owner who is captured by her natural beauty and snarky personality.

This story was so fun, and whimsical, it had me laughing, crying and also holding my breath for what comes next.

The story also covers a very sensitive subject, miscarriages and how sometimes the woman suffers in silence. The subject matter was covered beautifully.

Some side characters are the three bothers of Willa, who I would love to see get their own story.

My only hangup is a personal issue with the story about miscommunication and how it can always ruin things. But it was such a small thing and all worked out. Honestly a lot of romances have this but it’s not a big deal, just my personal preference.

👑Royal Romance
🎥Movie Star & Prince
❤️Opposites attract
⛱️Vacation Fling
♠️truth or dare
🦮Cute Royal Guard dog
Profile Image for Nicole.
314 reviews8 followers
August 21, 2025
Rating 4 ⭐️
Spice🌶🌶🌶
Dual POV

Royal romance
Vacation fling
Opposites attract
Golden retriever MMC
Forced proximity
Anxiety rep
Mutual pining
Ages 28/25
Toys as playmates
"My darling"
Miscommunication
HEA
⚠️ Triggers: Loss/miscarriage, infertility, mental health, grief

The Pitfalls of Dating a Prince is a charming and romantic story about two people who meet while on vacation, each taking a break from their high-profile lives. Willa is a well-known actress, while Nick manages to keep his royal identity a secret throughout their time together- a secret that does cause a minor hiccup later on, but is resolved fairly quickly. I appreciated how the story explored the challenges of dating someone famous without letting outside drama overshadow the heart of the romance.

The beginning of their relationship is light, fun, and heartfelt, capturing that magical feeling of living in the moment with someone you instantly connect with. Their chemistry is palpable, and the witty banter between them adds an extra layer of charm. The story reads like the best kind of romantic movie, complete with some fun open-door spice. If this ever got adapted into a film, I would watch it.

Nick is a walking green flag, and I love him so much. He is sweet, caring, and full of golden retriever energy that perfectly balances Willa’s more introverted nature. He’s emotionally intelligent and incredibly thoughtful, always showing up for Willa in quiet but meaningful ways, like carrying sour candy for her panic attacks or taking her to visit shelters and orphanages because he knows how much she loves kids and animals. He listens, understands, and anticipates her needs with genuine care.

Willa, on the other hand, is a beautifully written character who deals with several mental health issues (anxiety, grief, and imposter syndrome). Her journey feels real and relatable as she works through her struggles to heal and prioritize her well-being. Though I struggled reading about her anxiety at times, I think the author did a great job portraying the journey of overcoming personal struggles and learning to prioritize yourself over others. And while I think Willa gained a bit more (emotionally) out of her relationship with Nick and his emotional support, Willa is also a grounding force for him, fully understanding the pressures of fame and public expectation. Their relationship feels like a true partnership built on empathy and mutual growth.

I appreciated how the author explored deeper, sensitive topics like loss and grief with care and respect. These emotions can feel overwhelming and all-consuming, but the story strikes a thoughtful balance; acknowledging their weight without letting them overpower the narrative. Nick’s grief over his father is handled with quiet depth, especially his realization that he lost the chance to repair their relationship. Willa’s healing journey, from miscarriage to grief to rediscovering hope, is portrayed with compassion. Miscarriage is often overlooked or underdiscussed (as is addressed in the book as well) and I appreciated that the author acknowledged its importance without being preachy. She beautifully captured how many women suffer in silence after such a loss, while also touching on related struggles like infertility with sensitivity and care. Nick is a true green flag throughout, but especially during Willa’s most vulnerable moments. His empathy, patience, and unwavering support created a safe space for her to feel everything without judgment. His emotional validation is everything, and that final gift he gives her? I was a puddle of tears. Absolute swoon.

The only thing that kept this from being a 5-star read for me was the repeated use of the miscommunication trope. While I appreciated that the misunderstandings weren’t dragged out, it felt like Willa often reacted immaturely; mishearing or misinterpreting things and responding dramatically. I get that her anxiety influences this, but it was frustrating to see her claim trust and then immediately act like she didn’t. Nick handled it well by recognizing her anxiety, but I would have preferred more external conflict (like from Queen Bee-otch) over so many avoidable misunderstandings.

Overall, this sweet and romantic story follows two people in the limelight as they navigate personal struggles and embrace love. It’s a perfect read for anyone seeking a heartfelt romance grounded in real-life issues.
April 20, 2025
✨ARC REVIEW✨
First off, a HUGE thank you to Erin Oliver for allowing me the opportunity to ARC read this book! Every sentence felt like a hug and reassurance made into words! 💗

SUMMARY
This book follows Nicholai, the second son of the European Royal family of Belgrovinia. After his father’s death, he’s suddenly thrust into the spotlight from the spare to the heir of his older brother, King Alexander. To escape the pressures that comes with the title and the responsibility expected of him, he takes a vacation to America. There, he meets our FMC—my sweetheart—Willa. Willa is a Hollywood actress who yearns to escape the glitz and glamour of Hollywood after decades of acting. She vacations to her hometown in North Carolina and then stumbles—literally—upon Nick. The two have an instant connection, which leads to a vacation fling when they find out they share the same hotel.

THOUGHTS ON NICHOLAI:
When I tell you that Nick is my nicotine, just know that I am deathly serious. This man is addictive, incredible, stupendous, stunning, wonderful, God-sent, the love of my life, okay, I’m gonna stop here because I’ll never shut up if I continue. The way he learns and grows for Willa. The way he supports her through every hurdle that comes their way, the way he reassures her that she’s his end game. GOD! He goes from a playboy to a cinnamon role puppy dog for her!

FAVORITE QUOTE
“𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙈𝙮 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙮 𝙀𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙝. 𝙈𝙮 𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙩𝙝 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚, 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙚𝙭𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨.“
Lord, this man is every Disney prince reimagined and made 100x better! 🫠


THOUGHTS ON WILLA
As someone with really bad anxiety, Willa spoke to me. Every thought, every insecurity, every fear. It felt like the author took MY emotions and sprawled them on a page for me to read through Willa. She is incredible. Her perseverance, her strength, her love, her vulnerability. She was able to trust Nick with the very depths of her soul and realised his love for her could quell every worry in her heart.

I ADORE this book! Wholly, utterly, truly. It was such a beautiful journey and I swear I cried when I got to the end. (Was crying happy tears at 2:00 am, lmao!)

𝓣𝓸 𝓔𝓻𝓲𝓷 𝓞𝓵𝓲𝓿𝓮𝓻
Thank you so much for taking your time, talent, and determination and making this book into the masterpiece it turned out to be. Each word you wrote spoke to me in such a way that the lines between fiction and reality began to blur so much in my head. I am so thankful for the pleasure of ARC reading for you, and can’t wait to read more of what you write! Love you 💛
210 reviews8 followers
April 21, 2025
4.5 out of 5

IMPORTANT: Please heed the trigger warnings before diving in!

Get ready to be completely swept away! Even as someone who already loves romance, this book took me on a journey I wasn't expecting, and it's got me even MORE hyped for Erin Olivier's work.

"When a Hollywood actress and a prince meet..." Yeah, it sounds like a fairy tale, but this story is so much more than that. Olivier masterfully blends swoon-worthy romance with the real-life complexities of love – the drama, the angst, and the tough stuff like grief and loss. But through it all, there's this incredible message of hope that will leave you feeling uplifted. You'll be hooked from the moment Nick and Willa's paths cross, but be prepared – their road to happiness is anything but smooth.

This book tackles some seriously sensitive topics, including grief, loss (especially the loss of parents), and miscarriage. Olivier handles these with such raw honesty and empathy, making the story incredibly relatable and moving. You'll feel every emotion right alongside the characters.

Speaking of characters... the chemistry between Nick and Willa? Off. The. Charts. It's a delicious slow burn, full of witty banter, playful flirting, and a growing friendship that makes their connection even more powerful. And while there's definitely that instant attraction (I mean, it's a prince!), Olivier emphasizes the importance of respect and genuine connection. Willa's emotional journey is so real and raw, dealing with anxiety and the aftermath of loss in a way that will resonate with so many readers. And Nick? He's not perfect, but his capacity for growth and his genuine care for Willa will make your heart melt.

The supporting cast is just as amazing. Bruno, Nick's bodyguard, is pure comic relief. And Willa's best friend and family bring all the found-family feels that make a story even richer.

Bottom line: This book will take you on an emotional rollercoaster – you'll laugh, you'll swoon, and yes, you'll probably cry. But it's a testament to Olivier's incredible storytelling that you'll be so invested in these characters and their journey. If you love romances that are both heartwarming and emotionally complex, this is an absolute MUST-READ.
Profile Image for Madhur.
93 reviews1 follower
April 25, 2025
The Pitfalls of Dating a Prince is a deliciously swoony royal romance that blends fairytale fantasy with heartfelt emotion, and I was hooked from page one. Prince Nicholai—Nick—is the is the quintessential reluctant royal. He is a case of the classic spare turned heir, suddenly thrust into the spotlight after the death of his father. What starts as a PR scramble to clean up his image quickly turns into a deeper journey of identity, family loyalty, and real love. Enter Willa Radford, America’s sweetheart and secretly a woman with her own share of heartbreak. What follows is a story full of longing, miscommunication, and undeniable pull.

Nick and Willa’s chemistry is fire. Their vacation fling is the kind of heady, escapist romance we all dream about, but it’s the emotional stakes—and the longing—that really take it to another level. Their reunion is tense, tender, and full of mutual pining that had me screaming internally. I loved how their relationship unfolded with just the right amount of angst and payoff.

The supporting cast shines just as brightly. Nick’s relationship with his brother Alex adds warmth and humor to the story, and their united front against their controlling mother is both satisfying and hilarious. The way they orchestrate the grand reunion between Nick and Willa had me grinning like a fool. And that epilogue? I was a goner. The fairytale ending left me teary-eyed and smiling.

This book has it all: royalty, scandal, second chances, forced proximity, and a truly swoon-worthy HEA. Whether or not you’ve read the first book in the Love in the Limelight series, this one stands strong on its own and will absolutely leave you wanting more. Fans of modern fairy tales, heartfelt slow burns, and a little bit of steam—run, don’t walk. I’m officially obsessed.

Five stars, hands down. This book gave me butterflies, tears, and everything in between. I’ll be thinking about Nick and Willa for a long time.

Profile Image for Patsy.
457 reviews21 followers
April 19, 2025
I received this book as an ARC and here is my honest opinion.

Let me start by saying that this book is not my typical form of romance that I go for. I'm more of that combination of romance and fantasy. However, I wanted to go outside of my normal reading habits and this book did not let me down. After reading this I may read more romance novels. I will definitely read more books by Erin Olivier.

So what happens when a hollywood actress and a prince meet? I can't tell you that but what I can tell you is that life is not a bed of roses and the journey isn't always easy. Yet at the end of the day it's still worth it.

This book combines romance with a with angst and drama along with trauma, grief and loss. However there is an understanding that at the end of the day, love can conquer all. Sometimes being in the right place at the right time can connect you to the one that you're meant to be with. This is evident when you meet Nick and Willa. That doesn't mean life is easy though!

I will say there are several triggers In this book that you need to be made aware of before you start reading it. You will come across grief and loss to include the loss of parents and a miscarriage. So definitely look into that before you start reading. I feel that the author tackled these triggers very well. Her writing style was such that you not only learned a lot through these triggers, but it was one hundred percent relatable to what some people go through.

Olivier did very well at connecting you to the characters. There were some that I adored and loved and others I just wanted to knock out.

I really wasn't sure if I was going to like this book at all so I was pleasantly surprised to love it as much as I did. I 110% recommend it.
254 reviews
April 30, 2025
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I hadn’t read the first book in the series, but The Pitfalls of Dating a Prince worked well as a standalone. I didn’t feel like I was missing any important context and information. This story very much gave my Prince Harry and Meghan Markle vibes with the overall storyline - actress and Royal falling for each other - but much more likeable characters than the real people.

Willa is an actress on a much needed hiatus from Hollywood to grieve a personal loss and figure out what she wants for her future. Nick is a traveler also grieving and taking time off before his predetermined life truly starts. The connection between the two is instantaneous and felt very really. They are two kindhearted, giving people who have somehow both managed to maintain their humanity in a world of limelight and wealth. Willa and Nick understand the public part of each other’s lives (even though Willa doesn’t know the details of Nick’s for a while) but are able to eatablish a genuine, vulnerable bond together despite circumstances and life experience that tells them to proceed with caution.

I liked that each had a starting backstory that grounded them as characters even though they lived in the world of the rich and famous. Their pain and struggles made them real and explained their instalove. The inevitable conflict of her finding out the truth, the gauntlet of the press, etc. came for them, and I did appreciate how they weathered the challenges. Alex was a great side character, and I loved his relationship with Nick. And Bruno is awesome. Overalll, very enjoyable story with a healthy amount of spice.

Trigger warnings: pregnancy loss, loss of a parent

Thank you Erin Olivier for the ARC.
Profile Image for Booted Book Dragon.
25 reviews
April 15, 2025
Review: The Pitfalls of Dating a Prince
Rating: 5/5 Stars (and one royal dog bowtie)

Thank you Erin Olivier for the e-ARC!

Willa: America’s sweetheart, glittering with trauma and charm.
Nick: Royalty. Demi-God. Former spare, now heir. Hiding out in plain sight.

The chemistry? Chef’s kiss. But what I loved was the slow(ish) burn. They flirt, they banter, they play. We’re talking food fights and cold water dunkings. Yes, there’s insta-attraction (duh, have you seen Nick?) but they become friends first. And Nick actually respects Willa’s boundaries—be still, my dragon heart.

Willa’s emotional hesitation? Completely earned. The story doesn’t shy away from big topics like anxiety and miscarriage—and handles them with care and realism. She feels real. Messy. Brave. And Nick, for all his glowy demi-godness, messes up bad (that text? Boy, no. Just No!). Honestly, he was lucky she didn’t roast him with a dragon-grade comeback.

Now… Bruno. Sir Bruno of all the Bow Ties. Nick’s 100-lb floof bodyguard with zero chill around Willa. The true MVP. Insta-love between dog and girl? Approved. I would die for him. Give that dog his own novella.

Willa’s BFF Maggie? Icon. Big Bro Aiden and Hayes threatening to dig graves together if Nick hurts her? Peak found-family vibes. Jasper? Certified chaos gremlin. IYKYK. Queen Bea? Ma’am. Touch grass.

Final thoughts: I laughed. I swooned. I snogged the air. And then I cried like a baby at the end.
Nick, congrats—you’re officially getting added to the Book Boyfriend Collection, between a space pirate and a cursed fae prince.

Truth or Dare?
Dare: Read it.
Profile Image for Bee.
127 reviews7 followers
April 13, 2025
I was gifted as ARC of this book and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to read this!!

I can honestly say I’ve not really gotten into the contemporary royal-romance world, but I enjoyed it!!

While the careers of the main characters are certainly not relatable, I can honestly say that I loved them!!!!! Willa is strong and resilient, but her struggles with her past, and her anxiety, are so refreshing to read about! Being a woman is hard, and the expectations that come with womanhood are infuriating - but she does a beautiful job of navigating life as a woman in the spotlight.
Nick is just the cutest. Being a Prince would make you think he would act a certain way, but boy does he defy any expectations I had! He is SO sweet and his love is so pure! I just adore him.

Nick and Willa’s love is so precious. I love their story and think they are just freaking adorable. Their love is what we all dream of!

This definitely is like the cutest love story that I would gladly watch if it was a movie. I am such a sucker for a sweet love story and an adorable happy ending 🥹❤️

“Words cannot describe the magnitude of my love for you, my darling. My world revolves around you. You are the sun to my Earth. My days begin and end because of you, and without the warmth of your love, I would exist in a cold world cloaked in darkness.”
LIKE WHAT?! My husband just says “I love you” but Willa gets THIS?!?! The jealousy is real 🤣🥹

I loved this story. If you love love, and you love a swoon-worthy romance, this book is for you!
Profile Image for Jennifer Kingsborough.
187 reviews1 follower
April 21, 2025
Willa is a famous Hollywood actress who is taking a year off from Hollywood to decide how she wants to proceed with her future and her career. She decides to head back to her home town where the locals give her privacy, and falls (literally) into Nick who is on his own 3 month vacation to process the loss of his father and having to take on his royal duties. After bumping into each other twice, Nick realizes they are staying at the same resort and him and Willa start hanging out everyday. Their chemistry is off the charts, and I loved the witty banter. These two are inseparable until Nick gets called back early for his royal duties, leaving Willa heartbroken. After navigating her heartbreak, Willa is unexpectedly reunited with Nick or Nicholai as she now learns that he is a royal. Nick is everything you can want, handsome, supportive, caring, trusting, and makes all the plans for dates!

Erin does a great job of navigating hard topics like family trauma, panic attacks and miscarriage. Nick is so understanding and caring toward Willa with her panic attacks, and when she shares her miscarriage experience that she only shared with 3 others. The way he wants to protect her and her secret is just beautiful. I really enjoyed reading Willa and Nick's story, and I really enjoyed Nick and Alex (his older brother who is King) and how supportive he was about their relationship.

This book has all the feels and I highly recommend!!

Thank you so much Erin Olivier for the ARC! I LOVED this book!
Profile Image for Deanna.
262 reviews2 followers
May 30, 2025
enjoyable

After seeing this book on my page and so many recommending it, I decided to forgo my ever growing TBR and pick this up. It's not my usual read so I wasn't sure how I would like it, but I'm so glad I took a chance on it.

Nick, a Prince, and Willa, a famous actress, are absolute end game. The two meet in America on separate vacations and start a casual fling, that doesn't feel all that casual. When he learns that his father has passed, Nick is forced to return home and take up his official royal duties in the middle of the night, leaving Willa behind.

Months later, they meet again when Willa is touring the Palace in preparation for an upcoming movie role. Despite being hurt and furious about how things were left, she cannot deny the attraction she feels and the two quickly restart their relationship. Thinking she is prepared for the media onslaught, Willa quickly realizes that dating a Prince comes with its own pitfalls.

****

Overall, I really enjoyed the story! The side characters were so well written, and I don't think I've ever hated a character quite as much as I hated Nick's mother! Additionally, the mental health representation in the book was done extremely well in my opinion.

The only thing I disliked was the miscommunication trope with came up a few times, and I felt like it was about 50 pages too long.

Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

Overall Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
Reformed Playboy, Second Chance, Truth or Dare, mental health rep, Complex family dynamics
Profile Image for bria (cozyybookvibes).
72 reviews31 followers
April 28, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 🌶️🌶️🌶️

I was given the opportunity to read this as an ARC and I was not disappointed whatsoever! This book reads like a royal rom com and it was a joy from start to finish.

If you’re looking for a romance that’s funny yet heartfelt then this is the book for you!

Nick and Willa are two characters who hold a piece of my heart. They each struggle with their lives in the spotlight but when they end up finding each other, nothing else matters. They go through ups, downs, and heartache but they prove love can conquer whatever life throws their way.

I absolutely loved this book! It’s an easy, fast-paced read that had me hooked right away. It’s so funny at times but also incredibly deep especially with mention of grief and loss. Be warned that the topic of miscarriage and fertility is heavily discussed! The representation of anxiety and grief was so spot on, and the way the characters handled it was inspiring.

Overall I’m just in complete awe of this book 🤍 it has everything one could want in a contemporary romance with a royal twist! I will say this book reminded me a lot of Harry and Meghan’s love story.

👑 billionaire royal romance
👑 insta connection
👑 vacation fling
👑 opposites attract
👑 mental health rep (anxiety)
👑 reformed playboy
👑 mutual pining
👑 forced proximity
👑 HEA

This is the second book in the Love in the Limelight series, an interconnected standalone series, but it is not necessary to read the first book prior to reading this!
Profile Image for Mai.
120 reviews
April 27, 2025
Willa: actress on vacation falling for Nick not knowing he’s a prince; giving Nick a second chance and stepping into his world
Nick: a prince falling for an American actress; trying to break the promise he made his father also while trying to make sure that Willa is loved and cared for.

I LOVED THIS BOOK WITH MY WHOLE MIND BODY AND SOUL! This is officially one of my top reads this year. Holy moly this was so good

Where do I start? I did in fact finish this book in one day. Nick and Will had this connection that is indescribable. They understood each other on a level that no one else did. Their lives were in from of the public eye. When they met, it was like they were normal people meeting and falling in love. It was sweet but also so sexy.

Once it came out that Nick was a prince, Willa was confused and hurt. Understandably it fact. But the connection and love between them was too strong to not get their relationship a second chance. The public loved them together. It was a sweet true relationship. But Nick’s mother on the other hand, I think she was jealous. Jealous that the people of her country lovedWilla from the beginning but she had to work hard for them to like her. She tried her hardest to get rid of Willa but it didn’t work. Nick reassured Willa that he loves her and nothing can stop them from being together.

10/10 would recommend
Profile Image for Jessica Roose.
486 reviews1 follower
January 19, 2026
I really enjoyed this story. It made me change how I felt about Willa. I was not her biggest fan after the last book. But after reading what she went through and seeing her relationship with Nick, that changed. They meet while on vacation but Willa does not know that Nick is a prince. So their first part of their relationship is pretty normal. But then he gets called back home and leaves in the middle of the night. I didn’t love the text he sent her when he left. I thought he could have worded things better. Eventually they meet up again when she ends up in his county for work. I really loved how much he loved her. But his mom was a piece of work. She drove me crazy, and I got frustrated when Willa would fall for her crap.
I thought the ending was good but wished there would have been more of an epilogue. That part felt a little rushed.
I was also hoping that we could get King Alex’s story sometime. But the epilogue made it seem like that wouldn’t happen. I would like to know more about his now wife.
Also this story deals with pregnancy loss and as a person who has experienced that I thought the author did it in a very realistic way and I loved the ending with how Nick honored her baby.
Profile Image for Erin.
77 reviews3 followers
April 8, 2025
Blurb: Born the second son, Prince Nicholai lived as a spare until his father’s sudden death thrust him into the role of the heir. With mounting pressure to meet the royal expectations, the monarchy’s PR team rushes to overhaul Nick’s notorious playboy image.

The solution? Debut his first serious relationship. The problem? He doesn’t have one. But what he does have is a secret obsession with the women he met on vacation.

Willa Redford , our FMC, is a Hollywood movie star taking a break from the stress of Hollywood life and life in general. While on vacation she meets our MMC Nick. This book had me laughing and smiling throughout. I appreciated that the author got to the point. There may have been misunderstandings between our main characters but it didn’t drag throughout the whole book and lead to more bad decisions. There was communication between the main characters, so any misunderstandings were remedied quickly. This was an easy read, entertaining, with just the right amount of spice.
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