Marrying a Prince

A Fake Marriage #4

by Anne-Marie Meyer

Librarian's Note: This is an alternate cover edition for ASIN B07FMYTW3Z

Marianna Hedley is finally getting her life back together after she walked in on her boyfriend of three years in the arms of another woman. Now she’s pretty much sure that the emergency room where she’s a nurse and he’s a doctor is the very last place she wants to be. So when she gets wrapped up in helping out a handsome man with a head injury—at the beckoning of his mother—she reluctantly agrees. Once she’s sure this foreign stranger is safe, she leaves the ER and swears to never come back.
Prince Leonardo DeLuca is in America with one mission—propose to the woman he doesn’t love because his parents think it will be the best thing for their country. When he is out for a run and hits his head, he takes this opportunity to fake amnesia with the hopes that his parents can’t force him to marry someone he doesn’t remember. Right? Wrong. His parents don’t care and try to convince him that he will grow to love the woman he hates.
Desperate to get away, Leo “accidentally” proposes to Marianna as part of a plan they’ve concocted. She’ll get away from her ex and his parents will have to go along with the proposal because if not, then they would have to admit to the press that the soon-to-be king is not of sound mind. Everything was going according to plan, until Leo and Marianna soon discover how kind and generous the other person is and their feelings blossom from friendship to something more.

Genres: Romance, Royalty, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Audiobook, Clean Romance

184 pages, ebook

First published July 23, 2018

About the author

Anne-Marie Meyer is a USA Today Bestselling author who lives south of the Twin Cities in MN. She spends her days with her knight in shining armor, four princes, and a baby princess.

When she's not running after her kids, she's dreaming up romantic stories. She loves to take her favorite moments in the books and movies she loves and tries to figure out a way to make them new and fresh.

Join her newsletter at anne-mariemeyer.com

Reviews

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a royal lover at heart and love to read stories about a normal, every-day-girl finding love with a prince. Marianna is a nurse and ends up caring for Prince Leo after an accident. How could you not swoon over that?!

Leo and Marianna are fun characters, with a few flaws. I loved how they accidentally became engaged, but would have loved more banter and incidents to go along with it. Leo is contradictory at times--he's so supportive and strong where Marianna is concerned, but has a hard time standing up to his own mother. That's how life is I guess--easy to give advice, but hard to take it for yourself.

I loved the interactions that Leo and Marianna had with one another, especially in the romance department. Swoon worthy, for sure! The relationship that she has with his little sister is especially endearing.

This is one sweet, enjoyable, modern-day fairy tale that wormed its way right into my heart.

Content: mild, swoony romance

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prince Leonardo DeLuca is in desperate need of help and the one person he has found and has any hope of convincing to help him is Marianna Hedley.

I had so much fun reading this book. The more books that I read by Anne Marie-Meyer the more I feel that her craft is being honed and I just want more. I am a little bit of a royal story and marriage of convenience book lover. They are some of my favorite. So combine the story with the great writing and I had a blast. I didn't want it to end. Prince Leo is a perfect gentleman and is really trying to do his best by everyone. He's caught between some political plays going on within his family and powerful people in his country. His desires might just be met if he can convince Marianna to help him...and if he can keep from falling in love with her. Marianna was so sweet and I loved watching her desire to help others selflessly. Two great characters for the main characters of this book and that definitely made it easy to fall in love with them and love reading their happily ever after story.

If you love a good royal story and sweet romance then I highly recommend reading this one. I had several times where I laughed out loud and many times where I thought I might swoon for Marianna. *sigh* I loved her parents so much! I don't live close by my parents but just spent a month being with them and it was so wonderful. While reading the scenes with her parents I couldn't help but think back to the great times I had with my parents and from my whole life with them. I love them lots and am so grateful for them. Prince Leo on the other hand had some up and down moments from his parents. Especially his mom. Oh heavens, I might have cringed whenever she came in the scene. I kinda liked her in the end. Leo's dad wasn't really a factor in this book. I kept wondering why he wasn't around and taking care of things and helping Leo but it wasn't really explained that much.

Grab it, set aside a couple hours to just dive in and have a blast reading. It was a pretty quick read for me. Maybe have some chocolate and a nummy drink to sip and enjoy while reading and being whisked away into a fairy tale story of friendship and love.

Content: Clean.

I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

[Jody McGrath · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet, Clean, Fairytale Romance

This book was really sweet. I enjoyed all the characters, but thought the "mean" ones were too cliche. The plot was simple, sweet and predictable. I love a good HEA!

3.5 stars!

[Lexy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this book was good

[★ Belle The Bibliophile ★]

"Never, in all of her life, had kissing a guy felt like that. It must be his Italian heritage because it was exciting and spicy at the same time."

Marianna after kissing the Hero.

What is this fetishism mess

[B. D. Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this clean, contemporary romance from beginning to end. Although part of a series, this book works well as a stand-alone story. The protagonist’s personalities were well developed and reasonably believable; however, I found a lack of consistency in the opening scene when both Mrs. Deluca and her son, the hero of the novel, appear to lack fluency in English, but later seem to be not only fluent, but also seem comfortable with idioms only native American speakers would use. I also take issue, not only with Ms. Meyer but also many other authors when they ignore the fact that very few ordinary Americans have a valid passport. Yet, on a moment’s notice, they pack a bag and rush off to a foreign destination without, somehow, addressing the passport issue. The novel may be fiction, but it is essential to maintain a reasonable grip on reality. I found three editorial errors that I wanted to bring to the attention of the author, but, try as I might, I could not find a way to communicate with the author. I recommend the author carefully review pages 71, 92, and 125. All this said, “Marrying a Prince” was an enjoyable reading experience. I do not hesitate to recommend Anne-Marie Meyer to anyone who enjoys contemporary clean romances.

[Ru4repeat · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an adventure reading this book. I enjoyed how the relationship developed between Marianna and Leo developed and bloomed. I wasn't too keen on how passionate their kisses got however!
On a steaminess level I would rate this a hot PG.
Leo claims he wanted to fight for her, but then it felt like he gave up without much of a fight. At least he could have told her what he was thinking to help mitigate any confusion. And how the heck could Marianna actually believe something so contrary to her feeling to the extent that it pulls her away from the man she loves? Doesn't she have any trust in him? A little unbelievable and a whole lot of frustrating.

[Isha Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marianna and Leo are a cute spin on a theme as old as time. Meyer gives her own special touch to classic romance, only this time both are in need of a bit of rescuing. What began as a common day at work turns into a romance of a lifetime. Can the Prince and the commoner beat the odds and find a fairytale ending? Or will outside forces stand in their way? It's hard not to fall for a royal romance.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

An actual fairy tale marriage, with an evil Queen and evil wanna be princess - loved Leo and Marianna. The amnesia storyline was really great. Many little girls have thought "someday my prince will come" but Marianna's shows up - Prince Leo. I like this fake marriage series but love this book!!!! a favor turned into forever?

[Lisa Swinton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet and charming tale. A nurse, a prince, a head injury, and hilarity and mishaps ensue. Marianna is very likeable and it has the feel of The Prince and Me with a bit more maturity. The tear apart is appropriately heart-rending. Well-written and paced, this one will keep you page turning until the rewarding end.

[Debbie Duncalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice read

[Gaby G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun book to listen to!

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of predictable

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet romance. Leo and Marianna are really great together. They really complement one another. I enjoyed their story, but wish there had been more. Some areas it felt like things were thrown just to add length to the story, but in the end I felt a little unsatisfied. The romance was great, but I wish there had been more details about how things resolved and how Leo changed. It just ended too soon for me with some questions left unanswered.

[Madi Mullins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is definitely the fairy tale type and awakened the inner teen girl inside of me. It was a short and sweet little love story and a gentle reminder that you don’t always have to be a princess to get the prince.

[Sonya Wasden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this quick read. Marianna Hedley was an ER nurse who had caught her boyfriend of 3 years cheating on her with a fellow ER nurse. Even though she had transferred to a different unit, she found herself back in the ER by chance, when Prince Leonardo DeLuca from Caro came in with a head injury. He was in America with his mother and the woman his mother wanted him to marry to save their country from financial ruin. The problem was the Prince Leo didn't love Gisella or her family and wasn't convinced that they would do what is best for Caro. As a favor, Prince Leo asked Marianna to help him fake amnesia, and buy him some time to work things out. Part of the "fake" experience is that Prince Leo "accidentally" proposes to Marianna. As they spend more time together, they both want more. Is it possible that they could be more than friends or would their friendship be doomed before it really began?

This was a clean romance with Prince Charming and a commoner who fell in love. I was given a complimentary copy of this book and I gladly offer my review.

[claire jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the style of a modern day fairy tale, or a Hallmark romance, an ordinary young woman meets a handsome prince and they fall in love. Nurse Marianna meets Prince Leo in the line of duty, a head injury, and agrees to pretend to be engaged because both are in tricky situations that they can see no other solution to.
This is a sweet romance with lingering looks, and Marianna paying too much attention to him wandering around with his shirt off, but nothing more steamy than a passionate kiss. His lack of a shirt is brought up several times during the book, i think with exactly the same wording!
Marianna has spirit, she agrees to fly off to a foreign country with people she barely knows . Leo on the other hand, does seem to need a kick up the rear. He is nearly 30, but is still afraid of his mother, and fakes amnesia rather than tell her what he really thinks. His little sister is adorable though!!
I voluntarily agreed to read an advanced copy of this book.

[Katja · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this story, Mariana is a nurse who works in the same hospital as her ex who cheated on her. One day she comes across an injured man whose friends and relatives act peculiarly. His name is Leo and he is the prince of an Italian speaking country (not Italy, though). His mother wants him to get engaged to Gisela whose father is rich. The theory is that the guy's money would help the country's economy but Leo hates the idea of marrying Gisela and doesn't trust the father either. So he pretends to have amnesia and when his mother sets up a photo opportunity for him to propose to Gisela in front of cameras he proposes to Mariana instead. This makes Gisela and mommy dearest mad but since it goes viral they must go along with the engagement, at least temporarily. Mariana and Leo travel to his country. She makes a friend who is hardly mentioned again after they agree to be friends, and learns to know Leo's sister who is only eight. Both Leo and Mariana are wildly attracted to the other but for a long time, neither one of them has the guts to say so. When one of them finally makes a move it's reciprocated but then the one who made the move immediately starts to pull away, only to be angry that the other person let them go.

I listened to the audiobook on Youtube. In double speed, mind you, so I may have missed something but I didn't really understand the whole set-up with Leo. He is the crown prince and he is supposed to become the king, and his wife will become the queen. There is a stipulation that he needs to be married before his 30th birthday which is coming up shortly. His mother is sometimes called Mrs. Deluca and sometimes the queen? His dad is mostly a non-entity but it turns out that he is alive too. So if both his parents are living, how is Leo about to become the king? I don't remember hearing about anyone abdicating.

In the end, I wanted to hear how Leo learned to stand up to his mother, got rid of the Dad and Daughter Greedypants and convinced his people to drop the stipulation about kings having to marry at a certain age but this was all paraphrased in a few tiny sentences saying he did it. What was mom's deal anyway? She was in cahoots with the Greedypantses but what was in it for her and was there ever any retribution for her manipulative ways beyond having to tolerate a daughter-in-law she didn't like? I never found out.

The steam level was kissing.

I have a feeling that I probably liked this one better as an audiobook.

[Ｙｅｓｓｅｎｉａ · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars
It seems, I'm the exception to the rule here. I have read many clean romances but this one was not for me. It was way too cheesy, and not the good one. And let's not talk about the protagonists. I usually like the male characters more than the females, this time I couldn't stand him. He's supposed to have been groomed to be a king but even that doesn't give him a backbone... ugh. Another thing I disliked was that he winked all the time, trying to be flirty. After the fifth time, I got bored.

"She would help him pass the crown over to his cousin, without dissapointing his parents too much, an then watch him ride off into the sunset,..."

*rolls eyes*

[Rachael Bromley · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great sweet story of a prince who wants to go against the job he was born to do and be happy in his life. Marianne is a nurse and is just wanting to do her job but with her cheating ex and his bit on the side working in the same hospital its hard. Leo is the prince of Caro who is unhappy with his life as his mother wants to marry him off to the daughter of a businessman so the kingdom will have money again. As always there is a plan in place, a meddling mother and strong feelings are involved. Will Leo marry the girl he was picked to marry? will Marianne get her HEA? a great story from start to finish.

[Rebekah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute story, but several edit errors

This was a fun, completely unbelievable story. But that's what I really liked about it. The overall story has been done before, but I still really enjoyed it.

This has a lot of editing errors which normally I can skim over, but I found them a little frustrating at times. Also, there is a lot of repetition with the two main characters. The main female dialogue was a bit odd to me. At some points she says things that don't match the personality and character build by the author. Because of that, she seemed flat.

Content: clean
Language: clean
Religious: no

This is a clean read with a happy ending.
Happy reading!!

[Lori R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairy tales do come true in this story. You will enjoy this book because of the strong main characters. You cannot help but fall in love with Marianna and Leo as they fall in love with each other. Toss in a wicked Gisella who throws herself at Leo and Leo's overbearing mother and you have a fun, interesting, modern day fairy tale set in beautiful Caro. Marianna also has a terrible ex to deal with too. I could definitely see this made into a Hallmark movie. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

3-1/2 Stars. It was okay. It had some really good parts but too much running away from problems, from everything for me. I couldn’t believe how Leo let people walk all over him, including his own family. The guy was almost 30 years old! I wanted to see more scenes with his best friend the bodyguard too. Then when things started to happen and he started to take control of his life the story skips forward to the end. I hoped to read more of him being decisive I guess. The book ended well and it was a clean romance which was good.

[Anne Wingate · Rating 5 out of 5]

For King and Country

Leo has to marry the right woman, even if he is convinced she is the wrong woman.
Marianna has been embarrassed and jilted by her doctor fiance, and now she isn't happy with her job as a nurse. She has moved from working in the ER to oncology. But she happens to be in the ER when Leo is brought in after an accident.
Leo is the crown prince of the small country of Caro.
And thereby hangs a tale.
Meyer is all about happy endings, and this is unexpected in its way.
Recommended for all readers of clean royal romance.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marianna is trying to get over her cheating ex boyfriend. Prince Leonardo is trying to avoid proposing to a woman he detests. He is in New York for the proposal when he gets injured while our running. He meets Marianna in the hospital and comes up with a plan, selective amnesia. When pretending to not remember his intended doesn’t work he gets Marianna in on his plan and proposes to her instead. Neither Marianna or Leonardo planned to develop feelings for each other. This is a sweet clean read with fun main characters.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to this on YouTube - entitled The Engagement with the Prince.

Sigh! This had all the angst, the feels and the most amazing happily ever after (when I was sure there wouldn’t be!!).

The narrator produced amazing Italian accents for the characters which added to the great story. The author really helped the reader get to know the two main characters’ beautiful traits including their duty while making the reader passionately despise the manipulative characters!

Thoroughly enjoyed this clean, royal romance - highly recommended!

Now, off to polish up my Italian…!!! Ciao!

[Lyn Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marianna does a great job in her work job but having to work in the same place as your now ex and the lady he now calls his current girlfriend is all manner of "awkies" then in walks a lady demanding Marianna attend to her son like she some kind of servant. The son, a prince has found himself in a predicament not of his choosing and he feels that Marianna might be his way out of this mess.

The audio version of this book is very engaging and an enjoyable listen even if the storyline is a little predictable at times.

A good holiday read.

[Terressa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun story. I loved the setting and how the characters met and grew into a relationship.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists,
and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive
reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this
in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Teya Teya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story that reminds me of Prince Harry and Megan. It was short, sweet, and of course predictable because of the manner of the book. I like it that way, it's why I read them. What drove me nuts in this book was the no communication thing. I mean, sure you gotta have conflict but come one! Anyway, other than that is was fantastic, sweet, charming, and a sweet romance.

[Khadejah R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful take on a Classic storyline

Anne-Marie certainly has a way of telling a story. Marrying a Prince is a wonderful read. Two people who lack needed self-confidence come together to help one another save face. They end up growing under the confidence of the other and find friendship and love.

Good clean romance with a HEA.