Princes have pomp and glory–not crushes on commoners Nothing gets the tongues of London’s high society wagging like a good scandal. And when the personal secretary of the visiting Prince Sebastian of Alucia is found murdered, it’s all anyone can talk about, including Eliza Tricklebank. Her unapologetic gossip gazette has benefited from an anonymous tip about the crime, prompting Sebastian to … Sebastian to take an interest in playing detective–and an even greater interest in Eliza.
With a trade deal on the line and mounting pressure to secure a noble bride, there’s nothing more salacious than a prince dallying with a commoner. Sebastian finds Eliza’s contrary manner as frustrating as it is seductive, but they’ll have to work together if they’re going to catch the culprit. And when things heat up behind closed doors, it’s the prince who’ll have to decide what comes first–his country or his heart.
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London 1845
“When one lived as simply as Eliza Tricklebank, one did not expect to gain an invitation to a ball, much less meet a prince.” Well she did meet Prince Sebastian who was visiting from another country. It did involve copious amounts of rum punch and jumping ahead of the line, but yes she met the Prince!
Thus the adventure begins! A twenty eight year old spinster who helps her sister with a gossip column and a visiting Prince, looking for an English wife, spirals into a tale of murder and mayhem!
When Sebastian’s secretary is found dead and he sees information metioned in a gossip column, he goes to find answers.
A delightful tale that will keep you reading to find out what happens and if these two can truly find their road to happiness! I read this through Edelweiss.
The Princess Plan by Julia London is the First book in A Royal Wedding Series. This is the story of Prince Sebastian of Alucia and Eliza Tricklebank. Sebastian is intrigued when Eliza and her family may know what happened to his personal secretary ends up dead. Eliza is all about solving the mystery of what happen to the assistant. This brings her closer to Sebastian when they start working together toward solving the mystery.
This was a good mystery romance book Although I did find Sebastian to not be to perfect in my perfect leading man selection. But overall I enjoyed this book.
Eliza and Sebastian’s story is an unusual, emotional and moving tale in The Princess Plan by Julia London, book one in A Royal Wedding. Prince Sebastian of Alucia is visiting London and being single has all of high society interested in finding him the perfect match. When his closest friend and personal secretary is found murdered it’s the only thing everyone can talk about, including spinster Eliza Tricklebank. Eliza assists her widowed sister publishing a gossip gazette. When an anonymous tip about the crime is sent to Eliza and published in her gazette, Sebastian decides to play detective with Eliza’s help. In the meantime, Sebastian has a trade deal on the line and mounting pressure to find a secure noble bride, yet he would rather spend time with a commoner, Eliza finding the killer. Eliza is not one to bend to the demands of others. I loved that about her as did Sebastian. He was so used to everyone bowing to him and not questioning him that spending time with Eliza and her obstinate manner was not just frustrating but also attractive. As things between Sebastian and Eliza heat up, behind closed doors, he must decide what to do; meet the demands of his country or his heart.
Ms. London wrote a wonderful, emotional story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with sexual chemistry, amusing banter, and endearing characters giving Eliza and Sebastian’s a chance at love, happiness, and a future together. I love how Sebastian schemed to make it possible for Eliza to marry him. I highly recommend The Princess Plan to other readers and look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
All Miss Eliza Tricklebank ever wanted to do was meet a prince. She got her wish.
Eliza is a beautiful spinster who lives with her father who is blind and also a judge in the queen’s service. She leads a very full life taking care of her father, two dogs, a snooty cat, and working on the Honeycutt Gazette for Women which is published by her widowed sister Hollis Honeycutt. Life is rather mundane for Eliza until her best friend, Lady Caroline Hawkes invites her and Hollis to a masquerade ball at Kensington Palace which is being given in honor of the Crown Prince of Alucia, Sebastion Chartier. Sebastian has come to England to hammer out a trade agreement between Alucia and England hoping to stave off hardship for Alucia in the event of war with neighboring Wesloria. He has also been instructed to choose an advantageous marital match in England before he returns home.
Sebastian is very unhappy with his lot in life. He wishes to live a quiet life and more than anything else, to be able to choose his wife rather than being forced into an arranged marriage which he views as a sort of business arrangement.
So, while at the masquerade, Eliza and Sebastian meet quite by accident. Eliza is enthralled, the prince not so much. Sebastian’s goal is to exit the ball as quickly as possible so he can meet up with a willing matron for a clandestine tryst. Unfortunately on the way out of the ball Sebastian is approached by his secretary Matous who requests just a moment of Sebastian’s time however, Sebastian is having none of it and tells Matous he will meet him in his chambers in a few hours. Sebastian ends up spending the night with his paramour and Matous ends up being murdered in his sleep. When Sebastian returns to his rooms at the palace he summons Matous only to learn that his secretary has been murdered. Sebastian is wracked with guilt. He is determined to find Matous’ killer and sets out on a quest to investigate. Imagine his surprise when some information about the murder is leaked and shows up in the Honeycutt Gazette. Sebastian is livid and determined to find the man who printed the article and find out how he obtained his information. Sebastian’s quest leads him to Eliza’s home where things go awry quickly and Eliza ends up throwing Sebastian and his contingent out the door on their ears. Sebastian must go crawling back to Eliza and apologize, something he’s rarely, if ever, done in his life and so he mucks it up. Eventually Eliza and Sebastian work together to solve the mystery of Matous’ murder and along the way find their friendship has turned to something more. And we get our HEA.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review of this book.
The Princess Plan, by Julia London, is available at booksellers on 11-19-19. As the start of a new series it sets the tone for others to come. I will expect witty, adventurous, and romantic, just as with book one. I’m so use to reading about a duke or earl that a prince was unusual and fresh. That said, I hope the next book is about a certain intriguing brother who is not a duke. Actually there are two intriguing brothers so give me either one. Historical romance fans, suspend your belief in our accepted view of the ton. Our couple, and those around them, are very modern in their thinking and actions. Made it fun for me to read.
Miss Eliza Tricklebank is a 28 year old spinster who lives with her blind father. Not an unusual plot theme but she’s very bold, opiniated, accepting of her lot in life. She also isn’t nagged constantly about marrying to save herself when dad dies. No one is threatening to ship her off to take care of a distant aunt. I liked this about the story but it’s also unbelievable. That she meets a prince is unbelievable but she surely does. It’s not a bad life but, she’s stopped thinking about what might have been. Until a certain prince sparks a burning desire. Ms London has made her brave & bold enough to reach for the brass ring.
Crown Prince Sebastian of Alucia is also resigned to his fate. I automatically like a hero named Sebastian, it’s my favorite name. Being next in line for the thrown is not what you’d expect. He’s drawn to Eliza, she doesn’t give a hoot that he’s a prince. Way out of his experience, everyone else bows & scrapes. He’s entitled, rude, lonely, and bored out of his mind. He changes direction about halfway through the book and things really start to move toward a HEA. His solution is a bit wrong but hey, we’ve suspended our belief. An English daughter of a baron is not a “lady”, it’s The Honorable” We serious fans tend to be judgmental about such things, but please let it go. The story works, they get a HEA, everyone is happy. Including me. Happy reading
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#ThePrincessPlan #ARoyalWedding #JuliaLondon #Netgalley #Harlequin #Historicalromance
THE PRINCESS PLAN (A Royal Wedding #1) by Julia London is the first book in a new historical romance series. A Cinderella styled romance with a mystery subplot.
Prince Sebastian of Alucia is in London to officially close a trade deal with England as well as secure a noble bride. The morning after a masked ball, the personal secretary and most trusted friend of the Prince is found murdered in his bed.
Every tongue in London is wagging, but no one seems to know who is responsible. Prince Sebastian is told that a ladies’ gossip and fashion gazette has printed a rumor implicating a member of his entourage. He and his brother seek out the author.
Eliza Tricklebank is a spinster firmly on the shelf after a scandal in her youth. She lives with and assists her blind father who is a judge on the Queen’s bench. With her widowed sister, Hollis and their best friend, Carolyn, the three produce the gazette the princes seek.
Prince Sebastian does not know what to make of this commoner who has no regard to his status, but he is also intrigued. Sebastian finds Eliza frustrating, but also helpful in his quest. As they work together to uncover a killer, their attraction grows. As everything comes to a head, Sebastian will have to choose between his country or his heart.
I enjoyed Sebastian and Eliza and their banter. I also enjoyed Eliza with her sister and friend as the three always supported each other. I did feel that this story had some problems with being in the historical genre and would have been better suited in a more modern setting. No matter how enlightened, I had to suspend historical belief on the way Eliza dealt with the Prince, also at a ball when Eliza ran into the man who caused her young scandal because he was with his pregnant wife, which in no way would happen; women stayed at home when pregnant.
This is a fun, fluffy and fast read, but not my favorite by this author.
There comes a time in every woman’s life when she stops giving a stuff what anyone thinks about her, and for Eliza Tricklebank, that time has come. At 28 years old in the Victorian era, without high connections or a large dowry, she’s firmly into spinster territory and she’s decided she’s going to savour the freedom brought by not caring. So when she has a few glasses (too many) of rum punch at a ball and gets the chance to meet a foreign prince, she seizes the day. She never expects to see him again, but strange circumstances conspire – Eliza’s gossip magazine unwittingly comes into a very important piece of information and Sebastian seeks her out.
There’s an utterly fabulous scene where Sebastian finds himself a fish out of water in Eliza’s very ordinary home and he manages to offend her by being officious and, well, royal, and she throws him out on his ear. It’s just perfection and I was giggling so hard by the end of it; it’s no surprise Sebastian can’t stop thinking about Eliza as being absolutely unlike anyone else he’s ever met.
Of course, being a prince, he’s under all sorts of obligations and expectations, not least of which is to make an advantageous marriage to a titled, wealthy, connected Englishwoman. Eliza qualifies on no counts at all, yet the heart wants what it wants. I won’t spoil the ending (though you can probably guess, this being a romance and me not having lost my temper) save to say it’s not completely beyond the bounds of belief, even if it is rather far-fetched.
Eliza is a breath of fresh air, as a heroine; her decisions to tell the truth and stuff the consequences are courageous, and considering where it leads her, inspiring. I really enjoyed this read and look forward to the rest of the series – hopefully Sebastian’s brother Leopold is next to get his own story! Five stars!
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley.
I had a hard time with this one. Which is odd because usually I really love this author’s books. But this one-I just couldn’t get into. The story itself wasn’t bad, the writing itself was, per usual, great. I just struggled with connecting with the characters. Eliza was just ok for me unfortunately. I felt like she was almost trying too hard at times. And I just didn’t really care for her. Sebastian was a little more likable for me but I still felt like there was a disconnect and I am not 100% sure why. Like I said, the story itself wasn’t bad but there almost felt like there was 2 stories going at once rather one story with a more complex plot. All in all-I will probably still read the next book in this series and hope it is better than this one. And I may even go back and read this one again at a later date and see if it hits me better than it did this time.
Julia London continues to create characters that are quirky and humorous and stories that are fun and entertaining. Eliza is an interesting and unconventional character. After an unfortunate scandal, she was content in her life. When she gets the chance to attend a ball and potentially meet a visiting prince, she jumps on the chance to get out and have a little fun. A chance meeting and an enjoyable evening, and she figures she is set for life. When her sister’s Gazette brings them, and especially Eliza, to the Prince’s attention, an unlikely duo is formed. Sebastian doesn’t know what to make if Eliza. He’s never had anyone treat him less like a prince, and it feels different. As they spend more time together, he finds himself happier when he is with Eliza, but how cans he fulfill his duty to marry someone advantageous.
A fun romp with interesting characters, this kept me engaged and turning pages. This is the first in the Royal Weddings series, and I can’t wait to see who is next.
#ThePrincessPlan #RoyalWeddings #JuliaLondon
I enjoyed this historical romance very much. I particularly liked the things that were uncommon about it: Eliza isn’t all caught up with protecting her reptuation, her family does not necessarily want the prince around Eliza (but not because he has a poor reputation, an overdone trope IMO), and the prince has to recognize Eliza’s worth early in the novel. These things mean that Sebastian and Eliza can have honest conversations with one another, almost from their first meeting. Eliza gets to put her full wit on display, and she is something to behold. She has a good deal in common with Elizabeth Bennet, I think. Sebsatian is an excellent match for her, and they fairly jump off the page. Add the murder mystery, and this book is very hard to put down. I am looking forward to more of this series.
A Royal Wedding Book One.
Eliza Tricklebank, the daughter of Judge Tricklebank, has caught the attention of Prince Sebastian of Alucia due to her father’s supposed ownership of the gazette that posted information about the death of Sebastian’s friend, Matous. Eliza’s sister’s paper, under the name of Judge Tricklebank, published the idea that Matous’s death was perpetrated by one of Sebastian’s own people, instead of an Englishman. Sebastian is determined to find the murderer by any means necessary, and Eliza is determined to prove that she is as capable as a man. Together, they set out to uncover the plot behind the murder, but they grow close, even though Sebastian is a prince and Eliza is not a noble. When Sebastian must finally choose a bride, Eliza is sure it will not be her, but maybe the prince will follow his heart.
If you’re looking for a Cinderella story without the glass slippers, and a mystery surrounding a different subject, this is the book for you!
*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Crown Prince Sebastian of Alucia has arrived in London to much fanfare. He’s come to negotiate a trade agreement and to find an English bride to marry for her political connections. I was fascinated. It gave me a different view of royal responsibility. He may be a dashing Prince but he has no opportunity to find a love match. Eliza Tricklebank is the spinster daughter of a Judge. She is invisible to some and notorious to others. I found people aren’t treated fairly. She was seduced by a man who promised marriage but left her for another with a larger dowry. He received no censor for his behavior. However, Eliza did. So unfair! When the Prince and Eliza meet at a ball, sparks fly. Their relationship was interesting. Watch them grow from adversaries to lovers was romantic. Eliza is a strong, intelligent woman who speaks her mind. The Prince isn’t use to such forthright talk. I laughed at his shock. Their romance was complicated. Sebastian approaches Eliza when a close friend is murdered. Who killed Matous?Sebastian is determined to find answers. I liked that he trusted Eliza. They make such a powerful couple. Even though they love each other marriage isn’t a possibility. I so wanted them together. I cheered at the ending. Julia London had me reading late into the night. I couldn’t stop until I know the final outcome. The Princess Plan is romantic, witty and very emotional. This is such a great story!
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.
Prince Sebastian of Alucia is visiting England in search of a bride and to broker new trade agreements. When his personal secretary is murdered he tries to solve the murder with the help of Eliza Tricklebank. He doesn’t know quite what to think of her, she’s outspoken, doesn’t seem to respect his title or position…she even throws him out of her house. Eliza is a wound young woman who was ruined and then ostracized by society and doesn’t care what the “Prince” thinks until she gets to know him better. The two work closely on the murder and romance soon follows, Eliza knows her friendship with him will go nowhere the Prince must marry a lady who brings advantages with her dowry to help his country, he doesn’t have the luxury of marring for love. I loved this excellent story I loved and I voluntarily wrote a review.
An interesting plot.
It must be difficult for authors to find a different slant to a historical romance but Julia London has taken the well used trope of aristocrat (in this case a Prince) and commoner and given it a twist of murder and treason. Thoroughly enjoyable.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I am tired but happy…because I stayed up all night to finish this marvelous book! I just couldn’t put it down and it was 3:16am when I read the last page, much to my surprise! Eliza is my perfect heroine…honest, kind and bold. Her first couple meetings with Sebastian had me laughing out loud. Their story is bittersweet with a mystery thrown in. I loved it! I’m hoping the secondary characters get their own story in the future also.
The Princess Plan is the first book in Julia London’s latest series, A Royal Wedding. I adore Ms. London’s previous series, especially Rogues of Regent Street, and I was thrilled to get my paws on an ARC of this book. It’s a wonderfully sweet, funny and tearjerker start to what I hope is a long series.
The unfortunately named Eliza Tricklebank (Eliza is lovely, but Tricklebank?!) is a writer for a gazette, together with her sister Hollis and her best friend Caroline. They are excited to be able to attend a ball being held in honor of Prince Sebastian of Alucia; surely they would get exciting stories for their gazette. Eliza, REALLY liking the rum punch, needs a moment to herself and hides in the servant’s stairway. A handsome man appears there, and they flirt and he seems to be intent on seducing her. She later finds out this man was the Prince. During that night after the ball Sebastian’s friend and personal secretary is murdered in his sleep. After Eliza’s father the judge receives a missive in the mail regarding the murder and the ladies print the information in their gazette, Sebastian confronts her. They join forces to find the culprit and begin to get extremely close. Sebastian must marry an English Lady who will benefit his country….Will Eliza ever get her heart’s desire?
Eliza was an extremely fun heroine. She was a regular adult woman. She wasn’t titled, her house is worn and comfortable, she fixes clocks as a hobby, laughs with great gusto and initially throws Sebastian out of her home. Sebastian, raised from birth to eventually become king of his homeland, doesn’t know what to make of her. The more time he spends with her, the more he begins to resent not being able to make his own decisions regarding his future bride. Their relationship becomes steamy and I was starting to tear up, wondering how they could possible overcome their roadblocks. This was a delightful start to the series, and I eagerly await to see how the series progresses.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
I can’t even express how much I thoroughly loved this book! it was so refreshing and fun!! Eliza was such a fun and quirky person, saying what she thinks and feels, even if it isn’t what polite society would do. And Prince Sebastian, handsome and regal, kind of uptight as a royal might seem. She drives him a bit mad in the beginning, with her lack of care of his status. But as they spend more time together, and try to solve a mystery, they grow very close and fall in love. Now Sebastian has to figure out how to have his kingdom and the woman he loves . You must get this to find out what happens. You will love it!!
3.5 stars, rounded up.
Miss Eliza Tricklebank lives a quiet life as a spinster, she fixes clocks, cares for her father who is blind and a justice for the Queen and she helps her sister with her woman’s gazette. It may not be the life she had dreamed of, but she is happy. When the opportunity arises to join her sister and their dear friend Lady Caroline Hawkes at a masquerade ball for the visiting crown prince of Alucia, she jumps at the chance.
Sebastian Charles Chartier, the Crowned Prince of Alucia is in England for two reasons, one to work out a trade deal that will help his countries economy in the event of a war with the neighboring country of Wesloria and to secure a noble English bride. But tonight, Sebastian is enjoying his anonymity and hopefully a tryst with a willing matron. He shares some rum punch in a passageway with a partygoer and then endures introductions, before finally slipping away for his tryst, on his way out his secretary Matous asks for a moment of his time, he asks it can wait and promises to meet with him in a few hours, a promise he doesn’t keep. When he returns to his rooms in the morning, he calls for Matous and learns the horrifying truth – Matous was murdered the night before. Guilt drives Sebastian to investigate the crime himself – much to his staff and his brother Leopold’s displeasure. When a story about the murder makes to the pages of the Honeycutt Gazette – nothing will stop Sebastian from tracking down the owner of the paper.
Eliza enjoyed her time at the masked ball, she danced, drank too much rum punch and met the prince – twice – once in the passageway and then again when she moved in front of him and he stepped on her foot. She also noticed his secretary Matous and wonders what upset the man so much. She was saddened to learn of his death and shocked when a note is delivered to her father stating the killer is Alucian! But the real shock comes days later when Sebastian and his brother Leopold visit and demand to see her father. Eliza doesn’t care who they are, she will not wake her dad or tolerate his rude behavior and she kicks them out of her house.
Sebastian is fuming about Eliza but knows that he needs to talk to her father, so he returns to her house and apologizes, Eliza tells him what she knows and they begin a friendship of sorts. She learns more information about the note that was sent and helps him meet the last man she say Matous talking to.
Sebastian knows he has to choose a bride and that as a commoner, Eliza is not a possibility, but how he wishes she was! Things have escalated between them and he is in love, but they both know their time together is waning and heartbreak is unavoidable or is it?
I really enjoyed this story, the writing is good, the story never drags, the characters are interesting and for the most part likable, the love scenes are warmish, there are laugh out loud moments, a bit of angst, a very well done mystery and a HEA. Almost perfect, but not quite. The hero engages in a tryst with a married woman after he means the heroine – I can’t like that, just about every single title in this book is wrong – the daughter of a Baron does not have the honorific of “Lady” and incorrect use of titles and formal address are my biggest pet peeve in historical romance and finally the solution for their HEA defies credibility and because of the incorrect assumption that a Baron’s daughter has a title, isn’t even a viable solution. But overall, I really liked the story and would happily recommend the book.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
What a fun story! I loved the quirkiness of Eliza’s life from her household to her hobbies and of course her sassiness! What do you do when a foreign prince comes to your country? Dream about being swept off your feet of course but Eliza’s practical, she knows that’s never going to happen, but dreams are nice. Sebastian has come to London on business for his country, to better his country’s relations and to find a suitable wife and future queen, roll eyes, the balls, dinners and match making is in the air, he’s trying to come to the justification of a strategic match but the heart is strong. Your heart will melt as Sebastian eyes are opened by true love. I enjoyed this storyline, the humor was wonderful and the characters are what makes the world go round! A definite do not miss read!
I enjoyed this well-written historical romance. Eliza’s gossip gazette prints an anonymous tip about the personal secretary of the visiting Prince Sebastian of Alucia being found murdered. The Prince is trying to arrange a trade deal and also secure a noble bride, but finds himself spending time with Eliza while they work to discover the murderer. Eliza and Sebastian are both frustrated by and attracted to each other. This was an entertaining book and I look forward to reading more books by this author.