The Princess Knight is a sparkling debut fantasy that blends royal drama, fierce duels, and unexpected romance with a heroine who refuses to let heartbreak dim her shine. Princess Clía’s quest to win back the prince who spurned her leads her into the grueling halls of a military academy, but what begins as a mission to reclaim love soon transforms into a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and unexpected passion. With sharp banter, a swoon-worthy slow-burn between Clía and the disciplined warrior Ronan, and a looming war that raises the stakes, this novel balances action, heart, and humor with grace. Clía’s determination, courage, and unshakable sense of style make her an unforgettable protagonist in a story where love, loyalty, and identity are tested on and off the battlefield.

I enjoyed this book overall, however it was definitely a little difficult to get into. I felt like I was caught up on remembering the names and couldn't connect with the characters. Overall it was still an enjoyable read and I enjoyed the storyline!

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager, Netgalley, and to the author for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

The cover of this book is so gorgeous, I just had to request it, but friends…it’s the medieval version of Legally Blonde. Bar for bar.

The book starts with a girl expecting to get engaged, but, plot twist, the guy doesn’t propose. Instead, he tells her that she doesn’t really fit the concept that he has for a wife, and for a ruler. The main character proceeds to follow said guy to the warrior school (instead of law school) that he’s attending, and she struggles to fit in at first, but then progresses until the pivotal moment where she says, “You once told me that I wasn’t strong enough to be your queen,” she said to him, her voice coiled like a snake about to strike. “I hope you realize the truth now. I’m more than a ‘pretty face.’ I’m more than someone you can toss aside like nothing. I am more than you.”

Are you picking up what I’m putting down? Bar for bar. One of the teachers turns out to be the bad guy and everything. So, I will say, I love Legally Blonde!! I was just hoping for a more original storyline in this book, and the parallels were very distracting as a reader.

～𝟯.𝟱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀
the princess knight is legally blonde meets celtic mythology in a fantasy setting. as soon as i saw the inspiration behind this book, i knew i had to read it!
i have to admit i was expecting more of a romcom vibe but while it does share some similarities with legally blonde, it was a lot more action-packed and focused on political conflicts which is why i think the new title fits much better (rip medievally blonde).
i loved the chronic illness rep and how inclusive the world is, the idea of an academy for warriors and a princess who wants to prove she's more than just a pretty face. i really appreciated how clía never lost her touch with femininity and her love for beauty, even as she grew stronger, and how she found ways to stay true to herself while also becoming a formidable warrior.
i liked the romance and thought it was cute but it also fell a bit flat for me. i wanted more buildup and depth to clía&ronan's relationship but a lot of times this read more as YA despite being categorized as adult fantasy.
overall, this was a solid debut and i really enjoyed it! i look forward to reading more from cait jacobs.
～thank you to harper voyager and netgalley for the arc!

This book was such a refreshing surprise! I haven’t read many (or any!) books set in a medieval fantasy world before, but The Princess Knight had such a unique spin on it—it gave me Ella Enchanted meets Mulan vibes in a delightful way. The plot felt fresh, and I was hooked from the start.

I really loved Clia and Ronan, especially the way Cait Jacobs wrote their dynamic and their perception of one another. The romance was incredibly sweet and supportive—it’s the kind of slow-burn connection that just makes you root for them. I also really appreciated the representation of both physical and mental disabilities throughout the story. It was done with so much care and intention, and it made the cast feel that much more real and layered.

If I had one small wish, it’s that the book had just a bit more spice... I'm a sucker for some spice—but honestly, the emotional connection made up for it. It was a really fun, heartfelt, and feel-good read. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy with strong character development, a sweet romance, and a fresh twist on classic tropes.

**Thank you NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for the eARC, in exchange for a genuine review! All opinions are my own.**

3 stars... super impressive writing for a debut author. I loved the premise of legally blonde x medieval vibes. I do wish the author would have leaned into the legally blonde aspect a little more. She never felt quite as vapid as Elle Woods was which kind of took away from fun. Overall, for the right audience this would definitely be a hit!

4.5 Stars!

This was such an interesting reading experience. The Cover was definitely giving me rom-com vibes, and while that vibe is definitely there in spades, this is also a really engaging tale of medieval politics, fantasy beasts and found family.

I believe this story is inspired by the movie Legally Blonde, and that amazing story of a woman trying to prove herself to her old lover, and ends up finding her 'place' along the way. This story was also so much more with a dreamy-yet-complicated captain hero in a war-college, and good banter.

Definitely one to pick up!

ARC provided by NetGalley for a fair and honest review.

This was cute, but I wanted to like it so much more than I did. It was extremely predictable and I had to fight to keep interest in it. I love books with healthy culture but I do need more cheat sheets with those books. This had an explanation of the different kingdoms in the front but there wasn’t a single glossary for all of the different names and I always want to make sure I’m pronouncing them correctly. I hope the finalized book includes a key for this. I would recommend it for a quick, light read, but it didn’t hit the nail on the head for me.

I loved this book! It was one of my most anticipated books of the year and it did not disappoint. This was the perfect mix of Legally Blonde, Clueless, and Ella Enchanted which are the movies that shaped me as a person. It did follow the major plot points of Legally Blonde, but this was originally titled Medievally Blonde so like I knew what I was signing up for. I thought that the ending dragged a little bit and could have been cut down a little bit, but overall I am still really happy with this. There is definitely a door open for this to become a series and I really hope it does.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me this arc!!!

“Legally Blonde meets Medieval Fantasy” SIGN ME UP!!

This book was amazing! The pacing was just right, and the plot was both strong and relevant. The characters were fantastic, and I particularly appreciated the long list of queer representation. While the love story was just okay, I really liked Clía; she was incredibly inspiring, stubborn, witty, and authentically herself. Ronan, on the other hand, felt somewhat flat and didn’t offer much to the story. Although the plot became a bit plain towards the end, overall, this was a great debut novel. I look forward to reading more from Cait Jacobs in the future!

Thank you to HarperCollins for this ARC!

The Princess Knight was such a fun retelling of Legally Blonde. I could clearly see the key points translated into this book and enjoyed the new things added in. I also was delighted to see how Queer-normative this book was. No one questioned attraction nor pronouns and they all fit seamlessly into the world.
I will say that some points felt like they were dragging but overall it was an enjoyable book and I would recommend it.

Unfortunately, I think I have to DNF this read. Is it a bad book? Absolutely not, it’s just not the right book for me. The chemistry and friendship between the main characters has been good, but at 60% through the first intimate scene was a .5 on the spice scale, pretty much a fade to black. Now you might love that! If so, this is for you! Maybe I missed that this is a YA book, who knows! But all that being said, i’m just not invested enough in the characters to continue on. HOWEVER, here are some things I loved about this book and I think you might too:
🏳️‍🌈THE REPRESENTATION BABY!!! So easily sewn into the story, literally the way it should be
❤️‍🔥Ronan, the MMC, is such a sweet man who is not afraid to hold his friends accountable!!
🙂‍↕️From what I read the FMC has some great growth

Now, a few things I’d love to see in the final version (which may be on the way just not in the ARC):
-pronunciation guide, i was making them all up
-a map
-more Murphy
I also would have loved for the main issue to feel more present, and maybe i was getting to that part, but it felt very removed for me. And for me if i’m not invested in the quest then there needs to be romance and it needs to HIT.

ANYWAYS!!! the cover is stunning and i appreciated this ARC. I think in the end it probably would’ve been a 3/3.5 for me had i finished so i will rate it such.

3.75 Stars!

This one was such a fun surprise, like Legally Blonde meets magical military academy, but with real emotional depth under all the sparkle. It follows a princess who’s determined to prove she’s more than just a pretty face, even if it means enrolling in a brutal training school and stepping into a world that definitely wasn’t built for her.

The tone is light and witty, but there are meaningful layers here too especially around identity, expectations, and chronic pain. The queernorm setting was a refreshing touch, and the side characters (plus a very cute animal companion) added a lot of charm.

The romance had great tension and slow burn energy at first, though it did feel a bit rushed toward the end. Still, I was invested. The disability rep was thoughtfully done, and the mix of banter, and chaos made this a really enjoyable read!

It’s not flawless, but it’s clever, charming, and full of heart. Definitely worth picking up especially if you love a heroine who refuses to shrink herself for anyone.

Thank you to the author/publisher and NetGalley for this chance to read this book! 🤍

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — A perfect blend of badassery, feels, and fantasy

The Princess Knight by Cait Jacobs is everything I want in a YA fantasy romance — and then some. It strikes that just right balance of plot, character development, found family, action, suspense, and swoon-worthy romance that keeps you turning pages way too late into the night.

I’ll admit, I wasn’t totally sure how I’d feel about Clía at first — but wow, did she grow on me. She’s fierce, complex, and so much stronger than even she realizes. Watching her evolve was one of the most rewarding parts of the story.

And Ronan? Swoon. He’s a total badass to the world, but a complete softie when it comes to Clía. I love the “touch her and die” trope as much as the next fantasy reader, but what really made me fall for Ronan was how much trust he had in her. He never doubted her ability to handle herself — he supported her, respected her, and let her lead. That quiet confidence in her strength? DEAD.

The found family aspect was beautiful, the pacing was tight, and the action had me fully invested from start to finish. There were twists I didn’t see coming, and moments that punched me right in the heart — in the best way.

My only (tiny!) complaint? Some of the names and locations were really hard to pronounce or keep track of. There were definitely moments I mentally skipped over them like “that mountain place with the epic fight scene,” but honestly, it didn’t take away from how much I loved this book.

If you’re into strong female leads, protective but empowering love interests, and high-stakes fantasy with a romantic core — this one’s absolutely worth your time.

I received an advanced reader copy of The Princess Knight from Inkyard Press in exchange for an honest review. This YA fantasy romance officially launches on October 14, 2025 in North America (and October 23, 2025 in the UK), but it's available now for preorder. Don’t sleep on this one — it’s the kind of story you’ll want to experience the moment it hits shelves!

3.5⭐️. I have to say, I thought with the cover art and the title (both the current one “The Princess Knight” and the previous one, “Medievally Blonde”) that this would be more lighthearted and romance heavy, but it really was not. Perhaps that was my own misunderstanding, but I definitely do not feel like the cover and title match the story very well, as much as I LOVE the cover art. With it being compared to Legally Blonde, I expected more humor. It was definitely more fantasy heavy, with a romance subplot.

I can definitely see this miscommunication between title/art and actual story being a bit of a problem for future readers.

It was a cute story. I had fun. It put me into a little bit of a slump for awhile, but it picked up nicely around the 70% mark. Overall, I would recommend it. Interested to see if we get a book 2!

I genuinely enjoyed this cozy & thrilling fantasy. I loved the simplicity of the plot and how relatable the characters felt. I also enjoyed the character growth from many of the characters and absolutely did not expect that plot twist!!! Also obsessed with the HEA 🫶🏻
Thank you to NetGalley & the publishers for this eArc!

After the prince she’s spent most of her life expecting to marry decides to no longer propose to her, the princess decides to follow him to a military academy in hopes of winning him back. While there, she will find herself learning a lot more than just dueling.

Ronan is the best friend of the prince she was supposed to marry. He is a strong warrior and protege, but he finds himself intrigued by the princess.

Will the two learn more from their training than they expect? And how will they face the war that they discover is looming on the horizon?

This was a really enjoyable read! I enjoyed Clía’s character a lot. She really grew throughout the story, becoming stronger in both body and mind. I really enjoyed her little furry companion as well, he was so cute!

I also liked that we got to follow Ronan as well. He’s a loyal, sweet and strong character that you can’t help but enjoy.

The side characters were loveable too, especially Kían and Sárait. I do hope we will get more of them in the next installment!

I highly recommend trying this out if you enjoy a medieval setting with romance, royalty, war and a cute little companion!

Thank you NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and Harper Voyager for the chance to read the arc!

Good plot between Ronan and Clia. I wished there was more comeuppance on Domhnall. He was such a jerk. Like the found family arc. But Celia’s family can’t be that clueless. I needed more background about Ronan’s pain/illness?

— 4 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 512 pages
👤 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Cait Jacobs
🏢 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: Harper Voyager
📅 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 14 October 2025

What you can expect:
— New Adult Historical Fantasy Romance
— Third Person X Dual POV
— Legally Blonde X Medieval Military Academy
— Princess X Warrior Captain
— Ex's Best Friend
— Found Family
— Forced Proximity
— Slow Burn Romance
— Grumpy X Sunshine
— Queernormative World
— Celtic-Folklore Inspired

𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: animal death (A wild mythical beast), blood & gore, death, death of a parent (off-page, mentioned in flashbacks), internalized ableism (related to chronic pain/physical disability), kidnapping, sexual content (on page, not-specific/vague), violence and war themes.

𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲:
The Princess Knight (RIP Medievally Blonde you will be missed) is a New Adult Historical Fantasy Romance by debut author Cait Jacobs. This is a beautiful tale written with strong themes surrounding the significance of hope and perseverance during humanity’s worst, and the power that can be found within discovering your voice in a world determined to silence you. The light-hearted and sometimes whimsical tone acted in perfect contrast to the sometimes severe, dark events that offered the right amount of struggle in support of our main characters' growth. I found this to be a strong debut from author Cait Jacobs with its nod towards the iconic ‘Legally Blonde’ movie with a medieval twist whilst standing apart in strength on its own. The whimsical setting and strong world-building offered a vast outlook into the political affairs of the world which become very significant in the storytelling as the story continues to develop over time. I adore that this is a queer-normative world that introduced a variety of LQBTQIA+ rep with ease which opened up the (metaphorical) door to limitless possibilities for all characters involved. The disability representation added so much life and realness to an otherwise fictional cast of characters. I had the best time getting to know both characters on an emotionally intimate and the struggles that they face throughout their day-to-day lives. I felt that this was handled with the utmost care and respect whilst refusing to undermine the often severity and significance to living with a disability which has in-turn made me respect the author all that much more. I loved the focus placed upon both characters as they endure the realities of their disabilities head-on and refuse to let it prevent them from achieving the livelihood that they long to acquire. I cannot speak for the disabled community myself as a non-disabled individual, however it is my hope that readers within the community can connect with the characters in their own way to feel seen and recognised as every reader deserves to feel. The endearing diverse cast of characters had left me ensnared into their grip with their endless charm and undisputed found family dynamic, and overall I found The Princess Knight to be a wonderful story clearly written with a lot of heart and intent which I felt immersed into with ease.

𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭:
I was immediately sold on this book the second that I heard it being referenced as 'when Legally Blonde meets Medieval Fantasy' and it truly did not disappoint, nor did I find it fail to deliver in that regard. I loved the concept of a sheltered Princess with no defence training suddenly finding herself on the doorstep of an elite military academy in the hopes of re-securing an engagement to the prince who broke her heart. I enjoyed the way the author took the basics of 'Legally Blonde' and spun it into its own unique tale to help it stand apart on its own. I'm a huge fan of an academic setting so I really enjoyed getting to follow Clía on her training to become a recognised warrior amongst a group of people who were betting upon her failure from the moment she arrived. The plot itself felt fairly simplistic in that it was an ease to follow which means I can gladly recommend this book with ease to new and seasoned Fantasy readers alike. The mystery and intrigue surrounding certain characters was a lot of fun to explore as the plot takes the reader on a journey all throughout the expansive world that has been introduced. The plot was definitely the strength of The Princess Knight for me as I can sense that there was a lot of thought and time put into its development. There were plenty of twists and turns that kept me engaged from beginning to end, and overall I found this book to feel really easy to read within one sitting whilst never lacking in enjoyment.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:
Clía was such a wonderfully complex heroine to follow on her path of self-discovery and both inner and physical strength. I love that she retained her femininity and ‘whimsical’ pursuits alongside claiming her own power and authoritative voice in an environment that were quick to dismiss and undermine her. The journey that we follow her on is by no means an easy one, however her stubborn nature and refusal to give in to the negative opinions of her peers made Clía an instantly likeable character to cheer for in the hopes for her success. Her willingness to see the best in people often suggested a naivety to her character that I still can’t help but love because ultimately… Clía is just that. A young woman who suddenly finds herself with an opportunity to be a little bit selfish and take the time to truly learn about herself. She has a lot of learning and growing to do in combat and as a person itself, and I have nothing but respect for Clía in her ability to take it all in her stride with a hopeful outlook and keenness to learn. She’s a force of nature when she puts her mind to something and I loved being able to witness Clía find her people amidst the chaos that was unfurling. I loved getting to see her love for her people and devotion to the kingdom that she has sworn to protect to the best of her ability. The way she continues to fight on their behalf to be heard and kept into consideration during the budding war was completely admirable, and I really believe that Clía will grow into a beloved Queen that will rule with fairness and compassion. She grew a lot throughout The Princess Knight and it was amazing to see the confident woman that emerged victorious by the end.

Ronan won me over from his very first interaction and it only continued to go uphill from there as we continued to witness his personality growth and strength as a commendable leader. His struggles with chronic pain was really eye-opening to me as a reader and I really appreciated that this is something that is reiterated time and time again. This is a huge attribute to his character and it truly broke my heart to see him continuously undermine his own struggles and pain out of fear of being discredited in his profession. Ronan has worked hard for much of his life to gain notoriety as an acclaimed soldier which is earned and proven by his skill on the battlefield. His single-minded focus and ability to see the bigger picture when faced with an enemy made him a valued asset during times of strife, and I just loved getting to see Ronan be recognised for his value and strengths in-spite of his personal struggle. Outside of his profession there’s no denying Ronan’s loyalty and priority towards family. His circle is small yet no less impactful, and I really enjoyed getting to enjoy the moments with ‘softer Ronan’ when he was able to just be present as a young man alongside his friends. His selfless nature and willingness to put others above his own needs was commendable, even if I did sometimes wish I could reach through the page and shake him to reiterate that he is also deserving to feel like a priority. Ronan is just such a sweet soul who deserves his happily ever after and I really enjoyed getting to see his character progression from beginning to end.

𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭:
I do admit that the only I aspect I was feeling a little let down by was the overall relationship progression that was explored between Clía and Ronan by the end of the book. Both characters got off to such a strong start and I loved getting to witness the beginnings of an unlikely partnership which blossomed into a reliable friendship before romantic intentions began to take root. My main problem is how swiftly the romance aspect seemed to take place as it did to the point that it felt very abrupt, and do I personally wish that it had been more steadily introduced for a more believable connection. For me this can also be applied to the romance developed between the impactful side characters which also sadly felt lacking in exploration and therefore an abrupt development. There was definitely some small amounts of pining and yearning which is a big win for me, however things escalated very quickly from there as the plot also began to pick up in pace which made it sadly feel a little less authentic due to its lack of progression. I suppose you can also credit this to their age and the swiftness of being young and experiencing your first love, so my mention of this is not included to be a bad note as I can see this being a positive attribute to many other readers. This is simply a personal preference to me as a reader, however I did still enjoy the build-up that we were granted to this point. I still adored Clía and Ronan together as friends and then as a couple, and I actually enjoyed that this book was giving more ‘upper YA’ vibes as opposed to Adult. I don’t even really have a solid explanation for that one other than it just seemed to fit the story and its intent? Any intimate scenes included are written to be very vague and more 'closed door' which suited the story just fine as it was an emotional and intimate touch that didn't take away from the tale itself. Their entire dynamic felt very wholesome and inherently good which made it impossible to not root for their happiness independently and as a couple.

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
This was such a wonderful debut by the author in all of its strengths and I hope to be able to read more works from them in the future. I can’t seem to find if The Princess Knight is intended as a standalone or more. I’m really hoping for more as the ending itself felt lacking in finality to be the end of a standalone. There is still dangers lurking at every corner with the threats not fully neutralised, and I feel like Clía and Ronan still have their work cut out for them in tackling all of the weaknesses within Clía's kingdom against her parents wishes. This is something I would love to see come to life with at least one more book, so if there’s no definite plans for a sequel please take this as my formal request for one more book.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰. 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐲 𝐨𝐰𝐧.

that was so cute and fun to read! i read this in one day (one sitting technically, if you don't count food and toilet breaks). i couldn't put it down, it was so addictive and enjoyable to read.

the princess knight follows clía, as she's denied an engagement that she really wants. she proceeds to join a military academy to show to the prince that she's more than she looks. and to be fair, she completely kicked ass. this book focuses a lot of time on her training, so if you love training scenes (like i do), then this book is exactly what you need. the political backdrop was really interesting.

enter: ronan. he was such a loveable mmc. i found there wasn't anything that i disliked about him. most mmc's tend to be arrogant, but ronan wasn't and i adored that about him.

eventually romance blossoms, and it isn't in the way that clía was expecting. i did find the romance a little rushed. they went from training partners to making googly eyes at one another very quickly. it wasn't too much of an issue though, but for those who prefer a little more tension and longing, you won't really find that here.

this book is legally blonde but make it medieval, and i absolutely loved that about it. it was so refreshing and fun to read. it kinda reminded me of the lady janies series in how unserious it was. that being said, more of a fantasy than a historical fiction (only mentioning because the lady janies is historical fantasy).