A Princess for Christmas Review

By Jenny Holiday

Christmas in Eldovia Book 1

Star rating: ★★★★☆

Blurb

Leo Ricci's already handling all he can, between taking care of his little sister Gabby, driving a cab, and being the super of his apartment building in the Bronx. But when Gabby spots a "princess" in a gown outside of the UN trying to hail a cab, she begs her brother to stop and help. Before he knows it, he's got a real-life damsel in distress in the backseat of his car.

Princess Marie of Eldovia shouldn't be hailing a cab, or even be out and about. But after her mother’s death, her father has plunged into a devastating depression and the fate of her small Alpine country has fallen on Marie’s shoulders. She’s taken aback by the gruff but devastatingly handsome driver who shows her more kindness than she’s seen in a long time.

When Marie asks Leo to be her driver for the rest of her trip, he agrees, thinking he’ll squire a rich miss around for a while and make more money than he has in months. He doesn’t expect to like and start longing for the unpredictable Marie. And when he and Gabby end up in Eldovia for Christmas, he discovers the princess who is all wrong for him is also the woman who is his perfect match.

Genre: Holiday romance

Read if you Like:

☕ Royalty romance

☕ Christmas romance

☕ Dealing with grief

☕ Opposites attract

☕ Single parent

My Thoughts:

A Princess for Christmas is the perfect book for someone who wants a Hallmark movie in book form with a little bit of spice thrown in.

I really enjoyed Leo and Marie's story. In most of these types of stories, the man is royalty and the woman gets swept off her feet by luxury and gentlemanly behavior. In this case, the luxury was an obstacle as it made Leo uncomfortable and a big part of their relationship is they just got to know each other as people. I liked that Leo looked out of Marie and didn't try to change to be worthy of her. I also liked that they bonded over grief and the way it can change your life.

If you are someone who likes romance that feels very realistic, this story won't be for you. I think Leo and Marie would in reality face more obstacles as a couple than the book makes out and Leo would have to change to be Marie's partner in ways he might not want to. However, as a small bit of holiday escapism, this book hits just the right note.

I listened to the audiobook version of this title and thought Charlotte North did a great job! I have enjoyed other books she narrated including It Happened one Summer. However, given that this book is dual POV I would have liked it to be dual narrator.