She pretends to be a princess at children’s parties.But can she melt a real prince’s frosty heart?Get swept away by a Christmas story from Hallmarkand bestselling author Teri Wilson—the queen of royal romance!“I’m Prince Nikolas of San Glacera. Oh, you’ve never heard of us? Well, you’re not the only one. Our country relies on winter tourism, but we’re attracting fewer and fewer visitors. I admit it’s a problem. I just don’t think the solution is an American who likes to play dress-up. You see, while I was away on a trip, my younger sister convinced the palace to hold a contest. The winner gets to star in our annual Ice Village festivities and accompany our royal family to holiday events. And who did they choose? Gracie Clark, who runs a children’s party business and performs as—I kid you not—‘Princess Snowflake.’ Of course, I do respect the fact that she volunteers at children’s hospitals. I suppose to some, she might have a certain charm... But the whole cheap spectacle is beneath our dignity. I’m not going to shirk my duty to my kingdom. I’ll go to every event with her. At least, once Christmas is over, she’ll be gone…”
New York Times bestselling author Teri Wilson writes heartwarming contemporary romance with a touch of whimsy. Four of Teri's books have been adapted into Hallmark Channel Original Movies, including UNLEASHING MR. DARCY (plus its sequel MARRYING MR. DARCY), ROYAL-ISH, based on her book ONCE UPON A ROYAL SUMMER, THE ART OF US and NORTHERN LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS, based on her book SLEIGH BELL SWEETHEARTS. She is also a recipient of the prestigious RITA Award for excellence in romantic fiction and a 2022 inductee into the San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame.
When she’s not writing, Teri enjoys visiting schools and health care facilities with her Cavalier King Charles spaniel Charm, a registered therapy dog and reading education assistance dog. Teri also loves pretty dresses, cupcakes, going to the ballet and following the British royal family. Visit her at www.teriwilson.net or on Instagram @teriwilsonauthor.
I do enjoy some Hallmark Christmas movies during the Holiday season and this book would make a perfect Hallmark movie. It follows the classic formula 🎄
I'm a sucker for "royal" love stories. Gracie Clark is an American who owns a Children's Party business where she dresses up as a "Princess." Princess Snowflake in fact. Her friend and business partner Clara enters them into a, "Royal Winterland Contest" in the fictional kingdom of San Glacera. There she will perform as Princess Snowflake for the prize of, $30,ooo. She meets the real Crown Prince and well you know....sparks fly! Classic Hallmark.
It was a "little" bit more cheesy and rushed than I usually enjoy but still pretty entertaining. I listened to the audio that was narrated by one of my favourites...Brittany Pressley. She was perfect as Princess Snowflake. This book will definitely give you all the Christmas and wintery feels as the descriptions are nice. The recipe for the, "Royal Hot Chocolate" at the end was a nice added touch as well.
I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for granting me access to this Advance Listener Copy.
Once Upon a Royal Christmas by Teri Wilson Hallmark Christmas publication. Contemporary romance. Princess Snowflake, aka Gracie Clark, needs a business loan but the bank doesn’t see the viability of party planning. So Gracie and Clara travel to San Glacera for the Royal Winter Wonderland event, with Gracie performing as Princess Snowflake to win a $30,000 prize. San Glacera has their own Prince and Royal Palace and hope Princess Snowflake will boost their tourism.
Adorable holiday story with the prince and princess falling in love, a charming King Charles spaniel named Mittens and a surprise puppy. Princess Snowflake charms all the kingdom’s children as well as it’s Prince. The love story is a bit bumpy and sweet and touching.
I read an ebook copy of the story first and appreciated the chapter titles and the sentimentality.
🎧 I listened (2nd reading) to an audiobook copy narrated by Brittany Pressley who performed with the drama, passion, and joy I expect from a Hallmark story. The audiobook narrator excelled at the humor and emotions of Gracie while also keeping pace with the worry of Nick for his homeland. I listened to the story at 1.3 which matched conversational speed.
Bonus: Royal Hot Chocolate recipe at the end after a short epilogue. 4.5
I received a copy of this from NetGalley, Hallmark Publishers and Dreamscape Media.
3.5⭐ Genre ~ royalty contemporary romance Series ~ Once Upon a Royal Setting ~ Denver & fictional San Glacera Publication date ~ November 1, 2022 Est Page Count ~ 288 (21 chapters +e) Audio length ~ 8 hours 5 minutes Narrator ~ Melie Williams POV ~ dual 3rd Featuring ~ grumpy/sunshine opposites attract, no steamage
Gracie & Nikolas Gracie's love for her job as Princess Snowflake really comes through on the pages. She is so sweet with the children and as a person. When she arrives at San Glacera for a contest, she wasn't expecting to enjoy the company of a prince she meets right away. Problem is that she thinks she's hanging with a fake Prince Charming who is in the contest with her.
Prince Nikolas is the real prince of San Glacera. He meets a lovely princess, but the problem is he thinks she's an actual princess, not some fake pretender. I liked him okay enough when we first meet him, but then he's a tool for a little bit, but then he really hooked me when we learn he volunteers at the animal rescue. He wasn't overly grumpy like I thought he was supposed to be.
This was definitely Hallmarky Christmas vibing with some cute moments. I don't know how I know this since I don't think I've ever watched a Hallmark movie in my life. But I think this will appeal to those that do, especially this time of year.
Narration notes: She does mostly great, but this would have benefited from a male narrator.
This book is everything the cover, title and blurb say about it, and if that's what you are in the mood for - you won't be disappointed.
The setting was absolute Christmas perfection. A small kingdom near the Swiss Alps, a cozy B&B with a view of the castle, snowy carriage rides, adorable little shops and traditions and even a couple of dogs...
All that and much more packed in a single book - make sure you are a hundred percent in the mood for a holiday read before picking this one.
The romance was also pretty cute. It started out as grump and sunshine, but the grump melted pretty quickly, and after that everything was almost too sweet.
I liked it. It was maybe a tad too much at times, but other than that, this was a sweet and cozy royal romance that I’m sure people who like the genre will enjoy a lot.
If you want to see my much more in depth review, you can check it out on my book blog NovelOnMyMind.
Thank you to Hallmark Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Once Upon A Royal Christmas by Teri Wilson in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you, Hallmark Publishing, for the advance reading copy! This book has my heart!
I cannot believe I would enjoy this little romance read this much! I thought I wouldn't get back the moments I used to have when I read romance books decades ago. But this got me feeling like "Hey you! You just cannot read me and not feel it!" and here I am smiling ears to ears after reading this sweet book.
It's your fairytale you wouldn't want to miss. It's the story of Gracie Clark and Prince Nikolas who met under unexpected circumstances but also one knows the secret the other is hiding.
And so starts their journey.
I just love their chemistry. The dialogues. The writing. I just wish this book gets adapted into a movie. Won't you, Hallmark?!
I am a big Hallmark Christmas movie fan. I like the cheesiness, the predictability, the romance and the Christmas vibes. And even though this book was actually published by Hallmark, it didn't quite hit the mark for me. It was perfectly fine, but also forgettable.
"No wonder San Glacera's castle looked like it belonged in a fairy tale. A beast lived there."
👍 What I Liked 👍
Hallmark: Hallmark is fluffy, light and predictable. Just like this book. And that's exactly what I want from my holiday romance novels.
👎 What I Disliked 👎
Cheesy: While I usually like cheesy, this was just over the top. Especially how each chapter ended with a quote like the one above. It was simply too tasteless for me.
Pace: This story might have been better if it wasn't so rushed. Many of the scenes felt unfinished and the relationship between Nikolas and Gracie felt forced and rushed.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
A delightful romance about a pretend princess who becomes a real princess. It will make a dreamy Hallmark movie.
Gracie Clark often dresses as a princess. She and her business partner, best friend, and roommate, Clara, own Perfect Party Princesses featuring fairy tale characters for parties. As ‘Princess Snowflake’, Gracie wants to expand the business and give her employees better benefits; however, no bank will loan her any money.
When Gracie wins the Royal Winter Wonderland Contest held by the Royal family in the Kingdom of San Glacera near the enchanting Swiss Alps, she travels to their castle hoping to collect the prize money. The only thing Gracie is nervous about is singing, and that’s because someone hurt her heart by telling her she wasn’t a good singer. She has to find the faith in herself to believe she has a beautiful voice.
The scenery is described beautifully and the story is a light and fun romance.The village people love Princess Snowflake who is gentle and kind to all she meets. However; the one exception is Prince Nick, and sparks fly between the two of them! Can he love a fake princess? Their fairy godmother must be watching over them as they attend royal festivities in horse drawn carriages, sip luscious hot chocolate, hold cute puppies, have snowball fights, and quickly fall in love. They truly have a fairy tale romance once they get to know each other. I enjoyed this story very much and recommend to readers who love light, fun, romantic reads with no bad language, sex, or violence.
I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing. All opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Once Upon a Royal Christmas has all the things I like in a Christmas novel. It’s filled with snow, hot chocolate, Christmas traditions, and hope. Since this is also a royal novel, I looked for those delightful aspects of royal life I’ve come to love in my books.
Teri Wilson is great at creating royals who you can relate to and root for. I found that true in Once Upon a Royal Christmas as well. This is definitely a book you want on your Christmas reading list. If you’ve never read a royal book, definitely try this one on. You’ll love the characters.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. My review was not required nor influenced.
Loved it! I finished it in a day! This was basically reading a hallmark Christmas movie. And honestly any Christmas romance book having to do with royals is my jam. This was no exception! Gracie is a talented actress and singer but something in her past makes her not want to sing anymore. She and her bestie have started a Party Princess business where she dresses like a snow princess for events. Her bestie and business partner enters her into a Christmas contest for some country near Switzerland with a real royal family. Their company needs the prize money so even though Gracie isn’t comfortable with the idea she does it anyway. The prince (Nick) is grumpy but has a heart of gold (obviously). He doesn’t want Gracie her because he doesn’t take her princess act seriously until he sees how happy her routine makes all the children of the kingdom. Of course romances blooms, it’s adorable and magical and everything I wanted from an audiobook produced by Hallmark.
Once Upon A Royal by Christmas Teri Wilson is a cute fairy tale romance that is light and fluffy and perfect for anyone who enjoys Hallmark Christmas movies.
Story Recap: Gracie is a party princess. She owns a small business, where she and her employees, dress up as princesses and other characters for parties, openings, etc. Her Princess name is Princess Snowflake. She’s trying to get a loan to hire more full-time employees, but the bank keeps turning her down. So her best friend enters her into a contest, and the winner helps the Royal Family of San Glacera host their winter festival and wins $30k, the exact amount Grace needs to help her business grow.
When Gracie arrives in San Glacera, she meets Prince Nikolas, she doesn’t realize he is the prince, and he thinks she’s a real princess. Prince Nikolas escorts her to many of the events planned for the winter festival, and feeling starts between them. But, Gracie has her business in the US, and Nikolas must stay in San Glacera.
My Thoughts: Once upon a Christmas is escapism, pure and simple. It’s light, fluffy, and predictable, but also very comforting and entertaining. I enjoyed all the characters, especially her best friend Cara. I liked that the main character has the job of being a princess, it sounds like fun. Also, Nickolas has a sweet little dog named Mittens, a King Charles spaniel, who practically steals the show.
These characters are fun and interesting, and just a bit predictable. But, that’s what I love about a romance book like this one, where the predictability is so comforting.
One of my issues with books featuring royalty is the thought of a prince coming in and “saving” the poor commoner women, like Cinderella. But, in this book, you’ll find a spirited and self-sufficient heroine, who doesn’t really need saving.
Recommendation: I highly recommend Once Upon a Christmas to anyone who enjoys romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Gracie Clark, runs a children’s party business and performs as "Princess Snowflake." She wants to expand her business, but she needs a loan and keeps being turned down. Her best friend and business partner, enters her in a contest to win $30,000 if she is selected to play a character in the annual Ice Village festivities and accompany the royal family to holiday events in San Glacera. Prince Nikolas is the heir to the throne and while he is away on a royal activity, his family is convinced by his sister to hold the contest to raise tourism. They depend on tourism and it is on the downward spiral, so they need to do something. Of course, Gracie wins, but can she also win the heart of the prince?
Once Upon a Royal Christmas is a fun, Hallmark story where a commoner from the US meets, falls in love and eventually gets her happily ever after with a prince from a small European Country, San Glacera. Gracie has a heart of gold and loves making children happy. She wants them all to see and celebrate whatever is unique about themselves. She has some sadness in her past, surrounding a previous relationship as well as her talent as a singer, and she needs to work through it if she wants to find happiness. This is a beauty and the beast type trope, with Nikolas being a grump and not wanting anything to do with the fake princess. As they get to know each other, due to forced proximity, they begin to see different sides of each other. The rest of the Royal Family and staff are happy to push them together and they finally find their happily ever after. This is a bit of a predictable story, but I did enjoy it with it's fun characters, humour and the dogs who also play a part in getting them together. The audiobook is narrated by Brittany Pressley. I have become accustomed to her narration and I enjoyed her performance of this story.
A fairly tale romance, a handsome prince and a princess "actor".
I liked the overall concept of this romance. Gracie needs money for her business, she enters a contest, she meets a grumpy prince fulfilling her contest duties, and falls for the prince. The story was cute as expected from a Hallmark romance, but I felt like the characters needed more depth. As a light Christmas book, this book filled that well since not a lot of thought was involved to follow along.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this Audiobook for my honest review.
Once Upon a Royal Christmas, by Teri Wilson, is an absolutely delightful Christmas story, like only Teri Wilson can deliver. It’s festive and charming, endearing and heart-warming, and one that will leave you feeling full of Christmas magic and good cheer.
This enchanting story of Gracie, a professional party princess trying to expand her business for the sake of her employees, and prince Nikolas who needs to revitalize his kingdom and rebrand his chilly image reluctantly meet at contest thrown by the royal family. The winner gets to participate with the royal family in the annual Ice Village festivities and hopefully bring the much needed publicity and revenue to the kingdom. Gracie definitely wins the hearts of the people, but the frosty prince is a different matter altogether.
Once Upon a Royal Christmas is a clean holiday romance, with themes of authenticity-being who you are and proud of it-letting go of past hurts and being brave enough to move on, and taking on a positive outlook despite grim circumstances. There are likable, realistic, feisty characters, sweet animals, a wintery wonderland setting, and a fairytale happily ever after. Teri Wilson is a go-to author for books that will put a smile on your face and are a perfect escape.
Unfortunately, this one doesn’t hold a flame to the Royal Summer book. I don’t buy either the animosity or the chemistry between our two leads, which is leaving the story a bit bland.
Not helped by the fact that I stalled out on it right around Christmas, and we’re far enough past the holiday now that I’m not really in the mood for it anymore.
This book reads exactly like a Hallmark movie, and I loved it. Cheesy, predictable, but super sweet love story. I loved the setting, the characters…really just all of it. When I read a cheesy Christmas novel, this is exactly what I’m looking for and expecting. Highly recommend for a quick romance read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Once Upon a Royal Christmas ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre: Romance Format: Kindle eBook Date Published: 11/1/22 Author: Terri Wilson Publisher: Hallmark Publishing Pages: 336 GR: 4.57
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: She pretends to be a princess at children’s parties. But can she melt a real prince’s frosty heart? The economy has been down in San Glacera for the winter tourism, so the Palace holds a contest and the winner gets to star in their annual Ice Village festivities and accompany the royal family to holiday events. Prince Nikolas does not think it should be Gracie Clark, who runs a children’s party business and spends her days dressing as a Princess Snowflake. Prince will not shirk his duties to his kingdom, he will go to every even with Gracie. At least, once Christmas is over, she’ll be gone…”
My Thoughts: I absolutely LOVE Hallmark Christmas movies, it runs on my TV from November through December. They just leave me with an overall feeling of goodness. So when I saw this book being put out by Hallmark, I jumped on the opportunity to get an early copy. This is a spin on the classic fairytale and warms you heart. The tone and setting is described so well that you felt a part of San Glacera. This forced proximity trope blooms into a beautiful romance. The characters were well developed with depth, witty banter, chemistry, and creatively designed. The author’s writing style was complex, swoony, heartfelt, and intriguing. This is the perfect Christmas story leading up to the holiday and hopefully Hallmark will make it into a movie! I highly recommend if you like fairytale romances with a twist of Christmas infused.
If you are looking for a charming royal escape for Christmas, I definitely recommend Once Upon a Royal Christmas. I listened to the audio version and really enjoyed the way the narrator performed the characters. She did a great job of reading with an American accent for Gracie and used a European accent for Prince Nikolas and his sister, Princess Emily.
I loved the way Nick and Gracie began to get to know each other. They had both formed opinions about each other based on assumptions they made. It was great to see them actually interact and begin to see beneath the surface to the people they actually were. They had a sweet, romantic chemistry together and were both kind and caring individuals.
I recommend this for fans of sweet romance, royal fiction, and those who are looking for a great Christmas themed story.
(4.5 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
3⭐ The romance was pretty cute. It’s light, fluffy, and predictable, but also very comforting and entertaining. It was very cheesy and gave lots of Christmas feels. ✨🎄 Could have been better if it wasn't so rushed. Many of the scenes felt unfinished, and the relationship between Nikolas and Gracie felt rushed.
I liked it. If this was made into a Hallmark Christmas movie I would totally watch it. If you’ve read a Teri Wilson novel before (or watched a Hallmark movie) then you know what you’re going to get here. 3.5 stars
My Review: Once Upon A Royal Christmas was a sugary sweet love story that completely enchanted me. Princess Snowflake and Prince Nick were magical together. From their meet cute to their snowball fight to their Christmas Eve performance, they were delightful.
My Final Say: This wonderful story will appeal to those who enjoy romances between royals and commoners. It is a charming love story that is totally befitting of the Hallmark brand.
Rating: 4/5 Recommend: Yes Audience: A Status: Clean Level: G
Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley, who provided access to this title in exchange for an honest review. The words I have shared are my own and have not been influenced by the aforementioned in any way.
All the Hallmark Holiday movie stars to this grumpy/sunshine royal romance that takes place over the holidays and sees Party Princess Gracie winning a publicity contest to come to the (imagined) kingdom of San Glacera to help boost the country's tourism industry.
Grumpy Prince Nickolas can't resist Gracie's charms (or her magical singing voice) and slowly finds himself falling hard for her.
Perfect for fans of Jenny Holiday's A princess for Christmas or Emma St. Clair's Royally rearranged. This was a sweet, kissing only romance that gave me all the feels and is just begging to be made into a movie. Great on audio narrated by one of my favs Brittany Pressley!
Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!!
I did not expect to love this as much as I did. It was such a cute and feel good Christmas romance. I loved the idea of her being a party princess and going to meet a real life prince in a winter wonderland. It was just so heartwarming. I loved their story and I wish Hallmark would make this into an actual movie because it would be adorable. I also love how many dogs we got to see in this. Mittens and Gumdrop are amazing.
3.5 stars. I liked it. I was iffy in the beginning with all the Princess snowflake stuff. But when she and the Prince started hanging out, it was cheesy hallmark Christmas perfection.
I usually don't read a lot of romance novels, nor contemporary. But I am addicted to the Hallmark Christmas movies. Every year I can't watch enough of them. So this year I looked around if perhaps any Hallmark Christmas novels came to my attention. I pre-ordered Once Upon A Royal Christmas, found it on NetGalley as well and, to my surprise, I got accepted for an ARC.
Gracie Clark is a party Princess, with her character called Princess Snowflake. After winning a contest, she and her best friend travel to San Glacera for the Royal Winter Wonderland event. As part of the event, and to win the $30,000 prize, she is participating in various Christmas Events with the royal family as Princess Snowflake. And soon enough she rather avoids a specific member of the Crown as much as possible.
The last couple of years I became more of a vivid reader. With this story I noticed it again. Even though I was reading the story, I saw the scenery and setting playing in my mind like a movie. The descriptions and activities really get you into the Christmas season. Some felt a little out of place, as unneeded details or the use of unual words (that last part could be that it were words simply not used often for non-natives), but most descriptions were a happy welcome to enjoy Christmas throughout the story.
Something that really stood out to me was that the Christmas events weren't all the typical traditional events - not known to me anyway. It was nice to have a slight change and still have that same holiday feeling.
Just like in most Hallmark movies we get two points of view in the book, allowing insight in both main characters. You get to know them, like them, understand them. And also see where things go wrong, as usual. I always adore the ones with a bit of royal influence and the fact that Gracie is a 'commoner', but plays a princess for children, gave a nice twist to the usual commoner meets royalty.
I enjoyed the book a lot, a great Christmas read! 4.5 stars. Thank you, Hallmark Publishing, for the advance reading copy!
Now looking forward to receiving my paperback copy I preordered a while ago. ;)
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved it, it was like reading a hallmark movie at christmas the overly sweet and cute predictable storyline exactly what i was in the mood for. If you like cheesy christmas movies then this is the book for you. Guarenteed HEA.
I felt like this was a mix of the Netflix movies, The Princess Switch and A Christmas Prince, and I loved it! I’m a sucker for these types of royal romances.
Gracie is a full time princess… for parties that is. As a young woman who “plays dress up,” she’s not taken seriously. When her business partner enters her in a competition, it could be the break she really needs. If only she didn’t have to sing. Prince Nikolas is known as the grumpy royal, with an ice cold heart and no emotion. He claims the name when told about a Princess Snowflake who seems like sunshine herself.
I thought this was so cute! I loved their entire story and journey. They are so very different but similar at the same time. I love how easily they connect to each other. Everything about the shelter melted my heart. I just loved everything about this!
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review with my honest opinion.*
This is the Christmas Romance that you have been waiting for! A twist on the Cinderella theme that is just perfect for adaptation to a Hallmark movie! Where else can a pretend princess become involved with a slew of real Royals? Are you listening Hallmark? Speaking of listening, this audiobook has great narration and really brings the emotions and joy spread throughout this story to life! Seriously, this is the audiobook you need in your ears if you love a wonderful Christmas romance! Laced with uplifting and motivational messages, this feel-good romance will have you smiling in no time!