I have been dying to read this book since author Roseanna White asked her private Facebook group, Band of Booksters, for input on the cover before it was officially revealed. From the moment I saw the cover I knew that, whatever this book was going to be about, I had to read it. Over a year later, I’ve finally read it and I’m happy to say it did not disappoint.
Brought to the palace as a newborn, the royal life bestowed upon Mackenna Sparrow was never meant to last forever. With Princess Alina engaged to be married, Mackenna’s presence as companion is no longer required and, like it or not, she must return to the birthright which should have been hers – that of a commoner. But not everyone at the palace wants her gone. When the truths she’s based her life on start crumbling as fast as her future, will she find the courage to trust, both herself and the prince she’s fallen in love with?
I’m a sucker for any kind of Princess story, whether it’s a book or a movie. So this story, set in a modern day fictional kingdom, about an ordinary girl who grew up living an extraordinary life as the best friend and companion of the kingdom’s princess? Yeah, I’m SO there! It doesn’t hurt that she’s also best friends, and maybe more, with the kingdom’s handsome prince. **wink, wink**
This fun read is the perfect book for a cozy weekend spent at home and is sure to give you all the giddy, girly feels. I honestly could have read it one day or two, had I had that much time to devote to it, because I didn’t want to put it down! Each chapter left me wanting to see how Makenna’s story would play out, and kept me eagerly turning pages every chance I got. It was a huge and unexpected plus that this book ended up featuring my favorite trope! I won’t say what that is so there won’t be any spoilers, but I will say that I instantly got twice as invested in the book’s plot when I reached this turning point in the story.
Speaking of the plot… While there were, obviously, several aspects of the book that were unpredictable to me, there were a few things that I easily guessed early on. However, this didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the story. My only true complaint about the book would be that I didn’t get to enjoy the “happily ever after” part of the story long enough. After being so invested in the journey, the final destination flew by quicker than I would have liked. Maybe one more chapter or an epilogue to truly relish all the happy, romantic feelings? But oh, well! It was still such a fantastic read! Plus, I’m sure I’ll get at least somewhat of a peek into Makenna’s “happily ever after” in book two, which is Princes Alina’s story.
While a fairly short and light-hearted book geared towards a young adult audience, Heart of a Royal still carries an important message that personally impacted my heart. The truth that God is sovereign over all, allowing us to say with confidence that “all will be well”, is one that I needed reminding of. It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of life and forget that God is the master of even the whirlwind and He will carry us through it no matter what.
5/5 Stars for Heart of a Royal! If you love a good Princess story and need a happy, give-you-all-the-feels book to brighten your #SociallyDistanced world right now–this is the book for you! I’m now eagerly anticipating the release of book two, Heart of Princess, in July! I can’t wait to see what happens next in the Kingdom of Peverell, and especially, how Princess Alina will get her own “happily ever after”.
