Passion. Intrigue. Love.
London’s high society loves nothing more than a scandal. And when the personal secretary of the visiting Prince Sebastian of Alucia is found murdered, it’s all anyone can talk about, including Eliza Tricklebank. Her unapologetic gossip gazette has benefited from an anonymous tip off about the crime, forcing Sebastian to ask for her help in his quest to find his friend’s killer.
With a trade deal on the line and mounting pressure to secure a noble bride, there’s nothing more dangerous than a prince socialising with a commoner. Sebastian finds Eliza’s contrary manner as frustrating as it is seductive, but they’ll have to work together if they’re going to catch the culprit. And soon, as temptation becomes harder to ignore, it’s the prince who’ll have to decide what comes first—his country or his heart.
Title: The Princess Plan
Author: Julia London
Series: Royal Wedding Series
Pages: 400
Genre(s): Historical, Victorian, England, Royalty
Hot Buttons: murder <-- highlight to reveal (may contain spoilers)
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🍹 Scroll down for an exclusive recipe for Eliza's Royal Rum Punch! 🍹
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There are a couple of things that would normally make me pass on this book: I don’t normally do Victoran set novels (this takes places in 1845) and it’s inspired by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s romance - which is so embarrassingly cringeworthy I just can’t. And while I’ve read a couple of Julia London’s stories before, I honestly can’t remember them, which says it all, apparently.
Thank goodness I ignored my own misgivings as this book was just fantastic!
The first thing I became aware of is how much I loved Eliza. I can imagine it takes great skill to write a quirky, opinionated and singular character such as Eliza and still make her funny and relatable rather than just downright annoying. I adored her and her bluntness. She’s who I think I would be if I was placed in an environment that was shiny and new - overwhelmed and genuinely enthusiastic about every little thing.
Likewise, Crown Prince Sebastian tugged at my heartstrings something rotten. Strong, arrogant and entitled, we learn that he’s actually a lonely man who yearns for someone to see him. Even when he was being a royal douche, I loved him and wanted to give him a big ol’ cuddle.
And I loved Eliza and Sebastian together. They start off on the wrong foot. Well, they start off on the right foot but Sebastian manages to forget that encounter. I think I was annoyed as Eliza by that fact! But they slowly move to friends, and then something more. It was a delight to read, and quite emotional as the pair began to realise that circumstances meant they could never be together. I admit it, I shed a wee tear. (Okay so I was sobbing - sue me!)
We also have a little bit of a murder mystery going on in the background of the book and love story. There are a few red herrings thrown our way, but it’s not really that difficult to figure out the culprit - but that’s really not the point. The murder is obviously just the catalyst to bring Eliza and Sebastian together; and it’s definitely more about the small intrigues and amusing situations that our couple find themselves in while attempting to solve the mystery. I enjoyed that element of the book even if it petered out towards the end as the conclusion to our romance came to the fore.
I’m always nitpicky about Americanisms in stories set in Britain. While this one does so well with most things - we do not call them sidewalks. We call them pavements. Always pavements. Otherwise, I was impressed by the scene setting and language as a whole.
This book pulled me in from the start and I loved every last second of reading it. I see that this is the first in a new series and I’m hoping we’ll get stories for Hollis, Caro and even Beck and Prince Leopold. And of course, I would love to see how Eliza and Sebastian are getting on back in Alucia - hopefully with 12 little ones running around them!
If you’re looking for a fun and interesting romance about a girl who doesn’t believe she’ll ever get her happily ever after, and a prince who simply wants to be seen as a man, then you’ll fall in love with this story as much as I did. 5 massive stars from me.
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* I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
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Eliza's Royal Rum Punch
Eliza sniffed at the punch. Then sipped it. Then imprudently downed it, draining the glass, because the punch was delicious. How tingly it made her feel!
Moments later, the footman suddenly appeared again and extended his nearly empty tray for her glass.
"Thank you," Eliza said sheepishly. "That was very good." She took one of the last glasses on his tray.
"Aye, madam. It's been amply mixed with rum."
Ingredients
One part light rumOne part dark rum
One part Triple Sec
Cointreau or apricot brandy
A dash of Grenadine
A teaspoon of lime juice
Three parts of freshly squeezed, chilled orange juice
Three parts of freshly squeezed, chilled pineapple juice
Crushed ice
Slice of pineapple and a cherry for garnish
Method:
Half-fill a cocktail shaker with ice.Now add the white and dark rum, the Triple Sec, Cointreua and Grenadine - in that order.
Follow with the fruit juices.
Shake the mixture well, until the outside of the shaker starts to feel cold, then strain over the crushed ice into glasses.
Garnish and serve.
For that extra kick (and hey, it worked out for Eliza!) top with a dash of 151-proof rum!
Yum!
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The Royal Wedding Series:
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