Brought to the palace as a newborn, the royal life bestowed upon Mackenna Sparrow was never meant to last forever. With Princess Alina engaged to be married, Mackenna’s presence as companion is no longer required and, like it or not, she must return to the birthright which should have been hers – that of a commoner. But not everyone at the palace wants her gone. When the truths she’s based her … life on start crumbling as fast as her future, will she find the courage to trust, both herself and the prince she’s fallen in love with?
more
“Having a heart that cared was nothing to apologize for, even if one was a maid.”
Such a surprising and delightful debut novel from Hannah Currie! Yes, the cover is absolutely gorgeous and there is definitely an ethereal romantic element of a country named Peverell ruled by a monarchy and the dazzle and glamour of royalty, but the book is so much more than another sweet YA prince-falls-in-love-with-a-commoner trope. There is a certain layer of politics and intrigue woven into the storyline and the way faith is integrated into the plot and characters is refreshing and fascinating. Kenna’s almost 18 year old voice is fresh, quite mature for a teenager but also peppered with temper tantrums, recognized selfishness, and flighty thoughts to remind us that she is still indeed a teenager. Prince Thoraben is amusing, absolutely adorable, patient and thoughtful. The story is told in Kenna’s first person voice only, which paves way for us to walk in her shoes and feel all the whirlwind of emotions she experiences.
Wow, I could not put this book down. If you enjoy YA novels, you will absolutely love this book. I’d love a sequel (maybe there will be one since the book is subtitled “Daughters of Peverell”….).
I received a copy of the book from WhiteFire Publishing via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
A Charming Fairy Tale
Although this book is technically for young adults, adults of all ages will enjoy it. If you are looking to escape to another world filled with clean romance, secrets, charming characters, and a dash of faith, this novel is for you. I look forward to reading the next two books in the series!
“You might feel like you’re in a whirlwind, Kenna, but you’re not alone in it…And don’t forget, every whirlwind comes to an end eventually.”
Heart of a Royal is the debut novel written by Hannah Currie. It is such a good book, and I am so glad that I took the chance and read it. This is the first book in Hannah’s series Daughters of Peverell and I can’t wait to read the next books!
Mackeena Sparrow has lived a life pretending to be someone she is not, and soon it will all come to an end. Mackenna, Keena, has been the companion of Princess Alina for as long as she can remember. But when Alina gets engaged her whole life gets turned upside down. Keena has spent her whole life having things planned out and knowing exactly what to do, but now that she is a commoner her life feels like it is out of control.
I really like Kenna, she tried so hard to be the best person she could. But her life starts spilling out of control and she doesn’t know what to do. She was so used to life at the palace and now she has to learn how to live away from everything she has known her whole life. But she was still brave and kind, she truly loved the people of Peverell. I loved reading about Kenna growing throughout the book.
I loved Thoraben, Ben, he was by far my favorite character. He was so sweet and kind to Kenna. I loved seeing him try to win Kenna’s love. He was so determined to show her that he loved her, and to win her heart. Ben was such a kind character, he loved his people and he was the kind of person who looked out for others.
I adored watching her fall in love with Ben, it was so cute. She tried so hard to repress her feelings, but Ben was so sweet to her and she truly loved him. They were such a cute couple, I loved reading their interactions. They were perfect for each other.
This was a great book, not only because of the great story but also because of the characters. They were so many great characters, and I loved reading about them. And the cover was so beautiful. This was a lovely book! I would definitely recommend it, it has everything you could wish for in a book: a dashing prince, a lovely main character, a happily ever after, and a life lesson. I can’t wait for the next books to come out! I am so excited to read about Alina!!
She’s not royal, but she just may be a princess…
I have to admit that I wasn’t exactly sure what I would be in for when I decided to read Heart Of A Royal. I knew that I was in the mood for something different than the usual romantic suspense and historical genres that I usually read, but that was all. Again, I’ll be honest, I’ve never been into princess stories, I liked Disney’s animated Robin Hood much better than any of the princess movies. But there was something about this book, maybe the cover appealed to me, maybe it was the blurb, but I did WANT to read this book.
And I was pleasantly, well surprised isn’t quite the right word, maybe pleased is, to find that I really enjoyed the book, every bit. Yes, it’s a YA novel complete with all of the accompanying tropes, you know, the secret crushes, parties/balls, insecurities, petty jealousy, and the struggles fitting into the adult world. But Hannah Currie managed to pull it all off in a story that even I, as a long past YA reader, could both enjoy and even somewhat relate to. One of the big pluses in my estimation is that, while the story is set in the fictional country of Peverell, the technology, clothing, and scenery could be anywhere, making it familiar and easy to read.
Heart Of A Royal is amusing, entertaining, but with a few surprises up its sleeve. There is romance, of course, and humor, as well as some touching moments, but there is also loss, betrayal, danger, and the villains may not be who or what you might originally have thought them to be. Hannah Currie has penned a charming and delightful story, one that I enjoyed and didn’t want to leave. And I can say with all sincerity that I am greatly looking forward to the next book in the Daughters Of Peverell series.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
Heart of a Royal by Hannah Currie is the first book in the Daughters of Peverell series and definitely worth reading if you love wonderful fairy tales with perfect happily ever afters.
Mackenna Sparrow’s life is about to drastically change. The princess is engaged to be married and after serving as her companion since birth, Mackenna’s services are no longer needed and Mackenna is struggling with this life change that has her leaving all that she has ever known and come to appreciate and love.
This change is causing her so much stress and along with it she is finding it difficult to not only trust herself, but also the prince she has fallen in love with.
I’m definitely looking forward to reading more books in this series and by this new to me author in the future.
I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.
With a voracious teen reader in my household, I try to read as many young adult books as I can to give her lots of options that I feel I can trust. Hannah Currie’s debut novel appealed to me with its story of royalty-like status without being actually royal, so even though WhiteSpark is a publisher I trust for my child without prereading, I was eager to see where the story would go.
Like many older teens, Kenna is facing some upcoming changes to her life, but these changes are a bit more drastic than graduation. She faces a complete change in status, lifestyle, living situation, and even friendships. Seeing how she navigates these adjustments, sometimes well, other times with mistakes and misunderstanding, forms the basis of this novel.
But there is more to it than that: there is also the ever-present threat posed by the Rebels, a group the reader knows little about, but can feel the fear radiating from several of the characters. Their ultimate purpose is largely unclear, but being one of them is reason enough for lifetime exile from Peverell if discovered. This underlying tension adds some urgency to her own journey of discovery.
For me, the best part of this story is watching Kenna begin to understand her heart, to realize what she wants and with whom she wants to experience it. This may seem like something she should have already known at 17, but when her entire life had been scheduled and dictated for her prior to the start of the novel, her inexperience is both unavoidable and understandable.
This is a beautiful coming of age tale that explores how we understand ourselves and those around us, and how we balance the many facets of life like love, duty, honor, loyalty, and relationships. With twists that keep things intriguing, this young adult novel has just a little bit more meat to it without feeling overwhelming or instructional. I think those who have an interest in tales of royalty will really enjoy it; any romance reader will as well, regardless of age.
I received a review copy of this book through Celebrate Lit but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.
Come on!
I wasn’t prepared for this book.
When I read the blurb I already figured out how the story will go in my head. But the author gave me a smackdown with the twists of the book.
I’ve read hundreds of books, I’ve seen how authors weave the story around God and his love for you but never like this book. It knocked me off my feet. It challenged my mind. This book has set a new narrative for Christian fiction and it is more wonderful that it is in the category of Young adult Christian fiction. This has been the most innovative book on how to introduce young adults to God and the realities of life.
It is fiction but it contains eternal lessons for everyone.
In the pages of this book you’d meet Mackenna and Thoraben whose lives were thrown together by a fate, faith and plan bigger than life itself. I love the stories God writes because they are always the best. The story revolving around the life of Kenna and Ben is one of those stories.
When I saw the word Rebel in the book for the first time, I immediately give a sinister meaning to it like everyone would at the mention of the word Rebel but as I read on I got to know that we all as children of God who have chosen to take a stand for God are viewed as rebels in the eyes of the world. And that’s okay because the only rule and kingdom that matters is that of God.
You should get this book and read it. It will be a wonderful gift to your young adult, teens.
“What made someone choose to believe in something they couldn’t see, especially when doing do could have them punished and throw out of the kingdom”?
I received a copy of the book and this is my honest opinion.
A royal heart is a loyal heart.
Heart of a Royal started in a way that left me unsure of what time period I was in. Is it historical, fantasy, contemporary? Maybe that was the point because I was wrapped up in the fiery tale of Ben and Kenna. Their friends to sweethearts journey was slow, on Kenna’s side, and a bit agonizing to watch at times. There were many moments that I thought the author was ripping out my heart, as well as the character’s. You know that aching feeling, right?
Kenna’s need for security is rocked when the life she knew was ripped out from under her. It was her path to discovering truth, as well as her own way in the world, that had my heart aching for her. She is loyal to her king and county even when they are not as loyal to her. It was painful to read at times. If only her young eyes could have seen things sooner.
It was Ben’s steadfast heart that left me glued to my chair and my tablet in my hand. I could see the heart of this prince right away though it wasn’t brought to light until near the end. I must say, who wouldn’t love to have a Prince Ben in their corner when things where scary and confusing?
The one thing I was not pleased with was the abrupt ending. I expected it to resolve itself and it didn’t. Could it be that the author is planning and follow up? I hope so.
**I was given a copy of this book from the publisher through CelebrateLit. These options are clearly my own.
Heart of a Royal by Hannah Currie is the first book in her Daughters of Peverell series. Mackenna Sparrow was brought to the palace as a newborn. She was to grow up as a companion to the Princess Alina. Now, that Alina is engaged Mackenna is no longer needed and is sent away from the only life that she has ever known. Now, she must adjust to living as a commoner. Even though this is a young adult fiction I really enjoyed it. I’ve always been a fan of the rags to riches princess story. The love and compassion of Mackenna shines through her every move. The way the Prince treats her is so sweet. I can’t wait for the next installment.
I received this book from Celebrate-Lit for my honest review.
Wow, what an absolutely fantastic debut novel! If you know me at all then you know I am a huge fan of all things Royal, so when I heard about this book I knew I had to read it, and I jumped at the chance to request a review copy!
Before I finished the first chapter I knew I was going to love this enchanting book, and love it I did! Not since Lisa T. Bergren’s River of Time series has a YA book held me so completely and utterly spellbound as Heart of a Royal did!
I loved Kenna and Prince Thoraben instantly, and could not stop reading because I had to know what would happen next in their story. And yes, Prince Thoraben left me swooning more times than I can count!
This book has a perfect mix of drama and wit, along with a beautiful message. Heart of a Royal is everything I hoped it would be, and so much more! This book gave me all the feels, had me laughing out loud numerous times, and made me so happy that I couldn’t stop smiling!
I already want to re-read it, it’s that good!
I loved, loved, LOVED everything about this book, and it definitely has a spot on my keeper shelf!
Heart of a Royal swept me into its story from the first sentence and I hated to leave Peverell when I turned the final page, needless to say I cannot wait for the next book in this series!
Hannah Currie has a forever fan in me!
I totally and completely adored this book, and I most highly recommend it! Heart of a Royal is not to be missed!
(5 Stars!)
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. Which did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own!
My Thoughts on Heart of a Royal:
I love a good romance! And who doesn’t love a good royal book? Let’s admit that most young girls fantasize about becoming a princess at some point or another. I’m not really sure we grow out of that as we get older. We still wonder and fall in love with the royalty of our world.
Royalty in books is nothing different. We still fall in love with them and want to see what their life is like. They still make us wonder and hope and dream about living in a castle.
But what if life as a royal isn’t all it’s cracked up to be? What if you don’t want to have the spotlight and just want to be able to curl up in a corner with a good book instead?
I would probably be one of those royals that wanted to be a hermit in my room where no one could see me and would dread all those royal engagements where I was in the public eye. So enter this fun book!
You’re going to love getting to know Kenna and her role in the royal family. She’s real and she’s honest and she’s going to steal your heart. You won’t be able to put the book down.
Is it a mystery or suspense or something that’s going to make you keep the lights on? No. No, it’s not that at all. It’s more of a feel-good romance with a few plot twists along the way.
The author has an amazing voice and you’ll love reading this book. You’ll become one of the characters and won’t want it to end. That’s the best you can ever hope for in reading a book.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
WOW! This book. Was kinda an eye opener for me. I honestly did not know what to expect when I picked up this book to read. Growing up I was kind of a late bloomer regarding reading. Therefore, I never (and I mean never) read any YA fiction I would only read what was required of me for school assignments. I took a chance on reading this book because I thought the description sounded good (I have been trying to pick books solely based on descriptions). It did not disappoint me. Hannah Currie did a marvelously good job conveying many different characteristics of who we are as Sons and Daughters of the King. Princess (Lady) Mackenna is a very well-developed character, who displays strength when things don’t go as expected. All the while she is still silently searching for the answers her heart seeks. She does end up finding hope when she least expects it. Personally, I can relate to this story very easily (Not that I am royalty) but, I have always struggled with finding my place in this world and how God can use me. I think Hannah Currie did a great job covering this aspect in the story. Prince Thoraben (Ben) was also a great character. Though he was not the main character of the story, we do get lots of insight into his character, which I liked.
With some very interesting twists in this book that I wasn’t expecting, a dash of a very sweet romance (I absolutely loved that part), great characters and plot development I give this book a 5 out of 5 star rating. It was so good I literally could not put it down, and I can’t wait to read more books by Hannah Currie and I highly suggest picking this book up to read.
Heart of a Royal by author Hannah Currie is a delightful Young Adult Romance Christian novel. It is not the typical Princess book, and for that reason it captured my attention and held it. I have not read anything by this author before and was pleasantly surprised.
Author Currie has a very nice style of writing. Her story flowed smoothly like hot fudge over ice cream. The characters were relatable and lifelike. I even enjoyed their flaws and wanted to give them advice. They felt like young friends.
The setting was in a place that seemed part Contemporary and part Fairy Tale. The palace was well described and easy to imagine. A lot of young ladies most assuredly dream of living life in a palace. They will love getting lost in this book. It provides some surprises to make the story interesting.
inspiration and faith are woven in expertly. Love is a beautiful theme especially for a YA book. Mackenna and Thoraben made a cute pair and sparks flew off of the pages. This was a sweet romance.
I definitely recommend this book. It would make a well received Christmas gift. I rated it 4 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest thoughts.
It was a pleasure to have an opportunity to read Hannah Currie’s Heart of a Royal, the first installment from her Daughters of Peverell series. I have not read anything by this author before and it surely will not be the last. I loved this sweet story. What I thought to be just sitting down to read a chapter or two, turned out to be reading the whole book! My chores may have suffered neglect at that time, but it was definitely worth it. Miss Currie has written a beautiful tale of romance with action and adventure that kept me intrigued until the end.
I am giving Heart of a Royal a very well deserved five plus stars. I am eagerly waiting for the next release from the Daughters of Peverell series. I can not wait to see where the author’s imagination will take her readers to next. This one is not to be missed.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Hannah Currie’s debut novel is one that will delight female readers (both the young and the young-at-heart) with its fairy tale-esque plot.
Heart of a Royal is told from Kenna’s point of view as her life goes from a dream come true to a nightmare. She can’t seem to gain her footing once the life with all the privileges of a princess is stripped away.
The descriptions of life in the castle—the balls, the clothes, the finery—was one of my favorite parts of this story. I also loved the interactions between Kenna and Ben but I wanted so many more of those than what this book gave me.
While the reader catches on fairly quickly of whom Ben is speaking when he tells Kenna he’s chosen a future wife, if he would just come out and tell her, a lot of heartache could be avoided (but I suppose that wouldn’t make for much of a story).
This is a sweet and entertaining read about falling in love and placing your trust in the One who truly matters in the grand scheme of things. Young (and even not-so-young) ladies will fall in love with Kenna’s good heart, Ben’s sweet patience, and Ashe’s friendship.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
This was the first book that I had ever read by this author, but it will not be the last! At first I was a little confused about the setting, trying to figure out what time period it was, but after the first few pages, I was hooked!
A girl who grows up almost as a sibling in the royal family suddenly finds herself a commoner, yet still has strong heart ties to the crown prince, Thoraben. Even as Kenna resists that presumably ill-fated attraction, she finds herself drawn to him again and again. Throughout the kingdom, the threat of the “Rebels” is always lurking, but who were they? Would they overthrow the king?
I stayed up way past my bedtime enthralled in this fantasy that secretly teaches Biblical truths. I’m excited for the rest of the series!
Heart of a Royal by Hannah Currie is the perfect royal romantic story. While it is definitely young adult fiction, readers who love royal romance will not notice anything that will make you think it is for younger audiences. Ms Currie has created an entirely unique kingdom and it comes alive in this story. I stayed up way too late reading this book because I just could not stop reading. It was that good. I have read quite a few books in this genre and find them all fairly similar. I expected much of the same from this book but I was pleasantly surprised that Ms Currie wrote a novel that stands apart in its sweet yet well developed love story and a happily ever after to remember. I sincerely hope that more books are planned in this series. I know that I will be first in line to read them. I received a digital copy of this book from the author with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.
Heart of a Royal
Kenna decides it is time to leave the palace. But will she get to leave? She had quite an adventure in trying to do so. After she leaves she still wants to see what is going on at the palace. She climbs a tree at one point. Loved the dance scene. But you will have to read the book to see what else happens.
An enjoyable book to read. Kenna was determined to do what she wanted.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit. This book review is my own opinion.
Heart of a Royal is not your average debut novel. In fact, it’s not your average novel. Currie brings charm, humor, grace and a powerful message to her story that not only had me hanging on to every word, it left me feeling breathless once I reached the end. I was not ready to part with these characters just yet. And that ending! Wow. I seriously cannot wait for book two – I mean is it out yet? **sigh** The answer is no, and rightly so. We cannot expect Ms. Currie to just sit at home writing all day every day, right!? But I imagine the wait will be totally worth it. Especially if this novel is any indication.
Let me start by saying I am a sucker for out of the ordinary fairy tales, as well as out of the ordinary ways to weave in a faith theme. This fairy tale had me believing the entire time – and while I could see the ending coming from a mile away, it didn’t stop me from enjoying the ride to get there. I mean, it’s a fairy tale – we ALL know the ending! But Currie makes Thoraben feel like a real, down to earth person. So many royal stories have the prince stuffy, uptight, and then seemingly transition into this great guy throughout the story. Not Thoraben. I loved him from the start! He was charming, funny, and had this way of saying things without really saying what he meant – know what I mean? Oh my stars I could read about him for ages.
And Mackenna. While she may not be royal by blood, as the book is so brilliantly titled, she is by heart. She is exactly what the people need in a future queen – caring, giving, kind. But what I enjoyed most about her story was her finding faith and what it truly means. The faith theme is woven in such a beautiful way – yes I say it early on before it was confirmed, and that actually made it more interesting to read. I kept thinking, well how is Currie going to put this all together? She did – amazingly so. It was wonderfully written, and makes me want to share this story with my non-saved loved ones and friends. It is so clearly spelled out there is no mistaking it. And yes it is not forced, or preachy. It just simply is.
Hannah Currie has been added to my must-read author list. Yes, this debut novel is that good. It’s good for any adult, young or old. This particular adult will be thinking about this book for a long time. **Ahem** Hallmark channel, *cough cough* could you maybe look at this? Okay, maybe that’s not right, because I wouldn’t want to faith theme taken out. But I could totally see this on the big screen. Can’t you!?
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
What I think you should know:
Heart of A Royal is the first book in the Daughters of Peverell series is a fiction story that would be appropriate for Young Adults, but still intriguing enough to capture adult readers. It is set in a fictional work dominated my monarchies and political alliances. It involves Mackenna Sparrow who was raised a companion to a princess and upon the princess’s engagement her companionship is no longer needed or wanted.
What I thought about this book:
In her first book Hannah Currie has created a world and characters that drew me in from the first pages. Mackenna no longer knows who she is or her place in the world when she is no longer allowed in Palace where she was raised and no longer able to have the relationships that she has had her entire life. Although most of us are not royalty many of us struggle to find our place in the world and I enjoyed seeing this in her character. Her interactions with Prince Thoroben were easy to get lost in. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next book in the series as well as more or Currie’s work.
I received a complimentary copy for this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.