The Backup Princess was a very cute princess diaries esque whirlwind of a romance book. We meet Madeline, a regular 24 year old girl whose mom was a princess who abdicated her throne for love. Maddie is whisked away to her mother’s kingdom, Malveaux as a “backup” once her uncle decided to do the same, and thrown into Princess life. It’s there in her new princess life she meets Prince Alexander, the neighboring kingdom’s bad boy and ladies man who’s trying to reform and look for love. The two are thrown together to form political relations and they find they have a lot more in common than they realize.

I loved Maddie, she was extremely kind and thoughtful to all those around her, and funny. I hated that we never got to see more personality explored, like she wore a hoodie about books off the plane and then never touched a book in the novel. Alex was charming, but he felt very one note. He kept trying to convince people he had changed by just telling them but would continue to do the behavior he changed under the pretense that it was fake and didn’t mean anything.

My biggest complaint is that this novel doesn’t feel like the first in a series. The first few chapters were hard because it felt like there were things about the world I should already know, but I didn’t. They’re fast opening chapters that throw you straight into the world without any cushions for your fall.

The book lacks conflict. When Maddie and Alex realize what their relationship means for her title the uneasiness lasts for maybe two chapters before it is solved. There just did not feel like any real stakes in the book, even when it came to her uncle abdicating. Everyone told her she didn’t have to worry that he would sign the papers and they were right!

The characters and world were so beautiful I just left wanting more!

Thanks for the ARC! While I don’t love romance, I am a sucker for anything related to royals and was very excited to read this book. It did give Princess diaries vibes, but I enjoyed many things: I liked both Maddie and Alex, loved Amelia, thought the relationship between Maddie and her grandparents was great. The banter was cute and I liked the problem posed at the end.

A few things I think could have made this more compelling: at times, it felt like it tried too hard. The line No cap to me was such a throw in and indicative of trying to force this generational/American personality of Maddie but everything you read about her shows she’s not that? So I was confused by those forced one liners (also using lit) peppered throughout the book.

The whole Chloe thing felt weird to me. From the crush on Alex to Maddie paying little attention to her while she was visiting - again very PD with the quirky best friend, but she really played no role for me.

Finally, it was too rushed. Alex is going to abdicate after three weeks? We already know this is going to be a series and there was a perfect cliff hanger, but it looks like the story for them has closed and she’s moving onto Sophia.

So a fast cute read, but wish this had had more in common with American Royals/The Royal We in continuing one bigger story around this couple you’re investing in.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

This was a dual point of view, sweet romance. While not quite an original premise, (a girl suddenly finds out she is a princess and is whisked away unprepared to take on the life of a royal) it was still a cute, quick read. Both Alex and Maddie were enjoyable characters, but they felt way younger than their true years. I had to keep reminding myself they were not teenagers!

This was a lighthearted, low angst romance that is the start of a new series.

3.5 stars

Gah! I’m a sucker for a fun, sweet story with no third act breakup.

Maddie is a Texas girl not quite sure she’s where she’s supposed to be. She wants to find where she fits when she learns she is a true Princess. I enjoyed watching Maddie come into her own and find what she’s always been looking for.

Alex is a Prince who earned his reputation from past behaviors but is ready to prove he’s more than what people think. He and Maddie have an interesting meeting which reenforce their already preconceived ideas of each other. When they are forced to spend time together they learn who the other person truly is and help each other discover their own strengths.

Maddie is enjoying an ordinary life when she learns she is now next-in-line for the throne of Malveaux. In Malveaux she meets Prince Alex, the crown prince of Ledonia. Though they get off on the wrong foot, as they spend time together, they develop feelings. But there are some laws that may make their HEA a little difficult.
This is my first book by the author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved watching Maddie come to her own as a Princess, her journey has some funny and awkward moments, and some witty banter between Maddie and Alex. And I also loved how supportive Alex was towards Maddie - total swoon worthy.
The backup Princess was such a fun and cute read that I look forward to reading next in the series.

The Backup Princess by Kate O’Keeffe
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Thank you @netgalley and @kateokeeffewriter for this free copy in exchange for an honest review.

“When a Texas gal punches a prince instead of curtsying, you know this isn’t your grandmother’s fairy tale.”

This book reminded me of the princess diaries 2 with Greys Anatomy sprinkles. New princess with a meet ugly and they use references like Mchottie. Super cute and clean.

I loved getting to know the Texas princess, Maddie, and Mchottie, Alex. They had several cute moments. the author Kate O’Keeffe wrote this story really well so that the reader could see the growth of the characters in such a short time. I loved how it was a quick romance but didn’t feel rushed! And she gave us an epilogue to see the future with this cute couple. Alex is just so freakin sweet to Maddie and takes great care of her…. But he also lets Maddie shine!

The only thing I wish was that Alex was able to resolve some issues with his dad more. Seemed a bit rushed there. But maybe more will come about in the next book in the series.

Great read, highly recommend if you are in the market for a clean rom com.

The Backup Princess was adorable. Reminded me a little of The princess Diaries but different at the same time!
A sweet story of a girl who goes to become a Princess and possibly inherit the throne, but ends up meeting a prince who just might become the love of her life!
It was adorable to watch play out and I can't wait to learn more about the other characters in future books!

"The Backup Princess" by Kate O'Keeffe is an adorable, slow-burn romcom with all "The Princess Diaries" vibes. When all-American Texas girl Madeline discovers she's next in line for the throne, she is whisked away to the picturesque European kingdom of Malveaux. Maddie is a fish out of water as she undergoes 'Princess' training. She gets to know her royal grandparents with some amusing instances when they struggle to understand her Texan idioms. Throw in a hilarious meet-cute with Prince McHottie, aka Alexander, the playboy, heir apparent to the neighbouring Ledonian throne – Alex to his friends. She definitely made a lasting impression on him. Despite their less-than-auspicious introduction and Alex's initial suspicions over Maddie's intentions, the more time they spend together, the more they fall for each other.

I loved how supportive Alex was of Maddie. With a storyline full of quirkiness, such as the games between their two respective countries where the sports include wife racing and cheese rolling, this was a fabulous introduction to Kate O'Keeffe's storytelling, and I can't wait to pick up another by this author!

This was such a fun read!! I felt it was like an updated version of Princess Diares and I loved it!!!

Book review:
The backup princess by Kate O’Keeffe
⭐️: 4/5
I got privilege to read arc copy of this book, thank you @netgalley for that. Here’s some of my thoughts about it.

If you fan of royals, like books like princess dairies and American royal series, this book is for you! So much same vibe, but not so teenage as the others.
I loved how characters develop their stories, finding new calling their life and also finding connections with families.

And how the countries were describe so beautiful make me want to move there!!

This is a feel good Rom com about Maggie, a girl from Texas who learns she is next in line to the to be the queen of a small Mediterranean country. When Maggie meets Alex, a reformed ladies man and heir to the throne of a neighboring country, she doesn’t like him and the feeling is mutual. However, after being forced to spend time together, Maggie and Alex develop feelings for each other. This is a fun read with great side characters.

This book was a very cute story. It gave all the Princess Diaries vibes. It felt very YA at times. It brought me back to my younger self who loved books with princesses and falling in love with a princess. I don’t think I will read any more in this series because it didn’t grab me in that can’t wait to read more way. It was a fun read and a good palate cleanser from my normal reads.

3.75 🌟

A nice, adorable and lighthearted hallmark movie sort of romance. Very PG 13 so it's great for teenagers who like romance or adults who are tired of smut or just in need of an unproblematic, happy, uncomplicated romance. I loved all the characters especially the families of the FMC and MMC, they very well written. Considering I just got out of a heavy fantasy read, this was the perfect book to balance my brain.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Backup Princess is a stand-alone kissing only romance. The relationship between the princess and prince begins on a rocky front with her punching him in the face, then him thinking she wants the throne for the wrong reasons. Once they get to know each other it is such a wholesome beautiful relationship.

This book is perfect for fans of the Princess Diaries - it's basically Mia if she had be thrust into royalty at 24 instead of as a teen. Recommended!

Appreciated the book! Definitely a unique concept that isn’t overdone. Thanks for the arc! Really cool

I am an absolute sucker for royal romances so I was very excited when I got approved for this ARC. This book is very cutesy and is definitely more of an easy read but was still relatively entertaining. I enjoyed the main couple, but their romance felt like it could have been fleshed out a bit more. This is definitely a book that you could bring to the beach and read while relaxing. I will most likely continue reading this series when the next book comes out

3.5⭐️ Amelia Mignonette Thermopolis Renaldi is that you? This was my first book by this author and I wasn’t disappointed. This book was fun. It was basically the Hallmark version of Princess Diaries, which isn’t a bad thing! I love Hallmark and I love Princess Diaries, so it was fun to read a rendition of that story.

It was obviously nothing special and a storyline we’ve heard before, but I still enjoyed reading it. I liked Maddie and Alex and their relationship. It starts off super rough, with not good preconceived notions of each other, and turns into something very sweet. They had fun conversations and I liked that there was a lot of page time with them talking and enjoying doing things together. They do fall hard pretty fast after their initial hate for each other.

If you want to just have a fun time with low stakes and a quick read, I would recommend it.

Read if you enjoy:
- Royalty romance
- Forced Proximity
- No 3rd act breakup
- Closed-door/clean


Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Backup Princess
By: Kate O'Keeffe
Review Score: 4 Stars

Boogie’s Bulletpoints
•I love that Maddie is from Houston!

•Ok, Alexander and Maddie have the funniest meet-cute.

•This gives perfect “Princess Diaries” vibes.

•My favorite quote: “I’m as sure as the bluebonnets in spring”. (Did I mention I am from Texas)?

•I love how the story ended.
————————————————————————————————————————————————

The Backup Princess was kindly provided as an ARC by Netgalley and Wild Lime Books. Thank you for allowing me to enjoy this wonderful book!

Release Date: Out Now!

As a lover of The Princess Diaries, I am always on the lookout for a story about a girl who, surprise surprise, is a princess. Add in the fact that Maddie is from Houston, Texas (where I am a native), and you have an even more intriguing story for me to add to my TBR!

The Backup Princess is a really fun read, perfect for the beach or just a relaxed vacation. I loved watching Maddie and Alexander’s relationship grow, all while Maddie navigates the possibility of running a country as a Royal.

If you like royal reads, check this book out! It was super cute.

#bookstagram #books #readingnow #boogiereadsbooks #fivekeyfeels #audiobooks #audiobook #fiction #arcreview #netgalley #boogiesbulletpoints #thebackupprincess #kateokeeffe #wildlimebooks

I love Kate O'Keeffe and was looking forward to reading her new book. I love her novels as they are fun 'clean' romance. This one was an easy read, a predictable plot that kept me entertained all the way through. I will always recommend this author.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

#NetGalleyARC I loved this book. It was light and fun and romantic but not cheesy. It's perfect for those of us who grew up reading and watching The Princess Diaries. I really loved how the author had a lot of build up and relationship building, even though the characters really didn't have that much time getting to know each other, because it felt natural and not forced. Overall, a great fun read.