To Love a Prince by Rachel Hauck Review

Hello Bookish Friends :)

I pray today finds you all doing well, and I want to thank you all for joining me for another book review here on The Preppy Book Princess.

I hope you're all enjoying these last few days before Christmas. Last night, my family and I went for a drive to look at Christmas lights, and then went back to my parent's house for cookies, apple cider and hot chocolate. I finished the evening by playing Dutch Blitz with my mom and my nephew, and it was a lovely way to spend an evening during the holidays.

I look forward to doing some more Christmassy things today after work, but beforehand, I'm excited to share another review with you all.

Back in the spring of 2016, I had the pleasure of getting to meet Rachel Hauck at the RT Booklover's Convention. Ever since, she's become one of my favorites, and I always look forward to getting to read a new-to-me book by her.

When I heard her new series was going to be another royal series, I was really excited as I absolutely adored her previous Royal Wedding series.

I enjoyed the first book in her series so much, and I can't wait to tell you all about it.

To Love a Prince by Rachel Hauck:

Source: Libby App

Publisher: Hauck House

Publication Date: August 11th, 2020

Genre: Christian Fiction/Contemporary

Series: True Blue Royal

Synopsis:

Daffodil Caron is not a princess, even though she once dreamed of being one. After all, she grew up as a playmate to royal princes, running through the halls of Perrigwynn Palace and dining with the queen. But the day she stumbled upon a royal secret, everything changed.

Flash forward eighteen years, and Daffy’s living a sweet, non-royal life. A skilled art curator for the Royal Trust, she has friends, a flat in the heart of the city, and a handsome, successful fiancée. The last person on her mind is Gus, a prince she once called her best mate.

HRH Prince Augustus is no longer “Prince Pudgy,” as caricaturized by the press, he’s charming and gorgeous, possessing a world-famous smile. But when he’s jilted at the altar by an American heiress as millions of people around the world watched, the spare heir to Lauchtenland’s ancient House of Blue escapes, finding solace on a Florida beach.

A year as a regular bloke allows him to rethink his purpose. He’s half decided his calling is to pour pints at a tiki bar, rather than serving his country and the Family.

Until an accident on the beach with a Frisbee changes his course.

Despite his long hair and beard, Daffy recognizes her prince, and their childhood friendship is renewed. She assures Gus Lauchtenland needs him, giving him the courage to return home.

When Daffy and Gus find themselves on assignment to Hadsby Castle in preparation for his brother’s wedding, their friendship blooms into affection.

But Gus cannot, will not, trust his heart again. Daffy’s engaged. And she also remains a royal family outcast because she knows the Queen’s secret.

When affection grows into love and secrets are exposed, trust is destroyed. Gus must choose which is stronger: the lies of his past or the hope of his future. And Daffy must face every fear to prove she will forever love a prince.

(synopsis from goodreads)

My Review:

As someone who adored Rachel Hauck's Royal Wedding Series, I was beyond excited when I found out she was writing another royals series. In typical fashion for this author's novels, I could barely bring myself to put it down once I started it, and the story ended up weaving and twisting in ways I never could have possibly imagined.

I always enjoy the depth with which this author writes her books, and To Love a Prince is no exception. It starts out as what seems to be a simple friends to something more romance, but there ends up being so much more to the story than one would initially expect. Daffy and Gus' relationship has changed drastically from the easy breezy friendship they adored as kids, and honestly, neither of them are a hundred percent sure why. Familial secrets, past histories, and jealous hostile friends all play a large part in their story, and the two of them will have to learn how to conquer many hardships before they can get to their happily ever after.

While the romance is beautifully done, my favorite parts of the story actually ended up being the cameos from characters from Rachel's previous books, especially Coral from The Fifth Avenue Story Society, as I loved the emphasis on redemption and healing from brokenness through Him who holds our hearts. And also, the unique way the faith content is wrapped into the story in an original manner that I really wasn't expecting.

Rachel Hauck has written another lovely royal tale, and it's the perfect start to her new series. I already can't wait to read book two, and I look forward to reading many more of her books in the future.

I'll forewarn any of you that choose to pick this one up: be prepared to have your schedules cleared for the rest of the day as it is just that good!

Final Rating: 5/5.

Thanks so much for reading guys! Have a great rest of your day :)

This is not a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. The photo does not belong to me, and all rights to the respective owners.