Princess Charming by Nicole Jordan (Legendary Lovers #1)
January 31, 2012
Historical Romance
Ballantine

Reviewed by May

Favorite Quote: “I thought your male… extremities would resemble a statue, not a stallion.”

“I shall take that as a compliment.”

Ash and his cousins were orphaned as teenagers, which brought them closer together and under the care of their bachelor uncle. Now, more than a decade later one of the girl cousins has an idea: what if they were destined for legendary love? Her first suggestion – that Ash, the Marquis of Beaufort is the Prince Charming to Maura’s Cinderella.

Maura’s father passed away two years ago, the suspicion of cheating at cards unresolved and hanging over his head causing his stressful demise. Since then she has taken over his stables (breeding and raising race horses) and has no end of trouble from her step-mother.

As Maura engages in battle with a wicked villain (the very same that cheated her father at cards and has now taken her prize stallion) Ash joins forces with her to help his sister’s dearest friend, but also to see if she is indeed his true love.

To enjoy this book you must approach it as a fairy tale. That the Marquis, his cousin (an Earl), and their siblings could act in the way they do, that they behave as they all do and care nothing for society, and for the most part don’t bother with propriety would be hard to realistically believe. The whirlwind courtship and seduction, solving of the heroine’s problems, and eventual happily ever after was also very much “fairy tale” in its making. If I stand back and view this book as a light regency fairy tale, it was quite enjoyable.

While the cousins often criticized Maura for being proud, I found her instead to be a self-sufficient, loyal, and trustworthy woman who does what is considered man’s work, takes care of her own, and is a quick and bright problem solver. While it’s true her methods at times backfire, and she truly does need help I can see why she doesn’t appreciate hand-outs or charity. It fits her character as someone who would not want to be a burden or be indebted to others.

Indeed, I really liked Maura and her relationships with both the hero and her stallion, and we were given a lot of great scenes and moments in this book. I also liked that the story starts as a very bored Ash takes action on his attraction and interest in Maura, whom he’s observed and appreciated in past.

“You can not kiss me, Beaufort.”

Ash raised an eyebrow. That sort of bald challenge was irresistible to a Wilde. “Certainly I can – and I will. Your anger needs soothing.”

She stared at him in mute disbelief. When he tightened his arms around her, she drew a hushed breath upon realizing he was serious.

Her beauty was alluring in the golden lantern light, her lips irresistibly inviting, Ash reflected as he bent closer.

It was outrageous of him, provocative in the extreme, and might earn him the same response his predecessor had received. But he was acting again on impulse, following his instincts as he lowered his head to capture her ripe mouth…

The love match and semi-courtship/seduction was well done. I was entertained by this premise of looking for love fairy tale style, while the novel itself is rather fairy tale-like. That said I felt the entire ending and “trust me on this – it’ll work” plan from the hero was over the top and I couldn’t buy into it. The same with nobody worrying about being shunned, or any concerns for Maura’s profession or marrying so far above her station. The Wilde family seems popular, but can they remain so if they are just doing whatever they like?

I suppose in a fairy tale, they can.

Grade: B-

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