Once Upon a Prince, Royal Wedding Series #1 -eBook
4.3
5
14
14
A True Pleasure
Every little girl dreams of that perfect fairy tale. As little girls become bigg(er) girls we tend to get a *little* bit more realism, but never truly lose that dream of someday falling in love and riding off into the sunset. âÂÂOnce Upon a Princeâ has taken every little girlâÂÂs dream and given us a soul mate in Susanna.
Good thing to love about Susanna: she has a good head on her shoulders. If it were me and I were in love with a prince (literally a PRINCE charming. ;-), I think my hopeless romantic side would start to take dominance. SheâÂÂs competent, sweet and good, with a bit of sass which makes me to just want to cheer when she says something I would *never* say.
The romance is just about as sweet as you can get. The writing quality is right up there with stories that simply come to life in the mindâÂÂs eye. I did get lost in all the political talk. (I think because it basically goes right over my head) and it slowed the rhythm down for me.
Otherwise, the ending completely made me sigh. (I was waiting for like over three hundred pages for that kiss!!). I LOVED how much Nate loved Susanna and took time to really woo her. This is definitely a story for the heart of a hopeless romantic. A true pleasure.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through Litfuse for my copy to review.
May 14, 2013
Enjoyable though predictable
"Once Upon a Prince" is a Christian romance novel. It reminded me of the movie "The Prince & Me" in some ways. Susanna is a successful career woman whose plans for her future (family and career) have gone up in smoke. She meets a prince. Nathaniel's father is dying, but Nate doesn't want to be king because of the pressure and the restrictions on his life. His island nation is similar to Britain.
Since it's a "modern prince" novel, I realized that some parts would likely stretch my suspension of disbelief, and it did, but overall it was fun. I really liked the basic plot of the story--how the prince and Susanna spent time together and that the prince had a sticky political situation to deal with. I liked how Susanna and Nathaniel built each other up and supported each other. They were much better together than separately. I liked that they honestly wanted to be available for God to use.
However, the characters didn't seem consistent with the background given to them. Susanna went from supposedly emotionally dependent on having "a plan" to basically not having a plan for the whole story. When her boyfriend told her that she didn't actually love him despite standing by him through ups and downs for twelve years, she simply accepts that he's right. I don't believe that she loved "the plan," not him, but either way she's hardly upset by the breakup. Also, it was odd that Nathaniel seemed to lack leadership ability and political confidence despite his background (growing up a crown prince, being a navel officer and then head of a communications company).
There was a lot of "they prayed" and talking about God's will for the prince's life. Though Nate and Susanna felt the presence of God when at certain locations and Susanna repeatedly surrendered her future to God, I felt like God was held at a distance and was somewhat impersonal. Susanna got some cryptic future-foretelling through a crazy prophet lady, and Nate got a "brush of God's wing on his cheek" for their guidance from God. The Christian elements flowed from the events happening in the book and didn't preach at the reader, but people who don't like "preachy" books may not like this one.
There were no sex scenes. There was a minor amount of fake bad language ("darn") and one text messaging abbreviation for swearing involving "God." Overall, I'd recommend this novel to those who love fairy-tale "prince" romances.
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher through Booksneeze.
May 12, 2013
Great for an escapist reader
If there's a girl that has never wished to be a princess or be loved by a handsome prince, I'd worry. Seriously worry about her. I don't think I've waited with as much anticipation for any other book than I did for this one. When it arrived, I pounced. And the family went hungry. But, praise God for fast food restaurants, right? ;)
Fully rounded and relatable characters made this book a great read. From Susanna (a planner who hates surprises) and Nate (a prince longing for personal freedom) to a mother and father who are as real as any could get, to a Queen who understands more than most would think, the great supporting cast makes the lead characters in this book even more lovable.
Nate is about to become King. In Georgia for a last holiday before a life of duty takes over, he meets--and falls for--local gal Susanna. Susanna has her own baggage she's carrying on her shoulders. Raw from a not-too-easy let down, she meets Nate and wonders if he can be someone special, or is he just her rebound guy? Can God do that? Pull the plug on a 12 year relationship and give her someone who is going to matter right away?
In a lighthearted, yet still deep manner, Ms. Hauck gives Christians questions to ask ourselves. Can God do this? Does God even care? What the heck am I supposed to be doing right now? Connecting with her readers on a personal, individual basis, we're forced to wonder "Am I willing to let go and allow God to lead in the way He wants me to go?"
She'll leave you with things to chew over, pray over, and ponder.
"She had to trust God, believing in the largeness, yet abandoning the outcome to him."
I loved this book. And I will be reading the next in the series.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a fun and entertaining romance that manages to bury itself deep within the recesses of your romantic heart.
May 9, 2013
Goreat story - Great message!
Just read this yesterday!!! (Yes all in one day) Loved it!!! Rachel has such a gift of not just telling a sweet romance but the biblical truth she weaves in really challenges the reader no matter where they are in their walk. I have been a Christian for many moons and heard a lot of sermons, devotionals, etc. But her image of the garden and what we allow to be planted there... Wow! I hope never forget that. Thank you, Rachel!
May 8, 2013
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