The Prince Who Loved Me by Karen Hawkins Series: The Oxenburg Princes #1
Publisher: Pocket Books on September 23, 2014
Genres: Historical Romance, Adult
Pages: 384
Format: eBook
Source: Publisher
Add to: Goodreads
Rating:
A handsome, rakish prince who doesn't believe in true love meets a stubborn lass who will settle for nothing less...
In a lighthearted retelling of a classic fairy tale, bestselling author Karen Hawkins gives Cinderella a Scottish twist!
Prince Alexsey Romanovin enjoys his carefree life, flirting—and more—with every lovely lady who crosses his path. But when the interfering Grand Duchess Natasha decides it's time for her grandson to wed, Alexsey finds himself in Scotland, determined to foil her plans. Brainy, bookish, and bespectacled, Bronwyn Murdoch seems the perfect answer—she isn't at all to the duchess' taste.
Living at the beck and call of her ambitious stepmother and social butterfly stepsisters, Bronwyn has little time for a handsome flirt—no matter how intoxicating his kisses are. After all, no spoiled, arrogant prince would be seriously interested in a firm-minded female like herself. So . . . wouldn't it be fun to turn his "game" upside down and prove that an ordinary woman can bring a prince to his knees?
At A Glance
The heroine was quirky and awesome.
The Good
I really liked the light amount of Cinderella aspects woven through The Prince Who Loved Me. There are some changes. Like Bronwyn’s stepsisters are actually very caring and they love their stepsister. The stepmother has good and bad qualities but was mostly nice. I can’t talk too much about her because it would spoil some twists.
It was Bronwyn who stole the show. She was so dorky and adorable. She’s a reader, which I loved. She can’t dance worth a spit, and she is just plain quirky in every way. It was easy to see why Alexsey would be attracted to her non-charms. The best part was when Bronwyn tried to takes pointers from her romance novels to woo Alexsey. Like singing, badly, in the middle of a make-out season or rubbing herbs all over herself because she doesn’t have perfume. Oh, how those failed miserably. But it all added to her unique personality.
The story was good. There was a twist at the end I didn’t see coming.
The Bad
Alexsey is just too arrogant and selfish for me. He was going to seduce Bronwyn and leave her with barely a thought to her reputation. Not my kind of hero. His friends were no better. The men in this book were all around jerks so I never got into them.
The Snuggly
There is one sex scene (maybe two, I forget) and it’s good but nothing special. The flirting was the best part.
Final Thoughts
I would recommend this book just for Bronwyn. She is an amazingly interesting, dorky character. She will have you laughing the whole time. Alexsey kinda sucks, but whatevs. This was an overall decent read. Recommended.
Quotes
“Unable to watch the knife enter her tender skin, Lucinda closed her eyes tightly as – Oh!” Bronwyn lowered the book as Scott looked at her with concern. “Why would you close your eyes? You should fight, not just stand there like a – Argh! If I wasn’t certain Roland was about to arrive, I’d stop reading right here.”
Sighing, she returned to the book. “Lucinda closed her eyes tightly just as the door burst open. Roland, handsome and stalwart Roland, had come!”
Bronwyn nodded with satisfaction. “Of course he did. He always does, whether Lucinda deserves him or not.”
“Roland sat beside his little sister. “You are too young to know this, but love cannot grow in rocky soil. It must be planted in a tender heart, cared for with the gentlest of touches, warmed with happiness. and protected from all that might wish to harm it.
“That sounds like a lot of work,” Melisandre said.
“It is a lot of work. But if it’s true love, then it will be the lightest burden you’ll ever carry.”
Christy LoveOfBooks
Uh, doesn’t everyone start singing in the midst of making out? Alexsey sounds adorable. And I enjoy a good Cinderella retelling.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Obvi! My fav song to sing while making out is The Bad Touch. Really gets me in the mood.
Lekeisha
I was admiring the slippers on the cover and was wondering about Cinderella. Glad to know that it does have that feel, so of course this is getting added to my retelling shelf. Bronwyn sounds like my type of heroine. Great review!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
It’s good for a retelling because it feels fresh and new.
kindlemom1
I think I would like the Cinderella aspect as well but not the hero. I think he would be hard to love. Sorry this wasn’t a bit better character wise. Wonderful honest review though!!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
At least I loved the heroine. Made up for it a bit.
anna (herding cats & burning soup)
Oh she sounds awesome! Boo on the men though.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
LOL, Boo men! In general too. 😀
Jaclyn Canada
Aww well I wish if she was that awesome and quirky that her man would be a catch as well. Guess we can’t ask for everything! I’m glad it was good overall even if the guys were douche canoes.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
At least at the end he was bearable, but waiting that long sucks.
Melissa (Books and Things)
You had me at “The heroine was quirky and awesome.” but then I’m not sure I would enjoy it with those men. Yea, they would totally get on my last nerve. Might have to library book it for Bronwyn. 🙂
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I feel like this happens a lot with Hist-roms, so I kind of have to get over it. lol.
Nathan
Bronwyn sounds like a strong minded heroine. I might like to read this retelling of Cinderella some time.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
She makes it worth the read.
Lily B
I honestly not sure how I would feel about Alexsey myself ;/
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I know, he was a hard one for me.
Braine Talk Supe
Nice change on the classic evil step-family. It’s about time we steer away from the stereotype and make things loving for a change. There’s too much hate in the world
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I know, so much hate. I love when characters have loving families. So rare.