Daffodil Caron is not a princess, even though she once dreamed of being one. After all, she grew up as a playmate to royal princes, running through the halls of Perrigwynn Palace and dining with the queen. But the day she stumbled upon a royal secret, everything changed.
Flash forward eighteen years, and Daffy’s living a sweet, non-royal life. A skilled art curator for the Royal Trust, she has friends, a flat in the heart of the city, and a handsome, successful fiancée. The last person on her mind is Gus, a prince she once called her best mate.
HRH Prince Augustus is no longer “Prince Pudgy,” as caricaturized by the press, he’s charming and gorgeous, possessing a world-famous smile. But when he’s jilted at the altar by an American heiress as millions of people around the world watched, the spare heir to Lauchtenland’s ancient House of Blue escapes, finding solace on a Florida beach.
A year as a regular bloke allows him to rethink his purpose. He’s half decided his calling is to pour pints at a tiki bar, rather than serving his country and the Family.
Until an accident on the beach with a Frisbee changes his course.
Despite his long hair and beard, Daffy recognizes her prince, and their childhood friendship is renewed. She assures Gus Lauchtenland needs him, giving him the courage to return home.
When Daffy and Gus find themselves on assignment to Hadsby Castle in preparation for his brother’s wedding, their friendship blooms into affection.
But Gus cannot, will not, trust his heart again. Daffy’s engaged. And she also remains a royal family outcast because she knows the Queen’s secret.
When affection grows into love and secrets are exposed, trust is destroyed. Gus must choose which is stronger: the lies of his past or the hope of his future. And Daffy must face every fear to prove she will forever love a prince.
New York Times, USA Today & Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Rachel Hauck writes from sunny central Florida.
A RITA finalist and winner of Romantic Times Inspirational Novel of the Year, and Career Achievement Award, she writes vivid characters dealing with real life issues.
Her book, Once Upon A Prince, was made into an original Hallmark movie.
The Wedding Dress has been optioned for film by Brain Power Studio
She loves to hear from readers. She also loves to encourage new writers and is a retired member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Executive Board.
A graduate of Ohio State University with a BA in Journalism, Rachel is an avid OSU football fan. She hopes to one day stand on the sidelines in the Shoe with Ryan Day.
Visit her web site to find out more and click on the icons to follow her on Twitter and Facebook.
I saw this cover, knew it was a Rachel Hauck book, and I was hooked. As I read, I anticipated the wearing of that blue dress. The story did not disappoint. Loved the connection to The Fifth Avenue Story Society. There were also a few surprises along the way and a squeaky clean romance. Really loved the incorporation of Emmanuel and Adelaide into the plot with their actions and words pointing our characters to the truths of scripture. So happy to see that there is already a second book in the series available.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book. I’ve read some of the authors other books—including some of her royalty series—and like many others, I find royalty stories to be interesting, so I gave it a try. I liked the book overall, but some parts were a little strange to me (such as the almost allegory/supernatural character of Christ, lots of kisses, and some comments by our main characters that weren’t really Christians at the beginning.) I struggled at the beginning to tell if either main character was a Christian and while they would tell someone to bring a complaint up with the Almighty or Thanking God, in the middle they both said the phrase “If God was real [this would happen]” or “Maybe God was real after all”. Personally, those two phrases annoy me. The ending felt a little tied up with a bow and there were many mentions of other characters and their stories from other books by this author. I suppose it was an overall likeable read, but not one I really really enjoyed.
Man, I loved this book! In signature Rachel Hauck fashion, I was completely transported to the magical country of Lauchtenland, deeply immersed in the sights, sounds and culture of the Royal Blue family. What an intriguing place and group! I loved Daffodil and her sweet history with Prince Gus. I first “met” Gus in Rachel’s previous novel, “The Fifth Avenue Story Society”. I was so excited to hear she was giving us a story written from his perspective.
Spoilers are the worst, but To Love A Prince is a story with painful secrets, broken pasts and fractured hopes for a happily ever after. But it is a story of redemption, of being reconciled to our Savior, the one who loves us more than we can imagine. Readers of Rachel’s previous Royal Series will recognize some familiar faces and enjoy whimsical, ethereal layers. This story was beautifully crafted and a joy to read. The ending had me wishing for book two immediately (hurry, hurry, Rachel 🤣!) Seriously, go pre-order it now!
*I received an early, complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I loved the time I spent with this modern-day fairy tale. I adored Daffy and Gus and rooted for their romance to triumph from the first conk on the head with the Frisbee. I'm definitely looking forward to the next two books in the True Blue Royal series, both coming in 2021.
Note: I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did a fabulous job.
Rachel Hauck has a beautiful and unique gift of telling a story. I have read and loved all of her books and this one is no exception. This beautifully written, heartfelt story captured my attention right from the start.
In 1938 it's the 82nd birthday of a tailor who designed and made the wedding gown for Princess Louisa many years ago in Lauchtenland. Now, all these years later Emmanual comes to him and asks him to design another gown for a young woman who needs to feel like a princess. Now fast forward to the present time where on a beach in Florida, Daffy, her sister Ella and friend Leslie Ann arrive from Lauchtenland to enjoy a vacation of fun and relaxation. While on the beach, Daffy, a Curator with the Royal Trust in Lauchteland, is hit in the head with a flying Frisbee. The man who threw it immediately runs up to apologize and what a surprise to find it is Prince Gus from Lauchtenland. Gus has endured two broken engagements in less than two years and had escaped to Florida to heal his broken heart. He'd been there for a year, using another name, and working in a restaurant. Daffy and Gus had been friends since childhood since her mother worked for the Queen. What a surprise it was to find each other on a beach. Gus is preparing to return home soon for the upcoming wedding of his brother.
Back in Lauchtenland, Gus and Daffy's paths cross again because she is also involved in the preparation of wedding activities in her role with the Royal Trust. As their friendship blossoms to the closeness they felt as childhood playmates they face a number of challenges. A former fiance of Gus, with her husband will be attending the wedding and he is anticipating that to be awkward. Daffy's relationship with her fiance is a little unstable, she suffers the betrayal of a close friend and is burdened with a secret concerning the royal family she inadvertently overheard as a child. As this story unfolds I found myself more and more engrossed in every detail, and could hardly turn the pages fast enough.The second gown, designed for a young woman to feel like a princess surfaces in a surprising way. This is a delightful, intriguing story of love, trust, forgiveness and second chances.
Ahhh, I am solidly a Rachel Hauck fan. I loved this friends to lovers story about two very likable characters. It was romantic and fun. There wasn't much about faith throughout the book, but you knew it was coming because of the presence of Hauck's usual supernatural character and the fact that we knew Coral was going to show up eventually - and when the gospel did come, Hauck straight up delivered to your face! And it was 👏☝️👍👌💯 YES! I just really respect the way she didn't go vague with her message.
The book was enjoyable because you liked the two main characters. Boy, Daffy had some rotten friends, but all of them were living from a worldview that served themselves and their own interests, and you couldn't expect them to behave differently. I liked the parents though, and the way that Gus' mother found freedom in the truth! It was beautiful!
The love triangle reminded me very strongly of the Writing Desk so I felt like I've been there before, and I was relieved when it ended. What I loved best was also what I didn't like; Gus and Daffy were straightforward and honest with each other (as much as she could be in good conscience) and I love books where the characters are just truthful with each other! But then near the end, Daffy did an about face and refused to talk to Gus because of an assumption she made about him and I went 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️, also because she had just told him all book long not to do that to Coral! Come on, girl!
Speaking of Coral, that reconciliation was everything. So powerful. People need to read this stuff.
Thank you to my library for ordering this one for me!
When I saw the cover of To Love a Prince, I knew I’d be reading the book. The cover is stunning and I’ve enjoyed Rachel Hauck’s past royalty series.
This book is more than a beautiful cover. Daffy and Gus have an engaging journey that kept me turning the pages and trying to guess the twists and turns. And the romance between the two was absolutely adorable and worth the ups and downs they go through.
All in all, To Love a Prince was a satisfying read that has me looking forward to book 2.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. My review was not required nor influenced.
1938 and Present Day Dalholm, Northton, Lauchetenland
The book has a beautiful cover. I love the color of the dress and the way the sun is shining in the background. I appreciated the faith aspect that was included in this story. The message of salvation given by Coral was inspirational.
The story lacked depth. I struggled with a lot of the characters and got frustrated with the two main characters of the story, Prince Gus and Daffodil (Daffy). Prince Gus dragged out his "past experiences" way more than he needed to and Daffy was very naive in her relationship with Thomas. The red flags were all over the place and she continued to ignore them (but yet would question them). The story felt disjointed and inconsistent. I did not like Leslie Ann from the get-go. I do agree that forgiveness is a must, but that doesn't mean she continues to be in your life.
It took me a minute to realize the importance of Emmanuel - I read the author's note at the end and she states that he "represented the supernatural breaking into the natural." She also used the phrase, "beyond the veil". I'm not 100% sure what that means or stands for.
I have no desire to read any more in this series. I've read this author before and don't remember being this dissatisfied with past books.
Rating: PG Language: clean read Recommend: not personally
I have been a fan of Rachel Hauck’s for years. If you have read my previous blog reviews for her books, you know I adore her writing. She blends the natural with the supernatural so wonderfully that you might miss it, until the end of the story. Now when I say “supernatural”, i’m not talking about ghosts. More like encounters of the God kind. Those moments where you find yourself spending time with someone but later wonder if you were just entertaining Angels. Or maybe even, Possibly, Jesus himself.
To love a Prince is an enchanting story that I truly believe every woman, from 14 and up, should read. Yes, it has that romance element that has you sighing with contentment as you read each kiss or tender embrace. But it is the underlying message for women that I found most endearing.
“You are loved by God and that alone makes you royalty.”
Queen Cathrine – To Love a Prince by Rachel Hauck What a touching message for so many to know, learn, and understand. We are loved by our Creator, that makes us special—a royal priesthood. That has to warm your heart, just a little. I know it struck me.
***This book was given to me by the publisher through CelebrateLit. The views expressed are entirely my own and a positive review was not required.
I adore Rachel's royal stories and this one is a new favorite. I inhaled it in 24 hours, reading my Kindle as I walked...it's that good. Daffy is a heroine I rooted for from the earliest pages, and it was delightful to see Prince Gus in his settings whether that was a Florida beach or the halls of a castle. Add the spiritual elements that break through the veil -- this book is a spiritual fairy tale that will leave you sighing and smiling at the end. As well as wondering who the next book will be about! (BTW all the cameo mentions of people from her other books was so fun!)
An enchanting and inspirational romance. A royal prince and the daughter of a royal staff member reconnect after spending their childhood together until she was banished from the royal chambers for an innocent misdeed. Years later, truths are revealed, and a Cinderella ending unfolds. Loved it!
What if a “princess” had to vacation in another country to meet her Prince Charming? This is exactly what happens when Daffodil Caron vacations in America with her sister and her close friend who also happens to be a reporter. This story opens when Daffodil is hit in the forehead by a Frisbee, thrown by a man she’d been chums with in her girlhood . . . when she played with him in his palace home in the fictional Lauchtenland. But when she was ten years old and stumbled onto a secret the queen held close, she was banished from the castle and grew up living a very ‘non-royal’ life. Daffy, however, never forgot her playmate, Augustus, or the crush she had on him as a girl.
Gus, bar-tender and friend of a restaurant owner in Florida, succeeded in escaping the media and being reminded of his many failures flaunted on the front pages of Lauchtenland’s newspapers. But, when Daffy stumbles into his life again on a Florida beach, he realizes it’s time to go home and don the role of prince and best-man for his older brother’s wedding.
Back in Lauchtenland, Daffy and Gus continue to cross paths as they each do their work to prepare for the wedding of the year. Through misadventures and shared moments, Daffy and Gus are both challenged to both face their past and consider whether love might be a part of their futures. I so enjoyed this story. Daffy and Gus felt so real in their struggles to contain feelings, but also their desire to love and be loved. When Daffy’s friend “outs” the queen’s secret, Gus must decide if he can truly turn his back on his past and choose love over fear when it comes to Daffy. Hauck has a way of writing characters that crawl off the page and into a reader’s heart. And that’s what happened for me with Daffy and Gus.
The setting Hauck creates in Lauchtenland feels real. The Perigwynn palace, the royal rooms, the clothing, the scenery, the Hand of God cliff where Gus helps Daffy to overcome a certain fear . . . they came to life in my mind as I read this story.
The themes of dealing with secrets and putting the past to rest really spoke to my heart. And the romance between Gus and Daffy? Magnifique. I loved the way they chose to overcome obstacles so they could experience the impact love from the right person can have on a heart.
The issues Daffy and Gus face resonated with a modern-day reader. Social media’s sometimes devastating impact on a life. Discovering what a true friend does-and doesn’t-look like. Learning how to navigate secrets when they explode and leave detritas in a life. And learning how to overcome fear so one can trust.
This story is perfect for readers who enjoy “royals’” stories, but more importantly who enjoy characters with real life flaws and issues who learn to face hurts from their pasts and grow through them. It’s a heartwarming, engaging story that will leave readers sighing.
***I received a copy of this story from the author in exchange for my honest review.
"All refining, or healing, comes in phases. Embrace the process with its pain and ugliness and you'll soon find yourself at a beautiful end."
What a gem of a book, filled with angst, hurt, love, loyalty, and true forgiveness! Rachel Hauck is magnificent at creating these magical royalty worlds and I'm so glad to have returned to the island kingdoms in the North Sea. This book is the inaugural book of the True Blue Royal series which takes place on the island of Lauchtenland, west of Brighton Kingdom and Duchy of Hessenberg (for those who loved Royal Wedding series, you'll see some cameo appearances). This book also has a couple of crossover characters from The Fifth Avenue Story Society and I was delighted to see closure and redemption.
The author knows how to write characters that grab your heart and bring you physically and emotionally into their world. Prince Gus is a tender-hearted "spare heir" to the kingdom who has been beaten down by his own broken heart and wounded pride after two broken engagements. Daffy is one of the royal curators with a history of friendship with the royals but is hiding a secret. When Gus and Daffy start spending time together for planning his brother's wedding ball, their connection is pure sweetness wrapped in a sense of rightness, humor, and fun. The romantic air in the area of Dalholm is undeniable and the author's trademark weaving of the supernatural into the plot is seamless. The thread of redemption, healing, and forgiveness through faith runs strong in this book, which is another trademark of the author's excellent writing.
Once you start this book, you won't be able to put it down. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book! I received a copy of the book from the author via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
I have to admit that Rachel Hauck’s royal novels are my favorites out of all of her amazing and heartfelt stories. So, I was extremely excited to hear that she was starting a new series featuring royalty!
Well, the wait for a new royal novel was definitely worth it. To Love a Prince was a captivating tale. A heartsick prince, who was finally beginning to recover from two broken hearts. A young woman who was living a life that was “good enough” but not great. An old friendship rekindled, perhaps even into something more! And a secret that could ruin everything!
The way Daffy and Prince Gus fell into their old close friendship was perfect. They were able to really talk and get deeper emotionally than either of them had allowed to happen in many years. And the attraction between the two…such beautiful chemistry. As always, the author delivered a message of love, hope, and faith, sprinkled with a touch of whimsy! I loved it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Oh, what a joy! If you love Rachel Hauck’s past royal romances, you do not want to skip this new one, To Love a Prince!
As Hauck transports readers to a new country, she shares an oh so sweet story between Daffodil Caron and her childhood friend, HRH Prince Augustus. They may have grown since their carefree days as playmates, yet their friendship proves easy to renew when they need it now, facing the complications of adulthood (especially since those complications involve the pressures of royalty).
Following Daffy and Gus through this story together is enjoyable and uplifting. Their friendship turns to romance and they better understand who they are and what they are meant to do—and I just loved them. To Love a Prince is such a solid read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
There was something so special about this book...and I’m still smiling! We first caught a glimpse of Prince Gus in The Fifth Avenue Story Society, but now we get to learn the rest of the story. Daffodil Caron is a Royal Trust curator and childhood friend of the princes, but never quite gave up on her fantasy of loving Prince Gus, even after some strange circumstances in the palace keep them separated for years. I loved how real the royals were, the town locals, the royal history, the mysterious carpenter, and the radiant shop owner who keep readers guessing, and the breathtaking love that explodes between Daffy & Gus. The underlying themes of forgiveness, confession and honesty, and letting the right captain sail your boat are so powerful. Just breathtaking!
For those who love romantic tales with princes and princesses, this story is for you! I loved the characters in this book and was engaged in Daffy and Gus’s tale from the very beginning. Rachel Hauck is a true storyteller as she weaves together interesting plots, fun dialogue, and romance in a wonderful way. I was easily engrossed in the story and could not put the book down. The spiritual aspect of the story was unique. I enjoyed the book and look forward to more in the series!
I received a complimentary ecopy of this book from the Hauck House and Celebrate Lit Tours. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
To Love a Prince by Rachel Hauck is a fun romance with spiritual undertones. I really enjoyed the modern fairytale storyline as well as the colourful characters. The paperback cover is also beautiful.
The spiritual content was good, and told in an unusual way for a contemporary romance. I liked the setting. It reminded me of the film Princess Diaries 2. The chemistry between the main characters was fun to read. I felt that a few of their conversations were a little staged just to fit in with the plot, but overall I thought this book was very good and I will definitely read the second book if it comes out in paperback.
'Was he so unworthy of loyalty and of any devotion?'
Rachel Hauck once again brings to life a beautiful story to delight her readers. I do so enjoy her royalty stories and this one had all the elements guaranteed to bring a smile to my heart. And, as always, Hauck adds her signature touch of the Divine to the book--something I always look for. Loved it very much. Recommended.
*My thanks to the publisher and author for a copy of this book. The opinion in this review is my own.
I have read a lot of books this year, and a few of them stand out as excellent novels. This was one that stood out to me. I truly enjoyed hearing from some other characters as they popped in, and getting closure for Gus.
I liked to see the theme of this book was about healing, forgiveness and grace.
When I read 'The Fifth Avenue Story Society' last year, I was intrigued by Coral's story involving leaving a prince at the altar. When I realised that Rachel Hauck would be telling Prince Gus' story, I was even more intrigued. This book did not disappoint. It had a childhood friendship/crush blooming into romance, a royal secret that Daffy has done her best to keep, a prince who ducks his protection officers at every chance, and encounters with Emmanuel. I was quite swept away into the fairytale from the get go, but loved the reminder toward the end of the book that a princess is about more than royal lineage . . . it's about knowing Whose we are as God's daughters, and about acting in ways that emulate the King of Kings. 4.5 stars
Rachel Hauck is one of those authors that I know produces great story lines and this one is no exception. She goes back to the modern day prince/princess story and I love it. I devoured her previous series and I liked that this one has some connection to that as well. In this book we meet Prince Gus and Daffy. First off, I didn't like the name Daffy. Her full name is Daffodil and I had much preferred her to go by that. I don't know, something about Daffy just makes me feel for her, like she was bullied for her name when she was young. Anyways, Daffy and Gus were childhood friends even though Gus is a royal and Daffy is not. But an incident in the royal house changed that and they lost touch. Fast forward to when they are now adults and they met, of all places, in Florida, America. This starts the story for them and continues on when they get back to their land of Lauchtenland. I liked that their book had some mysteries to it. We have Emmanuel, the carpenter; what happened to the Titus chair; the blue gown for the unknown bride; and of course the queen's secret. All of these plots got me wanting to turn the pages again and again. Daffy and Gus' love story was ok. It wasn't totally void of romanticism but their "moments" didn't make me swoon as I hoped it would. One of the main reason I can only give this a 3 star is because it had some characters from previous books that I either read a long time ago or that I haven't read. I'm sure this story stands alone as it does give us some glimpse of the background of said characters, but I feel like I'm missing a big part of the story because I don't really know these people. I also didn't like the "friends" around Daffy. I mean LA seems like such an awful human being and Thoman and Blinky are no different. Why is Daffy hanging out with these people? And Ella, her sister, giving the diary to LA, what was that all about? Why were these characters acting like children when they're supposed to be adults? They are either downright mean or so naive/stupid. It was annoying. Anyways, the cover was beautiful and the story was interesting. I can't wait for the next installment in this series.
To Love A Prince by Rachel Hauck is a most charming contemporary Christian novel and the first book in the True Blue Royal series. I cannot wait for the rest of the books. I am a huge Rachel Hauck fan and was delighted to have cameo appearances from characters in her previous books. To Love A Prince is a wonderful love story. It is also the love story of God for His people. We are all sons and daughters of the King. His Presence in the novel is calming and soothing. He knows just what we need and when. Jesus also has a sense of humour. He is fully God and fully man. Secrets have a way of surfacing when we least expect it. Events should not be buried but brought out in to the light, the truth faced and then we can move much freer into the future. Sometimes hurts in our lives mean we barricade our heart. We think we are protecting ourselves but we are actually imprisoning ourselves. We must break the walls down and take a risk on love. Forgiveness is a major theme. Our hearts of stone need to be exchanged for hearts of flesh. Gossip is wrong. Gossip damages lives. Gossip hurts. We must guard our tongue. All the characters were wonderfully drawn. I loved getting to know new faces. I adore all Rachel Hauck’s novels. I greedily devoured To Love A Prince in just an afternoon. It was totally enchanting whilst being grounded in God. I adored it. I will leave you with my favourite quote. We need to remember that we are all children of the King. “This particular lass needs to feel like a princess. To believe who she is on the inside whether she bears a title or not.” I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
Oh, this book! It's simply lovely. It's one of those books you pick up, get completely swept into its world, and then don't want to end.
I loved Daffy and Gus from the moment the childhood friends reunited on a Florida beach at the beginning of the book. And their journey together only got better from there! Daffy was a heroine I could completely love and support, even though I normally despise the "she's with the wrong guy" trope. And Gus ... oh, Gus! His pursuit of Daffy was so sweet, while his insecurities about love made him seem all the more real.
The supporting characters in this book also add a lot to the story—from Daffy's conniving journalist friend Leslie to pub owner Ernst to carpenter Emmanuel, they all made the novel better. Plus, a few characters from Hauck's The Fifth Avenue Story Society and Royal Wedding novels make appearances.
While this is a fluffy royal romance, it's a Rachel Hauck fluffy royal romance, which means it carries a taste of the supernatural as well as spiritual depth. Whether or not you've read Hauck's other novels, you'll want to get your hands on a copy of To Love a Prince. It's simply enchanting.
Disclosure of material connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
Oh Daffy and Gus are such wonderfully written characters that you cannot help but get caught up in this story! I've been a fan of Hauck's for quite some time now, and there is not a book of hers that has let me down. I was so excited to see a new series come to light, and I already can't wait for the next installment!!
There is mystery, romance, friendship, even a "bad" character if you will. Okay, this character wasn't truly bad, and I don't want to give away spoilers, but there is one character that rubbed me the wrong way by only thinking of her career instead of the people around her. Oh she made me mad! But I really did like her character in the end :) Anyways, my point is Hauck knows how to write a story. A story that will grab you and not let you go.
To Love A Prince is a charming story that contemporary romance, and even royal romance fans will devour. The only thing is then they'll be anxiously awaiting the next release (which I am so exited for her story - again no spoilers!). Highly recommend this new series from Hauck. And Hallmark, if you're reading this, I could see this on the screen ;)
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I enjoyed this book a lot. The only reason I gave it a 4 rather than a 5 star review was that it felt so similar to the author’s other royalty books. They are good, but I have read others with a much more developed royalty/governmental system that made for a more believable story. The governments in this universe are all so similar to Great Britain that it is boring.
It was a good story though. I loved the theme of forgiveness. Also the characters were interesting and not perfect or annoying, which is nice!
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves squeaky clean royalty books!
I received a copy of this book to facilitate a review. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise.
I liked this! I really enjoyed Hauck's Royal Wedding series she wrote awhile ago, but it has been awhile since I've read anything new by her. I had a few quibbles (mainly with the dialogue at times; Daffy's "big" weekend stretches believability for me, and her and Gus's relationship moved super fast, but hey, they were childhood friends and this is essentially a fairy tale, so 🤷♀️). I also kept forgetting this was set in modern times...with the dialogue and names and just overall feel made it seem like it was set in a earlier time period...but I think that's just me.
But overall, fun story with spiritual undertones. I also liked the tie-in to Song of Solomon 2:14. Looking forward to the next installment in the series!
Okay, the little girl in me still adores fairytale princess stories! This new series by Rachel Hauck has all the fun and glamor you can imagine. With a swoony love story, betrayal, hidden secrets, and messages of faith and forgiveness, it definitely kept me engaged. It builds off the author’s previous books in the Royal Wedding series, but you don’t have to be familiar with those to enjoy this book.
Daffodil Caron has always dreamed of being a princess. Growing up as a playmate to the princes of Lauchtenland’s ancient House of Blue and dining with the Queen definitely fueled those dreams. However, when she learns the Queen’s hidden secret, she’s banished from the palace and loses her best friend Prince Augustus. Now 18 years later, she’s a curator for the Royal Trust and engaged to a successful guy. While on vacation, a chance encounter with her bearded, longhaired, handsome former friend, brings up all her old dreams and she can’t help but blush whenever the handsome prince is near.
Fleeing to America after being dumped at the alter twice, Prince Augustus wants to live in anonymity and rebuild his life. After a year in disguise in Florida, he’s gotten fit, slimmed down and is no longer “prince Gus-Gus” or the “pudgy prince.” When a frisbee accident brings him back into contact with his former playmate Daffy, he decides maybe it’s time to return home for his brother’s wedding.
After returning from America, Daffy and Prince Gus are assigned to Hadsby Castle to prepare for his brother’s upcoming wedding. Staying in close proximity to each other, their friendship begins to grow stronger. But, neither one are in a position to start a romantic relationship. Daffy’s engaged and Prince Gus is still getting over his former fiancée. However when secrets are revealed and betrayal is discovered, will these two have the courage to find love?
Loved this Cinderella like story. There were so many twists and turns. I loved the castle, secret passageways, all the fun little excursions the Prince and Daffy go on, and the mysterious blue dress. I liked that while there’s a strong undercurrent of passion between Daffy and the prince, nothing is really explored while Daffy is engaged. There are several supernatural elements that add some fun to the story. I also appreciated the themes explored of forgiveness and faith.
I listened to the audiobook version of the story and enjoyed the narrator’s English accent. While the kingdom is fictional, the narrator’s accent makes it easy to imagine these characters are from a small European country. I enjoyed the way she voiced both male and female characters, giving them each a distinguishable voice and personality.
Highly recommend to fairytale, clean romance, and Christian romance fans. Looking forward to the next book in the series!
In To Love a Prince, Rachel Hauck returns to her beloved stories centered around royalty and the challenges of a life always intently watched by others.
Daffy and Gus are such lovable characters. From the moment they reconnected, I couldn’t help but cheer for them to find their happily ever after. Yes, that’s singular because their happily ever after had to be shared.
I’m a firm believer that love with a foundation of friendship—even a childhood friendship with years between then and now—is just a little bit sweeter and stronger. The way Daffy and Gus share (most things) with each other reinforces the connection they had as children and I enjoyed watching that bloom in this book.
Long-time fans of Hauck will enjoy mentions of characters from her previous books as well as the element of the Devine at work. And since is the first book in the True Blue Royal series, there’s more to look forward to.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.