Book written by Emma St. Clair, Published September 2021.
Is there a word for "chick-flick in book form"? Maybe I'll have to come up with one. Because that's totally what this is. A captivating, guilty pleasure, clean romance. And a royal romance at that!
Serafina, Princess of Viore, has been in love with Prince Callum of Elsinore since they were kids. Which was quite convenient, considering that they have been betrothed about that long. When Serafina visits Elsinore after finishing college, Callum appears with a girlfriend! Apparently, he had not known about the arranged marriage, is absolutely against it, and has been dating lots of women in protest since he found out. Serafina must marry a royal (preferably not any gross 40-year-old princes) by the end of the summer, or she loses her kingdom. She and Duke Rafe de Silva conspire to make Prince Callum jealous and propose to Serafina, but in the end, is that what she really wants?
If you enjoyed The Princess Diaries Two: Royal Engagement movie, you will for sure adore this book. I certainly did!
This book contains closed-door romance, one awkward injury, no language, and would be completely appropriate for your teen readers as well.
Keep reading for an in-depth review!
(Spoilers Below)
"Happily-ever-afters, the real kind, almost never happen easily or without a few dragons getting in the way."
I have to get one thing out of the way. I don't like the name Serafina. It's very princess-y though, very fancy, so I guess it fits. I know that naming characters is probably akin to the difficulty of naming children. Plus, she has so many nickname variations in the story. I have always loved the name Rafe though. I think it was a perfect fit for such an amazing leading man!
Let's talk characters: I really respect Serafina/Seraf/Sera/Fi for getting an education, even at the discouragement of her parents, and wanting to use this learning for the betterment of the kingdom's economy. She is definitely Callum-crazy, which is not out of character for a 20-something-year-old girl. She is unwilling to be roped to a creepy-vibe, 40-year-old prince for one more minute, wary of the womanizing duke, and suddenly questioning her feelings for the only man she has ever loved. I have huge respect for her and the fact that she would have walked away from Callum if she wasn't required to get married. She realized that he was lacking, she deserved better, but was doing it anyway for her country.
Which leads us to Callum. Of course, we are not meant to like him from the start. There's nothing "bad" about him, but our princess definitely deserved better. I really don't blame him at all for wanting to figure out his own way in life instead of going along with this arranged marriage that he wasn't even aware of until now! It's just that he really is only thinking of what he wants, when he is dating Brit and wants to kiss Serafina, but doesn't entirely want to date or marry her, but doesn't want her being around Rafe... all around just confusion-inducing.
And in contrast, we have Rafe! What a leading man though. He is definitely one that had struggles in life and turned to lots of women, but ultimately grew up and found that it wasn't what he wanted. I absolutely love that he is vulnerable and sweet, but really doesn't let that show through his bad-boy persona. It is perfect that he has loved Serafina as long as he has known her. Do you guys love his simple acts of love or what? Whisking her away from an uncomfortable conversation. Bringing "Seraf" food when she hasn't even thought about eating, and even later giving her his dessert when he sees that she is enjoying hers so much. Faking a relationship with her so that she can gain the attention of Callum, to name a few. We all know food is basically the way to a princess's heart, right? But it's all the ways he notices small things about her and makes sure to help her. I think it is the absolute sweetest thing that Rafe has loved Serafina as long as he has known her. He may have distracted himself with other women, but really only had eyes for her. And is truly trying to help Serafina win Callum since that is what he thinks she truly wants.
A monumental thing for me here: I think this is the first book that I have read where, when faced with information coming from a character with malicious intent, our lead acted the way we all want them to! Serafina was told some unsavory things about Rafe, and she decided to trust him, and *gasp* there was communication and trust instead of running away! Maybe that lessened the climax, but really, I was so happy to not have to roll my eyes at yet another easily insulted female high-tailing it away from her love.
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