The Love Hack

Modern Princess Collection #2

by Lauren Helms

Who doesn't love an opposites-attract good girl meets bad boy romance?

Zella
This year is all about discovering who I really am. Hiding away in an unknown campus tower in my spare time, watching the world fly by, isn't exactly helping, but a road trip with a sexy bad boy could do the trick.

A road trip to a place 700 miles away might not seem like much, but to me, it means freedom - and answers.

I'm looking for an adventure.

I never expected Ryker would help me find it.

Ryker
I'm no prince charming, but I may just be her knight in shining armor.

Captivated by her ridiculously long hair, I soon find out there is so much more to Zella than her hypnotizing locks.

I've got a past as dark as my black leather jacket and Zella is as bright as they come, but I can't tell her no when she asks me to put my skills to the test, in more ways than one.

If I had known the consequences of my shady side hustle, I would have backed right out of that stone tower without a second thought about the girl I can't get out of my head.

The Love Hack is a modernized take on the classic Rapunzel story, but Zella is no damsel in distress.

this book was previously published as Innocent Princess. The Love Hack features the same loveable charters and the same wonderful story.

164 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 18, 2020

About the author

Lauren Helms is a romance author her nerdy and flirty contemporary words. Lauren has forever been an avid reader from the beginning. After starting a book review website, that catapulted her fully into the book world, she knew that something was missing. While working for a video game strategy guide publisher, she decided to mix what she knew best--video games and romance. She decided to take the plunge and write her first novel, Level Me Up. Several published novels later, Lauren, with her book bestie, also formed PR company, Forever Write PR, to help other authors promote their books.

Lauren lives in Indianapolis, Indiana sharing her love of books and video games with her own Gamer Boy husband and three little kid nerds who will hopefully grow up to share the love of things that united Lauren and her husband on their own happily ever after.

You can connect with Lauren in the following ways:

Read her Books on Amazon!
LIKE on Facebook!
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Follow on Instagram

Reviews

[Paula Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite things to read about is renditions of classics and fairytales. That is why the Modern Princess Collection caught my eye as each book in this collection is loosely based on a Princess fairytale. In Book #2 Innocent Princess by Lauren Helms, we have Zella whose character and the story are loosely based on Rapunzel with her long blonde hair. Growing up we learn that Zella was adopted as a baby and her mother was very strict, allowing her to only have one friend Cam whom she met when they were seven years old. After much persuading and perseverance, Zella now in her college years was able to talk her mother into letting her attend Camelot University where she is studying Humanities and Art. In her third-year now, Zella has two best friends. While studying in her quiet spot, Zella meets Ryker who is a hacker and someone skating through college. The pair have this instant spark and we follow their romance saga of Ryker helping Zella find her birth parents on a fun-filled bucket-list road trip. What will happen though when just as their fairytale romance is coming true, Ryker's past threatens to ruin their HEA?
Innocent Princess was a very cutesy and clean romance story and I look forward to reading the other books in the Modern Princess Collection.

[JoAnna VanDorn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many details on things not important. Bit rushed with things that i felt needed more details. Idk if that makes sense to others 🫣🤣 I felt this had potential but sadly it didn’t match the potential it had.
This is also a closed door no smut book.

[Ebonie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this modern retelling of Rapunzel! Zella and Ryker are definitely opposites that attract - and that attraction is literal fire on the pages. While Zella is innocent and overly sheltered, Ryker is a total bad boy who has to find himself out of trouble a few times in this book. When secrets come to light that change Zella's life, it's Ryker to the rescue - and together, they go on a fun (and sometimes slightly dangerous) adventure.

Zella is seriously sunlight on a page. She's happy, she's innocent, but she's got a rebellious streak that really allows her to grow and become her own woman. Ryker's already rebellious, but Zella's sunshine helps him turn into the man she needs and deserves.

Thank you to the author for an advanced copy of this book. It's a great read in this great series.

[Sonya Jesus]

Such a sweet Rapunzel retelling. Loved the innocence laced throughout the pages and really enjoyed watching Zella come out of her shell a little bit! Well-written, great for sweet romance fans.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren writes in such a way that I feel like I am there, not imagining what is going on but actually there. Zella has this long blonde hair and is the most innocent person around at college. Of course her mom had a play in that and why wouldn’t she start to rebel, she needs to see the world in her own eyes. I love following Zella in her journey with Ryker. They are each other’s match for sure. This was such a great story as always with Lauren’s books.

[Cali Gal’s · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did I mention I love fairytales? I do and this is an adult-style Rapunzal which took me to my happy place. Eek.

There are so many things I love about this book. It is about finding love, finding yourself, finding your purpose and finding your family.

Bad boy, Ryker and good girl, Zella meet at college. Ryker’s hacking skills give Zella some answers. This leads to a funny and touching road trip. I will say resolutions happen fairly quickly in this book. At times I had to remind myself that this story has a fairytale feel to it and it is important to suspend believability. Yes that is what I love about a good romance. Lol.

It is a worthy Princess story, giving a beautiful HEA. Happy Reading Everyone! XOXO

[Gladys · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this was a great read. Zella and Ryker's romance is a modern, reimagining of the classic Rapunzel fairytale. I found the characters likeable and I enjoyed their chemistry. The story held my attention well and this book read easily. This is a sweet and cute read that was very fun. I am electing to post a truthful review.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Innocent Princess by Lauren Helms is an adorable love story with a Rapunzel-like twist to it. Zella is a very innocent/naive, young woman who has been sheltered her whole life by her adopted mother. In her third year, she transfers to Camelot University where she meets bad boy Ryker. Zella is determined to break out of her shell and live life and with the help of Ryker and her friends, they cross adventures off her bucket list.

Overall this was a very cute, innocent love story between two young lovers. Very enjoyable!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a young love story at its best .
The power of true love jumps off of the pages of this book .

Zella and Ryker have not had the best , or the happiest of upbringings. Life isn't perfect, but once they find each other they know that practically perfect is reachable when they are together, side by side

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5, I want it all, Stars!

"I fell for you the moment you showed up in my tower."

If you're a fan of modern fairytale re-tellings, you are not going to want to miss The Love Hack. The Love Hack is a sweet, and fun take on Rapunzel that will leave readers with a huge smile on their faces.

The Love Hack follows the story of Zella & Ryker. Zella is the good girl who’s life has been totally sheltered. Now that she’s away at college, Zella is determined to live and experience everything that life has to give. And when she meets Ryker all bets are off. Ryker is a total bad boy hacker. He’s the complete opposite of Zella in every way. But, when Zella needs help, Ryker is right there to save the day. What started off as a quest to find answers, turned into the road trip of a lifetime. A road trip, a biker bar, and a bucket list…what could possibly go wrong??

The Love Hack is a super fun and entertaining read. Ryker and Zella were easy to connect with and root for. I loved how sweet and innocent Zella was. She always saw things in a positive way and wasn’t afraid to take risks. And then we’ve got Ryker, the hacker with a heart of gold. Yes, he’s a bad boy, there is more to him than meets the eye. He’s unbelievably sweet and cares for Zella more than he wants to admit. The chemistry between Zella and Ryker was real and instant. While they might seem like an unlikely pair, I for one, couldn’t help but root for the two of them.

The Love Hack captured my interest from the very first page and is definitely the kind of story you can finish in a single sitting. This story is well written and I could easily visualize everything that was happening. With a smartly written heroine, witty humor, and oh, so sweet romance, author Lauren Helms nailed it with her modern re-telling of Rapunzel. This story hit all the marks and had just a dash of drama to balance things out.

If you’re looking for a sweet romance with light drama, look no further. The Love Hack is just the book you’ve been waiting for.

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*

[Victoria Weston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read book by this author before and always liked her style of writing. This book is part of the Modern Princess Collection and is this book is a real romance book, a real opposites attract romance book. This book is a retelling of the Rapunzel story and is a sweet read.

Zella is definitely a modern day princess with her beautiful long blonde hair and she is a very beautiful, innocent sweet woman that has has things quite tough even from being very young. She is now in college and has a very very over protective mum. When she finds out secrets in her life and she finds out some things she goes on a mission to find the truth once and for all.
Ryker is totally different from Zella and he hasn't lead such a sheltered life. He's also had his own issues but when he finds out about Zella's he helps her to find the answers that she been searching for.

When these two both meet each other there is definitely a very strong connection between them both and the chemistry that they have is beautiful to see. There love is there and when they get together they new that they were meant to be, the journey that they go on together is tough but sweet.

These characters were written awesomely and I love how they are together. This author knows how to write a very sweet innocent romance and you just have to see is they can find what they need. This book is a quick easy read and a great retelling of a fantasy romance. ARC provided in exchange for a honest voluntary review. This is a good read.
This book is out now.

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Innocent Princess was a delightful read that had me going between sighing like a girly girl, and laughing at the super fun interactions with Zella. See, her mother has kept her locked up basically, even to the point of being home schooled, so when she was able to break out by going away to college, she left without looking back. Her innocence was seriously touching as she definitely had a fantastic way at looking at the world which kept a smile on my face throughout. Ryker is that bad boy who had Zella swooning (her words) all over the place, while he was falling hard for her. However, Ryker straddled the line between legal & illegal hacking, and the moment Zella told him to put the white hat on, my mind went to Olivia Pope on one of my favorite shows, Scandal (I know this is random but I LOVE Scandal). Anyway, these two are very sweet, (especially Zella charming baddie bikers), with a twist or two thrown in. I LOVE me some Lauren Helms, and you will too after you hit those one click buttons! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ALL!

[Cynthia L. Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zella is a young lady who was sheltered and kept at home by her mother (who turns out to be her adopted mother). She goes to Camelot U on her own without her mother's permission. Her best friend Cameron is also at the same University. Wells is roommate with Ryker. Wells is good friends with Zella and Cameron. Wells is University Security and he and Ryker grow apart until Ryker falls for Zella. Ryker is a Hacker sometimes for good but most to help others at a price. Zella is tracing her family heritage at the Library a lot. Zella discovers she was adopted because of her birth certificate date being months after her birth. Zella asks Ryker if he could find her birth parents for her. After Ryker helps Zella and they visit he gets pulled in for questioning about his hacking but they want his help for something someone was trying to hire him for. Ryker turns good and Zella and him get very very close. Great story line and characters by this write that I have read other books by.

[Kari Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zella was never able to experience a traditional childhood and just when she decided to claim her independence by attending University she finds out a secret that her mother had been keeping which has left her with so many questions and the need to find answers.

Ryker is attending university as well as is attracted to Zella from their first meeting. He tends to live his life in a gray area, and he knows that Zella deserves better than him, but he is drawn to her innocence and zest for life and she is more than he can resist.

Zella wants to experience everything that life has to offer, and she looks at ever new experience as an adventure, but will Ryker’s past destroy their happy ever after?

These two were so much fun together. Ryker would do anything for Zella, and she allows him to see the world differently and realize what is truly important.

[Christine C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zella and Ryker are third year students at a small private college in Florida. Zella is a new transfer, joining her best friend since age 7, Cameron. Zella is finally free from the control of her super strict mother. Having discovered she was adopted as a baby, she asks hacker Ryker for help locating her birth parents. The resulting road trip is so much fun! This was a really cute retelling of Rapunzel. Zella is a strong, fun character and I love her bucket list. I just wish the book was longer and we could have more - the adventures of Zella and Ryder checking off her list would be fantastic.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Innocent Princess is the second book in the Modern Princess Collection. Each one can be read as a stand alone. This one is a Rapunzel retelling. Zella is in her third year at college but on her own for the first time. Ryker is just doing enough to get by and is more than willing to help Zella with her quest for adventure. I thought this was a cute retelling. Zella was sheltered, but not naive and annoying. She was kind of a breath of fresh air. Ryker was good for her. I loved the scene in the biker bar. It was hilarious. This is a quick and sweet romance. If you re a fan of retellings, make sure to check it out.

[Andrea Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this modern day retelling of Rapunzel you have Zella and Ryker a very unlikely pair.



File this one under new adult. I am not usually into this genre, because I'm 46 and I stopped relating to young 20 somethings when I was a young twentysomething, but this book was really sweet.



Zella is 3rd year college student with an over protective mother. Ryker is a hacker at the same fictional university, Camelot U. I have to admit I love the college setting.



The budding romance between the two that progresses as Ryker takes her to meet her birth parents is sweet and charming. He's a bad boy turning good. Their trip to meet her parents is quite an adventure and she gets to do a few of her bucket list items. Though why a girl under 21 has a bucket list remains to be seen.



I think because this was a sweet romance, I liked it even more. I think smoking hot sex would have spoiled the story. I'm not saying there wasn't any sex, but it wasn't all about sex.



Their romance was fun and this was a quick easy read that I didn't want to put down. Lauren Helms is fast becoming one of my favorite authors.

[Charity Esparza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a Disney Princess girl, so this book is right up my alley! Zella (Love the name!) is sweet and happy and innocent but still sassy and fiesty! Ryker is a driven, nonconformist, maverick, an alpha waiting for his Princess to reform him. And what princess story is complete without a little angst and drama?! Anyone who is a fan of Princess stories, loves Disney movies, and likes royal romances will enjoy this book!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angie Klug · Rating 5 out of 5]

A modern day Rapunzel!! If I didn't already love everything Lauren Helms writes...this one would put her in my most loved authors list for sure. I flew through this story in just a few days because I couldn't wait to see what the next Zelle and Ryker cuteness would be! Tangled is one of my most favorite Disney classics...and The Love Hack has all the parallels to this beloved fairytale I could want, while adding in the good girl/bad boy new adult romance goodies I crave. This is a feel good story, and I fell for these characters, heart and HAIR!! <3

[Paulette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a sweet lovely story. It makes you feel good the moment you start the opening page. I mean seriously who doesn’t love a good fairy tale? It’s what we all crave, to have our happily ever after. However, that ending doesn’t always come without a price. This is a modern Rapunzell. Even though we meet Zella in a tower, that’s not where she’ trapped. Let me tell you the journey,innocence and the discovery of both Zella and Ryker is worth reading this book. If I had one thing to wish for it would be for more back story on her upbringing and the why her mother was the way she was. Also ,I want more information on Cam. He really interests me. As they say that’s a tale for another time. Sometimes dreams come true, at least they do in books.

[LLS · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another solid offering from this series! Zella is a sheltered young lady who finally gets to experience life by going away to college. She meets Ryker at Camelot University and he is instantly smitten. He is a hacker who works in the grey areas of the web. He does a favor for Zella and they end up on a road trip that changes both of them. I really enjoyed reading their story!

Thank you for the privilege of reading this book! Well done

[Nicole Ortiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute and funny retelling of Rapunzel. Zella is finally free from the watchful eye of her mother. Attending University in another state she is free to experience life for once. While relaxing in her hideaway she runs into Ryker and there is an instant attraction. Together they go on a road trip and he helps her cross things off her bucket list. I enjoyed reading this one bits and pieces reminded me of the movie Tangled.
I received an ARC and volunteered to leave a review.

[Melenareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun standalone story in the Modern Princesses series.

I am a fan of the author's other series, and she brings her great storytelling ability to this book, too. An update on Rapunzel, there are elements you will recognize, but she makes the story all her own.

Zella and Ryker's story was an entertaining read with adventure, romance, and, of course, a happily ever after.

Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.

[Nai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Innocent Princess by Lauren Helms is the second book of the Modern Princess Collection, it is a stand alone book so you don’t need to have read any of the other books in the collection.

It is a romance story, with our main characters Zella and Ryker, who both attend Camelot University.

Zella has spent her life sheltered and hidden away from the world, she finally breaks free and follows her best friend, Cameron, to Camelot University, this is where she meets Ryker, the sexy guy that she just can’t get off her mind.

Will Ryker lead Zella on a journey of self discovery and fall in love along the way, or will it all end in tears? You’ll have to read to find out!

This is a sweet and easy to read romance novel with a “Rapunzel” like feel to it, with some twists and turns along the way.

[Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a modern, coming-of-age, retelling of Rapunzel. Zella and Ryker develop an immediate connection and turns out he can help her find her birth parents. This is a cute, sweet story about finding love and moving forward. It is clean romance, which I was not expecting as this is my first book by this author, but it did go with the story.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually loved Ryker & Zella's book. It was loosely based on Rapunzel. It was a really fun, intriguing book. Looking forward to reading more in the series. I received a free copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Love Hack is the second book in the new adult romance series called, the Modern Princess Collection by Lauren Helms. Each of the books in the Modern Princess Collection can be read as a standalone and they each feature a different couple. I'm sure you have been able to guess by the summary and the title of the series, but the Modern Princess Collection is a series of books, each reviving a classic princess story and putting a modern twist on it. I love that idea and I can't wait to check out the rest of the books in the series, because The Love Hack was great!

The Love Hack is a modern reimagining of the the Rapunzel tale. In The Love Hack, we meet our Rapunzel Princess who is Zella here. Zella has long blonde hair and was adopted as a baby by a very strict and overprotective mother. So when Zella meets bad boy Ryker at Camelot College, she immediately intrigued by him. Ryker is a hacker and he promises fun, adventure and to help Zella find out who her birth parents are. They embark on a road trip that was so much fun to read about. I really loved their breezy romance story. I think Zella's cheerful and sweet disposition was a breath of fresh air for Ryker. I loved watching the two of them make a positive impact on the other. Ryker brings Zella out of her shell and gets her to experience the fun (and sometimes wild) side of life, and Zella brings some sweetness and positivity to Ryker's life. They are a super cute couple.

The Love Hack reads more like contemporary college romance with just slight fairytale remnants. I really enjoyed this fun filled road trip adventure. I think this book is perfect for anyone looking for a quick read filled with a sweet romance. I am certainly interested in checking out the other books in the Modern Princess Collection. I can't wait to see which tales they are based on, and I am even more excited to see what Lauren Helms has in store for those characters.

[Donise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a really cool twist on Rapunzel. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Zella is a fun and quirky bundle of energy wrapped up in a very petite package. She has been kept basically imprisoned by her "mother" for most of her life longing for the freedom to discover the world around her. One day, Zella discovers her "birth certificate" and realizes that things do not add up. She then finds out that she is adopted and she finally decides to follow her best friend Cameron to college and enrolls at CamU. She discovers an isolated tower on campus where she can observe the world and do her homework while recharging from interacting with so many people. It is here that she and Ryker first meet.
Ryker is a genius with computers and hacking and while trying to get a teacher's passcode he discovers the tower room and Zella. At first, all he notices is Zella's blonde hair of which there is a lot. Then it is her bubbly personality and her size that continues to captivate him. He discovers that his roommate knows Zella well and Ryker also learns that he and Zella have a class together.
The more they get to know each other the more Ryker wants to help Zella, first by finding her real parents and then helping her with her bucket list. You will need to read the book to see what all they accomplish with a few twists thrown in.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Charlotte Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A girl sheltered her entire life, heads to college with her best friend. She stays pretty calm while adjusting to college life. She doesn’t go crazy with partying, drinking, or just doing wild things with her new found freedom. Instead, she meets the bad boy on campus, tries to help him pass his classes, and falls in love with him.


I love Zella’s bucket list. Go bowling, cut her hair, color her hair, get a tattoo… these all seem like things every teenager gets to do. Ryker jumps right on board with helping her cross things off her list and adds new things to her list. These two were fun. They lived such different lives, but they enjoyed each other, complimented each other, and helped each other find the balance their lives needed. Zella embraced her naivety while Ryker did not hide his wild side.

Innocent Princess is a fun young love story and the perfect addition to the Modern Princess Collection.