Hester Browne

I loved the whole concept of The Runaway Princess, right from the start. Who doesn't like the idea of getting a glimpse into the life of royalty?

Hester Browne does a wonderful job of setting the stage and creating quirky, likable characters. I could instantly relate to Leo, Amy, Jo, and others in this crazy cast of characters. I couldn't wait to see how Amy and Leo's romance would develop.

However, that's where the book didn't quite give me what I was hoping for. The majority of Amy and Leo's show more romance is told in backstory. For example, Amy and Leo begin to explore the physical part of their relationship in one chapter. In the next, a week has passed and it's mentioned in internal thought almost as an afterthought. Not that we, as readers, necessarily need all of the details, but it would have been nice to at least pick up on the story the following day. Unfortunately, we lost the opportunity to be clued in one Amy's true emotions and thoughts.

This happened quite a bit through out the romance portion of the story. I think that seriously hampered the believability of Leo and Amy's relationship.

That being said, the writing and the characters were very enjoyable. I would definitely read a second book if this continues as a series, just because I'm hoping for more. show less

I adored this. There was nothing groundbreaking here, and that was something I truly appreciated. It was predictable in that I knew it was going to be fun, that I knew the major plot points going in (I mean, the title itself gives away one of them!), and that there would still be a HEA in the end. Though even I couldn't have predicted that Callie would be Kelly.

Pure fun. I loved it.

This was disappointing. I've enjoyed everything I've ever ready by Hester Browne. Her characters are intelligent, take-charge type of women. Evie... was not. She honestly made me grit my teeth, and I did not find the eventual romance believable at all. I also found the plot a bit forced.

I am a great proponent of the smart girl's right to read trashy books; life is hard enough without having to struggle through Dostoevsky once you get home. Leave that to the 15-year-olds who think that it's going to impress anyone. A guilty pleasure, but at least it was a pleasure and, come to think of it, bollocks to feeling guilty about it. Like I said – life's tough, and sometimes all you want is fluff. And, yes, I know that was an unfortunate rhyme.

That said, if Honey doesn't figure show more out who she's actually in love with pretty damn quick, I shall leap into the pages and throttle her. show less