Monthly Archives: July 2021

Jul21

Once Upon a Royal Summer by Teri Wilson

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Once Upon a Royal Summer by Teri Wilson

Wilson, Teri. Once Upon a Royal Summer. Hallmark, 2021. ISBN 978-1952210181 288 pp. $9.99

***

Perfect for fans of the Meg Cabot’s Princess Diaries series who are not quite yet ready for Harlequin. Theme park princess Lacey, just dumped, is unexpectedly is assigned to be the official escort to royalty: a single dad and prince and heir to a tiny kingdom of Bella Moritz. It’s love at first waltz as sweet Lacey imparts gentle wisdom to dad and his tiny daughter to always be kind, make friends with the birds and butterflies, and never take off your tiara, even in the bubble bath. Doubts flare up when Lacey is invited to visit Bella Moritz and take part in a three day celebration of summer’s flowers; can she hold her own? Are she and Prince Henry “just friends” or is there something more?

The story is cotton candy sweet, utterly charming, predictable, and totally chaste, making it a quick pick for a beach read.

Jul21

I’m Only Wicked with You (The Palace of Rogues #3) by Julie Anne Long

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I’m Only Wicked with You (The Palace of Rogues #3) by Julie Anne Long

Long, Julie Anne. I’m Only Wicked with You (The Palace of Rogues #3). Avon, 2021. ISBN 978-0063045088 400 pp. $8.99

*****

Prim and proper Lady Lilias Vaughn is the equivalent of grounded during her family’s stay at a hotel, due to her scandalous recent behaviors. She finds another guest, the uncouth American Hugh Cassidy, to be a fine sparring partner and someone who challenges her intellectually and more. While she waits for scandal to blow over, she falls more and more for the irreverent young man, who seems to bring out the best–and the worst–in her behavior.

I’m Only Wicked with You features great tension, strong character development, and a feisty heroine to cheer on. Period details with a dose of non-period feminism plus fantastic situations and dialogue merit this title five stars.