Review and Facebook Party: Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck

A Fairytale for Grownups

Regina Lice Beswick (better known as Reggie) is a CPA from Tallahassee, Florida, who has thrown in accounting to build a business restoring classic cars. Tanner Burkhardt has been sent to Florida by the king to find Reggie, inform her of her ancestry, and persuade her to return and claim her role as Grand Duchess of Hessenberg, currently ruled by King Nathaniel II of Brighton but due to be returned to the heir of Princess Alice—Reggie is that heir.

There was some initial confusion in the early chapters, as it appears Brighton is a minor island kingdom located in the frigid North Sea, not the famous holiday spot on the south coast of England. I also found the start of the book, especially the second chapter, had far too many named characters and too much plot and history to keep straight. I had to read it twice to get everything (kind of) straight in my head, which is unusual for me (and annoying. It meant the story took too long to get going).

However, when the story did get going, I enjoyed it. Hauck has a lighthearted way with words, which makes reading Princess Ever After a pleasure, especially the tension-filled scenes between Reggie and Tanner.

It seems that many of the novels I’ve been reading—all Christian novels—are stories of abuse and suffering. I don’t deny that abuse and suffering happen. I know they do, and these things affect Christians and non-Christians alike. But so many novels have this as their central them that it’s refreshing to read something lighter, something with some joy and gladness. Something that isn’t driven by Issues, by making sure the reader understands The Theme.

It’s not that Princess Ever After is without conflict, or that everything is rosy. It’s just that it’s a feel-good story, pure and simple. It’s the story to read if you feel everything is just getting a little much, and you’d like to escape into a fictional world where everyone lives happily ever after.

Having said that, it’s probably wise not to think too much about the story, as I suspect there are quite a few unanswered questions (like, why does the girl from Florida never complain about the frigid North Sea weather, and how discreet is it to fly on Royal Air Force One?). There were also a couple of unfortunate typos which will hopefully have been corrected in the final edition.

But I enjoyed it, once I’d worked out the details of the fantasy kingdom, and would recommend Princess Ever After to anyone looking for a little light relief (and perhaps a prince to love). Princess Ever After is the sequel to Once Upon a Prince (about King Nathaniel), but can be read as a standalone novel.

Thanks to Zondervan and Litfuse PR for providing a free ebook for review. You can find out more about Rachel Hauck at her website.


Rachel Hauck is celebrating the release of her latest "swoon"-worthy romance,  Princess Ever After, with a fun $200 "Princess" prize package giveaway and a Facebook "Princess" party on March 6th. Grab your tiaras and RSVP today!

 One winner will receive:

• A $200 Visa cash card (buy your very own "princess ever after" gown or tanks of gas for your "royal" ride)
• Princess Ever After, Once Upon a Prince, and The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 6th. Winner will be announced at Rachel's "Princess" Facebook Party on March 6th. Connect with Rachel for an evening of "royal" book chat, princess-themed trivia, laughter, prizes, and an exclusive look at the next book in the Royal Wedding series!

So grab your copy of Princess Ever After and join Rachel and friends on the evening of March 6th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 6th!