The Prince She Never Forgot - Kenangan Sang Pangeran

by Scarlet Wilson, Sarah Tobing (Translator)

Sepuluh tahun lalu di Paris, Ruby Wetherspoon menerima ciuman malam Tahun Baru tak terlupakan dari pria asing dan misterius bernama Alex, yang setelah itu meninggalkannya tanpa kabar. Jadi, bisa dibayangkan betapa kagetnya Ruby sekarang ketika melihat Alex—yang ternyata Putra Mahkota Alexander dari Euronia—berdiri di hadapannya meminta bantuan profesional.

Sebenarnya, Alex ingin mengenal lebih jauh wanita menawan yang tersesat di antara kerumunan orang sepuluh tahun lalu. Namun, takdir berkata lain karena situasi keluarga yang tak terduga membuatnya harus fokus pada kewajiban kenegaraan. Dan sekarang ia bertekad memanfaatkan kesempatan kedua untuk membuat impian terpendam mereka menjadi kenyataan.

Genres: Romance, Harlequin, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Royalty, Mills and Boon

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Melody Cox · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked all the characters in this book, Alex (some of the time), Annabelle and Ruby always. Theirs' is a very deep and troubling love story that I had many difficulties with. A lot of the facts were just too unbelievable. I will give examples later. This was an emotional read for me and my review will reflect those emotions that were stirred in me.

This book did have an HEA but unfortunately it did not leave me feeling happy or content. No warm and fuzzies in the least. In fact for hours after concluding the book, every time I thought of the story I cried. I went for a swim and cried all the while. There had been so much heartache on both sides, too much for me when reading a book to escape. For someone who had loved Ruby for ten long years it was not very evident by his earlier actions of ten years of absence. Alex, even though likable, left a very bad taste in my mouth. I somewhat struggled with what his true feelings were and if he really loved her and how much. His total lack of contact with her had shown Ruby that she was just another girl, nothing special. Now, I ask you. If you fell quickly in love or even heavy in like with a young woman...or man... that completed you perfectly and you were called away on an emergency unexpectedly - would you totally give up on her when you didn't get an answer to your one single message you sent...the message she never received because you, my Prince, sent it to the wrong hotel? I simply cannot fathom his cavalier attitude even though I tried. And I ached for Ruby and her devastation as day after day she awaited word from him, as she watched while he later married another and had a child. This is deadly serious for me folks. He was single and free for a long time before he married and he could have easily been with Ruby. He knew exactly where she was and sent her beautiful flower arrangements every month or so but unsigned. She had no idea they were from him. If he was so certain that she didn't want anything to do with him then why the heck did he send her flowers regularly except for the two years he was married to his best friend, who I might add, was dying and desperately wanted an heir to carry on the Queenship (if that is a word) of her country after her death. So he married her, not loving her, (still in love with Ruby,) and the Princess did not love him either but needed an heir before she passed away to save her country, both knowing she would not live long. This just about destroyed Ruby and I certainly see why later in the book she feels like the consolation prize. So would I and she had every right to feel that way.

The excuses he gave for the ten year absence were unrealistic, unbelievable and did absolutely nothing to redeem himself. He left a message at the wrong hotel that had his private number on it. When they couldn't deliver it could they not have reached him at that number and let him know he had the wrong hotel? He sends those flowers, even though he assumes she wants nothing to do with him, but never bothers in those ten years to actually sign his name or send his number. Since he knew where she was I felt he was being an ignorant fool for not calling her or showing up on her doorstep. How in the world can he say she was in his thoughts every day yet not step up and call or contact? That is just too unrealistic to be believable. So many things like this that didn't seem like the normal/natural human response from someone who cared deeply for or loved someone. I really and truly disliked him for this and there was no excuses good enough...at all. Just stupid excuses that a ten year old would have known better what to do. Scary that this coward runs a country. Said coward told Ruby that he had been too busy running the country to call or have a relationship yet he had time to marry his friend and have a child. Just bull and I was thrilled to see Ruby call him on much of this.

So to sum it up...I was deeply disappointed. It's not a book I would put my emotions in turmoil again to reread. Too much sadness, heartbreak, frustration, and devastation for Ruby. She deserved better, so much better. Too much negativity with very little positive and very unbalanced. I understand there is heartbreak and angst in books but I would loved to have seen a bit more happiness to balance out all the sad, bad, and heartbreak. Something from the Prince to make him likable and not such a jerk, something to redeem him.

[Sometime · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writing is great and this book had a lot of potential but I just didn't enjoy it.

There was too much going on that was just too unbelievable. Explain to me how you spend one really great hour with a man and then spend the next 10 years pining for him and comparing every man to him and never really living your life? It was an hour 10 years ago. Get some perspective. Then explain why it was a good idea to purposefully have a baby who will never know it's mother? Why would you plan to deprive a child of it's mother on purpose? Obviously from the beginning of the book we see that it has indeed messed this little girl up. Why would Alex claim to love Ruby so much yet he makes zero effort to get a hold of her? He knew where she was and followed her career but he's a total wimp so he gives up after one try and never tries again? Lame. And the dying wife, all I could picture was him sleeping with this poor woman dying of cancer trying to get her pregnant despite the fact that she has been undergoing treatment and is probably totally infertile. Ya, that's romantic. So I spent so much time shaking my head over all these inconsistencies that I couldn't take the story seriously.

Sorry, this book just wasn't for me.

[🐝 Shaz 🐝 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. Ruby and Alex had met in Paris on New Year's Eve while in their twenties. He had rescued her from a crowd and they spent the next few hours together enjoying the holiday. Ruby had no idea who he was as they made plans to meet the next day for sightseeing. Alex is suddenly called away because his father is ill, and she doesn't hear from him again. She isn't surprised though, as she discovers who he is a few days later.

Ten years later Alex suddenly appears at her workplace, asking for her help with his daughter. He's never forgotten her, and has kept track of her career. He's convinced that she is the only one who can help Annabelle, and will do anything to convince her to come with him. Ruby also never forgot Alex and the kiss they shared that long ago night. Seeing him again brings those old feelings right back to the surface, but he's still way out of her league. However, she can't refuse to help his daughter, so off she goes.

I loved both Ruby and Alex. Ruby is passionate about her work with kids, and empathetic with Alex and his worry about his daughter. I loved seeing her focus on Annabelle and what the child needs. She is terrific at looking at the whole child and what might be causing the problem. As she and Alex work together to help the little girl, Ruby discovers that her old feelings are growing stronger, and she begins to dream that a future is possible. She is also remarkably clear sighted and realizes that part of Annabelle's problem has been caused by Alex's inability to deal with the grief of his wife's death. And until he has done that, she sees that there is no future for her either. I loved seeing her explain her observations to Alex and force him to face the truth. It also opened up the chance for them to get to know each other as they are now, rather than seeing each other as they had been in the past. I also enjoyed Ruby's fresh attitude toward life in the palace and the way she slowly won people over. She was a bit naive though, about what would happen with the media when they discovered the budding relationship. She wasn't entirely fair to Alex with her reaction, but she hadn't been prepared for the fallout. She had a lot she had to think about before she could have her fairy tale ending.

I thought Alex was wonderful. His rescue of Ruby on that New Year's Eve was great, and I loved the way that he enjoyed the way she had no idea who he was. I loved seeing the ordinary things they were doing that evening instead of the fancy things he could have provided. He was really enjoying being with her, right up until he found out about his father's illness. He tried to get word to her, but when he didn't hear back from her he tried to go on with his life. Ten years later, as a widower with a small daughter, he is in desperate need of Ruby's help. He's followed her career and is convinced that she's the only one who can help Annabelle. While he's never forgotten that magical New Year's Eve, he's surprised to discover that his feelings for her are growing, now that they are spending time together again. I loved the way that Alex is so determined to do whatever it takes to help Annabelle. Though aware of her reputation, he is surprised by Ruby's methods, and more impressed every day. He also begins to think about seeing where the growing feelings for Ruby might go. It is here that Alex's inner romantic really begins to shine. I loved seeing all the little things he was doing for Ruby, and the things he tried to do with her. He was falling hard for her, which made it doubly stunning for him when she confronted him about his actions regarding his daughter. Though it surprised him, he had to admit that she was right. It was great to see him take her words to heart and make the necessary changes. The emotional growth in him was great, and things were going great until he pushed a little too fast and ended up causing great heartbreak for both of them. His romantic side came through though, and the ending was really fit for a fairy tale.

There were some really fun parts of the story as well as some really emotional ones. There were a couple of really funny parts involving Ruby, Alex and water that showed he could be lighthearted. Seeing him really start to connect with Annabelle was sweet -- and seeing Ruby protect his time with his little girl was fantastic. I loved the way that Ruby and Alex's mother-in-law bonded over the well-being of Annabelle when things could have turned out so differently. I loved the part that she played in Ruby's happy ending.

[Cintya Larasinta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buku ini tdk kusangka bnr2 bgs n manis bgt!

[Ainay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buku ini selamat dari DNF dan bintang jelek karena bahasan terapi wicara yang diulas lumayan oke. Dapet ilmu parenting banget baca ini, terutama gimana memperlakukan anak yang ditinggalkan ibunya saat usianya belum genap setahun.

Aku masih tidak suka akan bagaimana Ruby mengungkit masa lalu sepintas yang dihabiskan dengan Alex. Mereka menjalani kehidupan baru dengan orang lain selama rentang waktu 10 tahun itu. Tapi, ohemjeh mereka dramatisnya ampun-ampunan seolah ciuman singkat di malam tahun baru mengalahkan kehidupan pernikahan.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO CAAAA-YUUUUUUTEEEE. ...ahem. I really enjoyed this one - it was the cute, soppy romance I really needed to read!

[Pauline Destinugrainy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bagaimana mungkin sebuah ciuman dan perbincangan singkat membawa kesan yang mendalam dan bertahan hingga sepuluh tahun kemudian?

Itulah yang dialami Ruby. Dia bertemu dengan Alex yang menyelamatkannya dari kerumunan orang pada malam tahun baru di Paris. Ketika Alex menciumnya di bawah kembang api tahun baru, Ruby tidak tahu siapa Alex yang sebenarnya. Malam itu mereka berpisah secara terpaksa ketika beberapa pria dengan setelan hitam menjemput Alex. Beberapa hari kemudian, Ruby baru mengetahui dia adalah Alexander, putra mahkota kerajaan Euronia.

Sepuluh tahun kemudian, Ruby yang sukses dengan karirnya sebagai ahli terapi wicara dan bahasa, sudah berusaha melupakan Alex. Bagaimanapun Alex adalah pangeran yang di luar jangkauannya. Meski dia tidak sepenuhnya bisa menghilangkan perasaannya pada Alex yang meninggalkannya begitu saja tanpa kabar. Dari media, Ruby tahu Alex telah menikah dengan Putri Sophia, dan memiliki seorang putri. Sophia kemudian meninggal karena kanker tidak lama setelah melahirkan. Ketika Alex kemudian muncul di hadapannya, memintanya untuk menjadi terapis bagi putrinya (Anabelle berusia 3 tahun dan belum bisa bicara), yang ingin ditanyakan Ruby hanyalah kenapa dirinya, dan kenapa harus menunggu sekian tahun lamanya bagi Alex untuk mencari Ruby.

Senang rasanya bisa membaca Harlequin yang tidak mengutamakan hubungan fisik dalam alur ceritanya. Di dalam novel ini, konflik utamanya adalah bagaimana Alex dan Ruby bisa menjelaskan satu sama lain mengenai sepuluh tahun yang terlewat. Karena nampaknya, bukan hanya Ruby yang tidak bisa melupakan Alex, Alex pun demikian. Hanya saja bagi Alex kondisinya tidak semudah yang Ruby pikirkan dan alami. Alex punya tanggung jawab sebagai putra mahkota yang kala itu ayahnya (raja Euronia) jatuh sakit. Alex harus mengambil alih pimpinan kerajaan sejak sepuluh tahun yang lalu. Alex harus mengerahkan seluruh kemampuannya untuk mengembalikan kondisi kerajaannya yang hampir kolaps. Dan selama sepuluh tahun Alex menaruh Ruby dalam satu sudut pikirannya, mengirimkan bunga tanpa identitas kepada Ruby sesekali. Namun ketika Alex memiliki Sophia dan Anabelle, mengirimkan bunga kepada wanita lain terasa tidak benar. Di sini saya melihat, Alex sebagai sosok yang bertanggung jawab. Dia menyisihkan egoismenya untuk kepentingan banyak orang. Dan berusaha berjalan di jalan yang benar.

Ruby sendiri bukanlah wanita lemah yang mengejar cintanya semata-mata. Sepeninggal Alex, dia melanjutkan hidupnya, sempat bersama beberapa pria meskipun rasanya tidak pernah benar. Hingga akhirnya ketika dia bertemu Alex, Ruby tidak serta merta melemparkan dirinya ke dalam pelukan Alex. Dia menguji dirinya, dia menanyakan kesetiaan Alex dan dimana sebenarnya posisinya di dalam hati Alex. Sementara itu, Ruby bersikap profesional dengan mengatasi kesulitan bicara Anabelle.

Satu lagi yang menarik dalam novel ini adalah kondisi Anabelle. Dia mengidap Mutisme Selektif (atau di dalam buku ini disebutkan sebagai Bisu Selektif). Saya pernah membaca sebuah buku tentang kondisi ini yang diceritakan dari sudut pandang si penderita. Tapi di novel ini, Ruby sebagai seorang ahli mencoba melakukan banyak pendekatan mencari tahu tentang bisu selektif yang dialami Anabelle. Anabelle sempat merasakan 11 bulan bersama ibu kandungnya. Meski Sophia dalam kondisi kesakitan, dia ingin menghabiskan sebanyak mungkin waktu bersama Anabelle. Ketika Sophia meninggal, Alex dan seisi istana Euronia yang tidak mengetahui apa-apa, menghilangkan Sophia sama sekali dari kehidupan Anabelle. Banyak ahli mengatakan bahwa ingatan seorang anak baru mulai terbentuk di usia dua-tiga tahun. Namun kenyataan itu tidak bisa berlaku umum bagi semua orang. Anabelle menyimpan di benaknya suara ibunya yang didengarnya selama sembilan bulan di kandungan dan sebelas bulan sebelum kematian ibunya. Ketika ibunya tiada, Alex sebagai ayahnya yang penuh dengan kesibukan dan tanggung jawab sebagai pemimpin Euronia juga menjauh daru Anabelle. Inilah yang menyebabkan Anabelle memilih bahasa isyarat daripada bersuara. Dan Ruby mengetahui hal itu melalui pendekatannya pada Anabelle.

Selayaknya novel Harlequin, novel ini menjanjikan akhir yang bahagia. Ini bukan spoiler ya... yang sering membaca Harlequin pasti sudah tahu pakemnya romance satu ini. Tapi bagaimana kedua tokoh utamanya menemukan kebahagiaan itulah yang menjadi inti dari novel ini. Kisah yang mengingatkan kembali kepada kita bahwa cinta sejati itu ada. Bahwa cinta bisa menemukan jalannya kembali dengan banyak usaha. Bahwa cinta butuh perjuangan, pengorbanan, dan juga kompromi.

[Trenchologist · Rating 2 out of 5]

This read like a Hallmark movie. Which, since I like Hallmark movies, meant it was just fine. But just fine is all. For a book where fireworks featured so prominently there weren't many for me. I think the momentum (and Ruby's character) got too bogged down in the third act, and too much stop-start action before the obvious end. Like buying time or filling word count to get there.

The premise all in is a bit preposterous but that doesn't bother me. I'm all about a fairy tale. I'm also fine with love-at-first-sight and just clicking with someone. But I didn't quite get how much the Prince went astray in his decisions regarding his first wife, or regarding a *ten year* gap before he went after Ruby. Or all his obvious mistakes in would-be finding her in the first place. Add in Ruby carrying a torch built on not a lot, it was a stretch to take to them as characters and their 'second try.' He knew where she was for 10 years and didn't bother to do better than send anonymous flowers. Their history & lack of development to explain and forgive it all gave me a mostly meh feeling at the end.

Due to these disconnects for me, it all felt like devices to get in the way of another story that could have been told--a young woman with her own life at her feet deciding whether she can become a Princess instead, and have a happily ever after with a Prince she's just met and suddenly has the full responsibilities of a the throne thrust upon him.

2+ stars.

[Nas Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE PRINCE SHE NEVER FORGOT by author Scarlet Wilson is a January 2015 release by Harlequin Presents series.

Ten years ago Ruby Wetherspoon met and kissed a mystery man, Alex. But she could never forget him. She did find out that he was Crown Prince Alexander of Euronia. And then he married, had a daughter then became a widower. Now he needed Ruby. Would Ruby take this chance? Dare she risk her heart once again?

But Alex wanted Ruby to work with his small daughter to help her speak. And Ruby’s heart melted when she met the little princess. Could she leave them now after doing her job?

THE PRINCE SHE NEVER FORGOT was a heart-warming story. Author Scarlet Wilson brought the emotions to the page in a way that would move readers to tears numerous times. A reader would stay hooked to the book till the last page and this story would stay with the reader long after the book ends.

Highly recommended for all readers of romance.

[Serenity · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay, nothing special. This just proves why I hate Romance. I only read it because I got it free on my computer then my stupid computer was acting up so I bought a physical copy so I could finish it. Side note to the author, Scarlet, your prologue should never be as long as your chapters, in this book, the prologue was 25 and a half pages, that's a chapter, not a prologue. To quote another author, if you need a prologue, it should be half of your chapters. It would have been better if your prologue was maybe 10 to 15 pages. Sorry, you're not a bad author. Just try to trim your prologues down next time.

[The Bookish Wombat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've never read a Mills & Boon novel before and only read this one as I was thinking of entering a magazine competition to write one. The book felt like a summary of a longer work so there wasn't much description of people or places, other than the main characters. The plot was predictable but that's more the fault of the genre than of this author. It was fine as what it was, but not for me - and I've decided not to enter the competition!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this book.

I think it was sweet and cute and I really enjoyed the romance between them.

I think it could have been better, and would have been nicer to have had them meet a bit sooner but I do believe they were in love and I actually enjoyed this book the most out of the Christmas Collection 17

[Monique · Rating 2 out of 5]

Star Rating: ★★½☆☆

[ʜᴇʟᴇη ⁽ᵗᵃʸˡᵒʳ’ˢ ᵛᵉʳˢᶦᵒⁿ⁾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

jddlhksdflk lo lei equivocada queria leer el otro anyways me entretuvo mucho al inicio y eso me da cringe pero me gusta nose siento que es muy cliche uuummmh

[Tanja Glavnik · Rating 1 out of 5]

Someone explain to me why all the negative reviews on here pin Alex as the bad guy and make Ruby out into some sort of perfect heroine. Let me tell you, she ain't.

Oh how she AIN'T.

I finally figured out my issue with most romance books isn't usually with the heroes - it often is, don't get me wrong - but always, ALWAYS with the heroines. This one is no exception, and Alex and Annabelle are actually the only reasons I give it 1 instead of the 0 stars it deserves.

The story itself is good, and had the potential to be something amazing. But Ruby killed it for me. Ground it into dust.

Let me tell you, even if it was a mistake in hotels, if a guy doesn't hear from you again after he leaves you a message, he is PROBABLY going to move along. In Alex's case, he was dealing with an ailing father, taking over a country, needing to marry and provide an heir, trying to help one of his oldest and best friends, losing her to breast cancer, and being a dad with no instructions for any of the above, and no real help. So tell me, where in this bizarro world would he have time to THINK about a girl who didn't say she wanted to see him again? It's a miracle he even kept that fire going for 10 years!

Now, alright, Ruby not getting his message IS valid reason to be upset. But she carries a torch for this guy for 10 years then - and she doesn't have the luxury of not knowing like most heroines do. SHE SEES THE NEWS RIGHT AFTER. SHE KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED, WHO HE IS, WHAT HE HAD TO FLY HOME FOR. And gee, she even feels bad for him for 0.5 seconds. Then shes pissed because why would she feel bad? He didn't contact her! Who cares about what his life was like! SHE is the slighted one!

This then contines as Ruby ping-pongs and yo-yos back and forth over what she wants and what she's getting, including but not limited to throwing Alex's efforts to shield her from the press in his face AND THEN NOT HAVING THE STRENGTH TO FACE THE CONSEQUENCES. Him being Prince Regent essentially means nothing to Ruby. She says its about him and him needing time - in reality, it's about her wanting the mystery normal guy Alex from 10 years ago and not the Alexander, future ruler of 2 principalities she's getting. All other back-and-forths and her being oh so uspet her photos were taken (which she was warned about) and all her mouthing off how she's enough but tucking tail at the first sign of trouble ...

Yeah no. Alex might have had his own issues, but how did no negative review of this book see what a complete moron Ruby is for the entirety of this book? She wants a 10 year old dream. Nothing else computes for her. And for someone who says she reads as much gossip as she does, her being so shocked and shaken about it when it happens - AS SHE WAS WARNED - is the icing on this bleh cake. What Alex saw in her is beyond me since she has virtually no redeeming qualities outside of being the therapist Annabelle needs (her shock and disgust that Annabelle needs to live in the royal world AS PRINCESS OF 2 PRINCIPALITIES WHICH SHE WAS BORN INTO and which Alex was born into is anotherstupidity, what did she expect?).

I like Ms Wilson, and I usually like her writing. This one is a big, fat no from me. Someone needs to erase Ruby from my memory, PLEASE.

[Tali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruby and Alex meet one New Year's Eve in Paris and share an unforgettable kiss. They agree to meet again, but Alex is secretly Prince Alex and a family emergency calls him back home. They both move on until 10 years later when Alex, who has married and been widowed in the meantime, calls upon Ruby, now a speech and language expert, to work with his young daughter who is suffering from selective mutism.
I enjoyed reading this romance, it was lovely how it built up and I enjoyed seeing Ruby bond with Alex's daughter. Obviously you have to suspend your disbelief for a moment - such as Ruby being infatuated by Alex in the ten years since they met and never really getting over him even though their meeting was so brief - but once you get over that, it's quite a nice easy read. I enjoyed this as a beach read and there's not a lot of conflict so this is just a nice positive romance.
An easy to get through holiday read and romance. 3.5 stars.

[Min Li Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex'in aşkına pek inanasım gelmiyor nedense!Yahu 10 yıl boyunca kızın nerede oldupunu biliyorsun.Sürekli çiçek gönderiyorsun ama neymiş mesajına yanıt vermedi diye karşısına çıkmamış.Senin aşkın bu kadar mıydı yani? Üstelik gitti başkasıyla evlendi. Tam 10 yıl sonrada kızın karşısına geçip kızıma yardım et diye çıktı.Neymiş ondan başkasına güvenemezmiş,peh...
Bu yüzden Ruby keşke daha çok süründüyseydi onu dedim ama nafile kız aşık olunca bir kaç mesafeli davranıştan sonra yelkenleri suya indirdi.Yine de Alex'e iyi dayandı ve sinmedi hiç.
Üstelik sorduğu bir soru vardı,cevabını çok merak ediyordum ama Alex prensimiz cevabı geçiştirdi.
Yine de sevdim kitabı,okurken bilmediğim şeylerde öğrendim.

[Kissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a charming story! As soon as I was a chapter in, I felt like I was reading a Hallmark/Lifetime romance; while such romances can come off as cheesy, this one was more down-to-earth and felt realistic (think along the lines of Netflix's A Christmas Prince series and maybe a dash of Princess Diana's own romantic life). Ruby and Alex were enjoyable to read and their reactions to life's events were relatable. I was also impressed with how well the author portrayed the circumstances surrounding Alex's daughter without going overboard or throwing some random scenario into the romantic mix. If you are looking for a realistic fairytale of a romance and/or needing a quick read, I highly recommend this.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Prince She Never Forgot

A sweet timeless take of a common woman who fell for a prince. But they didn't get together at first. He left her when called home. She didn't see him for over ten years. Now he needs her help with his daughter. Since she had gotten a degree in the speech part of medicine she was perfect for him. But was that all she was going to be involved in? He was a widow with a country to run. How could she, a commoner be anything more to him?

[Sharon Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! You gotta read this book....

A truly captivating collection of inspirational stories. This author has written some glorious stories that captivated me from beginning to end. The characters were fabulous and drew me into their story very quickly. I totally adore the way it was written and would recommend it to those looking for a great set of romances, at a truly great price. Oh... And it has a happily ever after 😍😍

[Marian Tustison O'Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay. I had to suspend all belief that a brief encounter was the start of a deep love that lasted through 10 years of no contact, especially since he's the prince regent of a country with resources to find her and send anonymous flowers.

[Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars

Some of the only things I remember about this book are that I listened to it on audio, I read it in like 1 or 2 day, and it was about a Prince with a daughter and a girl who is in the medical field. That's sad because I read it 2 months ago.

[Sandra R · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very well written by an author I like, but I found myself not believing the circumstances. Also the hour or so the H/h spent together at the beginning didn't seem enough time to form any sort of lasting attraction. Plus, I'm probably over Princes/royal stories. Sorry.

[Jacqueline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extra 1/4 star

[Meredith]

Fun meet-cute

[Stefanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice easy story. Just not for me.

[A.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruby Wetherspoon and her friends are in Paris for New Year’s Eve. She gets separated from them and almost trampled by the crowd. A handsome dark haired man picks her up and they spend a few stolen moments together with the fireworks and a trip to a cafe. But just as things get interesting, he is hurried away by a family emergency. He asked for her number but she lost her phone in the fall so she tells him the name of her hotel. He doesn’t contact her.
He only gave his name as Alex, and it is not until she goes home and sees the TV news that she realises he is Crown Prince Alexander of Euronia, a small European kingdom. His father has had a stroke and the coverage is of him looking stressed as he is hurried through the airport.
But meeting him has basically ruined Ruby for life. No man she dates is a prince, and none of them affect her the way he did.
She spends years training to be a speech therapist and one day, he shows up to ask her to help with his daughter. It’s been ten years, do they still have that chemistry from that one night in Paris?
***
I subscribed to a Harlequin romance website and got a pile of free books. This was one of them.
I have often thought that being a commoner and being thrust into the whole Royal world would be a nightmare. And poor Ruby, here, is so out of her depth. But of course, she’s there for Annabel, his daughter. She’s three and has chosen not to talk.
Her mother was the princess from the neighbouring kingdom and she and Alex were childhood friends. When diagnosed with cancer, she approached Alex to have an heir for both their kingdoms. She died just before Annabel’s first birthday. Alex has spent ten years doing what is expected of him and now he wants Ruby; no matter how unexpected that is.
It’s fairytale stuff: a pink palace, a wardrobe full of dresses specially made for her, expensive motor yachts and handed down jewels to wear to the ball. But Alex and Ruby had heart.
There were a few things that were a bit vague. Alex traces her and keeps an eye on her career. He even send her flower every year, but he doesn’t try to contact her. He’s busy *eyes narrow* for ten years? I think it was probably more that Ruby was inappropriate. She’s his Camilla Parker-Bowles he can only date when his duty is done.
His father is still ill after ten years and is conveniently kept in another country. But Alex has worked hard to improve the kingdom’s finances. Too hard really, as he has neglected his daughter.
Alex also has no friends or family who show up to check on him, and Ruby has one friend.
Ruby is annoyed that she spent time waiting for him to call, but a check of the old security file shows that he got her hotel name wrong. It would be impossible to work out what was the right hotel. He has security but they aren’t around in the palace scenes, which seems odd to me. But heck, what would I know? I’ve never dated a prince.
Annabel sleepwalks and doesn’t set off alarms. Ruby was told that Annabel signs, but then she doesn’t do it. A few things like that.
But it was rather sweet.
3 stars

[Dannica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute little romance. It doesn't feel at all realistic-princes and expensive dresses and meeting after ten years. But as a sort of fantasy it is very fun and sweet, though somewhat lacking in tension.
I have to admit I like the idea of meeting again after a chance meeting many years ago. There are a couple of guys in this world I'd love to see again, to see if we'd ever have a chance at a real relationship. Ha...not that I've had a ton of flings or anything. But I think we all know what it's like to feel potential between yourself and someone else, and want the chance to see it fulfilled, and not get that chance. Here, after ten years of waiting, the heroine finally does.
Despite the fun and sweet premise though, some parts kind of dragged, specifically the romantic scenes of cafes and yachts and dresses. I felt like the best parts were the beginning, when Ruby and Alex first meet, and the parts where they wrangled their relationship and discussed how Alex's child, Annabelle, fits into it and into their future. The rest was cute but could be somewhat boring. I also felt like Ruby's internal conflict of "How can I, an independent and simple career woman, be a world famous princess and marry this man?" was a little clichéd. I respect that deciding to be with someone, especially marrying them, is a difficult decision, particularly when it's such an important person. But it felt like she was using stock lines and conflict, little tailored to her specifically. I found I didn't really care.
Anyways, it's a decent book, with plenty of fluff and WAFF. Recommended to fluffy romance lovers. I got this book for free on the Harlequin website when I signed up for their newsletter-it might still be available, so check it out.

[Elisabeth Simón · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ha sido un libro para pasar el rato. Es como las pelis ñoñas de romance que salen en los canales de la tele. No tiene desarrollo de personajes, no profundizan en los personajes secundarios ni nada, simplemente es un libro de única y exclusivamente romance, que tampoco es la gran cosa pero para pasar el rato está bien. Tiene los clichés de realeza/rey, padre soltero y reencuentro. No puedo decir que sea aburrido porque no sentí esto en ningún momento simplemente lo leía sin pensar en nada y listo. Te lo lees rápido ya que es cortito y no tienes que pensar en nada, simplemente leer el romance entre ellos y listo. El romance fue tierno pero es como las pelis que he mencionado antes. El típico romance idílico de cuento de hadas. A la hija del protagonista la amé pero no profundizan mucho en ella más que lo que requiere la historia. Sin mucho más que decir es un libro de SOLO ROMANCE MUUUUY CLICHÉ, no busques nada más porque no lo vas a encontrar. Un romance vainilla e idílico de cuento de hadas y listo. Para pasar el rato un domingo por la tarde que no tienes nada que hacer es perfecto. Lo coges y lo terminas. Es rápido de leer, sin pensar en nada y divertido en algunos momentos.
POSD: En algunos momentos a la protagonista femenina la odié un poquito.