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!