I read and enjoyed Heart of a Royal last year, so when I heard a sequel was coming, I was excited ... until I heard it was about Princess Alina, one of my least favorite characters in the first book! But I also knew that Hannah Currie was a talented enough writer to pull off a book about an unlikable character, so I gave it a chance ...
To the watching world, Princess Alina has it all – maids to serve her, a kingdom to revere her, a prince to marry her, and a wardrobe filled with enough frills, flounces and shades of pink to rival a flower shop. But behind the smiles and designer clothes, Alina has a secret. She’s barely holding it together.
After a moment of panic almost ends in tragedy, Alina is sent to a refuge far from the palace to recuperate. Her family claim it’s for her own good but – faced with cows, knife-beaked ducks and far too many of her own insecurities – Alina is pretty sure it will kill her first. And Joha Samson, infuriating man that he is, will laugh as it does.
Only there’s more to Joha than she realizes, and more to herself too. When the time comes to make a stand, will she find the courage?
I. Loved. This. Book.
I'm not always a fan of royal stories because I can get tired of the "commoner falls in love with a royal and then gets swept into a life of luxury" plot lines. But this story is different. Most of this novel takes place on a farm, with Princess Alina being the one who finds a new life, and it's not ever a question of Joha moving to the palace to be with Alina—the question is, will Alina choose a royal life with Prince Marcos or a common life with Joha? (It's infinitely more complicated and plot-twisty than that, but that is what the romantic debate boils down to. Sort of. You'll have to read the book to find out!)
More than a romance, though (and it is an excellent romance), this book is about accepting the love of a God who knows you intimately and loves you as you are. It's also about the courage to stand firm in your faith, even when the consequences of speaking could be dire. And it's about accepting help from others—not trying to hold it all together on your own.
I felt like there was such a depth to this novel. Everyone's spiritual journey is different, and Currie highlighted that through the stories of the Rebels. Also, I loved the way that she used music to touch Alina's heart.
I enjoyed Heart of a Royal, and I would definitely recommend reading it first, if only to understand Alina as she was vs. who she becomes. But Heart of a Princess reached my heart, and I can't really describe just how much I loved it! 5 stars.
Buy the book (affiliate link).
Read my review of Heart of a Royal (4 stars).
Aussie author Hannah Currie loves God, family, people (in small numbers, let’s not go crazy here!) and writing. She and her husband live with their three adorable kids in sunny Queensland, where it really is beautiful one day and perfect the next. Except, maybe, during heatwaves. They’re not so fun. She loves to connect with readers at www.hannahcurrie.com.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in this post are affiliate links; this means if you click the link and purchase an item, I will receive a small commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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