She wants to work on a pit crew—not be a princess. Determined to be a member of a racing team’s pit crew, the last thing mechanic Isabel “Izzy” Poussardexpects is for a gorgeous guy to step out of a limousine and tell her she’s a long-lost princess…and his wife. Crown Prince Nikola “Niko” Kresimir of Vernonia wants one thing from Isabel: an annulment. The pretty American wearing grease-stained … annulment. The pretty American wearing grease-stained coveralls is too rough around the edges to be the future queen. Their marriage, the result of an archaic custom neither knew about, needs to end so he can modernize his country.
As sparks fly, Niko and Izzy fight their growing attraction for each other. Neither wants to remain in an arranged marriage, but that might be the only way to keep peace in the kingdom. Is a love match possible where all their dreams can come true? Or will aspirations and pride keep them from living happily ever after?
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I really enjoyed this book and I could not put it down until I had finished reading it. I had a little trouble with Niko and Isabel being married as children but as the story unfolded I got over that part. I enjoyed watching the characters grow into their new roles together and I really liked that Izzy was so refreshing as a princess who used to be an auto mechanic. I enjoyed seeing her as a modern day princess leading her country into the future. The love story seemed very realistic too given the circumstances. I would love to see this made into a movie. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review. OMG the story between Niko and Izzy is so wonderful. I loved watching her transformation and the way they fell in love. This is such a sweet romance. I felt all of Izzy’s emotions as I read. Once I started the book I couldn’t stop reading. This is my first book from this author and I cannot wait to read more of her books.
I was completely enchanted by “The Reluctant Princess”, a beautifully written contemporary romance that kept me entertained and intrigued from the beginning and I wanted it to continue when I got to the end. I really liked independent and stubborn Isabel “Izzy” Poussard who wants to work on a racing team’s pit crew and loved her dynamic with the other characters especially Crown Prince Nikola Tomislav Kresimir of Veronia. This is a great beginning to the Her Royal Duty series by gifted author Melissa McClone and a must-read for fans of sweet and tender romances.
I received an advance reader copy of this book and am leaving my voluntary and honest review. I also purchased a copy for my keeper library.
Sweet & sassy
Romantic, sweet-yet-sassy-and-spicy, engaging, fun! The pages turned themselves. It’s King’s Day here in the Netherlands, so I was totally in the right frame of mind for a tale about royalty. But Izzy is no ordinary princess! A reluctant princess is what she is. I could really feel the connection between her and Niko. Niko WAS somewhat on the serious side, but Izzy counteracts that perfectly. It was a bit different than other romance books in terms of the structure of the book. A fantastic book!
I loved this book! I loved Izzy’s independent spirit, and yes, her stubborn streak. I did like Niko, but he is so focused on duty and what he believes others expect from him. When the wedding happens about halfway into the book, I started to wonder what the rest of the book could possibly hold. I really enjoy a storyline that is unpredictable, and this one totally caught me off guard. I hate to admit it, but I stayed up reading until 2am because I had to see how it ended! I received a copy of this book from the author, however my review is my own opinion
Prince Niko and Izzy look to be polar opposites in this wonderful story from sweet author Melissa McClone, but first impressions are often wrong, as our couple discovers.
Izzy is an independent and modern women, more interested in repairing cars and working in the pit crew for a Formula One race car. She’s understandably taken aback by the very attractive stranger who claims she is a princess!
Prince Niko is on the verge of marrying Princess Juliana, as well as modernizing his small country. But his very old-fashioned views are in conflict with his headstrong child bride’s current reality. Can these two royals work out their differences for the good of both their home country as well as themselves?
With rich, full characters and a delightful tip of the hat to The Princess Diaries movies, McClone once again weaves a magical spell of love, loyalty and friendship between not only our leading couple but with the fun secondary characters from both the U.S and Vernonia. Sweet with a slight touch of heat (yes, the closed door scene is a little less fade to black than other books by the author, but by no means racy!), The Reluctant Bride is a delicious page turner. Bravo!!
Izzy and Niko come from two different worlds or do they? She is such a great character who makes you fall in love with her strength and self-sacrificing love for others. These two do fall quickly for each other but the author makes it believable IMO. There is some angst but how they struggled through it was such a great part of the story. I was shocked when I found myself really liking Princess Julianna and can’t wait for her book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I liked the book because of the well-developed and likable characters. Izzy is definitely a unique woman, while Niko is trying to fulfill his duty to his country as has been drilled into him since he was a boy. They are very attracted to each other even while pursuing an annulment of their child marriage. The plot has a lot of twists and turns and moves quickly. There was only about one page that I did not care for. I usually read clean/wholesome romances, and in this book readers stay in the bedroom longer on the wedding night than I thought at all necessary. It was not vulgar, but just more information than needed. I would not let my tween or young teen read this. Again, it was only about a page or so. I loved the way that Niko and Izzy both react to a national disaster in their country. I also enjoyed the humor in the book. There’s a great scene about The Princess Diaries. There is a touching HEA and epilogue. I received an ARC. I chose to write a review and share my opinion.
Wonderful story with twists and turns, romance, passion and angst. The characters come to life and are very engaging. Overcoming grief, archaic traditions and putting a war-torn country back together take forgiveness, understanding, love and second chances. This story has all the feels. To me, it is a cross between the old Harlequin Presents books and a Hallmark movie.
No one is more surprised than Izzy when a limo shows up at the garage where she works. The occupant is even more shocking, a prince who claims she is his wife. All because of a box that belonged to her mother that she is looking for a key to open it.
Prince Niko now has a problem, he has a fiancé, Princess Juliana, their marriage will help rebuild and modernized his country following the conflict that had taken his brother’s life. Not a love match but one that is advantageous for both their countries. He needs Izzy to agree to an annulment so things can move forward as planned.
A princess of a country she’s never been to, leads Izzy to a journey even more difficult than she could imagine.
This story becomes even more complicated when the King refuses to let them annul the marriage stating it would cause irrevocable damage to the peace.
I also fell in love with Princess Juliana she is definitely a class act and is instrumental in helping Izzy manage her new role.
A delightful story of an interesting marriage that leads to falling in love. With some laughter, some tears and just enough heat this book is a must read.
Is there a such thing as a heartgasm, because I’m pretty sure I’ve just had one. McClone builds a fairytale out of heartache. Izzy and Niko must grow their happy ending from the ashes of despair. The Reluctant Princess is the beginning of a second chance for a nation that almost lost it’s way. One woman provides the key, but in redeeming a country, will she lose all hope or find the missing pieces of her broken heart? Ever girl loves a fairytale. McClone steps outside of that and creates a masterpiece.
The only dream Izzy has ever had is to be the Queen of a pit crew. Not the Queen of a country. Can Izzy and Niko make this arranged marriage work? Or will their stubborness make it doomed for failure?
Another great read from this author! I love her character and story building style. I am looking forward to reading more in this series. I highly recommend this book. and assure you will not be disappointed.
I received an ARC for an honest opinion.
Who doesn’t love the story of a Prince and Princess? Niko is the crown prince and knows all about duty to his country and the sacrifices that come with it. He’s planning to get engaged to a princess of another country for the betterment of his country of Vernonia. But you know what they say about the best laid plans. Izzy is pretty alone in the world but she has big dreams. Being a woman in a predominantly male world, she is strong and confident even with no family to offer support. Then her entire world is shaken. Imagine the surprise of finding out you are not who you thought you were. Then add in that you are really a princess who was thought to be dead. Talk about a twist in the road! Niko and Izzy have a connection from their first meeting. Niko has finally met his match. They both have to figure out the path they will take both individually and together. I really enjoyed this story and will try some other books by this author. I received an advance copy for an honest review.
Not your everyday fairytale! This was a GREAT story and I loved how Izzy was so strong and independent but still willing to go the extra mile for loyalty and Prince Niko is HOT!! LOL!! All kidding aside, this was a great story of love, loyalty and change and how life never stands still!! I also fell in love with Princess Julianna and can’t wait for her story!!
I absolutely loved this book!
It’s an enchanting new series!
Excited to read the other stories in it.
It is a captivating & charming story.
Niko, is the Crown Prince of Vernonia.
He was raised to put duty to his country, first. When the family’s Bridal box, that
has been missing for decades was found, Niko, was sent to retrieve it.
Izzy, a mechanic in Charlotte. She had
been raised by her late Uncle Frank.
She has worked hard toward her goal
of being on a pit crew, for the Formula
One race cars.
But, the life Izzy knew, changed when
Niko, pulled up in his limo. She would
& could not believe what he was telling
her. And a mechanic, in greasy overalls,
is not what Niko, expected to find.
She reluctantly agree to travel to
Vernonia, with Niko.
The emotions, the humor & their chemistry pulled me in, & kept me hooked, till the end!!!