Her father is the King of England. She is the Controversial Princess. Regarded as down to earth by the press and rebellious by the King, Princess Adeline refuses to bow to the royal expectations her title carries. She knows better than anyone that the united front of the Royal Family is nothing but smoke and mirrors – lies and secrets masked by power and privilege. She wants no part of it, and … part of it, and she will never surrender to the King’s demand to marry a man she does not love. But despite Adeline’s determination to retain her free will, she remains deeply unfulfilled, feeling caged and suffocated.
That is until she meets Josh Jameson. Drawn in by his confidence, Adeline is soon captivated by the scandalously sexy American actor. His ability to penetrate her defences overwhelms her – his touch is pure fire, and his allure overpowering. Nothing has ever made her feel so alive in a world where she’s otherwise slowly drowning. However, while Josh may be Hollywood royalty, he’s not actual royalty, and Adeline knows the King and his advisors will do everything in their power to keep them apart.
But Josh Jameson becomes the princess’s ultimate vice.
And although she bows to no one, she bows to him.
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The Controversial Princess is so much more than a typical contemporary royal tale and Jodi Elle Malpas’ princess is nothing like the spoiled princesses that some romance stories portray. Princess Adeline may live in luxury and want for nothing in the material sense, but she would give anything to be her own person – one who is allowed to make her own decisions and live her life however she deems fit. But Princess Adeline lives more like a prisoner in a gilded cage than a young woman who has her whole life in front of her, and it’s that sense of imprisonment that leads her down a forbidden path, putting her in a rather precarious position because as much as she comes alive while doing something with herself in mind and no one else, the damage she may cause to her own life and to the life of someone who comes to mean everything to her may be irreparable on multiple levels.
JEM has crafted one dynamic heroine in Princess Adeline; it’s easy to understand why Adeline feels the way she does about her life and her family because that information is explored and expanded on throughout the course of the book, and as readers become privy to everything that hides beneath her royal family’s facade, we can’t help but wish that Adeline’s life was her own and that she could be the amazing and dynamic woman that must remain locked up due to royal decrees and dictates and a father who will force his will upon anyone and everyone who he commands.
Princess Adeline is stifled by expectations, imprisoned due to her ‘royal responsibility,’ and caged in a role that she would never choose for herself. But everything changes for her when Josh Jameson enters her life, and while Josh is the complete opposite of any man that the King would advise she have a relationship with or even marry, the fact that she choose Josh and everything that he brings to her life makes Adeline feel more alive and freer than she’s ever felt, and even though she knows that a future with Josh may be an impossibility, she cherishes her time with him and dreams of a way that they can spend their entire lives together.
Josh Jameson is absolutely a forbidden conquest for Princess Adeline, but to readers, he is everything that her life is missing, and we can’t help but cheer them on and hope that their stolen moments become something lasting. But with everything going against Adeline and Josh, nothing will be easy for them, and in true JEM fashion, the twists and turns in the plot line as well as the interference from other characters will result in a bevy of complications – obstacles that will, at times, not seem worth the risk until Adeline and Josh realize that time spent together just might be worth any price.
The Controversial Princess, the first book in Jodi Ellen Malpas’ Smoke & Mirrors duet, proves just how amazing a writer she is because it includes everything I’ve grown to love about JEM’s multifaceted plot lines and her intricate character development. And, while this is only book one of Princess Adeline and Josh Jameson’s story, meaning that readers will have to impatiently wait to see what happens with the wayward princess and her Hollywood heartthrob.
4.5 Poison Apples
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Mary –
I knew I wanted to read this one when I heard about it, first because it was by Jodi Ellen Malpas and second because I love a good royal love story. And I was not disappointed by the story, but the ending was a WOW WTH moment.
Princess Adeline is the daughter of the King of England. She doesn’t want anything to do with royal life. She wants to be free and happy. While at her 30th birthday party, she meets American actor Josh Jameson. They seem to have a chemistry from the very first meeting. But Adeline knows they can’t have anything past a secret affair because the king will end it and run Josh off. Because the king has her life planned and it is not to fool around with an American actor but to have her marry a man she doesn’t love. It is all for the sake of the royal family.
Will Josh fight for her and their time together? Can Adeline make her father see that she isn’t going to marry anyone right now? Can they spend time together and both walk away with their hearts not broken?
I loved everything about this story and can’t wait for book two. If you are looking for a royally good story, then you need to read this one. It has all the love, passion, heat, fun, and suspense to keep you glued to every page.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of The Controversial Princess (Smoke & Mirrors #1) by Jodi Ellen Malpas to read and review.
5 “I only see you” Stars
Unexpected. Sensational. Sinfully Sexy!
The Controversial Princess is Absolutely AMAZING! Adeline and Josh’s story was completely unexpected! I loved every minute of it!
The immediate chemistry between the characters, Adeline’s strong-willed personality, and Josh’s steadfast pursuit drew me in and didn’t let go until I read the last page. I’m in book hangover heaven right now. I can’t get the next one fast enough!
Highly recommended!
This book. SO much this book.
Confession: I am not an intense JEM fangirl. I’ve read a few of her stories, way back when, but never went full gush mode. UNTIL THIS BOOK. Royals are my crack, so when I got the opportunity to read The Controversial Princess, I jumped. It was everything I hoped for.
There was drama. There was suspense. There was humor. There was hot sex. There was a monarchy and rules and all of the amazing and fascinating royal things.
Adeline is one of my new favorite heroines. She was so likable and as relatable as a Princess can be. I love her. And Josh, oh Josh. Talk about someone that can make a Princess swoon. Their banter and chemistry sucked me in and I couldn’t stop reading.
Of course, there is a cliffhanger, because it’s a duet. It’s a good one. I CANNOT WAIT for the conclusion. READ THIS BOOK. Royal Fans- WHY haven’t you read this book? I need an extra star for this book.
Amazing just absolutely amazing…
I’ve never read a Royals Book and I don’t think I can after this . This BOOK was everything , I had no idea what I was getting into but I freaken LOVED it . From the first few pages I was addicted. Jodi takes writing to a whole new level . Adeline is now my absolute favorite heroine!!! She’s sassy , feisty and princess that breaks all of the rules red lipstick and all .
Now give me book 2 !! This is the first book of a duet and leaves on a CH like no other .
Annette ~ Rebel Heart Book Blog
The Controversial Princess is a 5 star read that I could not put down.
Princess Adeline tends to stay in trouble. She longs for the freedom to do as she wants, but being the daughter of the King of England, it is not an option.
Josh Jameson is a Hollywood Star and know world wide. What happens when he sets his sights on the princess? What is supposed to be a simple game turns into so much more. She becomes his drug of choice, but there is no way her family will allow them to be together.
The storyline captured my attention from the very first chapter. I did not want to put it down. I need to get my hands on book 2!! The fire between Josh and Adeline is intense. This is a definite MUST read!!!!
What a Delightfully delicious read!!
The authors penchant for writing captivating stories is undeniable!
You can feel the sizzling tension crackling in the air!! The innuendos between Adeline and Josh are downright funny if not rather naughty indeed. My mind was whooshing…my heart thumping.
I admired Adeline. I thought her defiant ways defined her as a real person not wanting to conform to the regal responsibilities.
I wasn’t sure what to make of Josh to be quite honest. He did redeem himself though as I kept reading!
This book was riveting to the point that I couldn’t put it down!! That ending though!!
Absolutely loved it!