The Prince Who Loved Me

This Cinderella based story is my first experience with a book by Karen Hawkins, and I thought it was a fun one to read. It was an enjoyable story with likable characters. I liked the intelligence and pluckiness of the heroine, Bronwyn Murdoch, and I found Prince Alexsey Romanovin, with his love of books and his grandmother's tiny dog, very compelling. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

Bronwyn Murdoch's one season didn't go well, and she feels that she is firmly on the shelf and destined to be her inventor father's assistant. When her family's long absent neighbor shows up with a large group for a house party at his castle, Prince Alexsey Romanovin is among the guests. When Bronwyn and Alexsey encounter one another in the woods, they both are left with misconceptions. Bronwyn believes him to be a huntsman, and Alexsey thinks she is a housemaid. When they meet again, surprise ensues over their identities, but they are no less attracted to one another. As they get to know one another, they both believe that they will have a flirtation until Alexsey leaves, but as their hearts become involved, they must decide what they both want for the future.

This was a nice take on the Cinderella story. I liked the way Hawkins even brought a lost shoe into the story. The inclusion of Bronwyn's dogs and Alexsey's grandmother's dog was a good touch. The dogs were all lovable. I felt really invested in the two main characters, and thought some of the secondary ones were great too. I was very satisfied with this book.

This book is about Bronwyn, an avid romance reader who lives with her inventor father, ambitious step-mother, and beautiful step-sisters. Escaping from her duties assisting her father and the household, she retreats to her favorite reading spot in the woods...to find a handsome huntsman with delicious kisses! A few days later, she discovers that he is not a huntsman but a prince visiting their neighbor!

Alexsey is intrigued by the bookish Bronwyn and sets out to have a delightful few-weeks tryst with her...and use her to spoil his grandmother's matchmaking plans. Brownyn overhears his nefarious plan and becomes determined to use his own game against him. What follows is hilarity, a meddling step-mother and grandmother, passion and wonderful surprising twists and turns!

As a lover of fairy tales, I have read many versions of the Cinderella story; but this is by far the most humorous and interesting! I was really able to identify with Bronwyn as she was so different from the usual romance heroine of the Regency era and so much more like a regular person.

Karen Hawkins has introduced yet another marvelous book into our world, and I cannot wait for the next one to see where she takes us next! I highly recommend this book!



Please note: I received a copy from the writer for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.

The Prince Who Loved Me, the latest from romance champion Karen Hawkins, is a definite winner. Sparks literally fly off the pages whenever Prince Alexsey finds himself with Bronwyn. The full cast of characters are well-flushed, jumping off the pages into the story with such ease you might to expect them to move in next door, right down to the show-stopping animals. With a downright sneaky pen, Karen Hawkins weaves a story that is at once believable and purest fantastic fairy tale. Our heroine, Bronwyn, is simply wonderful, both practical yet a dreamer at the same time. She is the sort of girl you'd want for your best friend. Prince Alexsey is the perfectly flawed hero you want to love forever, so focused and determined. The story is fast-paced and endearing. At no point does it drag, and the twists and turns are so surprising and unexpected you'll find yourself laughing at yourself for jumping to conclusions. I give this book 5 Shimmering Stars.