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Fall in Love Like a Princess #1
No Place Like Homecoming
Play the part. Win the guy. Be back in time for homecoming.
I've been banished to hell. Well, my aunt's small town in the middle of nowhere might as well be hell. There's nothing to do, the people are lame, and the only part-time job my aunt can find for me is with the Princess Troupe—a company that hires girls like me to play the part of beloved princesses and children's book characters for spoiled brats' birthday parties.
They've cast me as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. Oh joy.
The worst part of all? My parents sent me away 'for my own good' right when I'd finally scored a date to the dance with my dream guy. But I'm not about to let that stand. I'll follow that stupid yellow brick road right home in time for homecoming.
The plan is simple. Earn some cash and convince the school's bad boy loner that he wants to give me a ride....thousands of miles away. Yeah, it's a big ask. Especially since it's hate at first sight for both of us. But trust me. I got this. I've been playing people for years. If I can play Dorothy from Kansas for a bunch of little twerps, I can absolutely convince Flynn that I'm his dream girl. It's all one big act. Or at least it is...until it isn't.
I've been banished to hell. Well, my aunt's small town in the middle of nowhere might as well be hell. There's nothing to do, the people are lame, and the only part-time job my aunt can find for me is with the Princess Troupe—a company that hires girls like me to play the part of beloved princesses and children's book characters for spoiled brats' birthday parties.
They've cast me as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. Oh joy.
The worst part of all? My parents sent me away 'for my own good' right when I'd finally scored a date to the dance with my dream guy. But I'm not about to let that stand. I'll follow that stupid yellow brick road right home in time for homecoming.
The plan is simple. Earn some cash and convince the school's bad boy loner that he wants to give me a ride....thousands of miles away. Yeah, it's a big ask. Especially since it's hate at first sight for both of us. But trust me. I got this. I've been playing people for years. If I can play Dorothy from Kansas for a bunch of little twerps, I can absolutely convince Flynn that I'm his dream girl. It's all one big act. Or at least it is...until it isn't.
- GenresYoung AdultRomance
143 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2021
90 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 24, 2022
Fun, Charming, and Beautifully Titled
"No Place Like Homecoming", the first book in the Fall in Love Like a Princess series, has the shallowest, most self-absorbed heroine I've seen in dozens of romances. (The phrase, "homecoming--and my becoming queen--that's what senior year is all about" had me typing snarky Notes in my Kindle.)
Isla's story begins with "exile" from her swanky Manhattan life to spend time with her Great-Aunt Lucy, A crusty old woman who Isla thinks badly needs a haircut and highlights (another snarky Note) after being caught shoplifting a lip gloss. Isla feels super sorry for herself and hates the job Aunt Lucy has lined up for her: performing at birthday parties and babysitting during adults-only networking events and happy hours as a member of the Princess Troupe. It's cheesy and exhausting, and she sees herself as too good for such a humiliating job.
Mistaking a young man in a tuxedo for a guest at her first job, she complains about the "help" only to learn that he *is* the help... A bartender named Flynn who is trying to earn enough to drive to see his family in New Jersey. Desperate to return to her high school in time for homecoming, Isla decides that getting Flynn to drive her cross-country is the perfect solution! Does he even know that he's been honored for that role? Isla only cares about getting back to NYC, and if she has to flirt her way to convincing him, she'll gladly do it. (Snarky Note yet again...)
Flynn has other, more noble ideas about driving from Wyoming to the East Coast. His mother is unexpectedly single and unemployed, his younger brothers need a masculine role model, and he is leaving as soon as he earns enough in tips, which looks very far away if the stingy tips are any indication. He sees Isla as a pretentious poor girl masquerading as a rich girl, and that renders him immune to her stratagems. Isla is at her wits' end. To make matters worse, she faints while struggling to sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" while dressed as Dorothy.
Isla gradually matures and grows resigned to never returning home. She vents her frustration to Aunt Lucy, who tells her that New York isn't her home; it's only where she lives and goes to school. Home, she explains, isn't a place as much as it is a state of mind--where you choose your friends and do the best you can to enjoy your life, wherever you are. Aunt Lucy is wise, but Isla doesn't appreciate that advice... until her best friend starts sending phone pictures of her soon-to-be boyfriend and homecoming date surrounded by adoring girls and she answers his long-awaited call only to hear the sounds of a party behind him, including girls' voices. She had to face the harsh truth that life didn't stop when she left, and she's not the star of her own show. She's merely a fake princess... theme alert!
As Isla begins to confront her self-centeredness, Flynn observes her from an amused distance. Where before he laughed at her in derision, he starts to laugh in comraderie and friendship. Isla, in return, strategizes ways to keep handsome Flynn in their small town by making life easier for his family. She starts by contacting her parents, who reveal why they really sent Isla to Aunt Lucy.
The title, a play on "The Wizard of Oz" and the dance Isla was so eager to return for, is so brilliant it saved my review from descending to three stars. Also playing a part: A reference to love languages, which are key to understanding your loved ones in the Christian world but not widely known outside of it.
I recommend "No Place Like Homecoming" to fans of sweet romance who can endure a frustratingly vain heroine like Isla and root for her to get the (right) guy.
"No Place Like Homecoming", the first book in the Fall in Love Like a Princess series, has the shallowest, most self-absorbed heroine I've seen in dozens of romances. (The phrase, "homecoming--and my becoming queen--that's what senior year is all about" had me typing snarky Notes in my Kindle.)
Isla's story begins with "exile" from her swanky Manhattan life to spend time with her Great-Aunt Lucy, A crusty old woman who Isla thinks badly needs a haircut and highlights (another snarky Note) after being caught shoplifting a lip gloss. Isla feels super sorry for herself and hates the job Aunt Lucy has lined up for her: performing at birthday parties and babysitting during adults-only networking events and happy hours as a member of the Princess Troupe. It's cheesy and exhausting, and she sees herself as too good for such a humiliating job.
Mistaking a young man in a tuxedo for a guest at her first job, she complains about the "help" only to learn that he *is* the help... A bartender named Flynn who is trying to earn enough to drive to see his family in New Jersey. Desperate to return to her high school in time for homecoming, Isla decides that getting Flynn to drive her cross-country is the perfect solution! Does he even know that he's been honored for that role? Isla only cares about getting back to NYC, and if she has to flirt her way to convincing him, she'll gladly do it. (Snarky Note yet again...)
Flynn has other, more noble ideas about driving from Wyoming to the East Coast. His mother is unexpectedly single and unemployed, his younger brothers need a masculine role model, and he is leaving as soon as he earns enough in tips, which looks very far away if the stingy tips are any indication. He sees Isla as a pretentious poor girl masquerading as a rich girl, and that renders him immune to her stratagems. Isla is at her wits' end. To make matters worse, she faints while struggling to sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" while dressed as Dorothy.
Isla gradually matures and grows resigned to never returning home. She vents her frustration to Aunt Lucy, who tells her that New York isn't her home; it's only where she lives and goes to school. Home, she explains, isn't a place as much as it is a state of mind--where you choose your friends and do the best you can to enjoy your life, wherever you are. Aunt Lucy is wise, but Isla doesn't appreciate that advice... until her best friend starts sending phone pictures of her soon-to-be boyfriend and homecoming date surrounded by adoring girls and she answers his long-awaited call only to hear the sounds of a party behind him, including girls' voices. She had to face the harsh truth that life didn't stop when she left, and she's not the star of her own show. She's merely a fake princess... theme alert!
As Isla begins to confront her self-centeredness, Flynn observes her from an amused distance. Where before he laughed at her in derision, he starts to laugh in comraderie and friendship. Isla, in return, strategizes ways to keep handsome Flynn in their small town by making life easier for his family. She starts by contacting her parents, who reveal why they really sent Isla to Aunt Lucy.
The title, a play on "The Wizard of Oz" and the dance Isla was so eager to return for, is so brilliant it saved my review from descending to three stars. Also playing a part: A reference to love languages, which are key to understanding your loved ones in the Christian world but not widely known outside of it.
I recommend "No Place Like Homecoming" to fans of sweet romance who can endure a frustratingly vain heroine like Isla and root for her to get the (right) guy.
November 7, 2025
—Content—
Sexual content: Just kissing. The phrase “hooking up” is used in reference to making out. The two main characters repeatedly think of each other as “sexy”.
Language: Hell, d*mn, *ss used sometimes.
LGBT content: None that I remember.
Other: Flynn’s dad left the family for a younger woman. Discussions of divorce.
Sexual content: Just kissing. The phrase “hooking up” is used in reference to making out. The two main characters repeatedly think of each other as “sexy”.
Language: Hell, d*mn, *ss used sometimes.
LGBT content: None that I remember.
Other: Flynn’s dad left the family for a younger woman. Discussions of divorce.
May 31, 2023
A classic rich, Mean Girl turns over a new leaf
Isla is the 17-year-old, only child of a wealthy, Manhattan corporate attorney and his socialite wife. When she shoplifts a tube of lip gloss on a dare, to earn approval from her obnoxious crowd of snobby friends at her exclusive private school, she gets into trouble. As punishment and rehabilitation, her parents send her to a small town in Montana to live with her maternal great aunt. Prior to this trauma, beautiful Isla was well on her way to dating the most popular boy at her school and becoming the homecoming queen, and she is initially extremely angry and resentful at her situation. She is in the middle of nowhere with an aunt who insists that she has to get a job, and the job on offer is ridiculous. She is hired to play the part of a pretend princess for a party planner for children. Her first day on the job, she meets a gorgeous guy named Flynn, who is also a rising senior, and it occurs to her that getting to know him better might be a compensation for her woes.
The romantic hero, 18-year-old Flynn, is what used to be called a Beta hero and lately is called a "cinnamon roll" hero. In addition to being gorgeous, he is a devoted son to his recently divorced mother, as he attempts to take the place of his father, who has physically and financially abandoned their family. He is a loyal friend, who is warm-hearted, compassionate, and an excellent listener. He is also a hard worker. In short, he is the perfect male specimen. His virtues become his fatal flaw, however, when they push him to torpedo his future by planning to drop out of school to get a full-time job, in order to help support his mother and younger siblings.
Because this is a novella, the growth arc of the initially quite narcissistic Isla is rather abrupt. However, this YA romance is a pleasant, quick, low-angst read. It is suitable for all ages, because there is no cursing, no smoking or drinking, and no sensuality besides a few kisses.
Isla is the 17-year-old, only child of a wealthy, Manhattan corporate attorney and his socialite wife. When she shoplifts a tube of lip gloss on a dare, to earn approval from her obnoxious crowd of snobby friends at her exclusive private school, she gets into trouble. As punishment and rehabilitation, her parents send her to a small town in Montana to live with her maternal great aunt. Prior to this trauma, beautiful Isla was well on her way to dating the most popular boy at her school and becoming the homecoming queen, and she is initially extremely angry and resentful at her situation. She is in the middle of nowhere with an aunt who insists that she has to get a job, and the job on offer is ridiculous. She is hired to play the part of a pretend princess for a party planner for children. Her first day on the job, she meets a gorgeous guy named Flynn, who is also a rising senior, and it occurs to her that getting to know him better might be a compensation for her woes.
The romantic hero, 18-year-old Flynn, is what used to be called a Beta hero and lately is called a "cinnamon roll" hero. In addition to being gorgeous, he is a devoted son to his recently divorced mother, as he attempts to take the place of his father, who has physically and financially abandoned their family. He is a loyal friend, who is warm-hearted, compassionate, and an excellent listener. He is also a hard worker. In short, he is the perfect male specimen. His virtues become his fatal flaw, however, when they push him to torpedo his future by planning to drop out of school to get a full-time job, in order to help support his mother and younger siblings.
Because this is a novella, the growth arc of the initially quite narcissistic Isla is rather abrupt. However, this YA romance is a pleasant, quick, low-angst read. It is suitable for all ages, because there is no cursing, no smoking or drinking, and no sensuality besides a few kisses.
February 19, 2022
Ok so I admit I may have skipped the entire middle of the book bc I couldn’t handle it. Haha so maybe I will go back and read it later. What I liked about the book: I liked Islas job. Dressing up as different characters for parties is really fun and unique. I loved the girlfriends dynamic and how different they all were from each other but that they were still friends from this job. It made for a lot of fun and diverse conversations. I liked that Isla and Flynn were foils of each other. Isla was extremely selfish and Flynn was extremely selfless(played the role of a martyr). But you couldn’t blame them with the way they were both raised. I liked how they both taught each other things and balanced each other out. By the end I really liked their relationship. The last two chapters were the best part of the book.
That beings said, there was a ton I didn’t like about the book. I just couldn’t get over that Flynn actually liked her at the first. She was horrible and he still liked her because she was hot? Idk… haha. It drove me nuts.
Random note: I liked how they addressed eating disorders as well.
That beings said, there was a ton I didn’t like about the book. I just couldn’t get over that Flynn actually liked her at the first. She was horrible and he still liked her because she was hot? Idk… haha. It drove me nuts.
Random note: I liked how they addressed eating disorders as well.
April 28, 2021
Isla has been sent away to live with her great aunt as punishment but that won't stop her from trying to get back home for homecoming to win the crown and get the guy she thinks will make her happy. She's forced to work for the Princess Troup dressing up as a princess while Flynn is just trying to make enough money to join his family. Isla is a spoiled girl or so Flynn thinks when she comes to him trying to convince him to give her a ride back to her real life but there more behind her spoiled girl act. Isla is just trying to get back to what she knows but what she knows might not be what she needs. Both Isla and Flynn have their own troubles but together with their friends and family manage to grow and find their way to their happy place. Isla was not my favorite at the begging with her spoiled girl persona but by the end, I was definitely rooting for her and felt for her. Great sweet short read with a HEA. Looking forward to the next in the series!
Voluntarily read and reviewed an arc of this book.
Voluntarily read and reviewed an arc of this book.
May 3, 2021
The first installement of the series A Shot with Prince Charming started. I liked it well enough for the YA read that it is (and Maggie Dallen really knows how to write those) and it was fun and fast and slightly inspired by The Wizard of Oz and it was simply a fun weekend read.
The main character reminded me of All-American Princess toned down a little and I realy enjoyed that book! I liked the main guy also. The friend group was interesting and fun.
Just a good enterteinment read for when I needed to recharge a little but couldn't go for anything too difficult (university is slowly killing me).
I received an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
The main character reminded me of All-American Princess toned down a little and I realy enjoyed that book! I liked the main guy also. The friend group was interesting and fun.
Just a good enterteinment read for when I needed to recharge a little but couldn't go for anything too difficult (university is slowly killing me).
I received an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
April 28, 2021
When Isla is sent to live with her great aunt, who lives in the middle of nowhere, for her Senior year of high school, she's devastated! However, she's also determined to return home by homecoming...after all she will be crowned the homecoming queen and her soon to be boyfriend, Logan, will be crowned king! So, she sets her plan in motion...too bad for her, fate has other plans for her! Add in some princesses, a loner named Flynn, an odd ball aunt, and parents who do not want her home and you have yourself a great YA read! Will she get her crown and HEA with Logan or will she be stuck in never, never land with Flynn and the princess?!
April 28, 2021
There's no place like... Oz?
I really enjoy reading about the adventures of this princess troupe! Although I have to admit that it took me a while to warm up to Isla, her snotty-brat behavior really got on my nerves - and even Flynn, who is a reallyreally good guy but seemed a bit bland at the beginning. There's quite a bit of growing up to do for both of them before they get to their HEA.
What I particularly enjoyed about this story was how the princesses "adopted" prickly Isla and brought her into the fold, no matter if she liked it or not.
I really enjoy reading about the adventures of this princess troupe! Although I have to admit that it took me a while to warm up to Isla, her snotty-brat behavior really got on my nerves - and even Flynn, who is a reallyreally good guy but seemed a bit bland at the beginning. There's quite a bit of growing up to do for both of them before they get to their HEA.
What I particularly enjoyed about this story was how the princesses "adopted" prickly Isla and brought her into the fold, no matter if she liked it or not.
April 28, 2021
This book tells the story of a self-centered girl being sent off to her great aunt's house, spending all her time and effort trying to figure out how to get from Montana back to her (old) high school in time to go to homecoming with the most popular guy there. What she learns while being forced to work with a party troupe of costumed girls who only associate when they are working together is that she has truly come home to find friends and become a big part of Flynn's life, who needed and got her help a lot more than she needed him! Another great YA book by Dallen!
May 17, 2021
Ok, confession time: it’s been a really (really) long time since I’ve actually been a “Young Adult”. Having said that, it’s not like I’d ever forget what it was like angst, heartache, joys and, yes, new love and all. Isla and Flynn’s story in No Place Like Homecoming (Fall in Love Like a Princess Book 2) shows that, once again, Maggie Dallen not only remembers this time but totally nails it, in a fun and, yes, romantic tale that’s easy to highly recommend.
August 2, 2024
"This girl was trouble...but she was pretty freakin’ hilarious to watch."
This was a fun escape from reality with a teen romance. Isla is a little too spoiled so it was hard to connect with her character but I loved Flynn!!
"Nope, I was not one for violence. But for this guy? I might be willing to make an exception."
This was a fun lighthearted read much like I expect from Maggie Dallen!!
This was a fun escape from reality with a teen romance. Isla is a little too spoiled so it was hard to connect with her character but I loved Flynn!!
"Nope, I was not one for violence. But for this guy? I might be willing to make an exception."
This was a fun lighthearted read much like I expect from Maggie Dallen!!
April 24, 2022
The main characters weren't all that likeable and I couldn't really understand what they saw in each other outside of looks. It was hard to buy love in this one. I liked the next book in this series though so it was worth reading.
April 29, 2021
Great start to a new series! Can't wait for the next book.
May 6, 2021
Ugh, Isla was insufferable. Everything else was okay. I liked Flynn a lot.
September 28, 2021
Something was missing. Didn't feel for the characters enough to care about their problems.
April 29, 2025
Clean
Hfn
Hfn
July 31, 2025
The first half a bit boring and rushing? But the parts near the end was quite sweet! I am glad they are together and does not have to do long distance!🥰
April 24, 2021
Flynn & Isla
Isla has been sent from Manhattan to live with her great aunt in a small town in the middle of nowhere, Montana. She doesn't want to be there and cannot wait to go home. To make things worse, her aunt is forcing her to work for the Princess Troup, a group who dress up like Disney Characters for kids' birthday parties.
Flynn works for a catering company alongside the Princess Troup. He is desperately saving money so he can join his family in New Jersey. He doesn't know what to think of this spoilt new girl or the way she makes him feel.
Isla hopes she can convince Flynn to give her a ride back to New York but she is quickly learning that she can't always get what she wants... and that might just be for the best.
This was a short and sweet story. Isla and Flynn both have a lot of personal growth in the two weeks or so that the story unfolds and even more so during the month before the epilogue. The epilogue reveals some hints (but not quite spoilers) of how the other books in the series will end up.
I love everything I've read by Maggie Dallen and I am looking forward to the next book in this series: Never Have I Ever Land with Maverick & ?
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
Isla has been sent from Manhattan to live with her great aunt in a small town in the middle of nowhere, Montana. She doesn't want to be there and cannot wait to go home. To make things worse, her aunt is forcing her to work for the Princess Troup, a group who dress up like Disney Characters for kids' birthday parties.
Flynn works for a catering company alongside the Princess Troup. He is desperately saving money so he can join his family in New Jersey. He doesn't know what to think of this spoilt new girl or the way she makes him feel.
Isla hopes she can convince Flynn to give her a ride back to New York but she is quickly learning that she can't always get what she wants... and that might just be for the best.
This was a short and sweet story. Isla and Flynn both have a lot of personal growth in the two weeks or so that the story unfolds and even more so during the month before the epilogue. The epilogue reveals some hints (but not quite spoilers) of how the other books in the series will end up.
I love everything I've read by Maggie Dallen and I am looking forward to the next book in this series: Never Have I Ever Land with Maverick & ?
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
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