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.