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.
more
The Controversial Princess was Ace!!!
‘Ace’ – a British slang term that means something that is brilliant or excellent.
Yesss The Controversial Princess was brilliant and excellent!!!! Yes I am American-from the big ole state of Texas… and I went to Google cuz I just had to write a cute British slang for this book.lol..and ACE was the first word I found and I thought it fit perfect for this book!!!
Y’all your Kindle is going to spontaneously combust while reading!!!! Make sure you have that fire extinguisher handy!!!! lol You have been warned…OMG this book was HAWT!!!!
TCP is full of Angst and naughty sexual tension!!! Eeeppp I just loved it!!!
This book starts off with Adeline’s 30th birthday. She is one rebellious Princess. And I just loved this about her!! She should already be married to a blue-blooded member of aristocratic world but Adeline is not having any of that. She does not abide by rules!!! She loves to party and party hard and she love…LOVES her a hot American man!!! giggles This is where she meets the one and only Josh bloody Jameson. He is a very well known actor, a very handsome well known actor. Ohh and did I mention, he is American?? He happens to be at Adeline’s birthday party and holy shit this is where all the HAWT fun loving banter and the good ole chase takes place!! Adeline can’t believe she is letting this cocky American talk to her like this but boy does she secretly love it!!
The only thing is, her father-King Alfred of England is a stickler for tradition, he will never let her fall for an American commoner like Josh Jameson. Adeline will have to be very secretive in her rendezvous with this lovely American man!
I gave The Controversial Princess 5 “OMG deserved sooo many more” iScream Cones. This book was sooo Swoon-worthy and sooo fan-dam-tastic!!!
This morning when I turned on the radio – the first song I heard was “Human” from Rag’n’Bone Man – and to be honest – it shocked me how well it fitted the book I just spend an allnighter with. When I finished my last read yesterday and went to check for my next book I noticed that I had a new arrival – I was gifted with “The Controversial Princess” (Smoke & Mirrors, #1) by Jodi Ellen Malpas and I thought why not directly start … Well I can tell you it was a good and a bad idea – the bad part being that it was a Sunday and I needed to work on Monday.
If there ever was a perfect time to release this book at the moment than Ms. Malpas sure found it.
But I am getting ahead of myself. ..
I love the books by this author since I read This Man when it was released several years back so it was no question that I would at least love her writing style. But I have to admit when I read the blurb of this book I wasn’t to sure if the plot was for me. I am not even sure if there ever has been a book like this – I doubt it.
On the other hand I usually do not read books with princesses and it is really only the unique way of writing that this author is able to get me to dive into a plot like that.
Also I am trying to remember when I first heard about the book if I knew that it would be a duet – or if that came up later – not that it would have mattered – because I also trust her to be one of the few authors that I will start a series without all books being released.
Well back to the issue of the music – so this song “human” really is the essence of this book for me. Adeline is such a contradiction. She knows what is expected of her – and she follows the rules ! … mostly ! …. Sometimes ? … well lets be honest … when she is forced to. Deep down I feel she would follow many of the rules if she had some room to breath but as this is always refused her reactions to that are only logical – rebellion in any way that is possible.
So when I heard that song on the radio – it felt like Adeline. Not sure if Ms. Malpas listens to music when she is writing but I could imagine this song to be an inspiration for the character.
Then there is Josh – I am not sure I can get a clear picture of him yet. And that is my only problem with this first part of the duet and the reason why I am at 4.5 Stars just now (I always reserve the right to change my mind when a series is complete).
So about Josh – The whole story is in the beginning basically Adeline’s struggle with life. And believe me it IS a struggle because I feel deeply sorry for her. So when Josh enters the story he is like a beacon,
he shouldn’t be there – yet he is,
she shouldn’t be interested – yet she is,
he shouldn’t talk to her like that
and MOST definitely he shouldn’t touch her like that.
He is everything she can not have and maybe in the beginning that is the reason that he is all she wants.
As the story moves on Adeline gets more desperate by the minute her life is not only a cage – it becomes a prison, the walls are closing in on her and her few ways to escape are shut down one after the other – and her desperation feels very real.
Usually when I read books I am very connected to the male leads but in case of this book I felt truly connected to the Princess because even though Josh has a remarkable presence the plot doesn’t give the reader much of his intentions.
He felt like the calm right in the middle of the storm without giving away anything of himself to the reader and maybe that was on purpose because he was like a quiet source of strength – while I grew more and more desperate alongside of Adeline.
And while we are at that point – there are some very well written secondary characters in this plot – both in the good and bad way of the storyline. Believe me you are going to dislike some people very deeply. I know I did.
Oh and – yeah true to Ms. Malpas wicked sense of ?shall I call it humor? … she placed some cruel twists and turns you will not see coming – (well that’s not entirely true because if you read books from her you know what you are in for – so no mercy for us fans) … Yes you are a cruel cruel Woman Ms. Malpas and I mean that in the most loving way ever.
Because I am sitting here thinking about what I read and there really isn’t much that I can add to my review as that would add spoilers which I will under no circumstance give away.
My thoughts on book one : Just let me say. If you think you know the story – forget about it. There is nothing familiar about this plot. And I officially want to state – that “the Lord” now has a Highness at this side in the bookshelf and this women really bows to no one.
My hopes for book two : I want to see more of Josh to understand him better. And all the other things I hope for are too much of a spoiler so please just cross your fingers together with me because I know you will want the same things.
Obviously, we all have royal romances on our minds right now and the story Jodi Ellen Malpas gave us in The Controversial Princess was all that and more! The story was captivating and the characters amazing and I could not stop turning the pages!
I loved Adeline and Josh so much. They were so good together and had such great chemistry. Adeline lives a life full of rules and obligations. Some days she feels she lives in a box. Josh Jamison is an American actor who is charming and sexy and very used to getting his way. His confidence shines in every page. Adeline had no chance against him!
Adeline and Josh should not be together but cannot stay away from each other. Add to that she is a princess and he is a famous actor, so you know the stakes are high on this one. Adeline wants to find love, but her family only knows duty. Josh wants more and is determined to show her what life has to offer outside of duties and responsibilities.
The Controversial Princess was such a great read! It was full of romance, the forbidden and angst! I loved it! As expected when dealing with royalty, it had scandals, twists, secrecy and duty. I absolutely loved this story. It could be the timing, but it was so well written and captivating! I cannot wait for the next book!
Read and reviewed for Reviews From The Heart.
Happy reading!
Fucking brilliant. I think I’m pretty convinced this author could write a book to survive the end of the world and I’d get lost, following blindly. Jodi Ellen Malpas is so fucking amazing. Her words are like kryptonite… they are like am addiction I never want to shake. And while no one will ever touch my love for the Lord… every book she’s written since has been just as epic in every single way.
The Controversial Princess was a mesmerizing, beautiful, unforgettable romance that pushed my boundaries yet kept me glued to the pages I raced through this book, desperate to get to the end. The emotions were so very real on every page and I just couldn’t get enough.
I won’t spoil their journey and I can’t let you in on any secrets but just from the enticing blurb, you gotta know it’s gonna be so epic y’all. Explosive chemistry. Undeniable feelings. Intensity. Passion. A sexy edge. One story that will ruin you in the best ways possible. Run to grab it… this experience can’t be missed.
This book, it’s still lingering in my mind….a must read by everyone and one hell of a way to start a brand new series.
I highly recommend this book.
Reviewed for Renee Entress’s Blog.
Seriously, how can you go wrong with any book by Jodi Ellen Malpas? She is amazing at creating passionate and consuming romances, and this was such an exciting start to her new Smoke & Mirrors Duology! The Controversial Princess was a captivating and suspenseful royal read, and the sizzle between Princess Adeline and her sexy American Boy? Smoking hot!
I loved Adeline and Josh together! Their relationship blossomed like a dance, a slow and tantalizing tease with a steady rhythm, and then it crescendoed into such a passionate romance. Josh and Adeline’s sexy scenes were scorching, and their story was incredibly sweet, yet oh-so-angsty, really pulling on my heartstrings!
Jodi Ellen Malpas has created such an intriguing story, which was completely captivating from beginning to end! I always love storylines surrounding the royal lifestyle, and her details and descriptions were perfect in submerging me in this complex and scandalous world of pomp and circumstance. The story was told from Adeline’s point of view, which revealed everything both good and bad that went on behind the scenes amongst the royal family, and only enhanced my feelings and compassion for her even more. The suspense and plot twists were surprising and heartbreaking. The ending? Oh my gosh!
I’m sitting on pins and needles for more of this Smoke & Mirrors Duology, and His True Queen is coming August 7th!
Let me start by saying it has taken me almost three days to sort out my feelings and get myself to write this review. Why? Because the book is the most intense book of Jodi’s I have ever read!
To say the story is brilliant would be an understatement. From the first pages, it is really intense and it just gets better and better with every chapter. See, you have these two characters who, to a stranger’s eye, might see absolutely incompatible – beloved Princess of England and hot Hollywood actor. You would imagine she would be very lady-like, royal by blood and manners, obedient, graceful, right? And he, difficult and arrogant actor who thinks he is better than everyone and the world spins around him.
Well, no. Jodi shot for originality. Princess Adeline is what you could call lady, but definitely not obedient. She is sassy, with mind of her own and spirit that could rival that of wild horses the loves so much. And Josh is cocky, yes, but at the same time he is really observant, caring and loyal.
I don’t want to spoil it much, so I will only share bits and pieces of what the story contains. So these two seemingly incompatible characters meet and their worlds collide. And let me just say, Jodi didn’t beat around the bush there – which made the story all the more thrilling and captivating.
There are moments in the book that will make you laugh, then cry, then you’ll want to kill someone and curse Jodi (I had several of those but don’t worry, I still love her). There were a lot of quite dirty moments you would not expect from a princess and would not expect them at royal grounds either.
Overall, the book is absolute perfectness. It deserves its own tiara for brilliantness full of shiny glamorous diamonds, because rating this book with 5 stars could never be enough.
Happy reading time, ladies and gentlemen!
This book had perfect timing in my opinion. Being all caught up in the recent Royal Wedding it was nice to dive into Jodi’s book and get lost a little more in the “Royals”. I can’t honestly say which character I was truly more in love with, Princess Adeline or Josh Jamison.
Both of them are used to being high profile and both hating all of the unwanted attention. Josh could pretty much have any woman he wants but the one he wants is highly unattainable. Well that is until Princess Adeline decides that she too wants what she shouldn’t have.
Josh and Adeline where fun to spend time with as they started to fall for one another in more than just the physical way. Stealing moments whenever they could just added to the intensity of their passion when they were finally able to be together.
Let us not forget Damon though, Princess Adeline’s security and driver who was more like a father figure to her and protector. I could tell at times he was torn in doing what was best for her vs. what she wanted. His loyalty to her knowing no bounds in spite of his better judgment at times.
This book was amazing. A great love story with secrets and deceit laced throughout. This being a duet I knew that there would not be a happy ending but what Jodi leaves us with are questions and excitement to see what comes next. Where will the cards land now that the house of cards has tumbled? I for one, can’t wait to see.
5+ Stars
Review by Allyson
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog
Breathtakingly Epic, just in time for the Royal Wedding of 2018! I was hooked, in love and smitten with Your Highness!
When there is word that Jodi Ellen Malpas is in the works of another fabulous book, then I am at an all time high. The Controversial Princess is beyond what words can describe as a flawless Royal romance. Filled with royal drama, tiaras, scandal and sizzling pleasures all within the first couple of chapters… I couldn’t put this book down for a second. I am completely infatuated with the Princess of England and her American lust towards Hollywood’s hottest actor.
“Adeline Lockhart does not ever want more from a man. She takes what she wants, knowing he won’t be around for long. She’s the one in control. She is the one calling the shots. She’s the one men bow to.”
Princess Adeline Lockhart of England is the rebellious sibling of the monarchy. Never playing by the rules of the King, her father who sets forth for her. But on her 30th birthday, a devilishly handsome American actor catches her attention, sets her skin aflame with lust and need. Making her lose control of her inhibitions. What will happen when Josh Jameson unravels her completely and the Royal family she has known all her life, begin to impart secrets that make her question her Royal title. Can Josh stick by her side or will the Royal guard sweep him under the rug as they say?
“When I’m done with you, Your Highness, you’re going to be questioning who your true king is.”
The Smoke & Mirrors duet is off without a hitch. I can’t wait for this story to continue and to find out what will happen between the forbidden relationship of Princess Adeline and “her American boy” Josh Jameson. Just like with any Royal family, there are lies, deceit and scandal. Jodi has written this romance with such passion that it took me out of reality and threw me into a world of high class society. Adeline and Josh held perfect, dominant and addictive chemistry throughout the entire story, which leaves you begging for more.
Jodi is a superb writer, always captivating within her story telling, her detailed to characters, scenery, and massive endings to her novels. She excels in all her novels/books and this one is no different. When a book has you giddy, smitten and hungry for more at 12%… then you know you have a Winner on your hands.
LOVED. EVERY. MINUTE. This book is a Royal WINNER!
4.5 stars
I went in blind with JEM’s latest book, THE CONTROVERSIAL PRINCESS.
No, I didn’t know it was a duet, I found out when there were no more pages left and I needed MORE. I needed ANSWERS, Why? Why Why? Why did you do this to us Jodi??? I’m not good at waiting, what am I going to do with my life now?? #cliffyalert
Since we were kids and we get to know fairytales, we always wanted to have our HEA, to find our “Prince Charming” and of course, to be a PRINCESS, that’s why I didn’t understand at the beginning why Adeline was so rebel, why she had such a bad behavior? Why she was so defiant? And the answer is that she was living in a golden cage. She has lived another life, the one The King wanted, or ordered. She was told what to wear, what to study, she can’t even choose who will she marry. Her whole life is planned for her. So it makes sense that she has this need to rebel against it.
That’s the main reason of her behavior, she just fools around with men because she can’t get attached, it’s her rebel way #rebelliousmood
Until she meets Josh Jameson, her “Hot American Boy”, the only one who can control her and that she wants to give up control to. But there is no future there. Her destiny is already set.
Jodi Ellen Malpas nails it again! The storyline was alluring, addictive and unexpected (I’m still in shock at how it ended). Jodi showed us the other part of royalty, not just the glamour we all see on tv. The princess Adeline is a human too and she has her own dreams and when you can’t follow your dreams (or you can’t be who you want to be) then you are essentially a prisoner. My heart aches for her and I feel her struggle, the crave for her freedom.
I can’t wait to see where this story goes!
But…Why, why, why? Why do I have to wait? Why this happens to Adeline? Why now when she had a chance to be free? So MANY questions to be answered, but now we have to wait!
What can I say that thousands haven’t already… JEM delivers another classic tale of secrets and lies that keep you hooked throughout. Damn! If Josh Jameson was just sex personified! In my head I was reading this book with a true ‘plum in mouth’ English accent… With phrases such as frightfully and Tally Ho. This book had me laughing out loud at Adeline’s fiery and witty put downs; such a strong determined character that we know is this authors trademark together with a guy you want to rip from the pages and make your own.
This book is a parody of what many of us think truly happens behind those big closed doors of Royalty. I was skeptical at first thinking that this would be all tiara’s and tantrums but it didn’t take long to work out Adeline was going to be nothing like that. I loved all the characters even the ones that are gearing towards being the villains of the peace. Every story needs some characters to fixate hate on that you can cheer when they get their comeuppance.
Told in first POV the book takes a steady pace and will have you anxiously turning the pages long into the early hours of the morning.
A breathtaking and brilliantly mesmerising Royal Romance that’ll grip and enthral you…
Oh boy, where do I begin? I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t what I got with The Controversial Princess. This story is just everything and more a Royal/ Hollywood romance should be. Like, a hell of a lot more. I was taken with this book from beginning to end, I couldn’t put it down. I started it off thinking I would read the first few chapters over coffee and I spent the whole day sat in an uncomfortable as frack café chair completely and utter enthralled by it. I could not move. I could not even fathom taking a break. I ordered way more coffee than I could drink just so they didn’t kick me out. And yes, I know it’s sad…but quite frankly who gives a dog’s testicles when you have a story that is this good? I, for one, do not.
Okay so, I did not realise that this book was a duet…duology…you say tomaytoe and I say tomahtoe. Had I known I would have prepared myself for the freaking crazy and completely infuriatingly brilliant cliffhanger. This has got to be one of the worst cliffhangers I have had to survive‚ in a totally good way. In fact, I’m not surviving it all! I am in book hell and have been since I finished it. I even tried reading other books after it, but I keep finding myself thinking and obsessing over Adeline and Josh. I cannot get either of them out of my head. Their story so far is so freaking magical. It’s not even because it’s all cray-cray and unicorny and mermaidy and…it just has this pull and draw to it that is inexplicable. Yes, part of it is due to the uniqueness of the story itself. I know that there are a lot of other royal romances out there, but there is just something so zingy and fresh and exciting about this one. Maybe it’s because it’s Anglo-American and with the whole Harry and Meghan thing it’s current and relatable. But actually, I think it’s the chemistry. This story sizzles and not just sexually. It has all these sophisticated layers surrounding the characters that allow you to see the real people as well as the public personas. If that makes sense?
I fell head over heels with both Addie and Josh from the get go. Their chemistry is palpable and stifling. It’s something that really overcomes you. I’m going to say something that is probably going to get me in trouble, but I have to be honest about it—there were points where Josh made me a little uncomfortable. At first I didn’t quite understand his proclivities and they came across a little much at first. I didn’t get whether he was into the whole sadist thing or whether he was into Domestic Discipline…that may well just be me though. AAAAAAAND…it didn’t make me want to stop or make me so uncomfortable that it put a downer on the story, it just made me question and think about his urges. It actually made me curious about him and his backstory. I have to say that at no point I felt like his actions were unwelcome, that he was taking advantage or that it was nonconsensual. Let’s just leave that there so that there is no confusion or that things get taken out of context and stretched to new meanings.
For me the characters were fantastic. I loved that even though Josh likes control, he is willing to give it up at times. There were certain parts of this story where the heroine actually took over the norm hero’s role and I have to say that that alone made me so freaking happy. I loved that Addie isn’t a push-over. I loved that she has her own mind and strong will. But I also love that she is soft and tender enough to let Josh take the reigns. And vice versa. I also love their banter. They have a very unique dynamic, a dynamic that, again, is very different to the norm we’ve come to expect from other royal romances and romance in general. Jodi has really done something phenomenal with these two. Something that you can’t put into words. It’s just this grit and draw that makes you feel. Crap, I’m not even making sense anymore. I just found them interesting and alluring. They are such versatile and multi-dimensional characters. They are outstanding. This is a duo made in reader heaven.
The plot itself like I mentioned above is different to your average royal romance. It has a very suspenseful undertow that keeps you chasing the answers to everything that’s happening around the hero and heroine. If you are a fan of the TV show The Royals, you will LOVE this story. In fact, there were A LOT of plot and character similarities. Although, I have to admit, that as much as I loved that show it hasn’t got anything on this book. I mean, Jodi is just incredible when it comes to her plot development. She manages to make you think and question without ever feeling like you’re lost or confused. Also, the writing itself is so freaking flawless. So gorgeous. I think if she just wrote a book of rambles that I would be just as enthralled by it as I am by all her brilliant stories.
I honestly cannot fault this book. It had the right balance of romance, erotica, taboo, suspense and elegance. The Controversial Princess was nothing short of astounding. It mesmerised me and it made me doo-lah-ly. I cannot wait for His True Queen, and I feel like every second that I wait for it my blood pressure goes up a little more. This is one of those stories that you will live and breathe with every word on every page, from beginning to end and beyond. This is the mother of Royal AND Hollywood romances. It is freaking EPIC. End of.
Wow!
I have NEVER been interested in all the things royal and the monarchy, but I can tell you I’m definitely looking at them with a little more interest now.
Jodi Ellen Malpas has weaved an amazing tale of a royal family that captivates you from page one and won’t let up until it’s stunning end. Beware though: this is only part one of the story. The anticipated conclusion will be here in August.
Josh Jameson is everything! He may not be actual royalty but this actor is definitely Hollywood royalty. He’s sexy, dominating, arrogant, and the hint of Southern drawl in his American accent is irresistible. He’s often inappropriate, sometimes crude, and always dirty…and this is just the way we like him.
Adeline has met her match. I absolutely loved her. She may be a princess but being royalty isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and she rebels against it at every turn. But Josh doesn’t see her an anything but the woman he can’t get enough of.
This book was fantastic! Twists and turns, secrets and lies, passion and lust – all blend into an amazing story you can’t put down. And I’ll be waiting on pins and needles to find out what happens next. I can’t get enough of Josh and Adeline.
Five fantastic stars!
I received a free copy of this book from the author.
I originally marked this as a 3 star but moved it up to a 4 after I dreamed about the book a couple of times. Obviously my brain was trying to figure out what happens next! The Controversial Princess is the first in a duology. Initially the book wasn’t striking me which bothered me because I LOVE JEM books. I was just hoping this Princess would get her mess together.
As the book moves along Adeline, the Princess, figures out that Josh Jameson – famous Hollywood Actor – does something for her no other man can do. He commands her. Not even her father, the King, can do such. It’s confusing to her because she’s never realized she was submissive in the bedroom.
During their story Adeline takes a few risks. Ones that can get her into huge trouble. Not to mention she’s fighting against her father’s insistence she marry another man. Which is infuriating enough as it is!
Oh gosh and then we get to the end – and, and, and … well. All heck breaks loose. So if you start this book and you’re struggling with the beginning – keep reading because I found that the last 40% of the book just flew by and I wasn’t ready for it to end!
Now to wait for book 2…
O. M. G!!!! First of all I’m highly upset for not reading any of this author books before. I’m now a new fan. Second, this book missed including a warning at the beginning.
This book started smoking hot!!! Adeline and Josh are like Harry and Meghan. Adeline is a British princess and Josh an American actor. They meet at her birthday party where it was clear that the sexual chemistry between these two was sizzling from the minute he laid eyes on her. She was not one to follow rules or to be controlled by any man. Josh saw this as a challenge and so did she. They played this game until feelings were involved and could no longer be denied. These two were !!!!!
Of course her father the King disapproved of her “fun” ways and she took matters into her own hands and followed the man she loves. Josh was also very much in love with her. When things were going to progress between them a huge shocker. When Adeline received that news she found out somethings that left me completely speechless and gasping and swearing. I couldn’t believe what was happening and neither could Josh, lol. My heart broke for Adeline, Josh and her brother Eddie.
Talk about a serious plot twister and omg is it August yet?!?! I need this conclusion like now.
4.5 Stars
This isn’t a fairytale in the usual sense. In fact it painted the British Monarchy as a very controlling and lonely existence if I’m being honest.
Set in an alternative England, where instead of the current monarchy we know so well, we have King Alfred as the reigning monarch. His 3 children one of whom is Princess Adeline.
Adeline has reached her 30th birthday and still refuses to marry anyone for anything other than love. She is most definitely the black sheep of the royal family and has been at the very centre of many a scandal. She refuses to settle with any so called man outside the monarchy, that is until she meets Oscar winning actor, Josh Jameson.
Josh definitely takes the bull by the horns as far as Adeline is concerned. Josh was an extremly alpha male, but then again Adeline completely stole the show for me, so a weaker man would have paled in comparison.
I really really felt so much for Adeline. She was too much of a free spirit to be confined to the restrictions she was put under, yet I would imagine that to some extent that is exactly what being a senior member of the royal family is like.
Besides my obvious love for the two lead characters, I must say I have a huge soft spot for Damon, Adelines driver and head of security. He was really her lifeline throughout.
I really loved this book, which is part one of a duet. It was so different to anything else Jodi has written and you couldn’t have asked for a more appropriate book what with the recent royal wedding. But I really don’t know how I’m going to wait for book 2.
Another great book from JEM. Now, to be honest, the first quarter of the book was really slow going for me. But once things started happening, I couldn’t put this book down!!!
Princess Adeline is life. She’s amazing. And JEM wrote her in a fashion where I found myself envying her while simultaneously feeling bad for her, and she was totally relatable, even to a mere peasant such as myself. LOL!!! She’s brave, despite her feeling she is not. She’s fun and flirty and feels that her life should be just that, her life.
Josh was something else. I wasn’t sure how I felt about him at the beginning, but, oh my, he certainly worked his way into my heart. He’s a man who goes after what he wants, consequences be damned. He’s sexy and swoony and I just love him.
Their relationship progressed rather quickly, but it still felt very real. The ups and downs that they had to deal with, what with both of them being famous.
I loved most of the secondary characters, especially Damon, and I loathed some of the characters as well. LOL!!!
I also went into this blind, not realizing this was a duet, so that ending totally threw me for a loop. Whoa!!!
I’d definitely recommend this book. It was so well written, with great characters and a unique, refreshing plotline. Once I finally got into the story, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’d definitely recommend it!
Wow, just wow !
The Controversial Princess by Jodi Ellen Malpas is the first book in the Smoke and Mirrors Duet. This book was highly anticipated by me and I couldn´t wait to get my hands on it.
There are only a couple of authors I can rely on to write stories that speak to me every single time. And Jodi Ellen Malpas is one of them. I still remember reading the This Man Series and how I was blown away. I was sucked in and instantly a fan of the author’s writing. That was the beginning, I haven’t regretted it once. The Forbidden is one of my absolute all time favorite reads and near to my heart.
With The Controversial Princess J.M. Malpas wrote a story that spoke to me in more ways than I can count.
Meet Adeline Lockhart. She´s a 30 year old princess, groomed to represent kingdom and country. Deep inside she´s a free spirit, but heritage and fate keep her trapped in a golden cage, restricted by rules.
The Controversial Princess is a story full of twists and unexpected turns. I was captivated from chapter one. I started reading and I couldn´t put the book down. And now I´m sitting here with a major book hangover and don´t know what to do. I was so deep in with the characters and I connected so easily with them.
I´m a sucker for royal stories and The Controversial Princess fits right in. When that works for you too – you better one click this book. The Controversial Princess was fantastic from beginning to end, a romantic, enchanting and at the same time raw and gritty story. A story that needs to be read. I highly recommend The Controversial Princess and can´t wait for the second book, His True Queen.
Battle of Wills between Claringdon Palace and Kellington Palace
A scintillating journey that scales the high & mighty walls of the castles and palaces, diving in deep to peep into the lives of Kings & Queens, Heirs & Heiresses. Their shams of marriages, forced alliances & Crown allegiances, with statutory Ostrich-ian, burying head in the sand and not reading the writing on the thick stone walls!!! If only these walls could talk, Oh the stories we would have
“No one can challenge the Monarchy when it comes to their public image . The smokescreen is too thick to penetrate.”
My old man is a stickler for tradition, values, and rules. Antiquated rules, and frankly, unreasonable rules. The modern age apparently bypasses kings and queens.
Even as the modernities are creeping forward and trying to push the boundaries of crusty outdated traditions, egos clash, heated words are exchanged, heads roll. The atmosphere becomes stuffy. Which leads me to believe that the fairytales we grew up on, where the Princess gets her HEA with her Prince, maybe the biggest sham of a Love Story ever to be propagated. What happens when the Princess doesn’t like the Prince? Does she get to choose differently ? What if the Dragon was protecting her from the Prince? The entire Royalty is hiding behind the Smoke & Mirrors of projected Unity, merely to strengthen the Crown. What a crock, since we’ve forever associated Prince & Princesses with true love !
Our family’s first marriage is to the throne, not our spouse, and rarely our heart. Happiness is only an illusion.
While behind this dark veil hides common problems. Homosexuality, Blue Blood Snobbery, Class divide, Debauchery, Deceptions, Manipulations and Arm Twisting . All this is a BIG FRAUD, to keep the fairytale alive.
“They are a bunch of frauds. The whole bloody family is an institution of frauds.”
Just to reach out within the family you have to go through the stiff as board protocol !!
It’s utterly ridiculous for my mother’s private secretary to call my private secretary. Why can’t my mother simply call me?
Jodi has managed to outshine even her previous books in the sense that though the base of the story is still True Love, it’s forbidden and Tabboo, which has been written with such honesty and finality, it just shows her growth as a writer. She’s breaking boundaries and her bravery is gaining strength. She is NOT a one series wonder which is rampant in Erotica. She’s picking up new themes and topics and redefining Forbidden trope with her mighty pen. The BEST thing I loved was, the realistic mood she created. It’s claustrophobic! I could feel the thick air choking me, wanted to shake the living dead Royalty by the shoulders, to open their eyes. But some things are set in stone and the frustration Jodi manages to generate in the readers is a testament to how true and alive her writing is.
She creates a Royal family “His Royal Highness King Alfred of England.”
Prince John Lockhart, is the saint of the King’s three offspring.
The Brown noser, The Heir Apparent, and the perfect prince.
Then is Prince Edward Lockhart. A party animal and soldier in the Royal Army
Then there’s the Rogue Princess Adeline Catharine Luisa Lockhart. Rumour has it that she’s the UNRULIEST ROYAL that’s ever lived. Beautiful, sexy, flirtatious and fun loving woman who’s feeling stifled in the stuffy Royal family. She finds her sneaky ways to have fun though. Damon keeps guard over her and Felix fixes and cleans up her messes, which are many.
Her life mate already chosen, she’s been assigned her usual Princess-ish tasks of attending Charity Functions, answer correspondence, keep up appearances, till she marries the suitably provided Blue Blooded Match and goes to produce offsprings. All this while killing her heart, her dreams her passions. I say I’d never trade places with a Princess if this is their everyday existence !!!
A scene so touched me early on in the story. Adeline does a walkabout to meet the supporters lined up to meet her and she is talking to a young girl of 6 . They have a barricade separating them. The picture Jodi draws, as to who is behind the bars and who’s free brought tears to my eyes. Freedom is just an illusion and the most expensive commodity in the Royal Houses !!
So, Adeline meets Josh Jameson, ruggedly handsome & dangerously sexy Hollywood actor & Oscar winner, and it’s instant sparks! She goes about her with her usual agenda of strictly fun, no strings attached, but his touch stirs awake dormant emotions in her. He somehow crashes through her uppity attitude and starchy demeanour and touches her heart !
“He makes me feel good about me. He knows me without even really knowing me. He sees me. Not the painted princess. He sees me. The woman. The desire. The need to have a man tell me that this is how it’s going to be ”
Omg!! What has Jodi gone and done……..or made Adeline and Josh done!! Their coupling is doomed from the first kiss. Their “relationship” already has a deadline before it has even taken faulty steps. The clouds of despondency and disconsolateness are threatening to cloak them and I was so resentful of the whole situation.
They weren’t supposed to meet, kiss, fall in love. YET THEY DO !!
The sexual chemistry is off the Royal charts! Though their clandestine rendezvous, mere moments stolen to be together, require elaborate planning, But those stolen moments are steamy and flaming hot.
“He skates his palms onto my cheeks and helps me forward until my entrance is lined perfectly with his mouth. “Your throne awaits, Your Highness.”
I could be the Princess just to sit on #JoshThrone ! Holy Smokes !! Or as the British would say Goodness gracious Me ! and he’s a kinky bugger too….. I need a fan, a pink hanky and a crown !!
I’m so bummed, what’s gonna happen to them, how can they fight against the Monarchy, the press, the political storm, cause it’s going to be an International Incident of the Titanic proportions!!!!
AND. THE. END…….the MoFo End!! The hopelessness, the dejection, the setback was too much for me. I felt like I climbed the Everest and found out it wasn’t! There’s a whole mountain range to climb MORE to get to the Everest!!
I close my eyes and work hard on bringing myself back down to earth after my short time floating on clouds. You’re a princess first, Adeline. A woman second. Heart be damned.
I need the second book now Jodi, please, please, please find a way for them to be together !! I beg you…i can’t take their heartache and anguish . I’m shaking my head No..No…No..No.
What a breathtaking build up of words and emotions, culminating in a climax so outrageous and melodramatic, it left me aghast. So build a tunnel, or cannon the walls, whatever it takes to get them together Jodi cause my heart is gasping it’s last breaths in the Garden Maze !!
Five defiant stars! Adeline and Josh’s affair will defy the English monarchy in the best and worst ways possible!
For God’s sake! Hold your horses ladies because Jodi Ellen Malpas has done it again! She penned a marvellous book with slight touches of suspense and set it in the Royalty World! The Controversial Princess is bloody perfection. It gives me the goosebumps. I devoured this book like a famished bookworm. I couldn’t put it down. I had a blast. It literally rocked my world. I still have a dreamy air around me wondering if I could be a princess and have my own southern temptation just like Princess Adeline.
This book defies any Royal Romance book that was written before. Jodi’s elegant writing enticed me like no other writer has before. Without any doubt she is the queen of contemporary romance! She delivered an intense, stunning, mind-blowing story with royalty touches that sent me directly to cloud number nine in heaven. I wonder what on heart possessed her to create such a tempting and defiant story. Jodi’s mind is like a web of pure talent and it’s ready to catch you!
The plot is refreshing and the pacing is fast. Each chapter is a great delightful! I can’t imagine a greater enjoyment than reading Jodi’s books, especially this one. The Controversial Princess is a rebellious masterpiece packed with all the feels of what is not expected to be as a challenging, provocative, exciting and very tempting.
Princess Adeline is the strongest, fierce and “most real” royal. She is a feisty, sassy clever heroine worthy of my respect because, honestly, aren’t you bored of the typical perfect princess? She is all the opposite of what is expected from her. You can think that being a princess is all glamour and fancy clothes but there are many duties and protocols to follow. Adeline is defiant of what they the “good” customs. She feels like a bird locked in a golden cage. Her soul craves freedom and her heart craves real love. Her world turned upside down the day she met her equal, her American Boy. He will make her brake all the rules. She will only submit to him. Giving all the control never felt so forbidden!
Josh Jameson is hot as the southern sun. He is temptation and trouble (a dangerous combination). The man is sin on legs. He is illicitly gorgeous. He is almost too much to resist. His possessive and arrogant attitude makes him impossibly attractive. He is a dominant, an untamed alpha male. To be a sex symbol and a hot actor give him brownie points! He likes the challenges and certain princess will rock his life. The woman he wants is forbidden for him and every commoner. She is like a star that shines far away in the sky, untouchable and beautiful. She is a temptress to his control.
Adeline and Josh’s affair will defy the English monarchy in the best and worst ways possible. They shouldn’t be together. They should stay away but the chemistry and the forbidden feelings are stronger than following the rules. Their story is developing in between lies, secrets and smoke mirrors. The power and ambition of third parties attempt to separate them. Sacrifices must be done. Fights should be won. But will they be strong enough to fight the monarchy?
The main success of this book is in the choice of characters and the suggestive plot of something forbidden and scandalous. Everything screams greatness and magnificence: from the classy cover (as usual in Jodi’s books) to the big cliff-hanger ending! I can’t wait to read the conclusion of this duet! I am sure it would be epic. Jodi never disappoints her readers.
This book reaffirms why Jodi Ellen Malpas is in my top list of favourite authors. I absolutely love every word of this book. I swear no one writes romance like she does. It’s unique and magical the way she manages to create such powerful and possessive alpha male characters and empowered female heroines. I highly recommend you this book. This is a must read you should not miss!
Oh that rush I can’t stop after reading The Controversial Princess. Princess Adeline had me laughing and rooting her on with her own antics. Yes she is a Royal, but after she is done with her duties, she transforms into the real woman hiding behind the crown. When she meets our Hollywood Hottie, Josh, I could have sworn I was going to hate the arrogant ….well you get the picture. He was cocky and so self assured. Then he will wear you down and get beneath your skin.
The fairy tale romance… ha ha who am I kidding, there is nothing fairy tale about these two. It is hot and steamy! It will make you get flustered and have your toes curling. Once you think that you have their story figured out, you get thrown into some surprises.
The ending had me anticipating that maybe Josh and Adeline can live free. When the unexpected happens you are left with a huge cliff hanger and your jaw dropped to the floor. So many secrets!!! I can not wait until the next book and find out the conclusion of this duet!