Good morning, readers!
I'm excited to kick off the Christmas in July series today with a book by previously featured author; USA Today Bestselling author, Robi Bielman.
After a cringeworthy first
encounter, Rowan Palotay hopes she’s seen the last of Prince Theodore Chenery.
But fixing her mistake garners even more attention from the prince, and when he
requests she be his reporter for a news story, she can’t say no.
Prince Theo is completely enchanted with Rowan and finds her special brand of kindness and honesty impossible to ignore. Back home, his choices are made for him, but here in this small town where his mother grew up, he feels connections he never has before. And the more time he and Rowan spend together, the more he wants her—all of her.
When obligations back home take a turn he didn’t see coming, he’s ready to stake his claim. But when his father and the media get wind of his relationship with Rowan, Theo must decide whether to follow his heart or his royal duty.
Once I got into the story, I really enjoyed the ease of which we saw a 'royal' be like normal people - in this case, we really saw Theo's mom in him.
At first, for me at least, there seemed to be a dump of information I felt could have been shown in a smaller bite. But again, that's just me. Some readers enjoy the deeper dive up front. But as the story progressed, Robin did an excellent job of peeling back the layers of the heroine, Rowan. She is memorable, for sure. A little moody, speaks her mind and pretends not to be afraid of what other people will think.
I also loved how Rowan's character brought Prince Theo out, making him comfortable. The way she did the interview over the course of days while showing him the town his mother loved so much was creative on both Rowan and the author's part.
My only contention with the story is actually part of the title. A Sweet Holiday Romance. While the overall tone is very sweet and loving, I don't equate 'sweet' and 'visual lovemaking scenes' to mean the same thing. When I think sweet, I think Harlequin. And, while a few of Robin's books have been made into Hallmark ( I need to look for those this month), this one didn't fit the advertising bill with me.
For that alone, I'm giving ONCE UPON A ROYAL CHRISTMAS: A Sweet Holiday Romance...
.8
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