Falling for Prince Charles

by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

"Lauren Baratz-Logsted has mastered the real life fairy tale in her explosive and hilarious FALLING FOR PRINCE CHARLES. It's all here, lovelorn Daisy Silverman flush with cash and high hopes, Prince Charles who can't resist her, and London in all its splendor. Curl up and get ready to laugh long into the foggy night." —Adriana Trigiani, New York Times bestselling author of THE SHOEMAKER'S WIFE Daisy Silverman has always been obsessed with His Royal Highness, Prince Charles. When the underachieving 30-something cleaning lady wins a million dollars, she follows her lifelong dream to go to London. Once there, she meets Prince Charles—the real Prince Charles. Through a series of misunderstandings, the Royal Family doesn't realize that Daisy's Jewish or that she's spent her life up to the elbows in the wrong kind of toilet water. By the time they do, Daisy is in love with Charles, Charles is in love with Daisy, and the Queen's white gloves are off. FALLING FOR PRINCE CHARLES is an offbeat alternate-universe romantic comedy showing the heir to the British throne in a light quite unlike any he's been seen in before. "Daisy's madcap adventure is more comedy than romance, and her most unusual and unlikely relationship with Prince Charles will appeal to reads looking for lots of giggles." —Publishers Weekly

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Contemporary, Fiction

500 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 9, 2016

About the author

Lauren grew up in Monroe, CT, where her father owned a drugstore at which her mother was the pharmacist. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut at Storrs, where she majored in psychology. She also has what she calls her “half-Masters” in English from Western Connecticut State University (five courses down, another five to go…someday!).

Throughout college, she worked semester breaks as a doughnut salesperson, a job that she swears gave her white lung disease from all the powdered sugar she breathed.

Upon graduation, she began work at the venerable independent spacebookseller, now sadly defunct as such, Klein’s of Westport. There, she bought and sold for the better part of 11 years.

In November 1994, Lauren left the bookstore to finally take a chance on herself as a writer. Success did not happen over night. Between 1994 and May 2002 – when Red Dress Ink called with an offer to buy THE THIN PINK LINE – Lauren worked as a book reviewer, a freelance editor and writer, and a window washer, making her arguably the only woman in the world who has ever both hosted a book signing party and washed the windows of the late best-selling novelist Robert Ludlum.

Since Red Dress Ink’s call in 2002, Lauren has been kept very busy with writing more novels and checking her Amazon ranking on a daily basis. She still lives in Danbury, with her husband and daughter, where she has lived since 1991.

In addition to writing, Lauren’s daughter keeps her busy, accounting for the rest of her time.

Lauren’s favorite color is green.

Lauren’s favorite non-cat animals are penguins.

Lauren wants you to know that, however you are pronouncing her last name, you are probably pronouncing it wrong.

Reviews

[Els · Rating 1 out of 5]

I loved the cover and the title but i had to struggle to finish the book. More than once I just wanted to close it, but I feel I was obliged to keep on reading because I had to write a review. I never really was swept away by the story. I found it confusing and often I did not seem to understand what it was about. I thought I was in for a fun read, but to me it was a very big disappointment.
Thank you, netgalley, for giving me the chance to read the story.

[Mrs Mommy Booknerd http://mrsmommybooknerd.blogspot.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where does Falling for Prince Charles rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
It was a fun, original and quirky romantic comedy. It was a delight. It was unlike most other listens that I have experienced. Lauren Baratz-Logsted has a knack for writing great stories that are both engaging and fun! A great choice for a quick, engaging and funny listen.

Who was your favorite character and why?
I adored Daisy. I loved that she followed her dreams and said what was on her mind. It made for some hilarious moments. She never apologized for being who she was, well not often at least.. I thought she was great!

Have you listened to any of Rebecca Courtney’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
This was my first listen by Rebecca. I enjoyed her as a narrator.

If you could take any character from Falling for Prince Charles out to dinner, who would it be and why?
Daisy because she is just a hoot and a half. I feel like she could get us into some interesting situations that would make for a fun lunch and make for a great story later!!!

Any additional comments?
I love Lauren Baratz-Logsted and think all her work is great! This listen is no exception! Grab this audiobook for a great listen! You won't regret it! It is a perfect Spring listen and a awesome book club pick!

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh

I had trouble getting through this book. There were some funny lines but the situation wasn’t believable and Daisy it was hard to like Daisy and the way she lies so easily.

[Agi · Rating 3 out of 5]

As soon as I've seen this book, with this lovely colourful cover and very eye - catching title (I mean, Prince Charles. Everybody is always falling for Prince Harry, right? Why not to fall for Prince Charles? And a REAL Prince Charles - catchy, no?), I was intrigued - it looked so promising, so fresh, funny and different, and I was really desperate to read this novel.

But I am so torn about this book - it could be a brilliant read but sadly, somehow, for me it seems that the author had a great idea but in the end she didn't know how to work this idea and turn it into a unique, wonderful story. I had a little problem with the writing - don't get me wrong, it was light and fresh, but the sentences were built in a very complicated way, and often I found myself going back to the beginning of the sentence and reading it again and again, trying to get into the meaning of it, to find what it was about. For example: "It seemed to Daisy that the British Monarchy was the ultimate pyramid corporation, and that all of Diana's problems had started with the erroneous assumption that she could blithely leapfrog her way to the pinnacle, when even peasants, even commoners, even Americans like Daisy knew that there was only ever one person at the top of any pyramid" - it was one of the easiest ones. "This was in no way surprising from a scientific standpoint, what with the nasal cavity residing in intimate biological proximity to the oral cavity" - I know, it should have been funny. There were often only two sentences on the whole page, so long were they. Now, I have nothing against eloquence but sometimes you just need to pair the syntax with the content. It was incredibly flowery descriptive and with the number of adjectives you could probably write two or three books. And the abbreviations. B.P. R.F. Q.M. Or KKKK or SSSS, whatever it was - believe me, after all those descriptions it took me always some time to decode them.

Sure, I appreciate the fact that it was supposed to be a totally different romance. However, it felt kind of strange reading about living, real people and what they were thinking, saying or doing, keeping in mind that it is rather fiction. Of course, the author might have captured the style, but I just couldn't shake off the feeling that it is too far - fetched, and couldn't stop thinking what those people would think, should they read this novel. I understand the concept of fiction! Of course I do, but I think that a made up royal family would serve this book better. I mean, dialogues between Prince Charles and his footman? And I don't know, as I don't know the Royal Family (ha! It would be something!) but I just can't imagine Queen being so open with a girl that just appeared and followed Charles. Let's do it either properly, like it should be, or let's not do it at all. And the ending in this novel - I am really sorry, but this was an absolute no - go. I mean, it was almost like changing history. We all know what's happening with Prince Charles right now, so even pulling the ending up into fiction still made it much too far - fetched.

Everything seemed so far - fetched in this story in fact. Daisy suddenly winning a lottery, her flying over to the UK with a woman who has sold her her lottery tickets for years (dropping everything on the spur of the moment and just like that following Daisy across the ocean), and finally meeting the dreamed - of Prince Charles and, in the end, the whole Royal Family. And of course Prince Charles falling immediately for Daisy, an ex - cleaner (nothing wrong with cleaners!!! Nothing!), falling for her so much that he wants to marry her. And oh yes, Daisy meeting Princess Diana as well - Princess Diana being very curious about the new one in Charles's life and "chance" meeting Daisy when shopping. I mean, there might be a coincidence or two, sure, but really? Really? Even fiction must feel possible to happen.

I didn't have a problem with the thousands points of view, the only problem I had were the people. However, following the rule that less is more, I can't see a point of adding the voices of Bill and Hillary Clinton, or Jodie Foster. It didn't help the book a lot, it only made it much more confusing, because what do they have to add to the story of Daisy?

So you know, overall it was not a bad book. It was in fact sharp - funny and I appreciate the British humour. I enjoyed Daisy's escapades and also her down - to - earth descriptions of the Royal Family, as she didn't allow to be impressed, and altogether, there was something in the book that made me like it, hence these 3 stars, despite all my problems with it. I haven't read any stories by this author before and after reading "Falling for Prince Charles" I am more than willing to give her other books a go, hoping that they are not so try - hard as this novel, as it was a little on the overdone side.

Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for a review.

[Sherri Bryant · Rating 2 out of 5]

What started out as a cute premise with a lot of potential for a fun read became quite a bore for me. The characters quickly got on my nerves and there were too many perceptions that changed rapidly and without any warning that I had a hard time following whose point of view was the story was being told. When I think of a heartthrob, Prince Charles is not who comes to mind for me so it was next to impossible for me to suspend disbelief on this one.

[Mave · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an excellent read! It 's a fun and original romantic comedy with a sparkling character and Prince Charles as we've ever seen him. I loved every single page.
Daisy Silverman has always been in love with Prince Charles, her biggest dream is to meet him. But she is a simple american maid. In life we ​​must never lose hope. Unexpectedly she wins a lot of money in the lottery and decides to move to London and live there as long as she doesn't run out of money. She has received an invitation to a party at the Pakistani embassy and her dream comes true: finally she knows Prince Charles. Not only, she manages to fascinate him with her sympathy and simplicity but can last a relationship between them?
Daisy is really funny, I loved every single moment spent with her. She's a simple woman, full of life, enterprising, dreamer. It 's very difficult for her to follow the strict rules of English nobility and is often found in embarrassing situations. I also loved Prince Charles, a romantic man forced often have to give up his wish to meet the expectations of the royal family, especially of the queen.
This was my first time reading a book by this author, and I can say with complete certainty that it will not be my last!
Lots of colorful royal characters, a strong plot, a wonderful setting and a fabulous heroine make this book a great one!
If you want to spend a relaxing and fun afternoon this is the perfect read.

[Gaele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daisy is your basic underachieving daydreaming woman who finds her work, with the exception of her boss, mostly stress free. Cleaning toilets for a living may be drudgery, but it’s her drudgery and allows her plenty of time to live in her own head. One of her obsessions has been the Royal Family, an obsession that seemed to jump into high gear with the split between Charles and Diana.

With a fortuitous lottery ticket and a cashier that is far more connected into the world than one might expect, Daisy and Bonita head off to England where Daisy spends much of her time in the Reading Room at the British Library (with a surprising and well-placed telephone call by Bonita) absorbing new facts and waiting for the next big thing. A rainstorm, an overeager employee of the Pakistani embassy and an invite-only party puts Daisy, wholly American and heedless of “how things are done” Daisy in the same room as Charles. He bored to tears with the countless required engagements with all the same people, until spotting her.

From one moment to the next, the points of view from the characters is often funny and pointed, dancing with satire in the lead more often than not. No one is left un-skewered in Daisy’s wake: from the Queen to the Queen Mother, Phillip, Anne, various civil servants and even Charles’ valet/bodyguard / equerry Sturgess. These are the thoughts YOU would have (if clever enough) if not raised TO a certain standard and position from childhood. Moments and utterances that range from ‘I can understand that point” to laugh out loud. This from the Queen:

Experiencing a rare reversal of opinion, the Queen had groaned inwardly. At least the Other One had ben tall enough for making fashion statements. This One looked to be only capable of fashion clauses, at best.

Unexpected laughs, a character in Daisy that you can’t help but enjoy and the indomitable Bonita: mistress of everything imagined and not. The story is fast-paced, packed with factoids and bits of ephemera about the Royals, all highlight the cultural differences between the expected behaviors of the proper Brits and the rather undisciplined and happier for it, Daisy.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
This review was originally posted on I am, Indeed

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review originally posted on my blog: I Heart Fictional People

INITIAL THOUGHTS

I loved the cover right when I saw it. It looks like a cute chick lit book. And the synopsis sounded like the perfect romantic comedy. Plus, the fact that it was about falling for the real Prince Charles was definitely unique, and I was curious as to how it was done. So, I was really excited about this book. I couldn’t wait to read it.

WHAT I LIKED

The premise. I loved the idea of a woman who cleans toilets for a living winning the lottery, going to London, and falling in love with a prince. That sounds awesome! And it sounds like it could be this romantic story with the perfect amount of humor. Unfortunately, the IDEA of the story is pretty much all I liked…

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE

The writing. I can’t quite put my finger on it. The writing wasn’t bad. The author clearly knows how to write. Maybe the writing style just wasn’t for me. It felt all over the place. There was way too much description. It seemed like she tried to make very complex, adjective-filled, uniquely-structured sentences when it could’ve been more simple and easier to understand. Throughout the majority of the book, I kept asking myself, “What just happened? What is going on in the story? What am I reading?” I was just completely lost. I had such a hard time staying focused.

Way too many POVs. OMG. I can handle two points of view, maybe three. But there were points of view from almost every single character, even Bill Clinton, who was in the book for like two seconds. It just made the story very disjointed and confusing. It did not work for me. I would’ve liked to just stay in Daisy’s brain. Also, I felt a little uncomfortable being in the minds of real people. More than half of these characters are real people. It just made it weird for me. I don’t know. It’s hard to explain.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

I really wanted to like this book. I truly did. I’ve heard good things about this author, so I was really surprised that I didn’t enjoy it. I just felt like the story tried too hard to be funny and romantic when it was neither. It was very hard for me to finish it. I kept reading because I kept hoping it would get better or maybe it was just me and my warped brain not being able to pay attention, but unfortunately, I still ended up disappointed.

*I received an eBook copy of this book via Tasty Book Tours in exchange for an honest review*

[Mike Nemeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lauren Baratz-Logsted's latest foray into off-kilter romances succeeds in the respect that it leaps into hyperbole, dashes into the unusual and takes characters into places few would predict. Her "Falling for Prince Charles" requires immediate suspension of disbelief, at least that's what I needed to do. Her heroine, Daisy Silverman, is a cleaning woman. Make that a young, attractive and petite cleaning woman with a background in family janitorial. She's comfortable with a toilet brush in hand. How this has anything to do with a desire to meet a prince has everything to do with this book's direction into assuming the narrative of the modern fairy tale. Daisy's a simple girl from Connecticut with a daydream. Check. My mind comprehended that part. Then she wins the lottery, grabs the best thing she's got to a friend, a reality spewing woman working retail, and heads to London to pursue her dream of seeing, or meeting, a prince. The prince. Prince Charles. OK. Right. Nevermind, just let it go. I would have created some other less connected prince. Somehow there's no Camilla. Right again. But Baratz-Logsted's strength is her writing. At first, I kept wanting to put this book down and return to my science fiction. But the author crafts each sentence with such nuance, such perfection that after about halfway through I didn't care that the story seemed to make little sense to me. I just ran with it. So the queen has nothing in that big handbag. She doesn't seem to care that a commoner is among her family about to sleep with her son. Silverman is Jewish, which she doesn't cop to at first. That proves to be one of the many conflicts. She won a million dollars and it's changed her. Her friend reminds her that she is who she is. And the prince, who she bumps into at another dull-as-dishwater event, likes her for her rather crude American traits. Some of the best parts of Falling are Baratz-Logsted's chapters from the perspectives of the various characters in the castle. That's like a tour through the Royal Family's sanctum sanctorum. So I give this a three since it's not my sort of book. But it's entirely readable and the end is totally worth the trip.

[Angieleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book that I’ve read by Ms. Baratz-Longsted and I have to say, this is the funniest one yet. She injects just enough sass, comedy, and even a great love story into each book that she writes.

I love flawed characters that learn some very harsh lessons as the story progresses. Daisy was definitely flawed as she went from being the girl next door {who happened to come from a long line of toilet bowl cleaners} to someone who was sitting a little too high on her horse and needed to be knocked down a bit.

I think the best part of the book was how sassy and amusing that the royal family was portrayed. Especially The Bag…definitely my one of my favorite subplots. I was a little bit annoyed by how Princess Diana seemed to be portrayed, but not everyone was a fan of hers and I can understand that.

Bonita and Sturgess…they are definitely my favorite characters. I felt that Bonita was Daisy’s fairy godmother of sorts and Sturgess…well, someone has to keep Next In Line for the Throne in line.

Overall this is definitely one that sticks out for this year’s reads so far and one that I’ve been recommending to anyone who wants a zany, laugh out loud read that will make them glad that they read it.

Please note that a review copy was supplied for this review. All opinions are my own.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

1999

Daisy Silverman has always fantasized about being the Princess of Wales when in fact, she is simply a maid for the Klean Kottage Klub or KKK. Yes, that acronym has caused her a great deal of embarrassment.

One day, she stops by her usual little store to pick up some things for dinner. The cashier, Bonita, with whom she likes to chat, encourages her to buy a lottery ticket. When she wins, she is thrilled. That is when Daisy takes Bonita and heads to London. With her payout of $50,000 per year for life, she plans to stay until the money runs out.

As they enjoy the sightseeing, Daisy runs into someone who invites her to an Embassy party where she meets Prince Charles. They chat and he is quite taken with her. This leads to her being invited to stay at some of the royal residences where she meets and spends time with the different members of the royal family.

Her escapades and gossipy descriptions of the family members is rather humorous. The words the author uses in writing the story are funny at times.

I enjoyed the story up to a point but found that, for me, it was a bit overdone which means I began to get bored with the constant dialogue used. However, I am sure other readers will find it a total hoot.

Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley

[Christie72 (Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Falling For Prince Charles is a fun, cute, quirky, and clever romantic comedy! Daisy is a cleaning lady who is in love with Prince Charles, yes that Prince Charles. Luck finally comes to Daisy when she wins the lottery, and she decides to head to London, a place she has always wanted to go. Not long after being in London, she finds herself at an Embassy function and happens to meet Prince Charles. He is quite taken with her as she is different from the normal ladies he meets at these functions. Thus, begins a wild, funny, and sweet love story between the two.

The book was different from anything I’ve read recently. It’s quirky in the most charming way! I loved Daisy, and I never thought I could feel sorry for Prince Charles, but I did. Daisy is wonderful for him. He yearns for more in his life than the never-ending and sometimes shallow functions he has to attend and the women he meets there. It was fun to get an inside look into the life of being a royal. For me, it was more comedy than romance, but it was just as enjoyable! And, I LOVED the ending!!!!

***Read and Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***

[Zee Monodee]

This is such a shame because I was so revved up for this book! I mean, look at the blurb - it's got a down on her luck Cinderella type who falls for Prince Charles, of all people! How crazy could that be? I was terribly excited to go in...but then I got lost in all the many different character head hopping until I didn't know anymore whose story I was really following. I think when it really hit home for me was when the author went into what the Lotto ticket selling lady was thinking - I was like, how is this relevant to meeting and falling for Prince Charles and then battling his formidable mother for the HEA?
Again, shame, because this could've been so much fun and such a riot.

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 1 out of 5]

Daisy was a cleaning lady that worked in wealthy households and offices. Daisy loved Princess Diana though she had never met her but in all honesty Daisy felt she could have done a better job. Daisy whimsically believed that Diana and herself had been separated at birth.
I just could not get into this story. It just made no sense to me and i could not force myself to finish this. It made no sense to me. Daisy is no way being realistic . I just couldn’t get into the story, plot or characters.Just not my kind of story.
I received an ARC of this story for an honest review.

[Christine Galletly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not one for me, I read the first dozen chapters but couldn't get in to the story. If it had been called something else, as I kept imagining Prince Charles as I was reading it, it may have been different - couldn't finish it.

[Katarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super fun romp of a book. I totally enjoyed this very funny, cute, sweet and sometimes outrageous book. Well worth reading.

[Carly Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though I enjoyed the book the use of real living people as characters threw me off..(besides Prince Charles). I give this book 3 1/2 stars..And I do love Lauren Baratz-Logsted..

[Laune · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot is interesting and the writing good. Daisy is a wonderful character but somehow I couldn't relate to the fictitous Daisy and the real Price Charles and real Queen.