Review: A Princess for Christmas by Jenny Holiday

If you know me, you know I love anything royal. It’s probably one of my favorite subgenres/tropes used in book, especially romance, because I’m just obsessed. I spoke a bit about it on Read It Or List It, but it just makes it feel a bit more magical and raises the stakes.

So, I knew A Princess for Christmas would be on my holiday TBR. I read it on Thanksgiving and it was such a fun read, plus it surprised me by getting pretty steamy!

Thank you to Avon Books for my copy! All thoughts are my own.

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Synopsis: “Leo Ricci's already handling all he can, between taking care of his little sister Gabby, driving a cab, and being the super of his apartment building in the Bronx. But when Gabby spots a princess in a gown outside of the UN trying to hail a cab, she begs her brother to stop and help. Before he knows it, he's got a real-life damsel in distress in the backseat of his car. Princess Marie of Eldovia shouldn't be hailing a cab, or even be out and about. But after her mother's death, her father has plunged into a devastating depression and the fate of her small Alpine country has fallen on Marie's shoulders. She's taken aback by the gruff but devastatingly handsome driver who shows her more kindness than she's seen in a long time. When Marie asks Leo to be her driver for the rest of her trip, he agrees, thinking he'll squire a rich miss around for a while and make more money than he has in months. He doesn't expect to like and start longing for the unpredictable Marie. And when he and Gabby end up in Eldovia for Christmas, he discovers the princess who is all wrong for him is also the woman who is his perfect match.” —From the publisher

What I Liked:

  1. The Self Awareness—This book openly pokes fun at the “Hallmark” nature of Marie’s small (and made up) European Kingdom. A book can get away with a lot for me if it recognizes how ridiculous it is.

  2. The Festive Setting—Hot Chocolate contest in a snowy village? Sign me up!

  3. The Steam—I don’t know why but it was so refreshing to have such a steamy Hallmark style book. it was very satisfying for it to take the extra step!

What Didn’t Work:

  1. The Miscommunication Plot—I don’t love this and find it overused and not believable

  2. The Insta Love—Leo and Marie have an instant attraction that very quickly grows. I get its necessity, especially for a book like this, but it’s still just not my favorite.

TW/CW: Loss of a parent to cancer, loss of a parent in a car accident

Character Authenticity: 3/5 Steam Rating: 3.5/5 Overall Rating: 3.5/5

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