I absolutely loved this cosy rom-com with major Princess Diaries and Pride and Prejudice vibes. I'll certainly be checking out Kate O'Keefe's other books, starting with Dating Mr. Darcy (I just can't resist a P&P retelling). Please put this book on your spring/summer reading lists!

I would like to thank netgalley and Wild Lime Books for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Just meh.

This is a cutesy royal romance. If that’s your thing you’ll like this book.

That said the pacing was off and it almost made me want to DNF it but I had hopes that it would work itself out. I would have loved to have had a more in depth look at how they made their decisions.
The stereotyping of Americans in this book also was a bit much, but as an American living in Europe I can see it being closer to the truths of how someone may think.

The Backup Princess is a cosy, sweet royal rom com with heart. Upon the abdication of her uncle, Maddie is a fish out of water as she moves from Texas to Europe to take on the responsibilities a princess. There she meets Alex, a reformed playboy-prince, and eligible bachelor.

This was a cute, quick and fun read. Royal romances are a great escape, and this one packed a punch in terms of delightful meet cutes, unfortunate encounters with peacocks, and completely quaint made-up European countries. The characters were fun, and the side characters were well developed, setting up the series well with for Princess Sofia's book next.

It was low stakes, and very cheesy and predictable in parts, but in a cosy, heartwarming Hallmark movie kind of way. Recommended for anyone who enjoyed The Princess Diaries as a child, looking for a fairytale for grownups.

Thank you Wild Lime Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

So cute and fun. I enjoyed the story a lot. It is a simple quick and predictable romcom but it had me smiling. I needed a quick happy story and this hit the mark.

Title: The Backup Princess By Kate O'Keeffe (Royally Kissed Series)

Release Date: April,4th 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars


"The Backup Princess" tells the tale of a Texas girl turned princess who finds herself in a royal predicament after accidentally punching Europe’s most eligible bachelor, Prince Alexander, instead of curtsying. Racing against the ticking royal clock and navigating her newfound responsibilities, she must also contend with her growing attraction to the charming yet infuriating prince.

With witty banter, swoon-worthy moments, and a Texas girl-turned-princess, this book is a delightful blend of humour and heart.
From the hilarious mishaps of the protagonist to the sizzling chemistry between her and Prince Alexander, every page is filled with laughter and heartwarming moments.

O'Keeffe's writing style is as charming as the characters themselves, making it impossible to put down.

This is an absolute gem of a read that had me giggling and smiling from start to finish.

Tropes:

Accidental Romance
Opposites Attract
Royalty
Fairy Tale Retelling
Closed-Door Romance
Happily Ever After

Highly recommended for fans of romantic comedies and fairy tale retellings!


Thank you to Wild Lime Books, Kate O'Keeffe & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a fun cute read. So well written I just fell in love with them from the first punch. Their love story was over the top and I would definitely reread this again!

The Royally Kissed series of Kate O'Keefe is starting out amazingly, I am totally hooked and can't wait until Sofia story next. Maddie is a feisty, sweet, carrying, funny loving woman stuck in a life she feels she doesn't belong in, when a suited stranger appears at her job. Maddie is entrusted into a life and role she never imagined that turns her life upside down. Maddie is whisked far away from her Texan home to a European country, Malveaux. Alexander is the Prince of Ledonia, a neighboring country of Malveaux also known as McHottie, as Lord of Lusciousness of Perfection and most eligible bachelor party Prince. Alex is misunderstood and trying to change the playboy image bestowed upon him, when an encounter with a right hook turned his life upside down. As we journey with Maddie finding her footing with her new role and Alex finally standing up for what he wants things get heated and the stakes are high. Alex as well as Maddie have choices to make that will alter their future in ways they never expected. This story is full of fun times, plenty of sarcasm, flirtation, wittiness, struggles and love. I swooned with Alexander and loved Maddie's spunk. I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving ARC❤️

I didn't go into this book thinking it would be groundbreaking but I did hope it wouldn't be disappointing... you guessed it... it was! The first 1/3 of the story was fun and a promising take on the long lost princess raised in America is called back on duty to her European kingdom. We've all see the move X2 but I was still excited and ready for a lighthearted, maybe hilraious, a little awkward, and most definitely swoon-y execution. It fell short on all points. The characters were not engaging, I didn't care if they ended up together, can we even call it insta-love?, and the was both disappointing and predictable. You could read it as a very very light palette cleanser or just pick another more romantic/funny book.

Enemies to Lovers and adding in a Royal theme, sign me up! I truly enjoy these tropes. One of my favorites and this one did not disappoint. It was sweet, funny, and so much more. I have read many books by Kate O'Keeffe and have enjoyed them all. This gives a sweet Hallmark movie vibe. It starts so funny with a prince getting punched instead of a curtsy and just goes from there!

This romcom is an absolute delight, and it gave me Princess diaries vibe which I loved. Maddie's Texan charm and Alexander's charisma create a heartwarming tale. Their genuine friendship and healthy communication make for a refreshing romance that's both entertaining and endearing. A perfect blend of humor and romance that'll leave you smiling from start to finish.

The Backup Princess is yet another royal, enemies to lovers trope and I like it. I can never get tired of romance tropes, when done right.
Thank you, Netgalley for giving me this book in exchange for my honest review

The Backup Princess By Kate O’Keeffee
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
POV: Dual/First Person

The Backup Princess is a cute romcom with the true makings of a great, cosy Hallmark movie.

We follow the story of Texas born and bred Maddie who finds out that she is in fact royalty, and Alexander, a prince from a neighbouring country, who she just happens to punch in the nose in a well put together meet cute.

The banter was so well written and the way that Kate built the relationship between the two was perfect.

It was my first Kate O’Keeffe read, but it definitely will not be my last.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Wild Lime Books for this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Thank you Net Galley and Wild Lime Books for the ARC of the book The Backup Princess by Kate O'Keeffe in exchange for my honest review.
I loved this book! It was a sweet rom-com. . .very Hallmark-esque! An average girl living in Houston, Texas is abruptly thrown into the role as back up princess in Malveaux. It's a sweet story of her adjustment to this possible new life and of course the entanglement with Prince Alexander of Ledonia with his wild bachelor reputation. Their meet-cut was adorable and the banter between them is the best. It was a fun read as they got to know each other better and find out that first impressions are not always what they appear to be.
I would recommend this book highly to all the sweet romance readers out there.

If you love the princesses diaries and hallmark movies you will love this book. The romance was so cute and the banter was perfect. I would highly recommend this book!

I loved this book so much! I loved that it was written in dual POV. It felt like a Christmas movie, a light and easy read. Sometimes it was a bit predictable, but still enjoyable.
As a dutchie I was hoping that the royal family of the Netherlands would be mentioned. Maybe in the second book of the series, which I will definitely read.

Favorite quote: "You have enchanted me, body and soul"

Thanks NetGalley for a copy of this book <3

If you loved The Princess Diaries as a kid/teen, this first installment in a brand new series might be the book for you!

Unfortunately, as hard as I tried, I just could not find my footing and get into this story. When I am avoiding reading for days on end, I know it’s time to move on.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wild Lime Books for the chance to read this ARC.

Can Madeline be the new heir?

Madeline Turner never thought she would leave Texas but taking her place as a possible heir in Malveaux in case her uncle followed with his plans to abdicate his position of heir to her grandfather and the throne of Malveaux as queen. But what happens when she has to learn all about being royal, the duties of a princess and meet the royal family next door in Ledonia including Crown Prince Alexander?

I loved how Madeline and Alexander first met because of you hear of so many romances where the couple fell in love at first sight but The Backup Princess has love at right hook and forced to be friends to actually falling in love.

Now I want Sofia and Amelia to get their own books.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Cute story. I thought the characters were a little immature. Granted they are in their mid twenties but for them to rule their countries within the next 10+ yrs would be far fetched. Granted this is fiction and makes for a fun enemies to lovers story. Thanks to Netgalley for this free advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a really sweet book, and very funny too! The story tells the tale of a princess from Texas to suddenly being royalty. Well thought out plot. Overall it was an enjoyable read.