Customer Reviews

A Thoroughly Modern Princess

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4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I took a chance when I bought this book as I had never read any of Ms. Staub's books before. Well, you win some...you lose some. In this case, I lost some (money). Take my advice and don't waste your time or money on this book. The princess of a fictitious country loses her virginity to the handsome American playboy, gets pregnant, and runs off with him on the day of her wedding to the handsome prince of another fictitious country. The unlikely couple must then try to exist in the US without the silver spoons they were born with. This highly improbable plot is not rescued by the two main characters, who are shallow and unmemorable. Would someone like to have my copy?

Not normally a romance reader, I was pleasantly surprised by this book.

Shortly before her arranged wedding to another royal, a princess shares a torrid night with a wealthy American. When she realizes she is pregnant, she leaves her betrothed at the altar and escapes to New York, where her lover has just quit his lucrative job and must try to support them both with no money or job prospects.

More than just a romance novel, this book's smart yet innocent heroine is engaging and some scenes are downright hilarious. A great read for when you want something more than a typical romance, but still desire a light read.

After a one night stand with handsome American playboy Granger Lockwood, Princess Emmaline of Verdunia discovers she's pregnant on the eve of her wedding to her fiance, Prince Remi. Granger helps the runaway princess by spiriting her away on her wedding day, leaving a relieved Remi (who has eyes for Emmie's younger sister, Princess Josephine) at the altar. When they return to New York Emmie is surprised to find that Granger has just quit his job at the family firm, and must vacate his penthouse pronto. What is a pregnant princess to do? She and Granger set up housekeeping in a studio apartment, and he tries to teach her about the simple things in life, which neither has taken the time to enjoy. Eventually, she admits that she's carrying his child, and considers returning to her royal life so that he won't feel trapped. Both are blinded by their love for each other, though neither wants to admit it aloud. And soon, another rescue attempt is in the works.

This is a charming fairy tale with a contemporary flair. Author Staub, better know for her suspense novels, is great at writing zippy dialogue and keeping her characters grounded. I loved the way that Emmie scoffed at having to do everyday activities we all dread but that blue bloods take for granted - like cleaning a toilet.

My first Staub book, I enjoyed the light and fun romp with these characters. It was a great change of pace from the heavier storylines I'd been reading before this. If you are looking for a bit of escapism in a reverse 'Princess Diaries' vein, then this adorable book will be a pleaser.

Princess Emmaline of Verunia is engaged to Prince Remi of the neighboring country of Buiron when she meets Granger Lockwood IV (a wealthy New York entrepreneur).

Several months later as the royal wedding is getting closer Emmaline starts getting sick in the morning and faints during a dress measurement. When she figures out that she is pregnant she calls Granger and asked him to help her escape Verunia.

They escape and spend the next couple of months learning to live like normal people (Granger quite his job working for his grandfather and had to move out of the spacious apartment he had been living in)

As the two navigate the real world they learn a lot about themselves that they did not before, and with the help of one of Granger's friends they find themselves in love.

A very good book

This was my first book by Wendy Corsi Staub and I must say it was a disappointment. I chose this book on a whim intrigued by the unexpected pregnancy and sure to follow romance between the main characters. I was sadly disappointed.

While this book was well written, but the story moved along slowly and the dialogue was pointless at times. I also never cared about either main character. Emmaline was spoiled and selfish and Granger, while I sympathized with his upbringing, was very flat.

I also never understood why Emmaline and Granger liked each other and the scenes of them living in the one bedroom apartment were just painful. The most annoying was when they made soup and Emmaline proceeded to destroy the kitchen and instead of cleaning up as Granger asked, locked herself in the bathroom and wept. PLEASE!

I was also annoyed by Emmaline's not knowing what a toilet brush was. Come on, I understand that she has never cleaned a toilet but someone in the palace has and at some point in her life she probably witnessed someone doing it. I mean, I have never worn a Tiffany bracelet, but I know what one looks like.

I liked how the subplots were all wrapped up, nothing was left dangling or unfinished, but I never felt that the main characters really grew in any significant way. After breaking away from his grandfather's company, Granger ends up right back where he started and Emmaline did too.

I wouldn't recommend this book as there was very little I enjoyed about it. It was like watching a bad movie that I couldn't fast forward through.

Princess Emmaline of Verdunia feels American entrepreneur Granger Lockwood IV is perfect for her instead of her fiancé Prince Remi of neighboring Buiron though she knows how important the royal coupling is to both nations. Unable to resist, Emmaline surrenders her regal virginity with Granger in his suite at the Traviata Hotel. A couple of months later she feeling nauseous and realizes she has missed her last few menstrual cycles.

Not the same since his tryst with Emmaline, Granger informs his grandfather that he is leaving their company to obtain a personal life, something neither he nor his relative seem to have. Emmaline contacts Granger with the news of her pregnancy. He wants to do the right thing with her and their unborn especially since she has been on his mind since their sexcapade. However, a penniless unemployed gold spooned male and a cosset silver spooned royal seems like a doomed relationship as neither is used to wiping the applesauce off their respective chins.

Humorously yet with a serious undertone, A THOROUGHLY MODERN PRINCESS is an interesting tale of two coddled individuals struggling to survive on love. The tale is at its best when Emmaline and Granger struggle to survive everyday living. However, the subplot also focuses on other people that in some ways enriches the novel, but at the same time diverts the audience from the prime theme. Still Wendy Corsi Staub provides a strong contemporary romance starring two charming lead characters and a powerful secondary cast who "know" what is best for this duet.

Harriet Klausner