Would you want To Love a Prince?
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 in the North Sea’s Lauchtenland. 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 capital city, and a handsome, successful boyfriend. The last person on her mind is Gus, the prince she once called her best mate.
HRH Prince Augustus is no longer “Prince Pudgy,” as caricatured by the press—he’s charming and gorgeous, possessing a world-famous smile. But after he’s jilted at the altar, then dumped by his second fianceé, the spare heir to Lauchtenland’s ancient House of Blue finds 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 serve his country and the Family.
But a wild Frisbee toss down the beach changes his destiny.
Despite his long hair and beard, Daffy recognizes her prince. She reminds Gus of his heritage and assures him that he’s needed in Lauchtenland.
When Daffy and Gus find themselves on assignment at Hadsby Castle in preparation for his brother’s wedding ball, their friendship blooms into affection.
Then secrets are exposed, and Gus must choose between his past hurts and his future hope. And Daffy must trust her heart to forever love a prince.
Rachel Hauck’s Royal Romances are the BEST! To Love a Prince is no different. I LOVE the way that she creates a complete fantasy world, melding the best of the British royals with her own Brighton Kingdom. Although you don’t have to have read her other royal books, you’ll be thrilled if you have, because a few of the main characters pop in to make appearances in these.
Lauchtenland springs to life in Hauck’s words and creates the perfect backdrop for this sweet love story. The ancient villages melding with the tech-friendly cities sound fascinating to me. It’s definitely a place I’d love to visit.
That’s all just happy background, though. The real beauty is where Daffy and Gus come in. They’re so real but vulnerable and just plain likeable that I wanted to slide into a seat at the pub with them and talk for a while. That’s what really makes the story, I think: sure, they’re beautiful successful people, but they have real hang-ups and insecurities and problems, just like the rest of us, and they need to figure them out. Sure, it’s a fantasy royal series, but the problems are real. It’s not about which-tiara-should-I-wear-today, but things you can relate to. Job problems. Family dramas. It’s hard work, and even though it’s a book (so you have your fingers crossed for a happy ending) you just can’t be sure. Can they work through all the problems and obstacles? Will love win out?
Hauck masterfully pens stories in which the characters learn their lessons in amazing, revelatory ways. She creates real A-HA moments both for the character and the reader. In To Love a Prince, not only are those moments special, but they often involve Emmanuel, a special character who drives home the spiritual lessons of the story. Those lessons aren’t as abundant in this story as in others, but they are very real and important. Hauck also based story elements on scripture, and the way that she manifested this is really cool.
I’ve read several of Hauck’s series – not just books – and there’s not a bad one in the bunch; but the royal romances are my favorite, and To Love a Prince has the potential to top the whole list. I can’t wait for the next installment! Please, write fast!
Are you new to Rachel Hauck’s books? Click here to read my review of her story How to Catch a Prince. It’s another winner!
I received a free copy of this book from the author. All opinions are my own.
