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The Oxenburg Princes #2.5

The Princess Wore Plaid

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Sizzling Scottish romance abounds in this e-novella in the Princes of Oxenburg series, a spinoff to New York Times bestselling author Karen Hawkins’s delightful Duchess Diaries series.

A princess once bejeweled but now tattered…

Royal princess Tatiana Romanovin is the beautiful, wealthy, and spoiled favorite of the King of Oxenburg. On her way to her cousin’s wedding in the Scottish highlands, she and her entourage are held up by a gang of ruffians. Frightened, her servants flee, and Tatiana soon finds herself alone in an inn with no servants, no funds, and no proof of her identity. Destitute, she accepts the offer from a sympathetic (but unbelieving) innkeeper to work for her room and board while she waits for an answer to the missive she’s sent to her cousin Prince Nikolai. With no other recourse, Tatiana scrubs floors and dirty linens, waiting for her prince to come…

A proud lord once lost and now found…

After a brutal, bloody battle with the French Navy left Lord Buchan limping and surly, abandoned by his betrothed because of his twisted leg, his lordship hides away at his manor house in the countryside. He leaves only once a week to eat at the local inn, drawn by the expert cooking of the innkeeper’s wife. One day, Buchan arrives to find that the innkeeper has a new servant, a beautiful scullery maid with a queenly air, and flashing green eyes that leave him breathless and increasingly aware of his lonely existence…

Love may find them yet…

The challenge of winning his way into Tatiana’s heavily protected heart stirs Buchan back to life…but can he and his twisted leg—and broken heart—win a proud princess whose only goal is to leave Scotland and return to the court where she’s the crowning jewel?

125 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 21, 2016

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654 people want to read

About the author

Karen Hawkins

59 books2,992 followers
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Karen Hawkins writes novels that have been praised as touching, witty, charming, and heartwarming. A native Southerner who grew up in the mountains of East Tennessee where storytelling is a way of life, Karen recently moved to frosty New England with her beloved husband and multiple foster dogs. The Dove Pond books are a nod to the thousands of books that opened doors to more adventures, places, and discoveries than she ever imagined possible. To find out more about Karen, follow her at:
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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
Profile Image for Daniella.
256 reviews638 followers
January 30, 2016
*An ARC was given in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the writer and the publisher for the opportunity to read this.*

(2.5 stars, but as a personal rule, I round down.)

I love Karen Hawkins. I love the Beauty and the Beast trope. I love Scottish romances. You see, all the elements to make this a 5 star novella were there. So, why the 2 stars? What went wrong?

1. The writing was bland. I couldn't pinpoint what was different, but this just didn't have the usual fun feeling I get from Karen Hawkins' books. My mind wandered a lot of times; most of the scenes were boring, and I really had to struggle to get my shit together. I think I watched a couple of Stephen Colbert videos on YouTube before I had the will power to go back to it.

You know it's bad when you'd rather watch about American politics than reading the book. (At least Stephen Colbert makes it more tolerable.)

2. The characters were flat. Buchan and Tatiana were so one-dimensional, you might as well put the signs "Man in pain because of damaged leg" and "Princess from an unknown country working as a maid because of reasons" on their foreheads. I simply couldn't see them as whole, living persons. They were just... fictional characters in a novella. That's it. They had no real depth.

3. The insta-lust was strong in this one. To be fair, it was only on Buchan's part; Tatiana didn't quiver from desire or tingle in excitement from merely meeting him. But yeah, it was weird how, within a few seconds of their acquaintance, Buchan was imagining her breasts and naked body and all that.

I know, I know, that's pretty common in romance novels, but that doesn't make the romance more convincing. In fact, the opposite was true in this case. I just felt weirded out and annoyed about the whole "Oh, I'm imagining cupping her boobies just after meeting her--Oh wait! I don't even know her name!" part.

4. Some aspects of the story were hard to believe. Now, where do I start with this one? A princess agreeing to act as a maid? Sure, she didn't have a choice, but I don't think a princess would subject herself to such a "degrading" role without checking for other alternatives.

Also, the innkeepers who took her in didn't believe her claim that she was a princess, but Buchan immediately discerned that she was a foreigner (after hearing her speak and seeing her blistered hands). There are two possible explanations for this. Either the innkeepers were incredibly dense, or Buchan had the deductive powers of David Caruso. Either way, not really realistic.

5. Things were too contrived and convenient. There wasn't really any drive for me to read the next few chapters, because everything felt predictable and easy.

6. Lastly, the Scottish brogue and Tatiana's random outbursts in her own language were just too much. Really, Karen Hawkins should have just avoided the brogue, instead of mixing normal English words with it. As a result, the sentences were horribly awkward. Add that to the fact that Tatiana's constant, "How do you say?" and foreign exclamations were annoying as hell.

Overall, this was okay. Underwhelming and disappointing, yes, but still okay. It's just that, being a fan, I expected more from Karen Hawkins.
Profile Image for Lover of Romance.
3,732 reviews1,129 followers
March 23, 2016
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance My Review

The Princess Wore Plaid deals with a short story about two people that may not seem right for each other at first....but end up needing each other in the right ways. Tatiana, is a princess from Oxenburg, but on her way to meet up with her cousin, she was injured in a carriage accident, wandering in the forest and was taken in by a couple who owns a inn. She works in the inn hoping to hear from one of her cousins. Then she meets our hero, Lord Buchanan. Who has a bit of a temper, suffers a war injury but there is chemistry between them. Tatiana knows that she can't get involved with him, her life is in Oxenburg. But as she knows their time is drawing near, so does her relationship with Buchanan become stronger than ever. Tatiana will have to make a hard choice....her life in Oxenburg or the man she has come to love.

I really liked this novella, the ending there seemed a bit rushed, but I really liked seeing the building of the chemistry between these two. Karen Hawkins is such a enjoyable author, highly entertaining, and I really liked what she did with this story. Both characters are delightful. The story is quick but fun. It also gives us a teaser for Nikolas---the next book coming up. If you like this author and enjoy this series....definitely recommend trying out this novella.

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Profile Image for Beebs.
549 reviews42 followers
February 4, 2016
A light hearted, Beauty and the Beast short story. Buchan is in pain from an injury he received in India and Tatiana is stranded at an inn, after losing her memory in an accident and is now working there to earn her keep.

The love story is believable, a slow build up of them getting to know each other but the end of the story is a little far fetched. I haven't read the other books in the series and thought I might be a bit lost, but it works well as a standalone. A pleasant, lazy afternoon read.

*Received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Julie .
4,252 reviews38k followers
March 28, 2016
The Princess Wore Plaid by Karen Hawkins is a 2016 Pocket Star publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher, Edelweiss, and as a member of the official street team of XOXO After Dark.


It is always a pleasure to read one of Karen Hawkins’ historical romance novels. This is a novella length story and is a part of the Oxenburg Princes series.

Most of the time fairytales end with the heroine marrying her prince, becoming a princess as a result, and living happily ever after, leaving us all sighing with happiness, because the prince is so handsome and being a princess sounds so cool and because who doesn’t want to be a princess… right?

In this “Beauty and the Beast’ inspired story, Tatiana, a princess, on her way to the Scottish Highlands to meet her cousin, suffers temporary memory loss after a carriage accident. Making her way to an inn, she is taken in by the owner and given a job in the kitchen. Once her memory returns, she contacts her family, but nobody ever comes to retrieve her.

Meanwhile, French Navy Lord Buchan, leaves home once a week to enjoy the outstanding cooking at the inn, which is how he meets the mysterious Tatiana. But, Buchan is a hard man to like due to the disfiguring injury to his leg, which has left him bitter, lonely, and in constant pain. But, he soon figures out that Tatiana is no servant, and believes she is who she claims to be. So, he vows to help her reunite with her family. However, he never expected she would bring him out of his self-imposed exile and give him a reason to live.

Away from her life at court, Tatiana finds herself enjoying being just a woman, letting her guard down, and enjoying the pleasures of cooking, and certain other pleasures the gruff Buchan is teaching her all about.

But, Buchan knows Tatiana doesn’t belong in his world and once her cousin arrives, she will go back to her opulent world of royalty and resume the life she was born to.

Are Buchan and Tatiana star-crossed lovers? Is their HEA doomed from the start? Only time and love will tell.

I really enjoyed this Scottish fairytale inspired story, which examines the effect of removing a princess from her duty bound life of stress and expectations, and seeing her blossom as a person in a completely different environment and perhaps finding true love in the process, creating a kind of HEA in reverse.

This is a cute, imaginative short story which also introduces us to Tatiana’s cousin who will be featured in “Mad for the Plaid” coming this summer.

3.5 stars
Profile Image for Kimberly Rocha~ Book Obsessed Chicks.
584 reviews67 followers
February 20, 2016
3 1/2 Stars
While traveling to a family event, Princess Tatiana Romanovin of Oxenburg's traveling coach is set upon by brutes and in the confusion, Tatiana winds up lost and temporarily without her memory. When she finally remembers who she is, she makes her way to a Scottish inn, where no one believes she is a princess and in order to repay the kindness of the inn owners, she becomes their maid. Tatiana has never had to do any sort of physical labor for this princess has been pampered from birth. Now her hands have blisters and learns that her servants did more for her than she could imagine. Letters she has written to her family in hopes that they will come for her and take her back into the family fold, but when she meets a bristly Scottish lord, she wonders if the family fold is really where she wants to be.

Injured in a battle with the French, Lord Buchan only thinks of the pain his tattered leg gives him and bitterness of not having the life he once had before. His weekly visits to the inn where he rents out a private parlor to feast on the cook's delicacies and drink the whisky that numbs his pain is interrupted by the beautiful presence of this foreign miss who sparks his interest. Tatiana's quick tongue puts Buchan in his place and suddenly the man who resolved to be alone, seeks the light.

When Tatiana tells Lord Buchan the tale of who she is and how she came to be at the inn, he doesn't know whether to believe her. The more Tatiana spends in Buchan's company, the more he believes her story, and the more he realizes that even though he feels deeply for her, she isn't for him. Tatiana however, is not convinced that Buchan isn't the one and her stubborn reserve tries to break down the barriers between the Princess and the Scott.

THE PRINCESS WORE PLAID by Karen Hawkins is a lovely short read that left me wanting so much more. I felt like I didn't have a chance to know the main characters and their struggles as much as I would have liked. Author Karen Hawkins is one of my long standing favorite authors and I continue to read her wonderful tales and this story was quite enjoyable. I do hope that Tatiana and Buchan appear in future books in the Oxenburg Princes series.
Profile Image for Carla.
168 reviews20 followers
March 21, 2016
**I received a free eARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

This was a very enjoyable and light-hearted read! I loved the main characters and was rooting for them all along, even if Lord Buchan had a crazy temper sometimes... But he's really not to blame, is he?

When he meets Tatiana for the first time, he immediately falls in love with her. Yup, I'm all about the instalove, don't judge. He can't stop thinking about her, which also makes him forget the pain caused by his injured leg, and he tries to find ways to see her more often. One of them is putting his library at her disposal. I mean, his HUGE library. How could you not love this guy?



Tatiana gradually starts to like Lord Buchan and, even though he's injured, she sees him as a very strong man. She also understands that he's not dangerous, no matter how impulsive he can be sometimes.

Although Tatiana's story about being a lost princess is a little crazy, Lord Buchan really wants to believe her, so he agrees to consider her story to be true, until proven wrong. He also starts to read about her country, which nobody has heard about, and look for clues about the accident that made her get lost.

It was also very nice seeing her learn so much, because having to become a maid after having been a princess her whole life has taught her a lot, now she knows she's capable of more and enjoys the little daily challenges.

But since Tatiana's a princess, she has to leave someday, and she's waiting for her cousin to find her, which is why Buchan doesn't want to get attached, he knows he's going to lose her. Although let's be honest now, he just can't keep his distance, and Tatiana doesn't want to leave him either.

The ending was a little bit different from what I was expecting, but maybe it's the only way things would've worked out? I also realized that we never get to know anything about his betrothed who left him, I don't think she's even mentioned, but it's all right, I just wanted to read about his love for Tatiana, to be honest.


More reviews on my blog: Lipstick and Mocha
Profile Image for Bambi Unbridled.
1,297 reviews139 followers
March 19, 2016
I have been enjoying The Oxenburg Princes series quite a bit over the last year. Their stoicism and dry humor in contract to their Tata Natasha's crazy antics has been quite entertaining. Throwing a princess novella in the mix was a great filler while we wait for Nik's story in Mad for the Plaid. I didn't expect to like it as much as I did... but I loved it. It was a nice quick read with relatable and engaging characters and a sweet love story.

Our Oxenburg Royalty in this story is Princess Tatiana Romanovin, who was injured in a carriage accident and showed up an The Red Lion Inn with a seemingly crazy story of princes and royalty from a country that most people have never heard of. She is put to work as a maid to earn her keep. The experience is humbling and eye-opening for Tatiana, and I respected the way she handled the situation. She learned and did not complain, even when her nails were broken and hands were blistered. She was a thoroughly likeable heroine.

On the surface, our hero was not as likeable. Lord Buchan was severely injured in a battle with the French Navy, suffering severe scarring in his leg and a consumptive ailment as well. The limping, pain and general disability, along with his pride, have made him quite the grumpypants (or grumpykilt as it were). But I found him endearing... particularly that he endured more pain because he wanted to get better for Tatiana, and he couldn't quite stay away from her. I just wanted to wrap him up and make all his problems go away.

I felt like there was a lot of meat to this story for it being a novella, probably because I had such a good connection to both characters. Tata Natasha did not feature in this story, but I don't think her antics were needed to move the story along. I have been looking forward to Nik, the future king's story, so I am excited that we don't have to wait much longer for Mad for the Plaid.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Pocket Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 stars / 2 flames.
Profile Image for Hannah.
2,009 reviews33 followers
March 19, 2016
ARC REVIEW

This is an in between novella for the Princes of Oxenburg series centered on one of the Princes' cousins. I love Karen Hawkins she always has a witty cast of characters who get pushed into unlikely situations and fall in love.

Princess Tatiana was on her way to her cousins wedding there was an accident and when she came too could remember nothing, she fled the scene and wandered for a couple of days before coming to an inn where she was offered a job. When she finally regained her memory she had no way to prove her identity to anyone, and the proprietors of the inn, the Drummonds, didn't believe she was a Princess of a country they never heard of. Tatiana learned as she went to earn her keep at the inn waiting for her cousins to come and find her.

Lord Darrac Buchan was injured while in service during the war with the French. His leg was damaged so bad he almost lost it; now riddled with scars and damaged muscle tissue he walks with a cane. Embarrassed by his impairment he stays at home the only time he leaves is for his Friday night dinner at the local inn where the innkeeper's wife is a much better cook then his own estates cook.

One particularity rainy night Buchan and Tatiana meet. For her own safety and because the Drummonds are worried that she's a bit daffy told Tatiana not to talk to anybody. Buchan knows right away she's no ordinary maid her forthright manner and the lack of callous' on her hands says she is something more and that intrigues Buchan. It is three weeks before Tatiana serves him his meal again. In this second meeting Tatiana says something that let on she is more with little convincing she tells him the truth. Buchan doesn't really believe her at first but with a little bit of reading he soon believes her.

Of course Tatiana and Buchan fall in love, but they both feel likes it's doomed, they both know as soon as her cousin shows up she will go back to the Royal life. Overall, this was too short I just enjoyed the characters that much, but really, as it was I don't think it could have been turned into a full length novel. I loved this one, it is a great addition to the series.
Profile Image for Didi.
1,535 reviews86 followers
February 19, 2016
2.5 Stars

I don't know, perhaps it's the lack of Tata Natasha in this book (as she usually made some appearance in any Oxenburg-related stories with all her antics)? Or what I felt not enough interactions between the main characters that I didn't really feel the sizzles.

Both Lord Darrac Buchan and Princess Tatiana Romanovin were likeable enough characters. I have soft spot for disabled character (Buchan's considered as disabled with his injured leg after his trip in India, right?) and the kind of love for reading these two MCs had.

However, interactions between these two were minimum, and too many between the hero or heroine with supporting characters. In a full novel, I wouldn't mind; but with novellas it didn't presents enough sparks pertinent to the story.

Added to that, the incident befell Tatiana was told instead of shown. So it felt like we started smack in the middle. Again with what happened on last chapters (Buchan's recovery and Tatiana finally met her cousin) was only summarised. It felt rushed.

Could be, this novella served as the bridge between The Prince and I and the upcoming Mad About the Plaid of the series. But somehow, it fell flat on that count.


ARC is kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley for the exchange of a fair and honest review.
Profile Image for Ruckasaurus Rex.
224 reviews16 followers
March 3, 2016
The Princess Wore Plaid, the third tale in Karen Hawkins’ Oxenburg Princes series is just as delightful as The Prince and I. This story focuses on another Oxenburg royal, this time Princess Tatiana Romanovin. Fans of the series will fall in love with this princess-come-barmaid who is stranded when her carriage crashes and she shows up with no memories. Beautiful and privileged, Tatiana struggles to work for a rural innkeeper and wife while hoping her family comes to the rescue. Recovering slowly from a crippling injury, Lord Buchan’s routine at the inn is interrupted by the beautiful foreign girl that is definitely not a maid. Despite his attempts to resist, he finds himself investing time in Tatiana’s happiness and working to see her again. Lord Buchan is certain that a crippled Scottish half-man and country lord will never be good enough for royalty, but what will happen when the Romanovin family shows up to collect the lost princess?

This was an awesome read, and I enjoy the characters just as much as the story itself. Hawkins creates a lovely family with dynamic members in a wonderful Scottish setting. At 125 pages, this is definitely a shorter read, but still fun and full of emotion and romance. The Princess Wore Plaid works great as part of the Oxenburg series or as a standalone.

Check out my full review here: https://romancereviewsbyruckie.wordpr...
Profile Image for Jaci.
464 reviews21 followers
March 11, 2016
What happens when a Princess loses her way and finds herself working as a maid at an Inn in England. Now add a stubborn Scot who was wounded in a battle and is now hiding out on his estate in the highlands.

Princess Tatiana of Oxenburg is travelling to her cousins wedding when her carriage is attacked and she is separated from her people. She winds up working as a maid at an inn that she stumbles upon. The kind owners do not believe she is who she says but they take her in. Lord Buchan only leaves his estate once a week to go the local inn because the owner's wife is a wonderful cook because his cook leaves much to be desired. Tatiana is feisty and beautiful. Buchan is in constant pain from a leg injury and is always grouchy and just wants to be left alone. Until he meets Tatiana and the sparks fly!!

This novella is vintage Karen Hawkins, smart, sassy and a joy to read. The dialogue is witty and sharp. The characters are intelligent. The plot original and sophisticated. Even though this is a novella it has all the depth of a full length novel. Karen just keeps getting better and we love the Oxenburg/Scotland continuing Series. Cannot wait for the next one!!!!
Profile Image for Blodeuedd Finland.
3,679 reviews310 followers
April 24, 2016
A short novella about a princess and a Scot. I have not read the other books in the series, but it did not matter (though I am positive I have read something, or maybe not.) Anyway, this is a novella in that series and you can jump right in.

And when you do you meet Princess Tatiana who was in an accident and works at an inn. The inn people were so nice. So got lucky there. But no one has come for her yet, strange.

In comes Lord Buchan. A limp, a lingering sickness. Cranky. And sure enough he falls for her.
And she for him, after being arrogant like a princess to him at first.

But she is a princess! He is just a Scottish Lord.

And then they lived happily ever after. Well duh, of course they do.

A sweet novella.
Profile Image for Susan (susayq ~).
2,525 reviews132 followers
March 4, 2016
Short little novella in this series.

Princess Tatiana was involved in a carriage accident and ends up at an inn working as a maid. She meets the grumpy Lord Buchan and they end up falling in love even though both of them realize that she will have to leave when her cousin eventually comes for her. I loved how she brought out the good in him and he GAVE HER A LIBRARY!!!!! What girl wouldn't swoon over that?!

The Drummonds (the inn owners) were nice to her, but they made me mad in the end. Nope, not saying why. You need to read it to find out LOL

*ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley*
Profile Image for Barbee.
791 reviews21 followers
Read
August 30, 2016
This book is about a spoiled coddled Princess Tatiana Romanovin who get thrown from her carriage on her way to her cousin's wedding in Scotland, as they are held up by bandits. Princess Tatiana's frightened entourage and servants are so terrorized they all runaway, when they do look for her she is no where to be found. As the Princess is lost in the woods for two days and does not know who she is or where she is but she ends up at The Red Lion Inn just as her memory returns. When she tells The Drummond's, the kind owners of The Red Lion Inn she is a Princess they think she lost her mind and just hit her head really hard and is confused, especially with no papers or coin as to offer any proof! So the kindly Inn owners offer her a job for room, board and meals as a maid, especially since they short staffed as one of their maids just broke her arm. The thing is The Princess has never lifted a finger in her entire life, so she gets her share of blisters and calluses as she enter this new life in service, of working for a living. It's heartening when she appreciates her staff and servants so much more, in a new light and feels guilty never really fully appreciating or realizing how hard are their jobs and what they entail. So as she waits to hear from her cousin, Prince Nikolao of Oxenburg, that she trusts her letters are being dispatched as she feels so isolated and alone in this foreign country. That is until she meets the grumpy Lord Buchnan and lets just say things get really interesting and not to mention heated up!

Lord Buchan, the hero of this story is grumpy indeed but for good reason as he is crippled from an injured leg from a gruesome battle with The French Navy that has left him injured and handicapped. With it came some personal and devastating hardships as well a faithless fiancé that left him, friend deserted him, all because of his injury! A leg that is twisted and gives him excruciating pain so he become a reclusive and hides away in his manor house in the Scottish country. He only leaves his home every Friday evening at the Red Lion Inn due to the delicious food as his cook is not the best and travel is most difficult for his leg. Yet his world totally changes when he meets the most beautiful woman, the new outspoken scullery maid, Princess Tatiana who won't even tell him her name. He was not used to a servant treating him a peer like this ever, but it made him curious and amused him as well, to find out more about this mysterious women with a foreign accent. As time goes he gives Tatiana friendship and more as he is the only one that seems to believe her story. He sees how she carries herself, being outspoken, are not the actions of a servant even her education for a woman. He is the first person who might possibly believes her which gives Tatiana hope and for the first time since his injury his cold heart starts to thaw. That is until he realizes this Princess will eventually leave his life as quickly as she appeared in it!

As for Tatiana who only wanted to go home realizes she is falling in love with this man and the last thing she want to do is leave him. What can a Princess do? She has more dull, boring, meaningless balls and soiree's in her former empty Royal life that she is expected to return to! Will Buchan return to his meaningless recluse life again? Are they destined to have their hearts broken and go their separate ways? You will have to read this wonderful novella to find out!

This is Karen Hawkin's latest release and new novella from The Oxenburg Prince's series and I recommend it for a fun, quick paced beautiful, captivating and heartwarming story. I always love Karen Hawkin's books as I have been reading her for years. I really enjoyed "The Princess Wore Plaid" from start to finish and look forward to reading the next book in the series. You can read this as a stand alone book too. Bravo!

This book will be released 3/21/2016

I was given this ARC from the publisher for an honest review through netgalley.com

Tartan Book Reviews
celticbarb.blogspot.com
Profile Image for Juliana Philippa.
1,031 reviews989 followers
November 17, 2016
This was an okay novella, but nothing to write home about, and there were several things that annoyed me. As always, I'm going to preface this by saying that novellas are often hard for me, because I hate rushed love or insta-lust and it's difficult to build a believable love story in a novella ... but honestly, at this point, I've ready so many surprisingly AWESOME romance novellas, that I don't know that I should include this statement anymore, because it's definitely possible.

Anyway, I respected that the princess wasn't having a hissy fit, but was working, getting her hands dirty, patiently waiting for everything to be resolved and her cousin to find her. There was definitely the problem of insta-lust though (I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I just hate it!! This is all subjective, so keep that in mind). There were also several aspects of the story that were just so unbelievable—ex: the fact that she starts going to use his library all the time (isn't she supposed to be working?) and is racing through books nonstop. The ending was also super ridiculous; I mean absolutely ridiculous. Don't want to include a spoiler, but I just don't see how that could possibly be a permanent solution. Granted, this is an in-between series novella, so maybe that gets wrapped up later in the series, but I can just judge what's in this book.

That being said, the hero was quite cute and I am always a sucker for a damaged, surly, unhappy hero who finds himself loosening up for a wonderful heroine. Example:
"The first week, he’d made the mistake of suggesting a longer tome, and it had been three days before she returned. After that, he found himself setting out thinner and thinner books, until this last time, he’d suggested a very slender tome of poetry, one barely forty pages in length. He’d been surprised when she’d accepted it and hadn’t requested another to go with it."

*This is a review of an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher

(Written November 16, 2016)
Profile Image for Kathy.
406 reviews57 followers
March 25, 2016
The Princess Wore Plaid is a short and romantic retelling of Beauty and the Beast. This is my first time reading from author Karen Hawkins and I enjoyed this story.

I love historical romances for the beautiful settings, romance and charming heroes. But in The Princess Wore Plaid the hero is a grumpy Lord Buchan. Lord Buchan was injured in battle and has been hiding in his countryside estate. He leaves only once a week to visit the local inn for a meal in their private dining room. Normally he enjoys being left alone to eat but that changes when he meets the new scullery maid. The maid is beautiful and seems odd as a servant. The reason why is because the servant is Princess Tatiana, who is stranded after an accident. The relationship between Buchan and Tatiana is a slow build and the author created a sizzling chemistry between them. I loved watching them get closer. But what really stood out for me is Tatiana. She’s a princess lost from her family but instead of sulking and acting like a royal snob she works hard to survive. This was refreshing to read a historical romance without a damsel in distress. I enjoyed Buchan and Tatiana so I wished this was a little longer, but it is a nice short story to quickly add some romance to your day.

This is a novella from The Oxenburg Princes series but it can be read as a standalone. I haven’t read the previous books and I was able to follow along and enjoy this. I can’t wait to read the other books in the series. I recommend this to fans of historical romances in the Scottish highlands.

I received this book as a member of the XOXperts, XOXO After Dark’s official street team, in exchange for an honest review. Visit XOXOAfterDark.com for the best in romance, urban fantasy and women’s fiction.
Profile Image for Sissy's Romance Book Review .
8,992 reviews16 followers
February 2, 2016
This is book 2.5 in the "The Oxenburg Princes " series. I have read all books in this series, but I have found that these books are standalone. This has been a really good series and each book seems to get better and better.
Royal princess Tatiana Romanovin carriage had an accident and she was hurt with a head injury. Tatiana walked until she found herself at a Inn. There she found worked and tried to get the owner to send her letter to her cousin the Prince so that he could come an get her. But the owners thought she might have a worst head injury than they thought if she thought she was a Princess. While Tatiana waited to her family to find her she meets Lord Buchan. Lord Buchan has a bad leg injury that keeps him from walking normally and his injury has also made him angry. But when he meets Tatiana he finds he is very much drawn to her. Lord Buchan somewhat believes her story and set to try to help her. This starts the sweet love story!
Profile Image for Mya.
753 reviews11 followers
July 5, 2017
The Princess Wore Plaid by Karen Hawkins
(The Princes of Oxenburg #3.5)

Release Date: March 21, 2016

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ This was a perfect short story. A play on the Beauty and the Beast fairytale, which happens to be be one of my favourites! Who doesn't want that huge library! Darrac and Tatiana were sweet together. He was a good "beast" with just the right amount of surliness and she had the perfect attitude to tame it. This was a super quick read that left me smiling and happy.

The Oxenburg Princes series is one of my favourites by Karen Hawkins. I cannot wait to read Nik’s story. If you haven't read about these Princes yet the first book is: How to Pursue a Princess (which technically is book 2 in the Duchess Diaries series though the Diary books are only linked by a meddling aunt I believe, so you could just read book 2 out of order if you wanted…)

** I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review **

Original review posted at: http://paragraphsandpetticoats.blogsp...
Profile Image for Julie.
2,003 reviews31 followers
February 24, 2016
This was a great novella. We have a foreign princess working as a maid after her carriage was held up and a lord who was injured in battle who also lost his fiancée because of his ugly leg wounds. Tatiana is just waiting for her cousin to find her while she works away at tasks she's never done before, because no one believes that she really is a princess...until she meets Buchan. Buchan has become a little moody and grumpy since his return, the ache in his leg has lot to do with that. But he's became intrigued with the pretty young maid who say's she's a princess. Can he help her? Does Tatiana want help?
I loved this fast, fun, read.
Profile Image for Heather andrews.
9,520 reviews162 followers
January 27, 2016
Buchan entertained me greatly, “you dinnae thank a mon for apologizing for nae being a mon.” His dark brown eyes sparkled with reluctant humor. “Although I suppose you’re allowed to show a guid deal of surprise if ’tis warranted.” I really loved him, "he brushed a kiss over her mouth, stopping her words. “I dinnae dare think of such. All I could do was tempt you to my side with books. Lots and lots of books. It was all I had.” I really enjoyed this book.
Profile Image for Shannon   The Romance Addict!.
1,606 reviews
March 8, 2016
This was kinda hard or me to review. I love Karen Hawkins! But this book kinda was just....IDK. Not her best? I not sure but I just didn't really get into it. I'll go 3 - 3.5 stars overall. I didn't LOVE it but it was Bad.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,128 reviews54 followers
April 6, 2016
Enjoyable short historical romance. It's the first I've read by this author and do not plan to make it my last.

I have already posted a few of my fav quotes and will post my full review soon!

3 1/2 Wine Glasses!
Profile Image for Lisa.
225 reviews1 follower
February 16, 2016
Cute sweet little story. Only take a few hours to read. Would be good to have when you need to take something to read on a road trip or a plane ride.
The characters play well together. The plot isn't difficult to follow.
Profile Image for Laurie.
1,016 reviews51 followers
March 29, 2016
A very quick and easy read. Yes, use of the Scottish dialect is a bit distracting, but it helps the story along. Really enjoyed the characters and the story.
Profile Image for Darlene Foster.
745 reviews6 followers
November 11, 2021
I've had this e-book on my Kindle for a couple of years, shame on me. I loved the Oxenburg royals and had read all but 2, that I know of. I started with the brothers and got sidetracked when the 2 ladies stories came along. Our Oxenburg Princess is stranded in a small inn. Her brother finally finds her but she's so in love that she manages to talk him into keeping quiet. She must continue to live under an assumed name but the lost princess can stay lost. She worked very hard at jobs that she'd never done before, never had to. She took it seriously and became good at taking care of herself.
Author 5 books41 followers
July 15, 2025
This was so cute! Tatiana was a princess trying to find her way home, but in the meantime was learning to be a maid for room and board. Lord Buchan was going through pain because of his injured leg, and felt like his life was empty. But when the two met, they both realized that their future could be so much better than they'd thought. I loved the Scottish setting, thought the innkeepers were fun and kind, and who can't resist a library that needs a ladder to get to all the shelves?
Profile Image for ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ.
1,114 reviews17 followers
June 4, 2017
Fun but not too long ebook novella. #2.5 in the series Princes of Oxenburg. Might have been nice if it was full novel length, but it was longer than most novella's. (125 pages or so). Tatiana is the four Oxenburg Prince's cousin.
Profile Image for Heidi.
4,328 reviews2 followers
April 28, 2018
A good read it was nicely written a bit of the author's sparkle wasn't in this book though and I have read so many of her books. I did enjoy it and some parts were better than others. none the less a good quick read.
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