Review: Once Upon a Prince

Once Upon a PrinceOnce Upon a Prince
(Royal Wedding #1)
by Rachel Hauck
Christian Romance
May 7th 2013 by Zondervan


Goodreads summary:
Once Upon a Prince, the first novel in the Royal Wedding series by bestselling author Rachel Hauck, treats you to a modern-day fairy tale.

Susanna Truitt never dreamed of a great romance or being treated like a princess---just to marry the man she has loved for twelve years. But life isn’t going according to plan. When her high-school-sweetheart-turned-Marine-officer breaks up instead of proposing, Susanna scrambles to rebuild her life.

The last thing Prince Nathaniel expects to find on his American holiday to St. Simon’s Island is the queen of his heart. A prince has duties, and his family’s tense political situation has chosen his bride for him. When Prince Nathaniel comes to Susanna’s aid under the fabled Lover’s Oak, he is blindsided by love.
Their lives are worlds apart. He’s a royal prince. She’s a ordinary girl. But everything changes when Susanna receives an invitation to Nathaniel’s coronation.
  

What I thought:
I've read a couple books co-authored by Rachel Hauck that I really enjoyed and I love modern-day fairy tales, so when I saw this book up on NetGalley I immediately requested it. What I have liked about the other books that I've read of hers is that the characters' situations aren't perfect, in fact they feel rather authentic. It's this authenticity that I enjoy. Her characters have to figure out what to do in their less-than-favorable situations or lives.

In Once Upon a Prince the characters both have very different backgrounds and situations, but both are at a point where the decisions they make, whatever they may be, will basically decide which direction their lives will take. You have a prince whose father is very ill and will soon be king. By law he is required to marry of a specific royal line and this would mean being in a loveless marriage. Then you have Susanna who has just found out that the plans she has been counting on for more than a decade have fallen through. There isn't an easy fix to their situations, for either of them. They both have to struggle through and rely on God to figure out what to do.

The religious aspect of this story was interesting. I didn't mind most of it, but there were a few parts that were a little too much for me, especially with Susanna's friend who would come out of nowhere with cryptic messages. I did like how both MC's felt they could just ask God for help.

I really liked Susanna and Prince Nathaniel. I thought they were great characters and consistent. They also were surrounded by some fun family and friends that all contributed to the story. I also liked that there was instant attraction between the two of them, but they develop a strong friendship before anything else.

The story was, overall, really sweet and fun, with a great happily-ever-after ending. I knew it was going to end well, but there were some twists along the way. I would recommend this to those of you who enjoy reading Christian Romance or who enjoy clean romance and don't mind the religious aspect.

Content: Clean
Source: NetGalley


Have you read Once Upon a Prince or are planning too?


Disclosure: This review is of a book I was given for free by an author, tour host, or publisher, or through NetGalley or Edelweiss. This in no way influences the opinions shared in my review. You may see my complete policy on my policies page. This post also contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase of any type using these links, I receive a small kickback.

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